The Voice of the Spirit, Chapter 21
CHAP. XXI. Ten Secondary Generall Evidences which accompany the witneſſings of the Spirit in every one of thoſe wayes of witneſſing.
NOw I ſhall proceed to the Secondary Generall Evidences; many of which, if not all, will accompany the witneſſings of the Spirit in every one of thoſe wayes of witneſſing. By temptation they may be ſometimes interrupted, yet not long, whil'ſt a teſtimonie remaineth.
Evidence 1. When a ſoule injoyeth the witneſſings of the Spirit, it hath more then ordinary manifeſtations of that excellency which is in the things it is aſſured of: If ſuch a word as this, cometh in a witneſſing way [the blood of Chriſt cleanſeth thee from all thy ſins]. The Spirit raiſeth more then ordinary apprehenſions of the blood of Chriſt. It heard of its vertue and excellency before, but now it can ſay, not halfe was told me. It highly prized it before, but its eſtimation thereof, is hereby heightned exceedingly. Now, nothing is comparable with the blood of Chriſt in its account.
So, Pſal. 32.5. when he could ſay [thou forgaveſt the iniquity of my ſin] then he could hold in no longer, but cryeth out, v. 1, 2. Bleſſed is he whoſe tranſgreſſion is forgiven — Surely he accounted highly of forgiveneſſe before, O but he had not ſuch lively apprehenſions of it untill it was witneſſed to him. v. 5. And, now he writeth them bleſſed that have a partnerſhip with him in this forgiving grace.
Evid. 2. The witneſſings of the Spirit fill the ſoule with unexpreſſible admiration of that Divine love which appeareth in and about its Adoption: there were many paſſages between God and the ſoule which it paſſed over formerly and diſregarded, that now are brought to its freſh remembrance, and that to heighten its admiration. 1 Joh. 3.1. Behold what manner of love is this—when they injoyed witneſſings, and could ſay [we are the Sons of God]: when they had that hope of ſeeing God, as he is, and of being made like to him. v. 2. Then their hearts were ſo full, that they could not hold without broaching their apprehenſions of this adopting love; and admiration is forced to ſtand in the roome of expreſſions: words are ſupplved with wondering [Behold what manner of love —] Deluſions may cauſe a man to wonder at his owne ſuppoſed freedomes from wrath, and advancements to happines: but Divine love is farre leſſe admired, then his owne advantage.
But where the witneſſings of the Spirit are injoyed.
1. A ſoule diſcerneth unexpreſſible love of good will, in the firſt contrivance of its adoption: it ſeeth that the wiſdome of the creature would have been for ever nonplus'd, if it had been left to that, to finde out a way for its owne recovery; and it admireth that God ſhould ſo love the world, as to ſend his Son, his onelyonly Son, on this errand, Joh. 3.16. and upon viewing that, it cannot but ſay [what manner of love is this—].
2. It findeth a love of compaſſion in his many ſtrivings with it, whil'ſt it was in a naturall condition: this light of the Spirit, helpeth it to looke a great way back, and it ſeeth the walkings and tender-hearted workings of God towards it there; how he at ſuch and ſuch a time allured, perſwaded, and wooed it; when it was in the midſt of its rebellions againſt him; and though it went on frowardly, and in the ſtubbornenes of its heart, yet he iterated his invitations againe and againe; and O (ſaith the ſoule) that he ſhould not give over and ſay, that his Spirit ſhould ſtrive no more with me [what manner of love is this?]
3. It vieweth his love of delight, which is diſcovered in its Adoption, and wondreth at that alſo: Beleevers ſee infinite condeſcenſion there, in regard of their owne unworthineſſe, and ſo cannot but cry out, with the Apoſtle. 1 Joh. 3.1. What manner of love is this? that [we] who were enemies and fought againſt the Lord of glory. [We] who were full of deformity, and in our blood, caſt out to the loathing of our perſons, that [we] ſhould be called the Sons of God; O height, depth, length, and bredth of this love. If we had been made but as hired ſervants, it had been an unſpeakable priviledge; but to be owned as Sons, this is farre beyond it, [What manner of love is this?]
