The Use and Practice of Faith, Question 7 · Part 1 – Part 2
THE LIFE of FAITH IN JUSTIFICATION.
1. HE lives by faith the Life of Juſtification, and ſo the Apoſtle applies this very Text: Rom. 1.16, 17. For therein is the righteouſneſs of God revealed from faith to faith, as it is written. And ſo again, Gal. 3.11. (where he doth oppoſe juſtifying by faith, to juſtification by works of the law) But that no man is juſtified by the law in the ſight of God, it is evident; for the juſt, &c. The juſt doth not live by his own juſtice, but by faith; that is, by the application of the juſtice and righteouſneſs of another.
That we may the better underſtand the excellency of this Life of Juſtification, it will not be amiſs to adde the definition of it, according to the Scriptures ſeeing whatſoever is truly known, is known by the cauſes thereof. Juſtification therefore is thus defined: It is a moſt gracious and righteous action of God, whereby he imputing the righteouſneſs of Chriſt to a believing ſinner, abſolveth him from his ſins, and accepteth of him as righteous in Chriſt, and as an heir of eternal life, to the praiſe and glory of his own Mercy and Juſtice.
For Explication, conſider,
1. The Act; to juſtifie. 2. The Object; a ſinner, and yet a believing ſinner, and ſo made righteous. 3. The Application of the Act to the Object; and that's onelyonly by Faith.
1. The Act to juſtifie: Now to juſtifie, ſignifieth properly to make juſt; as to magnifie, to make great (though ſometimes onelyonly to declare great) Now God makes juſt, either
By
Imputation: or
Infuſion
of Righteouſneſs.
The firſt is the life of Juſtification; the ſecond of Sanctification: the firſt perfect, the latter imperfect.
2. The Object is a ſinner: God doth not juſtifie thoſe that were juſt before, but ſuch as were unjuſt: 1 Pet. 3.18. Chriſt hath once offered for ſin, the juſt for the unjuſt. There was a time then, when we were unjuſt, a time when we were ſinners, when we were ungodly: Rom. 5.6. Chriſt dyed for the ungodly; and, While we were yet ſinners, Chriſt dyed for us, much more then being juſtified, we ſhall be ſaved from wrath through him. So that as to heal, ſignifies of a ſick man to make ſound; ſo, to juſtifie, is of a ſinner to make righteous: and if it were not ſo, where were the excellency of Gods free grace to make us righteous, if we never were in a ſtate of ſin? He that in no conſideration looks at himſelf as a ſinner fallen in the firſt Adam, cannot poſſibly look at himſelf as a righteous perſon recovered in the ſecond Adam. How can God be ſaid to ſhew mercy to that man, that was never in miſery? to redeem that man, that was never loſt? Loſt (I ſay) and that really, and not onelyonly in his own conceit and apprehenſion.
3. The Application of the Act to the Object, and that is by Faith; as here in the Text. Though a ſinner be juſtified, yet it is onelyonly a believing ſinner; and ſo of a ſinner is made juſt: Rom. 5.1. being juſtified by faith, &c. By Faith, how? not as the meritorious, but onelyonly as the inſtrumental cauſe of our juſtification. For the clearer underſtanding of this, we muſt know, according to the former definition, there are ſeveral cauſes of our Juſtification; viz. Efficient, Material, Formal, and Final.
The Efficient cauſe is either
1. Principal: or,
2. Inſtrumental.
Principal, is either
1. Working: or,
2. Moving to the Work.
Cauſes of Juſtification. 1. Principal.The 1. Principal working Cauſe is God himſelf. It's an action of God, Rom. 8.38. it is God that juſtifieth: Iſa. 43.25. I, even I am he, &c. Vide Rom. 9.16. All other cauſes are nothing to this; though man believeth, and man wills, and runs on chearfully in the wayes of God, yet from whence comes all this, but from God that juſtifieth a poor ſinner? So that it is not of him that willeth, or of him that runneth, &c. but of God; of God the Father, as the Primary Cauſe; the Son, as the Meritorious; the Holy Ghoſt, as Applicatory. It is God that juſtifieth, who ſhall condemn, &c. He that is the Law-giver, he juſtifies from the offences committed againſt the Law.
The 2. Principal Cauſe, Moving or promoting to the Work, is either
1. Internal, Gods
Mercy
Juſtice
It's a gracious and a righteous action of God, nothing without him, the firſt Mover.
2. External,
1. Mans Miſery, moving to pity; the Samaritan, &c. the Infant, Ezek. 16.
2. Chriſts Merit, moving to forgive, Col. 1.14. In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveneſs of ſins.
2. Inſtrumental Cauſe: 2. Inſtrumental.and that
1. On Gods part; the Word: Manus offerentis. 2 Cor. 5.18. He hath given to us the Miniſtery of Reconciliation, Dan. 12.3. Rom. 4.11.
2. On our part, Faith: Manus accipientis. Rom. 4.5. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that juſtifieth the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteouſneſs. Rom. 10.5 &c. Therefore faith doth not juſtifie by merit, and dignity of the work, (for then we ſhould be juſtified by works, though by faith) but onelyonly by the Inſtrumentary application of Chriſts Righteouſneſs.
2. The Material Cauſe, Chriſts Righteouſneſs:Material cauſe. (as Jacob gat his bleſſing in Eſau's garment) therefore called, The Righteouſneſs of God, Rom. 1.17. the Righteouſneſs of that Perſon who is God. Now there is a twofold Righteouſneſs in Chriſt,
1. Active.
2. Paſſive.
For in that we owed a double debt to the Law, the one being perfect obedience for the preſent; the other moſt deſerved puniſhment for our f…rmer diſobedience. It was requiſite that Chriſt be…ng our ſurety, ſhould pay whatſoever we owed unto God; and that was the double debt of Doing and Suffering whatſoever the Law of God required at our hands.
1. Active, fulfilling all Righteouſneſs, and that for us, as he became a Creature, and not for himſelf, Matth. 3.15.
2. Paſſive, Gal. 3.13. Chriſt hath redeemed us from the curſe of the Law, being made a curſe for us; as it is written, Curſed is every one that hangeth on a tree.
Ʋſe. Thirſt after this Righteouſneſs: Mat. 5.6. Bleſſed are they that hunger and thirſt after Righteouſneſs, &c. Philip. 3.7, 8. and, that I may be found in him, not having my wn righteouſneſs, &c.
Formal Cauſe.3. The Formal Cauſe, Imputation of Chriſts righteouſneſs. As by imputation of Adams ſin, we are guilty: ſo by imputation of Chriſts righteouſneſs, we are righteous. Rom. 5.19. For as by one mans diſobedience many were made ſinners, ſo by the obedience of one ſhall many be made righteous. Rom 4.5, 6. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that juſtifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteouſneſs.
Reaſ. His righteouſneſſe is onelyonly perfect. Heb. 7.26. For ſuch an High-Prieſt became us, who is holy, harmleſs, and undefiled, ſeparate from ſinners, and made higher than the heavens. Jer. 23.6. He is the Lord our righteouſneſs: OnelyOnly his righteouſneſſe is infinite, and everlaſting, Dan. 9.24. to bring in everlaſting righteouſneſs, &c. The righteouſneſſe of Angels and Saints, is finite, as well as tattered and torn: the poor, weary, and heavy laden naked Soul, can never lie down with reſt in his bed, (Iſa 28 20.) for the bed is ſhorter than that a man can ſtretch himſelf on't, &c. but Chriſts righteouſneſſe is ſo long and ſo large that it gives a man reſt on his ſick-bed: Pſal 41.3. The Lord will ſtrengthen him upon his bed of languiſhing. What is his comfort then, but a clear ſight of Chriſts righteouſneſſe? Job 33.23, 24. If there be a meſſenger with him, to ſhew unto man his righteouſneſs, &c. Reſt on the death-bed, and afterward in the grave. Iſa. 57.2. They ſhall lie down in their beds, and peace ſhall be with them, &c. Rev. 6.11. And white robes were given unto every one of them, and it was ſaid unto them, that they ſhould reſt. So that as God ſaith, Pſal. 134.14. This is my reſt for ever; ſo may the Soul.
