Great and Precious Promises, Sermon 7
SERMON VII.
2 Cor. 13.5.
Examine your ſelves, whether ye be in the faith? prove your own ſelves, know ye not your own ſelves, how that Jeſus Chriſt is in you, except ye be reprobates?
ASſurance is a precious gift which many that live in theſe dayes do undervalue, and trode under foot; do not the Chriſtians of theſe times go halting between two opinions, being neither poſitive that they are received into the adoption of children, nor poſitive that they are yet in a ſtate of alienation, and enemies in their mindes by wicked works; yea, and (that which is worſe) there are many among as that walk with much contentment under their uncertainty. I think it is a fault to be condemned in many, they purſue more to ſa…fie their ſenſe for the preſent, nor to have a ſolide well grounded aſſurance for time to …ome: I could wiſh that all the debates and …eſtions of theſe dayes, that take up ſo much of our time, & ſo much of our ſpirits from better things, were happily drowned in theſe four excellent queſtions, which without contro…erſie are of greateſt concernment for all to …ave reſolved. 1. Where ſhall I reſt all night when the long ſhaddows of the everlaſting evening ſhall be ſtreached out upon me, … whither or not hath Chriſt gone before … take up a place for me in his Fathers ho… 2. It is a ſoul-concerning queſtion, Maſ… what ſhall I do to inherit eternal life? to … aſking at him that can ſweetly reſolve y… And 3. not to reſt there, but to be cr… forth in the morning, What ſhall I do to… ſaved, and to be crying out in the even… Lord what wilt thou have me to do. 4. I… ſweet to be aſking ſeriouſly, Saw ye … whom my ſoul loveth: There is much of o… time ſpent in aſking news from Court, … from abroad, concerning the revolution… States and Kingdoms: But I ſuppoſe, … were better to aſk, What news from heav… concerning thy ſelf, and what news fr… within, and news of thy Bridegrooms con… ing? for theſe are great Courts, I mean … Court of heaven, and the Court of con… ence, the affairs of which, a Chriſtian ſhou… endeavour much to know. 5. It is … ſoul concerning queſtion, that a Chriſtian ſhould be much in propoſing to himſelf. What ſhall I render unto the Lord for all … benefits. It is certain, we muſt ſay, that o… faith and aſſurance, and all our other merc… are from him, and yet alar, we are neglig… in praiſes, we may with Tamar rent our g… ments of divers colours, even the garment… the Kings daughters, becauſe of ſpirit… whoredome againſt God, and our ingratit… to him.
Now having ſpoken unto you at ſo … a length of that precious and fundamen… grace of Faith, we have thought fit to ſhut up all in ſpeaking a little upon theſe words we now have read, concerning the evidence and aſſurance of Faith. The Apoſtle in this Chapter is vindicating his Miniſtery and Apoſtleſhip, from the contempt that was caſt upon it, he proveth he was a Miniſter of the New Teſtament, called and ſent of God, by the bleſſing and ſucceſſe he had among them, in that he had not plowed nor threſſed in vain; and they being ſo much in cenſuring his way, and ſeeking an account of his Miniſtery: In theſe words, he doth (as it were) draw them off by a holy diverſion unto another buſineſſe, as if he had ſaid to them, O Corinthians, I will divert you from the exerciſe of judging me, and will lead you into an exerciſe that is more divine and profitable; be much in judging and examining your ſelves: and indeed, it is a truth worth our obſervation, that if we were more in judging of our ſelves, we would be leſſe in judging others: but alas, there are ſome of us, we are ſo much abroad, that we cannot be much at home.