Evid. 3. Witneſſings of the Spirit procure ſorrow and ſelfe-correction for unkindneſſes offered to the Lord: the ſoule ſeeth, how love wrought in the boſom of God towards it, in ſuch dealings as it put miſ-interpretations upon before, and had hard thoughts of God for: and then the heart worketh on this manner. O I have ſaid the Lord hath forſaken me, my God hath forgotten me; but now I ſee his thoughts were precious towards me even then. I had wretchedly forgotten him, but now I ſee, that though a mother may forget her ſucking childe, yet he cannot forget me. It cannot but expatiate, in rebuking its owne heart, for untoward workings againſt this God, whoſe love it now feeleth; it taketh Gods part againſt it ſelfe more then ever. Job 42. v. 5, 6. Now mine eye ſeeth thee, wherfore I abhorre my ſelfe— The cleareſt ſights of God, cauſe the greateſt ſelfe-abhorrency. Ezek. 16. v. 61. Then ſhalt thou remember thy wayes, and be aſhamed— When? v. 60. When I ſhall eſtabliſh unto thee an everlaſting Covenant; and v. 63. When I am pacified towards thee— That teſtimonie which blocketh up the way to ſelfe-deteſtation, is very ſuſpicious, though it tranſporteth with joy and comfort; for the Lord hath promiſed that a ſight of pacification ſhould be attended with Evangelicall humiliation.
A deluſion hath a naturall tendency to the puffing up of the ſoule, and though hypocrites may have a ſhaddow of humilitie at other times, yet there is the leaſt appearance of it, under high attainements, and a ſuppoſall of glorious revelations. But Divine teſtimonies are of Correctine uſe unto a ſoule. A Peter after a love-looke from Chriſt, O how he figheth, ſobbeth, melteth, mourneth, at the remembrance of a foregoing denyall of him. A Thomas, that hath riſen high, even unto redoubled actings of unbeliefe, when he hath thus ſeen, and felt too, O he cannot but check himſelfe, and ſay, My Lord, and my God, Joh. 20.28. Under ſuch heart-raviſhing revelations, this pierceth, woundeth, and as it were ſtabbeth the ſoule; that the Lord hath had ſuch unſutable returnes from it, after ſo large expreſſions of his love.
Evid. 4. The witneſſings of the Spirit, lay powerfull engagements upon the heart towards ſelfe-purification: though ſanctification ſometimes lieth ſo darke that a ſoule may not be able to make uſe of that as a witnes for the preſent, yet ever in witneſſing, the Spirit layeth obligations upon the ſoule to ſeeke after it to its utmoſt for the future. 1 Joh. 3.3. Not onelyonly ſome men, but [every man] that hath [this hope]. i. e. of ſeing God as he is. v. 2. [purifieth himſelfe]. And a little purity or holines will not ſatisfie: A knowledge of Adoption, as, v. 1, 2. putteth it upon preſſing after the perfection of it, to be pure [as he, i. e. as God is pure] Whereas Deluſions tend ſome way or other to unholines; Satan driveth at ſome corrupt defignes therein.
Evid. 5. The witneſſings of the Spirit procure an expulſion of Satan out of the ſoule: Chriſt evinceth his being no impoſtour, and that he acted by the Spirit of God, becauſe he did caſt out Satan. Math. 12. v. 25, 26.28. So, if a teſtimonie of Adoption, conduceth to the ejection of Satan, out of the ſoule in his temptations, ſuggeſtions, &c. this argueth it to be no deluſion; for, if Satan ſhould caſt out Satan his kingdome were divided, and could not ſtand. v. 26. The binding of the ſtrong man armed muſt be by the Spirit, for none elſe is ſtronger then he. When the word abideth in a ſoule, then it overcometh the wicked one. 1 Joh. 2.14. Every manifeſtation of Chriſt, is for this end, to deſtroy the workes of the Devil. 1 Joh. 3.8.
Deluſions dimme and dazle the eyes of the ſoule, that it cannot ſee into the craftie contrivances of that ſubtile adverſary. But the Spirit taketh off thoſe vailes that were upon the heart, and giveth notable diſcoveries of Satans cloſe plottings, croſſe actings, ſecret undermineings, ſoule-enſnaring ſtratagems, that it ſeeth into his wayes and methods more then ever. 2 Corin. 3. v. 16, 17, 18. & 12. v. 7. Yea, it filleth the ſoule with deteſtation of, and indignation againſt him, in his enterpriſes, and that becauſe they tend to interrupt ſome deſignes of Chriſt, and to contradict his ends. Math. 3.17. with 4. v. 10. And alſo, many temptations are overcome hereby, Satan will be incenſed, when he ſeeth himſelfe caſt out, and ſo, floods of new temptations are to be expected. Rev. 12. v. 13.15.