Final Cauſe.4. Final Cauſe.
1. Supreme.1. The Supreme, Gods glory. Prov. 16.4. The Lord hath made all things for himſelf, &c. This is the end of all, eſpecially this work, (Rev. 5.9.) The glory, either of
1. Mercy and Love: God ſo loved the world, &c. Joh. 3.16.Well, ſaith God, rather than Souls ſhall periſh, I will pour out the blood of my own Son. Rom. 5.8. But God commendeth his love towards us, in that while we were yet ſinners, Chriſt dyed for us. Rom. 8.32. He ſpared not his Son, &c.
Or 2. Juſtice; not forgive without ſatisfaction. Pſal. 145.17. The Lord is righteous in all his wayes, and holy, or merciful in all his works.
2. Subordinate
1. Sanctification.2. Subordinate
2. Salvation.
Rom. 6.22. But now being made free from ſin, and become ſervants to God, you have your fruits unto holineſs, and the end everlaſting life.
All, or moſt of theſe cauſes, are ſet down by the Apoſtle, Rom. 3.20, to 29.
1. The Efficient primary moving Cauſe, internal free grace, v. 24.
2. External moving Cauſe; Mans Miſery, v. 23. Chriſts Merit, v. 24.
3. Inſtrumental; 1. The Word, v. 21. 2. Faith, v. 22.
4. Final: 1. The glory of Gods 1. Severeſt Juſtice, v. 26. 2 Richeſt Mercy, v. 24. 2. Glorification of Man, in Gods Juſtification, and Salvation of Man v. 23, &c.
Queſt. How doth the juſt live by Faith, the life of Juſtification?
Anſ. The anſwer ſhall extend to the ſeveral parts and degrees of Juſtifications Manifeſtation. For though it be a perfect act of God, yet it is a continued act; and there are degrees of the manifeſtation of it. To ſpeak therefore 1. Of the Act it ſelf: 2. Of the Continuing and Renewing of the Act: 3. Of the Aſſurance of the Act. See how the juſt lives by Faith in all theſe.
1. For the firſt Act and work of Juſtification.Faith in the act of juſtifying.
Firſt, Faith Convinceth a man of ſin in a ſaving manner, and ſo of his need of Chriſt, and of his own impotency to obtain Juſtification and Salvation without Chriſt, Mat. 5.3. Bleſſed are the poor in spirit; as Gal. 5.6. Faith worketh by love; ſo by poverty of ſpirit.
Secondly, Faith puts perſons into a Mourning, confeſſing, prayerful frame, Mat. 5.4. Bleſſed are they that mourn; but no bleſſedneſs, if not ſpringing from faith. Zech. 12.10. I will pour upon them the Spirit of grace and ſupplication, &c. Jer. 31.9. They ſhall come with weepings, and with ſupplications will I lead them. Acts 2.37. They were pricked at their hearts, &c. This is the work of Faith, though not alwayes ſo eaſily diſcerned to be of Faith by the party himſelf.
Thirdly, Faith ſubdues the heart, to lay down all Oppoſitions againſt God, and to be willing to take any courſe God directs for Juſtification and Salvation. Matth. 5.5. Bleſſed are the meek, &c. Acts 9.5, 6. Paul ſpeaks reverently, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? Jer. 31.18. Surely I have heard Ephraim bemoaning himſelf, Thou haſt chaſtiſed me, and I was chaſtiſed as a bullock unaccuſtomed to the yoke; turn thou me, and I ſhall be turned, for thou art the Lord my God, &c. He ſubmits obediently; they are tame as a lamb, Iſa. 11.6.
Fourthly, Faith fixeth the heart upon Chriſt alone, and his Righteouſneſs held out in the Promiſes, with renunciation of our own, even with indignation in point of Juſtification. The Soul is hungry after Chriſts Righteouſneſs, as moſt excellent, and loaths its own as dung and draught: Phil. 3.6, 7, 8, &c. What things were gain to me, thoſe I counted loſs for Chriſt; yea, doubtleſs I count all things loſs, that I may win Chriſt, and be found in him, not having my own righteouſneſs, &c. See theſe, or moſt of theſe,Luke 15. in that gracious Convert, mentioned Luk. 15. ſet out as a patern, as a picture, and as a lively inviter, for a poor ſinner to look to, that deſires to partake of the like mercy.
1. Faith Convinceth him to be in a periſhing condition, without his Fathers love, ver. 17. And when he came to himſelf, he ſaid, How many hired ſervants of my Father have bread enough, and to spare, and I periſh with hunger. I ſay, it was Faith that wrought this ſame conviction; for it was not before he came to himſelf, that is, before he raiſed him up from his dead condition, &c. Verſe the laſt.
2. It puts his Soul into a mourning, confeſſing frame, v. 18. I will ariſe, and go to my Father, and ſay unto him, Father, I have ſinned againſt heaven, and before thee.
3. It ſubdues his heart to lay down all Oppoſition, and to take any courſe for his living, v. 19. —make me as one of thy hired ſervants. Obſerve, he uttered not ſo much as he intended, his Father prevented him with his mercy; as Pſal 32.5. I ſaid, I will confeſs my tranſgreſſions to the Lord, and thou forgaveſt the iniquity of my ſin.
4. It fixeth his heart upon his Fathers mercy, not upon his own merit. Faith tells him, Though thou haſt forgotten the duty of a Son, thy Father hath not forgot the bowels of a Father. The word Father runs much in his minde: I will go to my Father, &c. Here now a Spirit of Adoption begins to work, whereby he cryes, Abba Father. O dear Father! Father, I have ſinned againſt heaven, &c. But yet thou art my Father. This is the laſt act of juſtifying Faith, by which the Soul is put into a child-like condition, and fit to receive a childes portion of God. All is of his free grace: Jer. 3.19. And I ſaid, How ſhall I put thee among the children? Thou ſhalt call me, My Father, &c. Thus the juſt lives by Faith in the work of Juſtification,Vid. Cotton p. 14. & D. Downame. ☜ Faith in the Renewing of juſtification. in the Conſcience of the ſinner.
2. For the Continuance and Renewing of Juſtification. ☞
The juſt lives by Faith daily, as well as at the firſt day that he believed. So Abraham, Rom. 4.3, 4. He believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteouſneſs; which is cited out of Gen. 15.6. and ſo it appears to be after ſuch time as he was in Covenant with God, and in the ſtate of Grace. Yet ſtill his Juſtification is continued by a renewed act of Faith; and ſo David ſues out his Juſtification by a renewed act of Faith and Prayer, Pſal 51. though he were juſtified before.
