Directions for a Comfortable Walking with God, Religious treatise (8 of 9)

Directions for a Comfortable Walking with God · Religious treatise (8 of 9)

p. 307But I, may the deluded Pharise, and formall Professor say, finde and feele all, or most, or many of these in my selfe: (For what any vnregenerate man hath heretofore attained, it is not impossible, but that any now, or hereafter, may attaine the same.)

Therefore doth hee conclude falsely out of Satans Sophistry, I am safe enough for saluation.

And in all this, Satan, lest hee should be wanting to his, labours by a lying resemblance, to imitate the worke of the holy Ghost, in the hearts of the faithfull. For that which the Deuill, putting on the glory of an Angell of light, puts vponupon his followers in this kinde falsely and groundlessely; That the blessed Spirit performes to those, who are true of heart truely, and vponupon good ground.

For it is not the vniuersalitie, and excellencie of all naturall, ciuill, meerely morall, politicke, and learned endowments, and sufficiencies: but aboue and besides all these, a supernaturall, heauenly, and speciall worke of the Spirit, sanctifying thē all for Gods glorious seruice. It is not a bare taske of holy duties, religious exercises, presence at the ordinances outwardly performed: but the soule, as it were, of sauing grace, animating and informing them with spirituall life, reuerent heartinesse, and fruitful improouement. It is not the glistering blaze of a visible forward profession of Religion: but the power of godlinesse, and sincere practise of workes of iustice, mercy and truth. It is not a generall participation of the Spirit, the Spirit onelyonly of illumination, or largest speculatiue cōprehensions of sacred knowledge: but an humble, fruitfull, experimental skill, and dexterity in the mystery of Christ, and of walking humbly with our God; which p. 308doth soundly comfort the heart of a man spiritually wise, about assurance of his happy estate to Godward. And therefore the true Christian, when he would refresh his spirits with the sweet contemplation of his spirituall safety, and comfortable being in a gracious state, causeth his sincere conscience to answer in truth to such like interrogatories, as those which I hauehave proposed for triall in such a case, in my Discourse of true happinesse, pag. 85. &c. Reuiew the place, and ponder well vponupon them. He ordinarily hath recourse vntounto, and runs ouer in his mind with an humble rauishing commemoration, the heauenly footsteps, and mighty works of the holy Ghost in his conuersion; speciall watchfulnesse ouer his wayes; sincere-heartednesse, holy strictnesse, and sanctified singularities in his conuersation; which as they are peculiar to Gods people, so are the mysteries and strange things to the best vnregenerate man; and that thus, or in the like manner:

Blessed be God, saith hee within himselfe, that euer it was so, yet so it was: The holy Ministery of the Word sanctified, and guided particularly for that purpose by the finger of God, happily seized vponupon mee, while I did yet abide in the armes of darkenesse, and the Deuils snares, a most polluted, carnall, abominable wretch; and effectually exercised its sauing power vponupon my soule, both by the workings of the Law, and of the Gospell. It was first as an hammer to myIer. 2…. 29.Jer 2:29 heart, and broke it in pieces. By a terrible cutting piercing power, it strooke a shaking and trembling into the very centerHab. 3. 16.Hab 3:16 of my soule by this double effect.

1. It first opened the booke of my conscience, wherein I read with a most heauy heart, ready to fall asunder, euen like drops of water, for horror of the sight; the execrable abominations of my youth; the innumerable swarmes of lewd and lawlesse thoughts, that all my life long had stained mine inward parts with strange pollutions; the continuall wicked walking of my tongue; the cursed prophanation of Gods blessed Sabbaths, Sacraments, and all the meanes of saluation I euer meddled with. In a word, all the hels, sinkes and Sodoms of lusts and sinne, of vanities and villanies I had p. 309remorselesly wallowed in euer since I was borne, I say, I lookedWorkings of the Law. vponupon all these engrauen by Gods angry hand vponupon the face of my conscience, in bloody and burning lines. 2. Whereupon in a second place, it opened vponupon mee the Armory of Gods flaming wrath, and fiery indignations; nay, and the very mouth of hell, ready to empty themselues, and execute their vtmost vponupon mine amazed, and guilty soule.

In these restlesse, and raging perplexities, wherewith my poore soule was extremely scorched, and parched with penitent paine; His wrath, who is a consuming fire, wringingWorkings of the Gospell. my very heart-strings with vnspeakeable anguish; Iesus Christ blessed for euer, was lifted vp vntounto me in the Gospell, as an Antitype to the erecting of the brazen Serpent in the Wildernesse. In whom dying and bleeding vponupon the Crosse, I beheld an infinite treasurie of mercy and louelove; a boundlesse and bottomelesse sea of tender-heartednesse, and pitie; a whole heauen of sweetnesse, peace and spirituall pleasures. Whereupon there sprung vp and was inkindled in mine heart, an extreme thirst, ardent desires, vehement longings after that soueraigne sauing blood, which alone could ease my grieued soule, and turne my foulest sinnes into the whitest snow. So that in the case I then was, had I had in full taste, and sole command, the pleasures, profits, ioyes and glory of many worlds, willingly would I hauehave parted with them all: and had I had a thousand liues, freely would I hauehave layd them all downe; nay, with all mine heart would I hauehave beene content to hauehave lyen for a season in the very flames of Hell, to hauehave had the present horrour of my confounded spirit comforted from heauen; and my spirituall thirst allayed and a little cooled, but with one drop of Christs precious blood; the darknesse, desolations of my wofull heart refresht, and reuiued, but with the least glimpse of Gods fauourable countenance. The edge, & eagernesse of which inflamed affections, made me cast about with infinite care how to compasse so deare a comfort. Then came into my minde, (the holy Spirit being my mercifull Remembrancer,) those many melting compassionate inuitations, more p. 310warming, and welcome to my heauy heart, then many golden worlds, more delicious then delight it selfe, Matth. 11. 28. Reu. 21. 6. Ioh. 7. 37. Isa. 55. 1. & 57. 15, 16. Ezek. 18. 30, 31, 32. & 33. 11. So that at last, O blessed worke of faith! staying my selfe, and resting my sinking soule vponupon the Rocke of eternity, and the impregnable truth of these sweetest promises, sealed with the blood of the Lord Iesus, and as sure as God himselfe, I threw my selfe into the mercifull and meritorious armes of my crucified Lord; with this resolution, and reply to all terrors and temptations to the contrary; that if I must needs be cast away, they shall teare, and rent me from the tender bowels of Gods dearest compassions, vponupon which I hauehave cast my selfe: If they will hauehave me to hell, they shall pull and hale me from the bleeding wounds of my blessed Redeemer, to which my soule is fled. Whereupon I found, and felt (and I blesse God infinitely, and will through all eternity, that euer it was so,) conueied, and deriued vponupon me from my blessed Iesus, the welspring of immortality and life, a quickening influence of his mighty Spirit, and heauenly vigour of sauing grace, wherby I became a new man, quite changed, new created. By this vitall moouing, and incubation, as it were, of the Spirit of Christ vponupon the face of my soule, all things became new: mine heart, affections, thoughts, words, actions, delights, desires, sorrowes, society, &c. Old things passed away, behold, all things become new. …. Cor. 5. 17.And I am sure my change is sound, and sauing; for it is not 1. A meere morall change from notoriousnesse, to ciuility, and no further. 2. Nor a formall change only, which addes to morall honesty, outward profession, and outside conformity to the ordinances, holy exercises, most duties of Religion; & no more. 3. Nor meerely mentall. I meane it thus: (forforeign, Trans…entatio. I know, true repentance is called change of minde, in another sence.) When the vnderstanding onelyonly is illightened with diuine knowledge, guilded ouer, as it were, with the dazeling splendor of generall graces, not without some speculatiue flashes of fleeting ioy, swimming in the brayne indeede, but not rooted in the heart. 4. Not temporary only, p. 311such as that, Matth. 12. 43. 2. Pet. 2. 20, 22. when a man discontinues, and surceases from the outward practise, perhaps of all grosse sinnes for a time: out of terrour; suddaine fright from some Sonne of thunder; or vponupon triall, whether by his owne strength, hee be able to endure, and digest a diuorce from his darling pleasure; and the holy wayes of those who walk towards heauen, without too much discontentment; (for without too sore a crush to his carnall heart, hee could be content to looke after a crowne of life, and I wite him not.) Or for some other by-end. But because his heart was not honest and good, neither did the Word take an humble roote in it, nor himselfe resolue vponupon a sincere, generall and constant selfe-deniall at first, hee falls againe vponupon his former vomit, and againe wallowes in the myre of his sensuall pleasures, with more rage and resolution then before. 5. Nor partiall, where there may bee an outward reformation in the most things; but yet there is still retained a secret resolued reseruation of an impenitent, intire enioyment of all the delights, and full sweetnesse of the bosome sinne; which is vtterly incompatible, and cannot possibly consist with a truly religious and regenerate state. I say, my change (I onelyonly, and infinitely magnifie, admire, and adore the free grace and louelove of my most holy, and euer blessed God for it) was not onelyonly morall, formall, mentall, temporary, or partiall, in the sence I hauehave said: but vniuersall, both in respect of the subiect and obiect, as they say; without all reseruations, exceptions, sensuall distinctions, Pharisaicall imposture, partialities, hypocrisies, selfe-delusion. For my teachers hauehave told me by the touchstone of his pure and holy truth: That eueryevery true change is of the whole man, from the whole seruice of Satan, to the liuing God, in sincere obedience to his whole Law, in the whole course of our liues. That it is discernable, and differenced from all partiall, insufficient, hollow, halfe-conuersions: By 1. Integrity of change: I meane, in all parts and powers of spirit, soule and body: in the vnderstanding, iudgement, memory, conscience: in the will, affections, desires, thoughts: in the eyes, p. 312eares, tongue, hands, feet: for euen as they were members of the body before imployed wholly for Satan and sensualitie; so now are they also become instruments of righteousnesse vntounto God. God begets no monsters, as they say: a child new-borne hath all the parts of a man, though not the perfection of his growth: So a new-borne babe in Christ is throughly, and vniuersally changed; though not yet a perfect man in Christ. 2. Sinceritie of change: as well in heart, and inwards parts, as in life and outward carriage. O Ierusalem, Ierem. 4. 14.Jer 4:14saith the Prophet, wash thine heart from wickednesse, that thou mayest be saued: how long shall thy vaine thoughts lodge within thee? No externall priuiledges of Religion, though neuer so glorious; no exactnesse of the worke wrought; no Pharisaicall formes of deuotion; no outward behauiour, be it neuer so blamelesse; no cost or contributions in the seruice of God, will serue the turne, without sincerity of heart. Though a man should come before the Lord with thousands of Rammes, or tenne thousands of riuers of oyle: should be giuegive his first-borne for his transgression, the fruit of his body, for the sinne of his soule: should he bestow all his goods to feede the poore, and giuegive his body to be burned: were he able to comprehend within his braine the whole Booke of God, and with the largenesse of his vnderstanding deuoure all that holy sence: should hee eate, and drinke vp at the Lords Table, all the sanctified Bread and Wine; were hee plunged ouer head and eares in the Water of Baptisme: nay, if it were possible, washed outwardly from top to toe in the precious blood of Christ; yet all this were more then all in vaine, and vtterly vnauaileable, without vprightnesse of the heart, and puritie in the inward parts. 3. Spirituall growth. Vnregenerate men at the best, grow but in the generalities, flourishes, deuout representations, and temporary forwardnesse of formal Christianity. Which is like the growth of corne on the house top; or the seed springing out of the stony ground; but the honest and good heart bringeth forth fruit with patience. Spirituall stuntings there may bee, and standings at a stay for a time. But as good corne in a good soyle being p. 313refreshed after a binding drought with a groūd-showre, springs vp faster, and more freshly: so it is with the soundhearted Christian, after a dampe in grace; to which he may sometimes be subiect. For being rowzed and awaked out of such a state, by the quickening voice of a piercing ministery; the cutting sting of an heauy crosse, or some other speciall hand of God, he layes hold vponupon the Kingdome of Christ with more holy violence then before, and labours afterward, by the helpe of God, to repaire his former spirituall decay, with double diligence in watchfulnesse, zeale, and heauenly-mindednesse. Progresse in Christianitie is resembled to the thriuing of a Child; which may fall into sicknesse; but1. Pet. 2. 2, 3.1 Pet 2:21 Pet 2:3 it many times prooues a growing ague: To a man in aPhil. 3. 13, 14.Phil 3:13Phil 3:14 race, who may stumble, and fall; but after his rising takes surer footing, and runnes faster: To the ascending of the SunneProu. 4. 18.Prov 4:18 towards midday, which may be ouercast with a cloud; but after hee hath recouered a cleare sky, shines more brightly and sweetely. 4. Selfe-deniall. Of which, see something before, page 52. Hee that would soundly comfort his conscience with the true testimony of a true Conuert, must at the first giuing his name vntounto Christ, and vponupon his proclaiming Warre, and entering the lists against Satan, sound with a sincere heart, the depth of that fundamentall principle of Christianitie, and Christs own holy rule: If any man shall come after Math. 16. 24. Mar. 8. 34. Luk. 9. 23. & 14. 33.Matt 16:24Mark 8:34Luke 9:23Luke 14:33me, let him deny himselfe, &c. Assoone as hee resignes vp himselfe to this Royall seruice vnderunder the colours of the Lord Iesus, he must presently in our Sauiours sence, make ouer all his interest in liberty, life, liuelihood, all earthly pleasures and treasures, without any reseruation, or he will certainely faint, and fall off in the day of battaile. The necessitie of this rule and resolution, is intimated vntounto vsus in two Parables, Luk. 14. 28, 31. A man that will build, must count the cost beforehand, and make sure of meanes to defray the charge. Otherwise to beginne, and not able to make an end; were but to lay a ground-worke of his disgrace and scorne, in the losse of his cost and paines. A Prince which would wisely make Warre, must first hauehave a true triall of his owne, p. 314and dexterity to discouer his enemies strength; otherwise to bid him battaile, were but to incense him more, and thrust a title into his hands, to defeate him of all hee hath. Hee that seriously sets himselfe to seeke God in truth, and to saue his soule indeed, must cast vp his reckonings beforehand, what will be required at his hands, and consult with his owne heart, whether willing to forgoe all such contentments, hopes, pleasures, preferments, worldly comforts which are incompatible with a good conscience, and the path that is called holy: and to endure all those troubles; and indignities from the angry world, which ordinarily are wont to crowne the heads of all Christs Souldiers; else most certainely he will shrinke in the wetting. Hee must resolue by the inuincible noblenesse of his Christian courage, to digest the hate and opposition of dearest friends, neerest kindred; the raylings, and reproaches of men most abiect and contemptible, in respect of those whom they reuile: he must bee content to become the drunkards song, table-talk to those that Psal. 69. 12.Ps 69:12sit in the gate, and the byword of basest men, viler then the Iob 30. 8, 9.Job 30:8Job 30:9earth, &c. In a word, he must prize, and preferre his sweetest Sauiour, His truth, cause and seruice infinitely before the whole world.

