Abridgment of the Whole Body of Divinity, Part 2 · Subpart 27
The third Assault.
The third assault is concerning sanctification.The third Assault.
Here the temptation is a provoking to sin.
The Devil provoketh to sin according as he findeth a mans disposition.
Secondly, as occasion offereth it self, thus he provoked David to number the people, 1 Chron. 21. 1. And Judas to betray Christ, John 13. 2.
Here the Devil to further his temptation will diminish the sin, that he would have a man commit, and that
1. Either by closely objecting to us Gods merciemercy. Or 2. by covering and hiding from us the punishment due to sin.
Helps by which the Devil furthereth himself in his temptations, are
1. The flesh.
The flesh lusteth against the spirit, 1. by getting evil motions and affections, 2. by overwhelming and oppressing good intents and motions, Gal. 5. 17. to the 21. Jam. 1. 14.
2. The World.
The World helpeth the Devil by its pleasure, profit, honour, evil examples, by which the Devil laboureth to bring men into disobedience and sin, Ephes. 2. 3. 1 John 2. 16.
These temptations may be resisted by desire of the holy spirit, for it worketh good motions and affections in the faithfull; And it doth drive forth evil motions, Gal. 5. 22. 26.
We may strengthen our selves in resisting thus: 1. If we count no sin light, or small, Gal. 5. 9. Rom. 6. 23. 2. If we do avoid all occasions of sin, 1 Thes. 5. 22. Judge 23. 3. We must accustom our selves to subdue the less sins, that so we may the more easily overcome the greater, Rom. 13. 4. 4. We must ever employ our selves in employments, good and warrantable by the word of God. 5. We must oppose against the rebellion, and loosness of our flesh. 1. The Law. 2. The judgements of God. 3. The last judgement. 4. The glorious presence of God, and the like, Prov. 28. 14. Gen. 39. 9.
Remedies against unjust anger,Remedies against unjust anger, and against private desire of revenge are these.
1. If we do consider that injuries happen unto us by the appointment of the Lord for our good, as David speaketh of Shemei cursing him, 2 Sam. 16. 10.
2. If we consider that God of his goodness forgiveth us more sins than it is possible for us to forgive men.
3. If we consider that it is the duty of Christian love to forgive others.
4. If we consider that they are the redeemed of Christ as well as we, and that therefore we must not desire to destroy them.
5. If we consider that we are in danger of the wrath of God, if we suffer our anger to burn against our brother, Matth. 6. 14.
6. If we consider that we do not rightly understand the circumstances of the facts, or what the minde, or purpose was of those against whom we swell.
Remedies,Against wrath. or bridles against wrath are these:
1. If we do imitate the Lord in mercy, who doth bear long with the wicked, Matth. 11. 29. 2 Pet. 3. 9.
2. If we make a pause, or a delay betwixt our anger and the execution of it.
3. If we go out of the place where those are with whom we are angry.
4. If we endeavour to avoid contention, both in word and deed.
5. If we will but oft meditate on this, that he shall have judgement without mercy that sheweth no mercy, and that mercy rejoyceth against judgement, Jam. 2. 13.
Remedies against desires of riches and honour are these:Against covetousness.
1. If we consider, that in famin God doth quicken and revive those that fear him, Psal. 33. 18, 19.
2. That godliness is great gain, 1 Tim. 6. 6.
3. That we are not to make our abode upon the earth, but travelling through the world to Heaven, and waiting here for the resurrection, and inheritance of eternal life.
4. That we are here servants of God, and that he therefore will provide us conveniencies.
5. That ambition and pride blindeth a mans minde, and thus maketh his downfall greater. An ambitious man feareth to be humbled, least he should not be exalted.
6. That pride, and ambition brought ruin upon mankinde even in Paradise.
7. That he robs God of his honour, that taketh that glory to himself, which is onelyonly due to God.
Remedies against the desires of the flesh are these:Against the desires of the flesh.