And therefore Chriſtians are much to blame, who after they have once believed in God for Juſtification, do not labour to renew this act from day to day: and thence comes flatneſs in Spirit, and deadneſs in Duties, when we ſee not a daily need of going out of our ſelves into Chriſt. And ſurely if Chriſt applies his own ſacrifice daily to us by interceſsion with his Father. [Heb. 7.25. He ever liveth to make interceſſion for us—]
Why ſhould not we apply it daily by Faith and Prayer, that God for Chriſts ſake may forgive us our daily treſpaſſes, as we are taught to pray? And this is to live by faith in a continued act of Juſtification: Therefore it is put, not in the Preſent Tenſe, but in the Future; it is not here [doth] but he [ſhall] live by his Faith; that is, as long as he lives.
Take heed the blood of Chriſt run not cold in the veins of Faith; that you truſt not more to grace received, than to the fountain of grace and pardon in Chriſt. The truth is, our beſt duties ſtand in need of pardon, and our beſt graces of quickning, and nothing will quicken us more, than the aſſurance of our Juſtification. And therefore though a mans ſpirit be without guile, and he knows nothing by himſelf (he allows himſelf in no known evil) yet even at ſuch a time,1 Cor. 4. he is not thereby juſtified, but then, he muſt fly to Chriſt for Juſtification, and ſay, Bleſſed is the man whoſe tranſgreſſion is forgiven, &c. Pſal. 32.1, 2.
Faith in the aſſurance of being juſtified3. For the Aſſurance of the Act; the juſt lives by Faith. 1. In moving a man to deſire more Faith. 2. In uſing and embracing ſuch Means by which we come to Aſſurance. 3. In the Tryal of Aſſurance. 4. In An…wering all ſuch Objections and Doubts which do cloud and darken this Aſſurance. 5. In Expectation of Aſſurance.
Firſt, In moving a man to deſire more Faith.In Motives to Aſſurance.
The reaſon is,
1. Becauſe true Faith, (if but as a grain of Muſtard-ſeed) moves man to deſire more Faith. Luke 17.5. Lord, encreaſe our faith. Mark 9.24. Lord, help my unbelief: And never reſts riſing higher and higher, till it comes to full Aſſurance. Therefore lazy faith is falſe faith, that ſaith, I caſt my ſelf on God, and there's an end; I never deſire more, ſo I can but rub out, &c. This is a ſign it is not true: The juſt lives by Faith, for the encreaſe, till aſſured; and true Faith ſuggeſts Motives, to perſwade us to ſeeke after full Aſſurance.
Queſt. What are thoſe Motives?
Anſ. 1.1 Motive. Gods Commandment (which Faith looks at) as to believe, 1 John 3.23. [And this is the Commandment, We ſhould believe on the Name of his Son Jeſus] Chriſt] So to be aſſured. 2 Pet. 1.10. Give all diligence to make your calling and election ſure. Both; 1 John 5.13. Theſe things have I written unto you that believe on the Name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the Name of the Son of God.
2. Becauſe it's the End why the Scriptures were written; yea, the end of the Seals; 1. Publike, the Sacraments: 2. Privy, the Spirit witneſſing. Therefore ſaith Faith, Receive not the grace of God in vain. There are many deceived: Micah 3.7. Then ſhall the Seers be aſhamed, and the Diviners confounded; yea, they ſhall all cover their lips, for there is no anſwer of God. Mat. 7. 1 Cor. 6.9. Know ye not, that the unrighteous ſhall not inherit the kingdom of God.
3. A difficili; that which would diſcourage another, doth encourage a faith…ul man the more, becauſe many objections and temptations: therefore ſtrive—Tu ne cede malis—The kingdom of heaven ſuffers violence, &c.
4. A poſſibili; —Both are objects of Chriſtian fortitude. Example—Job 19.25. For I know that my Redeemer lives, &c. Paul, Rom 8. For I am perſwaded neither death, nor life, nor angels, &c. Steven ſaw heaven opened, Acts 6.
5. A neceſſario; (not ad eſſe, but bene eſſe) as health and vigour to the well-being of natural life. 3 Joh. 2. I wiſh thou mayeſt prosper, and be in health, as thy ſoul prospereth. Health comprehends life & aliquid amplius; ſo Aſſurance, Faith, and the joy of Faith. Faith may be without Aſſurance, but no true Aſſurance without Faith.
6. Ab utili, ſtrong Faith is able to do that which weak Faith cannot (as a ſtrong man can work under a burthen) though both receive Chriſt. —Nothing ſhall be impoſsible to you. Mat. 15.28. O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. —Luther ſaid, Domine, fiat voluntas mea: Lord, let my will be done. Neh. 8.10. The joy of the Lord is your ſtrength.
7. A decoro; or, ab honorifico: for 1. This brings more honour to God. Such are more fruitful. Heb. 6.11, 12. And we deſire, that every one of you do ſhew the ſame diligence, to the full aſſurance of hope unto the end, that ye be not ſlothful, but followers of them, who through faith and patience inherit the promiſes. 2 Cor. 5.14. For the love of Chriſt conſtraineth us, &c. 2. Receives more honour from God. Rev. 2.17. To him that overcometh, will I give to eat of the hidden Manna. And mark, the Promiſe is made, not to the Combatant, but the Conqueror [To eat of the hidden Manna.]
Obj. But Chriſt is that Manna: Joh. 6. I am the Bread came down from heaven; therefore the weakeſt believer eats of him.
Anſ. Yet ſuch a one taſtes not at the firſt ſo much ſweetneſs: Exod. 16.31. The taſte of it was like wafers made with honey—A pleaſant taſte, but not at firſt. Manna was ſet within the Holy of Holies (Exod. 16.32.) before the Teſtimony: they did not taſte it ſo ſoon as they entred into the Temple.
8. A jucundo; Luk. 10.20. Rejoyce, becauſe your names are written in heaven: like Paul, are caught up into the third heaven. By the leaſt degree of faith, a man is in the firſt heaven; by a ſtrong faith, in the middle region of a Chriſtian: by full aſſurance, in the third heaven. This is to be with Chriſt in the Garden, in the Wine-cellar, in his Boſom, as John; Cant. 1.to be kiſſed with the kiſſes of his mouth to wear his favour which he gives to his eſpecial favourites (Joh. 15.15. All things that I have heard of my Father, I have made known unto you) to be è ſecretioribus conſiliis: a joy that the world knows not of. Prov. 14.10. A ſtranger doth not intermeddle with their joy.
9. A periculoſo; or, ab incommodo: for
1. Life is uncertain, as a vapour, and death uncomfortable, if it come before we be aſſured. Therefore David, Pſal. 39. ult. O spare a little, that I may recover ſtrength, &c. Simeon—Lord, now: not before. Say to thy Soul, I may be dead before night, and in hell before morning, therefore it is good to be ſure— For temporal eſtate, its a great trouble to think eſtate is not made ſure to Wife and Children; its a great mercy to ſet our houſe in order, Iſa. 38.1.but a greater to ſet our ſouls in order; they are dearer then the deareſt: and then we ſhall not fear, though we walk through the valley of the ſhadow of death, Pſal. 23.4.
2. If it were certain, yet there's danger in deferring this: 1. When God commands to make ſure, and we do not endeavour after it, this is rebellion, as the ſin of witchcraft. 1 Sam. 15.2. It's more difficult to obtain (in ordinary courſe of working) Mark 9.21. If Satan long poſſeſs, he is hardly outed.
3. The beſt condition of life is bitter without this. Dan. 5.5, 6. Belſhazzar troubled in his feaſting, &c. è contra, this will ſweeten the moſt bitter affliction, cauſe to ſing in priſon, Matthew 9.2. Chriſt ſaid to the man ſick of the Palſey, Sonne, Be of good cheer.
