by liuely faith is but the very outside and dull matter of a good and acceptable worke There is no going right forward in the way to Heauen 1. Tim 1.5 if faith be not the guide The end of the Commaundement is loue out of a pure conscience and faith vnfained That which is here called the precept is not all the law Iun. animad in Bell Cont. 5. lib. 3. cap. 11. not 14. but only the precept that Paul giueth to Timothy that he should haue care to see that there were no strange doctrine admitted neither for forme nor matter neither for things directly contrarie to wholsome doctrine nor for idle questions not tending to build vp the people in the loue of God and of their Neighbour as appeareth euidently Verse 3. both by the verbe before whereof this word here is deriued and by this same word vsed afterward in this chapter Verse 18. where the signification of it is restrained vnto the present matter of exhortaion Neuerthelesse it may well be applied to confirme that euery act of sincere and vnpartiall obedience must come from a liuely well-rooted and soueraigne faith Christ is the fountaine of life and faith the meane Act. 2.15 Iohn 1.4 Psal 36.9 Heb. 5.9 Christ is the fountaine and faith the meanes of life The power and originall of life is intirely reserued to the Lord and Prince of life the Light and Life of men the Author of eternall saluation But faith is the radicall band on our part whereby wee are tied vnto Christ and liue in him The bodie hath it soule which enclines it and so hath the soule its soule whereby it liues and that is Christ the quickning spirit 1. Cor. 15.45 Take away the soule from the bodie and earth becomes earth seuer Christ and the soule what is it but a dead carrion The members die if they bee seperated from the Head liue so long as they be conioyned to it Ephes 1.22 23. 4.16 Christ is to his Church and euery liuing member of it what the naturall Head is to the naturall members And so we liue primarily and properly by Christ as by the soule and Head by faith secondarily as by the Spirits the band of soule and body or by Nerues and sinewes the ties of the Head and Members Looke as the leg or arme liues by proper sinewes vniting them to the Head so doth euery belieuer liue in Christ by a wel-rooted soueraigne particular faith whereby he receiueth Christ and is made one with him Thus saith hee himselfe Who is the truth and the life Iohn 14.6 I am the resurrection and the life he that belieueth in me Iohn 11.25 though he were dead yet shall he liue and I am the bread of life Iohn 6.35 Iohn 5.26 hee that belieueth in me shall neuer hunger and againe As the Father hath life in himselfe so hath hee giuen to the Son to haue life in himself Thus speak the holy Scriptures of him In it was life and that life was the light of men Iohn 1.4 Col. 3.4 When Christ who is your life shall appeare Our hands haue handled the word of life For the life was manifested 1. Iohn 1.2 3. and we haue scene it and beare witnesse and shew vnto you that eternall life which was with the Father and was manifested vnto vs. And this is the testimonie of those three heauenly and earthly witnesses That God hath giuen to vs eternall life and this life is in his Sonne 1. Iohn 5.11 12. Hee that hath the Sonne hath life and hee that hath not the Sonne hath not life Whatsoeuer grace we want it is to be receiued from Christ 1. Cor. 1.30 Who of God is made vnto vs wisdome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption and whatsoeuer grace is in Christ for vs it is made ours by faith And so we find in diuers passages of Scripture that he that hath faith 1. John 5.13 hath the Sonne and eternall life in him This is liuely represented vnto vs by the Parable of the Vine and the branches that as the branch receiueâ— all the sap whereby it liues and is fruitfull from the Vine Iohn 15.5 so doe we from Christ being engrafted into him Life then is from Christ as the Author Rom. 11.20 Prince and Fountaine but wee liue by faith as it incorporateth vs into Christ and receiueth him to dwell in our hearts Ephes 3.17 So that whatsoeuer wee lend to faith it redounds to the honour of Christ Impossible it is that faith should waxe proud towards her Lord or insolent ouer her fellow seruants challenging any thing of desert vnto her selfe No faith receiues all of grace as a poore beggar and altogether excludes the hatefull law of boasting Rom 3.27 Rom. 4.16 Ephes 2.8 9.10 This is the nature the place the office of faith for God haâ—h ordained that life should bee through faith thâ—t it might bee of meere and rich grace And if the end and meanes appointed of God to lead thereunto doe well consent then it cannot be that faith should lift vp her selfe against grace or in any thing seeke her owne prâ—ise and not the glory of God Among all the gifts of God there iâ— none more vsefull then faith others are profitable for some few things this is for this life and the lâ—fe to come for all parts and purposes of our liues in the vse of it manifold and rich eueâ—y manner of way But euermore it aduancâ—th the gracâ— of God and causeth man altogether to disclaime himselfe his abilitie and worth Faith seâ—ueth not only to iustifie but to make vs endure in all afflictions without making haste Hab. 2.4 Esay â—8 16 Rom. 1.5 The Iust liueth in time of his afflictions by faith Hee that belieueth maketh not haste It doth worke in vs and guide the course of our obedience Wee haue râ—ceiued grace and Apostleship to the obedience of faith not only in belieuing the promise of the Gospell but the other pâ—rt or word of command It doth also preuaile against all Enemies 1. Iohn 5.4 This is the victorie that ouer-commeth the world euen our faith But in all this it leaneth vpon the grace of God looketh to his power and trusteth vpon his faithfull promise To liue by Faith Gal. 3.2 Rom. 4.21 Heb. 11.11 What it is to liue by faith is by faith in Christ to assent and adhere vnto and pâ—ssesse the whole Word of God as our owne in all estates and conditions resting quietly vpon his gratious and faithfull promise to receiue from his good hand all needfull blessings and comforts in fittest season and in all good conscience yeelding our selues vnto his good pleasure in sincere vniuersall and constant obedience To liue by faith is not only to belieue in Christ for saluation or to belieue throughout our life that wee shall be saued in the life to come but also to rest vpon the
bodie is wearie after labour and requires rest but sinne is euer stirring neuer quiet no not when occasions be wanting And that it might appeare out of measure sinfull it takes occasion by the commandement it resideth the good motions of the Spirit it disinâ—bleth to euery good worke it diffuseth it venome into euery action and leadeth captiue to the committing of sinne against knowledge and conscience The cursed earth is not so apt to bee ouer-growne with weedes bryars thornes and thistles as the soule with lusts passions distempers worldly cares and sinfull delights The law of the flesh rebelleth against the law of the minde and carrieth with violence to the workes of darknesse The Gally-slaues condition is very hard and miserable but the spirituall bond-slaue is in farre worse estate No drudgerie so base as the seruice of sinne no Tyrant so cruell as sinne which allowes no respite or time of refreshing Rom. 7.24 O miserable man that I am who shall deliuer me from this dominion of sinne this bodie of death I haue deeply defiled my selfe by transgression but haue no power to cleanse my heart O Lord I haue defaced thine Image but cannot repaire it I haue yeelded the powers of my soule to the obedience of sin and now I would cast off that subiection and breake those snares I am altogether vnsufficient for it When I would doe well euill is present with me Rom. 7.21 but I finde no meanes to perfect what I desire I cannot desire good my will is so in bondage I am not able to crawle about the doing of that which is good such is my feeblenesse but I want no strength to that which is euill I am apt and readie to goe astray I am inuironed and beset with sinne on euery side oh when shall I be set at libertie that I might doe the worke of God and runne the race of his Commandements Secondly He must looke to the grace truth and power of God who hath promised to sanctifie to the fulnesse and sufficiencie that is in Christ the fountaine of grace He who hath spoken this to mee Hold me and I will set thee free I will circumcise thy heart wash it purge it heale it of all sicknesses and infirmities he that hath spoken it is God Almightie who giueth Being to all visible creatures and that inuisible world of Spirits who calleth the things that are not as if they were who if there were no print of these things in me can worke and create them gloriously as at first he drew this excellent frame of the world out of that confused lumpe or Masse which hee made of nothing And as he is great in power so is he rich in mercie aboundant in goodnesse and truth as ready and faithfull to keepe as hee was free to make the promise His grace is vnsearchable his Word purer then siluer seuen times refined In my selfe I am full of sinne barren and destitute of grace but Christ is an ouer-flowing fountaine who hath plentifully filled all that belieue All the faithfull haue drawne of his fulnesse and yet his store is no whit diminished O my soule trust thou in the Lord and thou shalt be purged from thy filthines replenished with his grace Loe he calleth the thirstie who bee destitute of all sap and fruit of grace to come vnto him that they may be refreshed The Saints who haue beene most enriched with varietie of graces were by nature as poore and destitute as thou art What they had they receiued by faith Belieue as they did and speed with them Why criest thou out distrustfully by reason of thy barrennesse Doth the streaming fountaine denie water to the thirstie traueller No more doth Christ to the emptie parched soule that comes vnto him Thou hast no grace of thy selfe cleaue vnto him and thou shalt want none that may be for thy good He filleth the emptie and satisfieth the poore that he might be acknowledged the wel-spring of all grace and goodnesse Thirdly He must pray instantly vnto the Lord for sanctifying grace Faith obtaineth as a poore petitioner what the Lord promiseâ—h in speciall fauour nor can it belieue longer then it prayeth virtually or actually O Lord thou hast promised to powre water vpon the thirsty Esay 44.3 35.7 Ioel 2.28 and riuers vpon the dry ground I pray thee wash mee throughly from my filthinesse and water me bountifully with the dew of thy grace which may coole and allay the scorching heate of sinne Zech 13.1 Thou hast opened a fountaine to the house of Dauid and to the inhabitants of Ierusalem for sinne and for vncleannesse let the streames thereof flow vpon my drie and barren soule that it may be fruitfull in the workes of holinesse O put thy good Spirit into me which may be as a fountaine of liuing waters springing vnto eternall life Fourthly It is good to moue and quicken the heart quietly to rest in the promise and reioyce in hope Waite on the Lord O my soule and bee glad in him for hee hath giuen Christ to be thy Sanctification He is appointed to bee the beginner and finisher of thy holinesse and surely he will not leaue that worke imperfect whereunto he is ordained of the Father Were the progresse of that building commited to thy care and ouer-sight there might bee cause of feare but since it is laid vpon him thine onely and all-sufficient Redeemer there is no place for doubting Hold him fast and thou art safe Lord increase my faith and keepe me close vnto thee in belieuing for euermore CHAP. IIII. What it is to liue by Faith concerning the promises of euerlasting life AS if it were a light thing that God should forgiue all our sinnes Psal 103.3 4. and heale our infirmities he hath giuen promise of euerlasting life to bee conferred of his rich grace vpon them that belieue in Iesus Christ God so loued the world that he gaue his onely begotten Sonne that whosoeuer belieueth in him should not perish but haue euerlasting life Eternall life is promised Iohn 3.16 And Christ hath purchased life euerlasting no lesse for vs then righteousnesse Heb. 10.19 20. By the bloud of Iesus we may be hold to enter into the Holiest by the new and liuing way which he hath consecrated for vs through the vaile that is to say His flesh For this cause hee is the Mediatour of the New Testament Heb. 9.15 that by meanes of death for the redemption of the transgressions that were vnder the first Testament they which are called might receiue the promise of eternall inheritance And therefore as he is said to haue made reconciliation for iniquitie Dan. 9.24 2 Tim. 1.10 and to haue brought in euerlasting righteousnesse so also to haue abolished death and brought life and immortalitie to light And he makes promise of euerlasting life to them that heare and obey his voice Iohn 10.27 28. Marke 16.16 Acts 16.31 Iohn 6.40 20 31. 1
Iesus Christ how can we be perswaded touching his gracious pleasure till we be acquainted with his word whereby he hath declared it How can I belieue or certainly know that a friend will doe me this or that good turne vnlesse I haue his word or promise to that effect no more could we euer know or bee perswaded that God would forgiue our sinnes or shew mercie vpon vs should hee not by his Word signifie and make knowne the same Rom. 10.8 Iohn 12 6. Marke 1.15 Rom. 1.16 Isay 53.1 The Word is the Word of faith propounding things to bee belieued and commanding vs to belieue The Gospell is the word of the kingdome the power of God to saluation the arme of God Faith is the mother of Prayer Encreased by Prayer and the vse of the Sacraments Prayer a meanes of the increase and conseruation of faith The Sacraments doe confirme conserue and increase faith begunne but the Word only is the instrument to beget faith Two things are here to be looked vnto First that we seuer not what God hath ioyned together Secondly that we attribute not to the instrument what is proper to the Authour For the Word by the Ordinance of God is appointed to represent to our mindes what it is ordained to signifie and by it as an instrument it pleaseth God to worke but the whole force efficacie and power doth flow from God and he that created man at the first Marke 16.20 1. Cor. 12.6 is his restorer to life eternall If it be demanded why doe not all belieue that heare the Word Why all doe not belieue that heare the Word The answere is Mans wilfulnesse is the fundamentall radicall prime cause of obstinate vnbeliefe and he belieueth not because he will not belieue which disposition the will hath of it selfe by nature But the reason why one belieueth and not another is because the Holy Ghost doth not inwardly teach all men but whom he will and ioyne his efficacie to the Woâ—d preached and heard in whom he will The cause of this his will we are not bound to render we cannot render but must rest in the good pleasure of God Though faith be the gift of God men must vse the meanes to obtaine it And though no man doe belieue by the externall hearing of the Word vnlesse the inward operation of the Holy Ghost regenerating and giuing faith doe accompany it yet must all men giue attendance to the hearing of the Word preached and diligent reading because it is the meanes that God hath ordained for the begetting of faith and by precept diuine they are thereunto obliged Neither shall it excuse any man to say hee could not belieue and if he should make triall his endeauour would be in vaine Such friuolous pretences shall nothing auaile before God The lesse able wee are to belieue of our selues the more carefull should wee bee to vse the meanes that God hath ordained that we might obtaine it Marriage was neuer held superfluous or vnnecessary for the propagation of mankind because the reasonable soule is not generated by our parents but immediately created and infused of God That faith is the sole gift of God wholly infused not partly acquired by vs should rather incite then any way abate our endeuours for attaining it For faith is not giuen but in the vse of the meanes and though he giue not faith vnto all men he violently withholds faith from no man that seeketh it but denieth it iustly to them that willingly preferre the pleasures of sin before the pearle of the Gospell And as Christ infused not humane life into trees stockes and stones but into bodies passiuely organized and figured for the fit habitation of the humane soule so neither doth hee ordinarily bestow supernaturall grace on euery one that hath a reasonable soule but on such onely as are by him passiuely prepared for it The conclusion is that wee must waite daily at the posts of Wisdomes gate meditate seriously vpon the Word of life and nourish the motions of Gods Spirit as the meanes whereby faith is begunne and increased in vs. CHAP. III. Of Iustifying faith what it is and what things are implied therein § 1. IVstifying faith presupposeth the knowledge of God and Christ §. 1. Faith presupposeth knowledge of the precepts of the word and promises of the Gospel Knowledge is an antecedent if not a part of faith Knowledge I say not of the reason and nature of the th ngs but of reuelation which rests in the meaning of the testimonie distinctly vnderstood The things which God commandeth vs to belieue exceed all naturall capacitie cannot be knowne in their essence and properties as things naturall are by the light of reason But euery belieuer must know it to be the Word of God which he receiueth and what is signified thereby and the things to be as they are reuealed though he cannot comprehend the reason or causes of them Iob 19.25 Iohn 17.3 2. Tim. 1 1â— 2. Tim. 2.7 Acts 26.18 Mat. 11.25 26. Ephes 1.8 â— Iohn 6.15 1. Iohn 4.16 Knowledge is put for faith as that which euer accompanieth it When God enricheth men with faith he is said to open their eyes to reueale vnto them the misterie of his will and they are said to bee taught and instructed of him Out of question faith is a most wise grace making them that be endued therewith wise vnto saluation and that euident to the belieuer which of it selfe is incomprehensible In faith historicall there must be knowledge of the historie and truth of the Gospell much more in faith Iustifying There is such relation betwixt Faith and the Word Iohn 20.21 Rom. 10.17 Esay 55.3 Col. 1.6 2. â— Ephes 1.12 that without the Word there can be no Faith as the foundation being taken away that which should bee built vpon it cannot stand The order whereby men are brought to the faith is this first they heare and then they belieue Faith is an assent to the truth and promises of God But no assent can be giuen to a thing vtterly vnknowne What is more absurd then to dreame of a blinde assent to wee know not what to a thing wee neuer heard off Howsoeuer faith apprehends mysteries not to be inquired into yet the proposition and doctrine of all the Articles of faith must be distinctly conceiued Popish Obiections preuented that a man bee able to vnderstand what they are If a man cannot giue a reason of the thing belieued hee must be able to giue a reason of his beliefe 2. Cor. 10.5 Bellar. de Iustif lib. 1. cap. 7. Faith captiuates our vnderstanding vnto the obedience of Christ but is not ignorant of Christ or of his doctrine It giueth credit and submitteth to the truth acknowledged though it seeme absurd to carnall reason but it cherisheth not ignorance of diuine mysteries exceeding all humane capacitie It subiecteth reason to the doctrine of God and his reuelation but
is of no effect or moment thereunto When the Apostle makes comparison betwixt the body without the spirit and faith without workes Iames 2.26 Rhem. annot in Iames 2 26. Sect. 10. concluding that they are both dead he cannot be thought to make loâ—e the soule of faith For he speakes not of internall charitie which lodgeth in the heart but of externall workes which are outwardly visible and apparent vnto men and cannot be the life but are the fruites and effects of faith For that which is without and externall cannot bee the life or soule of that which is within and internall nay it selfe hath from within all the life that it hath and if it receiue not life from within it is altogether dead Workes therefore being outward and issuing from within if they be true can in no good construction be said to be the life of faith which is within but to be the issues and productions of faith from which they spring Besides the word vsed by the Apostle doth signifie the breath and and so the comparison runneth plaine As the body of a l uing creature if it breathe not is dead so faith if it bring forth no workes is dead For breathing is an effect of a liuing body and working is the proper effect of a liuing faith If we speake of faith as it is outwardly professed to men workes which may bee discerned by the eyes of men not charitie which is the inward affection of the heart are they that giue name and gaine credit to profession Charitie is an hand or instrument whereby faith worketh workes are fruites effects demonstrations of the inward life of faith and that which giues name and being to our externall proffession is a pure blamelesse vpright conuersation fruitefull in good workes If we speake of faith a dead faith may be compared to a dead body altogether void of spirituall quickening but a liuely faith cannot fitly be resembled to liuing body but rather to the life of the body because faith is not that which is quickened by charitie or the the workes of charitie but that which quickeneth Faith is the first wheele in the Clocke that moueth all the rest Faith stirreth vp and directeth all other graces of the soule in their operations whose strength increaseth according to the liuely-hood vigor and increase of faith Iames 2.22 Rhem. annot in Loc. How then saith the Apostle That faith is perfected by workes As we iudge of the cause by the effects and by the proportion of the effects the efficacie and force of the cause may seeme to be increased or diminished euery thing is acknowledged to bee perfect when it worketh and is esteemed so much the more perfect by how much the more it worketh as wee say the goodnesse of a tree is perfect when it hath brought forth some excellent good fruite Thus Phylosophers teach that the forme is not perfect when it is considered as the first act but when it is taken as the second act for by working it putteth forth it force and declareth it selfe And so faith is perfected by workes not that the nature of faith receiueth complement or perfection from workes but because it doth declare and manifest it selfe by loue and good workes and is esteemed by so much the more perfect as the workes produced are the more excellent Yea as the exercise of outward members increaseth internall vigor and strength and refresheth the spirits by which wee moue so doth the exercise of grace and vertue rightly imployed perfect faith not imparting the perfection of workes vnto it but stirring vp exercising and intending it owne vigor and perfection Sense and motion is the effect not the cause of life in the body but yet the body without them is dead and perfected by them Workes are the effects not the life of faith but faith without workes is dead and by workes it is perfected § 3. There is a fained and dead faith §. 3. Iames 2.20 Iames 2.19 Act. 8.21 Luk. 8.14 a faith whereby the Deuils are said to belieue and such whose hearts are not vpright a faith which resteth barely in the vnderstanding or which sleightly affecteth the heart but is not rooted beares not soueraignetie a faith subordinate to vaine-glory or couetous desires which the world destroyeth and this saith as it is ineffectuall to season the affections throughout and incite to the sincere vniforme acts of loue so is it vnauaileable to Iustification There is a faith vnfained welrooted soueraigne 1. Tim. 1.5 Acts 15.9 Gal. 2.20 1 Iohn 5.4 Iustifying faith cannot bee without loue whereby we belieue to righteousnes by which the heart is purified and Christ dwelleth in vs which is the victorie whereby we ouercome the world and this faith worketh by loue and cannot but worke Hee that belieueth in this sort loueth freely and connot but loue not through defect of libertie but through the nature of faith exciting the belieuer to will to loue not to loue if he will Faith and loue considered as habits of the renewed soule and branches of inherent holines haue their originall from the Spirit of regeneration and be distinct graces infused together The deeds of charitie are the proper acts or exercises of the grace of charitie Par. de Iust lib. 1. cap. 14. from which they issue as branches from the flocke and fruite from the tree nor can we properly say that such workes flow from faith as the fruite doth from the roote seeing charitie is no branch of faith but a distinct grace of the renewing Spirit which beareth it proper and distinct fruit But such acts are said to be of faith because the doctrine of faith inioyneth them the vertue of faith inclines the soule vnto them moueth charitie vnto the exercise of them and directeth and quickeneth the acts themselues without which they would be liuelesse and out of square Faith doth beget loue not that one habite doth beget another but that faith doth excite men to the workes of charitie Thus the habits of faith and loue be coupled in infusion the exercise of faith and loue be inseperably conioyned and the acts of loue bee the effects of faith 1. Iohn 5.1 Iohn 1.12 13. 2. Cor. 5.17 2. Pet. 1.4 Euery one that belieueth is borne of God hee that is engrafted into Christ by faith is a new Creature and made pertaker of the diuine nature But he that is borne of God is endued with the grace of loue The liuely members of Christ Iesus which receiue from him the sap of grace cannot be vtterly destitute of true charitie But all true Belieuers are liuing members of Christ Iesus Gal. 2.20 Rom. 11.17 Iohn 15 1 2. 1. Iohn 4.15 Rom. 1.17 Iohn 3.36 6.40 Hee that belieueth abideth in God and God in him But in whom God abideth in him is loue Euery true Belieuer doth liue spiritually and where true faith is there is true life But hee that liues spiritually and is
