Heaven on Earth, Discourse · Chapter 4
CHAP. IV. Containing ſeveral Motives to provoke Chriſtians to be reſtleſs, till they have obtained a wel-grounded Aſſurance of their Eternal Happineſs and Bleſſedneſs.
NOw the firſt Motive thatMotive 1. I ſhall lay down, to provoke you to get a welgrounded Aſſurance, is, Solemnly to conſider that many are now dropped into Hell that have formerly preſumed of their going to Heaven; as thoſe that came bouncing at Heaven gate, crying out, Lord, Lord, open to us, for we have propheſied Matth. 7. 22, 26, 27. So few in the old world feared an eternal miſcarriage. Matth 25. So were the Jews that cryed out, The Temple of the Lord, the Temple of the Lord.in thy Name; and in thy Name have caſt out devils, and in thy Name have done many wonderful works; and yet that direful and dreadful ſentence is paſt upon them, Depart from me, ye workers of iniquities. The fooliſh Virgins were in a golden dream, that they were as happy as the beſt, and yet when they were awakned, they found the Bridegroom entred into his glory, and the door of mercy ſhut againſt them. Men are naturally prone toIſa. 40. 27. Deut. 29. 19. flatter themſelves, that their ſins are not ſins, when indeed they be, and that they are but ſmall ſins, when they are great and grievous; and they are apt to flatter themſelves, that they have grace, when they have none, and thatProv. 30. 12. their grace is true, when it is but counterfeit, and that their condition is notRevel 3. 17, 18. ſo bad as others, when it is worſe, and with Agag, that the bitterneſs ofMicah. 3. 11▪ death is paſt, when God hath his Sword in his hand ready to execute the vengeance written. I have readI judge as in this world, ſo in Hell, the moſt ſelf flattering ſouls will be the moſt miſerable ſouls. of a mad-man at Athens that laid claim to every rich ſhip that came into the Harbor, when as he was poor, and had no part in any. Ah, this age is full of ſuch mad ſouls, that lay claim to God and Chriſt, and the Promiſes, and Goſpel Priviledges, and all the glory of another world, when they are poor, and blinde, and miſerable, and wretched, and naked, when they are Chriſtleſs, and Graceleſs, &c. Ah Chriſtians, doth it not therefore ſtand you much upon to labor for a wel-grounded Aſſurance, that ſo you may not miſcarry to all eternitie, but may at laſt be found worthy to receive a CrownMat…h. 25. 21, 23. of glory, and to enter into your Maſters joy; which is a joy too great and too glorious to enter into you, and therefore you muſt enter into it.
The ſecond Motive to provokeMotive 2. Chriſtians to get a wel-grounded Aſſurance, is this, Conſider that there be a great many ſoul-flatterers, ſouldeceivers, and ſoul-cheaters in the world; the Devil hath put his angelicalLeo the Emperor uſed to ſay, (Occulti immici peſſim… ) A cloſe enemy is far worſe then an open. robes upon many of his cheif factors, that they may the more eaſily, and the more effectually deceive, and delude the ſouls of men: This age affords many ſad teſtimonies of this. Ah what multitudes be there, that to ſome bleer-eies appear as Angels of light, and yet in their principles and practiſes are but ſervants to the PrinceMatth. 23. 15. of darkneſs, laboring with all their might to make Proſelytes for Hell, and to draw men to thoſe wilde notions, opinions, and conceits that will leave them ſhort of Heaven, yea, bring them down to the hotteſt, darkeſt, and loweſt place in Hell, if God do not by a miracle prevent it; therefore you had need look about you, and ſee that you get a welgrounded Aſſurance, and ſuffer not Satan to put a cheat upon your immortal ſouls. Chriſt hath foretold us, That in the laſt days there ſhall ariſe falſe Matth. 24. 23, 24.Chriſts, and falſe Prophets, that ſhall ſay, Lo, here is Chriſt, and lo, there is Chriſt. Luke 4. 21.And verily this Scripture is this day fulfilled in your ears. Ah how many blaſphemous wretches have there been in theſe daies, that have aſſerted themſelves to be the very Chriſt; and it is to me no little miracle, that the very Earth hath not opened her mouth, and ſwallowed up ſuch monſters, ſuch firebrands of Hell. The Apoſtle tellsEpheſ. 4. 14 foreign ſignifies Cogging with a Dy. foreign. you of ſome that lie in wait to deceive by ſuch ſlights, as cheaters, and falſe gameſters uſe at Dice; he tells you of cunning craftie men that do diligently watch all advantages, to work, draw, and win weak and unſtable ſouls to thoſe opinions, principles, and practiſes, that tend to drown them in everlaſting perdition. Satans diſciplesforeign. and agents are notable methodmongers, they have a method of deceiving, they are Doctors in all the Arts of couſenage, and they will leave no means unattempted, whereby they may draw men to build upon hay1 Cor. 3. 15. and ſtubble, upon this opinion, and that notion, &c. that ſo men and their works may burn for ever together. It is reported of King Canutus, that he promiſed to make him the higheſt man in England, who ſhould kill King Edmund Ironſide his corrival; which when one had performed, and expected his reward, he commanded him to be hung on the higheſt Tower in London. So Satan and his factors they promiſe poor ſouls, that ſuch and ſuch opinions and notions, &c. will thus and thus advantage them, and advance them; but in the cloſe, poorValerians word was (Non acerba ſed blanda) Not bitter, but flattering words, do all the miſch…if. This many have found true, by woful experience. ſouls ſhall finde the promiſed Crown turned into a halter, the promiſed comfort turned into torment, the promiſed glory turned into ignominy, the promiſed exaltation turned into deſolation, the promiſed Heaven turned into a Hell. This age is full of ſoulflatterers, of ſoul-undoers, who like evil Chyrurgions skin over the wound, but kill the patient. Flattery undid Ahab, and Herod, and Nero, and Alexander. Thoſe flatterers that told Dionyſius, that his Epiſtle was as ſweet asAnaſtaſius his Motto was (Mellitum venenum blanda oratio) Smooth talk often proves ſweet poyſon. Many in theſe days have found it ſo. Honey, undid him; and thoſe flatterers that told Caeſar, that his freckles in his face were like the Stars in the Firmament, ruined him. And ah how many yong and old in theſe days have been loſt and undone, by thoſe ſoulflatterers that lie in wait to enſnare and deceive the ſouls of men. Oh that this very conſideration might be ſet home by the hand of the Spirit, with that life and power, upon your ſouls, as effectually to ſtir and provoke you to get a wel-grounded aſſurance of your happineſs and bleſſedneſs, that ſo you may ſtand faſt, like the houſe built upon the Rock, in the midſt of allMatth 7. 24, 25. tempeſts and ſtorms, that nothing may unſettle you, nor diſquiet you, and that none may take away your Crown.Revel 3. 11.
