A Treatise of Faith, Part 6
THE SIXT AND LAST GENERALL HEAD, Of living by Faith, is for Perſeverance.
THere is now, but one thing wanting (as farre as I can ſee) to the making vp of the full comfort of the true beleever, ſo much as may be attained in this life, namely, how he being ſo frayle every way, his enemies ſo many and ſtrong ſhould be ſure that he ſhall hold out to the end, and ſo overcomming receiue the end of his faith, the ſalvation of his ſoule: which being a matter of ſo great difficultie, and ſo rarely attained, they be not a few who flatly deny this certaintie of perſeverance, and many moe doe miſtruſt themſelues herein, and thereby much weaken all the comfort of their life.
It ſhall be therefore highly needfull, to adde this to the former, how a true beleever may attaine to this certaintie by faith, that notwithſtanding all his owne weakneſſe, and ſtrength and malice of his ſpirituall enemies, yet he ſhall perſever to the end.
I intend not to make a treatiſe, of this point of the perſeverance of the Saints, either to proue the truth of the doctrine, or to confute the contrary errour, which is done already, and that ſoundly, as by argument, ſo by example, both by auncient and latter Divines.
But as in the former points, I hauehave chiefly laboured to ſtrengthen the faith of Gods children, to depend vponupon God, with hope and patience, for ſuccour in all their neceſſities, ſpirituall and earthly: ſo in this, my onelyonly labour ſhall be, to eſtabliſh our hearts in this confidence, that he who hath begun a good worke in vsus, Phil. 1. 6.will performe it vntill the day of Ieſus Chriſt. Which as it was the confidence of the Apoſtle, for the beleevers in his time, ſo ought it to be ours, in all ſucceeding ages to the worlds end, ſeeing we hauehave the ſame promiſes whereon to build our faith, which they had, and which the Lord made to his people of old.
Let vsus now then conſider of theſe promiſes, and ſo make our vſe of them. It is not to be doubted, but this was intended in the firſt promiſe which God made, that the ſeed of the Woman ſhould bruſe the head of the Serpe…t; Gen. 3 15and in that made to Abraham, that he would ſtabliſh his covenant with him for an everlaſting covenant. Gen. 17. 7.Which is oft repeated; but ſeeing we hauehave very many more cleare promiſes hereof, we will paſſe by theſe.
This was plainely promiſed by God to David concerning …,2. Sam. 7. 14. and afterwards as truly performed. I will bee his father, and he ſhall be my ſonne: if he com… iniquitie, I will chaſten him with the … of men, and with the … of the children of men.…5. But my mercy ſhall … depart from him, Pſal. 89. verſe 28. the like is recorded.
Ths is more generally ſpoken of the bleſſed man, Pſal. 1. 3. His … ſhall not …. The booke of the Pſalmes is full of theſe comfortable promiſes, Pſal. 9. …0. They that know thy name will … for thou Lord haſt not forſaken them that ſeeke thee, and verſe. 18. for the needy ſhall not alway bee for gotten: the expectation of the poore ſhall not periſh for euer. Pſalme 15. 5. Hee that doth theſe things ſhall never bee moved, the like Pſal. 112. 6. 125. 1. Pro. 10. 30. and 12. 3. Pſalme 23. 6. Surely goodnes and mercy ſhall follow me all the dayes of my life. Pſa. 48. 14. For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will bee our guid even vntounto death. Pſalme 73. 24. Thou ſhalt guide me with thy counſell, and ſhalt receiue me vntounto glory. verſe 26. My fleſh and my heart faileth, but God is the ſtrergth of my heart and my portion for ever. Pſalme 103. 17. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlaſting to everlaſting vponupon them that feare him.
In the writings of the Prophers we may reade many ſuch promiſes for perſeverance, Eſ… 54. 8. But with everlaſting kindneſſe will hauehave mercy on thee, ſaith the Lord thy Redeemer. chap. 55. 3. Heare and your ſoule ſhall …. And I will make an everlaſting covenant with you, eve… the ſure mercies of David, the like. Ezek. 16. 60. and 37. 26. is a ſpeciall promiſe to this purpoſe, I will put my feare into their hearts that they ſhall not depart from me. Iere. 32. 39. 40.Many moe might bee gathered out of the old Teſtament,Eſay. 59. 21. but I feare ſome wil thinke them to many: who if they ſhall well waigh either the excellency of theſe promiſes, or their owne backwardnes to beleeue them, when they moſt ſtand in neede of them; then will they finde all to little to vphold them againſt their feares of falling away.
