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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12311 ***
+
+CHRIST
+
+THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND
+THE LIFE.
+
+BY THE LATE
+REV. JOHN BROWN,
+MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL AT WAMPHRAY.
+
+WRITTEN DURING THE TIME OF HIS BANISHMENT IN HOLLAND.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no man
+cometh unto the Father, but by me."--JOHN XIV. 6.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Dedication
+
+The Author to the Reader
+
+Recommendation
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+Introduction, with some general observations from the cohesion.
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+Of the words themselves in general.
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+How Christ is the Way in general. "I am the Way."
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+How Christ is made use of for Justification as a Way.
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+How Christ is to be made use of, as the Way, for sanctification in
+general.
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+How Christ is to be made use of, in reference to the killing and
+crucifying of the Old Man.
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+How Christ is to be made use of, in reference to growing in grace.
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+How to make use of Christ for taking the guilt of our daily
+out-breakings away.
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+How to make use of Christ for cleansing of us from out daily spots.
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+Some generals proposed.
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+More particularly in what respect Christ is called the Truth.
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+Some general uses from this useful truth, that Christ is the Truth.
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+How to make use of Christ as the Truth, for growth in knowledge.
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+How to make use of Christ, as Truth, for comfort, when truth is
+oppressed and borne down.
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+How to make use of Christ for steadfastness, in a time when truth is
+oppressed and borne down.
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+How to make use of Christ as the Truth, when error prevaileth, and the
+spirit of error carrieth many away.
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+How to make use of Christ as the Truth, that we may get our case and
+condition cleared up to us.
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+How we shall make use of Christ as the Truth, that we may win to right
+and suitable thoughts of God.
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+"And the Life." How Christ is the Life.
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+Some general uses.
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+How to make use of Christ as the Life, when the believer is so sitten-up
+in the ways of God, that he can do nothing.
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+How Christ is to be made use of as our Life, in case of heartlessness
+and fainting through discouragements.
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+How to make use of Christ as the Life, when the soul is dead as to duty.
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+How shall the soul make use of Christ, as the Life, which is under the
+prevailing power of unbelief and infidelity.
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+How Christ is made use of as the Life, by one that is so dead and
+senseless, as he cannot know what to judge of himself, or his own case,
+except what is naught.
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+How is Christ, as the Life, to be applied by a soul that misseth God's
+favour and countenance.
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.
+
+How shall one make use of Christ as the Life, when wrestling with an
+angry God because of sin?
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII.
+
+No man cometh to the Father but by me.
+
+CHAPTER XXIX.
+
+How should we make use of Christ, in going to the Father, in prayer, and
+other acts of worship?
+
+
+
+
+DEDICATION.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE AND RELIGIOUS LADY, THE LADY STRATHNAVER.
+
+MADAM,
+
+Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone, in whom all the
+building fitly framed together, groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord;
+as it ought to be the principal concern of all who have not sitten down
+on this side of Jordan to satisfy their souls (once created for, and in
+their own nature requiring, in order to satisfaction, spiritual,
+immortal, and incorruptible substance,) with husks prepared for beasts,
+to be built in and upon this corner-stone, for an habitation of God,
+through the Spirit; so it ought to be the main design and work of such
+as would be approven of God as faithful labourers and co-workers with
+God, to be following the example of him who determined not to know
+anything among those he wrote unto, save Jesus Christ and him crucified.
+O! this noble, heart-ravishing, soul-satisfying mysterious theme, Jesus
+Christ crucified, the short compend of that uncontrovertibly great
+mystery of godliness, God manifest in the flesh, justified in the
+spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the
+world, received up into glory, wherein are things the angels desire to
+look unto, or with vehement desire bend, as it were, their necks, and
+bow down their heads to look and peep into, (as the word used, I Pet. i.
+12, importeth) is a subject for angelical heads to pry into, for the
+most indefatigable and industrious spirits to be occupied about. The
+searching into, and studying of this one truth, in reference to a
+closing with it as our life, is an infallible mark of a soul divinely
+enlightened, and endued with spiritual and heavenly wisdom; for though
+it be unto the Jews a stumbling-block, and to the Greeks foolishness,
+yet unto them who are called, it is Christ the power of God, and the
+wisdom of God, because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the
+weakness of God is stronger than men. O what depths of the manifold
+wisdom of God are there in this mystery! The more it is preached, known,
+and believed aright, the more it is understood to be beyond
+understanding, and to be what it is--a mystery. Did ever any preacher or
+believer get a broad look of this boundless ocean, wherein infinite
+wisdom, love that passeth all understanding, grace without all
+dimensions, justice that is admirable and tremendous, and God in his
+glorious properties, condescensions, high and noble designs, and in all
+his perfections and virtues, flow over all banks; or were they ever
+admitted to a prospect hereof in the face of Jesus Christ, and were not
+made to cry out, O the depth and height, the breadth and length! O the
+inconceivable, and incomprehensible boundlessness of all infinitely
+transcendent perfections! Did ever any with serious diligence, as
+knowing their life lay in it, study this mysterious theme, and were not
+in full conviction of soul, made to say, the more they promoved in this
+study, and the more they descended in their divings into this depth, or
+soared upward in their mounting speculations in this height, they found
+it the more an unsearchable mystery! The study of other themes (which,
+alas! many who think it below them to be happy, are too much occupied
+in) when it hath wasted the spirits, wearied the mind, worn the body,
+and rarified the brain to the next degree unto a distraction, what
+satisfaction can it give as to what is attained, or encouragement as to
+future attainments? And when, as to both these, something is had, and
+the poor soul puffed up with an airy and fanciful apprehension of having
+obtained some great thing, but in truth a great nothing, or a nothing
+pregnant with vanity and vexation of spirit, foolish twins causing no
+gladness to the father, "for he that increaseth knowledge increaseth
+sorrow," Eccles. i. 18. What peace can all yield to a soul reflecting on
+posting away time, now near the last point, and looking forward to
+endless eternity? Oh the thoughts of time wasted with, and fair
+opportunities of good lost by the vehement pursuings and huntings after
+shadows and vanities, will torment the soul by assaulting it with
+piercing convictions of madness and folly, in forsaking all to overtake
+nothing; with dreadful and soul-terrifying discourses of the saddest of
+disappointments, and with the horror of an everlasting and irrecoverable
+loss. And what hath the laborious spirit then reaped of all the travail
+of his soul, when he hath lost it? But, on the other hand, O what
+calmness of mind, serenity of soul, and peace of conscience, because of
+the peace of God which passeth all understanding, will that poor soul
+look back, when standing on the border of eternity, on the bygone days
+or hours it spent in seeking after, praying and using all appointed
+means for some saving acquaintance with, and interest in this only soul
+up-making, and soul-satisfying mystery; and upon its yielding up itself,
+through the efficacious operations of the Spirit of grace, wholly,
+without disputing, unto the powerful workings of this mystery within;
+and in becoming crucified with Christ, and living through a crucified
+Christ's living in it, by his Spirit and power. And with what rejoicing
+of heart, and glorious singing of soul, will it look forward to
+eternity, and its everlasting abode in the prepared mansions,
+remembering that there its begun study will be everlastingly continued,
+its capacity to understand that unsearchable mystery will be
+inconceivably greater; and the spiritual, heavenly and glorious joy,
+which it will have in that practical reading its divinity without book
+of ordinances, will be its life and felicity for ever? And what peace
+and joy in the Holy Ghost, what inward inexpressible quiet and
+contentment of mind will the soul enjoy in dwelling on these thoughts,
+when it shall have withal the inward and well-grounded persuasion of its
+right through Christ, to the full possession of that all which now it
+cannot conceive, let be comprehend; the foretastes whereof filleth it
+with joy unspeakable and full of glory, and the hope of shortly landing
+there, where it shall see and enjoy, and wonder and praise, and rest in
+this endless and felicitating work, making it to sing while passing
+through the valley and shadow of death? O if this were believed! O that
+we were not drunk to a distraction and madness, with the adulterous-love
+of vain and airy speculations, to the postponing, if not utter
+neglecting, of this main and only up-making work, of getting real
+acquaintance with, and a begun possession of this mystery in our souls,
+Christ, the grand mystery, formed within us, living and working within
+us by his Spirit, and working us up into a conformity unto, and an
+heart-closing with God manifested in the flesh, that we may find in
+experience, or at least in truth and reality, have a true transumpt of
+that gospel mystery in our souls! Oh, when shall we take pleasure in
+pursuing after this happiness that will not flee from us, but is rather
+pursuing us! when shall we receive with joy and triumph, this King of
+glory that is courting us daily, and is seeking access and entry into
+our souls! Oh, why cry we not out in the height of the passion of
+spiritual longing and desire, O come Lord Jesus, King of glory, with
+thine own key, and open the door, and enlarge and dilate the chambers of
+the soul, that thou may enter and be entertained as the King of glory,
+with all thy glorious retinue, to the ennobling of my soul, and
+satisfying of all the desires of that immortal spark? Why do we not
+covet after this knowledge which hath a true and firm connexion with all
+the best and truly divine gifts. O happy soul that is wasted and worn to
+a shadow, if that could be, in this study and exercise, which at length
+will enliven, and, as it were, bring in a new heavenly and spiritual
+soul into the soul, so that it shall look no more like a dead
+dis-spirited thing out of its native soil and element, but as a free,
+elevated, and spiritualized spirit, expatiating itself and flying abroad
+in the open air of its own element and country. O happy day, O happy
+hour that is really and effectually spent in this employment! What would
+souls, swimming in this ocean of pleasures and delights care for? Yea,
+with what abhorrency would they look upon the bewitching allurements of
+the purest kind of carnal delights, which flow from the mind's
+satisfaction in feeding on the poor apprehensions, and groundlessly
+expected comprehensions of objects, suited to its natural genius and
+capacity? O what a more hyperbolical exceeding and glorious satisfaction
+hath a soul in its very pursuings after (when it misseth and cannot
+reach) that which is truly desirable! How doth the least glimpse through
+the smallest cranie, of this glorious and glorifying knowledge of God in
+Christ, apprehended by faith, raise up the soul to that pitch of joy and
+satisfaction which the knowledge of natural things, in its purest
+perfection, shall never be able to cause; and to what a surmounting
+measure of this joy and contentation will the experiencing and feeling,
+by spiritual sense, the sweet and relish of this captivating, and
+transcendently excellent knowledge raise the soul unto? O must not this
+be the very suburbs of heaven to the soul! When the soul thus seeth and
+apprehendeth God in Christ, and that as its own God through Christ, (for
+as all saving knowledge draweth out the soul unto an embracing and
+closing with the object, so it bringeth in the object to the making up
+of the reciprocal union and in-being) it cannot but admire with
+exultation, and exult with admiration, at that condescendence of free
+grace that hath made it, in any measure, capable of this begun glory,
+and will further make it meet, by this begun glory, to be a partaker of
+the inheritance of the saints in light. And what will a soul that hath
+tasted of the pure delights of this river of gospel manifestations, and
+hath seen, with soul-ravishing delights, in some measure, the manifold
+wisdom of God wrapped up therein; and the complete and perfect symmetry
+of all the parts of that noble contexture, and also the pure design of
+that contrivance to abase man, and to extol the riches of the free grace
+of God, that the sinner, when possessed of all designed for him and
+effectuated in him thereby, may know who alone should wear the crown and
+have all the glory; what, I say, will such a soul see in another gospel
+(calculated to the meridian of the natural, crooked, and corrupt temper
+of proud men, who is soon made vain of nothing, which, instead of
+bringing a sinner, fallen from God through pride, back again to the
+enjoyment of him, through a Mediator, doth but foster that innate plague
+and rebellion, which and procured his first excommunication from the
+favour, and banishment out of the paradise of God,) that shall attract
+its heart to it, and move it to a compliance with it? When the poor
+sinner that hath been made to pant after a Saviour, and hath been
+pursued to the very ports of the city of refuge by the avenger of blood,
+the justice of God, hath tasted and seen how good God is, and felt the
+sweetness of free love in a crucified Christ, and seen the beauty and
+glory of the mystery of his free grace, suitably answering and
+overcoming the mystery of its sin and misery; O what a complacency hath
+he therein, and in the way of gospel salvation, wherein free grace is
+seen to overflow all banks, to the eternal praise of the God of all
+grace. How saltless and unsavoury will the most cunningly-devised and
+patched-together mode of salvation be, that men, studying the perversion
+of the gospel, and seeking the ruin of souls with all their skill,
+industry, and learning, are setting off with forced rhetoric, and the
+artifice of words of man's wisdom, and with the plausible advantages of
+a pretended sanctity, and of strong grounds and motives unto diligence
+and painfulness, to a very denying and renouncing Christian liberty,
+when once it is observed, how it entrencheth upon, and darkeneth lustre,
+or diminisheth the glory of free grace, and hath the least tendency to
+the setting of the crown on the creature's head, in whole or in part?
+The least perception, that hereby the sinner's song, "ascribing
+blessing, honour, glory, and power unto him that was slain, and hath
+redeemed them to God by his blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and
+people, and nation; and hath made them, unto their God, kings and
+priests," shall be marred, will be enough to render that device
+detestable, and convince the soul, that it is not the gospel of the
+grace of God and of Christ, but rather the mystery of iniquity. What a
+peculiar savouriness doth the humbled believer find in the doctrine of
+the true gospel-grace, and the more that he be thereby made nothing, and
+Christ made all; that he in his highest attainments be debased, and
+Christ exalted; that his most lovely peacock feathers be laid, and the
+crown flourish on Christ's head; that he be laid flat, without one foot
+to stand upon, and Christ the only supporter and carrier of him to
+glory; that he be as dead without life, and Christ live in him, the more
+lovely, the more beautiful, the more desirable and acceptable is it unto
+him. O what a complacency hath the graced soul in that contrivance of
+infinite wisdom, wherein the mystery of the grace of God is so
+displayed, that nothing appeareth from the lowest foundation-stone to
+the uppermost cope-stone but grace, grace, free grace making up all the
+materials, and free grace with infinite wisdom cementing all? The
+gracious soul can be warm under no other covering but what is made of
+that web, wherein grace, and only grace, is both wooft and warp; and the
+reason is manifest, for such an one hath the clearest sight and
+discovery of his own condition, and seeth that nothing suiteth him and
+his case but free grace; nothing can make up his wants but free grace;
+nothing can cover his deformities but free grace; nothing can help his
+weaknesses, shortcomings, faintings, sins, and miscarriages but free
+grace. Therefore is free grace all his salvation and all his desire. It
+is his glory to be free grace's debtor for evermore; the crown of glory
+will have a far more exceeding and eternal weight, and be of an
+hyperbolically hyperbolic and eternal weight, and yet easily carried and
+worn, when he seeth how free grace and love hath lined it, and free
+grace and free love sets it on and keeps it on for ever; this makes the
+glorified saint wear it with ease, by casting it down at the feet of the
+gracious and loving purchaser and bestower. His exaltation is the
+saint's glory, and by free grace, the saints receiving and holding all
+of free grace, is he exalted. O what a glory is it to the saint, to set
+the crown of glorious free grace with his own hands on the head of such
+a Saviour, and to say, "Not unto me, not unto me, but unto thee, even
+unto thee alone, be the glory for ever and ever." With what delight,
+satisfaction, and complacency will the glorified saint, upon this
+account, sing the redeemed and ransomed their song? And if the result
+and effect of free grace will give such a sweet sound there, and make
+the glorified's heaven, in some respects, another thing, or at least, in
+some respect, a more excellent heaven than Adam's heaven would have
+been; for Adam could not have sung the song of the redeemed; Adam's
+heaven would not have been the purchase of the blood of God; nor would
+Adam have sitten with Christ Redeemer on his throne; nor would there
+have been in his heaven such rich hangings of free grace, nor such
+mansions prepared by that gracious and loving husband, Christ, who will
+come and bring his bought bride home with him. Seeing, I say, heaven,
+even upon the account of free grace, will have such a special, lovely,
+desirable, and glorious lustre, O bow should grace be prized by us now!
+How should the gospel of the grace of God be prized by us! What an
+antipathy to glory, as now prepared and dressed up for sinful man, must
+they shew, whose whole wits and parts are busied to darken the glory of
+that grace, which God would have shining in the gospel; and who are at
+so much pains and labour to dress up another gospel, (though the apostle
+hath told us, Gal. i. 7, that there is not another,) wherein
+gospel-grace must stand by, and law-grace take the throne, that so man
+may sacrifice to his own net, and burn incense to his own drag, and may,
+at most, be grace's debtor in part; and yet no way may the saved man
+account himself more grace's debtor, than the man was who wilfully
+destroyed himself in not performing of the conditions; for grace, as the
+new gospellers, or rather gospel-spillers mean and say, did equally to
+both frame the conditions, make known to the contrivance, and tender the
+conditional peace and salvation. But as to the difference betwixt Paul
+and Judas, it was Paul that made himself to differ, and not the free
+grace of God determining the heart of Paul by grace to a closing with
+and accepting of the bargain. It was not grace that wrought in him both
+to will and to do. It was he, and not the grace of God in him; what is
+more contradictory to the gospel of the grace of God? And yet vain man
+will not condescend to the free grace of God. Pelagianism and
+Arminianism needeth not put a man to much study, and to the reading of
+many books, to the end it may be learned, (though the patrons hereof
+labour hot in the very fires, to make their notions hang together, and
+to give them such a lustre of unsanctified and corrupt reason, as may be
+taking with such as know no other conduct in the matters of God,) for
+naturally we all are born Pelagians and Arminians. These tenets are
+deeply engraven in the heart of every son of fallen Adam. What serious
+servant of God findeth not this, in his dealing with souls, whom he is
+labouring to bring into the way of the gospel? Yea, what Christian is
+there, who hath acquaintance with his own heart, and is observing its
+biasses, and corrupt inclinations, that is not made to cry out, O
+wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from these dregs of
+Pelagianism, Arminianism, and Jesuitism, which I find yet within my
+soul? Hence, it may seem no wonderful or strange thing (though, after so
+much clear light, it may be astonishing to think, that now, in this age,
+so many are so openly and avowedly appearing for this dangerous and
+deadly error,) to us, to hear and see this infection spreading and
+gaining ground so fast, there needeth few arguments or motives to work
+up carnal hearts to an embracing thereof, and to a cheerful acquiescing
+therein; little labour will make a spark of fire work upon gunpowder.
+And, methinks, if nothing else will, this one thing should convince us
+all of the error of this way, that nature so quickly and readily
+complieth therewith. For who, that hath an eye upon, or regard of such
+things, seeth not what a world of carnal reasonings, objections,
+prejudices, and scruples, natural men have in readiness against the
+gospel of Christ; and with what satisfaction, peace, and delight they
+reason and plead themselves out of the very reach of free grace; and
+what work there is to get a poor soul, in any measure wakened and
+convinced of its lost condition, wrought up to a compliance with the
+gospel-way of salvation? How many other designs, projects, and essays
+doth it follow, with a piece of natural vehemency and seriousness,
+without wearying, were it even to the wasting of its body and spirits,
+let be its substance and riches, before it be brought to a closing with
+a crucified Mediator, and to an accounting of all its former workings,
+attainments, and painful labourings and gain, as loss for Christ, and
+for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ, and as dung that it may
+win Christ, and be found in him, not having its own righteousness, which
+is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the
+righteousness which is of God by faith, Phil. iii. 7-9. And may it not
+seem strange, that now, after so many have found, through the grace of
+God, the sweet experience of the gracious workings of the gospel-grace
+of God upon their hearts, and so are in case, as having this witness
+within them, to give verdict against those assertions, yea, more, and
+many more than were in several ages before; yet Satan should become so
+bold as to vent these desperate opinions, so diametrically opposite to
+the grace of God declared in the gospel, and engraven in the hearts of
+many hundreds by the finger of God, confirming, in the most undoubted
+manner, the truth of the gospel doctrines. This would seem to say, that
+there are such clear sunshine days of the gospel, and of the Son of Man
+a-coming (and who can tell how soon this night shall be at an end?) that
+all these doctrines of nature shall receive a more conspicuous and
+shameful dash than they have received for these many ages. Hithertil
+when Satan raised up and sent forth his qualified instruments for this
+desperate work, God always prepared carpenters to fright these horns,
+and thus gospel truth came forth, as gold out of a furnace, more clear
+and shining: And who can tell but there may be a dispensation of the
+pure grace of God, in opposition to these perverting ways of Satan, yet
+to come, that, as to the measure of light and power, shall excel
+whatever hath been since the apostles' days. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
+However, Madam, the grace of God will be what it is, to all the chosen
+and ransomed ones, they will find in it, which will make whatever cometh
+in competition therewith or would darken it, contemptible in their eyes:
+And happy they, of whom in this day wherein darkness covereth the earth,
+and gross darkness the people, it may be said, the Lord hath arisen upon
+them, and his glory hath been seen upon them: For whatever others,
+whose understanding is yet darkened, and they alienated from the life of
+God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of
+their hearts, imagine of the gospel-grace, and however they discern
+nothing of the heavenly and spiritual glory of the grace of God; yet
+they, being delivered or cast into the form and mould of the doctrine of
+the gospel which they have obeyed from the heart, through the powerful
+and irresistible efficacy of the mighty grace of God, have seen such an
+alluring excellency in that gracious contrivance of infinite wisdom, to
+set forth the unparallelableness of the pure grace of God, and are daily
+seeing more and more of the graciousness and wisdom of that heavenly
+invention, in its adequate suitableness to all their necessities, that
+as they cannot but admire and commend the riches of that grace that
+interlineth every sentence of the gospel, and the greatness of that love
+that hath made such a completely broad plaister to cover all their sores
+and wounds; so the longer they live, and the more they drink of this
+pure fountain of heavenly nectar; and the more their necessities press
+them to a taking on of new obligations, because of new supplies from
+this ocean of grace, the more they are made to admire the wisdom and
+goodness of the Author; and the more they are made to fall in love with
+to delight, and lose themselves in the thoughts of this incomprehensible
+grace of God; yea, and to long to be there, where they shall be in
+better case to contemplate, and have more wit to wonder at, and better
+dexterity to prize, and a stronger head to muse upon, and a more
+enlarged heart to praise for this boundless and endless treasure of the
+grace of God, with which they are enriched, through Jesus Christ. Sure,
+if we be not thus enamoured and ravished with it, it is because we are
+yet standing without, or, at most, upon the threshold and border of this
+grace; were we once got within the jurisdiction of grace, and had
+yielded up ourselves unto the power thereof, and were living and
+breathing in this air, O! how sweet a life might we have! What a kindly
+element would grace be to us! As sin had reigned unto death, even so
+grace should reign, through righteousness unto eternal life, by Jesus
+Christ our Lord, Rom. v. 21. Grace reigning within us through
+righteousness, would frame and fit our souls for that eternal life that
+is insured to all who come once under the commanding, enlivening,
+strengthening, confirming, corroborating, and perfecting power of grace.
+And seeking grace for grace, and so living, and walking, and spending
+upon grace's costs and charges; O how lively, and thriving proficients
+might we be! The more we spend of grace (if it could be spent) the
+richer should we be in grace. O what an enriching trade must it be to
+trade with free grace, where there is no loss, and all is gain, the
+stock, and gain, and all is insured; yea, more, labouring in grace's
+field would bring us in Isaac's blessing an hundred-fold. But, alas! it
+is one thing to talk of grace, but a far other thing to trade with
+grace. When we are so great strangers unto the life of grace, through
+not breathing in the air of grace, how can the name of the Lord Jesus be
+glorified in us, and we in him, according to the grace of our God, and
+the Lord Jesus Christ, Thess. i. 12. Consider we, what an affront and
+indignity it is unto the Lord dispensator of grace, that we look so lean
+and ill-favoured, as if there were not enough of the fattening bread of
+the grace of God in our Father's house, or as if the great Steward, who
+is full of grace and truth, were unwilling to bestow it upon us, or
+grudged us of our allowance, when the fault is in ourselves; we will not
+follow the course that wise grace and gracious wisdom hath prescribed;
+we will not open our mouth wide, that he might fill us; nor go to him
+with our narrowed or closed mouths, that grace might make way for grace,
+and widen the mouth for receiving of more grace; but lie by in our
+leanness and weakness. And, alas! we love too well to be so. O but grace
+be ill wared on us who carry so unworthily with it as we do; yet it is
+well with the gracious soul that he is under grace's tutory and care;
+for grace will care for him when he careth not much for it, nor yet
+seeth well to his own welfare; grace can and will prevent, yea, must
+prevent, afterward, as well as at the first; that grace may be grace,
+and appear to be grace, and continue unchangeably to be grace, and so
+free grace. Well is it with the believer, whom grace has once taken by
+the heart and brought within the bond of the covenant of grace; its
+deadliest condition is not desperate. When corruption prevaileth to such
+a height, that the man is given over for dead, there being no sense, no
+motion, no warmth, no breath almost to be observed, yet grace, when
+violently constrained by that strong distemper, to retire to a secret
+corner of the soul, and there to lurk and lie quiet, will yet at length,
+through the receiving influences of grace promised in the covenant, and
+granted in the Lord's good time, come out of its prison, take the
+fields, and recover the empire of the soul; and then the dry and
+withered stocks, when the God of all grace will be as dew unto Israel,
+shall blossom and grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon;
+his branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive-tree,
+and his smell as Lebanon. It is a happy thing either for church or
+particular soul to be planted in grace's sappy soil, they lie open to
+the warm beams of the Sun of Righteousness; and the winter blasts may be
+sharp and long; clouds may intercept the heat, and nipping frosts may
+cause a sad decay, and all the sap may return and lie, as it were,
+dormant in the root; yet the winter will pass, the rain will be over and
+gone, and the flowers will appear on the earth; the time of singing of
+birds will come, and the voice of the turtle will be heard in the land;
+then shall even the wilderness and solitary place be glad, and the
+desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose, it shall blossom
+abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing; the glory of Lebanon
+shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall
+see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God. We wonder that
+'tis not always hot summer days, a flourishing and fruitful season, with
+souls and with churches. But know we the thoughts of the Lord; see we to
+the bottom of the deep contrivance of infinite wisdom? Know we the
+usefulness, yea, necessity of long winter nights, stormy blasts, rain,
+hail, snow, and frost? Consider we, that our state and condition, while
+here, calleth for those vicissitudes, and requireth the blowing of the
+north as well as of the south winds? If we considered, how grace had
+ordered all things for our best, and most for the glory and exaltation
+of grace, we would sit down and sing under the saddest of dispensations,
+and living by faith and hope, we would rejoice in the confident
+expectation of a gracious outgate; for as long as grace predomineth (and
+that will be until glory take the empire) all will run in the channel of
+grace; and though now sense (which is oft faith's unfaithful friend)
+will be always suggesting false tales of God, and of his grace unto
+unbelief, and raising thereby discontents, doubts, fears, jealousies,
+and many distempers in the soul, to its prejudice and hurt, yet in end,
+grace shall be seen to be grace; and the faithful shall get such a full
+sight of this manifold grace, as ordering, tempering, timing,
+shortening, or continuing, of all the sad and dismal days and seasons
+that have passed over their own or their mother's head, that they shall
+see, that grace did order all, yea, every circumstance of all the
+various tossings, changes, ups and downs, that they did meet with. And O
+what a satisfying sight will that be, when the general assembly and
+church of the first-born, which are in-rolled in Heaven, and every
+individual saint, shall come together, and take a view of all their
+experience, the result of which shall be, grace began, grace carried on,
+and grace hath perfected all, grace was at the bottom of all? What
+shoutings, grace, grace unto it, will be there; when the head-stone
+shall be brought forth? What soul-satisfying complacency in, and
+admiration at all that is past, will a back-look thereat yield, when
+every one shall be made to say, grace hath done all well, not a pin of
+all the work of grace in and about me might have been wanted; now I see,
+that the work of God is perfect, grace was glorious grace, and wise
+grace, whatever I thought of it then. O what a fool have I been, in
+quarrelling at, and in not being fully satisfied with all that grace was
+doing with me? O how little is this believed now?
+
+In conscience, madam, that your ladyship (to me no ways known, but by a
+savoury report) shall accept of this bold address, I recommend your
+ladyship, my very noble lord your husband, and offspring, to the word of
+his grace, and subscribe myself,
+
+MADAM,
+
+Your and their servant
+
+in the gospel and the grace of God.
+
+JOHN BROWN.
+
+
+
+
+THE AUTHOR TO THE READER.
+
+
+CHRISTIAN READER,--After the foregoing address, I need not put thee to
+much more trouble: only I shall say, that he must needs be a great
+stranger in our Israel, or sadly smitten with that epidemic plague of
+indifferency, which hath infected many of this generation, to a
+benumbing of them, and rendering them insensible and unconcerned in the
+matters of God, and of their own souls, and sunk deep in the gulf of
+dreadful inconsideration, who seeth not, or taketh no notice of, nor is
+troubled at the manifest and terrible appearances of the inexpressibly
+great hazard, our all, as Christians in this life, is this day exposed
+into. I mean the mystery of the gospel of the grace of God, wherein the
+exceeding riches of his grace, in his kindness towards us, through
+Christ Jesus, hath been shown. We have enjoyed for a considerable time,
+a clear and powerful dispensation hereof, in great purity and plenty;
+but, alas! is it not manifest to all, that will not wilfully shut their
+eyes, that this mercy and goodness of God hath been wickedly abused, and
+the pure administration of his grace and love perfidiously sinned away,
+by this apostate generation. Are our spots this day the spots of his
+children? Are their fruits answerable to the Lord's pains and labour
+about us, to be seen even amongst the greatest of professors? Is there
+that gospel holiness, tenderness, watchfulness, growing in grace, and in
+the knowledge of Jesus Christ, that growing up in Christ, in all things
+that heavenly mindedness, that fellowship with the Father and with his
+Son Christ Jesus, and that conversation in heaven, that the
+dispensation of grace, we have been favoured with beyond many, and have
+been long living under, did call for at our hands? Alas! our grapes are
+but wild and stinking. Wherefore (and who can think it strange, if it be
+so?) the Lord seemeth to be about to contend with us, by covering our
+horizon with Egyptian darkness; many who would not receive the love of
+the truth, that they might be saved, being already given up to strong
+delusion, that they should believe a lie, and many more in hazard to be
+drawn aside to crooked paths, by men of corrupt minds, who have been,
+and are still busy to vent and spread abroad, with no little petulancy
+and confidence, damnable doctrines, to the perverting of the doctrine of
+the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to the subverting and overturning of the
+very foundations of our hope and assurance; and that in such a way, and
+by such means and stratagems, as seem to have wrath written upon them in
+legible letters; for the more plausible and taking a corrupt doctrine
+be, it is the more dangerous and judgment-like, and more are thereby in
+hazard to be deluded and drawn away.
+
+Nay (which is yet more terrible and dreadful) it is to be feared, that
+the jealous God, in his holy and righteous judgment, hath given a
+providential commission (to speak to) unto the seducing spirit, to
+persuade and prevail; for is not this the clear language of the present
+holy and righteous dispensations of God, and of the stupendously
+indifferent frame and disposition of the generality of men, called
+Christians, not only provoking God to spue them out of his mouth, but a
+disposing them also unto a receiving of whatsoever men, lying in wait to
+deceive, shall propose and obtrude?
+
+Alas! the clouds are not now a-gathering, but our horizon is covered
+over with blackness, and great drops are a-falling, that presage a
+terrible overflowing deluge of error, and apostacy from the truth and
+profession of the gospel of Jesus Christ, to be at hand, if the Lord
+wonderfully prevent it not. And behold (O wonderful!) the generality of
+professors are sleeping in security, apprehending no danger. Satan is
+more cunning now, than to drive men to Popery by rage and cruelty, (and
+yet what he may be permitted to do after this manner, who can tell?) or
+by openly pleading in his emissaries, for this abomination, (and yet
+even thus is he already prevailing with not a few) or to send forth his
+agents for Arminianism and Socinianism (though even this way too, he is
+too much prevailing.) But his main work now seemeth to be, to bring in
+another gospel, (and yet there is not another) or rather an
+antievangelic and antichristian delusory dream, overturning at once the
+whole gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; and for this end he
+employeth the Quakers, on the one hand, men of desperate and
+antievangelic principles, the very sink of all abominations, old and
+late, (as I shall show, if the Lord will continue health and strength,
+in an examination of their doctrine and principles, lately emitted by
+one Robert Barcley) and, on the other hand, men, (or moralists, if you
+will call them so) pleading for, and crying up an antievangelic
+holiness, a mere shadow without substance or reality; and that in place
+of Christ himself; and in order to the carrying on of this desperate
+design, the old dragon is employing men of seeming different principles
+and ways, whom, though their faces seem to look to contrary airths, yet
+he holdeth notwithstanding fast tied by their tails (as Samson's foxes
+were) that thereby, if the Lord permit it, he may, by the fire of enmity
+to the pure gospel of the grace of God, burning in their tails, cause a
+conflagration of that truth, wherein lyeth all our hope: For this new
+model of religion, that many are so busied about, is such as Pelagians,
+Arminians, Papists, Socinians, Quakers, yea Turks, and moral heathens;
+yea, and all who are enemies to, and not reconcilable with the true
+grace of God held forth in the gospel, will willingly admit of, and
+harmoniously agree in: A way which complyeth so well with proud self,
+and with the corrupt nature of man, that it is little wonder, if it have
+many abettors and admirers. I shall say no more of this; but only infer,
+
+That sure the consideration of this should move all, in whom is any
+thing of the zeal of God, and love to souls, their own and others', to
+appear in the defence of the gospel of our salvation, by all means
+incumbent to them, and possible for them; for if this citadel and
+stronghold, wherein our all, and the all of pure and true religion,
+lyeth, be blown up, we are gone; and indeed no less is intended by this
+antichristian and antievangelic enemy, than the utter subversion of true
+Christian religion. Who would not then be hereby alarmed, and upon their
+guard, when matters are at this pass? Should not all, who have any love
+to their own souls, any zeal for the glory of Christ, anointed of the
+Father to be our prophet, priest, and king; my desire to see the crown
+flourishing upon his head, and to have the gospel preserved pure and
+uncorrupted, be pleading with God by prayer, in the behalf of his Son's
+kingdom, crown, and glory; and wrestling with him till he were pleased
+to dispel these clouds, and prevent this black day: especially should
+they not be labouring to be acquainted, in truth and reality, with the
+gospel of Jesus Christ, that having the mysterious truths thereof
+imprinted on their souls, and their hearts cast into its mould, they may
+be preserved from the hurt of this deadly poison; for this, with a
+constant dependence upon, and use-making of Christ in all his offices,
+will prove the best preservative against this infection.
+
+The persuasion whereof did induce me to publish the following heads of
+some sermons, after they have been translated into Dutch, and published
+here: Knowing that they might be of no less use to the people of God in
+Britain and Ireland. I know not a more effectual mean to unstable souls
+from siding with and embracing every new notion; and from being carried
+about with every wind of doctrine, by the slight of men, and cunning
+craftiness, whereby they lye in wait to deceive; than to put them upon
+the real exercise of gospel godliness, and to the daily practice of the
+main and fundamental gospel work, of living by faith in Jesus Christ,
+and of growing up into him, in all things, who is the head, from whom
+the whole body fitly joined together and compacted, by that which every
+joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of
+every part, maketh increase of the body, unto the edifying of itself in
+love. Such, I am sure, as have thus learned the truth, as it is in
+Jesus, and are practising the same accordingly, will have an antidote
+within them against the strongest poison of these seducers, and a real
+answer to, and confutation of, all their subtile sophisms. The soul
+exercising itself into gospel godliness, will find work enough to take
+it wholly up; and find such a solid ground to stand upon; and see such a
+satisfying fulness, answering all its necessities and wants, and such a
+sure heart-quieting ground of peace, hope, and consolation in Jesus
+Christ, as that it will have no leisure, and small temptation to listen
+to seducing perverters, and no inclination to seek after empty cisterns.
+
+I know much may be desiderated in this following treatise, and many may
+have exceptions not without ground against it. Some may think it
+arrogancy, and too great confidence in me, to attempt the handling of
+such a mysterious and necessary part of Christian practice, wherein few,
+(if any, so far as I know,) have gone before, in direct handling of this
+matter, at least in this method and order, I mean that part which is
+about sanctification. Others may be displeased with the mean and low
+style; with my multiplying particulars, which might have been better and
+more handsomely couched under fewer heads, and with my unnecessary
+contracting of the whole into such a narrow bound, and other things of
+that kind; for which, and many other failings of the like nature and
+import, which may without any diligent search, be found in it, even by
+ordinary and unprejudiced readers; I shall not industriously labour to
+apologize, knowing that my very apology in this case, will need an
+apology; only I shall say this, that considering how the snare, which
+the vigilant and active enemy of our salvation, the devil, was laying by
+an unholy morality, did nearly concern all, and especially the meanest
+(for parts and experience) and less fixed Christians, I thought a
+discourse on such a subject as I judged most necessary at all times, and
+especially in such a day of hazard, should be framed to the capacity of
+one as well as another; the most understanding can receive benefit, by
+that which is calculated to the capacity of children, when these can
+reap little edification by what is suited to the palate of those; and
+the less experienced, or such as are of lower understanding, will be
+less able to draw a general to a particular; or to improve and so fully
+to comprehend one particular touched, as to be able thereby to
+understand and take in a like particular not mentioned; than such as
+have their senses more exercised, and are thereby in case to make a
+better improvement of what is but compendiously declared, when those
+must have the bread broken to their hand, or they shall receive but
+small edification thereby; and yet, I suppose, the judicious will
+observe some variety, smaller or greater, even where particulars seem to
+be, at the first view, most unnecessarily multiplied. I know, and
+willingly grant, (for it is obvious enough) that a discourse of this
+subject and matter, might have required a far larger volume; but then
+how should such have profited thereby, whom poverty might possibly have
+scared from buying; or the necessary affairs of their ordinary callings
+would have keeped from a diligent perusal of it? And I thought that
+neither of these should have been overlooked in this special or general
+design which I had before my eyes.
+
+One thing, as my answer to all, I shall but add; if hereby others whom
+the Lord hath more enabled with all necessaries for such a work, shall
+be hereby either instigated or encouraged to write upon this subject, (I
+mean mainly the last part thereof, touching the use-making of Christ in
+sanctification; for blessed be the Lord, many have been employed of the
+Lord to speak soundly and edifyingly unto the use-making of Christ as to
+righteousness and justification,) a full, plain, edifying and satisfying
+discovery of this necessary and important truth, viz. Christ made of God
+to us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. And withal,
+point out plainly and particularly the way how believers in all their
+particular and various exigencies may and should so make use of and
+apply that all fulness which is treasured up in the Head, for the
+benefit and advantage of the members of the mystical body, as they may
+not only theoretically see, but practically also experience this truth,
+that in him they are complete; and so they may be helped to understand
+how through the necessary and constant use-making of him, as all in
+all, they may grow up in him in all things. If this be, I say, done by
+any to better purpose, I shall think this my adventure not altogether
+fruitless, and in part at least excusable.
+
+As for thee, O Christian, whose instruction, edification, and
+confirmation in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the faith which was
+once delivered unto the saints, I mainly intended in this undertaking, I
+have a few things to add:
+
+Know then, that there are certain men (as the Apostle Jude speaketh)
+crept in unawares, who were of old ordained to this condemnation,
+ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and
+denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ; for in these last
+days we see that these perilous times are come, (of which Paul
+advertised Timothy, 2 Tim. iii. 1, &c.) wherein men shall be lovers of
+their ownselves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to
+parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers,
+false accusers, (or make bates) incontinent, fierce, despisers of those
+that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasure more
+than lovers of God, having the form of godliness, but denying the power
+thereof--for of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead
+captive silly women, laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, ever
+learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. And
+because it is so, he exhorteth to give diligence to make your calling
+and election sure, by giving all diligence to add to faith virtue, to
+virtue knowledge, and to knowledge temperance, and to temperance
+patience, and to patience godliness, and to godliness brotherly
+kindness, and to brotherly kindness charity, for if ye do these things,
+ye shall never fall. As the Apostle Peter assureth us, 2 Peter i. 5, 6,
+7-10. For it is the elect who are secured from full and final defection
+and apostacy, Matth. xxiv. 24. Mark xii. 22. Rom. xi. 5, 6; ix. 11;
+viii. 33. Matth. xxiv. 31. Mark xiii. 27. And the promise of salvation
+is made to such as shall endure to the end. The crown is for the
+overcomers, and such as are faithful to the death, Matth. x. 22; xxiv.
+13. Mark xiii. 13. Rev. ii. 10, 11, 17, 26, 27, 28; iii. 5, 12, 21. All
+which, and the like, are set down, that hereby his people might be
+rationally moved to a constant seriousness, in the working out of their
+own salvation, in fear and trembling; and the forewarnings given of the
+great difficulty of the reaching the end of our faith, the salvation of
+our souls, because of the many active, vigilant, indefatigable, subtile,
+and insinuating adversaries, who by good words and fair speeches, will
+readily deceive the hearts of the simple, and to awaken the more his
+people to be sober and vigilant, because their adversary the devil (who
+acteth and moveth his under agents, in their several modes, methods and
+motions, so as he may best, according to the various tempers, present
+dispositions, advantages or disadvantages of such as he intendeth to
+seduce, which he carefully studieth, and plyeth for this end, obtain his
+designed end, their ruin and destruction) as a roaring lion, walking
+about seeking whom he may devour. And this calleth them to haste out
+their slumber and security, who will be loath to miss his opportunity,
+surprise them to their great loss and disadvantage.
+
+It is, beloved, high time now to awake, to look about us, to consider
+where we are, upon what ground we stand, whether the enemy or we have
+the advantage, how and in what posture we are to rencounter with
+deceivers that seek to cheat us out of all our souls, and of the Lord
+our Righteousness, and draw us off the paths of life, that when we come
+to die (beside the unspeakably great loss we would thereby be at, even
+here, in missing the comfortable accesses to God through Jesus Christ
+the inflowings of grace and strength for spiritual duty through the Lord
+our strength; the sweet communications of peace and joy in the Holy
+Ghost, the shedding abroad of the love of God in our hearts by the Holy
+Ghost, which is given unto us, and the full assurance of hope through
+the Lord Jesus our hope) we might be frustrated of all our expectations;
+and find, that all that which men made us grip to, lay hold on, and lean
+unto, instead of Christ, was but a mere shadow, and a lie in our right
+hand, to the unexpressible grief, vexation, and sorrow of soul when all
+should end in a dreadful and horrible disappointment.
+
+But let us not think that our purposes, firm-like resolutions to adhere
+to the truth, and our present abhorrence at, and detestation of errors
+now broached, to the overturning the very foundations of true
+Christianity, will sufficiently guard us from, and make us proof against
+the shots and assaults of these crafty seducers. Nor think, that our
+learning and knowledge in the theory of the truth; nor our abilities to
+rencounter sophisters, will secure us from a fall; let us not think that
+the enemies are contemptible, and therefore we need be the less anxious,
+nor yet think that former experiences and through-bearings, in the like
+cases, will be a pillow, whereby we may now lay ourselves down to sleep.
+If we do, we shall certainly deceive ourselves, if all our strength and
+standing be in ourselves, and through ourselves; and if this be the
+ground of our hope, the righteous Lord in his holy justice, may give us
+up to be a prey. Peter's instance should never be forgotten by us; and
+such as tempt the Lord have no ground to expect his last issue.
+
+Our strength must be in Christ: to the rock of ages must we fly: to our
+chambers in him must we retire, and there must we hide ourselves: on
+Christ's lee-side can we only ride safe, and be free of the hazard of
+the storm. To him therefore must our recourse be daily, by new and fresh
+acts of faith in and through him and his influences, communicated
+according to the tenor of the covenant of grace, through faith eyeing
+the promiser, the promise, with the price purchasing, and so drawing and
+sucking light, direction, strength, stability, and what our present
+exigent calleth for, must we think to stand. And happy they who,
+conscious to themselves of their own weakness, and convinced of the
+insufficiency of all things within them, in godly fear hide themselves
+under the wings of the Almighty, and get in into this stronghold,
+resolving there to abide, and there to be secured from all their
+adversaries, within or without. These humble fearers may expect a safe
+and noble outgate; when more strong-like and more confident adventurers
+shall (being left to themselves, because trusting in themselves),
+shamefully fall, and be triumphed over by the enemy, to the grief of the
+godly, and for a snare to others.
+
+The best way then, to keep the faith of Christ, which many are now
+seeking to shake and to loose us from, is to be exercising the faith of
+Christ. The serious and upright practising of the gospel is the only
+best mean to keep thee firm in the profession of the gospel, when the
+gospel with thee is not a few fine notions in the brain; but is heavenly
+and necessary truth sunk into the heart, and living and acting there; it
+will keep thee, and thou wilt own it more firmly and steadfastly in a
+day of trial. Thy walking in Christ, and working and living, by him
+living in thee, will so root thee in the gospel truth, that enemies will
+pull in vain, when seeking to overthrow thee. The gospel of the grace of
+God received and entertained in thy soul in love, and constant suitable
+improvement, will fortify thee, and secure itself in thee, so that
+vehement blasts shall but contribute to its more fixed abode, and more
+fruitful actings in thee. Live up then to the gospel, and so be sure of
+it, and be safe in it. I mean, let Christ live in thee as thy all, and
+cast all thy care and cumber on him; lay all thy difficulties before
+him; lean all thy weight upon him; draw all thy necessities out of him:
+and undertake all thy duties in him; be strong in him, and in the power
+of his might; let him be thy counsellor, conductor, leader, teacher,
+captain, commander, light, life, strength, and all, so shall thou stand
+and have cause to glory, even in thine infirmities, for thou shalt find
+the power of Christ resting upon thee, and thou shalt have cause to say,
+therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities,
+in persecution, in distresses for Christ's sake; for when I am weak,
+then am I strong. Remember that great word, Phil. iv. 13, "I can do all
+things through Christ, which strengtheneth me."
+
+It hath been the usual and ordinary question of believers, How shall we
+make use of Christ for sanctification? To this great and important
+question, I, (though the meanest and most unfit for such a work, of all
+that God hath sent to feed his flock) have adventured or endeavoured at
+least, to give such as truly desire to cleanse themselves from all
+filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of
+God, some satisfaction herein, laying before them some plain directions
+framed to their capacities, and suited to some of their most ordinary
+and usual causes; some whereof are more comprehensive, and others more
+particular, may be looked upon as exemplary instances, serving for other
+cases of the like nature; for hardly could every particular
+circumstantiate case be particularly spoken to, and some might judge
+that to be superfluous, if thou, in the light and strength of Christ,
+shalt really practise what is here pointed forth, I may be confident to
+say, thy labour shall not be in vain in the Lord, and thou shalt attain
+unto another sort of holiness than that which proud pretenders boast of,
+and shalt be far without the reach of that snare, which unstable souls
+are too readily entangled with. I mean, the plausible pretension of more
+than ordinary sanctity which yet is but forced, feigned, constrained,
+mostly external, and framed to cause admiration in beholders, whom they
+intend to make a prey of. This shall be no temptation to thee, who by
+experience findeth a more safe, satisfying, full, free, easy, pleasant
+and heartsome way of mortifying lusts, growing in grace, and in the
+knowledge of Jesus Christ, and so perfecting holiness, by running
+immediately to Christ, and by living in and upon him, who is made of God
+to us, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption. That the
+Lord may bless the same to thee, for this end, shall be, and is the
+desire and prayer of him who is,
+
+Thy servant in the work of the gospel,
+
+JOHN BROWN.
+
+
+
+
+
+RECOMMENDATION.
+
+
+CHRISTIAN READER,
+
+If thou answer this designation, and art really a partaker of the
+unction, which is the high import of that blessed and glorious name
+called upon thee, thine eye must affect thy heart, and a soul swelled
+with godly sorrow must at last burst and bleed forth at a weeping eye,
+while thou looks upon most of this licentious and loathsome generation,
+arrived at that height of prodigious profanity as to glory in their
+shame, and boast of bearing the badge and black mark of damnation. But,
+besides this swarm who savage it to hell, and make such haste hither, as
+they foam themselves into everlasting flames, carrying, under the shape
+and visage of men, as devils in disguise; the face of the church is
+covered with a scum of such, who are so immersed in the concerns of this
+life, and are so intense in the pursuit of the pleasures, gain, and
+honours thereof, as their way doth manifestly witness them to be sunk
+into the deep oblivion of God, and desperate inconsideration of their
+precious and immortal souls. But in the third place, besides these who
+are hurried into such a distraction with the cares of this life, that
+they, as natural brute beasts made to be destroyed, are never at leisure
+to consider either the nature and necessity of their noble souls, or to
+converse with the notion of a Deity. Thou may perceive a company of
+self-deceiving speculatists, who make broad the phylacteries of their
+garments, and boast of some high attainments in religion; yea, would
+have others look upon them as arrived at the very porch of heaven, and
+advanced to a high pitch of proficiency in the ways of God, because they
+can discourse a little of the mysteries of salvation, and without ever
+diving farther into the depth and true nature of religion, dream
+themselves into a consideration of being saints, and conclude themselves
+candidates for glory.
+
+This is that heart-moving object which presents itself to thy eye and
+observation this day. This is that deplorable posture, wherein thou
+mayest perceive most men at the very point of perishing eternally, who
+are within the pale of the visible church, some dancing themselves
+headlong in all haste into the lake of fire and brimstone, some so much
+concerned in things which have no connexion with their happiness, as to
+drop unconcernedly into the pit, out of which there is no redemption;
+and others dreaming themselves into endless perdition: and all of them
+unite in a deriding at, or despising the means used, and essays made, in
+order to their recovery.
+
+But if his servants, in following their work closely, seem to have
+gained a little ground upon men, and almost persuaded them to be
+Christians, Satan, to the end he may make all miscarry, and counterwork
+these workers together with God, and poison poor souls by a perversion
+of the gospel, beyond the power of an antidote, hath raised up,
+instigated and set on work a race of proud rationalists, for they are
+wiser than to class themselves amongst those poor fools, those base
+things, those nothings, to whom Christ is made all things, to whom
+Christ is made wisdom that he may be righteousness, sanctification, and
+redemption to them; nay, they must be wise men after the flesh, wise
+above what is written. A crucified Christ is really unto them
+foolishness and weakness, though the power of God and the wisdom of God:
+they will needs go to work another way; they will needs glory in his
+presence, and have a heaven of their own band-wind. O my soul, enter not
+into their secrets! and, O sweet Jesus, let thy name be to me, The Lord
+my righteousness; thou hast won it,--wear it; and gather not my soul
+with such who make mention of any other righteousness but of thine only!
+to bring in another gospel amongst us than the gospel of the grace of
+God. As they determine to know some other thing than Christ and him
+crucified; so with the enticing words of man's wisdom they bewitch men
+into a disobedience to the truth, setting somewhat else before them than
+a crucified Christ; and this they do, that they may remove men from
+those who call them into the grace of Christ, unto another gospel. A
+Christ, it is true; they speak of; but it is not the Christ of God, for
+all they drive at (O cursed and truly antichristian design!) is, that he
+may profit them nothing, while they model all religion according to this
+novel project of their magnified morality. This is that which gives both
+life and lustre to that image which they adore, to the Dagon after whom
+they would have the world wonder and worship.
+
+That there is such a moralizing or muddizing, if I may be for once
+admitted to coin a new word to give these men their due, of Christianity
+now introduced and coming in fashion, many of the late pieces in request
+do evince. Now that Christianity should moralize men above all things, I
+both give and grant; for he who is partaker of the divine nature, and
+hath obtained precious faith, must add virtue to his faith. But that it
+should be only conceived and conceited as an elevation of nature to a
+more clear light, in the matter of morality, wherein our Lord is only
+respected as an heavenly teacher and perfect pattern proposed for
+imitation, is but a proud, pleasing fancy of self-conceited, darkened,
+and deluded dreamers, robbing God of the glory of his mercy and
+goodness; our Lord Jesus Christ of the glory of his grace and merit. The
+spirit of the efficacy of his glorious and mighty operations; and
+themselves and their pilgrimages, who give them the hand as guides, of
+the comfort and fruit of all.
+
+It cannot escape thy observation, how busy Satan is this day, upon the
+one hand, to keep men, under the call of the gospel to give all
+diligence to make their calling and election sure, idle all the day, so
+that no persuasion can induce them to engage seriously to fall about a
+working out their own salvation in fear and trembling; and, on the
+other, equally diligent and industrious to divert men from trusting in
+the name of the Lord, and staying upon their God; setting them on work
+to go and gather fuel, and kindle a fire, and compass themselves about
+with sparks, that they may walk in the light of their own fire, and in
+the sparks that they have kindled, knowing well that they shall this way
+most certainly lose their toil and travel, and have no other reward at
+his hand of all their labour, but to lie down in everlasting sorrow,
+while the stout-hearted and far from righteousness and salvation, shall
+get their soul for a prey, and be made to rejoice in his salvation, and
+bless him who hath made them meet to be partakers of the inheritance of
+the saints in light.
+
+I am neither the fit person for so great an undertaking, nor do these
+limits, within which I must bound myself, permit me to expatiate in many
+notions about the nature of this excellent and precious thing, true
+gospel holiness. Oh! if, in the entry, I could on my own behalf and
+others, sob out my alas! from the bottom of my soul, because, be what it
+will, it is some other thing than men take it to be. Few habituate
+themselves to a thinking upon it, in its high nature, and soul enriching
+advantages, till their hearts receive suitable impressions of it, and
+their lives be the very transumpt of the law of God written in their
+heart; the thing, alas! is lost in a noise of words, and heap of notions
+about it; neither is it a wonder that men fall into mistakes about it,
+since it is only the heart possessed of it that is capable to understand
+and perceive its true excellency. But if it be asked what it is; we say,
+it may be shortly taken up, as the elevation and raising up of a poor
+mortal unto a conformity with God. As a participation of the divine
+nature, or as the very image of God stamped on the soul, impressed on
+the thoughts and affections, and expressed in the life and conversation;
+so that the man in whom Christ is formed, and in whom he dwells, lives,
+and walks, hath while upon the earth, a conversation in heaven; not only
+in opposition to those many, whose end is destruction, whose god is
+their belly, whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things; but
+also to those pretenders unto and personaters of religion, who have
+confidence in the flesh, and worship God with their own spirit, which
+in the matters of God is flesh and not spirit, and have somewhat else to
+rejoice in than in Christ Jesus, and a being found in him, not having
+their own righteousness.
+
+True gospel holiness, then, consists in some similitude and likeness to
+God, and fellowship with him founded upon that likeness. There is such
+an impression of God, his glorious attributes, his infinite power,
+majesty, mercy, justice, wisdom, holiness, and grace, &c., as sets him
+up all alone in the soul without any competition, and produceth those
+real apprehensions of him, that he is alone excellent and matchless. O
+how preferable doth be appear, when indeed seen, to all things! And how
+doth this light of his infinite gloriousness, shining into the soul,
+darken and obscure to an invisibleness all other excellencies, even as
+the rising of the sun makes all the lesser lights to disappear. Alas!
+how is God unknown in his glorious being and attributes! When once the
+Lord enters the soul, and shines into the heart, it is like the rising
+of the sun at midnight: all these things which formerly pretended to
+some loveliness, and did dazzle with their lustre, are eternally
+darkened. Now, all natural perfections, and moral virtues, in their
+flower and perfections, are at best looked upon as _aliquid nihil_. What
+things were formerly accounted gain and godliness, are now counted loss
+for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus the Lord, and the
+soul cannot only suffer the loss of them all without a sob, but be
+satisfied to throw them away as dung, that it may win him, and be found
+in him. Now, the wonder of a Deity, in his greatness, power, and grace,
+swallows up the soul in sweet admiration. O how doth it love to lose
+itself in finding here what it cannot fathom? And then it begins truly
+to see the greatness and evil of sin; then it is looked upon without the
+covering of pleasure or profit, and loathed as the leprosy of hell. Now
+the man is truly like God in the knowledge of good and evil, in the
+knowledge of that one infinite good, God; and in the knowledge of that
+one almost infinite evil, sin. This is the first point of likeness to
+him, to be conformed to him in our understanding, that as he knows
+himself to be the only self-being and fountain-good, and all created
+things in their flower and perfection, with all their real or fancied
+conveniences being compared with him, but as the drop of a bucket, or
+nothing; yea, less than nothing, vanity (which is nothing blown up, by
+the force or forgery of a vainly working imagination, to the consistence
+of an appearance), so for a soul to know indeed and believe in the
+heart, that there is nothing deserves the name of good besides God, to
+have the same superlative and transcendent thoughts of that great and
+glorious self-being God, and the same diminishing and debasing thoughts
+of all things and beings besides him. And that as the Lord seeth no evil
+in the creation but sin, and hates that with a perfect hatred, as
+contrary to his holy will; so for a soul to aggravate sin in its own
+sight to an infiniteness of evil, at least till it see it only short of
+infiniteness in this respect, that it can be swallowed up of infinite
+mercy. But whence hath the soul all this light? It owes all this, and
+owns itself as debtor for it to him, who opens the eyes of the blind. It
+is he who commands the light to shine out of darkness, who hath made
+these blessed discoveries, and hath given the poor benighted soul, the
+light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ.
+These irradiations are from the Spirit's illumination; 'tis the Spirit
+of wisdom and revelation that hath made day-light in the darkened soul.
+The man who had the heart of a beast, as to any saving or solid
+knowledge of God or himself, hath now got an understanding to know him
+that is true. Now is Christ become the poor man's wisdom, he is now
+renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him; he might
+well babble of spiritual things, but till now he understood nothing of
+the beauty and excellency of God and his ways; nay, he knew not what he
+knew, he was ignorant as a beast of the life and lustre of those things
+which he knew in the letter; nothing seemed more despicable to him in
+the world, than true godliness; but now he judgeth otherwise, because he
+hath the mind of Christ. The things which in his darkness he did
+undervalue as trifles to be mocked at, he now can only mind and admire,
+since he became a child of light; now being delivered from that
+blindness and brutishness of spirit, which possesseth the world, (and
+possessed himself till he was transformed by the renewing of his mind)
+who esteem basely of spiritual things, and set them at nought, he
+prizeth as alone precious. The world wonders what pleasure or content
+can be in the service of God, because they see not by tasting how good
+he is; to be prying into and poring upon invisible things, is to them
+visible madness, but to the enlightened mind, the things that are not
+seen are only worth seeing, and while they appear not to be, they only
+are; whereas the things that are seen appear but to be, and are not.
+Though the surpassing sweetness of spiritual things should be spoke of
+to them, who cannot favour the things of God, in such a manner as the
+glorious light of them did surround men; yet they can perceive no such
+thing; all is to them cunningly devised fables; let be spoke what will,
+they see no form, no comeliness, no beauty in this glorious object--God
+in Christ reconciling sinners to himself. Alas! the mind is blinded; the
+dungeon is within; and till Christ open the eyes, as well as reveal his
+light, the soul abides in its blindness, and is buried in midnight
+darkness; but when the Spirit of God opens the man's eyes, and he is
+translated by an act of omnipotency out of the kingdom of darkness into
+the kingdom of his dear Son, which is a kingdom of marvellous light, O
+what matchless beauty doth he now see in these things, which appeared
+despicable and dark nothings to him, till he got the unction, the
+eye-salve, which teacheth all things. Now he sees (what none without the
+Spirit can see) the things which God hath prepared for them that love
+him, and are freely given them of God; and these, though seen at a
+distance, reflect such rays of beauty into his soul, that he beholds and
+is ravished, he sees and is swallowed up in wonder.
+
+But then, in the next place, this is not a spiritless inefficacious
+speculation about these things, to know no evil but sin and separation
+from God, and no blessedness but in the fruition of him; it is not such
+a knowledge of them as doth not principle motion to pursue after them.
+This I grant is part of the image of God, when the Sun of Righteousness,
+by arising upon the man, hath made day-light in his soul, and by these
+divine discoveries hath taught him to make the true parallel betwixt
+things that differ, and to put a just value upon them according to their
+intrinsic worth. But this divine illumination doth not consist in a mere
+notion of such things in the head, nor doth it subsist in enlightening
+the mind; but in such an impression of God upon the soul, as transforms
+and changes the heart into his likeness by love.' Knowledge is but one
+line, one draught or lineament of the soul's likeness to him; that alone
+doth not make up the image, but knowledge rooted in the heart, and
+engraven on the soul, hining and shewing itself forth in a
+gospel-adorning conversation, that makes a comely proportion; when the
+same hand that touched the eye, and turned the man from darkness to
+light, and gave an heart to know him, that he is the Lord, that doth
+also circumcise the man's heart to love the Lord his God, with all his
+heart, and with all his soul, and with all his mind; and this love
+manifesting its liveliness, in its constraining power to live to him and
+for him. Light without, heat is but wild fire; but light in the mind,
+begetting heat in the heart, making it burn Godward, Christward, and
+heavenward; light in the understanding, setting on fire and inflaming
+the affections, and these shining out in a heavenly conversation, makes
+up the lively image of God, both in feature and stature, both in
+proportion and colour. Faith begins this image, and draws the
+lineaments; and love bringing forth obedience finishes, and gives it the
+lively lustre. The burnings of love in obedience to God is that which
+illuminates the whole, and makes a man look indeed like him, to whose
+image he is predestinate to be conform, and then makes him, who is
+ravished with the charms of that beauty, say, as in a manner overcome
+thereby, "how fair is thy love, my sister, my spouse? How much better is
+thy love than wine, and the smell of thine ointments than all spices?"
+But consider, that as these beams, which irradiate the soul, are from
+the Spirit of Christ, so that spiritual heat and warmth come out of the
+same airth, and proceed from the same author, for our fire burns as he
+blows, our lamp shines as he snuffs and furnisheth oil. Men therefore
+should not indulge themselves in this delusion, to think, that that
+which will pass for pure religion and undefiled before God, consists
+either in an outward blameless conversation, or in putting on and
+wearing an external garb of profession. No, as the top of it reacheth
+higher, so the root of it lies deeper; it is rooted in the heart, this
+seed being sown in an honest heart (or making the heart honest in which
+it is sown) takes root downward, and brings forth fruit upward, as trees
+that grow as far under ground as above, so these trees of righteousness,
+the planting of the Lord that he may be glorified, grow as far and as
+fast under ground as above; godliness grows as far downwards in
+self-emptying, self-denial, and self-abasing, in hungering and thirsting
+after more of righteousness, in the secret engagements of the heart to
+God in Christ, in these burstings of heart and bleeding of soul, to
+which God alone is witness, because of shortcoming in holiness, because
+of a body of death within, and because of that law in the members
+warring against the law of the mind, and bringing often into captivity
+to the law of sin, as it grows upward in a profession. And this is that
+pure religion and undefiled before God, which is both most pleasant to
+him, and profitable to the soul.
+
+But to make the difference betwixt dead morality, in its best dress, and
+true godliness, more clear and obvious, that loveliness of the one may
+engage men into a loathing of the other, this dead carion and stinking
+carcase of rotten morality, which still stinks in the nostrils of God,
+even when embalmed with the most costly ointments of its miserably
+misled patrons, we say, that true godliness, which in quality and kind
+differs from this much pleaded for and applauded morality, a black
+heathen by a mongrel kind of Christians baptised of late with the name
+of Christianity, and brought into the temple of the Lord, concerning
+which he hath commanded that it should never in that shape, and for that
+end it is introduced, enter into his congregation; and the bringers for
+their pains are like to seclude themselves for ever from his presence.
+It respects Jesus Christ, 1st, as its principle; 2d, as its pattern; 3d,
+as its altar; and, 4th, as its end.
+
+1. I say, true holiness, in its being and operation, respects Jesus
+Christ as its principle; "I live," said that shining saint, "yet not I,
+but Christ liveth in me." As that which gives religion its first being,
+is the religation of the soul to God; so that which gives it motion, and
+draws forth that life into action, is the same God's working all their
+works in them and for them, so that in all they do, they are workers
+together with God; every act of holiness is an act of the soul made
+alive unto God through Jesus Christ, and quickened to each action by the
+supervenience of new life and influence; therefore, says Christ, without
+me ye can do nothing; it is not, being out of me ye can do nothing, for
+he spoke it to those who were in him, but, if ye leave me out in doing,
+all ye do will be nothing. 'Tis Jesus Christ who gives life and legs, so
+that our runnings are according to his drawings. "My soul followeth
+hard after thee," said that holy man; but whence is all this life and
+vigour? "Thy right hand upholdeth me," Oh! it is the upholdings and
+helpings of this right hand, enlarging the man's heart, that makes a
+running in the ways of his commandments; it is he who, while the saints
+work out the work of their own salvation, worketh in them both to will
+and to do. It is he who giveth power to the faint, and who, to them that
+have no might, encreaseth strength, so that the poor lifeless,
+languishing lie-by is made to mount up with eagles' wings, and surmount
+all these difficulties, with a holy facility, which were simply
+insuperable, and pure impossibilities. Now the man runs and doth not
+weary, because Christ draws; and he walks and doth not faint, because
+Christ, in whom dwells the fulness of the Godhead bodily, dwells in him,
+and walks in him, and dwells in him for that very end, that he may have
+a completeness and competency of strength for duty. All grace is made to
+abound unto him, that he always having all sufficiency in all things,
+may abound unto every good work. He is able of himself to do nothing,
+no, not to think any thing as he ought, but he hath a sufficiency of
+God, whereby he is thoroughly furnished unto every good work; so that he
+may say, I am able for all things: it is more than "I am able to do all
+things," as we read it; its just import is, "I am able to do all things,
+and to endure all things;" and that which keeps it from vain boasting,
+is what is added, "through Christ which strengthened me," or putting
+power in me, or rather impowering me, which is by a supervenient act
+drawing forth life into a liveliness of exercise, according to the
+present exigent. There is a power in a saint, because Christ is in him,
+that overpowers all the powers of darkness without, and all the power of
+indwelling corruption within, so that when the poor weak creature is
+ready to despond; within sight of his duty, and say, because of
+difficulty, what is my strength that I should hope? Christ saith,
+despond not, my grace is sufficient for thee, and my power shall rest
+upon thee, to a reviving thee, and raising thee up, and putting thee in
+case to say, when I am weak, then I am strong; his strength, who
+impowers me, is made perfect in my weakness, so that I will glory in my
+infirmities, and be glad in being grace's debtor. But what power is
+that, which raiseth the dead sinner, and carries the soul in its actings
+so far without the line, and above the sphere of all natural activity,
+when stretched to its utmost? O, it is an exceeding great power which is
+to them-ward who believe, that must make all things, how difficult
+soever, easy, when he works in them to will and to do, according to the
+working of his mighty power, (or as it is upon the margin, and more
+emphatic, of the might of his power,) which he wrought in Christ, when
+he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand, &c.; he
+that raised up the Lord Jesus from the dead, raiseth up believers also
+by Jesus; and being raised and revived by him, to walk in newness of
+life, the life of Jesus, in its communications of strength, is manifest
+in their mortal flesh, according to that of the same apostle; "the life
+that I live in the flesh," saith he, "I live by the faith of the Son of
+God." Faith brings in Christ in my soul, and Christ being my life,
+carries out my soul in all the acts of obedience, wherein, though I be
+the formal agent, yet the efficiency and the power, by which I operate,
+is from him; so that I can give no better account of it than
+this,--I--not I. But who then, if not you? The grace of God, saith he,
+which was with me. But this mystery to our bold, because blind
+moralists, of an indwelling Christ working mightily in the soul, is
+plain madness and melancholy; however we understand his knowledge in the
+mystery of Christ, who said, "The life I live in the flesh," &c.; and
+from what we understand of his knowledge in that mystery, which he had
+by revelation, we understand our moralists to be men of corrupt minds,
+who concerning the faith hath made shipwreck; but what is that, "The
+life I live in the flesh," &c. The import of it seems to be this, if not
+more,--while I have in me a soul animating my body, as the principle of
+all my vital and natural actions, I have Jesus Christ animating my soul,
+and by the impulse and communicate virtue and strength of an indwelling
+Christ, I am made to run the ways of his commandments, wherein I take so
+great delight, that I am found of no duty as of my enemy.
