The Christian Warfare Part 1, Book 2 · Chapter 8
CHAP. VIII. The laſt argument grounded vponupon the teſtimonie of Gods ſpirit.
§ Sect. 1 LAſtly,whatſoeuer the ſpirit of God doth teſtifie in the heart and conſcience of a man, and doth fully aſſure him thereof, that he is to beleeue, and of that he ought vndoubtedly to be aſſured: but the ſpirit of God doth teſtifie to the faithfull, and doth fully aſſure them that they are the ſonnes of God by adoption and grace, and conſequently that they are elected; for none are the ſonnes of God but thoſe who are predeſtinate to be adopted through Ieſus Chriſt, as it is Epheſ. 1.5:Eph. 1.5. and therefore the faithfull are to beleeue, and ought vndoubtedly to be aſſured that they are the ſonnes of God elected to euerlaſting life. The proſition is manifeſt; for, what more certaine truth can be imagined, than that which the ſpirit of God witneſſeth vntounto our ſpirits, and confirmeth vntounto vsus, ſeeing all the properties required in a true witneſſe, doe concurre in him in the higheſt degree, namely knowledge, truth, and faithfulneſſe? for knowledge, he is infinit and knoweth all things, euen the eternall councell, and decree of God concerning our election, as appeareth 1. Cor. 2.10.1. Cor. 2.10.12. The ſpirit ſearcheth all things euen the deepe things of God; and this ſpirit doe we receiue that we may know the things that are giuen to vsus of God. As it is verſ. 12. What fitter witneſſe therefore can be imagined in this reſpect than Gods ſpirit, who wholy and onelyonly knoweth all his ſecret counſailes? In reſpect of truth hee is moſt true, yea truth it ſelfe, and in regarde hereof hee is called the ſpirit of truth which leadeth vsus into all truth. Ioh. 16.13.Ioh. 16.13. And therefore as in reſpect of his knowledge he cannot bee deceiued, ſo in reſpect of his truth he cannot deceiue. In reſpect of faithfulneſſe he is moſt faithfull and iuſt in all his waies Pſal. 145.17. 1. Cor. 1.9. eſpecially in his word;Pſal. 145.17. for his teſtimonie is ſure as it is, Pſal. 19.7. and therefore he cannot lie,1. Cor. 1.9. Pſal. 19.7. neither will he conceale the truth for any reſpect of perſons; and conſequently whatſoeuer this al-knowing true and faithfull witneſſe teſtifieth, we are vndoubtedly to beleeue as being moſt ſure and certaine. If an Angell ſent from heauen ſhould aſſure vsus from God that wee are elected, euen the Papiſts themſelues could not deny, but that we might be aſſured thereof by ſuch a reuelation without any manner of doubting: but the teſtimonie of Gods ſpirit witneſſing to our ſpirits that we are the ſonnes of God, is ſo much more certaine and without exception than the teſtimonie of Angels, as the ſpirit of God better knoweth the counſels of God than Angels, as it excelleth them in truth and faith, as the teſtimonie which is imprinted in the heart is more firme then that which is ſpoken in the eare, which may eaſily be forgotten. And therefore if by their doctrine we might be aſſured of our election by the extraordinarie reuelation of an Angell; then much more certainely may wee be aſſured hereof by the ordinarie teſtimonie of Gods ſpirit which he witneſſeth in the hearts and conſciences of the faithfull.
§. Sect. 2 The propoſition being manifeſt,That Gods ſpirit teſtifieth that we are the ſonnes of God. let vsus proue the aſſumption; which containeth two branches, firſt that the ſpirit of God teſtifieth to our ſpirits, that we are the ſonnes of God; and ſecondly doth fully aſſure vsus of this teſtimonie that it is moſt vndoubted true; both which are manifeſt by Gods word. Firſt that Gods ſpirit giueth this teſtimonie in the hearts of the faithfull,Rom. 8.15.16. it is euident Rom. 8.15.16. For ye hauehave not receiued the ſpirit of bondage to feare againe; but ye hauehave receiued the ſpirit of adoption whereby we crie abba father: the ſame ſpirit beareth witneſſe with our ſpirit, that we are the children of God. Gal. 4.6.So Gal. 4.6. Becauſe ye are ſonnes, God hath ſent forth the ſpirit of his ſon into your hearts which crieth abba father. Which places doe ſo euidently proue this point, that there needes no more reaſons or allegations; for firſt he excludeth the ſpirit of bondage, which like the Papiſts faith cauſeth vsus to feare and doubte of our election and ſaluation; and then hee telleth vsus that wee hauehave receiued the ſpirit of adoption which beareth witneſſe vntounto our ſpirit that wee are the children of God.