10. A minori ad majus; ſi iſti callidi rerum aeſtimatores, &c. If men take pains to make ſure the World, yea Hell, let their folly teach us wiſdome. If any thing be given by Will, man reſts not till he ſee his own Name written, &c.
11. Such have great boldneſs at the Throne of Grace in Prayer, if they know Chriſt their High-prieſt, Heb. 10.21, 22.
2. Means of Aſſurance.2. In uſing of the Means by which we may come to Aſſurance. True, the Spirit is all in all: Rom. 8.16. The Spirit beareth witneſs with our spirits, &c. yet this witneſs comes by means uſed: As,
General Promiſes.Firſt, Applying general Promiſes to our particular condition: Whether they be 1. Such Promiſes as are made to ſinners in general; as 1 Tim. 1.15. This is a faithful ſaying, &c. And therefore ſaith the Soul Though I am a ſinner, though I am the chief of ſinners, as he ſaid there, yet there are no rails made about the promiſe to keep me off: onelyonly, I muſt know thus much, I can no ſooner lay hold of the promiſe, but the very firſt touch will draw vertue from Chriſt, to make me a new man in the frame of my heart: Acts 15.9. Purifying their hearts by faith: Or
2. Whether ſuch promiſes were made to ſinners, ſo, and ſo qualified (not as if theſe qualifications did ſpring from themſelves; for God himſelf worketh all in all as he pleaſeth.) As for Example, Matth. 11.28. Come unto me, all ye that are weary, &c. Now then, when I ſee my ſelf not onelyonly in this condition, that I am weary of my ſin, but willing to obey the Command, ſurely then I have as great cauſe to apply the Promiſe, as to apply the Commandment; I may as well claim the Promiſe for my Comfort, as the Commandment for my Duty. If I be willing and obedient, in yielding to the Commandment (and my heart tells me its holy, and juſt, and good) why then God tells me from his Word, That if my ſins were as ſcarlet, they ſhall be as wooll, Iſa. 1.17.
3. Or in laying hold of the Promiſes tending directly to Aſſurance it ſelf. Iſa 60 16. Thou ſhalt alſo ſuck the milk of the Gentiles, and ſhalt ſuck the breaſts of Kings, and thou ſhalt know that I the Lord am thy Saviour, and thy Redeemer, &c. Iſa. 57.19. I create the fruit of the lips, peace, peace, to him that is afar off, and to him that is near, ſaith the Lord; and I will heal him.]
2. In receiving the spirit, in the ſealing work of it: Sealing of the Spirit.For there is one work of the Spirit, whereby we caſt our ſelves upon a Promiſe, before we get aſſurance, (yet this is faith, Iſa. 50.10. Who is among you that feareth the Lord, &c.—that walketh in darkneſs, and hath no light, let him truſt in the Name of the Lord, and ſtay upon his God,) And another work of the Spirit, after this Faith is begotten, that aſſures us, we do indeed believe, Eph. 1.13, 14. —In whom alſo, after that ye believed, ye were ſealed with the holy Spirit of Promiſe, which is the earneſt of our inheritance, &c. And this eſpecially in Scripture is called a Seal, wherein Chriſt is offered particularly, as meat and drink: 1 Cor. 11.24. Take, eat, this is my Body, &c.
Exerciſe of Prayer.3. By ſtirring us up to exerciſe the ſpirit of grace and ſupplication, more abundantly than formerly. Pſal. 35.3. Say unto my ſoul, I am thy ſalvation. Zech. 12.10. They ſhall look upon him whom they have pierced, and mourn: Then they ſhall have a clear ſight of Chriſt crucified, and they ſhall mourn.
Obj. But where is Aſſurance in this mourning condition?
Anſ. Godly ſorrow doth nothing hinder godly joy; nay, they are ever twins of the ſame womb: for as godly ſorrow, ſo joy ſprings from Prayer: John 16.24. Ask, and ye ſhall receive, that your joy may be full. Dan. 9.23. & the 10, 11, & 19 verſes. Faith puts the ſoul upon prayer; the more faithful, the more prayerful: I have believed, therefore have I ſpoken: therefore Prayer is called, The Prayer of faith, Jam. 5.14. è contra, Rom. 10. How ſhall they call on him, in whom they have not believed?
Hearing of Prayers.4. By ſtirring us up to obſerve how God hears our Prayers: for this aſſures us both of Gods love to us, and of our loves back again to him. Pſal. 116.1. I love the Lord, becauſe he hath heard my voyce, and my ſupplication. Judg. 13.23. If the Lord were pleaſed to kill us, he would not have received a burnt-offering, and a meat-offering at our hands; neither would he have ſhewed us all theſe things, &c.
5. By receiving the Spirit in the ſanctifying work of it: 2 Pet. 1. from ver. 5. to 12. 1 John 3.19. Hereby we know we are of the truth, and ſhall aſſure our hearts before him. Pſal. 50.23. To him that ordereth his converſation aright, will I ſhew the ſalvation of God. John 14.21. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me, and he ſhall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifeſt my ſelf to him. Cant. 6.4. But let every man prove his own work, and then he ſhall have rejoycing in himſelf alone, and not in another.
6. By making a bold and reſolute Confeſſion of Chriſt: Chriſt uſeth to confeſs ſuch, and acknowledge and own them. Matth. 16.16, 17, 18. after Peter had confeſſed Chriſt, Chriſt confeſſeth him, calls him by name, tells him his privilege, and that which fleſh and blood had not revealed to him. Rev 3.8, 9.—Thou haſt not denied my name, behold, I will make them of the Synagogue of Satan to come and worſhip before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. There's a new Name legible to him that overcomes.
7. By getting and uſing an humble Spirit: the proud, God beholds afar off, but comes near to the humble, to them will he look, to revive them, Iſa 66 2. & 57.15. See 1. Pet. 5.5. Mary Magdalen the woman of Canaan, calls her ſelf a dog, and ſo hath a ſpecial expreſſion of love from him.
8. By attending diligently upon the uſe of all Means for the further knowledge of God in Chriſt, private and publike, hearing, asking Queſtions, &c. Cant. 3.1, 2, 3 4. It may be thou haſt uſed ſome, but not all, and therefore wanteſt aſſurance.
9. By labouring to be eminent in the filial, reverential fear of the Lord, ſuch God more and more aſſures of his love. Mat 4.2. To you that fear my name, ſhall the Sun of Righteouſneſs ariſe, &c. Acts 9.31. The fear of the Lord, and the comfort of the Holy Ghoſt, are coupled together: Pſal. 25.14. The ſecret of the Lord is with them that fear him: Prov. 14.26. In the fear of the Lord is ſtrength and confidence. Parents do not uſe to ſhew much countetenance to ſuch children, as they know will grow wanton under the expreſsion of their favours: So he: but for ſuch as grow more awful and regardful of their commandments, the more kindeneſs they receive, they care not how much love they ſhew to ſuch, &c. And Faith begets fear, Heb 11. Noah moved with fear, &c.
10. By calling to minde experiences, Pſal. 77.3, 7. &c. there's great reaſon to do this, for his love is everlaſting.
11. When all is done, or when all fail, in renouncing all in thy ſelf, and relye on the free grace of God in Chriſt: it may be the reaſon why thou art not aſſured, thou leaneſt too much on thy own Graces, Duties, or Works, as the meritorious cauſe of Aſſurance; not as meerly inſtrumental, as being the effects of free grace. Oh! thou deſpaireſt, becauſe thou art a great ſinner; if leſs, there were hope. But relye onelyonly on Chriſt: for
1. God loves freely.
2. Invites ſuch as have no worth, Iſa. 55.1.
3. There is Mercy promiſed to him that cannot work, but believe, Rom. 4.5.
Caution. If true Aſſurance, then preſently it will change the heart.
