Evidence for Heaven, Treatise · Part 1
Union with Christ, Evidence for Heaven.
Question.
HOw may I come to be truly, Quest.and infallibly assured of my salvation?
By examining thy self touching thy Union with Christ,Answ. if thou hast Union with Christ, thou shalt certainly be saved, for the Scripture saith,He that is in Christ, chosen in him before the foundation of the World, Eph. 1.4. there is no Condemnation to them that are in Christ Iesus, Rom 8.1. If ye be Christs, then are ye Abrahams seed, and heires according to Promise, Gal. 3.29. He that hath the Sonne, hath Life, to wit, Life Eternall, 1 Joh. 5.12. By all which it is evident, That whosoever hath a true and real interest in Christ, shall certainly e saved.
The Major part of this Assumption, is cleer from these Scriptures, to wit,Object. that he that hath Union, shall certainly be faved: But how shall the Minor appear. viz, that I have Union with Christ, how shall I be ascertained of this?
To get assurance of this, thou must diligently examine thy self,Answ. whether thou hast the Spirit of Christ, or not? He that hath not received the Spirit of Christ, hath no Union with Chrift, if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his, Rom. 8.9.
He that hath received the Spirit of Christ, hath undoubtedly Union with Christ: For the Apostle makes this a sure argument of our Union with Christ, hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us, 1 Joh. 3.24. Thereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit, 1 Joh. 4.13.
Again, Paul delivers this as a positive truth, viz that he that hath the Spirit of God dwelling i… him, is not in an estate of Condemnation, but in a state of Salvation. Rom. 8.9. ye are not in the Flesh, but in the Spirit; if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you; But without Christ, without Vnion with Christ, there is no Salvation sor Man: therefore it follows by necessary consequence, That he that hath the Spirit of Christ dwelling in him, according to the meaning of the Apostle in this text, hath undoubtedly Union with Christ.
Note. Thi… Union is … b…t Mystical.Here note, That the first and radicall Union between Christ and his Members, is by conjunction; This Union by Conjunction is a true and reall uniting of our persons, bodies and souls, to the Person of Christ, God and Man: To the Person of Christ, as our Mediator; And it is then effected, when the Lord is joyned to the Soul, and the Soul to the Lord, so as they are made truly one.
This Union between Christ and his Members is made by the Spirit of God, whose office it is to joyn Christ and his Members together, it is the Spirit immediately on Christs part, but the Spirit mediately on our part, that makes this Union.
Christ by an actuall habitation of his Spirit in his Elect, really joyns himself unto them and becoms truly one with them.
Christ by his Spirit works unfeigned faith, in the hearts of his elect, by which they habitually abide in him, joyn themselves unto him, and become truly one with him: Christ and his Members thus joyned together, are one by Conjunction.
To get assurance of thy Union with Christ then, thou must of necessity begin here, viz. with a diligent search, whether thou art indued with the Spirit of Christ, yea, or nay; and in searching after this take notice,
That the Spirit of God is said to be given, Either Essentially, or Virtually. Essentially unto Christ onelyonly; virtually unto us: So as when the Scripture speaks of giving the holy Spirit of God to man, of the receiving of the Spirit by Man, and of the dwelling of the holy Spirit in man. In these texts and the like, we are not to understand the essence of that Person in Trinity, But the vertue, efficacy, and operation of that Person,
Secondly, Note that the Spirit of God is virtually given unto man, either as a qualifier only, or as a sanctifier: As a restrainer, or as a renewer, and that reception of the Spirit, and dwelling of the Spirit, which the Scripture makes an Argument of ou… Union with Christ, is not that common efficacy, and dwelling of the Spirit, whereby he is a restrainer and qualifier onelyonly; But that speciall Efficacy and Virtue of the holy Spirit of God, whereby he becometh a renewer, and sanctifier of us.
To get assurance of the Union with Christ, then thou must diligently and seriously examine thy self, touching the spirituall virtue, efficacy and operation of the holy Spirit of God in thy Soul, manifested in and by those speciall graces, which the holy Spirit of God works in the hearts of the Elect, and of them onelyonly, thence called by Divines for distinction sake, sa…ct…fying, or renewing grace.
