Spiritual Refining, Religious treatise · Section 8 · Sermon 65
SERMON LXV.
Comfortable Directions to poor Doubting Chriſtians.
1 COR. 6. 11.
But ye are Sanctified, &c.
I Shall conclude the work of grace at this time expreſſed in the Text, under the notion of Sanctification, and that ſhal be by handling ſome practical caſes which may juſtly be propounded by a godly ſanctified heart, for ſeeing this is the evidence of our election, and juſtification. No marvail, if the ſoul may have doubts to be informed about therein. And,
Firſt, It may be demanded Why, if I perceive thoſe common gifts and abilities which come from the holy Ghoſt in me; I may not thence conclude the Spirit of I. Whether from common gifts of the Spirit a man may not conclude grace to be in him.ſanctification in me? There were in the Primitive times extraordinary gifts vouchſafed by the Holy Ghoſt, according to the promiſe of old, Ioel 2. Now all theſe were from the ſame ſpirit, as the Apoſtle witneſſeth, 1 Cor. 12. 4. And although thoſe extraordinary works of the Holy Ghoſt now ceaſe, yet there are many gifts ſtill diſpenſed unto men, that cannot be called the works of the ſleſh, but the gifts of Gods Spirit; ſuch as believing for a ſeaſon, joy in the word preached: illumination of mind, taſting experimentally the ſenſe of Gods word, in which the Apoſtle ſaith, They are partakers of the Holy Ghoſt, Heb. 6. May we not then, where we feel theſe things in our ſelves, or ſee them in others, conclude there is the work of ſanctification?
To this in the firſt place I Anſwer, That amongſt men, who judge by outward appearance, Anſw. He may notand cannot try the hearts and reins, which is Gods Soveraignty, theſe things are much admired, and received for Sanctification. Hence if we ſee a man have good utterance and gifts in prayer, with affectionate inlargements; if he ſpeak of ſome joy and ſweetneſſe he hath in the Ordinances; if he can confer and diſpute with ſome illumination of mind and underſtanding in religious things; we are apt to take all that gliſters thus, for gold: and becauſe others doe put ſuch an eſteem upon them; therefore they that have ſuch gifts do eaſily perſwade themſelves that they are ſanctified alſo. But theſe gifts of Gods Spirit are not ſanctification. A man may have all thoſe enumerated excellencies, and yet be an unregenerated man. For,
Firſt, You have many inſtances of thoſe who have had theſe gifts, and yet no true Reaſon. ….members of Chriſt. As thoſe Hebrews 6. which the Apoſtle ſpeaks of; and therefore though the Apoſtle had reckoned up thoſe great things, yet he ſaith, I hope better things of you, and things that accompany ſalvation. In this number was Iudas, the fooliſh Virgins, the third kind of hearers, ſuch are compared to Swine waſhed; though waſhed, yet Swine ſtill. Oh then think it not ſuch a matter, if becauſe of parts and abilities in prayer, diſcourſe and conference in Religion, thou art eminently admired by others; for theſe are no ſure ſigne of Sanctification. Here may be light, but no oyl; and therefore though it be our ſaying ordinarily; Such an one is an able Chriſtian; VVhy ſo? becauſe of gift in Praier, abilitie to ſpeak in divine things; yet that is not ſo. He is an able Chriſtian, who is ſtrong in the works of Sanctification, who is able in believing, in heavenly mindedneſſe, in humility, in uprightneſſe and ſincerity of heart. If ever the Profeſſors of England needed any truth, they ought to give diligent heed to this: For how is that which is indeed true godlineſſe neglected, and curious Diſputes, and needleſſe Controverſies exalted in the room thereof!
Secondly, Theſe doe not ſanctifie; becauſe a man that hath theſe gifts of the Holy Ghoſt, is ſtill carnal and unſavoury, improving them wholly to carnall and 2.corrupt ends. It's commonly objected by Arminians, and others, when we ſay, That an unregenerate man is wholly fleſh, and altogether corrupt: and yet may have many gifts of Gods Spirit: how then can they be wholly corrupt? Are thoſe gifts of God evill? and its anſwered, The men are altogether corrupt and carnall, though ſome good gifts of God be in them; for they improve all theſe to a ſinfull end, for ſelf-advantage one way or other; even as they doe the external Gifts of God, Riches, Honour and Glory: ſo that as by theſe they are not made holy, but their corruptions are more drawn out by them: So it is here, they are not made holy by theſe Gifts and inlargements, but rather internall and ſoulcorruption is more ſtrengthened thereby, But I have ſpoken at large, that the common gifts of Gods Spirit are no evidences of grace.
