The Christian Warfare Part 1, Book 2 · Chapter 10
CHAP. X. Of the ſignes and infallible notes of our election.
§. Sect. 1 ANd thus hauehave I ſet down the meanes whereby we may be aſſured of our election:The firſt ſigne, an earnest deſire after the meanes of our ſaluation. now let vsus conſider of ſome ſpeciall ſignes which are infallible notes of thoſe that are elected. The firſt ſigne is an earneſt deſire after the meanes of our ſaluation, and a conſcionable endeuour in vſing them after we enioy them. For the end and the meanes are neuer ſeparated in Gods decree, and therefore thoſe that carefully vſe the meanes may be aſſured that they ſhall attaine vntounto the end. For example, the hearing of Gods word is the chiefe meanes of our conuerſion, being made effectuall by the inward operation of Gods ſpirit; and as thereby we are begotten vntounto God, ſo alſo it is that bread of life, wherewith our ſoules are nouriſhed and ſtrengthened in all ſpirituall graces. So that whomſoeuer God hath elected, thoſe he hath decreed to call ordinarily by theſe meanes; and by the ſame alſo to furniſh with his graces being called. Whoſoeuer therefore labour to purchaſe this precious pearle, whoſoeuer hunger after this heauenly Manna, and are content to enioy it not only when it is good cheap, but alſo when it is very chargeable, whoſoeuer enioying it do attentiuely and diligently heare it and receiue it with delight, they vſe the meanes of their ſaluation, and therefore may bee aſſured that they are elected, for the meanes & the end go together. And that this is a note of Gods child, it appeareth Ioh. 10.3, 4. where our Sauiour ſaith that his ſheep heare his voyce.Ioh. 10.3.4. And Matth. 13.45. he compareth the true member of the kingdome of grace to a Merchant,Matth. 13.45. who rather then he would want the precious pearle of Gods word, ſelleth all he hath to buy it. Thoſe therefore who make this precious account of Gods word, and carefully diligently and attentiuely heare it when they enioy it, may to their comfort aſſure themſelues that they hauehave an vndoubted ſigne of their election. And on the other ſide, thoſe who had rather bee without it than enioy it, thoſe who wil beſtow no coſt to obtaine it, nor forgoe any pleaſure or commoditie that they may heare it, nor when they do heare it are affected with any delight, but are glutted with loathing ſatietic, hearing no part of the ſermon with any pleaſure but the concluſion onelyonly; they can hauehave no aſſurance of their election, becauſe they neglect the means of their ſaluation, which are ioyned with the end in Gods eternall decree. The like alſo may bee ſaid of other meanes, as the receiuing of the Sacraments, meditating in Gods word, the workes of holineſſe and righteouſneſſe, and the reſt.
§. Sect. 2 The ſecond ſigne of thoſe that are elected,The ſecond ſigne, the ſpirit of ſupplication. is the ſpirit of ſupplication, when as they can powre foorth their ſoules in feruent and effectuall prayer vntounto the Lord, confeſſing their ſinnes, and imploring his grace and merciemercy: for this is a notable fruit of Gods ſpirit working in vsus, which we cannot by any naturall meanes attaine vntounto; for of our ſelues wee know not what to pray as we ought, Rom. 8.26.but the ſpirit helpeth our infirmities, and maketh requeſt for vsus with ſighes which cannot be expreſſed, as it is Rom. 8.26. Prayer therefore is a moſt inſeparable fruite and vndoubted ſigne of Gods ſpirit, and Gods ſpirit certainly aſſureth vsus of our election and adoption, for it beareth witneſſe with our ſpirits that we are the ſonnes of God, Verſ. 16.as it is verſ. 16. So Rom. 10.13. it is ſaid,Rom. 10.13. that whoſoeuer call vponupon the name of the Lord ſhall be ſaued. But this prayer muſt proceede from faith; for, as it followeth, How ſhall they call on him in whom they hauehave not beleeued? and muſt be perfourmed in ſpirit and truth, and not with deceitfull lips; for it is to no purpoſe to draw neere vntounto God with our mouthes,Eſa. 29.13. if our hearts be farre from him, Eſa. 29.13.
