Heaven on Earth, Discourse · Chapter 2

Heaven on Earth · Discourse · Chapter 2

p. 35CHAP. II. Containing ſeveral weighty Propoſitions concerning Aſſurance.

THE firſt Propoſition that I ſhall lay downe concerning Aſſurance, is this, That God denies Aſſurance for a time to his deareſt and choyſeſt ones, and that upon many conſiderable grounds.

As firſt, for the exerciſe of their grace; a gracious ſoule would alwayes be upon Mount Tabor, looking into Canaan, he would alwayes bee in his Fathers arms, and under his Fathers ſmiles, hee would alwayes bee in the Sun-ſhine of divine favour, hee would alwayes have the heavens open, thatTam pater nemo, tum pius nemo, Tertul. he might alwayes ſee his Chriſt and his Crowne, he would, with Peter, bee alwayes upon the Mount, hee is loath p. 36to walke through the valley of darkneſſe, through the valley of Baca. AsGen. 14. 21. If Saints ſhould alwayes have Aſſurance, they would be too apt to ſay (bonum eſt eſſe hic) it is good for us to be here.Gen 14:21 the King of Sodome ſaid once to Abraham, Give me the perſons, and take the goods to thy ſelfe. So gracious ſoules are apt to ſay, Give mee joy, give me peace, give me Aſſurance, and doe you take trials, afflictions, and temptations, to your ſelves. But pray what uſe would there be of the Starres, if the Sunne did alwayes ſhine? why none; why no more uſe would there bee of your graces, if Aſſurance ſhould be alwayes continued; therefore the Lord for the exerciſe of his childrens faith, hope, patience, &c. is pleaſed (at leaſt for a time) to deny them Aſſurance, though they ſeek it by earneſt prayer, and with a flood of penitent tears.

Secondly, The Lord denies Aſſurance to his deareſt ones, that he may keep them in the exerciſe of thoſe Religious duties that are moſt coſtly, and contrary to fleſh and blood, as to mourning, repenting, ſelfe-judging, ſelfe-loathing, ſelfe-abhorring, and ſelfe-ſearching; As that 1 Sam. 16. For theſe things I weep, mine eye, mine p. 37eye runneth downe with water, becauſe the comforter that ſhould relieve my ſoule, is far from me, Chap. 3. verſe 2, 3. Hee hath led me, and brought me into darkneſſe, foreignnot into light; Surely againſt me hee is Bring back my ſoule, or fetch again my ſoule i. e. Comfort, refreſh, and rejoyce me as in former times. foreignturned, he turneth his hand againſt▪ mee all the day, verſe 17. And thou haſt removed my ſoule far off from peace: I forgat proſperity. Now what this ſad dealings of God puts the Church upon, you may ſee in verſe 40. Let us ſearch and try our wayes, and turne again to the Lord: And if you look throughoutforeign the book, you ſhall finde theTheſe two Hebrew words are joyned together to intimate to us, that diligent narrow and accurate enquiry that they ſhould make into their wayes to ſearch as men do into the bowels of the earth for the diſcovery of rich mines and treaſures; Which made one of the Rabbins cry out, (veniat Meſsias at ego non videam) let the Meſsias come, but let not me ſee him. Church much in ſelfe-examining, ſelfe-judging, ſelfe-loathing, &c. upon this ground, That God had hid his face, and drawne a curtaine between him and them, and ſtood at a diſtance from them, and would not ſpeak comfortably, and friendly to them.

Now if you aske me why God will put his children upon thoſe duties of Religion that are moſt coſtly and p. 38contrary to fleſh and blood:

I anſwer firſt, That his ſtrength and power may appear in their weakneſſe, 2 Cor. 12. 7, 8, 9.

2 To diſcover not onelyonly the truth, but alſo the ſtrength of their graces; a little grace will put a man upon thoſe Religious duties that are eaſie, and pleaſing to fleſh and blood, and not chargeable, but rather profitable, and pleaſureable, but it muſt bee ſtrength of grace that puts a man upon thoſe ſervices that are coſtly and croſſe to the Old man.

3 That they may bee more fully and eminently conformable to Chriſt their Head, who from firſt to laſt, who even from the cradle to the croſſe was moſt exerciſed in thoſe duties and ſervices that were moſt coſtly and croſſe to fleſh and blood, as is moſt evident to all that ſtudy the writings of the Holy Ghoſt, more then the writings of men.

4 Becauſe in the performance of ſuch duties they do in a more ſingular way bear up the name and credit, the honour and glory of God, Chriſt and the Goſpel in the world; the very p. 39world will cry out, Ah theſe are Chriſtians indeed.

5 Becauſe the more they are in the exerciſe of ſuch duties, the greater, at laſt, will be their reward.

6 That Satans plots, and deſignesHeb. 11. 7.Heb 11:7 may be the better prevented, and the wicked world more juſtly condemned, who doe not onelyonly deſpiſe the hardeſt duties of Religion, but alſo neglectMat. 25. 4. 46.Matt 25:4Matt 25:46 the eaſieſt.

The third Reaſon why God denies Aſſurance to his moſt precious ones, is,Ier. 2. 19.Jer 2:19 that they may be the more cleerly and fully convinced of that exceeding ſinfulneſſe, and bitterneſſe that is in ſinne. Ah Lord, ſayes the ſoule, that ſits ſighing and mourning, under the want of Aſſurance, I ſee now that ſinne is not onelyonly evil, but the greateſt evill in the world, in that it keeps mee from an Aſſurance of my intereſt in thee who art the greateſt good in the world, and from an Aſſurance of that favour of thine that is better then life,Sin is, Malum Catholicum; Tis aeterna macula; Tis corruptio optimi pesſima. Pſ. 63. 3, 4. Pſ. 4 7.Ps 63:3Ps 63:4Ps 4:7 and from the light of thy ſweet countenance, that is better then corne and wine, and oyle; and from thoſe joyes and comforts that can onelyonly p. 40make a Paradiſe in my ſoule. AhThis made one cry out, Quid reſtat O peccator, niſi ut in tota vita tua deplores rotam vitam tuam; O what then remains but in our whole life to lament the ſins of our whole life. Lord now I finde ſinne not onelyonly to bee bitter, but to bee the very quinteſſence of bitterneſſe: Ah, no bitterneſſe ſo bitter as ſinne, that keeps my ſoule from that ſweet aſſurance, that is not onelyonly the top and crowne of mercy, but alſo the ſweetner of all merciemercy, miſery, and glory. Oh what unſpeakable evill do I now ſee in that evil that keeps me from the moſt deſirable good. Oh what bitterneſſe do I now find in that which Satan, theHeb. 3. 13. Sin hath its original from a deceitfull ſubtle Serpent, and is the ground of all the deceit in the world, and is the great couzner of ſouls. Yea peccatum eſt Deicidium, Sin is a killing of God.Heb 3:13 world, and my owne deluded heart told me I ſhould finde ſweetneſſe in. Ah, now I finde by experience, that to be true, which long ſince the faithfull Meſſengers of the Lord have told me, viz. That ſinne debaſeth the ſoule of man, that it defiles and pollutes the ſoule of man, that it renders the ſoule moſt unlike to God, (who is optimum maximum) the beſt and greateſt, who is (omnia ſuper omnia) all, and above all, and renders it moſt like to Satan, who is a very ſea and ſinke of ſinne. That it hath robbed the ſoule of the image of God, the holineſſe of God, the beauty of God, the glory p. 41of God, the righteouſneſſe of God, and that keepes the ſoule from wearing this Golden Chaine of Aſſurance.

A fourth reaſon, why God denies Aſſurance to his deareſt ones, is, becauſeChristus op er noſtra non tam actibus quam finibus penſat. Zanchius, The glory of God muſt conſume all other ends, as the Sun puts our the light of the fire. they ſeeke Aſſurance more for themſelves, then they doe for his honour and glory; more that they may have joy without ſorrow, comfort without torment, peace without trouble, ſweet without bitter, light without darkneſſe, and day without night; then that he may bee exalted and admired, and his name alone made great and glorious in the world.

Many Chriſtians are like the Bee that flyes into the field to ſeek honey to eat, but brings it not into the Maſters hive; So they ſeek for Aſſurance, that they may feed upon that ſweet honycomb, more, then to fill their Lord and Maſters hive with thanks and praiſe.

That ſervant that mindes his wages more then his worke, muſt not wonder if his Maſter be ſlacke in paying; no more ſhould hee that mindes comfort, p. 42more then obedience, that mindsIt was a notable ſaying of Nazianzen, Let me (ſayes he) be caſt into the Sea, let me loſe my place rather then the name of Chriſt ſhould ſuffer; ſo tender was he of the honour and glory of Chriſt. aſſurance more then divine honour, wonder that God delayes the givings in of aſſurance, though it bee ſought with many prayers and teares. He that is moſt tender of Gods honour, ſhall finde by experience that God is moſt mindful of his comfort. God will not ſee that ſoule fit long in ſackcloath and aſhes, that makes it his buſineſſe to ſet him up upon his Throne. He that minds Gods glory, more then his owne good, ſhall quickly finde that God will even obſcure his owne glory to doe him good. If wee are not wanting to Gods glory, he will not long bee wanting to our joy.

A fifth reaſon why God denies Aſſurance to his children, is, that when they have it, they may the more highly prize it, the more carefully keep it, the more wiſely improve it, and the more affectionately and effectually bleſſe God for it; none ſets ſuch a price upon light, as hee that hath laine long in a Dungeon of darkneſſe:Life without light, is but a life-leſſe life. Mich 7. 8, 9.Mic 7:8Mic 7:9 So none ſets ſuch a price upon Aſſurance, as thoſe children of light p. 43that have walked moſt in ſpirituall darkneſſe. Ah! how ſweet was theJonah 2 2.Jonah 2:2 light to Jonah that had been in the belly of hell; ſo is Aſſurance to thoſe that (through ſlaviſh fears, and unbeliefe) have made their beds in hell, as the Pſalmiſt ſpeaks. Gold that isPſal. 139. 8.Ps 139:8 far fetched, and dearly bought, isSocrates prized the Kings countenance above his coyn his good looks above his gold; ſo do Saints prize Aſſurance above all worldly enjoyments. moſt highly eſteemed; ſo that Aſſurance that coſts the ſoule moſt paines and patience, moſt waiting and weeping, moſt ſtriving, and wreſtling, is moſt highly valued, and moſt wiſely improved. As by the want of temporals, God teaches his people the better to prize them, and improve them when they enjoy them; ſo by the want of ſpirituals, God teaches his people the better to prize them, and improve them, when they enjoy them.Numb. 14. 33. 34. Exod. 11. Ezra 1.Num 14:33Num 14:34Exod 11Ezra 1 Ah, how ſweet was Canaan to thoſe that had been long in a wilderneſſe. How precious was the gold and earrings to Iſrael, that had been long in Egypt, and the gifts and Jewels to the Jewes that had been long in Babylon? ſo is Aſſurance to thoſe precious ſoulsThe longer I ſtay for the Empire, ſaid the Emperors ſon, the greater it will be: So the longer a Saint ſtayes for Aſſurance, the greater at laſt it will be. that have been long without it, but at laſt come to enjoy it. After the Trojans p. 44had been wandring a long time in the Mediterranean Sea, as ſoon as they eſpied land, they cryed out with exulting joy, Italy, Italy; ſo when poore ſoules ſhall come to enjoy Aſſurance, who have been long toſſed up and downe in a ſea of ſorrow and trouble, how will they with joy cry out, Aſſurance, Aſſurance, Aſſurance.

The ſixth reaſon, why God denies Aſſurance to his deareſt ones (atHumility is, Conſervatrix virtutum, ſaith On… leaſt for a time) is, that they bee kept humble and low in their owne eyes; as the enjoyment of mercy glads us, ſo the want of mercy humbles us. Davids heart was never more low, then when he had a Crowne onelyonly in hope, but not in hand. No ſooner was the Crowne ſet upon his head, but his blood riſes with his outward good, and in the pride of his heart, he ſayes, I ſhall never be removed. Hezekiah wasPſal. 30. 6. 2 Chron. 32. The whole Chapter is worthy of reading.Ps 30:62 Chr 32 a holy man, yet hee ſwels big under mercy: No ſooner doth God lift up his houſe higher then others, but hee lifts up his heart in pride, higher then others. When God had made himAs I get good by my ſins, ſo I get hurt by my graces, ſaid Mr. Fox, they being accidental occaſions of pride to him. high in honours, riches, victories, I, and in ſpiritual experiences, then his p. 45heart flyes high, and he forgets God, and forgets himſelfe, and forgets that all his mercies were from free mercy, that all his mercies were but borrowed mercies. Surely, it is better to want any mercy, then an humble heart, it is better to have no mercy, then want an humble heart. A little,Auguſtine ſaith that the firſt, ſecond, and third vertue of a Chriſtian is humility. little mercy with an humble heart, is far better then the greateſt mercies with a proud heart. I had rather have Pauls coat with his humble heart, then Hezekiahs lifted up heart with his rich Treaſures, and royal Robes. Well Chriſtians, remember this, God hath two ſtrings to his bow; if your hearts will not lye humble and low under the ſenſe of ſinne and miſery, he willGod hath two hands, a hand open, and a hand ſhut, and he makes uſe of both to keep ſouls humble. make them lye low under the want of ſome deſired mercy. The want of Aſſurance tends to bow and humble the ſoul, as the enjoyment of Aſſurance doth to raiſe and rejoyce the ſoule, and therefore doe not wonder why precious ſoules are ſo long without aſſurance, why Chriſts Charet (Aſſurance)Judg. 5 28.Judg 5:28 is ſo long a coming.

The ſeventh, and laſt reaſon, why God denies Aſſurance (for a time) p. 46even to his deareſt ones, is, that they may live cleerly and fully upon Jeſus Chriſt, that Jeſus Chriſt may be ſeenCol. 3. 11. (Omne bonum in ſummo bono) All good is in the chiefeſt good; Chriſt is all things to a Chriſtian, he is bread to feed them, a▪ fountaine to refreſh them, a Phyſitian to heal them, a rock to ſhelter them, a light to guide them, and a crown to crown them.Col 3:11 to bee all in all. It is naturall to the ſoule, to reſt upon every thing below Chriſt, to reſt upon creatures, to reſt upon graces, to reſt upon duties, to reſt upon divine manifeſtations, to reſt upon celeſtial conſolations, to reſt upon gracious evidences, and to reſt upon ſweet Aſſurances. Now the Lord to cure his people of this weakneſſe, (and to bring them to live wholly and ſolely upon Jeſus Chriſt) denies comfort, and denies aſſurance, &c. and for a time leaves his children of light to walk in darkneſſe. Chriſtians, this you are alwayes to remember, that though the enjoyment of aſſurance makes moſt for your conſolation, yet the living purely upon Chriſt in the want of aſſurance makes moſt for hisHeb 11. 27. Iſa. 60. 19. Mic. 7. 3. 9. Iohn 20. 28, 29Heb 11:27Isa 60:19Mic 7:3Mic 7:9John 20:28John 20:29 exaltation. No Chriſtian to him that in the want of viſibles, can live upon an inviſible God, that in thicke darkneſſe can live upon God as an everlaſting light. Hee is happy that beleeves upon ſeeing, upon feeling; but thrice happy are thoſe ſoules that p. 47beleeve when they doe not ſee, that love when they doe not know that they are beloved, and that in theChriſt is omni… ſuper omnia. want of all (comfort and aſſurance) can live upon Chriſt as their onelyonly all. He that hath learned this holy art cannot bee miſerable; hee that is ignorant of this art cannot bee happy.

The ſecond Propoſition is this, That the Scripture hath many ſweet ſignificant words to expreſſe that well-grounded Aſſurance by, which beleevers may attaine to in this life: ſometimes it is called a perſwaſion, Rom. 8. 38. I am perſwaded that neither 1 There is a natural perſwaſion; namral principles may perſwade a man that there is a God, and that this God is a great God: a beauteous God, &c. but this will not make a man happy. 2 There is a moral perſwaſion. 3 There is a traditional perſwaſion.death, nor life, &c. ſhall be able to ſeparate us from the love of God which is …n Chriſt Jeſus our Lord. It is rendred a perſpicuous and peculiar manifeſtation of Chriſt to the ſoul, John 14. 21, 22, 23, 24. It is often rendred to know, as in that 1 John 3. chap. 2. 14. 19. 24. verſes, and chap. 5. 13. 19, &c. but the word that the Scripture doth moſt fully expreſſe this by, is (plerophoria) full aſſurance, that is, when the ſoule (by the Spirit and word) is ſo fully perſwaded of its eternal happineſſe p. 48and bleſſedneſſe; that its carried like4 There is a divine perſwaſion that flows from divine principles and cauſes. Noahs▪ Arke above al waves, doubts and fears, and Noah-like fits ſtill and quiet, and can with the Apoſtle Paul triumph over ſinne, hell, wrath, death, and devill. This is ſometimes calledCol. 2. 2. Heb. 6 11. 18, 19 cha. 10. 22.Col 2:2Heb 6:11Heb 6:18Heb 6:19 full aſſurance of underſtanding, ſometimes it is called full aſſurance of hope; and ſometimes it is called full aſſurance of faith, becauſe theſe are the choice and pleaſant ſprings, from whence aſſurance flows. Now though this full aſſurance is earneſtly deſired, and highlyThis full Aſſurance is the maximum quod ſic, the higheſt pinacle of Aſſurance. prized, and the want of it much lamented, & the injoyment of it much endevoured after by al Saints, yet tis only obtained by a few. Aſſurance is a mercy too good for moſt mens hearts; it is a Crowne too weighty for moſt mens heads. Aſſurance is optimum maximum, the beſt and greateſt mercy, and therefore God will onelyonly give it to his beſt and deareſt friends.

Auguſtus in his ſolemne feaſts, gave trifles to ſome, but gold to others; honours, and riches, &c. are trifles that God gives to the worſt of men;Rev. 3. 18.Rev 3:18 But Aſſurance is that tryed gold, that God onelyonly gives to tried friends. Among p. 49thoſe few that have a ſhare orMoſt Saints I beleeve can give aloud teſtimony to this truth. I ſhall rejoyce when their experiences ſhall confute …r portion in the ſpecial love and favour of God, there are but a very few that have an aſſurance of his love. It is one mercy for God to love the ſoule, and another mercy for God to aſſure the ſoule of his love. God writes many a mans name in the Book of life, and yet will not let him know it till his houre of death, as the experience of many precious ſoules doth cleerly evidence. Aſſurance is a flower of Paradiſe that God ſticks butRom. 8. 16, 17.Rom 8:16Rom 8:17 in a few mens boſomes. It is one thing to be an heire of heaven, and another thing for a man to know, or ſee himſelfe an heire of heaven. The childe in the arms may be heire to a Crown, a Kingdome, and yet not underſtand it; ſo many a Saint may bee heire to a Crowne, a Kingdome of glory, and yet not know it. As the babes that paſſes the pangs of the firſt birth, do not preſently cry Father, Father; ſo the new borne Babes in Chriſt that have1 Pet. 2. 2.1 Pet 2:2 paſt the pangs of the ſecond birth, doe not preſently cry Abba Father, they doe not preſently cry out, Heaven, Heaven is ours; Glory, Glory is ours.

p. 50The third Propoſition is this, ThatThe third Propoſition. a man may have true grace that hath not Aſſurance of the love and favourThe blinde man in the Goſpel called his faith unbeleef. of God, or of the remiſſion of his ſins, and ſalvation of his ſoule. A man may be truly holy, and yet not have aſſurance that he ſhall be eternally happy. A man may be Gods, and yet he not know it; his eſtate may be good, and yet he not ſee it; he mayMat. 15. 22. 29.Matt 15:22Matt 15:29 be in a ſafe condition, when he is not in a comfortable condition: All may be well with him in the Court of glory, when hee would give a thouſand worlds, that all were but well in the court of conſcience.

