The Humbled Sinner, Chapter 16 · Section 3
SECT. III. Thirdly the Meanes.
NOW I come to direct you unto the uſe of ſuch meanes by which God workes this ſaving faith in the hearts of men.
Where, premiſe with me ſome particulars.
1. There is no natural power in man to produce a cauſe within himſelf; This great grace of faith is no fruit of the wiſdome of the fleſh, nor is it the birth of a corrupt will, if it were poſſible for a natural heart to ſee all the excellencies of Chriſt, if it were poſſible for him to draw out and behold all the arguments of Scripture, yet could he not by his own ſtrength make his own heart to believe.
2. The immediate and ſole cauſe of faith is the Spirit of God: He it is who is greater then the heart, and who can perſwade, and draw the heart, and who can change and renew the ſpirit, which till it be renewed by him, will never be moved to beleeve in Chriſt.
3. There are meanes appointed by God, and which God doth ordinarily bleſſe, for the production of faith; as he hath ordained meanes, for the revelation of Chriſt, ſo he hath likewiſe conſecrated meanes, to lead the ſoul unto him, to implant faith.
4. Now the great and ordinary meanes by which God workes faith in the hearts of men (I ſpeak of ſuch as are come to ripeneſſe of years) is the preaching of the Word.
So Acts 13. 48. When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the Word of the Lord, and as many as were ordeined to eternal life believed, Rom. 10. 17. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God, Eph. 1. 13. In whom ye alſo truſted after that ye heard the Word of truth, the Goſpel of your ſalvation.
That the Word is the Miniſterial inſtrument, which God uſeth to beget faith in Chriſt, may thus appeare.
1. It is that which diſcovers unto the ſoul its extreame miſery and great need of Chriſt; nothing quickens the conſcience to that reflexive evidence, to the cleare and true ſight of the natural ſtate, which pricks the ſoul, which in a ſort compels the ſoul to look after the Redeemer of the world, as the Word doth. You ſee it hath been thus formerly, that when men have heard it, it hath unfolded their ſtate unto them, it hath broken all their proud imaginations, it hath driven them to their feet, it hath made them to cry out, men and brethren what ſhall we do to be ſaved?
Yea, and we find it in experience to be ſo, that the preaching of the Word, it opens the eyes of ſinners, it frames in them the ſenſe of ſinfulneſſe, and accurſedneſſe, it makes them indeed to feel the need of a Phyſician of ſuch an one as Chriſt.
2. It is that which diſcovers a ſhare for a broken ſhip; which doth reveale, and proclaime to poor ſinners Articles of peace in Chriſt; it makes known the great love of God and Chriſt, and how that Chriſt is the Sonne of God, and was ſent by God, and ſatisfied for ſinners, and this was accepted.
3. It makes the ſoul to confeſſe thoſe things as moſt true and good in themſelves: It convinceth a man, that of a truth God meanes graciouſly to men, that his Sonne was a Sacrifice, was a propitiation, that he did purchaſe pardon and ſalvation for ſinners.
4. It is that which caſteth down all the reaſonings, arguments and d…ſputes of the minde againſt the conditions of Chriſt, and r…nders all the term…s of Chriſt upon which he will be taken, as moſt equal, and faire, and reaſonable.
5. It is that which clears the way for the ſoul againſt all its feares and unbeleeving doubts, from the freeneſſe of Gods mercy, from the fulneſſe of Chriſts redemption, from the willingneſſe on Chriſts part, and requeſts unto us to accept of him.
6. It is that which doth powerfully renew the diſpoſition of the underſtanding and will, and ſo incline them to eſteeme of Chriſt, as the higheſt truth, and to bend after him as the chiefeſt good.
7. It is that which ſtirres up the heart with a choice of Chriſt, and reſolution to have him what ever may befal it.
8. It is that which makes the heart to cry ſervently to the Father of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, to work his bleſſed grace of faith: Yea, which draws out of us ſtrong ſupplications with many teares and longings, and to implead all the promiſes of making mercy good, and Chriſt good, and faith good unto us.
