The Voice of the Spirit, Chapter 22
CHAP. XXII. Foure Objections anſwered.
BEfore I leave this queſtion, I ſhall anſwer foure Objections.
Obj. 1. May a ſoule ſay, I have had ſome feeble hopes that I have enjoyed the witneſſings of the Spirit, in ſome of thoſe wayes aforementioned: but ſeeing Satan counterfeiteth the choice workes of the Spirit, and the Prophet ſaith, The heart of man is deceitfull above all things, who can know it? Jer. 17.9. How ſhould I know, that I have paſſed a right judgement on my owne condition, and am not miſtaken?
Anſw. The Spirit by the word doth give an infallible aſſurance unto ſoules that its teſtimony is true:
It is aſcertained unto ſouls.
1. By the Spirit: 1 Cor. 2.10.12. Rom. 8.16. 1 Joh. 5.9, 10.
2. By the Word: that is the touch-ſtone or rule for tryall: ſee Iſa. 8.20. To the Law and to the teſtimony, if they ſpeak not according to this word, it is becauſe there is no light in them. 1 Cor. 14.37. If any man thinketh himſelfe a Prophet or ſpirituall, let him acknowledg that the things I write unto you are the Commandments of the Lord. Act. 17.11. Though the Spirit doth give evidence to it ſelfe, eſpecially in the more immediate way of witneſſing, and acteth ſo irreſiſtibly, as the ſoule (whil'ſt that work continueth) cannot be otherwiſe perſwaded: yet all the improvements of this immediate teſtimonie are to be tryed by the written Word of God. i. e. both that faith which receiveth it, and thoſe effects that follow it, or thoſe operations it hath in and upon the ſoule, and the ends it aimeth at. If theſe be not according to the Goſpel account it a deluſion, though the perſwaſion be very ſtrong. Iſa. 8.20. Gal. 1. v. 7, 8. & 6. v. 16. It is dangerous with Zacharias from an unbeleeving ſuſpition upon non Scripturall grounds to doubt: yet it is a duty with Mary for information to enquire, How ſhall I know—? Luk. 1.18, 19, 20.34, 35, 38. Though your confidences continue, yet you are to weigh them afterward in the ballance of the Sanctuary.
But that I may clearly reſolve the doubt, I ſhall proceed by theſe ſteps.
1. A power of judgement and diſcerning, or a certaine knowledge, whither any, and what workes have paſſed upon the heart, is attaineable, and ordinarily granted unto ſoules. This may appear,
1. From the Lords requiring ſelfe-examination, 2 Cor. 13.5. Examine your ſelves whither you be in the faith, prove your ſelves— Now, what is that, but to looke into the heart, and take a ſurveigh of that, purpoſely to gaine a knowledg what the ſtate is? This duty cannot be performed with fruit or advantage, if there were not a poſſibility to be aſcertained by enquiring what the ſoule hath mett withall; and ſo, the end of it would be loſt, ſo 1 Cor. 11.31. The knowledge of the heart is neceſſarily required to make water or blood effectually witneſſing: for, without that there is no ground for an act of judgement to paſſe upon.
2. From clear Scriptures. 1 Cor. 2. v. 12.15. The Spirituall man judgeth all things—Ezek. 16. v. 61. 1 Cor. 14.25. And thus are the ſecrets of his heart made manifeſt.
3. From Experience: Chriſtians that at ſome times (through temptation) are ready to deny ſuch diſpenſations of God towards them; yet at other times can make large narrations of many paſſages they have met withall. They can declare how and in what manner the Word hath wrought within them: and yet ſuch ſoules under miſerable queſtionings of their intereſt in Chriſt ſtill. It is out of doubt with them, and they are beyond queſtioning, whither they have been under ſuch workings or no; but here they ſticke, they know not wither theſe be witneſſings or not.
Beware therefore of harbouring any imagination, that either the deceitfulneſſe of thy own heart, or the counterfeit workings of Satan, ſhould render it impoſſible for thee to attaine a knowledge of thy owne heart, or of what workes have paſſed upon that. This conceit (raiſed by Satan) keepeth many a ſoule on this ſide Aſſurance a great while.
