Divine Love, Dialogues – Title page
The Publican.
Lord be merciful to me a ſinner.
The Phariſee.
Lord I am not as other men
The doubting Chriſtian.
Lord help my vnbeleefe
Divine Love: OR The willingneſs of Jeſus Chriſt To Save SINNERS; Diſcovered in three Divine Dialogues, Between
1. Chriſt and a Publican.
2. Chriſt and a Phariſee.
3. Chriſt and a Doubting Chriſtian.
With ſeveral other brief Tracts.
By V. P.
London, Printed for N. Crouch at the George over againſt the Stocks-Market, 1677.
TO THE READER.
THIS Treatiſe though ſmall in bulk, yet may be of more uſe then the many great Volumes of controverſy wherewith the Preſs and the World have ſo many years been tired.
The method is very plain and familiar, by way of Dialgue, though it is ſometimes much abuſed, yet may be managed to the profit and benefit of the Reader, as I hope this is, which is intended for the uſe of honeſt plain hearted Chriſtians, to ſhew them almoſt all (in the words of Jeſus Chriſt himſelf) his exceeding willingneſs to ſave and help poor humble repenting and returning Sinners, as alſo his rejecting and caſting off, of proud, ſelf conceited, and ſelf-righteous Phariſees and Hypocrites, who having never been ſenſible of the exceeding ſinfulneſs of Sin, do therefore never underſtand the abſolute neceſſity of a Saviour: if any poor Soul receive the leaſt ſpiritual advantage by it, I have my end in this publication.
V.P.
Divine Love; Diſcovered in Three Dialogues,
1. Between Chriſt and a Publican.
2. Between Chriſt and a Phariſee:
3. Between Chriſt and a doubting Chriſtian.
The firſt between Chriſt and a Publican.
IN the great day of the Feaſt, Jeſus ſtood, and cryed, ſaying, if any man thirſt, let him come to me, Joh. 7.31. Then drew near all the Publicans and Sinners for to hear him, Luke 15.1. And he ſaid unto one of them.
Jeſus,
Poore Publican, what makes thee draw near to me?
Publican,
Becauſe they ſay (Lord) that thou art a friend of Publicans & Sinners, Mat. 11.19.
J.
So I am, and thou art Welcome my beloved friend, ſit down therefore with me, and my Diſciples, Mat. 9.10.
P.
Good Maſter, though I am unworthy to come into thy preſence, yet through thy leave, I'le ſit here at thy feet, to hear thy gracious words, Mark 7.25. Luke 10.39. John 12.3.
J.
How knowest thou that my words are gracious?
P.
Lord I have heard thee ſay, that Publicans & Harlots ſhall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven before the Phariſees which think themſelves far better than us, Mat. 21.31. Luke 18.11, 12.
J.
And what ſay the Phariſees to that?
P.
They murmur among themſelves, and ſay, This man receiveth ſinners, and eateth with them, Luke 15.2.
J.
Didſt thou ever hear ine Preach beſides that time?
P.
Yes, once beſides, and it was the beſt, and comfortableſt Sermon that ever I heard.
J.
Doſt thou remember any of it?
P.
Yes, (though I have a bad memory, yet) I remember thou didſt ſay, if a man had a hundred ſheep and did looſe one of them, he would leave the ninety and nine in the Wilderneſs, and go after that which was loſt, until he find it; and when he had found it, he ſayeth it on his ſhoulders rejoycing, and when he comes home, he calleth together his friends, and neighbours, ſaying unto them, rejoyce with me, for I have found my ſheep that was loſt.
J.
Is that all thou doſt remember?
P.
No, I remember ſomewhat more, that thou didſt ſpeak of a woman, that had ten pieces of Silver, and when ſhe had loſt one piece, ſhee ſought for it till ſhe had found it, and then called her neighbours together to rejoyce with her. Alſo thou ſpeakeſt of a man that had two Sons, the one that lived ſtill at home, and was obedient to his Father, the other that went away from his Father, and ſpent his Fathers means among harlots, till he came to Poverty; and yet when he returned to his Father, his Father did receive him willingly, and made him great welcome, and entertainment.
J.
Well done my friend, thou haſt well remembred; but doſt thou know why I ſpeak theſe compariſons?
P.
No Sir, I do not well know that.
J.
It was to comfort, and encourage the Publicans and great ſinners, that did here me, and to ſilence the Jews that did murmur, becauſe they came to hear me, and becauſe I received them.
P.
It is true Lord, there were many of us there then, but we did not know what thou didſt mean by the loſt ſheep, the loſt piece, and the wicked Son.
J.
I did mean thy Country-men, and Companions, the Publicans, Harlots, and Sinuers, that are in a loſt condition, becauſe of your Sins, and Wickedneſs in the Eyes of others (as the Phariſees) quite loſt, and adjudged to periſh for ever.
P.
But who was it Lord that did ſeek for the Loſt ſheep, and the Loſt piece of Silver?
J.
It was I, who am the Saviour of Sinners, and the Shepherd of the ſheep, that am come to ſeek and to ſave that which is loſt, Luk. 19.10. Mat. 18.11.
P.
Lord I am one of thoſe that are loſt, what ſhall I do to be ſaved? Act. 16.31.
J.
I am the way, and the door, if any man enter in, he ſhall be ſaved, and whoſoever believeth on me, ſhall not periſh, but have everlaſting life, Joh. 14.6. & 10.9. & 3.15.16.
P.
Lord canſt thou ſave ſuch a Sinner as I am?
J.
Yes, I have power to ſave, and Power to deſtroy, but I came not to deſtroy *Greek, foreign, the Souls of men.mens lives, but to Save them, Jam. 4.12. Luk. 9.56.
P.
And art thou willing, Lord, that I ſhould be ſaved?
J.
Yes, I am willing that all ſhould be ſaved, and come to the knowledg of the truth, 1 Tim. 2.5.
P.
But, Lord, I am a wicked and a ſinful man, Luke 5.8.
J.
I know (dear Soul) thou art ſo; But, I came not to call the Righteous; but Sinners to Repentance, Mat. 9.13.
P.
But, Lord, I am not an ordinary, but an extraordinary Sinner.
J.
Notwithſtanding, poor man, hearken for thy comfort, there was a certain Creditor, that had two Debtors, the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty; and when they had nothing to pay, he freely forgave them both, Luk. 7.41, 42.
P.
But, Lord, I am a greater Sinner then either of them both, for I have nothing but Sinned all my Life time.
J.
What though, I am come to deliver thoſe that were all their life time ſubject to (a)Or the bondage of Sin.Bondage, Heb. 2.15.
P.
Lord be merciful to me being a Sinner, for I think there is not a greater ſinner upon earth then I am, Luke 18.13.
J.
I am merciful, and I will be merciful, and will pardon thy Sins, Jer. 3.12. Heb. 8.12.
P.
Lord, I am ſuch a Sinner, I deſerve no pardon, for I have wearied thee with my Sins.
J.
Though thou doſt not deſerve pardon, and though thou haſt wearied me with thy Sins, yet I will pardon thy iniquities for my own names ſake, Eſa. 43.25.
P.
Lord, I do think my Sins are ſo great, that it is impoſſible for them to be pardoned.
J.
Do not think or ſay ſo, for all things are poſſible to him that believeth, Mark 9.23.
P.
But my Sins are ſo red, I think all the Water in the Sea cannot waſh them away.
J.
Though thy Sins be as Scarlet, they ſhall be as white as Snow, and though they be red like Crimſon, they ſhall be as Wool, (if thou wilt turn to me from them) for my Blood can cleanſe thee from all Sin, Eſa. 1.18. 1 John 1.7.
P.
