25. 1 Cor. 2. 8 11. Nor knowes it the children of God and what priviledges comforts and happinesse belongs unto them and that even in this life in the state of grace 1 Cor. 2. 9. 2. Sometimes an act also of the will or a joynt act of the minde and will regarding favourably respecting loving affecting approving things known Psal. 101. 4. Thus God is said to knowâ—… the way of the righteous Psal. 1. 6. Christ knowâ—… his sheep Job 10. 27. and so not to love noâ—… to approve is not to know Acts 7. 18. Matth. 7. 23. and 25. 12. In this sense the carnâ—… world knowes not God nor Christ i. e. lovâ—… them not cares not for them but ratheâ—… hates them Exod. 5. 2. Ier. 5. 4. And thâ—… also the world knowes not the children of God i. e. loves them not cares not for them but hates them persecutes them c. because such Iohn 15. 18 19. 1 Iohn 3. 12. So that the more the world hates us for Gods sake Christs sake as Christians the more encouragement we may have that we are not of the world but chosen out of the world into Gods family 1 Pet 4. 16 17. True believing that Iesus is the Christ evidenceth that we are borne of God Whosoever believeth that Iesus is the Christ is born of God 1 John 5. 1. For clearing this evidence of Regeneration Consider these two Questions 1. What is meant here by believing that Iesus is the Christ 2. Whence it may be evinced that whosoever does truly thus believe is borne of God Quest. 1. What is it to believe that Iesus is the Christ Answ. Faith or believing as it relates to Christ hath especially two primary and most remarkable acts viz Assenting and Applying 1. The Assenting act of faith is that whereby faith assents to Gods whole Scripture-Record touching Jesus Christ as true 1 Iohn 5. 10 11. viz. That this Jesus which is revealed so fully to us in the New Testament both in his Person and Offices is no other then the Christ the true Messiah or anointed of God that was fore-promised fore-prophesied of and prefigured under all periods of the Old Testament from the fall of the first Adam to the fulnesse of time for the incarnation of the second Adam to be the only Mediatour betwixt God and man and Saviour of the world This some call Dogmaticall faith some Historical faith because it barely and precisely entertaines the Doctrine and History of Scripture as Truth without any particular appropriation of any thing of Christ to them that so believe Now this bare naked assenting act of faith cannot be a character of Regeneration nor the faith here intended For 1. Hypocrites may assent to the truth of the Record which God hath given touching Christ. For we read often of the faith of such as Luk. 8. 13. Acts 8 13. which believing of theirs was at least an Assent for Assent to truth revealed is the least and lowest act of faith 2. Devils may assent to this truth Dogmatically That Iesus is the Christ yea they have assented to it and known it to be so See Mar. 1. 24. Luke 4. 34 41. Yet nor Hypocrites nor devils are regenerate 2. The Applying act of faith is that whereby faith having assented to the truth of all Gods Record touching Christ proceeds to apply and appropriate all particularly to a mans self as did Paul Who loved me and gave himself for me Gal. 2. 20. and Thomas My Lord and my God John 20. 28. This appropriating act of faith is sometimes called believing on the Son of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. into the Son of God 1John 5. 10. believing on his Name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. into his Name 1 John 5. 13. John 1. 12. coming to him John 6. 35. receiving him John 1. 11 12. having the Son 1 John 5. 12. tasting him 1 Pet. 2. 3. eating him eating his flesh and drinking his blood John 6. 53 54 56 57. compared with ver 47. all which expressions denote faith's appropriating of Christ unto the particular individual believing soul as his Christ Priest Prophet and King as his Jesus his Saviour c. from whom he expects and looks for Redemption Righteousnesse Pardon Holinesse Adoption Peace Comfort Grace Glory and every thing that is promised or is to be expected from the Messiah as Calvin well observes To believe that Iesus is Christ is to hope for all those things from him which were promised of the Messiah This is true justifying faith Rom. 5. 1. now this is the faith here meant this is the true believing that Jesus is the Christ. Discoveries or Characters of this true faith are many Take these seven which gradually depend one upon another viz. 1. The habit of this faith is infused into the soul by God in Regeneration Eph. 2. 8. Iohn 1. 12 13. 2. This habit infused is brought into act by the Fathers drawing the soul to Christ. Iohn 6. 