A Confession of My Faith and a Reason of My Practice, Part 3 – Part 5
Of Calling.
1. I believe, that to effectual Calling the holy Ghost must accompany the word of the Gospel, and that with mighty power: I mean that calling, which of God is made to be the fruit of electing love. I know saith Paul, to the Thessalonians, brethren, beloved your election of God: for our Gospell came not unto you in word onelyonly; but also in power, and in the holy Ghost, and in much assurance, &c, 1 Thes. 1.4.8. Otherwise men will not, cannot, hear and turn. Samuell was called four times, before he knew the voice of him that spake from heaven. It is said of them in Hosea, That as the Prophets called them so they went from them; And instead of turning to them, sacrificed to Balaam, and burnt incense to Graven Images. 1 Sam 4.6.10. Hos. 11.2. The reason is, because men by nature, are not only dead in sins, but enemys in their minds by reason of wicked works: The call then is; Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. Eph. 5.14. Understand; therefore that effectual calling is like that word of Christ that raised Lazarus from the dead: A word attended with an arm, that was omnipotent. Lazarus come forth: was a word to the dead; but not onelyonly so: It was a word for the dead; a word that raised him from the dead; a word that outwent all opposition; and that brought him forth of the grave, though bound hand and foot therein. Joh. 11.43. Eph. 2 1, 2. Heb. 10.32. Gal. 1.15. Act. 9. And hence it is that calling, is sometimes expressed by quickening, awakening, illuminating, or bringing them forth of darkness to light that amazeth, and astonisheth them. For as it is a strange thing for a man that lay long dead, or never saw the light with his eyes, to be raised out of the grave, or to be made to see that which he could not so much as once think of before, so it is with effectual calling 1 Pet. 2.9. Hence it is that Paul, when called, stood trembling and was astonished: and that Peter saith, he hath called us out of darkness into his marvellous light Eph. 4.21. Act. 7.2. In effectual calling the voyce of God is heard, and the gates of heaven are opened: when God called Abraham, he appeared to him in glory. Oh that of Ananius to Saul is experienced but by few. The God of our Fathers hath chosen thee, saith he, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that just one, and shouldest hear the voyce of his mouth. Act. 22.14. True; Sauls call was out of the ordinary way, but yet as to the matter, and truth of the work, twas no other then all the chosen have, viz.
1. An effectual awakening about the evil of sin, and especially of unbelief. Joh. 16.9. And therefore when the Lord God called Adam, he also made unto him, an effectual discovery of sin; insomuch that he stript him of all his righteousness. Gen. 3. Thus he also served the Gealer. Yea it is such an awakening, as by it, he sees he was without Christ, without hope, and a stranger to the common-wealth of Israel, and without God in the word. Act. 16.29, 30. Eph, 2.12. Oh the dread and amazement that the guilt of sin brings with it, when tis revealed by the God of heaven: and like to it is the sight of mercy, when it pleaseth God, who calleth us by his grace, to reveal his son in us.
2. In effectual calling, there is great awakenings about the world to some, and the glory of unseen things; The resurrection of the dead; and eternal judgement; The salvation that God hath prepared for them that love him; with the blessedness that will attend us, and be upon us, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, are great things in the soul that is under the awakening calls of God. And hence we are said to be called to Glory, to the obtaining of the Glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thes, 2.12. 2 Thes. 2.13 14.
3. In effectual calling, there is also a sanctifying vertue; And hence we are said to be called with an holy calling, with an heavenly calling: Called to glory and vertue. But ye are a chosen Generation, a royall priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people, that you should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. Heb. 3.1. 1 Thes. 4 7. 1 Pet. 1.8, 9. Yea effectual calling hath annexed to it, as its unseparable companion, the promise of through sanctification. Faithfull is he that hath called you, who also will do it. 1 Thes. 5 22 23, 24.
2. I believe, that effectual calling doth therefore produce, 1. Faith; and therefore it is said, that faith cometh by hearing; by hearing the word that calleth us unto the grace of Christ. For by the word that calleth us is Jesus Christ held forth to us; and offered to be our righteousness; and therefore the Apostle saith again, that God hath called us unto the fellowship of his son Jesus Christ; that is to be made partakers of the riches of grace, and the righteousness that is in him. Rom. 10.17. Gal. 1.6. 1 Cor. 1.9.
