Scripture Light the Most Sure Light, Sermon group 3
A LIFTING UP FOR THE DOWN-CAST. The Contents.
Sermon I.
THE Words opened in two Branches. Page 1
1 The ſad Diſcouragements of a gracious Spirit. Page 2
2 The Remedies ibid.
Three Doctrines obſerve… in the firſt Branch ibid.
1 That the Saints have an inward Peace ibid.
2 This Peace may be interrupted ibid.
3 The Saints have no reaſon to be di…couraged. This is the main thing aimed at ibid.
Doct. 1. proved 3
The Father, Son, and Holy Ghoſt, are engaged for their peace, Page 4
1 The Father is engaged
1 By his Prerogative ib.
2 By his Commandement ibid.
3 By Vertue of his Promiſe. Page 5
4 By Purchaſe ibid.
5 In regard of the Chaſtiſements of the Saints ibid
2 The Son is engaged Page 6
1 By his qualifications he received from his Father. ibid
2 By his own diſpoſition Page 7
3 By his Office. ibid.
3 The Holy Ghoſt is engaged, As Chriſts Executor (be it ſpoken with Reverence ibid.
As our Advoca…e, in ſome ſence, though Chriſt alone be our Advocate. ibid.
Object. Experience ſheweth the contrary, by the unquiet Condition of the Saints. Page 8
Anſw. Doct. 2 Their quiet may be interrupted. Some diſtinctions …herein …o be conſidered ibid
1 There is a Fundamental Peace naturally flowing from Juſtification. 2. There is an additional peace flowing from the ſence of their Juſtification: the former cannot be loſt, the latter may. ibid.
2 There is great difference between peace, comfort and joy Page 9
3 There is a peace in oppoſition to what one hath been, and a peace that lies in oppoſition to what one would be ibid.
4 There is a dormant peace, and there is a wak…ned peace ibid.
Queſt. What is the Iſſue of this? Page 10
Application.
1 See what a bleſſed Condition the Saints of God are in. ib.
2 Thankfulneſs of the Godly called for ibid.
Object. May be the Peace I have, is not right, wherefore I cannot praiſe the Lord for it. Page 11
Anſw.
1 I grant, that there is a falſe Peace that wicked men have, but there is a true Peace to th… Godly Page …
T…e di…ere…ce of true and falſe Peace ib…
Common Peace ariſeth from the apprehenſion of Gods common Goodneſs.
Special P…ace ariſeth from the apprehenſion of Gods ſ…ecial favor.
F…ſe Peace is … Guard to our Sins.
True Peace is a Guard to our Graces. ibid.
2 True Peace is wrought by Faith ibid.
3 Tru… Peace will live in the ſight of Sin ibid.
4 True Peace loves to be tried ibid.
5 True Peace is ſpoken by God ibid.
An Appeal to any that doubt of their Peace Page 13
Object. I fear my inward Peace, becauſe it doth not continue …id.
Anſw. The ſecond Doctrine anſwers this ibid.
Object.
I fear my peace, becauſe I came ſo lightly by it Page 14
Anſw.
All peace is the free gift of God for Chriſt his ſake, not for our ſufferings Page 15
Object. I want that Peace within, how ſhall I come by it? ibid.
Anſw. The Lord only can ſpeak this peace to thee, which he doth speak in the way of his Ordinance ibid.
Queſt.What doth the Lord ſpeak in his Ordinances that may quiet my Soul? ibid.
Anſw.
1 You are willed to conſider much of the fulneſs of Chriſts ſatisfaction. ibid.
God for Chriſts ſake works all our works for us Page 16
2 Chriſt is our Peace-maker, we muſt go to him ibid.
The manner how we muſt go.
1 Go in uprightneſs Page 17
2 Carry the Promiſe with you ibid.
3 Wait long on Chriſt, till Peace do come. ibid.
Queſt. Muſt we not be humbled for ſins committed? ibid.
Anſw. In all your Humiliation, carry Chriſt along with you ibid.
4 Labor to mortifie your affections ibid.
5 Walk not with doubting company Page 18
6 When God ſpeaks a little peace to thee, refuſe it not, for it will encreaſe. Page 19
This is amplified Page 20
Sermon II.
DOCT. 2.
The Saints may be under much diſcouragement. Page 21
Two words in the Text moſt Emphatical, Caſt down, Diſquieted. ibid.
The words opened by four Queſtions Page 22
1 How far a good man may be diſcouraged.
2 How it comes that he is diſcouraged
3 How diſcouragements can ſtand with Grace
4 How they may be cured.
Queſt. 1. How far may a good man be diſcouraged? Page 22
Anſw.
1 A Saint may refuſe Comfort for the Soul ibid.
2 For the Body alſo ibid.
3 A good man may refuſe Duty Page 23
4 He may be weary of his life ibid.
Queſt. 2. Why doth God ſuffer his Children to be ſo diſcouraged? ibid.
Anſw.
In general It is for their good. Page 24
More particularly
1 It is Gods way to deal ſo with men ibid.
2 This way God ſets a greater price on our inward peace Page 25
3 God will have us to love him only ibid.
4 He thus trains up his Children to more perfection. ib.
5 He doth this to keep his Chil-from ſecurity Page 24
6 This is explained by the ſimilitude of a Chyrurgeon dealing with his Patient. Page 26
Object. Can any man foretel a mans diſcouragement? ibid.
Anſw. Affirmatively.
1 It may be foretold when a man placeth his Spiritual Comfort on outward Bleſſings Page 27
2 When a man is unthankful for true peace, and not humbled for falſe Peace. ibid
3 When a man doth raiſe his Comfort only from Grace within, and not from Chriſt without. Yet Grace within is, 1. A Cauſe ſine qua non. 2. It removes all impediments of Comfo…t. 3. It is a witneſſing Cauſe. 4. It is a confirming Cauſe. ibid.
4 When a man layeth his comfort on the impreſſion or coming in of the Word, rather than upon the Word i… ſelf.
The words on Pſal. 16.4. critically expounded Page 28
Queſt. 3. How can all this ſtand with Grace? ibid.
Anſw. Affirmatively
The Saints are never ſo diſcouraged, but there is ſome Grace left ibid.
Queſt. Is there no evil in Diſcouragements? Page 29
Anſw. Affirmatively Very much ibid.
Queſt. 4. What muſt a poor Soul do to recover its peace loſt? Page 30
Anſwered, partly by way of Queſtion, partly by Direction ibid.
1 Haſt thou quite forgot thy former peace? Page 31
2 Do you not uſe the means for reſtoring your Comforts? ibid.
Some ſeek Comfort by way of reaſoning with God.
Some ſeek it in Duty, neglecting their Calling. Both are d…ceived
3 Have you not ſo far ſtrained for ſome outward comfort, as to loſe your inward comfort? ibid.
Queſt. What ſhall I do that my comforts may be reſtored Page 32
Anſw. By Direction in three things.
1 Do what you would do to be juſtified ibid.
2 Seek whether God hath withdrawn his preſence for your ſin ibid.
An Objection anſwered. Page 33
3 Read the Scriptures much ibid.
Object. What if I do, they may not comfort me. ib.
Anſw. You cannot tell, till you prove it Page 34
Somtimes the Promiſe comes to us, ſomtimes we go to it ib.
Object. I ſhall meet with threatnings in the Scripture. ibid.
Anſw. Negatively, for
Threatnings lead you to the Promiſe Page 34
Object. There are many other things in Scripture that concern no… my Condition ibid.
Anſw. Negatively Chriſt cureth us ſomtimes by diverting our minds ibid.
Queſt. Where Peace returns, what muſt I do Page 35
Anſw.
1 Be ſure it be true Peace ib.
2 Fall upon Satans Quarters ibid.
3 Put all your Comforts into Chriſts hands ibid.
4 Spend all for Chriſt, comfort others Page 36
Sermon III.
DOCT. 3.
Davids condition is put for a pattern Page 42
Habakkuks Condition ibid
A Godly man may rejoyce in any Condition ibid.
The Saints think they have reaſon for their Diſcouragements Page 43
The Saints may have reaſon for their Diſcouragements. ibid.
Queſt. What have the Saints that is a ſufficient Bulwark againſt all diſcouragements? ibid.
Anſw.
1 A godly man hath a propriety in God ibid.
How God is my God Page 44
2 God knows him, and his condition ibid.
3 God will not have his People to be diſcouraged: proved from God the Son, to God the Father Page 45
4 The Saints have no diſcouragement, but there is a greater Encouragement bound up with it Page 46
God makes our diſcouragements, cauſes of encouragements Page 47
5 A pray…ng man can never be very miſerable. Page 48
4 The matter of our diſcouragements, is but as a cloud ibid.
Queſt.How ſhall it appear to be but a cloud? ibid.
Anſw.
1 If this Cloud come after the Promiſe Page 49
2 If a man can ſee to work. Page 50
3 If there be ſome openings of light with the darkneſs, by intermiſſion ibid.
Application Page 51
Object. I have reaſon to be diſcouraged, for I have no feeling of Gods Love ibid.
Anſw.
