The Sovereign and Final Happiness of Man with Means to Obtain it, Chapter 6
CHAP. VI.
Our Choice must be Constant. Perseverance in a holy Life absolutely required in order to attaining the Reward. The various Temptations that assault Christians, to divert them from the pursuit of Heaven. The Reason why Perseverance is necessary. Cautions against Presumption, and a vicious dejection of Spirit.
I Shall proceed next to consider that our Choice must be firm and lasting, victorious over all Temptations.
The two principal Rules of the Spiritual Life are to begin and end well: to fix and establish the main design for Everlasting Happiness, and from a determinate Resolution and ratified purpose of Heart to pursue it with firmness and constancy: to live for Heaven, and with readiness and courage to dye for it, if the Glory of God so require. Perseverance is indispensably necessary in all that will obtain the Eternal Reward.
For the clearing this most important Point, I will first represent from Scripture the Idea of Perseverance, that is attended with Salvation. Secondly, Confider why 'tis so strictly required.
I. Saving Perseverance includes the permanent residence of Grace in the Soul: 'Tis composed of the whole Chain of Graces, the union of holy habits that are at first infused into a Christian by the sanctifying Spirit. When Eternal Life is promised to Faith, or Love, or Hope, 'tis upon supposal that those Graces being planted in the Heart shall finally prosper.Rev. 2. He that is faithful to the Death, shall inherit the Crown of Life. 1 Cor. 13.'Tis Love that never fails that shall enter into Heaven. 'Tis hope firm unto the end that shall be accomplished in a glorious Fruition. If Grace be disseised by a usurping Lust, Apostacy will follow, and the forfeiture of our right in the Kingdom of Heaven.
2. Grace must be continually drawn forth into exercise according to our several states and duties, and the various occasions that happen in our course through the World. Those who are light in the Lord are commanded to walk as Children of the Light; to signify the excellency and purity of the Christian Life. Those who live in the Spirit must walk in the Spirit; that is, by a conspicuous course of Holiness declare the vigour and efficacy of the divine principle that is communicated to them. Paulum sepultae distat inertiae celata virtus: Virtue that breaks not forth into visible Actions is not worthy of the Name. The meer abstaining from evil is not sufficient, but all the positive acts of the holy Life are to be constantly done. In discharging both these parts of our Duty, compleat Religion is exprest, and the power of Grace consists.
3. Perseverance includes not only continuance in well-doing, but fervour and progress towards Perfection. There are two fixt States, the one in Heaven, the other in Hell. The blessed Spirits above are arrived to the height of Holiness. The Devil and damned Spirits are sunck to the lowest extremity of Sin. But in the middle state here, Grace in the Saints is a rising growing Light, and Sin in the Wicked improves every day, like Poison in a Serpent that becomes more deadly by his Age. We are injoined not to remain in our first Imperfections, but to follow Holiness to the utmost issue of our Lives, to its intire consummation. For this end all the dispensations of Providence must be improved whether prosperous or afflicting. And the Ordinances of the Gospel were appointed that in the use of them we may be changed into the divine Image from Glory to Glory.
4. Perseverance is required notwithstanding all Temptations that may allure or terrify us from our Duties; what ever affects us one way or other, while we are cloathed with frail Flesh. 'Tis the fundamental Principle of Christianity declared by our Saviour, If any Man will come after me, that is, be my Disciple, and Servant, let him deny himself, and take up his Cross and follow me; even to be crucified with him, rather than wilfully forfeit his Integrity and Loyalty to Christ. He must by a*Natator amnem interpositum superaturus, exuitur, nec tamen hoc tanto apparatu, quod se dispoliaverit, transnatabit, nisi totius Corporis nisu torrentis impetum scindat, & laborem natationis exhauriat. Paulin. Rom. 2. Mat. 10. 22▪ sacred fixt resolution devest himself of all things, even the most valued and desireable in the present World, and actually forsake them, nay entertain what is most distasteful, and resist unto Blood rather than desert his Duty.