Now besides my blessed change thus qualified, and this glorious worke of the Holy Ghost vponupon my soule; by the helpe of God, I hauehave stood at the staues end with the darling pleasure and minion delight of my former damned time euer since I was new borne: I hauehave euer since made conscience of all sinne, and to performe all holy duties: I hauehave had respect to all Gods Commandements, and all his Ordinances: I hauehave loued dearely my blessed Lord, and all things that belong vntounto him; His Titles, Attributes, creatures, workes of Iustice and Mercy; His Word, Sacraments, Sabbaths, Ministers, Seruices, Children, Presence, Corrections, Comming: I hauehave since delighted in the Saints, the onelyonly excellent Ones vponupon Psal. 16. 3.Ps 16:3earth, whom I heartily hated before: I hauehave dayly, with as great earnestnesse and feruency, as my poore dull heart could possibly, complained, and cryed vntounto my God in Prayer p. 315against mine owne sinnes, passionate distempers, rebellious risings, the malice of Satan, the allurements of the world, corruptions of the times, the cruelties of strange iniections and horrible temptations, my many and often faylings, frailties, and imperfections. VponUpon due and impartiall examination, I hauehave happily ridde mine hands of all that consuming pelfe, which any way crept into mine estate, by wicked & wrongful meanes in the dayes of mine iniquitie. (For scarce any man in the state of nature, but deales falsly in one kind or other.) I hauehave desired and endeauoured to adorne my profession, as well with workes of iustice, mercy, and truth, as by the outward acts of pietie: Herein I hauehave exercised my selfe, to hauehave Acts 24. 16.Acts 24:16alwayes a good conscience, void of offence, toward God and toward man, &c.

And in all these passages and particulars, both of my conuersion and conuersation, had I onelyonly reposed vponupon the outward act, and rested in the worke wrought, I had vtterly fainted, and beene quite vndone in the day of aduersitie. But truth of heart was the touchstone, and sinceritie is the sinew of all my assurance and comfort this way.

I hauehave beene, I confesse, yet full sore against my will, and the hearty desire of my soule, haunted, and hindred in passing thorow the pangs of my new birth, and managing my Christian businesses; with the violent intrusion, and insinuating mixture of many imperfections, distractions, temptations, wants, weakenesses, infirmities, and faylings; priuie pride, secret hypocrisie, distrusts, and deadnesse of mine owne naughty heart. I was much wanting, by reason of the naturall rebellion of mine hard heart, to those workings of the Law and Gospell mentioned before. I hauehave come farre short of that sorrow for sinne, which I desired, and of that heauenly-mindednesse in performing holy duties which was required. But then I hauehave from time to time grieued, and groaned vnderunder those too many frailties and defects, as vnderunder an heauy burthen. I hauehave many a time bitterly bewailed them in secret: they hauehave made mee walke more humbly before my God, and towards men. I hauehave continually complained p. 316heartily against them at the Throne of Grace. I hauehave sincerely desired, and endeauoured after all those meanes which might restraine and mortifie them, and made conscience to discouer and decline their vnwelcome insinuations, and so I hauehave gone on still in the holy Path, with sincerity of heart, and in obedience vntounto God; still vpholding mine heart with consideration of the sweet and mercifull disposition of my dearest heauenly Father, who euer, if the heart be vpright and truely humble, takes the will for the deed; and accepts vsus 2. Cor. 8. 12.2 Cor 8:12according to that which we hauehave, and not according to that which we hauehave not. And therefore I am most sure (neither, by the helpe of God, shall all the deuils in hell driue me from this hold) that they are all buried for euer in the righteous and meritorious blood of my blessed Sauiour. And so I hold vp my head still against all contradiction of carnall reason, naturall distrust, Satans cruell suggestions; being well assured: That hearty humiliation, and grieuing vnderunder weakenesse in well-doing, is as true a fruit of sanctification, and marke of true conuersion; as spirituall abilitie to doe well. It is not so much the muchnesse and quantitie, as the truth of grace, not so much the exactnesse of the outward act in performing holy duties, as sincerity of heart, which qualifies a broken hart, for comfort in the promises of life, and assurance of Gods louelove. Though I know well, there was neuer any who tasted truely grace, but hee sincerely thirsted and endeauoured after more. Neuer did any man well in the worship and seruices of God, who did not bewaile his wants and faylings therein, and truely desire and labour to doe better. It is the propertie of Pharises and formall professours, to conceiue that they are spiritually rich enough already, and hauehave needReuel. 3. 17.Rev 3:17 of nothing: but the better the Christian is, the more sensible hee is, and heartily complaining of his spirituall pouertie, naughty heart, and manifold imperfections.

Heere now then may wee see in this Discourse of the true Conuert, comforting himselfe in the point of his spirituall estate; other kind of stuffe, sincere matter, sounder grounds, more speciall workings of the holy Ghost; then any one of p. 317the fore-mentioned deluded Ones was euer practically and experimentally acquainted with. Neither is this all. The true Christian hath yet more noble, immediate, and demonstratiue euidences, to strengthen his heart in the assurance of Gods euerlasting louelove vntounto him through Christ, and present possession of his fauour. For (with submission to better iudgements, and the spirit of the Prophets) I conceiue that a sanctified man may be assured of his spirituall safety, and sound estate to Godwards diuers wayes.

1. By the euidence and single act of internall Vision. Wee 1. Cor. 2. 12.1 Cor 2:12hauehave receiued, saith the Apostle, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, that wee might know the things that are freely giuen to vsus of God, that is to say, say our Countrymen of Rhemes, Christs Incarnation, Passion, presence in the Sacrament, and the incomprehensible ioyes of heauen. But it is cleare in the Text, that the Apostle speakes of all the gifts generally that are giuen vsus of God, whither serueth the argument of comparison, that as a mans spirit teacheth him to know all his thoughts that are in him, at the least, in some measure: so also the Spirit of God teacheth the Beleeuers to know all that God hath giuen them. Hee doth not say, that we know Gods gifts; but that we know the gifts that God hath giuen vntounto vsus. See further to this point and purpose, 1. Ioh. 5. 13. 2. Tim. 1. 12. By a secret and sacred irradiation of the Spirit of faith, the sanctified soule is ascertained of its personall and particular dependance, and reliance vponupon the promises of life, and Gods mercies through Christ, by which it knowes it hath eternall life, Ioh. 3. 36.

As certainely as he that hath a corporall eye, knoweth that he Quàm certò is, qui praeditus est oculo corporeo, nouit se videre: tam certò is qui perfunditur hoc fidei lumine, nouit se credere: nam Spiritus adoptionis, per quem clamat Abba Pater, conteflatur ipsi quod sit filius Dei. Rom. 8. 15, 16. Til…n.Rom 8:15Rom 8:16sees: so certainely, he that is illuminated with the light of faith, knowes that he beleeues. The glorious splendour of such an orient, and heauenly Iewell cannot but shew it selfe, and shine clearely to the heart wherein it dwels. Like a bright lampe set vp in the soule, it doth not onelyonly manifest other things; but also it selfe appeareth by its owne light: when I see and rely vponupon a man promising me this, or that, I know I see, and rely vponupon him: shall I by faith behold my blessed p. 318Redeemer, lifted vp as an Antitype to the brazen Serpent, for the euerlasting cure of my wounded conscience, and rest vponupon him, and yet know no such thing.

Heare how cleare learned Austin is for this internall vision. aaMenti no strae fides nostra conspicua est. Epist. 112. cap. 3.Our faith, saith hee, is conspicuous to our owne minde. bbFides ipsa mente vtique videtur, Ibid. cap. 2.Faith it selfe is seene in the minde, although that which is beleeued by faith, is inuisible. ccEam fidem tenet certissima scientiâ, clamat que conscientia. De Trinitate. Lib. 13. cap. 1.A man holds his faith by most certaine knowledge, and plaine attestation of conscience. ddSuam igitur quisque fidem apud seipsum videt: in altero autem credit esse eam, non videt, & tantò …irmius credit, quantò fructus eius magis nouit, quos operari solet fides per dilectionem. Ibid. cap. 2.EueryEvery man sees his Faith in himselfe, &c. Euen eeSed vult dicere, quòd habens fidē, ita certus est se habere fidem, sicut certus est de quocunque alio: credens enim exper…tur se credere, & per cōsequens habere fidē: nihil autem est certius experientiâ, ad quam fit resolutio aliorū, vt habeatur plenior certitudo, lib. 3. D. 23. q. 7. Historie of the Councill of Trent. lib. 2. pag. 106.Durandus, taking vponupon him to expound one of those passages in the fore-cited place of Austin, tels vsus: That he which hath faith, is so certaine that hee hath it, as hee is of any other thing: for hee that beleeues, feeles that hee beleeues, and by consequent that hee hath faith, and there is nothing more certaine then experience, &c. * Vegaes words also in the Councell of Trent, sound this way: As hee that is hote, is sure he is so, and should want sense, if he doubted: so he that hath grace in him, doth perceiue it, and cannot doubt, yet it is by the sence of the minde, not by diuine reuelation.

Ob. But if these things be so, how comes it to passe, that Gods dearest children complaine sometimes, that they hauehave neither sight, nor sence of their faith?

