A Treatise of Faith, Part 1 · Chapter 12
CHAP. XII.
Of the temptations whereby Satan ſeeketh to batter downe our faith, and how he may be reſiſted.
§. 1. Epheſ. 6.16. 1. Pet. 5.8.§. 1. THe Deuill knoweth right well, that faith is the band whereby we are knit vntounto Chriſt; the ſhield whereby wee quench the fierie darts of the Deuill, the ground-worke of a godly life, and the ſafe caſtle of a Chriſtian ſoule: If faith bee weakened, our zeale cooleth, our courage abateth, our life is tedious, our Prayers faint, the exerciſes of Religion vncomfortable, and all the graces of Gods Spirit pine and languiſh. Alſo by doubting and diſtruſt wee diſhonour God, lay open our hearts to temptations, diſcourage others and tie our owne hands that we cannot fight againſt our deadly enemies. For theſe cauſes Satan endeuours by all meanes to hinder, as the kindly taking ſo the growth of faith, that ſuch as he cannot hold in the chaines of ſinne, he might make their liues dead,Temptations againſt Faith. weariſome, vnprofitable by doubting and diſcomfort.
Firſt, Satan ſuggeſteth,1. Worthleſneſſe. that it is horrible preſumption for ſuch vile ſinners and worthleſſe wretches to perſwade themſelues of Gods ſpeciall louelove and fauour. And to this end he ſpareth not to ſet forth the maieſtie, iuſtice, and puritie of the Lord, that it might ſtrike the greater terrour into the wounded conſcience.
For the repelling of this temptation,Remedie. The ſence of our vnworthineſſe muſt not diſcourage vsus from belieuing. it is to be knowne and remembred that Gods merciemercy, fauour, promiſes, and benefits are all free, which hee vouchſafeth, offereth, beſtoweth, without any reſpect of worthineſſe or deſerts, of his meere grace and vndeſerued louelove in Ieſus Chriſt. And therefore as when wee are moſt worthy in our owne conceit, there is no reaſon wee ſhould preſume the more; ſo when wee find our ſelues vnworthy, there is no cauſe why wee ſhould hope the leſſe. For the ground of our confidence is the promiſe of free and vndeſerued merciemercy made in Chriſt Ieſus to miſerable forlorne ſinners, who ſee and acknowledge themſelues to be more vile then the mire in the ſtreet. And this ſets forth the prayſe of Gods merciemercy ſo much the more, that it is afforded to ſuch baſe abiects, who deſerue nothing: but to bee caſt forth and trodden vnderfoot. Should the priſoner doubt of his Princes merciemercy when hee heareth his pardon read, and ſeeth it ſealed, becauſe he hath merited no ſuch kindneſſe? Againe, it is good to call to minde and ſeriouſly to conſider what ſtrong encouragements wee hauehave to receiue the promiſes; and how wee are not more deſirous to belieue, then God is wee ſhould ſo doe. For God doth through louelove intreat vsus, of friendſhip counſell vsus,2. Cor. 5.19, 20. 1. Tim. 1.15. 1. Iohn 3 23, 24. and of his authoritie being able to performe commandeth vsus; as if hee would hereby ſhew that none hath authoritie to hinder or forbid the ſame. And therefore wee muſt be warned, to beware of all occaſions that may darken or put out the light of our confidence; as reaſoning or queſtioning againſt our ſelues for yeelding to this truth lately receiued &c.
§. 2. Satan will here obiect to the weake and timorous Chriſtian, that hee knowes not whether he bee of the number of Gods elect,§. 2. 2. They know not whether they be elected and therefore hath nothing to doe with the promiſes. If the Deuill ſet vponupon vsus in this ſort, wee muſt hold ſuch ſuggeſtions to ariſe from the Spirit of errour,Remedy. 1. Ioh. 3.23. 1. Tim 6.12. Heb. 10.35. Math. 13.31. Ioel 2.6.7. Ioh 10.27. Satan is not to be hearkened vntounto, nor reaſoned with, when he tempteth to Infidelitie. Gen. 3.1.2.3. becauſe they are contrarie to the voyce of God, who ſaith to the afflicted conſcience that is wearie of ſin, Belieue, lay hold on eternall life, caſt not a way thy confidence; Be eſtabliſhed, confirmed, and abound in faith. Therefore we muſt lend no eare to ſuch whiſperings of the old ſerpent, but cleaue faſt to the word of the Lord, and cut off all contrarie inchantments. It was the firſt degree to the vtter vndoing of her ſelfe and poſteritie in our Grandmother Eue, that ſhee opened her eare to a falſe and lying ſpirit in the mouth of a Serpent, which vnderunder a faire colour perſwaded, or rather couertly inticed and drew her to eate of the forbidden fruite. The decree of God which is ſecret in the boſome of the moſt High is not the rule according to which we muſt walke: but the word of life reuealed in holy Scriptures wee muſt take for our direction.Eph. 1.13. If God make offer of merciemercy and forgiueneſſe vntounto vsus in the miniſterie of the Goſpell, which is the word of truth, the word of ſaluation, wee are bound to receiue it without looking into the booke of his election: and if wee receiue them truely, we ſhall bee ſaued as the Lord hath ſpoken.
§. 3. If Satan be driuen from this hold, hee ſollicites to feare, becauſe many doubts and motions of diſtruſt ariſe in the heart;§. 3. 3. They are full of doubtings. Pſal. 2….1.2. and 77.10.11. as if there could bee no faith where there are ſo many doubts. And it cannot be denied, but motions to diſtruſt argue faith to bee weake, which is a want that many of Gods people doe bewaile in themſelues, and for which they doe well-nigh deſpaire in themſelues.Remedie. Faith may bee true that is weake. Ioh. 4 39 41.52. Math. 20.20.18 Luk. 9.45. Mar. 9.32. Luk 24.11. Iohn 13.38. and 14.5. Act. 1.6. Notwithſtanding let not any bee out of heart, for the ſmall and ſcantie meaſure of his faith, if he huae true faith, wel-rooted. For faith may bee true and liuely, that is but weake and ſmall. For difference in degrees doth not varie the nature of wel-rooted affiance. And God requireth the truth of faith, but it is not neceſſarie, that it bee perfect in degree. If a Prince ſhould proferre a pardon to a malefactor vponupon this condition onelyonly that hee receiue it, would hee queſtion his Soueraignes bountie and grace, becauſe he put forth a palſey-ſhaking hand? To doubt of Gods mercy becauſe our faith is feeble, is rather to relie vponupon our faith then vponupon the Lord. It is not the excellencie and great meaſure of faith that doth make vsus righteous before God, but Chriſt whom faith doth receiue and apprehend: which a weake faith can doe as well as the ſtrongeſt. They that did looke on the braſen ſerpent but with one eye, yea but with halfe an eye were as well and fully cured of the deadly ſtings of the fierie ſerpents, as thoſe which beheld it with both. As a ſmall and weake hand is able to receiue an almes as well as a ſtronger and greater: ſo our faith though feeble, doth receiue Chriſt as truely and effectually for the ſaluation of the belieuer, as the greateſt and moſt ſtrong. In the manner of receiuing there is ſome difference [for the more firme our confidence, the g…eater is our comfort] but in the truth none at all. Againe it is not faith, but Chriſt receiued by faith that nouriſheth to life eternall. Meate reached to the mouth by a trembling hand ſuſtaineth the body no leſſe, then if it were applied by an arme of ſtrength; the goodnes of the nouriſhment receiuing no change or alteration from the externall inſtrument of application: ſo here Chriſt is the ſame to them that receiue him truly, though it be done in one with more, in another with leſſe ſtrength of affiance. We read in Scripture, that Chriſt reproued ſome for their ſmall faith, that they might ſtirre vp themſelues more confidently to relie vponupon him: but wee hauehave not heard,Math. 12.20. Eſay 42.3. Mark. 9.24. that he euer reiected any that came to him in weakenes, deſi ing to be confirmed. The leaſt grain… of faith, if true, is acceptable vntounto the Lord: Hee will not quench the ſmoaking flaxe. His diſlike of our weaknes is an argument of his louelove & care for our good, who would hauehave vsus to be ſetled in the aſſurance of his fauour, and not to wauer in vncertainties to our great diſcomfort. The ſtrait charge he hath laid vponupon vsus to belieue, & the ſeuere threatnings annexed to that his Cōmandement if we obey it not, is a manifeſt euidence of his bountie & will good towards vsus, who is pleaſed thus to binde vsus vntounto himſelfe, to confirme vntounto vsus his louelove, & ſo vndoubtedly to aſſure vsus of his merciemercy, that it is to him a matter of vnkindnes, if we ſhall once make doubt or ſcruple of it. Doth any man miſtruſt the affection of his friend, becauſe hee hath oft charged him not to be ſtrange, to make bold with him in any matter of importāce & need, & hath rebuked him becauſe he ſtands aloofe as though he ſhold not be welcome.
