Crumbs of Bread for the Dove in the Clefts of the Rock, Section 3
SECT. III. Of the Exerciſe of Grace, Spirituall activity, growth, progreſſe, and perſeverance in ſanctification, and holy converſation.
WE have ſeen the Convert in his exerciſe and progreſſe of Mortification, in the next place it is meet to conſider him in his exerciſe, progreſſe, and perſeverance in Sanctification, and holy converſation. For in that alſo the Word which is accordng to Godlineſſe doth repreſent him to us. See Gen. 17.1 Eph. 2.10. Eph. 4.20, 21, 22. &c. Eph. 5.8, 9. &c. Phil. 1.27 2 Pet. 3. 1 Cor. 15. Rom. 2.7. Heb. 12.14. Rev. 22.14. and reaſon good; Eph. 1.4. Titus 2.14. Eph. 2.10. Gal 5.15. Rem. 8.1. 1 Pet. 1. Rev. 22.14 &c. Eph. 1.4. Heb. 8.10. Eph. 5.25.for to this he is elected, redeemed, called, anew created, and made partaker of the ſpirit of holineſſe. This is the evidence of his Juſtification, the quality of his Adoption, his way, and walke towards the Kingdome and Salvation. This is the deſigne of the methods of Grace towards him, the covenant of Grace eſtabliſhed with him, the means of Grace beſtowed upon him, the word of grace without him, the principle of grace within him. Gal. 5.15. 1 Pet. 1.14. Eph. 5.1. Rom. 6. 1 Cor. 5.7, 8. Rom. 12.1. Heb. 12 10 Gal. 4.19. 2 Cor. 5.14. 2 Cor. 6.17 Pſ. 119. 1 Joh. 3.3. 1 Joh. 1.5, 6.This, the Relations whereinto he is entred, the Profeſſion he hath made, the ſacraments of which he hath been partaker, the mercies he hath received, the miſeries that he hath felt, the pangs of the new Birth which he hath paſt through, the tokens of Divine Love vouchſafed, the ſeparation of his ſoule from Sin and Sinners, the dedication of his perſon and all to God and Godlineſſe, the hopes and promiſes of everlaſting life and bleſſedneſſe, the tenor of the Goſpell, all his priviledges, and particularly his union and communion with Jeſus Chriſt by faith, do call for all at his hands. Iſ. 6.3.Beſides, Holineſſe is no leſſe lovely then neceſſary. It is in its originall the glory and perfection of all the Divine Attributes, eſſentiall in each perſon of the holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghoſt; the Character of the name, Gen. 1. Eph. 4. Pſal. 15. Rev. 21. 2 Cor. 1.12 1 Joh. 4. 1 Joh. 1. begin: Iſ. 56.nature, will, word, and works of God; the beauty of mans firſt Creation, the intention of the ſecond; the delight of God, the ſtate of Heaven. Adde, the bleſſed fruits, effects, and comforts of it are no leſſe deſireable; as the evidence of the love of God, the grace of Chriſt, and the communion of the holy Ghoſt. How doth it fit us (through Chriſt) for acceſſe to God, converſes with him, Pſ. 50. u…. &c. Joh. 14.21. Rev. 2.more abundant tokens and teſtimonies of love and favour from him: the peace of conſcience, the joy in the holy Ghoſt, and the foretasts of bleſſedneſſe and glory that do attend it, who is able to expreſſe them? but we may not enlarge in ſuch diſcourſes on it. It is to be ſuppoſed, that our Regenerate perſon is abundantly convinced of its neceſſity, Pſ. 110.3. Cant. 1.4.and that he hath felt its powers, and taſted its ſweetneſſes, and been attracted by its beauties, and is reſolved for its exerciſes here, and full enjoyments hereafter, and needs only ſome directions for it. Accordingly theſe that follow may be improved in generall, and in particular
1 Get the Habit of Grace and Sanctification (infuſed in regeneration,) 1 Pet. 2.2. Pſ. 42. & 84. & 63.the new creature to be fed, nouriſhed, and preſerved: by the uſe, and bleſſing of God on the uſe of the meanes of grace, by removing out of the heart whatſoever might afflict or hinder it, weaken it or diſturb it, 1 Pet. 2. Math. 13. Rev. 12.much more what hath immediate tendency to murther it and deſtroy it; and that is Sin, the World, and Sathan. Adde faith, and earneſt prayer to the God of all grace for the renewed influences of the ſpirit of grace, Pſ. 119.the accompliſhment of the promiſes in the covenant of Grace, Iſ. 35. Ezek. 36.26. Joh. 1.18.and a liberall communication from Chriſt Jeſus the fulneſs and treaſury of grace.
