The Joy of Faith, Treatise · Part 2 · Chapter 3 – Chapters 4, 5
CHAP III The least or lowest Degree of FAITH.
HAving Diſcourſed of ſome various Expreſſions of Scripture, painting out the true Nature of Faith to the life: Let us now proceed further in our deſign to comfort ſhaken and contrite Spirits. To which end, ſince we find Scripture mentioning ſome perſons as ſtrong in Faith, giving glory to God, and others but infirm and weak, accoſted with this compellation: O ye of little Faith, why do ye doubt and fear? the Faith of the former being very viſible and apparent to themſelves and others:Mat. 6.30. & 8.26. the latter tho true Believers, yet exceedingly fill'd with fears, ſorrows and jealouſies over their own hearts: It would be expedient for their erection and comfort to conſid…r what may be the Criterions or tokens of a true Faith, tho in the loweſt degree and upon that account to dilate a little on theſe two Branches
1. What may be accounted the loweſt, meaneſt, weakeſt eſtate of new Converts or young beginners in the School of Chriſt.
And 2. To how low an Ebb ſecure ſouls may be reduced in time of deſertion.
An anſwer to either of theſe may yield mutual ſatisfaction to both: Lets begin with the firſt,
Q 1. What may we enſtate and determine to be a critical token of a true Believer in his meaneſt acts of Faith?
A. In Anſwer to this lets conſider, Firſt in general, that the commencement or beginning of this grace is ſometimes repreſented by conception or quickning of a C…ild in the Womb:Eph. 2.2. John 3.3. ſometimes by the new birth or viſible appearance in the light of this World. Sometimes the work of regeneration (and therein Faith, its principal ingredient) is reſembled to the wind in its inviſible original from mineral Exhalations out of the bowels of the Earth and Sea,Mark 4.27. Luk. 13.2. to its motion and progreſs in the air. Otherwiſe 'tis likened to a grain of Muſtard-ſeed, the leaſt of all oleracious Seeds that grow to ſo great an extenſion at laſt. Its like…ed alſo to a little leaven that ferments and works it ſelf into the whole maſs. To Seed-Corn under the glebe or mould that ſwells by the impregnation of nitrous Rain, and ſulphurious Earth, concurring to their germination, firſt chits and breaks the membranes, and then ſprouts above the ground, Or it may be compared to the budding and flowring of Trees in the Spring: or to the grafting of a Cyon into the cleft: or a Bud inoculated into the bark of a Tree, which by degrees conceives both by the warmth and moiſture of the Stock. But ſtill the preciſe time or modus of the curious tranſactions in the vegetable Kingdom; the ſecret transfuſion or percolation of Liquors and Spirits is not eaſily diſcerned, or accounted for, by the moſt accurate Naturaliſts. Yea when all is done and written by Roger Bacon of Oxford, or Sir Francis of Verulam, or the Learned Harvy, or any of the new Philoſophers of Brittain, France or Germany, or Borrichius that Learned Dane: there's none in the whole quire can yet determine the admirable myſteries of Generation. None can fathom the works of God in wiſe productions, and the various textures and needle-works of his diving power; as the Pſalmiſt hath expreſt it.
But much more abſtruſe, intricate and unfathomable is it in ſpiritual caſes.Pſal. 139.15. Opere Phrgianico. For how and at what time grace is inſpired or ſown in the heart: and how it works, ferments and by warm influences, becomes like a Spiritus intus agens, an inward working Spirit: its neither diſcerned by perſons themſelves, much leſs by others, ſometimes during the ſpace of ſeveral years. For it grows we know not how, nor can delineate the motion of its growth:Gen. 2 6: Col. 2.19. but being watered from heaven by a living miſt ſent by God upon this happy Plant in the Eden of a gracious ſoul, it encreaſes with the encreaſe of God. Hence it follows, that 'tis impoſſible for thouſands to fix the time of theſe firſt heavenly workings or irritations, theſe irradiations or impregnations of the Spirit of God. Neither needs it: ſufficient it is to diſcern it, when ſprouted a little from its ſeminal Principles. Wherefore to urge the preciſeneſs of time as to regeneration (in perſons that draw near to Ordinances) is timerarious and raſh; and he is too buſie a perſon, that ſtrictly requires it of tender Conſciences, and makes it an inflexible rule of Communion.
