The Joy of Faith, Treatise · Part 2 · Chapter 8 – Chapter 9
CHAP. VIII Of the Aſſurance of FAITH.
THe nature of Aſſurance and Method to attain it, is the Subject of this Chapter. In former times, Faith was repreſented under the notion of aſſurance, or a Saints particular certainty, that Chriſt died for his own ſoul among the reſt of Believers. Like to that ſpecial priviledg to which Paul preſcribes,Ga…. 2.…0. that Chriſt loved him and died for him. But now, more diligent obſervation of Holy Scripture and experience hath cleared up this point; that aſſurance is the belief,Rom. 5.1. that we are juſtified by Faith in Chriſt and ſo have peace with God. It is the application of Faith, or a perſwaſion of our hearts concerning the love of God.Joh. 3.19. When the Spirit of God ſets his ſeal upon our hearts with the impreſſion of the image of Chriſt as in wax or as the Antients graved the effigies of their Princes on a Cornelian or Opal, or ſuch precious Stones.Eph. 3.12. Joh. 14.23. It produces a confidence of acceſs by Faith in Chriſt, and is daily more and more evidenced by the abode of both Father and Son with us: when the ripe Grapes of Eſhcol are caſt into our boſoms, and Chriſt himſelf comes in to ſup with us.Rev. 3.20. Aſſurance ſhines by a reflex beam of the ſouls eye upon it ſelf. When a Saint ſitting down in the cloſet of his own heart takes a clear view of his face in the glaſs of Faith. I may term it, a Saints belief of his own Faith. Aſſurance is the cream of Faith when tis ſettled: its the joy of Faith ſpringing in the Soul from the warm healing beams of the Sun of righteouſneſs riſing upon its humble valleys. Some take Faith to be a truſt on the promiſe for remiſſion of our own ſins in particular, or conjoyned with reliance, dependance, adherence and affiance. When having caſt all our hope and expectation of heaven and happineſs into the arms of Chriſt alone; and thence infer the promiſe to have been made to us in particular, by an immediate conſequence drawn from our ſpecial and perſonal application of the indefinite or more general promiſe, and taking it as a divine Oracle to us in particular, and therefore call it ſpecial Faith: the promiſe being thereby aſſigned to me immediately as certainly as to any in the world, becauſe I have ſet to my ſeal, that God is truth, and accepted him upon his Word. When this is done, to wait with joyful expectation, that God will perform it at the day of Chriſt. But what is all this any more than Faith and aſſurance tied up together in a bundle of ſweet ſmelling Myrrhe:Pſal. 1.6 dreſt up in various words to the ſame effect, as we before expreſt it. Lets then proceed and endeavour to prove it under ſome diſtinct heads.
1. That Aſſurance may be had.
2. Preſcribe ſome means to attain it.
3. Some Rules to clear it. And
4. Solve a queſtion how to retain and preſerve it.
1. Firſt, Lets ſhew that aſſurance may be obtained by every true Believer, under theſe Arguments.
Arg. 1.
Becauſe God hath commanded and exhorted us to try and examine our own eſtate,Brit▪ Divines in Synod Dort. Page 140 2 Cor. 13.5. Phil. 2.12 whether we are in the Faith or not, and therefore we may know it. We are commanded to work out our Salvation with fear and trembling: therefore the ſenſe of it may be wrought out: and we are urged to do it with fear and trembling, to ſpur us unto godly care leſt we ſhould miſcarry. Again, we are enjoyned to give diligence to make our calling and election ſure, and therefore we may aſcertain it,2 Pet. 1.10. and make it plain and evident in the eyes of our Conſciences.
Arg. 2.
Becauſe God hath given out many gracious promiſes of it to the faithful. I might gloſs on that place [Thou ſhalt know that I am thy Saviour and Redeemer:] or a clearer in that;Iſai. 60.16. & 22.17. 1 Cor. 2.12. The effect of righteouſneſs, ſhall be quietneſs and aſſurance for ever; and yet further [We have received the Spirit of God, that we may know the things freely given us of God.
Arg. 3.
Becauſe many have enjoyed this honourable favour and high priviledg from God.1 John 3.2. Quod potuit, poteſt, what hath been attained, may again. We know that when he ſhall appear we ſhall be like him:] and ſo in ſeveral other places. I doubt not but many living can put ſeal to this truth, as having lived in this mount of viſion. Among others who are gone to enjoyment, I would call to mind, Mr. Benjamin Albyn a Turkey Merchant of good repute for his holineſs, and whoſe evidences I have by me, approved and ſigned by ſome grave and holy Divines. Another was my much honoured, Mrs. Anna Revell Mother to my beloved Wife Phaehe; a very holy Matron, and a diſcerning Chriſtian, who acquainted me (I think twice) with great humility and tears trickling down in a moſt meek broken and penitent manner: which made me value the teſtimony more than Gold, ſe. that ſhe had walked in the light of Gods countenance for thirty years not interrupted. I mention it, not ſo much for my happy relation as becauſe of my certain knowledg: and indeed ſhe was one, who walkt accordingly. O that all her remaining Friends and Relations would lay it up, as a Jewel of value for them to eye and imitate. But it is not every gracious perſons attainment adire corinthum, to go to heaven feeding on Milk and Honey to carry this glittering Diamond in their boſom.Gen. 43.11. They are Gods Joſephs, to whom he ſends the Balm and the choice Fruits of Canaan to feed upon while they are in Egypt. Yea, of thoſe, who enjoy this Sun-ſhine, this transfiguring viſion in Tabor, all have not equal viſions, nor the ſame perſons at all times alike: but are up and down, higher and lower: tho they never want a ſweet view of the Turrets of Salem, yet ſometimes it is a little more cloudy: but when they skilfully ſet the Teleſcope or Proſpective of a lively and actuating Faith, they may diſcern plainly the Pinacles of the Temple of Glory, and like Moſes on Mount Nebo become raviſht with a ſight of that lovely Land, that land of deſire, that land of the living, that goodly Mountain even Lebanon. Which view (to ſpeak humbly and with ſome deſired fellowſhip of this joy) gave wings to the ſoul of Moſes, and ſwift feet to his affections,Deut. 3.25. when he gave a leap from that pleaſant and fragrant Mountain into Glory.
But to leave the firſt part of this Chapter, and proceed to the ſecond about means and methods to attain Aſſurance, which may be performed,
1. By Argumentation.
2. By obſervation of the Spirits influences.
As to Argumentation:
1. Firſt, By Arguments drawn from our having and acting of Faith and the effects of it; we may obtain ſome meaſure of this bleſſed priviledg. Thus [Whoſoever believes in Chriſt, ſuch a perſons ſins are pardoned, and therefore ſhall be ſaved. But I believe, and therefore I ſhall be ſaved. The major Propoſition is expreſly the Word of God, and built upon the rock of eternity. The minor, which is [That I believe] muſt be wrought out and proved by the firſt Chapter of this Treatiſe, or any other holy Directions; and then upon examination is to be found in the ſenſe and experience of thine own ſoul: and thence the concluſion will irrefragably and undeniably follow with unſpeakable comfort and full of glory. Now here a Chriſtian may ſee, how neceſſary it is to ponder diligently upon the true nature of Faith, and to underſtand its inward eſſence and actings in caſting the ſoul upon Chriſt, and likewiſe the diſtinction of Faith from Aſſurance, and how aſſurance may be clearly and firmly built upon a ſound and a well-argued ſenſe of its being and acting in the ſoul. In the Looking-glaſs of Aſſurance the ſoul beholds it ſelf clinging and cleaving to Chriſt while he is ſupporting and carrying it over the ſtormy Ocean to the haven of glory. It is Faith that feeds the Lamp of Aſſurance, and Aſſurance is the Oil which feeds the Lamp of Joy.
2. We may argue the truth of our Faith by the fruits of holineſs, and thence inferr and draw forth Aſſurance. Becauſe of the unſeparable connexion there is between Faith and holineſs;1 John 1.7. whoſo walks in the light, the blood of Chriſt cleanſeth him from all ſin: that is, whoever is ſanctified, may thence inferr, that he is juſtified, and ſhall be glorified. So Paul argues: He that's waſhed and ſanctified,Rom. 8.30. 1 Cor. 6.10, 11. is alſo juſtified in the name of the Lord Jeſus, and ſhall inherit the Kingdom of God. If we ſtudy to walk to all pleaſing: we may then give thanks for that we are thereby made meet for the inheritance with the Saints in light.Col. 1.10: 12.
