freedome from condemnation ver 1. And this he cleareth v. 5.9.13 14. But least they should doubt or question whither they found a mortification of sin by the Spirit or injoyed the leadings of the Spirit or not In the last place he addeth this as the highest surest and most infallible meanes to helpe a soule unto a sight of its interest in Christ ver 16. The Spirit it selfe witnesseth with our Spirit c. The other workes are of a witnessing nature but this is beyond all other helpes this maketh the other evidencing and giveth sights of freedome from condemnation and of our Sonship So that the Context favoureth this interpretation 2. From the words of the Text the Spirit is said to witnes with our Spirit It s testimony irresistibly overcometh our Spirit i.e. or Conscience it causeth them to conclude thesame thing and so there is a joynt-testimony Some times the Spirit uttereth its voyce and our Spirits hold off but our Spirits are fetched in and made use of in this way of witnessing which is intended in the Text both agree in this numericall Conclusion That we are the Children of God and so it is an efficacious witnessing I might cleare it from what followeth ver 33.38 and from other Scriptures which call the perswasion or Conclusion of the thing which is witnessed a witnessing as Luk. 4.22 All beare him witnes i.e. Concluded the same thing with approbation and allowance But I shall proceed to a description which will further discover what it is for the Spirit to witnes It is for the Spirit by some manifest What it is for the Spirit to Witnes and special acts and operations of its own to ascertaine a soule by the word or Gospell of its Adoption Or it is for the Spirit by cleare irradiations and other effectual operations with the word to worke a particular soule by direct or reflexive acts into a knowledge perswasion or Conclusion of its acceptation into favour with God CHAP. IV. Of the Witnes the Spirit and the thing witnessed and wherein the witnessing worke doth consist HEre are many things considerable as 1. Who is the Witnes The Spirit This is cleare in the Text Rom. 8.16 The Spirit it selfe The truth of a testimony hath a dependance on the fidelity of the witnes and so the Spirit who cannot lye is appointed by Office unto this worke that a soule might be infallibly assured of what is testified were it any other it might remaine under doubtings and thinke it too good newes to be true that it should have God for its Father and so be a joynt-heire with Christ in that exceeding eternall Weight of glory O but if the Spirit witnesseth this who is faithfull in all he saith this may give a full Assurance of Son ship or free it from those fears doubtings jealousies and suspitions which it hath laboured under about this question This proclaimeth the infinite condescention of the Spirit that it selfe who is very God should stoope so low as to be a witnes in our matters who are dust and ashes That the Creator should be a witnes to the creature this is a high favour indeed And hereby this testimony is differenced 1. From the Delusions of Satan hee is ready to beare false witnes to the soule purposely to lead it into mistaking Conclusions about its condition and hearkening to his voyce is extreamely dangerous 2. From the single testimony of our Spirits I doe not say that the Spirit doth witnes effectually without our Spirits but the Text plainly maketh two the Spirit with our Spirit So that if the Spirit of Adoption by some acts peculiar to it selfe be not in consociation with cur Spirits the testimony is most unsafe dangerous and deluding O take heed of trusting the single testimony of your owne treacherous Spirits in the bu synes of your soules for eternity but if the Holy-Spirits hath fetched in your Spirits and overcome them into a Conclusion of your Adoption you may safely owne it at the mouth of these two witnesses 2. What is the thing witnessed viz. the Son-ship of particular soules the Spirit doth not onely witnes the truth of some Doctrine of the Gospell it doth not onely give a perswasion that all which receive Christ or beleeve on his name have authority to become the Sons of God as Joh. 1.12 Not barely that some that beleevers but saith the Text that we even we are the children of God 3. Wherein the witnessing worke doth consist viz. In the Spirits giving manifestations and working the heart into perswasions and conclusions of Adoption 1. It doth not consist onely in affording such operations as being measured by Gospell rules doe give assertions or affirmations of Adoption but an effectual witnessing is here intended such as indeed causeth the matter to be established which is to accomplish the end of that witnessing as Matth. 18.16 The Spirit establisheth the soule in a perswasion of God's Fatherly love through Christ Rom. 8.38 I am perswaded c. and Job 19.25 I know my redeemer liveth And hence it is made one end of our receiving the Spirit 1 Coriu 2.12 that we might know the things that are given us of God 1 Joh. 3.24 Hereby wee know that he abideth in us by the Spirit 2 Corin. 5. ver 1.6 We know that we have a building of God ver 5 6. Because he hath given us the earnest of his Spirit therefore we are alwayes confident So that the Spirit witnesseth by giving a knowledge and perswasion of Adoption 2. It doth not confist in its filling the soule with consolation many if they finde comfort by a word then they thinke the Spirit hath witnessed Adoption else not whereas this witnessing worke may be injoyed in a very disconsolate condition Job 19. v. 6 7.8 c. Here was but little comfort and yet much assurance ver 25. and Matth. 27.46 There is a want of comfort Why hast thou forsaken me and yet not a want of assurance for with the same breath he challengeth propriety in God twice over My God my God Indeed this blessed newes doth often fill the heart with joy unspeakeable and full of glory but this consolation is rather consequential to the witnessing of the Spirit then that which giveth being to it It is an effect of it not an ingredient into it more then other workes of the Spirit Testification is a different worke of the Spirit from consolation CHAP. V. Of the wayes and meanes how the Spirit doth accomplish this witnessing worke in many particulars 4. IN what wayes or how the Spirit doth accomplish this witnessing worke In the Description the Spirit is said to witnesse 1. By its Operations within 2. By its Word without 1. The Spirit performeth the Office of a witnes by operations within the soule we are not to expect any apparitions of the Spirit in any visible shape to the eyes of our bodyes or any audible voyce from heaven to our outward ear 's
to a more through handling of this great point or may draw our any thing to the further distinguishing the speakings of the Spirit from Satanicall Illusions it will be a matter of rejoycing to me And if thou reapâ—st any spirituall advantage by what thou readest give the glory of all to the Lord and send up some groanes and cryes unto the Father of mercies for me that I might have a practicall experimentall acquaintance with the Witnessings of the Spirit which I have endeavoured in a Doctrinall way to cleare up to thee And that thou mayest be filled with the same Spirit shall be the prayer of him who is A poore unworthy labourer in the worke of the Gospell S. P. Courteous Reader By reason of the Authors far distance from the Presse many faults have escaped some of the chiefest are here noted out which thou art desired to take notice of ERRATA'S PAge 3. line 11. for rathen read rather p. 9. l. 18. for no r. to to yeeld attention p. 11. l. 14. for or Conscience 1. our Conscience p. 27. l. 17. for times r. things p. 30. l. 24. for Antedent r. Antecedent p. 34. l. 17. for understood r. understandeth p. 37. l. 18. for promises r. premises p. 38. for Spirituall grounds r. Scripturall grounds p. 40. l. 9. for Conjunction r. Conjunctim or in Canjunction p. 44. l. 12. for is r. was p. 54. l. 13. for curruption r. corruption p. 58. l. 16. for appleate r. appeale p. 67. l. 9. blott out of p. 104. l. 14. for himseife r. himselfe p. 113. l. 8. read thus And hence they are said p. 119. l. 20. for are r. as p. 138. l. 19. for bolines r. holines p. 140. l. 12. for