In the words, there is theſe ſix things conſiderable. Firſt, That there is ſuch a thing attainable by a Chriſtian while he is here, as a diſtinct perſwaſion and aſſurance that he is in the Faith, and hath an intereſt in Chriſt: by being in the faith; here is not to be underſtood, a being in the doctrine of Faith only, but it is to be underſtood of principally, being indeed and really united to Chriſt by Faith. Secondly, That the ſeeking after aſſurance, is a neceſſary command… duty, for ye ſee here the words very impe… tive, Examine your ſelves, prove your ſelve… Thirdly, That there are many miſtakes a… deluſions among people, concerning th… noble and excellent thing, Aſſurance, the… being many that keep faſt a hope which Chri… ſhall once diſcountenance and ſweep awa… like a ſpiders web, and this is imported … theſe words, Examine your ſelves, or as th… word may be rendered, Take an acurate an… an experimental ſearch of your ſelves, tr… your ſelves, or prove your ſelves: it is a wor… that is borrowed from the Gold ſmiths fineing and trying Gold. And ſo his putting of the Corinthians to ſo acurate a ſearch of themſelves, ſaith this clearly to us, there are many miſtakes concerning this thing many do paſſe a decreet in their own favours before Chriſt hath paſſed his approbation of them. Fourthly, Take notice of this from the words, that there is much and exceeding much advantage, by trying and ſearching whether we be in the faith or no; this is imported in his doubling the exhortation. Fifthly, That one moſt excellent and ſpiritual way of attaining aſſurance, whether we be in the faith or no, is ſelf examination, and putting our ſelf to the trial, as if he had ſaid would ye have a diſtinct perſwaſion that y… are in Chriſt, then be much in the exerciſ… of ſelf examination. For the reſt of th… words of the verſe, we intend not … handle.
As to the firſt, That there is ſuch a thi… attainable: I ſhall only propoſe theſe reaſons unto you to make it evident. 1. It is known in Scripture, that the Saints of old have in ordinary way attained to diſtinct perſwaſion of their intereſt in Chriſt, Song. 2. verſ. 16. My beloved is mine, and I am his, and Rom. 8.38. I am perſwaded (ſaith the Apoſtle) that neither death nor life, &c. ſhall be able to ſeparate me from the love of God in Chriſt. And 2 Cor. 5. ver. 1. For we know, if this our earthly tabernacle were diſſolved, we have a houſe with God not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2. It is the great ſcope of many Scriptures, to ſhew how Chriſtians may attain to aſſurance. 1 Job. 1.13. Theſe things I write unto you, that ye may know what ye have eternal life. The great end and deſign of John, writing in theſe Epiſtles, is, to make a ſoul acquaint with Chriſt, and to make them to accept of him, and to give them a diſtinct aſſurance that Chriſt hath accepted them. 3. There are many commands in Scripture for Chriſtians to be ſerious in ſcarching after aſſurance, 2 Pet. 1.10. Wherefore brethren, give all diligence to make your calling and election ſure. It is the bleſſed end of Gods oath in the everlaſting Covenant, that a Chriſtian might get aſſurance. What was the ground and great end that God confirmed his Covenant with an oath, was it not, Heb. 6.18. That by two immutable things, wherein it was impoſſible for God to lie, ye might have ſtrong conſolation. 5. If aſſurance of our intereſt in Chriſt were not attainable, then th…ſe precious graces of joy and love could not be well exerciſed: i… Chriſtian were evermore in the dark conce… ning his intereſt in Chriſt, he could not giv… obedience to that exhortation, Rejoyce eve… more, again, I ſay, rejoyce. 6. The Scripture hath ſet down theſe means by which … Chriſtian may win to aſſurance: as is clea… 1 Joh. 3.18, 19. 2 Pet. 4.5. compared wit… verſ. 10. where the Apoſtle Peter preſſing th… Doctrine of making our calling and election ſure, he ſetteth down theſe excellent mea… by which they may win to it, and doubtleſſ the marks and evidents that are regiſtrate i… the Scripture of a gracious ſtate, do aſſur… us, that aſſurance is attainable. 7. What ar… the ends of the Sacraments, but that our aſſurance may be confirmed, and that our faith may be ſtrengthned, the two Sacraments are the two great Seals of heaven that are put to the Charter of the Covenant.
Now as to the application, and the mor… full improvement of this firſt point, I ſhal… only offer theſe conſiderations. 1. I woul… have it taken notice of, that though grac… and aſſurance be two lovers, yet there is … ſuch band of union between them, that th… one cannot conſiſt without the other: … Chriſtian may have the real grace of God … and yet walk in darkneſſe and have no light … a Chriſtian may be going to heaven, and ye… that word oftentimes in his mouth, I am … off from thy ſight; yea, are there not eve… ſome who have had aſſurance, and ſomtim… a day have been admitted to draw that co… cluſion, I am my beloveds, and his deſire, … towards me, who are now under darkneſſe concerning their intereſt, and in much bitterneſſe of ſpirit, do ſometimes cry out, My hope and my ſtrength is periſhed from the Lord. But therefore let me ſay this one word, both to weak ones who never had aſſurance, and deſerted ones who have loſt it; when ye miſſe aſſurance, beware of drawing ſuch negative concluſions concerning your graces, but when ye ſit in darkneſſe and ſee no light, Truſt in the Name of the Lord, and ſtay your ſelves upon your God; that is when ye cannot reach the faith of aſſurance, be much in maintaining of adherence, remember Jobs divinity, Though thou ſhould kill me, yet will I truſt in thee, and conſider that ſweet word, He will keep them in perfect peace, whoſe hearts are ſtayed on him.
