A Complete Body of Divinity, Sermons · 133 (Question 36)
SERMON CXXXIII.
QUESTION XXXVI.
WHAT are the Benefits which in this Life do accompany or flow from Jutification, Adoption, and Sanctification?
ANSWER.
THE Benefits which in this Life do either accompany or flow from Juſtification Adoption, and Sanctification, are, Aſſurance of GOD's Love, Peace of Conicience, Joy in the Holy Ghoſt, Increaſe of Grace, and Perſeverance therein to the End.
We have here an Account of the ſeveral precious Benefits, that thoſe who are Effectually Called, are made ſharers in, during their Pilgrimage in this World, which are aſſigned as concomitant with, or conſequent upon the former, and are accordingly preſented as ſo many ſeveral Heads of Contemplation. I ſhall therefore take them up in the Order wherein they are propoſed. Only to reduce them to the ſorm of Sound Words. and give them their proper place in the method of D…vinity, let me premiſe: We have formerly obſerved that the fruits of our Communion with Chriſt, which flows from our Union to him in Effectual Vocation, are diſtributed into ſuch as make either a relative or a real Change in the ſubject of them. To the former are aſſigned Juſtification & Adoption; to the latter Sanctification and Glorification: And that the former of theſe are performed in an Act, the latter in a Work; ſo that thoſe are perfected at once, whereas theſe are carried on by degrees, and accordingly are to be conſidered, in their inchoation, increment, and perfection. Now the beginning and increaſe of them is in this Life, and ſo to be conſidered, but the perfection is reſ…ved till Afterward, and is to be referred t…ther. Of the nature & increaſe of Sanctification, we have taken a Account under the …or…er Anſwer; we are now to paſs over to the conſideration of Glorification, as it is begun in this Life; and that it is begun here, and Believers have the firſt fruits of it in this life, is abundantly aſſerted in the … of God. For this reaſon it is not only ſaid that they ſhall be, but that they are already bleſſed, Pſal. 2.12. Bleſſed are all they that put their truſt in him. Pſal. 32.1, 2. Now we a…led to the Contemplation of the inchoate Glory of the Children of God in the Anſwer before us; for, though the three former … more immediately belong to it, viz. Aſſurance, Peace, and Joy; whereas the fourth, viz. Increaſe of Grace, nextly refers to … Augmentation of Sanctfication, and …he …, viz. Perſeverance, may ſpecially be … to Adoption, or that Sealing of the … which is then received. Yet in as much, as Glorification in that which all the other … nefirs have an aim at, we may refer th… … to that. But, not to be carions here, … ceed to take them up as they lie before ….
I. THE firſt of theſe Benefits is, … of God's Love. The Doctrine of … fully aſſerted in the Scriptures: both … there is ſuch a thing, what it is, and … be obtained. And the People of God's urged and preſſed to endeavour after … our happineſs conſiſts in our enjoy … God for our Portion. When therefore … is ſettled and ſecured, we are in a … Bleſſedneſs; and according to the app… ſions we have of this, ſuch are our reſe…, of our relicity. That we may rightly … up the Subject in hand, obſerve, that … is a …woſold Aſſurance of our well-being … reſpecting God, the other our ſelves. … God, there is a ſecurity fixed in the C… of Redemption, in which are writed … Names of all thoſe, that are appointed … made Heirs of Glory, which Regiſter … no blots, 2 Tim. 2.19. But this con… under our preſent confideration. … our ſelves alſo, Aſſurance is twoſold. … an Aſſurance of States; when having … Goſpel Condition wrought in us, we … entituled to the Promiſe, which … fail, R…m. 11.29. For the giſts and … God are without Repentance. And th… Aſſurance of Knowledge, when this … diſcerned by us, and we can argue … to our fafety, 2 Tim. 1.12. I know … I have believed, & am perſwaded—Th… … is mainly intended in this Benefit, … Aſſurance of knowledge, as it preſu… Aſſurance of our ſlate, for that muſt be … this can he. That is uſually called th… … rance of the Object, this of the Subject…. … that we may take a more diſtinct ac… it, let us obſerve this Deſcription … Aſſurance is a part of Glory begun on … whereby the Soul reflecting on it ſelf, … … cerning its own ſtate of Grace, by t… … the Word and Spirit, is certified of God … to him and conſ quently, of his own … Well-being. In which obſerve,
1. THE general Nature of it, it … of Glory be…un on Earth; and ſo it be… the Doctrine of Glorification. And th… … appear if we conſider,
1. THAT in order of nature it ſuppo… ſo is after Vocation, Juſtification, A… and Sanctification. As to Juſtificat… … Adoption, they belong to the Object of … thoſe things by diſcerning whereof it … …d, and they muſt be, before they are …erned. And as to Vocation & Sanctification, …y are the Evidences of the former, on which this Aſſurance is built, and ſo are Cauſes … it, and, at lea…t in order of nature before …, it therefore muſt be ſomething diſtinct … them.
