Two Treatises, Treatise 2 · Chapter 12
CHAP. XII.
Concluding with the ſixth Ʋſe for Conſolalation.
AND now to put a period to this Treatiſe, Uſe 6 For Conſolation.I ſhall cloſe with a Word of Conſolation unto all true Believers, the adopted Children of God. They eſteem Chriſt precious, his Ordinances precious, his Miniſtry, and all his Members precious, his Day, i. e. the Lord's day Sabbath, they eſteem precious, and account it the delight of their Souls; to ſuch as theſe I ſhall apply an Uſe of Conſolation upon a double Ground.
1. Becauſe they are precious in the account of Chriſt; hence they ground their Comfort.
2. From the choice and Fruits which they receive from Juſtification by Faith in Chriſt.1. All true Believers are precious in Chriſt's eſtimation.
1. All true Believers are precious in Chriſt's eſtimation. Chriſt firſt prized and valued them, making them precious by the application of his precious Merits, before they knew how to prize him: Chriſt firſt loved them before they loved him. Now if a Creature, a Man, can ſet ſuch an high price on Chriſt, after Chriſt hath enlightned him to diſcern his ineſtimable Dignity; O! how much more doth God the Father prize Chriſt his Beloved Son in whom he is well pleaſed? And if we honour Chriſt he will honour us. Let us therefore take a narrow view, and thence make a Judgment, how precious all true Believers are in the Eyes of Chriſt. This ſhall be evidenced in theſe four Demonſtrations. 1. Chriſt gives precious Names unto all true Believers. 2. Believers have intereſt in Chriſt's precious Merit. 3. They have the precious influences of his Spirit. And 4. Chriſt aſſures them of a precious Inheritance of the Kingdom of Heaven. In all theſe reſpects it will abundantly be evidenced, That all true Believers are precious in the eſtimation of Chriſt. For a diſtinct enlargement of theſe Particulars.
SECT. I. Proving that Believers are precious in the account of Chriſt, and this is a ground of their Comfort.
THere are in Scripture ſeveral preciousDemonſt. 1. Names given by God the Father and God the Son unto all true Believers.
1. They have precious Names ſounding…. Believers have precious Names. forth Bowels of Affection.
2. Precious Names of Honour and Dignity.
1. Chriſt gives Believers precious1. Names of Affection. Heb. Mat. 12. 50. Joh. 10. 28. Lnke 12. 36. Joh. 21. 15. Jer. 12. 7. Gen. 24. 31. Cant. 12. 2 Names full of Affection: He calls them Children, Friends, Brethren, Brother, Siſter, Mother, Sheep-Flock, Lambs. Further yet, the Saints are called the dearly beloved of the Lord: The Spouſe of Chriſt. From all thoſe Names and affectionate Titles given unto the Children of God, may evidently appear how high they are in his eſtimation. Now then to wrong a Servant of Chriſt is to wrong his Friend, his Brother, his Spouſe. And queſtionleſs Chriſt will Revenge thoſe Injuries and Indignities which are offered unto his Servants.
And as there are Names of Affection, ſo2 Names of Honour and Dignity. there are Names of high Honour and Dignity put upon the Saints, even the Living Members of the Body of Chriſt, for
Firſt they are call'd Gods peculiar Treaſure. Exod. 17. 5. That (as a Learned AuthorAbulenſis in Exod. 17. 5. obſerves) is call'd Peculium, which the Son and Heir of the Houſe hath of his own, beſides the right of his Fathers Inheritance, which he may diſpoſe of as he thinks good. So though the Earth be the Lord Chriſt's by right of Inheritance, yet he hath an intereſt in his Church above all other. Add further they are accounted Gods Jewels. Mal. 3. 17. Although vile and profane Perſons account Gods Children no better than the Off-ſcouring1 Cor. 4. 13. Scobem aut Rumentum aut quicquid limando deteritur. Budaus. 1 Cor. 4. 13. foreign ſuut Purgamenta aut excrementa ſeu quaequae de re immunda qua una fiat pura ne pecatur in metallis Scocii in uno aut olei faeces. Illyric. and Filth of the World, and no better than the Whitlings of Sticks, and the Filth that comes from the ſcouring of Pots, yet God eſteems them as his Jewels; and whoſe Judgment will you take the Judgment of the Wiſe Infallible Lord God, or the Judgment of fooliſh ſin…ul Men?
2. They are accounted Kings and Prieſts unto God. Rev. 1. 5. When Gideon had Zeba and Zalmunnah his Captives he propounded this Queſtion unto them, What manner of Men were they whom ye ſlew at Tabor? They Anſwered. As thou art, ſo were they, eac… one reſembling the Children of a King. Judg. 8. 18. So will Chriſt ask the Queſtion, who are they whom you, the Men of the World, Revile and Perſecute? Who are they whom ye ſcorn and trample on? Are they vile, contemptible Perſons? No they are Spiritual Kings and Prieſts, Perſons Honourable in the accompt of God. And therefore as Gideon put Zeba and Zalmunnah to Death for killing his Brethren, ſo will God ſeverely puniſh the Wicked of the World for all the Injuries and Perſecutions, which they have done unto the Children of God. However Ignorant Profane and Malicious Men debaſe and ſcorn ſuch as truly fear God, yet they are precious in the Sight of God and honourable. There are many complicatedIſa. 43. 4. Epithets of Honour joyn'd together. 1 Pet. 2. 9. But ye are a choſen Generation, a Royal Prieſthood, a Holy Nation, a Peculiar People.
