The Christian Warfare Part 1, Book 2 · Chapter 7
CHAP. VII. That we may be aſſured of our election, prooued by diuers arguments.
§. Sect. 1 ANd thus hauehave I ſhewed by plaine teſtimonies of ſcriptures,Firſt, becauſe the Goſpell manifeſtly ſheweth that we are elected. that we may infallibly be aſſured of our election; now I will alſo prooue the ſame by ſtrong arguments, drawne from the ſame fountaine. Firſt therefore we may thus reaſon; Whatſoeuer is manifeſtly ſhewed vntounto vsus in the Goſpel, that we are bound to beleeue, and of that we may be aſſured: but it is manifeſtly declared in the Goſpel, that wee are elected vntounto euerlaſting life: and therefore we are bound to beleeue it, and may be aſſured that we are elected. The propoſition or firſt part of this reaſon containeth two branches: the firſt is, that we are bound to beleeue whatſoeuer the Goſpell reuealeth; the ſecond, that we may be aſſured of it; both which are euident truths. For that which Chriſt commandeth, that wee are bound to perfourme: but he commandeth vsus to beleeue the Goſpell, Mar. 1.15. Repent and beleeue the Goſpell. Mark. 1.15. 1. Ioh. 3.23.So this is his commandement that we beleeue &c. 1. Ioh. 3.23. The breach of which commandement is puniſhed with euerlaſting death. For he that will not beleeue ſhall be damned, as it is Mar.Mar. 16.16. 16.16. And as we are bound to beleeue it, ſo wee may alſo come to be aſſured thereof; ſeeing the Goſpell commandeth vsus nothing, which it doth not alſo by the inward and ordinarie cooperation of Gods ſpirit enable vsus to perfourme. For this difference is betweene the commandements of the Law and the commandements of the Goſpell: the Law ſheweth vsus the duties which we ſhould perfourme, but miniſters vntounto vsus no power whereby wee may be enabled to perfourme them; but the Goſpell being aſſiſted with the operation of Gods ſpirit, doth command and withall giueth vsus abilitie to perfourme the commandement, for the words of the Goſpell are ſpirit and life, as our Sauiour ſpeaketh,Ioh. 6.63. 6.63. and with the preaching thereof the ſpirit inwardly worketh, quickning and ſtrengthening vsus to perfourme that which it enioyneth. The aſſumption or ſecond part of the reaſon is alſo cleere, namely, that the Goſpell manifeſteth vntounto vsus our election; for what els is the whole Goſpell but a declaration of Gods louelove, and of our election and redemption in and by Ieſus Chriſt? what is it els but the ambaſſage whereby God reconcileth vsus vntounto himſelfe? what els is contained therein, but Gods mercifull promiſes of life and ſaluation, made on no other condition but on the condition of faith, which we need not feare to perfourme, ſeeing it is commanded vsus of God? and therefore though we had no other reaſon to beleeue, yet wee ſhould beleeue in obedience to Gods commandement, ſeeing, he commandeth nothing which is not good in it ſelfe, tending to his owne glorie and our ſaluation; and if we doe beleeue, though our vnworthineſſe bee neuer ſo great, yea though our faith bee neuer ſo weake and ſmall, yet may wee thereby be aſſured of our election and ſaluation; for this is Gods will, Ioh. 6.40. and 3.36.that whoſoeuer beleeueth in his ſonne ſhall hauehave euerlasting life, as it is Ioh. 6.40. So Ioh. 3.36. He that beleeueth in the ſonne hath euerlaſting life. But moſt notable is that place 1. Ioh.1. Ioh. 5.10. 5.10. He that beleeueth in the ſonne of God, hath the witneſſe in himſelfe: that is, they neede no other reaſons to perſwade them, that the teſtimonie which God hath giuen of his ſonne (namely, that whoſoeuer beleeue in him ſhall hauehave euerlaſting life) is true; for they hauehave full and ſufficient aſſurance hereof by their faith. Whoſoeuer therefore can be aſſured that they beleeue in Ieſus Chriſt (as all may who bring forth the fruits of faith in ſanctification and holines of life, or at leaſt deſire and endeuour to ſerue the Lord in the duties of pietie and righteouſneſſe) they may be aſſured, nay they are bound by Gods expreſſe commandement, vndoubtedly to beleeue they are elected and ſhall be ſaued, becauſe all the promiſes of the Goſpell are made vntounto them without any other condition.