1. He must with unfainting Patience continue in doing his Duty, notwithstanding all Miseries and Calamities, Losses, Disgraces, Torments or Death it self, which wicked Men, and greater Enemies, the Powers of Darkness, can inflict upon us. To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for Glory, Honour and Immortality, Eternal Life is promised. He that endures to the End (notwithstanding the most terrible Sufferings to which he is exposed for Christ's sake) shall be saved. In this a Christian must be the express image of his Saviour, who for the joy that was set before him endured the Cross; despised the shame, and is set down at the right hand of God. Disgrace and Pain are Evils that humane Nature has a most tender sence of, yet the Son of God with a divine generosity and constancy endured them in the highest degrees. He was scorn'd as a feigned King, and a false Prophet. He suffered a bloody Death, and by the Cross ascended to Glory. And we must follow him, if we desire to be where he is.
2. But this is not the only trial of a Christian. Prosperity is a more dangerous Enemy to the Soul, though Adversity be more rigorous.
Saevior armis
Incumbit luxuria:
For the Spirit is excited by Perils and Difficulties to seek to God for Strength,Juven. and with vigilant resolute▪ Thoughts unites all its Powers to oppose them; but 'tis made weak and careless by what is grateful to the sensual Inclinations. It keeps close the Spiritual Armour in the open encounter of Dangers that threaten its ruin, but is inticed to put it off by the caresses and blandishments of the World. It does not see its Enemies under the disguise of a pleasant Temptation. Thus Sin insinuates its self, and by stealing steps gets into the Throne without observation. A Man is wounded with a pleasant Temptation as with the Plague, that flies in the dark, and Grace is insensibly weaken'd. From hence it is that Adversity often reforms the Vicious, and Prosperity corrupts the Vertuous. Now Perseverance must be of proof against Fire and Water, against what ever may terrify or allure us from our duty.
5. Saving Perseverance excludes not all Sins, but total Apostacy, and final impenitency, which are fatal and deadly under the New Covenant. If the Righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth Iniquity, Eze. 18. 24▪and doth according to all the Abominations that the wicked Man doth, shall he live? all his Righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned, in his Trespass that he has trespassed, and in his Sin that he hath sinned he shall die. If any Man draw back, Heb. 10. 38▪my Soul shall have no pleasure in him, saith the Lord. These Threatnings imply, there is a possibility of the Saints falling away considered in themselves, but not that they are ever totally deserted by the Holy Spirit, and left under the reigning Power of Sin. The Threatnings are intended to awaken their Care, and are Preservatives of them from Ruine, and have a singular Influence on their Perseverance. A vigilant and cautious Fear establishes the certainty of their Hope. Indeed from the Reliques of weakness and corruption in the Saints, they sometimes actually fall into presumptuous Sins, and by rebellious relapses wound Conscience, and let out much of the vital Spirits, their Graces and Comforts. But though the divine Nature in them is miserably wasted by such Sins, yet 'tis not abolisht. As after the Creation of Light, there was never pure and total Darkness in the World. Grace does not consist in a Point, but is capable of Degrees. The new Creature may decline in Beauty and Strength, yet Life remain. Between a lively and a dead Faith there may be a fainting Faith; as in St. Peter, for certainly our Saviour was heard in his Prayer for him, that his Faith should not fail in his dreadful Temptation. The Saints do not by a particular fall extinguish the first living Principles of Obedience, Faith and Love; nor change their last end by an entire turning from God to the World. In short, a single act of Wickedness does not reduce them into a state of Unregeneracy: for 'tis not the matter of the Sin singly considered, but the disposition of the Sinner that denominates him. If Grace in the Saints should utterly perish, as some boldly assert, their recovery would be impossible. For the Apostle tells us, that if those who were enlightned, and had tasted of the Heavenly Gift, that had been under some common Workings and lower Operations of the Spirit, if such fall away universally, and live in a course of Sin opposite to their former illuminations and resolutions, it is impossible to renew them by Repentance; how much more then if those who were truly sanctified by the holy Spirit, should intirely lose all those gracious habits planted in them in their Regeneration? But David, though guilty of Adultery and Murder, Sins of so foul a Nature as would dishonour Paganism it self, and made the Enemies of God to blaspheme, was restored by Repentance. The Gospel propounds a remedy not only for Sins committed before Conversion, but after it. If any Man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous. God does not revoke the Adoption, nor reverse the Justification of a Believer: but upon scandalous disorders, a Pardon is not granted with respect to the new contracted Guilt, till there be sincere and actual Repentance. He is not disinherited, but his right to the Kingdom of Heaven is eclipsed as to the comfortable sence of it, nay suspended, till by renovation he is qualified and made fit for the enjoyment of that pure Inheritance. For those Sins which are a just cause of excommunicating an Offender from the Church on Earth, would exclude him from the Kingdom of Heaven without Repentance. Our Saviour tells us, what is bound on Earth is ratified in Heaven. And the Apostle expresly declares of those kinds of Sin for which Professors must be removed from the Communion of Saints here, that they are an exclusive bar from the Kingdom of Heaven. But I have written to you, 1 Cor. 5. 