The Spirit of God as a sanctifier, the world cannot receive, as the Language of Christ intimates,As an inward sanct…fier. Renewing grace is the earnest of the Spirit. Ioh 14.17. Sanctifying or renewing grace, Christ bestows upon his Spouse onelyonly, it is his love-token to her, in her military life, though Christ be liberall in bestowing gifts upon all sorts of people, yet he keeps these Jewels for his Spouse, and bestows them on her onelyonly, on whom he bestows himself: well may they therefore serve to demonstrate our Union with Christ, and the habitation of his …pirit in us, after a speciall manner, wheresoever they are bestowed; hence it is, that this g…ace, and glory are coupled together, Psal. 84 11.
Amongst those speciall graces, which demonstr… the holy Spirits saving habitation in …s, the first which I will here speak of, is Faith,Th… donation or …mmunication of this grace by the Spirit of God is the inward and effectuall call of God, whic… demonstrates our election. to wi…, justifying Faith. We having the …ame Spirit of Faith, we also believe, saith the Apostle, 2 Cor. 4.13. Hence it is evident that whosoever is indued with the holy Spirit of God, savingly beleives, he beleives with a justifying faith, For as much as the Spirit works this true justifying faith in all those in whom he dwelleth savingly.
Therefore if thou wouldest get a true testimony of the holy Spirits dwelling in thee after a speciall and saving manner, thou must diligently try and examine thy self, whether thou hast this grace of faith, true justifying faith wrought in thee or not.
If thou hast this grace of justifying faith, thou hast that which is an infallible Character, and a reall testimony of the holy Spirits saving habitation and operation in thee, of thy Union with Christ, and eternal salvation by him, as the Apostle intimates, 1 Iohn 5.10. where he saith, he that believeth in the Son of God, hath the witnesse in himself: The truth of this assertion will more clearly and fully appear, by that which follows.
This faith is a speciall work of the Spirit of God in man, as appears by the language of the Apostle, Eph. 1.19, 20. Where the Apostle speaks of it,By this Faith Ch…ist dwels in our hearts. Christ is become the end of the law for righteousness to every true believer, Rom. 10.4. as a work of Gods Almighty Power; No less then that which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in Glory. And in that it accompanieth predestination, and is a grace proper and peculiar unto the elect, as appears by, 2 Thes. 2.13. compared with, Tit. 1.1.
He that with this saith beleiveth in Christ, eateth the Flesh of Christ and drinketh his Blood; and Christ saith, He that eateth my Flesh and drinketh my Blood, dwelleth in me and I in him, All that believe aright, are justified from all sinn, Act. 13.39. Rom. 3.26.John 6.56. And hath he not then Union with Christ? surely yes; for he lives in Christ, and Christ in him, Really, Spiritually; he is one with Christ, and Christ with him.
Of this faith Christ affirmeth, that it is accompanied with salvation, Iohn 3.36. He that believeth on the Son, hath Everlasting life, and John 6.54.Believers do eater in…o rest, Heb. 4.3. He saith, wheso eateth my Flesh and drinketh my Blood hath Eternall Life: He that believ…th on me, hath Everlasting Life, Joh. 6.47.
This faith is called an evidence, Heb. 11.1. the evidence of things not seen. And true it is, that this faith alwayes is an evidence, though it do not alwayes give evidence to the subject in which it is, beleeve and be saved, are coupled together, Luk. 8.12.
Finally, unto this faith is annexed in Scripture, many special and absolute promises of salvation, the Scripture faith, that whosoever beleiveth in Christ shall not be ashamed, Rom. 10.11. Beleive in the Lord I…sus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, Act. 1….31. Christ saith, He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live, Joh. 11.25. He that liveth and believeth in me shall never die, ver. 26. (He shall never dye eternally,) He that eateth me shall live by me: He that eateth of this bread shall live for ever, Joh. 6.57, 58. Verily, verily I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and beleiveth in him that sent me, shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life, Joh. 5.24. By all which it is evident, that justifying faith, for of that these texts speak, is a sure earnest of our inheritance with the Saints in light, in joy unspeakable, and full of Glory. Although a reprobate may have Faith and divers kinds of Faith yet he never hath this Faith.Whosoever hath the one here, shall certainly have the other hereafter.
