The Voice of the Spirit, Chapter 23 – Title page 2
CHAP. XXIII. Of the meanes to the attaining, ſtrengthening, and preſerving the witneſſings of the Spirit.
Qu: 5. BY what meanes may the Witneſſings of the Spirit be attained, ſtrengthened and preſerved in a ſoule?
Anſw. 1. Waite for the Spirit: the Lord is free, and ready to afford it unto thoſe he hath owned as his Children. Luk. 11. v. 13. How much more ſhall your heavenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that aske him?
Here is the great reaſon that ſo many Chriſtians are ſo much without Aſſurance, becauſe they looke ſo little to the Spirit for it. Neither promiſes, nor graces without the irradiations of the Spirit can be effectually witneſſing. 1 Cor. 2. v. 10.12. A true Dyall, hath an aptitude to give the houre of the day, but unles the Sun ſhineth, you can know nothing by it: ſo, it may be day-light with your ſoules, and you may have precious graces that have an aptitude to witnes Adoption, but they cannot doe it without the ſhineings of the Spirit, upon its owne workes in your ſoules.
It is reported that the Sabine Stone is of a darke duskiſh colour till it be ſprinkled with oil,Plin. part. 2. p. 588. and then it will burne of a light fire: ſo, graces and experiences are of a duskiſh colour till the oil of the Spirit be powred on them, and then they will burne forth with brightnes, ſo as to witnes unto ſoules their Adoption. And therefore this Direction muſt run through all thoſe that follow:
2. Maintaine a firme perſwaſion that it is your duty to ſeeke after the witneſſings of the Spirit. Some account it their duty to live in a doubting and queſtioning Condition; and are apt to thinke, they ſhould ſin, if they ſhould ſeeke for Aſſurance: others breath out ſad complaints for their being without it, and yet looke not upon the ſeeking after it, under the notion of duty. Whereas they ought to be very ſtudious about that as well as other duties. 2 Pet. 1.10. Give diligence to make your calling and election ſure. It is not barely a permiſſion, but an injunction, and ſo it will be an act of diſobedience, and your great ſin to neglect the preſſing after Aſſurance.
3. Beware of thoſe things that tend to keep off from Aſſurance.
1. Beware of ſuppoſing it impoſſible to attaine it: many labour under diſcouragement from hence, and thereupon ſeeke but little after it. That it is attaineable, ſee, Iſai. 45. v. 24. & 63. v. 16. 2 Cor. 5. v. 1.6.
2. Beware of limiting the Lord to your time: ſome would faine injoy it, but they tie up the Lord to this duty, and that time, and will not wait his ley ſure for it.
3. Beware of grieving the Spirit. Epheſ. 4.30. If you have any motions from the Spirit, O cheriſh, improve, follow up theſe, for if the Spirit ſuſpendeth its operations, you will be at a loſſe indeed for Aſſurance.
4. Beware of yeelding to carnall and unbeleeving reaſonings? many diſpute themſelves into unbeliefe, but he, Pſal. 42.5. reaſoneth his own heart out of it; Why art thou caſt downe O my ſoule?
5. Beware of nouriſhing any ſin: Heb. 10. v. 22. Let us draw neer with a true heart in full Aſſurance of faith: but, how ſhall we doe that? [having our hearts ſprinkled from an evill Conſcience]. What is an evill Conſcience, but one juſtly accuſing for or charging with ſin? and there is no way to be delivered from that evil Conſcience, but by a heartie application of the blood of Chriſt, for remiſſion and putification; that is the blood of ſprinkling, 1 Pet. 1.2. Many ſet poreing upon and complaining of ſome corruptions, and that becauſe of theſe they are without Aſſurance; but if you would have full Aſſurance, then ſeeke to be ſprinkled from them, by the blood of Chriſt.
6. Beware of ſpirituall ſloath, and carnal ſecuritie: Heb. 6.11. Shew the ſame diligence, to the full Aſſurance of hope— 2 Pet. 1.10. Negligence is a great enemy to Aſſurance.