I may then ſay of this, more than of all other works of divine Wiſdom and Power in this lower Orb, that the eye of the Vulture hath not ſearcht it out: it is too high and too wonderful for us.Job 28: 77: Pſal. 139.6. As holy David having treated of his being ſecretly, fearfully and wonderfully made as to the curious fabrick of his body in all its veſſels, ligaments, veins, arteries, nerves, and juices in all the repoſitaries, ſings in harmony and conſort to heaven (how vaſtly melodious beyond the hymn of Galen) and ſtands at length upon the brink of an Ocean of Extaſies as to the precious thought,ver. 17. that God had to and in his ſoul▪ I ſhall therefore not venture into theſe Arcana Imperii, and Magniala Dei, theſe ſtupendious ſecrets of divine wiſdom and mercy: nor ſail too far in deep waters near this terra incognita, nor treat too cloſe of the firſt initial formation of grace and faith in the heart, by the operation of the ſpirit of God. A labour wherein we may ſweat and toil till faint, and dive ſo long, till the damps in theſe golden mines extinguiſh our Spirits. I ſhall then only for ſome comfort to ſincere beginners inſiſt a little (according to what I may, by the help of grace) and ponder on the firſt diſcoveries and diſcernings of this work in the heart, under the beginning work of Regeneration, that is under the preſent agitations and breathings of the holy Spirit. To which purpoſe I may genuinely compare the ſenſe, which the mother of an Embrio begins to feel, when diſcerns an inward conception by ſome ſecret pulſations …s of a little wind in her bowels and ſome nauſeous ebullitions from her ſtomack,Ferneli de &c. Weckerus de Secretis l. 4. P. 85. Bas. 1629.8. & thereby perceives there is a new work of impregnation formed with in, bevond all obſervations of the ſtate of body ſince her birth: and begins to give a right judgment, that in Gods due time ſhe may become a happy Mother, indeed, of ſome beautiful creature. Or give leave to behold it in the glaſs of another Emblem. It fares here, as when perſons by ſome unobſerved and unforeſeen emanations of ſpirits from the heart,Plin. l. 11. c. 37 Song 6.5. & 4.9. and preſſing through the optick nerves flow into their mutual eyes, and dart themſelves into one anothers breaſts, whence they become ſuddenly taken, and as it were inkindled by certain lineatures in their feitures; and are rapt into deep admiration of ſomewhat in each other, which neither themſelv…s nor the wifeſt Philoſopher in being can give reaſon fagacious enough to unfold the ſurprizing influence when they are conſtellated to conjugal union
So true is that (I think) of Lucretius:
Multa tegit ſacro involucro natura, neque ullis
Fas eſt ſcire quidem mortalibus omnia, &c
Nature with ſacred mantle things does hide,
Nor can Man's wit ſuch myſteries decide.
Much more deep ſhall we find it to be in ſpiritual and divine concernments, when the Soul having heard or read of the admirable and unparallel'd incomparable excellencies of Chriſt, begins by the powor of heavens influence to hearken to Goſpel motions: whence the firſt beginnings of grace are coucht in faint and weak, though ſ…eet and pleaſing inclinations to hear more of that precious and excellent perſon. Then the Soul proceeds with the Daughters of Jeruſalem to enquire further of his dignities and the bleſſed diſpoſition of this kingly Saviour. Next after intelligence received, it never reſts ſeeking for him with the lovely Spouſe,In Niceph call. and when once come to a ſight of that glorious countenance in which Majeſty and Love ſit upon their Throne, as 'tis reported of his external hi…w) then does the ſoul by this interview, break forth into holy Ardors after the enjoym…nt of his everlaſting kindneſs, and the bottomleſs bowels of his infinite mercy and affection, This is the point which I would endeavour yet further to exemplifie in the ſequel of this Chapter, and labour to ſtate the firſt beginnings of grace to lie in ſecret motions, holy wiſhes and inclinations of the will to Chriſt this Princely Saviour of the Elect.
