Knowledge and Practice, Part 2 · Chapter 3
CHAP. III. Of Faith in Christ.
UPon ſerious conſideration of the evil and danger of thy ſins (renouncing all Confidence in thy ſelf, or any thing thou canſt do, to procure thy pardon and peace with God) deliberatly, and adviſedly betake thy ſelf unto Chriſt Jeſus, the only Mediatour and Peace-maker between God and man; who once offered up himſelf, a ſacrifice on the Croſſe for ſin, and is now in Heaven, making interceſſion, and preſenting the Merits of his Obedience, Sufferings, and Death in the behalf of all ſuch, who being loſt and undone in themſelves, do flie to him for help and relief, and take him for their only Lord and Saviour. With judgment and underſtanding give up thy ſelf to this Saviour: Caſt thy penitent ſoul at his feet: Reſt and rely on him wholly and alone, to be juſtified, acquitted, and diſcharged of all thy ſins by his Merits, to be ſanctified by his Spirit, to be commanded and diſpoſed of by him, and to be enabled by his Grace to perſevere in the waies of Truth and Holineſſe all thy daies, and at laſt, to be brought to Eternal life. Intruſt all thy hopes of pardon only on him: Enter into a real Covenant with him, to be for ever his, reſolving to live and die his faithful Diſciple, and ſervant. And becauſe really to cloſe with Chriſt, and ſavingly to believe on him, is a matter of ſuch exceeding high Concernment I ſhall,
1. Explain the Nature of it.
2. Lay down ſome Concluſions about it.
3. Give ſome Motives, and Incouragements to it▪
Know therefore, there is a two-fold Act of Faith.
1. Of Adherence.
2. Of Aſſurance.
I. When a poor ſinner doth caſt himſelf wholly on Chriſt crucified for pardon and life, (upon the warrant of the promiſe) although he hath no aſſurance in himſelf, how the Lord will diſpoſe of him. This is commonly called Faith of Adherence, or Recumbency.
II. When a ſoul that hath thus caſt himſelf on Chriſt, reflects upon what he hath done, and comparing it with the Goſpel promiſes, becomes (by the aſſiſtance of the Spirit, bearing witneſſe with his Spirit) confidently perſwaded of his intereſt in Chriſt, and that he ſhall be ſaved by him. This is call'd Faith of Aſſurance.
Now the former is that Faith which is the Condition of the new Covenant, by which a ſinner is freely acquitted of all his ſins, and accounted as a righteous and juſt perſon in Gods ſight.
To this Faith, there are theſe ſix things required.
1. A real, firm belief of the truth of the Goſpel, a true hiſtorical Faith, concerning Chriſts perſon, undertaking, and performance, and that he came to be a Mediatour and Peace-maker between God and man.
2. A deep ſenſe and feeling of the heavy burden of ſin, with true ſorrow and humiliation …hereupon. The ſoul is brought to ſee its undone condition by ſin, before it cloſes with Chriſt.
3. A firm perſwaſion that there is no other way of ſalvation, but by Chriſt alone.
4. A clear knowledge that Chriſt is able to ſave to the uttermoſt, all that come to God by him; and willing to ſave, and ready to receive ſuch as do own him for the true Meſſias, and unfeignedly give up themſelves unto him.
5. An earneſt deſire, a real thirſting after an Intereſt in this Saviour.
6. An actual giving up the ſoul to Chriſt, depending on him wholly and alone for pardon and life; firmly truſting in him to be juſtified, ſanctified, and everlaſtingly ſaved by him.
This is the ſoul truly and really united unto Chriſt. And being by Faith and Love thus joyned to the Lord, (as the Apoſtle ſpeaks, 1 Cor. 6.17.) is one Spirit, i. e. is governed by one and the ſelf-ſame Spirit. The Scripture ſets forth this admirable ſpiritual union by theſe four earthly reſemblances.
By the union
1. Of the Husband and Wife, Eph. 5.23. The husband is the head of the wife, even as Chriſt is the head of the Church: and he is the Saviour of the body.
2. Of the Head and Members, Eph. 1.22, 23. Hath put all things under his feet, and given him to be head over all things to the Church, which is his body.
3. Of the ſtones in the bullding, with the foundation, whereon they reſt and are built, Eph. 2.22. In whom you alſo are builded together, for an habitation of God through the Spirit, 1 Cor. 3.11.
4. Of the Vine and the Branches, John 15.5. I am the Vine, ye are the Branches.
So that when we do willingly betroth our ſelves to Chriſt, and conſent to take him for our Lord and Husband, and to be his loyall ſpouſe: when we are willing to be in ſubjection to him, and to be ruled by him, as the members of the body are by the head: when we depend, and reſt and rely on him alone for our ſalvation, as the ſtones reſt on the foundation: Laſtly, when we derive Grace and Holineſſe from him, as the branches derive juice, vertue, and ſap from the root and ſtock, and do bring forth fruits in him, and to him; then is there a real, and ſpiritual union wrought between Chriſt and our ſoules.