Consequences r. Consequence p. 140. l. 16. for be as r. bias p. 148. l. 26. r. they that are after the Spirit p. 150. l. 5. for having r. have p. 160. l. 8. for carnall confidences are read thus a carnall Confidence is p. 160. l. 10. for are r. is p. 81. l. 8. for leane r. leave p. 166. l. 11. for cannot r. could not p. 168. l. 18. for Spirits r. Spirit p. 173. l. 25. for the r. they p. 175. on the Margin for distincti r. distinctè p. 176. l. 3. for haire r. heire p. 181. l. 30. for its r. his p. 188. l. 5. blott out it p. 191. l. 6. read thus be hinted in A BRIEF DISCOVERY of the witnessings of the Spirit to the Soules of the Saints ROM 8. VERS 16. The Spirit it selfe witnesseth with our Spirit that we are the Children of God CHAP. I. Opening the Text and shewing the meaning of the words THis Apostle Paul having made it his great designe in the foregoing Chapters to cleare up the doctrine of Justification by faith without the workes of the Law he draweth up a comfortable Conclusion Chap 8.1 That there is no condemnation to those which are in Christ And as well to prevent a presumptuous claiming of interest in Christ as to deliver from ungrounded doubtings thereof 〈◊〉 Characterizeth those which are in Christ in the following verses and the inhabitation of the Divine Spirit ver 9. with its concurrences in the mortification of sin ver 13. and as a Conductor or Leader ver 14. These are made the great discriminating differencing things which those that are in Christ are set out and distinguished from others by But because men are apt to be deceived dreame of an injoyment of leadings from the Divine Spirit when they are without them therefore he addeth this ver 16. The Spirit it selfe witnesseth c. So that the words expresse the way whereby a soule attaineth a knowledge of its union with Christ and consequently of its freedome from condemnation and it is this The Spirit it selfe witnesseth c. Where you may take notice 1. Who witnesseth The Spirit it selfe with our Spirit 2. What is witnessed that we are the children of God The Spirit i.e. not onely gifts and graces but the Spirit who is the worker or bestower of these That Spirit which hath enabled us to beleeve and doth enable us to cry Abba Father and which shall quicken our mortall bodies in the day of Christ ver 11 The Spirit i.e. who searcheth the deepe things of God who undoubtedly knoweth whither wee be adopted or not and whose testimony is infallible he being truth it selfe this Divine Spirit not by a proxie but it selfe Witnesseth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 contestatur testimonium reddit und testatur i.e. co-witnesseth or rendreth a testimony or witnesseth together saith Leigh Crit. Sac. the word is composed with the Preposition together or with and so it denoteth a double or Twin-testimony 1. The Spirit of God 2. Our Spirit It beareth witness saith he together with rathen then to our Spirit Yet the word is sometimes used to expresse a single Testimony Wicked men are confident of their Adoption upon the false deceitfull and deluding testimony of their owne Spirits but the Sons of God have the Divine Spirit who cannot lye or beare false witnes to testifie Si unus esset testis dubitatio non tolleretur sed duo sunt testes itaque nullus restat dubitationi locus Spiritus noster fallere posset nos sed Spiritus Sanctus non sinit nos falli Fayus to or with their Spirits their Adoption Here are two witnesses the Spirit of Adoption and our Spirit i.e. Either 1. Our soule Luke 23.46 Into thy hands I commend my Spirit i.e. my soule Act. 7.59 And so it is contra distinguished from the body 1 Corin. 6.20 Glorifie God in your body and in your Spirit i.e. in your soule So 1 Cor. 7.34 And if you take it in this sense it holdeth out thus much That the witnessings of the Spirit are not to the outward ear but to the heart the Spirit maketh report of Divine mercy to the inner man the way of its witnessing is not externall by an audible voyce but internall by secret whisperings to the soule Not by outward expressions but by inward unspeakeable inspirations Or 2. Our Spirit i. e Our Uunderstanding Judgement and Conscience which being renewed are called also by the name of Spirit 1 Cor 2.11 What man knoweth the things of a man save the Spirit of a man c. Here our Spirit denoteth the knowing faculty And ver 15 16. He that is Spirituall judgeth all things c. Here the Judging power is given unto this Spirit of a man And in this sence I take our Spirit in the Text and that because it is the proper office or worke of our understandings judgements and Consciences to receive imbrace or refuse such testimonies as are offered Rom. 2.15 Their Conscience also bearing witnes c. 2 Cor. 1.12 The testimony of our Conscience The meaning then of the words is this That the Divine Spirit witnesseth to our understandings and judgements and with our consciences That we are the Sons of God i. e. that we have
for the assuring us of our Adoption I finde no Rule for these The Spirit giveth a certainty of Adoption by its actings within the soule as well as if a hundred witnesses had affirmed it As 1. It maketh an effectual application of witnessing words when it testifieth by direct acts the hinting or giving in of a word is not enough as I shall shew in another place But then a word is applyed when it is powerfully set upon the heart by the Spirit and is so fixed setled and engraven there that it becometh an ingrafted word James 1.21 and worketh effectually towards its proper end 1 Thess 2.13 Coloss 1.29 And that it beareth downe all temptations objections and unbeleeving reasonings that were in the soule before against what it is called up to by the word and so is written upon the heart Jerem. 31. v. 33. It is onely the finger of the Spirit that can doe this 2 Corin. 3.3 And when there is such an application of a witnessing word as the heart is irresistibly overpowered into a pers wasion of Adoption by it then it it indeed witnessing And some of the Saints have found such a supernatural power coming alongst with a word that th ugh afflictions and temptations came yet they durst not could not but say to the Lord Doubtles thou art our Father Or as 2 Corin. 5.1 We know And at such a time the promise is as it were holden to the heart they are knitt and glued together that untill the Spirit suspendeth its operations it is as easie to make the soule leave the body as to make this perswasion of Adoption leave the soule as I shall shew more fully else where 2. The Spirit exciteth and draweth out some manifest speciall gracious acts when the way of testifying is by reflex acts the Gospel declareth and determineth saith and other graces to be infallible evidences of Adoption Now the Spirit enableth to act these Rom. 5.5 Gal. 5.22 And from these by reflex acts to draw Concsusions of Adoption I call them speciall gracious acts to difference them from those workes of the Spirit unbeleevers may have Hebr. 6. v. 4 5.6 that have not power to assert Adoption which is a speciall relation for nothing common can evidence that which is speciall And they must be manifest acts of grace for Witnesses are purposely to cleare up a matter which is dark dubious and therefore witnessing must ever be by what is more conspicuous and apparent and hence Christ referreth the Jewes to his workes and the Scriptures Joh. 5.36.39 Because they were more visible to them And I conceive there are many secret concurrences of the Spirit which though they be speciall workes yet are not intended for this but some other end and with the utmost diligence a soule can use are not capable of being improved unto witnessing being themselves so hardly discerneable Yet I dare not confine assurance unto eminent Saints I thinke few or no Christians are so weake that they are destitute of all such acts of grace as may witnesse to them Adoption as I shall prove afterward But there is a vast difference between the operations and the witnessing operations of the Spirit these must have light as well as peculiarnesse in them 3. The Spirit causeth the soule to apply it selfe unto the use of due meanes for the attaining assurance Sometimes his proceedings are graduall or by degrees the soule goeth on step by step towards it