1. If we consider, that none can be Christs Disciples but those that live in a continual self denial, Luke 9. 23.
2. That those that are of the spirit ought always to savour the things of the spirit, Rom. 8. 15.
3. That those which walk after the flesh, shall die, Rom. 8. 13.
4. That, even here; for holiness and righteousness, we ought to walk as Citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven, Phil. 3. 20.
5. That our bodies are the Temples of God, 1 Cor. 3. 16.
6. That our Members are Members of Christ, 1 Cor. 6. 15.
7. That we must not grieve the spirit of God which dwelleth in us, 1 Cor. 6. 16. Rom. 8. 9. Eph. 4. 30.
In these temptations by the flesh the fall is, any offence through infirmity, which a man by these temptations of Sathan is overtaken withall, Gal 6. 1.
In these falls Sathan will much aggravate, and make greater the offence committed than it is. And he will also terrifie the offendour with the judgements of God, Matt. 27. 3, 4, 7.
Here the remedy is
To renew our repentance.
The beginning of this repentance is godly sorrow, or sorrow towards Godward, 2 Cor. 7. 9, 11.
The fruits of this repentance are seven. 1. A purpose, and endeavour to live according to the rule of Gods word. 2. Confession of sins before God, and an earnest entreaty of pardon for the offence at his hands, Ps. 32. 5. 2 Sam. 12. 3. 3. An holy indignation against a mans a self for his offence. 4 A fear, not so much because of the punishment, as least God should be highly displeased with the sin, Ps. 130. 3. 5. A desire to be delivered from sin, and to be fully renewed in life. 6. A fervent zeal to love God, and to embrace, & keep his Cammandments. 7. A holy revenge, which a man must take of himself for the taming, & subduing of his flesh, least afterwards he should again fall into the same offence.Second part of self denial.
The second part of self-denial is, The patient bearing of the Cross.
The Cross is nothing else but that measure of afflictions, which every faithfull man, by the will of God, passeth under, in his travelling through the World to Heaven, Matth. 16. 24. Colos. 1. 24. No man is to seek affliction, or to multiply his own troubles, but when God layeth affliction upon a man, he is to bear it willingly, and patiently, Colos. 1. 11. Luke 21. 19.
Patience is thus strengthened.To strengthen patience.
1. By the holy Ghost, Phil. 4. 13. and 1. 29. 2. By holy Meditations. As 1. That afflictions come not to a Faithfull man by chance, but through the counsel and providence of God, Gen. 4 5▪ 4, 5. 2 Sam. 16. 10. Psal. 119 71. The afflictions of the godly are inevitable, Act. 14. 22. Matt. 7. 14. Joh 16. 33. 2 Tim. 3. 12.
Secondly, That though they be grievous, yet they are good and profitable, in that by them we are humbled for our sins before God, and obtain peace, and holiness of life, 2 Cor. 1. 9. Isai 26. 16. Hos 5. 15. Psal. 78. 34. Jer. 31. 18. Heb. 2. 10. and 12. 11. Ps. 30. 5. Joh. 15. 2.Afflictions are the godly mens high way to Heaven. 1 Pet. 1. 6. 2 Cor. 1. 4. Rom. 5▪ 3.
Afflictions in the godly are signs of their adoption, Heb. 12. 6, 7. It is a praise for the godly to do well, and for it to suffer evil patiently at the hands of the wicked, 1 Pet. 2. 20.
They are a godly mans high-way to Heaven, Jam. 1. 12. 2 Cor. 4. 17.
Thirdly, That God hath promised favour and mitigation of punishment, his presence in them, and deliverance from them, 1 Cor. 10. 13. Phil. 1. 29. 2 Sam. 7. 14. Ps. 50. 15. and 121. 4. Isai 43. 2.
Fourthly, That in all our troubles and afflictions, we do but take part in that which Christ our Lord hath suffered before us, 1 Pet. 4. 13. 2 Cor. 4. 10. Colos. 1. 24.
