Two Books, Treatise 1 · Chapter 24
CHAP. XXIV.
Reaſons why the Soul muſt be willing to receive Jeſus Chriſt. 1. By this true Grace is diſtinguiſhed from that which is not true but only like to it. 2. By this the murmuring and corrupt diſputing of the Soul is ſilenced. 3. Faith is not ſaving till it be willing. 4. The Soul muſt reſt in Chriſt ſo as to ſeek help no where elſe.
NOW conſider that this muſt be for three or four Reaſons. I ſay the Soul muſt be beleeving, and willing to receive Jeſus Chriſt.
Firſt: In this true Grace is diſtinguiſhed from that which is not true, but is like unto it. It is that which changeth the nature, and becomes a kind of nature. In 2 Pet. 1.4. We are made partakers of the divine nature. And that acts of it ſelf, and that prompts and puts on to do according to it. A Stone when it is out of its center and place, hath a naturall inſtinct to move thitherto. The Fire would be upward, becauſe it is its nature. Look how ſin is in a man, ſo Grace is in a Saint, for it comes in the ſtead of that. Sin is not the eſſence of a man, It is not his ſoul, yet it is ſo wrought into his ſoul, that he doth as naturally ſin, as he doth naturally apprehend, or think, or do a rational act. So now, Grace is not the ſoul of a man, but it is ſo infuſed and created in it, as that the ſoul doth as willingly the things of God according unto its meaſure, as it doth its rational acts, or as it did its ſinful acts formerly: I ſay according to its meaſure. For there is more ſin at firſt then grace in any man that is converted. Jer. 32.40.The ſcripture therefore ſpeaks after this manner, I wil put my fear into your heart And what then, This grace ſhal have the power of a cauſe, and that ſhal worke you according to it ſelf. Fear, ſhal make you fear, and faith ſhal make you beleeve, and to beleeve naturally. Common grace is not wrought into the nature, nor become a nature and therefore hence it comes that men do looſe it, and ſal unto their natural courſe, As the dog unto his vomit, and the ſow to the wallowing in the Mire, as the ſcripture ſpeakes.
Secondly, By this willingneſs to beleeve, the murmuring and Corrupt diſputing of the ſoul againſt Jeſus Chriſt, comes to be ſilenced altogether or in a very great meaſure. 2 Cor. 10.5. The Apoſtle ſaith that every thought and imagination ſhal be captivated to the obedience of faith. To the obedience of faith. Now it is captivated by the love which a man hath unto faith. You al know that we cannot indure to have that reaſoned againſt which we love: we are preſently put into a paſſion if any one wil go to vilifie or ſpeake againſt that which we have a mind unto. Now when the ſoul hath a mind to go unto Jeſus Chriſt, and a mind to beleeve, the nit ſtops its eare, and doth withdraw its ſenſe and apprehenſion from what ever can be ſaid againſt it. According as its mind is to beleeve, ſo deafneſs growes upon it to al the reaſonings of the fleſh, for continuance in any other ſtate without Jeſus Chriſt. If a man hath a mind to any meat, or to do a thing, he wil ſay, ſpeak no more, I am reſolved to do it, I wil venture And ſo doth the ſoul in this caſe. And its the beſt way of confutation of arguments. As the Apoſtle ſaith, God forbid. So confute them with this, I wil beleeve, and I wil go unto Jeſus Chriſt, what ever you ſay I am reſolved on that. That is the ſecond reaſon. The murmuring and diſputing that are againſt faith wil not be quiet and ceaſe til they come to have ſuch an affection to beleeve.
Thirdly, Until you wil be in beleeving, or til you love to beleeve, your faith is not ſaving. For faith is an applying of Jeſus Chriſt to a mans ſelf,
There is a double application of Jeſus Chriſt to a mans ſelf.
The one is in diſcourſe, when a man can conclude himſelf to be one of Chriſts. And that is faith of aſſurance.
And the other, is not by diſcourſe, but by aime and intention. When a man doth go unto Jeſus Chriſt for good unto himſelf. Now mark what I ſay. Al the credit that you give unto the word, Al the ſence that you ſubſcribe unto, the promiſes of the Goſpel, Theſe do not apply Chriſt to you, No more (you know) then for a man to meditate on the treaſures of the King of ſpain, do make his treaſure his, or do give him an intereſt in it. When a man loves faith, and loves Chriſt, then he gives up himſelf to Chriſt that he may be his. A man looks not from Chriſt for any thing to himſelf until he doth by an act of the Wil reſt upon the Lord Jeſus Chriſt.
Fourthly and Laſtly: There muſt be this affection of love in beleeving, becauſe the Soul muſt acquieſce and reſt So in Chriſt, as to ſeek help no where elſe. Now that he muſt So acquieſce is evident by this, becauſe to go to Jeſus Chriſt, or to receive Chriſt and not as the only Savior,, is to diſhonor him. A man cannot reſt in him as the only Savior, unleſs that he doth approve, and like of, and take pleaſure in, that which the Goſpel hath revealed concerning him. Or more plainly thus. That way which a man doth not approve, a man wil not ſtick unto for the ſalvation of his Soul. That a man may therefore ſtick unto Chriſt, and never depart from him, he muſt have a good will or liking or approbation of him. And ſo much ſhal now ſuffice for the Doctrinal part of this Point.