§. Sect. 2 Secondly, whoſoeuer are bound to beleeue that Ieſus Chriſt is their Sauiour and Redeemer,Secondly, we are aſſured that we are redeemed, and conſequently that we are elected. they are alſo vndoubtedly to beleeue and may alſo be aſſured of their election; but eueryevery Chriſtian is bound by Gods expreſſe commandement to beleeue that Ieſus Chriſt is their Sauiour and Redeemer, as appeareth 1. Ioh. 3.23. and therefore they are vndoubtedly to beleeue and may bee aſſured of their election. The propoſition is manifeſt, ſeeing all thoſe and thoſe onelyonly are ſaued and redeemed by Chriſt,Rom. 8.30. Matth. 25.34. Act. 13.48. who are elected to ſaluation in Gods eternall decree. The aſſumption is moſt certaine, for whereas God commaunds vsus to beleeue in Ieſus Chriſt, hee doth not onelyonly enioyne vsus to beleeue that he is a Sauiour of his Church in generall, or of the Patriarchs, Prophets, and Apoſtles alone, for this alſo the diuels beleeue as well as wee; but wee are to beleeue that he is our Sauiour and Redeemer, and to applie all the promiſes of life and ſaluation made in him, particularly vntounto our ſelues; for otherwiſe how ſhould wee hauehave that aſſurance of faith and that bold confidence when we approach vntounto the throne of grace,Heb. 4.16. and 10.22. which the Apoſtle requireth of vsus, Heb. 4.16. and 10.22. if wee cannot be aſſured that he is our Sauiour and Redeemer, in whom God loueth and hath elected vsus?
§. Sect. 3 Neither muſt this faith and aſſurance of our election and ſaluation be mixt with doubting,That our aſſurance ſhould not be mixt with doubting. as the Papiſts would beare vsus in hand, who make doubting not an infirmitie, but a commendable vertue of their faith: for faith & doubting though they are often mixt in Gods children, yet in reſpect of their owne natures they are oppoſed in the ſcriptures one againſt the other. So it is ſaid of Abraham, Rom. 4.20.that he doubted not of Gods promiſe through vnbeleefe, but was ſtrengthened in the faith, Rom. 4.20. where the Apoſtle ſheweth, that doubting is a fruite of vnbeleefe and not a commendable vertue; nay, hee oppoſeth it to faith, ſaying, that hee doubted not of the promiſe, but was ſtrengthened in the faith. So the Apoſtle Iames chap. 1.5. ſaith, If any man lacke wiſedome, Iam. 1.5.let him aske in faith and wauer not; where he oppoſeth faith to wauering or doubting. And our Sauiour Chriſt alſo maketh this oppoſition, Matth, 21.21. ſaying, If ye hauehave faith and doubt not. Matth. 21.21.So that though faith and doubting are not oppoſed in reſpect of the ſubiect wherein they are, for euen the moſt deare children of God hauehave their faith often mixt with doubting, they being partly fleſh and partly ſpirit; yet theſe two in their owne natures are oppoſed one againſt the other; and euen in reſpect of their ſubiect they thus far diſagree, that though they hauehave their ſubſiſtance in the ſame ſubiect, yet not in the ſame part; that is, though they be in the ſame man, yet not in the ſame part, for faith is in the regenerate and ſpirituall part, doubting in the vnregenerate or fleſhly part.
