The Christian Temper, Discourse 11 – Discourse 12
A BRIEF REHEARSAL.
2 COR. 13.5.
Examine your ſelves whether you be in the Faith; prove your own ſelves.
TO write the ſame things here, ſhall not be grievous to me, if for you it may be ſafe and profitable.
To try and examine your ſelves, whether you are in a ſtate of Grace, you cannot deny to be your Duty. And to direct, and aſſiſt you therein, is the principal deſign of this Treatiſe.
Now of the things which we have ſpoken, this is the Sum.
[1.] What Knowledg have you? And of what kind? 1. Have you more than a natural Knowledg of God? 2. More than a notional Knowledg? Are you come to a diſcerning of Spiritual things? and to a Spiritual diſcerning of them? Have you other thoughts of Sin, and other thoughts of God, and Chriſt, and Holineſs, and Heaven, than formerly you had? 3. How come you by your Knowledg? Whether in an humble, diligent waiting on God, in the uſe of the means he hath appointed? 4. Have you not a bare Knowledg; but are you alſo come to the acknowledgment of the Truth? Not only a Verbal, but a Real acknowledgment? To know the certainty of thoſe things wherein you have been inſtructed? 5. Does your Knowledg reach your Hearts? Has it a powerful influence on your Wills? Are you not only reſolved in your Judgments, but alſo in your Choice? 6. Is your Knowledg not only informing, but reforming, and renewing? 7. Is your Knowledg humbling? Or does it puff up? 8. Is it nouriſhing? as Food and Fuel to Grace, and Spiritual Affections? 9. Is it Fructifying? Is it reduced to Practice? 10. Is it Communicative? 11. Is it growing? And eſpecially are you thriving? 1. In the ſound, and experimental Knowledg of God and Chriſt? 2. And getting more inward acquaintance with your own ſelves, and the ſtate of your own Souls? 3. And in learning more of your own Duty, and of the Counſel of God concerning you?
[2.] Try your Faith. And what can you ſay to thoſe three principal acts of Faith, ſcil. Aſſent, Conſent and Affiance?
1. How do you aſſent to Divine Truth? 1. Do you aſſent Impartially? 2. Do you aſſent freely? Do you yield willingly to Divine Truth, as it is diſcovered to you? 3. Do you aſſent really? Have you more than an half-perſwaſion of the Truth? 4. Have you an holding Aſſent to the Truth? 5. Is it a Practical Aſſent? Does it draw on Conſent?
2. How do you conſent to God's Terms? 1. Do you conſent entirely, not partially? 2. Do you conſent deliberately? 3. Do you conſent heartily, unfeignedly? 4. Do you conſent firmly, and reſolvedly?
3. What truſt and affiance have you in God, and Chriſt? I ask not, what Aſſurance you have: Yet is your Dependence on God in Chriſt? And, 1. Is it ſuch as is accompanied with Self-diſtruſt, and Self-deſpair? 2. And with an hearty acceptance of Chriſt, and ſincere ſubjection to him? 3. And with a dependence on the Lord for Temporal Mercies, and Deliverance, as he ſees fit for you?
Further, Do thoſe Scripture-notes given of Faith, agree to you?
1. Is Chriſt precious to you? And all of Chriſt precious? And ſo, 1. Do you now ſee your vileneſs, in having had ſuch low thoughts of a precious Saviour? Are you aſhamed of your former Sin, and Folly, in deſpiſing, and ſetting ſo light by him? 2. Do you now prize him above all things in the World? 3. Can you not endure now to ſee, or hear Chriſt vilified, or diſhonoured? 4. Are you reſtleſs, till you may know your intereſt in him, that he is yours?
2. Are you ſanctified by Faith? Is your Faith ſuch as purifies the Heart? 1. Is there not only an outward, but an inward change wrought in you? 2. And not only a negative, but a poſitive change? 3. And a thorow, though not a perfect change? 4. Are you aiming at perfect Holineſs?
