Abridgment of the Whole Body of Divinity, Part 2 · Subpart 22 – Subpart 26
Of the Members of Christ.
The Members of Christ are either Members outwardly,The Members Christ. and before men, which are onelyonly out of charity so called, as externally professing the Faith.
Or Members in the sight of God.
Which are, 1. Either decreed so to be, as being elect from all eternity, though not yet born, or not yet called, Joh. 10. 16.
Or 2. Actually so already, and these are first either actual living Members, as being engraffed through Faith by the holy Spirit into Christ, and therefore grow in the power of holiness, Or 2. Actual dying Members, or decaying Members, that is, such as have not the feeling of the power of the quickning spirit in them, though they be truly engraffed into Christ, of this sort are all those that are yet dead in their sins, till such time as they be again quickned, and regenerated.
God doth execute effectual calling by these means.Effectual calling the means of its execution.
1. By the preaching of the word, and by hearing of it, Ezek. 16. 6. Isai 55. 1. Joh. 1. 12.
By the Law God doth shew a man his sin, and the punishment thereof, Rom. 7. 7.
By the Gospel God doth shew salvation through Christ, to such as do believe.
And whilest the word is preaching, God doth inwardly enlighten the eys of the minde, and open the heart, and the ears, that the word heard, may be truely understood, 1 Joh. 2. 27. Act. 16. 14. Psal. 40. 6. Joh. 6. 44. Isai 54. 6.
2. By mollifying the heart, and making it fit to receive his saving grace into it, when he offereth it, Ezek. 11. 19.
The hammers by which a stonyThe hammers by which a stony heart is bruised. heart is bruised, and broken, are these.
1. The knowledge of the Law of God.
2. The knowledge of sin Original and Actual, and of the punishment due unto them.
3. Compunction, or a pricking of heart, that is, a sense, or feeling of the wrath of God for sin, Act. 2. 37.
4. An holy desperation of our own power in the obtaining of life, Luke 15. 17, 18, 19. Mark. 15. 24.
Thirdly, effectual calling is executed:
By Faith receiving Christ, and by the operation of the holy spirit in applying him, Joh 1. 12. 6. 35. Rom. 6. 38. 1 Cor. 2 12. Zach. 12. 10. Rom. 8. 16. Eph. 1. 13. 2 Cor. 1. 22.
In the work of Faith there are five motions of the heart linked.The five motions in the heart upon the work of Faith.
1. Knowledge of the Gospel by the illumination of Gods spirit, Isai 53. 11. Joh. 17. 3.
To this knowledge in those that are truely humbled is joyned a serious meditation of the promises in the Gospel.—
—Which Meditation is stirred up by a sensible feeling of their own beggery.
And after this knowledge there doth arise a general Faith in all such as are enlightned, whereby they subscribe to the truth of the Gospel, Heb. 4. 2. 1 Tim. 1. 19. and 2. 4.
Which knowledge, so soon as it is full and perfect, it is called foreign, that is the full assurance of understanding, Col. 2. 2. Rom. 14. 14. Luk. 1. 1. 1 Thes. 1. 5.
2. Hope of pardon, by which a sinner believeth that his sins are pardonable, though he doth not yet feel them certainly pardoned, Luke 15. 18.
3. Hungring and thirsting after grace, which is offered to us in Christ Jesus, Joh. 6. 35. and 7. 37. Revel. 21. 6. Matth. 5. 6.
4. An approching with boldness to the Throne of Grace, that so we flying from the terrour of the Law, may take hold on Christ, and finde favour with God, Heb. 4. 16.
This approching of the Throne of Grace is done, 1. by an humble confession of our sins in the presence of God, as did David, Psal. 32. 5. 2 Sam 12. 13. Luke 15. 19.
2. By a craving earnestly to God for pardon of our sins, and by perseverance in fervent prayer for the same purpose, Luke 15. 21. Act. 8. 22. Rom. 8. 26. Hosea 14. 2, 3.
3. An especial perswasion imprinted in the heart by the holy Ghost, by which every faithfull man doth apply all the promises of the Gospel to himself, Matth. 9. 2▪ and 15. 28. Gal. 2. 20.
