A Treatise of Faith — Ezekiel Culverwell

A Treatise of Faith · Ezekiel Culverwell

THE THIRD generall head of liuing by faith, is concerning holy duties.

THus hauing ſeene how we are to gather out of Gods promiſes, daily more certainety of our ſaluation, both by faith, and by the principall fruits thereof: and in the ſecond place, how wee may bee daily more aſſured of a full victory ouer all our corruptions, that they ſhall neuer ouercome vsus, but wee them: (which muſt needs bring much comfort to all poore diſtreſſed ſoules, who groane vnderunder the burthen of them, till they may be eaſed.)

Wee are to proceede to the third generall point propounded, wherein wee are to hauehave vſe of our faith againſt thoſe many doubts, which ariſe in our hearts; how we who be ſo full of frailty, and ſo weake in grace, may yet be able to performe all thoſe duties which God requireth at our hands, both towards his maieſty in the firſt table of the ten commandements; and towards man, our ſelues, and others in the ſecond table; and that in ſuch manner, as may bee pleaſing to him.

For howſoeuer many carnall profeſſours (in truth little better then hypocrites) imagine it is no ſuch hard matter to leade a godly life, and ſo content themſelues with ſuch common duties, as may vpholde a name in profesſion of true Religion; as frequenting the publike aſſemblies, ſaying prayers in their houſes, and liuing honeſtly among their neighbours; all which muſt bee done, and many come not ſo farre: yet they who hauehave truely taſted of Gods mercy in their redemption by Chriſt, doe know that God hath deſerued better ſeruice at their hands,What holineſſe God requires. and requires more duty of them:1. Pet. 1. 15 namely, That as he, who hath called them is holy; ſo they muſt bee holy in all manner of conuerſation: and that it muſt be their chiefe Study, to adde to their faith vertue, and to vertue knowledge, and to knowledge temperance; 2. Pet. 1. 4. 6.and to temperance, patience, and to patience, godlineſſe, and to godlineſſe, 7.brotherly kindneſſe, and to brotherly kindnes, charity.

And for the manner of their ſeruice, it muſt bee 1. without feare, (that is, not ſeruile and conſtrained, but willing and cheerefull, 2. vniuerſall in holineſſe (towards God) in righteouſnes (towards mē) 3. before him (as in his ſight) ſincerely,Luk. 1 78. 75. 4. all the dayes of their life, conſtantly in all eſtates vntounto the end, and ſo to pleaſe God in all things.Col. 1. 10.

The faithfull people of God know,Gods children vnable thus to liue by themſelues. that this is the life which God in his word ſo much requireth at their hands, and which they ſo earneſtly deſire, and endeauour to performe.

But ſo are they beſet round with ſinne,Heb. 12. 1. and oft ſo taken captiue by the power of their corrupt nature, That when they would doe good, euill is preſent with them: Rom. 7. 21whereby it comes to paſſe, that all, euen the ſtrongeſt Chriſtians, finde it a matter aboue their ability, thus to leade their liues; and many of the weaker ſort bee oft diſcouraged, to ſee how weakely they performe all Chriſtian duties.

And no meruaile, for ſeeing the regenerate themſelues, hauehave not receiued any ſuch meaſure of grace, whereby they may thus willingly, and throughly, ſincerely, and conſtantly, ſo ſerue God, as to feare him with reuerence and godly feare, Heb. 12. 28(witneſſe the ſlips and fals of the moſt worthy ſeruants of God) but all our ſufficiency is of God, 2 Cor. 3. 5. 12. 9.and his grace muſt bee ſufficient for vsus, Ioh. 15. 5.and his power muſt bee magnified in our weakeneſſe, and without Chriſt we can doe nothing: Out of all this may be gathered, what need we hauehave of faith, to enable vsus to leade this life, wherby we may pleaſe God, and finde comfort to our ſoules.

Which ſhall further appeare,What is neceſſary to pleaſe God. if we well conſider, what is neceſſarily required of vsus ſinners, that we may pleaſe God in any duty we performe; which I conceiue be theſe three.

1. Firſt, a conſcionable indeauour to doe the will of God,Mat. 7. 21. in ſuch ſort as hee in his word commandeth.

2. Secondly,Pſal. 51. 17 a true griefe for our many failings heerein,Eſa. 66. 2. both in the deede,Heb. 11. 6. and right manner of doing.

3. Thirdly, a beliefe, that God for Chriſts ſake will asſiſt vsus, and accept of our weake obedience.

All which as we ſee be euident in the ſcripture, and oft required, ſo are they as manifeſt by reaſon; that ſeeing Gods will, is the rule of all equity, therefore whatſoeuer ſwarueth from it (though neuer ſo little) muſt needes be vnequall, and ſo diſpleaſing to God.

And on the other ſide, ſeeing all our righteouſneſſe, is as a ſtained or defiled cloath, ſuch as Gods pure eyes cannot endure; of necesſity it follows, that they who will be acceptable to God, muſt come vntounto God in Chriſt,All our ſufficiency is in Chriſt receiued by faith. both for ſtrength to do that which God requireth, and for fauour, that God will bee pleaſed to accept of the ſatisfaction made by Chriſt for the pardon of their defects in their beſt duties, and for the allowing of their obedience to bee well liking in his ſight.

Whereupon it neceſſarily followes, that whoſoeuer intends ſo to leade a godly life, that he may be pleaſing to God, m…ſt attaine this by faith, without which as all we doe is ſinne:Heb. 11. 6. ſo the Scripture ſpeakes plainely▪ Without faith it is impoſſible to pleaſe God.

And yet how few be they, who hauehave attained this grace, ſo to liue by faith; as thereby to drawe from Chriſt continuall increaſe of ſpirituall ſtrength, better to performe all holy obedience, and daily to get more comfort, that this their obedience ſhall bee acceptable to God!Two branches of this 1. how to get grace. 2. how to be accepted

Wherein wee hauehave theſe two ſpeciall branches to bee conſidered, How we may get this grace, to leade a godly life, or how wee may hauehave comfort that this ſhall be accepted.

For the former,Some chiefe failings in eueryevery commādement. that wee may better ſee how vnable wee bee of our ſelues to performe all holy obedience, and ſo bee more willing to embrace the remedy: I deſire eueryevery one carefully to examine himſelfe by the Lawe of God, how exceedingly he faileth in eueryevery one of them.

1. As for example, in the firſt commandement: In not walking with God, not reſting vponupon him for relief in all his necesſities, nor ſo delighting in him, as to count nothing too deare for him, and that he is not more afraid to diſpleaſe God, then any in the world beſides.

2. In the ſecond commaundement: how ſlacke and ſlight hee is in all the worſhip of God, both priuate and publike: as namely, in priuate praier (which yet for the moſt part is in greateſt vſe.) As for reading the ſcriptures, and other godly bookes, how ſeldome? meditation alone, and conference with others, how little thought vponupon? So likewiſe for the publike, what careleſſe and vnfruitfull hearing, praying, ſinging and receiuing of the Sacraments.

3. In the third commandement. How backeward he is lifting vp the name of God, ſo as he might by all his behauiour, bring God into better eſteeme with thoſe with whom he conuerſeth.

4. In the fourth commandement. What adoe he hath to keepe his whole man imployed about the true ſanctification of the Lords Sabbath.

In all which whoſoeuer ſhall conſcionably conſider his waies, I nothing doubt but he ſhall ſee iuſt cauſe to complaine of his want of faith, whereby alone hee ſhould receiue power from Chriſt and his Spirit, much more effectually to performe all theſe holy duties to God.

The like defect ſhall be found vponupon due examination in all duties of righteouſneſſe in the ſecond table, which God requireth both in regard of our ſelues and our neighbour.

As in the fifth commandement. I wiſh eueryevery one duely to waigh how badly hee diſchargeth the dutie of his ſpeciall place, either in the Family, Church, or Common-wealth, both ſuch as are ſet aboue others, and ſuch as be below, gouernours and gouerned: and then he ſhall well ſee what neede he hath of faith▪ to enable him to a better performance of thoſe duties, which his place requireth.

6. In the ſixt commandement. How careleſſe he is both in auoiding thoſe things which hurt the life and health of body and ſoule, both of himſelfe and others: and in vſing all good meanes for the preſeruation of both; And much more wanting in bearing and forgiuing wrongs, in louing his enemies, and ouercomming euill with goodneſſe.

7. In the ſeauenth commandement likewiſe. What little watch and meanes are vſed to keepe both ſoule and body chaſte: and ſo to auoide all allurements to vncleanneſſe, ſoberly vſing all our ſenſes, and their delights.

8. In the eight commandement. How hee failes in getting his goods iuſtly, and ſo vſing them holily to Gods honour, mercifully to the releefe of his neighbour, and wiſely to his owne good, of ſoule and body.

9. In the ninth commandement. How careleſſe he is as to auoide all blemiſhing of his owne good name, or his neighbours any manner of way, and ſo to preſerue either, and to recouer them being wounded, by ſuch meanes as God hath appointed.

10. In the tenth commandement. How hardly he can bring his heart to louelove his neighbour as himſelfe, and to be as loath to hurt him as his owne ſelfe, and to ſeeke his neighbours good as his owne.

Thus hauehave I briefely drawne out of the Commandements, ſome of the chiefeſt duties; which we cannot deny, but that as wee are bound to performe them, and deſire ſo to doe, ſo we faile much in the practiſe of them: neither poſsibly can we doe better, till we receiue grace from Chriſt to enable vsus thereunto.

Theſe being ſo manifeſt, I hope I ſhall not neede to ſay any thing more, to perſwade any true Chriſtian to labour for the increaſe of this pretious gift of faith, whereby he may get power from Chriſt, better to obey God in all that he ſhall require at his hands.

And therefore I would now ſet vponupon this worke (which is my chiefe intent) to gather ſome ſpeciall promiſes, and to ſhew the right vſe of Faith, for our helpe in this behalfe.

But that I remember there is an other branch of this matter,2. Branch of this third point, how our obedience may be accepted. namely, how we may doe all our workes in faith, that God will accept thereof. Wherein it will be no hard matter to ſhew that we are for the moſt part as much (if not more) failing, then in the former; as both reaſon and experience will prooue. For a meere naturall man voide of all ſauing grace, may be drawne by ſelfe-louelove for his owne good, or by feare of danger that might befall him, to doe many good things,Mark. 6. 20. as wee reade of Herod, 2 King. 10. 30.Iehu, 2 Chron. 25. 2.Amaziah, who did that which was right in the ſight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart.

But to bee perſwaded vponupon good ground, that God will accept our weake and ſinfull obedience for perfect, as if it were without fault, this requires true grace, yea a greater meaſure then many a weake beleeuer can attaine.