The Canaanite woman ſhewed much love, wiſdome, zeale, humility, and faith, yea ſuch ſtrength of faith, as makes Chriſt admire her, and yeeld to her, grace her, and gratifie her, and yet ſhee had no aſſurance that wee read of. So Paul ſpeaking of the beleevingEph 1. 13. They that honour God by ſealing to his truth, thoſe God will honour by ſealing them with his Spirit.Eph 1:13 Epheſians ſaith, In whom ye alſo truſted after that yee heard the word of truth, the Goſpel of your ſalvation; in whom alſo after that yee beleeved, yee were ſealed with that holy Spirit of promiſe. Firſt, They heard the word; and then p. 51ſecondly, they beleeved; and then thirdly, they were ſealed, that is fully aſſured of a heavenly inheritance, of aSaints have eternal life, 1 In praetio, 2 In promiſſo, 3 In primitiis. purchaſed poſſeſſion. So 1 John, 5. 13. Theſe things have I written unto you that beleeve on the name of the Sonne of God, that yee may know that yee have eternal life, and that yee may beleeve on the name of the Son of God. So in that Iſa. 50. 10. Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voyce of his ſervant, that walketh in darkneſſe, and hath no light? let him truſt in the name of the Lord, and ſtay himſelfe upon his God. So in that Mich. 7. 8. 9. verſes, Rejoyce not againſt me, O mine enemy, when I fall, I ſhall ariſe, when I ſit in darkneſſe, the Lord ſhall be a light unto me: I will bear the indignation foreignof the Lord, becauſe I have ſinned againſt him, untill he plead my cauſe, and Zagnaph Signifies vehement anger, with a ſad and lowring countenance, Dan. 1. 10. vide Mer….Dan 1:10execute judgement for me; he will bring me forth to the light, and I ſhall behold his Righteouſneſſe. Aſaph was a very holy man, a man eminent in grace, and yet without aſſurance, as may bee ſeen at large in that 77. Pſ. Heman (doubtleſſe) was a very precious ſoule, and yet from his youth up, hee was (even) diſtracted with terrours, Pſalm 88. p. 52There are thouſand Chriſtians that are in a ſtate of grace, and ſhall beeIſa. 8. 17. Chap. 49. 14, 15, 16. Ch. 54, 6 7, 8, 9, 10, 11.Isa 8:17 ſaved, that want aſſurance, and the proper effects of it, as high joy, pure comfort, glorious peace, and vehement longings after the coming of Chriſt.

Aſſurance is requiſite to the wellbeing of a Chriſtian, but not to the being, it is requiſite to the conſolation of a Chriſtian, but not to the ſalvation of a Chriſtian; it is requiſite to the well-being of Grace, but not to the meer being of Grace. Though a man cannot be ſaved without faith, yet he may bee ſaved without aſſurance. God hath in many places of the Scripture declared, that without faith God never ſaid except you be aſſured, I will pardon you, I will never pardon you, except you are aſſured, I will ſave you, I will never ſave you; this is language God never ſpoke, and why then ſhould men ſpeak it?there is no ſalvation; but God hath not in any one place of Scripture declared, that without aſſurance there is no ſalvation. A man muſt firſt bee ſaved, before he can be aſſured of his ſalvation; for he cannot be aſſured of that which is not: and a man muſt have ſaving grace, before he can bee ſaved; for hee cannot be ſaved by that which hee hath not. Againe, a man muſt be ingrafted into Chriſt, before p. 53he can be aſſured of remiſſion, or ſalvation, but this he cannot bee before he hath faith, therefore there may bee grace, where there is no aſſurance. Chriſt went to heaven in a cloud, and the Angel went up to heaven in the ſmoak and flame of the ſacrifice, and ſo I doubt not, but many precious ſoules doe aſcend to heaven in cloudsAct. 1. 9. Judg. 13. 20.Acts 1:9Judg 13:20 and darkneſſe. Now a man may have grace, and yet want aſſurance, and that may ariſe from theſe cauſes.

Firſt, from his cavilling ſpirit, andCeaſe cavilling thou weak ſoul, and ſay (Quod fui Demine ignoſce, quod ſum corrige quod ero dirige) O Lord forgive what I have been, correct what I am, direct what I ſhall be. from his ſiding with the old man againſt the new, with the fleſh againſt the ſpirit, with corruption againſt grace, with the houſe of Saul, againſt the houſe of David, with the worke of Satan, againſt the worke of God. Sinne is Satans worke, grace, holineſs, is Gods; yet ſuch is the weakneſſe, yea madneſſe of many poore ſoules, that they will fall in, and ſide with Satans worke, rather then with Gods againſt their owne ſoules. Ah Chriſtians, will you condemne that Judge for injuſtice, and unrighteouſneſſe, that ſhall open his eares to the complaints of p. 54the Plaintiffe, but ſtop his ears againſtWhen John Proſtiborski Baron of Schanow was laid on the racke, he with an heroical indignation cut out his tongue, and caſt it away, being demanded why he did ſo, ſet down his anſwer with a quill on the wall, I did it (ſaid he) becauſe I would not be brought by any tortures to ſay any thing, that is falſe againſt my ſelfe, or others. Ah, cavilling ſouls, I had almoſt ſaid, that you were better cut out your tongues then ſuffer them to be ſtill a cavilling againſt the grace of God, the image of God, that is ſtamped upon you. the anſwers of the Defendant; and will you not condemne your ſelves for that you doe with both ears heare what Sinne and Satan hath to ſay againſt the ſoule, but have not one eare open to heare what the Spirit, what grace, what the New-man, what the noble part of man, what the regenerate man can ſay for the juſtification, ſatisfaction, and conſolation of the ſoule. Let mee tell thee, O thou cavilling ſoule, that it is thy wiſdome, and thy duty to remember that that command of God, that doth prohibit thee from bearing falſe witneſſe againſt thy neighbour, that ſame command doth enjoyne thee not to beare falſe witneſſe againſt the worke of grace upon thy owne heart, againſt the precious and glorious things that God hath done for thy ſoul. And thou ſhouldeſt make as much conſcience of bearing falſe witneſſe againſt any thing the Lord hath wrought in thee, and for thee, as thou doeſt make conſcience of bearing falſe witneſſe againſt thy neighbour. It cannot but be ſad with the ſoule, but be night with the ſoule, p. 55when it makes much conſcience of the one, and no conſcience of the other. Many heathens have been ſo loving and faithful one to another, that they would rather dye, then they would beare falſe witneſſe one againſt another: How dare you cavilling ſouls then to beare falſe witneſſe againſt your owne ſoules, and the gracious worke of the Lord upon them. If this bee not the way to keep off aſſurance, and keep the ſoule in darkneſſe, yea in a hell, I know nothing.

Againe, a man may have grace, and yet want aſſurance, and that may ariſe in the ſecond place from the exceeding littleneſſe, and weakneſſe ofMatth. 14. 30, 31. Mark 9. 24.Matt 14:30Matt 14:31Mark 9:24 his grace. A little Candle yeelds but a little light, and a little grace yeelds but a little evidence: Great meaſures of grace carries with them great and cleer evidences, but little meaſures carries with them but little evidence. Some Stars are ſo ſmall that they are ſcarce diſcernable; So ſome SaintsLuke 13 18, 19. Pythagoras ſa…th, That Muſtard-ſeed hath the preeminence among thoſe things whoſe power is to aſcend upwards Pli…. in h…s Rhet. Hiſt. lib. 20. cha. 22. ſpeaks more of this grain, vide.Luke 13:18Luke 13:19 graces are ſo ſmall, that they can hardly ſee their graces to bee graces. A little fire will yeeld but a little heat; a little grace will yeeld but a p. 56little comfort, a little evidence: A little grace will yeeld a man a heaven hereafter; but it is a great deale of grace that muſt yeeld us heaven here. A little ſtock will bring in but a little profit, a little grace will bring in but a little peace: A little Jewel yeelds but a little luſtre, a little glory; no more doth a little grace; and therefore it is that Chriſtians that have but a little grace, have but a little of the ſhine and luſtre of Aſſurance, they have but little joy and comfort in this world. Yet that the ſpirits of weake Chriſtians may not utterly faint, let mee give them this hint, viz. That the weakeſt ChriſtianThe Babe in the arms, as much propriety in the Father, as hee that is growne up to ripe years, though he cannot make ſuch improvement of it, as the other. is as much juſtified, as much pardoned, as much adopted, and as much united to Chriſt as the ſtrongeſt, and hath as much intereſt and propriety in Chriſt, as the higheſt and nobleſt Chriſtian that breaths, though hee cannot make ſo much advantage and improvement of his intereſt and propriety as the ſtrong Chriſtian, who hath a greater degree of grace.

Hierom obſerves upon the Beatitudes, that there are many of the p. 57promiſes made to weake grace, Mat. 5.A childs hand may receive a pearle, as well as the hand of a Gyant; ſo may a weak faith, a Chriſt as well as a ſtrong. 3. 4. Bleſſed are the poore in ſpirit; v. 4. Bleſſed are they that mourne; and v. 5. Bleſſed are they that hunger and thirſt. Weake Saints, remember this, the promiſe is a ring of gold, and Chriſt is the precious tried ſtone in that ring, and upon that ſtone muſt you reſt, as you would have grace to thrive, and your ſoules to bee ſafe and happy. Weake ſoules, remember this; as Joſeph ſent Chariots to bring his Father,Gen. 45.Gen 45 and his brethren to him, ſo God would have your weake graces to bee as Chariots to bring you to himſelfe who is the cheriſher, ſtrengthner, and increaſer of grace: Hee that makes his graces to be ſervants, and handmaids to convey him to Chriſt, theIt would very much diſcomfort us, and terrifie us, to ſee one haunt us that was long ſince laid in the grave, whoſe reſurrection we did neither feare, nor repent till the ſounding of the laſt Trumpet. fountaine of grace; hee ſhall finde the greateſt ſweetneſſe in grace, and the greateſt increaſe of grace.

Againe, a man may have true grace, and yet want aſſurance, and this may ariſe from the reſurrection of old ſins; Ah when thoſe ſinnes which were long ſince committed, and long ſince lamented, and long ſince loathed, and long ſince crucified, when thoſe old p. 58ſins, which hath coſt a ſoule many prayers, and many tears, and many ſighs, and may groans, and many complaints, when thoſe ſinnes that have been long buried, ſhall bee againe revived, and meet the ſoule, and ſtare upon the ſoule, and ſay to the ſoule, We are thine, and wee will follow thee, wee are thine, and wee will haunt thee: Ah, how will this cauſe a mans countenance to bee changed, his thoughts to be troubled, his joynts to be looſed, and his heart to be amazed; David, and Job meeting with the ſins of their youth (long after they werePſal. 25. 7. Job 13 26.Ps 25:7Job 13:26 lamented and pardoned) makes their hearts ſtartle and tremble. Upon the new riſings of old ſinnes, the ſoule begins to queſtion all, and thus to expoſtulate the caſe, Surely my eſtate is not good, my pardon is not ſealed, if it be, how comes theſe ſinnes to bee revived, to be remembred? hath not God ingaged himſelfe in the promiſesIſa. 43. 25: Jer. 31. 34.Isa 43:25Jer 31:34 of Grace, that thoſe ſinnes that are pardoned, ſhall never be remembred? and ſurely if theſe ſinnes be not pardoned, I have reaſon to feare that others bee not pardoned; and if my p. 62ſins bee not pardoned, how ſhall I eſcape being deſtroyed: Surely my repentance was not ſound; my ſorrow was not ſincere, the blow, the wound I gave ſinne, was not mortall, if it had, how comes it to paſſe that it now meets mee like an armed enemy. Thus theſe new riſings of old ſinnes keeps many a mans ſoule, and aſſurance aſunder.

Again, a man may have grace, and yet want aſſurance, and this may ariſePerfection is deſireable on earth, but ſhall be onelyonly enjoyed in heaven. It was a ſweet ſaying of One (In libro t…o ſcribuntur omnes qui quod poſſunt faciunt ſi quod debent non poſſunt) They are ſurely written all▪ in Gods Book, that doe what they can, though they cannot but under do. from his falling ſhort of that perfection that the word requires, and that other Saints have attained to: Ah, ſayes ſuch a ſoul, ſurely I have no grace! Oh how ſhort do I fall of ſuch and ſuch righteous rules, and of ſuch and ſuch precious Chriſtians! Ah how cleer are they in their light, how ſtrong are they in their love; how high are they in their attainments; how are their hearts filled with grace, and their lives with holineſſe; all their motions towards God, and towards man, ſpeaks out Grace, Grace; they pray indeed like Saints, and live indeed like Angels. Now many poore ſoules comparing themſelves with the perfect p. 60rule of righteouſneſſe, and with thoſe that are in the higheſt formes in Chriſts Schoole, and that are the nobleſt and choiceſt patterns for purity, and ſanctity, and finding ſuch a vaſt diſproportion between their hearts, and the rule between their actions and lives, and the lives and actions of others, they are apt to fit downe ſadded and diſcouraged.

Suetonius reports of Julius Caeſar, that ſeeing Alexanders ſtatue, hee fetched a deep ſigh, becauſe hee at that age had none ſo little; So many preciousRemember this. Though your conſolation depends upon degrees of grace, yet your ſalvation depends upon the truth of grace. ſoules ſit downe ſighing and weeping, that they have lived ſo long, and done ſo little for God, and for their owne internal, and eternal good. This wounds and ſinkes their ſpirits, that they are ſo unlike to thoſe in Grace, that they deſire to be like unto in Glory; and that they are ſo far below ſuch and ſuch in ſpirituals, whom they are ſo far above in temporals.

5 Again, a man may have true grace, and yet want aſſurance; and this may ariſe from that ſmoak and clouds, thoſe feares and doubts that corruption raiſes in the ſoule; ſo that p. 61the ſoule cannot ſee thoſe excellentThe being of grace is a different thing from the ſeeing of grace. The blind man, you know in the Goſpel, calls his faith, unbeleef. graces that otherwiſe might bee diſcerned, though there may bee many precious gems and jewels in the houſe, yet the ſmoak may hinder a man from ſeeing them ſparkle and ſhine: So though there be many precious graces in the ſoules of Saints, yet corruption may raiſe ſuch a duſt, ſuch a ſmoak in the ſoule, that the ſoule is not able to ſee them in the beauty and glory.Gen. 21. 19, 20Gen 21:19Gen 21:20 The Wel of water was neer Hagar, but ſhe ſaw it not till her eyes were opened by the Lord. So grace is neer the ſoul, yea in the ſoul ſometimes, and yet the ſoul doth not ſee it till God opens theGen. 28.Gen 28 eye and ſhews it. The Lord was in this Yet a Saint at worſt, is not like him in Plutarch, who would not bee reſolved of his doubts, becauſe he would not loſe the pleaſure in ſeeking for reſolution. No he loves and looks, and longs for reſolution to all his doubts.place, ſaid Jacob, and I knew it not; ſo many a precious ſoule may ſay, Grace was in my heart, and I knew it not, I ſaw it not. Bleſſed Bradford in one of his Epiſtles, ſaith thus, O Lord, meethinks, I feel it ſo with me, ſometimes as if there were no difference between my heart and the heart of the wicked; my minde is as blinde as theirs, my ſpirit as ſtout, ſtubborne, and rebellious as theirs, and my thoughts as confuſed as theirs, and my affections as diſordered as theirs, and p. 62ſ…rvices as formal as theirs, &c. Ah, Chriſtians, have not many of your ſoules found it ſo? Surely yes; no wonder then, that though you have grace, yet you have not ſeen it ſparkling and ſhining in your ſoules, as ſome have thought that their fields have had no corne, becauſe they have been ſo full of weeds, and that their heap hath no wheat, becauſe nothing hath appeared but chaffe, & that their pile hath no gold, becauſe it hath been covered with much droſs: So ſome have thought that their hearts have been void of grace, becauſe they have been ſo full ofMatth. 14 30 Mat. 12. 15. Gen 20. Chap.Matt 14:30Matt 12:15Gen 20 fears and doubts. Peter at one time beleeves, and walkes, at another time he doubts and ſinkes; Abraham beleeves, and offers up Iſaac at one time, hee feares and falls at another time, Say thou art my ſiſter leſt they kill mee. So David and Job, they had their ſhufflings, tremblings, faintings, ſhakings,Pſal. 116. 11. Pſal 31. 22.Ps 116:11Ps 31:22 and queſtionings. It is not alwayes high water with Saints, ſometimes they are reduced to a very low ebbe. The beſt of Saints are like theRara hora, brevis mora, Ber. Arke toſſed up and downe with waves, with feares, and doubts; and ſo it p. 63will bee till they are quite in the boſome of Chriſt.

6 Laſtly, a man may have grace, and yet not ſee it, yet not know it; and this may ariſe from his non-ſearching, his non-examining, his non-ranſacking of his owne ſoule; there is gold in the Mine, and men might finde it, if they would but dig and ſearch diligently after it. There is grace in the heart, and you might ſee it, if you would but take the candle of the Lord, and looke narrowly after it. Looke as many a man upon a diligent ſearch, may finde his temporall eſtate to bee better then hee apprehendsWorthleſſe Dayſes grow in ſight upon the ſurface of the earth, but the precious and richeſt rarities are hid within the bowels of the earth. You are wiſe, and know how to apply it. it: So many choice ſoules upon a diligent ſearch may finde their ſpiritual eſtate to bee far better then they conceived or judged it to bee; therefore ſoules ceaſe from complaining, ceaſe from raſh judging, and dooming of your ſelves to hell, and be diligent in enquiring what the Lord hath done, and what the Lord is a doing in you, and for you; compare the books together, compare his working upon you, and others together; what is there no light? no love, no longings, no hungrings, no p. 64thirſtings after God; what is there noThe cry that was heard in the Temple was (migremus hinc) Let us go hence, Let us go hence. ſighing, no complaining, no mourning under the ſenſe of ſinne, and under the want of divine favour: Surely if you ſearch, you will finde ſome of theſe things; and if you doe, prize them as jewels that are more worth then a world. God will not deſpiſe the day of ſmall things; and will you? will you, dare you ſay that that is little, that is more worth then heaven? the leaſt ſparke of grace ſhall at laſt be turned into a crowne of glory. Well, remember this, that as the leaſt grace, if true, and ſincere, is ſufficient to ſalvation; ſo the ſenſe of the leaſt grace ſhould be ſufficient to your conſolation.