Doubting a fruite of vnbeleefe oppoſed vntounto faith.Doubting then is no vertue of faith, but oppoſed thereunto as a fruite of vnbeleefe; it proceedeth not from the ſpirit but from the fleſh, and as a fruite of the fleſh it is condemned in Gods word, though the Papiſts highly commend it. So Matth. 14.31. our Sauiour reprehendeth Peter for his doubting; O thou of little faith, Matth. 14.31.wherefore diddeſt thou doubt? And Luk. 12.29. he telleth vsus that wee muſt not ſtand in doubt, or (as the word foreign ſignifieth) be not like vntounto meteors which are carried about in the ayre with eueryevery winde.Luk. 12.29. And the Apoſtle Iames chap.Iam. 1.7. 1.7. compareth him that wauereth or doubteth, to a waue of the ſea toſt of the winde and carried away. And Paul is ſo farre from commending doubting for a vertue, that hee doth not onelyonly condemne it as a ſinne in it ſelfe, but alſo as a cauſe which maketh our actions which are indifferent or good in themſelues to become ſinnes. So the eating of this or that meate is a thing indifferent and lawfull if it be recciued with prayer and thankſgiuing, but yet the Apoſtle telleth vsus Rom. 14.23. that he who doubteth is condemned if he eate; Rom. 14.23.and he rendreth this reaſon, becauſe he eateth not of faith, and whatſoeuer is not of faith is ſinne. So that by this hee ſheweth, that he who doubteth, eateth not of faith; and that whatſoeuer is not done of faith is ſinne. Seeing therefore doubting is oppoſed vntounto faith, and is in it ſelfe not onelyonly a ſinne, but alſo a cauſe of ſinne; let vsus not intertaine it though it bring letters commendatorie from the Pope and all his ſhauelings; but labour to baniſh it out of our harts, and ſtriue after faith and full aſſurance of our election and ſaluation in Chriſt Ieſus; and though we finde our great vnworthineſſe of the leaſt of Gods mercies, and cannot ſee any reaſon in our ſelues why we ſhould beleeue that wee are elected and ſhall be ſaued, yet let vsus hope againſt hope, and beleeue againſt beleefe, for it is not a thing left to our choiſe but inioyned vsus by God, as the chiefe and maine dutie required in the Goſpell: and therefore laying aſide all reaſoning and diſputing, let vsus reſolue to beleeue in obedience to Gods commandement; and then though we are neuer ſo full of corruptions,Act. 15.9. yet will this faith purifie vsus; though wee are moſt backward in perfourming any good worke, yet will it be fruitfull in vsus,Galat. 5 6. and will worke by louelove; though wee be moſt vnworthie, it will make vsus more worthie, by applying vntounto vsus the righteouſneſſe of Chriſt and the merits of his death and bloudſhed, which will not onelyonly free vsus from the guilt and puniſhment of ſinne, but wil alſo purge vsus from the vices and corruptions themſelues.
§. Sect. 4 Thirdly, the certaintie of our election may be prooued,Thirdly, faith is a certaine and particular perſwaſion, and not a doubtfull opinion or generall notion. by an argument drawne from the nature of faith: which is not a doubtfull opinion, but a certaine perſwaſion; not a generall notion, but a particular aſſurance, whereby we do applie and appropriate vntounto our ſelues thoſe things which wee doe beleeue. Whoſoeuer therefore hath true faith, he doth certainly beleeue and is particularly aſſured of his election, iuſtification and ſaluation. That faith is a certaine perſwaſion, it may appeare firſt by thoſe properties and names which are giuen vntounto it in the word. Heb. 11.1. faith is ſaid to be foreign, that is,Heb. 11.1. a ſubſiſtance or preſent being of things hoped for; ſo that hope waiteth for them in time to come, but faith enioyeth them as being preſent, namely in reſpect of the certaine aſſurance and particular application of the promiſes vntounto ourſelues: and therefore the Apoſtle ſaith,1. Ioh. 5.13. that hereby we may know (not that wee ſhall hauehave, but) that we hauehave eternall life, 1. Ioh.Heb. 11.1. 5.13. not in poſſeſſion but in aſſurance of faith. It is called foreign in the ſame place, which word is quite contrarie to doubting, as ſignifying a manifeſt demonſtration which doth not only ſhew a thing probably, but alſo doth conuince with ſtrong arguments, and make that truth cleere and manifeſt, which was otherwiſe obſcure and ſecret, and therefore in the text it is called a demonſtration of things not ſeene. So there is aſcribed vntounto it fulneſſe of perſwaſion, Heb.Heb. 10.22. 10.22. Let vsus draw neere with a true heart, foreign, in full aſſurance of faith: and alſo boldneſſe with confident truſt, Eph.Eph. 3.12. 3.12. by whom we hauehave boldneſſe and entrance with confidence (not by extraordinarie reuelations, but) by faith in Chriſt: which full aſſurance, boldneſſe and confidence wee could not hauehave, if wee were not aſſured of Gods louelove and our election, but remained doubtfull whether we were beloued of God and elected or no.
