The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification, Direction 11

The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification · Direction 11

p. 193DIRECT. XI.

Endeavour diligently to perform the great work of believing on Chriſt in a right manner without any delay, and then alſo to continue and increaſe in your moſt holy Faith, that ſo your enjoyment of Chriſt, Ʋnion and Fellowſhip with him, and all holineſs by him, may be begun, continued, and increaſed in you.

EXPLICATION.

HAving already diſcovered to you the powerful and effectual means of an holy practice, my remaining work is to lead you to the actual Exerciſe and Improvement of them, for the immediate attainment of the End; and I think it may be clearly perceived by the foregoing Directions, That Faith in Chriſt is the Duty with which a holy Life is to begin, and by which the Foundation of all other holy Duties is laid in the Soul. It is before ſufficiently proved, That Chriſt himſelf, with all Endowments neceſſary to enable us to an holy practice, is received actually into our hearts by Faith. This is the uniting Grace, whereby the Spirit of God knitteth the knot of myſtical Marriage betwixt Chriſt and us, and maketh us Branches of that noble Vine, Members of that Body joyned to that excellent Head, living Stones p. 194of the ſpiritual Temple, built upon the precious living Corner-ſtone and ſure Foundation, partakers of the Bread and Drink that came down from Heaven and giveth Life to the World. This is the Grace whereby we paſs from our corrupt natural State, to a new holy State in Chriſt, alſo from Death in Sin to Life in Righteouſneſs, and whereby we are comforted, that ſo we may be eſtabliſhed in every good Word and Work. If we put the Queſtion, what muſt we do that we may work the works of God? Chriſt reſolveth it, That we believe on him whom he hath ſent, Joh. 6.28, 29. He putteth us firſt upon the work of believing, which is the work of God by way of eminence, the work of works, becauſe all other good works proceed from it. The ſcope of the preſent Direction, is to put you upon the performance of this great work of believing on Chriſt, and to guide you therein; for which end, you are to conſider diſtinctly, four things contained in it.

1. The firſt is, you are to make it your diligent endeavour to perform the great work of Believing on Chriſt. Many make little Conſcience of this Duty. It is not known by Natural Light, as many moral Duties are, but only by ſupernatural Revelation in the Goſpel, and it is fooliſhneſs to the natural Man. Theſe are ſometimes terrified with apprehenſions of other ſins, and will examine themſelves concerning them; and it may be, will write them down to help their Memories and Devotion; but the great ſin of not believing on Chriſt, is ſeldom thought of in their ſelf-examinations, or regiſtred in the large Catalogues of their ſins; and even thoſe who are convinced that Believing on Chriſt is a Duty neceſſary to Salvation, p. 195do neglect all diligent endeavours to perform it. Either becauſe they account, that it is a motion of the heart which may be eaſily performed at any time without any labour or diligent endeavour; or on the contrary, becauſe they account it as difficult as all the works of the Law, and utterly impoſſible for them to perform by their moſt diligent endeavours, except the Spirit of God work it in them by its mighty power. And that therefore it is in vain for them to work, until they feel this working of the Spirit in their Hearts: Or becauſe they account it a Duty ſo peculiar to the Elect, that it would be preſumption for them to endeavour the performance of it, until they know themſelves to be elected to Eternal Life through Chriſt. I ſhall urge you to a diligent performance of this Duty, notwithſtanding all theſe Impediments, by the following conſideration: It is worthy of our beſt endeavours, as appeareth by the preciouſneſs, excellency, and neceſſity of it already diſcovered.

If the Light of Nature were not darkned in the matters of Salvation, then it would ſhew us, that we cannot of our ſelves find out the way of Salvation, and would condemn thoſe that deſpiſe that Revelation of the way of Salvation that God hath given us in the Goſpel, declared in all the holy Scriptures. The great end of Preaching the Goſpel, is for the Obedience of Faith, Rom. 1.5. that ſo we may be brought to Chriſt, and all other Obedience; yea, the great end of all revealed Doctrines in the whole Scriptures, is to make us wiſe to Salvation by Faith that is in Chriſt Jeſus, 2 Cor. 3.15. The end of the Law given by Moſes, was for Righteouſneſs to every one that believeth, p. 196Rom. 10.4. and Chriſt was that end for Righteouſneſs. The moral Law it ſelf was revealed in order to our Salvation, by believing on Chriſt, or elſe the knowledge of it had nothing availed fallen Man, that was unable to perform it. Therefore they that ſlight the Duty of Believing, and count it fooliſhneſs, do thereby ſlight, deſpiſe, and villiſie the whole Counſel of God revealed in the Scripture: The Law and the Goſpel, and Chriſt himſelf, are become of none effect to the Salvation of ſuch; the only fruit that ſuch an one can attain to, of all the ſaving Doctrines of the Scripture, is only ſome hypocritical moral Duties and ſlaviſh performances, which will be as filthy rags in the ſight of God in the great day. However, many mind not the ſin of unbelief in their ſelf-examinations, and write it not in their Scrouls, yet let them know, that this is the moſt pernicious ſin of all: All the ſins in their Scrouls would not prevail to their Condemnation, yea, they would not prevail in their Converſation, were it not for their unbelief. This one ſin prevailing, maketh it impoſſible for them to pleaſe God in any. Duty whatſoever, Heb. 11.6. If you will not mind this one main ſin now, God will at laſt mind you of it with a Vengeance: For, He that believeth not on the Son ſhall not ſee Life, but the wrath of God abideth on him, Joh. 3.36. The Lord Jeſus ſhall be revealed from Heaven in flaming fire, taking Vengeance on thoſe that obey not the Goſpel of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, 2 Theſ. 1.5.

