Principles of Faith and Good Conscience, Part 1
Markes of Gods children drawn out of Gods word.
Of ſaving knowledge.
Q. WHat is the firſt Marke of a Child of God?
A. Saving knowledge is a marke whereby Gods Children may be known from all others. Iohn 17.3.1. Mark This is life eternall to know thee, the only true God, and whom thou haſt ſent Jeſus Chriſt.
Q. What be the properties of ſaving knowledge?
A. They be foure.The triall of it. 1. Saving knowledge makes us to ſee our own Ignorances, and ſtrayings. Prov. 9.10, 12. Eph. 5.8, 13. Rom. 7.9. Pſal. 119.130. Pro. 20.27.
Q. What is the ſecond property of ſaving knowledge?
A. It makes a man aſhamed to doe evill; and vile in his own eyes. Eph. 5.8, 12. 1 Theſ. 5.5, 6, 7, 8, 9. Rom. 6.21. Ier. 31.19.
Q. What's the third property of ſaving knowlege?
A. It is a guiding light, eſpecially in thoſe things that belong to our own Peace and duty. Pſal. 119.105. Rom. 2.20, 21. Mat. 7.5.
Q. What's the fourth ſigne of ſaving knowledge?
A. It is not an idle, but a working knowledge, making a man to abſtaine from evill, and exerciſe himſelfe in that which is good. 2 Pet. 2.20. Jer. 22.16. Pſ. 119.104. Job. 28.28. Hoſ. 8.1, 2.
Ʋſe. Then it ſeemes that they which know much, and yet are not bettered by their knowledge in Holineſſe & Chriſtian life; Alſo they that by their knowledge can guide others, and yet doe not take to heart the thing that belong to their own peace & duty, their knowledge is but vaine: Rom. 2.20, 21. Rom. 1.18. 2 Tim. 3.5. Laſtly all ſuch perſons as be in darkneſſe and perceive it not; All ſuch are blind, and miſerable, and wretched, and naked, and think that they have need of Nothing, when as indeed they have nothing of Grace or Heaven; All ſuch people are without knowledge, and therefore without God in the world: Rev. 3.17. Gal. 6.3. Jer. 6.15.
Q. Whats's a ſecond marke of Gods children?2. Mark.
A. All Gods children are taught of God? Ioh. 6.45. Eſay 54.13.
Q. How doe you know your ſelfe taught of God?
A. 1.The triall▪ Becauſe I am made to know things a above my Nature and to b love and imbrace things which be contrary to my Nature a Mat. 13.11. 1 Cor. 1.21. with 1 Cor. 2.12. Eph. 1.17, 18. b Mar. 8.34, 35. Luck. 14.26, 27.
Q. How ſecondly doe you know it?
Ʋſe. A. Becauſe I have a new judgment of men and things, I can look upon ſinne and duty, with ſuch eies as Chriſt beholds them with, that is, I look upon ſinne, as upon a Toad or Serpent to avoid it; And upon duty with a loving eye. Ezek. 11.19. Heb. 8.10, 11.
Then it followeth, that they who know no more then Nature can teach them, and will believe no more then Reaſon can comprehend: Alſo all ſuch perſons as doe erre in their hearts, and ſay within themſelves, I deſire not to know my ſin, or duty, I love not to obey. Heb. 3.10. Such as Hate to be reformed. Pſ. 50.17. And love darkneſs rather then light. Joh. 3. 19. Such as have not Gods LaW written in their hearts. Heb. 8.10. Ier. 32, 40. They that are pleaſed with ſin, and diſpleaſed with duty; All ſuch perſons are not as yet Taught of God. 1 Ioh. 5.3.
Of the Love of God.
Q. What's a third marke of Gods child.
3. Mark.A. All Gods children do love God with all their hearts; if any man love God, the ſame is loved and approved of God. 1 Cor: 8.3. Mat. 22.37.
Q. How doe you know that you love God withall your heart?
The triall.A. By foure things. 1. When the heart is not divided between Two, he hath not Two to pleaſe: God hath the whole ſoule. Eſay 8.12, 13. Luk 16 13. Num. 14.24.
Q. How ſecondly may it be known that you love God with all your heart?
A. When I love God above all men, & all things: All men and all things muſt be loved in God, and for God, but nothing againſt God, nor above God. Mat. 10.37. 1 Sam. 2.29. Num, 24.11. Exod. 32.32.
Q How thirdly may it be known?
A When I ſtrive to Honour and ſerve Him to the very utmoſt and beſt I can, & not as little as we can. 1 Chron. 13.8. 1 Chron. 29.17. Act. 20.24. 2 Kings 23.25. Mar. 12.42, 43, 44.