and it may be a great while before it arriveth at it As the Spirit may first Convince by the word that a Christian ought to seek after and may attaine unto more quietnes establishment then yet it selfe hath found 2 Pet. 1. ver 10. This part of the will of Christ it little minded before And then it may be the Lord removeth out of the way those impediments which formerly hindred Assurance subdueth some corruptions answereth some doubts causeth it to see the groundlesnesse of some feares it hath laboured under helpeth it to looke into Satans designes that have hindred the worke of Christ within it and to take notice of some glorious advantages in the attaining of Assurance which it thought not of before it seeth how it may glorifie God more in such a condition then it can doe under doubtings feares disquietings And thus the Spirit capacitateth the soule for such a mercy So Exod. 33. v. 9.11.14.17 Moses upon every new grant or returne of prayer taketh advantage to rise higher and higher in his requests and at last cryeth out ver 18. I beseech thee shew me thy glory And ver 19. compared with Exod. 34.6 All his goodnes passed before him So the Lord causeth a soule to seeke for some mercits and upon the Lords answering some desires it hath encouragement to goe with a holy boldnes for greater mercies and at last it is enabled to act faith in an eminent way for sights of Divine glory and in the face of Christ hath these also It obtaineth some mercies conducing to assurance at first and afterwards injoyeth that also I have mentioned this the rather 1. Because Christians thinke to have assurance all at once upon a sudden and are apt to be very much troubled if it commeth not in by the lumpe whereas the will of God is to let it in sometimes by little and little and the soule may be a long time in attaining it this is no matter of discouragement that thou hast it not presently if thou be'st in the way to it 2. Because many are very suspitious of a testimony if it be not by some violent powerfull heart-astonishing alterations whereas though sometimes it be by such invincible operations as doe not leave the soule to freedome whether it will owne them or not but overcometh the heart immediately to a reception of the testimony yet at other times the Spirit acteth in a more milde gentle and secret indiscernable way and doth more leave the soule to its choyce for owning it or not and by quenching the motions of the Spirit it may misse of that Assurance which they lead to Yet these operations when they doc effectually witnesse are so powerfull that ever they carry the heart alongst with them towards Christ When Assurance commeth in as the result of selfe-examination it may not cause such eminent alterations as a soule may expect and yet it may be good But there are sweet gracious effects that will follow reall witnessings of the Spirit which way soever they come in And that bowing of the heart to the use of meanes as selfe-examination c. is another worke of the Spirit as a witnesse 4. The Spirit affordeth Irradiations as a witnesse openeth a Case and sheweth how it standeth so the Spirit by shining forth with its bright glorious and heavenly beames into the darke dungeon-like soule doth cause it to discerne enough in the application of promises and in the exercise of graces to satisfie it about its adoption And though it
a time and many gracious effects are produced by it c. but these are more fully opened else-where especially under the generall evidences Object But many have had flashes of joy in the reception of the word Luk. 8.13 yea have been raised unto a high degree of hope and even a triumphing joy who yet have been hypocrites Job 8.13 27.8 Job 20. v. 5. and others have been made partakers of the Holy-Ghost and have tasted of the heavenly gift the good word of God and the powers of the world to come and yet have been under delusions all this while Hebr. 6. v. 4 5 6. How shall I discerne that I goe beyond these Answ There are many things already hinted that will difference the testimonie of the Spirit from such slashes as these are but further 1. The witnessings of the Spirit cause glorious transsormations into the image of the word delusions or common workes of the Spirit leave without these A man may partake of the Holy-Ghost in the gifts of it as Saul did 1 Sam. 10.10 and yet no imprinting of the word in the heart Some one affection as joy may arise upon the reception of the word as Matth. 13.20 21. and yet the word have no root Mark 4.6 the heart not be changed into the nature of it but when the Spirit worketh effectually by a word then there is a counterpane of the word in the heart and hence Jerem. 31.33 Hebr. 8.10 The Lord doth promise in the new Covenant to write his word in their hearts some principles and dispositions or inclinations are wrought within that have a lively resemblance in them unto the word 2 Corin. 3.3.18 We beholding as in a glasse the glory of the Lord are changed into the same image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord. Saith Mr Forbes the working of the Spirit in the wicked is like the smell of an Apothecaris Shop which one that passeth by receiveth although he never carry any of these odoriferous things with him But the witnessing of the Spirit to the Elect is by imparting the thing witnessed to the soule and making it really to possesse it So that if a man could see the soule of a true childe of God he should see engraven in it mercy peace love righteousnesse life joy and Christ himselfe All the promises of God in Christ being written therein according to the Covenant of God 2. The witnessings of the Spirit have powerfull operations in the heart towards the attainment of spirituall Gospell ends there The end any worke driveth at is a great discoverer what it is if a man be not lightly but effectually carried out after it The noise of heaven and happines is taking even with carnal hearts Many with the yong man in the Gospell Matth. 19. v. 16.22 may be inquisitive after eternall life and have desires to enjoy it and take much paines to seeke after it and be very sorrowfull at the thoughts of missing of it and these imply some tastig of the heavenly gift and the powers of the world to come Hebr. 6. v. 4 5. A man may be elevated with raptures of joy upon a supposed interest in heaven and all this may be but in a natural way like Haman he may thinke whom will the Lord honour but my selfe Esth 6. v. 6. but with the yong man he may minde earthly things more then Christ or eternal life ver 21 22. Saith Forbes as a Physitian that hath prepared a comfortable potion for the health of a beloved patient he will give to others a little of it to make them apprehend the tast of it but not so as to have any strength to make any operation in the stomacke so the Lord may let some carnal men discerne some goodnes in Christ and eternall life But these tasts doe not make them partakers of the refreshing power of these They may be wrought into a great reformation and a glorious outward profession hereby but they have not such an operation as to cause their hearts to mount up Christ-ward and place their satisfaction in him alone But the speakings of the Spirit make the soule cry out as Cant. 5.10 11. My beloved is white and ruddy the chiefest amongst ten thousand c. v. 16. He is altogether lovely A soule at such a day cannot but reckon Christ the top of its glory and it can finde no rest but in him and Communion with him and the smiles of his face all other things are nothing to these in its account Reall-tasts that the Lord is gracious cause the soule to disrelish carnal delights and imbitter those sweets to it Saith the soule should I be taken with the smiles of Creatures is not the smiling face of Christ better should I be drunke with the sweet cups of worldly delights is not the Wine in Christs Cellar better should I feed upon ashes after Christ hath led me into his banqueting house O no. Whither should I goe Thou hast the words of eternall life But I shall proceed to the other Questions CHAP. XIV Shewing how a soule may know that the Spirit hath witnessed its Adoption by bloud Qu 2. HOw may a soule know that the Spirit hath witnessed its Adoption by Blood Ans 1. From the New