12. By a right apprehenſion of God in his Nature and Attributes, very Truth. Tit. 1.2. (God that cannot lye) Power, Rom. 4.20, 21. what he promiſeth, he is able to perform.
3. Tryal of Aſſurance.3. He lives by Faith in the Tryal of his Aſſurance: for bold preſumption is moſt blinde, and yet moſt confident. Hoſ. 8.1, 2, 3. Iſrael cryes, My God, we know thee: yet, ſet thy trumpet to thy mouth, he ſhall come as an Eagle, &c. Some love not to be tryed: Joh. 3.20 21. For every one that doth evil, hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, leſt his deeds ſhould be reproved. But true men love to be put upon their tryal. Jacob, Geneſ. 31.32. With whomſoever thou findeſt thy goods, let him not live: before our brethren, diſcern thou what is thine with me. A fool is confident, and he rageth if you queſtion his tenure, as a man in a fine dream rageth, if awaked: — O, I was in the fineſt dream; I dreamt heaven was mine, and Chriſt was mine, that I was ſupping with him, and feeding upon him, but as Iſa. 29.8. he is empty ſtill: ſo, &c. Be not deceived with ſuch dreams. Jer. 29 8. Let not the prophets and diviners that be in the midſt of you, deceive you, &c. I had rather awaken you now, than that the laſt Trump ſhould awake you—But as true Faith ſaith to God, Lord prove me, and ſearch my heart, Pſal. 26.2. & 139.23. So to men, Mal. 2.7. The prieſts lips ſhould keep knowledge, and they ſhould ſeek the law at his mouth, &c. as men go to Lawyers to ask counſel in their Conveyances and Aſſurances, &c. So to its own Soul, 2 Cor. 13.5. Prove your ſelves, whether you be in the faith.
1. There's great reaſon to try Aſſurance:Reaſon of Tryal. All is not gold that gliſters.
1. One may have a great name in the world to live, and yet be dead, as Sardis, Rev. 3.1.
2. Men may be confident and bold, yet blinde Bayards: Hoſ. 8.1, 2.
3. There's an aſſurance and peace in the Soul from Satan: Luke 11.21. When a ſtrong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace.
4. An inheritance may be haſtily gotten at the beginning, but the end thereof ſhall not be bleſſed, Prov. 20.21. So, &c.
Queſt. How ſhall we know true Aſſurance from falſe?
Anſ. By the inward witneſs of the Spirit: It's true, thoſe that have received this, cannot be deceived; but becauſe thoſe that have not received it, may be deceived, and think they have it: Ergo, Try; as Doctrines, ſo Aſſurances: 1 John 4.1. Beloved, believe not every spirit, &c.
Queſt. But how ſhall we know true Aſſurance?
Anſ. From the Cauſe inſtrumental, the Word: Tryal it ſelf.The Spirit works by the Word: Iſa. 57. ult. I create the fruit of the lip, peace, peace, &c. 2 Cor. 5.19, 20. He hath committed to us, the word of Reconciliation—not revelations without the word: Pſal. 119.81. I hope in thy word: that is the object of Faith, No Word, no Faith.
2. Effects of New-birth; Love.
1. To God, begetting this aſſurance: 1 John 4.19. We love him, becauſe he loved us firſt.
2. To the Word, by which begotten: it's ſweeter than the honey and the honey-comb—Not magnifie the Spirit to ſlight the Word: John 14.26. The Spirit comforts by the Word, and brings to remembrance.
3. To the godly, begotten of God: 1 John 5.1. Every one that loveth him that begat, loveth him alſo that is begotten.
4. To Holineſs, the fruit of all true aſſurance: 1 John 3.3. Every one that hath this hope, purifieth himſelf: This is no Doctrine of looſeneſs, as the Papiſts ſay. Prov. 25.19. Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble, is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joynt, &c. Ask, doth thy Aſſurance make thee more holy, &c?
3. By the Manner of working, both in the work, and after it. There's ſome difficulty; therefore, ſtrait is the way—ſtrive to enter, &c. Mat. 7.14.
1. In the firſt work, therefore called a Birth, John 3.5. When was any birth without pain? A spirit of bondage, Rom. 8.15. I ſpeak not this, as if we ſhould indulge our ſelves in theſe pangs ſo and ſo long— I will not ſay, how long haſt thou been about it? for Ephraim was a fooliſh ſon, becauſe he ſtayed ſo long in the place of breaking forth of children, Hoſ. 13.13. However, it is difficult.
2. After the work, ſtill ſome wreſtling againſt
Doubts &
Fears.
Reaſon: No grace of the Spirit, but it hath ſomething of the Fleſh to wreſtle againſt. Gal. 5.17. The Spirit luſteth againſt the fleſh, and the fleſh againſt the Spirit: therefore they that never doubt after once they are aſſured, but are alwayes alike, have cauſe to ſuſpect themſelves, that they are not right. Philip. 3.12. Not as though already perfect, ſaith the Apoſtle. They that think they are at the top of the ladder at the firſt ſtep, it is likely they never ſet a ſtep upon the ladder: If you never doubted after believing, faith was perfect at firſt, and ſo no growth, &c. True faith is of a growing nature.
Obj. The heart is deceitful: therefore fruits are no evidence.
Anſ. It's true, of Ʋnregenerate men, not Regenerate; ſuch by proving may know: Gal. 6.4. Let every man prove his own work, &c. John 21 17. Peter could appeal, Lord, thou knoweſt that I love thee. Salvation is far from the wicked, though they may be confident: 1 Cor. 6.9, 10. Know ye not that the unrighteous ſhall not inherit the kingdome of God, &c.Pſal. 119.155.
4. He lives by Faith,4. Objections againſt Aſſurance. in anſwering all ſuch Objections that might cloud and hinder his Aſſurance; as the Sun diſpels and ſcatters all clouds and miſts, that would hinder the light and heat thereof: ſo the Sun of Righteouſneſs, by the powerful work of Faith, diſpels and ſcatters all ſuch Objections and Doubts, by which Satan, and our corrupt hearts, would hinder and darken the light and heat of our Aſſurance. As for Example.
Obj. 1 Satan, and thy corrupt heart, objects, Doſt thou ever look to be forgiven, that art guilty of ſuch ſins? Thy ſin is greater than can be forgiven, Jer. 4.13.
Anſ. Faith anſwers, As great ſinners as thou art have been forgiven: Manaſſes, Solomon, Mary Magdalen, and many more. Though my ſins are great ſins, (not Mole-hills, but Mountains) yet God is a great God, and his Mercies are very great; he hath a ſea of Mercy, that is able to drown Mountains, as well as Mole-hills. The Mariners tell us, the Sea is ſo deep in ſome places, that they can finde no bottom, no line will reach ſo far. I am ſure, ſuch is the Sea of Gods Mercy, we cannot finde the bottom, but muſt cry, O altitudo, O the depth, &c.
Obj. 2 I am afraid I have out-ſtood my time and opportunity, &c.
Anſ. Faith anſwers, Eccleſ. 9.4. To him that is joyned to the living, there is hope, eſpecially if thou ſeekeſt God for his own ſake, becauſe he is lovely in thine eyes: Pſal. 69.32. Your hearts ſhall live that ſeek God.
Obj. 3 I am afraid I am not humbled enough, and ſo God will not give me a good look, Iſa. 66.2.