§. 4. Some are diſmaid, for that they cannot keep their faith (for any continuance) ſtrong and ſtedfaſt,§. 4. 4. They cannot keepe their faith ſtrong and ſtedfaſt. but they feele it wauering, inconſtant, flitting, ſo that they fall into great ſorrow, feare and doubtings. For their comfort they muſt know that there is no ſhadow of change with God,Remedy. Iames 1.17. Pſal. 77.10.11. Rom. 11.29. and that it is their weakneſſe ſo to thinke. Men are variable in their affections, whom they dote vponupon this day, they deteſt to morrow: But ſuch lightneſſe and vanitie is farre from our God: His louelove, merciemercy, and gifts of grace are all vnchangeable. Alſo they muſt be perſwaded, that labouring after and groaning to reſt their wearied ſoules vponupon the promiſes of mercy, being neuer ſatiſfied till their doubtfullneſſe be remoued will bring a good end;Want of feeling argueth not want of faith. ſo that they ſhall neither miſcarrie, nor be fo ſaken of the Lord in the loweſt depth of their diſtreſſe. And though for a time they feele not that they hauehave faith or life, they may truely be aliue vntounto God, as it is euident by ſun…rie teſtimon…es and properties of the new birth, which may bee di…cerned in them who doe moſt complaine of their eſtates. A man ſuddenly ſtriken to the ground and amazed with ſome violent blow, wanteth not life altogether, though hee perceiue it not: Breathing and mouing are infallible tokens of life in the body, which by many likelihoods appeareth to bee de…d: ſo painting & breathing after the conſolations of the Lord, and the l ght of his countenance, be vndoubted ſignes of the new birth, though they bee not eaſily diſcerned (eſpecially in the houre of temptation) by them in whom they are. Wherefore the weake in faith muſt be wiſe in heart, and not meaſure themſelues by their preſent faintings and infirmities: but wait vponupon God, and vſe the meanes which hee hath preſcribed in his word. As child en firſt learne to goe by a ſtoole or forme; ſicke folke recouer their taſt or ſtrength by little and little; plants ſhoote not vp ſuddenly and at once, but by degrees, corne ſuffers many a ſharpe ſtorme before it come to r…penes: ſo faith hath it beginning, growth, and confirmation; calmes and ſtormes to ripen it. If it be demaunded, why doth God deale thus with his children, and ſuffer them to fall into ſuch depth of doubting, ſorrow and feare. The anſwer is, that in regard of the belieuer himſelfe this doubting is a weakeneſſe,Why the faithfull are ſubiect to ſuch doubts and want of feeling. which muſt be with-ſtood and ouercome: For the attaining whereto, the occaſion of this doubting in him who hath once belieued muſt bee ſearched out, and ſo remoued: which ordinarily is our owne infirmitie, neglect of dutie, and ſleightnes in the manner of performing the ſame, or ſome particular ſin, fo proneſſe to ſinne and nouriſhing the ſame, or long lying therein; whereupon the tender conſcience feareth that his former comfort was but deceitfull and vaine, and ſo doubteth of his good eſtate. But this falleth out by the wiſe prouidence of God ſo diſpoſing, leaſt by the ſuddaine change from ſo damnable and vncomfortable an eſtate to ſo happie and ioyfull, he ſhould be lifted vp and conceited, and ſo become ſecure and preſumptuous. Againe this maketh him the more to p…ize the ſenſe of Gods merciemercy, and with the greater care to preſerue his faith, and to ſhunne all ſinne and wickednes, which might hinder the apprehenſion of his continuall louelove.
§. 5. Satan tempteth ſome to doubt, becauſe at firſt they receiued the truth without due tryall§. 5. 5. They receiued the truth at firſt without due tryall. and examination whoſe dutie it is carefully to reforme whatſoeuer they eſpie to hauehave beene amiſſe: but for one rotten poſt it is no wiſedome to pull downe the whole building.Remedy. 1. Ioh. 1.9. For God is mercifull, and readie to forgiue our imperfections, when vponupon the knowledge and ſight wee confeſſe and bewaile them.Faith may bee true, though much were amiſſe, when firſt we receiued, the truth. The Diſciples at firſt followed Chriſt in hope of temporall preferment, and yet their faith was ſound & true; for when they came to the knowledge of their errour, they reformed it, & did ſtill inſeperably cleaue vntounto him. It is the great wiſedome and merciemercy of the Lord, for a time to hide from his children the ſight of their infirmities and wants, and nowithſtanding their manifold weakeneſſes to afford vntounto them the ſence of his louelove, leaſt they ſhould be vtterly diſcouraged and faint vnderunder the burden for want of experience, finding the entrance into life hard and difficult. Naturall diſcretion teacheth vsus to deale with children according to their abilitie, & not to diſhearten them by exacting what is aboue their ſtrength: The like compaſſion doth the Lord ſhew to his, by the comforts of his Spirit preparing them to endure the aſſaults of Satan.
