The Bowels of Tender Mercy Sealed in the Everlasting Covenant, Religious treatise · Part 2 · Chapter 6

The Bowels of Tender Mercy Sealed in the Everlasting Covenant · Religious treatise · Part 2 · Chapter 6

p. 466CHAP. VI.

2. Doct. THat the Lord himſelf doth promiſe not only to forgive the ſins of his God promiſeth not only forgiveneſſe, but the Application of it to our ſouls. What is meant by the ſprinkling of Chriſts blood.people in the blood of Chriſt, but alſo to apply to every one of their ſouls that forgiveneſſe for the blood of Chriſt: (I will ſprinkle upon you, &c)

The ſprinkling of the blood of Chriſt on any, is nothing elſe but the Application thereof to them for their good and benefit. The ſprinkling of the blood of the Lambe upon the poſts of the houſe, and the ſprinkling of the blood upon the Leper, did ſignifie the applying of the blood of Chriſt for pardon, deliverance, and ſalvation.

Here now I muſt ſhew unto you

1. What this ſprinkling or the Application of the blood of Chriſt for forgiveneſs is.

2. Why the Lord makes this promiſe of ſprinkling, or applying unto his people.

3. Why he himſelf undertakes that work.

SECT. I.

1. Queſt. WHat this ſprinkling or application of the blood of Christ unto the What this ſprinkling or application of Chriſts blood is.people of God for the forgiveneſs of their ſins, is?

Sol. I humbly conceive, That it is ſuch an imputing of the blood of Chriſt unto them in particular, as that they come to be certainly aſſured of the forgiveneſs of their very ſins, by the Spirit of God, and by Faith.

In this deſcription there are three things remarkable concerning this ſprinkling or application of the blood of Chriſt for forgiveneſs.

1. That in it there is a particular and perſonal imputation of the blood of Chriſt for forgiveneſs.

2. That it is not only an imputation, but alſo a Certioration, or a reſpective aſſerting of them touching the forgiveneſſe of their ſinnes in and for Chriſt.

3. That this aſſerting Application is made by the Spirit of God, and by Faith.

p. 467Firſt, This ſprinkling it is a particular and perſonal imputation of the blood of It is a perſonal imputation of his blood.Chriſt unto the people of God for the forgiveneſs of their ſins. As the Lord did impute their ſin unto Chriſt (He laid on him the iniquity of us all; Iſa. 53.) And as Chriſt was made ſin for them (Hew as made ſin for us, 2 Cor. 5.) So the Lord doth impute the ſufferings of Chriſt unto them; (i. e.) accepts of them on their behalf, and puts them upon their account; and as if the Lord ſhould ſay unto every particular believer, my Son was thy Surety, and ſtood in thy ſtead, and ſuffered, and ſatisfied, and took away thy ſins by his blood, and that for thee, in his blood I find a Ranſom for thy ſoul, I do acknowledge my ſelf ſatisfied for thee, and ſatisfied towards thee, and thou art delivered and diſcharged, I forgive thee thy ſins, and am reconciled unto thee, and will ſave thee for my Chriſt ſake: In his blood thou haſt Redemption, the forgiveneſs of thy ſins: Simile. As when a ſurety ſatisfies the Creditor for a debt, this is accounted unto the Debtor, and reckoned as a diſcharge unto him in particular; I am paid, and you are diſcharged ſaith the Creditor: So it is in this caſe of Gods forgiving his people for Chriſt ſake; ſo I am paid, and you are diſcharged, and I have no more to ſay to you: 2 Cor. 5. 19. God was in Chriſt reconciling the world unto himſelf, not imputing their treſpaſſes unto them. But this is not all which is meant by ſprinkling, viz. A particular Application or Imputation of the blood of Chriſt, to the believer for the forgiveneſs of his ſins, which is (if I may ſo call it) an Immanent Action or work within God himſelf. But moreover

Secondly, This ſprinkling of the blood of Chriſt for forgiveneſs, it is a notifying, It is a notifying of this unto the ſoul.declaring, aſcertaining work of God making known to the very heart and conſciences of his people, that for Christs ſake he hath forgiven them their ſins: Pſal. 51. 7. Purge me with Hyſop, and I ſhall be clean. The Prophet ſeems expreſly to alude unto the Leper, and the cleanſing of him, and to the pronouncing of him clean, of which you may read in, Levit. 14. 3. The Priest ſhall go out of the Camp, and the Prieſts ſhall look, and behold, if the plague of Leproſie be healed in the Leper. Ver. 4. Then ſhall the Prieſts command to take for him that is to be cleanſed, two birds alive and clean, and Cedar wood; and Scarlet, and Hyſop. Ver. 5. And the Prieſt ſhall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen veſſel over running water. Ver. 6. As for the living bird, he ſhall take it and the Cedar wood, and the ſcarlet, and the hyſop, and ſhall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the living bird that was killed over the running water. Ver. 7. And he ſhall sprinkle upon him that is to be cleanſed from the leproſie, ſeven times, and ſhall pronounce him clean, &c. Now that the Lord doth on this wiſe ſprinkle the blood of Chriſt on his people for the forgiveneſs of their ſins (namely in a way of aſſurance that their ſins are forgiven) may thus appear by Scripture: Rev. 2. 17. To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden Manna, and will give him a white ſtone, and in the stone a new name written which no man knoweth ſaving he that receiveth it. The white ſtone was given in token of abſolution; and the black ſtone in token of condemnation by the Athenians. Pſal. 103. 2. Bleſſe the Lord, O my ſoul; Ver. 3. who forgiveth all thine iniquities, Matth. 9. 2. Son, be of good chear, thy ſins be forgiven thee. Luke 7. 48. He ſaid unto her, thy ſins are forgiven. Epheſ. 4. 32. Even as God for Chriſts ſake hath forgiven you. Col. 2. 13. Having forgiven you all treſpaſſes. 1 Joh. 2. 12. Your ſins are forgiven for his Names ſake. Iſa. 60. 16. Thou ſhalt know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer. Ch. 40. 2. Speak ye comfortably unto Jeruſalem, and cry unto her that her iniquity is pardoned. 1 Joh. 3. 14. We know that we have paſſed from death to life, &c. But unleſs they did know that their ſins (in particular) were pardoned, they could not have ſaid, we know that we are paſſed from death to life.

Thirdly, This aſcertaining Application is made by the Spirit of God, and by How this app…ication is made.Faith, and by the teſtimony of Conſcience.

p. 468Firſt, By the Spirit of God, which is given to the people of God, that they might know the things that are given to them of God, 1 Cor. 2 12. The Spirit By the Spirit of God.is given not only for implantation of grace, but a…ſo for demonſtration to manifeſt (by his light) thoſe graces which he hath wrought in us. Not only for union with Chriſt, but alſo for manifeſtation of that union unto us; not only to bring us into Covenant with God, but alſo to open and reveal unto us the love and mercy of God unto us in his Covenant: Rom. 8. 16. The Spirit it ſelf beareth witneſs with our ſpirits that we are the children of God, ver. 17. and if children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joynt heirs with Chriſt. If the Sp…rit teſtifie unto us that we are the children of God, and heirs of God, then certainly he witneſſes with this, that we are juſtified and pardoned perſons: …pheſ. 1. 13. In whom after that ye believed, ye were ſealed with that holy Spirit of promiſe; ver. 14. which is the earneſt of our inheritance. What is that ſealing by that holy Spirit of promiſe, but the evidencing, confirming, aſſuring of us concerning the things which God hath promiſed unto us; and amongſt the reſt of the pardon of our ſins in order to ſalvation?

Secondly, By Faith: There is an ability in Faith, not only to give a general evidence and aſſent, that whatſoever God hath promiſed, is true, but alſo By faith.to raiſe a particular evidence concerning our very intereſt in the things promiſed by God unto us, 1 Joh. 4. 16. We have known and believed the love that God hath to us. Cant. 15. 6. He is altogether lovely: (There is a direct act of Faith) This is my beloved, and this my friend (here is the reflexive act of faith) 1 Joh. 5. 20. He hath given us an underſtanding that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jeſus Chriſt. Beloved! whatſoever good the Lord doth promiſe unto his people, he will give them Faith to believe it, (for that is one great end of his promiſing, that we might inherit the good promiſed by believing) but God hath promiſed the pardon of ſins in particular to every particular believer: Act. 10. 48. Whoſoever believes on him, ſhall receive the remiſſion of ſins. Ergo.

Thirdly, Beſides this, there is given unto every one of the people of God an By a renewed Conſcience.illightned and renewed conſcience which knows the preſent frame of heart, and can give in a clear teſtimony concerning it, whether it doth indeed Repent, and indeed believe (finding it ſuch as the word requires) from whence it can make a concluding evidence that our ſinnes are certainly pardoned; for thus conſcience reaſoneth: Whoſoever doth truely repent and believe, God himſelf in his Word ſaith, that his ſins are forgiven: But (ſaith the enlightned and renewed conſcience, which knows what is in man) thou doſt truly repent and believe, for I find ſuch lively acts and effects of them both, which the Word of God gives concerning them in truth; Ergo, Be of good comfort and rejoyce; thy ſinnes are forgiven thee.

Thus you ſee what the ſprinkling is in the Text, namely the imputation of the blood of Chriſt for forgiveneſs to every particular believer, with an aſſurance of the forgiveneſs of his ſins, for Chriſts ſake.

SECT. II.

Queſt. 2. NOw I proceed unto the ſecond Queſtion, Why the Lord is Reaſons of it.pleaſed to make ſuch an application, and ſuch an aſſurance unto his people?

No benefit by the blood of Chriſt without applicationSol. 1. One reaſon is, becauſe though there be forgiveneſs for the blood of Chriſt, yet this is of no benefit unto any but unto whom it is applyed, and appropriated, and imputed: Simile. Suppoſe that a great debt be diſcharged, this avails not p. 469me, unleſs my great debt be diſcharged: Suppoſe that a releaſe from the priſon or from death, be granted, what is this to me, if the releaſe be not imputed unto me in particular? So though God forgives ſins only for the blood of Chriſt, unleſs he applies this to me, I am not the better for it. O but God did peremptorily intend the particular good of every believer in the death of Chriſt (Chriſt dyed for them, and gave himſelf for them) and therefore he applies the blood of Chriſt to them; his intention was for them in particular, they ſhall fare the better for Chriſt. Ergo.