2. Believing on Chriſt, is a work that will require diligent endeavour and labour for the performance of it; we muſt labour to enter into that reſt, leſt any man fall by unbelief, Heb. 4.11. we muſt ſhew diligence p. 197to the full aſſurance of hope to the end, that we may be followers of them who through Faith and Patience inherited the promiſes, Heb. 6.11, 12. It is a work that requireth the exerciſe of Might and Power, and therefore we have need to be ſtrengthned with might by the Spirit in the inward Man, that Chriſt may dwell in our hearts by Faith, Eph. 3.16, 17. I confeſs it is eaſie, pleaſant and delicious in its own nature, becauſe it is a motion of the heart without any cumberſome bodily Labour; and it is a taking Chriſt and his Salvation as our own, which is very comfortable and delightful; and the Soul is carried forth in this by Love to Chriſt and his happineſs, which is an Affection which maketh even hard works eaſie and pleaſant; yet it is made difficult to us, by reaſon of the oppoſition that it meeteth withall from our own inward Corruptions, and from Satans temptations. It is no eaſie matter to receive Chriſt as our happineſs and true Salvation, with true confidence and lively affection, when the guilt of ſin lyeth heavily upon the Conſcience, and the wrath of God manifeſted by the Word, and terrible Judgments, eſpecially when we have been long accuſtomed to ſeek Salvation by the procurement of our own works; and to account the way of Salvation by Free Grace, fooliſh and pernicious, when our Luſts encline us ſtrongly to the things of the fleſh and the World, when Satan doth his utmoſt by his own ſuggeſtions, and by falſe Teachers, and by worldly Allurements and Terrors to hinder the ſincere performance of this Duty. Many works that are eaſie in their own nature, prove difficult for us to perform in our Circumſtances: To forgive our enemies, and to p. 198love them as our ſelves, is but a motion of the mind, eaſie to be performed in its own nature; and yet many that are convinced of their Duty, find it a hard matter to bring their hearts to the performance of it. It is but a motion of the mind to caſt our Care upon God for worldly things, and rich Men may think that they can do it eaſily; but poor Men that have great Families, find it a hard matter. That eaſie comfortable Duty which Moſes exhorted the Iſraelites to, when Pharoah with his Chariot and Horſe-men overtook them at the Red Sea, Be ye not afraid, ſtand ſtill and ſee the Salvation of the Lord, which he will ſhew you this day, Exod. 14.13. was not eaſily performed. The very eaſineſs of ſome Duties makes their performance difficult, as Naaman the Aſſyrian was hardly brought, to waſh and be clean, becauſe he thought it to be too ſlight and eaſie a Remedy for the Cure of his Leproſie, 2 Kings 5.12, 13. even in this very caſe, people are offended at the Duty of Believing on Chriſt, as too ſlight and eaſie a remedy to Cure the Leproſie of the Soul, they would have ſome harder thing enjoyned them to the attainment of ſo great an end as this everlaſting Salvation. The performance of all the moral Law, is not accounted work enough for this end, Mat. 19.17, 20. However eaſie the work of Believing ſeemeth to many, yet common Experience hath ſhewed, that Men are more eaſily brought to the moſt burdenſome, unreaſonable, and inhumane Obſervations, as the Jows and Chriſtian Galatians were more eaſily brought to take upon their Necks the Yoke of Moſes's La w, which none were able to bear, Acts 15.10. The Heathens were more eaſily brought to burn their Sons and p. 199their Daughters in the Fire to their Gods, Deut. 12.31. The Papiſts are brought more eaſily to the Vows of Chaſtity and Poverty, and Obedience to the moſt rigorous rules of Monaſtick Diſcipline, to macerate and torture their Bodies with Faſtings, Scourgings, and Pilgrimages, and to bear all the exceſſive Tyranny of the Papal Hierarchy, in a multitude of burdenſome ſuperſtitious and ridiculous Devotions. They that ſlight the work of Faith for its eaſineſs, ſhew that they were never yet made ſenſible of innumerable ſins, and terrible Curſe of the Law, and Wrath of God that they lye under; and of the darkneſs and vanity of their Minds, the corruption and hardneſs of their Hearts, and their bondage under the power of Sin and Satan, and have not bin truly humbled, without which they can't Believe in a right manner. Many ſound Believers have found by experience, that it hath bin a very hard matter to bring their Hearts to the Duty of Believing; it hath coſt them vigorous ſtruggles, and ſharp conflicts with their own Corruptions, and Satans Temptations. It is ſo difficult a work, that we can't perform it without the mighty working of the Spirit of God in our Hearts, who only can make it to be abſolutely eaſie to us, and doth make it eaſie, or ſuffer it to be difficult, according as he is pleaſed to communicate his Grace in various degrees unto our Souls.

3. Tho we cannot poſſibly perform this great work in a right manner, until the Spirit of God work Faith in our Hearts by his mighty Power, yet it is neceſſary that we ſhould endeavour. And that before we can find the Spirit of God working Faith effectually in us, or giving ſtrength to p. 200Believe. We can perform no holy Duty acceptably, except the Spirit of God work it in us; and yet we are not hereby excuſed from working our ſelves, but we are the rather ſtirred up to the greater diligence; Work out your Salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleaſure, Phil. 2.12, 13. The way whereby the Spirit works Faith in the Elect, is by ſtirring them up to endeavour to Believe, and this is a way ſuitable to the means that the Spirit uſeth, i. e. The Exhortations, Commands and Invitations of the Goſpel, which would be of no force, if we were not to obey them, until we find Faith already wrought in us. Neither can we poſſibly find, that the Spirit of God doth effectually work Faith, or give ſtrength to Believe, until we Act it; for all inward Graces, as well as all other inward Habits, are diſcerned by their Acts, as Seed in the Ground by its Springing. We cannot ſee any ſuch thing as Love to God or Man in our Hearts before we Act it: Children know not their Ability to ſtand upon their Feet, until they have made trial, by endeavouring ſo to do; ſo we know not our ſpiritual Strength, until we have learned by Experience from the uſe and exerciſe of it; neither can we know, or aſſure our ſeives abſolutely, that the Spirit of God will give us Strength to Believe before we Act Faith; for ſuch a Knowledge and Aſſurance if it be right, is ſaving Faith it ſelf in part; and whoſoever truſteth on Chriſt aſſuredly for ſtrength to believe by his Spirit, doth in effect truſt on Chriſt for his own Salvation, which is inſeparably joyned with the Grace of ſaving Faith. Tho the Spirit worketh other Duties in us by Faith, yet he p. 201worketh Faith in us immediately by hearing, knowing and underſtanding the Word; Faith cometh by Hearing, and Hearing by the Word of God, Rom. 10.13. And in the Word he makes no abſolute Promiſe or Declaration, that he will work Faith in this or that unbelieving Heart, or that he will give ſtrength to Believe to any one in particular, or begin the work of Believing in Chriſt. for Faith it ſelf is the firſt Grace whereby we have a particular Intereſt in any ſaving Promiſe. It is a thing hidden in the ſecret Counſel and Purpoſe of God concerning us, whether he will give us his Spirit and ſaving Faith, until our Election be diſcovered by our Believing actually. Therefore as ſoon as we know the Duty of Believing, we are to apply our ſelves immediately to the vigorous performance of the Duty, and in ſo doing, we ſhall find that the Spirit of Chriſt hath ſtrengthned us to Believe, tho we knew not certainly that it would do it before-hand. The Spirit cometh undiſcernably upon the Elect, to work Faith within them, like the Wind that bloweth where it liſts, and none knoweth whence it cometh, and whither it goeth, but only we hear the ſound of it, and thereby know it when it is paſt and gone, Joh. 3.8. we muſt therefore begin the work, before we know that the Spirit doth or will work in us ſavingly: And we ſhall be willing to ſet upon the work if we Believe; for thy People ſhall be willing in the day of thy Power, Pſal. 110.3. It is enough that God diſcovereth to us before-hand in the Goſpel, what Faith is, and the ground we have to Believe on Chriſt for our own Salvation; and that God requireth this Duty of us, and will help us in the performance of it, if we apply p. 202our ſelves heartily thereunto: Fear not, I command thee to be ſtrong, and of good courage, Joſh. 1. Ariſe and be doing, and the Lord will be with thee, 1 Chron. 22.16. Therefore whoſo receiveth this Goſpel-diſcovery as the Word of God in hearty Love, is taught by the Spirit, and will certainly come to Chriſt by Believing, Joh. 6.45. Every one that receiveth it not deſpiſeth God, maketh him a lyar, and deſerveth juſtly to periſh for his Unbelief.