3. Again, Grace in exerciſe is a moſt evident token of its real exiſtence, and may conſequently raiſe Aſſurance. If a tree flower fragrntly, 'tis certain it has a root. If a Ship be under Sail, and its Top-gallants out, ſhews its ſound eſtate, and makes way towards its Ophir. To be ſtrong and ſwift in motion demonſtrates a ſtrong and healthy ſoul, and is the way to keep it in a happy frame: for exerciſe conduces to health and Strength. Waters of great rivers, by their voluble motions and tides, reſiſt putrifaction and the heavenly bodies by their continual circulations and fiery beams convey their influences to ſerve all the ſublunary generations and accretions. Little ſparks by agitation, conceive larger degrees of fire in the application of more combuſtible matter and purifie the Air. Artificial implements, as Locks, Saws and Handles, &c. are made brighter by mutual affrication, attrition and uſe. So do the chariot-wheeles of the ſoul kindle fire by ſwift rotation and motion in the ways of holineſs, and run flaming towards heaven.
4. We may argue it from the goodwill of God towards us, according to that in the Angelical Song [peace on earth, and good-will towards men] peace of conſcience on ſcripture-ground is a certain token of Gods good-will towards us.Luke 2.14.
But if you ask:
But will God pardon me in particular.
I Anſwer,2 Cor. 5, 20. John 3.33. why doubt it?
When as God exhorts, commands and ſ…nds his Embaſſadors to beſeech us to believe him, and reſt upon his promiſe, and not to make him ſeem to be a deceiver by our unbelief.
Nay, thou and I, and every one, to whom the Word of Life doth come, are commanded in particular to believe.
Obj. I but ſays the timorous ſoul, how can I know that be means the promiſe of life to me?
Anſw. I Anſwer, if thou truſt him: it will certainly prove ſo,
For thy accepting, and then relying, and reſting on him to perform his promiſe, makes up the agreement between God and thee.
More of this anon God willing.
5. An intereſt in the prayer of Chriſt, is an aſſured help to evidence that we are in Covenant, and under electing love.
To clear up this we muſt take our Lords own reaſoning before the Father, I have given them the words thou gaveſt me, John 17.8.6. verſe 14.and they have received them, and have kept thy word, and they are hated of the world, becauſe they are not of it. So that if we keep the words or commandments of Chriſt, and are therefore hated by the world, we may conclude we are his,verſe. 9. and under the efficacy of his divine prayer. He prayes for them whom the Father gave him out of the world, and not for the world. And leſt we might ſay, this concerned the Apoſtles only, our Lord ſubjoyns: I pray for them alſo that ſhall believe on me through their word. verſe 24.Wence we may inferr, that all true believers in Chriſt upon the hearing the word of Apoſtolical Doctrine, are the Subjects of Chriſts prayer. The great end of all is, that at laſt we may be with him, and ſee his glory.
6. Learn the bleſſed art of applying promiſes: this is a ſure and certain way to argue out the point of Faith, and to infer aſſurance. He that can ſpiritually, apply a promiſe, has the Spirit of God, and acts in and by his vertue and influence. A promiſe in the reading ſparkles and ſhines; but a promiſe applyed, comforts and warmes. Some noble cordial as Alchermes, or that of Tycho or ſome great Elixir, if charily ſet up in a cloſet or a cabinet of chryſtal is an help to the thoughts: but drunk or taken down in a proper vehicle, makes it by divine bleſſing to become actually reſtorative. Could we repeat all the promiſes in the Bible, forward and backward, and reduce them upon occaſion to proper heads and uſe, and ſervice: yet 'tis ſpecial application gives the ſignative vertue: and therefore I ſhall endeavour by the help of grace to give in a little aid to this purpoſe.
Firſt, Ʋniverſals contain particulars of the ſame kind. Indefinite and unlimited promiſes are equivalent to univerſal in a neceſſary matter. Gods invitation is univerſal, his proclamation extenſive to all quarters of the world, to all Regions and Ages,2 Pet. 3.9. Mark …0.49.16.15 col. ….23. Iſa. 55.1. Rev. 22.17. John 3.16.2.37. 1 cor. 5 2 cor. 6, 17. John 6.37. God would have none to periſh. Ho, every one that thirſteth, and whoſoever will, let him take of the water of life freely, and whoſoever believeth ſhall not periſh.
Wherever the ſound of this Goſpel-Trumpet rings.
Into whoſoever's ears this bleſſed news deſcends from heaven, he is the perſon invited. The Lord excepts no perſon in the proclamation, that will but receive the promiſe of life: and although a God, yet beſeeches us to come to him, and hath promiſed (if we will come) to accept and receive us: I will receive you ſaith the Lord, if you will come out from among them. If youl come to me, I will in no wiſe caſt you out: No time, quality, number, or other circumſtance of ſins ſet barrs to freegrace. The promulgation declares the mind and good-will of God, and that if thou in particular accept the proffer of mercy, thou mayſt conclude it to be thine. Becauſe the inclination of thy will within, comes down from God out of heaven, and plainly determines that he is willing to ſave thee, becauſe thou art willing to cloſe with his grace upon Goſpel-terms of holineſs and new-obedience:Luke 2.14, Thy will is the effect, and therefore the token and evidence of his will to thee, good-will towards men. Whence thou mayſt collect, that thy name is written within the parchments and coverings of the general promiſes: which when thus accepted, they are then particularly applyed.
Obj. If any inwardly object their own unworthineſs.
Anſw. I anſwer, it is a moſt frivolous and impertinent cavil againſt thy ſelf. For Chriſt came to ſave, not the worthy Phariſee, but the miſerable, ſinful and unworthy Publican.Rev. 3.17. Rom. 7.8.11, The Sick need the Phyſitian and not the whole: and therefore come the rather, becauſe poor, miſerable, blind and naked. Sin took occaſion by the commandment to ſlay thee: do thou take occaſion by ſin to run to the promiſe. Therefore come to Chriſt, becauſe lame, tattered torn and wounded, and ſick and creeping by the hedg-ſide: The more miſerable, the more acceptable; when under the ſenſe of miſery, thou comeſt to ſo merciful an High-prieſt and Saviour. The promiſes of the Goſpel are made to no other; if thy caſe were not miſerable, thy coming were to no purpoſe. The very reaſon which thou objecteſt, is the only reaſon why thou ſhouldſt be encouraged to come, to run and flie to this boſome of mercy. God has made his promiſes without any previous foreſight of any holineſs,Ezek. 36.32. grace or Faith. It is for his own ſake alone, that he blots out our iniquities, not for yours, Indeed he ſends his Son, Word, Miniſters and his Spirit along with them. He is graciouſly pleaſed to call, invite, beſeech and command us to believe: he promiſes rewards, threatens puniſhments, proffers the uſe and help of all imaginable means proper to this end. He alſo by his holy Spirit, moves upon our wills, ſoftens, turns and bends them as he pleaſes: and by his quickning work ſtirs up and guides our conſciences in all its offices. So that I may ſay,Acts 13.26. as the Apoſtle to ſome of old: To you is the Word of this Salvation ſent O languiſhing trembling ſoul, wouldſt thou gladly …embrace the promiſes, and implore his help to do it? What canſt thou deſire more: fince… 'tis his promiſe to do this work, and grant this mercy to ſuch petitioners at the throne of grace. Perhaps thou wilt anſwer,
All this I find, even ſweet inclinations in me by grace to accept,Mat, 8.3. embrace and perform.
But oh bleſſed Lord I beg, that I might be cleanſed from the leproſy of ſin, oh that I might be holy?
To this I rejoyn a queſtion.
Art thou willing to be holy? according to the Goſpel rules, to accept the proffers of mercy as both pardoning and purging, to be holy as well as happy, in Chriſts method, that is, to uſe ſincere endeavours after that holineſs which thou declareſt to thirſt for, if thou upon calling, in the power of his might, with integrity of heart, doeſt really intend and ſet about it to uſe purging graces and ordinances, and wait with perſeverance for the manifeſtation and aid of the Spirit of grace; (whereof beneath) I may then be humbly bold to ſay to thee, though as yet but low it may be, in the ſtate of grace,Luk. 19.5. yet oh thou little but zealous Zacheus, come down and Chriſt may dine at thine houſe this day.1 cor 3.22.
I may then ſay, The Covenant is yours, Chriſt is yours, God is yours, life and death and all is yours, and ye are Chriſts, and Chriſt is Gods. Stretch out in the bleſſed name of the Son of God, and in his power and at his command the hand of your longing, thirſting, hungring, panting, haſtning Will to the Lord of life, and the great work is done, and thou art happy.
I confeſs, I need ſay no more but that I deſire to enlarge upon this ſo deſirable a Theam: conſidering that one thing may be ſanctified to take with one Spirit; that may not with another: but lets ever remember the connexion of holineſs with Faith in the ſixth chapter:Col. 2.2. if you would obtain to be the heirs of clear full and ſtrong Aſſurance, to the acknowledgment of the myſtery of God, and the Father and of Chriſt: foreign to a ſpiritual acquaintance with God as a gracious Father in Chriſt.John 17.3. This is life eternal to know thee the only true God, in and together with Chriſt as a Father, to dwell & abide withus.