§. Sect. 3 The third ſigne of thoſe who are elected and adopted to be the children of God,The third ſigne is, when we are weaned from the louelove of the world, and minde heauenly things. is, when as their hearts are ſomwhat weaned from the world, and ſeated in heauen minding the things that are aboue; and when their tongues being ſet a worke by the heart, doe gladly entertaine godly and religious conferences; for there as the treaſure is, there will the heart be alſo, and with whatſoeuer the heart is affected, the tongue is delighted. Now that theſe holie meditations and religious diſcourſes are ſignes of the child of God, hereby it plainly appeareth; in that they cannot poſſibly proceede from our corrupt nature, to which they are irkſome and tedious, but from the ſpirit of God dwelling in vsus, and guiding and directing vsus in our thoughts and words; and whoſoeuer are thus led with the ſpirit of God, they are the ſonnes of God, as it is Rom. 8.14.Rom. 8.14. He that is right heire to a roiall kingdome and not yet poſſeſſed thereof, is neuer wearie of thinking on it, nor glutted with ſuch diſcourſes as tend to the extolling the riches and glorie which there attend him, or ſhew the meanes whereby he may be aſſured to come into ſpeedie and peaceable poſſeſſion of his right: and ſo thoſe who are elected by God, and adopted to bee the heires of his euerlaſting kingdome of glorie, are neuer ſatiſfied in meditating and ſpeaking of the riches and ioyes of this heauenly inheritance, or of the meanes whereby they may bee aſſured vndoubtedly to obtaine it; whereas thoſe who hauehave no ſuch intereſt nor hopes, thinke and talke of theſe things with loathſome wearineſſe, as being matters not concerning them; and therefore when ſuch thoughts come into their mindes, they vaniſh as ſuddenly as a flaſh of lightning, and when they are preſent at any ſpirituall diſcourſes the time ſeemeth long, and they ſit vponupon thornes vntill they bee ended; and they remaine dumbe as though they were tongue-tyed, vnleſſe they take occaſion to interrupt ſuch holie conferences, and to diuert them to ſome worldly affaires.
§. Sect. 4 The fourth ſigne of the childe of God who is elected to ſaluation,The fourth ſigne, is the ſight of ſinne: and ſorrow for it. is, when he ſeeth his ſinnes and imperfections, and truly repenteth of them, that is, bewaileth thoſe which are paſt, and endeuoureth to forſake them in the time to come. For naturally we are blinde, and yet doe not perceiue our blindneſſe, we are moſt ſinfull and miſerable, and yet doe not ſee our ſins and miſerie, but with the proud Phariſie and iuſticiarie Papiſt wee thinke our ſelues righteous, and with the Church of the Laodiceans we imagine that we are rich and hauehave need of nothing, not knowing that wee are wretched, miſerable,Reuel. 3.17. pour-blind, and naked, vntill it pleaſe the Lord to annoynt our eyes with the eye-ſalue of his ſpirit, whereby we are enabled to diſcerne the pure gold of Chriſts merits, which only maketh rich, from the droſſe of our owne workes, and the white raiment of Chriſts obedience from the polluted ragges of our owne righteouſneſſe. And though wee ſee our ſinnes, yet naturally wee are not ſorie for them, nay we delight our ſelues with their remembrance; or if we ſuſtaine any griefe, it is not for the ſinne, but for the puniſhment which either wee feele preſently inflicted, or feare as being hereafter threatned, vntill it pleaſe the Lord to adopt vsus for his ſonnes, and to giuegive vsus the ſpirit of adoption, which mooueth vsus to grieue and ſorrow for