Body of Divinity, Book 7 · Chapter 9
CHAP. IX. Whether one may be certain of his Iustification.
THe Scripture holds out assurance in reference, 1. To Faith, Heb. 10. 22.Concil. Trident. Sess. 6. c. 9. Vocat certitudinem remissionis peccatorum vanam & ab omni pietate remotam fiduciam. See M. Hilders. on Psal. 51. 7. Lect. 121, 122 123, 124, 125, 126, 127. and on v. 6. from Lect. 86. to 87 M. Cartw. Rejoynder to the Marquesse of Worcester, pag. 139. to 251. M. Burgess of Grace and Assurance, Sect. …. Serm. 5, 6, 7, 8. 2. Hope, Heb. 6. 11. 3. Love, 1 Iohn 4. 17, 18.
Our knowing our Justification is called the first fruits of the Spirit, Rom. 8. 23. The witnesse of the Spirit, Rom. 8. 16. The sealing of the Spirit, Ephes. 1. 14. The earnest of the Spirit, 2 Cor. 5. 5.
One may be certain
1. Of his Justification, Isa. 45. 24.
2. Of his Adoption, Isa. 63. 16.
3. Of his Perseverance in Gods favour unto the end, Psal. 23. 6.
4. That after this life he shall inherit eternal glory, 2 Cor. 5. 10. 1 Iohn 3. 14.
There is a three-fold certainty,
1. Moral, this consists in opinion and probability, and admits of fear.
2. Of evidence, either external of things particular and obvious which comes by the senses, or internal, by the understanding and energy of principles.
3. Of Faith, this certainty is the greatest and exceeds the evidence of the outward senses, or the knowledge and understanding of all principles, because that full assurance of faith relies on the Divine Promises. Faith is called foreign, Heb. 11. 1. foreign, Ephes. 3. 12. and foreign, plena certioratio, Heb. 10. 24. words that signifie a sure and certain establishment.
Assurance of Gods grace and favour to save a mans self in particular is wrought in the hearts of those that have it in truth, in three degrees.
First, They apprehend a possibility of it, when the heart is convinced of sinne, and wounded with sinne, when the Law cometh in such power, the sinne reviveth and a man dieth, that is, findeth himself dead or in a damnable estate, even then the promises of the Gospel being believed and acknowledged for first true, do cause the dejected Spirit to support it self with this thought, The Lord can forgive, can accept me, be a Saviour to me. There are mercies enough in him, merits enough in Christ, it is not impossible but that I even I also may be taken into grace. So the Leper came to our Saviour, saying, Lord if thou wilt thou canst make me clean; and the blinde men being asked by Christ, Believe you that I can do this for you? said, Yea Lord; To which he replied, Be it unto you according to your faith.
Secondly, They apprehend a probability of it, not alone God can save me, but it may be also that he will, Who can tell but God will have mercy upon us that we perish not? as did the Ninevites; and Hezekiah did wish that Isaiah should cry mightily, if so be that the Lord of Heaven would hearken to the words of Senacherib and deliver them. When Bartimeus the blinde man came crying after Christ, at first he was perswaded that Christ could cure him, but then when he called him, and the people told him so much, he cast off his cloak and came running with more life, he began to be perswaded then that like enough Christ meant him some good, and would restore him his sight.
Thirdly, They apprehend a Certainty, a mans soul concludeth, The Lord will pardon, will save, is reconciled, will deliver: God is my Shepherd, I shall not want. Thus doth Assurance grow in the Saints from weak beginnings; first, he saith, I am sure God can save, and therefore I will run to him, then hopes God will help, and therefore I will continue seeking; lastly, I am sure God will save, therefore I will most confidently rely upon him.
There is a three-fold Assurance:
1. Of Evidence, it is the duty of every Christian to attain this.
2. Of Affiance which God doth accept of.
3. Of Obsignation, which God vouchsafes to some in bounty, whereby God doth so firmly seal the faith of some, as if he had told them that he did die in particular for them, this Assurance really excludes doubtings, and is given to menHabakkuk 3. ult. had assur nce in the height, so had many of Gods worthies, Heb. 11. 13, 15. Psal. 48. This God is our God. after long and fiery trials, when they have stood in an eminent way for Christ, as did the Apostles and Martyrs. Some have been so swallowed up with joy, that they have cried out, Lord humble me; one to whom God revealed his Election could neither eat, drink nor sleep for three dayes space, but cried out, Laudetur Dominus, laudetur Dominus.