But lets proceed to a ſecond means of applica…ion.
2. Particular promiſes made in ancient times, concern every particular believer in all ſucceeding ages. For whatſoever was written aforetime was writ for our learning,Rom. 15.4. that we might have hope As all the precepts concern us, and we concern our ſelves in duty and obedience to them; then why not intereſted in the promiſes, unleſs there be ſome ſpecial reaſon aſſignable to the contrary.1 cor. 10.11. Heb. 13.5. Rom. 4 24. We may obſerve alſo, that all the examples of unbelief, and Gods diſpleaſure to ancient Iſrael, and the particulars unto ſome perſons among them, were ſet forth for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come to us that live in the ends of the earth, or ages of the world▪ Joſhuahs Faith and Courage is recorded for us.
The Faith of Abraham is recited not for his ſake alone, but ours alſo; to whom it ſhall b… imputed, if we believe on him that raiſed up Jeſus Chriſt from the dead. The Apoſtle having inrolled the memorials of many famous Patriarks before our Lords time,Heb. 11.40.13.8. concludes; that they without us ſhall not be made perfect. Whoſe Faith let us follow, ſince Chriſt is the ſame yeſterday in Joſhaah's time, to day in Pauls and for ever thro…gh all generations.
All the ſheep of Chriſt drink of the ſame River of life, the ſame ſtreams of the promiſe, that runs through paradiſe, in …mne volubilis aevum.
It comes originally from the ſecret channels of the Ocean of divine and eternal love, and breaks or ſprings forth out of the rocky mountain of Zion, and the various ſources of its Ordinances. So that every Saint may ſing with David, Pſal. 87.7.All my ſprings are in, thee O Zion, in thee O God of Zion. All the promiſes are in and thru' Chriſt the Prince of Zion. 2 Cor. 1.20.Yea and Amen, even certain, inviolable and unchangeable.
3. If thou wouldeſt ſucceſsfully apply the promiſes, labour to ſtrengthen the habit of Faith by frequent actings of it upon Chriſt in the Promiſe. Remember to be every day ejaculating up to heaven, and caſting the eye of Faith upon a Saviour in glory,Rev. 506. a Lamb as it had been ſlain, and ſtanding in the midſt of the Elders by the Throne of God. This is a ſweet method to breed love to Chriſt, and love will raiſe thee up to ſome aſſurance and confidence in his love. God is love, and his mercy to ſinners in miſery is the fruit of his love, and love ſprings out of the original goodneſs in the nature of God: who delights in them,Pſal. 33.18.147.11. that hope in his mercy and truſt in his love: and when the love of God to us begins to warm our hearts with the inward feeling and taſt of it; as the foretaſt of the Wine of the Kingdom: it encreaſes Faith, and experience of it advances us into higher degrees of love. Then this ſweet ſenſe of divine, eternal, electing love brought into our hearts by Faith, leads us at laſt into the pleaſant fields of Aſſurance.
4. That ſo we may particularly apply the promiſes, call to mind and ruminate upon the qualifications mentioned in the promiſes: and if you can find ſuch gracious inclinations wrought in you by the Spirit of God, then may you humbly determine your ſelves to be heirs of the promiſes. I would not ſtrain hard in the examination of many great things required in the promiſes: but if thou canſt by a ſincere ſearch find in thee a humble broken-hearted frame: it is a covenant frame: if thou find in thee a penitent fear to ſin, a holy trembling at Gods Word, a thirſting after Chriſt with ſome ſparks of true love to him:Pſal. 147.3. Iſai. 66.2. tho thou mayeſt ſeem to faint under the ſenſe of wrath ſometimes; yet if thou reſolve in his ſtrength ſtill to thirſt after him, and his pardoning love, and to hope for it in his promiſe; yea and if thou periſh, and thy heart-ſtrings break, yet to gaſp out thy laſt at his foot: Thou art the deſirable perſon, the Daniel, the man of deſires, the Samuel, the asked of God, the Nathanael, the gift of God, without guile, the beloved, the acceptable perſon, that ſhall be taken into his boſom for ever. Only and alwayes remember and perfectly con… this leſſon (I intreat thee in the Lord) that theſe actings muſt alwayes be connexed with holineſs, as 'tis expreſly determined, Chapt. 6. and which I do ſo often recal to mind, and the Lord by his powerful grace enable us to do it: then may eſt thou draw forth a perfect lot for thy ſelf out of our Joſhuah's Book of the Land of Canaan, which is above all heavens.
Thus, when thou haſt wiſely and deliberately weighed the various phraſes in the promiſes: then examine the frame of thy heart; and if finding them ſuit in ſome ſweet meaſure, tho not ſo clearly, as thou longeſt to have it; yet fear not, delay not to joyn thy heart and the promiſe together. And this moreover I'll ſay to thee for thy comfort; that tho the hand of thy Faith ſhould ſhake with ſome tremblings at preſent, be not diſmayed:Mat 9.2. Mark 2.5. our bleſſed Lord who ſpake to the palſie man, both can and will in due time (for thy inward hope is an evidence of it) ſpeak that great ſtrengthening word to the relaxed nerves and ſinews of thy Faith: Son be of good cheer, 2 Tim. 2.13.thy ſins be forgiven thee; for if thou hold but the head, nay if touch but the hem of his garment, virtue, will proceed, and thoul't perceive it by ſome ſweet ſettling quietings of Spirit: as when the dew of heaven falls in a ſtill evening. For he will abide faithful, tho we do not in ſo full and triumphant a manner act Faith upon him;Pſal. 149.4.50.23. yet he will continue to be gracious, and will ſhortly beautifie the meek with ſalvation: If you order your converſation aright, he will ſhew and make to ſhine the face of your Saviour, and the Sun of his ſalvation upon you his beloved ones. That perſon may certainly conclude himſelf to be in Chriſt, who walketh in this World as he did, all to our proportion, and continue in acts of contemplation and adherence,1 Tim. 4.8. Heb. 12.6. embracing the promiſes.
Hitherto I have ſpoken ſomewhat to the application of the promiſes, whereby we may argue true Faith, and thence lay a ſtrong foundation for aſſurance: but before I relinquiſh this Subject, I would touch upon the ſeveral Arguments uſed by the Apoſtle John, which he inſiſts upon in his Epiſtles, written on purpoſe fo… the comfort of B…lievers,1 Joh. 1.4. & 5.13. 1 John 3.23. that their joy may be full, and that we may know that we have eternal life. To which end, it is Gods Commandment to believe in the Son, and to love one another.
Let us then mention the chief in Order:
1. The firſt evidence of eternal life is drawn from our walking in the Light, that is, of holineſs, 1 John 1.6. & 2 29. & 3.6, 9. walking in the truth, Epiſt. 3.3. in obedience to his Commandments, 1 John 2.3, 5 & 3.24. & 5.2, 3. & Epiſtle 2.6. In imitation of Chriſts holy walking, 1 John 2.6. & 4.17. and in purifying of our ſelves according to his pattern, 1 John 3.3. and yet all this muſt be qualified in reſpect to our infirmities and weakneſſes, 1 John 1.8, 9, 10. & 2.1, 2.
2. The ſecond Argument to prove the truth of grace, and aſſure our ſelves before God, is love to the Brethren, 1 John 2.9, 10 and chap. 3.11, 14. & 4.7, 12, 20. and in his Goſpel, Joh. 13 35.
3. The third Argument is from our not loving the World, nor the things thereof, 1 Joh. 2.15. as the luſt of the fleſh, the luſt of the eyes or the pride of life ver. 16.
That is, 1. Pleaſures of all ſorts, as luxury in Diet, Habit, Houſes, Gardens, rambling about the World without ſpecial ends; and all inordinacy and intemperateneſs in the body, as Jerom uſes to expreſs it, i… ventre & ſub ventre. For they that love Pleaſures and Riotings ſhall not be rich in purſe ſayes Solomon, nor in grace,Prov. 21.17. ſayes the whole current of Scripture.
2. The luſt of the eye, which is as to all ſorts of covetouſneſs, to get and retain by right or by wrong, in an exceſſive appetition of the things of this World, which muſt be left behind us, and do not, can not fill the heart of man, no nor the eye with ſatisfaction.Eccleſ. 5.11.
Nor 3. the foreign, that is, the Pride of Ambition, Faſtuouſneſs, Honour, and advancement into great places, and to be alone in the Earth. Theſe things eagerly purſued, eat out the heart and power of godlineſs.
4. The fourth Argument is aſſumed from the anointings of their Spirit, 1 Joh. 2: 20, 27 & 3.24. & 4.13. whereof more by and by God willing.
5. The fifth Argument is taken from a holy and reverent hearing of Gods Miniſters, 1 John 4.6. we may know what ſpirit we are of by this, if we receive Chriſt: as Hilary expreſſes it, [Qualis ab Apoſtolis praedicatus eſt] as he was preached by the Apoſtles and ſubmit to him in all his Offices and Ordinances ſuch a one belongs to the ſpirit, that is of God, that keeps the Doctrine of Chriſt as the Apoſtle expounds himſelf, Epiſtle 2. ver. 9.