This perswasion is, and ought to be in every one, before he have any experience of Gods merciemercy, Matth. 15. 22, 27. Joh. 20. 29. Heb. 11. 1.
In natural Phylosophy we do first see things true by experience, and afterwards assent unto them; Thus we are perswaded that water is hot, because we perceive the heat by putting our hand into it.
But in the practise of Faith, we must first stedfastly believe, and then the experience and feeling of comfort will follow, 2 Chr. 20. 20.
It is therefore very ill done of any, that they should doubt of their salvation, because they do not always feel the especial motions of Gods holy spirit in themselves.
The lowest degree of Faith is foreign, that is, a weak Faith, or a little Faith, like to a grain of Mustard-seed, or to smoaking flax, which cannot flame nor give out heat, but onelyonly smoak, Matth. 8. 25. 26 and 7. 20. Isai. 3. 4 2.
Faith may be then said to be feeble, when either the first of the five motions, or the last of them is weak and feeble; yea, though the other three motions do remain strong, Rom. 14. 2. 3.
Rules to know this kinde of Faith by, are these.Rules to know true Faith.
1. A serious desire to believe, and endeavour to obtain Gods favour, is the seed of this Faith, Matth. 5. 6. Rev 21. 6. Psal. 145. 19.
2. An earnest use of means to encrease the least spark of Faith, that so it may get growth by little, and little, Luke 17. 5, 6.
Faith is stirred up by earnest prayer, and meditation, and by making progress, and going on in the ways of perfection, and in the exercise of godliness.
The highest degree of Faith, is called foreign, or full assurance, by this a man doth find in himself a certain perswasion and assurance, that God doth love him, & will together with Christ, and all his graces give him eternal life, Rom. 4. 20. and 8. 38. 1 Sam. 17. 36. Ps. 23. 6.
A man doth not come to high degree of Faith, till after a sense, and long experience of Gods love, and favour.
2.The second degree of the Declaration of Gods love. The second degree of the Declaration of Gods love is justification.
By this, through the obedience of Christ, true believers are accounted just in the presence of God, 2 Cor. 5. 21. 1 Cor. 1. 30. Rom. 5 19.
The parts of justification are, 1. Remission of sins, with a freeing from the guilt, and punishment of them, and that through the satisfaction made to God for them by Christ, Collos. 1. 21, 22. 1 Pet. 2. 24.
2. Imputation of Christs righteousness, by this, those that believe have the guilt of their sins covered, and are accounted just in the sight of God, Phil. 3. 8, 9. Rom. 4, 3, 4, 5, 6.
The obedience of Christ is called the righteousness of God, and of Christ, of God, because it is of God.
Of Christ, because it is out of us, and in the humanity of Christ, as in a subject.
To justification is joyned Adoption.
By Adoption we do receive power, to be actually accounted the Sons of God by Christ, Eph. 1. 5.
Priviledges that come unto us by Adoption are these.Priviledges by Adoption.
1. By it we are made Heirs apparent to God, Rom. 8. 17.
2. Fellow Heirs with Christ; yea, Kings and Priests, Rom. 8. 17. Revel. 1. 6.
3. By it all our afflictions; yea, even our wants and offences are turned to trials, or fatherly chastisements inflicted upon us for our good, Rom. 8. 28, 36, 37. Psal. 89. 32, 33. 2 Cor. 12. 7. 2 Sam. 7. 14.
4. By it we have dominion over all the Creatures; yet, so as that in this life we have onelyonly right to the thing, but after this life we shall have right in the same, 1 Cor. 3. 22, 23. Heb. 2. 7, 8.
5. By it we have the Angels Ministring spirits for our good, Heb. 1. 14. Psal. 34. 7.
The faithfull alone have the true use of Creatures.
1. Because their persons are made acceptable unto God in Christ, and in him they have restitution made them of the right use of Creatures, which was lost in Adam, so that they may use them freely, and with a good conscience.
The third degree of the Declaration of Gods love is sanctification.The third degree of the Declaration of Gods love.
By it we are delivered from the Tyranny of sin, and by little and little renewed in holiness, & righteousness, 1 Joh. 3. 9. Rom. 8. 1.
The parts of sanctification are first mortification.