On this ground the Apostle exhorts all Christians that would make sure for Heaven, and get a good evidence of their own Salvation, to examine themselves, whether they be in, the faith, yea or nay, and prove themselves, 2 Cor. 13.5. It is, as if the Apostle had said, Make sure of this, that your faith is right, and make sure of all; if you have this grace, you shall have Glory also.
Faith is the grace, and the only grace, whereby we are justified before God, by it we eate of the Tree of Life, (Jesus Christ) and live for ever: It is therefore the fittest grace of all, to satisfie Conscience in this weighty matter, and to make up conclusions from, about our eternall estate. This Satan knows full well, and therefore when he would flatter a man to Hell, he perswades him, that his faith is right good, when indeed there is no such matter; and when he would overthrow all hope of Heaven in a man, and drag him into despaire, he perswades him, that his faith, though never so good, is but a feigned and counterfeit thing, and the poore soul, is ready to say, Amen.
It mainly concerns all persons therefore, that would here get a good Evidence for Heaven, throughly to try their faith, whether it be a shield of Gold, or but a shield of B…asle; whether it be an unfeigned, or but a feigned faith; whether it be a justifying, or but a temporary faith; whether it be a faith that justifies before God, or but only before men?
Note.In the searching of thy Soul, for this grace of faith, or any other renewing grace, thou art to have respect to the truth of it, more than to the measure and strength of it: Christ hath so, he absolutely requires truth of belief, but not strength of belief: Nay he so esteems truth of belief, that wheresoever he findeth it, in the least measure, he will accept it and reward it, with Eternal Life; he will not quench the smoking flax; He will not suffer that soul that hath but the least grain of true faith to miscary.
Quest.But you will say. What is this faith you speak of, and how may it be discerned from a Temporary faith?
Sol.I will first describe it, and then descry it, as God shall inable me.
Justifying Fai…h described.Justifying faith is a speciall work of the Spirit of God upon the Soul, causing a man to lay hold on the speciall promises of Mercy, and Salvation by Christ, and all other promises, which are, in him, yea, and in him, Amen, and rest upon him that hath promised, for the accomplishment of his word.
I judg it not necessary, nor meet for me to take this description asunder, or speak of the several terms of it, and therefore pass it by. In a word or two only, I will briefly declare, why I call this faith a work of the Spirit, and why a speciall work of the Spirit.
1. I call this faith a work of the Spirit of God, because it is not natural; were it natural, it would be common, but all men have not faith, as the Scripture saith, 2 Thes. 3.2.
2. Few have this faith, as the parable of the seed shews, Mar. 4.2. to 9. it is a work supernatural and divine.
3. I call this Faith, a speciall work of the Spirit, to distinguish it from that common work of the Spirit, which is in unregenerate persons.
Having thus briefly described this Faith, I am in the next place to descry it, and distinguish it from all other; this I shall do for brevity sake positively.
This Faith then, as I humbly conceive, may be discerned and differenced from all other kinds of faith, by these concurrent and essentiall properties of it, which here follow.
This Faith is bred, fed, and nourished, ordinarily, by the word preached,Property, 1. as appears by Rom. 10.14, 17.
Secondly, this Faith as it is begotten by the word, so it is grounded upon the Word, upon the written Word of God; Not fancy, but the Word is the ground of it.
It gives firm, absolute, and unlimited assent to the whole Word of God, promises, threatnings and commandements, so farre forth as it doth apprehend it to be of God▪ simply because it is of God; the whole Word of God is the generall ground and object of it. I consent to the Law, that it is good, holy, and just, and good, saith a true believer, Rom. 7. ver. 16, 12. Believing all things that are written in the Law and the Prophets, Act. 24.14. But the more special object of it is the promises of the Gospel.