My ſecond conſideration is, That ſince aſſurance is attainable, ye would … find out and remove theſe things that … hinder you from attaining unto it. And that we may help you in this, we conceive, that the obſtructions of a Chriſtians aſſurance, are eſpecially in theſe two, 1. Our miſtaking of the Lords dealing towards us. And, 2. Our untender and unſuitable dealing towards him.
Of the firſt ſort we ſhall lay before you theſe five. The firſt is, want of favourable termes of prayer; this often maketh a Chriſtian to debate his intereſt, and call in queſtion his evidence, Lam. 3.8. compared with verſe 18. I cry and ſhout, but he ſhutteth out my prayers: and this is the concluſion of that diſpenſation, verſe 18. My hope and my ſtrength is periſhed from the Lord: and this eſpecially occaſioned when the Chriſtian moſt ſerious and ſervent in prayer, and the he meereth not with a return, this maketh them exceedingly debate their intereſt. A… I confeſſe, it is a ſad diſpenſation to m… with a ſilent Chriſt in prayer; but yet th… needeth not make a Believer queſtion all, a… debate the reality of his intereſt in God ſince the deareſt of all the children of th… Kingdom have been ſo dealt with, even … David, Pſal. 22. Cryed night and day without ſilence, and is not heard, but cryeth out, Why art thou ſo far from helping, and from the word of my roaring; yea, that paſſage may relate t… him who was the root and off-spring of David, for even he was ſo dealt with, and had not preſently a ſenſible return, when he ha… prayed thrice, that the cup might paſse from him.
Secondly, The want of ſenſible enlargement and liberty in prayer, that he never got to his knees, but his heart beginneth to die like a ſtone within him, then he cryeth forth that word, 2 Cor. 3.17. Where th… Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty, and ſur… if I had the Spirit of the Lord, I would ha… liberty in the exerciſe of prayer, and tha… this is a riſe of the diſputing of our intere… is clear from Pſal. 77.4. compared with … 7.9 ſaith David, I am ſore troubled that … cannot speak, I have no liberty in prayer, … never go to God in prayer, but (as it we… my tongue ſticketh to the roof of my mou… he from hence draweth that concluſion, … God forgotten to be gracious, and hath … wrath ſhut up his tender mercies for ever: I confeſſe, this alſo is a ſad diſpenſation to meet with an abſent and vailed Chriſt in prayer: ſo that we can never go to ſeek God in ſecret, but we may write this upon our prayers, He is gone, he is gone, eſpecially when we have loſt that liberty that formerly we have had: and therefore is Davids perplexity much hightened, ver. 5, 6. from his remembering his ſong in the night, and his calling to mind the years of ancient times: yet we may remember how ſoon David wrote his tetractions, as to that ſad concluſion, I ſaid, this is my infirmity, ver. 10. and ſo ſhould we do when upon every ſtraiting in prayer, we begin to queſtion all the Lords kindneſſe towards us.
A third obſtruction of aſſurance, is a Chriſtians wreſtling with his corruptions painfully and ſeriouſly, and yet not meeting with any ſenſible victory over them, but upon the contrary, their corruptions ſeem to be ſtronger, and they themſelves ſeem to be weaker, and then it is, they ſtrengthen their miſbelief, by that word, 1 Joh. 3.3. Every man that hath this hope in him, purifieth himſelf even as he is pure: And indeed, this is a knot that is not eaſily looſed, but when he ſeeth his idols and corruptions prevailing over him, he will cry out, I am gone and there is no help in Iſrael concerning this thing, and yet this alſo is a word in haſte, Paul hath regiſtrate himſelf a ſtanding witneſſe, even after he was a choſen veſſel, Rom. 7. How ſtrangely a childe of God may be … down with a body of death even under moſt ſerious wreſtlings againſt it: And th… fore if thou ſeriouſly maintain the comba… though thou do not ſenſibly prevail, thou h… no reaſon upon that ground to weaken t… aſſurance.