To theſe names and properties of faith, we may adde ſome plaine teſtimonies of Scriptures, which cleerely ſhew that faith is not a doubtfull hope, but a certaine perſwaſion. 1. Iohn 3.14.1. Ioh. 3.14. The Apoſtle ſaith, that we knowe that we are tranſlated from death to life (not by reuelation but) becauſe we louelove the brethren; he doth not ſay that we knowe that we ſhall be, but that we are tranſlated from death to life, to note the certainty of this knowledge and perſwaſion. Rom. 3.2. the Apoſtle ſaith,Rom. 5.2. that by Christ we hauehave acceſſe through faith vntounto Gods grace, wherein we ſtand and reioyce vnderunder hope, or, as the word ſignifieth, glory and triumph with ioy: ſo that we doe not wauer and ſtagger, but ſtand firmely through faith, we doe not feare and timorouſly hope, but euen glory and triumphe in our reioycing: ſaying with the Apoſtle, Rom. 8.33. Who ſhall lay any thing to the charge of Gods choſen? Rom. 8.33, 34.35, 38.it is God that iustifieth. 34. Who ſhall condemne? it is Christ which is dead: yea, or rather which is riſen againe, who is alſo at the right hand of God, and maketh request alſo for vsus. 35. Who ſhall ſeparate vsus from the louelove of Christ, &c. So, that though our ſinnes be manifold, our vnworthineſſe great, and our faith weake; yet if it be true, it may alſo be certaine in the aſſurance of Gods louelove and our election: becauſe it is not grounded on our worthineſſe, but vponupon Gods free iuſtifying and accepting of vsus, as righteous in Chriſt,Heb. 6.18. and vponupon Chriſts death, reſurrection, and interceſſion for vsus vntounto God his father; which is a moſt ſure foundation that cannot faile. In deede if our faith and the anchor of our hope, did pitch, reſt, and faſten it ſelfe, vponupon the light and hollow ſands of our owne merits and worthineſſe; the ſurging waues and boyſterous blaſts of Sathans temptations, would diſanchor and toſſe vsus too and fro, till at length we ſhould make ſhipwracke of our faith, againſt the rockes of deſpaire: but ſeeing we take holde and reſt vponupon the firme and ſure anchor-hold Chriſt Ieſus his merits and righteouſneſſe; well may the tempeſts of Sathans temptations ſhake vsus, but they ſhall neuer remoue vsus from our firme hold and certaine aſſurance which wee hauehave in Chriſt; becauſe wee apprehend him, nay rather, are apprehended or taken hold of by him, as the Apoſtle ſpeaketh, Phil. 3.12.Phil. 3.12. And no man (no not the whole power of hell) is able to plucke vsus out of his hands, as our Sauiour ſpeaketh, Iohn 10.28. For though they be mighty to deſtroy, yet Christ is almightie to ſaue, Ioh 10.28. Eſa. 63.1.as it is Eſa. 63.1. and therefore let vsus not ſuffer our ſoules to be racked betweene hope and feare;1. Pet. 1.13. but let vsus trust perfectly on the grace that is brought vntounto vsus by the reuelation of Ieſus Christ, as the Apoſtle exhorteth, 1. Pet. 1.13.
§. Sect. 5 Laſtly,The certainty of faith proued by the examples of beleeuers. that we may be moſt certaine of this certainty of faith, we will adde to theſe teſtimonies, ſome examples of beleeuers mentioned in Gods word. And firſt let vsus conſider the faith of Abraham: which was not wauering and doubtfull, but moſt certaine and aſſured; for aboue hope he beleeued vnderunder hope, and hee was not weake in faith, neither did hee doubt of the promiſe of God through vnbeleefe,Rom. 4.18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23. but was ſtrengthened in the faith, and gaue glory vntounto God, being fully aſſured that hee which had promiſed was able to performe it; and therefore it was imputed vntounto him for righteouſneſſe; as the Apoſtle ſetteth it downe, Rom. 4.18, 19, 20, 21, 22. Now, Abraham was not onelyonly a bare beleeuer, but the father of the faithfull; neither was his faith propounded vntounto vsus as a wonder to admire at, but as an example for all his ſonnes to imitate. And therefore it is ſaid, verſ. 23. That this is not written for him onelyonly that his faith was imputed to him for righteouſneſſe. 24. But alſo for vsus to whom it ſhall be imputed for righteouſneſſe, which beleeue in him, who hath raiſed vp Ieſus our Lord from the dead. But it may be obiected, that Abraham is not ſaid here to beleeue thus certainely his owne election or ſaluation, but that he ſhould hauehave a ſonne, and become a father of many nations: I anſwere, though this were the next and immediat obiect of his faith, yet this was not the chiefe and principall; but the promiſe of bleſſedneſſe and happineſſe, which was made to him and all the nations of the earth, in his ſeede Chriſt. For Abraham could not bee iuſtified by beleeuing that he ſhould hauehave a ſonne, but by beleeuing in the Meſſias which ſhould come out of his loynes, by whoſe righteouſneſſe and obedience he ſhould be ſaued. And therefore the Apoſtle Gal. 3.16. doth appropriate that promiſe made vntounto Abraham, Gal. 3.16. Gen. 22.18.Gen. 22.18. In thy ſeede ſhall all the nations of the earth bee bleſſed, vntounto the promiſed ſeede Ieſus Chriſt.