Wee will therefore proceede to ſee what comforts for our perſeverāce are delivered in the new Teſtament which we ſhall find to be more cleere then the former, for that (as I thinke) we bee in more danger in this laſt age of the world, ſeeing the Devill knoweth his time is but ſhort,Revel. 12. 12. is more full of wrath againſt Gods people, to ſeeke their overthrow.
This moved our Saviour Chriſt himſelf ſo much to comfortMat. 28. 20. his Diſciples, and ſo all the faithfull, that hee would bee with them vntounto the ende of the world, Luke …. 22.and bids them feare not little flocke, Iohn 16. 33for it is your Fathers good pleaſure to giuegive you the kingdome. Bee of good comfort I hauehave overcome the world which wee ſee is of great force to perſwade them they ſhould never be overcome, but ſhould hold out till they were received to glory: for further aſſurance whereof, he confidently affirmeth ſaying,Iohn 6. 47 veritly verily, Hee that beleeveth on me hath everlaſtingly, …, and therefore can never periſh or fall away, for further aſſurance it is ſayd, Iohn 13. 1. That … Chriſt loved, hee loved vntounto the end.
And what greater aſſurance can we deſire and looke for then this,1. Theſ. 5. 24. that God▪ f…ithful who hath called vsus, who alſo will doest, that is (as goeth before immediatly) Preſ…rve our whole ſpirit ſoule and body blameles vntounto the comming of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, which is eſt repeated … Cor. p. 9. and 10. … that we might hauehave it in better remembrance and vſe: And for confirmation hereof;2. Tim. 2. 19. its ſayd the foundation of God …, grounded vponupon this, the Lord knoweth who … his, meaning that they whō God before the foundation of the world did choſe, & ordaine to be ſaved, cannot poſſibly periſh; as it is ſayd, Mat. 24. 24. If it were poſſible, intending, that it is not poſſible, for then ſhould God bee, either m…table to change his decree, or not Almighty, as not able to performe that which he did purpoſe, both which be moſt blaſphemous to thinke of God, for this cauſe Chriſt did bid his Diſciples reioyce that their names were written in heaven, Luke 10. 20. yea more in the ſame place, 2. Tim. 2. 19. is ſaid that this foundatiō of the certainety of ſalvation to all the Elect, hath a ſeale, which is after expreſſed in theſe words: Let every one … of Chriſt depart from iniquity; which I conceiue the ſame, which is ſayd, Epheſ. 1. 13. that they after they beleeved more … with the holy ſpirit of promiſe, which is the earneſt of our inheritance, vntill the redemption of the purchaſed poſſeſsion vntounto the prayſe of his glory.
In both this is mean…, that the worke of true ſanctification, which the holy Ghoſt workes in every true beleever, is an vnfallible marke that we are true beleever… effectually called and elected to ſalvation by Chriſt, and therefore are ſure wee cannot periſh, but ſhall perſevere and bee ſaved. This is notably ſet downe 2 Cor. 1. 21. 22. Now he which eſtabliſheth vsus with you in Chriſt, and hath annointed vsus. is God, who hath alſo ſealed vsus and given the earneſt of his ſpirit in our hearts; ſo that as true dealing men, doe make ſure their grants and covenants by ſeales and giving of ſome earneſt, which being a part of the priſe covenanted, doth aſſure the whole payment: ſo doth the moſt faithful God, by theſe firſt fruits of the ſpirit of ſanctification▪ aſſure vntounto vsus▪ that we ſhall never quite fall away from grace, but ſhall be fully ſanctified by his holy ſpirit at the time appointed. The Apoſtle Peter 2. 1. 10. by this moueth the faithful to make their calling and election ſure.
And yet more, if this be not enough to aſſure vsus, that we ſhall never fall away, but continue to the end and be ſaved, how often doth the Lord paſſe his word vntounto vsus, that his ſpirit ſhall abide in vsus for ever? Notable is that place of the Prophet Eſa. 59. 21. As for me this my covenant with them, ſayth the Lord; My ſpirit that is vponupon thee, and my wordes which I hauehave put in thy mouth, ſhall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy ſeed, nor out of the mouth of thy ſeeds ſeed, ſayth the Lord, from henceforth and for ever.
