The Bowels of Tender Mercy Sealed in the Everlasting Covenant, Religious treatise · Part 1 · Chapter 7 · Section 10
SECT. X.
3. Queſt. NOw follows the third and laſt Queſtion to be ſpoken unto, how a How a perſon may certainly know that Chriſt did dye effectually for him;perſon may certainly know that Jeſus Chriſt did die effectually for him? Satisfied Gods Juſtice for him? purchaſed remiſſion of ſins for him? and eternal life for him?
Anſwered. Sol. This is a pertinent Queſtion indeed, ſaid a dying perſon (whom ſome of us knew in this place) But did Chriſt dye for my ſins? but did Chriſt dye for my ſoul? but did he dye for me? How ſhall I know that Chriſt died for me, for my ſins, to ſave my ſoul? This is a queſtion which many of us firſt or laſt will make queſtion of; when trouble of conſcience ariſeth, or when death appoacheth, O then how may I know that Chriſt is my Chriſt, and that he died for me! This is the higheſt of all queſtions, Did Chriſt dye for me? and a moſt neceſſary queſtion; what though Chriſt did dye for others, and they partake of the benefits of his death, if he did not die for me, and if I be not ſaved by his death! and if the conſcience can once upon ſure grounds be ſatisfied in this queſtion, ſo that a perſon knows that Chriſt died for him; now there is peace, and joy, and thankſgiving, and a lively hope of ſalvation: all is ſure, if once we can get to be ſure that Chriſt is ours, and did die for us.
For anſwer therefore unto the queſtion propounded, be pleaſed to remember (in the general) that there are three ſorts of perſons in the world; namely
Firſt, Some who (in the preſent eſtate under which they lye) cannot know that Chriſt dyed for them, and will ſave them; I ſay, in the preſent eſtate wherein they are; For though there may be a poſſibility of the change of that eſtate, and ſo a capacity may come in for that particular knowledge and certainty, yet as to their preſent eſtate (abſolulely conſidered) there is an incapacity of immediate knowledge that Chriſt died for them. Theſe perſons are all unbelieving and impenitent perſons who (as ſo, and remaining ſo) cannot know that Chriſt died to ſave them, becauſe
1. The way to know that Chriſt died for us, muſt ariſe either from ſome In the general. Some cannot know.word of promiſe, that a perſon in ſuch a condition, having intereſt in Chriſt, ſhall be ſaved by him; but there is no ſuch promiſe to any unbelieving and impenitent perſon, as ſuch a perſon; or from ſome words of Narration which declare and affirm that Chriſt and the benefits of his death do belong unto unbelieving and impenitent perſons as ſo: But there is no ſuch Narrative word which affirms it, that Chriſt belongs unto the unbeliever, and that he hath indeed obtained pardon of ſins and life for him; or from faith wrought in the heart: But this is not in the unbelieving and impenitent perſon; if it were, then he were not unbelieving or from ſome internal teſtimony of the Spirit of Chriſt, witneſſing and ſealing the application of the death of Chriſt in the benefits of it unto the unbelieving and impenitent perſon: But ſuch a teſtimony the Spirit of Chriſt never gives to any perſon remaining unbelieving and impenitent; his witneſſing and ſealing being only to the children of God. (Rom. 8. 16. The Spirit itſelf beareth witneſſe with our ſpirits that we are the children of God) and follows on believing. Epheſ. 1. 13. In whom after ye believed ye were ſealed with the holy Spirit of promiſe. Ver. 14. who is the earneſt of our inheritance.
So that there is no way for any unbeliever and impenitent perſon to know that Chriſt dyed for his ſins, and to make his peace, and to ſave his ſoul; and unleſſe his unbelief and impenitency be changed, he can never know it.
2. As the Goſpel fixeth the death of Christ in the benefits of it only upon Believers; (he that believeth ſhall be ſaved, Mark 16. 16) And whoſoever believeth in him, ſhall not periſh, but have everlaſting life, Joh. 3. 16. So it threatneth unbelievers with the loſſe of all benefit by Chriſt. Mark 16. 16. He that believeth, ſhall not be damned. And John 3. 36. He that believeth not on the Son, ſhall not ſee life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Note. And therefore by the way let me hint unto you two things.
One is, that all ſuch perſons who do continue to ſlight and refuſe Chriſt, and will go on in their ſinful ways, they have certainly deceived themſelves, and do ſtill deceive themſelves in their preſumptuous confidence that Chriſt hath dyed for them, and ſhed his blood for the remiſſion of their ſins, and that they ſhall be ſaved as well as the beſt. Theſe rude confidences are but lying vanities, and ungrounded preſumptions, refuges and deluſions of their own making; and who ſo truſts unto them, will in the end periſh; for the Scripture is ſo far from offering Chriſt in the benefits of his death to unbelieving and impenitent perſons continuing in that eſtate, that it aſſures them of the quite contrary, that they ſhall not ſee life, that they ſhall not be ſaved, that they ſhall dye in their ſins and periſh.
A ſecond is, that we would every one of us look ſeriouſly into our conditions, and if we do finde them to be unbelieving and impenitent, then (as we love our lives, and tender our ſalvation by Chriſt) humbly and earneſtly to importune the Lord to deliver our ſouls from unbelief and impenitency, they being the ſins which elſe will hinder us not only of the benefits by the death of Chriſt, but alſo of Chriſt himſelf, without an intereſt in whom we cannot have any intereſt in the benefits purchaſed by his death.
Secondly, Some there are who (perhaps) are in Chriſt, and yet they do not Some may be in Chriſt, but do not know it.know that they are in Chriſt, and Chriſt in the benefits of his death belongs unto them; at leaſt they do not certainly know this; and the reaſon of that inevidency may be,
1. Their own negligence and careleſsneſſe; the Apoſtle ſaith, We muſt give all diligence to make our calling and election ſure, 2 Pet. 1. 10. The aſſurance of our intereſt in Chriſt, and in the benefits of Chriſt, is a moſt ſweet and refreſhing knowledge; but it cannot be ſo eaſily attained: A diligence on our part is required to attain the ſame; much ſearching and praying, and conference, and comparing of our hearts with the Word of precept, and with the Word of promiſe, are neceſſary for ſuch an evidence; and our failing in theſe may be a reaſon why we fail in that.
2. The imbecillity of faith, which is but newly …ormed, and hardly perceptible by reaſon of many clouds and doubts, and fears; weak faith cannot ſo eaſily manifeſt it ſelf unto us, nor yet our title to Chriſt and intereſt in his purchaſe.
3. The power of temptations, and of melancholy, which do diſtract the ſoul, and diſturb the apprehenſion, and the acts of it; and da…ken and miſperſwade, and delude us, ſo that we cannot ſee our ſelves aright, nor Chriſt aright, nor our grounds of Application, nor yet the teſtimonies or evidences of our union with Chriſt.
Thirdly, Some there are who lie in a trembling condition, and are not determinately Some would know, but do not.reſolved either way; they cannot peremptorily conclude Chriſt did not dye for them, nor yet can they confidently affirme Chriſt did dye for them; only this is to be found in them, that their hearts do mourn after Chriſt, and they do love him, and do exceedingly ſtrive after the knowledge of his love, and the intentions of his death for their ſouls; the inevidence of it is their great perplexity, and the certainty of it is their great deſire and pains: And now for a clear and diſtinct anſwer unto the queſtion; One may certainly know that Chriſt died effectually to ſatisfie Gods juſtice for him, to take away his ſins, to make reconciliation for him, and to ſave him:
1. By the deſcription of thoſe for whom (without all queſtion) Chriſt did intentionally and effectually dye.
2. By the qualities of thoſe perſons who (in Scripture) have been able to ſay upon ſure grounds that Chriſt dyed for them, and unto whom in particular the benefits of his death have been applied and appropriated.
3. By the intereſt in that condition of faith, upon which Chriſt becomes ours in his perſon and in his benefits.
4. By the combination of the benefits of the death of Chriſt, and the real participation of every one of them.
5. By the ends of the death of Chriſt, and the appearance of them upon his heart and life.
6. By the ground and order of that certainty of knowledge or perſwaſion which a perſon hath that Chriſt dyed for him.
7. By the concomitant preſence of ſome choice affections in all who do attain unto that certain evidence that Chriſt dyed for them.
8. By the conſequent effects and fruits which do flow from that ſound knowledge of Chriſt in his death and benefits for us in particular.One may certainly know that Chriſt dyed for him. By the deſcription of thoſe for whom Chriſt intentionally dyed.