our ſinnes, not ſo much for feare of puniſhment, as for ſon-like affection, becauſe by our ſinnes we hauehave diſhonoured and diſpleaſed our gratious and louing father: and becauſe wee cannot wholie mortifie them ſo long as wee continue in this life, we lamentably crie out with Paul, Wretched man that I am who ſhall deliuer me from this bodie of death? And becauſe we know that we ſhal be neuer freed from it altogether ſo long as wee liue, wee wiſh earneſtly with the Apoſtle that we may be ſpeedily diſſolued, being contented to part with our liues, becauſe wee can no otherwiſe part with our ſinnes. Whoſoeuer therefore hath this ſorrow for ſinne; hee may be aſſured of his election and ſaluation: for,2. Cor. 7.10. as it is 2. Cor. 7.10. this godly ſorrow cauſeth repentance vntounto ſaluation not to be repented of, whereas worldly ſorrow cauſeth death; and all the promiſes of life and eternall happineſſe, are made onelyonly to ſuch repentant ſinners, and to them onelyonly they appertaine. And as Gods children are grieued for their ſinnes paſt, ſo doe they hate and deteſt them, as in all others ſo eſpecially in themſelues, which hatred cauſeth them to flee from them, and auoide all occaſions which might cauſe them to fall into the like wickednes, ſtriuing and endeuouring to mortifie their luſts and euill concupiſcences, and to leade their liues in holineſſe and righteouſneſſe, becauſe herewith their heauenly father is well pleaſed. Whereas the wicked man, if hee bee not reſtrained with a ſeruile feare of Gods iudgements, or of temporarie puniſhments, goeth on in his ſinnes with pleaſure and delight, adding drunkenneſſe vntounto thirſt, and drawing iniquitie vntounto him with the cords of vanitie. Whoſoeuer therefore hauehave this ſon-like care, and holie endeuour of forſaking their ſinnes, and betaking themſelues to ſerue the Lord in the duties of holineſſe and righteouſneſſe, they may bee aſſured that they are elected and adopted to be the ſonnes of God; but thoſe who hauehave no ſuch purpoſe can neuer hauehave this aſſurance; for if they were the ſonnes of God, they would be affected like louing children to ſuch a gratious father.
§. Sect. 5 The fift ſigne of the childe of God elected to ſaluation,The fift ſigno, is an hungring deſire after Christs righteouſneſſe. Ioh. 7.37. Reuel. 21.6. is, when as feeling his owne miſerie and wretchedneſſe, he earneſtly deſireth and euen as it were hungreth and thirſteth after Chriſts righteouſneſſe, looking for life and ſaluation in him alone; for ſuch as theſe our Sauiour Chriſt calleth vntounto him: Ioh. 7.37. If any man thirſt let him come vntounto me and drinke; and to ſuch he promiſeth euerlaſting happineſſe. Reuel. 21.6. I will giuegive to him that is a thirſt, of the well of the water of life freely, of which whoſoeuer drinketh ſhall neuer be more a thirſt, Ioh. 4.but it ſhall be in him a well of water ſpringing vp vntounto euerlaſting life. And to this we may adde alſo, an high and incomparable eſtimation of Chriſt and his righteouſneſſe, after that wee are aſſured of them, whereby wee priſe and value them ſo much aboue all worldly things, that with Paul we eſteeme them all but droſſe and dung in reſpect of gaining Chriſt,Phil. 3.8. Phil. 3.8. and are content not onelyonly with the Merchant to ſell all wee hauehave that we may buy theſe precious pearles, but alſo to ſuffer tribulation, anguiſh, perſecution, famine, nakedneſſe, perill, ſword, yea death it ſelfe,Rom. 8.35. rather than wee would be ſeparated from the louelove of Chriſt, as the Apoſtle ſpeaketh Rom. 8.35.