Q. How Fourthly may this be known?
A. This is the Love of God, that we keep his Commandements, and his Commandments are not grievous unto us. 1 Joh. 5.3. Joh. 14.15, 21. Joh 15.24. 1 Joh. 3.4, 5.
Ʋſe. Then it followes, that they doe not love God with all their hearts, whoſe hears are divided between God & Men, betwen God and profit, between God and credit, or any other earthly thing: Much leſſe doe they love God aright, who ſet up the love of men, the love of themſelves, the love of riches, Honour, &c. above the love of God, above the will of God, above the Glory of God, or above the Commandements of God. Laſtly they doe not love God aright, who ſerve him as little as they can, ſomething they will doe, juſt ſo much as they think will ſerve the turne, but their hearts are not lifted up in Gods ſervice. 2 Chron. 17.6. They doe not ſtirre up themſelves, nor lay on their Tallents to the honour of God: whereas we muſt be zealous for Gods cauſe againſt ſinne and wickedneſſe, zealous for Gods Truth againſt error Iud. v. 3. Earneſtly contend for the faith againſt Sects and Hereſies whatſoever.
A Chriſtian muſt love God for Himſelfe, for thoſe excellencies and perfections of Goodneſſe, Mercy, Grace, Holineſs Truth, &c. that be in God: We muſt not love God only for his gifts, or for our profits ſake; But as a child loves his Father though he be but poore, and as a man loves his Wife, better then her Portion, ſo muſt we love God. Pſ. 119.57. Pſal. 4.6, 7. Pſal. 73.25. There is none in Heaven or Earth that I deſire in compariſon of thee.
Of Zeale for God.
Q. Shew a fourth mark of Gods child?
4. Mark.A. Gods child is zealous for God, for his Truth, and Glory. Becauſe thou art neither hot, nor cold, I will ſpew thee out of my mouth; Be zealus therefore and repent. Rev. 3.16, 19. 2 Cor. 7.11. Act. 17.16. 2 Pet. 2.8.
Q. You have ſaid that they that love God, muſt be zealous for God; Tell me what be properties of true zeale?
A. They be three. 1. True zeale muſt be exerciſed alwaies in a good matter, The triall.and without reſpect to the eye of man. Gal. 4. 18. 1 King. 9.10. Iud: v. 3. Luk. 13.15.
Q. What ſecondly, is the property of true zeale?
A. True zeale burnes inward, our own ſins and corruptions firſt and moſt. Mat. 7.4.
Q. What's the third property of true zeale?
Ʋſe. A. True zeale is accompanied with meekneſſe, juſtice, mercy: and many other graces. Jam. 3.16. Luk. 9.54, 55: Luk. 13.15.
Then it followes, that all ſuch perſons as in their zeale do forget to ſhew mercy, juſtice and Truth, as Saul did 2 Sam. 21.2. and as Paul did Act. 26.9, 11. And they which can be earneſt againſt other mens ſins, and favourable towards their own; as Rom. 2.1, 22. And laſtly they that be earneſt and zealous in a Trifle, or in a groundleſſe cauſe, as the falſe teachers at Galatia were, Gal. 4.17. Such zeale does not commend them unto God?
Of love to a Chriſtian for Gods ſake.
Q. What is a fift Marke of Gods children?5. Mark▪
A. By this ſhall all men know that yee are my Diſciples, if you have love one to another: John 13.35. 1 Joh. 3.14. 1 Joh. 5.1.
Q. How may it appeare that you love a Chriſtian becauſe he is borne of God, or becauſe he is a Diſciple?
A. By foure ſignes. 1. By this we know that we love the Children of God, when we love God, The triall.and keep his Commandements, 1 Iohn 5.2. That is, we love Gods children becauſe we love God firſt: Our love to them muſt proceed from our loving of God, ſeeing we love them for Gods ſake.
Q. How Secondly may Chriſtian love be diſcerned?
A. When you love a Diſciple, in the Name of a Diſciple, and a righteous man, in the Name of a righteous man, that is, becauſe they belong to God, and becauſe of the Image of God in them: Mat. 10.41, 42. 2 Ioh. v. 1, 2.
Q. How thirdly is Chriſtian love evidenced?
A. When you love a Chriſtian more for the Image of God in him, then for Kindreds, or profits ſake. Among your children, or Neighbours, or Friends and acquaintance, you will love them beſt and moſt, in whom you percieve the Grace of God to ſhine. Gal. 6.10.
Q. How Fourthly.
A. If you have true love, you will doe righteous things to your Brother; But he that doth not righteouſneſſe, is not of God neither he that loveth not his brethren. 1 Joh. 3.10, 18.