From hence it ſpecially ariſeth that ſundry true hearted Chriſtians,Many diſcouraged by their infirmities. very conſcionable in their conuerſation, be yet much diſcouraged, and by reaſon of the infirmities of their beſt duties hauehave little comfort in any thing they doe, and ſo looſe if not all, yet much fruit of great labour: ſo that it cannot be but welcome inſtruction to them, to heare and learne how they may be aſſured that their weake obedience ſhall be pleaſing to God, as if it were without fault.

In both which I will doe my beſt, to draw out of the welles of ſaluation, the holy Scriptures, ſuch ſweete promiſes as ſhall abundantly ſatisfie the thirſtie ſoule, whoſe chiefe deſire is nothing more then to hauehave grace whereby they may ſerue God acceptably with reuerence and godly feare.Heb. 12. 28.

And firſt to begin with the former, How wee may be ſure wee ſhall want no grace.that we may aſſure our ſelues wee ſhall not want any needfull grace for the leading of a godly life, the Lord hath expreſſely ſaid ſo much, Pſal. 84. 11. For the Lord God is a Sunne and ſhield: The Lord will giuegive grace and glory, no good thing will he with-hold from them that walke vprightly. Which being ſo generall, I nothing doubt but it includes this grace of holineſſe among the reſt. To this end alſo doth the Lord ſo often promiſe to ſanctifie and make holy his people, as Exod. 19. 6. 31. 13. Leu. 20. 8. 21. 8. 22. 32. Deut. 22. 8. 9. Eſa. 4. 3. 35. 8. Joel 3. 17. I ſpare to ſet downe the words which they that liſt may eaſily reade. Againe, to the ſame end God promiſeth to make his people fruitfull, and ſo compareth himſelfe to a good husband-man, as in the 15. of Iohn, I am the Vine, and my Father is the huſbandman; EueryEvery branch that beareth not fruit he taketh away, and eueryevery branch that beareth fruit he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruite. So, Eſa. 27. 2, 3. In that day ſing yee vntounto her, a vineyard of red wine; I the Lord doe keepe it. I will water it eueryevery moment: least any hurt it. I will keepe it night and day: and Pſal. 92. 14. They ſhall ſtill bring foorth fruit in old age, they ſhall be fat and flouriſhing.

This alſo is meant where the Lord as a good ſhepheard ſaith, he will feede his people that they may be fat, that is, abounding in grace, as Pſal. 23. Ezek. 34. 13, 14, 15. and Pſal. 36. 8. They ſhall bee abundantly ſatisfied with the fatneſſe of thy houſe, and thou ſhalt make them drinke of the riuer of thy pleaſures, &c.

This grace of God to leade a godly life, is likewiſe intended in many other promiſes, God giues ſtrength.as where it is ſaid, That God will giuegive ſtrength to his people; which as it is in ſome places meant againſt enemies bodily or ſpirituall: ſo in other, to walke in the waies of the Lord, &c. Eſa. 45. 24. Surely ſhall one ſay, In the Lord hauehave I righteouſneſſe and ſtrength. Zach. 10. 12. And I will ſtrengthen them in the Lord, and they ſhall walke vp and downe in his Name, ſaith the Lord, and the like. That God hath wrought all our workes in vsus. Eſa. 26. 12. and ſo the Apoſtle, Phil. 4. 13. I can doe all things through Chriſt who ſtrengtheneth me.

But to this purpoſe, be moſt plaine thoſe promiſes where God ſaith; Hee will circumciſe thine heart and the heart of thy ſeede, to louelove the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy ſoule, that thou mayeſt liue. Deut. 30. 6.God makes able to obey. And to the like effect, verſe. 8. And thou ſhalt returne and obey the voice of the Lord, and doe all his commandements which I command thee this day, which is here made a promiſe of God to them what hee would make them able to performe, as may appeare by Hoſea 3. 5. and 14. 7. and Ierem. 24. 7. where the like promiſe is made. And ſo, Ezek. 11. 19, 20. And I will giuegive them one heart, and I will put a new ſpirit within you, and I will take the ſtony heart out of their fleſh, and will giuegive them a heart of fleſh: That they may walke in my ſtatutes, and keepe my ordinances and doe them, and they ſhall be my people, and I will be their God. The like is repeated 36. 27. and 37. 24.

Thus wee may ſee in theſe Scriptures and many … of like ſort,Vſe of theſe generall promiſes for ſanctification. how the Lord ſeeing the frailtie of his children, both in obeying his will, and in beleeuing that euer they ſhall be able to attaine thereunto, hath for their comfort herein giuen many pretious promiſes, in generall containing all grace needfull to the leading of a godly life, which eueryevery childe of God may boldly apply to himſelfe in this manner, ſeeing God who is faithfull hath ſaid to all his people, that he will giuegive grace, that hee will ſanctifie them, and make them fruitfull, ſatiſfie them with the fatneſſe of his houſe, make them ſtrong to walke in his waies, and giuegive them a new heart to feare him for euer, and to walke in his ſtatutes, and to keepe his ordinances, and to doe them, &c. therefore I may boldly aſſure my ſelfe, though I be neuer ſo weake, yet through Chriſt I ſhall be able to doe all things, For he hath wrought and will worke all our workes, 2 Cor. 12. 9.and his grace ſhall be ſufficient for vsus.

Yea, we may ſay as Eſa. 45. 24. In the Lord hauehave I righteouſneſſe and ſtrength.

If thus we would call to minde what God hath ſpoken for our comfort in this kinde, it would well hearten vsus, to ſet vponupon any dutie which the Lord ſhall require at our hands, with confidence that we ſhall be able ſo to performe it, as he will approoue and ſay, Matth. 25. 21.It is well done, good and faithfull ſeruant. Whereas otherwiſe if wee looke vponupon the difficultie of the worke, and our owne inſufficiency to eueryevery good dutie, we ſhall hauehave no heart to ſet vponupon it, but either quite giuegive it ouer, or very vnfruitfully and vncomfortably goe about it, as the manner of moſt is: whereby God hath ſmall honour, and themſelues as little comfort in all their profeſsion.

This might ſuffice,Particular graces. to encourage vsus cheerefully to ſet vponupon a godly life in all the parts of it, if we were not ſo vntoward to it in our ſelues, and had not ſo many diſcouragements from others, and ſo full of vnbeleefe towards God.

But becauſe of all theſe, the Lord in louelove is conſtrained to take more paines with vsus, and not onelyonly thus in general, to promiſe vsus his helpe, but he deſcends to particulars, and where he ſees vsus moſt miſtruſtful, there he doth more ſpecially promiſe his helpe, that ſo we might more willingly ſerue him.

And firſt, whereas we be all ignorant (euen after regeneration) in many things, what is Gods will, and how to performe ſuch things as God requireth (as may bee ſeene in thoſe ſpeciall duties before named in eueryevery commandement:) and this hath beene of old, and is at this day, the complaint of the godly, and ſo their oft and earneſt prayer to God to teach them; as that one booke of the Pſalmes, and therein that one Pſal. 119. doth ſhew, wherein this prayer is oft repeated.

For theſe cauſes it is ſo oft ſaid,God will teach vsus. that the Lord will teach his people; As in that famous propheſie of the dayes of the Goſpell where the zeale and faith of Gods people is foreſhewed, that they called vponupon one another to frequent the publike aſſemblies, vpō this ground: That God would teach them his waies, and they would walke in his pathes. Eſa. 2. 3. Mich. 4. 2. So Pſal. 25. 8, 9. He will teach ſinners in the way, and the meeke he will teach his way. So Eſa. 54. 13. And all thy children ſhall be taught of the Lord. And to this purpoſe that is ſpecial, 1. Ioh. 2. 27. where ſpeaking of the ſpirit giuen to all the faithfull, hee ſaith, But the annointing which ye hauehave receiued of him, abideth in you: and yee need not that any man teach you: but as the ſame annointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie; and euen as it hath taught you, yee ſhall abide in him: Many moe promiſes to this effect might be alleadged.

Out of them all,Vſe. thus we may conclude; Seeing Chriſt doth bid vsus come to him, and ſo to annoint our eyes with eye-ſalue that we may ſee, Reu. 3. 18.and God hath made ſo many promiſes to teach vsus, and that his Spirit ſhall leade vsus into all truth; Ioh. 16. 13.therefore be our ignorance neuer ſo great, and our capacitie neuer ſo ſmall, yet we ſhall not want ſo much ſpirituall knowledge as God ſeeth meete. And therefore we may with confidence come to God for it, and vſing the meanes as he hath appointed, we ſhall not miſſe. This may ſuffice for knowledge.

Now for abilitie,God will ſet our hearts in frame. to walke according to our knowledge, enough hath beene ſaid in the generall. Where alſo we heard, that God will giuegive vntounto his, a new heart, which is the fountaine of all obedience; and may be a ſingular comfort to all thoſe, who being acquainted with the vntowardneſſe of their hearts to any holy dutie, ſpecially to ſome, doe miſtruſt nothing more, then this, how to get a good heart; and ſo to keepe it, who for their comfort, are to ſet before them, all thoſe promiſes wherein God hath ſaid, that hee will change their hearts; whereof I ſpake a little before vponupon occaſion: that God would make his people able to obey his ſtatutes and doe his commandements, which cannot be without a new heart, and none can hauehave that, but from God; for it is not in man to ſet his heart aright, but this is Gods gift. As beſides the former Scriptures, that is manifeſt, Ierem. 31. 33. Where the Prophet ſpeaking of the new Teſtament, which God would make to his people vnderunder the Goſpell, ſaith, I will put my Law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts, &c. which is twice repeated in the Epiſt. to the Hebrewes 8. 10. 10. 16. which is alſo intended, Acts 15. 9. where it is ſaid of the Gentiles to whom Peter preached, that God purified their hearts by faith, and in the next chapter, that the Lord opened the heart of Lydia.Act. 16. 14. Againe,2 Cor. 1. 22. that God hath giuen the earneſt of his Spirit in our hearts, 2 Theſſ. 2. 17. and 4. 6.that God hath ſhined into our hearts: that God comforteth our hearts, Phil. 4. 7.keepes our hearts, ſtabliſheth them, directs them, 2 Theſ. 3. 4.and the like many.

From whence wee may ſafely gather this,Vſe. That though our hearts bee neuer ſo corrupt, ſo hardned and ſhut vp, ſo darkned, diſtreſſed, declining, fainting, and wandring out of the right way; yet that God (as he hath promiſed) will certainly ſuccour vsus in all; and both ſet and keepe our hearts in frame, that they may be fit for all ſuch ſeruices as it ſhall pleaſe the Lord to ſet vsus about.

This I doubt not, will be welcome newes to all ſound hearted profeſſours, who ſo much ſee and bewaile their naughtie and vnbeleeuing hearts, that they may comfortably reſt vponupon God, that he will by his holy Spirit ſo guide their hearts, that they may be ſeruiceable to him.