Fourthly, When a Chriſtian is put to mo… then ordinary outward affliction, when G… doth diſpence ſadly unto them in outward things, they then begin to call in queſtion the intereſt, and diſpute their aſſurance, this clear, by comparing Lament. 3. verſ. 18. wi… the preceeding words, where ſpeaking of th… ſad diſpenſations they meet with, he drawe… that concluſion in verſ. 18. My hope and … ſtrength is periſhed from the Lord, and Jon. 2.2… where he draweth that concluſion from ſuc… a promiſe, I am now caſt out of thy ſight, th… devil he taketh Eliphaz divinity and preſent it to a Chriſtian; Call now if there be any … anſwer thee, and to which of the Saints wilt th… go; as if he had ſaid, did thou ever know… Chriſtian afflicted ſo as thou art afflicted, … ſo he would have Job to quite his integrity. But yet we know all theſe bleſſed ones for … their afflictions, were dear unto the Lord, … had their intereſt ſecure in him, yea, as m… as he loveth, he doth rebuke and chaſten, and it baſtards and not ſons on whom he will not … ſtow a rod, and therefore we ought not … quarrel our intereſt becauſe of afflictions.
And laſtly, The riſe of a Chriſtians … couragement, and that which hindered their aſſurance, is, when their former ex… rience of the manifeſtations of God doth … reliſh to them, and when the promiſes … which they have built become taſteleſſe unto them as the white of an egge, and when they meet not with God in Ordinances, but theſe become lifeleſſe, when theſe three riſe to gether upon them, their caſe becomes very perplexed oftentimes: and this alſo ſeemed to have been Davids caſe, Pſal. 77. When he remembered his ſong in the night, and the dayes of old, and yet had no ſweetneſſe in them, then he breaketh forth into theſe bitter complaints which are there expreſſed: but yet as we ſaid before, this was his infirmity, and there is no reaſon for a Chriſtian to queſtion his intereſt upon ſuch an account; becauſe the Ordinances are not at all times alike lively even to the beſt, and the Lord is not alwayes preſent, but though ſometimes the candle of the Lord doth ſhine upon his head, yet at other times he is neceſſitate to cry out, O that it were with me as in months paſt.
The ſecond ſort of obſtructions of a Chriſtians aſſurance, I mean ſuch as flow from our untender dealing towards God are,
Firſt, A guilty conſcience; that is a remarkable word, 1 Tim. 3.9. Holding the myſtery of faith in a pure conſcience; It telleth us, that this excellent grace Faith cannot bide but in a cleanly lodging, even in a pure conſcience, and when a Chriſtian ſetteth about to believe he will know how a guilty conſcience will flee in his face, and cry out, O adventure not to believe, dare thou believe; the guiltineſſe of a Chriſtians conſcience maketh him oft to cry out. Touch not the mountain leſt thou be thruſt thorow: And I tell you three diſadvantages of a guilty … ſcience. 1. It obſtructeth a Chriſtians … neſſe in making applications to Chriſt; … heart ſaith cloſe, and his neceſſity ſaith … but his guilty conſcience cryeth out, O … aback and do not cloſe. 2. A guilty con… ence oftentimes it hindereth the diſcove… of Chriſt to the ſoul, and doth ſo affright … terrifie, yea, it will ſo ſting and bite us, … when he revealeth himſelf, we cannot take … tice, when he would lay on a plaſter, our ſo… will tear it off, and refuſe to be comfort 3. It doth exceedingly obſtruct our go… about duty. O but our ſoul moves ſlowly the paths of God when we are under … power of a guilty conſcience.
The ſecond obſtruction is, That we … not much in the exerciſe of tenderneſſe. … but if a Chriſtian were tender, and if in ev… ſtep of his life he deſired to ſet Chriſt be… his eyes, he would eaſily win to much aſſura… according to that word, Iſa. 64.5. Thou m… eſt him that rejoyceſt and worketh righteouſne… and theſe that remember thee in thy wa… ▪ Would ye know the aſſured Chriſtian, … the tender Chriſtian; the Chriſtian that … not crucifie convictions, the Chriſtian … breaketh not reſolutions, the Chriſtian … doth not fit calls and opportunities to pra… the Chriſtian that ſaith not of any ſin it… … little one; or the Chriſtian that ſearcheth … waves, watcheth alwayes, examineth alway… and is alwayes caſting out ſin, that is the … ſured Chriſtian.