Looke alſo vponupon the prophet Dauid, and you ſhall ſee, that though his faith was often ſhaken with doubting, yet in it ſelfe it remayned certaine: like a tree ſhaken with the windes, which is not ouerthrowne, but taketh more firme and deepe roote:Pſalm. 23.4. Pſalm. 23.4 Though I walke through the valley of the ſhadow of death, I will feare no euill, for thou art with mee. So Pſalm. 27.1.Pſalm. 27.1. The Lord is my light and my ſaluation, whom ſhall I feare? The Lord is the ſtrength of my life, of whom ſhall I be afraide? Neither had he onelyonly this aſſurance in himſelfe, but ſheweth that it is alſo the ſtate of all the faithfull, Pſal. 125.1. They that trust in the Lord ſhall be as mount Sion, Pſalm. 125.1.which cannot be remoued, but remaineth for euer. So Iob in the middeſt of his afflictions ſheweth his certaine aſſurance and faith, ſaying, Iob. 13.15.Iob. 13.15. and 19.25, 26. Loe, though hee ſlay mee yet will I trust in him: And chap. 19.25. I am ſure that my redeemer liueth, and he ſhall ſtand the last on the earth. 26. And though after this skinne, wormes destroy this body, yet ſhall I ſee God in my fleſh, &c. And Paul ſpeaking not onelyonly of his owne aſſurance of Gods louelove, and euerlaſting life, but of all the faithfull, ſaith, that he is perſwaded that nothing in the world ſhould be able to ſeparate vsus from Gods louelove in Christ, Rom. 8.38.Rom. 8.38.
§. Sect. 6 And thus hauehave I ſhewed, that faith is a certaine aſſurance of Gods louelove and fauour in Chriſt.That faith particularly perſwadeth vsus of our election. Now I will alſo proue that it particularly perſwadeth vsus of our owne election and life euerlaſting. For firſt; ſuch a faith is begot now in our hearts, by the Preaching of the word, as was begot in the hearts of men, by our Sauiour Chriſt himſelfe; for as there is but one God, ſo there is but one true and iuſtifying faith, Epheſ. 4.5:Epheſ. 4.5. but by that faith they were particularly perſwaded of the remiſſion of their ſinnes, and conſequently of their iuſtification and ſaluation, as appeareth Luke. 7.42.50. where our Sauiour ſaith thus to the woman:Luk.7.48.50. Thy ſinnes are forgiuen thee, thy faith hath ſaued thee, goe in peace. So Matth. 9.2. he ſaith to the ſicke of the Paulſie, Be of good comfort, Matth. 9.2.thy ſinnes are forgiuen thee. And therefore the faith which is now begot in vsus by the Preaching of the word, doth alſo particularly perſwade vsus of the remiſſion of our ſinnes and eternall ſaluation. For as our Sauiour Chriſt by his owne abſolute authoritie, did remit the ſinnes of thoſe that did beleeue; ſo he hath left this authoritie to his miniſters (not abſolutely by their owne power to remit ſinnes, which the man of ſinne doth chalenge vntounto himſelfe, but) to declare and pronounce their ſinnes forgiuen who truly beleeue in the ſonne of God, and repent them of their ſinnes: the which their ſentence is ratified in Heauen, according to that Matth. 16.19.Matth. 16.19. I will giuegive vntounto thee the keyes of the kingdome of Heauen, and whatſoeuer thou ſhalt binde in earth ſhall be bound in Heauen, and whatſoeuer thou ſhalt looſe in earth ſhall be looſed in Heauen; which authoritie is not giuen to Peter alone and his ſucceſſors, as the Papiſts dreame; but as Peter anſwered, not onelyonly for himſelfe, but alſo in the behalfe of all the reſt, ſo he receiueth this power both for himſelfe and for all the Apoſtles; yea, for all Gods true Miniſters, the vndoubted ſucceſſors of the Apoſtles, as our Sauiour expoundeth himſelfe, Iohn 20.23. where hee giueth this authoritie to all the Apoſtles; ſaying, Whoſe ſinnes ſo euer yee remit, they are remitted vntounto them, Ioh. 20.23.and whoſe ſinnes ſo euer yee retaine, they are retained. So that, the Miniſters of Gods word, by the Preaching thereof, may aſſure men particularly of the remiſſion of their ſinnes: for when he maketh this generall propoſition, whoſoeuer beleeueth and repenteth him of his ſinnes ſhall hauehave them remitted, and bee made an heyre of euerlaſting life; and the particular hearer doth truely aſſume that he beleeueth and repenteth, the Miniſter hath authoritie giuen him of God to make this concluſion: therefore bee thou aſſured that thy ſinnes are forgiuen thee in Chriſt, and that thou art an vndoubted heyre of euerlaſting life.