Answ. I speake of that which is ordinary, not euer. The Sunne in a cleere sky discouers and manifests it selfe with a witnesse; though sometimes it bee ouercast with clouds, or eclipsed with the Moone. This heauenly lampe of Faith shines, and shewes it selfe clearely enough to the sanctified heart, in the calmenesse of a Christian course, and serenitie of the soule; especially freshly cleared, and purged with showres, as it were, of penitent teares: though in the dampe of spirituall disertion, darkenesse of some stronger temptation, eclipse of earthly-mindednesse, it may lye hid and obscured for a time. And yet for all this, if Christians would bee counselled, and beleeue the Prophets; if they would not vnderualue Gods infinite merciemercy, by looking vponupon him through a slauishly deiected and melancholike humour, ffFormat sibi I dola de Deo, iniquitas; fingens ferum & terribilem, qui est amabilis. Bern. Serm. 38. Ca…t.which is wont to represent him p. 319as terrible, fierce, and inexorable; whereas in his owne nature and sweetest disposition, hee is indeed euer most compassionate, tenderhearted, and melting ouer the bleeding miseries of a truly broken heart: I say, if they would not thus mistake, but conceiue aright of that most adored mystery and bottomlesse depth of his free louelove, Hos. 14. 4. Ezek. 16. 8. Ier. 31. 3. Cant. 2. 4. Ioh. 3. 16. & 17. 23. they might, euen in times of desertions, temptations, spirituall afflictions of soule, sweetely vphold their hearts with assurance of aaThere is in the Saints certitudo eudent…ae, & certitudo adhaerentiae. The Saints in their greatest extremity, may hau… certitudinem adhaerentia, although they hau… not certitudinem euidentiae. Iob sayes, Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him, Iob 13. 15. Out of the depths hauehave I cryed vntounto thee, O Lord, Psal. 130. 1. In this cast he must doe a… Pherecide… the Athenian did, who held the ship on the shore with his hands; and one of them being cut off, he held with the other; and both being cut off, hee held with his teeth: So should a true Christian d… in the time of his greatest dereliction. Iohn Weemse of Lathoquar in Scotland, Preacher of Christs Gospel. In his Christian Synagogue, Lib. 3. ca▪ ….Job 13:15Ps 130:1Adherence, though for the present they want the assurance of Euidence. For such an assurance is intimated, Psal. 22. 1. & 42. 5, 11▪ & 43. 5. For instance: many a faithfull soule, making conscience of all sinne, sincerely following the best things, resolued without reseruation to doe or suffer any thing for Christ, would giuegive a world to be sensibly assured of Gods fauour, and fully perswaded that his sinnes were pardoned. By reason of the want of sence and feeling whereof, hee slauishly languishes vponupon the racke of tormenting feares and terrours, vtterly without all cause; neither onelyonly so, but thereby also gratifying the deuill, dishonouring Gods free mercy; disabling himselfe for a comfortable discharge of both his callings; and that which he little thinkes on, lying in the sinne of not receiuing comfort, and of not accepting his owne proper legacie which Christ left him, Ioh. 14. 27. For in the meane time his heart doth cleaue vntounto Christ▪ as to the surest rocke. Hee cries, and longs after him, and would not part with him for all the world: Hee would infinitely rather hauehave his body rent from his soule, then his soule from his Sauiour. Aske his affection and resolution this way; and for all his feares and sorrowes, he will tell you, that he will still rest and relye vponupon his Lord, and euer-blessed Redeemer, let him doe with him as hee please; hee will trust in him, though he kill him. Now the internall vision, consciousnesse, reflexed act, that I may speake in the phrase of the Schooles, of this sincere adherence vntounto Christ, and those exceeding precious promises of life, sealed with his Blood, might, and ought to assure him of the euerlasting safetie p. 320and happinesse of his soule; and so by consequent, to comfort him infinitely more, then if hee had the Crowne of the whole worlds soueraigntie set vponupon his head. Iustifying faith, which giues infallible interest to eternall life, is not (toIoh. 3. 36.John 3:36 speake properly and punctually) to be assured of pardon; but to trust wholly vponupon the mercy of God through Christ, for pardon. If there arise question in thy fearefull heart about thy spirituall state; sence and feeling is no substantiall ground whereon to build, being a separable accident to the graces of saluation; but the truth and tender heartednesse of Christ, in the promises which can neuer faile, being as sure as God himselfe. If some wrangling fellow should lay claime vntounto thy land, thou wouldest not in such a case and controuersie consult with an ignorant neighbour; hee perhaps out of his weakenesse and want of skill, might raise doubts and dangers where there were none, and put thee into a greater fright; but thou wouldest hauehave recourse to some learned at the Law, who vnderstandingly searching and surueying thine Euidences, and finding no flaw, would put thee out of all feare. When in time of temptation thou art terrified and affrighted with renewed scruples and distractions about thy spirituall well-being; doe not in any wise aduise with carnall reason, which is starke blinde in the mystery of Christ; much lesse with that euill One, who is a sworne enemy to thy soule, and father of lyes. They may tell thee, thou hast no sence, no feeling, therefore all is naught: but to the Word, and to the Testimonie; let thy trembling heart cleaue to the impregnable truth of those sweetest promises; Matth. 11. 28. Reuel. 21. 6. Ioh. 7. 37. Isa. 55. 1, &c. and thou art safe for euer. For a more full impression of this comfortable point, I would hauehave you to refresh your memories with a reuise of those foure estates of faith, which I hauehave heretofore distinguished, vponupon purpose for the weakest Christians sake; and know, that the reflexed act of the lowest degree and least measure then mentioned, might vponupon good ground, if hee doe not wilfully and wickedly refuse to be comforted, fill his fearefull spirit as full with vnspeakeable glorious ioy, as the Sunne is of light, p. 321and the sea of waters. These things laid together and well weighed, may confect a precious and soueraigne Antidote, against the slauish terrours, causelesse feares, and heauy walking of many which are true of heart, distressed in conscience about their spirituall state: who while they labour, and long with insatiable greedinesse (and I blame them not) for a sensible assurance, and feeling apprehension of Gods fauour; doe too much neglect and disregard that comfort which their faith might affoord them vponupon good ground, in that, notwithstanding their present distracting amazements and perplexity of spirit, they are able still to commit their soules vntounto Christ, as a faithfull Redeemer, and their euerlasting strength.

In this point, I hauehave let some passages fall by the way, which may serue to discouer and dissolue the vanity and weakenesse of that Dilemma, wherein Bellarmine playes the wilfull egregious Sophister: it runs thus:

The Protestants teach, saith he, that a man is iustified by speciall Bell. de notis Ecclesiae, cap. 11▪ Sect. Sectarij nostri temporis.]faith, whereby he perswadeth himselfe, that he is iust. Now then he reasoneth thus: When I begin to beleeue that I am iust, I am either iust or vniust. If iust, then I am not iustified by faith, by which I beleeue my selfe to bee iust, because this faith is after my iustification. If vniust, then this faith is false, and so a man should be iustified by a lye.

To this horned Argument wee answer thus: There are sundry acts of speciall faith: for my purpose at this time, take notice of two.

1. A fiduciall assent, resting vponupon the merit of Christ, an affiance, dependance, adherence, reliance, or if there bee any other word expressing that act of an humbled soule, whereby it casteth and reposeth it selfe onelyonly vponupon Gods promise in Christ, for the obtaining of remission of sinnes, and euerlasting life. In this act, the poore soule illightened and affrighted with sight and sence of its sinne and misery, and seeing an infinite impossibility of satisfying God for the one, or freeing it selfe from the other, by any meanes or merit in heauen or earth; but onelyonly by the propitiatory mediation of p. 322Iesus Christ: it throwes it selfe into his armes, grasping fast about him, hides it selfe in the clifts of this Rocke, from the stormes of Gods fiercest and fiery indignation, apprehends in him plentifull redemption, and all-sufficiencie of saluation; and therefore plyes him with strong cryes and teares for mercy; bespeakes him in all termes of confidence and affiance: My Lord, and my God, my hope, my fortresse, my rocke, my strength, my saluation; saue me, or I sinke; hold mee fast, or I am lost for euer. You may see sometimes a little infant, vponupon apprehension and approach of some sudden danger, how heartily and hastily it runnes into the mothers armes for succour and safety: euen so a truely wounded soule, pursued by the terrours of the Law, and frighted with the dreadfull sight of Gods frowning countenance, flyes with speed into the bosome of its blessed Redeemer, clings inseparably vntounto his bleeding wounds for euerlasting protection; and there rests vponupon the freenesse of his LoueLove, merit of his Passion, and truth of his Promise, as vponupon a Rocke of Eternitie, neuer to bee remooued: not the concurrent rage of all the Deuils in hell, or powers of darknesse, being euer able to make a diuorce. By this act wee are accepted for iust before the Throne of Grace, for Christs sake and sufferings.

2. An act of certification, which quickned by the Spirit of Grace, when God pleaseth for his own glory and good of his Child, reflecteth vponupon the soule with a comfortable assurance that we are already in the armes of Christ, and His for euer. The least glimpse whereof, a true heart would not exchange for all the Kingdomes vponupon earth. The first act makes vsus iust: The second findes vsus iust; and so certifies truely; not by a lye, as lying companions, and Satans Sophisters calumniate. It is the saying of an excellent Diuine, both for depth of learning and height of Holinesse, To beleeue P. Bay….that my sinnes are now pardoned, and that I am saued: this is not the first act of faith, but followes when now a man doth see himselfe to be iustified in Christ.

2. By a secret application of the promises of the Gospell, p. 323in forme of an aaQui fidei suae sensum in corde habet; hic …cit Christum Iesum in se esse. Ambros. in Epist. 2. ad Corint. cap. 13. v. 5.experimentall Syllogisme, thus:

Whosoeuer beleeues and repents, is the Child of God: But I beleeue and repent, therefore I am the Child of God.

The maior or first proposition, is cleare and euident in the very letter, and by the immediate sense of Scripture. See Iohn 3. 36. Acts 10. 45. & 13. 39, &c.

But how doe you know the minor, or second proposition to be certainely so?

By the certainty of internall vision, whereby we as clearely see our faith, as our life, will, thought, knowledge, &c. as appeares in the forecited place of Austin. In his opinion, I say, Faith is as visible to the internall eye of a sanctified mind, as is a mans life and will: Nay, & we are woont to discerne with a more eager eye and obseruation a Stranger, then an ordinary Domestick. Our life and will are inbred, faith is aduentitious. By the testimony of a renewed conscience, which isConscientiae propriae sensus, mille testes Conscientia domesticum, & verum Tribunal. Nazianz. Orat. de plagâ Grand. as a thousand witnesses. Now had I a thousand honest witnesses at the barre before an vpright Iudge, to prooue my cause, and iustifie my right against the outfacings and periuries of a Knight of the Poast, as they say, well knowne to be an infamous stigmaticall forgerer and murtherer; I would little doubt but to get the day. It is proportionably so in this present point; I meane, betweene my regenerate illightned conscience and Satan. Nay, in this case, should all the Deuils in Hell sweare the contrary, did carnall reason, naturall distrust, or any other aduersary power cauill and contradict with neuer such irksome tediousnesse; yet by the mercy of God, I will not withstand that heauenly light standing in my conscience like an armed man: I will neuer take away mine innocency from my selfe, vntill I die.

But how do you know, that you truly beleeue? We may know, perhaps, that we hauehave some kind of faith, but not that we hauehave the true liuely faith, which will serue the turne for saluation.

I answer: Saint Paul bids vsus try, and prooue our selues whether we hauehave that Faith, by which Christ dwelleth in our p. 324hearts, which is the faith of such as are accepted with God, 2. Cor. 13. 5. Now it were strange, if the blessed Spirit should bid vsus examine and search for that, which could not possibly be found out.

Againe, if a man cannot be certaine, that he beleeues with all his heart, that is, truly and sincerely; Philips interrogatorie to the Eunuch, Act. 8. 37. had beene in vaine, and the Eunuchs reply rash and vnaduised.

Austin was cleerely of this mind, that a man may be acquainted with the sincerity of his faith. **Est quidam modus in conscientia gloriandi, vt noueris fidem tuam esse sinceram, noueris esse spemtuam certam, noueris charitatem tuam esse sine dissimulatione. In Psal. 149.Ps 149There is, saith he, a kind of glorying in the conscience, when thou knowest thy faith is sincere, thy hope certaine, thy louelove without dissembling.