begun in them from day to day This is the couenant which God hath made with his people Ier. 32.40 Ezek. 36.26.27 I will put my feare into their hearts that they shall not depart from my wayes This promise is very necessarie to bee beleiued Phil. 1.6 1. Cor. 1.8 2. Tim. 1.12 for if people be not well grounded in belieuing that God will build them vp more strongely from day to day and perfect the good worke in them which hee hath begun euen to full sanctification in the feare of God they shall verie much stagger and goe backe coldly set vpon the practice of godlines be off and on now forward now backeward not knowing how to begin or to proced in the way of holinesse Beliefe that God will inable them to euery dutie he doth require and strengthen them against enemies that doe oppose is a maine post in the Christian building an exceeding furtherance vnto godlinesse without which they shall be oft shaken and dismaid These promises be of great price for if a Christian were allowed to aske of God whatsoeuer he would next vnto the pardon of his sinnes and saluation of his soule what would hee desire but to bee assured from God that he will establish him in grace and teach him the good way which he ought to goe that hee will sanctifie him in soule spirit and body and keepe him blamelesse vnto the comming of our Lord Iesus vnto iudgement And when he discerneth any such promise to be made it is not hard to conceiue with what deare affection and strong adherence he doth receiue it how close hee layeth it vp in his soule and sweetly feedeth vpon it This promise is sweete and beliefe thereof stirring and operatiue for it hearteneth to the practice of mortification and new obedience with greate courage chearefulnes and stayednes it quickeneth encourageth to pray as necessities shall giue cause it preserueth from fainting and dismayednes when strength is not very great and if at any time through weaknesse and infirmitie securitie catch hold vpon vs saith in the promiseâ— that God will be our strength and helpe is that which raiseth vs againe and putteth courage into vs to fight against the aduersaries of our soule Things temporall Many gracious and free promises concerning the blessings of this life are dispersed in the Word of life which faith receiueth as true and certaine because they come from the God of Truth Gen. â—5 5 â—os 1.5 Heb. 13.5 1. Tim. 4.8 Rom. â— 2 who is faithfull sincere and constant in all his promises Godlinesse hath the promises both of this life and that which is to com He that spared not his owne Sonne but deliuered him vp for vs all how shall hee not with him also freely giue vs all things As health maintenance credit prosperous successe in our callings and lawfull dealings deliuerance out of troubles and such like This is the assurance that God hath giuen euen his faithfull promise often repeated many wayes ratified and confirmed that he will make competent prouision for his children which is to faith better then many bils of securitie from men yea then large possessions in hand for the present The worth and goodnesse of earthly blessings promised is apparent specially when they bee giuen in loue and mercie as gifts of the couenant tokens of free grace and by a supernaturall prouidence eleuated to spirituall vse in which sence they are promised and vouchsased vnto them that feare God and walke in his wayes And therefore when the belieuer is rightly informed that God hath made any such promises he putteth forth the hand of faith to lay fast hold vpon them and boxeth them vp safe as his best and only euidence for the things of this life and the sanctification of them For want of this faith many vertuous and godly men are greatly staggered and perplexed plunged into deepe vncomfortable dumps and â—edious troubles about the things of this life But when once these promises be well riuitted into and haue taken root in the heart by a liuely faith beliefe hereof bringeth forth contentment comforteth in the multitude of perplexities encourageth to diligence in our places quickeneth in aduersities and strengthens to the workes of righteousnesse as knowing that to bee the surest way for the gaining of durable riches and trusting more to the faithfull prom ses of God though aboue likelihood then to their owne carnall deuices though in shew and appearance probable § 5. As faith requireth what God promiseth §. 5. 3. The threatnings because God is faithfull the promises of great worth and goodnesse so it belieueth the threatnings denounced in the Word not barely apprehending them as true and certaine but also declining them as euill For the whole Scripture breathed from God and euery part therof is Gods Word of infallible truth deseruing absolute credit God is as well iust as mercifull faithfull and true as well in his threats as in his promises and equally to bee belieued in both so farre as by his Word he hath assured vs of both Hee that belieueth the one as hee ought belieueth both and he that belieueth not bo h giues sound credit to neither Beliefe of the threatnings is necessarie Rom 15.4 For whatsoeuer things are written whether precepts promises threatnings examples are written for our learning and as the promises of thiâ— life and the life to come are sharpe spurres to quicken vs vnto godlinesse so the threatnings are strong bridles to keepe from naughtinesse Firme assent to the certaine accomplishment of diuine threatnings â—oth beget humiliation for sinne past and vigilancie to shâ—nne sinne and escape danger it strengthens against base carnall feares and the threats of men that oppose the â—ruth and reuiueth care to serue and please God at all tâ—mes and in all things Wherefore doe the terrours of men so much affright but because sleight beliefe is giuen â—o the threatnings of the Lord The grace and mercie of God belieued breeds loue of God and consequently â—rue feare which is opposed to sencelesse stupiditie and carnall presumption though it casteth out feare which proceedeth from vnbeliefe But what need Belieuers feare the threatnings seeing there is no condemnation or cause of feare to them that belieue The Apostle saith indeed there is no condemnation to such Rom. 8.1 but wee cannot therefore conclude that there is no cause of feare to them vnlesse no other euils but final damnation need to bee feared But whilest the soule is subiect to bring vpon it Gods temporarie wrath sicknesses spirituall hellish anguish to the sense of it there is still cause enough to feaâ—e Seeing that concerning temporall threats and punishments God dealeth as sharpely Amos 3.2 2. Sam. 12 14 or rather more sharpely with his children then any other why should they not dread his Fatherly correction Would a childe that had but one sparke of wit or common reason prouoke his Father to scourge and whip
Hope Loue Iustice Temperance which it is to be brought vnto In which regard as liuing bodies need daily food that they might grow vnto perfection of nature so soules hauing grace haue need to goe ouer with the vse of the meanes as well as others that the diuine nature may be more and more enlarged getting vp as the light of the Sunâ—e doth in the aire which it inlightneth Seuenthly It is good to call to minde the experience of the faith and ioy which wee haue had at any time before 2. Cor. 10. remembring that former comforts are as a bill obligatorie vnder Gods hand to assure that hee will not forsake vs. For whom God loueth hee loueth to the end Iohn 13.1 because he is vnchangeable the same for euer which consideration may serue to settle vs in assurance of Gods loue towards vs more then a childe can bee of his Fathers good-will or a wife of her bodily Husbands fauour for they are mutable Eightly Obserue the opportunities when it pleaseth God in speciall manner to draw nigh vnto vs and make vse of them God visiteth his children sometimes in tender compassion and knocketh at the doore of their hearts inuiting them to diuine and heauenly communication with him Sometimes he inclineth their soules to fresh sorrow for sinne sometimes hee refresheth them with more liuely apprehension of the ioyes of Heauen sometimes they feele the motions of the Spirit quicke and liuely vpon what occasions soeuer or in what manner it shall please God to offer himselfe vnto vs it stands vs vpon to make vse of that for our quickning to nourish the motions of his Spirit and by feruent Prayer to entreat the continuance of his presence Ninthly Faith increaseth by exercise and groweth by continuall vse If wee learne to liue by faith in matters of this life both when wee haue and when wee want the meanes and rest vpon God for successe in our lawfull calings without distracting care we shall with more facilitie and ease depend vpon the free promises of grace for mercie and forgiuenesse CHAP. XII Of the temptations whereby Satan seeketh to batter downe our faith and how he may be resisted §. 1. Ephes 6.16 1. Pet. 5.8 § 1. THe Deuill knoweth right well that faith is the band whereby we are knit vnto Christ the shield whereby wee quench the fierie darts of the Deuill the ground-worke of a godly life and the safe castle of a Christian soule If faith bee weakened our zeale cooleth our courage abateth our life is tedious our Prayers faint the exercises of Religion vncomfortable and all the graces of Gods Spirit pine and languish Also by doubting and distrust wee dishonour God lay open our hearts to temptations discourage others and tie our owne hands that we cannot fight against our deadly enemies For these causes Satan endeuours by all meanes to hinder as the kindly taking so the growth of faith that such as he cannot hold in the chaines of sinne he might make their liues dead Temptations against Faith wearisome vnprofitable by doubting and discomfort First Satan suggesteth 1. Worthlesnesse that it is horrible presumption for such vile sinners and worthlesse wretches to perswade themselues of Gods speciall loue and fauour And to this end he spareth not to set forth the maiestie iustice and puritie of the Lord that it might strike the greater terrour into the wounded conscience For the repelling of this temptation Remedie The sence of our vnworthinesse must not discourage vs from belieuing it is to be knowne and remembred that Gods mercie fauour promises and benefits are all free which hee vouchsafeth offereth bestoweth without any respect of worthinesse or deserts of his meere grace and vndeserued loue in Iesus Christ And therefore as when wee are most worthy in our owne conceit there is no reason wee should presume the more so when wee find our selues vnworthy there is no cause why wee should hope the lesse For the ground of our confidence is the promise of free and vndeserued mercie made in Christ Iesus to miserable forlorne sinners who see and acknowledge themselues to be more vile then the mire in the street And this sets forth the prayse of Gods mercie so much the more that it is afforded to such base abiects who deserue nothing but to bee cast forth and trodden vnderfoot Should the prisoner doubt of his Princes mercie when hee heareth his pardon read and seeth it sealed because he hath merited no such kindnesse Againe it is good to call to minde and seriously to consider what strong encouragements wee haue to receiue the promises and how wee are not more desirous to belieue then God is wee should so doe For God doth through loue intreat vs of friendship counsell vs 2. Cor. 5.19 20. 1. Tim. 1.15 1. Iohn 3 23 24. and of his authoritie being able to performe commandeth vs as if hee would hereby shew that none hath authoritie to hinder or forbid the same And therefore wee must be warned to beware of all occasions that may darken or put out the light of our confidence as reasoning or questioning against our selues for yeelding to this truth lately receiued c. § 2. Satan will here obiect to the weake and timorous Christian that hee knowes not whether he bee of the number of Gods elect §. 2. 2. They know not whether they be elected and therefore hath nothing to doe with the promises If the Deuill set vpon vs in this sort wee must hold such suggestions to arise from the Spirit of errour Remedy 1. Ioh. 3.23 1. Tim 6.12 Heb. 10.35 Math. 13.31 Ioel 2.6.7 Ioh 10.27 Satan is not to be hearkened vnto nor reasoned with when he tempteth to Infidelitie Gen. 3.1.2.3 because they are contrarie to the voyce of God who saith to the afflicted conscience that is wearie of sin Belieue lay hold on eternall life cast not a way thy confidence Be established confirmed and abound in faith Therefore we must lend no eare to such whisperings of the old serpent but cleaue fast to the word of the Lord and cut off all contrarie inchantments It was the first degree to the vtter vndoing of her selfe and posteritie in our Grandmother Eue that shee opened her eare to a false and lying spirit in the mouth of a Serpent which vnder a faire colour perswaded or rather couertly inticed and drew her to eate of the forbidden fruite The decree of God which is secret in the bosome of the most High is not the rule according to which we must walke but the word of life reuealed in holy Scriptures wee must take for our direction Eph. 1.13 If God make offer of mercie and forgiuenesse vnto vs in the ministerie of the Gospell which is the word of truth the word of saluation wee are bound to receiue it without looking into the booke of his election and if wee receiue them truely we shall bee saued as the Lord hath spoken
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.
as an euil he shall fall into but which he shall escape by the constant study and practice of holines For our assurance to escape damnation through the death of Christ Phil. 2.12 Math. 10.28 Luke 12.4.5 is no greater then our care to auoyd sin which leadeth thereunto Worke out your saluation with feare and trembling Feare not them which kill the body but are not able to kill the soule but rather feare him which is able to destroy both soule and body in hell Thirdly It stâ—rreth vp continuall watchfulnesse to shunne whatsoeuer might bâ—eed danger or procure Gods displeasure When sleepinesse beginneth to come vpon vs faith ioggeth our elbow and telleth the Lord is at hand with a whip to awaken vs. The approach of perill apprehended will rowse vp the sluggard to looke about him Faith also teacheth so to acknowledge the anger of God as that it draweth the heart aboue all things to take heed not to prouoke him by carelesnesse and securitie Who knoweth the power of thy anger 2. Cor. 5.10 11. Psal 90.11 Euen according to thy feare so is thy wrath Fourthly The threatnings mingled with faith cause sorrowfull melting or relenting of heart for sinne committed When the King of Nineueh belieued the preaching of Ionah Ionas 3.6 7 8. that within fortie dayes that gâ—eat Citie should be destroyed hee rose from his throne put on sackcloth and proclaimed a Fast vnto the Lord. And when the Lord testified his displeasure against the Israelites by sending thunder and lightning in Wheate Haruest all the people feared greatly and said vnto Samuel 1. Sa. 12.18 19. Pray for thy seruants vnto the Lord thy God that we die not for we haue added vnto all our sinnes this euill to aske vs a King Now the threatnings belieued worke the same effect Iudges 2.3 4. that the iudgements seene When Iosiah heard what the Lord spake against Ierusalem and against the inhabitants of that place his heart was tender 2. Kin. 22.18 19 and hee humbled himselfe before the Lord. Fiftly When wee see by faith from what miseries wee are deliuered of the free grace and mercie of God our hearts are enlarged in prayse and thanksgiuing In distresse faith powreth out supplications when the calamitie is ouer-past it setteth forth the goodnesse of the Lord and singeth of his glorie When the Israelites were in safetie on the shoare looking backe vpon the danger escaped when they passed through the red Sea Exod. 15.1 2. they make a ioyfull noise to the God of their saluation their songs are answerable to their fore-conceiued feare And so when the Lord brought backe the captiuitie of Babylon Psal 126.2 their mouthes were filled with laughter and their tongues with ioy The due consideration of our deserts manifest by the threatnings contained in the Word of God doth maruellously affect the heart with desire to publish and spread abroad the louing kindnesse of the Lord when by faith in Christ wee see our selues to bee set free from the dreadfull curses of the Law and mercifully saued from the righteous iudgement of our sinnes By this which hath beene said it is manifest that this life of faith is most excellent and comfortable and by good proofe and experience wee should be able to say so if wee would be perswaded but to take a taste of the benefit and sweetnesse that it bringeth For by this faith we are directed to seeke and follow after Christ Ephes 3.17 till wee come to be assured that he dwelleth in vs as the fountaine of life and that in him we are deliuered from the gilt and punishment of all our sinnes 2. Cor. 5.19 whereas others who liue not by it wauer are oft distracted and know not where to begin the foundation of that great worke nor how to build thereon By this faith we may come to sound rest and holy securitie about our saluation from time to time enioying the comfort of it still more and more with incredible ioy whereas others euen the best are oft vnsetled and much disquieted If the Lord lead vs into the darke and exercise vs with manifold afflictions and temptations by this faith we are enabled to hold him by the hand to cast our selues vpon the promises of grace and so relying vpon his power faithfulnesse and mercy to promise safetie vnto our selues aboue likelihood and appearance yea when wee feele the contrarie The rage of sinne is weakened and wee haue strength against it though not alwayes to preuaile which were not expedient yet at least to be in combate with it which is euer a good testimonie of our safetie for hereby we proue our selues to bee liuely members of the Church Militant Also by this we are preserued against fearefull sinnes and haue grace to walke in newnesse of life and all parts of it with ioy and chearefulnesse If we liue by faith we haue deliuerance from mâ—ny sharp bitter afflictions beare those which we must go vnder more meekly patiently because it makes vs depend vpon Gods promises not stinting him to any set time maner of deliuerance or measure of afflictioÌ„ By it we walk in our callings more chearfully honestly painfully with lesse distractioÌ„ toile vexatioÌ„ but with more profit then they that flow in with wealth haue all shifts cunning slights to gaine by Psal 127.1 2. For whiles we see God euer going before vs in al our earthly dealings and actions as we should more looke to it that we find it so then to our greatest profits weightiest dealings this faith shall vphold vs in the quietest estate and most sweet peace such as all the carnall wisedome of man shall neuer find nor enioy This faith teacheth vs to pray at all times as our necessities require with feruency coÌ„fidence euen in the depth of afflictions when the graue is readie to swallow vs vp and shut her mouth vpon vs Psal 69.13 14 15 16. it enableth to look vnto the Lord with strong arguments to implore his aid O Lord God of my saluation Psal 88.1 2 3. I haue cried day and night before thee for my soule is full of troubles and my life draweth nigh vnto the graue Out of the depths haue I cried vnto thee O Lord Lord heare my voice Psal 130.1 2. My spirit within me is ouer-whelmed my heart within me is desolate I stretch forth my hands vnto thee Psal 143.3 6. my soule thirsteth for thee in a thirsty land O remember not against vs former iniquities let thy tender mercies speedily preuent vs Psal 79.8 for we are brought very low If the affliction be very grieuous and of long continuance faith doth neither quaile nor cease to seek helpe but looketh vp to the Lord expecting saluation in due time to be reuealed O God Psal 74.1 2. why hast thou cast vs off for euer Why doth thine anger smoake against the sheepe of thy pasture Remâ—mber thy Congregation which thou hast purchased of old the rod of thine inheritance Psal 69.29 Psal 68.35 Verse 22. which thou hast redeemed I am poore and sorrowfull let thy saluation O God set me vp on high for God is the strength of his people who will brâ—ng them againe from the depths of the Sea The life of faith shall 〈◊〉 in ioy comfort He that trusteth in the Lord shall r◠〈◊〉 in his holy Name I am a wonder vnto many but the 〈◊〉 my strong refuge Psal 71.7 8. Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day Our heart shall reioyce in him Psal 33.21 because we haue trusted in his holy Name Loe this is our God we haue waited for him and he will saue vs this is the Lord Esay 25.9 we haue waited for him we will be glad and reioyce in his saluation The expectation of them that hope in the Lord Psal 68.19 69.30 shall not be frustrated therefore they shall reioice in him and sound forth his praises He that hath learned to liue by faith Heb. 11.13 shall also die in faith All these died in or according to the faith If we know how to walke with God by faith as Henoch did all the daies of our life amidst the manifold temptations changes that we meet withall in this world we shal the better encounter with death when the agonies therof be vpon vs. Death is many waies terrible and the assaults of Satan at that time are vsually most strong as being his last but hee that hath taken out this lesson To liue by faith shall easily quench the fierie darts of the Deuill manfully conquer this strong enemie renew his repentance and confidence in Gods mercy vpon the sight of sin willingly resigne himselfe into the hands oâ— God This is the ordinary course Liue in faith die in faith Liue holily and die blessedly Therefore let vs leaue late repentance to them that think it but a sport to venture a soule and take that course that is sure to speed To say no more it is exceeding dangerous to put off repentance from day to day though some few haue obtained mercie at their latter end But this is sure he that liueth in faith shall die in faith and liue in glory for euermore Amen FINIS
A TREATISE OF FAITH Diuided into two Parts The first shewing the NATVRE The second The life of FAITH Both tending to direct the weake Christian how he may possesse the whole Word of God as his owne ouercome temptations better his obedience and liue comfortably in all estates BY IOHN BALL HAB. 2.4 The Iust shall liue by his faith LONDON Printed for Edward Brewster and are to be sold at the signe of the Bible at the North doore of Pauls 1631. THE PREFACE TO THE READER GLorious thinges are spoken of the grace of graces Faith in the Scriptures God setting himselfe to honour that grace that yeelds vp all the honour vnto him in Christ who indeed is the life of our life and the soule of our soule Faith only as the bond of vnion bringeth Christ and the soule together and is as an arterie that conueyes the spirit from him as the heart and as the sinnewes which conuey the spirit to mooue to all dutie from him as head whence Saint Paul maketh Christs liuing in vs and our liuing by faith all one Gal. 2.20 Now that which giueth boldnesse and libertie to faith is not only Gods assignement of this office to it in the couenant of grace to come vnto Christ and vnto him in Christ to receiue grace but likewise the gracious promises whereby the great God hath ingaged himselfe as a debtour to his poore creature for all things needfull to life and godlinesse vntill that blessed time when we shall be put into full possession of all things wee haue now only in promise when faith shall end in fruition and promises in performance Faith first lookes â—o this word of promise and in the promise to Christ in whom and for whom they are yea and Amen both made and performed And in Christ it eyeth God in whom it last resteth is its proper center and foundation otherwise how should wee weake sinfull creatures dare to haue any intercourse with God that dwelleth in that light that none can attaine vnto if hee had not come forth and discouered his good pleasure in Christ the substantiall Word and in the word inspired by the Holy Ghost for the good of those whom God meant for to make heires of saluation Now these promises whereon all our present comfort and future hope dependeth lie hid in the Scriptures as veines of gold and siluer in the bowels of the earth and had need bee laid open that Gods people may know what vpon good grounds to lay claime vnto Those therefore that search these mynes to bring to light these treasures deserue well of Gods Church We commend and not without cause the wittie industrie of those that from Springs remote bring Riuers to Cities and by Pipes from those Riuers deriue water to euery mans house for all domesticall seruices much more should we esteeme of the religious paines of men that bring these waters of life home for euery man his particular vse in all the passages and turnings of this life In which regard I doe not doubt but the paines of this godly painfull and learned man will find good entertainment of all children of the promises that hope to inherit them who hath with great paines and with good euidence of spirituall vnderstanding endeauoured to cleare most matters concerning faith and likewise discouered the varietie and vse of the promises with teaching Christians how to improue their riches in Christ heere spread before them how to vse the shield of Faith and the sword of the Spirit vpon all occasions that so they might not only be belieuing but skilfull Christians knowing how to mannage and make the best aduantage of their faith and the word of faith Which if they could doe there would another manner of power and beautie shine in their liues then doth Hee is a man that hath formerly deserued well of the Church but in a more speciall manner fitted for a Treatise of this nature as hauing beene put to it to know by experience what it is to liue by faith hauing in sight for matters of this life very little whereupon to depend Those that are driuen to exercise their faith cannot but find God faithfull as neuer failing those that trust in him they see more of God then others doe If it be obiected that others of late time haue digged in the same mine and laboured in the same field and to good purpose and successe I answer it is true the more this age is bound to God that directs the spirits of men to so vsefull so necessarie an argument seeing without faith wee haue no communion with the fountaine of life nothing in this world that can yeeld setled comfort to ground the soule vpon seeing without it the fairest carriage is but emptie and dead moralitie neither finding acceptance with God nor yeelding comfort to vs in our greatest extremities and by it God himselfe and Christ with all that he hath done suffered conquered becommeth ours and for our vse Besides none that I know haue written in our Language so largely of this argument and such is the extent and spiritualnesse of this heauenly point that many men of the greatest graces parts may with great benefit to the Church diue and digge still into this mysterie Neither let any except against the multitude of quotations of Scriptures they are brought vnder their proper head and set in their proper place and the matter it selfe is cut out into varietie of parts Store as wee vse to speake is no sore we count it a delight to take out of a full heape the more light the conuiction is the stronger what sutes not at one time will sute our spirits and occasions at another and what taketh not with one may take with another But the full and well handling of matters in this Treatise carries such satisfaction with it that it frees mee from necessitie of further discourse and mine owne present weaknesse of bodie taketh mee off Only I was willing to yeeld that testimonie to the fruitfull paines of a faithfull labourer in Gods Vineyard that I iudge it deseruedly Receiue it therefore Christian Reader with thankes to God that stirreth vp such helpers of that faith by which wee liue stand conquer and in which we must die if we looke to receiue the end of our faith the saluation of our soules Richard Sibbes A Table of the principall matters contained in this first Part. CHAP. I. HOw and in what respects faith is necessary Sect. 1 pag. 1 Diuers acceptatioÌ„s of the word faith Sect. 2. p. 2. 3 Of the diuers kinds of Faith Sect. 3. pag. 3 Why some kind of Faith is called Historicall ibid. The difference betwixt Faith Miraculous and Ordinary ibid. p. 4 Why true Faith is called Iustifying or sauing Faith ibid. In what phrases this Faith is vnfolded in the New Testament pag. 5 To belieue God and to belieue in God doe in Scripture import one and the same thing p. 5 Not the habit though