§. 6. Many Chriſtians be exerciſed with this temptation, that they cannot bee the children of God, becauſe they neuer had that deepe ſorrow§. 6. 6. They neuer had that deep ſorrow, which many hauehave felt. and long lying vnderunder it that many of their Brethren hauehave had.Remedy. God deales not with all alike. Whereas they ſhould know, that not mens examples but Gods word muſt be our rule of direction. The Lord dealeth not with all alike, becauſe in wiſedome hee knoweth what is moſt meete for eueryevery man. Doth any man complaine becauſe his ioynts are ſet, or his wounds cured with little ſmart and paine? The Phyſician knowes beſt the ſtrength of his patient, and what hee can beare: what is neceſſarie for one, would kill another. It is good to grieue,Faith may bee ſound in thē, who neuer found ſuch depth of ſorrow, as others hauehave done. becauſe we can grieue no more for ſinne: But to doubt of Gods louelove, becauſe he deales gently with vsus, leaſt we ſhould be ſwallowed vp of ſorrow, is great ignorance, weakneſſe and folly. God many times keepes from his ſeruants the horrible and gaſtly aſpect of their ſinnes in wonderfull merciemercy, leaſt the horrour of them and Gods wrath due for them, ſhould ouer-whelme them.Hoſ. 2.14. Acts 16.14, 15. If God by inticements and ſpeaking to thy heart hauehave brought thee home vntounto him, thou haſt cauſe to magnifie the tender merciemercy of the Lord, who hath not dealt with thee after thine iniquities: for had hee ſet thee vponupon the racke, as many hauehave beene, thou haſt reaſon to thinke, thou hadſt neuer beene able to beare it. Feare of conſcience, griefe of minde, doubtfulneſſe of ſaluation commends no man to God; neither is it againſt a man or with him in aſſuring himſelfe of ſaluation, whether he hauehave long or ſhort time beene preſſed with ſuch ſorrowes, but that he be well freed and deliuered from ſuch trouble, and diſcharged of his feare.
§. 7. A poore Chriſtian is oft put to great plunges through the malice of Satan, becauſe there is much weakneſſe of ſpirituall life in him, hee neuer felt any great ſtrength of grace in himſelfe,§. 7. 7. They neuer felt any great ſtrength of grace. and what he formerly felt is now decayed.Remedy. By this Temptation God doth chaſten our pride and ſwelling of heart, vnthankefulneſſe, diſcontinuance of care to cheriſh and increaſe receiued graces by meanes ſanctified, running into occaſions of decay and cooling, and contentment with a ſmall pittance of grace, faith, hol…neſſe: For all which ſinnes and other of like kind, we muſt vnfainedly humble our ſelues before God, crauing pardon of his meere grace and merciemercy. This Humiliation is a ſpeciall meanes to eaſe the conſcience; as the wound doth ceaſe raging when it is opened and well drawne.Wee may hauehave true faith, though we neuer had any great ſtrength of grace. And it muſt bee remembred, that wee are but children, and therefore weake; yea, and ſubiect to many ſpirituall diſeaſes ſuch as take away ſence of life: and therefore we muſt ſeeke to be cured, and not deſpaire of life. When any one part or member is diſtempered or ill at eaſe, we deſpaire not of the ſafetie of the whole perſon, but labour to cure and reſtore it to health againe: ſo when wee hauehave offended, wee ſhould reſort to the Phyſitian Chriſt Ieſus, make our complaint to him, and bee confident for his promiſe ſake that hee will helpe vsus. And if they who hauehave falne and offended God,Ier. 3.1. may turne home againe to their firſt Husband with good welcome, ſhall not they much more bee beloued of him, and comforted by him, who hauehave not prouoked him, but are only held downe through feare and infirmitie. And though their graces bee ſmall, they may bee true whiles they bee ſmall. Little faith is faith, as a little fire is fire. God deſpiſeth not little things in obedience offered to him. In the ſacrifices of the Law, not the price of the gift, but the abilitie and affection of the offerer was reſpected.Luke 21.2, 3, 4. And if weakneſſe of grace was any iuſt cauſe of feare, who might aſſure himſelfe of Gods louelove? Not one. For though ſome hauehave grace in greater meaſure then others, yet all are compaſſed with infirmities, and hauehave not attained vntounto perfection. But it is not ſo much enquired how great or little, as how ſincere our faith and obedience is. Faith if it bee vnfained, though but as a graine of Muſtard ſeed; obedience, if it bee heartie, though mingled with many infirmities hath promiſe of gracious acceptation. And the ſmalleſt beginnings are pledges of greater fauours, where there is thankfull acceptance and conſcionable vſe of thoſe alreadie receiued to the glory of the beſtower.
§. 8. If what was formerly felt bee now decayed in feeling, euen in Gods deareſt children there may be decay§. 8. 8. What they formerly felt is now decaied. of graces in part, and for a time.Remedie. Phil. 4.10. Math. 16.18. In Gods deareſt children there may bee decay of graces. Of the Philippians the Apoſtle ſaith, your care beginneth to ſpring againe: belike they had their winter whom a new ſpring reuiued. It is true the Lord hath promiſed, that Hell gates ſhall neuer preuaile vtterly to ouerthrow the faith of his choſen, or any other grace radically accompanying ſaluation: but to preſerue continuall ſenſible exerciſe of any grace, he hath no where promiſed. The graces of God doe ebbe and ſlow in his ſeruants (and that by the wiſe diſpoſition of God) leſt if we had attained facilitie in all things, wee ſhould thinke that our owne, which is meerely his worke. Who amongſt the faithfull doth alwayes heare with equall attention, reuerence, chearefulneſſe, &c. or pray with like earneſtneſſe of deſire, feeling of wants, aſſurance to be heard, or ſubmiſſion to Gods will? or doe any thing at all times, ſo as at ſome. The Lord many times withdrawes the vſe of ſome particular grace, that ſome other may in greater meaſure ſhew forth it ſelfe in vsus. Ioy and reioycing in his merciemercy hee withholds, that he might bring to the practice of humiliation.