Thus much for the heart in generall. Now ſeeing the Lord contents not himſelfe herewith, but comes more particularly to the well ordering of our affections, of ioy, louelove, feare, truſt, and the like; we ſhall finde it vſefull for vsus, to apply to our ſelues theſe promiſes, to hearten vsus againſt all our doubts, concerning theſe affections, which are as the hands and feete of our ſoules, by which we worke and be carried to eueryevery dutie: that being well furniſhed with theſe, we ſhall be more apt and ready to eueryevery good worke.

And whereas among theſe,God giues faith, truſt, and hope. there are none more profitable then Faith, truſt and hope (which three though they hauehave ſome ſpeciall difference one from the other,1 Tim. 2. 8. yet they be neuer parted,Eccle. 5. 1. and bee vſually contained one within another, and ſo we will take them together:) Of theſe the Scripture exceeding oft witneſſeth, that God giues theſe to all thoſe whom hee meanes to ſaue. As Iude verſe 3. ſaith of Faith, that it was once giuen to the Saints: the like Eph. 2. 8. And Heb. 12. 2. Christ is ſaid to be the Author and finiſher of our faith; and ſo his Apoſtles prayed to him, Lord increaſe our faith: and Rom. 12. 13. that God hath dealt to eueryevery man the meaſure of faith.

So likewiſe for truſt and confidence in God, it is ſaid of Gods people, Eſa. 10. 20.that they ſhall ſtay vponupon the Lord, the holy one of Iſrael: and 14. 32. That the Lord hath founded Sion, and the poore of his people ſhall truſt in it. and 17. 7. At that day ſhall a man looke to his Maker, and his eyes ſhall hauehave reſpect to the holy One of Iſrael: and Jer. 3. 19. Thou ſhalt call me, my Father, and ſhalt not turne away from me. Zep. 3. 12.

And for Hope, Dauid oft profeſſeth, Pſal. 71. 5. 22. 10.that God was his hope and his truſt, euen from his youth; and, God made him hope euen from his mothers wombe.65. 5. Yea more, that God is the hope of all the ends of the earth, &c.

Did we well conſider on the one ſide,Vſe of theſe. what neede we hauehave of thoſe three graces, throughout our whole life, (as may eaſily be ſeene by that which hath beene ſaid in this whole Treatiſe) and on the other ſide, how exceedingly we faile in them all, in times of triall; we would then with both hands lay hold on theſe promiſes, wherein God giues, and by his Word and Spirit, doth work theſe in the hearts of all his children: and therefore ſo oft as wee feele our hearts to faile; let vsus with Dauid comfort our hearts in the Lord,Pſal. 73. 26. and ſay, My fleſh and my heart faile me, but God is the ſtrength of my heart and my portion for euer. And ſeeing the Lord Ieſus is both Author and finiſher of our Faith, let vsus reſt in hope, that hee who hath begun the good worke of faith in our hearts, will finiſh it; and ſo pray with the Apoſtle,2. Theſſ. 1. 11. that God would fulfill all the good pleaſure of his goodneſſe, and the Worke of Faith with power.

Come wee now to the next grace in the heart,God promiſeth Ioy. the firſt fruit of our faith, which is Ioy, I meane ſpirituall ioy, which is called ioy in the Lord, and ioy in the holy Ghost. In thinking whereof I cannot but wonder, in comparing together what God hath promiſed, and how little we enioy: for howſoeuer it cannot be denied, but in theſe daies of peace many hauehave ioy enough, and too much too, yet this (vponupon ſearch) ſhall be found to be carnall and fleeting, not that ſpirituall and laſting ioy, which God beſtoweth on thoſe whom hee loues.

It may euidently appeare by Gods word, that as a father would hauehave his children to liue cheerefully, ſo would God; and therefore doth hee ſo much call vponupon them to reioyce, as plentifully is to be ſeene in the bookes of the Pſalmes, Prophets, and Apoſtles: That one for many may ſerue, Reioyce in the Lord alway, Phil. 4. 4.and againe I ſay reioyce. Which if there were no more, might let vsus ſee Gods mind, that he would hauehave vsus not now and then, ſometimes to reioyce, that is, when all goes well with vsus (for ſo the hypocrites doe,) but alwaies, euen in afflictions; as the Apoſtle Iames exhorts, My brethren, Iam. 1. 2.count it all ioy, when ye fall into diuers temptations. Which is not ſimply for the afflictions, but for the good wee are aſſured, they ſhall bring to vsus, as is ſaid, Rom. 8. 28. That all things worke together for our good.Few attaine ioy.

But yet they be but few, who attaine vntounto this bleſſed eſtate, to reioyce alwaies in the Lord, as any one may well perceiue, if he ſhal conſider either how ſeldome his heart is rauiſhed with admiration of Gods goodneſſe towards him ſo vnworthy; and ſo to ſtirre vp his ſoule with the Prophet Dauid to praiſe the Lord (which muſt needs be where the heart is well affected with this ioy, as there can bee no true thankes where this ioy is not:) o… how often his heart is diſquieted, when any thing croſſeth his will, and deſire, which would not be, if the heart were filled with this ſpirituall ioy, which would make bitter things ſweete.

It ſhall be therefore our wiſedome to hearken to Gods word, wherein we ſhall ſee how plentifully the Lord hath prepared this pleaſant fruit of the Spirit, and promiſed it to all the true members of Chriſt, that ſo they may claime their part therein.

This is notably ſet out vntounto vsus in the booke of the Pſalmes. As firſt, Pſal. 19. 8. The ſtatutes of the Lord are right, reioycing the heart. Pſal. 23. 4. Thy rod and thy ſtaffe they comfort mee: 36. 8. 9. Thou ſhalt make them drinke of the riuer of thy pleaſure; for with thee is the fountaine of Life, and in thy light ſhall we ſee light. 89. 15, 16. Bleſſed are the people that know the ioyfull ſound: they ſhall walke O Lord, in the light of thy countenance. In thy name ſhall they reioyce all the day, and in thy righteouſneſſe ſhall they be exalted. So Pſal. 45. 15. Speaking of the members of the Church, ſaith, With gladneſſe and reioycing ſhall they be brought, they ſhall enter into the Kings pallace. Pſal. 64. 10. The righteous ſhall be glad in the Lord, and ſhall truſt in the Lord, and all the vpright in heart ſhall glory. Pſal. 68. 3. But let the righteous be glad, let them reioyce before God, yea let them exceedingly reioyce. 97. 11. 12. Light is ſowne for the righteous, and gladneſſe for the vpright in heart: Reioyce in the Lord ye righteous, and giuegive thankes at the remembrance of his holines, 118. 15. The voice of reioycing and ſaluation is in the tabernacle of the righteous, The right hand of the Lord doth valiantly, 126. 5, 6. They that ſowe in teares ſhall reape in ioy. Hee that goeth foorth and weepeth, bearing pretious ſeed, ſhall doubtleſſe come againe with reioycing, bringing his ſheanes with him, 132. 16; I will cloathe her prieſts with ſaluation, and her Saints ſhall ſhout aloud for ioy. It were not hard to gather many more out of the Pſalmes.

Likewiſe the bookes of the Prophets, be full of theſe. Notable is that ſweet ſong of Eſai. 12. 2. 3. Behold, God is my ſaluation, I will truſt and not be afraid; for the Lord Je…ouah is my ſtrength, and my ſong, he is become my ſaluation. Therefore with ioy ſhall yee drawe waters out of the wells of ſaluation. Eſa. 24, 14. They ſhall lift vp their voyce, they ſhall ſing for the Maieſty of the Lord. Eſa. 29. 19. The meeke alſo ſhall increaſe their ioy in the Lord, and the poore among men ſhall reioyce in the holy one of Iſrael. Eſa. 35. The whole chapter is full of heauenly comforts to vsus Gentiles, verſ. 1. The wildernes and the ſolitary place ſhall be glad for them, and the deſert ſhall reioyce, and bloſſome as the roſe. Eſa. 56; verſ. 7. I wil make them ioyfull in my houſe of prayer. Eſa. 62. 13. 14. Beholde my ſeruants ſhall reioyce, but ye ſhall be aſhamed▪ Beholde my ſeruants ſhall ſing for ioy of heart, but ye ſhall cry for ſorrow of heart, and howle for vexation of ſpirit. Likewiſe in the laſt of Eſa. bee many ſweete conſolations, Hee ſhall appeare to your ioye, &c. ver. 10. Reioyce ye with Ieruſalem, and bee glad with her all ye that louelove her, reioyce with ioy for her all that mourne for her: That ye may ſucke, and be ſatisfied with the breaſts of her conſolations, that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory, &c. to verſ. 14. And when you ſee this, your heart ſhall reioyce, and the hand of the Lord ſhall be known towards his ſeruants, and his indignation towards his enemies. In like ſort ſpake our Sauiour to his Diſciples, that their hearts ſhould reioyce,Ioh. 16. 22. and their ioy ſhould no man take away from them. Ieremy alſo hath the like, chap. 31. 12, 13. Therefore they ſhall come and ſing in the height of Sion, and ſhall flowe together to the goodnes of the Lord, &c. Then ſhall the Virgine reioyce in the dance, both young men, and old together: for I will turne their mourning into ioy, and will comfort them, and make them reioyce from their ſorrow. Zach. c. 18. 19. Thus ſaith the Lord of Hoſts, the faſt of the fourth monethmonth, &c. ſhall bee to the houſe of Iudah, ioy and gladnes, and cheerefull feaſts. I will end with that, Rom. 14. 17. The kingdome of God is righteouſnes, peace, and ioy in the holy Ghoſt.

Thus hauehave I gathered ſtore of theſe promiſes,Vſe. in which the Lord promiſeth to giuegive ioy and gladneſſe to his people: yet I ſuppoſe not halfe ſo many, as might bee collected out of the ſcriptures: for I doe not meddle with the many exhortations vntounto this duty, nor the many examples of it, nor prayers for it: all which ſhew the necesſity of it.

But the marke I aime at, is to perſwade all who feele the want of this holy reioycing in the Lord (whereby their whole life is the more vncomfortable,) that God hath prouided this for them, and that there is nothing but their vnbeleeuing hearts which keepes it from them. For if true faith be the breeder of this ioy, as both ſcripture and experience prooue, then no meruaile, that ſo few attaine to this excellent grace of reioycing, when faith it ſelfe is ſo weake, if not wanting.

I do wiſh therefore all ſuch, to thinke with themſelues what the Lord ſhould intend, in making ſo many promiſes of this one thing, but to make vsus ſee theſe two things: firſt, that there can be no holding out in a Chriſtian courſe without this ioy: ſecondly, that by reaſon of the many euills that befall vsus in this life, it is very hard, and ſo very rare to get, much more to keepe this ioy, that by both theſe, they may be ſtirred vp to labour to enioy this ioy of the Holy Ghoſt, wherby they may finde what is the excellencie of this eſtate aboue all the eſtates in the whole world beſides; and be ſo far from enuying the wicked in their greateſt proſperity, as rather to pitty them, for that like fooles and children, they forgoe ſuch treaſure for very toyes and bables.