By this the power of sin is abated, and sin is killed in the faithfull, Rom. 6. 2, 3. 4. Gal. 5. 24. Mortification is wrought in us by the power of the holy Spirit, abolishing sin in us, and regenerating, or renewing our spirits.
2. Vivification.
By this inherent holiness is begun in us, and by little and little augmented, and inlarged by the power of the holy spirit.
For first we do receive the first fruits of the spirit, and then by degrees we have a continual encrease of them, Eph. 2. 21. and 4▪ 23, 24. Gal. 2. 20. Rom. 8. 23.
Vivification is a benefit that springeth unto us by the resurrection of Christ, and is wrought in us by the holy spirit, Phil. 3. 10. It is this that createth holiness in the heart of the adopted ones of God, Rom. 8. 9, 11. Job 33. 24, 25.
Inherent holiness is distinguish'd according to the several faculties of the body, and Soul of man, 1 Thes. 5. 23.
The parts of inherent holiness are these.The parts of Inherent holiness.
1. An illumination of the minde to know, and understand the will of God; which illumination is both the holiness of the minde, and the renewing of it, Colos 1. 9. 1 Cor. 12. 8.
Illumination of the minde is,Illumination.
1. Either spiritual understanding, by which it acknowledgeth the known truth of the word of God,
2. Or spiritual wisdom, by which the same truth is applied to the good ordering, both of particular things, and of particular actions, as persons, place, and time require.
The effects of spiritual understanding, and of spiritual wisdom are these.
1. To discern betwixt good and evil, Heb. 5. 14. Phil. 1. 10.
2. To discern spirits, 1 Joh. 4. 1. 1 Thes. 5. 21. Act. 17. 11.
3. To meditate upon the words, and works of God, Ps. 1. 1. and 119. 33.
4. To know, and acknowledge a mans own inward blindness, Psal. 119. 18, 33.
2.2. Part of inherent holiness, is sanctification of memory. A sanctification of the memory, by which it is inabled to receive a good thing offered to the minde, and to keep it; and remember it as there is need, Psal. 16. 7. 119. 11. Luke 2. 51.
3.3 Part. Sanctification of cōscience. Sanctification of conscience, This is a grace of God, by which a mans conscience excuseth him for all sins, after they are once pardoned in Christ, and also of his upright walking in the whole course of his life, 1 Tim. 1. 19. 1 Cor. 4. 4. Act. 23. 1. and 24. 16. Ps. 26. 1, 2, 3. 1 Joh. 3. 21.
The inward peace of God doth arise from this sanctity of conscience in all godly men; yea, and the outward alacrity and chearfulness of countenance also, Phil. 4. 7. Prov. 28. 1. Job 33. 24, 25.
4. Sanctification of will,4. Part. Sanctificaton of will. by which through the renewing of the affections by the holy Spirit, a man doth begin to will that which is good, and to refuse evil.
This is such a state, as that the will is partly freed from bondage, and partly in bondage to sin, Phil. 2. 13. Rom. 7. 18. to the 22.
5. Sanctification of affections,5. Part. Sanctification of affections. by this, in the power of the holy Spirit the affections move well, and rightly, 1 Thes. 5. 23. Rom. 7. 24.
The chief affections are these.The chief affections.
1. Hope, by this, with sighings we look and wait for the accomplishment of redemption, Rom. 8. 23.
This Hope, when it is grown strong and lively, hath its foreign, that is, Its full assurance, even as Faith hath, Heb. 6. 11. 1 Pet. 1. 3.
2. Fear of offending God, because of his mercy, 1 Pet. 1. 17. Psal. 130. 4.
3. A contempt, or a base account of all worldly things, in respect of Christ Jesus, Phil. 3. 7, 8.
4. A love of God in Christ, which is as strong as death, and as a fire that cannot be quench'd, Cant. 8. 6.
5. An fervent zeal to Gods glorie, Rom. 9. 3.
6. An anguish of minde for our own sins; and also for the sins of others, Psal. 119. 136. 2 Pet. 2. 7, 8.
7. An exceeding great joy in the holy Ghost, Rom. 14. 17.
The sixth part of inherent holiness,6. Part. Sanctification of body. is sanctity of body.