+
+2. The gospel holiness respects Jesus Christ as its pattern. It
+proposeth no lower pattern for imitation than to be conform to his
+image, (he that is begotten again into a lively hope, by the
+resurrection of Christ from the dead, girds up the loins of his mind,
+which are the affections of his soul, lest by falling flat upon the
+earth, he be hindered in running the race set before him, as looking to
+the forerunner his pattern,) in this girdle of hope, that he may be
+"holy in all manner of conversation," keeping his eye upon the precept
+and pattern, that his practice may be conform. It is written, saith he,
+"be ye holy, for I am holy;" the hope of seeing God, and being ever with
+him, imposeth a necessity upon him who hath it, to look no lower than at
+him, who is glorious in holiness; and therefore he is said to purify
+himself even as he is pure; and knowing that this is the end of their
+being quickened together with Christ, that they may walk even as he
+walked, they in their working and walking aim at no less than to be like
+him; and therefore never sit down upon any attained measure, as if they
+were already perfect. The spotless purity of God expressed in his laws,
+is that whereto they study assimilation; therefore they are still in
+motion towards this mark, and are changed from one of glorious grace
+into another, into the same image, even as by the Spirit of the Lord,
+who never gives over his putting them to cleanse from all filthiness of
+the flesh and of the spirit, till that be true in the truest sense,
+"Thou art all fair, my love, there is no spot in thee." And knowing that
+perfect fruition of him cannot be without the perfect conformity to him,
+herein do they exercise themselves to grow in grace, and to be still
+advancing towards some more likeness to his image, forgetting all their
+attainments, as things that are behind, and by their Teachings forth
+unto that which is before, make it evident that they make every begun
+degree of grace and conformity to God, a prevenient capacity for a new
+degree which yet they have not attained. I know our moralists look upon
+themselves as matchless, in talking of following his steps as he hath
+left us an example; in this they make a flourishing with flanting
+effrontery, but for all their boasting of wisdom, such a poor simple man
+as I, am made to wonder at their folly, who proposing, as they say, the
+purity of Christ as their pattern, are not even thence convinced, that
+in order to a conformity thereto, there is a simple and absolute
+necessity of the mighty operations of that Spirit of God, whereby this
+end can be reached; but while they flout at the Spirit's working as a
+melancholy fancy, whereby the soul is garnished with the beauty of
+holiness, and made an habitation for God, I doubt not to say of these
+great sayers, that they understand neither what they say, nor whereof
+they affirm; nay, doth not the talking of the one, not only without
+seeing the necessity of the other, but speaking against it, say in the
+heart of every one, who hath not the heart of a beast, that they have
+never yet got a sight of the holiness of that pattern, nor of their own
+pollutions and impotency; for if they had, they would give themselves up
+to Jesus Christ to be washed by him, without which they can have no part
+with him. O there will be a vast difference, at the latter day, betwixt
+them who have given their black souls to Jesus to bleach, when he shall
+present them without spot, not only clothed with wrought gold, but all
+glorious within, and those who have never dipped, yea, who have despised
+to dip their defiled souls in any other fountain, save in the impure
+puddle of their own performances. This will make them loathsome in his
+sight, and cause his soul abhor those who have done this despite unto
+the Spirit of grace, as to slight that blessed fountain, opened for sin
+and for uncleanness, let them pretend as high as they will, to look to
+him as a pattern; while, because the plague-sore is gone up in their
+eye, they look not to him as a price, nor to the grace of Jesus Christ,
+as that which can only principle any acceptable performance of duty, he
+will plunge them in the ditch, and it will cost them their souls, for
+rejecting the counsel of God against themselves, in not making use of
+him who came by water as well as by blood.
+
+3. This gospel holiness respects Christ as the altar. It is in him, and
+for him, that his soul is well pleased with our performance--this is the
+altar upon which thou must lay thy gift, and leave it, without which thy
+labour is lost, and whatsoever thou dost is loathed, as a corrupt thing.
+As believers draw all their strength from him, so they expect acceptance
+only through him, and for him. They do not look for it, but in the
+Beloved; they dare not draw near to God in duty, but by him. This is
+the new and living way which is consecrate for them; and if such, who
+offer to come to God, do not enter in hereat, instead of being admitted
+to a familiar converse with God, they shall find him a consuming fire.
+When the saints have greatest liberty in prayer, and so of all other
+performances, when their hearts are most lifted up in the ways of the
+Lord, they abhor at thinking their prayer can any otherways be set forth
+before him as incense, or the lifting up of their hands as the evening
+sacrifice, but as presented by the great intercessor, and perfumed by
+the merit of his oblation. If they could weep out the marrow of their
+bones, and the moisture of their body, in mourning over sin; yet they
+durst not think of having what comes from so impure a spring, and runs
+through so polluted a channel, presented to God, but by Jesus Christ, in
+order to acceptation; for, as they look to the exalted Saviour, to get
+their repentance from him, so when by the pourings out upon them of the
+spirit of grace and supplication, he hath made them pour out their
+hearts before him, and hath melted them into true tenderness, so that
+their mourning is a great mourning, they carry back these tears to be
+washen and bathed in his blood, as knowing without this of how little
+worth and value with God their salt water is; but when they are thus
+washed he puts them in his bottle, and then pours them out again to them
+in the wine of strong consolation. Thus are they made glad in his house
+of prayer, and their sighs and groans come up with acceptance upon his
+altar. O blessed altar, that sanctifies the gold! this is that altar,
+whereto the mocking moralist hath no right. It is by him that the poor
+believer offers up his sacrifice to God continually; whatever he doth in
+word or deed, he desires to do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. As he
+knows, he lives to make intercession, and to appear in the presence of
+God for his poor people, both to procure influences for duty, and plead
+for acceptation: so he depends upon him for both, as knowing he can
+never otherways hear nor have it said unto him, "well done thou good and
+faithful servant." It may be he can do little, he hath but a mite to
+offer; but he puts it in the Mediator's hand to be presented to God. He
+hath not gold, nor silver, nor purple to bring; he can do no great
+things; he hath but goats' hair or rams' skins, but he gives them the
+right tincture, he makes them red in the blood of Christ, and so they
+are a beautiful incarnation.
+
+But let us, on the other hand, take a short view of what our moralists
+substitute in its place, as in their account, both more beautiful in the
+eye, and more beneficial to the souls of men, wherein I intend to be
+brief. I might comprehend the account to be given shortly, and give it
+most exactly, yet truly in these few words. As the most undoubted
+deviation from, and perfect opposition unto the whole contrivance of
+salvation, and the conveyance of it into the souls of men, as revealed
+in this gospel which brings life and immortality to light, that
+fighters against the grace of God in its value and virtue can forge,
+stretching their blind reason to the overthrow of true religion, and
+ruin of the souls of men. For to this height these masters of reason
+have, in their blind rage, risen up against the Lord and against his
+anointed; this is the dreadful period of that path, wherein we are
+persuaded to walk, yea hectored, if we would not forfeit the repute of
+men by these grand sophies, who arrogate to themselves the name and
+thing of knowledge, as if wisdom were to die with them. The deep
+mysteries of salvation, which angels desire to look into, and only
+satisfy themselves with admiration at, must appear as respondents at
+their bar; and if they decline the judge and court, as incompetent, they
+flee out and flout at subjecting this blind mole, man's reason, to the
+revelation of faith in a mystery. The manifold wisdom of God, and the
+manifold grace of God, must either condescend to their unfoldings, and
+be content to speak in their dialect, or else these wits, these Athenian
+dictators, will give the deep things of God, because beyond their
+divings, the same entertainment which that great gospel preacher, Paul,
+met with from men of the same mould, kidney, and complexion, because he
+preached unto them Jesus, What would the babbler say, said they. The
+Spirit of wisdom and revelation they know not, they have not, they
+acknowledge not; nay, they despise him in his saving and
+soul-ascertaining illuminations; and the workings of that mighty power
+to them-ward who believe, is to the men of this new mould (because they
+have not found it) an insufferable fancy, to be exploded with a disdain
+and indignation, which discovers what spirit actuates them in this
+opposition.
+
+But I would recommend to you, who can neither purchase nor peruse what
+is more voluminous (how worthy soever) the serious perusal, as of the
+whole of that savoury and grace-breathing peace, the fulfilling of the
+Scriptures; so therein that short but sweet digression, against
+black-mouthed Parker, wherein the gracious author takes out his own
+soul, and sets before thine eye, the image of God impressed thereon; for
+while he deals with that desperado by clear and convincing reason,
+flowing natively from the pure fountain of divine revelation, he hath
+the advantage of most men, and writers too, in silencing that proud
+blasphemer of the good ways of God, with arguments taken from what he
+hath found acted upon his own soul. And likewise I would recommend, as a
+sovereign antidote against this poison, the diligent perusing and
+pondering of what is shortly hinted against the hellish belchings of the
+same unhallowed author (in the Preface to that piece of great Mr.
+Durham, upon the Commands) by a disciple, who, besides his natural
+acuteness and sub-actness of judgment in the depth of the gospel
+mysteries, is known, by all who know him (and for myself, I know none
+now alive his equal) to have most frequent access to lean his head on
+his Master's bosom, and so in best case to tell his fellow-disciples
+and brethren, what is breathed into his own soul, while he lives in
+these embraces, and under the sheddings abroad of that love of God in
+his soul, which drew and did dictate these lines, against that flouter
+at all such fruitions. Nor can I here omit to observe, how, when the
+devil raised up Parker, that monster, to bark and blaspheme, the Lord
+raised up a Merveil to fight him at his own weapon, who did so cudgel
+and quell that boasting bravo, as I know not if he be dead of his wound,
+but for any thing I know, he hath laid his speech.
+
+It was not the author's design in this piece, (levelled only at this
+mark, to teach thee how to make use of the strength and grace that is in
+Christ Jesus, and find the promised ease in performance of duties; in
+handling of which argument, he hath been remarkably assisted, and thou
+canst not read with attention, but thou must bear him witness, and bless
+the Lord on his behalf, that he hath hit the mark at which he aimed) to
+engage in a formal debate with these audacious moralists, who would
+boast and bogle us out of the good old way, wherein, if men walk, they
+must find rest to their souls. Yet if by the doctrine he hath here
+explained and pressed, as the only way of life, they do not find what a
+mortal wound he hath given their morality, all the lovers of the truth
+will see it; and it may be, the Lord sparing life, and continuing the
+same gracious and great assistance, he hath had in engaging with many
+and great adversaries to the truth at home and abroad, they may see
+somewhat from his pen, which may make the lovers of our Lord Jesus
+Christ in sincerity, and of the operations of his Spirit, sing over
+these successors to Sisera, who with their jumping chariots and rattling
+wheels, assault the truth, at his feet they bowed, they fell, they lay
+down at his feet, they bowed, they fell where they bowed, there they
+fell down dead; so let all the enemies of thy truth perish, O Lord! How
+to make the whole more useful for thee, for whose advantage 'tis mainly
+intended, I leave to the author's own direction; only this I must say,
+his method and mould, wherein he casts his sweet matter, and his way of
+handling this so seasonable a subject, is so accommodate to each case,
+and brought home to the conscience, and down to the capacity of the
+meanest Christian, which was his aim, that the feeble, in this day,
+might be as David; that howbeit many worthy men have not only hinted,
+but enlarged upon the same matter, yet thou canst not but see some
+heart-endearing singularity in his way of improving and handling this
+great gospel truth. Next, I must tell thee, that as I myself read it
+with much satisfaction (though, alas! I dare not say, I have by reading
+reaped the designed advantage), so that thou mayest be blushed into a
+perusal thereof, and profiting thereby, I must likewise tell thee, I
+say, it hath been turned into Dutch, and that it hath not only met with
+great acceptation amongst all the serious and godly in these parts, who
+have seen it, but is much sought after; and they profess themselves
+singularly thereby edified, and set a-going after God, by its
+efficacious persuasiveness, with a singing alacrity; and if it have not
+the same effect upon thee and me, they and it will arise up against us
+in judgment.
+
+Up, therefore, Christians, and be doing: Listen to such a teacher, who,
+lest thou tire in thy race, or turn back, teacheth thee a certain and
+sweet way of singular proficiency and progress in the ways of God. It
+may be, it is not thy work, nor mine, to write both against these
+soul-murdering, however magnified, methods of taking men off Jesus
+Christ; but our penury of parts for that, should first put us to seek
+plenty of tears, that we may weep, to see our master so wounded by the
+piercing pens of those who, to patronise their mock religion, wrest the
+Scriptures, and with wicked hands wring the word of the Lord, till it
+weep blood: this, I say, should provoke thee and me to weep upon him,
+till he appear, and beat the pens of such deceivers out of their hand by
+a blow of his; 2d, It should provoke us to know the truth, that we may
+contend earnestly for the faith delivered to the saints, and to have
+these contradicted truths so impressed in their life upon our souls,
+that the pen of the most subtle pleader for this perversion of the
+gospel may neither delete these, nor be able to stagger us, but we may,
+from the efficacious working of these, have the witness in ourselves,
+and know the men who teach otherways not to be of God; 3d, It should be
+our ambition, when the all of religion is cried down, and a painted
+shadow, a putrid, however perfumed, nothing put in its place, to make it
+appear, by our practice, that religion is an elevation of the soul above
+the sphere and activity of dead morality; and that it is no less or
+lower principle that acts us, than Christ dwelling in us, and walking in
+us. How can the love of God, and of Christ, and of the Spirit be in us,
+if these perverse praters against the power of godliness, provoke us not
+to emit a practical declaration to the world, and extort a testimony to
+his grace by our way, from the enemies thereof? Improve, therefore, this
+his special help to that purpose, which in a most seasonable time is
+brought to thy hand.
+
+But to sum up all shortly, there are but three things which make
+religion an heavy burden; 1st, The blindness of the mind; and here thou
+art taught to make use of that eye-salve, whereby the eyes of the blind
+see out of obscurity, and out of darkness; he who formerly erred in
+spirit, by the light held forth in these lines, may see a surpassing
+beauty in the ways of God; 2d, That aversion and unwillingness which is
+in the mind, whereby the sweet and easy yoke of his commands is spurned
+at as heavy; in order to the removing thereof, and that thou mayest be
+among his willing people, here thou hast Christ held forth in his
+conquering beauty, displaying his banner of love over souls, so that
+thou canst not look upon him as held forth, but faith will bow thy neck
+to take on his yoke, because it sees it is lined with the love of
+Christ, and then this love that lines the yoke, shed abroad in the
+heart, will constrain to a bearing of it; but, 3d, When the spirit is
+willing, there remains yet much weakness; love kindled in the heart
+conquers the mind into a compliance with his will, and a complacency in
+his commands, but its greatest strength is often to weep over a withered
+hand. Now that thy hands which fall down may be made strong for labour,
+and thou mayest be girded with strength, and have grace for grace, yea,
+all grace to make thee abound unto every good word and work, the author
+leads thee up unto the full fountain of all gospel furniture, and
+strength; and teacheth thee how to make use of Christ, as thy
+sufficiency, for working all thy works in thee and for thee. I say,
+therefore, again unto thee, take heart, let not thine hands fall down,
+essay nothing thou would have well done or easily done, in thine own
+strength; but yet how difficult soever the duty be, approach it as
+having no confidence in the flesh, but with an eye to thy stock, that
+rich store-house of all furniture, and it shall be with thee as it was
+with the priests, before whom Jordan recoiled, so soon as their foot
+entered within the brink; God shall make thy difficulties evanish; and
+by the illapses of the Spirit of power and might from Jesus Christ
+depended upon, shall so strengthen thee, that thy duty is made easy to
+admiration, and becomes the delight of thy soul. Pray for the
+continuance of the life of the author, who, by his assiduous working for
+Christ, hath been often near unto death, not regarding his own life, to
+supply the lack of other men's service, to the interest and Church of
+God; and let him be comforted for this piece of travel undertaken for
+thy soul's interest, by hearing thou dost improve it to thy advantage,
+for which it is so exactly calculate: And with all I beg thy fervent and
+earnest intercessions for grace, and more grace, to him who is thy poor,
+yet soul's well-wisher and servant, for Christ's sake,
+
+R. M. W.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHRIST
+
+THE WAY, AND THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE.
+
+
+JOHN XIV. 6--JESUS SAITH UNTO THEM, I AM THE WAY, AND THE TRUTH, AND THE
+LIFE; NO MAN COMETH UNTO THE FATHER BUT BY ME.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+THE INTRODUCTION, WITH SOME GENERAL OBSERVATIONS FROM THE COHESION.
+
+
+Doubtless it is always useful, yea, necessary, for the children of God
+to know the right way of making use of Christ, who is made all things to
+them which they need, even "wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and
+redemption," 1 Cor. i. 30. But it is never more necessary for believers
+to be clear and distinct in this matter, than when Satan, by all means,
+is seeking to pervert the right ways of the Lord, and, one way or other,
+to lead souls away, and draw them off Christ; knowing that, if he
+prevail here, he hath gained his point. And therefore he endeavoureth
+not only to darken it by error, either more gross or more subtle, but
+also to darken it by mistakes and prejudices: whence it cometh to pass,
+that not only strangers are made to wander out of the way, but
+oftentimes many of his own people are walking in darkness of ignorance
+and mistakes, and remain lean through want of the real exercise of the
+life of faith, which would make them fat and flourishing; because it
+would make them "strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might, and
+to grow up in Christ in all things."
+
+The clearing up then of this truth cannot but be most seasonable now,
+when Satan is prevailing with many, whom he cannot get tempted to
+looseness and profanity, to sit down upon something which is not Christ,
+and to rest upon something with themselves, distinct from him, both in
+the matter of justification and sanctification. This subtle adversary is
+now setting some a-work, to cry up, by preaching, speaking, and
+printing, a way to heaven which is not Christ; a kind of morality,
+civility, and outward holiness, whereupon the soul is to rest. And this
+holiness, not wrought and effectuated through the strength of Jesus, by
+faith sucking life and furniture from him; but through our own art and
+skill, which in effect is nothing but an extract of refined Popery,
+Socinianism, and Arminianism, devised and broached of purpose to draw
+the soul off Christ, that he may stand upon his own legs, and walk by
+his own power, and thank himself, at least in part, for the crown at
+length.
+
+Further, through the great goodness of God, the true way of a soul's
+justification is admirably cleared up; and many are, at least
+theoretically, acquainted therewith; and many also practically, to the
+quieting of their wakened consciences, and stopping the mouth of their
+accusers, and obtaining of peace, joy, and the lively hope of the
+everlasting crown; yet many gracious souls profess their
+unacquaintedness with the solid and thriving way of use-making of Christ
+for growth in grace and true sanctification. Therefore some discovery of
+the truth here cannot but be useful, seasonable, yea, and acceptable
+unto them. If he, who is the Truth, would give grace to understand, and
+to unfold this so necessary and always advantageous a truth, and would
+help to write of and explain this truth by faith in him who is here said
+to be the Truth, then should we have cause to bless and magnify his
+name. But if he, because of sin, shall hide himself, and not let out
+these beams of light, whereby we might discover light, we shall but
+darken counsel with words without our knowledge, and leave the matter as
+unclear as ever. Therefore is it necessary, there be both in him that
+writeth, and in such as read, a single dependence on him, who "is for a
+leader," Isa. lv. 5, and hath promised to "bring the blind by a way
+which they know not, and to lead them in paths they had not known, and
+to make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight," Isa.
+xlii. 16, that thus by acting faith on him we may find, in so far, the
+truth of this verified, viz. that he is the Way, the Truth, and the
+Life. Now, for clearing up of this matter, we would know, that our Lord
+Jesus, from the beginning of this chapter, is laying down some grounds
+of consolation, sufficient to comfort his disciples against the sad news
+of his departure and death; and to encourage them against the fears they
+had of much evil to befall them when their Lord and Master should be
+taken from them; which is a sufficient proof of the tender heart of
+Jesus, who alloweth all his followers strong consolation against all
+fears, hazards, troubles, and perplexities which they can meet with in
+their way. He will not leave them comfortless, and therefore he layeth
+down strong grounds of consolation to support their drooping and
+fainting hearts; as loving to see his followers always rejoicing in the
+Lord, and singing in the ways of Zion: that the world may see and be
+convinced of a reality in Christianity, and of the preferableness of
+that life, notwithstanding of all the troubles that attend it, unto any
+other, how sweet and desirable soever it may appear to flesh and blood.
+
+In prosecution of which design, he told them, verse 4, that they "knew
+whether he went," and the way also which he was to take, and by which he
+was to bring them to the Father, to the mansion spoken of, and so to
+life eternal. But Thomas rashly and incredulously (as too usually he
+did, chap. xi. 16; xx. 25,) venteth himself, and little less than
+contradicteth his Master, saying, verse 5, "We know not whither thou
+goest, and how can we know the way?" wherein we have an emblem of many a
+believer, who may have more grace and knowledge of God and of Christ
+than they will be able to see, or acknowledge that they have; what
+through temptations, inward distempers, sense of their many defects, and
+great ignorance, strong desires of high measures, clearer discoveries of
+the vastness of the object, mistakes about the true nature of grace,
+despising the day of small things, and indistinctness as to the actings
+of grace, or want of understanding and right uptaking of grace in its
+various outgoings and actings under various notions, and the like.
+
+Whereupon Christ, after his usual manner, taketh occasion to clear up
+that ground of consolation further unto them; and to let them see the
+true way of coming to the Father, that thereby they might be helped to
+see that they were not such strangers unto the way as they supposed; and
+withal, he amplifieth and layeth out the properties and excellencies of
+this way, as being the only true and living way; and that in such a
+manner, as they might both see the way to be perfect, full, safe,
+saving, and satisfying; and also learn their duty of improving this way
+always, and in all things, until they come home at length to the Father,
+saying, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto
+the Father but by me."
+
+Christ then saying, that he not only is the way to the Father, even the
+true way, but that he is so the true way, as that he is also truth
+itself in the abstract, and so the living way, that he is life itself in
+the abstract, giveth us ground to consider, after what manner it is that
+he is the Truth and the Life, as well as the Way; and that for clearing
+up and discovering of his being an absolutely perfect, transcendently
+excellent, incomparably preferable and fully satisfying way, useful to
+believers in all cases, all exigents, all distresses, all difficulties,
+all trials, all temptations, all doubts, all perplexities, and in all
+causes or occasions of distempers, fears, faintings, discouragements,
+&c. which they may meet with in their way to heaven. And this will lead
+us to clear up the duty of believers, on the other hand, and to show how
+they should, in all their various cases and difficulties, make use of
+Christ as the only all-sufficient way to the Father, and as truth and
+life in the way, and so we will be led to speak of Christ's being to
+his people all that is requisite for them here in the way, whether for
+justification or sanctification; and how people are to make use of him
+as being all, or, as being made of "God to us wisdom, righteousness,
+sanctification, and redemption," 1 Cor. i. 30.
+
+Ere we come to the words in particular, we would look upon them as
+having relation to Thomas his words in the preceding verse, wherein he
+did little less than contradict what Christ had said in the 4th verse,
+and learn several very comfortable points of doctrine, as,
+
+I. That Jesus Christ is very tender of his followers, and will not cast
+them off, nor upbraid them for every escape whereby they may provoke him
+to anger and grieve his Spirit; but gently passeth by many of their
+failings, when he findeth they are not obstinate in their mistake, nor
+perverse in their way. For how gently and meekly doth he here pass over
+Thomas his unhandsome expression, finding that Thomas spake here, not
+out of obstinacy and pertinaciousness, but out of ignorance and a
+mistake. And the reason is, because, 1. Christ knoweth our infirmity and
+weakness, and is of a tender heart, and therefore will not "break the
+bruised reed," Isa. xlii. Well knoweth he that rough and untender
+handling would crush us, and break us all in pieces. And, 2. He is full
+of bowels of mercy, and can "have compassion on them that are out of the
+way, and can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities," Heb. iv.
+15. v. 2.
+
+Which truth, as upon the one hand, it should encourage all to choose him
+for their leader, and give up themselves unto him, who is so tender of
+his followers; so, upon the other hand, it should rebuke such as are
+ready to entertain evil and hard thoughts of him, as if he were an hard
+master, and ill to be followed, and put all from entertaining the least
+thought of his untenderness and want of compassion. But, moreover,
+
+II. We see, that weaknesses and corruptions breaking out in believers,
+when they are honestly and ingenuously laid open before the Lord, will
+not fear him away, but rather engage him the more to help and succour.
+Much of Thomas his weakness and corruption appeared in what he said; yet
+the same being honestly and ingenuously laid open to Christ, not out of
+a spirit of contradiction, but out of a desire to learn, Christ is so
+far from thrusting him away, that he rather condescendeth the more, out
+of love and tenderness, to instruct him better, and clear the way more
+fully. And that, because, 1. He knoweth our mould and fashion, how
+feckless and frail we are, and that if he should deal with us according
+to our folly, we should quickly be destroyed. 2. He is not as a man,
+hasty, rash, proud; but gentle, loving, tender, and full of compassion.
+3. It is his office and proper work to be an instructor to the ignorant,
+and a helper of our infirmities and weaknesses, a physician to bind up
+and cure our sores and wounds.
+
+Who would not then willingly give up themselves to such a teacher that
+will not thrust them to the door, nor give them up to themselves always,
+when their corruptions would provoke him thereunto? And what a madness
+is this in many, to stand a-back from Christ, because of their
+infirmities; and to scar at him, because of their weakness, when the
+more corruption we find the more we should run to him? and it is soon
+enough to depart from Christ when he thrusts us away, and saith, he will
+have no more to do with us; yea, he will allow us to stay after we are
+thrice thrust away. Only, let us take heed that we approve not ourselves
+in our evils, that we hide them not as unwilling to part with them, that
+we obstinately maintain them not, nor ourselves in them; but that we lie
+open before him, and deal with him, with honesty, ingenuousness, and
+plainness.
+
+III. We see, further, That ignorance ingenuously acknowledged and laid
+open before Christ, puts the soul in a fair way to get more instruction.
+Thomas having candidly, according as he thought, in the simplicity of
+his heart, professed his ignorance, is in a fair way now to get
+instruction. For this is Christ's work, to instruct the ignorant, to
+open the eyes of the blind.
+
+Why then are we so foolish as to conceal our ignorance from him, and to
+hide our case and condition from him; and why doth not this commend
+Christ's school to us so much the more? why do we not carry as ingenious
+scholars, really desirous to learn? But,
+
+IV. We may learn, That our ill condition and distempers put into
+Christ's hand will have remarkable out-gates, and an advantageous issue;
+seeing Christ taketh occasion here from Thomas his laying open his
+condition, not without some mixture of corruption, to clear up the truth
+more fully and plainly than it was before; for hereby, 1. Christ giveth
+an open declaration of the glory of his power, mercy, goodness, wisdom,
+&c. 2. He hath occasion to give a proof of his divine art and glorious
+skill of healing diseased souls, and of making broken bones stronger
+than ever they were. 3. Thus he effectually accomplished his noble
+designs, and perfecteth his work, in a way tending to abase man, by
+discovering his infirmities and failings; and to glorify himself in his
+goodness and love. 4. Thus he triumpheth more over Satan, and in a more
+remarkable and glorious manner destroyeth his works. 5. Thus he
+declareth how wonderfully he can make all things work together for good
+to his chosen ones that love him and follow him. 6. Yea, thus he
+engageth souls to wonder more at his divine wisdom and power; to despair
+less in time coming, when cases would seem hard; to acknowledge his
+great and wonderful grace, and his infinite power and wisdom, that can
+bring life out of death; and also to be more sensible of the mercy, and
+thankful for it.
+
+O believer, what manner of joy is here! how happy art thou that hath
+given up thyself to him! Thy worst condition can turn to thy advantage.
+He can make thy ignorance, vented with a mixture of corruption, turn to
+the increase of thy knowledge. Bless him for this; and, with joy and
+satisfaction, abide thou under his tutory and at his school. And withal,
+be not discouraged, be thy case of ignorance and corruption what it
+will, lay it before him with sincerity and singleness of heart, and then
+"thou mayest glory in thine infirmities, that the power of Christ may
+rest on thee," 2 Cor. xii. 9; for thou shalt see, in due time, what
+advantage infinite love and wisdom can bring to thy soul thereby.
+
+May not this be a strong motive to induce strangers to give up
+themselves to him, who will sweetly take occasion, at their failings and
+shortcomings, to help them forward in the way? And what excuse can they
+have who sit the call of the gospel, and say, in effect, they will not
+go to Christ because their case is not good. And O that believers were
+not sometimes led away with this error of scaring at Christ, because of
+infirmities seen and discovered!
+
+V. It is remarkable, that, as the disciples did ofttimes vent much of
+their carnal conceptions of the kingdom of Christ, as apprehending it to
+be some carnal, outward, pompous, stately, and, upon that account,
+desirable condition; so there might be much of this carnal apprehension
+lurking under this acknowledgment and question of Thomas; and the Lord,
+who knew their thoughts, doth here wisely draw them off those notions,
+and sets them about another study, to tell us, that it is best and most
+useful and profitable for us, to be much taken up in the study and
+search of necessary fundamental truths, and, particularly, of the way to
+the Father. For, 1. Here is the substantial food of the soul; other
+notions are but vain, and oftentimes they make the case of the soul
+worse; but the study of this is always edifying. 2. The right
+understanding of this and other fundamental truths will not puff up, but
+keep the soul humble, and will make the soul active and diligent in
+duty. 3. The fruit of this study is profitable and lasting. 4. And the
+right uptaking of these truths will discover the vanity of other
+sciences, falsely so called, and the folly of spending our time about
+other things. 5. The right understanding of this fundamental will help
+us to understand other truths the better. 6. A mistake in this, and such
+like fundamentals, or the ignorance of them, is more dangerous than the
+ignorance of or mistake in other things.
+
+Oh! if this were teaching us all, in humility, to be much in the study
+of such fundamental necessary truths as this is; and to guard against a
+piece of vanity in affecting knowledge, the effect of which is nothing
+but a puffing of us up with pride and conceit!
+
+VI. We may here take notice of what may serve to discover Thomas his
+mistake, and what is the ground of Christ's assertion, verse 4, which
+Thomas doth little less than contradict, verse 5, viz. that such as had
+any acquaintance with Christ did, according to the measure of their
+knowledge of him, both know heaven and the way to it; whence we see
+these truths,
+
+1. Persons may have some real acquaintance with Christ, and yet be, for
+a time, very indistinct in their notions about him, and apprehensions of
+him. They may know Christ in some measure, and yet look upon themselves
+as great strangers to the knowledge of heaven, and be oft complaining of
+their ignorance of the right way to heaven.
+
+2. Where there is the least measure of true acquaintance with Christ,
+with love to him, and a desire to know more of him, Christ will take
+notice thereof, though it be covered over with a heap of mistakes, and
+accompanied with much ignorance, weakness, and indistinctness. He seeth
+not as man seeth, which is good news to some that are weak in knowledge,
+and unable to give any good account of any knowledge they have; yet one
+thing they can say, that he who knoweth all things, knoweth that they
+love him.
+
+3. Various are the dispensations of God's grace unto his own. To some he
+giveth a greater, to others a lesser measure of knowledge of the
+mysteries of the kingdom of heaven; and to one and the same person, more
+at one time than at another. Various are his manifestations and
+out-lettings of grace and love. Small beginnings may come to much at
+length. Thomas, and the rest of the disciples, had but little clear and
+distinct apprehensions of the way of salvation through Jesus Christ; and
+yet, ere all was done, they attained to such a measure of understanding
+in the mysteries of God, as that we are said to be "built upon the
+foundation of the apostles, Jesus Christ himself being the chief
+corner-stone," Eph. ii. 20. This should teach the best much sobriety,
+and not to judge of all by themselves; or to think, that God's way with
+them must be a standard or a rule whereby to judge of all the rest; as
+if his way of dealing were one and the same with all.
+
+4. The knowledge of Christ is all. Know him, and we know heaven and the
+way to it; for upon this ground doth Christ make good what he said,
+touching their knowing whither he went, and the way; and answereth the
+objection that Thomas did propose, viz. because he was the way, &c., and
+they being acquaint with him, (which here is presupposed,) were not
+ignorant of the place whither he was going, nor of the way leading
+thither. The knowledge then of Jesus Christ is a true and full compend
+of all saving knowledge. Hence it "is life eternal to know him," John
+xvii. 3. "They that know him, know the Father," John xiv. 9. and viii.
+19. "They that see him, see the Father also," John xiv. 9. "He is in the
+Father, and the Father in him," John xiv. 10, 11. and x. 38. and xvii.
+21. And so knowing him they know heaven; for what is heaven else but the
+presence and glorious manifestations of the Father; for when Christ
+speaks of his going to heaven, he saith, "He was going to the Father."
+So knowing him, they know the way, both how Christ was to go to heaven
+as our cautioner, head, and attorney, and how we must follow.
+
+Let then a man have never so much knowledge, and be acquainted with the
+mysteries of all arts and sciences, and with the depths of nature, and
+intrigues of states, and all the theory of religion; if he be
+unacquainted with Jesus, he knoweth nothing as he ought to know.
+
+And upon the other hand, let a poor soul that is honest, and hath some
+knowledge of, and acquaintance with him, be satisfied, though it cannot
+discourse nor dispute, nor speak to cases of conscience, as some others;
+if we know him, it matters not though we be ignorant of many things, and
+thereby become less esteemed of by others. Here is the true test, by
+which we may take a right estimate of our own, or of others' knowledge.
+The true rule to try knowledge by, is not fine notions, clear and
+distinct expressions, but heart-acquaintance with him; "in whom are hid
+all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge," Col. ii. 3.
+
+O sad! that we are not more taken up in this study, which would be a
+compendious way for us to know all? Why spend we our money for that
+which is not bread, and our labour for that which will not profit us?
+Why waste we our time and spirits in learning this science, and that
+art; when, alas! after we, with much labour and toil, have attained to
+the yondmost pitch there, we are never one whit the nearer heaven and
+happiness? yea, it were well, if we were not further off! Oh! if we were
+wise at length, and could think more of this one thing necessary; and
+could be stirred up to learn more of him, and to make this the subject
+of all our study and labour.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+OF THE WORDS THEMSELVES IN GENERAL.
+
+
+We come now to the words themselves, wherein Christ asserts that he is,
+1, "the way;" 2, "the truth;" 3, "the life;" and, 4, "that no man cometh
+to the Father but by him."
+
+In them we learn these two things in general.
+
+_First,_ The misery of wretched man by nature. This cannot be in a few
+words expressed.
+
+These words will point out those particulars thereof, which we will but
+mention.
+
+1. That he is born an enemy to, and living at a distance from God, by
+virtue of the curse of the broken covenant of life made with Adam.
+
+2. That he neither can nor will return to God, of himself. His way is
+not in himself; he hath need of another to be his way.
+
+3. That he is a blind, wandering creature, ready to by-ways and to
+wander; yea, he loveth to wander. He goeth astray as soon as he is born,
+speaking lies.
+
+4. He cannot discern the true way, but is blinded with prejudice
+thereat, and full of mistakes. He is nothing but a lump of error.
+
+5. He is dead legally and really: how can he then come home? How can he
+walk in the way, though it were pointed out to him?
+
+6. He, even when he entereth into the way, is subject to so many
+faintings, swoonings, upsittings, &c. that except he get new quickening,
+he must lie by the way and perish.
+
+In a word, his misery is such as cannot be expressed; for as little as
+it is believed, and laid to heart; or seen and mourned for, and
+lamented.
+
+Now, for a ground to our following discourse, I would press the solid,
+thorough and sensible apprehension of this, without which there will be
+no use-making or application of Christ; "for the whole need not the
+physician, but the sick;" and Christ is "not come to call the righteous,
+but sinners to repentance," Matt. ix. 12. Mark ii. 17. Yea, believers
+themselves would live within the sight of this, and not forget their
+frailty; for though there be a change wrought in them, yet they are not
+perfect, but will have need of Christ as the way, the truth, and the
+life, till he bring them in, and set them down upon the throne, and
+crown them with the crown of life. And, O happy they, who must not walk
+on foot without this guide leading them by the hand, or rather carrying
+them in his arms. Let all them who would make use of Christ remember
+what they were, and what they are, and keep the sense of their frailty
+and misery fresh; that seeing their need of him, they may be in better
+case to look out to him for help and supply, and be more distinct in
+their application of him.
+
+The _second_ general is, that Christ is a complete mediator, thoroughly
+furnished for all our necessities. Are we at a distance from the Father?
+He is a way to bring us together. Are we wandered out of the way? He is
+the way to us. Are we blind and ignorant? He is the truth. Are we dead?
+He is the life. Concerning this fulness and completeness of his, we
+would mark these things:
+
+1. That he is thoroughly furnished with all things we stand in need of;
+the way, the truth, and the life. He hath eye-salve, clothing, gold
+tried in the fire, &c. "For the Spirit of the Lord is upon him, and hath
+anointed him," Isa. lxi. 1.
+
+2. He is suitably qualified, not only having a fulness, and an
+all-fulness, so that whatever we need is to be had in him, but also a
+suitable fulness answering our case to the life. Are we out of the way?
+He is the way. Are we dead? He is life, &c.
+
+3. He is richly qualified with this suitable good. He hath not only
+"wisdom and knowledge," but "treasures of it," yea, "all the treasures"
+thereof, Col. ii. 3. There is fulness in him; yea, "it hath pleased the
+Father that in him should all fulness dwell," Col. i. 19. Yea, "the
+fulness of the Godhead dwelleth in him bodily," Col. ii. 9.
+
+4. Hence this is an up-making completeness and fulness; for we are said
+to be "complete in him," Col. ii. 10. And he is said to "be all in all,"
+Col. iv. 11. "He filleth all in all," Eph. i. 23.
+
+5. It is also a satisfying completeness. The eye is not satisfied with
+seeing, nor the ear with hearing. The avaricious man is not satisfied
+with gold, nor the ambitious man with honour; but still they are crying
+with the loch leech, give, give! But the man who getteth Christ is full;
+he sitteth down and cryeth, enough, enough! And no wonder, for he hath
+all; he can desire no more; he can seek no more; for what can the man
+want that is complete in him?
+
+6. There is here that which will answer all the objections of a soul;
+and these sometimes are not few. If they say they cannot know the way to
+the Father, then he is the truth to instruct and teach them that, and so
+to enter them into it. And if they say they cannot walk in that way, nor
+advance in it one step, but will faint and sit up, succumb and fall by;
+he answereth that he is the life, to put life and keep life in them, and
+to cause them to walk, by putting a new principle of life in them, and
+breathing of new on that principle.
+
+O thrice happy they who have fled to him for refuge! It is easy for them
+to answer all objections and cavils of Satan, and of a false heart. It
+is easy for them to put Christ to answer all. And, on the other hand,
+who can tell the misery of such as are strangers to Jesus? How shall
+their wants be made up? How shall they answer challenges, accusations,
+temptations, doubts, fears, objections, and discouragements, cast up in
+their way?
+
+Oh! should not this endear the way of the gospel to us, and make Christ
+precious unto us! Is it not a wonder that such an all-sufficient
+mediator, who is able to save to the uttermost all that come to God
+through him, should be so little regarded and sought unto; and that
+there should be so few that embrace him, and take him as he is offered
+in the gospel.
+
+How can this be answered in the day of accounts? What excuse can
+unbelievers now have? Is not all to be found in Christ that their case
+calleth for? Is he not a complete mediator, thoroughly furnished with
+all necessaries? Is not the riches of his fulness written on all his
+dispensations? The mouths, then, of unbelievers, must be for ever
+stopped.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+HOW CHRIST IS THE WAY IN GENERAL, "I AM THE WAY."
+
+
+We come now to speak more particularly to the words; and, _first,_ Of
+his being a way. Our design being to point at the way of use-making of
+Christ in all our necessities, straits, and difficulties which are in
+our way to heaven; and particularly to point out the way how believers
+should make use of Christ in all their particular exigencies; and so
+live by faith in him, walk in him, grow up in him, advance and march
+forward toward glory in him. It will not be amiss to speak of this
+fulness of Christ in reference to unbelievers, as occasion offereth,
+because this will help to clear the other.
+
+Before we can clear up how any can make use of Christ, we must speak
+something of their necessity of him, and of his being furnished fitly,
+fully, richly, and satisfyingly for their case; and this will make the
+way of use-making of Christ more plain.
+
+While Christ then says, "I am the Way," he points out those things to
+us:
+
+1. That man is now estranged from the Lord, and in a wandering
+condition: He hath departed from God, he is revolted and gone. "They are
+all gone out of the way," Rom. iii. 12. "They go astray as soon as they
+are born, speaking lies," Psal. lviii. 3.
+
+2. Nay, not only so, but we love naturally to wander and to run away
+from God, as Jeremiah complaineth of that wicked people, Jer. xiv. 10.
+Naturally, with "the dromedary, we traverse our ways," Jer. ii. 23, and
+run hither and thither, but never look towards him. Nay, we are like
+those spoken of, Job xxi. 14. "We desire not the knowledge of his ways,
+we will have none of him," Psalm lxxxi. 11; nor "of his reproofs," Prov.
+i. 30.
+
+Oh, how sad is this! And yet how is it more sad, that this is not
+believed, nor once considered. And that it is not believed, is manifest;
+for,
+
+1. How rare is it to meet with persons that are not very well pleased
+and satisfied with themselves and their condition? They thank the Lord
+it was aye well with them. They have no complaints. They see no wants
+nor necessities. They wonder what makes folk complain of their
+condition, of their evil heart, or of their hazard and danger. They
+understand not these matters.
+
+2. Do we not find people very quiet and at rest, though they remain in
+the congregation of the dead, Prov. xxi. 16. They sleep in a sound skin,
+because they see no hazard. The thoughts of their condition never
+bereave them of one night's rest: No challenges have they; all is at
+peace with them, for the strong man keeps the house.
+
+3. How rare is it to find people exercised about this matter, and busied
+with it in their thoughts, either while alone, or while in company with
+others; or once seriously thinking and considering of it, yea, or so
+much as suspecting the matter?
+
+4. How rare is it to see any soul broken in heart, and humbled because
+of this; who is walking under this as under a load; whose soul is
+bleeding under the consideration of this! Is there any mourning for
+this?
+
+5. Where is that to be heard, "Men and brethren, what shall we do to be
+saved?" How shall we enter into the right way? Where is that good old
+way, that we may walk in it? Few such questions and cases troubling
+consciences; and no wonder, for a deep sleep is upon them.
+
+6. How cometh it then, that the pointing forth of the way is so little
+hearkened unto? Sure were this natural condition perceived, a report of
+the sure and safe way would be much more welcome than it is: Christ by
+his messengers would not be put to cry so often in vain, "This is the
+way, turn in hither."
+
+Here is enough to convince of this ignorance and insensibleness; but it
+is his Spirit, which "convinceth the world of sin," John xvi. that must
+bear home this conviction.
+
+_Secondly_, It pointeth out to us this, that "the way of man is not in
+himself," Jer. x. 23, that is, that nothing, he can do can or will prove
+a way to him to the Father: For Christ is the Way, as excluding all
+other means and ways. And that man can do nothing to help himself into
+the way, is clear; for,
+
+1. "His way is darkness," Prov. iv. 14. He knoweth no better, he is
+satisfied therewith; there he sleepeth and resteth.
+
+2. He cannot nor doth not desire to return. He hateth to be reformed.
+
+3. Yea, he thinketh himself safe; no man can convince him of the
+contrary: The way he is in "seemeth right to him, though the end thereof
+be death;" Prov. xiv. 12, and xvi. 25.
+
+4. Every man hath his own particular way to which he turneth, Isaiah
+liii, 6; some one thing or other that he is pleased with, and that he
+thinks will abundantly carry him through, and there resteth he; and what
+these ordinarily are, we shall hear presently.
+
+5. In this his way, which yet is a false way, "he trusteth," Hosea x.
+13, he leaneth upon it, little knowing that it will fail him at length,
+and that he and his hope and confidence shall perish.
+
+Is it not strange then to see men and women "gading about to seek their
+way," as it is said, Jer. ii. 36. as if they could find it out; or as if
+they could of themselves fall upon the way. What a lamentable sight is
+it, to see people "wearying themselves with very lies," Ezek. xxiv. 12;
+"and wearied in the multitude of their own counsels," Isaiah xlvii. 15.
+
+But what are those false and lying ways which men weary themselves in,
+and all in vain; and which they chuse and trust unto, and yet are not
+the way which will prove safe and sure?
+
+_Ans._ It will not be easy to reckon them all up, we shall name some
+that are principal and most ordinary; such as,
+
+1. Good purposes and resolutions, with which many deceive themselves,
+supposing that to be all which is required: And, alas! all their
+purposes are like to Ephraim's goodness,--like the early cloud and
+morning dew that soon evanisheth; their purposes are soon broken off,
+and soon disappointed, because made without counsel, Prov. xv. 22. Many
+foolishly rest here, that they have a good mind to do better, and to
+amend their ways, and they purpose after such a time or such time, they
+shall begin a new manner of life; but their purposes never come to any
+effect, and so at length they and their purposes both perish.
+
+2. Some convictions and inward challenges. The word now and then
+pierceth them so far, and sore and sharp dispensations from the Lord so
+far affect their heart, that they see it is not well with them; and they
+are made, with Saul, to cry out, "I have sinned," 1 Sam. xv. 24, and
+they advance no further; those convictions either die out again, or work
+no further change: And, poor souls, they think, because at such a
+sermon, or such a communion, they had some such convictions and sharp
+challenges, therefore they imagine all is well with them; when a Judas
+may have convictions, sharper than ever they had, and a Felix, Acts
+xxiv. 25.
+
+3. Convictions followed with some sort of amendment. Some may
+dreadfully deceive themselves with this, and conclude that all is right
+with them, and that the way they are in is safe and sure; because they
+have had convictions, which have been so effectual as to cause them to
+amend many things, and become, as to many things, changed men and women,
+when, alas, their way is but a way of darkness still; it is not Christ;
+they have never come to him. Herod hearing John Baptist, had his own
+convictions and amendments; for "he did many things," Mark vi. 20.
+
+4. Many rest upon their outward civility and morality, or negative
+holiness. They cannot be challenged for gross faults, and that is all
+the way they have to rest in: Alas! could not a wicked Pharisee say as
+much as they, viz. "That he was no extortioner, unjust person, or an
+adulterer, nor such as the publican was," Luke xviii. 11. How many
+heathens, as to this, shall outstrip such as profess themselves
+Christians? and yet they lived and died strangers to the right way to
+happiness. See what that poor young man said, Luke xviii. 21.
+
+5. Some may win to more than civility, and attain unto a kind of outward
+holiness, and outward performance of the duties of religion, such as
+hearing, reading, prayer, communicating, and rest there, and yet perish:
+For that is but their own way, it is not the right way. Had not the
+foolish virgins lamps? and did they not wait with the rest, Matth. xxv.;
+and will not many say, in that day, "We have eaten and drunken in thy
+presence, and thou hast taught in our streets:" to whom Christ shall
+answer, "I know not whence you are, depart from me, all ye workers of
+iniquity?" Luke xiii. 26, 27. Were not the Jews much in duties and
+outward ordinances? and yet see how the Lord rejected them all, Isaiah
+i. 11-15, and lxvi. 3.
+
+6. Much knowledge doth deceive many. They think because they can talk of
+religion, speak to cases of conscience, handle places of Scripture, and
+the like, that therefore all is right with them; when alas, that is but
+a slippery ground to stand upon. The Pharisees sat in Moses' seat, and
+taught sometimes sound doctrine; and yet were heart-enemies to Jesus,
+Matth. xxiii. And will not many think to plead themselves into heaven,
+by saying, that they "have prophesied in his name," Matth. vii. 22.
+There is "a knowledge that puffeth up," 1 Cor. xiii. 2. Some there are
+whose knowledge seemeth to be operative and practical, and not merely
+speculative. Some may "escape the pollutions of the world through the
+knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ," and yet again become
+entangled therein and overcome; so that "their latter end is worse than
+the beginning;" see 2 Peter ii. 20, 21, 22. Knowledge, I grant, is good,
+but it is not Christ, and so it is not the way to the Father; and many,
+alas! lean to it, and are deceived at last.
+
+7. A kind of seeming seriousness in the performance of duties, and in
+seeking of God, deceiveth many. They think, because they are not
+conscious to their own dissembling, but they look upon themselves as
+earnest in what they do, that therefore all is well. Sayeth not Christ,
+that not "every one that saith, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom
+of God?" Matth. vii. 21; that is, not every one that reneweth their
+suits, and ingeminateth their desires, cry, and cry over again, and, as
+it were, will not give it over; and yet they come short of their
+expectation. Did not the foolish virgins seem earnest and serious, when
+they continued waiting with the rest, and at length cried "Lord, Lord,
+open unto us;" and yet they are kept at the door. Many consider not that
+there is a secret and close hypocrisy, that some may be under and not
+know it, as well as a gross hypocrisy and dissimulation, which may be
+easily observed; "Will not many seek to enter in that shall not be
+able?" Matth. vii. 13. Luke xiii. 24.
+
+8. Many deceive themselves with this, that they are looked on by other
+godly, discerning persons and ministers, as good serious Christians, and
+that they carry so handsomely and so fair, that no man can judge
+otherways of them, than that they are good serious seekers of God. But,
+alas! the day is coming which will discover many things, and many one
+will be deceived both of themselves and of others. "Not he who
+commendeth himself is approved, but whom God approveth," 2 Cor. x. 18.
+Therefore, Paul exhorts Timothy, "to study to show himself approved
+unto God," 2 Tim. ii. 15. Men look only on the outside, and cannot see
+into the heart; but God searcheth the heart; and it is an easy matter to
+deceive men, but God will not be deceived.
+
+9. Some may suppose themselves in a safe and sure way, if they outstrip
+others in religious duties, and be much in extraordinary duties, when,
+alas! for all that, the heart may be rotten. "The Pharisee fasted twice
+a-week," Luke xviii. 12, and yet was but an enemy to Christ. O how
+deceitful is the heart of man!
+
+10. Inward peace and quietness of conscience may deceive some; and they
+may suppose that all is right with them; because they do nothing over
+the belly of their conscience. Their heart doth not accuse them of
+falsehood and dissimulation in their way with God or man, but they do
+all things according to their light. No doubt that young man (Luke
+xviii. 21,) spoke according to his judgment and light, when he said,
+"All these things have I kept from my youth." And Paul saith of himself
+(Acts xxiii. 1,) "that he had lived in all good conscience before God
+till that very day;" meaning, that even while he was a Pharisee
+unconverted, he had not tortured his conscience, nor done anything
+directly against it, but had always walked according to his light. See
+Acts xxvi. 9.
+
+11. A way of zeal may deceive many who may think their case
+unquestionable, because they are zealous for their way, and, as they
+think, their zeal is pure for God. Was not Paul, while a Pharisee, very
+zealous, when, out of zeal to his way, he persecuted the church, Philip.
+iii. 6. See my zeal for the Lord, could I thus say, 2 Kings x. 16; and
+the Jews had a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge, Rom. x. 2;
+and Christ tells us, that such as should persecute the Apostles unto
+death, would think they did God good service, John xvi. 2.
+
+12. Some also may put it beyond question, that they are in the right
+way, because they are more strict in all their ways than others, and
+will not so much as keep fellowship or company with them; saying, with
+those, (Isaiah lxv. 5) "Stand by, I am holier than thou, come not near
+to me," who yet are but a smoke in God's nose, and a fire that burneth
+all the day.
+
+13. Some may rest on, and deceive themselves with their great
+attainments, and more than ordinary experiences, when, alas! we see to
+what a height some may come, and yet prove nothing. Let such souls read
+with trembling that word of Paul, Heb. vi 4, 5, where we see some may
+come to be enlightened, to taste of the heavenly gift, to be made
+partakers of the Holy Ghost, to taste the good word of God, and the
+powers of the world to come, and yet prove cast-aways; taking these
+expressions as pointing forth something distinct from real grace.
+
+Many such false ways, wherein men please themselves, might be mentioned;
+by these every one may see cause of searching and trying over and over
+again. It is a dreadful thing to be deceived here, and it is best to put
+it to a trial, when there is a possibility of getting the matter helped.
+And many may fear and tremble when they see they are not yet come the
+length of many such as sit down without Christ, and lose all their
+labour. Oh, if this could put people to a serious examination and trial
+of themselves, and of the nature of that way wherein they are, and rest
+at present!
+
+_Thirdly_, We might here observe, that this true and living way is but
+one for all. There is but "one Mediator between God and man," 1 Tim. ii.
+5. One Mediator for both Old and New Testament, the seed of the woman.
+Howbeit the Lord's dispensations with his people, in that one way, may
+be various, as his way with his people under the law is different from
+his way with his people under the gospel; and his dispensations with
+individual believers, whether under the law or under the gospel, is not
+the same in all things.
+
+And this should teach us to relinquish our own ways, and to enter into
+this one only way; and it should move such as are in this way to study
+unity and agreement among themselves; and yet not infer or suppose, that
+God's way with them must be in all things alike. Yea, though the Lord's
+way with them be different from his way with others, and more dark,
+disconsolate, and bitter, yet let them be quiet and silent before the
+Lord, and acknowledge his goodness that hath brought them into the one
+only way, Jesus Christ, and keepeth them there.
+
+But, _fourthly,_ The main thing here, and which is obvious, is this,
+that Jesus Christ is the way to the Father, the one and only way, the
+sovereign and excellent way, and he alone is the way. There is not
+another. "Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none
+other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved," Acts
+iv. 12.
+
+For clearing of this, we shall speak a little to those four things, and
+shew,
+
+1. What is our case, and what need we have of a way.
+
+2. How Christ answereth this our case and necessity, and is a fit way
+for us.
+
+3. How he alone is the way, and answereth this our case.
+
+4. What are the rare advantages and specialities of this way.
+
+And this will make way for our clearing up, how Christ is made use of as
+a way by poor sinners.
+
+For the first of these, our present case and necessity, something was
+spoken to it before; we shall reduce all those to two heads. The first
+is, our state of guilt, and separation from God because of sin and
+guilt; the next is, our state of wickedness and enmity against God.
+
+As to the first, we may take notice of those things:
+
+1. That sin, original and actual, hath separated us from God, and cast
+us out of his favour, and out of that station of favour and friendship
+which once we were advanced to in Adam.
+
+2. That we are under God's curse and wrath, and excommunicated from the
+presence of the Lord, by a sad, yet just, sentence according to law, and
+so are under death.
+
+As to the next thing, we may take notice of those particulars:
+
+1. That we are impure and polluted with sin and daily iniquity.
+
+2. That we are ignorant of the right way of returning into favour with
+God, seeking out to ourselves many inventions.
+
+3. That we are impotent for any good work or commanded duty.
+
+That not only so, but we are unwilling to do any thing that is good, or
+to enter into the way when pointed out unto us; yea, we are enemies to
+God by wicked works, and have an innate hatred to all his ways.
+
+5. We desire not to be out of the condition whereinto we are; there we
+love to lie and sleep, and desire not to be roused up or awakened.
+
+6. We are under the power and command of Satan, who leadeth us out of
+the way, yea, and driveth us forward in the wrong way, to our perdition.
+
+These things are plain and undeniable, and need no further confirmation;
+though, alas! it is little believed or laid to heart by many.
+
+For the second, how Christ answereth this our case and necessity. He is
+a way to us to help us out of both these, both out of our state of guilt
+and separation, and out of our state of wickedness and enmity.
+
+And, first, he helpeth us out of our state of guilt and separation:
+
+1. By taking away our guilt and sin; "being made sin for us, who knew no
+sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him," 2 Cor. v.
+21. He hath filled the great gap betwixt God and us, with his body, and
+hath made of it, as it were, a bridge, by which they may go over to the
+Father: "We enter now into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new
+and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that
+is to say, his flesh," Heb. x. 19, 20; "we are now brought near by his
+blood," Eph. ii. 13, so that through him we are restored again to
+friendship with God, and made one with him; for Christ the Mediator hath
+"made both one, reconciling Jews and Gentiles both unto God, in one
+body, by the cross, having slain the enmity," Eph. ii. 16.
+
+2. By taking away the curse and wrath that was due to us, being "made a
+curse for us," Gal iii. 13. So that he is become our peace, and "through
+him we have access by one spirit unto the Father, and are no more
+strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of
+the household of God," Eph. ii. 14, 18, 19. "He is set forth to be a
+propitiation through faith in his blood," Rom. iii. 25. 1 John ii. 2,
+and iv. 10. "By him have we now received atonement," Rom. v. 11.
+
+Next, he helpeth us out of our state of wickedness and enmity,
+
+1. By taking away our impurity and uncleanness, "by washing us and
+cleansing us in his blood," Ezek. xvi. 6-9. Col. i. 22, "having
+purchased grace for us," Eph. v. 1, 3, "we are blessed with all
+spiritual blessings in him." He applieth his merits, and layeth the
+foundation of grace and holiness in the soul, and carrieth on the work
+of mortification and vivification; and so killing the old man by his
+Spirit, both meritoriously and efficiently, he cleanseth and washeth.
+Hence, we are said to be baptised with him in his death, and buried with
+him by baptism into death, that we should walk in newness of life. And
+so our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be
+destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin, Rom. vi. 3, 4, 6.
+And for our daily infirmities and escapes, whereby we pollute ourselves,
+his blood "is a fountain opened to the house of David and to the
+inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness," Zech. xiii. 1;
+and to this fountain he bringeth by the spirit of repentance, which he,
+as an exalted prince, bestoweth, Acts. v. 31, and by faith. So 1 John
+ii. 1, "if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father," &c.
+
+2. As for our ignorance and blindness, he taketh that away, being given
+for a light to the Gentiles, Isa. xlii. 6, and xlix. 6. Luke ii. 32. He
+is sent to open the blind eyes, Isa. xlii. 7; to bring out the prisoners
+from their dark prisons, Isa. xlii. 7, and lxi. 1. Yea, he is anointed
+for this end, so that such as walk in darkness see a great light, and
+they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them the light
+hath shined, Isa. ix. 2. Matth. iv. 15; and he hath eye-salve to give,
+Rev. iii. 18.
+
+3. He is qualified for taking away our impotency, so that through him we
+can do all things, Philip, iv. 13; "when we are weak, we are strong in
+him who is our strength, and liveth in us," 2 Cor. xii. 10. Gal. ii.
+20. Hence, "he worketh in us both to will and to do of his own good
+pleasure," Philip. ii. 13.
+
+4. He also taketh away our natural averseness, unwillingness,
+wickedness, and hatred of his ways, making his people "willing in the
+day of his power," Psal. cx. So he taketh away "the enmity that is in
+us," Col. ii. 20, and reconcileth us to God and to his ways, that our
+hearts do sweetly comply with them, and we become most willing and glad
+to walk in them, yea, and "to run the way of his commandments through
+his enlarging of our hearts," Psal. cxix. 22.
+
+5. He likewise taketh away that desire and willingness, which we have,
+to lie still in our natural condition, by convincing us of the dreadful
+hazard thereof, through the spirit of conviction, whereby he convinceth
+the world of it, John xvi. 8, and circumciseth their ears to hear, and
+maketh them willing to hearken to the counsel of God.
+
+6. As for the power and dominion of Satan, he breaketh that, by "leading
+captivity captive," Eph. iv. 8; Psal. lxviii. 18; "and spoiling the
+strongman's house; for he is come to destroy the works of the devil," 1
+John iii. 8; "and he spoileth principalities and powers," Col. ii. 15.
+Thus, as a captain of salvation, he leadeth them out as a conqueror;
+having paid the price, he delivereth also by power and authority from
+the hand of this jailor.
+
+And thus we see how he answereth our case and necessity, and is a fit
+way for us; and though this be not questioned, yet little is it believed
+and considered, and less put in practice.
+
+And as for the third particular, that he alone is this way, and
+answereth our case herein, it needeth not be much spoken to, since it is
+clear and manifest, confirmed by the experience of all generations, and
+the disappointments of fools who have been seeking other ways. Angels in
+heaven cannot do our business, they cannot satisfy justice for us, nor
+have they any power over our heart to turn it as they will; nay, they
+are not acquainted with our secret thoughts, that cabinet is kept close
+from them, and reserved as the peculiar privilege of God alone. The
+blood of bulls and of goats cannot do it; for the apostle tells us, that
+it is impossible for that to take away sin, Heb. x. 4. That blood shed
+according to the law did cleanse ceremonially, but it is only the blood
+of Jesus, typified by that, which cleanseth really; so that we are
+sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for
+all, Heb. x. 10. No pains or labour of ours can avail here. The Lord
+will not be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of
+rivers of oil. "He will not take our first-born for our transgression,
+nor the son of our body for the sin of our soul," Micah vi. 7. Ordinance
+and means will not do it, nor any invention of our own: "no man can by
+any means redeem his brother, or give to God a ransom for him; for the
+redemption of the soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever," Psal.
+xlix. 7, 8. He alone hath laid down the price; all our sufferings,
+prayers, tears, labours, penances, and the like, signify nothing here;
+they cannot satisfy justice for one sin.
+
+As to the fourth particular, viz., the singularity of this way, those
+things make it manifest and apparent:
+
+1. This is such a way as can discover itself, and make itself known unto
+the erring traveller. Christ Jesus is such a way as can say to the
+wandering soul, "this is the way, walk ye in it," Isa. xxx. 25. No way
+can do this. This is comfortable.
+
+2. This way can not only discover itself to the wandering traveller, but
+also it can bring folk into it. Christ can bring souls unto himself,
+when they are running on in their wandering condition. He can move their
+hearts to turn into the right way, put grace in their soul for this end,
+begin resolutions in them, and sow the seed of faith; and so stay their
+course which they were violently pursuing, and make them look about and
+consider what they are doing. As the former was good news to poor,
+blind, and witless creatures that were wandering and knew not whither
+they were going; so this is good news to poor souls that find their
+heart inclining to wander, and loving to go astray.
+
+3. This way can cause us walk in it. If we be rebellious and obstinate,
+he can command with authority; for he is given for a leader and
+commander, Isa. lv. 4. How sweet should this be to the soul that is
+weighted with a stubborn, untractable, and unpersuadable heart, that he,
+as a king, governor, and commander, can with authority draw or drive,
+and cause us follow and run?
+
+4. This way is truth, as well as the way; so that the soul that once
+entereth in here is safe for ever; no wandering here. "The wayfaring
+men, though fools, shall not err in this way," Isa. xxxv. 8. "He will
+bring the blind by a way that they knew not, and lead them in paths that
+they have not known; he will make darkness light before them, and
+crooked things straight; those things will he do unto them, and not
+forsake them," Isa. xlii. 16.
+
+5. This way is also life, and so can revive the faint and weary
+traveller. "He giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might
+he increaseth strength; yea, he renews their strength, and makes them
+mount up with wings as eagles, and run and not be weary, and walk and
+not be faint," Isa. xl. 29, 31; "and so he giveth legs to the traveller,
+yea, he carrieth the lambs in his bosom," Isa. xl. 11. Oh! who would not
+walk in this way? what can discourage the man that walketh here? what
+can he fear? No way can quicken and refresh the weary man. This way can
+do it; yea, it can quicken one that is as dead, and cause him march on
+with fresh alacrity and vigour.
+
+6. From all these it followeth, that this way is a most pleasant,
+heartsome, desirable and comfortable way. The man is safe here, and he
+may "sing in the ways of the Lord," Psalm cxxxviii. 5. "For wisdom's
+ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace," Prov. iii.
+17. He is a way that is food, physic, cordials, and all that the poor
+traveller standeth in need of till he come hence.
+
+From all which, ere we come to particulars, we shall in general point
+out those duties, which natively result thence, by way of use.
+
+1. O what cause is there here for all of us to fall a wondering, both
+that God should ever have condescended to have appointed a way how
+sinners and rebels, that had wickedly departed from him, and deserved to
+be cast out of his presence and favour for ever, might come back again,
+and enjoy happiness and felicity in the friendship and favour of that
+God that could have got the glory of his justice in our destruction, and
+stood in no need of us, or of any thing we could do: as also, that he
+appointed such a way, that Jesus Christ his only Son, should, to speak
+so, lie as a bridge betwixt God and sinful rebels, and as a highway,
+that they might return to the great God upon him. Let all the creation
+of God wonder at this wonderful condescending love of God, that
+appointed such a way; and of Christ, that was content to lout so low as
+to become this way to us, this new and living way; and that for this end
+he should have taken on flesh, and become Emmanuel, God with us, and
+tabernacled with us, that through this vail of his flesh, he might
+consecrate a way to us. Let angels wonder at this condescendency.
+
+2. Hence we may see ground of being convinced of those things: (1.) That
+naturally we are out of the way to peace and favour with God, and in a
+way that leadeth to death, and so that our misery and wretchedness, so
+long as it is so, cannot be expressed. (2.) That we can do nothing for
+ourselves; set all our wits a-work, we cannot fall upon a way that will
+bring us home. (3.) That it is madness for us to seek out another way,
+and to vex ourselves in vain, to run to this and to that mean or
+invention of our own, and be found fools in the end. (4.) That our
+madness is so much the greater in this, that we will turn to our own
+ways that will fail us, when there is such a noble and excellent, and
+every way satisfying way prepared to our hand. (5.) That our wickedness
+is so desperate, that the way which is pointed out to us doth not please
+us, and that we will not enter into it, nor walk in it. (6.) That this
+way, which is also the truth and the life, is only worth the embracing,
+and is only safe and sure; we should be convinced and persuaded of the
+worth, sufficiency, and desirableness of this way. Reason, with ordinary
+light from the word, may teach these things; but grace can only carry
+them into the heart, and make them take rooting there.
+
+3. We may read here our obligation to those particulars: (1.) To turn
+our back upon all other false and deceitful ways, and not rest there.
+(2.) To enter into this way, though "the gate be narrow and strait,"
+Matt vii. 13. Luke xiii. 24, yet "to strive to enter in." (3.) To
+resolve to abide in that way as acquiescing in it, resting satisfied
+with it, and thus to be "rooted in him," Col. ii. 7, and "to dwell in
+him," 1 John iii. 24, and "to live in him," or "through him," 1 John iv.