But Lord, if I ſhould turn to thee from them, yet they are written down and thou wilt not blot them out, Jer. 18.23.
J.
I am he that bloteth out thy tranſgreſſions, yea, have bloted out as a thick cloud thy tranſgreſſions, and as a Cloud thy Sins; return therefore unto me, for I have redeemed thee, Eſa. 43.25. & 44.22.
P.
But if I ſhould return unto thee, yet when I Sin again, thou wilt remember my Sins.
J.
No, I will pardon thee, and thy Sins and iniquities will I remember no more, Heb. 10.17.
P.
Oh Lord! I am the child of wicked parents, and thou haſt ſaid, thou wilt viſit the Sins of the Father, upon the Children, to the third and fourth generation.
J.
If a wicked Father begets a Son, that ſeeth all his Fathers Sins which he hath done, and conſidereth and doth not ſuch like; that Son ſhall not bare the iniquity of the Father; Ezek. 18.14.20. Ezek. 16.3. to the 13.
P.
But Lord were there any wicked parents that had good Children?
J.
Yes, many, as wicked (a) Ahaz had good Hezekiah; So (b) Idolutrous Amon, zealous Joſiah, and ungodly Saul, had Godly Jonathan. (a) 2 Kin. 16.20. with 2 Kin. 18.3 (b) 2 Kin. 21.21, 22. with 2 King. 22, 2.
P.
Lord, what if I be a Baſtard, and the Child of whoredom?
J.
That doth not hinder thee neither to be ſaved, for my ſervant (c) Jeptha was a Baſtard; ſo was my ſervant Phares who is reckoned in my own Genealogie. Compare Gen. 38.18. & 29. & Ruth 4.12. with Mat. 1.3. (c) Jud. 11.1. with Heb. 11.32.
P.
But Lord, is there not ſuch a Scripture, that a Baſtard ſhall not enter into thy Congregation until the tenth Generation.
J.
Yes there is ſuch a (d) Scripture, and that ſhould make People ſhun the Sin of Whoredome, but that doth not exclude men that are born Baſtards after the Fleſh, if they be Born again of the Spirit, either out of my Church on Earth, (now in the days of the Goſpel) or yet out of Heaven, Deut. 23.2.
P.
But what Lord, if my Father was a Baſtard?
J.
Neither doth that hinder, for Sarah the brother of Phares (who was a Baſtard) begot my two wiſe and Godly Servants Ethan and Heman, compare Gen. 38.30. 1 Chron. 26. with Pſal. 88. and Pſal. 89. the titles of both being of Heman, and Ethan.
P.
Oh Lord, I am a very old Sinner, and have one foot already in the Grave, and I fear it is too late for me now to be called.
J.
No, it is not too late, for I call ſome at the ninth hour, yea ſome at the (e) eleventh hour. Which is but one hour before night, or a little before death.And I will pour out of my Spirit upon old men in theſe Goſpel daies, Mat. 20.6.9. Joel 2.28. with Act. 2.17.
P.
But Lord, I have committed ſuch great and hainous Sins, both by ſpeaking and doing, that I am affraid it is in vain for me to ſeek Mercy.
J.
Though thou haſt ſpoken, and done evil things, as much as thou couldeſt, yet return unto me, and I will not cauſe mine anger to fall upon thee, for I am merciful, Jer. 3.5.
P.
How ſhall I look upon thee, Gracious Lord, for I have multiplied ſins againſt thee.
J.
As thou haſt multiplied ſin, ſo will I (f)Or will abundantly pardon.multiply pardons, if thou wilt return unto me the Lord, Eſa. 55.7.
P.
Oh but Lord, I ſcarce think that any ſo wicked as my ſelf were ſaved, for I was an Idolater, an Adulterer, a Thief, a Drunkard, and what not that was wicked.
J.
Such were many of my ſervants that are now in heaven, but I according to my own kindneſs, and pitty to them, ſaved them by waſhing, ſanctifying and juſtifying them, by my own (g)Or powerName, Blood, and Spirit, 1 Cor. 9.6, 9, 10, 11. Tit. 3.3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
P.
Oh but merciful Saviour, I was a Ring-leader of others into ſin, and I enticed, and drew many into wickedneſs, and therfore my caſe is far worſe then others.
J.
As thou waſt a Ring-leader, and Enticer of others into ſin, ſo I can make thee a guide and leader of others into, and in the way of righteouſneſs, as I made thy Countryman Levi and others.
P.
But that which makes me fear moſt, is becauſe I was a Blaſphemer, Reviler, and Perſecuter of thy people, yea many of thy Saints, did I ſhut up in Priſon.
J.
Yet thou ſhalt have mercy, becauſe thou didst it ignorantly, through unbeliefe, 1 Tim. 1.13.
P.
Oh but Lord, I finde my heart is hardened, through the deceitfulneſs and cuſtome of ſin, that I cannot hope it will ever be otherwiſe.
J.
I can and will take the ſtony heart out of thy fleſh, and I will give thee a heart of fleſh, Eze. 36.26.
P.
Lord wilt thou do all for me?
J.
I muſt do all for thee, for without me thou canſt do nothing, Phil. 2.13. Joh. 15.5.
P
Lord, what then ſhall I do?
J.
Before I teach thee what thou muſt do, I will firſt ſhew thee, what I have done, and ſuffered for thee.
P.
Good Maſter I deſire to know that.
J.
1. I left my own glory, and came into the world to ſave thee, and ſuch ſinners as thou art, John 17.5. 1 Tim. 1.15.
2. Though I was the onelyonly Son of my Father, and in his own form, and equal to him; yet I took upon me the form of a ſervant, for thee and thy brethrens ſake, Joh. 1.14. Phil. 2.6, 7, 8.
3. Though I was Heire of all things, and Poſſeſſor of Heaven and Earth, yet I became poor and hungary, that thou mighteſt be made rich, Heb. 1.2. Gen. 14.19. and 2 Cor. 8.9.
4. Though I deſerved honour, and glory; yet I was reviled, threatned, and perſcuted by my own Creatures, and all for my good will to thee, Heb. 2.9. 1 Pet. 2.23.
5. Though I had no ſin, yet I was made ſin that thou poor ſinner mighteſt eſcape ſin, 1 Pet. 1.19. and 2.22. 2 Cor. 1.21.
6. Though I was a Lawgiver, and Law-maker, yet I became under the curſe of my own Law, that I might redeem thee from that curſe, Eſa. 33.22. Gal. 3.13.
7. When I had power over mine own life, and no man could take it from me, yet I laid it down for thee, that thou mighteſt have life, Joh. 10.18. Rom. 5.6.9. 1 Joh. 3.16.
8. Though I was my fathers delight, and an object of his love from everlaſting, yet I became an object of his wrath, for my love to thee, Prov. 8.30. Pſa. 88.16. & 102.10.
9. When thou waſt an enemy, and ſtranger to God my Father, I made peace between him and thee, and reconciled thee to him by my death, and ſufferings, Rom. 5.10. Col. 1.20.21. Eph. 2.12, 13.
10. When thou wert a ſlave to the Devil, and a fire-brand of Hell; I did reſcue thee from the power of the one, and redeem thee from the plague and punniſhment of the other, 2 Tim. 2.25. Amos. 4.11. Heb. 2.14. 1 Theſ. 1.10.
P.
Oh Lord I did not deſerve any of this from thee.
J.
True thou didſt not deſerve it, but yet I did it freely, and out of my love to thee, Rom. 3.24. Eph. 5.2.
P.
Are all my ſins, Lord, ſatisfied for, and done a way by thy death.
J.
Yes, they are perfectly ſatisfied for, and abſolutely done away out of my fathers ſight, never to be imputed again to thee, 2 Cor. 5.19.