The deſire of a man (ſayes Solomon) is his kindneſs th… he cant accompliſh his will yet tis acceptable with God for the deed.Prrv. 19.22. 2 Cor. 8.12. When ſome ſpiritual good is preſented to the newly ſanctified will by the light of a heaven-born judgment: it draws the ſoul to think, ponder and ſtudy how to attain that happineſs, and this volition or extenſion of the ſpirit is found in different perſons at various times. Some feel a bleſſed inclination from their very child hood (foreign) to Religious courſes and the holy wayes of God.2 Tim. 3.15. You may obſerve in ſome Children at four or five years old a love to the ſacred Bible, and the wiſe inſtructions of godly Parents. It would do ones ſoul good to ſee, how prettily and earneſtly the little hearts will lean their heads to the wall or hangings, and ſuck in the ſincere milk of a mothers inſtructions, as Solomon did. Only let Parents be prudent and heedful in preſſing too much or powring too long into little Venice Glaſſes, leſt it nauſeate or run over.Gen. 33.13, Remember Jacob would not drive the little ones too faſt, leſt they died. Children are like a Chicken or little Birds, feed them too much▪ and by night, and you endanger killing them: Be wiſe towards ſuch,Iſai 28.10. and ſow here a little and there a little, and the work of God may proſper ſweetly.
In Perſons at the firſt workings of the Spirit of God, you may obſerve▪
1. Firſt, There appears ſome ſavouring of the things of God: which ſhews there is a new palate formed by the ſpirit of God in the ſoul,… Cor. 2.14. Rom. 8.5. ſuited to the Manna of heaven: they begin to mind the things of the Spirit, with a diſreliſh of vain and frothy company, a happy inclination to virtue, and wholſom infuſions with ſome reverent awe to their Teachers and inſtructors: which when once taken off from the heart, all the Argument or Rhetorick in the world ſhall never faſten any good maxim upon ſuch a perſon; but now you ſhall ſee very young ones love to have their heads in a Bible, and the tears ready to ſpring at ſome ſweet paſſages in that bleſſed Book: intimating to us that the ſame ſpirit, who penned it, hath begun to write the faithful counterpart on the fleſhy tables of their hearts.
2. They find and feel the inward bent of their ſoul to be towards God, the byas of the will alwayes inclined Heaven-ward, tho ſome rubs and hillocks may divert a while. They are like the Sun-flower ever turning to that glorious Lamp; or as the needle pointing to the Northern Pole. It may ſuffer ſome variations and ſupervariations, and miſteries of Declination not hitherto fully determined to heip the longitude: but in the main, its courſe bent and delight is toward that point of the compaſs. The ſoul no otherwiſe, having received an affrication or touch from divine love, evermore bends the motion towards God, and is enamoured upon the goodneſs and Excellency of our bleſſed Saviour. Vain things like vinegar upon nitre, gives an odious hiſs,Prov. 25.29. Eccl. 2 2. and fumes away in a Stench: ſo does this gracious ſoul pity carnal mens laughter as a touch of madneſs, and ſayes of fooliſh mirth what does it?
3. Again, There is in this new heart of fleſh, this covenant heart, an inward, ſweet ſenſibleneſs of that great ſtone of impenitence, that as yet remains unbroken in pieces, which with its ragged points and angles wounds, the tender fleſhy part, and makes it bleed with joyful ſorrow. The holy new convert is greatly ſenſible of its proud fleſh, and that heavy lump that hangs like a talent of lead at the feet: and the worlds bird-lime that ſticks to the wings of the ſoul, when it would mount up to heaven in holy duties. Or as perſons after a great autumnal fever, labour under a ſqueazy ſtomack, with a maſs of baked humours at the bottom. So does the ſoul, and weeps in ſecret, and often bewailes it before the throne of God.
