A Guide to Godliness, Book 2
OF SPIRITVALL AND CHRISTIAN SECVRITIE.
THE SECOND BOOKE.
CHAP. I.
Wherein ſpirituall ſecuritie is defined, and the definition explaned.
§. 1 That all ſecuritie is not to be condemned, but that it is in ſome kind commendable; and to be deſired.
HAuing ſpoken of that Securitie, which is naturall, in all the kinds of it: it now in Non quaelibet ſecuritas eſt laudabilis: ſed qua…do deponit a…iquis curam p…out deb…t. Th. Aquin. 2. 2. quaeſt. 129. art. 7.the laſt place remayneth, that we briefly intreate of that Securitie which is ſupernaturall, diuine and holy. For as all Securitie is not commendable, but onelyonly when a man, as he ought, layeth aſide all care; ſo on the other ſide, all Securitie is not to bee condemned, but when hee aſſumeth it as hee ought not; namely, ſuch a Securitie as is built on an ill foundation, and vponupon falſe and deceitfull grounds; which as it proceedeth from euill cauſes, ſo it alwayes produceth euill and pernicious effects, as hath ſufficiently beene ſhewed in the former diſcourſe. But beſides this, there is a Securitie which is good and warrantable, commendable, and to be deſired and imbraced of vsus, grounded on iuſt cauſes, and rightly aſſumed of thoſe vntounto whom of due it appertayneth; namely, the ſecuritie of the faithfull, hauing its foundation not vponupon any thing in themſelues, or any inferiour meanes and ſecundarie cauſes, but vponupon God alone his Power, Prouidence and Promiſes, made vntounto them in Ieſus Chriſt. For after that wee are regenerate by the Spirit of God, and being reconciled, are become his Children by adoption and grace, and ſo like Children in the fauour of our heauenly Father, and receiued vnderunder the couert of his protection, then beginneth that created Securitie, which was in the ſtate of Innocency, to be renued in vsus; the which though we cannot attayne vntounto in the higheſt perfection in this life, becauſe our knowledge, faith and louelove, which ſhould caſt out all feare, are imperfect; yet is it much firmer, ſurer, and more permanent, then that of our firſt Parents, becauſe that reſted on the condition of their obedience, and this vponupon the freedom of their will, which was mutable and changeable; but this renued ſecuritie, reſteth vponupon the couenant of Grace made in Chriſt and his Righteouſneſſe and Obedience, which are vnchangeable and euerlaſting, and hath no condition on our part, but a liuely faith, bringing forth fruits of vnfayned repentance; and theſe Graces alſo are the free gifts of God, which after he hath once beſtowed, he neuer againe taketh Rom. 11. 29.from vsus. And this ſecuritie eueryevery Chriſtian ought to labour after, and ſo much the rather, becauſe we ſhall neuer be freed from that carnall ſecuritie which is ſo dangerous and pernicious, before we hauehave giuen entertaynment vntounto this other in our hearts. For ſome ſhelter Man naturally deſireth and will hauehave, vnderunder which ſhrowding himſelfe, he may be ſafe either in Truth or in Opinion, and ſo freed from horrors and feares, which otherwiſe, like helliſh Furies, would haunt and vexe him. Which was the cauſe, (as I hauehave ſhewed) why our firſt Parents being depriued, through their fall, of their created ſecuritie, grounded vponupon the knowledge and remembrance of God, and his ſauing Attributes; were ſo apt to be abuſed by Satan, impoſing in ſtead thereof a falſe and counterfait ſecuritie, contrariwiſe grounded on ignorance and forgetfulneſſe; which, whileſt through the blindneſſe of their minds it freed them from feare, becauſe the cauſes of their feare could not be diſcerned by them, it did expoſe them to much the greater danger, becauſe they were in the caſe of thoſe, who are in the time of their ſleepe aſſaulted with many, mightie, and malicious Enemies, and doe not ſo much as dreame of their approching. But yet ſuch is mans nature, that he had rather be couered with Fig-leaues, then hauehave no clothing, and hauehave in his hands a Reed and paper Buckler, which hauehave no ſtrength to defend him, but what he giueth them by a falſe opinion, rather then no weapons at all; and will chooſe rather a counterfait ſecuritie, which may ſerue for the preſent to preſerue him from true horrors and feares, that he may not be tormented before the time, rather then hee will hauehave none at all. In which reſpects it is the onelyonly way, when we would perſwade men to caſt off carnall ſecuritie, to offer them in ſtead thereof Chriſtian ſecuritie, which deliuereth from all dangers, not onelyonly in ſhew and opinion, but alſo in Deed and Truth; excelling the other in worth, more then maſſie gold a rotten gilded poſt, and in ſtrength more then Armour of proofe, a painted ſhadow; or an impregnable Fort, a paper Wall.
§. 2 The deſcription of ſpirituall Securitie.
And to this purpoſe, I thought it neceſſary to adde ſomething of it to the former diſcourſe, hoping that men wil with more eaſe be moued to caſt away that intoxicating and pernicious poyſon, which maketh them to ſleepe out the tortures of an euil conſcience, & depriueth them of their ſenſes, that with them it may take away their feares; when in ſtead thereof I offer vntounto them this ſoueraigne Cordiall, which will expell them, and arme the heart with true Chriſtian courage and reſolution. In ſpeaking whereof I will firſt ſhew what it is, the nature, cauſes, and effects of it; and then the meanes whereby wee may be enriched with this ineſtimable treaſure. Concerning the firſt, it may be thus deſcribed. Chriſtian ſecuritie is a grace of God, following our regeneration, iuſtification, and peace with him through Ieſus Christ; whereby acknowledging, beleeuing, and remembring the all-ſeeing wiſedome, omnipotent power, infinite goodneſſe and merciemercy of God towards vsus in Christ, wee doe without carnall and ſeruile feare, in all eſtates and at all times, reſt quietly and contentedly vponupon his promiſes and prouidence, for the ſupplying of all our wants, protection from all dangers, and deliuerance from all euils.
§. 3 That God is the authour of ſpirituall ſecuritie.