But many, say they, beleeue, and are deceiued; thinking they hauehave that which they hauehave not; How then can a man be certaine?

Answer. So thousands amongst vsus, by the false spectacles of presumption, making the bridge of Gods mercy broader then it is, and larger then his truth, which confines it onelyonly to broken hearts; are wofully deluded, and ready eueryevery moment to be drowned in the dungeon of fire and brimstone: must therefore those few who are sincerely humbled for their sinnes, truly beleeue, and vponupon good ground hauehave part in it, be also deceiued? Because mad men, and men asleepe, know not well that they are asleepe, and rage; must therefore men truly waking, and wise, not know certainely they are awake, and in their wits? The common people generally conceiue of the Sunnes magnitude, that it is not past a foote round; must therefore the certainetie of knowledge, that it is many times bigger then the Earth, be denied to the skilfull Astronomer? Some men dreame that they are rich, tumble themselues amongst their golden heapes, and it is not so indeed when they awake; doth no man therefore certainely know whether he be rich or no?

aaFidem suam quisque qui eam habet, videt in corde suo, & tenet certissimâ scientiâ, & clamante conscientiâ, dicente Augustino: Proinde & resipiscentiam, quae fidei verae, est indiuidua comes, atque effectus.—Vtraque habetur—certitudine visionis internae, seu testimonij proprij cordis, & Spiritus Dei vnà testificantis Spiritui nostro, quòd simus silij Dei. Rom. 8. 16. Par.Rom 8:16Conceiue proportionably of repentance, an inseparable p. 325companion and effect of true faith, which is then sauing, when it is serious, sincere, and without hypocrisie; and that may be manifest and cleerely discerneable to the heart that hath it. Doe you thinke, the seriousnesse of the Niniuites repentance was not certaine vntounto them? We hauehave receiued the Spirit of God, saith Paul, that we might know the things that are freely giuen vsus of God, which are not onelyonly life euerlasting, &c. but iustification, sanctification, and such like. I say, sauingnesse of repentance, as of faith, consists not in the measure and muchnesse; but in the sincerity and truth, of which the true penitent may bee certaine, as well as of his sorrow. But now whereas the Popish Doctors being blind▪ guides,Richar. Palud: Almay Adrian. require necessarily to contrition; Summum dolorem intensiuè & gradualiter. Scotus and his followers, certum intentionem soli Deo cognitam. Bell. & Valent. Summum dolorem appreciatiuè. Whereby these Locusts put the consciences of their blinded Ones, if waking and working, vponupon the racke of incuitable and implacable horrour, tormenting them, as with the torment of a Scorpion, when hee striketh a man. leade their hoodwinkt followers into such perplexed mazes of vncertainties, and indeed impossibilities about contrition, in respect of extension, intension, appretiation, equiualence to sin; no maruell though they pleade pertinaciously for the point, and purgatory of doubting.

3. By the effects and fruits growing from the roote of grace in the heart.

But there may be in the hypocrite, an exact outward conformity and obedience:

I answer: true it is, that for the outside and carkasse, as it were, the workes of vnsactified men, may be like to those of the godly, but they are without the soule, life and spirit; which is in the worke of a true beleeuer; to which he is no lesse priuy in his heart, then to the outward worke which passeth thorow his hands. And wee hold, that workes done in vprightnesse of heart, onelyonly, are they which truly testifie in this case.

Let eueryevery true-hearted Nathaneel then comfortably conclude pardon and peace vntounto his owne soule, from all such fruits so qualified. For instance, in one.

Wee know that we hauehave passed from death to life, because wee louelove the Brethren, 1. Ioh. 3. 14. I louelove the Brethren: therefore I am translated from death to life.

But is it possible for a man to know that he loues his Brethren as he ought, and as the Apostle requires?

p. 326Saint Iohn makes it a signe of our being so translated; therfore it may be knowne. For signes manifesting other things,Magis enim nouit dilectionem quâ diligit, quam fratrem, quem diligit. De … lib. 8. cap. 7. must themselues be more manifest. And Austin tels vsus, that a man knowes more the louelove with which he loues, then his brother whom he loues.

Thus may the Christian infallibly collect, the sanctifying Spirit, iustifying Faith, sauing Grace to dwell in his heart, by all good deeds, holy duties, inward or outward fruits springing from an vpright heart. For as it followes, and may be inferred infallibly and demonstratiuely from the effect, to the proper cause in other things: For example: It is day; therefore the Sunne is risen, because day cannot be caused, but by the Sunnes rising: so in this point also explained as before. If wee pursue and ply with true hearts the whole Trade of Christianity; If we be sincerely exercised in the workes of holinesse, iustice, mercy and truth, and walke humbly with our God; we may build vponupon it, that we are truly blessed. All such sound fruits of Faith, are euident signes and demonstrations of our spirituall safety, and standing fast for euer. If ye 2. Pet. 1. 10▪2 Pet 1:10doe these things, saith Peter, yee shall neuer fall.

4. By the testimony of the Spirit, which sometimes; as in the time of more feruent prayer▪ holy retyrednesse of mind, heauenly meditation; or in some quickning exercises of extraordinary humiliation; or after some speciall important seruice done to God and his Church with humble sincerity, and in true zeale; or vponupon the soule-searching passage of some well grounded Sermon of comfort, and seasonable application of mercy; or in the beginning of spirituall, and end of naturall life, as most needfull times; or in the time of martyrdome, and sincere sufferings for the Name of Christ, &c. I say, at such times the Spirit may suggest and testifie to the sanctified conscience, with a secret, still, hart-rauishing voice thus or in the like manner; Thou art the Child of God; Thou art in the number of those that shall be saued; Thou shalt inherit life euerlasting: And that as certainely and comfortably, aaQuando verò Spiritus testatur, quaenam relinquitur ambiguitas? Quod si homo quispiam, vel Angelus, vel etiam Archangelus, autalia, certè huiusmodi quaedam potestas, aliquid promitteret, meritò quispiam dubita…erit: Supremâ verò illa essentiâ, quae & hoc ipsum largitur, quod promitti…, atque adeò orare etiam iussit, testimonium nobis perhiben…e, quisnam de dignitate hac deinceps dubitare poterit? Chrysost▪ in v. 16. cap. 8. ad Rom.as if that Angell from Heauen should say to thee, as he p. 327did to Daniel, Greatly beloued. And why should any Popish cauiller contradict this, sith euen Bellarmine himselfe speakes proportionably in another case? VponUpon a passage in Austin, acknowledging the interior efficacy of Gods Spirit, giuing testimony to our hearts concerning the truth of that which is contained in the Scriptures, saith bbHoc igitur est lumen fidei, auditores, testimonium quoddam Dei, quo intus in domicilio cordis dicitur nobis; Ita est: nihil haesites. In Conc. De lumine fidei. Sect. Pelagiani quidem.]he; This light of faith is a certaine testimonie of God, by which it is said to the secret cogitations of our hearts, That is true; thou needest not to doubt thereof. Here is an immediate testimony of the Spirit granted for the confirmation of the truth of the Word; why may not the like bee expected for an assurance of the worke of the Word? Mighty and remarkeable was the worke of the Spirit this way vponupon the heart of that Noble Martyr, Robert Glouer, vponupon the first sight and representation of the Stake (so sweetely seasonable is God in all his refreshings.) For two or three dayes before his death, hee was full heauily oppressed with the spirituall miseries of a dead heart, and spirituall desertion. In which time no doubt hee cried mightily vntounto God, and often reflected the eye of his renewed conscience vponupon a truly, beleeuing, penitent, humble, holy and heauenly heart; resolued to sacrifice its warmest blood in the mercilesse fire, for the testimony of Iesus; and yet no comfort would come. But in the very nicke and needfull time, as you may see in the Story, the blessed Spirit did suddenly shine into his darke and desolate soule, with the glorious beames of his owne immediate comfort, and so sensibly filled it with such ouerflowing Riuers of spirituall ioyes, that no doubt they mightily abated and quencht the ragefull fury of those Popish flames, wherein hee sweetely fell asleepe. It was a speciall and immediate springing of the holy Ghost in his heart, which made Master Peacock, after many dayes of extremest horrour, professe, that The ioy which be felt in his conscience, was incredible. We feele and acknowledge by daily experience, that Satan doth immediately iniect; and shall not the blessed Spirit, after his holy and heauenly manner, immediately also suggest sometimes?

Neither is this to bee reputed an extraordinary reuelation, p. 328or aaFidelium foreign non mititur reuelatione aliquâ quâ Deus …rcana sui consilij nobis patesecerit, led promissionibus Euangelij, & sensu interno, quo quis seipsum explorans, sentit se seriò in Christum credere, & testimonio intrinseco Spiritus testantis in cordibus nostris, nos esse filios Dei. Molin. A…at. Arminia. cap. 46.Enthusiasme, without or beside the Word of God (I heartily abominate all Anabaptisticall fooleries and phrensies:) For that which the Spirit so reueiles vntounto our consciences, we our selues may collect and conclude out of Gods Word, vponupon the conscience of our faith, repentance, other sauing endowments and holy graces shining in our soules, and vprightly exercised in our whole conuersation. When wee by these meanes hauehave assured our soules, that we are the children of God, which is the testimony of our owne renewed spirits; the Spirit of God, as another witnesse, secondeth and confirmeth this assurance, by diuine inspiration, and by sweet motions and feelings of Gods speciall goodnesse, and glorious sauing presence; and so acording to the Apostles phrase, Rom. 8. 16. beareth witnesse with our spirits. Wherefore if any man presume vponupon, or pretend any immediate suggestion or reuelation, for his spirituall safetie, and euerlasting well-beeing, and yet want vtterly the testimony of … renewed conscience to the same purpose; the testimony of vniuersall obedience; of not lying willingly and delightfully in any one knowne sin; of crucifying the flesh with the affections and lusts, &c. I can giuegive him none but this cold comfort; hee is cursedly coozened by the Deuils counterfeit glory of an Angell, casting into his abused imagination such groundlesse conceits, which in time of triall will vanish into nothing, and flye away as a dreame.

By the way let me tell you, that though this last manner of assurance bee more immediately from the Spirit; yet conceiue, that the other also are not effectuall vponupon the heart, without the excitation, illumination and assistance of the same blessed Spirit.

For the first, consider that forecited place, 1. Corinth. 2. 12.

For the second; when the conscience, through the ministrie of the Law, doth testifie to a man his state in sinne, and vnderunder the curse; it is, through the spirit of bondage, that it doth testifie: then when it doth testifie to him his state of grace, and freedome from the curse, it is much rather from p. 329the Spirit of Adoption. No man can say that Iesus is the Lord, 1. Cor. 12. 3.1 Cor 12:3but by the holy Ghost.

For the third, I doubt not, but the blessed Spirit, as a comfortable Remembrancer, refreshed Hezekias memory, when he cryed to the Lord, Remember now, O Lord, &c. Isai. 38. 3.

But how shall a man discerne, and difference a true perswasion, and the testimony of the Spirit; from a groundlesse presumptuous conceit, and the Deuils delusion?

If Bellarmine aske me, I will easily stop his mouth:

First, by demanding him, how his Saint aaDe i…stis. lib. 3. cap. 8. Sect. Quar… ratio.]Francis, and S. Antony knew assuredly, that their reuelations of the certaine remission of their sinnes, were from the Spirit of God; especially sith with him they were reuelations quite besides and without the Word. For bbIbid. Sect. Prima ratio.]he holds, that this proposition, Francis is truly iustified: Antony hath his sinnes forgiuen; and so of other particular men, is not to be found in the Word, either immediately, or by euident consequence; which we vponupon good ground contradict, if the particular men be true beleeuers.

Secondly, by that saying of Ambrose, vrged by ccHistor. of the Councell of Tr… pag. 206.Catarinus in the Councell of Trent: The holy Ghost doth neuer speake vntounto vsus, but doth make vsus know, that it is Hee that speaketh.

But if the doubtfull Christian truly troubled about it, would be taught and informed in the point; or if it be possible that the Pharise, the deluded One should heartily desire to be illightened; I aduise that they would consider vponupon these following markes of difference.

