A Treatise of Faith, Part 2 · Chapter 2
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 promiſ…s bee, and the kinds thereof. Commaundemets, threatnings. By promiſes vnderſtand all thoſe declarations of Gods will, wherein h…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 vsus: 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 merciemercy in Ieſus Chriſt doth make offer of free and full forgiueneſſe of all ſinnes to eueryevery burdened, thirſtie, and peni…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 vntounto the Lord, and he will hauehave mercy vponupon 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 vponupon 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 hauehave ſinned againſt me and I will pardon all their iniquities whereby they hauehave ſinned, and whereby they hauehave tranſſgreſed againſt me. Ier. 33.8. and 1.34. The promiſe is free.This promiſe is made of free and vndeſerued merciemercy, not for any merit that is, or poſſibly could bee in vsus. I, Iſay 43.25. and 44.22.euen I am hee that blotteth out thy tranſgrſſions for mine owne ſake and wi…l not remember thy ſinnes. I will louelove them freely, for mine anger is turned away from him. Hoſ. 14.4.Who is a God like vntounto 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 th…ir ſinnes and their iniquities will I remember no more. Bee mercifull, O Lord, vntounto 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 vntounto vsus. Chriſt is the lambe of God, which taketh away the ſinnes of the world: and this great benefit of forgiuenes of ſi…ne is plentifully proclaimed vntounto vsus miſerable ſinners, in n… 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, beginni…g at Ieruſalem. Bee it knowen vntounto you th…refore, Act. 13.38.Men and bretheren, that through this Man, (meaning Chriſt) is preached vntounto you the forgiuenes of ſinnes. Now then we are Ambaſſadors for Chriſt, 2. Cor. 5.10.as though God did beſeech you by vsus: we pray you in Chriſt ſteed, be yee reconciled to God. Hereunto agreeth that inuitation of our Sauiour; Come vntounto mee all yee that labour, and are heauen laden, and I will giuegive 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 giuegive 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 vntounto 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 hauehave 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 vponupon 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 vponupon any worthineſſe in vsus to receiue it, wee ſhould not onelyonly 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 vsus 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 vntounto him for righteouſnes.
As God inuites vsus to receiue the promiſe of pardon offered in the Goſpell,Its 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 onelyonly 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, vntounto 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 vntounto 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 vsus. 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 vsus, and hide his face from vsus.Tit. 3.5.7. Not by workes of righteouſneſſe which wee hauehave done, but according to his mercy hee ſaued vsus &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 merciemercy, 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 vponupon termes of innocencie or preſent integritie, becauſe he had his pardon vnderunder ſeale, ſeeing that was giuen him to pleade for merciemercy, not for iuſtice: ſo the faithfull ſoule relyeth vponupon the free merciemercy of God and promiſe of pardon proclaimed indefinitely to all burdened and penitent ſinners, and ſealed to eueryevery belieuer in particular by the pledges of the Spirit not vponupon thoſe ſanctified graces which are giuen vntounto 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 diſce…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 vntounto 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 vntounto vsus. 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 merciemercy 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, vnſati…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 hauehave of the neceſſitie and worth, value and digni…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 vponupon the ſingular benefits offered therein, & ſo raiſeth the heart vnceſſantly to hunger and thirſt after them. And theſe deſ…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 vponupon 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 corruptiō, 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 vsus 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 hauehave 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 hauehave ſinned this time, and the Lord is righteous: I hauehave 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 louelove of God, and their beliefe of the promiſes is ſhallow and ſubordi…ate to their baſe & earthly paſſions. But the confeſſion of faith vnfained is heartie and ſincere, ioyned with a true deteſtation of all ſinne, as that which hath, and would make ſeperation betwixt God and him, if it be not renounced by him, and pardoned of God. And to them that confeſſe their ſinnes in this manner is the promiſe made; If wee confeſſe our ſinnes, God is faithfull, 1. Ioh. 1.9.and iuſt to forgiue vsus our ſinnes, and to cleanſe vsus from all vnrighteouſnes. Pro. 28.19.Hee that couereth his ſinnes ſhall not proſper: but who ſo confeſſeth and forſaketh them ſhall hauehave mercy. OnelyOnly acknowledge thine iniquity that thou haſt tranſgreſſed againſt the Lord thy God. Ier. 3.13. 1. Cor. 11.31.If wee would iudge our ſelues, we ſhould not be iudged. I ſaid, I will confeſſe my tranſgreſſions vntounto the Lord, and thou forgaueſt the iniquitie of my ſin. Pſal. 32.5.Which is moſt liuely to be ſeene in the parable of the prodigall before mentioned, where the Father (reſembling God) is ſaid, to hauehave met his loſt ſonne before he came at him,Luk 15.20. and to hauehave embraced and kiſſed him after hee was reſolued in himſelfe, to acknowledge and confeſſe his faults. As faith teacheth the poore ſinner to humble himſelfe in vnfa…ned confeſſion of his manifould offences ſo it ſtirreth an… encourageth him to power out his ſoule in ea…neſt and heartie prayer vntounto God for pardon and forgiueneſſe,Act. 8.22. through the mediation of Ieſus Chr…ſt. Thus hee is taught of God, Take with you words and turne to the Lord, Hoſ. 14 2.ſay vntounto him, Take away all iniquity, and receiue vsus gratiouſly: ſo will we render the calues of our lips. Both theſe may be ſeene in the poore Publican, who durſt not lift vp his eyes to Heauen, Luk. 18.13.but ſmote himſelfe vponupon the breaſt, ſaying, God bee mercifull to mee a ſinner. And ſo the Church prayeth. O remember not againſt vsus former iniquities: l…t thy tender mercies ſpeedily preuent vsus. Ioel. 2.17. Pſal, 79.8.This prayer of faith is not preſented before God, in aſſurance that his ſins be already pardoned but to obtaine pardon of the rich mercy of God by and through the merits of Ieſus Chriſt. And the p…omiſe is to him that prayeth vnfainedly, that he ſhall be forgiuen:2. Chro. 7.14. If my people wh…ch are called by Name, ſhall humble themſelues and pray, and ſeeke my face, and turne from their wicked wayes: then will I heare from Heauen, and will forgiue their ſinne. Aske, and it ſhall be giuen you: Math. 7.7. Ioel. 2.32. Rom. 10.13.ſeeke and yee ſhall finde. Whoſoeuer ſhall call vponupon the name of the Lord, ſhall be deliuered, vizt, from ſinne and death.