Secondly, Their great comfort lies in this apprehenſion and aſſurance of the forgiveneſs The comfort o… it lies in aſſurance.of their ſins in the blood of Chriſt: There are two Requiſites for the Chriſtians comfort concerning Chriſt and forgiveneſs.

1. One is Propriety; that Chriſt is his Chriſt, and dyed for his ſins; Who gave himſelf for me, ſaid Paul, Gal. 2. 20.

2. Another is, evidence of the propriety; a knowledge that Chriſt is mine, and that he waſhed my ſoul from my ſins in his own blood; without theſe what joy and comfort can there be? Rom. 15. 13. The God of peace fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghoſt. A good prayer for believers, for joy, for peace, for hope; yea and God hath promiſed every one of theſe unto them; and therefore he applies unto them the blood of Chriſt for the forgiveneſs of their ſins, and aſſures them of the ſame; Rom. 5. 11. We joy in God through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, by whom we have now received the Atonement.

Thirdly, God will be praiſed and bleſſed by his people for Chriſt, and for all the God will be praiſed for Chr…ſt.bleſſings accruing unto them by Chriſt; and his ſervants do bleſs him for them, Epheſ. 1. 3. Bleſſed be the God and Father of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt who hath bleſſed us with all Spiritual bleſſings in heavenly places in Chriſt. Pſal. 103. 2. Bleſſe the Lord, O my ſoul; ver. 3. which forgiveth thy iniquities: But unleſs the Lord did impute the blood of Chriſt for the forgiveneſs of their ſins, and did give them ſome aſſurance thereof, how could they praiſe and bleſs him?

3. Quest. I now come to the laſt Queſtion, viz. Why the Lord himſelf doth Why the Lord himſelf doth undertake it.undertake to impute the blood of Chriſt unto his people for the forgiveneſs of their ſins, and to aſſure them thereof (I will ſprinkle)

Sol. There may be theſe Reaſons given for it.

Firſt, The difficulty, nay the impoſſibility of this work, unleſs the Lord himſelf undertake it: There are three things which you can never attain, unleſs the Lord The difficulty of the work.himſelf doth undertake for them.

1. To forſake your ſinnes: Jer. 31. 18. Turn thou me, and I ſhall be turned.

2. To believe in Chriſt; Epheſ. 1. 19.

3. To gain aſſurance that Chriſt is yours, and that God hath for Chriſts ſake forgiven you your ſins. As Chriſt ſpake to Peter, when he confeſſed his Diety, Fleſh and blood hath not revealed this unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven: So ſay I about the particular application and aſſurance of your forgiveneſs of ſins; it muſt be God himſelf by his ſpirit which muſt raiſe us to that, and make us to know that. Take me a perſon rightly ſenſible of his ſins, although he be converted, although he hath faith, although he ſtudies the promiſes, although he hath all the grounds made clear unto him, upon which he may conclude that God hath forgiven him; although others can evidently diſcern his particular intereſt and propriety; yet unleſs the Lord himſelf let in a ſpecial light by his Spirit to make him to ſee the ſpecial love of God towards him in this, he cannot ſee it, ſo as to be aſſured thereof: Therefore you find in experience that this aſſurance is one of the longeſt, and laſt, and moſt queſtioned works in the ſoul.The glory that comes to God by it.

Secondly, The glory which God doth reſerve unto himſelf of all the effects of his p. 470Covenant; he will be known to be the Cauſe and Author of them all; he will be acknowledged to be the God of grace, and the Father of mercies, and the God of love, and the God of comfort, and the God of joy, and the God of peace; I the Lord create peace, the fruit of the lips peace, Iſa. 57. 19. As none in the world can give trouble but God; ſo none can give peace but God, Job 34. 29. None can caſt down the heart but he; and none can raiſe the heart but he; none can make ſin known to the Conſcience but he; and none can make mercy known to the conſcience but he: All the Covenant-gifts come from him; and all the knowledge and aſſurance that we have of thoſe very Covenant-gifts come from him; all the promiſes are of him; and all the evidences of our propriety in them, are from him; in his light we ſee light: our graces, our abilities, our comforts, our aſſurances are from him.

Thirdly, That the effect might he certain unto his people; O what great things doth God promiſe unto his, and for which he alone undertakes! And if he That the effect might be certain.did not ſo, his people could never enjoy them! Neither grace, nor comfort, &c.

If the Lord himſelf did not work the grace in our hearts which he promiſeth, whoſe ſoul ſhould ever partake of it? And if the Lord did not bring in that comfortable aſſurance of his forgiving mercy, who ſhould ever taſte the ſweetneſs of it?

Object. Why! will you ſay, what doth hinder it? what doth ſtand in the way, but that we way enjoy it, though God appears not to our help for it?

Sol. I will tell you what doth hinder, and what will hinder, unleſs the Lord himſelf remove them.

1. Your own unbelief of heart, doth and will hinder with ſuch continual fears, and doubts, and exceptions, and reaſonings, that unleſs the Lord himſelf doth ſilence that unbelief, it will never be aſſured, nor will your hearts be quieted with aſſurance.

2. Satan will and doth hinder it by his many, and ſubtile, and ſtrong ſuggeſtions, and puzlings of your weak faith, that none but the Spirit of God can anſwer them, and ſettle your hearts with perſwaſion and aſſurance. But now becauſe God himſelf undertakes to ſprinkle clean water upon them, they ſhall be ſprinkled; if he will make Chriſt thine, and forgive thy ſinnes for Chriſts ſake, and make this known to them, they ſhall certainly enjoy all, for who is too ſtrong for God? who can reſiſt his will? he is too hard for our unbelieving hearts, and Satan; If he ſaith to the heart, be of good comfort, be at peace, and it ſhall be ſo.

1. Ʋſe Doth God himſelf promiſe and undertake to ſprinkle clean water upon his people? ſo to apply unto them the blood of Chriſt, as that every one of them ſhall have forgiveneſs, and aſſurance of forgiveneſs by it.

Then in the firſt place, let this ſerve to ſtir up the hearts of all the people of God, Not to be ſluggiſh, or reſt contented without this, but to give all diligence, Reſt not contented without this.untill they do attain the knowledge and certain evidence or aſſurance that their ſins are forgiven to them in particular for Chriſts ſake: You have attained to much already, but ſtrive alſo for this.

The Reaſon why I would preſs this duty upon you, are theſe,

1. Many of the people of God are not yet come unto this ſprinkling of aſſurance.Reaſons of it.

2. Many of them are too remiſſe and negligent about the attaining of it.

3. By reaſon of the want of it they are in a very uncomfotable condition.

4. There is a poſſibility to compaſſe this aſſurance.

p. 4715. The advantages upon the encouragement of it will be many and great.

Firſt, Many of the people of God are not as yet come to this ſprinkling aſſurance: Many are not yet come to this ſprinkling aſſurance.They never yet taſted the goodneſs and graciouſneſs of God in this kind, ſo as (certainly and evidently) to know that God hath for Chriſts ſake forgiven them all their ſins; they deſire that he will do ſo, and hope that he hath done ſo, but yet they were never aſſured of it; nay, they do uſually (in …reat and near afflictions, and in times of ſickneſs, and in their retired conſiderations of their ſouls eſtate) exceedingly fear and queſtion whether God be their God, whether Chriſt be their Chriſt, whether all their ſins be indeed forgiven or no: Moreover, it is an exceeding diſcouragement unto them that they ſtill are in darkneſs, and that the candle of the Lord doth not ſhine upon them.

Secondly, Some of them are too remiſs and negligent about the attaining of Some are too remiſ. about it.it; although they are publickly and privately ſpoken unto, although they have felt the grief and want of it in their ſickneſs, and times of workings of conſcience, and of diſtreſſes, although they are extreamly afraid to dye, although they do ſometimes take up purpoſes and reſolutions to ſet upon this work yea, although they have begun to enter into the ways by which aſſurance might be attained; yet they faint and give over, and ſlack, and lay aſide their diligence, either becauſe of the difficulty of the work, or of the inconſtancy of their ſpirits, or of the unbelief of their hearts, or of the many earthly cares which do alienate their minds, or becauſe of the preſumption of their ſouls, to take ſome more fit time hereafter for ſo ſolemn a buſineſs: Upon theſe or ſome other grounds, they fooliſhly neglect to diſcover, and to determine the great eſtate of their ſouls, and to aſcertain their propriety in Chriſt, and their perſonal intereſt in the forgiveneſs of their ſins, a buſineſs of the greateſt and neareſt conſequence which doth or can concern their ſouls.

Thirdly, By reaſon of this neglect of aſſurance, and leaving their condition and For want of this they are in an uncomfortable condition.interest thus undetermined, they make their condition and their hearts very uncomfortable; for

1. They muſt neceſſarily be in ſuspence, in diviſion of mind under all the Ordinances of Chriſt: When they come to hear the Word, they know not what part thereof to apply to themſelves as their p…oper portion; when mercies are opened, they hope this is their portion; and when judgement is threatned, they fear leſt that may be their lot; they cannot certainly apply the one, nor certainly apply the other; neither mercy nor wrath, neither heaven nor hell, neither comfort nor diſcomfort. And ſo when the Lords Supper is adminiſtred, they know not what to do, whither to go, or whither to forbear; they think they are prepared, and yet they doubt they are not prepared; and when they come to that Ordinance, they hope that the Sacrament and Promiſes may be held out to them, and yet they are not ſure that they are. This is my blood which is given for you, and this is my blood which is ſhed for you; they cannot deny the one or the other, and yet they dare not affirm the one or the other. What a ſad condition is this of particular inevidence, wherein a poor ſoul knows not on what to ſettle, on what portion to pitch on? what confidently to own and apply unto it ſelf? but wavers and reels, and comes on, and falls off, ſees mercy and much comfort, and dares not taſte of them, Simile. no more than Sauls Souldiers might of the honey which they ſaw dropping from the Trees.

