The Joy of Faith, Treatise · Part 2 · Chapter 6 – Chapter 7
CHAP VI. The neceſſary and inſeparable connexion between Sanctification and true FAITH.
WHat I may at preſent exhibit on this Subject may be comprized under theſe Heads.
1. Let's treat a little of the nature of Sanctification,
2. Shew the undivided connexion between that and Faith.
3. Intermix ſome complaints about formal Profeſſors.
4. Anſwer a Caſe or two and end.
As to the firſt we may peremptoryly determine the point, that wherever true Faith dwells there muſt and will be true holineſs both in heart and life: and where it is not; that perſon who pretends to Faith without it, is a ſelf-deceiver, and in his attendance upon Ordinances without life-obedience is but the ſervant of baſe hypocriſie.Hei. 1.12. &c: Will any dare to tread Gods Courts on ſacred dayes, and lift up crimſon hands in prayer, that are full of blood, and ſtain'd with bribery and oppreſſion: God loathes to ſmell any perfumes in ſuch aſſemblies mixt with the unſavoury ſtench of their defiled bodies and putrid lives.
True Sanctification does not lie in outward ſolemnities, and the gaudery of Temple-worſhip,Jer. 7.22. as the Prophet treats the Jews in the Name of God: that he commanded them not concerning Burnt offerings and Sacrifices, or the Incenſe of Sheba, 6.20.or the ſweet Cane of Arabia, that is, comparatively, no nor principally, as he did moral duties of piety and honeſty. To obey is better than ſacrifice, 1 Sam. 15.22.and to hearken than the fat of Rams. Will the Lord be pleaſed with thouſands of fed Beaſts,Mich. 6.7. or ten thouſand Rivers of Oyl, or the children of our bowels to ſmoke upon his Altar? no, no! But to to do juſtly, love mercy,Pſal. 50.17. and to walk humbly with God, this O Man is good in his ſight. Will God eat the fleſh of Bulls,Pſal. 69.31. or drink the blood of Goats? no! he requires the offerings of praiſe and thanksgiving, this will pleaſe him better than an Oxe, that hath young horns and hoofs:Hoſ. 6.6. Joſ. 5.7, 10 Amos 5.25. Act. 7.42. Mat. 12.7.9▪ 13. Mnrk. 12.33. Eph. 4.24. Col. 3.10 and therefore in caſes of mercy, God diſpenſes with Ordinances; as he did with Iſrael in the Wilderneſs, both as to Circumciſion and the Paſſeover for about forty years together: but with Moral duties never. Our Lord bids us therefore to go and learn this point more diligently: For a Phariſee may be huge ceremonius with his white linnen about a platter, but yet neglect the weighty matters of the Law, Juſtice and Judgment, and Mercy. Whereas true Sanctification is a work of Gods Spirit, renewing the whole man after the image of God in righteouſneſs and true holineſs: whereby he is inſtructed and inabled in all wayes of Scripture obedience, to mind the weighty and principal things of love to God and our Neighbour: and not leave undone thoſe leſſer points, which belong to any inſtitution of God, and not of man.
By this inward work upon the heart, the ſanctified perſon immediately begins the practice of Mortification, in dying to ſin, and of riſing to newneſs of life: but yet this work is not perfectly and compleatly wrought in any perſon during this life: therefore we muſt interpret the Apoſtle in his prayer,1 Theſſ. 5.23. that the Theſſalonians might be ſanctified throughout: not in the higheſt pitch of degrees, but of ſoundneſs and ſincerity in every part,1 Cor. 6.17 and member of the new Adam.
There is a habit of holineſs infuſed, and wrought in the heart by the holy ſpirit of promiſe: by which means we are joyned to the Lord, and become one ſpirit with him.
We do not of our ſelves firſt believe, and ſo receive the ſpirit of God: this were to aſcribe the actings of faith to the power of man, before the infuſion of grace: but firſt the inſpiring and inclining motions of the ſpirit deſcend into us,…o…. 3.3. Eph. 2.22. whereby we are enabled to believe on the Son, and to become by one Spirit united to him as our head.