A ſecond doubt therefore may be, what a true godly man, who is indeed ſanctified, ſhould doe, when he findes no evidences of his ſanctification. All II. What a truely ſanctified man ſhould doe when he findes noevidences of ſanctification.the Sermons he heareth preached about it, put him into fear and tremblings of heart: for alas! he goeth home, and looketh in his ſoul, compareth himſelf and the ſymptomes and properties of ſanctification together, and O the diſproportion he preſently diſcovers! Inſomuch that he hath little joy in himſelf, and none knoweth but his own ſoul, what ſad temptations, and heavy anxieties of ſpirit he lyeth under.
To Anſwer this: Firſt, it cannot be denyed, but that even a ſanctified perſon Anſw. 1.may be in great darkneſſe, and heavy blackneſſe of ſoul, that he cannot but judge himſelf for the preſent to be a Reprobate and a Caſt away; to be an hypocrite, and all that he had done, in hypocriſie. David ſometimes caſteth forth deſpairing words in his Pſalms about his condition, as if he had no hopes of God: Heman the Pſalmiſt complains of the terrors of God, that made him even diſtracted thereby, Pſalme 88. 15. This is no new thing, for a child of light to lye and walk in darkneſſe; for a child that is heir to a great inheritance, to be in the dark cloſe womb, knowing nothing of it. God hath wiſe ends in this, both in reference to the perſons themſelves, that are thus exerciſed, to humble them, and to keep them low; as alſo to teach wicked men, that if Godly men be thus ſcarcely ſaved, where ſhall the wicked appear? Although wicked men for the moſt part ſuck poiſon hence; and God maketh this an heavy ſtumbling-block to them; that they conclude the contrary, as if it were godlineſſe, and the too much following of Sermons, and the means of Grace, made them ſo. But oh miſerable deluded ſouls, to fall at ſuch ſtones, and to harden themſelves in wickedneſſe by that, which ſhould indeed humble them. But to direct the tempted ſoul in this matter: Firſt he muſt give up himſelf to the inſtruction and information of others, who are godly and wiſe; for he being in a temptation is not fit to judge, nor can he paſſe righteous judgement. A man in the dark cannot ſee his face in the glaſſe, nor in muddyed and turbulent water. Thou art ſick, and we ſee Phyſicians themſelves, though never ſo wiſe, will yet hardly venture to be their own Phyſicians in dangerous diſeaſes, but require the aſſiſtance of others; Chriſt himſelf had an Angel to help him; The ſame word foreign, in the Scripture is both to exhort and comfort, becauſe comfort is not received in a gracious heart, but by frequent and daily exhortations. Doe not then regard thy own thoughts, and thy own determinations. Its ſaid Abraham ſtaggered not through unbelief, Rom. 4. 20. That implyeth, that there are temptations, which doe as it were give a man a great blow in the head, making him dizzy and ſtaggering. Now as a man in ſuch an unexpected blow knoweth not what he doth, nor underſtandeth himſelf; ſo neither doth a Chriſtian in ſuch temptations. Remember therefore thy ſelf in this black condition: Say, I am not wiſe enough, nor able enough to judge my ſelf.
Secondly, Art thou in doubt about thy condition? conſider whether there be not ſome great ſin committed, and unrepented of, that doth juſtly provoke God 2.to caſt thee in this darkneſſe. This was Davids caſe after thoſe foul enormities; then he could not tell what to ſay, or think of himſelf. This David inſinuateth when he prayeth ſo earneſtly for truth in the inward parts, Pſalme 51. Wonder not then if ſuch foggy miſts raiſe ſo great a darkneſſe, that it obſcure the very Sun. Thou deſireſt impoſſibilities; thou wouldſt have evidence of ſanctification, when its evident thou doſt not mortifie thy ſinnes; Therefore repair that crack in thy building, that leak in thy Ship. David in another Pſalme 32. ſpeaketh alſo that he had no quietneſſe in his bones, till he had confeſſed that ſinne which troubled him. Doe not then deceive thy own ſoul; till thou haſt put that Dalilah away from thee, never think to enjoy the joy of the Lord, which is thy ſtrength.