2. THAT Aſſurance is not the man's good … is ſelf, b…t the Certainty of it: and there…re that muſt go before this. A thing muſt …, before it can be known; for the firſt point of knowledge about any thing, is that it is. … all the fore mentioned Benefits do belong … the goodneſs of the man's ſtate, this there…e muſt be ſomething different from them …. And what other Head then can it refer …, but that of Glorification? Eſpecially if we confider the proper fruits of it: Of which afterwards,
2. WE have the ſpecial nature of this Aſſurance, in the reſt of the Deſcription. …d h…re in general obſerve, that it is deſ…ed under the nature of an Act, as it is …red by the man: and the reaſon of it is, …ſe it is properly ſeated in the Conſcience, which eminent Divines Judge to be an act of … pra…tical Underſtanding. That it is ſeated in the Conſcience is evident, becauſe it is a concluſion drawn from premiſes, whereof the … propoſition is found in our ſelves, and the Concluſion is a judgment of our ſelves, which is the very nature of Conſcience. …des. ſupernatural habits are abiding and …, whereas one may have this Aſſurance, and want it again: for, tho' the ſtate abide, … apprehenſion of it may be ſuſpended, Iſa. …. 10. Who is among you that ſeareth the Lord, … …th the voice of his ſervants that walketh …neſs. And it is proper to the nature …, to be off and on. Particularly,
1. WE have the kind of the Act; it is a …ion. And hereby it appears to be a … really diſtinct from juſtifying Faith, … is a direct act of the Soul, by which … out of it ſelf to Chiriſt; whereas this …a…ing into one ſelf: ſo that they miſtake … put the Aſſurance of knowledge into the … of juſtifying Faith. For indeed, … …fer both in the Object; for the Object of … is Chriſt, as One Alſufficient to ſave … …ting us by his Promiſe to cloſe in with …, for all the good offered us: whereas … Object of Aſſurance, is thoſe effects of his … in us, by which we apprehend that we … apprehended, or believe that we have …ed, 2 Tim. 1.12. I know whom I have …, and am perſwaded— And in the End, … of Faith, is Life, Job. 5.40. but the … Aſſurance is comfort of ſtobility in the … Life.
2. We have the Subject of this Act; viz. a … ſelf. It is a ſelf reflection, or a looking …, a turning of the eye of the mind upon …, Aſſurance doth not go out to the Pro…nt in to find the application of the …. It doth not ſearch whether there be … Promiſes, but preſumes of that, and looks to f…d the impreſſion or Seal of them upon us. And hence it is the reſult of Self-Examination, 2 Cor. 13.5. Examine whether you be in the Faith.
3. WE have the Matter of this Aſſurance, or the Argument from which it is drawn, viz. His diſcerning of his ſtate of Grace. There muſt be ſuch a ſtate, before there can be an Aſſurance of it; for God's purpoſe of giving it, is a ſecret till he hath put the new Nature into us, by which our ſtate is changed: And conſequently, our Evidence by which we diſcern it, muſt be fetched from our finding that in us, which is the condition of the new Covenant, to which the Promiſe is annexed. Now the Evidences by which this Aſſurance is obtained are two and no more, viz. Faith and Repentance, or Effectual Vocation and Sanctification. The things teſtifyed, are our Juſtification and Adoption, but the things teſtifying, are our Vocation and Sanctification. The thing known is, that we are in a ſtate of favour with God, but the Evidence of it is,
(1.) FAITH, or Vocation: viz. that we have truly received and apprehended Chriſt by Faith. If we can find in us the Work of the Spirit, in breaking us off from all our other objects of Confidence, and building us up upon Chriſt by a living Faith, we have then an infallible Argument of our good ſtate, becauſe the Promiſe hath ſecured Everlaſting Life to all ſuch as have ſo done, Joh. 3.10. Whoſoever believeth in him, ſhall not periſh, but have everlaſting life.