Now the way to attaine this ioye is, (beſides earneſt praier vntounto God for it) to bee much in meditation, as vponupon the manie and moſt iuſt cauſes God hath giuen to all beleeuers to reioice: ſo alſo vponupon theſe excellent promiſes, wherein God hath bound himſelfe to worke this grace in them, by his holie Spirit: for if we well weigh them all, we ſhall ſee, that the Lords meaning is not onelie to giuegive them matter of reioicing, (but whereas it too oft falles out, that they who ſhould reioice, and hauehave good good cauſe ſo to doe, bee ſo held downe with the burthen of corruption or affliction, that they cannot lift vp their hands with ioy, but waſte their daies in ſorrow:) This is alſo Gods worke to open their eies to ſee, and to mooue their hearts, and drawe them by his Spirit to be affected with his fauours, that they with the Prophet Dauid may finde more ioy in the light of Gods countenance, then the wicked hauehave in all their proſperity. And thus much for this point, how a true beleeuer may attaine this bleſſed eſtate of liuing ioyfullie, what euer doth befall him: which how much it is to be deſired, all may ſee though they bee fewe, who take the right way to get it.

The next grace of the heart, which God requireth of all thoſe,Of the louelove of God. whom he hath adopted in Chriſt to bee his children,Deut. 6. 5. is, that they ſhould louelove him with all their heart, with all their ſoule, with all their might: which that wee ought to doe is not denyed of any, except Atheiſts, people without God; but of thoſe that yeeld it ought to be, there bee in generall two ſorts, one that deceiue themſelues in thinking they doe well louelove God, when as indeede they doe not truely and heartily louelove him, but onelyonly ſay they louelove him; or if they doe, it is but very ſlightlie and carnallie, becauſe all goes well with them:Some ſay they louelove God, and doe not. who are to bee conuinced by their looſe liues, and little conſcience to keepe Gods commaundements, that they doe not as they ſay, truely louelove God. And theſe eſpeciallie are to bee vrged by the many commandements of God to louelove him ſincerely and feruently, and to bee mooued hereto by theſe weighty arguments, which are ſo plentifully vſed in the holy ſcripture, to perſwade vsus vnfeinedlie to louelove God.

There is another ſort, who looking into their liues, and there finding ſo many infirmities and failings in all duties to God and man,Others feare they doe not louelove, yet doe. doe thence conclude, they hauehave not the louelove of God in them; and thereby be much kept downe, both from that comfort and confidence they might hauehave in their holy profesſion.

Theſe be the perſons with whom I chieflie deale: who hauehave neede to be hartened, firſt by this, that the ſight of their want of louelove to God,Comforts to ſuch as grieue for want of louelove. breeding in them heartie griefe for the ſame, is an euident token there is ſome true louelove in them: elſe would they not be ſo diſquieted for want of this louelove of God.

And ſecondly, this muſt comfort them, that hee who hath giuen them to will and deſire this grace,Phil. 2. 13. 1. 6. will alſo giuegive them ability to doe, and hee that hath begun the good worke, will alſo perfect it, for ſo is his promiſe: yea he hath ſaid, at leaſt to all, and eueryevery ſuch, And the Lord thy God will circumciſe thine heart, Deut. 306.and the heart of thy ſeed, to louelove the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy ſoule, that thou maieſt liue: which one promiſe, if there be no more, is al-ſufficient to perſwade thoſe that will beleeue God on his word, that God (who knowes how polluted our hearts be, and vnable to louelove him, ſo throughly as we ought,) will cleanſe our hearts, and ſo ſanctifie them, that wee ſhall bee able by his grace ſo to louelove him, as hee will approoue.

It is onelyonly vnbeliefe, which keepes from that holy boldneſſe, which made Paul to ſay, I can doe al things through Chriſt who ſtrengtheneth me.Phil. 4. 13.

Although I doe not reade any other ſo expreſſe promiſe, that God will make vsus to louelove him, yet ſeeing the manifeſtation of Gods louelove to vsus, doth as certainlie breed louelove in vsus to him again, as the kindling of a fire wil bring foorth heate: therefore all the many teſtimonies which God giues of his louelove to vsus, muſt be ſo many perſwaſions, that wee ſhall louelove him. Therefore it is ſaid, We louelove him, Vſe.becauſe he firſt loued vsus. Let vsus therefore get as many arguments of Gods louelove to vsus, and doubt we not but it will kindle in vsus ſome like louelove to him againe.

Likewiſe all the rich rewards, which throughout the Scripture bee promiſed to thoſe that louelove God, are ſo manie incouragements to this duty; and ſo much for this.

The next is the feare of God,God promiſeth to make vsus feare him. whereby ſpeciallie I vnderſtand that holy affection whereby wee bee made ſo to ſtand in awe of God, as to bee very vnwilling to diſpleaſe him; and on the other ſide to be as ready to pleaſe him, both in eſchewing euill, and doing good. How excellent a grace this is, of what ſingular vſe in our whole life, how oft and earneſtly it is commanded, how practiſed by Gods worthy ſeruants, and how wanting in many profeſſours, and weake in others it is: all theſe, though worthy good conſideration, yet ſeeing they would carry me too farre from my purpoſe, I paſſe them by, and will bend my ſpeech to ſuch as knowing all theſe, …eele and complaine of the want of this grace, and deſire it, and labour for it, by often prayer, and other holy meanes: yet through weakneſſe of faith, cannot attaine to ſuch a meaſure of this feare, as might keepe them in ſuch awe, that they durſt not either doe that which God forbids, or leaue vndone that which he commands.

Theſe I doe beſeech to attend to ſuch promiſes as God hath made to his people in particular, concerning this grace; that wheras he ſees, that naturally, there is no feare of God before mens eyes, he faith he will put his feare into their hearts: as Ieremy, 32. 39. 40. And I will giuegive them one heart, and one way, that they may feare me for euer, for the good of them, and of their children after them. And I will make an euerlaſting couenant with them, that I will not turne away from them, to doe them good, but I will put my feare in their hearts that they ſhall not depart from me. Which if we could beleeue, would ſufficiently aſſure vsus, wee ſhould not want this ſauing grace, but that God will certainely beſtowe it vponupon vsus in that time and meaſure hee ſees meete.

But for our confirmation, the Lord doth oft repeate this promiſe, as Deu. 4. 10. where one ſpeciall meanes, wherby this feare is wrought, is ſet downe: Gather me the people together, and I will make them heare my words, that they may learne to feare mee all the daies that they ſhall liue vponupon the earth, and that they may teach their children. So Prou. …. 5. They who ſeeke for wiſedome, ſhall vnderstand the feare of God. To like effect. Deu. 6▪ 1. 2. and 17▪ 19, it is ſpecially ſpoken of the king: and more generally of all, chap. 32. 12. And to this purpoſe ſpeciall is that of the Prophet Dauid, Pſal. 40. 3. where hee ſhewes another meanes whereby God doth ſtirre vp this grace in his people: namely, the beholding of Gods mercy on others, ſaying, And hee hath put a new ſong in my mouth, euen praiſe vntounto our God, many ſhall ſee it, and feare, and ſhall truſt in the Lord: ſo likewiſe Dauid being taught of God, inuiteth others, ſaying: Come yee children, hearken to mē ▪ I will teach you the feare of the Lord. Pſal. 72. 5. They ſhall feare thee as long as the ſun and moone endureth, through all generations. The like Pſal. 102. 16. ſo Eſa. 29. 23. They ſhall ſanctifie my name, &c. and ſhall feare the God of Iſrael. Jeremie alſo ſpeaking of Gods ſingular mercies, which hee promiſeth to his people, chap. 33. 9. And it ſhall bee to me a name of ioy, a praiſe and an honour before all the nations of the earth, which ſhall heare all the good I doe vntounto them; and they ſhall feare and tremble for all the goodnes, and for all the proſperitie that I procure vntounto it: ſo Hoſea 3. 5. Afterward ſhall the people of Iſrael returne and ſeeke the Lord their God, and Dauid their king, and ſhall feare the Lord and his goodnes in the latter daies.

Theſe ſhall ſuffiſe, it would be long to cite all.

The right vſe we are to make of theſe and the like,Vſe. is, ſo oft as we finde our hearts condemning vsus for want of this feare, & doubting how euer we ſhall attaine to it in any good meaſure, ſo oft that wee muſt call to mind ſome of theſe promiſes, which though deliuered in particular to ſome of Gods children, yet in truth belonging to all of them: Therefore eueryevery child of God may and ought to apply them to himſelfe, and ſtedfaſtly beleeue that God will performe his word to him, and ſo waiting with patience the Lords appointed ſeaſon, hee ſhall not bee diſappointed of his hope: but ſhall certainly enioy the fruit of his deſire, And thus much for this.

I ſee this third point, how wee may bee ſure of grace to leade a godly life, ſo as ſhall be accepted, growes large; and no meruaile, for it reacheth to all the duties required in both tables. I may not therefore runne into all particulars, but will make choice of ſome, and namely ſuch as I conceiue Chriſtians moſt faile in, and hauehave leaſt comfort in performing them.

Of this ſort be ſpeciall,Concerning holy exerciſes, prayer. &c. all our ſpirituall ſeruices of God, as our praiers, and exerciſes in his word and ſacraments. In all which I hauehave heard many of good hope, complaining that they found ſmall comfort in theſe, becauſe they performed them in ſo weak and ſinnefull manner. A principall cauſe whereof I hauehave obſerued in many to be this, that they placed all their comfort in the good diſcharge of their duty, wherein when they failed (which they found oft) then they were diſcomfited. Which euidently ſhewes, that they had little vſe of faith in thoſe duties: for faith doth comfort in our greateſt failings, as well as in the leaſt. To make this more plaine (which I feare is little ſeene of manie a poore ſoule, who takes great paines to ſerue God, and yet ſeldome findes comfort, that his ſeruice being ſo full of infirmitie is pleaſing to God:) It muſt be confeſſed, that while wee liue here, there is fleſh and ſpirit mingled in all the actions of Gods children; ſo that as their beſt prayers bee ſtained with ſome corruption of the fleſh, ſo I conceiue that there is ſome operation of the Spirit in their weakeſt, which being offered vp in faith, is aſſuredly acceptable to God; & therein may Gods childe finde ſound comfort, not in himſelfe, nor in his worke, but in Gods pardoning of all his defects, and accepting his obedience in the perfect ſatisfaction made by Chriſt: whereas otherwiſe, if any hauing prayed with great feruency of Spirit, ſhall bee conceited therewith, and not humbled for his failings in that his beſt praier, and rather expecting for fauour for the goodneſſe of his prayer, then looking for mercy, onelyonly for the merite of Chriſt, (which though it bee too little ſeene, yet too oft it falleth out) I durſt boldly ſay, that the ſleepy prayer offered vp in faith, is accepted, when the weeping prayer without faith is reiected.

