A Complete Body of Divinity, Sermons · 120 (Question 31 cont.)
SERMON CXX.
WE have taken an account how the Spirit of God applies himſelf inwardly to the Underſtanding, both by Conviction and Illumination. We proceed now to his applying himſelf to the Will, and working a ſaving Change in that, which is here called the renewing of our Wills. About this Work, the Chriſtian World is full of unhappy diſputes, occaſioned by the eager Pacrons of Free-Will. But my buſineſs here is not Polemical. I ſhall not here diſcourſe Phyſically, o… …re Nature of the Reaſonable Soul; or i… … whether the Underſtanding and Will it is be in themſelves two diſtinct Faculties, of one having in it theſe powers, diſting…ſhed in themſelves or our conceptions. Our knowledge of the nature of our own Souls, is very ſhallow and confuſed. But for our right Conception of the affair before us, we may obſerve theſe Concluſions,
1. THAT the product of Effectual Vecation, is our Believing in Chriſt for Salvation. This will afterwards be ſpoken to. Here only I mention it, as a Ground of what follows. We are therefore told in the former, that Faith is wrought in us, in out Effectual Calling. For, by the Goſpel we are invited to come to Chriſt for Life, and in Believing we anſwer this Call.
2. THAT in this Believing there is required both a Judgment and an Election. Faith, according to the Goſpel ſenſe of it, contains both an Aſſent, and a Conſent. There is a judging of Chriſt to be an Object ſuitable for the man to rely upon, and every way ſufficient to do that for us, which we go to him for; and a choice made of him to be the Object of this truſt. For, both of theſe go into every humane action; and it is certain that there is no act of ſaving Faith without both. If we do not judge of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, to be ſuch an One as can ſave us we cannot truſt in him as a Saviour. Pſal. 9.10. And they that know thy name will put their truſt in thee. And if we acknowledge never ſo plauſibly the Goſpel Truths, yet if we do not reject all other Objects, and rely upon him on a free choice, we are Unbelievers.
3. THAT theſe are two diſtinct Operations of the Soul. However there be a concomitancy of them in the act of believing, yet in themſelves they are not one and the ſame thing, but diverſe. It is one thing to declare that we ſind a thing to be thus and ſo, and another thing to paſs an act thereupon, in either chuſing or retuſing the thing according as it is ſo found. And though this latter is built upon the former, yet it is another thing quite different from it.
4 HENCE, They infer two diverſe Powers in the Soul to exert them. As paſſing a judgement on a thing, and paſſing an act of choice or refuſal, are in themſelves vaſtly different, ſo we muſt conceive the power of exerting them to be as different; ſo that they muſt flow from two principles, really diverſe one from another. As without knowledge there can be no judgment paſt, ſo without liberty, there can no election be made. Now reaſon tells us, that knowledge is one thing, and liberty another.
5. THAT the former of theſe is that which we call Underſtanding, and the letter the Will. Which, though they belong to one and the ſame Soul, yet are ſeveral powers of it, and accordingly are generally ſuppoſed to be diſtinct faculties. However, the Word of God every where ſpeaks of them diſtinctly, and aſſigns theſe actions accordingly to them; That whereby we diſcern things. and give in … verdict about them, is called the Underſtanding: That whereby we determine on our Object, … reſolve upon our Actions, we call the Will.