This Faith is seated in the heart, the heart is the most proper subject of it, With the heart man believeth unto righteousness, saith the Scripture, Rom. 10.10. Justifying Faith is not barely notionall, but reall; it is not a bare head-assenting, But a heart-consenting, what the understanding saith is true, the will saith is good, and embraceth it.
This Faith is an unfeigned Faith, as is evident, 1 Tim. 1.5. and 2 Tim. 1.5. An Hypocrites faith is but feigned faith, but justifying faith, is unfeigned, how weak soever it be, it is true and real, it carrieth the whole heart to God in obedience, as well as the whole outward man.
This Faith is a Christ-receiving faith, it receiveth and embraceth whole Christ, Christ as a Saviour and Christ as a Lord in all his offices, Prophet, Priest, and King, and it causeth him that hath it, to give up himself wholly to Christ, to be ruled by him in all things, according to his Word: Thus the Gospel tenders Christ, and thus a true beleever receiveth Christ: My Lord and my God, saith believing Thomas, of Christ, and it is the property of justifying Faith, thus to embrace Christ, They gave themselves unto the Lord, (saith the Apostle) of some true believers, 2 Cor. 8.5. And this is universally true of all that are true believers, they give themselves unto the Lord (as aforesaid,) and that freely and voluntarily.
This Faith puts a price upon Christ above all things, and cleaves to the Mercy of God in Christ, as better then life, both Positively, and Comparatively. To you which believe he is pretious, 1 Pet. 2.7. He is the chiefest of ten thousand, aCant. 5.10.Fairer then all the Childrenof men, bPs. 45.2.He is altogether lovely. cCant. 5.16.As the Apple-Tree amongst the Trees of the Forrest: So is my Beloved among the sonnes, dCant. 2.3.His mouth is most sweet, eCant. 5.16.His Love is better then Wine, fCant. 1.2.Thy loving kindness is better than Life, saith the believing Soul to Christ, gPs. 63.3.Whom have I in Heaven, but thee; and there is none that I desire upon Earth, in comparison of thee, hPsal. 73.25.What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ; yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss, for the excellency of the knowledg of Christ Iesus my Lord, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, saith a believing Soul, iPhil. 3.7, 8, 9.By all these places it is evident, That it is the property of a true faith, highly to prize Jesus Christ; a true believer prizeth Christ in all things, places, persons, and conditions, above all things, and beyond all time,
In the eighth place; This Faith relyeth wholly on the Merit of Christ for Salvation, for justification, disclaiming all confidence in the flesh, and excluding all boasting in our selves: As appears by the Language of the Apostle, Act. 4.12. and Phil. 3.3, 9. And have no confidence in the flesh. Not having mine own righteousness, which is of the Law, but that which is through the faith of Christ. Where is boasting then? it is excluded. By what Law? of works? Nay; but by the Law of Faith, Rom. 3.27.
This Faith opposeth the Mercy of God in Christ against all sinne, as greater then all. The Blood of Iesus Christ his Son, cleanseth us from all sinne, saith a believer, speaking of believers, 1 John 1.7. Because God hath said, He shall Redeem Israel from all his iniquities, Psal. 130.8. All manner of sins and Blasphemies shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, but the Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, Mat. 12.31.
This Faith, as it lays hold on the promises of God, so it makes him that hath it, carefully observe the Conditions of the promises on his part, Lord, I have hoped in thy word, and done thy Commandements, saith a true believer, Ps. 119.166. thereby intimating; That it is the property of a true faith, thus to rest on Gods promises; A true believer applies Christ unto himself, and himself unto Christ, the promises to himself, and himself unto the promises, unto the conditions of them.