Fifthly, That in all our afflictions we have Angels ministring for our defence and comfort, Ps. 34. 7. 2 Kings 6. 16. The Prophet Elisha saw the Mountain full of Angels for his defence.
So much for the denial of our selves.
The second part of new obedience is the profession of Christ.The profession of Christ.
This profession doth concern either Christ himself, or us his Members. The profession of Christ, which doth directly concern Christ from us, is, 1. Either continual, or 2. In time of danger.
1. Our continual profession,Continual profession. which doth directly concern Christ, is the calling upon the name of God; this is a duty that is always required of us in the name of him our Mediatour, 1 Cor. 1. 2. Act. 9. 14. Colos. 3. 17.
Gods name is called upon, 1. by prayer, or 2. thanksgiving, Phil. 4. 6.
Prayer hath two parts, 1. Petition, 2. Assent.
Petition is an asking things necessary at the hands of God in the name of Christ, according to the rule of Gods word, 1 Joh. 5. 14.
In every petition we must express a sense of our wants, and a desire of the grace of God to supply those wants, 1 Sam. 1. 10, 15, 17. Dan. 9. 4, 20. Ps. 130. 1. and 143. 6.
By assent we do believe, and profess before God our belief, that he in his due time will grant us our requests, which we have made unto his Majesty, 1 John 5. 14, 15. Matth. 6. 1.
Though the faithfull may discover many infirmities in their prayers, yet they have a notable sense of Gods favour, Psal. 6. 1, 2, 3, 4. and 8. 9 and 16. 7. and 20. 5. and 3 5. 9, 8, 20.
And especially when they do pray zealously, Jam. 5. 16) And when they do pray often to the Lord.
Examples of infirmities discovered in prayer.Infirmities in prayer.
Zacharias feared when he prayed, Luke 1. 13.
Jonah was displeased and angry, Jonah. 4. 12.
Thanksgiving is a calling upon Gods name, by which we do with joy and gladness of heart praise God for his benefits; Either received, Ephes. 5. 20. or promised, Psal. 36. 8, 9. Collos. 3. 16, 17.
This for the continual profession of Christ.
2.Profession in time of danger▪ Our profession of Christ in time of danger, is either, 1. In word, or 2. In deed.
Profession of Christ in word, is called Christian Apology, or the confession of Christ, as Rom. 10. 10. Psal. 22. 22.
Christian Apology, or profession of Christ in word is, when with fear and meekness we are always ready to confess the truth of Christian Religion as often as need requireth, and that in the presence of unbelievers, that the name of God may be glorified, 1 Pet. 3. 15, 16. Act. 7. 1. to the end.
We are not bound to make this confession of our faith before unbelievers that are past all hope of repentance; For holy things must not be given unto Dogs, Matt. 7. 6.
Profession of Christ in time of danger indeed; is called Martyrdom.
Martyrdom is an undergoing of the punishment of death, for the profession of Christ in the Doctrine of Faith, and for Justice, and for the salvation of the brethren. For Justice, John Baptist was beheaded of Herod, Mark. 6. 18. 27. 28.
Christ laid down his life for us, so ought we, if need require for the brethren, 1 John 3. 16.
For maintaining the Doctrine of Faith, Stephen was stoned, Act. 7. 59.
And yet this doth nothing let Christians the using of all holy security, for the safety of their own lives.
For (as Christ hath shewed in the Gospel.) It is lawfull for Christians in times of persecution, if they finde themselves not sufficiently resolved, and strengthened by the holy Spirit to stand, to fly from place to place for the security of their lives, Matt. 10. 23. Joh. 10. 39.
This Christ did, and advised his Disciples to do the like.
Upon such occasions as these, Paul fled to Tarsus, Act. 9. 30.
And upon like occasions Eliah fled for his life from Jezabel, 1 Kings 19. 3, 4.
Thus much for the profession of Christ, which concerneth Christ himself.