1. One may certainly know that Chriſt effectually dyed for him, By the deſcription of thoſe for whom (without all queſtion) Jeſus Christ did intentionally and effectually dye. If one can finde himſelf within the number of them for whom Chriſt himſelf hath ſaid he came to dye, and came to ſave, and laid down his life, and ſaith he is the Saviour of them, this man may be confidently perſwaded and aſſured that Chriſt dyed for him. Now you finde ſome expreſſely deſcribed in Scripture for whom he (unqueſtionably) dyed, Matth. 1. 21. He ſhall ſave his people from their ſins. Joh. 10. 15. I lay down my life for the ſheep. Joh. 15. 13. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. If therefore any man can clear out unto himſelf that he is one of the people of Chriſt, or one of the ſheep, or one of the friends of Chriſt, or one of the body of Chriſt, or one of the Church of Chriſt, he may thereupon certainly conclude that he is one for whom Chriſt dyed, and really intended to ſave by his death.
Object. You will ſay Here lies all the difficulty, to evidence to our ſelves that we are within the number of theſe.
Sol. I confeſſe it doth, yet this muſt be evidenced if you would certainly know that Chriſt effectually dyed for you; and upon diligent inquiry it may be evidenced; foraſmuch as Chriſts people and ſheep, and friends, and body, and Church, have ſuch ſignal characters and differences ſtamped upon them, by which they may be known to be his indeed; I will give ſome inſtances to help you in this. They are the people of Christ (his people) who are given unto him of the Father, and His people.bought by him with a price, and reſcued by his power unto himſelf, and brought into Covenant by him with the Father, and do ſtand in a near and choice relation unto himſelf as their Head and Lord of theſe people; it is ſaid in Scripture, that they are
1. A willing people, in the day of his power, Pſal. 110. 3. (i. e.) when the Goſpel is preached unto them, there goes with that Goſpel ſuch a power from Chriſt upon their hearts, that they are overcome and perſwaded, and willingly leave their former ſtation and relation to ſin, and to the world, and to Satan, and as willingly become Chriſts, hearkening unto his call, and falling into relation with him.
2. A peculiar people (Ti…s 2. 14. That he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purifie unto himſelf a peculiar people) His people are a pecul…ar people in a twofold reſpect. One, becauſe they are purged from thoſe ſins and iniquities under which other people do lye, and with which they are defiled: Another, becauſe they are beautified and adorned with thoſe excellencies of grace which other people do want and attain not unto; and therefore in 1 Pet. 29. An holy Nation, and a peculiar people, are joyned together.
Theſe things being thus opened, it will not now be ſo difficult for any mans conſcience to ſay, whether he be any one of the people of Chriſt yea or no; for two things will plainly teſtifie it: One is the willingneſſe of his heart to become Chriſts; and the other is the choiceneſſe or excellency of his nature; both theſe are in all the people of Chriſt, and in none but the people of Chriſt; and if you finde theſe upon your hearts, then are you the people of Chriſt; and if you be his people, then aſſuredly he dyed to ſave you from your ſins.
They are the ſheep of Chriſt (his ſheep for whom he did lay down his life) His Sheep.who do hear his voice and follow him; thus doth Chriſt himſelf deſcribe his ſheep, John 10 27. My ſheep hear my voice, and they follow me. And Ver. 28. I give unto them eternal life, and they ſhall never periſh: Well then, hence a man Hence a man may conclude, Negatively.may conclude both Negatively and Affirmatively:
I do not hear the voice of Chriſt, …or do I follow him; I diſregard his voice, and diſobey his voice; therefore as yet I am none of his ſheep, and conſequently I cannot aſſure my ſelf that Chriſt did lay down his life for me.
And on the contrary, one can ſay I do hear the voice of Chriſt, and I do follow Affirmatively.him. His voice ſaith Come unto me, Matth. 11. 28. and I come unto him; his voice ſaith, Open the door, Revel. 3. 20. and receive me; and my heart is open unto him, and I do receive him; his voice ſaith, Be converted that your ſins may be blotted out, Acts 2. 19. and I do repent and am converted; his voice ſaith, Hearken unto me and your ſouls ſhall live, Iſa. 55. 2. and I do obey this voice of Chriſt, I hearken unto him and yield up my ſelf to the ſervice and obedience of his will. Why hence I can conclude, I am therefore one of the ſheep of Chriſt; and being ſo. I am ſure that Chriſt did lay down his life for me.
Again, Jeſus Chriſt ſaith that he layes down his life for his friends: And in His friends.that very place he gives two Characters of ſuch who are indeed his friends.
One on their parts: Joh. 15. 14. Ye are my friends if ye do whatſoever I command you.
The other on his part: Ver. 15. I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard of my Father, I have made known unto you. The meaning is, As betwixt friends there is a reciprocal love, ſo there is between Chriſt and his friends; Chriſt loves them, and they love Chriſt. That they love Chriſt as friends, (indeed) appears by their readineſſe to do whatſoever Chriſt ſhall be pleaſed to command; they are ready to take up his will, and are chearfully at his command: That Chriſt loves them as his friends, appears by the manifeſtation and communicating unto them the ſecrets of his Father; he tells unto them the love and minde of his Father in the great concernments of ſalvation, which he doth not effectually make known to every man. So now this ſtands as a firme and unmoveable ttuth, that Chriſt did effectually lay down his life for his friends: And ſecondly, that they are the very friends of Chriſt, who (firſt) are at the command of Chriſt; And (ſecondly) unto whom Chriſt doth in a more ſpecial and familiar way make known the minde of his Father in the matters of ſalvation. Therefore if you do experimentally finde an heart readily and chearfully affected to all the will and command of Chriſt, What wilt thou have me to do? his commands are not grievous, I delight to do thy will; then are you ſure that you are one of the friends of Chriſt; and if ſo, then are you ſure that Chriſt laid down his life for you. And if you do experimentally finde ſuch impartings of Chriſt to you from the Father (which the men of the world know not) in the ſenſe of his love, and taſte of his mercy, and fruits of his grace, and efficacies of h…s Spirit, thence you may certainly conclude that you are his friends; (for Chriſt effectually makes theſe known only to his friends) and if you be his friends, then undoubtedly Chriſt dyed for you, he laid down his life to ſave you.
To this purpoſe might I go over the other inſtances of the body, and of the Church of Chriſt; but I have ſaid enough unto this choice diſtinction.
2. Secondly, One may know that Chriſt dyed for him in particular, by the quality of thoſe perſons who in Scripture have been able to ſay upon ſure grounds that Chriſt dyed for them, and redeemed them; and unto whom the benefits of his death have been applied in particular. It is a true rule, Parium eſt par Ratio & par Affirmatio; Put ſeve…al men into the ſame and like condition, and into the ſame and like relation, and into the ſame and like capacity, then what intereſt & priviledges one hath, the ſame intereſt and priviledges the other hath; and upon what ground the one can plead and conclude, upon the ſame may the other plead and conclude. I ſhall make uſe of this to the preſent purpoſe: You read in Scriptu…e of ſome who have been able to ſay Chriſt loved me, and gave himſelf for me; (Paul ſaid ſo, Gal. 2. 20.) By the quality of the perſons who have been able to ſay upon ſure grounds that Chriſt dyed for them.And I know my Redeemer liveth; (Job ſaid ſo, chap. 19. 15) And this is my beloved, and this is my friend; and I am my beloveds, and my beloved is mine; (the Church ſaid ſo, Cant. 5. 16. and Cant. 6. 3.)
And of ſome to whom the ben…fits of the death of Chriſt have been particularly applied and attributed. Luke 7. 48. He ſaid unto her Thy ſins are forgiven. Matth. 9. 2. Jeſus ſaith unto the ſick of the Palſie, Son be of good chear, thy ſins are forgiven thee. 1 Joh. 2. 12. I write unto you little children, becauſe your ſins are forgiven you for his Names ſake. 1 Cor. 1. 30. Of him are ye in Chriſt Jeſus, who is made unto us of God, wiſdome, righteouſneſſe, ſanctification and redemption. Revel. 5. 8. Thou waſt ſlain, and haſt redeemed us to God by thy blood. Now conſider what was the quality and diſpoſition of theſe perſons who were able confidently and upon ſure grounds thus to ſpeak, and of whom theſe things were thus affirmed; and if you finde the ſame ſpiritual diſpoſition in your ſelves, you may then certainly conclude Chriſt gave himſelf for you, and he is your Redeemer, and your ſins are forgiven you, &c.
Queſt. Why, what kinde of perſons were they?