§. Sect. 3 Secondly,becauſe we are exceeding weake and the graces in vsus ſhadowed with imperfections and our faith mixt with doubting, becauſe we are ſaued as yet but by hope, as it is Rom. 8.24. And we walke by faith and not by ſight, as it is 2. Cor. 5.7. and this our faith is continually ſhaken with manifold temptations, therefore leaſt we ſhould doubt of Gods louelove and our election adoption and ſaluation, the Lord hath giuen vsus his ſpirit to ſeale, and further to confirme this aſſurance in our hearts; and that it might be an earneſt and a ſure pledge vntounto vsus, whereby he might ſecure vsus concerning the couenant which he hath made with vsus. The truth hereof appeareth in many places of the Scripture. 2. Cor. 1.22.2. Cor. 1.22. Who hath ſealed vsus and hath giuen the earneſt of the ſpirit in our hearts. So Epheſ. 1.13. In whom alſo ye hauehave truſted, Eph. 1.13.after that ye heard the word of truth, euen the Goſpel of our ſaluation, wherein alſo after that ye beleeued, ye were ſealed with the holy ſpirit of promiſe. 14. Which is the earneſt of our inheritance, vntill the redemption of the poſſeſſion purchaſed vntounto the praiſe of his glorie. And Epheſ. 4.30.Eph. 4.30. The Apoſtle exhorteth vsus not to grieue the holy ſpirit of God, by whom we are ſealed vntounto the day of our redemption. And 2. Cor. 5.5.2. Cor. 5.5. he ſaith that God hath giuen vntounto vsus the earneſt of his ſpirit.
Which wordes doe miniſter vntounto eueryevery faithfull man no ſmall conſolation, if they bee rightly waied; for firſt wee vſe to ſeale thoſe things which we would hauehave moſt certaine and out of all controuerſie; as when a man hath made a promiſe or couenant with another, for his better ſecuritie he doth commit it to writing, and leaſt yet there ſhould any ſcruple or doubt reſt in his minde, he doth confirme it by adding his ſeale, to put the matter out of all queſtion; ſo the Lord hath added to the written couenant of his word, whereby he hath aſſured vsus of our election adoption and ſaluation, the outward ſeale of the ſacraments, and the inward ſeale of his ſpirit, whereby he hath ratified it, not in it ſelfe, but in our hearts, that ſo all cauſe of doubting being taken away, we might certainely be aſſured of his promiſes, that they belong vntounto vsus not after a generall manner as the Papiſts teach, but particularly euen as this aſſurance is particularly ſealed by Gods ſpirit in the heart of eueryevery true beleeuer, Rom. 4.11.Rom. 4.11. The end therefore why we are ſealed to ſaluation by Gods ſpirit, is not that we ſhould doubt thereof, but that it might be out of all queſtion fully ratified and confirmed vntounto vsus: for this is ſignified by this metaphor here vſed of ſealing, as may appeare not onelyonly by the ordinarie cuſtome amongſt vsus, but alſo by the vſe thereof in former times. So when Ahaſhueroſh would hauehave letters written in the Kings name, which no man might reuoke, he commaundeth that they ſhould be ſealed with the Kings ring.Heſt. 8.8. Ioh. 6.27. Heſt. 8.8. And Ioh. 6.27. it is ſaid that God the father had ſealed our Sauiour Chriſt, that is, confirmed him in his office of mediation, by giuing euident teſtimonies and manifeſt ſignes that the people might not doubt of his calling and anoynting. Matth. 3. 17. and 17.5. and Ioh. 1.32.