The profession of Christ,Profession of Christ, as it concerneth his Members. which concerneth his Members, is, either, 1. Edification, or 2. Alms.
Edification is every particular duty of us towards our brethren, which may further them in their growing up in Christ, and Unite them more surely to him, Rom. 14. 19.
To edification belong these things:
1. To give good example, Matt. 5. 16. 1 Pet. 2. 12.
2. To exhort, Heb. 3. 13. Rom. 1. 12.
3. To comfort, 1 Thes. 5. 14. and 4. 18. Jam. 5. 16, 20.
4. To admonish, Rom. 15. 14. 1 Thes. 5. 14.
They do observe a holy manner of admonishing, who do ever admonish in the spirit of meekness, and so, as if they themselves were guilty of the like infirmities, and of such faults, as they do certainly know by them whom they admonish out of Gods word, Gal 6. 1. Matt. 7. 5. 2 Tim. 4. 2. Matt. 18. 15. Rom. 15. 14. Levit. 19. 17.
Alms,Alms. or relief is that, whereby the rich out of their abundance ought freely, largely, and with open hands to supply the wants of the poor, and that to the utmost of their ability, and sometimes beyond it, 2 Cor 8. 3. Acts 2. 44, 45.
In the days of the Apostles all those that were converted to the Faith by the powerfull operation of the holy Spirit, esteemed no worldly thing they had their own, but held all their worldly store, Treasures, and inheritances in common; yea, they sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men as every one had need.
So much for Edification & Alms.
The fourth degree of the Declaration of Gods love,Fourth d…gree of the Declaration of Gods love. is Glorification, Rom. 8. 30.
Glorification is the perfect transforming of the Saints into the image of the Son of God,Glorification. Phil. 3. 21. 1 Cor. 15. 14, 49. Psal. 17. 15.
Glorification is begun in this life, and exceedingly enlarged at the day of death, and will be fully, and throughly perfected at the general resurrection in the last day: death of the faithfull is a sleep in Christ; In this sleep the Soul is for a time severed from the body, 1 Cor. 15▪ 17. Act. 7. 60.
The body lieth in the earth and seeth corruption, and at length is raised to greater glory than at first it had, 1 Cor. 15. 36.
The Soul is severed from it, that being fully sanctified it may immediatly upon its departure from the body be transported to Heaven, Luke 13. 42. …3. Rev. 14. 13.
Remedies against death,Remedies against death. or the fear of it are these:
1. If we consider that it is nothing else but a freeing of the faithfull from the Tyranny of the world, flesh, and Devil, and a placing of them safe under the shadow of the wings of Christ.
2. If we consider that death, and the grave are sanctified to us through the death of Christ.
3. If we do consider that Christ is gain unto us as well in death as in life, Phil. 1. 21.
4. If we consider that the pains of death are nothing to the comforts after death.
5. That we shall see God in the brightness of his glory and Majesty, and be received into the company of glorified Spirits, in Heaven.
6. That our Souls shall be clad with glorie instead of our bodies, 2 Cor. 11. 5.
7. That we are by it free from all the power of the Serpent, and of the sting of death, 1 Cor. 15. 55. Heb. 2. 15.
8. If we do not so much think of our death as exactly, and diligently consider our life; For he that liveth well cannot die ill, and he that liveth ill doth seldom die well.
9. That the Angels of God are ready to carry our Souls into Heaven, so soon as they do depart from our bodies.
And our Souls being by them brought into Heaven shall there magnify the name of God;
And shall there wait for, and pray for the consummation of the Kingdom of glorie, and for the full and perfect felicity of body & Soul, Rev. 5. 8, 9. and 14. 2, 3. and 6. 10.
The estate of the Elect at the last judgement.The state osf the Elect at the last judgment.
The manner of the last day is this.
1. Immediatly before the coming of Christ, the powers of heaven shall be shaken, the Sun and Moon shall be darkened, the Stars shall fall from Heaven, Matth. 24. 29, 30. Then the elect and faithfull seing this, shall lift up their heads and rejoyce. But at this sight the Reprobate shall fear and tremble, Luke 21. 26, 28. 2 Tim. 4. 8.