4. There is alſo found within it a ſecret joy in the diſcovery of light. It takes inward pleaſure in the launcing of the tumors of pride, to l…t out the corruption of nature. The lamp of Gods word is more precious and joyful to it, than the dawnings of a Spring-morning out of the Eaſt. It's a ſign of an unſanctified heart and a very proud ſpirit, to ſnuff and ſnarl at godly reproof. But this is a certain note of grace begun, when no corruption is too dear, no ſecret ſin ſo delectable: but it will part with it at the conviction of the Spirit. Yea, and the more ſearching any Miniſtry is, the more it delights to ſit under it; & dares not call that a legal preaching, which drives men out of the School of the Law, into the Temple of Chriſt.
5. Beſides, the tender ſoul grieves under its fears of the want of true Faith, and is never quiet, till it gain ſome lively hope of its implantation into Chriſt, which it cheriſhes and nouriſhes by the application of promiſes. But till then it wrings its hands, runs up and down mournfully through all the Streets of New Jeruſalem; being deſolate in ſpirit, as not having a comforting ſenſe of any faith at all. It cries lamentably from watch-man to watch-man, bears many affronts and injuries in the tearing of her vail, and ſmiting upon her bead;Song. 5.7. till at laſt ſhe finds her beloved, & embraces him in the armes of Faith. Then the ſoul continues in the uſe of all preſcribed means to attain the viſion of his divine love in the glaſs of affiance.
6. Again, This troubled ſoul flies far from the land of excuſes, hates palliations, and ſelf-conceited applauſes, and layes all the fault upon it ſelf: heaps accuſations, and layes ſnares and tentations for its own feet: and ſo great, that the holyeſt miniſter, and one skilful in caſes of conſcience, can hardly ſometimes anſwer and reſolve. Whereas the hypocritical Phariſee is commonly full of talk, hath little or no ſolidity, is confident and boaſts of experiences with a falſe tongue and a deceitful heart. But our gracious young convert is as ſenſible of the leaſt ſin, as the tendereſt hand hath a quick and immediate ſenſe of the ſitting of a flye, or the gentle breathings of a Weſtern Air. It laments over In-dwelling ſin, bewails its reſidence, and ſounds continual alarums againſt it. For it cannot bear the domination of that proud Vice-roy of Satan, to fullfil it in any luſts thereof. If it prevail though but a little, the ſoul triumphs as if its conquering flag were entring the gates of heaven. For although its motions and impulſes againſt unholineſs be yet but weak, tender and low; yet are they the fruits of integrity, and grow forward in Strength. This is a true ſign of grace, and that the new life is in good earneſt begun in that heart; for it finds repentance towards God, and true ſorrow for ſin, conjoyned with real inclinations, reſolutions and workings in its gradual turning from it, and an holy hatred of all thoughts of reverſion to it.
7. The ſoul feels within it ſelf an holy inclination to ſincerity, in all its actions; which like a fragrant perfume in every chamber of all its powers and faculties, gives a grateful ſcent in every duty:Pſal. 139.23. and delights to be unfeigned in every good word and work. It hates painted garments of hypocriſie, and therefore with great humility, requeſts of God to ſearch its heart, and begs to be what God would have it, and prays withal,Pſal. 143.2… 130.3. that he would not enter into a ſevere judgment, and mark whats done amiſs with an urgent ſcrut iny: for then no fleſh can ſtand in his ſight, but intreats forgiveneſs of God that ſo he may be feared and worſhipped. From hence ſprings that ſolid, ſweet and comfortable doctrine of the Reformed Churches [That the true deſire of grace is true grace:] On which Baſis ſound conſolation will ſtand inviolably, when all the proud towers of Pelagius and Arminius ſhall moulder into duſt at the fall of Babylon. For now the ſoul in this humble and holy frame lies at the foot of God, mourns for ſin as committed againſt God, thirſts after the righteouſneſs of Chriſt alone, and praves for the ſpirit of God to allure and draw it into fuller communion, having taken God in the new covenant for its God alone.