6. THAT b…th of theſe powers are ob… depraved by Sin, in reſpect of ſpiritual things Not that man's Apoſtacy hath tooted our theſe faculties, or taken away from th… their natures, as they belong to meet … nity, for then ſhould man ceaſe to be a re… theſe powers were put into man, to cap…ci… him to ſerve God as a free and vo… Agent, and were accordingly ſanctified by the impreſſion of the image of God upon th…, ſo are they ſpolled by the Amiſſion of the image, and become unable to ſerve to their end. The pravity of the nature of man by ſin is univerſal. All the powers in him are undone by it. As therefore his Judgment is … about the things of God, becauſe he hath … the power of diſcerning them; (as, 1 C…. …) So his Elective power is gone, as to any … Object, and his Will is utterly unable … chuſe Chriſt, and refuſe other objects for him. Hence that, Job. 5.40. And therefore … giving the Will, as well as the enlig…ing of the Mind, is aſcribed to God in the Go… Phil, 2.13. For it is God which working in … both to do will and to do of his good plea…
7. HENCE, Both of theſe muſt be … in Converſion. It is not enough as ſome …, that the Underſtanding be perſwaded of … Truth, and brought to give a full aſſ… as if the Will muſt thereupon ſponta… … follow it, without any more ado. F… when the Mind is ſavingly enlightewed, … Will doth ever cloſe in with that light, and reſign itſelf to it, yet the reaſon is, … the regenerating Work of Spirits is … in the whole man at once. He never … new Underſtanding, but a new Will with it. The whole body of ſanctifying Grace b… created, and infuſed at once. Hence … are put together, Act. 26.18. To upon … eyes, and to turn them from darkneſs to … from the power of Satan unto God, that th… … receive forgiveneſs of ſins, and inheri… among them which are ſanctified by faith the is in me.
THAT therefore which now lies before … is, to conſider what is done by the Spirit of God in the renewing of our Wills, ſo as to put … them a power and inclination to make ch… of Jeſus Chriſt, and believe in him to … tion. For our right taking up whereof, … theſe things be conſidered,
1. THAT there are two ſorts of A… performed by the Will viz. Elicite and Imper…; the former immediately by it ſelf, and the … by the affections. The Elicite acts of the … are in chuſing or rejecting the Object before …. This act is performed inwardly by it, and belongs to the ſovereignty of the Will … man, by vertue whereof he is a free …. Hence ſuch a precept is given us, Amo…. Hate the evil, and love the good. And th… … given as a ſign of a perſons being cap…ble … acting as a man. Iſai. 7.16, For before the …ill …ll know to refuſe the evil, and couſe the … The Imperate …s of ale Will are theſe … which it pats its b…tions in execution, and …ſues them to effect; in which it nextly makes …ſe fo the Aſſection, by which it manageth the … …ean. Whether the Affections belong … the Will in man, and are only the various …tions of it, or whether they be diſtinct …lties in him, and are ſeated in his infe… powers, I diſpute not. It is certain, … they are the inſtruments by which the Will performs its Imperate actions, and in which it is either carried to or from the …ject.
2 THAT both theſe ſorts of Actions are re… to actual Believing on Chriſt. The act of Faith which is exerred by the Soul in its …ſure with Chriſt in Effectual Colling, …fulls of both an abſolute choice made of him, and a going out of the whole Soul to him, as ſuch an Object. The former of theſe is expreſt in that, Pſal. 73.25. Whom have I is …en but thee? and th…re is none upon with that I deſire b…ſiles thee. The latter in that, Pſal. 63 8. My ſ…ul ſ…lloweth hard after the. And for this reaſon, the act of Faith is often expreſt by love, deſire, hope, &c. becauſe is every of theſe the Soul is carried out to him, as the Object of its truſt & dependance.