Secondly, as the Lord doth offer vntounto vsus his gracious promiſes of life and ſaluation, ſo doe we receiue them by faith; but the Lord doth not only generally in the word offer theſe his gratious promiſes to all that will receiue them, but alſo particularly in the right vſe of the Sacraments to eueryevery faithfull receiuer: for in the Sacraments wee muſt conſider a relation and correſpondencie betweene the outward ſignes and things ſignified: as therfore the Miniſter doth offer and giuegive, and I receiue and eate the outward ſignes of bread and wine; ſo am I as certainly to beleeue that God doth offer and giuegive, and that I doe receiue and feede vponupon Chriſt Ieſus and all his benefits, with the hand and mouth of faith, vntounto the nouriſhing of my particular ſoule to euerlaſting life, as my bodie is nouriſhed with theſe outward elements of bread and wine.
Laſtly, the Apoſtle ſaith, that through faith wee hauehave entrance vntounto God with boldneſſe and confidence, Eph. 3.12.and therefore by faith the beleeuer is particularly perſwaded of the remiſſion of his ſinnes and of his reconciliation with God: for with what boldneſſe or confidence can the poore ſinner come before God, who is terrified with the threatnings of the Law, with the temptations of Sathan, and with the confideration of his owne vnworthineſſe and ſelfe-guiltineſſe; if hee bee not particularly aſſured that his curſe is borne by Chriſt, that hee is forgiuen the whole debt of his ſins, and reconciled vntounto God? What aſſured comfort can hee receiue, if hee beleeue that God hath elected Peter and Paul and all his Church, if hee be not alſo aſſured that he is in this number? If a whole Citie ſhould rebel and commit high treaſon againſt a Prince, and the Prince ſhould ſend out a proclamatiō, declaring that vponupon ſome conditions he would receiue them to merciemercy; with what boldneſſe or confidence can any in this citie come before him, if he be not aſſured that he hath perfourmed theſe conditions? But this is our caſe, wee hauehave rebelled againſt God, and hee hath proclaimed in his Goſpell the pardon of our ſinnes, ſo wee lay hold vponupon Chriſt by a true and liuely faith, and repent vsus of our ſinnes: If therefore we could not be aſſured that wee hauehave a liuely faith and true repentance, and conſequently that Gods mercifull promiſes belong particularly vntounto vsus; with what boldneſſe or confidence can we come before him? But the Apoſtle faith, that by faith we hauehave this boldneſſe and confidence, and therefore it followeth that we may be aſſured that we hauehave faith and repentance, and thereby may certainly be perſwaded of Gods louelove and our particular election.