4. Tho the Spirit worketh ſaving Faith only in the Elect, and others believe not, becauſe they are not of Chriſt's Sheep, Joh. 10.26. and on that account its called the Faith of Gods Elect, Tit. 1.1. yet all that hear the Goſpel are obliged to the Duty of Believing, as well as to all the Duties of the moral Law, and that before they know their own particular Election; and they are lyable to Condemnation for Unbelief, as well as for any other ſin: He that believeth not is condemned already, becauſe he hath not believed on the Navie of the only begotten Son of God, Joh. 3.18. The Apoſtle Paul ſheweth, That the Elect Iſraelites obtained Salvation, and the reſt that were not Elected were blinded, and yet even theſe were broken off from the good Olive-tree becauſe of their Unbelief, Rom. 11.7, 20. We cannot have a certain knowledge of our Election to Eternal Life before we do Believe; it is a thing hidden in the unſearchable Counſel of God, until it be manifeſt by our effectual Calling and Believing on Chriſt. The Apoſtle knew the Election of the Theſſalonians, by ſinding the evidence of their Faith, that the Goſpel came to them, not in Word only, but alſo in Power, and in the Holy Ghoſt, and in much Aſſurance; and p. 203that they had received the Word in much affliction, with joy in the Holy Ghoſt, 1 Theſ. 1.4, 5, 6. We are to ſee our Calling, if we would find out that God hath choſen us, 1 Cor. 1.26, 27. therefore we muſt Believe on Chriſt before we know our Election, or elſe we ſhall never know it, and ſhall never Believe; and it is no preſumption for us to truſt confidently on Chriſt for Everlaſting Life, before we have any good evidence of our Election, becauſe God that cannot Lye, hath made a general promiſe, That whoſoever believeth on him ſhall not be aſhamed, without making the leaſt difference among them that perform this Duty, Rom. 10.11, 12. The Promiſe is as firm and ſure to be fulfilled, as any of Gods Decrees and Purpoſes; and therefore it is a good and ſufficient ground for our Confidence. It is certain, that all that the Father hath given to Chriſt by the Decrees of Eternal Election, ſhall come to Chriſt. And it is as really certain, that Chriſt will in no wiſe caſt out any that cometh to him, whoſoever he be, Joh. 6.37. And we need not fear that we ſhall infringe God's Decree of Election, by Believing on Chriſt confidently for our Salvation, before we know what God hath decreed concerning us. For if we Believe, we ſhall at laſt be found among the number of the Elect. And if we refuſe to Believe, we ſhall thereby wilfully ſort our ſelves among the Reprobates, that ſtumble at the Word, being diſobedient, whereunto alſo they are appointed, 1 Pet. 2.8. I ſhall add further, that tho we have no Evidence of our particular Election, before we Believe, yet we are to truſt on Chriſt aſſuredly, to make it evident to us, by giving us that Salvation which is the peculiar Portion of the Elect p. 204only: All ſpiritual ſaving Bleſſings wherewith God bleſſeth his People in Chriſt, are the peculiar Portion of them whom God hath choſen in Chriſt before the foundation of the World, Eph. 1.3, 4. yet we muſt neceſſarily truſt on Chriſt for thoſe ſaving Bleſſings, or have none at all: We are to pray in Faith nothing doubting, that God will remember us with the favour that he beareth to his People, that we may ſee the good of his Choſen, and glory with his Inheritance, Pſal. 106.4, 5. therefore we are to truſt aſſuredly on God, that he will deal with us as his Choſen People. Thus it appeareth, that it is not preſumption, but your bounden Duty, to apply your ſelves to the great work of Believing on Chriſt for Salvation, without queſtioning at all before-hand, whether you are Elected or no: Secret things belong to God, but thoſe things that are revealed belong unto us, that we may do them, Deut. 29.29.

The ſecond thing directed to, is, that you ſhould endeavour for a right manner of performing this Duty. This is a point of great concernment, becauſe the want of it will render your Faith ineffectual to Sanctification and Salvation. The great Duty of Love, which is the end of the Law, and the principal fruit of Sanctification muſt flow from Faith unfeigned, 1 Tim. 1.5. There is a feigned Faith, that doth not really receive Chriſt into the Heart, and will not produce Love, or any true Obedience; ſuch as Simon Magus had Acts 8.13.23. for notwithſtanding his Faith, he was in the gall of bitterneſs, and in the bond of iniquity. And ſuch as thoſe Jews had, to whom Chriſt would not commit himſelf, who did not confeſs him, leſt they ſhould be put out of the Synagogue, Joh. 2.23. p. 205and 12.42. and ſuch as the Apoſtle James ſpeak of, What doth it profit you, my Brethren, if a man ſay he have Faith, and have not Works? Can that Faith ſave him? The Devils alſo believe and tremble, Jam. 2.14, 19. Take heed therefore leſt you deceive your Souls with a counterfeit Faith, inſtead of the precious Faith of God's Elect. The way to diſtinguiſh the one from the other, is by conſidering well what is the right manner of that Believing which is effectaal to Salvation: Hypocrites may perform the ſame Works for the matter, with true Saints; but they are defective in the manner of performance, wherein the excellency of the Work doth chiefly conſiſt. One great reaſon why many ſtrive to enter in at the ſtrait Gate, and are not able, is becauſe they are ignorant and defective in the right manner of Acting this Faith whereby they are to enter. Now I confeſs, that God only is able to guide us effectually in the right way of Believing; and we have this great Conſolation, when we ſee our own folly and proneneſs to miſtake our way, that if we heartily deſire and endeavour to Believe on Chriſt aright, we may conſidently truſt on Chriſt to guide us. God hath promiſed that the wayfaring Men, tho Fools, ſhall not err in the way of Holineſs; and that he will teach ſinners in the way; the Meek will he guide in Judgment, and the Meek will he teach his way, Pſal. 25.8, 9. and he commandeth them that lack Wiſdom, to ask it of God in Faith, nothing doubting, Jam. 1.5, 6. But however, we are to know, that God guideth us only according to the rule of his Word; and we muſt endeavour to learn the right way of Believing out of the Word, or elſe we are not able ſo much as to p. 206truſt rightly on God for guidance and direction in this great Work. To help you herein, I have given you before in this Treatiſe, a Deſcription of ſaving Faith; and have ſhewed that it containeth two Acts in it; the one is Believing the Truth of the Goſpel; the other is Believing on Chriſt as revealed, and freely promiſed to us in the Goſpel for all his Salvation. Now your great endeavour muſt be, to perform both theſe Acts in a right manner, as I ſhall ſhew concerning each of them in particular.

In the firſt place, you are highly concerned to endeavour for a right belief of the Truth of the Goſpel of Chriſt, that ſo you may be well furniſhed, diſpoſed and encouraged to Believe on Chriſt as revealed and promiſed in the Goſpel; hereby you are to remove all diſcomfortable thoughts and objections of Satan and your own Conſcience, and to overcome all corrupt Inclinations that hinder a chearful embracing of Chriſt and his Salvation. It is found by experience, that when any fail in the ſecond Act of Faith, the reaſon of the failing is commonly ſome defect in this firſt Act. There is ſome falſe imagination or other in them, contrary to the belief of the Truth of the Goſpel; which is a ſtrong hold of Sin and Satan, that muſt be pulled down before they can receive Chriſt into their Hearts by Believing on him. If they knew the Name of Chriſt as he is diſcovered in the Goſpel, and judged aright of the Truth and Excellency of it, they would not fail to put their Truſt in him. And we are in great danger of entertaining ſuch falſe Imaginations, and to account many Truths of the Goſpel ſtrange Paradoxes, yea fooliſh and pernicious, becauſe p. 207of our Ignorance, Self-conceitedneſs, guilty Conſciences, corrupt Affections, and manifold Errors wherewith our Judgments are prepoſſeſſed in matters of Salvation; and becauſe Satan laboureth to beguil us, as he did Eve, through his ſubtilty to corrupt our minds from the ſimplicity of the Goſpel that is in Chriſt, 2 Cor. 11.3. I ſhall therefore give you ſome particular Inſtructions, that are of greateſt moment to prevent ſuch defects as we are moſt lyable to in the firſt Act of our Faith.

