The Middle Things, Chapter 6

The Middle Things · Chapter 6

p. 117CHAP. 6.

SECT. I. Of the nature of Evidences.

THe Scriptures ſet out the ways of diſcovering things ſpiritual, by ſight and by taſte: By taſte, Experience is meant; and by ſight, faith, and aſſurance of faith is intended: Peter ſpeaks of taſting that the Lord is gracious; 1 Pet. 2.3. Heb. 11.27. Pſal. 34 8.1 Pet 2:3Heb 11:27Ps 34:8and Moſes by faith ſaw him which is inviſible: David joyns both together, O taſte and ſee that the Lord is good: Bleſſed is the man that truſteth in him. We have done with taſting, the next is ſeeing, which I call Aſſurance, or Evidence: Would we know what theſe Evidences are? I look at them as inherent and habitual obſervations of the Spirits actings in the Soul; of which the beloved Apoſtle ſpeaks ſo often, Hereby we know that we know him, 1 Iohn 2.3.1 John 2:3if we keep his Commandments.—We know that we have paſſed from death unto life, becauſe we love the Brethren: 1 Iohn 3.14. and 5.2. and 5.13.1 John 3:141 John 5:21 John 5:13— By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep his Commandments:—Theſe things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, 1 Cor. 2.12.1 Cor 2:12that ye may know that ye have eternal life; and the Apoſtle Paul, Now we have received, not the Spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

SECT 2. Of the gathering of Evidences.

NOw for Evidences (as Experiences) it is our duty

1. To gather them.

2. To improve them.

1. For the gathering of them, obſerve we

1. A right ſeaſon.

2. The right way.

1. Seaſons muſt be obſerved; for when thick miſts ſurround us, and black clouds cover us, we cannot ſo well judge either p. 118of our ſelves,Pſal. 77.2.Ps 77:2 or of our own concernments: David in deſertion refuſeth to be comforted; he ſpilt all the cordials and phyſick that was brought him, he was not onelyonly void of comfort, but refuſed it: What? bring me promiſes (will a Soul then ſay) you may as well carry them to one in Hell; What? are theſe the Evidences of Gods love? I ſee no ſuch thing, here's nothing but ſcruples, and doubts, and flaws: O how apt is ſuch a one at ſuch a time,Ionah 2.8.Jonah 2:8 to forſake his own mercy, to take Satans part, to plead againſt his own title, his own intereſt, in the beſt things he can have intereſt in: Now therefore, if we will draw a Book of Evidences, it is good to obſerve times, and ſuch precious opportunities of comforts and refreſhings as God vouchſafeth unto us.

2. The right way muſt be obſerved, and that conſiſts—

In eying

1. The precious promiſes of Chriſt.

2. The inward graces unto which thoſe promiſes are made.

3. The truth of thoſe graces written in our hearts.

4. The teſtimony of the Spirit, witneſsing with our ſpirits that we are the children of God.

1. We muſt eye the precious promiſes, and yet not ſo as that we muſt cloſe with them, or reſt on them alone, without ſeeking for, or cloſing with Chriſt in thoſe promiſes; the Promiſe is but the Casket, and Chriſt the Jewel in it; the Promiſe is but the field, and Chriſt the Pearl hid in it, and to be chiefly look'd at; the Promiſes are the means by which we are aſſured, not the things on which we are to reſt: It were folly for a man to think he hath an intereſt in an Heireſs Lands, becauſe by ſome means or other he hath got the writings of her Eſtate into his hands; all know that the intereſt of the Lands goes with her perſon, and with relation of marriage to her, otherwiſe without a title to her ſelf, all the writings may juſtly be fetched out of his hands again; ſo it is with the Promiſes, they hang all upon Chriſt, and without him there is no intereſt to be had in them.

2. We muſt eye the inward graces to which the Promiſes are made, not that we muſt be too much carried away with the ſigns of Chriſt in our hearts, and not after Chriſt himſelf; as p. 119pleaſures that are lawful in themſelves, may be unlawfully uſed, when our thoughts and intentions are too long, or too frequent, or too vehement in them; ſo that to dead the heart either to the preſent delighting in God, or purſuing after him with the joynt ſtrength of our Souls, as our onelyonly chiefeſt good; ſo an immoderate recourſe unto ſigns (barely conſidered as ſuch) is as unwarrantable, when thereby we are diverted, and taken off from a more conſtant actual exerciſe of daily thoughts of Faith towards Chriſt immediately, as he is ſet forth to be our Righteouſneſs; and yet the mindes of many are ſo wholly taken up with their own hearts, that as the Pſalmiſt ſays of God, Chriſt is ſcarce in all their thoughts: Let theſe conſider, what diſhonor this will be to Chriſt, that his train and favorites (our Graces) ſhould have a fuller court, and more frequent attendance from our hearts then himſelf, who is the King of glory: Now to rectifie this error, the way is not wholly to reject all uſes of ſuch Evidences, but to order them rightly; as thus,—

1. Let not the uſe of graces go before, but follow after an addreſs of Faith firſt renewed, and acts of Faith firſt put forth upon Chriſt himſelf: Thus whenſoever we would go down into our own hearts, and take a view of our graces, let us be ſure firſt to look wholly out of our ſelves unto Chriſt, as our Juſtification, and to cloſe with him immediately, as if we had no preſent or by-paſt grace to evidence our being in him; and if then (whiles Faith is thus immediately claſping about Chriſt) we finde either preſent or forepaſt graces coming in, as handmaids, to attend and witneſs to the truth of this adherence unto Chriſt, this will derogate nothing from Chriſts honor, or the Doctrine of Free-grace.