§. 9. What if a Chriſtian cannot finde, no not after ſearch and examination, any liuely ſence or feeling of faith;§. 9. 9. They cannot find any liuely ſence of of faith. nay, he cannot diſcerne any faith at all in himſelfe? Hereby the Lord may correct our vnthankfulneſſe for mercies formerly receiued,Remedy. or that preſumptuous licence we took to our ſelues in ſinning, or in queſtioning with our ſelues of his graces: All which things wee are heartily to confeſſe and bewaile. But for the comfort of the diſtreſſed, hee is to know, that ſometimes graces may lie hid, yea, and worke in reſpect of our acknowledgment inſenſibly.Wee may not conclude, there is no truth of grace in vsus, becauſe we cannot perceiue and feele it. The ſeed of faith cannot be loſt, after it is once planted in an honeſt and good heart by the holy Spirit: but the ſight thereof may bee hid from our knowledge, and the liuely functions thereof intermitted. The child liues in the mothers wombe, though it know not ſo much. Life remaines in a man fallen into a dead ſwound, wherein he is depriued for a time of vnderſtanding, reaſon, memorie, ſence, motion, and all apparant vitall functions. The tree liues in winter, though nipped with froſts, and weather-beaten with tempeſts, dead in appearance. Coales raked cloſe vnderunder the aſhes, that they giuegive neither heat nor light, doe y…t retaine both, though they ſhew not forth themſelues. There is a generation pure in their owne eyes, who are not purged from their iniquities:Prou. 30.12 the moſt holy are not priuie to all their ſecret ſins, nor throughly acquainted with the deceitfulneſſe of their owne hearts: And the graces of the Spirit may lie hid in the hearts of the regenerate,Pſ…l. 19.12. and worke inſenſibly to their feeling and diſcerning, as well as corruption lurke ſecretly and worke priuily in the ſoule both of regenerate and vnregenerate. An argument drawne from his ſence and feeling: may hauehave ſome colour in the conceit of a diſtreſſed minde: but in truth it is a deceitfull reaſoning to conclude, That they hauehave no faith, becauſe they hauehave no ſence or feeling thereof in their apprehenſion. In the agonie of conſcience none are more vnfit to iudge of our eſtate, then wee of our owne. Though at other times we be ſicke of ſelfe-louelove, and too partiall in our owne caſe; yet in this ſtate, towards our ſelues wee are moſt vncharitable; and being out of louelove with our ſelues, wee are apt to derogate from the worke of Gods Spirit in vsus.In time of temptation the godly doe erre many wayes in examination of themſelues. It is moſt certaine alſo, that in the examination and triall of our eſtates we commit no ſmall errours in the time of temptation, the minde being clouded with the miſts of Satans ſuggeſtions, and the heart ſo diſtempered with feare, that we cannot diſcerne the graces of God in vsus, nor acknowledge boldly what in a ſort we ſee. Suggeſtions we take to be ſinnes of conſent and purpoſe; failing in the purpoſed meaſure of ſeruing God or in ſome particular, we diſtinguiſh not from falling from our generall purpoſe to cleaue vntounto God in the performance of all duties of holineſſe and righteouſneſſe: we put not difference betwixt abſolute falling from purpoſe, and failing in execution of purpoſe in ſome particular. Common infirmities wee iudge preſumptuous ſinnes, or ſuch blemiſhes as cannot bee in the Saints of God: paſſions we eſteeme as deliberate purpoſed reſolutions: and motions to diſtruſt, which are euidences of weakneſſe, are ſuppoſed pregnant tokens of totall infidelitie. Certaintie of adherence is not diſtinguiſhed from certaintie of euidence: if we find not aſſurance of pardon, we conclude there is no faith, though poſſibly at the preſent, wee reſolue to roll our ſelues vponupon the faithfull promiſe of God, and powre out our ſoules for merciemercy. The Lord diuerſly giues euidence of his Spirits preſence in vsus. Sometimes a childe of God perceiues little difference in practice betwixt himſelfe and very aliens; yet let him view his affections, he may ſee grace there; ſometimes againe more may be ſeene in practice, then in the affection. When the heart is ouer-whelmed with feare and doubt, a man cannot finde louelove, ioy, or delight in the Word of God; but then his frequenting the houſe of God, his priuate reading and conference, are teſtimonies that his will is bent to the Law of God. But theſe things are not obſerued in the times of diſtreſſe and bitter anguiſh, whence it followeth, that God may euidence his preſence with vsus by the Spirit of grace, when by reaſon of our frailtie we cannot diſcerne it.
Furthermore, if a man can diſcerne no ſparke of grace,If a man can diſcerne no ſpark of grace in himſelfe for the preſent, he is not to deſpaire. nor feele any good thing in himſelfe, he is not to deſpaire. But as the ſence and feeling of his preſent ſtate ought to humble him vnderunder Gods hand, and moue him to enter into a ſerious examination of himſelfe, and to vnfained repentance for his ſinnes: ſo muſt hee take comfort vntounto himſelfe, and prop vp his weake declining faith, by calling to minde former times,Pſal. 77.3, 9, 10, 11. and wherein the Lord hath cauſed his mercifull and gracious countenance to ſhine vponupon him, and wherein hee hath glorified God by an holy life and conuerſation. For if euer he hath diſcerned the graces of Gods Spirit by the fruits of ſanctification, they are not vtterly taken away, though for a time they bee buried from his ſight, that hee cannot find them. The ſeed is not dead that lyeth all winter vnderunder the clods, and appeareth not by fruit aboue ground. If hee bee not able to gather comfort from former experience, but be readie to queſtion that alſo, yet muſt hee not giuegive way to vncomfortable and deading ſorrow: becauſe the thirſtie ſoule, who neither feeleth inward ſap,Eſay 55.1, 2. Math. 11.28. nor findeth outward fruit of grace, is called to come vntounto Chriſt the fountaine of liuing waters, that in him and by him he might be eaſed, refreſhed, made fruitfull. This gratious inuitation the poore ſoule muſt lay hold vponupon, and ſay within himſelfe, I will draw neere vntounto the God of my ſaluation and truſt in him, for I hauehave his firme and ſtable promiſe, that I ſhall be watered with grace and refreſhed with comfort. If I be hungrie, hee hath plentie of prouiſion; if barren, drie, and withered, with him there is abundance of grace, that I may be enriched.
§. 10. The Deuill, who goeth about like a roaring Lion ſeeking whom hee may deuoure, will not ſpare to ſuggeſt, to the contrite and humbled ſoule, that God cannot or will not forgiue his tranſgreſſions, which hauehave beene moſt hainous for qualitie, many for number,§. 10. 1. Pet. 5.8. 10. Their ſins be many in number, and hainous for qualitie. and in which hee hath long liued and continued. And it may be the Lord would hereby correct our former conceits in the dayes of our vanitie,Remedie. that of all things pardon of ſinnes is moſt eaſily obtained, that it was but a ſleight and ſmall thing to ſinne againſt God, that wee might well enough take our fill of ſinne for the time, and turne to the Lo d in old age and ſickneſſe. But withall this thought muſt be held to ariſe from Satan, and ſhunned as repugnant to the truth of God.The hainouſneſſe or number of our ſins make vsus not vncapable of merciemercy.
For the promiſe of pardon is made to repentant ſinners without limitation to any time, perſon, qualitie or number of offences. And for the remedie and remouall of this temptation, firſt, wee ſhould humble our ſelues before God for our light eſteeme of ſinne, and procraſtination or delayes:2. Cor. 1.3. Eſay 55.7. Iames 5.7. Ier. 3.1, 2.3.13, 14. 11. They feele the heauie burden of Gods wrath. And then conſider the endleſnes of Gods mercies in Chriſt, the price which was paid for our redemption, the ſweet promiſes propounded in the Word, the ſtableneſſe and perpetuitie of the Couenant, and the examples of great ſinners receiued to merciemercy. And what if a man ſenſibly feele the heauie burthen of Gods wrath, and plainely diſcerne his frowning and angry countenance? Though ſence of Gods louelove faile, faith may continue ſtrong.Remedie. Iob 13.15. Heb. 11.1. Faith may bee ſtrong, when wee hauehave no ſence or feeling of merciemercy. For faith is not grounded vponupon ſence and feeling: but vponupon Gods gracious promiſes, immutable goodneſſe, and infallible truth. Yea, when ſence and feeling ceaſe, then faith which is the euidence of things not ſeene, beginneth it chiefe worke: and the moſt excellent faith ſheweth it ſelfe moſt clearely when we hauehave no ſence or feeling, or when we feele the plaine contrarie. Faith looketh to the promiſe, merciemercy, power and truth of God, and to the manner of his working: and ſeeing his merciemercy is incomprehenſible, his power infinite, his manner of working by contraries, his truth firme and immoueable, therefore in the greateſt terrours it belieueth peace, when God ſheweth himſelfe an enemie, it apprehendeth him louing and mercifull, and out of the deepeſt humiliation, aboue ſence or reaſon, gathereth the ſweeteſt conſolation. If euer we hauehave taſted of Gods louelove and merciemercy, liuely faith concludeth that wee are ſtill in his louelove and fauour,Iames 1.17. Iohn 13 1, 2. whatſoeuer we apprehend in our preſent ſence and feeling: for whom hee loueth, to the end hee loueth them. Yea, faith goeth before experience or ſence of merciemercy, and waiteth for ſaluation in Chriſt, in the depth of miſerie, grounding it ſelfe meerely vponupon the Word of truth which cannot lie. Wee belieue to taſte the goodneſſe of the Lord, not becauſe we hauehave felt alreadie, how kind the Lord is; though we may make vſe of feelings paſt to ſuſtaine vsus in preſent agonies.