§. Sect. 7 Fourthly, that we may certainly be aſſured of our election,The fourth argument, drawne from the doctrine and vſe of the Sacraments. it may be proued by an argument drawne from the doctrine and vſe of the Sacraments; for the Lord hath added to the couenant of grace, his Sacraments as ſeales, not to confirme Gods promiſes in themſelues, which are ſo vndoubtedly true that they neede no confirmation, but to ſtrengthen our faith in this full aſſurance that they belong particularly vntounto vsus. For whereas in the word the promiſes of grace and ſaluation are generally propounded to all beleeuers; in the vſe of the Sacraments, they are particularly applied to eueryevery worthie receiuer; to the end that all doubting being remooued, they may certainly bee aſſured that all the promiſes of the Goſpell doe belong particularly vntounto themſelues. Now if the Lord would hauehave vsus doubt of our election and ſaluation, and if this doubting were a vertue of faith, as the Papiſts teach, then ſurely there were no vſe of the Sacraments; for the word is ſufficient to beget that generall faith which is mixt with doubting, and the Sacraments which doe further aſſure vsus and applie vntounto vsus Gods promiſes, would be rather hurtfull than profitable, becauſe they take away doubting, which is a vertue of their faith. But we are otherwiſe inſtructed by Gods truth, namely, that the Lord would not hauehave vsus doubt of his promiſes: and therefore he hath not onelyonly written his couenant, but alſo hath confirmed it by his ſeale, and hath thereby particularly applied it to the vſe and benefit of eueryevery one who receiueth it by the hand of a liuely faith, that there may be no place left to doubting. And hence it is that the Sacrament of Circumciſion is called the ſeale of the righteouſneſſe of faith, Rom. 4.11.Rom. 4.11. becauſe thereby as by a ſeale Abraham was confirmed in the trueth of Gods promiſes, and aſſured that the righteouſneſſe of faith, that is, the righteouſnes of Chriſt, who was the promiſed ſeede, did belong vntounto him. And anſwerable to this Sacrament is Baptiſme, wherein Chriſt and all the gratious promiſes of life and ſaluation made in him, are particularly applied to the partie baptized; and therefore the Apoſtle ſaith, that all that are baptized into Chriſt hauehave put on Chriſt,Gal. 3.27. Gal. 3.27. where the Apoſtle compareth Chriſt to a garment, which by the hand of faith is put on by eueryevery particular beleeuer. So in the adminiſtration of the Lords Supper, the bread and wine is particularly deliuered vntounto all the communicants, to ſignifie vntounto them, that eueryevery one who ſtretcheth foorth the hand of faith doth receiue Chriſt and all his benefits, whereby his ſoule is nouriſhed vntounto euerlaſting life. Whoſoeuer therefore hath faith, he may be aſſured that he receiueth Chriſt; and whoſoeuer receiueth Chriſt, he may be aſſured of his election and ſaluation; for to as many as receiue him, to them he giueth power to be the ſonnes of God: and who are thoſe?Ioh. 1.12. euen thoſe that beleeue in his name, as it is Ioh. 1.12. And whoſoeuer eates his fleſh and drinkes his bloud hath eternall life, Ioh. 6.54.47.as our Sauiour ſaith Ioh. 6.54. Now if wee would know how we feede vponupon him, it is by the mouth of faith, as he expoundeth himſelfe verſ. 47.
§ Sect. 8 Fiftly,The fift argument taken from prayer. 1. Ioh. 5.14.15. whatſoeuer we are bound to pray for; that wee may be aſſured of, 0198 0153 nay we ought ſtedfaſtly to beleeue that we ſhall receiue it: and this is euident 1. Ioh. 5.14. This is the aſſurance that wee hauehave in him, that if wee aske any thing according to his will he heareth vsus. 15. And if we know that he heareth vsus whatſoeuer we aske, we know that wee hauehave the petitions that wee hauehave deſired of him. And the Apoſtle Iames would hauehave vsus to aske in faith without wauering, Iam. 1.5. Mat. 6.12.that is, not doubting to receiue that we aske. But we are taught to pray for the remiſſion of our ſins: and therefore we are certainly to beleeue that our ſinnes are remitted, and conſequently that we are iuſtified, called, elected, and ſhall be ſaued; for whom he did predeſtinate, them alſo he called, Rom. 8.30.and whom he called, them alſo he iuſtified, and whom he iuſtified, them alſo he glorified, as it is Rom. 8.30.