The fourth Propoſition is this, viz. The fourth Propoſition.That God may deny aſſurance long, and yet give it in to his children at laſt, after patient waiting. God appears to David, and brings him out of an horrible pit (or out of a pit of noiſe) and Pſal. 4. 1, 2, 3▪ 4.Ps 4:1Ps 4:2Ps 4:3Ps 4:4ſets his feet upon a rocke, and puts a new ſong into his mouth. After the Church in the Canticles had run throughChap. 3. 5. many hazards and hardſhips; many difficulties and dangers, ſhe findes him p. 65whom her ſoule loved. The Prophet ſitsPſal. 69. 2, 3.Ps 69:2Ps 69:3 downe, and bewayles his ſad conditionVerſ. 20. thus, I am weary of my crying, my throat is dried, mine eyes faile while I wait for my God. And I am full of heavineſſe, and I looked for ſome to take pity, but there was none, and for comforters, but I found none. I but at laſt, God appears, and then ſayes he, I will praiſe the name of Verſ. 30. Job 8. 9.Job 8:9God with a ſong, and will magnifie him, with thankſgiving. Job ſighs it out, Behold, I goe forward, but he is not there, and backward, but I cannot perceive him: On the left hand where he doth worke, but I cannot behold him; he hideth himſelfe on the right hand, that I cannot ſee him. Chap. 27. 5, 6.But after this ſighing, he ſings it out, Till I dye I will not remove my integrity from me: My righteouſneſſe I hold faſt, and will not let it goe; my heart ſhall not reproach me ſo long as I live.

Mr. Frogmorten was as holy, and as choice a Preacher as moſt was in England in thoſe dayes, and hee lived ſeven and thirty yeers without aſſurance, and then dyed, having aſſurance but an houre before hee dyed; he went to dye at Mr. Dods (who is now with the Lord) and did dye there in full p. 66Aſſurance of the juſtification of his perſon, Experience doth abundantly evidence that this is the manner of Gods dealing with abundance of thoſe precious ſouls, of whom this world is not worthy. I could ſay much to this point from my owne knowledge, but I muſt forbear lighting a candle to ſee the Sun at noon.the remiſsion of his ſinnes, and the ſalvation of his ſoule. God denied aſſurance a great while to Mr. Glover, though hee ſought it with many prayers and tears; and yet when hee was in ſight of the fire, the Lord ſhined forth in his favor ſo ſweerly upon him, that he cries out to his friend, He is come, he is come, meaning the Comforter. So Mrs. Katherine Bretterge after many bitter conflicts with Satan, the day before ſhe dyed, ſhe had ſweet aſſurance of that Kingdome that ſhakes not, of thoſe riches that corrupt not, and of that Crowne of righteouſneſſe that ſades not away. I have read of three Martyrs that were bound and brought to the ſtake, and one of them gets from under his chaine to admiration, and falls downe upon the ground, and wraſtles earneſtly with God for the ſenſe of his love, and God gave it him then at that inſtant, and ſo he came, and imbraced the ſtake, and died cheerfully, and reſolutely, a glorious Martyr. God delayed till he was bound, and then lets out himſelf ſweetly and gloriouſly to him.

p. 67Now God doth delay the giving in of aſſurance to his deareſt ones, and that partly to let them know that hee will be waited on, and that aſſurance Voluntas Dei neceſſitas rei, God will have every childe of his to put his fiat, his places to Gods, go it never ſo much againſt the hair.is a jewel worth waiting for. The leaſt ſmile from God when our laſt glaſſe is running will make our ſoules amends for all their waiting; and partly that wee may know that hee is free in his workings, and that he is not tied to any proportions or qualifications in the creature, but is free to come when he will, and goe when hee will, and ſtay as long as hee will, though the ſoule doth ſigh it out, How long Lord, how long will it bee before my mourning bee turned into rejoycing.

Again, God delayes the giving in of aſſurance, not becauſe he delights to keep his children in feares and doubts, nor becauſe hee thinks that aſſurance is too rare, too great, too choice a jewel to beſtow upon them,Iſa. 59. 1, 2. Jer. 5. 25.Isa 59:1Isa 59:2Jer 5:25 but it is either becauſe he thinks their ſoules doe not ſtand at a ſufficient diſtance from ſinne, or becauſe their ſoules are ſo taken up and filled with creature-enjoyments, as that Chriſt is p. 68put to lodge in an out-houſe, or elſeLuke 2. 7.Luke 2:7 it is becauſe they purſue not after aſſurance with all their might, they give not all diligence to make their calling, 2 Pet. 2. 5.2 Pet 2:5and election ſure; or elſe it is becauſe their hearts are not prepared, are not low enough for ſo high a favour.

Now Gods delaying aſſurance upon theſe weighty grounds, ſhould rather worke us to admire him, to juſtifie him, and quietly to wait for him, then to have any hard thoughts of him, or to carry it unkindly to him, or impatientlyJud 5 28.Judg 5:28 to ſay, Why is his Chariot ſo long a comming.

The fifth Propoſition is this, ThatThe fifth Propoſition. thoſe choice ſoules that have aſſurance, may loſe it, they may forfeit it, the freſhneſſe and greenneſſe, the beauty, luſtre, and glory of aſſurance may bee loſt. It is true, beleevers cannot loſe the habits, the ſeeds, the root of grace, yet they may loſe aſſurance, which is the beauty and fragrancy, the crowne and glory of Grace. Theſe two lovers, Grace and Aſſurance, are not by1 Joh. 3. 9. 1 Per 1. 5.1 John 3:91 John 3:1 God ſo neerly joyned together, but that they may by ſinne on our ſide, p. 69and juſtice on Gods, bee put aſunder.It is wonderfull rare (if poſſible) for a man that ever had a wellgrounded Aſſurance, not to exper…ence this truth at firſt or laſt. The keeping of theſe two Lovers, Grace, and Aſſurance together, will yeeld the ſoul two heavens, a heaven of joy and peace here, and a heaven of happineſſe and bleſſedneſſe hereafter; but the putting theſe two Lovers aſunder, will put the ſoule into a hell here, though it eſcape a hell hereafter. This Chryſoſtome knew well, when hee profeſſed that the want of the enjoyment of God, would bee aA ſeparation between the body and the ſoul, will not ſo torment the ſoul as ſeparation between grace and aſſurance. far greater hell to him then the feeling of any puniſhment. As you would keep your Chriſt, as you would keep your Comfort, as you would keep your Crowne, keep Grace and Aſſurance together, and neither by lip, nor life, by word, nor works, let theſe be put aſunder. It is poſſible for the beſt men ſo to blot and blur their Evidences for felicity and glory, as that they may not bee able to read them, nor underſtand them. They may ſo vexe and grieve the Spirit (either by groſſe enormities, or by refuſing hisSpiritus Sanctus eſt res delicata; the Holy Spirit is a very render thing. comforts and cordials, or by neglecting, or ſleighting his gracious actings in themſelves and others, or by p. 70miſ-judging his worke, as calling faith fancy, or ſincerity hypocriſie, &c. or by fathering thoſe brats upon him that are the children of their owne diſtempered hearts) as that hee may refuſe to witneſſe their intereſt in him,1 Sam. 16. Joh. 14.1 Sam 16John 14 though he be a witneſſing Spirit, and refuſe to comfort them, though he be the onelyonly Comforter.

The beſt beleever that breaths,What Latimer ſaid of the ſpirit, it is going and coming, may be truly ſaid of Aſſurance and joy, it is coming and going. may have his Summer-day turned into a Winter-night, his rejoycing into ſighing, his ſinging into weeping, his wedding Robes into mourning weeds, his wine into water, his ſweet into bitter; his Mannah, his Angelsfood into husks, his pleaſant grapes into the grapes of Sodome, his fruitfull Canaan, his delightfull Paradiſe into a barren and unlovely wilderneſſe. Look as faith is often attended with unbeleef, and ſincerity, with hypocriſie, and humility, with vaine glory; ſo is Aſſurance, with feares and doubts. Bleſſed Hooker lived neerSo d…d Mr. Burroughs of bleſſed memory goe to heaven in a cloud. thirty yeers in cloſe communion with God, without any conſiderable withdrawings of God, all that while; and yet upon his dying-bed, he went away p. 71without any ſenſe of aſſurance, or diſcoveries of the ſmiles of God; to the wonder, and deceiving of the expectation of many precious ſoules, and without doubt in judgement to wicked men. Look as many a man loſes the ſight of the City when he comes neer to it: So many a choice ſoule loſes the ſight of heaven, even then when hee is neereſt to heaven. Abraham (you know) had aſſurance in an extraordinary way concerning his protection from God, and yet ſaiesGen 12. 19. Chap. 20. 2. We ſhould rather dye then lie, we are not to tell an officious lye, to tell a lye for no hurt, but for good, though it were to ſave all the world, ſaid Auſtin.Gen 12:19 Abraham, ſay thou art my ſiſter, for otherwiſe they will kill me. Ah, how was the freſhneſs, the greenneſs, the beauty and glory of his aſſurance wore off, that he ſhould out of ſlaviſh fears, expoſe his wife to other mens pleaſure, and himſelfe, and his neighbour to Gods diſpleaſure, that hee ſhould wound foure at once, the honour of God, his wives chaſtity, his owne conſcience, and Pharoahs ſoul. David, you know, ſometimes ſings it out ſweetly, The Lord is my portion, and the lot of mine inheritance, he is my ſalvation, of whom ſhall I be afraid, he is my Pſal. 18. 2.Ps 18:2Rocke, and fortreſſe, and my deliverer, p. 72my God, my ſtrength, my truſt, my buckler and my high Tower. At other times you have him ſighing it out, Why art thou caſt downe, O my ſoule, why art thou diſquieted in me, why haſt thou forgotten me, O God, my Rock, why goe I mourning? Verſ. 9.Thine arrows ſtick faſt in me, and thy hand preſſeth me ſore. There is no ſoundneſs Pſal. 38. 2.Ps 38:2in my fleſh, becauſe of thine Verſ. 3. Verſ. 4▪anger, neither is there any reſt in my bones, becauſe of my ſinne; for mine iniquities Verſ. 6.are gone over my head, as an heavy burden they are too heavy for mee. Pſal. 30. 7. Pſ 51. 8. to 13.Ps 30:7Ps 51:8–13I am troubled, I am bowed downe greatly: I goe mourning all the day long. Thou diddeſt hide thy face, and I was troubled. Reſtore to me the joy of my ſalvation, that the bones that thou haſt broken may rejoyce. His heart was more often out of tune then his harpe: He begins many of his Pſalms ſighing, and ends them ſinging; and others he begins in joy, and ends in ſorrow: So that one would think (ſaith one) that Peter Moulin.thoſe Pſalms had been compoſed by two men of a contrary humor. Yea, it is very obſervable, that though David had aſſurance in an extraordinary way, that he ſhould be King, being ano…nted by p. 73that great Prophet Samuel; yet the luſtre and glory of this aſſurance wears off, and he (overcome by ſlaviſh fears)Pſal. 116. 11. foreignPs 116:11 cryes out, That all men are lyars, (even Samuel, as well as others,) and that he ſhall one day periſh by the hand ofIn my trembling, or in my affrightment, I ſaid all men are lyers. Saul. It is true, ſays David, I have a Crown, a Kingdom, in a promiſe, but I muſt ſwim to the Crown thorow blood, I muſt win the Crown before I wear it; and the truth is, I am like to die, before I attain it. Yea, and after he was King, when King Jeſus did but hide his face, he was ſorely troubled;Pſal. 30. 6, 7. foreignPs 30:6Ps 30:7 ſo that neither his gloriousBahal, I was troubled like a withered flower that looſ…th ſap and vigor. So it is uſed in Exod. 15. 15.Exod 15:15 Throne, nor his Royal Robes, nor his Golden Crown, nor his gliſtering Courtiers, nor his large Revenues, nor his cheerful temper, nor his former Experiences could quiet him, or ſatisfie him, when God had turned his back upon him. Look as all lightsWhen God is gone, it is night with the ſoul. cannot make up the want of the light of the Sun, ſo all temporal comforts cannot make up the want of one ſpiritual comfort. So Job ſometimes ſingsJob 16. 19. & 19. 25. Job 6. 4.Job 16:19Job 19:25Job 6:4 it out, My Witneſs is in Heaven, and my Record is on high, and my Redeemer lives, &c. At other times you have him p. 74complaining, The Arrows of the Almighty ſtick faſt in me, and their poyſon drinketh up my ſpirit; the terrors of God do ſet themſelves in array againſt me. And in the 29 Chapter, you have him ſighingJob 29. 2, 3, 4, 5. Tota vita boni Chriſtiani ſanctum deſiderium eſt. The whole life of a good Chriſtian, is an holy wiſh, ſaith One.Job 29:2Job 29:3Job 29:4Job 29:5 it out thus, O that I were as in moneths paſt, as in the days when God preſerved me; when his candle ſhined up on my head, and when by his light I walked thorow darkneſs. As I was in the days of my youth, when the ſecret of God was upon my Tabernacle; when the Almighty was yet with me, &c. Now by all theſe clear inſtances, and by many others Saints Experiences, it is evident, That the choiceſt Saints may looſe their aſſurance, and the luſtre and glory of it may decay and wither. What the Soul ſhould do in ſuch a caſe, and how it ſhould be recovered out of this ſad ſtate, I ſhall ſhew you towards the cloſe of this Diſcourſe.

The ſixth Propoſition is this, ThatThe ſixth Propoſition. the certainty and infallibility of a Chriſtians aſſurance, cannot be made known to any, but his own heart. He can ſay as the blinde man once ſaid, This I know, John 9. 25.John 9:25that once I was blinde, but now I ſee; once I was a ſlave, but now I am a ſon; p. 75once I was dead, but now I am alive; Rom. 8. & 6. 11, 13.Rom 8once I was darkneſs, but now I am light in the Lord; once I was a childe of wrath, Epheſ. 5. 8: & 2. 3. John 8. 36.Eph 5:8Eph 5:2an heir of Hell, but now I am an heir of Heaven; once I was Satans bondman, but now I am Gods freeman; once I2 Cor. 3. 17.2 Cor 3:17 was under the ſpirit of bondage, butGal. 5. 1, 13. Eph. 1. 13, 14.Gal 5:1Gal 5:13Eph 1:13Eph 1:14 now I am under the ſpirit of adoption, that ſeals up to me the remiſsion of my ſins, the juſtification of my perſon, and the ſalvation of my ſoul. All this ICan you compaſs the Heavens with a ſpan, or contain the Sea in a Nut-ſhel, then may you fully evidence your aſſurance to others. know, ſays the aſſured Saint; but I cannot make you know it certainly, and infallibly. if you would give me a thouſand worlds. What I have found and felt, and what I do finde and feel, is wonderfully beyond what I am able to expreſs; I am as well able to tell the Stars of Heaven, and to number the Sand of the Sea, as I am able to declare to you, the joy, the joy, the unconceivable joy, the aſſurance, the glorious 1 Pet. 1. 8. So my yong Lord Harrington, and Nazianzen, and Vincentius, and Fani…us, an Italian Martyr, with many more that might be named.1 Pet 1:8aſſurance that God hath given me. Severinus the Indian Saint, under the power of aſſurance, was heard to ſay, O my God, do not for pity ſo ever joy me, if I muſt ſtill live, and have ſuch conſolations, take me to Heaven, &c. So ſay ſouls under the power of aſſurance. p. 76Lord, we are ſo filled with joy and comfort, with delight and content, that we are not able to expreſs it here on Earth, and therefore take us to Heaven, that we may have that glory put upon us, that may inable us to declare and manifeſt thoſe glorious things that thou haſt wrought in us.

Parents do by experience feel ſuch ſoundings, ſuch meltings, ſuch rowlings, ſuch ſweet workings of their affections, and bowels, towards their children, that for their lives they cannot to the life deſcribe to others what it is to be a Father, to be a Mother; what it is to have ſuch rowlings of bowels towards children. Aſſurance is that white ſtone that none knoweth,Vide Beza, Bullenger, Pererius, and Brightman, on the words. but he that hath it, Revel. 2. 17. To him that overcometh, will I give to eat of the hidden Manna, and I will give him a white ſtone, and in the ſtone a new name written, which no man knoweth, ſaving he that receiveth it. White ſtones were in great uſe among the Romans. 1. In white ſtones they uſed to write the names of ſuch as were victorious and Conquerors; ſo in that Text, To him that overcometh, will I give a white ſtone. p. 772. They uſed to acquit the innocentAnd they gave black ſtones to note their condemnation. in Courts of Juſtice, by giving them a white ſtone; and ſo here the white ſtone points out abſolution and remiſſion. 3. They uſed to give a white ſtone to thoſe that were choſen to any places of honor; ſo the white ſtone of aſſurance Heb. 12. 28. Matth. 6. 20. 1 Pet. 1. 4.Heb 12:28Matt 6:201 Pet 1:4is an evidence of our Election, of our being choſen to a Kingdom that ſhakes not, to riches that corrupt not, and to a crown of glory that fades not. And thus much for this ſixt Propoſition, viz. That the certainty and infallabillity of a Chriſtians aſſurance cannot be made known to any but his own heart.

The ſeventh Propoſition is this, ThatThe ſeventh Propoſition. there are ſome ſpecial ſeaſons and times, wherein the Lord is graciouſly pleaſed to give to his children a ſweet aſſurance of his favor and love, and they are theſe that follow.