All habitual graces are wrought in us feminally at firſt and at one time: yea Faith it ſelf as to the order of time is infuſed together with the reſt in the ſame moment of our regeneration and ſincere converſion to God. Habitual holineſs therefore in the production of its bleſſed fruits and faith among the reſt does antedate all the particular acts of Faith or other Graces. As in natural Generation all the powers of life are (in ſemine concepto & animato) formed at once:Ariſtot d. gen animal. l. Pecquet de venis lacteis but the heart having implanted within it, the true ſanguifying virtue becomes the primum vivens & movens, the firſt living and moving principle, which is diſcerned by its pulſation (like the deſires of the Soul in the beginnings of Faith) yet all ſenſation, attraction, digeſtion, excretion, ſanguification, formation of nervous juices and ſpirits with locomotion and the reſt, are all ſettled at once; but diſplay their operations afterward at the command of the rational ſoul. Much like hereunto is the work of the new conception, formation and exertion of ſpiritual and vital acts.
In the firſt actings of the Spirit we are paſſive, being found of him after whom we ſought not at firſt: but after,Iſa. 65.1. that by a connexed power and concourſe of the holy ſpirit, we act and rely on Chriſt in the promiſe of life,Eph. 4, 16: Col. 2.9, 10 and receive all the ſupplies of nouriſhment from the glorious head of influence thru' the ſpirit. Even as the head of the natural body conveys the animal ſpirits thru' the ſeveral conjugations of the nerves into all parts of the body to manage both ſenſation and motion.Iſal. 44.3. Mat. 3.11. 1 Cor. 6.11 As the Scripture expreſſes it, we are ſanctified in the …ame and power of the Lord Jeſus by the Spirit of our GOD.
As to the Author of Sanctification, it is no other than in all gracious works, even God eſſential, and the ſpirit of God in his more particular Operations and Applications.
As for preparations to grace in any ſpiritual way before the influences of the ſpirit,Eph: 2: 1. they are inſignificant and unſavoury notions: for by nature we are dead in ſins and treſpaſſes. Tis the ſame holy Spirit who inclines at firſt to the uſe of means, and warms the heart in and by them, as appointed and ſanctified of God.
There are, 'tis true, various degrees in moral habits and their actings by the common work of the Spirit in his ordinary efficacy: but in many moral perſons in the ſtate of nature, theſe moralities produce as of old, in the Scribes and Phariſees, ſtrong and very vigorous reſiſtance againſt the more ſpiritual operations of the holy Spirit of God.
2. I proceed now to the ſecond point premiſed, which is to ſhew that Faith and Holineſs are inſeparable companions, like Jonathan and David, native twins coming up from the waſhing of regeneration both together: which may be evident as follows:
1. Becauſe Faith is a part of holineſs or the new creature, in the renovation of the image of God: whom to believe on his Word was the duty of Adam in Innocency and is indeed a branch of the firſt Commandment, and part of that bleſſed pourtraicture is reſtored again by Chriſt under the new Covnant. By nature ſince the fall 'tis true, we incline to diſtruſt God and believe Satan before him, and in not obeying him in truſting to his Son upon his Word, we give God the un truth: as to the method of ſalvation by anothers righteouſneſs. But indeed Faith is a prime part of our holineſs, whereby we truſt God as to his promiſe of eternal life by his bleſſed Son,Jer: 17: 7: Act. 26.18.15.19. and is the very critical and diſcerning character between a true convert and a carnal man We are ſaid therefore to be ſanctified by Faith in Chriſt, and the heart to be purified by Faith: not from it ſelf as an efficient cauſe of holineſs, but as it daily fetches and derives holineſs from him as head of the Church.Gal. 5.6. So that Faith in ſanctifying us after the firſt infuſion of grace is a power or vertue co-operating with the ſpirit of God and enjoys a conſtant concourſe of the ſame holy Spirit in all our ſpiritual actions.
2. Another ground may be taken from the conjunct work of the ſpirit:John 3. who in his very firſt impulſe and motion to true and ſaving converſion at his coming down into our hearts for that purpoſe, works both Faith and Holineſs at the ſame moment.