Ʋſe Then it followeth, that they which doe injury, & that to their Brethren 1 Cor: 6.8.) And they that do like their Children, or Neighbours, or Servants, or acquaintance, the worſe for their goodneſs ſake, And laſtly they that are Partiall in their love, & will embrace only ſuch of the Godly, as be of their own ſide & opinion, but can ſcorne & abuſe others every jot as Godly, if they differ from them; then, I ſay, it appeares, they do not love them in the Name of a Diſciple, nor in the Name of a righteous man; But they love themſelves, their owne ends and Fancies in them, and not Chriſt in them, nor the Image of God in them. We muſt love where God loveth, God loves all his Children of what ſide ſoever they be, though not their ſins and Failings, & ſo muſt we doe Luk. 9.49, 50. Rom: 14.3, 6. Mark: 9 38, 39. The weake and the ſtrong Chriſtian, they were both of them true fearers of God: Wicked men that are yet in the fleſh, they hate & diſlike Godlineſſe where ever they ſee it, and he that is born after the ſpirit, loveth godlineſſe where ever he ſees it.
Of Hungring and thirſting after Chriſt, and His Grace.
Q. Shew a ſixth marke of a child of God?
A. They are bleſſed that hunger and thirſt after Chriſt,6. Mark. and after the graces of his ſpirit. Mat. 5.6. Eſ. 55.1. Rev. 22.17.
Q. What be the ſignes whereby ſpiriall deſires after Chriſt may be diſcerned from naturall deſires?
A. They be foure. 1. If your ſoules do indeed hunger and thirſt after Chriſt,The trial. and his righteouſneſſe, then you will deſire him for ſpirituall ends and uſes; as for Reconciliation with God, for ſanctification, for ſpirituall Healing and cleanſing of your ſoules; as your ſpirituall Phyſitian: Mat. 9.12. Mar. 1.10. Luk: 18.41. Pſ. 51.1, 2, 9, 10. Carnall people can deſire mercy, but not Grace: they deſire Happineſſe, but care not for Holineſſe; they can deſire Chriſt as a Prieſt to ſave them, not as a King to Rule in them.
Q. What is a ſecond ſigne of ſpirituall deſires or hungering after Chriſt?
A. If you doe indeed thirſt after Chriſt, you will be reſtleſſe and unſatisfied till you find him: Nothing but Chriſt can content the ſpirituall appetite and deſires of the ſoule: Nothing but Chriſt can ſtill the crie, and quiet the call of conſcience. Give a hungering ſoule Gold, or preferment, or Pleaſures &c. Theſe things cannot ſatisfy a ſpirituall deſire: the ſoule muſt have Chriſt, or nothing: ſpirituall deſires are reſtleſſe deſires, till they can enjoy the things they want: Pſ. 143.6. Can. 5.4, 8. Pſ. 42.1, 2.
Q. What's a third ſigne of ſpirituall deſire after Chriſt?
A. Spirituall hunger and thirſt is a conquering deſire, it makes the ſoule to prize Jeſus Chriſt upon any terms: the thirſty ſoul muſt have Chriſt, what ere it coſt: As the Aegyptians ſaid to Joſeph, Buy us and our land for Bread (Gen. 47.19.) and we will be ſervants unto Pharaoh: ſo to the hungery ſoule, every bitter thing is ſweet; Chriſt is welcome upon any terms. Mat. 16.25. Mat. 13.44, 46. Mat. 19.21, 22.
Q. Wha'ts a Fourth ſigne of ſpirituall deſire after Chriſt?
A. Spirituall hunger and thirſt is a labouring deſire; the Hungry ſoule will take any paines for the bread and water of life. It doth not reſt in wiſhing, but it will ſtrive and ſeek, and knock: True deſire puts forth it ſelfe in endeavourings Can. 3.1, 2, 3, 4. Pſal. 63.1.2. Spirituall deſires are not lazy, cold, heartleſſe wiſhes.
Then if you take little Paines to get Grace, and the aſſurance of Chriſts love, or if you prize any thing more then Chriſt and his Grace and favour, or if your minds be quieted without Chriſt, and cured by falſe Remedies, as by worldly Counſels, worldly Pleaſures, or by forgetting your ſins, &c. Laſtly if you deſire Chriſt for naturall ends, as for mercy, & not alſo for Grace and Holy Communion with him, then I ſay you did never truly Hunger and Thirſt after Chriſt, and his righteouſneſſe: you have had perhaps ſome light, vaniſhing wiſhes for Heaven, but never any ſound, and ſetled deſires. Luke 14.15, 18. Mat. 19.21, 22.
Of Chriſt in us.