3. They are accounted a Crown of Glory,3. They are accounted a Crown of Glory. and a Royal Diadem, Iſai. 62. 3. God calls his People his Glory. Iſai. 46. 13. I will plead Salvation in Sion for Iſrael my Glory. And the Saints are call'd the Houſe of Gods Glory, Iſai. 60. 7. More yet they are call'd the Throne of Glory. Jer. 4. 21. What need I enlarge further? All Gods Children areCol. 12. Deu. 32. 9. Jer. 12. 10. Iſ. 19. 25. Saints, his Portion, his pleaſant Portion, His Inheritance. Other People are the Work of Gods hands, but Iſrael is his Inheritance. They are the Church, the Family, of the Firſt-born, the Sons and Daughters of the Living God. In all theſe reſpects (and many more which might be mention'd) it evidently appears how pretious all Chriſts Members are in his eſtimation, and this is a ſingular ground of Conſolation unto them.
I proceed to a ſecond DemonſtrationDe mon. 2. All true Believers have Intereſt in Chriſts Pretious Merits. that all Believers have intereſt in Chriſts pretious Merits. Chriſts Redemption and Interceſſion: Chriſt's Blood, his Agony, his Sweating in the Garden, his Crucifixion upon the Croſs, all theſe were for his People. Iſai. 53. 5. He was wounded for our Tranſgreſſions, he was bruiſed for our Iniquities? The chaſtiſement of our peace was upon him, and with his Stripes we are healed? So that hence it evidently appears, that Believers, and they alone, have intereſt in Chriſts Merits, and enjoy the benefits flowing from them. They are his Seed, the Church, his Body, his Members, … Redeemed ones, a Peculiar People. For them Chriſt pray'd, Joh. 17. 9. For them Chriſt ſhed his Precious Blood: For them he became a Ranſome and a Price of Redemption. For them he Died and Roſe again: For ſaith the Apoſtle, Rom. 4. 25. Who was delivered for our Offences, and roſe again for our Juſtification. And which is the higheſt Degree of Chriſts meriting for us: He took our Sins upon him by imputation, as the Apoſtle ſaith, the 2 Cor. 5. 21. For he hath made him to be Sin for us who knew no Sin, that we might be made the Righteouſneſs of God in him.
A third Demonſtration is, That Believers Demon. 3. Believers have the Precious Influences Chriſts Spirit.have the Precious Influences of the Spirit of Chriſt. All true Believers do pertake of ſuch Heavenly Influences as are from the Head ſhed down upon the Members. Now the Influences of the Spirit of Chriſt are diſcovered.
1. By the Graces of the Spirit, and the reſemblances whereunto the Spirit is compared.
1. For the Graces of the Spirit or Fruits they are mentioned, Eph. 5. 9. Goodneſs, Righteouſneſs and Truth. And a large enumeration is ſet down, Eph. 5. 22, 23. Love, Joy, Peace, Long-Suffering, Gentleneſs, Faith, Meekneſs, Temeprance: Every Grace is the Fruit of the Spirit. Now Chriſt as Head Communicates Grace to all his Members, and they receive according to their Meaſure and Proportion. There's in Chriſt a fulneſs of Wiſdom to Counſel, of Mercy to Pardon, of Righteouſneſs to Juſtify, of Holineſs to Sanctifie. AndPro Legis gratia quae praeteriit gratiam Evangelii accepimus hanc manentem & pro numbris & imaginibus veteris Teſtamenti gratia & veritas per Chriſtum facta est. Aug. Epiſt. 11. there's a derivation from the Root to the Branches, Joh. 1. 16. And of his fulneſs have all we received and Grace for Grace.
2. Lets conſider the Reſemblances whereunto the Spirit is compar'd.
There are certain Metaphors mentioned in the Scripture, whereby the Properties and Influences of the Spirit of God are more evidenced, as for inſtance.1. The Spirit is compared to a Fire.
1. The Spirit is compared to a Fire.
1. As Fire enlightens and gives Light to a whole Room; ſo the Spirit of God inlightens the underſtanding.
2. Fire aſcends, ſo where the Spirit of God is, there the affections are raiſed from Earth to Heaven.
3. Fire is Conſumptive, it burns Stubble, ſo doth the Spirit burn and conſume Corruptions.
4. Fire hath a penetrative vertue to creep into the pores of a combuſtible Body. So doth the Spirit penetrate the Windings and Diverticles of the Heart: The Spirit ſearcheth the Reins and diſcovers the moſt hidden things.