protection from all hurtfull euils so much are wee lacking to sound peace and stable tranquillity of Mind and Conscience p. 287. 288 The godly are allowed to belieue their perseuerance For 1. God hath confirmed it by promise and couenant vnto his children p. 288 2. They haue allowance to belieue the obtayning of that which Christ hath prayed for and they aske of God in the Name of Christ according to his will p. 289 3. What one belieued vpon ordinary and common grounds that is the priuiledge of all belieuers ibid. 4. It is a great glory to God that we liue by faith on him concerning our future estate p. 289. 290 The acts of faith concerning perseuerance 1. It makes a man sensible of his owne frailtie p. 290 2. It stirres vp holy iealousie and suspition least wee should coole decay start aside or fall backe ibid. 3. Faith instantly cryeth vnto the Lord for helpe and strength and continuall supply of grace p. 291 4. Faith desireth digesteth and feedeth vpon the wholesome food of life ibid. 5. It putteth forth it selfe to performe all duties of holinesse and loue with life and feruour p. 292. 293 6. It coueteth increase of grace and sanctification p. 293. 294 7. It receiueth new supply of grace continually from Iesus Christ the fountaine of grace ibid. 8. It assureth of perseuerance through the promises of grace p. 294. 295 Meanes to stirre vp our selues to belieue these promises of perseuerance 1. Wee must heartily bewaile our pronenesse to sinne aptnesse to decline inabilitie to withstand any one temptation or set one step forward in the way to Heauen p. 295. 296 2. Wee must stirre vp our selues to rest vpon God through Iesus Christ for establishment and confirmation p. 296. 297 3. Wee must pray instantly that God would vphold vs and make vs to see that hee will establish vs vnto the end p. 297. 298 CHAP. VI. THe seruants of Christ are all souldiers and haue continuall warre not with flesh and bloud but with principalities and powers and spirituall wickednesses p. 299 Encouragements to resist Satan ibid. Promises of victory p. 299. 300 In this state of temptation the godly are allowed to belieue the promises of victory For 1. The God of peace hath promised to tread Satan vnder our feet shortly p. 300 2. Faith doth glorifie God and is most profitable vnto vs our treasure strength and victory ibid. 3. We haue a charge to resist the Deuill strong in the faith p. 301 4. Faith is one of the first things that is formed in a Christian and wherewith God furnisheth him when hee prepareth and calleth him forth to the encounter ibid. 5. The faithfull cannot better prouide for their owne ease and safetie then confidently to hope in the Lord. p. 302 It is necessary a Christian should liue by faith in this condition For 1. True valour cannot be had without faith in Christ p. 302 2. All our strength lyeth in Christ whose Almightie power subdueth all things for vs. p. 302. 303 3. Faith is of force to keepe vs against all assaults of the Deuill ibid. 4. The Deuill will renew his assaults and wee must renew our courage and strength ibid. The acts of faith in respect of these promises of victory in temptation 1. Faith makes sensible that wee cannot resist of our selues but assureth that Satan is chained vp by the power of Almighty God p. 303. 304 2. It discouereth the Methods of Satan and his Ends in tempting p. 304. 305 3. It lifteth vp the heart to cry and complaine vnto God of the cruelty and malice of that Spirituall Aduersary but suffers it not to muse vpon his blasphemous temptations ibid. 4. By faith the poore soule eying the promise betakes it selfe vnto the Lord for succour promised p. 305. 306 5. It stirreth vp courage and resolution to set vpon the practice of godlinesse and the duties of our particular calling as the meanes sanctified of God to procure freedome p. 306. 307 6. It fortifieth the soule against all inuasions ibid. 7. Faith is vigilant and watchfull at all times in all places vpon all occasions p. 307. 308 8. In the most forcible tempests which the enemy rayseth against vs faith tels the heart that a calme is at hand p. 308. 309 9. If Satan renew his assaults faith stands prepared through the power of God to make resistance afresh p. 309 10. Faith assureth that by the ouer-ruling prouidence of God temptations serue for the increase of grace p. 310 The godly are sometimes brought so low that they can discerne no sparke of faith no fruit of grace no marke of Gods loue in themselues For 1. An afflicted spirit tossed with feare and terrour cannot conceiue or giue notice of it true estate p. 310 2. Good men in temptation are pettishly disposed p. 311 The Remedy in this distresse is 1. Grace may appeare vnto others when in temptation a godly man cannot discerne it in himselfe p. 310 2. It is the wisdome of a Christian in this case to obserue the marke that Satan driues at which is to hide from his fight the graces of the Spirit that he might bring him to despaire and so stirre vp himselfe to belieue For 1. When he can see no grace in his soule hee cannot but see himselfe to bee miserable and so called to come vnto Christ ibid. 2. Taking courage to belieue hee disappoints Sathan ibid. 3. Wee haue a commandement to belieue as well as to proue our selues both which must bee compleate together ibid. 4. If thou canst not find in thy selfe what thou seekest after come vnto Iesus Christ and belieue in him that thou mayst receiue what thou seekest p. 312 3. The distressed soule must learne that the grace of God worketh not alwayes alike in his children p. 312 4. The long and manifold temptations of Sathan wherewith hee seekes to throw Christians head-long into despaire is to them a testimony of the inhabitation of the Spirit in their hearts p. 312. 313 Meanes to stirre vp faith in these perplexities and times of grieuous temptations 1. The distressed Christian must vnfainedly humble his soule for former ignorance vanity of mind disesteeme of mercy timorousnes discontent vnbeliefe c. p. 313. 314 2. He must complaine of the malice of Sathan and instantly intreate the Lord to pardon sinne bridle restraine and tread Sathan vnder foot p. 314. 315 3. He must cease to muse on the temptations of Satan and stirre vp himselfe couragiously valiantly to trust in the mercies of the Lord and relye vpon his grace p. 316 317 4. He must exercise himselfe in wel-doing harbour holy and heauenly Meditations nourish the motions of Gods Spirit c. p. 317. 318. 319 If the distressed Christian haue wasted his spirits with violent and continuall sorrow hee must bee admonished not to thinke that presently hee should recouer former liuelinesse and ability p. 319. 320 CHAP. VII AFflictions are not more ordinary then heauy and burdensome to
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 he hath prepared p. 424. 425. 426 2. It is a seale of our dutie promised 1. It is a spurre to repentance and mortification p. 426 2. It is a prouocation vnto faith and a pledge thereof p. 426. 427 3. It is an incitement vnto new obedience a pledge thereof p. 427. 428 4. It is a pledge and pawne of loue and vnitie pag. 428 The new exercise of faith is requird in the worthy receiuing of the Lords Supper ibid. The acts of faith in receiuing the Lords Supper 1. By it we discerne the Sacrament to be the holy Ordinance of God instituted for our speciall good and benefit sealing vnto vs the promises which God of his free mercy hath made in Iesus Christ p. 428. 429 2. By it wee see what the Lord doth offer vnto vs therein how excellent and pretious it is with what assurance it is freely tendered and may be receiued p. 429 3. It sharpeneth spirituall appetite and stirreth vp hungring and thirsting after Christ and his benefits ibid. 4. It earnestly contendeth for mercy confessing sin with griefe and hatred c. ibid. 5. By faith we receiue Christ offering himselfe freely to be contracted vnto vs. p. 429. 430 6. By faith we resigne vp our selues vnto Iesus Christ and willingly yeeld soule and body vnto him p. 430 7. Faith feedeth vpon Christ and sucketh vigour from him ibid. 8. Faith assureth of that spirituall contract which hath passed betwixt Christ and the Christian soule and is sealed in the Sacrament p. 430. 431 9. It stirreth vp ioy and thankefulnesse with serious remembrance of the manifold blessings which in Christ Iesus are vouchsafed p. 431. 432 Meanes to stir vp our selues to receiue the Lord Supper in faith 1. We must bewaile our vnbeliefe dulnesse earthly-mindednesse the distemper of our spirituall taste c. ibid. 2. Consider how freely the Lord doth tender Christ to be receiued in his Word and Sacrament ibid. 3. Weigh and consider the blessed state and condition of them who be reconciled vnto God c. p. 433 4. Hauing troth-plighted our selues to Iesus Christ vnfainedly we must awaken and rowse vp our soules to reioyce in him ibid. CHAP. XII THe faithfull are bound and it is behouefull for them to belieue the threatnings p. 434 The godly man is not slauishly to feare falling away or running into destruction but wisely to belieue the threatnings to preuent falling into sinne and so into condemnation ibid. 1. The threatnings are part of the Word of God ibid. 2. In the state of innocencie there was vse of threatnings so is there in the state of grace p. 434. 435 3. Promises and threatnings mingled fit our state and serue to keep the heart in the best temper ibid. The acts of faith in respect of the threatnings 1. It worketh humblenesse of mind and heart p. 435 2. It bringeth forth awfulnesse reuerence and feare p. 436 3. It stirreth vp continuall watchfulnesse to shunne whatsoeuer might breed danger or procure Gods displeasure p. 437 4. The threatnings mingled with faith cause sorrowfull melting or relenting of heart for sinne committed ibid. 5. When we see by faith from what miseries wee are deliuered of the free grace and mercie of God our hearts are enlarged in prayse thanksgiuing p. 437. 438 This life of faith is most excellent and comfortable for 1. By faith we are directed to seeke and follow after Christ till wee come to be assured that he dwelleth in vs as the fountaine of life and that in him we are deliuered from the guilt and punishment of all our sins p. 438 2. By this faith wee may come to sound rest and holy securitie about our saluation from time to time ibid. 3. If God lead vs into the darke by this faith we are enabled to hold him by the hand ibid. 4. Hereby the rage of sin is weakened and we haue grace to walke in newnesse of life and all the parts of it with ioy and chearefulnesse p. 439 5. By it we walke in our callings chearefully honestly painfully c. ibid. 6. This faith teacheth vs to pray at all times as our necessities require ibid. 7. If the affliction be very grieuous and of long continuance faith doth neither quaile nor cease to seeke helpe p. 439. 440 8. The life of faith shall end in ioy and comfort p. 440 9. He that hath learned to liue by faith shall also die in faith ibid. FINIS Errata PAge 3. l. 8. r. profession of faith p. 9. l. 23. more r. mere p. 22. l. 34 eased r. saued p. 44. l. 24. r. grace for p. 61. l. 1. r. distinction p. 67. l. 9. r faith receiueth p. 73. l. 26. l. 27. insert the more sincerely it worketh p. 75. l. 4 dele for p. 76. l. 30. r. confirmed p. 87. l. 36. dele themselues p. 91. l. 17. dele the p 92. l. 26. r. change p. 94. l. 3. r assured p. 96. l. 4 r. arise not l 26. r. with contrary effects p. 97 l 14. r. wauer as p. 104. l 24. r. they may be p. 116. l. 28. verde r. weede p. 118. l. 18. before thinke del I. p. 120. l. 4. liue r. lie p. 128. l. 11. r. faith yeeldeth p. 136. l. 13. r. this resting l. 36. r. possession of p. 143. l. 21. r. and receiueth p. 144 l. 18. r. seate faith p. 156. l. 5. r. liue in l. 7. r. how the Lord p. 174. l 12 r good will p. 175. l. 31. for r. or p 196. l. 31. r. walke heauily p. 201. l. 2 r. enliues it p. 221. r. But when the p 223. l 1. r. with a 1 p. 248. l. 26. 27. r. so long as p. 251. l. 5. r. deriueth p. 253. l. 9 10. r. resisteth p 292 l. 5. but r. we 296. l. 11. r. frowardnesse l. 17. r. are poore p. 302. betwixt l. 34. 35. insert after also of no strength p. 307. l. 23. we r. he p. 309. l 19. r. what might hurt him p. 313. l. 21. r. set open p. 315. l. 2 r. couering sin p. 328. l. 28 r would be 329 l. 4. vp r. vpon p. 344. dele from delight l. 6. to in l. 7. p. 345. l. 2. 3 r. persecuters p. 348. l. 9. r. such miseries p. 374. l 28 r. drinke and not be satisfied p. 393. l. 25. r. the Lord God p. 417. l. 29. r. It giueth p. 423. l. 14 r. the lauer p. 455. l. 10. r. tartnesse Errata in Margine PAge 4. de prae r. in prae p. 5. Acts 6. r. Acts 9. ibid r. preposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ibid. r. particle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 13. Heb. r. Hab. p. 34. Mat. r. Mal. p. 50 r. § Sanctus Augustinus p. 133. Iohn r. Jonah p. 139. r. 1. Pet. 1.5 p. 144. Iohn 24 r.
and supernaturall gift of grace wrought by the Holy Ghost through the Ministerie of the Gospell in the heart of Man a sinner acknowledging and bewayling his offences whereby hee doth not only assent to the whole truth of God and is certainly perswaded that Iesus Christ is appointed of God to be the authour of saluation to them that belieue in him and his Sauiour if hee doe belieue but doth relie cast and repose his soule vpon Christ his Sauiour and by him vpon God as a louing Father in him cleauing inseperably to the Word of truth as good both simply and in comparison and feeding vpon it as the wholsome food of life § 2. God the Father §. 2. God is the authour of faith in his Sonne Iesus Christ our Mediatour by the Holy Ghost is the Authour and worker of Faith Ephes â— 8 Pâ—â—l 1.29 Acts 18.27 Iohn 6.44 Iames 1.17 As saluation so faith is the gift of God It is through grace that men belieue No man can come vnto me except the Father which hath sent me draw him Euery good thing comes from the Father of lights but faith is a gift after a speciall manner most free and profitable comming from the grace of the Donor bestowed vpon vs when we are euery way vnworthy It is such a gift as comes not from common bountie such as God made shew of in the creation but from a speciall fauour which he beareth his in Christ Iesus The Scripture is cleare and euident herein and strong reasons may be deduced thence to proue it For of our selues wee haue no power to belieue or to prepare our selues thereunto There is no such soile in our hearts whence such fruit should spring The meanes of grace and the operation of the spirit accompayning it are free and voluntarie No man can belieue vnlesse he be created and formed anew But regeneration is a free worke of Gods grace and mercie Heb. 12.2 Faith is the worke of God the Father in Iesus Christ For as the naturall head doth not only giue sense and motion to all the members now conioyned but doth send forth those bands whereby they come to bee coupled with it so Christ doth not only giue spirituall sense and motion to his members already vnited vnto him by faith but he is the spring whence this sinew of faith doth flow and issue vnto vs. The Spirit of God is the principall worker of faith and hence wee are said to receiue the Spirit of faith that is the holy Ghost in and through this gift of faith which he worketh and continueth in vs. 2. Cor. 4.13 Rom. 15.13 By faith wee receiue the Holy Ghost and faith is the worke of the Holy Ghost the action of the Holy Ghost creating faith in vs How we are said to receiue the holy Ghost by faith is before faith But the beginning of faith is the receiuing of the Holy Ghost and faith being begun the gifts of the spirit are more more increased by it Ephes 1.13 Gal. 3.14 Faith it self is a work of the spirit but an augmentation of the graces of the spirit is obtained by faith the more our faith dilateth it selfe the more plentifully doe the graces of the spirit flow into vs from Christ Iohn 1.16 Of whose fulnesse we receiue grace for grace How the Spirit is obtained by Prayer Faith doth obtaine the Holy Ghost by prayer and prayer is an act of grace and of the Spirit as faith is a worke of the Spirit Luke 11.13 Before we can lift vp our soules vnto God the holy Ghost must descend into vs and lift vs vp for we moue not but as wee are moued The Holy Ghost is giuen to the Elect before they aske but a greater measure of the Spirit is obtained by Prayer § 3. Faith is not alike in all §. 3. Faith is imperfect though a worke of the Spirit in none perfect though it be the worke of the Spirit for the Spirit worketh faith not as a naturall agent which putteth forth it power to the vttermost and alwayes produceth like effects if it be not hindred but as a voluntary agent which putteth not forth his power to the vtmost worketh according to his pleasure in whom he wil as he wil but not in all alike The Spirit worketh faith not by morall perswasion only inciting to belieue Faith is a powerfull worke of God and leauing it to our free choice whether we will assent or no but by his powerfull operation and omnipotent hand put forth for such a purpose hee produceth this gracious effect There are no seedes of faith in our nature out of which by more outward teaching we may be brought to beliefe for then should faith be naturall as all other things are which our nature can attaine to with outward helpes There is no spirituall life in vs before the infusion of grace whereby we should be able to embrace the perswasions of the spirit for then we should liue spiritually of our selues before wee are quickened by grace If the Spirit of God doe only moue and perswade to belieue then God doth not make the belieuer to differ from the vnbelieuer but the good vse of his owne free will It is of grace that man might belieue and so might he that continueth in infidelitie for hee receiued equall aide and was equally perswaded and incited by the Spirit But if the question bee why doth the one belieue and not the other it is not the Spirit here that makes the difference but the good vse of mans free-will and so that man is inabled to belieue it should bee of grace but that he doth belieue and so differ from other men this should be from himselfe The same power that raised Christ from the dead is said to raise vs vp to belieue Ephes 1.19 20. 1. Pet. 1.5 2. Pet. 1.1 2 3. If an hand or eye bee wanting to a man from his birth can any power restore them but the Almightie power of God by which the body was at first framed and fashioned By what power then is this hand of faith created which reacheth to heauen this eye which doth see the things within the vaile which concerne our peace Io. 6.37 Acts 13.48 Phil. 1.29 Matth. 11.26 This further appeareth by the cause that moueth the Lord to bestow faith vpon some which is his free eternall vnchangeable grace and loue whereby hee loued them to be made heires of saluation before the foundation of the earth was laid For so farre as God effectually willeth and intendeth to worke so farre he putteth forth his omnipotent power to accomplish But God doth intend and effectually will to draw some vnto him before other some §. 4. How God produceth Faith § 4. In producing faith first God bestoweth vpon man the gift of vnderstanding and spirituall wisdome opening and illuminating the eyes of his minde to know the promise in Christ and to
doubting the sense runneth plainly By faith wee haue so free and full accesse that wee doe not doubt but we shall obtaine what we aske § 4. Faith is a liuely obsequious affiance §. 4. Faith is an obedientiall affiance ioyned with an affection of pietie for as it makes plea for mercie so it thrusteth forward in obedience as it vniteth the heart to the promise so it glueth fast to the Commandements Psal 119.66 as Dauid saith Psal 119.66 Teach mee good iudgement and knowledge for I haue belieued thy Commandements By faith Noah moued with reuerence prepared the Arke for the sauing of his houshold Heb. 11.7 Gen. 12.1 Heb. 11.8 9. Gen 13.8 14.19 By faith Abraham left his Countrie and Kindred and forsooke all strange Religions and Idols to follow God By faith he contentedly abode in the land of Canaan as in a strange land c walking from place to place remained in tents and in euery place shewed his godly deuotion in making an Altar and calling vpon the Name of the Lord He kindly yeelded to his Nephew Lot for auoyding of contention charitably rescued him when he was taken prisoner Gen. 24.1 Gen. 1â— 23 20.27 carefully prouided a wife for his sonne Isaac feruently intreated for the Citie of Sodome and meekly prayed for him that had taken his wife He is honourably commended by God himselfe for his good instruction to his household children and posteritie Gen. 18.19 that they might walke in the wayes of the Lord But aboue all other hee approued his faith in this that vpon Gods Commandement he so readily offered vp his Sonne Isaac being after Ismaels expulsion his onely Sonne his beloued sonne and concerning whom hee had receiued the promise of life and saluation Heb. 11.17 and the establâ—shment of the Couenant Moses consent in this doctrine may be found where God pronounceth the Law of the ten Commandements teaching all duties of good workes to God and Man saying I am the Lord thy God Exod. 20.1 2. Rainol Apol. Thes Sect. 4. Zanch. de Redempt lib. 1. cap 12. de praecept he thereupon inferreth all their obedience to those Commandements For what is I am the Lord thy God but the couenant of faith to bee their God in the promise of Christ vpon this he requiring obedience in a godly life doth insinuate a Tilen Syntag. part 1. cap. 36. §. 18 19 28 29. Perkins golden Chaine cap. 20 Vrsin explic catech c. Deut. 6.12 that they which belieue God to bee their God must declare the same by obedience to his Commandements And therefore hee saith in another place Beware thou forget not the Lord thy God not keeping his Commandements which sheweth plainly that where disobedience is there is no faith for how can hee haue faith that forgetteth him in whom hee should belieue And this doth Moses ayme at when he saith Deut. 26.17 Thou hast auouched the Lord this day to be thy God and to walke in his wayes and to keepe his Statutes and his Commandements and his Iudgements and to hearken vnto his voice Whereby it appeares that vnto faith in couenanting with God this is an inseperable consequent that if wee embrace God by faith wee must and ought to follow his Commandements by our deeds and hee that doth not this latter bewrayeth that he hath not with a true heart and faith receiued the former To belieue is not only to giue credence to what the Scripture saith but to embrace what is said with an entire adherence of soule and to cleaue vnto it 2. Chron. 6.8 9 He that leaneth vpon the Lord his heart is vpright before him and he whose spirit cleaueth not stedfastly vnto the Lord is incredulous Therefore the Prophets which expound the Law Psal 78.9 in the person of God say thus A Sonne honoureth his Father and a Seruant his Master Mat. â— 6 If then I be a Father where is my honour and if I be a Master where is my feare Now we know that we are Sonnes no way but by faith Therefore this Prophet intendeth Gal. 3.26 that wee are not ioynâ—d to the Lord by faith either as his people children or seruants or that he is our God Father and Lord except our faith be vnfained and operatiue in honour and feare And another Prophet saith Psal 116.10 I belieued therefore I spake making it a most assured thing that a liuely faith will shew it selfe by outward deeds and namely profession Mercie and obedience are linked Christ is both a Lord and Sauiour and that faith which maketh a plea for mercie doth embrace the Commandements that which receiueth Christ as a Sauiour submitteth vnto him as a Soueraigne The strength of faith is equall to the promises of life and to the offices of pietie and loue or if there be any difference it is weakest to lay hold vpon the promises because they are most spirituall and furthest remoued from sence Confidence and relying vpon the mercie of God in Christ for saluation may bee lesse then care and abilitie to walke in obedience greater it cannot bee The word that in the Old Testament signifieth to seeke is by the seuentie translated Hope Isay 11.10 Rom. 15.12 which interpretation the Apostle alloweth whence it followeth that true confidence the mother of hope doth lift vp the heart to seeke the Lord in the way of his Commandements Moreouer saith is opposed not only to doubting diffidence and fainting but to wauering double-mindednesse halting disobedience stubburnnesse by reason of the necessarie connexion of those parts in both opposites Aske in faith and wauer not Jam. 1.6 A double-minded man is vnstable in all his wayes Through vnbeliefe thou art broken off Rom. 11.20 Heb. 3.12 and thou standest by faith Take heed brethren lest at any time there bee in you an euill heart and vnfaithfull to depart away from the liuing God They professe that they know God but by workes they denie him and are abhominable and disobedient or vnfaithfull Tit. 1.16 Iohn 3.36 Hee that belieueth in the Sonne hath euerlasting life but hee that belieueth or obeyeth not the Sonne shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him Now if incredulitie be not without diffidence disobedience true faith in God is not without confidence affection of obedience Hereunto may bee added that the manifold rebellions of Israel in the Wildernes are called vnbeliefe They belieued not in God Psal 78.22 32. and trusted not in his saluation For all this they sinned still and belieued not for his wondrous workes I will therefore put you in remembrance though yee once knew this how that the Lord hauing saued the people out of the land of Egypt Iude 5. afterward destroyed them that belieued not And beliefe in Christ inferreth the keeping of Gods Commandements whereunto the soule is inclined by faith And this is his Commandement 1. Iohn 3.23