44. This drawing is effected 1. By discovering the necessity of Christ to salvation Acts 4. 11 12. 2. By displaying the sufficiency and alluring Excellency of Christ for salvation Heb. 7. 25. Cant. 5. 10. to the end 3. By manifesting the possibility of obtaining Christ and salvation by him 1 Tim. 1. 16. 4. By propounding the willingnesse and readinesse of God and Christ to entertain poor sinners Matth. 11. 28 29. Iohn 7. 37. Isaiah 55. 1. Iohn 6. 37. Luke 15. 20. to the end 5. By disclosing the invaluable happinesse in gaining Christ 1 Iohn 5. 12. Iohn 3. 16 18 36. And 6. By stirring up ardent strong desires in the heart after Christ that the soul is restlessely thirsting till he be obtained Isa. 55. 1. Iohn 7. 37. 3. Faith thus infused and acted is perswaded to accept Christ upon his own termes viz. self-denyal bearing the Crosse and following Christ and actually accepts him Luk. 9. 23. Iohn 1. 12. 4. Faith having received Christ tastes such sweetnesse and pleasantnesse in him that Christ is most precious to the soule 1 Peter 2. 3 7. and all things in the world are but losse and dung unto him Phil. 3. 8. Oh how is the soul filled with joy and peace in believing Rom. 15. 13. and 5. 1. and so it sits down under Christs shadow with great delight and his fruit is sweet unto its taste Cant. 2. 3. 5. Faith having thus taken and tasted Christ notably enlivens and quickens the soule that not so much the Believer lives as Christ by faith lives in the Believer Gal. 2. 20. Rom. 1. 17. Hab. 2. 4. Christ principally knows wills loves prayes and in a word performes all spiritual motions in him Oh that 's a sweet life indeed whereof Christ is both Authour to give it and Pilot to guide it 6. Faith having enlivened the soul by Christ it notably puts forth it self in vital operations from Christ. For true living faith is a working and fruit-bearing faith as Iames
c. Mat. 5. 10 11 12. Rejoyce in as much as ye are partakers of Christs sufferings If you be reproached for the Name of Christ happy are you c. 1 Pet. 4. 13 14. Upon this consideration when the Apostles were beaten by the Councel for preaching Christ They departed from the presence of the Councel rejoycing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his Name Acts 5. 40 41. And what but Faith can â—…d priviledge happinesse and matter of joy in sufferings for Christ How happy did Cyprian judge their Church That it was made illustrious in his time with the glorious blood of Martyrs it was saith he formerly white with the Brethrens works but now its purple with the Martyrs blood Among its flowers are wanting neither Lilies nor Roses Let all now strive for the ample dignity of this double honour that they may receive either white crownes for well-doing or purple crownes for well-suffering 5. By suggesting to the Soul the spiritual benefit of distresses Faith makes the heart not only overcome them but even glory in them Being justified by faith we glory in tribulations knowing that tribulation worketh patience and patience experience and experience hope and hope maketh not ashamed c. Rom. 5. 1 2 3 4 5. For which cause we faint not but though our outward man perish yet the inward man is renewed day by day For our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternall weight of glory 2 Cor. 4. 16 17. Faith saith Let me be reproached poor imprisoned or any way afflicted so I may be weaned from the world purged from sin increased in grace or any way spiritually advantaged And this is very victorious Ignatius said I am Gods wheat let me be ground by the teeth of wilde beasts that I may be found the pure bread of God 6. By acting love invincibly Faith acts or works by love Gal. 5. 6. And love truly and lively acted towards Christ by faith proves an army invincible flame unquenchable You may kill the lover of Christ but cannot kill the love of Christ. Set me as a seal upon thine heart as a seal upon thine arme saith the Church to Christ For love is strong as death jealousie cruel as the grave the coals thereof coals of fire a most vehement flame Many waters cannot quench love neither can the floods drown it Cant. 8. 6 7. No waters of affliction no floods of persecution can drown it like oyle it swims above the top of deepest waters Such love not their lives unto the death Rev. 12. 11. Here 's the victory of the Saints 7. By eying the invisible and invincible God The worlds punishment said Cyprian cannot more cast down then Gods protection lift up Faith meets with many difficulties and rubs in the way to heaven but fixing upon the Omnipotent God and casting the soul in greatest straits and plunges with a sweet recumbency upon the power of God overcomes them and triumphs over them all Thus Moses by faith overcame the wrath of Pharaoh for he endured as seeing him who is invisible Heb. 11. 