3. Becauſe our bleſſed Lord came into the World ('tis the end of his advent to us) not only to be the object of our Faith, but to ſave us from our ſins,Mat. 1.21. Tit. 2.14. 1 John 3.…. and Faith muſt act upon him for that end to purifie and deliver us from our iniquities: not only for ſalvation from hell or wrath to come: but alſo from the guilt and filth of ſin. For we are choſen in him to be holy, and created in Chriſt unto good works. Chriſt gave himſelf to redeem us from all iniquity,Eph. 1.4. & 2.10. Tit, 2.14 to purifie us for a peculiar people, zealous of good works I where we may obſerve juſtification and ſancttification riding together in the ſame Chariot. If then all gracious habits be wrought at once, the too much nicety of arguing about the precedency of this or that grace is to be rejected, as not agreeing to the uniform work of the new nature, nor the inward experience of ſaints whoſe graces work according to influence, opportunity of providence,1 Cor. 12: 11: & the good pleaſure of the ſpirit in his aſſiſtances, who divideth to every one ſeverally as he will. We may admit ſomewhat as to congruity of the ſeeming order of nature or time, but not preſs ſuch conceptions over ſtrictly: for various experiences will contradict the curioſity of ſuch notions. But we may firmly determine, that the underſtanding cannot ſpiritually diſcern the excellencies of Chriſt,1 Cor: 2: 14: nor the will of man ſtedfaſtly believe in him nor the affections ſavingly embrace him, till we are firſt regenerated by Gods moſt holy Spirit, who is powred out into every faculty and power of the ſoul at the very firſt initials of Converſion.
4. Becauſe the Commandments of holineſs are part of the object of our Faith in its doctrinal foundation.Rom. 7.12. Therefore Paul in his conflict ſets down this as a maxim, that the Law is holy, and the Commandment holy, juſt and good.
5. Beſides, the truth of our Faith is demonſtrable by holineſs as its genuine effect. Its vain for perſons to pretend to Faith where this is wanting, tho' it may not appear ſo evidently at the firſt.Jam. 2.17. The Apoſtle James ſpends a large diſcourſe upon this Argument, to prove that Faith without the works of holineſs is but a dead Faith. Indeed our holineſs being imperfect does not juſtifie the perſon before God, but it juſtifies the faith of the perſon to be true: and the Apoſtle Paul conjoynes Faith and Holineſs together, and thence proves our eternal life.2 Theſſ. 2.13. Bleſſing God for having choſen the Theſſalonians to glory, and proves it becauſe they were ſanctified by the Spirit, and did believe the truth of the Goſpel.
6. Laſtly, Becauſe the application of Faith, or the working or actuating of our Faith upon Chriſt in the promiſe, doth not only ſweetly and clearly manifeſt our being juſtified, but aſſiſts us alſo in the obtaining and increaſing of holineſs.2 Cor. 7.1. They walk and work together. For how do the precious promiſes of the covenant purge us from ſin and all filthineſs of fleſh and ſpirit, but by the acting faith in Chriſt, and ſo do embrace Chriſt for our ſanctification,1 Cor. … 30. and in his name and power derive holineſs from thoſe precious promiſes, which are the golden Pipes or nerves, that convey it from our glorious head. Whence it comes that our belief of the inheritance promiſed, and of Heavens aimiableneſs revealed by the Word, and ratified on and by the verity of God: helps us daily to walk more holily and to be made more meet for that Kingdom with the Saints in light. And thus it is,Act. 15.7 Lev. 4 20, 33. that Faith purifies both the heart and life for glory. Even as under the Levitical Law, the action of the Prieſt in his offering the Bullock, and ſprinkling the blood before the Lord is ſaid to purge away ſin,Rainold praelect vol. 1. p. 123. or make attonement for their ſins, that is inſtrumentally. So may Faith be an inſtrument in deriving the ſenſe of our juſtification, and the ſweet influences of our ſanctification from our bleſſed Lord in believing the ſanctifying promiſes made in his Name, and actuated by virtue of his holy Spirit.
Now then, according to that common and uſeful ſentiment: there be two works that attend Sanctity: the firſt is to mortifie ſin: and the ſecond to vivifie and quicken Grace,Pet. 3.11. that we may be holy in all manner of converſation, and this not of our own power either to begin, carry on or finiſh: but wholly by the work of the Spirit at firſt, and then by his gracious concourſe with every holy action of the new creature to the laſt, being carried on by the power of God thru' Faith to Salvation. This is ſo great a Scripture truth, that tis to be admired that the impugners of it, who ſtand upon their own power ſo much, both as to converſion, and as to perſeverance, ſhould be ſo noted for looſeneſs of life which ſhews the ſecret tremendous judgment of God, that ſuch as too much neglect the righteouſneſs of God,Mr. Hickman Hiſt. of Arminianiſm p. 396. ſhould many times have ſo little of their own: as tis obſerved by a Learned Writer in a ſhort Hiſtory of ſuch points.