+9. (4.) To "walk in this way," Col. ii. 6. that is, to make constant use
+of him, and to make progress in the way in and through him; to go from
+strength to strength in him, drawing all our furniture from him, by
+faith, according to the covenant; and that the soul should guard
+against, 1. stepping aside out of this good and pleasant way; 2.
+backsliding; 3. sitting up, and fainting by the way.
+
+In a word, this pointeth out our duty, to make use of Christ as our way
+to the Father, and only of Christ; and this leads us to the particulars
+we shall speak a little to.
+
+There are two main things which stand in our way, and hinder us from
+approaching to the Father. 1. Unrighteousness and guilt, whereby we are
+legally banished, because of the broken covenant, and the righteous
+sentence of God according to that covenant. And, 2. Wickedness,
+impurity, and unholiness, which is, as a physical bar, lying in our way;
+because nothing that is unclean can dwell and abide with him, who is of
+purer eyes than he can behold iniquity; and nothing that is unclean can
+enter in there where he is. So then there must be an use-making of
+Christ, as a way through both these impediments; we need justification
+and pardon for the one, and sanctification and cleansing for the other.
+Now Christ being the way to the Father, both as to justification, in
+taking away the enmity, in changing our state, and removing our
+unrighteousness and guilt, whereby we were lying under the sentence of
+the law, adjudging such sinners as we are to hell; and as to
+sanctification, in cleansing us from all our pollutions, renewing our
+souls, washing away our spots and defilements, &c. He must be made use
+of in reference to both.
+
+In speaking to the _first_, we shall be the shorter, because through
+God's great mercy, the gospel's pure way of justification by faith in
+Christ is richly and abundantly cleared up by many worthy authors, of
+late, both as concerning the theoretical and practical part.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+HOW CHRIST IS MADE USE OF FOR JUSTIFICATION AS A WAY.
+
+
+What Christ hath done to purchase, procure, and bring about our
+justification before God, is mentioned already, viz. That he stood in
+the room of sinners, engaging for them as their cautioner, undertaking,
+and at length paying down the ransom; becoming sin, or a sacrifice for
+sin, and a curse for them, and so laying down his life a ransom to
+satisfy divine justice; and this he hath made known in the gospel,
+calling sinners to an accepting of him as their only Mediator, and to a
+resting upon him for life and salvation; and withal, working up such, as
+belong to the election of grace, to an actual closing with him upon the
+conditions of the covenant, and to an accepting of him, believing in
+him, and resting upon him, as satisfied with, and acquiescing in that
+sovereign way of salvation and justification through a crucified
+Mediator.
+
+Now, for such as would make use of Christ as the way to the Father in
+the point of justification, those things are requisite; to which we
+shall only premise this word of caution, That we judge not the want of
+these requisites a ground to exempt any, that heareth the gospel, from
+the obligation to believe and rest upon Christ as he is offered in the
+gospel.
+
+1. There must be a conviction of sin and misery. A conviction of
+original guilt, whereby we are banished out of God's presence and
+favour, and are in a state of enmity and death, are come short of the
+glory of God, Rom. iii. 23; becoming dead or under the sentence of
+death, through the offence of one, Rom. v. 15; being made sinners by one
+man's disobedience, verse 19, and therefore under the reigning power of
+death, verse 17, and under that judgment that came upon all men to
+condemnation, verse 18. And of original innate wickedness, whereby the
+heart is filled with enmity against God, and is a hater of him and all
+his ways, standing in full opposition to him and to his holy laws;
+loving to contradict and resist him in all his actings; despising and
+undervaluing all his condescensions of love; obstinately refusing his
+goodness and offers of mercy; and peremptorily persisting in rebellion
+and heart-opposition; not only not accepting his kindness and offers of
+mercy, but contemning them, trampling them under foot as embittered
+against him. As also, there must be a conviction of our actual
+transgressions, whereby we have corrupted our ways yet more, run farther
+away from God, brought on more wrath upon our souls, according to that
+sentence of the law, "Cursed is everyone that abideth not in all things
+that are written in the law to do them," Deut. xxvii. 26. Gal. iii. 10.
+What way this conviction is begun and carried on in the soul, and to
+what measure it must come, I cannot now stand to explain; only, in
+short, know, That upon whatever occasion it be begun, whether by a word
+carried home to the heart by the finger of God, or by some sharp and
+crossing dispensation, fear of approaching death, some heinous
+out-breaking, or the like, it is a real thing, a heart-reaching
+conviction, not general and notional, but particular, plain, and
+pinching, affecting the heart with fear and terror, making the soul
+seriously and really to mind this matter, to be taken up with the
+thoughts of it, and anxiously and earnestly to cry out, "What shall I do
+to be saved?" and finally, will make the soul willing to hearken and
+hear what hopes of mercy there is in the gospel, and to embrace the way
+of salvation which is there laid down. And the reason of this is,
+because Christ himself tells us, "The whole needeth not the physician,
+but the sick," Matt. ix. 12. "He is not come to call the righteous,"
+that is, such as are righteous in their own eyes, "but sinners," that
+is, such as are now no more whole at the heart, as seeing no evil, no
+hazard or danger, but pricked and pierced with the sense of their lost
+condition, being under the heavy wrath and vengeance of the great God,
+because of sin; and seeing their own vileness, cursedness, wickedness
+and desperate madness. Because naturally we hate God and Christ, John
+xv. 23-25, and have a strong and natural antipathy at the way of
+salvation through Jesus, therefore nothing but strong and inevitable
+necessity will drive us to a compliance with this gospel device of love.
+
+2. There must be some measure of humiliation. Under this conviction the
+man is bowed down, and made mute before God; no more boasting of his
+goodness and of his happy condition; no high or great thoughts of his
+righteousness; for all are looked on now as "filthy rags," Isa. lxv. 6.
+"What things were as gain before to the soul, must now be counted loss,
+yea, and as dung," Philip, iii. 7, 8. The man must be cast down in
+himself, and far from high and conceity thoughts of himself, or of any
+thing he ever did or can do. "For the Lord resisteth the proud, but
+giveth grace to the humble," James iv. 6; 1 Pet. v. 5. "He reviveth the
+spirit of the humble," Isa. lvii. 15. "He that humbleth himself shall be
+exalted," Matt. xviii. 4, and xxiii. 12; Luke xiv. 11, and xviii. 14.
+
+3. There must be a despairing of getting help or relief out of this
+condition, by ourselves, or any thing we can do; a conviction of the
+unprofitableness of all things under the sun for our relief. No
+expectation of help from our supposed good heart, good purposes, good
+deeds, works of charity, many prayers, commendations of others, sober
+and harmless walking, or anything else within us or without us that is
+not Christ. For, so long as we have the least hope or expectation of
+doing our own business without Christ, we will not come to him. Our
+heart hangeth so after the old way of salvation through works, that we
+cannot endure to hear of any other, nor can we yield to any other. Could
+we but have heaven by the way of works, we would spare no pains, no
+cost, no labour, no expenses; nay, we would put ourselves to much pain
+and torment by whippings, cuttings, fastings, watchings, and the like;
+we would spare our first-born; nay, we would dig our graves in a rock
+with our nails, and cut our own days, could we but get heaven by this
+means; such is our antipathy at the way of salvation through a crucified
+Christ, that we would choose any way but that, cost what it would;
+therefore, before we can heartily close with Christ and accept of him,
+we must be put from those refuges of lies, and see that there is nothing
+but a disappointment written on them all, that all our prayers,
+fastings, cries, duties, reformations, sufferings, good wishes, good
+deeds, &c. are nothing in his eyes, but so many provocations to the eyes
+of his jealousy, and so, further causes of our misery.
+
+4. There must be a rational, deliberate, and resolute relinquishing of
+all those things in ourselves, on which our heart is ready to dote. The
+man being convinced of the vanity of all things by which he hath been
+hoping for salvation, must now purpose to lose his grips of them, to
+turn his back upon them, to quit them with purpose of heart, and to say
+to them, get you hence, as Isa. xxx. 22. This is to deny ourselves,
+which we must do ere we become his disciples, Matt. xvi. 24. This is to
+forsake our father's house, Psalm xlv. 10, and to pluck out our right
+eye, and to cut off our right arm, Matth. v. 29, 30. This abandoning of
+all our false propes and subterfuges must be resolute, over the belly of
+much opposition within, from the carnal and natural inclinations of the
+heart; and of much opposition without, from Satan's ensnaring
+suggestions and deceitful temptations: It must be a real, rational act
+of the soul, upon solid and thorough conviction of their
+unprofitableness, yea, of their dangerousness and destructiveness.
+
+5. There must be some knowledge of the nature of the gospel covenant,
+and of the way which now God hath chosen whereby to glorify his grace in
+the salvation of poor sinners. That God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
+thought good, for the glory of free grace and wisdom, in a way of
+justice and mercy, to send Jesus Christ to assume man's nature, and so
+become God and man in two distinct natures, and one person, for ever;
+and to become under the law, to undergo the curse thereof, and to die
+the cursed death of the cross, to satisfy justice, and pay the ransom
+for the redemption of the elect. In which undertaking our Lord was a
+servant, Isa. xlii. 1, and xlix. 6, and lii. 13, and liii. 11. Zech.
+iii. 8. Matt. xii. 18; and had furniture from God for all his
+undertaking, Isa. xlii. 1, and lxi. 1, 2. Matt. xii. 18; and had a
+promise of seeing his seed, and of prolonging his days, &c. Isa. xliii.
+10, 11. Thus there was a covenant of redemption betwixt God and the
+Mediator; and the Mediator undertaking, was obliged to perform all that
+he undertook, and accordingly did so. For, as the Lord laid on him, or
+caused to meet together on him, "the iniquity of us all," Isa. liii. 6,
+so in due time "he bare our griefs, and carried our sorrows. He was
+wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our iniquities, the
+chastisement of our peace was upon him. He was cut off out of the land
+of the living, and stricken for the transgression of his people; he made
+his soul an offering for sin, and bare the iniquities of his people.
+Pouring out his soul unto death he bare the sin of many, and made
+intercession for the transgressors," Isa. liii. 4, 5, 10, 11, 12. So
+"that what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh,
+God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, for sin (or by
+a sacrifice for sin) condemned sin in the flesh," Rom. viii. 3, "that
+the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us," verse 4. Thus
+"he made him sin (or a sacrifice for sin) that we might become
+righteous," 2 Cor. v. 20; and "he was once offered to bear the sins of
+many," Heb. ix. 28; and "he, through the eternal Spirit, offered himself
+without spot to God," verse 14, and "his own self bare our sins in his
+own body on the tree," 1 Pet. ii. 24. There must, I say, be some
+knowledge of, and acquaintance with this great mystery of the gospel,
+wherein is declared "the manifold wisdom of God," Eph. iii. 10, and with
+the noble design of God, in sending his Son, after this manner, to die
+the death, that condemned sinners might live, and return to the bosom of
+God; as redeemed "not with gold or silver, or corruptible things but
+with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and
+without spot," 1 Pet. i. 18. And being "so redeemed by blood, to become
+kings and priests unto God," 1 Pet. ii. 2. Rev. v. 9, 10. The man must
+not be ignorant of this, else all will be in vain. I do not determine
+how distinct and full this knowledge must be; but sure there must be so
+much knowledge of it, as will give the soul ground of hope, and, in
+expectation of salvation by this way, cause it turn its back upon all
+other ways, and account itself happy if it could once win here.
+
+6. There must be a persuasion of the sufficiency, completeness and
+satisfactoriness of the way of salvation through this crucified
+Mediator, else the soul will not be induced to leave its other courses,
+and betake itself to this alone. He must be sure that salvation is only
+to be had this way, and that undoubtedly it will be had this way, that
+so with confidence he may cast himself over on this way, and sweetly
+sing of a noble outgate. And therefore he must believe, that Christ is
+really God as well as man, and a true man as well as God; that he is
+fully furnished for the work of redemption, having the Spirit given to
+him without measure; and endued fully and richly with all qualifications
+fitting for all our necessities, and enabling him to "save to the
+uttermost all that come unto God by him," Heb. vii. 25; that "he is made
+of God to us wisdom, righteousness, and sanctification," 1 Cor. i. 30;
+that "all power in heaven and in earth is given unto him," Matt. xxviii.
+18; that "all things are put under his feet;" and that "he is given to
+be Head over all things to the church," Eph. i. 22; that "in him
+dwelleth all fulness," Col. i. 19; that "in him are hid all the
+treasures of wisdom and knowledge," Col. ii. 3; yea, "that in him
+dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily;" so that we are
+"complete in him, who is the head of all principality and power," verses
+9, 10.
+
+7. The soul must know that he is not only an able and all-sufficient
+Mediator, but that also he is willing and ready to redeem and save all
+that will come. For all the preceding particulars will but increase his
+sorrow and torment him more, so long as he supposeth, through ignorance
+and the suggestion of Satan, that he hath no part in that redemption, no
+access to it, no ground of hope of salvation by it. Therefore it is
+necessary that the soul conceive not only a possibility, but also a
+probability of help this way, and that the dispensation of the gospel of
+grace, and the promulgation and offer of these good news to him, speak
+out so much, that the patience of God waiting long, and his goodness
+renewing the offers, confirmeth this; that his serious pressing, his
+strong motives, on the one hand, and his sharp threatenings on the
+other; his reiterated commands, his ingeminated obtestations; his
+expressed sorrow and grief over such as would not come to him; his
+upbraiding and objurations of such as do obstinately refuse, and the
+like, put his willingness to save such as will come to him out of all
+question. Yea, his obviating of objections, and taking all excuses out
+of their mouth, maketh the case plain and manifest, so that such as will
+not come are left without excuse, and have no impediment lying in the
+way but their own unwillingness.
+
+8. The man must know upon what terms and conditions Christ offereth
+himself in the gospel, viz. upon condition of accepting of him,
+believing in him, and resting upon him; and that no other way we can be
+made partakers of the good things purchased by Christ, but by accepting
+of him as he is offered in the gospel, that is to say, freely, "without
+price or money," Isa. lv. 1, absolutely without reservation, wholly, and
+for all ends, &c. For, till this be known, there will be no closing with
+Christ; and till there be a closing with Christ, there is no advantage
+to be had by him. The soul must be married to him as an husband, fixed
+to him as the branches to the tree, united to him as the members to the
+head, become one with him, "one spirit," 1 Cor. vi. 17. See John xv. 5.
+Eph. v. 30. The soul must close with him for all things, adhere to him
+upon all hazards, take him and the sharpest cross that followeth him.
+Now, I say, the soul must be acquainted with these conditions; for it
+must act deliberately and rationally here. Covenanting with Christ is a
+grave business, and requireth deliberation, posedness of soul, rational
+resolution, full purpose of heart, and satisfaction of soul, and
+therefore the man must be acquainted with the conditions of the new
+covenant.
+
+9. There must be a satisfaction with the terms of the gospel, and the
+heart must actually close with Christ as he is offered in the gospel.
+The heart must open to him, and take him in, Rev. iii. 20. The soul must
+embrace and receive him, John i. 12. The man must take him as his Lord
+and Master, King, Priest, and Prophet; must give up himself to him as
+his leader and commander, and resolve to follow him in all things, and
+thus close a bargain with him; for, till this be done, there is no union
+with Christ, and, till there be an union with Christ, there is no
+partaking of the fruits of his redemption as to justification, no
+pardon, no acceptance, no access to the favour of God, nor peace nor joy
+in the Holy Ghost, no getting of the conscience sprinkled, nor no
+intimation of love or favour from God, &c.
+
+10. There must be a leaning to and resting upon him and on his perfect
+sacrifice. The soul must sit down here as satisfied, and acquiesce in
+this complete mediation of his. This is to believe on him, to rest on
+him, John iii. 18. 1 Pet. ii. 6, as an all-sufficient help. This is to
+cast the burden of a broken covenant, of a guilty conscience, of
+deserved wrath, of the curse of the law, &c. upon him, that he may bear
+away those evils from us. This is to put on the Lord Jesus (in part),
+Rom. xiii. 14; to cover ourselves with his righteousness from the face
+of justice, to stand in this armour of proof against the accusations of
+law, Satan, and an evil conscience. This is to flee to him as our city
+of refuge, that we may be safe from the avenger of blood. This is to
+make him our refuge from the storm of God's anger, and a shadow from the
+heat of his wrath, Isa. xxv. 4, and "our hiding-place from the wind, and
+a covert from the tempest," and as the "shadow of a great rock in a
+weary land," Isa. xxxii. 2. When we hide ourselves in him as the
+complete cautioner that hath fully satisfied justice, and "desire to be
+found in him alone, not having our own righteousness, which is of the
+law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness
+which is of God by faith," Phil. iii. 9. This is to lay our hand on the
+head of the sacrifice, when we rest on this sacrifice, and expect
+salvation through it alone. This is to cast ourselves in Christ's arms,
+as peremptorily resolving to go no other way to the Father, and to plead
+no other righteousness before God's bar but Christ's; that is faith,
+yea, the lively acting of justifying faith.
+
+Thus then is Christ made use of as the way to the Father, in the point
+of justification, when the poor awakened sinner, convinced of his sin
+and misery, of his own inability to help himself, of the insufficiency
+of all means beside Christ, of Christ's all-sufficiency, readiness, and
+willingness to help, of the equity and reasonableness of the conditions
+on which he is offered, and life through him, is now content and fully
+satisfied with this way, actually renouncing all other ways whatsoever,
+and doth with heart and hand embrace Jesus Christ, and take him as he is
+offered in the gospel, to make use of him for all things, to Jean to
+him, and rest upon him in all hazards, and particularly, to refuge
+itself under his wings, and to rest there with complacency,
+satisfaction, and delight, and hide itself from the wrath of God and all
+accusations.
+
+Yet it should be known, that this act of faith, whereby the soul goeth
+out to Christ, and accepteth of and leaneth to him, is not alike in all.
+
+1. In some it may be more lively, strong and active, like the
+centurion's faith, that could argue syllogistically, Matt. viii. 8, &c,
+which Christ looked upon as a great faith, a greater whereof he had not
+found, no not in Israel, verse 10; and like the faith of the woman of
+Canaan, Matt. xv. 21, &c, that would take no naysay, but of seeming
+refusals did make arguments, which Christ commendeth as a great faith,
+verse 28. But in others it may be more weak and fainting, not able to
+reason aright for its own comfort and strength, as Matt, vi. 30, but is
+mixed with much fear, as Matt. viii. 26, yea, and with much
+faithfulness, so that the soul must cry, "Lord, help my unbelief!" Mark
+ix. 24.
+
+2. In some the acts and actings of this faith may be more clear and
+discernible, both by themselves, and by spiritual onlookers; in others,
+so covered over with a heap of doubts, unbelief, jealousy, and other
+corruption, that the actings of it can hardly, or not at all, be
+perceived by themselves or others; so that nothing shall be heard but
+complaints, fears, doubtings, and objections.
+
+3. In some, this faith may have strong and perceptible actings,
+wrestling through much discouragement and opposition, and many
+difficulties; as in the woman of Canaan, Matt. xv.; running through with
+peremptory resoluteness, saying, with Job, chap. xiii. 15, "Though he
+slay me, yet will I trust in him;" and thus taking the kingdom of heaven
+with violence. In others it may be so weak, that the least opposition or
+discouragement may be sufficient to make the soul give over hope, and
+almost despair of overcoming and winning through, and be as a bruised
+reed or a smoking flax.
+
+4. In some, though it appear not strong and violent or wilful (in a
+manner) in its actings, yet it may be firm, fixed, and resolute in
+staying upon him, Isa. xxvi. 3, 4, and trusting in him, Psalm cxxv. 1,
+resolving to hing there, and if it perish, it perisheth; in others weak
+and bashful.
+
+5. In some it may be yet weaker, going out in strong and vehement
+hungerings, Matt. v. 6. The man dare not say, that he doth believe or
+that he doth adhere to Christ and stay upon him; yet he dare say, he
+longeth for him, and panteth after him, as ever "the hart doth after the
+water-brooks," Psalm xlii. 1, 2; he hungereth and thirsteth for him, and
+cannot be satisfied with any thing without him.
+
+6. In some, it may be so weak, that the soul can only perceive the heart
+looking out after him; upon little more ground than a maybe it shall be
+helped, Isa. xlv. 22. They look to him for salvation, being convinced
+that there is no other way; and resolved to follow no other way, they
+resolve to lie at his door, waiting and looking for a sight of the
+king's face, and to lie waiting till they die, if no better may be.
+
+7. In some, it may be so weak, that nothing more can be perceived but a
+satisfaction with the terms of the covenant, a willingness to accept of
+the bargain, and an heart consenting thereunto, though they dare not
+say that they actually close therewith, yea, nor dare say that they
+shall be welcome, Rev. xxii. 17.
+
+8. In some, it may be so weak and low, that they cannot say that they
+have any right hunger or desire after him, nor that their heart doth
+rightly and really consent to the covenant of grace; yet they would fain
+be at it, and cry out, O for a willing heart! O for ardent desires! O
+for a right hunger! and they are dissatisfied, and cannot be reconciled
+with their hearts for not desiring more, hungering more, consenting
+more; so that, if they had this, they would think themselves happy and
+up-made. And thus we see their faith is so low, that it appeareth in
+nothing more manifestly, than in their complainings of the want of it.
+
+So then, the poor weak believer needeth not to be so far discouraged as
+to despair and give over the matter as hopeless and lost; let him hang
+on, depend and wait. A weak faith to-day may become stronger within a
+short time. He that laid the foundation can and will finish the
+building, for all his works are perfect. And a weak faith, when true,
+will prove saving, and lay hold on a saving strong Mediator.
+
+Moreover, as to the acting of faith on Christ's death and sacrifice for
+the stopping the mouth of conscience, law, Satan, and for the opposing
+to the pursuing justice of God because of sin, it may sometimes be
+strong, distinct, clear, and resolute; at other times again be weak,
+mixed, or accompanied with much fear, perplexity, doubting, and
+distrust, because of their own seen unworthiness, many failings,
+doubtings of the sincerity of their repentance, and the like.
+
+This is a main business, and of great concernment, yet many are not much
+troubled about it, nor exercised at the heart hereabout, as they ought,
+deceiving themselves with foolish imaginations: For,
+
+1. They think they were believers all their days, they never doubted of
+God's grace and good-will, they had always a good heart for God, though
+they never knew what awakened conscience, or sense of the wrath of God
+meant.
+
+2. Or they think, because God is merciful, he will not be so severe as
+to stand upon all those things that ministers require; forgetting that
+he is a just God, and a God of truth, that will do according to what he
+hath said.
+
+3. Or they suppose it is an easy matter to believe, and not such a
+difficult thing as it is called; not considering or believing, that no
+less power than that which raised Christ from the dead, will work up the
+heart unto faith.
+
+4. Or they resolve, that they will do it afterward, at some more
+convenient season; not perceiving the cunning slight of Satan in this,
+nor considering, that faith is not in their power, but the gift of God;
+and that, if they lay not hold on the call of God, but harden their
+heart in their day, God may judicially blind them, so that these things
+shall be hid from their eyes; and so that occasion, they pretend to wait
+for, never come.
+
+Oh! if such whom this mainly concerneth, could be induced to enter into
+this way; considering,
+
+1. That except they enter into this way they cannot be safe, the wrath
+of God will pursue them, the avenger of blood will overtake them; no
+salvation but here.
+
+2. That in this way is certain salvation; this way will infallibly lead
+to the Father; for he keepeth in the way, and bringeth safe home, Exod.
+xxiii. 20.
+
+3. 'Tis the old path and the good way, Jer. vi. 16; all the saints have
+the experience of this, who are already come to glory. And,
+
+4. It is a highway, and a way of righteousness, wherein, if very fools
+walk, they shall not wander, Isa. xxxv. 8, 9, and if the weak walk in
+it, they shall not faint, Isa. xl. 31.
+
+5. That except this be done, there is no advantage to be had by him; his
+death and all his sufferings, as to those persons that will not believe
+and enter into him as the way to the Father, are in vain.
+
+6. Yea, such as will not believe in him say, in effect, either that
+Christ hath not died nor consecrated a way through the vail of his
+flesh; or, that all that he hath done and suffered is not sufficient to
+bring a soul home to God; or that they can do their own business without
+him, and that it was a foolish and vain thing for Christ to die the
+death for that end; or, lastly, that they care not for salvation; they
+are indifferent whether they perish or be saved.
+
+7. That, as to them, the whole gospel is in vain, all the ordinances,
+all the administration of ordinances, all the pains of ministers, are in
+vain.
+
+8. That, as to them, all Christ's intreaties, motives, allurements,
+patience and long-suffering, his standing at the door and knocking till
+his locks be wet with the dew, &c. are in vain; yea, they are
+contemptuously rejected, despised, slighted, and undervalued.
+
+9. That all the great promises are by such rejected as untrue, or as not
+worthy the seeking or having; and that all the threatenings, on the
+other hand, are not to be regarded or feared.
+
+10. In a word, that heaven and the fellowship of God is not worth the
+seeking, and that hell and the fellowship of devils is not worth the
+fearing; or, that there is neither a heaven nor a hell, and that all are
+but fictions; and that there is no such thing as the wrath of God
+against sinners, or that it is not much to be feared.
+
+If it be asked, what warrant have poor sinners to lay hold on Christ,
+and grip to him, as made of God righteousness?
+
+I answer, 1. our absolute necessity of him is a ground to press us to go
+and seek help and relief: we see we are gone in ourselves, and therefore
+are we allowed to seek out for help elsewhere.
+
+2. Christ's all-sufficient furniture, whereby he is a qualified
+Mediator, fitted with all necessaries for our case and condition, having
+laid down a price to the satisfaction of justice, is a sufficient
+invitation for us to look toward him for help, and to wait at that door.
+
+3. His being appointed of the Father to be Mediator of the covenant, and
+particularly, to lay down his life a ransom for sin; and Christ's
+undertaking all his offices, and performing all the duties thereof,
+conform to the covenant of redemption, is a strong encouragement to poor
+sinners to come to him, because he cannot deny himself, and he will be
+true to his trust.
+
+4. The Father's offering of him to us in the gospel, and Christ's
+inviting us who are weary and heavy laden; yea, calling and commanding
+such to come to him in his own and in his Father's name, under the pain
+of his and his Father's wrath and everlasting displeasure; exhorting
+further, and requesting upon terms of love, pressing earnestly by many
+motives, sending out his ambassadors to beseech in his stead poor
+sinners to be reconciled, and to turn in to him for life and salvation;
+yea, upbraiding such as will not come to him. All these are a sufficient
+warrant for a poor necessitous sinner to lay hold on his offer.
+
+And, further, to encourage poor souls to come unto him, all things are
+so well ordered in the gospel, as that nothing occurreth that can in the
+least prove a stumbling-block or a just ground of excuse for their
+forbearing to believe and to accept of his offers. All objections
+possible are obviated to such as are but willing; the way is cast up,
+and all stones of stumbling cast out of it; so that such as will not
+come can pretend no excuse. They cannot object the greatness of their
+sins: for the greater their sins be they have the greater need of one
+who is sent to take away sin, and whose blood purgeth from all sin, 1
+John i. 7. What great sinner did he ever refuse that came to him, and
+was willing to be saved by him? Is there any clause in all the gospel
+excluding great sinners? Nor need they object their great unworthiness;
+for he doth all freely for the glory of his free grace. None ever got
+any good of him for their worth; for no man ever had any worth. Nor need
+they object their long refusing and resisting many calls; for he will
+make such as are willing welcome at the eleventh hour; him that cometh
+he will in no case put away, John vi. 37. Nor can they object their
+changeableness, that they will not stand to the bargain, but break and
+return with the dog to the vomit; for Christ hath engaged to bring all
+through that come unto him; he will raise them up at the last day, John
+vi. 40; he will present them to himself holy and without spot or
+wrinkle, or any such thing, Eph. v. The covenant is fully provided with
+promises to stop the mouth of that objection. Nor can they object the
+difficulty or impossibility of believing; for that is Christ's work
+also, he "is the author and finisher of faith," Heb. xii. 1. Can they
+not with confidence cast themselves upon him; yet if they can hunger and
+thirst for him, and look to him, he will accept of that; "look to me,"
+says he, "and be saved," Isa. xlv. 22. If they cannot look to him, nor
+hunger and thirst for him, yet if they be willing, all is well. Are they
+willing that Christ save them in his way, and therefore willingly give
+themselves over to him, and are willing and content that Christ, by his
+Spirit, work more hunger in them, and a more lively faith, and work both
+to will and to do according to his own good pleasure, it is well.
+
+But it will be said, that the terms and conditions on which he offereth
+himself are hard. Answer--I grant the terms are hard to flesh and blood,
+and to proud unmortified nature; but to such as are willing to be saved,
+so as God may be most glorified, the terms are easy, most rational and
+satisfying: for,
+
+1. We are required to take him only for our Mediator, and to join none
+with him, and to mix nothing with him. Corrupt nature is averse from
+this, and would at least mix something of self with him, and not rest on
+Christ only: corrupt nature would not have the man wholly denying
+himself, and following Christ only. And hence many lose themselves, and
+lose all; because, with the Galatians, they would mix the law and the
+gospel together; do something themselves for satisfaction of justice,
+and take Christ for the rest that remains. Now, the Lord will have all
+the glory, as good reason is, and will have none to share with him; he
+will give of his glory to none. And is not this rational and easy? What
+can be objected against this?
+
+2. We are required to take him wholly, that he may be a complete
+Mediator to us; as a prophet to teach, as a king to subdue our lusts, to
+cause us to walk in his ways, as well as a priest to satisfy justice for
+us, to die and intercede for us. Is it not reason that we take him as
+God hath made him for us? Is there any thing in him to be refused? And
+is there any thing in him which we have no need of? Is there not all the
+reason then in the world for this, that we take him wholly? And what
+stumbling-block is here?
+
+3. We are required to take him freely, "without money and without
+price," Isa. lv. 1, for he will not be bought any manner of way; that
+free grace may be free grace, therefore he will give all freely. True
+enough it is, corruption would be at buying, though it have nothing to
+lay out. Pride will not stoop to a free gift. But can any say the terms
+are hard, when all is offered freely?
+
+4. We are required to take them absolutely, without any reversion of
+mental reservation. Some would willingly quit all but one or two lusts
+they cannot think to twin with; and they would deny themselves in many
+things, but they would still most willingly keep a back-door open to
+some beloved lust or other. And who seeth not what double dealing is
+here? And what reason can plead for this double dealing? Corruption, it
+is true, will think this hard, but no man can rationally say that this
+is a just ground of discouragement to any, or a sufficient ground to
+warrand them to stay away from Christ, seeing they cannot be supposed
+sincerely to desire redemption from any sin, who would not desire
+redemption from every sin. He who loveth any known lust, and would not
+willingly be delivered therefrom, hath no real hatred at any lust, as
+such, nor desire to be saved; for one such lust would be his death.
+
+5. It is required, that we accept of him really and cordially, with our
+heart and soul, and not by a mere external verbal profession, And is
+there not all the reason in the world for this? He offereth himself
+really to us, and shall we not be real in accepting of him? What, I
+pray, can be justly excepted against this? or, what real discouragement
+can any gather from this?
+
+6. We are to take him for all necessaries, that is, with a resolution to
+make use of him as our all-sufficient Mediator. And is not this most
+reasonable? Ought we not to take him for all the ends and purposes for
+which God hath appointed him, and set him forth, and offered him to us?
+What then can any suppose to lie here which should scar a soul from
+laying hold upon him? Nay, should not this be looked upon as a very
+great encouragement? And should we not bless the Lord, that hath
+provided such a complete and all-sufficient Mediator?
+
+7. We are to take him and all the crosses that may attend our taking or
+following of him; we must take up our cross, be it what it will that he
+thinketh good to appoint to us, and follow him, Matt. xvi. 24. Mark
+viii. 34. "For he that taketh not up his cross, and followeth not after
+him, is not worthy of him," Matt. x. 38. I know flesh and blood will
+take this for a hard saying; but they that consider, that Christ will
+bear the heaviest end of the cross, yea, all of it, and so support them
+by his Spirit while they are under it, that they shall have no just
+cause to complain; and how he will suffer none to go his errand upon
+their own charges, but will be with them when they go through the fire
+and water, Isa. xliii. 2, so that they shall suffer no loss, neither
+shall the waters overflow them, nor the fire kindle upon them; and that
+he who loseth his life for Christ's sake and the gospel's, shall save
+it, Mark viii. 35; yea, that they shall receive an hundred-fold for all
+their losses, Matt. xix. 29, and that even with persecution, Mark x. 30,
+and, in the world to come, eternal life. They, I say, who consider this,
+will see no discouragement here, nor ground of complaint; nay, they will
+account it their glory to suffer any loss for Christ's sake.
+
+8. Hence it followeth, that we are to take him, so as to avouch him and
+his cause and interest on all hazards, stand to his truth, and not be
+ashamed of him in a day of trial. Confession of him must be made with
+the mouth, as with the heart we must believe, Rom. x. 9. Let corruption
+speak against this what it will, because it is always desirous to keep
+the skin whole. Yet reason cannot but say that it is equitable,
+especially seeing he hath said, that "whosoever confesseth him before
+men, he will confess them before his Father which is in heaven," Matt.
+x. 32. And that, "If we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him,"
+2 Tim. ii. 12. Is he our Lord and master, and should we not own and
+avouch him? Should we be ashamed of him for any thing, that can befall
+us, upon that account? What master would not take that ill at his
+servant's hands?
+
+Hence, then, we see, that there is nothing in all the conditions on
+which he offereth himself to us, that can give the least ground, in
+reason, why a poor soul should draw back, and be unwilling to accept of
+this noble offer, or think that the conditions are hard.
+
+But there is one main objection, which may trouble some, and that is,
+they cannot believe; faith being the gift of God, it must be wrought in
+them; how then can they go to God for this, and make use of Christ for
+this end, that their souls may be wrought up to a believing and
+consenting to the bargain, and hearty accepting of the offer?
+
+To this I would say these things:
+
+1. It is true, that "faith is the gift of God," Eph. ii. 8, and that it
+is "he alone who worketh in us, both to will and to do," Phil. i. 29,
+"and none cometh to the Son, but whom the Father draweth," John vi. 44;
+and it is a great matter, and no small advancement, to win to the real
+faith, and through conviction of this our impotency. For thereby the
+soul will be brought to a greater measure of humiliation, and of
+despairing of salvation in itself, which is no small advantage unto a
+poor soul that would be saved.
+
+2. Though faith be not in our power, yet it is our duty. Our impotency
+to perform our duty, doth not loose our obligation to the duty; so that
+our not believing is our sin; and for this God may justly condemn us.
+His wrath abideth on all who believe not in his Son Jesus, and will not
+accept of the offer of salvation through the crucified Mediator. And
+though faith, as all other acts of grace, be efficiently the work of the
+Spirit, yet it is formally our work: we do believe; but it is the Spirit
+that worketh faith in us.
+
+3. The ordinary way of the Spirit's working faith in us, is by pressing
+home the duty upon us, whereby we are brought to a despairing in
+ourselves, and to a looking out to him, whose grace alone it is that can
+work it in the soul, for that necessary help and breathing, without
+which the soul will not come.
+
+4. Christ Jesus hath purchased this grace of faith to all the elect, as
+other graces necessary to their salvation; and it is promised and
+covenanted to him, "That he shall see his seed, and shall see of the
+travail of his soul," Isa. liii. 10; and that by the knowledge of him,
+that is, the rational and understanding act of the soul gripping to and
+laying hold upon him, as he is offered in the gospel, "many shall be
+justified," Isa. liii. 10. Hence he saith, "That all whom the Father
+hath given to him, shall come unto him," John vi. 37; and the apostle
+tells us, "that we are blessed with all spiritual blessings in him,"
+Eph. i. 3.
+
+5. Not only hath Christ purchased this grace of faith, and all other
+graces necessary for the salvation of the elect, but God hath committed
+to him the administration and actual dispensation, and out-giving of all
+those graces, which the redeemed stand in need of. Hence "he is a prince
+exalted to give repentance and forgiveness of sins," Acts v. 31. "All
+power in heaven and earth is committed unto him," Matt, xxviii. 18, 19.
+Hence he is called, "the author and finisher of faith," Heb. xii. 2; and
+he tells his disciples, John xiv. 13, 14, that whatever they shall ask
+in his name, he will do it. He is made a Prince and a Saviour, "having
+all judgment committed unto him," John v. 22; and "he is Lord of all,"
+Acts x. 36. Rom. xiv. 9.
+
+6. Hereupon the sinner, being convinced of his lost condition through
+sin and misery, of an utter impossibility of helping himself out of that
+state of death, of Christ's all-sufficiency and willingness to save all
+that will come to him, and of its own inability to believe or come to
+him for life and salvation, or to lay hold on, and lean to his merits
+and satisfaction, and so despairing in himself, is to look out to Jesus,
+the author of eternal salvation, the foundation and chief corner-stone,
+the author and finisher of faith; I say, the sinner, being thus
+convinced, is thus to look out to Jesus; not that that conviction is any
+proper qualification prerequisite as necessary, either to prepare,
+dispose, and fit for faith, or far less to merit any manner of way, or
+bring on faith; but because this is Christ's method to bring a soul to
+faith by this conviction, to the glory of his grace. The soul naturally
+being averse from Christ, and utterly unwilling to accept of that way of
+salvation, must be redacted to that strait, that it shall see, that it
+must either accept of this offer or die. As the whole needeth not a
+physician, so Christ is come to save only that which is lost; and his
+method is to convince the world of sin, in the first place; and then of
+righteousness, John xvi. 8, 9.
+
+7. This looking out to Jesus for faith, comprehendeth those things: (1.)
+The soul's acknowledgment of the necessity of faith, to the end it may
+partake of Christ, and of his merits. (2.) The soul's satisfaction with
+that way of partaking of Christ, by a closing with him, and a resting
+upon him by faith. (3.) A sense and conviction of the unbelief and
+stubbornness of the heart, or a seeing of its own impotency, yea, and
+unwillingness to believe. (4.) A persuasion that Christ can over-master
+the infidelity and wickedness of the heart, and work up the soul unto a
+willing consent unto the bargain. (5.) A hope, or a half-hope (to speak
+so) that Christ, who is willing to save all poor sinners that come to
+him for salvation; and hath said, that he will put none away in any case
+that cometh--will have pity upon him at length. (6.) A resolution to lie
+at his door, till he come with life, till he quicken, till he unite the
+soul to himself. (7.) A lying open to the breathings of his Spirit, by
+guarding against every thing (so far as they can) that may grieve or
+provoke him, and waiting on him in all the ordinances, he hath
+appointed, for begetting faith; such as reading the Scriptures, hearing
+the word, conference with godly persons, and prayer, &c. (8.) A waiting
+with patience on him who never said to the house of Jacob, "seek me in
+vain," Isa. xlv. 19; still crying and looking to him who hath commanded
+the ends of the earth to look to him; and waiting for him who waiteth to
+be gracious, Isa. xxx. 18, remembering that they are all blessed that
+wait for him; and that "there is much good prepared for them that wait
+for him," Isa. lxiv. 4.
+
+8. The sinner would essay this believing, and closing with Christ, and
+set about it, as he can, seriously, heartily, and willingly, yea, and
+resolutely over the belly of much opposition, and many discouragements,
+looking to him who must help, yea, and work the whole work; for God
+worketh in and with man as a rational creature. The soul then would set
+the willingness it findeth, on work, and wait for more; and as the Lord
+is pleased to commend, by his Spirit, the way of grace more unto the
+soul, and to warm the heart with love to it, and a desire after it,
+strike the iron while it is hot; and, looking to him for help, grip to
+Christ in the covenant; and so set to its seal, though with a trembling
+hand; and subscribe its name, though with much fear and doubting,
+remembering "that he who worketh to will, must work the deed also,"
+Phil. ii. 13, "and he that beginneth a good work will perfect it," Phil.
+i. 6.
+
+9. The soul essaying thus to believe in Christ's strength, and to creep
+when it cannot walk or run, would hold fast what it hath attained, and
+resolve never to recall any consent, or half-consent, it hath given to
+the bargain, but still look forward, hold on, wrestle against unbelief
+and unwillingness, entertain every good motion of the Spirit for this
+end, and never admit of any thing that may quench its lodgings, desires,
+or expectation.
+
+10. Nay, if the sinner be come this length, that, with the bit
+willingness he hath, he consenteth to the bargain, and is not satisfied
+with any thing in himself, that draweth back, or consenteth not, and
+with the little skill or strength he hath is writing down his name, and
+saying, even so I take him; and is holding at this, peremptorily
+resolving never to go back, or unsay what he hath said; but, on the
+contrary, is firmly purposed to adhere, and as he groweth in strength,
+to grip more firmly, and adhere to him, he may conclude that the bargain
+is closed already, and that he hath faith already; for here there is an
+accepting of Christ on his own terms, a real consenting unto the
+covenant of grace, though weak, and not so discernible as the soul would
+wish. The soul dare not say but it loveth the bargain, and is satisfied
+with it, and longeth for it, and desireth nothing more than that it
+might partake thereof, and enjoy him whom it loveth, hungereth for,
+panteth after, or breatheth, as it is able, that it may live in him, and
+be saved through him.
+
+But some will say, If I had any evidence of God's approbation of this
+act of my soul, any testimony of his Spirit, I could then with
+confidence say, that I had believed and accepted of the covenant and of
+Christ offered therein; but so long as I perceive nothing of this, how
+can I suppose, that any motion of this kind in my soul is real faith?
+
+For _Answer_--1. We would know, that our believing, and God's sealing to
+our sense, are two distinct acts and separable, and oft separated. Our
+believing is one thing, and God's sealing with the Holy Spirit of
+promise to our sense, is another thing; and this followeth, though not
+inseparably, the other, Eph. i. 13, "In whom also, after that ye
+believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise."
+
+And so, 2. We would know, that many a man may believe, and yet not know
+that he doth believe. He may set to his seal, that God is true in his
+offer of life through Jesus, and accept of that offer as a truth, and
+close with it; and yet live under darkness and doubtings of his faith,
+long and many a day; partly through not discerning the true nature of
+faith; partly through the great sense and feeling of his own corruption
+and unbelief; partly through a mistake of the Spirit's operations
+within, or the want of a clear and distinct uptaking of the motions of
+his own soul; partly because he findeth so much doubting and fear, as if
+there could be no faith where there was doubting or fear, contrary to
+Mark ix. 24. Matth. viii. 26, and xiv. 31.; partly, because he hath not
+that persuasion that others have had, as if there were not various
+degrees of faith, as there is of other graces, and the like.
+
+Therefore, 3. We would know, that many may really believe, and yet miss
+this sensible sealing of the Spirit which they would be at. God may
+think it not yet seasonable to grant them that, lest they forget
+themselves and become too proud; and to train them up more to the life
+of faith, whereby he may be glorified; and for other holy ends, he may
+suspend the giving of this for a time.
+
+4. Yet we would know, that all that believe, have the seal within them,
+1 John v. 10, "He that believeth on the Son of God, hath the witness in
+himself," that is, he hath that which really is a seal, though he see it
+not, nor perceive it not; even the work of God's Spirit in his soul,
+inclining and determining him unto the accepting of this bargain, and
+to a liking of and endeavouring after holiness; and the whole gospel
+clearing up what faith is, is a seal and confirmation of the business.
+So that the matter is sealed, and confirmed by the word, though the soul
+want those sensible breathings of the Spirit, shedding abroad his love
+in the heart, and filling the soul with a full assurance, by hushing all
+doubts and fears to the door; yea, though they should be a stranger unto
+the Spirit's witnessing thus with their spirits, that they are the
+children of God, and clearing up distinctly the real work of grace
+within their soul, and so saying in effect, that they have in truth
+believed.
+
+But enough of this; seeing all this, and much more is abundantly held
+forth and explained, in that excellent and useful treatise of Mr.
+Guthrie's, entitled, "The Christian's Great Interest."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+HOW CHRIST IS TO BE MADE USE OF, AS THE WAY, FOR SANCTIFICATION IN
+GENERAL.
+
+
+Having shown how a poor soul, lying under the burden of sin and wrath,
+is to make use of Jesus Christ for righteousness and justification, and
+so to make use of him, go out to him, and apply him, as "he is made of
+God to us righteousness," 1 Cor. i. 30, and that but briefly. This whole
+great business being more fully and satisfactorily handled, in that
+forementioned great, though small treatise, viz. "The Christian's Great
+Interest," we shall now come and show, how a believer or a justified
+soul shall further make use of Christ for sanctification, this being a
+particular about which they are oftentimes much exercised and perplexed.
+
+That we may therefore, in some weak measure, through the help of this
+light and grace, propose some things to clear up this great and
+necessary truth, we shall first speak a little to it in the general, and
+then come to clear up the matter more particularly.
+
+Before we speak of the matter in general, it would be remembered, 1.
+That the person who only is in case to make use of Christ for
+sanctification, is one that hath made use of him already for
+righteousness and justification. For one who is a stranger to Christ,
+and is living in nature, hath no access to Christ for sanctification. He
+must be a believer, and within the covenant, ere he can make use of the
+grounds of sanctification laid down in the covenant. One must first be
+united to Christ, and justified by faith in him, before he can draw any
+virtue from him for perfecting holiness. He must first be in him, before
+he can grow up in him, or bring forth fruit in him. And therefore the
+first thing that souls would go about, should be to get an union made up
+with Christ, and be clothed with his righteousness by faith; and then
+they have a right to all his benefits. _First_, they should labour to
+get their state changed from enmity to peace and reconciliation with
+God, through faith in Jesus.
+
+Yet, _next_, it would be observed, that when it is said, that one must
+be a believer before he can go to Christ, and make use of him for
+holiness and sanctification, it is not so understood and said, that one
+must know, that indeed he is justified by faith, before he can make any
+use of Christ for sanctification. One may be justified, and a believer,
+yea, and growing in grace through Jesus Christ, and so actually
+improving the grounds of sanctification, and making use of Christ for
+this end, and allowed thereunto, and yet win to no certainty of his
+union with Christ, of his justification through faith in him, nor of his
+faith.
+
+But, _thirdly_, if it be said, How can a soul with confidence approach
+to Christ, for use-making of him, in reference to sanctification, that
+is, still doubting of his state and regeneration?
+
+I answer, It is true, a clear sight of our interest in Christ by faith,
+would be a great encouragement to our confident approaching to, and
+use-making of him, in all things; and this consideration should move all
+to a more earnest search and study of the marks and evidences of their
+interest; a good help whereunto they will find in the forementioned
+book. I shall only say this here, That if the soul have an earnest
+desire to be sanctified wholly, and to have on the image of God, that he
+may glorify him, and panteth after holiness as for life, that he may
+look like him that is holy, and maketh this his work and study;
+sorrowing at nothing more than at his shortcoming; crying out and
+longing for the day when he shall be delivered from a body of death, and
+have the old man wholly crucified; he needeth not question his interest
+in Christ, and warrant to make use of him for every part of
+sanctification; for this longing desire after conformity to God's law,
+and panting after this spiritual life, to the end God may be exalted,
+Christ glorified, and others edified, will not be readily found in one
+that is yet in nature. It is true, I grant, some who design to establish
+their own righteousness, and to be justified by their own works and
+inherent holiness, may wish that they may be more holy and less guilty;
+and for some other corrupt ends, they may desire to be free of the power
+of some lust, which they find noxious and troublesome; and yet retain
+with love and desire, some other beloved lusts, and so have a heart
+still cleaving to the heart of some detestable thing or other. But
+gracious souls, as they have respect to all the commands of God, so they
+have not that design of being justified before God by their works; nor
+do they study mortification, and sanctification for any such end; nay,
+they no sooner discover any bias of their false deceitful hearts unto
+any such end, but as soon they disown it, and abhor it. So that hence
+believers may get some discovery of the reality of their faith and
+interest in Christ, and of their warrant, yea, and duty to make use of
+Christ for sanctification.
+
+This premised, we come to speak something, in the general, of believer's
+use-making of Christ, as made of God to us sanctification. And for this
+end, we shall only speak a little to two things. _First_, We shall show
+upon what account it is that Christ is called our sanctification, or,
+"made of God to us sanctification," as the apostle's phrase is, 1 Cor.
+i. 30; or, what Christ hath done as Mediator, to begin, and carry on to
+perfection the work of sanctification in the soul. And, _secondly,_ How
+the soul is to demean itself in this matter, or how the soul is to make
+use of, and improve what Christ hath done, for this end, that it may
+grow in grace, and perfect holiness in the fear of God.
+
+As to the _first,_ we would know, that though the work of sanctification
+be formally ours, yet it is wrought by another hand, as the principal
+efficient cause, even by the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. The Father is
+said to purge the branches, that they may bring forth more fruit, John
+xv. 1. Hence we are said to be sanctified by God the Father, Jude 1. The
+Son is also called the Sanctifier, Heb. ii. 21. He sanctifieth and
+cleanseth the Church with the washing of water by the word, Eph. v. 26.
+The Spirit is also said to sanctify, 2 Thes. ii. 13. 1 Pet. i. 2. Rom.
+xv. 16. Hence we are said to be washed and sanctified by the Spirit of
+God, 1 Cor. vi. 11.
+
+But more particularly, we are said to be sanctified in Christ, 1 Cor. i.
+2; and "he is made of God to us sanctification," 1 Cor. i. 30. Let us
+then see in what sense this may be true. And,
+
+1. He hath by his death and blood procured that this work of
+sanctification shall be wrought and carried on. For "he suffered without
+the gate, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood," Heb.
+xiii. 12. "We are saved by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of
+the Holy Ghost, which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our
+Saviour," Titus iii. 5, 6. "He gave himself for us, that he might redeem
+us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous
+of good works," Tit. ii. 14. Thus our sanctification is the fruit of his
+death, and purchased by his blood. "He gave himself for his church, that
+he might sanctify it," Eph. v. 25, 26.
+
+2. He dying as a cautioner and public person, believers are accounted in
+law to be dead to sin in him. Hence the apostle tells us, Rom. vi. 3-6,
+that as many of us as are baptised into Jesus Christ, were baptized into
+his death; and that therefore we are buried with him by baptism into
+death; and are planted together in the likeness of his death; yea, and
+that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be
+destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Whence believers are
+warranted and commanded, verse 11, to reckon themselves "to be dead
+indeed unto sin;" and therefore sin should "not reign in their mortal
+bodies to fulfil the lusts thereof," verse 12. This is a sure ground of
+hope and comfort for believers, that Christ died thus as a public
+person; and that by virtue thereof, being now united to Christ by faith,
+they are dead to sin by law; and sin cannot challenge a dominion over
+them, as before their conversion it might have done, and did; for the
+law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth, but no longer.
+Wherefore believing brethren "becoming dead to the law by the body of
+Christ, are married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead,
+that they should bring forth fruit unto God," Rom. vii. 1-4.
+
+3. Hence it followeth, that our "old man is crucified with Christ, that
+the body of sin might be destroyed," Rom. vi. 6. So that this old tyrant
+that oppresseth the people of God, hath got his death wounds, in the
+crucifixion of Christ, and shall never recover his former vigour and
+activity, to oppress and bear down the people of God, as he did. He is
+now virtually, through the death of Jesus, killed and crucified, being
+in Christ nailed to the cross.
+
+4. His resurrection is a pawn and pledge of this sanctification. For as
+he died as a public person, so he rose again as a public person. "We are
+buried with him by baptism, that like as Christ was raised up from the
+dead, by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness
+of life," Rom. vi. 4; and believers are said to be "planted together
+with him, in the likeness of his resurrection," verse 5; "and they shall
+live with him," verse 8; "and therefore they are to reckon themselves
+alive unto God, through Jesus Christ our Lord," verse 11. "We are raised
+up together," Eph. ii. 6.
+
+5. This sanctification is an article of the covenant of redemption
+betwixt the Father and the Son, Isa. lii. 15, "So shall he sprinkle many
+nations." Chap. liii. 10, "He shall see his seed, and the pleasure of
+the Lord shall prosper in his hand." Christ, then, having this promised
+to him, must see to the accomplishment thereof, and will have it granted
+to him; seeing he hath fulfilled all that was engaged to by him--having
+made his soul an offering for sin.
+
+6. This sanctification is promised in the covenant of grace, Jer.
+xxxiii. 8. "And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity." Ezek.
+xxxvii. 23, "And I will cleanse them." So chap. xxxvi. 25, "Then will I
+sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean; from all your
+filthiness, and from all your idols will I cleanse you." Now all the
+promises of the covenant of grace are confirmed to us in the Mediator.
+For, "in him all the promises of the covenant are yea and amen," 2 Cor.
+i. 20.
+
+7. He hath purchased and made sure to his own, the new nature, and the
+heart of flesh, which is also promised, Ezek. xxxvi. 26, and xi. 19.
+Jer. xxxii. 39. This is the new and lively principle of grace, the
+spring of sanctification, which cannot be idle in the soul; but must be
+emitting vital acts natively.
+
+Yea, through him, are believers made partakers of the divine nature,
+which is a growing thing,--young glory in the soul, 2 Pet. i. 3,4,
+"According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that
+pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath
+called us to glory and virtue, whereby are given unto us exceeding great
+and precious promises, that by these we might be made partakers of the
+divine nature," &c.
+
+8. The Spirit is promised, to cause us walk in his statutes, Ezek. xlvi.
+27. Now all these promises are made good to us in Christ, who is the
+cautioner of the covenant; yea, he hath gotten now the dispensing and
+giving out of the rich promises of the covenant, committed unto him; so
+as he is the great and glorious custodier of all purchased blessings.
+
+9. There are new waterings, breathings, and gales of the Spirit, given
+in Christ, Isa. xxvii. 3. He must water his garden or vineyard every
+moment. This is the north wind and the south wind that bloweth upon the
+garden, Cant. iv. 16. He must be as the dew unto Israel, Hos. xiv. 5.
+
+10. Through Christ is the believer brought into such a covenant state,
+as giveth great ground of hope of certain victory. He is not now under
+the law, but under grace; and hence inferreth the apostle, Rom. vi. 14,
+"That sin shall not have dominion over them." Being now under that
+dispensation of grace, whereby all their stock is in the Mediator's
+hand, and at his disposal; and not in their own hand and power, as under
+the covenant of works, there is a sure ground laid down for constant
+supply and furniture in all necessities.
+
+11. Christ hath prayed for this, John xvii. 17, "Sanctify them through
+thy truth;" where the Lord is praying, that his disciples might be more
+and more sanctified, and so fitted and qualified for the work of the
+ministry they were to be employed in. And what he prayed for them, was
+not for them alone, but also for the elect, proportionably, who are
+opposed to the world, for which he did not pray, verse 9.
+
+12. He standeth to believers in relation of a vine, or a root, in which
+they grow as branches, so that by abiding in him, living by faith in
+him, and drawing sap from him, they bring forth fruit in him, John xv.
+1, 2, 4, 5. Their stock of grace is in him, the root; and he
+communicateth sap and life unto his branches, whereby they grow,
+flourish, and bring forth fruit to the glory of God.
+
+13. Christ hath taken on him the office of a prophet and teacher, to
+instruct us in the way wherein we ought to go; for he is that great
+prophet whom the Lord promised to raise up, and who was to be heard and
+obeyed in all things, Deut. xviii. 15. Acts iii. 22, and vii. 37. "He is
+given for a witness, and a leader," Isa. lv. 4; and we are commanded to
+hear him, Matt, xvii. 5. Mark x. 7.
+
+14. He hath also taken on him the office of a king, Psal. ii. 6. Matt,
+xxviii. 5. Isa. ix. 7. Phil. ii. 8-11. and thereby standeth engaged to
+subdue all their spiritual enemies, Satan and corruption, Psal. cx. He
+is given for a leader and commander, Isa. lv. 5, and so can cause his
+people walk in his ways.
+
+15. When we defile ourselves with new transgressions and failings, he
+hath provided a fountain for us to wash in; "a fountain opened to the
+house of David, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for
+uncleanness," Zech. xiii. 1; and this fountain is his blood, which
+cleanseth from all sin, Heb. ix. 14. 1 John i. 7. Rev. i. 5.
+
+16. He is set before us as a copy and pattern, that we "should walk even
+as he walked," 1 John ii. 6. "He left us an example that we should
+follow his steps," 1 Pet. ii. 21. But we should beware to separate this
+consideration from the preceding, as antichristian Socinians do, who
+will have Christ only to be a copy.
+
+17. He hath overcome Satan, our arch enemy, and hath destroyed his
+works, 1 John iii. 8. He came to destroy the works of the devil; and in
+particular, his works of wickedness in the soul. Thus he is a conqueror
+and the captain of our salvation.
+
+18. As he hath purchased, so hath he appointed ordinances, for the
+laying of the foundation, and carrying on this work of sanctification;
+both word and sacraments are appointed for that; the word to convert and
+to confirm, John xvii. 17. "Sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is
+truth," said Christ. The word is given as the rule; and also through the
+means thereof is life and strength conveyed to the soul, "to perfect
+holiness in the fear of God," 1 Pet. ii. 2. And the sacraments are given
+to strengthen and confirm the soul in the ways of God.
+
+19. As he hath laid down strong encouragements to his followers, to hold
+on in the way of holiness, many great and precious promises, by which
+they may be made partakers of the divine nature, 2 Pet. i. 4; and by
+which they are encouraged to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of
+the flesh and spirit, 2 Cor. vii. 1; and many motives to hold on and
+continue; so hath he rolled difficulties out of the way, whether they be
+within us, or without us, and thereby made the way easy and pleasant to
+such as walk in it; so as they may now run the way of his commandments,
+and walk and not weary, and run and not be faint.
+
+Nay, 20. We would remember for our encouragement and confidence, that in
+carrying on of this work lieth the satisfaction of the soul, and the
+pleasure of the Lord that must prosper in his hand, and thus he seeth
+his seed, and hath of the travail of his soul, and is satisfied.
+
+These particulars, rightly considered, will discover unto us, what a
+noble ground for sanctification is in Christ laid down for believers,
+which they may, and must by faith grip to, that they may grow in grace,
+and grow up in Christ, and perfect holiness; and what a wonderful
+contrivance of grace this is, wherein all things are made so sure for
+believers, Christ becoming all things to them, and paving a royal and
+sure way for them; sure for them, and glorious to himself!
+
+As to the second particular, that is, how believers are to carry in this
+matter, or how they are to make use of Christ, and of those grounds of
+sanctification in Christ, which we have mentioned:
+
+_First,_ There are some things which they should beware of, and guard
+against; as,
+
+1. They should beware of an heartless despondency, and giving way to
+discouragement, and hearkening to the language of unbelief, or to the
+suggestion of Satan, whereby he will labour to persuade them of the
+impossibility of getting the work of sanctification throughed, or any
+progress made therein to purpose. Satan and a deceitful heart can soon
+muster up many difficulties, and allege that there are many lions, many
+insuperable difficulties in the way, to discourage them from venturing
+forward; and if Satan prevail here, he hath gained a great point.
+Therefore the believer should keep up his head in hope, and beware of
+multiplying discouragements to himself, or of concluding the matter
+impossible; for then shall he neither have heart nor hand for the work,
+but sit down and wring his hands as overcome with discouragement and
+despondency of spirit.
+
+2. They should beware of wilfully rejecting their own mercies, and
+forbearing to make use of the grounds of hope, of strength and progress
+in the matter of sanctification, which Christ hath allowed them to make
+use of. There is such an evil among God's children, that they scar at
+that which Christ out of great love hath provided for them, and dare not
+with confidence make use of, nor apply to themselves the great and
+comfortable promises, to the end they might be encouraged; they will
+not take their allowance, as thinking themselves unworthy; and that it
+would be presumption in them to challenge a right to such great things;
+and they think it commendable humility in them, to stand a-back, and so
+wilfully refuse the advantages and helps, that make so much for their
+growth in grace.
+
+3. They should beware of a careless neglect of the means appointed for
+advancing in holiness; for, though the means do not work the effect, yet
+it is by the means that God hath chosen to work the work of
+sanctification. Here that is to be seen, "that the hand of the diligent
+maketh rich; and the field of the slothful is soon grown over with
+thorns and nettles; so that poverty cometh as one that travaileth, and
+want as an armed man," Prov. xxiv. 30. It is a sinful tempting of God,
+to think to be sanctified another way than God hath in his deep wisdom
+condescended upon.
+
+4. Yet they should beware of laying too much weight on the means and
+ordinances, as if they could effectuate the business. Though the Lord
+hath thought fit to work in and by the means, yet he himself must do the
+work. Means are but means, and not the principal cause; nor can they
+work, but as the principal agent is pleased to make use of them, and to
+work by them. When we lean to the means and to instruments, we prejudge
+ourselves, by disobliging of God, and provoking him to leave us, that we
+may wrestle with the ordinances alone, and find no advantage. Therefore
+the soul should guard against this.
+
+5. Albeit the means can do nothing unless he breathe, yet we should
+beware not only of neglecting, as we said before, but also of a
+slighting way of performing them, without that earnestness and diligence
+that is required,--"cursed is he who doth the work of the Lord
+negligently," Jer. xlviii. 10. Here then is the special art of
+Christianity apparent, to be as diligent, earnest and serious in the use
+of the means, as if they could effectuate the matter we were seeking;
+and yet to be as much abstracted from them, in our hopes and
+expectation, and to be as much leaning on the Lord alone, and depending
+on him for the blessing, as if we were using no means at all.
+
+6. They should beware of slighting and neglecting the motions of the
+Spirit; for thereby they may lose the best opportunity. They should be
+always on the wing, ready to embrace the least motion; and they should
+stand always ready, waiting for the breathings of his Spirit, and open
+at his call; lest afterward, they be put to call and seek, and not
+attain what they would be at, as we see in the spouse, Cant. v. 2, 3, 4,
+&c.
+
+7. They should also guard against the quenching of the Spirit, 1 Thess.
+v. 12; or grieving of the Spirit, Eph. iv. 30, by their unchristian and
+unsuitable carriage; for this will much mar their sanctification. It is
+by the Spirit that the work of sanctification is carried on in the soul;
+and when this Spirit is disturbed, and put from his work, how can the
+work go on? When the motions of this indwelling Spirit are extinguished,
+his work is marred and retarded; and when he is grieved, he is hindered
+in his work. Therefore souls must guard against unbelief, despondency,
+unsuitable and unchristian carriage.
+
+8. Especially they should beware of wasting sins, Psal. li. 10. Sins
+against light and conscience, such as David called presumptuous sins,
+Psal. xix. 13. They should beware also of savouring any unknown
+corruption, or any thing of that kind, that may hinder the work of
+sanctification.
+
+_Secondly_, It were useful, and of great advantage for such as would
+grow in grace, and advance in the way of holiness, to be living in the
+constant conviction,
+
+1. Of the necessity of holiness, "without which no man shall see God,"
+Heb. xii. 14. "Nothing entering into the New Jerusalem that defileth,"
+Rev. xxi. 7.
+
+2. Of their own inability to do any one act right; how they are not
+sufficient of themselves to think any thing as of themselves, 2 Cor.
+iii. 5; and that without Christ they can do nothing, John xv. 5.
+
+3. Of the insufficiency of any human help, or means, or way which they
+might think good to choose, to mortify aright one corruption, or to give
+strength for the discharge of any one duty; for our sufficiency is of
+God, 2 Cor. iii. and it is "through the Spirit that we must mortify the
+deeds of the body," Rom. viii. 13.
+
+4. And of the treachery and deceitfulness of the heart, which is bent to
+follow by-ways, being not only "deceitful above all things, but also
+desperately wicked," Jer. xvii. 9.
+
+That by this means, the soul may be jealous of itself, and despair of
+doing any thing in its own strength, and so be fortified against that
+main evil, which is an enemy to all true sanctification, viz. confidence
+in the flesh.
+
+_Thirdly_, The soul will keep its eye fixed on those things:
+
+1. On Christ's all-sufficiency to help; in all cases that "he is able to
+save to the uttermost," Heb. vii. 25.
+
+2. On his compassionateness to such as are out of the way; and readiness
+to help poor sinners with his grace and strength; and this will keep up
+the soul from fainting and despairing.
+
+3. On the commands of holiness; such as those, "cleanse your hand, and
+purify your hearts," James iv. 8, and, "be ye holy, for I am holy," 1
+Pet. i. 15, 16, and the like; that the authority of God and conscience
+to command may set the soul a-work.
+
+4. On the great recompense of reward that is appointed for such as
+wrestle on, and endure to the end; and on the great promises of great
+things to such as are sanctified, whereof the scriptures are full; that
+the soul may be encouraged to run through difficulties, to ride out
+storms, to endure hardness, as a good soldier, and to persevere in duty.
+
+5. On the other hand, on the many sad threatenings and denunciations of
+wrath, against such as transgress his laws, and on all the sad things
+that such as shake off the fear of God and the study of holiness have to
+look for, of which the scripture is full; that by this means the soul
+may be kept in awe, and spurred forward unto duty, and made the more
+willing to shake off laziness.
+
+6. On the rule, the word of God, by which alone we must regulate all our
+actions; and this ought to be our meditation day and night, and all our
+study, as we see it was David's, and other holy men of God, their daily
+work, see Psal. i. and cxix.
+
+_Fourthly_, In all this study of holiness, and aiming at an higher
+measure of grace, the believer would level at a right end, and so would
+not design holiness for this end, that he might be justified thereby, or
+that he might thereby procure and purchase to himself heaven and God's
+favour; for the weight of all that must lie on Jesus Christ, who is our
+righteousness; and our holiness must not dethrone him, nor rob him of
+his glory, which he will not give to another; but would study holiness,
+to the end he might glorify God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and
+please him who calleth to holiness, and thereby be "meet to be partakers
+of the inheritance of the saints in light," Col. i. 10, 12; and be made
+a meet bride for such a holy bridegroom, and a member to such an holy
+head; that hereby others might be edified, Matt. v. 16. 1 Pet. ii. 12,
+and iii. 1, 2; that the soul may look like a temple of the Holy Ghost,
+and like a servant of Christ's bought with a price, 1 Cor. vi. 17-20;
+and have a clear evidence of his regeneration and justification, and
+also that he may express his thankfulness to God for all his favours and
+benefits.
+
+_Fifthly_, The soul should by faith lay hold on, and grip fast to the
+ground of sanctification; that is to say, (1.) To what Christ hath
+purchased for his people. (2.) To what as a public person he hath done
+for them; and so by faith,
+
+1. Challenge a right to, and lay hold on the promises of grace,
+strength, victory, and thorough bearing, in their combating with
+corruption within, and Satan and a wicked world without.
+
+2. "Reckon themselves dead unto sin, through the death of Christ; and
+alive unto God through his resurrection," Rom. vi. 4, 11. "And that the
+old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed,"
+verse 6. "And that they are now not under the law, but under grace,"
+verse 14.