Sol. They were effectually called perſons; as Paul, who ſaith in Gal. 1. 15. That it pleaſed God to call him by his grace: And ſo were the Corinthians called to be Saints, 1 Cor. 1. 2. And called unto the fellowſhip of his Son Jeſus Chriſt our Lord, Ver. 9. And they were upright perſons, fearing God, and eſchewing evil; ſuch an one was Job, chap. 1. 8. And they were mourning and repenting perſons; ſuch an one was the woman, Luke 7. 37, 38. And longing after Chriſt; ſuch an one was that perſon in Matth. 9. 2. And united unto Chriſt by Faith and Love, filled with high thoughts, deſires and delights; ſo was the Church mentioned in the …anticles, and the reſt ſpoken of in the other places. Why then, if any man can ſay upon good grounds God hath called me by his grace unto the fellowſhip of his Son Jeſus Chriſt, he may certainly conclude, Chriſt dyed for me, and gave himſelf for me; I was thus and thus ſinful; but God hath converted me: I was a blaſphemer, and a perſecuto… &c. And if any man can ſay, My heart thirſts and longs for Chriſt, and my ſoul is matched with Chriſt, he is the beloved of my ſoul. Why, I ſay unto that man, Chriſt loved thee, and gave himſelf for thee. And if any man finds himſelf a mourning and repenting ſinner, I can ſay to him, Be of good chear, thy ſins are forgiven thee. And if any man finds his heart upright with God and with Chriſt, that man may ſurely conclude with By his intereſt in the cond…tion of faith.Job, I know that my Redeemer liveth.
3. Thirdly, One may know that Chriſt dyed for him in particular, by his intereſt in that condition of faith upon which Chriſt certainly becomes ours in his perſon and benefits. If any one of …s do indeed believe on Chriſt, aſſuredly God the Father intended his ſalvation, in the giving of Chriſt; and Jeſus Chriſt intended and wrought the remiſſion of his ſins, and the ſalvation of his ſoul by his death. Hearken what the Word of God ſpeaketh in ſeveral places to this purpoſe: John 3. 16. God ſo loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoſoever believes on him, ſhould not periſh, but have everlasting life. Acts 10. 43. Whoſoever believes on him, ſhall receive remiſſion of ſins. Rom. 5. 1. Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt. Mark 16. 16. He that believeth, ſhall be ſaved. 1 Cor 1. 30. Of him are ye in Chriſt Jeſus, who of God is made unto us wiſdome, righteouſneſſe, ſanctifica…ion and redemption. In thoſe places it is moſt evident that whoſoever believes on Chriſt, he is certainly intereſted in Chriſt, and in all the benefits depending on Chriſts death; he is delivered from periſhing; he ſhall have everlaſting life; he ſhall receive the remiſſion of ſins; his peace is made with God; Chriſt is wiſdome and righteouſneſſe, and ſanctification, and redemption, and ſalvation unto him.
Object. You will ſay this is true and unqueſtionable, that whoſoever believes on Chriſt, he is certainly intereſted in the death of Chriſt, and in all the benefits of his death; but here lies the ſcruple▪ I doubt whether my faith be that very faith which doth indeed intereſt a perſon in Chriſt, whether it be faith unfained, 1 Tim. 1. 5. And faith that is precious, 2 Pet. 1. 1. And faith that is justifying, Rom. 5. 1. And faith that is ſaving, Epheſ. 2. 8.
Sol. I will not expatiate in the anſwer of this, becauſe I have upon ſeveral occaſions How I may know my faith doth intereſt me in Chriſt.ſpoken already much of the nature and properties of true faith; what I would ſay to the preſent ſcruple (whether my faith be the very faith which doth intereſt me in Chriſt, and in the benefits of his death) is this. That faith is true, and truly intereſting in Chriſt and in his benefits, which
Firſt, is ſeated in an heart broken with the ſenſe of ſin, and deeply apprehenſive of the need of a dying Chriſt; ſuch was theirs in Acts 2. 37. &c. and his in Acts 16. 29, 30, 31.
Secondly, Is raiſed and created by the exceeding greatneſſe of the power of God, and according to the working of his mighty power, Epheſ. 1. 10.
Thirdly, Is let in by the Miniſtry of the Goſpel, and upon Goſpel-offers, and calls, and promiſes, and aſſurances. Epheſ. 1. 13. In whom ye alſo truſted, after that ye heard the Word of truth, the Gospel of your ſalvation, Matth. 11. 28. Joh. 6. 36, 37. Rev. 3. 20.
Fourthly, Raiſeth the heart to high and precious thoughts of Chriſt; (unto you that believe he is precious, 1 Pet. 2. 7.) all is nothing without Chriſt; And if I have but Chriſt, I have enough; he is life, and beſt of all.
Fifthly, Draws out earneſt and unſatiable deſires, never reſting without the enjoyment of Chriſt, and parting with all which ſtands in oppoſition to that enjoyment.
Sixthly, Makes the heart to receive Chriſt, Joh. 1. 12. yea, gladly to receive Chriſt, Acts 2. 41. yea, whole Chriſt, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, Acts 16. …0. there to dwell, Epheſ. 3. 17. and there to rule and reign.
Seventhly, And to depend on Chriſt, placing all our confidence on him, and in none, and on nothing but him: Phil. 3. 3. We rejoyce in Chriſt Jeſus, and have no confidence in the fleſh. Ver. 9. And be found in him, not having mine own righteouſneſſe which is of the Law; but that which is through the faith of Chriſt, the righteouſneſſe which is of God by faith.
Eighthly, And to love Chriſt (faith which worketh by love, Gal. 5. 6.) who ſheweth ſo much love, as to give himſelf to death to ſave me.
I will go no farther; Finde me but ſuch a faith as this, and I aſſure you, I aſſure you; nay, the Goſpel of Chriſt aſſures you, that this is true faith; th…s is the Faith which makes Chriſt yours, in his Perſon, and in all the Benefits of his Death.
And one thing more obſerve by the way, that though this faith be but weak, though it be but as the ſmoaking flax, though it be but as a grain of Mustardſeed; though it be much aſſaulted with Satans temptations, though it be ofttimes ſhaken with fears and doubtings: Yet if it be but of ſo much life and power to match thy heart to Chriſt, to bring it in to Chriſt, to ſet him up as thy Lord, and as thy Saviour; and to rol, and reſt, and caſt thy ſoul and confidence on him, it is true Faith, and Chriſt is thine, and thou mayeſt ſafely conclude that Chriſt dyed for thee, and made peace for thee, &c.
Fourthly, One may know that Chriſt did effectually dye for him by the Combination By the combination of benefits purchaſed by the death of Chriſt.of the Benefits purchaſed by the death of Chriſt, and by the conjoyned participation of them in reſpect of himſelf. Beloved, the benefits purchaſed by the death of Chriſt are many (as Remiſſion of ſins, and Reconciliation with God, and Eternal life, and Redemption, and Sanctification, &c.) And theſe purchaſed Benefits, they were all of them purchaſed at once and together, and all of them with reſpect to every Believer, and in time every one of them is applyed to every Believer. Chriſt did not purchaſe Remiſſion of ſins for one believer only, and Reconciliation only for another believer, and Grace only for another, and Glory only for another; neither doth Chriſt apply theſe partly to one, and partly to another, but he purchaſed them for every one that ſhall believe, and he applies them to every one that doth believe. 1 Cor. 6. 11. But ye are waſhed, but ye are ſanctified, but ye are juſtified in the Name of the Lord, and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Cor. 1. 30. Made unto us Wiſdom, Righteouſneſſe, Sanctification, and Redemption. 1 Joh. 5. 6. This is he that came by Water and Blood, even Jeſus Chriſt.
Fifthly, Unto which let me add the fifth character by which one may know By the ends of the death of Chriſt.that Chriſt died for him, viz. by the ends of the death of Chriſt in reſpect of us, and the appearance of them upon our hearts and lives. 2 Cor. 5. 15. He died for all, that they which live ſhould not henceforth live unto themſelves, but unto him who died for them, and roſe again. Tit. 2. 14. Who gave himſelf for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purifie unto himſelf a peculiar people zealous of good works: 1 Pet. 2. 24. who his own ſelf bare our ſins in his own body upon the Croſſe, that we being dead to ſin, ſhould live unto righteouſneſs, by whoſe ſtripes ye were healed.
In theſe places you ſee five ends of the death of Chriſt for us:
1. That he might redeem us from all iniquity (i. e.) ſet us at liberty from bondage unto our ſinful luſts, that henceforth we ſhould not ſerve ſinne, Rom. 6. 6.
2. That we ſhould be dead to ſin (i. e.) our hearts and affections ſhould be mortified and crucified unto them; not love them, not deſire them, not delight in them, not hearken to them, not be led by them any more.
3. That henceforth we ſhould not live unto our ſelves (i. e.) intend and ſet up our own ends and intereſts, our own praiſe and glory, our own profit and benefit, our own pleaſure and contentments.
4. That we ſhould be a peculiar people, be his, be for him unto himſelf, purified by his ſpirit, and joyned by the ſame Spirit unto himſelf, and led and drawn forth in his ſtrength unto all good works, affectionately and fervently.