Q. What is a Seaventh Mark of one that is the Child of God?
A. If any one be Chriſts, then Chriſt is in you, and abideth in you: Rom. 8.9, 10. 2 Cor. 13.5. Eph. 3.17.
Q. How will you know that Chriſt is in you?
A. Two manner of waies. 1,The triall. If Chriſt be in you, you will be faſhioned like unto Chriſt, you will be Holy members of that holy Head, and living members of that living Head. Rom. 8.10. If Chriſt be in you the body of ſin is dead, and the ſpirit is life becauſe of righteouſneſſe; you cannot be dead members of a living head, nor unholy members of an holy head: A true Chriſtian is the very Picture of Chriſt, Chriſt is faſhioned in him. Gal. 4.19. Eph. 4.22, 24. Joh. 2.6.
Q. Say the ſame in other words?
A. If any man be in Chriſt, he is a new Creature, 2 Cor. 5 17.
Q. How ſecondly, will you know whether Chriſt be in you or not?
A. Hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the ſpi…t which he hath given us. 1 Ioh 3.24.
Ʋſe. Then it followes, that if any man have not the ſpirit of Chriſt, he is none of his. Rom. 8.9. Alſo If you be not like unto Chriſt if you walk contrary unto him, and his example in the Family, Church, or State, it is becauſe Chriſt is not in you of a Truth: for he that ſaieth, He abideth in him, ought himſelfe alſo to walke, even as Chriſt walked. 1 Ioh. 2.6. 1 Pet. 1.15. Phil. 3.18.
Of the ſpirit of Chriſt in us.
Q. Shew an Eight marke of a child of God?
8. Mark.A. Becauſe you are ſons, God hath given the ſpirit of his ſon into your hearts, whereby ye cry Abba, Father. Gal. 4.6. Rom, 8.9, 11.
Q. But how will you know that you have the ſpirit of Chriſt in you?
The trial.A. Three waies. 1. Becauſe it is unto me a ſpirit of illumination: It begets in me ſpirituall ſenſes, and underſtanding by which I know him that is True; it enableth me to diſcerne things that differ: As the Eare trieth words; and the Mouth taſteth meate, Iob. 12.11. … doth the ſpirit of Chriſt give us a diſcerning taſte, a diſcerning heart, & eare; It makes us able to diſcerne light from darknes, ſweet from ſower; It makes us to Reliſh & ſavour the things that be of God. Iohn 10.4, 5, 27. with Ioh. 14.17. 1 Iohn 2.19, 20, 26, 27. 1 Cor. 2.14.
Q. How ſecondly will you know it?
A. Becauſe it is unto me a ſpirit of Sanctificatiō; for the ſpirit of Adoption, whereby we call God Father, is alwaies in us, and to us a ſpirit of ſanctification, It is a ſpirit of Burning to conſume Luſts, and a ſpirit of Quikning to newneſſe of life. 1 Cor: 6.11. Gal: 5.24. Rom: 8.10, 13.
Q. How, thirdly, will you know it?
A. By the Fruits of the ſpirit, which are theſe, Love, Joy, Peace, Long ſuffering, Gentlneſſe, Goodneſſe, Faithfulneſſe, Meekneſſe, Temperance, &c. Gal: 5.22, 23. Eph: 5.9.
Then it followes that all ſuch perſons as walk in the fleſh, and ſhew forth the fruits of it, which are theſe, Adultery, fornication, uncleanneſſe, laciviouſneſſe, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulation, Wrath, ſeditions, hereſies, envyings, murthers, drunkenneſſe, revilings, &c. Alſo all ſuch perſons as have not received the ſpirit of Chriſt to enlighten their Minds, make them wiſe to diſcerne precious from vile.—And to purify their …earts and lives: All ſuch perſons as doe …ot ſhew forth the fruits of the ſpirit in …heir converſation▪ they are all of them without Chriſt becauſe they be void of …is ſpirit, and the fruits thereof.
Of Chriſt Ruling in us.
Q Shew a Ninth marks of one that is the child of God?
6. Mark.A. All that have Chriſt for their Saviour, muſt take him alſo for their Lord and King to rule in their hearts: Chriſt is the King of Saints. Luk. 19.27. Rev. 15.3.
Q. How doe you know your ſelf to be a Subject of Chriſts Kingdome?
A. 1. Every Subject of Chriſts Kingdome is a child of light, and he is carefull to walke in the light. 1 Joh: 1.6, 7. 1 Joh. 2.6. Satans Kingdome is a Kingdom of darkneſſe; Chriſts Kingdome is a Kingdome of light.
