The Souls Union with Christ, Treatise · Pages 400-513 (2 of 2)

The Souls Union with Christ · Treatise · Pages 400-513 (2 of 2)

p. 456This you ſhall obſerve was the remedy of the poor diſtreſſed Church, Lament. 3.40. after many diſtractions in her ſpirit, many toſſings and tumblings, this way and that way, when ſhe had fed upon gaul and wormwood for a long time, at laſt ſhe was conſtrained to take this courſe, to ſearch and trie her ways, and turn again to the Lord; ſhe was conſtrained now to make a new converting work of the matter; according as Chriſt tells his Diſciples, except ye be converted, (when they were already converted) that is, unleſs you renew the cloſe of your ſpirits with me, whereby you may have power againſt this particular ſin: and I conceive this alſo may be intended by the ſpirit of God, Iſa. 50.10. in that ſweet councel to poor diſtreſſed ſouls in this caſe, that walk in darkneſs, and hath no light, that is, no refreſhment, no comforting hope, to truſt in the name of the Lord, and ſtay upon his God. Here is firſt a renewed act of Faith, p. 457immediately commanded to ſuch a diſtreſſed ſoul, let him truſt in the name of the Lord.

Secondly, here is a direct act of Faith, an act of Faith proper to the ſoul, that did never put forth a believing act formerly. Here is an act of Faith required and commanded to be done by theſe ſouls, without reſpect to any thing in themſelves, without reſpect to their former comforts, whether they … be true or falſe, without reſpect to their receiving grace, whether they have received grace, or not received grace. It is worth the clearing, that this ſhould be the only immediate means, to deliver ſuch declined ſouls from under the fears, that the evidences of their union with Chriſt are but deluſions. This will appear in three things,

1. In regard it is in this renewed act only, that the former evidences and manifeſtations given to ſuch ſouls of their union with Chriſt, do ſhine forth in their perſpicuity, clearneſs and ſatisfying power,

Then only when the ſoul doth thus cloſe afreſh, with that union with the Lord Jeſus offered to it, there is both light within, and light without, whereby the ſoul is able to diſcern the former manifeſtation unto the ſoul, of its union with the Lord Jeſus in their glory and power afreſh.

2. In regard through this renewed act only, the proper effects of evidence of union with Jeſus Chriſt, are again ſtirred up and drawn forth into their powerful operation. Now it is the ſouls apprehenſion of the want of thoſe precious effects, that evidences of union with Chriſt do naturally beget in believing ſouls, that do occaſion the poor diſtreſſed ſoul to ſuſpect his own evidences, p. 458and to be Jealous they are but deluſions. Now the only means to deliver theſe dark and doubtful ſouls, from under the Tyrannical Power of theſe Jealouſies and Suſpitions, muſt be this renewed believing act, this renewed confidence in that truth of the Lords word, wherein he tender Chriſt in general to every ſinner, in regard theſe bleſſed effects, the evidence of union with Chriſt do naturally beget in ſouls, are only made viſible to theſe believing ſouls again by that means.

3. In regard both the incapacity of ſouls for the tryal of their evidences, and the unſutableneſs of ſouls for tryal alſo, are removed by that renewed believing act, in regard thoſe diſtempers are healed. Theſe are healed two ways.

Firſt, By a more general influence of that believing act▪

Secondly by a more particular influence.

Firſt, By a more general inffuence of the believing act into thoſe diſtempers. The believing Soul cloſes with the Lord Jeſus tendered, ſo as he accept of a redemption from his ſin, and from under the power of corruption through Chriſt: the notion under which the Lord makes the proffer of Chriſt unto ſinners, is that he ſhould mediate a reconciliation, between the Father and the ſoul▪ ſhall ſo accept him that he ſhould beget a precious amity between the Fether and the Soul; eſtabliſh the ſoul in a ſtate of love, that is, the ſoul as well to be filled with love towards the Lord, as the Lord to be filled with love towards the Soul: Now in a ſouls acceptance of Jeſus Chriſt thus tendered, the ſoul accepts p. 459of Chriſt neceſſarily as a Redeemer, to redeem him from ſlavery under thoſe Enemies of the Majeſty of Heaven, even Sin and Satan, ſo that there muſt be a State of Amity and Love between God and the Soul.

Secondly, this particular act, hath a particular influence into thoſe particular diſtempers, that made the Soul uncapable for a juſt examination of the evidence of his union with Chriſt.

1. In this renewed belieeving act formerly mentioned, there is a precious, ſweet act of ſubmiſſion in the will of the believing Soul, to the will of God. Indeed the believing act is the higheſt ſubmiſſion to the Lord, that ever is given by any Soul to him, in regard the Soul in that caſe captivateth all his reaſon and Judgement only to the Lords authority, becauſe the Lord hath ſpoken ſo, and ſo concerning his Soul. Now from hence, this renewed, believing act, hath a precious influence into the diſtempered Soul under impatiency, to heal the impatiency of the ſpirit that domeneerd in him, for now the will is contented to wait on God, it is contented the will of God ſhould be fulfilled in him.

2. This believing act hath a particular influence into the Souls raſhneſs to heal that diſtemper alſo. In this renewed act, there is a renewed ſenſe of the believing Souls abſolute nothingneſs: Now from the Souls actual ſenſe of his own nothingneſs, proceeds a holy awe, a holy reverential fear of the Majeſty of Heaven, which doth hold in bounds the raſh, diſorderly Spirit, ſo that by this the Spirit is more carefull how it draw concluſions from any precious word of God.

p. 4603. The believing act hath an influence upon the diſorderly affections; the irrational affections which did alſo incapacitate believing Souls for a juſt examination of their evidences. In the believing the Soul doth captivate all the imaginations and thoughts of ſenſe and carnal reaſon, unto the truth and authority of God, and ſo all the diſorderly affections, jealouſies, doubts and fears, are even captivated and brought under.

4. This renewed, believing act hath an influence alſo into the prejudicial conceits, or opinions againſt the evidence of union received, to ſubdue thoſe. In the believing act there is a renewed ſight of the truth of the ſouls former evidence unto his Faith, of his union with Chriſt in ſome degree; ſo that the ſoul while he was under the power of his fears, that the evidence of his union were deluſions, having loſt the ſatisfying power of the manifeſting light unto his faith, that he ſhould be accepted into union with Chriſt, doth now again in this renewed act gain a ſight and manifeſtation of that ſatisfying power in a manifeſting truth that his Soul ſhould be acepted into union with the Lord Jeſus: Now thence the Lord diſcerns the cauſeleſneſs of his own prejudicial thoughts, and opinions of his former evidences unto faith▪ and ſo conſequently abhor himſelf, in that he diſhonoured the bleſſed work of the Spirit.

5. Through the vertue and efficacy of this believing act that decay in holineſs, which did make the ſoul unſutable to take a juſt impartial tryal of the evidences of his union with Chriſt are repaired, that appears in two things.

1. The mind of the believing ſoul is filled with all p. 461the notions, conceptions and apprehenſions from whence Holy Actings do ariſe; are Maintained and Increaſed, and through the defect of which, Holineſs Decays and Conſumes in any Soul. Theſe Holy Notions from whence Holineſs proceeds, are principally theſe; That there is a fulneſs of all Love and Mercy, tendred freely by God to this Poor Unlovely ſoul, that the Lord is ſo infinitely rich in his love, that he doth paſs over all that can be ſutable for the poor empty Soul, freely to it in Chriſt. Now it is impoſſible there ſhould be a Renewed Believing act, without theſe Notions being brought freſh to the Remembrance of the Believing Soul.

2. All the Holy Affections are excited alſo to a Renewed exerciſe by vertue of the Renewed Act. All the Affections are under the command of theſe two, Love and Hatred: Now both theſe are excited to a Renewed Exerciſe, and that with a Mighty ſtrength. by vertue of the Renewed Act. Love towards God is nothing but the very reflecting of the Lords love caſt upon the ſoul, upon God again: The actings of love always proceed, from the Apprehenſions of the Lords love to the Soul; Now in the Believing Act, there is an actual view, of the infinite unſpeakable Riches of Love, to the Unlovely, Forlorn Soul, and thence Love is drawn forth in its very ſtrength towards God again. Likewiſe Hatred, which command the other part of the Affections, is nothing elſe but the Diſplicency tha is in the Will againſt any object whatever, which affections do naturally proceed from the ſouls love: Now therefore the hatred of the ſoul is properly againſt Sin, and whatever is contrary to God and his Will. In the ſame degree that Love p. 462acts in the ſoul towards God, in the ſame degree doth hatred work towards every thing that is contrary to God: Now by the ſtirring up of theſe two, all the other Holy Affections alſo are excited into their exerciſe; thence the decays of Holineſs are ſweetly repaired, and the ſoul put into a ſutable temper for the tryal of his own Evidence.

Anſw. 2. Secondly I anſwer, That all the Lords Ordinances and Appointments, for his peoples ſouls to injoy Communion with himſelf in, are alſo mediate and ſecond means of the delivery of thoſe ſouls from the dreadful Tyranny of the Fear and Jealouſie, that the Evidences of their union are Deluſions. Thus Prayer, Conference, Meditation, hearing the Word, are all ſecondary means to wait for the ſpirit to breath in power from the Lord Jeſus; to enable the ſoul in this Renewed Believing Act, and to continue the Believing Act in the ſoul. So that you ſee a ſufficient means left for theſe Diſtempred or Declined ſouls, that are either Uncapable or Unſutable, for a juſt examination of the Evidence of their Union, to deliver them from Fear and Terrour, that the Evidences of their Union with Chriſt Received are Deluſions. Now in Regard the queſtion is about a matter ſo practical, I ſhall therefore turn the laſt Anſwer into a kind of Adviſe, Beſeeching and Intreating every Diſtempered, or Declined ſoul in Holineſs, to take this courſe, to ſtrive for deliverance of his ſoul from under the power of his Tormenting Fears, that the Evidences of his union with Chriſt are Deluſions: And for that end I deſire you would take theſe four Directions.

Direct. 1. Firſt that you forbear for a little ſeaſon, the Trial and Examination of your own Evidence p. 463with the Lord ceaſe a little to Plead your Title with the Lord; Spend not all your thoughts about what Evidence you have Received, as though there were no good to be expected, except your former Evidences were real.