Fourthly, Faith receiueth the promiſe of mercy made in Chriſt, and embraceth or reſteth vponupon the ſpeciall, f…ee mercy of God in Chr…ſt for pardon: and hereby we are iuſtified, that is, of ſinners made Iuſt and Righteous, not by infuſion of holineſſe, but by free condonation and acceptation of grace. Chriſt is eueryevery where made the thing which faith embraceth to ſaluation and whom it looke…h vntounto and reſpecteth, as it makes vsus righteous in the ſight of God: and faith iuſtifyeth,Ioh. 11.25.26. Act. 15.11. Rom. 10.4. Gal. 2 16. Eph. 1.15. Phil. 3.9. not by any vertue or dignitie of it owne, but as it receiueth and reſteth on Chriſt our Righteouſnes, our Sauiour, our Redeemer from ſinne and death. It is the good pleaſure of God reuealed in the Goſpell, to pardon and iuſtifie them from all their ſinnes, that belieue in Chriſt, and faith iuſtifieth as it leaneth vponupon him to receiue ſpeciall merciemercy through him, or which is all one, to obtaine forgiueneſſe of ſinners of the meere and rich grace of God through him and this is the moſt formall act of faith as iuſtifying.
Fifthly, It doth certifie of pardon granted and ſealed vntounto vsus: It doth obtaine, receiue and aſſure of forgiueneſſe in particular. I know that my Redeemer liueth; Iob. 19.25. Pſal. 32.5. Iſay 38.17. Pſal. 65.3. Gal. 2.20. 1. Ioh. 3.14.Thou forgaueſt the iniquitie of my ſinne; Thou haſt caſt all my ſinnes behind thy backe; As for our tranſgreſſions thou ſhalt purge them away: Chriſt hath loued me, and giuen himſelfe for me, We know that we are paſſed frō death vntounto life, becauſe we louelove the brethren. Theſe are diuine concluſions of a liuely faith: But this perſwaſion or aſſurance that our ſinnes are already pardoned, is not an act of faith iuſtifying, as it iuſtifyeth, but an act of faith following iuſtification, a priuiledge granted of grace to a ſinner now ſet in the ſtate of grace, or an act of experience in a ſinner now iuſtified by faith. Forgiueneſſe of ſinnes in and through Chriſt is offered in the Goſpell to eueryevery burdened and wearie ſoule, that will receiue it as the ground of faith; vouchſafed to eueryevery one that belieueth; but pardon of ſinne is apprehended as already granted when wee come to be aſſured that wee doe belieue. Faith in order of nature is precedent to Iuſtification, but Iuſtification it ſelfe goeth before the ſence thereof. As faith obtaineth and receiueth the promiſe of ſpeciall merciemercy it doth not finde vsus Iuſt when we begin to belieue, but maketh vsus Iuſt by embracing the Righteouſneſſe of Chriſt as it certifyeth and aſſureth of fauour, it doth not actiuely Iuſtifie but findeth the thing d…ne already. Faith aſſureth of the pardon of ſinne by a double act. Firſt, it layeth hold vponupon the generall promiſes made to Belieuers, ſuch as theſe;Iohn 3.18. Acts 13.39. Iohn 3.36. He that belieueth ſhall be ſaued; By faith eueryevery one that belieueth is iustified; Hee that beli…ueth hath euerlasting life: Secondly, it concludes vndoubtedly from them, That hee belieuing is alreadie receiued into fauour, and hath obained remiſſion of ſinnes. Now betwixt theſe two comes the teſtimonies of the renewed Conſcience,1. Cor. ….11. working vponupon the ſoule by reflexion, whereby the true Belieuer is made priuie to his owne eſtate, and aſſured that he doth belieue. The whole is collected thus; He that belieueth in Chriſt is alreadie Iuſtified, or hath receiued pardon and forgiueneſſe: This is the voice of faith, grounding it ſelfe vponupon the expreſſe teſtimonie of God ſpeaking in holy Scripture. But I belieue: This is the witneſſe of the renewed conſcience, enlightened by the Spirit, and directed by the Word, whereby the Belieuer comes to know what God hath wrought in him. For no man can be ſaid to Belieue that hee doth Belieue: but he belieueth the promiſes by faith, and knoweth himſelfe to bee a Belieuer by the w…tneſſe of his Conſcience, renewed by the Spirit. The concluſion of faith, grounded vponupon the former propoſitions, the one expreſſed in Scripture, the other euident by the witneſſe of Conſcience is, Therefore my ſinnes are forgiuen, or I ſhall be ſaued. The order of climbing to this aſſurance, is the rather to bee marked, that weake Chriſtians, who want the comfortable ſence and feeling of this mercy, might learne to ſeeke it in due order, as the way is laid downe before them in the Word; and not deiect themſelues without cauſe, as though they were vtterly deſtitute of faith in Chriſt, becauſe they want the ſence of this aſſurance, and ſo could doe nothing acceptable, becauſe it is not done in faith; nor tire themſelues in a prepoſterous courſe, not know…ng where to lay the foundation or beginne their worke.
Three prerogatiues doe euer accompany this confident aſſurance of our Reconciliation with God.Three prerogatiues that accompany co…fident aſſurance.
Firſt, Peace with God or ſtable tranquillitie and ſweet calmneſſe of Minde; Sinne had broken off our friendſhip and peace with God: but being iuſtified by faith wee hauehave remiſſion of ſinnes, and ſo the cauſe of enmitie being taken away, peace is reſtored,Eſay 59.2. Phil 4.7. Euen that peace of God which paſſeth vnderſtanding, and is in ſtead of a guard to keepe our hearts and minds in Chriſt; that golden Legacie which Chriſt bequeathed vntounto his Diſciples, when hee left the World.Iohn 14 27. Epheſ. 2.16, 17. Rom. 5.1. Peace I leaue with you, my peace I giuegive vntounto you. Being iuſtified by faith, we hauehave peace with God, through our Lord Ieſus Chriſt. And from this peace begins liuely conſolation againſt the temptations of ſinne, Satan and the World: from the ſence hereof the faithfull ſoule may triumph with Dauid, The Lord is with mee, Pſal. 56.4. Rom 8.33.34.I will not feare what man can doe vntounto me; and with the Apoſtle, Who ſhall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect? It is God that iuſtifieth: who is he that condemneth.
