Joy in Tribulation, Chapter 23
CHAP. XXIII. Further confirmation for the weake soule.
EXcellent are these comforts (will many a weakely Christian say, who (as yet) is held downe by strength of tentation) singular refreshings and soveraigne cordials, able not onelyonly to cure a sicke, but revive a dead spirit: but, alas, I have no portion in them. Oh could I feele in my soule this glorious heavenly relation to God, could I by any search finde, by any (but one) good and sure proofe be assured that I were the least of Gods children, the lowest of Christ his members, a living, though never so little stone of that blessed Temple of the holy Spirit, all the discomforts of this present world, poverty, losse, contempt, reproaches, and scoffes of men should never trouble me. Oh then how cheerefully could I wade through any griefe, any tentation? But woe is mee, I feele my soule snared, chained and enthrald in sinfull fetters. Easily and cleerely I perceive many signes rather of a naturall estate, stil subject to sinne, and Satan; no power to get up from under my corruptions; but no good signe can I disc…rne, at least no certaine evidence of such an happinesse.
Now indeed it is most true that howsoever these consolations are most approved medicines, yet have they none or not their perfect operation, where either they are not wel and close applied, or (soone after this applying) are rubbed off with some tentation. In the last place therefore it will not be amisse, nay, very expedient by some few, but apparent notes, and infallible markes of regeneration, to cleere the eyes of an afflicted Spirit, dimmed and deluded in the mists of Satan.
True it is, that the Adversary, and his Antichristian Popish Teachers wrest, & streine al their wits to perswade men that this assured knowledge of thir election, and salvation by ordinary means is a dangerous (nay so provdly peremptory are they without all warrant) a damnable doctrine, encouraging men to all presūption, & fleshly liberty. Hēce the Coū cil of Trent fastens an anathema upon it; & no marvel: For that subtill Serpent knowing well how much labour of love, and even contention in all holy obedience, what readinesse to serve, and fervour in their service this certainty of Gods favour brought forth in all the Saints; contrarily, what uncheerefulnesse and heartlesnesse in all duty springeth from distrust and doubtfulnesse, strives with all his might, either utterly to roote out, or much weaken this assurance of faith, whereby they hold fast the profession of their hope without wavering.Heb. 10.23 So his false Apostles, 2 Cor. 11. 13.deceitfull workers, transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ, joyne issue with him, as knowing this Doctrine would not only quench their Purgatory, but which is worse, wonderfully coole their kitchin.
In the Epilogue, therefore, and conclusion of this discourse, I will very briefly (as in such a subject I may) lay downe and handle these three propositions:
First, That the faithfull by ordinary revelations may attaine the certaine and infallible perswasion of their salvation by Christ.
Secondly, That it is a Christian duty to labour for it.
Thirdly, That this assurance is the gift of God, which every one of his children doe not presently receive, nor so retaine, but that the sense of it sometimes may faile them.
And lastly, I will set downe some meanes whereby wee may secure our soules in this assurance of our happinesse, which is the Sunne of al comfort: First, then, that a faithfull Christian may by ordinary, without extraordinarie revelations (by visions, Angels, &c.) bee fully assured of the life of grace already in his possession, and of glory certainly reserved for him, will appeare, first, by divers cleare Testimonies of Gods word; secondly, by the examples of the Saints; thirdly, by evident reason.