27. Thus the three renowned Jewes by faith overcame the fury threats and fiery furnace of King Nebuchadnezzar heated seven times hotter then usual How victoriously do they express themselves O Nebuchadnezzar we are not careful to answer thee in this matter If it be so our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace and he will deliver us out of thy hand O King But if not be it known unto thee O King that we will not serve thy gods nor worship the golden Image which thou hast set up Dan. 3. 16 17 18 8. By improving Christs strength and assistance All Sampsons strength lay in his head so all a Christians strength is in his Head Christ. Christ is so potent and victorious that he hath already overcome the world John 16. ult He hath overcome the world in his own person that he might overcome it in his members Now faith makes out to Christ engages his strength as the Vine makes it self strong by embracing the Elm the Ivy by clasping the Oake Christs strength being engaged what cannot a Christian do or endure He can in every state be content Contentment is a mighty victory over the world let the world do its worst nothing can come amisse to a contented man I know both how to be abased and I know how to abound every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry both to abound and suffer need I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me Phil. 4. 11 12 13. And elsewhere Paul hangs out the flag of defiance against all the terrours of the world Who shall separate us from the love of Christ shall tribulation or distresse or persecution or famine or nakednesse or perill or sword As it is written For thy sake we are killed all the day long we are accounted as sheep to the slaughter Now in all these things we are more then conquerours through him that loved us Rom. 8. 35 36 37. When in Christs might Christians go out against the world they go but to encounter with a conquered adversary they go not so much to Fight as to Triumph and take the spoile 9. Finally Faith in the Regenerate wonderfully conquers the frownes of the world by fixing a steady eye upon that eternall joy set before them upon that great recompence of reward Reckoning that the afflictions of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us Rom. 8. 18. The heaviest affliction is but light the longest affliction here is but for a moment and what 's that to glory to the weight of glory to the eternal weight of glory to the far more exceeding and eternall weight ef glory 2 Cor. 4. 17. Faith therefore having respect to the recompence of reward behaves it self exceeding victoriously against all the tribulations of the world For 1. Hence Faith under deepest sorrowes keeps up the heart and spirits of Gods children from fainting 2 Cor. 4. 16 17 18. 2. Hence Faith enables to undergo not ordinary troubles but extraordinary tortures and yet not to accept deliverance Heb. 11. 35. 3. Hence Faith instructs them to judge Christs reproaches greater riches then any earthly treasures And the afflictions of Christians farre sweeter then the pleasures of sin which can but be for a season Heb. 11. 26. Whereupon notably Ignatius The confines of the world and kingdomes of the earth delight not me at all It is better for me to die for Iesus Christ then to reigne over the ends of the earth For Iesus is the life of Believers Be not unwilling to have me die It s a death to live without Christ c. Upon like ground blessed Cyprian writing to certaine valiant and faithful witnesses of Christ that had endured
lost it and retained when they have goâ—… possession of it IV. Inducements unto Assurance I. Non-Assurance of Gods favour in Christ and of our true state of grace in him is a maâ—… nifold misery and prejudice to the dear childreâ—… of God For 1. This is a bad Signe 1. Sometimes of the defectïvenesse anâ—… weaknesse of grace in such that they are buâ—… babes not grown men in Christ because theiâ—… spirituall senses are not as yet exercised so faâ—… as to discerne the things of God in themâ—… selves and that they want very much oâ—… the Anointing of the Spirit to reveale untâ—… them the things of the Spirit Now Chriâ—… stians should strive to get out of their infaâ—… cy and imbecillity of grace not still remainâ—… ing children and babes in faith and knowâ—… ledge but labouring to become men in Christ growing up unto perfection 2. Sometimes of the strength and prevaiâ—… ing of corruption and temptation when Dâ—… vid had relapsed he lost the joy of Gods salvâ—… tion