Firſt, Sometimes (I ſay not always) at firſt converſion, the Lord is pleaſed to make out ſweet manifeſtations of his love to the penitent ſoul; when the ſoul hath been long under guilt and wrath; when the ſoul hath been long under the frowns and diſpleaſure p. 78of God, and hath long ſeen the gates of Heaven barred againſt him, and the mouth of Hell open to receive him; when the ſoul hath ſaid, ſurely there is no hope, there is no help, ſurely I ſhall looſe God, Chriſt, and Heaven for ever: Then God comes in, and ſpeaks peace to the ſoul; then he ſays, I will blot out thy iniquities for my name ſake, and will remember thy ſins no more. Hark ſoul, hark, ſays Chriſt, My Iſai. 55. 8, 9.Isa 55:8Isa 55:9thoughts are not as your thoughts, nor my ways as your ways. My thoughts toward you, are thoughts of peace, and thoughts of love. Hark ſoul, here is Mercy to pardon thee, and here is Grace to adorn thee; here is a Righteouſneſs1 Cor. 1. 30.1 Cor 1:30 to juſtifie thee, here is eyeſalve to enlighten thee, and gold toRevel. 3. 18.Rev 3:18 enrich thee, and rayment to cloath thee, and balm to heal thee, and bread to nouriſh thee, and wine upon the lees to chear thee, and happineſs toIſai. 25. 6.Isa 25:6 crown thee, and my ſelf to ſatisfie thee. Ah ſouls! have not ſome of you found it ſo? ſurely you have. God deals ſometimes with rebellious ſinners, as Princes do with thoſe that are in arms, that are in open rebellion p. 79againſt them. You know Princes willThis h…h b…n a practiſe among all Princes, whether they have been Chriſtians or Heathens. put ſuch hard to it, they ſhall fare hard, and lie hard. Chains and Racks, and what not ſhall attend them; and yet after the ſentence is paſt upon them, and they are upon the laſt ſtep of the Ladder of Life, ready to be turned off, and all hope of eſcape is gone, then the Princes pardon is put into their hand: So the Lord brings many poor ſouls to the laſt ſteps of the Ladder, to a hopeleſs condition, and then he puts their pardon into their boſoms, then he ſayes, Be of good chear, I have received you into favor, I have ſet my love upon you, I am reconciled to you, and will never be ſeparated from you. You know how God dealt with Paul, after he had awaknedActs 9. 3, 4, 5, 6. Vide Bezam, & Grotium, & Calvin.Acts 9:3Acts 9:4Acts 9:5Acts 9:6 and convinced him, after he had unhorſed him, and overthrown him, after he had amazed and aſtoniſhed him, then he ſhews himſelf graciouſly and favorably to him, then he takes him up into the third Heaven, and makes ſuch manifeſtations of his love and favor, of his beauty and glory, of his mercy and majeſty, as he is not able to utter. So upon the prodigals p. 80return the fatted Calf is killed,Luk. 15. 22, 23.Luke 15:22Luke 15:23 and the beſt Robe is put upon his back, and the Ring is put on his hand, and ſhoes on his feet. Some underſtand by the Robe, the Royalty of Adam, others,The dignity which Adam loſt; nay, I think in this parable God ſets forth his goodneſs, and our happineſs in reſtoring to us more by the death of the ſecond Adam, then we loſt by the ſin of the firſt Adam. the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt; and by the Ring, ſome underſtand the pledges of Gods love, Rings being given as pledges of love; ſome the ſeal of Gods Spirit, men uſing to ſeal with their Rings. Among the Romans the Ring was an enſign of Virtue, Honor, and Nobility, whereby they that wore them, were diſtinguiſhed from the common people. I think the main thing intended by all theſe paſſages, is to ſhew us, That God ſometimes upon the ſinners firſt converſion, and returning to him, is graciouſly pleaſed to give him ſome choice and ſignal manifeſtations of his love, and favor, of his good will and pleaſure, and that upon theſe following Grounds.

Firſt, That they may not be ſwallowed up of ſorrow, nor give up the ghoſt under the pangs and throws of the new birth: Ah, did not the Lord ſet in ſome beams of love upon the ſoul, when it is (magor Miſſabib) a p. 81terrour to its ſelf, when the heart is a hell of horrour, the conſcience anAn awakned conſcience is like Prometheus Vulture, it lies ever gnawing. Acheldema, a Field of black blood, when the ſoul is neither quiet at home, nor abroad, neither at Bed, nor Board, neither in company, nor out of company, neither in the uſe of Ordinances, nor in the neglect of Ordinances, how would the ſoul faint, ſink, and deſpair for ever? But now when it is thus night with the ſoul, the Lord ſweetly comes in, and tells the ſoul, that all is well, that he hath found a ranſom forJob 33. 24.Job 33:24 the ſoul, that the Books are croſt, that all debts are diſcharged, and that his favor and love upon the ſoul is fixed: And ſo God by his ſweet and ſtill voice, ſpeaking thus to the ſoul, quiets and ſatisfies it, and keeps it from ſinking and deſpairing.

Secondly, God gives in aſſurance ſometimes at firſt converſion, that he may the more raiſe and inflame their love and affections to him. Ah! How does a pardon given in, when a man is ready to be turned off, draw out his love, and raiſe his affections to that Prince that ſhews bowels of mercy, when he is upon the brink of miſery: p. 82So when a poor ſinner is upon the laſtTitus Motro was, Pri…c…ps bonus orbis amor. All the world falls in love with a good Prince, with a merciful Prince. ſtep of the Ladder, upon the very brink of Hell, and miſery; now for God to come in, and ſpeak peace and pardon to the ſoul, Ah how does it inflame the ſoul, and works the ſoul to a holy admiration of God, and to a ſpiritual delighting in God. King Antigonus his pulling a ſheep with his own hands out of a dirty ditch (as he was paſſing by) drew his Subjects exceedingly to commend him, and love him. So King Jeſus pulling of poor ſouls out of their ſins, and as it were out of Hell, cannot but draw them to be much in the commendations of Chriſt, and ſtrong in their love to Chriſt. Chriſt hath nothing more in his eye, nor upon his heart, then to act towards his people in ſuch ways, and at ſuch ſeaſons as may moſt win upon their affections. And therefore it is, that ſometimes he gives the ſtrongeſt conſolation at firſt converſion.

Thirdly, Chriſt ſometimes at firſt converſion grants to his people the ſweeteſt manifeſtations of his love, that they may bee the more active, p. 83ſervent, abundant, and conſtant inAmor Dei …unquam otioſus eſt operatur enim magna ſi eſt fi vero operari renuit amor non eſt; the love of God is never idle, for if it is, it worketh great things, but if it reſuſe to work, it is not love. wayes of grace and holineſſe; hee knows that divine manifeſtations of love, will moſt awaken, quicken, and engage the ſoule to wayes of piety and ſanctity. Look what wings are to the bird, oyle to the wheels, weights to the clock, a reward to the coward, and the load-ſtone to the needle, that is the ſmiles and diſcoveries of God to a poore ſoule at his converſion: The manifeſtations of divineSo ſaid Bradford, and other bleſſed ſouls. love puts heat and life into the ſoule, it makes the ſoule very ſerious, and ſtudious how to act for God, and live to God & walk with God: Ah, ſaies a ſoul, under the beams of divine love: It is my meat and drinke, it is my joy and crowne to doe all I can, for that God that hath done ſo much for me, as to know me in darkneſſe, and to ſpeak love to me when I was moſt unlovely, to turn my mourning into rejoycing, and my hell into a heaven.

Fourthly, Chriſt ſometimes at firſt converſion gives his people the ſweeteſt manifeſtations of his love, to fence, and fortifie them againſt Satans fiery temptations, before Chriſt ſhall bee p. 84led into the wilderneſſe to be temptedMat. 3. 16, 17. foreign is an emphatical word, and ſignifies that infinite affection, delight, and contentt hat God the Father did take in Chriſt. Eph. 6. 16.Matt 3:16Matt 3:17Eph 6:16 by the devill, the Spirit of the Lord ſhall deſcend upon him, like a Dove, and he ſhall hear a voice from heaven ſaying, This is my beloved Sonne in whom I am well-pleaſed, that ſo he may be ſtrong in reſiſting, and glorious in triumphing over all the aſſaults and temptations of Satan; So many times at firſt converſion, the Lord makes out ſweet manifeſtations of his love to the ſoule, that ſo the ſoule may ſtand faſt, and not give ground; and in the ſenſe of divine love may ſo manage the ſhield of faith, as to quench all the fiery darts of the Devil. The Lord knows that when hee ſets upon the delivering of a poor ſoule from the Kingdome of darkneſſe, and tranſlating it into the Kingdome of his dear Sonne, that Satan will roar andCol. 1. 13.Col 1:13 rage, rend and tear, as he did him in.Pharaoh in his furious and violent purſuing after Iſrael, when he ſaw that God would bring them from under his power was a type of Satan. Mark 9. 25, 26. When Jeſus ſaw that the people came ranning together, hee rebuked the foule ſpirit, ſaying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf ſpirit, I charge thee to come out of him; and the ſpirit cryed, and rent him ſore, and came out of him, and he was as one dead; in ſo much, that p. 85many ſaid, He is dead. No ſooner did Jeſus Chriſt look with an eye of love, pity, and compaſſion, upon the Boy, but the Devil in his rage, and wrath,The Greek word foreign ſignifies to tear and rent, as the dog doth. falls a renting and tearing of him, as mad dogs do thoſe things they faſten upon. This poor childe had never ſo ſore a fit as now he was neareſt the cure; when rich Mercy, and Glorious power is neareſt the ſoul, then Satan moſt ſtorms, and rages againſt the ſoul. The more the Bowels of Chriſt do work towards a ſinner, the more furious will Satan aſſault that ſinner. Therefore Divine Wiſdom and Goodneſs, does the more eminently ſhine, in giving the poor ſoul ſome ſight of Canaan, and ſome Bunches and Cluſters of that Land, upon its firſt coming out of the Wilderneſs of Sin and Sorrow. But that no ſoul may miſtake this laſt Propoſition, give me leave to premiſe theſe two Cautions.

Firſt, That God does manifeſt hisCaut. 1. love onelyonly to ſome, at their firſt converſion, not to all: Though he dearly loves every penitent ſoul, yet he does not manifeſt his love, at firſt converſion, to every penitent ſoul. God is a p. 86free Agent to work where he will, and when he will, and to reveal his love, how he will, and when he will, and to whom he will. It is one thing forA man may enjoy the warmth and heat of the Sun, when he cannot ſee the Sun; ſo a man may have grace, when he cannot ſee that he hath grace. God to work a work of Grace upon the ſoul, and another thing for God to ſhew the ſoul that work. God oftentimes works Grace in a ſilent and ſecret way, and takes ſometimes five, ſometimes ten, ſometimes fifteen, ſometimes twenty years, yea, ſometimes more, before he will make a clear and ſatisfying report of his own work upon the ſoul. Though our Graces be our beſt Jewels, yet they are ſometimes, at firſt converſion, ſo weak and imperfect, that we are not able to ſee their luſtre. The being of Grace, makes our eſtates ſafe and ſure, the ſeeing of Grace, makes our lives ſweet and comfortable.

The ſecond Caution is this: A manCaut. 2. I have converſed with ſeveral precious ſouls, that have found this true by experience, and upon this very ground have queſtioned all, and ſtrongly doubted, whether they have not taken Satans deluſions, for divine manifeſtations. may, at firſt converſion, have ſuch a clear, glorious manifeſtation of Gods love to him, and of his intereſt in God, and his right to glory, that he may not have the like all his days after. The fatted Calf is not every day ſlain, the Robe of Kings is not every day p. 87put on, every day muſt not be a Feaſtival day, a Marriage day; the wife is not every day in the boſom, the childe is not every day in the arms, the friend is not every day at the table, nor the ſoul every day under the manifeſtations of Divine Love. Jacob did not every day ſee the Angels aſcending and deſcending; Steven did not every day ſee the Heavens open, and Chriſt ſtanding on the right hand of God. Paul was not every day caught up to Heaven; nor John was not every day rapt up in the Spirit. No Saint can every day cry out, I have my Chriſt, I have my Comfort, I have my Aſſurance; as the Perſian King cryed out in his dream, I have Themiſtocles, I have Themiſtocles. Job had hisJob 30. 31.Job 30:31 Harp turned into mourning, and his Organ into the voice of them that weep. The beſt of Saints are ſometimes put, to hang their Harps upon the Willows, andPſal. 137. 2.Ps 137:2 cry out, Hath God forgotten to be gracious, Pſal. 77. 7, 8. 9.Ps 77:7Ps 77:8Ps 77:9and will he be favorable no more.

The ſecond ſpecial ſeaſon or time, wherein the Lord is pleaſed to give to his children, a ſweet aſſurance of his2 Cor. 5. 14.2 Cor 5:14 favor and love, and that is, when he p. 88intends to put them upon ſome high and hard, ſome difficult and dangerous ſervice; O then he gives them ſomeforeign Divine love hath a compulſive faculty, it is very powerful to put the ſoul upon acting in the higheſt and hardeſt ſervices for Chriſt. ſweet taſte of Heaven before hand: Now he ſmiles, now he kiſſes, now he embraces the ſoul, now he takes a Saint by the hand, now he cauſes his goodneſs and glory to paſs before the ſoul, now he opens his boſom to the ſoul, now the ſoul ſhall be of his Court and Councel, now the Clouds ſhall be ſcattered, now it ſhall be no longer night with the ſoul, now the ſoul ſhall ſit no longer mourning in the valley of darkneſs, now Chriſt will carry the ſoul up into the Mount, and there reveal his glory to it, that it may act high and brave, noble and glorious, in the face of difficulties and diſcouragements. Chriſt did intend toMatth. 17. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.Matt 17:1Matt 17:2Matt 17:3Matt 17:4Matt 17:5Matt 17:6 put Peter, James, and John, upon hard and difficult ſervice; and therefore brings them up into an high mountain, and there gives them a viſion of his Beauty and Glory; there they ſee him transfigured, metamorphoſed, or transformed, there they ſee his face ſhining as the Sun, and his Rayment gliſtering. In the Mount, he ſhews them ſuch p. 89beams of his Deity, ſuch ſparkling glory, as did even amuſe them, and amaze them, tranſport them, and aſtoniſh them; and all this Grace and Glory, this Goodneſs and Sweetneſs Chriſt ſhews them, to hearten and encourage them, to own him and his truth, to ſtand by him and truth, to make him and his truth known to the world, though hatred, bonds, and contempt did attend them in ſo doing. Thus God dealt with Paul, before heActs 9. 1, to 23.Acts 9:1–23 put him upon that hard and dangerous ſervice, that he had cut out for him; he takes him up into Heaven, and ſheds abroad his love into his heart, and tells him, That he is a choſen Veſſel; he appears to him in the way, and fills him with the Holy Ghoſt, that is, with the gifts, graces, and comforts of the Holy Ghoſt. And ſtraightway heChryſoſtom ſaith, that he was Inſatiabilis Dei cultor, an unſatiable ſerver of God. falls upon Preaching of Chriſt, upon exalting of Chriſt, to the amazing and aſtoniſhing of all that heard him. And as he had more clear, full, and glorious manifeſtations of Gods love and favor, then others; ſo he was more frequent, more abundant, and more conſtant in2 Cor. 11. 21, ult.2 Cor 11:21 the work and ſervice of Chriſt, then others.

p. 90And this hath been the conſtantIt is ſufficient to point at theſe inſtances, they are ſo notoriouſly known to all that know any thing of the Scripture in power. As he in Plutarch ſaid of the Scythians, that although they had no muſick, nor vines among them, (yet as better things) they had gods; ſo the Saints, though they may want this, and that outward encouragement in the ſervice of God; yet they ſhall injoy his preſence, that is better then all other things in the world. dealing of God with the Patriarks; as with Abraham, Iſaac, and Jacob, &c. and with the Prophets; as with Moſes, Iſaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, &c. when he hath put them upon weighty ſervices, he hath ſhed abroad his love into their hearts, he hath ſet his ſeal upon their ſpirits, and made them to know, that he hath ſet them as a ſeal upon his hand, he hath aſſured them of his countenance, and of his preſence, and of his aſſiſtance; he hath told them, though others ſhould deſert them, yet he will ſtand by them, and ſtrengthen them, and ſupport them, and uphold them with the right hand of his Righteouſneſs; he hath told them, that his power ſhould be theirs to defend them, and his wiſdom ſhould be theirs to direct them, and his goodneſs ſhould be theirs to ſupply them, and his grace ſhould be theirs to heal them, and his mercy ſhould be theirs to pardon them, and his joy ſhould be theirs to ſtrengthen them, and his promiſes ſhould be theirs to chear them, and his ſpirit ſhould be theirs to lead them. And this hath made p. 91them as bold as Lyons, this hath made them ſtand faſt, and ſtand cloſe to the work of God, in the face of all dangers and difficulties, this hath made them with ſtout Nehemiah, ſcorn to deſiſt or flie from the work of the Lord, this hath made their Bows to abide in ſtrength, though the Archers have ſhot ſore at them. Now there are conſiderable Reaſons, why God is pleaſed to give his Children ſome ſweet taſtes of his love, ſome aſſurance of his favor, when he puts them upon ſome hard and difficult ſervice, and they are theſe that follow.

Firſt, That they may not faint nor Reaſ. 1 faulter in his ſervice, but go thorow itApollonius, as Philoſtratus reports, being asked if he did not tremble at the ſight of the Tyrant, made this anſwer, God which hath given him a terrible countenance, hath given alſo unto me an undaunted heart, &c. reſolutely and bravely, in the face of all difficulties and oppoſitions. When God put Joſhua upon that hard ſervice of leading and governing his people Iſrael, he aſſures him of his love, and of his preſence: Fear not, be of good courage, I am with thee. And this makes him hold on, and hold out in the ſervice of the Lord bravely and reſolutely, in the face of all diſcouragements. Chuſe you whom you will ſerve, whether your fathers gods, or the gods of the p. 92Amorites; but as for me, and my houſe, we will ſerve the Lord. So when the Lord put Paul upon ſuch ſervice thatActs 20. 23.Acts 20:23 occaſioned bonds and afflictions to abide him in every City, he gives him a taſte of Heaven before hand, and lifts up the light of his countenance upon him; and this makes him reſolute and bold in the work of the Lord. Now Paul will not conſult with fleſh and blood; Gal. 1. 15, 16, 17.Gal 1:15Gal 1:16Gal 1:17now it is not reproaches, nor ſtripes, nor priſons, nor whips, nor perils, nor deaths, that can make him look back, having put his hand to the Lords plough. O, the beamings forth of Divine Love upon his ſoul filled him with that courage and reſolution, that with Shammah (one of Davids worthies) he ſtands and defends the field,2 Tim. 4. 16, 17.2 Tim 4:162 Tim 4:17 when others fall, and flie, and quit the field.

Secondly, God gives his people Reaſ. 2 ſome taſtes of his love, ſome ſenſe of his favor, when he puts them upon hard and difficult ſervices, becauſe elſe he ſhould not onelyonly act below himſelf, as he is a wiſe God, a faithful God, a powerful God, a merciful God, a righteous God, &c. But alſo act below p. 93his poor weak Creatures: ForAnd to imagine that ever the great God will act below the wiſdom of thoſe that are fooliſhneſs in the very abſtract, is the greateſt madneſs and blaſphemy in the world. what Husband will put his Wife, what Father will put his childe, what Maſter will put his Servant, what Captain will put his Souldier, what Prince will put his Ambaſſadors upon hard and difficult ſervices, but they will ſmile upon them, and ſpeak kindly to them, and make large promiſes to honor their perſons, and kindly to accept, and nobly to reward their ſervices? &c. Surely none. And will God,Iſa. 42. 8. & 48. 11.Isa 42:8Isa 48:11 will God, who will not give his glory to thoſe that have the moſt glorious Beings, ſuffer his glory to be clouded, and eclipſed by the prudent actings of weak worms? Surely no.

