The Excellency of Holy Courage in Evil Times, Chapter 26
CHAP. 26.
How Faith carries the Soul through the difficult Work of forſaking Egypt. Their Works of Faith. 1. The diſcovering work, in two Particulars. 2. The relying Work. 3. The Surrendring Work. Queſtion Reſolved concerning the force of Natural Conſcience, in three Particulars, ſhewing the great difference between the actings of Faith and Natural Conſcience. Application, 1. Hence ſee the ground of Miſcarriages. 2. A Rule of Direction; Incouragements to Faith and Beleeving. 3. Let delivered Perſons ſee what delivered them. Faith which acts by a power without us. Twelve Conſiderable and uſeful Directions in this matter.
BUt though it be a difficult work, yet Faith carries the Soul through: and brings it from this ſpiritual Egypt: and it is only Faith that doth this: the Law may do ſomwhat to ſhew men their bondages; and the ſpirit of bondage may make them ſenſible of their bondage, but this doth not deliver them; as the Children of Iſrael when they were in bondage, they Cryed out, but that did not deliver them, it was Faith by which they were to go from Egypt: So whatſoever there may be in a way of preparation: Its Faith only that delivers from it.
Queſt. How doth Faith do this?
Anſw. Firſt, I wil ſhew how Faith doth it.
Secondly, I wil ſhew whether a man may not be delivered in ſhew by ſome other things.
There are three works of Faith whereby we come to forſake this ſpiritual Egypt.
1. The diſcovering Work.
2. The relying Work.
3. The ſurrendring Work.
Firſt, The diſcovering work, Its Faith that diſcovers clearly and with power the great Miſteries of the Goſpel, the great Work of God, wherein the Glory of the great God appeares in providing ſuch a way, for the Reconciliation of loſt man unto himſelf, ſuch a glorious means of Mediation for the ſatisfying of his Juſtice, and for the making up of the breach that is between man and him. Its Faith and only Faith, that can hold out the excellency and Beauty of God appearing in the Goſpel; And to ſhew fully al that good that God intends to communicate to the Children of men in this way of Mediation.
Secondly, The diſcovering work of Faith is, in ſetting before the Soul not only the Glory and excellency and certainty of the work of Mediation in Chriſt: but it diſcovers unto the Soul the Riches of the freeneſs of the grace of God in Chriſt: it is Faith that muſt perſwade the Soul that the way of deliverance comes only from free grace, that God doth Juſtifie the ungodly, that it is nothing in the creature for which God comes to juſtifie.
Secondly: There is a relying Work of Faith: the Soul having theſe things diſcovered in the Glory and power and reality of them: Faith comes to cloſe with theſe things, and to caſt it ſelf upon this Glorious Rich free Grace of God, and venture its ſelf and all its good upon it.
Thirdly, The Soul having thus ventured upon the free Grace of God, it makes a ſurrender of its ſelf up unto Chriſt. To unite it ſelf to him: I do not only deſire to draw Chriſt to me; to be made mine. But I give up my ſelf to Jeſus Chriſt to be his. In uniting of two things I do not only lay one thing upon another, but joyne the other to that; and ſo in uniting the Soul to Chriſt, there is not only a bringing of Chriſt to the Soul, but a ſurrendring of the Soul to Chriſt: to him in him, to him, and for him, and to be ſatisfied with him; And when Faith comes to diſcover with power, the Glory and reality of the great Miſteries of the Goſpel, enabling it to caſt and rowle it ſelf, for all its good upon this way and ſurrender its ſelf up to Chriſt to be wholly his, here is the work of Faith that delivers from this ſpiritual Egypt.
Queſt. But may not natural Conſcience help men through much difficulty in the way of deliverance from this ſpiritual Egypt? Many come to ſee their bondage by ſin, and ſeeme to be delivered, and may be it is only the ſtrength of Natural Conſcience, and not Faith.
Anſw. It is acknowledged that natural Conſcience may in a great degree deliver men from ſome hind of bondage under ſin, and may deliver from a great deal of the power of their ſin, but you ſhall obſerve the difference to be thus.
Firſt, Natural conſcience may help men to abſtaine from ſin, and ſet upon many duties, that it may ſeem they are delivered from this bondage, but whatſoever they abſtaine from, and whatſoever duties they do, It is rather becauſe conſcience urgeth the neceſſity of it upon them, then any inward principle to approve, and like of the duties they performe, or to diſlike and diſapprove of the ſin they abſtaine from, they are forced out of Egypt: But Faith it doth not make men only abſtain from ſin, but is gives them a principle to make againſt ſin; and it doth not only perform duty, but the heartt is for that duty, and there is an agreeableneſs, and ſutableneſs in the heart unto that duty.