So, whereas the holy Ghoſt in the faithfull is called the earneſt of our inheritance, this miniſtreth vntounto eueryevery true beleeuer no ſmall conſolation, nor doubtfull aſſurance of their ſaluation; for we know that an earneſt is giuen amongſt men to ratifie and binde a bargaine, ſo as they cannot goe from their agreement after earneſt is giuen and receiued. The word arrhabo which is here tranſlated earneſt, hath alſo other ſignifications which miniſter vntounto. Gods faithfull, the ſame aſſurance and the like true comfort.Gen. 38.17.18 Geneſ. 38.17.18. this word is vſed to ſignifie a pledge or pawne, than the which there can bee no better aſſurance of performing promiſe: and 2. King. 14.14.2. King. 14.14. it ſignifieth a hoſtage giuen in warres which is giuen for aſſurance to confirme couenants agreed vponupon. Whereas therefore Gods ſpirit in the faithfull is called arrhabo, which ſignifieth an earneſt pawne and hoſtage: we are hereby aſſured that the Lord will performe his couenant betweene vsus and him; that he will not miſſe a day in the performing of his promiſe; that howſoeuer we were enemies, yet now being reconciled by the death of his ſonne, he hath giuen vsus an hoſtage to aſſure vsus of eternall peace, euen his holy ſpirit. And therefore let not Sathan nor all his aſſiſtants cauſe vsus to doubt of Gods couenant, wherein he hath aſſured vsus of our election, adoption, and ſaluation; ſeeing he hath ſealed this couenant with his ſpirit, and hath giuen vntounto vsus this earneſt and pawne, to aſſure vsus that he will performe his promiſe and bargaine.
§. Sect. 4 But here the tempter obiecteth,That we may diſcerne Gods ſpirit by the effects thereof. that we cannot know and diſcerne whether we hauehave the ſpirit of God, vnleſſe it ſhould bring forth in vsus ſome extraordinarie effects: and though it ſhould be granted that we were indued therewith, yet we cannot diſcerne the teſtimonie thereof from our owne thoughts, vnleſſe it be by ſome ſpeciall reuelation. To the firſt I anſwere, that though many lulled aſleepe with carnall ſecuritie, doe vainely dreame that they hauehave Gods ſpirit, and ſo are deluded with their owne phantaſies; yet this hindereth not, but that he who hath the ſpirit of God indeede, may certainely be aſſured that it dwelleth in him; for it ſealeth in vsus the aſſurance of Gods couenant,2. Cor. 1.22. and who can receiue this ſeale and not feele the impreſſion? it is an earneſt, and who receiuing an earneſt cannot know whether he hath receiued it? for otherwiſe how can it aſſure vsus of our bargaine, if of it ſelfe we hauehave no aſſurance? it is a pawne of Gods louelove and our ſaluation, and who hauing a pawne in his cuſtodie cannot know that he poſſeſſeth it? it is a heauenly light which doth illuminate our vnderſtandings,Eph. 1.17.18. which were blinde and ignorant in the knowledge of Gods truth, and who cannot diſcerne betweene blindneſſe and ſight, light and darkneſſe? it is a water which purgeth vsus from our corruption,Eſa. 44.3. Ezech. 16.9. and who that is thus waſhed and clenſed, can doubt that this water hath touched him?Matth. 3.11. Act. 2.3. it is a ſire which inflameth our cold froſen hearts with a zeale of Gods glorie, and louelove of our brethren, and how can fire which is caried in our breſts be hidden from vsus?1. Ioh. 2.20.27 it is a precious oyle which mollifieth our hard ſtonie hearts, and maketh them flexible and pliable able to Gods will, which before were ſo ſtiffe and obdurate that they would rather hauehave broken then bowed to obedience; it ſuppleth alſo our ſtiffe ioynts and maketh them actiue and nimble in the workes of holineſſe, and righteouſneſſe, and who finding thoſe ſtrange alterations in himſelfe, may not be aſſured that he is annoynted with this