6. The laſt Argument ariſes from our love to Chriſt, 1 Iohn 5.1. and in him to the Father.
Now if theſe things be found in us, we ſhall then overcome the World, 1 Ioh. 5.4. and ſhall not be touched virulently or fatally by Satan, 1 Iohn 5.18. ſhall have acceſs to God in prayer, 1 Iohn 5.14. and ſhall have boldneſs in the day of Judgment, 1 Iohn 4.17. and this will ſo ſettle our ſenſe of the love of God to us, that it will by degrees caſt out the torment of fear. For it will allure us to a holy familiarity with divine love,1 Iohn 4.18. and ſo ſweeten our thoughts and affections of and to him, that we may begin to enjoy a kind of heaven upon earth, which the Father of his great mercy in Chriſt grant unto us by the Spirit.
Having hitherto treated about Argumentation, I proceed now to the ſecond Head about attaining Aſſurance, which is by the irradiation of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Believers. For all is in vain as to gaining of ſolid and permanent comfort, unleſs the Spirit of God come in and confirm us againſt the innumerable doubts and cavils that will ariſe upon us under all our Arguings, becauſe of the ſubtlety of ſatan, the natural diffidence of our own hearts, and the clouds that ariſe from the unholineſs of our lives, and the dread of eternity. I deſign therefore to treat a little while about the witneſs of the ſpirit, his immediate breathings, his bright ſhinings, and as it were ſpeakings within our hearts, when a holy ſoul hath this witneſs in himſelf.1 Iohn 5.10. 2 Cor. 1.3. Act. 10.44. For in and upon believing, the Father of Lights and of all conſolations ſends in his own due time, this his holy ſpirit like a dove of peace into our hearts, who helps us to diſcern the truth of the work of grace. [After ye believed ſayes the Apoſtle, ye were ſealed with the holy ſpirit of promiſe.Eph 1: 13. He is ſometimes ſet forth by a Seal and a Witneſs to the bond of the Covenant by a Seal and an Earneſt to the contract about the inheritance:2 Cor. 1.22. by a Seal and a Love-Token, or an foreign, a word uſed of old to note Tokens ſent before Marriage, and to be ſure, God will not loſe his earneſt, nor be defeated of the fore tokens of his contract of love to ſouls: ſometimes the Spirit is compared to fire, and yields both the light of joy, the heat of love and influences or quicknings for ſervice. And 'tis this lively Faith, which works by love effectually thru' the Spirit
But I would ſpeak a little more diſtinctly; for the obſervation and the experience of holy men hath ſet to their ſeals, that they do find and feel ſometimes a moſt illuſtrious irradiation upon their hearts from the Spirit of God: which I take to be of two ſorts;
The 1. We may call an irradiation of concurſe with our ſpirits.
The 2. An irradiation of incidence upon our ſpirits. Give leave to uſe the terms and explain them to the meaneſt.
The Firſt or the irradiation of concurſe is then diſpenſed when he ſhines upon our Argumentation: when we have laboured with our ſpirits, uſed ſcripture mediums, and upon examination ſuited them to our hearts in their moſt inward ſincere and humble ſearches; then comes the ſpirit of God, and witneſſes with our ſpirits that we are the children of God. When we have toiled and ſweat many a time in our cloſets and brought things as we hope ſome times to a pritty good iſſue: then thru' one tentation or another our unbelieving hearts fly off from the Concluſion and all our comfort vaniſhes. But now, when our arguings by evident Scripture tokens are finiſht over and over; and yet ſtill we demurre to lay hold on the Tree of life, and while we ſtick in the mire of fear, doubtings and heſitancies, and wander under dark clouds in the depth of midnight, then comes in the ſpirit of God,Rom. 8.16. as the Morning Star, glittering over the Horizon and clears all. This is the foreign or the cowitneſs of the Spirit of God.
2. The other is that which I beg leave from a term in Opticks, to call the irradiation of incidence, and is then illuſtriouſly performed, when the Spirit of God in his moſt free and glorious agency is pleaſed to ſhine perſonally upon our ſpirits, without and apart from all argumentation whatſoever. This comunion with the ſpirit draws nigh to that of Angelical intuition; where by acts of volition and luminous emanation they converſe mutually together in a higher degree than we do here by ratiocination with mediums and conſequences,
This is the point we are now upon, to ſhew that the Spirit of God (when he pleaſes) without any previous foregoing arguments doth teſtifie by a ſecret, ſtill, heart-raviſhing voice,Acts 2.2. foreign and doth ſweetly and ſuddenly (as 'tis ſaid in the Acts) dart in a ray, perſwading and ſatisfying the ſoul in an inſtant; that thou art a Child of God, that ſin is pardoned, and that thou ſhalt be ſaved.page 147. Which I re…ember the Britiſh Divines at Dort call the …pirits ſpeaking to the heart, and even in darker times, there were ſome of the Il…uminate both of Spain and Germany, and France that had to do, I am perſwaded with many diſtrſſed ſouls in their ſecret confeſſions, & were acquainted with great wor…nigs in the hearts of penitents, but few of …hem had skill to manage thoſe inward methods.
Of which things we may find ſome …otable footſteps in Bonaventure, Gerſon, Thanlerus, and ſundry others.
So that of this inwa…d, clear and bright perſwaſion of Gods love to the heart, we have no ſolid reaſon to doubt; but that ſome holy perſons have enjoyed it. Auſtin at his converſion in the garden at Millain had a voice, though he had no viſion, as Paul had in the fields by Damaſcus.
I ſhall be ſparing, and touch but an inſtance or two.
Dr. Manton ſpake it in my hearing, at Oxon, of one that being in conflict in prayer, had a beam ſhining into the chamber, and being deſired by him to have a care of deluſion; anſwered, O Mr. Manton, little do you know what God may do for his poor diſtreſſed children, or very like words.
But the caution was wiſe and grave.
I know one alſo, who being for almoſt a week deeply diſtreſſed about Eternity, had an impreſſion as like a voice within, as if he heard it, comforting in theſe words [I will give thee reſt] and ſo i… followed ſpeedily and joyfully: and at another time: [I will not leave thee no… forſake thee.]
I might alſo hint at the beam upon the wall in prayer to Dr. Winter in his life and the voices of Angels to Mr. Patrick Simpſon.
I muſt confeſs, they are great priviledges and ſweetneſſes, which God may it his divine good pl…aſure, and I am perſwad…d doth ſometimes inſtil and drop in to gracious, when timorous hearts, an… whoſe conſtitutions the great former o… hearts and ſpirits knows full well to b… naturally over ſubject to fears and inwar… commotions: he like a moſt gracious and Tender Father, full of pity and bowels diſcerns our frames.See Mr. Ma…hers prevalency of prayer Pſal. 103. p 17.14 at the end of his Tract of N. E. troubles. Pſal. 40.17. By his loving eye and remembring that we are duſt, is mindfull of us in our low condition: whereas many proud and diſdainful perſons ſet light by the inward ſorrows of broken and contrite ſouls. And are like lamps deſpiſed in the thought of him that is at eaſe. But ſays David, though I am poor and needy, yet the Lord thinketh upon me, and with how many precious thoughts his goodneſs is pleaſed to embroider and enamel upon the hearts of his holy, humble, meek and trembling children [For your high exalted, boaſting perſons, tho' it may be have ſome few grains of grace at bottom, are ſeldom viſited with theſe inward joyes] But the meek will he teach his ways. Such bleſſed thoughts of grace David could not number,Pſ. 139.17, 18 they were more than the Sands of the Sea, or the ſtars of heaven for multitude.
But now if theſe or ſuch like lines ſhould fall under the view or knowledge of any prophane or ſcoffing Iſhmael, that may vilifie the works of God, and like bruits ſpeak ignorantly of what they know not: would adviſe them to forbear preſumptious ſpeeches,2 Pet. 2▪ 12. Jude 10. leſt their bonds be made ſtrong, leſt the Terrors & horrors of the almighty ſhould one day drink up their ſpirits. So that when Gods Servants ſhall rejoyce and ſing for joy of heart, they ſhall cry for ſorrow of heart and howl for vexation of ſpirit.Iſal. 65.14.
But yet, becauſe there may be ſuch things as Enthuſiaſines and transformation of Angels of darkneſs among ſome that call themſelves Sweet-ſingers: and among others that have more need to mourn over their follies and deluſions in the duſt of ſhame. I would ſpeak ſomewhat to that queſtion of an humble Soul.
Queſt. How may I comfort my heart, that this irradiation you ſpeak of is a true and immediate work of the Spirit of God, and no deluſion?