The third Motive to ſtir you up toMotive 3. get a wel-grounded aſſurance, is this, Conſider that a wel-grounded aſſurance of your happineſs and bleſſedneſs will eaſe you, and free you of a threefold burden: It will free you, firſt, from a burden of cares; ſecondly, from a burden of fears; thirdly, from a burden of doubts. Now the burden of cares, Ah Chriſtian▪ cauſes thee to ſit down ſighing and groaning;Matth. 13. 22. ah, how doth the cares of getting this and that, and the cares of keeping this and that worldly content, diſturb and diſtract, vex and rack the ſouls of men, that live under the power of carking cares. Oh, but now aſſurance of better things▪ makes the ſoul ſing care away, as that Martyr ſaid, My John Careleſs in a Letter to Mr. Philpot. Acts & Mon. fol. 1743.ſoul is turned to her reſt, I have taken a ſweet nap in Chriſts lap; and therefore, I will now ſing away care, and will be careleſs according to my name. Aſſurance of a Kingdom, of a Crown, is a fire that burns up all thoſe cares that ordinarily fill the head and diſtract the heart. There is no way to get off the burden of cares, but by getting aſſurance. Again, Aſſurance will free you from the burden of fears, as well as from the burden of cares. Now your hearts are filled with fears of poſſeſſing the Creature, with fears of wanting the Creature, with fears of loſing the Creature, &c. And theſe fears makes many men turn like the Chamelion, into all coulors, forms, andAnd men are apt to make Elephants of Flies, and Gyants of Pigmies, till men reach aſſurance they will ſtill crea…e fears, rather then want them. Pſal 23. 3. faſhions, yea, they make their lives a Hell. Oh, but now aſſurance will ſcatter all theſe fears, as the Sun doth the Clouds; it will extinguiſh theſe fears, as the Sun doth the Fire. Aſſurance made David divinely fearleſs, and divinely careleſs: Yea, though I walk thorow the valley of the ſhadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me, thy rod, and thy ſtaff, they comfort me. Ah, how full of fears, and perplexitiesGen. 21. 16, 19. Vide. was Hagar, till the Lord opened her eyes to ſee the Well of Water that was neer her. So the ſoul will be full of fears and perplexities, till it comes to ſee aſſurance, to enjoy aſſurance. Chriſtians, When all is ſaid, that can be, this will be found at laſt a moſt certain truth, That there is no way to be effectually rid of your fears, but by obtaining a wel-grounded aſſurance of your happineſs and bleſſedneſs. Again, Aſſurance will rid you of your burden of doubts; now you are ſtill a doubting; ſometimes you doubt, whether that you are a thorow Chriſtian, andRemember Chriſtians, firſt, that doubts are bred and fed by ignorance, and unbelief, and therefore are ſinful. Secondly, that they rob the ſoul of all joy, comfort, and content. Thirdly, they render Men Babes in Chriſtianity. Fourthly, they throw reproach upon God, Chriſt, and the Promiſes. Fifthly, they give Satan the greateſt advantage againſt us. not an Agrippa, an almoſt-Chriſtian, an half-Chriſtian, as moſt Profeſſors are; ſometimes you doubt of your Sonſhip, and that leads you to doubt of your Heirſhip; ſometimes you doubt of your acquaintance with God, and that leads you to doubt of your acceſs to God, and acceptance with God; ſometimes you doubt of your union with God, and thoſe doubts lead you to doubt of the truth of your communion with God, &c. The truth is, your whole life is a life of doubting, and ſo it will be, till you reach to a wel-grounded aſſurance. Though the two Diſciples had Chriſt for their companion, yet their hearts were full of fears and doubts, whileſt their eyes were held, that they ſhould not know him, Luke 24. 14, 15, &c. Till a Chriſtians eyes be open to ſee his aſſurance, his heart will be full of doubts and perplexities. ThoughJohn 20. 13, 14, 15, 16. Mary Magdalen was very near to Chriſt, yet ſhe ſtands ſighing, mourning, and complaining, that they had ſtoln away her Lord, becauſe ſhe did not ſee him. Chriſtians, though you may be very near and dear to Chriſt, yet till you come to ſee your aſſurance, you wil ſpend your days in doubting, mourning, and complaining. The ſum of all, is this, As you would be rid of your burden of cares, your burden of fears, and your burden of doubts, get a welgrounded aſſurance of your happineſs and bleſſedneſs; but if you are in love with your burdens, then neglect but the making of your Calling and Election ſure, and you ſhall certainly make ſure your burdens; they ſhall riſe with you, and walk with you, and lie down with you, till they make your lives a Hell.
The fourth Motive to provoke youMotive 4. to labor after a wel-grounded aſſurance, is, To conſider that Satan will labor with all his art and craft, with all his power and might, to keep you from attaining a wel grounded aſſurance of your happineſs and bleſſedneſs. Such is Satans envy and enmity againſt a Chriſtians joy and comfort, that he cannot but act to the utmoſt of his line, to keep poor ſouls in doubts and darkneſs. Satan knows that aſſurance is a Pearl of price that will make the ſoul happy for ever; he knows that aſſurance makes a Chriſtians wilderneſs to be a paradiſe; he knows that aſſurance begets in Chriſtians, the moſt noble and generous ſpirits; he knows that aſſurance is that which will make men ſtrong to do exploits, to ſhake his tottering Kingdom about his ears, &c. And therefore he is very ſtudious and induſtrious to keep ſoulsIt is ſaid of Marcellus the Roman General, that he could not be quiet (Nec victor, nec victus,) neither conquered nor conqueror. Satans envy is ſuch againſt the joy and comfort of the Saints, that he cannot reſt, nor ceaſe from making uſe of all his wiles, whereby poor ſouls may be kept off from aſſurance, and their lives made a burden to them. off from aſſurance, as he was to caſt Adam out of Paradiſe. It is no wonder, that Satan, who envied the firſt ſeeds of Grace, that divine Love ſowed in thy ſoul, that he ſhould envy the increaſe of thy grace, yea, thy aſſurance, which is the top and royaltie of grace. When thou waſt a Babe, Satan caſt water upon thy ſmoaking flax, that it might not flame forth into aſſurance; and now thou art grown up to ſome more maturity, he is raiſed in his enmitie; ſo that he cannot but put out his power and policy to keep thee from aſſurance of felicitie and glory. Satan envies thy candle-light, thy torch-light, thy ſtar-light, how much more, that the Sun ſhould ſhine upon thee. Satan envies thy eating of the crums of Mercy under the Table, how much more, that as a childe thou ſhouldſt ſit at Wiſdoms Table, and eat and drink abundantly of Wiſdoms delicates. Satan envies thy feeding upon Husks among the Swine, how much more that thou ſhouldſt eat of the fatted Calf. Satan envies thy fitting with Mordecai at the Kings Gate, how much more that thou ſhouldſt wear the Kings Robes. Satan envies thy taſting of the leaſt drop of comfort, how much more thy ſwimming in thoſe pleaſures that be at Gods right hand for evermore. He envies thy ſitting upon Gods knee, how much more then thy lying in his boſom. He envies thy being admitted into his ſervice, how much more that thou ſhouldſt be of his Court and Counſel. Some ſay of the Cryſtal, that it hath ſuch a vertue in it, that the very touching of it quickens other ſtones, and puts a luſtre and beautie upon them. Aſſurance is that Heavenly Cryſtal that quickens ſouls, and that caſts a beautie and a glory upon ſouls; and this makes the Devil mad. Satan knows that aſſurance is Manna in a Wilderneſs, it is water out of a Rock, it is a cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night: He knows that aſſurance is Salve for all ſores, and Phyſick for all diſeaſes, and a Remedy againſt every malady: He knows that aſſurance is a Chriſtians Anker at Sea, and his Shield upon Land; and that it is a Staff to ſupport him, and a Sword to defend him, and a Pavillion to hide him, and a Cordial to cheer him. And therefore it is, that he labors, both as a Lion, and as a Serpent, to keep poor ſouls from a wel-grounded aſſurance. This Son of the Morning is faln from the top of Glory, to the bottom of miſery; and therefore he ſtrives to make all as miſerable and unhappy as himſelf.