5. Fire doth inflame and transform things into its own nature: It makes combuſtible matter like it ſelf: So the Spirit of God fills the Soul with a Divine Ardour. It's called the Spirit of burning, Iſa. 4. 4. where the Spirit of God comes it purgeth away the Droſs of Corruptions by the Spirit of Judgment and by the Spirit of Burning.
2. The Spirit is compared unto Water.2. The Spirit is compared to Water. 1. Water hath a quenching Vertue. In Water there's a quenching and purifying Property.
1. In Water there's a quenching Property. Water quencheth Fire, at leaſt abates and cools the heat; ſo where God's Spirit comes, it ſometimes quencheth the heat of inordinate Paſſions, and ſometimes abates cools and moderates the heat of them; God's Spirit is a Spirit of Meekneſs. A Man's own Spirit is a boiſtrous Spirit, which upon any diſguſt is all in a Flame. But God's Spirit extinguiſheth the heat of Fury and Anger. When Chriſt bad the raging Sea be ſtill, there was a great Calm: ſo when the Spirit of God comes into the Spirit of Man it becalms all the Affections, it ſets them in order and fixeth them upon the right Objects. Philoſophers write, De ſedandis affectibus, and yet they are meer Strangers to that Meekneſs which is one of the Beatitudes, Mat. 5. 5. Bleſſed are the meek for they ſhall inherit the Earth. That is Meekneſs in a Theological acceptation, which moderates Anger and keeps it within juſt bounds, when there are cauſes of provocation. To know when to be angry and when to be meek is a great Point of Wiſdom. To be zealous in the cauſe of God, and meek in a Man's own cauſe is well beſeeming a Chriſtian. Wherefore Luther ſpeaking of a right placed Anger or Zeal, ſaith, It's the beſt Ira in ſuo loco eſt optimu… Dei Donum. Luth.Gift of God. But when Men are tranſported with Paſſion, like the Lunatick in the Goſpel rending and tearing themſelves, or like Cities without Gates or Bars, or like Waters that will keep in no Banks, or like Fire that flames higher and higher: O! what neceſſity is there of the cleanſing Vertue of the Spirit of God, which as Water quencheth flames of Fire, ſo it quencheth the flaming Fury of exorbitant Paſſions, and brings a Man into a ſedate and compoſed frame of Spirit.
In Water there's a purifying and cleanſing2▪ Water hath a cleanſing Vertue. Property. Water caſts out Garbidg, and noiſom Carrion. And as Water cleanſeth bodily Filthyneſs: ſo the Spirit of Chriſt cleanſeth from filthyneſs of Fleſh and Spirit, (i. e.) both outward and inward defilements. Where the Spirit of God takes it's habitation, it ringeth and waſheth all clean: what's filthy and noiſom it throws out: For God's Spirit will not cohabit with a Cage of unclean Birds, and noiſom Luſts. We read that Elias, Chriſt's Fore-runner, was like a Refiners fire, and like Fullars Soap. As the Refiner purgeth outMal. 3. 3. Droſs, ſo doth the Spirit of Chriſt purge out Sin and Corruption: and as the Fullers Soap ſcours, waſheth, and cleanſeth the Cloth and makes it pure and white: ſo doth the Spirit of Chriſt purify and cleanſe the Soul. At Chriſt's transfiguration we read, Mark 3. 3. And his Rayment became ſhining, exceeding white as Snow: ſo as no Fuller on Earth can white them. From this compariſon it's intimated that although other Fullers can make Garments white and clean, yet no Fullers Soap can make the Cloth ſo white and clean, as the Blood of Chriſt can purify and cleanſe the Soul.3. The Spirit is reſembled to Ointment.
A third compariſon of the Spirit, (whereunto it's reſembled) is Ointment. The Properties of Ointment are,
1. To ſupple and aſſwage Humors in the Body: ſo doth the Spirit of Chriſt aſſwage and bring down all proud ſwelling thoughts. High Inclinations are caſt down by the Spirit of God. The hard Heart is molified and of inſenſible it becomes ſenſible, and of ſeared it becomes tender and apprehenſive of Sin.
2. Ointment hath a penetrating Power to paſs through the Pores, and diffuſe it ſelf through every Pore of the ill affected part: So where there is the Unction of the Spirit it openeth the Eyes, ſubdues the Will, raiſeth the Affections, enlargeth the Heart. Hence ſaith the Apoſtle, 1 Joh. 2. 20. But ye have an Ʋnction from the Holy One, and ye know all things, i. e. All things needful for Salvation. And this Unction is an abiding Unction, ver. 27. But the annointing, which ye have received of him, abideth in you, and ye need not that any Man teach you, that is, they need not, that any ſhould teach them any new Opinion▪ Let them retain thoſe Principles wherein they have been taught, and ſtick cloſe unto them.