2. Let us in the cloſure of all, begin afreſh to act Faith upon Chriſt immediately, with a redoubled ſtrength; as Faith ſhould give a leading to the uſe of Graces, ſo the ſight of our Graces ſhould be as a back-door to let Faith in again, to converſe with Chriſt: Even as at the Sacrament, the elements of Bread and Wine, are but outward ſigns to bring Chriſt and the heart together, and then Faith lets the outward elements go, and cloſeth and treats immediately with Chriſt: So grace is an inward ſign; and whiles men make uſe of it, onelyonly as of a bare ſign to let them come in to Chriſt, and their rejoycing is not in it originally, p. 120but in Chriſt; their confidence is not upon it, but upon Chriſt: There is no danger at all in making ſuch uſe of ſigns; for thus we make our Graces ſubordinate and ſubſervient to Faith, whileſt it makes Chriſt its Alpha and Omega, The beginning and the end of all. I know it is ſtrongly objected againſt Chriſtians, That many forget, and ſeldom uſe an intire, immediate cloſe with Chriſt, whileſt in the mean time the ſtream of their moſt conſtant thoughts and deepeſt intentions, are ever running upon their Graces, and the gracious workings thereof in duties towards Chriſt: Others on the contrary run all on Chriſt, deſpiſing the Graces of the Spirit, becauſe (ſay they) Chriſt is all in all to them; ſo that if we ask ſuch, Have you any Grace, change of heart? &c. tuſh, what do you tell them of Repentance, Holineſs, &c. they have Chriſt, and that is ſuffient; they have the ſubſtance, and what ſhall they now do with ſhadows of Ordinances, Duties, Graces? they have all in Chriſt, what ſhould they look for Evidences, from any Graces inherent in themſelves? O let thoſe mourn over themſelves, that have with much affection been ſeeking after Chriſts benefits, peace of conſcience, holineſs of heart and life, but have not ſought firſt and laſt to embrace, and have the perſon of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt himſelf; and let ſuch tremble, who in advancing Chriſt himſelf, and Free-grace, will needs aboliſh and deſpiſe thoſe heavenly Graces which flow from him unto all the Elect: The Law of God is written on the heart of Chriſt, Heb. 10.7.Heb. 10.7. with Pſ. 40 8.Heb 10:7Ps 40:8 and if ever he wraps us up in the Covenant of Grace, He will write his Law in our hearts alſo, Heb. 8.10.Heb. 8.10.Heb 8:10 The right way for both, is to order their Evidences aright, and by this courſe Graces will have their due, and the life of Faith will ſtill be actually maintained and kept upon wing, in its full ure and exerciſe towards Chriſt alone for Juſtification.

Queſt. Why would not ſome men have Grace or Sanctification an Evidence?

Anſw. In ſome it ariſeth from their luſts, which they have a minde to live quietly in, deſirous to keep their peace, and yet unwilling to forſake their luſts; and hence they exclude this Witneſs of water or Sanctification, to teſtifie in the Court of Conſcience; in others, I think it doth not ariſe from want of grace, but becauſe the Spirit of Grace and Sanctification runs very low in them; p. 121it can ſpeak little, and that little very darkly and obſcurely for them, therefore they have no great minde that it ſhould be brought in as any witneſs for them; others I think may have much Grace, yet for a time they caſt it by as an Evidence unto them, becauſe they have Experience how difficult and troubleſom it is to finde this Evidence, and when 'tis found, how troubleſom to read it, and keep it fair, and thereby to have conſtant peace and quietneſs: And hence ariſe thoſe ſpeeches, Why do you look to your Sanctification? it is a blotted Evidence, you may have it to day, and loſe it to morrow, and then where is your peace? Theſe men, becauſe they feel not that meaſure of Sanctification they would, do therefore vilifie and deny that they have; becauſe they feel a Law of ſin in their members, leading them away captive, therefore they will not take notice of the Law of their mindes, whereby that inner man delights in the Law of God, and mourns bitterly under the body of death, by which they might ſee with Paul, That there is no condemnation to ſuch, Rom. 8.1.Rom. 8.1.Rom 8:1 But I ſhall propoſe one thing to Conſcience: Suppoſe thou wert now lying on thy Deaths-bed, comforting thy ſelf in thy elected and juſtified eſtate; ſuppoſe the Spirit of God ſhould now grapple with thy Conſcience, and tell thee, If thou art juſtified, then art thou ſanctified, 2 Theſſ. 2.13.2 Theſſ. 2.13.2 Thess 2:13 Is it thus with thee? what wilt thou anſwer? if thou ſayeſt, Thou art not ſanctified, the Word and Spirit will bear witneſs againſt thee, and ſay, Thou art not then juſtified: If thou ſayeſt, Thou knoweſt not, thou lookeſt not to Sanctification, or the fruits of the Spirit; they will reply, How then canſt thou know or ſay thou art elected or juſtified? for it is a truth as clear as the Sun, None are juſtified, but they are ſanctified, and if they are not ſanctified, they are not juſtified: O bleſs God for any little meaſure of Sanctification, do not ſcorn or ſecretly deſpiſe this Spirit of Grace, knowing that without it thou ſhalt periſh, but if thou haſt it, thou haſt an Evidence of thy part in Chriſt; ſurely Grace is the image of Chriſt ſtamped upon the Soul, and they who reflecting upon their Souls, ſee the image of Chriſt there, may be ſure that Chriſt is theirs; Chriſt hath given all himſelf to thoſe, to whom he hath given this part of himſelf.

