Sacred Therapy, Book 2 · Chapter 2
CHAP. II.
Wherein the regenerat mans doubt of his being in the state of grace, by reason of his felt unworthinesse, is answered.
THese premised considerations, may serve for the more easie solution of doubts and particular cases wherein the regenerat man may be troubled about his being in the state of grace. For which end, it is needfull also, by way of example, to propound some usual questions in particular: the answering whereof, may serve to answer all questions, which do arise from the like original: For,
1. Howsoever it be certain from Scripture, that the regenerat shall no… pe…ish, and that their state in grace is unchangeable, and that their perseverance in the faith is established by Christs undertaking to make them persevere according to the charge given unto him from the F…ther. Ioh. 6. 39▪ 40. yet, it i… true also, that every regenerat man is no… clear about his regeneration, and many regenerat persons have only a conjectural opinion that they are regenerat, who are not come up as yet to an assurance and perswasion of their blessed estate. And the number is not great of these who alwaies, or any long time together, do injoy that serenity and tranquility of conscience, that they can confidently triumph, and glory with the Apostle, Rom. 5. 3, 4. 5. because of desertions and tentations, raising doubts in their conscience, concerning their estate, oft-times holy persons are disquieted. With such persons, while they are in that case, a Pastor or a prudent friend must deal so, as he would deal with the infirm, and with them who think themselves not converted, because the same remedies will serve to strengthen a weak believer and to draw a soul, sensible of sin, and under the pangs of the new birth, unto faith in Christ.
2. But let us come more particularly to examine the doubts of some that are regenerat, and their pretended reasons for their doubting. Some are so sensible of their own unworthinesse, that they question if themselves, or any like unto themselves, can be in the state of grace, mean time their carriage is such a, becometh a Christian, blamelesse: I Feel in … (saith ou…) such strength of inward corruption as doth d…file every best action I go about; I see what holinesse is required in tho…e that approach unto God, that I do utterly loath my self, as unworthy to be admitted into the fellowship of God or Christ the holy one of Israel: yea (saith another) I think it no small presumption to draw near unto Christ, or count my self among his Saints and followers.
This for a short time was the case of Isaiah, when in a vision he saw the glory of Christ in the Temple, and heard the Seraphims proclaim him th…ee holy, Isa. 6. 5. Wo is me (said he) for I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips, for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hostes. This also was the case of Pe…er, who in the sense of his own unworthinesse, wakened up by the shining of the glory of Christs God-head in the miraculous tack of fish…s, Luk. 5▪ 8. falling down at Christs knees, he cryeth depart from me, O Lord, for I am a sinfull man: which is as much as if he had said, I am utterly unworthy to be admitted unto fellowship with thy holy M…jesty. The like also was the case of the Publican in the parable, Luk. 18. 13. out of which case, after some wrestling of sa…th, he cometh forth toward God, yet standing a far off, nor daring to life up hi… eyes to heaven: wherein is pointed out to us the sense of his unworthinesse, hindering him to approach confidently to the throne of grace.
3. For removing of this doubt, five or six considerations may be represented to the party afflicted, with this proviso, that the sense of his unworthinesse be not discharged, or diminished, but wisely entertained in him rather; for, it is not to be presupposed, that any man can esteem himself so unworthy and far from meriting any good at Gods hand, as he is indeed: But yet his doubt, how he dare or may draw near unto Christ because of his felt unworthinesse may be solved. 1. If he consider the nature and offer made of the covenant of grace, whereby these that are sensible of their own unworthinesse, are so far from being debarred from the covenant of grace, that the covenant of grace doth not admit any person to be received into it, but such only who do renounce all confidence in their own works and worthinesse, and do flye unto the offer of the free grace of God in Christ: for, our Lord hath said, Mat. 9. 13. I came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance: And the promises of the Evangel, are made to the poor in spirit, to the hungry, and thristy for the righteousnesse of Christ, which only can satisfie a hungry soul, Mat. 5. 3, 6. yea, the sense of unworthinesse is in effect that self-loathing whereof Ezek. speaketh, chap. 36. 31. which sense of unworthinesse, may be seen in Iob, as a special act and evidence of his repentance, Iob. 42. 6.