2. The Heavens being on fire, shall suddenly pass away with a great noise, and the Elements shall melt with fervent heat, and the earth, and the works therein shall be burned up, 2 Pet. 3. 12, 13.
At the same time when all these things shall come to pass, the sound of the last Trumpet shall be heard sounded by the Arch-Angel, Matt. 44 31. 1 Thes. 4. 16.
Then shall Christ the Lord come suddenly in the Clouds with power and glory, and great train of Angels, Matt. 24. 30. 1 Thes. 4. 17.
3. At the sound of this Trumpet all the dead shall rise.
And those that are found alive shall be changed in the twinckling of an eye, which change shall be in stead of death, 1 Cor. 15. 51, 52, 53.
Then shall all the bodies of the elect and faithfull be glorified, and made glorious like the body of Christ; Then, their bodies shall be spiritual, immortal, glorious, and free from all infirmity, 1 Cor. 15. 43, 44.
4. They being all thus gathered together before the Tribunal seat of Christ, he will forthwith place the elect at his right hand, and the reprobate at his left hand; Then will he say, come ye blessed, to the elect, and they shall be taken into Heaven, and he will say, go ye cursed, to the reprobate, and they shall be cast into Hell, Matth. 25. 33. 1 Thes. 4. 17. Rev. 20. 15.
The state of the Elect after the last judgement.The state of the Elect after the last judgement.
The last judgement being finish'd the elect shall immediatly enjoy an everlasting blessedness in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Blessedness is that, whereby God himself is all in all his elect, 1 Cor. 15. 28. This is the reward of the good works of the faithfull, their works being accepted of God for the merit of Christs righteousness imputed to them, Rom. 6. 23. 2 Tim. 4. 8. Rev. 22. 12.
Blessedness doth consist in eternal life, and perfect glory.
Eternal life is that fellowship with God,Eternal life what it is. by which himself is life unto the elect, through the Lamb Christ Jesus, John 14. 23. 1 John 4. 15. Rev. 2…. 3, 23. and 22. 2, 5.
For, in the Kingdom of Heaven they shall neither need meat, drink, sleep, air, heat, cold, physick, apparel, or the light of the Sun, Moon, or Stars.
But in the stead of all these they shall have in them Gods holy spirit, by which they shall immediatly most gloriously be quickned for ever, Revel. 21. 3, 23. and 22. 2, 5. 1 Cor. 15. 45. Rom. 8. 11.
Perfect glory.—Perfect glory what it is.
Is that wonderfull excellency of the elect, by which they shall be in a far better state than any tongue can utter, or any heart can here wish, or think.
This glory consisteth in these things:
1. We shall see God face to face, we shall ever behold his face; which is, his glory and his Majesty, Rev. 22. 4. Psal. 17. 15.
2. We shall be most like to Christ, that is, we shall be just, holy, incorruptible, glorious, honourable, beautifull, strong, mighty, nimble, 1 Joh. 3. 2. Phil. 3. 21.
3. We shall ever inherit the Kingdom of Heaven, for the new Heavens and the new Earth shall be our inheritance, 1 Pet. 1. 4. Matth. 25. 34. Revel. 5. 10. and 2…. 7.
The fruits of this blessedness are:The fruits of eternal life, and perfect glory.
1. Eternall joy.
2. The perfect service of God, Ps. 16. 11, 36, 8, 9.
The parts of this service are: 1. Praise, 2. Thanksgiving, Rev. 5. 12 and 19. 5 and 11. 17.
The manner of performing this service is this:
We shall immediately worship God, by God himself; For in Heaven there is neither Temple, Ceremony, nor Sacrament; For God and the Lamb is the Temple thereof, and God himself together with the Lamb shall supply all, Rev. 21. 22. And this service shall be dayly, for ever, and without intermission, Rev. 7. 15.