Q. How, ſecondly, may it be known?
A. Every Subject of Chriſts Kingdom, will yeeld obedience to the Laws. & Mind of Chriſt. Job: 15.14. Mal: 1.6, 8.
Q. How Thirdly may it be known?
A. I know that Chriſt is my King, and I his Subject, by the Victory I have over my own ſins; I alſo am made a ſpirituall King, I dare not hold up any ſpirituall weapon againſt Chriſt, nor againſt his word, nor on the behalfe of any ſin whatſoever, and in whomſoever. 2 Cor. 10.5. Rom. 6.17, 18.
Ʋſe. Then they that be yet under the Power of darkneſſe, and under the command of ſin, and they that doe not yeeld univerſall obedience and ſubjection to the Laws and will of Chriſt, all ſuch perſons doe not belong to Chriſts Kingdome of Grace, and therefore ſhall never reigne with him in glory.
Of Being led by the Spirit of Chriſt.
Q Give a tenth marke of a child of God?
A. As Many as are led by the ſpirit of God,10. Mar. they are the ſons of God. Rom. 8.14.
Q. How will you know that you be led by the ſpirit of God?
A. Three waies. 1. Becauſe I am under the command of the ſpirit:The triall. I will not grieve the ſpirit of God, but cheriſh it, and ſuffer my ſelfe to be guided by it; as Souldiers are by their Captain, and Commanders, who ſay to one, doe this and he doth it, to another doe that, and he does it, ſo is the Chriſtian under the Conduct and command of the ſpirit to follow it, even againſt Nature, and Carnall reaſon; as for example, to love ones enemy, to pray for them that diſpightfully uſe us, to bleſſe them that curſe us, &c. Eph. 4.30. Rom. 8.13.
Q. How ſecondly will you know it?
A. Becauſe the Conſiderations and Motives which ſway my judgement and choyce in any buſineſſe, are ſpirituall: As (If I were to give my voice in the election of a Miniſter) if I caſt about how I may pleaſure a friend or kinſman, or what I ſhall get or looſe by this or that way, then it is cleer, you are led by a carnall ſpirit becauſe the conſideration… which ſway, and prevaile with me are meerly polytick and worldly: But if you conſider who is moſt likely to win ſoules to God, to advance his Truth and Goſpell, &c. then are you in that buſineſſe led by the ſpirt, becauſe the conſiderations moving you, are ſpirituall. When there is a conflict between Nature & Grace, the ſpirit of God will ſway you for gracious purpoſes againſt the pleadings of fleſh and bloud. Gal. 1.16. Eph. 4.16. Heb. 11.24, 25.
Q. How thirdly will you know it?
A. Becauſe I am led by a True *Gods ſpirit does not lead us blindfold, but it ſhewes us, and leads us in the waies of God.light, & a ſtraight rule, Gods ſpirit does never lead one blindly, nor by a falſe Rule▪ Gods ſpirit is not like to an Ignis fatuus, to lead into by-pathes of error and miſchiefe, Gods ſpirit it guides us in the path of Gods word, Gods ſpirit and Gods word are ever joyned together. Eſ. 29.18. Pſ. 25.5, 9. Pſ. 27.11. Pſ. 119.35. Ioh. 16.13. Eſa. 59.21. Prov. ….23.
Ʋſe. Then they that wander in by-paths of error, and in the broad paths of deſtruction & unpapineſſe, (following the waies of unrighteouſneſſe, Pride, Covetouſneſſe Envy, Murther, Lying, Covenant-breakers, perjured perſons, without naturall affection, implacable, unmercifull, murtherers of Fathers, Lawleſſe, diſobedient, &c.) and yet ſay that they are led by the ſpirit of God, This is the ſpirit of your Father the divell, and not the ſpirit of God. 1 Tim. 1.9, 10, Rom. 1.30, 31. 2 Tim. 3.2, 3, 4. Ioh. 8.44.
Alſo they that are ſwayed by worldly conſiderations, by ſelfe-ends and intereſts, they that walke by cruked rules, and dark lights, and are not afraid to quench the ſpirit of God, and to check good motions of of the ſpirit, to follow their own Imaginations, &c. Such perſons are not led by the ſpirit, of God, they are not under the command & conduct of the holy ſpirit.
Of the ſpirit of Truth and Error.
Q. Shew an eleventh marke of Gods children?
A. Gods children are led by his ſpirit into all ſaving Truth, 11. Mar.ſo that they cannot damnably erre, or be deceived. Joh. 16.18. Mat. 24.24. 2 Tim. 2.19. 1 Joh. 2.27.