Secondly, Where it is only naturall conſcience, that carries through many ſtreights, it doth enable to do outward things, and abſtaine from outward things, but there is but little inward change of the heart, it may keep them from ſome actions, they dare not commit ſuch and ſuch ſins, no not in ſecret, though none in the world know it, but there is not an inward change in the heart.
Thirdly: Where it is a natural conſcience Grace is deſired for peace ſake, where it is of grace the ſoul deſires peace for the furtherance of Grace.
USE 1.
To apply this a little.
Is it Faith that delivers from this ſpiritual Egypt: Hence let us ſee the ground of the Miſcarriages of moſt people in their deliverances from ſpiritual Egypt: Many people by the word, by the Miniſtry of the Law, they come to ſee their bondage, and woful wretched eſtate, & their conſciences are much troubled, but they miſcarry and it appears in the end that they were never delivered from the bondage of Egypt, but they lived, and died, in Egypt, and periſhed Eternally. They were come neer to Canaan, and yet they periſhed, and never come to Canaan, becauſe it is not Faith that delivered them, they were not acquainted with the miſtery of the Goſpel, and the covenant of Grace: they muſt abſtain from Sin, be no more drunkards, and Swearers, and Adulterers, and Sabbath breakers: They abſtaine from them, and their Religion is a meer natural work, and there they quiet themſelves, and think they are delivered: But the glorious work of God in Faith, is not mighty and powerful upon their hearts carrying their hearts to God in Chriſt in the way of the Goſpel, and diſcovering the miſteries of the Goſpel: and therefore they are not delivered.
2. Hence is a rule of direction to ſuch as are about being delivered from this ſpiritual Egypt. Are there any ſuch, that God hath made ſenſible of their woful bondage and wouldeſt thou deliver thy ſoul from that ſpiritual bondage? is it thy worke that thou art now about? If any thing do it, it muſt be the work of Faith. Thou maieſt get ſome quiet and eaſe by ſome other means, but for deliverance you can never get it but by Faith: Therefore do not content thy ſelf with any reformation, that its better with thee then it hath been; never reſt till thou haſt got the work of Faith: and for the incouragement of ſuch a ſoul to beleeve that it may be delivered by Faith from that bondage, it is ſenſible of, and which it is now about. Know,
Firſt, If thou beeſt ſenſible of thy ſpiritual bondage, know it is the great work that God hath ſet his heart upon above al the works of the world, to deliver ſouls from this ſpirituall bondage: Many that are ſenſible of their ſpiritual bondage ſay, I am in ſuch a condition, and will God ever regard me in this eſtate? will he regard thee? yes, know that the greateſt thing that Gods heart is upon, as the higheſt thing that he wil do, is upon thoſe that are ſenſible of their ſpiritual bondage of this ſpiritual Egypt to deliver them? And though thou art not ſure he wil do it for thee, yet this is a great incouragement.
Object, But though he may do it for others yet I am ſo vile, that though I have ſeen my ſin, I have ſtil gone on, therefore he wil not do it for me.
Anſw. 2. Wherefore know in the ſecond place that the great deſigne that God hath in this work, is not only to manifeſt his power, but to ſet out before men, and Angels, to all eternity, the Riches and Glory of his free Grace. And therefore thoſe objections of thy unworthinſs may be taken away: for thou maieſt ſee God doth not intend to goe on with thee in a way of retribution or diſtributive Juſtice, if thou doſt ſo, and ſo and ſo, he wil do ſo, and ſo for thee, but he goes this way to work: that his great deſigne is to magnify his free Grace, And whoſoever he does deliver, it is for this end, to ſhew to men and Angels, what the power of his infinite free Grace is able to do; and this is a great Incouragement.
3. Further Jeſus Chriſt hath already removed all differences that are between God the Father, and thy ſoul: the difficulties which make ſuch a mighty vaſt diſmal diſtance between God and thy ſoul, is the wrath of God, and the juſtice of God and the curſe of the Law: Now it hath been the work of Chriſt to take away all theſe difficulties: So that when thou lookeſt up and ſeeſt thy ſin againſt an infinite God, that is, infinitely holy, and infinitely juſt, and ſeeſt the curſe of the Law againſt thee; thou thinkeſt theſe are great difficulties, how is it poſſible for me to get over theſe: know it is the work of Chriſt that great Savior of the world, to remove thoſe difficulties, and if he had not undertook it, it had been impoſſible for any ſoul to come to God, But he hath done it and therefore thou haſt liberty to come to God; if thou haſt but an heart to venture upon his free Grace, if thou ſaieſt, how can I know, that Chriſt hath removed theſe difficulties for me? Its the work of Faith that gives thee an intereſt. And therefore do not ſtay for any thing elſe: If thou doeſt but venture upon Faith, thou needeſt not take care as thoſe Women did, who ſhall roule away the ſtone. Who ſhall remove the difficulties of the curſe of the Law? who ſhall pacifie the wrath of God that is burning againſt me for my ſin? If thou doeſt beleeve Chriſt hath done it.