Thirdly, God lifts up the light of Reaſ. 3 his countenance upon his people, whenSolus amor neſci… difficultates. Love knows no difficulties. he puts them upon hard and difficult ſervices, that they may never repent of liſting themſelves in his ſervice. Ah, did not the Lord warm the hearts of his people, with the glorious beams of his love, when he puts them upon hard work, they would be ready, when they meet with oppoſitions, and hazards, to throw up all, and to ſit down lamenting and repenting, that ever p. 94they were engaged in his ſervice, they would be as peeviſh and froward as Jonah, and with him venter a drowning, to ſhift off Gods ſervice. Ah,Melancthon was ſuch a man whom Luther encourages thus, Why ſhould we fear a conquered world that have Chriſt the Conqueror on our ſide, &c. but now the Lord by letting his goodneſs drop upon their hearts, and by putting an earneſt-penny into their hands, he cauſes them to go chearfully on in his work, without ſighing or repenting. The kiſſes and embraces of God, do put ſuch life, ſuch ſpirit, ſuch mettle into their ſouls, as makes them bid defiance to the greateſt dangers, and as Crowns them Conquerors of the greateſt difficulties. Ah, ſays a ſoul, that hath walked ſome turns in Paradiſe; what is droſs to gold, what is darkneſs to light, what is Hell to Heaven; no more is all difficulties and oppoſitions to me, who have foundAs they ſaid once of the Grecians in the Epigramme, whom they thought invulnerable; we ſhoot at them, but they f…ll not down; we wound them, and yet not kill them, &c. the ſweetneſs of Divine Grace, and have had the happineſs to lie in the boſom of God. Diocleſian, the worſt, and laſt Perſecutor in all the Ten Perſecutions, obſerved, That the more he ſought to blot out the name of Chriſt, the more it became legible; and to block up the way of Chriſt, the more it became paſſible; and whatever of p. 95Chriſt he thought to root out, it rooted the deeper, and roſe the higher in the hearts and lives of the Saints, among whom he had ſcattered the beams of his love, and the rich pearls of his grace. Such ſouls as have once been in the arms of God, in the midſt of all oppoſitions, they are as men made all of fire, walking in ſtubble, they conſume and overcome all oppoſitions; all difficulties are but as whetſtones to their Fortitude. The Moon will run her courſe, though the Dogs bark at it; ſo will all thoſe choice ſouls that have found warmth under Chriſts wings, run their Chriſtian race, in ſpight of all difficulties and dangers. The Horſe neighs at the Trumpet; the Leviathan laughs at the Spear; ſo does a Saint, under the power of aſſurance, laugh at all hazards and dangers that he meets with, in the Lords ſervice. The ſenſe of Gods love, and goodneſs, makes him to triumph over the greateſt difficulties.

Fourthly and laſtly, God gives his Reaſ. 4 people ſome taſtes of his love, when he puts them upon hard and difficult ſervices, that the mouths of the wicked p. 96may be ſtopt; ſhould God lay heavy burdens upon his peoples ſhoulders; and not put under his finger to give ſome eaſe; ſhould God double their tale of brick, and yet deny them ſtraw; ſhould God engage them againſt a potent enemy, and then deſert them; ſhould God ſend them upon ſome weighty embaſſage, and not give proportionable encouragements to them; what would the world ſay? wouldExod. 32. 12. Num. 14. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16.Exod 32:12Num 14:12Num 14:13Num 14:14Num 14:15Num 14:16 they not ſay, That he is a hard Maſter, and that his ways are not equal; would they not ſay, Verily they are lyers, that ſay he is glorious in power, and wonderful in counſel, and infinite in mercy, and admirable in goodneſs, and rich in grace, and unſearchable in his underſtanding? for ſurely, were he, he could not, he would not put his children upon ſuch hard, and dangerous ſervices, but he would own them, and ſtand by them, he would aſſiſt them, and ſmile upon them, he would be as careful to bring them bravely off, as he hath been ready to bring them freely on. O, he could not ſee them in garments rouled in blood, but his bowels would yern towards them, p. 97and he would ariſe, and have compaſsion on them.

Then thirdly, Waiting times, are times wherein God is pleaſed to give his people ſome ſweet taſtes of his love, and to lift up the light of his countenance upon them. I waited patiently Pſal 40. 1, 2, 3. foreignPs 40:1Ps 40:2Ps 40:3for the Lord (ſaith David) and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry: Waiting I waited.He brought me up alſo out of an horrible pit (or out of a pit of noiſe,) out of the miry clay, and ſet my feet upon a rock, and eſtabliſhed my goings: And he hath put a new ſong in my mouth, even praiſe unto our God. After God had exerciſed Davids patience in waiting, he ſweetly breaks in upon him, and knocks off his bolts, and opens the priſon doors, and takes him by the hand, and leads him out of the pit of noiſe and confuſion, in which he was, and cauſes his love and goodneſs ſo to beam forth upon him, as cauſes his heart to rejoyce, and his tongue to ſing. So after devout Simeon had waited for the conſolationLuke 2. 25, to 33.Luke 2:25–33 of Iſrael, that is, for Chriſts coming, the Holy Ghoſt falls upon him, and leads him to a ſight of Chriſt in the Temple; and this makes the good old p. 98man ſing, (nunc dimittas) Now let thy ſervant depart in peace. Ah ſays Simeon, I have lived long enough, now I have got Chriſt in my heart, and Chriſt in my arms; who is my light, my life, my love, my joy, my crown; let me depart according to thy Word. Ah Saints, I appeal to you, have not many of you found by experience, the ſweet breathings of Chriſt upon you, even whileſt you have been waiting at the door of Mercy; while you have been weeping and waiting, hath not the Lord Jeſus come in, and ſaid, Peace be to you, waiting ſouls, be of good cheer, it is I, be of good cheer, your ſins are pardoned? ſurely you have: Hath not God made that word good unto you, Wait Pſal. 37. 14.Ps 37:14on the Lord, be of good courage, and he ſhall ſtrengthen thine heart. Wait, I ſay, on the Lord; yes. And hath heIſa. 49. 23. Theſe words, Shall not be aſhamed, in the Hebrew Dialect, do not ſimply import, that ſuch ſhall not be brought to ſhame, or ſhall not periſh, but that he ſhall be advanced to great dignity and glory, to everlaſting happineſs and bleſſedneſs. Iſai. 30. 18. Lam 3. 25.Isa 49:23Isa 30:18Lam 3:25 not made that good to you, They ſhall not be aſhamed that wait for me; that is, they ſhall not be deceived, or diſappointed of their hopes and expectations, that wait for me? yes. And have you not found that word made ſweet to your ſouls, Therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious; bleſſed are p. 99all they that wait for him? Yes. And hath not the Lord made that word good to you, The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the ſoul that ſeeketh him? Yes. Waiting ſouls, remember this aſſurance is yours, but the time of giving it, is the Lords; the Jewel is yours, but the ſeaſon, in which he will give it, is in his own hand; the Gold Chain is yours, but he onelyonly knows the hour wherein he will put it about your necks. Well, wait patiently and quietly, wait expectingly, wait believingly, wait affectionately, and wait diligently, and you ſhall finde that Scripture made good in power upon your ſouls. Yet a Heb. 10. 37. foreign. Hab. 2. 3. Mal 3. 1.Heb 10:37Hab 2:3Mal 3:1little little while, and he that ſhall come, will come, and will not tarry; he will certainly come, he will ſeaſonably come, he will ſuddenly come, as the Prophet Malachi ſpeaks, Behold, I will ſend my meſſenger, and he ſhall prepare the way before me; and the Lord whom ye ſeek, ſhall ſuddenly come to his Temple; even the meſſenger of the Covenant, whom ye delight in. Behold, he ſhall come, ſaith the Lord of hoſts. Well, I will ſay but this, If aſſurance of Gods love be not a p. 100Jewel worth a waiting for, it is worth nothing.

Fourthly, Suffering times are timesNon poenae ſed cauſa facit martyrem. wherein the Lord is pleaſed to give his people ſome ſenſe of his favor; when they are in ſufferings for Righteouſneſs ſake, for the Goſpels ſake, then uſually God cauſes his face to ſhine upon them. Now they ſhall hear beſt newsAdverſus gentes, gratias agimus quod à moleſtis dominis liberemur, ſaith One. We thank you for delivering us from hard task-maſters, that we may enjoy more ſweetly the boſom of Chriſt. from Heaven, when they hear worſt from Earth; God loves to ſmile moſt upon his people, when the world frowns moſt, when the world puts their Iron chains upon their legs, then God puts his Golden chains about their necks; when the world puts a bitter Cup into their hands, then God drops ſome of his honey, ſome of his goodneſs and ſweetneſs into it; when the world is ready to ſtone them, then God gives them the white ſtone, and when the world is a tearing their good names, then he gives them a new name, that none knows but he that hath it, a name that is better then that of ſons and daughters; when the world cryes out, Crucifie them, crucifie them, then they hear that ſweet voice from Heaven, Theſe are my beloved ones, in whom I p. 101am well pleaſed; when the world cloaths them with rags, then the Lord puts on his Royal Robes, and makes a ſecret Proclamation to their ſpirits, Thus ſhall it be done to the men whom the King is pleaſed to honor; when the world gives into one hand a Cup of Water, God gives into the other a Cup of Nectar, a Cup of Ambroſia; when the world gnaſheth upon them, and preſents all imaginary tortures before them, then the Lord opens paradiſe to them, as he did to Stephen; when Paul and Silas were in priſon for theActs 7. 50. & 16. 23, 24. Me thinks, ſaid one, I tread upon pearls, when he trod upon hot burning coals; and I feel no more pain, then if I lay in a bed of down, and yet he lay in flames of fi…e. Revel. 1 9, 10. He was baniſhed thither by Domitian the Tyrant. Vide Euſeb. l. 3. c. 18. Vide Pli…. l. 4. c. 12.Acts 7:50Acts 16:23Acts 16:24Rev 1:9Rev 1:10 Goſpel ſake, then God fills them with ſuch unſpeakable joy, that they cannot but be ſinging; when others were ſleeping, God turns their priſon into a pallace, a paradiſe, and they turn his mercies into praiſes. Paul and Silas found more pleaſure then pain, more joy then ſorrow, more ſweet then bitter, more day then night in the priſon. God will make ſome beams of his goodneſs and glory to break thorow ſtone walls, to warm and glad the hearts of his ſuffering-ones. When John was baniſhed into the Iſle of Fathmos, for the Word of God, and p. 102the teſtimony of Jeſus, then he is filled with the Spirit, and hath the choiceſt manifeſtations, and the moſt glorious Revelations that ever he had all his days. Now God makes him one of his Court and Counſel, and tells him what glorious and mighty things ſhall be in the latter days. Now he is in a Spiritual rapture, and extaſie, and carried above himſelf, and above all outward things, to attend thoſe glorious Viſions, that God would make known to him. It was Gods lifting up the light of his countenance that made the Martyrs to ſing in the fire, to clap their hands in the flames, and to tread upon hot burning coals, as upon Beds of Roſes. This made one ſay, when he felt the flame come toVincentius. his Beard, What a ſmall pain is this, to be compared to the glory to come? what is a drop of vinegar, put into an ocean of wine? what is it for one to have a rainy day, that is going to take poſſeſsion of a Kingdom. The ſmiles of God made another to ſing under dreadful ſufferings, (Chriſtianus ſum) I am a Chriſtian. Sanctus.And this made the Chriſtians to ſing in Tertullians time, (Crudelitas veſtra p. 103gloria noſtra) Your cruelty is our glory. This made a French Martyr to ſay, when the rope was about his fellows neck, Give me that golden chain, and dub me a Knight of that noble order. This made another to deſire, when he was to die, the favor of having his chains buried with him, as the enſigns of his honor. This made Baſil to ſay, Fire, Nihil ſeutit erux in nervo, quando animus eſt in caelo.ſword, priſon, famine, are all a pleaſure, a delight unto me. This made Paul to rattle his Iron chains, and to glory in it, more then worldly men glory in all their outward glory. This made Theodoret to complain that his perſecuters did him wrong, when they took him off the Rack, and ceaſed tormenting of him; for ſaid he, All the while that I was on the Rack I found, me thought, there was a yong man in white, an Angel ſtood by me, which wiped off the ſweat; and I found a great deal of ſweetneſs in it, which now I have loſt. ToSufferings are the enſigns of heavenly nobiſiry; no… wonder then that the Saints are ſo joyful under them. conclude, the ſmiles of God upon the priſoners of hope, is that which makes them more chearful and delightful in their ſufferings then Jeſus Chriſt was in his. When Faninus an Italian Martyr was asked by one, why p. 104he was ſo merry at his death, ſith Chriſt himſelf was ſo ſorrowful, Chriſt, ſaid he, ſuſtained in his ſoul all the ſorrows and conflicts with Hell and Death, due to us, by whoſe ſufferings we are delivered from ſorrow, and fear of them all; and therefore we have cauſe of rejoycing, in the greateſt ſufferings.

Now there are theſe ſpecial Reaſons to be given, why the Lord is pleaſed in ſuffering times, to viſit his people with his loving kindneſs, and to lift up the light of his countenance upon them.

Reaſ. 1 Firſt, That their patience and conſtancyChriſtian fortitude is in ferendo n…n in ferierdo, not in ſmiting, but ſuffering. under the Croſs, may be invincible: God knows right well, That if his left hand in ſuffering times, be not under his people, and his right hand over them; if he does not give them ſome ſips of ſweetneſs, ſome relliſhes of goodneſs, they would quickly grow impatient and inconſtant. O, but now the ſmiles of God,William Flower, Appolo…us, Baſil, Fulgentius, Giles of Bruſſels, Alexander Hales, Polyca…us, Calvin, Luther, Brentius, Bullinger; theſe and many more have been eminent in patience under ſore tryals. the gracious diſcoveries of God, makes their patience and conſtancy invincible, as it did Vincentius, who by his patience and conſtancy, madded his tormentors; wherefore they ſtripped him p. 105ſtark naked, whipped his body all over to a gore blood, ſprinkled Salt and Vinegar over all his wounds, ſet his feet on burning coals, then caſt him naked into a loathſom Dungeon, the pavement whereof was ſharp ſhells, and his bed to lie on a bundle of thorns. All which this bleſſed Martyr received, without ſo much as a groan, breathing out his ſpirit in theſe words, Vincentius is my name, and by the grace of God I will be ſtill Vincentius, inſpight of all your torments. Perſecution brings death in one hand, and life in the other; for while it kills the body, it crowns the ſoul. The moſt cruel Martyrdom, is but a crafty trick to eſcape death, to paſs from life to life, from the priſon to paradiſe, from the croſs to the crown. Juſtin Martyr ſays that when the Romans did immortalize their Emperors (as they called it) they brought one to ſwear, that he ſee him go to Heaven out of the fire. But we may ſee (by an eye of Faith) the bleſſed Souls of ſuffering Saints flie to Heaven, like Elias in his fieryJudg. 13. 20.Judg 13:20 chariot, like the Angel that appeared to Manoah in the flames. John Hus p. 106Martyr, had ſuch choice diſcoveries of God, and ſuch ſweet in-comes of the Spirit, as made his patience and conſtancyA patient man under reproaches, is like a man with a Sword in one hand, and a Salve in the other, he could wound, but he will heal. invincible: When he was brought forth to be burned, they put on his head a Triple Crown of Paper painted over with ugly Devils, but when he ſaw it, he ſaid, My Lord Jeſus Chriſt, for my ſake, did were a Crown of Thorns, why ſhould not I then, for his ſake, wear this light crown, be it never ſo ignominious? truly, I will do it, and that willingly. And as they tied his neck with a chain to the ſtake, ſmiling, he ſaid, That he would willingly receive the The Motto of patient ſouls is (plura pro Chriſto toleranda) we muſt ſuffer more then ſo for Chriſt.ſame chain for Jeſus Chriſts ſake, who he knew was bound with a far worſe chain for his ſake. Well, remember this, their names, that by a patient ſuffering, are written in Red Letters of blood in the Churches Calender, are written in Golden Letters in Chriſts Regiſter, in the Book of Life.

A ſecond Reaſon, why the Lord Reaſ. 2 lifts up the light of his countenance upon his people in ſuffering times, and that is, for the confirmation of ſome, for the converſion of others, and for the greater conviction and confuſion p. 107of their adverſaries, who wonder, and are like men amazed when they ſee the comfort, and the courage of the Saints in ſuffering times. Pauls choice carriage in his bonds, was thePhil. 1. 14. vide Eſtius.Phil 1:14 confirmation of many. And many of the Brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to ſpeak the Word without fear. And as the ſufferings of the Saints do contribute to the confirmation of ſome, ſo by the bleſſing of God, they contribute to the converſion of others. I beſeech thee (ſays Paul) for Philem. v. 10.my ſon Oneſimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds. It was a notable ſaying of Luther (Eccleſia totum mundum convert…t ſanguine & oratione,) The Church converteth the whole world by blood and prayer. Baſil affirms, That theThey knew it could be but a days journey between the croſs and paradiſe, between that ſhort ſtorm, and an eternal calm. Primitive Saints ſhewed ſo much comfort and courage, ſo much Heroick zeal and conſtancy, that many of the Heathens turned Chriſtians; ſo that choice ſpirit that the Saints have ſhewed in their ſufferings (when Chriſt hath overſhadowed them with his love, and ſtayed them with flagons, and comforted them with apples) hath p. 108madded, grieved, vexed, and extreamlyIt would be too tedious to give you an account of all particular perſecutors in this caſe whom the courage, faith, and patience of the Saints have tyred out, tormented, and made weaty of their lives, and alſo bred wonder and aſtoniſhment, in beholders and readers. tormented their tormentors. Lactantius boaſts of the braveneſs of the Martyrs in his time; our children and women (not to ſpeak of men) do in ſilence overcome their tormentors, and the fire cannot ſo much as fetch a ſigh from them. Hegeſippus reports an obſervation of Antoninus the Emperor, viz. That the Chriſtians were moſt couragious and confident always in Earth-quakes, whileſt his own Heathen Souldiers were at ſuch accidents moſt fearful and diſ-ſpirited. Certainly no Earth-quakes can make any Heartquakes among the ſuffering Saints, ſo long as the countenance of God ſhines upon their face, and his love lies warm upon their Hearts. The ſuffering Saint may be aſſaulted, but not vanquiſhed; he may be troubled, but can never be conquered; he may loſe his head, but he cannot loſe his Crown, which the2 Tim. 4. 7, 8.2 Tim 4:72 Tim 4:8 righteous Lord hath prepared and laid up for him. The ſuffering Saint ſhall ſtill be maſter of the day, though theyMori poſſe, vinci non poſſe. kill him, they cannot hurt him; he may ſuffer death, but never conqueſt. And they overcame him by the blood of p. 109Rev. 12. 11.Rev 12:11the Lamb, and by the word of their teſtimony, O Lord Jeſus, ſaid one, I love thee (pluſquam mea, pluſquam meos, pluſquam me,) more then all my goods, more then all my friends, yea, more then my very life.and they loved not their lives unto the death. They love not their lives, that love Chriſt and his truth, more then their lives; they that ſlight, contemn, and deſpiſe their lives, when they ſtand in competition with Chriſt, may be truly ſaid not to love their lives. In theſe words you ſee, that the Saints by dying, do overcome, They may kill me, ſaid Socrates of his enemies, but they cannot hurt me; A Saint may ſay this, and more. The Herb Heliotropium doth turn about and open it ſelf, according to the motion of the Sun; ſo do the Saints in their ſufferings, according to the internal motions of the Sun of Righteouſneſs upon them.