Q. How ſhall we know the ſpirit of Truth from the ſpirit of error?
The triall.A. By three things. 1. He that is of God Heareth us; He that is not of God, heareth us not, hereby know we the ſpirit of Truth, and the ſpirit of error. 1 Ioh. 4.6. with Iohn 8.47. He that is of God, heareth Gods words delivered by the mouth of his Ambaſſadors; hence it is cleare, that it is a falſe ſpirit, that ſaies, ye need not heare us, for my ſheep heare my voice, ſpeaking in my ſervants to the end of the world. Joh. 10.27. with Luk. 10.16. He that deſpiſeth you, deſpiſeth me. The Spirit of God never perſwades any man to forſake the publicke ordinances. Mat. 10.41. but to receive & honour a Prophet in the name of a Prophet. 1 Theſ. 5.12, 13.
Q. How Secondly, may the ſpirit of errour, or a falſe Prophet be knowne?
A. You ſhall know them by their fruits, that is by the Fruite of their doctrine, for if their doctrines tend to looſneſſe, or Libertiniſme, or to withdraw from duty, or to overthrow what God hath eſtabliſhed, and to diſſolve the Bonds of Order, Peace, Unity, Obedience to Lawfull Superiours, or to the overthrowing of the Common Rules of Right and Wrong which are eſtabliſhed by Scripture and wholſome Lawes, for certain ſuch teachers are not of God; the reaſon is, becauſe Gods ſpirit does never croſſe it ſelfe, we muſt believe no ſpirit againſt the voice of the publicke ſpirit, which ſpeaketh in the Scriptures. 2 Pet. 1.21. Mat. 7.15, 16.
Q. How thirdly, may the ſpirit of Errour be diſcerned?
A. If their Doctrines and Teaching doe agree with the forme of ſound words, and with the Principles of the Chriſtian faith once delivered to the Saints (as with the Articles of the Creed, the Confeſſions of Faith of other reformed Churches, & the pureſt Ages) then is to be ſuſpected for its Novelty and ſingularity, yea to be rejected as falſe; becauſe Truth will ſtill Agree with Truth, and Light with Light. But whatſoever is contrary to light, is darkneſſe 2 Tim. 1.13. with 1 Tim. 6.3, 4. 2 Ioh. v. 10. 2 Cor. 11.4. Gal. 1.8. Iud. v. 3. 1 Cor. 14.32, 36, 37. Came the word of God from you? or to you only?
Ʋſe. Then they that hold ſtrange opinions, and teach other doctrines, and conſent not to wholſome words, or if the fruite of that Doctrine and Teaching be bitter, tending to Licentiouſneſſe, Rebellion, & Confuſion, if any Man ſhall turne you away from hearing the faithfull Miniſters of Jeſus Chriſt, this is from the ſpirit of Error, this favours not of the ſpirit of God.
Of Mortification, or Crucifying the Luſts of the Fleſh.
Q. Give a twelveth marke of one that is a Child of God?
12. Mar.A. They that are Chriſts have Crucified the fleſh with the Affections and Luſts Gal. 5.24.
Q. How know you that your Luſts are crucified?
A. By three things. 1. If ſin be crucified in you,The triall. then your corruptions will be a burthen to you, and you will gladly be rid of them, As when the Foot or any other member of the Body is dead and Gangrened, we are willing to have them cut off, though as long as they were ſound and alive, we did cheriſt them: ſo though formerly you did cheriſh your Luſts, yet when they are mortified, and crucified, you will cut them off, and caſt them from you, yea though it be a right hand, or eye. Mat. 5.29, 30. Rom. 7.24. Gal. 5.17.
Q. How, Secondly, may this be known?
A. If your Luſts be mortified, then you will take part with the word of God againſt your ſelves, againſt your deareſt ſins, you can welcome a reproofe, even when it cuts to the quick, and meets with your inmoſt corruptions. Pſ. 141.5. 2 Sam. 12.13. 1 Sam. 3.13, 18.
Q. How; Thirdly, may this be known?
A. If ſin be dead, and the Fleſh crucified, then you will not minde the things of the fleſh, nor obey it is the luſtings and motions of it. Rom. 8.5. Rom. 6.12, 12, 13, 22. Rom. 13.14.
Ʋſe. Then they which give way to the fleſh, and obey the Luſtings of it, and doe make proviſion for the fleſh to fulfill the luſtings of it; Alſo ſuch perſons as are unwilling to part with their deer ſins, yea fret at the word that reproves them and fall out with the Miniſter of God, inſteed of failing out with their own ſins, All ſuch perſons have not as yet crucified the fleſh with its affections.
Of Obedience and Sanctification.
Q. Shew a thirteenth marke of Gods Children?
A. Sound, and ſincere obedience is a marke whereby Gods people may be known from all others.13. Mar. Rom. 6.16, 17, 1. Joh. 3.9. 1 Pet 1.2. Pſ. 15.2. 1 Chron. 26.17.