8. Laſtly, it ſtudies the increaſe of holineſs by all holy means and methods in meditation, ſelf-examining, and converſing with old diſciples, and experienced believers. For in ſuch-like God communicates his gracious preſence: … cor. 7 1.and in theſe mountains of Zion commands the bleſſing and life for evermore.
In theſe and ſuch particulars, if ſerious Chriſtians would pleaſe to go down the ſtairs of humility, Pſal. 133.3.into the cloſet of their own heart, and ponder more upon what they read with holy meditation; they might better obſerve the [motus primo primi] the firſt infant motions of their hearts towards God and heavenly objects: but curſory reading ſpoils all.
Some indeed adviſe an hours meditation to an hours reading, I think a ſet quantity of time is not neceſſary, but ſo much as may cleare and warm the motion upon the heart. By experience it will be found that the ſpirit of God works by vacious methods and very different, yet ſo, that by one or other token any poor broken trembling ſoul may in ſome meaſure be comforted, as to a true work begun in the heart,Pſal. 51.6. and may learn to know divine wiſdom in its ſecret formations of grace within its utmoſt receſſes and retirements. To conclude, I take this to be one of the loweſt ſentiments of a true work, when there are found continually ſecret inclinations, motions, thirſtings and deſires after God and holineſs, which by ſtrict and careful obſervation may be perceived to grow and increaſe year by year; and this note is common to all believers, though in their weakeſt eſtate: who would not change their ſlender hopes for all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them. This work flows from the firſt breathings of the ſpirit of God, and may be diſcerned as to truth and ſincerity by theſe two notes.
1. If conjoyned with patient continuance in well-doing,Rom. 2.7. though weakly, yet with the face toward Zion.
2. If growing in ſpiritual ſtrength, tho' at preſent by ſmall degrees, and for a while ſcarce diſcernable:2 Pet 3.18. like the growth of a child, or the augmentation of a plant, or the motion of a ſhadow of the Style upon the Sun-Dial.
But ſo much of the firſt:
Let's treat a while on the ſecond branch of the chapter about a deſerted ſoul, and then come to an end.
2. Of the loweſt acts of grace in a deſerted Soul.
Here, ſuch as are inwardly for the main work truly gracious; yet through vain walking, and too much frequenting and aſſociating with vain company of frothy relations, who becauſe of nearneſs of blood or affinity, ſome ſweet tempers are loth to reprove, for want of the grace of holy courage and wiſdom: finding too much carnal delight in them, eſpecially if witty and pleaſant: though it coſt them many a ſalt tear in cloſets. In this there lies a deep ſnare to eaſy and unthinking ſpirits, not conſidering the after-pangs to bring forth a new birth of holineſs, tho' they be otherwiſe in the main truly pious.
Others are taken with apiſh garbs and habits, faſhions and geſtures, going bent, as if troubled with ſome forraign diſeaſe, conforming themſelves to the image of this preſent world,Rom. 12.2. Luke 16.15. which is abomination in the ſight of God, loving of trifling and unprofitable converſes in their viſits, and wanting of ſecret and ſerious thoughts of eternity, the world to come, and of ſtanding before the Son of Man in his day, and this often joyned with too much neglect of ſecret and working communion, at which the world ſcoffs, when ſpending their ſtrength and marrow in the worſhip of Mammon or Flora, fall off at length too far from their zeal for the pure worſhip of God in Chriſt.
Others by various deordinations of life, (not here to lengthen about) for want of caution and watchfulneſs over their hearts and lives, grieve and vex the ſpirit of God and having wounded their own conſciences, have loſt their crown of joy, that's withered away: and they are now deſervingly bemoaning themſelves in the dark caverns of deſertion, and can ſee no light,Iſa. 50.11. and are in danger to follow others, who blazed a while, and then went out in a ſnuff, whereas it becomes true believers,Heb. 4.1. to be very tender and careful that they do not ſo much as ſeem to fall ſhort of ſo great ſalvation.