By this did our Saviour Chriſt much labour to comfort his Diſciples, who were full of ſorrow to heare of his leauing them; Ioh. 14. 16.And I will pray the Father, and he ſhall giuegive you another Comforter▪ that he may abide with you for ever.17 Even the ſpirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receiue, becauſe it ſeeth him not neither knoweth him, but ye know him for he dwelleth in you, and ſhall be in you. So againe, Ioh. 15. 16. Ye hauehave not choſen me; but I hauehave choſen you, and ordeined you, that you goe and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit ſhould remaine. Ioh. …6. 22. Your ioy ſhall no man take may: and more to like effect, as Iohn 10. 28. 29. I giuegive them eter…all life, and they ſhall never periſh, &c.
So the beloved Apoſtle Iohn, wrote his firſt Epiſtle to this end eſpecially, to confirme the faithfull in the certaintie of their ſalvation, that they ſhould not fall away as many hypocrites then did, and daily doe. To this end, as he ſetteth downe ſundry markes, whereby they may proue themſelues to be in the ſtate of grace; ſo he giues many comfortable promiſes, that they ſhall continue,1 Ioh 2. 24. and abide for ever: and more ſpecially verſ. 27.17. But the anointing which ye hauehave received of him, abideth in you, and yee need not that any man teach you, but as the ſame anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lye; … as it hath taught you, yee ſhall abide in him, &c. Chap. 3. 2. Beloved, now are we the ſonnes of God, and it doth not yet appeare what we ſhall be: but we know that when he ſhall appeare we ſhall be like him, for we ſhall ſee him as he is. Verſ. 9. His ſeed remaineth in him; and much more in this Chapter & the reſt, I n…ed not rehearſe all.
To ſhut vp this point. A principall cauſe of this certaintie of our perſeverance, is that which the Apoſtle Peter expreſſeth, 1 Pet. 1. 4 5ſaying; that their inheritance is reſerved in heaven for them, who are kept by the power of God, through faith vntounto ſalvation. And to like effect the Apoſtle Iude cloſeth his Epiſtle with theſe words; Now to him that is able to keepe you from falling, and to preſerue you faultleſſe before the preſence of his glory with exceeding ioy, to the onelyonly wiſe God, our Saviour be glory and maieſtie, dominion and power, now and ever, Amen.
Thus hauehave I gathered (you may ſee) good ſtore,Application. yet not all of thoſe comfortable promiſes which God hath made to his Church in all ages, to confirme their faith, that ſeeing he hath freely loued them, choſen them, and called them to be his, therefore none ſhall ever be able to plucke them out of his hand. What remaineth then for vsus (who be compaſſed with ſuch a cloud of teſtimonies, which all agree in one) but to be perſwaded with the Apoſtle, Rom. 8. 38▪ 39. That neither death, nor life, nor Angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things preſent, nor things to come: Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature ſhall be able to ſeperate vsus from the louelove of God which is in Chriſt Ieſus our Lord.
Let vsus then whenſoever wee fall into this temptation, (oh, I ſhall never be able to hold out: I find my corruption ſo ſtrong, or if I ſhould be called to any ſuch fiery triall as in Queene Maries dayes, I ſhall never be able to indure them, but ſhall (as many then did) for feare fall away, and deny the truth.) Let vsus I ſay, againſt this tentation ſet the many promiſes which the Lord hath made vntounto vsus, that he will never leaue vsus nor forſake …s, Heb. 13. 5.yea more, that we ſhall be kept by his power vntounto ſalvation, that hell gates ſhall not prevaile againſt vsus; Mat. 15. 18.with many the like, whereof before: that duely wayghing theſe, and the faithfulnes of him who hath promiſed them, we may comfort our hearts, that he who hath begun the worke of grace in vsus, will never giuegive it over till he hath fully finiſhed it;Heb. 12. 2. for as he is the author of our faith: ſo is he the finiſher of it. Ioh. 10. 29.And he is ſtronger then all, ſo that none ſhall be able to plucke vsus out of his hand.