oyle? it is the Lords champion fighting in vsus againſt the fleſh,Gal. 5.17. and ſubduing the luſts thereof, and who feeling this inteſtine warre in his owne bowels can doubt that the combatants hauehave their reſidence in him? in a word it is onelyonly this ſpirit which reſtrained vsus from the euill, which naturally we louelove, and prouoketh vsus to imbrace that good, which through naturall corruption we loth and abhorre: if therefore ſinne growe vnpleaſant vntounto vsus, and vertue and true godlineſſe delightfull, we may be aſſured that this is the worke of Gods ſpirit dwelling in vsus. Would we then be aſſured that we are indued with the ſpirit of God? why then let vsus conſider if our eyes blinded with ignorance are inlightned in any good meaſure, with the knowledge of Gods truth; if our ſoules polluted with the filth of ſinne, are purged in ſome ſort from our corruptions; if our cold hearts are inflamed with the zeale of Gods glorie and the louelove of our brethren; if our hearts more hard than adamant, and more inflexible than ſteele, are ſoftened and made obſequious to Gods will; and if the other members of our body, which were benummed and as it were taken with a dead paulſie, be made nimble and actiue in the workes of holineſſe and righteouſneſſe; if we feele a fight and combate betweene the fleſh and the ſpirit, the one ſtriuing to leade vsus captiue vntounto ſinne, the other reſiſting and drawing vsus out of this captiuitie; if the ſins which heretofore we hauehave loued, be now lothſome vntounto vsus, and the vertues▪ which we hauehave abhorred be delightfull and pleaſant; and then we may aſſure our ſelues that it is the light of Gods ſpirit which hath ſhined vponupon vsus, it is this heauenly water which hath waſhed vsus, it is this diuine fire which hath inflamed vsus, it is this precious oyle that hath mollified and foftned vsus, it is this champion of the Lord of hoſts which maketh warre againſt our trayterous fleſh, and ſubdueth the luſts thereof; in a word it can be nothing but Gods ſpirit, which makes vsus hate that ſinne which naturally we ſo dearely louelove, and to louelove vertue and godlineſſe which by nature is lothſome and bitter vntounto vsus.
§. Sect. 5 And thus it is manifeſt that wee may be aſſured that we hauehave Gods ſpirit, by the ordinarie fruites thereof in eueryevery faithfull man. Now let vsus conſider how we may know the teſtimonie of Gods ſpirit, witneſſing in our hearts that we are elected adopted and ſhall be ſaued,How we may diſcerne the teſtimonie of Gods ſpirit from our owne preſumption. 2. Cor. 3.6. 1. Cor. 3.5. from our owne phantaſies cauſed through carnall ſecuritie and vaine preſumption. And to this end we are to know, that the preaching of the Goſpell is the miniſterie of the ſpirit, whereby wee are ſealed and confirmed in the aſſurance of our ſaluation, as appeareth 2. Cor. 3.6. And hence it is that the preachers of the Goſpell are called the miniſters by whom the people beleeue, 1. Cor. 3.5. And the words of the Goſpell are called by our Sauiour Chriſt ſpirit and life, becauſe it is the miniſtery of the ſpirit which quickneth vsus, as it is Ioh. 6.63. And Gal. 3.2.Ioh. 6.63. Gal. 3.2. the Apoſtle ſaith that we hauehave receiued the ſpirit by the hearing of faith, that is, the doctrine of faith preached in the miniſtery of the Goſpell. If therefore the teſtimonie of ſaluation in the mindes of the faithfull, be conceiued by the preaching of the Goſpell applied vntounto them by faith, then is it moſt certainly the teſtimonie of Gods ſpirit; for the inward teſtimonie of Gods ſpirit is not different from the outward teſtimonie of the word: but if this perſwaſion be not grounded vponupon Gods word, as theirs is not who perſwade themſelues that they are elected, adopted, and