Direct. 2. Secondly let me adviſe you to take a ſtrict accompt of your own hearts, of all your fears, and all the grounds of your ſuſpitions, whereupon you ſuſpect that your evidences where deluſions: gather together and ſum up all hypocriſie and falſeneſs, the unconſtancy, the looſneſs, the vanity, the raſhneſs, the blindneſs, that's now brought to your remembrance, to prove your evidences received were but meer deluſions; gather together all the defects, of thoſe precious effects of real evidence from God to any ſoul of its union with Chriſt, that you apprehend your ſouls want; and further ſuppoſe them all to be true, take all for a little ſeaſon for granted; ſuppoſe that your heart was falſe, and that you were wholly and altogether an Hypocrite, that all the workings of your ſpirit were nothing but common workings of the bleſſed ſpirit. But, then

Direct. 3. Thirdly ſearch the holy records, the Lords bleſſed word for all the diſcriptions of thoſe to whom union with Jeſus Chriſt is freely tendered, and find out whether thy ſoul ſuppoſed to be in the eſtate fore-named be excluded from the number of thoſe to whom union with Jeſus Chriſt is freely tendred. Search from Scripture whether thou canſt find any one Hypocrite, any one captivated ſoul, by the Devils deluding reaſonings, any one falſe hearted treacherous wretch, p. 464ever excluded from the number of thoſe, to whom the Lord freely offers union with the Lord Jeſus; ſearch whither any loſt Soul, any Rebel, whether any rational Creature to whom the Goſpel of Jeſus Chriſt comes, be exclured from the number of thoſe to whom the Lord freely offers union with the Lord Jeſus: ſtrive beſeech you now to gain that clear apprehenſion, that ſo at laſt thou maiſt baffle the Devil in all his arguments, and ſilence him in one word; ſaying, well though I have been falſe to the bleſſed Majeſty of Heaven all this time, though I be now under thy curſed power, O Satan, though thou holdſt me faſt in thy curſed Chains of Darkneſs, yet thou maiſt ſay, the bleſſed Majeſty of Heaven, he that can never lye, tells me that union with the Lord Jeſus, and ſo Redemption from thy curſed ſlavery is freely offered to my Soul ſtill; the Lord tells me his will admits me to be ſtill one; with Chriſt, if I can be contented that he ſhould mediate a reconciliation between the Father and me.

Direct. 4. Fuorthly, Plead with thy oppoſite contrary mind, to make thy heart conſent to the bleſſed word of God, wherein he doth offer union with Jeſus Chriſt, and himſelf through Chriſt, to every Soul that ſhall accept him. Gaze again and again upon the bleſſed tender; ſay to thy unbelieving mind; O my crooked and unbelieving mind. Wilt thou not conſent to the truth of yonder Majeſty of Heaven, yonder God of truth it ſelf that cannot lye; ſay O my ſoul if thou wilt accept yonder union with the Lord Jeſus, behold what tranſcendent glory thy ſoul ſhall be filled with; p. 465O my Soul wilt not thou truſt to the truth and faithfulneſs of the Lord, when he makes ſuch an offer, wil't not be content to ſubject all thy reaſons, and ſenſual Arguments to his Authority? Still ſtrive again; ſay, O my Heart, though thou haſt been an Hypocrite, though the Devil hath couzened thee theſe many years, though thou haſt dealt falſly with the Lord all this time, yet the tranſcendent love of yonder God ceaſes not to work towards thee, O take up thy reſt O my Soul, credit the Lord upon his word, and wait O my Soul for the fulfilling of his word to thee. This is the prime, effectual, infallible means of the deliverance of your poor perplexed tortured Souls, by the tyranny of fear that your evidences are deluſions; And this is the never failing means of diſcovering to your poor dark obſcure ſouls, the truth and reality of theſe your evidences, that your Souls cannot diſcern. Truly Souls of all the directions that ever I commended to you, I muſt ſet a probatum eſt upon this remedy; It is a tried one Soul, it is an approved one, an experienced one; I beſeech you follow it: Let your Souls be held no longer poring upon your former evidences, as though you had no ſpring of refreſhment but in thoſe: Suppoſe your Heart to be as bad, as the Devil poſſibly can make it, yet ſtrive with your unbelieving Mind and Heart to accept anew of union tendered to your poor, loſt, periſhing Souls in the Lord Jeſus.

Pre. 5. In the fifth place I ſhall further premiſe this, That an impartial, juſt, and righteous examination of the evidences that any ſoul hath received of his union with the Lord Jeſus, p. 466can only be taken while thoſe evidences remain in their perſpicuity, clearneſs, and ſatisfying power. The evidences of a Souls union with Chriſt, being only precious, orient beams of Heavenly light, ſent forth from the bleſſed ſpirit of light into the obſcure Soul, joyned alſo with a precious exciting power, ſent forth from the ſame Spirit to ſtir up the light inherent in the ſame Soul too, while the evidence is gone, it cannot be that any Soul receiving ſuch evidences; ſhould juſtly try, weigh, examine, and prove the reality of thoſe evidences, no longer than thoſe evidences do continue. There muſt be light without, and light within, to enable a Soul to make an examination of any thing: And both the light without, and the light within, being the evidence it ſelf to the ſoul of its union, thence it is there is a neceſſity of the examination to be proſecuted or followed, only while the Soul enjoys thoſe evidences in their brightneſs, clearneſs, and ſatisfying power. The evidences of the Souls union, are beams of Heavenly light, ſent down from the Father of light, on purpoſe to bear teſtimony to a Soul of union with the Lord Jeſus: And thence indeed it is neceſſary that theſe Witneſſes ſhould be heard ſpeak for themſelves, before any trial of the truth and reality of their teſtimony can be made by any Soul; Now theſe Witneſſes never ſpeak for themſelves, but while they are actually bearing Witneſs; that is, while thoſe precious beams of Heavenly light, do actually ſhine into the obſcure ſoul; Now when once thoſe beams of light are withdrawn, the ſoul is now in queſtion whether p. 467the Lords will be, to admit his Soul into union with Jeſus Chriſt or no. Now that thoſe righteous examinations of the evidences of union, can be only taken while the evidences do thus continue actually in the ſoul, this I conceive may be collected from John 7.17. If any man will do his will, he ſhall know nf the Doctrine, whether is be of God, or whether I ſpeak of my ſelf. The words are an Anſwer to a queſtion that the Jews propounded to Jeſus Chriſt, or they are a prevention to a Queſtion that the Jews might have propounded: Chriſt had affirmed, that the Doctrine that he taught, was not his own, but his Fathers that ſent him, v. 16. Now it might be objected: But how can you prove that your Doctrine is your Fathers, and not your own? How will you manifeſt it to thoſe that deny your Doctrine to be divine, that it is Divine? Chriſt anſwers, If any Man will do his will, he ſhall know of the Doctrine whether it be of God; As if he ſhould ſay, whoſoevers Heart ſhall be in a precious readineſs, actually to obey my Fathers will, he ſhall actually know the Doctrine whether it be of God. So that two Propoſitions are laid down in the words; the one expreſly, the other implicitly. The firſt is affirmed by Chriſt, that the diſcerning of the truth and divinity of pretious Goſpel truths, is only peculiar to obedient Souls.

Secondly, It is implicitly affirmed, That whatever ſoul is diſobedient to the Fathers bleſſed will, cannot (during his diſobedience) diſcern truth, divinity, and infallibility of Goſpel Truth: Now thence may be collected, that believing p. 468ſouls do enjoy the ſpirit of diſcerning, in their way of obedience, and do beſt and moſt perſpicuouſly and clearly underſtand the Lords bleſſed will, and ſee the reality of every truth of the Goſpel, and the infallibility and certainty of its coming from God. Now mark, then only believing ſouls do yield obedience to the Fathers will, and do actually obey Goſpel truth, when their ſouls receive through believing ſome evidence, at leaſt in ſome degree, that the Lord will receive their ſouls into union with himſelf in Chriſt, through their believing in him. Every believing act is but the conſent of the believers heart, to the truth of what the word bears witneſs of; which is in effect, nothing but a believers receiving the evidencing light of the bleſſed word, that the Lord will admit his ſoul into union with himſelf in the Lord Jeſus, in his accepting of him; So that the believing ſoul being then only obedient to the will of the Father (in the prime way of obedience which is Faith) when he is receiving ſome evidence of his union with the Lord Jeſus, thence it appears, that a juſt and impartial, a righteous examination of the evidences, that the ſoul hath received of his union with the Lord Jeſus, can only be taken, while thoſe evidences do actually continue in their clearneſs and power. For the further clearing of this, take theſe two reaſons.

I. In regard then only the ſoul is ſutably diſpoſed to take the examination. That will appear in divers particulars.

1. It is only then when the Evidence unto a ſoul of his union do actually remain, that the underſtanding p. 469of the ſoul is enlightned by the bleſſed ſpirit, and inabled to conceive of, and to apprehend aright, any truth from the bleſſed Word of God propounded to him. Even when the underſtanding of the ſoul is renewed, and ſome pretious beam of Heavenly Light Communicated to the poor ſoul, (ſo that in a Metaphorical Sence, the blind ſoul became a ſeeing ſoul? yet there is a neceſſity alſo that the ſame ſpirit, that Communicated the ſeeing eye to the underſtanding, ſhould alſo Communicate the ſeeing of the eye; It is neceſſary that the ſame ſpirit that Communicated the Habit, ſhould Communicate alſo the Act; the ſame ſpirit that gave a Principle of Divine Knowledge to the ſoul, muſt alſo act the ſame Principle of Spiritual Knowledge, to make the ſoul actually know, or underſtand any Spiritual, Holy Myſtery aright; Now then, when the Evidences to the ſoul of its union with the Lord Jeſus actually remains, then is the mind and underſtanding of the ſoul thus actuated by the Bleſſed Spirit, then is the Principle of Holy Knowledge drawn forth into exerciſe, ſo that the mind is then inabled to diſcern into the Myſtery of the Goſpel of Jeſus Chriſt, thence it appears, that the ſoul can only then take a Righteous Examination of the Evidences of his union.

2. In regard it is then only, that the ſoul is Conquerer over the natural Enmity of the Mind, that oppoſe the Minds, conſent to the truth that doth evidence unto the ſoul its union. The Carnal Mind is Enmity againſt God; Now in the ſame degree the believing ſoul remains unregenerate, enmity ſtill poſſeſſes the believing mind, and then p. 470only hath the Believer conqueſt over thoſe reliques of enmity that poſſeſs the mind, when he hath actual evidence of his union with the Lord Jeſus; now it is only then when the enmity of the mind againſt God is brought into captivity to the Law of faith, that the Soul is ſuitable to take the examination of the truth of his own evidences of his union with Chriſt, in regard the mind now is diſpoſed to accept or agree unto thoſe truths of the Goſpel, from whence the Spirit doth manifeſt unto the ſoul its union with Chriſt.

3. In regard it is then only, that the Soul underſtands and believes what the true Celeſtial Star is, from whence thoſe beams of light, that do really come from Gods evidence unto a Soul, his union with Chriſt muſt flow and ariſe. The pretious word of the ever-living God to every loſt ſinner, declaring that his will is to admit every of thoſe Souls that will, to be reconciled to himſelf in Chriſt, is that precious, bright, orient Star, from whence thoſe beautiful beams of light, that do or may diſcover unto a ſoul, his union with Chriſt muſt ariſe: Now it is then only; when the beams of light ſhine from the Word perſpicuouſly and clearly unto a ſoul, declaring his will to admit of reconciliation with them through the Lord Jeſus, that they underſtand and believe this to be the true Heavenly Star, from whence the light that evidences unto them their union muſt flow.