P.
And is there nothing now in the way that hinders me to be ſaved?
J.
No, there is nothing, for I have taken all things out of the way, that hindred thee to be ſaved, Col. 2.14.
P.
And am I to do nothing to be ſaved?
J.
No nothing at all towards thy own ſalvation, for I have bought thee from death, and purchaſed thee life, and ſalvation, 1 Cor. 6.20. 1 Pet. 1.18, 19. Eph. 1.14.
P.
Shall I then be ſaved Lord?
J.
Yes, if thou wilt believe, and truſt wholly and only upon me, and upon my righteouſneſs and merits, thou ſhalt be ſaved, Joh. 3.36. Rom. 9.33. and Rom. 10.9.11.
P.
Lord I would believe, but I partly am afraid to believe; and partly I am ſo weak I cannot believe.
J.
Thou poor fearful heart, fear not, but be ſtrong, Eſa. 35.4. But tell me why thou are afaid.
P.
Leaſt I ſhould preſume, or leaſt I ſhould believe, and have no ground for my faith.
J.
It is not preſumption for thee to do what I command thee, but it is obedience, and is not my word of promiſe a ſufficient ground for thy faith? 1 Joh. 3.23. Joh. 5.24.
P.
Doeſt thou then Lord command me to believe?
J.
Yes, fear not, believe on me, and thou ſhalt be ſaved, Lu. 8.50. with Act. 16.31.
P.
But Lord though thou commandeſt me, yet I have no power to believe.
J.
I will write my Laws in thy heart, and will inable and give thee power to believe, Heb. 8.10. Mat. 12.21.
P.
Lord if thou wilt alſo give me power to believe, I will acknowledg I am nothing, but what I am in thee; and that I have nothing, but what I have received from thee.
J.
Doeſt thou not believe?
P.
Oh yes, now Lord I do believe, Joh. 9.38.
J.
This is the work and gift of God that thou doeſt believe; for fleſh and blood hath not wrought this in thee, Joh. 6.29. Eph. 2.8.
P.
Oh Lord, I do acknowledg it to be thy work, but I am afraid I ſhall looſe this faith again.
J.
I that am the Authour of thy faith, will alſo finiſh it: be therefore of good chear, for thou art one of my Fathers children, and of my Saints, and my ſpirit ſhall abide in thee for ever, Heb. 12.2. Joh. 1.12. Joh. 4.14. John 7.38, 39.
P.
Lord I have ſinned againſt thy Father, and againſt thee, and I am unworthy to be called either his Son or thy Servant, Luk. 15.21.
J.
Son thy ſins are forgiven thee, ſin no more, Luk. 5.23. John 8.11.
P.
Lord I am afraid I ſhall ſin again, though I deſire, and reſolve never to do it. But what Lord, if I ſhould ſin againſt my will?
J.
Thou canſt not ſin willingly and wilfully; for my ſeed of grace will remain in thee, and if thou ſinneſt through weakeneſs, and frailty, I will be an Advocate, propitiation for thy ſins, 1 Joh. 3.9. 1 Joh. 2.12.
P.
Is it then thy will Lord, that I ſhould have forgiveneſs of my ſins, and doubt no more?
J.
Yes ſure, for theſe things have I ſpoken, that thou ſhouldeſt have a full aſſurance, and doubt no more.
P.
But what if Sathan, when he ſees me ſin, will tempt me to doubt again?
J.
Say unto him, that I am faithful and juſt to forgive thee thy ſins, and that my blood cleanſeth thee from all ſin, 1 Joh. 17.
P.
But Lord wilt not thou have me to confeſs my ſins?
J.
Yes, I will have thee confeſs them, and forſake them, 1 Joh. 1.9. Prov. 28.13.
P.
But Lord, is it thy mind, that I ſhould always be ſorrowful?
J.
No, but it is my mind, rather that thou ſhouldeſt always rejoyce, and have ſtrong conſolation, Phil. 4.4. Heb. 6.18.
P.
Oh Lord, I cannot chuſe but cry, and mourn, and be aſhamed, and hate my ſelf for all my former wickedneſs, and ungodlineſs Ezek. 16.61.
J.
Thou maieſt do that, and yet hold faſt thy confidence; for the ſpirit of mourning, and the ſpirit of grace and adoption, may be in thy heart at once, and the one not deſtroy the other, Zac. 12.10.
P.
Lord how is that?
J.
Thou maiſt mourn at the ſight of thy ſins, as they were committed against me, and for thy denying, felling, and crucifying me, and yet thou maieſt believe (becauſe I have ſaid ſo) that they are all pardoned. As Joſephs brethren cryed, and complained for their guiltineſs in ſelling him, yet they were glad that he was alive, and could help them in their diſtreſs, Gen. 42.21, 22.
P.
Now Lord thou haſt taught me what I ſhould do in reſpect of my ſelf, but now Lord I would do ſomething for thee.
J.
Come then and follow me, Mat. 9, 9. And be aroſe and followed him.
The ſecond Conference between Chriſt, and a Phariſee.
Phariſee.
THen one of the Phariſees came to him, and asked him, what ſhall I do to work the work of God, John. 6.28.
Jeſus.
This is the work of God, that thou believe in him (viz. me) whom he hath ſent, Joh. 6.29.
Ph.
But Maſter what good thing ſhall I do that I may have eternal life, Mat. 19.16.
J.
If thou wilt be ſaved by doing, then keep the Commandements.
Ph.
I have kept them all from my youth, Mat. 19, 20.
J.
Then thou art no ſinner.
Ph.
Yes, we are all ſinners; but I thank God I am not as other men are, Extortioners, Unjuſt, Adulterers, or even as this Publican, Luke 18.11.
J.
Why, what doeſt thou more than this Publican?
Ph.
I faſt twice in the week, and give tithes of all that I poſſeſs, and concerning the Law, I live blameleſs, Luk. 18.12. Phil. 3.6.
J.
Hast thou never read that they which followed after the Law of Righteouſneſs, have not attained to the Law of Righteouſneſs, Rom. 9.31.
Ph.
No, I never obſerved that, but I remember another text, where God ſaith, I gave them my Satutes, and ſhewed them my Judgments, which if a man do, he ſhall live in them, Ezek. 20.11.
J.
Daeſt thou think to go to heaven by doing?
Ph.
Not by doing only, but by doing good, and departing from evil.
J.
But doth not the Law ſay, curſed is he that obſerveth not all things that are written in the words of the Law to do them, Deut. 27.26.
Ph.
Yes, that is, whoſoever breaks the Law is accurſed, unleſs he repents for it.
J.
The Law doth not ſay, unleſs men repent for breaking it they are accurſed, but it ſays abſolutely they are curſed, and I ſay, whoſoever keepeth the whole law and yet offendeth in one point, he is guilty of all, Gal. 3.10. Jam. 2.10. Mat. 5.19.
Ph.
I ſay ſo too, that except men keep the Law of Moſes they (a) cannot be ſaved, and whoſoever (b) know not, and keep not the Law, they are accurſed. Acts 15.1.24. Joh. 7.49
J.
Doeſt thou know the Law
Ph.
Yes, I know the Law for I am inſtructed daily out of the Law, by our (c) Doctors of the Law and holy Prieſts, (c) Zeph. 3.4.
J.
The Priests have done violence to the Law, and they that (d) handle the Law know not the Lord, (d) Jer. 2.8.
Ph.
Jehovah, hath ſaid, that the Law ſhall not periſh from the Prieſts, for the Prieſts lips is to keep knowledg, and we are to ſeek the Law at his mouth, Jer. 18: 18. Mal. 2.7.