+
+That by this means they may be encouraged to continue fighting against a
+vanquished enemy, and not give over, notwithstanding of disappointments,
+discouragements, prevailings of corruption, &c. and the believer may
+know upon what ground he standeth, and what is the ground of his hope
+and expectation of victory in the end; and so he "may run, not as
+uncertainly; and so fight, not as one that beateth the air," 1 Cor. ix.
+26.
+
+_Sixthly_, In this work of sanctification, the believer should be much
+in the lively exercise of faith; fight by faith; advance by faith, grow
+up, and bring forth fruit by faith; and so,
+
+1. The believer would be oft renewing his grips of Christ, holding him
+fast by faith; and so abiding in him, that he may bring forth fruit,
+John xv. 4,5.
+
+2. Not only would he be keeping his union fast with Christ, but he would
+also be eyeing Christ by faith, as his store-house, and general Lord
+dispensator of all the purchased blessings of the covenant, which he
+standeth in need of, and looking on Christ, as standing engaged by
+office to complete his work of salvation, and to present him with the
+rest to himself holy, without blemish, yea, and without spot and
+wrinkle, or any such thing, Eph. v. 27.
+
+3. He would by faith grip to the promises, both of the general stock of
+grace, the new heart, and heart of flesh, and the spirit to cause us
+walk in his statutes, Ezek. xxxvi. 26,27; and of the several particular
+acts of grace that be standeth in need of, such as that, Jer. xxx. 8, "I
+will cleanse them from all their iniquities," &c. So Ezek. xxxvi. 25.
+Jer. xxxi. 19. As the church doth, Micah vii. 9. "He will subdue our
+iniquities," &c. And so having, or gripping these promises, we are to
+cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, "and perfect
+holiness in the fear of God," 2 Cor. vii. 1.
+
+4. As the believer would by faith draw out of Christ, through the
+conduit of the promises, which are all "yea and amen in him," 2 Cor. i.
+20. grace, strength, knowledge, courage, or whatever his fight in this
+warfare calleth for, to the end he may be strong in "the Lord, and in
+the power of his might," Eph. vi. 10; so he would by faith roll the
+weight of the whole work upon Christ; and thus cast himself, and his
+care and burden on him who careth for him, 1 Pet. v. 7. Psal. xxxvii. 5,
+and lv. 22; and so go on in duty, without anxiety, knowing who beareth
+the weight of all, and who hath undertaken to work both to will and to
+do, according to his good pleasure. Thus should the work be easy and
+safe, when by faith we roll the burden on him, who is the chosen one
+fitted for that work, and leave it on him, who is our strength,
+patiently waiting for the outgate, in hope.
+
+Thus the believer makes use of Christ, as made of God sanctification,
+when in the use of means appointed, eyeing the covenant of grace, and
+the promises thereof, and what Christ hath done to sanctify and cleanse
+his people, he rolleth the matter on him, and expecteth help, salvation,
+and victory through him.
+
+
+CAUTIONS.
+
+But lest some should be discouraged, and think all this in vain, because
+they perceive no progress nor growth in grace for all this, but rather
+corruption as strong and troublesome as ever, I would say a few things
+to them.
+
+1. Let them search and try, whether their shortcoming and disappointment
+doth not much proceed from this, that the matter is not so cleanly cast
+over on Christ as it should be; is it not too oft found, that they go
+forth to the battle in their own strength, lippening to their own stock
+of grace, to their own knowledge, or to their duties, or the like? How
+then can they prosper?
+
+2. Let them mourn as they get any discovery of this, and guard against
+that corrupt bias of the heart, which is still inclining them to an
+engagement without the Captain of their salvation, and a fighting
+without the armour of God.
+
+3. Let them try and see, if, in studying holiness, they be not led by
+corrupt ends; and do not more labour after sanctification, that they may
+be more worthy and the better accepted of God, and that they may have
+quietness and peace as to their acceptance with God, as if this were any
+cause, matter, or condition of their righteousness and justification
+before God, than that they may shew their obedience to the command of
+God, 1 Thes. iv. 3. Eph. ii. 10. John xv. 16; and express their
+thankfulness to him, and glorify God, Mal. i. 6. Matt. iii. 16. John
+xvii. 10. Eph. iv. 30; and if so, they ought to acknowledge God's
+goodness in that disappointment, seeing thereby they see more and more a
+necessity of laying aside their own righteousness, and of betaking
+themselves to the righteousness of Christ, and of resting on that alone
+for peace and acceptance with God.
+
+4. They should try and see, if their negligence and carelessness in
+watching, and in the discharge of duties, do not occasion their
+disappointments and shortcoming. God sometimes thinks fit to suffer a
+lion of corruption to set on them, that they may look about them, and
+stand more vigilantly upon their watch-tower, knowing that they have to
+do with a vigilant adversary, the devil, who, as a roaring lion, goeth
+about seeking whom he may devour, I Pet. v. 8. and that "they fight not
+against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers,
+against the rulers of the darkness of this world; against spiritual
+wickedness in high places," Eph. vi. 12. It is not for nought that we
+are so often commanded to watch, Matt. xxiv. 42, and xxv. 13, and xxvi.
+41, and xiv. 38. Luke xxi. 36. Mark xiii. 33-37. 1 Cor. xvi. 13. 1 Thes.
+v. 6. 1 Pet. iv. 7. Col. iv. 2. Through the want of this, we know what
+befel David and Peter.
+
+5. They should try and see, whether there be not too much
+self-confidence, which occasioned Peter's foul fall. God may, in justice
+and mercy, suffer corruption to break loose upon such, at a time, and
+tread them under foot, to learn them afterward to carry more soberly;
+and to "work their salvation with fear and trembling," Phil. ii. 12,
+remembering what a jealous, holy God he is, with whom they have to do;
+what an adversary they have against them; and how weak their own
+strength is.
+
+6. This should be remembered, that one may be growing in grace, and
+advancing in holiness, when, to his apprehension, he is not going
+forward from strength to strength, but rather going backward. It is one
+thing to have grace, and another thing to see that we have grace; so it
+is one thing to be growing in grace, and another thing to see that we
+are growing in grace. Many may question their growth in grace, when
+their very questioning of it may evince the contrary. For they may
+conclude no growth, but rather a back-going, because they perceive more
+and more violent, and strong corruptions, and hidden works of darkness
+and wickedness, within their soul, than ever they did before; while as
+that great discovery sheweth the increase of their spiritual knowledge,
+and an increase in this is an increase in grace; so they may question
+and doubt of their growth, upon mistakes, as thinking corruption always
+strongest when it makes the greatest stir and noise; or their complaints
+may flow from a vehement desire they have to have much more
+sanctification, which may cause them overlook many degrees they have
+advanced. Or some such thing may occasion their darkness and complaints;
+yea, God may think it fittest for them, to the end they may be kept
+humble and diligent, to be in the dark as to their progress; whereas if
+they saw what advancement and progress they had made in Christianity,
+they might grow wanton, secure, and careless, and so occasion some sad
+dispensation to humble them again.
+
+7. It should be remembered, that perfect victory is not to be had here.
+It is true, in respect of justification through the imputation of the
+perfect righteousness of Christ, and in respect of their sincerity and
+gospel simplicity, and in respect also of the parts of the new man,
+believers are said to be perfect; such an one was Noah, Gen. vi. 9, and
+Job, chap. i. 1, 8. See also Psalm xxxvii. 37, and lxiv. 4. 1 Cor. ii.
+6. Heb. v. 14. James iii. 2. And it is true, we are to aim at
+perfection, and to pray for it, as Matt. v. 48. 2 Cor. xiii. 11. Col.
+iv. 12. Heb. xiii. 21. James i. 4. 1 Pet. v. 10. Heb. vi. 1. Yet as to
+the degrees of holiness and sanctification, and in respect of the
+remnant of corruption within, there is no full perfection here, Jer. ix.
+20, 21. Phil. iii. 12. For even he who is washed, and, as to
+justification, is clean every whit, yet needeth to wash his feet,
+because contracting filth in his conversation, Job xiii. 10. So that if
+the Lord should mark iniquity, no man should stand, Psalm cxxx. 3, and
+cxliii. 2. There will still be in the best something, more or less, of
+that battle, that Paul speaketh of, Rom. vii. 15-23. So that they will
+still have occasion to cry out with him, verse 24, "O wretched man that
+I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death!" And the flesh
+will still lust against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh, so
+that they shall not be able to do what they would, Gal. v. 17. The place
+of perfection is above, where all tears are wiped away, and the weary
+wrestler is at rest.
+
+8. Let them not mistake and think, that every stirring of corruption in
+the soul, argueth its dominion and prevailing power. Corruption may stir
+and make a great deal ado, where it cannot get leave to reign; and be as
+a violent and cruel invader, seeking the throne, putting the whole
+kingdom in a combustion, who is resisted with force of arms.
+
+Corruption may be more quiet and still, when indeed it hath the throne
+of the soul; as a conqueror may be more quiet and still, when he hath
+overcome and is in peaceable possession of the kingdom, than when he was
+but fighting for it. When the strong man keeps the house, and is master,
+then all is quiet and at rest, till a stronger come and thrust him out,
+and dispossess him.
+
+9. Sanctification doth not always consist in a man's freedom from some
+corruptions. For there may be some corruptions that one hath no natural
+inclination to, but, on the contrary, a great aversion for; as some
+world's wretches may have no inclination to prodigality and ranting, or
+such like vices, which are contrary to their humour, or to their
+constant education; and Satan may never tempt some man to such evils,
+knowing he will get more advantage by plying his temper and genius, and
+so carrying him away to the other contrary evil; and so, though this man
+know not so much, as what it is once to be tempted to those vices, yet
+that will not say, that he is a sanctified man; far less will it say,
+that he hath more grace than another man, whose predominant that evil
+is, and against which he is daily fighting and wrestling. Whence it
+appeareth that wrestling and protesting against even an overcoming
+corruption, may evidence more of grace, than freedom from some evils, to
+which some are not so much tempted, and to which they are naturally less
+inclined.
+
+10. Nor should they think, that corruption is always master of the soul,
+and possessing the throne as a full conqueror, when it prevaileth and
+carrieth the soul headlong at a time, for corruption may sometimes come
+in upon the soul as an inundation with irresistible violence, and, for a
+time, carry all before it, so that the soul cannot make any sensible
+resistance; as when a sudden, violent, and unexpected temptation setteth
+on, so as the poor man is overwhelmed, and scarce knoweth where he is,
+or what he is doing, till he be laid on his back. At that time it will
+be a great matter, if the soul dare quietly enter a protest against and
+dissent from what is done, and if there be an honest protestation
+against the violent and tyrannical invasion of corruption, we cannot
+say, that corruption is in peaceable possession of the throne. If the
+spirit be lusting against the flesh, levying all the forces he can
+against the invader, by prayer and supplication to God, and calling in
+all the supply of divine help he can get, and, when he can do no more,
+is fighting and groaning under that unjust invasion, resolving never to
+pay homage to the usurper, nor to obey his laws, nor so much as parley
+with him, or make peace, we cannot say, that the soul doth consent fully
+unto this usurpation. Nay, if the soul shall do this much, at such a
+time when Satan sets on with all his force, it will be a greater
+evidence of the strength of grace in the soul, than if the soul should
+do the same or a little more, at a time when the temptation is not so
+strong.
+
+11. It is not good for them to say, that grace is not growing in them,
+because they advance not so far as some do; and because they come not to
+the pitch of grace that they see some advanced to. That is not a sure
+rule to measure their growth in grace by. Some may have a better natural
+temper, whereby they are less inclined to several vices which these find
+a strong propension to; they may have the advantage of a better
+education, and the like; so that they should rather try themselves this
+year by what they were the last year, and that in reference to the lusts
+to which they have been most subject all their days.
+
+12. We must not think that every believer will attain to the same
+measure of grace. There is a measure appointed for every member or joint
+of this body; and every joint supplieth, according to the effectual
+working in the measure of every part, Eph. iv. 16. God hath more ado
+with some than with others; there is more strength required in an arm or
+leg than in a finger or toe; and every one should be content with his
+measure, so far as not to fret or repine against God and his
+dispensations, that makes them but a finger, and not an arm of the body;
+and do their duty in their station, fighting against sin, according to
+the measure or grace dispensed to them of the Lord, and that faithfully
+and constantly; and not quarrel with God, that he maketh us not as free
+of temptations and corruptions as some others. For the captain must not
+he blamed for commanding some of his soldiers to this post where they
+never once see the enemy, and others to that post where they must
+continually fight. The soldier is here under command, and therefore must
+be quiet, and take his lot; so must the Christian reverence the Lord's
+dispensations, in ordering matters, so as they shall never have one
+hour's quietness, while, as others have more rest and peace, and stand
+at their post fighting, resolving never to yield, but rather to cover
+the ground with their dead bodies, till the commander-in-chief think
+good to relieve them. Sure I am, as the only wise God hath distributed
+to every member of the body, as he hath thought good, so it is the duty
+of every member to endeavour this holy submission to him, as to the
+measure of grace, considered as his free gift bestowed on them; and to
+be humbled for the grudgings of his heart, because God hath not given
+him more talents. And sure I am, though this submission make no great
+noise in the world; yet really this is one of the highest degrees of
+grace attainable here, and such an ornament of a meek and quiet spirit,
+as is in the sight of God of great price. So that whoever hath attained
+to this, have the very grace they seem to want, and more. Yet, lest
+this should be abused, let me add a word or two of caution, to qualify
+this submission. (1.) There must be with it a high prizing even of that
+degree of grace which they want. (2) There must be a panting after
+grace, as it is God's image, and a conformity to him, and with so much
+singleness, as they may be in case to say, without the reproachings of
+their heart, they do not so much love holiness for heaven, as heaven for
+holiness. (3.) There must be an unceasingness in using all means,
+whereby the growth of grace may be promoved to this end, that they may
+be conformed to his image, rather than that they may be comforted. (4.)
+There must be also a deep humiliation for the want of that degree of
+grace they would have, as it importeth the want of so much conformity to
+him to whose image they are predestinated to be conformed, which will
+very well consist with this submission we are speaking of.
+
+13. It would be remembered, that there may be a great progress, even
+when it is not observed; when, (1.) Hereby the man is made to lie in the
+dust, to loath himself, and cry, behold I am vile! (2.) Hereby his
+indignation against the body of death is the more increased. (3.) Hereby
+his esteem of a Saviour and of the blessed contrivance of salvation is
+the more heightened, that he seeth he is thereby brought to make mention
+of his righteousness, even of his only. (4.) Hereby his longing after
+immediate fruition is increased, where all these complaints shall cease.
+(5.) And hereby he is put to essay that much slighted duty of holding
+fast the rejoicing of his hope firm unto the end, looking and longing
+for the grace that shall be brought unto him at the revelation of Jesus
+Christ, when he shall be presented without spot, and be made meet to be
+a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+HOW CHRIST IS TO BE MADE USE OF, IN REFERENCE TO THE KILLING AND
+CRUCIFYING OF THE OLD MAN.
+
+
+Having thus shortly pointed out some things in general, serving to the
+clearing and opening up the way of our use-making of Christ for
+sanctification, we come now more particularly to the clearing up of this
+business. In sanctification we must consider, _first,_ The renewing and
+changing of our nature and frame; and, _next,_ The washing and purging
+away of our daily contracted spots. The first of these is commonly
+divided into two parts, viz. _1st,_ The mortification, killing, and
+crucifying of the old man of sin and corruption which is within; and,
+_2d,_ The vivification, renewing, quickening, and strengthening of the
+new man of grace; and this is a growth in grace, and in fruitfulness and
+holiness.
+
+As to the first of these, viz. The mortification or crucifying of the
+old man, we would know, that there is such a principle of wickedness and
+enmity against God in man by nature, now since the fall, whereby the man
+is inclined to evil, and only to evil. This is called the old man, as
+being like the body, made of so many parts, joints, and members, that
+is, so many lusts and corruptions and evil inclinations, which,
+together, make up a-corpus, and they are fast joined and compacted
+together, as the members of the body, each useful and serviceable to one
+another, and all of them concurring and contributing their utmost to the
+carrying on of the work of sin, and so it is the man of sin; and it is
+also called the old man, as having first possession of the soul, before
+it is by grace renewed, and it is a dying more and more daily. Thus it
+is called the old man, and the body of sin, Rom. vi. 6. This old man
+hath his members in our members and faculties, so that none of them are
+free,--understanding, will, affections, and the members of our body are
+all servants of unrighteousness to this body of sin, and old man. So we
+read of the motions of sin, Rom. vii. 5, which work in our members to
+bring forth fruit unto death; and of the lusts of the flesh, Rom. xiii.
+14. Gal. v. 16, 24; and the lusts of sin, Rom. vi. 12. So we hear of the
+desires of the flesh and of the mind, Eph. ii. 3; and of affections and
+lusts, Gal. v. 24. And the old man is said to be corrupt, according to
+the deceitful lusts, Eph. iv. 22; all which lusts and affections are as
+so many members of this body of sin, and of this old man. And, further,
+there is herein a considerable power, force, and efficacy, which this
+old man hath in us, to carry us away, and, as it were, command or
+constrain us, as by a forcible law. Hence we read of the law of sin and
+death, Rom. viii. 2, which only the "law of the Spirit of life in Christ
+doth make us free from." It is also called a "law in our members warring
+against the law of our mind," Rom. vii. 23, "and bringing us into
+captivity to the law of sin which is in our members." So it is said, "to
+lust against the Spirit, and to war," Gal. v. 17. All which point out
+the strength, activity, and dominion of sin in the soul, so that it is
+as the husband over the wife, Rom. vii. 1; yea, it hath a domineering
+and constraining power, where its horns are not held in by grace. And as
+its power is great, so its nature is wicked and malicious; for it is
+pure "enmity against God," Rom. viii. 7; so that it neither is nor can
+be reconciled, and therefore must be put off and abolished, Eph. ii. 15;
+killed and crucified, Rom. vi. 6. Now herein lieth the work of a
+believer, to be killing, mortifying, and crucifying this enemy, or
+rather enmity; and delivering himself from under this bondage and
+slavery, that he may be Christ's free man, and that through the Spirit,
+Rom. viii. 13.
+
+Now, if it be asked, How shall a believer make use of Christ, to the end
+this old man may be gotten crucified? or, how should a believer mortify
+this old man, and the lusts thereof, through Christ, or by the Spirit of
+Jesus? We shall propose those things, which may help to clear this:
+
+1. The believer should have his eye on this old man as his arch-enemy,
+as a deadly cut-throat lying within his bosom. It is an enemy lodging
+within him, in his soul, mind, heart, and affections, so that there is
+no part free; and therefore is acquaint with all the motions of the
+soul, and is always opposing and hindering every thing that is good. It
+is an enemy that will never be reconciled to God, and therefore will not
+be reconciled with the believer as such; for it is called enmity itself,
+and so it is always actively seeking to promove the ruin of the soul,
+what by prompting, inclining, moving, and forcibly drawing or driving,
+sometimes with violence and rage, to evil; what by with standing,
+resisting, opposing, counter-working, and contradicting what is good; so
+that the believer cannot get that done which he would do, and is made to
+do that which he would not. Therefore this being such an enemy, and so
+dangerous an enemy, so constant and implacable an enemy, so active and
+close an enemy, so deadly and destructive, it is the believer's part to
+guard against this enemy, to have a vigilant eye upon it, to carry as an
+irreconcilable enemy thereunto; and therefore never to come in terms of
+capitulation or agreement therewith, never once to parley, let be make
+peace. And the believer would not have his vigilant eye upon this or
+that member of this body of death, so much as upon the body itself, or
+the principle of wickedness and rebellion against God; the head, life,
+spirit, or law, of this body of death; for there lieth its greatest
+wickedness and activity; and this is always opposing us, though not in
+every joint and member; but sometimes in one, sometimes in another.
+
+2. Though the believer should have a main eye upon the body, this
+innate, strong, and forcible law of sin and death, yet should he have
+friendship and familiarity with no part, member, or lust of all this
+body. All the deeds of the body should be mortified, Rom. viii. 13; the
+old man with his deeds should be mortified, Col. iii. 6; and we should
+"mortify our members which are upon the earth," verse 5; for all of them
+are against us, and the least of them countenanced, entertained, and
+embraced, will work our ruin, and cut our soul's throat; therefore
+should the believer look on each of them, and on all of them, as his
+deadly enemies.
+
+3. He should consider, that, as it is a very unseemly thing for him to
+be a slave to that old tyrant, and to yield his members as so many
+servants to iniquity, so it is dangerous and deadly. His life lieth at
+the stake; either he must get it mortified, killed, and subdued, or it
+will kill him; his life will go for its life; if this enemy escape, he
+is a gone man. The consideration of this should cause the believer to
+act here in earnestness and seriousness, with care and diligence, and
+set about this work of mortification with labour and pains.
+
+4. Much more must it be against all reason and Christianity, for the
+believer to be making "provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts
+thereof," Rom. xiii. 14. To be strengthening the hands of, and laying
+provision to this enemy, which is set and sworn against us, can stand
+with no reason. And here is much of the Christian's prudence and
+spiritual wisdom required, to discern what may make for fostering of
+this or that corruption, or member of the body of sin and death, and to
+withdraw that, as we will labour to take away provision of any kind from
+an enemy that is coming against us. Paul acted herein as a wise gamester
+and combatant, when he kept under his body, and brought it into
+subjection, 1 Cor. ix. 27. It were but to mock God, and to preach forth
+our own folly, to be looking to Christ for help against such an enemy,
+and, in the meantime, to be underhand strengthening the hands of the
+enemy; this would be double dealing, and treachery against ourselves.
+
+5. To the end, their opposition unto this enemy may be the stronger and
+more resolute, they should consider, that this body of sin is wholly set
+against God, and his interest in the soul, being very enmity itself
+against God, Rom. viii. 7; and always lusting and fighting against the
+work of God in the soul, Gal. v. 17; and against every thing that is
+good, so that it will not suffer, so far as it can hinder the soul to do
+anything that is good, at least in a right manner, and for a right end.
+Nay, with its lustings, it driveth constantly to that which is evil,
+raiseth evil motions and inclinations in the soul, ere the believer be
+aware; sideth with any temptation that is offered, to the end that it
+may destroy the soul, like a traitor within; as we see it did in David,
+when he fell into adultery; and with Asaph, Psalm lxxiii. 2; yea, itself
+opposeth and tempteth, James i. 14, by setting mind, will, and
+affections on wrong courses; and thus it driveth the soul to a course of
+rebellion against God, or diverts it, and draws it back, that it cannot
+get God served aright; yea, sometimes it sets a fire in the soul,
+entangling all the faculties, filling the mind with darkness or
+prejudice, misleading or preventing the affections, and so miscarrying
+the will, and leading it captive, Rom. vii. 23; so that the thing is
+done which the unregenerate soul would not do, and the duty is left
+undone which the soul would fain have done; yea, and that sometimes
+notwithstanding of the soul's watching and striving against this; so
+strong is its force.
+
+6. The believer should remember, that this enemy is not for him to fight
+against alone, and that his own strength and skill will make but a
+slender opposition unto it. It will laugh at the shaking of his spear;
+it can easily insinuate itself, on all occasions, because it lieth so
+near and close to the soul, always residing there, and is at the
+believer's right hand whatever he be doing, and is always openly or
+closely opposing, and that with great facility; for it easily besetteth,
+Heb. xii. 1, because it lieth within the soul, and in all the faculties
+of it--in the heart, mind, will, conscience, and affections; so that
+upon this account, the deceitfulness of the heart is great, and passeth
+the search of man, Jer. xvii. 9. Man cannot know all the windings and
+turnings, all the drifts and designs, all the lurking and retiring
+places, all the falsehoods and double dealings, all the dissimulations,
+lies, and subterfuges, all the plausible and deceitful pretexts and
+insinuations of his heart acted and spirited by this law of sin and
+death. And besides this slight and cunning, it hath strength and power
+to draw by lusts into destruction and perdition, 1 Tim. iv. 9, and to
+carry the soul headlong; so that it makes the man's case miserable, Rom.
+vii. 24. All which would say, that the believer should call in other
+help than his own, and remember, that "through the Spirit he must
+mortify the deeds of the body," Rom. viii. 13.
+
+7. And therefore the believer must lay aside all his carnal weapons, in
+dealing with his adversary, and look out for divine help and assistance,
+even for the promised Spirit, through which alone he can be instructed
+and enabled for this great work; for of himself he can do nothing, not
+so much as think a good thought as of himself, 2 Cor. iii. 5, far less
+will he be able to oppose such a mighty adversary, that hath so great
+and many advantages; and therefore all his carnal means, purposes, vows,
+and fightings in himself, will but render himself weaker, and a readier
+prey unto this adversary, which gaineth ground while he is so opposed.
+It is Christ alone and his Spirit, that can destroy the works of the
+devil, and kill or crucify this enmity.
+
+8. So that the believer must have his recourse for help and succour
+here, unto Jesus the Captain of salvation, and must follow him, and
+fight under his banners, make use of his weapons, which are spiritual;
+fight according to his counsel and conduct, taking him as a Leader and
+Commander, and lying open for his orders and instructions, waiting for
+the motions of his Spirit, and following them; and thus oppose and fight
+against this deadly enemy, with an eye always on Christ by faith,
+depending on him for light to the mind, resolution to the will, and
+grace to the whole soul to stand in the battle, and to withstand all
+assaults, and never engage in a dispute with this enemy, or any lust or
+member of this body without Christ the principal, that is, the soul
+would despair in itself, and be strong in him, and in the power
+of his might, by faith griping to him, as Head, Captain, and
+Commander-in-chief, resolving to fight in his strength, and to oppose
+through the help of his Spirit.
+
+9. And for this cause, the believer would eye the covenant of
+redemption, the basis of all our hope and consolation, wherein final and
+full victory is promised to Christ, as Head of the elect, viz. "that he
+shall bruise the serpent's head;" and so that in him, all his followers
+and members of his mystical body shall lift up the head, and get full
+victory at length over both sin and death. Now it is "God that giveth us
+the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ," 1 Cor. xv. 57. The believer
+would also eye by faith the covenant of grace, wherein particularly this
+same victory is promised to the believer, in and through Jesus, Rom.
+xvi. 20. "And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet
+shortly; and sin shall not have dominion over you, for ye are not under
+the law, but under grace," Rom. vi. 14. The believer, I say, would look
+out by faith unto, and lay hold on these and the like promises, and
+thereby get strength conveyed to himself, whereby he may strive
+lawfully, and fight valiantly, and oppose with courage and resolution.
+
+10. Further, the believer would eye Christ as a fountain of furniture,
+as a full and complete magazine, standing open, and ready for every one
+of his honest soldiers to run to for new supplies of what they want; so
+that whatever they find wanting in their Christian armour, they must run
+away to the open magazine, Christ's fulness, that standeth ready for
+them, and by faith take and put on what they want and stand in need of
+in their warfare. If their girdle of truth be slacked, loosed, or
+weakened, and they be meeting with temptations anent their hypocrisy,
+and Satan objecting to them their double dealing, of purpose to
+discourage them, and to make them faint and give over the fight; they
+must away to him who is the truth, that he may bind on that girdle
+better, and make their hearts more upright before God in all they do.
+And if their breastplate of righteousness be weakened, and Satan there
+seem to get advantage, by casting up to them their unrighteous dealings
+towards God or men, they must flee to him, who only can help here, and
+beg pardon through his blood for their failings, and set to again afresh
+to the battle. If their resolution, which is understood by the
+preparation of the gospel of peace, grow weak, it must be renewed in
+Christ's armoury, and the feet of new be shod therewith. If their shield
+of faith begin to fail them, away must they get to him who "is the
+Author and Finisher of faith," Heb. xii. 2. And if their helmet of hope
+begin to fail them, in this armoury alone can that be supplied. And if
+their sword be blunted in their hand, or they unable to wield it aright,
+the Spirit of Jesus can only teach their hands to fight, and instruct
+them how to manage that useful weapon with advantage. Thus must the
+believer "be strong in him, and in the power of his might," Eph. vi. 10.
+"He is their God that girdeth them with strength, and maketh their way
+perfect. He maketh their feet like hind's feet, and setteth them upon
+their high places. He teacheth their hands to war, so that a bow of
+steel is broken by their arms. He giveth them the shield of salvation.
+His right hand upholdeth them. He girdeth with strength unto the
+battle," &c. Psalm xviii. 32, &c.
+
+11. For the further strengthening of their hope, faith, and confidence,
+believers would eye Christ, as hanging on the cross, and overcoming by
+death, death, and him that hath the power of death, the devil; and so as
+meritoriously purchasing this redemption from the slavery of sin and
+Satan, and particularly from the slavery of that body of death, and of
+the law of sin and death; for the apostle tells us, Rom. viii. 2, "That
+the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus doth make us free from the
+law of sin and death," and that because, as he saith further, ver. 3, 4,
+"what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God
+sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin
+condemned sin in the flesh; that the righteousness of the law might be
+fulfilled in us." So that the believer may now look upon that enemy, how
+fearful soever it may appear, as condemned and killed in the death, of
+Christ; he having laid down the price of redemption, hath bought this
+freedom from the chains and fetters with which he was held in captivity.
+Faith, then, on the death of Jesus satisfying justice for the poor
+captive, may, and should support and strengthen the hope and confidence
+of the believer, that he shall obtain the victory at length.
+
+12. And it will further confirm the hope and faith of the believer, to
+look to Christ hanging on the cross, and there vanquishing and
+overcoming this arch-enemy, as a public person, representing the elect
+who died in him, and virtually and legally did in him overcome that
+jailor, and break his fetters; and the soul now believing, may, yea,
+should reckon itself in Christ dying, as it were, upon the cross, and
+there overcoming all those spiritual enemies. "Likewise," saith the
+apostle, Rom. vi. 11, "Reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto
+sin." From hence, even while fighting, the believer may account himself
+a conqueror, yea, "more than a conqueror, through him that loved him,"
+Rom. viii. 37. Now faith acting thus on Christ, as a public person,
+dying and overcoming death and sin, the believer may not only infer the
+certainty of victory, knowing that our old man is crucified with Christ,
+Rom. vi. 6; but also from the cross of Christ draw strength to stand and
+fight against the strugglings of this vanquished and killed enemy. "They
+that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and
+lusts," Gal. v. 24. But how? Even by the cross of Christ. "For thereby
+is the world crucified unto me," saith the apostle, Gal. vi. 14, "and I
+unto the world." "Your old man is crucified with him, that the body of
+sin might be destroyed," Rom. vi. 6.
+
+13. The believer being dead indeed unto sin, through the cross of
+Christ, is to look upon himself as legally freed from that yoke of
+bondage under sin and death. "The law hath dominion over a man as long
+as he liveth," Rom. vii. 1. "But by the body of Christ believers are
+become dead to the law," ver. 4. That law of sin and death which hath
+dominion over a man that liveth still in nature, and is not yet by faith
+planted in the likeness of Christ's death, nor buried with him by
+baptism into death, Rom. vi. 4, 5, hath not that dominion over believers
+it had once--"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath
+made them free from the law of sin and death," Rom. viii. 2; so that now
+the believer, is free from that tyranny; and that tyrant can exercise no
+lawful jurisdiction or authority over him; and therefore he may with the
+greater courage repel the insolencies of that tyrant, that contrary to
+all right and equity seeketh to lord it over him still. They are no
+lawful subjects to that cruel and raging prince, or to that spiritual
+wickedness.
+
+14. So that the believer, renouncing that jurisdiction under which he
+was formerly, and being under a new husband, and under a new law, even
+the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, is to look upon all the
+motions of sin as illegal, and as treasonable acts of a tyrant. "The old
+man being crucified with Christ, that the body of sin might be
+destroyed, the believer is not any more to serve sin," Rom. vi. 6; "and
+being now dead, they are freed from sin," ver. 7; "and are married to
+another, even to him who is raised from the dead, and so they should not
+serve sin, but bring forth fruit unto God," Rom. vii. 4; and therefore,
+look upon all motions of the flesh, and all the inclinations and
+stirrings of the old law of sin, as acts of treachery and rebellion
+against the right and jurisdiction of the believer's new Lord and
+husband; and are therefore obliged to lay hold on this old man, this
+body of death, and all the members of it, as traitors to the rightful
+king and husband, and to take them prisoners to the king, that he may
+give out sentence, and execute the same against them, as enemies to his
+kingdom and interest in the soul;--they being now no more "servants of
+sin, but of righteousness, they ought no more to yield their members
+servants to uncleanness, and iniquity unto iniquity," Rom. vi. 18, 19;
+"and being debtors no more to the flesh, to live after the flesh," Rom.
+vii. 12; "they are to mortify the deeds of the body through the spirit,"
+ver. 13; "and to crucify the flesh with the affections and lusts," Gal.
+v. 24; that is, by bringing them to the cross of Christ, where first
+they were condemned and crucified, in their full body and power; that a
+new sentence, as it were, may go out against them, as parts of that
+condemned tyrant, and as belonging to that crucified body.
+
+15. So that the believer that would carry faithfully in this matter, and
+fight lawfully in this warfare, and hope to obtain the victory through
+Jesus Christ, must bring these traitors that appear in their sinful
+motions and lusts in the soul, working rebellion against the just
+authority and equitable laws of the lawful prince Jesus, before the
+tribunal of him who hath now got "all power and authority in heaven and
+in earth," Matt, xxviii. 18; "and hath all judgment committed to him,"
+John v. 22; "and to this end, both died, and rose, and revived, that he
+might be Lord both of the dead and living," Rom. xvi. 9; that he may
+execute justice upon the traitor, head, and members; that he may trample
+these devils under, and bruise the head of these serpents within us. The
+believer then is by faith in prayer, to carry these open enemies to
+Christ, and declare and witness against them as traitors, by what
+mischief they have done in the soul, by their hindering the righteous
+laws of the king to be obeyed; and constraining and forcing, what by
+arguments and allurements, and what by forcible inclinations and
+pousings, to a disobedience and a counteracting of Christ; and he should
+urge and plead upon the fundamental laws of the land, viz. the articles
+of agreement betwixt the Father and the Son, and the faithful promises
+of the covenant of grace; and upon Christ's office as king and governor,
+and his undertaking as Mediator; upon the merits of his death and
+sufferings; upon his dying as a common person; upon the constitution of
+the gospel, whereby they are in law repute as dying in him, and so free
+from the law of sin and death; and upon their relation to him as their
+new Lord, Head, Husband, King, Commander, &c. Upon these arguments, I
+say, to plead for justice against the rebel that is now brought to the
+bar, and so by faith leave the prisoner in his hand, that he may, in his
+own time and way, give a second blow unto the neck of this implacable
+and raging enemy, that he may not rise up to disturb the peace of the
+soul as before; or to trouble, impede, and molest the soul in paying the
+homage and obedience due to his lawful master and sovereign king, JESUS.
+
+
+CAUTIONS AND DIRECTIONS.
+
+For further clearing of the premises, I would propose a few particulars,
+for caution and direction, as,--
+
+1. This work of laying the burden of this business on Christ by faith,
+would be gone about with much singleness of heart, aiming at the glory
+of God, and the carrying on of his work in the soul; and not for
+self-ends, and carnal by-respects, lest thereby we mar all.
+
+2. It would be carried on, without partiality, against all and every
+one of the lusts and motions of the old man. For if there be a
+compliance with and a sparing of any one known lust, the whole work may
+be marred; they may meet with a disappointment as to the particular lust
+they are desiring victory over;--and the lust they are harbouring,
+though it may seem little, may open a door to many stronger, and so
+occasion sad days to the man, ere he be aware.
+
+3. As they would bring the particular lust, or lusts, unto Christ, as
+chief Lord Justice; so they would always lay the axe to the root of the
+tree, and crave justice against the main body, that yet lieth within the
+soul; and these particular corruptions and affections, that are as
+members of that body of sin, should put them in mind of the old man, for
+they should "crucify the flesh with the affections and lusts thereof,"
+Gal. v. 24; the body and the members. These lusts are the lusts of sin,
+or of that head-sin, which hath a law, or the force and impulse of a law
+in the soul; and therefore their main design would be against this root,
+where lieth the strength and body of the enemy, and which acteth in
+those members; this is the capital enmity, and should be mainly opposed.
+And the following of this course would prove more successful than that
+which many time we take: our nibbling at, or wrestling against this or
+that member of the body of death, is but of little advantage, so long as
+the main body of sin, the bitter root of wickedness, the carnal mind,
+this innate enmity is miskent, and not opposed; but on the contrary,
+strike at this, we strike at all.
+
+4. This would be the believer's constant work, to be "crucifying the
+flesh, with the lusts thereof; to be mortifying their members," wherein
+the members of the old man quarter and lodge, Col. iii. 5; "to be
+spiritually minded, and to mind the things of the Spirit," Rom. viii. 5,
+6. "For the carnal mind is enmity, against God," Rom. viii. 7; "and so
+is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." It is not only
+an enemy which may be reconciled, but enmity in the abstract, which
+never can be reconciled. And this enmity will never be idle; for it
+cannot till it be fully and finally destroyed; "the flesh is always
+lusting against the spirit,'" Gal. v. 17; "for they are contrary one to
+the other." So that though, to our sense, it may sometimes appear as
+sleeping, in regard that it doth not by some particular lust so molest
+and perplex the soul as formerly it did: yet it is restless, and may be
+more active in another lust, and so by changing weapons on us, deceive
+us. Here then is much spiritual wisdom and vigilancy required. When they
+think they have gotten one lust subdued, they must not think the war is
+at an end; but after all their particular victories, watch and pray,
+that they enter not into temptation.
+
+5. This way of laying the weight of the matter on Christ, should and
+will keep them humble, and teach them not to ascribe the glory of any
+good that is done unto themselves, but to give him all the glory, who is
+jealous of his glory, and will not give it to another, that the crown
+may alone flourish on his head, who is the captain of their salvation,
+and who by his Spirit worketh all their works in them.
+
+6. Nor would this way of carrying the matter to Christ, and putting it
+over on him, cause the believer become negligent in commanded duties,
+reading, hearing prayer, &c; for it is there he must expect to meet with
+Christ; there must he seek him, and there must he wait for him, and his
+Spirit to do the work desired. For though he hath not limited himself to
+these means, so, as he cannot, or will not any other way help, yet he
+hath bound us to them; and it is our duty to wait there, where he hath
+commanded us to wait, though he should sometime think good to come
+another way, for the manifestation of the sovereignty of his grace.
+
+7. Yet while we are about the means, we would guard against a leaning to
+them, lest, instead of getting victory over corruption, we be brought
+more in bondage thereunto another way. We must not think that our
+prayers, or our hearing, or reading, &c. will bring down the body of
+death, or subdue any one corruption; for that were but an yielding to
+corruption, and opening a back door to the carnal mind, and to another
+deadly lust, and a beating corruption with a sword of straw. This is not
+to mortify the deeds of the body through the Spirit, but through the
+flesh; and a fleshly weapon will never draw blood of this spiritual
+wickedness or old man, or of any corrupt lust or affection thereof; and
+yet how many times doth our deceitful heart bias us this way? Our work
+would be, as is said, to use the ordinances as means, whereby we may get
+the business laid on Christ, and help from Christ to do the business. We
+must go to the means with our prisoner to find Christ there at his court
+and assizes, that he may take course with the traitor.
+
+8. In all this there would be a looking to, and dependence on Christ for
+help and grace; because of ourselves, as of ourselves, we cannot do this
+much; we cannot complain aright of corruptions, nor take them away to
+Christ, nor ask for justice against them. As constables and other
+officers must carry malefactors to the courts of justice, upon public
+charges; so Christ will not have us doing or attempting this much on our
+own charges, for he giveth noble allowance.
+
+9. In following of this course, we would not think always to come speed
+at the first. Sometimes the Lord, for the encouragement of his children,
+may give them a speedy hearing, and deliver them from the tyranny of
+some particular lust or other that hath troubled them; so that for some
+time at least, it shall not so trouble them as it did. Yet he will not
+do so always, but may think it good to keep them waiting on him, and
+hanging on his courts for some considerable time, that he may thereby
+exercise their faith, patience, desire, zeal, and diligence. So that it
+should not seem strange to us, if we be not admitted at the first, and
+get not our answer at the first cry.
+
+10. When the Lord thinketh good to delay the answer to our desires, and
+the execution of justice on the malefactor and traitor, or to deliver us
+from his tyranny and trouble, we would beware of thinking to capitulate
+with the enemy for our peace and quiet, or to enter into a cessation of
+arms with him; that is, our enmity against him should never abate; nor
+should our desire after the mortification and crucifixion of this lust
+grow less; nor should we be at quiet and at peace, though it should
+seem to grow a little more calm and still, or not to rage as formerly;
+for this looks but like a covenant or confederacy with lust, which will
+not stand.
+
+11. We would also know, that what Christ said of devils, holdeth good of
+these lusts, viz. "that some of them do not go out but by fasting and
+prayer;" that is, by Christ sought unto and found in these means. There
+are some lusts that will not be so easily killed and mortified as
+others, but will cost us more pains and labour, as being corruptions
+which possibly have some greater advantage of our natural temper and
+constitution of body, or of long continuance and a cursed habit, or the
+like. We must not then think it strange, if some such lust be not
+subdued so easily as some others to which we have fewer and weaker, and
+not so frequent temptations.
+
+12. As we cannot expect a full conquest of the body of death, so long as
+we are here, as was shown above, neither can we expect a full and final
+victory over any one lust, which ever we have been troubled with. It is
+true, believers may be kept from some gross out-breaking of a
+corruption, which sometime prevailed, as Peter was from relapsing into
+an open and downright denying his Master; yet that same corruption did
+afterward stir, though not so violently as to carry him to such an
+height of sin; yet so far as to cause him do that which was a partial
+denying of his Master, when Paul withstood him to the face, because he
+was to be blamed for withdrawing from the Gentiles, for fear of them of
+the circumcision, &c. Gal. ii. 11, 12.: So, though a particular lust may
+be so far subdued through grace, as that for some considerable time a
+man may not find it so violent as it was; yet be cannot say that it is
+totally killed, because it may stir thereafter in some weaker measure;
+yea, he cannot tell, but ere he come to die, that same corruption may
+rise to be as violent as ever, and that Satan may again think to enter
+the soul at that same breach which once he entered at; yea, and who can
+tell, whether God may not suffer that corruption, which lay long as
+dead, to revive again for a time, and for a time drive the soul as
+violently as ever, and prevail for a time? And this should teach all to
+walk soberly, watchfully, and in fear, and to have a vigilant eye, even
+upon such lusts and carnal affections, as they may suppose they have got
+the victory of.
+
+13. We would not think that we gain no ground upon corruption, because
+we still perceive it stirring, less or more; for as corruption is not
+always strongest, as was said above, nor hath the deepest footing in the
+soul, when its motions and stirrings are most felt; so neither must we
+think that there is no ground gained upon a lust, because we are still
+troubled and molested with its stirrings; for it is a great advantage to
+be more sensible of the motions of this enemy; and our more faithful and
+active wrestling against it may make its least stirrings more sensible
+to us; as the motions and trouble which a malefactor, while in grips and
+in prison, maketh, may be thought more of than his greater ragings
+before he was apprehended; yet he may be sure in fetters for all that. A
+beast that hath gotten death's blow may get out of grips, and run more
+mad than ever, and yet will die at length of the same blow.
+
+14. Though we should find present ease and quiet by our following this
+way, yet we should think it much, if the Lord help us to stand, when we
+have done all we can, though we meet not with the hoped for success
+presently; if he give us grace to continue without wearying or fainting,
+and to be resolved never to give over, we have reason to bless him; if
+we be kept still in the conflict with pursuit of the enemy, it is our
+great advantage; the victory shall come in God's own time. If our
+opposition so continue, that we are resolved never to take nor give
+quarter, though our trouble and exercise should be the greater, and our
+ease and quiet the less, we ought to bless him, yea, and rejoice in hope
+of what he shall yet do for us; for he that will come, shall come, and
+will not tarry. Let us wait for him, in doing our duty, and faithfully
+keeping our post.
+
+15. Yea, if we get quietness or ease from the violence of raging lusts
+for any little time, and be not continually driven and carried headlong
+therewith, we ought to be thankful for this, and to walk humbly before
+him; lest he be provoked by our unthankfulness and pride, and let these
+furious dogs loose upon us again.
+
+16. When we are bending our strength and all our forces against some
+one corruption or other, which possibly hath been most troublesome to
+us, we would not be secure as to all others, or think that we are in
+hazard only on this side; for Satan may make a feint here, and really
+intend an assault at another place, by some other corrupt affection. O
+what need have we of spiritual wisdom that we may be better acquainted
+with his stratagems and wiles I Let us so then fight against one member
+of this body of death, as to have our eye upon others, lest when we
+think to keep out Satan at the fore-door, he enter in at the back-door.
+He can make use of extremities, and play his game with both; yea, and
+gain his point, if we be not aware.
+
+
+OBJECTIONS ANSWERED.
+
+It will not be amiss, for further explaining of the matter, to remove a
+scruple or two. Some may say, that they cannot perceive that all their
+pains in this matter come to any good issue; for they never found
+corruption stir more, and act more lively and incessantly, than since
+they began to fight against it in good earnest; so that this would seem
+not to be the right way.
+
+I answer, Though from what is said before, particularly cautions 9th and
+13th, a resolution of this doubt maybe had; yet I shall propose those
+things, for further clearing of the matter:
+
+1. May not much of this flow from thy not laying the whole work so
+wholly off thyself, and upon Christ, as thou oughtest to do? Try and
+see.
+
+2. May not the devil rage most, when he thinks ere long to be ejected?
+May he not labour to create most trouble to the soul, when he seeth that
+he is like to be put from some of his strengths?
+
+3. May not the devil be doing this of purpose to drive thee to despair
+of ever getting corruption subdued and mortified; or to a fainting and
+sitting up in the pursuit, and to a despondency of spirit; that so
+instead of fighting or standing, thou may cede and turn thee back? And
+should we comply with him in his designs?
+
+4. May not the Lord give way to this for a time, to try thy seriousness,
+patience, submission and faith, and to sharpen thy diligence, and
+kindle up thy zeal? And should we not submit to his wise dispensations?
+
+5. How can thou say that thou gainest no advantage, as long as thou art
+not made to lay aside the matter wholly, as hopeless of any good issue;
+but, on the contrary, art helped to stand, and to resist sin, to cry out
+against it, to fight as thou canst, and at least not to yield?
+
+6. What if God see it for thy advantage, that thou be kept so in
+exercise for a time, to the end thou may be kept humble, watchful, and
+diligent? He may see more of thee, than thou canst see of thyself, and
+so may know what is best for thee; and should thou not condescend to be
+disposed of by him as he will, and to let him make of thee, and do with
+thee what he will?
+
+7. What if God be about to chasten thee thus for thy former negligence,
+security, and unwatchfulness, and giving too much advantage to those
+lusts, which now, after his awakening of thee, thou would be delivered
+from? Should thou not bear the indignation of the Lord, because thou
+hast sinned against him, as the Church resolved to do, Micah vii. 9?
+
+8. Is it not thy duty the more that corruption stirs, to run with it the
+oftener to Christ, that he may subdue it and put it to silence? May not
+thou improve this to thy advantage, by making many errands to him?
+
+9. May it not come in a day, that hath not come in a year? Art thou
+sure, that all thy pains shall be in vain? Or thinkest thou that all his
+children have got victory alike soon over their lusts? What cause is
+there then to complain thus?
+
+10. May not all this convince thee, that it is thy duty to wait on him,
+in the use of his appointed means, and to be patient, standing fast to
+thy post, resolving, when thou hast done all, yet to stand?
+
+11. May not this satisfy thee, that God through grace accepteth thy
+labour and wrestling, as thy duty, and accounteth it service to him, and
+obedience?
+
+But again, it may possibly be objected thus: so long as I am in this
+condition, kept under with my lusts, I cannot get God glorified and
+served as he ought to be.
+
+I answer, though so long as it is so with thee, thou cannot glorify and
+serve him, in such a particular manner as others, who have got more
+victory over those evils under which thou art groaning, yet God can get
+glory and service of thee another way; as,
+
+1. By thy submission, with calmness of spirit, to his wise
+dispensations, when thou dare not speak against him, and say, with
+Rebecca, in another case, if it be so, why am I thus? But sweetly and
+willingly cast thyself down at his feet, saying, good is the will of the
+Lord; let him do what seemeth him good, &c.
+
+2. By thy patient on-waiting, when thou art not wearying nor fainting,
+but saying, why should I not wait upon the great King's leisure? Is he
+not free to come when he will? Dare I set limits to the Holy One of
+Israel?
+
+3. By thy humility, when thou blessest him, for keeping thee so long out
+of hell, and thinkest much of his giving thee grace to see and observe
+the stirrings of corruption, which carnal wretches never perceive; and
+helping thee to withstand and complain of corruption, which they sweetly
+comply with.
+
+4. By thy hatred of sin, when all that Satan can do cannot make thee
+comply with those lusts, or sweetly embrace those vipers, or lie down in
+peace with those rotten members of the old man, as others do.
+
+5. By thy watchfulness, when all thy disappointments cause thee the more
+earnestly watch against that enemy.
+
+6. By thy acting faith, when still thou art carrying sin in its lusts to
+Christ to kill and subdue, as believing the tenor of the gospel and new
+covenant.
+
+7. By thy hope, which appeareth by thy not despairing, and giving over
+the matter as a hopeless business, and turning aside to wicked courses.
+
+8. By thy praying, when thou criest to him continually for help, who
+only can help.
+
+9. By thy wrestling and standing against all opposition, for thereby is
+his strength made perfect in thy weakness, 2 Cor. xii. 9.
+
+10. By thine obedience; for it is his command that thou stand and fight
+this good fight of faith.
+
+So that if thou hast a desire to glorify him, thou wants not occasion to
+do it, even in this condition wherein thou complainest that thou cannot
+get him glorified. And if those grounds do not satisfy thee, it is to be
+feared that it is not so much a desire to glorify him, that moveth thee
+to cry so earnestly for actual delivery from the trouble of the flesh
+and the lusts thereof, as something else, which thou may search after
+and find out; such as love to ease, quietness, applause and commendation
+of others, or the like.
+
+But, in the _third_ place, it may be objected, is it not promised that
+sin shall not have dominion over us, as "not being under the law, but
+under grace," Rom. vi. 14. How can we then but be troubled, when we find
+not this promise made good?
+
+I answer, 1st, Sin is not always victorious and domineering, when it
+seemeth to rage and stir most. Your opposition thereunto, fighting and
+wrestling against it, sheweth that it hath not full dominion. So long as
+an invading usurper is opposed, he hath not full dominion, not having
+peaceable possession of what he is seeking; and thus the promise is in
+part accomplished.
+
+2. Victory and a full conquest over the flesh, and lusts thereof, is not
+promised to any believer, at his first appearing in the fields to fight;
+nor granted to all in any measure, at their first putting on their
+armour.
+
+3. Therefore it is thy part to fight on, and wait for that full victory,
+viz. that sin shall not have dominion over thee, for it shall come in
+due time.
+
+4. God hath his own time and seasons wherein he accomplisheth his
+promises; and we must leave him a latitude, both as to the time when,
+and as to the manner how, and as to the degree in which he shall make
+good his promises; and he is wise in his dispensations.
+
+Therefore, though the promise as yet appeareth not to be accomplished,
+there is no true cause of trouble of mind, because it shall be afterward
+fully accomplished; and the wrestling against sin, saith that it is in
+great measure accomplished already; because where it hath a full
+dominion, it suppresseth all opposition or contradiction, except some
+faint resistance, which a natural conscience, for carnal ends, on carnal
+principles and grounds, may, now or then, make against this or that
+particular corruption, which occasioneth shame, disgrace, loss,
+challenges of a carnal conscience, and disquietness that way, when yet
+it is not hated nor wrestled against as sin, or as a member of the old
+man, and the body of death. The objector would consider, that having
+subjected his consent to Christ, he is delivered really from that
+natural state of bondage under sin as a lawful lord, howbeit the old
+tyrant, now wanting a title, is making new invasions, to trouble the
+peace and quiet of the soul.
+
+_Fourthly,_ It may be said, but what can then, in the mean time, keep up
+the heart of a poor soul from sinking?
+
+_Ans._ Several things, if rightly considered, might help to support the
+soul in this case, as,
+
+1. That they are helped to wrestle against this body of death, in all
+the members of it, so soon as they discover themselves, were it their
+right eye and right hand.
+
+2. That these lusts gain not ground upon them; or if they do seem to
+gain ground, yet they attain not to a full dominion, not gaining their
+consent.
+
+3. That God is faithful, and therefore the promised victory shall be had
+in due time, and Satan's head shall certainly be bruised.
+
+4. That the wrestling soul is about his duty, carrying as a good soldier
+of Jesus Christ, fighting the battles of the Lord, and waiting on him in
+faith and hope.
+
+But further, _fifthly,_ some may say, If I were kept from yielding, my
+wrestling and standing would yield me some comfort; but when lust so
+stirreth, as that it conceiveth and bringeth forth sin, (James i. 15,)
+what can support or comfort me then?
+
+_Ans._ 1. Corruption cannot stir in us, but therein we sin, for the very
+first rise, the _motus primo-primi_, as they are called, are sinful,
+being contrary to the holy law of God; and the very in-being of that old
+man is our sin; for it is sinful, and rebellious against God, yea it is
+very enmity and rebellion itself. When Satan cometh with a temptation
+from without, he findeth always much in us to entertain the temptation.
+So that the very stirring of corruption, which is occasioned by the
+temptation from without, is our guilt.
+
+2. It is true it is our duty, to set against the first risings and
+motions of corruption, when it first enticeth, before it hath conceived
+or brought forth sin; and it will argue grace in life and in action, to
+be able to hinder the motions of lust so far, that it shall not conceive
+and bring forth sin. Yet we may not say, that there is no grace in the
+soul, or no measure of mortification attained, where lust sometimes not
+only enticeth, but conceiveth and bringeth forth sin. The sad experience
+of many of God's worthies, registrated in the word, cleareth this
+abundantly. We must not say, such an one is fallen, therefore he is
+dead. Paul reasoneth otherways, Rom. vii.
+
+3. Yet even then, when lust conceiveth and bringeth forth sin, this may
+comfort and bear up the heart of a poor believer. (1.) That though
+corruption prevail so far, as to bear down all opposition, and run down
+all that standeth in its way, yet it getteth not the full consent of the
+soul: there is still a party for God in the soul, that opposeth so far
+as to protest against it, or at least to dissent from it, and not to
+will that which yet is done, and positively to will that which cannot be
+gotten effectuated, (2.) And further, this may bear up the poor soul,
+that there is a party within, which, though for a time, during the
+violent overrunning of corruption, can do little more than sigh and
+groan in a corner, yet is waiting and longing for an opportunity when it
+may appear more for God, and against that wicked usurper. (3.)So also
+this may comfort the poor soul, that as it perceiveth corruption
+stirring, and the old man moving one member or other, it runneth away to
+the king; and when it is not able to apprehend the traitor, and take him
+captive to the court of justice, doth there discover the traitor, and
+tell the king that there is such or such a traitor acting such and such
+rebellion against him and his laws, and complain and seek help to take
+the rebel prisoner, and bring him bound hand and foot to the king, that
+he may give out sentence against him; that is, when he can do no more
+against that raging enemy, maketh his complaint to the Lord, and lieth
+before him, sighing and groaning for help and strength to withstand and
+oppose more this enemy.
+
+_Lastly,_ Some may yet object, and say, If it were not worse with me
+than it is with others, I could then be satisfied; but I see some
+mightily prevailing over corruption, and I am still at under, and can
+get no victory; and can I choose but be sad at this?
+
+I answer, 1. Dost thou know for a certainty, that those persons whose
+condition thou judgest happy, are altogether free of the inward
+stirrings of those lusts that thou art brought under by? Or dost thou
+know for a certainty that they are not under the power of some other
+corruption, as thou thinkest thyself under the power of that corruption
+whereof thou complainest? What knowest thou, then, but they may be as
+much complaining on other accounts as thou dost on that?
+
+2. But be it so as thou supposeth, that there is a difference betwixt
+thy condition and the condition of others, knowest thou not, that all
+the members of the body are not alike great and strong, as not being
+equally to be employed in work requiring strength. Are there not some
+young strong men in Christ's family, and some that are but babes? May
+not a captain send some of his soldiers to one post, where they shall
+possibly not see the enemy all the day long, and some others to another
+post, where they shall have no rest all the day? And why, I pray, may
+not God dispose of his soldiers as he will? He knoweth what he is doing:
+It is not safe that every one of the soldiers know what are the designs
+of the commander or general; nor is it always fit for us to know or to
+inquire what may be the designs of God with us, and what he may be about
+to do. He may intend to employ one in greater works than another, and so
+exercise them otherways for that warfare and work. It may suffice that
+the prevailing of others may encourage thee to hope, that at last thy
+strong corruptions shall also fall by the hand of the grace of God.
+
+3. If thy sadness savour not of envy and fretting, thou should bless him
+that hereby thou art put to the exercise of spiritual sorrow.
+
+4. It is well if this bring thee to bless God for the success of
+others, because hereby his grace is glorified, 1 Cor. xii. 26.
+
+Therefore, 5. Let this satisfy us, That he is the Lord, who doeth what
+he will in heaven and in earth, and may dispose of us as he will, and
+make of us what he will, for his own glory. And that we are to mind our
+duty, and be faithful at our post, standing and fighting in the strength
+of the Lord, resolving never to comply with the enemy, and to rejoice in
+this, that the enemy is already conquered by the captain, and that we
+share in his victory, and that the very God of peace shall quickly
+bruise Satan under our feet, Rom. xvi. 20.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+HOW CHRIST IS TO BE MADE USE OF, IN REFERENCE TO GROWING IN GRACE.
+
+
+I come now to speak a little to the other part of sanctification, which
+concerneth the change of our nature and frame, and is called
+vivification, or quickening of the new man of grace; which is called the
+new man, as having all its several members and parts, as well as the old
+man; and called new, because posterior to the other; and after
+regeneration is upon the growing hand, this duty of growing in grace, as
+it is called, 2 Pet. iii. &c. is variously expressed and held forth to
+us in Scripture; for it is called "an abiding and bringing forth fruit
+in Christ," John xv. 5; "adding to faith virtue, and to virtue
+knowledge," 2 Pet. i. 5, 6, 7; "a going on to perfection," Heb. vii. 1;
+"a growing up in Christ in all things," Eph. iv. 15; "a working out our
+salvation," Phil. ii. 12; "a perfecting of holiness," 2 Cor. vii. 1; "a
+walking in newness of life," Rom. vi. 4; "a yielding of ourselves unto
+God, as alive from the dead, and our members as instruments of
+righteousness unto God," Rom. vi. 13, 18; "a bringing forth fruit unto
+God," Rom, vii. 4; "a serving in newness of spirit," Rom. vii. 6; "a
+being renewed in the spirit of our minds, and a putting on the new man,
+which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness," Eph. iv.
+23,24. Col. iii. 10, and the like: some whereof do more immediately
+express the nature of this change, as to the root, and some as to the
+fruit and effects thereof, and some the progress and advancement that is
+made or to be made therein. And all of them point out a special piece of
+work, which lieth on all that would see the face of God, viz. to be
+holy, gracious, and growing in grace.
+
+This, then, being a special piece of the exercise and daily work of a
+Christian, and it being certain, as some of the places now cited do also
+affirm, that without Christ they cannot get this work either begun or
+carried on, the main difficulty and question is, How they are to make
+use of Christ for this end?
+
+For answer whereunto, though by what we have said in our former
+discourse, it may be easy to gather what is to be said here; yet I shall
+briefly put the reader in mind of those things, as useful here.
+
+1. The believer would consider what an ornament this is to the soul, to
+have on this new man, which is created after the image of God, Eph. iv.
+23. What an excellency lieth here, to recover that lost glory, holiness
+and the image of God? and what advantage the soul reapeth hereby, when
+it "is made meet to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in
+light," Col. i. 12; "and walking worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing,
+being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of
+God," Col. i. 10; "and strengthened with all might, according to his
+glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering, with joyfulness,"
+ver. 11; and when the abounding of the graces of the Spirit maketh them
+"that they shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of
+our Lord Jesus Christ," 2 Pet. i. 8; "and to be a vessel unto honour,
+sanctified, and meet for the Master's use, and prepared unto every
+work," 2 Tim. ii. 21. What glory and peace is here, to be found obedient
+unto the many commands given to be holy: what hazard is in the want of
+holiness, when without it we cannot see God, Heb. xii. 14: how
+unanswerable it is unto our profession, who are members to such a holy
+head, to be unholy: what profit, joy, and satisfaction there is, in
+being temples of the Holy Ghost, in walking after the Spirit, in
+bringing forth fruit unto the glory of the Father, &c. The consideration
+of these and other motives unto this study of sanctification, would arm
+the soul with resolution, and harden it against opposition.
+
+2. It would be remembered, that this work, though it be laid upon us, as
+our duty, and we be called thereunto of God, yet it is beyond our hand
+and power. It is true, at conversion, the seed of grace is cast into the
+soul, new habits are infused, a new principle of life is given, the
+stony heart is changed into an heart of flesh; yet these principles and
+habits cannot act in themselves, or be brought into act, by any thing
+that a believer, considered in himself, and without divine help, can do.
+But this work of sanctification and growth in grace must be carried on
+by divine help, by the Spirit of Jesus dwelling and working within; and
+therefore it is called the sanctification of the Spirit, 2 Thess. ii.
+13. 1 Pet. i. 2. The God of peace must sanctify us, I Thess. v. 23. We
+are said to be sanctified by God the Father, Jude 1.; and by the Holy
+Ghost, Rom. xv. 16; see also 1 Cor. vi. 11. "We would remember that of
+ourselves we can do nothing," 2 Cor. iii. 5, and "that he must work in
+us both to will and to do of his own good pleasure," Phil. ii. 13.
+Albeit no believer will question the truth of this; yet it may be, it
+shall be found after trial, that one main cause of their not growing in
+grace, and making progress in this work, is their not acting as
+believing this, but setting about the work, as if it were a work which
+they themselves could master and do without special divine help.
+Therefore the believer would abide, live, and act, in the faith of this
+truth.
+
+3. Therefore believers would not, in going about this work, either trust
+to their own strength, to the habits of grace, to their former
+experiences, to their knowledge and parts, or the like; nor yet would
+they trust to any external mean, which they are to go about; because the
+wisdom, strength, and help, which their case calleth for, is not to be
+found in them; yet they should not think of laying these means and
+duties aside, for then should they sin against God; they should prejudge
+themselves of the help, strength, and supply, which God useth to convey
+to the soul, in and by the use of the means. And withal, they should
+tempt the Lord, by prescribing another way to him than he hath thought
+good to take. The believer, then, would use the means and duties
+prescribed, and that diligently, seriously, and constantly; and yet
+would lean as little to them, and expect help and relief as little from
+them, as if he were not using them at all, as we said above. And indeed
+this would be a right way; yea, the most advantageous and profitable
+way, of going about duties, to be diligent in the use of them, because
+of God's command, and yet to place our hope and expectation in God
+alone, and to look above the ordinances for our help.
+
+4. Albeit it be true that the power and grace of God alone, doth begin
+and carry on this work of sanctification in the soul: yet though he
+might, did he but see it for his glory, carry on and finish this work in
+the soul, without the intervention of second causes or means, he hath
+notwithstanding thought it fit, for the glory of his name, to work this
+work by means, and particularly by believers setting about the work. He
+worketh not in man as if he were a block or a stone, but useth him as a
+rational creature, endued with a rational soul, having useful and
+necessary faculties, and a body fired by organs to be subservient to the
+soul in its actions. Therefore the believer must not think to lie by and
+do nothing, for he is commanded to work out his own salvation, and that
+because it is God that worketh in him both to will and to do. Because
+God worketh all, therefore he should work; so reasoneth the apostle. So
+that God's working is an argument and motive to the man to work, and not
+an argument to him to lie by idle and do nothing. And here is the holy
+art and divine skill requisite in this business, to wit, for the
+believer to be as diligent and active as if he could bring forth fruit
+in his own strength, and by his own working; and yet to be as abstracted
+from himself, his own grace, ability, knowledge, experience, in his
+working, as if he were lying by like a mere block, and only moving as
+moved by external force.
+
+5. The soul that would make progress in Christianity, and grow in grace,
+would remember that Christ is proposed to us as a copy, which we are to
+imitate, and that therefore we should set Christ continually before us
+as our pattern, that we may follow his steps, 1 Pet. i. 15, and ii. 21.
+But withal it would be remembered, that he is not like other ensamples
+or copies, that can help the man that imitateth them in no other way
+than by their objective prospect; for looking by faith on this copy,
+will bring virtue to the man that studieth to imitate, whereby he shall
+be enabled to follow his copy better. O! if we knew in experience what
+this were, to take a look of Christ's love, patience, long-suffering,
+meekness, hatred of sin, zeal, &c, and by faith to pore in, till, by
+virtue proceeding from that copy, we found our hearts in some measure
+framed into the same disposition, or at least more inclined to be cast
+into the same mould!
+
+6. The believer would act faith on Christ, as the head of the body, and
+as the stock in which the branches are ingrafted, and thereby suck sap,
+and life, and strength from him, that he may work, walk, and grow, as
+becometh a Christian. The believer must grow up in him, being a branch
+in him, and must bring forth fruit in him, as the forementioned places
+clear. Now, Christ himself tells us, that the branches cannot bring
+forth fruit, except they abide in the vine; and that no more can his
+disciples bring forth, except they abide in him, John xv. Therefore, as
+it is by faith that the soul, as a branch, is united to Christ, as the
+vine; and as it is by faith that they abide in him; so it is by faith
+that they must bring forth fruit; and this faith must grip Christ as the
+vine, and the stock or root from which cometh sap, life, and strength.
+Faith, then, must look to Christ as the fountain of furniture--as the
+head from whence cometh all the influences of strength and motion.
+Christ hath strength and life enough to give out, for "the fulness of
+the Godhead dwelleth in him bodily;" and he is also willing enough to
+communicate of his fulness, as the relations he hath taken on do
+witness. The head will not grudge to give to the members of the body,
+spirits for action and motion; nor will a vine grudge to give sap into
+the branches. Nay, life, strength, and furniture will, as it were,
+natively flow out of Christ unto believers, except they, through
+unbelief, and other distempers, cause obstructions; as life and sap doth
+natively and kindly flow from the root to the branches, or from the head
+to the members, unless obstructions stop the passage. It is necessary,
+therefore, that believers eye Christ under these and the like relations,
+and look upon him as standing, (so to speak,) obliged by his place and
+relation, to grant strength and influences of life, whereby they may
+become fruitful in every good work; and so with holy, humble, and
+allowed boldness, press in faith for new communications of grace,
+virtue, strength, courage, activity, and what else they need; for, from
+the head, all the body, by joints and bands, having nourishment
+ministered, increaseth with the increase of God. Col. ii. 19. Eph. iv.
+16.