I anſwer, before any comfort can break in, to ſuch; they muſt repent and do their firſt works, and take heed they do not further loſe what they have wrought. Yet to ſuch I reccommend our Lords adviſe to Laodicea, John. 8. Rev. 3.18.to buy eye-ſalve of him to anoint their eyes, that they may ſee and acknowledge their ſins, and turn at his rebuke and chaſtening.
Then may they begin with ſome hope to ſearch what vital acts are not as yet extinguiſht. Though in a ſwoone or a deliquium animae an ecclipſe of ſpirits, yet their pulſe has not loſt all its vibrations, their eyes not quite ſet: yet look up towards heaven, though ſomewhat diſmally. There's yet left a little warmth, a little moiſture, a little breathing againſt the looking-glaſs of a promiſe, held by a faithful ſearcher and obſer…er of ſouls. You may take notice that this partial back ſlider turns not wholly to prophaneneſs and an utter forſaking of the wayes of God: but retains an impulſe and a ſecret, reſpect to thoſe that are gracious, but does not much care to ſhew it publickly, and when they begin to revive out of their long fit of …olly, give a doleful motion of their eye to their near relations, at whoſe checks they formerly ſcoft too much. They are like the ſmoking flax, or wei…k in the golden candfeſtick newly gone out, which yet by admotion or putting to it a little lamp fire of the Sanctuary; conceive afreſh flame moving ſwiftly to it upon the oily ſmoke aſc…nding from it. Or they may be compared to the bruiſed reed, which being battered by a ſtorm of tentations, lays down its hanging head upon the ſurging Waves of a violent torrent, and is nigh to be ſwallowed up. I ſay to ſuch though now in a ſorrowful caſe, yet if they were once implanted truly into Chriſt the true vine of Lebanon: they ſhall never finally wither and periſh: for the calling and grace of God is without repentance, who always loves to the end. For the foundation of his preſcience and pre-electing love remaineth ſure, he knoweth who are his: but let them take heed that they depart from all iniquity,2 Tim, 2, 19. and never return to folly more. They may make a ſhift to get to heaven, and ſit within the door; but with many a piercing ſorrow and doleful agony, and black Sack cloth on the loins of their hearts, before they get thither. But in the mean time, if they are right (as I hope and here ſuppoſe) I would help a little, that they may not totally walk in darkneſs) I adviſe them to a ſerious ſearch of their former ways, and to holy reſolutions add ſincere endeavours of amendment, and hereby they may poſſibly attain to find ſom inward motions upon their hearts, that may manifeſt ſome vitality in the ſouls pulſe towards things above: ſome true deſires of renewing communion with God, though mixt with briny tears, ſcarlet bluſhings of conſcience and ſore buffetings of Spirit. Vital acts may begin to appear in recording the former times of the ſhinings of Gods face upon their tabernacles. Yet, as ſome Divines conceive, that though Davids bones were well ſet after his ſore fall: yet there remained a calloſity a ſti…ffneſs and benummedneſs that was like an Almanack to him all his days after,Pſal. 51.8. to his laſt. But for the main I do believe he did recover the beams of Gods face, and eſpecially at his ſwan-like ſong, had the clear Sun-ſhine of Gods love, after his zainy clouds; and that the foreign,1 Sam: 23.4. the ſure mercies of David were made ſure to him; yea and that he went off with a ruddy evening, portending a glorious morning at the reſurrection. And ſo mayeſt thou, if thou quicken thy pace to redeem thy communion and walk with God more carefully.