Ah Chriſtians, have not you needIt is a true Maxime, He findes his enemy ſtrong, at a dear rate, who contemns him as weak. to ſeek Aſſurance with all your might, who have to do with ſo mightie an adverſary, who cares not what torments he heaps upon himſelf, ſo he may prove your tormentor, by keeping your ſouls and aſſurance aſunder. O that this very conſideration might make you reſtleſs, till you have got this White Stone in your boſoms.
The fifth Motive to provoke you toMotive 5. get a wel-grounded aſſurance, is this, Conſider that a wel-grounded aſſurance is a Jewel of that incomparable value; it is ſuch a Pearl of price, as will abundantly recompence the ſoul for all the coſt and charge it ſhall be at, to enjoy it; I, the enjoyment ofHujuſmodi lucri dulcis odor. The ſmell of this gain is ſweet to many; then what is aſſurance it ſelf? &c. aſſurance in that hour, when the ſoul ſhall ſit upon thy trembling lips, ready to take her leave of thee; and all the world will richly recompence thee for all thoſe prayers, tears, ſighs, and groans, that thou haſt breathed out in one place or another, in one ſervice or another. Surely the Gold in the Mine will recompence the Digger, the Crown at the end will recompence the Runner, the Fruit in the Vineyard will recompence the Dreſſer, the Corn in the Barn will recompence the Reaper, and the increaſe of the Flock will recompence the Shepherd; ſo Aſſurance at laſt will abundantly recompence the ſoul for all its knocking, weeping, and waiting at Mercies door. God will never ſuffer the SeedIſai. 45. 19. of Jacob to ſeek his face in vain: There is a reward not onelyonly in keeping,Pſal. 19. 11. but alſo for keeping of his commands. Joſeph for his thirteen yearsMatth. 25. 34, to 41. Revel 3. 11, 12 impriſonment, had the honor to reign fourſcore years like a King. David for his ſeven years baniſhment had a glorious reign of forty years continuance. Daniel for his lying a few hours among the Lions, is made cheif Preſident over a hundred and twenty Princes. The three Children for taking a few turns in the Fiery Furnace, are advanced to great dignitie and glory. Ah doubting ſouls, pray hard, pull hard, work hard for Aſſurance, the pay will anſwer the pains, Chriſt will ſooner or later ſay to thee, as the King of Iſrael ſaid to the King of Syria, I am 1 Kings 20. 4.thine, and all that I have. I am thine, O doubting ſoul, ſayes Chriſt, and Aſſurance is thine, and Joy is thine, my Merit is thine, my Spirit is thine, and my Glory is thine; all I am is thine, and all I have is thine. O this is (Alvearium Divini Mellis) an Hive full of Divine Comfort: O this will recompence thee for all thy wraſtling, and ſweating to obtain Aſſurance. Auguſtine in his Confeſſions hath this notable expreſſion. How ſweet was it to me of a ſudden, to be without thoſe ſweet vanities; and thoſe things which I was afraid to looſe, with joy I let go; for thou who art the true and onelyonly ſweetneſs, didst cast out thoſe from me, and instead of them didſt enter in thy ſelf, who art more delightful, then all pleaſure, and more clear then all light. Ah Chriſtians, do but hold up, and hold on and aſſurance, and joy will come, and thou ſhalt after all thy working and waiting, ſit down and ſing it out with old Simeon, Mine eyes have ſeen thy Salvation; my heart hath found the ſweetneſs of Aſſurance; and now Lord, let thy ſervant depart in peace.
The ſixth Motive to provoke youMotive 6. to get Aſſurance, is this, Conſider what labor, and pains, worldlings takeScripture and Hiſtories abounds with inſtances of this kinde, as all know that know any thing of the one, or of the other. to make ſure the things of this life, to them and theirs. Ah what riding, running, plotting, lying, ſwearing, ſtabbing, and poyſoning, is uſed by men of this world, to make ſure the poor things of this world, that are but ſhadows, and dreams, and meer nothings? How do many with Samſon lay heap upon heap, to make their Crowns and Kingdoms ſure, to make the tottering glory of this world ſure to themſelves? what bloody butchers do they prove, they will have the Crown, though they ſwim to it thorow blood? Men will venture life and limb, to make ſure theſe things that hops from man to man, as the Bird hops from twig to twig. O, how ſhould this ſtir and provoke us to be up and doing, to labor as for life, to make ſure ſpiritual and eternal things. Is Earth better then Heaven? is theMatth 6. 19, 20. The laborious, the active Chriſtian is tempted but by one Devil, but the idle ſlothful Chriſtian is tempted by all, ſaith one. It is very ſad when worldlings are a reaping, that Saints as to ſpirituals, ſhould be ſlumbering and ſleeping. glory of this World, greater then the glory of the World to come. Are theſe riches more durable then thoſe that corrupt not▪ that are laid up in Heaven, where neither moth nor ruſt doth corrupt, and where theeves do…not break thorow, nor ſteal? No. O then be aſhamed Chriſtians, that worldlings are more ſtudious and induſtrious to make ſure Pibbles, then you are to make ſure Pearls to make ſure thoſe things, that at laſt will be their burden, their bane, their plague, their hell, then you are to make ſure thoſe things that would be your joy and crown, in life, in death, and in the day of your account. Pambus in the Eccleſiaſtical Hiſtory, wept when he ſaw a Harlot dreſſed with much care and coſt, partly to ſee one take ſo much pains to go to Hell, and partly becauſe he had not been ſo careful to pleaſe God, as ſhe had been to pleaſe a wanton lover. Ah Chriſtians, what great reaſon have you to ſit down and weep bitterly, that worldlings take ſo much pains to make themſelves miſerable, and that you have taken no more pains to get aſſurance, to get a pardon in your boſoms, to get more of Chriſt into your hearts?