4. Be much in ſelfe-examination: it is the proper end of this duty to helpe a ſoule into a right underſtanding about its condition. 2 Cor. 13.5. And, hence it is that Satan ſeeketh to beate off ſo much from this duty. But, exerciſe your ſelves much to it, at ſeaſonable times. i. e. when the eyes of your ſoules are cleare; in a day of deſertion, they are dimme, and ſo you will be liable to miſjudge about your ſtate: and you are principally then to attend upon other duties, as the enquiring into the cauſes of the Lords withdrawing, and a coming up to his ends therein, and a ſeeking for its returne &c. but ſelfe-judging acts, are of great uſe towards Aſſurance, when the ſoule is not diſabled for knowing its condition.
5. Be much in the obſervation of Gods dealings with your owne ſoules: Gods end towards the Iſraelites, in all their temptations, and miraculous preſervations, was, that they might know that he was the Lord their God. Deut. 29. v. 3, 4, 5, 6. and it is charged upon them as a great evil, that they ſoone forgat Gods workes. Pſal. 106.13. Chriſtians know not what they looſe, by burying their experiences: they diſable themſelves for ſtrengthening the weake hands, and confirming the feeble knees of others: and it is a great diſadvantage to themſelves. The Apoſtle exhorteth to adde one grace to another, as one meanes to make their calling and election ſure, 2 Pet. 1. v. 5, 6.10. A heape of experience muſt needs conduce much, to the clearing up the ſtate. Though you can keep but the ſhell, the carkaſſe of your experiences, yet have them upon record, and afterward the Lord may cauſe dry bones to live.
6. Be often renewing acts of faith; eſpecially take all opportunities that are offered, for the moſt eminent actings of it: when Abraham by an eminent act of faith, had declared his willingnes to follow Gods call in the offering up of Iſaac; then, he obtained a double teſtimonie of acceptation with God. Gen. 22. v 11, 12. An Angel called to him out of heaven— This Angel is Chriſt, for he ſpeaketh, as God, v. 12.16. And his ſpeaking to Abraham is for a double end. 1. To ſtay his hand. v. 12.2. To manifeſt the acceptation of the perſon. v. 12. Now I know thou feareſt God, ſeing thou haſt not with-held thy Son, thine onelyonly Son from me. And the Lord is not content with this, but v. 15, 16. The Angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the ſecond time— If Iſaac had died, one ſight of Chriſt would abundantly have recompenſed Abraham for his great loſſe, but behold after this eminent act of grace, he cometh againe the ſecond time.
There were many things that doubtles did endeare Iſaac to him; he was his Son, and onelyonly Son, v. 16. and a Son of promiſe too. Heb. 11.17. and the ſlaying of him ſeemed to croſſe both Gods Command, that he ſhould not kill; and that promiſe, [In Iſaac ſhall thy ſeed be called]. v. 18. and yet his faith gets above all, and he hath a double appearance of Chriſt after it.
Object. But the diſpenſations of God towards me, ſeeme to run croſſe to the promiſes that faith ſhould act upon, and ſo doe forbid my beleeving. However I finde my heart ſo out of frame, and my condition ſo ſad, that I durſt not act faith on promiſes.
Anſw. 1. It is thy duty to beleeve on Chriſt whatever thy condition be: if thou haſt not committed the unpardonable ſin, thou can'ſt not tell but that thou mayeſt finde mercy. If thou wanteſt intereſt in Chriſt, it is high time for thee to ſeeke after it, by beleeving. Trouble and perplex not thy ſoule ſo much, about that queſtion, whither thou haſt beleeved or not; but, put it out of doubt by a freſh act of faith.
A repetition of acts of faith, is very ſutable to a Saint in his darkeſt Condition. Iſai. 50.10. He that walketh in ſuch darknes that be hath no light, is injoyned then to truſt in the Name of God.