2. It produceth hope; It giveth a ground to hope; and therefore hope is said to be the hope of our calling. And again, Even us you are called in one hope of your calling. Eph. 1.18, 19. chap. 4 4. Now the Godly wise know, whoso misseth of effectual calling, misseth of eternal life; because God justifyeth none but them whom he calleth; and glorifyes none but those whom he justifyes: And therefore it is that Peter said before, Make your calling, and (so) your election sure: make it sure, that is prove your calling right, by the word of God. For whoso staggereth at the certainty of his calling, cannot comfortably hope for a share in eternal life. Remember the word unto thy servant, whereon thou hast caused me to hope. My soul fainted for thy salvation, but I hope in thy word. Psa. 119.49.81.
3. It produceth repentance; For when a man hath heaven, and hell before his eyes, (as he will have if he be under the power of effectual calling) or when a man hath a revelation of the mercy and justice of God, with an heart-drawing invitation, to lay hold on the tender forgiveness of sins; and being made also to behold the goodly beauty of holiness; it must needs be, that repentance appears, and puts forth it self, unto self-revenging acts, for all its wickedness which in the dayes of ignorance, it delighted in. And hence is that saying, I came not to call the righteous but sinners to Repentance. For the effecting of which, the preaching of the word of the Kingdom, is most proper: Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand. Mar. 2.17. chap. 1.10.
1. Repentane is a turning the heart to God in Christ:Of R…pentance. a turning of it from sin, and the Divel, and darkness; to the goodness and grace, and holyness that is in him. Wherefore they that of old are said to repent are said to loath, and abhor themselves, for all their abominations. I abhor my self; said Iob, and repent in dust, and ashes. Ezek. 6.9. chap, 2.43. chap. 36.31. Job. 42.5, 6. Ezek. 16. v. last.
2. Godly repentance: doth not onelyonly affect the soul with the loathsome nature of sin that is past; but filleth the heart with godly hatred of sins that yet may come; When Moses feared that through his being overburthened, with the care of the children of Israel, some unruly, or sinfull passions might shew themselves in him; what saith he? I beseech thee kill me out of hand, if I have found grace in thy sight, and let me not see my wretchedness. Num. 14.13, 14, 15.
See also, how that, that Paul calleth godly repentance, wrought in the upright Corinthians. Behold saith he, this self same thing that ye sorrowed after a Godly sort; what carefulness it wrought in you? what clearing of your selves? yea what fear? yea what vehement desire, yea what zeal, yea what revenge? In all things you have approved your selves to be clear in this matter. 2 Cor. 7.9, 10, 11.
4. It produceth also Love: Wherefore Paul when he had put the church in remembrance that they were called of God; addes, That concerning brotherly Love,Of Love. they had no need that he should write unto them. 1 Thes. 4.17.19. As who should say, If God be so kind to us, to forgive us our sins, to save our souls, and to give us the kingdom of heaven; let these be motives beyond all other, to provoke us to love again. Farther; If we that are thus beloved of God, are made members of one mans body, all partakers of his grace; clothed all with his glorious righteousness; and are together appointed to be the children of the next world; why should we not love one another? Beloved, if God so loved us we ought also to love one another. 1 Joh 4.11. And truly so we shall, if the true grace of God be upon us; because we also see them to be the called of Jesus. Travellers, that are of the same countrey, love, and take pleasure one in another, when they meet in a strange Land, why? we sojourn here in a strange countrey; with them that are heirs together with us of the promised kingdom and glory. Heb. 11.9. Now as I said, this holy love, worketh by love; Mark, Love in God, and Christ, when discovered, constraineth us to love, 2 Cor. 5.14.
The name, therefore, and word, and truth of God in Christ, together with the sincerity of Grace; of faith, and holyness in us, are the delightfull objects of this love. Psa. 119.47, 127.159. Psa. 5 11, and 69.36. and 1…9.132. and 101.6. For it imbraceth with delight, and complacency, but as it discerneth the image of God, and of Christ in the Soul, his presence in the ministery; and a suitableness in our worship to the word, and mind of Christ. Psa. 26.8. and 27.4. and 84.1 4. 1 Thes. 5.13. Phil. 1.3 7. Eph. 4.32.