1 We do not live by feeling, but by Faith. ibid.
2 The great difference between a Godly man, and a wicked man in this Page 52
3 An Exhortation to the Saints, not to be dſcouraged, for four Reaſons ibid.
1 You rejoyce Satan when you are diſcouraged. ibid.
2 You grieve the heart of God ib.
3 You do thereby make void the end of Chriſts coming ibid.
4 You make your ſelf unfit for Chriſts Service. ibid.
Queſt. What ſhall a man do to bear up againſt all diſcouragements? Page 54
Anſw.
1 Never lay your Comforts upon any Condition ibid.
2 Think of Chriſt in a right way Page 55
3 Check your ſelf for being diſcouraged ibid
4 Mix the thoughts of your Diſcouragements, with thoughts of Comfort ibid.
5 Mortifie Self-Love Page 56
6 Queſtion your ſelf for being diſcouraged ibid.
So much for the Proof in general Page 57
Sermon IV.
The Point is cleered, and proved, by nine particular Inſtances Page 58
1 Diſcouragements from groſs ſins Page 59
2 From weakneſs of Grace
3 From their failing in Duty
4 From want of evidence of Gods Love
5 From Temptations
6 From Deſertions
7 From Afflictions
8 From Ʋnſerviceableneſs
9 From the Condition it ſelf.
INSTANCE, I.
Proved by way of Queſtion, and Anſwer. Page 60
Queſt. How may this appear? ibid.
Anſw.
1 They know they ſhal never be condemned Page 61
2 Their ſins ſhall never part God and them, proved by the Covenant made with No…h. Page 62
3 Their ſins are occaſions of more Grace, proved Page 63
Object. Suppoſe my ſin be ſuch that there is no ſuch found to be pardoned in Scripture, may I not be diſcouraged? ibid.
Anſw. Negatively ibid.
Object. Suppoſe a man ſin againſt his conſcience and knowledg. ib.
Anſw. Negatively Page 65
Object. Suppoſe it be an exceeding great ſin a godly man hath committed ibid.
Anſw. Negatively ibid.
Object. Suppoſe it be a ſin of revol…ing, and back-ſliding Page 66
1 Anſw. Negatively
2 You may be miſtaken
3 Chriſt died for ſinners, were they yong or old in their ſins. Page 67
Object. Suppoſe a man cannot repent enough for his ſin preſently? Page 67
Anſw. Negatively Page 68
And proved by three Reaſons
Queſt. Should not a godly man be humbled for his ſin? Page 69
Anſw. Affirmatively
Reaſons to prove it by Page 70
Queſt. What is the difference between humbled, and diſcouraged? ibid.
Anſw.
1 When a man is humbled, the Object of his grief, is his ſin; but he is not diſcouraged: Cain was diſcouraged, but not humbled Page 71
2 True humiliation, is a real friend to ſpiritual Joy ibid.
3 True humiliation brings on Diety, Diſcouragement drives us from it Page 72
Queſt. How ſhall a man be humbled, and not diſcouraged? ibid.
Anſw.
1 A man muſt be humbled for his ſin, be it never ſo ſmal; but not diſcouraged for his ſin, be it never ſo great ib.
2 In your humiliation, do not part that which God hath joyned Page 73
3 Mourn not for your ſin in order to your condition; but mourn over your condition in order to your ſin ibid.
4 In your humiliation, meddle not too much with Gods Prerogative Page 74
5 The more you are humbled at the ſight of Gods free Grace, the leſs you will be diſcouraged: Somtimes we preſent the Lord to our ſouls, under the notion of his greatneſs; and ſomtimes under the notion of Goodneſs. Whence he cites a ſaying of Luthers ibid.
6 If you would be humbled, and not diſcouraged, lay the ſtreſs of all your ſorrow upon your ſin, and drive up your ſin to your Ʋnbelief Page 75
Sermon V.
ISTANCE, II.
A Complaint of ſmal Grace. Page 76
The Anſwer, negatively.
God recompenceth weakneſs with wiſdom Page 77
Every godly man is a wiſe man ibid.
Queſt. Is it no diſadvantage to be weak in Grace? ibid.
Anſw. affirmatively
1 He is the more ready to ſtumble and fall ibid.
2 His Comforts are more eaſily quenched Page 78
3 He cannot glorifie God, as the ſtrong Chriſtian may: for three Reaſons ibid.
1 He doubteth oftener ib.
2 The more a man lives by hope, the more he glorifies God Page 78
3 A ſtrong Chriſtian will do great things for God Page 79
4 A ſtrong Chriſtian can tend the publick, a weak Chriſtian cannot ibid.
5 A ſtrong Chriſtian can wait long on God, a weak cannot. ibid.
6 A ſtrong Chriſtian is helpful to others ibid.
Secondly,
There is no reaſon of being diſcouraged. ibid.
The Reaſon are two
1 Weakneſs doth not exclude mercy ibid.
2 The weak Chriſtian hath as many Promiſes from God as the ſtrong ibid.
1 If your weak Grace be true Grace, you have as great a ſhare in Chriſts Righteouſneſs as the ſtrongeſt Chriſtian hath Page 80
2 The Promiſes of Scripture, are moſt to thoſe that are weak in Grace ibid.
3 Weak Chriſtians have moſt kiſſes from God Page 81
3 If I be weak in Grace, if Chriſt will condeſcend to mine infirmities, I need not be diſcouraged Page 82
4 Chriſt puts a Why, and a Wherfore, on the diſcouragements of weak Chriſtians ib.
5 A Chriſtian would be diſcouraged, if he did not ſomtimes find this ſmalneſs of Grace within him Page 83
Object. It is an uncomfortable thing to be weak ibid.
1 Anſw. Negatively Page 83
2 There is difference between uncomfortableneſs, and leſs comfort ibid.
Queſt. How ſhall I know that my little grace is an earneſt of more grace? ibid.
Anſw.
1 Becauſe you have the Spirit of Adoption ibid.
2 If you mourn for little grace, and wait on God for more. ibid.
Object. I am not diſcouraged at my weakneſs for the uncomfortableneſs of it, but for the unſerviceableneſs of it. Page 84
Anſw.
1 You ought not ſo to be diſcouraged, for the spiritual victory lies not in our ſelves. ib.
2 Though your grace be weak, yet you may do much for God ibid.
Object. I am moſt diſcouraged in regard of my own guiltineſs Page 85
Anſw.
1 You may be miſtaken ibid.
2 If your ſin have weakened your grace, you muſt be humbled, but not diſcouraged; for three Reaſons. ibid.
1 If nothing have befallen you, but what may befal a true Beleever ibid.
2 Though grace be weakened by ſin, yet if it be true, it cannot fail. ibid.
3 If the Promiſe belong to you Page 86
Object.
I fear my Grace is not true, but common Grace Page 86
Differences between true, and common Grace ibid.
1 True grace, though ſmal, wil not oppoſe much grace ibid.
2 It loves to be tried ibid.
3 It is very inquiſitive after the waies of God, and further Truths Page 87
4 It is much in humiliation ib.
5 It works proportionably to its ſtrength ibid.
6 It is willing to learn of others ibid.
7 It is very ſenſible of its own weakneſs Page 88
Object. I am an old Profeſſor, yet weak in grace ibid.
Anſw.
You may be weak in reſpect of others, yet ſtrong in reſpect of your former parts. This is cleered by three Reaſons ibid.
1 The more extenſive a mans Obedience is, the more he is grown in grace. ibid.
2 The more exact a man is in Duty, the more he is grown in grace ibid.
3 The more a man underſtands his Chriſtian Liberty, and yet walks more ſtrictly, the more he is grown in grace Page 89
Queſt. If I be weak in grace, and temptations preſs me, what muſt I do? ibid.
Anſw.
1 Conſider what a great charge God the Father hath given to Chriſts …f thoſe that are weak. ibid.
2 Conſider what charge Chriſt gave to his Apoſtles and Miniſters, of thoſe that are weak ibid.
3 Conſider what a great mercy it is to have a little true grace Page 90
4 Think how your grace will grow weaker under diſcoucouragements ibid.
Sermon VI.
INSTANCE, III.
Object. A dull heart in Duty cauſeth diſcouragement Page 92
Anſw. Negatively,
There is reaſon to be afflicted, but not to be diſcouraged. ib.
Queſt. How may that appear? Page 93
Anſw.
1 Every good man is in Covenant with God ibid
2 Though his Duty be done in weakneſs, there is ſomwhat of Chriſt in it. ibid.
3 Our acceptance of Duty muſt not come in by way of performance, but by way of Chriſt. Page 94
Object.
I have no parts in Duty, therefore I am diſcouraged ibid.
Anſw.
1 God accepts the deſire for Chriſts ſake Page 94
2 Thy parts are …ſwerable to thy grace Page 95
3 Parts and gifts do not commend our Services unto God ibid.
4 Parts recompenced ſome other way Page 96
Object. I want the grace and holineſs of Duty ibid.
Anſw. Pearls may grow on Rocks; ſo may ſome graces on thy rockie heart Page 97
1 Are you contented with the ſtraightneſs of your condition? Anſw. Negatively. ib.
2 If your condition here, be no other than the condition of the Saints, you have no cauſe to be diſcouraged ibid.
3 You would fain have enlargements repreſent your condition to God Page 98
4 It is Gods way to reſtrain prayer, before he gives enlargements ibid.
5 Dulneſs in prayer is an ill ſin, yet the ſence thereof is a good ſign Page 99
6 Prayer is not powring out of many words, but the powring out of the Soul unto God. ibid.
Object.