Thirdly, It may be thou doſtnot diſtinguiſh between the preſence of Grace, and 3.the power of it; between weak graces and ſtrong graces. And that which is little, or which is not to thy deſire and mind, thou accounteſt nothing at all. A little infant hath a mans nature in him, as well as he that is grown. As it was in the building of the Temple, they were not to deſpiſe the day of ſmall things; ſo neither is a godly man to contemn or diſregard the beginnings, and the ſmall things of grace. Our Saviour would not deſpiſe the ſmoaking Flax, and wilt thou? Take …ed therefore of thinking thou haſt no evidences, becauſe they be imperfect and weak: One ſpark argues fire as well as an whole flame. The child of God while he looketh to the rule, and conſidereth what he ought to be, never remembers that the conformity to this rule is more or leſſe in thoſe that believe; ſo then though thou art in the loweſt form, yet thou art ſtill in Chriſts ſchool, and needeſt to look backward for what hath been done, and fore-warn'd for what remaineth to be done.
Fourthly, remember the evidences thou haſt enjoyed formerly. This is a ſpecial 4.way to keep the heart up againſt all aſſaults. The time hath been when thou didſt walk in the comfortable demonſtrations of grace in thy heart and life. The time was, when light did ſhine into thy breaſt and thou couldſt with much thankfulneſſe acknowledge the good things God wrought for thee; let not then the preſent darkneſſe obſcure all former light; live by the remembrance of what thou haſt felt, if thou canſt not by any preſent ſenſe and experience; for if ever thou haſt upon good grounds diſcovered thy ſelf to be in the ſtate of ſanctification, thou are ſtill: whatſoever thy preſent fears may be to the contrary, God is the ſame, Chriſt and the promiſe continue ſtill the ſame. Think then of thoſe Bottles of tears thou haſt filled, and remember it was once day, though now it be night, and it will be day again.
Fifthly, lay down this alſo for a true and comfortable rule, That if thou canſt 5.not finde ſuch marks of grace, yet if there be earneſt deſires and ſtrong groans after theſe, there is grace begun in thee. Theſe ſprouts cannot be, but where ſanctification is. Hence it is, that thoſe who hunger and thirſt after righteouſneſſe are ſaid to be bleſſed, becauſe they ſhall be ſatisfied, Matth. 5. Though therefore corruptions are potent, they bear thee down, earthly affections, immoderate paſſions are prevalent over thee; yet becauſe thou panteſt and breatheſt after more grace, this is an argument of ſpirituall life in thee. Paul that complained of the Law of ſinne within him, found alſo the life of Grace within him; ſo that as long as thou doſt not willingly give up thy ſelf to ſin, and obedience to the luſts thereof, here is no matter of dejection, but incouragement, Paul and others have in this manner been exerciſed.
Sixtly, If thou haſt no comfort from ſanctifying grace, then make the more of juſtifying grace. God many times hides thoſe works of his in us from our own eyes, 6.that ſo we may the more eſteem his grace without us. The hungry will prize the Honey-comb, and the ſick the Phyſician. Thoſe that ſit in darkneſſe, they long for light. Thus David, when he was in many ſad and ſpirituall exerciſes, gets into this Ark, in the midſt of thoſe waters that did over-flow. There is a time when God wil put a chriſtian to the life of faith, and make dependance and adherence the greateſt honour a Chriſtian can bring to him; and this is moſt eminently ſeen, when to his own ſenſe and feeling he is a barren Wilderneſſe; the ſenſe and diſcovery of grace in us makes much indeed for our comfort; but dependance on the promiſe and adherence to it, even while we are ready to ſink and to be damned, is the greateſt honour to God.