Love also hath a blessed faculty, and heavenly; in bearing and suffering afflictions, putting up wrongs, overlooking the infirmities of the brethren, and in serving in all Christian offices the necessities of the Saints Charity suffereth long, and is kind, charity envyeth not, charity vaunteth not it self, is not puffed up, doth not behave it self unseemly; seeketh not her own; is not easily provoked; thinketh no evil, rejoyceth not in iniquity, but rejoyceth in the truth; heareth all things, believeth all things; hopeth all things, endureth all things; charity never faileth. 1 Cor 13. 1 Pet. 4.8. Gal. 5.13. In a word it designeth a holy conversation in this world; that God, and Christ, and the word of may be glorified thereby. 2 Cor. 11.10, 11, 12 1 Pet. 1.12. chap. 3.16.
Of the Scriptures.
TOuching which word of God, I thus believe and confess. 1. That all the holy scriptures are the words of God. All scriptures is given by inspiration of God. For the prophecy of the scripture came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God, speak as they were moved by the holy Ghost. 2 Tim. 3 16. 2 Pet. 1.21.
2 I believe that the holy scriptures, of themselves, without the addition of humane inventions, are able to make the man of God perfect in all things; and throughly to furnish him unto all good works. They are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith in Jesus Christ; and to thee in all other things, that either respect the worship of God, or thy walking before all men. 2 Tim. 3.14.17. 2 Pet. 1.19, 20, 21.
3. I believe, the great end why God committed the Scriptures to writing was; that we might be instructed to Christ, taught how to believe, encouraged to patience, and hope, for the grace that is to be brought unto us, at the revelation of Jesus Christ; also, that we might understand what is sin, and how to avoid the commission thereof. Joh. 20.31. 1 Joh. 5 13. Rom. 15.4 Concerning the works of men (said David) by the word of thy lips, I have kept me from the pathes of the destroyer. Through thy precepts I get understanding, therefore I hate every false way. I have hid thy word in my heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psa. 17.4. and 119.104. v. 11.
4. I believe that they cannot be broken, but will certainly be fulfilled in all the prophecies, threatnings, and promises, either to the salvation, or damnation of men. They are like that flying roll, that will go over all the earth to cut off and curse; In them is contained also the blessing; they preach to us also the way of salvation; Take heed therefore lest that come upon you which is written in the prophets, Behold ye despisers, and wonder and perish, For I work a work in your dayes, a work which you shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you. Gal 3.8. Acts 13.40, 41. Joh. 10 35. chap. 12.37.41. chap. 3.17, 18, 19. Zach. 5.2.3, 4.
5. I believe Jesus Christ, by the word of the scriptures, will judge all men at the day of doom; For that is the book of the Law of the Lord, according to Pauls Gospel. Joh. 12.41, 49. Rom 2.16.
6, I believe, that this God made the world, and all things that are therein, for in Six dayes the Lord made Heaven and Earth, the Sea, and all that in them is; also that after the time of the making thereof, be disposed of it to the children of men, with a preserve thereof for the children of God, that should in all ages be born thereunto. When the most high divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the Sons of Adam; he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel, for as he made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell upon the face of the earth, so he hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation. Acts 17; 24, Exo, 24, 19, Deu, 32, 8, Acts 17, 26.
Of Magistracy.
I believe, that Magistracy is Gods ordinance, which he hath appointed for the government of the whole world; And that it is a judgment of God, to be without those ministers of God, which he hath ordained to put wickedness to shame. Judg 18.7.
Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God; and they that resist, shall receive to themselves damnation; For rulers are not a terror to good works but to the evil; Wilt thou not then be afraid of the power, do that which is Good and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evill, be afraid, for he beareth not the sword in vain, For he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil: Wherefore, ye must needs be subject; not onelyonly for wrath, but also for conscience sake: For this cause pay ye tribute also; for they are Gods ministers attending continually unto this very thing. Rom. 13. Many are the mercyes we receive, by a well qualified Magistrate, and if any shall at any time be otherwise inclined, let us shew ovr christianity in a patient suffering for well doing, what it shall please God to inflict by them.