A third Reaſon, Why the Lord Reaſ. 3 cauſes his goodneſs to paſs before his people, and his face to ſhine upon his people in ſuffering times, and that is, for the praiſe of his own Grace, and for the glory of his own Name. God would loſe much of his own glory, if he ſhould not ſtand by his people, and comfort them, and ſtrengthen them in the day of their ſorrows. Ah the p. 110dirt, the ſcorn, the contempt, thatExod. 32. 12. Num. 14. 13.Exod 32:12Num 14:13 vain men would caſt upon God. Look as our greateſt good comes thorow the ſufferings of Chriſt, ſo Gods greateſt glory (that he hath from his Saints) comes thorow their ſufferings. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ. 1 Pe…. 4. 14. Vide Bezam.happy are ye, for the Spirit of glory, and of God, reſteth upon you: On their part, he is evil ſpoken of, but on your part, he is glorified. It makes much for the glory of God, that his people are cleared and comforted, quickned and raiſed, ſpiritualized and elevated in the dayDan. 3. 28, 29, 30.Dan 3:28Dan 3:29Dan 3:30 of their ſufferings. O, the ſight of ſo noble a ſpirit in the Saints, cauſe othersDan. 6. 25, 26, 27.Dan 6:25Dan 6:26Dan 6:27 to admire God, to lift up God, to fall in love with God, and to glorifie God; for owning his people, and for being a light to them in darkneſs, a joy to them in ſorrow, and a pallace to them in a priſon. God is very ſenſible of the many praiſes and prayers that he ſhould loſe, did he not cauſe his love, and his glory to reſt upon his people in ſuffering times. There isIſa. 48. 11▪Isa 48:11 nothing that God is ſo tender of, as he is of his glory, and that his heart is ſo much ſet upon as his glory; and p. 111therefore he will viſit them in a priſon,Gen. 39. 20. ult.Gen 39:20 and feaſt them in a dungeon, and walk with them in a fiery furnace; and ſhew kindneſs to them in a Lyons den, that every one may ſhot and cry,Dan, 6. Grace, Grace. God loves to act inZech 4. 7.Zech 4:7 ſuch ways of Grace towards his ſuffering ones, as may ſtop the mouths of their enemies, and cauſe the hearts of his friends to rejoyce.

Fourthly, Believing times are times Reaſ. 4 wherein the Lord is graciouſly pleaſed to lift up the light of his countenance upon his people; when his children are in the Exerciſe of Faith, then the Lord is pleaſed to make known his goodneſs, and to feal up to them everlaſting happineſs, and bleſſedneſs, 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; or, In whom believing foreign. Vide Beza and Calvin.ye were ſealed, that is, As you were in the very Excrciſe and Actings of Faith upon the Lord Jeſus Christ, the Spirit of the Lord made ſure, and ſealed up to you, your Adoption, your Reconciliation, your Pardon, and everlaſting p. 112Inheritance. Him that honors Chriſt, by believing, by freſh and frequent actings of Faith upon him, him will Chriſt certainly honor and ſecure by ſetting his ſeal and mark upon him, and by aſſuring of him of a Kingdom that ſhakes not, of riches that corrupt not, and of glory that fades not. Ah Chriſtians, you wrong two at once, Chriſt and your own ſouls, whileſt you thus reaſon, Lord give me firſt aſſurance, and then I will believe in thee, and reſt upon thee; whereas your great work is to believe, and to hold on believing and acting of Faith on the Lord Jeſus, till you come to be aſſured and ſealed up to the day of Redemption. This is the ſureſt and the ſhorteſt way to aſſurance. That is a remarkable paſſage of the Apoſtle in Rom. 15. 13. Now the God of hope fill you with foreign ▪ Shall fill you; from ſignifies to be filled with joy and peace, as the ſails of a ſhip are fill…d with wind.all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghoſt. The God of hope (ſaith the Apoſtle) ſhall fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that is, whileſt you are in the Exerciſe and Actings of Faith, the God of hope ſhall fill you with that joy that is unſpeakable, and p. 113full of glory, and with that peace that paſſes underſtanding. Faith is the Key that unlocks paradiſe, and lets in a flood of joy into the ſoul. Faith is an appropriating Grace, it appropriates all to it ſelf, it looks upon God, & ſays with the Pſalmiſt, This God is my God, for ever and Pſal 63. 1. & 48. 14.Ps 63:1Ps 48:14ever; it looks upon Chriſt, and ſays, My beloved is mine, and his deſires are towards Can. 7. 10.me; it looks upon the precious promiſes, and ſays, theſe precious promiſes are2 Pet. 1. 4.2 Pet 1:4 mine; it looks upon Heaven, and ſays, Henceforth is laid up for me a Crown of 2 Tim 4 8.2 Tim 4:8Righteouſneſs; and this fills the ſoul with joy & peace. Faith hath an influence upon other graces; it is like a ſilver thredTantum poſſumus, quanium credimus. that runs thorow a chain of Pearl; it puts ſtrength & vivacity in to all other vertues; it made Abraham to rejoyce, and it made Noah ſit ſtill & quiet in the midſt of a deluge. Faith is the firſt pin that moveth the ſoul, it is the ſpring in the Watch that ſets all the Golden Wheels of Love, Joy, Comfort, and Peace a going. Faith is a root of Grace, from whence ſprings all the ſweet flowers of joy, & peace. Faith is like the Bee, it will ſuck ſweetneſs out of every flower, it will extract light out of p. 114darkneſs, comforts out of diſtreſſes, mercies out of miſeries, wine out ofJudg. 14. 14.Judg 14:14 water, honey out of the rock, and meat out of the eater. 1 Pet. 1. 8. Whom having not ſeen, ye love, in whom though now ye ſee him not, yet believing, ye rejoyce with joy unſpeakable, and full of glory. Upon the Exerciſe of Faith, their hearts are filled with joy, with unſpeakable joy, with glorious joy. Faith ſees in Chriſt (Plenitudo abundantiae, There is in Chriſt not onelyonly (plenitudo vaſis, but plenitudo fontis) the fulneſs of a veſſel, but the fulneſs of a fountain, and this makes the heart of a Saint leap, when he ſees it by an eye of Faith.and plenitudo redundantiae) a fulneſs of abundance, and a fulneſs of redundancy; and this fills the heart with glorious joy. Ah Chriſtians, believing, believing is the ready way, the ſafeſt way, the ſweeteſt way, the ſhorteſt way, the onelyonly way, to a wel-grounded aſſurance, and to that unſpeakable joy and peace, that flows from it, as the effect from the cauſe, the fruit from the root, the ſtream from the fountain. There is ſuch aſſurance, and ſuch joy, that ſprings from the freſh, and frequent actings of Faith, that cannot be expreſt, that cannot be painted; no man can paint the ſweetneſs of the honey comb, the ſweetneſs of a cluſtre of Canaan, the ſweetneſs of paradiſe, p. 115the fragrancy of the Roſe of Sharon. As the being of things cannot be painted, and as ſweetneſs of things cannot be painted, no more can that aſſurance, and joy, that flows from believing, be painted or expreſſed; it is too great, and too glorious for weak manRom. 4. 18.Rom 4:18 to paint or ſet forth. When Abraham believed in hope, againſt hope, and when in the face of all dangers and difficulties, he put forth ſuch noble and glorious acts of Faith, as to conclude, That the Lord would provide himſelf a Gen. 22. 8. Dominus providebit, the Lord will provide, was Maximilians pious Motto, and ſhould be every Saints Motto in ſtraits and troubles.Gen 22:8Lamb for a burnt-offering, and that in the Mount, he would be ſeen; God is ſo taken with the actings of his Faith, and the effects of it, that he ſwears by himſelf, That in bleſsing, he would bleſs him (that is, I will certainty bleſs him, and will bleſs his bleſſing, to him) and in multiplying, he would multiply his ſeed as the ſtars of Heaven, and as the ſand which is upon the Sea ſhore. Now the Angel of the Lord (viz. the Lord Jeſus, as his own words ſhew, Verſe 12, 15, 16.) calls unto Abraham out of Heaven, not once, but twice; and now he ſhews his admirable love in countermanding of Abraham, and in providing p. 116a Ram (even to a miracle) for a burntoffering. And thus you ſee, that believing times are times wherein the Lord is graciouſly pleaſed to reveal his love, and make known his favor to his people, and to look from Heaven upon them, and to ſpeak again and again in love and ſweetneſs to them.

Fifthly, Hearing and receiving Reaſ. 5 times are times wherein the Lord is graciouſly pleaſed to cauſe his face to ſhine upon his people; when they are a hearing the Word of Life, and aPſal. 63. 3, 4.Ps 63:3Ps 63:4 breaking the Bread of Life, then God comes in upon them, and declares to them that love that is better then life, Acts 10. 44. While Peter yet ſpake theſe words, the Holy Ghoſt fell on all them which heard the Word. As Peter wasAlſo by the Holy Ghoſt is meant the extraordinary gifts of the Spirit. Verſ. 45, 46. Acts 11. 15. Therefore, ſays the Apoſtle, do not leave the ſubſtance for a ſhadow, the Sun for a Candle, andActs 11:15 ſpeaking, the Holy Ghoſt (that is, the graces of the Holy Ghoſt, viz. the joy, the comfort, the love, the peace, &c. of the Holy Ghoſt) fell upon them. So in that Gal. 3. 2. This onelyonly would I learn of you, received ye the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by the hearing of Faith? By the Spirit here, Calvin and Bullinger, and other Expoſitors, do underſtand the joy, the peace, the p. 117aſſurance that is wrought in the heart,ſolid Meat for Milk, which none would do, except they were bewitched, Gal. 3. 1.Gal 3:1 by the hearing of Faith, that is, by the Doctrine of the Goſpel; for in theſe words of the Apoſtle, hearing is put for the thing heard, and Faith for the Doctrine of the Goſpel, becauſe the Goſpel is the ordinary means of working Faith: Faith comes by hearing, ſaith the Apoſtle. So in that 1 Theſ. 1. 5, 6.By the Holy Ghoſt in this Text cannot be meant the extraordinary gifts of the Spirit, and that firſt, becauſe they were no evidences of Election; ſecondly▪, becauſe many veſſels of wrath have been partakers of them; thirdly, many of Gods choice and choſen ones, have been deſtitute of thoſe extraordinary gifts. For our Goſpel came not unto you in word onelyonly, but alſo in power, and in the Holy Ghoſt, and in much aſſurance, as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your ſake. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the Word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghoſt. In theſe words you have a Divine Power attending Pauls Miniſtry, a power convincing, enlightning, humbling, raiſing, delighting, reforming, renouncing, and transforming of them that heard him. Alſo you have the ſweet and bleſſed teſtimony of the Spirit attending his Miniſtry, and aſſuring thoſe of their Effectual Calling and Election, upon whom the Word came in power, and raiſing up their ſpirits to joy in the midſt of ſorrow. Ah you precious Sons and Daughters p. 118of Sion, that have ſate waiting and trembling at Wiſdoms door, tell me, tell me, Hath not God rained down Manna upon your ſouls, whileſt you have been hearing the Word? Yes. Hath not God come in with power upon you, and by his Spirit ſealed up to you your Election, the Remiſſion of your ſins, the Juſtification of your perſons, and the Salvation of your ſouls? Yes. Without controverſie, many Saints have found Chriſts lips (in this Ordinance) to drop honey and ſweetneſs, marrow and fatneſs.

And as Chriſt in hearing times, when his people are a hearing the Word of Life, does lift up the light of his countenance upon them; ſo when they are a receiving the Bread of Life, he makes known his love to them, and their intereſt in him, in this feaſt of fatThis Ordinance is a Cabine… of Jewels, in it are abundance of Spiritual Springs, and rich Mines, heavenly Treaſures. things, the Maſter of the Feaſt, the Lord Jeſus comes in the midſt of his gueſts, ſaying, Peace be here. Here the beams of his glory do ſo ſhine, as that they cauſe the hearts of his Children to burn within them, and as ſcatters all that thick darkneſs and clouds that are gathered about them. When p. 119Saints are in this Wine Celler, Chriſts Banner over them is Love. When they are in this Canaan, then he feeds them with Milk and Honey. When they are in this Paradiſe, then they ſhall taſte of Angels Food. When they are at this Gate of Heaven, then they ſhall ſee Chriſt at the right hand of the Father. When they are before this Mercy Seat, then they ſhall ſee the Bowels of Mercy, rowling towards them. In this Ordinance they ſee that, and taſte that, and feel that of Chriſt, that they are not able to declare and manifeſt to others: In this Ordinance Saints ſhall ſee the truth of their graces, and feel the increaſe of their graces, and rejoyce in the clearneſs of their evidences: In this Ordinance Chriſt will ſeal up the Promiſes, and ſeal up the Covenant, and ſeal up his Love, and ſeal up their pardon ſenſibly to their ſouls. Many precious ſouls there be, that have found Chriſt in this Ordinance, when they could not finde him in other Ordinances, though they have ſought him ſorrowingly: Many a cold ſoul hath been warmed in this Ordinance, and many p. 120a hungry ſoul hath been fed withEvery gracious ſoul may ſay not onelyonly (credo vitam aeternam, & edo vitam aeternam) I believe life eternal, but I receive, I eat life eternal. Manna in this Ordinance, and many a thirſty ſoul hath been refreſhed with Wine upon the Lees in this Ordinance, and many a dull ſoul hath been quickned in this Ordinance, (**Every wicked ſoul that takes the cup, may ſay (Calix vitae, calix mortis) the Cup of Life is made my death. 1 Cor. 11. 27.1 Cor 11:27 I do not ſay, That ever a dead ſoul hath been in livened in this Ordinance, this being an Ordinance appointed by Chriſt, not to beget Spiritual Life where there was none, but to increaſe it where the Spirit hath formerly begun it.) In this Ordinance, weak hands, and feeble knees have been ſtrengthned, and fainting hearts have been comforted, and queſtioning ſouls have been reſolved, and ſtaggering ſouls have been ſetled, and falling ſouls have been ſupported. Ah Chriſtians, if you will but ſtand up▪ and ſpeak out, you muſt ſay, That in this Ordinance▪ there hath been between Chriſt and you, ſuch mutual ſmiles, ſuch mutual kiſſes, ſuch mutual embraces, ſuch mutual opening and ſhutting of hands, ſuch mutual opening and cloſing of hearts, as hath made ſuch a Heaven in your hearts as cannot be expreſt, as cannot be declared. Chriſt in this Ordinance opens ſuch p. 121boxes of precious Oyntments, as fill the Saints with a ſpiritual ſavor; he gives them a cluſter of the Grapes ofNum. 13. 23, 24, 25.Num 13:23Num 13:24Num 13:25 Canaan, that makes them earneſtly look and long to be in Canaan. TheCypr. l 4. ep. 6 Aug. in John, Tract. 27, &c. Chriſtians in the Primitive times upon their receiving the Sacrament, were wont to be filled with that zeal and fervor, with that joy and comfort, with that faith, fortitude, and aſſurance, that made them to appear before the Tyrants with tranſcendent boldneſs and cheerfulneſs, as many Writers do teſtifie. Now there are theſe Reaſons, why God is pleaſed to lift up the light of his countenance upon his people, when they are a hearing the Word of Life, and a breaking the Bread of Life.

Firſt, That they may highly prize Reaſ. 1 the Ordinances, the choice Diſcoveries that God makes to their ſouls in them, works them to ſet a very highPſal. 63. 2, 3. Cant 2 3. Pſal. 19. 10. This age is full of careleſs Gallioes, (Acts …8. 17.) that care not for theſe things.Ps 63:2Ps 63:3Song 2:3Ps 19:10Acts 8:17 price upon them. O, ſay ſuch ſouls, we cannot but prize them, we cannot but affect them for what of God we have enjoyed in them. Many there are that are like old Barzillai, that had loſt his taſte and hearing, and ſo cared not p. 122for Davids feaſts and muſick; ſo many there are that can ſee nothing of God, nor taſte nothing of God in Ordinances; they care not for Ordinances, they ſlight Ordinances. O but ſoulsPſal. 84. 10, 11.Ps 84:10Ps 84:11 that have ſeen, and heard, and taſted of the goodneſs of the Lord in Ordinances, they dearly love them, and highly prize them. I have eſteemed thy Word, ſays Job, above my neceſſary food: Job 23. 12. Better that the Sun ſhine not, then that Chryſoſtom Preach not.Job 23:12And David ſings it out, The Law of thy mouth is better unto me, then thouſands of gold and ſilver. Luther prized the Word at ſuch a high rate, that he ſaith, He would not live in Paradiſe, if he might, without the Word; (At cum verbo etiam in inferno facile eſt vivere) but with the Word he could live in Hell it ſelf.

Secondly, God lifts up the light of Reaſ. 2 his countenance upon his people in Ordinances, that he may keep themPſal. 27. 4.Ps 27:4 cloſe to Ordinances, and conſtant in Ordinances; the ſoul ſhall hear good news from Heaven, when it is waiting at Wiſdoms door. God will acquaintProv. 8. 34, 35.Prov 8:34Prov 8:35 the ſoul with Spiritual Myſteries, and feed it with the droppings of the Honey Comb, that the ſoul may p. 123cleave to them, as Ruth did to Naomi, Ruth 1. 15, 16, 17.Ruth 1:15Ruth 1:16Ruth 1:17and ſay of them, as ſhe ſaid of her, Where theſe go, I will go, where theſe lodge, I will lodge; and nothing but death ſhall make a ſeparation between Ordinances and my ſoul. After Joſhua Joſh. 1. 5.Josh 1:5had had a choice preſence of God, with his ſpirit in the ſervice he was put upon, he makes a Proclamation; Chuſe you whom you will ſerve, I and my Joſh. 24. 15.Josh 24:15houſhold will ſerve the Lord. Let the iſſue be what it will, I will cleave to the ſervice of my God. I will ſet my ſoul under Gods ſpout, I will wait for himMal. 3. 1.Mal 3:1 in his Temple. I will look for him inRevel. 2. 1.Rev 2:1 the midſt of the ſeven Golden Candleſticks, I have found him a good Maſter, I will live and dye in his ſervice, I have found his work to be better then wages, I have found a reward, not onelyonly for keeping, but alſo in keeping his Commandments, as thePſal. 19. 11:Ps 19:11 Pſalmiſt ſpeaks. The good words, the ſweet aſpects, the choice hints; the heavenly intercourſe that hath been between the Lord Jeſus, and my ſoul, in his ſervice, hath put ſuch great and glorious engagements upon my ſoul, that I cannot but ſay with the p. 124ſervant in the Law, I love my Maſter, Exod. 21. 5. Deut. 15. 16, 17.Exod 21:5Deut 15:16Deut 15:17and I will not quit his ſervice, becauſe it is well with me; my ear is bored, and I will be his ſervant for ever.