Covenant or the free promise we are not to thinke that there is an application of material blood but the Gospell discovereth that the bloud of Christ which was shed upon the Crosse was intended and is usefull for Justification Redemption c. and offereth it for such uses and ends unto particular soules The application of blood is by faith Rom. 3.25 and therefore it must be by a promise because faith ever must have a Divine word to fasten upon and Rom. 10 v. 8.10 The Apostle checketh reproveth for such carnal apprehensions as that we must clamber up to heaven for the blood of Christ No saith he the Lord reacheth it forth and maketh it nigh to us in or by the word of faith and the same word promiseth beleevers that they shall be saved v. 9. So that a Divine word is the instrument for the conveyance of the blood of Christ unto soules and for their assurance of salvation thereby This is Gods Deed of gift which they have to shew for their right and title to that blood and all advantages that come by it and their Acquittance or discharge from the debt they did owe to Justice Many are possessed with apprehensions that it is impossible to attaine assurance of interest in that blood of Christ and are filled with inward porplexities about it for want of considering the written word as the means of conveyance Whereas if the promise of it be yours the blood in the severall uses it serveth to is yours also and that ought to satisfie you for there is an inseparable connexion between blood and the Covenant Heb. 10. v. 16.19 12. v. 24. 13. v. 20. And your Conclusions of interest
against us under tryals and tribulations but we have gotten ground of our corruptions our pride discontent not onely after distresses but in them and so we are more then Conquerours i. e. we have come off not onely without losse but with much gaine Conquerours win the field but they loose much in winning of it many valiant men fall in the battell O but Christians gaine in their graces and gaine in their strength and gaine in their comforts as their sufferings abound so their consolations abound also and so they are more then Conquerours Object But may not a delusion so engage a man to it selfe as he may suffer much before he will disown it may not a man look death in the face with a carnall confidence Answ Suppose it yet it is not the engagednes of the heart to Christ by sights of his love or the endearance of his will name and glory to it or the tasting sweetnes in Communion with Christ c. that beare up against sufferings but a soule under the witnessings of the Spirit is raised above his troubles and afflictions upon such accounts Rom. 8.35.39 Phil. 3.8 For whom I have suffered the losse of all things Carnal confidences are not at first built and bottomed upon Christ and are at present sed and supported by securitie disregard stupidity stout-heartednes will desire to be accounted immoveable and unwillingnes to owne the shame of former hypocrifie and such carnall props beare it up and engage to adhere unto it under sufferings which are enough to evidence it to be a delusion Evid 8. The witnessings of the Spirit beget a perswasion in the soule of the Lords affording it sutable provision for it at all times and in all conditions before it went drooping under feares that it should want protecting grace under dangers and supporting grace under sufferings and persevering grace under tryals it feared that it should not hold out to the end and was mistrusting God in every condition but when the Spirit hath witnessed adoption then it is delivered from all these feares it can say with him Psal 23.1 I shall not want when it can say the Lord is my Shepheard This engageth strongly against mistrust fulnesse which formerly it gave much way to and striketh a deeper sence into the soule of its unbeleife then it had that it cannot but recall it self it said before I shall want when it could not say I do want It s mistrust run before its necessity But now it unsayeth it and chicketh it selfe for it yea it runneth as far forward in its saith as before it did in its unbeleife It doth not onely say I do not want in the present time but I shall not want for the future Though I should be afflicted tempted persecuted c. yet I shall not want Paul could argue himselfe into a confidence of sufficient provision when he saw that nothing should seperate from Christ Rom. 8.32 He that spared not his Son how shall he not with him give us all things i.e. all things needfull in all conditions not all things in the world but enough of all things grace enough and peace enough strength enough wealth enough c. this is his collection from that premise and how shall he not c it is an interogation that imports that seing he spared not Christ the greater it is out of question he will not be sparing in other blessings which are farre lesser Evid 9. The witnessings of the Spirit make the soule exceedingly vigilant against whatever might occasion an interruption in its communion with Christ the most glorious revelations are followed oftentimes with the most horrid and violent temptations as 2 Cor. 12.8 9. Matth. 3. v. 16 17. The Spirit descended and a full testimony is given v. 17. This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased And the next newes is Mat. 4.1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit to be tempted Question not a testimony barely because you finde varietie of new temptations after it unless it disposeth you to yeeld and consent to them and occasion their prevailing over you These you are to look for and expect after such a time But if the Spirit be the witnes it will make you watchful against these Gant 8.4 I charge ye stirre not up nor awake my love untill he please She was very fearfull of whatsoever might displease him And when was it v. 3. when shes injoyed left-hand supportments and right-hand imbracings from Christ Soules are double watchfull against whatsoever might interrupt their Communion with Christ after a full fruition of it Evid 10. The witnessings of the Spirit draw out earnest expectations of full communion with Christ the soul is so ravished with what it doth injoy that it is even swallowed up with desires after full injoyments of it One that formerly was under bondage through the feare of death now knoweth not almost how to be content to live any longer but is forced into that holy complaint 2 Cor. 5.7 I live by faith and not by sight A life of faith is a glorious life and yet at such a day it cannot but bemoane it selfe for its want of sight it groaneth earnestly desiring to be cloathed upon and this is the matter of its lamentation that it is absent from the Lord v. 2.6 Christ is present with the Saints by faith in this life but their Communion here admits of many interruptions There are recesses as well as accesses They are subject to withdrawings and seeming distances and nothing but immediate Communion will afford them a fulnesse of contentment and therefore with a holy impatiency they desire to be dissolved that they may be with Christ which is best of all And thus I have finished these Secondary Evidences which may be usefull 1. For Direction to such as injoy the testimony of the Spirit here they may see what improvement they are to make thereof 2. For confirmation unto those that have injoyed a testimonie which hath been followed up these ways let them beware of questioning it And the want of these or many of them as the issue of such a perswasion especially if the confidence remaineth still it a dangerous symptome of a Satanicall delusion CHAP. XXII Foure Objections answered BEfore I leave this question I shall answer foure Objections Obj. 1. May a soule say I have had some feeble hopes that I have enjoyed the witnessings of the Spirit in some of those wayes aforementioned but seeing Satan counterfeiteth the choice workes of the Spirit and the Prophet saith The heart of man is deceitfull above all things who can know it Jer. 17.9 How should I know that I have passed a right judgement on my owne condition and am not mistaken Answ The Spirit by the word doth give an infallible assurance unto soules that its testimony is true It is ascertained unto souls 1. By the Spirit 1 Cor. 2.10.12 Rom. 8.16 1 Joh. 5.9 10. 2. By the Word that is the