If particular promiſes faile, or be out of ſight, and ſenſible experiences faile, that it be a midnight of darkneſſe with the ſoule, yet there is the Name of God to run to, and truſt in ſtill: what his Name is, ſee Exod. 34. v. 5, 6. The Lord God, mercifull, gracious, longſuffering, abundant in goodnes and truth, forgiving iniquity, and tranſgreſſion and ſin &c. When thou can'ſt not ſee that he is gracious [to thee] or that he hath forgiven [thy ſins]: yet, put forth an act of faith upon him through Chriſt, and in that way waite for his being gracious, and for his forgiving thy ſins.
I would not have a ſoule upon ſlighty grounds caſt away all former experiences; but, if Egyptian darknes ſeemeth to cover it, the beſt way to recover all againe, is by a new act of faith. Pſal. 56.3. What time I am afraid, I will truſt in thee. When it is afraid of unſoundnes of heart, then it ought to truſt in God, as well as under other feares.
2. Oftentimes the Lord doth caſt in matter of diſcouragement in a ſoules way to beleeving, purpoſely to draw out acts of faith: Rom. 4. v. 19, 20. Abrahams body was dead, and Sarahs womb dead, before the Son of promiſe was given. Math. 15.24. I came not, but to the loſt ſheep of the houſe of Iſrael.
Here was a word to appearance againſt her. So that a man may have ſeeming impoſſibilities in the way to his mercy, yea a word may be caſt in, and that by Chriſt, that may ſeeme to ſpeake againſt him; and yet it may be intended by Chriſt but for the tryall of faith, not to hinder beleeving. But uſually in ſuch Caſes, the Lord giveth clearnes about what is duty, before he blocketh up the way to it; yea, and holdeth up the heart to it, in the midſt of ſuch diſcouragements: this woman was the more importunate, the more repulſes, and ſeeming denyals ſhe had from Chriſt. What the word doth undoubtedly warrant to be thy duty, in that condition thou art in; though thou mayeſt ſeeme to have a word, and never ſo much againſt, ther, yet thou oughteſt the more eagerly to owne thy duty. And beleeving is the great Command of Chriſt, to all that heare the ſound of the Goſpell. Mark. 16. v. 15, 16. Rom. 10.9. 1 Joh. 3.23.
Yea, it is a duty at all time …or in all conditions. Pſal. 62.8. and know that Chriſt doth never contradict his owne Commands to forbid any ſoules, beleeving: and therefore nothing ſhould beate thee off from this. It is thy duty to live a life of-faith, when thou wanteſt feeling. Chriſt was without feeling when he cryed out [Why haſt thou forſaken me?] and yet not without a faith of Aſſurance, for he ſaith [my God, my God.] So Pſal. 89. v. 34, 35, 36. The Lord engageth himſelfe by Covenant and Oath that the throne of David ſhould be aſtabliſhed for ever: and preſently he was ruſhed under ſuch diſpenſations as did threaten the non-accompliſhment of what was promiſed. v. 38, 39. &c. but the Lords end herein was, not to lead him into contradictory apprehenſions to his Oath, that he had paſſed juſt before; but to give him an opportunity to beleeve above and againſt hope.
7. In all importunities with God, for the teſtimonie of his Spirit, make uſe of arguments drawne from God himſelfe: doe not preſent the Lord, with your prayers, or any performances of your owne; but, urge, his Name, Nature, Word, or free promiſe, &c. Iſai. 63. v. 15. He pleadeth and expoſtulateth with the Lord [Where is thy zeale and ſtrength, the ſounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies towards me? are they reſtrained? And preſently there is Aſſurance. v. 16. Doubtles thou art our Father — So, Exod. 34.6. The Lord proclaimeth that he pardoneth iniquity, tranſgreſſion and ſin: and Moſes taketh advantage to challenge God of his word a long time after, Numb. 14. v. 17, 18. As thou haſt ſpoken, ſaying, The Lord is long-ſuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity—and at laſt he drew out a teſtimonie from the Lord. v. 20. I have pardoned according to thy word.