Anſ. Faith anſwers, The greateſt humility in the world, cannot deſerve the favour of God. If God hath but troubled thee ſo far, to deſire Chriſt upon his own terms (with his Croſs, as well as his Crown) then come, and welcome, if thou beeſt willing to put off the Devils yoke, and to put on Chriſt's. Mat. 11.28, 29. All ye that are weary and heavy laden, take my yoke upon you.
Obj. 4 But alas! I am as a bullock accuſtomed to the yoke.
Anſ. The juſt not onelyonly lives by faith in the Promiſes, but Commandments: Pſal. 119.66. I have believed thy Commandments: Rom. 14. the laſt, Yea, every Commandment hath the vertue of a Promiſe, becauſe God worketh all our works, in us, and for us. Iſa. 26.12. Lord! thou wilt ordain peace for us, for thou alſo haſt wrought all our works in us: Ezek 36.27. I will put my ſpirit within you, and cauſe you to walk in my ſtatutes.
Obj. 5 But my heart is very hard, I cannot repent nor believe as I ought: Sermons do me little good, Corrections no good. I think there's no body hath ſuch a heart as I have, ſo inſenſible, ſo incorrigible.
Anſ. Faith anſwers, If thou hadſt no grace, thou wouldſt never complain ſo much for want of grace: a man can never deſire that he knows not, or that he taſtes not. Jer. 31.18. Ephraim was in a good condition, when he bemoaned himſelf.
Obj. 6 But me thinks, ſaith Unbelief, if I had any faith in my Soul, I ſhould have lively feeling and aſſurance of it.
Anſ. Faith anſwers, There's difference 'twixt believing and ſeeing, betwixt faith and ſenſe: Heb. 11.1. Faith is the evidence of things not ſeen. There's a twofold evidence; the one of Senſe, the other of Faith: Aſſurance by the witneſs and fruits of the Spirit. 2 Cor. 5.7. We walk by faith, not by ſight. Therefore it cryes out to God, in ſtead of anſwering the doubts of Unbelief, Lord, I believe, help my unbelief. It's a comfort to have a lively feeling, but others may have Faith alſo: Bleſſed are they that have not ſeen, and yet have believed, John 20.29. and that is certain, for the concluſion of all, That Soul that wreſtles againſt the diſeaſe of unbelief, hath ſome life of faith in it, it is a juſtified Soul.
5. He lives by Faith in the Expectation of Aſſurance,5. Expectation of aſſurance. if he hath it not: Gen. 49.18. I have waited for thy ſalvation, O Lord: Cant. 3.1. By night on my bed I ſought him whom my ſoul loved: Iſa. 8.17. I will wait upon the Lord, who hideth his face from the houſe of Jacob. Faith ſaith, as Pſal. 97.11. Light is ſown for the righteous, &c. Pſal. 85.8. I will hearken what God the Lord will ſay, for he will ſpeak peace, &c. Surely God ſhall command his loving kindneſs in the day-time. True, it thinks long: Why tarry the wheels of his Chariots? Cant. 2.8, 9, & 17. & Cant. 4. the laſt, Be as the Chariots of Amminadab: Pſal. 40. the laſt, Make no long tarrying, O my God. Yet it will wait, as Jacob for Rachel: yea, Faith chides the Soul out of unbelief, by propounding the Promiſe of future Aſſurance, Pſal. 42.5. Why art thou caſt down, O my ſoul, &c! Pſal. 27. laſt. Faith gives courage in waiting;Pſal, 31. Be of good courage, and he ſhall ſtrengthen thy heart. Chriſt hath his ſeveral ſeaſons of manifeſting himſelf*Vide Mr. Reynolds.. Bleſſed are all they that wait for him. He that believeth, maketh not haſte: Though he tarry, wait for him. Chriſt ſhewed himſelf firſt to Mary, then to Cephas or Peter, then to James, then to the twelve, then to above five hundred brethren at once: 1 Cor. 15.6. and laſt of all he was ſeen of Paul, as of an abortive; becauſe there is more pain in the birth of ſuch. But as in the bodily ſight of Chriſt, ſome ſaw him ſooner, and ſome later; ſo in the ſpiritual: and as he ſhewed himſelf ſooneſt to thoſe, that ſtood moſt in need of comfort, as Mary, and Peter, for what was paſt, and James for what was to come, Acts 12. ſo ſpiritually Chriſt ſhews himſelf ſooneſt to thoſe have moſt need, &c. And as he entred the doors, being ſhut, when they were full of fears, Job. 20.19. ſo ſometimes he comes into the heart, when we think the doors moſt faſt ſhut up. OnelyOnly wait, and then ſooner or later he will ſhew himſelf, to ſome in their middle age, to ſome in their old age, to ſome at their death, to ſome at the Stake; as that gracious Martyr cryed out joyfully to his fellow-ſufferer, He is come, he is come. Therefore be ſure to wait, and he that hath appointed to come, will come, and will not tarry: Bleſſed are all they that wait for him. Rom. 8.25. If we hope for that which we ſee not, then do we with patience wait for it.
Reaſon why wait; Becauſe true faith can never be loſt, till it come to full aſſurance: Matth. 12.20. A bruiſed reed, &c. This is the life and comfort of a weak Chriſtian, A babe ſhall be a ſtrong man: Philip. 1.6. He that hath began this work, will perfect it: Luke 22.32. Chriſts Prayer for Peter.
Ʋſe If the godly live by Faith, in regard of the aſſurance of the Act of Juſtifying; then
1. This Reproves thoſe that wait not: Believe in the Lord your God, ſo ſhall you be eſtabliſhed, &c. 2 Chron. 20.20.
2. Reproves thoſe that Reſt in the firſt degree of Faith, and ſay, I care not if I can but go to heaven at laſt. Other things grow up to their foreign, & decay again; but the faithful grow from ſtrength to ſtrength. He is no good natured childe, that will ſay, I am ſure to have my Fathers inheritance at laſt, and therefore I care not though he frown upon me in the mean time: No, a good childe prizeth his Fathers love, and the light of his countenance, above his inheritance: even Abſalom, 2 Sam. 14.31. could ſay, Let me ſee the Kings face, &c.
3. Exhortation, To live by Faith in waiting for Aſſurance.
Motives.
1. It's certain, He that hath appointed to come, will come, Heb. 10.37.
2. It's worth the ſtaying; as Jacob ſtayed for Rachel. This is better then life, Pſal. 63.3.
3. It's the ſweeter when it comes, Olim haec meminiſſe, &c. as the Sun riſing, after a long Winter night— half year night. Prov. 13.12. Hope deferred makes the heart ſick; but when the deſire cometh, it is a tree of life.
4. It's the property of Faith, not to make haſte: Iſa. 28.6. He that believeth, maketh not haſte.
4. See the difference 'twixt juſt and unjuſt: The juſt, as they expect, ſo they ſhall be aſſured, though poor in ſpirit; yea, becauſe poor, Matth. 5.3. Pſal. 9.18. The expectation of the poor ſhall not periſh for ever: Prov 24.14. Thy expectation ſhall not be cut off. But for the wicked, Job 8.13, 14. Their hope ſhall periſh, and be as a ſpiders web: Job 11.20. Their hope is as the giving up the ghoſt. Therefore fear God, and be righteous: For Prov. 10.28. The hope of the righteous ſhall be gladneſs; but the expectation of the wicked ſhall periſh. Therefore, Prov. 23 17, 18. Let not thine heart envy ſinners; but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long: for ſurely there is an end, and thine expectation ſhall not be cut off.
