The Spirit of Bondage and Adoption, Treatise 2 · Chapter 9
CHAP. IX. The maine Propoſition applyed. A Caſe concerning Election; and that the miſapprehenſion thereof hinders its Evidence.
NOW comes to hand the application of this point.
And in the firſt place this may reconcile the thoughts of many precious ones under bondage to a good opinion of their preſent condition, in that it is not only the Spirits uſual method, where hee becomes a Spirit of Adoption, to become firſt a ſpirit of of Bondage (as in the former Theſis was declared) but that when he hath been ſuch a ſpirit of bondage, hee uſually becomes a Spirit of Adoption, witneſſing our Adoption. It is a great encouragement to a ſick man, though hee be grievouſly pained at preſent, that his diſeaſe is ſuch, out of which moſt recover; that though ſometimes it be, yet ſeldome it is mortal.
Object Yea, but you tell us, the perſons to whom it is not mortal, and to whom it uſually ends in raviſhing comforts, are the elect of God. But I doubt I am none of them, and therfore I may, and ſhall die of this diſeaſe for any thing you have ſaid, and never ſee the face of God in comfort here or hereafter.
Anſw. 1. Obſerve the policy of Satan in dealing with thy ſoule. Now hee hath gotten an oar into the ſpirits boat. Thou maiſt diſcerne him by his uſual guiſe of tempting; which is to direct thee from the ſtudy and care of things revealed, to things ſecret and uncertaine. In mens unregeneracie, when they wallow in ſin ſecurely, the word threatens curſes and wrath againſt them, ſee then how Satan withdrawes them from the ſtudy of, and ſurrendring their hearts unto the power of that word by a falſe prophecie. I ſhal have peace. Deut. 29 19. I may live many a fair day yet, and repent, and die a child of God. Ye ſhal not die, Gen. 2. And ſo he drives men to preſume. And if I be elected (ſaith ſuch a wretchleſſe ſinner) I ſhal be ſaved at the laſt, let me walke how I will in the meane while. But I hope I am not a reprobate &c. (will ſuch an heart bee apt to aſſume) and the iſſue is a reſolution to continue in ſinne, and put it upon the adventure. But when a ſoul is under a Spirit of bondage, he turns his note; but how is it? Is it not the ſame plot new dreſſed? Now he propheſies an utter irrecoverableneſſe to thy condition, and upon what ground? why, (forſooth) hee hath looked over Gods booke of life, and hee cannot find thy name there, and therefore do what thou wilt, thou canſt hope for no better, but worſe rather then what thou now feeleſt. He will not ſuffer thee now to conclude at the ſame rate as before, that thou hopeſt thou art not a Reprobate, but maiſt (for any thing thou knoweſt, be elected as well as any other.
The only remedy thou haſt in ſuch caſes, is to conſult the written Word of God. Satan ſaith thou art not elected, but is there any Mark in the whole Word of God, by which a man may know he is not Elected? No; God in his infinite wiſdom and goodneſſe hath not given any ſuch Marks by which men may know Reprobation, that ſo he might retard no mans endeavours after grace. Indeed, there be marks of Election, by which we may make that ſure to our ſelves, 1 Pet. 1. but the want of theſe doth not diſcover Reprobation, becauſe theſe are all wanting in the deareſt Saints of God till they be truly converted; and ſo, if that conſequence were ſound, Such true Graces diſcover Election, therefore the want of them diſcovers Reprobation, it would follow, that Gods Saints before they are converted, (ſeeing they want thoſe graces) are either not elected, and ſo Election would not precede Calling, contrary to Rom. 8. 30. and Election would not be from eternity, contrary to Epheſ. 1. 4 or elſe they could at one and the ſame time be Elect and Reprobate, which implies a manifeſt contradiction. The Word ſpeaks plainly in this caſe, Deut. 29. 29. Secret things belong unto God, &c.
2 Thou haſt abundant grounds to believe the contrary, viz. That thou art Elected, if thine eyes were open to ſee them. The Sanctification of the Spirit is a certaine conſequent, and therefore a ſure evidence of Election, 1 Pet. 1. 2. and Rom. 8 1. In ſtead therefore of ſearching the Decrees of God, whether thou be elected or no, ſearch into thy own heart, and ſee whether thou canſt find that thou art called, and ſo in any meaſure ſanctified; the diſcovery of grace in thy heart, though but one grain, and that of muſtard ſeed; will aſſure thee of thy Election, and final ſalvation. Canſt thou not find in thy heart any ſorrow for ſin, any earneſt deſires after holineſſe, any ſolicitouſneſſe to pleaſe God, any tenderneſs of conſcience and fearfulneſs to offend him, &c? If thou canſt, think theſe be flowers that uſe not to grow in Natures garden. Well, conclude then; I hope I am called, and therefore elected, and therefore ſhall be aſſured in due time.