I am not only dull in duty, bu… full of diſtraction. Page 100
Anſw. This is a great evil, yet no cauſe of diſcouragement; for three Reaſons ibid.
1 All men have ſome diſtractions in d…ty. ibid.
2 Diſtractions ſhall not hurt us, becauſe they pleaſe us not. Page 101
3 Our diſtractions move the Lord to pity us ibid.
Object. I pray, and am never the nearer, ſhould not that diſcourage me? Page 102
Anſw. Negatively.
1 It is a great mercy that God wil receive my prayer, though I never receive the thing I pray for ibid.
2 Gods Children uſually think God hears not their prayers when he doth ibid.
3 The Lord not granting your prayer, is not alwaies matter of diſcouragement, but ſomtimes of encouragement Page 103
4 Whoever waited on God by prayer, but be received more than he prayed for? Page 104
5 Should God preſently anſwer our prayers alwaies, we ſhould be diſcouraged Page 105
Object. 1.
I fear God denieth my prayer ibid.
1 Anſw. Affirmatively. It may be ſo to his own children ibid.
2 If the thing you pray for, be good for you, and you continue praying, it is a ſign that God rather delaies, than denies you ibid.
Object. 2. I fear God is angry with me. Page 106
Anſw. Was not God angry with Jonah and the Canaanitiſh woman? Page 106
Object. 3. But ſhe beleeved, there is much unbelief in my prayer ibid.
Anſw. Was it not ſo with David? ibid.
Object. 4. I am ſelf-iſh, and pray only by reaſon of affliction ibid.
Anſw. So it was with Jonah ibid.
Object. 5. My prayer is not well prepared ibid.
Anſw. Hezekiah prayed for thoſe that came unprepared ibid.
Object. 6. I am full of paſſions. ibid.
Anſw. What think you of Elijah? ibid.
Object. 7. My condition is ſuch or ſuch. ibid.
Anſw. The condition of diſtreſſed men paralel'd in Scripture, when they look toward Chriſt. ib.
Application.
1 What encouragements here are for all poor ſouls to come unto Chriſt. Page 107
2 What a vaſt difference there is here, between a godly, and a wicked man ibid.
Queſt. What muſt I do againſt diſcouragements, that come from mine own failing in duty, or Gods not anſwering me? Page 108
Anſw.
1 Lay not the weight of your comfort upon duty ibid.
2 Conſider that difficulty commends duty ibid.
3 Leave the ſucceſs of our ſpiritual things unto God himſelf Page 109
Sermon VII.
INSTANCE, IV.
Object. O! I want aſſurance of the love of God, muſt I not be then diſcouraged? Page 111
Anſw. Negatively
Yet it is a ſore evil Page 112
He that wants the aſſurance of Gods love, is neither fit to receive mercy from God, nor to praiſe God ibid.
He that wants the aſſurance of Gods love, converſeth too much with Satan ibid.
Queſt. How may it appear we muſt not be diſcouraged, when we want this aſſurance? Page 113
1 Anſw. negatively. For want of Aſſurance is not that unbelief that condemneth us. ib.
2 Want of Aſſurance ſhal turn to the Saints good Page 114
They gain experience by it, to ſee the emptineſs of their own righteouſneſs ibid.
A man learns thus to comfort others Page 115
3 A good man may have comfort, though he want aſſurance Page 115
Object. I have no Promiſe to bring me comfort Page 116
Anſw. Negatively,
1 That muſt not diſcourage a Chriſtian, for have you not the word of the Gospel? ib.
2 The promiſe of grace belongeth to you: proved by three Reaſons. 1 You do, or have reſted on the Promiſe. 2. If the Command belong unto you, why not the Promiſe? 3. It is your duty to reſt on the Promiſe Page 117
Object. 2. Gods Promiſe in Scripture, runs upon ſome Condition which I cannot perform ib.
Anſw.
1 A good man may apply the Promiſe, though he hath not performed the Condition. ib.
2 The condition of one promiſe is the thing promiſed in another promiſe Page 118
3 The condition of the promiſe is performed for you, better than you can perform it ib.
Object. Inſtead of a promiſe, there is a threatening on my Soul. Page 119
Anſw.
1 God hath two Arms to draw his Children to him; the Arm of Love, and the Arm of Anger. ibid.
2 Joſhua ſomtimes loſt the ſight of the promiſe: and for the threatening, you know how it was with David Page 120
3 A Threatening from God, may be repealed, but a promiſe ſhall never be repealed. ibid.
The Reaſon is, God never repeals in the matter of the Gospel Page 121
Object.
I have aſſurance of Gods diſpleaſure, muſt I not then be diſcouraged? Page 122
Anſw. Negatively.
1 It may be you look on the back ſide of Gods dispenſation, wherein appears his Anger. ibid.
2 There is no ſuch testimony of Reprobation in all the Scripture ibid.
Object. I have been without aſſurance theſe many yeers, yet living under Gospel means; therefore I look for none Page 123
Anſw. Negatively.
1 Our evidence for Heaven, is in Gods keeping. ibid.
2 Conſider four Propoſitions.
1 A man may have ſaving Faith, who hath no aſſurance of Gods love ibid.
2 A man may have ſtrong Faith and aſſurance, yet many doubts Page 124
3 A man may have ſtrong faith and aſſurance, yet for a long time be deprived of the feeling of it. ib.
4 A godly man may live and die doubting ibid.
3 Though ſome may die doubting, and yet be ſaved, a man may from Scripture fetch Arguments, from whence he may ordinarily conclude he ſhal be ſaved. Page 125
Arg. 1. There is a faith of Reliance, from whence we may conclude a faith of Aſſurance. Page 125
Arg. 2. God hath done great things for thy ſoul in trouble, thou maieſt conclude he will do more ibid.
Arg. 3. If thy heart be upright in the matter of aſſurance, God wil give it thee. ibid.
Arg. 4. If a man can praiſe God for what he hath, though his condition be very ſad Page 126
Arg. 5. If the Lord be the health of your countenance, you ſhall have aſſurance of your ſalvation ibid.
A Caution that no man may miſapply this Doctrine. Page 127
Queſt. Suppoſe I want aſſurance, how ſhal I bear up againſt all diſcouragements? Page 128
Anſw. by way of Direction.
1 Seek earneſtly after Gods love, and Chriſts ſatisfaction ibid.
2 Hearken to no comfort out of an Ordinance, contrary to the comfort the Lord ſpeaks in his Ordinance. ibid.
3 Be not diſcontented with your condition Page 129
4 Do not ſay, I ſhal never hav… aſſurance. ibid.
5 The leſs aſſurance you have, the more precious your Obedience may be Page 130
Sermon VIII.
INSTANCE, V.
I have been under Temptations many years, and yet find no comfort, muſt I not be diſcouraged? Page 132
Anſw. Negatively.
Temptations are great afflictions ibid.
They are an immediate combating with the Devil Page 133
They commonly ſeize on ſoul and body, yet we muſt not be diſcouraged for them Page 134
Queſt. How ſhall that appear? ibid.
Anſw. By four demonſtrations.
1 Satan tempts Gods people to diſcourage them ibid.
2 God pitieth us under Temptations Page 135
3 Chriſt overcame all Temptations for us ibid.
4 All temptations ſhall turn to our good Page 136
1 Thereby they are more humbled ibid.
2 Thereby they are more occaſioned to love God ibid.
3 Thereby Gods grace in Chriſt is more diſcovered. Page 137
4 Thereby their graces are more encreaſed. ibid.
5 Thereby all the Saints triumph over Satan ib.
Object. 1. I have been long tempted, yet find no deliverance Page 137
Anſw. Chriſt was tempted in all things as we are. ibid.
Object. 2. I doubt, being ſo tempted, whether I am the child of God. Page 138
Anſw. Chriſt was ſo tempted in two of the three temptations, in his forty daies temptation. A compariſon that illuſtrates the matter, and is very ſit againſt diſcouragement ibid.
Object. 3. I am tempted to make my ſelf away, to blaſpheme God, and to beleeve I have ſinned againſt the holy Ghoſt. Page 139
Anſw. I confeſs this is ſad indeed: but I dare not ſay they are damned, though I read not of any ſuch example in Scripture, of any godly man that killed himſelf, yet I dare not ſay they are ſaved. Page 140
Object. 4. But I am weak, and yield to many temptations, muſt I not be diſcouraged? Page 141
Anſw. Negatively.
For out of weakneſs, we are made ſtrong ibid.
Three ſorts of People are in the world; Old Men; Middle aged; Children. The time of yong men is the overcoming time: Yet the Apoſtle John writes unto them all. So though you be weak, yet you may overcome Page 142
Object. 5. I have been overcome in my temptations ibid.
Anſw. You are never overcome ſo long as you keep your weapon in your hand: you may be overcome in skirmiſh, yet overcome in battel ibid.
Object. 6. My temptations are not ſuch as Gods children meet withal Page 143
Anſw. Negatively.
1 For the godly are tempted to preſume, to deſpair, unbelief. The differences. ibid.
2 The godly accuſe themſelves when they fal to ſin by temptation; but the wicked lay it on others, and on the temptation ibid.