In ſo ſaying,Want of faith in Gods worſhip. be it far from my thought, to approoue of drowſineſſe, or any other groſſe corruption in prayer: or to diſgrace any zeale or gift of Gods Spirit in prayer; but that I aime at, is to diſcouer a common, and yet cloſe and dangerous corruption in our prayers, and other holy exerciſes, that when we performe theſe in any ſort to our liking, then wee bee glad and reſt quiet, that God will accept them. I deny not but ſuch may then reioice in the asſiſtance of Gods Spirit: but the fault I finde, is, that theſe hauehave in ſuch times little vſe of their faith; for not beholding the blemiſhes of theſe their beſt ſeruices of God, they are not humbled for them, and ſo not driuen out of themſelues to ſeeke for fauour in Chriſt, in whom alone God is well pleaſed: and thus they ſtaine their beſt duties for want of faith.

This will more cleerely bee ſeene in the contrary, when theſe doe pray, or heare, reade or meditate, or receiue the Sacraments with much accuſation to their conſcience, they hauehave no comfort that ſuch duties ſhall be accepted, which muſt needs ariſe from want of faith; for did they in their pooreſt praiers (for which they bee moſt humbled) come to God in Chriſt for pardon, beleeuing that their imperfections ſhould bee couered by the full and perfect ſatisfaction of Chriſt, they might finde comfort in their weakeſt obedience, and ſo bee more encouraged to ſerue God.

This then is that I would perſwade all that would finde ſound and laſting comfort in their praiers and other holy exerciſes,Remedy. in their beſt duties to beware of pride, which accompanieth them; and to that end euer to thinke of their failings, to humble them, and driue to Chriſt, that ſo they may offer vp their ſacrifice in faith, and bee accepted. On the other ſide, when they be moſt deiected, then to beware of deſpaire, doubting, and diſcouragement, which bee vſuall companions of vsus in the ſenſe of our wants; and to comfort our ſelues by faith in Chriſt, in that wee know, hee is as able and willing to cure great diſeaſes, as ſmall, to pardon our fowler falles, as our leſſer ſlippes.

In all which wee now ſee that which I intended, how needfull it is to be ſtored and ſtrengthened with faith, that wee may finde comfort in our prayers, and other holy exerciſes; which I know is much wanting in many true hearted Chriſtians, for whoſe ſake in ſpeciall I write theſe: and will now for their further comfort lay out ſome ſtore of pretious promiſes, which God our Father hath treaſured vp in his word to this purpoſe, that wee his children might bee imboldened to come with confidence to him in all our necesſities.

Peruſing theſe, I finde that the farre greater number of them, doe ſpecially promiſe that God will accept our prayers, & grant our deſires, and doe not ſo expreſly aſſure vsus that God will asſiſt vsus, and make vsus able to pray (which yet ſundry promiſes doe.)God promiſeth to make vsus able to pray. I will therefore heere gather ſuch as expreſly promiſe Gods helpe to teach vsus to pray; for that we are no leſſe ſubiect to doubt of our ability to pray aright, then of Gods readineſſe to heare our poore and weake prayers.

Among all, that comes firſt to minde, which might ſerue in ſtead of all, if we could hold it faſt: where the Apoſtle labouring to comfort the hearts of Gods children ouer all their corruptions and afflictions,Rom. 8. 26. doth anſwer a great obiection, which many a heauy heart makes, namely this:Many troubled that they cannot pray. I am oft ſo diſtreſſed, that I am not able to pray, and how then may I looke for any helpe at Gods hand? Thus it fareth oft with Gods children, and thoſe not of the weakeſt ſort, that their hearts bee ſo …ore oppreſſed, that they can doe nothing but ſigh and groane, not able to ſet aright their hearts to pray to God. As wee reade of Hezekiah, Eſa. 38. 14.that he like a Crane or Swallow did chatter, and did mourne as a Doue, not able to vtter his griefes to God. The like we reade of Dauid oft,Pſal. 32. how hee roared for griefe, but could not come to make his moane to God; and the like many: Yea what more ordinary complaint doe wee heare made by many worthy Chriſtians in their extremities, then this to their friends, O helpe me, I cannot pray?

To this ſore tentation, the Apoſtle anſwers,Rom. 8. 26. ſaying, Likewiſe the Spirit helpeth our infirmities, for we know not what wee ſhould pray for, 27.as we ought: But the Spirit it ſelfe maketh interceſſion for vsus with groanings that cannot bee vttered: And hee that ſearcheth the hearts, knoweth what is the minde of the ſpirit, becauſe he maketh interceſſion for the Saints according to the will of God. Wherein he freely confeſſeth, that he and all the reſt of Gods children doe know this by woefull experience, that they in ſuch caſes know not what they ſhould pray as they ought. But yet for all this God hath not left vsus comfortleſſe, for he hath giuen vsus his own Spirit to ſuccour and helpe vsus (as it were to beare that part of the burthe, which is too heauy for vsus to beare:) and whereas we cannot pray as we ought, that ſelfe ſame Spirit ſhall by his power make vsus able to pray with ſuch feeling, faith, and feruencie, as no words can expreſſe; in ſuch ſort that God, who both knowes and regards the ſecret deſires of the heart, beholding the worke of his Spirit, doth graciouſly accept and approoue of thoſe prayers of his children.

I make no doubt, but this is the intent of the Apoſtle in this Scripture. In which if there were no more, is enough to comfort any poore afflicted ſoule againſt this temptation, that they cannot pray: In that God hath giuen vsus his Spirit ſo to helpe vsus, that our poore prayers are ſaid to be the prayers of Gods Spirit in vsus, which God cannot deny.

This I take to bee the cauſe, why elſe-where we be called vponupon to pray in the Spirit, Eph. 6. 18.and in the holy Ghoſt; Iude v. 20.that is, as he doth teach vsus, not as any naturall gift can.

Where I note a ſpeciall difference of true prayer from counterfeit,Difference of prayers, true▪ and counterfeit which may be excellent in ſpeech, but wanting this breath of Gods Spirit, it is but a dead ſacrifice, vnpleaſing to God, and vnprofitable to him that offereth it.

And therefore I aduiſe all, who looke for comfort by their prayers, more to labour for Spirit, then ſpeech in prayers. And ſo much for this Scripture, whereupon I hauehave ſtood the longer, for that it may ſuffiſe in ſtead of all. But ſeeing the Lord knowing our weakeneſſe, hath in all ages of his Church, comforted his people with the like, it ſhal more confirme vsus to heare more of theſe ſweete promiſes.

To this may well be referred that which one of Iobs friends ſaid to comfort him (which doubtleſſe was good comfort, howſouer miſapplyed) when after ſome good exhortations, he makes many moe gracious promiſes, among all hee addes theſe: For thou ſhalt hauehave thy delight in the Almightie,Iob 22. and ſhalt lift vp thy face to God.21. and 6. Thou ſhalt make thy prayer vntounto him,26. and he ſhall heare thee, and thou ſhalt pay thy vowes, &c.27. And in like manner doth another of Iobs friends ſay, Hee ſhall pray vntounto the Lord,Iob 33. 26. and hee will be fauourable to him. So Dauid in his time ſaid. For this ſhall eueryevery one that is godly pray vntounto thee,Pſal. 32. 6. in the time when thou mayeſt be found.Eſa. 58. 9. And the Prophet Eſay makes ſuch promiſes to the people in his time: Then ſhalt thou call and the Lord will anſwer, thou ſhalt cry, and hee ſhall ſay, Here I am: So Ieremie,Ier. 29. 12. Then ſhall yee call vponupon mee, and yee ſhall goe and pray vntounto me, and I will hearken to you.13. And yee ſhall ſeeke me and finde me, when you ſhall ſearch for me with all your heart. Againe, They ſhall come with weeping, and with ſupplications wil I lead them,31. 9. I will cauſe them to walke by the riuers of waters, in a ſtraite way wherein they ſhall not ſtumble, for I am a Father to Iſrael and Ephraim is my first borne.50. 4. And againe, In thoſe dayes, and in that time, ſaith the Lord, the children of Iſrael ſhall come, they and the children of Iudah together, going and weeping, they ſhall goe and ſeeke the Lord their God. Hoſea. 3. 5. &c. So Zacharie in his time propheſied, that God would powre out vponupon the houſe of Dauid,Zach. 12. 10. and vponupon the inhabitants of Jeruſalem, the Spirit of grace and ſupplications. They ſhall call vponupon my name,13. 9. and I will heare them. I will ſay, it is my people: and they ſhall ſay, the Lord is my God. Our Lord Ieſus Chriſt in his time comforted his Diſciples, that they ſhould not ſo hang vponupon him, as to hauehave no confidence in God the Father: Ioh. 16. 23.but they ſhall boldly pray to the Father in his name,24. and ſhall receiue whatſoeuer they aske.26. No doubt but more places to this purpoſe might be cited.

The maine intent of them all,Vſe. is not ſo much, to ſhew it is our duty thus to ſeeke the Lord and to call vponupon him, or to perſwade thereunto, which is in many Scriptures required; but rather, whereas many are very willing to call vponupon God according to his will, and ſo as might pleaſe him, but finding ſo ſmall abilitie to pray as they would, they be diſcouraged▪ all this is to draw them to beleeue, that God by his Spirit will teach them to pray, ſo as he will heare them: the certainty whereof depends not vponupon any worthineſſe of our perſons or prayers, but only vponupon the mercy of God in promiſing, and vponupon his truth in performing his promiſe; both which we deny, and ſo robbe God of his chiefeſt honour, if wee beleeue not, that God will make vsus able by his Spirit, ſo to call vponupon him, as he will accept in his Son. And therefore in all our doubts and feares about this matter, our onelyonly refuge muſt bee to theſe promiſes, and ſo to giuegive credite vntounto them, that we comfortably ſeeke and looke for helpe from God, when we can finde none in our ſelues.

And thus much for our comfort, that God will aſsiſt vsus by his Spirit in our prayers, which alſo might ſuffiſe to aſſure vsus, that he will alſo accept vsus: for ſo much is expreſſed in the moſt of them, and neceſſarily imployed in them all.

But ſeeing the Lord (who better ſees what we moſt need,That God will accept our prayers. then we doe our ſelues) hath made ſo many promiſes, that he will accept our poore ſeruices, though neuer ſo weake, if they be in truth (which will be welcome newes to many an humble heart) I may not defraud them of theſe comforts, but will lay them open for their vſe, and beſeech the Lord to make them profitable to all that vnfainedly deſire it.

When Moſes from God had ſharply denounced feareful iudgments againſt Iſrael for their ſin, and namely a ſcattering among the heathen, he addes this comfort: But if from thence, thou ſhalt ſeeke the Lord thy God, thou ſhalt finde him, Deut. 30.if thou ſeeke him with all thy heart and with all thy ſoule: and to like effect hee addes much more.