Anſw. In anſwer to this, I muſt firſt in all manner of humble modeſty declare, that I would not dare to meddle too far with ſuch deep and myſterious workings and influences, only profeſſing with all thankfulneſs to the Majeſty of divine mercy; that having had ſome glimpſes of hope a little ſometimes, and thirſting after ſome further and clearer helps from heaven, we faint not utterly: but ſtriving after, to attain towards the reſurrection of the dead crave leave to ſet down ſomewhat, that hope may be a clue to conduct us out … the Labrinth, and maze of deluſion.
The firſt and beſt token, that theſe a… no deceits, can only ariſe from the ſpirt himſelf. According to that ſaying of …oy Iohn: It is the Spirit that beareth witneſs, that the Spirit is truth.1 John 5.6: Whitak. de ſacramentis p. As I remember th… learned Whitaker in his book of the Sacraments, ſays, it ſhould be tranſlated (I have forgot the page, my books being laid up… ▪ But this is a great truth: as no better light to ſee the Sun by,Pſal. 36.9.34.5. than his own light: So 'tis of the Spirit, as David expreſſes. In thy light we ſhall ſee light: and they looked to him and their faces were enlightened. This is the apprehenſion of learned gracious perſons, that the ſpirit of God never ſpeaks by this his inward heavenly voice; but that he graciouſly helps them to know that it is no deluſion: but that it is he, even the ſpirit himſelf that ſpeaketh to them. This phraſe of ſpeaking to the heart, and in and upon the heart, is more viſible in the Original Hebrew of the Old Teſtament, and was well known to the Prophets of old, and is much treated upon among Jewiſh Antiquiaries. Out of whom I muſt not here ſtand to enlarge but call to mind what the Apoſtle Peter mentions of the Day-ſtar ariſing in our hearts,2 Pet. 1.19. ſo that it is as clear (when the ſpirit of God does thus ſhine and teſtifie) yea and more radiant, than the Sun at Noon-day without clouds.
I ſhall ſay no more to this, but what our Lord to the Angel at Pergamus, of them that have a new name written in the white ſtone, Rev. 2.17.which none knoweth ſaving he that receiveth it.
2. I need ſay little more, but that wherever the Spirit doth ſo illuſtriouſly ſpeak and ſhine: it is concomitant with growing in holineſs. For this moſt holy Spirit of God is ſtill a building and increaſing in ſuch the works of holineſs, they are of a heavenly frame, rivers of holy diſcourſe flow from their lips in prudent ſeaſons; they are not vain and trifling ſpirits: but grave and ſerious, and yet chearful. For the joy of the Lord is their ſtrength, and they have inward delights, and value not the cracklings of fools. Divine joy is a weighty thing, and yet greatly upholds the ſpirits, and ſuſtains their griefs and infirmities. If you come into their company by a bleſſed accident, as they ſay of the Adepti in Philoſophy, there's a glittering ſtar ſhines from their converſe & ſociety.
3. They are the moſt humble perſons living. For the humble he will teach his way, and ſhew his Covenant,Pſal. 25.9. I know they may fall ſometimes, and othertimes have need of a little holy courage againſt deſpiſers; But the main of their converſation is like them, of whom the ſpirit of God ſays, they took notice of them that they had converſed with Jeſus,Acts 4▪ 13. who was meek and lowly: if we imitate him, we ſhall find this reſt; and remember that Moſes the meekeſt man had the greateſt interviews with God in the Mountain. Such as are given to much prate and length of idle impertinent diſcourſes are ſeldom and little or never acquainted with the Spirit of God.
4. They are alſo the ſweeteſt perſons, and fulleſt of love, though ſometimes provokt by fierce & evil ſpirits about them, but if their natural tempers had been before ſomewhat eager and ſharp: yet now they are waſhed, purged, whitened and ſweetned by the Spirit of God. Tender to the Tempted, kind to the afflicted, pitiful to all: bear every ones burden with a gracious frame: onelyonly they are taught by the holy Spirit,1 cor 23 4.5. as to ſuch as prate with malicious words againſt them to imitate hole John, not to ſuccumbe under a prou… Diotrephes: 3 John 9.but loves a child of God as ſuch with the full ſtream of his Spirit. And this love to the brethren is much more to Chriſt himſelf, being filled with the love of the Spirit which by degrees caſts out the torments of fear▪ 1 John. 4.18,and gives a bleſſed confidence as to the Appearing of the Day of Judgment.
To end this, we muſt remember, that the holy Spirit of God doth never witneſs or illuſtrate apart from the Word.Iſa. 8, 20. … any light in you, try it by the Word and Teſtimony, and hence that as Tentations and afflictions ſanctified, ſo the manifeſtations and communions of the Spirit help us to underſtand holy Scriptures and promiſes by experience,
Let us then be ſure as far as poſſible, that the perſon that pretends to be thus illuſtrated, prove himſelf to be an holy perſon in heart and deed, or elſe all's like a puft and ſwoln deluſion, and ſuch an on… muſt lie down in ſorrow. For the Spirit of God is a moſt holy ſpirit, and never ſeals but as he is, the holy Spirit of Promiſe, upon the holy heart of an holy child of God.
Well then to end this ſecond part of the Spirits illuſtration.Eph 1, 3. Rom. 8.16. 1 John 4.13.
I ſay it is not meant of the Spirit of God concurring or witneſſing with our ſpirits in the point of aſſurance; clearing up our doubts, diſpelling the miſts and clouds uponour ſpirits: But it is an foreign, or like an foreign a bright ſhining Ray, a moſt illuſtrious beam ſtreaming down from heaven into the inmoſt chambers of our hearts, and is an act diſtinct and apart from his former bleſſed concurſe with our ſpirits in time of argumentation or the gracious application of the promiſes for our peace and comfort: it is an irreſiſtable evidence of divine love,See Dr Owen of the ſpirit 167. ſcattering all the clouds of diffidence and diſtruſt in that very moment; and when this immediate irradiation flows in, though it may be a diſtinct act from that upon argumentation; yet it cannot be totally ſevered from it, becauſe in this glorious light, though we may ſee further; yet cannot but ſee any argument, we think meet to touch upon, to be alſo illuſtrated by it: as the Moon in her increaſes may be ſeen in the heavens like a cloud in the day time, which alſo has its light from the Sun, while he is yet ſhining bright within our hemiſphere at the ſame time: and when theſe come together, they make heavenly work indeed.
That theſe bleſſed viſits have been ſomtimes, tho rarely, afforded yet to ſome few, beſides Patriarks and Apoſtles, I have no cauſe to doubt, whatever ſome Pontiſicians have ſaid to the contrary, to darken it. The Holy Scriptures clear it, experience doth witneſs it, and ſeal it in the h…arts of ſome meek, humble, ſelf-denying, mortified▪ and holy walking perſons, who ha…ing lived a while in the light of Gods count…nance, have afterward gone to heaven in a Chariot of Triumph.
Having now ſpoken what concerns this excellent point, and▪ obſerving that theſe Orient Jewels are ſuch grand rarities, and having placed them in the middle like a Diamond ſet in ouches of Gold; give leave to deſcend again from the Spouſes Tower of Lebanon into the Plains of Damaſcus, Song. 7.4,and walk again in the pleaſant Gardens at the foot of the hill where ſtreams flow with the comfortable Doctrines of Aſſurance. A priviledg of high Dignity, which tho it attain not to the firſt of David's Worthies, yet does attend and that more frequently many of the children of God; if they will labour to be holy, and ſtudy this high point of Arguing and obſerving the acceſſes of the Spirit of God, and in their diligent working and prying into it, they may learn and perceive it, thus,
1. Firſt, We may obtain ſome ſweet knowledg of this point, by the Spirits interceding in our hearts, helping to form and frame our Prayers both for matter and manner,Rom.. 8.18. teaching us both what and how to Pray.
2. By His ſweet pleading our evidences within us, when we find a kind of divine holy force put as it were upon our ſpirits to determine comfortably, and witneſs to the Spirit's work, not being able to deny ſome grace to be in us, when ſtrongly urged and put to it by ſome intimate and gracious, faithful Friend.
3. By His diſcovering our graces to us in times of tentation and conflict, yea,1 Cor. 2.12. and in Communion at the Lords Table, and in Meditation.
4. By His cogent Apologies for us in our Conſciencies upon our Reptenance and Humiliation in the ſight of God:Pſal. 51.12▪ proving and clearing up to us our love to God: ſo that weak Believers who at preſent have but little glimmerings of joy, yet finding true love in themſelves by his light may by degrees thru' his happy teſtimony arrive to further clearneſs both in love and joy.
III. Now by the order preſcribed in the beginning of this Chapter. I ſhould proceed to the third Branch, and that is to treat of ſome Rules to clear up our Aſſurance.
I Anſwer to this, that herein I have even prevented my ſelf, and therefore ſhall at preſent only add, that theſe Particulars following may be of uſe.