+
+7. For this cause believers would lie open to the influences of Christ,
+and guard against the putting of obstructions in the way, through
+grieving of the Spirit, by which he conveyeth and communicateth those
+influences unto the soul; and through questioning and misbelieving
+Christ's faithfulness and unchangeable willingness, which as a violent
+humour stoppeth the passage. So then believers would lie open by looking
+and waiting, drawing, seeking from him what they need, and by guarding
+against every thing that may provoke the Lord to anger, whether in
+omission or commission. Here is requisite, an holy, humble, sober, and
+watchful walk; an earnest, serious, and hungry looking out to him, and a
+patient waiting for supply and furniture from him. This is to open the
+mouth wide that he may fill it; to lie before the Sun of Righteousness,
+that the beams thereof may beat upon them, and warm and revive them; and
+to wait as a beggar at this King's gate, till he give the alms.
+
+8. For the strengthening their hope and faith in this, they would lay
+hold upon Christ dying, and by his death purchasing all those
+influences of life and strength which are requisite for carrying on the
+work of grace and sanctification in the soul. For we must be "blessed in
+Christ with all spiritual blessings," Eph. i. 3. The believer, then,
+would look upon these influences, as purchased at a dear rate, by the
+blood of Jesus Christ; so that the divine power giveth unto us all
+things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of
+him that hath called us to glory and virtue, 2 Peter i. 3. And this will
+encourage the soul to wait on, and expect the flowing down of
+influences, and spiritual blessings and showers of grace, to cause the
+soul to flourish and become fruitful, and to urge and press more
+earnestly by faith the bestowing of the purchased benefits.
+
+9. Moreover, the believer would look on Jesus as standing engaged and
+obliged to carry on this work, both receiving them as for this end, from
+the Father. Hence we are said "to be chosen in him before the foundation
+of the world, that we should be holy," &c. Eph. i. 4; and as dying for
+them. For he gave himself for the church, that he might sanctify and
+cleanse it, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, that
+it should be holy, Eph. v. 25-27. He hath reconciled them, in the body
+of his flesh, through death, to present them holy, Col. i. 2, 22. So
+that the noble covenant of redemption may found the certain hope and
+expectation of the believer, upon a double account: (1.) Upon the
+account of the Father's faithfulness, who promised a seed to Jesus, viz.
+such as should be his children, and so be sanctified through him, and
+that the pleasure of the Lord, which in part is the work of
+sanctification, should prosper in his hand. And, (2.) Upon the account
+of Christ's undertaking and engaging, as is said, to bring his sons and
+daughters to glory, which must be thought sanctification; for without
+holiness no man shall see God. And they must look like himself, who is a
+holy head, a holy husband, a holy captain; and therefore they must be
+holy members, a holy spouse, and holy soldiers. So that he standeth
+engaged to sanctify them by his Spirit and word, and therefore is called
+the sanctifier, Heb. ii. 11; "for both he that sanctifieth, and they
+who are sanctified, are all one." Yea, their union with Christ layeth
+the foundation of this; for "being joined to the Lord, they become one
+Spirit," 1 Cor. vi. 17, and are animated and quickened by one and the
+same Spirit of life and grace, and therefore must be sanctified by that
+Spirit.
+
+10. The believer likewise would act faith upon the promises of the new
+covenant, of grace, strength, life, &c, whereby they shall walk in his
+ways, have God's laws put into their minds, and wrote in their hearts,
+Heb. viii. 10. Jer. xxxi. 33; and of the new heart, and new spirit, and
+the heart of flesh, and the Spirit within them, to cause them walk in
+his ways or statutes, and keep his judgments, and do them, Ezek. xxxvi.
+26, 27, and the like, wherewith the Scripture aboundeth; because these
+are all given over to the believer by way of testament and legacy,
+Christ becoming the Mediator of the New Testament, that by means of
+death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the
+first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of
+eternal inheritance, Heb. ix. 15. Now, Christ, by his death, hath
+confirmed this testament; "for where a testament is, there must also of
+necessity be the death of the testator; for a testament is of force
+after men are dead," vers. 16, 17. Christ, then, dying to make the
+testament of force, hath made the legacy of the promises sure unto the
+believer; so that now all the "promises are yea and amen in Christ," 2
+Cor. i. 20. "He was made a minister of circumcision to confirm the
+promises made to the fathers," Rom. xv. 8. That the eyeing of these
+promises by faith is a noble mean to sanctification, is clear, by what
+the apostle saith, 2 Cor. vii. 1, "Having therefore these promises, let
+us cleanse ourselves; perfecting holiness in the fear of God." And it is
+by faith that those promises must be received, Heb. xi. 33: So that the
+believer that would grow in grace, would eye Christ, the fundamental
+promise, the testator establishing the testament, and the executor or
+dispensator of the covenant, and expect the good things through him, and
+from him, through the conduit and channel of the promises.
+
+11. Yet further, believers would eye Christ in his resurrection, as a
+public person, and so look on themselves, and reckon themselves as
+rising virtually in and with him, and take the resurrection of Christ as
+a certain pawn and pledge of their sanctification; for so reasoneth the
+apostle, Rom. vi. 4, 5, 11, 13. "We are buried," says he, "with him by
+baptism unto death; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by
+the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life:
+For--we shall be also planted in the likeness of his resurrection; and
+if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with
+him:--therefore reckon ye also yourselves to be--alive unto God, through
+Jesus Christ our Lord, and yield yourselves unto God, as those that are
+alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness
+unto God." The right improving of this ground would be of noble
+advantage to the student of holiness: for then he might with strong
+confidence conclude, that the work of sanctification should prosper in
+his hand; for he may now look upon himself as "quickened together with
+Christ," Eph. ii. 5. Christ dying and rising, as a public person, and he
+by faith being now joined with him, and united to him.
+
+12. Moreover this resurrection of Christ may yield us another ground of
+hope and confidence in this work; for there is mention made of the power
+of his resurrection, Phil. iii. 10. So that by faith we may draw
+strength and virtue from Christ, as an arisen and quickened head,
+whereby we also may live unto God, and bring forth fruit unto him, and
+serve no more in the oldness of the letter, "but in the newness of the
+Spirit," Rom. vii. 4, 6. He was quickened as a head, and when the head
+is quickened, the members cannot but look for some communication of life
+therefrom, and to live in the strength of the life of the head: see Col.
+iii. 1, 2.
+
+13. Faith may and should also look to Christ, as an intercessor with the
+Father. For this particular, John xvii. 17, "Sanctify them through thy
+truth, thy Word is truth:" and this will add to their confidence, that
+the work shall go on; for Christ was always heard of the Father, John
+xi. 41, 42, and so will be in his prayer, which was not put up for the
+few disciples alone.
+
+The believer then would eye Christ as engaging to the Father to begin
+and perfect this work; as dying to purchase the good things promised,
+and to confirm the same; as quickened, and rising as head and public
+person, to ensure this work, and to bestow and actually confer the
+graces requisite; and as praying also for the Father's concurrence, and
+cast the burden of the work on him by faith, knowing that he standeth
+obliged, by his place and relation to his people, to bear all their
+burthens, to work all their works in them, to perfect his own work that
+he hath begun in them, to present them to himself at last a holy bride,
+to give them the Spirit "to dwell in them," Rom. viii. 9, 11 "and to
+quicken their mortal bodies," ver. 11, "and to lead them," ver. 14;
+"till at length they be crowned, and brought forward to glory." This is
+to live by faith, when Christ liveth, acteth, and worketh in us by his
+Spirit, Gal. ii. 20. Thus Christ dwelleth in the heart by faith; and by
+this his people become rooted and grounded in love, which is a cardinal
+grace; and knowing the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, they
+become filled with all the fulness of God, Eph. iii. 17, 19. So that the
+believer is to commit by faith the work to Christ, and leave the stress
+of all the business on him who is their life. Yet the believer must not
+think he is to do nothing, or to lay aside the means of ordinances, but
+using these diligently, would in them commit the matter to Christ, and
+by faith roll the whole work on him, expecting, upon the ground of his
+relations, engagements, promises, beginnings, &c., that he will
+certainly perfect the work, (Phil. i. 6,) and take it well off their
+hands, and be well pleased with them for putting the work in his hands,
+and leaving it on him "who is made of God to us sanctification."
+
+
+CAUTIONS.
+
+As in the former part, so here it will not be amiss to give a few words
+of caution, for preventing of mistakes.
+
+1. We would beware of thinking that perfection can be attained here:
+the perfect man and measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ is
+but coming, and till then the body will be a perfecting and edifying,
+through the work of the ministry, Eph. iv. 12, 13. Believers must not
+think of sitting down on any measure of grace which they attain to here;
+but they must be growing in grace, going from strength to strength, till
+they appear in the upper Zion with the apostle, Phil. iii. 13.
+"Forgetting those things that are behind, and reaching forth unto those
+things which are before, they must press toward the mark, for the prize
+of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." It must then be a dreadful
+delusion for any to think that they can reach to such a degree of
+perfection here, as not to stand in need of the ordinance any more. Let
+all believers live in the constant conviction of their shortcoming, and
+be humbled, and so work out their salvation with fear and trembling.
+
+2. Nor should every believer expect one and the same measure of
+holiness, nor can it be expected with reason that all shall advance here
+to the same height of sanctity; for every part of the body hath its own
+measure, and an effectual working in that measure: and so every joint of
+the body supplieth less or more, according to its proportion, and
+contributeth to the increase of the body, and to the edifying of itself
+in love, as the apostle clearly sheweth, Eph. iv. 16. As in the natural
+body the diversity of functions and uses of the members requireth
+diversity of furniture and strength, so in the mystical body of Christ
+the members have not all alike measure, but each hath his proper
+distinct measure, according to his place and usefulness in the body.
+Believers then would learn much sobriety here and submission, knowing
+that God may dispense his graces as he will, and give them to each
+member in what measure he thinketh good: only they would take heed, that
+their poverty and leanness be not occasioned through their own
+carelessness and negligence, in not plying the means of grace with that
+faithfulness and single dependence on Christ that they ought.
+
+3. It would be remembered, that there may be some progress made in the
+way of holiness, when yet the believer may apprehend no such thing; not
+only because the measure of the growth may be so small and
+indiscernible, but also because even where the growth in itself is
+discernible, the Lord may think it good, for wise ends, to hide it from
+their eyes, that they may be kept humble and diligent; whereas, if they
+saw how matters stood indeed with them, they might (without a new degree
+of grace) swell and be puffed up, yea, even forget God, and misken
+themselves and others too. Likewise this may proceed from such an
+earnest desire after more, that they forget any measure they have
+gotten, and so despise the day of small things.
+
+4. There may be a great progress in holiness, though not in that
+particular which the believer is most eyeing to his sense and
+apprehension: for when he thinks he is not growing in love to and zeal
+for God, &c, he may be growing in humility, which is also a member of
+the new man of grace; and when he can perceive no growth in knowledge,
+there may be a growth in affection and tenderness. And if the work be
+carried on in any joint or member, it decayeth in none, though it may be
+better apprehended in one than another.
+
+5. There may be much holiness, where the believer is complaining of the
+want of fruits, when under that dispensation of the Lord towards him, he
+is made to stoop before the Most High, to put his mouth in the dust, if
+so be there may be hope, and pleasantly to submit to God's wise
+ordering, without grudging or quarrelling with God for what he doth, and
+to accept sweetly the punishment of his iniquity, if he see guilt lying
+at the root of this dispensation. Where there is a silent submission to
+the sovereign and only wise disposing hand of God, and the man is
+saying, if he will not have me to be a fruitful tree in his garden, nor
+to grow and flourish as the palm-tree, let me be a shrub, only let me be
+kept within the precincts of his garden, that his eye may be upon me for
+good; let me abide within his courts, that I may behold his countenance,
+there is grace, and no small measure of grace. To be an hired servant is
+much, Luke xv. 19.
+
+6. But withal, it would be observed, that this gracious frame of soul,
+that is silent before God, under several disappointments, is accompanied
+with much singleness of heart, in panting after more holiness, and with
+seriousness and diligence in all commanded duties, waiting upon the
+Lord, who is their hope and their salvation in each of them, and with
+mourning for their own sinful accession to that shortcoming in their
+expectations.
+
+7. We would not think that there is no progress in Christianity, or
+growth in grace, because it cometh not our way, or by the instruments
+and means that we must expect it by. Possibly we are too fond on some
+instruments and means that we prefer to others; and we think, if ever we
+get good, it must be that way, and by that means, be it private or
+public: and God may give a proof of his sovereignty, and check us for
+our folly, by taking another way. He would not be found of the bride,
+neither by her seeking of him secretly on her bed by night; nor more
+publicly, by going about the city, in the streets and broad ways; nor by
+the means of the watchmen, Cant. iii. 1, 2, 3.
+
+8. Nor would we think that there is no growth in the work of grace,
+because it cometh not at such or such prelimited or fore-set time; nor
+would we think the matter desperate, because of our looking long, and
+waiting, and asking, and labouring, and yet seeing no sensible
+advantage. Such and such a believer, saith the soul, made great progress
+in a short time, but I come no speed, for as long as I have been at this
+school. O! we should beware of limiting the Holy One of Israel. Let us
+be at duty, and commit the event to him.
+
+9. It is not a fit time to take the measure of our graces, as to their
+sensible growth and fruitfulness, when devils are broken loose upon us;
+temptations are multiplied, corruptions make a great noise, and we are
+meeting with a horrible tempest shaking us on all hands: for it will be
+strong grace that will much appear then; it will be strong faith that
+will say, Though he kill me, yet will I trust in him. At such a time it
+will be much if the man keep the ground he hath gained, though he make
+no progress. It will be much for a tree to stand, and not to be blown
+out of the ground, in the time of a strong and vehement storm, of wind,
+though it keep not its flourishes and yield not fruit The trees, which
+in a cold winter day bear neither leaves nor fruit, must not be said to
+go back, nor not to grow; because when the spring cometh again, they may
+revive and be as fruitful as ever.
+
+10. We would not always measure our graces by what appeareth outwardly;
+for there may be some accidental occurrence that may hinder that, and
+yet grace be at work within doors, which few or none can observe. The
+believer may be in a sweet and gracious frame, blushing before the Lord,
+yea, melting in love, or taken up with spiritual meditations and
+wondering, when as to some external duties, it can find no present
+disposition, through some accidental impediment or other, so that to
+some, who judge most by outward appearance, no such things as the active
+working of grace in life can appear.
+
+11. We would think it no small measure or degree of holiness, to be with
+singleness of heart pursuing it, even though it should seem to flee from
+us; to be earnestly panting after it, and hungering and thirsting for
+it. Nehemiah thought this no small thing, when he said, Neh. i. 11, "O
+Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of
+thy servants who desire to fear thy name."
+
+12. Whatever measure of holiness the believer win to, he would take
+special heed that he place no part of his confidence of his being
+accepted and justified before God in it, as if that could come in any
+part of the price to satisfy justice: but when he hath done all, let him
+call and account himself an unprofitable servant. Though believers will
+not be so gross as to speak thus, yet sure their justifying of their
+holding a-back from God, because they find not such a measure of grace
+and holiness as they would have, looketh too much this way, and saith,
+that they lean too much hereunto in the matter of the acceptance of
+their persons before God. Now this should be specially guarded against,
+lest their labour be in vain.
+
+
+OBJECTIONS ANSWERED.
+
+An objection or two must here also be removed. And 1. Some may say, that
+though they have been labouring, and striving, and working now for some
+long time, yet they can perceive no advancement; they are as far short
+as ever.
+
+_Ans_. Hath it not been found, that some have complained without cause?
+Have not some complained of their unfruitfulness and want of growth,
+that other good Christians would have thought themselves very happy, if
+they had but advanced half so far as they saw them to have done?
+
+But be it so, as it is alleged, what if the fault be their own? What if
+the cause of this be, that they attempt things in their own strength,
+leaning to their own understanding, or habits of grace, or means, &c.,
+and that they do not go about duties with that single dependence on
+Christ that is requisite, nor do they suck life, strength, and sap from
+him, by faith through the promises, nor give themselves up to him by
+faith, that he may work in them both to will and to do. Should not this
+be seen, mourned for, and helped?
+
+3. If all this shortcoming and disappointment cause them lie in the
+dust, and humble themselves more and more before the Lord, the grace of
+humiliation is growing, and that is no small advantage, to be growing
+downward.
+
+4. Withal, they would do well to hold on in duty, looking to Christ for
+help, and rolling all difficulties on him, give themselves away to him,
+as their head and Lord, and so continue their life of faith, or their
+consenting to let Christ live in them by faith, or work in them by his
+Spirit what is well-pleasing in his sight, and wait for the blessing and
+fruit in God's own time.
+
+_Next_, It will be objected, Though we might wait thus, yet how
+unedifying are we unto others, when there appeareth no fruit of the
+spirit of grace in us.
+
+_Ans_. A Christian behaviour and deportment under the sense of
+fruitlessness, expressing an holy submission of soul unto God, as
+sovereign, much humility of mind before him, justifying of God, and
+taking guilt to themselves, with a firm resolution, to wait on patiently
+in the use of means appointed, cannot but be edifying to Christian
+souls; such exercises being really the works and fruit of the spirit of
+grace working within.
+
+But, _thirdly_, some may say, How then are the promises of the covenant
+made good?
+
+_Ans_. 1. The same measure of sanctification and holiness is not
+promised to all.
+
+2. No great measure is promised to any absolutely. So much indeed is
+secured to all believers as shall carry them to heaven, as without which
+they cannot see God. But much as to the degree depends on our performing
+through faith the conditions requisite, to wit, on condition of our
+abiding in the vine, of our acting faith on him, &c.; and when these and
+the like conditions are not faithfully performed by us, what can we
+expect? So the Lord hath appointed a way wherein he will be found, and
+will have us to wait for strength and influence from him; and if we
+neglect these means which he hath appointed, how can we expect the good
+which he hath promised in the use of these means?
+
+3. The Lord has his own time of making good all his promises, and we
+must not limit him to a day.
+
+4. Hereby the Lord may be trying and exercising thy faith, patience,
+hope, dependence, submission, diligence, &c., and "if these be in thee,
+and abound, they shall make that thou shalt neither be barren nor
+unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ," 2 Pet. i. 11.
+
+But _lastly_, It will be inquired, what can support the believing soul
+in this case?
+
+_Ans_. 1. The consideration and faith of the covenant of redemption,
+wherein both the Father's engagement of the Son, and the Son's
+engagement to the Father, secureth grace and holiness, and salvation to
+the believer. And whatever we be, they will be true to each other,--our
+unbelief will not make the faith of God of none effect.
+
+2. The consideration of the noble and faithful promises contained in the
+covenant of grace, which shall all be made good in due time.
+
+3. If we be humbled under the sense of our failings and shortcomings,
+and made to mourn before the Lord, stirred up to more diligence and
+seriousness, that may yield comfort to our soul. If we be growing in
+humility, godly sorrow, repentance, diligence, and be gripping faster by
+faith to the root, we want not ground of joy and support; for if that
+be, we cannot want fruit.
+
+4. It should be matter of joy and thanksgiving, that the believer is
+kept from turning his back on the way of God, and kept with his face
+still Zion-ward. Though he make but little progress, yet he is still
+looking forward, and creeping as he may, waiting at God's door, begging
+and asking, studying, labouring, and endeavouring for strength to go
+faster.
+
+5. It is no small matter of peace and comfort, if we be kept from
+fretting, grudging and repining at the Lord's dispensations with us, and
+be taught to sit silent in the dust, adoring his sovereignty, and
+ascribing no iniquity to our Maker.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+HOW TO MAKE USE OF CHRIST FOR TAKING THE GUILT OF OUR DAILY
+OUT-BREAKINGS AWAY.
+
+
+The next part of our sanctification is in reference to our daily
+failings and transgressions, committed partly through the violence of
+temptations, as we see in David and Peter, and other eminent men of God;
+partly through daily infirmities, because of our weakness and
+imperfections; for, "in many things we offend all," James iii. 2; and,
+"if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in
+us," 1 John i. 8; "a righteous man falleth seven times," Prov. xxiv. 16;
+"there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good and sinneth not,"
+Eccl. vii. 20; and Solomon further saith, 1 Kings viii. 46, "That there
+is no man that sinneth not." This being so, the question is, how Christ
+is to be made use of, for taking these away.
+
+For satisfaction to this, it would be considered, that in those daily
+out breakings there are two things to be noticed. _First_, There is the
+guilt which is commonly called _reatus paenae_, whereby the transgressor
+is liable to the sentence of the law, or to the penalty annexed to the
+breach thereof, which is no less than God's curse; for "cursed is every
+one that abideth not in all things, which are in the law to do them,"
+Gal. iii. 10. _Next_, There is the stain or blot, which is called
+_reatus culpae_, whereby the soul is defiled, and made in so far
+incapable of glory, (for nothing entereth in there which defileth,) and
+of communion and fellowship with God, who is of purer eyes than he can
+behold iniquity. So that it is manifest, how necessary it is that both
+these be taken away, that they may not stand in our way to the Father.
+And as to both, we must make use of Christ, who is the only way to the
+Father.
+
+And this we shall now clear. And, _first_, speak of the taking away of
+the guilt that is contracted by every sin. And for this cause we shall
+speak briefly to two things. (1.) Shew what Christ hath done as
+Mediator, for this end, that the guilt contracted by our daily failings
+and out-breakings, might be taken away. (2.) Shew what the believer
+should do for the guilt taken away in Christ; or how he should make use
+of Christ for reconciliation with God after transgressions; or, for the
+taking away of the guilt that he lieth under, because of his violation
+of the law.
+
+As to the first, we say, Christ, for taking away of guilt contracted
+daily, hath done these things:
+
+1. Christ laid down his life a ransom for all the sins of the elect;
+both such as were past before they believed, and such as were to be
+committed after. His blood was shed for the remission of sins
+indefinitely, and without distinction, Matt. xxvi. 28.
+
+2. And this was done according to the tenor of the covenant of
+redemption, wherein the Father "caused all our sins to meet together on
+him," Isa. liii. 6; and made him sin, or a sacrifice for sin,
+indefinitely, 2 Cor. v. 21; and so did not except the sins committed
+after conversion.
+
+3. Having satisfied justice, and being risen from the dead as a
+conqueror, he is now exalted to "be a prince, to give repentance and
+remission of sins," Acts v. 31. Now repentance and remission of sins his
+people have need of, after conversion as well as before conversion.
+
+4. There are promises of pardon and remission of sins in the new
+covenant of grace, all which are sealed and confirmed in the blood of
+Jesus, Jer. xxxi. 34, "For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will
+remember their sin no more." And chap, xxxiii. 8, "And I will cleanse
+them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I
+will pardon all their iniquities whereby they have sinned, and whereby
+they have transgressed against me." Isa. xliii. 25, "I, even I, am he
+that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake; and will not
+remember thy sins."
+
+5. Though there be no actual pardon of sins, till they be committed, and
+repented of, according to the tenor of the gospel, Matt. iii. 2, Luke
+xiii. 3. Acts ii. 38; and viii. 22; yet while Christ bare all the sins
+of his people upon the cross, they were all then virtually and
+meritoriously taken away; of which Christ's resurrection was a certain
+pledge and evidence; for then got he his acquitance from all that either
+law or justice could charge him with, in behalf of them, for whom he
+laid down his life a ransom. Rom. viii. 33, 34, "Who shall lay anything
+to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth: Who is he that
+condemneth? It is Christ that died, or rather that is risen again."
+
+6. So that by virtue of Christ's death, there is a way laid down, in the
+covenant of grace, how the sins of the elect shall be actually pardoned,
+viz. that at their conversion and first laying hold on Christ by faith,
+all the sins, whereof they then stand guilty, shall be actually pardoned
+and forgiven, in their justification; and all their after-sins shall
+also be actually pardoned, upon their griping to Christ of new by faith,
+and turning to God by repentance. And this way is agreed to by Father
+and Son, and revealed in the gospel, for the instruction and
+encouragement of believers; and all to the glory of his free grace. "In
+whom we have redemption, (saith the apostle, Eph. i. 7-9) through his
+blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
+wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having
+made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good
+pleasure, which he hath purposed in himself."
+
+7. Beside Christ's death and resurrection, which give ground of hope, of
+pardon, of daily out-breakings, there is likewise his intercession
+useful for this end. For, so saith the apostle, 1 John ii. 1, 2, "If any
+man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the
+righteous; and he is the propitiation for our sins." This intercession
+is a special part of his priesthood, who was the great high priest, Heb.
+iv. 14, 1; and a completing part, Heb. viii. 4, and ix. 8; and upon this
+account it is, that "He is able to save to the uttermost, all that come
+to God through him, because he liveth for ever to make intercession for
+them," Heb. vii. 25. For by his intercession is the work of redemption
+carried on, the purchased benefits applied, and particularly, new grants
+of remission are, through his intercession, issued forth: he pleading
+and interceding, in a way suitable, to his glorified condition, upon his
+death and propitiation made, while he was upon the cross, accepted of
+the Father, and declared to be accepted by his resurrection, ascension,
+and sitting at his Father's right hand. And thus, as believers are
+reconciled to God by Christ's death, they are saved by his life, Rom. v.
+10. So that Christ's living to be an intercessor, makes the salvation
+sure; and so laying down a ground for taking away of daily
+out-breakings, which, if not taken away, would hinder and obstruct the
+believer's salvation.
+
+8. And as for the condition requisite to renewed pardon, viz. faith and
+repentance, Christ is the worker of both. For he is a prince exalted to
+give repentance, first and last, Acts iv. 30; and as he is the author of
+faith, so he is the finisher of it, Heb. xii. 2.
+
+As to the _second_ particular, namely, what believers should do for
+getting the guilt of their daily failings and out-breakings taken away
+by Christ; or how they should make use of Christ for this end, I shall,
+for clearing of it, propose those things to consideration:
+
+1. We would beware to think, that all our after actual transgressions
+are actually pardoned, either when Christ died, or when we first
+believed in Christ, as some suppose; for sin cannot properly be said to
+be pardoned before it be committed. David was put to sue out for pardon,
+after his actual transgression was committed, and not for the mere sense
+and feeling of the pardon, or the intimation of it to his spirit, when
+he cried out, Psalm li. 2, "Blot out my transgressions, wash me," &c;
+and verse 9, "Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all my
+iniquities;" and verse 14, "Deliver me from blood-guiltiness." Sure when
+he spoke thus, he sought some other thing than intimation of pardon to
+his sense and conscience; for that he desired also, but in far more
+clear expressions, verse 8, "Make me to hear joy and gladness," &c.; and
+verse 12, "Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation," &c. Scripture
+phrases to express remission import this, viz. covering of sin,
+pardoning of debts, blotting out of sins, hiding of God's face from sin,
+not remembering of them, casting of them behind his back, casting of
+them into the sea, removing of sin, Psalm xxxiii. 1, 2. These and the
+like phrases, though many of them be metaphorical, yet do all of them
+clearly evince, that sin must first have a being before it can be
+pardoned. The same is clearly imported by the gospel conditions
+requisite before pardon; such as acknowledgment of sin, (1 John i. 9)
+which we see was practised by the worthies of old; David, Psalm xxxii.
+51. Nehemiah, chap. ix. Ezra, chap. ix. and Daniel, chap. ix. Confessing
+and forsaking of it, Prov. xxviii. 13. Sorrowing for it, and repenting
+of it, and laying hold on Christ by faith, &c.
+
+The reason why I propose this, is not only to guard against this
+Antinomian error, but also to guard the soul from security, to which
+this doctrine hath a natural tendency. For if a person once think, that
+all his sins were pardoned, upon his first believing, so that many of
+them were pardoned before they were committed; he shall never be
+affected for his after transgressions, nor complain of a body of death,
+nor account himself miserable upon that account, as Paul did, Rom. vii.
+24; nor shall he ever pray for remission, though Christ has taught all
+to do so, in that pattern of prayer; nor shall he act faith upon the
+promise of pardon made in the covenant of grace for after
+transgressions, or for transgressions actually committed, Jer. xxxi. 34,
+and xxxiii. 8. Heb. viii. 12; and so there shall be no use made of
+Christ for new pardons, or remissions of new sins.
+
+2. The believer would remember, that among other things, antecedently
+requisite to remission of posterior actual transgressions, gospel
+repentance is especially required, (Luke xiii. 3. Matt. iii. 2. Ezek.
+xviii. 28, 30. Luke xv. 17,18. Hos. ii. 6, 7. Ezek. xiv. 6,) whereby a
+sinner, through the help of the Spirit, being convinced not only of his
+hazard by reason of sin, but also of the hatefulness and filthiness of
+sin; and having a sight of the mercy of God in Christ Jesus to sinners,
+turning from their sin, doth turn from those sins unto God, with a full
+purpose of heart, in his strength, to follow him, and obey his laws. And
+hereby the soul is brought to loathe itself and sin, and is made willing
+to desire, seek for, accept of, and prize remissions of sins. This makes
+them more wary and careful in time coming; "For behold," says the
+apostle, 2 Cor. vii. 11, "this self same thing that ye sorrowed after a
+godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of
+yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement
+desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge," &c. Thus is God glorified in
+his justice, Psalm li. 4; and his mercy is acknowledged, in not entering
+with us into judgment, nor casting us into hell, as he might have done
+in justice.
+
+3. Yet it would be remembered, that though it hath seemed good in the
+Lord's eyes to choose this method, and appoint this way of obtaining
+pardon of sins daily committed, for the glory of his grace and mercy;
+and likewise for our good, we must not ascribe too much unto repentance,
+in the matter of pardon. We must not make it a cause of our remission,
+either efficient or meritorious. We must not think that it hath any hand
+in appeasing the wrath of God, or in satisfying justice. Pardon must
+always be an act of God's free grace, unmerited at our hands, and
+procured alone through the merits of Christ. We must not put repentance
+in Christ's room and place, nor ascribe any imperfection unto his
+merits, as if they needed any supply from any act of ours. We must
+beware of leaning to our repentance and godly sorrow, even so far as to
+think to commend ourselves to God, thereby that we may obtain pardon.
+
+4. The believer would consider seriously the dreadfulness of their
+condition who are lying under the lash of the law for sin. The law
+saith, "Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things written in
+the law;" and every sin is a transgression of the law. So that,
+according to law and justice, they are in hazard. For every sin in
+itself exposeth the sinner to eternal wrath, sin being an offence
+against God, who is a righteous judge, and a breach of his law. A right
+sight and apprehension of this, would serve to humble the sinner before
+God, and make him more earnest in seeking out for pardon, that this
+obligation to punishment might be removed.
+
+5. The believer would not only consider the sin itself, but also take
+notice of all its aggravations. There are peculiar aggravations of some
+sins taken from the time, manner, and other circumstances, which,
+rightly considered, will help forward the work of humiliation. And the
+sins of believers have this aggravation above the sins of others, that
+they are committed against more love, and special love, and against more
+opposition and contradiction of the grace of God within the soul,
+against more light and conviction, &c. And therefore their humiliation
+upon this account ought to be singular and serious. So was it with
+David, when he took notice of the special aggravation of his sin, Psalm
+li. 4, 6, 14, and Ezra, chap ix. and Nehemiah, chap. ix. and Daniel
+chap. ix. This considering of sin, with its due aggravations, would help
+to prize mercies at a high rate, and cause the soul more willingly wait
+for and more seriously seek after remission; knowing that God is more
+angry for great sins, than for sins of infirmity, and may therefore
+pursue the same with sorer judgments, as he broke David's bones,
+withdrew his comforts, &c.
+
+6. The believer would be convinced of an impossibility of doing anything
+in himself which can procure pardon at the hands of God; should he
+weep, cry, afflict himself, and pray never so, all will do nothing by
+way of merit, for taking away of the least sin that ever he committed;
+and the conviction of this would drive him to despair in himself, and be
+a mean to bring him cleanly off himself, and to look out for mere mercy
+in Christ Jesus. So long as, through the deceitfulness of Satan, the
+false heart inclineth to the old bias, and hath its eye upon any thing
+in itself, from whence it draweth its hopes and expectation of pardon
+and acceptance, it will not purely act faith on Christ for this end, and
+so he will lose all his labour, and in the end be disappointed.
+Therefore the believer would guard against this, and that so much the
+more, that the false deceitful heart is so much inclined thereto; and
+that this deceit can sometime work so cunningly, that it can hardly be
+discerned, being covered over with many false glosses and pretexts; and
+that it is so dishonourable to Jesus, and hurtful and prejudicial to the
+soul.
+
+7. The believer would act faith on the promises of pardon in the new
+covenant, as having a right to them through Jesus Christ, and challenge
+with humble boldness, the fulfilling of the same, according to that, 1
+John i. 9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive
+us our sins." So that the believer may not only take hold of mercy and
+grace in God, as an encouragement and invitation to go to God for
+pardon; but even of the justice and righteousness of God, because of his
+faithful promises; and the believer would have here a special eye to
+Christ, in whom all the promises are yea and amen; and look for the
+accomplishment of them through him, and for his sake alone.
+
+8. Faith would eye Christ, as hanging upon the cross, and offering up
+himself, through the eternal Spirit, a sacrifice to satisfy divine
+justice, for all the sins of his own chosen ones; we cannot think, that
+Christ bare but some of their sins, or only their sins committed before
+conversion; and if he bare all, as the Father laid all upon him, the
+believer is to lay hold on him by faith, as hanging on the cross, as
+well for taking away of the guilt of sins committed after conversion, as
+before; his sacrifice was a sacrifice for all, "and he bare our sins
+(without distinction or exception,) in his own body on the tree," 1 Pet.
+ii. 24. David had his eye on this, when he cried out, Psalm li. 7,
+"Purge me with hyssop;" hyssop being sometimes used in the legal
+purifications, which typified that purification which Christ really
+wrought when he gave himself a sacrifice for sin, Levit. xiv. 6. Num.
+xix. 18.
+
+9. The believer looking on Christ, dying as a Mediator, to pacify the
+wrath of God, and to make satisfaction to the justice of God, for the
+sins of his people, would renew his consent unto that gracious and wise
+contrivance of Heaven, of pardoning sins, through a crucified Mediator,
+that mercy and justice might kiss each other, and be glorified together;
+and declare again his full satisfaction with Christ's satisfying of
+justice for him, and taking away the guilt of his sins, by that blood
+that was shed upon the cross, by taking those sins, whereof now he
+standeth guilty, and for which he is desirous of pardon, and by faith
+nailing them to the cross of Christ, and rolling them on his shoulders,
+that the guilt of them, as well as of the rest, might be taken away,
+through the merits of his death and satisfaction. Thus the believer
+consenteth to the noble act of free grace, whereby the Lord made all our
+sins to meet together on Christ, when he taketh those particular sins,
+wherewith now he is troubled, and casteth them in into the heap, that
+Christ, as the true scape-goat, may carry all away. This is to lay our
+hands on the head of our sacrifice.
+
+10. The believer hath another ground of comfort to grip to, in this
+case, and that is, Christ's eternal priesthood, whereby he makes
+intercession for the transgressions of his people, and as their advocate
+and attorney with the Father, pleadeth their cause, whereby he is able
+to save them to the last and uttermost step of their journey, and so to
+save them from the guilt of all casual and emergent sins, that might
+hinder their salvation. So that the believer is to put those sins, that
+now he would have pardoned, into the hands of Christ, the everlasting
+Intercessor, and all-sufficient Advocate, that he, by virtue of his
+death, would obtain a new pardon of these their failings and
+transgressions, and deliverance from the guilt thereof; and their
+acceptance with the Father, notwithstanding of these transgressions.
+
+11. Thus believers eyeing Christ as dying, rising again, ascending, and
+as sitting at the Father's right hand, there to be a priest for ever,
+after the order of Melchisedec, and to intercede for his own, and to see
+to the application of what benefits, pardons, favours, and other things
+they need, from all which they have strong ground of comfort and of
+hope, yea, and assurance of pardon, would acquiesce in this way; and
+having laid those particular sins, under the burden whereof they now
+groan, on Christ the Mediator, dying on the cross to make satisfaction,
+and arising to make application of what was purchased, and having put
+them in his hand, who is a faithful high priest, and a noble
+intercessor, would remember, that "Christ is a prince exalted, to give
+repentance and remission of sins;" and so expect the sentence even from
+him, as a prince now exalted, and as having obtained that of the Father,
+even a power to forgive sins, justice being now sufficiently satisfied,
+through his death; yea, and as having all power in heaven and in earth,
+as being Lord both of the dead and of the living. Sure a right thought
+of this would much quiet the soul, in hope of obtaining pardon through
+him; seeing now the pardon is in his own hand, to give out, who loved
+them so dearly, that he gave himself to the death for them, and shed his
+heart blood to satisfy justice for their transgressions. Since he who
+hath procured their pardon at so dear a rate, and is their attorney to
+agent their business at the throne of grace, hath now obtained the
+prayed-for and looked-for pardon, and hath it in his own hand, they will
+not question but he will give it, and so absolve them from their guilt.
+
+12. The believer, having taken this course with his daily provocations,
+and laid them all on him, would aquiesce in this way, and not seek after
+another, that he may obtain pardon. Here he would rest, committing the
+matter by faith in prayer to Christ, and leaving his guilt and sins on
+him, expect the pardon, yea, conclude, that they are already pardoned;
+and that for these sins, he shall never be brought unto condemnation,
+whatever Satan and a misbelieving heart may say or suggest afterward.
+
+Thus should a believer make use of Christ, for the taking away of the
+guilt of his daily transgressions; and for further clearing of it, I
+shall add a few cautions.
+
+
+CAUTIONS.
+
+1. However the believer is to be much moved at, and affected with his
+sins and provocations, which he committeth after God hath visited his
+soul with salvation, and brought him into a covenant with himself, yet
+he must not suppose, that his sins after justification do mar his state;
+as if thereby he were brought into a non-justified state, or to a
+non-reconciled state. It is true, such sins, especially if gross,
+whether in themselves, or by reason of circumstances, will darken a
+man's state, and put him to search and try his condition over again. But
+yet we dare not say, that they make any alteration in the state of a
+believer; for once in a justified state always in a justified state. It
+is true likewise, that as to those sins, which now he hath committed, he
+cannot be said to be acquitted or justified, till this pardon be got out
+by faith and repentance, as is said; yet his state remaineth fixed and
+unchanged; so that though God should seem to deal with such in his
+dispensations, as with enemies, yet really his affections change not; he
+never accounteth them real enemies; nay, love lieth at the bottom of all
+his sharpest dispensations. If they forsake his law, and walk not in his
+judgments; if they break his statutes and keep not his commandments, he
+will visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with
+stripes, nevertheless his loving-kindness will he not utterly take from
+them, nor suffer his faithfulness to fail; his covenant will he not
+break, nor alter the thing that has gone out of his lips, Psalm lxxxix.
+30-34. And again, though after transgressions may waken challenges for
+former sins, which have been pardoned and blotted out, and give
+occasions to Satan to raise a storm in the soul, and put all in
+confusion, yet really sins once pardoned cannot become again unpardoned
+sins. The Lord doth not revoke his sentence, nor alter the thing that
+is gone out of his mouth. It is true likewise, that a believer, by
+committing of gross sins, may come to miss the effects of God's favour
+and good will, and the intimations of his love and kindness; and so be
+made to cry with David, Psalm li. 8, "Make me to hear joy and gladness;"
+and ver. 12, "Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation," &c. Yet that
+really holdeth true, that whom he loveth he loveth to the end; and he is
+a God that changeth not; and his gifts are without repentance. Yea,
+though grieving of the Spirit may bring souls under sharp throes, and
+pangs of the spirit of bondage, and the terrors of God, and his sharp
+errors, the poison whereof may drink up their spirits, and so be far
+from the actual witnessings of the Spirit of adoption; yet the Spirit
+will never be again really a spirit of bondage unto fear, nor deny his
+own work in the soul, or the soul's real right to, or possession of that
+fundamental privilege of adoption,--I say, that the soul is no more a
+son, nor within the covenant.
+
+2. The course before mentioned is to be taken with all sins, though,
+(1.) They be never so heinous and gross. (2.) Though they be accompanied
+with never such aggravating and crying aggravations. (3.) Though they be
+sins frequently fallen into; and, (4.) Though they be sins many and
+heaped together. David's transgression was a heinous sin, and had
+heinous aggravations, yea, there was an heap and a complication of sins
+together in that one; yet he followed this course. We find none of these
+kind of sins excepted in the new covenant; and where the law doth not
+distinguish, we ought not to distinguish; where God's law doth not
+expressly exclude us, we should not exclude ourselves. Christ's death is
+able enough to take away all sin. If through it a believer be justified
+from all his transgressions committed before conversion, why may not
+also a believer be, through virtue of it, justified from his gross and
+multiplied sins committed after conversion? The blood of Christ
+cleanseth from all sin; Christ hath taught his followers to pray,
+"Forgive us our sins, as we forgive them that sin against us;" and he
+hath told us also, that we must forgive our brother seventy times
+seven, Matth. xiii. _22._ We would not be discouraged then from taking
+this course, because our sins are such and such; nay, rather, we would
+look on this, as an argument to press us more unto this way, because the
+greater our sins be, the greater need have we of pardon, and to say with
+David, Psalm xxv. 11, "Pardon mine iniquity, for it is great."
+
+3. We would not think, that upon our taking of this course, we shall be
+instantly freed from challenges, because of those sins, for pardoning
+whereof we take this course; nor should we think, that because
+challenges remain, that therefore there is no pardon had, or that this
+is not the way to pardon; for, as we shall show afterward, pardon is one
+thing, and intimation of pardon is another thing. We may be pardoned,
+and yet suppose that we are not pardoned; challenges will abide till the
+conscience be sprinkled, and till the Prince of Peace command peace to
+the conscience, and put the accuser to silence; who, when he can do no
+more, will mar the peace of a believer, as long as he can, and stop the
+current of his comforts, which made David pray, that "God would restore
+to him the joy of his salvation," Psalm li.
+
+4. Nor would we think, that upon our taking of this course for the
+pardon of our sins, we shall never thereafter meet with a challenge upon
+the account of these sins. It is true, when sins are pardoned, they are
+fully pardoned in God's court, and that obligation to condemnation is
+taken away, and the pardoned person is looked upon as no sinner, that
+is, as no person liable to condemnation because of these sins; for being
+pardoned he becometh just before God; yet we dare not say, but
+conscience afterward, being alarmed with new transgressions, may
+mistake, as people suddenly put into a fight are ready to do; nor dare
+we say, that God will not permit Satan to upbraid us with those sins,
+which have been blotted out long ago, as he suffered Shimei, who was but
+an instrument of Satan, to cast up to David his blood-guiltiness, which
+had been pardoned long before. The Lord may think good to suffer this,
+that his people may be kept humble, and made more tender and watchful in
+all their ways.
+
+5. Believers would not misimprove or abuse this great condescendency of
+free grace, and take the great liberty to sin, because there is such a
+sure, safe, and pleasant way of getting those sins blotted out and
+forgiven. "Shall we sin because we are not under grace, but under the
+law? That be far from us," saith the Apostle, Rom. vi. 15. This were
+indeed to turn the grace of God into lasciviousness. And it may be a
+question, if such as have really repented, and gotten their sins
+pardoned, will be so ready to make this use of it; sure sense of pardon
+will work some other effect, as we see, Ezek. xvi. 62, 63.
+
+6. The believer, in going about this work of nailing his sins to the
+cross of Christ, and of improving Christ's death, resurrection, and
+constant intercession, for the obtaining of pardon, would not think of
+going alone, or of doing this in his own strength; for of himself he can
+do nothing. He must look to Christ for grace to help in this time of
+need, and must go about this duty with dependence on him, waiting for
+the influence of light, counsel, strength, and grace from him, to repent
+and believe; for he is a prince exalted to give repentance, first and
+last, and he is the author and finisher of faith; so that without him we
+can do nothing.
+
+7. Let the believer beware of concluding, that be hath got no pardon,
+because he hath met with no sensible intimation thereof by the flowing
+in of peace and joy in his soul. Pardon is one mercy, and intimation of
+it to the soul is another distinct mercy, and separable from it: shall
+we therefore say, we have not gotten the first, because we have not
+gotten both? The Lord, for wise reasons, can pardon poor sinners, and
+not give any intimation thereof; viz. that they may watch more against
+sin afterward, and not be so bold as they have been; and that they may
+find more in experience, what a bitter thing it is to sin against God,
+and learn withal to depend on him for less and more; and to carry more
+humbly; for it may be, God seeth, that if they saw their sins pardoned,
+they would forget themselves, and rush into new sins again.
+
+8. The believer must not think it strange, if he find more trouble after
+greater sins, and a greater difficulty to lay hold on Christ for pardon
+of those, than for pardon of others. For as God hath been more
+dishonoured by these, so is his anger more kindled upon that account;
+and it is suitable for the glory of God's justice, that our sorrow for
+such sins be proportionally greater; and this will likewise increase the
+difficulty; and ordinarily the effects of God's fatherly displeasure
+make deeper wounds in the soul after such sins, and these are not so
+easily healed; all which will call for suitable and proportionally
+greater godly sorrow and repentance, and acts of faith, because faith
+will meet with more opposition and discouragement there, and therefore
+must be the more strong, to go through these impediments, and to lay
+hold on his cross. Yet though this should make all watchful, and to
+guard against gross and crying sins, it should not drive any to despair,
+nor to say with that despairing wretch, their sin is greater than it can
+be forgiven; the ocean of mercy can drown and swallow up greater as well
+as lesser sins; Christ is an all-sufficient Mediator for the greatest
+sins as well as the least. "O, for thy name's sake, pardon mine
+iniquity, for it is great!" will come in season to a soul ready to sink
+with the weight of this millstone tied about its neck.
+
+9. As the greater sins should not make us despair of taking this course
+for remission, so nor should the smallness of sin make us to neglect
+this way; for the least sin cannot be pardoned but through Jesus Christ;
+for the law of God is violated thereby, justice provoked, God's
+authority vilified, &c. and therefore cannot be now pardoned, by reason
+of the threatenings annexed to the law, without a ransom. Death is the
+wages of sin, lesser and greater, and the curse is due to all sin,
+greater and smaller. There, the believer would not suffer one sin, seen
+and discovered, to lie unpardoned, but on the first discovery thereof,
+take it away to Christ, and nail it to the cross.
+
+10. The believer would not conclude, that his sins are not pardoned,
+because possibly temporal strokes, inflicted because of them, are not
+removed; for though David's sin was pardoned, yet because of that sin of
+his, a temporal stroke attended him and his family, to his dying day;
+for not only did God cut off the child, (2 Sam. xv. 14.), but told him,
+that the sword should never depart from his house, and that he would
+raise up evil against him out of his own house, and give his wives to
+one that should lie with them in the sight of the sun, vers. 10, 11. So
+we read, that the Lord took vengeance on their inventions whose sins he
+had pardoned, Psalm xcix. 8. God may see this fit and expedient, for his
+own glory, and for humbling of them, and causing them to fear the more
+to sin against him. Yea, not only may temporal calamities be inflicted,
+because of sin pardoned, or continued, after sin is pardoned, but even
+sense of God's displeasure may continue after pardon, as appeareth by
+that penitential Psalm (the fifty-first) penned by David, after Nathan
+had spoken to him concerning his sin.
+
+
+QUESTIONS OR OBJECTIONS ANSWERED.
+
+1. What course shall we take with secret sins? I answer, this same
+course must be followed with them. There is an implicit repentance of
+sins that have not been distinctly seen and observed, as who can see and
+observe all their failings? And so there may be an implicit faith
+acting; that is, the believer being persuaded that he is guilty of more
+sins than he hath got a clear sight of, as he would bewail his condition
+before God because of these, and sorrow for them after a godly manner,
+so he would take them together in a heap, or as a closed bagful, and by
+faith nail them to the cross of Christ, as if they were all distinctly
+seen and known. "Who can understand his errors," said David, Psalm xix.
+12: yet says he moreover, "cleanse thou me from secret faults."
+
+2. But what if, after all this, I find no intimation of pardon to my
+soul? _Ans._ As this should serve to keep thee humble, so it should
+excite to more diligence, in this duty of going with thy sins to Christ,
+and to ply him and his cross more, in and through the promises, and keep
+thy soul constant in this duty of the running to Christ, as an
+all-sufficient Mediator, and as an intercessor with the Father; and thus
+wait on him waiteth to be gracious, even in this particular, of
+intimating pardon to thy soul,--he knoweth when it is fittest for thee
+to know that thy sins are forgiven.
+
+3. But what can yield me any ground of peace while it is so, that I see
+no pardon or remission granted to me? _Ans._ This may yield thee peace,
+that, following this course which hath been explained, thou art about
+thy duty. Thou art not at peace with sin, nor harbouring that viper in
+thy soul; thou art mourning and sorrowing over it, and running to Christ
+the prince of pardons, through his blood and intercession, conform to
+the covenant of redemption, and after the encouragement given in the
+many and precious promises of the covenant of grace; and having these
+promises, and rolling thy guilt on Christ as thy cautioner, conform to
+the manner expressed in the gospel, thou art allowed to believe that thy
+sins are pardoned, and that thou art accepted in the beloved, and so
+quiet thy soul through faith, God abiding faithful and true, and his
+promises being all yea and amen in Christ.
+
+4. But so long as I find no intimation of pardon, I cannot think that I
+have taken the right gospel way of bringing my sins to Christ. _Ans._
+Though that will not follow, as we cleared above--for a soul may take
+the right gospel way of getting the guilt of their sins taken away in
+Christ, and God may pardon thereupon, and for all that not think it fit
+to give intimation of that pardon as yet, for wise and holy ends--yet
+the soul may humble itself for its shortcoming, and still go about the
+duty, amending in Christ what it supposeth to be amiss, and renewing its
+act of repentance and faith, and beg of Christ understanding in the
+matter, and so continue carrying sin always to Christ's cross, and
+eyeing his intercession, and wait for a full clearing of the matter in
+his good time.
+
+5. But what shall I do with the guilt of my weak repentance, and weak
+faith? _Ans._ When with a weak and defective repentance and faith thou
+art carrying away thy sins to Christ, and nailing them, to his cross,
+let the imperfection of thy faith and repentance go with the rest, and
+leave all there.
+
+6. What shall I do with my conscience, that still accuseth me of guilt,
+notwithstanding of my taking and following this course? _Ans._ Despise
+not the accusation of conscience, but let these humble thee the more,
+and keep thee closer at this duty. Yet know, that conscience is but an
+under servant, and God's deputy, and must accuse according to law, (I
+speak not here of the irregular, furious, and turbulent motions of
+Satan, casting in grenades in the soul and conscience, to raise a
+combustion and put all in a fire); its mouth, must be stopped by law,
+and so the soul would stay and answer the accusations of conscience with
+this, that he hath fled to Christ, the only Mediator and Cautioner, and
+cast his burden on him; and leaneth to his merits alone; and hath put
+those sins in his hand, as his advocate and intercessor with the Father;
+and that the gospel requireth no more of him. And if conscience should
+say, that both faith and repentance are imperfect and defective, and
+that guilt is thereby rather increased than taken away,--he must answer
+again, true; but I have done with the guilt of my faith and repentance,
+as with the rest, taken all to Christ, and left all on him; and herein
+only do I acquiesce,--I look not for pardon for my imperfect faith and
+repentance, yea, nor would I look for pardon of my sins, for my faith
+and repentance, were they never so perfect, but only in and through
+Jesus Christ, the only Cautioner, Redeemer, and Advocate. But further,
+this deputy would be brought to his master, who can only command him to
+silence; that is to say, the believer would go to Christ with the
+accusing conscience, and desire him to command its silence, that he may
+have peace of conscience, and freedom from those accusations that are
+bitter and troublesome. Remember withal, that if these accusations drive
+thee to Christ, and endear him more to thy soul, they will do no harm,
+because they drive thee to thy only resting place, and to the grand
+peacemaker. But if otherwise they discourage or for-slow thee in thy
+motion Christward, then be sure conscience speaketh without warrant, and
+its accusations ought not, in so far, and as to that end, to be
+regarded.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+HOW TO MAKE USE OF CHRIST FOR CLEANSING OF US FROM OUR DAILY SPOTS.
+
+
+Having spoken of the way of making use of Christ for removing the guilt
+of our daily transgressions, we come to speak of the way of making use
+of Christ, for taking away the guilt that cleaveth to the soul, through
+daily transgressions; "for every sin defileth the man," Matt. xv. 20;
+and the best are said to have their spots, and to need washing, which
+presupposeth filthiness and defilement, Eph. v. 27. John xiii. 8-10.
+Hence we are so oft called to this duty of washing and making us clean.
+Isa. i. 16. Jer. iv. 14. Acts xxii. 16. David prays for this washing,
+Psal. li. 2-7. And it is Christ's work to wash. 1 Cor. vi. 11. Rev. i.
+5. Eph. v. 26. See Tit. iii. 5. Now, in speaking to this, we shall
+observe the same method; and first shew, what Christ has done to take
+away this filth; and next, what way we are to make use of him, for this
+end, to get our spots and filthiness taken away, that we may be holy.
+
+As to the _first_, for the purging away of the filth of our daily
+failings and transgressions, Christ has done these things:
+
+1. He hath died that he may procure this benefit and advantage to us;
+and thus he hath washed us meritoriously in his own blood which he shed
+upon the cross. Thus he "loved us, and washed us from our sins, in his
+own blood," Rev. i. 5; and this is from all sins, as well such as are
+committed after, as such as are committed before conversion. Thus, "he
+by himself purged our sins," Heb. i. 3, viz. by offering up of himself
+as an expiatory sacrifice to make an atonement, and so procure this
+liberty. So also it is said, Eph. v. 25-27, that Christ gave himself for
+his church, "that he might sanctify and cleanse it--that he might
+present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or
+any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish." So,
+Tit. ii. 14, "He gave himself for us, that he might purify to himself a
+peculiar people, zealous of good works." Here then is the foundation and
+ground of all cleansing and purification--Christ's death procuring it.
+
+2. As he hath procured, so he sendeth the Spirit to effectuate this, and
+to work this washing and sanctification in us. Hence, it is said, 1 Cor.
+vi. 11, "that we are sanctified and washed, in the name of the Lord
+Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." We are said to be saved "by the
+washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which he hath
+shed upon us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour," Tit. iii. 5,
+6. The sending then, or shedding of the holy and sanctifying Spirit upon
+us, whereby we are sanctified, and consequently purified and purged from
+our filth, is a fruit of Christ's death and mediation, being purchased
+thereby, and is an effect of his resurrection, and glorification, and
+intercession in glory.
+
+3. He hath made a fountain of his blood for this end, that we may go to
+it daily, and wash and be clean. Thus his "blood cleanseth from all
+sin," 1 John i. 7-9. This is the "fountain opened to the house of David,
+and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness," Zech.
+xiii. 1.
+
+4. He hath purchased and provided the external means, whereby this
+cleansing and sanctification is brought about, viz. the preaching of the
+gospel, which he himself preached, and thereby sanctified, John xv. 3,
+"Now are ye clean through the word that I have spoken unto you." Eph. v.
+26, the church is "sanctified and cleansed with the washing of water, by
+the word."
+
+5. So hath he procured, and worketh in the soul those graces that
+promove and carry on this work of sanctification and purifying; such as
+faith, which purifieth the heart, Acts xv. 9; whereof he is the author
+and finisher, Heb. xii.; and hope, which whosoever hath, "purifieth
+himself, even as he is pure," 1 John iii. 3.
+
+6. He hath confirmed and ratified all the promises of the covenant,
+which are ample and large, touching this cleansing and washing, Jer.
+xxxv. 8, "And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they
+have sinned against me." Ezek. xxxvi. 25, "Then will I sprinkle clean
+water upon you, and ye shall be clean from all your filthiness." So
+Ezek. xxxvii. 23, "and I will cleanse them." And all the other promises
+of the covenant, apprehended by faith, have no small influence on our
+cleansing; 2 Cor. vii. 1. "Having therefore these promises, let us
+cleanse ourselves," &c.; all which promises are yea and amen in Christ,
+2 Cor. i. 20.
+
+Thus Christ made all sure, for the cleansing and washing of his people,
+conform to that article of the covenant of redemption, "so shall he
+sprinkle many nations," Isa. lii. 15.
+
+_Secondly,_ As to the way of our use-making of Christ for the purging
+away of our filth and daily pollutions, believers would take this
+course:
+
+1. They would remember and live in the conviction of the exceeding
+abominableness and filthiness of sin, which is compared to the vomit of
+a dog, and to the mire wherein the sow walloweth, 2 Pet. ii. 22; filthy
+rags, Isa. lxiv. 6; to a menstruous cloth, Isa. xxx. 22, and the like,
+that this may move them to seek with greater care and diligence, to have
+that filth taken away.
+
+2. They would remember also how abominable sin makes them in the eyes of
+an holy God, "who cannot behold iniquity," being a God of purer eyes
+than to behold it, Hab. i. 13; nor can he look on it; and how therefore
+no thing can enter into the New Jerusalem, nor any thing that defileth.
+And this will make them so much the more to abhor it, and to seek to be
+washed from it.
+
+3. They would look by faith on the blood of Christ that is shed for this
+end, to wash filthy souls into; and run to it as a fountain opened for
+this end, that they might come to it, and wash and be clean.
+
+4. For their encouragement, they would grip by faith to the promises of
+the new covenant, which are large and full.
+
+5. And remember the end of Christ's death, viz., to purchase to himself
+a holy people, zealous of good works, to present them to himself holy,
+and without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; and this will be further
+ground of encouragement.
+
+6. They would put the work by faith in his hand, who hath best skill to
+wash a foul soul, and to purge away all their spots; and by faith pray
+for and expect the Spirit to sanctify and cleanse them from all their
+filthiness; that is, they would make known and spread forth their
+abominations before the Lord, and eyeing Christ as the only great High
+Priest, whose blood is a fountain to wash in, would lay the work on him,
+and by faith put him to wash away that filth, and to purify their souls
+by his Spirit, pardoning their bygone iniquities and renewing them in
+the Spirit of their minds by grace, that they may walk before him in
+fear. Thus they would roll the work on him, and leave it there.
+
+
+CAUTIONS AND DIRECTIONS.
+
+_First,_ The believer would in all this work be kept in the exercise of
+these graces following:
+
+1. Of humility; seeing what a vile, filthy wretch he is, that stands in
+need of washing and purging daily, because of his daily pollutions and
+transgressions.
+
+2. Of love; considering with what a loving God he hath to do, that hath
+provided so liberally all things for him, and particularly hath provided
+a fountain, and such a fountain, whereto he not only may, but is
+commanded to resort daily.
+
+3. Of thankfulness; remembering how great this mercy is, how unworthy he
+is, on whom it is bestowed, and who he is that doth grant it.
+
+4. Of fear; lest God's goodness be abused, and he provoked who is so
+gracious to us.
+
+5. Of sincerity, and godly ingenuity, avoiding all hypocrisy and
+formality, knowing that we have to do with him, who will not be mocked.
+
+6. Of holy hatred; loathing and abhorrence of sin, which makes us so
+filthy and odious in the eyes of the Lord.
+
+_Secondly,_ This course would be followed for the purging away of the
+least sins; for till they be purged away, we remain in our filth, and
+cannot expect God's favourable countenance, nor his warm embracements,
+nor the hearty intimations of his love and kindness. And a small
+inconsiderable like spot may grow greater, and provoke God to let the
+accuser of the brethren, Satan, who always waits for his opportunity,
+loose upon us, and a conscience wakened may make much of a little
+defilement to keep the soul from approaching to God.
+
+3. This course would be followed with every sin, quickly without delay;
+for the longer those spots continue, it will be the more difficult to
+get them taken away. The soul will after some time, become the less
+troubled about them, and possibly forget them, and so they will remain;
+and this may occasion at last a sad distance, and provoke God to hide
+his face, which will cause more bitterness and sorrow. It were good,
+then, to keep up a spirit of tenderness and fear.
+
+4. Let this be our daily work and exercise; for we are daily contracting
+new filth. Yesterday's cleansing will not save us from new filth to-day;
+nor will our running to the fountain to-day, serve to take away new
+spots to-morrow; new spots call for new washing, so that this must be
+our very life and exercise, to be daily and continually running to the
+fountain with our souls; and giving Christ, the great purger, much to
+do.
+
+5. We must not think to be perfectly washed, so long as we are here; for
+we will be contracting new filth daily, our feet will still be to wash,
+John xiii. 10. We will not be without spot or wrinkle, till we come home
+to that place, wherein entereth nothing that defileth.
+
+6. Let the believer's recourse in this matter be wholly to Jesus Christ
+and his blood, and lay no weight on their sorrow, repentance, or tears,
+or on any outward means which they are commanded to use; yet would they
+not lay aside these means, but go through them to the fountain, to
+Jesus, there, and there only to be cleansed.
+
+7. They should not be discouraged or despair when their spots appear
+great, and not like the spots of his children; for Christ's blood can
+purge from all sin, and wash away all their filth, of how deep soever a
+dye it be. Christ's blood is so deep an ocean, that a mountain will be
+sunk out of sight in it, as well as a small pebble stone.
+
+8. Though Christ's blood be strong enough to purge from all sin, even
+the greatest, yet they should know, that scandalous spots, or a deep
+stain, may cost them more frequent running to the fountain, through
+humiliation, godly sorrow, prayer, and supplication. David's scandalous
+blot cost him more trouble and pains, before he got it purged away, than
+many others, as we see, Psalm li.
+
+9. When all this is done, we must think of having on another
+righteousness, as our clothing and covering, in the day of our
+appearance before our Judge--even the righteousness of Jesus Christ,
+which only is perfect, and able to save us from the wrath of God. Let us
+be never so washed in the matter of sanctification, and cleansed from
+our spots, we cannot for all that be accounted righteous before God; nor
+will that satisfy justice, or take away the guilt so much as of one
+transgression before God. Christ's righteousness will be our upper
+garment for all eternity. This is the fine linen wherewith his bride is
+busked in heaven.
+
+10. At every time we run to the fountain with our daily contracted
+filth, we would not forget to carry along with us the mother corruption,
+which is the sink and puddle of all filthiness; I mean our natural
+corrupted rottenness and pollution, from whence flow all our other
+actual pollutions. We would do well to carry mother and daughter both
+together to the fountain. David prayed to be washed and purged, as well
+from his original filthiness, wherein he was conceived and born, as from
+his blood-guiltiness. Psalm li. 5, 7.
+
+11. Let not this occasion our carelessness in watching against sin; for
+that would be, to turn his grace into wantonness; but rather let it
+sharpen our diligence in watching against all occasions of sin, lest we
+again defile our soul.
+
+12. Not only must we have our bodies, or our outward conversation
+washed, but our soul within, the frame of our heart, our understanding,
+will, affections, and conscience, sprinkled with that blood. The blood
+of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit "offered himself without spot
+to God," must purge our Consciences from dead works, to serve the living
+God, Heb. ix. 14. and we must "have our hearts, sprinkled from an evil
+conscience," Heb. x. 22.
+
+_Finally,_ If the believer fear that he shall not be able to remember
+all these particular duties, let him remember this, viz. to put a foul
+soul, defiled with original and actual pollutions, in Christ's hand
+daily, and leave it to him to wash by his blood and Spirit; and yet
+remember to lay the weight of his acceptance before God, upon the
+imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ, and not upon his own cleanness,
+when thus sanctified and washen, which is but imperfect.
+
+
+QUESTIONS OR OBJECTIONS ANSWERED.
+
+But, alas! some may object, and say, that their very faith, which must
+carry the rest of their filth to the fountain of Christ's blood, is
+defiled. How, then, can they expect to be made clean? _Answer._ The
+blood of Jesus Christ is sufficiently able to wash all our filth away;
+and the filth of faith, as well as of other actions. Therefore, when
+faith, as a hand, is carrying the filth of the soul away to Christ to be
+washed in his blood, let the foul hand go with the foul handful; give
+Christ faith and all to wash.
+
+2. But what shall I do, when, notwithstanding of all this, my conscience
+shall still accuse me of uncleanness, and cry out against me as filthy
+and abominable? _Answer._ Take it away also to the blood of Jesus, that
+there it may be purged, Heb. ix. 14; and here alone will we "get our
+hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience," Heb. x. 22. The conscience
+must be steeped, so to speak, in the blood of Jesus, and so it shall be
+clean. And taking our filthy hearts to this cleansing fountain to be
+washed, we will get them delivered and sprinkled from an evil
+conscience, that it shall no more have ground of accusation against us.
+When we have it to say, that we have put our filthy souls in the hand of
+the great cleanser, Jesus Christ, and brought all our pollutions to his
+blood, what can conscience say to us? The Lord, it is true, may suffer
+our conscience still to bark upon us, and cast up our filthiness to us,
+that we may be the more humbled, and be put to lie more constantly at
+the fountain; yet when we have fled to Christ, and taken our filthiness
+to the open and appointed fountain, we can answer the accusations of
+conscience in law, and have peace.
+
+3. But I am apt to think, will some say, that if I had once taken the
+right way to get my sins and filthiness purged away, my conscience would
+trouble me no more; but now, so long as it doggeth me thus, I cannot
+think that the way which I have taken is the right way. _Answer._ Though
+the Lord may think good to suffer conscience to trouble a man for a
+time, though he hath taken the right way, as is said, for a further
+exercise and trial to him; yet the believer will have no less
+disadvantage by examining his way, and trying whether he hath laid the
+matter cleanly over on Christ, or whether he hath laid too much weight
+on his own humiliation, sorrow, and pains; and whether he be leaving the
+matter on Jesus, and expecting to be washed alone in his blood, or
+looking into himself, and expecting some help in the matter from self;
+and after trial, would mourn for any failing he gets discovered, and
+still be about that work of running with filth to the fountain. But
+withal they would go to Christ for help, because without him they cannot
+come to him; they cannot come or carry their soul to the fountain opened
+for sin and for uncleanness; so that in all this work, there would be a
+single dependence on Christ for understanding and strength to go about
+this work aright.
+
+Thus have we endeavoured to clear up Christ being the way to the Father,
+first and last; and how all believers or unbelievers are to make use of
+him as the way to the Father, whatever their condition be: from all
+which we may see,
+
+1. That such are in a wretched and forlorn condition who are still
+strangers to Christ, and will not lay hold on him, nor come to him, and
+walk in him, and make use of him. They are unrighteous and unholy, and
+daily contracting more guilt and more filth; and they know no way either
+for justification or sanctification, but a way of self, which will prove
+like the brooks, which run dry in summer, and disappoint the weary
+traveller when he hath most need. They are without Christ, and so
+without the way, the only way, the safe and sure way to the Father. And,
+oh! if all that is here spoken could induce them to think once of the
+misery of their condition, and to seek out for relief, that they might
+not only be saved from their state of sin and misery, but brought into a
+state of salvation through Jesus Christ, so that they might be justified
+before God, from all that justice, the devil, the law, or conscience
+could lay against them, and thoroughly sanctified, and so at length
+brought home to the Father, fair and spotless.