3 When a godly man is tempted to evil, he rather ſtartles at the ſin, than at the burden of it; but the wicked ſtartle at the puniſhment more than the ſin Page 144
Temptations uſe to be greater after Converſion ib.
1 Peter did not deny Chriſt before he was converted to Jeſus Chriſt ibid.
2 God never meaſures his children by what they are in temptations. Page 145
Queſt. What ſhal I do then that I may not be diſcouraged? Page 146
Anſw. If temptations ariſe from natural cauſes, Phyſick is to be uſed ibid.
1 Expect not too much from any one means of help; but wait on God Page 146
2 Say not of a Temptation, this is no Temptation Page 147
3 Conſider that Chriſt is engaged to help you, when you are tempted. ibid.
4 Think not to relieve your ſelf under temptations, with phyſical and moral Reaſons. Page 148
5 Adviſe with others that have been tempted, though weaker than your ſelf ibid.
6 Eſpecially converſe with the Promiſe ibid.
7 The greateſt Conſolations do ſomtimes follow the worſt Temptations Page 149
Sermon IX.
INSTANCE, VI.
Spiritual Deſertions, are juſt cauſe of diſcouragement Page 150
Anſw. Negatively.
I know no affliction ſo great to a gracious heart as this, yet Gods children muſt not faint here Page 151
Queſt. How may this appear? Page 152
Anſw.
1. How God is ſaid to forſake a man ibid.
1 In regard of union, God never forſakes his own. ibid.
2 In regard of his Power, Grace, and Strength, he never forſakes them totally ibid.
3 In regard of Viſion, and comfortable feelings, he forſakes them but for a time, and returns again: None of theſe can diſcourage us ibid.
2 God forſakes his People that he may not forſake them. Page 153
3 Though Gods People are left ſomtimes in the dark, they have alwaies light enough to work by Page 154
Object. 1. I fear Chriſt hath withdrawn himſelf from me in regard of Ʋnion. ibid.
Anſw. Negatively.
You cannot judg of Grace under spiritual Deſertions. ib.
Object. 2. I find Gods Displeaſure, &c. Page 155
Anſw. Negatively, For this hath been the Saints condition before you. ibid.
Object. 3. I have drawn this diſpleaſure on my own head, therefore, &c. Page 156
Anſw. Negatively. For God wil hide his face, and ſmite too, yet not forſake ibid.
Object. 4. My condition is worſe every day, therefore &c. Page 157
Anſw. Negatively For ſo were the Iſraelites in Egypt. ibid.
Object. 5. I find in Scripture a final rejection, therefore &c. Page 158
Anſw. Negatively
1 The Saints uſually think ſo, that their Deſertion is final. Page 159
2 The Promiſe uſually takes off this Objection. ibid.
3 Scripture will make it clear to you. ibid.
Six Queſtions to reſolve this by Page 159
1 Did you ever read in Scripture that a man was finally forſaken of the Lord, but that an evil ſpirit from the Lord did ſeize upon him preſently? Page 160
2 Did you ever read that God did forſake any, that were not willing to forſake God? ibid.
3 Did you ever read that God forſook any man who was ſenſible of this forſaking, and complained of it ſimply for it ſelf? ibid.
4 Did you ever read of any man forſaken by God, who was tender in the point of ſin? ibid.
5 Did you ever read that Chriſt did forſake a ſoul, in which he left his Soul furniſhed with spiritual houſhold-ſtuf? Page 161
6 Did you ever read that Chriſt forſook any man who longed after him as the greateſt good? ibid
Queſt. What ſhall I do when Chriſt hides his face from me? Page 262
Anſw.
1 Do not meaſure Gods Eternal affection by ſome preſent Diſpenſation ibid:
2 Let fal no deſpairing ſpeeches Page 263
3 Hear indifferently on both ſides. ibid.
4 Labor more to live by Faith. Page 264
Your own Experience will convince you. Page 265
Sermon X.
INSTANCE, VII.
The caſe was Davids, therefore you need not be diſcouraged. Page 267
Obj. But beſides National miſeries, I have many Perſonal Afflictions; therefore &c. Page 268
Anſw. Negatively, for
1 It is no new-thing for the Saints to be perſonally afflicted. ibid.
2 When they are afflicted, they are in ſome respects more ſenſible of their affliction than the wicked are ibid.
3 As they will be ſenſible of affliction, ſo they are very apt to be much diſcouraged by reaſon of them. ibid.
Four things conſiderable to cleer this Truth Page 269
1 What the Sufferings of the Saints are. ibid.
2 Whence they proceed.
3 What accompanies them.
4 What follows them. Page 269
For the firſt.
1 They are parts of Chriſts Purchaſe for them. ibid.
2 They proceed from Gods love. Page 270
3 Much ſupporting Grace accompanies them. Page 271
4 They bring forth quiet fruits of Righteouſneſs Page 272
Object. 1. My afflictions are without end, therefore &c. Page 273
Anſw. Negatively: For God takes away your comforts for a time, that you may not be drunk with them ibid.
Object. 2. My Afflictions are not uſual, but new ones, and ſtrange. Page 274
Anſw. You think ſo, but not truly. ibid.
Object. 3. I want all kinds of Mercies, my Afflictions have no bottom. ibid.
Anſw. It was Davids caſe ibid.
Object. 4. But my deareſt friends hate me, therefore &c. Page 275
Anſw. negatively: For Our greateſt Enemies may prove our greateſt Friends. ibid.
Object. 5. But my afflictions expoſe me to all Temptations, therefore &c. Page 276
Anſw. negatively: For
1 May be you are miſtaken. ib.
2 God by affliction cals a man to ſome other work. ibid.
3 No affliction doth expoſe a man to a new ſin, that makes him ſenſible of his former ſin. ibid.
4 When a man thus fears, it is a ſign of Grace Page 277
Object. 6. My ſin is the cauſe of my affliction, and I know not what ſin it is, therefore &c. ibid.
Anſw. negatively: For
So it was with Jonah, ſo with David, &c. ibid.
It is ſomtimes better for a particular ſin to lie undiſcovered Page 278
Object. 7. But I fear my afflictions come from Gods displeaſure, therfore &c. ibid.
Anſw. negatively: For
1 Afflictions argue Gods love rather than his hatred. ibid.
2 Is there any thing in God that is not a friend to all the Saints? ibid.
3 But what are thoſe viſible Characters of love engraven. on affliction? Page 279
1 If affliction be a bleſſing, then it comes from love. ibid.
2 If affliction end in our love to God, then it comes from Gods love t… us. ib.
3 If affliction teacheth the mind of God, then it doth come from love ibid.
4 If i… be but in meaſure, and at a ſeaſonable time, then it comes from love. ibid.
5 God is more especially preſent in affliction than at other times Page 279
Object. 8. But our whol Nation is afflicted, therefore &c. Page 280
Anſw. negatively, This is a ſad thing. If ever England had cauſe to be humbled under the hand of the Lord, it is now: Yet ſay to the Righteous, in evil times it ſhal go wel with him. ibid.
Queſt. What muſt we do to bear up againſt all diſcouragements? Page 282
Anſw.
1 If you have aſſurance of Gods love in Chriſt, hold to that; if you have it not, this affl…ction ſhal bring you to it. ibid.
2 Remember much your Fellowſhip with Chriſt in his Sufferings. ibid.
3 Labor more to be a ſtranger to the world, and to live by Faith ibid.
4 Conſider what Chriſt hath born, and left you to bear. Page 283
5 Conſider frequently, and ſeriouſly, what abundance of good, you, and others may get by your afflictions ibid.
6 When afflictions come, look not only on the evil of it, but on the good of it too. ibid.
Sermon XI.
INSTANCE, VIII.
Object. Either men think they are not called forth to work for God, or they want abilities, or they have no ſucceſs, therefore. Page 285
Anſw. negatively: For
1 Is Family work nothing? There is a three-fold ſweat ſaith Luther, Political, Eccleſiaſtical, Domeſtical. Page 286
2 Is it nothing to be truſted with the work of your Chriſtian Station? ibid.
3 Is it nothing to be imployed to comfort others? ibid.
Object. 1. But God doth not imploy me in the world, I am an uſeleſs Creature, therefore &c. ib.
Anſw.
1 It is a great bleſſing to be imployed in any Service of God ibid.
2 The more a man doth for God, the more he doth honor God Page 287
3 By being imployed, we are kept from Temptations. ibid.
4 Great imployment is the mercy promiſed. ibid.
5 The more ſerviceable a man is for God, the more will God be apt to pardon his failings. Page 288
6 If a man be faithful in Gods work, God will bleſs him. Page 288
7 The ſerviceable man for God is the only man that doth live and ſpeak when he is dead. ibid.
I may be Gods Servant, though I am not imployed by him in his Service: For Page 289
1 The Service of God is two-fold; either publick, or private. The private Service is the ſaving Service, though we have no publick imployment. ibid.
2 Special, or publick imployment, is various alſo; either in a mean, or a great imployment. ibid.
3 Though God do not uſe me at preſent, he may uſe me afterwards. Page 290
4 A man may be ſo imployed, and yet go to Hell; and he may not be imployed, and yet go to Heaven. ibid.
5 You muſt rejoyce when others are imployed. ibid.
Object. 2. But I want abilities, therefore &c. Page 291
Anſw. negatively; For
1 Gods greateſt works are not alwaies done by the greateſt abilities ibid.
2 Our beſt abilities are from God ibid.
3 The Spirit of God, doth not alwaies breath alike. Page 292
4 If God call you to a work, he will give you needful aſſiſtance in that time. ibid.
Object. 3. I fear I intrude into Gods work becauſe I want abilities. ibid.