1. You muſt Believe with a full perſwaſion, that you are a Child of Wrath by Nature, as well as others, fallen from God by the ſin of the firſt Adam; dead in Treſpaſſes and Sins, ſubject to the Curſe of the Law of God, and to the power of Satan, and to inſupportable miſery to all Eternity: And that you cannot poſſibly procure your reconciliation with God, or any ſpiritual Life and Strength to do any good work, by any endeavouring to get Salvation according to the terms of the Legal Covenant, and that you cannot find any way to eſcape out of this ſinful and miſerable Condition by your own Reaſon and Underſtanding, without ſupernatural Revelation, nor be freed from it, except by that infinite power that raiſeth the Dead. We muſt not be afraid as ſome are, to know our own vileneſs and ſinfulneſs, neither muſt we be willing to think our ſelves better than we are, but muſt be heartily deſirous and glad to know the worſt of our own Condition; yea, when we have found out the worſt that we can of our ſelves. Yea, we muſt be willing to believe that our Hearts are deceitful, and deſperately wicked, beyond all that we can know and find p. 208out, Jer. 17.9. This is all neceſſary to work in us true Humiliation, Self-deſpair, and Self-loathing, that we may highly eſteem, and earneſtly ſeek the Salvation of Chriſt, as the one thing neceſſary. It maketh us ſick of ſin, and ſenſible of our need of the great Phyſician, and willing to be ordered according to any of his preſcriptions, whatſoever we ſuffer, rather than to follow our own Wiſdom, Mat. 9.12. It was for want of this Humiliation that the Scribes and Phariſees were not ſo forward to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, as the Publicans and Harlots, Mat. 21.31.

2. You are to believe aſſuredly, That there is no way to be ſaved without receiving all the ſaving beneſits of Chriſt, his Spirit as well as his Merits, Sanctification as well as remiſſion of ſins by Faith. It is the ruin of many Souls, that they truſt on Chriſt for remiſſion of ſins without any regard to Holineſs, whenas theſe two Benefits are inſeparably joyned in Chriſt. So that none are freed from Condemnation by Chriſt, but thoſe that are enabled to walk holily, i. e. not after the fleſh, but after the ſpirit, Rom. 8.1. It is alſo the ruin of Souls to ſeek only remiſſion of ſins by Faith in Chriſt, and Holineſs by our endeavours, according to the terms of the Law, whereas we can never live to God in Holineſs, except we be dead to the Law, and live only by Chriſt living in us by Faith: That Faith that receiveth not holineſs as well as remiſſion of ſins from Chriſt, will never ſanctifie us, and therefore it will never bring us to heavenly Glory, Heb. 12.14.

3. You are to be fully perſuaded of the Allſufficiency of Chriſt for the Salvation of your ſelf, p. 209and of all that believe on him, that his blood cleanſeth from all ſin, 1 Joh. 1.7. tho our ſins be never ſo great and horrible, and continued in never ſo long, yet he is able to deliver us from the body of Death, and mortifie our Corruptions be they never ſo ſtrong: We find in Scripture, that abominable wicked perſons have bin ſaved by him, Idolaters, Adulterers, Effeminate, Covetous, Drunkards, Extortioners, &c. 1 Cor. 6.9, 10. Such as have ſinned againſt the Light of Nature, as the Heathen, and the Light of Scripture, as the Jews; ſuch as have denied Chriſt, as Peter, and perſecuted and blaſphamed him, as Paul; many that have fallen into great ſins are ruined for ever, becauſe they do not account the Grace of Chriſt ſufficient for their Pardon and Sanctification; when they think they are gone and paſt all hope of recovery, that their ſins are upon them, and they pine away in them, and how ſhall they live, Ezek. 33.10. This deſpair works ſecretly in many Souls, without much trouble and horror, and maketh them careleſs of their Souls, and true Religion. The Devil ſills ſome with horrid, filthy, blaſphemous thoughts, on purpoſe that they may think their ſins too great to be forgiven, tho commonly ſuch thoughts are the leaſt of the ſins of thoſe that are peſtered with them, and rather the Devils ſin than theirs, becauſe they are hurried into them ſore againſt their wills; but if their Hearts be ſomewhat polluted with them, Chriſt teſtifieth, that all manner of ſin and blaſphemy ſhall be forgiven, beſides blaſphemy againſt the Holy Ghoſt, Mat. 10.31. And as for thoſe that are guilty of Blaſphemy againſt the Holy Ghoſt, the reaſon why they are never forgiven, is not p. 210becauſe of any want of ſufficiency in the Blood of Chriſt, or in the pardoning mercy of God, but becauſe they never repent of that ſin, and never ſeek to God for mercy through Chriſt, but continue obſtinate until Death; for the Scripture teſtifieth, that it is impoſſible to renew them again by Repentance, Heb. 6.5, 6. So that the Merits of Chriſt are ſufficient for all that ſeek to him for mercy by Believing: There are others that deſpair of ever getting any Victory over their Luſts, becauſe they have formerly made many Vows and Reſolutions, and have uſed many vigorous Endeavours againſt them in vain: ſuch are to perſuade themſelves, that the Grace of Chriſt is ſufficient for them, when all other means have failed; as the Woman that had the Iſſue of Blood, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worſe by any Remedies that Phyſicians could preſcribe; yet perſuadeth her ſelf, that if ſhe might but touch the Cloths of Chriſt, ſhe ſhould be whole, Mar. 5.25, 28. Thoſe that deſpair by reaſon of the greatneſs of their Guilt and Corruption, do greatly diſhonour and undervalue the Grace of God, his infinite mercy, and the infinite merits of Chriſt's Blood, and power of his Spirit, and deſerve to periſh with Cain and Judas: Abundance of People that give up themſelves to all Licentiouſneſs in this wicked Generation, lye under ſecret Deſpair, which maketh them ſo deſperate in Swearing, Blaſpheming, Whoring, Drunkenneſs, and all manner of Wickedneſs. How horrid and hainous ſoever our ſins and corruptions have bin, we ſhould learn to account them a ſmall matter in compariſon to the Grace of Chriſt, who is God as well as Man, and offered p. 211himſelf, by the Eternal Spirit, as a Sacrifice of an infinite Value, for our Salvation; and can create anew as eaſily as he created the World, by a word ſpeaking.