It is the property of this Faith to adhere to Christ, even when it cannot see him, nor apprehend one jot of love from him, when he hideth his face from the soul, and speaks bitter things, and doth bitter things unto the soul, Behold (saith Job) I go forward, but he is not there;Job 23.8, 9. and backward, but I cannot perceive him, on the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him. He hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him. He writeth bitter things against me, Job 13.…6, 27. ver. 15.and maketh me possess the iniquities of my youth; He putteth my feet in the stocks, &c. But concludes. Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him. When God hid his face from Iob, and he could neither apprehend his love, in his Providences, nor in his Promises, yet he adhered to him still. This the Scripture cals for, Isa. 50.10. Therefore it follows, that this a true believer in some measure doth: It is the property of a true believer to adhere to Christ as Asahel adhered to Abner, 2 Sam 2. 2 Kin. 2.4.and Elisha to Elijah; Asahel would not turn aside from Abner, though he dyed by his hand: Elisha would not leave Elijah what ever became of him, As the Lord liveth, and as thy Soul liveth, I will not leave thee, said Elisha to Elijah; and so saith a true believer to Christ; Take from me what thou wilt; do with me what thou wilt, I will not leave thee, I will cleave unto thee still; though I cannot see thee, I will trust in thee, I will dye in thine arms.
In the Twelfth place, this Faith is a working Faith, it is not idle but operative and working, as the Apostle intimates, Iam. 2. ver. 20.14. Faith without works is dead and cannot save; living Faith, is working Faith, justifying Faith, though it do not justifie (by working) yet is still working. It purifieth and clenseth, and that not the outward man only, but the heart also, Act. 15.9. It Sanctifieth, Act. 26.18. (to wit) sincerely,The Holy Ghost originally as the Author, Faith instrumentally as the meanes sanctifieth. universally, soul and body, and the spirit of our mind, as the Scripture speaks; It spurreth on to Obedience, Active and Passive, sincere, universal, and constant, as appears at large, Heb. 11. Where all those worthies there spoken of, are said to have done and suffered all those admirable things there mentioned by Faith.
This Faith makes a man patiently wait on God, for the accomplishment of all that good which he hath promised in his Word, in a conscionable use of all those meanes, which he hath ordained, warranted, sanctified, and affordeth for the serving of his Providence, and accomplishing of his Promises. The former part of this assumption, is evident by the Language of the Prophet, Isai. 28.16. He that believeth maketh not haste; And by that which is spoken of believers, Heb. 6.12. The latter is as evident by the practice of the Saints. David believing the Word of the Lord concerning his Sonne Solomon, and his building of the Temple, was very instant with the Lord to make good his Word, and what he had Promised; very carefull and conscionable in instructing his Son, to walk with God in uprightness of heart, according unto all the Commandements of the Lord, and in providing materials for the Work of the Lords House and encouraging his Son to the Work, as appears by the 2 Sam. 7. compared with 1 Chron. 28. and 29. Chapters.
Daniel believing the Word of the Lord concerning the return of the Captivity of Iudah, was very instant with the Lord, by fasting and prayer to accomplish what he had promised, as appears, Dan. 9.2, 3.
Hezekiah believing the Word of the Lord concerning his recovery out of a dangerous sickness, diligently used the meanes that the Prophet directed him unto, 2 Kings 20.7.
And Paul, to instance in no more, beleiving that grand promise, That the seed of the Woman, should break the Serpents head. And that the God of Peace would Bruise Satan under his feet, and that sin should not have dominion over him. When buffeted by Satan, Prayed frequently, 2 Cor. 12.7, 8.and Prayed fervently, he besought the Lord thrice: when the Law of his Members rebelled against the Law of his mind, and led him Captive to the Law of sin. He groaned under this burden, bewailed his condition, sought the Lord by Prayer for help, exercised Faith on Christ; And beat down his body and kept it under, as appears, Rom. 7.23, 24. compared with 1 Cor. 9.27.
The same Apostle believing the Word of the Lord, concerning the preservation of himself, and his companions, in a dangerous voyage at Sea, diligently exhorted them to use all good meanes tending unto their preservation, sounded the depth, cast Anchors, abode in the ship, &c. Act. 27.
All these meanes these Worthies used to serve the divine Providence; and these examples plainly evidence, That it is the property of true faith thus to depend on God, for the accomplishment of his Word.