2. They cannot avoid the edge of Satans deſtructive temptations; when Satan aſſaults them with fear and ſad concluſions, How can they eaſily come off, or how can they uphold and acquit themſelves? Suppoſe that Satan lay unto your charge the many and great ſins which you have committed, What will God do unto you for all theſe ſins? How will you eſcape the wrath revealed againſt you for them? and will you ſay God hath pardoned them, and Chriſt hath ſatisfied them? p. 472it is Chriſt that dyed, and God that juſtifies. I but not for every one (ſaith the ſubtile Adverſary) Many preſume, and ſo do you: Are you upon good ground aſſured that Chriſt dyed for your ſins, and that your ſins are forgiven for his ſake? you think ſo and hope ſo; but what grounded aſſurance have you for this? This temptation you ſee will lie fair againſt you, and very ſtrong, and Satan knows how to follow it, unto thy great diſadvantages, and trouble, and grief, if not deſpair of heart.

3. They are frequently diſtreſſed about ſpiritual ſervices, and their acceptance with God: Beloved, remember what I ſay unto you, That man who hath theſe queſtions unreſolved, Is God my God? hath he pardoned my ſins? is he reconciled to me? will alſo have many more queſtions to be anſwered, May I pray un…o him? will he hear my requeſts? is there not yet the partition Wall ſtanding 'twixt him and me?

4. Nay once more, If death (the King of fears) ſhould approach near unto them in this their irreſolved and undetermined condition, about the pardon of their ſins; alas, for the woful and tumultuous, and heavy thoughts working in them; O what fears, and what miſtruſt, and what cryings out, Whether ſhall I go? what will become of me? ſhall I be ſaved? I am not ſure that Chriſt is mine; I am not ſure that my ſins are pardoned; O Lord, ſpace me a little that I may recover ſtrength, and that I may make ſure work for my immortal foul.

Thus you ſee what an uncomfortable condition you lie in, for neglecting to get the aſſurance that God hath ſprinkled the blood of Chriſt on you for the pardon of your ſin, and therefore be awakened, and ſtir up your hearts to give all diligence to make it fure unto your ſouls.

Fourthly, Eſpecially conſidering (in the next place) that this aſſurance is This aſſurance is poſſible.poſſible to be attained by you.

There are three things which may convince you of that.

1. One is the promiſe of it unto the people of God in this Text, and ſundry other places of Scripture, which I have already mentioned; and ſurely this is clear, that whatſoever God doth promiſe to give unto his people, that is not impoſſible for them to attain; for promiſed mercies are not only poſſible, that they may be had; but alſo certain, they ſhall be had.

2. Another is the giving of the Spirit of God unto you, and that for this very end, to make known unto you the things which he hath prepared for you, 1 Cor. 2. 10. and which he hath freely given unto you, Ver. 12. and to ſhed abroad his love in your hearts, Rom. 5. 5. and to ſeal or aſſure you, Epheſ 1. 13.

3. The ſeveral experimental attainments of the people of God in this one particular. David gained this aſſurance of the pardon of his ſins, in Pſal. 103▪ 3. So did Paul, when ſpeaking of Chriſt who loved me, and gave himſelf for me, Gal. 2. 20. and 1 Tim. 1. 15. But I obtained mercy. So have many thouſands more in former times, and in our times, who believing, rejoyce with joy unſpeakable, and full of glory for their intereſt in Chriſt, and in the forgiveneſs of their ſins in and for him.

Fifthly, But laſtly, propend the advantages which would certainly reſult The advantages of it.unto you upon the aſſurance that God hath for Chriſts take forgiven your ſins; what com…ortable advantages?

Firſt, This would quiet all your fears, and poſſeſs your conſciences with peace. Being juſtified by faith we have peace with God, Rom. 5. 1. I will lye down in peace, ſaith David, Pſal. 4. 8. Having got aſſurance, Ver. 6.

Secondly, This would be a ſpring of joy and rejoycing. …ſal. 51. 8. Make me to hear joy and gladneſs, that the bones which thou haſt broken may rejoyce. Pſal. 4. 6. Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon me. Ver. 7. Thou ſhalt put gladneſs in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and wine increaſed.

p. 473Thirdly, This would raiſe chearful confidence in your approaches to your God. Hebr. 10. 22. Let us draw near with a true heart in full aſſurance of faith, having our hearts ſprinkled from an evil conſcience, &c.

Fourthly, This would fully anſwer all temptations: 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.

Fifthly, This is it which would bear up your hearts in all the ſad days which do or may befall you. If you be ſick, this would be better than health; what a cordial did Chriſt deliver to the diſeaſed man in Matth. 9. 2. Be of good chear, thy ſins are forgiven thee! If you be perſecuted and troubled, this would be a triumphant ſecurity unto you. Rom. 8. 35. Who ſhall ſeparate us from the love of Chriſt? ſhall tribulation? or diſtreſs? or perſecution? or famine? or nakedneſs? op peril? or ſword? Ver. 37 Nay, in all theſe things we are more than Conquerors through him that loved us. Rom. 5: 1. Being juſtified by faith, we have peace with God. Ver. 3. And we glory in tribulation. I confeſs that faith can make a man to ſubmit in a croſs, but aſſurance will make a Chriſtian to triumph on it and over it.

Sixthly, What ſhall I ſay more? this aſſurance would make your whole life a delightful Paradiſe, and your death (at the laſt) a deſirable and quiet harbour and paſſage. 2 Cor. 5. 1. For we know that if our earthly houſe of this Tabernacle were diſſolved, we have a building of God, an houſe not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. If your ſins for Chriſts ſake be pardoned, and you are aſſured thereof by the teſtimony of Gods Spirit, then unqueſtionably there is no condemnation unto you, and then as unqueſtionably your ſouls ſhall be ſaved, and everlaſtingly bleſſed; for Juſtification doth infallibly end in Glorification, &c.

SECT. III.

Ʋſe 2 AS I would have you to ſtrive after the aſſurance that your ſins are forgiven in the blood of Chriſt, ſo (in the ſecond place) I would have Be careful you be not deceived about it.you very careful and circumſpect, that you deceive not your ſelves with a falſe aſſurance in this great and mighty buſineſs.

There are four ſorts of people in the world.

1. Some have no kind of aſſurance at all, nor do they look after any.

2. Some apprehend the want of aſſurance, and are weeping and praying for it.

3. Some have attained unto a true aſſurance, and are rejoycing and bleſſing God for it.

4. Some do deceive themſelves with a falſe aſſurance that their ſins are pardoned, when indeed there is no ſuch matter.

For the better managing of this Caution, not to deceive our ſelves with a falſe aſſurance, I will deliver my ſelf in four Concluſions.

1. It is poſſible thus to be deceived.

2. Many have in this deceived themſelves.

3. Many do deceive themſelves with a falſe aſſurance.

4. It is a moſt dangerous deceit.

Firſt, That it is poſſible for men to be deceived with a falſe aſſurance, and perſwaſion that their ſins are pardoned, and that God is reconciled unto them. I It is poſſible to be deceived.do not know any one thing in reference to ſalvation, but it is poſſible for ſome or other to be deceived in or about it. It is poſſible to miſtake a falſe Religion for a p. 474true Religion. It is poſſible for a man to pleaſe himſelf with falſe graces inſtead of true graces; and with falſe repentance inſtead of true; and with falſe faith inſtead of true; and with falſe love inſtead of true; and with a falſe perſwaſion or aſſurance inſtead of a true perſwaſion and aſſurance. Are you aſſured that Chriſt is yours, and God is y…urs, and pardoning mercy is yours, and ſalvation is yours? another (even upon deceivable grounds) may be falſly perſwaded of a propriety in all theſe. Error is a natural to the corrupt judgement of man as any other ſin; and heart-deceitfulneſs is as proper unto us as heart-ſinfulneſs.

Beſides, Doth not the Prince of darkneſs often change himſelf into an Angel of light? And as he deludes men about the ſtate of grace, ſo he can as eaſily delude them about the comforts of that eſtate: Why is it not as probable that Satan may render a bad eſtate as good, and ſo cheat us with joy, as he doth ſometimes render a good eſtate as bad, and ſo oppreſs us with fear and grief?

Nay once more, Men will ſet up ſuch opinions as do eaſily lead them into a falſe aſſurance; v. g.

1. That God is made up only of mercy.

2. That Chriſt dyed for all, none excepted.

3. That it is but to cry God mercy, and all is well.

4. That a good heart and a good meaning is enough, and that they always have had.

Secondly, As it is poſſible, ſo it is real; Many have deceived themſelves with a falſe aſſurance inſtead of a true. The Jews did ſo, who called God Many have deceived themſelves.their God, and their Father, and inſiſted upon it with Chriſt that ſo it was, and that they were his children and free-men. So did Laodicea cheat and delude her ſelf with a falſe perſwaſion, that ſhe was rich, and increaſed, and ſtood in need of nothing, Revel 3. Nay the Apoſtle Paul, he himſelf was thus deluded; I ſaith he (Rom. 7. …9.) was alive once without the Law: (2 Cor. 10. 7. If any man truſt to himſelf that he is Chriſts, &c.) Did not they deceive themſelves with a falſe perſwaſion, who call upon Chriſt to open the door of heaven unto them, Lord, Lord, open unto us? Matth. 25 11. And they alſo who plead with Chriſt, and conteſt with him, Have we not heard thee preach in our Synagogues? Have we not eat and drunk in thy preſence, &c? Luke 13. 26. There is not any one hypocrite, there is not any one formal Profeſſor, but he doth deceive himſelf with a falſe opinion of his eſtate, and with a falſe aſſurance.

And there are four great Reaſons why theſe men do thus delude themſelves.

1. One is Pride of heart and vain-glory; they will appear not to be inferiour to any, and therefore will deceive themſelves to deceive others, and will boaſt of what they have not.

2. Another is the reach of common gifts, which may give them a taste of Chriſt, and of the good Word, and of the Powers of the world to come, Hebr. 6. 5. A taſte makes them think it is aſſurance.