5. That we ſhould live unto him who died for us, and live unto righteouſneſs, (i. e.) exalt the will, and wayes, and honour of Chriſt count nothing too dear for him, ſpend, and be ſpent for him; take his directions, obey his commands, ſerve his ends, act intirely, and throughly, and willingly, and chearfully, and fully, and conſtantly in all conditions, and in all tryals for Chriſts intereſt, and the magnifying of Chriſt. O Beloved, let us ſeriouſly try our intereſt in the death of Chriſt by theſe Ends of the death of Chriſt which are certainly accompliſhed (in due time) in all for whom Chriſt died.
There are two ſorts of the vertues of the death of Chriſt.
1. Some are for us; he died for to ſatifie for us, and to make peace for us, and to purchaſe Remiſſion of ſins for us, and to obtain ſalvation for us.
2. Some are in us, as to redeem us from all iniquity, to crucifie our ſins, to purifie us unto himſelf a peculiar people, &c.
Chriſt died for our ſins, and he died that we might dye unto our ſins (Our old man is crucified with him, that the body of ſin might be deſtroyed, that henceforth we ſhould not ſerve ſin, Rom. 6. 6. The blood of Chriſt was a pacifying blood, (having made peace through the blood of his Croſſe, Col. 1. 20.) And the blood of Chriſt is a purifying blood, it purgeth the conſcience from dead works to ſerve the living God, Heb. 9. 14. He died as our Surety and Prieſt, and to this end alſo did Chriſt die and riſe again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and the living, Rom. 14. 9 Therefore if you be yet in your ſins, if you be not dead unto them; if you love them, if you ſerve them, you cannot aſſure your ſelves (as yet) that Chriſt dyed for you: But on the contrary, if you can truly ſay (as the Apoſtle, Rom. 6. 17, 18.) We were the ſervants of ſin, but we are made free from ſin, and are become the ſervants of righteouſneſs; we are healed by the ſtripes of Chriſt, and we are made conformable unto his death, we find the ſimilitude of his Death and Reſurrection in us; we are not our own but Chriſts; his we are, and none but his; our hearts are his, and our lives are his; why then be confident that Chriſt is yours, and his death is yours, and all the benefits of his death are yours.
Sixthly, One may know that Chriſt died for him, by the Grounds, By the grounds and cauſes, and order of attaining that certainty.and Cauſes, and Order of attaining unto that certainty of knowledge, and perſwaſion that Chriſt died for him.
For your help in this, take notice of three Particulars.
1. A right and undeceiving aſſurance that Chriſt died for us, hath two ſure Grounds: One is, the Teſtimony of the Word; the other is, the Testimony of Conſcience renewed. The Word ſaith, Whoſoever believes, ſhall not periſh, but have everlaſting life: Renewed conſcience ſaith, but thou believeſt, yea thou believeſt aright; thy faith work by love; Ergo.
2. A right and undeceiving knowledge, it hath very choice cauſes; it ariſeth from Faith, and it ariſeth from the Spirit of Chriſt: no man can give himſelf this aſſurance or certain knowledge that Chriſt died for him: As no man can ſay that Christ is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghoſt; So no man can ſay Chriſt is my Lord, and my Saviour, but by the Holy Ghoſt.
3. A right and undeceiving aſſurance that Chriſt died for me, is attained in an orderly way: It is not the firſt work to be found in us, but it follows many precedent works in the ſoule, as the ſealing follows the writing; viz. it follows
1. Deep ſenſe of ſin and miſery.
2. A Spiritual Conviction of our own impotency, and inſufficiency, and abſolute need of Chriſt.
3. Earneſt deſires after Chriſt, and for faith to lay hold on Chriſt.
4. Many conflicts 'twixt weak faith, and doubtings and fears.
5. Peculiar ſupplications for the evidencing of the love of Chriſt, and for particular perſwaſions of our intereſt in him, and in the benefits of his death.
6. Attendance upon God in the Ordinances of Chriſt, &c.
Seventhly, You may know that Chriſt died for your ſins, by the concomitant preſence of ſome choice qualities in every perſon rightly aſſured of Chriſts dying By the concomitant preſence of ſome chief qualities.for him. v. g.
1. A tender mournfulneſs of heart. Zech. 12. 10. They ſhall look on him whom they have pierced, and ſhall mourn as a man mourns for his only child Never did the child mourn more, &c. There is a two-fold mourning, and both neceſſary: one from ſenſe of ſin as grieving God; the other from the ſenſe of love in pardoning ſin.
2. An exceeding joy: Rom. 5. 11. We joy in God through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, by whom we have received the Atonement.
3. An inflamed love. Luke 7. 47. Her ſins which are many are forgiven, for ſhe loved much. (For) is not Cauſal but Illative, q. d. therefore ſhe loved much. None ſo loved as this loving Chriſt.
4. A ſweet Peace and Tranquillity: Rom. 5. 1. Being juſtified by Faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jeſus Christ; when we know that our peace is made by Chriſt, preſently peace ariſeth in the conſcience, the ſtorm is over, and we are at land: Now conſcience excuſes, comforts, ſupports, anſwers, &c. all is well, the Sword is ſheathed.
8. Laſtly, you may know that Chriſt died for you, by the fruits and effects By the fruits and eff…cts which flow from it.which do flow from that certaine knowledge, and that particular aſſurance. v. g.
1. Singular loathings of ſin: Rom. 6. 1, 2. Shall we continue in ſin that grace may abound! God forbid. How ſhall we that are dead to ſin, live any longer therein!
2. Utmoſt ſervice for Chriſt. 2 Cor. 5. 14. The love of Chriſt conſtraineth us, acts us, fills us, carries us on as men poſſeſſed, or as a ſhip with the winde: Act. 21. 13. I am ready not to be bound only, but alſo to die at Jeruſalem for the Name of the Lord Jeſus.
3. Special delight in Chriſt, and in the word of Chriſt. 1 Pet. 2. 3. As new born babes deſire the ſincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If ſo be that ye have taſted that the Lord is gracious; as if he had ſaid, the man that knows that the Lord is gracious, and gracious to him, and hath taſted of the ſweetneſs of his love to his ſoul, muſt needs delight in, and long after the Word, as the Babe doth after the milk of the breaſt.
4. Yet more deſires to partake of more from Chriſt: Phil. 3. 10. That I may know him, and the power of his Reſurrection, and the fellowſhip of his ſufferings, being made conformable to his death. verſe 12. Not as though I had already attained, or were already perfect; but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which I alſo am apprehended of Chriſt Jeſus.
5. Watchful fear, by no means to offend or diſpleaſe Chriſt, ſo loving a Chriſt, ſo kind, ſo good a Chriſt; ſo unwilling, and ſo affraid is the aſſured perſon to ſin againſt Chriſt any more, that he could be content preſently to d…e, and to be with Chriſt, where there is no more a poſſibility to offend him, &c.
6. Anſwerable returns unto Chriſt who ſuffered and died for me, v. g. He loved me, and I therefore love him; He abaſed himſelf for me, and I abaſe my ſelf for him; He gave himſelf for me, and I give my ſelf to him; He obeyed his Fathers will for me, and I obey his will; He ſuffered for me, and I am willing to ſuffer for him, in my name, in my body, in my life. He roſe for me, and I live to him; He juſtified me, and I juſtifie him; He pleades fo… me in Heaven, and I plead for him on Earth; He hath purchaſed glory for me, and I give glory to him, &c.
Thus have you heard the Deciſion of this great Practical Queſtion how a perſon may know that Chriſt died for him. Now be…re I ſhut up this Diſcourſe, I will propound and give anſwer unto ſome Caſes of Conſcience in relation to this Point in which I am …iſcourſing.
1. How one may know that he is deluded in his Conſcience that Chriſt dyed for him.
2. What one ſhould do, who (as yet) cannot certainly affirm that Chriſt died for him?
3. Whether every one for whom Chriſt effectually dyed, doth (ſometime or other) in this life attain unto the certain evidence thereof?
4. Whether a perſon having attained to the certain knowledge of Chriſts dying for him, may ever after that doubt and queſtion the ſame again? and whether new doubtings overthrow a certainty of knowledge?
5. What advantage any Chriſtian hath by the certain knowledge that Chriſt died for him as his Mediatour?
Caſe 1. How one may know that he is deluded in his Confidence that Chriſt How one may know he is deluded in his confidence of Chriſts d… ing for him. A twofold confidence.dyed for him?
There is (I confeſs) a two-fold confidence about the Application of the Death of Chriſt; One ariſing from Faith and the Spirit of God, who beareth witneſs with our ſpirits that we are the Children of God; The other ariſeth from preſumption, and the ſpirit of Deluſion, wherein a perſon dreams that he eats, but he is empty; and dreams that he poſſeſſeth, and he is poor; and dreams that Chriſt is his, and died for his ſins, and made his peace, but he is deceived, there is no ſuch matter at all.
Now there are foure things which do manifeſtly declare that the confidence That confidence is but a deluſion, Which is contrary to the Word.which ſome men have that Chriſt dyed for them, is but a deluſion.