Having thus treated a little about the neceſſary conjunction of holineſs with Faith, lets exhibit its beautiful face in the following chryſtal Glaſs of Holy Scripture.
1. It principally conſiſts in the inward frame of the heart according to the Will of God, when the image of God does moſt illuſtriouſly ſhine into it. True Religion and Holineſs are fundamentally ſeated in the heart: all other is but painted falſe and hipocritical. Bell-Religion is but mocking of God, when lewd men and women run to the Aſſembly to ſhew their clothes, ſtare upon their goatiſh paramours,Prov: 7: 14: and like the ſtrange woman in the Proverbs, pay their peny at the Temple, and then with an impudent face deck their Bed with Tapiſtry, and perfume it with Spices.ver: 16, 17: But true inward holineſs excites and inſtigates perſons conſtantly upon the taming and ſubduing rather than bridling only their fierce and ſenſual luſts, and to crown right reaſon with full power and dominion over their inferior beaſtly appetites: which is and may be performed genuinely and ſucceſsfully alone by true grace.
2. Holineſs conſiſts in ſtudying and obſerving the purity of Gods Worſhip, preſcribed in his Word according to his Will. For what communion can we have with ſo holy a God;Heb. 12 9. Exod 20.24.25.22.29 42. Numb. 6.24. in methods formed beſides and contrary to his appointment. If earthly Princes will not receive Addreſſes but according to their own preſcriptions, and appoint Maſters to order thoſe ſolemnities: why not much rather be ſubject to the King of Kings, that Father of Spirits and live, when God had ſet down all the Ordinances of his Worſhip to Moſes, then adds: there will I come unto you and bleſs you.
3. In ſobriety and chaſtity towards our own bodies,1 Theſſ. 4.4. Tit. 2.12. poſſeſſing thoſe noble veſſels (wherein our ſouls thoſe Lamps of life ſhine ſo radiantly) in Sanctification and Honour.
4. In a vigilant care of Juſtice and Righteouſneſs between man and man: ſetting before our eyes that golden rule,Mat. 7, 12. of doing to others as we would others ſhould do to us.
Whoever then, upon the high teſtimony given to Faith in Scripture ſhall wax wanton with Grace,Rom. 6.1 and fancy they are ſet at liberty to live as they liſt: ſuch do but trifle with God, and impoſe upon the purity of his Precepts, & in the end will deceive themſelves & if repent not fall into the precipice of eternal Damnation. Which point is faithfully determined in the Homilies of England concerning Faith,Chap. 4. P. 23. and more copiouſly in the ſecond part about Faith, Page 24. where they declare Faith to be a working grace; and again Page 28. citing the Apoſtle Peter, where we tranſlate the words,2 Pet. 1.5. Add to your Faith vertue, they read it [Miniſter or declare vertue in or by your Faith.] that is, ſhew forth the force, power or vertue of your Faith in all your other graces, and in the holineſs of your lives by the effects and fruits of a true and living Faith.
Let us now conſider one or two queſtions, and finiſh this Chapter at preſent.
Queſt. 1. What means may we uſe to attain and increaſe true holineſs.
Anſw. 1. I anſwer, Study thine own heart, keep it with all diligence, eſpecially from your own iniquities,Prov. 4.23. and your own ſpecial tentations, by a wakeful guard, both in prayer and watchfulneſs. Obſerve who comes in and goes out. Examine thy ſelf more frequently, and meditate deeply and ſeriouſly to give a wiſe and deliberate anſwer to theſe three queſtions in the Catechiſm of conſcience.