8. Seeke for much inward acquaintance with the written word: the word declareth what faith is, and ſo for other graces. It is the touchſtone to try a teſtimonie by, that is attained. It is a preſervative againſt ſin and temptation, if hidden in the heart. Pſal. 119.11. Math. 4.10. and theſe yeelded to, doe tend to weaken and darken Aſſurance.
Here I ſhall adde a few Rules about making uſe of Scripture, that may be profitable not onelyonly towards Aſſurance, but to other ends alſo.
1. Some ſpirituall Conſiderations, ſeen to ariſe from the Word, may be made uſe of as well as expreſſe Scriptures: if thou haſt a temptation that thou can'ſt not finde any expreſſe Scripture to helpe thee againſt it, yet ſome Scripturall Conſideration may be beneficiall towards thy reliefe and ſoule-eſtabliſhment. Pſal. 73. He was tempted by the proſperity of the wicked, and the adverſity of the Sainte, to ſay, v. 13. Verily have cleanſed my heart in vaine—and he was at a great loſſe, v. 16, 17. When I thought to know this, it was too painfull for me: untill I went into the Sanctuary.
But how was he kept up againſt the temptation, before his going into the Sanctuary? v. 15. If I ſay, I will ſpeake thus, behold I ſhould offend againſt the generation of thy Children.
This ſpirituall conſideration kept it from prevailing. viz. That if he ſhould affirme it, he muſt ſay that the Lord never had a people on Earth; for Adam, Noah, Abraham, Iſaac, Jacob, and all the Sonnes of God that ever were, have been exerciſed with afflictions and croſſes.
2. That which is agreeable to the drift and conſonant to the minde of God, or his maine end in any Scripture, it to he owned as of God, though not contained in expreſſe words in Scripture.
A Chriſtian is apt to be ſtumbled, when ſome part of a Scripture (though of a perfect and entire ſence) be caſt in, if there be a variation in ſome termes from the words of Scripture, and hereupon he is ready to reject it, and to reckon it not from God. Whereas, if it beareth the ſence, of ſome one place, or hath the drift of the Lord in it, thou oughteſt to improve it, if ſutable to thy Condition: elſe all interpretations of the word were uſeles. Math. 4. v. 9. Satan tempted Chriſt to worſhip him, and Chriſt oppoſeth him with, Deut. 6.13. & 10.20. Thou ſhalt feare the Lord thy God and ſerve him. By [feare] here is meant worſhip as feare, Iſa. 29.13. is expounded by worſhip, Math. 15.9. And [ſerve him] is intended excluſively of ſervice to any other, as appeareth, Deut. 6.14. And, though neither [worſhip] nor [onelyonly] be found in the places he …lledgeth, and the chiefe ſtreſſe of the anſwer reſteth upon thoſe two words; yet, becauſe that is the true ſence & meaning of them; hence Chriſt ſaith; It is written, thou ſhalt worſhip the Lord thy God, and him onelyonly, ſhalt thou ſerve. So that Scriptures in the true ſence of them, are uſefull againſt temptation, and towards Comfort or any ſpirituall end, though the very termes be not found in the Word, that be in thy thoughts.
3. A Scripture made uſe of in one condition, may have much deducible from it, that may be ſuccouring to a ſoule in another condition: or that which is uſed upon one occaſion, may be uſefull on another occaſion: Math. 4. v. 7. It is written, thou ſhalt not tempt the Lord—
Chriſt maketh uſe of that Scripture, Deut. 6.16. Here, it was ſpoken to Iſrael, Chriſt alledgeth it againſt Satan. Here, Iſrael is forbidden tempting God, as at Maſſab; of which ſee, Exod. 17. v. 1.7. In their diſtreſſe and want, they tempted God, by ſaying, Is God among us? Their not truſting God for extraordinary preſervations and proviſions, is their tempting of him; and yet Chriſt alledgeth it againſt truſting of God for extraordinary preſervations without a Call to it, or when ordinary meanes is afforded.