Thus much concerning the Nature of ſaving Faith: The Concluſions I ſhall lay down concerning it, are theſe;
1. Though Chriſt hath paid down a ſufficient price on the Croſſe, for the ranſoming and buying in of loſt and undone ſinners, yet we are not juſtified and abſolved from the guilt of our ſins, till we do actually cloſe with him by Faith.
2. True ſaving Faith, is not a ſtrong perſwaſion, that all a mans ſins are pardoned by Chriſt's Merits, and that he is in Gods Favour, and in a good ſtate and condition: For 'tis evident many of Gods dear ſervants are exerciſed with doubts, and feares concerning themſelves; and many Graceleſſe wretches, that never felt the burden of ſin, nor ever made much Conſcience of walking holily, are moſt confident of their own good condition: Therefore this confident, ungrounded perſwaſion cannot be true Faith; for then, hardneſſe of heart, would make the beſt Faith; and he that could preſume moſt, and be moſt ſecure, and free from doubts, would be the trueſt believer. For a man to be confident of his good condition, while he lies under the power and reign of ſin, is the groſſeſt unbelief in the world: 'Tis to believe the flat contrary to what God hath revealed in the Word, 1 Cor. 6.9. Know ye not (ſaith the Apoſtle) that the unrighteous ſhall not inherit the Kingdome of God? Be not deceived, neither fornicatours, nor Idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abuſers of themſelves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, ſhall inherit the Kingdom of God. Therefore a confident reſting on Chriſt for ſalvation, (if it be not a reſting according to the Word) will not ſerve the turn.
3. Fiducially, and ſavingly to believe on Chriſt, is not an act of mans power, but wrought in the ſoul by the Spirit of God; who doth effectually enlighten, perſwade, and draw the heart, and aſſiſt, and enable the ſoul, to give up it ſelf unto Chriſt. Beg therefore the aſſiſtance of this bleſſed Spirit, whom God hath promiſed to give to them that ask him, Luke 11.9. And in the aid of his Grace, give up thy ſelf unfeignedly unto Chriſt, to be juſtified, ſanctified, and everlaſtingly ſaved by him.
4. A true believer may fear, and be in doubt, that he hath not given up himſelf to Chriſt unfeignedly; and this fear may proceed from the abundance of his love to Chriſt, and earneſt deſire to be aſſur'd of an intereſt in him, which makes him think he can never be certain enough of him; Love is ſollicitous, and full of fears, leſt it ſhould miſſe the perſon beloved.
5. They that truly cloſe with Chriſt, do take him for their Lord, as well as for their Saviour. None come to Chriſt by Faith, and ſavingly believe on him, but they cleave to him by love alſo, and live to him by obedience. True Faith on Chriſt, will beget love to Chriſt, and love will bring forth obedience.
6. The ſureſt mark of true believing in Chriſt, is a new and holy life. 'Tis the property of Faith to purifie the heart, and ſo to work a change in the life and converſation. Doſt thou make Conſcience therefore of all Chriſt's commands? And art thou careful to refrain thy feet from every evil way? Who ever is in Christ, is a new Creature, 2 Cor. 5.17. Hath the love of Chriſt ſhed abroad in his heart, and that love conſtraines him to yeeld ſincere obedience: Hath the Spirit of Chriſt, Rom 8.9. not only to comfort him, but to counſel and direct him, to lead him in the paths of truth and holineſſe, and to uphold him from taking any deſperate and irrecoverable falls, either in matter of judgment or practiſe. Theſe are the Concluſions.
I come now in the third place, to the Motives and Encouragements to believe in Chriſt.
1. Conſider for thy encouragement, how able Chriſt is to ſave thee. There is more merit in the Son of God, to obtain our pardon, than there is guilt of ſin in us, to merit condemnation. For the perſon ſuffering, being (as to his God-head) infinite, and the merit and value of his ſufferings depending on the dignity and worth of his perſon, the ſatisfaction made, muſt needs be infinite, and ſo abundantly ſufficient.
2. Conſider his willingneſs and readineſſe to accept to mercy all poor humbled ſinners, that come unto him: He never rejected any man that came unto him, and acknowledged him for the true Meſſias, and unfeignedly gave up himſelf to be ſaved by him.
His willingneſſe to ſave ſinners, cannot but appear to thee, if thou conſidereſt theſe three things. 1. His gracious words before he came into the world. The Prophet in the perſon of Chriſt, proclaims thus, Iſa. 55.1. Ho every one that thirſteth, come ye to the waters, &c. 2. His free and general invitation when he was in the world, John 7.37. In the laſt day, that great day of the Feaſt, Jeſus ſtood and cried, ſaying, if any one thirſt, let him come to me and drink, And Mat. 11.28. Come unto me all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you reſt. 3. His great kindneſſe to poor ſinners expreſſed after his aſcention, and leaving the world, Rev. 22.17. Let him that is athirst come, and whoſoever will, let him take the waters of life freely: That theſe were the words of Chriſt, appeares, v. 20. where 'tis ſaid, He that teſtifieth theſe things, ſaith, ſurely I come quickly.