This promiſe may be ſpecially comfortable,Vſe. to any poore ſoule caſt downe in ſenſe of ſome grieuous fall, whereby he may ſee Gods readineſſe to receiue any poore ſinner comming vntounto him. The like promiſe did the Lord make to Salomon after his prayer, ſaying, Mine eyes ſhall be open, 2. Chron. 7. 15.and mine eares attend to the prayer in this place. And full oft we reade, that the Lord promiſed to his people, that if they ſhould ſeeke him, he would bee found of them, as 2. Chron. 15. 2 the Prophet told Aſa the King. Ierem. 29. 13. And 1. Chron. 28. 9. Dauid ſaid the ſame to Salomon his ſonne. Pſal. 34. 10. They that ſeeke the Lord, ſhall not want any good thing. The ſelfe ſame thing is truly to be gathered out of all theſe places where the faithfull profeſſe, either that God hath heard their prayers, or their faith and confidence in God, that hee will heare their prayers; both which be grounded on Gods promiſes that hee will heare them. Of this ſort there be many, as in the Pſalmes, ſo in ſundry other Scriptures: The Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping, Pſal. 6. 8, 9.the Lord hath heard my ſupplication, the Lord will receiue my prayer. And Pſal. 9. 10. Thou Lord haſt not forſaken them that ſeeke thee. Pſal. 10. 17. Lord thou haſt heard the deſire of the humble, thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cauſe thine eare to heare. Pſal. 18. 3. I will call vponupon the Lord, who is worthy to be praiſed: ſo ſhall I bee ſaued from mine enemies. Pſal. 20. 6 Now I know the Lord ſaueth his annointed, hee will heare him from his holy heauen, with the ſauing ſtrength of his right hand. Theſe are ſufficient to manifeſt this truth.

But ſeeing my ſcope is rather to ſtirre vp to beleeue, I hope it will not be more tedious to any, to reade theſe and conſider them, then it is to me to gather them; and I may truely ſay, I hauehave often read them with comfort. For ſometimes one, ſometimes another doth more affect. I will therefore not ſpare to adde many moe.

To this purpoſe, notable is that in the Pſalme 34. 15. The eyes of the Lord are vponupon the righteous, and his eares are open to their cry. verſe 17. The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and deliuereth them out of all their troubles. Which is oft repeated, Pſal. 107. 6. 13. 19. 28. Pſal. 50. 15. the Lord ſaith, Call vponupon me in the day of trouble, I will deliuer thee, and thou ſhalt glorifie me. And, For thou Lord art good and ready to forgiue,Pſal. 86. 5. and plenteous in mercy to all them that call vponupon thee, &c. verſe 6. 7. Pſal. 102, 17. He will regard the prayer of the deſtitute, and not deſpiſe their prayer, to verſe 20: to heare the groaning of the priſoner, to looſe thoſe that are appointed to death.Pſal. 145. 18. The Lord is nigh to all that call vponupon him, to all that call vponupon him in truth. He will fulfill the deſire of them that feare him,19. he alſo will heare their cry, and will ſaue them. Prou. 15. 8. But the prayer of the vpright is his delight, and verſe 29. But hee heareth the prayer of the righteous. He will be very gracious vntounto thee, at the voice of thy cry, when he ſhall heare it, he will anſwer thee. Ioel 2. 32. And it ſhal come to paſſe, that whoſoeuer ſhall call on the name of the Lord ſhall be deliuered. Act. 2. 21. the ſame is repeated, and Rom. 10. 13.

Thus wee ſee how plentifully hath beene renewed this promiſe of hearing the prayers of his people, in all ages of his Church vntill Chriſt, who (knowing that wee vnderunder the Goſpell hauehave as great neede, both to pray and to bee comforted, that God will heare our prayers) hath giuen vsus many incouragements to pray in faith, Aske and it ſhall be giuen you, ſeeke and ye ſhall finde:Mat. 7. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. knocke and it ſhall be opened vntounto you, For eueryevery one that asketh, receiueth, and he that ſeeketh, findeth, and to him that knocketh, ſhall it bee opened. The ſame is ſet downe, Luk. 11. from verſe 9. to 13. where it is ſaid, If ye then being euill, know how to giuegive good gifts vntounto your children: how much more ſhall your heauenly Father giuegive the holy Spirit to thē that aske him? So our Sauior ſaid to the woman of Samaria, If thou kneweſt the gift of God,Ioh. 4. and who it is that ſaith to thee, GiueGive me to drinke, thou wouldeſt hauehave asked of him, and hee would hauehave giuen thee the liuing water.

Likewiſe in thoſe heauenly and laſt ſpeeches, which he vttered to his Diſciples, hee oft repeated thoſe promiſes, ſaying: Whatſoeuer ye ſhall aske in my name, that will I doe,Ioh. 15. 13. that the Father may bee glorifie… in the Son: If ye ſhall aske any thing in my name, I will doe it. The like oft, Ioh. 15. 7. 16. 16. 23. and 24. Aske and ye ſhall receiue, that your ioy may be full: ſo the Apoſtle, Rom. 10. 12.For the ſame Lord ouer all is rich vntounto all that call vponupon him, Iam. 5. 15. The praier of faith ſhall ſaue the ſicke, and the Lord ſhall raiſe him vp; and if hee hauehave committed ſinne, it ſhall bee forgiuen him: and ver. 16. the effectuall prayer of the righteous auaileth much. The Apoſtle Ioh. hath the like ſaying, 1 Ioh. 3. 22And whatſoeuer we aske of him, we receiue. And againe, 5. 14.And this is the confidence we hauehave in him, that if we aske any thing according to his will, hee heareth vsus, And if wee know that hee heareth vsus,15. whatſoeuer we aske, we know that wee hauehave the petitions that we deſired of him. And in the next place, If any ſee his brother ſin a ſinne which is not vntounto death, hee ſhall aske, and he ſhall giuegive him life, &c.Vſe.

Thus hauehave wee ſtore of theſe promiſes, wherein the Lord bindeth himſelfe, to heare our prayers, and grant our requeſts; the end of all which is to cure this ſore diſeaſe of our nature,Vſe. that we be ſo full of diſtruſt, and ſo hardly beleeue that God will accept our prayers, they being ſo weake, and our ſelues ſo vnworthy. For remedy whereof we are to be familiarly acquainted with theſe promiſes, & to make choice of ſome of them, ſuch as to our feeling are moſt comfortable; that when we goe to prayer, we may meditate on them, that ſo we may bee perſwaded by them, that God will graciouſly pardon all our failings, and accept our poore indeauours in the perfect ſatisfaction made by Chriſt for vsus. The fruite of this practiſe would be exceeding great, both to breede in vsus a greater delight in this holy dutie, (which vſually is ſo much wanting:) And to make all our prayers more effectuall, for the obtaining of all good things, at the hand of God. Whereas on the other ſide, by neglecting this dutie of meditating on theſe promiſes, we ſhall diſable our ſelues from all comfortable practiſe of prayer, and become more guilty not onelyonly of contempt of Gods bounty in making ſuch promiſes vntounto vsus: but withall of greater impietie, in making the holy & true God a lyer, in that wee doe not beleeue him in that which he ſpeaketh. Therefore as wee deſire to auoide theſe ſore euils▪ and attaine theſe great benefits, let vsus make high account of theſe promiſes, and ſo make them our owne, that wee may hauehave the right vſe of them, eſpecially in all time of neede.

This which hath beene ſaid of Gods gracious accepting of our prayers,All ſacrifices accepted. may as truly be applyed to all other holy exerciſes of religion and ſeruices of God. In all of which the Lord is as ready both to enable vsus to the worke, and to be pleaſed with our ſincere indeauours, wee offering them vp to God with faith in the mediation of Chriſt Ieſus.

Yet ſeeing beſides theſe, wee hauehave many promiſes, that God will be pleaſed with our ſacrifices (which may be truly vnderſtood of all) it will adde to our comfort, if we ſhall aduiſedly conſider of them: of which ſort is that in the Pſal. 51. 19. Then ſhalt thou be pleaſed with the ſacrifices of righteouſneſſe, Deut. 33. 19.&c. As Moſes bleſſed the tribe of Z…bulon in the ſame words:1 Pet. 2. 5. ſo the Apoſtle Peter ſpeaking of all the faithfull ſaith, Ye alſo as liuing ſtones are built vp a ſpirituall houſe, an holy Prieſthood, to offer vp ſpirituall ſacrifice acceptable to God by Ieſus Chriſt. And Paul writing to the Philippians, ſpeaking of the releefe which they ſent to him, calleth it an odour of a ſweete ſmell, Phil. 4. 18a ſacrifice, acceptable, well pleaſing to God. And writing to the Rom. 12. 1. ſaith, I beſeech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye preſent your bodies a liuing ſacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reaſonable ſeruice. The Lord by Moſes did oftentimes tell his people, that they offering vp their ſacrifices, ſuch as he commanded, they ſhould be accepted, as Leuit. 1. 4. 22. 21. 23. 11. 26. 11. So Malachy 3. 4. Then ſhall the offerings of Iudah and Jeruſalem be pleaſant to the Lord, as in the dayes of old, and as in former yeeres. This alſo may be gathered out of that which Moſes told the people of Iſrael from the Lord, that they bringing their ſacrifices to the doore of the Tabernacle of the congregation, There hee would meete the people of Iſrael, Exod. 29. 43.and the Tabernacle ſhould bee ſanctified by his glory. Which may bee gathered out of that which followeth, that the Lord would dwell among them, and be their God, to heare and helpe them, which is elſe-where oft repeated. Eſa. 60. 7. foreſhewed this ſaying, They ſhal come with acceptance, &c. And hitherto may be well referred the many fauours which God promiſeth to our obedience, which is an acceptable ſacrifice to God, offered vp in Chriſt. As the Lord ſaid vntounto Cain, Gen. 4. 7.If thou doe well, ſhalt thou not be accepted? the like the Lord ſaid to his people of Iſrael in preparing them to heare his Law: Now therefore if yee will obey my voice indeede, Exod. 19. 5.and keepe my couenant, then ye ſhall be a peculiar treaſure vntounto me aboue all people; for all the earth is mine. 6.And ye ſhall bee vntounto me a kingdome of Prieſts, and an holy nation. Leuit. 26. 3. to 14. and Deut. 28. 1. to 14. be many ſpeciall bleſsings promiſed to the Lords people if they would hearken to his voyce, and obſerue and doe all his commandements: and to conclude with that ſweet promiſe, Pſal. 84. 11. For the Lord God is a Sunne and ſhield, the Lord will giuegive grace and glory: no good thing will hee withhold from them that walke vprightly.