2. Be well acquainted with the compaſs of the activity of Grace: Eph. 5.17.what is expected from you in your capacity, both in heart and life, towards God, and man, and your own ſouls, Tit. 2.12.the ſeverall waies of duty, and the exerciſes of grace, in every relation, condition, Pſ. 119calling, time, and place, &c. eſpecially, ſet the law and word of God, as the rule of life and of the new creature before you, that it may direct you; ſeeking earneſtly withall to God for his Holy ſpirit to guide you, Pſ. 43.3. Rom. 8.14.and lead you according to his word into waies of holyneſſe and obedience which are well pleaſing to him, and in his ſight.
3. When you have ſound out the will of God, Math. 6.10 Exod. 20. 2 Cor. 5.14. 2 Cor. 7.1.and the way of duty, and the work of grace, reſigne your ſelves both ſoule and body, and all that you are and have, to God, and to his pleaſure: conſidering his authority over you, his love to you, and his promiſes before you, for acceptance, reward, and help: and as ſoules devoted to his pleaſure, inflamed with his love, and overpowred by his ſpirit, apply your ſelves to the exerciſe of graces, and the performance of duties, without delaies, demurres, Pſal. 119. Pſ. 110.3. Gen. 17.1. Pſ. 119.6. Epp. 5.15. 2 Pet. 1.5. 1 Cor. 15. 1 Cor. 10.31. Gal. 6.16. Gal. 5.15. 2 Cor. 7.1. Rom. 12.2.reluctancie, exceptions, reaſonings, moſt freely and readily, moſt ſincerely and faithfully, moſt fully and unreſervedly, moſt exactly and accurately, moſt diligently and induſtriouſly, moſt reſelvedly and conſtantly.
4. In every undertaking, remember the end Gods glory, the rule Gods word, the principle Gods Spirit, the encouragement, Gods promiſe, the manner, as unto God well pleaſing; and in a word, the all in all Chriſt Jeſus, to direct and ſtrengthen you, Col. 170. Col. 1.28. Joh. 15.5.and to render perfect and acceptable to God, both your perſon and performance in his own mediation and interceſſion, without him you can do nothing.