In which deſcription, I ſhew firſt the Fountaine from which it ſpringeth; not from nature, whoſe poiſonous breaſts doe now giuegive no ſuch milke; not from our owne wiſedome, power, endeauours, or any worldly cauſes, or ſecundarie meanes; but from God himſelfe the Author and Fountaine of eueryevery good and perfect gift, who of his free grace beſtoweth this bleſſing vponupon thoſe that feare and ſerue him. And Iam. 1. 17.as it proceedeth from him, ſo vponupon him, as the only ſure foundation, it reſteth and relyeth, and not on humane pollicie and ſtrength or any creature, or earthly thing whatſoeuer. So the Lord propoundeth this ground of Chriſtian courage and ſecuritie, and no other. Feare thou not, for I am with thee; be not diſmayed, for I am thy God; I will ſtrengthen Eſa. 41. 10. 13. Ier. 30. 10. & 46. 27, 28. Heb. 13. 5, 6. Pſal. 3. 5, 6. & 4. 8.thee, yea, I will helpe thee, yea, I will vphold thee with the right hand of my righteouſneſſe. I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, ſaying vntounto thee, feare not, I will helpe. And vponupon this alone, holy Dauid ſecurely reſteth: I layd mee downe and ſlept, I awaked for the Lord ſuſtained mee. I will not be afraid of ten thouſand of people that hauehave ſet themſelues against me round about. And againe: I will both lay me downe in peace, and ſleepe; for thou Lord onelyonly makest mee dwell in ſafetie. Yea, though I walke through the valley of the ſhadow of death, I will feare no Pſal. 23. 4.euill, for thou art with mee, thy rod and thy ſtaffe they comfort mee. And elſewhere: The Lord is my light and my ſaluation, whom ſhall I feare? Pſal. 27. 1, 3.The Lord is the ſtrength of my life, of whom ſhall I be afraid? Though an host ſhould encampe against mee, my heart ſhall not feare; though warre ſhould riſe against mee, in this will I be confident. And in another place: What time I am afraid I will trust in thee; In God I hauehave put my trust, I Pſal. 56. 3, 4.will not feare what fleſh can doe vntounto mee. Thus the Church triumpheth ouer all her troubles, and remaineth ſecure in caſes of greateſt feare, in ſole confidence of Gods protection. God is our refuge and Pſal. 46. 1, 2, 3.ſtrength, a very preſent helpe in trouble; therefore will wee not feare though the earth be remooued; and though the mountaines be carried into the middeſt of the ſea, &c. And ſo likewiſe the Apoſtle Paul. What ſhall we ſay then to theſe things? if God bee for vsus, who can bee againſt vsus? who Rom. 8. 31. to 39.ſhall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect? it is God that iuſtifieth, who is hee that condemneth? &c. Who ſhall ſeparate vsus from the louelove of Christ? ſhall tribulation, or diſtreſſe, or perſecution, or famine, or nakedneſſe, or perill, or ſword? nay in all theſe things we are more then Conquerours through him that loued vsus: and thereupon he concludeth: I am perſwaded 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 ſeparate vsus from the louelove of God which is in Chriſt Ieſus our Lord. Yea; ſo ſolely and wholly doe the faithfull ground their ſpirituall ſecuritie vponupon the Lord, that when they excell and abound in wiſedome, ſtrength, and all earthly helpes, it is not encreaſed; and when they are depriued of them all, it is no whit leſſened and abated; becauſe the Lord in himſelfe is all-mightie and all-ſufficient, and hath by all theſe meanes no ſtrength added vntounto him, nor yet is any whit weakned, when all theſe inferiour comforts and encouragements are taken away. And this the Lord requireth of Abraham, that hee ſhould be ſecure in his ſole protection; Feare not Gen 15. 1. & 17. 1.Abraham, I am thy ſhield, and thy exceeding great reward. And againe, I am the almightie God, or the God all-ſufficient, walke before me, and be thou vpright. And of the Church; Feare not thou worme Iacob and yee Eſa 41. 14.men of Iſrael; I will helpe thee, ſayth the Lord, and thy Redeemer the holy One of Iſrael. Intimating thus much, that though the Church were ſo ſenſible of her owne weakneſſe, that ſhee was as vnable in her owne ſtrength to reſiſt the malicious rage of her cruell enemies, as a ſeely worme; yet ſhee had cauſe enough to bee ſecure and without 2. Cor. 12. 9.feare, becauſe the Lord (who is all-ſufficient, and taketh delight to manifeſt his power in weakeneſſe) had promiſed his helpe.
§. 4 That the regenerate onelyonly are the ſubiect of ſpirituall ſecuritie.
Thirdly I ſay, that this Chriſtian ſecuritie followeth our regeneration, iuſtification, and peace with God; becauſe there is no true ſecuritie to thoſe who are vnregenerate, vnderunder the guilt, and obnoxious to the puniſhment of ſinne; and who hauehave God for their enemie, who is able and readie eueryevery minute to conſume and deſtroy them. There is no ſound ſecuritie to thoſe, who by helliſh charmes hauehave rocked conſcience aſleepe, which is eueryevery day in danger to be awakened, and being rowzed vp, will catch them by the throat, and hale them to anſwere for all their crimes at the vnpartiall Barre of Gods fearefull Iudgement. In which regards, I may conclude with the Prophet, that there is no ſuch peace to the wicked; for when they are once awakened Eſa. 57. 20, 21.out of this ſleepe of carnall ſecuritie, they are like the troubled Sea when it cannot reſt, whoſe waters caſt vp mire and dirt. But it is the faithfull only, who being truely conuerted from their wicked wayes, iuſtified and reconciled vntounto God, and hauing peace with him, hauehave alſo peace of conſcience, that are capable of this grace of ſpirituall ſecuritie.
§. 5 The grounds of ſpirituall ſecuritie, on which it reſteth.
Fourthly, I lay downe the grounds of Chriſtian ſecuritie wherevpon it reſteth, namely knowledge, beliefe, and remembrance of God and his ſauing attributes. Wherein it is quite contrarie to carnall ſecuritie, which is grounded on the ignorance, not beleeuing, and forgetfulneſſe of them; which the greater they are, the greater is the carnall mans ſecuritie; euen as contrariwiſe ſpirituall ſecuritie encreaſeth in ſtrength, as we doe more and more encreaſe in the contrarie graces. Fiftly, I ſhew what feare ſpirituall ſecuritie expelleth, namely that onelyonly which is carnall and ſeruile. For, as for that holy, filiall, and ſpirituall feare of God our gratious Father in Ieſus Chriſt, it is no way oppoſite to this Chriſtian ſecuritie, yea, they are mutuall cauſes one of another; and ſo, the more the one encreaſeth, the more vigour and ſtrength it miniſtreth to the other. The more happie we find and feele our ſelues in our ſecure reſting vnderunder Gods protection, the more Nihil poteſt eſſe ſecurius, quam illi omnia committere qui nouit ſuis cultoribus congruè profutura praeſtare. Caſſian. in Pſa. 72.we feare to diſpleaſe ſo gratious a Father, vnderunder the wings of whoſe prouidence we enioy ſuch ſweet ſecuritie; and the more wee feare to offend him, the more ſecure wee are in his louelove and fauour. For, as one ſayth, nothing can be more ſafe and ſecure, then to commit all things vntounto him, who knoweth how to giuegive moſt fitly all things profitable to thoſe that feare and ſerue him.
§. 6 Of the continuance and perpetuitie of ſpirituall ſecuritie.
Sixtly, I adde the continuance and perpetuitie of the Chriſtians ſecuritie, not for a ſpint alone like carnall ſecuritie, till the conſcience be awakened with the threatnings of the Law, or the ſmart of Gods ſeuere Iudgements; but in all eſtates, and at all times, though not alwayes alike and in the ſame proportion, in his ſenſe and feeling. In which reſpect the Chriſtian findeth it to encreaſe or diminiſh, as hee thriueth or decayeth in thoſe graces which are the cauſes, which both breed and nouriſh it, and as he is more diligent and carefull, or more negligent and remiſſe in vſing the meanes whereby it is obtained and preſerued. But when the Chriſtian thriueth in ſpirituall grace, is watchfull ouer all his wayes, and endeauoureth in all things to pleaſe and ſerue God, and ſo preſerueth inwardly peace with him and peace of conſcience, then is there no outward thing that can diſturbe his peace, or depriue him of his ſpirituall ſecuritie which he hath in the aſſurance of Gods fauour and protection, but he conſtantly retaineth it at all times, and in all eſtates, and enioyeth ſecure peace in the middeſt of warres and troubles, and a quiet calme in the greateſt ſtormes and tempeſts of worldly calamities. As for example, in the time of extremeſt dangers he is ſecure and ſafe, as though there were no perill approching; ſo as he can ſay with Dauid; I laid mee downe and ſlept; Pſal. 3. 5, 6.I awaked, for the Lord ſuſtained me; I will not be afraid for ten thouſands of people, that hauehave ſet themſelues against mee round about. The Lord Pſal. 27. 1, 3.is my light and ſaluation, whom ſhall I feare? the ſtrength of my life, of whom ſhall I be afraid? Though an host ſhould encampe against mee, my heart ſhall not feare; though warre ſhould riſe againſt me, in this I will be confident. And with the Church: God is our refuge and ſtrength, a very Pſal. 46. 1, 2.preſent helpe in trouble: therefore will wee not feare, though the earth be remooued, and though the mountaines be carried into the middeſt of the ſea. So in the time, not onelyonly of worldly proſperitie, when God hedgeth him in on all ſides with the pledges of his louelove, but alſo of affliction, trouble, and perſecution, hee is ſecure in the aſſurance of Gods fauour; becauſe he knoweth that theſe are ſignes of his adoption, Rom. 8. 28.and that all things worke together for good to them that louelove God, to them that are the Called according to his purpoſe. That verſ. 35.Afflictions, Tribulation, Diſtreſſe, Perſecution, Famine, Nakedneſſe, Perill or Sword, ſhall not bee able to ſeparate him from the louelove of Chriſt. That they doe not hinder, but further him in the way to euerlaſting happineſſe; For by many tribulations we muſt enter into the Act. 14. 22.Kingdome of God; wee muſt firſt ſuffer with Chriſt, that afterwards 2. Tim. 2. 12.wee may raigne with him; and theſe ſhort and momentanie afflictions 2. Cor. 4. 17.ſhall cauſe vntounto vsus, a farre moſt excellent and an eternall waight of glorie. That they are not vntounto them effects of the Legall curſe, but aſſurances of euerlaſting Bleſſednes; according to that of Dauid; Bleſſed is the man whom thou chaſtenest, O Lord; and teacheſt him out Pſal. 94. 12.of thy Law. And of the Apoſtle Peter; If yee ſuffer for Righteouſneſſe, Pet. 3. 14.happy are yee, and bee not afraid of their terrour, neither bee yee troubled. And of the Apoſtle Iames: Bleſſed is the man that indureth Iam. 1. 12.tentation, for when he is tried he ſhall receiue the Crowne of Life, which the Lord hath promiſed to them that louelove him. And finally, that of our Sauiour: Bleſſed are they that are perſecuted for Righteouſneſſe Matth. 5. 10, 11.ſake; for theirs is the Kingdome of Heauen. Bleſſed are yee when men reuile you, and perſecute you, and ſhall ſay all manner of euill against you falſely for my ſake; reioyce and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in Heauen. In which reſpects, they that are iuſtified by Faith Rom. 5. 1, 3.and hauehave peace with God, through our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, not onelyonly reioyce in hope of the glorie of God, and beare their afflictions with patience, but euen glorie in tribulation, as the Apoſtle ſpeaketh. In a word, hee loſeth not his ſpirituall ſecuritie, no not in the agonie of death it ſelfe; becauſe the Righteous hath hope in death, and when hee Pro. 14. 32.is killed, euen by Gods owne hand, can ſay with Iob, Though hee ſlay Iob 13. 15.mee, yet will I truſt in him. And becauſe hee knoweth, that though Death bee able to ſeparate his ſoule from the body, yet it is not able Rom. 8. 38, 39.to ſeparate him from the louelove of God in Chriſt. Yea, contrariwiſe it ſhall ſerue as a paſſage conducting him into Gods preſence, and haſten the fruition of this glorious Majeſtie and ſupreme goodneſſe, In whoſe preſence is fulneſſe of ioy, and at whoſe right hand there are Pſal. 16. 11.pleaſures for euer more.