3 THAT there is a miſerable impotency and …g…ity in the Will of fallen man, with reſp…ct which of theſe. The pravity of man's nat…e, by the officacy of Original Sin, is not … diſcovered in the blindneſs of his mind, … alſo in the indiſpoſition and perverſeneſs of his Will. And here, (1.) IT labours of utter impotency to make this …ce, or to purſue it. Sin hath led man …uſe another object, and they cannot alter it, Iſai. 44.20. He feedeth on aſhes: a …ived heart hath turned him eſide, that he … deliver his ſoul, nor ſay, Is there not a …e … my right hand? It hath alienated their hearts from God, and they cannot turn them again. And on this account they are ſaid to be …out ſtrength, Rom. 5.6. And Faul ſets forth the man's inſufficiency in this regard, is to himſelf, 2 Cor. 3.5. The Will indeed …ins a Will, and hath not loſt its natural power; it cannot be forced. But they miſtake who think the Will is ſpoiled of its natural libery, unleſs its rerains a power of indiffenacy to all things that are oppoſite, to chuſe or …fuſe on either hand. That it hath ſuch a libetry in ſome things is not to be denied; but then they are things natural. not things ſpiritual. It ſufficeth that the Will is not …, while it retains its ſpontaneity, and the willing to, and not contrary to its incli…tion; which ſpontaneity is conſiſtent with … impotency to ſome actions, and a neceſſity of where. There are ſome things which a man …not but chuſe and purſue, and others which he cannot but refuſe and avoid, and yet he doth it with a full ſreedom, or ſpon…eous acting therein. (2.) IT alſo labours of …ful malignity. Original Sin hath ſo defiled the Will, as it is filled with an engaged enmity againſt the Will of God, Rom. 8.7. It is perverſly ſet to depart from God, and purſue the things that are contrary to him. And accordingly it is ſet againſt believing on Chriſt, when revealed and effeted in the Goſpel. Hence that, Job. 5.40. The corrupt juſts that are ſeated in it, fill it with all malice againſt the Goſpel-way of Salvation.
4. THAT as long as the Will is under the dominion of this impotency & malignity, it can exert neither of theſe acts upon Chriſt. The power of Original Sin on the Wills of men is ſuch, that they cannot refiſt it … themſelves. The Will is made a Capt … and how ſhould it be able to free itſelf w…les it is a voluntary Captive? And ſo i…wuſt needs be, till releaſed from that Captive. L…t, that hath the regimen of the Soul … itſeft; the ingenerate contrariety there is in it unto God, keeps it bound. And yet it all this while acts as a Will; though as a dep…red and corrupted Will. The viciouſ… of its nature carries it forth and holds it faſt to the bias, or corrupt inclination which is upon it. How ſhould the man chuſe Chriſt while other objects have & poſſeſs his heart. Hence that, J…h 5.44. How can ye…b lieve, which receive honour one of another, and ſeek not the honour which cometh from God only? And how ſhould he go forth after Chriſt, whoſe affections are glewed to other objects? Theſe therefore muſt he ſubdned, if ever this he done.
5. THAT hence there muſt he a renewing Change wrought in the Will, in order to its being thus enabled to of ſe with Chriſt. Could we ſuppoſe never ſo much light l… into the Underſtanding, cauſing it to diſcern all the preciouſneſs of Chriſt as he is revealed in the Goſpel; yet if the Will remain in the ſame poſture it is in in the man's natural eſtate, it would he impoſſible for it to chuſe Chriſt, and to love him. There muſt therefore he a renovation on it. When therefore the Apoſtle had ſpoken of our being renewed in the image of our mind. Eph. 4.23. he exemplifies it with reſpect to the Will, ver. 24. And that ye put on the none man which after God is created in righteouſneſs, and true holineſs. A new Underſtanding, without a new Heart, will never amount to a thorough Converſion. As long as the Will remains poſſeſſed of corrupt luſts, and hath no other power in it, it can never imbrace Chriſt.
6. THIS renewing Change is wrought, by cre…ting a new principle of ſaving Grace in the Will and Affections. It is certain, that if ever the man believe, he muſt have power to believe. This power is that which we call the habit of Faith; which habit is not infuſed by it ſelf, but together with all the other regenerating Graces, which are wrought in the Soul by the Spirit: An Account whereof we before took. This is that which is called the giving of a new heart, and the putting in of a new ſpirit, &c. Ezek. 36.26. which cannot intend new faculties, but a new ſaving impreſſion of Grace on the faculties of the Soul in the man. Now, how this is done on the Will and Affections, with reſpect to Effectual Vocation, or the diſpoſing of the heart to believing on Chriſt, may be conſidered in three or four particulars.
(1.) THE Spirit of God, together with the light which be lets into the Under ſtanding, puts into the heart an high eſteem of Jeſus Chriſt. Chriſt is propoſed as the Object of Faith, to perſwade the Soul to accept of him as ſuch. He is commended to the man as a Glorious One, in all his fulneſs of ſufficiency. Now not only is the mind irradiated with theſe diſcoveries, ſo as to ſubſcribe to the truth of them; but there is with it put into the heart an appreciation of him: He is made to it exceeding precious: The Soul hath an impreſſion of his Excellency upon it, ſo as to value him, the chief of ten Thouſands, Cant. 5.10.