5. In the exerciſe of Grace, theſe following are Eſpecially to be intended, though none neglected, As 1. Pro. 17.3.The vitall and fundamentall graces towards God and Chriſt, as knowledg, faith, love, repentance, Mal. 3.16.obedience, &c. Act and exerciſe your knowledg, in holy and honourable, Pſ. 1.2.3.right and reverentiall, Rom. 4.20. 1 Pe. 1.24.filial and fiduciall thoughts of God; your faith on the truth of his being, the greatneſſe of his power, the fulneſſe of his bleſſedneſſe, the treaſures of his mercies; the infiniteneſſe of his wiſdome, but eſpecially his Grace in Chriſt, with the freeneſſe, fulneſſe, Joh. 14.1. Pſ. 23.firmeneſſe of his promiſes; the extent, power, and tenderneſſe of his providence, and ſo towards Chriſt. Your Acts knowledg and Faith in thoughts on him, Gal. 2.20.choice of him, reſignations to him, dependance upon him. Pſ. 84. Pſ. 37. Pſ. 40.8. Pſ. 73. Pſ. 77. Pſ. 19. Pſ. 31. Luk 15. Fſal. 119. Lords …rayer. 1 Sam. 15. Luk. 22. Brov. 4.23.Act your love, deſiring his preſence, his bleſſings, his honour and glory; devoting your ſoules to him, and delighting in him and in his ſervice, &c. Act your repentance, in Griefe for ſin (yea even of infirmitie, and imperfection, and that in your very graces.) Abhorrency of evill, Humiliations in the ſence of vileneſſe and ſinfulneſſe, renewed and that howerly Converſions to him. Act your obedience in frequent ſubjections unto his will revealed in his word or works. 2. Have a ſpeciall heed to the Government of the ſeverall powers and faculties of your ſoules, Heb. 9.12.their Diſpoſitions and their operations; that all may be regular. 1. In the ſight of God, the ſearcher of the heart. Rom. 7.2. According to the rule of the Word, which commands not only the outward, but the inward man. 3. Within is the principle ſeat of all ſanctifying grace, and from thence gives it forth its commands and influences throughout the whole man. It is an excellent ſubject, and but little inſiſted on, the government of the underſtanding, conſcience, will, memory, affections &c. their proper actings in a way of grace and duty. For your help in this, See Ball of Godlineſſe, ſomething alſo there is to this purpoſe, in Penner on Conſcience and the Affections, and as I take it, in Reyners Rules, think well upon it. 4. Rom. 6.19.What if we adde to this the government of the ſences, and to them of the whole man, and all the members.
4. Look to the acting of thoſe graces, which are next to the vitall and fundamentall Graces; or, if you will, Col. 1.10. Col. 2.6.the branches of them, and attendants upon them, that ſo you may abound. 1. In every Grace; 2. In the various actings of the ſame Grace. 3. In the connexion of graces, and 4ly, Their actings in ſeverall caſes. as Humility, Meekneſs, Patience, Heavenlineſs, Charity, Selfe-deniall, Hope, &c. Give all and every grace its place and order, its time and ſeaſon, its life and power, it's meaſure and manner: Cant. 2.14. Cant. 4.7.this makes a beauty ſpirituall and glorious in the Countenance of the Chriſtian, whether in the frame within, or in the forme of the life and converſation without; That within to the eye of God, that without to the eye of God, Angels, and men.
5. Eph. 9. Rom. 13. 1 Pet. 2.12. Titus 2.10.Next to this, have a ſpeciall reſpect to the proper Actings of the Graces in your relations, publique or private; theſe are your duties, theſe will be your ornaments, will ſet forth the Goſpell, and returne unto you a gracious entertainment (through Chriſt) with God, as well as man.
6. Act your graces in Common converſes, thoſe particularly between man and man in dealing and trading, 1 Pet. 2.12. 1 Pro. 3 See Loves table of buying and trading.buying and ſelling, and all tranſactions: few conſider the extent of the ſecond table, with the obligation that it laies upon them, and how ſtraitly its bound on by Chriſt and his Apoſtles in the new Teſtament, as by Moſes and the Prophets in the old.
7. Mat. 0.0.Look to your ſelves and the actings of grace even in your leſſer matters, Rom. 13.as your eating, drinking, ſleeping, &c. apparell, recreation, &c. learn not only, in theſe to do nothing ſinfull, but alſo to Act your Graces, and to Glorify your God, and to approve your ſelfe a Chriſtian.