3. We muſt eye the truth of thoſe Graces thus written in our hearts: There is a great deal of counterfeit Grace in the world; p. 122a true Chriſtian can have nothing, as diſcernable to others, but an hypocrite may have and do for the outward ſemblance as much as he; it is good therefore to try the truth of our Graces, and herein the riſe, maner and end of our motions carry much manifeſtation in them. But of this more largely in the Duties of Self-Examination, and Receiving of the Lords Supper.

Rom. 8.16.Rom 8:164. We muſt eye the teſtimony of the Spirit, witneſsing with our ſpirit, that we are the children of God: As God hath ſet up a frame of holineſs in every Believer,2 Cor. 5.5.2 Cor 5:5 ſo he hath given unto us the earneſt of the Spirit: The Graces of the Spirit are a real earneſt of the Spirit, yet they are not always an Evidential earneſt, therefore an earneſt is often ſuperadded to our Graces.

There is a threefold work of the Spirit;

1. To convey and plant Grace in the ſoul.

2. To act and help us to exerciſe the Graces which are planted there.

3. To ſhine upon and enlighten thoſe Graces, or to give an earneſt of thoſe Graces.

This laſt work the Spirit fulfils two ways;

1. By Arguments and Inferences, which is a mediate work.

2. By preſence and influence, which is an immediate work.

1 Iohn 5.8.1 John 5:8This the Apoſtle calls Witneſs-bearing, the Spirit brings in the witneſs of the water, and of the blood, which is his mediate work; but beſides and above theſe, he gives a diſtinct witneſs of his own, which is his immediate work, and is in a way of peculiarity and tranſcendency, called, The witneſs of the Spirit: Hence that of the Apoſtle,1 Cor. 2.12.1 Cor 2:12 We have received not the Spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, that we may know the things that are freely given us of God: The things freely given us, may be received by us, and yet the receipt of them not known to us; therefore the Spirit for our further conſolation, doth (as it were) put his hand and ſeal to our receipts;Eph. 4.30.Eph 4:30 whence he is ſaid, To ſeal us up unto the day of Redemption.

Queſt. But how may a man diſcern between the teſtimony of the Spirit, and the illuſion of Satan?

Anſw. I Anſwer, There is ever an harmony and ſweet accord between the inward and outward teſtimony, between the Spirit of God, and the Word of God, and therefore we may diſcern the teſtimony of the Spirit by the Word. Thus in the Old Teſtament, p. 123all Revelations were to be examined by the Word, Deut. 13.1. Iſa. 8.20. and in the New Teſtament our Savior tells us, That the Spirit ſhall lead you into all truth: How ſo?Iohn 16.13.John 16:13 For he ſhall not ſpeak of himſelf, but what he ſhall hear, that ſhall he ſpeak: And what is that which the Spirit heareth, is it not that which is already contained in the Scriptures?

Obj. Nay then (ſay ſome) the credit of the voyce of the Spirit, Dr. Crisps aſſurance of Faith.muſt depend upon the Word, but this muſt not be allowed, that any thing ſhould be of ſuch credit, as to give credit to the Spirit.

Sol. I anſwer, Why not? the Scripture we know is already known and received as the Word of God, and therfore what cometh after it, muſt needs borrow credit from it: Indeed, the truth of what the Spirit ſpeaketh doth not depend upon the Word, yet the credit of it doth.

Obj. But there is no more Evidences (ſay they) ſave onelyonly the revealing Evidence, the Spirit of Chriſt, and the receiving Evidence, Dr. Criſp ibid.which is Faith; the Spirit within thee ſaith, Thy ſin is forgiven thee, and Faith receiveth it, and ſits down ſatisfied; now here is thy Evidence, if thou haſt onelyonly theſe two, thou haſt thy portion, thou needeſt no more.