9. It is that which eſtabliſheth the ſoul to a patient expectation for ever to lie at the poole, for ever to attend the doors of the Sanctuary, till the ſoul can take and cloſe with Chriſt by true beleeving.
But then to open unto you the way more diſtinctly, I would commend this courſe unto a perſon, that he may at length get a believing heart.
1. Study thy natural condition throughly: The right ſenſe of this, 8. Things.though it doth not forma…ly cauſe faith, yet it may have a compelling force to make us look after Chriſt, and to ſtrive for faith.
The Apoſtle calls the Law a Schoolmaſter to Chriſt, Gal. 3. why? becauſe it doth reveal ſuch a ſmart and ſtrong evidence of the ſinful condition, that it ſcourgeth a man out of himſelf to look for a Saviour; yea, it helps much to caſt the proud ſoul down, and to break and cruſh his natural bottom; which otherwiſe would ſt…ve off, and hinder a man from believing. Therefore ſtudy thy natural condition: O I would believe, and I would have Chriſt: yea, but why? what need ſeeſt thou in thy ſelf of him? I tell you, that the more deſperate the ſoul ſees its own natural condition, the more willingly may it be drawn to apprehend, adore, and embrace its remedies and ſafeties.
Now there are three things to convince our ſelves of, about our natural condition, I meane the ſtate without Chriſt.
Firſt, the ugly vileneſſe of it. That it is ſinful and ſtark naught, it is no ſuch thing as God doth like or approve, but his ſoul abhors and hates it. For it is compounded of nothing, but want of good, and inclination to evil to all that is oppoſite to God and holineſſe: That thou art in it, poor, and blinde, and miſerable, and naked, an ignorant, oppoſing, unconceiving creature of any ſpiritual good, proud, and ſenſual, and vain, and earthly, loathſom and dead.
Secondly, the ſure and fearful miſery of it: Thou art without God, without Chriſt, without the Covenant, not a drop of mercy for thee, whiles thou remain'ſt thus; but all the wrath of God is againſt thee, and thou art under the dominion of ſinne, and terrible curſe of the Law, all the threatnings in the book of God are ever ready to ſeaſe on thee, and how ſoon may they arreſt thee, if God gives them commiſſion?
Thirdly, the utter inſufficiency to deliver thy ſelf out of this ſtate: Thou art never able to merit the leaſt mercy, nor to anſwer the great juſtice of God; Though thou ſhouldeſt offer thouſands of lambs, and ten thouſand rivers of oyle; thou art ſo totally broken in thy ſtrength, that thou canſt not pay a farthing, and never canſt thou be a Redeemer to thy ſelf, from thy ſins, or Gods juſtice.
Now drive and faſten theſe things as real and experimental truths into thy heart, till thou art ſhut up under ſinne, as the Apoſtle ſpeaks, Gal. 3. (that is) ſo convinced on all ſides concerning thy natural ſelf, that thou art faine to fall down and cry out, O Lord, I am unclean, I am uncleane, I am uncleane, a miſerable wretch, a loſt perſon for ever, unleſſe thou ſhew great compaſſion to my poor ſoul; This condition is deadly and barren, I am full of ſinne and without ſtrength; and this condition is ſo fearful, that verily I will not reſt in it, Men and brethren what ſhall I do to be ſaved? Is there no balm in Gilead for a wounded ſoul? no City of refuge for a diſtreſſed ſinner? no Rock of ſafety for a ſhipwrackt perſon? no hope of ſalvation yet left for me?
2. Then ſtudy the hope; of a ſinful ſoul. Why; though thou haſt been very wicked, and haſt exceeded in tranſgreſſions, yet there may be hope. The Goſpel; it is the …ape of good hope, it is that which thruſts out ſome ſight of land to a toſſed ſinner; It is a meſſage from heaven, proclaiming both the hope and poſſibility, and alſo the way and method of ſalvation for a ſinful perſon: Look, as the Law points out a way of ſalvation for a righteous and innocent man, ſo the Goſpel doth for an offending and ſinful man. Therefore ſtudy it much, take ſome accurate paines to be throughly and really informemed and convinced, what Gods diſpoſitions are therein revealed towards ſinners.