Secondly, Free acceſſe vntounto the throne of grace with boldneſſe and confidence, Chriſt as it were leading vsus by the hand, into the preſence of God, that we might enioy his grace in preſence. When wee were enemies wee fled from the throne of God: but being reconciled by his grace, we hauehave free acceſſe to come into his preſence, to aske what we will, with aſſurance it ſhall be done vntounto vsus.Rom. 5.2. Epheſ 2.8. By whom (ſc. Christ) alſo wee hauehave acceſſe by faith, into this grace wherein we ſtand.
Thirdly, Ioy in the Holy Ghoſt vnſpeakable and glorious, 1. Pet. 1.8.which doth ſo lift the faithfull aboue the Heauens, that being cheared with the Eſſence of Gods fauour, and contented with Chriſt alone, they deſpiſe the world and the baſe things therein.Rom. 5.2, 3. We reioyce in hope of the glory of God. And not only ſo, but we glory in tribulations alſo. Thus Dauid prayed,Pſal. 51.8, 12. Make mee to heare ioy and gladneſſe; Reſtore vntounto me the ioy of thy ſaluation. All theſe rare and pretious priuiledges ſpring from faith: for without fa…th no man can pleaſe God, Heb. 11.8.by faith wee hauehave peace with God, by faith we come vntounto him, by faith we reioyce in him.Rom. 15.13. Phil. 1.25. The God of Hope fill you with all ioy and peace in belieuing. In whom wee hauehave boldneſſe and acceſſe, with confidence by the faith of him. But this faith which highly adu…nceth the Belieuer to boaſt in God all the day long, lifteth not vp it ſelfe, waxeth not proud towards the Lord. Free remiſſion, ſweet peace, aſſurance of Gods fauour, familiar and heauenly communion with him, and whatſoeuer rich token of ſpeciall and intire good will God beſtoweth, theſe cannot puffe vp, but abaſe the Belieuer in himſelfe: the higher hee is exalted by the free mercy of God, the lower hee humbleth himſelfe before God.Ezek. 16.62, 63 & 36.31, 32. I will eſtabliſh my couenant with thee, and thou ſhalt know that I am the Lord: That thou mayeſt remember, and be confounded, and neuer open thy mouth any more: becauſe of thy ſhame, when I am pacified toward thee, for all that thou haſt done ſaith the Lord God.
Sixtly, By faith we continue in this bleſſed ſtate, in ſweet peace and fellowſhip with God. We can neuer take the eye from Chriſt, but immediately the remembrance of former ſinnes doth trouble and vexe the conſcience: and daily weakneſſes and infirmities will breed no ſmall diſturbance, if we doe not ſue forth a daily pardon. Therefore as we belieue to Iuſtification, ſo muſt we continue in belieuing for the actuall pardon of our daily treſpaſſes. The Apoſtle ſaith,Rom. 4.5. God iuſtifieth the vngodly: but by vngodly in that ſentence of Paul, he is meant, who doth not bring his workes or merits, nor looke to his graces, qualities, acts or vertues in the matter of Iuſtification: but doth bewaile his impietie, and flie to the throne of grace for pardon, being conuinced of guiltineſſe. Thus Abraham was all his time comprehended in this Catalogue, and is made by the Apoſtle, as a perpetuall, ſo a principall inſtance of that finall reſolution:Rom. 3.28. Therefore wee conclude, that a man is iuſtified by faith without the workes of the Law. For if belieuing in him that iuſtifie…h the vngodly, was imputed for righteouſneſſe vntounto Abraham, af…er hee had beene for a long time more righteous then the ordinary ſort of Gods Sa…nts or choſen, Abraham all this while vnfain…dly belieued himſelfe to be a ſinner, no way iuſtified in himſelfe, but ſeeking to be iuſtified by him, who if hee ſhew not mercy to ſinners, whileſt they bee ſinners, all mankind ſhould periſh vtterly. The drift and ſcope of Paul in the third and fourth to the Romanes is only this: That although men may bee truly iuſt and holy in reſpect of others, and rich in all manner of workes, as Abraham was thus farre knowne and approued, not by men only, but by God: yet when they appeare before Gods Tribunall, who beſt knowes as well the imperfection, as the truth of their integritie, they ſtill acknowledge themſelues to bee vnprofitable ſeruants, alwayes praying, Lord, forgiue vsus our ſinnes, and be mercifull to our offences. So that all men, euen the moſt holy are ſinners in themſelues, and in the ſight of God in the Apoſtles ſence, and are iuſtified by grace not of debt, after the infuſion of ſupernaturall holineſſe. The ſincere and vpright man, in whoſe ſpirit there is no guile, Pſal. 32.1, 2. Rom. 4.4, 5, 6.is iuſtified, not becauſe of his ſinceritie, but becauſe the Lord imputeth not that ſinne vntounto him, which he ſtill vnfainedly acknowledgeth to be in him, continually praying, Lord, enter not into iudgement with thy ſeruant; alwayes confeſſing, Lord, in thy ſight no fleſh liuing can be iuſtified, Pſal. 143.2.to wit, otherwiſe then by not entring into iudgement, or by non-imputation of his ſinnes. And faith that layeth hold vponupon the promiſe of merciemercy offered in Chriſt, cauſeth a man eueryevery day to humble himſelfe for ſinne, and to ſeeke pardon by earneſt prayer eueryevery day it receiueth and feedeth vponupon the promiſes made in Chriſt, and ſo aſſureth that his ſinnes are done away as a miſt. And thus a Chriſtian may liue by faith for many dayes, or rather all the daye… of his life, in ſweet peace and commun…on with God, if hee will lea…ne to maintaine, and t…ke paines to vſe his faith aright. It is to bee lamented that amongſt Chriſtians, who deſire to liue honeſtly and keepe a good conſcience, ſo few know, ſo many neglect the ordinary vſe and improuement of their faith; as if it ſerued only to giuegive them comfort in the rem…ſſion of ſinnes at their firſt conuerſion, and then had finiſhed all it ſhould or could doe, except till they fall into ſome notable decay, if not great offence, or bee plunged into deepe doubts, or bee exerciſed with ſome great afflictions: whereas