lead me in the way everlasting then the defectiveness of thy knowledge is such as is common to thee with the choycest Saints and be assured that no secret sin hath dominion over thee but thou art an haire of the everlasting kingdome for Joh. 17.3 This is life eternall to know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent Object 4. I have found a great impression made upon my Spirit by a word or promise but upon a serious search I cannot Conclude whither it be from Satan or a testimony of the divine Spirit What am I to do in such a Case Answ 1. Observe what duty thy present condition calleth for and walk up to that that impression may be but a forerunner of the mercy which is a coming Hab. 2. v. 3. The vision is for an appointed time thou must waite for it and at last it will come and will not tarry Thou mayest be as succesfull in pressing forward towards what is before as in pondering upon what is past or present Christ did often speake in parables and the interpretation came afterward Christ warmed the hearts of his Disciples in his talking with them and expounding the Scriptures to them but yet they knew not that it was his voyce untill they came up to some other duties Luk. 24. v. 29 30 31 32. 2. Conclude not either way upon slighty grounds if it were the voyce of the Spirit and thou callest it the voyce of Satan thou offerest a great unkindnes to the Spirit if it were from Satan and thou callest it the voyce of the Spirit thou deceivest thy owne soule Better to leave it dubious then to Conclude either way unsafely Yet having sufficient grounds neglect not the Conclusion 3. Be carefull to make some improvement of it for Christ and against Satan Say thus with thy selfe this dispensation hath a great stampe upon it whither it be by the finger of the Spirit or not I cannot tell I will see if it may not be of advantage towards the exercise of some Gospell graces as faith patience humility If thou can'st not tell but Christ may have said to thee I am thine be sure thou makest use of this towards selfe-resignation let thy heart answer this voyce and eccho back againe Lord I am thine Zech. 13.9 And here Satan will loose ground though it should be he that spake to thee If Christians did sooner breake off those distracting perplexing thoughts about that Question Whither those workes they have felt proceeded from Satan or the Spirit of Christ when it lieth darke and did seeke to finde out his name that spake unto them by pursuing gracious resolutions not to let him goe untill they had obtained a blessing O how might they be freed from a great many of those tossings feares faintings unsettlements which they labour under If they did improve such dispensations to the contradicting the ends of Satan Gen. 32. v. 26 27.30 they might at last see God as it were face to face and so the issues would be glorious CHAP. XXIII Of the meanes to the attaining strengthening and preserving the witnessings of the Spirit Qu 5. BY what meanes may the Witnessings of the Spirit be attained strengthened and preserved in a soule Answ 1. Waite for the Spirit the Lord is free and ready to afford it unto those he hath owned as his Children Luk. 11. v. 13. How much more shall your heavenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that aske him Here is the great reason that so many Christians are so much without Assurance because they looke so little to the Spirit for it Neither promises nor graces without the irradiations of the Spirit can be effectually witnessing 1 Cor. 2. v. 10.12 A true Dyall hath an aptitude to give the houre of the day but unles the Sun shineth you can know nothing by it so it may be day-light with your soules and you may have precious graces that have an aptitude to witnes Adoption but they cannot doe it without the shineings of the Spirit upon its owne workes in your soules It is reported that the Sabine Stone is of a darke duskish colour till it be sprinkled with oil Plin. part 2. p. 588. and then it will burne of a light fire so graces and experiences are of a duskish colour till the oil of the Spirit be powred on them and then they will burne forth with brightnes so as to witnes unto soules their Adoption And therefore this Direction must run through all those that follow 2. Maintaine a firme perswasion that it is your duty to seeke after the witnessings of the Spirit Some account it their duty to live in a doubting and questioning Condition and are apt to thinke they should sin if they should seeke for Assurance others breath out sad complaints for their being without it and yet looke not upon the seeking after it under the notion of duty Whereas they ought to be very studious about that as well as other duties 2 Pet. 1.10 Give diligence to make your calling and election sure It is not barely a permission but an injunction and so it will be an act of disobedience and your great sin to neglect the pressing after Assurance 3. Beware of those things that tend to keep off from Assurance 1. Beware of supposing it impossible to attaine it many labour under discouragement from hence and thereupon seeke but little after it That it is attaineable see Isai 45. v. 24. 63. v. 16. 2 Cor. 5. v. 1.6 2. Beware of limiting the Lord to your time some would faine injoy it but they tie up the Lord to this duty and that time and will not wait his ley sure for it 3. Beware of grieving the Spirit Ephes 4.30 If you have any motions from the Spirit O cherish improve follow up these for if the Spirit suspendeth its operations you will be at a losse indeed for Assurance 4. Beware of yeelding to carnall and unbeleeving reasonings many dispute themselves into unbeliefe but he Psal 42.5 reasoneth his own heart out of it Why art thou cast downe O my soule 5. Beware of nourishing any sin Heb. 10. v. 22. Let us draw neer with a true heart in full Assurance of faith but how shall we doe that having our hearts sprinkled from an evill Conscience What is an evill Conscience but one justly accusing for or charging with sin and there is no way to be delivered from that evil Conscience but by a heartie application of the blood of Christ for remission and putification that is the blood of sprinkling 1 Pet. 1.2 Many set poreing upon and complaining of some corruptions and that because of these they are without Assurance but if you would have full Assurance then seeke to be sprinkled from them by the blood of Christ 6. Beware of spirituall sloath and carnal securitie Heb. 6.11 Shew the same diligence to the full Assurance of hope 2 Pet. 1.10 Negligence is a great enemy to
person and not by another So if it were onely 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Spirit witnesseth then it might be by a proxie gifts and graces but seing it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Spirit himselfe this argueth it to be a peculiar worke of the Spirit requiring its own more Immediate presence Faith which is a grace may receive the testimonie but the Spirit giveth it and not graces in his stead else it should not be himselfe properly but graces for him As Water i. e. Sanctification is called a witnesse 1 Joh. 5.8 when graces testisie although it is the Spirit that causeth them to doe it yet the graces have the denomination for the witnes So here the Spirit himselfe is the witnes rather then graces though graces may be used about this as the Spirit is about the other And hence after the Apostle had told them of the usefulnesse of mortification and Conduct v. 13 14. for the clearing up of Justification and Adoption yet he foreseing that they might question their injoyment of these as well as their Justification therfore he addeth this as the highest meanes for knowledge which may hold when all others fayle The Spirit himselfe Argu. 2. From the aptitude of many written words or promises by application to witnesse I account it very unsafe to draw up such Conclusions from a Scripture cast in as it hath no naturall tendency to enforce neither in its scope or sence directly nor by consequence neither in the letter of it nor by application This mistake too many labour under in these dayes When they be dubious about what is their duty if a word cometh into their minds although it tendeth not to resolve the doubt looketh not the least that way yet that word is made a rule for action and the decider of the Controversie Whereas if it be applyed by the Spirit it is intended for some other use or end and not for the determination of a matter which is no wayes concerned in that Scripture For the Spirit doth not speake barely in letters syllables or words of Scripture but as these expresse things which are agreeable to the minde of Christ A man may be prophane and yet use the words of Scripture and Satan often commeth with an It is written Matth. 