This Faith makes a man open-hearted, and open-handed towards his Brethren in misery and want mercifull according to the Divine Rule; ready out of a fellow-feeling of others misery, bountifully, cheerefully, and constantly, to do good unto all in misery, according to ability, but specially to the Godly; not for his own glory, but Gods, for the honour of Christ and the Gospel, as appears by the Language of the Apostle, Iam. 2.15, 16. Compared with the 1 chap. 27. and that which is spoken of believers in the primitive Church, Act. 2.44, 45.4.34.
This Faith makes a man very industrious,Good Faith is full of good Workes in labouring to keep a good conscience in all things, and to walk inoffensively towards God, and towards man in all things, as appears in the Apostle Paul. Paul having made a confession of faith, and hope towards God, Act. 24.14, 15. in the 16. ver. of the same chap. he declares, how his faith did operate. And herein do I exercise my self, to have alwayes a conscience void of offence towards God and towards Man. And this Language of his doth plainly evidence, That it is the property of a true faith thus to operate.
All these are real testimonies, that true justifying Faith, is no Idle Faith, but operative and working.
It worketh by love. This the Scripture a… firmeth,13. Property. Gal. 5.6. Neither Circumcision, nor Vncircumcision availeth any thing, but faith which worketh by love: thence it is evident, that true faith worketh by love. And this is indeed the great distinguishing Character of it, it worketh by love to God, and the things of God, and by love to man for Gods sake. A true believer works all his works in love to God and Christ; His whole labour in point of obedience, is a labour of love▪ he sees an unfathomed depth of Divine love, declared toward him by God in Christ, and this constrains him to love God in Christ again; and out of love unto him that dyed for him, to give up himself unto him▪ and lay out himself for him. The love of Christ constraineth me, saith a true believer, 2 Cor. 5.14, 15. He is holy and blamelesse before him in love, Ephes 1.4. My soule hath kept thy Commandements, and I love them exceedingly, saith a true believer, Ps. 119.167.
This Faith is alwayes accompanied with true repentance; He that truely believes unfaignedly repents; This is evident by the language of the Prophet, Zach. 12.10.
This Faith is alwayes accompanied with new obedience.
This Faith is a holy Faith, it's so called, Iud▪ v. 20. and it makes the subject holy in which it is, inwardly, outwardly, universally holy, though not perfectly holy in this life.
This Faith is a World-contemning, and World over-coming Faith; it contemns the World, both in the good and evill of it,Faith ove…cometh not at once, but by degrees, it is still overcoming, and at length overcometh. as appears in Moses, Heb. 11.24. to 28. I… overcometh the world, as saith the Scripture. This is the victory that overcometh the world, even your faith Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth, &c. 1 John. 5.4, 5. I may add to this, and say, It is a flesh-over-coming, and a Devill-overcoming faith: for howsoever a true beleever be many times put to the worse for a time, and foiled by one or other of these enemies, yet in the end he overcometh them all, and is more then a Conqueror through Christ that strengtheneth him, and overcometh for him.
This Faith is a heart humbling Faith; it is the property of this Faith to make an humble heart, as the Language of Christ, Iohn 5.44. intimates How can ye believe (saith he) which seek honour one of a another? A true beleever eyes God in all gifts, and in all blessings, Spirituall and Temporall, and ascribes all unto free grace; He, and he only labours for and learnes of Christ, heart-humility, and groans under the sense of the want of it, and hence it is evident that true Justifying Faith is heart-humbling Faith.