Great fals aftonish and amaze botâ—… corporall and spirituall senses And it mucâ—… concernes all Christians to wrastle againâ—… entangling temptations and recover theâ—… selves out of Relapses 3. Sometimes of spirituall desertions that the Lord hath in some measure forsaken the soule and withdrawn himselfe as in the case of David Heman Asaph and the Church her selfe Now spirituall desertions are such overwhelming afflictions to the soule that hath once truly tasted of the sweetnesse of Christs presence that the gracious heart is wholly restlesse till it be again re-embraced in the dearest armes of love and favour 2. This is one great cause of Christians dejectednesse and uncomfortablenesse that though they are in a state of grace yet they cannot discerne themselves to be in such a gracious State To be in the true State of grace is the happiest ground of comfort but till there be some apprehension and knowledge of that our State oft-times we have small sense of comfort As Hagar when her bottle of water was spent and her childe ready to die she sate down full of perplexity and yet there was a Well in the place the Well did not comfort her though close by her till the Lord opened her eyes to see it How pensive and sad were the two Disciples going towards Emmaus about Christs death though Christ risen from the dead was in their company and talked with them whilest their eyes were holden that they should not know him How did Mary Magdalene stand weeping by Christs Sepulchre supposing that his dead body was thence stollen away though Christ revived and risen stood close by her and why Christ was present but she did not know him So if we be close by the Well of grace if Christ be present with us yea in us if yet we know it not we are still in our discomforts our teares and sorrows are still flowing David was told by the Prophet The Lord hath put away thy sinne but because David had not the sense and apprehension hereof he wanted the joy of Gods salvation and groaned still under his broken bones a good while after II. God hath often charged his people to contend after the security and assurance of their Spirituall State Give diligence to make your calling and election sure Examine your selves whether you be in the faith c. Let us draw neere with a true heart in full assurance of faith We desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end III. It is Possible that such as are in a state of grace may if the fault be not their own come to know and be assured they are in such a state For 1. Many Scriptures intimate this 2. The Nature of saving Knowledge Faith and Hope tend to this 3. Many Gracious persons have sometimes attained to this though at other times not without their doubtings and infirmities As Iob David Hezekiah Thomas Peter Paul the Church her selfe Finally Assurance of our gracious state is richly worth all earnest endeavours after it They that once attaine to it as hereafter is manifested finde a Jewell of great price and no stranger shall intermeddle with their joy The Summary Contents of the severall Chapters in this Book CHAP. I. Evidences of Gods love to us 1. CHrists being sent to die for us that we might live by him 1 Joh. 3. 16. and 4. 9 10. page 5. 2. Adoption 1 Ioh. 3. 1. p. 7. 3. Our not loving the world c. inordinately 1 Ioh 3. 15 16 17. p. 8. 4. Our true love to God 1 Ioh. 4. 19. p. 10. CHAP. II. Evidences of our Regeneration Adoption Sonship 1. That the world knoweth us not 1 Ioh. 3. 1. p. 21. 2. True believing that Jesus is the Christ 1 John 5. 1. p. 23. 3. Not committing or practising of sinne 1 Iohn 3. 8 9. p. 29. 4. Overcoming erroneous hereticall spirits and their seducements 1 Iohn 4 1 4. p. 127. 5. Overcoming the world by faith 1 Iohn 5. 4 5. p. 142. 6. Doing or practising of righteousnesse 1 Iohn 2. 29. and 3. 10. p. 162. 7. True love of the Brethren 1 Iohn 3. 10. and 4. 7. and 3. 14. p. 168. 8. Hope and assured apprehension in some measure that we shall be conforme â—…o God and Christ in his glorious appearing 2 Iohn 3. 2. p. 173. 9. In hope of glory purifying our selves as he is pure 1 Iohn 3 2 3. p. 173. CHAP. III. Evidences that we are of the truth and of the number of Gods people 1. Having an Unction from the Holy One teaching us all â—…hings 1 Iohn 2. 19 20 27. p. 180. 2. The Testimony of our heart touching our true love of the â—…rethren 1 Iohn 3. 18 19 20 21. p. 183. 3. Perseverance with the faithfull in Christ and in the truth 〈◊〉 Ioh. 2. 19. CHAP. IV. V. Evidences of being in light not in darknesse in life not in death 1 Actuall interest in and enjoyment of Jesus Christ 1 Iohn 〈◊〉 11 12. p. 188. 2. Loving and not hating of our brother 1 Ioh. 2. 9 10 11. and 〈◊〉 14 15. p. 191. CHAP. V. Evidences of our true knowledge of God and of Iesus Christ. 1. Real and sincere keeping of Gods Commandements 1 Iohn 〈◊〉 3 4. p. 193. 2. Not sinning 1 Ioh. 3. 6. p. 197. 3. A right entertaining and hearkening to the true Apostolical â—…octrine 1 Ioh. 4. 5 6. p. 197. 4. Brotherly love 1 Ioh. 4. 7 8. p. 199. CHAP. VI. Evidences of our true love to God and to Iesus Christ. 1. When our love to God flows from Gods love to us 1 Iohn 〈◊〉 19. p. 200. 2. Casting out of base servile fear 1 Iohn 4. 18 19. p. 202. 3. Not loving the world c. excessively 1 Ioh. 2. 15. 16. p. â—…05 4. Keeping Gods Commandements and that