J
God hath ſaid alſo, that the Law ſhall (c) periſh from the Prieſts, and that they (f) ſhall not every man teach his neighbour any more, for all ſhall know the Lord, from the leaſt to the greatest, Jer. 31.4.
Ph.
I perceive thou goeſt about to deſtroy the Law.
J.
Think not ſo, for I am not come to deſtroy the Law, but to fulfil it, Mat. 5.17. Luke 16.17.
Ph.
I Sir, I like that, that we ſhould fulfil the Law, that we ſhould perform it.
J.
Yes, Moſes gave you the Law, but (a) none of you keepeth it, but (b) you have been partial in the Law. (c) Ye pay tithe of Mint, Annis, and Cumming, and have omitted the weightier matters of the Law, Judgment, Mercy, and Faith, Joh. 7.19. Mal. 2.9. Mat. 23.23.
P.
It is true, we may come ſhore in ſome things, but he that keepeth the Law happy is he.
J.
Thou that (d) reſteſt in the Law, and makeſt thy boaſt of the Law, through breaking the Law thou doeſt diſhonour God, and cauſeſt many to (f) ſtumble at the Law, verily I ſay unto thee, thou (g) ſhalt be judged by the Law, Rom. 2.17. ver. 23. Mal. 2.8. Rom. 2.12.
Ph.
No, I hope rather to be juſtified, then to be judged by the Law.
J.
Verily, verily, I ſay unto thee, by the deeds of the Law, there ſhall no fleſh be juſtified in God: ſight, Rom. 3.20… Gal. 3.11.
Ph.
How then ſhall I be juſtified?
J.
The righteouſneſs of God without the Law is manifeſt, being witneſſed by the Law and the Prophets, Rom. 3.21.
Ph.
What Righteouſneſs is that?
J.
Not a mans (h) own righteouſneſs, which is called, the (i) righteouſneſs of the Law; but the (k) righteouſneſs which is of God by faith (h) Phil. 3.9. (i) Ro. 2.26. (k) Ro. 4.13.
Ph.
What difference is there between the righteouſneſs of the Law, and the righteouſneſs of faith?
J.
Moſes deſcribeth the righteouſneſs of the Law, thus that the man which doth thoſe things which the Law requireth ſhall live by them; but the righteouſneſs of faith, ſaith, whoſoever believeth on me ſhall be ſaved, Rom. 10.5.6, 11.
Ph.
How can men be ſaved by believing in thee, for thou art but one?
J.
As by one (l) mans offence death reigned, by one muc… m… they which receive abundance of grace, and of the gi… … righteouſneſs, ſhall reign in life by me. Who am the (m) Son of righteouſneſs, (n) and made by God my Father to be righteouſneſs unto men. (l) Rom. 5.7. (m) Mal. 4.2. [n] 1 Cor. 1.30.
Ph.
Thou beareſt record of thy ſelf, Joh. 8.13.
J.
[o] Though I bear record of my ſelf, yet my record is true. [p] My Father alſo beareth witneſs of me, and this is his witneſs, that he hath given life, and this life is in [me] his Son. [o] Joh. 8.14. [p] 1 Joh. 5.11.
Ph.
But what ſay'ſt thou, how was our Father Abraham and his ſeed [who lived before thee] juſtified and ſaved?
J.
[q] Your Father Abraham rejoyced to ſee my day, and he ſaw it, and was glad, for [l] I was before Abraham and he and his ſpiritual ſeed, were justified and ſaved by faith in me. (r) Rom. 4.3.11, 13, 16. Gal. 3.14.18.20.
Ph.
But was not Abraham juſtified by works?
J.
If Abraham were juſtified by works, be hath whereof to glory, but not before God; for what ſaith the Scripture, It is true Abrahams faith was accompanied with works.Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for Righteouſneſs, Rom. 4.2.3.
Ph.
If I be not juſtified by my good works, to what end ſhould I perform them?
J.
Though thy good works cannot juſtifie thee before God, yet they may glorifie God, and be prafitable unto men, Mat. 5.16. Tit. 3.8.
Ph.
Well then, I am glad my good works be good for ſomething.
J.
Yes, thy good works would be good for ſomething, if thy faith like Abrahams) did work with thy works, but thou doeſt not believe, and all thy good works thou doeſt to be ſeen of men, Jam. 2.22. Mat. 23.5.
Ph.
No, I do not do my good works to be ſeen of men, but to pleaſe God.
J.
I tell thee, that without faith it is impoſſible to pleaſe God, Heb. 11.6.
Ph.
But God hath ſaid, if a man do well, he ſhall be accepted.
J.
It is not for their welldoing that men are accepted with my Father, but they are made acceptable in me, and their works are accepted for my ſake, Eph. 1.6. 1 Pet. 2.6.
Ph.
But am I no nearer Heaven, that perform good works, than this finfull and ungodly Publican?
J.
Thou Hypocrite that juſtifiest thy ſelf, and judgeſt another, I tell thee, that Publicans and Harlots ſhall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven before ſuch as thou art, Mat. 7.5. and 21, 31.
Ph.
Oh untrue, and falſe doctrine, to ſay, that thoſe curſed men who know not the Law, ſhould be ſaved before us, who are the children of Abraham, Joh. 7.49. & 8.33.
J.
Thou blind, and ſelfconceited Phariſee, underſtandeſt thou not the Scripture? I will have mercy, and not ſacrifice, for I am not come to call the righteous, but ſinners to repentance. And I ſay unto thee, unleſs thou doeſt believe in mee, thou art not the child of Abraham, Mat. 9.13. Gal. 3.26.
Ph.
I believe in the God of Abraham, the God of Iſaac, and the God of Jacob, whoſe child and ſervant I am.
J.
If thou didſt believe in God, thou wouldeſt alſo believe in me, but thou art the child of the Devil, and in bondage to this day, Joh. 8.44. Gal. 4.25.
Ph.
How am I in bondage?
J.
Thou art under the curſe of the Law, and under the power of ſin and Sathan; and canſt never be made free, unleſs I make thee free, Joh. 8.34, 35, 36.
Ph.
How doeſt thou free men?
J.
By my (a) death and ſufferings, I ſatisfie the Law; by the (b) power of my reſurrection, I overcome death; and by my Spirit I (m) caſt out Sathan, and (n) ſubdue ſin, (a) Gal. 3.13. (b) 1 Cor. 15.55.57. (m) Mat 12.28. (n) Rom. 8.2.
Ph.
Sir, I hope to be freed another way, to wit, by my ſacrifices, prayers, and good works.
J.
Thy ſacrifices and thy prayers, are an abomination unto me, and thy workes are not found perfect before God, Eſa. 66.3. Prov. 15.8. and 28.9. Rev. 3.2.
Ph.
What doſt thou think to beat me off from my long prayers, and good works? I hope by theſe, together with my faſting, and mourning, to lay a ſure, and happy foundation for my ſoul, for ever.
J.
Thou worker of iniquity, that doſt (a) practice bypocriſie, I tell thee thy prayers are (b) ſin, thy works are done to be ſeen of men; thou alſo faſteſt for (c) ſtrife, and thy mourning is but hypocritical: therefore inſtead of laying a ſure and happy foundation, thou (d) heapeſt up wrath to thy ſelf, againſt the day of wrath, (a) Eſa. 32.6. (b) Pſ. 109.7. (c) Eſ. 58.4.5. (d) Job. 36.13.
Ph.
Sir, I am not a hypocrite, but a true child of God, and I hope I ſhall belived, for I know moſt good men take me for a godly and righteous man.
J.
Though thou doſt cutwardly (e) appear righteous unto men, yet within thou art full of hypocriſie and iniquity; thou ſeed of the Serpent, thy (f) hope will periſh, for thou canſt not (g) eſcape the damnation of hell, (e) Mat. 23.28. (f) Job. 8.13. (g) Mat. 23.33.