4. A part of a Scripture may be intended for thy preſent advantage, & not the whole. Math. 4. v. 7. Chriſt maketh uſe of, but part of that, Deut. 6.16. So much of it as wa… ſutable to his preſent occaſion: So, one part of a promiſe may be fulfilled to thee, and it is no ground of queſtioning whither it were from the Lord or no, becauſe the whole of it; is not accompliſhed to thee.
5. A bare giving in of a word is not a ſafe ground for Concluſions about what is a ſoules duty or condition: I obſerve that Chriſtians in theſe dayes build much upon the giving or binting in of words. When they are in a great ftreight about what is their duty, or what they are called to; if a written word be hinted, though it ſpeaketh nothing to the Caſe in hand, neither expreſſely nor by Conſequence; yet if they have inclinations thereupon, to one way more then another, they are apt to Conclude their call to lie there. Whereas, if the word which is given in, doth evidence this to be duty at this time, or in this Condition; then, they have cauſe to bleſſe the Lord for the bringing to remembrance, a word which is of Directive uſe to them. But then they are to make, not the giving in of the word, but the word it felſe the rule and warrant that this is their duty.
Others that know this or that to be the duty of beleevers, yet they doe not ſet about it, untill they have ſome particular word hinted in, to encourage thereunto; and they waite for this, Bleſſe God when you have one: but if the Spirit hath injoyned it once, by the word (which is its owne voyce) it muſt needs be ſin and diſobedience, to neglect the duty, though he doth not adde inward impulſions to it.
Others, upon the giving in of ſome Conſolatory or witneſſing word, are apt to conciude about their in to dit in Chriſt thence. But all theſe act very ….
1. Becauſe Satan … an hand in, the uſe ſolicitations by a word, as well us the Divine Spirit: Meth. 4. v. 6. Satan it … Chriſt with an [It is written] … excite thee, to that which as not thy duty, by a word; therefore, unles thou can'ſt certainly promiſe thy ſelfe, that it proceedeth from the Spirit of God, it cannot be evidenting, either of what is thy duty or Condition; unleſſe the word it falſe given in, doth evidence it.
2. Becauſe, I finder no Rule to Evidence that the Spirits himing in of words, is a ground for ſuch Concluſions: I have heard many, relate extraordinary paſſages of providence, that attended the coming in of the word: as, they did not know that there was any ſuch Scripture, on where it was? and yet opening the booke it was the firſt pl… the eye was caſt upon &c. Now, they ought to take notice of, and owns … markeable wayes as theſe are … of the Spirit is not hereby, to … conclude about their owne conditions for mediately, from the hinting; … the word; but mediately, by their coming upon … ends that the word it ſelfe (which is hin…ed in) pointeth at.
A beleever ſhould thinke thus with himſelfe; Surely it is of great concernment to me to improve this word, Leſſer providences ought to be followed up towards Goſpell ends, but greater much more; and therefore it ſtandeth me in hand to looke about me, that theſe remarkable ones paſſe not away without attaining ſome ſpeciall ends. And, if the word be improved for the ends it aimeth at, as Quickening, ſupportment, the acting of ſome graces &c. Theſe improvements of it are witneſſing. But if theſe be neglected, the ends of the Spirit in caſting it in, are unattained, and ſo the Concluſions drawne from it are ungrounded.
3. Becauſe the Prophet David aſcribed all ſuch effects to the word it ſelfe: Pſal. 119. v. 24.50.105.133. It was the word that Directed, Counſelled, Quickened, and Comſorted him. Doubtles there was an application of the Word, elſe it would not have accompliſhed theſe ends. But Application denoteth the Conveyance of the word into the heart, and its implantation, ingrafting, and working mightily there; which is ſarre more then, a hinting of it in, or the bringing it to minde; and yet, he reſolveth all, into the word it ſelfe applyed, rather then into the application.