The third obſtruction is, The want of … exerciſe of the grace of fear, we are not much under this diſpoſition, to fear the Lord and this goodneſſe: this is clear from that word, Pſal. 25.14. The ſecret of the Lord is with them that fear him, and he will ſhew to them his Covenant. I think there are theſe two great evidences that much of the power of Godlineſſe is gone from ſome of our hearts: we fear God no more, nor if we were his companion. And we fear our ſelves no more nor if we had not a deceitfull heart within us, we neither fear God nor our ſelves, and that ſpeaketh that much of the life of Religion is loſt amongſt us.
The fifth thing that doth much aſtruct our aſſurance, is, much worldly mindedneſſe, and to eager purſuit after the things of a preſent life: That is remarkable, 2 Cor. 4. ver. laſt, compared with 2 Cor. 5.1. We look not unto the things that are ſeen, that is, we are not much taken up with the things of a preſent world, which the men of the world ſeek and delight themſelves in: and it is ſubjoy…ed, For we know, if this our earthly houſe of this tabernacle were diſſolved, we have a houſe not made with hands; ſo we ſee aſſurance and mortification to the world, are much …nit together. Would ye know where to find our hearts, the moſt part of us are converſing with idols of the world; Would …e know where to find our hearts, they are …mong the vanities of the world. O how true … that word, Pſal. 39. Man walks in a vain …ew: What is man in all his actings, but … one walking in a long gallery that is ſet about with pictures, g…ting on theſe … and ſaluting them all, as if they were … Kings and Queens, and great perſons … could do him good; and ſo our purſui… … ter the world, is nothing elſe but a dead … dow purſuing after dead ſhaddows, a man… is but a ſhort living ſhaddow purſuing … vanity and nothing, and thus he fools … his time, forgetting to make ſure the one … neceſsary.
Fifthly, Want of diſtinct apprehen… of theſe three, the infinit love of Chriſt, … infinit power of Chriſt, and the infinit w… dome of Chriſt; there is not an objection Chriſtians that ye have from the multi… of your ſins, but it may be drowned in … nit love; there is not an objection that have concerning the ſtrength of your … but it may be drowned in that immenſe … of the infinit power of Chriſt; there … an objection ye have from your wants, or … your evil nature, but ye may drown it … infinit wiſedom and goodneſſe of Chriſt there can be nothing againſt your aſſur… but may be ſweetly anſwered alſo from … rightly applied, taken up and reſted … the ſoul. The laſt thing which hinder … aſſurance, is, the ſmaineſſe of the meaſ… grace that we have attained; for when … is ſmall, it is hard to be diſcerned, and … fore, if we would have aſſurance, lea… to ly ſtill and diſpute, but to riſe up … increaſe our ſtock, and then you ſhall … ye are rich, Grow in Grace and the know of God, and by this ye ſhall know if ye … know the Lord.
The third conſideration is, that aſſurance … not beſtowed at all times, but there are …ome ſpecial times and ſeaſons when God giveth a Chriſtian a broad ſight of his intereſt, …ad I ſhall but name theſe.
The firſt is, when he is firſt converted, and Chriſt and he joyns hands together, even then ſometimes the beſt robe is put on upon the prodigal ſon, and the fatted calf is killed, and a ring is put upon his hand, and ſhoes upon his feet, Act. 9.17. Paul meeteth with aſſurance immediatly after his converſion, 1 Joh. 2.12.14. I write unto you little children, becauſe ye have known the Father; and before that, in the 12. verſ. I write unto you little children, becauſe your ſins are forgiven you; ſo that when a Chriſtian is brought into Chriſt, he will (as it were) lead them to the Regiſters of heaven, and ſay, friend come and ſee, here is your name written from eternity: But do not miſtake me, I do not ſay, this is alwayes ſo, but theſe whom Chriſt converreth through the thunderings of the Law, theſe moſt frequently meet with intimation of the pardon of their ſins and peace of God, even at their firſt acquaintance. I know there are ſome Chriſtians, that if ye aſk at them when they were begotten to a lively hope, they would ſay that word that the blind man once ſaid, One thing I know, I was once blind, and now I ſee, but for the time and the day, I know not when it was.
The ſecond time is, when they are wreſtling with God like Princes in Prayer, and watching unto that exerciſe, Dan. 9.23. compared with the preceeding verſe, h… much and ſerious in prayer, doth meet that word from heaven, O man greatly … ved, or as the word is, O man of deſires, … Act. 10.2, 3, 4. when Cornelius is … exerciſe of watching and prayer, he … a viſion, and getteth intimation of his … with God; and Jacob when he was … ling with Chriſt, Gen. 32. he hath that … mony given him, Thou haſt as a prince … led with God and prevailed.
