Gods Call from Heaven Echoed, Part 2 · Chapter 5
CHAP. V. 4. Ʋſe for comfort.
IN the next place this doctrine ſmiles upon thoſe that are gracious, and ſpeaks comfortably S. 1 to the heart of them. If the Lord do effectually call his predeſtinated, then here is good news for thoſe that are effectually called; much honey may be ſqueezed into their mouths out of this comb. The Babylonian Date-tree, they ſay, bears above an hundred ſeveral commodities; ſo doth this doctrine hang full of choice fruit of comfort for God's people. Sorrow many times doth ſit as Queen-regent in the hearts of God's people, and they too much give way thereto, not conſidering thoſe arguments which might refreſh their ſpirits, and are overcome thereby becauſe Dolorem vinces, ſi te contra dolorem intenderis.they ſet not themſelves againſt it. But take this cordial, thou that art a Saint; and gather up theſe flowers which I ſhall caſt before thee, and bind them up into a ſweet ſmelling and refreſhing poſey. Theſe enſuing conſiderations, if well thought on, may be means of thy great conſolation.
1. The ſtedfaſtneſſe of concluſion.
2. The ſureneſſe of ſalvation.
3. The ſafety of perſwaſion.
4. The certainty of conjunction.
5. A ſpecial benediction.
6. The ſpring of action.
7. A ſign of affection.
8. A ſingular condition.
1. The ſtedfaſtneſſe of concluſion: Such S. 2 may conclude that they are elected and predeſtinated; the foundation is laid, and it is lawful for them to go on with the building: God is come into their hearts in time, and therefore they may conclude that they were in his thoughts from eternity; ſuch have choſen God, and therefore may be confident that God hath choſen them. Thou who art a Saint, haſt ben it may be moſt of thy days toſſed up and down upon the unruly ſea of deſpair, and couldeſt never yet reach the cape of good hope, nor ſee land; but conſider thou the work of God upon thee in ſanctification, and thou mayſt eaſily collect his will concerning thee in election; for what is done upon thine heart, is but the copy of God's decree concerning Omnis gratia gratis data est manifeſtatio gratiae gratum facientis. Aquin.thee from eternity, and the counter-pane of his everlaſting thoughts: to them, who are called according to his purpoſe, Rom. 8. 28. It is the product of his purpoſe, the execution of his intention. To have a certain token of predeſtination, is a tranſcendent priviledge. With ſuch a conſideration doth the Lord comfort Jeremiah, ſaying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, &c. Jer. 1. 5. Would not the knowledge of predeſtination be ſuch a fire as would make thee through hot? would it not make thee to hold up thine head with comfort and cheer, and revive thee though thou wert ready to give up the ghoſt? nay, there are no men and women in the world that can conclude they are elected but you. If the divine nature be wrought in your heart, you may 2 Pet. 1. 4.conclude that your name is written in heaven; and the concluſion will be ſo ſtrong, that you may lay your whole weight upon it, and it will not bend under you. If you be made conformable to God's Law, you may affirm you are inrolled in the heavenly liſt; which to know is the bond of ſpiritual peace, a bulwark againſt adverſity; ſo that you may from under the wing of ſuch apprehenſions and concluſions, laugh to ſcorn approaching annoyances. Who in their right minds but would account it a very cheap pennyworth, if they could purchaſe the knowledge of election, though with the expenſe of the world? which none can have but the holy, none can reach but the renewed. None can conclude they are in God's roll, but thoſe that walk according to God's rule. None can conclude they are predeſtinated, but they that are purified. What a ſtaff to ſtay thee? a cordial to comfort thee? a rock to reſt on then haſt thou, who art in an eſtate of grace? Thou art through grace partaker of ſaving converſion, thank God for thy portion of ſtable concluſions: Thou canſt make ſuch a Syllogiſm, which will poſe many good Schollers.