3. Is your Faith ſuch as worketh Love, and worketh by Love?
4. Is it ſuch, by which you have in ſome meaſure conquered the World? and go on to conquer it more? Are you taken off from placing your happineſs in the ſmiles of the World? What power in your Faith to overcome the enticements of the World? And what in it to overcome the ſtorming rage, and furious aſſaults of the World?
[3.] Try your Repentance.
(1.) Your ſorrow for Sin. Is it Godly ſorrow?
Firſt, Is it on right grounds? 1. Is your ſorrow for Sin conſidered as a breach of God's Law? 2. as a diſhonour to God? 3. as diſpleaſing to him, as the abominable thing which he hates? 4. as againſt God's Mercies? as an ill requital of his Goodneſs? Does the Goodneſs of God lead you to Repentance? 5. As a cauſe of Chriſt's Sufferings? 6. As it defiles and deforms your Souls? 7. As it diſables you from ſerving & honouring God, as you ought? 8. As it hindreth Communion with God?
Secondly, As to the Object. 1. Are you humbled for Original Sin, as well as for Actual Sins? 2. Do you lay load of ſorrow on your ſpecial Sins? 3. Are you grieved even for ſecret Sins? 4. And for ſpiritual Impurities? 5. And for ſpiritual defects and weakneſſes in Grace? 6. And for ſinful Omiſſions, and the Iniquities of your holy things? 7. Are you grieved for the leaſt Sins you take notice of? 8. Are you ſo far troubled even for your unknown Sins, is it an humbling conſideration to think that you are guilty of many more Sins than you know of, or can find out in your ſelves? 9. Are you diſpoſed and inclined to mourn, for the Sins of others?
Thirdly, As to the properties of your Sorrow. 1. Is your ſorrow and humiliation for Sin, free and voluntary? 2. Is it inward, and moſt in ſecret? 3. Is it not for a fit, but continued? 4. Is it deep, and vehement? Though the paſſion of Grief may be more moved at ſome great Croſs, and Affliction that has befallen you; yet do you really account Sin a greater evil than the greateſt Croſs? And have you a greater diſplicence in your Wills againſt it? Would you ordinarily chuſe any Affliction, rather than Sin?
(2.) Do you turn from Sin?
1. And from a right Principle? As 1. from a true fear of God, from a Childlike fear of offending, and not from a meer ſlaviſh fear of Suffering? 2. Do you turn from Sin out of love to God? 3. And from an hatred of Sin? 4. And with a firm and fixed reſolution againſt it?
2. Do you ſet againſt your inward Corruptions? and do you fear to ſin in ſecret?
3. Do you ſet your ſelves eſpecially againſt your ſpecial Sins? And though there is Sin remaining in you; yet is there no Sin reſerved?
4. Do you ſet againſt all known Sin, not making light of ſins of Infirmity, (but watching and ſtriving againſt them;) much leſs of allowing of preſumptuous Sins?
5. Are you for undoing what you have done amiſs (ſo far as you can) as in caſes of Wrong, and Injury to Men?
6. Are you ordinarily afraid of Temptations, and careful to avoid occaſions of Sin?
7. Would you ſhun and abſtain from the very appearance of Evil?
8. Is it your deſire to turn others from Sin?
9. And would you never return to it more?
(3.) Are you turned unto God?
1. Are your Hearts turned to Him, and ſet upon Him? 2. Are you for joyning your ſelves to the Godly? and do your hearts cleave to them? 3. Are you for turning others to God? 4. Are you for walking with God? for walking in his Ways? 5. Would you be getting ſtill nearer and nearer to him? 6. And do you cleave to him with purpoſe of heart, reſolving to follow him fully?
[4.] Try your Love to God.