4. You are to be fully perſwaded of the Truth of the General Free Promiſe in your own particular caſe, that if you believe on Chriſt ſincerely, you ſhall have everlaſting Life, as well as any other in the World, without performing any condition of Works to procure an Intereſt in Chriſt: For the Promiſe is Univerſal, Whoſoever believeth on him ſhall not be aſhanted, Rom. 9.32. without any Exception, and if God exclude you not, you muſt not exclude your ſelves, but rather conclude peremptorily, that how Vile, Wicked and Unworthy ſoever you be; yet if you come you ſhall be accepted as well as any other in the World; you are to believe the great Article of the Creed, the Remiſſion of Sins in your own caſe, when you are principally concerned, or elſe it will little profit you to believe it in the caſe of others. This is that which hinders many broken wounded Spirits from coming to the great Phyſician, when they are convinced of the abominable Filthineſs of their Hearts, that they are dead in Sin without the leaſt ſpark of true Grace and Holineſs in them, they think that it is in vain for ſuch as they are, to truſt on Chriſt for Salvation, and that Chriſt will never ſave ſuch as they are; why ſo? They can be but loſt Creatures at worſt, and Chriſt came to ſeek and ſave thoſe that are loſt. If they that are Dead in Sin cannot be ſaved, then all muſt Deſpair and Periſh, for none have any Spiritual Life, until they receive it by Believing on Chriſt. Some think themſelves to be worſe p. 212than any others, and that none have ſuch wicked Hearts as they; and tho others be accepted, yet they ſhall be rejected; but they ſhould know that Chriſt came to ſave the Chiefeſt of Sinners, 1 Tim. 1.15. and that the deſign of God is to ſhew the exceeding Riches of his Grace in our Salvation, Eph. 2.7. which is moſt glorified by pardoning the greateſt Sinners, and it is but our ignorance to think our ſelves like no Body; for all others, as well as we, are naturally Dead in Treſpaſſes and Sins, their Mind is Enmity to God, and is not ſubject to his Law, nor can be, Rom. 8.8. and every Imagination of the Thoughts of their Hearts are only evil and continually ſo, Gen. 6.5. they have all the ſame corrupt Fountain of all Abominations in their Hearts, tho we may have exceeded many others in ſeveral actual Sins. Others think that they have out-ſtaid their time, and therefore now they ſhould find no place for Repentance, tho they ſhould ſeek it carefully with Tears, Heb. 12. but Behold, now is … accepted time; now the day of Salvation, 2 Cor. 6.…. even as long as God calleth upon you by the Goſpel▪ And altho Eſau was rejected, that ſought rather the Earthly than Spiritual Bleſſings of the Birth-right, yet they ſhall not be rejected that ſeek the Enjoyment of Chriſt and his Salvation, as their only Happineſs. If you come into Chriſt's Vinyard at the eleventh Hour of the day, you ſhall have your Penny as well as thoſe that come early in the Morning, becauſe the Reward is of Grace and not of Merit, Matt. 20.9, 10. and here you muſt be ſure to believe ſtedfaſtly, that Chriſt and all his Salvation is beſtowed as a Free Gift upon thoſe that do not work to procure any Right or p. 213Title to him, or meetneſs or worthineſs to receive him, but only believe on him that juſtifieth the ungodly, Rom. 4.5. if you put any condition of Works or good Qualifications betwixt your ſelves and Chriſt, it will be a Partition wall that you can never climb over.

5. You are to believe aſſuredly, that it is the Will of God that you ſhould Believe in Chriſt, and have Eternal Life by him as well as any other; and that your Believing is a Duty very acceptable to God, and that he will help you as well as any other in this work, becauſe he calleth and commandeth you by the Goſpel to Believe in Chriſt. This maketh us to ſet carefully upon the work of Believing; as when Jeſus commanded the blind Man to be called, they ſaid unto him, Be of good comfort and riſe, he calleth thee, Mat. 10.29. A Command of Chriſt made Peter to walk upon the Water, Mat. 14.29. And here we are not to meddle with Gods ſecret of Predeſtination, or the purpoſe of his Will to give the Grace of Faith to ſome rather than others; but only with his revealed Will in his gracious Invitations and Commands, by which we are required to Believe on Chriſt. This Will of God is confirmed by his Oath, As I live ſaith the Lord God, I have no pleaſure in the death of a ſinner, but that the wicked turn from his way and live: Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways, for why will ye die, O houſe of Iſrael, Ezek. 33.11. Chriſt teſtifieth, that he would often have gathered the Children of Jeruſalem as a hen, &c. and they would not, Mat. 23.37. And the Apoſtle Paul teſtifieth, that God will have all men to be ſaved, &c. 1 Tim. 1.4. you are to reject and abandon all thoughts that are contrary to this p. 214perſuaſion. What if few be ſaved? Thy Salvation will not make the number too great; for few will follow thee in the Duty of Believing. What if the Wrath of God be revealed from Heaven againſt thee in many terrible Judgments, and the Word and thine own Conſcience condemn thee, and Chriſt ſeem to reckon thee no better than a Dog, as he did the Woman of Canaan, Mat. 15.26. Thou art to make a good interpretation of all theſe things, that the end of them is, to drive thee to Chriſt, as this was the End of the Curſes of the Law, and all the terrible Diſpenſations of them, Rom. 10.4. If a Prophet, or Angel from Heaven ſent of God on purpoſe to declare, that the Sentence of Everlaſting Damnation is declared againſt thee, it would be thy Duty to believe, that God ſent him to give thee timely warning, for this very end, that thou mighteſt Believe, and turn to God by Faith and Repentance. Jeremiah propheſied againſt the Jews, that God would pluck them up, pull them down, and deſtroy them for their ſins; yet he himſelf taught them, If they turned from their evil ways, God would repent of the evil, Jer. 18.7, 8, 11. Jonah preached nothing but certain Deſtruction of Nineveh, to be executed upon them within 40 days, Chap. 3.4. yet the intent of that terrible meſſage was, that thoſe Heatheniſh People might eſcape Deſtruction by Repentance. The moſt abſolute and peremptory denunciations of Divine Vengeance againſt us while we are in this World, muſt be always underſtood with a ſecret reſerve of Salvation for us, upon our Faith and Repentance. And we are to account, that the reaſon why God doth ſo terribly denounce his Judgments p. 215againſt us by his Word is, that we may eſcape them, by flying for Refuge to his free Mercy in Chriſt▪ Take heed of foſtering any thoughts, that God hath abſolutely decreed to ſhew no ſaving Mercy to you, or that you have already committed the unpardonable ſin; or that it is in vain for you to attempt the work of Believing, becauſe God will not help you in it. If ſuch thoughts prevail in your hearts, they will do you more hurt than the worſt blaſphemous thoughts that terrifie you, or any of the groſſeſt Abominations that ever you were guilty of; becauſe they obſtruct your Believing on Chriſt for Salvation. The Spirit and the Bride ſay, Come; Chriſt ſaith, Whoſoever will, let him take of the water of Life freely, Rev. 22.17. Therefore we are to abandon all thoughts that hinder our coming to Chriſt, as very ſinful and pernicious, ariſing in us from our own Corruptions, and Satan's Deluſions, and utterly oppoſite to the mind of Chriſt, and teachings of the Spirit; and what ground can we have to entertain ſuch unbelieving thoughts? Hath God made us of his Privy-Council, that we ſhould be able to know that God hath decreed us to Damnation, before it be manifeſt by our final unbelief and impenitence? As for the unpardonable ſin, it conſiſteth in renouncing the way of Salvation by Chriſt with the whole heart, after we have attained to the knowledge of it, and are convinced of the Truth of it by the Goſpel. Its the ſin that the Chriſtian Hebrews would have bin guilty of, if they had revolted from Chriſtianity to the Religion of the unbelieving Jews, that accounted Chriſt to be an Impoſtor, and were moſt rancorous perſecutors of him and his ways, Heb. 6.4, p. 2165. They that have committed that ſin continue implacable, malicious Enemies to Chriſt and his ways to the end, without any repentance: Therefore if you can but find, that you deſire ſeriouſly to get an intereſt in Chriſt, and to be better Chriſtians than you are; if you be troubled and grieved that your Hearts and Lives are ſo wicked, and that you want Faith, Love, and true Obedience; yea, if your Hearts be not maliciouſly bent to perſecute the Goſpel, and prefer Atheiſm, Licentiouſneſs, or any falſe Religion before it, you have no cauſe to ſuſpect your ſelves to be guilty of this unpardonable ſin.