Secondly, let him consider, that because by reason of sin, no worthinesse can be found in us, therefore God hath freely loved the world and provided grace in Christ, that all that flye to him, may out of his fulnesse receive grace for grace, Ioh. 1. 16.
Thirdly, the three sold office of a Mediator, wherewith Christ hath cloathed himself, doth obviat and meet the doubts of the humbled soul under the sense of unworthinesse: for, albeit he be ignorant and slow to understand and believe the revealed will of God, about mens salvation, and his prescribed service; yet, upon … flying to Christ, he hath Christ offered and given to him for his wisdom, a Prophet able to inform him, to open his eyes, and perswade him to imbrace by lively faith all saving doctrine. Albeit he be exceeding sinfull and worthy of condemnation, yet he hath Christ a… Priest made of God unto him righteousness and sanctification, upon his flying to him for refute from sin and wrath, undertaking also powerfully to sanctifie him, by mortifying his corruptions, and perfecting at last the Image of God in him. And albeit he have the world and his own flesh, and the power of all principalities and spiritual wickednesse, with many miseries in this life to wrestle with; yet, he hath Christ Jesus as King, made of God unto him redemption, upon his flying to Christ for refuge against all his enemies; So that he may be sure to be found among them whom he hath redeemed by price-paying, and for whom he hath undertaken powerfully to sustain them in all this warfare, whatsoever misery they may be in, and at last to bring them out of all sin and misery to a perfect rest in everlasting glory. And to what end hath our Lord taken on the office of a Mediator and Redeemer, if not to open the eyes of the blind that flye to him for eye-salve, to cover the naked, flying unto him, with the precious garment of his imputed righteousnesse, and to enrich the poor, needy and unworthy out of the store house of his unsearchable riches of grace? Rev. 3. 18.
Fourthly, let him consider the constant course of grace and practical dispensation thereof in all ages toward all the converted. Are not all they to whom the Gospel cometh, in the state of corrupt nature, when God cometh to convert them? For, never was there any person called unto the state of grace, but he was found in his sins and in the state of lost sinners by nature: none but children of wrath and enemies by nature are reconciled; none but they, who, by the law, are condemned, are justified; none but they, that in their own sense are lost, do obtain salvation; for, Christ doth plainly tell us, I came to seek and to save them that are lost. Did he ever reject any that fled unto him, because they were unworthy? No; for it is said, Ps. 9. 10. They that know thy name will trust in thee; for thou never forsook them that sought thee. And, (Ioh. 6▪ 37.) he saith, These that come unto me, I will in no case cast out. 2 Tim. 1. 9. Not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and …, hath he called us.
Fifthly, let him consider the worthinesse of Christs person and merits, who, (because he being God and man in one person, hath paid a price of infinit value for redemption of sinners who flye unto him) is worthy, for whose cause, the unworthy sinner, flying to the throne of grace, should be received in favour, and made fit for eternal life by the sanctification of his Spirit.
Sixthly, let him consider, that if he stand a-back from Christ, and do not flye unto him, how unworthy soever he think himself, he remains under wrath and the condemnatory sentence of the law, Ioh. 1. 8. but, let him rather remember, that he is warranted by a command of God the Father, to flye to Christ, 1 Ioh. 3. 23. This is his commandment, that we should believe on the name of his Son, Iesus Christ, and love one another as he hath commanded us. And therefore, let him say of his own soul with th… Centurion, speaking of his servant to Christ, (Luke 7. 6, 7.) I am not worthy that thou should come under my roof; but say the word, and my servant shall be healed. The word is said frequently in Scripture, let the afflicted rest himself on it.