Now here are two things which I would commend.
1. One is the study of Chriſt: Study him all over, perhaps thou mayeſt ſee that in him, which may anſwer many, yea all thy feares, Perhaps thou mayeſt ſee ſo much in him as may win much upon thy heart, to come in and accept of him by faith.
Therefore peruſe him well. Firſt, that he is God and man, and as ſo, a Mediator, and becauſe ſo, therefore an Almighty, and a compaſſionate Redeemer. Secondly, that it proceeds from the love and Counſel of God to give him to be the Saviour of ſinners: God did ſee the fallen ſtate and great miſery of men, and his abſolute inſufficiency to recover himſelf, and therefore his own love moved him to give his own Sonne in whom he did ordain the ſalvation of ſinners. Thirdly, that Chriſt was willing to become a Mediator, yea, he did freely give his life to make peace and procure ſalvation; and this ſacrifice of his was both acceptable and effectual. Fourthly, that God would have thee to come unto him for life, and that Chriſt is the ſurety, and Mediator, and only hope of ſinners. Fifthly, that Chriſt hath in him all, and enough to make up thy ſtate, and to reconcile thee and God, and to get full pardon, and to preſent thee righteous, and to procure for thee eternal life. Sixthly, that Chriſt ſeeks even after thee by the Miniſtry of the Goſpel, and both offers himſelf with all his purchaſe unto thee, and hath, and yet doth beſeech thee to accept of him: I ſay, ſtudy theſe things; who knows how the great ſtudies of Chriſt may be at length bleſſed with faith in Chriſt? This I am ſure of, that the ignorance of the nature, and offices, and works, and benefits, and alſufficiency, and marvellous affections, and readineſſe in Chriſt is a notable ſtrength to unbeliefe; Ergo, on the contrary, the knowledge of them is a good means for faith.
2. Another is the ſtudy of the new Covenant: Why, what mayeſt thou not there ſee to draw on thy ſoul to Chriſt? yea, what arguments doth God there fill thy mouth with to conquer himſelf? He gives thee in that Covenant, ample and prevailing grounds by which thou ma…eſt with an humble confidence even plead with him for Chriſt and faith: Thou ſhalt ſee there all thy good ſet freely open, that God ſtands not for this, nor for that, and it matters not what thou haſt been, there is mercy enough for what is paſt and there is grace to renew thy heart for the preſent, and ſtrength for the future, and thou mayeſt ſue out the Lord for this faith (of which we now ſpeak) and he will ſurely give it unto thee.
3. Study the main hinderances of diſtance twixt Chriſt, and the Covenant, and thy ſoul. There is one thing (above all the reſt) which keeps thee off, and that is unbelief: For God doth not require any other thing of thee in the entrance of Chriſt but only to accept of him. He doth not ſay, if thou hadſt never offended me, then I would have beſtowed my Sonne on thee; or, if thou hadſt not offended me ſo much, or if thou canſt bring any ſingular nature, and excellent qualities of thine own, then I will give my Sonne unto thee, or then I will give thee leave; No, but all that he requires is this, Beleeve and accept of my Sonne to be thy Lord and Saviour, and I will in him give thee pardon.
Why, now brethren, this is the laſt and ſore check of the match, our hearts are unbelieving, we will not condeſcend to this condition, but fly hovering after ſome unknown and deviſed method of our own.
4. Study much the ſinfulneſſe of unbelief: that it is a ſinne, and a great ſinne, and that in thee: What! after all ſenſe of miſery to hold off from remedy; not to cloſe with Gods great love, as if God were not wiſe enough to ſhew thee the way of ſalvation, or as if he were not true, that thou dareſt not to venture and faſten thy ſoule and ſtate upon his Word.