1. Is your Love founded in a ſound knowledg of God, of his Love, and of his Lovelineſs? 2. Do you love him for himſelf, and not meerly for your ſelves? 3. Do you love him as your holy Governour, and not only as your good and gracious Benefactor? 4. Do you love him ſuperlatively, love him above all? 5. Is your love to him ſuch, that nothing will ſatisfie you, without an intereſt in him? 6. Have you an earneſt deſire of his gracious Preſence? and do you mourn and take on in his abſence? 7. Are you breathing after, longing for a full enjoyment of God in Heaven? 8. Are your thoughts much upon him? and are the thoughts of God moſt welcome to you? and moſt kindly entertained? 9. Is it pleaſing to you to ſpeak or hear of him? 10. Is it very grievous to you, to ſee or hear God diſhonoured? 11. Are you no longer in league with his enemy, Sin? 12. Is it your delight to ſerve and obey him? 13. Are you for winning and drawing others to him? 14. Are you growing in likeneſs to him? and do you deſire to be followers of him? 15. Do you highly account of his Favours? Do you ſet a value upon your enjoyments, according to what of his Love you ſee in them? 16. Are you for putting a good conſtruction on his ſevereſt dealings with you? and not for entertaining hard thoughts of God, tho he ſhew you hard things? 17. Would you love him more and more? and do you think you never expreſs love enough to him? 18. Is it a joy to you, to ſee others active for him? 19. Are you willing not only to do, but to ſuffer for him? 20. Do you love others, love all in general, and in particular love your Enemies, and more eſpecially love the Godly for his ſake?
And here, 1. Have you a love to the Godly, even for their Godlineſs; and not only for ſome part of Godlineſs, but for the whole of it? 2. Do you love all that appear to be ſuch, that you are bound according to the judgment of Charity, to account ſuch? 3. And the more of God, the more of his Grace you diſcern in any, do you love them the more for it? 4. Do you earneſtly deſire to find that in your ſelves, which you cannot but approve in them? 5. Is your delight in holy Society and Conference? 6. Do you fear giving ſcandal to them? 7. Do you take well their juſt Reproof? 8. Would you not neglect your Duty of watching over them? 9. Do you ſympathize with them in their Sufferings? 10. Are you ready to own, and take part with them? 11. And ready to relieve them, according to your ability? 12. Are you true Mourners at the death of ſuch, lamenting the loſs of them?
[5.] Try your Fear of God.
(1.) Does your Fear of God ariſe from a ſound Knowledg of Him? And from the Love of God? from high admiring thoughts, not from hard thoughts of Him?
(2.) What freeneſs in your Spirits this way? Do you chuſe the Fear of the Lord? Do you deſire to fear his Name?
(3.) Do you fear God above all?
(4.) What effect hath it on you?
1. Doth it cauſe you to depart from evil? 1. In general, dare you not allow of any known Sin? 2. In particular, are you careful to flee from Sins in faſhion? 3. Do you fear ſinning in ſecret? 4. And fear to diſpleaſe God in ſmall Matters? 5. And fear Sin more than Suffering from Men? 6. And fear Sin more than the laſh of Affliction? 7. And not only fear, but hate Sin?
2. Is your Fear of God ſeen in your reſpect to his Commands? 1. Do you reverence God's Commands? 2. And do you delight in them too? 3. Have you an impartial reſpect to them? 4. And a continued reſpect to them?
3. Are you reverent in God's Worſhip? Have you not only a reverent carriage, but a reverent frame of Heart?
4. Do you carry ordinarily as in God's Preſence?
5. Have you a jealous fear of your ſelves? and a cautious fear of Temptations?
6. Does your Fear of God make you Humble?
7. Does it make you Pitiful?
8. Does it prevail over a baſe carnal fear of Man?
9. Are you for teaching others God's Fear? Thus of the Effects.
(5.) What are the Companions, and Concomitants of your Fear? 1. Does your Fear and Faith go together? 2. And Fear and Godly Sorrow? 3. And Fear and Love? 4. And Fear and Joy in the Lord? (Though I muſt confeſs, all that have God's Fear, find not that Joy accompanying it.)
[6.] Try your Humility.