4. Becauſe of the inconveniencies, and dangerous conſequences that uſually attend building concluſions about its duty or condition upon the bare hinting in of words: as, hence a foule is often ready to reject a word ſutable to its condition, which if owned might be of great advantage to it. O (ſaith the ſoule) I know not whither it onelyonly came to my remembrance by often reading of it, or were given in by the Spirit. Whereas thou oughteſt to have familiar acquaintance with the word, Deut. 6. v. 7. and it is thy mercy, if thy mind be filled with variety of words ſutable to the ſeverall, exigencies, neceſſities, and temptations, thou meeteſt withall. Their being familiarized to thee, ſhould be ſo far from occaſioning perplexity, that it ought to be reckoned thy great mercy that thou haſt them at hand; when many are much at a loſſe, for want of ſutable words to their conditions. But know that the Lord hath bundled up the Promiſes in the word, that upon all occaſions thou mighteſt have recourſe to him by them, for what thou wanteſt: and ſo thou ſhouldeſt be ſo far from diſowning a ſutable word, when hinted in, that thou oughteſt to goe and take a word, when it is not given in. It is thy duty to ſearch the Scriptures when thou art at a loſſe about any matter, and to improve any word futable to thy condition, that thou findeſt, as well as if it were hinted in. John 5.39. Search the Scriptures. Acts 17. v. 11.
Againe, ſome have perſiſted in the neglect of their duty a great while, for the want of the giving in of a word, and have loſt much Communion with God hereby. Others ſeeing themſelves miſtaken in their Concluſions from the hinting in of words, have been led into a queſtioning of all their other Experiences.
Therefore if a word ſutable to thy condition be given in, bleſſe the Lord for it: if not, find out one, and take it, whether it be a witneſſing, quickning, ſupporting or comforting word, and pray over it, yea give the Lord no reſt untill he hath made a powerfull application of thy heart, ſo as to draw that out after Chriſt by it: and without this improvement of it, for its proper end it pointeth at; the hinting of it in, will prove of but little advantage to ther, though by the Spirit.
9 Laſtly, Hold faſt the Doctrine of Perſeverance: The Lord hath promiſed that he will put his fear in their hearts that he owneth in the everlaſting Covenant, that they ſhall not depart from him. Jere. 32. v. 40. And ſee Pſal. 89 v. 30, 31, 32, 33, 34. If his Children forſake my Law— if they breake my Statutes, then will I viſit their tranſgreſſion with a rod, and their iniquity with ſtripes. Nevertheleſſe my loving kindneſſe will I not utterly take from him— My Covenant will I not breake— Here, the Lord declareth what he will doe if his people ſin: not caſt them off but correct them. So Iſa. 54. v. 8, 9, 10. As I have ſworn that the waters of Noah ſhould no more goe over the earth; ſo have I ſworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. For the mountaines ſhall depart, and the hills be removed, but my kindneſſe ſhall not depart from thee, neither ſhall the Covenant of my peace be removed, ſaith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.
A Saint may fall into ſin, but he cannot fall from his faith. See Luke 22.32. comp. with John 17.20. Let goe the doctrine of perſeverance, and thy peace will be like a morning dew that paſſeth away; but retaine this, and then thou mayeſt rejoyce in the hope of the glory of God.
FINIS.
ROSES FROM SHARON.
OR Sweet Experiences Gathered up by ſome precious hearts, whilſt they followed on to know the Lord.
Publiſhed for publick Soul-Advantage.
Cant. 4.16.
Awake, O North-wind, and come thou South; blow upon my Garden, that the Spices thereof may flow out: Let my beloved come into his Garden, and eat his pleaſant fruits.
Cant. 7.12.
Let us get up early to the Vineyards, let us ſee if the Vine flouriſh, whither the tender Grape appeare, and the Pomegranats bud forth: there will I give thee my Loves.
LONDON: Printed by M. S. for Livewell Chapman. 1654.