6. Add to all theſe, a full perſuaſion of the incomparable glorious Excellency of Chriſt, and of the way of Salvation by him. You are to eſteem the enjoyment of Chriſt as the only Salvation and true happineſs, and ſuch an happineſs as hath in it unſearchable Riches of Glory, and will make our Cup to run over with exceeding abundance of Peace and Joy, and full of Glory to all Eternity. We muſt account all things but loſs, for the excellency of the knowledge of Chriſt Jeſus our Lord, &c. Phil. 3.8. Incline your Wills and Affections to chooſe and embrace Chriſt as the Chief Good, and never to reſt ſatisfied without the Enjoyment of him; and to reject every thing that ſtands in Competition with him, or the Enjoyment of him. Chriſt is precious in the eſteem of all true Believers, 1 Pet. 2.7. Their high eſteem of his incomparable preciouſneſs and excellency, induceth them to ſell all, that they may buy this Pearl of great price, Mat. 13.46. this maketh them to ſay, Lord evermore give us of this Bread, that cometh down from Heaven and giveth Life p. 217to the World: Lord, to whom ſhall we go; thou hast the Words of Eternal Life, Joh. 6.32, 33, 68. becauſe of the ſavour of his good Ointments, his Name is as Ointment poured forth, therefore do the Virgins love him, Cant. 1.3. They are ſick of love to him, becauſe he is in their Eyes the chiefeſt of ten thouſand, Cant. 5.8, 10. As the Glory of God that appeared in the wonderful Beauty of the Temple, and in the Wiſdom and Glory of Solomon, drew Worſhipers to God from the utmoſt parts of the Earth, ſo the unparallel'd excellency of Chriſt which was prefigured by the Glory of Solomon and the Temple, doth more powerfully draw Believers in theſe Goſpel-days. The Devil, who is the God of this World, knows how neceſſary it is for our Salvation, to diſcern all the Glory and Excellency of Chriſt; and therefore where the Goſpel is preached, he maketh it his great work, to Eclypſe the Glory of Chriſt in the Miniſtry, and to blind the minds of the People, leſt the Light of the glorious Goſpel of Chriſt ſhould ſhine into them, 2 Cor. 4.4. One that is convinced of the truth of the Goſpel may be averſe to the embracing of it, until he ſee alſo the goodneſs of it, that Christ is altogether lovely and excellent.

I come now to the ſecond principal Act of Faith, whereby Chriſt himſelf, and his Spirit, and all his ſaving Benefits are actually received into the Heart; which is, Believing on Christ as revealed, and freely promiſed to us in the Goſpel for all his Salvation. The Spirit of God doth habitually diſpoſe and encline our Hearts to a right performance of this act, by enabling us to perform the firſt Act according to the former inſtructions, by believing aſſuredly thoſe great p. 218things of the Goſpel, whereby we are delivered into a form of doctrine, Rom. 6.17. which we are to obey from our hearts, and to follow as our pattern in the manner of our Acting Faith in Chriſt for Salvation. Therefore I need only to exhort you briefly to Act your Faith in Chriſt, according to that form and pattern in which you have bin already ſo largely inſtructed. You are to believe in Chriſt as alone ſufficient, and all-ſufficient for your Happineſs and Salvation; deſpairing altogether of any attainment of Happineſs by your own Wiſdom, Strength, works of Righteouſneſs, or any fleſhly worldly Confidences whatſoever: We muſt be as dead People to all other Confidences, and account them to be loſs for Chriſt, according to the example of the bleſſed Apoſtle, Phil. 3.3, 7, 8. We muſt not be grieved that we have nothing to truſt upon beſides Chriſt, for our Salvation, but rather, we are to rejoyce that we need nothing elſe, and that we have a ſure foundation to rely upon, incomparably better than any other that can be imagined: And we muſt reſolve to caſt the burden of our Souls wholly on Chriſt, and to ſeek Salvation no other way, whatſoever becomes of us. If the Cripple lay not the whole weight of his Body upon a ſtrong Staff, but part of it on a rotten one, he is like to receive a fall. If the Swimmer will not commit his Body wholly to the Water to bear him up, but catch at Weeds, or ſtruggle to feel out Ground, he may ſink to the bottom. Chriſt will be all our Salvation, or nothing; if we ſeek to be ſaved by any other ways, as the Galatians did by Circumciſion, Chriſt will profit us nothing, Gal. 5.2. You are alſo to receive Chriſt meerly as a free-gift, given to the p. 219Chief of ſinners, reſolving that you will not perform any Conditions to procure your ſelves a right and title to him: But that you will come to him as a loſt ſinner, an ungodly Creature, truſting on him that Justifieth the ungodly; and that you will buy him without mony, and without any price whatſoever, Rom. 4.5. Iſa. 55.2. Look not on your own Faith or Love, or any good Qualifications in your ſelves, as the ground of your truſting in Chriſt, but only to the free Grace and loving-kindneſs of God in Chriſt. How excellent is thy loving-kindneſs O God! therefore the Children of men put their truſt under the ſhadow of thy Wings, Pſal. 30.7. For if you make your Faith, Love, or good Qualifications to be your firſt and principal Foundation, and you build Chriſt upon them, inſtead of building all upon Chriſt, you invert the order of the Goſpel, and Chriſt will profit you nothing.

Another thing to be obſerved diligently is, that you muſt come to Chriſt for a new holy Heart and Life, and all things neceſſary thereunto, as well as for deliverance from the wrath of God, and the torments of Hell. You muſt alſo come to him with an ardent Love and Affection to him, and eſteem him better than a thouſand Worlds, and the only excellent Portion, loathing and abhorring your ſelf as a vile, ſinful, and miſerable Creature, and accounting all things Dung in compariſon of his Excellency, that you may be able to ſay from the bottom of your Heart, Whom have I in Heaven but thee? &c. Pſal. 73.23.

Laſtly, You muſt endeavour to draw near with full aſſurance of Faith, Heb. 10.22. truſting on Chriſt confidently for your own particular Salvation, p. 220upon the account of that general promiſe, That whoſoever believeth on Chriſt ſhall not be aſhamed, Rom. 9.33. You muſt check your ſelves for all doubtings, fears, ſtaggerings concerning your own Salvation by Chriſt, ſaying with the Pſalmiſt, Why art thou caſt down O my Soul, &c. Pſal. 42.11.