2. The ſureneſſe of ſalvation: Thou who S. 3 art ſanctified, art as ſure of ſalvation as if thou hadſt it already: Thou haſt the ground, though not the act of aſſurance; living gracionſly, Beatitudo noſtra futura, non praeſens.thou mayſt be ſure thou ſhalt live gloriouſly; and though thou haſt not eternal life in preſent poſſeſſion, yet thou haſt it in future reverſion. Thou art a Saint on earth, thou mayſt be ſure thou ſhalt be a Saint in heaven: Thou art one of the Church militant in truth, there is no queſtion but thou ſhalt be one of the Church triumphant in the end: Thou art pure wheat in God's field, thou ſhalt aſſuredly be gathered into his garner; being made a new creature, thou haſt hope ſure and ſtedfaſt, as an anchor of the ſoul, which Heb. 6. 19.entreth into that within the vail. The Apoſtle tells the Epheſians, that they were called in one Epheſ. 4. 4.hope of their calling. Effectual calling gives hope of eternal crowning. As thou mayſt look backward and ſee what thou waſt from eternity, (as we have ſhewed) ſo thou mayſt look forward, and ſee what thou ſhalt be to eternity. Thou art upon that ſtream which will undoubtedly carry thee down into the Ocean of bliſſe. Thou art in that way which will aſſuredly (maugre the Divel and all his devices) lead to the gates of the City of God. Heaven is entailed upon holineſſe, and the crown is appointed for the converts head: what though doubts beſet thee in thy road, (like high-way men) and thou art moleſted with the invaſion of fears? yet thou ſhalt get home ſafe at laſt, and arrive at thy deſired haven. If while thou live thou be tranſlated from darkneſſe to light, from death to life, ſurely when thou dieſt thou ſhalt be tranſlated from earth to heaven. If thou go not to heaven, none 1 Pet. 4. 18. Jus ad rem, non in re.ſhall. It is true, the righteous ſhall ſcarcely be ſaved, and it is as true, the righteous ſhall ſurely be ſaved. Though thou be not in heaven, yet thou haſt a right to it. The conveyance is made and ſigned, and ſealed; it is a deed of gift to thee, to have and to hold for ever; and there is no variableneſſe, nor ſhadow of turning with the Lord; you that Jam. 1. 17.are godly, take your bread and eat it with thankſgiving; you that are ungodly, hands off. I ſpeak not to you all, but only to the altered: This meſſe is only for Benjamins; you have ſo much ground to be ſure of eternal life, that you are already upon the borders of the Land of Canaan; for grace is glory begun; and this is life eternal, to know God and Chriſt whom he hath ſent. Though the Joh. 17. 3. Gratia nihil aliud est, quam quaedam inchoatio gloriae in nobis. Aquin. Heb. 11. 1.ſtorms come, and the waves ariſe, yet you ſhall not be caſt away; you may be as ſure of immortality, as of that whereof already you have the actual enjoyment: For, faith is, and ſhould be the ſubſtance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not ſeen, and ſhould make that preſent which is abſent; that neer which is far off. If word, promiſes, oath of God, are ſufficient grounds for any to lean on, then you may build upon it that you ſhall have Heb. 6. 17.heaven no leſſe then if you had it.
3. The ſafety of perſwaſion: When ſuch S. 4 have perſwaſions of comfort, they are uſually from the ſpirit, and are right. The wicked perſwade themſelves that they are alive to God, that they are beloved of God, but ſuch perſwaſions are but falſe fires; and they do only in their dream ſay, Aha, I am warm, I have ſeen the fire: They lull their ſpirits aſleep with Siren ſongs; and their perſwaſions are no other than Satans deluſions, and their ſouls deſtruction. Full and compleat comfort thou canſt not expect, who art in an eſtate of grace; for while in this valley, thou art never like to ſee the clear face of the Sun of comfort without a ſhowre, ſuch happineſſe being reſerved for the upper region of glory, which is free from theſe changes. Here hope and deſpair keep viciſſitudes, and alternate courſe: But when this Sun ſhines upon thine head, thou mayſt have cauſe to think it is the Spirit's Rom. 8. 14, 15, 16.hand that removes the cloud. For the Apoſtle joyns the Spirit's witneſſe, and the Spirit's works together. The Spirit's comfortable perſwaſions, and gracious operations he links together: not but that God's people may conclude comfort upon a falſe ground. However, the matter of the concluſion is firm, though the manner be not in form; and when they have ſecret intimations, and ſpecial apprehenſions of the pardon of their ſins, of their part in the. Covenant, it is true as a propoſition, though not as a concluſion; becauſe ſuch things do belong only to ſuch as are good. They may weakly conclude ſometimes, but they do not wickedly conclude: what an happineſſe now is that for a man or woman to be in ſuch a condition, wherein, if they have ſuppoſitions of divine acceptation, they do not miſſe the mark, when others do no leſſe than hazard their ſouls by ſuch thoughts. If thou ſay thy ſins are pardoned, the Spirit will own thee in it, and add the reſponſal, and ſay, thine iniquities ſhall be remembred no more. To have right perſwaſions is a great mercy, to have wrong is a great miſery; if you think God's countenance is upon you, his covenant towards you, your thoughts agree with the thing. Due perſwaſions of comfort are the peculiar portion of the Saints.