But, by the witneſſings of the Spirit uſually a ſoule obtaineth a releaſe from thoſe old ones that it hath grapled with, and groaned, yea even ſunk under, many a day. And, it ſpeaketh the Spirit to be the author of a teſtimonie, when it worketh this way: for, Satan is not caſt out, but entreth into the ſoule when deluſions prevaile: and Satan is expelled out of the ſoule, when that is out of love with him, and when his wayes are rendred odious and abominable to it.
Evid. 6. Satan uſeth his utmoſt endeavours, to draw and beate off the ſoule from, and cauſe it to doubt of the Spirits teſtimonie; but he ſeeketh to prevent a queſtioning of his owne. I doe not make doubting an Evidence of Aſſurance; but, if thou can'ſt be ſure that Satan tempteth thee to doubting, and ſeeketh to divide between thee and a promiſe applyed; that argueth thy cloſure with the promiſe, not to be by his meanes. And, if thou be'ſt ſure that he perſwadeth thee to owne a teſtimonie ſtill, which thou baſt received, then it is very ſuſpicious. For, Satan is no ſuch friend or favourite unto the Spirit or its teſtimonie, as to ſeeke the hindring its queſtioning thereof. Neither is he ſuch an enemie to himſelfe, as to beate off from hearkening unto his owne deluſions, when the ſoule is enclined to imbrace them.
Evid. 7. The witneſſings of the Spirit afford corroborations againſt the ſharpeſt afflictions and ſufferings: a timerous, fearfull Spirit, that formerly thought it ſhould never be able to hold up againſt ſmaller tryals; yet after ſuch a teſtimonie it is undaunted at the ſight of greater. The ſhineings of Gods face make it willing to doe or ſuffer any thing for God; now it can venture to the utmoſt for him. When they could claime intereſt in God. Dan. 3.17. Our God—This made them declare their reſolutions for God. v. 18. This will beare out againſt a fierie furnace. Rom. 8.37. In all theſe things we are more then Conquerours. [We] i. e. we that can ſay, That nothing ſhall ſeparate us from the love of God, which is in Chriſt Jeſus our Lord. as, v. 39. [We] are [in all theſe things] in tribulations, perſecutions, famine, nakednes, peril, ſword &c. v. 36. Not onelyonly after theſe, but [in] them, and in all theſe hard paſſages of providence, by which many are provoked to doubt of Divine love; yet [in all theſe] we are [Conquerours] i. e. whil'ſt we are under them, they are overcome to us, we are not ſubdued or kept under in our faith or patience—by theſe; but are kept above our tribulations: and [Conquerours] i. e. of Satan who fighteth againſt us in theſe, he backeth perſecution with temptation, but we overcome all, and are [Conquerours] i. e. of Corruption that is ready to take advantage againſt us under tryals and tribulations, but we have gotten ground of our corruptions, our pride, diſcontent — not onelyonly after diſtreſſes, but in them; and ſo we are [more then Conquerours] i. e. we have come off, not onelyonly without loſſe, but with much gaine. Conquerours win the field, but they looſe much in winning of it, many valiant men fall in the battell: O but Chriſtians gaine in their graces, and gaine in their ſtrength, and gaine in their comforts, as their ſufferings abound, ſo their conſolations abound alſo, and ſo they are [more then Conquerours].
Object. But may not a deluſion ſo engage a man to it ſelfe as he may ſuffer much before he will diſown it? may not a man look death in the face with a carnall confidence?
Anſw. Suppoſe it, yet it is not the engagednes of the heart to Chriſt by ſights of his love; or the endearance of his will, name, and glory to it, or the taſting ſweetnes in Communion with Chriſt &c. that beare up againſt ſufferings: but a ſoule under the witneſſings of the Spirit, is raiſed above his troubles and afflictions upon ſuch accounts. Rom. 8.35.39. Phil. 3.8. For whom I have ſuffered the loſſe of all things. Carnal confidences are not at firſt built and bottomed upon Chriſt, and are at preſent ſed and ſupported, by ſecuritie, diſregard, ſtupidity, ſtout-heartednes, will, deſire to be accounted immoveable, and unwillingnes to owne the ſhame of former hypocrifie — and ſuch carnall props beare it up, and engage to adhere unto it under ſufferings, which are enough to evidence it, to be a deluſion.