1. Whence came I? what's my original State.
2. Where am I? what and whoſe work am I doing?
3. Whether go I, after this life is ended.
Give a ſatisfying anſwer according to Gods Word, to theſe queſtions and ſcrutinies of an enlightened conſcience, and this will comfort you upon a dying pillow: When all the world is not worth the tip of an atome to you. You will need no longer Catechiſms, but as to dependent explications upon theſe heads: For if your peace be made with God on this ſcore, you are out of gun-ſhot. But ever remember Joſephs queſtion about the Eye and Preſence of God in all places, ſaying,gea. 39.9. How can I commit this great wickedneſs, and ſin againſt God. Eſpecially conſider his flaming Eye to awe you from ſecret ſins, which are all in the light of his countenance,Pſal. 90.8. when no other eye is upon you; and be aſhamed to commit thoſe things under his eye, which you would bluſh to commit before a little child, and are in a fright at the turn of every door, leſt a child ſhould come in to obſerve you, and tell tales of you, when faithful Relations out of Town, return again. O the helliſh practical Atheiſm, that lurks in the hearts of profeſſing hypocrites! that write Sermons only to accuſe them at the day of Judgment, and to be a pile of papers to burn them in hell, unleſs they repent. O ſet your ways before the eyes of the Lord,Prov. 5.21. who pondereth all your goings. That's like an Iſaack in the field, a Joſeph in an empty houſe, or a pious Nathanael under the Fig-tree alone.John 1.48.
2. Study an exact imitation of the Saints in glory, that are now enjoying the promiſes, whoſe faith follow. If vain perſons would enſnare by their ſcoffs or inticements, remember they are but the wiles of the Devil. Luſtful villains dare not ſtand the repulſe of a brave and virtuous ſpirit: caſta eſt quam nemo rogavit. They! ſhrink and ſink with ſhame into the Devils boſome, when the glory of an holy life chaftizes them into horror and ſtrangling. Ponder the path of thy feet, and walk in the way of good men,Prov. 4, 20, 25. & 2.20. & 5, 6. and the righteous, that are the excellent upon the earth let be thy companions. Aiery perſons ſo called, are fit for no company, but the prince of the power of the Air, that ruleth and rageth in the children of diſobedience,Eph. 2.2. the Sons and Daughters of Belial, that ſhall be damned. When ſinners intice, conſent thou not. A man is diſcerned by his companion, and a woman by her Gallant, as the infatuated world ſhamefully Italianizes; but a wound and diſhonour ſhall he get, and his reproach ſhall not be wiped away: keep thou in the path of the Juſt that ſhines more and more, nill the perfect day.Prov. 6.33.
Mark the perfect, and behold the upright, the end of that man is peace. Follow their grace,Pſal. 37.37, and their glory will follow you. Shining beams ſtream from their paths to enlighten your feet in the way to bliſs and happineſs.
3. Stop up the caſements of thy ſenſes at any approaches of vanity.Prov. 4.25. Let thine eyes look right forward, and take heed to thy going. Wax up thine ears, as Ʋlyſſes in Homer, from the Syren-ſongs of fools, that may ſplit thy ſoul upon the Rocks of Charib dis. The five ſenſes are as ſo many ruſhing flood gates to ſet open the heart to all iniquity.
4. Beg of God a quickned heart to ſecret and family-duties. Cry to the Lord:Pſal. 80.18. Jer. 10.25. Quicken me, and I'le call upon thy name, and tremble to be among thoſe families, that for not calling on Gods Name, ſhall have his fury poured out upon them. Family-prayer is like ſome Elixir, or morning antidote in peſtilential times, and like ſome anodyne or cooling cordial julep in an evening, to procure beloved ſleep in the boſome of God.
I was told a notable paſſage from a holy man, a native of Lancaſhire: Mr. Hiltonthat a witch being to be turned over, confeſſed at her Execution, that ſhe could never bewitch the perſon or family, (as I remember) of a certain godly man in that country, becauſe ſhe could never find him come out of his doors without prayer in a morning.
Again I beſeech you let us take heed of Omiſſion-ſins, and beg pardon for, and aſſiſtance both of memory and ſtrength againſt them; yet be not too much diſcouraged, if age, ſickneſs or weakneſs, or ſome ſudden diſappointments hinder or impair thy work. Nay if ſometimes the ſweet wind of the ſpirit do not breath ſo fragrantly upon thy garden of ſpices with the ſame benigne influences, as to melt thy heart in holy ardors and flames of love; remember that relentings and mournings under ſuch apprehended abſences of the ſpirit, do manifeſtly infer the inward preſence of the ſame holy ſpirit in the compunction and brokenneſs and languiſhments of heart for Chriſt, do ſhew a ſickneſs for want of communion viſible, by ſecret inviſible touches of his love. Behold he ſtands behind the wall,S…ng 2.9. and will by and by look forth at a window, and ſhew himſelf through the latteſſe to thee.