1. A sound perswasion vponupon good ground by the Spirit, is euer agreeable and answerable exactly to the Word. The inward testimony of the Spirit, and outward testimony of the Word, doe alway sweetely accord, and one answeres to the other, as face to face in water. And therefore, if that thy present state, wherein thou conceiuest thy selfe to bee sure and safe inough for saluation, bee disabled and condemned by Gods Word; thy confidence is vaine, and Satan deludes thee. The Scripture tels vsus, p. 330That whosoeuer is borne of God, doth not commit aaSancti non operantur peccatum; & tamen non sunt sine peccato. Aug. in Psal. 118.Ps 118sin, 1. Ioh. 1. 3, 9. which is not to be vnderstood simply of the act of sinning; For who can say, My heart is cleane? But in this sence: He makes not a trade of sinning; he sinneth not with bbVbi regnat propositum peccandi; ibi fidueia mis…icordiae exulat.purpose, pleasure and perseuerance; he doth not liue, lie, and delight in sinne; he suffers it not to reigne in him. If then thou allowest any lust in thy heart, or goe on in the willing practise of any one knowne sinne, or sensuall course, and yet bee well conceited of thy selfe for comfort in the World to come; the Deuill coozens thee: God will not ccPsal. 66. 18.Ps 66:18heare the prayers, but ddPsal. 68. 21.Ps 68:21wound the hairie scalpe of eueryevery such a one. For instance: If thou lyest in lying; (for its one thing to be ouertaken that way out of feare, or ere thou be aware, another thing to continue in it habitually and resolutely against an illightned impenitent conscience) and yet looke for Heauen, thou art deceiued; thou hast made a lye thy refuge, and hid thy selfe vnderunder falsehood. And why? because Gods Word saith, that the Fearefull, and Vnbeleeuing, and the Abominable, and Murtherers, and Whoremongers, and S…rcerers, and Idolaters, and all Lyers, shall hauehave their part in the Lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death, Reuel. 21. 8. Conceiue proportionably of lying in any other sinne damned in Gods Booke in the sence I hauehave said. If thou abidest in the state of meere ciuill honestie, and yet thinkest with thy selfe, that thou art thereby furnished sufficiently for future happinesse, it is but a false flash. And why? Because the Word saith; Without holinesse no man shall see the Lord, Heb. 12. 14. Which necessarily implyes; That no meere eeSit licet ille Fabricius; sit licet Fabius; sit licet Scipio; sit licet Regulus; quorum me nominibus tanquā in antiquâ Romanâ curiâ loqueremur, putâsti esse terrendum. August. contra Iulia. Pelag. lib. 4. cap. 3.ciuill man can possibly bee saued. If thou bee a luke-warme Laodicean, and yet conceiuest thou art rich enough spiritually, and lookest to bee saued; thou art deceiued: And why? Because the Word saith; That Christ will spew such a one out of his mouth, Reuelation 3. 16. Euen as a filthy bitter vomit is to the stomacke, mouth and man that spewes it out; such are all luke-warme formall professors to the Lord Iesus Christ, as himselfe there professes. A terrible and flaming sentence vttered p. 331from the Iudge his owne mouth in the meane time; which, mee thinks, should horribly affright thousands in our daies; who stand for a frozen formality, heartlesse indifferency, reserued neutrality, and politicke moderation in profession, and practise of religion. Thus a true restimony and sound perswasion of a good estate to Godward, euer holds correspondence to the Word, and is infallibly grounded thereupon.

Obiect. Say you so? In spirituall cases and poynts of faith, how is it possible, that a man should bee infallibly certaine of that by the Word, which is not contained in the Word, either immediatly, or by good consequence? But Bellarmine affirmes, that this particular proposition, Such De iustif. lib. 3. c. …. Sect. prima ratio.]or such a man is truely iustified; is not contained in the Word of God, either immediately or by good consequence, &c.

Answer. To let passe at this time, that which some worthy Diuines presse in this poynt, that such places as these, Psalm. 103. 3. Esa. 43. 32. Rom. 10. 9. Gal. 2. 20. &c. intimate and imply such a particular proposition immediately: I answer that it is deduced by euident consequence out of the Word. For from such generall promises and propositions as these; He that beleeueth on the Sonne, hath euerlasting life, Ioh. 3. 36. Whosoeuer beleeueth in him, shall receiue remission of sinnes, Act. 10. 43. And by him all that beleeue, are iustified from all things, &c. Act. 13. 39, &c. follow by good consequence, these particulars: Paul, Peter, Luther, Caluin, Beza, Bradford, or any other particular man beleeuing in him, receiues remission of sinnes; is iustified; hath eternall life. Euen as it followeth directly and infallibly, eueryevery man is a reasonable creature; therefore Iohn, Thomas, &c. is endewed with reason.

Though no word saith expressely and immediately; Thou Thomas beleeuing, shalt be saued; yet the same word which saith, EueryEvery one beleeuing, hath eternall life, saith also; Thou Thomas beleeuing, hast eternall life, or shalt be saued. As on the contrary, this vniuersall, He that beleeueth not the Sonne, p. 332shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him, includeth vertually, consequently, infallibly, as though they were writ in it, these particulars: Iudas, Bellarmine, or Bonner, &c. not beleeuing, shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him. Otherwise, if the generall did not thus sufficiently include and comprehend eueryevery particular; and an vniuersall proposition all subordinate singular propositions vnderunder it; the Law, Thou shalt not kill: thou shalt not commit adultery: Thou shalt not beare false witnesse against thy neighbour; would not belong to Faux blowing vp the Parliament: to this or that Priest polluting himselfe in hearing confession; to Bellarmine lying voluminously; because its no where expressely writ; Thou Bellarmine shalt not beare false witnesse against thy neighbour. Thou shaueling, beware of selfe pollution. Thou Faux shalt not teare in pieces the Royall limbs of the Lords Anointed.

If Iohn or Thomas beleeuing, be not bound to be assured of his saluation out of the generall promise; except it were said somewhere in Scripture; That Thomas or Iohn by name should be saued; it would follow that these particular men, were not bound to be honest men; or to feare God; because it is no where said in the Word; that Thomas or Iohn ought to be honest men; or are commanded to feare God, but onelyonly in the generall.

In a word, let the Iesuite tell mee, whether out of the Word, he be infallibly certaine that his body shall rise againe at the last Day: He dare not for his heart deny it. And I pray you, Bellarmine, tell me, where it is particularly and expressely said in Scripture; That the body of Robert Bellarmine shall rise againe at the last Day? All particular infallible assurance in this kinde, springs out of the generall proposition and promise that All shall rise, 1. Cor. 15, &c.

2. That heart which doth sweetly enioy the Paradise of a true testimony, and well grounded perswasion; that it presently liues the life of grace, and immortality; is sincerely affected and inflamed with a reuerent louelove, and insatiable p. 333aaOr if this desire be … ▪ …, and disedgd, in … of temptation, desertion, spirituall dampe; it heartily grieues, & importunately contends by prayer, and all its spirituall power, to regaine and recouer its former forwardnesse & feeling. Which holy cariage, and contention of spirit in its want and absence, may be conceiued as equiualent in Gods acceptation to a comfortable possession of it.longing after the Word preached and read, prayer, singing of Psalmes, meditation, conference, vowes, daies of humiliation, vse of good bookes, godly company, all Gods ordinances, and good meanes appointed and sanctified for our spirituall good. Because thorow them, as so many golden conduits, those gracious sauing operations of the holy Ghost are conueyed and continued vntounto it; which minister sound matter and true grounds of such comfortable assurance: and in the conscionable vse and exercise of them also are woont sometimes to be secretly and sensibly breathed into it, such heauenly reall refreshings themselues; which the ioy of the whole worlds enioyment cannot possibly equall. But now the affection this way of those who are Pharisaically puft vp with a groundlesse conceit and vaine confidence; is faint and formall; partiall and reserued; not accompanied with that vniuersality and vniformity of reuerence and respect to all the blessed ordinances and meanes of grace▪ It is euer the woont and wilynesse of such, to qualifie their countenance and correspondence to these, with that moderation and temper which may bee compatible, and plausibly consist with the safety of their temporall happinesse, and security of their bosome sinne. And no maruell though their affection in this kinde be not so hearty, and hold out; for they draw no speciall vertue and sweetnesse from Christ, through them: And their conceit of being right, is not fedde from the brests of the Bible, and with the heauenly Manna of a conscionable Ministery; but built vponupon those insufficient grounds and rotten proppes I discouered and disabled before.

3. A sound and vndeceiuing perswasion that thou art euerlastingly lockt in the armes of Gods mercy and louelove, grounded vponupon the Word, seconded and set on by the Spirit; is a most rare and rich Iewell, which doth infinitely outshine and ouerweigh in sweetenesse and worth any rocke of Diamond, Cristall Mountaine, or this great Creation, were it all conuerted into one vnualuable Pearle; and therefore is infinitely enuied, and assaulted mightily on all sides. p. 334It is continually hunted like a Partridge on the Mountaines by naturall distrust, the policy of Satan, and all the powers of darkenesse. There is not a wicked spirit, but is transported with implacable indignation against that heauen vponupon earth; and therefore rages and roares about thee still, to rob and bereaue thy humble brest of such an heauenly Iemme. Besides the two maine ends and generall aimes; of all the malice and machinations of those apostated angels: 1. the dishonour of God, and 2. the discomfort of mens soules; In this poynt they are peculiarly enraged with extreme hellish anger; to see a mortall man, a childe of Adam, crowned by Gods mercifull hand, euen in this life, with right and interest, and as it were, an earnest penny of the Inheritance with the Saints in light, and of those blessed Mansions of glory and rest, of which, by their Apostacy and pride they hauehave vnhappily and euerlastingly depriued themselues. Neither onelyonly so, but they imploy also their Agents, enuious to the grace of God and thine owne fearefull heart, to charge falsely many times vponupon thee, Hypocrisie and delusion, left that white Reue. 2. 17.Rev 2:17stone giuen thee by the holy Ghost; the splendor and bbAs none can comprehend the horror of an enraged guilty conscience, but the heart that endures it: so none can conceiue the sweetenesse of the Spouses kisse, but the soule that receiues it.sweetnesse whereof, none knoweth but hee that hath it, should fairely shine vponupon thy sad soule with that lightsomenesse and comfort, as it both may and ought. Whereupon it must needes follow, that if thy perswasion be well grounded and assurance true; it will be accompanied and often exercised with feares, iealousies, doubts, distrusts, varieties of temptations, Satans firiest darts, iniected scruples, contradictions of flesh and blood, cauils of carnall reasons, want of comfortable feelign, &c. which will many times necessarily driue thee to cry mightily to God, and complaine at the Throne of grace, against all this hellish ordnance and assaults of thy vnbeleeuing heart; by the wrastling of faith to warme thy …oule with meditation vponupon the promises, to re examine and reuise thy grounds, to confirme thy watch, to resort for counsell, strength and comfort to the quickening meanes, experience of former sweet feelings, and motions of the Spirit; to truly iudicious Diuines, experienced Christians, p. 335dayes of humiliation, bookes of best rellish to a spirituall taste, &c. But now on the contrary side, his presumptuous confidence and groundlesse conceit, lyes in the Pharises bosome with much quietnesse and security; without doubting, difficulty, contradiction, or any such adoe. The reason is, his carnall heart is well enough content, and meddles not, because it still feedes vponupon the delights of his darling sinne, without disturbance. Satan is too subtill to interpose, tempt or interrupt, in such a case. For he well knoweth that his foundation is falsehood, his hope of heauen but a golden dreame; and therefore in policy he holds his peace, that hee may hold him the faster.

Take notice by the way; that, that very thing which makes many a truehearted Christian to doubt of himselfe, and of the soundnesse of his spirituall state, should put him out of all doubt; euen often exercise with doubts, temptations, multiplyed attempts against his faith, and assurance of Gods louelove; prayed against, humbly resisted, and opposed with cleauing vntounto the tenderheartednes of Christ, & truth of his promises, though for the present he hath little or no feeling; no such ioy and peace in so beleeuing: And that very thing vponupon which the deluded Ones doe build, and many times boast themselues; to wit, that they are vntroubled, vntempted, in point of faith, and pretended assurance; may returne an infallible remonstrance to their own consciences, that they are certainely deceiued. For doubtlesse, that faith which is neuer assaulted with doubting, is but a fancy. Assuredly that assurance which is euer secure, is but a dreame. Many a Pharise stands by the bedside of the sincere Professor, visited with affliction of conscience, and many heauy temptations; secretly and sinfully pleasing himselfe in the vnblessed calmenesse of a groundlesse confidence, and in his freedome from such terrors and spirituall troubles: when as himselfe is like an Oxe fatting in the greene pastures of impunity and outward prosperity for the day of slaughter: But the afflicted party is as precious gold, purifying in the Lords refining furnace, that hee may afterward p. 336come out and shine more gloriously.