Out of theſe promiſes and the like many,Vſe. we may boldly aſſure our ſelues, that although by reaſon of our corruption ſtill dwelling in vsus, we can neuer offer vp any ſacrifice to God, without blemiſh and ſpot, (for which God might iuſtly reiect all, which we offer vntounto him) yet wee offering them vp in the name of Chriſt, they ſhall be accepted and rewarded.

Were wee well perſwaded heereof, it would put life into vsus, and make vsus performe all holy duties much more cheerefully and conſtantly, which through want of this faith, are at leaſt more vncomfortably performed by vsus.

I leaue the deeper conſideration of both theſe, to the conſcience of eueryevery one who will take triall of himſelfe, namely, what ſmall comfort he findes in any of his ſpirituall ſeruices; and on the other ſide, what a comfort it would be, if he might be aſſured that God would both aſsiſt him, and accept them at his hand. Whereof ſeeing he hath God ſo firmely bound by promiſe, that he cannot without great ſinne, wrong to God and to his owne owne ſoule, call this into queſtion:

I therefore exhort all who ſee their weakeneſſe in this kinde, to take ſpeciall notice of theſe and ſuch like promiſes, and ſo eueryevery one apply them to himſelfe, in all time of neede, that he may more cheerefully ſet vponupon all holy duties, and more conſcionably performe them to the glory of God, and his owne comfort, and the good incouragement of others.

This which hath beene ſaid in ſpeciall for prayer, and ſo in generall for all our ſacrifices, may well bee applyed to the Word and Sacraments, yea to all priuate exerciſes of religion, yea to all workes of mercy; which be all of them ſacrifices, which God hath commanded, and promiſed to accept at our hands.

Yet ſeeing woefull experience bewrayeth that too too many (and thoſe not of the worſt ſort) doe finde ſmall comfort in the ordinary miniſtery of the Word and receiuing the holy Sacraments:Word. I will doe my beſt indeauour to redreſſe this ſore euill, and ſhew how any who will bee guided by Gods word, may more cheerefully ſet vponupon theſe holy duties, and ſo reape more fruite and comfort by them.

I cannot be ignorant of this, that there be many cauſes of this vnfruitfulneſſe, and vncomfortableneſſe in theſe holy ſeruices of God, both in the Miniſter and people, eſpecially in the preaching of the word, when he doth not apply himſelfe to the capacitie and beſt edification of the hearers: wherein there is much failing many waies, and this not the leaſt, that where many good doctrines and vſes are deliuered, yet there is not ſuch a conuincing of the conſcience, as might conſtraine the hearer to confeſſe his guiltineſſe, and to make conſcience to yeeld better obedience to that which is taught him.

In the people alſo there is great careleſneſſe in preparing themſelues before they come; dulneſſe and wandring of minde, when they bee at the word, with like neglect of meditating on what they heard: By any of which, much more by all, the Word is made vnfruitfull.

But to treat of theſe, is beyond my ſcope and matter intended, which is chiefely to helpe ſuch as uing a true deſire & care to profit by Gods holy ordinances, yet be ſo diſcouraged by their many infirmities in the vſe of them, that they hauehave ſmall comfort in them, and would if they durſt, forbeare the vſe of them.

The principall cauſe heereof which I obſerue is this, that they too much looking into themſelues (where they finde no abilitie to do what they would) and not looking ſufficiently to God in whom is all their helpe, they enioy not that fruit and comfort in Gods ſeruice which they deſire.

For remedy whereof I know no better way, then to bee acquainted with Gods promiſes made to ſuch as ſhall hearken to his Word, and receiue the holy Sacraments the ſeales of the Word, that by theſe they may be cōforted, that God will bleſſe his owne ordinances to their edification and ſaluation. Firſt for the hearing of the word, that which the Prophet Eſay ſpeaketh might ſuffiſe to perſwade any (who will giuegive credite to his report) that it ſhall not be loſt labour to hearken to Gods word. The place is worthy ſpeciall obſeruation:Eſa. 55. 1. Hoe eueryevery one that thirſteth come yee to the waters, and he that hath no money, come yee, buy and eate, yea come, buy wine and milke without money, and without price. Wherefore doe yee ſpend money for that which is not bread, 2.and your labour for that which ſatisfieth not? Hearken diligently vntounto me, and eate yee that which is good, and let your ſoule delight it ſelfe in fatneſſe. Encline your care and come vntounto mee, 3.heare and your ſoule ſhall liue, and I will make an euerlaſting couenant with you, euen the ſure mercies of Dauid.

In this Scripture (to paſſe by many other profitable matters which may be collected;) theſe for our purpoſe muſt bee obſerued: Firſt, how freely the Lord offereth ſauing grace to ſuch as hauehave none, nor any thing whereby they might purchaſe it: Secondly, he ſetteth out the way wherby they may enioy it, namely▪ a diligent hearing and beleeuing Gods word. To which end hee thirdly makes moſt ſweete promiſes, that their ſoule ſhall liue, that is, they ſhall be quickned in Chriſt, and in him the ſeede of Dauid, bee made partakers of thoſe mercies which ſhall neuer decay. From hence what encouragement may any poore ſoule take to hearken to Gods word, when hee may vponupon ſo good ground aſſure himſelfe, that hereby hee ſhall attaine vntounto ſaluation, and all needfull graces for this life?

This is notably confirmed by all theſe Scriptures, which teſtifie That the word is able to ſaue our ſoules, as Iam. 1. 21. Wherefore lay apart all filthineſſe and ſuperfluity of naughtineſſe, and receiue with meekneſſe the ingrafted word, which is able to ſaue your ſoules. So Paul exhorting Timothy to many excellent duties, among the reſt giues this, 1 Tim. 4. 16Take heede to thy ſelfe, and vntounto the doctrine: continue therein; for in doing this, thou ſhalt both ſaue thy ſelfe, and them that heare thee. Againe, ſpeaking to the Elders of the Church of Epheſus,Act. 20. 33. ſaith; And now brethren I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you vp, & to giuegive you an inheritance among all them which are ſanctified. So likewiſe to the Corinthians hee ſaith, 1 Cor, 1. 21It pleaſed God by the fooliſhnes of preaching to ſaue them that beleeue.

All which Scriptures, and many other to like effect,Vſe. doe euidently confirme vntounto vsus, that as there is no ſaluation without the preaching of the word, ſo whoſoeuer ſhall conſcionably attend to it, ſhall certainly be ſaued: which if it were beleeued, it could not but make men runne to it with great alacritie, and ſo ſhould they finde much comfort thereby.

To this purpoſe bee there ſo many commendations of the word throughout the ſcriptures, ſpecially in the bookes of the Pſalmes, and of the Prouerbs. It would be too long to cite all: yet all are to be referred to this end, to breede in vsus a greater delight in this word, which bringeth ſuch incomparable benefits. Of this ſort, are theſe, Pſal. 19. 7, &c. The Law of the Lord is perfect, conuerting the ſoule: The testimonie of the Lord is ſure, making wiſe the ſimple: The ſtatutes of the Lord are right, reioycing the heart. And ſo followeth to like effect in the ſame place. The whole Pſalme 119, was written to this purpoſe, to ſet out the excellencie of this word in all reſpects, and ſpecially for the worthy effects, and fruits which it bringeth foorth in eueryevery one, who truelie embraceth it: ſo that it is obſerued by many learned Diuines, that omong 176. verſes, there be ſcarce foure or fiue at the moſt, wherein there is not ſome commendation of the word, to ſtirre vp all Gods people better to eſteeme it, and more diligently to attend to it, that they may enioy the fruites of it, at all times, and in all eſtates. To which end I require eueryevery true Chriſtian to be much exerciſed in this Pſalme, that they may be familiarlie acquainted with it, and ſo hauehave it in readines for their vſe in all their necesſities.

I might ſay as much for the booke of the Prouerbs, wherein beſides the many, and moſt wiſe directions for the well ordering of our whole life, are contained eſpecially in the firſt nine chapters, admirable commendations of thoſe heauenly inſtructions, which God as a Father by his ſeruants doth giuegive vntounto his children.Prou. 4. 13. A few for many: Take faſt hold of inſtruction, let her not goe: Keepe her, for ſhe is thy life. Wherin what can bee more contained then this, that inſtruction is our life? meaning that thereby wee attaine all things pertaining to the comfort of this life, and of that to come.

This might be ſet out at large in particulars, both in the eſcaping of manifold euills, ſinnes, and puniſhments, which they fall into, who want, or will not receiue theſe inſtructions: as alſo in the enioying of many bleſſings bodily and ſpirituall, which others want: but I leaue the further conſideration of theſe to eueryevery ones particular meditation, who deſires to ſee the truth hereof. No doubt, Dauid meant no leſſe, when he ſaid,Pſal. 119. 165. Great peace (is, and ſhall be) to them that louelove thy Law: and nothing ſhal offend them. Who would not highly priſe that word, which brings all manner of wiſedome, to all ſorts, learned, vnlearned, wiſe and ſilly, olde and young? Yet all this, doth that one booke of the Prouerbs, as is expreſly ſaid in the ſixe firſt verſes of the firſt chapter, as you may there reade; and therefore how much more is this to bee found in the whole Scripture?

Which,Vſe. me thinkes, ſhould put life into any good heart, to bee much conuerſant in the hearing, reading, and meditating of the word of God. For further quickning herein, I will onelyonly quote the places, and referre eueryevery one that liſteth to heare more of this matter, to peruſe them; and ſo ſhall he finde enough to hearten him to this duty, Prou. 1. 9. 23. 2. from 1. to 13. 3. 1. to 4. 13. to 24 4, 5. to 13. 20. to 22. 6. 20. to 24, 7. 1. to 5. 8. the whole chapter.

In theſe and many other places of the olde and new Teſtament,Applicatiō the Lord knowing our exceeding backwardneſſe in true receiuing, and keeping his word, (which yet is ſo neceſſary, as that there is no ſaluation without it) doth make ſo many pretious promiſes, as I know not whether to any thing more; That at leaſt by ſome of them, we, who bee ſo full of doubting how wee may attaine to the right vſe of the word, may be more heartened to a conſcionable and conſtant attendance vntounto it, that ſo we may in due ſeaſon reape the ſweete fruit thereof.

This then muſt be the care and labour of eueryevery one, who feeles the want of this comfortable vſe of Gods word, and earneſtly deſires it, to bee well acquainted with theſe promiſes, and out of all to gather ſome of the chiefe, ſuch as ſeeme to him moſt ſpeciall, and ſo commit them to memory, that whenſoeuer he goeth to the word, he may meditate vponupon theſe, and ſo be more encouraged to attend vntounto Gods word with expectation of Gods blesſing vponupon his labour.

The want of this meditation vponupon Gods promiſes when wee goe to the word, is one chiefe cauſe of that great ſinne of vnfruitfull hearing, and conſequently of that little growth in grace, which is eueryevery where to be ſeene among ordinary reſorters to the publike miniſtery; as the Apoſtle reporteth of the Hebrewes, that the Word preached did not profite them, Heb. 4. 2.being not mingled with faith in them that heard it.