The third time is, when a Chriſtian is … ſing through the gates of death, and is … the borders of Eternity: I deſire not … miſtaken in this neither; I know ſome … ſtians are led to heaven through a dark tr… ſo as they never ſee a blink of the co… nance of Chriſt, untill the day come … they get him in their arms eternally w… his Fathers houſe; Some Chriſtians … they go through the gates of death, they … be diſputing of this queſtion, Where am … ing, but this is certain, that ſometimes, … oftentimes Chriſt will diſpenſe a broad … of a Chriſtians intereſt unto him at the … death, 2 Sam. 25.5. When was it that … ſands in the very jaws of death, God … made with me an everlaſting Covenant, … not when death was ſhaking hands with … and 2 Tim. 4.8. When was it that Paul … that ſong, I have fought the good fight of … I have finiſhed my courſe, henceforth is la… for me a crown of righteouſneſſe, was i… even then when he was ready to depart … … offered up? And when was it when old … …eon did ſing that bleſſed ſong, Luk. 2.29. Now letteſt thou thy ſervant depart in peace, for my eyes have ſeen thy ſalvation, was it not within a ſtep of death, as it were, he went to heaven with Chriſt in his arms, or rather in his heart he carried Chriſt with him, and found Chriſt before him, and ſo death to Sime…n was a change of his place, and not a change of his company.
The fourth time is, when he is to be put to ſome hard and difficult duty: Before Abraham be put to forſake his native land, and become a ſtranger and a wanderer, he meeteth with ſweet intimation of his …, Gen. 12.2. I will make of thee a great nation, and verſ. 7. The Lord appeared unto Abraham, and before Jeremiah be ſent a Preacher to a rebellious people he will have that word ſpoken unto him, I know thee before thou waſt brought forth.
The fifth time is, when a Chriſtian hath done ſome ſingular act of obedience, when Abraham had obeyed the Lord, and was content to offer up his Iſaac… he meeteth … ſight of his intereſt and Covenant renew … to him with an oath, Gen. 22.16. By my … I have ſworn, becauſe th… haſt done … and haſt not withholden thy ſon, even thy only ſon, bleſſing, I will bleſse thee, and multiplying. I will multiply thee as the ſtars of heaven.
The ſixth time is, when a Chriſtian is … meet with hard trials, difficulties and afflictions in the world, then they uſually meet with aſſurance, and ſo Gen 28.14, 15, 16. before Jacob go to ſerve Laban, he meeteth … intimation of his peace with God.
The ſeventh time is, when a Chriſtian under ſad perſecution and affliction, then the Lord give a word from heaven to co… him and aſſure him of his fatherly love mercy: When was it that Chriſt left that … Legacy to his Diſciples, Joh. 14. ver. 27. peace I leave with you, my peace I give you, it not when he himſelf was to leave the… troubleſome and ſorrowful dayes, in a … ſecuting world.
The eighth time is at ſome ſolemn O… nances and approaches to God, the daye… a Communion to a tender Chriſtian … been ſweet dayes, when Chriſt hath come the ſoul, and ſaid, Behold me, behold me. … think the eleven Apoſtles met with … aſſurance of their intereſt in Chriſt at … Communion they were at with him: O w… ſweet intimations were theſe, This is … body which is broken for you, and this … the New Testament in my blood ſhed for … and a little after, you are they which have … tinued with me in my tentation, and I appo… unto you a kingdom.
We come now to the ſecond point wh… we propoſed from the words, viz. That … aſſurance is a thing which may be attain … ſo to ſeek after it, is a neceſſary duty: … me not be miſtaken, as if I ſaid, the hav… of aſſurance were ſimply neceſſary to Sal… tion; no, that were a Doctrine as com… leſſe upon the other hand, as the Po… doctrine of the impoſſibility of aſſuranc… upon the other: But the thing I ſay, is, …hat the Chriſtians ſeeking after aſſurance, …nd his real endeavouring to attain unto it, …s a neceſſary command of God which he …ath bound upon the conſciences of his children amongſt other Goſpel duties; And certainly, we need go no further for the clearing of this then the Text it ſelf; what …eaneth theſe peremptory injunctions, Examine your ſelves whether ye be in the faith … not: Prove your own ſelves; Know ye not, &c. but if you will, you may add that word, … Pet. 1. verſ. 5. and 10. compared, what …an be more expreſly commanded, and more ſtrongly preſſed, then that Chriſtians ſhould …end their utmoſt endeavours for attaining unto this bleſſed condition of aſſurance: Give diligence, yea, give all diligence, yea the …ather give all diligence to make your calling …nd election ſure.