4. In that heart to which the Spirit of God testifies, that we are His children, Ro. 8. 16. doth the same Spirit create many feruent eiaculations, strong cryes & vnutterable groanings, verse 26. The testimony of the Spirit is euer attended with the Spirit of prayer. That glorious glimpse shining into the soule, and assuring it of saluation, is so sweete, so heauenly, so rauishing; so transcendent and incomparably aboue all earthly ioy, that it warmes the spirit of a man with quickning life & liberty, to powre out it selfe in the presence of his Lord and his God, before the Throne of Grace: sometimes in more hearty triumphant, and as it were, winged prayers: at other times, in those which are more faint and cold, yet edged with infinite desires, that they were more feruent, and therefore by the way, as it were, mingled and perfumed with the soueraigne & satisfactory incense in theReuel. 3. 4.Rev 3:4 Golden Censer, which the Angell of the Couenant holds in his hand, are graciously accepted of him, which by an excellency and title of highest honour, is stiled the Hearer of Psal. …7. 2.Ps 7:2Prayers: or at least, with vnexpressable aaPlerumque hoc negotium plus gemitibus, quàm sermonibus, agitur; plus fle…u, quā a…atu. August. Epist. 121. Cogitatio tua clamor est ad Dominum. Idem in Psal. 141.Ps 141groanes and inward wrastlings, for preseruation, recouery, & enlargement of that same comfortable assurance it selfe, and of all other holy graces and fruits of the Spirit, purity of heart, conquest ouer corruption, neerer communion with God, spirituallmindednesse, and such other heauenly guests; amongst whom it is woont to dwell with delight, and represent it selfe more comfortably. But now on the other side; eueryevery deluded Pharise is a meere stranger to the power of Prayer. His presumption and groundlesse confidence, is but a weede which will grow of its owne accord; and therefore is not sensible of any necessity, neither feeles any want of constant prayer from a broken heart; vniuersall obedience; or the holy precisenesse of the Saints to support it.

5 An assurance of Gods LoueLove vponupon sure ground, doth mightily quicken, keene, and spurre forward the ingenuous Christian to more holinesse, hatred of sinne, resolution in p. 337good causes, watchfulnesse ouer his heart, walking with God: Hauing these promises, saith he, let me cleanse my selfe 2. Cor. 7. 1.2 Cor 7:1from all filthinesse of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holinesse in the feare of God: Hauing this hope, I will labour to purifie my selfe, euen as He is pure. To let the principall motiue1. Ioh. 3. 3.1 John 3:3 passe, it is impossible but that the feeling consciousnesse that Gods free louelove, through Christ, hath freed vsus from eternity of torments; one houre wherein, is infinitely more stinging and terrible, then all the tortures that all mankind hath, doth, or shall endure, from the Creation, to the end of the world; and certainely interessed vsus to eternity of ioyes, one houre wherein, doth incomparably surpasse all the delights of this wide world, were they collected into one lumpe of pleasure; I say, it cannot be, but that such an assurance should stirre vp the blessed soule to do or suffer any thing for Christs sake; rather to die then turne Papist, to doe worthily in Ephrata, and bee famous in Bethlehem. But now the other groundlesse confidence, being in truth but a fancie, must needes bee powerlesse, fruitlesse, vnactiue; and makes the deluded rather secure, carelesse, presumptuous, onelyonly formall.

6. The blessed Spirit is woont to spring in our hearts, with heauenly refreshing, and his sweetest testimonie; especially at such times as these: When wee retire and recollect our selues to conuerse with God in a more solemne and solitary manner; opening our consciences, breaking our hearts, and powring out our soules into his bosome: when wee are preparedly and fruitfully exercised in the ordinances: in our innocent patient sufferings, for good causes and conscience sake: when we feele that wee hauehave conquered or well curbed some corruption, by the power of Prayer; in the beleeuing contemplation and reuise of our change, and the infallible markes thereof: when we meditate effectually vponupon the bottomlesse depth of Gods free louelove vntounto vsus, with which hee hath loued vsus from euerlasting to euerlasting: vponupon dayes of humiliation, &c. But that other counterfeit flash keepes a deluded Pharise in a fooles Paradise continually; he is ordinarily p. 338at all times alike peremptory in the point of assurance. You shall not take him any weeke in the yeere, any day in the weeke, any houre in the day, without a bold perswasion, and protestation, if neede be, That he hopes to bee saued as well as the precisest. Hee is as confident this way, when he is cauilling against the purity of the Saints and power of Godlinesse; as when he is the deepest in his Pharisaicall deuotions.

7. The presumption of the Pharise is ordinarily at the height, in his height of outward prosperity; and when Gods Candle shineth faireliest vponupon his head with worldly blessings. But the perswasion of the Christian, is for the most part then strongest, when the world most frowneth vponupon him for his forwardnesse; and in heate of persecution.

8. Those that are deluded with a groundlesse confidence, hauehave ordinarily beene so conceited of themselues, euer since they may remember, or had any thoughts of heauen; and that without consciousnesse of any conuersion, change, or supernaturall sauing worke vponupon their soules at all. For though the deuill seales it with more security vponupon their hearts, by his counterfeit Angelicall glory; yet hee findes matter enough in our corrupt nature, ministred originally for such a golden dreame, and imaginary castle in the aire. But the testimony of the Spirit, and that other true perswasion is supernaturall, and neuer felt before conuersion; nor euer to be found but in a regenerate soule. I doubt not, but many Christians to their singular comfort & further assurance, can tell their experiēce of both: Their bold peremptory ill grounded presumption in their vnregenerate time: and their now true, kindly, sweet perswasion, so much enuied and assaulted by Satan accompanying their conuersion.

9. Naturall presumption, guilded ouer with the deuils delusion, euer shrinkes in the wetting. Troubles of conscience, fiery tryals, heauy crosses, the face of the Prince of terrour, disastrous and dismall times, dissolue it into nothing. But the oher true testimony holds out like armour of proofe, against thickest haileshot of all aduersary power: Nay, it is p. 339woont to shine and shew it selfe with vnited vigor and more lightsomnesse within; in the greatest dampe of outward discomforts, and most confusions abroad.

10. The Christian can giuegive sound reasons for his resolution, in the point of assurance; from his conuersion, holy conuersation, louelove of the brethren, vniuersal obedience, &c. those meanes I mentioned before proper to the Child of God. But put the Pharise to prooue in this case, and perhaps hee will not bee able to say so much as his formall deluded brother, Luk. 18. 11, 12. Sure I am, all that hee can produce for that purpose, being tryed by the Touchstone of Gods Truth, will prooue too light and inconsequent. Reuise the false mediums and insufficient grounds discouered before, and you shall perceiue, that none of them can possibly inferre a comfortable conclusion.

11. The Laodicean longs farre more for gold, then growth in grace; thinkes himselfe already rich enough in Religion, and that he hath attained that very temper which eueryevery wise man should rest vponupon, without any more medling; that if hee should stirre forward, he should be too precise; if he should grow any worse, he should be too prophane; and therefore concludes, I hauehave need of nothing. But the illightened Christian, hauing truely tasted of the assurance of Gods louelove; is infinitely greedy of growing in grace, of conquering corruptions, of neerer communion with his Christ, of doing his God all the most glorious sincere seruice hee can possibly, before hee goe downe into the pit, and be seene no more. His performances, by the grace of God, are many, his endeauours moe, but his desires endlesse, and euer aaSemper tibi displiceas quod es, … vis peruenire ad id quod nondum es. Nam vbi tibi placuisti, ibi remansisti Si autem dixeris, Sufficit, & pe…isti. August. T…. 10. de verbis Apostoli. Serm. 15.vnsatisfied with his degree of well-doing, his present pitch of grace and measure of obedience.

Thus hauing premised a discouery of spiritual self-deceit, whereby many so ouervalew themselues, in point of their spiritual estate, that they conceiue they are very right, whereas in truth and tryall, they are starke rotten at the root: Their case herein, is like that mans, who lying fast asleepe vponupon the edge of a steepe Rocke, dreames merrily of Crownes, p. 340Kingdomes, and the very confluence of all earthly contentments; conceiuing that hee wallowes himselfe in the ouerflowings of all worldly felicities; but vponupon the sudden starting for ioy, breakes his necke, and tumbles into the bottome of the Sea. They are lulled asleepe by the deluding charmes of the Deuill, vponupon their beds of presumptuous security, all their life long, dreaming of no danger at all, but euer confident their case is good enough to God-ward: but their consciences being awaked vponupon their beds of death, or at farthest, at Gods Tribunall, they are suddenly swallowed vp of despaire, and drowned in euerlasting perdition. I come now to forewarne and forearme the true Christian, that with all watchfulnesse and constancie, hee would euer labour to preuent and defeate the secret assaults and insinuations of that white Deuill, as a worthy Diuine calls it, Spirituall pride. A guilded poyson, which Satan, that cunning Alchymist and hellish Spider, doth first extract out of the very sweetest and fairest flowers in Christs Garden; I meane, the most holy vertues and heauenly gifts emplanted in his Childrens hearts; and then thereby so enuenomes and blasts them, that they lose not onelyonly their owne natiue splendour and gracefulnesse, but also their fruitfull communication to others, and comfortable acceptation with God. I say, when he sees a man extraordinarily enriched with spirituall graces, hee seekes might and maine to make him swell with priuy pride; and to puffe him vp with an ouerweening conceit of his owne worth; that so the Christian himselfe may want the comfort of them; his brethren, the fruit of them; and God, the glory of them. When the strong man can no longer keepe goodnesse out of the soule, but the holy Ghost with a mercifull violence breakes in vponupon him and dwels there; his next endeauour is, to abuse euen Grace it selfe, as an vnhappy instrument, to weaken and wound it selfe: nay, so subtill is he, and endlesse in his attempts, that if he cannot make a man proud of any thing else, hee will labour to make himSaepè homo de ipso vanae gloriae contemptu vaniùs gloriatur. August. Serm. l. 10. c. 38. proud that he is not proud, and to glory vainely, because hee is not vaineglorious. The originall and breeding of this canker p. 341in the sanctified soule, I hauehave discouered in my Discourse of true happinesse, page 25. and there made tender of some corrosiues and counterpoysons against it. To which at this time I adde these:

When thou beginnest with an ouerweening conceit to admire thy selfe immoderately & aboue that which is meet, cast thine eye,

1. VponUpon the purity and piercing of Gods all-seeing Eye▪ ten thousand times brighter then the Sunne, and purer then purity it selfe; which sees sinne to be infinitely more sinfull and loathsome then thou canst possibly: whereby His holy Iustice is incensed with infinite indignation, and vnquenchable seueritie against it. Witnesse the turning into Deuils, irrecouerable destruction, and euerlasting downefall of so many glorious creatures, the top and masterpiece, as it were, of all Gods handyworke, shining once so fairely in the highest heauen, and neerest vntounto his Emperiall Throne: The curse which fell vponupon Adam and all his posterity, for eating the forbidden fruit: The confusions which came vponupon the first world by the flood: The burning of Sodom with fire and brimstone from heauen; The fearefull reiection of his owne ancient people: The horrours of a guilty enraged conscience, which is a hell vponupon earth, and damnation aboue ground: The euerlasting fire which is prepared for reprobate men and angels, &c. Neither doth this brightest Eye onelyonly see all thy sinnes in their natiue foulenesse, but also in their truest number. Thou perhaps, for want of more spirituall eye-salue, beholdest them but as starres in a gloomie euening: but assure thy selfe He sees them, as moates in the Sunne, and as Starres in the clearest winters midnight. Methinkes, this mortifying meditation should rather make thee grow into further detestation of sinne, then admiration of thy selfe.