the daily vſe and improuement of faith for the continuance and increaſe of aſſurance of forgiueneſſe, peace, acceſſe vntounto the throne of grace, Ioy, and communion with God, is as neceſſarie, ſhould be as conſtant as is the vſe of Fire and Water, of the Light, of Meate or Drinke or whatſoeuer is more ordinary for the comfort of the Bodie. Serues faith for entrance and beginnings, and not for continuance, progreſſe and encreaſings? Is faith the breeder and bringer forth of Ioy and Peace, and not the Nurſe and foſter Mother of them, cheriſhing and feeding them, till we come to a full and perfect age in Chriſt? All fruits the neerer they c…me to ripeneſſe, the ſweeter they be: & ſo is the fruit of faith, ſweeter in the eare then in the blade. If the ſence of pardon be pleaſant & delightſome at the firſt, muſt it not increaſe as ſtrength of faith & ſpiritual acquaintance with God encreaſeth? Is it not eaſier to preſerue peace, then to recouer out of dumpes and diſtreſſes? EueryEvery day to reckon with our ſoules, and get our debts cancelled, then to doe it now and then, when we hauehave runne farre behind hand, not knowing which way to turne our ſelues? Fire once kindled is kept burning with leſſe paines, then being oft quenched, it can be kindled. The labour of maintaining health is much leſſe, then the toyle of recouering out of ſickneſſe. Let vsus then learne to make vſe of our faith eueryevery day; As eueryevery day to humble our ſelues before the throne of grace, and begge the pardon and forgiueneſſe of our ſinnes; eueryevery day to looke vntounto the grounds of comfort, and meditate thereupon, that we may find ioy and ſweetneſſe therein; eueryevery day to renew our faith in belieuing the pardon of ſuch particular offences as we hauehave eſpied in our ſelues that day, and confeſſed before the Lord with ſighes and groanes for mercy. Let vsus thinke ſeriouſly with our ſelues, how excellent a thing it is to be in league of amitie with God; how bleſſed and pleaſant a ſtate to bee freed from the feare of death and Hell; how rich and comfortable a thing to bee Heire of Glorie. Let vsus often ſtirre vp our ſelues to conuerſe with Chriſt; the better we know him,Pſal. 139.17, 18 & 36.7. 2. Tim. 1.6. the more delight and contentment we ſhall take in fellowſhip and communion with him. This is to liue by faith, and to ſtirre vp the grace that God hath giuen vsus. This is to maintaine faith, that it may ſerue vsus. Fire in the embers glowes not, heats not the houſe: Faith in the heart not vſed, doth neither increaſe, nor comfort. A man may well be ſaid not to hauehave the wealth, he vſus…th not for his benefit: ſurely he wants the benefit of faith, who exerciſeth it not. Vſe limbes, and hauehave limbes. The beautie and benefit, yea, the very increaſe and perfection of all gifts, vertues and graces conſiſteth in vſe, and action. Exerciſe perfecteth vnderſtanding and memorie; ſtrengthens the diſpoſition of the ſoule, increaſeth vigour, begetteth promptneſſe: the more thou doeſt, the more thou maiſt. The oftner the liberall man giues Almes, and doth good turnes, the more his liberalitie growes and ſhines. Let any man diligently and …hroughly improue his faith, and great will bee his faith, and great the ioy it will bring in. It is our fault, if we ſuffer Satan with light temptations, ordinarily to interrupt our ſpirituall mirth, or to detaine vsus in dumps and penſiueneſſe. Did wee but carefully maintaine our faith, it would doe away all d ſtu…bance which is within vsus ag…inſt our ſelues, and tame the rebellion of luſt againſt the ſpirit of the minde renewed; it would ſecure vsus againſt the power of enemies inward or outward, that they ſhould not be able to hurt vsus, much leſſe to preuaile agai…ſt vsus, and repreſſe or vanquiſh all perturbations, which ſpirituall wickedneſſes, vnbeliefe, want of godly contenta…ion, defects in our condition, might occaſion: it would expell vnquietneſſe, keepe vnderunder paſſions, allay fe…res and griefes, and calme the boiſterous ſtormes of diſcontent. Let vsus keepe our faith, and it will keepe our Ioy: It will keepe it an euen euer-flowing current, without ebbe & flow, cloudes and eclipſes: let vsus increaſe our faith, it will increaſe our ioy. But to what meaſure of Ioy may a growne Chriſtian attaine,To what meaſure of ioy a Chriſtian may attaine. if hee be carefull to p…eſerue and ſtirre vp his faith? It is a ſmall thing for him to come to an ordinarie pitch of chearefulneſſe, except his ioy exceeds the mirth of a worldling in the qualitie and quantitie of it. If his mirth be not a ſweeter and more rauiſhing mirth, of an higher kind, of a more pure nature, of a moſt conſtant tenure, then any carnall mans what-euer, he diſparages faith. The Chriſtians ioy,1 Pet. 1.8. Rom. 14.17. is ioy vnſpeakable and glorious, ioy in the Holy Ghoſt, another manner of Ioy then euer entred into the heart of a naturall man. So is that text to be conſtrued,1. Cor. 2.9, 10. eye hath not ſeene, &c. not chiefly of the ioyes of Heauen, which here the ſpirituall man himſelfe cannot tell what they ſhall bee, but of the Goſpels ioy,Calu. in 1. Cor. ….9. Iun. par. lib. 2. pa. 31. of the wine and fatlings alreadie prepared, and now reuealed to the Belieuer by the Spirit: which if the carnall man ſcorne and ſcoffe at, it is becauſe hee cannot comprehend it. It is a more pure and conſtant ioy, which needs not the ſupport of earthly delights: his ioy is within, he ioyes in the fauour of God, which is vnchangeable. It beſeemes not a Chriſtian to be merrie in one eſtate, dumpiſh in another, as if their ioy depended vponupon their outward condition. No, no, the fauour of God alone is ſufficient to vphold a good mans ioy.Iohn 16.22. Rom. 5.3. Iames 1.2. Your ioy no man taketh from you, We glory in tribulations alſo: And great reaſon, for if