3. A third is the neglect of ſelf-examination; they take things upon truſt, and will not ſearch their hearts, and try their ways, and bring them to the light, to the rule, to the touch-ſtone, to the Word; they will not try their hearts by the Word, nor their ſuppoſed graces by the Word, nor their comforts nor aſſurances by the Word, and therefore they deceive themſelves.

4. A fourth is the juſt iudgement of God upon them, to ſend them ſtrong deluſions, that they ſhould believe a lye, becauſe they received not the love of the ruth, 2 Theſ. 2. 10, 11. Only a notion of it, but not the love of it; only the form, but not the power of godlineſs.

p. 475Thirdly, As many have deceived themſelves with a falſe aſſurance, ſo Many ſtill deceive themſelves. How one may know he hath a falſe aſſurance.many ſtill do deceive themſelves with a falſe aſſurance inſtead of a true aſſurance.

Queſt. But will ſome of you ſay, that is the queſtion unto which we deſire you to ſpeak a few words, what are the diſcoveries of a falſe aſſurance? or how one may know that the aſſurance or perſwaſion which he hath if the forgiveneſs of his ſins is falſe, is but a deluſion.

Sol. For your help in this, I will preſent unto you ſix infallible diſcoveries of a falſe aſſurance.

Firſt, The firſt is, When it is a ſeal without any date; my meaning is, when a perſon When it is a ſeal without a date.always hath had aſſurance, never was there any time when he doubted of this point, he was never troubled concerning it, but always believed, and his heart hath always been confidently perſwaded that Chriſt dyed for him, and that his ſins were pardoned. Why, this alone may convince thee that thy aſſurance is but a deluſion: Mark the Apoſtle a little in Rom. 8. 15. Ye have not received the ſpirit of bondage again to fear, but the Spirit of Adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Ver. 16. The Spirit it ſelf beareth witneſs with our ſpirits that we are the children of God. Here the Apoſtle lays out three works of the Spirit with the order of his workings.

1. Firſt, He is (efficientè & operativè) the ſpirit of bondage to fear; (i. e.) making us rightly ſenſible of our ſinful and miſerable condition, which makes our hearts to fear what the Lord will do againſt us.

2. Secondly, Hereupon (in time) he is the Spirit of Adoption, working faith in us, by which we become the children of God, and look on him as a Father, with love, and without any ſervile fear.

3. Thirdly, After both theſe, he is the Spirit of aſſurance, bearing witneſs with our ſpirits that we are the children of God. This is the laſt work of the Spirit, it is not the firſt, nor the only work of the Spirit; it comes after the Spirit of Adoption, as that comes after the ſpirit of bondage to fear. From this place thou mayſt evidently diſcern the aſſurance (of which thou boaſteſt) to be falſe, to be no work of the Spirit, who begins in a work of conviction and humiliation, and ends in a work of teſtimony and aſſurance; begins in bondage, and ends in liberty; begins in fear, and ends in peace and comfort; the Spirit never begins, but ends in comfort.

Secondly, The ſecond diſcovery of a falſe aſſurance is this, that as it hath It hath not the Spirit of God for the Author of it.not the Spirit of God for the Author of it, ſo it hath not the Word of God for the Inſtrument and means of it. Beloved, the Word of God is the Organ or Inſtrument which the Spirit of God doth (ordinarily) uſe for the forming of all his gifts and graces, and comforts upon the ſoul of man; I hardly know any one of them for which he doth not employ the Miniſtry of the Word; when the Spirit

1. Enlightens the ſoul; he makes uſe of the Word to convey and let in light into the ſoul. Pſal. 19. 8. It enlightens the eyes.

2. Humbles the heart; he makes uſe of the Word to break the heart, and to lay it low. Acts 2. 37. When they heard this, they were pricked in their hearts.

3. Converts and calls the ſoul; he calls it by the Word, and converts it by the Word, 1 Theſ. 2. 19. He called you by our Goſpel, Jam. 1. 18.

4. Brings in a ſoul by faith unto Chriſt, he doth this by the Word, Rom. 10. Epheſ. 1.

5. Raiſes and comforts; when he ſtrengthens and aſſures the ſoul, he doth quicken it by th… Word, and comforts it by the Word, and ſtrengthens it by the Word, … aſſures it by the Word, yea, and recovers by the Word aſſurance when it is loſt. Epheſ. 1. 13. In whom we alſo trusted, after that p. 476ye heard the Word of truth, the Goſpel of ſalvation; In whom after that ye believed, ye were ſealed with that holy Spirit of promiſe. 1 Theſ. 1. 5. Our Goſpel came unto you, not in word only, but power, and in the Holy Ghoſt, and in much aſſurance. Here you ſee the Word to be the means of believing, and ſo making way for ſealing and aſſuring. Pſal. 119. 50. Thy Word hath quickned me; but now a falſe aſſurance was never wrought by the Word; which will appear plainly, if you do conſider three things that are uſually found in men preſumptuouſly and deludingly aſſured.

1. They care little for the Word, eſpecially for that Word of God which doth powerfully ſearch and prepare the heart, and fit it for the aſſuring work of the Spirit.

2. They have moſt peace and aſſurance, when they keep them moſt from the faithful and powerful delivery of the Word; and their aſſurance is never more interrupted and ſhaken, and daſhed, than under the ſoul ſearching, and convincing Miniſtry of the Goſpel; it cannot ſtand before it, nor abide the tryal of it.

3. Notwithſtanding all their ſeeming regards unto the Word, yet never is there any thing contributed by the Word unto their aſſurance, nor further confirming or ſtrengthening, or enlarging; all which doth evidently demonſtrate, that a falſe aſſurance was never wrought by the Word, but is the fruit of fancy, and a dream of our own hearts only.

Thirdly, A further diſcovery of a falſe aſſurance, is this, it is enjoyed at an It is enjoyed at an eaſ…e rate.eaſie rate; the price of it is very cheap; as that ill piece of ground preſently received the Word with joy, Luke 8. 13. ſo a falſe aſſurance riſeth very ſuddenly: This houre very wicked, and the next ſtrangely aſſured, it coſt the man no tears, nor prayers, nor wreſtlings; for a man to be much in ignorance and wickedneſs, and much in joy and aſſurance, this cannot be right; for the Apoſtle, 2 Pet. 1. 10. would have us give all diligence to make our calling and election ſure; and Phil. 2. 12. To work out our ſalvation with fear and trembling: All diligence, and much pains muſt be laid out to attain a true aſſurance. Many prayers: Pſal. 51. 8. Make me to hear joy and gladneſs. Many tears: Pſal. 6. 6. All the night make I my bed to ſwim, I water my couch with my tears. Many waitings: Pſal. 85. 2. I will hearken what God the Lord will ſpeak; for he will ſpeak peace, &c.

Fourthly, A falſe aſſurance, is a poſſeſſion without a title: The man talks of It is a poſſeſſion without a title.much joy and peace, and comfort, and aſſurance; but there is not any one promiſe of God, of theſe things to him; nay, God is ſo far from promiſing aſſurance of forgiveneſs, that (in the condition wherein this perſon remains) there is not any one promiſe of forgiveneſs; for he is wicked and unconverted, and a ſtranger to Chriſt; and to one remaining ſo, there is not ſo much as a promiſe of pardon, much leſs a promiſe of aſſurance that ſin is pardoned. Now take this for a certain truth, that the aſſurance which any man hath of the pardon of his ſins, if it hath no foundation in a promiſe, it is but a falſe deluſion; if God hath not promiſed to forgive you, you cannot be ſafely aſſured that you are forgiven; much more is it falſe, if God threatens to deſtroy you for your unbelief and impenitency. Suppoſe one doth promiſe and enſure (in a conveyance of land) ſuch or ſuch an eſtate, to ſuch or ſuch a perſon, whoſe name is there inſerted and expreſſed, Will you, or may you thereupon ſeize your ſelf of that eſtate, and think to make money of it as yours, who are not named in it? this were a ridiculous madneſs: Simile. So the Lord makes promiſe of forgiveneſs of ſins unto his …eople, unto them that believe, unto them that repent, (thoſe are their names whom God calls the heirs of his promiſe) and preſently you are confident, and you are perſwaded and you are aſſured that your ſins are forgiven; I pray you why ſo? Is your name amongſt the living? do you repent of your ſins, who do ſtill hold them faſt p. 477and will not let them go? Do you believe, who ſtill refuſe to obey the voice of Chriſt? God doth promiſe to comfort thoſe that are caſt down. 2 Cor. 7. 6. Were your ſouls ever caſt down? And that they who ſowe in tears, ſhall reap in joy, Pſal. 126. 5. Did you ever ſowe in tears, whoſe heart is hardened to this very day?

Fifthly, A falſe aſſurance, it is either without all ground, or without all It is without ground, or without ſure ground.proper and ſure ground; it is like the houſe built on the ſand, and not on a rock, Matth. 7. For put it to any preſumptuous ſinner, what are the reaſons and grounds of your confidence? what is the medium which doth thus perſwade and aſſure you that your ſins are certainly forgiven? The man cannot (if he will ſpeak the truth) give you any reaſon at all; but ſo he thinks, and he is of that mind, and will be ſo; and if he doth give you arguments and grounds, they are of ſuch a vulgar and common nature, as no ſolid Chriſtian dare build on them, and the Scripture rejects them as unſafe, being (at the beſt and higheſt) no other than civil men or hypocrites may be poſſeſſed of; perhaps ſome outward temporal proſperity; perhaps ſome works of civil righteouſneſs; perhaps ſome common ſupernatural gifts; perhaps ſome external religious performances; perhaps ſome ſudden tranſient affections; theſe, or ſome other common works of the Spirit (or matters below theſe) are the foundations and bottomes upon which all his aſſurance is built. Simile. As if one ſhould build a Ship of paper, and ſet up there his confidence of ſafety: The Scripture (as you ſhall ſhortly hear) lays other and more ſure and higher foundations of building up a right aſſurance.

Sixthly, I will adde one diſcovery more of a falſe aſſurance, and that is It is vain and ineffectual.this, it is a vain and ineffectual aſſurance; like painted fire, which heats not; or like a counterfeit drug, which purges not.

