Sacred Therapy, Book 2 · Chapter 27
CHAP. XXVII.
Wherein is solved the true converts doubt, whether he be in the blessed state of grace, because he findeth himself frequently in an evil condition.
EXperience teacheth, that sundry true converts, because they, feeling themselves oft-times in an ill condition, do call in question their being in the blessed state of grace, not considering, that the condition of a man, whether in the state of nature unrenewed, or in the state of grace, may be comparatively in better or worse condition, and yet his state remain the same. The multitude of the misbelieving Hebrews, were in an evil condition, at the one side of the red Sea, when they repented their coming out of Egypt, but in a better condition when they did sing praises unto God on the other side of the Sea, and yet for their state, some were, yea most part, still in nature unrenewed: Moses and Aaron were in an evil condition when their passion offended God at the smiteing of the rock; but when they did interceed with God for the people, when wrath was kindled against the host, they were in a better condition: and both in the one time and in the other they were in the state of grace, true Saints in Gods estimation. This mistake of the weak in faith, not putting difference between their present disposition and their state, maketh them judge of themselves to be in the state of grace when their condition is good, and to be in the state of nature unrenewed when they feel themselves in an evil condition: when they observe their heart inlarged to run the way of Gods commandments, then they esteem themselves truly regenerat, and when they feel themselves sluggish in the work of the Lord, dull in hearing the Word, flow to believe what the Scripture speaketh, when they esteem their ordinary service to be after a form of godlinesse, without affection and power, and what service they do, to proceed from fear of wrath, rather then from the new and right principles of a regenerat man, then they question all the works of grace in themselves. What shall I think, saith the afflicted, concerning my state in grace, when I find my condition so frequently not only short of what it should be, but also polluted with divers sorts of sins?
2. For answer, we must grant, that the externall duties of religion, may be discharged from fleshly and corrupt principles; for, many do perform commanded external duties, that they may eshew the reproach of impiety, or that they may insinuat themselves in the good estimation and favour of the godly, or for some base earthly ends for which gross hypocrits do whatsoever they do in religion.
Like unto these are all self-deceiving hypocrits, who go about to establish their own righteousnesse, miskening that righteousnesse which is of God by faith, as if God could be obliged to take their performance for a full, satisfaction for their former sins, and would look upon their works as meritorious of eternal life; and therefore because men may deceive themselves, 1. the afflicted shall do well to examine himself whether he hath renounced all confidence in the flesh, or his own works, Phil. 3. 8, 9. and fled unto Christ for righteousnesse, with some measure of honest endeavouring to worship and serve God in his spirit; which if his conscience can witnesse unto him to be his way wherein he is walking, then may he be assured that he is a true convert. 2. And albeit it be true that the imperfections of the regenerat man do many times obscure his state in grace, yet can they not extinguish the sponk of regeneration begun in him, or prove the work of grace in him not to be at all. 3. We grant that the condition of a true convert at sometimes may be so bad by reason of sinfull distemper and fleshly carriage, that many unrenewed mens conversation shall be found far more commendable, then the present condition and carriage of the renewed man in his sinfull condition: In which case neither God nor his own conscience, nor any that feareth God can speak any thing but wrath to him, till he repent and turn to God for mercy in Christ; yet the afflicted penitent convert, lamenting his bad condition, is in better case then any unrenewed man can be into: for, the very grief and perplexity which he findeth because his condition is so oft ill and sinfull, proveth his good affection toward God, and his earnest desire to walk before God unto all well-pleasing, in all things and at all times.
3. But if the afflicted shall insist and object, that the fear of Gods wrath and judgments, ordinarily is a main motive which setteth him on to do the duties and service which God requireth of him, and not the love of God, the felt in-lake whereof, doth make him go on halting and heavy in the wayes of God. We answer, that albeit the fear of Gods wrath and judgments looked upon alone, doth not prove regeneration, yet it may well consist with regeneration: because God doth not for nought joyn with his precepts, fearfull threatenings of judgments against those who shall transgresse his commands, that they may be as a spur in his childrens sides to presse them to their duties, and as a bridle to curb and check their vitious inclination unto sin, which lodgeth in all men by nature. And this motive is evident in the experience of the Prophet, Ps, 119. 120. My flesh trembleth for fear of thee, and I am afraid of thy judgments. 2. It may be that the afflicted, lately converted unto God, be not free as yet from the spirit of bondage, but be keeped in some measure under the bonds of servile fear, God so disposing, for the humbleing, exercising and training of his child lately entered in his holy warfare; in which condition his fear is commendable, when it ariseth from the conscience of his sinfull short-coming in Gods service, and of the prevailing of his corruption against the begun work of renovation. Wherefore, let the afflicted go about the discharge of commanded duties in his christian calling, and particular station wherein God hath placed him, in what condition soever he shall find himself. 2. Let him compare his present condition, which he doth count an ill condition, with the by-gone better conditions whereof he hath had possibly experience frequently; and when he calleth to mind the comforts he hath had, and the inlargement of heart to run in the way of Gods commandment, in hope of a change of his present condition to the better, in hope of finding renewed blinks of the Lords countenance, let him humbly wait on God in the use of the means appointed▪ till the day-star arise in his heart, praying with the Psalmist, that God would quicken him according to his loving kindnesse. 3. Let him cleave the more closely to the covenant of grace and the righteousnesse which is by faith in Jesus Christ, withall giving thanks unto God for the grace bestowed on him, for the giving unto him eye-salve to see his blindnesse, nakednesse and misery, and for making sin odious and grievous unto him in any measure, and for drawing him to Christ to be his refuge in his worst condition.