3. Conſider, that to believe, and reſt on Chriſt crucified, and to take him for our Lord and Saviour, is to perform that act, to which juſtification and remiſſion of ſins is promiſed, John 3.16. God ſo loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoſoever believeth in him, ſhould not periſh, but have everlaſting life. Chriſt and all his benefits are promiſed to a believing ſoul. Wilt thou not therefore give up thy ſelf to him.
4. Conſider, 'tis the duty of all truly humbled ſinners, to go to Chriſt, and believe in him. 'Tis the duty of a ſick man, to apply himſelf to a skilful Phyſitian; and as ſuch an one muſt not deſtroy his own life, by a wilful refuſing the Phyſick that would cure him; ſo neither muſt the humbled ſinner deſtroy his own ſoul, by refuſing to cloſe with Chriſt; He muſt not add to all the reſt of his ſins unbelief, and a wilfull neglect of Christ, and the ſalvation by him purchaſed, and ſo freely offered.
5. Conſider that the humbled ſinner by believing in Chriſt, does not only bring comfort, and ſalvation to his own ſoul, but alſo in an eminent manner brings Glory to God: When thou (though diſcouraged in thy ſelf, by reaſon of thy ſins) dareſt venture thy ſoul in the hands of Chriſt: When thou makeſt thy way through all doubts, ſcruples, and miſgivings of heart, and takeſt Gods bare Word, becauſe he hath ſaid it, (thereby ſetting thy ſeal to his truth and faithfulneſſe) and doſt reſolve to throw thy ſelf on his free Mercy, and Chriſt's Merits, for pardon and life, to lay thy ſoul at Chriſt's feet, and to claſp about him, though he kill thee: This is an excellent, and an heroical act of Faith, which brings Glory to God; as Abrahams Faith did: Of whom it is ſaid, Rom. 4.20. That he ſtaggered not at the promiſe of God through unbelief, but was ſtrong in Faith, giving Glory to God.
6. Conſider, 'tis the greateſt folly and madneſſe in the world, for an humbled ſinner not to cloſe with Chriſt, and commit his ſoul unto him. What an irrational, and unprofitable ſin is unbelief? If we go not to Chriſt, Where can ſalvation poſſibly be had? As thoſe lepers reaſoned, 2 King. 7.3. If we ſit ſtill we periſh. That perſon is ſure to be damned, that keeps off from Chriſt. There is no way therefore for a poor ſinner, but to venture himſelf into the hands of Chriſt, to give up his ſoul ſincerely to him, and to reſolve with himſelf, if I periſh, I will periſh at his feet.
7. Laſtly, If you think you have cauſe to fear that Chriſt is not yet yours, and as yet you have no intereſt in him, my advice is, that you now go unto him, now ſtrike up the Covenant between him and you: Defer no longer; Let this be the marriage-day. Now give up thy ſelf unfeignedly to be pardoned, ſanctified commanded, diſpoſed of, and everlaſtingly ſaved by him; and reſt aſſured he will on no terms caſt thee out.
John 3.14. And as Moſes lifted up the ſerpent in the wilderneſſe; even ſo muſt the Son of man be lifted up,
V. 15. That whoſoever believeth in him, ſhould not periſh, but have eternal life.
V. 16. For God ſo loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoſoever believeth on him, ſhould not periſh, but have everlaſting life.
V. 36. He that believeth on the Son, hath everlaſting life: and he that believeth not the Son, ſhall not ſee life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.
John 5.40. And ye will not come to me that ye might have life.
John 6.37. All that the Father giveth me ſhall come to me, and him that cometh to me, I will in no wiſe caſt out.
Phil. 3.8. Yea doubtleſſe, and I count all things but loſſe, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jeſus my Lord: for whom I have ſuffered the loſſe of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.
V. 9. And be found in him, not having mine own righteouſneſs, which is of the Law, but that which is through the Faith of Christ, the righteouſneſſe which is of God by Faith.
See more Scriptures concerning Faith, p. 106.
Covenanting with God.
Deut. 26.17. Thou haſt avouched the Lord this day to be thy God, & to walk in his waies, and to keep his Statutes, and his Commandements, and his Judgments, and to hearken unto his voice.
Joſh. 24.21. And the people ſaid unto Joſhua, nay, but we will ſerve the Lord.
V. 22. And Joſhuah ſaid unto the people, ye are witneſſes againſt your ſelves, that ye have choſen you the Lord to ſerve him, and they ſaid, we are witneſſes.