+
+2. Upon the other hand, we see the noble advantage of believers, who,
+through grace, are entered in this way; for it is a full and complete
+way that shall carry them safe home. They shall find that he is able to
+save to the uttermost all that come to God through him. And, oh! if they
+were sensible of this, how would it excite them to thankfulness! How
+would it encourage them to run through difficulties great and many!
+
+3. We see what a special duty lieth upon believers to make special use
+of Christ in all things, as the way to the Father, and so march to
+heaven in him, as the only way; march in his hands, or rather be carried
+in his arms and bosom. This were to go from strength to strength, till
+at length they appeared in Zion, and landed in that pleasant place of
+rest, where the weary are at rest, and yet rest not day nor night, but
+sing praises to "him that hath redeemed them by his blood, out of every
+kindred and tongue, and people and nation, saying, blessing, honour,
+glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the
+Lamb for ever and ever," Rev. v. 9, 13.
+
+4. Hence we may see the cause of the leanness of believers, of their
+wanderings, of their shortcomings, of their many defilements, &c. viz.
+their not constant making use of Christ as the way in all things,
+according to the tenor of the gospel. Oh I if this were laid to heart
+and mourned for, and if grace were sought to help it!
+
+This one point of truth, that Christ is the way, well understood and
+rightly put into practice, would do all our business, both as to
+justification and sanctification, and were poor sinners once entered
+into this way, and had they grace from this way to walk in it, it would
+prove their life and salvation: For it is the marrow and substance of
+the whole gospel. So that there needeth little more to be said: Yet we
+shall speak a little to the other particulars in the text.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+"THE TRUTH." SOME GENERALS PROPOSED.
+
+
+That what we are to speak to for the clearing and improving this noble
+piece of truth, that Christ is the Truth, may be the more clearly
+understood and edifying, we shall first take notice of some generals,
+and then show particularly how or in what respects Christ is called the
+Truth; and finally speak to some cases wherein we are to make use of
+Christ as the Truth.
+
+As to the first. There are four general things here to be noticed.
+
+1. This supposeth what our case by nature is, and what we are all
+without Christ, who is the Truth: as,
+
+_First._ It supposeth that without Christ we are in darkness, mistakes,
+errors: yea, we are said to be darkness itself. Eph. v. 8, "Ye were
+sometimes darkness," &c. John i. 5, and of darkness; 1 Thess. v. 5, yea,
+under the "power of darkness;" Col. i. 13. John xii. 35. 1 John ii. 11,
+"walking in darkness;" 1 John i. 6, and "abiding in darkness." 1 Pet.
+ii. 9. 1 Thess. v. 4. John xii. 46, "We wander and go astray as soon as
+we are born, speaking lies," Psal. lviii. 3. Yea, we "go astray in the
+greatness of our folly," Prov. v. 22. We are "all gone astray," Isa.
+liii. 6. Psal. cxix. 67-176; so far are we from any knowledge of, or
+acquaintance with truth, or with the way of truth.
+
+_Secondly._ It supposeth that we cannot turn into the right way. A
+spirit of error and untruth leadeth us continually wrong; like the sheep
+we wander still, and we weary ourselves in our wandering; and so spend
+all our labour and pains in vain. Being under the power of untruth and
+error, we cannot walk one step right.
+
+_Thirdly._ Though all other ways, beside him who only is the way and the
+truth, be false ways and by-ways, leading us away from the true
+resting-place, and from that way which is the truth; yet we are prone
+and ready to cleave to those false and erroneous ways, and grip to
+shadows, and to lean to them, as if they were the ways of truth: Such
+as,
+
+1. A good heart, which many may imagine they have, when they have
+nothing less.
+
+2. Good intentions and purposes for time to come, which such, as were
+not under the power of error and untruth, would never deceive themselves
+withal.
+
+3. An harmless life, without scandalous out-breakings to the reproach of
+Christianity, a foundation on which no wise man, led by truth, would
+build his salvation, or hopes of eternal happiness.
+
+4. An outward, moral, civil and discreet carriage, which no man can
+blame, and wherein a heathen can outstrip many called Christians; so
+that it must be a poor ground to found our hopes upon; and yet many are
+so blinded, that they lean all their weight upon such a rotten staff.
+
+5. Outward exercise of religious duties, wherein a Pharisee may outstrip
+many; and yet, O how many build all their hopes of heaven upon this
+sandy foundation, which none but blinded persons would do!
+
+6. The commendation and applause of ministers and Christians, is that
+which many rest upon, which is a sad proof of the blindness of their
+hearts.
+
+7. The way of good works and alms-deeds blindfoldeth many, and sheweth
+that they were never led by truth, or taught of Christ, who is the
+truth.
+
+8. Some pinching grief and sorrow for sin, is another way which people,
+strangers to the truth, deceive themselves withal.
+
+9. A common sort of repentance, backed with some kind of amendment and
+outward reformation, is a way that many rest secure in, though it lead
+to destruction.
+
+10. Freedom from challenges of conscience deceiveth many.
+
+Though these and such like ways be dangerous, yea, deadly, yet how many
+are there to be found among Christians, that have no better ground of
+their hope of salvation, and will cleave to them so fast, as no
+preaching will make them so much as once question the matter, or suspect
+that these ways will in the end deceive them; so strong is their
+inclination to the way of error, though not as the way of error.
+
+_Fourthly._ It presupposeth also an inclinableness in us by nature to
+wander out of the way; for being nothing but a mass of error, made up of
+darkness, ignorance, and mistakes, we have a strong bias to error, which
+agreeth best with our natural, corrupted temper. Hence it is, that we
+have such a strong propension to errors and mistakes: Whether,
+
+1. Concerning God, and his way of dealing with his church, or with
+ourselves. O how ready are our hearts by nature, to hatch and foment
+wrong, unseemly, untrue, yea, unchristian, if not blasphemous thoughts
+and conceptions of his nature, attributes, word, and works? And how
+ready and prone are we to receive and entertain wrong apprehensions of
+all his ways and dealings with his church and people? And as for his
+works in and about ourselves, O! what unsuitable, erroneous, false,
+ungodly, absurd, and abominable opinions do we with greediness drink in
+and foster; yea, feed upon with delight? Who is able to recount all the
+errors and mistakes which our heart by nature is ready to admit and
+foster with complacency? Are we not by nature ready to say, that there
+is not a God,--as the fool, Psal. xiv. 1. Or, that he is not such a God
+as his word and works declare him to be--a holy, just, righteous,
+omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient God, &c. Or that he is a changeable
+God, and actually changed, not being the same now which sometime he was.
+That he hath forgotten to be gracious, and remembereth not his people in
+adversity; and so is not tender and merciful. That he hath forgotten his
+promises, and so is not faithful and true. That he approveth of sin,
+because he suffereth the way of the wicked to prosper, and so is not a
+holy God, &c. Yea, do not ofttimes such thoughts as these lodge within
+the heart of the truly godly? All which sheweth how prone we are to
+receive and entertain erroneous and false thoughts of God.
+
+2. Concerning ourselves. Supposing ourselves to be born again and
+reconciled to God, when yet we are living in black nature: And who so
+bold and confident that they are right, as they that are furthest out of
+the way? Or, on the other hand, supposing ourselves to be in a bad
+state, and in nature and darkness, when the day-star from on high hath
+visited us, and brought our souls from death unto life. And who more
+ready to complain than such as have least cause? Or supposing ourselves
+in a good condition; lively, active, diligent, watchful, &c, when it is
+just otherwise with us: Or, on the contrary, complaining of deadness,
+formality, upsitting, fainting, heartlessness in the ways of God, when
+it is not so. Or, in questioned matters, taking truth to be error, and
+error to be truth.
+
+3. Concerning others. How ready are we to run either to the one
+extremity or the other in judging their persons and actions?
+
+Oh! where is the faith of this natural condition? where is the real
+conviction of it? Sure there is but little real believing of this when,
+
+(1.) There are so many that never so much as suspect themselves or
+question either their state or condition, at one time or other; never
+once imagine that their blinded hearts may deceive them; never once
+dream of a possibility of mistaking, and of dying with a lie in their
+right hand.
+
+(2.) And so many that are not lamenting and bewailing this their
+condition, nor crying out and complaining of a false, deceitful, and
+desperately wicked heart.
+
+(3.) And so few that are indeed humbled under the sense of this, and
+made therefore to walk more watchfully and soberly with an eye always
+upon their treacherous and deceiving hearts.
+
+(4.) And so few, crying for help from God against this deceitful
+adversary, through daily experience of the atheism, hypocrisy,
+ignorance, misconceptions of God and of his ways, and deceitfulness of
+our hearts, might sufficiently put it out of doubt with us.
+
+_Next,_ How miserable must their condition be, who are yet strangers to
+Christ; for they are living in darkness, lying in darkness, walking in
+darkness, yea, very darkness itself, a mass of error, mistakes,
+ignorance, and misconceptions of all things that are good; and still
+wandering out of the way.
+
+_Finally,_ Should not this preach out to, and convince us all of a
+necessity of having more acquaintance with truth, with Jesus Christ, who
+is the truth, that we may be delivered from this woful and wretched
+condition; for truth only can set us free therefrom.
+
+II. The _second_ general thing to be noticed here is, that all other
+ways and courses, which we can take or follow, that we may obtain life,
+beside Christ, are but lies, false and deceitful ways,--there is no
+truth in them: For he only is the truth; no other whatsoever can bear
+this epithet: For,
+
+1. He only can satisfy the soul in all points otherways; whatever we can
+imagine and dream can yield no true satisfaction in this matter.
+
+2. He only can secure the soul from destructive ruinous courses, which
+will undo the soul. All other ways will fail here; none of them can give
+the least security to the soul, that they shall not bring him, in end,
+to destruction and everlasting perdition.
+
+3. He only can bring the soul safe through all opposition and
+difficulties in the way. No other way can do this; but will leave us in
+the mire, ere ever we come to the end of our journey.
+
+4. He will not deceive nor disappoint the soul. All other ways in end
+will prove treacherous, and give the traveller a doleful and sad
+disappointment.
+
+O what a warning should this be to us all, to take heed that we embrace
+not a lie, instead of him who is the truth; and sit not down with a
+shadow instead of the substance. How ready are we to put other things in
+his place? But whatever it be that gets his room in the soul, though
+good and worthy in itself, will prove a lie. Even, (1.) All our outward
+holiness and duties. Yea, (2.) All our experiences and great
+attainments. Yea, (3.) All our gifts and endowments. Aye, (4.) Our very
+graces. None of these are Christ's; and if we place that hope and
+confidence in them, which we should place on him, they will not prove
+the truth to us,--he alone is the truth.
+
+How sure then should we labour to be, that we do not die with a lie in
+our right hand. And how carefully should we guard against the trusting
+in, or leaning to any thing that is not Christ, and whole Christ, and
+only Christ, and Christ as offered in the gospel; seeing this way is
+only the truth, and no other way will be found so in end, though at
+present we may find in it,
+
+(1.) Some inward peace and quietness of heart, as if all were right.
+
+(2.) Some satisfaction of mind, things being right, as we apprehend, but
+falsely, through the deceitfulness of the heart.
+
+(3.) Something like assurance and confidence, that all will be right
+with us.
+
+(4.) And hope founded thereupon, which may help to ride through some
+storms, and yet fail us at length.
+
+III. The _third_ general is this, Christ Jesus is not only the truth in
+himself, but also in reference to us. The scope of the place cleareth
+this, as he is the way and the life for our use, so he is the truth. Not
+only as God equal with the Father, but also as Mediator, and our
+Immanuel.
+
+As God, he is, 1. Essentially truth, being God equal with the Father in
+power and glory.
+
+2. In respect of veracity, he is the God of truth, Deut. xxxii. 4;
+faithful in all his sayings, Ps. xxxi. 5; keeping truth for ever, Ps.
+cxlvi. 6.
+
+3. He is the fountain and spring-head of all created truth, for he is
+the first truth.
+
+As Mediator, and in reference to us, "he is full of grace and truth,"
+John i. 14; "he received not the Spirit in measure," John iii. 34; and
+this Spirit is a Spirit of truth. But of this more, when we come to
+shew more particularly, how and in what respects he is called the truth,
+as Mediator.
+
+IV. The _fourth_ general, which is here observable, is, that he is not
+only called "Truth," but "the Truth," as he is the way and the life; and
+not only true, but truth in the abstract. Which saith,
+
+1. That he is every way Truth, however we consider him, as God, or as
+Mediator.
+
+2. That all truth is in him; all truth of salvation for us is to be
+found in him.
+
+3. That all that is in him is truth, his natures, offices, performances,
+words, works, &c, all are true.
+
+4. That he is pure and unmixed truth; no lie in him, no error or mistake
+there.
+
+5. That truth in him is in its perfection and excellency. In the truest
+of men it is very imperfect.
+
+O what an excellent one must he be! How completely fitted and furnished
+for us! Oh! if our souls could love him, and close with him, and rest
+upon him as all-sufficient!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+MORE PARTICULARLY, IN WHAT RESPECT CHRIST IS CALLED THE TRUTH.
+
+
+But for further explaining of this matter, we would see more
+particularly, in what respects it is, that he is called the truth; and
+this will make way to our use-making of him. So,
+
+_First,_ He is the Truth, in opposition to the shadows and types of him,
+under the law. Hence, as "the law," the whole Levitical and typical
+dispensation, "came by Moses, so grace and truth came by Jesus Christ,"
+John i. 17. They were all shadows of him, and he is the substance and
+body of them all, Col. ii. 17; and this is true in these respects:
+
+1. All these shadows and types pointed at him, and directed, as with a
+finger, the Israelites, who were under that dispensation, to look to
+Christ, the promised Messiah, and to rest, and to lay all their weight
+on him. So that the law was a shadow of good things to come, Heb. x. 1.
+Col. ii. 17.
+
+2. They all terminate in him, he putting an end, by his coming and
+performing his work, to all those types which only related to him, and
+to what he was to do; the body being come, there is no more need of the
+shadow and the thing typified existing, there is no more need or use of
+the type.
+
+3. They are all fulfilled in him; he answereth them all fully, so that
+whatever was shadowed forth by them is completely to be found in him.
+This the apostle, in his Epistle to the Hebrews, abundantly evinceth.
+And Paul to the Colossians, tells us, "we are complete in him," and
+therefore need no more follow the shadows.
+
+_Secondly,_ He is the Truth in reference to the prophecies of old; all
+which did principally point at him and his concernments, his person,
+nature, offices, work, kingdom, &c.; and whatever was foretold in these
+prophecies is perfectly fulfilled in him, or done by him, or shall in
+due time be effectuated by him. He is that great prophet spoken of, Deut
+xviii. 15, 18, 19. So said the Jews themselves, John vi. 14. All the
+prophets from Samuel spoke of him and of his days, Acts iii. 22-24. "And
+to him gave all the prophets witness," Acts x. 43. And whatever they
+prophesied or witnessed of him, was, or is in due time to be fulfilled
+in him. Hence, we find the evangelists and apostles frequently applying
+the sayings and prophecies of the Old Testament unto him. And Luke
+(chap. iv. 18,) himself said the prophecy of Isaiah lxi. 1, &c., was
+fulfilled in him. See 1 Pet. x. 11, 12. And himself expounded to the two
+disciples going to Emmaus, in all the Scriptures, beginning at Moses and
+all the prophets, all the things concerning himself, Luke xxiv. 27. And
+thus is he the Truth of all the prophecies.
+
+_Thirdly,_ He is the Truth, in reference to his undertaking with the
+Father in that glorious covenant of redemption; for whatever the Father
+laid on him to do, that he did fully and faithfully. "He was to bear
+our griefs, to carry our sorrows;" and that he did. "He was to be
+wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our iniquities; the
+chastisement of our peace was upon him, and by his stripes we were to be
+healed," Isa. liii. 5; and so it was, Rom. iv. 25. 1 Cor. xv. 3. 1 Pet.
+ii. 23. "His soul was to be made an offering for sin," Isa. liii. 10,
+and so it was; for he offered up himself a sacrifice for sin. Yea, all
+that he was to do, by virtue of that covenant, he did it perfectly, so
+as he cried out, while hanging on the cross, "It is finished," John xix.
+30; and, in his prayer, John xvii., he told his Father, verse 4, that he
+had glorified him on earth, and had finished the work which he gave him
+to do; so that the Father was well pleased with him, Matt. iii. 17; xii.
+18; and xvii. 5. Mark i. 11. Luke iii. 22.
+
+_Fourthly,_ He is the Truth, in respect of his offices which he took
+upon him for our good; for all the duties of these offices which he was
+to do, and what remaineth to be done, he will perfect in due time. Did
+he take upon him the office of a prophet? He did fully execute the same,
+in revealing mediately and immediately the whole counsel of God, John i.
+18; and xv. 15. Eph. iv. 11, 12, 13. Acts xx. 32. 1 Pet. 10, 11, 12.
+Heb. i. 2. Did he take upon him the office of a priest? So did he fulfil
+the same, offering up himself an expiatory sacrifice to God, Heb. ix.
+28; and ii. 17; and becoming a priest, and living for ever to make
+intercession for us, Heb. vii. 25. And did he take on the office and
+function of a King? So doth he execute the same, calling a people to
+himself out of the world by his word and Spirit--Acts xv. 14, 15, 16.
+Isa. lv. 4, 5. Psalm cx. 3--erecting a visible church, a company of
+visible professors to profess and declare his name; which, as his
+kingdom, he ruleth with his own officers, laws and penalties, or
+censures; so that the government is on his shoulders, Isaiah ix. 6, 7,
+who is the head of the body, the church, Eph. i. 22, 23. Col. i. 18; and
+this his kingdom he ruleth, in a visible manner, by his own officers,
+&c. Ephes. iv. 11, 12. 1 Cor. xii. 28. Isaiah xxxiii. 22. Matt. xviii.
+17, 18. 1 Cor. v. 4, 5; and further, he executes this office by
+effectually calling the elect, giving them grace, Acts v. 3; rewarding
+the obedient, Rev. xxii. 12; ii. 10; chastising the disobedient, Rev.
+iii. 19; bringing his own home at length, through all their temptations,
+afflictions, and overcoming all their enemies, 1 Cor. xv. 25. Psalm cx.;
+and at length he shall do the part of a king, when he shall judge quick
+and dead at the last day, 2 Thess. i. 8, 9. Acts xvii. 31. 2 Tim. iv. 1.
+
+_Fifthly,_ He is the Truth in this regard, that he fully answers all the
+titles and names which he had got. As he was called Jesus, so did he
+save his people from their sins, Matt. i. 21. As he was called Christ,
+so was he anointed with the Spirit without measure, John iii. 34. Psalm
+xlv. 7; and separated for his work, and endued with all power for that
+effect, Job vi. 27. Matt. xxviii. 18, 19, 20; and established to be a
+prophet, Acts iii. 21, 22. Luke iv. 18, 21; a priest, Heb. v. 5, 6, 7;
+iv. 14, 15; and a king, Psalm ii. 6. Isaiah ix. 6, 7. Matt. xxi. 5.
+Phil. ii. 8-11. Was he called "Immanuel," Isaiah vii. 14? So was he
+indeed God with us, being God and man in one person for ever. Was he
+called "Wonderful," Isaiah ix. 6? So was he indeed in his two distinct
+natures in one person; at which the angels may wonder, Eph. iii. 10, 11.
+1 Pet. i. 12. 1 Tim. iii. 16. Was he called "Counsellor?" So was he
+indeed, coming out from the Father's bosom, with the whole counsel of
+God concerning our salvation, John i. 14, 18; iii. 13; v. 20, and xv.
+15. Was he called the "mighty God?" So was he indeed, Psalm cx. 1. Matt.
+xxii. 44. Heb. i. 13. Psalm xlv. 6. Heb. i. 8. Jer. xxiii. 6, and
+xxxiii. 16. Mal. iii. 1. Matt. xi. 10. Psalm lxxxiii. 18. Luke i. 76.
+John i. 1; xiv. 1. John v. 20. Tit. ii. 13. Rom. ix. 5. Was he called
+the "everlasting Father?" So is he the Father of eternity, being (as
+some interpret the word) the author of eternal life, which he giveth to
+all that believe in him, John vi. 39, 40, 47, 51; viii. 51; x. 28; xi.
+25, 26. Heb. v. 9, and vii. 25. Was he called the "Prince of Peace?" So
+is he the Prince of Peace indeed, being our peace, Mic. v. 5. Eph. ii.
+14; making up peace between God and us, Isaiah liii. 5, and liii. 19.
+Eph. ii. 17. Col. i. 20. Hence his gospel is the gospel of peace, and
+his ministers ambassadors of peace, Isaiah lii. 7. Rom. x. 15. 2 Cor. v.
+19, 20. Eph. vi. 15. And he giveth peace to all his, Zech. ix. 10. John
+xiv. 27; xvii. 33. Rom. v. 1; viii. 16, and xiv. 17. 2 Thes. iii. 17.
+Was he called the "Lord our Righteousness?" Jer. xxiii. 6; so is he the
+same indeed, bringing in everlasting righteousness, Dan. ix. 24; and
+"being made of God to us righteousness," 1 Cor. i. 30; and making us
+righteous, 2 Cor. v. 21.
+
+_Sixthly,_ He is the Truth in reference to the promises, which,
+
+1. Centre all in him, and lead to him as the great promise.
+
+2. Are founded all upon him, who is the only Mediator of the covenant of
+promises.
+
+3. Are confirmed all by him, and made yea and amen in him, 2 Cor. i. 20.
+He confirmed the promises made to the fathers, Rev. xv. 8.
+
+4. Are all dispensed and given out by him, who is the executor of his
+own testament, and the great dispensator of all that we need; so that
+what we ask of the Father he giveth it himself, John xiv. 13, 14.
+
+_Seventhly,_ He is the Truth, in that he fully answereth all the hopes
+and expectations of his people. He shall not be found a liar unto them,
+whatever Satan may suggest unto them, or a misbelieving heart may prompt
+them to conceive, and their jealousy may make them apprehend; and
+whatever his dispensations may now seem to say. In end they shall all
+find, that he is the truth, fully satisfying all their desires; and
+granting all that ever they could hope for, or expect from him. They
+shall at length be satisfied with his likeness, Psalm xvii. 15; yea,
+abundantly satisfied with the fatness of his house, Psalm xxxvi. 8; and
+with his goodness, Psalm lxv. 4; and that as with marrow and fatness,
+Psalm lxiii. 5. One sight of his glory will fully satisfy, and cause
+them to cry out, enough! Jeremiah is now saying, as once he did in the
+bitterness of his soul, through the power of corruption and temptation,
+(chap. xv. 18.) "wilt thou be altogether unto me as a liar, and as
+waters that fail?"
+
+_Eighthly,_ He is the Truth, in opposition to all other ways of
+salvation: for,
+
+1. There is no salvation now by the law of works, that covenant being
+once broken cannot any more save; the law cannot now do it, in that it
+is weak through the flesh, Rom. viii. 3.
+
+2. There is no salvation now by the law of Moses without Christ: hence
+Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, did not attain to
+the law of righteousness, because they sought it not by faith, but as it
+were by the works of the law, Rom. ix. 31, 32. They went about to
+establish their own righteousness, and did not submit themselves unto
+the righteousness of God, Rom. x. 3.
+
+3. There is no salvation by any thing mixed in with Christ, as the
+apostle fully cleareth in his epistle to the Galatians.
+
+4. There is no salvation by any other way or medium, which mart can
+invent or fall upon, whereof there are not a few, as we shewed above:
+"for there is not another name given under heaven, by which we can be
+saved," but the name of Jesus, Acts iv. 12. No religion Will save but
+this.
+
+So that he is the true salvation, and he only is the true salvation; and
+he is the sure and safe salvation: such as make use of him shall not be
+mistaken nor disappointed, Isaiah xxxv. 8.
+
+_Ninthly,_ He is the Truth, in respect of his leading and guiding his
+people in the truth: hence he is called "a teacher from God," John iii.
+2; and one that "teacheth the way of God in truth," Matt. xxii. 16. "A
+prophet mighty in deed and word," Luke xxiv. 19. And in this respect he
+is the truth upon several accounts.
+
+1. Of his personal teaching, God spoke by him, Heb. i. 2. He revealed
+the Father's mind, Matt. xi. 27. John i. 18.
+
+2. Of his messengers sent by him, as prophets of old, apostles and
+ministers of late, whom he sendeth forth to make disciples, Matt,
+xxviii. 18; and to open the eyes of the blind, Acts xxvi. 18.
+
+3. Of his word, which he hath left as our rule, and which is a sure,
+word of prophecy, more sure than a voice from heaven, 2 Pet. i. 19.
+
+4. Of his ordinances, which he hath established as means to guide us in
+the way of truth.
+
+5. Of his Spirit, whereby he maketh the word clear, John xiv. 26. This
+Spirit is sent to teach all truth, and to lead and guide us in all
+truth, John xvii. 13. 1 John ii. 27; and sept by him, and by the Father
+in his name, John xiv. 26; xv. 16; xvi. 14.
+
+6. Of his dispensations of providence, within us and without us, by
+which likewise he instructeth in the way of truth.
+
+_Tenthly._ He, is the Truth, in, respect of his bearing witness to, the
+truth; and this he doth,
+
+1. By himself, who was given for a witness, Isaiah lv. 4; and came to
+bear witness to the truth, John iii. 11; xviii. 37; and was a faithful
+witness, Rev. i. 5; iii. 14,
+
+2. By his ministers, who witness the truth of the gospel by publishing
+and proclaiming the same.
+
+3. By his martyrs, who seal the truth with their blood, and so bear
+witness to it, Rev. ii. 13; xvii. 6. Acts xxii. 20.
+
+4. By his Spirit, sealing the truth of grace in a believer, and his
+interest in God through Christ, and his right to all the benefits of the
+new covenant, "in whom also, after ye believed, ye were sealed with that
+Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance," Eph.
+i. 13, 14.
+
+_Eleventhly._ He is the Truth, in respect that he carrieth towards poor
+sinners in all things, according to the tenor of the gospel, and the
+offers thereof; he offers himself to all freely, and promiseth to put
+none away that come to him; and this he doth in truth: for no man can
+say, that he had a sincere and true desire to come to Jesus, and that he
+rejected him and would not look upon him. He giveth encouragement to all
+sinners to come, that will be content to quit their sins; and promiseth
+to upbraid none that cometh. And is there any that in their own
+experience can witness the contrary? He offers all freely; and did he
+ever reject any upon the want of a price in their hand? Nay, hath not
+the cause of their getting no admittance been, that they thought to
+commend themselves to Christ by their worth; and would not take all
+freely, for the glory of his grace? Let believers and others speak here,
+out of their own experience, in truth and in uprightness; and it shall
+be found, that he was and is the truth.
+
+_Twelfthly._ He is the Truth, in that, in all his dispensations in the
+gospel, and in all his works and actions in and about his own people, he
+is true and upright. All his offers, all his promises, all his
+dispensations, are done in truth and uprightness; yea, all are done out
+of truth and uprightness of love, true tenderness and affection to them,
+whatever the corruption of jealousy and misbelief think and say to the
+contrary. He is the truth; and so always the same, unchangeable in his
+love, whatever his dispensations seem to say; and the believer may rest
+assured hereof, that he being the truth, shall be to him whatever his
+word holdeth him forth to be, and that constantly and unchangeably.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+SOME GENERAL USES FROM THIS USEFUL TRUTH, THAT CHRIST IS THE TRUTH.
+
+
+Having thus cleared up this truth, we should come to speak of the way of
+believers making use of him as the truth, in several cases wherein they
+will stand in need of him as the truth. But ere we come to the
+particulars, we shall first propose some general uses of this useful
+point.
+
+_First._ This point of truth serveth to discover unto us, the woful
+condition of such as are strangers to Christ the truth; and oh, if it
+were believed! For,
+
+1. They are not yet delivered from that dreadful plague of blindness,
+error, ignorance, mistakes under which all are by nature; a condition,
+that if rightly seen, would cause the soul lie low in the dust.
+
+2. Whatever course they take, till they come to Christ, and while they
+remain in that condition, is a lie, and a false, erroneous, and
+deceitful way. For still they are turning aside to lies, Psalm xl. 4;
+and seeking after them, Psalm iv. 2.
+
+3. Whatever hopes and confidence they may have, that their way shall
+carry them through, yet in end they will be found to inherit lies, Jer.
+xvi. 19; and meet with the saddest disappointment that can be. For
+instead of the fellowship of God, Christ, angels, and glorified spirits,
+they shall take up their lodging with devils and damned souls; and that
+because they have made no acquaintance with the way of truth; and the
+way wherein they are, is but a lie and a falsehood; and so of necessity
+must deceive them.
+
+4. All their literal and speculative knowledge shall not avail them, so
+long as they are strangers unto him who is the truth. Their knowledge is
+but ignorance, because it is not a knowledge of him who is the truth.
+
+5. They have none to go to for help and light in the day of their
+darkness, confusion, and perplexity; for they are not reconciled unto
+the truth, which alone can prove steadable and comfortable in that day.
+
+6. They can do nothing to help themselves out of that state of darkness
+and ignorance; and whatever they do to help themselves shall but
+increase their darkness and misery; because there is no truth there, and
+truth, even the truth alone, can dispel these clouds of error, mistakes,
+ignorance, &c.
+
+_Secondly._ Hence, we see the happy and blessed condition of believers,
+who have embraced this truth, and gotten their souls opened to him who
+is the truth; for,
+
+1. They are in part delivered from that mass of lies, mistakes,
+misapprehensions, errors, deceitfulness and ignorance under which they
+lay formerly, and all the unregenerate do yet lie. And though they be
+not fully delivered therefrom, yet the day is coming when that shall be,
+and the begun work of grace and truth in them is a pledge thereof; and
+at present they have ground to believe, that that evil shall not again
+have dominion over them, they being now under grace, and under the
+guidance of truth.
+
+2. Howbeit they have many perplexing thoughts, doubts and fears of their
+state and condition, and think many a time, that they shall one day or
+other perish by the way; and all their hopes and confidence shall
+evanish; yet having given up themselves to truth, and to the truth, they
+shall not be disappointed in the end. The truth shall land them safe on
+the other side. The truth shall prove no lie.
+
+3. They have a fast and steadable friend to go to, in a day of darkness,
+clouds, doubts, when falsehood and lies are like to prevail, even the
+Truth, who alone can help them in that day.
+
+4. Howbeit the knowledge they have of God, and of the mysteries of the
+gospel, be but small; yet that small measure being taught by him, who is
+the truth, and flowing from truth, shall prove sanctifying and saving.
+
+9. They have ground to hope for more freedom from errors and deceitful
+lies, than others; for they have chosen the way of truth, and given
+themselves up to the leading of truth.
+
+_Object._ But do not even such drink in and receive and plead for
+errors, as well as others; and is it not sometime found, that they even
+live and die in some mistakes and errors?
+
+_Answ._ I grant the Lord may suffer even some of his own to fall into,
+and to continue for some time in errors, yea, and it may be all their
+days, as to some errors, that hereby, all may learn to tremble and fear,
+and to work out their salvation with fear and trembling. (2.) Some may
+be tried thereby, Dan. xi. 35. (3.) Others may break their neck
+thereupon. (4.) To punish themselves, for not making that use of truth,
+and of the truth, that they should have done; yet we would consider
+these few things:
+
+1. That there are many more unregenerate persons that fall into error.
+
+2. If his people fall into error at any time, they do not always
+continue therein to the end. God for his own glory maketh, sometime or
+other, truth shine in upon their soul, which discovereth that mistake,
+and presently, the grace of God in their soul maketh them to abhor the
+same.
+
+3. Or if some continue in it to their dying day, yet they repent of it,
+by an implicit repentance, as they do of other unknown and unseen evils
+that lie in their soul; so that that error doth not destroy their soul.
+
+4. There are some gross errors, which a regenerate soul cannot readily
+embrace, or if, through a mistake, or the power of a temptation, they do
+embrace them, yet they cannot heartily close with them, whatever for a
+time, through corruption and pride, they may seem outwardly to do; and
+that because the very daily exercise of grace will discover them; and so
+they will be found to be against their daily experience; as some
+opinions of the Papists, Arminians, and Socinians, together with the
+abominable Quakers, which a gracious soul, when not carried away with
+the torrent of corruption, and with the tempest of a temptation, cannot
+but observe to contradict the daily workings of grace in their soul, and
+the motions of their sanctified soul, in prayer and other holy duties;
+and so such as they cannot but find to be false by their own experience.
+
+_Thirdly._ Here is ground of a sharp reproof of the wicked, who continue
+in unbelief; and,
+
+1. Will not believe, nor give any credit to his promises; wherewith he
+seeketh to allure poor souls to come to him for life.
+
+2. Nor will they believe his threatenings, wherewith he useth to alarm
+souls, and to urge them forward to their duty.
+
+3. Nor will they believe and receive his offers, as true.
+
+5. Nor will they believe, that he is the true prophet, priest, and king,
+that must save souls from hell and death, and therefore they will not
+give him employment in his offices.
+
+All which cannot but be a high provocation, for in effect it is to say
+that he is not the truth, nor worthy to be believed. Let them consider
+this, and see how they think he shall take this off their hands. No man
+will take it well that another should either call or account him a
+liar; and can they think that Christ shall take it well at their hands,
+to be accounted by them a liar? What will they think to be challenged
+for this in the great day? Now, the truth is, all unbelievers, as they
+make God a liar, (O horrid and abominable crime! Whose hair would not
+stand on end to hear this?) 1 John v. 10, 11. "He that believeth not God
+hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave
+of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal
+life; and this life is in his Son." So do they make the Son of God a
+liar, in all his sayings, in all his offices, and in all his works; and
+they make the Holy Ghost a liar, in not believing that truth that he
+hath sealed as firm truth. They make the covenant of suretiship betwixt
+the Father and the Son, a mere lie and a forgery. O dreadful! They make
+the word of truth a lie, and they make all the saints liars, and all the
+officers of Jesus Christ, who declare this truth, and the saints who
+believe it, and rest upon it, liars.
+
+_Fourthly._ Hence is there ground of reproof to the godly, in that,
+
+1. They do not firmly enough believe his sayings, neither his promises,
+nor his threatenings, as appeareth too oft upon the one hand, by their
+faintings and fears, and upon the other hand, by their carelessness and
+loose walk.
+
+2. They make not use of him, in all cases as they ought. His offices lie
+by and are not improved; nor is he gone to as the truth, in cases
+requiring his help, as the truth; that is, in cases of darkness,
+doubtings, confusion, ignorance of their case and condition, and the
+like.
+
+3. They do not approach to him, nor to God through him, heartily and
+cordially, as the very truth, and true way.
+
+4. Nor do they rest with confidence upon him in all difficulties, as
+being the truth that will not fail them, nor disappoint them.
+
+5. Nor do they rejoice in him, as satisfied with him, who is the truth,
+in the want of all other things.
+
+_Fifthly._ The right consideration of this truth should keep us in mind
+of several great duties; such as those,
+
+1. Of pitying those places where this truth is not heard of, as among
+Turks and heathens; or where it is darkened with superstition and men's
+inventions, as among papists; or where it hath been clearly shining, but
+now is darkened, as in some churches now under the prevailing power of
+corruption; or, lastly, where it is not received in its power and
+lustre, as, alas! it is too little received in the best and purest
+churches.
+
+2. Of being thankful to him for making this truth known in the world,
+and particularly in the place where we were born, or had our abode; and
+yet more for that he hath determined our hearts to a believing of this
+truth, in some weak measure; to an embracing of it, and to a giving of
+ourselves up to be led, ruled, and guided thereby.
+
+3. Of esteeming highly of every piece of truth for his sake who is the
+truth; studying it for his sake--loving it for his sake--holding it fast
+for his sake--witnessing to it, as we are called, for his sake. We
+should buy the truth, and not sell it, Prov. xxiii. 23; and we should
+plead for it, and be valiant for it, Isa. lix. 4, 14. Jer. vii. 28; ix.
+3.
+
+4. Of taking part with him and his cause, in all hazards, for truth is
+always on his side; and truth shall prevail at length.
+
+5. Of giving him employment in our doubts and difficulties, whether,
+
+(1.) They be about some controverted points of truth, which come to be
+debated, or to trouble the church. Or,
+
+(2.) About our own estate and condition, quarrelled at by Satan, or
+questioned by the false heart. Or,
+
+(3.) About our carriage in our daily walk. In all these, and the like,
+we should be employing truth, that we may be led in truth, and taught by
+truth, to walk in sure paths.
+
+6. Of carrying in all things before him as true; for he is truth, and
+the truth, and so cannot be deceived; and therefore we should walk
+before him in sincerity and singleness of heart, without guile,
+hypocrisy, or falsehood, that we may look like children of the truth;
+and of the day, and of light, and children that will not lie or
+dissemble, Isaiah lxiii. 8; not like these that lied unto him, Psalm
+lxxviii. 38. Isaiah lix. 13.
+
+7. Of taking him only for our guide to heaven, by denying our own wit,
+skill, and understanding, and looking to and resting upon him, who alone
+is the truth, and so acknowledging him in all our ways, depending on him
+for light and counsel, for singleness of heart, humility, diligence, and
+truth, in the inward parts.
+
+8. Of giving up ourselves daily unto him and his guidance, and denying
+our own wills, humours, parties, or opinions; for he alone is truth, and
+can only guide us aright. And for this cause, we would acquaint
+ourselves well with the word, which is our rule, and seek after the
+Spirit, whom Christ hath promised to lead us into all truth.
+
+_Sixthly._ Should not this be a strong inducement to all of us, to lay
+hold on and grip to him, who is the truth, and only the truth? seeing,
+
+1. All other ways which we can take, will prove a lie to us in the end.
+
+2. He is substance, and no shadow, and all that love him shall inherit
+substance; for he will fill all their treasures, Prov. viii. 21.
+
+3. Such as embrace him shall not wander, nor be misled; for his "mouth
+shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to his lips," Prov.
+viii. 7. "All the words of his mouth are in righteousness, and there is
+nothing froward or perverse in them," verse 8. "He is wisdom, and
+dwelleth with prudence, and findeth out knowledge of witty inventions,"
+verse 12. "Counsel is his, and sound wisdom; he hath understanding and
+strength," ver. 14.
+
+4. He will make good all his promises in due time, and give a
+subsistence and a being to them all; for he is the Truth, and the Truth
+must stand to his promises, and fulfil them all.
+
+5. He will never, nay, "never leave his people, nor forsake them," Heb.
+xiii. 5. He is truth, and cannot deceive; he cannot forsake nor
+disappoint. He is a spring of water, whose waters fail not, Isaiah
+lviii. 11. Therefore they cannot be disappointed in the end, and
+perish, who trust to him.
+
+6. The truth will make them free, John viii. 32, 36, and so deliver them
+from their state of sin and misery, wherein they lay as captives; and
+from that spiritual bondage and slavery under which they were held.
+
+_Seventhly_. This, to believers, may be a spring of consolation in many
+cases, as,
+
+1. When error and wickedness seem to prosper and prevail; for though it
+prevail for a time, yet truth will be victorious at length, and the
+truth will overcome all. He is truth, and will plead for truth.
+
+2. When friends, acquaintances, relations, fail them, and father and
+mother forsake them, truth will take them up. He who is the truth will
+answer his name, and never deceive, never forsake.
+
+3. When riches, honours, pleasures, or what else their heart hath being
+going out after, prove like summer brooks; for the truth will be the
+same to them in all generations; there is no shadow of turning with
+him. The Truth is always truth, and true.
+
+4. When we fear that either ourselves or others shall fall away, in a
+day of trial, and turn from the truth. Though all men prove liars and
+deceivers, truth will abide the same, and stand out all the blasts of
+opposition.
+
+5. When unbelief would make us question the truth of the promises, the
+faith of his being truth itself, and the truth, even truth in the
+abstract, would shame unbelief out of countenance. Shall truth fail?
+Shall not the Truth be true? What a contradiction were that?
+
+6. When we know not how to answer the objections of Satan, and of a
+false treacherous heart; for truth can easily answer all cavils; and he
+who is the truth can repel all objections against truth. Truth is
+impregnable, and can stand against all.
+
+7. When we cannot know, nor discover the wiles and subtilty of Satan.
+Truth can discover the depths of Satan, and make the poor soul more
+acquaint with them; so that they shall not any more be ignorant of his
+devices, who look to him.
+
+8. When the thoughts of the deceitfulness of our hearts trouble us, the
+depth whereof we cannot search. This then may comfort us, that truth may
+search the heart and the reins, Jer. xvii. 9, 10.
+
+9. When we cannot tell what our disease and distemper is, and so cannot
+seek suitable remedies, or help from God, O what a comfort is it, to
+know and believe, that he is the truth, with whom we have to do, and so
+knoweth our distemper perfectly, and all its causes and symptoms,--truth
+cannot be at a stand in discerning our disease; so nor can he be
+ignorant of the fittest and only safest cures.
+
+10. When we know not what to ask in prayer, as not knowing what is best
+for us, it is a comfort to remember that we have to do with the Truth,
+who is perfectly acquainted with all that, and knoweth what is best.
+
+11. When we know not how to answer the calumnies of adversaries, it is
+comfortable to know that he is the truth, that will hear truth, when men
+will not, and will own and stand for the truth, when enemies do what
+they can to darken an honest man's good cause. It is comfortable to
+know, we have the Truth to appeal to, as David had, Psalm vii. 17.
+
+12. When we think on our own covenant-breaking, and dealing deceitfully
+with God, it is comfortable to remember, that though we and all men be
+liars, and deal deceitfully with him, yet he is the truth, and will keep
+covenant for ever; he will not, he cannot deny himself, 2 Tim. ii. 13.
+
+_Eighthly,_ Hence we may certainly conclude, that truth, which is
+Christ's cause, shall at length prevail; for he is truth, yea, the
+truth, and so abideth truth; therefore must he prevail, and all the
+mouths of liars must be stopped. So then let us remain persuaded, that
+truth at length shall be victorious, and that the cause of Christ shall
+have the victory. Though,
+
+1. The enemies of truth, and the cause of Christ, be multiplied, and
+many there be that rise up against it.
+
+2. These enemies should prosper, and that for along time, and carry on
+their course of error and wickedness with a high hand.
+
+3. There should be few found to befriend truth, and to own it in an evil
+day.
+
+4. Yea, many of those that did sometime own it, and plead for it, should
+at length turn their backs upon it, as did Demas.
+
+5. And such as continue constant and faithful, be loaded with
+reproaches, and pressed under with sore persecution, for adhering to
+truth, and owning constantly the good cause.
+
+6. Yea, though all things in providence should seem to say, that truth
+shall not rise again, but seem, on the contrary, to conspire against the
+same.
+
+_Ninthly,_ May we not hence read, what should be our way and course, in
+a time when a spirit of error is gone abroad, and many are carried off
+their feet therewith, or when we are doubtful what to do, and what side
+of the dispute to take. O then is the fit time for us to employ truth,
+to live near to him who is the truth, to wait on him, and hang upon him,
+with singleness of heart.
+
+_Objection._ But many even of his own people do err and step aside.
+_Ans._ That is true: But yet, (1.) That will be no excuse to thee.
+Nay,(2.) That should make thee fear and tremble more. (3.) And it should
+press thee to lie near to Christ, and to wrestle more earnestly with
+him, for the Spirit of light and of truth, and to depend more constantly
+and faithfully upon him, with singleness of heart, and to give up all
+thy soul and way to him, as the God of truth, and as the truth, that
+thou mayest be led into all truth.
+
+_Tenthly,_ This should stir us up to go to him, and make use of him as
+the truth in all cases, wherein we may stand in need of truth's hand to
+help us; and for this cause we should mind those particulars:
+
+1. We should live in the constant conviction of our ignorance,
+blindness, hypocrisy, readiness to mistake and err. This is clear and
+manifest, and proved to be truth by daily experience; yet how little is
+it believed, that it is so with us? Do we see and believe the atheism of
+our hearts? Do we see and believe the hypocrisy of our hearts? Are we
+jealous of them, as we ought to be? O that it were so! Let this then be
+more minded by us.
+
+2. Let us live in the persuasion of this, that he only, and nothing
+below him, will be able to clear our doubts, dispel our clouds, clear up
+our mistakes, send us light, and manifest truth unto us; not our own
+study, pains, prayers, duties, learning, understanding; nor ministers,
+nor professors, and experienced Christians, and the like.
+
+3. We should be daily giving up ourselves to him, as the truth, in all
+the forementioned respects, and receiving him into our souls as such,
+that we may dwell and abide there: then shall the truth make us free;
+and if the Son make us free, we shall be free indeed, John viii. 36.
+
+4. There should be much single dependence on him for light, instruction,
+direction, and guidance in all our exigencies.
+
+5. Withal, there should be a waiting on him with patience, giving him
+liberty to take his own way and time, and a leaving of him thereunto.
+
+6. We should by all means guard against such things as are hinderances,
+and will prove obstacles to us in this matter; such as,
+
+(1.) Prejudices against the truth; for then we will undervalue light,
+and reject all the directions and instructions of the Spirit, as not
+agreeing with our prejudicate opinion.
+
+(2.) A wilful turning away from truth, as these, 2 Tim. iv. 4. Titus i.
+14.
+
+(3.) Addictedness to our own judgments and opinions, which causeth
+pertinaciousness, pride, and conceit, as thinking ourselves so wise, as
+that we need no information; and this occasioneth a self-confidence.
+
+(4.) Looking too much unto, and hanging too much upon men, who are but
+instruments, crying them up as infallible, and receiving, without
+further examination, all that they say, not like the Bereans, Acts xvii.
+This is a great hinderance to the receiving of truth, and very
+prejudicial.
+
+(5.) A neglecting of the use of the means which God hath appointed for
+this end.
+
+(6.) Or an hanging too much on them, and so misplacing them, giving them
+his room.
+
+(7.) Leaning too much to our own understanding, wit and knowledge, &c.
+
+(8.) A resisting of the truth, 2 Tim. iii. 8. These and the like
+hinderances should be guarded against, lest they mar our attaining to
+the knowledge of truth.
+
+7. There should be much of the exercise of prayer, for this is the main
+conduit and mean, through which light is conveyed into the soul. There
+should also be a serious and Christian reading and hearing of the word,
+which is truth, and the word of truth, and the Scripture of truth; and
+those duties should be gone about with, (1.) much self-denial; (2.) with
+much singleness of heart; (3.) with much humility; (4.) with much
+willingness and readiness to be instructed; (5.) with much seriousness
+and earnestness; and, (6.) with faith and dependence on God for his
+blessing and breathing.
+
+8. We should beware of trusting to our own understandings, or to the
+judgments of other men; nor should we look to what suiteth most our own
+humours, nor to what appeareth most specious and plausible, for that may
+deceive us.
+
+9. We should lie open to the influences and rays of light, by exercising
+faith in earnest desires; as also patient waiting for and single looking
+to him, minding his name and his relations, promises, and engagements,
+and the strengthening of our faith and confidence.
+
+10. We should labour to keep fast whatever he teacheth us by his word
+and Spirit, and not prove leaking vessels. This the apostle exhorteth
+to, Heb. ii. 1, "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the
+things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip;"
+yea, and we should be established "in the truth," 2 Pet. i. 12.
+
+11. We should beware of resting on a form of the truth, as those did, of
+whom we read, Rom. ii. 20; and of holding the truth in unrighteousness,
+as those, Rom. i. 18; and of disobeying it, as those mentioned in Rom.
+ii. 8. See also Gal. iii. 1; v. 7.
+
+12. But on the contrary, we should so receive truth, as that it might
+rule and be master in us, captivate judgment, will, and affections, and
+break out into the practice. And this recommendeth several duties, such
+as,
+
+(1.) To have the truth in us; while as, if we practise otherwise, "the
+truth is not in us," 1 John i. 8; ii. 4.
+
+(2.) To be of the truth, as belonging to its jurisdiction, power, and
+command, 1 John iii. 19. John xviii. 37.
+
+(3.) To do the truth, by having true fellowship with him, 1 John i. 6;
+and "to walk in the truth," 2 John iv. 3. John iv. Psalm lxxxvi. 11.
+
+(4.) To have the loins girt with truth, Eph. i. 14.
+
+(5.) To receive the love of the truth, 2 Thess. ii. 10.
+
+(6.) To be instructed of him, "as the truth is in Jesus," Eph. iv. 21.
+
+(7.) To purify the soul in obeying the truth, 1 Pet. ii. 22.
+
+This shall suffice for clearing up, and applying in the general this
+excellent truth, that Christ is the truth. We shall now come and make
+some more particular use of this precious point, by speaking to some
+particular cases (which we shall instance in, by which the understanding
+Christian may be helped to understand how to carry and how to make use
+of Christ in other the like cases), wherein Christ is to be made use of
+as the truth, and show how believers are to make use of him in these
+cases as the truth.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+HOW TO MAKE USE OF CHRIST AS THE TRUTH, FOR GROWTH IN KNOWLEDGE.
+
+
+It is a commanded duty, that we grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, 2
+Pet. iii. 18; and the knowledge of him being life eternal, John xvii. 3,
+and our measure of knowledge of him here being but imperfect, for we
+know but in part, it cannot but be an useful duty, and a desirable
+thing, to be growing in this knowledge. This is to walk worthy of the
+Lord unto all pleasing, to be increasing in the knowledge of God, Col.
+i. 10. Knowledge must be added to virtue; and it layeth a ground for
+other Christian virtues, 2 Pet. i. 5, 6. In this knowledge we must not
+be barren, 2 Pet. i. 2. And this being so necessary, so desirable, so
+useful, and so advantageous a grace, the believer cannot but desire to
+have more and more of it, especially seeing it is a part of the image of
+God, Col. iii. 10.
+
+Now it is the truth that must teach them here, first and last. "The
+light of the knowledge of the glory of God must be had in the face of
+Jesus Christ," 2 Cor. iv. 6. The question therefore is, how we should
+make use of Jesus Christ for this end, that we may attain to more of
+this excellent knowledge.
+
+_First._ It is good to live in the constant conviction of a necessity of
+his teaching us, and this taketh in those particulars:
+
+1. That we should be conscious of our ignorance, even when we know most,
+or think we know most, remembering that the best knoweth but in part, 1
+Cor. xiii. 9. The more true knowledge we attain to, the more will we see
+and be convinced of our ignorance; because the more we know, the more
+will we discover of the vastness and incomprehensibility of that object,
+which is proposed to our knowledge.
+
+2. That we should remember, how deceitful our hearts are; and how ready
+they are to sit down upon a shadow of knowledge, even where we know
+nothing as we ought to know, 1 Cor. viii. 2; and this will keep us
+jealous and watchful.
+
+3. And to help forward our jealousy of our own hearts and watchfulness,
+we should remember that our hearts naturally are averse from any true
+and saving knowledge; whatever desire there be naturally after knowledge
+of hidden things out of curiosity; and of things natural; or of things
+spiritual, as natural, for the perfection of nature, as might be
+pretended, whereby in effect those that increase knowledge, increase
+sorrow, Eccl. i. 18. Yet there is no inclination after spiritual and
+saving knowledge, in us naturally, but an aversion of heart therefrom.
+
+4. That we should study and know the absolute necessity of this
+knowledge. How necessary it is for our Christian communion with God, and
+Christian walk with others; how necessary for our right improving of
+dispensations, general and particular; what a noble ornament of a
+Christian it is, and a necessary piece of the image of God, which we
+have lost.
+
+_Secondly._ Upon these grounds mentioned, we would also be convinced of
+this:
+
+1. That of ourselves, and by all our natural parts, endowments,
+quickness and sagacity, we cannot attain to this saving knowledge, which
+is a special and saving grace, and so must be wrought in the soul by a
+divine hand, even the mighty power of God. By our private study and
+reading, we may attain to a literal, heady, and speculative knowledge,
+that will puff us up, 1 Cor. viii. 1; but thereby shall we never attain
+to this knowledge, which is spiritual, hearty, and practical, and so
+saving, we must have the anointing here, which teacheth us all things, 1
+John ii. 27. And of this we should be persuaded, that we may look to a
+higher hand for light and instruction.
+
+_Thirdly._ There should be an eyeing of Christ's furniture and fitness
+for this work of teaching of us, to wit,
+
+1. An eyeing of him as the substantial wisdom of the Father, Prov. viii.
+
+2. An eyeing of him, as one come out of the bosom of the Father, John i.
+18; and so sufficiently enabled to acquaint us with the mysteries of God
+for salvation.
+
+3. An eyeing of him as Mediator, fully endued with all necessaries for
+this piece of his work, and so having received the Spirit without
+measure, for this end, John iii. 34; and as having hid in him all the
+treasures of wisdom and knowledge, Col. ii. 3; and as having all
+fullness dwelling in him, Col. i. 19; and also Isa. xi. 2; lxi. 1,2.
+
+4. An eyeing of him, as having power to send the Spirit, that anointing
+that teacheth us all things, "and is truth and is no lie," 1 John ii.
+20-27; not only by way of intercession and entreaty, begging it of the
+Father, John xv. 16, 17; but also authoritatively, as conjunct with the
+Father. The Father sendeth him in Christ's name, John xiv. 26; and
+Christ sendeth him from the Father, John xv. 26; and this Spirit of
+truth which guideth into all truth, shall receive of Christ's, and shew
+it unto us, John xvi. 13-15.
+
+_Fourthly,_ There should be an eyeing of Christ's readiness,
+willingness, and engagement to help in this case; and this will
+encourage the soul to go forward. And for this cause we would remember
+those things:
+
+1. That he standeth obliged to help us with instruction, by virtue of
+his office, as a prophet, a witness, a leader, and a commander, Isa. l
+v. 4.
+
+2. That he is commissioned of the Father for this end, and so is the
+Father's servant; and is given for "a light to the Gentiles," Isa. xlii.
+6; xlix. 6; and the Father is said to speak by him, or in him, Heb. i.
+1.
+
+3. That he received his gifts and qualifications for this end and
+purpose, that he might give out and dispense to his members according to
+their necessity; as is clear from Psalm lxviii. 18, compared with Eph.
+iv. 8; what he is said to have received in the one place, he is said to
+have given in the other.
+
+4. That he hath begun this work already by his Spirit in his followers;
+and therefore standeth engaged to see it perfected; for all his works
+are perfect works.
+
+5. That he hath a love to his scholars, and a desire to have them all
+thriving, and making progress in knowledge; this being his glory who is
+their master and teacher.
+
+6. That he laid down ways and means, and a constant course for
+instructing of his people: for,
+
+(1.) He hath given his word, and settled and established ordinances for
+this end.
+
+(2.) He hath established a ministry for instructing his people, Eph. iv.
+8-13.
+
+(3.) He hath gifted persons for this work of the ministry, 1 Cor. xii.
+4-11.
+
+(4.) He maketh these officers, in the faithful administration of their
+function, and through his blessing and Spirit, maketh their work
+prosperous and effectual in his own, as he seeth fit.
+
+_Fifthly._ There should be an eyeing of the promises of the covenant of
+grace made for this end, whether general or particular, or both; such as
+those which we have, Isa. ii. 9. Hab. ii. 14, "The earth shall be filled
+with the knowledge of the Lord," or of "the glory of the Lord, as the
+waters cover the sea;" and that, Isa. xxxii. 4, "the heart of the rash
+shall understand knowledge," &c.; and Jer. xxxi, 34, "They shall all
+know me."
+
+_Sixthly._ There should be a constant, diligent, serious, and single
+using of the means of knowledge, with a faithful dependence on Christ by
+faith, gripping to him in his relations, offices, engagements, and
+promises, and waiting upon his breathing in hope and patience, Psal.
+xxv. 5.
+
+_Seventhly._ There should be a guarding against every thing that may
+obstruct this work, and grieve him in it; and therefore we would beware,
+
+1. To undervalue and have a little esteem of knowledge; for this will
+grieve him; and (to speak so) put him from work.
+
+2. To misimprove any measure of knowledge he giveth.
+
+3. To weary of the means and ordinances whereby he useth to convey
+knowledge into the soul.
+
+4. To limit the holy One of Israel to this or that mean, to this or that
+time, or to this or that measure, who should have a latitude as to all
+these.
+
+5. To despise the day of small things, because we get not more.
+
+6. To be too curious in seeking after the knowledge of hidden mysteries,
+the knowledge whereof is not so necessary.
+
+7. To lean too much unto, and to depend too much upon the ordinances, or
+instruments, as if all, or any thing, could come from them.
+
+_Eighthly._ There should be a right improving of any measure of
+knowledge we get to his glory, and to the edification of others, with
+humility and thankfulness, and so a putting of that talent in use, to
+gain more to his glory. Whatever measure of knowledge we get, we should
+in all haste, put it into practice, and set it to work; so shall it
+increase, and engage him to give more.
+
+_Ninthly._ There should be a lying open to Christ's instructions, and to
+the shinings of the Spirit of light and of truth, and a ready receiving
+of what measure he is pleased to grant or infuse. Which includeth those
+duties, 1. A serious and earnest hungering and thirsting after more
+spiritual knowledge.
+
+2. A diligent use of every approven mean for this end.
+
+3. A going about the means with much self-denial, spirituality,
+singleness of heart, and sincerity, looking to and depending upon him,
+who must breathe upon the means, and make them useful.
+
+4. A greedy receiving, drinking in, and treasuring up in the soul what
+is gotten.
+
+5. A guarding against selfish and bye-ends, with a single eyeing of his
+glory.
+
+6. A guarding against pride in the heart, and a studying of humility and
+meekness; for the "meek will he guide in judgment, and the meek will he
+teach his way," Psal. xxv. 9.
+
+7. A putting of the heart or understanding in his hand, together with
+the truth, that is heard and received, that he may write the truth, and
+cause the heart receive the impression of the truth.
+
+_Tenthly._ There should be a rolling of the whole matter by faith on
+him, as the only teacher, a putting of the ignorant, blockish, averse,
+and perverse heart, into his hand, that he may frame it to his own mind,
+and a leaving of it there, till he by the Spirit, write in it what he
+thinketh meet, to his own glory and our good.
+
+And sure, were this way followed, growth in knowledge would not be so
+rare a thing as it is.
+
+
+CAUTIONS.
+
+For further direction and caution in this matter, the believer would
+take notice of these particulars:
+
+1. That he should not sit down upon any measure of knowledge he hath
+attained to, or can attain to here, as if he had enough, and should
+labour for no more; but he should still be minding his duty of seeking,
+and pressing for more.
+
+2. Whenever he is about any mean of knowledge, such as preaching,
+reading, conference, &c. his heart should be only upon Christ. He should
+be hanging on his lips for a word of instruction; and with greediness
+looking for a word from his mouth; he should be sending many posts to
+heaven, many ejaculatory desires for light and understanding, and that
+with singleness and sincerity, and not for base ends, or out of
+hypocrisy.
+
+3. Let him not think, that there is no growth in knowledge, because
+possibly he perceiveth it not, or is not satisfied as to the measure
+thereof; yea, though possibly he perceive more ignorance, than ever he
+did before. If he grow in the knowledge of his own ignorance, it is a
+growth of knowledge not to be despised; and in a manner, what can we
+else know of God, but that he far transcendeth all our knowledge, and
+that he is an incomprehensible one, in all his ways.
+
+4. Let him not think, that there is no growth in knowledge, because he
+perceiveth not a growth in the knowledge of such or such a particular,
+which he desireth most; for if there be a truth in the knowledge of
+other particulars, necessary to be known, there is no reason to
+complain. If one grow not, as he supposeth, in the knowledge of God, and
+of the mysteries of the gospel; yet if he grow in the discovery of the
+treachery and wickedness of his own heart, he cannot say that he groweth
+not in knowledge.
+
+5. Let him not measure his growth in knowledge, by his growth in the
+faculty of speaking and discoursing of such or such points of religion;
+many measure their knowledge by their tongue, and think they know
+little, because they can express little; and so they think they attain
+to no increase or growth in knowledge, because they perceive no increase
+or growth in this faculty of discoursing, and talking of such or such
+points of truth. It is safer to measure their knowledge by the
+impression that the truth hath on their spirits, and the effects of it
+on all their carriage, than by their ability and skill to talk and
+dispute of it.
+
+6. Let them beware to imagine, that they shall be able to search out the
+Almighty unto perfection, "Canst thou (said Zophar, Job. xi. 7, 8, 9.)
+by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto
+perfection? He is as high as heaven, what canst thou do? deeper than
+hell, what canst thou know? The measure thereof is longer than the
+earth, and broader than, the sea." Or that they shall be able ever to
+win to the bottom of their own false deceitful heart, which, as Jeremiah
+saith, chap. xvii. 9, "Is deceitful above all things, and desperately
+wicked; who can know it?" and which it is God's prerogative alone to
+search and try, ver. 10. Neither let them think, so long as they are
+here, to win to an exact and perfect knowledge of the mysteries of God,
+wherein is the manifold wisdom of God, Eph. iii. 10, which very
+principalities and powers in heavenly places are learning; and which the
+angels are poring and looking into with desire, 1 Pet. i. 12. There is
+no perfection in knowledge to be had here; for here the best but knoweth
+in part, and prophesieth in part, 1 Cor. xiii. 4.
+
+7. Let them not think that every one shall have the same measure of
+knowledge; every one hath not the like use for it, or the like capacity
+for it. There is a measure proportioned to every one; they should not
+then complain, because they have not such a measure of knowledge as they
+perceive in some others. It may be, the Lord hath some harder piece of
+service, which calleth for more knowledge, to put others to. Let every
+one then mind his duty faithfully and conscientiously, and let him not
+quarrel with God, that he attaineth not to such a measure of knowledge
+as he seeth others attain unto.
+
+8. Neither let them think, that the same measure is required of all. For
+more is required of some, by reason of their office and charge in the
+house of God, being called to teach and instruct others; and so more is
+required of such, as have larger capacities, and a better faculty of
+understanding than others, who naturally are but of a narrow reach, and
+of a shallow capacity. More also is required of such as live under
+plain, powerful, and lively ordinances, and under a more powerful and
+spiritual dispensation of the grace of God, than of others that want
+such advantages. So likewise, more is required of old Christians than of
+new beginners; old men, of much and long experience, should know more
+than such as are but babes in Christ and but of yesterday.
+
+9. Let their desires run out after that knowledge, not which puffeth
+up,--for there is a knowledge which puffeth up, 1 Cor. viii. 1,--but
+which humbleth, and driveth the soul farther from itself and nearer to
+Christ.
+
+10. They should carefully distinguish betwixt the gift of knowledge and
+the grace of knowledge: That ordinarily puffeth up, this humbleth; that
+bringeth not the soul to Jesus, this doth; that is but a form, Rom. ii.
+20, and doth not retain God, Rom. i. 28, this is a real thing, laying
+hold on God and holding him fast, having the fear of the Lord for its
+principle, for this "fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," Job.
+xxviii. 28. Psalm cxi. 10. Prov. i. 7, and ix. 10.; that lieth most in
+the head, and venteth most in discourses, words, yea, and sometimes
+vanisheth into vain notions, but this goeth down to the heart, and
+lodgeth there and appeareth in the man's walk and conversation; as these
+two would be distinguished, so the one would not be measured by the
+other.
+
+11. When they do not profit indeed, let them beware of quarrelling with
+Christ, or of blaming him in any manner of way; but let them lay the
+blame of their shortcoming on themselves, for not making more use of him
+by faith and single dependence upon him. It is true, none will be so
+bold as in words to quarrel with or blame him; yet the heart is
+deceitful and tacitly may raise and foment such thoughts of him and his
+dispensations, as can pass under no other notion than a quarrelling with
+him. Now these would be guarded against.
+
+12. Beware of urging for, or expecting immediate revelation, or
+extraordinary manifestations. For we should not tempt the Lord, nor set
+limits to him, neither should we prescribe means and ways to him,--we
+must be satisfied with the ordinary means which he hath appointed, and
+wait at wisdom's doors, with our ears nailed to his posts.
+
+13. Whatever point of truth they learn, or whatever measure of knowledge
+they get, they would do well to give that back again to Christ, to keep
+for them against a time of need; and wait on him for grace to improve it
+for his glory.
+
+14. Let them beware of minding things too high, Psalm cxxxi. 1. It is
+better to fear, and to stand in awe, and to seek to lay the foundations
+well, to get the saving knowledge of things necessary to salvation. This
+will yield most peace and satisfaction.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+HOW TO MAKE USE OF CHRIST, AS TRUTH, FOR COMFORT, WHEN TRUTH IS
+OPPRESSED AND BORN DOWN.
+
+
+There is another difficulty, wherein believing souls will stand in need
+of Christ, as the truth, to help them; and that is, when his work is
+overturned, his cause borne down, truth condemned, and enemies, in their
+opposition to his work, prospering in all their wicked attempts. This is
+a very trying dispensation, as we see it was to the holy penman of Psalm
+lxxiii. for it made him to stagger, so that his feet were almost gone,
+and his steps had well nigh slipt; yea he was almost repenting of his
+being a godly person, saying, ver. 13, "Verily I have cleansed my heart
+in vain, and washed my hands in innocency." It was something like this,
+which made Jeremiah say, chap. viii. 18, "When I would comfort myself
+against sorrow, my heart is faint in me." The harvest was past, and the
+summer was ended, and yet they were not saved, ver. 20; and they looked
+for peace, but no good came, and for a time of health, but behold
+trouble, ver. 15--and this was fainting and vexatious. And what made
+Baruch, Jeremiah's faithful companion in tribulation, say, "Woe is me
+now! for the Lord hath added grief to my sorrow; I fainted in my
+sighing, and I find no rest," Jer. xlv. 3, but this, that all things
+were turning upside down. God was breaking down that, which he had
+built; and plucking up that which he had planted. Tribulation and
+suffering for a good cause, is even fainting to some; as the Apostle
+hinteth, Ephes. iii. 13, when he says, wherefore, "I desire that ye
+faint not at my tribulation for you." And that which evinceth the danger
+of this dispensation, is the fainting and backsliding of many, in such
+a time of trial, as sad experience too often cleareth.
+
+Now the believer's stay in this case, must be the Rock of Ages, Jesus
+the Truth. It is he alone who can keep straight and honest in such a
+reeling time. So that a sight of Christ as the Truth, in reference to
+the carrying on of truth in the earth, and advancing his cause and work,
+will be the only support of a soul shaken by such a piece of trial.
+
+But the question is, how should believers make use of Christ, in such a
+time, to the end they may be kept from fainting and succumbing in such a
+storm? To which I answer, that the faith and consideration of those
+particulars would help to establishment:
+
+1. That Christ, in all this great work of redemption, and in every piece
+of it, is the Father's servant. So is he frequently called, "his
+servant," Isa. xlii. 1; xlix. 3, 5, 6; lii. 13; and liii. 11. Zech. iii.
+8; and therefore this work is a work intrusted to him, and he standeth
+engaged as a servant, to be faithful to his trust. Moreover add to this,
+that he hath a commission to perfect that work; and we need not doubt,
+but he who is the truth will be true to his trust. "Him hath God the
+Father sealed," John vi. 27; and he often tells us himself, that he is
+"sent of the Father," John iv. 34; v. 23, 24, 30, 36, 37; vi. 38, 39,
+40, 44, 57; viii. 16, 18; xii. 44, 45, 49; vii. 16; ix. 4; x. 36; and
+xi. 42.