was not mixed with faith in them that heard it where the doctrine of saluation is compared to wine which profiteth not vnlesse it be drunken that is receiued by faith and to belieue is spiritually to drinke the cup of saluation My soule thirsteth for thee saith Dauid Because thy louing kindnesse is better then life my lips shall prayse thee Psal 63.1 3 5. My soule shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatnesse c. To belieue in Christ Iohn 6 35 50 51 53 54. is to eate the flesh of the Sonne of man and to drinke his bloud Temporarie faith tasteth the word as men doe meate which they spit out againe receiueth it as a raw stomacke doth meate which it vomiteth vp and cannot hold Heb. 6.5 but it neuer feedeth kindly vpon the seuerall parts of the Word of life nor standeth affected towards it as a good stomacke doth to wholsome nourishment which is euident in that the weeds of earthly-mindednesse pride pleasure are not stocked vp by the rootes and where these abide the soule is not rightly tempered to apprehend the worth and qualitie or feed vpon the iuyce of heauenly mysteries But where true and liuely faith hath residence the soule is tempered to symbolize with diuine goodnes and standeth affected to the seuerall branches of the word as a good appetite doth to wholsome food of diuers qualities Faith admits many interruptions This is the nature of Iustifying faith but it admits many interruptions in acts or operations The Minde is sometimes darkened with mists arising from our naturall corruptions sometimes our passions stirre violently that we cannot doe as wee would nor continue our adherence vnto the Word of life as better for the time being then the prosecution of some sensuall good that for the present doth moue our affections and is stolne into them Naturall taste is distempered with sicke humours that abound in the bodie so is the spirituall with temptations from without and spirituall diseases from within Thus it is with the best oftentimes in this life whilest the minde is clouded with earthly thoughts and the heart assailed with carnall lusts which through weaknesse or neglect of watchfulnesse creepe vpon and disturbe them for a time but in their right temper and good plight they are much better they taste and feed vpon the Word of truth and the fauour of God is sweeter to them then all the delights of the sonnes of men We conclude then that Iustifying faith is a firme absolute vnlimited assent and wel-rooted al-seasoning soueraigne affiance whereby we rest vpon Christ for saluation embrace the mercies of God as better then life and feed vpon the Word with sweet refreshing and delight CHAP. IIII. Loue is not the soule of faith yet Iustifying Faith cannot be without Loue. § 1. FRom that which hath beene spoken of the nature of faith § 1. Loue is not the soule of Faith these two things doe plainly follow First That loue is not the life and soule of faith Secondly That Iustifying faith cannot be without loue As light and heate in the Sunne be inseparable so is faith and loue being knit together in a sure band by the Holy Ghost but loue cannot be the forme or soule of faith Liuelihood is the qualification Loue the companion Workes the fruites or effects of that faith that iustifieth but faith receiueth not it vertue life or efficacie from Charitie or any other vertue but from the Spirit of whom it is breathed into vs from whom also it receiueth that it may giue force to all other vertues and good works whereby they are vertues and good workes It is faith and not Charitie that giues influence to all other graces euen to Charitie it selfe as faith increaseth so other graces increase as faith decreaseth so other graces decrease the l fe of faith is our life the strength of faith is our strength if our faith be weâ—ke there is nothing else whereby wee can bee strong It is the essentiall forme or act of faith to accept of the promises of mercie Heb. 11.33 Gal. 3.14 22. Math. 8.13 Rom. 4.16 Rom. 3.27 whereby wee obtaine them also God hauing appointed that as a condition that the promise might be sure to all the seed to exclude boasting and to set forth his free grace and fauour But Charitie cannot serue for that vse because I cannot presume of that that is anothers vpon any conscience of my loue towards him but vpon confidence only of his loue towards me Be it that all things are common amongst friends before we can build the cupon we must haue it resolued vnto vs that God takes vs for his friends which can bee no otherwise but by faith only Faith must first receiue embrace Rom. 3.25 and hold the merit of the bloud of Christ before there can be any assurance of friendship betwixt God and vs. And although being now in friendship with Christ our loue may giue vs encouragement and comfort to make vse to our selues of that that is his yet it is not by our loue that wee take it to make vse thereof For the act of loue is done only by issue and passage from him that loueth to the thing that is loued as from vs to Christ and therefore it must be somewhat else whereby we receiue from Christ to vs. How should the goodnesse of God bee the obiect of our charitie but by being first the obiect of our faith For therefore fore doe we loue the goodnesse of God or loue God for his goodnesse towards vs because first wee belieue the same neither can we so loue but by belieuing For charitie consisting simply in affection apprehends nothing in God of it selfe but receiueth all from faith The forme is the beginning of actions and that that giueth influence and life to another thing must needes haue a prioritie to that that receiueth it But charitie is not the beginning of the actions of faith specially of the act of belieuing the act of loue hath no prioritie to beliefe but followes after it and is quickened by it For by faith we embrace the Word and receiue Christ when as charitie compelleth vs to loue him whom we know embrace and hold by faith Wee first taâ—â—â— our meate and then loue it faith is the spirituall taste of the soule which feedeth vpon the sweet and tender mercies of the Lord before the heart bee enflamed with loue Faith and loue are different gifts and graces and some effects are attributed to faith which agree not to charitie as faith is said to iustifie to purifie the heart to ouercome the world to receiue the promises Charitie may be called an accidentall forme of faith that is it is an instrument vnto it for mouing and stirring abroad in the performance of all duties recommended vnto vs both to God and Man but the life and soule of faith it is not or the inward and essentiall forme whereby it hath life and being
within it selfe and whence proceedeth a motion and working that is proper to it selfe If charitie should bee the forme of faith then faith hath two different formes its proper and the forme of loue then faith should be the only pure matter of loue then should it be obedient to loue and contained of it as the matter is obedient to the forme and contained of it The Bodie is an instrument for the soule to worke by and not the soule an instrument for the bodie to worke by The forme worketh in the matter and not the matter either in or by the forme seeing the matter of euery thing is passiue only and not actiue And so it should bee betwixt faith and loue if faith were as the bodie and loue as the soule But charitie is obedient to faith faith gouerneth charitie for whatsoeuer wee loue vprightly it must be knowne by faith that wee ought to loue it and our loue must be quickened by faith to loue it vniformely and in right order Faith is the measure of loue and the measure of loue is according to the measure of faith the intention of loue according to the degrees of faith and the breadth of loue according to the extension of faith Where there is greater faith in God there is greater loue to God and as faith spreadeth it selfe so doth loue in vniforme manner § 2 §. 2. Popish obiections preuented Gal. 5.6 Faith is not wrought by charitie as the a Bellar. de Iustif l 2. cap. 4. § At ne daretur §. Distinctio Iesuite preuerteth b The Greeke word is not of the passiue but of the miâ—â—le voyce as it is in many other places of Scripture Gal. 5.6 Rom. 7.5 2. Cor. 4 12. In the Interlinear faith which is effectuall Pagnin working by loue And so Bellarm. himselfe de Iustif lib. 1. cap. 15. lib. 2. cap. 8. lib. 1. cap. 20. § Illud vero Rhem. annot in Gal. 5.6 Sect. 3. that text of Saint Paul for then it will follow that loue by which faith is wrought must needs follow that loue by which faith is wrought must needs be before faith whereas all acknowledge that faith hath the first being It is faith which first heareth and belieueth and receiueth the word of God and thereby prescribeth vnto charitie the way that it is to goe and the dutie it is to performe it inciteth to the worke it animateth the act and enlargeth the affection to the seuerall branches of loue without which what is charitie but a vild mishapen wandering affection rising or falling amisse comming short or running ouer what the partiall and maimed fruites of loue but the very carkase of a good worke Faith worketh by loue not as fire maketh hot by heate which is a formal propertie inhereÌ„t in it but as the soule doth this or that by the hand which is an externe instrument conioyned vnto it That by which a thing is constituted as by a beginning and by which it is effectuall that is the forme thereof But loue is a grace without the being of faith though conioyned vnto and faith is effectuall by loue as a primarie meane whereby it doth produce other effects not as by it beginning Christ is the fountaine of the water of life Faith in the heart is as the pipes and leads that receiue in and hold the water Loue in some part is as the câ—cke of the corduit that lets out the water to euery coÌ„mer Faith iustifyeth by receiuing the gift of righteousnes which is by the merit of Iesus Christ and goeth forth by charitie whereby as a working hand it performeth all duties commanded of God to the gloâ—y and honour of God What if loue bee the most excellent of all graces in some respects doth it thence follow 1. Cor 13.13 Bellar. vbi supra Heb. 11.6 that it is the life of faith By the same reason we may argue Whatsoeuer is not of faith is sinne is of no esteeme or account with God therefore faith is the foâ—â—e of all other graces It followeth not that because the eye is a more excellent member then the soote therefore the eye is the soule and life of the soote In what respects chari ie doth excell faith and faith charitie Noe more doth it that because charitie is a more excellent gift then faith therefore it should bee the life and soule of faith Faith and loue respectiuely haue the preferment each of other In respect of spirituall life faith is the most necessarie vpon which loue hath necessarie dependance but otherwise to loue is more then to belieue because it necessarily includes beliefe as to tast meate â—n respect of life is of more vse then to loue it though absolutely to loue meate be more then to tast it because it presupposeth tast If we respect latitude of vse charitie is more excellent then saith as which is extended euery way to God and Men and by which all the gifts of God which he bestoweth vpon vs are made profitable to other men But if we consider man priuately in himselfe and for his owne vse faith is more excellent then charitie as whereby wee are radically vnited vnto Christ and wherein standeth orginally our fellowship and communion with him Eph. 3.17 Gal. 3.14 by which Christ dwelleth in our hearts and wee receiue the promised spirit into which as a hand God putteth all the riches of his grace of our saluation by which all acts of grace are quickened wee feed vpon Christ for the strengthening and nourishment of the soule and whatsoeuer is in vs is commended vnto God If we respect length of time and continuance charitie is to be preferred before faith For faith is but for a time and when the promise of God which is the matter and subiect of it shal be fully accomplished the vse of it shall cease When faith passeth into an open knowledge and reuealed sight of the thing present it changeth both his nature and kind But loue abideth for euer and shall continue betwixt God and vs an euerlasting bond it shall be greater and more vehement but shall still retaine the same nature and substance albeit some workes which now it exerciseth shall cease The end of our faith is charitie but the foundation and director of loue is faith faith also is the victorie whereby we ouercome the world To saue a man faith is the greater in Man being saued loue is the greater Till faith haue finished our saluation loue must yeeld to faith when faith hath fully saued vs it shall haue an end for knowledge of sight takes away faith but loue shall abide for euer Absolutely loue is greater then faith but when we speake of the meanes of Iustification and attainment of that saluation whereto perfect charitie and righteousnes doth belong then faith must bee preferred as â—he greater more excellent Faith only beareth sway therein and this slender and weake charitie which we haue
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
42.3 Math. 12 2â— There is a state wherein faith is a smoaking weeke desiring that it could belieue rather then getting vp to feele it selfe belieue discouering it selfe by earnest sighes and groanes for mercie and hanging vpon Christ though the Belieuer can scarce tell whether hee rest vpon him or no This faith is certaine in euent but the Belieuer in this state is farre from particular assurance of his saluation Againe though faith bee not troubled but doe quietly stay on Christ and taste God good in letting them find peace with him yet such is the infancie of spirituall vnderstanding in Christians specially now first conuerted that they doe not returne into themselues and iudge of that they doe and of the great consequence of that they doe Hence it is that they will tell you they find God good to them and goe on chearefully in duties for the present but they come not to behold the stabilitie of their saluation The child liues before hee knowes that he doth liue and knowes he doth liue before he knowes the cause of life or the inheritance whereunto he is borne and so it may be and is with a Belieuer Psal 31.22 77.3 8 9 10. There is a state in which faith is exercised with temptations from vnbeliefe or otherwise by which opposition the soule is kept from obtaining this certaintie being encountred with doubtfull appearances which it cannot well answere and cleare for the present There is a state wherein faith is now growne vp and hath either out-wrestled or otherwise is exempted from knowing such temptations in which condition the faithfull doe perswade themselues Phil. 1.19 20. 2 Tim 4.18 that Gods mercie and truth and power shall carrie them through vnto saluation But when now our consciences shall come to testifie through faith and experience this happy estate we are subiect by neglecting meanes laying downe our watch giuing the reines to our lusts or by secret desertions ere-while to loose for a time this comfortable perswasion the Spirit not speaking in vs by his light as heretofore and our consciences and faith so hurt and wounded that the actions of them are troubled depraued as we see the like befalleth the naturall senses and reason Wee see through Melancholie what reason comes to imagine how that some should seeke to kill vs who neuer thought vs hurt How the eye thinkes it seeth things yellow and red when they are nothing so the taste things bitter when they are sweet So the sight of faith and conscience when nothing but sinne guilt wrath angry desertion ouer-lay it it seemeth to see euery thing for the time of like colour to those things wherewith it is possessed Thus sometimes the strong faith is shaken greatly and strongly assaulted so that he that vnspeakably reioyced in the saluation of the Lord by hastie cogitations is brought to say I am cast out of the sight of thine eyes Psal 31.22 And if faith escape these rockes may not yet a more serious examination of our wayes and through fight of our nakednesse imperfections and manifold transgressions the strength of our lusts the disorder of our passions our daily failings and that great weaknesse which in trials wee shall finde in our selues may not those things I say raise feare in the heart of a sound Belieuer as not altogether without the reach of possible danger without repentance and greater constancie in performing all Christian duties then hitherto he hath made proofe of specially if the apprehension of the multitude and hainousnesse of sinnes bee quickened by afflictions or the liuely cogitations of the terrors of the day of Iudgement Neuerthelesse as a childe affrighted runneth to the Father looking for defence and helpe of him euen so in the middest of all feares temptations difficulties and distresses faith is still running vnto God still importuning him calling vpon him expostulating with him casting it selfe still vpon him depending vpon his aide and expecting of him that things become otherwise then presently they are § 5. Thus faith of adherencie is stronger then faith of §. 5. euidence Faith of adherence stronger and more necessary then faith of euidence and beliefe in Christ for remission then assurance of pardon and forgiuenesse And as faith in Christ is stronger then particular certaintie of our saluation so it is it more necessary For beliefe in Christ is absolutely necessarie to remission of sinnes in all them that bee of age and discretion but assurance comes not at first when we belieue but by little and little as God seeth it requisite according to the triall he hath appointed to make of vs. Without faith in Christ as the onely authour of saluation and sole end of faith with whom our soules seeke perfect vnion it is impossible to please God no action though in it selfe neuer so good or holy is truly acceptable vnlesse it be quickened and enliued by this faith But many poore soules that want assurance of Gods speciall fauour are tenderly beloued of him as heires of saluation their good works accepted in Iesus Christ A Christian of an humble and broken spirit denying himselfe and renouncing the World belieuing that his sinnes are pardonable and earnestly desiring remission of sinnes by the merits of Christ resting vpon Christ alone for saluation and ioyning with this desire and affiance the sincere vnpartiall practice of obedience to all Gods Commandements according to that measure of grace which hee hath receiued without question he shall receiue the inheritance of eternall glorie although he may be scrupulous in himselfe wanting this perswasion and assurance that his sinnes are pardoned And yet because God hath commanded vs to labour for the perfection of all graces we are sure this must bee intreated for and haue a promise that it shall be granted as God seeth meete both for the time and measure of it §. 6. Infallible assurance of saluation may bee obtained § 6. That not only some vncertaine hope and dimme sight of Gods fauour but euen assurance is to be sought and may be obtained is thus manifest Faith may receiue what the Word doth testifie for the Word of God is the obiect of faith But there is a word testifying thus much that my particular person beholding the Sonne and belieuing on him shall haue eternall life and be raised vp at the last day that there is no condemnation to me being in Christ Acts 10.43 1 Thes 5.10 Luke 2 10 11. Esay 9.6 1. Iohn 3.15 Iohn 6.35 1. Iohn 5.10 13 Neither could Iohn with the faithfull belieue Gods loue towards them in particular if some word did not shew it For the Papists themselues will not say that all oâ— them were priuiledged with singular reuelation Our Aduersaâ—ies reply that there is no Word of God saying Cornelius belieue thou that thou shalt bee saued and where there is no word there is no faith for these two are relatiues This cauill is easily remoued for that cannot be
can bee taken in all the pastimes of the World For by that meanes wee grow more and more familiarly and better acquainted with the minde and purpose of God towards vs we enioy sweet communion and fellowship with him wee are made readie for our latter end at one time as well as another and are armed to goe well and chearefully through with the affaires of the day belieuing that God will guide and blesse vs. And of this also we may be well assured that according to our strength of faith the liuely fruits of holy obedâ—ence shall be found in vs and as our faith groweth so doth sound peace ioy and safetie strength against corruption abilitie to resist temptations pouertie of spiâ—it meeknesse puritie hunger and thirst after righteousnesse mercifulnesse and pleasure in the meanes whereby faith is preserued and confirmed increased and that from time to time more and more But as for such as will not settle themselues to nourish their faith with care and diligence they depriue themselues of much inward peace which they might enioy and make their liues vncomfortable to themselues vnprofitable to others They lay themselues open to many offences which by this exercise they might preuâ—â— and they go on either in vnsauourie lightnesse and carnâ—ll ioy which doth deceiue them or else in vnprofitable care and worldly sorrow which will disquiet them And when they neglect the fashioning of Christ in their hearts and so truly to put him on in their daily conuersation they become vnprofitable in their liues offensiue in their carriage and the Deuill weakeneth and holdeth backe sundrie which were comming on by their example thinking themselues well in the case they are in rather then they should be in following them vnlesse they saw some beautie and excellencie in their liues more then in themselues § 4. The meanes whereby faith is confirmed and strengthened are these §. 4. Means whereby faith is strengthened and confirmed and such like First Daily to account it our best portion richest iewell most pretious treasure and chiefest happinesse in this life which if we doe our hearts will be euer vpon it our feare will be vsually lest we should loose it and we shall thinke it most necessary to regard and looke vnto it whatsoeuer wee haue besides it woâ—th the looking after And otherwise euery small occasion will hinder vs euery fond delight carrie vs away and euery trifle take vp the heart much more our earnest and weightie affaires and businesse to which most men thinke that all exercises of religion ought to giue place Things of worth are disesteemed if their value be not knowne and trifles are looked after when they bee ouer-valued A true esteeme of the price excellencie and vse of faith the profit and comfort of it will raise an earnest continuall care to preserue and keepe it Secondly Wee must labour daily not only to loath those things which are euill in themselues but also to be very sober and moderate in our lawfull labours and delights desires and affections to things transitorie remembring what our Sauiour Christ saith Luke 10.42 One thing is necessarie otherwise Sathan who can change himse f into an Angell of Light will fill our hearts and heads with swarmes of euill lusts noysome delights cares and distractions which will draw our Mindes from that which they ought most to minde and thinke vpon Wee must be heedfull in this not only that the world draw vs not to encrease our wealth by wicked or vniust meanes but that it creepe not insensibly into our affections and so by degrees not obserued breed great distempers in the soule Feare of want ioy and delight in what wee iustly and honestly possesse climbing into the heart and by little and little getting head doe sucke away that vertue whereby the word sowne should receiue strength and increase and alienate part of the soule from God Herein therefore we must be circumspect gaging our hearts and trying them to the bottome weaning our selues from these delights raising our soules to more spirituall and heauenly ioyes and labouring that our desire of grace and care to exercise our selues in all good workes doe grow as the world comes in vpon vs. Thirdly Walking according to the rules of faith in humblenesse of minde meeknesse puritie mercie long-suffering and in all good workes improuing what wee haue receiued to the glory of God is a notable meanes to confirme and strengthen faith Faith brings forth good workes and good workes increase faith Faith hath his fruit created in it but the better fruit it bringeth forth the faster it groweth Faith is a fruitfull Mother that giues life to holinesse and good workes as a kind Daughter helpe to support and sustaine the Mother Bee yee stedfast 1. Cor. 15.58 vnmoueable alwayes abounding in the worke of the Lord. Fourthly A daily viewing of our sinnes which by examination we haue found out is availeable herevnto that being humbled truely and brought to account basely of our selues we may be kept from fulnesse and lothing of that death of Christ the sweetnesse whereof we cannot taste or rellish as wee should except wee feele the tartnesse and bitternesse of our sinnes Fiftly A fift meanes is daily and oft to send vp strong prayers to God for it and purposely to seperate our selues from all other things in the most conuenient manner that wee can to thinke deeply of his vnspeakable goodnesse mercie truth fatherly affection and tender compassion in Iesus Christ Exod. 34.6 Iohn 7.37 Hos 14.2 3. 1. Iohn 5.14 Prou 28.13 Ephes 2.4 remembring withall what manifold sweet and gracious promises he hath made vnto vs in the Gospel of his Sonne whereby we come to haue more neere acquaintance with Gods nature his minde and purpose towards vs. And if we belieue an honest man so much the more because he often goeth ouer iâ— when hee affirmeth this or that vnto vs the serious meditation of Gods promises reiterated againe and againe must be auaileable to strengthen faith Rom. 10.17 and fashion the Image of God in vs more and more Sixtly To these must be ioyned ordinarie and reuerent hearing of the glad tydings of saluation which is the key whereby God doth open and soften our iron hearts and an holy vse of the Sacraments Rom. 4.11 whereby this heauenly truth which we haue alreadie receiued is yet further sealed vp to our consciences These ordinances we must frequent with an appetite Sound and healthfull bodies receiue nourishment from their food and suck vigour out of it for growth and strength Liuely faith feedeth on the Word of life and increaseth Though the Word be immortall seed which corruptible food is not yet in this they are like that looke as bodily food doth not put to the body all that substantiall strength and latitude which belongeth to it so the food of the Word doth not at one time augment the soule with all length and depth of Knowledge Faith