1. Is it founded in a ſound Knowledge of God in his Excellencies; and a knowledg of your ſelves, your meanneſs, ſinful vileneſs, and miſerableneſs in your ſelves?
2. Have you been ſoundly humbled?
3. Have you humble Hearts? Is your Humility moſt inward, and in God's ſight; and not only in appearance to Men?
4. Is it voluntary Humility (in a right ſenſe) are your Hearts for it indeed? would you be vile in your own Eyes?
5. Are you ready to receive reproof?
6. Are you not for excuſing, or extenuating your Sins; but for a free confeſſion of them?
7. Are you no more led away with predominant ſelf-conceit, either of your Knowledg, Abilities, or Deſerts?
8. Nor led away with a predominant affectation of vain-glory, or Men's applauſe? Are you willing to lye low in the thoughts of others?
9. Are you content with your ſtation; not for aſpiring, ambitious attempts, and projects?
10. Have you very thankful Hearts; Do you greatly admire God's free Mercy in all he does for you, being very ſenſible of your own unworthineſs?
11. Does Humility teach you Moderation, not to be lifted up in proſperity?
12. And likewiſe teach you Patience, not to fret and murmur in adverſity?
13. Are you Prayerful? and humble in your addreſſes unto God?
14. And willing to wait as well as Pray?
15. Are you very reverent in God's Worſhip, as really apprehenſive of an infinite diſtance betwixt God and you; and conſcious of your great unworthineſs, and unfitneſs to approach, and draw nigh to God?
16. Have you a truly charitable frame of Heart towards others? Are you more forward to judg your ſelves, than cenſure others? And more ready to extenuate others faults than your own?
17. Are you meek? not of revengeful, implacable Spirits: but ſoon pacified, when you have been provoked, and injured by others?
18. While you are ſenſible of, and truly ſorry for your own weakneſſes, and ſinful imperfections; yet withal can you heartily rejoice in the greater Abilities, and eminent ſhining Graces of others?
19. Are you of a yeilding, and obedient Spirit?
20. Do you make light of being vilified for God and Chriſt?
21. Have you a great abhorrence of Pride, eſpecially of Pride in your ſelves?
[7.] Try your Self-denial.
(1.) What Self-denial in your Judgments? 1. Do you ſeriouſly account, that you are not your own? 2. And that you are weak, and inſufficient of your ſelves; that you can do nothing of your ſelves? 3. And that you are vile, and deſerve nothing of your ſelves?
(2.) What Self-denial in your Wills and Affections? 1. Are you for the utter renouncing and rejecting of carnal corrupt ſelf? 2. Are you for doing Gods Will rather than your own? for pleaſing God rather than your ſelves? 3. Are you for ſubmitting to God's diſpoſing Will, rather than to be left to carve for your ſelves, to have your own Wills? 4. Is it your real hearty deſire, that you may be able to forſake all for God, and Chriſt's ſake, if you ſhould be called to it? Are you not for depending on your ſelves; but on the Grace of God in Chriſt, for Aſſiſtance, for Acceptance, and for a Glorious Recompence?
(3.) What Self-denial in your Life and practice? 1. Do you ſtrenuouſly oppoſe ſinful ſelf? Do you deny to make pvoviſion for the fleſh? are you ſtarving out your Corruptions? 2. Do you employ the Talents you are intruſted with, not chiefly for your ſelves, but for God? 3. Do you readily part with, and actually forſake any worldly comfort, which the Lord calleth for?
And what can you ſay to thoſe other notes laid down?
1. Do you indeed abhor your ſelves?
2. Do you by Faith ſee better things, far greater matters, that God hath promiſed; than thoſe, he calleth you to deny your ſelves in?
3. Is your love to God, and Jeſus Chriſt predominant?
4. Are you not for arrogating any praiſe to your ſelves, which is due to God, or would detract from his praiſe?
5. Do you fully ſubject your Judgments to the Sentence of God's Word?
6. Are your wills brought into ſubjection too?
7. Does ſinful ſelf-love reign no longer in you?
8. Are you heartily engaged, and ſet againſt a ſenſual, fleſh-pleaſing courſe?
9. Are you not for a courſe of ſelf-ſeeking? Are you habitually, and moſt ordinarily for preferring God's Intereſt before your own?