Anſw. Negatively.
1 God ſomtimes firſt calls a man, and then gives abilities afterward. ibid.
2 If Gods door-keepers do judg you able, you muſt reſt on their judgment. Page 293
Though I am to judg of mine own grace, yet others, and not I, muſt judg of my abilities. ibid.
Object. 4. I fear I am an intruder, becauſe I meet with ſo many difficulties. ibid.
Anſw.
1 What good action doth not? ibid.
2 The greateſt Call from God, uſually finds the greateſt difficulties. Page 294
Obiect. 5. God I beleeve hath called me to his Service, but I am unſerviceable. ibid.
Anſw. That is ill indeed. ibid.
But this compla…nt, ſheweth you are willing to ſerve God, therefore be not diſcouraged. Page 295
Object. 6. I work, and have no ſucceſs in my work, therefore &c. ibid.
Anſw. Negatively.
1 You may miſtake the ſucceſs. Page 296
2 Gods deareſt Children here, ſomtimes labored all night, and caught n…thing. Page 296
Object. 7. I fear God hath imployed me in the way of judgment, and not of mercy, therefore Page 297
Anſw. negatively: For
1 If you love God the more for your imp oyment, it came from Gods love to you. ibid.
2 If God d…th any way acquaint me with his deſign therein, he doth imploy me in love to me. ibid.
3 He that is imployed in love, hath high thoughts of the imployment, b…t low thoughts of his own actings under it. ibid.
4 He that is imployed in love, is very tender of the Name of God. Page 298
5 He that is imployed in love, doth grow in grace ibid.
6 He will not pock…t up much for himſelf in Gods Service. ibid.
7 He will do Gods work without any great noiſe of himſelf. Page 299
8 He is willing to be uſed, and contemed to be laid by. ibid.
9 He will do Gods work fully, though he do his own work by ha…fs. ibid.
10 When God calls a man in judgment, he ha…h ordinarily more skil to deſtroy what is mans, than to ſet up what is Gods. ibid.
Queſt. Suppoſe that God ſhall not uſe me …n his Se…v…ce, or if he do, I meet with ſuch difficulties, what muſt I do then, not to be diſcouraged? Page 300
Anſw.
1 If you are not called to publick Service, then
1 Conſider you have the more time to mind your own ſoul. ibid.
2 If you be not called to work, and yet be willing to work, you ſhall be paid for that ſervice you never did. ibid.
2 In caſe you be called forth, Page 301
1 Conſider, the greater the difficulties are you meet withal, the more is your obedience in carrying on the work. ibid.
2 The more aſſiſtance m…y you look for. ibid.
3 In caſe you have no ſucceſs in your work, ibid.
1 Conſider, that the leſs ſucceſs you have, the more are you free from envy. Page 302
2 Hereby are you kept from that great temptation of reſting on your own labor. Page 302
Sermon XII.
INSTANCE, IX.
My afflictions are ſeated in my condition it ſelf, therefore &c. Page 304
Anſw. negatively: For
1 A good mans outward condition may be very bad. Page 305
2 It may be worſe in regard of the world than the condition of a wicked man. ibid.
3 It may be worſe after his converſion than it was before. ibid.
Yet a godly man muſt not be diſcouraged. For
1 I demonſtrate: If a good mans condition be carved out by the hand of his Teacher, he hath no reaſon to complain ibid.
2 If a man doth not live upon his condition it ſelf, but upon his call to it, he ha…h no reaſon to be diſcouraged Page 306
3 If there can be no condition of a godly man without mercy Chriſt hath paid for, then he may n…t be diſcouraged Page 307
But I am a poor man, in ſo mean a condition that I cannot ſerve God as the rich may, therefore &c. ibid.
Anſw. Negatively. For, Do you know the burden of proſperity? B…rden and Service go together, Numb. 4. Page 308
Luther did a greate… wo…k in way of Faith, than Alexander did in conquering the world. The more riches, the more debts. Page 309
Object. 2. I am in an unſetled condition, ſomtimes high, ſomtimes low, therefore &c. ibid.
Anſw. Negatively.
1 For what ſettlement would you have in this world of vanity? Page 310
2 If God loves you in your unſetled condition, you need not be diſcouraged ibid.
Object. 3. I am troubled, not for my outward condition, but for the condition of my ſoul, have I not cauſe now to be diſcouraged? Page 311
Anſw. Negatively For
1 If you want Ordinances, God will make that want to be an Ordinance to you. ibid.
2 If you want memory, know that there is a head memory, and a heart memory: the laſt is the principal, and wil ſuffice, if the other be wanting Page 313
3 As for yoar deadneſs, it is ſome life to feel ones own d…adneſs ibid.
4 A… for your unprofitableneſs under means, there is great difference be…ween leſs fruitful, and unfruitful, for ib.
1 Though a g od man be unfrui…ful, he will be ſenſible of it Page 314
2 Though a good man may be too unfruitful, yet he doth not cumber the ground ibid.
3 He deſires to uſe means to bring forth fruit ibid.
4 God wil prune him, but not cut him down ibid.
Object. 4. I fear I am an Hypocrite; therofore &c. Page 314
Anſw. Negatively. For
1 Though you have lain long dead under the means, Chriſt may at length rowl away the ſtone ibid.
2 Gods Children uſually think they are Hypocrites Page 315
3 Did ever Hypocrite long for Gods preſence in Chriſt, as the beſt good? ibid.
Object. 5. But a few are elected, and I fear I am not one, therefore &c. ibid.
Anſw. Negatively. For
This is no prejudice to the growth of your comfort. Page 317
1 As for Election. It is true that there is a certain number only that are elected. ib.
2 This number is unalterable ibid.
3 God knows them all certainly ibid.
4 A man may know himſelf to be one of thoſe Elect. ibid.
Three things here to be noted, Page 318
1 That ſome are elected. ib.
2 That a man may be aſſured he is one of them. ibid.
3 The way to know it, is not to begin aloft, but at your Vocation, as Paul did, putting Election laſt. ib.
2 Chriſt died for al men, both Jew and Gentile, but not for every particular man, with intention to ſave him ibid.
Ʋniverſal Redemption is an enemy to an afflicted ſoul. Page 319
I ſhal cleer this Point thus.
1 This Doctrine makes void the ſatisfaction of Chriſt for actual ſins; for they that hold Ʋniverſal Redemption, ſay, That thouſands are damned for thoſe ſins which Chriſt hath ſatisfied for. ib.
2 The interceſſion of Chriſt joyned with the death of Chriſt, is a great comfort to a Chriſtian; but this Doctrine parts Chriſts death and interceſſion, telling us Chriſt died for all, but that he doth not intercede for all Page 320
3 This Doctrine is an enemy to free Grace ibid.
4 It deſtroys the aſſurance of Salvation Page 321
5 The mercy of God, is made by it, to depend on our performance of Conditions Page 322
Object. 6. If Chriſt did not die for all, how can I know he died for me? ibid.
Anſw. They that make this Obiection, holding Ʋniverſal Redemption, do anſwer it themſelves. Yet to know further Page 323
1 There is a faith of Relyance, and a faith of Aſſurance. I have ground to rely on Chriſt, becauſe he died for ſinners. ibid.
2 The act of Reliance is below the act of Aſſurance; but he that relies on Chriſt, ſhall be ſaved ibid.
Object. 7. I am perſwaded that never any good man was in my Condition. Page 323, 324
Anſw. Negatively. For
1 The Saints uſually think ſo ibid.
2 If it were ſo, God works new things ordinarily ibid.
Application.
1 What great neceſſity we have to conſider our condition, whether we be in Chriſt or no, for every one will ſay he beleeveth ibid.
2 If you do not beleeve, you are here invited to it by this Doctrine. Page 325
3 If you do beleeve, then ſee that you walk anſwerable thereunto ibid.
Sermon XIII.
Means againſt Diſcouragements. Page 327
DOCT.
Faith is the Help againſt all Diſcouragements. Page 328
For your better underſtanding, conſider,
1 What is Hope. ibid.
2 That Faith quiets the heart in ſad times. ibid.
3 It is the day of all the Saints to truſt in God, eſpecially at that time ibid.
4 What there is in faith, and how faith can do it ibid.
Queſt. 1. What is it to truſt in God? ib.
Anſw.
1 To truſt in God, is to rely on God for help, &c. ibid.
2 He that truſteth in God, doth truſt unto him for ſome good thing that lieth out of ſight. Page 329
Queſt. 2. How may it appear that Faith will quiet the ſoul? Page 330
Anſw.
It is proved ſeveral waies out of Scripture ibid.
Faith gives free acceſs to God. Page 331
There are three Vails in Scripture. 1. Of Obſcurity. 2. The Vail of covering guilt. 3. A Vail of ſhame Page 332
Queſt. 3. How may it appear, that when diſcouragements ariſe, Faith muſt then be exerciſed, and then especially? ibid.