4. Certainty of union: Such are indeed S. 5 united to Chriſt, and are one with him. What greater happineſſe can there be than to be Prima unio hominis ad Deum est per fidem. Aquin.one with the Prince of peace? for poor glimmering ſtars to be united to the Sun of righteouſneſſe is no ſmall preferment; for empty ciſterns to be partners with the full fountain, is no mean advancement. Saints are one with Chriſt, not by identification, but conjunction; not by commutation of ſubſtance, but by application of faith; not by material commixion, but by myſterious copulation; for duſt and aſhes to be united to an immortal Mediator is a great matter. Believer, Chriſt hath not only united thy perſon to himſelf hypoſtatically, but thy nature alſo myſtically. The neereſt and ſtrongeſt relations on earth are made uſe of as emblems to ſhadow out the noble conjunction between a Chriſtian and his Chriſt in heaven. When you were effectually called, you were called into the lap, boſome, and heart of Chriſt. You were called to be girt to him with the girdle of faith, faſtened with the knot of trueſt and indiſſoluble love; Chriſt is in thee, and thou art in Chriſt. Chriſt and others are as far aſunder as Eaſt from Weſt, and North from South, whereas thou and Chriſt art as neer as may be. Thoſe muſt needs be ſafe, that are ſo neer to Chriſt; and muſt needs laſt as long as Chriſt. Thou art alſo partner with Chriſt; as himſelf, ſo all that is his is thine: By whom ye were called unto the fellowſhip of his Son 1 Cor. 1. 9.Jeſus Chriſt. Thoſe that are converted to Chriſt, are confederates with Chriſt: thoſe that are found in him, have fellowſhip with him; when Chriſt joyns ſouls to himſelf in a ſpiritual marriage, he makes them a fair joynture of his whole eſtate. He gives for a dowry to his Spouſe, no leſſe than a part in his whole poſſeſſion. Where there is purification by Chriſt's ſpirit, there is participation of Chriſt's merit; and can the world afford a portion anſwerable to this? What wouldſt thou, what canſt thou have more than this? Believing, beloved ſoul, know what thy ſtate and thy priviledge is, that thou mayſt rejoyce in the Lord, and that the joy of the Lord may be thy ſtrength. Can you think of this and not triumph? can you have this in ſerious meditation, and not be raiſed with joyful admiration? If joy and comfort belong to any, Est gaudium, quod non datur impiis, ſed eis, qui te gratis colunt.then certainly to the Saints; and if upon any, then upon this account of their union with and intereſt in Chriſt. Surely it cannot but make thee ſtrain the ſtrings one note higher in thy ſpiritual muſick, to think of this. There is a precious Pearl called an Union: This union with Chriſt is no doubt a Pearl of great price; better than any that ever yet adorned the head of greateſt Princes. It is the choice flower in your ſpiritual garland; the gloriouſeſt feather in all your plume. It is ſuch a dignity, that but a few attain unto. The name of union is ſweet, the nature of it is advantagious, of what nature ſoever it be, whether natural, civil, &c. It is the ſupporter and the ſafety of people and places: What then is union with Jeſus Chriſt? fellowſhip with the Son, and by him with the Father? Therefore comfort thy ſelf with this conſideration, thou converted ſoul.
5. A ſpecial benediction: To be effectually S. 6 called is a very great bleſſing. Bleſſedneſſe we once had, but by the fall have loſt it. It is the Load-ſtone of our deſires, but what it is, or the way thereunto we know not; yet through grace it is given in the work of grace; which is,