2. The works that have paſſed upon thy heart being diſcerned, thou mayeſt examine and meaſure them by the written word whither they be ſpeciall or common: if thou be'ſt ready to doubt and queſtion whither theſe be ſufficient to teſtifie adoption or not, by renewed recourſes to the Word, thou mayeſt finde what they are: whether they be ſuch as that calleth graces or not, &c. It is ſaid of the Chymicks that they will ſo counterfeit gold, that no touch-ſtone can diſcover it: Satan hath a great deale of Chymiſtry, he hath many things like graces, as faith, hope, humility, &c. which are not thoſe graces; and therefore it behoveth the moſt confident ſoules often to try their grounds, and here is a touchſtone the written word that will never faile; this will diſcover his moſt gliſtring counterfeit coyne.
3. A knowledge or reall diſcerning that thoſe ſpeciall workes have paſſed upon the heart is enough to render infallibly aſſured of the Spirits witneſſing: or may give a certainty that a right judgement is paſſed upon the condition. You may undoubtedly know, that it is the Spirit which witneſſeth, if you can clearly ſee, know or finde, that thoſe workes are wrought in your hearts, which are warranted in the written word to be witneſſing: for, the Spirit onelyonly can create them there; and hence they are called fruits of the ſpirit, Gal. 5.22. This is a great perplexing thing to many a Saint; could it but ſee that the Spirit were the author of a work, that it hath been under, then it could conclude of its Adoption from it: whereas, there are common workes of the Spirit, which a Saul, a Judas, a reprobate may have; and therefore barely the proceeding from the Spirit is not enough. But, it is neceſſary to know that the work thou haſt experience of, is a teſtimony, as well as, that the Spirit is the agent. There are many workes of the Spirit, which cannot be denominated teſtimonies of Adoption. Now for the Spirit to bear witneſſe, plainly importeth theſe two things. 1. The giving of [a teſtimony] 2. That the Spirit is the giver of it. If thou beſt wrought into a perſwaſion of Adoption by the application of a word, there is a teſtimony; and if thou can'ſt finde that the Spirit hath raiſed this, that is ſufficient. And, if blood be ſo applyed as it is warranted to be a witnes; and ſo for Water, then the knowledge that they come, from the Spirit, (with that) is evidencing.
When works are of ſuch a nature as they doe witneſs adoption it was my ſcope and drift to diſcover in the foregoing Queſtions. In thoſe I have endeavoured to difference the ſpeciall workes of the Spirit from thoſe counterfeit works whereby Satan and mens own treachourous hearts do prevaile to the deceiving of them.
As the Spirit doth evidence its owne preſence in the immediate way of witneſſing; ſo, the ſpeciall nature and Qualitie of the workes themſelves may aſcertaine thee that they come from the Spirit, in the teſtimony of Water and Blood. If thou can'ſt deſcry thoſe operations within thy ſelfe, they may aſſure thee that the Spirit is their Author, and that thy heart hath not deceived thee, in thy Concluſions about thy Adoption; and hence, 1 Joh. 5.10. He that beleiveth hath the witneſſe within himſelfe. Some might enquire, How ſhall we know that the Spirit and none elſe is the Witnes to us? the Apoſtle anſwereth [He that beleiveth—] beleeving doth evidence the inhabitation of the Spirit.
If the grounds of thy judgement be certaine, then the act of thy judgement muſt needs be infallible: that is true or falſe according to the truth or falſeneſſe of the grounds. The act cannot be tryed without another act of judgement, & ſo there would be no end, and then certainty were unattainable, if the act were to be tryed: for, ſo long as there is any tryall there is an act of judgment paſſed. If thou findeſt, 1. That ſome works have paſſed upon thy heart. 2. That they are ſuch as are warranted to be witneſſing, the act of judgment is unqueſtionable. From thy [diſcerning] them, thou mayeſt conclude, that thou haſt the irradiations of the ſpirit, for none but the Spirit can diſcover theſe. 1 Cor. 2. v. 10, 11, 12. From [the works diſcerned] thou mayeſt conclude the preſence of the ſpirit, and thy own Adoption.
4. If thou be'ſt in the darke, or wanteſt clearneſs about the works themſelves which formerly thy ſoule hath been under, thou art ever to beware at ſuch a time, of drawing up Concluſions about thy condition: many have been ready to deny the grace of Chriſt, and have run their ſoules upon horrible temptations, and into deep deſertions, and have given Satan great advantages to ruſh them into unbeleife, by concluding upon the ſight of halfe-works, or without a clearneſs in the nature, quality, circumſtances and ends of what they have met withall. When the eyes of thy ſoule are dim (as in a day of deſertion) thou art not a competent judge, but oughteſt to attend unto other duties, that concerne thee in thy preſent condition, and to waite for the ſhineings of the Spirit upon the works thou haſt had experience of; and if ſuch a candle be lighted up in thy ſoule as enableth thee to ſee, and by the word to diſcerne them to be ſpeciall workes, then thou mayeſt ſay, as Rom. 9.1. My conſcience beareth me witneſs by the Holy-ghoſt— and then it is dangerous diſclaiming or diſowning the Spirit in its operations.