ſinne bee pardoned, eueryevery thing cauſeth a progreſſe of ſaluation. Were it not odious to ſee one profeſſing ſome l berall Science, to liue by lewd and diſhoneſt ſhif…ing? No better fight is it to ſee a Chriſtian hanging his ioy vponupon courſe and earthly pleaſures, who hath more noble and generous, yea, Angelicall delights, then which what hath Heauen better but in degree only and manner of fruition?Pſal. 36.7, 8, 9. How excellent is thy l…uing kindneſſe, O God, therefore the children of men put their truſt vnderunder the ſhadow of thy wings. They ſhall be abundantly ſatisfied with the fatneſſe of thy houſe: and thou ſhalt make them drinke of the riuer of thy pleaſures. For with thee is the fountaine of life: in thy light ſhall we ſee light. It is a pleaſure to him to want other pleaſures, who is oft and eueryevery day ſerious in the meditation of the remiſſion of his ſinnes, the free grace and eternall louelove of God towards him in Ieſus Chriſt. He that is eueryevery day buſied to fetch out a pardon of courſe for his daily infirmities, and to make euen reckoning betwixt God and his Soule, that nothing remaine on the ſcore to interrupt his peace, ſhall neither be idle, nor vnprofitable; neither want imployment, nor comfort. This courſe can open no gap to licentiouſneſſe, libertie in ſinne,Pſal. 19.12, 13. or carnall ſecuritie: for he is euer moſt ſtudious not to runne into arrerages, who is moſt deſirous to hauehave his debts cancelled and blotted out. Faith is of the nature of ſouereigne purifying waters, which ſo waſh off the corruption of the vlcer, that they coole the heate, and ſtay the ſpread of the infection, and by degrees heale the ſame. And of Cordials, which ſo comfort and eaſe the heart, as alſo they expell noxious humours, and ſtrengthen nature againſt them. Iuſtifying faith takes kindly rooting in a cleane heart, and being rooted purifieth it more and more. Faith that pleads for merciemercy, doth cleaue to the Commandements, ſtirre vp to holineſſe, ouer-rule the affections, delight in purity, and diffuſe the vertue of the word into eueryevery facultie of the ſoule.
It may be obiected, If faith certifie that our ſinnes be pardoned, and there be ſuch ioy in belieuing, how comes it to paſſe that many good Chriſtians liue ſo long in feare and doubt,Wence it is that many good Chriſtians liue ſo long in feare and doub…. who would bee contented to take any paines to bee ſetled in aſſurance of Gods louelove? The common cauſes of this ſlowneſſe of beliefe are many.
Firſt, an immoderate aggrauation of their ſinne, and continuall thought of their vnworthineſſe. Thus the caſe ſtands with many poore Chriſtians; faine they would belieue (as they acknowledge) but they are vnworthy, they hauehave beene ſinners. Theſe muſt knowe, it is good they ſhould ſee their owne vnworthineſſe, but not that they ſhould be hindred thereby from comming to Chriſt it is good to denie themſelues, but not to doubt of the mercy of the Lord. Chriſt came to ſeeke that which was loſt, Math. 18.11. Eſay. 61.1.2. Math. 9.13. 1. Pet. 3.18. Rom. 5.10. Math. 11.28.to binde vp the broken hearted, and to ſaue ſinners. He died for his enemies, for the vnworthy: He inuiteth the burdened to come vntounto him, and makes ſute to the poore and worthleſſe, that he might eaſe and inrich them. If they were not vnworthy, what neede had they of Gods mercy? or how ſhould God glorifie the riches of his mercy in pardoning their offences? The feeling of their vnworthines makes them fit to receiue mercy from God who doth v…uchſafe it freely: ſeeing beſides their ſinne which makes them vnworthy, they hauehave a ſence of it, and an heart broken for it. If they were not vnworthy, they could no… belieue: If their caſe had not beene deſperate, what neede was there, that Chriſt ſhould come from the boſome of his Father?Eſay. 43.25. and 44.22. Hoſ. 14.3.4. Pardon is offered freely of grace, the more vile they be in themſelues, the fitter to receiue this vndeſerued kindneſſe. Oh, but their ſinnes are grieuous and notorious, ſcarlet, crying, ſcandalous ſinnes? This deteſtation of ſinne is greatly to bee commended, if they remember withall,Ezra. 10.2. that there is hope in Iſrael concerning this: if they will ſet one eye vponupon the mercy of God, as they ſet the other vponupon the vileneſſe of their iniquities. If their ſinnes be many and great,Eph. 2.4. Pſal. 3….5. Pſal. 51.1.2. Exod. 34.6.7. Eſay. 55.9. God is rich in mercy, abundant in goodneſſe, hath a multitude of tender mercies; His merciemercy reacheth aboue the Heauens, he forgiueth iniquitie, tranſgreſſiō, ſin & rebellion. All faults are eaſily pardonable to his infinite mercy, which exceeds Mans, as Heauen doth Earth; which can readilier forgiue ſeuentie, then Man ſeuen offences. Was not Adam, Manaſſes, Paul, the ſinfull woman commonly called Mary Magdalene, 2 Chron. 33.12.13. 1. Tim. 1.13.15. Act. 2.37.38. Luk. 7.…7.the Cretians and Iewes who imbrewed their hands in the bloud of Chriſt, receiued of him to merciemercy? Doth not …e delight to forgiue much, that he may binde to louelove much? Shall not his fauour ſuperabound to the ſence of faith, where ſinne hath abounded to the wounding of Conſcience? It matters not what the wound is, ſo Chriſt be the Phyſitian.Iohn 1.7. Eſay 1.18. The bloud of Chriſt cleanſeth vsus from all ſinne. Nothing but the bloud of Chriſt can waſh away the guilt of the leaſt ſin; and his bloud is ſufficient to purge the moſt polluted Conſcience. But they hauehave felt no extraordinary meaſure of ſorrow for ſinne, they are rather dull and ſenceleſſe? Are they weary of ſinne? hauehave they ſorrowed to ſelfe-deniall and to renounce their intereſt in whatſoeuer might ſeperate betwixt Chriſt and them? To ſuch is the word of Reconciliation ſent. But they hauehave often ſlipped into the ſame ſinnes. There is a difference of offences. There be ſinnes of ignorance, infirmity, forgetfulneſſe, and ſudden paſſion, whereunto the heart yeeldeth not aduiſed conſent, and from which the faithfull by reaſon of their frailtie can neuer be free in this life, in ſome degree or other. Now vntounto theſe God of his mercy is pleaſed to grant a pardon of courſe,1. Iohn 1.8. 