§. Sect. 9 Sixtly,The ſixt argument taken from the confeſſion of our ſaith. whatſoeuer we profeſſe in the Articles of our faith, that we ſhould beleeue, and of that we may and ought particularly to be aſſured: but eueryevery man profeſſeth that he beleeueth the remiſſion of ſinnes and life euerlaſting, that is, that the Lord doth not onelyonly forgiue ſinne, and granteth vntounto ſome the fruition of euerlaſting life, for this the diuels beleeue as well as we, but alſo that he doth particularly forgiue me my ſinnes, and that he will make me an heire of eternall happineſſe: for this is the nature of faith, to aſſure vsus certainlie and particularlie of that which wee beleeue, as wee hauehave ſhewed; and therefore we ought particularly to be aſſured of the remiſſion of our ſinnes, and that wee ſhall attaine vntounto euerlaſting life, and conſequently that wee are elected, ſeeing none enioy it but Gods choſen. But it may be obiected, that if eueryevery one be bound to beleeue as an article of his faith that his ſinnes are forgiuen, and that hee is an heire of euerlaſting life, then ſome are bound to beleeue that which is falſe, for thoſe who liue and die in their ſinnes without repentance, ſhall neuer obtaine either the one or the other. I anſwere, that wee are not bound to beleeue, being deſtitute of a true and a liuely faith, for this were rather fondly to preſume, than ſurely to bee perſwaded of the promiſes of the Goſpell, but wee are firſt bound to hauehave a true liuely and iuſtifying faith, and ſo to beleeue and applie vntounto our ſelues the promiſes of the Goſpell; but thoſe that liue in their ſinnes without repentance, they are altogether deſtitute of true faith, which whereſoeuer it is purifieth the heart, and worketh by louelove, moouing the beleeuer to endeuour and ſtriue to mortifie his corruptions, and to riſe from the death of ſinne to newneſſe of life: and therefore well may they ſecurely preſume, but it is impoſſible that they ſhould truly beleeue, becauſe they are vtterly deſtitute of a liuely faith, and where the cauſe is not the effect cannot follow: and conſequently for their infidelitie they are ſubiect to eternall plagues and puniſhments, becauſe they doe not that which they are bound to perfourme. Neither muſt we thinke that eueryevery kind of faith, or rather eueryevery fond perſwaſion of faith is enioyned vsus, but ſuch a faith as is grounded vponupon Gods word; but the word of God doth teach vsus, that whoſoeuer liue in the fleſh cannot pleaſe God, and if we liue after the fleſh we ſhall dye, Rom. 8.8.13.Rom. 8.8.13. 1. Cor. 6.9. That the vnrighteous ſhall not inherit the kingdome of God, 1. Cor. 6.9. That the workers of iniquitie ſhall be reiected of Chriſt, Matth. 7.23. And that no vncleane thing, Mat. 7.23. Reuel. 21.27.nor whatſoeuer worketh abomination and lies ſhall enter into the kingdome of heauen, Reuel. 21.27. And therefore thoſe who liue in the fleſh, thoſe who are workers of iniquitie, vnrighteous and vncleane, in which ranke are all thoſe who liue in their ſins without repentance, fulfilling the luſts of the fleſh, and falling continually into ſinne with pleaſure and delight, are not bound ſimply and abſolutely to beleeue, ſo long as they reſolue to continue in this ſtate, for ſo ſhould they be bound to beleeue that which is falſe and repugnant to Gods word; but they are bound to hauehave a true faith, which being wrought in their hearts will moue them to forſake their ſinnes by vnfained repentance, to hunger after righteouſnes, to endeuour to ſerue the Lord in holineſſe and newneſſe of life, and ſo to beleeue in Chriſt as their Sauiour and Redeemer, which fruites if our faith bring not foorth, we cannot be aſſured that we hauehave true faith, or do truly beleeue. For though in nature faith be before repentance, yet in our ſenſe and feeling it alwaies followeth it: neither doth faith euer ſoundly and truly perſwade vsus of Gods louelove, till we hauehave ſorrowed for our ſinnes, and at leaſt in purpoſe of heart hauehave forſaken them. So that whoſoeuer liueth ſtill in his ſins with pleaſure and delight, and yet beleeueth that he is elected to ſaluation, and that he is in Gods fauour, and ſhall continuing in this ſtate be made an heire of eternall life, he is not indued with true faith, but with fond preſumption and carnall ſecuritie, which maketh him to beleeue that which is falſe and repugnant to Gods word. Though then all men, euen carnall worldlings and reprobates are bound to beleeue, and becauſe they doe not, are ſubiect to condemnation, as committing a great and fearefull ſinne; as appeareth Ioh. 3.18. and 16.8.9. where our Sauiour ſaith, that the holy Ghoſt ſhould reproue the world of ſinne, Ioh. 3.18. and 16.8.9.becauſe they beleeue not in him: yet they are not bound to beleeue continuing in their worldlineſſe, and reſoluing to goe on in their ſinnes, for ſuch a faith were but fond preſumption; but they are bound ſo to beleeue as that their faith may be grounded vponupon Gods word, which it can neuer poſſibly be if it be ſeuered from true repentance, and for want of this faith they are condemned.