4.6 But there are many Scriptures of a witnessing nature which cannot be denyed this use Here are two things to be confirmed 1. That there is an aptitude in some Scriptures to witnesse 2. That the Spirit doth make application of these and that for such ends 1. That there is an aptitude in some Scriptures to witnesse or that they misse onely application from the Divine Spirit to make them witnessing to a particular soule I shall give a few instances amongst many for the clearing this truth Isai 41.10 Feare not for I am with thee I am thy God Isai 43. v. 25. I even I am be that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine owne sake I will not remember thy sinnes Matth. 9.2 Son be of good cheare thy sins be for given thee neither is this meant as to the present disease onely for Christ intended to give others a knowledge hereby of his power to forgive sins as v. 6. So Ezek. 36.25 I will sprinkle cleane water upon you ver 26. A new heart will I give you ver 27. I will put my Spirit within you ver 28. I will be your God Surely the Lord would not speake in such a particular way to men thy God and thy sins if he intended not their particular Assurance by the application of such words of the things spoken and that eyther of these have an aptitude to witnesse Adoption is undenyable What can satisfie a soule if this will not for the Lord to say I am thy God Is 41.10 If the Spirit doth but speake this over againe to our Spirit it is enough And to cleare it further 1. There are many assuring promises of speciall mercies which are consequential to Adoption Now these must needs have an aptitude by application to give Assurance of our interest in that which it a necessary Antedent as Isai 41.10 I will strengthen thee I will uphold thee 2 Cor. 12.9 My grace is sufficient for thee Heb. 13.5 I will never leave thee nor forsake thee 2. There are many Scriptures that directly tend to remove the grounds of a soules doubting of its Adoption as if it questioneth its interest in Christ because it is exercised with such heavy afflictions these Scriptures tend to remove that doubt Heb. 12.6 Whom the Lord loveth be chasteneth Rev. 3.19 As many as I love I rebuke and chasten If the variety or violence of temptations which it hath mett withal be the ground of its doubting it may finde releife from Heb. 2.18 Hebr. 4.15 Christ was in all points tempted like as we are yet without sin he was free from sinne yet was not free from temptation and so Christians may not look for exemption from temptation who abound with sin Yea it is expressely said we are tempted If the feeling strong workings of corruption puts the soule upon questioning its condition that may minister helpe that Paul an eminent Saint groaned under the same burden Rom. 7.15 yea he cryeth out with bitter lamentation ver 24. O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death And thus many Scriptures have an aptitude to witnesse for it is their proper effect when applyed by the Spirit to remove such doubtings of Divine love as arise from such Causes which oftentimes are the onely obstacles in the way to Assurance 2. That the Spirit doth make application of such Scriptures unto particular soules and that for such Ends may appeare 1. From their aptitude to Witnesse that word Isui 41.10 I am thy God bringeth in God as speaking to a particular soule and telling it of its interest in himselfe it hath a witnessing voyce in the very letter of it and so carrieth evidence with it that this is its proper designe And that the Spirit doth apply words for the proper ends they so clearely point at is undeniable especially when the thing pointed at is undoubtedly a worke of the Divine Spirit as witnessing is 2. From a parity of reason the Spirit applyeth other words for those ends which they aptly serve to None will deny but that it may and doth reprove declineing Christians for leaving their first love by such a word as that Revel 2. v. 3.4.11 Or threaten lukewarme soules by Revel 3.16 Or convince carnally confident soules of the sadnes of their condition by Revel 3. v 17.22 And by the same reason it should apply the aforementioned Scriptures in a witnessing way unto doubting soules and hence when David was besieged and surrounded on every side with troubles and the Lord seemed to keepe silence he even putteth words into the mouth of God Psal 35.3 say thou i. e. by thy Spirit in some word or promise for this
over their owne hearts and those heart-amazing workings of corruption which by after reflexions upon themselves they take notice of these may quickly deprive of these witnessings againe And indeed with many eminent Saints they are not long-lasting They are but the passings by of the Lord before their soules They have a soule-ravishing view of God and Christ by the light of the Spirit but they are soon out of sight againe They must not thinke of building Tabernacles when they are upon this high mountaine beholding the glory of Christ on it A large measure of grace is of great advantage towards the continuance and preservation of these but though they last but for a little moment yet it is an unspeakable favour that they are afforded CHAP. X. Foure Arguments to prove that weake beleivers are capable of attaining these witnessings of the Spirit ANd that weake beleevers are capable of attaining these witnessings of the Spirit I shall prove these wayes Argu. 1. From the Spirits being given to all beleevers as a witnesse 1 Joh. 5.10 It is not said he that is an eminent beleever but he that beleeveth not hereafter shall have but hath the witnes within himselfe This proposition were not universally true if the weakest beleever were at any time destitute of it Neither is it said he hath the Spirit but he hath the witnes i.e. the Spirit as a witnes or for this end to be a witnes to him And how harsh doth it sound that weake beleevers should be uncapable of attaining the end of its being present with them as a witnesse without which it should neither performe its office nor answer its name Object It may performe the office of a witnes or be a witnes-bearer to all beleevers objectively by graces operations though they see or know it not as a Landmarke or sheep-mark witnesse whose the land or sheep are though not efficiently as a Landmarke or Sheep-mark is not alwayes discerned Or the thing witnessed here is onely that Christ is the Son of God 1 Joh. 5. v. 5 6.10 Not that this or that particular soule is interested in Christ Answ That witnessing to particular soules their Adoption and that efficiently i.e. so as to give them a knowledge of it is intended as well as that Christ is the Son of God may appeare these wayes 1. In this whole Epistle the manifestation of mens interest in Christ is driven at as a great end in the Apostles eye 1 Joh. 1. v. 4. These things write we unto you that your joy may be full Chap. 2. v. 3.12.20 Chap. 3. v. 1.10.19.24 Hereby we know that he abideth in us by his Spirit Chap. 4.13 Chap. 5. v. 2.4 c. 2. Water and bloud doe witnes efficiently that Christ is the Son of God 1 Joh. 5. v. 5 6.8 9 10. Many in those dayes denyed Christ to be the Son of God and therein denyed that record which God gave of him viz. That he hath given unto us eternall life and this life is in his Son v. 11. In opposition to these Faith is described in this Chapter to be a beleeving that Christ is the Son of God Not as if assenting to that did expresse the whole nature of faith but as it includeth a cordiall receiving of Christ according to that record v. 11. And hence such are said to be borne of God v. 1. and to overcome the world by their faith ver 4 5. which argueth the whole of Justifying faith to be intended Now to