Sol. I Anſwer: 1. In this way, what prophane perſon is there in this world, which may not conclude for himſelf, if he will but force upon himſelf this perſwaſion, That the Spirit ſaith it, and I believe it. 2. The revealing and receiving Evidence (i.) the Word of the Spirit, and the ſubſcription of Faith, do not lay the ground of perfect peace, except there come in alſo the Evidence of inherent qualifications. For the better underſtanding of this, obſerve, That the Evidence of the Spirit is either mediate, when it enables the Soul to frame a Syllogiſm, wherein the minor, ſc. the dictate of the Conſcience, ſo far maketh to this Evidence, as our Graces are witneſſed unto by the Spirit, 1 Cor. 2.12. or immediate, which is indeed without any ſuch diſcourſe of our conſcience, and wherein our ſpirit is meerly paſſive or receptive, an act of irradiation or impreſſion of Gods love, or (as ſome call it) a tranſcript of the decree of Gods election ſet upon the Conſcience; the Scripture calls this eſpecially, A ſeal of the Spirit, which imports the meer paſſiveneſs of the heart to it, as of the wax to the ſeal; and this Evidence is ſolitary, without reference to Inherent Graces, yet howſoever, it excludes them p. 124not, nor cometh in till that mediate Evidence precede, Eph. 1.13. Hence I infer, the mediate teſtimony of the Spirit, that ordinarily concludes; for hic & ille, doth not ſpeak according to the Word, but where a Text of Scripture hath a Quicun que for the Propoſition, and a work of the ſanctifying Spirit for the aſſumption; as thus, the Scripture ſaith, They that repent and believe:— They that are led by the Spirit of God, are the ſons of God, Mark 1.15. Rom. 18.14. Hereupon the renewed and ſanctified Conſcience ſaith, I do repent and believe, I am led by the Spirit, therefore I am the childe of God: Now this concluſion deduced, if afterwards the immediate teſtimony of the Spirit (manifeſted by an heavenly impreſſion and irradiation upon the Soul) comes in with his atteſtation to confirm it, we may not doubt either of this or of the former teſtimony, becauſe now they both ſpeak according to the word and work of Grace in the heart; the ground of all this is in the nature of this teſtimony of the Spirit, which is rather an atteſtation, then a teſtimony; a ſecondary, not firſt deponent: Is not this rightly concluded from that of Rom. 8.16.Rom. 8.16.Rom 8:16 The Spirit witneſſeth with our Spirit?] where we have two witneſſes joyning together their teſtimonies to aſſert this truth, That we are the ſons of God; two, I ſay, viz. our spirit, and the Spirit of God: The witneſs of our ſpirit (i.) of our conſcience, is the firſt, the Spirit of God is the ſecond: His work is not foreign, but foreign, to witneſs together with our Spirit; (i.) To confirm and ratifie what that hath aſſerted; ſo that indeed the evidencing of this teſtimony of the Spirit, is after the teſtimony of our own Conſcience; if this do not firſt ſpeak and conclude, that other of the Spirit ſpeaks not at all: Now the teſtimony of the Conſcience is the concluſion of the practical Syllogiſm, and the certainty of this concluſion depends upon the verity of the aſſumption, which mentioneth the work of Grace in the heart: So then, let it be the care of the Chriſtian, to make good the verity of the aſſumption, that he may truly ſay, I do repent, I do believe, I am led by the Spirit; and this ſhall not onelyonly afford him comfort by the concluſion, but alſo (when the immediate teſtimony of the Spirit comes in with his atteſtation to confirm it) it will aſſure him, that he is not miſled by the ſuggeſtion of Satan, but guided by the Spirit in this point of aſſurance: Surely (will he ſay) this is the Spirit of God, for p. 125now he ſpeaks according to the Word of God, and according to the work of his own Grace within me.

SECT. 3. Of the improving of Evidences.

2. FOr the improving of Evidences, we muſt endeavor to produce that fruit, that frame, that diſpoſition of heart which the Lord requires, directs and looks for in ſuch a caſe, as the admiring of Gods unſearchable Grace in Chriſt Jeſus; a ſober, moderate and ſelf-denying uſe of our Evidence-comforts; a fiducial pleading of all the precious promiſes of the Goſpel; a chearful bearing of croſſes, a holy contempt of Creature comforts, a bold approaching to the Throne of Grace upon all occaſions, a valiant adventuring for Chriſt, longings for the appearings of the Lord Jeſus, a confident conteſt with ſin, a couragious reſiſting of temptations; I may adde humility, love to God, fear of offending, zealous labors to advance Chriſt in the power of Grace, &c. all which are the fruits of legible Evidences in true Chriſtian hearts: And our Evidences thus improved, then is the whole buſineſs Chriſtianly managed indeed. But of theſe in the next Section.

SECT. 4. Of the Sanctification of Evidences in their ſeveral uſes.