Apostle saith your care beginneth to spring againe belike they had their winter whom a new spring reuiued It is true the Lord hath promised that Hell gates shall neuer preuaile vtterly to ouerthrow the faith of his chosen or any other grace radically accompanying saluation but to preserue continuall sensible exercise of any grace he hath no where promised The graces of God doe ebbe and slow in his seruants and that by the wise disposition of God lest if we had attained facilitie in all things wee should thinke that our owne which is meerely his worke Who amongst the faithfull doth alwayes heare with equall attention reuerence chearefulnesse c. or pray with like earnestnesse of desire feeling of wants assurance to be heard or submission to Gods will or doe any thing at all times so as at some The Lord many times withdrawes the vse of some particular grace that some other may in greater measure shew forth it selfe in vs. Ioy and reioycing in his mercie hee withholds that he might bring to the practice of humiliation § 9. What if a Christian cannot finde no not after search and examination any liuely sence or feeling of faith §. 9. 9. They cannot find any liuely sence of of faith nay he cannot discerne any faith at all in himselfe Hereby the Lord may correct our vnthankfulnesse for mercies formerly receiued Remedy or that presumptuous licence we took to our selues in sinning or in questioning with our selues of his graces All which things wee are heartily to confesse and bewaile But for the comfort of the distressed hee is to know that sometimes graces may lie hid yea and worke in respect of our acknowledgment insensibly Wee may not conclude there is no truth of grace in vs because we cannot perceiue and feele it The seed of faith cannot be lost after it is once planted in an honest and good heart by the holy Spirit but the sight thereof may bee hid from our knowledge and the liuely functions thereof intermitted The child liues in the mothers wombe though it know not so much Life remaines in a man fallen into a dead swound wherein he is depriued for a time of vnderstanding reason memorie sence motion and all apparant vitall functions The tree liues in winter though nipped with frosts and weather-beaten with tempests dead in appearance Coales raked close vnder the ashes that they giue neither heat nor light doe yâ—t retaine both though they shew not forth themselues There is a generation pure in their owne eyes who are not purged from their iniquities Prou. 30.12 the most holy are not priuie to all their secret sins nor throughly acquainted with the deceitfulnesse of their owne hearts And the graces of the Spirit may lie hid in the hearts of the regenerate Psâ—l 19.12 and worke insensibly to their feeling and discerning as well as corruption lurke secretly and worke priuily in the soule both of regenerate and vnregenerate An argument drawne from his sence and feeling may haue some colour in the conceit of a distressed minde but in truth it is a deceitfull reasoning to conclude That they haue no faith because they haue no sence or feeling thereof in their apprehension In the agonie of conscience none are more vnfit to iudge of our estate then wee of our owne Though at other times we be sicke of selfe-loue and too partiall in our owne case yet in this state towards our selues wee are most vncharitable and being out of loue with our selues wee are apt to derogate from the worke of Gods Spirit in vs. In time of temptation the godly doe erre many wayes in examination of themselues It is most certaine also that in the examination and triall of our estates we commit no small errours in the time of temptation the minde being clouded with the mists of Satans suggestions and the heart so distempered with feare that we cannot discerne the graces of God in vs nor acknowledge boldly what in a sort we see Suggestions we take to be sinnes of consent and purpose failing in the purposed measure of seruing God or in some particular we distinguish not from falling from our generall purpose to cleaue vnto God in the performance of all duties of holinesse and righteousnesse we put not difference betwixt absolute falling from purpose and failing in execution of purpose in some particular Common infirmities wee iudge presumptuous sinnes or such blemishes as cannot bee in the Saints of God passions we esteeme as deliberate purposed resolutions and motions to distrust which are euidences of weaknesse are supposed pregnant tokens of totall infidelitie Certaintie of adherence is not distinguished from certaintie of euidence if we find not assurance of pardon we conclude there is no faith though possibly at the present wee resolue to roll our selues vpon the faithfull promise of God and powre out our soules for mercie The Lord diuersly giues euidence of his Spirits presence in vs. Sometimes a childe of God perceiues little difference in practice betwixt himselfe and very aliens yet let him view his affections he may see grace there sometimes againe more may be seene in practice then in the affection When the heart is ouer-whelmed with feare and doubt a man cannot finde loue ioy or delight in the Word of God but then his frequenting the house of God his priuate reading and conference are testimonies that his will is bent to the Law of God But these things are not obserued in the times of distresse and bitter anguish whence it followeth that God may euidence his presence with vs by the Spirit of grace when by reason of our frailtie we cannot discerne it Furthermore if a man can discerne no sparke of grace If a man can discerne no spark of grace in himselfe for the present he is not to despaire nor feele any good thing in himselfe he is not to despaire But as the sence and feeling of his present state ought to humble him vnder Gods hand and moue him to enter into a serious examination of himselfe and to vnfained repentance for his sinnes so must hee take comfort vnto himselfe and prop vp his weake declining faith by calling to minde former times Psal 77.3 9 10 11. and wherein the Lord hath caused his mercifull and gracious countenance to shine vpon him and wherein hee hath glorified God by an holy life and conuersation For if euer he hath discerned the graces of Gods Spirit by the fruits of sanctification they are not vtterly taken away though for a time they bee buried from his sight that hee cannot find them The seed is not dead that lyeth all winter vnder the clods and appeareth not by fruit aboue ground If hee bee not able to gather comfort from former experience but be readie to question that also yet must hee not giue way to vncomfortable and deading sorrow because the thirstie soule who neither feeleth inward sap Esay 55.1 2. Math. 11.28 nor findeth outward
God and put Satan to flight Neither let them after this bee still obiecting that they feele small strength of faith and hope for thereby the enemie may take encouragement to their disaduantage when feare setteth open the heart to his malitious temptations and binds the hands of the distressed that he cannot resist but let them stirre vp their courage and resolution to waite vpon the Lord not listening any more to their strong but deceitfull feare And what though they feele not that sweetnesse wh ch sometimes they felt will they therefore iudge their state to bee naught What sweetnesse can the soule taste when it is ouer-whelmed with feares perplexed with temptations troubled with doubts Physicke is vnpleasant and bitter to the taste Temptation should not be temptation if it did not affect If the soule bee now sicke and tasteth not the sweet meates of consolation which it was wont as the bodie which is in a course of Physicke will they iudge themselues to be starke dead or in a condition irrecouerable Wee haue experience how diuers times the disease preuaileth ouer the sicke person that actions faile and faculties seeme quite to bee spent neither hand nor foot is able to doe their dutie the eye is dimme the hearing dull the taste altered and the tongue distasteth all things euen of most pleasant rellish and the weake and feeble patient seemeth to attend the time of dissolution when yet notwithstanding there remayneth a secret power of nature and a forcible sparke of life that ouer-commeth all these infirmities and consumeth them like drosse and rendreth to the body a greater puritie and firmenesse of health then before the sicknesse it did enioy Euen so it is in this spirituall estate the soule is sicke and not dead faith is assailed but not ouercome and if in patience the finâ—shing of this secret worke which passeth all conceit and capacitie of man bee attended these bu ning feauers of temptations shall appeare to bee flaked and cooled by the mercie and grace of Christ and that sparke of faith which now lieth hid and ouer-whelmed with heapes of temptations to breake forth againe And as nature after a perfect crise dischargeth herselfe to the recouery of former health so shall all doubts and feares and terrours be remoued and strength of faith restored with such supply as it shall bee able to make euident proofe what secret vertue lay hid and yet not idle in all this vncomfortable plight Againe as in outward sences we see sometimes and feele and heare when wee doe not perceiue it so we may also haue faith and not alwayes haue the sensible perceiuing thereof Yea such as most hunger and thirst after righteousnesse and are poore in spirit and broken in heart as they doubt and feare in euery action lest God bee dishonoured by their conuersation so are they iealous of their precious faith lest it bee not in such measure as they desire or in truth be none at all wherein they may easily bee deceiued first in the discerning then in the measure and portion For when the inward feeling thereof doth not answere their desire and the actions proceeding there-from doe not satisfie their thirst of righteousnesse whereby reliefe may rise to the nourishment of faith and the satisfying of that holy appetite they are discouraged and intangled with spirituall cares from which a more aduiced consideration agreeable to Gods Word might easily deliuer them And touching the portion it is a fault to measure the excellencie of faith and power thereof partly by quantitie and vnseasonable fruits so to call them and not by vertue kind plantation soueraignetie and seasonable fruit which errour in temptation the distressed are apt to runne into and so to trouble themselues without cause Men looke not that Corne should spring in haruest or be ripe in spring that trees should bud or beare fruit in winter because it â—s not the season for such things Neither ought wee to expect such strength of memorie and liuely operatiue actions of grace in age sicknesse great sorrowes and temptations as at other times in young yeares free from such assaults The fruits of faith fit for the season may bee discerned by them that can rightly iudge when sweet refreshings forme ly enioyed bee lacking The effects of faith in great temptations and cloudie seasons are to looke vp for helpe sigh groane complaine to God prize his fauour draw nigh vnto him and cast himselfe vpon God though hee seeme to be angry at this time faith is incumbred with many strong feares wherewith it is burdened against which it laboureth ouer which it doth not easily nor speedily preuaile Ioy peace sweet refreshing and sensible tasting of Gods mercie be the fruits of well growne faith in the times of victorie and freedome Those Summer fruits are not to bee gathered in the depth of winter It is an errour to measure the truth of grace in age by the effects proper to youth or the soundnesse of faith in temptation by the effects peculiar to the dayes of triumph Neither are we to account the nature of any thing according to our sence or the shew it maketh For then should the most fruitfull tree in winter bee taken for barren and the lustie soyle for drie and vnfruitfull whilest it is shut vp with the hard frost But reason being guided by the Word of God must lead vs rightly to iudge of the presence and life of faith in our soules which being the shield in this our spirituall warfare endureth much battering and many brunts and receiueth the fore-front of the battaile and oftentimes fareth as if it were pierced through and worne vnfit for battaile yet is it indeed of nature inuincible and repelleth whatsoeuer engine the enemy inforceth against vs and standeth firme rooted whatsoeuer storme Satan raiseth for the displacing thereof How then are the distressed to behaue themselues in this temptation when both the sence of faith is dulled in them and the fruits minister discontentment They must rightly consider what bee the winter fruits of faith and not expect such things in themselues as agree not to that season and withall remember that the gifts and mercy of God is wâ—thout repentance and so take courage vnto themselues confidently to cast their soules vpon the mercie of the Lord in Iesus Christ For as hee knew them when they were strangers from him and loued them when they hated him and had nothing which might prouoke his mercy but sinne and misery so is his goodnesse continued still vpon them for his owne sake and not at all for their deseruing And though they feele their abilitie weake the enemy strong their strength tired and cleane worne their corruption vpon the point to pâ—euaile the fruits and branches of faith thâ—ough these stormy tempests nipped and shaken yet the sap of faith shall neuer be dried vp in the root neither can any winde of Satan so blast that the immortall seed bee at any time quite withered
But patience and constancy with a resolute mind to beare Gods triall will bring a good end yea by a meeke going vnder Gods hand in these thâ—y shall learne experience to wade through greater afterwards and yet in the midst of them to hâ—ue hope that they shall not be ashamed Say their fo mer course of life past hath not answered that sincerity the Lord requireth what then Are they therefore reprobates No but it argues want of faith Not so but place for fuâ—ther inâ—rease of faith and the fruits thereof Those whom the Lord hath chosen to bee his worshippers and hath redeemed and consecrated holy to himselfe they bee his plants and engraffed Oliue branches in his Sonne who take not their full perfection at once but according to the nature of plants require daily watering and dressing whereby by degrees they attaine in the end a full stature in Christ In Scripture we haue example of weake belieuers as well as of strong As the Holy Ghost hath remembred the faith of Abraham who belieued aboue hope vnder hope Marke 9.24 Iohn 3.1 so hath it recorded the faith of Nicodemus in knowledge simple and weake in profession and practice timorous and fearefull In one and the same person we shall find different degrees of faith at diuers times at one time like a graine of Mustard-seed Num. 20.11 12 Psal 21.1 77.7 8. at another time like a growne Oake now like a smoaking snuffe but soone after bursting out into a bright flame The strongâ—st faith of any Saint mentiâ—ned in Scripture is â—mperfect assailed with temptations mixed with manifold doubtings For they were subiect to innumerables infirmities which are not specified in the Booke of God neither was it fit that it should bee a register of their manifold temptations frailties and fals But out of those things which are recorded wee may perceiue they were shaken with assaults ouer-taken with corruptions tripped and foiled sometimes by the policie of Satan Rom. 15.4 All which is set vpon the file for our admonition and consolation So that a Christian may not account himselfe void of grace because he is not perfect in faith knowledge and loue but he is wisely to consider the secret worke of Gods Spirit and grace and take comfort of the smallest crumme and drop of this heauenly sustentation and attend the time of perfect growth according to the good pleasure of God Oh but they feele not the testimony of Gods Spirit which might assure them they can finde no sparke of grace in themselues Neither doe any of Gods children at all times feele it but that they may see their own frailty God doth as it were hide himselfe for a season as a Mother doth from her childe to trie his affection that they may with more earnest desire mourne for Gods wounted grace and praise him with more ioyfulnesse of heart when they haue obtained it againe And yet God doth not with-hold comfort from his children many times when they walke heauenly but their owne frailty and vehemency of temptation which oppresseth them diminisheth the feeling thereof When the winde is lowde the aire stormie and tempestuous a man cannot heare the voice of his friend when the heart is filled with feares and perplexed with manifold temptations tossing it vp and downe the calme and still voice of the Spirit is not discerned And in those seasons the triall of faith is to be taken by those fruits which are euident to the eye of others who can iudge more sincerely then the afflicted themselues in that anguish of soule and spirit As the sicke man during the time of his distemper must not trust to his owne taste but rather relie vpon the learned Physicion and other honest and discreet friends so the faithfull must not giue too much credit to the suggestions of their owne heart possessed with feare but rather belieue their faithfull Pastor and other godly and experienced Christians that are about them But to yeeld so much to their present weakenesse because in this perplexity they will bee euer and anone questioning the soundesse of former comfort and integrity of their hearts suppose they were destitute of grace and neuer had felt sound comfort should they vtterly despaire or giue place to deading sorrow Math. 11.28 In no sort for Christ calleth the burthened and laden to come vnto him for ease and comfort Being destitute of grace and comfort they are willed to repaire vnto him for both who hath sufficient in store for them If they finde not themselues to bee eased they know they are burthened if they be not watered they feele themselues to be thirstie if they belieue not they are allowed inuited encouraged to come vnto Christ To them he calleth as if he did particularly name them Esay 55.1 2. Iohn 7.37 Apoc. 22.17 Marke 10.49 Come yee to the waters and drinke Come vnto me and I will refresh you Why stand yee trembling as if your case were desperate Yee desire helpe and he calleth you Be of good courage and come vnto him The end of the first Part. The Life of Faith The second part CHAP. I. What it is to liue by faith and how a Christian should stirre vp himselfe thereunto MAny and pretious are the fruits of â—aith Inducements to liue by Faith whereof wee haue vse at all times in euery state at euery turne and in all things that we goe about which who so would enioy hee must learne not onely to haue but to vse it aright to liue by it here feeding vpon the seuerall promises of mercy and not onely to be saued by it when he goeth hence The Lord himselfe the Authour and giuer of life hath oâ—ten taught vs by his Prophet and Apostle Hab. 2.4 Rom. 1.17 Gal 3.11 Heb. 10.38 That the iust man is not onely to belieue to Iustification but to liuâ— by Faith The worthy seruants of God in all ages are all brought in as a cloud of witnesses testifying this truth that The Iust shall liue by faith Gen 5.24 Heb. 11.5 Gen. 24.40 By faith Enoch walked with God By faith Abraham walked before God Paul liued if euer any comfortably happily from the time of his conuersion to the time of his dissolution but euen whilest hee liued in the flesh hee liued by the faith of our Lord Iesus Christ Without faith what â—â—e wee but dead moules liuing carkases that carrie about and are carried with dead soules The best most excellent and pretious part of Man is d stitute of true life till faith be inspired into it from aboue whereby we are vnited vnto Christ the fountaine of supernaturall and eternall life Col. 3.3.4 The most glorious or pleasant life of Man without faith is but a vaine shadow a meere picture and resemblance oâ— life or of death rather drowned in carnall delights full of vexation and leading towards euerlasting perdition The best worke of the regenerate if it bee not animated and quickened
many gratious promises whereby God doth freely passe it vpon vs Ps 119.5.6 and earnestly beggeth the powerfull effectuall inhabitation of the Spirit to stampe and imprint the Image of Christ more and more vpon the soule it peruseth it euidence againe and againe and nourisheth the motions stirreth vp the graces of the Spirit which is the earnest pennie and seâ—le of the promised inheritance If Men make an earthly purchase they wil spare no cost or labour to get it assured they will haue good euidence fine and recouerie and take what course in time may exempt it from claime and faith receiuing the promise of this purchased inâ—eritance will not rest in vncertainties or presumption but doth trauaile to haue it assuredly passed and made vpon the soule Sixtly It striueth to enter the possession of this heauenly kingdome by degrees Phil. 3.10.12.13 Men that purchase an inheritance to come in hereafter they are glad if any part fall into their hands for the present or if they can get some by parcels before the whole be possessed Fulnesse of glory is reserued to the life to come but beginnings of glory peace of conscience ioy in the holy Ghost and sanctification of the Spirit are vouchsafed here Grace is the beginning of glory and glory the perfection of grace According to the measure of grace receiued and as we grow vp in Sanctification so wee enter vpon the possession of our eternall inheritance And true liuely faith doth couet grace more and more and draw vnto it selfe from Christs fulnesse Seuenthly It earnestly desires and longeth after the full accomplishment of glory Rom. 8.13 Our selues also which haue the first fruits of the Spirit euen wee our selues groane within our selues waiting for the Adoption to wit the redemption of the Body I desire to depart and to be with Christ which is farre better Phil. 1.23 Saluation is the end of faith Heauen the habitation or home of the faithfull For in this we grone earnestly 2. Cor. 5.2 desiring to be clothed vpon with our house which is from Heauen Naturall bodies moue to their proper place all liuing things couet perfection in their kind heauen is the proper place and condition of the faithfull life eueâ—lasting the perfection of faith therefore if faith bee liuely it longeth after the fruition of glory and full possession of the promised inheritance Eightly It assureth that wee are made heire of euerlasting life to which God of his grace will bring vs in his time appointed 1 Iohn 3.1 Behold what loue the Father hath bestowed vpon vs that we should be called the sons of God Beloued Verse 2. now are wee the sonnes of God and it doth not yâ—t appeare what we shall be Verse 14. We know that we haue passed from death vnto life because we loue the brethren Neither doth the manner of speaking sauour of ought but certaintie neither could it agree with the grauitie of the Apostle to speake so indefinitely so indeterminately of that whereof hee had no certaine ground no firme resolution but onely some likely guesse or coniecturall hope And grant it of Iohn the Apostles that they knew their owne Adoptâ—on and we may inferre that this knowledge is a priuiledge of all belieuers in their measure as well as theirs 2. Pet. 1.1 Rom. 8.34.35.36 37. 1. Iohn 2.2 Rom. 5.1.2.3 For the faith whereby they were assured was ordinarie the grounds of assurance common to them with all true belieuers the benefite it selfe generall not in any speciall manner appropriated What promises soeuer concerning life and happinesse were made to the Apostles the same are made to all belieuers and confirmed and sealed vnto them after the same manner For they haue all one God Eph 4.4.5.6 one Christ one Spirite they are vnder one Couenant and liue by the same faith The Adoption of Belieuers is confirmed on Gods part vnto them by his word seales oath pledge and witnesse of his Spirit with the graces thereof And what God so sufficiently confirmeth we by faith may receiue it for faith inableth vs to belieue what God reuealeth Faith giueth assurance but euery belieuer is not assured in himselfe Psal 31.22 and 77.7 Psal 42.5 and 43.3 Exod. 19.5 Psal 135.4 Cant. 7.6 Psa 16.5 Deut 32.9 Psal 83.3 Mal. 3.17 Zech. 2.8 Psal 108.6 and 127.2 Cant. 8.6 Esay 49.16 Ioh 14.23 Iâ—s 1.9 Psal 109.31 and 12.5 Psal 73.23 Psal 27.5 1. Sam 2.9 Psalm 56.8 Math. 10.30 Psal 38.9 Ier. 31.20 Deut. 33.29 1. Pet. 5.10 Phil. 4.19 Psal 62.2.6.7 and 71.5 Ioel 3.16 2. Cor. 1.3 Psal 25 12. Heb. 13.21 Exo. 29.46 Reue. 21.3 2. Chron 16.9 Psal 37 4. and 145.19 Prou. 10.24 nor is any assurance in this life so certaine that it is neuer intermixed nor disturbed with doubtings There is a state in which faith sheweâ—h it selfe rather in earnest longings and paintings after mercy then in certaine apprehension of it there is a state of infancie a state of temptation and spirituall conflict in which the soule cannot attaine this certaintie and assurance And euen in the growen and confirmed state the belieuer must not looke to walke on smoothly without any rubs or to enioy perfect assurance without doubtings and assaults The assurance of this belieuer is an assurance aiming and striuing after assurance an assurance wrestling and combating with many assaults an assurance which labours wiâ—h continuall weakenes and lookes not to come to perfection but by temptations But of this before God in great mercy doth vouchsafe to his Adopted sonnes many excellent royalties in this life They are most pretious vnto him His chiefe treasure His loue for delights his peculiar people the lot of his inheritance his chosen his hidden ones his iewels Hee that toucheth them toucheth the apple of his eye They are his Beloued as the signet vpon his right hand Hee dwelleth with them he followeth them whither soeuer they goe hee stands at their right hand and holds them vp by it Hee coueâ—s them vnder his pauillion hee keepes their feete hee counts their wandrings hee numbreth their heires hee obserâ—es their sighes is moued with compassion vpon their complaints hee is the shield of their helpe the sword of their excellencie and the God of all grace who will fulfill all their necessities Hee is their hope their helpe their health their rocke their refuge the Father of mercies and God of all consolation Hee will teach them in the way that they should choose and make them perfect in good workes He will establish them in euery good word and worke he will walke with them his eye is euer vpon them for good and he will giue them their hearts desiâ—e They haue the Angels of God to minister vnto them for theâ—r safeguard and protection Heb. 1.14 Psal 34 7. 1. Cor. 3.22.23 Heb. 2.7.8 1. Tim 4.2.3 they haue dominion ouer the creatures of the earth and the free vse of them both for necessitie and