Experience and ſence is a ſtay or prop for our better eaſe, not the ground vponupon which our faith leaneth; and though it be ſhaken faith continueth firme. If therefore at any time our ſence and feeling tell vsus one thing (namely that God hath caſt vsus off foreuer, and will neuer looke graciouſly vponupon vsus) and the Word of God aſſure vsus of another (to wit, that God doth louelove vsus, and will neuer forſake vsus vtterly) wee are not to giuegive credit to our owne feeling, but to Gods Word. For our ſence is oft deceiuing, ſpecially in matters of godlineſſe: but the Word of the Lord is ſincere and abideth for euer. In bodily diſeaſes of ſome kinde, wee truſt more to the iudgement of a skilfull Phyſicion, then to our owne conceits: and ſhall we not thinke, that God knowes our ſpirituall eſtate better then we our ſelues? What can we belieue in matters of religion, if we belieue not more then we can diſcerne by ſence or reaſon? The being of a thing, and the ſenſible diſcerning of the thing to bee are diuers. Howſoeuer at ſometimes they concurre, yet oftentimes they are ſeuered and diſioyned. Becauſe the Sunne appeareth not to vsus at Mid-night, ſhall wee conclude, that it neuer hath, or will ſhine to vsus againe. Shall a childe imagine his Father neuer did or will truly louelove him hereafter, becauſe for the preſent hee doth not admit him into his preſence, or afford him a fauourable and louely countenance? No leſſe abſurd, but more iniurious is it to our heauenly Father, to coniecture, that no grace or fauour is to bee ſound with God, ſeeing now the beames of his louelove and merciemercy are hidden from vsus. The deareſt ſeruants of God, who hauehave beene indued with moſt eminent graces, and highly aduanced into ſpeciall fauour with him, hauehave yet in their owne ſence apprehended wrath and indignation…,Pſal. 22.1, 2. & 38.3, 4. & 77.7. & 88.14. Ier. 20.14, 15. inſtead of louelove and fauour, diſpleaſure inſtead of comfort, and trouble inſtead of peace. Did God tenderly reſpect them, when he ſeemed to teare them in pieces, and to breake their bones like a roaring Lion: and ſhall wee iudge of his affection by our preſent feeling.
§. 11. But what if we hauehave long vſed the means of grace, and can finde no comfort? In this caſe,§. 11. 12. They hauehave long vſed the meanes of grace, and can finde no comfort. Cant. 5.2.3. wee muſt repent of the former neglect to accept of grace offered, and pray to God to forgiue and pardon it. Wee muſt alſo examine our hearts with all care and diligence to finde out the ſins which haply doe hinder comfort, and bewailing the ſame, ſtirre vp our ſelues to receiue the promiſes.Remedy. For oft times the entertaining of ſome boſome ſinne, which wee are loath to part withall, is that which m kes the breach in our conſcience. And ſometimes we walke without comfort, not ſo much becauſe God withholds it, as that wee put it from vsus;The godly ſometimes walke without comfort, becauſe they put it from themſelues. either not knowing that we are called to belieue, or not encouraging our ſelues to ſtriue againſt feares, or ſhutting our eyes againſt the euidences of grace, that God hath beſtowed vponupon vsus, or m ſt…king what the teſtimonie of the Spirit is, whereby God witneſſeth to vsus that wee are his children. For whiles wee take it to be ſome vocall teſtimonie, which certifyeth vsus againſt feares and doubts, euen in the middeſt of temptations, and in a manner whether wee will or no; we fall into no ſmall perplexities,Oftentimes God cauſeth his Children to ſeeke long before they finde comfort. 2 Cor. 12.8. not finding any ſuch certificate in our ſelues, whereas the witneſſe of the Spirit is cleane of another nature. This is no new thing, that God ſhould cauſe his children to ſeeke long before they find comfort. The Apoſtle in like extremitie beſought the Lord thrice, that is often, before hee receiued anſwer. And though God delay, either to chaſten neglects, or to kindle affection, or that graces hardly obtained may be valued according to their worth, yet will he not alwayes deſpiſe his children that cry vntounto him day and night. The ardent deſire ſhall at length bee ſatisfied, the panting ſoule bee refreſhed with the waters of conſolation Comfort and ioy is the reward of our obedience: but patient waiting is a pleaſing and acceptable ſeruice to God. It is Gods worke to giuegive comfort, it is our dutie to waite for it in the wayes of holineſſe. Let vsus bee contented to ſerue God freely without wages, and in the end, we ſhall be no looſers. Remiſſion of ſinnes and peace of conſcience are fauours worth waiting for. If the Lord ſhould keepe vsus on the racke euen till the laſt gaſpe, and then impart vntounto vsus the leaſt drop of his merciemercy or ſence of his louelove in Ieſus Chriſt, his grace were vnſpeakeable towards our ſoules: & let vsus not then thinke much to waite in patience a little while. We hauehave not waited ſo many yeares in the meanes of grace for comfort, as God hath waited for our conuerſion. If wee hauehave made him to ſtand knocking at the doore of our hearts long before wee gaue him entrance, let it not ſeeme tedious, if the Lord doe not forthwith open to vsus the doore of his priuie chamber, & admit vsus to the ſweete fellowſhip and communion with him. Comforts when they come are vſually proportioned to the meaſure of tribulation, and multitude of feruent prayers powred out before the Lord. Much trouble receiues in the end plentifull conſolation.