1. When that confidence is contrary to the Word: Every true and ſound perſwaſion of our intereſt in Chriſt, and in the benefits of his death, is conformable to the teſtimony of the Word; and every falſe perſwaſion or confidence is contrary to the Word; as it hath no word of God to bottom upon, ſo it hath the Word of God to unbottom and contradict it.
You are confident that Chriſt dyed to ſave you, and to purchaſe the pardon of ſins, &c. And yet you remain an ignorant, and impenitent, a diſobedient, and unbelieving ſinner; you ſtill love your ſins, and will not forſake them; your heart is hardened in ſin, and you mourn not for ſin, you deſpiſe the Goſpel of Chriſt, and truth of Chriſt, and calls of Chriſt, and paths of Chriſt, and ſubjection to Chriſt, and communion with Chriſt! And yet you are confident that Chriſt died effectually … for your ſalvation! And what warrant have you thus to lay claim to him, and to his benefits? The Word ſaith, Whoſoever believes on him ſhall not periſh, but have everlaſting life, Joh. 3. 16, 36. And he that believeth not ſhall not ſee life, but the wrath of God abideth on him: And you believe not on him; where is now your confidence? the Word ſaith, be converted, and repent, that your ſins may be blotted out, Acts 3. 19. And Chriſt ſaith, that repentance and remiſſion of ſins ſhould be preached in his Name, Luke 24. 47. But you repent not, you do not, you will not forſake your ſins. The Word ſaith, that Chriſt is the Author of ſalvation to all that obey him, Hebr. 5. 9. But you will not obey him; he calls you off from your ſins, and he calls you off from the world, and he calls you to fellowſhip with himſelf, and he calls you unto holineſſe; but you will not obey him in any of theſe calls; therefore your confidence in the benefits of his death, is a meer preſumption and deluſion, it is not warranted by the Word; nay, the Word is expreſſely contrary unto it.
2. When that confidence is but natural, and eaſily believed: The right confidence Which is but natural, and eaſily believed.that Chriſt dyed for us, it is ſupernatural and difficult; we cannot give it to our ſelves, it is a perſwaſion given unto us, and it coſts us many prayings, and many tears, and many bearings, and many waitings upon God before we can attain unto it: But a deluding confidence that is natural and eaſie, the perſon never gets it by prayer; never wreſtled with God for it, never attended the Word for it, never conflicted with doubts and fears, was never at any coſt for it, but was confident all his days; no antecedent conflict, no preſent conflict; preſumption is a work of our own, a meer fancy of our own, and a meer deluſion of our own.
Thirdly, When that confidence is fruitleſſe and looſe, it produceth no love Which is fruitleſſe.at all to Chriſt, nor fear to offend Chriſt, nor care to pleaſe Chriſt; nay, inſtead of theſe, there is a boldneſſe to ſin the more, and to continue impenitent, becauſe Chriſt dyed for ſinners, and his death is ſufficient to expiate the greateſt tranſgreſſions; whereas a right confidence of the benefits of the death of Chriſt makes men more holy and obedient. 1 John 2. 3. We know that when he ſhall appear, we ſhall be like him, for we ſhall ſee him as he is. Ver. 3. And every man that hath this hope in him, purifieth himſelf even as he is pure.
Fourthly, When that confidence or aſſurance is eaſily ſwept away in time of Which is eaſily ſwept away in time of tryal.tryal, either by conſcience or by afflictions, or by ſickneſſe or by the approachings of death; His confidence ſhall be rooted out of his Tabernacle, and ſhall bring him to the King of terrors, ſaid Bildad in Job 18. 14. A deluding confidence uſually ends in a deſpairing diffidence; but ſo doth not a right and wellgrounded confidence, it will hold out in all afflictions and tryals whatſoever. Rom. 8. 38, 39. I am perſwaded that neither death nor life, nor Angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things preſent, nor things to come, nor heighth, nor depth, nor any other creature ſhall be able to ſeparate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jeſus our Lord. Yea, it will hold out in death it ſelf, when all the hopes of the hypocrite ſhall periſh. 2 Tim. 4. 6. I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. Ver. 7. I have fought the good fight, I have finiſhed my courſe, I have kept the faith. Ver. 8. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteouſneſſe, which the Lord the righteous Judge ſhall give me at that day.
From all this let us learn carefully to try our very confidences of our intereſt in Chriſt, and in the benefits of his death; remember but three things.
1. Your intereſt is never the more for all your confidence; confidence gives no propriety, though ſometimes it follows it.
2. Your intereſt is the leſſe if your confidence be falſe. A troubled and doubting Chriſtian may be brought in to Chriſt, and partake of him, and of his benefits, when the bold, confident, preſumptuous ſinner keeps off, and hides himſelf, even becauſe he is boiſtrouſly confident.
3. You will certainly be loſt if you rest in this confident deluſion; it is a broken bottome, and a dream which will deſtroy you.
Caſe 2. What a perſon ſhould do who (as yet) cannot certainly affirme What a perſon ſhould do who as yet cannot certainly affirme that Chriſt dyed for him.that Chriſt dyed for him, and that he hath any intereſt in the benefits of his death?
Sol. This is the caſe of many troubled ſouls, and their exceeding burden and fear, unto whom I would commend, 1. A few Cautions. 2. A few Directions.
1. Cautions.Cautions to ſuch. Do not caſhiere your title.
1. Do not caſhiere your title. Though (all this while) you cannot clear your intereſt, although you cannot conclude for it, yet do not conclude againſt it, nor yet deſpair; for
1. This dark condition is incident to moſt (if not all) weak believers, who are baptized in a cloud, though they drink of the rock; (i. e.) Chriſt indeed is theirs, although they do not ſee him to be theirs; and the blood of Chriſt was ſhed for them, although the aſſurance thereof be not ſhed abroad in their hearts; yea and pardon of their ſins is ſealed, although as yet it be not revealed to them; they do not finde this in a ſenſible experience, but yet they may finde all this in Gods promiſe.
2. Thy eſtate may be ſure, when as yet you are not aſſured. It may be day, though the Sun doth not gloriouſly appear; I confeſſe that faith of evidence makes our condition joyful; but yet the faith of adherence can make it ſure and bleſſed; for that is it which intereſts us into Chriſt, and Chriſt is he who intereſts us into pardon and freedome; you ſhall be ſaved becauſe you are Chriſts, not becauſe you know that you are ſo.
3. Nay, great fear and troubles (becauſe of unaſſurances) may and do uſually end in ſweeteſt and fulleſt aſſurance, eſpecially when thoſe fears and troubles raiſe many prayers, much tenderneſſe in conſcience, and ſerious diligence, and humble and upright walking.
Secondly, Though you have not your wages, yet do not give up your works; Though you have not your wages, do not give over your work.Do not ſay I will pray no more, and hear no more, and wait no longer; whatſoever you may imagine, yet I aſſure you of this, it is nothing elſe but proud unbelief, when God ſhall hear no longer from us, becauſe it is long before we hear from God, and we therefore leſſen duty, becauſe God is pleaſed to with-hold comforts. Simile. This is, as if one ſhould give over writing a Deed, becauſe it is not ſealed; write but to the bottome, and then the ſeal ſhall be annexed, Give all diligence to make your calling and election ſure, 2 Pet. 1. 10. So ſay I, Be diligent ſtill in praying, and be diligent ſtill in hearing, and be diligent ſtill in holy and upright walking; though theſe be not aſſurances, yet theſe are the way unto aſſurance; if you cannot be joyful friends, yet be faithful ſervants; if you cannot rejoyce to do his will, it will not be long ere you ſhall rejoyce in knowing his love. Eſay 64. 5. Thou meeteſt him, … rejoyce…, and worketh righteouſneſſe, thoſe that remember thee in thy ways.
Thirdly, If you would have the light, do not then ſhut up the window, and If you would have the light, do not ſhut up the window.draw the curtain; Do not hinder what you deſire: You would be aſſured that Chriſt is yours, and dyed for you, then do you not hinder the dawning of this day-ſtar in your own hearts. A perſon hinders his aſſurance many ways; viz.
1. By great tranſgreſſions; theſe are the thick and dark clouds which will make the Sun to ſet at Noon-day, and will not ſuffer it to riſe untill after great humiliations: David found it ſo, Pſal. 51. Exod. 25. 21. Thou ſhalt put the mercyſeat above upon the Ark, and in the Ark thou ſhalt put the teſtimony that I ſhall give thee. Ver. 22. And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy-ſeat, from between the two Cherubims which are upon the Ark of the teſtimony: And you ſhall never meet with the mercy-ſeat, if you ſlight the Ark of the teſtimony; you cannot venture on any ſin (be it never ſo ſecret) but you ſhall thereby diſhonour your God, break your peace, lame your prayers, ſet back your confidence, and either ſtrike off, or elſe delay your aſſurance.