2. VponUpon the incomprehensible perfections and absolute purenesse of Gods most holy nature: the splendour whereof doth dazle the clearest eyes of the brightest Seraphims;Isa. 6. 2.Isa 6:2 doth drowne, as it were, all Angelicall glory; as the Sunnes p. 342presence, the light of lesser starres; much more doth it vtterly darken the materiall beauty of all the lights in heauen. Were the Sunne which is made all of brightnesse, and the euerspringing fountaine of fresh shining beames, presented before that vnapproachable Light which besets Gods sacred Throne; it would vanish away, as a darkesome moate and lumpe of vanity. Where then would a fraile sinfull man in a house of flesh appeare? Behold, saith Iob, hee put no trust in his seruants; and his Angels hee charged with folly: how much lesse on them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the Moth, chap. 4. 18, 19. Behold, he putteth no trust in his Saints; yea, the heauens are not cleare in his sight: how much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquitie like water? chap. 15. 15, 16. Behold euen to the Moone, and it shineth not, yea, the starres are not pure in his sight: how much lesse man, that is a Worme: and the sonne of man which is a Worme? chap. 25. 5, 6. A glimpse as it were, of that highest glory, shining euerlastingly in that purest increated Essence, God blessed for euer, did make righteous Iob to abhorre himselfe, and repent in dust and ashes: HolyIob 42. 6. Isa. 6. 5.Job 42:6Isa 6:5 Isaiah to cry, Woe is mee, for I am vndone. And so if thou also turne thine eye from the vanity of selfe-admiration, toward the infinite Sunne of absolute and incomprehensible purity; and then reflect vponupon thy selfe, as he that hath gazed too much vponupon our visible Sunne, looking downe againe seeth nothing; thou shalt behold the nothingnesse of thine ouerweened worth, and nothing but darknesse and deformitie; and so shalt finde infinite more matter of humiliation and abhorring thy selfe in dust and ashes, then of selfe-estimation and conceitednesse.

3. VponUpon the cleere Cristall of Gods pure Law, which can discouer vntounto thee the least spot that euer stained so much as any one of thy thoughts; shines with that perfect light, that it would guide aright eueryevery step which thou makest in the way which is called Holy, and is of that latitude for prohibition of sinne, and leading to purity and exact pleasing of God: that though wee may see an end of all perfection, p. 343Psal. 119. 96.Ps 119:96yet it is exceeding broad. And therefore though such as hate to be reformed, especially, if their consciences be waking and working, are drawne to a particular and punctuall suruey of themselues and all their wayes in this pure Cristall, euen as a Beare to the stake, a Bankerout to his counting booke, an Elephant to the vnmudded water, a foule face to the Looking-glasse: They are well enough content to heare the Commandements read, restraining their vnderstandings onelyonly to the grosse acts, Thou shalt not kill, &c. and perhaps iustifying themselues Pharisaically thereabouts; but come to the holy strictnesse of Christs exposition, Whosoeuer looketh on a Woman to lust after her, hath committed adulterie with her already in his heart, &c. and it strikes full cold to their impure hearts, and causeth them to cry out against the men of God, Why doe you torment vsus before our times? I say, though it bee thus with the vnregenerate, by reason of their guilty and gauled consciences; yet let it bee thy delight,Psal. 1. 2.Ps 1:2 who art blessed with an euerlasting impregnable protection, by the blood and merit of Iesus Christ, from the curse and rigour of the Law, to peruse thy selfe punctually by this heauenly Looking-glasse, for the discouerie of thy defects and aberrations▪ and to diue with searching and serious meditation into this adored depth of perfection and puritie, to see how farre thou comest short: and then thou shalt finde infinite more cause to presse hard towards the marke, then to looke vponupon that which is behind, or proudly to prize any thing that is past. OnelyOnly I aduise, when thou setst thy selfe thus solemnely to rip vp thy conscience, and ransacke thy heart to the roote, to bring it downe and into the dust, for increase of humiliation and lowlinesse in thine owne eyes: as thou holdest out in the one hand the cleare Cristall of Gods pure Law, to discouer the crookednesse of thy vile naturall disposition, the villanies and skarlet abominations of thine vnregenerate time, the daily spots & staines which light vponupon thy soule, &c. hold out also in the other hand, or rather lay hold vponupon Christ Iesus by the hand of faith, hanging, bleeding, and dying vponupon the Crosse, for p. 344those very same sins; that thereby thou maist vtterly quench all Satans fiery darts, preuent drawing towards despaire; nay, preserue thy spirit in sweetest peace, and vnconquerable comfort against, if it be possible, the least distrustfull intrusion of any slauish terrour.

4. VponUpon the holiest men that euer breathed, the life of grace vponupon earth, and the most renowned in the Church thorow all generations, for all spirituall sufficiencies and excellencies; and thou shalt find them euer most humble in their owne conceits, vilest in their own eyes, nothing in their owne account. Me thinks holy Pauls heauy complaint, O wretched Rom. 7. 24.Rom 7:24man that I am, who shall deliuer me from the body of this death! Heauenly Dauids continuall cry, I am a worme and no man: Psal. 22. 6. & 38. 3. & 50. 3.Ps 22:6Ps 38:3Ps 50:3There is no rest in my bones, because of my sinne. My sinne is euer before me, &c. Blessed Bradfords abasing himselfe, who was one of the worthiest Martyrs, and the Heauenliest minded man that euer breathed out his last in the flames, and ascended to heauen in a fiery chariot, as himselfe spake at the stake: I am as dry as a stone, saith hee, as dumbe as a nayle; as farre Foxe pag. 1663.from praying, as he that neuer knew any taste of it. He sometime subscribed in this manner to those Letters which were full of spirituall life, diuinest streines, and demonstration of the Spirit: The most miserable hard-hearted vnthankefull sinner, Iohn Bradford. A very painted Hypocrite, I. B. &c. I say, Me thinkes, the humble deportment of these and all truely holy Ones should rather make thee sinke yet lower in thine owne conceit, then swell with the poyson of Pharisaicall selfe-conceitednesse.

5. Keepe in a readinesse, and in fresh remembrance such considerations and cooling cards, as it were, as these; when thy heart begins to swell vaine-gloriously: That thou haddest thine hand in that fire-worke, which blew vp all mankind; I meane, in Adams transgression, that brought forth such a bloody sea of sinne and sorrow into the World; such a world of miseries and mischiefes vponupon all the sonnes and daughters of Adam; all tortures vponupon earth, and torments in Hell thorow all eternity: That thou camest into this world, p. 345a sinke, a Sodom, a very hell of all filth and impuritie; of all corruption and crookednesse, euen a little Deuill for darkenesse and damnation: That thou wofully lost and mis-spentst many yeeres, perhaps the best of thy time, strength of youth, flowre of thy age in Satans seruice, and vponupon thy owne abominable lusts: That now vponupon thy conuersion, the meere worke of Gods free grace, thou being honored with part in Christs Passion, with the presence of the blessed Spirit dwelling in thee, with the highest aduancement of being Gods Fauourite, the dearely beloued of his soule; yet the best SabbathIer. 12. 7.Jer 12:7 that thou passest ouer, the holyest duty that thou performest, is distained and distempered with so many imperfections, distractions, frailties, and failings: That while thou yet inhabitest a house of flesh, thou hast inherent in thy bowels, secret seeds, and inbred inclinations to all sinne, (Blesse the sanctifying Spirit for thy priuiledge and preseruation) euen to Atheisme, selfe-murder, Sodomy, despairing of Gods mercy, familiarity with wicked spirits, sinne against the Holy Ghost, &c. That whereas thousands about thee goe on in their sinnes, and perish euerlastingly, thy selfe, it may bee, before thy change worse then most of them; yet now beeing sanctified, thou mayest bee assured, thy name was writ in Heauen, from all eternitie; and therefore from euerlasting thou layest in the bosome of Gods louelove, and from the same euerlasting had the Lord Iesus, set apart to shead his blood in the fulnesse of time, for the saluation of thy soule; and hauehave patience but a little, and euerlasting refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord: thou shalt shine as the brightnesse of the firmament for euer and euer. And in all this who made thee to differ? Thou wast framed of the same mould, made, as it were, of the same cloth, onelyonly the sheeres going betweene, with those that perish: It was onelyonly Gods free grace, the good pleasure of his will. These and the like considerations layde together, should infinitely rather mooue thee with all humble reuerence to adore the bottomlesse depth of Gods free louelove vntounto thee; then conceitedly to magnifie thy selfe aboue p. 346thy brethren, or proudly insult ouer those that are without; to praise thy God with a neuer satisfied admiration of his vnconceiueable bounty, then to plague thy soule, and, as it were, empoyson thy graces with an humour of pride.

6. Thou must shortly bee strictly accountable at the iust Tribunall of God, for the vse and imployment of all the good things hee hath giuen vntounto thee; of thy life and eueryevery moment of it; of thy goods and eueryevery farthing of them; of eueryevery word thou euer spokest; of eueryevery thought that euer sprung out of thy heart; of eueryevery Sermon thou euer heardst; of eueryevery Sabbath thou hast solemnized; of eueryevery line thou hast writ; of eueryevery glance of thine eye; of eueryevery iourney thou hast made, &c. of thy wit, memory, learning; of thy strength, courage, credit; of thine honour, power, and high place▪ In a word, of eueryevery benefit or any good thing in any kinde thou euer receiuedst from the bountifull and blessed hand of Almightie God. And the moe and more excellent and extraordinary endowments, and gracious indulgences hauehave beene vouchsafed thee from the euer-springing Fountaine of all good; the more exactly must thou bee answerable, and in proportion accountable for more. Wherefore, sith the graces of saluation incomparably excell and outshine all other humane abilities; all excellencies of nature, art, policie, learning, or what else can bee named admirable in the eyes of men; God lookes that wee should keepe those heauenly Iewels especially, orient, bright and shining; communicate them most frankely and abundantly to our brethren; and with all watchfulnesse and wisdome vponupon all opportunities, imploy them to our Masters greatest and most glorious aduantage. Now there is nothing more hinders the fruitfull improouement of them then Pride: Nothing makes them more passable and profitable then Humility. A proud man puft vp with an opinion of his good parts, doth ordinarily, out of an itching ambitious humour, single out such seasons for discouerie of himselfe, and ostentation of his gifts; when hee may winne most applause from men, and shew himselfe p. 347vaine-gloriously; and thereupon is more rare, dainty, and reserued in exercising his talent. But a downeright humble Christian is in this kinde vnreseruedly and indifferently for all places, times, and persons; where, and when he may bring glory vntounto God, good vntounto others, comfort to his owne soule in discharging a good conscience. He dares not for his heart, either out of humour, or for feare he should make himselfe too cheape, as they say, or any other vaine respect, conceale any thing in his heart or braine, were it the highest straine of his heauenly skill, or any experimentall secret in the mysterie of Christ, from the meanest Christian, could hee wisely and seasonably thereby doe him any spirituall good. Let vsus therefore infinitely abhorre, by filthy vaine-glory, to staine the glory, and blast the fruitfulnesse of our graces; but rather with all humilitie and watchfulnesse obserue and apprehend all the wayes, occasions and callings, whereby wee may glorifie God most with them, and improoue them best for our Lords aduantage; that so we may giuegive vp our account at the great and vniuersall Audite, with more fauour, and enter more comfortably into our Masters ioy.