§. 12. Satan moleſteth ſome Chriſtians with feare of of falling into ſome fearefull extremitie:§. 12. 13. They are afraid of falling into ſome fearefull extremitie. How this temptation is to be reſiſted. Luk. 22.32. Rom. 8.24.35. Phil. 1.6. Rom. 11.29. Pſal. 37.24. By which temptation it pleaſeth God to acquaint men with their owne weakenes, and to chaſten or preuent pride, ſecuritie, raſh cenſuring of others that hauehave fallen into ſuch diſcomforts, or the like. But for the remedie thereof let them labour to fortifie faith in the gracious promiſes which God hath made to his children of ſuſtentation & perſeruation. As faith increaſeth, ſo feare abateth; as it ebs ſo feare flows. And let them to this end conſider, that Chriſt hath prayed for preſeruation againſt all ſeperating extreames. And God that cannot lie, hath promiſed to keepe his children from vtter declining, and to eſtabliſh them that be feeble and readie to fall. The Lord hath made it knowne to be his will and pleaſure, that hee will neuer take away that grace which once he hath giuen, but increaſe it rather till it be perfected and accompliſhed: and when we are aſſured of his will, wee may relie vponupon his power for the effecting of it, and inferre he will keepe vsus ſafely, becauſe he is able to eſtabiſh and confirme vsus. The greater our weakeneſſe is in grace, and the more grieuous our ſickneſſe through ſinne, and the noyſome humours of corruption, the more carefully will he watch ouer vsus with his Almightie power. The ſtrong cannot ſtand by their owne might if God withdraw his hand: and the weakeſt ſhall bee able to ouercome their mightieſt enimies being vnderpropped by the Lord. What flouds of trouble ſoeuer doe flow ouer vsus, wee ſhall eſcape drowning, if the Lord hold vp our chinne. Feare is a deceitfull and malitious paſſion, tyrannicall, raſh and inconſiderate, proceeding oftentimes from want of iudgement, more then from the preſence or approach of euill to be feared, tormenting with the dread of what ſhall neuer come, we were neuer in danger of: It is therefore valiantly to be reſiſted, not to bee belieued or reaſoned withall. Feare in our owne ſtrength is by all meanes to bee cheriſhed: but diffidence in Gods power, merciemercy, goodneſſe, truth and prouidence is to bee abandoned. The ſtrong muſt not preſume in himſelfe, though more excellent then others in grace, nor the weake diſtruſt in the Lord, though feeble, and not able to goe high-lone. The hope of preſeruation ſtaying vponupon inherent grace is ſelfe confidence: and the feare of falling ariſing from the ſence of weakenes is diffidence in God. In holy Scripture we ſhall finde, that the ſtrongeſt hauehave fallen, when the weake hauehave ſtood and they hauehave beene foiled moſt grieuouſly, not in the greateſt aſſaults, but when they hauehave giuen way to their luſts, neglected their watch, or were growen ſecure and dreaded no danger. The Lord beſt knowes the ſtrength of his childe, and will not ſuffer him to bee ouertaken with thoſe vncomfortable falls out of which he ſhall not recouer.
§. 13. Sundrie Chriſtians through the malice of the§. 13. 14. They ſhall neuer hold out to the end. Deuill, bee vnſetled with feares, that notwithſtanding all their care they ſhall neuer hold out in faith and an holy courſe of life vntounto the end: but by perſecutions or other afflictions and prouocations ſhall bee turned backe; ſpecially conſidering that they are maruellous apt to ſlip and coole in time of peace, and whileſt they liue vnderunder the meanes of grace. This feare is to be remoued by calling to Minde the promiſes of God ſo plentifully and richly ſet downe in the word of grace.How this temptation is to be remooued. And they muſt conſider, that the ſame God who keepes them in time of peace, and bleſſeth the meanes of grace whileſt they doe inioy them, is able and will vphold them in the time of trouble, and when meanes be wanting of our ſelues wee ſtand not at any time, by his power wee may ouercome at all times. And when wee are ſoreſt aſſaulted, he is euer ready at our right hand to ſupport and ſtay vsus that wee ſhall not fall.Pſal. 16.8. Hee hath well begun, and ſhall happily goe forward in his worke, who hath in truth begun. For true grace well planted in the heart, how weake ſoeuer, ſhall hold out for euer. All total decaies come from this, that the heart was neuer truly mollified, nor grace deepely and kindly rooted therein. And as for preſent weakeneſſes it is good to acknowledge & bewaile thē,Luk. 8.13. but they muſt not for ſome imperfections caſt downe themſelues halfe deſperately, as though God regarded them not, or they ſhould wither and vtterly decay. For as the drie and thirſtie ground or ſpunge ſucketh vp much water; ſo the humble ſpirit drinkes vp much grace, and ſhall be repleniſhed abundantly with the waters of comfort. And if their portion of grace be the ſmalleſt of all others, they muſt ſtriue to grow forward, but without diſcouragement. For of ſmall beginnings come great proceedings: of one little ſparke a mightie flame: of a ſmall Acorne a mightie Oake; of a graine of Muſtard-ſeed a great tree: and a little leauen ſeaſoneth the whole lumpe. All feares and doubts which ariſe in their hearts, muſt driue them to send vp earneſt prayers to God daily and oft for this grace of faith to bee more firmely rooted in them: which they muſt doe willingly an… gladly, that they may feele their doubting and feare to vaniſh as faſt, as they perceiue their hold in the promiſes of God to waxe ſtronger.
§. 14. Satan beares many in hand, that their manifold croſſes and troubles in the world,§. 14. 15. They are many wayes croſſed and afflicted. and their want of outward bleſſings, is an argument of Gods diſpleaſure towards them. This was the fierie dart, which he by the mouthes of Eliphas, Bildad and Tz…phar (yea of his owne wife) did ſhoote at Iob; againſt all which, if hee had not held out the ſhield of faith he had beene pierced through and through. And we ſee by daily experience, that when a godly Man is croſſed in his wife, children, goods, reputation, theſe outward afflictons are often great occaſions of deadly ſorrowes, and grieuous temptations touching the aſſurance of his owne ſaluation. The remedy is, To thinke ſeriouſly and to acquaint our ſelues familiarlie with the properties of God; the truth,Remedie. vnchangeableneſſe and nature of his promiſes,Outward croſſes are no arguing of Gods diſpleaſure. Iob. 5.17. Pro. ….12. Iam. 1.12. Heb. 12.7.8.9.10 11.12. and the manner of his dealing with others of his ſeruants in his wonderfull prouidence. For thereby we ſhall learne, that God doth louelove tenderly, when he doth correct ſeuerely; and remaineth vnchangeable when our outward condition doth varie and alter: yea, that all his Chaſtiſements are but purgatiue medicines to preuent or cure ſome ſpirituall diſeaſe, which hee ſeeth wee are inclined vntounto. Should God neuer miniſter phyſicke till we ſee it needfull, deſire to take it, or bee willing of it; alas, wee ſhould periſh in our corruptions, and die for want of helpe in due time. It is good to humble our ſelues when god correcteth: but to doubt of his louelove, when he dealeth louingly with vsus, is a great weakneſſe. Alſo we ſhould call to minde that God allowes, yea requires, that men in affliction ſhould liue by faith, both for a ſanctified vſe in them, and a good iſſue out of them in due ſeaſon. And ſo afflictions or earthly encumbrances would bee no meanes to weaken our faith, but to increaſe it rather.