But now no more to that: only ſince the mention of means as neceſſary (quoad nos) to the working and knowing of that work of grace, in beginners,Inference falſe profeſſors. and in recoveries from backſliding. I would inferr a few conſiderations towards ſome outward falſe profeſſors, who preſume of having grace, and of being received to mercy upon common terms of the amplitude of divine benignity, and yet continue notorionſly and groſly neglective of holy duties, unleſs by fits, uſing them as bellows to blow up the blaze of falſe and flattering hopes: for if they do at times, hear, read, and pray, yet ſpend not (together with them) ſuch ſerious and ſearching meditation on the deep points of eternity as their cauſe requires. But if they do now and then upon a fit of melancholly: yet quickly abandon all their ſecret reſolutions of amendment, and ſlip out of all, like an E…le after thunder, and ſeldom come near it more but if they chance to return a little, it is upon ſome terror of God, ſome diſaſter, ſome ſickneſs, ſome loſs, ſome fear, ſome fright of conſcience, and then they… confeſs and ſeem to repent of ſin, and look full of fluſhes, wipe their mouth with her in the proverbs, and after vowes, make enquiry: expiate their wickedneſs with a ſacrifice: and then to it again.
Dare men thus impoſe upon God, and even wreſt and force mercy againſt the Promiſes which are alway connext with obedience to precepts, or do they think to lay the load upon Gods Soveraignty; and with a bold face lay the cauſe of their wickedneſs at his door, who is bound to none, 'tis mercy and free grace to any. They know full well in their Conſciences, that they have a natural power to perform external duty to external commands, as to hearing, reading, praying, &c. nay ſomewhat of internal, as in meditating, examining, reſolving and watching to perform their ſouls convictions. They can do theſe things as well as go to Taverns, Gamings,Suffrage of Brit. Divines at Dort. p. 68. Lotteries; and 'tis juſtly to be feared, to worſe. Cannot they as well repair to the aſſemblies, hear reverently, reſolve humbly, perform uniformly, to the unſpeakable comfort of their own Conſciences, under whoſe Diſcipline they ſo often tremble, and after that to the joy of their godly Relations reſolutely bid an eternal Farewel to all their fooliſh, vain and treacherous Companions, they would be loth to meet them in Hell the next bout, and to dwell with them in everlaſting burnings. O then while the golden ſands of time are yet running, take hold of good Advice, to caſt off ſuch reprobate Sons of Belial, and abjects of the earth, and hope by this method to arrive at divine mercy in Chriſt, by truſting in Gods Covenant upon reformation, and after ſome time well ſpent in Holineſs, may obtain the Joy of Faith, which will end in the Salvation of their Souls.
Tis but a little courage and the work is done! O venture not the damnation of thy ſoul on the punctilio's of Daſtardy, as afraid to diſpleaſe ſuch brain-ſick fools, who after the thread is ſnapt by death, will curſe one another for ever, as being mutual promoters of each others eternal ruine. But I ſhall tranſmit this uſeful Satyr to the ſixth Chapter, and cloſe the preſent with a queſtion or two, and ſo end it.
Queſt. 1. How to diſcern the firſt beginnings of Grace?
Anſ. As it was with Thomas, he had at firſt but a confuſed knowledg whether Chriſt was going, when told of his departure: and as the blind man being under Chriſts cure, ſaw imperfectly at firſt, men walking like Trees: but at length came to more perfect ſight: ſo tis here, good ſouls at firſt ſee but darkly, and feel but groſly, yet thus much they may ſurely know, and therefore infer a work of Grace ſurely begun within them, by ſerious enquiry into their own hearts; what their inmoſt thoughts when in a good frame do principally run upon? what their earneſt deſires do moſt conſtantly thirſt after and pitch upon? what the ſecret wiſhes of their Souls are bent upon? and herein Conſcience will be a faithful witneſs whether it be for Salvation in the true way of Faith and Holineſs, which is accepting of Chriſt on the terms of grace and Goſpel tenders, as I have often mentioned to be the matter of our moſt cloſe and ſecret enquiry, and impartial reſolution from an honeſt and unbribed Conſcience.Prov▪ 23.7. On which account I may remember what ouce Mr. Rogers of Haſſam, being deſired by Mr. Knightly a worthy Gentleman in Northamptonſhire, when one time he could not ſleep in the night, to help him to a Scripture to meditate on, told that of Solomon; As the man thinketh, ſo is he, which is ſo in truth; For at what ſtairs the heart, and its continued thoughts are plying: there lies the true index of the ſouls ſtate and its future happineſs.