11.not to keep Company, if any that is called a Brother be a Fornicator, or Covetous, or an Idolater, or a Railer, or a Drunkard, or an Extortioner: with such a one, no not to eat. And know ye not that the Vnrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God? 1 Cor. 6. 9, 10.Be not deceived: neither Fornicators, nor Idolaters, nor Adulterers, nor Effeminate, nor Covetous, nor Drunkards, nor Revilers, nor Extortioners, shall inherit the Kingdom of God. If one that is truly a Child of God fall into any of these Sins, till by an extraordinary Repentance he is prepared for Pardon he cannot obtain it, nor have a comfortable hope of entring into Heaven. For only those who are justified are glorified. Indeed it is not imaginable where the Seed of God remains, the vital principle of Grace as it does in all that are born of God, but that notorious Sins that cannot be concealed from the view of Conscience, will cause stings and sorrows proportionable to their malignity, and consequently a hatred and forsaking of them. Now Perseverance principally respects the end of our course. There may be interruptions in the way for a time, but if with renewed Zeal and Diligence we prosecute our blessed End we shall not fall short of it.
2. I come now to consider the second thing propounded, The reason why Perseverance is requisite in all that will obtain Eternal Life, and 'tis this, That their Sincerity may be discovered by constancy in Obedience under all Tryals. Blessed is the Man that endures Temptation, for when he is tried, he shall receive the Crown of Life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. The Law required unsinning Obedience as the condition of Life, the Gospel accepts of Sincerity, but if that be wanting, there is no Promise that gives right to the Reward. Now Sincerity implies such an entire Love of God, as makes a Person submit to all Duties commanded in his Law, and all Trials appointed by his Providence. A high Example we have of this in Abraham, when he was commanded to offer up his only Son Isaac, and by his own Hands, for a burnt Offering. This was to kill a double Sacrifice at one blow, for the Life of Abraham▪ was bound up in Isaac: he lived in him more dearly than in himself; all his Joy, all his Posterity by Sarah had dyed in Isaac. What resentments, what resistance of Nature did he suffer? yet presently he addrest himself to perform his Duty. Who ever saw a more glorious Victory over all the tender and powerful Passions of human Nature? O unexampled Obedience! being an Original without any Precedent to imitate, and without a Copy to succeed it. After this clear infallible Testimony of his Sincerity, the Angel declar'd from Heaven, Now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy Son, thine only Son from me. And 'tis said concerning the Followers of the Lamb that they loved not their Lives unto the Death. The Love of Christ that animated them in all their Sufferings, was sweeter than Life, and stronger than Death.
Indeed there was a wonderful difference in the Behaviour of the Martyrs under Sufferings, but in all the same Persevering Grace was evident, though working variously. Some in the most beautiful Flower of their Age encounter'd Fire and Sword, Tormentors and Torments, with that sensible Joy, with those Songs of Praise to Christ, as if they saw the Heavens open with St. Stephen, and their Saviour ready to receive and crown them. But many others as *Homil. 6. de laud. Paul.Chrysostom testifies, went to the Tribunals, to the Theatres, to Death, with many Appearances of Fear. Upon hearing the wild Beasts roar, they were struck with horrour, at the sight of the Executioners and the Instruments of Torment they were pale and trembling. The Flesh seem'd to cry out, O let this Cup pass from me, yet weak and faint, it followed the Spirit, that corrected the natural desire, with not my will, but thine be done. As the Moon in Eclipse, though obscure, yet goes on in a regular course, as when 'tis full of Light by the reflection of the Sun: So those desolate Martyrs, though as it were forsaken, and deprived of the bright Beams of Comfort, yet persever'd in their Profession of the Truth. When one word to renounce Christianity would have saved them, no Torments could force it from them, but they patiently endured all. Now in these the Combate of Nature was visible, and the admirable Power of Grace. They first overcame their own Fears, the reluctancy of the carnal part, their Affections to what ever is desireable in the World, which is the noblest Victory, and then the Cruelty of their Persecutors. In them was verified the Testimony of the Spirit, Here is the patience of the Saints, Here are they that keep the Command of God and the Faith of Jesus.