§. 15. Some godly perſons, by the ſubtle and cruell malice of the Deuill are brought to this bondage,§. 15. 16. They are ſtrongly poſſeſſed with feare, that God hath vtterly caſt them off. that they are perſwaded that they are vtter reprobates, and hauehave no remedy againſt their deſperation. And this temptation enough of it ſelfe to ſhake and terrifie the afflicted, is made farre more grieuous when Melancholie poſſeſſeth the partie: for that raiſeth exceſſe of diſtruſt and feare, and cauſeth the partie to perſwade himſelfe of miſerie, where there is no cauſe. In this weakenes Satan aſſailes ſuch poore ſeruants of God by ſpirituall ſuggeſtion, tempting them to ſuch ſinnes as be very ſtrange, and ſuch as they abhorre the very leaſt conceit of them, and when by ſuch temptations they are brought low, in the anguiſh and bitternes of their ſoules, the Deuill laboureth eſpecially to dimme their knowledge and iudgement, that they may hauehave no ſure hold of any point of doctrine, which may ſoundly comfort them, that ſo he may as a roaring Lyon deuoure them ſpeedily. And when hee hath couered their hearts with darkenes, and brought them into a dreadfull feare of Gods wrath, hee holdeth them at this vantage, that eueryevery thing which is before them, is made matter to encreaſe their diſtreſſed eſtate. For the ſtay and comfort of ſuch diſtreſſed ſoules,How Chriſtians in this diſtreſſe and anguiſh are to be comforted. they are to be perſwaded, that they bee not vnderunder the wrath of God, neither is his anger kindled againſt them, for all the feare that oppreſſeth them, when their eſtate is in their owne feeling at the worſt becauſe they hauehave not ſinned againſt the holy Ghoſt, nor malitiouſly ſet themſelues againſt the truth and Goſpell of God, nor perſecuted it wilfully againſt knowledge and conſcience: which one ſinne onelyonly is able to ſhut them out from all hope of ſaluation. And here they muſt beware, they make no more ſinnes of that kinde, then God himſelfe hath pronounced to be of that ſort: for in theſe matters that concerne Gods Religion, euen the perfection of our wiſdome is but folly, much more our ſicke braines and melancholicke vnderſtanding is to be remoued farre from handling ſuch holy things. And ſeeing their conſciences doe beare them witneſſe, how much theſe temptations are repugnant to their deſires and liking, how gladly they would be freed and deliuered from them, how grieuous and burdenſome they are vntounto them, and chiefly raiſed by Satan, who abuſeth their ſimplicitie: therefore there is no cauſe why they ſhould bee ſo diſcouraged or out of heart, no more then one that hath had a fearefull dreame when he awaketh. Moreouer, they are with all earneſtneſſe to be put in minde (yet with the ſpirit of meekneſſe and compaſſion) and to conſider, how much it doth diſpleaſe God, that they are remoued from their faith, and hauehave giuen place to conceits and ſpirits of errour, contrarie to the moſt cleare and comfortable promiſes made them that thirſt, repent, feare and louelove the Lord, tremble at his word, are broken-hearted, &c.Rom. 8.28. Iames 1.12. Eſay 66.2. And therefore they ſhould gather more godly boldneſſe and confidence in God on the one ſide, and more courage and ſtrength againſt Satan on the other ſide.
For if God call and incourage vsus to truſt and relie vponupon him, and we ſtanding in need thereof, would moſt gladly embrace his promiſes made in Chriſt Ieſus, who is hee that ſhould hinder vsus? The Scripture, ſpeaking of the malice of Satan in tempting and aſſailing Chriſtians, biddeth them, Bee ſtrong and of good courage, Epheſ. 6.10, 12. 1. Pet. 5.8, 9.reſiſt ſtrong in the faith: Sathan tempteth them to ouerthrow their faith, and by giuing place to feares and doubts they aduantage the enemie againſt their ſoules: but let them take occaſion by the temptation to draw nigh vntounto God, and rowſe vp themſelues more confidently to reſt and waite vponupon the Lord, ſo ſhall they pleaſe God, and put Satan to flight. Neither let them after this bee ſtill obiecting, that they feele ſmall ſtrength of faith and hope: for thereby the enemie may take encouragement to their diſaduantage, when feare ſetteth open the heart to his malitious temptations, and binds the hands of the diſtreſſed that he cannot reſiſt: but let them ſtirre vp their courage and reſolution to waite vponupon the Lord, not liſtening any more to their ſtrong, but deceitfull feare. And what though they feele not that ſweetneſſe, wh ch ſometimes they felt, will they therefore iudge their ſtate to bee naught? What ſweetneſſe can the ſoule taſte, when it is ouer-whelmed with feares, perplexed with temptations, troubled with doubts? Phyſicke is vnpleaſant and bitter to the taſte: Temptation ſhould not be temptation, if it did not affect. If the ſoule bee now ſicke, and taſteth not the ſweet meates of conſolation, which it was wont, as the bodie which is in a courſe of Phyſicke; will they iudge themſelues to be ſtarke dead, or in a condition irrecouerable? Wee hauehave experience how diuers times the diſeaſe preuaileth ouer the ſicke perſon, that actions faile, and faculties ſeeme quite to bee ſpent; neither hand nor foot is able to doe their dutie; the eye is dimme, the hearing dull, the taſte altered, and the tongue diſtaſteth all things, euen of moſt pleaſant relliſh; and the weake and feeble patient ſeemeth to attend the time of diſſolution: when yet notwithſtanding there remayneth a ſecret power of nature, and a forcible ſparke of life that ouer-commeth all theſe infirmities, and conſumeth them like droſſe, and rendreth to the body a greater puritie and firmeneſſe of health then before the ſickneſſe it did enioy. Euen ſo it is in this ſpirituall eſtate, the ſoule is ſicke, and not dead, faith is aſſailed, but not ouercome; and if in patience the fin…ſhing of this ſecret worke which paſſeth all conceit and capacitie of man bee attended, theſe bu ning feauers of temptations ſhall appeare to bee flaked and cooled by the merciemercy and grace of Chriſt, and that ſparke of faith which now lieth hid and ouer-whelmed with heapes of temptations, to breake forth againe: And as nature after a perfect criſe diſchargeth herſelfe, to the recouery of former health: ſo ſhall all doubts and feares and terrours be remoued, and ſtrength of faith reſtored with ſuch ſupply, as it ſhall bee able to make euident proofe what ſecret vertue lay hid, and yet not idle in all this vncomfortable plight. Againe, as in outward ſences we ſee ſometimes, and feele, and heare, when wee doe not perceiue it: ſo we may alſo hauehave faith, and not alwayes hauehave the ſenſible perceiuing thereof. Yea, ſuch as moſt hunger and thirſt after righteouſneſſe, and are poore in ſpirit and broken in heart, as they doubt and feare in eueryevery action leſt God bee diſhonoured by their conuerſation, ſo are they iealous of their precious faith, leſt it bee not in ſuch meaſure as they deſire, or in truth be none at all: wherein they may eaſily bee deceiued, firſt, in the diſcerning, then in the meaſure and portion. For when the inward feeling thereof doth not anſwere their deſire and the actions proceeding there-from doe not ſatisfie their thirſt of righteouſneſſe, whereby reliefe may riſe to the nouriſhment of faith, and the ſatisfying of that holy appetite; they are diſcouraged and intangled with ſpirituall cares, from which a more aduiced conſideration agreeable to Gods Word might eaſily deliuer them. And touching the portion, it is a fault to meaſure the excellencie of faith and power thereof, partly by quantitie and vnſeaſonable fruits, (ſo to call them) and not by vertue, kind plantation, ſoueraignetie, and ſeaſonable fruit: which errour in temptation the diſtreſſed are apt to runne into, and ſo to trouble themſelues without cauſe. Men looke not that Corne ſhould ſpring in harueſt, or be ripe in ſpring; that trees ſhould bud or beare fruit in winter: becauſe it …s not the ſeaſon for ſuch things. Neither ought wee to expect ſuch ſtrength of memorie and liuely operatiue actions