5. Comfort to ſuch as believe, but want Aſſurance. He may yet live by Faith in the expectation of it. Be not diſcouraged, when thy Soul is ready to faint for the ſalvation of God. Lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees: Be aſſured, where there is any true light, it will encreaſe more and more, till the perfect day, Prov. 4.18. The ſtate of the Soul is good, and Salvation is certain in the mean time. Though many complain for want of Aſſurance, yet if they can but truſt, &c. Iſa. 50.10. He that walketh in darkneſs, and hath no light, let him truſt in the Name of the Lord, and ſtay upon his God. They are ſure to be comforted at the laſt, and ſupported in the mean time.
Thus you ſee, how the juſt lives by Faith the Life of Juſtification.
Ʋſe of all in general.
1. OF Humiliation:Uſe of the Doctrine of Faith in juſtification 1. Humiliation. If a Chriſtian lives by Faith the Life of Juſtification, in applying the righteouſneſs of another, it may be matter of Humiliation. A Priſoner that is freed from Condemnation by a Pardon from the King, and not by Self-juſtification, hath cauſe to walk humbly for ever after. This is our caſe, &c. It was a great ſin in Abſalom, after his Father had pardoned his Murther, and received him into favour again, and kiſſed him, the next news we hear of him, he prepares him Chariots, and Horſes, and Men to run before him, that by ſtealing away the hearts of the people, he might ſtep up into his Fathers Throne, and thruſt him out. And ſurely it is the greateſt expreſſion of neglect and unthankfulneſſe that can be, after God hath pardoned our ſins, and received us into favour, for us to ſteal away the hearts of his people, and to ſet up our ſelves, in ſtead of magnifying the Name of God; to draw Diſciples after our own ſelves, in ſtead of drawing Diſciples after Jeſas Chriſt. It is a ſin, and a temptation, which is common to the nature of man, even the Regenerate themſelves are not out of this Gun-ſhot: Paul was in danger to be xalted above meaſure; and the great contention among the Diſciples themſelves, was Who ſhould be the greateſt? If this was the Condemnation of the Devil; and after that, the Devils Temptation upon our firſt Parents, that they might fall by Pride, as he did: I ſee not why any ſhould ſecure themſelves from this Temptation in the ſtate of grace. Therefore you that ſtand, take heed leſt you fall; though you ſhall never fall finally by this ſin, yet you may fall fearfully, if you look not well about you. And ſurely, this is one good means among the reſt, to keep us from falling to conſider. We are juſtified by the Righteouſneſſe of another. We live as pardoned men; we live upon mercy, we live upon alms. A poor creature, who (like lame Mephiboſheth) is fed at the Table of another, and clothed with the garments of another, and hath nothing that he can call his own, hath little cauſe to be proud: this is our condition. We live at Gods finding for meat, drink, and clothing, not onelyonly for our Bodies, but for our Souls alſo, from day to day. As God hath put meat into our mouthes; ſo he puts words of prayers into our mouthes firſt: Hoſ. 14 2. Take unto you words, and ſay unto the Lord, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciouſly: And ſo our bleſſed Saviour, Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our treſpaſſes, &c. Mark ye, here are Petitions put into our mouthes every day, as well as the firſt day of our converſion, both concerning giving and forgiving: though ſome are ſo proud now adayes, they know not how to ſay that Prayer. Shall Chriſt teach them how to pray, or ſhall they teach Chriſt? Is there a greater Soloeciſm, than to be proud Beggar? A Beggar, and yet proud! A Beggar, and yet one that ſcorns to beg! One whoſe wants beg, and cry aloud, and yet his tongue begs not! I know no better means to cure this pride, than the conſideration of this; We live not upon our ſelves, but upon God: the very life of our Souls, the food of our Souls, the clothing of our Souls, all is from God.
Ʋſe 2 2 Uſe. Examination; Whether we do live this life of Juſtification.Examination.
Queſt. How ſhall we know?
Mark 1.Anſ. 1. It's a Soul-humbling life, if we lay hold on Chriſts Righteouſneſſe, our hands are our own. Pſal. 134.2. In thy ſight ſhall no man living be juſtified. Unjuſtified perſons are proud of their pride. Rev. 5. They caſt down their Crowns. Luke 18.14. The Publican, as he was humble, ſo juſtified. Iſa. 64.6. All our righteouſneſſes are as filthy rags: Phil. 3. I count all but droſs, and dung, &c.
2. A Soul pacifying life: Iſa. 57.19.Mark 2. I create the fruit of the lips, peace, peace, &c. Rom. 5.1. Being juſtified by faith, we have peace with God.
Obj. But I am troubled.
Anſ. 1. Yet thou art ſupported: Cant. 2.6. His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me.
2. There is the ſeed of peace and joy in thee. Light is ſown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart. Pſal. 112.
3. A God-glorifying life: Rev. 4.10.Mark 3. The four and twenty Elders fall down before him that ſate on the Throne, and caſt their Crowns before the Throne, ſaying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, &c.
1 In all holy Actions, Rom. 6.15, 16 &c.
2. In humble Paſſion or Submiſſion; i. e. in all Sufferings. He that is juſtified by God, will even juſtifie God in all that befalls him: He will not quarrel, and ſay, Lord, I am a juſtified perſon, why doſt thou puniſh me? but as David, Pſal. 51.4. that thou maiſt be juſtified when thou ſpeakeſt, &c. or as Ezra 9.13. —Thou our God haſt puniſhed us leſs then our iniquities deſerve, &c.
4. A Chriſt-magnifying life: 1 Pet. 2.7. If we believe. Mark 4.Chriſt is precious. Luke 7. Kiſs his very feet, waſh, and wipe, &c.
Ʋſe 3 3 Uſe. This ſhould teach us, 1.Inſtruction. To acknowledge this life of Juſtification in others: 2. To imitate God our ſelves, and juſtifie thoſe that ſin againſt us.
Branch. 1 1. Acknowledge this in others. Let us juſtifie thoſe whom God doth juſtifie, when once it appears to us; Receive ſuch as God receives, though weak in the faith, Rom. 14 1, 2, 3. One that is made a Freeman of your Town, a Member of your Corporation, you receive into your Society and Communion upon all occaſions. Now all juſtified perſons are made free ipſo facto, and admitted into Communion of Saints, Eph 2.12, 13. It was Simons ſin, he would not juſtifie that gracious woman whom Chriſt himſelf had juſtified (and he might ſee it by the fruits too) Luke 7.Luke 7.37. Like thoſe Prieſts Ezek. 13.22. They condemn whom the Lord juſtifies, and juſtifie whom the Lord condemns.
Branch. 2 2. Imitate God, in juſtifying or forgiving thoſe that ſin againſt us; I mean, ſo far as it concerns us: Forbearing one another, &c. Coloſſ. 3.13. Matth. 18.21, 28. Forgive thy brother, untill ſeventy times ſeven times. God forgives more than we can.
Motive. This Confirms the Aſſurance of our own forgiveneſs: Matth. 6.14, 15. If ye forgive men their treſpaſſes, your heavenly Father will alſo forgive you, &c. The one the cauſe of the other: Our forgiving others, is a natural effect of Gods forgiving us.
Obj. By this Rule, there ſhould be no need of Courts of Juſtce among men: If Offences muſt be forgiven, no man ſhould accuſe one another, no man witneſs, no man judge; and ſo, as the Anabaptiſts ſay, No Magiſtrate, &c.