The ſeventh Motive to provoke youMotive 7. to get Aſſurance, is, To conſider that Aſſurance will inable you to bear a burden without a burden. As in Heb. 10. 34. For ye had compaſsion of So Moſes, and all thoſe Worthies in the eleventh chapter.me in my bonds, and took joyfully the ſpoiling of your goods, knowing in your ſelves that ye have in Heaven a better, and an enduring ſubſtance. Here you ſee that aſſurance of Heavenly things, makes theſe Worthies, patiently, and joyfully bear a burden without a burden. So the Apoſtles knowing, that they 2 Cor. 5. 1. & 6. 8, 9, 10, 11.had a houſe not made with hands eternal in the Heavens, went thorow honor and diſhonor, evil report, and good report. They went thorow many weakneſſes, ſickneſſes, wants, and deaths; they had nothing, and yet poſſeſt all things; they had burden upon burden, caſt upon them by the Churches, by falſe Apoſtles, and by an uncharitable world; and yet they chearfully bore all burdens without a burden, thorow the power of a wel-grounded aſſurance. Aſſurance makes heavy afflictions2 Cor. 4. 16, 17, 18. light, long afflictions ſhort, bitter afflictions ſweet. Where a man wants aſſurance, there the ſhadow of a burden frights him, and the weight of the leaſt burden ſinks him; ſuch a man is ſtill a crying out, No mans burdens to my burden, my burden is greater then others, my burden is heavier then others. The want of aſſurance often times makes mens very mercies a burden, their comforts a burden, their relations a burden, yea, their very lives a burden unto them.Job 7 20. Ah Chriſtians, you will never bear burdens without a burden, till you come to attain an aſſurance of better things: This will inable you to leap under the weight of any croſs, to rejoyce under the weight of any Mountain. Aſſurance fits a mans heart to his condition, and when a mans heart is fitted to his condition, nothing proves a burden to him. Aſſurance of betterI have read of Albas Paulus who handled Serpents and Scorpions, and cut them in pieces without any hurt, and ſaid, If a man be holy, all things are ſubject to him as to Adam, before his ſin in paradiſe. Surely aſſurance will inable a man to do much this way. things takes away the ſting, the poyſon that attends theſe lower things; and the ſting, and the poyſon being taken away, the very worſt of theſe things, are ſo far from being a burden to a man, that they become rather a pleaſure, and a delight unto him. When the ſting is taken out of this, or that venomous Creature, a man may play with it, and put it in his boſom. Ah, aſſurance pulls out the ſting that is in every croſs, loſs, &c. And this makes the aſſured ſoul to ſit down ſinging, when others under far leſs croſſes and loſſes, ſits down ſighing, mourning and complaining, Our burdens are greater then we are able to bear. If there were but more aſſurance of better things among Chriſtians, there would be leſs complaints among them of this burden, and that Mole-hills then would be no longer Mountains. Chriſtians, it is not new notions, new opinions, new nothings (as I may ſay) in your heads, but the gaining of a wel-grounded aſſurance in your hearts, that will inable you to bear all kinde of burdens without a burden.
The eighth Motive to provoke youMotive 8. to get aſſurance, is drawn from thoſe particular commands of God, whereby he engages Chriſtians to get aſſurance;The Saints in Heaven have felix neceſsitas an happy neceſſity of obeying God alway, but we infelix neceſsitas an unhappy neceſſity of diſobeying continually. The precepts of God, ſaith Lactantius, do ſo change the whole man, and make him new, that you can hardly know him to be the ſame. Lactant. de falſa ſapient. lib. 3. cap. 27. A thing which Philoſophy hath much labored in, but could never archieve Chriſtians. The preſſing of thoſe very commands laſt cited upon your own hearts, may produce that comfort and peace; and make ſuch a bleſſ…d change in your inward condition, as may beſpeak much admiration. as that in the 2 Pet. 1. 10. Wherefore the rather Brethren, give diligence to make your Calling and Election ſure; for if ye do theſe things, ye ſhall never fall. So 2 Cor. 13. 5. Examine your ſelves, whether ye be in the Faith; prove your own ſelves, know ye not your own ſelves, how that Jeſus Chriſt is in you; except ye be reprobates, or unapproved, as the Greek imports. So Heb. 6. 11. And we deſire, that every one of you do ſhew the ſame diligence, to the full aſſurance of hope unto the end. Ah you dull, doubting, drouſie Chriſtians, you duplicate page duplicate page ſhould take all theſe commands of God, and preſs them with all the power and authority you can, upon your hearts, to awaken them, and provoke them to get aſſurance of your eternal wel-being. Take one command, and charge that upon the heart; if the heart be ſtout, and will not yeeld, then take another command, and preſs that upon the heart; if that will not do it, then take another, and lay that home upon the heart, and never leave this work, till your ſouls be effectually ſtirred up to labor for aſſurance, with all your might. Chriſtians,) on ſhould tell your ſouls, that the commands of God, binds directly and immediately, that they binde abſolutely and univerſally. You muſt obey God intuitu voluntatis, upon the bare ſight of his Will, and in one thing as well as another. Chriſtians, if I am not much miſtaken, you ſhould make as much conſcience of thoſe commands of God, that requires you to get aſſurance of your future happineſs, as you do of thoſe commands that requires you to pray, to hear, &c. It is very ſad to conſider, that many that complain much of the want of aſſurance, ſhould make no more care and conſcience of thoſe commands of God, that requires them to get aſſurance, then ſome of the Heathens have done of the commands of their gods; who when they have called for a man, have offered a candle, or as Hercules, who offered a painted man, in ſtead of a living. Verily Chriſtians, while you make light of any of Gods commands, God will make as light of your comforts. Did you make more conſcience to act anſwerable to the forementioned commands, I am very apt to believe, that the Sun of Righteouſneſs, would certainly and ſpeedily cauſe his love, and glory to beam out upon you. Minde Gods commands more then your own wants and complaints, and light will break in upon you. By obeying Chriſts commands, you ſhall gain more then you can give, by kiſſing the Son you ſhall even command him, and make him and aſſurance yours.