of grace, in age, ſickneſſe, great ſorrowes and temptations, as at other times in young yeares free from ſuch aſſaults. The fruits of faith fit for the ſeaſon may bee diſcerned by them that can rightly iudge, when ſweet refreſhings forme ly enioyed bee lacking. The effects of faith in great temptations and cloudie ſeaſons are to looke vp for helpe, ſigh▪ groane, complaine to God, prize his fauour, draw nigh vntounto him, and caſt himſelfe vponupon God, though hee ſeeme to be angry: at this time faith is incumbred with many ſtrong feares wherewith it is burdened, againſt which it laboureth, ouer which it doth not eaſily nor ſpeedily preuaile. Ioy, peace, ſweet refreſhing, and ſenſible taſting of Gods merciemercy, be the fruits of well growne faith in the times of victorie and freedome. Thoſe Summer fruits are not to bee gathered in the depth of winter. It is an errour to meaſure the truth of grace in age by the effects proper to youth, or the ſoundneſſe of faith in temptation, by the effects peculiar to the dayes of triumph. Neither are we to account the nature of any thing according to our ſence or the ſhew it maketh. For then ſhould the moſt fruitfull tree in winter bee taken for barren, and the luſtie ſoyle for drie and vnfruitfull, whileſt it is ſhut vp with the hard froſt. But reaſon being guided by the Word of God, muſt lead vsus rightly to iudge of the preſence and life of faith in our ſoules, which being the ſhield in this our ſpirituall warfare, endureth much battering and many brunts, and receiueth the fore-front of the battaile, and oftentimes fareth as if it were pierced through and worne: vnfit for battaile: yet is it indeed of nature inuincible, and repelleth whatſoeuer engine the enemy inforceth againſt vsus, and ſtandeth firme rooted whatſoeuer ſtorme Satan raiſeth for the diſplacing thereof. How then are the diſtreſſed to behaue themſelues in this temptation, when both the ſence of faith is dulled in them, and the fruits miniſter diſcontentment? They muſt rightly conſider what bee the winter fruits of faith, and not expect ſuch things in themſelues as agree not to that ſeaſon, and withall remember that the gifts and mercy of God is w…thout repentance: and ſo take courage vntounto themſelues confidently to caſt their ſoules vponupon the merciemercy of the Lord in Ieſus Chriſt. For as hee knew them, when they were ſtrangers from him, and loued them when they hated him, and had nothing which might prouoke his mercy but ſinne and miſery: ſo is his goodneſſe continued ſtill vponupon them for his owne ſake, and not at all for their deſeruing. And though they feele their abilitie weake, the enemy ſtrong, their ſtrength tired and cleane worne, their corruption vponupon the point to p…euaile, the fruits and branches of faith, th…ough theſe ſtormy tempeſts, nipped and ſhaken; yet the ſap of faith ſhall neuer be dried vp in the root, neither can any winde of Satan ſo blaſt, that the immortall ſeed bee at any time quite withered. But patience and conſtancy with a reſolute mind to beare Gods triall, will bring a good end; yea, by a meeke going vnderunder Gods hand in theſe, th…y ſhall learne experience to wade through greater afterwards; and yet in the midſt of them, to h…ue hope that they ſhall not be aſhamed. Say their fo mer courſe of life paſt hath not anſwered that ſincerity the Lord requireth; what then? Are they therefore reprobates? No, but it argues want of faith. Not ſo; but place for fu…ther in…reaſe of faith, and the fruits thereof. Thoſe whom the Lord hath choſen to bee his worſhippers, and hath redeemed and conſecrated holy to himſelfe, they bee his plants, and engraffed Oliue branches in his Sonne, who take not their full perfection at once: but (according to the nature of plants) require daily watering and dreſſing, whereby by degrees they attaine in the end a full ſtature in Chriſt. In Scripture we hauehave example of weake belieuers as well as of ſtrong. As the Holy Ghoſt hath remembred the faith of Abraham, who belieued aboue hope vnderunder hope:Marke 9.24. Iohn 3.1. ſo hath it recorded the faith of Nicodemus in knowledge ſimple and weake, in profeſſion and practice timorous and fearefull. In one and the ſame perſon we ſhall find different degrees of faith at diuers times; at one time like a graine of Muſtard-ſeed,Num. 20.11, 12 Pſal. 21.1. & 77.7, 8. at another time like a growne Oake; now like a ſmoaking ſnuffe, but ſoone after burſting out into a bright flame. The ſtrong…ſt faith of any Saint menti…ned in Scripture is …mperfect, aſſailed with temptations, mixed with manifold doubtings. For they were ſubiect to innumerables infirmities, which are not ſpecified in the Booke of God; neither was it fit that it ſhould bee a regiſter of their manifold temptations, frailties and fals. But out of thoſe things which are recorded, wee may perceiue they were ſhaken with aſſaults, ouer-taken with corruptions, tripped and foiled ſometimes by the policie of Satan.Rom. 15.4. All which is ſet vponupon the file for our admonition and conſolation. So that a Chriſtian may not account himſelfe void of grace, becauſe he is not perfect in faith, knowledge and louelove: but he is wiſely to conſider the ſecret worke of Gods Spirit and grace, and take comfort of the ſmalleſt crumme and drop of this heauenly ſuſtentation, and attend the time of perfect growth according to the good pleaſure of God. Oh, but they feele not the teſtimony of Gods Spirit, which might aſſure them; they can finde no ſparke of grace in themſelues. Neither doe any of Gods children at all times feele it: but that they may ſee their own frailty, God doth as it were hide himſelfe for a ſeaſon (as a Mother doth from her childe to trie his affection) that they may with more earneſt deſire mourne for Gods wounted grace, and praiſe him with more ioyfulneſſe of heart when they hauehave obtained it againe. And yet God doth not with-hold comfort from his children, many times when they walke heauenly: but their owne frailty and vehemency of temptation which oppreſſeth them, diminiſheth the feeling thereof. When the winde is lowde, the aire ſtormie and tempeſtuous, a man cannot heare the voice of his friend when the heart is filled with feares, and perplexed with manifold temptations toſſing it vp and downe, the calme and ſtill voice of the Spirit is not diſcerned. And in thoſe ſeaſons, the triall of faith is to be taken by thoſe fruits which are euident to the eye of others, who can iudge more ſincerely then the afflicted themſelues in that anguiſh of ſoule and ſpirit. As the ſicke man during the time of his diſtemper, muſt not truſt to his owne taſte, but rather relie vponupon the learned Phyſicion, and other honeſt and diſcreet friends: ſo the faithfull muſt not giuegive too much credit to the ſuggeſtions of their owne heart poſſeſſed with feare, but rather belieue their faithfull Paſtor, and other godly and experienced Chriſtians that are about them. But to yeeld ſo much to their preſent weakeneſſe (becauſe in this perplexity they will bee euer and anone queſtioning the ſoundeſſe of former comfort, and integrity of their hearts) ſuppoſe they were deſtitute of grace, and neuer had felt ſound comfort, ſhould they vtterly deſpaire, or giuegive place to deading ſorrow?Math. 11.28. In no ſort, for Chriſt calleth the burthened and laden to come vntounto him for eaſe and comfort. Being deſtitute of grace and comfort, they are willed to repaire vntounto him for both, who hath ſufficient in ſtore for them. If they finde not themſelues to bee eaſed, they know they are burthened; if they be not watered, they feele themſelues to be thirſtie; if they belieue not, they are allowed, inuited, encouraged to come vntounto Chriſt: To them he calleth, as if he did particularly name them,Eſay 55.1, 2. Iohn 7.37. Apoc. 22.17. Marke 10.49. Come yee to the waters and drinke; Come vntounto me, and I will refreſh you. Why ſtand yee trembling as if your caſe were deſperate? Yee deſire helpe, and he calleth you, Be of good courage, and come vntounto him.
The end of the firſt Part.