Anſw. It was Davids caſe, and the Scripture is expreſs for it. ibid.
Queſt. 4. What power hath Faith to allay diſcouragements? what is in faith can do it? and how doth faith do it? Page 333
Anſw.
1 Faith gives a man the true prospect of things paſt, preſent, and to come: And all Diſcouragements ariſe, becauſe men do not ſee things as they are ibid.
2 True ſaving Faith ſees that in God, and in Chriſt, which anſwers all our fears Page 335
3 Faith puts the Soul under Gods Commandements to anſwer all Objections. Page 336
More briefly of ſaving Faith.
1 It is the proper work of Faith to reſign our wils unto Gods wil. Page 337
2 It is the proper work of Faith to apply a ſuitable Promiſe ibid.
3 True faith will not venture without Gods Call. Page 338
4 True faith ſees the hand of God in every diſpenſation ibid.
5 True faith looks on both ſides of Gods Dispenſation, and of our own Condition ibid.
6 Fath ſees one contrary in another? ibid.
7 It is the work of true faith to engage God to ſuffer. ibid.
Application. Then if diſcouragements ariſe, exerciſe your faith ibid.
Queſt. Will every faith quiet a mans heart? ibid.
Anſw. Negatively. For There is a feigned, and uneffectual; and there is an unfeigned, and effectual faith: A counterfet faith will not quiet a mans ſoul, &c. ibid.
Queſt. How then ſhal a man exerciſe his faith, that he may bear up againſt all Diſcouragements Page 339
Anſw.
1 You muſt be humbled for your unbelief, &c. ib…d.
2 Go not to God without Chriſt. Page 340
3 Truſt in the Lord himſelf, and not in your own duties. ibid.
4 Truſt in the Lord, before you do act in your buſineſs ibid.
5 Truſt in Jeſus Chriſt before you truſt in the Promiſe. Page 341
6 If God give you a Promiſe, never let it go, though you ſee nothing but the contrary. ibid.
Object. I fear I ſhould preſume, and tempt the Lord ibid.
Anſw. To doubt after ſo much experience, were rather to tempt the Lord Page 342
Queſt. If God give me a Promiſe, and I ſee no performance, how ſhall I not be diſcouraged? Page 343
Anſw. Either it is thy Duty to beleeve on Chriſt, or not: if not, why doſt thou beleeve at all? If it be thy Duty, why ſhouldeſt thou not rely on him? ibid.
Be of good comfort: for
1 If you want aſſurance in God, look on Chriſt Page 344
2 If you want aſſurance, turn your eyes from thoſe Objections that invade your faith. ibid.
3 Beleeve that you do beleeve. Helps for Faith. Page 344
1 God never leads his People to any great mercy, but he puts the ſentence of death on all means that tend to it. ib.
2 It is a great ſin to limit Gods mercy, as to limit his power ibid.
3 When God gives a Promiſe, he ſomtimes trieth whether we will beleeve, or not. ibid.
4 God often times fulfils one Promiſe, and denieth another. ibid.
5 When we ſee nothing but what is contrary to help, then is Chriſts time to help. Page 345
6 Be your Affliction ordinary, or extraordinary, you muſt truſt to God for mercy ibid.
7 Queſtions to ask a mans own Soul, to encourage us Page 346
8 Conſider frequently, and ſeriouſly, what a bleſſed thing it is to truſt in God. Page 347
It is reaſonable to wait on God, For
1 He waited on you for your Repentance ibid.
2 You have waited on men wil you not wait on God? ibid.
3 When you give over waiting deliverance may come to your ſhame Page 348
4 If you give over waiting, you loſe all your former labor. ibid.
5 If you wait on God, he will not alwaies forget your work of Faith Page 349
The Sin againſt the Holy Ghoſt. ON Matth. 12.31, 32.
THere are two Arguments in the words Page 353
1 The largeneſs of Gods heart in forgiving ſins to men. ib.
2 The unpardonableneſs of the ſin againſt the Holy Ghoſt, ibid.
I had rather speak first to the former; but to prevent Objections from ſome diſtreſſed ſoul, I ſhal fi…ſt speak to the latter Page 354
For opening the words
Queſt. 1. Whether the Jews our Savior spake then to, did then ſin againſt the Holy Ghoſt? ib.
Anſw. Some think, No; But I rather think, Yes; for the Reaſons in the Text. ibid.
Queſt. 2. Is there any ſo giveneſs of ſins in the world to come? ibid.
Anſw. It is an unuſual Phraſe, noting the eternity of miſery. Page 355
DOCT. The Sin againſt the Holy Ghoſt, is an unpardonable ſin. Page 355
The Truth opened by the enquiry into two things:
1 What the Sin againſt the holy Ghoſt is ibid.
2 How this ſin is unpardonable beyond other ſins ibid.
For to ſay, what this ſin is? ibid.
I anſwer, Nega…ively, and Affirma…vely. ibid.
1 Negatively. It is not that ſin whereby men do barely deny the Deity of the Holy Ghoſt, &c. ibid.
2 Nor is it every oppoſition to the work of the Holy Ghoſt, &c. Page 356
3 It is not neceſſary that every man who ſins againſt the holy Ghoſt, ſhould be an univerſal Apoſtate, as i… is ordinarily thought ibid.
There is a two-fold Apoſtate, Either one that declineth from the profeſſion of the Truth; Or one that rebels againſt the T…uth revealed, and wil go no further, cleered by an example Page 357
4 Final Ʋnbelief, and Impenitency, is not the ſin againſt the holy Ghoſt; neither that a man lives and dies in, nor that he purpoſeth to live in to the laſt, for many have ſo purpoſed to live, yet have been converted ib…d
1 The Jews did then commit this ſin, yet they had not continued in it to their death. ibid.
2 Final unbelief, is rather ſin againſt God the Son. ibid.
3 If final unbelief be this ſin, then Chriſt ſhould threaten that he which dieth in his ſin, ſhould not be forgiven w…lſt he liveth Page 358
4 He that dieth in any ſin againſt the Father, or the Son, ſhal never be forgiven
5 This is aſſerted from 1 Joh. 5.16. ibid.
6 A man may ſin this unpardonable ſin whilſt he lives ibid.
7 It is a ſin a man may know another man to be guilty of whilſt he lives ibid.
8 A man may speak a word againſt the holy Ghoſt whilſt he lives ibid.
9 All wicked men dying impenitently, under the Gospel, ſhould ſin this ſin. ibid.
2 Affirmatively ibid.
1 It is a malicious, wilful oppoſing the holy Ghoſt ibid.
2 He that commits this ſin, blaſphemeth the peculiar work of the Holy Ghoſt. ib.
3 It muſt be malicious blaſphemy Page 359
Queſt. How can a man ſin maliciouſly, ſince he will is alwaies carried to what is good? ibid.
Anſw. Affirmatively:
For,
1 That good, is either moral good, natural good, or profitable good; but the will is not alwaies carried upon that which is honeſtly good in appearance, &c. Page 359
2 If this were a reaſon, the Devils do not ſin maliciouſly. ibid.
3 Though every man ſins ignorantly, yet every man doth not ſin out of ignorance: for then, Page 360
1 Why is there ſo vaſt a difference between a ſin of ignorance, and preſumption? ibid
2 If every ſin ſhould ariſe from ignorance in the underſtanding, the will would be alwaies carried upon honeſt good, at leaſt in appearance. ibid.
3 If it were ſo, the will could not fal off from the dictate of the Ʋnderſtanding. Page 361
4 If the will alwaies follow the underſtanding, then the created, and defiled will of man, cannot tend unto any object, upon any reaſon, upon which the Divine will of God cannot …end unto its object. ibid.
5 All men confeſs a ſin of malice, and a ſin of ignorance ibid.
4 Suppoſe that ſome ignorance in the underſtanding, be the remote cauſe of the ſin, yet malice is the next, and chief cauſe Page 362
5 A Queſtion anſwered, how the will ſhould be alwaies carried upon that which is good, and yet a man may ſin maliciouſly ibid.
6 It is a malicious ſin againſt the Holy Ghoſt, after he hath been convinced by the Holy Ghoſt Page 363
Queſt. 2. Why is this ſin unpardonable above all others? ibid.
Anſw.
1 It is not becauſe it is hard to be pardoned Page 364
2 It is not only unpardonable in regard of event ibid.
3 Nor is it greater than Gods mercy ibid.
4 Nor becauſe it is a ſin againſt the means of pardon ibid.
5 Nor becauſe a man doth not repent thereof. ibid.
But it is unpardonable, becauſe God hath appointed no ſacrifice for it ibid.
Application.
1 If the ſin againſt the Holy Ghoſt be unpardonable, then the Holy Ghoſt is God. Page 365
2 There is great neceſſity to know what this ſin againſt the Holy Ghoſt is, that if a man have ſinned t…is ſin, we may not pray for him. ibid.
3 Think on Gods mercy that hath kept us from this great ſin ibid.
Object. 1. I fear I have ſinned this great ſin, becauſe my ſins are ſo great Page 366
Anſw. How great may that ſin of yours be, and not be that ſin? Page 366
Object. 2. I fear it, for I have fallen fowly into it groſs ſin ibid.
Anſw. So did David ibid.
Object. 3. But I have loſt my communion with God ibid.