THe Sanctification of Evidences is manifeſted (as we ſaid) by ſeveral Diſpoſitions: To inlarge my ſelf; No ſooner is the Soul ſetled in its Scripture-perſwaſions, and Spirit-perſwaſions, that God hath tranſlated it unto Chriſt, but immediately there follows,—

1. A deep admiring of Gods unſearchable grace in the Lord Jeſus Chriſt: Hath the Lord aſſured me that I am his? O my Soul, ſtand amazed at this endleſs, boundleſs love of the Lord; it is of his grace that ever I did bethink my ſelf of the danger of my ſinful courſe I was formerly in; it is of meer grace that the Lord Chriſt dyed p. 126for my ſins, and roſe again for my Juſtification; It is of his ſpecial grace, that the Spirit of Chriſt ſhould thus whiſper to my Spirit, Thy ſins are forgiven thee. O the bountifulneſs and love of God to man! O I am ſwallowed up in this depth! It is a myſtery which may aſtoniſh Angels, an Orient Pearl which out ſhines all the ſparkling Jewels of the whole Creation. When the Jews heard of the Proclamation of King Cyrus, by which they were ſet free from their long and tedious captivity, they were wrapt with joy,Pſal. 126.1.Ps 126:1 they were like to men that rather dreamed, then poſſeſſed the thing that their ſouls longed after: How much more will Aſſurance that we are ſet free from the perpetual bondage of ſin, and reſtored to the everlaſting freedom of righteouſneſs and life, make us wonder at the infinite wiſdom; and unſpeakable goodneſs of our heavenly Father? The Saints conſidering the goodneſs of God towards man in his creation, brake forth into holy admiration,Pſal. 8 4, 5.Ps 8:4Ps 8:5 Lord, what is man, that thou art mindeful of him? The Prophet calling to minde long after, what God had done for his ſoul, cannot paſs it over without ſervent praiſe, What ſhall I render to the Lord for all his benefits towards me? Pſal. 116.12.Ps 116:12How much more ought and will that man that is aſſured of Gods favor and love towards him, for ever admire the mighty power, unſpeakable goodneſs, and rich mercy of God, who hath delivered him from the pit of hell, from the power of Satan, from the curſe of the law, and from the waiting for of all the wicked Devils, and damned Spirits, and withal, hath tranſlated him into the kingdom of his deareſt Son? O needs muſt his heart be inflamed with love, and inlarged in praiſes!

2. A ſober, moderate, and ſelf-denying uſe of Evidence-comforts: I ſpeak not herein againſt the frequent actings of grace, or againſt the ſimply looking on them, or comforting our ſelves in them, eſpecially under ſad hours; but againſt the exceſſive, overflowing, over-loving way of Evidence-comforts, againſt the abuſes thereof: which may be in theſe particulars; as 1. When we pore more frequently upon the comforts of our own gracious actings, then upon Jeſus Chriſt and his death; when we live too much on the ſight of a new-created birth in our ſelves, and the image of the ſecond Adam, though indeed we have Chriſt himſelf to live on. 2. When we wonder ſo much at what is done in our ſelves by the grace of Chriſt, that we begin to p. 127make a mixture of ſelf therewith, and immediately we ſit down and write of our ſelves an hundred in ſtead of fifty. 3. When we think graces and comforts ſo rooted in our ſelves, that we neglect God and Chriſt for the upholding, encreaſe and exerciſe of them. 4. When we reſt upon, and too much confide in the power of inherent grace, former revelations, and witneſſes of Gods Spirit, which are all but creatures, acts of God upon us, and in us; and therefore in doing thus, we make an Idol of inherent grace, and put that truſt in it, which we ſhould repoſe in the Lord alone: and ſo, as the Lord ſpeaketh,Num 15.39.Num 15:39 We go a whoring after our own hearts. Now all theſe flow from the corruption of our nature, and not from the nature of aſſurance; the product of true Evidences is, a praiſing of God for them, and a comforting our ſelves in them, as in the fruit of his eternal and unchangeable love: Our rejoycing is this, 2 Cor. 1.12.2 Cor 1:12even the teſtimony of our conſcience, that in ſimplicity and godly ſincerity, we have had our converſation in the world; but not a making of them the onelyonly or chief grounds of our hope and comforts, for God in this caſe may leave us to our ſelves,1 Cor. 1.19.1 Cor 1:19 That no fleſh ſhould rejoyce in his preſence.

3. A fiducial pleading of all the precious Promiſes of the Goſpel: And hath the Lord indeed given me a kiſs of his mouth, a ſure ſign of his love? Why then, O my ſoul, ariſe, and lay hold on all the Promiſes, which God of his mercy in Chriſt doth offer in the Gospel: Be not diſmaid by reaſon of thy unworthineſs, for the Promiſe is of grace, freely offered, and freely given to them that be moſt unworthy in their own eyes: Thou art unworthy of the leaſt crumb of Mercy, but of the riches of his grace God hath given thee the Promiſes of higheſt advancement, if thou wilt but embrace them. I will be a father unto you, 2 Cor. 6.18.2 Cor 6:18and ye ſhall be my ſons and daughters, ſaith the Lord Almighty: — And it ſhall be in the place where it was ſaid unto them, Ye are not my people, Rom 9.26.Rom 9:26that there they ſhall be called, The children of the living God: —He that overcometh ſhall inherit all things, and I will be his God, Rev. 21.7.Rev 21:7and he ſhall be my Son. Surely Lord, I will lay hold on theſe promiſes: I will yet draw nigher to thee, and put my truſt in thy mercy; I will henceforth flie to the throne of Grace, to get my title made ſurer and ſurer unto my conſcience. O Lord, I believe, help thou my unbelief. Thus the ſoul pleads with God, and God is well pleaſed p. 128with ſuch pleadings; the ſoul is aſſured of ſalvation, and yet prayeth in the midſt of aſſurance,2 Sam. 7.25.2 Sam 7:25 Who am I, Lord, that thou ſhouldeſt make ſuch ample and free promiſes unto thy poor ſervant? Of thy free mercy, and according to thine own heart haſt thou spoken all theſe great things, to make thy ſervant know them; and now O Lord God, eſtabliſh, I beſeech thee, the word that thou haſt spoken concerning thy ſervant.