1. Iohn. 2.2. notwithſtanding his ſeruants ſtep oft into them through weakneſſe, prouided they humble themſelues, ſeeke mercy, and labour the mortification of their infirmities. Abraham twice denied Sarah to be his wife, ſaying, Sh… is my Siſter. Of Dauid it is recorded, that though hee were a man after Gods owne heart in all things, except the matter of Ʋriah, yet of frailtie hee offended many times in the ſame particular. There bee foule, enormious notorious ſins, which wound the conſcience, and ſtop and hinder the liuely operation of grace; and theſe m…ſt be repented of, and aduiſedly left and forſ…ken, before we can belieue to the pardon and forgiueneſſe of them. Neuertheleſſe, if a man hauehave often fallen into theſe offences, he is not to deſpaire, but ſeriouſly to confeſſe, and to forſake hi… ſinne, that he may obtaine mercy. For the Lord inuiteth the obſtinate and rebellious to repent, and by word and oath aſſureth them of forgiueneſſe, if they will returne. And if wee looke vponupon examples, we ſhall finde many ſuch, who vponupon humiliation and earneſt prayer hauehave beene receiued vntounto mercy. But they hauehave fallen grieuouſly ſince conuerſion. So did Dauid and Peter, who yet recouered by grace, and vponupon repentance were forgiuen. A foule offence after grace receiued is not vnpardonable. The bloud of Chriſt, which waſheth away the guilt of ſinnes before conuerſion, is ſufficient to purge the conſcience from ſins after conuerſion likewiſe; We are commaunded to repent of, taught to pray for the pardon of ſinnes without exception. It is of free mercy that former ſinnes are couered, and by the ſame mercy of God this trangreſſion may be pardo…ed. The mercy of God is euerlaſting, his couenant vnchangeable, though we be vnfaithfull, yet he cannot forget himſelfe. He delighteth to ſhew mercy, and reioyceth in the ſoule that hath ſinned, but now lamenteth, ſaying, I hauehave ſinned, and it did not profit me. The commaundement of god, inioyning vsus to forgiue our brother not ſeuen times but ſeuentie times ſeuen times if he repent, is an expreſſion of his readineſſe to ſhew mercy to them who do oft and grevouſly offend, if they returne by vnfained repentance, and ſue for mercy. Oh, then take heede, that to other great and many ſinnes infidelitie be not added. Doubting begets deadneſſe, whereas look…ng vp vntounto the promiſes of mercy, will both eaſe and ſoften the heart. But they cannot belieue. Indee…e they thinke there is no promiſe of mercy made to them, vponupon which they ſhould ground their confidence. Therefore they muſt know; that God calleth them, in his word to come vntounto him, as if he did particularly name them, and promiſeth to receiue them vntounto mercy; and then they muſt conſider of the fr…e grace of God in promiſing, and his faithfulneſſe in making good whatſoeuer he hath promiſed, that neither want of feeling, nor conceit of vnworthineſſe diſ-hearten them from drawing nigh vntounto him. They muſt thinke ſeriouſly with themſelues, I neede mercy, and the Lord hath promiſed it: I thirſt after it, and the Lord will grant vntounto mee my deſire according to his promiſe: I am vtterly vndone if I obtaine not helpe; and helpe is not to bee found, but in the Lord Ieſus, who louingly inuiteth me to come vntounto him, that I may be refreſhed. Seeing therefore I long for mercy &, the Lord makes offer of it in his dearely beloued Sonne, I will goe vntounto him and humble my ſoule before the throne of his grace, I will entreate mercy, and rolle my ſoule vponupon the promiſe of ſaluation. All my helpe is to looke off my ſelfe an obiect of confuſion, and looke vponupon Chriſt an obiect of conſolation, therefore I cleaue vntounto him as mine onelyonly Sauiour, and truſt in him though he ſhould kill me. It doth not pleaſe God, that I ſhould ſtand alooffe and ſtraine courteſie, now he encourageth mee to come with confidence, or giuegive way to doubtings, now I hauehave his promiſe, who neuer failed any that truſted in him, who hath done more for me then euer he promiſed: therfore I will goe vntounto him in the mediation of Ieſus Chriſt, and importune his grace; if I periſh I will periſh in his boſome, to die for it nothing ſhall ſ perate me from his mercy.
A ſecond cauſe of this ſlowneſſe may be ignorance of the way how this aſſurance is to be ſought, vponupon what foundation it is to be laid, in what orde… they come vntounto it. Sometimes they miſ-conceiue the promiſes, as if they were offered only to Belieuers, and not laid as the foundations of faith, and thereupon falſely conclude, that no promiſe is made vntounto them, becauſe they cannot finde that they doe belieue. Sometimes they miſtake the nature of faith, taking it to be a perſwaſion or aſſurance that their ſinnes are pardoned, and ſo conclude, that they hauehave no faith, becauſe they want aſſurance: when in the order of nature, faith is precedent to actuall remiſſion. And many times Chriſtians are herein deceiued, that they feare to receiue and apply the promiſes of grace, till they can finde in themſelues ſuch a meaſure of ſanctification, as is ſcarce, if at all, attaineable in this life. Theſe and ſuch like blockes muſt bee remoued by good information, acquainting themſelues out of the word of God, what faith is, the order in which wee muſt climbe vp to aſſurance, how the promiſes are to be receiued, and what is the true vſe of ſanctification. But two things are ſpecially to be learned for their direction.