(2.) REPENTANCE, or Sanctification. If we have received a new principle of Spiritual Life, from whence do flow the acts of new Obedience. If we are new moulded, and all things are become new in us, a new Heart, and a new Life, as 2 Cor. 5.17. Therefore if any man be in Chriſt, he is a new creature; old things are paſt away, behold, all things are become new. And by this alſo we have a Scripture Evidence, that we are Heirs of the Promiſe. By theſe we have an evidence of our Juſtification, Rom. 8.1. And of our Adoption, Gal. 3.26. The Conſcience draws its Aſſurance in a ſyllogiſtical way: it finds the firſt Propoſition in the Goſpel, viz. He that believes and repents ſhall be ſaved. It finds the ſecond in the man, I have believed and repented. And draws the Concluſion rationally, and ſurely, I therefore ſhall be ſaved.
4. WE have the Efficient Adjuvant Cauſe of this Aſſurance: It is obtain'd by the direction of the Word, and the efficacy of the Spirit. The man diſcovers his good eſtate, by the help of both theſe,
(1.) BY the help of the Word; as an adjuvant inſtrumental Cauſe, by which we come to diſcern out ſpiritual Life. And that wherein the Word mainly promoves this Aſſurance, is by affording a certain ground of ſelf-reflection, on the firſt propoſition in the ſyllogiſm, by which he is guided to a right judgment of his ſtate. It is the World that diſcloſeth to us the infallible Conditions, upon which God that cannot lie, hath engaged Lite and Salvation to his People, in the Covenant of Grace, and ſo affords us a Rule to lay our ſelves by, ſuch as, Mar. 16.16.1 Job. 3.10, 14.
(3.) BY the help of the Spirit; who works as the ſu…ream Efficient of all Good to and in the Soul. And here, [1.] HE is the Inditer of thoſe Scriptures, wherein theſe Promiſes and evident Notes are diſplay'd. 2. Tim. 3.16. All Scripture is given by inſpir…tion of God. And this is a ground of ſecurity on one hand; the man is certifyed, that the rule it ſelf is certain and infallible, ſo that all doubts and diſputes are removed on this ſide: he muſt either queſtion the veracity of God, or be at loſs whether the Scriptures be his Word, who is at a loſs about the Truth of that, that whoſoever believes on Chriſt ſhall be ſaved, &c. [2.] HE opens the meaning of theſe Scriptures to their Underſtandings, and opens their Underſtandings to conceive it, and to diſcern the true and genuine ſenſe of theſe Rules. We naturally have not this diſcerning, but he affords it to us, 1 Cor. 2.11, 12. For what man knoweth the things of a man, ſave the ſpirit of man which is in him? even ſo the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have not received the ſpirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Thus Chriſt is ſaid to open their eyes, in Luk 24.45. Then opened he their underſtanding, that they might underſtand the Scriptures. [3.] HE enableth the man to compare himſelf by theſe Rules, and ſo come to a true and undeceiving knowledge of his state. He enableth him to ſee his own face in this Glaſs, and to find the ſame Characters of a true Believer Imprinted on his Soul, that are charactetized in the Holy Scriptures, and that Original to be truly copied out in his heart. It is by his help that we are enabled to diſcern true Faith from that which is counterfeit; Evangelical Repentance from that which is legal. 2 Cor. 2.12. [4.] HE gives in his own Teſtimony to the Soul, bearing witneſs to the Truth of all this. We muſt diſtinguiſh between the aſſiſtance he gives us to help us to prove and diſcover the truth of our ſtate, by comparing our ſelves with the Word of God, and the witneſs which he, as he is the Spirit of Adoption, leaves to the confirmation of his Truth. So that, by vertue of this there come to he two Witneſſes in us. As Rom. 8.16. The Spirit it ſelf bear…th witneſs with our ſpirit, th…t we are the children of God. And this witneſs of the Spirit is not the ſame with that of our Spirits, tho' the thing witneſſed, he the ſame. The Spirit firſt helps us to ſee and read the effect of this Grace in us, ſo as to be able to aſſert to our ſincerity. Pſal. 26.4, &c. And then he doth effectually perſwade us of the certainty of this; ſo as that we are fully ſatisfy'd in it, and can adventure our ſelves upon it. And there is this whereby it is ever to be differenced from a Spirit of Deluſion, which … are impoſed on by, and made p…ump… withal; v…z. it is never without, but al… accompanies the witneſs of our own Spirit … which is built upon clear Scripture cr… … The Spirit comes in with the Word.