+
+2. That while he was upon the earth, he finished that work that was
+committed to him to finish here, having purchased all that was to be
+bought by his blood, paying all the price that justice did ask, John
+xvii. 4; xix. 30. By which price he hath purchased a people to himself,
+Rev. v. 9. Luke i. 68. So that his work, cause, and interest, is a
+purchased work bought with his blood.
+
+3. That his resurrection and glorification is an undoubted proof of
+this, that justice is satisfied, and that the price is fully paid; and
+also that his exaltation at the Father's right hand is a sure evidence
+and ground of hope, that he shall at last triumph over all his enemies,
+and that his work of truth shall prosper. The Father said to him, Psalm
+cx. 1, "Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy
+footstool." Being highly exalted, he hath got "a name above every name:
+that at his name every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things
+in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should
+confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father,"
+Phil. ii. 9, 10, 11.
+
+4. That the Father standeth engaged to make good to him all that was
+promised, and to give him all that he purchased, Isa. liii. 10, 11, 12.
+Christ, having now fulfilled his undertaking, by making his soul an
+offering for sin, and so satisfying justice, which is openly declared by
+his resurrection, and admission to glory, as the head of his elect, is
+to expect the accomplishment of what was conditioned unto him. His work,
+therefore, on the earth must prosper; and the Father hath undertaken to
+see it prosper. Surely the faith of this would much support a poor soul,
+staggering at the thoughts of the prosperity of the wicked, and of their
+evil cause.
+
+5. That Christ himself is now thoroughly furnished and enabled for the
+carrying on of his work, over the belly of all adversaries, for all
+power in "Heaven and earth is given to him," Matt. xxviii. 18; "and
+every knee must bow to him," Phil. ii. 10; "all judgment is committed
+unto him," John v. 22, 27; "angels, powers, and authority are made
+subject unto him," 1 Pet. iii. 22; "yea, all things are under him," Eph.
+i. 22. How then can his work miscarry; or who can hinder, that truth
+should flourish on the earth?
+
+6. That Christ is actually at work, employing this power for the
+carrying forward of his design, for the glory of the Father, and for his
+own glory, and for the good of his poor people. The Father worked by
+him, and he by the Spirit, which is his great Vicegerent, sent from the
+Father, and from him, and his work is to glorify the Son, and he shall
+receive of his, and show it unto us, John xvi. 14.
+
+7. That Christ, upon many accounts, standeth engaged to perfect this
+work which he hath begun and is about. His honour is engaged to go
+through, seeing now he is fully furnished for it, and hath all the
+creation at his command. He must then perfect his work, as to the
+application, as well as he did perfect it as to the purchase. His love
+to his Father's and his own glory, and to his own people's good and
+salvation, may assure us, that he will not leave the work unperfected;
+and his power and furniture may give us full security, that no stop
+which his work meeteth with shall be able to hinder it.
+
+8. That hence it is clear and manifest, that his wheel is in the midst
+of the wheels of men, and that therefore he is ordering all their
+motions and reelings to the best. His wheel keepeth an even pace, and
+moveth equally and equitably in the midst of men's contrary motions.
+
+9. And that, therefore, all the eccentric and irregular motions of
+devils and wicked men being in his hand, and ordered by him, cannot
+hinder, but further his end; so that even enemies, while opposing and
+seeking to destroy the cause and interest of Christ, that his name and
+truth should no more be mentioned, are promoving his work. His wheel is
+the great wheel that ordereth all the lesser and subordinate wheels,
+whatever contrary motions they may have the one to the other, and all or
+many of them may seem to have to this great wheel; so that, do they what
+they will, the work of our Lord goeth on. Their opposition is setting
+his work forward, though they intend the contrary; however their faces
+look, they row to the port he would be at. This is an undoubted truth,
+and confirmed in all ages, and yet is not firmly believed; and a truth
+it is, which, if believed, would do much to settle our staggering souls
+in a stormy day.
+
+10. That at last he shall come "to be glorified in his saints," 2 Thess.
+i. 10; "when he shall be revealed from heaven with all his mighty
+angels," verse 7. Then shall it be seen whose counsel shall stand, his
+or men's; and whose work shall prosper, his or Satan's.
+
+
+CAUTIONS.
+
+Yet, let me add a few words, for caution and direction here.
+
+1. The consideration of these things mentioned should not make us
+slacken our diligence in prayer and other duties; and when they are
+aright considered, they will rather prove a spur and a goad in our side
+to set us forward, than a bridle to hold us back.
+
+2. We would not think that Christ's work and interest is going backward
+always, when it seemeth so to us. Even when he is casting down what he
+hath built up, and plucking up what he hath planted, his work is
+prospering, for all that is in order to the laying of a better
+foundation, and to the carrying on of a more glorious work, when he
+shall lay all the stones with fair colours, and the foundations with
+sapphires, and make the windows of crystal, &c. Isa. liv. 11,12.
+
+3. Though his work be always going on, and his truth prospering, yet we
+would not think that it will always prosper alike in our apprehensions;
+many times we judge by rules of our own making, and not by the rule of
+truth, and hence it is that we mistake oftentimes. We walk little by
+faith, and too much by sense; and hence we judge too much by sense, and
+so pass a wrong judgment, to his dishonour, and the saddening of our own
+hearts.
+
+4. Nor would we think that his truth and interest is ruined and gone,
+because it is sore oppressed in this or that particular place of the
+world; as if his work were not of an universal extent, and in all the
+churches. If his truth thrive and prosper in some other place of the
+world, shall we not say, that his kingdom is coming? Or shall we limit
+all his work and interest to one small part of the world?
+
+5. We would not think the worse of his work because it is carried on
+with so many stops, and doth meet with so many impediments in its way.
+We are not acquainted with the depths of his infinite wisdom and
+counsel; and so we see not what noble ends he hath before him, in
+suffering those impediments to lie in the way of his chariot. We think
+he should ride so triumphantly all along, that none should once dare to
+cast the least block in his way. But we judge carnally, as unacquainted
+with the many noble and glorious designs which he hath in ordering
+matters. As himself was for a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence,
+so will he have the way of the carrying on of his work prove, in his
+holy and spotless justice, a stumbling-stone to many that shall stumble
+thereat, and fall, and never rise any more.
+
+6. We should beware to think that Christ hath forgotten his work,
+because he seemeth to take no notice of our prayers, which we are
+putting up now and then for his work. He may be doing that which we are
+desiring in the general, and yet not let us know that he is answering
+our prayers; and that for wise and holy ends, to keep us humble and
+diligent. He may seem to disregard our suits, and yet be carrying on his
+work, and granting us our desires upon the matter.
+
+7. Hence we should beware of desponding, and growing heartless and
+faint, when we see few owning truth, or standing upon Christ's side; for
+he needeth not man's help to carry on this work, though he sometimes
+thinketh good to condescend so far as to honour some to be instrumental
+in setting of it forward, who yet have nothing but as he giveth; let us
+not then think, that his work cannot prosper because great ones and mean
+ones oppose it, and such as should stand for it and own it, are few and
+fainting, without strength, courage, or zeal.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+HOW TO MAKE USE OF CHRIST FOR STEADFASTNESS, IN A TIME WHEN TRUTH IS
+OPPRESSED AND BORNE DOWN.
+
+
+When enemies are prevailing, and the way of truth is evil spoken of,
+many faint, and many turn aside, and do not plead for truth, nor stand
+up for the interest of Christ, in their hour and power of darkness: many
+are overcome with base fear, and either side with the workers of
+iniquity, or are not valiant for the truth, but being faint-hearted,
+turn back. Now the thoughts of this may put some who desire to stand
+fast, and to own him and his cause in a day of trial, to enquire how
+they shall make use of Christ, who is the truth, so as to be enabled to
+stand in the day of temptation, and keep fast by truth when it is loaded
+with reproaches, and buried under an heap of obloquy. For satisfaction
+to this question, I shall shortly point out those directions which, if
+followed, may prove helpful to keep the soul from fainting,
+misbelieving, doubting, quarrelling at the Lord's dispensations, and
+from yielding to the temptations in such a day.
+
+1. The believer should live in the conviction of his hazard through the
+sleight of Satan, the strength of temptation, the wickedness and
+treachery of the heart, the evil example of others, and the want of
+sanctified courage, zeal, and resolution; and this will keep the soul
+humble, and far from boasting of its own strength, which was Peter's
+fault.
+
+2. They should live in the faith and persuasion of this, that it is
+Christ alone who is the truth, who can help them to stand for truth in a
+day of temptation; and that all their former purposes, vows,
+resolutions, solemn professions, and the like, will prove but weak
+cables to hold them fast in a day of a storm; and that only the rock of
+ages must save them; and their being a leeward of him, and partaking of
+his warm and safe protection, will do their business. That all their
+stock of grace and knowledge, and that confirmed with resolutions and
+sincere purposes, will help but little in that day; and that new
+influences of grace and truth, from the fountain, that is full of grace
+and truth, will only prove establishing to the soul, and confirm it in
+the truth in that day.
+
+3. Therefore they should eye Christ in his offices, particularly as the
+great prophet who can teach as never man taught; so teach as to make the
+soul receive the doctrine, and to hold it fast--to receive it in love,
+and lay it up in the heart as a rich and enriching treasure.
+
+4. They should eye him in his relations unto his people, as their head,
+husband, brother, leader, commander, captain, &c.; for those give ground
+of approaching unto him with confidence in the day of darkness and
+mists, for light and direction, and for strength and courage in the day
+of temptation; and give ground of hope of help in that day of trial and
+difficulty.
+
+5. They should eye and act faith upon the promises of assistance and
+through-bearing, in the day of calamity; such as those--Isa. xliii. 2,
+"When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through
+the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the
+fire, thou shalt not be burnt; neither shall the flame kindle upon
+thee." And Isaiah xli. 13, "For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right
+hand, saying unto thee, fear not, I will help thee." And particularly
+they would eye the promises of light in the day of darkness, Isaiah
+lviii. 8, 10; lx. 20. 2 Sam. xxii. 29.
+
+6. They should look on Christ as an exalted conqueror, now risen and
+glorified; as a victorious captain that hath fought and overcome, that
+they, as his followers, may be made partakers of his victory and
+conquest, and so reap the fruit of his resurrection and ascension, in
+their establishment in the truth, when it is borne down and questioned,
+yea, and condemned by men. He abode steadfast and immoveable in the
+midst of all the storms that blew in his face; and as he came to bear
+witness to the truth, so did he faithfully and zealously avow truth,
+even to the death; and in death got the victory of the arch liar and
+deceiver. Now the believer should eye this, for the strengthening of his
+faith and hope of victory also, through him; and therefore would wait
+patiently for his help, and not make haste; for they who believe make
+not haste, Isaiah xxviii. 16, knowing that he is true and faithful, and
+will not disappoint his followers that trust in him. And moreover it
+would be of advantage to them in this case, to eye that gracious and
+comfortable word, John xiv. 19, "because I live, ye shall live also;"
+and so by faith conclude, that seeing Christ now liveth as a conqueror
+over darkness, untruth, reproaches, calumnies, and opposition of liars,
+yea, of the father of lies, they through him shall also live, and ride
+out that storm; and this will give much courage to the soul to endure
+temptation, and to wait in patience for an outgate.
+
+7. They should study much, and suck at the grand promise of his coming
+again, and of finally dispelling all clouds, and of fully clearing up
+his glorious truths, that are now covered over with obloquy, and buried
+under reproaches; and this will encourage the soul to stand to truth in
+the midst of opposition, believing, that at length, truth, how much
+soever opposed now, shall be victorious.
+
+8. They should be single in their dependence on him, for strength and
+through-bearing, in that day of trial--not leaning to their own
+understanding, but acknowledging him in all their ways, Prov. iii. 8;
+and when they see no hope of outgate in the world, nor appearance of the
+clearing up of the day, they would comfort themselves, and encourage
+themselves in the Lord, as David did in a great strait, 1 Sam. xx. 6.
+
+9. Upon the forementioned grounds they would cast all the care of their
+through-bearing on him, who careth for them, 1 Pet. v. 7--rolling all
+their difficulties on him--consulting only with him and his word, and
+not with flesh and blood; and so they would commit their ways to him,
+who disposeth of all things as he seeth good; forbearing to limit the
+Holy One of Israel, or to quarrel with him for any thing he doth; and
+patiently wait for his outgate and delivery.
+
+10. It were good, in this time of trial, to be remembering the worth of
+truth, and entertaining high thoughts of the smallest piece of truth
+that is questioned, for his sake, who is the truth; that a sight of the
+glorious worth thereof, may make them account the less of all they can
+lose in the defence and maintenance thereof.
+
+11. So were it good at this time, when truths come to be questioned, to
+be lying near to the truth, for light, and to be keeping fast, what he
+by his Spirit cleareth up to be truth, though the light should not be so
+full as to dispel all objections. This were to depend upon him for
+light, with singleness of heart; and in godly simplicity and sincerity
+to follow his direction and torch, though it should not shine so bright
+as they could wish.
+
+
+CAUTIONS.
+
+A few words of caution will be useful here also; as,
+
+1. The believer, though taking this course, would not think to be
+altogether free of fear of stepping aside, in less or in more. God may
+think good to let much of this abide, to the end he may be kept
+watchful, tender, and diligent; for fear maketh the soul circumspect and
+watchful; and this is a good preservative from defection.
+
+2. Nor would the believer think, that hereby he shall be kept altogether
+free of fainting. The heart, now and then, through fear and misbelief,
+may fall into a fit of fainting, and think all is gone; and yet he may
+carry poor souls through, and make his strength perfect in their
+wickedness, 2 Cor. xii. 9; that when they are supported and carried
+through the temptation, they may sing praise to him, and not ascribe any
+thing to themselves--remembering how often they were fainting, and
+almost giving over the cause as desperate and hopeless.
+
+3. They would not think it strange, if, in the time of their wrestling
+with difficulties, the Lord hide his face from them, and give not them
+that joyful access unto him in prayer, that sometimes they have met
+with; for the Lord may see it fit to put them to this point of trial
+among the rest, to see if the love of his glory and truth will keep them
+standing, when they want the encouragement that might be expected in
+that way; and if pure conscience to the command and authority of God,
+will keep from siding with an evil way, when the soul is destitute of
+all sensible encouragement, both from within and from without.
+
+4. In all this business believers should carry singly with an eye to
+God's glory; and should not be acted with self-ends, or drawn by carnal
+and selfish motives. They should not desire stability and
+through-bearing to be seen of men, or to gain applause and praise of
+men; lest God be provoked to leave them to themselves, and they at
+length come off with discredit, as did Peter. Therefore they should
+strive against these carnal motions of the heart, and labour for
+spirituality, singleness of heart, and truth in the inward parts, which
+the Lord desireth, Psalm li. 6.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+HOW TO MAKE USE OF CHRIST AS THE TRUTH, WHEN ERROR PREVAILETH, AND THE
+SPIRIT OF ERROR CARRIETH MANY AWAY.
+
+
+There is a time when the spirit of error is going abroad, and truth is
+questioned, and many are led away with delusions. For Satan can change
+himself into an angel of light, and make many great and fairlike
+pretensions to holiness, and under that pretext usher in untruths, and
+gain the consent of many unto them; so that in such a time of temptation
+many are stolen off their feet, and made to depart from the right ways
+of God, and to embrace error and delusions instead of truth. Now the
+question is, how a poor believer shall make use of Christ, who is the
+truth, for keeping him steadfast in the truth, in such a day of trial,
+and from embracing of error, how plausible soever it may appear. For
+satisfaction to this we shall propose these few things:
+
+1. In such a time, when a spirit of error is let loose and rageth, and
+carrieth several away, it were good for all who would be kept straight
+and honest, to be walking in fear. It is not good to despise such a sly
+and subtle enemy, especially in the hour and power of darkness. Then all
+are called to be on their guard, and to stand upon their watch-tower,
+and to be jealous of their corrupt hearts, that are ready enough of
+their own accord to drink in error, and to receive the temptation at any
+time; and much more then.
+
+2. They should not think that their knowledge and ability to dispute for
+truth, will keep them steadfast, if there be not more; for if the
+temptation grow, they may come to reason and dispute themselves out of
+all their former knowledge and skill. The father of lies is a cunning
+sophister, and knoweth, how to shake their grounds and cast all loose.
+
+3. They should renew their covenant grips of Christ, and make sure that
+main business, viz. their peace and union with God in Christ, and their
+accepting of Christ for their head and husband. They would labour to
+have the foundation sure, and to be united unto the chief corner-stone,
+that so blow the storm as it will, they may ride safely; and that hereby
+they may have access to Christ with boldness, in their difficulty, and
+may with confidence seek light from him in the hour of darkness.
+
+4. To the end they may be kept more watchful and circumspect, they
+should remember, that it is a dishonourable thing to Christ, for them to
+step aside, in the least matter of truth; the denying of the least point
+of truth is a consequential denying of him who is the truth; and to
+loose a foot in the matters of truth is very dangerous; for who can tell
+when they who once slip a foot shall recover it again? And who can tell
+how many, and how dreadful errors they may drink in, who have once
+opened the door to a small error? Therefore they should beware of
+tampering in this matter, and to admit any error, upon the account that
+it is a small and inconsiderable one. There may be an unseen
+concatenation betwixt one error and another, and betwixt a small one and
+a greater one, so as if the little one be admitted and received, the
+greater shall follow; and it may be feared that if they once dally with
+error, and make a gap in their consciences, that God will give them up
+to judicial blindness, that, ere all be done, they shall embrace that
+opinion which sometime they seemed to hate as death.
+
+5. They should eye the promises suiting that cause; viz. the promises of
+God's guiding "the blind by a way which they know not: of making
+darkness light before them, and crooked things straight," Isa. xlii. 16;
+and of "guiding continually," Isa. lviii. 11; see also Isa. xlix. 10.;
+lvii. 18.; and they would act faith on these and the like promises, as
+now made sure by Jesus.
+
+6. Particularly, they should fix their eye upon that principal promise,
+of the Spirit of truth, to guide into all truth, John xvi. 13.
+
+7. With singleness of heart they should depend on Christ, and wait for
+light from him, and beware of prejudice at the truth; with singleness of
+heart they should lie open to his instructions, and to the influences of
+his light and direction, and receive in the beams of his divine light;
+and thus go about duties, viz. prayer, conference, preaching, reading,
+&c. with an eye fixed on him, and with a soul open to him, and free of
+all sinful pre-engagement and love to error.
+
+8. With singleness of heart, they should give up their souls to Christ,
+as the truth, that he would write the truth in their souls, and frame
+their souls unto the truth, and unto that truth which is most
+questioned, and by which they are most in hazard to be drawn away; and
+urge and press him by prayer and supplication to do the duty of a head,
+a husband, guide and commander, &c. unto them; and that he would be a
+light unto them in that day of darkness, and not suffer them to
+dishonour him or prove scandalous to others; by departing from the truth
+and embracing error. A serious single-hearted dealing with him upon the
+grounds of the covenant promises and his relations and engagements,
+might prove steadable in this case, if accompanied with a lying open to
+the influences of truth and to the light of information which he is
+pleased to send by the Spirit of truth.
+
+
+CAUTIONS AND DIRECTIONS.
+
+For further clearing of this matter, we shall hint at some cautions and
+further directions useful here: such as,
+
+1. They should beware of thinking that God should come to them with
+light and instruction in an extraordinary manner, and reveal the truth
+of the question controverted somewhat immediately: for this were a
+manifest tempting and limiting of the Holy One of Israel. We must be
+satisfied with the means of instruction which he hath provided, and run
+to the law and to the testimony. We have the Scriptures, which are able
+to make the man of God perfect and "thoroughly furnished unto all good
+works," 2 Tim. iii. 16, 17; and to "make wise unto salvation," ver. 15.
+There must we see light; and there must we wait for the breathings of
+his Spirit with life, and coming with light to clear up truth to us: for
+they are the scriptures of truth, Dan. x. 21; and the law of the Lord,
+which is "perfect, converting the soul;" and the commandment of the
+Lord, that is pure, "enlightening the eyes," Psalm xix. 7, 8. We have
+the ministry which God hath also appointed for this end, to make known
+unto us his mind; there must we wait for him and his light. Thus must we
+wait at the posts of wisdom's doors; and wait for the king of light in
+his own way wherein he hath appointed us to wait for him. And if he
+think good to come another way more immediate, let him always be
+welcome; but let not us limit him nor prescribe ways to him, but follow
+his directions.
+
+2. When any thing is borne in upon their spirit as a truth to be
+received, or as an error to be rejected, more immediately, they should
+beware of admitting of every such thing without trial and examination;
+for we are expressly forbidden to believe every spirit, and commanded to
+try them whether they are of God or not, 1 John iv. 1. The Lord will not
+take it ill that even his own immediate motions and revelations be tried
+and examined by the word; because the word is given us for this end, to
+be our test and standard of truth. The way of immediate revelation is
+not the ordinary way now of God's manifesting his mind to his people. He
+hath now chosen another way, and given us a more sure word of prophesy
+than was, "even a voice from heaven," as Peter saith, 2 Pet. i. 18, 19.
+It is commended in the Bereans, Acts xvii. 11, who upon this account
+were "more noble than those of Thessalonica, in that they received the
+word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily,
+whether those things were so." Even Paul's words, though he was an
+authorised and an infallible apostle of Christ's, are here put to the
+touch-stone of the word. "Many false prophets may go out, and deceive
+many, and speak great swelling words of vanity," 1 John iv. 1; 2 Pet.
+ii. 18; and the devil can transchange himself into an angel of light, 2
+Cor. xi. 14; and though an angel out of heaven should preach any other
+thing than what is in the written word, we ought not to receive his
+doctrine, but to reject it, and to account him accursed, Gal. i. 8. So
+that the written word must be much studied by us; and by it must we try
+all motions, all doctrines, all inspirations, all revelations, and all
+manifestations.
+
+3. Much more, they should beware of thinking that the dictates of their
+conscience obligeth them, so as that always they must of necessity
+follow the same. Conscience, being God's deputy in the soul, is to be
+followed no further than it speaketh for God and according to truth. An
+erring conscience, though it bind so far as that he who doth contrary to
+the dictates thereof sinneth against God, in that, knowing no other than
+that the dictates of conscience are right and consonant to the mind of
+God, yet dare counteract the same, and thus formally rebel against God's
+authority; yet it doth not oblige us to believe and to do what it
+asserteth to be truth and duty. It will not then be enough for them to
+say, my conscience and the light within me speaketh so, and instructeth
+me so; for that light may be darkness, and error, and delusion, and so
+no rule for them to walk by. "To the law and to the testimony," and if
+their conscience, mind, and light within them "speak not according to
+this word, it is because there is no light in them," Isa. viii. 20. I
+grant, as I said, they cannot without sin counteract the dictates even
+of an erring conscience, because they know no better but that these
+dictates are according to truth; and thus an erring conscience is a most
+dangerous thing, and bringeth people under a great dilemma, that whether
+they follow it or not, they sin; and there is no other remedy here, but
+to lay by the erring conscience, and get a conscience rightly informed
+by the word; putting it in Christ's hand to be better formed and
+informed, that so it may do its office better. This then should be
+especially guarded against, for if once they lay down this for a
+principle, that whatever their conscience and mind, or inward light (as
+some call it) dictate, must be followed, there is no delusion, how
+false, how abominable soever it be, but they may be at length in hazard
+to be drawn away with; and so the rule that they will walk by be nothing
+in effect but the spirit of lies and of delusion, and the motions and
+dictates of him who is the father of lies, that is, the devil.
+
+4. Such as pretend to walk so much by conscience, should take heed that
+they take not that for the dictate of conscience, which really is but
+the dictates of their own humours, inclinations, pre-occupied minds, and
+biassed wills. When conscience speaketh, it groundeth on the authority
+of God, whether truly or falsely, and proposeth such a thing to be done,
+or to be refrained from, merely because God commandeth that, and
+forbiddeth this, though sometimes it mistaketh. But though the dictates
+of men's humours, inclinations, pre-occupied judgments, and wills, may
+pretend God's authority for what they say, yet really some carnal
+respect, selfish end, and the like, lieth at the bottom, and is the
+chief spring of that motion. And also the dictates of humour and biassed
+wills are usually more violent and fierce than the dictates of
+conscience; for wanting the authority of God to back their assertions
+and prescriptions, they must make up that with an addition of
+preternatural force and strength. Hence, such as are purely led by
+conscience, are pliable, humble, and ready to hear and receive
+information; whereas, others are headstrong and pertinacious, unwilling
+to receive instruction, or to hear any thing contrary to their minds,
+lest their conscience, receiving more light, speak with a higher voice
+against their inclinations and former ways, and so create more trouble
+to them; while, as now they enjoy more quiet within, so long as the cry
+of their self-will and biassed judgments is so loud, that they cannot
+well hear the still and low voice of conscience.
+
+5. They should labour for much self-denial and sincerity; and to be free
+from the snares and power of selfish ends, as credit, a name, and
+applause, or what of that kind, that may be like "the fear of man that
+bringeth a snare," Prov. xxix. 25; for that will be like a gift that
+blindeth the eyes of the wise, Exod. xxiii. 8. Love to carry on a party,
+or a design to be seen or accounted somebody, to maintain their credit
+and reputation, lest they be accounted changelings and the like, will
+prove very dangerous in this case; for these may forcibly carry the soul
+away, to embrace one error after another, and one error to strengthen
+and confirm another, that it is hard to know where or when they shall
+stand. And these, by respects, may so forcibly drive the soul forward,
+that he shall neither hear the voice of conscience within, nor any
+instruction from without.
+
+6. They should study the word of truth without prejudice and any sinful
+pre-engagement, lest they be made thereby to wire-draw and wrest the
+word to their own destruction, as some of whom Peter speaketh, 2 Pet.
+iii. 16. It is a dangerous thing to study the word with a prejudicate
+opinion; and to bow or wire-draw the word and make it speak what we
+would have it speak, for the confirmation of our opinions and
+sentiments. For this is but to mock God and his law, and to say, let his
+law speak what it will, I will maintain this opinion, and so make the
+word speak as we would have it, or else lay it by. This is to walk by
+some other rule than the word, and to make the word serve our lusts and
+confirm our errors, than which a greater indignity cannot be done to the
+Spirit of truth speaking in the word.
+
+7. In reading and studying of the word there should be much single
+dependence on the Spirit for light; waiting for clearness from him whom
+Christ hath promised to lead us into all truth. An earnest wrestling
+with him for his assistance, enlightening the mind with divine light to
+understand the truth, and inclining the soul to a ready embracing and
+receiving of the truth declared in the word.
+
+8. Though one place of scripture be enough to confirm any point of
+truth, and ground sufficient for us to believe what is there said, there
+being nothing in scripture but what is truth; yet, in such a time of
+abounding errors, and when many are going abroad speaking perverse
+things to lead the simple away, it were spiritual wisdom to be comparing
+scripture with scripture, and not be lightly embracing whatever may seem
+probable, and fairly deducible from some one passage or other of
+scripture, but to be comparing that with other passages and see what
+concord there is; for this is certain, whatever point contradicteth
+other clear and manifest testimonies of scripture cannot be true;
+however a cunning sophister may make it seem very probably to flow out
+of such or such a passage of scripture. The testimony of the Spirit is
+uniform, and free from all contradictions; and therefore we must see, if
+such an assertion, that some would draw from such a passage, agree with
+other plain passages, and if not, be sure that is not the meaning of the
+place. When the devil did wrest and abuse that passage of truth, Ps.
+xci. 11. "He shall give his angels charge concerning thee," &c, and from
+thence would infer, that Christ might cast himself down, Matt. iv. 6,
+Christ shews that this inference was bad, because it did not agree with
+other divine testimonies, particularly not with that, Deut. vi. 16,
+"Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." And thereby he teacheth us to
+take this course in times of temptation, and so compare spiritual things
+with spiritual, as Paul speaketh, 1 Cor. ii. 13. Especially they should
+beware of expounding clear scriptures by such as are more dark and
+mysterious; see 2 Pet. iii. 16. It is always safer to explain darker
+passages by such as are more clear.
+
+9. Let them guard against an humour of new-fangledness, nauseating old
+and solid truths, and seeking after something new, having ears itching
+after new doctrines, yea, or new modes and dresses of old truths. For
+this is provoking to God, and proveth dangerous; for such turn away
+their ears from the truth, and are turned into fables, as Paul telleth
+us, 2 Tim. iv. 3, 4. "For the time will come," saith he, "when they will
+not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts shall they heap to
+themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their
+ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." This savoureth of
+a spirit of levity and inconstancy, which is dangerous.
+
+10. They should labour to have no prejudice at the truth, but receive it
+in the love of it; lest, for that cause, God give them up to strong
+delusions, to believe lies, and to be led with the deceivableness of
+unrighteousness, as we see, 2 Thess. ii. 10-12, "And. with all
+deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish, because they
+received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved; and for
+this cause God shall send them strong delusion that they should believe
+a lie, that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had
+pleasure in unrighteousness."
+
+11. So should they beware of stifling the truth, of making it a
+prisoner, and detaining it in unrighteousness, like those spoken of,
+Rom. i. 18. "For which cause God them up to uncleanness and vile
+affections, and they became vain in their imaginations, and their
+foolish heart was darkened, yea, professing themselves to be wise, they
+became fools," ver. 21, &c. They should let truth have free liberty and
+power in the soul; and should yield up themselves to be ruled and guided
+by it; and not torture with it, lay chains upon it, or fetter it, and
+keep it as a prisoner that can do nothing.
+
+12. For this cause, they should hold fast the truth which they have
+learned, and have been taught by the Spirit out of the word. When Paul
+would guard and fortify Timothy against seducers, that crept into
+houses, leading captive silly women, &c., among other directions gave
+him this, 2 Tim. iii. 14, 15, "But continue thou in the things which
+thou hast learned, and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast
+learned; and that from a child thou hast known the Scriptures, which are
+able to make thee wise unto salvation," &c. So he would have the
+Colossians walking in Christ, rooted and built up in him, and stablished
+in the faith as they had been taught, Col. ii. 6, 7.
+
+13. Especially they would be holding the groundwork fast,--faith in
+Christ. It were good in such a time of erring from the way of truth, to
+be gripping Christ faster, and cleaving to him by faith, and living by
+faith in him. This is to hold the foundation fast; and then let the
+tempest of error blow as it will, they will ride at a sure anchor, and
+be safe, because fixed upon the Rock of Ages; and further, living near
+Christ in such a dangerous day, would be a noble preservative from the
+infection of error. The soul that is dwelling in Christ and gripping to
+him daily by faith, and acting love on him, dwelleth in light, will
+discover error sooner than another, because living under the rays of the
+Sun of Righteousness, which discovereth error.
+
+14. They should labour to learn the truth, as it is in Jesus; and the
+truths which they have heard of him, and have been taught by him, as the
+truth is in him, will abide, when other truths that have been learned
+but of men, and heard of men, and as it was in the preaching of men, and
+in books, shall soon evanish in a day of trial. This is to learn Christ,
+as the apostle speaketh, Eph. iv. 20, 21, "But ye have not so learned
+Christ, if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as
+the truth is in Jesus." When we learn the truth, as it is in Jesus, it
+bringeth us always to him, and hath a tendency to fix our hearts on him,
+and is a piece of the bond that bindeth us to him and his way: we
+receive it then as a piece of his doctrine, which we must own, and stand
+unto. O if we learned all our divinity thus, we would be more constant
+and steadfast in it than we are!
+
+15. When controversies arise, and they know not which side to
+choose--both seemeth to them to be alike well founded on the word--they
+should exercise their spiritual sagacity, and set their gift of
+discerning a work, to see which of the two tendeth most to promote piety
+and godliness, and the kingdom of Christ, and so see which of the two is
+the truth, "which is after godliness," as the apostle speaketh, Tit. i.
+1; they must look which of the two is the doctrine which is according to
+godliness, I Tim. vi. 3. That is the truth which is Christ's, and which
+should be owned and embraced, viz. which floweth from a spirit of
+godliness, and tendeth to promove godliness, and suiteth with the true
+principles of godliness, even gospel godliness, wrought according to the
+tenor of the covenant of grace; that is, by the strength of the Spirit
+of Jesus, dwelling and working in us, and not according to the tenor of
+the covenant of works, that is, wrought by our own strength, &c.
+
+16. Yet withal they should take heed that they mistake not here; for
+they may look upon some ways and doctrines as having a greater tendency
+to promove godliness than others; which indeed have not, but only seem
+so. They should therefore consider well what is the way of godliness
+laid down in the noble device of the gospel, which is the way that only
+glorifieth God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; and see what suiteth most
+with that, according to the word, and not what seemeth most suitable to
+godliness in their apprehension. The word is the best judge and test of
+true godliness; and in the word we have the only safest mean of true
+godliness held forth: therefore we should see what doctrine tendeth most
+to promote godliness according to the way held forth in the word, and
+choose that.
+
+17. They should guard against pride and self-conceit, as thinking they
+are wise enough, and understanding enough in those matters, and so need
+not take a lesson of any. This may be of great prejudice; for "it is the
+meek that God guideth in judgment; and to the meek will he teach his
+way," Psalm xxv. 9. Therefore it were good for his people in such a day,
+to be meek and humble, willing and ready to learn of any person, how
+mean soever, that can teach the ways of God. The Lord may bless a word
+spoken by a private person, when he will not bless the word spoken by a
+minister; for his blessings are free. And it is not good to despise any
+mean. Apollos, though instructed in the way of the Lord, mighty in the
+Scriptures, fervent in spirit, and teaching diligently the things of the
+Lord, Acts xviii. 24, 25, yet was content to learn of Aquila, and of his
+wife Priscilla, when they expounded unto him the way of God more
+perfectly, ver. 26.
+
+18. In such a time, it is not unsafe to look to such as have been
+eminent in the ways of God, and lie near to him; for it is probable they
+may know much of the mind of God in those questioned matters. Hence we
+find the apostle putting Timothy and others to this duty in a time when
+false teachers were going abroad, saying, 2 Tim. iii. 10, "but thou hast
+fully known my doctrine, manner of life;" and 1 Cor. iv. 16, "wherefore
+I beseech you to be followers of me;" and 1 Cor. xi. 1; and again, Phil.
+iii. 17, "brethren, be followers together of me." All which say, that
+though we should call no man Rabbi, as hanging our faith absolutely on
+him, yet in such a time of prevailing error and of false teachers going
+abroad, some respect should be had to such as have found grace of the
+Lord to be faithful in times of trial, and have maintained truth, and
+stood for it, in times of persecution, and have with singleness of heart
+followed the Lord; it not being ordinary with God to leave such as in
+sincerity seek him, and desire to follow his way in truth and
+uprightness, and to give the revelation of his mind and the
+manifestation of his Spirit to others, who have not gone through such
+trials.
+
+19. They should also at such a time be much in the sincere practice of
+uncontroverted duties, and in putting uncontroverted and unquestionable
+and unquestioned truths into practice; and this may prove a notable mean
+to keep them right: for then are they in God's way, and so the devil
+hath not that advantage of them that he hath of others who are out of
+the way of duty. David understood more than the ancients, because he
+kept God's precepts, Psal. cxix. 100.
+
+20. It were good and suitable at such a time, to be much in the fear of
+God, remembering what an one he is, and how hazardous it is to sin
+against him, by drinking in the least point of error. The promise is
+made to such, Psalm xxv. 12, "What man is he that feareth the Lord, him
+shall he teach in the way that he shall choose."
+
+21. Finally, at such a time they should be much in communion with Jesus,
+lying near him; much in prayer to him, studying his relations, offices,
+furniture, readiness to help with light and counsel; and they should
+draw near to him with humility, boldness, faith, confidence, love,
+tenderness, and sincerity; and then they shall not find that he shall
+fail them, or disappoint them.
+
+Enough of this. I proceed therefore to another case, which is:
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+HOW TO MAKE USE OF CHRIST AS THE TRUTH, THAT WE MAY GET OUR CASE AND
+CONDITION CLEARED UP TO US.
+
+
+The believer is oft complaining of darkness concerning his case and
+condition, so as he cannot tell what to say of himself, or what judgment
+to pass on himself, and he knoweth not how to win to a distinct and
+clear discovery of his state and condition. Now, it is truth alone, and
+the Truth, that can satisfy them as to this. The question then is, how
+they shall make use of, and apply themselves to this truth, to the end
+they may get the truth of their condition discovered to them. But first
+let us see what this case may be. Consider, then,
+
+1. That grace may be in the soul, and yet not be seen nor observed. This
+is manifest by daily experience.
+
+2. Not only so, but a gracious soul that is reconciled With God in
+Christ, and hath the spirit of grace dwelling in it, may suppose itself
+a stranger yet unto this reconciliation, and void of the grace of God,
+and so be still in the state of nature.
+
+3. Yea, a soul may not only suppose and conclude itself in nature, while
+it is in a state of grace, but further, may be filled with terror and
+apprehensions of God's wrath and indignation; and that in such a
+measure, as that thereby it may be as a distracted person, as we see it
+was with Heman, Psalm lxxxviii. 15, who said, "while I suffer thy
+terror, I am distracted." The wrath of God lay hard upon him, and he
+said, that he was afflicted with all God's waves, ver. 7. Hence he cried
+out, vers. 16. 17, "thy fierce wrath goeth over me, thy terrors have cut
+me off, they came round about me daily," or all the day, "like water
+they compassed me about together." And yet for all this, the first word
+of his complaint was faith, ver. 1. Many such complaints hear we out of
+Job's mouth, to whom God, notwithstanding, was that gracious, that he
+never came to question his state before God, or to conclude his
+hypocrisy, or his being still in the state of nature. But it is not so
+with every one that is so exercised.
+
+4. Yea, further, with those inward strokes upon the soul, they may have
+sin and guilt charged upon their consciences; and this will make their
+life yet more bitter, and put a sharper edge upon the rods. Thus was Job
+made to possess the sins of his youth, Job. xiii. 26, and made to say,
+"My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine
+iniquity," Job. xiv. 17.
+
+5. Moreover, they may be in such a condition a long time, and all the
+while have no light of comfort, as we may see in Job and Heman. They may
+even walk in darkness, and have no light of comfort, Isa. 1. 10.
+
+6. Yea, and also be without the hope of a delivery or outgate. Hence
+crieth Heman, Psalm lxxxviii. 4-5, "I am counted with them that go down
+into the pit, free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave,
+whom thou rememberest no more, and they are cut off from thine hand."
+Yea, they may be driven to the very border of despair, and conclude that
+there is no hope, as the church did, Ezek. xxxvii. 11, "Our bones are
+dried, and our hope is lost, and we are cut off for our parts;" and as
+Job, chap. vii. 6, "My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are
+spent without hope;" and chap. xix. 10, "He hath destroyed me on every
+side, and I am gone: mine hope hath been removed like a tree."
+
+Now, though sometimes, as we see in Job, and in Heman too, a soul may be
+under such a sad and sharp dispensation, and yet not brought to question
+their state, or to conclude themselves children of wrath, lying still in
+black nature, yet it is not so with all who are so exercised; but many
+under such a dispensation, may at least be in the dark as to their state
+before God; and if they do not positively assert their state to be bad,
+yet they do much question if they be in the state of grace, and would be
+comforted under all their pressures and afflictions, if they could win
+to the least well-grounded apprehension of their interest in Christ.
+
+In such a case as this is, there is ground for a poor soul to make use
+of Christ for outgate; and an outgate may be had in God's time, and as
+he seeth fit, by a right use-making of and going out to him, who is the
+Truth. So, then, the soul that would have its state and condition
+cleared up, and a discovery of its being reconciled to God through
+Jesus, and in a state of grace, and would make use of Christ as the
+Truth, for this end, would,
+
+(1.) Look out to Christ, as a feeling High Priest, faithful and
+merciful, who, being like us in all things, except sin, doth sympathise
+with, and succour such as are tempted, Heb. ii. 17, 18. And as a Priest,
+"that is touched with the feeling of our infirmities," Heb. iv. 15.
+Albeit Christ, in the deepest of his darkness, was never made to
+question his Sonship, but avouched God to be his God even when he was
+forsaken, Psalm xxii. 1. Matt, xxvii. 46. Mark xv. 34. Yet he knew what
+it was to be tempted, to question his Sonship, when the devil said unto
+him, Matt. iv. 3, "If thou be the Son of God;" and he knows what such a
+distress as he himself was into, wrestling with an angry God, hiding
+himself and forsaking, will work in a poor sinner; and being a merciful
+and sympathising High Priest, he cannot but pity such as are under such
+a distemper, and, as a gracious Head, sympathise with them. Now, the
+believer would look out to him as such an one, and upon this ground go
+to him with confidence and boldness, and lay out their case before him,
+that he may help and send relief:
+
+(2.) They would also eye Christ as able to save out of that condition,
+and to command light to shine out of darkness; and so, as one "able to
+save to the uttermost all that come to God through him," Heb. vii. 25.
+
+(3.) And not only so, but eye him also as given, sent, and commissioned
+of the Father, to be a light to such as sit in darkness; even to the
+Gentile. Isa. xlii. 6, and xlix. 6. Luke ii. 32. Acts xiii. 47; xxvi.
+23. John viii. 12; and this will encourage the poor souls to go out to
+him with their darkness, when they see that he is sent as a Light and as
+the Truth, to clear up poor souls that walk in darkness and have no
+light. When they see that it is his place and office to help them, and
+consider that he is true to his trust, and true and faithful in all that
+was committed to him, it not only will embolden them to come forward to
+him, but it will strengthen their hope, and encourage them to wait on.
+
+(4.) They would stay themselves on him as an all-sufficient helper,
+renouncing all other, crying out, that they will have no light but his
+light, and that they will seek no where else for light, but wait at his
+door, till he, who is the Sun of Righteousness, shall arise in their
+soul, and come with healing light in his wings.
+
+(5.) They would by faith roll and cast their darkened souls, their
+confused case, their overwhelmed hearts on him, and leave them there;
+for he is the only physician; and the blind soul must be put in his
+hand, who can take away the film, and cause the scales fall off, and
+make light break into the soul and discover unto it its condition.
+
+(6.) It would be useful and very steadable, in such a time of darkness,
+for the believer to be frequent in acting direct acts of faith on
+Christ; that is, be frequent in going to him as an all-sufficient
+Mediator, as the only refuge and shadow for a poor, weary, scorched
+soul, Isa. iv. 6. "And a man shall be as an hiding-place from the wind,
+and a covert from the tempest, as rivers of water in a dry place, as the
+shadow of a great rock in a weary land," Isa. xxxii. 2; "as one who is a
+strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow
+from the heat," &c. Isa. xxv, 4. When the soul is thus overwhelmed with
+clouds, and doubteth of its interest in Christ, it would then put it out
+of doubt, by flying to him for refuge from the storm of God's
+indignation, and lay hold on him as he is freely offered in the gospel,
+and thus renew its grips of him as the offered all-sufficient Mediator,
+and frequent direct acts of faith will help at length to a reflex act.
+The soul that is daily running to Christ, according to the covenant,
+with all its necessities, and laying hold on him as only able to help,
+will at length come to see that it hath believed on him, and is made
+welcome by him, and accepted through him. So that reiterated acts of
+faith on an offered cautioner and salvation, will dispel at length those
+clouds of darkness that trouble the soul.
+
+7. Such souls would beware of making their bands stronger, and their
+darkness greater, by their folly and unwise carriage; for this cause
+they would beware,
+
+(1.) To cry out in despondency of spirit as if there were no hope, and
+to conclude peremptorily, that they are cut off, and it is vain to wait
+any longer; for this course will but darken them the more, and multiply
+the clouds over their head.
+
+(2.) To run away from Christ through unbelief and despair, for that will
+make their case yet worse.
+
+(3.) To walk untenderly and not circumspectly; for the more sins appear,
+the less light will be had. O but souls would be tender in all their
+conversation at that time, and guard against the least sin or appearance
+of evil!
+
+(4.) To fret and repine against God, because of that dispensation; for
+that will but entangle the soul more, and wreathe the yoke straiter
+about its neck, and put itself further out of case to be relieved and to
+receive light.
+
+8. Such would do well not to limit the Holy One of Israel, but to wait
+with patience till his time come to speak in light to the soul, knowing
+that such as wait upon him shall never be ashamed, Isa. xlix. 23,
+because he waiteth to be gracious; and therefore blessed are all they
+that wait upon him, Isa. xxx. 18.
+
+_Quest._ But what if for all this I get no outgate, but my distress and
+darkness rather grow upon my hand? _Ans._ That such a thing may be, I
+grant, the Lord thinking it fit. (1.) To exercise their faith,
+dependence, patience, hope, and desire more. (2.) And to discover more
+unto them their own weakness, faintings, faithfulness. (3.) To shew his
+absolute power and sovereignty. (4.) To make his grace and mercy more
+conspicuous and remarkable at length. And, (5.) to train them up in a
+way of dependence on him in the dark, and of leaning to him when walking
+in darkness, yea, and in a way of believing when they think they have no
+faith at all, and for other holy ends. Yet the soul would not despond,
+for there are several things that may serve to support and bear up the
+heart even in that case, as,
+
+1. This is not their case alone, others have been in the like before,
+and many have had the like complaints in all ages, as is known to such
+as have been acquainted with exercised souls.
+
+2. It may yield peace and comfort to know that they are about duty when
+looking to him, and depending upon him, and waiting for his light.
+
+3. The promises made to such as wait for him may support the soul and
+yield comfort.
+
+4. The distinct knowledge and uptaking of their condition, though it be
+comfortable and refreshing, yet it is not absolutely necessary. A soul
+may be a saved soul, though those clouds should continue to its dying
+day; and though, as long as they lived, they should never get a clear
+discovery of their gracious state, but spend their days in mourning,
+complaining, and crying out of darkness.
+
+5. Such a soul should think that it is much that he is kept out of hell
+so long; and sure, the thoughts of what he is, and of what he deserveth,
+may make him sober, and not to think much, though he reach not so high
+as to see his name written in the book of life.
+
+6. They should know that full assurance of hope and of faith is but
+rare: and even such as have it do not ordinarily keep it long; so that
+it should not much trouble them, if, after all their pains, they cannot
+win at it.
+
+7. If they win to any real ground of hope, how small soever, they should
+think much of that; for many dear to Christ live long, and never know
+what so much is.
+
+8. It is no small matter that they are not sinking in the gulf of
+inconsideration, and plagued with an indifferency in these matters, but
+are made to value Christ and an interest in him at such a rate.
+
+9. Their going to Christ with all their wants, laying all on him, and
+their making that their daily exercise, may keep up their hearts from
+fainting, yea, and fill their souls with joy; for that is really the
+exercise of faith. And the great and gracious promises are made to such
+as believe, and not to such only as know they do believe. I grant such
+as know not that they do believe, cannot draw comfort from these
+promises; yet it is true that one may, by reflecting on the actings of
+his own soul, see and know that really he is going out to Christ,
+forsaking himself, casting his burden on him, waiting and depending upon
+him; when yet he will not say that he doth believe. And when he seeth
+this working of soul towards Christ, he is obliged to believe that he
+believeth, and thereupon rejoice in hope of the great promises. And
+however the very sight and knowledge of this acting and motion of soul
+may give them some comfort, though they shall not take it for faith,
+because it is the way of duty, and it is the thing the gospel calleth
+for, and because they cannot show an instance of anyone soul that did
+so, and perished. But the truth is, the right understanding of the
+nature of faith would clear many doubts, and prevent many questions.
+
+I come to speak a little to the last case which I shall handle, which
+is,
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+HOW WE SHALL MAKE USE OF CHRIST AS THE TRUTH, THAT WE MAY WIN TO RIGHT
+AND SUITABLE THOUGHTS OF GOD.
+
+
+This is a case that much troubleth the people of God,--they cannot get
+right and suitable thoughts of God, which they earnestly desire to have,
+nor know not how to win at them; and certain it is, he only who is the
+Truth, and came out of the bosom of the Father, can help here. Therefore
+for our use-making of him for this end, it would be remembered,
+
+1. That the mind of man, through the fall, is nothing but a mass of
+ignorance and blindness; that "the understanding is darkened," Eph. iv.
+17, 18; "and naturally we are in darkness," 1 John ii. 9, 11; "yea,
+under the power of darkness," Col. i. 13; and, which is more, our minds
+are naturally filled with prejudice against God, and enmity, through
+wickedness naturally residing there, and which the prince of the power
+of the air, the spirit which worketh in the children of disobedience,
+increaseth and stirreth up.
+
+2. That this evil is not totally taken away, even in the godly, but
+helped only in part; for they see and know but in part, 1 Cor. xiii. 13.
+
+3. That hence it cometh to pass, that through the working of corruption,
+the soul of a believer can sometimes win to no right thought of God at
+all; or at best to some very narrow and unsuitable conceptions of him
+and his ways; yea, sometimes, all the thoughts they can get of God are
+vain and idle, if not misshapen and blasphemous.
+
+4. That as we are, we cannot see God; "for no man hath seen him," Matt.
+xi. 27. John iv. 46; for he is an invisible God, 1 Tim. i. 17. Heb. xi.
+27. "He dwelleth in light which no man can approach unto. Him no man
+hath seen, nor can see," 1 Tim. vi. 16. 1 John iv. 12.
+
+5. That all that knowledge of God which is saving, is to be found in
+Christ, who is the "brightness of his glory, and the express image of
+his person," Heb. i. 2; "and the image of the invisible God," Col. i.
+15; and is for this end come out from the bosom of the Father, that he
+might acquaint us with him, and with all his secrets, John i. 18. Matt.
+xi. 27, so far as is needful for us to know. He is God incarnate, that
+in him we may see the invisible. Thus "God is manifest in the flesh," 1
+Tim. iii. 16; "and the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us," John i.
+14.
+
+6. That therefore if we would see and know God, we must go to Christ,
+who is the temple in which God dwelleth and manifesteth his glory; and
+in and through him, must we see and conceive of God. The light that we
+get of the knowledge of the glory of God, must be in the face of Jesus
+Christ, 2 Cor. iv. 6; that is, in the manifestations that Christ hath
+made of himself, in his natures, offices, ordinances, works,
+dispensations of grace, mediate and immediate, &c. And thus doth God,
+who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, "cause this light of
+the knowledge of his glory shine into our hearts," viz. in the face of
+Jesus Christ, that is, in the dispensations of grace in the gospel,
+which is the glorious gospel of Christ, 2 Cor. iv. 4, and, as it were,
+the face of Jesus Christ; for as by the face a man is best known and
+distinguished from others, so Christ is visibly, and discernibly, and
+manifestly, seen and known, in and by the gospel dispensations; there
+are all the lineaments and draughts of the glory of God which we would
+know, lively and clearly to be seen.
+
+So then, if we would make use of Christ for this end, that we may win to
+a right sight of God, and suitable conceptions of his glory, we would
+consider those things:
+
+1. We would live under the sense and thorough conviction of the
+greatness and incomprehensibleness of God, as being every way past
+finding out; and also under the conviction of our own darkness and
+incapacity to conceive aright of him, even as to what he hath revealed
+of himself.
+
+2. We would know, that what the works of creation and providence declare
+and preach forth of God, though it be sufficient to make heathens and
+others that do not improve the same to a right acknowledging of him,
+inexcusable, as Paul teacheth us, Rom. i. 20; yet all that is short of
+giving to us that saving knowledge of him, which must be had, and which
+is life eternal, John xvii. 2.
+
+3. We would know, that what of God is to be found out by the works of
+creation and providence, is more distinctly seen in Christ and in the
+gospel. Here is a greater and more glorious discovery of God, and of his
+glorious attributes, his justice, power, wisdom, goodness, holiness,
+truth, &c. than can be found by the deepest diving naturalist, and most
+wise moral observer of Providence, that is not taught out of the gospel.
+
+4. Yea, there is something of God to be seen in Christ, in the gospel,
+which can be observed in none of his works of, creation or common
+providence; there is the grace of God that bringeth salvation, that is
+made to appear only by the gospel, Titus ii. 11; and there is a peculiar
+kindness and love of God towards man, which is only discovered by
+Christ in the gospel, Titus iii. 4. There is that manifold wisdom of
+God, that mystery which was hid from the beginning of the world in God;
+that principalities and powers in heavenly places, the greatest and
+wisest of naturalists must learn by the church, wherein that is preached
+and proclaimed, by the dispensations of the gospel, Eph. iii. 9, 10. His
+mercy pardoning poor sinners, justice being satisfied, cannot be cleared
+by nature. Nature cannot unfold that mystery of justice and mercy,
+concurring to the salvation of a sinner--only the gospel can clear that
+riddle.
+
+5. We would remember, that all the beams of that glory which are
+necessary and useful for us to know, are, to speak so, contracted in
+Christ, and there vailed, to the end that we may more steadily look upon
+them. We may go to our Brother, who is flesh of our flesh, and there,
+through the vail of his flesh, see and behold what otherwise was
+invisible. As we can look to the sun better shining in a pail of water,
+than by looking up immediately; so can we behold God and his glory
+better in Christ, where there is a thin vail (to speak so) drawn over
+that otherwise blinding, yea, killing glory, than by looking to God
+without Christ; for, alas! we could not endure one glance of an
+immediate ray of divine glory: it would kill us outright.
+
+6. We must then go to Christ, and there see God; for he who seeth him
+seeth the Father also, John xiv. 9. Particularly, we must go the face of
+Jesus Christ, that is, that whereby he hath made himself known, the
+noble contrivance of the glorious gospel, wherein all things are so
+carried on, as that God is glorified in his Son, in the salvation of
+poor sinners. The whole work of salvation is laid on Christ, and the
+Father is glorified in him, who is his Servant and his Chosen, whom he
+upholdeth and furnisheth for the work, Isa. xlii. 1,2. He is called the
+covenant itself. He is the undertaker in the covenant of redemption and
+in the covenant of grace; all is founded on him; all the good things of
+it are given out by him; all the grace by which we close with it, and
+accept of him according to it, is given by him. Now, in this gospel
+contrivance are all the lines of the glorious face of Christ to be
+seen; and in that face must we see and discern the glory of God, all the
+rays of which are centered in Christ, and there will we get a noble
+prospect of that glorious object. So that all such as would make use of
+Christ for this end, that they might come to have right and suitable
+thoughts and apprehensions of God, must be well acquainted with the
+whole draught and frame of the gospel; and so acquainted therewith, as
+to see Christ the substance, ground and all of it, and to see him in
+every part of it.
+
+7. Whatever we know or learn of God by his works of creation and
+providence, in the world or about ourselves, we would bring it in here
+that it may receive a new tincture and a deeper impression. That is
+done, when we find and learn something of Christ there, and are brought
+nearer Christ thereby, and made thereby to discover something more of
+the glory of God in the face of Christ; or are made to understand better
+something of the revelation that is made of God in the gospel, or moved
+thereby to improve it better.
+
+8. In all this matter, we must not go without our guide, lest we wander
+in this wilderness, and it prove a labyrinth to us. We must take Christ
+with us all along; he must teach us to understand his own face, and to
+read the glorious characters of that excellent glory which is to be seen
+in his face. He must be our interpreter, and teach us how to read this
+book, and how to understand what is written therein; he must give the
+discerning eye, and the understanding heart; even the spirit of wisdom
+and understanding, to take up the mysteries of God.
+
+9. And for this cause, we should by faith lay hold upon the promises of
+the Spirit, whereby we may be made spiritual, and have our
+understandings enlightened more and more, to understand the mysterious
+characters of divine majesty and glory.
+
+10. In all this exercise we should walk with fear, and carry with us
+impressions of the dreadful majesty and glory of God, that we may
+tremble and fear, and stand in awe, and read what we read of this glory
+of God in the face of Jesus Christ, this glorious Bible, with reverence
+and godly fear. And thus we may be helped to win to right and suitable
+thoughts of God; yet withal we should, for
+
+
+CAUTIONS,
+
+Consider a few things further; as,
+
+1. That we must not think to "search out the Almighty unto perfection,"
+Job xi. 7.
+
+2. Nor must we think to get any one point of God known and understood
+perfectly; corruption will mix in itself, do our best; and our
+shortcomings will not easily be reckoned up.
+
+3. We must beware of carnal curiosity, and of unlawful diving into this
+depth, lest we drown.
+
+4. We should not dream of a state here, wherein we will not need Christ
+for this end. Yea, I suppose, in glory, he will be of use to us, as to
+the seeing of God; for even there, as he is to-day, so shall he for ever
+abide, God and man in two distinct natures and one person, and that
+cannot be for nought; and as God will be still God invisible and
+unsearchable, so we, though glorified, will remain finite creatures, and
+therefore will stand in need of Christ, that in his glorious face we may
+see the invisible. He must be our _lumen gloriae_.
+
+5. We should think it no small matter to have the impressions of this
+sight upon our hearts, that we cannot see him; and that we, in this
+state of sin, cannot get right and suitable apprehensions of him. I say,
+the impression of this on our spirits, that is, such a sight of
+impossibility to get him seen aright, as will keep the heart in awe, and
+cause us walk before him in fear and reverence, and to humble ourselves
+in the dust, and to tremble whenever we make mention of his name, or
+begin to meditate on him, knowing how great an one he is, and how
+dangerous it is to think amiss of him, and how difficult to get a right
+thought of him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+"AND THE LIFE." HOW CHRIST IS THE LIFE.
+
+
+This, as the former, being spoken indefinitely, may be universally
+taken, as relating both to such as are yet in the state of nature, and
+to such as are in the state of grace, and so may be considered in
+reference to both, and ground three points of truth, both in reference
+to the one, and in reference to the other; to wit, 1. That our case is
+such as we stand in need of his help, as being the Life. 2. That no
+other way but by him, can we get that supply of life, which we stand in
+need of, for he only is the Life, excluding all other. 3. That this help
+is to be had in him fully and completely, for not only is he able to
+quicken, but he is called the Life; so that the help which he giveth is
+full, excellent, and complete.
+
+Looking upon the words in reference to such as are in nature, they point
+out those three truths to us:
+
+I. That all of us by nature are dead, standing in need of quickening and
+of life; for this is presupposed, while he is said to be the Life, and
+that both legally and really: Legally, being under the sentence of
+death, for Adam's transgression, Rom. v. 15, and for that original
+corruption of heart we have; and really, the sentence of the law being
+in part executed, and that both as to the body and as to the soul. As to
+the body, it is now subject to death, and all the forerunners thereof,
+such as weakness, pains, sickness, fears, torment, trouble, weariness,
+yea, and in hazard of hell-fire, and the torments of the second death
+for ever. As to the soul, it also is many ways dead; but first in a way
+that is purely penal, and next in a way that is also sinful; and both
+ways, as to what is present, and as to what is future. For as to that
+which is penal and present, it is, (1.) separated from God and his
+favour, Gen. iii. 8, 10, 24; (2.) is under his curse and wrath, whence
+it cometh to pass, that by nature we are children of wrath, Eph. ii. 2,
+5; servants of Satan, 2 Tim. ii. 26; the consequence of which is sad
+and heavy, for hence it is that we cannot please God, do what we will.
+Till we be brought out of that state, our ordinary and civil actions,
+even ploughing the ground, is sin, Prov. xxi. 4; yea, our religious
+actions, whether natural or instituted, are abomination; even our
+sacrifices, Prov. xv. 8; xxi. 27; and prayers, Prov. xxviii. 9. Psalm x.
+7; yea, and all our thoughts and purposes, Prov. xv. 26; and likewise
+all our ways, Prov. xv. 9. As to what is penal and future, it is
+obnoxious to that everlasting excommunication from the presence of the
+Lord, and from the glory of his power, 2 Thess. i. 8, 9; and to the
+torments of hell for ever, Mark ix. 44, 46, 48. Luke xvi. As to what is
+not only penal but also sinful, the soul here is under the stroke of
+darkness in the understanding, perverseness and rebelliousness in the
+will, irregularity and disorder in the affections, whereby the soul is
+unfit for any thing that is good, Rom. iii. 10-20. Eph. ii. 1, 2, 3.
+Rom. v. 6; viii. 7, 8; whence proceedeth all our actual transgressions,
+James i. 14, 15. And moreover sometimes the soul is given up to a
+reprobate mind, Rom. i. 28; to strong delusion, 2 Thess. ii. 2; to
+hardness of heart, Rom. ii. 5; horror of conscience, Isa. xxxiii. 14; to
+vile affections, Rom. i. 26, and the like spiritual plagues, which,
+though the Lord inflict on some only, yet all are obnoxious to the same
+by nature, and can expect no less, if the Lord should enter with them
+into judgment. And finally, as to what is future of this kind, they are,
+being fuel for Tophet, obnoxious to that malignant, sinful, blasphemous,
+and desperate rebellion against God, in hell for evermore!
+
+O how lamentable, upon this consideration, must the condition of such
+be, as are yet in the state of nature! Oh, if it were but seen and felt!
+But, alas! there is this addition to all, that people know not this;
+they consider it not, they believe it not, they feel it not, they see it
+not; and hence it cometh to pass, that,
+
+_First_. They cannot bewail and lament their condition, nor be humbled
+therefor.
+
+_Secondly_. They cannot, and will not seek after a remedy; for the whole
+will not trouble themselves to seek after a physician.
+
+And sure upon this account, their case calleth for pity and compassion
+from all that know what a dreadful thing it is to be in such a
+condition, and should stir up all to pray for them, and to do all they
+can to help them out of that state of sin and misery, which is dreadful
+to think upon.
+
+Should not the thoughts and consideration of this put us all to try and
+search, if we be yet translated from death to life, and delivered out of
+that dreadful and terrible state, and made partakers of the first
+resurrection. It not being my purpose to handle this point at large, I
+shall not here insist in giving marks, whereby this may be known, and
+which are obvious in Paul's Epistles, and to be found handled at large
+in several practical pieces, chiefly in Mr. Guthrie's Great Interest. I
+shall only desire every one to consider and examine,
+
+1. Whether or not the voice of Christ, which quickeneth the dead, hath
+been heard and welcomed in their soul. This is effectual calling.
+
+2. Whether or not there be a thorough change wrought in their soul, a
+change in the whole man, so as all things are become new. 2 Cor. v. 17.
+
+3. Whether or not there be a principle of life within? and they be led
+by the Spirit.
+
+4. Whether or not there be a living to the glory of the Lord Redeemer.
+
+And when by an impartial trial, a discovery is made of the badness of
+our condition, should we not be alarmed to look about us, and to labour
+by all means for an outgate? Considering, (1.) How doleful and
+lamentable this condition is. (2.) How sad and dreadful the consequences
+of it are. (3.) How happy a thing it is to be delivered from this
+miserable and sinful condition. And, (4.) How there is a possibility of
+outgate.
+
+_Finally_. It may break a heart of stone to think, how people that are
+in such a condition are so unwilling to come out of it: For,
+
+1. How unwilling are they once to suspect their condition, or to suppose
+that it may be bad, and that they may be yet unconverted?
+
+2. How unwilling are they, to sit down seriously to try and examine the
+matter, and to lay their case to the touch-stone of the word?
+
+3. Yea, how unwilling are they to hear any thing that may tend to awaken
+them, or to discover unto them the deadness of their condition?
+
+4. How ready to stifle challenges of conscience, or any common motion of
+the Spirit, which tendeth to alarm their soul?
+
+5. How great enemies are they to such ordinances as serve to awaken
+sleeping consciences?
+
+6. And how do they hate such ministers as preach such doctrine as may
+serve to rouse them up, and set them a-work about their own salvation?
+
+II. We learn hence, that without Christ there is no imaginary way of
+delivery out of this natural state of death. "No other name is given
+under heaven whereby we can be saved," Acts iv. 12; and angels can make
+no help here, nor can one of us deliver another; the redemption of the
+soul is more precious than so, Psalm xlix. 7, 8. Nor is there any thing
+we can do for ourselves that will avail here; all our prayers, tears,
+whippings, fastings, vows, alms-deeds, purposes, promises, resolutions,
+abstinence from some evils, outward amendments, good morality and
+civility, outward religiousness, yea, and if it were possible, our
+keeping of the whole law, will not help us out of this pit. And we may
+weary ourselves in such exercises in vain; for they will prove but
+bodily exercises that profit little. And when in this way we have spent
+all our time, parts, spirits, and labour, we shall at length see and
+say, that we have spent our money for that which is not bread.
+
+This should put all of us to try what it is which we lean to for life;
+and what it is, the consideration whereof giveth us peace and quietness
+when the thoughts of death, judgment, hell, and the wrath of God come
+upon us and trouble us: For if it be any thing beside Christ that our
+soul leaneth to, and that we are comforted by, and found all our hopes
+upon, we will meet with a lamentable (oh! for ever lamentable!)
+disappointment. Be sure then, that our hearts renounce all other ways
+and means of outgate out of this death, besides Jesus, the resurrection
+and the life, else it will not be well with us.
+
+III. We see here, that delivery out of this natural state of death is
+only had by Christ: For he alone is the life, and the life that is in
+him is suitable and excellent. Hence he is called "the bread of life,"
+John vi. 35, 48. "The resurrection and the life," John xi. 25. "The
+water of life," Rev. xxi. 6, and xxii. 17. "The tree of life," Rev.
+xxii. 2, 14. "The prince of life," Acts iii. 15. "Our life," Col. iii.
+4. "The word of life, and life itself," 1 John i. 1, 2.
+
+And as he is a suitable and excellent life, so is he an all-sufficient
+and perfect life, able every way to help us and to deliver us from all
+the parts of our death. For,
+
+1. He delivereth from the sentence of the law, Rom. v. 17, 18,
+undergoing the curse of the law, and becoming a curse for us, 2 Cor. v.
+21.
+
+2. He taketh away the curse and sting of all temporal plagues, yea, and
+of death itself, causing all to work together for good to such as love
+him, Rom. viii. 28. He hath killed him that had the power of death, that
+is, the devil, Heb. ii. 14; and through him the sting of death, which is
+sin, is taken away, 1 Cor. xv. 56, 57.
+
+3. He reconcileth to God, taking away that distance and enmity, 2 Cor.
+v. 20; and so he is our peace and peacemaker, purchasing access to us to
+the Father, Eph. ii. 14, 16; iii. 12.
+
+4. He also delivereth from the power of sin and corruption, Rom. vii.
+24.
+
+5. And from all those spiritual strokes; such as blindness, hardness of
+heart, &c. For he is our light; and hath procured a new heart for us,
+even a heart of flesh.
+
+6. So delivereth he from hell fire, having satisfied justice, and having
+brought life and immortality to light; and he giveth life eternal, as we
+see, Rev. ii. 3.
+
+Oh! it is sad, that Christ is so little made use of, and that so many
+will forsake the fountain of living waters, and dig to themselves broken
+cisterns that can hold no water; and slight, despise, and undervalue the
+gospel of Christ, which bringeth life and immortality to light.
+
+Oh! if the consideration of this could move such as never found any
+change in themselves, to run to, and make use of Jesus Christ for life;
+and would for this end,
+
+(1.) Cry to him, that he would make them sensible of their deadness, and
+waken them out of their deep sleep.