Gods people may have an infallible and setled Assurance of their being in the state of grace, and their continuance therein. This may be proved,
1. From Scripture.
There is an expresse promise to this purpose, Isa. 60. 16. See 2 Cor. 13. 5. Heb. 8. 11. 1 Iohn 3. 2. to 15. & 2. 3. & 5. 13. 2 Ep. 14.
2. Reason, 1. From the nature of this estate The state of grace is called life,Sententia communis est ferè omnibus … heologis, non posse homines in hac vita habere certitudinem fidei de sua justitia, iis exceptis, quibus Deus speciali revelatione hoc indicare dignatur. Bellarm. lib. 3. de Iustificatione cap. 3. Sensum electionis nullum in hâc vitâ Remonstrantes agnoscunt. Et qui agnoscunt: Qui non vivos, sed mortuos eligi statuunt, ij non vivis sed mortuis ejus fructum tribuant oportet Scultet. Orat. de certitudine & sensu electionis. Vide plura ibid. The Remonstrants hold, 1. That none truly regenerate can in this life be certain of his salvation without a special revelation. 2. That doubting of our salvation is laudable and profitable. The Scripture teacheth: 1. That all the faithful may and ought to be certain of their salvation, and without a peculiar Revelation, 1 Iohn 2. 5 Rom. 8. 16, 17. 2. That doubting is contrary to faith, and pernicious to man, Luke 24. 18. Jam. 1. 6, 7, 8. The Papists grant an assurance of hope but not of faith. There can be no assurance of hope till there be an assurance of Faith, Hope works after Faith, we hope for those things which faith beleeves, and proportionably to the measure of our Faith. Translated from death to life, and light, life and light cannot be long hidden. Again, a man is brought into this condition by a great change and alteration, and many times also sudden, great changes chiefly being sudden will be easily perceived. It is a passing from death to life, a translating from the power of darknesse into the Kingdom of his dear Sonne. The state of grace doth alwayes bring with it an earnest combate and conflict between two things extreamly contrary one to the other, flesh and Spirit, this battel cannot be fought in the heart, but the man will feel it. In the state of grace Christ dwelleth in the heart by faith, and by his Spirit, and the Word dwelleth there, the inhabiting of such guests is evident, a King goes not in secret with his train, nor the King of glory.
2. The Lord hath afforded such helps to his servants, as may bring them toThere is not an Article of the Faith which doth not necessarily carry with it a special faith, I beleeve that God is my Creator and Christ my Redeemer. We receive the Sacraments that we may be assured of Gods love and goodnesse to us, Rom. 4. 11. Bellarmine saith, Sacraments are seals on Gods part of our justification, and of his love to us; but all the Question is, Whether we have done our duties? for a man may think he putteth no impediment to sacramental grace, and yet do it, the Apostle bids us examine our selves. There are rich and precious promises concerning assurance of Gods favour, Psal. 50. 23. Mal. 4. 2. Psal. 85. 8, 9. & 97. 11. Joh. 14. 15. Gods people, 1. Give thanks for faith and an inward Call, Psal. 10 3. 2, 3. Rom. 7. ult. & 8. lat. end. Gal. 2. 20. 1 Pet. 1. 3, 8. 2. They rejoyce with joy unspeakable, bo…dnes…e ariseth in the heart from the assurance of Gods love, Ephes. 2. 3. Rom. 5. 1. The Papists ever run to the deceit fulnesse of mans heart, yet the Spirit of God searcheth our hearts, and makes us see what things are wrought in us, the heart of a godly man is in part sincere as well as deceitful. They say Paul and Peter, and some special Saints might have it by immediate revelation, but Paul concludeth it Rom. 8. 28. 39. upon such arguments as are general to all the godly. the knowledge of their own estate and their certain continuance therein. The word of God layes down the general Proposition, All that turn shall live, all that believe shall be saved, the Sacraments bring the general promises home to each particular soul, being a particular Word, as much as if God should come and sayto the child, If thou be not careles to seek Regeneration, and to come to me for it, I will surely regenerate and wash thee. The Lords Supper is an actual word too, as if God had said, If thou hast confessed thy sins with sorrow and dost labour to be perswaded of my will to pardon them in Christ, Be they pardoned, be they healed. The Spirit of God worketh with the Word and Sacraments to make both effectual, and to stablish, strengthen and settle the soul that it shall not be moved. It sealeth them up to the day of Redemption, that is, not only marks them for Gods own, but as an earnest of their inheritance assures them, that by the power of the Spirit they shall continue so.