Out of this which hath beene ſaide of the word in generall,Sacramēts. (which well may bee referred to all the ſeuerall exerciſes therein, publike or priuate, to eueryevery of which many of theſe promiſes doe pertaine) we may ſafely gather comfort in the vſe of the Sacraments, which be truely called a viſible Word, becauſe that which is ſpoken in the word to the eare, is in viſible ſignes repreſented to our eyes, & ſealed to our hearts, that wee may bee the more aſſured of them to bee ours; ſo that if wee had no ſpeciall promiſes made expreſly to them, yet wee might out of the former receiue ſufficient encouragement to looke for the benefite of them: that is, to be made partakers of Chriſt and life in him; which is the ſumme and ſubſtance of all that which is promiſed in the word.

But ſeeing the Lord, (who in all ages of his Church ordained theſe holy ſignes and ſeales of his Teſtament, in which he bequeathed Chriſt and all his benefits to true beleeuers, and their ſeede,) knowing our great weakeneſſe of faith in receiuing theſe ſeales, hath ſo laboured to giuegive vsus aſſurance, that (if wee thinke there is any truth in him) we may bee as ſure that Chriſt and al his merits are ours, as the outward ſignes which we ſee with oureies, and our hands doe handle: let vsus for our comfort carefully conſider hereof.

Not to meddle with the Sacraments of the olde Teſtament, Circumciſion and the Paſſeouer, both which were to the people of God ſure ſeales of the righteouſnes of faith, Rom. 4. 11.as the Apoſtle ſpeaketh of Circumciſion; and doth as truely belong to all the Sacraments of the olde and new Teſtament: this one Scripture might ſufficiently aſſure any, that hee truely receiuing the outward ſeales according to Gods appointment, ſhould as certainly bee partaker of Chriſt and all his benefites, (which are the things ſealed) as he is partaker of the outward ſeals: the certainty whereof depends on Gods truth and faithfulneſſe, as in his word, ſo in the ſeales thereof; who doth as truely giuegive that which he promiſeth and ſealeth, as hee doth freely giuegive any promiſe or ſeale.

We doe iuſtly account him no honeſt man, who will not bee as good as his word; much more him who will ſeale a couenant, and yet not performe it.

Be it farre off then, from any Chriſtian to impute this to God, that hee giues vaine words and ſeales, and doth not as truely giuegive that which hee promiſeth and ſealeth.

But the ſole cauſe why many who come to the word and Sacraments,Why many profite not by the word & ſacraments. are not partakers in them of Chriſt, who is truely on Gods part offered in them, is this; That they doe not inwardly by faith receiue that which is promiſed and ſealed, as they do outwardly receiue the word and ſeale.

It ſhall be our wiſedome then whenſoeuer we goe to the word and Sacraments, ſpecially to labour for faith, that thereby we may as truely receiue Chriſt in them offered, as wee doe receiue outwardly the word and ſeales thereof.

For the receiuing of the word we hauehave ſaid enough.

Now for our Sacraments,Few profite by Sacraments. I cannot ſufficiently bewaile the vniuerſall abuſe of them, which is ſo grieuous, that they being by God in louelove left to his Church, as a ſpeciall meanes to further their ſaluation; ſo many are by their vnworthy receiuing of them, made more guilty of condemnation: which comes to paſſe, not onelyonly by that groſſe prophaneneſſe, which is in all carnall Proteſtants, who onelyonly for cuſtome, Law, or credit, come to the Sacraments, without any knowledge or conſcience:

2. But in many of ſome better ſort, who hauehave ſome care for their ſoules, there is either ſuch ignorance, or negligence, that they neuer did worthily receiue the holy ſeales: and therefore neuer found the ſweete fruites of them.

3. Yea (that which is more to bee lamented) this may bee found in not a few of thoſe who hauehave receiued true grace, and bee indeed Gods children, to whom onelyonly theſe ſeales of right do belong: yet theſe ſeldome or neuer attaine that comfort by the holy Sacraments, which indeede they ought and might, were not the fault in themſelues.

For proofe hereof, I require eueryevery one, who would ſee the truth of this complaint, to examine himſelfe in this queſtion, what ſenſible good hee hath receiued by his Baptiſme.

For my part I hauehave demanded this queſtion of many (who were of good eſteeme in the Church) who had litle to ſay in this point; and I make no doubt, but the like may bee found in many others, who are to ſeeke in this matter; ſo farre off bee they from enioying that great gaine, which is to be got hereby: which in ſpeciall conſiſts in theſe two, firſt, that by our baptiſme we be more aſſured of our ſaluation by Chriſt; and ſecondly, that thereby we be more … leade a godly conuerſation; both which be euidently the fruites of true baptiſme.

The ſame may be ſaide of the Lords ſuppo…, which in a further do … to aſſure vsus of our growth in grace, and ſmall perſeuerance … how few come from the communion ſo ſure of Chriſt and all his benefits to bee theirs, as the woman marryed at the Church doth come home aſſured of the man whom ſhe hath marryed, and all his to bee hers, for her vſe and comfort? Yet I … thus, and it cannot … but our … when it is … ſo.

If I were demanded what I conceiue to bee the chiefe cauſe, why it is not thus,Want of farth. I would ſay, want of Faith, which ariſeth in many frō want of cleere light to ſee Gods minde in ordaining theſe Sacraments.

In ſome … ſlight account they make of theſe.

And in the beſt ſort of theſe, from the ſight of their vnworthineſſe, which makes them feare that they cannot be made partakers of ſo great a benefit.

For whoſe ſake I ſpecially write theſe, to helpe their weake faith that thereby they may, find this benefite.

To which purpoſe, I would hauehave well conſidered, that which before was touched concerning Gods intention in ordaining theſe holy ſignes & ſeales,Right end of ſeales. (which we call Sacraments) which was to helpe our weake …aith; that whereas the Lord hauing in his word, made vntounto vsus ſinners many promiſes of alg…ace in Chriſt, which (if the fault were not in our ſelues,) might be ſufficient to vphold our faith in the aſſurance thereof, yet he ſeeing how ſlowe of heart wee are to beleeue his word, did for the confirmation of our faith giuegive vsus, theſe outward and viſible pledges of his louelove, that wee knowing him to bee faithfull, may bee more aſſured: yea put out of doubt, that wee ſhall as certainly be made partakers of Chriſt himſelfe, and all his merits, as wee are of the outward ſignes of his couenant; as Gen. 17. 10. This is my couenant, which yee ſhall keepe betweene mee and you and thy ſeed after thee▪ EueryEvery … child among you ſhall bee circumciſed.

And very oft that which properly belongs to the things ſealed, is giuen to the outward ſeale, to ſhew that on Gods part they be neuer parted. For this cauſe were the Lords people commanded to circumciſe the foreskinne of their …; Deut. 10. 16and the Lord promiſed that He would circumc…ſe them hearts, Ier. 4. 4.and the heart of their ſeede, Deut. 30. 6.

The like is ſaide of Baptiſme, Rom. 6. 3.That wee are buried with Chriſt by Baptiſme,Col. 2. 1. and for this cauſe it is called Baptiſme of … for remiſſion of ſinnes.Mar. 1. 4. And our ſinnes are ſaid to be waſhed away,Act. 22. 16 and that Baptiſme ſaueth.Heb. 10. 22 All which belongeth to the blood of Chriſt,1 Pet. 3. 21. as 1. Ioh. 1. 7. (that is, All his ſufferings) which doth waſh and … us from all our ſinnes.Reu. 1. 5.

And in this ſenſe our Sauiour Chriſt ſaith, We muſt bee … of water, Ioh. 3. 5. that is, bee made Gods children by receiuing Chriſt, as Ioh. 1. 12.

The like is ſaide of the Lords Supper, when our Lord Ieſus did ordaine it, hee ſpeaking of the bread,Mat. 26. 26 28. ſaid: This is my body, and of the wine: This is my blood of the new Teſtament; meaning that theſe outward ſignes and ſeales were moſt ſure & certain pledges of his body and blood, which hee did as truely giuegive to be ſpirituall food, as he gaue the bread and wine to be bodily food to eueryevery beleeuer.

And for the ſame cauſe, the Apoſtle ſaith. The cup of bleſſing which we bleſſe, 1 Cor. 10. 16.is it not the Communion of the blood of Chriſt? The bread which we breake, is it not the Communion of the body of Chriſt? for that we doe as certainly communicate▪ with the body and blood of Chriſt, that is, whole Chriſt & all his merits in the Sacrament, as …ee with the reſt of Gods people doe communicate in the bread and wine. And to conclude with this teſtimony of the Apoſtle in the 12▪ chap. verſ. 13. Hee ſpeaking of both Sacraments ſaith,1. Cor. 12. 13. For by one Spirit, we, all are baptized into one body, whether we be I…wes or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and hauehave beene all made to drinke into one ſpirit. In which, as in all the former, we ſee that true grace is giuen to the outward ſeales, not for that by the bare worke wrought, the outward receiuing of the ſignes doth giuegive grace, which is proper to Chriſt, and his merits ſealed by the outward ſignes; but to teach and perſwade that God for his part doth vnſeparably ioyn theſe graces with the ſignes, and as truely giuegive the one as the other.

The vſe whereof is this,Applicatiō. that What God hath ioyned, we doe not ſeparate, but that we bee perſwaded by all theſe witneſſes, that we receiuing theſe holy Sacraments according to Gods appointment, ſhall as ſurely hauehave Chriſt and all his benefits to be ours, as we hauehave the outward ſeales thereof: were we thus perſwaded, wee would more cheerefully come to the Sacraments, more carefully prepare our ſelues to be meete partakers of them, and ſhould finde more fruit by them, then vſually moſt doe.

This then muſt be the labour of all that would enioy the benefit and comfort of Gods holy Sacraments, ſo oft as they approach vntounto them, to ſet before them, both the mercy of God in ordaining theſe for the ſtrengthening of our faith, and withall his faithfulneſſe in freely beſtowing on vsus, that which he offereth and ſealeth vntounto vsus in theſe outward ſeales: namely, Chriſt and all his benefits to be ours for our preſent comfort, quickning and ſtrengthening, and for our euerlaſting ſaluatiō. And this ſhall ſuffiſe for this third generall point, how we may cheerfully ſerue the Lord in all good duties which he requireth of vsus, being aſſured by faith, that he will both aſſiſt vsus by his Spirit, to performe them (at leaſt in ſome meaſure) according to his will, and alſo accept at our hands our poore and weake obedience, which we ſhall offer vp vntounto him in the name of his Sonne Chriſt Ieſus.

A Treatise of Faith, Part 3

p. 269THE THIRD generall head of liuing by faith, is concerning holy duties.

THE THIRD generall head of liuing by faith, is concerning holy duties.