Let me here interpoſe an humble and earneſt requeſt to all perſons who may light upon theſe lines, to ſet upon a ſpeedy and ſincere reformation of all things diſpleaſing in his ſight, that the Lord may bleſs us, and reſtore and preſerve our mercies, and eſpecially to conſerve the Goſpel among us.
Lets' alſo mix prayer with holy thankfulneſs for the leaſt of mercies: which reminds of a paſſage of Mr. John Ball, when occaſionally at a very ſhort and mean dinner with Adams Ale, (as the Author terms it) he breaks out into theſe words. It would coſt a man many a years labour to be truly and throughly thankful for one piece of bread and cheeſe, Clearks lives p. 176.Oh how many poor perſons in this land would leap at the cruſts parings and offals, which many lewd perſons and waſtful ſervants fling away preſumptuouſly againſt the command of our Lord, who could make bread by a word out of ſtones, out of nothing, and yet bids that nothing be loſt: while as they conſider not what bitter poverty they may howl under;John 6.1… nor the dreadful judgment of a famine of bread and water.
But then, how much more abundantly thankful ought we to be for the feſtival-days of the Goſpel, which we have enjoyed: that ſo we provoke not the maſter of the feaſt to remove both his flouriſhing table, and ſuch ungrateful gueſts. Since many people are even weary of their faithful and painful Miniſters, who are ſo diſheartned, grieved and wearied with abuſes offered to them: that we may juſtly fear, leſt God ſhould prove weary of us all as we are weary of him, and provoke him to take away the golden, and put brazen candleſticks in their room, as that holy man Dr. Owen expreſt himſelf with much ſadneſs to that purpoſe, a little before his aſcent to the ſpirits of juſt men made perfect. Lets earneſtly implore the divine love and patience to forbid theſe dangerous ſymptoms, and return in mercy to us again.
5. Look well to the flocks of your families, that no ſin break forth without rebuke, reſtraint and puniſhment as the matter requires; ſtudy and beg for prudence in government. Take heed of multiplying over-many, eſpecially impertinent words in family-prayer, leſt worſhippers prove ſleepers, and diſturb that duty by ſnoring. Remember that God is in heaven, and thou upon earth,Eccleſ. 5.2. therefore let thy words be few. It often makes the ways of Religion tedious and irkſome to young perſons, and ſometimes hinders their looking towards heaven: In all points labour to keep ſervants and children in full work and buſineſs, and keep them from gadding with Dinah. For womens chaſte behaviour gives a flatter denial, than their ſaying of [no] to wanton fellows. They come too near a grant to airy women that would ſeem to deny it. Let the reins of government be held in a gentle hand; moderata durant: Let not little faults be the object of ſevere chaſtiſements, yet wiſe correction is moſt neceſſary, tho now fled from this diſſolute age, which is the true cauſe of many enormities; 'tis hard for good perſons to retrieve it, while wicked perſons are ſo rampant and powerful: but do what thou canſt in the wiſeſt way, for a good mans paths are ordered of the Lord. Ill and ſordid breeding and evil communications affects many thouſands with corrupt manners all their dayes. Good education helps to ſweeten ill-tempers betimes; as a new veſſel that's ſcented with a vinous liquor. And although under bad influences at birth, and in nurſing by a froward milk (as Plutarch points it) yet wiſe parents by the bleſſing of God may greatly form and lick their converſation into ſome ſmooth civilities. Its a weighty work to faſhion young ones to religious habits, it tames the heathen fierceneſs, and barbariſm of ſome natures, and brings them up by degrees to advance in ſome meaſure the glory of God, their countries benefit, and their own peace;Eph. 1.2. within, and ornament without.
Whereas others who are hurt by bad preſidents, and examples in the ungraceful carriage of Superiours, who care not to prune or lop off the wild luxuriancies of youth; they often prove quarrelſome and contentious wretches in age, diſturbers of families, the inſtruments of miſchief in cities and towns, and if many, then they prove firebrands to whole Nations.