4. A chearful bearing of croſſes: Hence Paul eying that object of aſſurance,2 Cor. 4.17.2 Cor 4:17 that weight of glory, he counts all his afflictions light, momentary; he ſung in the dungeon, and reckoned it a ſpecial favor to be a ſufferer for Chriſt: The fire of divine love ſo inflames Chriſtians in this condition, that much water of Perſecution cannot quench it; yea, ſuch is the nature of this fire, that it feeds on thoſe waters, and grows more fervent by that which would quench it; no wonder: it is but a light affliction, but it cauſeth unto us a more excellent and eternal weight of glory; and parts of this glory the Chriſtian now receiveth aforehand, as earneſts of the whole: This makes him to rejoyce (even in the midſt of croſſes and loſſes) with a joy unſpeakable and glorious: And hence it is that a Chriſtian deſpiſeth the ſufferings for the joys, yea, the ſufferings are ſo overcome by the joys, that the ſufferings do not turn his joys into ſadneſs, but his aſſurance turns the ſadneſs of his ſufferings into joys,Phil. 2.17.Phil 2:17 for he rejoyceth in his ſufferings.

5. An holy contempt of Creature-comforts: This is another fruit of aſſurance, it will make a man endeavor to rid himſelf from ſuch feculent matters here, to contemn them, to trample them under his feet, and out of the greatneſs and goodneſs of his ſpirit, ambitiouſly to long after the preſence of the Lamb. Do I ſpeak or write to the denizens of Heaven? tell me then, you that carry the Evidences of Heaven in your hands and hearts, is it not thus with you? hath not God wrought your hearts to this frame and divine diſpoſition? if not, he will do it firſt or laſt; for citizens of Heaven ſet not much by the beſt things on earth, when they are themſelves, and act like their Savior. It was a good ſpeech of an Emperor, whatſoever he himſelf was, You (ſaid he) gaze on my purple Robes, and golden Crown, but did you know what cares are under them, you would not take them up from the ground for them; but ſuppoſe there had been no p. 129cares but pleaſures in them, yet Moſes when he had this aſſurance of Faith, He refuſed to be called the ſon of Pharaohs daughter, Heb. 24.25, 26.chooſing rather to ſuffer affliction with the people of God, then to enjoy the pleaſures of ſins for a ſeaſon; eſteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches then the treaſures of Egypt, for he had reſpect unto the recompence of reward.

6. A bold approaching unto the throne of Grace upon all occaſions: Becauſe we are aſſured, therefore we beg any thing of God with greater affiance; Prayer is nothing elſe but the ſtream and river of Faith, and an iſſue of the deſire of that which we joyfully believe: Iohn 10.28. and 17.11.John 10:28John 17:11Our Savior Chriſt knew that his ſheep ſhould never periſh, and yet he prayeth, Holy Father, keep them in thy name: Paul knew aſſuredly, that the Lord would deliver him from every evil work,2 Tim. 4.18.2 Tim 4:18 yet without ceaſing he prayeth to be delivered from evil. Aſſurance addes fervency to prayer; the firmer our Faith, the more free is our acceſs, with boldneſs and confidence to the throne of Grace, the more fervently and boldly can we pray, Abba Father: Aſſurance hearkeneth what the Lord ſpeaketh, and ſpeaketh back again in fervent groans and deſires; it hath the promiſe of God, and therefore is bold to pray, and will not keep ſilence, Thou, O Lord of Hoſts, 2 Sam. 7.2….2 Sam 7:2God of Iſrael, hast revealed to thy ſervant, ſaying, I will build thee an houſe, therefore hath thy ſervant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee; nay, Aſſurance puts on the Soul to ask any thing it wants; theſe be the times when the Spirit moveth the waters, therefore, Now (ſaith Aſſurance) caſt in your Petition, and whatſoever grief it hath in it, you ſhall be cured of it: Now the King holds out his golden Scepter, And therefore (ſaith Aſſurance) let the Queen come in boldly with her requeſt, though it be for a Kingdom; yea, this King likes it beſt, if first we ſeek a Kingdom, and the Righteouſneſs inſeparably annexed to it,Mat. 6.33.Matt 6:33 for then we ſhall have all other things with it.