2. By careleſſe neglects; when a man will not take pains to recover loſt aſſurance; it was the caſe of thoſe in Cant. 5. 3. I have put off my Coat, how ſhall I put it on?
3. By cheriſhing unbelief and jealouſies; in miſinterpreting, and miſapplying all that God ſpeaks or does. If he threatens wrath, why I am the man! If mercy be at any time diſtinguiſhed from any ſorts of ſinners, alas, then mercy belongs not to me! If the hypocrite be deſcribed, then I fear ſuch a one am I! If the preſumptuous perſon, then am not I he! If promiſes be unfolded, I fear they are not my portion! If the love of Chriſt, I doubt it as to me! If relations and titles to Chriſt, ſure they are not in me in truth! If Arguments to ſatisfie and ſettle the heart, O but I may not joyne with them! When a troubled ſinner is apt to joyne with all that will trouble, and to take part with all that will weaken his faith, and that will ſtrengthen his unbelief, and his great work lies in excepting, and in queſtioning, and in diſputing away his helps and encouragements to believe, this will hinder his aſſurance; that which hinders faith, will hinder aſſurance.
Directions. 2. The Directions.
If you would come to this aſſurance that Chriſt dyed for you:
Firſt, Be humbly mournful; Chriſt ſaid to Mary when ſhe w… weeping, Be humbly mournful.her ſins are forgiven her, Luk. 7. 47. Chriſt was ſent to binde up the brokenhearted, and to give the oyle of joy for mourning, and the garment of praiſe for the ſpirit of heavineſſe, Iſa. 61. 1, 3. A broken heart is near unto joy; Bleſſed are they that mourn, for they ſhall be comforted, Matth. 5. 4. And ſo is the humble heart, which judgeth it ſelf leſſe than the leaſt of mercies, and unworthy to be called a ſon, and truſts not to any thing in it ſelf, and is made up altogether of the grace of God in Chriſt; this heart is near to peace, and to the Spirit of conſolation. Iſa. 57. 15. I dwell in the high and holy place, with him alſo who is of a contrite and humble Spirit, to revive the ſpirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Iſa. 66. 2. To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite ſpirit, and trembleth at my Word.
Secondiy, Be earneſt in prayer, Pray without ceaſing, pray and faint not; pray to know the love of Chriſt, pray eſpecially for the love of Chriſt, for the Be earneſt in prayer.light of that Spirit, and for the teſtimony of that Spirit, becauſe it is his work and office to ſeal and aſſure us; and pray for thoſe aſſuring promiſes of pardon; Rev. 2. 17. Iſa. 60. 16.
There are two choice works of the Spirit.
1. One is to draw and perſwade the ſinner to come to Chriſt, to believe on him, to receive him.
2. The other is to aſſure the believer of his relation to Chriſt, and of Chriſts relation to him; that he is Chriſts, and that Chriſt is his; that he loved him, and gave himſelf for him: O pray, and continue this prayer, that the Spirit of Chriſt may be given unto you, to open and reveal all that is given to you, &c.
Thirdly, Attend the Ordinances of Chriſt; the Word and Sacraments, and the communion of Saints.Attend the Ordinances of Chriſt.
The Word of the Goſpel, it is the Word of peace as well as of grace; as it is the means of faith, ſo it is the means of aſſurance; it doth bring us to Chriſt, and it can (Miniſterially) evidence our intereſt in the things of Chriſt. 1 John 5. 13. Theſe things have I written unto you that believe on the Name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal life. How many doubts do you (who are weak believers) finde anſwered in the Miniſtry of the Goſpel? how often hath your weak faith been raiſed by it, and your hearts encouraged to truſt; and many times refreſhed and revived with confidences and perſwaſions that indeed Chriſt is you…s, and ſhed his blood for the remiſſion of your ſins?
And for the Sacrament, you know that it is the ſeal of righteouſneſſe which is by faith, Rom. 4. 11. As a ſeal aſſures and confirms the matter contained and conveyed in a Deed, ſo doth the Sacrament confirme and aſſure weak believers of all the good of the Covenant, and of all the benefits purchaſed by the blood of Chriſt; that Ordinance is appointed only for believers; and it is appointed for this very end, to ſtrengthen their faith, and to breed aſſurance in them of their union and communion with Chriſt.
And as for the communion of Saints, I would to God that we knew it more; the helps are very great therein; we may freely open our hearts, and the ſpiritual condition of them one to another; and meet with ſuch experiences, and ſuch directions, reſolves and ſatisfactions, and ſuch ſupports and encouragements, and comforts, and ſuccours of prayers, as would much conduce towards our aſſurance, &c.
Fourthly, Look well to your faith; ſtrengthen that, and manage that well, for Look to your faith.that gets the firſt ſight, and hath the firſt news of pardon and ſalvation; let me commend unto you three things about this.
1. Take ſome pains to clear it out that you have faith in truth; my reaſon for this advice is, firſt; If that were evidenced, you may then certainly conclude your particular intereſt. Secondly, till it be evidenced, your doubts and fears about a perſonal application will be ſtill in force; yea, if I were ſure that I had faith in truth, then indeed I may conclude that Chriſt is mine, and dyed for me; but I am not ſu…e of that.
2. Act your faith on Christ; glorifie him ſo far, as to venture on him alone for your pardon, for your peace, for your ſalvation; you know what he is, and what he hath done and ſuffered; and you know that your hearts are given up unto him, and have choſen him to be your Lord Jeſus Chriſt: well (now) rely on him as yours, and on his blood as ſhed for the remiſſion of your ſins. Truſt him upon his Word which he hath ſpoken of all that believe on him, that they ſhall not periſh, but have everlaſting life; why, this is a faithful ſaying, I will caſt my ſelf upon him whom I have believed, I will truſt that in his Name, and by his blood God hath forgiven my ſins, and is reconciled to me, &c. You would not imagine how much this would conduce to aſſurance.
3. Live by faith; although you cannot read your pardon or peace in experience, yet you may read it in the promiſes; (he that believes ſhall be ſaved; whoſoever believes on him, ſhall receive remiſſion of ſins, &c.) Now live awhile upon theſe promiſes, give glory to them; if you can live upon the truth of them, you ſhall ere long taſte the goodneſſe of them.
Fifthly, Patiently wait upon God; do not quarrel with him, nor limit him to this prayer, nor to this time; but keep on in his ways by upright walking, and Patiently wait upon God.humbly expect the anſwer and iſſue. Pſal. 81. 8. I will hearken (ſaith David) what God the Lord will ſpeak, for he will ſpeak peace unto his Saints. Cant. 3. 1. By night on my bed I ſought him whom my ſoul loveth. Ver. 2. I will riſe and go about the City, in the ſtreets, and in the broad ways I will ſeek him whom my ſoul loveth. Ver. 3. I ſaid unto the watch-men, Saw ye him whom my ſoul loveth? Ver. 4. It was but a little that I paſſed from him, but I found him whom my ſoul loveth.
Whether every one who is indeed … deemed …y Chriſt, may know ſome time or other that Chriſt dyed for him?Caſe 3. Whether every one who is indeed redeemed by Chriſt, doth certainly know (ſome time or other) that Chriſt dyed for him in particular? Or whether every one for whom Chriſt effectually dyed, doth (ſome time or other) attain unto a certain evidence thereof in this life?
Anſwered. Sol. This is a very nice queſtion, and I would warily ſpeak unto it; ſix things will be granted by us.
Firſt, That every believing perſon may attain unto this certain evidence; there are cauſes and means ſufficient to produce it; promiſes, faith, ſpirit, conſcience, &c.
Secondly, That every believing perſon ſhould attain it; it is preſſed upon him in the Word, to ſtrive to make it ſure, and to come to the aſſurance of faith.
Thirdly, That God hath promiſed ſuch a knowledge unto all that are his in Covenant. Hoſea 2. 23. I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy: and I will ſay unto them that were not my people, Thou art my people; and they ſhall ſay Thou art my God.
Fourthly, The Church of Chriſt, and Believers both in the Old and in the New Teſtament (generally) have obtained unto this evidence; Doubtleſſe thou art our Father. Iſa. 63. 16. And O Lord thou art our Father; ſee we beſeech thee, we are all thy people. Iſa. 64. 8, 9. Abraham, Job, David, the Church in the Canticles, my beloved is mine, and I am his; Paul, and thoſe Believers in Corinth, they were ſealed, and had given unto them the earneſt of the ſpirit in their hearts: 2 Cor. 1. 12. The believing Epheſians had the like. In whom after ye believed, ye were ſealed with the holy Spirit of promiſe, which is the earneſt of our inheritance, Epheſ 1. 13. and of the Theſſalonians, the Apoſtle ſaith, that the Goſpel came not in word only, but alſo in power, and in the holy Ghoſt, and in much aſſurance, 1 Theſ. 1. 5.