There are five things which it never produceth, and therefore it is not true aſſurance, but an empty deluſion.

1. It makes not the heart more holy: He that hath this hope, purifieth himſelf as he is pure.

2. It makes not the heart more humble, but always more proud; therefore it is no work of the Spirit.

3. It makes not the heart more ſorrowful for ſin paſt, and aſhamed for ſinning againſt ſuch gracious mercies, but leaves it hardened.

4. It makes not the heart more fearful to ſin, but rather more ventrous; neither do any more additions of ſinning ſhake and interrupt, or trouble this aſſurance.

5. It puts not out the heart in more love to God, or zeal for him, or to expreſs one jot more of godlineſs in the converſation: all which doth infallibly prove that the aſsurance comes not from the Spirit of God, but from a ſpirit of deluſion

Fourthly, Now in the fourth and laſt place, I will ſhew unto you that this falſe aſsurance concerning the pardon of our ſins, is a moſt dangerous deceit, It is a moſt dangerous deceit. It is ſoul deceit.which will appear unto you thus.

Firſt, It is a ſoul deceit; ſuch a ſinner deceives his own ſoul, which is of all other deceits the higheſt and the worſt.

There is a twofold ſelf deceit.

1. One reſpects our bodies, and our outward temporal eſtates; this many times proves very uncomfortable unto us, and very miſerable to our poſterity.

2. Another reſpects our ſouls, and our ſ…iritual and eternal eſtates, as to be confident that we are in a good eſtate, when really we are in a bad eſtate; and that we belong to Chriſt, when really we do belong to Satan; and that our ſins are pardoned, and that God loves us, and will indeed ſave us, when indeed our ſins are not pardoned, but remain debts uncroſſed, and we ſtill lie under the wrath of God, and under condemnation. This is ſoul deceit, and moſt woful deceit; p. 478it is worſe than to reſt upon a falſe title for all our worldly eſtate; it is worſe than to truſt to a falſe plea, and vain defence for a mans life; and it is the worſe becauſe

1. The ſinner will not eaſily be convinced.

2. Nor come back, and begin the work aright, in a contrary grief and ſorrow for his miſtake.

3. Nor be ſhamed of his own fooliſhneſs.

Secondly, It is ſoul loſs: unleſs the Lord break down this falſe aſſurance It is ſoul loſs.in our hearts, it will end in the eternal loſs of our ſouls. I told you the laſt day, that that mans condition is more hopeful, whoſe conſcience is filled with terror for his ſins, than his condition is, whoſe heart is filled with a falſe perſwaſion and aſſurance that his ſins are pardoned; as Chriſt ſpake to the ſelf-conceited Phariſees; Publicans and Harlots enter into the Kingdome of God before you, Matth. 21. 31. Or as Solomon ſpake, Seeſt thou a man wiſe in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool, than of him, Prov. 26. 12. So ſay I, there is more hope of the ſalvation of the moſt doubting, and moſt terribly dejected and diſtreſſed ſinner, than of the confident and (falſly) aſſured ſinner; why ſo will you ſay? my reaſon is this, becauſe

1. When a perſon is in a troubled condition, he is rightly ſenſible of his condition, he ſees that it is ill with him; but the falſly aſſured ſinner doth not ſee in what an evil condition he is, and certainly it is a worſe matter to be in an evil condition, and not apprehend it, than to be in that evil condition, and yet to diſcern it.

2. When a perſon ſees himſelf in an evil condition, there may be, and uſually there are fears to remain in it, and cares to get out of it: Men and Brethren what ſhall we do? ſpake thoſe wounded in their hearts for their ſins. Acts 2. 37. And the Jaylor came in trembling, and cryed out, What ſhall I do to be ſaved? Acts 16. 30. But when a perſon hath deluded himſelf with a falſe confidence that his eſtate is good, and with a falſe aſſurance that his ſins are pardoned, and God is reconciled unto him; this man is whole, he minds not the Phyſitian, looks not after Chriſt and mercy, and ſo loſeth his ſoul. Beloved, this is certain, that falſe aſſurance breeds carnal ſecurity, and carnal ſecurity breeds neglect of Chriſt, and neglect of Chriſt breeds loſs of mercy, and loſs of mercy will be the loſs of the ſoul.It is ſoul diſappointment.

Thirdly, It is ſoul-failure and diſappointment; what Solomon ſpeaks in Prov. 25. 19. Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble, is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint. He is of no uſe or ſervice unto you, that ſay I of a falſe aſſurance, when you come to a time of need, and then expect help from your falſe aſſurance, and deluded confidence, then you will finde that it will be of no more ſtrength and ſervice to you, than a foot out of joint, it will utterly fail you, and deceive you. When the winds and the waves aroſe, then the houſe built on the ſand did fall, Matth. 7. 26, 27. So when death comes, and conſcience is awakened, and ariſeth in exceptions and accuſations, and chargeth guilt (as unpardoned) upon the ſoul, in that day what will become of all your vain confidences? and of all your fooliſh and falſe excuſations? they will be ſwept away as the Spiders web, and like a dream they preſently vaniſh into nothing. Now from all that hath been ſaid, you do ſee great reaſon as to ſtrive for a right aſſurance, ſo to take heed, and beware of a falſe perſwaſion and aſſurance that your ſins are pardoned.

p. 479SECT. IV.

3. Ʋſe DOth the Lord promiſe to ſprinkle clean water upon his people? i. e. to apply unto them in particular the pardon of their ſins, with the aſſurance thereof: Hence let me inform two ſorts of the people of God;

1. Thoſe who have found this ſprinkling of aſſurance concerning the pardon of their ſins, how they may know that this is the very aſſurance which is given by God himſelf

2. Thoſe who never yet have attained to this ſprinkling of aſſurance from God, what they ſhould judge of their eſtate, and what they ſhould do to enjoy or partake of the ſame.

1. Queſt. How may one know that the aſſurance which he hath found How one may know his aſſurance is true.concerning the pardon of his ſinnes, be the right and true aſſurance which God himſelf undertakes to give by his Spirit, unto his people?

Sol. I humbly conceive that this may be diſcerned, partly

1. By ſome precedently preparing works.

2. By ſome preſently accompanying works.

3. By ſome ſubſequently following works of the Spirit.

Firſt, You may know that the aſſurance which you have had, or which you now have, is indeed from the Spirit of God, By theſe works or qualities which By ſome precedent works.the Spirit alwayes laies in the ſoul, before he gives this particular aſſurance. And there are four works of the Spirit (if I may ſo ſtile them) qualifying and preparing the heart▪ to receive this impreſſion of aſſurance from the Spirit.

1. Humbling and mourning.

2. Reconciling and ſanctifying.

3. Believing and relying.

4. Praying and wreſtling.

Firſt, There alwayes goes an humbling and mourning heart before a revived heart about the pardon of our ſins: Luke 4. 18. The Spirit of the Lord is Humbling and mourning.upon me (ſaith Chriſt) becauſe he hath anointed me to preach the Goſpel to the poor, to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance unto the captive. And Iſa. 61. 2. To comfort all that mourn. Ver. 3. To give unto them beauty for aſhes, the oyle of joy for mourning, the garment of praiſe for the spirit of heavineſs, &c. Mark, here are broken-hearted ſinners, and theſe doth the Spirit heal; and here are captivated ſinners, and theſe doth the Spirit deliver and free; and here are mourning ſinners, and theſe doth the Spirit comfort: Why, it is not reaſonable to imagine that the Spirit of God will do any thing which is impertinent, or improper, or repugnant to his own Word; but all his works within us are pertinent, and are conſonant with the Word.

1. They are pertinent; he will comfort thoſe to whom comfort pertains.

2. They are proper; he will comfort them that need comfort, and in the times of their need.

3. They are conſonant; he will apply comfort to them unto whom God promiſeth comfort. Now comfort pertains to the broken-hearted, and unto mourners for ſin; and it is proper for them, they ſtand in need of the voice of joy and gladneſs; and God hath (in a ſpecial manner) promiſed to comfort them that mourn. Therefore if the aſſurance (which you find) of the pardon of your ſins be a gracious peace and quietation, and perſwaſion after conviction, and after godly ſorrow for your ſins, this is no feigned nor deluding work of fancy, nor of Satan; but it is the very voice of joy from the Spirit of God. O when a poor troubled ſoul hath been laid low in the ſenſe of ſin, hath gone heavily all p. 480the day with that burden, is even confounded and aſhamed, and is ready to fail and faint, and cryes out, O Lord, pity and pardon, and comfort my diſtreſſed ſoul with the aſſurance of thy love, and of forgiving mercy for Chriſts ſake: And then the voice of comfort and joy ſpeaks, Be of good chear, thy ſins are forgiven thee; and writes this good news upon the conſcience. Why, this is right aſſurance, and right comfort of the Holy Ghoſt.

Secondly, There always goes a renewing and ſanctifying work of the Spirit, A renewing and ſan…ifying work.before the aſſuring and witneſſing work of the Spirit; Here I will briefly clear two Points.

1. That the ſanctifying work of the Spirit goes before the aſſuring work of the Spirit. 2 Cor. 1. 21. He who hath anointed us, is God. Ver. 22. Who hath alſo ſealed us. Pſal. 85. 8. He will ſpeak peace unto his people, and to his Saints. I beſeech you tell me whoſe portion is forgiveneſs of ſins and peace? Hath the Lord promiſed it unto any but unto his people? and who are indeed the people of God, but Saints, but holy people? ſee 1 Pet. 2. 9. Ye are a choſen generation, a royal Prieſthood, a holy Nation, a peculiar people. God will forgive none their ſins, but ſuch as are his people, much leſs will he aſſure any that their ſins are forgiven but his people; and all the people of God (actually called into Covenant with him) are holy; therefore men muſt be ſanctified before they are aſſured.

2. It cannot be otherwiſe, whether you conſider

Firſt, The Nature of the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God is a holy Spirit, and he will not aford his preſence to any, unleſs he firſt make them holy; he always makes the Temple holy, in which he intends to abide and dwell; and if he will not abide in us, unleſs he ſanctifies us, will he give us the aſſurance of the great love of God in Chriſt, that our ſins are pardoned before he ſanctifies us?