Fourthly, Chriſt hath not only removed the difficulties between God the Father, and thy ſoul; but there are many gracious promiſes in the Goſpel (for the removing of all difficulties in thy ſoul) that thou haſt as much right to lay claime to, as any one in the world that ever was delivered by Chriſt: Whatſoever ground any had to claime theſe promiſes, before the applying of them, thou haſt the ſame ground; the great hinderance that is in thee is an hard heart, a ſtout ſtubborne ſpirit: marke what is ſaid; that there ſhall be a way prepared for the Lord: Make his way ſtrait, every high Mountain ſhal be brought low, every valley ſhal be filled up, every crooked way ſhall be made ſtrait, every rough way ſhall be made plaine. Luke, 3.4.5.6. Now who hath right to laie hold on theſe promiſes, this applying of them doth give intereſt: doeſt thou find thy heart proud and canſt not pul it down? ſaies the Lord every high mountaine ſhal be caſt down doſt thou ſay I have an unbeleeving heart, I know not how to beleeve Gods word, but my heart ſinks down in unbeliefe, that is as a valley dejected? Every vally ſhal be filled up. I have a perverſe crooked heart? every croked way ſhall be made ſtrait. I have a rough knotty heart? every rough heart, Every rough way ſhall be made plaine: So that Chriſt hath not only made things cleer between God and thee but in thy own Soul.
Object. But he doth not make it clear for all.
Anſw. Thou haſt as much ground to beleeve as any had before they did beleeve, I will take away thy ſtrong Heart ſaith God; This is revealed to all, and therefore thou art to make uſe of them; And whoſoever did get good by them, they could not ſee any intereſt they had to them, more then thou canſt ſee.
USE. 3.
A Third uſe is this, If Faith be that which does deliver from this ſpiritual Egypt: Then thoſe that are delivered, let them ſee what hath brought them out; and magnifie the work of God; let them ſtand and admire the Grace of God in delivering them from al difficulties, and in carrying them through, that were ſo poor and weak as they were: know it was not thy endeavor but the work of Faith, and the work of God in thee. Faith workes by a power out of us, and not by our own power; And God delivers the Soul from this ſpiritual Egypt by Faith, Becauſe he would have the Glory of it. Therefore now if it have been a work of Faith, let this Exhortation prevail with you: Labor to exerciſe your Faith in going through the Wilderneſs to Canaan. There was a time you were in bondage under ſin and Satan and the Law; And now thou art delivered from the Law, and brought to Grace: Is it Faith hath done it? Let this Faith be imployed to carry thee on through the wilderneſs unto Canaan: And all the Rules that I will give unto you, ſhall be from the People of Iſraels going through the wilderneſs unto Canaan, when they were delivered from Egypt.
Direction. 1.
Firſt, They were not to ſtir, but upon Gods Direction, when the cloud and the pillar of fire went before them. So in thy way, keep cloſe to the Direction of God. Let thy Faith ſtick cloſe to the word, and not to the Direction of thine own Heart.
Direction, 2.
Secondly, When they were delivered, this was a great Evil, their Murmuring becauſe of the hardſhips they met withal: take heed thou beeſt not guilty of this: Let not thy heart run out too far, to murmur againſt the waies of God, when you meet with any hardſhips: being God with his outſtretched Arm, and his mighty hand hath delivered thee, God forbid thou ſhouldeſt be murmuring upon every difficulty.
Direction, 3.
Thirdly, Take heed you do not limit the Holy One of Iſrael, God was Angry with them becauſe they limited the Holy One of Iſrael, Pſalm. 78.19. Can God prepare a table in the Wilderneſs (ſay they) So many when they are in the way to Heaven, and they find any difficulty, can God help ſuch a one as I (ſay they) Take heed of limiting God; do not propound Limits to to what God can do: No nor to what God wil do.
Direction, 4.
Fourthly, Take heed of ſlighting any thing that God gives you, as they did, when they were delivered, and had Manna, ſay they, What is this Manna? Exod. 16.15. Numh. 11.6. They ſlight it, take heed you be not guilty of this ſpirituality: when God feeds you with Manna, you ſay they are but huskes. And when God gives you his Grace, you ſay they are but ſuch things as Hypocrites may have, and ſlight all.