The ninth Motive to provoke youMotive 9. to get aſſurance, is this, You cannot gratifie Satan more, nor injury your ſelves more, then by living without aſſurance; by living without aſſurance, you lay your ſelves open to all Satans ſnares and temptations; yea, you do inſtigate and provoke Satan to tempt you to the worſt of ſins, to tempt you to the greateſt neglects, to tempt you to the ſtrangeſt ſhifts, and to reduce you to the ſaddeſt ſtraits. Ah Chriſtians, in what, in what hath Satan ſo gratified you, that you ſhould thus gratifie him; hath he not robed you of your glory in innocency? hath he not kept your ſouls and your Saviour long aſunder? when with Joſhua you have been ſtanding beforeZech. 3. 1, 2. the Lord? hath not he ſtood at your right hand, as an adverſary to reſiſt you? hath he not often ſet the gloryMatth. 4. of the world before you, that he might bewitch you, and enſnare you? hath he not often caſt water upon thoſe Divine Motions, that hath been1 Theſ. 2. 18. kindled in you? have you not often …ound him a Lion and a Serpent, a tempter and a deceiver, a lyer and a murderer? Yes. O then never gratifie him any longer by living without aſſurance. He that lives without aſſurance, lives without a comfortable fruition of God, and ſo gratifies Satan: He that lives without aſſurance, lives upon ſome Creature-enjoyment, more then upon God, and ſo gratifies Satan: He that lives without aſſurance, lives not like the beloved of God, and ſo gratifies Satan: He that lives without aſſurance, is very apt to gratifie Satan, ſometimes by complying with him, ſometimes by following after him, and ſometimes by acting his part for him, &c. Verily Chriſtians, there is no way effectually to prevent this ſore evil, but by getting a welgrounded aſſurance of your Everlaſting Happineſs and Bleſſedneſs. Aſſurance will make a man ſtand upon terms of defiance with Satan, it will make the ſoul conſtant in reſiſting, and happy in over-coming the evil one. And aſſured ſoul will fight it out to the death with Satan; an aſſured ſoul will not flie like a coward, but will ſtand and triumph like a David.
And as you gratifie Satan by living without Aſſurance, ſo you wrong your own ſouls by living without aſſurance,Rapit animam ſua…. He plundreth his own ſoul. 1 In the point of comfort and joy, you wrong your own ſouls. 2 In the point of peace and content, you wrong your own ſouls. 3 In the point of boldneſs and confidence, you wrong your own ſouls. A man that lives without aſſurance lies his precious ſoul open to many blows and knocks, to many frowns and wounds, from God, from the world, from carnall friends, from hypocrites, and from Satan. Therefore as you would not, Chriſtians, gratify Satan, and wrong your own ſoules, and exerciſe over your ſelves, ſpirituall cruelty and tyranny, which is the very worſt of all cruelty and tyranny; give God no reſt till hee hath made known to you the ſweetneſſe of his love, and the ſecrets of his boſome; till he hath gathered you up into himſelf; till he hath ſet you as a ſeal upon C…nt. 8. 6.his heart, as a ſeal upon his arm.
The tenth Motive to provoke youMotive 10. to get a wel-grounded aſſurance, is this, conſider the ſweet profit and glorious advantage that will redown to you by gaining aſſurance, and if the gain that will certainly redown to you by aſſurance, will not provoke you to get aſſurance, I know not what will.
Firſt, It will bring down Heaven into your boſomes, it will give you aHeb. 11. 1 poſſeſſion of Heaven, on this ſide heaven; an aſſured ſoul lives in Paradiſe and walks in Paradiſe, and works in Paradiſe, and eats in Paradiſe, and reſts in Paradiſe; hee hath Heaven within him, and Heaven about him, and Heaven over him, all his language is Heaven, heaven; Glory, glory.
Secondly, Aſſurance will exceedingly ſweeten all the changes of this life; this life is full of changes, Aſſurance will ſweeten ſickneſs and health, weakneſs2 Cor. 4. 16, 17, 18. and ſtrength, wants and abundance, diſgrace and honour, &c. while a man lives in the ſenſe of unchangeable loves, no outward changes can make any conſiderable change in his ſpirit; Let times change, let men change, le… powers change, let Nations change; yet a man under the power of aſſurance, will not change his countenance, nor change his Maſter, nor change his work, nor change his hopes; though others under changes, turn like the Camelion into all coloursSouls that want aſſurance are like him in Aeſop, that blew hot and cold with the ſame breath. The wind is not more ſubject to change, and ſhift from one quarter to another, from one corner to another, then they are ſubject to change and ſhift in changing times. to ſave their little all, yet the aſſured ſoul under all changes is (ſemper idem) always the ſame. Antiſtines a Philoſopher, to make his life happy, deſired onelyonly, that he might have the ſpirit of Socrates, who was always in a quiet temper of ſpirit, what ever wrongs, injuries, croſſes, loſſes, &c. befel him. Let the trials be what they would, that did attend him, yet he continued one and the ſame. Ah Chriſtians, the want of aſſurance hath made many changlings in theſe days; but if ever you would be like Socrates, if ever you would be like the Philoſophers good man, that is, (foreign, Tetragonos) Four-ſquare, that caſt him where you will, like a Dy, he falls always ſure and ſquare, then get aſſurance of Everlaſting Happineſs.
Aſſurance will make your ſouls like the Laws of the Medes and Perſians, that alters not, it will ſweeten the darkeſt day, and the longeſt night, under variety of changes, it willHab. 3. 17, 8, 19. make a man ſit down with Habakkuk, and rejoyce in the Lord, and joy in the God of his Salvation.
Thirdly, Aſſurance will keep the heart from an inordinate running out after the World, and the glory thereof. Moſes having an aſſurance of the recompence of a reward, andHeb 11. 24, 25, 26, 27. of his love and favor, that is inviſible, could not be drawn by all the honors, pleaſures, and treaſures of Egypt: He ſlights all, and tramples upon all the glory of the world, as men trample upon things of no worth. So after Paul had been in the2 Cor. 12. 1, 2, 3. Rom. 8. Third Heaven, and had aſſurance, that no thing ſhould ſeparate him from the love of God in Chriſt; he looks upon the world, as a crucified thing. The world is crucified to me (ſaithGal. 6. 14. he) and I am crucified unto the world. The world is dead to me, and I am dead to it; the world and I am well agreed; the world cares not a pin for me, and I care not a pin for the world.
