The Doctrine of Justification, Treatise · Chapter 12
CHAPTER XII.
THE third ground ſerving to cleere the order of the bleſſings of God: is the difference betwixt the order of Gods diſpenſation and our perception or ſenſe of his benefites. For that is not alwayes formoſt in order of diſpenſation, which is firſt perceyved by our ſenſe: for in our conception of Gods benefites, we aſcend from the later in order, to the former. Gathering the knowledge and certeintie of the bleſſings going before, by the ſenſe and feeling of thoſe which follow after.
Hereof we have many examples in Scripture. For as Chriſt teacheth vsus, it is with every man that is borne of the Spirit, as it is with him, who heareth the ſound of the wind blowing, but cannot tell whence it commeth, nor whither it goeth. Iohn cha. 3. verſ. 8. Thereby informing vsus, that the man begotten of God, knoweth neither from whom the working of the Spirit is, nor yet what is the end of it at the firſt, vntill afterward, that the effects following manifeſt both the Author, the worke, and the end thereof. According to which Iohn ſayeth, 1 Epiſt. chapter 1. verſ. 6. By this we know we have fellowſhip with God, becauſe we walke in the light: and againe, by keeping his commandements, we know that we know him, and yet ſurely wee muſt have fellowſhip with him, and knowe him, before wee either walke in the light, or keepe his commandements. So alſo by confeſſing that Ieſus is the Sonne of God, we know that God abideth in vsus & we in him, as ſaith the ſame Apoſtle, Ephe. chap. 1. ver. 15. yet God muſt be in vsus by his ſpirit, & we in him, before we can give any ſuch confeſſion: for no man can doe ſo much as call Ieſus Lord, but ſpeaking by the ſpirit, 1. Corint. chap. 12. ver. 3. Likewiſe it is ſaid, that we know that God loveth vsus, becauſe we love him: and yet as ſaith the ſame Apoſtle, we love him becauſe he loveth vsus firſt, 1. Epiſtle, chap. 4. verſ. 19. For the former bleſſings lying in our heartes vnperceyved, are made manifeſt vntounto vsus by theſe effects following. For as Iohn ſayeth, Heereby do we perceyve Gods love to vsus, by giving his ſonne for vsus, 1. Epiſtle chap. 4. ver. 9. For the love of God towardes vsus, which did goe before as the cauſe, is not perceyved of vsus, but by the giving of his ſonne for vsus, as the effect following. And to this end is it, that Peter 2. Epiſt, chap. 1. ver. 10. willeth vsus by our ſucceeding holines, as the fruite of our righteouſnes, to make our calling and our election ſure.
Thus wee ſee, that the bleſſinges of GOD are not at the firſt perceyved of vsus, in the order wherein they are diſpenſed. For there is a cōtrarie courſe of order, betwixt the Lords diſpenſing of his grace to vsus in Chriſt, and of our perceyving of the graces imparted vntounto vsus. for we aſcend vpward vntounto God the fountayne of all bleſſing, backe agayne by the ſame ſteps, by the which he did deſcend firſt vntounto vsus. The ladder of God, reaching from heaven vntounto earth, doeth bring GOD downe to vsus, from the vpmoſt ſteppe to the loweſt: but it leadeth vsus vpwarde to God, from the loweſt to the vpmoſt. Therefore God doeth not beginne in diſpenſation to vsward, where wee beginne according to our apprehenſion, to rayſe our myndes vpwards, in the collection of the benefites diſpenſed. But if we will rightlie know how God hath made that ladder: we muſt beginne at the vpmoſt, neareſt vntounto God, & ſteppe downe to the loweſt, where firſt wee began to ſteppe vp vntounto God. ſo ſhall we know the right order of Gods diſpenſation towards vsus.
It may be probablie thought, that the negligent conſideration of this point, maketh many to miſtake the right place of adoption. For although we doe not thoroughly perceyve, neyther have the cleere knowledge of our adoption, vntill the time that we have remiſſion of ſinnes, and feele the peace of God, and ioye of his Spirit in our heartes, and that confidence and boldneſſe whereby we may crye Abba Father: yet it followeth not, that theſe goe in order before our adoption.
But even as our Iuſtification is thoroughly perceyved and confirmed in vsus, by our ſucceeding ſanctification (for hee that doeth righteouſnes in righteous, Iohn firſt Epiſtle, chapter the thirde, verſe 7.) eaven ſo our Adoption, is cleered and confirmed vntounto vsus by our ſucceeding Iuſtification and fruites thereof. For our Adoption hath the accompliſhment of it, partly in everie one of the remanent bleſſings of God, and wholy, in the ioynt and full accompliſhment of them all. Therefore are wee ſaide ſtill in this life, to waite for our Adoption, Rom. chapt. 8. verſ. 23. becauſe our Adoption is not fully finiſhed, vntill our full redemption be performed. But more cleerely of this in the next ground: which ſerveth to cleere both this third ground, and the mayne point which we have in hande.