(2.) THE Spirit of God forms Chriſt in the Soul. The Apoſtle hath ſuch an expreſſion, Gal. 4.19. My little children of whom I travail in birth again until Chriſt be ſormed in you. He then forms Chriſt in the man when he brings Chriſt into the heart, and gives him a room there; when the Soul is made to feel thoſe impreſſions on it, whereby Chriſt comes into it, and takes up his dwelling and abode in it. The heart is taken up for him, and Chriſt takes poſſeſſion of it by his Spirit. Hence we read of the Spirit's dwelling in us, Rom. 8. 11. and of Chriſt's being in us, ver. 10.
(3.) HE herewith puts into the Will, an irreſiſtable ſpontaneity, to make Choice of Chriſt, as the Object of his Truſt. Here is no force put upon the Will, but there is an influence on i… ſuitable to its nature. There is ſuch an impreſſion made upon it, that carries it forth with the greateſt freedom. Now this impreſſion it ſelf, it properly the renovation of the Will, as to its elective power, in order to the Elicit act: And as it doth it with greateſt freedom, ſo it cannot do otherwiſe. The Spouſe therefore tells us how it was with her unexpectedly, Cant. 6.12. Or ever I was aware, my ſoul made me as the chariots of Ammi-nadib. And accordingly we are told, in Pſal. 110. 3. Thy people ſhall be willing in the day of thy power.
(4) AND he puts a new ſpring into the Affections, by infuſing the habits of Grace into them, ſuitable to their Operations. The Affections are of two ſorts, ſeperating and cloſing; ſuited to the two ſorts of Elicit acts in the Will, refuſing and chuſing. Theſe alſo are very exorbitant by reaſon of Sin: But the Spirit of God puts a new inclination into them: He ſanctifies them, by making the ſeperating Affections fit to fly from every other object of truſt, and the cloſing ones to carry the Soul out after Chriſt. The Affections are ſpiritualized, and now ſet on the things above, Col. 3.2.
THUS is the Work wrought in the Soul which belongs to poſſive Converſion, and by it, the Grace of Faith, together with all other Graces is planted in the man.
We now proceed, very briefly, to … the reſult of all this, or what poſture it … the Soul into in order to believing; which is expreſt in theſe words, He doth Perſuade and enable us to Embrace Chriſt on the Go… Offer. The word perſuade, may be applied either to the Work it ſelf in paſſive Co… ſion, or to the act of Faith that is conſequence thereupon. We at preſent ſhall conſider it only in the former reſpect. And ſo there are two things here to be obſerved, viz.
1. The there is a new power put into the Soul to … of Chriſt.
2. That there is alſo a diſ…tion … inclination put into it, thus to do.
I ſhall not diſcourſe of them diſtinctly, only conſidering them together, let us obſerve theſe things.
1. THAT in the fore deſcribed Work, there are all the principles of a ſaving Faith … in the man. The work of Grace produced in the heart by the Spirit of God in Convenſion, as a furniture fitting him for that ſervice which by the apoſtacy he was diſabled …. They are the habits of Graces that are … ſed into the man in it. The ſpiritual Ill… nation let into the Underſtanding, and the renovation beſtowed on the Will, are the … of Faith in the Soul.
2. THAT the deſign of their being put … the man is for the acting of Faith. De… all the active principles that are put in to the Creature, whether in the firſt or in the … Creation, were deſigned for the … acting them; otherwiſe they had been in … whereas it is certain, that God doth nothing in vain. The end of ſpiritual Principles is the ſpiritual Performances. As God gave … eyes to ſee withal, and hands to Work with, ſo he gives a man Faith to Believe wi…. The deſign of Grace is to bring men to … tion. Hence that title, Tit. 2.11. For the grace of God that bringeth Salvation, … … peared to all men. And how it that, but by bringing them to compliance with the … of the new Covenant, in which Salvation is offered them. Now in thoſe terms, … Believing is called for, and thereupon the promiſe ſo runs, Mar. 16.16. He that … and is baptised ſhall be ſaved.