§. Sect. 6 The ſixt ſigne of the childe of God,The ſixt ſigne, is the inward fight betweene the fleſh and the ſpirit. is the inward combat which they feele, betweene the fleſh and the ſpirit, whereby on the one ſide they are drawne vntounto ſinne, and on the other ſide incited vntounto holy obedience; now delighted in the lawe of God, and yet ſoone after led captiue vntounto ſinne; one while rowing againſt the tide of their carnall affections, and another while carried violently downe the ſtreame, by reaſon of their weakeneſſe, and the ſtrength of their in-bred corruption. For naturally we goe al one way, without any ſtop, oppoſition or reſiſtance, euen the broad way which leadeth to hell and deſtruction: naturally we ſerue ſinne, and willingly ſubiect our ſelues to liue in the bondage of our ſpiritual enemies, vntil the Lord doe with his holy ſpirit renew our will, and ſanctifie our affections, working in vsus an earneſt deſire to come out of this miſerable captiuitie, that we may attaine vntounto the glorious liberty of the ſonnes of God: which renewing and ſanctification, becauſe it is done but in part, therefore is it oppoſed by the contrary corruption which wee hauehave by nature, ſo that what the ſpirit loueth the fleſh hateth, what the ſpirit imbraceth the fleſh abhorreth, what the ſpirit would hauehave vsus doe, the fleſh hindreth and inforceth vsus to leaue vndone, with whatſoeuer the ſpirit is delighted, with that the fleſh is vexed and diſpleaſed; and this ſpirituall fight is in all Gods children as appeareth Rom. 7.23. Gal. 5.17. which ſhould bee ſo farre from diſcouraging vsus,Rom. 7.23. Gal. 5.17. that nothing more can aſſure vsus of our election; for naturally we are all fleſh, wholy ſubmitting our ſelues to be ruled by Sathan, neither is there any fight or oppoſition in vsus, for Sathans kingdome is not deuided againſt it ſelfe, and whileſt the ſtrong man wholy keepeth the houſe, all that he poſſeſſeth is in peace, vntill our Sauiour Chriſt, by the operation of his ſpirit, thruſteth him out of his poſſeſſion, and ſeeketh to rule in vsus by the ſcepter of his word; and then the diuell rageth and ſtriueth to keepe his hold, and the fleſh ſtormeth, deſiring ſtill to ſerue his old maiſter. When therefore we feele this inward fight within our ſelues, we may be aſſured that Chriſt is come to dwell in our hearts by his holy ſpirit, and conſequently, that we are the children of God, and heires of euerlaſting life, for as many as receiue him, to them he giues power to be the ſonnes of God, Ioh. 1.12.euen to them that beleeue in his name, as it is Iohn 1.12.
§. Sect. 7 The ſeuenth ſigne of the childe of God is new obedience,The ſeuenth ſigne, is new obedience. 1. Ioh. 2.5. when as he applies his heart to the keeping of Gods commanmaundements, deſiring and indeauouring to ſerue the Lord in holineſſe and newneſſe of life; for if any man keepeth Gods word, in him is the louelove of God perfect in deede, and hereby we know that we are in him, as it is 1. Iohn 2.5. And whoſoeuer abideth in him ſinneth not, whoſoeuer ſinneth hath not ſeene him, neither hath knowne him, chap. 3. v. 6.10as it is chap. 3. ver. 6. So verſ. 10. In this are the children of God knowne and the children of the diuell, whoſoeuer doth not righteouſneſſe is not of God, &c. So that our new obedience is a ſigne of the child of God, and the neglect thereof a marke of the child of darkneſſe. But wee are not to vnderſtand this of that exact obedience which is required in the Law; for thereby none liuing can hauehave any aſſurance of their election and ſaluation, but rather of reprobation and damnation; but it is to be vnderſtood of an euangelicall obedience, which conſiſteth in an holie deſire and earneſt endeuour of keeping all Gods commandements; with which the children of God are ſo wholy poſſeſſed, that after their true conuerſion it is impoſſible that they ſhould fall into any knowne ſinne, with full conſent of will and with their whole hearts. And this is the obedience which the Goſpell requireth, and of which the Apoſtle ſpeaketh, and thus wee neuer ſinne but keepe all Gods commandements, namely, in reſpect of our deſire and earneſt endeuour. This is that righteouſneſſe which is accepted, as though it were perfect before God, who ſpareth vsus as a man ſpares his ſonne whom hee tenderly loueth,Mal. 3.17. as hee profeſſeth Mal. 3.17. and therefore meaſureth our obedience not according to our actions, but according to our offections, and accepteth of the will for the deed, as before I hauehave ſhewed.