By this in the power of the holy spirit, the body is made a fit instrument for the Soul to accomplish that which is good by it, Rom. 6. 19.
Of Repentance, and fruits thereof.
Repentance doth follow Faith and sanctification,Repentance. and yet in such as are converted it doth first manifest it self.
Repentance is when a sinner turneth to the Lord, Act. 26. 20. Ezek. 33. 11, 19. 1 Joh. 3. 3.
Repentance is then true, when as any one, by the motion and instinct of the holy Ghost, doth purpose, will, desire, and endeavour, to forsake his sins, and to turn unto the Lord, and to become a new man, Psal. 119. 112. Act. 11. 23.
The fruits of repentance is Christian conversation,Its fruits. in which we bring forth fruits worthy amendment of life, Matth. 3. 8.
A Christian conversation is such a course of life, as in which we do follow Christs example, & through the power of his spirit dwelling in us, perform new obedience to God, Matth. 11. 29. 1 Pet. 4. and 2. 21. and 3. 10, 11.
Of new obedience.New obedience.
The parts of new obedience are these.
1. The denial of our selves, Matth. 16. 24.
2. The profession of Christ.
The denial of our selves consisteth.
1. In Christian warfar.Parts of self-denial.
2. In the patient bearing of the Cross.
The parts of Christian warfar are.
1. The preparation to the battel.1. Part of Christian warfar.
2. The combat.
The preparation to the battel consisteth in the use of the compleat armour of God, Eph. 6. 13.
The pieces, or parts of the compleat armour of God are these.The compleat armour of God.
1. Truth, Eph. 6. 14.
2. Justice and righteousness, Eph. 6. 14.
3. Evangelical obedience, which is the shoeing of the feet with the shooes of the preparation of the Gospel of peace, Eph 6. 15.
4. Faith, (Eph. 6. 16.) as the shield whereby we must quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
5. The sword of the spirit, which is the word of God, Eph. 6. 17.
6. The Helmet of salvation, Eph. 6. 17.
7. Continual, and fervent prayer with watching and fasting, Eph. 6. 18. 1 Pet 5. 8.
The Combat is a mutual conflict of them that fight spiritually.A Christians Combat.
The Combatants,The Combatants. or Warriours are the Tempter, and the Christian Souldier, Eph. 6. 12.
The tempter is the Prince of the power of the air, that is, the Devil and his Angels, which are spiritual wickedness in high places.
Their helpers are the flesh and the world.
The conflict of all these enemies is temptation, by this they do provoke a man to commit such wickedness, as is hurtfull to the salvation of his Soul, 1 Pet. 2. 11.
In the Souldier we must consider his resisting, and his fall.
Resisting is an action, whereby the Souldier through grace working inwardly in him, doth withstand temptation, 1 John 2. 14. 1 Pet. 5. 8. Eph. 6. 16. Psal. 91. 13.
The Souldier must strengthen, and confirm himself with these preservatives.
1. When a man is tempted to sin,Confirmation of the Souldier, consisting in three things. he must not onelyonly abstain from it, but also earnestly love, and follow after the contrary, viz. righteousness, and holiness, 1 Pet. 5. 9. Eph. 4. 27. Jam. 4. 7.
2. He must never consent to Sathans words, whether he speak truth, (Mark. 1. 24.) or accuse falsly, (Joh. 8. 44.) or flatter dissemblingly, Act. 16. 17.
3. He must look for one temptation after another, and then especially when his enemy seemeth to be at rest with him, as though he had made a truce with him. For, Sathan is such an enemy, as will never make an end of his malice, 1 Pet 5. 8.
The fall of the Souldier is then, when he fainteth through infirmity, and as being subdued by the power and violence of his enemy, Gal. 6. 1.
The remedy for the restoring a man thus fallen, must be by instructing him in the spirit of meekness, Gal. 6. 1.
Here for encouragement every man may remember this for his comfort.
1. That in whomsoever there is a willing heart, That man shall be accepted for that grace which he hath, and is manifested in the willingness of his heart, & not for that which he hath not, 2 Cor. 8. 12.
2. He that will live godly in Christ must always remember in all these things, that the power of God is made perfect through our infirmity, 2 Cor. 12. 9, 10.