5. WE have the Aſſurance it ſelf, … wherein it terminates, viz. the man is cer… of God's Love to him, and conſequently of … Everlaſting well-being. For, ſ…ading it … with him, according to the tenor of the New Covenant, he infers this Concluſion … it, and ſits down ſatisfied with it.
Here two Things,
1. THIS Aſſurance is a Knowlege of Ce…t…. The man is certified of theſe things. It … not a bate opinion or conjecture, or p…o… hope, but it amounts to a demonſtration … is therefore called full aſſurance, H…b…, 11.10.22. And that becauſe, the evidence … which it is fetched, is certain, and never …. For, from proper Cauſes, to proper … the Concluſion cannot deceive. Than w… agrees, o…ni, ſoli, & ſemper, is in…ubi… and leaves no room for heſitation. … Repentance, and Salvation, are juſt as … and narrow one as the other. The … which this judgment is made, is an ever … unchangeable Truth; ſo that a Divine … receives this teſtimony without d… And though the Teſtimony of our o…n … be humane, and ſo may be in itſelf fa… yet, when both the Mind is irradiated … a ſpiritual Diſcerning, and the Spirit … gives his witneſs to it, we cannot be m… in it. This witneſs gives us an Hope, … ſhall never make us aſhamed, Rom 5.5. … what confidence therefore doth the … utter himſelt in this regard, 2 Cor. … 2 Tim. 1.12. and elſewhere.
2. THE things whereof we are aſſured … (1.) THAT God loveth us. And this … foundation of all the reſt. There is a… mon Love aſcribed to God, which he … to his Creatures in general, called his … of Benevolence, in ſhewing kindneſs and … ing good to them, Acts 14.17. But this … no… afford the Aſſurance under conſider …. And though there be a ſpecial Love of … volence to his Elect, from which … all ſaving good derives to them, as, J…. … I have loved thee with an everlaſting l… … it is knowable by us, only in the eff… … then there is a Love of complacency, which God extends to his own in which he … himſelf to them as their God, and … known his purpoſes of good to them, and … is that which they are certified of, … have received the firſt fruits of this … Love to them, which are the earneſts of … Harveſt; & becauſe they know that th…ſe … proceed from no other Cauſe but his … favour for them, they hereby are … that he loves them, 1 Joh. 4.13. Hereby … we that we dwell in him, and be in us, … he hath given us of his Spirit. (2.) WE alſo by this are aſſured, of … … Well-Being. This light of God's … let into the Soul, enableth us to diſcern … that may confirm us in the belief of our … eſtate. It leads us up to the ancient days of Eiernity, and makes us to know our …ſtion, and read our Names written in the … of Life before the ſoundation of the World, 1 Theſ. 1.4, 5. And by this Aſſurance we … our ſtate of Juſtification, that out ſins … all pardo…ed, our perſons accepted, the … …ſneſs of Chriſt imputed to us, and we … out of all danger of condemnation, Rom. 3.1. & 8.1. And by this we conclude upon … Adoption, and be ſatisfyed, that God is our Father, and that he hath put us among his Children, and will always carry it to us as ſuch. By this we are ſatisfyed of our p…retance and continuing in the Love of G…. Joh. 13.1. Having loved his own which was in the world, he loved them unto the end. Th… being brought into the N…w-Covenant, … ſhall never fall out of it, nor ſhall adverſe … be able to make any breach of love … him and us, Rom. 8.38, 39. And by this … are enabled to reſt in confidence, that … s;hall be made everlaſtingly bleſſed in a… Life, that we are Heirs of, and ſhall …ed for, and at length made to poſſeſs … Glory. Pſal. 17.15. As for me, I …dold thy ſace in righteouſneſs: I ſhall be …, when I awake with thy likeneſs. 2 Cor. 5.1. For we know, that if our earthly houſe of …kernocle were diſſolved, we have a building …, on houſe not made with …ands, eternal ….