4. In regard It is then only, that the irreſiſtible power; that thoſe precious beams of light contain in them (that do evidence unto any ſoul really p. 471from God its union with Chriſt) is ready to take impreſſion upon the heart. The irreſiſtible power that the beams of light contain in them, is the Authority of the bleſſed Majeſty of Heaven. They are nothing but the diſcovery unto the Soul that the Lord hath ſpoken it, that it is his will to receive the ſoul into union with Chriſt. Now this irreſiſtible power of theſe beams of light, only take impreſſion upon the Heart, according to the lively actings of holineſs in the heart; And the lively actings of holineſs in the heart, are only according to the degree of light the ſoul enjoys, diſcovering unto it the Lords will, to receive him into union with the Lord Jeſus: So that when thoſe beams of Heavenly light ſhine moſt clearly in the moſt tranſcendent beauty, then is the heart filled with the moſt lively, holy actings, then do love, and fear, and joy, and delight, working their power and ſtrength; And therefore it is only that the Authority of God ſpeaking, or declaring any thing to the ſoul, take the deepeſt impreſſion upon the ſoul.

5. In regard the believing diſpoſition in the will of the ſoul, is only then in exerciſe in its power and ſtrength. The prime evidence unto a ſoul of his union, hath been diſcovered to you, to be only an evidence unto faith, and in like manner the prime demonſtration of the truth of that evidence, muſt be a demonſtration given to faith only: Reaſon muſt not aſpire ſo high to be the Judge of faiths action; Still it muſt be another act of faith, that muſt paſs a ſecurity upon the former act of faith: So that thence when the p. 472believing diſpoſition infuſed into the will of the believing ſoul is ſtrongeſt in exerciſe, then only is the ſoul ſuitable to take a righteous examination of the evidences of his union with Chriſt.

2. It is only then when the evidences of the ſouls union with Chriſt are clear and perſpicuous, that it is ſuitable to take examination of his evidences rightly, in regard of the evidences themſelves, which then only appears in their native ſelf-diſcovering glory. It is the inſeparable property of thoſe beams of Heavenly light, that ſhine from the word of God, to diſcover themſelves really to be from God, even by their own native luſtre and glory: Thoſe beams of light come forth with the name of God written upon their foreheads; ſo that the believing ſoul no ſooner beholds them, but he reads the name of God written upon them; now this their native ſelf-diſcovering glory, never appears to the ſoul, but when theſe beams of light actually remain in the ſoul, in their perſpicuity and clearneſs, and therefore when the ſpirit ſuſpends its influences, then the ſoul cannot behold thoſe beams of light what they are.

Queſt. There is another Queſtion that here interpoſeth it ſelf, which muſt of neceſſity be anſwered.

Believing ſouls will now reply in this manner, If an impartial examination of any ſouls evidences of his union with the Lord Jeſus, can be only taken while the ſplendor and brightneſs of his evidences remain in the ſoul; then what uſe ſhould ſouls make of the evidences they conceive they had received of their union with Jeſus Chriſt, when the luſtre and orient brightneſs of their evidences be eclipſed, and their commanding power p. 473enervated or wounded, that their evidences ceaſe to witneſs unto them their union with Chriſt.

In order to the ſatisfaction of ſouls in this ſcruple, we ſhall lay down divers Propoſitions.

Prop. 1. Firſt, whenever the celeſtial glory of thoſe pretious beams of light, that the Lord vouchſafes to caſt into any believing ſoul, to evidence his union with Jeſus Chriſt, be dark, and thoſe invincible and impregnable demonſtrations, that the bleſſed ſpirit gives unto the ſouls faith, to prove and demonſtrate its union with Chriſt be weakned, yet it is then doleful weakneſs; yea, abhorred wickedneſs in any ſoul, to caſt off all confidence of the Lords admiſſion of his ſoul into union with Jeſus Chriſt. Though the oratory light of the bleſſed ſpirit, or the ſuperadded light to the word, that cauſes the word to give ſo clear and ſatisfying a teſtimony unto faith, of its union with Jeſus Chriſt be withdrawn and ſuſpended yet there is a Heavenly ſhining, burning Lamp of the written word of God, that ſtands conſtantly ſhining to diſcover to the faith of the believing ſoul, the open boſome of the love of the Lord Jeſus, and his outſtretched Arms ready to graſp the ſoul into the neareſt union: Therefore it muſt needs be dreadful horrid wickedneſs, for any ſoul to neglect, ſlight, undervalue, or diſregard the light of that pretious written word, becauſe thoſe Heavenly beams of ſuperadded light that the ſpirit ſometimes gives are by the wiſdom of the Lord, or through the occaſion of the ſouls own iniquity ſometimes ſuſpended. The Command of believing ſtands as an everlaſting command founded and built upon the meer written word, making a pretious diſcovery p. 474of the Lords will to admit every loſt, periſhing ſoul that will, to be reconciled, 1 John 3.23. Now thence it is moſt wretched diſobedience in any ſoul, when he hath loſt that glorious light of manifeſtation from the ſpirit, to diſobey that precious Heavenly command alſo.

Prop. 2. Secondly, Whenever any ſoul ſubjects himſelf to the Principle of darkneſs and unbelief, that ſtill dwells in him, upon the Lords withdrawing the brightneſs and glory, of that ſatisfying light of the ſpirit, that did evidence unto the ſoul his union with Chriſt, and caſt off his confidence of the Lords admiſſion of his ſoul into union with Chriſt, then the ſoul is uncapable while he ſo remains of making any pretious, holy uſe of thoſe former evidences that his Soul enjoyed of his union with Jeſus Chriſt.

1. In regard while the ſoul ſo remains, there can be no holy conception of the evidences that his Soul did formerly enjoy. Firſt take holineſs for all kind of ſtrictneſs and righteouſneſs, and conformity to the Lords bleſſed will, and in that ſenſe there can be no righteous conception of his former evidences; The ſoul cannot underſtand them what they are, nor diſcern them as they were.

Secondly, Take holineſs, effectively, for theſe conceptions that do excite and quicken a believing ſoul unto holy actings, and in that ſenſe there can be no holy conception of his former evidences, while the ſoul ſo remains: All ſuch conceptions or apprehenſions of the way of God towards us, are as holy effectively, that is, that produce or quicken a ſoul to holineſs, are ſuch as do p. 475apprehend ſome beam of excellency ſhining forth from thoſe ways of God, in relation to that particular ſouls good; now while a ſoul caſts off all his confidence of the Lords will, to admit him into union with the Lord Jeſus, he cannot conceive of his former evidence in ſuch a manner, as to conceive any beam of excellency ſhining forth from God, in relation to his particular ſoul.

2. While any Heart ſo remains, he is uncapable of making a holy uſe of his former evidences, in regard the activity of all holy affections whatever depend upon the activity of that believing diſpoſition, they live and die together. The moving Principles that move holy affections objectively, are the believing conceptions and apprehenſions of God; that is to ſay, the apprehenſions of the Lords will, to receive the poor loveleſs ſoul to be reconciled to him, through his union with Jeſus Chriſt: And therefore while a ſoul caſts off all his confidence, that the Lords will is to admit his ſoul to be one with Jeſus Chriſt, there is a defect of moving Principles, to move the affections to their exerciſe; and ſo conſequently there can be no activity of any pretious, holy affections.

3. In regard all the Ordinances, that ſhould excite and quicken the heart, to the holy uſe of his former evidences, are made uſeleſs. While the ſoul enſlaves himſelf to carnal reaſon through unbelief, not believing Gods will to make him one with Jeſus Chriſt, though the Goſpel ſhould be preached by the mouth of Angels, and they ſhould be ſent from Heaven to be mouths to thoſe ſouls in Prayer, yet thoſe Ordinances could have p. 476no operation upon thoſe ſouls; ſaith the Apoſtle, Heb. 4.2. The word that was preached profited not, becauſe it was not mixed with faith in them that heard it: if there be not ſome degree of confidence in that great and grand Goſpel-truth to the particular ſoul, there can be no mixing faith with any other Goſpel-truth that ſhould be Preached, ſo as to make it have a pretious efficacy upon the Heart.

4. When any Heart yields up himſelf captive to unbelieving reaſon, and ſo caſts off all that his pretious confidence, it cannot make a believing uſe of his former evidence of union with Chriſt, in regard there is a continual decreaſe in all holineſs, and encreaſe in all the working of corruption, while the ſoul ſo remains. The Heart is ſo naturally active, that it will be ſpending its ſtrength in ſome kind of activity or other, and therefore when the holy actings of the forenamed precious confidence is ſealed, the Heart will ſpend all its ſtrength in corrupt workings; when the Heavenly plant of faith doth not grow and flouriſh in the ſoul, the weeds that come from the Devils Garden will be all flouriſhing, hardneſs, indiſpoſition for God, hard thoughts of God will all be augmenting daily.

Prop. 3. Thirdly, No Soul ought to entertain ſuch a ſuperlative conceit of the uſe of thoſe evidences of his union with Chriſt, that he formerly received, that he ſhould make thoſe his evidences the ſole, or the primary, or the principal Prop or Pillar, whereupon he builds his confidence, that the Lord will admit his ſoul into union with Jeſus Chriſt. The utmoſt uſe intended by God, p. 477that believing ſouls ſhould make of former evidences received, can be but ſtrengthnings and encouragements, to renew the ſtrength of their confidence in his truth and faithfulneſs, to fulfil his bleſſed word unto their ſouls, It is utterly ſtrange from the mind of God, that ſouls ſhould make any one act of God towards or in the ſoul the principal Pillar, Rock and foundation whereupon to build its hope of his union with Jeſus Chriſt. All thoſe actings of the ſpirit of God, whether by way of light and manifeſtation, or by way of infuſion of holineſs, they are meerly arbitrary (excepting only the ſpirits conſtant influence for the preſervation of the life of a believing ſoul) and conſequently, changeable and various, according as the infinite wiſdom of Heaven doth ſee ſuitable, for the eſtate of various ſouls: but now the Lord out of that tranſcendent riches of his love in Chriſt, hath prepared unchangeable Rocks, where the prime Anchor of believing ſouls hope ſhould be faſtned, unmoving Pillars that never ſhake, whereupon the foundation of their confidence muſt be laid, according to Heb. 6.17. he confirms it by an Oath, that by 2. immutable things, two things that were ſubject to no alteration or diminution, that is to ſay, by the word of the Majeſty of Heaven, and by his Oath alſo, they might have ſtrong conſolation, that do flee from refuge to lay hold upon the hope ſet before them; that is, that do accept of the Lord Jeſus tendred to them: So that the hanging thus the eternal eſtate of the ſoul upon the former evidences, is too high an uſe to put the former evidences too: It is the truth it ſelf that the former p. 478evidencing beams of light manifeſt, that is only deſtinated to that pretious uſe, to build the confidence of the ſouls admiſſion into union with Jeſus Chriſt upon, even that truth that the Lord doth declare, that it is his will to admit even that particular ſoul into union with Jeſus Chriſt, if he will aceept it; and whenever ſcruples and objections and doubts poſſeſs the ſoul concerning the truth of any former evidences, the firſt-born of the ſouls endeavour ſhould be taken up, in in clearing that truth that the ſoul did conceive ſome beams of light did evidence to him.