CHAP. II.
Of the Cauſes and Effects of ſpirituall Securitie.
§. 1 The cauſes of ſpirituall ſecuritie reſpecting God.
HAuing ſhewed what ſpirituall Securitie is, it now followeth that wee intreate of the Cauſes of it; which are of Deus nobis haec otiaſecit. Virgil. Eclog. 1.two ſorts, the firſt reſpecting God, the other our ſelues. The chiefe and principall cauſe of it is Gods free grace, working this ſpirituall ſecuritie in our hearts, that wee may with greater ioy and cheerfulneſſe, performe vntounto him faithfull ſeruice, when as wee are aſſured, that though wee hauehave many enemies which oppoſe vsus in it, yet none ſhall bee able to doe vsus any hurt, nor hinder vsus from receiuing the recompence of reward, which the Lord of his free mercy and grace hath promiſed vntounto vsus. And thus Dauid acknowledgeth that it was no wiſedome, power or prouidence of his owne, but the Lord onelyonly that did make him dwell in ſafetie. And that Pſal. 4. 1. & 91. 1.he who dwelleth in the ſecret place of the moſt High, ſhall abide ſafe from all danger vnderunder the ſhadow of the Almightie. Secondly, we hauehave this ſecuritie by the free donation and legacie of Ieſus Chriſt, who at his comming in the fleſh, brought this peace with him, and cauſed it to be proclaymed by his holy Angels: Glorie to God in the Higheſt, and on Luk. 2. 14.Earth peace, good will towards men. And leauing the Earth, bequeathed vntounto the faithfull, and left this peace behind him. Peace I leaue with Ioh. 14. 27.you, my peace I giuegive vntounto you, not as the world giueth giuegive I vntounto you (that is, a worldly and outward peace, for in the World ye ſhall hauehave Ioh. 16. 33.tribulation; but a ſpirituall peace with God, and peace of Conſcience, by which yee ſhall hauehave inward tranquillitie of mind, and ſecuritie from all danger, in the middeſt of earthly troubles, and therefore) let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. The fruit of which peace is the ſecuritie of all the faithfull, following their regeneration and change of their nature from ſauage crueltie, vntounto a Doue-like ſimplicitie and Lambe-like meekneſſe one towards another, according to that propheſie of Eſay, foretelling the ſtate of Chriſts Kingdome. The Wolfe ſhall dwell with the Lambe, and the Leopard ſhall lye downe Eſa. 11. 6, 7.with the Kid, and the Calfe, and the yong Lion, and the Fatling together; and a little Child ſhall leade them, &c. And the ſuckling Child ſhall play on the hole of the Aſpe, and the weaned Child ſhall put his hand on the Cockatrice Den. They ſhall not deſtroy in all mine holy Mountayne; for the Earth ſhall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the Waters that couer the Sea. Thirdly, we enioy this ſecuritie by vertue of the Couenant of grace, which God hath made with vsus in Ieſus Chriſt. Wherein the Lord hath freely promiſed that he will be our God and King, and we his peculiar People and Subiects of his Kingdome; whom he will therefore receiue vnderunder his protection, and preſerue ſafe and ſecure from all danger; and that he will be our Shepheard, and we his Flocke and the Sheepe of his paſture, whom he will keepe ſafe in his Sheepe-fold from the Wolfe, Lion, Beare, and all other rauenous Beaſts, which ſhall attempt to hurt vsus, according to that of the Prophet: I will ſaue my Flocke, and they ſhall no more be a prey. And I will Ezech. 34. 22, to 31.ſet one Shepheard ouer them, and he ſhall feede them, euen my ſeruant Dauid (that is, Ieſus Chriſt the Sonne of Dauid) hee ſhall feede them, and he ſhall be their Shepheard. And I the Lord will be their God, and my ſeruant Dauid a Prince among them; I the Lord hauehave ſpoken it. And I will make with them a couenant of peace; and I will cauſe the euill beasts to ceaſe out of the Land; and they ſhall dwell ſafely in the Wilderneſſe, and ſleepe in the Woods, &c.
§. 2 The cauſes of ſpirituall ſecuritie reſpecting our ſelues.
The cauſes of this ſpirituall ſecuritie on our part, are thoſe vertues and graces receiued from God, which hauehave the promiſe of it, and make vsus fit and capable to receiue and apprehend it, when as the Lord of his free grace doth offer it vntounto vsus. The principall whereof is the Spirit of adoption, crying in our hearts, Abba Father; which ſealeth vp Rom. 8. 15, 16.in our hearts the aſſurance of Gods louelove, and beareth witneſſe with our ſpirit, that we are children of God. And if Children, then Heires, and Heires of God and Co-heires with Chriſt, who as we ſuffer together, ſo ſhall we be glorified together. The which Spirit of adoption is oppoſed to the Spirit of bondage, and freeing vsus from all ſeruile feare, doth inueſt vsus with the priuiledge, and together with it the peace of ſecuritie of the Children of God. And this Spirit alſo is accompanyed with an whole Armie of ſpirituall Graces, which taking vp, and (as it were) manning the Fort of our hearts, doe keepe them and vsus ſafe and ſecure in all aſſaults of danger, and the ſpirituall encounters of tentations, ſo as they ſhall neuer bee able to make vsus fall away, or alienate vsus from Gods vſe. So the Apoſtle Peter telleth vsus, that if we giuegive all diligence 2. Pet 1. 5, 6, 10.to make our Calling and Election ſure, by adding one Grace and Vertue to another; this golden Chaine will ſo keepe and ſtrengthen vsus, that we ſhall neuer fall, that is, neither from the eſtate of Grace in this life, into the ſtate of ſinne and death; nor from our aſſurance of the ſtate of Glorie, in the life to come, into that miſerable condition of condemnation and deſtruction.
§. 3 Of the particular cauſes of ſpirituall ſecuritie, firſt, ſauing knowledge.