5. It is the worke of the Spirit to diſcover both the ſincerity and the deceitfulneſſe of the heart: there are ſeeds of hypocrifie as well as of other ſins even in the beſt of Saints. They finde matter for heart-breaking complaints of the treacherouſneſſe of their own hearts. Grace doth not tot ally deſtroy the being of any one ſin. Peters heart deceived him, when he was upon high reſolves for Chriſt, and yet a beleever. But never doth a ſoule ſee more of the deceitfulneſſe of its heart, then upon a diſcovery of divine love, Job 42.5, 6. Iſa. 6.5. Ezek. 16.63.
And thus, he that would not be deceived, ſhall not be left to the deceitfulneſſe of his own heart.
Object. 2. But I have found that my heart hath deceived me, and I was miſtaken in my paſſing a judgement about other matters, and I had as many ſymptomes of my being led by the Spirit of God into thoſe Concluſions, as I have of its leading me into this; and therefore I fear I am deceived in all.
Anſw. 1. Thou mighteſt be deceived about ſome Circumſtance, and the particular end of ſome diſpenſation, and yet thy judgment might be right in the maine.
2. Particular miſtakes are not to be made generall rules: Peter had a clear teſtimony of his Adoption, and that from the mouth of Chriſt himſelf. Mat. 16. v. 17. Bleſſed art thou Simon— and yet this did not preſerve him from a deluſion of Satan that came afterward. v. 22, 23. The ſame mouth that bleſſed him, quickly called him Satan. Chriſts teſtimony was enough to give him full aſſurance of Divine love; but yet it did not ſecure him againſt a falſe Confidence in a particular Caſe, nor a dolefull fall. Matth. 26. v. 35.70.72.
It thy heart hath deceived thee in ſome particular things, yet do not Conclude that thou art deluded in all.
3. Yet let thy miſtakes provoke thee to the greater watchfulnes againſt the deluſions of Satan, and thy own Spirit.
And take theſe as Symptomes of deluſions, and beware of yeelding to them.
1. Whatſoever hath a naturall tendency to promote ſin or unrighteouſneſſe, is a deluſion: unholines cannot be from the holy Spirit; and hence there is a diametrical oppoſition between the fruits of the Spirit, and the workes of the fleſh. Gal. 5. v. 19, 20.22. that which emboldneth, or giveth any encouragement, or is refreſhing to corruption, beware of it.
2. That which ariſeth from, or leadeth into ſecurity, is a deluſion. Rev. 3.17.22. They are rich, and encreaſed in goods, &c. and now they conclude, they want nothing; but, the Spirit of God told them that they wanted all things. Davids ſecurity led him into a falſe Confidence. Pſal. 30.6. From his preſent proſperity he Concluded that he ſhould not be moved.
3. That which ſpringeth from a ſuppoſed ſelfe-ſufficiency, or in its owne nature leadeth into ſelfe-advancement, is a Deluſion. Pſal. 30.6. David was confident he ſhould not be moved, and this was built and bottomed upon his outward accommodations and furniſhments for ſelf-defence, and therefore he checketh, correcteth, and recalleth himſelf, v. 7. By thy favour my mountaine ſtandeth ſtrong. So, if thou haſt overcome this or that temptation, and now Concludeſt that thou art able to encounter with any, it is but the voyce of thy own Spirit, and it may be a ſmall one will ſurprize thee quickly. And ſo, if it tendeth to make thee aſpiring, Gen. 3.5.
4. That which beginneth not with, and endeth not in Chriſt, is a deluſion: Peter engageth for Chriſt, but not in the ſtrength of Chriſt, and ſo he fell (though not totally, yet) ſhamefully from Chriſt. The Laodiceans are neglective of Chriſt, and take ſatiſfaction in things below Chriſt, and this produced falſe Confidences and Concluſions. Rev. 3.17, 18.20.