Secondly, You find in Experience, that when the people of God fall into ſin, and do oppoſe the ſanctifying work of the Spirit, preſently they loſe comfort and aſſurance; (David did ſo, Pſal. 51.) if we muſt uphold ſanctity, to preſerve the peace and comfort of the Spirit, ſurely then there muſt be ſanctity wrought before peace and aſſurance be ſpoken.

Thirdly, A man muſt be in Chriſt before he can have propriety in the forgiveneſs of his ſins, and aſſurance that God hath for Chriſts ſake forgiven him; this all of you will grant, as ſaith the Apoſtle, If any man be in Chriſt, he is a new creature, 2 Cor. 5. 17.

Fourthly, Once more, Mark what God hath threatned to wicked and ungodly perſons, namely wrath and judgement, and deſtruction, and viſiting of their ſins upon them; this is the portion of their cup. Now would you have the Spirit of God to miſapply the Word of God? whatſoever God hath threatned or promiſed in his Word, that the Spirit of God is to apply; his work it is to apply threatnings, and his work it is to apply promiſes; and his office it is to apply the one and the other reſpectively to the perſons under the threatnings, and under the promiſes; he knows the mind of the Lord, and therefore as he will not apply the threatnings of wrath unto the godly, ſo he will not apply the promiſes of God to the wicked: and if ſo, then no aſſurance ſhall be by him applied unleſs men be holy. Therefore let no man deceive himſelf with a deluded perſwaſion or aſſurance that his ſins are pardoned, as long as he remains wicked, ungodly, or unholy; no, no, the holy Spirit never ſeals any but holy perſons.

And there is a twofold holineſs wrought in us before the Spirit gives aſſurance.

1. One is Internal and Habitual, which is the renewing and changing of the heart into a conformity with the Image of Chriſt.

2. Another is External and Actual in the life and converſation. Pſal. 50. 23. To him that ordereth his converſation aright, will I ſhew the ſalvation of p. 481God. Gal. 6. 16. As many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Iſrael of God. Although this be true, that every one who is ſanctified, is not preſent…y aſſured, yet this is true, that the Spirit of God aſſures no man, but firſt he ſanctifies him.

Thirdly, There always goes the believing work before aſſuring work of the Believing workSpirit; the Spirit of God is a Spirit of faith, and then the Spirit of comfort or aſſurance. Epheſ. 1. 13. In whom after that ye believed, ye were ſealed with the holy Spirit of promiſe: Rom. 15. 13. Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing. Mark, firſt believing, and then a filling with all joy and peace. Pſal. 13. 5. I have truſted in thy mercy, my heart ſhall rejoyce in thy ſalvation. This Aſſertion I ſuppoſe will paſs without diſpute, that the Spirit firſt works faith, and then aſſurance, and really it muſt be ſo; for

1. You muſt be in relation of children and heirs before you can aſſure your ſelves of the portion of children: Therefore the Apoſtle placeth the Spirit of Adoption before the witneſs of the Spirit, as I hinted out of Rom. 15. 16. But it is by faith that we are children, Gal. 3. 26 And receive the dignity of ſons, Joh. 1. 12.

2. None can aſſure himſelf of benefit, but he who hath firſt a propriety in Chriſt, (union is the ſole foundation of communion) ſee 1 Cor. 1. 30. Of him are ye in Chriſt Jeſus, who of God is made unto us Wiſdome, Righteouſneſs, Sanctification and Redemption.

What faith prece…es aſſurance;Queſt. But now the queſtion may be what faith that is which (neceſſarily) is precedent unto aſſurance.

Anſwered. Sol. A twofold faith is previouſly required.

Firſt, A faith of union with Chriſt.

Secondly, A faith of dependance upon the promiſes.

1. A faith of union, from which reſults propriety that Chriſt is yours, and you are Chriſts; as upon civil Marriage, there enſues a mutual propriety; this faith doth unqueſtionably precede the teſtimony or aſſurance of the Spirit; for no part of Chriſts purchaſe can be ſealed unto you, before you have a part in Chriſt himſelf.

2. A faith of dependance upon God, that according to his promiſes he will both pardon you, and alſo give you the aſſurance that he hath pardoned you for Chriſts ſake; and this faith is many times put forth to believe in hope againſt hope, Rom. 4. 18. Before the Spirit lets in the aſſurance that our ſins are pardoned, I will hearken what, &c. Pſal. 80. 8.

Fourthly, There always goes praying and wrestling before this aſſuring Praying and wreſtling.work of the Spirit: The Spirit of ſupplication goes before the Spirit of aſſurance. Zach. 13. 9. They ſhall call upon my Name, and I will hear them; I will ſay it is my people, and they ſhall ſay the Lord is my God. Jer. 30. 21, 22. Who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me ſaith the Lord? ye ſhall be my people, and I will be your God. Iſa. 56. 7. Even them (eſpecially of thoſe that take hold of Gods Covenant, ver. 6.) will I bring to my holy Mountain, and will make them joyful in my houſe of prayer. Iſa 30. 19. He will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry, when he ſhall hear it, he will anſwer thee. Pſal. 35. 3. Say unto my ſoul, I am thy ſalvation. O what earneſt wreſtling prayer came from David before he could hear that voice of joy and gladneſs in Pſal. 51. And this is ſo experimented a truth that uſually the ſweeteſt aſſurances do attend our deepeſt tears, and our higheſt prayers. If therefore the aſſurance which you finde concerning the pardon of your ſins, be the perſwaſion given to you by the Spirit of God, it doth alway follow mournfulneſs of heart for ſin, and an holy change of heart, and faith in Chriſt, and on the promiſes of Chriſt, and earneſt prayer; if it be before, or without any of theſe, it is not the aſſurance of the Spirit of God, but a deluſion of our own ſpirits.

p. 482Secondly, You may know that your aſſurance is the right aſſurance of the Spirit, by thoſe preſent appearing qualities which do always accompany the aſſurance By ſome preſently accompanying works.which comes (indeed) from the Spirit.

I will mention three of them.

Firſt, If it be the very aſſurance from the Spirit of God that your ſins in particular L…ve to God.are forgiven, this will immediatly kindle ſuch a flame of love to God, as you never found the like in all your lives. We love him (ſaith John) becauſe he loved us firſt, 1 Joh. 4. 19. O Sirs, when the love of God is ſhed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghoſt, Rom. 5 5. ( Simile. and ſo it is when he aſſures us that God for his great love, and rich mercy hath forgiven us) never was the heart of tender wife more knit to her husband, than the heart of the aſſured ſinner is to his forgiving God; never did Jonathan delight more in David, than this poor ſoul doth in his God; why, he loves him ſo ſenſibly, ſo enlargedly, that he meditates and meditates, that he admires and admires, and cries out, Who is a God like unto thee? O I love thee for this love, for this mercy of mercies. Mary had many ſins forgiven her, and Chriſt aſſured her of it, therefore ſhe loved much, Luke 7. 47.

Secondly, If it be the very aſſurance of the Spirit of God that your ſins are forgiven, Softneſs of heart.this will immediatly ſoften and melt your heart into ſuch pure ſprings of tears, that hardly you ever found the like for kind or degree. There are tears which a man ſheds before aſſurance for his ſins, and they are acceptable to God, nevertheleſs they are ſomething brakiſh, and mixt with ſome trouble and diſtreſs; but the tears of ſorrow for ſinning againſt God, aſſuring us that he hath pardoned our ſins, they are ſo without all legality (if I may phraſe it ſo) they flow from the ſoul ſo freely, ſo tenderly, ſo feelingly, ſo abundantly; I think that a man never wept more bitterly, nor ever condemned himſelf more freely, nor ever was more aſhamed of himſelf and ſinnings, than at that time when God gave him his full diſcharge and pardon under the ſeal and witneſs of his own Spirit. Ezek. 16. 61, 63. Aſhamed and confounded when God was pacified towards them. The Prophet expreſſeth the quality and the quantity of their mourning, in Zach. 12. 10.

Object. I but it ſhould rather produce joy!

Sol. So it doth at the ſame time (which is ſtrange) the greateſt joy, and the deepeſt ſorrow.

Thirdly, If it be the very aſſurance from the Spirit of God, the heart thereupon Humbleneſs of heart.becomes ſo humble, and ſo lowly, and ſo nothing; the nearer that God draws to his people, the more humble they are; for when Gods Spirit aſſures us, he doth cauſe us to ſee our own unworthineſs, and the exceeding riches of Gods grace. Mark the men moſt eminent for aſſurance in Scripture, of all men they were the moſt humble and lowly. There are three men moſt high in aſſurance.

Firſt, Abraham was ſo: He was ſtrong in faith, and he was fully perſwaded; and he was a moſt humble man, Rom. 4. 20, 21. Behold I have taken upon me to ſpeak unto the Lord, who am but duſt and aſhes, Gen. 18. 27.

Secondly, David alſo was ſo; Thou art my God, Thou haſt forgiven my iniquities; and he alſo was a moſt humble man: Who am I O Lord God! and what is my fathers houſe! 2 Sam. 7. 18.

Thirdly, And Paul was ſo; Who loved me, and gave himſelf for me, Gal. 2. 20. yet this man was a very humble and lowly man: The leaſt of the Apoſtles; 1 Cor. 15. 9. Leſs than the leaſt of all Saints. Eph. 3. 8. and not meet to be called an Apoſtle. O Chriſtian, you who talk how much and how long you have been aſſured, where is this high love? where is this deep ſorrow? where is this humble lowlineſs? did your aſſurance ever produce theſe in you? if not, aſſuredly you have mock't your ſouls all this while with vain deluſions.

Thirdly, You may know that your aſſurance is right, and comes from the very By the effects flowing from aſſurance.Spirit of God by theſe ſingular fruits and effects which (conſequently) do flow from your aſſurance; I will mention ſix of them.

p. 4831. Quietation of heart.

