Sacred Therapy, Book 2 · Chapter 13
CHAP. XIII.
Wherein is solved the converts doubt, whether he be in the state of grace, arising from his comparing of himself with the hypocrit and unregenerat In those perfections they may attain unto.
SOmetime a true convert, when he perceiveth how far specious hypocrits may make progresse in the way of righteousnesse, with how many vertues they may be indued, with how many gifts they may be adorned, how-like the foolish virgins may be unto the wise, and how far temporary faith may carry a man, especially when it is busked with spiritual common gifts, how many glorious professors of the true christian Religion have made apostasie, how many wayes men do deceive themselves and may possibly further and further deceive themselves (of which self-deceivings somewhat is spoken in the end of the former book) what wonder is it, the weak convert stagger, and fear least he also deceive himself, especially when he seeth nothing in himself which may not be counterfeit?
2. For lousing of this doubt, wherein many have been pusled, we must yield to the afflicted, that there are many indeed, who do deceive and destroy themselves with their vain thoughts; which because it doth very frequently come to passe, it should stir up all men to be circumspect and wary least they deceive themselves in the mater of their salvation, and for that intent to examine themselves whether they be in the saith, 2 Cor. 13. least they be beguiled, and so perish. And because tender faith is easily hurt, all their fear must be turned into a holy carefulnesse, to be found sincere and serious in the use of the Lords ordinances, least Sathan beguile them on the right hand or on the left. And for this end, we offer advice to the afflicted to discern things that differ, and first to distinguish gifts, common to hypocrits and true converts, from saving graces or benefits accompanying salvation: for, learning, and skill to govern great maters, and eloquence and understanding of deep mysteries, and revelation of things to come, and the gift of working miracles, and the gift of preaching the Gospel, may be granted unto the unregenerat for the use and edification of the Church. The observing of this difference shall teach the afflicted to esteem well of all the gifts of God, which may serve for humane society, or to edifie the Church, but not to look upon them as evidences of regeneration, for they are nothing in comparison of saving graces; for, if he shall study to humility and repentance toward God and faith toward Jesus Christ, and love to God and his Saints, and to a holy life by the grace of Christ, in any measure, let him esteem more of them, then of all these common gifts how glorious soever they seem. As also let him put a difference betwixt the judgment of charity concerning other mens estate, which contents it self with probabilities, and the judgment of certainty and reall verity, concerning his own estate, which proceeds from the operation of the holy Spirit, bearing witnesse to our spirits, that we are the children of God, and revealing unto us what things are freely given to us of God, to wit, among other gifts, giving unto us eye-salve to make us know, that we are blind, poor, naked and miserable, with grace leading us to buy without money or price from Christ, gold tryed in the fire, and garments to hide our nakednesse, which is the righteousnesse of Christ imputed unto us. In the judgement of charity concerning other mens estate, we see nothing save what is outward, and cannot pierce into their hearts, which God only can and doth search; but concerning our own estate, we may know certainly, if we search well, 1 Cor. 2. 10, 11, 12. Wherefore that the afflicted may overcome this doubt, let him leave unto God the judgment of the hearts of these hypocrits and apostats, which were never humbled in … sense of sin, nor seriously believed in Christ; but to satisfie himself concerning his own estate, let him study to discern the power of sin in himself more and more, and daily be humbled before God in the sense of it. And the more he discern the loathsomnesse of sin in himself, let him the more heartily embrace Christ offered in the Gospel and consecrat himself wholly unto him, that in his furniture, drawn by faith out of Christ, he may bring forth good fruits and add one vertue to another, and so shall he be sure, that he hath passed the perfection of the unregenerat, and is a true subject of the kingdom of God effectually called, and elected of God unto eternall life, 2 Pet. 1. 5, 6, 7, 8.