But how many appear faithful while their Faith is not to be shewed by difficult Works, and proved by Sufferings. The Seed that fell on the stony Ground, sprang up as hopeful as the Seed in the good Ground at first; but when Tribulation came, it wither'd away wanting the Root of Sincerity. And that which was sown among Thorns, was choakt by the Cares and Pleasures of the World. Some Lust in the Heart interweaves with the Affections and causes Apostacy. How many from glorious Beginnings have made a lamentable End? not only Mercenaries in Religion, whose Zeal is a foraign Complexion, not springing from an inward Principle of Life and Health, relinquish even the profession of Godliness, when their gain ceases, but some who have thought themselves sincere, yet in times of danger their resolutions like sick Feathers dropt away. As the foolish Builder that computed not the charges of his designed Work, began to raise a magnificent Structure, but unable to finish it, laid the Foundation in his own Shame. They repented their choice of Heaven, when they saw what it must cost them, and would save the World with the loss of their Souls.
Others that began in the Spirit, and with raised Affections set out in the ways of Godliness, yet by the allurements of sensual Lusts and Temptations, (and therefore with greater†Quae justior venia in omnibus causis, quam voluntarius, an quam invitus peccator implorat? Negationem quanta compellunt, ingenia carnificum, & genera poenarum? Quis magis negavit, qui Christum vexatus, an qui delectatus amisit? Qui quum amitteret doluit, an qui quum amitteret lusit? Tert. de pudicit. Guilt) leave their first Love, and end in the Flesh. They fall from high Professions, but received by soft Pleasures feel not the fall. These were never sincere, and never had a right to Heaven. They took up sudden Resolutions, not grounded in serious and deep Thoughts, and for a Flash were hot and active, but with great levity return to their former Lusts. The Apostle tells us of such, it had been better for them they had not known the way of Righteousness, than to turn back and voluntarily to forsake it. 'Tis observed that boiling Water taken off from the Fire, congeals more strongly than that which was never heated: because the subtile parts being evaporated by the Fire, the more terrestrial parts remaining are more capable of Cold. So those who have felt the power of the Word in their Affections, and afterwards lose that holy heat, become more harden'd in their Sins. God justly withdraws his Grace, and the evil Spirit that was expell'd for a time returns with seven worse, and aggravates his Tyranny.
To conclude; Since the certainty of Salvation is conditional, if we persevere in a holy State, let us beware of a corrupt Confidence, and a vicious Dejection of Spirit, the trusting in our selves, or distrusting God. To prevent the trusting in our selves, Consider,
1. The most excellent Creatures are by the instability of Nature liable to defection, subject to a corruptive change. Of this the fallen Angels are a dreadful Example, who of their own motion, untempted, sinned in Heaven.
2. The danger is greater of falling away, when they are urged and solicited by a violent or grateful Temptation. Thus our first Parents fell, and lost more Grace in an Hour, then can be recovered by their Posterity in all Ages to the end of the World.