…S we have a brief Account of this …ce: That this is a Benefit flowing from … Calling to the Children of God in thi… life, is evident from the Scripture In… which have been produced in the Ex… of it. Only to prevent miſtakes let … …joy… a few remarks neceſſary to be …,
1. THAT the Aſſurance of the Believers good … …lides always the ſame. This can never … Once in Chriſt, and ever ſo. Rom 11. … giſts and calling of God are without …. This will be cleared, when we … …reat of Perſeverance.
2. THAT the Aſſurance of Knowlege, is not …, nor at all times. It is a Priviledge … by Chriſt for his Children, and … to them, but it is in his Hands to … according to his Wiſdom: He acts … deal of his Sovereignty in it; ſo that … watchful Chriſtian may ſometimes … it. Iſai. 50.10. And the Children … many times hinder themſelves of …er by darkning their own Evidences, … and ſin, whereby alſo they provoke … …cit of God to hide his face, and with… teſtimony from them, and that leaves … miſerable loſs. So it was with … 51. Or by neglect of their par…daty in Self-Examination, whereby … …t the witneſs of their own Spirit's, … ſhould they expect the Spirits, … is conjoyned with it?
3. THAT the higheſt A…urance in this L…ſe… is that which needs ſtrengthning. A Believers Grace is imperfect, and his Corruptions are potent, and perfection of Aſſurance is not conſiſtent with imperfect Grace. Hence Believers are put upon it to be ever at the work of ſelf-trial, 2 Cor. 13.5. Examine your ſelves, whether ye be in the faith? prove your …in ſelves, know ye not your own ſelves, how that Jeſus Chriſt is in you except ye be reprobates?
4. THAT there may be infallible Aſſurance, where there are ſome Doubtings. We muſt diſtinguiſh between the infallibility, and the ſtrength of Aſſurance. A Believers Faith may act weakly, and yet ſurely. What could he ſay? Mar. 9.24. Lord I believe, help thou mine unbelief. A Child of God may know that his Grace is of the right ſtamp, although he withal finds it very infirm.
5. THAT if we would have this Aſſurance we must uſe Endeavours for it. God doth not ordinatily give it immediately, but by means, and hath required, us to be diligent in them, 2 Pet. 1.10. Give di…igence to make your calling and election ſure. And hath encouraged it, Hoſ. 6.3. We ſhall know if we follow on to know the Lord.
6. THIS Aſſurance is a glorious Benefit. It is Heaven come down to the Soul here upon Earth. It is a thing therefore worthy out greateſt Endeavour in queſt of.
USE. BE we then adviſed and encouraged, to lay Ourſelves out to the utmoſt for it. This is that which will give us the comfort of our Faith, and all our other Graces. This is the Anchor-hold of a ſettled Hope. This gives us Joy with breathing. This gives us an Ovation, before we ride home ill a Triumphal Chariot. This tells us our ſtate is ſafe at preſent, and ſhall be unconceivably Glorious at laſt. This will fill our Hearts with precious thoughts of God. This will make Jeſus Chriſt exceeding dear to us, who hath purchaſed all this Good for us. This will make the whole Word of God ſweeter to us than honey. This will put abundant Life and Exerciſe into our Faith: embolden our Prayers; make every Duty eaſy and pleaſant; fill us with Courage to endure all Affliction; put a new reliſh into every Mercy; render Ordinances delightful, and forethoughts of Death, Judgment and Eternity precious.
[JUNE 6. 1699.]