The third thing contained in the direction is; The avoiding of all delay in the performance of this great work of Believing in Chriſt. Until we have performed it, we continue under the power of Sin and Satan, and under the wrath of God, and there is nothing betwixt Hell and us, beſides the Breath of our Noſtrils. Its dangerous for Lot to linger in Sodom, leſt Fire and Brimſtone come down from Heaven upon him. The Manſlayer muſt flee with all haſte to the City of refuge, leſt the avenger of blood purſue him while his Heart is hot, and ſlay him, Deut. 19.5, 6. We ſhould make haſte, and not delay, to keep Gods Commandments, Pſal. 119.60. and flee for refuge to the hope ſet before us, Heb. 6.18. And God commandeth us to flee thus by Faith, without which it is impoſſible to pleaſe God in other Duties. The work is of ſuch a nature, that it may be performed as ſoon as you hear the Goſpel. As ſoon as they hear of me, they ſhall obey me, Pſal, 18.44. As ſoon as Zion travailed ſhe brought forth her Children, Iſa. 66.8. We have many examples of thoſe that received the Word by Faith at the firſt hearing of it. Three Thouſand were added to the Church on the very ſame day wherein Peter firſt publiſhed the Goſpel in Jeruſalem, Acts 2.41. ſo, many Jews and Gentiles were converted at the firſt hearing of the Apoſtle Paul at Antioch, Acts 13.43. p. 221The Jaylor, with all his houſe believed, and were baptized the ſame Night wherein Paul firſt preached to them, Acts 16.33, 34. The Goſpel came at firſt to the Theſſalonians, not in Word only, but in Power, and in the Holy Ghoſt, 1 Theſ. 1.5, 6. If God open the Hearts of his People to attend diligently, they may be inſtructed in the knowledge of the Goſpel by one brief Sermon, ſufficiently to begin the practice of ſaving Faith; and when they know their Duty, God requireth immediate performance, without allowing us the leaſt reſpit in the ſtate of Unbelief. When Satan cannot prevail with People, to reject wholly the Duty of Believing, his next attempt for the ruin of their Souls is, to prevail with them at leaſt, to delay and ſhift off the performance of it from time to time, by ſeveral falſe reaſonings and imaginations which he putteth into their minds; the moſt ignorant and ſenſual are eaſily prevailed with to defer this Duty, until they have taken their fill of the pleaſures, profits, and honours of this World; and are ſummoned to prepare for another World, by Infirmities, Age, Sickneſs▪ praying and hoping, that a large time of Repentance will be granted unto them before they dye. But ſuch delays ſhew, that they are really unwilling to Repent and Believe, until they are forced by neceſſity; and that they prefer the pleaſures, proſits and honours of the World, above God and Chriſt, and their own Souls. Thus they unfit themſelves more and more for this great Duty, by their cuſtomary walking in ſin, and by miſſpending the precious time of their Health and Strength, which is moſt meet for the performance of this great Work. They highly provoke God p. 222never to give them Time, or Grace to Repent hereafter. Others imagine, that after they have heard the Goſpel of Salvation by Chriſt, they may lawfully defer the Believing of it, until they have ſufficiently examined the Truth of ſome other different Doctrin, or until God be pleaſed to afford them ſome other means, to aſſure them fully of the Truth of the Goſpel. Thus they that are called Seekers, miſ-ſpend the day of Grace, ever learning, but never coming to the knowledg of the Truth, 2 Tim. 3.7. But the Truth of the Goſpel doth ſo clearly evidence its ſelf by its own Light, That if People do not wilfully ſhut their Eyes, or blind themſelves by their own Pride, and love of their Luſts, they would eaſily perceive that it is the Truth of God, becauſe the Image of his Grace, Mercy, Power, Juſtice and Holineſs, appears manifeſtly engraven upon it. It is a ſign People are Proud, when they conſent not to the words of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and to the Doctrine which is according to Godlineſs, 1 Tim. 6.3. If they were humble, and ſincerely inclined to do the Will of God, they would know whether the Doctrine be of God or no, Joh. 7.17. They would quickly be perſuaded of the Truth (by Moſes and the Prophets, Chriſt and the Apoſtles) ſpoken to them in the Scripture; and if they will not hear them, neither will they not be perſuaded tho one roſe from the dead; or whatever other Miracle be wrought to confirm the Divine Authority of the Goſpel, Luke 16.31. Another ſort of People there are, that delay the great work of Believing, to the ruin of their Souls, upon the outward means of Grace and Salvation, inſtead of any endeavours to receive Chriſt by Faith, tho they be p. 223convinced of the Truth of the Goſpel: This they call waiting upon God at the doors of his Grace and Salvation, in the uſe of Means appointed by him, and ſitting under the droppings of the Sanctuary. But let them know, that this is not the right waiting on God required in Scripture; it is rather diſobedience to God, and to the Name of his appointment, which requires, that we ſhould be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving our ſelves, Jam. 1.22. and that we ſhould come in to the ſpiritual Feaſt, Luke 14.23. and not only ſtand at the door, or ſit under the droppings of the Houſe of God, leſt Chriſt repute us no better than eve-droppers. That holy waiting on the Lord commended to us in Scripture, is ever accompanied with Believing and Hoping in the Lord, and dependeth thereon. I had fainted, unleſs I had believed to ſee the goodneſs of the Lord in the Land of the Living, Pſal. 23.13, 14. It is good that a Man ſhould both hope, and quietly wait for the Salvation of the Lord, Lam. 3.26. What is it that theſe deluded ones wait for, before they perform the Duty of Believing? Is it for more knowledge of the Goſpel? The way to encreaſe thy Knowledge as well as any other Talent, is to make uſe of what thou haſt received already; Believe heartily on Chriſt for all thy Salvation, according to that little knowledge of the Goſpel which thou haſt, and thou wilt have an intereſt in the promiſe of knowledge contained in the New Covenant, They ſhall all know me from the leaſt to the greateſt of them, ſaith the Lord, Jer. 31.34. Is it for the appointed time of thy Converſion that thou waiteſt? then thou waiteſt as thoſe impotent folk lay at the Pool of Betheſda, waiting for the Seaſon when p. 224the Angel would come down and move the Water; know then that if thou enter into Chriſt now by Faith, thou ſhalt find in him Waters of Life, and the Spirit moving them for the Healing and Quickning of thy Soul. God hath appointed by his Word, that it ſhall be thy Duty to endeavour that the preſent time ſhould be the time of thy Converſion, as the Holy Ghoſt ſaith, To day if thou wilt hear his Voice, harden not thy Heart, Heb. 3.7, 8. and thou ſhalt never know at what time God hath purpoſed in his Secret Counſel to give Faith to thee, until thou doſt actually believe. Doſt thou wait for any Manifeſtations or Flowings in of Gods ſaving Love to thy Soul? Then the way to obtain it is, to believe that the God of Peace may ſill thee with all Joy and Peace in Believing, Rom. 15.13. Thou haſt ſufficient Manifeſtation of Gods Love to thy Soul, by the free Promiſes of Life and Salvation by Chriſt; do but truſt on the Name of the Lord, and ſtay upon thy God, when thou walkeſt in Darkneſs and ſeeſt no Light of ſenſible Comforts any other way. Otherwiſe thou waiteſt for Comfort in vain, and this thou ſhalt have at the Lords hand, thou ſhalt lye down in Sorrow, Iſa. 50.10, 11. Doſt thou wait for any Qualifications to prepare thee for the work of Believing? If they be good and Holy Qualifications, thou canſt not have them before Faith; but they are either included in the Nature of Faith, or they are Fruits of it, as hath been largely proved. If they be bad and Sinful, it's ſtrange that any ſhould wait for them, and yet no more ſtrange than true: Some fooliſhly wait to be terrified with the Senſe of Gods Wrath, p. 225and deſpairing Thoughts; and theſe they call the Pangs of the New Birth, tho in their own Nature they are rather the Pangs of the Spiritual Death, and bring forth Hatred to God rather than Holineſs, and therefore we ſhould ſtrive to prevent them, by believing Gods Love in Chriſt, rather than to wait for them: It is true that God maketh theſe deſpairing Thoughts as well as other Sins, work for good to them that are delivered from them by Faith in Chriſt, they are moved thereby to hate Sin, and to prize Chriſt the more, and the Comforts of his Goſpel, and to loath and abhor themſelves, yet many are brought to Chriſt without them, by Gods giving them the knowledge of their own Sins, and of Chriſt's Salvation together; ſeveral Examples of theſe were above mentioned, who received the Word with Joy at the firſt hearing of it: And we muſt not deſire or wait for any evil of Sin, ſuch as theſe deſpairing thoughts are, that good may come of it: Neither ſhould we expect to be worſe before we be better, when we may and ought to be better preſently by believing on Chriſt.