demonstrates Iames 2. 14 to the end Now faiths principal acts are these 1. Cleansing and purifying the heart from all inward filthinesse so as not to approve it or mingle with it Acts 15. 9. 2. Calming and pacifying the conscience as once Christ said to the windes and waves so faith in Christ saith to the troubled and perplexed soul Peace and be still and there is a great calme Rom. 5. 1 2 3. Phil. 4. 7. 3. Acting and working by love with a chearful respect and delightful enlargement to all Gods Commandements Gal. 5. 6. 1 Iohn 5. 3. 7. Finally Faith having attained to this spiritual strength and activity contends after a fuller perfection even after a full assurance Col. 2. 2. Heb. 10 22. Heb. 6. 11 18 19. which full-assurance is obtained by faith's reflecting upon its own acts and seeing it self believe I know whom I have believed 2 Tiâ—… 1. 12. and though every believer reacheth not this full assurance nor any one retaines it at all times yet the nature of faith contends and leads all unto it most genuinely whence Calvin was not afraid to say that full assurance can no more be plucked from faith then heat or light can be severed from the Sun Qu. 2. Whence may it be evinced that whosoever doth thereby thus beleeve is born of God Answ. From many grounds take a few for all 1. This believing thus described is a receiving of Christ and a believing on his Name but every one that receives Christ and believes on his Name is born not of bloods nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man but of God Joh. 1. 12 13. What need to be said more punctually 2. This Faith thus described is one of the fruits of the spirit enumerated as contra-distinct from the works of the flesh Gal. 5. 22. Consequently they that have this Faith have the regenerating Spirit in them whence this and the other fruits flow and so are born of God 3. This Faith and beleeving here described is such as whereby the believer pleaseth God Heb. 11. 6. Consider well the former particulars Therefore they that so beleeve are regenerate in the spirit and not in the flesh for they that are in the flesh cannot please God Rom. 8. 8. 4. Finally they that believe in Christ as hath been described shall be saved Mark 16. 16. Joh. 3. 16. Therefore they must needs be borne of God for Except a man be â—…orn againe he cannot enter into the Kingdome â—…f God Joh. 3. 3 5. The not committing of sin is the properâ—…y of such as are truely regenerate He that â—…mitteth sin is of the devil for the devil â—…nneth from the beginning for this purpose the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the workes of the devil Whosoever is â—…orn of God doth not commit sin for his seed â—…maineth in him and he cannot sin because he 〈◊〉 borne of God 1 Joh. 3. 8 9. This note about â—…ing is for greater cleerenesse and more â—…phaticalnesse laid down Affirmatively â—…d Negatively by that detecting the children of the divil by this the children of God Contraries parallel'd serve to illustrate one â—…nother 1. Affirmatively ver 8. where consider â—…st The Position it selfe He that committeth 〈◊〉 is of the devil i. e. He is the child of the 〈◊〉 and the divel his father as Ioh. 8. 44. and â—…lkes according to the course of this world according to the Prince of the power of the Aire â—…e spirit that now worketh in the children of â—…obedience Eph. 2. 2. For this phrase is 〈◊〉 the divel is here opposed to that is born 〈◊〉 God ver 1 9 2. The confirmation of it by double Argument viz. 1. From the devils â—…ostasie for the devil sinneth from the beginâ—… i. e. The devil sinned from the beginning of the world compare Ioh. 8. 44. wiâ—… Iude 6. He was the very first sinner in thâ—… world and the cause of all other sinners 〈◊〉 the world He drew his Apostate Angeâ—… with him hence probably that phrase the Dâ—… vil and his Angels Mat. 25. 41. He deceiveâ—… our first parents in the Serpent and 〈◊〉 brought sin upon all the world Gen. 3. Anâ—… still he as a roaring Lyon walketh about seeâ—… ing whom he may destroy 1 Pet. 5. 