1. A watchful care of a holy heart.
2. To obſerve the inward workings and iſſues of it.
3. To be careful in cleanſing and waſhing of the firſt riſings of ſin in the Laver of Sanctification.
4. To labour a holy attendance upon, and a ſpiritual delight in the addreſſes, incomes, comforts, and ſealings of the Spirit that we may diſcern and rejoyce in them,
5. An earneſt invoking the Father to ſend the comforter in his aſſuring work upon a ſanctifying progreſs;John 14.24. for then he proves a comforting Spirit, after he hath been a ſanctifying Spirit. He firſt comes to us as the Holy Ghoſt, and then as the Comforter: tho the foundation of both be laid at once, yet the appearances are ſucceſſive.
But I hope to add more in anſwer to the Queſtions by and by, only I would firſt ſet down a paſſage about aſſurance out of that grave Writer,Hooker in his Polity, in his Life before it. P. 17. Mr. Hooker, which I hope may be of uſe to ſome of his perſwaſion as well as others; and 'tis to this purpoſe:
[There's a certainty of Evidence and of Aſſurance, grant that the weak in Faith enjoy not certainty of Aſſurance, becauſe they feel it not: but are they not grieved for it, wiſh and ſtrive it may be otherwiſe. Whence comes this, but from a ſecret love and liking that they have to thoſe things which they believe to have. Becauſe no man loves thoſe things, which in his own opinion are not, &c. Therefore love and deſire to believe, is Faith. For no man thinketh that things believed, are, (that is have a being) without Faith. Which Arguments (ſayes he) all the ſubtleties of infernal powers will never be able to diſſolve.] Thus far he: to which let me joyn, that ſince Faith of evidence (as being the foundation work) is therein more excellent than the Faith of Aſſurance, as being the ſuperſtructure (tho I had rather call it in Scripture terms the Aſſurance of Faith, ſince Aſſurance properly as I have often ſaid is a diſtinct thing from Faith: tho common ſpeech hath prevailed to make ſuch a diſtinction; as if they were proper Members or Branches of true Faith. But let that paſs, I ſay, if Chriſtians would ariſe to high Aſſurance, they muſt lay their foundation ſtrong and deep in the rock of evidence upon Chriſt himſelf. Evidence flows from a direct act; Aſſurance from a reflect: the one is like the view of the Suns body in the heaven, the other like his reflection in the water, or on a Looking glaſs. Now all reflect rayes are weaker than the direct, and the reverſe than the incident. But I ſpeak not here of the Spirits work, and its moſt illuſtrious evidence: but of our workings upon the actings of our Faith. As to which the ſtronger our applications are to Chriſt, the ſtronger and more comfortable will be the reflections upon them. For both rayes, the nearer the reverſe and incident are in union, as in the depth of Summer; the heat and influence is the more ſtrong and fervent, and ſo 'tis here:
But now it is high time to hearken to ſome Queſtions which troubled Souls may bring in.
Queſt. 1. The firſt Queſtion may be: How may I be aſſured of the pardon of my ſins, and conſequently of Salvation?
Anſ. In anſwer to this, I ſhall lay down ſome Rules to clear it, which was the third thing premiſed in the beginning of this Chapter.
1. Forſaking of ſin, with a holy endeavour to mortifie and ſubdue it,Prov. 28.13. Mic. 7 19. Rom 8.13. is a ſpecial ſign of mercy.
2. When after darkneſs and conflicts, a begun renovation of life with a ſincere care to continue it, is attended with ſome ſpringings of peace in conſcience with God, this will prove an excellent token. For the blood of ſprinkling upon the conſcience ſpeaks better than Abel's blood:Heb. 12.24. That cried out for condemnation; this for reconciliation with God.
3. When we find ſome ſweetneſs in our admiſſions to the Throne of Grace. When our eye up to the Throne affects our heart▪ at the threſhold of Gods Sanctuary. When a bended knee and a melting heart work together. Then we may ask of God what ever we will, if according to his will: the precepts and the promiſes being the rule of asking. We have a moſt free acceſs to plead the promiſes both of this and the life to come,Eph. 3.12. Heb. 4.16. 1 Tim. 4 8. ſo that by holy degrees and ſteps we may arrive to further humble confidence of divine mercy.
4. When we feel ſome gracious riſings of love to God, as pardoning our iniquities for Chriſts ſake, and tho we do not ſo fully and ſweetly feel it as we would: yet our hearts do pant and long after it. This is a true ſign of Love.
But yet to clear it a little, the humble ſoul will ask,
Queſt. How ſhall I know that I love God?
Anſ: I anſwer, Of all the affections that ſpring and bubble out of the will, this is moſt eaſily to bediſcerned and known. Do you know the Sun, when you ſee him walk in brightneſs, do you know that you live by the actings of the ſenſes and the pulſation of your arteries: or do you know that you walk when you move your feet, and feel your motions from place to place? you may as certainly know your affections and the workings of your Soul▪ This diſtinguiſhes men from Bruits in the acting of their reaſon upon all they do, and in managing ends and means. The affections ſpiritually beating, are the pulſations of the regenerate heart. Obſerve then your Objects: if you love the things above, better than all below;Col. 3.2. Iſal 73.25. in your choice and preference, tho ſometimes under ſome ebbs and eclipſes: yet ſtill you find an inward regard to God and his glory: and that you perform every action in ordine ad Deum, and love all as to the inward ſincerity of your heart:1 Cor. 10.31. and enjoy every relation with ſome deſire to work up your mercies towards God in thankfulneſs and uſefulneſs. Theſe are good tokens that you are riſen with Chriſt by Faith, and that your life is hid with God in him, and that by continued degrees of Sanctification, you ſhall at laſt arrive to this, even to appear with him in Glory.
4. But that I may at length wind out of this delightful Labyrinth in diſcourſing about Aſſurance; Let us hearken to the ſecond Queſtion, wherein the Soul being ſomewhat revived does now ſtart the fourth Particular at the beginning; and that is,
Queſt. 2. How may I preſerve and retain Aſſurance when it is gained?
Anſ. The reaſon of this Queſtion ariſes not only from hence, becauſe the ſweet ſenſe of divine love is a moſt deſirable frame of Spirit, and fills the ſoul to the brim with joy and peace in the Holy Ghoſt; and beſides renders perſons very ſerviceable and greatly honours Religion: But alſo becauſe,
1. Many gracious perſons that have true Faith, yet labour under deep fears of Hypocriſie, ariſing from their pious Education, not anſwered by proportionable holineſs. It puts great jealouſies in their hearts, that all they have done, is but a forced work, and a habit of formality; attracted from the precepts of godly Miniſters and Parents, inſtilling into an inlightned conſcience the frightful form of an outward converſation conſonant: and therefore fear at a ſtrange rate that their diamonds are but as it were from the ſoft Rock of St. Vincent, their Gold, but Alchymy, their Faith but fained and temporary.
But be not diſcouraged: For that Faith is true and unfeigned, which proceeds from a pure heart,1 Tim. 1.5, 19. and a good conſcience, that is, without fraud and guile, in ſetting it naked and open before God,Act. 24.16. in labouring and exerciſing to keep a good conſcience in ſight of God and Men. You may then rejoyce in the teſtimony of ſuch a conſcience, having been upright before him in the main bent of the ſoul,Pſal. 18.23. and in keeping from your own iniquity.
What tho thou didſt not come in with ſuch remarkable pangs; no more did Zacheus nor Lydia. Tis not the manner but the truth of our coming in to Chriſt, is the great point, if thou conſtantly adhere to the Lord with full purpoſe of heart. Nay, what if there were ſome errors at firſt,Act. 11.23. this puts no bar, if the root of the matter be in thee. The Apoſtles followed our Lord at firſt in ſome hopes of preferment in the temporal Kingdom of the Meſſiah: but at length underſtood the Doctrine of the Croſſe better, which God in great tenderneſs is pleaſed to vail from young converts at firſt, or at leaſt preſerve them from ſuffering till they are ſtrengthened, and then like the Apoſtles they ſtill cleave to, and continue with the Lord under all trials by the exceeding power of his might. And thus as I remember, Dr. Crakenthorp in defending of Cyprian and Jerom againſt ſome pontificians imputing ſome errors to them,Crakenthorp of the ſixth Council, P. the better to vindicate their Liberius anſwers; that if they did erre, they did it not willingly, but were ready to reform upon the firſt approach of Scripture light, and conviction. Tis ſo in our caſe, they are ready with that holy man to pray, what I ſee not, teach thou me. Job 34.32.The mind and will of God is the perfect ſquare, rule, canon and compaſs of all their actions: and tho they may fail threu' weakneſs, yet never thru' wilfulneſs.