Of forgiving offences.Anſ. Offences and wrongs muſt be conſidered in divers relations:
1. As they concern our ſelves alone, here we have power to forgive, to hide, and conceal them: Love covers a multitude of faults, Jam. 5.
2. As they are of a publike intereſt: There is a threefold intereſt;
Reipublicae of State,
Eccleſiae of Church,
Dei of God.
As in Theft, Murther, Idolatry, all have an intereſt, every one of theſe is wronged, Deut. 13.6. theſe we muſt not conceal. He that is partner with a thief, hates his own ſoul, Prov. 29.24. Here the Accuſers, Witneſſes, and Judge, muſt do their parts; yea, and their Juſtification and Redemption ties them to this: Luke 1.74.—that being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, might ſerve him without fear, &c. Elſe they were abominable. He that juſtifieth the wicked, and condemneth the juſt; even they both are an abomination to the Lord, Prov. 17.15. So a man who hath his perſon juſtified by God, may for ſome particular unjuſt act, be condemned by the Magiſtrate; Luke 23.41. And we indeed juſtly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds, &c. Rom. 13, 1,—7. OnelyOnly have a care to do juſtly in judgement. Obſerve: Malach. 3.5. I will be a juſt witneſſe againſt thoſe that oppreſſe the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherleſſe, &c.
Ʋſe 4 4 Uſe. Bleſs God for this Life of Juſtification.Thankfulneſs. Pſal. 103.1, 2, 3. Bleſſe the Lord, O my ſoul—who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth all thy diſeaſes. As the Philoſopher, who bleſt God, That his Life was Rational, That he was a Man, Born in ſuch a Countrey, and City, That he was a Philoſopher. This is Gods end: Epheſ. 1.6, 12. To the praiſe of the glory of his Grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved, &c.
Suppoſe 1. A poor man in Debt, and the Creditor croſs the Book: O happy man! Pſal. 32.1. Bleſſed is he whoſe iniquity is forgiven. And Pſal. 51.1, 2. —according to the multitude of thy mercies, blot out my tranſgreſſions, &c.
2. If a poor naked man lying in the mire ready to periſh with cold, ſhould be clothed with warm and rich Apparel, O how thankful would he be! (Not like the Snake, that when the Husbandman brought it to the fire, and it was well warmed, ſpit in his face) but as Jobs poor Hoſpital-men, Their very loins whom he had clothed did bleſs him. We were ſuch naked polluted creatures, Ezek. 16.6. Therefore let us bleſs his Name ſo much the more, as clothing the Soul is better than the Body, &c.
3. Suppoſe an Impriſoned man ſet at liberty, &c.
4. Suppoſe a Condemned man abſolved; O how thankful would he be! Chriſt hath procured our abſolution; In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveneſs of ſins, Col: 1.14.
Ʋſe 5 5 Uſe. Exhortation, to ſeek after this Life of Juſtification,Exhortation. this is not a vain thing; as Deut 32.47. Pray for it. Iſa. 43.26. declare that thou maiſt be juſtified; and ſay what thou canſt. But Job 9.14, 15. How ſhall I anſwer him, and chooſe out words to reaſon with him? Every one would be glad to be accounted juſt before men; How much better is it to be ſo in the ſight of God, who, out of Chriſt, is a conſuming fire? Let us not reſt in our own or others Righteouſneſs, Angels or Saints.
Obj. We lived this Life from eternity, onelyonly now we are to labour for the ſenſe of it.
Anſ. 1. Then what is the meaning of thoſe places? Luke 15. the laſt verſ. It was meet that we ſhould make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; he was loſt, and is found. And Epheſ. 2.1,—3, &c. You hath he quickned, who were dead in ſins and trespaſſes. 1 John 3.14. We know that we have paſſed from death to life, &c.
2. We could not live before we had a being; nor be juſtified before we were.
Motives.
1. A poor weary, and heavy laden Soul, can never lye down with reſt in the bed of his own Righteouſneſs, &c.
2. Hereby our perſons are pleaſing to God: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleaſed: Cant. 1.15, 16. Thou art all fair, my love, &c.
3. Then duties are accepted, Gen. 4. Abel and his offering: Firſt the tree good, and then the fruit good. Our duties cannot be accepted out of Chriſt, becauſe imperfect.
4. Hereby we are encouraged, and ſtrong to duty: Surely, ſhall one ſay, In the Lord have I righteouſneſs and ſtrength, Iſa. 45.24. The joy of the Lord is your ſtrength, Nehem. 8.10.
5. Hereby freed from Condemnation: Rom. 8.33, 34. Who ſhall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect? It's he that juſtifieth, who ſhall condemn! Whereas all unjuſtified perſons are liable to Condemnation;
From
1. The Law, Gal. 3.10. As many as are under the works of the Law, are under the curſe.
2. Conſcience: Rom. 2.15.—their conſcience bearing witneſs, and their thoughts the mean-while accuſing or excuſing one another. Tit. 3.11. —He that is ſuch, is ſubverted and ſinneth, being condemned of himſelf.
3. Satan: Pſal. 109.6. Let Satan ſtand at his right hand.
4 Men: as they tempt one another, ſo accuſe one another; as Adam layes the fault on Eve, ſhe on the Serpent.
5. The Gospel: John 3.19. This is the condemnation.
6. The mouth of the Judge: Matth. 25.19. Then ſhall he ſay to them on the left hand, Depart from me, &c.
But all believers, and juſtified perſons, are free from condemnation: Rom. 8.1. There's no condemnation to them that are in Chriſt Jeſus.
Of
1. The Law: Gal. 3.13. Chriſt hath redeemed us from the curſe of the Law, &c. Acts 13.39. And by him all that believe are juſtified from all things, from which ye could not be juſtified by the Law of Moſes. Rom. 7.6. But now we are delivered from the Law, &c.
2. Conſcience: Rom. 5.1. Being juſtified by faith, we have peace with God, Heb 9.14.
3. Satan: Rev. 12.10. The accuſer of our brethren is caſt down, which accuſed them before God day and night. Zech. 3.2. The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath choſen Jeruſalem, rebuke thee.
4. Men: Num. 12.8. Gen 4.6. Luke 7.39 &c.
5. The Gospel: Rom. 1.16. For I am not aſhamed of the Gospel.
6. The mouth of the Judge: Mat. 25.34. Then ſhall the King ſay to them on his right hand, Come ye bleſſed, &c.
6. The Righteous are bold, Prov. 28.1. as a Lion; fear not enemies, Mic. 7.8, 9, 10, 16, 17, 18. Pſal. 91.5, 6, 7.
II. THE LIFE of FAITH IN SANCTIFICATION.
THE ſecond Part of Spiritual Life, is the Life of Sanctification: 2 Cor. 5.17. Therefore if any man be in Chriſt, he is a New Creature. And thus the juſt lives by Faith alſo. As Faith layes hold upon Chriſt for Juſtification; ſo it draws vertue from Chriſt for Sanctification: and that either Renewing and Cleanſing, or Fructifying, Mortifying, and Vivifying, &c. ut ſupra.
So then the juſt live by Faith the life of Sanctification: for, as Faith works by Love; ſo, by Humility, Patience and other Chriſtian Graces: and ſo the Apoſtle applies this very Text, Heb. 10. where he perſwades them to poſſeſs their ſouls in patience. Yea, but how ſhall they get patience? Why, get Faith, and they ſhall be ſure to get Patience, and all other needful Graces: Ver. 36, 38. For ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promiſe. Now the juſt ſhall live by Faith, ſayes he.