Thirdly, God requireth of them such duties as it were in vain or impossible to do if they might not be assured of their estate and the perpetuity thereof, 2 Cor. 13. 5. 2 Pet. 1. 10. To what purpose were proving or trying, if the matter by no means could be brought to any infallible evidence? How can our Calling and Election be made sure, unlesse a man may be assured that he is in the state of grace, and shall continue therein for ever? We are bound to love and desire the last coming of Christ, which we cannot do untill we be certified of his love.
Lastly, We are bound to rejoyce in God and that alwayes, and that in tribulation, Rom. 14. 17. 1 Pet. 1. 8. and when we are persecuted for well-doing, which no understanding can conceive to be possible, unlesse the soul be assured of life eternal, that is to say, that he both is and shall continue a true Christian. Can one be glad to suffer the hardest things for Christ, if he know not whether he intend to save or destroy him.
We should have confidence in prayer, 1 Ioh. 5. 14. Cry Abba Father, Rom. 8. 15. that is, speak it with confidence and courage, there should be perfect love to God, 1 Ioh. 4. 17, 18. The triumph of faith, Rom. 8 35.
It is the proper work of the Spirit to settle the heart of a believer in the assurance of eternal happinesse, 2 Cor. 1. 22. Rom. 8. 16. 1 Cor. 2. 12. There is a three-fold work of the Spirit:
1. To reveal unto us the things of Christ, to enlighten the minde in the knowledge of them, Iohn 16. 15.
2. The Spirit draws the image of these upon the soul, conforms our hearts to the whole tenour of the Gospel, in the work of Regeneration and progresse of Sanctification.
3. It brings in evidence to our souls of our interest in these things, Gal. 1. 15, 16. Rom. 8. 18.
It is difficult to attain Assurance:
1. From our own corrupt nature which enclines us to both extreams contrary to this, to presume or despair, Prov. 30. 12. Ps. 36. 2. Rev. 3. 17.
2. From the world, our friends flatter us, and others load us with slanders and discourage us, as Iobs friends did him.
3. From Satan whose chief engine next to hinder our conversion, is to keep us from Assurance, and to delude us with false assurance, and he joyns with our unbelief to make us despair. See Ephes. 6. 16.
4. The nature of the thing it self is very difficult, because it is a matter of great largenesse, one must forsake all sinnes and creatures, true and false graces are very like, lukewarmnesse and the smoaky flax; there is a variablenesse of minde even in the converted, Gal. 5. 17.
There are three means of difference, whereby presumption and the true sense of Gods love are distinguished:
First, Presumption grows from a carelesnesse of ones estate in that he examines it not by the Word; True Assurance follows the most serious examination of ones estate.
Secondly, Presumption goes without book; True Assurance rests it self upon the evidence of Gods Word.
Thirdly, Presumption imboldens to sinne, and makes carelesse of good duties; True Assurance encourageth to all goodnesse and withdraws the heart from sinne.
The proper and natural fruits of Assurance:
1. An undervaluing of all things here below, Psal. 16. 6, 7. it is spoken of Christ1 John 4. 6. Psal. 89. 15. Such go about duties with comfort, resist sin, bear crosses patiently, Heb. 11. 17. He whom God loves, though he know it not is an happy man: He that knows it, knows himself to be happy. who lived on the alms of his servants.
2. This will comfort us under all afflictions, Psal. 46. 4.
3. Our love will be the more abundant to God, Cant. 6. 3.
4. It will make a man to prepare for glory, 1 Iohn 3. 3.
5. One will desire daily to be dissolved that he may be with Christ.
Motives to get Assurance:
First, Every wise man will labour to get a good thing as sure as he can. Many will question our title to eternal life; Satan follows believers with many objections and temptations, our hearts will joyn with him.