Queſt. 2. Whether deſires of Grace are Grace?
Anſ. The former hint at this, lets a little enlarge and determine for a Scripturetruth: if thoſe deſires be true and ſincere of which take two or three tokens.
1. If ſuch deſires are followed with faithful and ſpeedy endeavours to promote and accompliſh in the uſe of proper means.Eccl. 9.10. Pſal. 27.8. Prov. 1.3, 4.18.1.21.21.22.1. One thing have I deſired, ſayes David, and that will I ſeek after: the ſoul of a ſluggard deſires and has nothing, but the ſoul of the diligent ſhall be made fat. Again, the deſire of the ſlothful killeth him, for …is hands refuſe to labour, he's alwayes roaring within, that there's a Lion roaring without. Ruine is the end of lazy wiſhes, but he that is diligent in this buſineſs ſhall ſtand before the Prince of Princes.
2. If thy deſires grow and encreaſe, having been attended with ſucceſs▪ He that gathereth by Labour, ſhall increaſe. Holy deſires will grow by knowledg and the teachable grace of humility.Prov. 18.11 2 Pet. 3.18. Grow in grace, ſayes Peter, but how? he Anſwers, by the knowl…dg of our Lord and Saviour. Yet there is a ſtated meaſure to which we are appointed, and can proceed no further, tho we know it not and to whatever point our ſtudy is bent, we can know but in part in this life, and therefore Faith of the choiceſt Believers is but in part on this ſide glory.
3. If thy deſires prove unceſſant and impatient till accompliſhment and enjoyment, then will they prove a tree of life. Thru… deſire (ſayes Solomon) a man having ſeparated himſelf,Prov. 13.12 Prov. 18.1. ſeeketh and intermedleth with all wiſdom. He muſt alienate from all impertinencies, and dedicate himſelf to the foreign, the work in hand, the matter and end propoſed: which is a fair token that a man's in earneſt, and will never ceaſe till he arrives at his Haven by the fair wind of Providence▪ Deſire is a reſtleſs affection, and purſues its end againſt all oppoſition round the whole Globe. Like a Spring that breaks out at the foot of the high Mountain of Reſolution, and quickly ſpreads to a well, a brook, a river, till at laſt it unboſome in the vaſt Ocean. Orlike the Morning Star that uſhers in the dawning twilight, which gradually aſcending, ſwells over the Eaſtern Mountains, and prophecies the bright Suns appearance, who never leaves climbing the horizontal hills till he ſhines in his luſtre, and at laſt ſits down in his Throne in the mid-heaven,Prov. 4.18. guarded with Lions. Such is the path of the juſt, which ſhineth more and more to the perfect noon day of eternal glory.
But to end, after all conſiderations of the nature of deſires and the meaneſt ſtate in grace: be but ſure and clear that thy Faith is of the right ſtamp, and your enquiry about the loweſt degree of Grace will be rather ſuperfluous, and too full of critical ambiguities and niceties.
CHAP IV, V.
THe Title of the fourth Chapter concerns the Doctrine of Juſtification by Faith, as before related, Page 54, and was fitted for Publication: but becauſe of neceſſary avocations calling me from the Preſs, which the ſharpneſs of the Winter, and other delayes had too much congealed from Motion: I found it expedient at preſent to lay it aſide till another ſeaſon if God permit: And likewiſe the fifth about Entring into Covenant by Faith; and ſhall now proceed to the ſixth Chapter; neither ſhall I handle that in the full Latitude I had prepared, but ſpeak more ſuccinctly in ſome things under that Head, for the ſame Reaſons.