The Loadſtone cannot draw the IronSo when God gave Gol…acius that Italian Ma…queſs an aſſurance of everlaſting happineſs; he withſtood many golden temptations, and cryed out, Curſed be he that prefers all the glory of the world to one days communion with Chriſt, &c. when the Diamond is in preſence, no more cannot the vanities of this world draw the ſoul after them, when Aſſurance, that choice Pearl of price is in preſence. I have read of Lazarus, that after he was raiſed from the Grave, he was never ſeen to ſmile; the aſſurance that he had of more glorious things, did deaden his heart to the things of this world; he ſaw nothing in them worthy of a ſmile. Ah were there more aſſurance among Chriſtians, there would not be ſuch tugging for the world, and ſuch greedy hunting and purſuing after it, as is in theſe days, to the diſhonor of God, the reproach of Chriſt, and the ſhame of the Goſpel.Juſtice would not be ſold and bought, as it is in theſe days, were there more aſſurance in the world. Get but more aſſurance, and leſs money will ſerve your turns; get but more aſſurance, and leſs places of honor and profit will ſerve your turns; get but aſſurance, and then you will neither tranſgreſs for a morſel of Bread, nor yet violently purſue after the Golden Wedge, &c.
Fourthly, Aſſurance will exceedingly heighten you in your communion with God, and it will exceedingly1 John 1. 1, 2, 3, 4. ſweeten your communion with God. Aſſurance of a mans propriety in God raiſes him high in his fellowſhip with God: There are none that have ſuch choice and ſweet communion with God, as thoſe that have the cleareſt aſſurance of their intereſt in God; as may be ſeen thorowout the whole Book of Solomons Song. My beloved Cant. 2. 16.is mine, and I am his, ſaith the Spouſe. I am aſſured of my propriety in him, ſayes ſhe, and therefore he ſhall lie all night betwixt my Breſts; and uponChap. 1. 13. Chap 7. 5. this account it is, that ſhe holds King Jeſus in the Galleries, that ſhe is ſick of love, that ſhe is raiſed and raviſhed with his kiſſes and embraces. His left Chap. 2. 6.hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me. None had more aſſurance of her intereſt in Chriſt, then ſhe, and none higher and cloſer in communion with Chriſt then ſhe. The Wives aſſurance of her intereſt in her Husband, ſweetens and heightens her communion with her Husband▪ The Childes aſſurance of his intereſt in his Father, ſweetens his commerce and fellowſhip with his Father: So the Believers aſſurance of his intereſt in God, will exceedingly heighten and ſweeten his communion and fellowſhip with God. Aſſurance of a mans intereſt in God, ſweetens every thought of God, and every ſight of God, and every taſte of God, and every good Word of God. God is asHabet omnia qui habet habentem omnia. He hath all that, hath the honor of all. ſweet to the aſſured ſoul, when he hath a ſword in his hand, as when he hath a Scepter; when he hath the rod of indignation, as when hee hath the cup of conſolation; when his garments are rowled and dyed in blood, as when hee appeares in his VVedding Robes; when hee acts the part of a Judge, as when hee acts the part of a Father, &c.
Fifthly, Aſſurance will be a choyce preſervative to keep you from backſliding from God and his wayes: Ah Aſſurance will glue the ſoul to God and his wayes, as Ruth was glued to her Mother Naomi; It will make a man ſtand faſt in the Faith, and quit himſelf like a good Souldier of Chriſt, 2 Pet. 1. 10, 11. Wherefore the rather Brethren, give Luther writing to his friend Melancthon troubled with fears, ſaith (Si nos ruimas ruit & Chriſtus) If we fall, ſaith he, Chriſt falls.diligence to make your calling and election ſure; for if yee doe theſe things▪ yee ſhall never fall. Stumble yee may, and hee that does but ſtumble, gets ground by his ſtumbling. Aſſurance will keep a man from falling foully, and from falling utterly. Verily, the reaſon why there is ſo many Apoſtates in theſe days, is, becauſe there are ſo few that have a wel-grounded aſſurance in theſe days. Pliny ſpeaks of ſome fiſhes that ſwim back-ward. Ah many ProfeſſorsPulchrior inpralio occiſus miles quam fugâ ſalvus. Better be ſlain in the Bed of Honor, then be ſafe by running away. in theſe days ſwim back-ward, they ſwim from God, and Chriſt, and Conſcience, yea, they ſwim from the very principles of morallity, and common honeſty. Believe it Friends, it is not high notions in the Brain, but found aſſurance in the heart, that will keep a man cloſe to Chriſt, when others back-ſlide from Chriſt. An aſſured Chriſtian will not exchange his Gold for Copper, he knows that one old peece of Gold is worth a thouſand new Counters: One old truth of Chriſt, is worth a thouſand new errors, though cloathed with gliſtering Robes; and therefore he will prize the truth, and own the truth, and keep cloſe to the truth, when others that want a ſound aſſurance, make merchandize of Chriſt, precious2 Pet. 2. 3. truths, and of their own and others immortal ſouls. Get aſſurance, and thou wilt ſtand, when ſeeming Cedars fall; want aſſurance, and thou canſt not but fall to the breaking of thy bones, if not to the utter loſs of thy precious ſoul.
Sixthly, Aſſurance will very much imbolden the foul with God, it will make a man divinely familiar with God, it will make a man knock boldly at the door of Free-grace, it will make a man come boldly before the Mercy-ſeat, it will make a man enter boldly within the Holy of Holies, Heb. 10. 22. Let us draw neer with a true foreign, Such full aſſurance as fills all the ſails of the ſoul.heart, in full aſſurance of Faith, having our hearts ſprinkled from an evil conſcience, and our bodies waſhed with pure water. Aſſurance makes the ſoul top and top gallant, it makes the ſoul converſe with God, as a Favorit with his Prince, as a Bride with her Bridegroom, as a Joſeph with a Jacob. Luther under the power of aſſurance, lets fall this tranſcendent rapture of a during Faith (Fiat mea voluntas,) Let my will be done, and then falls off ſweetly (Mea voluntas domine quia tua,) My will Lord, becauſe thy will. It is the want of aſſurance that makes the countenance ſad, the hands hang down, the knees feeble, and the heart full ofHeb. 12. 12. fears and tremblings. O therefore get aſſurance, and that will ſcatter your fears, and raiſe your hopes, and chear your ſpirits, and give wings to Faith, and make you humbly bold with God. You will not then ſtand at the door of Mercy, with a may I knock, with a may I go in, with a may I finde audience and acceptance; but you will with Eſther, boldly adventure your ſelves upon the Mercy and Goodneſs of God.
Now verily I think (ſaith one, ſpeaking of Chriſt) he cannot deſpiſe me, who is bone of my bone, and fleſh of my fleſh; for if he neglect me as a brother, yet he will love me as a husband, that is my comfort. Aſſurance will remove all ſtrangeneſs from between Chriſt and the Soul, of two, it will make Chriſt and the Soul one.
