The Marrow of the Oracles of God, Chapter 2
CHAP. II.
Shewing the generall diuision of the signes, and the wayes how the signes were found out.
THus of the shorter Catalogue of signes. Now it followes, that I proceed to those infallible markes of Election and Saluation. And whereas I hauehave The occasion of this Treatise.diuers yeeres since published a Treatise which I called Essayes, or Signes of Gods louelove and mans saluation: Hauing obserued that diuers hauehave accounted the manner of setting the Signes downe somewhat obscure in diuers parts of the Booke, I will now, by Gods assistance, for the helping of the weakest Christians, in this Treatise, endeauour to expresse my selfe in this Doctrine of the tryall of a true Christian estate, in a more plaine and easie course of ex…mination; and leaue both the former Treatise and this new Catalogue vntounto the blessing of God, and the free choise of the godly Reader, to vse which hee findeth most agreeable to his owne taste, being both such as are warranted and founded vponupon the infallible euidence of Gods vnchangeable truth.
In this proiect then, I consider of the triall of a true Christian The signes ref…rred to six heads.sixe wayes.
First, in his humiliation.
Secondly, in his faith.
Thirdly, in the gifts of his minde, with which he is qualified.
Fourthly, in the workes of his obedience.
Fiftly, in the entertainment he hath from God.
Sixtly, in the manner of his receiuing of the Sacraments.
In all which hee differs from all the wicked men in the world, so as neuer any wicked man could finde these things in his condition, which are true of the weakest Christian in each of these signes.
And that the true Christian may not doubt of his estate, hauing found these signes in himselfe, The infallibility of the signes.let him consider the proofes annexed to each signe: and that nothing may bee wanting to his aboundant consolation, I will tell him, how I found out these signes, and by what grounds I proceeded.
There are three sorts of places 3. W…ies to find out the signes of a god…y man in Scripturein Scripture (as I conceiue) which do point out the grounds of infallible assurance in those that can attaine vntounto them: as first, such places as expresly doe a…firme, that such and such things are signes. As for example, 1 Ioh. 3. 14. Hereby we know, that we are translated from death to life, because we louelove the brethren. Here the holy Ghost shewes vsus expresly, that the louelove of the brethren is a signe, by which a Christian may know, that he is translated from death to life: and so the Apostle Paul giues signes to know whether their sorrow were after God, or no, 2 Cor. 7. 11. So doth the Prophet Dauid, Psalme 15 giuegive diuers signes, by which the man that shall dwell in Gods holy hill, may be knowne. So the Apostle Iames tells vsus, how wee may know the wisedome from aboue, by reckning the fruits and effects of it, Iames 3. 17. So doth the Apostle Paul tell vsus, how we may know, whether we hauehave the Spirit of Christ in vsus, or no, Rom. 8. 9, 15, &c. Gal. 5. 22. and 4. 6, 7.
Secondly, I find out signes, by marking what graces in man the promises of God are made vntounto. For thus I reason: Whatsoeuer gift of God in man brings him within the compasse of Gods promises of eternall merciemercy, that gift must bee an infallible signe of saluation. But such are such and such gifts, as the instances in diuers Scriptures shew: And therefore the man that can finde those gifts in himselfe, shall bee certainly saued. As for example: The Kingdome of heauen is promised to such as are poore in spirit, Mathew 5. 3. From thence then I gather, that pouerty of spirit is an infallible signe. The like I may say of the louelove of the Word, and of vprightnesse of heart, and of the louelove of God, and the louelove of the appearing of Christ, &c.
Thirdly, I finde out other signes, by obseruing what godly men in Scripture hauehave said for themselues, when they hauehave pleaded their owne euidence for their interest in Gods louelove, or their hope of a better life. For looke how godly men in Scripture hauehave proued that they were not hypocrites: euen so may any Christian proue that he is not an hypocrite neither. As for example, Iob being charged to bee an hypocrite, and lying vnderunder the heauy hand of God, pleades his cause, and proues that hee was not an hypocrite, by his constancie in Gods wayes, and by his constant estimation of Gods Word, and desire after it, as after his appointed food, Iob 23. 10, 11, 12. More of this kinde thou maist find in the proofes of particular signes.
Now whereas some signes are general, and thou mightest doubt of the exposition, namely how that signe is infallible in such and such sences; for thy establishment heerein, thou mayest obserue, that I expound the signe as it is expounded in other seuerall Scriptures. As for example: The louelove of the brethren, is a generall signe. Now how shall I know that I hauehave the right louelove of the brethren? This I explaine, by flying to diuers other Scriptures, wherein the particular explications of this signe are pleaded.