Firſt, that aſſoone as euer a man feeles ſinne as a burden,Iſa. 55.1. Ioh. 7 37. Numb. 21.9. and doth truely, earneſtly, feruently thirſt to be eaſed of it, he hath a calling to come vntounto Chriſt to aske, obtaine, and receiue mercy. He that was bitten with the fierie ſerpent, was appointed to looke vp to the braſen Serpent, that he might recouer. Oh then delay no longer, bee not held backe with vaine obiections and cauſeleſſe ſcruples.Math. 11.28. 1. Ioh. 3.24. Behold, he calls thee to come, why ſhouldeſt thou feare in reſpect of thy vilenes? Faith is obedience and obedience is more acceptable then courteſie and complement. The ſooner thou commeſt, the better welcome. It is rudeneſſe, and not good manners, not to doe as thou art bidden to doe, yea, and ſo earneſtly perſwaded, intreated and charged to do. To doe the worke of God is to belieue in him, whom he hath ſealed and ſent to be thy Sauiour.Ioh. 6.29. And ſh…lt thou not tenne times more honour and pleaſe him in truſting vponupon his mercies, and ſealing to his truth, then in fearing his iuſtice, and dreading his power?
Secondly, hee that finds himſelfe plunged into the gulfe of miſerie by ſinne, and deſtitute of the ſappe and fruite of grace is inuited to come vntounto Chriſt, that hee may receiue from him the grace of ſanctification, as well as remiſſion: Oh, eueryevery one that thirſteth, Reu. 22.17. Iſay. 55.1.2. Ioh. 7.37.38.come yee to the waters; Hee that belieueth, out of his bellie ſhall flow riuers of water of life. The barren in grace muſt come vntounto Chriſt to be ſupplied of his fulneſſe.Gal. 3.14. By faith wee receiue the promiſed Spirit. He that walloweth in ſinne, is not fitted to belieue, for iuſtifying faith can neuer take ſound rooting in the heart which is not reſolued to forgoe the practice, and haſt caſt off the louelove of all ſinne: but when a man is wearie of ſinne, and finds emptineſſe of grace; as hee is commaunded to pray for mercy, and the gifts of grace, ſo is he to belieue in Chriſt, for the obtaining of both. Wherefore ſtudy, ſtriue, endeuour to belieue, and lay hold on the Rocke, as in danger of drowning a man will doe on the tree or poſt that comes next to hand. When thou haſt, in thy conceite, moſt cauſe to deſpaire, labour againſt it: When thou haſt no reaſon in thy apprehenſion to belieue, belieue with all thy power; when the fauour of God is loſt to thy feeling, it may be preſent to thy faith, which diſcerneth what is promiſed, though to ſence it hauehave no being. And for thine encouragement, ſet before thine eies Chriſts freedome to all ſuiters in the time of his fleſh, repelling none who truely deſi…ed the price of his bloud. There be other cauſes of this weakeneſſe,Directions to the weake to ſtirre vp themſelues to bee when they feele no comfort. which hauehave beene mentioned, and anſwered before.
Now if any poore and weake Chriſtian deſire to know (as he deſires nothing more) how he ſhould ſtirre vp himſelfe to belieue the promiſe of forgiuenes when he wants the comfort of it, yea, when to his owne ſence he feeles the contrarie.
Firſt he muſt vnfainedly humble his ſoule before God in the confeſſion of ſin, with earneſt prayer for pardon. For he that acknowledgeth his ſins, ſhall be receiued into fauour.Ier 3.13. O Lord, I hauehave ſinned, and thou art iuſtly diſpleaſed: I hauehave caſt off thy law, and thy wrath is kindled againſt me. My heart trembleth at the apprehenſion of thy ſore diſpeaſure, and I am afraid of thy iudgements. All this is come vponupon me by reaſon of my fooliſhneſſe:Pſal. 38.5. my ſmart and ſorrow is bred in mine owne boſome. I hauehave no reſt in my bones becauſe of my ſinne.Pſal. 38 3. But, deare Father, I looke vntounto thee for mercy in Ieſus Chriſt, I beſeech thee, take away the tranſgreſſion of thy ſeruant.2. Sam. 24 10. It is thy propertie to ſhew mercy, it is thy free promiſe to pardon the iniquities, tranſgreſſions and ſinnes of thy people that turne vntounto thee, and pray: for thy Names ſake be fauorable to mine iniquities, and remember my ſin no more: caſt them behind thy backe,Exod. 34.6.7. 1. Reg 8.33.34. Iſa. 43.25. and 44.22. Iſal. 38.17. Mic. 7.18. Pſal. 52.2. doe them away as a miſt, and burie them in perpetuall obliuion. I hauehave gone aſtray like a loſt ſheepe, but now my deſire is to returne home vntounto thee: With my whole heart I deſire thy fauour, O ſuffer mee not to periſh vnderunder the burden of my ſinne. Remember not to my reuoltings from thy Commandements: but according to the multitude of thy tender compaſſions remember me for thy goodneſſe ſake, O Lo…d. Truth it is, I am not worthy to be called thy ſonne, or to be pertaker of the leaſt crumme of thy mercy: But thou art a moſt louing and compaſſionate Father, who dealeſt not according to the iniquities of thy children that treſpaſſe againſt thee,Num. 14.19. Pſal. 103.10. nor rewardeſt them according to their deſerts: who retaineſt not thine anger for euer, becauſe mercy pleaſeth thee. If thou wilt be mercifull to my ſin, then ſhall thy glory appeare, my heart ſhall bee enflamed with thy louelove, I ſhall walke in thy feare, and my tongue ſhall ſing of thy goodneſſe.