1. The matter of bleſſedneſſe.
2. The means to bleſſedneſſe.
1. The matter of bleſſedneſſe: Converſion S. 7 without contradiction is benediction. To be Si vis eſſe beatus, eſto immaculatus.made a new creature is the bleſſing of bleſſings. To be turned from ones ſins is a bleſſing in it ſelf. So ſaith the Apoſtle, Ʋnto you firſt, God having raiſed up his Son Jeſus, ſent him to bleſſe you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities, Acts 3. 26. Some think bleſſedneſſe is to be found in mines of riches, in mountains of honour; others think to find it in the path of pleaſure, in the way of their own will. But it is the gracious perſon upon whoſe head the Scripture ſets the crown of bleſſedneſſe: That ſaith not, that the parted, or potent, that the wiſe, or witty, that the rich, or riotous, but that the pious are bleſſed: that which all ſeek for thou haſt found; that which others would have but want, thou haſt and enjoyeſt in truth: would you have more then bleſſedneſſe, then real bleſſedneſs? Thou mayſt joy thy ſelf for thy happineſſe. The Angels in Luke 15. 10heaven clap their wings for gladneſs at the thoughts of thy bleſſedneſs in converſion. If thy felicity glad their hearts, ſhall it not comfort thine own? If no greater curſe than to be the Divels ſlave, than ſure no greater bleſſing then to be God's ſervant. Theodoſius accounted it his happineſſe that he was a ſubject of Chriſt, rather than that he was Soveraign of the Eaſt. Let your condition be what it will otherwiſe, the curſe is gone, the bleſſing is come to your door, to your boſome, if you be in an eſtate of grace. Account not thy ſelf unbleſſed becauſe thou haſt not every thing that thou wouldſt have, ſince thou haſt that one thing that thou ſhouldſt have. Thou mayſt well ſay, The lines are fallen to me in Pſal. 16. 6.pleaſant places, yea, I have a goodly heritage, ſeeing thou art tranſlated from the Land of the dead into the Land of the living. Though others have got the veniſon, yet thou haſt got the beniſon. Though others have got the world, yet thou haſt got the true wealth. Though others have got the bleſſing of earth, yet thou haſt got the bleſſing of heaven. Though they have the nether, yet thou haſt the upper ſprings.
2. It is the means to bleſſedneſſe: Effectual S. 8 calling is big with bleſſings; pardon of ſin, adoption, the promiſes, glory, are all the poſterity, and lie in the womb of effectual calling; ſo that thou mayſt hear the voice of the Lord, ſaying to thee, as Iſaac to Eſau concerning Jacob, I have bleſſed thee, and thou Gen 27. 33.ſhalt be bleſſed. From this mount Nebo, from this top of Piſgah, mayſt thou view all the good land round about; without converſion no man or woman can be bleſſed, for the promiſes, which are the ſeeds of bleſſings, are made to grace; Knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye ſhould inherit a bleſſing. No inheritance 1 Pet. 3. 9.without this evidence: If the forgiveneſſe of thy ſins, the favour of God to thy ſoul be not a bleſſing, what is? now the work of grace upon the heart is the ſtair, the aſcent to this throne of happineſſe. Thou canſt not get up into the tree of life, and ſhake ſoul-ſatisfying fruit into thy boſome without this ladder. Thou canſt not attain to ſaving weal without this ſanctifying work. Thou canſt never get to the top of glory without the ſtaff of grace viruled with the righteouſneſſe of Jeſus Chriſt. Thou canſt not be a loved Son, unleſſe thou be a living Saint; many fondly preſume, and think to commence and take the degree of glory per ſaltum, neglecting grace: but it is the path, the way thereto; ſuch as meet not with God in their heart, ſhall never meet with God in heaven. Thou that haſt grace, haſt that threed which will undoubtedly lead thee into the bowre of bliſſe. This compaſſe will not fail thee, but bring thee to the port, where thou needeſt fear neither billow nor blaſt. Thy patent is ſigned and paſt, whereby heaps and numberleſſe ſums of felicity are freely given thee out of the Exchequer of grace. This gale will bring thee to the Iſle of peace; upon Beatus vir, qui per poenitentiam ad meliora converſus est.this ſilver ſtream thou ſhalt with ſafety ſlide into the boſome of the quiet Key. This is the way, the road to all the Scripture calls beatitude. The fee ſimple of true bleſſedneſſe is given to the godly, pious, truly penitent ſoul.
6. The ſpring of action: You are now in S. 9 ſuch a condition, that you can act and do ſomething for God. Now thou art indued with a ſpirit that is quick and active, like the higheſt element, that finds no reſt but in travel, nor contentment but in the painful labours of worthy actions. To do for the Creator is as great dignity almoſt as the creature can attain to; to be inſtrumental to his glory, to be ſubſervient to his praiſe, is a great preferment. To be agent for God, to be factor for heaven, is a choice flower in a Saints garden, a chief diamond in his diademe. Now thou haſt a talent to trade for God with; ſuch a principle whereby thou canſt act ſome ſuitable part in his ſervice. The Apoſtle beſeecheth the Epheſians that they would walk Epheſ. 4. 1.worthy of the vocation wherewith they were called. Thoſe that have life, can do the works of living men and women for their living God. When we are ſick, then we think what we would do for God if we were well. Thou that haſt grace art ſpiritually well, and haſt ability from God to work the works of God. The wicked can neither think, ſpeak, nor do for God; when thou canſt do all theſe things, through that grace that God hath beſtowed upon thee. It is true nobility, and the only Summa apud Deum nobilitas est, clarum eſſe virtutibus.advancement of a man, or a woman, to be fruitful in good works and duties towards God. Thou haſt cauſe to account it thy glory, and thy crown of rejoycing, that thou haſt an heart or hand to move towards, or do ought for God. Thoſe that are in their ſins are dead, and can do nothing. Thou that art a Saint art alive, and canſt do ſomething. Thou canſt be a means to promote the glory, to predicate the greatneſs of the Lord. To be able to pray, read, hear, ſpeak, believe, oppoſe ſin, ſtand up in the behalf of grace, is more by far then to be endowed with talents and abilities for temporal and ſecular undertakings. One action done for God from grace, is of more worth then all the atchievements of the moſt eminent without grace. When David and his people offered freely to the building of the Temple, he was much affected and taken with it, acknowledging that he and they were unworthy to be dignified with ability of doing thus for God, 1 Chron. 29. 13, 14.