Fifthly, There are many Believers among our ſelves who can ſay, as Paul of Chriſt, he loved me, and gave himſelf for me.
Sixthly, There are many weak Believers who as yet cannot certainly ſay thus much, although they may ſafely ſay ſo much; for the weakeſt faith gives an intereſt in Chriſt, and therefore in his benefits.
Now for a direct anſwer to the caſe, I conceive that every true Believer effectually Every believer doth ſome time or other attain unto it.brought in by the Gospel to Chriſt, doth ſome time or other attain unto a certain evidence that …hriſt is his, and dyed for him; only let me diſtingniſh concerning this Aſſertion, and then I will give you my reaſons why I think ſo.
You muſt diſtinguiſh of Aſſurance or Evidence thus; it is eithe…Some diſtinctions about it.
1. Real; which is ſo much light, as indeed declares the truth of intereſt or relation; it over-tops actual doubtings in their prevalency; it turns the ſcale; it makes a ſoul to know thy faith is right, and Chriſt belongs to thee, and dyed therefore for thee.
2. Gradual; which is like the Sun at Noon-day; there is ſuch an i…luſtrious evidence of our relation unto, and propriety in Chriſt, that there is not only no fear or doubts, but alſo an abundant aſſurance and ſatisfaction that Chriſt is ours. Now I dare not affirme this latter of every one for whom Chriſt dyed; a triumphant aſſurance ordinarily is the portion of thoſe who have been extraordinarily humbled, and who are pick't out for g…eat ſe…vices, or who are ſufferers for Chriſt; yet the former (ſome time or other) is the portion of every Believer. Again, there is an aſſurance,
1. More fixed and permanent, which abides and dwells with the ſoul for a long ſpace of time.
2. More quick and tranſient, which I would call a ſaluting aſſurance; Jeſus Chriſt doth give an hint by the Spirit of his love, and of his relation ſometimes in our mournings, ſometimes in our praying, ſometimes in our meditations, ſometimes in our hearings, Be of good comfort, Thy ſins are forgiven thee. And this revives the ſoul, but it doth not laſt long upon the ſoul. Though every Believer (for whom Chriſt dyed) perhaps attains not unto the permanent aſſurance; yet, I humbly conceive, that ſome time or other he doth to the tranſient aſſurance. Once more, there is an aſſurance,
1. Mediate by way of Argument, which is a concluſion from unqueſtionable premiſes; as thus, He that believes, ſhall be ſaved; and he that repents, ſhall be pardoned. Now a perſon throughly ſearching and weighing his condition by the Word and conſcience, finds full grounds that he believes, and that he repents; and therefore by an Argumentative faith and conſcience concludes certainly that his ſins are pardoned, and that his ſoul ſhall be ſaved.
2. Immediate, by way of Illumination, when the Spirit of Chriſt lets in ſuch a brightneſſe of light, that we do plainly ſee all his workmanſhip of faith and grace in our hearts, and all our titles and relations to Chriſt; Simile. all appears in that perfect evidence, as the ſeveral colours do when the perfect light attends them. I would be underſtood in the former ſenſe, and not in the latter; ſo then this is the ſumme of my anſwer, that every true believer (ſome time or other of his life) doth attain unto ſome real aſſurance, though perhaps but weak and tranſient, and argumentative, and late.
Reaſons. The reaſons inducing me to this opinion, are theſe; viz.
Firſt, Some aſſurance is neceſſary, though not to the abſolute being of a Chriſtian, yet unto his comfortable being, and unto the honour of the believing condition; the ſoul would faint and fail if it ſhould walk under perpetual ſilence and darkneſſe; but God will not ſuffer that; therefore ſome time or other he comforts the ſoul; and that comfort lies in this aſſurance of inte…eſt in Chriſt, and in the benefits of his death.
Secondly, The earneſt groans of the Spirit, and requeſts cauſally made by it are not in vain; for he makes requeſts according to the will of God, Rom. 8. 27. 1 Joh. 5. 14. which requeſt does certainly ſpeed firſt or laſt; but every Believer earneſtly prays for aſſurance; yea, Chriſt himſelf ſaith, John 16. 23. Whatſoever you ſhall ask, the Father in my Name he will give it you: ver. 24. Ask, and ye ſhall receive, that your joy may be full: Whence I infer, If the Father will give whatſoever we ask in the Name of Chriſt, then he will give us aſſurance. If we ſhall upon asking receive ſuch an anſwer, that our joy ſhall be full, then (ſome time or other) we ſhall receive this aſſurance; for upon this depends our joy and fulneſſe of joy.
Thirdly, Some time or other, in this life every believer attains unto true peace of conſcience; (for 1. That is one portion bought for us by the blood of Chriſt to be enjoyed in this life. 2. That is expreſſely and often promiſed unto the people of God, he will ſpeak peace unto them, and will create the fruits of the lips, peace unto them. 3. Otherwiſe the renewed conſcience would be of as little comfort as the evil conſcience; but that peace of conſcience flows from ſome evidence that God is ſatisfied and reconciled unto us in Chriſt, and hath pardoned our ſins, and will ſave us; for if theſe things be not done, and if we in ſome meaſure know them not to be done, conſcience cannot ſpeak peace unto us.
Fourthly, God will not be wanting to any of his people in any means which may ſerve to draw out their love and praiſes: That God who expects our praiſes, and delights in our love, certainly will preſent unto us the beſt means for our love and praiſes. Now of all means whatſoever, for the quickning and drawing forth of theſe, none is comparable unto the aſſurance or certain knowledge that Chriſt is ours, and God is reconciled unto us in Chriſt, and hath for his ſake forgiven us our ſins.
Fifthly, The ſealing Ordinance of the Lords Supper is purpoſely inſtituted for to bring the believer in Chriſt to an aſſurance of his intereſt in the benefits of the death of Chriſt; and ſhall this never take effect in the believer for whoſe ſake it is inſtituted, and who is told in particular, This is my body which was broken for you? 1 Cor. 11. 24. and given for you; Luke 22. 19. and This cup is the New Teſtament in my blood which is ſhed for you, ver. 20.
Sixthly, Nay, it would be very ſtrange that any Believer ſhould be interested in ſuch a choice love of God and Chriſt, and be brought into ſo near an union with Chriſt, as to be married unto him. Hoſea 2. 19. and yet Chriſt ſhould never tell or aſſure him that he loves him; it is the nature of love to manifeſt it ſelf; and alſo into ſo gracious a communion with the Father and the Son, as to have fellowſhip with them, 1 Joh. 1. 3. every day to converſe with them, and yet never know their love unto him. Moreover, that God the Father, and Chriſt his Son ſhould come unto him, and make their abode with him, Joh. 14. 23. and that Chriſt ſhould promiſe, He that loveth me, ſhall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and manifeſt my ſelf unto him, ver. 21. and yet that this believing perſon ſhould never in all his life have any knowledge of this, eſpecially Chriſt aſſuring, all that I have known of the Father, I have made known unto you! Joh. 15. 15.
Seventhly, Let me adde one thing more, that a Believer ſhould have all the helps and cauſes apt and able to give him an aſſurance; (v. g.) all the promiſes, faith, a renewed conſcience, and the very Spirit of Chriſt, and yet all theſe ſhould lie dormant all his life long, and not give one word of aſſurance that he is Chriſts, or that Chriſt is his, and that God is reconciled to him; ſurely this doth not ſeem to be probable, eſpecially ſeeing the Believer is particularly concerned in all the tranſactions of Chriſt, and all thoſe tranſactions have a peculiar reſpect unto him. Nor do I know any ſolid objection to the contrary; for though many believers yet complain, and yet doubt, and yet ſeek for this aſſurance: Yet ſome of theſe may have had aſſurance, and purſue only an higher degree; or if they never yet had, yet they ſhall at length finde it; and their longing and ſeeking after it, are the means to attain to it.
Caſe 4. Whether the aſſurance or certain knowledge that Chriſt is ours, Whether aſſurance be of any ſpiritual advantage to him that hath it.and dyed for our ſins, and made our peace, and purchaſed our ſalvation, be a matter of any ſpecial advantage unto him that hath it?
Sol. I am willing to ſpeak ſomething to this caſe, becauſe it may ſerve much to excite the hearts of believing perſons to ſtrive after this aſſurance, when they ſhall hear the ſingular advantages and benefits thereby.
There are nine admirable advantages and benefits by it.
Firſt, This aſſurance ſilenceth all the trouble of the ſoul, all the doubts and Nine advantages by it. It ſilenceth all trouble.fears, and terrors, and ſad ſuſpitions, and apprehenſions in the ſoul; you are preſently off the Sea, and off the Rack, when this aſſurance comes; in the very nature of it, and in the inſeparable effects of it, it is a preſent cure and diſcharge unto all the anxiety and perplexity of the ſoul. Fears and doubts, and troubles of minde, may conſiſt with faith, but they cannot conſiſt with aſſurance; if I be once aſſured that Chriſt is mine, that he dyed for me, that my ſins are pardoned in his blood, my heart is preſently at eaſe, my conſcience ceaſeth to accuſe, God appears not as a Judge, but as a Father; all enmity is ſlain; what is there to fear or to trouble me? Who ſhall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect? it is God that juſtifieth. Who is he that condemneth? it is Chriſt that dyed. Rom. 8. 33, 34.