But beſides theſe Graces in generall, there are ſpeciall Graces, which are the cauſes of this ſpirituall Securitie, both becauſe the promiſe of it is made by God vntounto them, and becauſe in this reſpect wee become capable of it, and fit to apprehend and receiue it when the Lord in mercy beſtoweth it vponupon vsus. The firſt of theſe, is the ſauing Knowledge and remembrance of God and his ſauing Attributes, of Wiſedome, Power, All-ſufficiency, Mercy, Goodneſſe, LoueLove and Truth; not onelyonly as they are infinitely in God, and of his Eſſence and Nature; but as they extend and are exerciſed towards vsus. For when we acknowledge and remember, that God is infinite in all goodneſſe and perfection, is our God, and we his Seruants and Children; that he is infinite in wiſedome, and knoweth what is beſt for vsus, how to preuent all dangers, to ſupply moſt fitly and fully all our wants, and to deliuer vsus moſt ſeaſonably from all euill both of ſinne and puniſhment; that he is infinite in power and able to doe whatſoeuer he will, and can at pleaſure deſtroy our Enemies, and defeate all their projects and purpoſes, and arme vsus with ſtrength in our greateſt weakneſſe, ſo as we ſhall be able to ouer-come them, and withſtand all their tentations; that he is al-ſufficient, and by himſelfe able to ſupply all our wants, as well without as with meanes; and a rich portion, which is ſufficient to make them who inioy him happy, in the abſence of all earthly good and preſence of all temporall miſeries; that he is infinite in mercy, goodneſſe and louelove towards vsus in Chriſt, and therefore as willing, as able to doe that for vsus, which he knoweth to be beſt, and moſt fit to make vsus eternally happy, and that he is alſo infinite in truth, moſt infallibly verifying and accompliſhing his Word and gracious Promiſes, made vntounto vsus of Grace and Glorie, temporall protection and euerlaſting ſaluation; then doe wee caſt our ſelues ſecurely vponupon his prouidence, for ſupply of all our wants, protection from all dangers, and deliuerance out of all miſeries and afflictions. So that as carnall ſecuritie is cauſed through the ignorance and forgetfulneſſe of God and his Attributes; ſo Chriſtian ſecuritie, which is oppoſite vntounto it, is cauſed by the knowledge, acknowledgement, and remembrance of them.
§. 4 The ſecond cauſe, a liuely Faith in Chriſt.
The ſecond cauſe which produceth this ſpirituall ſecuritie, as the fruit and effect of it, is a liuely faith in Chriſt, and firme affiance and Rom. 5. 1, 3.confidence in God. For being iuſtified by Faith, we hauehave peace with God, and peace of Conſcience, and with them inward ſecuritie and ſpirituall ioy, euen in afflictions and tribulations. So being by Faith ingrafted into Chriſt, and become members of his body, we may be ſecure in his power and protection, aſſuring our ſelues that hee will preſerue his owne members from all euill, prouide for them all neceſſaries, and defend them from the malice and power of all Enemies, ſo as they ſhall not be able to hurt and deſtroy them, which were to ſuffer a mayme in his owne bleſſed Body. If we by Faith relye our ſelues vponupon this Rocke of ſtrength, then though the Rayne deſcend, and the Floods come, and the Winds blow and beate vponupon vsus, yet we are ſecure Matth. 7. 26.from all danger, becauſe wee cannot ſinke or fall being founded vponupon a Rocke. If wee beleeue Gods Promiſes of preſeruation and protection, there is no cauſe of feare in the greateſt extremities, becauſe we are ſure of helpe and deliuerance, which is certainly promiſed to all the faithfull, according to the ſaying of Iehoſaphat; Beleeue 2. Chron. 20. 20.in the Lord your God, ſo ſhall yee bee eſtabliſhed, beleeue his Prophets and yee ſhall proſper. If beleeuing in God we put our affiance in him, and caſt our ſelues wholly vponupon his prouidence and protection, this will worke in vsus this ſpirituall ſecuritie. For he that dwelleth in the ſecret of Pſal. 91. 1, 2, 3, &c.the moſt High, ſhall abide vnderunder the ſhadow of the Almightie. Hee that maketh the Lord his refuge, fortreſſe and truſt, ſhall bee deliuered from the ſnare of the Fowler, and from the noyſome peſtilence. Hee will couer him with his feathers, and vnderunder his wings ſhall he truſt, his Truth ſhall be his ſhield and buckler. He ſhall not be afraid for the terror by night, nor for the arrow that flyeth by day, &c. becauſe hee hath made the Lord his refuge, and the moſt high his habitation. There ſhall no euill befall him, neither ſhall any plague come neere his dwelling. For hee will giuegive his Angels charge ouer him, to keepe him in all his wayes, &c. If with Dauid we put our truſt in the Lord, wee ſhall not need to feare what Pſal. 56. 4.fleſh can doe vntounto vsus. If wee truſt in the Lord wee ſhall bee bleſſed, and Ier. 17. 7, 8.like a Tree planted by the Waters, that ſpreadeth out her Rootes by the Riuer, which ſhall not ſee when heate commeth, but her leafe ſhall bee greene, and ſhall not bee carefull in the yeere of drought, neither ſhall ceaſe from yeelding fruit.
§. 5 The third cauſe, Charitie.
The third cauſe of ſpirituall ſecuritie is Charitie; for (as the Apoſtle telleth vsus) there is no feare in louelove, but perfect louelove caſteth out feare; 1. Ioh. 4. 18. Col. 3. 14, 15.and if wee doe aboue all things put on charitie which is the bond of perfectneſſe, then alſo will the peace of God rule in our hearts, and worke in them this Chriſtian ſecuritie. For if wee truely louelove God, it is an euident ſigne vntounto vsus that he loueth vsus; for as the Apoſtle ſayth, Wee louelove him becauſe he loued vsus first; and being aſſured of Gods louelove, wee 1. Ioh. 4. 19.need not to doubt of his protection, whereby hee will keepe vsus from all euill; and of his prouidence watching ouer vsus, which will prouide for vsus all things neceſſarie. And finally, if wee vnfainedly louelove the Lord, then may we be ſecure in all dangers, and in the middeſt of all troubles and croſſes, becauſe the Lord through his infinite wiſedome and power will cauſe all things, euen afflictions themſelues, to worke together for good to them that louelove him; and will ſo weaken the Rom. 8. 28, 35.ſtrength of them, that they ſhall neuer be able to ſeparate vsus from the louelove of Chriſt.
§. 6 The fourth cauſe, the true feare of God.
The fourth cauſe is, the true feare of God, for this feare remooueth all other feares whatſoeuer, and if with filiall affection wee feare God Pſal. 34. 9.as Sonnes, we may thereby be freed from the ſeruile feare of Slaues. So alſo this feare of God will free vsus from feare of Men, and the feare of our Creator will quite expell the feare of the Creature. It will free vsus from feare of all danger of euill, ſeeing nothing ſhall be able to hinder our happineſſe. For, Bleſſed is the man that feareth the Lord; hee ſhall not be mooued for euer, but ſhall be had in euerlaſting remembrance. Pſal. 112. 1, 6, 7.He ſhall not be afraid of any euill tidings, his heart is fixed truſting in the Lord. His heart is eſtabliſhed, he ſhall not be afraid, vntill he ſee his deſire vponupon his enemies.
The fift cauſe is, Iuſtice and righteouſneſſe both in our hearts, words and actions: becauſe, as the Wiſe-man ſayth, He that walketh vprightly walketh ſurely: for, the righteous ſhall neuer be remooued, and there Pro. 10 9, 10. & 12. 21.ſhall no euill happen vntounto the iuſt. And that becauſe the Lord watcheth ouer them, to deliuer them in the time of danger, and prouide for them in the time of want. For, as the Pſalmiſt ſaith, The eyes of the Pſal. 34. 15. 1. Pet. 3. 12.Lord are vponupon the Righteous, and his eares are open to heare their crie; ſo that, none ſhall bee able to harme vsus, if we follow that which is good. And vntounto them hee hath made his promiſes of peace and protection. The worke of righteouſneſſe ſhall be peace, and the effect of righteouſneſſe quietneſſe and aſſurance for euer; and my people ſhall dwell in a peaceable Eſa. 32. 17.habitation, and in ſure dwellings, and in quiet reſting places. And againe: In righteouſneſſe thou ſhalt be eſtabliſhed; thou ſhalt be farre from oppreſſion, for thou ſhalt not feare, and from terrour, for it ſhall not come neere Eſa. 54. 14.thee. In aſſurance of which promiſes, the righteous is bold as a Lion, Pro. 28. 1.and diſdaineth to goe out of his way of iuſtice and godlineſſe, though he be affronted with many dangers, becauſe being armed with this breſt-plate of righteouſneſſe, he is aſſured they cannot hurt him.Eph. 6. 14.