Prop. 4. There is a ſtrait command from the higheſt Majeſty of Heaven and Earth, given unto every believing ſoul, to make a holy uſe, advantage and improvement of his former evidences of his union with Jeſus Chriſt vouchſafed to him. That one Scripture gives ſufficient teſtimony, Heb. 10.32. Call to remembrance the former days, in which after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions: This the Apoſtle commands them in order to the ſtrengthning of their confidence, ver. 35. Thus Aſaph did, Pſal. 77.5, 6. When he was under darkneſs, when the powers of unbelief began to rage in his ſoul, and to tyranize over him, then he began to make improvement of his former evidences of the Lords love, and favour to him, he remembred God, and was troubled; now he recalls himſelf, and begins to make diligent ſearch into the former teſtimony of the Lords kindneſs to him, I conſidered the days of old, the years of ancient times, I call to remembrance my Song in the Night, I commune with mine own Heart, and my Spirit made diligent ſearch. I call p. 479to remembrance my Song in the Night;] that is, the former comfortable Communion I enjoyed in God; how God delighted himſelf in Communion with my ſoul, and my ſoul delighted it ſelf in Communion with God again, how God ſpake peace to me, and I anſwerably rejoyced in God again: And I Commune with mine own Heart] I looked over the Records of my Heart, and made diligent ſearch, to ſee what experience of truth, and goodneſs, and loving kindneſs of God to my ſoul are treaſured up there. Yea, then to help himſelf further, ver. 10.11. he endeavours to make ſome improvement of the manifeſtation of the Lords love and kindneſs, truth and faithfulneſs even to others; I will remember the works of the Lord, ſurely I will remember thy wonders of old. There is a command from Heaven upon believing ſouls to make uſe of their former evidences, and there is ſome kind of inherent power in every believing Soul to act ſomething in order to this holy uſe, or improvement of his former evidence. Now the holy uſe of thoſe former evidences, that believing ſouls are engaged from Heaven to make, they are various. We ſhall endeavour to ſum up 5. or 6.

1. Every ſuch ſoul ought to gather from his former evidences of his union with Jeſus Chriſt, ſome ſtrength to his preſent confidence, that the Lord will admit his ſoul into union with Chriſt. I beſeech you miſtake not, I ſpeak not of thoſe probable fluctuating hopes, that ſome ſouls have enjoyed of their union with Jeſus Chriſt, from ſome apprehenſions of ſome preſent actings of the Holy ſpirit in their Hearts, to clear to them in ſome degree their union with Jeſus Chriſt, and to foſter up ſome hopes of it, Thoſe I ſay, though p. 480they may be, and are frequently ſuch as really deſcend from the ſpirit of Jeſus Chriſt; yet alſo from ſuch conceited, and ſuppoſed actings of the ſanctifying ſpirit of Jeſus Chriſt, proceeds moſt of thoſe ſoul-deluding hopes, that poor blind ſouls are deluded with, by the Prince of Darkneſs: And therefore becauſe the difference between theſe two, is a matter of ſo great difficulty to diſcern, I durſt not perſwade any ſoul who conceives that he hath had evidences of his union with Jeſus Chriſt, whoſe evidences have been only ſome flaſhes of light, from ſome conceived actings of the ſanctifying Spirit of Chriſt, to believe firmly, impregnably, and unmoveably, that the truth and reality of thoſe his evidences did deſcend from God, when he doth not diſcern them: Thoſe fluctuating evidences unto ſenſe, queſtionleſs if Souls adhere unto them, they muſt put them upon the tryal by ſenſe again. Therefore now obſerve, I ſpeak of the pretious, clear, infallible evidence given unto a believing ſoul, from the bleſſed Spirit of light and manifeſtation, to clear unto the Souls faith unqueſtionably, that the Lords good will is to admit his particular Soul into union with Jeſus Chriſt, in caſe his Soul will accept it; through which evidence unto faith alſo, the evidence unto ſenſe hath attained a clear beam from the Spirit of light, diſcerning the truth of the cloſe of the believers Heart with the bleſſed will of God; yet mark alſo, that which I ſpeak hath its relation ſolely to thoſe evidencing beams of light given unto the believers faith of his union with Jeſus Chriſt. Now I ſay, though ſuch a ſoul be unſuitable to take a juſt p. 481examination of thoſe evidencing beams of light formerly given to his faith, when their glory is obſcured and darkned, yet the Soul ought to believe the truth of thoſe evidencing beams of light, though it cannot ſo clearly and ſenſibly diſcern it. The matter that was evidenced to the Soul, is no more than that there lies an Obligation upon the Soul from Heaven continually to believe; And therefore the matter that was evidenced being true, and the Soul engaged from God to believe it, the Soul alſo ſtands engaged to believe the truth of that his former evidence that his Soul received, concerning the bleſſed will of God towards him; and from the remembrance of ſuch a former mamanifeſtation, given unto the Soul by the bleſſed Spirit, concerning that bleſſed good will of God towards him, the Soul ought to gather heart and ſtrength, and courage to renew the confidence of his poor, wavering, rrembling, unſtable Heart.

2. The believing Soul ought from the remembrance of his former evidences, given unto his faith of his union with the Lord Jeſus, to foſter and nouriſh a lively hope in his ſoul, that the ſame bleſſed light of manifeſtation (to manifeſt unto his faith clearly his union with the Lord Jeſus) may return. That experience that ſuch a Soul have had, that there is a time of light, and a time of darkneſs that the wiſdom of Heaven ſeeth ſuitable for believing Souls, that there is a Night and a Day, as well in the Spiritual life, as in the natural life, ought to be a ground to maintain a lively hope, that when it is Night, Day may break, and therefore it is his Duty unqueſtionably to nouriſh and cheriſh ſuch a lively hope.

p. 4823. From the remembrance of its former evidence, the Soul ought to obſtruct it ſelf in the obſcurity, darkneſs, and dreadful blindneſs of his own mind. The believing Soul ought to ſay within himſelf; O when the Spirit of Jeſus Chriſt irradiated the bleſſed word of God; how clear, how unqueſtionable was it to my Soul, that it was the Lords bleſſed will to receive my Soul into union with Jeſus Chriſt, if I will embrace him; and though I have now the ſame word to teſtifie the ſame thing to my Soul, yet how dark is it to my Soul for the preſent, how hard is it for my poor blind Mind to receive and apprehend, that the Lords will is to receive this my Soul into union with Jeſus Chriſt?

4. From the remembrance of the Souls former evidence, the Soul ought to inſtruct it ſelf in the myſtery of the Lords way towards believing Souls. From hence the Soul may learn, that the Lord carries on the Soul towards full Communion with himſelf through Chriſt, as well by ſenſible decays in Communion, as by ſenſible encreaſes in Communion; And from thence the Soul might inſtruct it ſelf, that joy and peace, raviſhment of Spirit, triumphing acts of faith, are not ſo inſeparable from believing Souls, but that they may be wanting, that they are not abſolutely neceſſary to be conſtant, at leaſt to the Souls attaining unto perfection of Communion; ſo that thus the Soul may learn to adore the Lord in apprehending the unſearchableneſs of his ways, even towards believing Souls, the unſearchableneſs of his Wiſdom, that neither Man nor Angel can meaſure.

p. 4835. From the remembrance of the Souls former evidences, whoſe brightneſs and glory is now ecclipſed, the Soul may inſtruct it ſelf in the abſolute neceſſity of an intire, conſtant, uninterrupted dependance upon Jeſus Chriſt for the Spirit of light and manifeſtation: The Soul ought in remembrance of that full ſatisfaction that it enjoyed when that bleſſed Spirit of light gave beams of light to his dark mind, to clear up the will of God revealed in his precious word; to ſay, O how infinite is the neceſſity of hanging upon Jeſus Chriſt continually, for the conſtant operation of the Spirit of light into this my dark Heart.

6. From the remembrance of the Souls former evidence of his union with Jeſus Chriſt, the Soul ought to collect holy Pleas, and pretious Arguments, to intercede with the Majeſty of Heaven for the return of the bleſſed Spirit of light and manifeſtation unto his Soul. This was the conſtant practice of all the Saints, who had enjoyed any experiences of the Lords mercy and kindneſs, they did endeavour to engage the Lord to return when he ſeemed to be abſent.

Many are the Arguments that a believing ſoul may collect from the former enjoyment of evidences of union with Chriſt, to plead with the Majeſty of Heaven, to return with the ſame ſpirit of light and manifeſtation again to his Soul.

1. From the remembrance of the Souls former evidence, the ſoul may remember the pretious ſuitable diſpoſition, that poſſeſſed his Heart for the worſhipping of the Lord in every Ordinance. p. 484Now from thence the Soul may raiſe a pretious Argument, wherewith he may go boldly to the Throne of Grace, and cry to the bleſſed Majeſty of Heaven, when ſhall that bleſſed Spirit of light return to this darkned Soul of mine.

2. The Soul may remember the readineſs, the quickneſs, the activity of the Heart in all manner of obedience to the Lords bleſſed will. Now from hence the Soul may fetch a ſtrong Argument, wherewith to come before the Throne of Grace; O my God may the believing Soul ſay, When thy bleſſed Spirit of light had the pretious operation upon my Heart, what a bleſſed concurrence was there in this my crooked oppoſite will, to this thy holy will; O what an union of love was there, between this thy Majeſty and my oppoſite Heart, how impatient then was my Soul, of any diſagreement between my will and thy will, how readily was my heart diſpoſed for any thing thy bleſſed Majeſty commanded? But now alas Lord, now the workings of the Spirit of light are ſuſpended, what a diſagreement is there between thy Majeſties will and my will; how ſtrait and narrow, and weak and feeble, are the inclinations of my Heart now to obedience to thy bleſſed will? Lord may the Soul ſay; Have reſpect to thine own honour, ſend down the Spirit of light into this dark Heart.

3. The Soul may remember how highly the bleſſed Name of God was exalted and magnified in his Heart, when that bleſſed Spirit of light continued its bleſſed operation to evidence actually its union with the Lord Jeſus. Now from thence, the Soul from whom the luſtre and glory of theſe his former evidences of union with p. 485Chriſt is now Ecclipſed, may argue with the bleſſed Majeſty of Heaven to ſend down the ſame Spirit of light and manifeſtation again to his dark Soul.