Seventhly, Conſider this alſo, that as the heart is very deceitfull in a preſumptuous man, flattering him upon falſe grounds to believe in God; ſo its as deceitfull in a 7.tempted Chriſtian to make him doubt of all things, fear all things, to regard his ſins onelyonly, and not his graces. How prevalent the deceit of heart is in Phariſaical men, is evident to all the world; for how confident and bold are ſuch? When have they any fears or doubts about their condition? When doe they ever ſay, It may be all this is but a ſmooth skin, no ſound vitals at all? But in a godly man tempted, there his deceit worketh in a contrary way, not taking notice of the great things God hath done for his ſoul, he believeth, and mourneth for ſin, he would not commit any known ſin for all the world, yet at the ſame time cannot ſee the uprightneſſe and ſinceritie of his heart: Say then, I have a deceitfull heart in my fears and doubts, as well as preſumptions.
Eighthly, Know this alſo, That it is a great and grievous ſinne to deny the works of God in us, to betray the uprightneſſe and integrity of our hearts. You ſee 8.Iob ſtands like a ſtrong Oak againſt all the vioſent blaſts that are upon him: He is a man outwardly and inwardly afflicted, and that by extraordinary judgements from God, which made his godly friends conclude, that certainly he was an Hypocrite, God did not uſe to give ſuch extraordinary blowes, but where there were great faults: now ſee how reſolute Iob was in all this, He would not part with his integrity till he dyed, Iob 27. 5. As there is nothing wherein the devill doth more deſire to ſhake thee, than in the integrity and truth of thy grace; ſo in this thou oughtſt to be the more peremptory, and its no preſumption; but great unthankfulneſs, not to acknowledge Gods gifts in thee. Beſides this is a bearing falſe witneſſe againſt thy own ſelf, not in matters of goods or life and death, but everlaſting peace and comfort.
Ninthly, Though thou ſit in never ſo much darkneſſe, not knowing what to doe or think, yet humble thy ſelf under Gods hand, give not way to fretting impatience, 9.entertain no hard thoughts againſt God and his proceedings: Say, O Lord, if I ſhould never ſee good day in this world. O Lord, though thou ſhutteſt me up in a priſon and dark Dungeon all my life time, that I can never get out, yet I may not expoſtulate with thee; my heart muſt not ſwell or fret; for it is thou (Lord) that doſt it. Thus if we would follow Peters Exhortation, To humble our ſelves under his mighty hand, then he would exalt us, 1 Pet. 5 6. It is indeed very hard to rebuke thoſe roarings of the ſoul, to quiet thoſe tempeſts and waves; we ſee what ſad effects they had upon Iob. Into what horrid paſſions he breaketh out; and when he was reproved for this, (O ſaith he) if your ſouls were in my ſouls ſtead, you would doe as I doe. Well, the ſtouter the Adverſaries are thou grappleſt with, the greater honour it will be to conquer; if it be a Goliah, then David will be more exalted.
Laſtly, if thy temptations be thus violent, that as hitherto thou art perſwaded thou hadſt no grace, yet from this time begin; it is not too late now: If God will call thee in at the heat of the day, refuſe not to labour in the Vineyard. While thou art fearing and doubting about thy condition, the day is ſpending, and night is coming on; ſo that though thou ſhouldeſt grant, that all which hath been done by thee, hath been in Hypocriſie, and on falſe grounds; yet now begin to lay the firſt ſtone in a good foundation: Say, O Lord, Let all theſe fears, all theſe doubts be ſanctified to me, to make a ſure work: Qui nil dubitat, nil diſcit He that doubteth of nothing, will never ſeek out to learn; and it may be well for thee that God hath ſhaken thee thus, it may be to make the root ſtronger; There may be a clearer calm after theſe boiſterous troubles.
This may ſuffice to comfort thoſe who ſtand thus ſuſpended from God, and caſt III. Incouragements to thoſe who find Sanctification in them but in a low degree.like Abſolom from Davids face. What incouragements may be given to that Chriſtian, who findes indeed Sanctification in him, but in a low degree, he is a Babe, a child, not a grown man: now to ſuch an one, no comfort ought to be adminiſtred, ſo as to make him ſit ſtill, that he ſhould have a nil ultra. No, Paul himſelf, who ran like the Sun ſwiftly fulfilling his race, Phil. 3. yet forgets what is behind, and makes faſt on to what is before: ſo that to grow in grace is a neceſſary duty, and we ought to be carryed on to perfection, Heb 6. Yea it many times may give ground of ſuſpition to Gods people, whether they have grace in them, or no; becauſe they are at ſuch a ſtand: yea not ſo well, but ſometimes in decayes and great dulneſſe; ſo that if the increaſe of riches add to the deſire of them, how much rather ſhould the increaſe of grace ſtill provoke thee more and more? But yet thou art not without many grounds of hope and comfort.