Ph.
I do not fear what thou ſayeſt, for I am better perſwaded of my ſelf.
J.
Though thy ſcared conſcience, and hardned heart hinders the yet from fearing; yet fear, terrour, and trembling ſhall (h) ſurpriſe, and fill thy ſpirit, that thou ſhalt roare in (i) flame; of fire, and in everlaſting burnings, (h) Eſ. 33.14. Deut. 32.22. (i) Luk. 3.17. Mark. 9.43.44, 46.
Ph.
I have joy and comfort in my ſpirit often from my performances, and I know that God will hear my prayers, that I make publickly and privately unto him.
J.
Thou painted Sepulchre, baſt thou not read! that the (k) joy of an hypacrite is but for a moment … and that an hypocrite ſhall not (l) come before God, And doſt thou not (m) reſtrain prayer before God; and when thou praye…t, doſt thou not do it publickly to be (n) ſeen of men? (k) Job. 20.5 (l) Job. 13.16. (m) Job. 15.4. (n) Mat. 6.5.
Ph.
I pray in private alſo.
J.
Then it is either when (o) ſome puniſhment is upon thee, or elſe to quiet thy carnal conſcience, (s) Eſa 26.16.
Ph.
Mr. why doſt thou reproach me in ſaying thus?
J.
Thou diſſembler that (p) ſeekeſt honour of men, and not the honour which commeth from God: thou art to expect nothing but ſhame, and (q) everlaſting contempt. (p) Joh. 5.44. (q) Dan. 12.2.
Ph.
Sir, thou judgeſt raſhly.
J.
No, as I hear, I judge, and my judgment is juſt and true, Joh. 5.30. and 8.16.26.
Ph.
How knoweſt thou what I am, that thou ſo judgeſt?
J.
I am he that ſearcheth the heart and trieth the reines, and I will give to every one of you according to your works, Rev. 2.23.
Ph.
When thou judgeſt the world, what difference wilt thou make between us that ſerve God, and the Heathens that ſerved him not?
J.
The difference will be this, that your [r] condemnation will be the greater, becauſe, though ye know God, yet ye ſerved him [s] vainly, falſly, and [t] hypocritically. (r) Mat. 23.14. Mar. 12.40. Luk. 20.47. (s) Mat. 15.9. (t) Eſa. 57.4.
Ph.
Good Maſter, I would eſcape this condemnation, for I believe it will be great, and thy words begin to terrifie me already.
J.
I have told thee already, that there is no other way for thee to eſcape it, but only by me, but yet thou doſt not believe me, Joh. 10.25.
Ph.
How wilt thou have me believe in thee?
J.
Firſt, I will have thee ſee thy ſelfe to be the (v) greateſt and vilest of ſinners, and then … thy [u] own righteouſneſſe, ſervice, and performances, to be as filthy and me…ruous rags: And after thou haſt denied and (w) abhorred thy ſelfe, then cry out, Maſter, ſave me, or elſe I periſh; for the (x) whole need not a Phyſitian, but thoſe that are ſick, (v) 1 Tim. 1.15. (u) Eſa. 64.6 (w) Eze. 36.31. [x] Mat. 9.12.
Ph.
I doe ſee my ſelf a ſinner, and I am ſorry for my ſins. And doth nor God ſay, that whoſoever confeſſeth and forſaketh his ſins ſhall find mercy.
J.
I ſay unto thee (thou luke-warm Profeſſor) Except thou eateſt my fleſh, and drinkeſt my blood; and ſubmitteſt unto my righteouſneſs, thou canſt not be ſaved, Joh. 6.53.
Ph.
Well then; If I cannot be ſaved by my own works, and righteouſneſs, Maſter, let me be beholding to thee to ſave me.
J.
Haſt thou not read, that (a) Salvation belongeth onelyonly to the Lord, and that men are ſaved by grace, without the works of the Law; why then doſt thou ſo (b) lightly eſteem of the Rock of thy Salvation? by ſeeking to be juſtified and ſaved (as (c) it were) by thy own works: I tell thee again, thou muſt (d) deny thy own righteouſneſs wholly, and look to be found in my righteouſneſs only, elſe thou canſt not be ſaved (a) Pſal. 3.8. (b) Deut. 32.15. (c) Rom. 9.32 (d) Phil. 3.9.
Ph.
Indeed Maſter, thou makeſt the way to Heaven very hard.
J.
It is ſo hard, that many ſhall ſeek to enter in, and ſhall not be able, Luke 13.24.
Ph.
If it be as thou ſayeſt. I am afraid that many of our beſt Scribes and Phariſees will come ſhort of Heaven.
J.
Thou maiſt be ſure of that, for verily I ſay unto thee, Except thy righteouſneſs, exceeds the righteouſneſs of the Scribes and Phariſees, thou ſhalt in no eaſe enter into the Kingdome of Heaven, Mat. 5.20.
Ph.
But Maſter, there be ſome that do great works in thy name, ſhall not all ſuch be ſaved?
J.
No, for many will ſay unto me hereafter, Lord, Lord, have we not propheſied in thy Name, and in thy name cast out devils, and in thy name done many wonderful things; and then will I profeſs unto them, I never knew you, depart from me ye workers of iniquity, Matth. 7.22.23.
Ph.
But why ſhould not ſuch rather be ſaved then caſt away?
J.
Becauſe they did [as thou doſt] d… all th…ſe things to be ſeen of men, and to gain honour unto themſelves, and ſ… built their Salvation upon this falſe foundation, as the fooliſh builder built his houſe upon the ſand, which in [g]i. e. Times of Trial and perſecution. Luke 8.12.time of flood, and wind, could not …and, but fell, Mat. 7.26, 27.
Ph.
I ſee thou doſt reject me, I thought to be one of thy Diſciples, and to follow thee.
J.
No, I do not reject thee, but am very willing to receive thee; but firſt conſider, what thou doſt, and what it will coſt, thee, if thou wilt be my Diſciple, and follow me.
Ph.
What will it coſt me Maſter?
J.
Thou muſt (h)i. e. In compariſon of Chriſt, and when they come in competition with him. Mat. 10.37.hate thy father and mother & wife and Children, and brethren, and ſiſters, and thine own life alſo; yea thou muſt go, and ſell all that thou haſt, and take up thy croſſe daily, and follow me, elſe thou canſt not be my Diſciple, Luke 14.26, 27.
Ph.
This is a hard ſaying, who can hear it, and he went away ſorrowful, and followed him no more, Joh. 6.60.66. Mat. 19.22.
The third Conference between Chriſt, and a doubting Chriſtian.
Chriſt.
COme unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you reſt, Mat. 11.28.
Chriſtian.
Oh Lord I am a poor heavy laden ſinner that would come unto thee, but cannot come.
Ch.
It is true O ſoul, no man can come unto me, except the Father which hath ſent me draw him, Joh. 6.44.
Chriſtian,
How then Lord ſhall I come unto thee?
Ch.
I and my Father are one, and we give power to the faint, and to them that have no might, we add ſtrength, Joh. 10.30 Eſay 40, 29.
Chriſtian,
Lord, I am altogether without ſtrength therefore draw me unto thee and I will come.
Ch.
I will draw thee unto me with the cords o… a man, with bands of love and with loving kindneſs, Hoſ. 11.4. Jer. 31.3. Joh. 12.32.
Chriſtian,
But Lord no… I look upon my ſelfe, I ſee I am unworthy to come unto thee yea, unworthy of the leaſt of thy mercies.
Ch.
