Additions to the Saints Everlasting Rest, Section 15
§ 15 SECT. XV.
3. TO this end let us, (but briefly) enquire further into the Scripture-way of discovering Sincerity, and see whether it do not fully confirm what I say. Matth. 10. 37. Christ saith, He that loveth Father or Mother more then me, is not worthy of me, and he that loveth Son or Daughter more then me, &c. So Luk 14. 26. If any man come to me, and hate not (that is, Love them not less) his Father, and Mother, and Wife, and Children, and Brethren, and Sisters, and his own Life, he cannot be my Disciple: And whosoever doth not bear his Cross, and come after me, cannot be my Disciple. So vers. 33. Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not All that he hath, he cannot be my Disciple. Here you see Sincerity is plainly laid, not in meer Love to Christ, but in the prevalent Degree of Love, as Christ is compared to other things. And for Obedience Christ shews it, Matth. 25. Luk. 19. 20, &c. Therefore Christ saith, Luk. 13. 24. Strive to enter in at the strait gate; for many shall seek to enter, and not be able. Seeking comes short of striving in the Degree. And Paul saith, They which run in a race, run all, but one receiveth the Prize: So run that ye may obtain, 1 Cor. 9. 24. So vers. 26, 27. & Heb. 12. 1. And Christ commandeth, Matth. 6. 33. Seek first the Kingdom of God and his Righteousnesse: Shewing plainly, That the saving Sincerity of our seeking lieth in this comparative Degree; in preferring Gods Kingdom before the things below So he saith, Joh. 6. 27. Labour not for the meat that perisheth (not, in comparison) but for the meat that endureth to Everlasting life, which the Son will give you. So Heb. 11. 6, 14, 16, 25, 26, 35. & 13. 14. Col. 3. 1. Rom. 2. 7. Luk. 17. 33. & 12. 30, 31. Amos 5. 4, 8, 14. Isa. 58. 2, 3. & 1. 17. Prov. 8. 17. Psal. 119. 2. Also a hundred places might be produced, wherein Christ sets himself still against the world as his competitor, and promiseth Life on the Condition that we prefer him …efore it. To this end are all those precepts for suffering, and bearing the Cross, and denying our selves, and forsaking all. The Merchant that buieth this Pearl must sell All that he hath to buy it (though he give nothing for it.) All the beginning of Rom. 8. as Vers. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14. do fully shew, that our work and warfare lieth in a perpetual combat between the Flesh and Spirit, between their several Interests, Motives, Ends and Desires: and that which prevaileth shews what we are: When the flesh prevaileth finally it is certain Death; and where the Spirit prevaileth, it is certain Life. What can be more plain, then that Sincerity of Grace, as saving, is here placed in the Comparative or Prevailing Degree? So also Gal. 5. 17, 24. The Flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the Flesh, and these are contrary one to the other. But they that are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts thereof. Therefore are we charged, Rom. 13. 14. To make no provision for the Flesh to satisfie its lusts. So 1 Joh. 2. 16. Ephes. 2. 3. Gal. 5. 16, 17, 18, 19. Joh. 1. 13. & 3. 6. And Christ shews fully, Matth. 13. 5, 20, &c. that the difference between those that fall away, and those that persevere proceedeth hence, that one giveth deep Rooting to the Gospel, and the other doth not. The seed is rooted in both, or else it would not bring forth a blade and imperfect fruit: But the stony ground gives it not deep rooting, which the good ground doth. Doth not this make it as plain as can be spoken, that sincerity lieth in Degree, and not in any Physical difference either of Habits or Acts? The like may be gathered from all those Texts of Scripture, where Salvation is promised to those that Overcome; or on Condition of Overcoming: Not to all that fight; but to all that Overcome: as Revel. 2. 7, 11, 17, 26. & 3. 5, 12, 21. & 21. 7. He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my Son. So 1 Joh. 5. 4, 5. He that is born of God, Overcometh the world. And they Overcome the wicked One, 1 Joh. 2. 13. & 4. 4. So Luk. 11. 22. And the state of wicked men is described by their being Overcome by sin and the world, 2 Pet. 2. 19, 20. Fighting is the same Action naturally in both: but the valiant, strong and constant, conquer; when the feeble, faint, and cowardly, and impatient do turn their backs, and are overcome. So Christ saith, The Kingdom of Heaven suffereth Violence, and the Violent take it by force. Now Violence is not any distinct Action, but a different Degree of Action. Nor can you say, that all these places speak only of outward Action: For no doubt but it is Inward Violence more then outward, and the Inward Actions of the soul intended, more then the Motions of the body, which lay hold on the Kingdom, and make us Conquerours. So the Saints are described in Scripture by such Gradual and Prevalent differing Acts. As David: Whom have I in Heaven but thee? and there is none in Earth that I desire in comparison of thee, Psal. 73. 26, 27. Thy loving kindness is better then life, Psal. 63. 3. The Lord is my Portion, &c. A wicked man may esteem God and his Loving kindness; but not as his Portion, nor better then Life. So the wicked are called Lovers of Pleasure more then God, 2 Tim 3. 4. The Godly may Love Pleasure, but not more then God. The Pharisees Loved the Praise of men more then the Honour which is from God, Joh. 12. 43. A Godly man may Love the Praise of Men; but not More, &c. See also Job 3. 21. & 23. 12. Psal. 47. & 19. 10. & 52. 3. & 119. 72. Very many more Texts might be produced which prove this Point, but these may suffice.