4. In the direction it is, that we ſhould continue and increaſe in the moſt Holy Faith; and that we may, we muſt not think that when we have once attained to the Grace of ſaving Faith, and thereby are begotten anew in Chriſt, our Names are up in Heaven and perfect, we may lye in Bed till Noon; but as long as we continue in this Life, we muſt endeavour to continue in the Faith grounded and ſetled, not moved away from the hope of the Goſpel, Col. 1.23. and to hold the beginning of our Confidence, and the p. 226rejoycing of hope ſtedfaſt to the end, Heb. 6.14. and build up our ſelves in the moſt Holy Faith, Jude 20. abounding therein with Thankſgiving, Col. 2.7. Tho we receive Chriſt freely by Faith, yet we are but Babes in Chriſt, 1 Cor. 3.1. and we muſt not account, that we have already attained or are made perfect, Phil. 3.12, 13. but we muſt ſtrive to be more rooted and built up in him, until we come to the perfect Man, to the meaſure of the Stature of the fullneſs of Chriſt, Eph. 4.13. If the new Nature be really in us by Regeneration, it will have an Appetite to its own continuance and Increaſe, until it come to Perfection as the New Born Babe, 1 Pet. 2.2. And we are not only to receive Chriſt and a new Holy Nature by Faith, but alſo to live and walk by it, and to reſiſt the Devil, and to quench all his fiery Darts by it, and alſo to grow in Grace and to perfect Holineſs in the fear of God, for we are kept by the mighty Power of God through Faith unto Salvation, 1 Pet. 1.5. as all our Chriſtian Warfare is the good Fight of Faith. 1 Tim. 6.12. All Spiritual Life and Holineſs continue, grow or decay in us, according as Faith continueth, groweth or decayeth in Vigour; but when this Faith beginneth to ſink by Fears and Doubtings, the Man himſelf beginneth to ſink together with it, Matt. 14.29, 31. Faith is like the Hand of Moſes, while it is held up Iſrael prevails, when it is let down Amaleck prevails, Exod. 17.11. this continuance and growth in Faith will require our Labour and Induſtry as well as the beginning, tho we …e to aſcribe the Glory of all to the Grace of God in Chriſt, who is the Finiſher as well as the p. 227Author of it, Heb. 12.2. The Church meeteth with great Difficulties in her marching through the Wilderneſs of this World to the Heavenly Canaan, as well as in her firſt Deliverance from Egyptian Bondage; yea, we often meet with greater Difficulties in going to Perfection, than we did in the beginning of the Good Work. The Wiſdom and Mercy of God ſo ordering it, that we ſhall be exerciſed with the ſharpeſt Diſpenſations of Providence, and the fierceſt Aſſaults of our own Corruptions and Satans Temptations, after we have Grace given us to ſtand in the Evil Day. You muſt therefore endeavour to continue and go on in the ſame …ight manner as I have taught you, to begin this great Work of Believing in Chriſt, that your Faith may be of the ſame Nature from the Beginning to the End, though it increaſe in Degrees; for our Faith is imperfect and joyned with much Unbelief in this World, and we had need to pray ſtill, Lord I believe, help my Ʋnbelief, Mar. 9.24. and therefore we have need to ſtrive for more Faith, that we may receive Chriſt in greater Perfection. If you find your Faith hath produced good Works, you ſhould thereby increaſe your Confidence in Chriſt for Salvation by his meer Grace: But take heed of changing the nature of your Faith, from truſting on the Grace and Merits of Chriſt, to truſting on your own Works, according to the Popiſh Doctrin, that our firſt Juſtification is by Grace and Faith only, but our ſecond Juſtification is alſo by Works. Beware alſo of truſting on Faith it ſelf as a work of Righteouſneſs, inſtead of truſting on Chriſt by Faith: If you do not find that your Believing in ſuch a right manner as I have deſcribed, doth p. 228produce ſuch Fruits of Holineſs as you deſire, you ought not to diminiſh, but rather to increaſe your Confidence in Chriſt, knowing that the weakneſs of your Faith hindereth its Fruitfulneſs; and the greater your Confidence is concerning the Love of God to you in Chriſt, the greater will be your Love to God and to his Service. If you fall into any groſs Sin after the work is begun in you, as David and Peter did, think not that you muſt caſt away your Confidence and expect nothing but Wrath from God and Chriſt, and that you muſt refuſe to be comforted by the Grace of Chriſt, at leaſt for ſome time; for thus you would be the more weak and prone to fall into other Sins; but rather ſtrivo to believe more confidently that you have an Advocate with the Father, Jeſus Chriſt the Righteous; and that he is the Propitiation for our Sins, 1 Joh. 2.1, 2. and let not the guilt of Sin ſtay at all upon your Conſcience, but waſh it away with all ſpeed, in the Fountain of Chriſts Blood which is opened for us, that it may be ready for our uſe on all ſuch incident Occaſions; that ſo you may be humbled for your Sins in a Goſpel way, and may hate your own Sinfulneſs, and be ſorry for it with Godly Sorrow out of Love to God. Peter might have been ruined for ever by denying of Chriſt, as Judas was by betraying him, if Peter's Faith had not been upheld by the Prayer of Chriſt, Luke 22.32. If a Clould be caſt over all your inward Qualifications, ſo that you can ſee no Grace at all in your ſelves, yet ſtill truſt on him that juſtifyeth the Ungodly, and came to ſeek and to ſave them that are loſt. If God ſeem to deal with you as an Enemy, by bringing on you ſome horrible Affliction, as he did upon Job, beware of p. 229demning your Faith and its Fruits, as if they were not acceptable to God, but rather ſay with holy Job, Though he ſlay me, yet will I trust in him, but I will maintain mine own ways before him. Strive to keep and to increaſe Faith by Faith; i. e. by acting Faith frequently, by truſting on God to keep and increaſe it, being confident that he that hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jeſus Chriſt, Phil. 1.6.