Evid. 8. The witneſſings of the Spirit beget a perſwaſion in the ſoule of the Lords affording it, ſutable proviſion for it, at all times, and in all conditions: before, it went drooping under feares that it ſhould want, protecting grace under dangers, and ſupporting grace under ſufferings, and perſevering grace under tryals: it feared that it ſhould not hold out to the end, and was miſtruſting God in every condition: but, when the Spirit hath witneſſed adoption, then it is delivered from all theſe feares; it can ſay with him Pſal. 23.1. [I ſhall not want] when it can ſay [the Lord is my Shepheard.] This engageth ſtrongly againſt miſtruſt fulneſſe, which formerly it gave much way to, and ſtriketh a deeper ſence into the ſoule of its unbeleife then it had, that it cannot but recall it ſelf: it ſaid before [I ſhall want] when it could not ſay [I do want.] Its miſtruſt run before its neceſſity. But, now it unſayeth it, and chicketh it ſelfe for it: yea it runneth as far forward in its ſaith, as before it did in its unbeleife. It doth not onelyonly ſay [I do not want] in the preſent time, but [I ſhall not] want for the future. Though I ſhould be afflicted, tempted, perſecuted, &c. yet, I ſhall not want. Paul could argue himſelfe into a confidence of ſufficient proviſion, when he ſaw that nothing ſhould ſeperate from Chriſt. Rom. 8.32. He that ſpared not his Son, how ſhall he not with him give us [all things?] i.e. all things needfull in all conditions; not all things in the world, but enough of all things; grace enough, and peace enough, ſtrength enough, wealth enough, &c. this is his collection from that premiſe, and how ſhall he not &c? it is an interogation that imports, that ſeing he ſpared not Chriſt the greater, it is out of queſtion, he will not be ſparing in other bleſſings which are farre leſſer.
Evid. 9. The witneſſings of the Spirit make the ſoule exceedingly vigilant againſt whatever might occaſion an interruption in its communion with Chriſt: the moſt glorious revelations are followed oftentimes with the moſt horrid and violent temptations, as, 2 Cor. 12.8, 9. & Matth. 3. v. 16, 17. The Spirit deſcended and a full teſtimony is given, v. 17. This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleaſed. And the next newes is, Mat. 4.1. [Then] was Jeſus led up of the Spirit—to be tempted. Queſtion not a teſtimony barely, becauſe you finde varietie of new temptations after it, unleſs it diſpoſeth you to yeeld and conſent to them, and occaſion their prevailing over you: Theſe you are to look for and expect after ſuch a time. But if the Spirit be the witnes, it will make you watchful againſt theſe. Gant. 8.4. I charge ye—ſtirre not up, nor awake my love, untill he pleaſe. She was very fearfull of whatſoever might diſpleaſe him. And when was it? v. 3. when ſhes injoyed left-hand ſupportments and right-hand imbracings from Chriſt. Soules are double watchfull againſt whatſoever might interrupt their Communion with Chriſt after a full fruition of it.
Evid. 10. The witneſſings of the Spirit draw out earneſt expectations of full communion with Chriſt: the ſoul is ſo raviſhed with what it doth injoy, that it is even ſwallowed up with deſires after full injoyments of it. One that formerly was under bondage through the feare of death, now knoweth not almoſt how to be content to live any longer, but is forced into that holy complaint, 2 Cor. 5.7. I live by faith, and not by ſight— A life of faith is a glorious life, and yet at ſuch a day it cannot but bemoane it ſelfe for its want of ſight: it groaneth earneſtly deſiring to be cloathed upon, and this is the matter of its lamentation, that it is abſent from the Lord, v. 2.6. Chriſt is preſent with the Saints by faith in this life, but their Communion here admits of many interruptions. There are receſſes, as well as acceſſes. They are ſubject to withdrawings and ſeeming diſtances, and nothing but immediate Communion will afford them a fulneſſe of contentment; and therefore with a holy impatiency, they deſire to be diſſolved, that they may be with Chriſt, which is beſt of all.
And thus I have finiſhed theſe Secondary Evidences, which may be uſefull.
1. For Direction to ſuch as injoy the teſtimony of the Spirit: here they may ſee what improvement they are to make thereof.
2. For confirmation unto thoſe that have injoyed a teſtimonie which hath been followed up theſe ways: let them beware of queſtioning it. And the want of theſe, or many of them, as the iſſue of ſuch a perſwaſion, eſpecially if the confidence remaineth ſtill, it a dangerous ſymptome of a Satanicall deluſion.