4. Even when the orient brightneſs, and Heavenly luſtre of the Souls former evidences is Ecclipſed and darkned, yet then the Soul may remember the capaciouſneſs, and enlarged openneſs of his Heart towards communion with God, while the orient luſtre of the evidences of his union with Chriſt did actually remain. Now from hence the Soul may gather ſtrength of Argument to appear before the Lord, to Petition the return of the bleſſed Spirit of light and manifeſtation again to his Soul: The Soul may plead that the ſuitableneſs, and right diſpoſition of the Heart for Communion with the Lord, depends upon the enjoyment of the Spirit of light and manifeſtation.

5. Even when the orient brightneſs of the Souls former evidences are ecclipſed and obſcured, yet then the Soul may remember how gloriouſly the lovely beauty, and Soul enamouring brightneſs of the way of holineſs was tranſparent through him, when the Heavenly luſtre of his former evidences did actually remain in the Soul. Now from hence the Soul may gather a pretious Argument, whereby he may lay an engagement upon the Majeſty of Heaven, to ſend down the Spirit of light again: Thence the Soul may plead, that the luſtre and Heavenly beauty of the ways of holineſs to be manifeſted through him, depend upon his enjoyment of the Spirit of light and manifeſtation.

p. 4866. When the cammanding power of the evidence of a Souls union with Chriſt is ceaſed for the preſent, to evidence to the Soul its union, yet then the Soul may remember that the tender compaſſionate bowels of God have moved within him, and yearned toward his Soul formerly. Now from thence the feeble, almoſt fainting drooping Soul, may ſtill gather more ſtrength, and lift up its Head again, to claim the Spirit of light and manifeſtation, to be ſent from Heaven into his dark Soul.

7. When the ſplendor, and beauty, and ſatisfying power of the evidences that the Soul have received of his union with Jeſus Chriſt be decayed, yet then the Soul may remember, that all his abominable wickedneſs, and moſt curſed vileneſs, did not formerly prevent ſome movings of the Bowels of the Lords mercy towards him. Now hence may the Soul gather ſtrength to plead for the returns of the… bleſſed Spirit of light into his dark Soul. Hence the Soul may plead, that there is the ſame reaſon, the ſame motive to incline the Lords bleſſed will, to ſend now the Spirit of light and manifeſtation to it, that ever there was to incline his Majeſty to the leaſt thought of kindneſs towards it.

8. The Soul from whoſe Eyes ſome dark Clouds hath obſcured the former luſtre of his Evidences, yet may remember that ſome ſpark of holy confidence in the Lords bleſſed will, to admit the Soul into union with Jeſus Chriſt, was formerly infuſed into his unbelieving Heart. Now from thence the Soul may again gather ſome ſtrength, whereby to lay hold upon the Lord, and to engage p. 487him, to give as it were a new Commiſſion to the Spirit of light to come down to his dark Soul: Thence the Soul may plead the Lords engagement, never to recall the gift once paſt, out of the hand of his pretious love, he having declared his Gifts are without Repentance; and thence the Soul may plead, that the Lord ſtands engaged to nouriſh up that confidence, ſo begotten in the Heart by his bleſſed Spirit.

9. When the irreſiſtible commanding power of the evidence that any Soul hath received of his union with Chriſt be weak, yet then the Soul may remember the uſeleſneſs, the inefficatiouſneſs of all terrors and diſtractions upon his Spirit, and the moſt bleſſed efficacy that the leaſt glimpſe of light, diſcovering to the Soul, the Lords will to admit it into union, had upon his Heart. Now from hence the Soul may cry to the Lord, and complain in the bitterneſs of his Soul, that he underſtands not what his bleſſed will concerning him is, in terrifying and affrighting, ſuffring his Spirit even to be diſtracted with terror. Lord may the Soul ſay, Hath thy Majeſty its honour from me this way? Is thy Name exalted in my Heart in this manner? Will my Heart ever bow in obedience to thy bleſſed Will, through the power of thoſe terrors and diſtractions that are upon me? This holy arguing and expoſtulating with the bleſſed Majeſty of Heaven, and engaging him by Arguments, collected from what the Soul remembers, in his former evidences of his union with Chriſt, is the laſt holy uſe that the Soul may make of his former evidences of his union, when their Heavenly luſtre, and commanding power and beauty ceaſe. And I would perſwade every obſcure Soul, from p. 488whoſe Eyes thoſe ſweet Heavenly beams of light are now hidden (with which his Eyes were once bleſſed) above all the other uſes, to have a particular reſpect to this laſt uſe, thus to gain upon God, to inſinuate its ſelf into the love and favour of the Lord again, to engage the Majeſty of Heaven by this kind of pleading with him, to ſend down the Spirit of light and manifeſtation afreſh. This indeed is the very principal uſe of the former evidence, wherefor… preſent darkneſs overſpread it, and that in theſe Two reſpects.

Firſt, In regard in this kind of pleading, the poor decaying ſparks of the Souls confidence, is kept in ſome degree alive. Now the ſtronger the Souls confidence is, the more ſuitable is the Soul to make a righteous examination, or juſt and impartial tryal, of thoſe former evidences of his union with the Lord Jeſus.

Secondly, In thoſe pleadings, the Spirit of light may be again expected to return. The bleſſed Spirit, and all the actings of it, are reſerved in the Golden Cloſet of the Promiſes, wherein the Lord hath engaged himſelf to Communicate whatever mercy and love ſhall be ſuitable to the poor believing Soul; and theſe holy pleadings are the Key to the Door of the Golden Cloſet; I mean, the Key of the Promiſe, to open the Door for the Spirit of lighr to have its free acceſs. Queſtionleſs by ſuch a holy improvement of former evidences as this, believing Souls might be much furthered towards the obtaining of the renewed operations of the ſpirit of light, and manifeſtation of renewed diſcoveries from the ſame Spirit p. 489unto the Souls faith, of the Lords will to receive him into union with the Lord Jeſus. Thus now you have the Queſtion alſo caſt in upon this occaſion opened: It is apparent there is a pretious holy uſe that Souls may make of all former evidences when their orient brightneſs is ecclipſed, and their commanding power is weakned, though the Soul cannot then take an impartial examination of thoſe his evidences or put them upon ſuch a righteous Trial whether they be really from God or no.

One conſideration alſo I muſt add concerning knowledge, whether evidences of union received be really from God, or whether they be Diabolical inſpirations.. The Soul muſt underſtand that this knowledge is a collection, or gathering of this concluſion, that his evidences received are really from God, from a certain, neceſſary, infallible reaſon. The difference between knowledge of the evidence to be really from God, and Opinion, and Faith, muſt always be kept clear in the Souls underſtanding, who ſhall be able to receive a right anſwer to that grand Queſtion propounded. To believe the Souls evidences that he hath received of his union with Jeſus Chriſt; to be really from God, is an act of the Soul that hath its foundation only upon the authority of him that relates, or diſcovers it to the Soul. There are two things whereupon faith is founded.

Firſt, That the thing believed is ſpoken or declared.

p. 490Secondly, That the Speaker or Declarer is true and faithful. Now to have an Opinion that the evidences of the Souls union with Chriſt received, are really from God, is to collect or gather the concluſion of it from ſome probable reaſon, as from the adjunct, or the conſequence that follow in his Soul upon his receiving the evidences of his union with Chriſt: But the knowledge that the evidences of a Souls union with Chriſt received, is really from God, is the collection of this concluſion to the Soul, from a certain, neceſſary, and infallible reaſon. Therefore your Philoſophers in diſtinguiſhing between knowledge and opinion, define knowledge to be a certain true habit of the mind: And they define Opinion to be an uncertain habit in the mind. So that he that propounds the Queſtion; How a Soul that conceiveth he hath received ſufficient and ſatisfying evidence of his union with the Lord Jeſus, may know certainly and infallibly, that the evidence of his union received is really from God, he muſt underſtand that he asks, How a Soul may demonſtrate to himſelf from certain neceſſary reaſons, that the evidences of his union with Chriſt received are really from God. Now I beſeech you every Soul, believing or unbelieving, remember as far as poſſible, all the conſiderations that have been premiſed about this Queſtion; and withall theſe fixed and eſtabliſhed in your minds, proceed with me to make a righteous trial of the evidences that you conceive your Souls have received of your union with the Lord Jeſus.

p. 491So then all theſe conſiderations premiſed, our Queſtion propounded muſt be thus ſta…ed.

Queſt. How ſhall any Soul that conceiveth he hath received, and doth actually enjoy, certain and ſufficient evidences of his union with the Lord Jeſus, demonſtrate from certain neceſſary and evident reaſons, that thoſe his evidences are really from God?

Anſw. For Anſwer then directly to the Queſtion. There are but two kind of Demonſtrations, whereby a Soul can demonſtrate to its ſelf the reality of his evidence received proceeding from God.

You muſt underſtand we are now ſpeaking of knowledge; and what was ſpoken before of faith, muſt not come into our remembrance in this thing: For you muſt remember we gave you a diſtinction between knowledge, faith, and opinion, we look not for opinion now; That is, ſome probable ground of our union with Jeſus Chriſt: nor we do not look to faith which is the declaration of Gods will to admit it into union with Jeſus Chriſt: But we look to knowledge, and there are but Two Demonſtrations, a Demonſtration Priori, and a Demonſtration à Poſteriori; A Demonſtration taken from the Cauſes, and a Demonſtration taken from the Effects.

p. 492The firſt and moſt certain ground, whereupon the Soul may prove its union from God, is taken from the cauſes; now the Cauſes are various: But the Two Principal Reaſons muſt be taken from the Two Principal Cauſes. Now there are but Two Principal Cauſes of the Souls union with the Lord Jeſus, both which concur together, and are never ſeparated one from another. The Two efficient Cauſes inſtrumental, is the Lords bleſſed written Word, and that pretious Spirit of Jeſus Chriſt. The written Word is the more remote cauſe, and the Spirit of the Lord Jeſus is the more immediate efficient cauſe.

Now becauſe the reaſon whereby we may draw any concluſion is moſt ſtrong, that it is taken from the moſt immediate cauſe of any thing▪ And in reſpect that the Spirit of Jeſus Chriſt is the moſt immediate efficient cauſe (though but ſtill inſtrumental) becauſe the Spirit doth more immediately ſend down thoſe beams of light, that do moſt clearly reveal to faith the Lords will, to take the Soul into union with Chriſt, and alſo thoſe beams of light that diſcover to the Soul the integrity of his Heart in believing; Thence we ſhall firſt ſpeak of that reaſon which is taken from the bleſſed Spirit of Jeſus Chriſt; and ſo I anſwer thus, That the firſt primary and principal reaſon from whence a Soul may conclude, that the evidences of his union received are really from God is, that thoſe evidencing beams of light doth proceed from the bleſſed Spirit of Jeſus Chriſt. And it p. 493is the knowledge of this, that they are thoſe beams of light proceeding from the Spirit of Chriſt, by which a Soul attains the moſt certain and infallible knowledge, that his evidences were from God; by this he attains that which is moſt properly called knowledge; according as the Philoſophers ſay, to know a thing, is to diſcern the nature or being of it by its moſt proper immediate cauſe. But now leaſt the Soul ſhould ſay, you here anſwer one doubt by another, which is as great a doubt, and leads the Soul but on into further darkneſs; the Soul is as doubtful of this you will ſay, whether thoſe beams of light proceed from the Spirit of Jeſus Chriſt, as it is whether they were from God? Therefore for your ſatisfaction here muſt be Two things opened.