6. Deliver your ſouls from this wicked generation, fly youthful luſts,Acts 2.40. faſt away tentations, beat down the fleſh, that great Aſs, as Hilarion terms it: by moderation and abſtinence; eſpecially from wine and ſtrong drink, and all exceſſes. Shun as a ſerpent or a flying dragon, the dreadful madneſs of theſe days, which tends in the end to ſhame and beggery here; to the ruine of many ancient and famous families: who have ſwallowed many a park, and many a Lordſhip, and drunk down the royalty of fiſhing in many Rivers. As 'tis eaſy to ſee in the turns of eſtates from the old to new upſtart races, in the antiquities of many counties deſcribed by diligent men of late. But what is worſt of all, they are ready to ſink into everlaſting burnings, in flaming pitch and brimſtone, in that direful and bottomleſs lake.
Queſt. 2. If true holineſs be ſo rare a Jewel, and always connexed with true Faith: then help us to know whether we are indeed truly ſanctified?
Anſw. 1. I anſwer, we may know that we are truly ſanctified, if we have been exerciſed in godly ſorrow and repentance for ſin, joyned with an holy hatred againſt it.
True penitent tears like ſalt-waters, do purge and cleanſe the ſoul. Bitter ſorrows, and an inward ſenſe ef Gods wrath, with an holy awe of Gods precepts and threatnings,Z…ch. 12 10. and a ſincere deſire of a mendment fit the ſouls pallace for the carrying on of grace.
Holineſs of life, and reformation of our ways does alway follow inward and ſincere Repentance.
2. An inward ſatisfaction with and ſome delight from the heart in a convincing Preacher; that ſearches his heart to the bottom, and lets out the old corruption, and then pours in the Samaritan Oyle of the Goſpel upon the acute wine of the Law; yea he reverences and loves him for his work ſake and faithfulneſs to his Patient.
Obj, But may not an unfanctified perſon ſhew outward holineſs and have ſome inward dogmatical Faith, as Herod and others.
A. Their Obedience is neither univerſal nor permanent,Luk. 8.13. Heb. 6.4. & 10.24 2 Pet. 2.20. and their Faith not rooted in an unfeigned love to Chriſt.
No more here to this, intending a further meaſure in the eighth Chapter.
To conclude about Sanctification with the words of that holy and reverend Perſon, Bp. Ʋſher in his little ſheet about the two Witneſſes. Being askt by a Lady of Honour what Sanctification was: after ſome modeſt diverſion, brake out into this expreſſion, [That it was the offering up tho whole will to God, See Brit. Divin… at Dort. p. 11…which was more than all burnt offerings and Sacrifices. To which I may ſubjoyn that none need to dread or fly back from the flames of affection in this free-will Offering, tho' it be difficult to …eſh and blood: for tis perfumed with the Frankincenſe of our Lords paſſion-offering at the brazen Altar, and the fragrant mingled Incenſe of his interceſſion at the golden Altar. So that in concluſion, all the holy wayes of wiſdom are pleaſantneſs, and all her paths are peace.
Thus much at preſent to explain a little the nature of holineſs in this Chapter together with a ſad lamentation dropt upon the Herſe of vain Profeſſors in theſe dayes. But lets add, Let him that ſtands take heed leſt he falls, be not high-minded but fear: for thou ſtandeſt by Faith:Rom. 11, 20. 1 Cor. 4.7. and that grace of God alone makes thee to differ.
Let us now finiſh this excellent and uſeful Subject of Holineſs: tho' mixt with ſome warm reflections for the good of ſouls, and come to a very comfortable Subject about the Beauty and joy of Faith in the Throne of aſſurance: tho' I ſhould interweave a ſhorter Chapter about the infirmities of Believers to prevent ſtumbling at the threſhold of Aſſurance: and now I hope ſomewhat to change my voice in more ſweet leſſons of comfort, for the uſe of broken and mournful Saints. The Foundation indeed is laid in the Doctrines of Faith and holineſs, if faithful Souls will diligently build gold and precious ſtones upon it: they may erect the moſt ſtately and Imperial Temple in the whole World, not like the Pygmy Pyramids of Egypt up to the Clouds and Vapors, but like the Cedar-Temple of the ſecond Solomon, all wrought with Saints and Cherubims, whoſe Pinacles reach within the higheſt Heavens nec habent umbras, all ſhadows and miſts are fl…d away. Still remember that all muſt paſs thru' the Temple of vertue and grace, before they can enter the Temple of heavenly glory.
CHAP VII.
THis Chapter about the infirmities of Believers, for the ſame fore-written cauſes, I lay aſide at preſent, and proceed to the Eighth, about the Doctrine of Aſſurance.