From this, we ſhall only lay before you theſe Conſiderations. 1. If the ſeeking after …ſſurance be a neceſſary duety, then theſe three things are moſt lamentable. Firſt, That there are ſo many in this Generation who are pure in their own eyes, and yet are not waſhed from their iniquity; they flatter themſelves with a rotten aſſurance, that hath no other foundation but their own imagination: they never knew ſince the firſt day they were Baptized and did begin to profeſſe Chriſt, what it was to mortifie one luſt, nor …eriouſly to wreſtle againſt one temptation, …nd yet they want not a ſtrong perſwaſion of …heir intereſt in Chriſt: But ah, will ye ſtand in awe, leſt ye meet with ſuch a d… f…ll diſappointment, as (when ye thi… are in the very gate of heaven) even th… fall backwards to the very bottome of … and when ye expect a kindly welcome … the Lord of Glory, as one who thinks … have been in Covenant with him this … years, ye meet with that dreadfull ſumm… Depart from me ye curſed, I know you not.
2. How ſad may we be upon this accou… that howbeit aſſurance be an attainable th… and a great many dare not ſay they have … tained it; yet ſo little diligence is uſed purſuing after it: Is it not very lamentab… that many of you to whom I am ſpeak… ſince firſt ye gave up your names to Chriſ… a viſible way, and were reputed amongſt generation of the ſeekers of his face, ſ… ever ſet a day or an hour a part to exa… whether ever indeed ye were in Chriſt or … Alas, is heaven of ſo little moment, is the … ving or wanting all the enjoyments which there of ſo ſmall concernment to you, tha… will not be at the pains as once to enquire … ter your intereſt in the matter: What if … of you were but poſſeſſors of a thouſ… pound, and your intereſt or right unto it … certain and queſtionable, would not your … depart from you, and your reſt be unquie … you had made it more ſecure? What th… you ſhall the men of this generation an… in the day of the Lord for neglecting th… thing neceſſary, when they have been ſo … ing themſelves about many things, and … been ſo ſerious in ſo many conſultation … make ſure a worm eaten portion in a periſhing world, that the whole wit of Men and Angels cannot ſecure for one moment: It is certain, the root of all this ſlothfulneſſe is Atheiſm: It is not poſſible that we believe …s really there is a heaven as we believe there … an earth, or that the world to come is as …eal as that which is preſent, or elſe it muſt be a ſtrange power in theſe luſts that keeps us captive, that we are never ſuffered to think upon Eternity, nor to aſk where we muſt …dge when this cottage we carry about ſhall fall about our ears. O will ye think upon it how ſerious and preſſing that command is, … Pet. 1.10. Give all diligence to make your calling and election ſure, when the Lord ſaith, Give all diligence, will ye give no diligence, and when he ſaith, make your calling and election ſure, will ye leave upon uncertainty, I ſaid to the fooliſh, deal not ſo fooliſhly.
3. It is moſt lamentable, that ſince aſſurance is attainable, yet men live ſo contentedly under the want thereof: how ſtrange is it that many are ſo ſeldom on their knees complaining of their uncertainty, if Chriſt were precious unto you, would it be ſo, I am ſure there are ſome of us here that have had the name of Chriſtians I know not how long, that never had one ſad thought about the want of aſſurance: when we look upon the deſolations, vaſtations and plunderings in the world, how many of us can cry out. They have taken away my gods, and what have I more; but when we ſpeak of heaven we care not who deprive us of our portion there. I will not limite the Lord, no… termine what he may do, but believe it, … one to a thouſand, if many Chriſtians of … age have a pleaſant night and comfortable … ſing of their eyes, they are ſuch underva… of aſſurance: I may fear, that lamenta… ſhall be heard upon the death-beds of … O poor wretched wandering ſoul where art … going: and it is no wonder it come to th… when we are ſo long in beginning to ask … queſtion. And now I cloſe with this … thing, that I think beyond all queſtion … ſouls that live contentedly under the want … aſſurance, are the careleſſe daughters that d… leth at eaſe; Chriſt and they are at a rema… able diſtance; it muſt be a cold winter and dark night (at beſt) as to their preſent … lowſhip with God.