§. Sect. 8 But yet that we may not deceiue our ſelues with a counterfeite ſhew,The properties of true obedience: firſt, that it must be totall and entire. wee are to know that this euangelicall obedience hath theſe properties; firſt, it muſt be totall, and that both in reſpect of the ſubiect and of the obiect; that is, wee muſt not ſhare our ſelues betweene God and the world, giuing one the tongue, the other the heart; one our outward actions, and the other our inward affections; but we muſt perfourme our obedience with our whole hearts, yea with the whole man bodie ſoule and ſpirit: for though wee be regenerated and ſanctified but in part, yet is there no part of the whole man vnregenerate and vnſanctified, howſoeuer the fleſh and the corruption of nature be ſpread likewiſe and mixed therewith throughout the whole bodie & ſoule. And therfore though all our obedience ſauour of the fleſh, and is mingled with manifold imperfections, yet it doth proceede from the whole man bodie and ſoule, becauſe regeneration from which it proceedeth is not of any part alone, but of the whole man. So alſo it muſt be totall in reſpect of the obiect; for it is not ſufficient that with Herod we obſerue many things, if we nouriſh willingly any one ſinne taking therein pleaſure and delight, but wee muſt deſire and endeuour to forſake all our ſinnes, and to performe obedience vntounto all Gods commandements; for if we nouriſh one ſinne in our hearts, it will open a doore to let in more when wee are tempted vntounto them; as wee may ſee in the example of Herod and Iudas, the one harbouring inceſt, the other couetouſneſſe; if we neglect willingly, obedience to one precept of Gods law, it wil ſo harden our harts and ſeare our conſciences, that ſoone after we ſhall neglect all. If therefore we would hauehave our obedience acceptable vntounto God, we muſt with the Prophet Dauid Pſal. 119.6. hauehave reſpect vntounto all Gods commandements; Pſal. 119.6. Iam. 2.10. The ſecond propertie, that it muſt be perpetuall and constant.for, he that faileth in one, is guiltie of all, as it is Iam. 2.10.
Secondly, this obedience muſt be perpetuall, continuing in a conſtant courſe from the time of our conuerſion to the end of our liues; for we are not to iudge of our ſelues or others, by one or two or many actions whether they be good or euil, but by the whole tenour and courſe of our liues, ſo that he who in this reſpect is holie and righteous, hee is ſo accepted before God, notwithſtanding his many falles and great infirmities; he that in the courſe of his life is wicked and prophane, is ſo eſteemed of God, although hee ſeeme to himſelfe and others religious by fits, and perfourmeth many excellent duties and good workes. It is therefore not ſufficient that we begin in the ſpirit,Galat. 3.3. if we end in the fleſh, Gal. 3.3. It is not ſufficient to profeſſe and practiſe godlineſſe in our youth, if wee breake off in our age; it is not enough that we enter into the Chriſtian race and runne well in the beginning, if wee ſtand ſtill in the midſt, or before we come to the goale;Matth. 24.13 Luk. 9.62. for he only that endureth to the end ſhall be ſaued, as it is Matth. 24.13. As for him that laieth his hand on the plough and looketh backe, hee is not fit for Gods kingdome, as our Sauiour affirmeth Luk. 9.62.
The third propertie, that it must be grounded on Gods word, and referred to his glorie.Laſtly, our obedience muſt be grounded vponupon Gods word, and therefore perfourmed becauſe the Lord hath enioyned ſuch duties vntounto vsus; it muſt proceed from faith, which firſt purifieth the heart, and then worketh by louelove; it muſt not bee done for any worldly reſpect; but of a conſcionable care of perfourming our duties, and in a feruent zeale of Gods glorie, which is magnified when as our lights ſhine before men; which zeale will make vsus goe forward in our courſe of godlineſſe, through euill report, 2. Cor. 6.8.and good report, honour and diſhonour. And if our obedience ſpring from theſe fountaines, and be referred to this end that God thereby may bee glorified; then will we make no leſſe conſcience of ſecret, than of open ſinnes; then will wee be no leſſe readie to ſerue God in the duties of pietie and righteouſneſſe when there is no witneſſe of our actions, than if all the world ſhould looke vponupon vsus; then will we be as fearefull to offend God in the breach of any of his commandements in our ſecret chambers in the darke night, as in the Church or market place at noone day.
§. Sect. 9 The eight ſigne of the childe of God,The eight ſigne, is the louelove of our brethren, becauſe God hath commanded vsus. is the louelove of our brethren in obedience to Gods commandement; when as a man loues intirely a Chriſtian, becauſe he is a Chriſtian, and ingrafted into the ſame bodie of Chriſt whereof he is a member: for as it is impoſſible that one member of the bodie ſhould not louelove, cheriſh, and defend another, becauſe they are quickened by the ſame ſoule and gouerned by the ſame head; ſo it is not poſſible but that one true Chriſtian ſhould louelove, cheriſh, and defend another, becauſe they are quickned by the ſame ſpirit, and ruled by the ſame head Ieſus Chriſt. And this is made a marke of Gods child by the Apoſtle Iohn, 1. Ioh. 3.14.1. Ioh. 3.14. We know that we are tranſlated from death to life, becauſe wee louelove the brethren: as the want of this louelove is a ſure note of the childe of wrath, for as it followeth in the ſame verſe, he that loueth not his brother abideth in death.