3. Ointment hath a refreſhing and comforting Vertue. Ointments as they make way for the emiſſion of all noxious Humors, ſo likewiſe for the free paſſage of all Vital Spirits, which do enliven, refreſh and comfort the Heart. Hence wePſ. 104. 15. …ſal. 4…. 7. Iſa …1. 3. Joh. 14. 25 Joh. 14. 16 read that Oil makes the Face to ſhine▪ And it's called the Oil of Gladneſs, and the Oil of Joy: So the Spirit of God is a Spirit of Conſolation, call'd the Comforter, A Comforter that may abide with us for ever. In all our Troubles, if we can get God's Spirit for our Comforter, we ſhall chearfully rejoice in Tribulation. The Queſtion wasJob 15. 1. … ▪ propounded to Job, Are the Conſolations of God ſmall with thee? So it may be ask'd, Are the Conſolation of God's Spirit ſmall with thee? No queſtionleſs; for they abound in Comfort. The Illapſes, Influences, and Communications of the Spirit of God in comforting the Afflicted, binding up the Broken-hearted, refreſhing the Languiſhing, raiſing up thoſe that are Fallen, ſtrengthning the Weak; all theſe ſet forth abundantly the ſingular benefit of Divine Conſolations flowing from the Spirit of God.
A fourth Demonſtration that BelieversDemon. 4. Believers have a P…e…ions Inheritance. are Precious in the ſight of Chriſt is, becauſe that Chriſt aſſures them of a Precious Inheritance in the Kingdom of Heaven. Heaven is Chriſts Purchaſe, and by vertue of Chriſts Purchaſe it becomes the Saints Inheritance. The Tenure where▪ by the Saints hold is in capite, in their Head, Chriſt. Now for their full aſſurance there's a threefold Title whereby true Believers lay claim to Heaven, viz. By Promiſe, Donation, and Poſſeſſion.
1. By Promiſe; Chriſt hath promiſed1 Title by Promiſe. Heaven unto his Children. Amongſt many I ſhall ſelect a few excellent Promiſes, one is Joh. 14. 23. In my Fathers Houſe a…e many Manſions, if it were not ſo I would have told you, I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto my ſelf, that where I am, there ye may be alſo▪ Another nother Promiſe is, Matth. 19. 28. Verily I ſay unto you that ye which have follow'd me in the Regeneration, when the Son of Man ſhall ſit in the Throne of his Glory, ye alſo ſhall ſit upon twelve Thronis, Judging the twelve Tribes of Iſrael. A third Promiſe is, Matth. 19. 29. And every one that hath forſaken Houſes, or Brethren, or Siſters, or Father, or Mother, ſhall receive an hundred fold, and ſhall Inherit Everlaſting Life. The meaning is not, that all theſe things ſhould be made up in kind, that he ſhould receive ſo many Fathers, Mothers, and Siſters, in the room of them, but the meaning is, that he ſhall receive Chriſt and Everlaſting Life, which is his Purchaſe, and is infinitely more worth than all the World.
A ſecond Title which Believers have to2. Title by Donation Heaven, is a Title of Donation. Eternal Life is the gift of Chriſt, as may appear, Joh. 10. 28. And I give unto them Eternal Life, and they ſhall never periſh, neither ſhall any pluck, them out of my Hand. Further Chriſts Donation is evident, John 17. 22. And the Glory which thou haſt given me, I have given them: Heaven is Chriſts Gift, and there is no merit, nor any thing in the Creature to procure God to beſtow his great Gift, for ſaith our Saviour, Luk. 12. 32. Fear not little Flock, for it is your Fathers good Pleaſure, to give you the Kingdome. But though we cannot merit Heaven, yet we muſt be conſtant and conſcientious in the performance of our Duties, we muſt repent, believe and be zealous to do good works; and to ſuch as are faithful unto Death, the promiſe will be made good unto them. Rev. 2, 10. I will give thee a Crown of Life. It's true that Salvation is a free Gift, and Heaven is the purchaſe of Chriſts Blood, yet our Duty is to work out our own Salvation with Fear and Trembling, Phil. 2. 12.
A third Title to Heaven is that of Poſſeſſion.3. Title by Poſſeſſion. Joh. 3. 36. He that Believes in the Son hath Everlaſting Life. A Believer hath ſuch an aſſurance as preſent Poſſeſſion can give him. For the Word of God is his aſſurance: He hath a Witneſs, 1 John 5. 10. He that believes on the Son of God hath the Witneſs in himſelf. And he hath both Sealing and Earneſt, Eph. 1. 13, 14. Ye were Sealed with that Holy Spirit of Promiſe, which is the Earneſt of our Inheritance. The Sealing of the Spirit is Aſſurance, the Earneſt is part of Payment, or ſome firſt fruits of the Harveſt, ſo than to have a Title of Promiſe, Donation, and Poſſeſſion muſt needs be a ſtrong Title.
Queſt. But the Queſtion hence will be moved whether any can be aſſured of their Salvation in this Life.
Anſw. To this I Anſwer, That ſome have been aſſured, and others may be aſſured.
1. Some have been aſſured as Job, c. 19. v. 25. I know that my Redeemer liveth; and Paul, Gal. 2. 20. Who loved me and gave himſelf for me. And 2. Why others may be aſſured of their Salvation in this Life. For in thoſe Beautitudes mentioned, Math. 5. If upon ſerious ſearch and Examination, a Believer can conclude that he is poor in Spirit, pure in Heart, &c. Thence he may infer, that he is in a ſtate of Bleſſedneſs.