in Heauen a better and an enduring substance who for this hope endured the crosse and despised shame Heb. 12.2 as is testified of our Sauiour himselfe By faith Moses when he was come to yeares refused to be called the sonne of Pharoahs daughter chusing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God then to enioy the pleasures of sinne for a season Heb. 11.24 25 26. Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches then the treasures of Egypt for he had respect vnto the recompence of reward Heb. 11.35 By faith others were tortured not accepting deliuerance that they might obtaine a better resurrection The way or meanes to stirre vp faith in these promises The meanes to stirre vp faith in these promises is First to humble our selues vnfainedly in respect of our miserable and accursed estate by sinne and former carelessenesse to seeke mercie enter possession and get assured euidence of that euerlasting inheritance Woe is mee how I am fallen from that state of blessednesse wherein I was first created into a most miserable and accursed condition I haue grieuously sinned and God is highly prouoked the sentence of the Law is alreadie gone forth I am shut vp vnder wrath and if I haue my desert I can expect nothing but the terrible execution of fearefull vengâ—ance denounced Mortalitie as a worme corrupteth my bodie ignorance and lust tyrannize in my soule my condition is exposed to a thousand vanities and wearisome courses and through feare of death the vpshot of euils Heb. 2.15 I am subiect to bondage all my life In my first estate I was made far aboue all visible Creatures and by free bountie lifted vp to bee the Fauourite of the most High God but by wilfull disobedience I am fallen into Gods displeasure and lie prisonâ—r vnder the reuenging iustice of the law Nor is my wretched condition worse then my carelesnesse to be deliuered from it The bruite beasts take it as a grieuous thing to bee ensnared and taken but I haue delighted in bondâ—ge and counted it a libertie to liue a slaue to Satan and to follow things and courses pleasing corrupt nature Thou Lord of thine infinite grace hast proclaimed libertie published peace and made offer of a better state and condition in Christ then what I formerly lost in Adam But I preferred spirituall thraldome to libe tie death to life and chose rather to follow the temptations of Satan and to fulfill the lusts of the flesh then to come vnto Christ that I might be saued The men of this world are wise in their generation to accept of earthly commodities when they bee offered and not to put by the opportunitie but when the Lord hath made promise of euerlasting life if I would renounce the pleasures of sinne and foregoe the vanities of this world I haue followed vanitie and neglected mercie I haue dispised the great saluation and walked in the paths of death and condemnation O Lord it is thine owne worke of grace in me that euer I did bethinke my selfe of the danger of my course and repent to lay hold vpon the promises of life Nor hath my slouth and negligence to seeke euidence get assurance and enter possession of that glorious inheritance by growing vp in peace ioy holinesse and sanctification been lesse odâ—ous then former carelessenesse Since I haue been enlightned and tasted of the heauenly gift I haue sleighted the promises of mercy which should haue been my continuall meditation I haue neglected to get and keepe the holy spirit holy in it selfe making them holy in whom as temples it dwelleth the seale and earnest of the promised inheritance Ah what a dwarfe am I in holinesse and sanctification for these many yeares how little haue I gained My spirituall sight is exceeding dimme my passions boisterous my heart vnquiet my thoughts euill my nature corrupt I am dull to good apt to sinne feeble and of no power to withstand temptations shaken with many feares touching my saluation soone vnsetled and remoued from stedfastnesse by any contrarie opposition farthest to seeke for euidence and assurance when I stand in greatest need All this is come vpon me through mine owne foolishnesse because I haue not acquainted my selfe with the promises of grace nourished the motions of the Spirit carefully improued the gifts receiued endeauoured after perfection and laboured to bee sealed more and more with the promised Spirit What might I haue growen vnto in Christ if I had instantly desired the Spirit of Grace of him who giueth it heeded the inspirations and suggestions of it and by all conscionable meanes sought increase of grace and assurance of saluation Long ere now I might haue attained fulnesse of spirituall wisdome and vnderstanding strength of faith power of grace sweet communion and fellowship with God libertie and freedome to walke with God comfortable possession in part and good assurance of eternall life in due time to bee accomplished whereas by reason of sloth and negligence the powers of grace are so enfeebled that I can scarce breathe sigh crawle in the way to Heauen my heart is desolate I am a stranger to the comforts of godlinesse terrified with the remembrance of death readie to faint at the apprehension of trouble and danger and continually disquieted with feares and doubts touching mine owne saluation if the world with the things thereof haue not cast mee into the sleepe of securitie for a season The slothfull man is iustly condemned who had rather starue in Summer for lacke of bread then plough in winter because of the cold Wee censure him that had rather go lame and crooked as long as hee liueth then bee at a little paine to moue an aking ioynt He is worthily accounted improuident who neglecting to gather in his writings or sue out fine and recouerie will hâ—zard the losse of his whole inheritance My folly hath exceeded herein who to liue in peace and quiet with sinne haue impouerished my soule inâ—paired my stocke of grace wounded my conscience depriued my selfe of many rich priuiledges of grace which I might haue enioyed weakened my title to mine euerlasting inheritance and beene contented to creepe feebly towards the heauenly Canaan thinking it better to keepe where I was with quiet then to make my condition by still dealing with my selfe too too restlesse The sluggards shamelesse excuse hath fearefully bewitched me Better is an handfull with ease Eccles 4.6 then both hands full with trauell and vexation of Spirit The more excellent the inheritance I hope for is the more detestable is my sluggishnes and folly that I haue not earnestly sought to make it sure vnto my selfe and entred possession thereof so farre as in this life is giuen of grace Secondly 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 sufficiencie of Christs merits and greatnesse excellencie and worth of the benefit
And whilst they distrustfully question their perseuerance all present fauours seeme lesse then otherwise they would all other promises be held the more weakly Satan takes aduantage to fill their hearts with manifold discomforts God I denie not doth order these temptations to the best will do his children good by them for hereby they are driuen to distrust themselues run vnto God relie vpon him in all their necessities neuerthelesse the many perplexities wherein they are entangled for want of faith in the promises of perseuerance doth sufficiently conuince how necessary it is wee should labour to haue our hearts established in this confidence that the Lord will neuer leaue vs nor forsake vs. Confidence in the promises of perseuerance doth encourage and quicken in a Christian course stablish in wel-doing and hearten against the greatest difficulties Preuention of an obiection Or old it hath beene obiected against the doctrine of assurance of not falling away that it doth set open a doore to all licentiousnesse for if men cannot fall from their estate of happinesse why should they feare to commit all kind of wickednesse But he that hath faith in-deed will not nay hee cannot take courage to goe on in sinne vpon this pretence that faith once had cannot vtterly bee lost The belieuer knowes himselfe bound to the obedience of the Gospell though he be freed from the damnation of the law and certaine it is that faith which knits to Christ doth leade vs forth in all holinesse Psal 130 4. Mercie couering sinne doth beget reuerence the more assurance of saluation in a mans soule the more feare and trembling in a mans course Hee who is best assured hath most power of Gods Spirit and the stronger the Spirit of God is within the more holinesse and fruits of grace without Paul was assured that nothing should seperate him from the loue of God in Christ 1. Cor 9.27 2. Tim. 4.7 8. Peter was assured that his faith should not faile did this make them the more carelesse Nay rather the more carefull to runne their race the more couragious to fight out their combate 1. Iohn 4.19 The load-stone of loue is loue Loue in the superiour doth draw loue from the inferiour is it then possible for vs to apprehend such vnspeakable loue of God in choosing vs to such an excellent happy vnchangeable condition and not bee affected to loue the Lord againe Of necessitie the faith which continueth must be liuely nor can it imbrace the promises of perseuerance but whilest it is liuely The more operatiue faith is the greater our assurance of future standing if faith be dormant or languish for a time for that time wee are to seeke of this comfort nor can it be recouered till faith recouer and put forth it selfe valiantly in combating against Satan subduing corruption and working righteousnesse Looke how much we come short in belieuing the faithfull promises of God concerning our future protection from all hurtfull euils the greatest whereof is falling away so much are wee lacking to sound peace and stable tranquillitie of Minde and Conscience The better we haue learned to liue by faith in Christ as the Authour and finisher of our faith and raiser of vs vp at the last day the greater and more stedfast is our comfort The men of this world be not satisfied with the possession of their purchased inheritance but they seeke to strengthen and assure their title against future claimes before they can be quiet When a Christian is acquainted with the promises of pardon and forgiuenesse belieueth in Christ for saluation and is reconciled vnto God When his conscience is purged that there remaineth no more terrible remembrance of sinnes past his lusts subdued and vanquished his heart quieted from all perturbations and all inward disturbance which was in man against himselfe done away and when these things are knowne vnto the Conscience yet one thing is wanting to sound and full peace that is holy securitie for time to come against all enemies both inward and outward that they shall not hunt vs much lesse preuaile against vs. For if what we possesse may vtterly be lost or what we hope and expect be meerely vncertaine and coniecturall built vpon the good vse of our free-will and not vpon the free and vnchangeable grace of God what rest or quiet in respect of his future estate can any man finde in himselfe But let the heart be established in this that God will carrie him forward from grace to grace till hee haue brought him to his euerlasting Kingdome that his faith shall neuer faile the graces of the Spirit shall neuer wither and decay Satan with all his malice the world with the manifold allurements thereof shall neuer preuaile against him this freeth from much heart-griefe perplexitie distrustfull sorrow and vnprofitable trouble when he feeles his owne weaknesse thinkes of Satan and the worlds power heares of the falls of some who haue gone farre in the profession of godlinesse and casts with himselfe what persecutions may be raised against him for the truth and Gospell This also refresheth the heart with sweet and heauenly comfort in the midst of those many trials and incumbrances which we doe and must make account to meet with all and this our heauenly Father knew to bee no more then necessarie for our chearefull walking before him For the which cause I also suffer these things 2. Tim. 1.12 neuerthelesse I am not ashamed for I know whom I haue beliued and I am perswaded that he is able to keepe that which I haue committed vnto him against that day The Godly are allowed to belieue their perseuerance And seeing God hath promised to perfect the worke of grace begun and bound himselfe by couenant to confirme strengthen and stablish his children vnto the end and in the end to giue them eternall life such as find any true and liuely worke of grace wrought in them are allowed from God to belieue that they shall neuer perish nor quite be broken off from Christ nor those liuing waters cleane be dried vp but notwithstanding their owne infirmities and the sore temptations wherewith they are oppressed they shall be preserued vpheld and kept vnto saluation For what God hath confirmed by promise and couenant vnto his children vndertaken to effect by his Almightie power and ratified by earnest and pawne that they are allowed to belieue and expect from him of his vnchangeable grace and loue This is the golden and indissoluble chaine which the Apostle speakes of Rom. 8.30 Whom he did predestinate them also he called and whom he called them he also iustified and whom he iustified them he also glorified Luke 22.32 Math. 6.13 so that effectuall vocation is a pledge and token of glorification to ensue Christ hath prayed for his people that their faith might not faile the faithfull pray instantly Iohn 16.23 Lead vs not into temptation and that no man
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
will not suffer that roaring Lion aboue measure to discharge vpon them This faith assures of 1. Cor. 10.13 and perswades quietly to waite for Ninthly If Satan renew his assaults faith stands prepared through the power of God to make resistance afresh When Paul was buffeted by the messenger of Satan he besought the Lord often in that thing 2. Cor. 12.8 Thus when wee are led into darknesse without light wee leane vpon God and cry vnto him for saluation If a childe haue his Father by the hand though he be in the darke or otherwise see what hurt might him approach and make often at him yet he is not afraid and so it is with vs whilest by the eye of faith wee see that inuisible one at out right hand to support and saue vs. Neither are wee scarred at this that Satan doth shift his temptations and returne againe after hee had left vs for a season But hauing experience of Gods gratious dealing and tender compassion we flie vnto him and shrowd our selues vnder the shade of the Almightie If wee haue in some fits found case by this or that meanes we know if wee come into like case how to helpe our selues it is wee say but doing such a thing or taking such a matter thus hauing once found in distresse and temptation strength and deliuerance by recourse to our God in Christ we know what to doe when such like state returneth on vs. Satan will not cease to assaile though hee bee ouercome nor the Belieuer faint though he be set vpon againe and againe but hauing once returned with victory through the power of God hee will abide in the secret place of the most High for euer Why the godly sometimes want the sight of Gods graces Tenthly The faithfull are the Lords vessels which he vseth to scoure by temptations True it is that in the time of triall the graces of the Spirit doe not so much appeare to the notice of the belieuing heart but by the ouer-ruling prouidence of God they serue for the increase of grace as the truth teacheth faith belieueth and experience can testifie Thus faith ministreth comfort in the most bitter agonies if it bee rightly vsed and stirred vp But what if the child of God be brought so low that he can discerne no sparke of faith no fruit of grace no marke of Gods loue in himselfe It is not to be doubted but the seruants of Christ through their weaknes are oft brought by extremity of temptation into wofull desolation which yet the Lord doth wisely order for the glory of his Name and the good of his deiected seruants And as in other things so in this that they cannot discerne any fruit of the Spirit wherewith through the mercy of God they are comfortably replenished For the blustering Tempests which the enemy raiseth against them cause such disturbance in the soule and fill the heart with such confusion feare and terrour that for the present they are altogether vnable to iudge of their owne estate For when the Mind is ouer-clouded with the mists of Temptation as the eye with the rising of dust and the heart tossed too and fro with vnquietnesse as the waues of the Sea when the winds are boisterous conscience by recoiling vpon the soule cannot conceiue or giue right notice of it true state and temper Troubled water will not giue backe the reflection of the countenance nor an afflicted Spirit the true disposition of the inner man When the poore Christian makes search into himselfe the temptation first puts forth it selfe wherewith the heart is daunted and thereupon concludeth that no grace doth lodge or abide in him because at first sight it doth not appeare Vnto these may be added that good men are sometimes pertishly disposed to cast away all they haue as nothing because they haue not what they desire or imagine others to enioy herein resembling little children who for want of some small trifle that they desire or some of their fellowes haue throw away many things much more pretious But not to inquire further into the causes of this mistaking The Remedie of this the remedy is First hee must know that as in sicke persons we see it commeth to passe they thinke there is no hope of life when the Physician and standers by see certaine and vndoubted tokens of health So it is oftentimes in these spirituall sicknesses Secondly It is the wisdome of a Christian in this case to obserue the marke that Satan driues at which is to hide from his sight the graces of the Spirit that he might bring him to despaire This being the Deuils aime hee must stirre vp himselfe to belieue and roll his soule vpon Christ for saluation For when he can see no grace in his soule he cannot but see himselfe to be miserable and so called to come vnto Christ the fountaine of liuing waters that by him hee might be replenished in him hee might find refreshing Againe taking courage to belieue hee disappoints Satan who intendeth not so much to draw him into security as to force him to cast away all hope of mercie Oh but a Christian is to examine and try himselfe whether hee be inriched with the graces of the Spirit or no True it is that the examination of our hearts is a necessary duty but to be done in due order so as we be stirred vnto not driuen froÌ„ the practice of other duties no lesse needfull But when the soule is distempered with the assaults of Satan and vnable to iudge of it owne state it is vnseasonable to make search into our hearts and preposterous is to giue place to doubtings because wee cannot find what wee desire Wee haue a commandement to belieue as well as to proue our selues both which must bee coupled together otherwise neither can be done as they ought and it is a plaine case that he who finds himselfe to be poore and naked is called to come vnto Christ that hee might receiue of his fulnesse bee inriched with his plentie If thou canst not find in thy selfe what thou seekest after come vnto Iesus Christ and belieue in him that thou mayest receiue what thou seekest and is to bee found in him Thirdly The distressed soule must learne that the grace of God worketh not alwayes alike in his children When we walke in the fields in winter we see not only no good fruit but not so much as a leafe on the trees in some also the very trunke or stocke appeareth to be dead yet is the sâ—p hidden in the root which in due time will shew that the tree was neuer dead When fire is raked vp there appeareth oftentimes a sort of cold dead ashes when there are vndeâ—neâ—th certaine sparkes of which you may afterward make a fire Yea many times the fruits of grace may shine in the conuersation to the eyes of others when the powers and stirrings of grace inwardly being hindred with temptations cannot be felt Fourthly The
long and manifold temptations of Satan wherewith hee seekes to throw Christians head-long into despaire is to them a testimonie of the inhabitation of the Spirit in their hearts For the power and strength whereby those assaults are repelled Math. 12.43 44 Luke 11.24 25 26. is it not of God The vncleane spirit might easily enter into the house with seuen other spirits worse then himselfe and dwell there if he found it swept and garnished that is empty and destitute of grace The strong man armed might well breake into the house if a stronger then hee did not keepe possession As the children of God are conquerours ouer many temptations so one only temptation and that of no long continuance is able to sinke the stoutest among the Reprobates who are meere drosse and refuse into the bottomlesse pit of Hell The strong assaults whereby the Deuill laboureth the ouer-throw of the poore seruant of God is to him an argument of strength receiued or that God will strengthen him For if he looke vnto God in the tentation he calleth not forth his seruants to the conflict vntill they be furnished nor will he let Satan loose vntill he haue inabled them to make resistance He will not lay waight vpon greene Timber nor crush the tender youngling with burdens vnsupportable whom God doth imploy in his warre either hee hath or will make them able for the seruice If he haue an eye vnto Satans malice why doth he muster all his forces to besiege if there bee no strength to withstand The long continued furious tentations of Satan doe make proofe that the heart is well fortified against him Meanes to stirre vp our selues to liue by faith in time of dreadfull temptation The way and meanes to stirre vp faith in these perplexities and times of grieuous temptations is First the distressed Christian must vnfainedly humble his soule for former ignorance vanitie of Minde disesteeme of mercy timorousnes discontent vnbeliefe misinterpreting the Lords doings solitary musings on the temptations of Satan selfe confidence and such other sinnes which may seeme to set vpon the soule to the fierce and dreadfull assaults of Satan and in that acknowledgement and humiliation hee must vnfold his present misery before the Lord. O my God I am ashamed and confounded and blush to lift vp my face to thee my God Ezra 9.6 for my sins are multiplied exceedingly and mine iniquities are risen vp against me I was conceiued in sinne I I haue liued in vanitie my thoughts are loose mine affections boisterous I haue disesteemed mercy regarded lying vanities giuen way to doubtfull reasonings pettishly taken on when my carnall desires haue beene crossed distusted thy promises disputed with thee of thy iudgements giuen way to thoughts of vnbeliefe harboured vnquietnesse and discontent and so exposed my soule to the most violent horrible and fierie tentations and assaults of Satan My soule which should be seasoned with sweete meditation on thy goodnesse mercie and grace manifested in Iesus Christ delighted in the promises of mercie and rauished with the ioyes of Heauen is continually pestered and assailed with the blacke and hellish thoughts of Atheisme despaire blasphemie discontent and extreamely tortured with soule-vexâ—ng feares O my God looke mercifully vpon the miserie of a poore distressed sinner I am brought into great darkenesse and can see no light There is no soundnesse in my flesh nor rest in my bones nor quiet in my soule My heart trembleth my strength faileth me my life is spent with griefe my spirit within mee is ouerwhelmed and preuailing feares so tyrannize ouer me that I cannot speake My Minde is full of disorder and confusion my heart of terrour my soule refuseth comfort In the day I am terrified with thoughts in the night affrighted with dreames Psal 38.8.10 Psal 32.4 I am sore wounded and broken I goe mourning and desolate all the day my moisture is like the drought of summer and in this deepe discomfort the Tempter ceaseth not to suggest Psal 3.2 That there is no helpe for me in my God Secondly hee must complaine of the malice of the Deuill and instantly intreate the Lord to pardon sinne bridle restraine and tread Satan vnder foote Whiles I declare mine iniquitie and am sorry for my sinne the Deuill rageth with incredible fury seeking to deuoure and swallow me vp He fighteth against me continually night and day is my soule vexed with temptations to be abhorred If I say I will remember the mercies of the Lord and thinke vpon his Name I will vnloade my soule into the bosom of my heauenly Father and waite vpon his grace then he suggesteth impious thoughts and horrible blasphemies to the great annoyance miserable distraction astonishment and vexation of my poore soule Remember me O my God according to the multitude of thy tender compassions and blot mine iniquities out of thy remembrance for thy Names sake Psal 130.5 There is mercy with thee concerning sinne pardon the trespasses of thy poore seruant and impute not vnto mee those hellish thoughts suggested by Satan which through thy grace I detest vnfainedly vnder which I desire to be sincerely humbled and from which I heartily begge to bee deliuered Returne O Lord Psal 31.16 cause the light of thy countenance to shine vpon mee refresh my parched soule with the sence of thy mercy dispell the mists of tentation rebuke Satan and restraine his malice Thou art the God of peace tread Satan Rom. 16.20 I beseech thee vnder my feete shortly that with a quiet and chearefull Spirit I may sing of thy praise and serue thee in holinesse and righteousnes all the daies of my life Thou art my strength and portion my rocke and towre of defence vnto thee doe I flie for succour Oh plead my cause against the enimie of my soule and thy glory I am purposed through thy grace to sticke and cleaue fast vnto thy mercy neuer to assent vnto or approue his horrible suggestions 1. Ioh. 5.18 Psal 35.17 Ps 22.21.22 Oh keepe mee that the euill one may neuer touch me Lord how long wilt thou looke on rescue my soule from the fierie assaults of that wicked one my darling from the Lyon I am sore troubled I am bowed downe greatly Psal 31.10 I walke in heauinesse all the day long My heart panteth my soule is exceedingly disquieted with tentations Ps 35.22 23. This thou hast seene O Lord keepe not silence O Lord bee not farre from mee Stirre vp thy selfe and awake to my iudgement curbe and chaine vp Satan that he may molest no longer and strengthen thy poore seruant that through thy might I may conquer and tryumph ouer him And my soule shall reioyce in the Lord Psal 35.9.10 it shall reioyce in his saluation All my bones shall say Lord who who is like vnto thee which deliuerest the poore from him that is too strong for him yea the poore and needie from him that spoyleth him Thirdly hee must