Wherefore be not out of heart, O tender and trembling ſoul, let not go your hope and confidence, becauſe you have not had ſo long and ſuch bitter pangs in the new birth; that makes the work the harder, but not the truer. A child may be born ſometimes with greater eaſe and ſpeed. Great horrors may attend great ſinners, and yet after all their heavy convictions may ſtick in the birth and never be truly converted, till they are truly and perſeveringly reformed; which indeed cuts the work ſhort, and makes the evidence clear. If thou haſt been under a gentler hand from God, bleſs him with louder Songs of praiſe. For the ſhorter and ſweeter the method, the greater is the mercy: and as one ſaid, A young Saint may make as old Angel.
2. This queſtion begs a full anſwer: becauſe, though want of Aſſurance does not denote an unbeliever, yet it keeps a true believer under the dark ſhades of fear and ſorrow. Aſſurance beſides, in the beſt of Saints is but an imperfect work, becauſe our Faith it ſelf is but imperfect: we ſee but in part, becauſe we do but truſt in part. If our Faith do at any time waver and ſtagger,…ol. 2.2. aſſurance muſt needs qviver and ſhake. It's true, there's mention made of the riches of full Aſſurance: but that's comparative in reſpect to ſome Saints, and mentioned as attainnable with full ſweetneſs, and may poſſibly for the main, continue pretty conſtant, eſpecially in very active and ſuffering Saints, yet 'tis not without ebbs and bu… …etings in the beſt.
There are but few that walk in the mountain of Sun-ſhine all their lives; as 'tis ſaid of Zabarel the Philoſopher, when one day in his ſtudy upon an high hill near Padua; he enjoyed the bright and warm beams, while it rained all day in the vally, and he himſelf ſaw the dark and heavy clouds under the hill. Few be like to Moſes, to whom its granted to walk on tho top of Piſgah, till they dye. Wherefore, ſuch as have once obtained Aſſurance and a lively hope of glory:1 Pet 1.3. blame them not, if they are very deſirous to preſerve, increaſe, and imbelliſh it more and more. For ſince Aſſurance may be loſt for a ſeaſon, as it was in David, Heman and Peter, and as in the caſe of that wounded deſerted ſoul that askt Mr. Dod once, Was ever any ſoul in ſo dreadful a caſe as I? Yes, ſays that great and skilful comfortor of a wounded conſcience, Chriſt on the Croſs was in as ſad a caſe,Clars Lives when he cried out of the Fathers forſaking him: I think it therefore moſt meet to ſubjoyn ſome rules with divine help, to maintain and preſerve it.
1. Take heed of what impairs and darkens aſſurance, as the defect of quickning influences: againſt that, pray for the ſupplies of the Spirit.Phil. 1.19, If it riſe from a weakneſs of judgment, read more, meditate more, and cry after knowledg as for hid treaſure. If the ſeriouſneſs of your ſpirits be hurt by minding vanities and the rattles of pride and finery, and overvaluing the trifles of this world; Pray for a more noble and judicious and generous frame, and judg of all wordly mens Jewels, as indeed the word (jocalia) imports, as ſo many whiſtles and hobbies for children to play with. If thou haſt loſt thy comforts by neglect of holy walking, take heed hereafter of damping thy joyes by froth and fooliſhneſs▪ Take heed of a vain heart, of vain and manifold words,Prov. 10.19, and eſpecially fiery tongues, wherin Solomon ſays, there wants not ſin, and of vain converſe with their apiſh and childiſh tales and jeſts which are not convenient, and tend to corrupt the mind by deceitful luſts.Eph. 5.4. Theſe things will blot thy evidences, and quench the Spirit of God. Pray that God would not lead thee by his providence into tentations. If thou wouldſt have the Lord to know or acknowledge thee for his, depart from all ini…uity, and that will prove the foundation to be ſure.… Tim. 2.19. Keep the divine commands, though you find mixtures of weakneſs, yet in an holy fear and love to the purity of the precept, labour to walk in your houſe with a perfect heart.Pſal. 101.2.112.1. 2 Tim. 1.17. … John 2.3. & ….13. For we may be ſure, that we know him, and be humbly confident that he is our God in Covenant, if we keep his Commandments.
2. When under great darkneſs (for every ſtitch we muſt not run to a Doctor) repair to your faithful Interpreter, that may reveal and open to a man his righteouſneſs:J…b 33.23. ſome bleſſed ſoul thats higher in acquaintance with heaven, then your ſelf, as you may humbly judg, ſome experienced chriſtian, ſome faithful, grave, and prudent friend, no babler, nor revealer of ſecrets, nor ſcoffer at the workings of the Spirit, as if enthuſiaſmes; he is an unjudicious perſon: and if you cannot well wreſtle out the point your ſelf; but ſtill your ſoul droops and drives in the mire, and no light of joy comes in: then open your ſoul to ſome prudent friend and give him leave, nay intreat him to ſearch out the coare, and conſcientiouſly follow his advice, and it may prove a moſt happy day to your ſoul by comparing mutual experiences: yet remember in matters of weight, that might prove a ſcandal, if he ſhould not be wiſe and faithful, be very cautious of diſcovering; what thou ſhouldſt only pour out before the Lord.Pſal. 142.2. For if he be of a weak envious ſpirit, and once uſed to ſpeak evil of friends behind their backs, uſe him not, he'l prove a fooliſh ſerpent, and double your miſery.
3. Judge not thy grace always by its flowers, but ſearch out its ſap and root. One may be a well ſpread and weighty chriſtian, and yet not flower in much diſcourſe. The flowers of ſome trees fall off quickly, and never ſet in to much viſible fruit, and ſome have no flowers at all as the fig, and yet yields a wholſome and pleaſant fruit. 'Tis ſo with ſome choice and ſerious chriſtians, you ſhall not hear them talk much, unleſs you pump and draw out the ſpirits by queſtions I like them the better. For the little they produce is uſually much to purpoſe and of good weight. Yea further you may, if critical, obſerve, that the graces of good men may vary in fruit, and have their different ſeaſons, but never alter their grain or root. Grace may lie hid as the corn under ground after firſt Sowing: yea after 'tis come up, may bow and hide its green head under a flight of ſnow. And when there's leaſt of ſenſe or preſent experience, yet the root of Faith like ſtrong winter-corn, may grow more inward and downward, being covered and kep… under by pinching North-eaſt blaſts, and ſharp black froſts: till it recover head by an early Spring. So indeed, the power and ſtrength of grace is beſt ſeen and diſcerned, when it perſiſts and ſtands its ground under a ſhock of tentations, and adverſities. At length the Sun will return Northward, and the ſharper the paſt winters were, theyl make the new ſpring the pleaſanter. Comforts, their proper nature lies in being reſtoratives from bitter troubles, and a ſweet May-morning, is moſt delightful after a dark and thunder night.
4. Take heed of denying the works of the Spirit within thee, and labour to diſcern the gracious fruits of the Spirit as diſtinct from moral actions and vertues: and principally obſerve your conflicts again… ſin, when followed with ſucceſs. Godly jealouſie not to be deceived, is good: therefore ſearch and try thy heart, and if thou find ſound footing for grace, then bleſs God, and honour the Spirit, and grieve him not by froward and fooliſh ſelf-accuſations, which ſavour of the ſpiritual pride of humility: but in all meek and humble modeſt manner own free grace, adore divine mercy, and teſtifie to it; when thou judgeſt by the beſt of thy wiſdom, that thou art called to give in thy teſtimony, as the Apoſtle Peter requires, and David performs in telling what God did for that poor mans ſoul, as he calls himſelf. Or as Ambroſe cited by Mr. Philpot: Take away the Law,Tolle legem … fiet certamen. See Ambroſe as he is cited By Mr. philpot in Fox Martyrs vol. 3. p. 542. 2 Pet. 3.15. Pſal. 34.6. and then we will diſpute againſt you.
5. Aſſurance ſhould be earneſtly prayed for, and diligently wrought out by holy labour; and it will come. Give diligence to make it ſure, ſays Peter. Surely 'tis bleſſed working in theſe golden mines. It proves with the diligent hand like the works of Chimical Phiſitians, who ſuffer great pains, travel, duſt, ſmoke, and ſwelter in their fiery furnaces: and though they attain not the great Arcana, ye… often meet with curious rarities, which ſufficiently reward their diligence.2 pet. 1.5, 10. Aſſurance uſually comes in upon our diligent uſe of prayer, meditation and holy walking in ſome time after ſeveral plunges, fears and ſorrows. Though indeed ſomtimes the wayes of God prove unſearchable, and ſometimes he is pleaſed to beſtow this favour on a ſudden to ſuch as are gracious from their childhood, tractable and ingenuous at the calls of God, as young Samuel: when he underſtood it by the inſtruction of an elder Saint: and when ſuch have not been defiled by any great ſtaines and blotches in their youth, nor cauſed the ways of God to be evil ſpoken of by any ſcandalous ſin.