Now the vndoubted ſignes of louelove and chriſtian charitie are two; giuing to thoſe that want,The ſignes of true louelove. 1. Cor. 13.4 and forgiuing thoſe that offend: for it is a propertie of true louelove to bee bountifull, 1. Cor. 13.4. as to all, ſo eſpecially to thoſe that are of the houſehold of faith, as it is Gal. 6.10; and on the other ſide,Gal. 6.10. He that hath this worlds good, and ſeeth his brother hauehave neede, and ſhutteth vp his compaſſion from him, he is destitute of the louelove of God, 1. Ioh. 3.17.and conſequently of the louelove of his brethren, which is but a ſtreame iſſuing from this fountaine, 1. Ioh. 3.17. And this Chriſtian liberalitie as it is a ſigne of true louelove, ſo alſo of our election and ſaluation; for our Sauiour Chriſt hath ſhewed vsus, that according to theſe fruites of charity, and actions of Chriſtian liberalitie, hee will pronounce the ſentence of euerlaſting ioy and happineſſe at the day of iudgement,Matth. 25.34, 35, &c. Matth. 25.34, 35, 36. and on the other ſide, that he will pronounce the ſentence of condemnation againſt the neglectors of theſe duties of Chriſtian charitie, verſ. 41, 42, 43.
The ſecond ſigne of true louelove is forgiuing, when as wee are readie for Gods ſake and in obedience to his commandement to remit and pardon thoſe iniuries which are offered vsus; for, louelove is not prouoked to anger, 1. Cor. 13.5.7and therefore much leſſe to reuenge; it ſuffreth all things, it indureth all things, as it is 1. Cor. 13.5, 7. Nay, it doth not onelyonly not render euill for euill, but it ouercommeth euill with goodnes,Rom. 12.19.21. leauing reuenge vntounto God, and to his deputies and vicegerents the Magiſtrates, as we may ſee in the example of our Sauiour Chriſt, and the bleſſed Martyr Steuen, who prayed for their perſecutors; whoſe example wee are to imitate, as the Apoſtle exhorteth Rom. 12.14. Bleſſe them that perſecute you; Rom. 12.14.bleſſe I ſay and curſe not. And ſo ſhall wee hauehave a certaine ſigne of true louelove, and an vndoubted note of Gods ſpirit dwelling in vsus, of the remiſſion of our ſinnes, and conſequently of our election and ſaluation. For naturallie we are Wolues, Leopards, Lions, yea Cockatrices who kil with their lookes,Eſa. 11.6.8. as the Prophet ſpeaketh Eſa. 11.6, 8. and like bruit and ſauage beaſts willing to offer all iniuries, but impatient of ſuffring any: and therefore when our ſauage crueltie is turned into charitie, and wee become as meeke and harmeleſſe, as the lambe, calfe, or little childe, it is a manifeſt ſigne that our ſtoute courages are abated and beaten downe with the rod of Chriſts mouth, that wee are borne anew and quickened by his ſpirit, and that now wee are ſeated in the mountaine of his holineſſe, and ſhall be heires of his kingdome of glorie. So alſo hereby we are aſſured of the remiſſion of our ſinnes, when we find our ſelues readie and willing to forgiue our neighbours; for our Sauiour Chriſt hath promiſed,Matth. 6.14. that if we doe forgiue men their treſpaſſes, our heauenly father will alſo forgiue vsus, Matth. 6.14. and conſequently wee may aſſuredly gather, that wee are iuſtified, called, elected, and ſhal be glorified.