Seventhly, Aſſurance will ſweeten the thoughts of death, and all theNemo ante ſ…nera f…lin. Solon. aches, pains, weakneſſes, ſickneſſes, and diſeaſes, that are the fore-runners of it; yea, it will make a man look and long for that day, it will make a man fick of his abſence from Chriſt, it makes a man ſmile upon the King of terrors, it makes a man laugh at the ſhaking of the Spear, at the noiſe of the battel, at the garments of theIſa 9. 5, 6. Nazianzen ſaid to the King of Terrors, Devour me, devour me. Death cures all diſeaſes, the aking head, and the unbelieving heart. Ultimus morborum medicus mors. Warriors rolled in blood; it made the Martyrs to complement with Lions, to dare and tire their perſecutors, to kiſs the ſtake, to ſing, and clap their hands in the flames, to tread upon hot burning coals, as upon Beds of Roſes.
The aſſured Soul knows, that Death ſhall be the Funeral of all his ſins and ſorrows, of all afflictions and temptations, of all deſertions and oppoſitions. He knows that Death ſhall be the Reſurrection of his joyes, he knows that death is both an out-let, and an in-let, an out-let to ſin, and an in-let to the ſouls clear, full, and conſtant injoyment of God. And this makes the aſſured ſoul to ſing it ſweetly out, O 1 Cor. 15. 35, 36, 37.death, where is thy ſting? O grave, where is thy victory? I deſire to be diſſolved. Phil. 1. 23:Make haste my beloved. Come Cant. 8. ult. Revel. 22.Lord Jeſus, come quickly. Now Death is more deſirable then life: Now ſays the Soul, (Ejus eſt timere mortem, qui ad Chriſtum nolit ire.) Let him fear Death, that is loth to go to Chriſt. So I may be with Chriſt, though I go in a Cloud, I care not, ſayes the aſſured ſoul; ſo I may be with Chriſt, I care not, though I go in a Fiery Charriot, ſayes the aſſured ſoul. The Perſians had a certain day in the year, in which they uſed to kill all Serpents, and venomous Creatures; The aſſured Chriſtian knows, that the day of Death will be ſuch a day to him, and that makes Death lovely and deſirable; he knows that SinMorimur dum non morimur. was the Midwife that brought Death into the World, and that Death ſhall be the Grave to bury Sin.Ambroſe ſaid to his friends about him, when he was dying, I have not ſo lived, that I am aſhamed to live; nor yet fear I death, becauſe I have a good Lord, &c.
And therefore Death is not a terror, but a delight unto him; he fears it not as an enemy, but welcomes it as a friend. As Crookback Richard the Third, in his diſtreſs cried, A Kingdom for a Horſe, a Kingdom for a Horſe: So ſouls that want aſſurance when they come to die, will cry out, A Kingdom for Aſſurance, a Kingdom for Aſſurance. And as Severus ſaid, If I had a thouſand worlds, I would now give them all for Chriſt; So a Soul that wants Aſſurance when he comes to enter upon a ſtate of eternity, will cry out, O had I now a thouſand worlds, I would give them all for aſſurance; whereas the aſſured ſoul would not for a thouſand worlds but die. When his glaſs is out, and his ſun is ſet, he cryes not out, as that Lady did, A World, a World, for an inch of time; but rather, why is it, why is it Lord, that thy chariots be ſo long a coming?
Eightly, Aſſurance will very much ſweeten that little oyl that is in the1 King. 17. 12, &c. Cruſe, and that handful of meal that is in the Barrel. Aſſurance will be ſauce to all meats, it will make all thy mercies to taſte like mercies, it will make Daniels pulſe to be as ſweet as PrincesDan. 1. delicates, it will make Lazarus RagsLuke 16. as pleaſurable as Dives Robes, it will make Jacobs bed upon the ſtones, to beGen. 28. Amos 6. 4. as ſoft as thoſe Beds of Down and Ivory, that ſinful great ones ſtretch themſelves upon.
Look as the want of aſſurance imbitters all a ſinners mercies, that he cannot taſte the ſweetneſs and the goodneſs of them; ſo the enjoyment of aſſurance caſts a general beauty and glory upon the Believers meaneſt mercy.
And hence it is, that aſſured ſoulsProv. 15. 16. live ſo ſweetly, and walk ſo chearfully, when their little all is upon their backs, and in their hands; whereas the great men of the world, that have the world at will, but want this aſſurance (that is more worth then the world) live as ſlaves and ſervants to their mercies; in the midſt of all their abundance they are in ſtraits and perplexities,Job 20. 22. full of fears, and cares, and nothing pleaſes them; nor is ſweet unto them, becauſe they want thatA Believer knows, 1. That his little mercies are from great love. Secondly, That they are pledges of greater. Thirdly, That his bleſſings are bleſt unto him Fourthly, That they ſhall not at laſt be witneſſes againſt him. aſſurance that ſweetens to a Believer the ground he ſtands on, the air he breaths in, the ſeat he ſits on, the bed he lies on, the bread he eats, the cloaths he wears, &c. Ah were there more aſſurance among Chriſtians, they would not count great mercies, ſmall mercies, and ſmall mercies no mercies; no, no, then every mercy on this ſide hell, would be a great mercy, then every mercy would be a ſugared mercy, a perfumed mercy. Look as the Tree that Moſes caſt into theExod. 15. 23, 24, 25. waters of Marah, made thoſe bitter waters ſweet; ſo Aſſurance is that Tree of Life, that makes every bitter, ſweet, and every ſweet, more ſweet.
Ninthly, Aſſurance will make a manThe Rabbins ſay, That the Angels attend in all Judicatories. very Angelical, it will make him full of motion, full of action, it will make him imitate the Angels; thoſe Princes of glory that are always buſie and active, to advance the glory of Chriſt; they are ſtill a ſinging the Song of the Lamb; they are ſtill pitching their Tents about them that Pſal. 34. 7. Heb. 1. ult.fear the Lord; they are Miniſtering Spirits, ſent forth for the good of them that are Heirs of Salvation. Aſſurance will make a man fervent, conſtant, and abundant in the Work of the Lord, as you may ſee in Paul. TheAſſurance makes a Saint all fire, it makes him like …he burning Seraphims. Iſal 6. 2, 3, 4. aſſured Chriſtian is more motion then notion, more work then word, more life then lip, more hand then tongue: When he hath done one work, he is a calling out for another. What is next Lord, ſayes the aſſured ſoul, what is next. His head, and his heart is ſet upon his work; and what he doth, he doth it with all his might, becauſe there is no working in the Grave. An aſſured ChriſtianBellarmi… is of opinion, that one glimpſe of Hell were enough to make a man not onelyonly turn Chriſtian, but a Monk, to live after the ſtricteſt rules, to be abounding in wel-doing. Surely aſſurance of Heaven will make a man do more. will put his hand to any work, he will put his ſhoulder to any burden, he will put his neck in any yoke for Chriſt; he never thinks that he hath done enough, he always thinks that he hath done too little; and when he hath done all he can, he ſits down, ſighing it out, I am but an unprofitable ſervant.