Anſw. So did the Church of Epheſus. Page 367
Object. 4. I have reſiſted Gods Spirit. ib.
Anſw. A man may do ſo, and yet not ſin againſt the holy Ghoſt. ibid.
Object. 5. I have denied the Truth ibid.
Anſw. So did Peter ibid.
Object. 6. I have been a blaſphemer ibid.
Anſw. So was Paul Page 368
Object. 7. I have ſinned maliciouſly ibid.
Anſw. Maliciouſly is taken three waies: Either ſinning from ſome ill habit, as all wicked men do; Or out of paſſion, as Paul did; Or out of liberty of his own will, and ſelf-conviction. Had you ſinned this laſt way, you would not be troubled about it, but wel pleaſed with it ibid
Object. 8. I have forſaken God, and God hath forſaken me ibid.
Anſw. David thought ſo ibid.
Object. 9. I despair Page 369
Anſw.
You know what Heman ſaid, All thy waves are gone over my head. ibid.
To cleer this, I ask five Queſtions ibid.
1 Art thou willing to forgive men that have treſpaſſed againſt thee? ibid.
2 Have you oppoſed the waies of God out of malice? ibid.
3 Do you not deſire to be humbled for your ſin? ibid.
4 Do you not deſire above all things, the breathings of Gods Spirit upon your heart Page 370
5 Where do you find in all the Bible, that they that ſinned againſt the Holy Ghoſt, are afraid that they have ſinned it. The great miſery of that man who hath ſinned againſt the Holy Ghoſt. ibid.
What great comfort is here for Beleevers that cannot commit this ſin? Page 371
Applic. 4. If this be unpardonable, what great cauſe have we to look to our ſelves? ibid.
Queſt. What muſt we do to be kept from this unpardonable ſin? Page 372
Anſw.
1 Do as David did againſt preſumptuous ſins ibid.
2 Be alwaies humbled for leſſer ſins Page 372
3 Fear alwaies ibid.
4 Reſolve to do good Page 373
5 Do not blaspheme what you underſtand not ibid.
6 Never blaspheme the way of God that thou haſt found to be true ibid.
7 Take heed of all declinings. ibid.
8 Forſake not the aſſembling your ſelves together, as the manner of ſome is ibid.
Of SINS of Infirmity. ON Matthew, 26.43.
THe difference between the true, and the falſe Diſciple. Page 377
The Text divided ibid.
Here is the Diſciples ſin, and the Lords Grace Page 378
1 They ſlept ibid.
1 The Cauſe; for their eyes were heavy ibid.
2 The Repetition; he found them aſleep again ibid.
2 Chriſt comes again ibid.
DOCT.
Though a man ſin again and again, yet if it be a ſin of Infirmity, Chriſt will come to him again. ibid.
Three things conſidered in the opening of the words ibid.
1 A good man may fall oft into the ſame ſin.
2 This ſin may be but a ſin of infirmity.
3 That Chriſt will not leave him for it. ibid.
I The firſt Propoſition proved Page 379
II The ſecond Propoſition proved. And to cleer it, conſider what a ſin of Infirmity is. Page 380
1 It is a ſin of weakneſs in Scripture Phraſe ibid.
2 Infirmity is a defect in one that hath life Page 381
3 It ariſeth not from wilfulneſs, but from want of ſtrength to reſiſt ibid.
Queſt. 1. Is every ſin a god…y man commits a ſin of Infirmity? ibid.
Anſw. Negatively, with the Reaſons ibid.
Queſt. 2. Is any ſin a wicked man commits, a ſin of Infirmity? ibid.
Anſw. Negatively, with the Reaſons ibid.
Queſt. 3. Can any great, foul ſin, be a ſin of Infirmity? ibid.
Anſw. Negatively, with Reaſons ibid.
Queſt. How may I know a ſin of Infirmity? Page 382
Anſw. Firſt, Some miſtakes are obſerved. Secondly, It is anſwered Negatively. Laſtly, Affirmatively Page 382
1 There are miſtakes on both hands: Some think they are ſins of Infirmity, when they are not: And ſome think they are not, when they are. ibid.
The firſt kind of miſtake is on the left hand: four-fold.
1 Some think it a ſin of Infirmity, becauſe it is a ſmal ſin. ibid.
2 Becauſe they are drawn on by others Page 383
3 Becauſe they ſtrive againſt it ibid.
4 Becauſe they are troub…ed after it ibid.
The Second miſtake, on the right hand, is three-fold: Page 384
1 Becauſe they ſin knowingly ibid.
2 Becauſe they fall into the ſame ſin again ibid.
3 Becauſe they fall into it after admonition ibid.
Object. 1. My ſin can be no ſin of infirmity; for I ſin againſt my conſcience, and knowingly ibid.
Anſw. It is one thing to ſin knowingly, and another to ſin againſt knowledg ibid.
Object. 2. I fall into my ſin again, and lie in it, therefore &c. Page 385
Anſw. There is much miſtake about lying in ſin; he that complains of it, lies not in it ibid.
Object. 3. I fall into it after admonition, therefore &c. ibid.
Anſw. So did the Diſciples in the Text ibid.
Queſt. How then ſhall we know a ſin of Infirmity? Page 386
Anſw. Negatively
1 That is no ſin of infirmity that is groſs and ſcandalous, committed with deliberation ibid.
2 A ring-leading ſin to other ſins, is no ſin of infirmity. ibid.
3 A ſin of Preſumption, is no ſin of infirmity ibid.
4 A reigning ſin, is no ſin of infirmity Page 387
Sin reigneth in a man,
1 When it commands his Spiritual Duties ibid.
2 When men do yield the Members of their Bodies, as weapons of Ʋnrighteouſneſs Page 388
3 Sin reigneth when it uſually riſeth by oppoſition ibid.
Queſt: How ſhall we know a ſin of infirmity, affirmatively? ibid.
Anſw.
1 If it proceed from want of Age in Chriſtianity ibid.
2 If it be no other ſin than what is incident to all the Saints Page 389
3 If it be ſuch a ſin as you cannot avoid ibid.
4 If your ſin be your burden ibid.
5 An infirmity will hardly acknowledg it ſelf to be a ſin of infirmity Page 390
6 If your ſin riſe chiefly from ſome outward cauſe ibid.
7 Infirmity loves admonition Page 391
8 Infirmity is an ill ſin, but a good ſign ibid.
9 Sins of infirmity …re Servants to Grace ibid.
10 Infirm…ty keeps a mans heart humble Page 392
Queſt Suppoſe my ſin be a ſin of infirmity, what then? Page 393
Anſw. Then Chriſt wil never leave you ibid.
Queſt. Is there no evil in a ſin of infirmity? ibid.
Anſw.Yes, very much; it is a Gibeonite, though it ſe…ve Grace ibid.
III. Though there be much evil in it, Chriſt will not caſt us off for it. For Page 394
1 It is an honor to a man to paſs by infirmities, much more to Chriſt ibid.
2 The Cov…nant of God is c…njugal, and paſſeth over infirmities ibid.
3 The Saints are Members of Chriſts Body Page 395
Object. The back-ſlider ſhall be filled with his own waies ibid.
Anſw.
1 There is great difference between the relapſes of the Saints, and the back-ſlidings of Hypocrites ibid.
2 The meaning of that is explained, how a man is ſaid to be ſatisfied with his own waies Page 396
Application. See what great neceſſity we have to examine our ſins, and to know what they are ibid.
Queſt. What advantage hath this ſin of infirmity above other ſins? Page 397
Anſw.
1 Very much; for if it be a ſin of infirmity, though it be very g eat, it ſhal not hinder the acceptance of my Duty ibid.
2 It ſhall n…t hinder the ſence of my Juſtification ibid.
3 There is a pardon lies of courſe for it ibid.
4 It ſhall n…ver bring a ſcourge on a mans family ibid.
5 It will never ſpoil a mans Gifts ibid.
Queſt.
Suppoſe I find a ſin of infirmity, and fall …nto it again, what muſt I do? Page 398
Anſw. Theſe Duties
1 I will obſerve Gods deſign in it, and labor all I can to advance Gods deſign ibid.
2 By Gods Grace I will never beleeve Satans falſe reports of Chriſt, that he is a hard Maſter Page 399
3 I will not queſtion my spiritual eſtate for every ſin ib.
4 I will not caſt off my ſelf, and others for ſins of infirmity.
5 I will not caſt off the things of Chriſt, becauſe of any infirmity may hang to them Page 399
6 I will never be diſcouraged from doing my duty ibid.
7 I will commit no ſin, becauſe it is but a ſin of infirmity. ib.
Queſt. What ſhal we do not to fall into this ſin again? Page 400
Anſw.
1 Forget not your former ſin ibid.
2 Quench your ſins in the blood of Chriſt ibid.
3 Watch and pray ibid.
The Falſe Apoſtle, tryed and diſcovered. ON Revel. 2.2.
IT is held that theſe ſeven Epiſtles, written to the ſeven Churches in Aſia, contain the ſtate of Chriſts Church unto his coming again Page 405
The firſt Epiſtle is written to languiſhing Epheſus ibid.
Chriſts commendations of this Church ibid.