Secondly, This aſſurance, as it ſilenceth all troubles, ſo it ſupplies the heart It ſupplies the heart with all comforts.with all comforts; David ſpeaking of the light of Gods countenance, ſaith, that it put exceeding gladneſſe into his heart, Pſal. 4. 7. and made him to lie down in peace, ver. 8. Such comfortable operations come from this aſſurance of our intereſt in Chriſt, and in the benefits of his death; it makes us to rejoyce with joy unſpeakable and glorious; and it produceth a peace that paſſeth all underſtanding!
And the reaſon of theſe comfortable effects, is this, becauſe the certain knowledge of a mans happineſſe, and of his propriety in it, neceſſarily fills the ſoul with joy and peace. Simile. When the Iſraelites were drawing towards the red Sea, they look't back upon their enemies, and were ſore afraid; but when they were paſt the red Sea, and look't back, and ſaw all their enemies drowned, they bowed, and bleſſed, and rejoyced; their ſighs were turned into joys, and their fears into peace, and they rejoyced exceedingly. Before aſſurance we look on our ſins, and fear; after aſſurance; when we ſee and know them to be drowned in the blood of Chriſt, now we rejoyce: God is reconciled, ſin is pardoned, my ſoul ſhall be ſaved; Doth not this, will not this cauſe us to rejoyce? We joy in God through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, by whom we have received the atonement, Rom. 5. 11.
Thirdly, This aſſurance doth quicken all our graces; it is their ſpring-time, It quickens all our graces.they act highly upon it, as Solomons garden of ſpices did when the South wind blew upon it, Cant. 4. 16. There is not one grace in the ſoul but is revived and enlarged by it: Godly ſorrow now fills the Pools with water; ſee Zach. 12. 10. They ſhall mourn as a man mourneth for his only ſon, &c. love is enflamed by it; To whom much is forgiven, the ſame will love much, Luke 7. 47. All the motions of love are in aſſurance, here is love and mercy, and kindneſſe, and goodneſſe, and bounty to me, and all known by me. And faith riſeth by it in ſtronger confidence and dependance upon God, whom I now know to love me, to be mine, to be reconciled unto me, &c.
Fourthly, This aſſurance ſets on all our duties and ſervices with ſuch life, It ſets on all our duties with life.with ſuch affections, with ſuch alacrity; oh how full is the ſoul with praiſing of God, admiring him in Chriſt, bleſſing him and his Chriſt! Bleſſe, bleſſe, bleſs the Lord O my ſoul, who forgiveth all thy iniquities, Pſal. 103. 1, 2, 3. O how quick is the heart become in prayer! it makes haſte, it takes delight to draw near to God, it is enlarged in confidences and deſires.
Fifthly, This aſſurance is a ſtrong preſervative against ſin, and all temptations It is a ſtrong preſervative againſt ſin and temptation.thereto: How can I do this great wickedneſſe, and ſin againſt God? O I have ſeen the face of God, the love of Chriſt, the ſweetneſſe of mercy! Should ſuch a man as I flee! ſaid Nehemiah. So ſhould ſuch a man as I ſin! ſaith the aſſured Believer. Should I ſo requite the Lord? Should I make ſuch a return unto my loving Chriſt, &c?
Sixthly, This aſſurance ſweetens all our other bleſſings; it is the Sugar in the It ſweetens all other bleſſings.Wine; This land is mine, this houſe is mine, and this husband, and this wife, and theſe riches, this plenty, &c. yea, and Chriſt is mine, and God is mine, and peace with God is mine, and forgiveneſſe of ſins, and ſalvation, and I know that they are mine! Although a man enjoys all theſe outward bleſſings, yet if his conſcience tells him Thou haſt no part in Chriſt, nor portion in his death, all thy ſins are unpardoned, and Gods juſtice is unſatisfied, &c. O what a ſinking is this unto him under all his abundance! or if a man be ſtill doubtful whether he hath a part in Chriſt, this imbitters all his poſſeſſions, I know not what will become of me at the laſt.
Seventhly, This aſſurance ſweetens all loſſes and croſſes. Job. 9. 2. O that It ſweetens all loſſes and croſſes.I were as in months paſt, as in the days when God preſerved me! Ver. 3. when his candle ſhined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkneſſe; here the light of Gods favour made him walk even in darkneſſe. Rom. 8. 55. Who ſhall ſeparate us from the love of Chriſt? Shall tribulation? or diſtreſs? or perſecution? or famine? or nakedneſſe? or peril? or ſword? Ver. 37. Nay, in all theſe things we are more than Conquerors through him that loved us. Rom. 5. 3. And not only ſo, but we glory in tribulations, &c. 2 Cor. 4. 17. Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 2 Cor. 5. 1. For we know that if the earthly houſe of this Tabernacle were diſſolved, we have a building with God, not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. What may not a man bear, and what loſſe is he at who knows Chriſt to be his, and a reconciled God to be his? &c.
Eighthly, This aſſurance will eaſe all our worldly burdens; it will take off It will eaſe all our worldly burdens.our hearts, and it will take off our vexations, cares and thoughts; if we know that God gave Chriſt for us, we cannot but know that he will with him freely give us all things, Rom. 8. 32. And beſides that, the more aſſurance we have of our intereſt in Chriſt, &c. the more our hearts will minde Chriſt, and the benefits by Chriſt, and will be the leſſe after other things: I have a goodly heritage, thou art my portion, Pſal. 16. 5. I have enough, nay, let him take all, &c.
Ninthly, This aſſurance breeds confidence and comfort in death; Why are even It breeds confidence in death.good people ſometimes afraid to dye, but becauſe they are not yet aſſured? they cannot ſay with Paul, Chriſt loved me, and gave himſelf for me: But if aſſurance be on their hearts, then death is welcome. Now letteſt thou thy ſervant depart in peace, for mine eyes have ſeen thy ſalvation, ſaid Simeon, Luk. 2. 29, 30. And I deſire to be diſſolved, and to be with Chriſt, ſaid Paul: What is death to the aſſured Believer, but a ſhort paſſage, a ſpeedy in-let and conveyance unto that glorious and eternal bleſſedneſſe which he knows that Chriſt hath purchaſed for him, and God reſerves for him in heaven?
Caſe 5. Whether a perſon having attained a certain knowledge that Chriſt dyed for him, may ever after that doubt again, and queſtion that point again.Whether after this aſſurance he may ever doubt again. He may doubt again.
Sol. I anſwer plainly he may; ſenſible aſſurance is very comfortable, but yet it is mutable; Pauls viſion (in Acts 10. 11.) was drawn up into heaven again; yea, and his choice revelation was quickly attended with a violent temptation. 2 Cor. 12. 7.
Reaſons whereof may be theſe.
Firſt, The Divine pleaſure; the date of your comforts, and the Patent of Reaſons of it. The Divine pleaſure.them is, ad placitum: God gives you this aſſurance, that you may taſte his kindneſſe and goodneſſe; and he takes it off again, that you may acknowledge his authority.
Secondly, The Divine wiſdome; God would rather have us live by faith than The Divine wiſdome.ſenſe; indeed the life of our aſſurance is more for our comfort, but the life of faith is more for his glory.
Thirdly, Our own fooliſhneſſe; not improving aright ſuch gracious manifeſtations, Our own fooliſhneſſe.but abuſing them to pride and high-mindedneſſe, and ſometimes blurring the fair copy of our evidence with foul tranſgreſſions.
Fourthly, Subtilty and prevalency of temptations; which we did not ſo watch The ſubtilty of temptations.and fear, becauſe of our aſſurance, as if that were ſecurity enough, &c.
Object. But what comfort and ſupport, if this aſſurance may fail?
Sol. Much for all that; for
1. Though aſſurance fails, yet faith (by which we are ſaved) fails not.
2. Though aſſurance fails, yet the intereſt and eſtate aſſured ſhall never fail. Chriſt is ſtill thine, and the reconciled God is ſtill thine, and reconciliation and remiſſion; the eſtate is ſure, though particular and contingent effects be not ſo.
3. The Spirit hath more work then only to comfort; if he ſtill ſtrengthen thee and ſupply thee, that is comfort to thee.
4. Though aſſurance go away, yet it may return again; it is as poſſible to receive it, as to loſe it.
5. In your new fear remember your old aſſurance; I tell thee that aſſurance once had upon good grounds, may ſerve to ſupport, though againſt many doubts in after-times.