10. Are you no longer for hunting after the vain applauſe of Men? Do you now regard that leſs, and ſeek the favour, and approbation of God more?
11. Do you readily yield to juſt reproof?
12. Are you faithful in admoniſhing others, and that where ſelf-intereſt would diſſwade you?
13. Are you againſt ſinful ſloth, not indulging your ſelves in it?
14. Are you truly charitable, and helpful unto others?
15. Are you diſpoſed to love your Enemies, and to forgive injuries?
16. Do you lay to heart the Churches troubles, and Publick Calamities, more than Perſonal or Family-Afflictions?
17. Could you think your ſelves more happy in ſerving, pleaſing and honouring God, than in proſpering, & being your ſelves advanced in the World?
18. Do you take part with the ſtricteſt of God's Commands?
19. Are you well pleaſed with the harſheſt Providences, that are a means to bring down ſinfulſelf, and ſelfiſhneſs?
20. Are you fully reſolved (in the ſtrength of God's Grace) to forſake all, rather than forſake God, and Chriſt, his Truth, and Ways?
[8.] Try your profeſſed Sincerity and Integrity. 1. Are you got paſt thoſe ſimple ones, that reſt in their good meanings? 2. Are you willing to know your whole duty? 3. Are you for ſtrict ſelf-ſearching? 4. And for wholſom Admonition and Reproof? 5. And for an ingenuous Confeſſion of your Sins: not for hiding, or palliating them. 6. Have you left halting betwixt two? Are you now really reſolved for God, and entirely devoted to him? 7. Do you love Chriſt in Sincerity? 8. Do you walk before God, carry as in his ſight and preſence in your ordinary courſe? 9. Do you hate, and forſake all known Sin? Is there no beloved, boſomſin, which you would ſpare and indulge? 10. Particularly, are you ſet againſt Hypocriſie, a way of lying, and walking by the crooked rule of carnal policy, Sins more directly oppoſit to Uprightneſs, and Sincerity? 11. Have you a reſpect to all God's Commands? (1) Have you a reſpect to both Tables? Would you not deſpiſe the leaſt of God's Commands? (3) Do you look firſt, and moſt to the greateſt? (4) Have you a reſpect to the hardeſt, and ſuch as are moſt croſs to your natural inclination, or carnal intereſt? 12. Do you carry uprightly in holy Duties? (1) Do you engage your Hearts to approach to God in Duty? (2.) Are you free in God's Service? (3) Have you a ſpecial reſpect to God in Duty? Do you look moſt at his approbation? 4. Have you a love to ſecret Duties? 5. And even to diſgraced Duties, and ſuch as may expoſe you to Suffering? 13. Are you ſteady, and conſtant in an holy courſe? 14. Are you preſſing after Perfection?
[9.] Try your Zeal. 1. Have you a Zeal according to Knowledg? 2. Does it burn within, before it flames forth? 3. Is it a Zeal for God indeed, and not for ſelf? 4. Would it burn alone, though you had none about you to encourage, and blow it up? 5. Are you zealous for the whole Intereſt of God? 6. And zealous againſt all Sin? Is your Zeal more than a partial Zeal? 7. Yet is your Zeal hotteſt in the greateſt matters? 8. Is it joyned with Chriſtian moderation, and for Chriſtian concord? 9. Is it more moved with Indignities offered unto God, than with injuries done to your ſelves? 10. Is it joyned with real love, and true compaſſion towards Sinners? 11. Is it for expedition in God's Service? 12. Does it make you free and lively in his Service? 13. Does it ſharpen your courage and reſolution for God? 14. Is it a pleaſing ſight to you, to ſee others zealous for him? 15. Have you an holy emulation, a deſire to imitate, yea, if it might be to outſtrip thoſe that are moſt forward? 16. Is it not for a flaſh? but a Fire that goes not out? though it burns not at all times alike clearly; yet is it ſtill kept burning?