A ſecond conſideration from this point … that if the ſeeking after aſſurance be ſo neceſſary a duty, then let me beſeech you to po… der with your ſelves what means are fit … you to uſe that ye may attain it, and if ye … quire what theſe means are, I ſhall only … before you ſome few.
1. That ye would be much in the exerc… of Faith, I mean the direct acts of Faith … whereby the ſinner from his ſenſe and fe… ing of his wants, layeth hold on Jeſus Chriſ… cloſing with him, and leaning upon him … a full ſupply out of his fulneſſe: for indeed there are two great faults amongſt the Lord people, ſome do ſeek aſſurance of Faith, before ever they ſeek to have faith. 2. Some … much more taken up in debating their … dences, whether they be real or not, then they are inſtrengthening their evidences, ſo that moſt of their time is ſpent in queſtioning: O! is this a real evidence of aſſurance; where as more actual believing in Chriſt and gripping to the promiſes, and leſſe diſputing, were the ſhorter and ſurer way, that word is moſt clear, Eph. 1.13. After ye believed, ye were ſealed with the spirit of promiſe, that is, ye got aſſurance, but not before ye believed: and ye know, it is ſaid, Matth. 9.2. And when Jeſus ſaw their faith, he ſaid, ſon, be of good comfort thy ſins are forgiven thee, ſo then it is clear, that to be much in believing, is the neareſt way to aſſurance.
2. Ye would be much in believing the general truths and promiſes of the Goſpel, and frequently meditating of them; all aſſurance is by a practical ſylogiſme; the firſt propoſition whereof muſt needs be a Scripture truth: And certainly, the firm aſſent to that truth, and the ſouls delightfull meditation on it, is often bleſſed of the Lord as a ſpecial mean whereby the conſcience is helped to make the aſſumption, and alſo to bring forth the concluſion: For inſtance, we ſee with what ſtrength of affection Paul acteth his faith on that word, 1 Tim. 1.15 This is a faithfull ſaying and worthy of all acceptation, Chriſt Jeſus came to ſave ſinners; and preſently we ſee what followeth on it of whom I am the chief, then is his aſſurance; for doubtleſſe he meaneth, that he was the chief of ſaved ſinners, yea, certainly, a ſinner thus exerciſing himſelf, will often finde ſo much ſweetneſſe in the general truths, … cannot but put to his own name.
3. diligent in the exerciſe of all ſp… tual graces and Chriſtian duties, that th… among the beſt means of attaining to … rance, is manifeſt from 2 Pet. 1. Give all … …ance to make your calling and election ſure: … …ndeed it is very obſervable, that the dilig… there mentioned, is not a diligence in diſp… ing and queſtioning about our election, … diligence in the practice of duties and gra… as is clear from ver. 5. Give all diligence (… the Apoſtle) Whereto? in adding to your … vertue, to your vertue knowledge, and to knowledge temperance, &c. and then verſ. 8. If … do theſe things, ye ſhall neither be barren … unfruitfull in the knowledge of our Lord Jeſu… Chriſt; he doth not ſay in the knowledge of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt ſimply, but of our Lo… Jeſus: importing that, that the reſult of diligence in theſe graces, ſhall be the knowledge of Chriſt as ours, and of our intere… in him: and then he addeth (upon the other hand) he that laketh theſe things, is blind … cannot ſee afar off, this is, he cannot ſee far … any ſpiritual matter, and ſo not in the matt… of his intereſt. O therefore, think not th… ye will get aſſurance by lying down with … ſleggard upon your bed, or by your for… prayers, or your anxious debates, but if ev… ye come to aſſurance, ye muſt be ſtriving … in an agony, for ſo the word importeth, whi… is uſed to expreſſe our diligence in Chriſtian duties.
4. As ye would be diligent, ſo if eve… would come to aſſurance, ye would be tender and circumſpect in your walking, that is … clear word, Pſal. 50. laſt verſe, To him that …dereth his converſation aright, will I ſhew …he ſalvation of God, and Iſa. 32. The effect of righteouſneſſe is peace and aſſurance for ever: …h the untender walk that many of us have: it is no wonder to ſee us walk in darkneſſe, …uch ſtinking groſſe vapors that ariſeth off our converſation, cannot but engender clouds …hat hinder us from ſeeing God, and certainly ſuch pearls as Aſſurance is not given to dogs and ſwine, leſt they tread upon them.