Be then of good cheare thou poore ſoule, who findeſt ſome worke of grace begun in thee, yet feeling thine owne infirmities, and oft oppreſſed with many and ſore tentations, and beholding or hearing of the fals of many great profeſſours, art much ſhaken, and filled with feares of falling away; for aſſure thy ſelfe,1 Pet. 1. 23. that (being borne againe not of corruptible ſee…, but of incorruptible by the word of God, which liueth and abideth for ever) it is not poſſible thou ſhouldſt periſh, or ever looſe that faith and grace which is begun in thee, neither canſt thou ſin vntounto death, (as I vnderſtand the Apoſtle 1 Iohn 5. 16.) ſeeing this immortall ſeed remaineth in thee.
And this I will adde, for the comfort of all ſuch as be troubled with theſe feares (that they ſhall never hold out to the end, and thereby be ſtirred vp to be more diligent in the vſe of the meanes ordained for their growth in grace, and perſeverance therein) that I never did know, or heare of any ſuch to fall away: but vſually they who finally fall away, are ſuch as be ſecure, and preſume of Gods mercy, that they ſhall ſtand, when others fall, and take this withall, that then we be ſtrongeſt, when we be weakeſt, that is, when feeling our own weaknes, and diſtruſting our ſelues, we run to God, and relie vponupon him in all our neceſſities; which is that I hauehave laboured to effect in all this treatiſe. The ſumme whereof I will in few words ſet downe, as for the helpe of memory, ſo for the quickning of our ſpirits more to labour for this happie life by faith, which both in life and death will be our chiefe comfort.
For ſo much as the liues and deaths of the moſt profeſſours of Chriſtian Religion, doe ſhew that few attaine either that comfort of ſalvation, or conſcience of holy converſation, which God hath prepared for true beleevers. My maine ſcope hath bin to redreſſe this ſore evill, and to this end I hauehave ſhewed that this bleſſedneſſe is enjoyed onelyonly by living by faith, and what ſaving faith is, how its gotten, and how we may know that we hauehave it, both by the cauſes and effects, ioyned together not ſeperated. Wherein ſeeing many be deceived on either ſide, ſome preſuming, others miſtruſting, there be plaine markes of ſoundneſſe ſet downe, whereby every one may try himſelfe.
In the next place we are taught how to liue by faith: herein what it is to liue by faith, and how this is obtained, which is by due application of Gods promiſes, whereto is required ſerious meditation, and prayer, wherin ſeeing few be ſo fervent, as in this caſe ought to be, the ſingular gaine hereof is largely layd downe, both for conſolation, and for reformation of our liues; and herein foure rules, which be of excellent vſe.
The ſecond part of this treatiſe is a direction how to apply to our particular neceſſities Gods promiſes, which being of divers ſorts, abſolute, or conditionall, ſimply neceſſary, or with limitation, generall or ſpeciall, are all accordingly to be conſidered. All of theſe being ſo exceeding many to bring them to ſome eaſie order, for our better vſe of them all, they be drawne to ſix heads, to which all may be well referred.
The firſt whereof concernes the aſſurance of our ſalvation by Chriſt, herein firſt ſuch generall promiſes as containe all the benefits by Chriſt.
In the next place is more ſpecially ſhewed, how we may be more aſſured by faith of our iuſtification, in both the parts thereof, 1. the forgiueneſſe of ſinne, 2. the imputation of righteouſneſſe. And likewiſe of the fruits of theſe, which be 1. our Reconciliation, 2. our Adoption, 3. hope of glory. For further proofe that we be Gods children, we hauehave aſſurance by ſenſe, when we ſee the ſpirit of God working in vsus ſuch graces, as cannot be in truth in any, but ſuch as ſhall be ſaved. Among which 1. Faith it ſelfe is chiefe. 2. The gift of the ſpirit. 3. Sincere obedience, 4. Promiſes made to many particular graces, as to the louelove of God, and of our neighbour, to the feare of God. And ſo to all other fruits of faith, which be markes of ſalvation. And becauſe many weake, yet true beleevers, hauehave no feeling of their faith, and thereby be ſore diſcouraged, there be foure markes of true faith where it cannot be ſeene. Sundry other promiſes of Gods favour to ſtrengthen our faith.