cease to muse on the tentations of Satan and stirre vp himselfe couragiously valiantly to trust in the mercies of the Lord and relie vpon his grace Why art thou cast downe Psal 43.5 O my soule and why art thou disquieted within mee why dost thou harbour perplexing doubtfull thoughts and in much pensiuenesse tosse too and fro the tentations of Satan Psal 39.3 This musing kindles the fire the more thou thinkest vpon the tentat on and art disquieted with doubtings the greater libertie hath the Deuill to tempt the lesse able are thou to with-stand his malice If thou bee deiected he will be insolent if thou be affâ—ighted he will bee the more furious Trust therefore in the Lord and waite vpon his grace for hee hath seene thine aduersitie he will heare thy prayers the sinnes cleauing to the tentations which thou so much fearest are pardoned forgiuen vnto thee Euill thoughts conceiued with delight pleasure and purpose are most displeasing vnto God dangerous vnto the soule but euen hellish tentations which neuer found consent or approbation vnder which thou art humbled from which thou earnestly crauest to bee deliuered doubt not but vpon thine vnfained suite they are freely remitted and done away Be strong and of good courage feare not nor be dismaied for the Lord will be thy defence and vnder the shadow of his wings thou shalt be safe Satan cannot tempt longer then God shall giue him leaue and hee will neuer suffer thee to be tempted aboue measure but will giue a good issue vnto the tentation 1. Cor. 10 13. Thou art called to fight vnder the banner of Christ Iesus and in the name of the Lord thou shalt be inabled to doe valiantly and ouercome Psal 60.12 2. Cor. 12.9 If Satan continue his assaults Gods grace is sufficient for thee If thy strength be cleane gone Gods power shall be magnified the more in thee and he hath brought thee low that thou maist not trust in thy selfe 2. Cor. 1.9 but in the liuing Lord and that the whole praise of the victory might bee ascribed vnto him If thy strength did remaine it was not to be leaned vnto and now it is decayed and gone there is no cause of feare for the Lord w ll be thy stay In the most difficult assaults and tedious encounters wee are exhorted Ephes 6.10 to bee strong in the Lord and in the power of his might Be of good courage and God will grant thee an easie a ioyfull victorie Satans drift in tempting is to turmoile dis-hearten perplexe with feares and driue into despaire and if thou take heart and courage to rest quietly vpon Gods grace and flie vnto his Name thou shalt put him to flight thou hast alreadie got the day Waite but a while and these darke mists and terrible stormes shall be dispersed By these temptations the Lord hath taught thee to see thy weaknesse and the malice of Satan to denie thine owne wisdome and prize his fauour lightly to esteeme all things here below and highly to value mercy reaching to the pardon of sinne and heauenly communion and fellowship with God And if this bitter potion hath wrought so kindly for thy spirituall good why shouldst thou bee dismayed Trust in the Lord bee of good courage and hee shall strengthen thee Psal 31.24 27.14 Psal 34.22 The Lord redeemeth the soule of his seruants and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate Fourthly He must exercise himselfe in wel-doing harbour holy and heauenly meditations nourish the motions of Gods Spirit bee zealous and diligent in Prayer reading and hearing the Word of God chearefull and industrious in the workes of his honest calling For idlenesse and deiected lumpishnesse and excessiue feare prepare for all temptations but serious and good imployment is a speciall meanes to preuent or diuert them In this case constant proceeding in a course of godlinesse and continuall exercise of Minde and Bodie in that which is good and pleasing in the sight of God doth much more auaile then direct opposition I haue too long vexed and turmoiled my selfe with the temptations of Satan broken off the exercise of godlinesse directly to answere and oppose them yeelded to thoughts of vnbeliefe giuen way to discouragements as if it had beene in vaine to pray omitted the dutie vpon conceit of vnfitnesse dulnesse vnworthinesse accounted the duties of my calling tedious and burthensome set open my heart to intangling scruples and distracting feares questioning the loue of God towards me vpon euery false suggestion and concluding oft through vnbeliefe that God had shut vp h s louing kindnesse for euer in displeasure So foolish haue I beene and ignorant euen in this point a beast Pardon O Lord the infidelity doubting deiectednesse and carnall excessiue feares of thy poore seruant deliuer my soule from the snares of Satan acquaint me with his Methods in tempting and how I may preuent him and strengthen me in the combate that I neuer faint nor breake off the course of godlinesse through vnbeliefe I am purposed through thy grace to cast my soule vpon thy tender mercies to seeke thy face continually to waite vpon thee in thine ordinances and to exercise my selfe in the workes of Pietie Mercie and an honest calling If Satan tempt to distrust raise feares seeke to discourage my soule or break off my prayers by his hellish suggestions I will striue to maintaine my faith lay faster hold vpon the promises of mercy stop mine eares against scruples and doubtings take greater courage to draw nigh vnto God belieue the acceptance of my willing though weake seruice and by how much the Deuill shall seeke to oppose or hinder my comfort courage or constancie so much the more will I stirre vp my selfe to goe forward and continue therein The Lord will heare a sigh or groane bottle vp a teare and gratiously accept poore and meane seruice from a sick childe I perceiue the maine scope of Satan in suggesting hellish temptations is to driue me into despaire disquiet the soule with feares cast me into deepe vnprofitable sorrow and discourage in euery holy dutie that I might altogether neglect it or with great heartlesnesse go about it as if it were vnprofitable should neuer be accepted And I shall then preuent Satan and put him to flight when I take occasion by his temptations to sticke closer vnto the word of promise stirre vp my selfe zealously to seeke the fauour of God turne my thoughts from disputing about his suggestions pray that I may be fitted to pray waite vpon God for helpe begge the pardon of daily infirmities and take heart and resolution to commit my soule vnto him in wel-doing striuing daily to reforme what is amisse and grow in grace but not questioning acceptance because of my infirmities present dulnesse and distemper of soule being wasted and spent Psal 17.13 whiles I struggled with the temptations of the Deuill Arise O Lord disappoint Satan cast him downe
For if good things be wanting to the body specially we are apt to aske and seeke after them But should the Lord let vs alone till wee find out the diseases of the soule and be desirous of or willing to receiue his medicinable potions our sores would grow incurable Iob 2.10 we should perish in our sinnes Therefore as the belieuer doth receiue good things from God with ioy so doth he euill with meeknesse The childe will take from the mothers hand as well sowre as sweet because he is perswaded of her tender loue and affection so doth faith entertaine afflictions from God knowing them to be fruits of his grace and fatherly compassion Fourthly After serious humiliation and vnfained abasing of the soule Deut. 4.29 31 32. 30.3 4. Leu. 26.41 42. Esay 54.6 7 8. faith brings tydings that God will looke downe from Heauen in mercie and send helpe in fittest season If their vncircumcised hearts be humbled and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity Then will I remember my couenant with Iacob and also my couenant with Isaake and also my couenant with Abraham will I remember And this doth maruellously quiet and still the heart Should a man bee very sicke whilest the Physicke doth worke he would not be dismayed so long as he knew the fit should last but a season and then ease should returne with health Esay 39.8 And so it fareth with the faithfull in their afflictions Hezekiah said to Isaiah Good is the word of the Lord which thou hast spoken he said moreouer for there shall be peace and truth in my dayes Reioyce not saith the Church against mee O mine enemy When I fall I shall arise Mich. 7 8 9. when I sit in darknesse the Lord shall be a light vnto me I will beare the indignation of the Lord because I haue sinned against him vntill he plead my cause and execute iudgement for me he will bring me forth to light and I shall behold his righteousnesse Fiftly Moreouer Heb. 12.2 3. faith doth re-minde vs of our conformitie with Christ in afflictions and of his partnership with vs therein If hee that was the first-borne the only begotten and intirely beloued Sonne of God if he that was without sinne yet was not without stripes should we hope to goe free or looke to be cockered continually All the Sonnes of God by Adoption are predestinated to be made like their elder-brother as in holinesse and glory so in afflictions Should we thinke much to sip or taste of that cup which hee hath drunke off for our sake The first lesson we take out in the schoole of Christ is Math. 16.24 Deny thy selfe take vp the crosse and follow the Lord Iesus And the sorrowes which we beare Esay 63.9 are not so much ours as Christs In all our troubles hee is troubled with vs what burthen soeuer lies vpon vs hee â—eeles the weight of it Acts 9.5 Col. 1.24 1. Pet. 4.13 Apoc. 11.8 When Stephen is stoned he is persecuted the wrong done to the Saints is offered to him And he can no more bee vnmindfull of his people then forgetfull of himselfe Lastly Faith setteth before vs the infinite recompence of reward not only renowne in this world which yet by faith the patience of Iob and all holy Martyrs hath obtained but that farre most excellent weight of glory which Paul eying counted his afflictions which to vs would haue beene intollerable light and momentanie 2. Cor. 4.17 not worthy to be named in comparison which made him not onely not weepe and howle but sing in the Dungeon and reckon it a speciall fauour and honour to be counted not only a belieuer but a sufferer for Christ And euen as waters fall downe into vallies not able to abide in grounds that lie high so the sense of these afflictions goeth away from mindes that are lifted vp in such contemplation By these and such like perswasions faith allures the heart willingly freely constantly to resigne it selfe to the good pleasure of God in all things The fift Act of faith Psal 94 12. Verse 13. The fift act of faith It teacheth wisdome to iudge aright of all afflictions Blessed is the man whom thou instructest and teachest him out of thy law scil wisely to consider of afflictions of their nature end vse and issue to them that feare God Hee shall rest or be quiet in the dayes of aduersity Did wee not through false glasses see things otherwise then they are they would not cast vs downe so much as they doe Want of heauenly wisdome what voices doth it draw from vs Euen such as these Were it any thing but this I could hope to receiue good from it Whereas through the spectacles of faith we come to discerne that the things we suffer are most fit to doe vs good For fa th seeth not according to sense or outward appearance but as the truth is in Iesus Christ alwayes magnifying the wisdome and courses of God as best and most for our profit Esay 11.2 The Spirit of wisdome and vnderstanding of iudgement and counsell was powred vpon Christ of which Spirit we partake by faith and so are made wise to perceiue the things of God and to iudge aright of his dealings towards vs. And from this proceeds willingnesse to giue our neckes to the yoke when God is pleased to put it on Feare of hurt is that which makes vs shunne the crosse or goe heartlesse vnder it when once by faith the scales falling from our eyes wee come to see it vsefull beneficiall healthfull we straine courtesie no longer but take it downe Sixtly True and vnfained confidence will not keepe silence in the cares of the Lord nor cease to importune his aide to intreate his fauour Aâ—ise cry out in the night Lam. 2.19 in the beginning of the watches poure out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord lift vp thy hands towards him Be mercifull vnto me O God be merciful vnto me Psal 57.1 2. 2. Chron. 14.11 for my soule trusteth in thee yea in the shadow of thy wings wil I make my refuge vntill these calamities be ouer-past I wil cry vnto God most high vnto God that performeth all things for me Trust in him at all times Psal 62.8 Esay 26.16 Psal 142.1 2. Iob 5.8 11.13 ye people powre out your hearts before him Lord in trouble haue they visited thee they powred out a prayer when thy chastening was vpon them The counsell which Elephaz and Zophar gaue to Iob faith doth apply and put in practice which was to seeke vnto God and commit the cause vnto him to prepare the heart and stretch out the hands towards him Hauing no wisdome of our selues to make vse of chastisements nor power to deliuer our soules faith vrgeth to seeke vnto God that hee would leade vs by his grace in the way that wee should goe Esay 48.17 teach vs to
then sinne doth harbour in our bosome And if faith bee not ouercome and vanquished with dayly and continuall conflicts against corruption why should it faint vnder the burden of long during crosses Sinne is more opposite to faith more perillous to the soule then any fatherly Chastisements though sharpe and cutting as the disease is worse then the physicke ministred to expell it Secondly Faith in the greatest extreamities suggesteth that we are vnder the hand of God Psal 31.25 Esay 27.8 Heb. 12.8.11 Jer. 46 28. 1 Cor. 10.13 Psal 103 10. who correcteth in measure and for our profit who hath determined the time and weight of our afflictions and by his blessing will turne them to our good who doth proportion our euils according to the strength we haue or which hee will giue not according to our deseruings and also continue our afflictions in great wisdome faithfulnesse and mercy Euen as the Physition only can prescribe what quantity of physicke is to be taken with what change how long the course or diet is to be continued so the Lord only doth appoint the measure varietie and continuance of troubles wherewith hee is pleased to exercise vs. Wicked men cannot set the time nor measure out the quantitie of such measures whereof they are instruments to the godly for they would know no meane nor euer make an end They may be fit executioners of Gods will herein when they be set too and taken off according to his appointment but vnfit determiners what is to be inflicted or how long it must be endured Nor are wee our selues to appoint the qualitie of our Chastisements or the termes and seasons wherein and how long they shall be continued for we would tast onely if at all of the milder physicke or sap but lightly of bitters potions when necessitie requires we should take deepe The patient is not to bee trusted with the searching and dressing of his owne wound if painfull to be handled Now seeing it is the Lord great in mercy infinite in wisdome aboundant in loue and tender in compassions who doth mingle our cup why should we feare or faint If Iacob had held or tended Ioseph in prison would he haue vsed him roughly Esay 49.1 5. or kept him ouerlong No no much lesse will God who is more mercifull then any Father and more pittifull then any Mother hold vs ouerlong or deale rigorously with vs but ordering all corrections by his Fatherly prouidence hee will in his good time make them worke together for good Lam. 3.32.33 Math. 10.30.31 not for euill vnto vs. But the very haires of your head are all numbred Feare yee not therefore yee are of more value then many sparrowes Thirdly faith setteth a man about his worke that is seriously to make inquirie into his heart and wayes deepely to humble himselfe before God and feruently to 〈◊〉 meâ—cy for sinne past wisedome to make vse of â—resent miserie and fauour and mercy to be deliuered â—nd set free Sinfull men if well aduised strike not â—ithout cause the iust God when hee correcteth hath euer iust reason And forasmuch as our consciences for the most part are blinded with ignorance and selfe loue or ouer clouded with sinfull lusts as looking-glasses couered with dust that wee cannot finde out of our selues much that is out of order nor amend what we espie to be amisse faith directeth to seeke vnto God by heartie prayer who can throughly acquaint vs with our selues and teach vs to reforme what he would haue vs to amend Why doth the Lord giue his children the repulse when they cry vnto him in their calamities Iudg. 10.13.14.15 but that he would haue them search more narrowly into their courses and more vnfainedly prepare themselues to seeke and returne vnto him And if they pray vnto him he will instruct what is to bee done Hos 14.2 Math. 11.19 Hee who will haue sinfull men to ioyne instruction with correction yea and putteth into man such regard of dumbe creatures that he will not strike a dogge but he will make him see so well as hee can what it is for which hee striketh him shall not hee instruct vs when his hand is now vpon vs for want of dutie to him But when wee see our faults and smart for them in such sort as wee account greiuous there is no power in vs to redresse and set straight what is crooked and out of frame It is God only who is able to blesse afflictions and make them profitable we of our selues are like little children who being taken in the fault and fearing the rod promise to doe no more but presently forget both the fault and danger This we learne by faith which soundly lessoneth vs to denie our owne wisedome and strength and in all purposes resolutions and endeuours to begge wisedome and strength from God aboue and wholy to relie vpon his power and grace In vaine should iron be beaten did not fire soften it in vaine should affl ctions which are Gods hammer strike on our heâ—rts shoulâ— nor God holy Sp rit which is compared to fire both soften our hearts and enlighten vs to see our duties towards him and teach vs to make vse of the affliction wherewith we are exercised Moreouer faith importuneth the Lord for mercie and deliuerance 2. Cor. 12.8 Psal 31.15.16 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice that it might depart from me My times are in thy hand deliuer me from the hand of mine enemies and from them that persecute mee Make thy face to shine vpon thy seruant saue mee for thy mercies sake Psal 40 13. Psal 88.13.14 Be pleased O Lord to deliuer me O Lord make hast to helpe me Vnto thee haue I cryed O Lord and in the morning shall my prayer preuent thee Lord why castest thou off my soule why hidest thou thy face from me 4. Act. Fourthly Faith raiseth the heart to expect abundance of mercy from God Psal 69. â—9 Phil. 1.19 2. Cor. 1.5 and through prayer and supply of the Spirit to reape profit and tast comfort answerable to the sorrowes it hath felt and endured Great afflictions make place for abundant mercy from God to vs which cannot bee receiued without singular ioy on our part An hard frostie winter makes a fruitfull summer an afflicted state causeth a mellow heart if our sufferings be from God wee must looke for profit by euery trouble vnlesse wee will deny Gods wisedome and challenge his truth or shew our selues as if we were not his children nor truely godly Psal 90.15 and louing of God If God throw vs downe we must waite to be comforted of him according to the yeares wherein we haue felt afflictions To say we cannot thinke that such a thing shall euer doe vs good that euer we shall escape ouâ— of â—uch a danger that euer we shall see good dayes after th se and these tryals Psal 85.6 doth argue great weakenesse and
disquietnesse of my heart and trouble of my flesh ariseth from my sinne Psal 38.18 Hosea 5.15 I will therefore declare mine iniquity I will bee sorry fâ—r my sinne I will acknowledge my selâ—e guiltie before the Lord. Psal 40.12 For innumerable euils haue compassed me about mine iniquities haue taken hold vpon me so that I am not able to looke vp they are more then the haires of my head therefore my heart fail th me Lam. 3.42 â— Sam. 24.10 17. I haue sinned and rebelled and thou hast not spared Loe I haue sinned I hauâ— done wickedly I haue sinned greatly I haue done very foolishly Behold Iob 40 4. Iob 42.6 I am vile what shall I answere thee I will lay my hand vpon my mouth I abhorre my selfe and repent in dust and ashes Thirdly Take vp our heaâ—ts for halting through vnbelieâ—e and call vpon them to rest in the promise of diuine aide Psal 49.5 assistance and deliuerance Wherefore should I feare in the dayes of euill when the iniquitie of my he les shall compasse mee about When the mightie man doth boast himselfe in mischiefe Psal 52.1 The louing kindnesse of the Lord endureth at all times Psal 35 27. Psal 54.4 Hee will not forsake his Saints although they bee afflicted for a season God is my refuge who hath pleasure in the prosperitie of his sâ—ruant and will draw neere for my deliuerance and makâ— hâ—ste for my helpe when sorrowes enuiron on euery side When all succour failes Psal 22.11.19 he careth for my soule When my spirit is contrite and my heart within mee desolate he is at my right hand to sustaine Psal 34.18 Psal 55.27 18. yea to saue my soule He will hide his mercifull-Saint vntill the calamitie bee ouer-past I am poore and needie Psal 40.17 yet the Lord thinketh on me I am sunke deepe into the myre and clay but his hand shall plucke me vp hee will set me beâ—ore his face for euer Maruellous things hath hee wrought for his people in former times Heâ— turned the Sea into dry land Psal 6â— 6 Psal 77.14 15. and made way for them through the midst thereof He led them through fire and water and by a stretched out arme brought thâ—m into a wealthy place Psal 66.11 12. Hab. 1.12 Is not our God from Euerlasting the Holy One the same for Euer His power is infinite his goodnesse incompâ—ehensible his loue as great towardes his Saints now as euer heretofore He will send downe from Heauen to saue me he will deliuer mee out of many waters Psal 57.3 When I am hemmed in on euery side the Lord will prouide some way for my escape for hee can doe more then I am able to conceiue or thinke Psal 71.20 Thou who hast shewed mee great and sore troubles shalt quicken me againe and shalt bring me vp againe from the depths of the earth When I was inclosed in the wombe my distresse and danger was great my strength weake my condition hopelesse Psal 22.9 10. neuerthelesse I was saued by thy power and by thy prouidence was brought aliue into this world and should I now doubt of thy helpe and mercy because in likelihood I cannot see them My flesh and my heart faileth Psal 7â— 26 but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for euer The depths of miserie are the Lords fittest seasons to rescue his afflicted ones Mercilesse men will shew compassion in great extremitie and shall not the Lord who is rich in mercy and louing kinâ—nesse extend his fauour to mee when I am reâ—die to perish Psal 85.9 Surely his saluation is nigh them that feare him Fourâ—hly Importune the Lord and direct thy supplications before him Psal 86.7 Psal 55.16 In the day of my trouble I will call vpon thee for thou wilt answere me Heare me speedily O Lord my spirit faileth hide not thy face from me lest I be like vnto them that goe downe into the pit Psal 143 7 8. Cause me to heare thy louing kindnesse in the morning Psal 55.1 2 3. for in thee doe I trust Deliuer mee from mine enemies I flie vnto thee to hide me Lord how long wilt thou looke vpon the misâ—ries of thy seruant Psal 35.17 and keepe silence rescue my soule from the destruction of the aduersarie my darling from the Lions Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me Psal 40 11. Verse 13. Psal 86.14 15 16. O Lord let thy louing kindnesse and thy truth continually preserue me Be pleased O Lord to deliuer me O Lord make haste to helpe me O God the proud are risâ—n against me and the assemblies of violent men haue sought â—fter my soule and haue not set thee before them But thou O Lord art a God full of compassion and gratious long-suffering and plenteous in mercy and truth O turne vnto me and haue mercy vpon me giue thy strength vnto thy seruant and saue the sonne of thy handmaide How long Lord Psal 89.46 wilt thou hide thy selfe for euer shall thy wrath burne like fire Remember thy former louing kindnesses which haue beene of old remember that I am but dust and that my dayes passe away like a shadow remember the reproach of thy seruant wherewith I am reproached of them that dwell round about wherewith the vngodly and prophane haue reproached thy pure Religon and blasphemed thy holy Name Lord look vpon mine affliction and my teares for I am brought very low Fiftly Quicken thy resolution to trust in the Lord at all times euen when all other refuge faileth and none shewes himselfe for thy helpe Psal 56.3 4. What time I am in trouble I will trust in God for hee shall redeeme my soule Hee is the God of my saluation Dan. 12.1 who will send deliuerance to his people in the lowest extremitie and vouchsafe mercie to his chosen aboue all they expect and looke for Psal 55.19 Lam. 3.55 56 57. in most conuenient season I cried vnto the Lord in the day of my calamity and my prayer entred into his eares therefore will I trust in him as long as I liue Lord I will wait for thy saluation establish my heart in thy truth that I be not moued CHAP. VIII What it is to liue by faith touching the promises of earthly blessings temporall prosperitie and good successe in the things that we goe about THe Lord our God knowing that earthly blessings bee so necessary for the maintenance of this life that we cannot be without them God hath made many promises of earthly blessings hath of his infinite bountie and free grace vndertaken promised to make competent prouision for his children that being freed from the cares and troubles of these things below they might with greater freedome attend vpon his seruice and with more chearefulnes run the race of Christianitie O feare the Lord yee his Saints Psal 34 9 10. for