Find theſe gracious diſpoſitions in truth in your ſelves, and then you may have good hope through Grace, and Joy unſpeakable, everlaſting Conſolation.
But many groſly deceive themſelves, holding the concluſion, never look to the premiſes: therefore
[10.] Try your Hope. 1. Has it come in after doubts, and fears? 2. Have you any ground to hope it is a fruit of the Spirit? Have you the Spirit? 3. Is your Hope an Hope in God, an Hope in God through Chriſt according to his Word? 4. Is it not only an Hope in God, but for him? Is the enjoyment of God in Chriſt the to of your Hopes? 5. Is your Hope accompanied with an holy Fear of God? 6. And with ſound Obedience doing the Will of God? 7. And maintained by diligence, and watchfulneſs? 8. Does it quicken you to make progreſs in holineſs? 9. Does it produce Patience? 10. And give courage? 11. And raiſe your Hearts, and Deſires Heaven-ward? 12. And excite praiſe and thankfulneſs? 13. And further on Spiritual Joy?
[11.] Try your Joy. 1. Hath Godly Sorrow prepared and made way for it? 2. Is it the Joy of the holy Ghoſt? Have you the holy Spirit your Sanctifier? Are you filled with Joy in believing? 4. Was it attained, or is it ſtrengthened, and maintained, by ſerious ſelf-examination, and probation? 5. Came it in the way of Prayer? 6. Or in attendence on other of God's Ordinances? 7. Is God your chief Joy? Do you rejoyce in Chriſt Jeſus? 9. Are you moſt taken with Spiritual Mercies? 10. Can you heartily rejoice in the good of others? 11. Is your Joy in working Righteouſneſs? 12. Does it further enlarge your hearts in God's Service? 13. Is it a ſpecial incentive to praiſe and thankfulneſs? 14. Can it keep alive, and keep you alive in outward troubles? 15. Is it not ſwelling: but accompanied with an humble frame of ſpirit? 16. Is it not intoxicating? but joyned with an holy fear, care and watchfulneſs? 17. Does it fit and incline you to encourage, and comfort others in trouble? 18. Does it ſet you more a longing after the Joys of Heaven?
Of Repentance.
[This ſhould have been inſerted after the ſum of Repentance in the Rehearſal. Page 412.] VIZ.
ARe you no longer under the Dominion of Sin? Do you ſee what a miſerable bondage the ſervice of Sin is? Do you not ſo much deſire to be exempted from Affliction, as to be freed from your Corruptions?
Are you no longer for defending Sin, or taking its part? Would you pay no more Tribute to Sin, no longer make proviſion for it?
Do you heartily reſiſt the motions and commands of Sin? Are your hearts turned to hate all known Sin?
Are you heartily devoted to the Service of God, and Jeſus Chriſt?
And now (Reader) if thou canſt find it thus with thee, thou mayeſt well rejoice in thy Portion. Suppoſe thou haſt never ſo little in the World, yet happy thou, who haſt that better part, which ſhall never be taken from thee. The good Man may have ſatisfaction from within, when no ſatisfaction is to be had from without. The Fear of the Lord is his Treaſure, and ſuch a Treaſure as the World cannot rob him of. And ſurely the gleanings (or rather firſt Fruits) of Heaven is better than the Vintage of the Earth. Yea, the leaſt true ſantifying Grace will go further than all this Worlds goods. A ſtate of Grace is a ſhort Preface to an everlaſting State of Glory. Canſt thou prove, thy Graces are of the right ſtamp! Certainly, they will prove thy title to Glory.
Now let it be thy care henceforth to grow in Grace, and live in the conſtant exerciſe of Grace; and ſo thou mayeſt have an abundant enterance into the Everlaſting Kingdom.
FINIS.
End of the text · John Barret, The Christian Temper (1678)