7. A valiant adventuring for Chriſt: Is a man aſſured of Gods love in Chriſt? ſuch a one fears not any troubles, he knows all comes through his Fathers hands, and that man and Devil cannot do what they would, and therefore he goes on comfortably to day, to morrow, and to the end; he is like one of Davids Worthies, or like David himſelf, that having got experience, fears nothing; he walks up and down the world like a Gyant, p. 130higher by head and ſhoulders then moſt men, he holds in his hand a ſtrong ſhield, that the Devil himſelf cannot peirce, but it quencheth his fiery darts: He gets a victory againſt the world by his Faith, and Samſon-like, breaks all bands of temptation as ſtraw, he leaps over a wall, breaks a bow of ſteel, lays heaps upon heaps.

8. An earneſt longing for the appearing of the Lord Jeſus: As he adventures and conquers in life, ſo he can think of death, without any prevailing fear; he can ſay with Paul, I deſire to be diſſolved, Phil. 1.23. Acts 7.59. Can. 8.14.Phil 1:23Acts 7:59and to be with Chriſt; and with Stephen, Lord Jeſus receive my ſpirit; and with the Spouſe in the Canticles, Come away, my Beloved, and be thou like a Roe, or to a yong Hart upon the Mountains of ſpices. It is the voyce of Aſſurance, My life is hid with thee, O Christ, and therefore appear quickly, my Life, my Jeſus, that I may quickly appear with thee in glory; let the day of gladneſs quickly come, wherein both ſoul and body, even my whole ſelf, may eternally enjoy thee: I cannot be ſtill put off with theſe taſtes and earnests, my love and longing is rather inflamed by them to the fruition of thee: The very voyce of theſe earneſts is, Come; yea, they ſcarce know any other language but Come, therefore again and again they ſ…y, Come; yea, after they have ſaid, Come, as if that were not enough, they ſay, Come quickly; and now, what can the Soul ſay more to her Lord? onelyonly as before ſhe ſtill ſaid, Come, ſo now will ſhe ſtill ſay, Amen; even ſo, Amen and Amen.

9. A loathing of ſin, indignation for ſin, conteſt with ſin, and a continual watch againſt the baits and allurement of ſin: How can it be conceived that a man ſhould be aſſured of the pardon and forgiveneſs of many ſins, but it will work a greater loathing and deteſtation of ſin, unfeined abaſement for former weakneſs, and continual watchfulneſs, to keep himſelf pure for the future, that he loſe not his comfort, nor diſhonor God, who hath done ſo great things for him? It is Satans cavil againſt the Saints, That Aſſurance begets ſecurity: Aſſuredly, if it be true Aſſurance, it will through Chriſt mortifie our luſts, and quicken us to more ſincere, ſetled and conſtant obedience; nor is it poſſible that a Chriſtian ſhould hold his aſſurance any longer, then whiles he follows, cheriſhes and feeds in himſelf this heavenly affection.

p. 131Obj. But ſome may object, If we ſay we have no ſin, 1 Iohn 1.8. Prov. 20.9. Eccles. 7.20.1 John 1:8Prov 20:9Eccl 7:20we deceive our ſelves:—Who can ſay his heart is clean?—There is no man juſt, that ſinneth not: — And how can theſe two ſtand together, Sin and Aſſurance?

Sol. I Anſwer, Groſs ſins, grievous ſins, are not compatible with the hope and aſſurance of a Chriſtian, eſpecially reigning ſins committed with delight, or indulgence: This ſpot is not the ſpot of Gods children, and yet ſuch ſins as we call infirmities, blemiſhes, remainders of Original corruption, under which the Regenerate muſt labor ſo long as they live: Theſe are not altogether incompatible with Aſſurance, nor do they hinder the lively workings of faith, in receiving the promiſes; it is good therefore to diſtinguiſh betwixt ſins, which adminiſter matter of humiliation, and ſuch as may give occaſion to the Soul to queſtion its Regenerate eſtate: As — 1. There are ſins of ſimple ignorance, unavoidable infirmity, ſins of forgetfulneſs, inconſideration, paſſion, pettiſhneſs, inordinate fear, whereto there is no adviſed conſent, and theſe may ſtand with Aſſurance. But 2. There are foul ſins, enormous crimes (not to ſpeak of ſins wilfully committed with full conſent, delight and contentment, to the utter exſtinguiſhing of the Spirit of Grace, which ſhall never befal them that are called according to the purpoſe of God) and thoſe ſins hinder Aſſurance, ſo that the ſinner cannot for the preſent lay actual claim to any one priviledge of Grace formerly enjoyed; I deny not but he may ſtill retain his right and title to eternal life, but he is in this condition ſuſpended from actual claim, until he riſe again by Repentance, and ſo recover not a new right and title, but a new claim by vertue of the old title.