§. 7 The laſt cauſe is new obedience.
The laſt cauſe of this ſpirituall ſecuritie is new obedience. For when like dutifull and louing children, we doe deſire and endeauour to doe the will of our heauenly Father, at all times and in all things, and perform as much as we are able, that obedience which his law requireth, not onelyonly in our outward actions, but alſo in our hearts and inward affections; and bewaile our wants and imperfections, when we come ſhort of that meaſure and degree which wee deſire to attaine vntounto, it will worke in our hearts a child-like confidence in the louelove of our God, and make vsus ſecurely to repoſe and caſt our ſelues in all eſtates and conditions vponupon his gratious prouidence, for the ſupplying of all our wants, protection from all dangers, and deliuerance out of all afflictions. And ſo much the rather, becauſe wee are hereby ſtrengthned in our Faith, and enabled to applie vntounto our ſelues all thoſe ſweet and comfortable promiſes which God hath made vntounto thoſe who bring foorth theſe fruits of new obedience; eſpecially thoſe which concerne ſpirituall peace and tranquillitie of mind, and this holy and Chriſtian ſecuritie. So the Lord promiſeth, That if wee will keepe his Statutes and Iudgements, wee ſhall dwell in the Land in Leuit. 25. 18, 19.ſafety. And in another place, That if we keepe his Statutes, and walke Chap. 26. 3, 5, 6.in his Commandements to doe them, the Lord with all other temporall benefits, promiſeth peace and ſafetie; and that wee ſhall lie downe and none ſhall make vsus affraid. And Zophar telleth vsus, that if wee prepare Iob 11. 13, 15, 19our hearts to ſeeke God, and ſtretch out our hands towards him, that then we ſhall be ſteadfaſt and without feare, lie downe ſecurely, and be freed from the feare of all things. So Wiſedome promiſeth, that who ſo hearken vntounto her, and obey her voice, they ſhall dwell ſafely, and ſhall Pro. 1. 33.be quiet from feare of euill. Yea, the Lord hath not onelyonly ſaid, but ſworne it, that all his redeemed ſhall worſhip and ſerue him without feare, Luk. 1. 74, 75.in holineſſe and righteouſneſſe before him all the dayes of their life.
§. 8 Of the effects of ſpirituall ſecuritie.
And theſe are the cauſes of this ſpirituall ſecuritie. The effects of it are quite contrarie to thoſe of carnall ſecuritie; for it doth not make vsus more ſlothfull and ſluggiſh in the ſeruice of God, but more watchfull ouer all our wayes, that wee may doe all things which are acceptable vntounto God, from whom wee enioy ſo great a bleſſing; and not commit any thing againſt knowledge and conſcience, which may diſturbe our ſweet peace, or depriue vsus of the inward ioy of this ſpirituall ſecuritie. It doth not make vsus more negligent and backward in holy duties, but to performe them with all diligence and chearfulneſſe, ſeeing wee walke in this way of godlineſſe without feare; and hauehave part of our heauenly wages in preſent pa…, peace of conſcience, ſpirituall ſecuritie, and ioy in the holy Ghoſt, which are the preludes and firſt beginnings of euerlaſting happineſſe. For, as the Apoſtle ſayth, The kingdome of God is not meat and drinke, but righteouſneſſe, Rom. 14. 17.and peace, and ioy in the holy Ghost. It freeth vsus from the bondage of the Law, which preſſeth from vsus the obedience of ſlaues, out of ſeruile Rom. 8. 15.feare of ſmart and puniſhment, and reſt…reth vsus to the glorious libertie of the ſonnes of God, yeelding ingen…ous and voluntarie obedience, out of meere louelove to our heauenly Fa…her. It taketh away all painfulneſſe and diſpleaſantneſſe in yeeldin… …eruice vntounto God, by taking away Legall feare, which (as the Apo…le ſayth) hath torment, 1. Ioh. 4. 18.and maketh Chriſts yoke eaſie, and his bur…hen light, when we feele his promiſe accompliſhed of giuing vntounto our ſoules this ſpirituall reſt. Matth. 11. 29.It preſerueth vsus from all iniquitie, eſpecially from ſpeaking lies, which is a baſe vice grounded on ſeruile feare, either of loſing ſome benefit, or ſuſtayning ſome euill or inconuenience, by incurring mans diſpleaſure in ſpeaking trueth. From which feare, Chriſtian ſecuritie freeing vsus, doth alſo keepe vsus from the vice of lying, which is the effect of it. According to that of the Prophet, The remnant of Iſrael ſhall not doe iniquitie, nor ſpeake lies, neither ſhall a deceitfull tongue be found in their …. 3. 13.mouth: for they ſhall feed and lie downe, and none ſhall make them afraid. It maketh vsus alſo with more conſtancie and patience, to indure afflictions and all troubles, when as wee are ſecure of the euent, and are aſſured that they ſhall all of them aduance our ſpirituall good and heauenly glorie. It worketh in vsus Chriſtian courage and reſolution, in reſiſting all the aſſaults of the enemies of our ſaluation, when a ſecurely reſting vponupon God his wiſedome, power, and prouidence, wee are aſſured for the preſent, that they ſhall not bee able by all their might and malice to doe vsus any hurt, and that the iſſue of this ſpirituall warfare will be our victorie here, and our triumph in glory in the life to come. Finally, it cauſeth vsus to bee more frequent and feruent in prayer, when as without ſeruile feare wee may approach into Gods Pſal. 145. 19.preſence, and with the libertie, boldneſſe, and confidence of ſonnes, make our ſuits and ſupplications vntounto him, in the mediation of Ieſus Chriſt, with confidence that he will heare vsus gratiouſly, and bountifully condiſcend vntounto our deſires. According to that of the Apoſtle, In whom we hauehave boldneſſe, or free libertie of ſpeaking, and acceſſe, with Eph. 3. 12.confidence by the faith of him. The which he vſeth as an effectuall argument, to make vsus more frequent and diligent in performing of this duties Let vsus therefore come boldly vntounto the Throne of grace, that we may Heb 4 16.obtaine merciemercy, and find grace to helpe in time of need. And thus much of the cauſes and effects of ſpirituall Securitie.
CHAP. III.
Of the meanes of ſpirituall Securitie, whereby it may bee obtayned, or preſerued and encreaſed.
§ 1 Th… …ſt m…s, highly to eſteeme it and …e i… … and in him.