Firſt, That the light that doth proceed from the bleſſed Spirit of Chriſt, to evidence unto any Soul its union with Jeſus Chriſt, doth evidence, that it doth proceed from the bleſſed Spirit.

Secondly, It muſt be opened, that the light that ſo proceeds from the Spirit to evidence to the Soul its union with Chriſt, is the moſt potent, and powerful demonſtration, that begets the moſt certain knowledge of the Souls union with Chriſt, even the moſt proper and higheſt kind of knowledge.

Firſt, It muſt be manifeſted that the light that proceeds from the Spirit, to evidence to any Soul its union with Chriſt, doth evidence it ſelf to proceed from the Spirit. There are ſuch ſparklings of Divinity in thoſe pretious p. 494Beams of Light, that the ſpirit ſends down into any Believing ſoul to diſcover its union, that the eye that beholds thoſe Beams of Light, ſee the very Divinity of them, he ſeeth that they come out from God: There is ſuch Coruſcations; or Bright ſhinings of Heavenly Glory upon thoſe Beams of Divine Light, as gives a ſatisfying diſcovery that they are from the Spirit of God; Thoſe beams of light they bear the Image of God upon them, they have in a manner the name of the bleſſed ſpirit of Jeſus Chriſt Ingraven upon them, that the ſoul that beholds them even reads the name of the bleſſed ſpirit Ingraven there: So that thoſe Beams of light (by an inſeparable property that the Lord hath annexed to them) do ſo diſcover their Original to be from the ſpirit of God, as they do ſatisfy every ſoul to whom they are ſent down, and make it unqueſtionable that they are from the Spirit of God: Yea the name of the ſpirit of God is ſo palinly Ingraven upon thoſe beams of Light, that the ſoul ſo eaſily diſcerns it, that all Fears, Doubts, and Suſpitions, all workings of Jealouſie, that thoſe evidencing beams of light are not from the ſpirit, are Baniſhed by their Mighty Power: I mean, the ſoul injoying thoſe, at that inſtant while their luſtre, their Hevenly bright ſhining Coruſcations and Glory continue, the ſoul fears not that they are Deluſions, he doth not ſo much as queſtion that they are Deluſions: According to that in 1 John 2.27. But the Anointing which ye have Received of him abideth in you: That is, the ſpirit of Jeſus Chriſt Communicated to you abides in you, which is here called the Anointing, becauſe according to that in Iſa. 61.1, 2. The pouring out p. 495of the ſpirit of Grace and Holineſs upon Chriſt as Mediatour, is called the Anointing of Chriſt for his Mediatorial Office, and ſo the participating of the ſpirit by Believers, is called the Anointing of Believers to partake of their head: Now ſaith he, the Anointing abides in you, that is, the ſpirit abides in you, and ye need not that any man teach you, but as the ſame anointing teaches you all things, and is truth and is no lye: The ſpirit teaches you all things; He doth not mean of all truth, and the whole Counſel of God, for that no believing ſoul yet underſtood while he dwelt in Houſes of Clay, (Paul himſelf underſtanding but in part) but he ſpeaks of the truths forenamed, the grand Goſpel Truths, the ſpirit it ſelf teaches you all things, that is, of theſe things mentioned; Teach ye that you ſhall have eternal Life in Jeſus Chriſt: And mark, and is truth and is no lye; That is to ſay, it teaches you ſo that you know it is truth, and you know ye are not deceived while that ſo teaches, or in its teaching: And therefore he ſaith in the former words, that they need not that any man ſhould teach them; Not that there is no neceſſity of the Pretious Ordinances of Jeſus Chriſt ſtill for their ſouls, whereby the truth of Jeſus Chriſt ſhould be brought to their Remembrance, and the Pretious Actings of the Believing Diſpoſition in all theſe drawn forth, for that's neceſſary for every believing ſoul; But thus, you need not that any man teach you, that is, you need no other Confirmation of the truth of theſe things, then what the Spirit of Jeſus Chriſt gave you; you need not that any man ſhould come to give a clearer diſcovery of the certainty and truth of thoſe. And thence alſo in 1 Cor. 2.12. The p. 496Apoſtle affirms, that they had received the Spirit of God, that did teach them to know the things given to them of God, v. 10. That God had revealed his truth to them by the Spirit. Now this muſt be further confirmed by divers reaſons, that the light that proceeds from the Spirit of Chriſt, revealing to the Soul its union with Chriſt, doth evidence to the Soul that it doth proceed from Chriſt.

1. In regard it is the teſtimony of God unto the Soul concerning its union. Now that witneſs or teſtimony of God to the ſoul concerning its union, if it did not evidence even by its own light, that it did proceed from the Spirit of God, it were no witneſs of God at all unto the Soul concerning its union. It is of greater concernment to the Soul in this caſe, to underſtand who it is that ſpeaks, than to underſtand what it is that is ſpoken; unleſs the Soul underſtands clearly, that the light that now came into his Soul doth proceed from the Spirit of God, he underſtands not that it is Gods witneſs: It is not ſo much the thing that is teſtified, as the conſideration of him who it is that teſtifies, that ſatisfies the ſoul, or makes it to be the Witneſs of God to the ſoul.

2. In regard the evidence is the teſtimony from God, on purpoſe to give the ſoul ſatisfaction concerning his union, to revive, refreſh, and comfort the ſoul, by the diſcovery of his union with Chriſt. Thence it is, that Chriſt in his promiſing to the Diſciples to ſend his bleſſed ſpirit to dwell in their hearts, while he was abſent from them, John 14.16. He names the ſpirit the Comforter, revealing what the Office of the ſpirit is by his Name. Now ſhould not the light from the ſpirit, that doth p. 497evidence to the ſoul his union with Chriſt, evidence it ſelf alſo to be from the ſpirit of Chriſt, that teſtimony of God that is from that light to the ſoul, could give no ſatisfaction to the doubtful ſcrupulous ſoul: Therefore doubtleſs the light from the ſpirit doth always carry ſufficient evidence for it ſelf, to evidence from it ſelf whence it is; ſeeing God intends thoſe beams of light to give ſatisfaction to the ſoul.

3. In regard that light from the ſpirit of Jeſus Chriſt is the higheſt witneſs, or teſtimony unto a ſoul concerning his union. Now ſeeing that thoſe beams of light are the higheſt witneſs, there is a neceſſicity that thoſe beams of light ſhould evidence themſelves what they are, by an inſeparable property of their own, otherwiſe their witneſs muſt be ſubject to be tried by the teſtimony of ſomething elſe; ſo that the higheſt witneſs of the ſpirit muſt come to be ſubject to this holy quality and that precious diſpoſition.

4. Should not the light that proceeds from the ſpirit to diſcover to a ſouls faith and ſenſe his union with Chriſt, evidence it ſelf to be from the ſpirit of Chriſt, then the bleſſed teſtimony of the ſpirit of Jeſus Chriſt ſhould be altogether vain and uſeleſs. Thoſe ſweeteſt beams of heavenly light are the ſpirits voice; and ſhould it ſpeak in an unknown tongue, that is, ſhould not its voice be diſtinguiſhed from all other voices, the ſpirit ſhould but beat the air, that is, all the light that it diſcovers to the ſoul of its union with Chriſt ſhould be fruſtrated, void and of none effect.

5. In regard the ſpirit of Chriſt necſſarily fulfills the office to which Jeſus Chriſt hath appointed it.

p. 498The Lord hath deſtinated that Spirit of his to Seal up Believers, to Seal up their Inheritance, Eph. 13. Chap. 4.30: Now a Seal is deſtinated on purpoſe to give a peculiar Confirmation of the thing Sealed. Yea likewiſe the ſpirit of Jeſus Chriſt is deſtinated to be the Earneſt in the Believers ſoul whom it is ſent to Seal, to be the Earneſt of his Inheritance, according to that in Eph. 1.13.

Saith the Original, it is Tranſlated [which,] but it is rather [who] is the earneſt of our Inheritance, or who is the Pledge: The word ſignifies ſome part of a price paid beforehand, to aſſure the Payment of a full Price, for ſome Commodity bought: So that the meaning is, who is given you as a part beforehand, of that full Inheritance that you may expect, and may be the better aſſured that you ſhall injoy the full Inheritance. Now did not the ſpirit of Jeſus Chriſt make thoſe Beams of Light (ſent down into any ſoul to diſcover to them their union with Chriſt) to diſcover themſelves to be from the ſpirit, the ſoul ſhould remain dubious after the cleareſt Teſtimony of the ſpirit, whether he had received the ſpirit of Chriſt or no, and ſo the ſpirit of Chriſt in his Sealing Office ſhould be no earneſt, ſeeing the ſpirit muſt be an earneſt as it diſcovers it ſelf to be in the ſoul.

6. In regard it is the Light of the ſpirit of Jeſus Chriſt, that is the only Diſcoverer of all Divine things, that makes all things manifeſt. It is light that makes all things manifeſt; Now the Spirit of Chriſt is the only ſpirit of Light and Wiſdom, and Revelation: So that there can nothing be made manifeſt to the ſoul, but what ſome Beam of Light from the p. 499ſpirit of Light muſt manifeſt: And then obſerve it, whatever reaſon any ſoul ſhould ſtudy to prove the Beams of Light, that were ſent down into his ſoul (to diſcover to him his union with Chriſt) were from the ſpirit, even that reaſon muſt be diſcovered in the Truth and Reality of it, by ſome Beam of Light from the ſpirit, and then unleſs the Beam of Light from the ſpirit doth carry ſufficient Evidence in it, to diſcover it ſelf to be from the ſpirit, the ſoul ſhould be deceived in the reality of that very reaſon, that he ſtudied up to prove, that the former Beams of Light that were ſent down into his ſoul came down from the ſpirit. To ſpeak more plainly thus, ſeeing the ſpirit of Jeſus Chriſt is only the ſpirit of light, whatever Holy Diſpoſitions, whatever Pretious Heavenly Quality any Believing ſoul ſhall diſcern in it ſelf, it muſt be diſcerned by a Beam of light from the Spirit of Jeſus Chriſt.