The ſecond generall head of theſe promiſes for the ſtrengthning of our faith concerneth the mortification of our corrupt nature, w…erein our faith being ſo weake, we hauehave manifold incouragements to aſſure vsus of a full and finall victory. The generall promiſes, that God will cleanſe vsus from all vnrighteouſnes, may ſuffice for all particulars.
The third generall head of promiſes, is to aſſure vsus of all needfull grace to lead a godly life, herein 1. how to obtaine this grace. 2. to aſſure vsus our weake obedience ſhall be accepted.
In what ſpeciall duties in every Commandement we be moſt failing. Generall promiſes that we ſhall want no ſaving grace, with the right vſe of theſe. For our further helpe, God hath made many promiſes of particular graces. 1. that he will teach vsus. 2. that he will ſet our hearts in frame. 3. that he will giuegive vsus faith, truſt, hope, ioy, (which few attaine to for want of faith) to louelove and feare him, with the right vſe of all. Whereas we fayle much in all holy exerciſes, God promiſeth he will both aſſiſt vsus and accept vsus in them, as in prayer, few prayers made in faith.
This is to be referred to all ſpirituall Sacrifices. Whereas there is much vnfruitfulneſſe in the exerciſes of the Word and Sacramants, even in ſuch as hauehave true grace, through want of faith; the remedy is to apply Gods promiſes (which be many) eſpecially when they goe to theſe duties. The Sacraments be much more abuſed, the remedie is to conſider Gods faithfulneſſe in the ſeales.
The fourth head concerneth afflictions, whereby many be diſcouraged, no helpe but by faith. Foure grounds of comfort, 1. All afflictions come from God, and that to all of his children. 2. In what manner God afflicteth his, moſt wiſely & moſt lovingly, his wiſedome is in the meetnes of the correction, and in the juſt meaſure and continuance thereof, Gods loving & tender dealing with his, is plentifully ſet out vntounto vsus for our comfort. 3. the excellent ends and fruits of afflictions, generall is bleſſedneſſe. 3. ſpeciall benefits by afflictions, 1. they be trialls of our ſtrength and weakneſſe many iudge amiſſe and be miſi…dged by others. 2. benefit by afflictions is, we be purged from our corruptions. 3. by theſe Gods graces in vsus be quickned, ſpecially faith and patience. All which benefits being ſo deſired, and not attained without afflictions, ſhould make vsus reioyce in them. 4. comfort in afflictions, God will helpe vsus and deliver vsus.
The fift head, is that we ſhall not want any earthly bleſſing needful. 1. generall promiſes. 2. particular. 1. long life. 2▪ health 3▪ wealth vnderunder welfare many other be contained. 4. good name. 5. and laſtly for our poſteritie. …. that God will increaſe them. 2. abundantly bleſſe them.
The ſixt and laſt head of promiſes for our living by faith is for Perſeverance, which being not onelyonly doubted of, but gaine ſayd, God hath ſpoken much for our comfort, on which we are oft to meditate, that we may hold out to the end, and ſo overcomming we may enioy al thoſe rich promiſes mentioned in the ſecond and third chapters of the Revelation.
This is the ſumme of that which more at large (according to my poore abilitie) I hauehave layd out in this Treatiſe: what I hauehave ſought herein, I muſt leaue to him who knowes and ſhall judge even my intention, as well as my actions; what may bee the profit heereby to Gods people the effects ſhall ſhew.
And this I may ſay that had I not conceived good hope thereof, I ſhuld never hauehave ſpent ſo many yeares about it. And if I had not beene much encouraged by ſundry men of good eſteeme in our Church, who peruſing it, after a ſort charged me, not to bury my labours, but to communicate them to all that will receiue them, mine owne meane conceit of my ſelfe and labours, would hauehave kept them ſtill cloſe from ſo publike a view and cenſure.
Now to ſhut vp all,Exhortation to labour for faith. I doe inſtantly beſeech in the Lord, every ſoule, who truely lamenteth his want of comfort in Gods favour, in all his neceſſities, and weaknes of obedience in all duties required, both which doe principally ariſe from the want, and weakneſſe of faith: that they would aboue all (as the Apoſtle himſelfe exhorteth, Epheſ. 6. 16) labour to get, and ſtriue to maintaine this precious grace of ſaving faith, in ſuch manner, and by ſuch meanes, as in this treatiſe hath beene ſet downe.