ſhall be ſaued, notwithſtanding that they liue in their ſinnes without repentance, making no conſcience of their waies, nor indeauoring to ſerue the Lord in holineſſe and righteouſneſſe of life; then is it not the teſtimonie of Gods ſpirit, but a preſumptuous phantaſie, and a ſecure and carnall imagination: for the teſtimonie of Gods ſpirit in the conſcience, is the ſame with the teſtimonie of the word, and therefore it doth not beare witneſſe nor giuegive any aſſurance that they are ſaued, which Gods word pronounceth to bee in the ſtate of damnation. When therefore this teſtimonie is giuen in a faithfull man and, agreeable to Gods word; it is the teſtimonie of the ſpirit which ſealeth vsus in the full aſſurance of that wee beleeue: according to that Epheſians. 1.13. where the Apoſtle ſaith,Eph. 1.13. that after the faithfull had receiued the word of truth, euen the Goſpell of their ſaluation, and beleeued therein, they were ſealed with the holy ſpirit of promiſe. But thoſe who make no conſcience of hearing the Goſpell preached, and when they heare it, doe not beleeue it, nor apply it to themſelues by a true and liuely faith, nor bring foorth any fruites thereof in a holie and Chriſtian life, they hauehave neither faith nor Gods ſpirit: and therefore if they hauehave any perſwaſion of their election and ſaluation, it is not the teſtimonie of Gods ſpirit, but their owne phantaſie, and a vaine opinion ariſing from carnall ſecuritie and preſumption.
§. Sect. 6 Secondly,Another means to diſcerne the teſtimonie of the ſpirit. the teſtimony of Gods ſpirit may hereby bee knowne: firſt, in that it throughly perſwadeth the faithfull of their election and ſaluation; ſecondly, by the manner of perſwading them; thirdly, by the effects of this teſtimonie and perſwaſion. For the firſt, the ſpirit of God doth not only giuegive this bare teſtimonie that wee are elected, adopted, and ſhall be ſaued: but alſo doth fully perſwade vsus hereof, as being a thing moſt certaine and without queſtion. So 1. Cor. 2.12. the Apoſtle ſaith that wee hauehave receiued the ſpirit of God, 1. Cor. 2.12.that wee might know the things that are giuen to vsus of God. And Eph. 1. 17, 18. Gods ſpirit is called the ſpirit of wiſedom and reuelation, Eph. 1.17.18.which doth inlighten the eyes of our vnderſtanding, that we might know what the hope is of his calling, and what the riches of his glorious inheritance is in the Saints; and what is the exceeding greatneſſe of his power, particularly towards vsus that beleeue, according to the working of his mightie power. So the Apoſtle Iohn ſaith,1. Ioh. 3.24. hereby we know that Christ abideth in vsus, euen by the ſpirit which he hath giuen vsus, 1. Ioh. 3.24. So that wee may be aſſured that we hauehave Gods ſpirit, & therby be throughly perſwaded that Chriſt dwelleth in vsus, and conſequently that wee are elected and ſhall be ſaued. And chap. 4.13. Hereby know wee that we dwell in him and he in vsus, and 4.13.becauſe he hath giuen vsus of his ſpirit. And the Apoſtle Paul by the ſpirit of God was ſo ſtedfaſtly aſſured of Gods louelove, that he profeſſeth that he was firmely perſwaded that nothing could ſeparate him from it,Rom. 8.38, 39. Rom. 8.38, 39. So that the ſpirit of God throughly perſwadeth the faithfull that they are elected and ſhall be ſaued; whereas the wicked who are deſtitute of Gods ſpirit, may wel hauehave a fond opinion and a fooliſh conceit, that they are highly in Gods louelove and elected to ſaluation, through carnall ſecuritie and vaine preſumption; but they are neuer throughly perſwaded hereof: for when any affliction of bodie or minde is inflicted on them, their vaine perſwaſion vaniſheth away, and nothing remaineth but doubting, which in the end bringeth them to vtter deſperation.