Q. What be the ſignes and properties of a ſincere and upright Chriſtian?
A. They be Five. 1. It is a ſigne of an upright heart,The triall. when I make conſcience of ſecret ſins, & ſecret duties, Mat. 23.25, 26, 27, 28. Pſ. 18.21, 22, 23.
Q. What is a ſecond ſigne of an upright heart?
A. When I ſtrive againſt Hypocriſy, I would not be an Hypocrite. Job. 34.32. Pſ. 139 23, 24.
Q. What's a third ſigne of ſincere obedience.
A. When our obedience is Ʋniverſall, and Regulated, making greateſt Conſcience of the greateſt & waightieſt matters of the Law and will of God: We muſt not ſtick at leſſer matters, and ſwallow greater. Mat. 23.23. Pſ. 119.6, 104. Mat. 5.20.
Q. Whats a fourth ſigne of an upright heart in point of obedience?
A. The ſincere heart will ſtrive to doe all things, not as pleaſing men but God, which trieth the heart: The ſervant of Chriſt muſt not be a Man pleaſer. 2 Theſ. 2.4. Ga. 1.10. Ioh. 8.29.
Q. Yea but who is a man-pleaſer?
A, 1. If ye conferre with fleſh and bloud, & conſult with ſelfe ends and intereſt, when your duty lies before you, whether you were beſt to do it or not, then you are not upright before God: A ſound Chriſtian muſt be through for God, ſtill approving our ſelves to God through good and ill report, through Plenty and want, through honour and diſhonour, &c. 2 Cor. 6.4.8. Gal: 1.6.
Q. What, Secondly, is a ſigne of an hyhocriticall Man-pleaſer.
A. If you feare more to offend a Man then to offend God, it is becauſe the heart is not upright before God. Eſ. 15.7, 12, 13. Iob. 32.21, 22. Luk. 12.1, 2, 4, 6.
Q. What is a Fifth and laſt ſigne of an upright heart?
A. If you will be ſincere, you muſt not ſeek your own glory, but the glorly of him that ſent you, and imployes you: Ioh: 3.29, 30. Ioh: 7.18. He that ſeeketh his glory that ſent him, the ſame is True.
Ʋſe. Then they that ſeeke their own glory, and the Pleaſing of Men, they that ſo order and alter their opinions, and Principles, as may exalt themſelves, and humour times, and ſerve Turnes—Alſo they that ſtrain at a Gnat and ſwallow a Camell, that is, ſtick at a circumſtance or Ceremony, & ſwallow greater matters of the Law, [To buſy ones ſelfe; and ſtrive to be expert and cunning in thoſe truths which concerne ceremony and matter of Church diſcipline, and yet neglect matters of Faith Repentance, Mortification, and new Obedience, is a ſhrewd ſigne of hypocriſie.] Laſtly, they that can take liberty to ſecret ſins, and ſtudy to hide their ſins, regarding more the eye of man, then the eye of God, ſuch people are nor ſound in their obedince.
Of Sanctification, How it differs from civill Honeſty.
Q. Shew a fourteenth marke of Gods children?
A. All Gods elect are given to Chriſt as his peculiar ones to be Redeemed, Sanctified, and fitted for Glory. Ioh. 17.6, 8. Col. 1.12, 13. 2 Theſ. 2.13. Heb. 12.14. Ioh: 3.3. Iohn 13.8. Gal. 6.6.
Q. Wherein does ſanctification and the true change of a Chriſtian conſiſt? wherein does it excell the higheſt pitch of the beſt moralized Hypocrite, and formaliſt in the World?The triall.
A. In Four things. 1. In the Change it ſelfe, Sanctification is not only an accidentall outward change of the Actions (as of the Sow that is waſhed. Pet. 2.22.) But it is a change of the very frame and diſpoſition of the heart, the very nature is changed, he is made a new Creatures, Ezek. 36.25, 26. A new heart will I give you, &c. A Swine that is waſhed, is a ſwine ſtill, and his nature is to wallow in the mire; But a ſanctified perſon, of a ſwine is made a ſheep, and he hates to wallow in the mire.
Q. Wherein Secondly, doth ſanctification excell morall honeſty?
A. In the root or ſeed of graces: The graces of ſanctification have a root within us, even the ſpirit of life which is in Jeſus Chriſt, Rom. 8.2. 1 Pet. 1.23, 24. 1 Ioh. 3.9. His ſeed remaineth in him, and our graces are the fruits that ſpring up of that ſeed and root, Ioh. 15.16. But the ſeeming graces of unregenerate and meerly civilized people, they have no ſuch root, but they are like the Corne upon the Houſe top, which makes a faire ſhew, yet it hath neither root, by ſeed, nor fruit in the eare. Pſa. 129.6, 7. Luk. 8.13.