NOw it followeth in the laſt place, that we ſet downe the meanes of obtayning and preſeruing this grace of Chriſtian ſecuritie. And firſt, if we would attaine vntounto this rich gift (which maketh vsus with ioy and comfort to enioy all other bleſſings, becauſe it ſecureth vsus of their fruition, quieteth our minds in the middeſt of all dangers, comforteth vsus againſt all afflictions, as a rich treaſury ſupplieth all our wants, and is vntounto vsus an impregnable Fort to keepe off all our ſpirituall enemies, and Armour of proofe to beate backe the darts of their tentations) wee muſt in our iudgements eſteem it according to the worth and value, in our hearts and affections louelove and deſire it, and ſo reſolue, with all care and good conſcience, to endeauour in the vſe of all good meanes whereby we may attaine vntounto it, and preſerue and cheriſh it when we hauehave gotten it. As firſt, if wee would hauehave the effect wrought in vsus, we muſt labour that the cauſes of it may bee effectuall in vsus to this purpoſe. And ſeeing God is the authour of this excellent gift, and that rich fountaine of all grace and goodneſſe, from which Iam. 1. 17. Matth. 7. 7. Ioh. 16. 23.flow theſe ſweet and ſtill ſtreames of Chriſtian ſecuritie, let vsus begge it at his hands by feruent prayer, who is no niggard of his gifts, but hath promiſed to giuegive them plentifully to all that aske them in the name of his Sonne. Yea, let vsus not only ſeeke this ſecuritie from him as the fountaine, but ground it on him onelyonly as the alone foundation of it. For there is nothing in our ſelues or any creature, whereupon it may ſafely and ſurely reſt, but onelyonly vponupon Gods infinite wiſedome, beholding vsus and all things, with all meanes and oportunities to preſerue vsus from all euill, and to conferre vponupon vsus all good; and his omnipotent power, whereby hee is able to doe whatſoeuer in his wiſedome hee knoweth to be beſt; vponupon his all-ſufficiencie, whereby hee ſufficeth vsus by himſelfe alone without all other helpe; his merciemercy and goodneſſe, whereby he is as willing and readie, as able to helpe vsus; and his promiſes and trueth, which aſſure vsus of his fauour, with all the fruits of it, and that he will neuer faile thoſe who by a liuely faith doe reſt vponupon them. And if wee ground our ſecuritie on this immooueable Rocke, then though wee be neuer ſo weake in our owne ſtrength, neuer ſo much encountred with dangers, and mightily aſſaulted with our many, ſtrong, and malitious enemies, yet may we retaine our ſecuritie, notwithſtanding all theſe difficulties, becauſe hee alone is able to ſupport vsus by his owne ſtrength, to preſerue vsus from and in all perils, and to giuegive vsus victorie ouer all our enemies.
§. 2 The ſecond meanes is, to labour to be in the number of Chriſt Diſciples, and of his flocke.
Secondly, if wee would hauehave this Legacie of ſpirituall ſecuritie which Chriſt hath left vsus, we muſt labour to be in the number of his Diſciples, vntounto whom alone it is bequeathed; to bee ſheepe of his flocke and fold, ouer whom he watcheth and taketh care, to protect them from all enemies, and to preſerue them from all dangers; and then we may be ſecure, ſeeing wee hauehave his promiſe, that he will giuegive vntounto vsus eternall life, that wee ſhall neuer periſh, and that no man ſhall Ioh. 10. 28.plucke vsus out of his hand. And if we hauehave the Lord for our ſhepheard, then may we with Dauid reſt ſecurely vponupon his prouidence, aſſuring Pſal. 23. 1. & 34. 10.our ſelues that if we liue at his finding, we ſhall want nothing. Then may we ſafely lie downe in the greene paſtures, and be led by him by thoſe ſtill waters of peace and ſecuritie; yea, though he lead vsus into places of feare and danger, euen through the valley of the ſhadow of death, yet may we be ſecure and feare no euill, ſeeing hee is with vsus, and with his rod and ſtaffe doth comfort vsus. Yea, wee muſt labour after a neerer vnion with Chriſt, and to be eſpouſed vntounto him, and then wee being his Spouſe, and hee being our Bridegroome, wee may reſt ſecurely vnderunder his powerfull protection, ſeeing by the inſtitution and law of marriage, he is bound both to defend and prouide for vsus; and becauſe hee that toucheth vsus, toucheth him; hee that offereth any iniurie vntounto vsus, doth offer it (as it were) to his owne perſon: then may we with the Spouſe in the Canticles, ſit downe ſecurely vnderunder his ſhadow Cant. 2. 3, 6.with great delight, and ſleepe in ſafetie, when his left hand is vnderunder our head, and his right hand doth embrace vsus. Or if we would be neerer vntounto him for our greater ſafetie and ſecuritie, let vsus labour to become members of his bleſſed body, vnited vntounto him by his holy Spirit and a liuely faith; ſeeing then there will be no place for feare, becauſe hee that toucheth vsus, toucheth the apple of his eye; hee that doth Zach. 2. 8.vsus any hurt, hurteth and offereth violence againſt his owne bodie; and he that ſeeketh to plucke vsus from him, ſhall goe about an impoſſible worke, euen to plucke a member from the bodie of Chriſt, which he tenderly loueth, ſeeing he hath all power in heauen and earth committed vntounto him, ſo as no creature is able to preuaile againſt him.
§. 3 The third meanes is, that we labour to be in the Couenant of Grace.
Thirdly, if wee would obtayne this ſpirituall ſecuritie, wee muſt labour to be within the compaſſe of the couenant of Grace, which God hath made with vsus in Ieſus Chriſt. For ſuch onelyonly as are in the Couenant, hauehave right vntounto the Promiſes of Gods grace and prouidence, watching ouer them, for the endowing them with all good, and of his power and protection to ſhield and defend them from all euill. Such onelyonly hauehave God for their Lord and King, and are the peculiar People and Subiects of his Kingdome, ouer whom hee hath taken charge, and receiued them vnderunder the ſafegard of his protection. As for others, they are ſtrangers vntounto him, whom he reſpecteth not; yea, they are no better then Rebels and Out-lawes, who hauehave no benefit by his protection, and therefore can hauehave in them no true ſecuritie, but may well feare with Cain, that being exiled out of Gods preſence, they ſhall be like Fugitiues and Vagabonds vponupon the earth, and that it ſhall come to Gen. 4. 14.paſſe, that eueryevery one that findeth them ſhall be ready to ſlay them. Whereas if we hauehave the Seale of the Couenant ſtamped vponupon vsus, we are thereby ſecured from all euill; for when the deſtroying Angell is purpoſely ſent from God to ſpoile and make hauocke of all, yet his commiſſion is reſtrayned, ſo as hee may not hurt thoſe which are in the Couenant, but thoſe onelyonly who hauehave not the Seale of God in their foreheads. Now the meanes to be in this Couenant with God, is to performe the Apoc. 7. 3. & 9. 4.condition of Faith, bringing forth the fruits thereof in heartie repentance and amendment of life; which wee muſt therefore aboue all things labour after, that we may hauehave intereſt in the former priuileges. And becauſe through our frailtie and infirmitie, we are apt to wound and weaken our Faith by our ſinnes; and this ſhield is oftentimes ſhrewdly battered, with beating backe the fierie darts and bullets of Satans tentations: And our repentance alſo is ready to grow faint and languiſh, both in reſpect of our griefe for ſinne paſt, and reſolution to leaue and forſake it for the time to come; and ſo by weakning the Couenant, not in it ſelfe, but in our apprehenſion, wee are ready to loſe our inward peace, and to hauehave our ſecuritie diſturbed with feares; therefore as we often ſinne, ſo doth it become vsus often to renew our Couenant with God, by renuing the condition of Faith and Repentance, that ſo alſo with them wee may renew our ſecuritie, according to that in Iob; If iniquity be in thine hand, put it farre away, and let not Iob 11. 14, 15, 18, 19.wickedneſſe dwell in thy Tabernacles. For then thou ſhalt lift vp thy face without ſpot; yea, thou ſhalt be ſteadfast, and ſhalt not feare. And thou ſhalt be ſecure becauſe there is hope; yea, thou ſhalt digge about thee, and thou ſhalt take thy reſt in ſafetie. Alſo thou ſhalt lye downe and none ſhall make thee afraid; yea, many ſhall make ſuite vntounto thee.
§. 4 The fourth meanes is, to labour to hauehave the cauſes of it in vsus. As, firſt, the Spirit of adoption, and the chayne of ſauing graces.