3. When there is supervenient Corruption in the Creature, that inclines them with earnest propensity to forbidden Things, and takes Flame from every Spark, the danger is extream. Like a besieged City that is in great hazard of taking, by Assaults from without and Conspiracies from within. Let us therefore be very watchful over our Hearts and Senses, and keep as much as is possible at a safe distance from Temptations. And be very diligent in the use of all holy means to confirm and fortify our resolutions for Heaven. God promised to Hezekiah 15 years, but not to preserve his Life by Miracle, he was obliged to repair the wastings of Nature by daily Food, and to abstain from what was noxious and destructive to his Body. The Apostle excites Christians, to work out their own Salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God that works in them to will and to do of his good Pleasure. Let him that stands take heed lest he fall. None are a more easy Conquest to the Tempter then those who presume upon their own Strength. We should be always jealous of ourselves, from the sad Examples of Apostacy in every Age.Denique saepe cognovimus, quoniam quem formidolosa carnificum pompa non terruit, nec divisi lateris sulcus infregit, nec ardentes laminae à triumphalis fortitudinis vigore abducere potuerunt, eum inter sacra praemia constitutum, Vxor tenerae prolis oblatione, miserabilis unius lachrymae miseratione decepit. St. Ambrose testifies from his own knowledg, that many after the couragious enduring of cruel Torments for Religion, the tearing open their Sides that their Bowels appeared, and the burning of some parts of their Bodies, yet when led forth to finish the Victory of Faith, to be a triumphant Spectacle to Angels and Men, when the blessed Rewarder was ready to put the Martyrs Crown on their Heads, at the sight of their mourning Wives and Children in the way, were overcome by Pity the weakest Affection, and fail'd in the last act of Christian Fortitude. We must pray to be strengthned with all Might, according to his glorious Power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness. For some may vigorously resist one sort of Temptation, and render themselves to others. And if finally vanquisht by one of those Enemies we lose our Victory and Crown.
And as Presumption betrays the Soul into the Devils Snares, so a vicious dejection of Spirit from a distrust of Relief from God in our Difficulties, and his assistance with our unfeigned endeavours for Salvation is very pernicious. For this damps Industry, and causes either a total neglect, or uncomfortable use of Means for that End. Many Christians considering their Graces are weak, their Nature fickle and apt to revolt, are ready (as David said, One day I shall perish by the hand of Saul) to conclude sadly of the issue of their Condition. To encourage such let them consider, that Perseverance is not only a Coudition, but a Privilege of the Covenant of Grace. For that affords supply of spiritual Strength to the sincere Believer for performing the condition it requires. Indeed if Grace were the meer product of Free Will, the most fervent Resolutions would vanish into a Lye, upon the Assault of an overpowering Temptation. As Hezekiah acknowledged, that the Assyrian Kings, had destroyed the Gods of the Nations that were no Gods, but Idols the work of Mens Hands. But sanctifying Grace is the effect of the Holy Spirit, and he that begins that good work in the Saints, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. He that inclin'd them joyfully to chuse the Spiritual Eternal Good, will bind their unconstant Hearts, that by a faithful adherence they shall cleave to their Duty and Felicity. God has most graciously declared, I will put my Spirit into their Hearts, that they shall never depart from me. The Promise is founded in the unchangeable Love of God to his People. Were God as Man subject to Variation, there might be Jealousies in Believers lest they should lose his good Will. As those who depend on Princes, are suspicious lest from the natural inconstancy of the human Will, a new Favourite should supplant them. But whom God loves he loves to the end. The Apostle prays for the Thessalonians, that God would preserve them blameless till unto the coming of Christ, by this Consideration, faithful is he that calleth you, he will do it. He speaks of the Internal Call, that opens the Heart and overpowers all Resistance. As when the Angel came with a Light shining in the Prison to St. Peter, and struck him on the Side, bid him arise quickly loosed his Chains, aud led him through the Guards, open'd the Doors, and restored him to Liberty. The effectual calling of a Sinner, is the visible and infallible effect of electing Mercy, and God is unchangeable in his own purpose, and faithful to his Promises of bringing all such by Sanctification to Glory. The same Apostle tells the Saints at Corinth. That the Redeemer would confirm them to the End: God is faithful by whom ye are called. Grace that was at first inspir'd, is continually actuated by the Spirit, who is stiled the earnest of the Saints Inheritance. So that whereas the Angels that excell'd in Strength kept not their first State of Purity and Glory, but are sunk into Corruption and Misery, yet true humble Believers though weak, and encompast with many Difficulties, shall be preserved from destructive Evil, and raised to an unchangeable Estate of Perfection. This is as truly admirable, as if the Stars should fall from Heaven, and Clods of Earth ascend and shine in the Firmament. The Apostle who acknowledged his insufficiency of himself to think a good Thought, yet triumphantly declares, I can do all things (within the compass of his Duty) through Christ that strengthens me. The Love, Fidelity and Power of God are a sure Fountain of Assistance to every Christian, that sincerely resolves and endeavours to prosecute his last and blessed End.