Secondly, When this is once got, the soul is possessed of the most invaluable treasure of this world. To walk in the light of Gods countenance is a priviledge, 1. Of Honour. 2. Comfort, 1 Iohn 3. 20. Assurance is useful in life and death, for doing and suffering.
Thirdly, The Devil most opposeth it and labours to keep men in the dark, that is an uncomfortable doubtful condition, Isa 50. 11.
Fourthly, It may be attained in Gods ordinary dispensation, under the Gospel the whole Church had it, 1 Cor. 2. 12.
Means to get and keep it:
I. To get it:
First, As doubts arise get them satisfied, and as soon as sins are committed getIn times of desertion keep up faith, in times of communion keep up fear. Though we blame Papists for teaching to doubt, and making doubting a duty, yet we presse for an holy search, and a godly fear and trembling in the trying of our hearts, lest we be deceived. them pardoned, 1 Iohn 2. 1. be frequent in proving thy self, the Word is the rule of this trial and examination, proving is a comparing our selves with the rule, the precepts and promises of Gods Word, to see whether we be such as they require or not; David saith, Commune with your own hearts upon your beds. 1 Cor. 11. 28. The necessity and utility of it will prove it sit to be done
1. The necessity of it, because of our exceeding aptnesse to deceive our selves and mistake, and Satans diligence to beguile us. Else if we be false we shall slatter our selves in vain, if true we shall want the comfort of it. But often proving will chase out hypocrisie.
2. An humble, patient, self-renouncing heart is that frame of Spirit from which this Assurance will never long be absent; never did God reveal himself more to any then Paul, who was vile in his own eyes, the least of sinners and greatest of Saints.
3. Labour to get a high esteem of this priviledge, think how happy thou shouldst be if God were thine in Christ, Mat. 6. 21. Psal. 4. 6. & 63. 3. & 80. 3. and beg this Assurance at Gods hands.
4. Labour to know faith above all other graces, all Assurance comes into the soul by faith; know the nature and object of faith, the promises the Lord hath made to imbolden thee; say with Paul, I know whom I have believed; renew acts of faith, and treasure up experiences. Frequently meditate on Gods Commandments to believe, and on his faithfulnesse.
II. To keep it:
By what means Assurance may be held fast and confirmed more and more.
1. For the Judgement.
2. For Practice.
The Judgement must be rectified in some things:
First, It must be concluded as a truth, that a man may be the true childe of God, and have true faith and holinesse in him, and yet not enjoy this Assurance, 1 Iohn 5. 13. to believe in the name of the Son of God, and to know one hath life, are not one and the same thing.
Secondly, One must know that such doubts and objections which are raised up against his being the childe of God without ground out of the Word, are to be rejected and sleighted.
Thirdly, One must be rightly informed of the difference betwixt the obedience which the Law and the Gospel require, for both require obedience (faith establisheth the Law and makes a man become a servant of righteousnesse) but the difference is exceeding great, the Law exacteth compleat obedience, the Gospel expecteth upright obedience.
2. For Practice:Fear the withdrawing of the light of Gods countenance, Hide not thy face from me. We should be tender of Gods honour. Christ abode in his Fathers love by being zealous of his glory, The zeal of thy house hath consumed me, Josh. 7. 9. Stand for his truths, 2 Tim. 2. 12, 13. Prize every manifestation of the love of God, Lift up the light of thy countenance upon me, Luke 17. 5. Take heed of nourishing jealousie and suspitions of God in your hearts, Ier. 29. 11. Take heed of sinning presumptuously. Be constant with God, 1 Chron. 28. 17.
First, Renew Repentance often, God often cloatheth such with Garments of joy as tumble themselves in ashes, Blessed are the Mourners, for they shall be comforted.
Secondly, Study Sanctification, he must follow after holinesse that will see God, Psal. 50. 23. Constantly exercise Grace, 1 Iohn 4. 16.
Thirdly, Renounce all confidence in your own Righteousnesse, and labour to be found in Christ, having his Righteousnesse, Rom. 4. 5.
Fourthly, Often and earnestly beg for the Spirit of Adoption to seal thee up to the day of Redemption, and to reveal unto thee the things that are freely given thee of God.
Fifthly, Communicate thy fears and doubts to thy Brethren which be of understanding, and can consider and observe the consolations of God given them.