establish these beleevers in these things 1. That Christ is the Son of God and therefore hath life to give v. 1.11 2. That they were borne of God v. 1. had overcome the world v. 5. and had eternall life in him v. 11 12 13. Which latter falleth with the denyal of the former no life to be had in Christ if he be not the Son of God To evidence and confirme the whole faith spoken of v. 1.5 he sendeth them to six witnes v 7 8. whereof water and bloud are two v. 6.8 As if he had said I appleale to your own experiences have you not felt vertue and efficacy in the bloud of Christ for the pacification of your accusing Consciences and hath not Christ been as water i.e. for the purification of your polluted soules These saith the Apostle are witnesses that you are borne of God and that Christ is the Son of God for none else hath power to do these things But neither water nor bloud can witnes so much as that Christ is the Son of God to any soules if themselves be inevident unseen undiscerned I must know I am Justified and sanctified in order before I can know Christ to be the Son of God thereby And the witnessing of this efficiently is intended by the Apostle For 1. It is his designe to strengthen the beleevers by these witnesses against that grand error of denying Christ to be descended from God which prevailed in those times and that cannot be accomplished by water and bloud without a discerning their testimonie 2. Water and bloud witnessed objectively before 3. It is such a witnessing as is proper to beleevers 1 Joh. 5.10 Whereas Christ is objectively witnessed to be the Son of God unto unbeleevere Joh. 3.11 Joh. 5.32 33.36 37 38. Joh. 19 v. 34 35. And if I know that I have the water i.e. Sanctification and the bloud i.e. Justification then my Adoption is witnessed efficiently to me also 3. It is expressely declared to be the end aimed at 1 Joh. 5.13 These things have I written to you that beleeve for what end That ye may know that ye have eternall life This was his scope or drift to manifest unto them their title to eternall life Ergo a witnessing to particular soules their Adoption efficiently is intended and that to all even weake beleevers 1 Joh. 5.10 Argu. 2. From the extensivenes of the promise Joh. 14.21 Christ engageth to afford manifestations of himselfe unto all that love him and the weakest beleever is a lover of Christ Psal 25.14 The secret of the Lord is with those that feare him and he will shew them his Covenant Not eminent beleevers onely but weake ones shall see his Covenant for they feare him Arg. 3. Many that were weake in the faith yet are concluded under a capacity to attaine the witnessings of the Spirit if not under an actual injoyment of them 1 Cor. 3.16 Know ye not that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you i.e. Can you be ignorant of it if it be a doubting speech whither they did know or not yet it cannot but speake a possibility of their knowing it Nay such Interrogations frequently have the force of vehement Affirmations i.e. ye doe know that the Spirit dwelleth in you And yet they were weak Christians for saith the Apostle ver 1 2. I could not speake unto you as unto spiritual but as unto carnal as unto babes in Christ There is then a possibility even for babes in Christ not
touch-stone or rule for tryall see Isa 8.20 To the Law and to the testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them 1 Cor. 14.37 If any man thinketh himselfe a Prophet or spirituall let him acknowledg that the things I write unto you are the Commandments of the Lord. Act. 17.11 Though the Spirit doth give evidence to it selfe especially in the more immediate way of witnessing and acteth so irresistibly as the soule whil'st that work continueth cannot be otherwise perswaded yet all the improvements of this immediate testimonie are to be tryed by the written Word of God i. e. both that faith which receiveth it and those effects that follow it or those operations it hath in and upon the soule and the ends it aimeth at If these be not according to the Gospel account it a delusion though the perswasion be very strong Isa 8.20 Gal. 1. v. 7 8. 6. v. 16. It is dangerous with Zacharias from an unbeleeving suspition upon non Scripturall grounds to doubt yet it is a duty with Mary for information to enquire How shall I know Luk. 1.18 19 20.34 35 38. Though your confidences continue yet you are to weigh them afterward in the ballance of the Sanctuary But that I may clearly resolve the doubt I shall proceed by these steps 1. A power of judgement and discerning or a certaine knowledge whither any and what workes have passed upon the heart is attaineable and ordinarily granted unto soules This may appear 1. From the Lords requiring selfe-examination 2 Cor. 13.5 Examine your selves whither you be in the faith prove your selves Now what is that but to looke into the heart and take a surveigh of that purposely to gaine a knowledg what the state is This duty cannot be performed with fruit or advantage if there were not a possibility to be ascertained by enquiring what the soule hath mett withall and so the end of it would be lost so 1 Cor. 11.31 The knowledge of the heart is necessarily required to make water or blood effectually witnessing for without that there is no ground for an act of judgement to passe upon 2. From clear Scriptures 1 Cor. 2. v. 12.15 The Spirituall man judgeth all things Ezek 16. v. 61. 1 Cor. 14.25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest 3. From Experience Christians that at some times through temptation are ready to deny such dispensations of God towards them yet at other times can make large narrations of many passages they have met withall They can declare how and in what manner the Word hath wrought within them and yet such soules under miserable questionings of their interest in Christ still It is out of doubt with them and they are beyond questioning whither they have been under such workings or no but here they sticke they know not wither these be witnessings or not Beware therefore of harbouring any imagination that either the deceitfulnesse of thy own heart or the counterfeit workings of Satan should render it impossible for thee to attaine a knowledge of thy owne heart or of what workes have passed upon that This conceit raised by Satan keepeth many a soule on this side Assurance a great while 2. The works that have passed upon thy heart being discerned thou mayest examine and measure them by the written word whither they be speciall or common if thou be'st ready to doubt and question whither these be sufficient to testifie adoption or not by renewed recourses to the Word thou mayest finde what they are whether they be such as that calleth graces or not c. It is said of the Chymicks that they will so counterfeit gold that no touch-stone can discover it Satan hath a great deale of Chymistry he hath many things like graces as faith hope humility c. which are not those graces and therefore it behoveth the most confident soules often to try their grounds and here is a touchstone the written word that will never faile this will discover his most glistring counterfeit coyne 3. A knowledge or reall discerning that those speciall workes have passed upon the heart is enough to render infallibly assured of the Spirits witnessing or may give a certainty that a right judgement is passed upon the condition You may undoubtedly know that it is the Spirit which witnesseth if you can clearly see know or finde that those workes are wrought in your hearts which are warranted in the written word to be witnessing for the Spirit onely can create them there and hence they are called fruits of the spirit Gal. 5.22 This is a great perplexing thing to many a Saint could it but see that the Spirit were the author of a work that it hath been under then it could conclude of its Adoption from it whereas there are common workes of the Spirit which a Saul a Judas a reprobate may have and therefore barely the proceeding from the Spirit is not enough But it is necessary to know that the work thou hast experience of is a testimony as well as that the Spirit is the agent There are many workes of the Spirit which cannot be denominated testimonies of Adoption Now for the Spirit to bear