And for the better attaining herevnto, their owne experience ſhall ſhew how needfull it ſhall be to make this a daily practiſe, to meditate vponupon Gods promiſes, ſpecially ſuch as moſt concerne their preſent condition, and to this end to commit to memory,To learne ſpeciall promiſes. and to learne without Booke one or two principall promiſes for every purpoſe as I hauehave ſet them downe, or themſelues may obſerue, that ſo they may hauehave them readie for their vſe.
As for example, when they would goe to Prayer, thinke ſeriouſly of that promiſe, Rom. 8 26. Likewiſe the ſpirit alſo helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we ſhould pray for, as we ought; but the ſpirit it ſelfe maketh interceſſion…er vsus, with groanings which cannot be vttered. Verſ. 27. And he that ſearcheth the hearts, knoweth what is the mind of the ſpirit, becauſe he maketh interceſſion for the Saints according to the will of God. Or that of Iames. 1. 5. If any of you lacke wiſedome, let him aske of God, who giueth liberally to all men, and vpbraideth not: and it ſhall be given him. I make no doubt but the due conſideration what God hath ſayd in either of theſe, will put life into any Chriſtian heart, more comfortably to ſet himſelfe to this holy dutie.
The like is to be done when we goe about our callings. Pſal. 121. 8. The Lord ſhall preſerue thy going out, and thy cōming in, from this time forth and for evermore.
So when any croſſe befalleth vsus, remember that vnvaluable promiſe, Rom. 8. 29. Alſo we know that all things worke together for good, to them that louelove God, to them who are the called, according to his purpoſe. And that 1 Cor. 10. 13. There hath no tentation taken you but ſuch as is common to man, but God is faithfull, who will not ſuffer you to be tempted aboue that you be able: but will with the tentation, alſo make a way to eſcape, that ye may be able to beare it. The ſame is to be ſayd for the reſt, as more largely hath beene handled.
To this end I doe adviſe every one to ſet apart ſome time every day (if there be no juſt hinderance) to this dutie of nouriſhing their faith,To ſet apart ſome time every day. by prayer, and meditation on Gods promiſes, which although I feare it bee rarely practiſed, yet I dare commend it to be of admirable gain to all good purpoſes, and holy practiſes of Chriſtianitie, even in dayes of proſperitie, though more ſpecially in times of adverſitie.
And herein, the more to ſtirre vp all who deſire to ſee the goodneſſe of the Lord in the land of the living. I will adde this of mine owne experience both in my ſelfe, and others not a few, with whoſe ſtate I hauehave beene acquainted, that as there can be no ſound comfort in any part of our life without faith, & yet nothing more hard to keepe in life, then true faith: ſo this is the chiefe cauſe, why ſo few find that good aſſurance of their ſalvation, that comfort in afflictions, that power againſt their corruptiōs, & that growth in grace, which full well they might, if the fault were not in themſelues, for that they doe not make this a dayly practiſe to examine themſelues, whether they bee in the faith. 2. Cor. 13 5.(as the Apoſtle exhorteth) that ſo finding their weaknes, they might bee ſtirred vp more conſtantly and painefully to ſtriue for the maintenance of their faith, whereof they ſhall hauehave ſuch dayly vſe, that without it there can be no proceeding, but rather a dayly decay in all Chriſtianity.
In conſideration of all which I make this my laſt ſuite to all ſuch, onelyonly to make triall of this dutie of dayly nourſhing and in creaſing their faith, which if they ſhall endeavour not ſlightly, but carefully with knowledge and conſcience, I make no doubt, but that they ſhall find, at leaſt ſo much as ſhal incourage them to goe forward, till they ſhalbe further ſatisfied, onelyonly we muſt referre to God, both the time when, and the meaſure how much, it ſhall ſeeme good to his wiſedome to beſtow on vsus.
And for my part, I will not ceaſe to pray vntounto God for them all, that he would fulfill all the good pleaſure of his goodneſſe and the worke of faith with power. So be it.
FINIS.
End of the text · Ezekiel Culverwell, A Treatise of Faith (1623)