§. Sect. 10 The ninth ſigne of the child of God elected to ſaluation,The ninth ſigne, is the louelove of Gods ministers. is, the louelove of Gods true Miniſters and ambaſſadours, not onelyonly becauſe they are Chriſtians, but alſo becauſe they are ſent of God to execute theſe holie functions, for the gathering together of Gods elect. And this our Sauiour Chriſt declareth,Matth. 10.41. Matth. 10.41. He that receiueth a Prophet in the name of a Pròphet, ſhall hauehave a Prophets reward; that is, euerlaſting ioy and vnſpeakable happineſſe in Gods kingdom; for, they that turne many vntounto righteouſnes, Dan. 12.3.ſhall ſhine as the ſtarres for euer and euer. And becauſe none ſhould pretend that by reaſon of their pouertie they cannot ſhew their louelove to Gods Miniſters, therefore the Lord encourageth euen the pooreſt, to ſhew their goodwill and affection vntounto them, Matth. 10.43. ſaying,Matth. 10.43. Whoſoeuer ſhall giuegive to any of theſe little ones to drinke, a cup of cold water onelyonly, in the name of a diſciple, verely I ſay vntounto you he ſhall not loſe his reward, namely in Gods kingdome. Moreouer, thoſe that louelove Gods ambaſſadours, doe prooue vntounto themſelues and ſhew vntounto the world, that they hauehave receiued good by their ambaſſage, euen reconciliation with God, peace of conſcience and aſſurance of ſaluation, which maketh them to thinke no worldly benefit ſufficient to requite theſe ſpirituall graces, which by their meanes and miniſterie they hauehave receiued: and therefore with the Galatians they could bee content, if it were poſſible to doe them good hereby,Gal. 4.15. to pull out their owne eyes and to giuegive them vntounto them, ſeeing by their means the blind eyes of their vnderſtandings, are inlightened with the knowledge of God and Chriſt their Sauiour. And becauſe they hauehave receiued from them to their comfort, the glad tidings of peace and good things; therefore their feet, that is, their approaching and comming vntounto them, ſeeme beautiful and delightfull, as the Apoſtle ſpeaketh Rom. 10.15.Rom. 10.15. If an ambaſſadour were ſent from a mightie Prince, who was our enemie in time paſt, and able at his pleaſure to deſtroy vsus and our countrey, to the end he might conclude a peace; and not only ſo, but to offer vsus the free vſe of al the riches and commodities of his kingdome; who would not receiue him with ioy, and giuegive him royall entertainment, if they were perſwaded of the truth of his ambaſſage? But wee by our ſinnes had made the glorious King of heauen and earth our enemie, who is able eueryevery minute to deſtroy vsus with the breath of his noſtrels; and it hath pleaſed the Lord to ſend his ambaſſadours, not only to offer peace, but alſo to beſeech vsus that wee would be reconciled vntounto him, as the Apoſtle ſpeaketh 2. Cor. 5.20;2. Cor. 5.20. and vponupon this reconciliation, hee aſſureth vsus of the riches of his kingdome: who therefore receiuing and beleeuing this ambaſſage, will not louelove the Ambaſſadours that bring theſe bleſſed tidings vntounto them? Who can bee aſſured of ſuch ineſtimable benefits, and yet ſhew no token of thankfulnes towards them, who are the meanes whereby they are deriued vntounto them.
The great contempt of Gods miniſterie, a ſigne that few proſit by their miniſterie.Where by the way we may note, how few the number is in theſe daies, who receiue the Lords ambaſſage to their ſpiritual comfort; how few they are to whome it is effectuall for the begetting in them the graces of Gods ſpirit; how few hereby come to the true aſſurance of the remiſſion of their ſinnes and euerlaſting happineſſe: ſeeing the number is ſo exceeding ſmall who louelove and reſpect the Lords ambaſſadors in regarde of their ambaſſage. Nay rather the moſt, euen for their miniſterie ſake doe contemne thoſe, whom otherwiſe in reſpect of their learning, wiſedome, and other excellent gifts of bodie and minde, they would reſpect and highly eſteeme if they were not of the miniſterie. So that their honorable calling, which aboue al things ſhould commend them, doth aboue all things make them baſe & contemptible: and no maruell, ſeeing the moſt are fleſh and not ſpirit, the children of Mammon and not the children of God: and therefore, ſauoring onelyonly the things of the fleſh & not perceauing the things of the ſpirit of God,1. Cor. 2.14. they ſeeme fooliſhneſſe vntounto them, and the preachers of them fooles, and men of ſhallow conceites. But let ſuch know, that God hath choſen the fooliſh things of the world to confound the wiſe, 1. Cor. 1.27.28and weake things to confound mightie things; & vile things of the world, and things that are deſpiſed hath God choſen, and things that are not, to bring to nought things that are, that no fleſh ſhould reioyce in his preſence, as it is 1. Cor. 1.27.28. Let them know that this their contempt, or at leaſt ſmall regarde of Gods ambaſſadors, is a moſt manifeſt ſigne that they neuer receiued good by their ambaſſage: for had they receiued from them ſpirituall things, they would neuer grudge to beſtowe vponupon them their worldly things, which in the true chriſtians eſtimation are not to be compared with them; and much leſſe would they againſt their owne conſcience defraud them of their owne right, which by the lawes of God and man is due vntounto them, whereby it commeth to paſſe that whereas all men being induſtrious and frugall, may liue plentifully euen of their meaneſt trades, onelyonly the Lord ambaſſadors, though neuer ſo painefull in their callings, liue in want and miſerie.