So ſaid my ſervant (a) John the Baptiſt, and (b) Jacob, and (c) others, yet do not judge thy ſelſe (as the (d) Jewes did) unworthy of eternal life, (a) Mat. 3.11.6. (b) Gen. 32.10. (c) Luk. 7.7. Mat. 8.8. (d) Acts 13.46.
Chriſtian,
I… ſuch men as John Baptiſt, and Jacob did judge themſelves unworthy; how many thouſand times more unworthy am I, a wretched and wicked ſinner?
Ch.
It is true, neither they, nor thou, could be worthy of your ſelves, but yet I am willing to account you worthy,As the prodigals Father did his Son, Luk. 15.21, 22. Luk. 20.35. and 21.36, Rev. 3.4.
Chriſti.
But Lord, if ther… were any thing that were good in me, it might a little incourage me to come unto thee, but I find nothing but evil in me.
Ch.
Doſt thou not know… that without me thou canſt (e) do nothing; and that a man can (f) receive nothing, except it be give… him from heaven. Why the… doſt thou ſtay away from me who muſt (g) work all thy workes in thee And, (c) Joh. 15.5. (f) Joh. 3.27. (g) Eſa. 26.12 2, 12.
2. Becauſe thou ſeeſt nothing but evil in thee, thou ſhouldſt thee rather come unto me, who am the (h) Fountain wherein thy unclean ſoul muſt be waſhed; and unleſs I (i) waſh thee thou canſt not be clean, nor have any (k) part in me, (h) Zac 13.1. (i) Eze. 36.25. and 1.9. (k) Joh. 13.8.
Chriſtian,
True Lord, thou art the Fountain and welſpring of life, and it is thy blood (and nothing elſe) that can waſh a way my ſins: but how can I come near to thee, who am ſo wicked, that for …ught I know, have counted thy blood an (l) unholy thing, (l) Heb. 10.29.
Ch.
Thou poor, dear, and doubting ſoul, what if thou hadſt had a hand in crucifying me (as the Jewes had?) yet cannot I forgive thee, as I did many of them. But thou haſt not counted my blood an unholy thing, for thou ſtill deſireſt to have thy ſins waſhed away by it, Act. 2.36.41.
Chriſtian,
What the Jewes did, they did ignorantly; but I have ſinned againſt knowledge, which makes my ſins worſe then theirs.
Ch.
If thou haſt ſinned againſt knowledge, ye thou haſt not ſinned ſo but that thou maiſt be forgiven: For my dear Diſciple Peter ſinned againſt knowledg, when he denied with an oath that he knew me not, Mat. 26.72.
Chriſtian,
Oh but yet my ſins are worſe then his, for his ſin was but one ſin, and that a ſuddain and ſhort ſin; but I have ſinned many ſins and continued long in them.
Ch.
So did my beloved ſervant David (who was a man according to my own heart) commit ſeveral ſins together, as Murther, Whoredome, &c. and continued a while too in his ſins.
Chriſtian,
Oh but Lord, thoſe ſervants of thine though they ſinned againſt thee yet they expreſſed a great deal of ſence of their ſins, and ſorrow for them; but I can neither be ſenſible of, nor ſorrowful for mine.
Ch.
Oh ſweet ſoul, thou miſtakeſt, and forgetteſt thy ſelfe, for thou doſt often confeſs thy ſins before me with ſence, ſhame, and ſorrow. And I hear the daily bemoaning, and complaining, and ſaying, I have (n) ſinned againſt the Lord, woe is me for I am undone, (n) Job. 7 20. Pſal. 51.4. Lam. 5.16.
Chriſtian,
Oh good Lord, it is not without a cauſe that I cry woe is me I am undone; for I think there is no ſoul in ſuch a dangerous, and deſperate condition, as mine is in.
Ch.
Why doeſt thou think, and ſay ſo?
Chriſtian,
Becauſe I have ſinned that unpardonable ſin againſt thy ſpirit.
Ch.
Oh thou poor and precious ſoul, thou doſt but think ſo, and fear ſo: But tell me how canſt thou ſin that ſin againſt my Spirit, and yet pray for more of my Spirit, and ſo much prize my Spirit as thou doſt?
Chriſtian,
Oh Lord, I have often grieved and quenched thy Spirit, and is not this to commit that unpardonable ſin?
Ch.
My own dear and loving children may and do ſometimes grieve my ſpirit by ſining and quench the gracious motions of it and yet do not ſin that unpardonable ſin, Eph. 4.30. 1 Theſ. 5.19. Eſay 63.10.
Chriſtian,
Oh but I can …nk no leſs, but that I have …red that ſin, for I have had hard, cruel and deſperate thoughts in my heart, againſt the Holy Spirit.
Ch.
Though (my child) tho… haſt had ſuch thoughts in thy …, yet thou haſt no… …oken evil of my Spirit (as the Jewes did) which is the ſin of blaſphemy, and that unpardonable ſin, Mat. 12.24, 28, 31. Mark. 3.22, to 30.
Chriſtian,
Lord I am not ſure but that I have ſpoken evil words of thy ſpirit; for I know I have many times uttered vile, bitter, and curſed words.
Ch.
Notwithſtanding, thou dideſt through the violence of thy temptations and in the bitterneſs of thy Soul ſpeak ſuch words (as my ſervants Job, David, Jeremy, Jonah, and Peter did) yet thou haſt not done deſpightfully (nor ſinned maliciouſly and wilfully) againſt my Spirit of grace as Reprobates doe, Heb. 10.29. Job. 3. to 13. and 10.18. and 23.15, 16. Pſa. 31.22. and 116.11. Jer. 20.14, &c. Jonah. 4.3, 4, 9. Mat. 26, 27, 74.
Chriſtian,
Oh I have been and ſtill am very wilful, and have often ſinned wilfully, and thou ſayeſt in thy word, that if any ſin wilfully after they receive the knowledge of the truth their remaineth no more ſacrifice for ſins, Heb. 10.6.
Ch.
Thou dear ſoul, have not I heard thee often in prayer complaining of, and bewailing thy ſins, and beging earneſtly for power againſt them; therefore it is rather againſt thy will (then wilfully) that thou doſt ſin.
Chriſtian,
Oh but I find ſins in power in my ſoul, which if I were a Saint they would not be ſo.
Ch.
My ſervant Paul found ſin ſo ſtrong in him that he confeſſed he was carnal,Sin was in power in Paul when it could carry him captive. and ſold under ſin; and that he found a law in his members, warring againſt the law of his mind, and bringing him into captivity to the law of ſin, Rom. 14.23.
Chriſtian,
Oh but neither Paul nor any other Saint, hath ſinned preſumptuouſly as I have done.
Ch.
My ſervant David pray'd, that he might be kept from preſumptuous ſins, for he was ſubject thereunto,Pſ. 19.13. It is probable that David ſined preſumptuouſly in kiling Ʋriah. and ſo are the beſt of my Saints.
Chriſti.
But Lord I have rebelled against thee.
Ch.
So did my ſervants of ‖ old, but I have received ‖ gifts for the Rebellious, and to me belongs mercies and forgiveneſs, though thou haſt rebelled againſt me, Dan. 9 9 ‖ Iſ. 1.2. and 63.20. ‖ Iſ 68.18.
Chriſtian,
Oh but my Rebellion is the worſt Rebellion of all, for I have rebelled againſt the light; I have profeſſed thee, and yet I have belied thee, and made an hypocritical profeſſion; I ſeemed like Judas, to be thy friend, whilſt in my heart I did not love thee.
Ch.
The houſe of Iſrael and the houſe of Judah dealt treacherouſly againſt me the Lord, and belied me, and Ephraim my dear Son, compaſſed me about with lies, yet was I gracious to them, Jer. 5.11.12. Hoſ. 11.12. with Jer. 23.6. and 31.20.