Likewiſe the Scriptures give ſeveral diſtinguiſhing Characters, whence we may evidence the aſſurance of Salvation.
One is love to the Brethren, 1 Joh. 4. 14. We know that we have paſſed from Death to Life becauſe we love the Brethren.
Another Character is the loving of Chriſts appearing. The Apoſtle ſpeaks not only in his own name but alſo in the name of all Saints. Henceforth there is 2 Tim. …8.laid up for me a Crown of Righteouſneſs, which the Lord the Righteous Judge ſhall give me at that Day, and not to me only but unto all them that love his appearing.
A third Character is effectual calling: If we make our calling ſure, thence we may be aſſured of our election. 2 Pet. 1. 10. Wherefore the rather Brethren give diligence to make your calling and Election ſure.
Theſe may ſuffice for the Trial of the Grounds of aſſurance.
But we muſt know.
1. That many Precious Servants of God may for a time want the ſence of Gods favour, and be at a loſs for aſſurance.Pſ. 10. 1. Pſal. 88. 5. David complains of Gods hiding his face from him: And ſo did Heman complain that he was free among the Dead, like the Slain in the Grave, whom thou remembreſt no more. And he likewiſe expoſtulates the caſe with God, why hideſt thou thy face from me? Gods Children are always in a ſafe condition, yet they are not always apprehenſive of their ſafety. Sometimes they are under Deſertions, and Withdrawings of Gods Countenance. A Child of Light may walk in Darkneſs. ComfortIſa. 50. 10. may be near him, and yet he may not diſcern it, as Mary could not ſee Chriſt for Tears in her Eyes.
2. Aſſurance admits Degrees, ſometimes it's more ſometimes leſs. The beſt are not always at a ſtand: Upon ſtrict Inquiſition in their Hearts, they find cauſe of Humiliation; and walking heavily. The remembrance of an old Sin may cauſe a great damp and ſadneſs upon the Heart,
3. Aſſurance may be a long time before it be obtained. There will be long ſearching the Heart, fighting againſt Sin, Fervent and Aſſiduous Prayer, a great deal of combating againſt the Fleſh. A Holy Martyr could not get aſſurance till he came to the Stake, at laſt he told his Friend, O Glover. Act. Mon. Q. M. day….Auſtin he is come, he is come, he is come.
4. Notwithſtanding there may be aſſurance, yet ſometimes Doubts and Troubles may ariſe in the Spirit, upon Apprehenſions of Gods clouding his Countenance, and upon Apprehenſion of the difficulty to get rid of ſome ſecret Sin.
Queſt. But what's our Duty.
Anſw. 1. Allow thy ſelf in no Sin, beDirect. 1. it ancient, cuſtomary, beloved, or ſecret, away with it. The hankering after any beloved Sin, the delay of executing Juſtice upon it, may break thy peace, and hinder thy aſſurance. Wherefore give no quarter to Benhadad, nor to Agag: Make a League with no Gibeonite. Foſter no Dalilah, no Herodias. Throw Jonah over Shipboard that's the way to make the Sea calm. Stone Achan, that's the way to make the Valley of Achor a door of Hope: Brain Goliah, a Champion Sin, and than otherHoſ. 2, 14. Sins will ſooner be vanquiſhed, as the Philiſtines were when Goliah was deſtroyed.
2. Make it thy ſerious buſineſs to clearDirect. 2. Make it thy buſineſs to clear up thy evidences. up thy Evidences for Heaven? Examine whether thou haſt Chriſt formed in thee, whether the new Creatute is manifeſted in thy underſtanding to know God, in thy will to obey God, in thy affections to love him, in thy Heart, and Life, whether they are inlarged to run the ways of Gods Commandments, ſearch and examine whether Sin be mortified and the Body of Sin Crucified, Whether thou art Juſtified by the Bloud of Chriſt, and Sanctified by the Spirit of Chriſt, whether thou art Redeemed from thy vain Converſation: upon ſuch a ſerious Inquiſition into thy Heart aſſurance may be obtain'd.
3. If thy Evidences be dim, and thou canſt not read them; yet let not thyDirect. 3. Let not thy hold go. hold go: What thou wanteſt in Evidence, make up in Adherence to, and recumbance and reliance on God. Thus did David under Diſertions. Pſ. 42. 11. Why art thou caſt down O my Soul, and why art thou diſquieted within me? Hope thou in God for I ſhall yet Praiſe him, who is the health of my Countenance and my God. And thus did Job behave himſelf amidſt all his Afflictions; Job 13. 15. Though he ſlay me yet I will truſt in him. And ſuch as are in a dark condition, who apprehend not the light of Gods Countenance, they are exhorted to truſt and ſtay upon God. Iſa. 50. 10. Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeys the voice of his Servant, that walketh in Darkneſs and have no light: Let him truſt in the Name of the Lord, and ſtay upon his God?