But here the tempter will take occaſion to diſcourage the weake Chriſtian, and to perſwade him that he hath not Gods ſpirit, ſeeing he doth not feele in himſelfe this firme perſwaſion of Gods louelove and his election and ſaluation.The perſwaſion of the ſpirit not alwaies diſcerned in our ſenſe and feeling. To which we are to anſwere, that Gods ſpirit doth throughly perſwade, although not at all times, neither in our preſent ſenſe and feeling; for immediatly after our conuerſion when wee are newly regenerate, and like new borne babes in Chriſt, the motions of the ſpirit are but weake in vsus, and we are not skilfull in vnderſtanding this heauenly language of the ſpirit, wherewith we hauehave been altogether vnacquainted; but the ſpirit waxing ſtronger in vsus, and we growing to a ripe age in Chriſt, doth crie in our hearts, Abba father, and teſtifieth to our ſpirits that we are the ſonnes of God; which we then being better acquainted with this heauenly ſpeech, do well vnderſtand, and are throughly perſwaded thereby. And ſecondly, when the poore Chriſtian who hath receiued a great meaſure of the ſpirit is exerciſed in the ſpirituall conflict, the hideous noiſe of Sathans temptations which like Cannon-ſhot ſound in his eares, and the tumultuous outcries of his owne paſſions doe ſo diſturbe and wholie poſſeſſe him, that he can not heare the voyce of the ſpirit perſwading him that hee is the child of God; till the skirmiſh bee paſt and the noiſe of temptations ceaſed, and then againe as in former times hee heareth to his comfort the ſpirit of God perſwading him of Gods louelove, and hereby hee is againe aſſured thereof. So that wee are not to iudge of the hauing of Gods ſpirit in the time of our Chriſtian infancie and ſpirituall nonage, nor yet according to our preſent ſenſe in the time of temptation, but when wee are come to perfect age, and when the conflict of temptations is ceaſed.
Secondly, the teſtimonie of Gods ſpirit perſwading vsus of his louelove and our election, is knowne by the manner whereby it perſwadeth vsus: namely, it perſwadeth vsus hereof with arguments grounded vponupon Gods word, and drawne not from any worthineſſe in our ſelues, but from Gods free grace and vnderſerued merciemercy, and from the righteouſneſſe and merits of Chriſt; whereas Sathan and our owne fleſh neuer vſe ſuch reaſons, but either mooue vsus to a bare and vaine opinion which hath no ground at all but ſelfe-louelove, which maketh men eaſily beleeue that which they deſire; or els with ſome arguments drawne from ſome outward common benefits, beſtowed indifferently vponupon the good and bad; or laſtly from a phariſaicall conceit and falſe opinion of our owne worthineſſe and deſerts.
§. Sect. 7 Laſtly,The 3. meanes to diſcerne the ſpirit, namely by the fruites thereof. the teſtimonie of Gods ſpirit is knowne and diſcerned by the effects thereof; for after that it hath effectually perſwaded vsus, that we are elected and the deare children of God, we are mooued thereby to truſt wholie in God, and to louelove him as our gratious father: from which louelove proceedeth a zeale of his glorie, and a true hatred of ſinne, becauſe thereby our heauenlie father is diſhonored & diſpleaſed with vsus; and a true louelove and heartie endeuour of imbracing holineſſe and righteouſneſſe, becauſe thereby our gratious father is glorified and well pleaſed with vsus. If therefore theſe effects and fruites follow this perſwaſion of Gods louelove and our election, wee may bee aſſured that it is the ſpirit of God which doth perſwade vsus; but if wee hauehave no ſuch truſt and affiance, no ſuch louelove of God, no zeale of his glorie, no hatred of ſinne, no louelove nor deſire of embracing righteouſneſſe, but remaine as carnall, worldly, and prophane as euer we were, then let vsus bragge as much as wee will of our perſwaſion of Gods louelove and our election, yet it is moſt certaine that this perſwaſion is not wrought in vsus by Gods ſpirit, but that it is a vaine conceit and fond opinion which proceedeth from ſelfe-louelove, carnall ſecuritie, and fond preſumption, which in the end vaniſhing away will leaue vsus in deſpaire.