1. For her Labor. 2. Patience. 3. Zeal. Page 406
Her Zeal is deſcribed two waies. Firſt, By the Perſons they dealt withal, falſe Teachers. Secondly, By their exerciſe of their Zeal, and that in two things, 1. By the diſcovery of falſe Teachers. 2. By the hatred of their deeds. ibid.
The diſcovery of falſe Teachers was a work concerned the Apoſtles then living ibid.
DOCT.
It is a work of great Commendation with Jeſus Chriſt, to try, and diſcover falſe Teachers.
To cleer this Point, conſider, ibid.
Arg. 1. What dangerous people falſe Teachers are Page 407
Arg. 2. It it hard to diſcover them Page 408
Arg. 3. It is an excellent thing to diſcover them Page 409
Object. Is it lawful to go to their meetings to diſcover them? Page 410
Anſw. Negatively,
No more than you muſt go to Rome to try, and find out Papiſts ibid.
Queſt. How then ſhal I try all things? ibid.
Anſw. Mark this Scripture well, 1 Theſ. 5.20, 21. ibid.
Application. We ſhould all take pains in this work, becauſe Chriſt commends it Page 411
Queſt. If we may not go to their Meetings, how ſhal we diſcover falſe Teachers? Page 412
Anſw. All Teachers are to be diſcovered three waies. By
Their Call
Their Doctrine
Their Fruits, or Lives. ibid.
I. For a mans Call to preach: He is called either to a particular work, or to an Office. The firſt is called Propheſie: and ſo ſome men are called to preach.
If men be ſo called, then they muſt preach, 1. According to the Analogy of Faith. 2. If ſo called, they muſt have a Gift to profit others by 3. He muſt ſubmit what he ſaith, to the judgment of others, or he is a falſe Prophet in this kind ibid.
Secondly, If a man be called to Office, then his Office is either Extraordinary, or Ordinary ibid.
1 If Extraordinary, he is either a Prophet to foretel what is to come; or an Evangeliſt, whoſe Office is to miniſter to the Apoſtles. Page 412, 413
2 If a man be called to an ordinary Office, 1. He muſt be apparently Godly. 2. He muſt be qualified for preaching. 3. He muſt be choſen, or deſired by the Church. 4. He muſt be ſeparated to the work of the Miniſtry. ibid.
II. For the Doctrine; Teachers may, and muſt be tried by their Doctrine ibid.
Particular Doctrines men muſt be tryed by, are many. I will name ſome few ib.
1 True Apoſtles ever exalted the Scriptures Page 414
2 True Apoſtles never denied the Deity of Chriſt ibid.
3 True Apoſtles never did deny Ordinances ibid.
4 True Apoſtles preached for Juſtification by faith, and imputed righteouſneſs in oppoſition to works Page 415
5 They never told us, that there is a light in every man, which followed, wil bring him to Salvation ibid.
6 They never preached that any man might be perfect, and without ſin in this life. ibid.
7 True Apoſtles never preached againſt respect unto Magiſtrates, Parents, Maſters Page 416
8 True Apoſtles, never preached againſt the reſurrection and aſſention of the Body ibid.
9 The Apoſtles never preached that there is no place of Heaven or Hell after death ib.
III. A Teacher may, and muſt be tried by his Life and Fruits Page 417
Queſt. If they go in Sheeps Cloathing, how ſhall I know they are Wolves? ibid.
Anſw. Yes,
1 A Wolf is a Wolf in Sheeps cloathing, for he is fierce and cruel Page 417
2 He howls at the Sheep, and barks at the Shepheards ib.
3 He rends the Sheep Page 418
Queſt. What fruits doth our Savior mean we muſt know them by? ibid.
Anſw.
1 If you find they walk after the fleſh. ibid.
2 If they are given to lying. ib.
3 If the height of their Religion be to maintain ſome Opinion that conſiſts in voluntary Humility ibid.
4 If their Doctrine tends to draw men away from the Ordinance of God ibid.
5 If he fals ſhort of him he would ſeem to be, yet in ſhew goes beyond him ibid.
6 If you find that his great work is to deſtroy the Church of Chriſt. Page 419
7 If he forſake the Aſſemblies of the Saints ibid.
1 It is the special work of Church Officers, to try and diſcover falſe Teachers ibid.
2 It is a work incumbent upon all the Saints and Churches. ib.
More practically
1 Go to God for a spirit of diſcerning Page 420
2 Lie in no ſin or Error, for all ſin blinds ibid.
3 Conſult with others about it ibid.
4 Keep cloſe to the Scripture ibid.
5 Have not too great charity towards an Opinion of ſuch as are accounted falſe Teachers ibid.
6 Wait long before you cloſe with any of their Opinions, that you may not be deceived. ibid.
The Good and Means of Eſtabliſhment. ON 1 Pet. 5.10.
Different Opinions how theſe words a…e spoken, Page 425
The Authors Opinion Page 426
The words divided into
1 A Bleſſing prayed for
2 The Arguments enſuing it.
1 The Bleſſing prayed for, is expreſſed in four words; Perfect, Stabliſh, Strengthen, Settle you ibid.
DOCT.
Settling Grace in reſpect of all trouble, is a great Mercy, and Bleſsing. Page 428
1 It is a great mercy for a Nation to be ſetled.
2 It is a great mercy for a Church to be ſetled.
3 It is a great mercy for a particular ſoul to be ſetled.
I. The firſt part proved by Scriture Page 429
II. The Second part proved, by five Arguments Page 429
1 When the Church hath this ſettlement, then it is edified.
2 It is the mercy God hath promiſed to the Church Page 430
3 It is that the Apoſtles labored for ibid.
4 That they prayed for ibid.
5 It is ſomtimes the ſignal mercy of Chriſts Church ibid.
III. The third part proved by five Arguments Page 431
1 It is the ground of all our fruitfulneſs ibid.
2 It is the bottom of all our praiſes Page 432
3 It is the beginning of our perſeverance ibid.
4 It is that good thing which pleaſeth God exceedingly. ib.
5 It is the Character of a gracious perſon Page 433
The ſecond part of the Doctrine It is worthy of all our p…ayers, For Page 434
1 It is that mercy we all need.
2 God only can ſettle us Page 435
Application.
How great cauſe have they that ar… ſettled, to praiſe God? ibid.
Object. I find not this ſettlement, therefore I cannot praiſe God Page 436
Anſw. It may be ſo: yet there is much difference between variety of Grace, and inſtability of Spirit ibid.
2 If Eſtabliſhment be ſo great a Bleſſing, how ſad is their condition that are not eſtabliſhed? ibid.
Queſt. What ſhall we do that we may be eſtabliſhed? Page 437
Anſw. I. For a Nation. ib.
1 It muſt firſt ſettle Religion.
2 There muſt be care …aken for a ſucceſſion of Godly Magiſtrates ibid.
3 They muſt do, and govern in Righteouſneſs Page 438
4 They must truſt in the Lord. ibid.
II. For a Church. Page 439
1 All Churches must know that they are laid out for ſufferings ibid.
2 A Church that would be ſetled, must have al the Officers and Ordinances of Christ.
3 Let all Churches know, and keep the word of Gods Patience ibid.
4 If difficulty ariſe in a Church it must call for help from other Churches Page 440
5 Eſpecially al Churches must pray for this mercy of Establiſhment ibid.
III. Particular Perſons, what they must do for this mercy. ibid.
Queſt. 1. What ſhall I do to be more ſetled in my Judgment, and in the Truth Page 442
Anſw.
1 Get a cleer understanding in the truth of the Goſpel ibid.
2 Take heed of unſetling Principles Page 443
3 Make no Impreſſion, the Rule and Square of your Judgment ibid.
4 Get into Gods Houſe Page 444
5 Go not into the company of thoſe where falſe Doctrine is taught ibid.
6 Practice what Truth you know Page 444
7 Go to God for his eſtabliſhing Grace Page 445
Queſt. 2. What ſhal I do to be more ſetled in my practice? ibid.
Anſw.
1 You muſt be very ſenſible, and humbled for your own unſetledneſs. ibid.
2 Labor for a ſerious Spirit. ib.
3 Live not on your Condition alone, but upon the God of your Condition ibid.
4 Take heed of a divided heart Page 446
5 Put on the whol Armor of God ibid.
6 The more you delight in Gods waies, the more will your heart be eſtabliſhed. Page 447
Rules to make the way to Heaven, ſweet and eaſie to a man ibid.
1 Do not ſeparate between Gods Commandement, and his Promiſe ibid.
2 Apply your ſelf to Gods work according to Gods Method ibid.
3 Improve that variety which God hath given you ibid.
4 Do not ſtint your ſelf in any Duty, as to go no further. Page 448
5 Naturallize Gods Gifts in your ſoul ibid.
7 Motives to eſtabliſh a man in the waies of God ibid.
1 Free yourſelf from temptations ibid.
2 The fixation of your ſoul, is a great honor to your Profeſſion Page 449
3 You ſhall thereby rejoyce the hearts of thoſe that are ſet over you in the Lord ibid.
4 You have been conſtant in ſeeking Earthly things, it is ſhame to be inconſtant in ſeeking heavenly things ibid.
5 If you be not conſtant in Good, you will be conſtant in evil ibid.
6 The more unconſtant you are, the more you make the way to Heaven difficult
Laſtly, Go to God by Prayer for fixation Page 450
FINIS.