7. Let the feare and foresight of the many fearefull effects, and much ill that certainely followes, and is euer found where this white Diuell, spirituall pride, haunts, hunt it out of thy heart, and keepe a continuall narrow watch against all its slie insinuations. Besides that it plagues the soule that harbours it, with many spirituall miseries, distempers, disacquaintance with God (for Hee is euer most familiar with those who are most humble) Pharisaicall swellings, inflamations of furious zeale, and the like; it euer prooues also of pestilent consequence and preiudice to the common state of goodnesse, to the honour and acceptation of Christianitie. 1. A truely proud professour, puffed vp with his gifts and supposed sufficiencies; which wickedly aimes more at vaineglory, then glorifying God; at his owne praise, then profiting others, is for the most part very irkesome, tedious and burdensome to the company of humble, wise, iudicious p. 348Christians. For ordinarily hee is ouertalkatiue, swift to speake, and too full of words; farre more forward to ouer-rule and domineere, in opposing, moderating, resoluing, then seuen men that can render a reason. An itching humour after applause, and of carrying away the credit, for abilitie to discourse, and eminencie aboue others, puts him on too often to powre out himselfe indiscreetly and impertinently in all companies, to presse and obtrude vponupon others with much verball importunitie, and vnconquerable stifnesse, his master-like conceits, without due respect or seasonable obseruation of the humble abilities and sufficiencies of by-standers, & that many times when he hath neither calling, fitnes, efficacy of matter, or power of the holy Ghost. And if a man doe not presently vponupon the bare and first proposition, accord and accommodate his iudgement to eueryevery circumstance of whatsoeuer he holds, and square exactly to his Oracles; hee begins to shake the head as though hee were a lost man, and is ready, ipso facto, to excommunicate him out of his conscience. I speake not thus, to stop the current of comfortable talk, edifying discourse, and fruitful conference, in any true-hearted Nathaneels. There is infinitely more need to stirre them vp, and quicken them to more forwardnesse and foorth-putting this way at Christian meetings: but onelyonly to intimate the vaine-glorious, empty, opinionatiue talkatiuenesse of such as are possessed with this white Diuell. 2. Such an One also is woont to be too austere, censorious, sowre, and imperious in his cariage towards those which are without; whereby he becommeth; both a stumbling blocke to them in their way to Christianity; and brings also an vnnecessary, scandalous, false aspersion vponupon the wayes of God, and yoke of Christ, as though they were harsh, heauy, and vnpleasant; when as they are most sweet, easie and amiable. I know full well, there is not the wisest, holiest, humblest, discreetest Christian aliue, can so possibly beare and behaue himselfe; but prophanenesse will plague him with slanderous imputations of any kinde. Iesus Christ our Master was not free this way; which of his seruants then can, dare, or p. 349will expect and desire exemption? Blessed bee God, that our good names are oyled, so that the inke will not sticke which is cast vponupon them. There is scarce a religious Professor, especially of resolution and spirit to bee found, but some men of the world will charge him with surlinesse and pride. Whereas many times, not only the imputation is misgrounded, mistaken, misse-imputed, fastened vponupon him for the most part, by reason of his 1. inconformity to the courses of the world, and corruptions of the times, 2. vnsociablenesse with profane men, 3. resolution and vndauntednesse in good causes, 4. innocency and independency, which beget boldnesse and brauenesse of minde, &c. but also those fellowes themselues, who so slander him; because their consciences were neuer illightened with sight, sence, and acknowledgement of the foulenesse of sinne, their own vilenesse, the exactnesse of Gods Law, purity of his most holy Nature, seueritie and certainty of his Iudgements; cannot possibly chuse but be passingly proud. Yet for all this, I would aduise all those who hauehave in earnest giuen their names to Christ; that they would walke warily, and so demeane themselues, that they giuegive no iust offence in this kinde. For when they hauehave tryed both wayes, they shall finde, that mercifulnesse and meekenesse to those which are without; humilitie and humanitie; affable, courteous, and louing deportment; and so becomming all Colos. 3. 12. 1. Pet. 3. 8. 1. Cor. 9. 22.Col 3:121 Pet 3:81 Cor 9:22things to all men in Pauls sence, and so farre as wee may with a good conscience, is the better way, subscribed vntounto by the manifold experiences of wisest and worthiest Christians, to winne honour to our profession, to gaine moe vntounto Gods side, and to preserue our selues in as much peace amidst a naughty and crooked generation, as holinesse will possibly permit. 3. God in his iust iudgement giues ouer such anThe euer-good conceit, and selfeweening opinion, man hath of himselfe, is the Nursemother of the falsest opinions, both publike and particular. One sometimes to santasticall opinions, odde and absurd tenents, swaruing brainelessely and senselessely from the holy harmony of confessions, and our blessed pure Orthodoxe Articles of Religion; the truth whereof, eueryevery honest Man, if need required, ought to seale with his bloud: which when superficialnesse, and its ordinary consort, selfeconceitednesse, p. 350hauehave vnhappily brought forth, by the midwifery of a kind of spirituall wantonnesse; be they neuer so monstrous and misshapen, yet some giddy heads will hearken and hanker after them; so that many times many weake, vngrounded, vnstable young beginners in Profession, are limed, and wofully entangled, as wee see too often in our chiefest Citie, whence ensues an incredible deale of preiudice, hurt and hindrance, euen to the common state of goodnesse; to the honour and acceptation of Christianitie. For thereupon is raised a cry in all conuenticles of good fellowship, and consistories of worldly wisdome: That these forward professours will all turne phantasticall, Familists, Anabaptists, Arrians, any thing. Which cry awakes the eye of State-iealousie; and so by an vnworthy consequent, drawes vponupon those who are true of heart, euen Gods best seruants, and the Kings best subiects, discountenance, suspicions, if not molestations; vnnecessarily, causelesly. For so might yee roote vp your Rose-trees, because a worme sometimes breeds in the sweetest bud. So might yee extinguish Monarchies from the face of the earth, because they sometimes degenerate into tyrannies. So might yee conceiue ill of Peter, and the rest of the Apostles, because Iudas prooued naught, &c. 2. Sometime hee suffers him to fall into some grosse sinne, in the face of the World, and before the watchfull eye of scornefull enemies; the infamy and scandall whereof, being once on wing, flye abroad as swift as the Eagles of the Heauens, ouer a whole Countrey, ouer a Kingdome; the Deuils and their drunken trumpetters are speedy Dromedaries to carry such newes: and this concurrent cry resounds from all places with much wicked triumph and insultation: You see now what these professors are; One so famous for his forwardnesse, is fallen into such a grosse sinne, and so notoriously; They are euen all alike, &c. Which by accident, and in the euent redounds too often, to the inexpiable disgrace of our holy profession, the strengthening of the stubborne, the staggering of the strong, the stunting of those which are comming on, the hindering of the weake, the hardning of the wicked, the chaining of the scorner, farre p. 351faster to his chaire of pestilence. Woe vntounto him by whom such offence doth come; except by a remarkeable repentance and recouery, after blessed Dauids example, hee reestablish himselfe in the hearts of Gods people, and stop the mouthes of the aduersaries, who are equally guilty of impenitency, as of farre, perhaps, grosser impieties. Austin doth excellently expresse, and to the life, the wylinesse of the wicked, and humour of the world vponupon such vnhappie occasions. There was, as it seemes, some such scandalous accident befell in his family. Whereupon hee writes an Epistle to the Ministers, Seniours, and whole Citie of Hippo; and heartily intreates them all, aaEpist. 137. Hortatur omnes, ne temerè iudicent, néue ob paucorum delicta, vel ipsi deficiant à pietate, vel de omnibus malè suspie entur, declarans nullam fuisse tam foelicem societatem, in qua non aliquod flagitium extiterit. Argument. Quantumlibet vigilet disciplina domus meae, Homo sum, & inter homines viuo▪ nec mihi arrogare audeo, vt domus mea melior sit quàm Ar…a Noë; vbi tamen inter octo homines reprobus vnus inuentus est: aut melior si…, quàm domus Abrahae, vbi dictum est, Eijce Ancillam & filium eius: aut melior sit, quàm domus Isaac, cui de duobus geminis dictum est, Iacob dilexi, Esau autem odio habui: aut melior sit quàm domus ipsius Iacob, vbi lectum patris filius incestauit: aut melior sit quàm domus ipsius Dauid, euius filius cum sorore concubuit, cuius al…er filius contra patris tam sanctam mansuetudinem rebellauit, &c. aut melior quàm cohabitatio ipsius Domini Christi, in quâ vndecim boni, perfidum & furem Iudam tolerauêrunt: aut melior sit postremò, quàm coelum, vnde Angeli ceciderunt. Cùm de aliquibus, qui sanctum nomen profitentur, aliquid criminis, vel falsitatis sonuerit, vel veri patuerit; instant▪ satagunt, ambiunt, vt de omnibus hoc credatur.that themselues would not therefore either faint in that Christian course, and holy profession; or fall foule with suspicions and censures vponupon all, for the faults of a few: for there is no societie so happy, which is not stained with some villany. Although, saith he, discipline be exercised in my family with a watchfull eye, yet I am a man, and liue amongst men; and therefore cannot presume that mine house should bee better then the Arke of Noah; then the house of Abraham; then the house of Isaac; then the house of Iacob; then the house of Dauid, &c. In all which, some were naught; nay, then the family of Iesus Christ, in which there was a traitour and a thiefe. Lastly, then Heauen it selfe, from which the Angels fell. But that which I would principally hauehave you take notice of in that Epistle, and for which I specially mention it, is Austins emphaticall, elegant, and effectuall expressing the eager, itching, ambitious humour of the wicked, to father and fasten the faults of some, vponupon the whole generation of the iust. Instant, saith he, Satagunt, ambiunt; I cannot expresse their full significancy in English: but part of his meaning is; They eueryevery way, and infinitely labour, that when some professors of holinesse hauehave foulely fallen indeed, or be only so slandered, the p. 352World would beleeue, That they are all such. Doe you not thinke in his time the World did thus insult and exclaime, or in the like manner vponupon Lots fall: Here now you see **The Poet brings in the Sodomites thus speaking vntounto Lot: Base, busie stranger, comest thou hither thus, (Controler like) to prate; and preach to vsus? No (Puritan) thou shalt not here doe so, &c. The Vocation, pag. 412.Puritan Lot, who could not indure the good fellowship of the Sodomites; he is now himselfe seized vponupon by Incest, They are all such, I will awarrant you. In Dauids time: What, Dauid? a man so precise, that he professeth, a lyer shall not tarry in his sight, Psa. 101. Hath he taken away another mans wife? You see now what they all are, &c. Proportionably in these times, (and it will be the humour of those that hate to be reformed to the worlds end, so to calumniate) if any who hauehave giuen their names vntounto Christ, be detected, nay, or suspected of any notorious scandalous crime, it is a sufficient warrant for the wicked to raise a generall cry, and to proclaime eueryevery where; They are all alike. And good fellowes, as they call them, will thinke themselues wronged, if the World thereupon doe not conceiue the onelyonly difference betweene them, and forward Professours to be; that these carry things more cunningly, and hauehave an art in concealing their miscarriages. We, say they, are plaine-dealing men, and appeare, as we are; we are flesh and bloud, and must hauehave our pleasures; and therefore refresh our selues at many merry and Iouiall meetings: we sweare sometimes, and drinke, and game; and to tell you true, doe a great deale worse; but without hypocrisie: whereas these demure holy Ones beare themselues more reseruedly, weare a vizor in their visible conuersation, but assure your selues, sinne in secret as well as we. Iust as Austin saith in the forecited place; The wicked watch and obserue; and if they spie any of the betrer side to fall, they would presently hauehave the World to thinke, That the rest are all such; ^a Omnes tales … credant, sed non omnes posse manifestari.onelyonly they are not euer discouered. Now the Lord rebuke thee, Satan, who so infatuatest the iudgements, and blindes the vnderstandings of men, otherwise of good parts, and very worldly wise, whom thou wofully hoodwinkest and hardnest to their endlesse ouerthrow. 1. That they should wickedly and absurdly condemne bbNon perijt fraternitas pia propter eos, qui profitentur quod non sunt. August. in Psal. 13…. 1. Pet. 2. 17.Ps 131 Pet 2:17all for some, whereby they barre themselues euerlastingly from the louelove of the Brotherhood. p. 3532. That they should erect Tribunals in other mens consciences (which is Gods Royall prerogatiue;) and so miscensure their hearts, to their own hardening. 3. That they should not be able to discerne betweene being haled and hurried, as it were, into some sinne, against the generall purpose of a mans heart, and practise of his life, by the violence of some temptation, passion, or impetuous sudden insnarement, which hee after heartily bewailes with much bitternesse of spirit, and exemplary repentance, willing, if God were so pleased, to redeeme the scandall of his fall with the shedding of his blood; taking occasion thereupon to walke more warily, and to doe more nobly in the seruice of his God, all the dayes of his life: and a resolued delightfull wallowing in variety of lusts, pleasures, and grosse sinnes, without any repentance or reformation at all.