Secondly, The ſecond thing to be opened is, That the light that proceeds from the ſpirit to diſcover to the ſoul its union with Chriſt, is the moſt Potent, Invincible Demonſtration of its own proceeding from God, which begets the moſt Certain and Infallible knowledge in the ſoul of his union with Chriſt. That pretious light of the ſpirit of Jeſus Chriſt, doth ſo clearly diſcover it ſelf to be from the ſpirit of Chriſt, that there can be no reaſon that can make any Addition or Increaſe of that pretious clearneſs: It ſhines ſo brightly with the very Image of the ſpirit of Jeſus Chriſt upon it, as nothing can make it more manifeſt to be from the ſpirit than its own light. This will appear in divers particulars.

p. 500I. In regard that Beam of light that proceeds from the ſpirit, to diſcover to the ſoul its union with Chriſt, diſcovers nothing but what is infallibly true. Not only what is infallibly true in it ſelf, but it diſcovers nothing but what is infallibly true to the ſouls Apprehenſion to whom it doth diſcover it. Now when the Principles of a Demonſtration are infallibly true, then hath it the firſt property of the higheſt and moſt Potent Demonſtration.

II. In regard that light which diſcovers the firſt light of the ſpirit, to be the light of the ſpirit, doth alſo again Evidence it ſelf to be the light of the ſpirit alſo. Now that's the higheſt demonſtrative Reaſon, to prove that any thing proceeds from God, that is to ſay, that it is diſcovered by the ſpirit of God: Now that light of the ſpirits firſt light, doth plainly demonſtrate that to the ſoul that it comes from the ſpirit of God: So that there is no other Medium, no other reaſon that can be imagined higher, to prove that the firſt light from the ſpirit, that diſcovers to the ſoul its union with Chriſt was from God.

III. In regard it is the moſt evident perſpicuous diſcovery of thoſe beams of light to be from God, that can poſſibly be given. Every reaſon from whence any Concluſion is Collected, muſt be clearer and more evident than the Concluſion it ſelf. Now it is only the light of the ſpirit of Jeſus Chriſt, which is more evident and clear than the Concluſion it ſelf drawn that the Evidences are really from God: So that if it were poſſible for a higher proof to be made, of the certainty of the beams of light, that diſcovers to a ſoul its union with Chriſt, of the certainty p. 501of their being from God, then this very light that theſe Beams of light contain in themſelves, then there muſt be ſome light clearer than the very firſt light, that proceeds from the ſpirit of light and manifeſtation, whoſe office it is to diſcover all things to the ſoul.

IV. In regard it is that light only that can truly inforce, or cauſe the Concluſion to be drawn, that the Beams of light that did diſcover to the ſoul its union with Chriſt were from God. Now that's the higheſt kind of demonſtrative Reaſon, to ſhew the truth or reality of any thing, when the principles, (that is the reaſons from whence the Concluſion is Collected) are the cauſe of the Concluſion: Now thus the light of the ſpirit was thoſe Beams of light, that diſcovered to my ſoul, its union with the Lord Jeſus was really from God: why? becauſe they came from the ſpirit of God. Such Premiſes as theſe, to ſay what the ſpirit of God reveals and diſcovers, that muſt of neceſſity proceed from God, doth even force the Concluſion to be drawn: Whereas nothing elſe hath ſo much power in it to cauſe the Concluſion to be drawn, as that light that proceeds from the ſpirit. Now from theſe things opened, you may hence take notice, that every ſoul to whole Faith and Sence, the ſpirit of Chriſt hath truly Revealed their union with Chriſt, have full ſatisfaction, clear undoubted ſatisfaction, concerning his union with the Lord Jeſus, in all its moſt Serious, Deliberate Meditations and Contemplations: So that ſo long as thoſe Pretious Beams of light from the ſpirit, do remain actually ſhining into the ſoul, there is no kind of Doubt, Scruple, or Darkneſs in the ſoul about its union with the Lord p. 502Jeſus; So that any ſoul that hath received this tru… diſcovery from the ſpirit of light, both unto Faith and Senſe, of his union with the Lord Jeſus, need not inquire for any more proofs, than his own ſoul poſſeſſeth at that inſtant, that God and his ſoul are one through Chriſt.

§. Secondly, The ſecond Inſtrumental cauſe, that ſhines into any heart really from God, to diſcover to that heart his union with Jeſus Chriſt, is the Lords Pretious Word. That Heavenly light that ſhines into any dark and doubtful heart, to reveal its union with the Lord Jeſus to it clearly, is only a pretious ſpark that ſparkles forth from the Pretious Burning Lamp of the Lords Written Word; And it is the Bleſſed Spirit of Jeſus Chriſt that doth as it were Incenſe and Inflame that burning lamp of the Lords Bleſſed Word, and cauſe it to ſend forth thoſe Bleſſed ſparks into dark hearts; And it is that ſame Bleſſed ſpirit alſo that enlightens thoſe dark hearts, to ſee, diſcern, and behold thoſe ſparks, that that burning lamp of the Lords Word ſend forth: So that the ſpirit of Jeſus Chriſt and the Written Word, are but Concauſes that joyntly and ſweetly joyn together, to enlighten the Doubtful ſoul, and clearly reveal its union with the Lord Jeſus. So that the ſoul hath for his aſſurance, the hand of the ever Bleſſed God, and the Teſtimony of God that it is his own hand: He hath that ſecret light that diſcovers it ſelf to be of God, which diſcovers to the ſouls faith his union with Chriſt, and to his ſenſe the truth of his own believing act; And hath the Written Word, which is a Letter Written from the Almighty to loveleſs ſouls, that bears Witneſs alſo to the ſame thing. So p. 503that then the ſecond reaſon, next to the prime reaſon (that the light that the ſoul receiveth proceeds from the ſpirit of God) is this, that the ſoul beholds it clearly ſhine forth from the Lords Written Word. But to clear this there muſt be two things opened.

Firſt, That a believing ſoul ought to receive the light that diſcovers to him his union with the Lord Jeſus, from the Written Word of God, and ought to receive that light as certain and infallible, becauſe it ſhines from the Written Word.

Secondly, That the Lords Pretious Written Word, doth diſcover to particular believing ſouls, their particular union with the Lord Jeſus, both unto their Faith, and unto their Sence.

Firſt, It muſt be cleared, That a believing ſoul ought to receive the light, that diſcovers to his ſoul his union with the Lord Jeſus, from the written Word; and ought to receive it as certain and infallible, becauſe it proceeds from the Written Word. This appears.

I. In regard it is the direct Command of Heaven, that believing ſouls ſhould ſtick and cleave only, to that truth that is diſcovered in the Lords Written Word; And that believing ſouls ſhould be confirmed in the truth of that Pretious Goſpel of Jeſus Chriſt, becauſe it is contained in the Lords Written Word, in the book of the Old and New Teſtament. This you ſhall find in that 2 Tim. 3.14, 15, 16. Continue thou in the things which thou haſt learned, and haſt been aſſured of, knowing of whom thou haſt learned them; And that from a Child thou haſt known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee Wiſe unto Salvation, through Faith which is in Chriſt Jeſus. All Scripture is given by inſpiration of God, and is profitable for Doctrine, for Reproof, for p. 504Correction, for Instruction in Righteouſneſs.

Firſt it is neceſſary here to obſerve the occaſion: you ſhall find in the beginning of the Chapter, the Apoſtle had fore-told of perilous times approaching, wherein there ſhould be many falſe Doctors in the World, in whoſe Snares many ſouls ſhould be taken Captives; Therefore leaſt Timothy alſo ſhould be Inſnared, the Apoſtle Writes theſe Verſes on purpoſe, to endeavour to Eſtabliſh Tymothy's ſoul in the truth; Saith he, Continue thou in the things which thou haſt Learned, knowing of whom thou haſt Received them: Now the Arguments he uſeth to ſettle Timothy in the truth are two;

Firſt from his Apoſtolical Call; knowing from whom thou haſt learned them; From an Apoſtle of Jeſus Chriſt that had received it from Jeſus Chriſt.

The ſecond Argument is in thoſe next Verſes, That from a Child thou haſt known the Holy Scriptures; The Writings of the Prophets, and thoſe Holy Men of God, that ſpake as they were moved by the Spirit of God, that the Lord cauſed to be Written as a Rule: Now this being his Argument, to continue in the truth of the Goſpel Received, the Apoſtle doth illuſtrate it by three or four things.

Firſt, He diſcovers to him that thoſe Writings of the Holy Men of God that he had been acquainted with; were able to make him Wiſe unto Salvation, through Faith in Chriſt Jeſus, that is, if his ſoul did receive thoſe diſcoveries in thoſe Scriptures by Faith; So that the Apoſtle intimates thus much; That it were infinite Folly in Timothy to receive any other Doctrine, than what he had taught, and what he had learned to be written in the holy Scriptures, ſeeing the Wiſdom of God to Salvation was contained in them.

p. 505Secondly, He illuſtrates this Argument by a ſecond reaſon, and that's taken from the Authority of thoſe Holy Scriptures. The matter contained in them, ſaith the Apoſtle is ſuch, as was given by Inſpiration of God: The matter contained in them was but the Breathing of God, into the ſouls of thoſe men that Wrote it, It is Gods Voice to thy ſoul, ſaith he, therefore take heed thou continue in the Doctrine there diſcovered.

Thirdly he illuſtrates this Argument by a reaſon taken from the uſe of thoſe Holy Scriptures, and that is in theſe Words; It is Profitable for Doctrine, for Reproof, for Correction, for Inſtruction in Righteouſneſs. It is Profitable for Doctrine, that is, for all matters of Faith; It will inſtruct thee, ſaith he, in every thing that the Lord commands thy ſoul to believe. Yea it is profitable for reproof alſo, for overthrowing all falſe Opinions, that are contrary to the Faith of Jeſus Chriſt. Yea for Correction, that is, for the Reproving all Evil Manners whatever, for Correcting all Vitious ways whatever they are. Yea for Inſtruction in Righteouſneſs, that is, they are profitable to diſcover what the Will of God is to thee … full, ſo far as is needful for thee to know. Yea the Apoſtle ſeems to add a fourth reaſon to illuſtrate this Argument, and that is in thoſe next Words, which he takes for the end of Writing theſe Holy Scriptures, and that is the Perfecting the Man of God; That the Man of God might be Perfect, throughly Furniſhed, Furniſhed unto all Perfection.

II. It appears that the ſoul ought to receive the light that ſhines from the written word, in regard the written word of the Lord is given by God himſelf, as an everlaſting, unchangeable rule for the p. 506tryal of truth and falſehood. Hence it is that Jeſus Chriſt himſelf, when he was to make it manifeſt to the unbelieving Jews, that he himſelf was the Son of God, he fetcheth his higheſt teſtimony from the written word, as you may obſerve, John 5. in comparing ver. 31 and ſo on, and ver. 39 together: He tells them he would not bear witneſs of himſelf, leaſt his witneſs ſhould not have evidenced demonſtration enough to bear witneſs to him, becauſe it is from himſelf; but he tells them John the Baptiſt bears witneſs to him, ver. 33. He gives them a ſecond argument from his work, ver. 36. and ver, 37. The Father that ſent him bare witneſs of him: but ver. 39. to give that that ſhould be an undeniable teſtimony, even unto the apprehenſions of the Jews themſelves, he tells them that the Scriptures, (the holy writings of thoſe holy men of God) they teſtify of him, ſaith he, ſearch the Scriptures for in them ye think ye have eternal Life, and they are they which teſtifie of me. Hence when Paul began to preach Jeſus Chriſt, and to prove that Jeſus of Nazereth whom he preached, was the Mediator between God and man, he perſwaded them concerning Jeſus, both out of the Law of Moſes and out of the Prophets, Acts. 28.23. and thence it is that in Acts 17.11. That thoſe Men of Berea preached, by ſearching the Scriptures daily whether thoſe things were ſo.