§. Sect. 11 The laſt ſigne of Gods childe elected to ſaluation, which I will ſpeake of,The tenth ſigne an earneſt deſire of Chriſts comming to iudgement. Reuel. 22.20. Matth. 6.10. is their earneſt deſire that our Sauiour Chriſt ſhould come to iudgement: whence proceedeth that patheticall prayer, Come Lord Ieſus come quicklie, Reuel. 22.20; and that prayer which our Sauiour hath taught all the faithfull to pray daily, let thy kingdome come, Matth. 6.10. Now that this is a note of thoſe that are elected to ſaluation, it appeareth plainely 2. Tim 4.8. Where the Apoſtle ſaith that a crowne of righteouſneſſe is laide vp for all thoſe that louelove his appearing. 2. Tim. 4.8. Rom. 8.23.And Rom. 8.23, he telleth vsus, that thoſe who hauehave the firſt fruites of the ſpirit, doe euen ſigh in themſelues, waiting for the adoption euen the redemption of their body, when as their corruption ſhall put on incorruption, and the mortall body immortalitie, as he ſpeaketh 1. Cor. 15.53.1. Cor. 15.53. So our Sauiour Chriſt hath tolde vsus, that his faithfull children ſhould at his comming, looke vp and lift vp their heads, Luk. 21.28.becauſe their redemption draweth neere, Luk. 21.28; and on the otherſide that the kingdome of the earth ſhall mourne, and that the prophane worldlings and reprobates ſhall ſay to the mountaines and rockes, Matth. 24.30. Reuel. 6.16.fall on vsus and hide vsus from the preſence of him that ſitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the lambe; Reuel. 6.16. So that by theſe places it is manifeſt, that if we louelove the appearing of the Lord Ieſus, and deſire his comming to iudgement; we are the children of God indued with his ſpirit, which aſſureth vsus of our ſaluation. For naturally we abhorre to thinke of this fearefull day, and tremble with feare when mention is made of the appearing of our iudge, becauſe by our ſinnes we hauehave deſerued euerlaſting damnation: but when the ſpirit of God by the miniſterie of the word, hath begot faith in vsus, whereby we apply vntounto our ſelues Chriſt Ieſus, and all his merits, by whom we are reconciled vntounto God and made friends who before were enemies, and ſonnes of God and heyres of euerlaſting happineſſe who before were the children of wrath and firebrands of hell, then doe we earneſtly deſire the companie of our heauenly father; when we are aſſured that our iudge ſhall be our Sauiour, then can wee goe boldly to his iudgement ſeate without feare of condemnation; when we are aſſured that we are the beloued ſpouſe of Chriſt, then we long for nothing more then for the comming of our bridegroome; when we are certainely perſwaded that by Gods ſpirit we are ingrafted into the bodie of Chriſt, and are become liuely members of his body; then doe we hartily wiſh with the Apoſtle to be diſſolued, that we may be with Chriſt our head in his kingdome of glorie, where together with him wee ſhall receiue, and be fully ſatisfied with ſuch incomparable ioyes,1. Cor. 2.9. as neither eye hath ſeene nor eare heard nor the heart of man conceiued.