The third Reaſon, Why the Lord Reaſ. 3 cauſes the beams of his love, and the brightneſs of his glory to ſhine forth upon his people in Ordinances, is, To fence and ſtrengthen their ſouls againſt all thoſe temptations that they may meet with, from Satan and hisEpheſ. 4. 14. foreign ſignifies cogging with a Dy, ſuch ſlights as cheaters and falſe-gameſters uſe at D…ce.Eph 4:14 inſtruments, that lie in wait to deceive, and by their cunning craftineſs, endeavor with all their might, to work men firſt to have low thoughts of Ordinances, and then to neglect them, and then to deſpiſe them. Now the LordChryſoſtom ſaith, That by the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, we are ſo armed againſt Satans temptations, that he fleeth from us, as if we were ſo many (Leones ignem expuentes) Lyons that ſpit fire. by the ſweet diſcoveries of himſelf, by the kiſſes, and love tokens that he gives to his people in Ordinances, does ſo indear and engage their hearts to them, that they are able not onelyonly to withſtand temptations, but alſo to triumph over temptations, thorow him that hath loved them, and in Ordinances manifeſted his preſence, and the riches of his grace and goodneſs to them; the ſweet converſe, the bleſſed turns and walks, that the Saints have p. 125with God in Ordinances, makes them ſtrong in reſiſting, and happy in conquering of thoſe temptations that tend to lead them from the Ordinances, which are Chriſts bankquetting-houſe,Can 2. 4. Beith Haiin is Domus vini, the Houſe of Wine. where he ſets before his people, all the dainties and ſweet-meats of Heaven, and bids them eat and drink abundantly, there being no danger of ſurfeiting, in eating, or drinking of Chriſts delicates. Truly, many a ſoul hath ſurfeited of the worlds dainties, and died for ever; but there is not a ſoul that hath had the honor and happineſs to be brought into Chriſts bankquettinghouſe, and to eat and drink of his dainties, but they have lived for ever.

The fourth Reaſon, Why the Lord Reaſ. 4 is pleaſed to give his people ſome ſenſe of his love, and ſome taſtes of Heaven in Ordinances, is, That he may fit and ripen them for Heaven, and make them look and long more after a perfect, compleat, and full enjoyment of God. Souls at firſt converſion are but roughcaſt, but God by viſiting of them,Iſa. 64. 5.Isa 64:5 and manifeſting of himſelf to them in his ways, doth more and more fit thoſe Veſſels of Mercy for Glory. p. 126Ah Chriſtians, tell me, do not thoſe Holy Influences, thoſe Spiritual Breathings, thoſe Divine In-comes, that you meet with in Ordinances, make your ſouls cry out with David, As the Hart panteth after the water Pſal. 42. 1, 2. The Greeks derive their word for▪ deſire; from a root that ſignifieth to burn. Now if one ſhould heap never ſo much fuel upon a fire, it would not quench it, but kindle it the more; ſo nothing can ſatisfie the deſires of a Saint, but a full celeſtial enjoyment of God.Ps 42:1Ps 42:2brooks, ſo panteth my ſoul after thee, O God. My ſoul thirſteth for God, even for the living God: When ſhall I come and appear before the preſence of God? So in that Pſal. 63. 1, 2. O God, thou art my God, early will I ſeek thee; my ſoul thirſteth for thee, my fleſh longeth for thee, in a dry and thirſty Land, where no water is. To ſee thy power and thy glory, ſo as I have ſeen thee in the Sanctuary. In theſe words you have Davids ſtrong, earneſt, and vehement deſires; here you have deſire upon deſire; here you have the very flower and vigor of his ſpirit, the ſtrength and ſinews of his ſoul, the prime and top of his enflamed affections, all ſtrongly working after a fuller enjoyment of God. Look as the eſpouſed Maid longs for the marriage day, the Apprentice for his freedom, the Captive for his ranſom, the condemned man for his pardon, the Traveller for his Inn, and the Mariner for p. 127his Haven; ſo doth a ſoul, that hath met with God in his Ordinances, long to meet with God in Heaven: It isIt is not drops, but ſwimming in the Ocean, that will ſatisfie a ſoul that hath looked into paradiſe. not a drop, it is not a lap and away, a ſip and away, that will ſuffice ſuch a ſoul: No. This ſoul will never be quiet, till it ſees God face to face, till it be quiet in the boſom of God. The more a Saint taſtes of God in an Ordinance, the more are his deſires raiſed and whetted, and the more are his teeth ſet on edge for more and more of God. Plutarch faith, ThatPlutarch in vita Camilli. when once the Gauls had taſted of the ſweet Wine, that was made of the Grapes of Italy, nothing would ſatisfie them, but Italy, Italy. So a ſoulA full enjoyment of God is the moſt ſparkling Diamond in the Ring of Glory. that hath taſted of the ſweetneſs and goodneſs of God, in Ordinances, nothing will ſatisfie it, but more of that goodneſs and ſweetneſs; a little mercy may ſave the ſoul, but it muſt be a great deal of mercy that muſt ſatisfie the ſoul: The leaſt glimps of Gods countenance may be a ſtaff to ſupport the ſoul, and a cordial to cheriſh and comfort the ſoul, and an ark to ſecure the ſoul, and a cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night to guide the p. 128ſoul; but it muſt be much, very much of God, that muſt be enough to ſatisfie the ſoul.

The fifth and laſt Reaſon, Why the Reaſ. 5 Lord is graciouſly pleaſed to give his people ſome ſenſe of his love, and ſome aſſurance of his favor in Ordinances, is, That they may have wherewithal to ſilence, and ſtop the mouths of wicked and ungodly men, whoſe words areMal. 3. 13, 14.Mal 3:13Mal 3:14 ſtout againſt the Lord; who ſay, it is in vain to ſerve God, and what profit is there in keeping his Statutes and Ordinances, and in walking mournfully before the Lord of Hoſts. Now theThe Saints by the gracious Experiences that they have of the ſweet breathings of God upon them in Ordinances, are able to confute, muzzle, halter, or button up the mouths of vain and wicked men, who ſay unto the Lord, Depart from us, for we deſire not the knowledge of thy ways. Lord cauſes his face to ſhine upon his people in Ordinances, that they may ſtand up, and bear him witneſs before the wicked world, that he is no hard Maſter, that he reaps not where he ſows not. In Ordinances he kiſſes them, and there he gives them his love, and makes known his goodneſs and glory, that his Children may from their own experiences, be able to confute all the lies and clamors of wicked men againſt God and his ways. And bleſſed be God, that hath not left himſelf without witneſs, but hath many thouſands p. 129that can ſtand up before all theWhat is the Almighty, that we ſhou…d ſerve him? and what profit ſhould we have if we pray unto him? Job 21. 14, 15.Job 21:14Job 21:15 world, and declare, That they have ſeen the beauty and glory of God in his Sanctuary, that they have met with thoſe joys and comforts in the ways of God, that do as far ſurpaſs all other joys and comforts, as light does darkneſs, as Heaven does Hell: That they have met with ſuch heart meltings, ſuch heart humblings, ſuch heart revivings, ſuch heart cheerings, as they never met with before, in all their days. Ah, ſay theſe Souls, One day in his Courts, is better then a thouſand years elſwhere. O! we had rather with Moſes, looſe all, and be whipped and ſtripped of all, then loſe the ſweet enjoyments of God in Ordinances. O! in them, God hath been Light and Life, a Joy and a Crown to our Souls. God is tender of his own glory, and of his Childrens comfort; and therefore he gives them, ſuch choice aſpects, and ſuch ſweet viſits in Ordinances, that they may have Arguments at hand to ſtop the mouths of ſinners, and to declare from their own experience, that all the ways of God are ways of pleaſantneſs,Prov▪ 3. 17. Pſal 65. 11.Prov 3:17Ps 65:11 and that all his paths drops p. 130fatneſs. And thus much for the Reaſons, Why God lifts up the light of his countenance upon his people in Ordinances; before I paſs to the next particular, it will be neceſſary, that I lay down theſe Cautions to prevent weak Saints from ſtumbling and doubting, who have not yet found the Lord giving out his favors, and making known his Grace and Love, in ſuch a ſenſible way to their ſouls, in breaking the Bread of Life, as others have found.

Now the firſt Caution I ſhall layCaut. 1. down, is this, That even Believers may ſometimes come and go from this Ordinance, without that comfort, that aſſurance, that joy▪ that refreſhment, that others have, and may meet with. And this may ariſe, partly from their2 Chro. 30. 19, 20. 1 Cor. 11. 20. to ult.2 Chr 30:192 Chr 30:201 Cor 11:20 unpreparedneſs and unfitneſs, to meet with God in the Ordinance, and partly from their playing, and dallying with ſome boſom ſin; or elſe it may ariſe from their not ſtirring up themſelves, to lay hold on God, as the Prophet Iſaiah complains, There is none Iſa. 64. 7.Isa 64:7that calleth upon thy name, that ſtirreth up himſelf to take hold of thee; or elſe it p. 131may ariſe from the Spirits ſtanding atSam. 1. 16. a diſtance from the Soul; it may be, O ſoul, that thou haſt ſet the Comforter, the Spirit a mourning; and therefore it is, that he refuſes to comfort thee, and to be a ſealing and witneſſing ſpirit unto thee. Thou haſt grieved him with thy ſins, and he will now vex thee by his ſilence; thou haſt thrown his Cordials againſt thePſal. 77. 2.Ps 77:2 wall; thou haſt trampled his Manna under thy feet, and therefore it is, that he hath vailed his face, and changedGen. 31. 5.Gen 31:5 his countenance and carriage towards thee; thou haſt been unkinde to the Spirit, and therefore he carries it towards thee as an enemy, and not as a friend.

The ſecond Caution is this, ThatCaut. 2. The longer mercy is a coming, the greater, the ſweeter, and the better uſually it is when it come…. Many a childe hath got a Benjamins portion, a Hannahs portion, a double pot…ion by waiting; ſo hath many a Saint got a worthy po…tion, a double portion of comfort, and aſſurance by waiting. Ergo, wait patiently, and work heartily. though God doth in this Ordinance withhold comfort and aſſurance from thee, yet thou muſt hold on in thy duty, thou muſt wait at Hopes hoſpital; at this heavenly Pool, thou muſt lie till the Angel of the Covenant, the Lord Jeſus comes and breaths upon thee; at the…e waters of the Sanctuary, thou muſt lie, till the Spirit moves upon thy ſoul; thou muſt p. 132not neglect thy work, though God delayes thy comfort; thou muſt be as obedient in the want of aſſurance, as thou art thankful under the enjoyment of aſſurance. Laban often changed Jacobs wages, yet Jacob never changed nor neglected his work; though God ſhould change thy wages (thy comforts into diſcomforts, thy Spring into an Autumn, &c.) yet thou muſt never change, nor neglect thy work, which is obeying, believing, and waiting, till God (in his Ordinances) ſhall lift up the light of his countenance upon thee, and turn thy night into day, and thy mourning into rejoycing. God is the ſame, and the commands of the Goſpel are the ſame, and therefore thy work is the ſame, whether it be night or day with thy ſoul, whether thou art under frowns or ſmiles, in the Arms, or at the Feet of God.

A third Caution is this, Many ofCaut. 3. the precious Sons and Daughters of Sion, have had, and may have ſo much comfort and ſweetneſs, ſo much life and heat, ſo much reviving and quickning, ſo much marrow and fatneſs in p. 133this Ordinance, as may clearly evidence the ſpecial preſence of God with their ſpirits; and as they would not exchange for all the world, and yet would give a world (were it in their power) for thoſe ſtrong comforts and full aſſurance, that others enjoy in this Ordinance: In this OrdinanceKing Cyrus gave a kiſs to Chryſa…tes, and a golden cup to Artabazus. Chriſt looks upon one, and kiſſes another; he gives a nod to one, and his hand to another: Some in this Ordinance ſhall have but ſips of mercy, others ſhall have large draughts of mercy; ſome in this Ordinance ſhall ſee but the back parts of Chriſt, others ſhall ſee him face to face; to one he gives ſilver, to another he gives gold, to one he gives but a glaſs ofCant▪ 2. 5.Song 2:5 conſolation, to another he gives flaggons of conſolation; ſome ſhall haveThe leaſt ſtar gives light, the leaſt drop moyſtens, the leaſt pearl ſparkles, and the leaſt dram of ſpecial Grace ſaves. but drops, others ſhall ſwim in the Ocean; ſome ſhall have a large harveſt, others ſhall have but a few gleanings, and yet they, if rightly valued, are more worth then a world. The Sun of Righteouſneſs is a free Agent, and he will work and ſhine forth as he pleaſes, and when he pleaſes, and on whom he pleaſes; and who art thou, p. 134that dareſt ſay to Chriſt, why doeſt thou ſo? Ah Chriſtians, you may not, you muſt not ſay, we have not met with Chriſt in the Sacrament, becauſe we have not met with joy and aſſurance in the Sacrament; for you may enjoy very much of Chriſt in that Ordinance, and yet not ſo much as may boyl up to full aſſurance, and make you go a way ſinging, My beloved is Cant. …. 16.mine, and I am his. We may enjoy the warmth and heat of the Sun, when we cannot ſee the Sun; ſo ſouls may enjoy much of Chriſt (by holy influences) in the Sacrament, when they cannot ſee Chriſt in the Sacrament.

Seventhly, Times of perſonal afflictions, are times wherein the Lord is graciouſly pleaſed to vouchſafe to his people ſweet manifeſtations of his love and favor, when his hand is heavy on them, then he lifts up the light of his countenance upon them, Pſal. 71. 20, 21. Thou which haſt ſhewed me great, and ſore troubles, ſhalt quicken me again; and ſhalt bring me up again from the depths of the Earth. Thou ſhalt increaſe my greatneſs…, and comfort me on every p. 135ſide. So in that Pſal. 94. 19. In the foreignmultitude of my careful troubled thoughts, My cogitations, i. e. My careful troubled thoughts perplexed, as the branches of a tree, by a ſtrong wind. It comes from foreign a Branch, by interpoſing foreign.thy comforts delight my ſoul. Ah Chriſtians, hath not God by all afflictions lifted up your ſouls neerer Heaven, as Noahs Ark was lifted up neerer and neerer Heaven, by the riſing of the water higher and higher. The Ball in the Emblem ſays, (percuſſa ſurgo) The harder you beat me down in affliction, the higher I ſhall bound in affection towards Heaven, and heavenly things; ſo afflictions do but elevate and raiſe a Saints affections to Heaven; and heavenly things. When Munſter lay ſick, and his friends asked him, how he did, and how he felt himſelf, he pointed to his ſores and ulcers, (whereof he was full,) and ſaid, Theſe are Gods gems and Qui non eſt crucianus, non eſt Chriſtianus, ſaith Luther. The Proverb is, Smart makes wit, and vexation gives underſtanding.jewels, wherewith he decketh his beſt friends, and to me they are more precious then all the gold and ſilver in the world. (Afflictiones benedictiones) Afflictions are bleſſings. Gods corrections are our inſtructions, his laſhes our leſſons, his ſcourges our ſchool-maſters, his chaſtiſements our advertiſements; and to note this; the Hebrews and Greeks both, do expreſs chaſtning and teaching p. 136by one and the ſame word (foreign, Muſar, …aideia,) becauſe the latter is the true end of the former. AhI bleſs God I know ſeveral precious ſouls, of whom this world is not worthy that have found more of God in afflictions, then in any other gracious diſpenſation. Manaſſes got more by his Iron chain, then ever he got by his Golden Crown. foreign Oculos quos peccatum claudit poena apcrit. P…r iſſem niſi per…iſſem. I had periſhed, if I had not periſhed. you afflicted Sons and Daughters of Zion, have you not had ſuch ſweet diſcoveries of God, ſuch ſenſible demonſtrations of his love, ſuch bowels of affections working in him towards you, have you not had ſuch gracious viſits, and ſuch glorious viſions, that you would not exchange for all the world? yes. Have you not had the precious preſence of God with you, quieting and ſtilling your ſouls, ſupporting and upholding your ſouls, chearing and refreſhing your ſouls? yes. And have you not had the Lord applying precious promiſes, and ſuitable remedies to all your maladies? Have you not found God a bringing in unexpected mercy in the day of your adverſity, ſuitable to that promiſe, Hoſea 2. 14. I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderneſs, and ſpeak comfortably to her (or, I will earneſtly ſpeak to her heart, as the Hebrew reads it?) yes. Have you not found, that God hath ſo ſweetned and ſanctified afflictions to you, as to make them a means to diſcover p. 137many ſins that lay hid, and to purge you from many ſins that cleaved cloſe unto you, and to prevent you from falling into many ſins, that would have been the breaking of your bones, and the loſs of your comfort? yes. Have you not found, that you haveMusk, ſaith one, when it hath loſt its ſweetneſs, if it be put into the ſink amongſt filth, it recovers it; ſo doth afflictions recover and revive decayed graces. been like the Walnut tree, the better for beating; and like the Vine, the better for bleeding; and like the ingenious childe, the better for whiping? yes. Have you not found afflictions to revive, quicken, and recover your decayed graces? have they not inflamed that love that hath been cold, and put life into that Faith that hath been dying, and quickned thoſe hopes that have been withering, and put ſpirits into thoſe joyes and comforts that have been languiſhing? yes. O then ſtand up, and declare to all the world, That times of affliction have been the times, wherein you have ſeen the face of God, and heard the voice of God, and ſucked ſweetneſs from the breſts of God, and fed upon the delicates of God, and drunk deep of the conſolations of God, and have been moſt ſatisfied and delighted with p. 138the preſence and in-comes of God. When Hezekiah in his great affliction lamentingly ſaid, I ſhall go mourning Iſai. 38. 9. to 21.Isa 38:9–21to my grave, I ſhall not ſee the Lord in the Land of the living; he will cut me off with pining ſickneſs, he will break all my bones. Like a Crane, or a Swallow, ſo did I chatter; I did mourn as a Dove; mine eyes fail with looking upward. O Lord, I am oppreſſed, undertake for me. So now, God comes in a way of mercy to him, and prints his love upon his heart, Verſ. 17. Thou haſt, in love to my ſoul, delivered it from the pit of corruption, or rather as the Hebrew readsforeign it, Thou haſt loved my ſoul from the grave; for thou haſt caſt all my ſins behinde thy back. Ah, ſays Hezekiah, I have now found, that in my afflictions, thy affections have been moſt ſtrongly carried towards me, as towards one whom thou art exceedingly taken with. O, now, thou haſt warmed me with thy love, and viſited me with thy grace, thou haſt made my darkneſs to be light, and turned my ſighing into ſinging, and my mourning into rejoycing. So when Habakkuks belly trembled,Hab 3. 16, 17, 18.Hab 3:16Hab 3:17Hab 3:18 and his lips quivered, and rottenneſs p. 139entered into his bones, and all Creature comforts failed, yet then had he ſuch a ſweet preſence of God with his Spirit, as makes him to rejoyce in the midſt of ſorrows: Yet (ſays he) I will rejoyce in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my ſalvation. And thus you ſee it clear, That in times of affliction God makes ſweet manifeſtations of his love and favor to his Childrens ſouls.