In a word, Aſſurance will have a powerful influence upon thy heart; in all the duties and ſervices of Religion, nothing will make a man love like this, and live like this; nothing will make a man humble and thankful, contented, and chearful like this; nothing will make a man more ſerious in Prayer, nor ingenuous in praiſes then this; nothing will make … man more chearful and joyful then this; nothing will make a man fit to live, and more willing to die, then this.
Ah Chriſtians, if ever you would act as Angels in this world, get an aſſurance of another world, then you ſhall be dumb no more, nor dull no more, but be active and lively, like thoſe whoſe hopes, and whoſe hearts are in Heaven.
Tenthly, Aſſurance will ſweeten Chriſt, and all the precious things of Chriſt to thy ſoul. Ah, how ſweet isIpſe Deus ſufficit ad praemium. Bern. It is Heaven enough to ſee your intereſt in Chriſt. the Perſon of Chriſt, the Natures of Chriſt, the Names of Chriſt, the Offices of Chriſt, the Benefits of Chriſt, the Blood of Chriſt, the Word of Chriſt, the Threatnings of Chriſt, the Spirit of Chriſt, the Ordinances of Chriſt, the Smiles of Chriſt, the Kiſſes of Chriſt, to an aſſured ſoul? Now thy Meditations on Chriſt, will be no more a terror, nor a horror to thee; nay, now thy heart will be always beſt, when you are moſt in pondering upon the ſweetneſs and goodneſs, the kindneſs and lovelineſs of the Lord Jeſus. Now all the Inſtitutions and Adminiſtrations of Chriſt will be precious to thee upon every thing; where Chriſt hath ſet his Name, there thou wilt ſet thy heart. Now thou wilt call things, as Chriſt calls them, and count things as Chriſt counts them; that ſhall not be little in thy eye, that is great in the eye of Chriſt; nor that ſhall not be great in thy eye, that is but little in the eye of Chriſt. Aſſurance will alſo exceedingly ſweeten your carriage to all that bear the Image of Chriſt; nothingRom. 14. Aſſurance is like fire very operative, Si non operatur, non eſt, if it do not work, it is an argument it is not at all. will make men bear with thoſe weak Saints, whoſe light is not ſo clear as yours, whoſe parts are not ſo ſtrong as yours, whoſe enjoyments are not ſo high as yours, whoſe judgements are not ſo well informed as yours, whoſe conſciences are not ſo well ſatisfied as yours, and whoſe lives are not ſo amiable as yours. AſſuranceWe are united in the ſame Head and Hope, (Eodem ſanguine Chriſti glutinati.) We are cemented with the ſame blood of Chriſt, as Auguſtine ſaid of his friend Alypius, and himſelf. makes men of a God-like diſpoſition, eaſie to pardon, ready to forgive, abundant in goodneſs, admirable in patience: It makes men to ſtudy the good of others, and joy in all opportunities, wherein they may ſtrengthen the feeble, and comfort the dejected, and enrich the impoveriſhed, and recover the ſeduced, and enlarge the ſtraitned, and build up the waſted. Verily, the reaſon why men are ſo bitter, and ſowre, and cenſorious, is, Becauſe God hath not given into their boſoms this ſweet flower of delight, Aſſurance.
Ah were their ſouls fully aſſured, that God had loved them freely, and received them graciouſly, and juſtified them perfectly, and pardoned them abſolutely, and would glorifie them everlaſtingly. They could not but love where God loves, and own where God owns, and embrace where God embraces, and be one with every one, that is one with Jeſus. Were thereMagnes amoris eſt amor. Love is the attractive Loadſtone of love. more aſſurance among Chriſtians, there would be more of Davids and Jonathans ſpirit, among Chriſtians, then there is this day; were there more aſſurance among Chriſtians, there would be more life, and more love, more ſweetneſs, and more tenderneſs; were there more aſſurance, there would be leſs noiſe, leſs contention, leſs diviſion, leſs diſtraction, leſs biting, and leſs devouring among the Saints. Aſſurance will make the Lion and the Calf, the Wolf andIſai. 11. 6, 7, 8. the Lamb, the Leopard and the Kid, the Bear and the Cow, lie down together, and feed together. Men that want aſſurance, love their Brethren as Flies love the Pot; ſo long as there is any meat in the Pot, the Flies love it; ſo thoſe men will love, as long as there is an external motive to draw love, but when that ceaſes, their love ceaſes. Dionyſius loved his bottles, when they were full, but hurled them away when they were empty; ſo many that want aſſurance, love the Saints while their bags are full, and their houſes full of the good things of this life; but when they are empty, then they throw them away, then they caſt them off, as Jobs friends did him.
Ah but aſſurance will make a man love as God loves, and love as long as God loves. The aſſured Chriſtian will not ceaſe to love, ſo long as the leaſt Buds and Bloſſoms of Grace appears. Lazarus in his rags, is as lovely to an aſſured Chriſtian, as Solomon in his robes. Job is as delightful to him upon the dung-hil, as David is upon his throne. It is not the outward pomp and bravery, but the inward beauty and glory of Saints that takes the aſſured Chriſtian.
The laſt Motive to provoke you toMotive 11. get a wel-grounded aſſurance of your Everlaſting Happineſs, is this, Conſider, that as there is a great deal of counterfeit knowledge, counterfeit faith, counterfeit love, counterfeit repentance, &c. in the world, ſo there is a great deal of counterfeit aſſurance in the world: Many there be that talk high, and look big, and bear it out bravely, that they are thus and thus, and that they have ſuch and ſuch glorious aſſurance; whereas when their aſſurance comes to be weighed in the ballance of the Sanctuary, it is found too light; and when it comes to withſtand temptations, it is found too weak; and when it ſhould put the ſoul upon Divine action, it is found to be but a lazy preſumption. Shall the counterfeit gold that is in the world, make men active and diligent to get that which is currant, and that will abide the Touchſtone, and the Fire? and ſhall not that counterfeit aſſurance, that is in the world, provoke your hearts to be ſo much the more careful and active to get ſuch a wel-grounded aſſurance, that God accounts as currant, and that will abide his Touchſtone in the day of diſcovery, and that will keep a man from ſhame and bluſhing, when the Thrones ſhall be ſet, and the Books ſhall be opened? I have been the longer upon theſe Motives to provoke your ſouls to get a welgrounded aſſurance, becauſe it is of an eternal concernment to you, and a work, to which mens he arts are too backward, though aſſurance carries a reward in its own boſom, yet few look out after it; though the pains of getting it, be nothing to the profit that accompanies it; yet few will ſweat to gain it. If the inducements laid down, will not awaken and provoke you to be reſtleſs, till you have got the White ſtone, and New name, till you have got the aſſurance of your pardon in your boſoms, I know not what will.