7. A ſign of affection: To be delivered from the Law of ſin, is a demonſtration of the S. 10 love of God. To be made willing to good, is a manifeſtation of God's good will. The ſouls love to God, is but an effect of God's love to the ſoul. We love him becauſe he firſt Prior Deus dilexit nos, …us tantum, & gratis, tantillos, & tales.loved us, 1 John 4. 19. Now thoſe that are effectually called do love God, for the Apoſtle joyns them together. Thoſe that love God, and that are the called according to his purpoſe, Rom. 8. 28. If the Lord's heart had not been towards thee, he would never have drawn thy heart towards himſelf. Where the Lord hath been pleaſed to hang out this ſign of grace and a change, thou mayſt aſſure thy ſelf, there is ſtore of love in his boſome toward thee. The work of ſpiritual life in thee, is the fruit of God's working love to thee. Had not the Lord loved thee, he would never have done thus for thee: what cauſe of comfort then is there to thee, who haſt the love of God tranſcribed upon thy heart? gracious diſpoſitions flow from God's gracious affections; and thoſe to whom the Lord giveth ſaving and ſanctifying grace, are his Benjamins, his darlings. Thoſe that can make out that they are in a living condition, may conclude God's loving inclination. If the Lord have changed thy nature, and renewed thy heart, thou mayſt look upon it as a love-token, with this poſey, or inſcription, I love thee freely. In theſe clear waters of grace, thou mayſt ſee the ſmiling ſerene face of heaven. In this book thou mayſt read whole Chapters of God's good will. And is it not a comforting cordial to know that one is in God's books, in his favour? Be glad and rejoyce, for the Lord loveth thee; one dram of God's ſpecial love is ſuch a pearl, that the whole world is not able to weigh againſt. The Angel in his ſalutation to Mary Luke 1. 28, 30.ſaith, Haile thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee. So may it be ſaid to thee, If Chriſt and grace be conceived and formed in thy ſoul, it is a ſign thou haſt found favour with the Lord.
8. A ſingular condition: There is no eſtate S. 11 like to an eſtate of grace. There are degrees of honour in the world, but this above them all; and the divine Heraldry will give it the firſt place. The Apoſtle calls it the high calling of God in Jeſus Chriſt, Phil. 3. 14. The Angels in heaven have not an higher calling, ſaith one. Mr. Burroughs of contentment, page 177.Thou art called to be a ſon, a daughter, a ſpouſe to Jeſus Chriſt, a Prieſt, a King. Thou mayſt well take the wall of all ranks and conditions in the world: The Princes, Potentates, and great men of the world think they move in a lofty ſphere, but thou that haſt grace art in the higheſt Orb. Thy calling is to have fellowſhip with Angels, communion with God, union to Chriſt. Thou art called to be one of the heavenly Court, a child of ſalvation, and an heir of happineſſe. There is no calling in the world comparable to thine; other are earthly callings, but this is an heavenly; they are to temporal good, but this to eternal grace; they to worldly accommodations, but this to worthy relations. Since God hath called thee to an eſtate of grace, he hath called thee to a better condition, than if he had ſet the beſt made tranſitory crown upon thine head. As thou art a man thy condition may be low, but as thou art a Saint it is lofty. Though there be rich Shop-keepers in chief Cities, yet thou art an humble door-keeper in the houſe of God; though others be outwardly called to Nobility, yet thou art inwardly called to Piety. Set the flowre of your comfort in this pot of water, and it will not wither, but hold freſh a great while. Thou mayſt ſing to think that the Lord hath raiſed up thee a poor creature out of the duſt, and lifted thee a needy ſoul out of the dunghil of Pſal. 113. 7, 8.a natural condition, that by grace he might ſet thee with Princes, even with the Princes of his own people. The calling of a Saint in order and degree, is the firſt and chief, and hath the preheminence of all the callings of the world.