Fourthly, if we would hauehave ſpirituall ſecuritie, we muſt indeauour by all meanes to hauehave thoſe cauſes of it in our ſelues, of which I hauehave ſpoken. As firſt, the Spirit of adoption, whereby being aſſured that we are Gods children through Chriſt, we may ſecurely reſt vponupon the prouidence and promiſes of our heauenly Father, for the prouiding of all things neceſſarie, for the ſupplying of all our wants, preſeruation from all dangers, and protection from all enemies. For if earthly Parents, according to their power, performe all theſe things to their children, ſo as they are ſecure and without feare, when they are in the ſight and preſence of their able friends; how much more will our heauenly Father, who infinitely exceeds them in power and louelove? For if he be ſo infinitely gracious, that he preſerueth thoſe which are ſtrangers vntounto him, how much more thoſe who are of his owne Family? if hee doth good vntounto all, how much more thoſe who are of the Matth. 5. 45. Gal. 6. 10.houſe-hold of Faith? if he prouideth for the yong Lions and Rauens that call vponupon them, and richly clotheth the Lillies and Flowres of Matth. 6. 26. 30.the Field, how much more will hee defend and preſerue, feede and clothe his owne Children, whom hee hath loued ſo deerly, that hee Rom. 8. 32.hath not ſpared to giuegive his beſt beloued and onelyonly begotten Sonne to the death for their redemption and ſaluation? So alſo we muſt labour after the gifts and graces of the Spirit, which hauehave the promiſes of Gods protection made vntounto them; ſo that if we hauehave them, we may be ſecure in his helpe and aſſiſtance, becauſe if he be with vsus, it mattereth Rom. 8 31.not who oppoſe againſt vsus; if we are deſtitute of them, then being hopeleſſe and helpleſſe, there is no place for peace and ſecuritie. Againe, theſe ſauing graces are the only meanes whereby we may make our Calling and Election ſure; which if we doe, no worldly thing can 2. Pet. 1. 10.diſturbe our peace, or dampe our ioy; but if for want of them wee want alſo this aſſurance, how can wee hauehave any roome in our hearts for ſecuritie to lodge in, ſeeing they are wholly taken vp with feares and doubtings? or at leaſt with carnall ſecuritie which keeps all quiet, becauſe it ſhuts our eyes, and benummeth all our ſenſes, ſo as we cannot ſee nor feele our danger? Finally, theſe vertues and ſpirituall graces are our Chriſtian armour, which being buckled vntounto vsus, is of high proofe, to preſerue vsus in ſafetie againſt all aſſaults of enemies, that would diſturbe our peace; but if they be wanting, then like the Iſraelites Exod. 32. 25.we are naked, diſ-armed of Gods aſſiſtance, diſ-furniſhed of all munition and weapons, wherby we might make any reſiſtance againſt the encounters of our ſpirituall enemies, and ſo an eaſie prey to be ſeazed on, and led captiue by them.
§. 5 The fift means is, to labour to be indued with thoſe peciall ſauing graces, which are the cauſes of, firſt, knowledge and remembrance of God and his Attributes. Secondly, A liuely Faith.
More eſpecially if we would vſe the meanes, whereby wee may in ioy this Chriſtian ſecuritie, wee muſt labour to know, acknowledge and remember Gods ſauing Attributes, as he exerciſeth them towards vsus for our good, as his Wiſedome, Power, All-ſufficiencie, Mercy, Goodneſſe, Truth and the Reſt. For theſe are the foundation and ground of this ſecuritie, vponupon which it is built and reſteth; of which if we are ignorant or forgetfull, it is no more poſſible for this Fort of ſecuritie to be erected in vsus; then to ſet vp a goodly building without a foundation, or to make it durable, if it be ſeated without other ſupport, vponupon the Moores or Sands. In the ſecond place, let vsus labour after a liuely and iuſtifying Faith, which is the condition of the Couenant, vponupon which alone all our ſafetie and ſecuritie reſteth and relyeth; the alone inſtrument which vniteth vsus vntounto Chriſt, and the only hand by which we receiue all Gods promiſes, and the fruits and benefits which doe accompanie them. Finally, that impenetrable ſhield which repelleth all the fierie darts of Satan, and maketh vsus vndanted and without feare; when wee are encountred with his tentations. And therefore if we be indued with Faith, there is cauſe enough why we ſhould be ſecure, ſeeing we are in Couenant with God, and by vertue thereof, vnderunder his protection, the members of Chriſt who is ſo armed with power, that all the malice of the Deuill and power of Hell, are not able to vanquiſh or doe vsus any hurt; and hauehave all our vitall parts couered with a ſhield of proofe, which cannot be pierced with all the Darts of Satans tentations. Thirdly, let vsus vſe all good meanes, to Thirdly, Affiance in God.hauehave our hearts comforted and confirmed, with firme affiance and confidence in God, which is a fruit of the former grace, wherewith if we be indued, the Lord will be the Rocke of our refuge, our Sanctuarie Pſal. 18. 1, 2. & 144. 2.and Caſtle of ſtrength, vntounto which if we flee in the time of danger, we may inioy ſafetie and ſecuritie. For the God in whom wee truſt is able to ſupply all our wants, to preſerue vsus in the day of danger, and to defeate and bring to nought all the plots and practiſes of all our enemies; and if we make him our hope and confidence, he will be our ſtrength and tower, and he will ſo watch ouer vsus with his prouidence, that we may ſleepe ſecurely vnderunder the ſhadow of his wings. Fourthly, Fourthly, LoueLove of God.let vsus ſeeke with all earneſtneſſe, to hauehave our hearts inflamed with that heauenly fire of Gods louelove, which being but a reflection or little ſparke of his diuine louelove towards vsus, will be an euident ſigne to aſſure vsus of it. And this louelove of God in vsus and towards vsus, will worke in vsus ſpirituall ſecuritie in the aſſurance of Gods protection, who ſo loueth vsus and whom we ſo louelove; and this filiall affection, when we finde and feele it in vsus, will caſt out all ſeruile feare, and make vsus bold and confident in the ſenſe and apprehenſion of his fauour towards vsus, knowing that hee who ſo deerely loueth vsus is all-ſufficient in wiſedome and power, to turne all things to our good, and to make all our afflictions and tentations, our Enemies power and our owne weakneſſe, to become helpes and furtherances to our ſaluation. Fiftly, if wee would Fiftly, The feare of God.hauehave this ſpirituall ſecuritie, we muſt by all meanes cleanſe our hearts from carnall ſecuritie, and nouriſh in them the true feare of God. For as well may we accord Light and Darkneſſe, Fire and Water, Good and Euill, as ſpirituall ſecuritie with that which is carnall. Whereas contrariwiſe, the true feare of God dwelling in vsus, will baniſh all other feares, and make vsus ſecure in thoſe gracious Promiſes, which the Lord hath made vntounto all that feare him: as namely, that there ſhall bee nothing Pſal. 34. 9. & 145. 19.wanting vntounto them, and that hee will fulfull the deſire of them that feare him, and will heare their crie and ſaue them. So that if they be not ſhort in deſiring ſafetie and ſecuritie, the Lord will not be ſlow to grant it, or though they ſhould be wanting vntounto themſelues in this regard, yet the Lord will not be wanting vntounto them, ſeeing he is both willing and able to doe exceeding abundantly, aboue that wee can either Eph. 3. 20.aske or thinke. Sixtly, if we deſire this ſecuritie, we muſt labour, that Sixtly, Chriſtian righteouſneſſe.wee may be alwayes found clothed with the garment of righteouſneſſe, both the imputed righteouſneſſe of Chriſt applied by faith, which doth perfectly free vsus from all danger, and bring with it peace Rom. 5. 1.of conſcience and ioy in the holy Ghoſt; and inherent righteouſneſſe and holineſſe wrought in vsus by vertue of Chriſts death and reſurrection, whereby wee are entitled vntounto all the promiſes of Gods grace and protection made vntounto the righteous, and among the reſt vntounto them eſpecially which concerne our ſafetie and ſecuritie, of which I hauehave before ſpoken. Seuenthly, (which is like vntounto the former) wee Seuenthly, New obedience.muſt ſtudie and indeauour to performe vntounto God, in lieu of thankfulneſſe for all his benefits, new obedience; not that of the Law which is impoſſible, but Euangelicall which is the obedience of faith: when hauing reſpect vntounto all Gods Commandements wee labour to walke in them with ſincere and vpright hearts, and with conſtancie and perſeuerance Pſal. 119. 6.vntounto the end. And if wee thus ſeeke out this old and good Ier. 6. 16.way, it will bring vsus to this reſt of ſpirituall ſecuritie which we labour after. If we take this ſweet and eaſie yoke of Euangelicall obedience, and hating all Phariſaicall pride, learne of Chriſt to bee meeke and lowly in heart, we hauehave his gratious promiſe for it, that wee ſhall find Matt. 11. 28, 29.this rest for our ſoules. If we approue our ſelues to be the children of our heauenly Father, by hauing his image of holineſſe and righteouſneſſe ſtamped on vsus, and by yeelding in all things obedience to his Will, that ſo we may be acceptable in his ſight, then will hee giuegive vsus the ſpirit of adoption, which will caſt out all ſeruile feare, and giuegive vsus much confidence, boldneſſe and ſecuritie in the aſſurance of his louelove.