Of the assaults in this Combat.
1.Assaults in the Combat. The Devil assaults a man about his effectual calling.
The temptation here is this.
The Devil striveth to blinde a mans minde, and to harden his heart, least the word of God should work in him to salvation, Matth. 13. 4. to the 19.
This temptation must be resisted by giving ear, and endeavouring to receive the word, that so through the spirit of God it may be grafted in our hearts, and spring in us, Luke 8. 15. Heb. 4. 2. Jam. 1. 21.
Preservatives for the resisting of this temptation are these.
1. Meditate on the power, and use of the word, Eccles. 1. 17. and 5. 1.
2. Attend diligently unto it with thy minde, Acts 16. 14.
3. Hunger after it with the longing desires of the heart, Joh. 7. 37.
4. Labour to be pure in life, Psal. 26. 6.
5. Cast away evil affections, Jam. 1. 21.
6. Be doers of the word, Jam. 1. 22.
7. Consent always to the truth of the word preached, Act. 2. 37.
8. With David hide, or treasure up the word of God in your hearts that you sin not, Psal. 119. 11.
9. Reverence, and tremble at the presence of God in the assembly of the Church, Isai 66. 2. Act. 10. 33.
In the hearing of the word the fall is coldness in hearing, or receiving of it, or else a falling into errours.
The remedy here is to restore by the spirit of meekness, and that, because we our selves are also subject to be tempted, and thus doing is to bear one anothers burthens, and to fulfill the Law of Christ, Gal. 6. 1. 2.
The second Assault.The second Assault.
The second assault is concerning Faith.
The temptation here is this, the Devil putteth it into the heart of a godly man that he is not elect, that he is not justified, that he hath no Faith, and that therefore he will be condemned for his sins, Matt. 4. 3.
To weaken a mans Faith, the Devil will take occasion to tempt him.
1. From his adversities, dangers, losses, persecutions, and grievous offences. Thus he dealeth with David, Psal. 73. 12. and Job 13. 23, 24, 25.
2. From the remembrance of sin past, Job 13. 26.
3. From a feeling of death, even already at hand.
Here resistance must be thus made. In the power of true Faith, we must apply Christ, and all his benefits to our selves. Thus
I assuredly believe that I shall not be condemned, that I am elected, and justified in Christ, and I am out of all doubt that all my sins are pardoned, Isai 53. 11. Rom. 8. 38, 39.
In this temptation the preservative from the fall is stedfastly to look unto, and rely upon Christ, the object of our Faith, Phil. 3. 12. to the 14. Joh. 3. 14.
The fall upon this temptation is doubtfulness, and distrust of Gods mercy, and of our own elections, as in David, Ps. 76. 6, 7, 8. and 21. 1. The remedies to recover this fall are
1. The powerfull operation of the holy spirit in encreasing Faith, and stirring of it up, Phil. 1. 6. Luk▪ 17. 5. 2. Holy Meditations, as
1. That it is the commandment of God that we should believe in Christ, 1 Joh. 3. 23.
2 That the promises of the Gospel exclude none, but those that exclude themselves, Isai 55. 1. Matth. 11. 28. Joh. 3. 15.
3. That doubtfulness, and despair are most grievous sins.
4. That with Abraham we must under hope believe against hope, Rom. 4. 18.
5. That the mercies of God, and the merits of Christs obedience do belong unto all those that believe, Isai 54. 10. Ps. 103. 11. 1 Joh. 2, 1. 2. Ps. 130. 7.
6. That God measureth the obedience due unto him more by the affection, and true desire of the heart to obey, than by the external act, and outward performance of obedience, Rom. 8. 5, 7. and the 7. 20, 21, 22. Malach. 3. 17.
7. That when one sin is forgiven, all▪ the rest also are forgiven; For, forgiveness being once given without any limit of time, is given for ever, Rom. 11. 29. Act. 10. 43.
8. That Grace and Faith are not taken away by sins of infirmity; but they are hereby declared, and made manifest, Rom. 5. 20. 2 Cor. 12. 7, 8, 9
9. That God works by contrary means, and his power is made perfect through weakness, 2. 12. 9.