Sacred Therapy, Book 2 · Chapter 5
CHAP. V.
Wherein the regenerat mans doubting of his regeneration, because he findeth no power in himself to believe in Christ, is answered.
SOmetime it cometh to passe, that the renewed man, after a long time standing in the stare of grace, falleth in doubt about the work of grace in himself, because when God doth change his dispensation toward him, and bringeth him to tryal by trouble, wherein he is found weaker then he expected, he beginneth to suspect whether the former work of grace hath been found or not, and his reason is, because he findeth by experience often repeated, that in straits and difficulties when he would most exercise faith and believe in Christ, he is found least able to do it; yea, he findeth it no lesse impossible to observe the whole moral Law, then solidly to believe in Christ: hence ariseth anxiety in the soul of the afflicted, while he neither dar depart from Christ, nor yet is able to approach unto him confidently. In this case many new doubts and temptations do arise, which weaken his faith yet more, and hinder him in the exercise of religion and discharge of duties, not a little.
That this sometime may be the case of some converted, the experience of the Saints, set down in Scripture, maketh evident, Ps. 30. 7. Lord, saith David, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong; thou didst hide thy face and I was troubled. And in his prayer, (Ps. 61. 2.) while his minde was overwhelmed in him with perplexing thoughts, he findeth in himself no strength or ability to deliver himself or put forth acts of faith on the Mediator, as he would have done, but prayeth, that while he is now exiled and driven far off from the tabernacle and ark of the Covenant, he may be raised up to believe in him who was signified by these tipes, to wit, Christ the Rock of all Salvation: which Rock of salvation, he perceiveth to be a higher mystery then he can discover or ascend upon, without the hand of divine power. And therefore saith, from the end of the earth, will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher then I. Yea, the godly afflicted Hebrews fell in this sicknesse, whom the Apostle exhorteth to take courage unto them, Heb. 12. 12, 13. Wherefore lift up your hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make streight paths for your feet.
2. For answering of this doubt, the afflicted person must be convinced of his infirmity and sinfull dissidence, because being called of God to the exercise and tryal of his faith in Christ by whatsoever sort of trouble, he hath been discouraged and fainted, which did not become a souldier of Christ, and that for no other pretended reason but this, that he could not give such a proof of his faith as he should have given and hoped to give, before he was put to tryal.
Secondly, he must consider how far he is mistaken in leaning to his own strength, in the exercise of his faith; of which self-confidence, the more a man is emptied, the more speedily he shall be furnished, if being emptied he flye to Christ for supply. This was the experience of the Apostle, 2 Cor. 9. 10. who was made weak in himself, that the strength of Christ might be made perfect in his weaknesse; and therefore he resolved to make use of the strength of Christ in all his felt infirmities, and that he did, with good successe. For when I am weak, saith he, then am I strong. Whose example we must resolve to follow.
Thirdly, after search, it will be found, that the person afflicted, under the notion and expression of I cannot believe, hath, in effect, this meaning, I cannot find such a full assurance of faith as I would be at; or, I cannot find such a sense of the approbation of my …aiah as can satisfie me and perswade me that I do believe really in Christ. And so it is another thing, and another gift of the Spirit he is seeking, then what he pretendeth to seek: for, the sense and feeling of approven faith, and full assurance of faith, is not given to every believer, but to him that sights the fight of faith, and in his tryals, adhereth closely to Christ and to his truth, when he is tempted to sin, as the clause in the close of the seven Epistles to the Churches of Asia doth teach us, Rev. 2. 3. To him that overcometh, I will give to eat of the tree of life, to eat of that hid manna; I will give him that white stone, and a new name written thereon, which no man knoweth, save he that receiveth it.
Fourthly, the afflicted must be instructed or put in minde to distinguish between believing in Christ, and the knowing that he doth believe in Christ, as may be learned from 1 Ioh. 5. 13. These things I writ to you, that believe on the name of the Son of God, that you may know, that you have eternal life; and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. He must distinguish between true (though weak) saying faith and strong faith. True saving faith is in that person, who, being pursued by the Law, doth flye for refuge to lay hold upon Christ the hope set before us. The man that dwelleth in this city of Christ, and maketh use of Christ as the only remedy against sin and misery, as he is offered to us in the Gospel, hath right unto that strong and well-grounded consolation spoken of, Heb. 6. 17, 18, 19. True and saving faith is in that person, who acknowledging himself a child of wrath, heartily receiveth the Lord Jesus Christ, as he offereth himself to us in the Gospel; for, such a person hath the right and priviledge of a child of God, and may reckon himself among believers in Christ, Ioh. 1. 12. As many as received Christ, to them gave he power to become the Sons of God, even to them that believe in his name. True and saving faith is in that person, who, being convinced of his enimity against God, doth answer the request of God in Christ▪ in the mouth of his Ministers, with a hearty consent unto the covenant of grace and reconciliation offered to all that hear the Gospel, 2 Cor. 5. 19, 20. God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliateon. Now then, we are Embassadors, for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us, we pray you in Christs stead be ye reconciled unto God: for he hath made him (that is, Christ) to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. Therefore, let the afflicted answer thus. I receive the offer, and do consent, upon these termes, to be reconciled to God, Lord help my unbelief; for, thou hast said, seek ye my face; and my soul answereth Thy face, O Lord, will I seek, hide not thy face from me, Ps. 27. 8, 9. He that upon these termes, doth flye to Christ, and resolveth to adhere unto him, needeth not doubt but he is received in the state of grace: for confirmation whereof, let the fruits of faith outward and inward, which may be observed by the afflicted himself, or by his comforter, be called to mind, and let him rest and go on in the course of obedience of the Gospel.