6. 1 Cor. 10.31.Dir. Labor not only to preſerve grace, and exerciſe it, but to grow in Grace and to Abound in it, both for the habit of grace, and for the exerciſe of grace, by this you will more abundantly glorify God, enrich your evidences, encreaſe your comfort, and greaten your reward: 1 Cor. 15. 2 Pet. 3. Pro. 15. 2 Pet. 1. Iſa. 35. 1 Pet. 2.2. Pro. 1.18.For this you have promiſes in the Goſpell, advantages in the ordinances, and helps from Chriſt; there's a fulneſſe with him, you have intereſt in him, you may apply your ſelves to him, and there need no queſtion, but you ſhall receive abundantly from him: only you muſt enlarge your deſires, and heighten your faith, and uſe the means: ch…riſhing the ſpirit, weeding out corruptions, and exerciſing your graces. Be much in prayer, Mat. 25.put in ſuit the promiſes, beg for influences; take heed of pride, and be humble, take heed of worldly mindedneſſe, and be heavenly, Phil. 3.20.be not careleſs in duties, but ſervent in ſpirit, ſerving the Lord: Rom. 12.Converſe much with the Scripture; warme, and enlarge your hearts with the ſence of the love of God and Chriſt, 2 Cor. 5. Rom. 5.5. Heb. 11.lock often towards the promiſed reward, keep in your eye the examples of the beſt Chriſtians, Heb. 12.1.2.but eſpecially Chriſt Jeſus, as your great example; reſt not in meaſures, Phil. 3.10.intend towards perfection and the ſtate of the reſurrection from the dead: Neglect the improvement of no grace, Jude 20.21.but eſpecially lay out in vitall graces; and for others, be moſt carefull for the moſt needfull, in your capacity and condition; the like where you are moſt weak: Be nothing in your ſelves be all in Chriſt: Rev. 3.2. Phil. 4.13.This is the way to encreaſe it in the habit; only further know, Eph. 1.21.22.that as grace abounds in the heart, ſo it need to do in the life. 1. In the frequent actings of the ſame graces, Eph. 4.7.as they are required. 2. In the diverſe actings of ſeverall graces, as the caſe may command it, Col. 1.10.And in the lively and vigorous actings of all. You have a reward enough to encourage all, 1 Cor. 15.you have waies enough to put forth all, you ſhall have grace of influence to furniſh all: Heb. 13.20, 21. … Theſ. 1.11, 12.you have ingagements enough from the love of God, the grace of Chriſt, the gift of the ſpirit, the promiſes of the Goſpell, the priveledges of Grace, the hopes of glory to provoke to all. Such things conſidered, and ſuch meanes uſed, will alſo ſerve to keep up your hearts in a lively frame of ſpirit, and readineſſe for duty and ſervice, this will quicken you when dull, enlarge when ſtraitned, and ſet all the wheeles of your ſoules on going.
Laſtly, Look to your ſtanding and perſeverance: 1 Theſ. 3.8. Pro. …ep. Heb. 6. Rev. 2. Heb. 10. Pſ. 51.Apoſtacies are dangerous; ſome are deſperate, the leaſt is too bad though you looſe not your crown, yet looſe not your comfort, your communion with God, your evidences, your earneſts, no nor your graces themſelves, Pſ. 51.29.thougſt in the leaſt degrees: you may looſe your Jewels, though not your crown; and the ſparks of diamonds the ſhings of gold, and the minute degrees of grace are too precious to be loſt. Therefore reglect not the meanes, Rev. 3.1.tak… he…a of omiſſions, watch againſt your temptation, ſit … looſe from Chriſt, abate not in your exerciſe: here withall remember, that you ſtand not by your own ſtrength, Rom. 11. 1 Pet. 1.25 3, 4, 5.but by the love of the father, the blood of the …, the power of the ſpirit, and the performance of the promiſe.
For this reflect on S…rmons of regeneration, John 3. at Petrocks; Walking in the ligh… at Mary-Moores on Joh. 12.35. and on Phil. 3 2. laſt v. and Noahs walking with God on Gen. 6 at Mary Arches, &c. you may find much more in Ball, of Godlineſs: Love, of grace; Burges his Spirituall refinings: Burroughs gracious ſpirit: Burroughs Converſation becoming the Goſpell, and his Heavenly Converſation. Bolton's Walking with God. T. Taylor circumſpect walking, and Biſhop Taylors Holy living. Gouge Of Relative duties, whole duty of man. Ambroſe Media. Goodwins growth in grace, &c. Cripplegate Exerciſe, Reyner, Henner. Reynolds life of God.