Chriſtian,
But Lord, Ephraim was never ſo wicked as I am, and guilty of ſuch Lukewarmneſs, Hypocriſie and Backſliding as I am guilty of.
Ch.
Yea, Ephraim was a cake not turned. And Ephraim fed upon winds and provoked me to anger moſt bitterly, yet my bowels did ſtill worke toward Ephraim, that I could not deſtroy him Hoſ. 8.8. and 12.1.14. with 11.8.
Chriſtian,
But I increaſed in ſin, and the more mercies I received, the more my heart was exalted.
Ch.
Even ſo did Ephraim ſin more and more, according as he was filled, ſo his heart was exalted, Hoſ. 13.2, 6.
Chriſtian,
But Lord what didſt thou do to Ephraim?
Ch.
I drew them with the cords of man, and with bands of love, and I was as the dew unto them, Heb. 11.4. and 14.5.
Chriſtian,
Oh but I have forſaken the Lord, and backſlided from thee.
Ch.
So did Iſrael and Judah, Jer. 2, 13. and 3.6. and 4.16.
Chriſtian,
But Lord I find that my heart is bent to continual backſliding, yea, my bakſlidings are encreaſed.
Ch.
So were ‖ they yet I healed their backſlidings, ſo will I heal thine alſo, Hoſ. 14.4. Jer. 3.14.22. ‖ Hoſ. 11.7. Jer. 5.6.
Chriſtian,
But I have fell into groſs ſins that hath diſhonoured thee, and cauſed thine enemies to blaſpheme.
Ch.
So did my ſervant David, 2 Sam. 12.14. and others of my Saints.
Chriſtian,
I but then he did mourn and repent greatly for his ſins, but I cannot do ſo, for I find my heart as hard as an Adamant.
Ch.
So my people Iſraels hearts formerly were as hard as a Rock, Adamant, and Flint, Jer. 5.3. Ezek. 3.9.
Chriſtian,
Oh but I have been long (yea ever) troubled with this hardneſs of heart.
Ch.
Though thou haſt, yet I will take the ſtony heart out of thy fleſh, and I will give thee a heart of fleſh, Ezek. 36.26.
Chriſtian,
But I cannot repent me of the hardneſs of my heart.
Ch.
What though, yet I am exalted to give repentance unto thee, Act. 5.31.
Chriſtian,
Oh but I do not find that I am ſenſible enough of my ſin; for if I were I ſhould mourn, and be aſhamed for all the wickedneſs which I have committed againſt thee.
Ch.
When thou doeſt ſee me whom thou haſt pierced, and when thou ſeeſt that I am pacified towards thee; then thou ſhalt mourn, loath thy ſelf, and be aſhamed, for all thy ſins and abominations which thou haſt committed againſt me, Rev. 1.7. Ezek. 6.9. and 16.63.
Chriſtian,
But Lord I am a very great ſinner, and I would fain ſee the nature and number of my ſins, that I might truly repent me of them, and be humbled for them.
Ch.
If thou ſee all thy ſins with their nature, number, and aggravations, thou couldſt never look upon them, but with deſpair as Cain and Judas. And it is not ſo much the ſight of ſin as the ſight of my Love, Grace, Goodneſs, and Glory, that will lead thee to repentance, and humble thee for thy ſins, Luk. 7.42.47. Zach. 12.10. Rom. 2.4. Eſa. 6.5. Gen. 4.13. Mat. 27.3, 4, 5.
Chriſtian,
Oh Lord I know I am as wicked a ſinner, and as ungodly a wretch as ever lived: but though I know this, yet methinks I am not broken with the ſence thereof, I cannot weep nor ſhed tears for my ſins, Oh no! I go many times to prayer and to hear Sermons, and there is no more working, nor relenting upon my ſoul, then if I were a dead ſtock, or ſtone.
Ch.
Oh my dear ſoul, do not thou belie thy ſelf, for I have heard many a ſorrowful ſigh comming from thy heart, and I have ſeen many a teare drop from thine Eyes: and I will yet pour out more of the Spirit of mourning upon thee▪ But what if thou didſt no… find theſe things in thy ſelf▪ yet I have offered up ſtrong cries and teares unto my Father for thee, Ezek. 9.4. Pſal. 34.17. Zack. 12.11. Heb. 5.7.
Chriſtian,
Oh Lord that I had but faith to believe that I for my ſelfe.
Ch.
Have faith in me, and be not faithleſs but believing, Mat. 11.22. Joh. 20.27.
Chriſtian,
Lord I find ſ… much Atheiſm and unbelief in my heart, that I have oftentimes questionings in my ſelfe concerning God, and concerning the Scriptures, and word of God.
Ch.
Theſe are the temptations and ſuggeſtions of Satan, and my own Diſciples were, and are troubled with them, Luk. 24.25.
Chriſtian,
Oh Lord I am troubled with a thouſand temptations.
Ch.
Yet fear not (my loving and dear Child) for thou haſt divers temptations, yet it is that which my beſt Saints have had, and I will not ſuffer thee to be tempted above what thou art able, but I will ſuccour thee in thy temptations, and I will make a way that thou ſhalt eſcape, and be delivered out of temptations, Jam. 1.2.1… Cor. 10.13. Heb. 2.18. 2 Pet. 2.9.
Chriſtian. But I think n… Saint hath ſuch temptations a… mine, for ſometimes, I am tempted to kill my ſelfe, and ſometimes to kill others; in ſo much that I cannot look upon any weapon, waters, or the like, but I am ready to do my ſelf away therewith.
Ch.
Satan tempted me to caſt my ſelfe off the Pinacle of the Temple, and he alſo tempted many of my dear Children, to deſtroy themſelves: but do not thou harken to the Accuſer (for he doth accuſe thee to me and me to thee) but rather ſay unto him, Satan it is written, my Lord Jeſus hath over-come thee, and I hope through his blood, and through his might and ſpirit to overcome thee likewiſe: ſay alſo my God hath commanded me not to kill another, nor to do hurt or violence to my ſelfe: therefore get thee behind me thou Lier, Murtherer, and Enemy, for I will put my truſt in Chriſt though he kill me, and I will endeavour to live to ſerve him, though he ſhould afterwards damn me Mat. 4.5. Rev. 12.10. Job. 12.13. Exod. 20.13. Act. 16.28. Job. 13.15.
Chriſtian,
Though I d… ſometimes reſolve againſt Satans temptations, and labour to reſiſt them: yet I find my temptations are renewed; and I am not able to withſtand them, for they come in as a flood upon me.
Ch.
I that ſay unto the proud waves, hitherto ſhalt thou come, but no further▪ I will by my ſpirit put the Enemy (Satan) to flight when he comes in like a flood againſt thee, Job. 38.11. See Eſa. 59.19. Marg.
Chriſtian,
But Lord I find am not only troubled with fear and ſad temptations: but alſo with ſtrong and powerful corruptions.
Ch.
I will ſubdue all thy iniquities and thy ſins ſhall not have dominion over thee, Mich. 7.19. Rom. 6.14.
Chriſtian,
Oh but this doth much trouble me, that I do not find any love in my heart to thee.
Ch.
What though thou doſt not, yet I will circumciſe thy heart and thou ſhalt love me: and when thou apprehendeſt my love to thee, thou wilt love me again, Deut. 30.6. 1 Job. 40.19.
Chriſtian,
I have ſinned (Lord) againſt thy mercies and abaſed thy love, yea love… my ſins more then thee, therefore I cannot think that eve… thou wilt look upon me with any love or delight.
Ch.
So did my ſervant David, and my people Iſrael do, yet as I loved them, ſo will I love the… freely; and betroth the… to me in loving kindneſ… and mercy, 2 Sam 12.8 9. Hoſ. 2.5, and 14.4. and 2.9.