8. Norâ—… it said he sinned but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he sinneâ—… from the beginning i. e. indefinently anâ—… with one continued act as some weâ—… observe Sin is the devils continuall tradâ—… without cessation or intermission Noâ—… the devil being such a sinner from the begiâ—… ning they that commit sin as meer natuâ—… men do must needs be the children of thâ—… devil This the first Argument 2. From Chrisâ—… office or the end of his first coming into thâ—… world viz. To destroy the workes of the dâ—… vil Sinne is the proper work of the devâ—… Christ destroyed both By the vertue aâ—… sufficiency of his merit for all his elect at oncâ—… Rom. 8. 3. And By the vigour and efficienâ—… of his Spirit Rom. 8. 2 13. for every one 〈◊〉 his elect respectively when effectually calleâ—… So that hence it must needs follow thâ—… those persons in whom the dominion aâ—… power of sin is not subdued by Christ bâ—… they still commit sin they so continuing 〈◊〉 still remain the children of the devil thâ—… present state is damnable 2. Negatively verse 9. where also note 1. The Position it selfe containing the Character of such as are borne of God Whosoever is borne of God doth not commit sin which also may thus be converted Whosoever commits not sin is borne of God 2. The Confirmation of the Position by a double Argument 1. A causâ conservante from the conserving cause in him that keeps him from sinning for his seed remaineth in him By seed here 1. Some understand the â—…raduction of the divine essence to the Saints whom therefore Beza deservedly brands as most ridiculous fanatick persons for this â—…bsurd dream 2. Some understand by seed the Spirit of God by whom we are regenerated and our corruptions and flesh subdued so that we walke not after the flesh but after the Spirit the streame of Interpreters runnes this way 3. Some finally by â—…eed understand the Word and Spirit together the Word effectually applyed and actuated by the operation of the Spirit and this seems fullest For the Scripture compaâ—… the word to seed because it is Gods instrumentall Ordinance for our Regeneration Being borne againe not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible by the Word of God which liveth and abideth for ever 1 Pet. 1. 23. And this Word of God abiding in the heart written there is a most prevalent Antidote against Sinne. Thy Word have I bid in my heart that I might not sinne against thee Psa. 119. 11. So that the regenerate sinnes not because his seed remaineth in him i. e. Gods Wordcast into the heart by the operation of the Spirit making a man to spring
Lord Pro. 15. 26. Yea every imagination of the thoughts of his heart are onely evil continually Gen. 6. 5. How emphaticallyl 1. not the thought but thoughts 2. not only the thoughts but if there be any thing before or beyond the thoughts the imagination of the thoughts of his heart 3. not onely some or many but every imagination of the thoughts 4. is not evill in the concrete but malice or evilness it selfe in the abstract as the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 may import 5. Nor evilnesse in some respect as if there were some mixture or relique of goodnesse remaining but only evil meer malice 6. Nor all this only for some season in fit of temptation c but continually all the day long and every day so that carnal men so remaining can do nothing but sin in all they act speak or think 2. Their persons and all their inward principles are meerly carnal corrupt and odious to God not only sinners but dead in trespasses and sinnes Eph. 2. 1. Not only dark but darknesse it selfe Eph. 5. 8. Not only carnal or fleshly but flesh it self Iohn 3. 6. And in the flesh dwells no good thing Rom. 7. 18. Now such as are the persons of carnal men such are all their actions meerely carnal and sinful So is this people and so is every work of their hands and that which they offer there is unclean Hagg. 2. 14. A corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit How can ye being evil speak good things An evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things Matth. 12. 33 34 35. To them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure but even their minde and conscience is defiled being abominable and disobedient and to every good work reprobate Tit. 1. 