witnesse plainly importeth these two things 1. The giving of a testimony 2. That the Spirit is the giver of it If thou best wrought into a perswasion of Adoption by the application of a word there is a testimony and if thou can'st finde that the Spirit hath raised this that is sufficient And if blood be so applyed as it is warranted to be a witnes and so for Water then the knowledge that they come from the Spirit with that is evidencing When works are of such a nature as they doe witness adoption it was my scope and drift to discover in the foregoing Questions In those I have endeavoured to difference the speciall workes of the Spirit from those counterfeit works whereby Satan and mens own treachourous hearts do prevaile to the deceiving of them As the Spirit doth evidence its owne presence in the immediate way of witnessing so the speciall nature and Qualitie of the workes themselves may ascertaine thee that they come from the Spirit in the testimony of Water and Blood If thou can'st descry those operations within thy selfe they may assure thee that the Spirit is their Author and that thy heart hath not deceived thee in thy Conclusions about thy Adoption and hence 1 Joh. 5.10 He that beleiveth hath the witnesse within himselfe Some might enquire How shall we know that the Spirit and none else is the Witnes to us the Apostle answereth He that beleiveth beleeving doth evidence the inhabitation of the Spirit If the grounds of thy judgement be certaine then the act of thy judgement must needs be infallible that is true or false according to the truth or falsenesse of the grounds The act cannot be tryed without another act of judgement so there would be no end and
saw I conquered yet triumphed in Christs Conquest 2. Never could I so pittie those that are tempted as then 3. Never more sensible of spirituall sins then at this time I apprehended it a great evill for a poore wretch to cherish the pride of his heart by wearing gay cloathes c. O but how was this comparable to the sin of priding ones selfe in the precious graces of the Spirit 4. Whereas before it had been a great pollicy of Satan to turn mine eye from himselfe and his actings to poore Instruments vassals of his owne now I could looke at himselfe and set my selfe in the sirength of Christ against him 5. I could with an holy contempt looke upon all the designes of Satan and of his instruments 6. I was exceedingly filled with the praises of God especially that he should take such an advantage of the Tempter and make so good a Conclusion of so unhappy a beginning 7. I was much stirred up to make an improvement of the temptation and that thus by crossing the Devils maine drift in the temptation which was to draw my soule into a greater distance from Christ now I laboured to get and keep neerer to him 8. I was fitted and prepared for some speciall service even by the temptation which was soone after to fall upon me And I have observed these things concerning Temptations further 1. I have observed that when I have had largest discoveries of the grace of God in the Gospell when I have dwelt most upon the thoughts of it and most applyed it then presently some desperate temptation hath assaulted me or sett upon me and the enemy hath made this advantage of it This cometh by your looking so much to the grace of God doe you not see what effects come of it were you not more restrained c. when you looked more to the Covenant of workes 2. I observe that the enemy striketh at faith by every temptation ex gr after some slip or fall what you a Childe of God how can it be and give such way to temptation 3. The Tempter hath in my experience appeared to be a lyar and full of malice many hundred times in his temptations 4. I have observed that Satan hath fastened the same temptation upon severall parties at one and the same time ex gr I have had a strong perswasion that such and such were offended at me and by conference it happened that they have had the same apprehensions fastened upon them concerning me and so there hath been mutuall strangenes and shuning society each with other 5. When the adversary hath a designe to tempt to such or such an evill he maketh way for it beforehand ex gr ke knoweth that when such parties meet together there will be an occasion for passions to stirre he will cast in somewhat before which shall exceedingly moove such passions as anger revenge c. 6. I have frequently found that the enemy will cast in such and such thoughts as of blasphemy against the Lord c. and then labour to perswade me that I am such a one and so maketh way for further temptation 7. I have been much stirred up to bewaile and mourne over such corrupt affections and to strive against them and to goe to the death of Christ by faith for power to subdue them to watch also and Covenant against them c. but all on a sudden they have been revived and if temptation have prevailed then they have been improved thus What overtaken againe after all this it is impossible you should be pardoned 8. I have often observed that the tempter will alwayes improve his successes if he gaine but a little ground he followeth on with renewed force with much fury assaulting with violent impulsions and taketh advantage upon yeelding as you have yeelded so farre and why not altogether Concerning Corruption 1. I have thought it was matter of praise that the Lord would discover and convince me of any Corruption within my heart and have found joy at such times as discoveries have been made thereof because the Spirits discoverie is in order to the subduing of it 2. I have observed that a soule is made sensible of his utter inability to subdue it before the Lords time is to have it subdued insomuch as if he shall mourne over it beg strive wrestle against it yet it may see as it were a reviving and it may be it may sometimes much revive before some notable wound is given to it 3. I have found that I have striven against it in my owne strength Concerning the Spirits working 1. This I have alwayes observed in discoveries from the Spirit that Scripture is most true Joh. 16.14 He shall take of mine and shew it to you and so glorifie me Looke as the Son doth put the honour upon the Father in all that he doth so the blessed Spirit of God together with his teachings leaveth such a frame of heart as it is admiring of Jesus Christ O how beautifull is he at such a time to the poore beleever 2. I have observed the soule is more looking upon it as it doth bring Comfort then as it doth glorifie Jesus Christ and that may be one reason why the sense of it is so soone gone 3. I have taken notice that a little before some notable discovery of the Spirit some violent temptation is cast in which Satan would indispose the soule by for the receiving what is a coming but it pleaseth the Lord by such meanes to put the soule into some capacity for such an in-come Concerning hindering the worke of the Spirit I have had apprehensions that I resisted the Spirit these wayes 1. By diverting those holy motions i. e. turning them out of my thoughts or turning my thoughts some other way 2. By owning them as if they were my owne 3. By poreing too much upon the difficulty that lieth in my way to the performance of that which the Spirit mooveth me to 4. By thinking the Lord beholden to me for the entertainment of them or doing the thing which the Spirit doth moove me to Concerning Desertion 1. Being once under dreadfull apprehensions by reason of withdrawings and the violent temptations which followed immediately thereupon I was forced to cry out in much bitternes of Spirit with an audible voyce Lord helpe me c. and suddenly a passage which in the publique ministry of the word I had heard a little before was brought to minde with much Comfort from the speech concerning Ephram I have heard Ephraim bemoaning himselfe whence it was observed That Christ doth sometimes when his people cannot keep pace with him but through negligence have lost fight of him as it were stand still hearing their mournfull cries and then runs and taketh them up againe and so I thought it was with me 2. After some time of desertion meeting with a sweet returne I had very high and reverend thoughts of God and was more valuing his presence then ever before