4. Be fervent and frequent in Prayer.Direct. 4. Be frequent and fervent in Prayer. Gen. Rebekkah when there were ſtruglings in her Womb, went to enquire of God. If it be ſo, why am I thus? So amidſt the Troubles Fears and Tumults of thy Spirit exerciſe Prayer. If Gods Countenance be clouded pray with David, Reſtore unto me Pſ. 51. 22.the Joy of thy Salvation. Thou wanteſt aſſurance and art troubled upon the ſuſpenſions and hidings of Gods Countenance, thy duty is to be an earneſt Solicitor unto the Throne of Grace, and pray that the Lord would lift up the light of his Countenance on thee, Pſ. 4. 6. Great things are promiſed, Ezek. 36. viz. Sprinkling of clean Water, v. 26. A new Heart, the Spirit, 27. Security, 28. Plenty and Fruitfulneſs, yet God expects and requires the Prayers of his Children. Ch. 36. 37. Thus ſaith the Lord God, I will yet for this be enquired of by the Houſe of Iſrael to do it for them. If than we would obtain aſſurance of Gods Love, we muſt pray much, and joyn Faſting and Watching with Prayer. Gods loving kindneſs is better than Life, Pſ. 63. 3.therefore we muſt pray for it, and labour to get aſſurance of Gods love unto our Souls. How welcome was Samuel to Hannah being the Child of her Prayers. And oh how highly valued will aſſurance be to him who hath obtain'd it in anſwer to his Prayers? Wait than and pray, continue inſtant in Prayer. And to Prayer joyn Hearing, Reading, Meditating, and receiving of the Lords Supper: And when once thou haſt got it, be ſure thou be thankful and watchful. Take heed of the leaſt Sin. The leaſt crum of Leaven muſt be caſt out. A Servant being incouraged by more wages hath more ſtrong Obligations on him to ſerve his Maſter with more diligence and Fidelity. Aſſurance and Manifeſtations of Gods love to a Chriſtian are Ingagements to excite him to a more humble, holy, and cloſe walking with God. The more mercy he recieves, the more he is ingaged to a faithful performance of his Duty. Whatever Manifeſtation of love is given unto thee know that thou ought to be more thankful and fruitful in every good work. The Apoſtle Writing of the Bleſſed Viſion, 1 Joh. 1. 2. For we ſhall ſee him as he is; infers our great Duty to be reduced unto Practice. v. 3. And every Man that hath this hope in him, purifies himſelf even as he Matt. 5. 8. Heb. 12. 14.is pure. The pure in Heart are Partakers of the Bleſſed Viſion. And without Holineſs no Man ſhall ſee the Lord. Let's than follow after Holineſs. If ever we hope to be happy hereafter, we muſt here be Holy. No Holineſs no Happineſs.
SECT. II. Containing the Fruits of Juſtification, which are a Ground of the Believers Comfort:
HAving proved the firſt Ground of the Comfort of Believers, becauſe they are Precious in the … of Chriſt. I come now (and with this Section I ſhall conclude)
To lay down a ſecond Ground of Believers Comforts drawn from the Fruits of Juſtification. And they are ſet down, Rom. 5. 1, 2, 3, 4. Therefore being Juſtified by Faith, we have Peace with God, through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, by whom alſo we have acceſs by Faith unto this Grace wherein we ſtand, and rejoice in hope of the Glory of God. And not only ſo, but we Glory in Tribulation, alſo knowing that Tribulation worketh Patience, and Patience Experience, and Experience Hope.
There are ſixſpecial Fruits of Juſtification by Faith mentioned as ſo many Daughters of that Mother; or as ſo many Precious Fruits growing on that Tree. And they are Peace, Acceſs, Joy, Hope, Patience and Experience. Theſe I ſhall inlarge particularly and ſo finiſh the Treatiſe.
1. By being Juſtified by Faith we have1 Peace with God. Peace with God. We have ſweet tranquility and ſecurity upon our Spirits. What though Men Condemn and the World Perſecute us? What though troubles come as violently as Waves in a Storm, daſhing upon us with more renewed fury? Yet Peace with God and ſecurity of Conſcience will quiet our Spirits, and comfort us amidſt diſcontents, and fortifie us againſt Euroclydons and moſt Tempeſtuous Storms. When God Juſtifieth who can Condemn? When God ſpeaks Peace, who can ſpeak Trouble? It's a grand incouragement, notwithſtanding Troubles come thick and three-fold, that in Chriſt, we have Peace. He is our Peace and Peace-maker, and Reconciler. However the World Storm, yet Chriſt becalms the moſt Blaſting Winds. Theſe things (ſaith he) I have ſpoken unto you that in me ye might have Peace: But in the John 15. 33.World ye ſhall have Tribulation, be of good chear, I have overcome the World. We ſhould indeavour after the things that make for Peace, and (as the Apoſtle Commandeth) If it be poſſible as much as in you Rom. 12. 18.lies, live peacable with all Men. But ſome are of ſuch implacable Spirits, as will never be at Peace, and of the ſame malitious temper with David's Enemies, who when he was for Peace, they make themſelves Pſal. 120. 7.ready for Battel. Yet here's a ground of of ſingular Comfort, that we have Peace with God, and this will make amends for all. For ſaith the Apoſtle. What ſhall we then ſay to theſe things? if God be for Rom. 8. 32.us, who can be againſt us? Wherefore let's labour to get and keep Peace with God, and a good Conſcience. Peace within will ſupport and quiet us againſt all Troubles without, as Aarons Rod ſwallowed up the Rods of the Aegyptians.