Secondly, He muſt rowſe and ſtirre vp himſelfe to belieue, with reaſons drawne from the promiſes, and couenant of God made in Ieſus Chriſt, conſiderations taken out of the Word and experience of his dealing with other his ſeruants in former times.Pſal. 4…. Why art thou cast downe, O my ſoule, why art thou diſquieted within mee? Truſt in God, and caſt thy burthen vponupon him, for hee will eaſe thee.Math. 11.28. Eſay 55.1, 2. Mic. 7.19. Pſal. 65.3. Pſal. 85.2. Eſay. 1.18. 2 Cor. 5.19, 20. 1 John 3.23. Thou haſt his promiſe confirmed by oath and couenant, that hee will caſt thy ſinnes into the bottome of the Sea, purge away thy tranſgreſſions, fo…giuegive thine iniquities, couer all thine infirmities, and neuer remember them any more. Behold, hee perſwadeth, intreateth, beſeecheth, commandeth thee to belieue: why art thou afraid? It is the will of God that thou ſhouldſt reſt on his mercy: hee cannot bee offended for that which himſelfe commandeth, nor denie that which he hath promiſed.Rom. 5.20. Eph. 5.2. & 1.7. If ſinne abound, merciemercy ſhall abound much more. His burning wrath is pacified in Ieſus Chriſt, who hath giuen himſelfe an offering and a ſacrifice to God for a ſweete ſmelling ſauour, that grace might glorifie herſelfe in the pardoning of thy offences. Haſt thou nothing to bring before him but ſinne and impietie that hee abhorreth? Hee looketh vponupon thee in his deare Sonne Ieſus Chriſt,Rom. 3.25. Hoſea 14.3. whom hee hath ſet forth to be a propitiation through faith in his bloud, and loueth freely. Doeſt thou require teſtimonies of his vndeſerued kindneſſe? God ſo loued the world, Iohn 3.16.that he gaue his onelyonly begotten Sonne, that whoſoeuer belieueth in him, ſhould not periſh, but hauehave euerlaſting life: Eſay 54.8. Ezek. 16 60.He hath entred into a free and euerlaſting couenant with thee, and waited long for thy conuerſion when thou wenteſt aſtray: and will he not much more hauehave merciemercy vponupon thee now thou prayeſt? Why art thou diſmayed at the ſight of thy great vnworthineſſe? Miſerie is the obiect of mercy:Acts 9.11. the greater thy diſtreſſe, the more glorious will bee the grace of God in thy deliuerance. The ba…er thou art in thine owne ſight, the fitter to belieue: for faith excludes all conceite of worth, and receiueth pardon as a meere gift of grace. Sinfull men, whoſe compaſſions are not as the drop of a bucket to the huge Ocean, if compared with the infinite Sea of merciemercy which is in our God, muſt forgiue their Brethren till ſeuentie times ſeuen times,Luke 17.34. if they ſinne againſt them, and repent: Our God, who requires ſo much of vsus, who hauehave nothing but what he giueth, will hee not deale tenderly with the poore ſoule, which hath ſinned, and repenteth? God hath done more for vsus then for ſhame we could deſire, before we asked any thing at his hand; yea, when wee ſought to excuſe our diſobedience, and charge the fault vponupon his Highneſſe: what will he not doe, when we accuſe our ſelues, and pray for merciemercy? My ſoule, nothing can hurt thee, but vnbeliefe. Thou art wounded by ſinne: Belieue in Chriſt, and by his bloud thou art healed. God is angry: Belieue, and thou art reconciled: All variance ceaſeth, when thou art knit vntounto Chriſt. Wherefore ſhake off d…ſtruſt, hearken no longer to the aſſaults of Satan: but roll thy ſelfe vponupon the Lord, and ſticke faſt vntounto his merciemercy. If thou want the ſence of his louelove, thou haſt his promiſe that hee will be good vntounto thee: cleaue vntounto it aboue all thou canſt feele, ſee or comprehend. O my God I will truſt in thee, though thou ſhouldeſt kill me: I will belieue thy fauour, when thou frowneſt vponupon me: and expect comfort when I lie groaning vnderunder the heauie weight of thy diſpleaſure. Thou cauſeſt man for a time to poſſeſſe the ſinnes which thou haſt pardoned: and I will belieue the pardon of my ſins, when thou ſe…meſt to ſet them in order before my face.
Thirdly, Hee muſt bee inſtant with the Lord to giuegive him both ſtrength of faith, and the ſight of his beliefe, that he may know he doth belieue vnfainedly. GiueGive me, Gratious Father, to belieue as thou commanded mee to relie vponupon thee. Thou ſtretcheſt forth thy hand in louelove, and offereſt rich treaſures of goodneſſe to them, that lay hold vponupon them; create in mee the hand of faith, that I may effectually receiue what in mercy thou reacheſt forth. The knowledge of faith is of thee, as is the gift it ſelfe: giuegive me the Spirit of reuelation, that I may diſcerne truly what thou haſt giuen me, that my lips may ſing of thy prayſe all the day long.
Fourthly, He muſt comfort his heart in the certaintie of Gods Word, though for the preſent he feele no comfort. Returne vntounto thy reſt, O my ſoule, for the Lord will deale bountifully with thee. His Word is gone forth in truth, waite a little while, and thou ſhalt behold the light of his countenance. The Lord deferreth to grant the comfort of forgiueneſſe,Why God deferreth to grant the profit of forgiueneſſe. that hee might confirme faith, traine thee vp in obedience, trie thy patience, preſerue his graces, and doe thee good in the later end. Thou art alreadie bleſſed, becauſe the grant of pardon is ſealed, and receiued: the ſence of deliuerance pertaineth to the execution, which for a little ſeaſon is deferred, that it may bee perfected with greater glory to God, and comfort to thy ſelfe. Bleſſed bee the Lord, who hath turned away his eyes from my tranſgreſſions, but hath not turned away his mercy from me. Reioyce in the Lord, O my ſoule, againe I ſay, reioyce: for he hath couered thine iniquities, and purged away thy ſinne, that thou ſhalt not die. Oh, the bleſſedneſſe of that man, whoſe iniquities are forgiuen, to whom the Lord imputeth no ſinne.
Fiftly, Thus faith is daily to be preſerued and quickened, vntounto which it is not vnprofitable to adde ſome thoughts concerning the bleſſedneſſe of the Man, whoſe debts are cancelled out of Gods Booke; the grace and louelove of God, who vouchſafeth to ſhew compaſſion herein, the price that was payed to diuine Iuſtice, that grace might iuſtly conferre this bleſſing vponupon them that belieue. Theſe things may ſerue to quicken the heart in the conſideration of this merciemercy.