15 16. Thus farre of the difference betwixt the sinning of the regenerate and unregenerate and how they that are borne of God sinne not nor can sinne Whereof I have treated the more largely that in this note which is of no small consequence the Conscience of the regenerate may be satisfied the more fully A Case of Conscience touching the Sinne against the Holy Ghost what it is and whether they that are born of God fall into it But before we passe from this Character of them that are borne of God viz. That they do not commit sinne nor can sinne to another it may be very usefull to lend a little help to the weake timerous and trembling Christian against that perplexing temptation that would perswade him that he hath sinned against the Holy Ghost Alas saith he If they that are borne of God commit not sinne as the unregenerate do if this be a signe of Regeneration what may I thinke of my selfe I am greatly afraid that I have sinned that very unpardonable Sinne against the Holy Ghost For 1. I have sined against my light and the checks of my Conscience 2. I have sinned against the experimentall tastes of spirituall things 3. I have crucified Christ afresh 4. I have bad many blasphemous thoughts in mine heart 5. I have fearefully fallen away from my first love and which kils my soule 6. under all this I find my heart as hard and obdurate as an Adamant without all Repentance or remorse for all this Have not I just cause to conclude that doubtlesse I am an unregenerate Person Answ. Poor soul forbear a little thy hard conceits of thy self and suspend thy censures They that have worst thoughts of themselves are not always in the worst conditiō towards God Every one that feares he hath sinned against the H. Ghost must not presently be concluded to have committed that horrid sin of sinnes All this may arise 1. partly from thy weaknesse not knowing either thy owne spirituall estate or the nature of this sinne truely and distinctly And 2. partly from Satans wickednesse abusing thy weaknesse to make thee believe this of thy self that so if it were possible he might drive thee to despaire But credit neither thine owne weaknesse nor Satans wickednesse to the ruine of thy precious soule For a more cleare and satisfactory resolution in this case consider these particulars 1. Who or what kind of persons are they that are in danger of sinning this sin against the Holy Ghost 2. What this sin against the Holy Ghost is and wherein it consists 3. What a vast difference there is betwixt the sinnes or falls of a regenerate person yea though against knowledge and their sinnes that sinne against the H. Ghost Take this in three several Sections SECT I. I. Who or what kinde of persons they are that are in danger of sinning this sin against the Holy Ghost Answ. This may be resolved Negatively and Affirmatively Negatively Who they are not So we shall more distinctly see who they are Take this in these few Positions 1. Doubtlesse those persons who are truly regenerate and borne of God they never any of them sin the sin against the Holy Ghost nor can so sin True 1. They may commit such sins against light of minde and checks of conscience sometimes Rom. 7. 15 19. They may possibly have such blasphemous and wicked suggestions darted and injected into their thoughts Matth. 4. 3 6 9. They may perhaps fal from their first love Rev 2. 4. Yea fall so fearfully as David and Peter did Yea it may be they may perceive such hard-heartednesse and impenitency upon their soules notwithstanding all this for a season that from all these Satan also subtilly taking advantage thereby they may have sad apprehensions and feares that they have fallen into the very sin against the Holy Ghost 2. They also that are borne of God as they have the root of all actual sin still in them viz. Original corruption dwelling in them Psalm 51. 5. Rom. 7. 17 18 21 23 24 so they have the very roote of this sin against the H. Ghost in particular in them originall sin being the proper seed spawne and fountaine of this sin as well as of any other whatsoever How humbly vigilantly and cautiously therefore should all Gods people walke before God seeing this dangerous principle of originall corruption still sticks in their hearts Yet notwithstanding persons truly borne of God never actually fall into this sin against the Holy Ghost nor all things well considered can do For 1. The Holy Ghost himselfe in Scripture plainly testifies that the regenerate sin not this great sin There is a sin unto death I do not say that he shall pray for it All unrighteousnesse is sin and there is a sin not unto death We know that whosoever is borne of God sinneth not viz as Tertullian notes not this sin unto death but he that is begotten of God keepeth himselfe and that wicked one toucheth him not 1 Iohn 5. 16 17 18. In these and the two precedent verses the Apostle asserts more generally the priviledge of believers in the point of prayer viz. confidence in Christ that they shall have whatsoever they