2. Another Fruit of Juſtification by2 Acceſ… unto God. Faith, is Acceſs unto God. Sin ſets Bars againſt us, and hinders our Acceſs unto the Throne of Grace: But Chriſt breaks theRom. 5. 2. Barrs and gives us Admiſſion. We are led by the hand of Chriſt unto the Father. The Original Word imports as muchRom. 5. 2. foreign. This Manuduction or leading of us by Chriſt unto the Father is a great Priviledg Hereby we are admitted into the preſence of the great King. None might preſume to come into the Court of Ahaſuerus, unleſs the King held out to him the golden Scepter. Behold Chriſt hath purchaſed this Priviledg of the King of Kings to hold forth his golden Scepter, and admit Believers into his preſence. Hence a Beleiver enjoys a ſacred Communion with the Father, Son, and Holy Ghoſt, and hath freedom to make his requeſt known in Prayer and Supplication. What then remains but that we ſhould make uſe of our Priviledg, and reduce the Apoſtle's Precepts in continual Practice, Heb. 4. 16. Let us therefore come boldly unto the Throne of Grace, that we may obtain Mercy, and find Grace to help in time of need.
A third Fruit of Juſtification by Faith is3. Joy. Joy, and this is Joy in the Lord, or a ſpiritual Joy in believing. The ſence of God's Love: The apprehenſion of his reconciled Countenance: The Believers Intereſt cleared up that he hath a new Name, a white Stone, and the hidden Mannah rejoyceth his Heart more than the Fruition of all the Honours, Pleaſures and Profits duplicate page duplicate page which the Univerſe can afford. When God ſpeaks to the Soul, and ſaith, Thy ſins are pardoned, this is the moſt joyful and welcome day that ever a Believer ſaw▪ The good Hearers received the word with Joy, and brought forth Fruit with Patience. Amidſt great ſtraits and exigencies the Church diſcovers an heroical Reſolution, Yet will I rejoice in the Lord, I Hab. 3. 1….will Joy in the God of my Salvation. Amidſt multiplicity of rolling troubleſome Thoughts, the Pſalmiſt takes ground of encouragement, Pſal. 94. 19. In the multitude of my Thoughts within me, thy Comforts delight my Soul. A Believer's Joy acts extraordinarily; that which extinguiſheth the Joy of a Carnal Man, is Fewe… to enkindle the Joy of a Godly Man: …or (ſaith the Apoſtle) And not only ſo, but we Rom. 5. 3. foreign. Jam. 5. 2.glory in Tribulation alſo. A Believer accounts it all Joy, when he falls into divers Temptations: He kiſſeth the Rod that beats him, and with a Martyr bids welcome to the Croſs of Chriſt, and with the Apoſtles, rejoice that they were counted worthy to ſuffer ſhame for the Name of Chriſt▪ Acts 5. 41.O! what Joy doth Faith bring to Believers in all their Sufferings! ſo that ſcoffs and reproaches they account their Honour, whips and tort ures ſcars of Mar…yrdoms Though a Believer be toſt up and down with boiſtrous Waves and Tempeſts, he can ſee Chriſt by the Eye of Faith: Though his Body be tormented upon the Rack, yet he can ſee Chriſt his Comforter; Though his Name be trampled on upon Earth, yet he rejoiceth that his Name is written in Heaven.
A fourth Fruit of Juſtification by Faith4. Hope. is Hope: and this is the Anchor of the Soul. Were it not for Hope, the Heart would break, in the days of Jacob's Troubles. But days of Jacob's Troubles are▪ days of Jacob's Hope. When Ezra and the People were full of grief and perplexities, becauſe the Holy Seed had mingled themſelves with Heathens, and were unequally yoaked with ſtrange Wives, but notwithſtanding Hope was left, quaſi tabula poſt naufragium, Ezra. 10. 2. Yet now there's Hope in Iſrael concerning this thing. Rom: 8. 24.By Hope (ſaith the Apoſtle) we are ſaved. When Spoilers come, a Believer is a Man of Hope. Whatever they take from him, yet they cannot take away his Hope. Amidſt Clouds of Darkneſs his Hope is, That the Sun of Righteouſneſs will ariſe with healings under his Wings. He hopes againſt his Reaſon: Though Senſe fails, and Reaſon be non-pluſt, and all humane Confidence ſeem to be broken, yet the hope of a Believer abides like the Bow of Janathan firm in it's ſtrength. A Believer hath hope for his Helmet. For (ſaith the Apoſtle)1 Theſſ. 5. 8. putting on the Breaſt Plate of Faith and Hope, and for an Helmet the hope of Salvation. Let's then make God our hope, as the Prophet Jeremy did. Jer. 17. 17. Thou art my hope in the Day of evil. Let's apply Jeremys Reſolution, with Jeremys Affection. Lam. 3. 24. The Lord is the Portion of my Soul, therefore will I hope.