2. More care to walk in all well-pleaſing before the Lord.

3. More regard unto, and delight in the Word.

4. More zeal.

5. More fear.

6. More height of heart.

Firſt, One effect which flows from a right aſsurance that our ſins are forgiven, is a Quietation of heart.preſent quietation of heart; all ſtorms ceaſe upon one word ſpoken from the Spirit. There were many doubts, and many fears, and many diſputes, and many reaſonings, and many ſad thoughts, and reſtleſs motions in the ſoul; but when aſsurance of forgiveneſs is given in by the Spirit of God to our ſpirits, all theſe do ceaſe, and there enſues a gracious calme in the conſcience, even an excuſing, delightful and joyful reſt. When God lifted up the light of his countenance upon David, he lay down in peace, Pſal. 4. 6, 8.

Now this quietation differs much from that. Stupidity in a man deluded with a falſe aſsurance; for

Firſt, This ſtupidity is not the quieting of a troubled ſoul, but ſo is this.

Secondly, Their quietneſs is the effect rather of ignorance, becauſe they do not know their miſerable condition, than of aſsurance, that they do certainly know their pardoned condition.

Thirdly, Their quietneſs is from a ſeared conſcience, but not from an aſsured and pacified conſcience.

Fourthly, It is a paſſive ſilence, but in this conſcience doth witneſs, and the heart rejoyceth. Well then, ſpiritual and joyful reſt or quietation is the proper fruit of true aſsurance; and verily it cannot but be ſo; for aſsurance (in the very nature of it) doth ſo ſatisfie the mind, and prevail upon it, as to exclude all actual doubtings and fears at that time; and it is a clear manifeſtation of Gods love and pardoning mercy, with our propriety in them in particular, and therefore neceſsarily doth quietation of heart flow from it.

Secondly, More carefulneſs to walk in all well-pleaſing before the Lord; aſsurance Carefulneſs to walk in all well-pleaſing.breeds two excellent properties about holy walking and ſervices.

1. One is more alacrity; O it is now no burden, but a delight to do the will of God. Pſal. 40. 8. I delight to do thy will, and thy commands are my delight, ſaid David, I will run the way of thy Commandments when thou ſhalt enlarge my heart, Pſ. 119. 32.

2. The other is more carefulneſs: Mark that place, Pſal. 26. 1. I have walked in mine integrity. Ver. 3. For thy loving kindneſs is before mine eyes. Never were any more ſtrict in paths of righteouſneſs, than thoſe who have taſted moſt of Gods loving kindneſs: I am thy ſervant, &c. Pſal. 116. 16.

Thirdly, More delight in the Word, and greater appetite after it. 1 Pet. 2. 2, 3. As Delight in the Word.new born baves deſire the ſincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby, if ſo be that ye have taſted that the Lord is gracious.

Fourthly, More zeal for God; What will not this aſsured Chriſtian act and ſuffer? Zeal.he will do any ſervice for Chriſt; yea, the higheſt and greateſt, (the love of Chriſt conſtrains him, 2 Cor. 14.) nay, he will dye for Chriſt; but to dye for the Name of Chriſt, Acts 21. 13. Who loved me, and gave himſelf for me, ſaith Paul: Gal. 2. 20. What ſhall I render to the Lord? what ſhall I do for my God? Cant. 3. 5. I charge you▪ ſtir not up, nor awake my love.

Fifthly, More fear to ſin againſt God; let me tell you a truth, the aſsured perſon Fear to ſin.would even dye preſently in the Arms of Chriſt, that he might never ſin againſt him any more; but ſee Hoſea 3. 5. They ſhall fear the Lord and his goodneſs.

Sixthly, An height of heart; preſently the heart is above all the world, the world Height of heart.is nothing, of no account when the Lord once gives in the aſsurance of his love in the pardon of our ſins in the blood of Chriſt.

Queſt. 2. I now proceed to the ſecond queſtion, which is this, What thoſe weak Christians p. 484and Believers ſhould judge of their eſtate, who never yet could attain unto this particular aſſurance of the pardon of their ſins, and what courſe they may take to enjoy What weak Chriſtians ſhould judge of their eſtates, who could never get aſſurance. For their ſupport.the ſame.

Sol. There are two things in this queſtion to be ſpoken unto. 1. One reſpects the ſupport. 2. The other reſpects the direction of ſuch Chriſtians as have not yet attained the aſsurance, &c.

1. For the ſupport of thoſe weak believers who are apt to judge heavily of themſelves, and of their ſpiritual eſtate, becauſe they never yet attained to the pardon of their ſins, I would preſent theſe four Concluſions.

Firſt, One may be in a juſtified or pardoned estate in the Court of heaven, who as yet A man may be in a pardoned ſtate, who is not aſſured.is not in an aſſured eſtate in the Court of his own conſcience; ſins may be forgiven, when yet the ſinner is not aſſured of the forgiveneſs of his ſins. 2 Sam. 12. 13. The Lord hath put away thy ſins, and yet David prayed exceedingly to get the aſſurance thereof. Pſal. 51. 8. Make me to hear joy and gladneſs, &c. Joh. 14. 20. At that day (after his Aſcenſion) ye ſhall know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. Ye ſhall know, &c. yet of theſe he ſaith, Joh. 15. 5. I am the Ʋine, ye are the Branches. Job 13. 24. Wherefore hideſt thou thy face, and holdeſt me for thine enemy? Pſal 88. 14. Lord, why caſteſt thou off my ſoul? why hideſt thou thy face from me? Ver. 15. Whiles I ſuffer thy terror, I am diſtracted. Ver. 16. Thy fierce wrath goeth over me, thy terrors have cut me off. Iſa. 64 8. But now O Lord thou art our Father; we are the clay, and thou art the potter, and we all are the work of thine hand. Ver. 9. Be not wroth very ſore O Lord, neither remember iniquity for ever; behold, ſee we beſeech thee, we are all thy people. Mark, though thou art our Father, and we are thy people, yet be not wroth, &c.

Secondly, If one doth truly believe in Chriſt, his condition is ſure, although the His condition is ſure, though his perſon have not aſſurance.perſon hath not aſſurance; true faith, (though weak, though compaſſed with doubts and fears) doth really make Chriſt to be yours; and if Chriſt be yours, then your condition is ſure. 1 Joh. 5. 12. He that hath the Son, hath life. Joh. 10. 27. My ſheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. Ver. 28. and I give unto them eternal life, and they ſhall never periſh, neither ſhall any man pluck them out of my hand. Joh. 6. 47. Ʋerily, verily I ſay unto you, he that believeth on me hath everlaſting life. Beloved, neither Chriſt nor ſalvation are ſetled upon aſſurance, but upon faith; it is not ſaid that Chriſt dwells in our hearts by aſsurance, but by faith; nor is it ſaid, Whoſoever is aſsured ſhall be ſaved, nor Whoſoever is aſsured ſhall receive remiſſion of ſins, but Whoſoever believeth. The weakeſt true faith is enough to make Chriſt to be yours, and conſequently it is enough to give you an intereſt in his Redemption, and to free you from condemnation, and to bring you to that purchaſed inheritance of life; ſee then, this is another comfort; though you have not aſsurance, yet the condition of life is ſure if ye be true believers, &c.

Thirdly, A third ſupport is this, Though you have not the aſſurance of the forgiveneſs Though you have not this aſſurance, yet you are labouring for it.of your ſins, yet you are labouring and ſtriving for it; there are degrees of aſsurance; ſome are weaker, ſome are ſtronger; ſome are more permanent, ſome are tranſient. Beloved, though a man be not in heaven, yet it is a great comfort if he be walking towards heaven; though a man be not in Chriſt, yet it is good when he is crying out for Chriſt; and ſo though a man hath not as yet the aſsurance that his ſins are pardoned, it is a good ſign when he is found in the ways for aſsurance.

Object. But what comfort is there in this, that one is labouring for aſſurance, when as yet he never had it?

Sol. There is in this four comforts to them that labour for aſsurance.

Firſt, The comfort of obedience, that you are (according to Gods commands) giving all diligence to make your calling and election ſure, 2 Pet. 1. 10. and proving and trying your ſelves, whether Chriſt be in you of a truth, 2 Cor. 13. 5. and working out your ſalvation, Phil. 2. 12.

Secondly, The comfort of ſincerity, that you are on the way to be aſsured, not reſting in the want of aſsurance, nor in idle complaints, but as you pretend, an opinion p. 485and judgement, rightly valuing it, and that your hearts are ſet upon it, ſo your ſouls are indeed drawn forth to the ways of enjoyment.

Thirdly, The comfort of Gods preſence; for it is from the Spirit of God that your hearts do thus prize, and thus long for, and thus labour for aſsurance; he begets thoſe thoughts, and thoſe deſires, and thoſe prayers; you have the preſence of the Spirit, though not the aſsurance of the Spirit.

Fourthly, The comfort of hope, that at length you ſhall ſee the God of gods in Zion, that you ſhall ſee his face with joy, that he will create peace and aſsurance in your hearts; for he never fills the ſoul and ſtirs and draws it unto himſelf for his gracious favour, but at length he doth make his loving kindneſs known unto that ſoul; and he doth thus prepare the heart, becauſe he will incline his ear.

Fourthly, A fourth ſupport unto you is this, although you have not this aſſurance in your own hearts, yet you have it in Gods promiſe, who aſſures you that he will ſprinkle it upon you, and faithful is he who hath promiſed, who will alſo do it.

Secondly, But now I come unto the Direction which I would commend to weak Direction.believers for the attaining of their aſſurance, and they are theſe.

Firſt, Diligent attendance upon the Word of God; that this is a good means to attain D…ligent attendance upon the Word.aſſurance, may appear by three particulars.

1. God hath inſtituted or ordained his Word, not only for the converſion, but alſo for the conſolation of his people, and the aſſuring of them. Rom. 15. 4 Whatſoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. 1 Joh. 1. 4. Theſe things write we unto you that your joy may be full. 1 Joh. 13. Theſe things have I written unto you that believe on the Name of the Son of God, that you may know that ye have eternal life. Mark, written for our comfort, written that our joy may be full, written that believers may know they have eternal life; why then unqueſtionably the Word is a means to attain aſſurance, &c.