5. Study well wherein the nature of faith doth conſiſt: Many Obj. perſons ſeeme to complaine that they have no faith, and Sol. cannot believe: Why? they are not right in the doctrinal part of faith, they miſtake faith exceedingly, thinking it to conſiſt in a full aſſurance, and in a ſenſible taſte of Gods love in Chriſt, and in a ſenſible and clear perſwaſion that their ſins are pardoned, which, becauſe as yet they never had, they therefore perplex themſelves much about faith.
Therefore inform thy ſelf what faith in Chriſt is; It is the hearty accepting of Chriſt upon his own conditions; if thy heart and ſoul are willing to accept of Chriſt as the only Lord to rule thee, and as the only Redeemer to ſave thee, and to cleave unto him for better for worſe, through all the changes which may befal thee for Chriſts ſake, why this is faith, viz. An accepting of his perſon, and a repoſing of the ſoul upon him for its ſafety, and a cleaving to him upon all ſtates. If thou canſt finde thus much, that there is no one ſinne which ſhall rule thee, to the love and obedience of which thou wilt reſigne thy ſelfe, but Chriſt is he whom thou chooſeſt for to be thy Lord; And there is no Name in heaven and earth upon which thou wilt put confidence for thy righteouſneſſe and diſcharge, and ſalvation, but only in Christ. And upon him thy ſoul entirely and unfainedly deſires to reſt it ſelf, thou haſt true faith.
6. Know this and convince thy ſelf of it, that thou ſhalt never hurt thy ſelf, nor offend God if thou couldeſt believe; wherefore hath God given Chriſt? and wherefore hath Chriſt given himſelfe? and wherefore is he now offered to ſinners? and wherefore are we commanded to beleeve, if yet to beleeve (that is) to accept of Chriſt, to conſent to the acceptance of his perſon upon his own condition were a ſinne?
7. Withal this beg fervently of God, that he would perſwade thy heart to beleeve (that is) to accept of Chriſt to be thy Lord and Saviour, and to reſt thy ſoul upon him: No man comes to me (ſaith Chriſt) except the Father draw him, Now then, O Lord draw me, and I ſhall runne after thee, O ſubdue this unbeleeving heart, and give unto me the Spirit of faith, and love, and obedience.
Laſtly, look for this gift of faith to be wrought in thee by the Spirit of Chriſt in the Ordinances, and wait upon God there continually. Thou ſhalt in time (perhaps ſooner, perhaps later) finde thy ſoule touched, and thy feares anſwered, and thy ſoule made exceedingly willing to accept of Chriſt as thy Lord, and to put it ſelf upon him as thy Saviour.
Yea, hold on in waiting and ſeeking and thou ſhalt not only have Chriſt formed in thee, and faith formed in thee, but thou ſhalt come to know him, whom thou haſt accepted and truſted.
This is a ſweet and ſafe courſe for a ſenſible ſinner, viz.
1. To preſent up his requeſt unto God in the Name of Chriſt, earneſtly beſeeching him to declare this Almighty working of his Spirit in cauſing the heart to beleeve.
2. Then to ſtand in the wayes of grant, and come to the Ordinances wherein God doth reveale his arme, and give faith, and ſo enclines and unites the ſoul with Chriſt. What thou doeſt earneſtly ſeek in a private way, that God doth ordinarily anſwer and beſtow in a publick.
3. Then wait and expect, not to limit God juſt to this time, nor to this preacher, nor to caſt off all confidence of anſwer, upon preſent denials, but to look up from day to day, from week to week, if at length God will give thee faith. I never reade or heard of any whoſe hearts were thus ſet, but God hath found a time to give unto them the deſires of their ſouls: He hath rep…eniſhed their ſouls with his ſalvation and loving kindneſſe: Therefore go on cheerfully in the uſe of theſe meanes whatſoever befals thee, yet it ſhall be well with thee; He that hath found Chriſt, cannot but ſay, that this way is good, and he who is thus ſeeking of him ſhall ſay, it was not in vaine to follow it.