A Fifth Fruit of Juſtification by Faith5 Patience is Patience. In your Patience (ſaith Chriſt) Poſſeſs ye your Souls. There's an abſoluteLuk. 21. 19. neceſſity of the Grace of Patience, for ſaith the Apoſtle, ye have need of Patience, Heb. 10. 36.that after ye have doen the Will of God, ye might receive the promiſe. Were it not for Afflictions there would be no Tryal of Patience: But Afflictions and Sufferings trie a Believers Patience. When Enemies make long Furrows on the back of the Righteous, when the Viſion is dark, and the Chariot Wheels of deliverance drive heavily, when expectations (though highly raiſed) are diſappointed: In a Word, when Troubles, Loſſes and Perſecutions come, and fear upon …ar, and one danger upon the Neck of another, as one Wave of the Sea follows another, then, O! then, what neceſſity is there of the exerciſe of the Grace of Patience, Submiſſion and Reſignation of our Wills in all things unto the Will of God: A waiting Patient frame of Spirit is prepar'd to undergo Hardſhips and Sufferings, with Courage and Alacrity. If then Faith and Hope begin to flag, let Patience interpoſe. A Believer makes not haſt. He dares not preſcribe to God, nor limit the Holy one of Iſrael. When God hides himſelf, our Duty is to continue waiting. Iſa. 8. 17. And I will wait upon the Lord that hideth his Face from the Houſe of Jacob, and I will look for him. There's the exerciſe of Faith and Patience. Let us then immitate thoſe, who through Faith and Patience have Inherited the Promiſes. Let Faith and Patience hold out, and whatever Preſſures are upon us, they will either be removed or elſe be made more eaſy for us to bear them?
The beſt and laſt Fruit is Experience. If6. Experi…nce. Chriſtians Treaſured up their Experiences, and brought them forth upon variety of emergencies they might live more comfortable Lives than they do. Faith makes much … of Experience, and puts a Chriſtian upon a ſerious review of Gracious Paſſages of Providence, and thence draws Groans of Conſolation. As for Inſtance (ſaith a Believer) I have been bewildred with Troubles on every ſide, and then God delivered me. I have been at the brink of the Grave, and then God delivered me. I have known a pinching ſeaſon, and a great ſcarcity, then God kept me alive even in a time of Famine, and made Proviſion for me. I have been delivered from Satans Temptations, and from my own Corruption… ▪ I have been delivered from Enemies within me, and Enemies without me. I have eſcaped Fire when others have been a Taberah. I have eſcaped Peſtilence when Thouſands fell beſides me, and ten Thouſands at my Right Hand: I have eſcaped the Sword when many have been numbred to the Sword: Thus then let me infer, O! how thankful ought I to be to God for all his Mercies, and O! what cauſe have I to truſt and depend on him, and conlcude that the ſame God Omnipotent Reigneth, as Good, as Gracious, as Merciful, as ready to help as ever, and therefore the experience of former Mercies ſhould ingage me to depend on God for the Future. When David was to encounter with Goliah, he aſſum'd a ſtrong ground of Incouragement from his own Experience. 1 Sam. 17. 36. Thy Servant ſlew both the Lyon and the Bear, and this Ʋncircumciſed Philiſtine ſhall be as one of them, ſeeing he hath defied the Armies of the Living God. Let's Write down our Experiences of Gods dealing with us, and let's comfort our ſelves with this conſideration, that God is in Heaven ſtill. There's no deficiency in the All ſufficient God: His Hand is not ſhorned that it cannot help, his Ear is not heavy that it cannot hear. Put then all theſe Fruits of Juſtification togegether, and labour to be abounding and Fruitful in them. Now for a cloſe of all, I heartily deſire that the Promiſe may abide on all our Hearts, and our profiting may appear, that ſo I may comfort others with thoſe Comforts wherewith I my ſelf have been comforted. I know (and I acknowledge) that there are many Practical Treatiſes in Print (and I wiſh there were more) And I acknowledge that of Solomon, to be an undoubted truth. Eccleſ. 12. 12. Of making many Books there is no end. Yet if I can by this Treatiſe, or what I have formerly Written, be Inſtrumental for the Spiritual good of any one Chriſtian, I ſhall account it a great incouragement to add greater Labours and further Pains, hoping that ſomething may leave a deep impreſſion on the Hearts of Readers, that their Souls may thrive thereby. The deſign I endeavour and deſire to drive at in Writing is this, that my ſelf and others may be made better; my Concluſion therefore of all ſhall be in the Words of that moſt excellent Father St. Bernard,
Therefore are all Books Written, that one Book of the Conſcience may be amended.
FAXIT DEƲS.
FINIS.
End of the text · Dean Henry Wilkinson, Two Treatises (1681)