This Faith is a God-glorifying Faith, it makes a man preferre God above himself, and his glory above all things, respecting not himself, willing to deny himself unto the death, to advance the honour of God, and humbly to submit to the Will of the Lord in every thing; as appears in Abraham, Iob, Eli, David, Paul, and many other true beleevers. Abraham was by this faith transported so far above himself, that he willingly offered up his dear Isaac, to advance the honour of God, when he tryed him. Iob was by this faith brought humbly and patiently to submit to the Will of the Lord in every thing, as one desirous to advance his Name. Ely was by this faith brought sweetly and humbly to submit to the good pleasure of the Lord: When Samuel told him, what evill the Lord would bring upon him, and his house, he meekly replies, as one d…sierous to advance God in all,1 S…m. 3.18. It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good. It is, as if he had said, let him do with me or to me what he will, so he may have glory by it, I am content. David did the like, 2 Sam ▪ 15.26. But above all, the Apostle Paul is a notable example of this, who was by this faith carried so farre above himself, that he cared not what betided …im, sink or swim, so Christ might be magnified thereby, bonds, and afflictions, and death were nothing to him to undergo, so Christ might have honour thereby: Nay he would rather lose his eternall Crown, then eclyps the honour of Christ, as his Language, Act. 20.23, 24.21, 13. does plainly evidence his resolution, That Christ should be magnified in him, whatever he underw…nt, Phil. 1.20. Rom. 9.3.
It is the property of a true faith to preferre God above all,Note. but an evidence of a strong faith thus to preferre God above all.
This Faith is a growing Faith. True Faith how weak soever or how strong soever, is alwayes accompanied with cordial desires and real indeavours to grow and increase, and bring forth more fruit, as the language▪ of beleevers shews, Lord increase our Faith, Luk. 17.5.said the Disciples to Christ; Lord I beleeve, help thou my unbeliefe, saith another beleever:Mark. 9.24. I count not my self to have apprehended, but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth to those things which are before, I press toward the mark, saith a third, Phil. 3.13, 14. By all w…ich it is evident, That true Faith is growing Faith: A true beleever never thinks he hath Faith enough, but still prayes for and labours after increase.
This Faith is a supporting Faith; It is a Faith which a Christian may and must live by in all conditions, as appears, H…b. 2.4. The just shall live by his Faith. He that hath this Faith we speak of, shall live by it, in prosperity and in adversity, in life and in death.
Finally, this Faith is permanent and persevering, it holds out unto the death, it is never totally lost; a true beleever, as he lives in the faith, so he dyes in the faith; the Apostle speaking of true beleevers, saith, These all died in the Faith, Heb. 11.13. And true it is, That a true beleever alwayes dyes in the Faith, in the Faith of adherence, if not of evidence; this is vigour fit and but fit to give the denomination of a true beleever, we are made partakers of the Holy Ghost, if we hold the beginning of our co…fidence stedfast unto the end, saith the text, Heb. 3.14. These words plainly evidence,Ioh. 8.31. Matt. 24.13. that justifying faith is persevering faith, it holds out unto the death and ends in fruition, it can never be totally nor finally lost;Col. 1.23. and this indeed is it's distinguishing property, and it is the property of every renewing grace; every renewing grace holds out unto the end; that grace which weares the the Crown of Glory is persevereing, Revel. 2.10.
It is not alwayes so in appearance, but in truth;Note. A true beleever may at sometimes, and in some cases, seem both to himself and to others, to have loft his faith, and his other graces as many examples in Scripture shew; but yet as Ieb speaks, The root of the matter is within him still;Iob 19.28. Truth of grace in the inward parts ▪ and it abideth there. However a true beleever may and sometimes doth, for a time lose the comfort of his grace, and the fight of his grace, and the power of acting of his grace, yet he hath this priviledg above all formalists, he never totally loseth the habit of any renewing grace: these gifts of God are without repentance.
Wouldest thou then know, whether thy faith be sound and saving, and such as consequently demonstrates the holy Spirits saving habitation in thy soule; try and examine thy saith, by these properties and Scripture-Characters of a true jus…ifying faith, and if it hold correspondency with them, know for thy comfort, that it is such as really demonstrates the holy Spirits saving habitation, and special operat…on in t…y soul, thy Union with Christ, a…d e…ernal salvation by him, whatsoever Satan or thine own conscience abused by Satan, may at any time hereafter say to the contrary, and give the Lord the praise. The end of thy faith shall be the salvation of thy Soul, as the Scripture speaks, 1 Pet. 1.9.