Queſt. If now you ask how to preſerve it when you have received it in an anſwer to your earneſt prayer?Pſal. 25.7.
A. I anſwer, Conſervatur qua quaeritur. Tis preſerved by the very ſame methods.
6. Call to mind what former experiences you have enjoyed. Having once ſeen the Kings face, it will for ever enlighten yours; former mountain-viſions makes a Saints heart to ſhine as bright as Moſes's face,Pſal. 34.5. and reflects upon the heart gloriouſly in the vally of deſert: once havi…g c…eared up the love of God to you then may you return to that experiment. As a fountain ſhewn by the Angel of the Covenant at Beerſheba, the well of the ſacred …ath of God,Gen 21.14. Rom. 11.29. Heb. 3.14, & 10.35. Phil. 1.6. It will never dry up it fears no ſcorching ſummers. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. Ca…r not away then, the beginnings of your confidence. For he will perfect what he hath begun, till the day of Chriſt
7. Cheriſh the ſacred motions of the Spirit of God: for he takes of the things of Chriſt: not from us, our merits faith or holineſs: for they are of no value, but of his blood to comfort us:John 16.15. therefore hearken to his affectionate breathings. If thou at any time fall thru' infirmity: this holy Spirit helps thee to mourn under the ſight of diſpleaſed love. If thy faith ſeem to muddle and grope in the dark: he will ſhine upon thy pa…h again. If grace like the ſenſible plant, ſhrink up, by the touch of ſome rough hand of tentation: it will open and expand its branches again by this Suns warm and ſweet influences. If then the joy of Aſſurance ſpring again, if the glories of heaven be deſcribed as in a lively Landskarp before thine eyes, written as it were with bright illuminated letters;[E capite mortuo ſanguinis vel urinae] foreign Song 4. Jerom. bleſs the Spirit of grace, and cry out with the Spouſe in the book of Songs. Be gone O chill and blaſting north, and come O fruitful cheriſ…ing diſtilling ſouth upon the garden of my Soul, that the ſpices thereof may flow forth that my beloved may come and eat his pleaſant fruits.
8. Be careful in the conſtant uſe of Ordinances, and pure worſhip, and eſpecia…ly the Lords Supper (and conſidering the times of trouble) as frequent as thou canſt: (but woe to them that are obſtructers) and remember when God opens the doors of his Sanctuary, that thou behave with all holy reverence, endeavouring to enjoy it in its purity and power. There the King ſits at his Table, Song 1.1….and the Spiknard fends forth its fragr…ant ſmell. At this banquet Faith helps to aſſure us, that we ſhall as certainly ſit with Chriſt in glory, as we now partake of the ſeals in grace. Here Chriſt is received by the hand of a true believer, here we eat & drink Chriſt into our ſouls. As we take the bread and wine into our bodies: ſo by Faith we take his moſt precious body and blood; which being digeſted with an holy heart, is turned into the nerves and ſpirits of Aſſurance. That thou mayſt now ſing the holy hymn of praiſe with a loud voice, This is my Lord and my God, he will come and ſave us; Let not go this your holy confidence, but hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jeſus Chriſt.1 Pet. 1.13.
Laſtly, look dilgently to the holineſs of your ways, and with it be careful of a humble reſigning interpretation of the ways of God towards you, that you be never too much elevated or high-creſted in proſperity: nor in time of adverſity, deſpiſe his corrections,Heb. 12.5. Souls conflict p. 321. Rom. 8.28. or faint under them. It is a never-ſailing rule (ſaid holy Sibbs) to diſcern a mans ſtate in grace, when he finds every condition draw him nearer to God, and when all things work together for his good: As the fleſh of vipers (I may add) and other poyſons, compounded and corrected into Antidotes, and mixt well together, prevail againſt contagious diſeaſes: ſo do corrections ſanctified, ſweat out the poyſon of fin: that it ſhall never fatally touch the heart and vitals of ſuch as truly love God, and are called according to his purpoſe.
I ſhall now conclude this long but ſweet Chapter with Mr. Scudders Teſtimony of the work of Grace.Walk. p. 555, Lond, 8. 1674.
The Queſtion being put about Aſſurance: he there aſſerts, that whoſo can anſwer affirmatively to theſe following queries (which I may contract) may be aſſured of Gods peace and love, and of his own ſalvation, what ever fears or feelings may ſeem to happen to the contrary.
Queſt. 1: How ſtand you affected to ſin? are you afraid to offend God, and dare not ſin wittingly? is it your grief and burden, that you cannot abſtain it, nor get out of it as ſoon as you would?
Queſt. 2. How are you affected to holineſs, and the power of godlineſs? To know Gods will and do it? to fear and pleaſe him? is it your grief when you fail? and your joy when you do well?
Queſt. 3. How to the Church of God? are you glad when it goes well, and grieved when it goes ill, and ſit trembling with Ely to hear how it goes with the Ark of God, however it be with your own particular?
Queſt. 4. How towards men? do you diſlike wicked men, and love thoſe that fear the Lord, becauſe they are good?
Queſt. 5. Can you endure your ſoul to be ript up, and your beloved ſin to be ſmitten by a ſearching Miniſter: and like him the rather? and can yield an obedient ear to ſuch a wiſe reproof?
Queſt. 6. Tho you have not Evidence alwayes, or can ſcarce tell whether you ever had it: yet reſolve or deſire, and will as you are able to cleave to God in Chriſt for ſalvation by Faith, and to truſt in no other perſon nor by no other means to be ſaved?
If you can anſwer [Yea] to all, or [Any] of theſe, aſſure your ſelf, you are in God's favour and ſtate of grace, and that you ſin not with allowance, it is adherence. Thus far that holy man.
I like well that ſaying of his [Or any of theſe] for ſo ſhould Signs and marks be framed by Divines for examination of diſtreſſed ſouls, that the meaneſt and loweſt Form of Chriſtians may reap true comfort by their laborious gleanings: when a higher and more experienced Chriſtian may poſſibly carry more ſheaves of this joyful harveſt in the boſom of his ſoul.
Now, tho. I have been larger than ordinary in this Chapter, out of tender regard to troubled and darkned Spirits: yet I hope the multiplicity and variety of expreſſions (which to the Learned in Chriſts School may ſeem ſomewhat long) may beg and obtain their loving and candid excuſe, ſince I hope thru' grace. I may ſay with ſome graines of integrity, that I have endeavoured to manage my words with ſome care and circumſpection in the main: that ſo if poſſible, I might with divine aſſiſtance and bleſſing, help to draw ſome out of the pit, where no water is: and that I might not grieve, no not one ſoul of the generation of the Juſt: but to be a helper of their Faith & Joy. If any think I have been too copious I beg their copious pardon. Dulce eſt ex magno tollere acervo. Its comfortable gathering for an exil…d Ruth. and (upon Boaz his leave & order) to ramble all the Field over, & to gl…an where, and what ſhe pleaſes. The Lord increaſe our Faith, and give leave to our Joy to go up with a Pipe into the houſe of the Lord as in the ſolemn Feaſts,Iſai, 30.26. and ſing the Songs of Aſſurance in the heights of Zion. Which conducts me into the view of the next Chapter, to ſet forth the danger of unbelief, and exhibit ſome preventives againſt the riſing of that ſore ſin: That the Lord may be graciouſly intreated to advance the work of Faith with power, and fulfil all the good pleaſure of his goodneſs;… Theſſ. 1.11. that the Name of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt may be glorified in us and we in him.
CHAP. IX, X.
THe ninth Chapter about the grand danger of Ʋnbelief, and ſome methods to avoid the ſunk Rocks in that dead Sea: and likewiſe the tenth about the choice bleſſings and ineſtimable benefits that flow from ſaving Faith: how thereby a good Chriſtian, by the grace of God may live a joyful life in the midſt of all his troubles, and ride in one of our ſecond Solomons Chariots over the Kidron of death unto the Mount Olivet of Aſcention into glory; but what I ſaid before upon the titles of the 4th and 5th Chapters, crave alſo a Super-ſedeas or a Writ of Eaſe for theſe: tho I am ſomewhat unwilling to omit them, eſpecially the 7th about the infirmities of ſorrowful and deſerted ſouls. If the publiſhed papers find acceptance with the pious, it may encourage the others to appear in Gods due time, as a ſecond part of this Tract: if they may be thought uſeful: but at preſent they are left to ſome other providential opportunity: if the Lord permit and proſper it: which I humbly give up to the divine conduct in ſparing of life, and ſhining upon the ſeaſons of his holy Will and Pleaſure: if otherwiſe I hope the Lord will ſtir up ſome to perform the like with more uſefulneſs and ſucceſs in advancing the poor in ſpirit toward the Kingdom of heaven, then any of theſe mean helps could have effected: and ſo I leave this and all the labours of any of His faithful Servants with the great Lord of the Vineyard▪ and conclude this Tract with the Epilogue to the whole, which I had prepared.