10. A couragious reſiſting of doubts, ſcruples, temptations; not but that doubts will come after aſſurance: We ſee the Sun is one day bright, and the next day is covered; Evidences may be loſt, though intereſt be continued: yet Aſſurance and Evidences rightly improved and ſanctified to us, may help us againſt all the ſhakings, and ſhiverings, and doubtings of the Soul, and of their own nature they do reſiſt them: Hence the beſt cure and remedy of doubtings, is to perfect and ſtrengthen our aſſurance; the more purely the fire burns, the leſs ſmoke it hath; when the light and heat of the Sun are greateſt, then the clouds and p. 132miſty vapors are feweſt: Aſſurance and Doubting are like a pair of ſcales, where the weight of the one bears away the other.

Queſt. 1 But how ſhould aſſurance be ſtrengthned?

Anſw. 1. Go we to God, for God who gave it can ſtrengthen it: Every grace depends upon him, not onelyonly for birth, but alſo for complement; his ſtrength muſt lead us on from ſtrength to ſtrength, and therefore if we would have ſtrong aſſurance, we muſt go to a ſtrong God, and beg of him for it: O Lord (ſay) my knowledge is dim, lighten that candle, open mine eyes yet more and more, that I may ſee thy truth; my aſſents many times ſhake, but do thou eſtabliſh and confirm my heart in thy truths; my embracings, applications, are very trembling, and broken, and interrupted, but do thou guide my eye to look upon my Savior, and do thou guide my hand to lay hold on him, do thou enable my will and affections, to embrace all the goodneſs of thy ſelf, of thy Chriſt, of thy Word; my faith is but weak, but Lord, I would have more faith, even full aſſurance of faith, and thou canſt work it, O do it for thy weak ſervant.

2. Be in the way of ſtrength: There are ways in which God doth reveal his arm (i.) his Ordinances; he that is too good for the Ordinances, will ever be too weak in his faith. One thing (could David ſay) have I deſired of the Lord, Pſal. 27.4.Ps 27:4that I may dwell in the houſe of the Lord all the days of my life: and to what end? that I may behold the beauty of the Lord, Pſal. 48.9.Ps 48:9and viſit his Temple: what this beauty is, he himſelf expounds, We thought of thy loving kindeneſs in the midst of thy Temple: The loving kindeneſs of God, his mercy and countenance upon his own ſervants, that is the Lords beauty, that is it which makes him amiable in his own people.

3. Let aſſurance know its priviledges, & then it wil grow ſtronger.1. Pet. 2.3.1 Pet 2:3 Ye are a choſen generation, a royal prieſthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people: they who deſcended from the blood of Abraham had more priviledges then others, and have not they greater who come of the blood of Chriſt? The Prieſts of the Law had ſingular exemptions, and Kings of all men are moſt highly priviledged; and do Believers come ſhort, who are not prophane, civil, typical Prieſts, but royal Prieſts? who are not Prieſts onelyonly, nor Kings onelyonly, but both Kings and Prieſts: A royal prieſthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people. If we did once throughly know our p. 133priviledges, the grants of favor, the free acceſs, the ſingular acceptance we have with God in and through the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, how might we keep down our fears, and our doubtings, and with fulleſt eagerneſs embrace our God, our Chriſt, our Promiſes.

4. Obſerve, and call to minde our former Experiences of Gods favor and love:Pſal. 77.10.Ps 77:10 I will remember (ſaith David) the years of the right hand of the moſt High (i.) the years and times of my life, wherein I had ſweet experiences of Gods mercies and love: why, what of that? he tells you, Becauſe thou haſt been my help, therefore in the ſhadow of thy wings will I rejoyce. Pſal. 63.7.Ps 63:7But of this point in the laſt Chapter.

Queſt. 2 But what if after all theſe means uſed, no Sun appears, our Evidences are quite loſt, God ſuspends all comforts?

Anſw. In ſuch a caſe we muſt endeavor to live above Evidences, by working the ſoul to cloſe with, and depend upon an abſolute Promiſe: To this purpoſe it pleaſeth the Father of Mercies; ſometimes to convince and perſwade the ſoul, that he will ſupply what is wanting, heal backſlidings freely, work both will and deed fully, whereby he ſuſtains the ſoul in life, and raiſeth it up as it were from the grave of deſpair and diſmal diſtreſs. Thus David expected to receive his Aſſurance, when he cryed,Pſal. 42.5, 12.Ps 42:5Ps 42:12 Why art thou caſt down, O my ſoul? — Hope thou in God, for I ſhall yet praiſe him for the help of his countenance: And if at our firſt converſion, when we had nothing but the offer of Free-grace to look upon, we caſt our ſelves on God, why not now, when our Aſſurances wholly fail?

SECT. 5. The Evidences of a weak unworthy ſervant of Chriſt, laid down according to the Rules aforementioned.

THe life of all we have ſaid, is Practice: Hence I make bold to lay down the Evidences of a poor creature, not worthy to be named, much leſs to have his Name written in the Book of Life.—He gives them thus:—

His Evidences thus gathered in, the prime and eſpecial work of the ſoul is, the ſanctification of Evidences in their ſeveral uſes. But of that before, Sect. 4. And thus much of Evidences.