For firſt, In that God hath beſtowed the leaſt degree of ſanctification upon thee, 1.he hath done more unto thee then if he ſhould give thee all the glory and honour of this world. To be rich in faith, though poor in the world, is better than to be rich in the world and poor in faith. Oh then with what thankfulneſſe ſhouldſt thou admire Gods goodneſſe to thee? Hath he given thee but this little Muſtard-ſeed of Grace? Hath he but begun this great work in thee? This is happier and more excellent than all the outward advantages of the earth. Its a woeful thing to have our portion in this world. As Iſmael had many great gifts, but Iſaac had the inheritance; ſo it may be God gives thee great outward abundance; but as for the ſpiritual inheritance, that he giveth to others: rejoyce then, and be exceeding glad, all you who find but the very firſt fruits of this happineſſe.
Secondly, The promiſe of juſtification and pardon is made unto the truth of 2.Grace, not to the meaſure and degrees of it: The little hand of a Child, may hold a Pearl, as well as a Giants hand; ſo that though thou haſt not as much grace and godlineſſe as a Paul, or a David, yet thou maiſt as comfortably apply the Covenant of Grace to thy ſoul, as they did. Its not, he that beleeveth thus much ſhall be ſaved, but he that beleeveth, John 6. 35.
Thirdly, Thou who art weak, yet ſeeſt this and be waileſt it, haſt this advantage, 3.which a ſtranger hath not, to walk more humbly, to depend more firmly and ſtrongly upon Chriſt. Sometimes great Cedars, as David and Peter fall fouly, when leſſe ſhrubs ſtand ſtill. The more eminent a Chriſtian is, the more danger he is in, of pride, and ſelf-confidence, and thereupon they fall more fouly; but the little child, that is afraid to go, will not let the Mothers hand go, is kept from falling.
Fourthly, The weaker thou art, in ſome reſpects God hath the more care and 4.tender reſpect over thee. Chriſt will not quench the ſmoaking Flax, Mat. 12. 20. The husbandman is moſt careful of his tendereſt plants; Ariſtotle ſaith, Nature hath put it into parents to have moſt love to their youngeſt and weakeſt children. Thus God takes thoſe that are weakeſt, and giveth them more conſolations and the greater ſupport.
Fiftly, There is no Chriſtian ſo weak, but he may ſome way or other doe God 5.much ſervice: and this he ſhould comfort himſelf in, as the greateſt honour he is capable off. The Apoſtle often uſeth this ſimilitude of a mans body, and ſheweth how that though one part be more noble than another; yet even the moſt ignoble hath its proper uſe, the body knoweth not how to be without it: The eye cannot ſay to the foot, I have no need of thee; yea, the Apoſtle exhorts all, That they ſhould eſteem of every man better than himſelf, Rom. 12. Even the meaneſt Chriſtian doth in ſome thing or other exceed a ſtranger.
Uſe. Be exhorted to this great duty and priviledge of Sanctification. If there be any honour, any happineſs, any excellency, it is in this: Thou art not fit for any Uſe.holy duty, for any religious approach unto God, without Sanctification. Thy Chriſtianity, and the doctrine of Chriſt obligeth thee unto it. This is the proper and peculiar benefit that is in Chriſts Church. There is no holineſſe among Heathens, no Sanctification without the Church of God: well, though now thou art a prophane deſpiſer, and it may be an oppoſer of holineſſe, yet one day it will be in requeſt, when Riches, Honour, Greatneſſe will do thee no good. Conſider, this is the will of God, your Sanctification, 1 Theſ. 4. 3. All the commands in Scripture drive to this, they tend to this; If thou art not holy, thou haſt no right to happineſſe, to have an inheritance among them that are ſanctified. Acts 26. 18. Holineſſe is promiſed under the Goſpel to be in a large meaſure. Zech. 14. 20, 21. Every Veſſel ſhall have Holineſſe unto the Lord: An excellent Promiſe to be improved by us.