§. 6 The ſixt meanes, contempt of the World.
The ſixt meanes to enioy this ſpirituall ſecuritie is, to caſt out of our hearts all carnall louelove of earthly things, and ſo to contemne the world and worldly vanities, as that we can be content, if God ſo pleaſeth, to leaue them as well as enioy them. For if hauing our deſires mortified to the world, wee hauehave learned with the Apoſtle Paul, In whatſoeuer ſtate wee are therewith to be content: If wee know how to bee Phil. 4. 12.abaſed, and how to abound, and bee eueryevery where, and in all things inſtructed, both to be full and to be hungrie, both to abound and to ſuffer need: then may we in a great part be freed from all carnall feare, and both ſecurely enioy theſe tranſitorie things when God giueth them, becauſe it will not much trouble vsus if it bee his pleaſure to take them away; and alſo ſecurely want them, when God ſcanteth vsus of them, becauſe our deſires and hopes are moderate after their fruition. For our feares hold a proportion with our louelove and hope, neither can they Defines timere, ſi ſperare deſieris. Seneca.be little if theſe be great, nor contrariwiſe exceſſiue and immoderate, if theſe tempered and ouerruled with reaſon and religion. And therefore if our hearts be weaned from the louelove of earthly things, then may we hold them (as children their birds which they are wearie of) in our open hands, being ſecure and careleſſe, whether they ſtay with vsus, or (as Salomon ſpeaketh) like the Eagle betake themſelues to their Pro. 23. 5.wings and flee away. But if our affections and louelove bee ſtill fixed and faſtned on them, then will wee be vnwilling to leaue them, and ſo alwayes Nemo ſecu…us eſt in his bonis que poteſt inuitus a…tere. Auguſt de lib. arbit.in feare, leſt they be taken from vsus. For (as one ſayth) no man can be ſecure in the fruition of that, which he is altogether vnwilling to loſe and forgoe.
§. 7 The ſeuenth meanes to keepe our hearts vpright, and our conſciences pure.
The fift meanes of ſpirituall ſecuritie is, to keepe our hearts vpright, and our conſciences pure and vndefiled from ſinne; eſpecially from ſuch ſinnes as are committed, not through ignorance and infirmitie, but againſt knowledge and conſcience. Or if we hauehave fallen into any ſuch, our ſecond care muſt bee to ariſe out of them and forſake them, and to purge our conſciences by bathing them in the blood of Chriſt by Faith, and in the teares of vnfayned repentance. For the Hic murus aben…us eſto ni… conſcire ſibi, nulla palleſcere cul a Hor…t. epiſt. l. 1. Epiſt▪ 1.conſcience is of the nature of the eye, it muſt be kept cleane, and then it will be cheerfull and quiet; but if we nouriſh in it willingly the leaſt ſinnes (as it were little Motes in our ſight) it will ſmart and rage, and neuer bee quiet till they bee caſt out. And ſo long as we doe thus preſerue the peace of a good conſcience, wee may bee ſecure and without Exemplo quodcu… que malo committitur, ipſi diſplicet authori: prima haec eſt vltio quod ſe iudice nemo nocens ab …oluitur improba quam…is gratia fallacis prae…oris vicerit vrna. Iuvenal. Satyr. 13.feare, becauſe we hauehave alſo peace with God, For if our heart condemne vsus not, then hauehave wee confidence towards. God (as the Apoſtle ſpeaketh) and whatſoeuer we aske we receiue of him, becauſe we keepe his Commandements, and doe thoſe things which are pleaſing in his ſight. But if our heart condemne vsus (then will not God acquit vsus) for hee is greater then our heart, and knoweth all things. So that onelyonly the pure conſcience can be the ſecure conſcience; for ſinne is the onelyonly cauſe of feare, and therefore if i… be purged away, there is no place for feare to lodge in. But if ſinne remayne and defile the heart and conſcience, there is no 1. Ioh. 4. 20, 21.roome for ſecuritie; for how can a man be ſecure, that by guilt of ſinne is liable to Gods diſpleaſure, and hath broken the peace with him? Quid prodeſt recondere ſe & oculos hominum a…reſ que vitare? bona conſcientia turbam aduocat, mala etiam in ſolitudine anxia atque ſollicita eſt: ſi honeſta ſunt quae facis, omnes ſciant. Si turpia, quid refert neminem ſcire, cum tuſcias? O te miſerum ſi contemn… hunc teſtem. Senec. Epiſt. 43. Socrates interrega…us qui ſecurè viuerent? qui inquit nihil ſibi conſciunt mali. Max. in ſerm. de Curioſ. Securitatis magna portio eſt nihil imqui facere, &c. Senec. Epiſt. 105.how can he not be full of feare, that is daily in danger to be attached with his iudgements; and to beare the deſerued puniſhment of his ſinne? And this the Heathens ſaw by the light of nature, namely, that Guilt and Feare, Innocency and Securitie, like inſeparable companions accompanie one another. For one being asked who they were that liued ſecurely, anſwered, They onelyonly who were not conſcious vntounto themſelues of any euill. And another affirmeth, that it is a great portion of ſecuritie to doe nothing vniuſtly; in which regard men of might lead a life confuſed and diſturbed, becauſe looke how much they hurt, and ſo much alſo they feare. For though a man may be ſafe for the preſent, hauing an euill conſcience, yet hee can neuer bee ſecure; and though when he ſinneth he be not taken with the manner, yet he is alwayes in feare of being taken. He is troubled in his ſleepe, and whileſt any mans wickedneſſe is ſpoken of, he thinketh of his owne; and though the guiltie may hauehave the hap to bee hid, yet cannot they hauehave the confidence of it.
§. 8 The laſt means is, Chriſtian watchfulneſſe and often examination of our eſtates.
The laſt meanes of ſecuritie is, to keepe a narrow watch ouer all our wayes, and often to examine our eſtates, & to caſt vp our accounts betweene God and vsus, and when we find that we are caſt behind hand, to plead Chriſts payment by a liuely Faith, that ſo wee may get our Quietus eſt, and hauehave the Hand-writing of the Law cancelled and nayled to his Croſſe. For this ſecuritie is not cauſed like that which is carnall, by negligence and ſloth, but by care and watchfulneſſe; For then may wee ſecurely expect our ſummons to come to Gods Audit, when like the wiſe Steward we find the Booke of our reckonings iuſt and ſtraight. Then may we with much peace and cheerfulneſſe be called to giuegive vp our accounts, when wee find, that wee hauehave profitably imployed our Maſters talents, and hauehave encreaſed them fiue or ten fold, by putting them out to the vſe of our Lord; that is, the aduancement of his glorie, and good of our fellow ſeruants. Then may wee with the wiſe Virgins ſecurely expect the comming of our Bridegroome, though through naturall heauineſſe, we be ſometimes ouertaken with drowſineſſe, and take a nap, if we doe in our vſuall courſe ſtand vponupon our watch, and hauehave the Lamps of a Chriſtian profeſſion, repleniſhed and trimmed with the inward oyle of Faith, and all other ſauing Graces, and the outward light of good works and a godly and righteous life; ſeeing when hee commeth wee ſhall enter with him into the bridall Chamber, and there ſolace our ſelues in his louelove, and in the fruition of thoſe ineſtimable and eternall ioyes which he hath prepared for vsus; the which he grant vntounto vsus, that hath deerly bought them for vsus, Ieſus Chriſt the Righteous; to whom with the Father and the holy Spirit, three Perſons, and one Immortall, Inuiſible, onelyonly wiſe and infinitely good God, be aſcribed al glorie and prayſe, power, maieſtie and dominion, both now and for euer more.
AMEN.
Trin-vni Deo gloria.
FINIS.
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End of the text · John Downame, A Guide to Godliness (1622)