to keep the righteous iudgements of the Lord. Psal 119.106 Nehem. 10.29 2. Kings 23.3 Psal 119.8 Verse 36. I haue sworne and I wilâ— pâ—rforme it that I will keep thy righteous iudgements But they came not to this couenant oath as trusting in their own strength but in assurance of diuine assistance as the Prophet prayeth I will keâ—pe thy statutâ—s O forsake mee not vtterly Incline my heart vnto thy testimonies and not to couetousnesse Order my steps in thy word and let not any iniquitie haue dominion ouer me Verse 133. Verse 135. Make thy face to shine vpon thy seruant and teach me thy statutes God will perfect the sauing worke which he hath begunne in any of his children for the gifts that flow from his eternall and free grace are without repentance God who calleth vs according to his purpose is faithfull who will also confirme vs vnâ—o the end 1. Cor. 1.8 9. Phil. â— 6 1 Thes 5.24 Gal 2.20 Phil. 4 13. that we may be blamelesse in the day of the Lord Iesus Châ—ist Paul saith he liued by faith in the Sonne of God by whom he was strengthened with abilitie to performe whatsoeuer was required of him Notwithstanding all the hope of helpe that hee had yet hee complaineth of the rebellion of his flesh Rom. 7.19 which did mâ—ghtily resist the Spirit in him But still he was confident in the promise of God that he should be deliuered from euery euil work 2. Tim. 4.18 preserued vnto the heauenly kingdome Now in all this Paul had no peculiar prerogatiue aboue other Christians but what he expected from God they mâ—y all hope fâ—r Acts of faith touching obedience requiquirâ—d The acts of faiâ—h touching that obedience which we owe vnto God in Christ are these or the like First Iâ— makâ—s a man wise to discerne what is lawfull good and seasonable both in respect of the worke the meanes and circumstances of it Dauid saith hee was wiser then his Enemies Psal 119.97 9 99. then his Teachers then the Ancient he â—â—nderâ— the cause thereof from the work of his faith Psal 119.24 for thy testimonies are euer with me they are my meditation the men of my counsel with whom I adâ—ise Secondly It câ—rbes and bridles inordinate passions and ouercomes â—ll impediments temptations difficulties and allurements to the contrarie 1. Iohn 5.4 This is the victorie whereby we ouercome the world euen our faith For faith beâ—ng wel-rooted possessing the heart and hauing its force vnited by close reposall therein commanâ—s euery delight affection or pleasure of our soules and breakes the violence of euery inclination contrarie to such motion as it suggests seeing no hopes can be equall to the reward which it proposeth to the constant and resolute no feares comparâ—ble to the terrors which it represents to the neglâ—gent or slothfull followers of such courses as it presâ—râ—bes What Phil. 3.8 that faith sets an inestimable price vpon the pearle of the Gospell accounting all other things as drosse anâ— dung in comparison which causeth a free and aduised renouncing of all interest in the world the flesh Math. 13.44 â—nd all their appurtenances for assurance of it with as great willingnesse as good husbands forsâ—ke base tenements and hard-rented leases to compasse some goodly royalty and large possessions offered them more then halfe for nothing Againe faith fighteth against temptations and intiâ—ements vnto sinne by the power of Christ which cannot be vanquished Satan and the world are too strong for vs standing in our owne might but by the grace of God leâ—ning vpon his power wee remaine inuincible The strength of nature is corrupt feeble and defiled through sinne and therefore the truth which it taketh hold off it hath not effectually But faith hath ioyned with it the inspiration of God and the power of the holy Ghost and therefore it taketh hold of the truth effâ—ctually Wherefore this difference is not in the truth it â—elfe but in the meane and instrument whereby wee embrace it Hereof it commeth thâ—t by fâ—ith we are changâ—d but in the other case we remaine the selfe-same that wee were before A cleare testimonie of this wee h ue in thâ— Gospell Chrâ—st set forth to the young-man what he should doe to obtâ—ine saluation but when hee heard hee was not pâ—rswadâ—d to obey but went away sorrowfuâ—l Math. 19.22 Contrariwise Matthew Math. 9.9 so soone as he was called embraced the same with so great faith that hâ—e left his money and Customer-ship and stâ—aight-way followed Christ Luke 19.8 And Zacheus when hee had heard of the Lord that hee would turne in vnto him hee not only receiued him into his house with a glad heart but also offered immediately to distribute halfe his goods to the poore and to restore foure-fold if he had defrauded any man Indeed pâ—ssions are not so bridled nor corruptions so killed that they doe not stirre and resist the worke of faith But the force and power of them is so farre subdued that they shall not raigne or hale vs ordinarily to that which is euill Whatsoeuer inordinâ—tenesse faith can espie it doth presently condemne before the throne of grace and endeauour the killing of it by the power and efficacie of Christs death which it doth happily effâ—ct in measure and by degrees Hast thou then beene long kept vnder of some violent passion strong corruption or customarie vice against which thou hast resolued and resolued but not preuailed or gotten victorie Get thee to Christ and by faith thou shalt draw vertue from him to cure thy infirmities Die to thy selfe renounce the broken reed of thine owne free-will which hath so often deceiued thee and put all thy trust in the grace of Christ and it will crucifie the old man and giue him his deaths wound Bee weake in thy selfe and strong in the Lord and through faith thou shalt be more then conquerour Digge vp the fallow ground of thy heart that the word of the Kingdome may take deeper root in it raise thy soule to an holy admiration of the promises of life stirre vp thy selfe to cleaue and adhere firmely to the grace of God as faith increaseth the power of corruption will languish and decrease Admirable is the efficacie of faith well planted in the heart it casteth downe strong holds and brings euery imagination into sâ—biection Thirdly It inableth to obey for it purifieth the heart seasoneth euery facultie of soule reasonable and sensuall qualifieth and stâ—engtheneth our naturall inclinations to good and altereth the taste of euery appetite 2. Pet. 1.4 Ephes 3.17 1. Iohn 4.4 By faith wee are partakers of the diuine nature by faith Christ dwelleth in our hearts by faith we receiue the Spirit of promise who is greater then he that is in the world No maruell then if that bee sweet and delightfull to the belieuing heart which is tedious and irkesome to the vnregenerate How came Dauid
to that high delight in Gods seruice that he loued the Commandements of God more then thousands of gold and siluer the honey and the honey combe That hee rose at mid-night to meditate in them was it not by faith The grace of Christ the power of the Spirit and the Word of life doe change the disposition of the soule so farre as they enter and be receiued into it But by faith their vertue is diffused into the whole masse Fourthly Admirable in force and efficacie is the perswasion of faith aboue all the Oratorie in the world All the common inducements taken from profit pleasure honour what poore and weake engines are they to the irresistible arguments of faith by which it moueth the heart to yeeld willing and chearefull obedience Thus it goeth to worke with vs Hath Christ giuen himselfe for thee forgiuen thee so many debts conferred fauours of all kinds vpon thee and what hast thou to retribute If thou giue all thy goods to the poore thy bodie to the fire â—hy soule to his seruice were not all short of recompence Louest thou louest thou this Sauiour of thine and â—arest thou aduenture vpon any thing displeasing vnto him Is there any thing too hard to be done for his sake too deâ—re or good for him Whom hast thou in heauen or eâ—â—th worthy to be affected in comparison of thy Sauiour What is to be dreaded but his displeasure Is there any recompenâ—e to the ioyes of Heauen any danger to the torments of Hell any pleasure to the sense of his fauour O my soule why doest thou not resigne thy selfe to the pleasure of his will in euery thing runne when he calleâ—h and doe what he requireth at thy hands Whâ—t dost thou feare Wherewith art thou intangled God is thy souereigne thy Fâ—ther thy Sauiour to him thou owest thy selfe and all that thou hast thy honour wealth life or if any thing be more pretious then these Thou canst not loue thy selfe as is meete if thou â—enie not thy selfe to follow the Lord in all things For in keeping his Commandements there is great reward Can or did any Belieuer euer giue the nay to these mâ—lting commands or commanding intreaties of faith Will it take the repulsâ— Doth it not constraine or extort more then all rackes and strapadoes allure more then all wages and prizes When thou wouldst bee sure to speed and obtaine any thing of thine owne vntoward heart set faith on worke to make the motion thou shalt preuaile For the motiues of faith are certaine euident and such as cause firme assent whereby the heart is drawne to follow after the thing proposed Fiftly It disposeth and moueth the heart to absolute vniforme vnpartiall and constant obedience to euery commandement and that in one estate aswell as another In Scripture to belieue in Christ and to keepe the Commandements mutually inferre one another either capable of others properties Faith includes the compleate and practicall knowledge of good and euill inclining the faculties of our soule to auoid all commerce with the one and embrace euery branch of the other It frameth the Image of God or Christ in our minds and proposeth him as a patterne for our imitation in all our workes thoughts and resolutions Deut. 30.20 11.22 2. Kings 18.6 Iosh 23.8 Acts 11.23 Psal 119.31 Heb. 11 5.33 It acknowledgeth his soueraignetie assenteth faithfully to his will and pleasure embraceth soundly euery part of the holy truth of God and sticketh so fast that nothing can come betwixt the heart and it from whence issueth vniuersall respect to all and euery precept Faith doth not admit one part of the Word and exclude another nor receiue it barely into the Head and shut it forth of the heart but entertaineth it wholly diffuseth the â—ertue of it into euery power of the soule changeth the natural disposition into the quality of the truth And thus by faith the soule is kindly disposed to follow the Lord whithersoeuer hee goeth before vs. If the heart bee dull and vntoward the best course to redresse what is out of order is by quickening our assent to the good pleasure of his command and our confidence in his mercie Sixtly It fires the heart with such an indefatigable and vnquenchable loue Cant 8.7 8. that in comparison of obedience it contemneth the whole world For it acquainteth with the incomprehensible mercie and fauour of God towards vs in giuing his Sonne pardoning and forgiuing manifold offences lading vs with his daily blessings It representeth the inestimable ioy that is prepared for them that walke before God in holinesse and righteousnesse and this enflameth the heart to follow hard after the Lord. Psal 63.8 When by faith we discerne what loue the Lord beareth vnto vs we cannot but returne loue for loue Luke 7.47 Many sinnes are forgiuen her therefore shee loueth much And fâ—om all these acts it followeth That what a temporarie belieuer doth by the halues â—â—perficially or with an halting diuided heart that the true and vnfained belieuer takes in hand with an intire sound vpright affection What in the one is a liuelesse action the out-side or carcasse of a good worke that in the other is a good worke indeed springing from an holy wel-planted confidence in the mercie of God and resolute adherence to his Commandements which as the animall facultie impels to that exercise The selfe-same duties may be done by the ciuill man and by the belieuer for the out-side and deed done both may goe to Church heare a Sermon reade a Chapter giue an Almes make a Prayer but the one goeth as a Beare to the stake in comparison of the other who is moued by faith or let the ciuill mans delight be as it may his acts are liuelesse because they issue not from an obedientiall confidence in the Lords mercie Seuenthly Faith makes sensible of our manifold defects infirmities and failings faintings and coolings It shewes how weake wee are of our selues how farre wee come short how apt we are to decline and start aside And this consideraâ—ion of faith hath blessed effects First It causeth serious and attentiue meditation vpon the Word of God that it may sinke deepe and abide firme in the heart Acts 16.14 Psal 119.15 Psal 119.11 I haue hid or treasured vp thy Commandements in my heart that I might not sinne against thee And to this purpose a belieuer will not bee negligent to watch all opportunities when his soule is throughly affected with vnexpected matter of sorrow Luke 1.65 66. 2.51 ioy griefe feare admiration or the like and forthwith to apply such passages of Scripture as sute best to the present affections Secondly It worketh the heart often and deliberately to renew its resolution not trusting in our owne strength but in the grace of God Psal 119.106 Iohn 15.6 I haue sworne and will performe it trusting vpon thy diuine grace without which we can doe nothing that I will keepe thy
sincere milke of the Word that yee may grow thereby This is confirmed by the comparisons which are vsed to set forth the vse and profit of the word as it is resembled to the light raine deaw liuing water wine and milke By the titles which are giuen vnto it as it is called the word of this life the word of this saluation and by the passages of Scripture which testifie that the word is able to saue our soules And now Brethren I commend you to God and to the word of his grace which is able to build you vp and to giue you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified For after that in the wisdome of God 1. Cor. 1.21 1. Tim. 4.16 the world by wisdome knew not God it pleased God by the foolishnesse of preaching to saue them that belieue Take heed vnto thy selfe and vnto the doctrine continue in them for in doing this thou shalt both saue thy selfe and them that heare thee Iames 1.21 Wherefore lay apart all filthinesse and superfluitie of naughtinesse and receiue with meeknesse the engrafted word which is able to saue your soules This also is manifest of the Sacraments And Sacraments which be truly called a visible word because that which is spoken in the word to the eare is in visible signes represented to our eyes and sealed to our hearts that wee may bee the more assured of them to bee ours And were purposely ordained of God to helpe our weake faith that hauing his word and seale wee might be put out of doubt that wee shall as certainly bee made partakers of Christ himselfe and all his benefits as we are of the outward signes of his couenant What the Apostle saith of Circumcision that is true of Sacraments in generall Rom. 4.11 They are seales of the righteousnesse of faith or of the couenant of grace And for the better assurance of the belieuer that receiuing the outward signe as he ought hee shall be partaker of the thing signified very oft that which properly belongs to the thing sealed is giuen to the outward signe as that Baptisme saueth 1 Pet. 3.21 Acts 22.16 Col. 2.12 Rom. 6.3 that our sinnes are washed away in Baptisme and that wee are buried with Christ by Baptisme And the like of the Lords Supper when our Lord Iesus did ordaine it he speaking of the Bread said This is my Bodie Math. 26.26 28 and of the Wine This is my Bloud of the New Testament These promises are firme grounds whereupon the faithfull soule may build this affiance that by the sincere and conscionable vse of Gods holy Ordinances the Word and Sacraments he shall be made wise vnto saluation confirmed in faith strengthened in grace refreshed with ioy and comfort and perfected vnto euerlasting happinesse And the serious meditation and remembrance of these things is exceeding profitable to quicken and encourage vnto chearefull and constant attendance vpon God in his ordinances that so wee may in due season reape the sweet fruit thereof Prou. 8.34.35 Blessed is the man that heareth me watching daily at my gates waiting daily at the posts of my doores For who so findeth me findeth life and shall obtaine fauour of the Lord. Did Christians oft and earnestly breathe themselues in meditation on those great things that God offereth in the Gospell and his truth and faithfulnesse to make good whatsoeuer he hath spoken Did they set before them both the mercie of God in ordaining the Sacraments for the strengthening of their faith and his grace and faithfulnesse in bestowing vpon them freely that which hee offereth and sealeth vnto them in these outward seales Did they consider what he graciously promiseth in both and expect to be made partakers of them in the vse of those ordinances it would maruellously comfort and quicken to the diligent vse of all holy meanes ordained of God for our present comfort quickening and strengthening and for our euerlasting saluation It s necessarie to liue by faith in the vse of Gods Ordinances This faith is necessary for it auaileth not to liue vnder the Gospell and to be present at the administration of the Sacraments if they be not vsed in faith The word profiteth not Heb. 4.2 vnlesse it bee mingled with faith in them that heare it And the same may bee said of receiuing the Sacraments Faith is the eye the hand the mouth the stomacke of the soule by it wee see receiue feed vpon Christ Looke as at a feast though the Table be neuer so richly furnished yet if a man haue neither hand mouth nor stomacke he is not fed thereby so is it here Nor is it sufficient to haue faith but it must be exercised to receiue that grace which the word of God doth reach vs with the seale It is not the hauing but the new exercise of faith which maketh vs profitable hearers of the word worthy receiuers of the Sacrament Looke as a man may haue a hand and yet if when a thing is reached forth to him he doe not put it out nothing is receiued so we may haue the grace of faith and yet if when God reacheth vs the body and bloud of his Christ we doe not then awaken it to lay hold on the grace God offereth we shall goe away without receiuing it Or looke as at a feast though wee haue a mouth and there be plentifull prouision if we will not open it and take downe the sustenance before vs we shall rise emptie so though wee haue the mouth of faith yet if we doe not open it to God now offering to feed vs we shall not get a crume of grace The Acts of faith be these or the like The Acts of faith in the vse of Gods Ordinances First It teacheth to worship the true God purely to esteeme approue and exercise that worship and that alone which hee prescribeth for faith looketh to the reuealed will of God as the rule of all acceptable seruice and to the promises as the grounds of comfort and good successe It tenders vnto God what he requireth Esay 8.20 and looketh vnto God to receiue what he is pleased hath promised to giue But God will not accept that worship Deut. 12.32 Esay 29.13 Math. 15.9 Ier. 7.31 which he hath not appointed nor worke effectually by the diuices of men No pietie comfort or true deuotion is or can be stirred vp by humâ—ne traditions for as they are destitute of commandement for their rule so are they of promise that God will kindle or quicken by them any sparkle of knowledge faith inuocation thankfulnesse or other sauing motions of heart Secondly It delighteth greatly to behold the face of God â—n his sanctuarie Psal 102.4 1. Chron. 16.11 Psal 27.8 Psal 42.2 Psal 63.1.2 When thou saidest Seeke yee my face my heart said vnto thee Thy face Lord will I seeke When shall I come and appeare before God O God thou art my God early will
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
and sealed to euery belieuer in particular by the pledges of the Spirit not vpon those sanctified graces which are giuen vnto him that he might be qualified and fitted to plead for grace and mercy The acts of faith about promises of pardon The acts of Faith concerning this promise of forgiuenes be diuers First it generally belieueth the promise true and thereby disceâ—nes that sinne is pardonable through grace Psal 130.4 Luk. 15 18. The knowledge of this that our sinnes may bee pardoned or that there is mercy with the Lord to couer sin is a worke of faith For whatsoeuer cannot be conceiued or found out by sence or reason that is manifested by reuelation and assented vnto or iudged true and certaine by faith or else it remaines as a mysterie vnknowne When the Apostle defines Heb. 11.1 faith to bee the euidence of things not seene doth hee not intimate that things vnseene to sense or naturall reason are discouered and made euident only by faith But that God will pardon iniquitie transgression and sinne is a truth that can neuer bee comprehended by the light of nature flesh and bloud hath not reuealed it vnto vs. Supernaturall truthes which exceed all humane capacitie cannot be discerned or receiued by any power of nature 1. Pet. 1.12 Rom. 16.25.26 Eph. 1.8 9. Isay 40.13 14 But that God will be mercifull to our sinnes is a truth supernaturall hidden from the Angels themselues vntill it was reuealed in the Gospell Who hath knowne the Minde of God or beene acquainted with the mysteries of his wisedome In the dayes of securitie whilest men sleepe in sinne without all sence of euill or knowledge of Gods iustice it is an easie matter to say God is mercifull Christ died for sinners But whence the conscience is awakened with the terrors of Gods wrath and the fearefull sight of sin Gen. 1.13 Math. 27.5 Psal 77.3.7 8. the experience both of wicked men and of the Saints of God can testifie that it is a difficult thing to looke beyond the cloud of iustice and contrarie to the naturall sentence of conscience comninations of the Law and present feeling to belieue that there is forgiuenesse with God Secondly faith stirreth vp earnest desires and longings to be made pertakers of this mercie of God and to bee refreshed with his gracious and free fauour All holy and feruent desires are both kindled nourished by it As our assent to the Diuine and heauenly promises is more or lesse firme certainea bsolute euident so are our desires more or lesse fierie constant vnsatiâ—ble yea in respect of heauenly things vnquenchable As faith languisheth these faint as faith encreaseth these gather strength And no maruell for appetite followeth knowledge Ioh. 4.10 and desire is answereble to that certaine cleare iudgement that we haue of the necessitie and worth value and digniâ—y of the obiect apprehended Now faith discouereth both the necessity and excellencie of the good certainely contained in the word of promise which act of faith is signified by the opening or piercing of the eare and seriously meditateth vpon the singular benefits offered therein so raiseth the heart vncessantly to hunger and thirst after them And these desâ—res will be the greater and more constante the more faith is exercised in the meditation of the goodnesse freenes and certaintie of these promises Many things are neglected which are most pretious only because the value of them lyeth hid or is not apparant or the preiudice of sensible but deceiuable experience doth ouersway No marueile then if the pardon of sinne be neglected though the benefite be probably knowne when it is but sleightly thought vpon superficially looked into custome hauing iniured the Minde by long practice to the pursuite of earthly delights or profits wherewith it is besotted But with the true belieuer it fareth much better for he seeth how happy it should be with him if his sinnes were couered and his soule eased of the burden of them how euer it fare with him in matters of this world and withall he pondereth the truth and faithfulnesse of the promise made of meere grace whereby the heart is stirred vp to desire and long after this blessing aboue all good that can be imagined And yet such is our corruptioÌ„ we must oft breathe our selues in the meditation of these things or else we shall find our esteeme of pardon to decay and our desire to grow cold and dull Thirdly It draweth vs forward to seeke mercy of God Math. 13.45.46 The wise Merchant first discouers the pearle of price and then seeketh to get possession of it The desire of a belieuer is not a dead or sluggish wish Oh that my sinnes were pardoned when hee neuer stirreth vp himselfe to receiue the promise But it is a deliberate desire of a benefite knowne possible to be attained attended with much comfort and freely promised by him that cannot lie which is euer accompanied with proportionable care to get and possesse the blessing desired Faith will not suffer a man to smoother or conceale his desires nor desires themselues to die but it perserueth and kindleth desires constraineth with an holy violence to lay them open before the Lord. Thus by faith a man commeth freely to renounce his title and interest in the world and to part with any thing that might hinder mercy The wise Merchant hauing found the pearle of price Math. 13.44 for ioy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath not as if he could merit pardon but that he might be capable of pardon and make a faithfull plea for mercy To this end also he humbleth himselfe before the throne of grace in true and vnfained confession of his sinnes freely iudging and condemning himselfe before God which a broken and contrite heart I will declare mine iniquitie I will bee sorie for my sinne Psal 38.18 So the prodigall sonne comming home to his Father doth bewaile his former lewdnesse saying I haue sinned against Heauen and before thee Pharaoh and Saul being euidently conuinced of sinne Luk. 15.18 Psal 32.5 may be constrained in conscience to make some confession to men I haue sinned this time and the Lord is righteous I haue played the foole and erred exceedingly Exod. 9.27 1. Sam. 26.21 1. Reg. 21.29 Ahab humbleth himselfe before God putteth on sackecloth in hope to preuent the temporall euill denounced against him and his house But the confession of true and vnfained faith is free and voluntarie in hope of free pardon and forgiuenesse Temporarie belieuers may make confession of there sinnes with some griefe and sorrow but as they confesse their sinnes so they belieue their confession is maimed and their faith superficiall they renounce not their interest in the world which inferres the willing choice of some inferiour good before the fauour and loue of God and their beliefe of the promises is shallow and subordiâ—ate to their base earthly passions But