Secondly it muſt be cleared, that the written word of God doth particularly reveal unto believing ſouls their union with Chriſt, both unto their faith and unto their ſenſe.

Firſt, It doth reveal particularly unto their faith, their infallible admiſſion into union with the Lord Jeſus. This appears in regard the Lords teſtimony p. 507that he will admit every ſoul that will, into union with Jeſus Chriſt, is abſolutely univerſal, without the leaſt acceptation or limitation; ſo that it comprehends every particular ſoul whatever to whom the Goſpel is preached; according to that in John 3.15. That whoſoever believed on him ſhould not periſh, but have everlaſting Life. So in John 6.37, He that cometh to Jeſus Chriſt he will in no wiſe caſt out. And in Acts 10.43. That whoſover believe in him ſhould have Remiſſion of Sins, and that known place Rev. 22.17. Whoever will, let him take the water of Life freely, wherein it is apparent that every particular ſoul is included, that the Lords teſtimony to every particular ſoul is as certain as if the particular ſoul were named, that the ſoul ſhall be admitted into union with the Lord Jeſus: if the ſoul will accept it, if the ſoul will conſent to his truth, and truſt to his truth and faithfulneſs for the fulfilling that his word. Now whereas it is objected, that no particular word ſpeaks to a particular ſoul; and ſays thou Thomas, and thou John, or thou Eliſabeth, or thou Mary, ſhalt be accepted into union with the Lord Jeſus, if thou wilt accept him.

1. I anſwer that either every particular is perfectly comprehended in the univerſal offer, and univerſal command of believing, as if the Lord ſhould name every perſon to whom he ſpeaks; or elſe there can be no faith of aſſurance concerning any Goſpel-truth whatever. Elſe there can be no aſſurance that our Bodies ſhall riſe again from the duſt, and appear before the judgement-ſeat of Chriſt. It is no where ſaid, thou Thomas, or thou John, or thou Mary ſhalt ariſe out of the duſt again and come p. 508to judgement; yet I ſuppoſe every one that hath the leaſt beam of ſpiritual light ſhining down into his ſoul will acknwledge that the written word of God doth reveal particularly, that this ſoul and that ſoul, even his own ſoul ſhall ariſe from the duſt and come to judgemen. Now it is apparent, that there is as clear a diſcovery in the written word to any particular ſouls faith of his certain reſurrection from the dead and coming to judgement.

2. Either all thoſe particulars are to be fully comprehended in that univerſal offer, and univerſal unlimited command of believing, or elſe there were no obedience to the will of God commanded to any particular ſoul whatever, nor no diſobedience to the will of God reproved. It is no where ſaid, thou Thomas, or thou John ſhalt worſhip the Lord in Prayer; It is no where ſaid, thou Thomas, or thou Mary ſhalt receive me as thy only God, and worſhip me only. Likewiſe no diſobedience to the will of God were reproved: It is no where ſaid, thou Thomas ſhalt not ſteal, thou John ſhalt not lye, thou Mary ſhalt not commit adultery: yet I conceive, thou whoſe believing diſpoſition is moſt out of exerciſe at preſent, dareſt not ſay, God hath not ſaid to thy ſoul do not ſteal, do not lye, that God hath not commanded thee to worſhip him in his ordinances appointed. So that it is clear the word of God doth reveal to particular ſouls undoubtedly, their certain admiſſion into union with Jeſus Chriſt in caſe they accept him.

Secondly, The precious written word of God, reveals unto particular ſouls ſenſe, their particular union with the Lord Jeſus. That is to ſay, whenever the ſpirit of light and manifeſtation ſent from the p. 509Lord Jeſus ſhall irradiate the precious written word of God, ſo as to make its own heavenly light ſhine into a dark heart, and alſo irradiate at the ſame time or caſt beams of light upon the precious believing act, that the ſame ſpirit of Jeſus Chriſt hath begotten in that ſoul, then that light that the written word of God holds forth particularly, declares to ſuch a particular ſoul its certain actual union with the Lord Jeſus. Now the written word of God ſpeaks to the ſenſe of a believing ſoul, his union with the Lord Jeſus in theſe two ways.

1. In its general deſcription of the nature of that believing act that the Lord requires from the ſoul. Now the written word deſcribing the nature of that believing act that the Lord requires in general, and declaring that believing act to be required in the ſame manner from every ſoul; that written word of God doth particularly reveal unto ſuch a particular ſouls ſenſe, his actual union with the Lord Jeſus: as thus, the written word of the Lord deſcribes the nature of the believing act to be a coming to Jeſus Chriſt, Mat. 11.28. to be receiving the teſtimony of God that he gave concerning his Son, ſelling to its ſeal that God is true John. 3.33. A receiving the Record that God hath given of his Son, 1, John. 5.7, 8, 9. To be a receiving of Chriſt himſelf, John 1.12 To be a will in the ſoul concurring with what the Lord tenders, Rev. 22.17. Now I ſay in the ſpirits deſcribing the general nature of that believing act the Lord requires, it doth ſpeak particularly to the believing ſoul, when the ſpirit is ſo evidencing to him his union with the Lord Jeſus, and declares the ſouls certain and infallible union with Jeſus Chriſt. As thus, the ſpirit having p. 501firſt revealed to the ſouls faith, the Lords will to admit having ſweetly encouraged the ſoul, yea powerfully, irreſiſtibly, effectually commanded the ſoul, to ſet to his ſeal that the Lord is true; and to ſay Lord be it unto thy Servant as thou haſt ſpoken; then the ſame ſpirit irradiates that written word that deſcribes the general nature of the believing act, letting the ſoul diſcern, that the believing act is a ſweet conſent of the mind and heart to the truths of the Lord in the tender of the Lord Jeſus to him, to reconcile the Father and him; and then the ſpirit irradiates alſo the precious conſent of the mind and heart, that holy truſt and confidence that is then in the ſoul, and then the written word ſaith particularly, that thou doſt conſent, to accept of what the Lord thus tenders in Chriſt to thee, thou art certainly and everlaſtingly united to the Lord Jeſus; thou art he who doſt receive what the Lord hath propounded in Chriſt ſo thee, and therefore thou art certainly lodged in the everlaſting arms of the Lord Jeſus.

2. The ſecond way that the written word dclares unto the particular ſouls ſenſe, his particular union with the Lord Jeſus is by its deſcription of the conſtant certain and inſeparable operation of the believing diſpoſition, deſcribing the manner of the working of the believing diſpoſition, or deſcribing the various effects of faith.

1. By the written word declaring that the proper operation of faith, is by love to Jeſus Chriſt, Gal. 5.6.

2. By declaring that the proper operation of faith is to abaſe the ſoul in it ſelf, and make it altogether nothing, Rom. 3.27.

3. The Scripture doth declare that the proper p. 511operation of faith is by purifying the heart, cleanſing it from all unholy diſpoſitions, Acts. 15 9.

4. In declaring that the proper operation of faith is an high and unſpeakable eſtimation of Jeſus Chriſt himſelf, Phil. 3., 8▪ 9. Now thus the written word, declaring the proper manner of the operation of faith, doth declare particularly unto any particular ſoul, his union with Jeſus Chriſt: and ſo conſequently the ſame written word declares, that in whatever heart the believing diſpoſition thus particularly works; there is that precious believing act the Lord requires, there is that precious faith unfeigned that Jeſus Chriſt commands in his precious Goſpel; and ſo it ſpeaks particularly to a particular ſoul, thou doſt believe with that precious faith unfeigned that Jeſus Chriſt requires; and thus the ſpirit doth but make this written word of God ſpeak to the ſouls underſtanding, what it doth always ſpeak in it ſelf, which is, that that particular ſoul doth now believe according to the will of God: So that thence it appears the word of God doth ſpeak, and declare as particularly to a believing ſoul, his union with the Lord Jeſus as if it did ſpeak to any ſoul by name, for that light that diſcovers to the ſouls ſenſe and feeling, or knowledge his union with Chriſt, is but the diſcovery of the truth of his own heart in believing the written worb ſpeaks as plainly to a particular ſouls ſenſe and Knowledge; his union with the Lord Jeſus, (that is, declares to him that he doth particularly believe) as it doth declare to any particular rebellious obſtinate ſinner that he particularly doth ſin; the word ſaith, whoſoever walks thus or thus tranſgreſſeth the will of God; now this ſpeaks to every particular ſoul ſo ſinning.

p. 512Que. But the ſoul may ſay, how can a ſoul know that thoſe Books of the Old and New Teſtament are the Lords own word? May there not be ſome mixture of men?

That the Scriptures are the writen word of God.Anſw. For anſwer to the queſtion, firſt negatively, ſecondly affirmatively.

I. Negatively, I anſwer that the ſoul cannot be aſſured by all the powers and poſſibilities of men, no not by any created power, that the Books of the Old and New Teſtament are the written word of God. Though I deny not, that the teſtimony of men may give ſome kind of ground to the ſoul to believe it; and I fear the greateſt number among us have no other ground, yet no teſtimony of man can aſſure the ſoul ſufficiently, that theſe are the Lords written word: the matter contained in the written word of God is altogether ſpiritual, and therefore it muſt be a beam of ſpiritual light that muſt ſatisfyingly, and ſufficiently diſcover to a ſoul, that the ſpiritual matter is the truth of God, and did proceed from God.

2. All the moſt exquiſite reaſoning, that the moſt elevated wits of man can extract, are not ſufficient to demonſtrate ſatisfyingly unto a ſoul, that the Books of the Old and New Teſtament are the written word of God himſelf indeed. If it were ſo, then the wiſeſt of men ſhould have been ready to receive the word of God as the word of God; whereas the Scripture teſtifies, the moſt wiſe have been moſt oppſite to receive it 1. Cor. 1.26. Scribes and Phariſees, the wiſeſt of the People, were the greateſt oppoſers to our deareſt Redeemer.

3. The written word of God barely and ſimply p. 513taken, without the Mighty Power of the ſpirit conrurring with the Word, is not able to demonſtrate it ſelf to be the Word of God. Queſtionleſs if it were, then whoever had been partaker of the Written Word, or had heard the Word Preached that is Written, muſt in like manner have given credit to it; whereas the Scripture Teſtify, that when Jeſus Chriſt himſelf ſpake of thoſe things he had wrought, ſome Oppoſed and Blaſphemed.