Eighthly, Praying times are times wherein the Lord is graciouſly pleaſed to give his people ſome ſweet and comfortable aſſurance, of his love and favor towards them. Prayer crownsNunquam abs te, abſque te recedo, Bern. ep. 116. O Lord, ſaith he, I never go away from thee, without thee. He was a man very much in prayer, as ſome Writers obſerve. God with the honor and glory that is due to his Name; and God crowns prayer with aſſurance and comfort; uſually the moſt praying ſouls, are the moſt aſſured ſouls. There is no ſervice wherein ſouls have ſuch a neer familiar and friendly entercourſe with God, as in this of prayer; neither is there any ſervice, wherein God doth more delight to make known his grace and goodneſs, his mercy and bounty, his beauty and glory, to poor ſouls, then this of prayer. The beſt and ſweeteſt p. 140flowers of paradiſe, God gives to his people when they are upon their knees. Prayer is (Porta coeli, clavis padiſi) the Gate of Heaven, a Key to let us into paradiſe: when John was weeping (in prayer, doubtleſs) the Sealed Book was open to him. Many Chriſtians have found by experience, praying times to be ſealing times, times wherein God hath ſealed up to them the remiſſion of their ſins, and the ſalvation of their ſouls: They have found prayer to be a ſhelter to their ſouls, a ſacrifice to God, a ſweet ſavor to Chriſt, a ſcourge to Satan, and an in-let to aſſurance. God loves to lade the wings of prayer with the choiceſt, and chiefeſt bleſſings. Ah! how often, Chriſtians, hath God kiſt you at the beginning of prayer, and ſpoke peace to you in the midſt of prayer, and filled you with joy and aſſurance, upon the cloſe of prayer. That nineth of Daniel, from the ſeventeenth to the four and twentieth verſe, is full to the point in hand. I ſhall onelyonly cite the words of the four laſt Verſes. And whileſt I was ſpeaking, and praying, Dan. 9. 20.Dan 9:20and confeſsing my ſin, and the ſin of p. 141my people Iſrael, and preſenting my ſupplication before the Lord my God, for the Holy Mountain of my God: Yea, whilest I was ſpeaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had ſeen in the viſion at the begining, foreign With wearineſs, or flight, tired as it were with his making ſpeed.being cauſed to flie ſwiftly, touched me about the time of the Evening Oblation. And he informed me, and talked with me, and ſaid, O Daniel; I am now come forth to give thee skill and underſtanding. At the beginning of thy ſupplications, the commandment came forth, and I am come to ſhew thee, for thou art greatly beloved; therefore underſtand the Matter, and conſider the Viſion. In theſe words you ſee, whileſt Daniel was in prayer, the Lord appears to him, and gives him a Divine touch, and tells him, That he is a man greatly beloved, or as the Hebrew hath it, a man of deſires. Soforeign Chamudoth, a man of deſires, that is, one ſingularly beloved of God; one that is very pleaſing and delightful to God. Act, 10. 1, 2, 3, 4. There was a certain man in Caeſarea, called Cornelius, a Centurion, of the Band, called the Italian Band, a devout man, and one that feared God with all his houſe, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. He ſaw in a viſion evidently, about the ninth hour of the day, an Angel of God coming in to him, and ſaying unto him, Cornelius. p. 142And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and ſaid, What is it Lord? And he ſaid unto him, Thy prayers, and thine alms, are come up for a memorial before God. PrayingVide Calvin: and Oecume…ius on theſe words. Cornelius you ſee is remembred by God, and viſited ſenſibly and evidently by an Angel, and aſſured, that his prayers and good deeds, are not onelyonly anodor, a ſweet ſmell, a ſacrifice acceptable and well-pleaſing to God, but alſo that they ſhall be gloriouſly rewarded by God. So when Peter wasVerſ 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, of Acts 1.Acts 1 praying, he fell into a trance, and ſaw Heaven opened, and had his minde elevated, and all the faculties of his ſoul filled with a Divine Revelation; ſo when Paul was a praying, he ſees aActs 9 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19.Acts 9:11Acts 9:12Acts 9:13Acts 9:14Acts 9:15Acts 9:19 viſion, Ananias; a coming and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his ſight. Paul had not been long at prayer, before it was revealed to him, that he was a choſen Veſſel, before he was filled with the voice and comforts of the Holy Ghoſt; ſo our SaviourLuke 17.Luke 17 was transfigured as he was praying. Thus you ſee, that praying times are times, wherein the Lord is graciouſly pleaſed to lift up the light of his countenance upon his people, and to cauſe p. 143his grace and favor, his goodneſs and kindneſs to reſt on them, as the ſpirit of Elijah did reſt on Eliſha.2 Kings 2. 15.2 Kgs 2:15

But ſome may object and ſay, We have Object. been at the door of mercy, early and late, for aſſurance, and yet we have not obtained it; we have prayed, and waited, and we have waited, and prayed; we have prayed, and mourned, and we have … ed, and prayed, and yet we cannot get a good word from God, a ſmile from God, he hath covered himſelf with a cloud; and after all that we have done, it is ſtill night with our ſouls. God ſeems not to …e at home, he ſeems not to value our prayers; we call, and cry, and ſhout out for aſſurance; and Lam. 3. 8.Lam 3:8yet he ſhutteth out our prayer. We are ſure, That we have not found praying times to be times of aſſurance to our ſouls, &c.

Now to this Objection, I ſhall give Anſw. I It is better to ask, and not receive, then to receive, and no… ask. Cl…m.theſe anſwers; firſt, that it may be, you have been more earneſt and vehement for aſſurance, and the effects of it, viz. Joy, comfort, and pe…ce, then you have been for grace and holineſs, for communion with God, and conformity to God; it may be your requeſts for p. 144aſſurance have been full of life and ſpirits, when your requeſt for grace and holineſs, for communion with God, and conformity to God, have been liveneſs and ſpiritleſs: If ſo, no wonder that aſſurance is denied you. Aſſurance makes moſt for your comfort, but holineſs makes moſt for Gods honor; mans holineſs is now his greateſt happineſs, and in Heaven mans greateſt happineſs will be his perfect holineſs. Aſſurance is the daughter of Holineſs, and he that ſhall more highly prize, and more earneſtly preſs after the enjoyment of the daughter, then the mother, it is not a wonder, if God ſhuts the door upon him, and croſſes him in the thing he moſt deſires. The ſureſt, and the ſhorteſt way to aſſurance, is to wraſtle and contend with God for holineſs, as the Angel contendedJudg. 2. 9.Judg 2:9 with the Devil about the body of Moſes. When the ſtream and cream of a mans ſpirit runs after holineſs, it will not be long night with that man, the Sun of Righteouſneſs will ſhineMal. 4. 2.Mal 4:2 forth upon that man, and turn his winter into ſummer, and crown him with the Diadem of Aſſurance. The p. 145more holy any perſon is, the more excellentThe Jews have a ſaying, That thoſe ſeventy ſouls that went down to Egypt, were more worth then the ſeventy Nations of the world. he is; all corruptions are diminutions of excellency, (the more mixt any thing is, the more it is abaſed; as if Gold and Tin be mixed; and the more pure it is, as meer Gold, the more glorious it is.) Now the more divinely excellent any man is, the more fit he is to enjoy the choiceſt, and the higheſt favors. Aſſurance is a Jewel of that value, that he will beſtowPſal. 16▪ 3. Revel. 3. 18.Ps 16:3Rev 3:18 it upon none but his excellent ones: Aſſurance is that tried gold, that none can wear, but thoſe that win it in a way of grace and holineſs. It may be, if thou hadſt minded, and endeavored more after communion with God, and conformity to God, thou mighteſt before this time have looked upward, and ſeen God in Chriſt ſmiling upon thee, and have looked inward (into thy own ſoul) and ſeen the Spirit of Grace witneſsing to thy ſpirit, Rom 8. 15, 16 17.Rom 8:15Rom 8:16that thou wert a Son, an Heir, an Heir of God, and a joynt heir with Chriſt. But thou haſt minded more thy own comfort, then Chriſts honor; thou haſt minded the bloſſoms, and the fruit (Aſſurance and Peace) more then p. 146Chriſt, the Root; thou haſt minded the Springs of comfort, more then Chriſt, the Fountain of life; thou haſt minded the beams of the Sun, more then the Sun of Righteouſneſs; and therefore it is but a righteous thing with God, to leave thee to walk in a valley of darkneſs, to hide his face from thee, and to ſeem to be as an enemy to thee.

But ſecondly, I anſwer, It may be Anſw. 2 thou art not yet fit for ſo choice a mercy, thou art not able to bear ſo great a favor; many heads are not able to bear ſtrong-waters; why? the very quinteſſence of all the ſtrong conſolationsJob 15. 11. Divine comfort is a delicate thing, and it is not given to him that admits of any other.Job 15:11 of God are wrung out into this golden cup of aſſurance, and can you drink of this cup, and not ſtammer nor ſtagger? Believe it, aſſurance is meat for ſtrong men, few babes (if any) are able to bear it, and digeſt it. The Apoſtle ſaith, That ſtrong meat belongeth Heb. 5. 12, 14. foreign.Heb 5:12Heb 5:14to them that are of full age, (or, that are comparatively perfect, or full grown) even thoſe, who by reaſon of uſe, (Greek, by reaſon of habit, which is got by continual cuſtom, and long practice) have their ſenſes exerciſed to diſcorn p. 147both good and evil. The Greek word properly ſignifies ſuch an exerciſe, as wreſtlers, or ſuch as contend for victory do uſe, which is with all their might and ſtrength, being trained up unto it by long exerciſe. It may be, O complaining1 Cor. 3. 1, 2, 3.1 Cor 3:11 Cor 3:21 Cor 3:3 Chriſtian, that thou art but a ſcrub, a babe in grace; happily thou art not yet got beyond the breſt, or if thou art, yet thou art not paſt the Spoon. Ah Chriſtian, if it be thusInvalidum omne natura querulum, Seneca. Weak ſpirits are ever quarrelling and contending. with thee, ceaſe complaining of the want of aſſurance, and be up and growing, be more aged in grac… and holineſs, and thou ſhalt finde aſſurance growing upon thee. Divine Wiſdom ſparkles much in this, in giving milk to Babes (that are more carnal then ſpiritual) and meat, i. e. Aſſurance to ſtrong men, that have more skill and will, that have a greater ability, and choicer faculty, to prize and improve this Jewel Aſſurance, then babes have. The Hebrew word Chabodh ſignifies,foreign So the Chaldee. foreign both weight, and glory; and verily, glory is ſuch a weight, that if the body were not upheld by that glorious power that raiſed Jeſus Chriſt from the grave, if it were not bore up by p. 148everlaſting Arms, it were impoſſible itDeut. 33. 27.Deut 33:27 ſhould bear it. Now aſſurance is the top of glory, it is the glory of glory;Pſal. 45. 13.Ps 45:13 then certainly, they had need be very glorious within, that ſhall be crowned with ſuch a weight of glory, as aſſurance is. Well, remember this, It is mercy to want mercy, till we are fit for mercy, till we are able to bear the weight of mercy, and make a divine improvement of mercy.

Thirdly, You muſt diſtinguiſh between Anſw. 3 Every audience increaſeth love, thanks, and truſt, Pſa. 116. 1, 2, 3. And thoſe mercies are beſt improved, which we receive after we have been long upon our knees.Ps 116:1Ps 116:2Ps 116:3delays and denials: God may delay us, when he does not deny us; he may defer the giving in of a mercy, and yet, at laſt, give the very mercy begged. Barren Hannah prayes, yeer after yeer, for a mercy. God delayes her long, but at laſt gives her her deſire; and the Text ſayes expreſly, that her countenance was no more ſad, 1 Sam. 1. 18. After many prayers and tears, the Lord comes in, and aſſures her, that ſhe ſhould have the deſire of her ſoul; and now ſhe mourns no more, but ſits down ſatisfied, comforted and cheered. After much praying, waiting, and weeping, God uſually comes with his hands, and his heart p. 149full of mercy to his people. He loves not to come (Vacuis manibus) empty handed to thoſe that have ſate long with wet eyes at Mercies door. Chriſt tries the faith, patience, and conſtancy of the Canaanite woman, he deferredMatth. 15. 21, to 29.Matt 15:21–29 and delayed her, he reproached and repulſed her; and yet, at laſt, is overcome by her, as not being able any longer to withſtand her importunate requeſts. O woman, great is thy faith, Be Exclamat tanquam victus. Brugenſis. He cryes out as conquered.it unto thee, even as thou wilt. Chriſt puts her off at firſt, but cloſes with her at laſt; at firſt, a good word, a good look is too good for her, but at laſt, good words, and good looks are too little for her, Be it unto thee, even as thou wilt. At firſt, Chriſt carries himſelf to her as a churliſh ſtranger, but at laſt, as an amorous lover; though at firſt, he had not an ear to hear her, yet at laſt he had a heart to grant her, not onelyonly her deſires, but even what elſe ſhe would deſire over and above, what ſhe had deſired. God heard Daniel atDan. 9. 15. to 25.Dan 9:15–25 the beginning of his ſupplications, and his bowels of lo… was working ſtrongly towards him, but the Angel Gabriel doth not inform Daniel of this p. 150till afterwards. Praying ſouls, you ſay that you have prayed long for aſſurance, and yet you have not obtained it. Well, pray ſtill, O pray and wait, wait and pray, the Viſion is for Hab. 2. 3.Hab 2:3an appointed time, but at the end, it ſhall ſpeak, and not lie; though it tarry, wait for it, becauſe it will ſurely come, it will not tarry. God hath never, God will never fail the praying ſoul; at the long run, thou ſhalt be ſure to obtain that aſſurance that will richly recompence thee, for all thy praying, waiting, and weeping; therefore hold up, and hold on praying (though God doth delay thee) and my ſoul for thine, thou ſhalt reap in due ſeaſon ſuch a harveſt ofGal. 6. 9.Gal 6:9 joy, and comfort, as will ſufficiently pay thee for all thy pains. Shall the Husband-man wait patiently for the precious fruits of the Earth; and wiltJam. 5. 7.Jas 5:7 not thou wait patiently for aſſurance, which is a Jewel more worth then Heaven and Earth. Praying ſouls remember this, It is but weakneſs to think that men ſhall reap as ſoon as they ſow, that they ſhall reap in the Evening, when they have but ſowed in the Morning. Titus Veſpaſian neverSuelonius. p. 151diſmiſt any Petitioner with a tear in his eye, or with a heavy heart; and ſhall we think, that the God of compaſſions will always diſmiſs the Petitioners of Heaven with tears in their eyes? Surely no.

Ninthly, Sometimes before theThis truth many choice Chriſtians have found by experience. ſoul is deeply engaged in fore conflicts with Satan, the Lord is graciouſly pleaſed to viſit his people with his loving kindneſs, and to give them ſome ſweet aſſurance, That though they are tempted, yet they ſhall not be worſted; though they are tried, yet they ſhall be crowned; though Satan doth roar as a Lyon upon the ſoul, yet he ſhall not make a prey of the ſoul; for the LyonRevel. 5. 5. John 10. 28.Rev 5:5John 10:28 of the Tribe of Judah will hold it faſt, and none ſhall pluck it out of his hand. God firſt fed Iſrael with Manna from Heaven, and gave them water toEx…d 17. 8, &c. drink out of the Rock, before their fore fight with Amalek. Before Paul 2 Cor. 12. 1. to 8.2 Cor 12:1–8was buffetted by Satan, he was caught up into the third Heaven, where he had very glorious viſions, and revelations of the Lord, even ſuch, as he was not able to utter. Before Jeſus ChriſtMatth. 3: ult.Matt 3 was led into the wilderneſs to be p. 152tempted by Satan, to queſtion and doubt of his Son-ſhip, he heard a voice from Heaven, ſaying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am wel-pleaſed. The Spirit of the Lord did firſt deſcend upon him as a Dove, before Satan fell upon him as a Lyon. God walks with his people ſome turns in paradiſe, and gives them ſome taſtes of his right-hand pleaſures, beforePſal. 16. ult.Ps 16 Satan by his tempting ſhall do them a diſpleaſure: But I muſt haſten to a cloſe of this Chapter; and therefore

Tenthly and laſtly, After ſome ſharp conflicts with Satan, God is graciouſly pleaſed to lift up the light of his countenance upon his people, and to warm and cheer their hearts with the beams of his love. Matth. 4. 11. Then the Non tanquam miſericordes indigenti, ſed tanquam ſubjecti om ipotenti, Aug. Hom. 8.Devil leaveth him, and behold, Angels came and miniſtred unto him. When Chriſt had even ſpent himſelf in ſoiling and quelling, in reſiſting and ſcattering Satans temptations; then the Angels come and miniſter cordials and comforts unto him. So after Paul had2 Cor. 12. 7, … … 10.2 Cor 12:72 Cor 12:10 been buffetted by Satan, he heard that ſweet word from Heaven, My grace is p. 153ſufficient for thee; for my ſtrength is made perfect in weakneſs; which filled his heart with joy and gladneſs. The hidden Manna, the New name, and theRevel. 2. 17.Rev 2:17 White ſtone, is given to the conqueror, to him that hath fought with principalities, Epheſ. 6. 12.Eph 6:12and powers, and ſpiritual wickedneſs in high places, and is come off with his garments dipt in blood. After the Roman Generals had gotten victory over their enemies, the Senate did uſe not one way, but many ways to expreſs their loves to them. So after our Faith hath gotten victory over Satan, God uſually takes the ſoul in his arms, and courts it, and ſhews much kindneſs to it. Now the ſoul ſhall be carried in triumph, now the Chariot of ſtate attends the ſoul, now WhiteRevel. 3. 5. & 7. 9.Rev 3:5Rev 7:9 rayment is put upon the ſoul, now Palms are put into the Conquerors hands, now the Garland is ſet upon the Conquerors head, and now a Royal feaſt is provided, where God will ſet the Conqueror at the upper end of the Table, and ſpeak kindly, and carry it ſweetly towards him, as one much affected and taken with his victory over the Prince of darkneſs. p. 154Conflicts with Satan, are uſually theAs many have found by experience. ſharpeſt, and the hotteſt; they ſpend, and waſte moſt, the vital and noble ſpirits of the Saints; and therefore, the Lord after ſuch conflicts, doth ordinarily give his people his choiceſt, and his ſtrongeſt Cordials.

And thus, by Divine aſſiſtance, we have ſhewed you the ſpecial times and ſeaſons, wherein the Lord is graciouſly pleaſed to give his people ſome taſtes of his love, ſome ſweet aſſurance, that they are his favorites, that all is well, and ſhall be for ever well between him and them; and that though many things may trouble them, yet nothing ſhall ſeparate them from their God, their Chriſt, their Crown.