Chriſtian,
But Lord … have not only ſin'd againſt thy mercies but againſt thy corrections, and chaſtiſements alſo
Ch.
So did my people Iſrael formerly do, for when I ſmote them, they went on forwardly in the way of their evil hearts, but I led them, and reſtored comforts to them, Eſa. 57.17.18
Chriſtian,
I but my condition is worſe then all that, for I have been long under the means of grace, and yet I am altogether fruitleſs; and like the barren Fig-tree.
Ch.
Thou troubled ſoul, in me is thy fruit found, and I will purge thee, and thou ſhalt bring forth fruit abundantly, for they that are planted in my houſe ſhall flouriſh and be fat, and like a green Olive Tree, Joh. 15.5. Pſal. 92.12, 13, 14.
Chriſtian,
I Lord, its true if I were a branch in thee, and a true member of thy houſe then I could believe theſe promiſes of thine; alas! I am neither of both, but ſeparated from thee and thy people.
C.
Do not ſay that thou art none of mine, (for … have bought thee with my blood) and do not ſpeak that thou art ſeparated from my people, for I will give thee in mine houſe and within my walls, a place, and a name of Son… and Daughters, Eſa. 56.3.5.
Chriſtian,
Sure if I were not an out-caſt and a Reprobate, I ſhould not be thus (as I am) in a wilderneſs condition.
Ch.
Iſrael was counted an out-caſt, and ſhe cried out, yet I was then a God to her, and ſhe a people to me, Jer. 30.16.17.22.
Chriſtian,
Oh if I were but one of thine, I ſhould then count my ſelf the happieſt in all the world.
Ch.
Fear not my Spouſe, for I am thy Husband, and thy Father.
Chriſtian,
If I were one of thy Children thou wouldſt not hide thy ſelfe from me as thou doſt.
Ch.
I have hid my ſelfe and my face from ſome of my Prophers and people of old, and yet it was in love to them, and ſo it is to thee, Pſal. 88.14. Eſa. 8.17. and 64.7.
Chriſtian,
But thou hast hid thy ſelf from me, and thou ſeemeſt alſo to be angry with me, Eſa. 54.5. Jer. 31.9.
Ch.
Fury is not with me (towards thee) and though I be angry, yet my anger is but for a moment, Eſa. 27.4. and 54.8.
Chriſtian,
Yet Lord thou haſt been angry with me a long time, for thou haſt forgotten me.
Ch.
Zion did ſay ſo, the Lord hath forſaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me: yet I had not forgot her; for ſhe was graven upon the palmes of my hands. Eſa. 49.14.15. Jer. 51.5.
Chriſtian,
But Lord if thou had'ſt not forgotten me, thou would'ſt never have left me in ſuch a wilderneſs and barren condition as I am in.
Ch.
I have allured thee into the wilderneſs, that I might ſpeak comfortably unto thee, Hoſ. 2.14.
Chriſtian,
I have been many years in trouble, and terrours, and wanting peace in my ſoule, which could not poſſibly have been, if I had truly believed in thee.
Ch.
But now will I ſpeak peace unto thee, and I will guide thee into the way of peace. Pſal. 85.8. Luk. 1.79.
Chriſtian,
Lord wilt thou ſpeak peace unto me and guide me into the way of peace?i. e. The Preachers Lips that Preach't peace.
Ch.
I will create the fruit of the lips Peace, Peace, and my ſpirit ſhall be in thee, and his fruit ſhall be peace to thy ſoul, Eſa. 57, 19. and 55.12.
Chriſtian,
But Lord thy word ſaith, there is no peace to the wicked.
Ch.
No not to a man that will perſiſt in his wicked way, and doth not nor will not believe in me, but thou art one of thoſe that I bore the chaſtizement of thy peace, and one of the children of peace, Eſa. 53.5. and 54.13.
Chriſtian,
But Lord how can I have peace, ſeeing a man cannot have peace before (and without) he does believe?
Ch.
Thou ſhalt have faith and peace, and I will give peace through believing, 2 Theſ. 3.16.6.
Chriſtian,
But Lord the… I muſt know that I am one of thine.
Ch.
Thou ſhalt know that I am the Lord thy God, and that thou art one of my people, Ezek. 34.30.
Chriſtian,
Oh how ſhall I know that.
Ch.
My ſpirit ſhall bear witneſs with thy ſpirit that thou art my Child, Rom. 8.16.
Chriſtian,
But how ſhall I know that it is thy ſpirit that beareth this witneſs, and that it is not the ſpirit of deluſion?
Ch.
Thou maieſt know that by its power in working in thy heart which no other ſpirit can work alike: as alſo by the earneſt and fruits thereof. 2 Cor. 5.5. and 7.22. Gal. 5.22, 23.
Chriſtian.
Lord what elſe ſhall I believe, beſides being one of thine?
Ch.
Doſt thou believe that?
Chriſtian,
Yes Lord, I do believe that thou art Jeſus the Son of God, and the Saviour of the world, Act. 8.37. Joh. 6.69. and 11.27.
Ch.
But doſt thou believe that I am thy Saviour.
Chriſtian,
Lord I do believe that there is no other way to be ſaved but only by thee, Act. 4.12.
Ch.
But doſt thou believe that thou ſhalt be ſaved by me.
Chriſtian,
Lord I do believe, help my unbelief, Mar. 9.24.
Ch.
To thee it is given to believe, Phil. 1.29.
Chriſtian,
now Lord I doe believe.
Ch.
What doſt thou now believe.
Chriſtian,
I believe that thou loved'ſt me and did'ſt give thy ſelf for me, and that thou art my Lord, and my God, and that I am juſtified and ſhall be ſaved by grace, Gal. 2.20. Joh. 20.28. Act. 15.11.
Ch.
How cam'ſt thou to believe this?
Chriſtian,
Lord it is by thy gift and work that I do believe it, Eph. 2.8. Heb. 12.2.
Ch.
Well; now thou doſt believe what wilt thou do?
Chriſtian,
Lord what wilt thou have me to do? Act. 9.6.
Ch.
If thou love me, keep my words, Joh. 14.23.
Chriſtian,
What are thoſe words of thine?
Ch.
Search the Scriptures; for they are able to make thee perfect and wiſe unto ſalvation, and to furniſh thee for every good work, Joh. 5.39. 2 Tim. 3.16.17.
Chriſtian,
But Lord how ſhall I underſtand thy word?
C.
I will make known my words unto thee, Pro. 1.23.
Chriſtian,
But Lord is there no danger of my departing and falling away from thee now I do believe?
Ch.
No, the Mountains ſhall depart, and the Hills be removed, but my loving kindneſs ſhall not depart from thee, Eſa. 54.10. Jer. 32.40.
Chriſtian,
Lord I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart, Phil. 1.19.69.
Ch.
I have redeemed thee that thou ſhould'ſt ſerve me without fear, in Holineſs and Righteouſneſs, all the days of thy life: Luk. 1.69.
Chriſtian,
Come ye Children and I will declare what my Lord have done for my ſoul.
My SOƲL ſhall make her boaſts of the LORD, the humble ſhall hear this and be glad, and magnifie the LORD with me, and let us Exalt his Name together, Pſal. 34.11.2, 3.
FINIS.
The Threefold State OF A CHRISTIAN DISCOVERED.
viz.
By Nature.
By Grace.
And in Glory.
With the Character of a Chriſtian.
A Miſcellany of Divine Contemplations, Obſerſervations, and Directions to a holy Life and Converſation.
By V. P.
Thy Threefold State here
Thou may'st ſee,
What thou haſt been, art,
And ſhall be.
Printed for N. C. 1677.