Object. 3. But may there not be ſome ſin that I am ignorant of, harboured in my ſoule, that may render me deceived in paſſing judgement on my owne Condition? May not my heart be engaged to ſome ſecret ſin, that I know not of, and ſo I not be marryed unto Chriſt?
Anſw. Is thy heart carried out to ſeeke for cleanſing (through the blood of Chriſt) from ſecret ſins which thou knoweſt not of? If ſo, thou art not deluded, but even theſe motions of thy heart are witneſſing. The beſt of Saints are ſubject to many ſecret ſinnes. Pſal. 19.12. Who can underſtand his errours? cleanſe thou me from ſecret faults. The interrogation hath the force of a negation. i.e. none can underſtand [his errours] i.e. all his ſins: and therefore he himſelfe beggeth cleanſing from thoſe he knew not of.Qui form aliter & diſtincti poenitentiam agit de peccatis omnibus cognitis, virtualem & confuſam reſipiſcentiam habet de ijs etiam peccatis quae non novit. Dr. Ameſ. c. c. l. 2. cap. 8. So that, if thou haſt ſuch a knowledge of Goſell Myſteries, as thy whole heart be drawn out after God in the way of the Mediatour, Chriſt Jeſus, and be bent and ſet againſt all ſinnes known upon Goſpel accounts, and lookeſt after purification from what thou art ignorant of, and wouldeſt ſeek the mortification and abandoning of them, if thou kneweſt them; & can'ſt cordially ſay, as, Pſal. 139. v. 23, 24. Search me O God, and know my heart— and ſee if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlaſting; then the defectiveneſs of thy knowledge is ſuch as is common to thee with the choyceſt Saints, and be aſſured that no ſecret ſin hath dominion over thee, but thou art an haire of the everlaſting kingdome, for, Joh. 17.3. This is life eternall to know the only true God, and Jeſus Chriſt whom he hath ſent.
Object. 4. I have found a great impreſſion made upon my Spirit, by a word or promiſe; but upon a ſerious ſearch I cannot Conclude whither it be from Satan or a teſtimony of the divine Spirit: What am I to do in ſuch a Caſe?
Anſw. 1. Obſerve what duty thy preſent condition calleth for, and walk up to that: that impreſſion may be but a forerunner of the mercy which is a coming. Hab. 2. v. 3. The viſion is for an appointed time, thou muſt waite for it, and at laſt it will come and will not tarry.
Thou mayeſt be as ſuccesfull in preſſing forward, towards what is before, as in pondering upon what is paſt or preſent. Chriſt did often ſpeake in parables, and the interpretation came afterward.
Chriſt warmed the hearts of his Diſciples in his talking with them, and expounding the Scriptures to them; but yet they knew not that it was his voyce, untill they came up to ſome other duties, Luk. 24. v. 29, 30, 31, 32.
2. Conclude not either way upon ſlighty grounds: if it were the voyce of the Spirit and thou calleſt it the voyce of Satan, thou offereſt a great unkindnes to the Spirit: if it were from Satan, and thou calleſt it the voyce of the Spirit, thou deceiveſt thy owne ſoule. Better to leave it dubious, then to Conclude either way unſafely. Yet having ſufficient grounds neglect not the Concluſion.
3. Be carefull to make ſome improvement of it, for Chriſt and againſt Satan: Say thus with thy ſelfe, this diſpenſation hath a great ſtampe upon it; whither it be by the finger of the Spirit, or not, I cannot tell; I will ſee if it may not be of advantage towards the exerciſe of ſome Goſpell graces, as, faith, patience, humility—
If thou can'ſt not tell but Chriſt may have ſaid to thee [I am thine] be ſure thou makeſt uſe of this towards ſelfe-reſignation, let thy heart anſwer this voyce, and eccho back againe [Lord I am thine] Zech. 13.9. And here Satan will looſe ground, though it ſhould be he that ſpake to thee.
If Chriſtians did ſooner breake off thoſe diſtracting perplexing thoughts about that Queſtion, Whither thoſe workes they have felt, proceeded from Satan or the Spirit of Chriſt, when it lieth darke: and did ſeeke to finde out his name that ſpake unto them, by purſuing gracious reſolutions not to let him goe untill they had obtained a bleſſing; O how might they be freed from a great many of thoſe toſſings, feares, faintings, unſettlements, which they labour under. If they did improve ſuch diſpenſations to the contradicting the ends of Satan,Gen. 32. v. 26, 27.30. they might at laſt ſee God as it were face to face, and ſo the iſſues would be glorious.