Direction, 5.
Fifthly, Take heed of having hard thoughts of God: as when they came into the wilderneſs the Scripture ſaies Deut. 1.27. They ſaid God brought them thither becauſe he hated them, and meant to deſtroy them: So many out of the frowardneſs of their hearts, (and that I tremble to ſpeak of) When God is in a gracious way, in doing good to them, and in bringing them to himſelf upon every difficulty they find, they are ready to ſay God does all this but to aggravate my ſin, and becauſe he hates me, and that my condemnation might be the more grievous, if I had never known ſo much, and never had ſuch convincings of conſcience, and had never prayed ſo much, my condemnation had not been ſo great? this is an horrible abuſing of the Grace of God, Juſt like thoſe that were delivered out of Egypt, this is becauſe God hates us (ſay they) and means to deſtroy us it is true God hath wrought upon mee more then others but it is to aggravate my condemnation: let not us have ſuch hard thoughts of God.
Direction, 6.
Sixthly, Obſerve their way in the wilderneſs: and take heed of being diſcouraged by any hardſhip thou meereſt withall in thy way; they ſaid. Numb. 13.27.28. The Land was a good Land, but there were the Anakins, and Giants, and they ſhould never overcome them. So many reaſon, Heaven is a bleſſed place, But there are ſuch oppoſitions, the children of Anak, ſuch ſtrong luſts, and corruptions, they ſhall never overcome ſuch Giant like, Anakiſh corruptions: But as David ſaid, Pſalm. 1.27.1. One day I ſhall periſh by the hand of Saul. So one day I ſhall periſh by the hand of my luſts.
Direction, 7.
In the ſeventh place, Take heed of a paſſionate throwing off all, as they did when they heard of the Anaks, and of oppoſition. Numb. 14, 4. Let us make a Captaine to returne againe into Egipt: So when men are in their way from Egypt going to Canaan, they meet with ſtrong oppoſitions within and without, and they ſay we had as good caſt off all, and go back againe; take heed of flinging off all.
Direction, 8.
Eightly, Take heed of giving the leaſt way to any luſting of thy heart after former corruptions, Exod. 16.3.4. They would be luſting after their Onions and Fleſh pots in Egypt, and ſo were ready to commit ſin. So many, when God is in the way of working his grace, they are ready to think what they had formerly, and they were not ſo ſtrictly bound before, & they have ſome hankerings of heart after former luſts: And though thou dareſt not conclude I wil go and commit ſuch and ſuch ſins, I ſay though thou doeſt not conclude, yet thy heart and thoughts have ſome hankerings after them; take heed of that.
Direction, 9.
Ninthly, Take head of forgetting Gods dealings with thee, as they did when they were going to Canaan notwithſtanding God did ſuch great things for them: Pſal. 106.13. They preſently forget them. So God did much for thee and thou forgeiteſt the gracious dealings of God; God takes that very ill.
Direction, 10.
Tenthly, Take heed of reſting in means as they did When Moſes was abſent: Exod. 32.1. We wote not what is becom of this Moſes: And they knew not what to do, they made them other Gods. So many depend on meanes, and if ſuch and ſuch means faile us we ſhall never be able to go on.
Direction, 11.
Eleventhly, Be not too haſty in applying any comfort any further then God gives leave, but be waiting upon God in his way and labor to caſt thy ſelf upon the promiſes; you cannot be too haſty to believe, and reſt your ſelves upon the promiſes, but to have eager deſire of comfort, there may be too much haſt. Num. 14.40. to the end. When God had them not go into Canaan they would, and they fell by their enemies. So wait upon God, and ſee what he would have thee to doe, ſtay for to have comfort handed in by God and wait for his time.
Direction, 12.
And laſtly, Take heed thou be not diſcouraged, beauſe the meanes is but weake thou haſt to help thee. When they came to Canaan the great City Jericho, what have they to overcom it? Joſ. 6.4.5. The Preiſts muſt goe with Rams-hornes and blow ſeven times about the City and the walls ſhould fall down. A poore weake meanes, they might ſay; have we been fourty yeares in the wilderneſs, and come to the ſtrong City, and have no other meanes to help us but Rams-hornes? yet this is Gods way: If we reaſon with fleſh and blood, when we meet with difficulties, and look upon means, We ſhal turne back again, look not at means, but reſt on Faith and that Faith which hath brought thee out of Egypt, will carry thee on: and thus we have finiſhed the Firſt Allegory.