Q. Wherein, thirdly, does Sanctification excell morall Honeſty?
A. The true convert does receive the word in power, and in the Holy Ghoſt: he gives the word a divine power and authority over his conſcience, and over his actings: He receives the word with an honeſt heart, even with patience though it croſſe and caſt downe his contentments, and particular intereſts: you will not dare to reſiſt any Truth that you heare, if you have true grace in you. 1 Theſ. 1.5. Luk. 8.15. Pſ. 119.161.
Q. Wherein, fourtly, doth Sanctification goe beyond morall Honeſty?
A. In the motives to obedience: The ſanctified perſon, whatſoever he does, he doth it out of duty preſſing the conſcience, & out of love inclining the Affection. This is the true ground, and motive of ſound obedience to doe a duty out of a pure Conſcience of Love and faith unfained, this is acceptable in Gods ſigh. 1 Tim. 1.5. Eph. 6.7. 1 Ioh. 5.2. whereas the Hypocrite hath ever an eye to himſelfe: Self-ends and ſelfe reſpects doe uſually keep up the courſe of his duties.
Ʋſe. Hereof it followes, that they are not truly ſanctified which cannot give the word a divine preheminence in their ſouls to reforme their hearts and lives. Ezek. 33.30, 32.—Neither are they Truly converted that can Hate one ſin and allow another. Eſ. 58.3. Rom. 2.22. Not they which outwardly are waſhed but are not inwardly changed & renewed. Nor laſtly they which have ſome outward ſhews of goodnes without a ſeed of Grace in their hearts; ſeeing all the good they doe, and all the evill they forbeare does proceed from reſtraining Grace, and outward reſpects moving and ſetting them on worke, all this does not amount to ſaving Grace. Obſerve this for a Truth, ſuch Chriſtians as have no better Principles of acting and performances then morall Education can furniſh them with; Alſo ſuch as content themſelves with a Negative goodneſſe, as to ſay, I am no Papiſt, nor Thiefe, nor Whoremonger, &c. Alſo they that can ſtay in ſuch duties of the firſt and ſecond Table as may preſerve the credit and eſteem of Moderate, well bred, civill honeſt men in the places where they live, yet are not equally careful and conſcionable of the duties of Piety and Religion, but remaine all this while unacquainted with the grounds of Faith and pure worſhip of God, and ſo the good things they doe, they doe them without knowledge and conſcience of, or reſpect unto their injunction in the word of God; All ſuch perſons are as yet but ſtrangers to the life of Grace: they have not as yet exceeded, what a Phariſee, or a Heathen may doe.
Of Reſtraining and Renewing Grace.
Q. Shew farther, for concluſion, ſome differences betweene Reſtraining Grace, and Renewing Grace,15. Mar. for all Gods children are renewed in the ſpirit of their minds,The triall. Eph. 4.23.
A. 1. Reſtraining grace, if it be only reſtraining, hath painfulneſſe in it, and an inward diſcontent as the Bridle that keeps them in: Gods word is as Cords & Bonds to them Pſ: 2.3. Mark: 6.20. Herod feared Iohn &c. But now the heart truly renewed deſireth to be reſtrained. Iob. 34.32. That which I ſee not, Teach thou me. Pſ 19.13. Pſ: 119.32.
Q. How Secondly, may reſtraining Grace be known from Renewing Grace?
A. Men Meerly reſtrained will ſtretch their liberty as farre as they can, and when Meanes of reſtraint be removed, they will grow looſe and licentious: as Joaſh, did when Jehoiada was dead. 2 King. 12.2. with the 2 Cron: 24.17, 18.
But the heart thats renewed and truely ſanctified, will not doe all that he may, he will rather doe leſſe, he will deny himſelfe ſome things which he might doe, eſpecially if it be not expedient for time, & place. 1 Cor: 10.23. 1 Cor: 6.12.
Q. What's a third difference between reſtraining, and renewing grace?
A. Men meerly reſtrained doe abſtaine from evill for feare of Wrath, or feare of Laws, and ſhame in the world; or perhaps one ſin keeps in another, as the ambitious perſon, will avoid Drunkenneſſe, becauſe men of a debaucht life are not fit for high places. So the preſence of a Godly grave man, does ſtop the mouth of a vain ſwearer, &c.
But the heart that is renewed, eſchews evill becauſe it is diſpleaſing unto God: He will oppoſe and reſiſt ſin, out of an inward Principle of Grace, and hatred of ſin, the ſpirit of God in them, luſteth againſt the fleſh: &c. Gal. 5.17.