3. HENCE, They muſt needs bring ſuch … power with them into the man, as to enable him to imbrace an offered Saviour. Elſe they would ſtill be in vain. For a thing is then vain, not only when it is for no end, but alſo when it miſſeth of its end, and eſpecially when it ſo doth, for want of ability to anſwer …. It is true, all the gracious habits put in by the Spirit have a neceſſary dependance on his co-operation for their acting. As Phil. 2.13. For it is God which worketh in you, both to said and to do of his good pleaſre. Joh. 15.5. l…t the vine, ye are the branches: He that … in me, and I in him, the ſame bringeth forth … fruit: for without me ye can do nothing … have in them an ordinate power, i e. … by them …ſhed for every good work. … is now alive, and ſo fitted for life…, Eph. 2.1. And you hath be quickned who … in treſpiſſed and …. The man is … his ſphear, to anſwer the call of Chriſt, … man that hath an Eye, and fight in it, … to look upon an object.
4. AND the very nature of theſe Principles, … …ſpoſe the man to Believe. As they bring … them a power, ſo they put into the man …tion to believe in Chriſt, to accept of … him, according as he is thus offer… …. It is true, there is a drawing of … Spirit, in order to our following. Accor… to Cour. 1.4. But the way in which the … …ws forth the act of Faith, is by giving … paticiple wrought in the man its … …tion; ſo that when the Under… is ſpiritually enlightened, and diſ… … the glorious Excellencies in Chriſt … Object of truſt; and the Will is filled … Chriſt dwelling in it, and all the Affecti… … influenced with this Grace; the ope… of them is natural and irreſiſtible. … i… their Object, and they cannot reſt … carry the man forth to him. He is …, and they draw naturally to him. … the man can truly ſay, Pſal. 4.2.7. As the … …fter the water-brooks, ſo pan…eth … thee, O God.
… I. LEARN hence, that the Work of … Calling muſt needs …nſcend the … of producing in himſelf. It is … for the Spirit of God to offer the … to us in the Goſpel, and uſe the … perſuaſive to allure us to it, and … it to our own free will, whether … accept of it or no. Well might the … …y, Eph. 2.8, 9. For by grace are ye … faith, and that not of your ſelves: … …iſt of God: Not of works, leſt any … b…ſt. The Will muſt be perſwaded … i… imbraces Chriſt; and there is no … but what is voluntary. And the … be renewed if ever it be perſwa… … …nal mind is enmity it ſelf, Rom. … till that enmity be taken away, … …rt a new diſpoſed, it can never … vain therefore do men pretend … …ho never had ſuch a Work of … …ght in them. For ſo the Apoſtle … Theſ. 1.11. Wherefore alſo we … for you, that our God would count … of this calling, and fulfill all the good … …f his goodneſs, and the work of faith …. Eph. 1.19. And what is the ex… …ro…tneſs of his power to us-ward who … …ding to the working of his mighty …
… II. THIS tells us whether to go, and … writ for this Grace. Truly we are … in the uſe of all the means of … appointment: For we are told, Rom. … I am not aſhamed of the goſpel of Chriſt: … the power of God unto ſalvation, to … believeth, to the Jew firſt, & alſo to the Greek. But we muſt here wait for the operations of the Spirit in and with theſe means; and accordingly repounce all dependance on the means, or on ourſelves in uſe of them.
USE. III. ARE we Effectally Called, Let as then aſcribe the whole Praiſe of it to God. Let the whole Glory be aſcribed to him Are we new born? It is not of bloud, nor of the will of the fleſh, not of the will of man but of God, Joh. 1.13. Let us then thankfully celebrate his kindneſs, and confeſs that it is by the Grace of God that …e are what … are.
[MAY 10. 1698.]