2. The people of God have attended the Word for this very end, to gain aſſurance. Pſal. 48. 9. We have thought of thy loving kindneſs O God in the midſt of thy Temple. Pſal. 85. 8. I will hearken what God the Lord will speak, for he will ſpeak peace unto his people.

3. They have found aſſurance upon the attending on the Word. Pſal. 63. 1. O God, thou art my God, early will I ſeek thee, my ſoul thirſteth for thee. Ver. 2. To ſee thy power and thy glory ſo as I have ſeen thee in the Sanctuary. Ver. 3. Becauſe thy loving kindneſs is better than life. He had ſeen experimentally the power and the glory of God in the Sanctuary; (i. e.) the mercy and the loving kindneſs of God in Chriſt, the aſſurance and feeling of it in the uſe of the Word, &c. Eph. 1. 13. In whom ye alſo trusted after that ye heard the Word of truth, the Goſpel of your ſalvation; in whom alſo after that ye believed, ye were ſealed with the holy Spirit of promiſe.

Secondly, Fervent prayer unto the Lord, this is alſo a means to obtain aſsurance. Fervent prayer.Pſ. 119. 58. I intreated thy favour with my whole heart; and two things demonſtrate this unto us.

1. Some ſpecial promiſes to this purpoſe; viz. Iſa. 56. 7. Even them will I bring to my holy Mountain, and will make them joyful in my houſe of prayer, &c. What is that which makes the heart of the people of God joyful? David tells you in Pſal. 4. 6. Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us; and Ver. 7. Thou haſt put gladneſs in my heart, &c. and where is this joyfulneſs promiſed? by what means? I will make them joyful in my houſe of prayer. Joh. 16. 24. Ask and ye ſhall receive, that your joy may be full. Ver. 22. Whatſoever ye ask the Father in my Name, he will give it you. Here is a fulneſs of joy, (and that certainly is in aſsurance) and that fulneſs of joy is promiſed upon prayer.

2. Some particular experiences. Pſal. 30. 10. Hear O Lord, and have mercy upon me, &c. Ver. 11. Thou haſt turned for me my mourning into dancing; thou haſt put off my ſackcloth, and girded me with gladneſs.

p. 486Object. But will ſome ſay, We have heard the Word a long time, and we have prayed and ſought the Lord a long time, and yet we cannot attain to this aſſurance of forgiveneſs.

Sol. Therefore be ſure to take in three things when you pray for this aſſurance.

1. Apious valuation of it; Thy favour is life, Pſal. 30. 5. Thy loving kindneſs is better than life, Pſal. 63 3. O viſit me with thy ſalvation, Pſal. 106 4.

2. A believing perſwaſion that God will hear you in this Luke 11. 13. How much more ſhall your heavenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that ask him? and that Spirit is the Spirit of Adoption, that witneſſeth with our spirits that we are the children of God, Rom. 8. 16. David hath a ſingular paſſage in Pſal. 119. 147. I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cryed, I hoped in thy Word; where obſerve three things. 1. The earlineſs of his prayer, (I prevented the dawning of the morning) he could not ſleep, but muſt ariſe and pray. 2. The earneſtneſs of his prayer, (I cried) he was ſolemn, ſerious and fervent. 3. The faith with his prayer, (and I hoped in thy Word) in one of theſe our prayers do fail, and ſo we get not our aſſurance.

3. A patient expectation, a continuance in prayer, ſtill importuning the Lord, and waiting on him for this great teſtimony of his pardoning mercy. Iſa. 30 18. Bleſſed are all they that wait for him. Pſal. 85. 8. I will hearken what God the Lord will ſpeak, for he will ſpeak peace, &c. Theſe Ingredients are ſtill to be remembred, and taken in, if you would prevail for the aſſurance, &c.

Thirdly, A conſcientious care in all our ways to walk before God in all well-pleaſing. A conſcientious care to walk in all well-pleaſing.A godly walking brings moſt glory to God, and moſt comfort to our own conſciences; there are two excellent places for this purpoſe. Iſa. 32. 17. The work of righteouſneſs ſhall be peace, and the effect of righteouſneſs quietneſs and aſſurance for ever. Joh. 14. 21. He that hath my Commandments, and keepeth them, is he that loveth me; and he that loveth me, ſhall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifeſt my ſelf unto him. I beſeech you to remember five paſſages.

1. That men who make no conſcience of their ways, but walk licentiouſly and diſſolutely, they can never come to their aſſurance. Iſa. 59. 8. The way of peace they know not. Iſa. 57. 21. There is no peace ſaith my God, to the wicked. Pſal. 119. 155. Salvation is far from the wicked, for they ſeek not thy ſtatutes.

2. That the people of God for particular failings in a conſcientious and careful walking, have forfeited their aſſurance; David did ſo, Pſal. 51. 8, 11, 12.

3. That aſſurance is frequently promiſed to an upright, conſcientious, careful walking. Pſal. 11. 7. The righteous Lord loveth righteouſneſs, his countenance doth behold the upright. Pſal. 50 23. To him that ordereth his Converſation aright, will I ſhew the ſalvation of God.

4. That ſuch perſons have found abundance of joy and comfort. 2 Cor. 1. 12. Our rejoycing is this, the testimony of our conſcience, that in ſimplicity and godly ſincerity, not with fleſh wiſdome, but by the grace of God, we had our Converſation. Pſal. 119. 165. Great peace have they which love thy Law.

5. That all perſons that do thus walk, and continue ſo to do, (although for ſome ſpace of time they may not finde this aſſurance yet) they ſhall at length enjoy it. Pſal. 97. 11, Light is ſown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart. Simile. The ſeed which is ſown lies for a while under ground, but at length it appears; therefore you who deſire to enjoy the pardon of your ſins, this do:

1. Keep up a mourning heart for your ſins.

2. Enter into, and keep on in the paths of righteouſneſs; follow on to know the Lord, and ye ſhall know him. Hoſea 6. 3. Then ſhall we know if we follow on to know the Lord.

Fourthly, An humble dependance upon the Lord, graciouſly to work this comfortable An humble dependance upon God to work it in us.aſſurance in our hearts, although we be utterly unworthy thereof. Pſal 33. 21. Our hearts ſhall rejoyce in him, becauſe we have truſted in his holy Name. As you can plead no worthineſs of pardoning mercy, ſo neither of the aſſurance thereof, but only in Chriſt; and therefore you muſt depend upon God, (who loveth freely, and receiveth p. 487graciouſly) that he according to his promiſe, and for his Chriſts ſake, will make his face to ſhine upon you; Go in peace, your ſins are forgiven you.

Ʋſe 4 Doth the Lord promiſe to ſprinkle clean water upon his people? then do you (whoſe hearts the Lord hath ſprinkled with the aſſurance of the pardon of your You that have this aſſurance;ſins) remember and heed a few things which do eſpecially concern you.

Firſt, Be you exceedingly thankful; indeed you cannot but be ſo, if God hath Be thankful.thus ſprinkled your conſciences, to bring you into Covenant, and to aſſure you that you are ſo; to bring you into Covenant, and to aſſure you that you are Chriſts; to forgive you all your ſins, and to aſſure you thereof; O how great, how ſweet is this goodneſs! Mercy, and the aſſurance of mercy; love, and the aſſurance of love; a good eſtate, and a comfortable eſtate; life, and the aſſurance of life; heaven, and the aſſurance of heaven; this was the firſt deſire of the Church. Cant. 1. 2. Let him kiſs me with the kiſſes of his mouth, for thy love is better than wine; and this was the laſt deſire of the Church: …ant. 8. 13. Cauſe me to hear thy voice. Aſſurance is the top of all our comfortable mercies, and the top of all our deſires.

Be chearful.Secondly, Be more chearful in your ſpiritual courſe; when God gives you aſſurance, Simile. he doth (as it were) take the ring off his own finger, and put it upon yours; ſaith David Pſal. 105. 3. Let the heart of them rejoyce that ſeek the Lord. How joyful then ſhould the hearts of them be that find the Lord! When Simeon got Chriſt into his arms, he rejoyced: The poſſeſſion of Chriſt, and the evident fruition of pardon, are matter of great joy; walk like pardoned men, and like a people aſſured of a reconciled God in Chriſt.

Thirdly Be very watchful; no mercy muſt make us ſecure; aſsurance it ſelf muſt Be very watchful.make us the more vigilant, Chriſt was tempted after that voice came from heaven, This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleaſed: And Pauls temptations were very ſtrong after that he had been wrapt up into the third heaven. Let me tell you two things (and they may ſerve to make you watchful) after your ſweeteſt aſsurances.

1. One is, that ſtill much of ſinful corruption dwells in you; though aſsurance doth (for the preſent) clear the mind of all doubts, yet it doth not cleanſe the heart of all ſins.

2. Another is, that temptations uſually attend aſsurances, (Satan is an enemy to our comforts as well as our graces) and ſometimes they prevail over us if they find us careleſs.

Fourthly, Be very faithful and ſtedfaſt: He will ſpeak peace unto his people, and to Be faithful.his Saints; but let them not turn again to folly, Pſal. 85. 8. Sin ſhould be moſt odious, when mercy hath been moſt gracious; O do not for a taſte of ſinful pleaſures, loſe all the taſte of moſt ſweeteſt aſsurance; ſinnings do moſt provoke God and prove moſt bitter to us after the greateſt experiences of Gods loving kindneſses.

Fifthly, Be very fruitful; the aſsured Chriſtian (of all others) ſhould be the talleſt Be very fruitful.Cedar, the brighteſt Sun, and moſt fruitful Vine. Who ſhould abound more in duty, than he who hath found God moſt abounding to him in mercy? I will ſay no more but this; thy aſsurance was never right, if it hath not made thee a more zealous friend for God, and a more diligent ſervant to Chriſt, and a more deadly enemy to ſin.

p. 488Ezek. 36. 26.

A new heart alſo will I give you, and a new ſpirit will I put within you, and I will take away the ſtony heart out of your fleſh, and I will give you an heart of fleſh.