+
+(2.) Cry to him, to set them a-work to renounce all other help beside
+his, as being utterly unable to quicken and put life in them.
+
+(3.) Cry to him, that he would draw and determine their souls to a
+closing with him by faith alone, to a hearing of his voice, to an
+obeying of his call, to a following of his direction, to a giving up of
+themselves to him, leaning to him, and waiting for all from him alone:
+in a word, to take him for their life in all points, and to lean to him
+for life, and to expect it from him, through faith in the promises of
+the gospel.
+
+_Next._ This being spoken to the disciples, whom we suppose to have been
+believers, it will give us ground to speak of it, in reference to
+believers, and so yield three points of truth, which we shall briefly
+touch, and then come to speak of use-making of Christ as the Life, in
+some particular cases.
+
+_First._ It is here clearly presupposed, that even believers have need
+of Christ to be life unto them; and so have their fits of deadness. If
+it were not so, why would Christ have said to believers, that he was
+life? And daily experience doth abundantly confirm it. For,
+
+1. They are oft so weak and unable to resist temptation, or to go about
+any commanded duty, as if they were quite dead.
+
+2. They are oft so borne down with discouragement, because of the
+strength of opposition which they meet with on all hands; and because of
+the manifold disappointments which they meet with, that they have
+neither heart nor hand; and they faint and set up in the ways of the
+Lord; and cannot go through difficulties, but oftentimes lie by.
+
+3. Through daily fighting, and seeing no victory, they become weary and
+faint-hearted; so that they lie by as dead, Isa. xl. 29.
+
+4. They oft fall sick and decay, and have need of restoration and
+quickening.
+
+5. The want of the sense of God's favour, and of the comforts of the
+Holy Ghost, maketh them to dwine and droop, and look out as dead.
+
+6. While under soul desertions upon one account or other, they look upon
+themselves as free among the dead, that is, as dead men, of the society
+of the dead, with Heman, Psalm lxxxviii.
+
+7. Yea, many times they are as dead men, led captive in chains of
+unbelief and corruptions, as we see David was, when his heart panted,
+and his strength failed him, and the light of his eyes were gone from
+him, Psalm xxxviii. 10.
+
+8. Many times the frequent changes, and ups and downs they meet with,
+take all courage and heart from them, that they become like men tossed
+at sea, so as they have no more strength.
+
+And many such things befall them, which make them look as dead, and to
+stand in need of quickening, reviving and strengthening cordials from
+him who is the life. And thus the Lord thinketh good to dispense with
+his own people,
+
+(1.) That they may be kept humble, and know themselves to be indigent
+creatures, needing influences of life daily.
+
+(2.) That they may have many errands to him who is the life, and have
+much to do with him, and depend upon him continually.
+
+(3.) That he may show himself wonderful, in and about them, giving proof
+of his skill in quickening the dead, and in bringing such through unto
+everlasting life, who were daily, as it were, giving up the ghost, and
+at the point of death.
+
+(4.) That heaven may be heaven; that is, a place "where the weary are at
+rest," Job iii. 17; and the troubled rest, 2 Thes. i. 7; and where the
+inhabitants shall not say they are sick, Isa. xxxiii. 24.
+
+(5.) That they may be taught more the life of faith and of dependence on
+him, and trained up in that way.
+
+(6.) That he may be owned, acknowledged, and submitted unto as a
+sovereign God, doing what he will in heaven and in earth.
+
+For all this, there is no cause that any should take up any prejudice
+at Christianity: for, for all this their life is sure, and the outgate
+is sure and safe. Nor would they think it strange, to see believers oft
+mourning and drooping, seeing their case will oft fall for new supplies
+of life. Their fits are not known to every one; nor doth every one know
+what lieth sometimes at their heart; nor would they think it such an
+easy matter to win to heaven as they imagine; and so deceive themselves.
+The righteous are saved through many deaths.
+
+And as for believers, they would not think it strange to meet with such
+fits of deadness; nor thence conclude, that all their former work was
+but delusion, and that they are still in the state of nature. But rather
+observe the wisdom, faithfulness, and power of God in bringing their
+broken ship through so much broken water, yea, and shipwrecks; and his
+goodness in ordering matters so as they shall be kept humble, watchful,
+diligent and constant in dependence upon him who is and must be their
+life, first and last. And hence learn a necessity of living always near
+to Christ, and depending constantly upon him by faith; for he being
+their life, they cannot be without him, but they must die and decay.
+
+_Second._ We hence learn, that under all these fits of deadness to which
+his people are subject, nothing without Christ will help: Not,
+
+1. All their pains in and about ordinary means, prayer, reading,
+hearing, meditation, conference, &c. They will all cry out, that help is
+not in them: for he is the life.
+
+2. Nor extraordinary duties, such as fasting and prayer, and
+vows,--these will never revive and quicken a drooping or fainting sickly
+soul: for they are not Christ, nor the life.
+
+3. Nor will a stout courageous spirit and resolution of heart avail. If
+he who is the Life, breathe not, all that will melt away and evanish.
+
+4. Nor will the stock of habitual grace which remaineth in the soul, be
+sufficient to quicken and revive the sick soul, if the Life breathe not
+on these habits; and if new influences of life and strength flow not in
+upon the soul, and new rays come not down from this Sun of
+Righteousness to warm the frozen soul, the habits will lie by as dead.
+
+5. Far less will their great gifts and endowments help them out of that
+dead condition; all their light and knowledge, without the influences of
+this Life, will prove weak and insufficient for this end and purpose.
+
+6. Nor will sound, pure and lively-like ordinances work out this effect;
+for till he look down, all these ordinances may prove dead and deadening
+to them.
+
+It were good if believers were living under the conviction of this
+daily, and by their practice and carriage declaring if they believe,
+that Christ only is the Life, and that they must live in him, and be
+quickened and revived through him alone.
+
+_Third_. We see hence, that Christ is the Life, that is, one that
+sufficiently, yea, and abundantly can help the believer while under
+those fits of deadness which have been mentioned, and the like. There is
+in him a rich supply of things that tend to revive, encourage,
+strengthen and enliven a soul under spiritual deadness and fainting.
+Therefore is he called the Life; as having in him all that which is
+necessary for and answerable to souls under spiritual sicknesses,
+distempers, desertions, fainting and swooning fits, &c., for with him
+"is the fountain of life," Psalm xxxvi. 9; "and he it is that upholdeth
+the soul in life," Psalm lxvi. 9; "and can command the blessing, even
+life for ever more," Psalm cxxxiii. 3.
+
+For further clearing of this, we would consider those things,
+
+1. That he is God, equal with the Father in power and glory, and thereby
+"hath life in himself," John v. 26; and can "quicken whom he will," ver.
+21. By this he proveth his own Godhead and equality with the Father; so,
+John i. 4, it is said, "that in him was life," and that life was the
+light of men, whereby also his Godhead is confirmed. This should be
+firmly believed, and rooted in our hearts, as being the ground of all
+our hope, comfort, and life: For, were it not so, that our Mediator were
+the true God, all our hopes were gone, our comforts could not be long
+lived, and our life were extinct.
+
+2. As Mediator God-man, he is fully and thoroughly furnished to quicken
+and enliven his members and followers, first and last; and all along
+their life must be hid with Christ in God; "for in him dwelleth the
+Fulness of the Godhead bodily," Col. ii. 9; as Mediator, he is called "a
+tree of life," Prov. iii. 18; quickening and enlivening all that feed
+upon him; and "the bread of life," John vi. 35, 48. Yea, because of
+power and authority to command life to the dead soul, he is called "the
+Prince of life," Acts iii. 15; and as a living, quickening stone, he
+giveth life to all that are built upon him, 1 Pet. ii. 4. Yea, as being
+fully fitted and furnished for this work, he calleth himself "the
+resurrection and the life," John xi. 25. This should be riveted in our
+hearts, as a comfortable and encouraging truth.
+
+3. Of this stock of life and quickening and reviving grace which he hath
+got, and is furnished withal as Mediator and Redeemer of his people, he
+is communicative,--"of his fulness do we receive, and grace for grace,"
+John i. 16. He got it that he might give it out, and that from him as a
+head it might flow unto his members, and therefore he is the bread that
+came down from heaven, and giveth life to the world, John vi. 35. Yea,
+he giveth eternal life to all his sheep, John x. 28; and he is come for
+this end, that his sheep might have life, John x. 10. Therefore hath he
+taken on such relations, as may give ground of confirmation of this, as
+of a head, of a stock or root, and the like. This consideration is
+strengthening and reviving.
+
+4. He communicateth of this stock of life, and of reviving strength,
+which he hath most sweetly and on most easy terms. So that,
+
+(1.) Such as seek him shall find life by him, Psalm lxix. 32.
+
+(2.) Yea, such as know him shall not miss life, John xvii. 3. 1 John v.
+20.
+
+(3.) If we will believe on him and rest upon him, we have life first and
+last, John iii. 15, 16, 36; vi. 40, 47. 1 Tim. i. 16.
+
+(4.) If we will come to him, John v. 40, and cast our dead soul upon
+him, we shall live.
+
+(5.) If we will hear his voice, Isa. lv. 3, and receive his
+instructions, we shall live; for they are the instructions of life.
+
+(6.) Nay, if the soul be so dead, that it can neither walk nor hear, if
+it can but look to him, he will give life, Isa. xlv. 22.
+
+(7.) And if the soul be so weak, that it cannot look, nor lift up its
+eyes; yet if it be willing, he will come with life. Rev. xxii. 17.
+
+Oh, if this were believed!
+
+5. As he is communicative of that life which he hath gotten as head, and
+that upon easy terms; so he giveth out of that life liberally, largely,
+abundantly, yea, more abundantly, John x. 10. The water of life which he
+giveth, is "a well of water springing up to everlasting life," John iv.
+14. Therefore he alloweth his friends to drink abundantly, Cant. v. 1.
+
+6. Yet it would be remembered, that he is Lord and master thereof, and
+Prince of this life, and so may dispense it and give it out, in what
+measure he seeth fit; and he is wise to measure out best for his own
+glory, and to their advantage.
+
+7. All this life is sure in him,--none of his shall be disappointed
+thereof. His offices, which he hath taken on; and his commission, which
+he hath of the Father, abundantly clear this; and love to his, will not
+suffer him to keep up any thing that is for their advantage. He is
+faithful in his house as a son, and will do all that was committed unto
+him to do. The whole transaction of the covenant of redemption, and
+suretyship, and all the promises of the new covenant of grace, confirm
+this to be a sure truth; so that they that have him have life, 1 John v.
+12. Prov. viii. 35.
+
+8. Yea, all that is in Christ contributeth to this life and quickening.
+His words and doctrine are the words of eternal life, John vi. 63, 68.
+Phil. ii. 16. His works and ways are the ways of life, Acts ii. 28. His
+natures, offices, sufferings, actings, all he did as Mediator, concur to
+the quickening and enlivening of a poor dead soul.
+
+9. This fulness of life which he hath, is fully suited to the believer's
+condition, in all points, as we shall hear.
+
+10. This life is eminently and transcendently in him, and exclusively
+of all others. It is in him, and in him alone; and it is in him in a
+most excellent manner: So that he is the life, in the abstract; not only
+a living head, and an enlivening head; but life itself, the life, the
+"resurrection and the life."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+SOME GENERAL USES.
+
+
+Before we come to speak of some particular cases of deadness, wherein
+believers are to make use of Christ as the Life, we shall first propose
+some useful consequences and deductions from what hath been spoken of
+this life; and,
+
+I. The faith of those things, which have been mentioned, would be of
+great use and advantage to believers; and therefore they should study to
+have the faith of this truth fixed on their hearts, and a deep
+impression thereof on their spirits, to the end, that,
+
+1. Be their case and condition what it will, they might be kept from
+despair, and despondency of spirit, from giving over their case as
+hopeless; and from looking upon themselves as irremediably gone. The
+faith of Christ being life, and the life, would keep up the soul in
+hope, and cause it say,--how dead soever my case be, yet life can help
+me, and he who is the resurrection and the life, can recover me.
+
+2. Yea, be their case and condition what it will, they would have here
+some ground of encouragement, to go to him with their dead soul, and to
+look to him for help, seeing he is the Life, as Mediator, to the end he
+might enliven and quicken his dead, fainting, swooning members, and to
+recover them from their deadness.
+
+3. They might be freed from many scruples and objections that scar and
+discourage them. This one truth believed would clear up the way so, as
+that such things, as would have been impediments and objections before,
+shall evanish, and be rolled out of the way now: Such as, the objections
+taken from their own worthlessness, their long continuance in that dead
+condition, and the like.
+
+4. They might hereby likewise be freed from that dreadful plague and
+evil of jealousy, whereby the soul is oft kept back from coming to
+Christ: For they fear he will not make them welcome; they doubt of his
+love and tenderness, and question his pity and compassion; yea, their
+jealousy maketh them to doubt of his faithfulness; so that the faith of
+this truth would cure this jealousy, and deliver the soul therefrom, and
+open a way for the soul to come forward with boldness and confidence.
+
+5. They might also be hereby helped to wait with patience, and to be
+still and quiet under the Lord's various dispensations; so as they would
+not fret nor repine against him, knowing that he would prove himself to
+be Life, even the Life, in his own good time; so that the soul would
+patiently wait at his door, till he were pleased to look out, and with
+his look convey life into their dead soul.
+
+6. They might be preserved hereby from looking out to or expecting any
+help from any other quarter: knowing that he alone is the Life; and so
+that help can no where else be had. The faith of this truth would guard
+from any sinistrous ways which the soul, in a time of strait, is ready
+to run to for relief: for hereby would it see that neither instruments
+nor means, nor outward administrations, nor any thing of that kind, can
+quicken their dead soul; and that he, and he alone must breathe in life
+into them, as at first, so now again.
+
+II. May we not see and observe here great matter of admiration at the
+goodness and rich bounty of God towards his people, who hath found out
+and condescended upon such a sure, safe, and satisfying way, whereby he
+becometh all things to his people which they stand in need of; and that
+notwithstanding,
+
+1. That we are most unworthy of any such dispensation of grace at his
+hands.
+
+2. That we too oft are too desirous of other guests in our hearts
+beside him: O how much corruption, sin and death lodge within our souls!
+and how more desirous are we ofttimes of death than of life!
+
+3. That we little improve the noble advantages for life which we have
+granted unto us; yea, many a time we abuse them; and this he did
+foresee, and yet notwithstanding would condescend unto us.
+
+4. That we do little express our thankfulness for such mercies.
+
+But not for our sakes hath he done this, but for his own name's sake:
+For noble and holy ends hath he resolved on this course; as,
+
+(1.) That he might be "all in all," Col. iii. 11, and they nothing; that
+he alone might fill all in all, Eph. i. ult., and they be empty and
+nothing without him.
+
+(2.) That he might wear the glory of all; "for of him, and through him,
+and to him are all things," Rom. xi. 36, and that no man might share
+therein.
+
+(3.) That man might be his everlasting debtor, and cast down, in
+testimony thereof, his crown at his feet, "who sitteth on the throne,"
+as those did, Rev. iv. 10, and might cry out with these same elders,
+ver. 11, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honour, and
+power," &c.; and with those, chap. v. 12, "Worthy is the Lamb that was
+slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and
+honour, and blessing."
+
+(4.) That man's mouth might be stopped for ever, and all boasting
+excluded; for man is a proud creature, and ready to boast of that which
+is nothing and vanity. Now God hath chosen this noble way of the
+covenant of grace, that no man might boast any more. Where is boasting
+then? It is excluded. By what law? By the law of works? no, but by the
+law of faith, saith the apostle, Rom. iii. 24.
+
+(5.) That all might be sure to the poor chosen believer. The Lord will
+not have the stock of life, any longer to be in a man's own hand: for
+even Adam, in the state of innocency, could not use it well, but made
+shipwreck thereof, and turned a bankrupt; much more would man now do so,
+in this state of sin, in which he lieth at present, therefore hath God,
+out of love and tenderness to his chosen ones, put all their stock in
+the hand of Christ, who is better able to manage it, to God's glory and
+man's advantage, being faithful in all things, and a trusty servant,
+"having the fulness of the Godhead dwelling in him bodily." "Therefore,"
+saith the apostle, Rom. iv. 16. "it is of faith, that it might be by
+grace; to the end, the promises might be sure to all the seed."
+
+(6.) That believers might have strong consolation, notwithstanding of
+all the opposition of enemies without and within, when they see that now
+their "life is hid with Christ in God," Col. iii. 3, and that their life
+is in their head, they will not fear so much devils and men without, nor
+their own dead and corrupt hearts within.
+
+III. How inexcusable must all such be,
+
+1. Who will not lay hold on this life, on Jesus who is the Life, sure
+life, yea, everlasting life.
+
+2. Who seek life any other way, than by and through him who is the Life.
+
+3. Who oppose this way of life, and not only reject the offers of it,
+but prove enemies to it, and to all that carry it or preach it.
+
+IV. Here is strong encouragement to all that would be at heaven, to
+enter into this gospel, which is a way of life; such need not fear that
+their salvation shall not be advanced; let Satan and all their
+adversaries do what they can, all that enter into this way shall live.
+For the way itself is life, and nothing but life. So that here all
+objections are obviated; life can answer all. If the believer fear, that
+he shall never win through difficulties, he shall die by the way; or by
+fainting, succumbing and swooning, dishonour the profession, and at
+length fall off and apostatize, or despair and give over all hope; here
+is that which may answer and obviate all, "I am the life;" and who can
+perish in the way which is the way of life, an enlivening way, yea, the
+way which is life itself; yea, the life in a singular and eminent
+manner?
+
+V. Here is ground of reproof even of believers, who, though they have
+come to Christ, yet do not live in him as they ought, do not walk in
+him with that liveliness and activity which is called for; but,
+
+1. Lean too much to their own understanding, gifts or graces; and think
+thereby to ride out storms, and to wide through all difficulties, while
+as, if he who is the Life do not breathe upon us, all that will fail us
+in the day of trial. Our understanding and parts or gifts may dry up,
+and our graces may wither and decay, and go backward.
+
+2. Rest too much on duties; when they should in them go to him who is
+the Life. For only in him is life to be had; and him should they seek to
+in the ordinances, that they might have life from him in those outward
+duties; and this appeareth in their way of going about duties, without
+that dependence on him, and single eyeing of him, which is called for.
+As also by their freting and repining, when duties do not their
+business, as if life lay all in duties; and concluding all will be
+right, because they get duties somewhat tolerably performed; and, on the
+contrary, desponding, when duties fall heavy on them, and they find
+themselves indisposed for duty. All which clearly evinceth, that they
+lay too much weight on duties; while as it would be otherwise with them,
+if they were purely depending on Christ, and looking for all from him.
+
+3. Despond too soon, because they get not help and relief instantly; or
+because they are not preserved from every degree of fainting.
+
+4. Neglect to make use of him, and to come to him with all their wants,
+failings and necessities, as they ought; or come not with that freedom
+and boldness which the gospel grounds allow.
+
+VI. This preacheth out the woful misery of such as are strangers to
+Christ. For being strangers to the Life, they have no life, they are
+dead, and death is engraven on all they do; even though,
+
+1. They should be very diligent in external duties, yea, and outstrip
+many true believers; as the Pharisees had their fasts twice a-week, Luke
+xviii.
+
+2. They should be eminently gifted, able to instruct others, and to
+speak of the mysteries of the gospel, to purpose and to edification.
+For such gifts of knowledge and utterance may be, where the lively
+operations of the grace of Christ are not, and consequently where Christ
+is not, as the Life.
+
+3. They should seem eminent in all their outward carriage, and seem to
+carry most christianly in all their walk, and appear most devout in the
+matter of worship.
+
+4. And they should have something more than ordinary; even taste of the
+heavenly gift, and be made partakers of extraordinary gifts of the Holy
+Ghost; yea, and taste the good word of God, and the powers of the world
+to come, Heb. vi. 4, 5.
+
+VII. This discovereth the noble advantage of such as have accepted of
+Christ for their life. Their condition is happy, sure, desirable, and
+thriving; for Christ is theirs, and life is theirs; because Christ, who
+is the Life, is theirs.
+
+_Obj._ 1. But some wicked persons may say, We see not that happy and
+advantageous condition of such as go for believers; for we observe them
+to be as little lively ofttimes as others, and as unfit for duties; yea,
+and sometimes as much subject to sin and corruption as others.
+
+_Ans._ 1. However it be with them, either in thine eyes, or possibly in
+their own sometimes, yet thou mayest hold thy peace; for in their worst
+condition, they would not exchange with thee for a world; in their
+deadest-like condition, they are not void of all life, as thou art,
+notwithstanding all thy motions, and seeming activeness in duty; because
+all thy motion in and about duty is but like the moving of children's
+puppets, caused by external motives, such as a name, applause, peace
+from a natural conscience, or the like; and not from any inward
+principle of grace and life.
+
+2. Howbeit they sometimes seem to be dead, yet they are not always so;
+life doth really work sometimes in them; whereas there was never any
+true or kindly motion of life in thee.
+
+3. There may be more life in them, yea, life in motion, when they seem
+to be overcome with some lusts or corruption, yea, when really they are
+overcome, than beholders that are strangers to the heart can observe.
+For when temptation is violent, as having the advantage of the time and
+place, of the constitution of the body, and the like, it argueth no
+small degree of life, and of life in motion, to make some resistance and
+opposition thereunto, though at length he should be overcome thereby.
+And this opposition and resistance, flowing from a principle of grace,
+speaketh out life, though corruption, having the advantage, should at
+that time overpower the motion of life, and carry the man away.
+
+4. If it be not otherwise with believers than is objected, they may
+blame themselves, for not improving Christ better for life.
+
+_Object._ But some who are true believers will object the same, and cry
+out of themselves as dead; and say, They find not that liveliness and
+activity in their souls, that will evidence Christ, the Life, dwelling
+and working in them.
+
+_Ans._ It may be they prejudge themselves of that lively frame they
+might enjoy, and so wrong themselves:
+
+1. In not exercising faith on Christ, and drawing life from him and
+through him. The life which they live should be by faith, Gal. ii. 20.
+How then can such as do not eat become fat? by faith we feed on Christ.
+
+2. In not watching, but giving way to security, and thereby encouraging
+and strengthening the adversary, as we see in David; when they stand not
+on their watch-tower, they invite Satan to set on; and he is vigilant
+enough, and knoweth how to take his advantage, and to improve his
+opportunity.
+
+3. In giving way to laziness and not stirring up themselves, as we see
+in the bride, Cant. iii. 1; v. 3; when they stir not up the grace of God
+which is in them, how can they be lively? If grace be laid by, it will
+contract rust. The best way to keep grace lively, is to keep it in
+exercise, how little soever it be.
+
+4. By their rashness, walking without fear, as is to be observed in
+Peter, when he slipped so foully. When through their want of
+circumspection, they precipitate themselves into danger, and cast
+themselves among their enemies' hands, is it any wonder, that it go not
+with them as they would; and that they provoke God to leave them to
+themselves; that they may know what they are, and learn afterwards not
+to tempt the Lord, and to walk more circumspectly?
+
+5. By leaning too much to their attainments, and not looking out for new
+influences of grace and life. Hereby they provoke God to let them know
+to their expense, that for as great a length as they are come, they must
+live by faith, and be quickened by new influences from the Spirit of
+life.
+
+6. So they may wrong themselves through their ignorance of Christ, and
+of the way of making use of him; and if they, through unacquaintedness
+with Christ and the right way of improving the fulness that is in him,
+miss the fruit and advantage which otherwise they might have, they can
+only blame themselves.
+
+7. They may also prejudge themselves by their self-love, self-esteem,
+self-seeking, self-pleasing, &c., which piece and piece will draw them
+off Christ, and cause them forget the way of sucking life from him, who
+is the fountain of life.
+
+8. When they give way to small sins, they open a door to greater; and
+they lose thereby their tenderness, and so provoke the Lord to withdraw;
+and this is another way, whereby they prejudge themselves of that
+benefit of liveliness, which they might otherwise have.
+
+9. So also by worldly-mindedness, which alienateth their mind from God;
+and,
+
+10. By their impatience, and fretting, and repining against God, and his
+wise dispensations, they also prejudge and wrong themselves; for while
+they are in that mood, they cannot with due composedness of Spirit, go
+to Christ, and draw life from him through faith.
+
+_Obj._ 3. But is there not even some of those who are most tender, that
+complain of their deadness and shortcomings?
+
+_Ans._ 1. It may be that they complain without cause; and that they have
+more cause of rejoicing, and of blessing the Lord for what he hath done
+to them, than of complaining.
+
+2. Their complaining will not prove the want of life, but rather the
+contrary. For when they complain most, they must be most sensible if
+their complaints be real, and not merely for a fashion; and sense is a
+manifest evidence of life.
+
+3. It would be remembered, that the Lord can make their failings and
+shortcomings contribute to the furthering of their life, as we see it
+did in Peter.
+
+4. It would also be remembered, that Christ doth not distribute and give
+out of this life to all his members and followers, in a like measure;
+but to some more, and to others less, according as he seeth it meet and
+convenient, both for his own glory and their good, He hath more service
+for some than for others; and some he will employ in greater and more
+difficult work, which will call for more life; and others he will employ
+in common work, which will not call for such an eminent degree of life.
+
+5. And upon the same account, he may think it good to give to the same
+person a larger measure of grace at one time than at another.
+
+6. And that for wise reasons and noble ends; as,
+
+(1.) That all may see how absolute he is in his dispensations; a
+sovereign that doth with his own what he will, and will not give an
+account of any of his ways or communications to us.
+
+(2.) That we may learn submission, and quietly to stoop before him,
+whatever measure he be pleased to dispense towards us.
+
+(3.) That we may learn to depend upon him more closely all along; in all
+our ways to acknowledge him.
+
+(4.) That we may learn to exercise patience, which must have its perfect
+work, in waiting upon him as a great king. This is his glory, and it is
+the testifying of our homage to him.
+
+(5.) He will train us up so as to be well contented and satisfied, if he
+bring us home at length, though not with such a convoy of the graces of
+his Spirit as we would wish.
+
+(6.) That we may see and read our daily obligation to Christ our life,
+and the daily need we have of his keeping our life in, by fresh gales of
+his Spirit, and new heavenly influences.
+
+(7.) And that getting new proofs of his kindness and faithfulness, we
+may give him new songs of praise daily, and so express our thankfulness
+to him, which will tend to set forth his glory.
+
+VIII. This may point out unto believers, several duties to which they
+are called. We shall name some few of many; as,
+
+1. That they should rejoice, and be comforted in the thoughts of this,
+that they have such a complete Mediator, one that is thoroughly
+furnished, and made all things for them; not only the Way, and the
+Truth, but the Life also.
+
+2. The thoughts of this should also stir up the wondering at the wisdom,
+graciousness, and goodness of God; and to thankfulness for providing
+such an all-sufficient way for them.
+
+3. This should also encourage them under all temptations, faintings,
+backsets, and fits of deadness that they fall into, that there is one
+who is the Life; and that he whom their soul hath chosen is the Life,
+and so fully able to quicken and enliven them.
+
+4. This should teach them humility, and not to be proud of any thing
+they have or do; for it is he, who is the Life, who keepeth them in
+life, and helpeth them to any duty; yea, it is life that worketh all in
+them.
+
+5. And likewise it should teach them to acknowledge him, to whom they
+are obliged for any thing they do, for any life they have, or any acts
+or fruits of life that appear in them; and to be thankful to him
+therefor.
+
+6. And mainly, they should here read their obligation and duty, to
+improve this advantage, and to draw life out of this fountain, and so
+live by this life; act and do all in and through this life; and so be
+quickened by this life, in all their fits of deadness; and for this
+cause would keep those things in mind:
+
+(1.) That they should live in a constant conviction of their own
+weakness, deadness, and inability to do any acts of life of themselves;
+and far less to recover themselves out of any distemper and fit of
+deadness which they fall into.
+
+(2.) That they should live in the faith of this, that there is life
+enough in him, who is the Life, to do their business. They should be
+persuaded of his all-sufficiency.
+
+(3.) That he is not only an all-sufficient deliverer, able to deliver a
+soul that is, as it were, rotting in the grave, and to cause the dead to
+hear his voice and live; but also most willing and ready to answer them
+in all their necessities, according to wisdom, and as he seeth it for
+his glory, and their soul's advantage. The faith of this is necessary,
+and will be very encouraging.
+
+(4.) That they should go to him, how dead-like soever their condition
+be, and by faith roll their dead case upon him, who is the Life.
+
+(5.) That they should pray upon the promises of grace and influence,
+even out of the belly of hell, or of the grave, with Jonah, chap. ii. 2;
+for he is faithful and true, and tender-hearted, and will hear and give
+a good answer at length.
+
+(6.) That in the exercise of faith and prayer, they should wait with
+patience, till he be pleased to come, and breathe upon the dry bones,
+and till the Sun of Righteousness arise on their souls with healing in
+his wings.
+
+But of this more particularly in the following cases, which now we come
+to speak a little unto, of purpose to clear more fully how the believer
+is to make use of Christ as the Life, when he is under some one
+distemper or other, that calleth for life and quickening from Christ the
+Life. We cannot handle distinctly all the particular cases which maybe
+brought under this head; it will suffice, for clearing of this great
+duty, to speak to some few.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+HOW TO MAKE USE OF CHRIST AS THE LIFE, WHEN THE BELIEVER IS SO SITTEN-UP
+IN THE WAYS OF GOD, THAT HE CAN DO NOTHING.
+
+
+Sometimes the believer is under such a distemper of weakness and
+deadness, that there is almost no commanded duty that he can go about;
+his heart and all is so dead, that he cannot so much as groan under that
+deadness. Yea, he may be under such a decay, that little or no
+difference will be observed betwixt him and others that are yet in
+nature; and be not only unable to go actively and lively about commanded
+duties, yea, or to wrestle from under that deadness; but also be so
+dead, that he shall scarce have any effectual desire or longing to be
+out of that condition. Now, in speaking to the use-making of Christ for
+quickening in this dead case, we shall do those things:
+
+1. For clearing of the case, we shall show how probably it is brought
+on. 2. How Christ is life to the soul in such a case as this. 3. How the
+believer is to make use of Christ for the life, in this case; and, 4.
+Further clear the matter, by answering a question or two.
+
+As to the _first_, such a distemper as this may be brought upon the
+soul,
+
+1. Through some strong and violent temptation from without, meeting with
+some evil disposition of the heart within, and so surprising and
+overpowering the poor soul, as we see in David and Peter.
+
+2. Through the cunning and sleight of Satan, stealing the believer, that
+is not watchful enough, insensibly off his feet, and singing him asleep
+by degrees.
+
+3. Through carelessness, in not adverting at first to the beginnings and
+first degrees of this deadness and upsitting, when the heart beginneth
+to grow formal and superficial in duties, and to be satisfied with a
+perfunctorious performance, without life and sense.
+
+4. Through torturing of conscience, in light and smaller matters; for
+this may provoke God to let conscience fall asleep, and so the soul
+become more untender, and scruple little, at length, at great matters;
+and thus deadness may come to a height, God ordering it so, for a
+further punishment to them, for their untenderness and uncircumspectness.
+
+5. Through their not stirring up themselves, and shaking off that spirit
+of laziness and drowsiness, when it first seizeth upon them; but, with
+the sluggard, yet another slumber, and another sleep, and a folding of
+the hands to sleep.
+
+6. Continuing in some known sin, and not repenting of it, may bring on
+this distemper, as may be observed in David.
+
+As to the _second_ particular, Christ is life to the soul in this case;
+in that,
+
+1. He keepeth possession of the soul; for the seed remaineth, the root
+abideth fast in the ground; there is life still at the heart, though the
+man make no motion, like one in a deep sleep, or in a swoon, yet life is
+not away.
+
+2. He in due time awakeneth, and rouseth up the soul, and so recovereth
+it out of that condition, by some means or other, either by some alarm
+of judgment and terror, as he did David; or dispensation of mercy and
+tenderness, as he did Peter; and usually he recovereth the soul,
+
+(1.) By discovering something of this condition, by giving so much sense
+and knowledge, and sending so much light, as will let the soul see that
+it is not well, and that it is under that distemper of lifelessness.
+
+(2.) By the discovering the dreadfulness of such a condition, and how
+hazardous it is to continue therein.
+
+(3.) By putting the soul in mind, that he is the life and the
+resurrection; and through the stirring up of grace, causing the soul to
+look to him for quickening and outgate.
+
+(4.) By raising up the soul at length out of that drowsiness, and
+sluggish folding of the hands to sleep, and out of that deep security,
+and putting it into a more lively, vigilant, and active frame.
+
+As to the _third_, the believer that would make use of Christ, for a
+recovery out of this condition, would mind those duties:
+
+1. He would look to Christ, as the light of men, and the enlightener of
+the blind; to the end, he may get a better and a more thorough discovery
+of his condition; for it is half health here to be sensible of this
+disease. The soul that is once brought to sense, is half recovered of
+this fever and lethargy.
+
+2. He would eye Christ as God, able to cause the dead and dry bones to
+live, as Ezek. chap. xxvii.; and this will keep from despondency and
+despair; yea, it will make the poor believer conceive hope, when he
+seeth that his physician is God, to whom nothing is impossible.
+
+3. He would look to him also, as head and husband, and life to the poor
+soul that adhereth to him; and this will strengthen his hope and
+expectation; for he will see that Christ is engaged (to speak so) in
+point of honour, to quicken a poor dead and lifeless member; for the
+life in the head is for the good of the whole body, and of every member
+of the body, that is not quite cut off. And the good that is in the
+husband is forthcoming for the relief of the poor wife, that hath not
+yet got a bill of divorce. And Christ being life and the Life, he must
+be appointed for the relief, the quickening and recovering from death of
+such as are given to him, that they may be finally raised up at the last
+day; he must present all his members lively in that day.
+
+4. He would by faith wrap himself up in the promises, and lie before
+this Sun of Righteousness, till the heat of his beams thaw his frozen
+heart, and bring warmth into his cold and dead soul, and thus renew his
+grips of him, accepting of him as the Life, and as his life. Christ
+himself tells us, John xi. 40, that this is the Father's will, that hath
+sent him, that every one that seeth the Son, and believeth on him, might
+have everlasting life, and he will raise him up at the last day. Faith
+closing with him, as it was the mean of life at first, so it will be the
+mean of recovery out of a dead distemper afterwards.
+
+5. He would mourn for such sins and provocations, as he discovereth in
+himself to have caused and brought on this distemper. Repentance and
+godly sorrow for such evils, as have sinned Christ and life away, is a
+way to bring life back again.
+
+6. He would be sure to harbour no known sin in his soul, but to set
+himself against every known evil, as an enemy to the life and recovery
+which he is seeking.
+
+7. He must wait on Christ his life, in the appointed means; for that is
+the will of the Lord, that he should be waited upon there, and sought
+for there. There is little hopes of recovery for such as lay aside the
+ordinances. Though the ordinances without him cannot revive or quicken a
+poor soul, yet he hath condescended so far as to come with life to his
+people in and through the ordinances, and hath appointed us to wait for
+him there; we must be willing to accept of all his condescensions of
+love, and seek and wait for him there, where he hath said he will be
+found.
+
+8. In going about those ordinances of life, he would beware of putting
+them in Christ's room, _i.e._ he would beware of thinking that
+ordinances will do his business; as some ignorantly do, who think that
+by praying so often a-day, and reading so much, and hearing so much,
+they shall recover their lost lively frame, when, alas! all the
+ordinances, without him, signify nothing. They, without him, are cold
+and lifeless, and can never bring heat and warmth to a cold soul. It is
+he in the ordinances whom we are to seek, and from whom alone life is to
+be expected, and none else.
+
+9. Though life lieth not in the ordinances as separated from Christ, and
+life is to be expected from him alone, yet he would beware of going
+about the ordinances in a careless, superficial, and indifferent manner:
+for this will argue little desire after life, and will bring on more
+deadness. The ordinances then should be gone about seriously,
+diligently, and with great carefulness, yea, with such earnestness as if
+life were not about the ordinances at all. This is the right way of
+going about the ordinances.
+
+10. He must in all this wait with patience, without fretting or
+quarrelling with him for his delaying to come. He must wait with much
+humility. It becometh not him who hath, through his folly, sinned life
+away, to quarrel now with God, because he restoreth him not again to
+life at the first asking. He may be glad if at length, after long
+seeking, waiting, and much diligence, he come and restore to him the joy
+of salvation, and if he be not made to lie as bedrid all his days, for a
+monument of folly in sinning away his life, strength, and legs as he
+did.
+
+11. He must beware of giving way to any thing that may increase or
+continue this deadness; such as untenderness in his walk,
+unwatchfulness, negligence, and carelessness; and especially he must
+beware not to provoke God by sinning against light.
+
+12. He would also beware of limiting the Lord to any set measure of life
+and strength: for it becometh not beggars to be carvers, far less such
+beggars as through folly have sinned away a good portion. It was not for
+the prodigal to seek a new patrimony, after he had dilapidated the
+former; it might suffice him to be made as a servant.
+
+13. He would use well any small measure of life he getteth, for God and
+his glory; getteth he but one talent, he should use it that he may gain
+thereby: we say, use limbs and have limbs, use strength and have it.
+This will be the way to get more.
+
+14. He would be taking on the vows of the Lord, and that in the Lord, to
+walk more watchful in time coming, charging all within and without not
+to stir or provoke the Lord to depart further or to scare him from
+coming to the soul.
+
+As to the _last_ particular,
+
+If it be inquired, 1. What can that soul do that is not sensible of this
+deadness and weakness?
+
+_Ans_. Though there be not any real sense and feeling of this condition,
+yet there may be a suspicion that all is not right; and if this be, the
+soul must look out to Christ for the life of sense and for a sight of
+the provocations that have brought on that condition. He that is the
+Life must recover the very beginnings of life; and when the soul winneth
+to any real apprehension and sense of this deadness, it must follow the
+course formerly prescribed for a recovery.
+
+2. But it will be asked, how can a soul act faith in such a case? And if
+it cannot act faith, how can it come to Christ and make use of him?
+
+_Ans_. It is true, while the soul is in that case, it cannot act a
+strong and lively faith; yet it can act a weak and a sickly faith; and a
+weak faith and a sickly faith can lay hold on an enlivening Christ, and
+so bring in more strength and life to the soul. If the soul be so weak
+as that it cannot grip, yet it can look to him that can quicken the
+dead and hath helped many a poor soul before out of a dead condition: or
+if it cannot do so much as look, yet it may give an half-look, and lie
+before him who waiteth to be gracious; and sustain itself if it can get
+no more, with a maybe he shall come.
+
+3. But further, it may be asked, what can the soul do, when, after all
+this, it findeth no help or supply, but deadness remaining, yea, and it
+may be, growing?
+
+_Ans_. The soul in that case must lie at his door, waiting for his
+salvation, and resolving, if no better may be, to die at his door, and
+leave no approved means or commanded duty unessayed, that it may recover
+its former vigour, activity and strength. And while the believer is
+waiting thus, he is at his duty; and this may yield him peace, and he
+may be sure that he shall never be ashamed, Psalm xxv. 3; lxix. 6. Isa.
+1. 18.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+HOW CHRIST IS TO BE MADE USE OF AS OUR LIFE, IN CASE OF HEARTLESSNESS
+AND FAINTING THROUGH DISCOURAGEMENTS.
+
+
+There is another evil and distemper which believers are subject to, and
+that is a case of fainting through manifold discouragements, which make
+them so heartless that they can do nothing; yea, and to sit up, as if
+they were dead. The question then is, how such a soul shall make use of
+Christ as in the end it may be freed from that fit of fainting, and win
+over those discouragements: for satisfaction to which we shall,
+
+1. Name some of those discouragements which occasion this.
+
+2. Show what Christ hath done to remove all those discouragements.
+
+3. Show how the soul should make use of Christ for life in this case;
+and,
+
+4. Add a few words of caution.
+
+As to the _first_, there are several things which may give occasion to
+this distemper; we shall name those few:
+
+1. The sense of a strong, active, lively, and continually stirring body
+of death, and that notwithstanding of means used to bear it down and
+kill it. This is very discouraging; for it made Paul cry out, "Woe is
+me, miserable man, who shall deliver me from this body of death?" Rom.
+vii. 24. It is a most discouraging thing to be still fighting, and yet
+getting no ease, let be victory; to have to do with an enemy that abides
+always alike strong, fight and oppose as we will, yea, not only is not
+weakened, far less overcome, but that groweth in power, and prevaileth.
+And this many times affecteth the hearts of God's children and causeth
+them to faint.
+
+2. It may be the case of some, that they are assaulted with strange
+temptations and buffettings of Satan that are not usual. This made Paul
+cry out thrice, 2 Cor. xii.; and if the Lord had not told him that his
+grace was sufficient for him, what would he have done? Hence some of his
+cry out in their complaint, was there ever any so tempted, so assaulted
+with the devil, as I am? Sure this dispensation cannot but be much
+afflicting, saddening and discouraging.
+
+3. The sense of the real weakness of grace under lively means, and
+notwithstanding of their serious and earnest desires and endeavours
+after growth in grace, cannot but disquiet and discourage them: for they
+may readily conclude, that all their pains and labour shall be in vain
+for any thing they can observe.
+
+4. The want of sensible incomes of joy and comfort is another fainting
+and discouraging dispensation; as the feeling of these is a
+heart-strengthening and most encouraging thing, which made David so
+earnestly cry for it, Psal. li. 8, 12; when a poor soul that hath the
+testimony of his own conscience, that it hath been in some measure of
+singleness of heart and honestly seeking the face of God for a good many
+years, and yet cannot say that ever it knew what those incomes of joy
+and comfort meant which some have tasted largely of, it cannot choose
+but be discouraged and much cast down, as not knowing what to say of
+itself, or how to judge of its own case.
+
+5. The want of access in their addresses to God, is another
+heart-discouraging thing. They go about the duty of prayer with that
+measure of earnestness and uprightness of heart that they can win at, at
+least this is their aim and endeavour, and yet they meet with a fast
+closed door, when they cry and shout; he shutteth out their prayer, as
+the church complaineth, Lam. iii. 8. This sure will affect them deeply,
+and cause their hearts sometimes to faint.
+
+6. The want of freedom and liberty in their addresses to God is another
+thing which causeth sorrow and fainting. They go to pray, but their
+tongue cleaveth to the roof of their mouth: they are straitened and
+cannot get their hearts vented.
+
+7. Outward persecution that attendeth the way of godliness, and
+afflictions that accompany such as live godly, is another discouraging
+thing, both to themselves who are under afflictions, and to others who
+hear it and see it; wherefore the apostle desireth earnestly that the
+Ephesians should not faint at his tribulation, chap. iii. 13.
+
+8. The Lord's sharp and sore dispensations for sin, as towards David,
+Psal. li., or out of his sovereignty, for trial and other ends, as
+towards Job, is likewise a discouraging, heart-breaking thing, and that
+which will make strong giants to roar and faint, and look upon
+themselves as dead men, as we see in these two eminent men of God.
+
+As to the _second_ thing, Christ is life to the believer in this case,
+in having done that which in reason may support under all these
+discouragements, and having done so much for removing or weakening of
+these; yea, and for carrying them over all, which may be in a word
+cleared as to each.
+
+1. As for the body of death, let it stir in the believer as fast as it
+will or can, it is already killed, and all that struggling is but like
+the struggling of a man in the pangs of death; for our "old man is
+crucified with Christ," Rom. vi. 6; and the believer is dead to sin and
+risen legally with him, Col. ii. 11, 12; iii. 3. But of this I spoke
+abundantly above.
+
+2. As to Satan's troubling the poor believer, through Christ also he is
+a vanquished enemy: "He hath overcome him that had the power of death,
+even the devil," Heb. ii. 14.
+
+3. As for that felt weakness of grace, that is no ground of
+discouragement, so long as he liveth who can make the lame to leap as an
+hart, and can make waters break out in the wilderness, and streams in
+the desert, Isa xxxv. 6, 7; "and giveth power to the faint, and to them
+that have no might increaseth strength; so that such as wait upon the
+Lord shall renew their strength, and they shall mount up with wings as
+eagles; they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not
+faint," Isa. xl. 29, 31. For "in him are all the promises yea and amen,"
+2 Cor. i. 20. So that they need not faint upon this account, nor be
+discouraged: for the work he hath begun he will finish it, and he will
+quicken in the way, Psal. cxix. 37.
+
+4. As for the want of sensible incomes of joy and comfort, he hath
+promised to send the Comforter, in his own good time, John xiv. 26; xv.
+26. "As one whom his Father comforteth, so will he comfort his," Isa.
+lxvi. 13. Joy and gladness is promised in the covenant, Jer. xxxi. 13.
+But further, though he keep up these influences of joy and comfort, he
+supporteth another way. The lively hope of heaven may bear up the heart
+under all this want: for there shall the soul have fulness of joy and
+pleasures for evermore: no tears, no sorrow there, Psal. xvi. 11. Isa.
+xxxv. 10.
+
+5. As for the want of access in their prayers, they may possibly blame
+themselves, for he has by his merits opened the door; and is become (to
+speak so) master-usher to the poor soul, to lead him unto the Father, so
+that "by him we have access," Eph. ii. 18, "yea, boldness and access
+through faith in him," Eph. iii. 12; "and he is our advocate," 1 John
+ii. 1; and, as our attorney, is gone to heaven before us; "and there
+liveth for ever to make intercession," Heb. vi. 28; vii. 25. And what is
+there more to be done to procure us access; or to move and encourage us
+to "come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and
+find grace to help in time of need?" Heb. iv. 14, 16.
+
+6. As to that want of freedom and liberty in prayer; he helpeth that
+also: For he maketh the dumb to sing, Isa. xxxv. 6, and maketh the
+tongue of the stammerer to speak elegantly, Isa. xxxii. 4. He can
+enlarge the heart, and help the soul to pour out his heart before God.
+
+7. As to outward persecution, he can easily take that discouragement
+away, by giving the hundred-fold with it; by supporting under it, and
+bringing safe through it. When his presence is with them through fire
+and water, Isa. xliii. 2, what can trouble them? And when he maketh
+their consolations abound, 2 Cor. i. 5, what can discourage them? Have
+not his sung in the very fires; and rejoiced in all their afflictions?
+The resting of the Spirit of God and of glory, which Peter speaketh of,
+1 Pet. iv. 14, is comfortable enough.
+
+8. As for all those sharp dispensations mentioned in the last place, he
+having taken the sting of all, even of death away, by taking away sin,
+and purchased the blessing and love of the Father, having made
+reconciliation through his blood, all those dispensations flow from
+love, even such as seem sharpest, being inflicted for sin, as we see,
+Heb. xii. 6; so that there is no cause here of fainting or of being so
+discouraged as to give over the matter. But for help in this case, there
+should be a use-making of Jesus, as the Life; and that is
+
+The _third_ thing which we shall speak a little to, viz. How the soul
+should make use of Christ as the Life, to the end it may be delivered
+from this fainting occasioned through manifold discouragements.
+
+1. The believer in this case would mind the covenant of redemption,
+wherein Christ hath promised and so standeth obliged and engaged to
+carry on his own through all discouragements to the end; so that if any
+one believer miscarry, Christ loseth more than they lose: for the
+believer can but lose his soul, but Christ shall lose his glory; and
+this is more worth than all the souls that ever were created. And,
+further, not only shall Christ lose his glory as Redeemer, but the
+Father shall lose his glory in not making good his promise to Christ his
+Son. For by the same covenant he standeth engaged to carry through the
+seed that Christ had died for. And his appointing Christ to be his
+servant for this end, and choosing him from among all the folk, and his
+upholding of him, concurring with him, delighting in him, and promising
+that he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles, and that to victory,
+or to truth, speak out his engagement to see all true believers brought
+home. See Isa. xlii. 1-4. Matt. xii. 17-21. Psalm lxxxix. 19-21, 28, 29,
+35-37. Sure the faith of this would support the poor believer under all
+those discouragements.
+
+2. They would mind likewise the covenant of grace, wherein all things
+are contrived and laid down, so far as that the believer may have
+abundant consolation and comfort in all cases; and wherein there is
+enough to take away all cause of fainting and discouragement; as might
+fully be made to appear, if any did question it.
+
+3. They would remember how richly Christ is furnished with all
+qualifications; suiting even that case wherein they are like to be
+overwhelmed with discouragements; and could the believer but think upon
+and believe those three things, he might be kept up under all
+discouragements: (1.) That Christ is a compassionate, tender-hearted
+Mediator, having bowels more tender than the bowels of any mother; so
+that "he will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax,"
+Isa. xl. 2. He had compassion on the very bodies of the multitude that
+followed him; and would not let them go away fasting, lest they should
+faint in the way, Matt. xv. 32. Mark viii. 3; and will he not have
+compassion on the souls of his followers, when like to faint through
+spiritual discouragements? (2.) That he hath power and authority to
+command all things that can serve to carry on a poor believer; for all
+power in heaven and in earth is given unto him; all things are made
+subject to him. (3.) That he hath a great readiness and willingness upon
+many accounts to help his followers in their necessities. Sure, were
+these three firmly believed, the believer could not faint, having
+Christ, who is tender and loving, and willing to help, and withal able
+to do what he will, to look to and to run to for supply.
+
+4. They would take up Christ under all his heart-strengthening and
+soul-comforting relations, as a tender brother, a careful shepherd, a
+fellow-feeling high priest, a loving husband, a sympathizing head, a
+life-communicating root, an all-sufficient king, &c., any of which is
+enough to bear up the head, and comfort the heart of a drooping,
+discouraged, and fainting soul. Much more may all of them yield strong
+consolation to support and revive a soul staggering and fainting through
+discouragement. Oh! if ye would but rightly improve and dwell upon the
+thoughts of the comforting and heart-quickening relations! our hearts
+would not fail us so much as they do.
+
+5. They would eye him as now in glory, who as head and captain of
+salvation hath wrestled through and overcome all difficulties and
+discouragements that were in his way, and in name and behalf of all
+believers that are his followers and members of his body, is now
+possessed of glory, and thence draw an heart-comforting, and
+soul-strengthening conclusion, thus, Is he entered into glory as head?
+then such a poor, faint-hearted, discouraged worm as I am, may at length
+come there as a little bit of his body, especially since he said, that
+seeing he liveth, all his shall live also, John xiv. 19.
+
+6. They would remember how Christ, who was always heard of his Father,
+John xi. 41, did supplicate for this, as Mediator and Intercessor for
+his people, John xvii. 24, saying, "Father, I will that they also whom
+thou hast given me, be with me where I am," &c. May not the poor
+faint-hearted believer that is looking to Jesus, draw an heart-reviving,
+and soul-encouraging conclusion out of this, and say, though my prayers
+be shut out, and when I cry for relief under my discouragements, I get
+no hearing; but, on the contrary, my discouragements grow, and my heart
+fainteth the more; yet Christ always was heard, and the Father will not
+say him nay; why then may not I lift up my head in hope, and sing in the
+hope of the glory of God, in the midst of all my discouragements?
+
+7. By faith they would cast all their discouragements, entanglements,
+and difficulties, as burdens too heavy for their back, on Christ, and
+leave them there with him who only can remove them; and withal, resolve
+never to give over, but to go forward in his strength, and thus become
+daily stronger and stronger in resolutions, purposes, desires, and
+endeavours, when they can do no more.
+
+8. They would look to Jesus, the author and finisher of faith, and set
+him before them as a copy of courage, "who for the joy that was set
+before him, endured the cross, despising the shame," and endureth
+contradiction of sinners against himself, Heb. xii. 2, 3. And this may
+prove a mean to keep us from wearying and fainting in our minds, as the
+apostle hinteth there.
+
+9. They would remember, that Christ going before, as the Captain of
+their salvation, hath broken the ice to them, and the force and strength
+of all those discouragements, as we did lately show; so that now they
+should be looked upon as broken and powerless discouragements.
+
+10. They would fix their eye by faith on Jesus, as only able to do their
+business, to bear up their head, to carry them through discouragements,
+to apply cordials to their fainting hearts, and remain fixed in that
+posture and resolution, looking for strengthening and encouraging life
+from him, and from him alone; and thus declare, that, (1.) They are
+unable of themselves to stand out such storms of discouragements, and to
+wrestle through such difficulties. (2.) They believe he is only able to
+bear them up, and carry them through, and make them despise all those
+discouragements which the devil and their own evil hearts muster up
+against them. (3.) That come what will come, they will not quit the
+bargain--they will never recall or take back their subscription and
+consent to the covenant of grace, and to Christ, as theirs, offered
+therein, though they should die and die again by the way. (4.) That they
+would fain be kept on in the way, and helped forward without failing and
+fainting by the way. (5.) That they cannot run through hard walls--they
+cannot do impossibilities--they cannot break through such mighty
+discouragements. (6.) That yet through him they can do all things. (7.)
+That he must help, or they are gone, and shall never win through all
+these difficulties and discouragements, but shall one day or other die
+by the hand of Saul. (8.) That they will wait, earnestly seeking help
+from him, crying for it, and looking for it, and resolve never to give
+over, and if they be disappointed they are disappointed.
+
+Now for the _last_ particular, the word of caution, take these,
+
+1. They would not think to be altogether free of fainting, for there is
+no perfection here, and there is much flesh and corruption remaining,
+and that will occasion fainting.
+
+2. Nor would they think to be free of all the causes and occasions of
+this fainting, viz. the discouragements formerly mentioned, or the like;
+for, if the devil can do any thing, he will work discouragements, both
+within and without. So that they would lay their resolution to meet with
+discouragements; for few or none ever went to heaven but they had many a
+storm in their face; and they must not think to have a way paved for
+themselves alone.
+
+3. They would not pore too much, or dwell too long and too much upon the
+thoughts of those discouragements; for that is Satan's advantage, and
+tendeth to weaken themselves. But it were better to be looking beyond
+them, as Christ did, Heb. xii. 2, when he had the cross and the shame to
+wrestle with, he looked to the joy that was set before him; and that
+made him endure the cross and despise the shame; and as Moses did, Heb.
+xi. 25-27, when he had afflictions and the wrath of the king to wrestle
+against; he had respect unto the recompense of the reward, and so he
+endured as seeing him who is invisible.
+
+4. They would remember that as Christ hath tender bowels, and is full of
+compassion, and is both ready and able to help them; so is he wise, and
+knoweth how to let out his mercies best. He is not like a foolish,
+affectionate mother, that would hazard the life of the child, before she
+put the child to any pain. He seeth what is best for his own glory, and
+for their good here and hereafter; and that he will do with much
+tenderness and readiness.
+
+5. They would look upon it as no mean mercy, if, notwithstanding of all
+the discouragements and storms that blow in their face, they are helped
+to keep their face up the hill, and are fixed in their resolution, never
+willingly to turn their back upon the way of God, but to continue
+creeping forward as they may, whatever storms they meet with; yea, upon
+this account ought they heartily to bless his name, and to rejoice; for
+"their hearts shall live that seek him," Psalm xxii. 26.
+
+6. They would remember, for their encouragement, that as many have been
+helped through all discouragements, and have been brought home at
+length, so may they be brought through all those storms which now they
+wrestle with. It is the glory of the Mediator to bring his broken, torn,
+and sinking vessel, safe to shore.
+
+Now, I come to a third case, and that is,
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+HOW TO MAKE USE OF CHRIST AS THE LIFE WHEN THE SOUL IS DEAD AS TO DUTY.
+
+
+Sometimes the believer will be under such a distemper, as that he will
+be as unfit and unable for discharging of any commanded duty, as dead
+men, or one in a swoon, is to work or go a journey. And it were good to
+know how Christ should be made use of as the Life, to the end the
+diseased soul may be delivered from this. For this cause we shall
+consider those four things:
+
+1. See what are the several steps and degrees of this distemper.
+
+2. Consider whence it cometh, or what are the causes or occasions
+thereof.
+
+3. Consider how Christ is life to the soul in such a dead case; and,
+
+4. Point out the way of the soul's use-making of Christ, that would be
+delivered herefrom.
+
+As to the _first_, this distemper cometh on by several steps and
+degrees. It will be sufficient to mention some of the main and most
+remarkable steps; such as,
+
+1. There is a falling from our watchfulness and tenderness; and when we
+leave our watch tower, we invite and encourage Satan to set upon us, as
+was said before.
+
+2. There is going about duty, but in a lazy way, when we love and seek
+after carnal ease, and seek out ways of doing the duty, so as maybe
+least troublesome to the flesh, as the spouse did, Cant. iii. 1, when
+she sought her beloved upon her bed.
+
+3. There is a lying by, and not stirring up ourselves to an active way
+of going about duty, of which the prophet complaineth, Isa. liv. 7, when
+he saith, there is none that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee.
+
+4. There is a giving way to spiritual drowsiness, and upsitting in
+duties, and in the way of God. "I sleep," said the spouse, Cant. v. 2,
+3, and "I have put off my coat," &c. She knew she was not right, but was
+drowsy, and yet she did not shake it off, but composed herself for it,
+took off her coat, and washed her feet, and so lay down to sleep.
+
+5. There is a satisfaction and contentment with his condition, as
+thinking we are pretty well, at least for that time; and thus was the
+spouse in that forementioned place led away; she was so far from being
+dissatisfied with her condition, that she rather expressed contentment
+therewith.
+
+6. There may be such a love to such a condition, and such a satisfaction
+in it, as that they may shift every thing that hath a tendency to rouse
+them up out of that sluggish laziness, as not loving to be awakened out
+of their sleep. So we see the bride shifts and putteth off Christ's call
+and invitation to her, to arise and open to him.
+
+7. Yea, there is a defending of that condition, as at least tolerable
+and none of the worst; a justifying of it, or at least a pleading for
+themselves and excusing the matter, and covering over their neglect of
+duty with fair pretexts, as the spouse did when she answered Christ's
+call with this, that she had washed her feet and might not defile them
+again.
+
+8. Yea, further, there is a pleading for this case, by alleging an
+impossibility to get it helped as matters now stand; or, at least, they
+will muster up insuperable-like difficulties in their own way of doing
+duty, as the sluggard will say, that there is a lion in the way; and
+the spouse alleged she could not put on her coat again.
+
+9. Yea, it may come yet higher, even to a peremptory refusing to set
+about the duty; for what else can be read out of the bride's carriage,
+than that she would not rise and open to her beloved.
+
+10. There is also a desperate laying the duty aside, as supposing it
+impossible to be got done, and so a resolute laying of it by as
+hopeless, and as a business they need not trouble themselves withal,
+because they will not get through it.
+
+11. And hence floweth an utter indisposition and unfitness for duty.
+
+12. Yea, and in some it may come to this height, that the thoughts of
+going about any commanded duty, especially of worship, either in public
+or private; or their minting and attempting to set about it, shall fill
+them with terror and affrightment, that they shall be constrained to
+forbear; yea, to lay aside all thoughts of going about any such duty.
+
+This is a very dead-like condition,--what can be the causes or occasions
+thereof?
+
+I answer, (and this is the _second_ particular,) some or all of these
+things may be considered as having a hand in this:
+
+1. No care to keep up a tender frame of heart, but growing slack, loose,
+and careless, in going about Christian duties, may bring on such a
+distemper.
+
+2. Slighting of challenges for omission of duties, or leaving duties
+over the belly of conscience, may make way for such an evil.
+
+3. Giving way to carnality and formality in duties, is a ready mean to
+usher in this evil. For when the soul turns carnal or formal in the
+discharge of duties, duties have not that spiritual lustre which they
+had, and the soul becometh the sooner wearied of them, as seeing no such
+desirableness in them, nor advantage by them.
+
+4. When people drown themselves in cares of the world, they occasion
+this deadness to themselves; for then duties not only are not gone about
+heartily, but they are looked on as a burden, and the man becometh
+weary of them; and from that he cometh to neglect them; and by
+continuing in the neglect of them, he contracteth an aversion of heart
+for them; and then an utter unfitness and indisposition for discharging
+of them followeth.
+
+5. Satan hath an active hand here, driving on with his crafts and wiles
+from one step to another.
+
+6. The hand also of a sovereign God is to be observed here, giving way
+to this, yea, and ordering matters in his justice and wisdom so, as such
+persons shall come under such an indisposition, and that for wise and
+holy ends; as, (1.) That by such a dispensation he may humble them, who
+possibly were puffed up before, as thinking themselves fit enough to go
+about any duty, how difficult or hazardous soever, as Peter, who boasted
+so of his own strength, as he thought nothing to lay down his life for
+Christ, and to die with him; and yet at length came to that, that he
+could not, or durst not speak the truth to a damsel. (2.) That he may
+punish one spiritual sin with another. (3.) To give warning to all to
+watch and pray, and to work out their salvation with fear and trembling,
+and not to be high-minded, but fear. (4.) That thereby, in his just and
+righteous judgment, he may lay a stumbling-block before some, to the
+breaking of their neck, when they shall, for this cause, reject and mock
+at all religion. (5.) That he may give proof at length of his admirable
+skill in recovering from such a distemper, that no flesh might have
+ground to despair, in the most dead condition they can fall into. (6.)
+And to shew, sometimes, what a sovereign dispensator of life he is, and
+how free he is in all his favours.
+
+As to the _third_ particular, how Christ is life in this case,
+
+We answer, 1. By keeping possession of the believer, even when he
+seemeth to be most dead; and keeping life at the root, when there is
+neither fruit appearing nor flourishes, and hardly many green leaves to
+evidence life.
+
+2. By blowing at the coal of grace in the soul, in his own time and
+way, and putting an end to the winter, and sending the time of the
+singing of the birds, a spring time of life.
+
+3. By loosing the bands with which he was held fast formerly, enlarging
+the heart with desires to go about the duty; so that now he willingly
+riseth up out of his bed of security, and cheerfully shaketh off his
+drowsiness and sluggishness, and former unwillingness; and now with
+willingness and cheerfulness he setteth about the duty.
+
+4. By sending influences of life and strength into the soul, whereby the
+wheels of the soul are made to run with ease, being oiled with those
+divine influences.
+
+5. And this he doth by touching the heart, and wakening it by his
+Spirit; as he raised the spouse out of her bed of security and laziness,
+by putting in his hand at the hole of the door,--then were her bowels
+moved for him, Cant. v. 4; and thus he setteth faith on work again,
+having the key of David to open the heart, Rev. iii. 7.
+
+6. By giving a discovery of the evil of their former ways and courses,
+he worketh up the heart to godly sorrow and remorse for what is done,
+making their bowels move for grief and sorrow, that they should so have
+dishonoured and grieved him.
+
+7. By setting the soul thus on work to do what formerly it neither could
+nor would do; and thus he maketh the soul strong in the Lord, and in the
+power of his might, Eph. vi. 10, and able to run and not be weary, and
+to walk and not be faint, Isa. xl.
+
+8. By discovering the great recompense of reward that is coming, and the
+great help they have at hand, in the covenant and promises thereof, and
+in Christ their head and Lord. He maketh the burden light and the duty
+easy.
+
+As to the _last_ particular, viz. how a believer, in such a case, should
+make use of Christ as the Life, that he may be delivered therefrom.
+
+When the poor believer is any way sensible of this decay, and earnestly
+desiring to be from under that power of death, and in case to go about
+commanded duties, he should,
+
+1. Look to Christ for enlightened eyes, that he may get a more thorough
+discovery of the hazard and wretchedness of such a condition, that
+hereby being awakened and alarmed, he may more willingly use the means
+of recovery, and be more willing to be at some pains to be delivered.
+
+2. He should run to the blood of Jesus, to get the guilt of his bygone
+sinful ways washed away, and blotted out; to the end he may obtain the
+favour of God, and get his reconciled face shining upon him again.
+
+3. He should eye Christ as a prince exalted to give repentance, that so
+his sorrow for his former sinful courses may be kindly, spiritual,
+thorough, and affecting the heart. He would cry to Christ, that he would
+put in his hand by the hole of the door, that his bowels may become
+moved for him.
+
+4. He should also look to him as that good shepherd, who will strengthen
+that which is sick, Ezek. xxxiv. 16. And take notice also of his other
+relations, and of his obligations thereby, and by the covenant of
+redemption; and this will strengthen his hope.
+
+5. He should lay hold on Christ as his strength, whereby his feet may be
+made like hinds' feet, and he may be made to walk upon his high places,
+Hab. iii. 19; and he would grip to that promise, Isa. xli. 10, "I will
+strengthen thee;" and lay hold on Christ in it.
+
+6. Having done thus, he should set about every commanded duty, in the
+strength of Jesus, looking to him for help and supply, from whom cometh
+all his strength, and though he should not find that help and assistance
+which he expected, yet he should not be discouraged, but continue, and
+when he can do no more, offer himself as ready and willing to go about
+the duty, as if he had strength.
+
+7. He should lie open to, and be ready to receive the influences of
+strength, which he, who is the head, shall think good to give in his own
+time, manner, and measure; and this taketh in these duties:
+
+(1.) That they should carefully guard against the evils formerly
+mentioned, which brought on this distemper; such as carelessness,
+untenderness, unwatchfulness, laziness, carnal security, formality, and
+want of seriousness, &c.
+
+(2.) That they should beware of giving way to dispondency, or concluding
+the matter hopeless and irremediable; for that is both discouraging to
+the soul, and a tempting provocation of God.
+
+(3.) That they should be exercising the grace of patient waiting.
+
+(4.) That they should be waiting in the use of the appointed means, and
+thereby, as it were, rubbing the dead and cold member before the fire,
+till it gather warmth.
+
+(5.) That they should be keeping all their sails up, waiting for the
+gale of the Spirit, that should make their ship sail.
+
+(6.) That they should be looking to him alone, who hath promised that
+quickening Spirit; and patiently waiting his leisure, not limiting him
+to any definite time.
+
+(7.) That they should be cherishing and stirring up any small beginnings
+that are.
+
+(8.) That they should be welcoming most cheerfully every motion of the
+Spirit, and improving every advantage of that kind, and striking the
+iron when it is hot, and hold the wheels of the soul a-going, when they
+are once put in motion, and so be loath to grieve the good and holy
+Spirit of God, Eph. iv. 30, or to quench his motions, 1 Thess. v. 19.
+
+If these duties were honestly minded and gone about, in him, and in his
+strength, none can tell how soon there may be a change wrought in the
+soul.
+
+But if it be asked, what such can do, to whom the very thoughts of the
+duty, and aiming at it, is matter of terror;
+
+_Ans._ It may be, something, if not much, of that may flow from a bodily
+distemper, as occasioneth the alteration of the body, upon the thorough
+apprehension of any thing that is weighty and of moment, so as they
+cannot endure to be much affected with any thing. But leaving this to
+others, I would advise such a soul to those duties:
+
+1. To be frequently setting to the duty, as, for example, of prayer,
+though that should raise the distemper of their body, for through time
+that may wear away, or at least grow less; whileas, their giving way
+thereto, will still make the duty the more and more terrible, and so
+render themselves the more unfit for it, and thus they shall gratify
+Satan, who, it may be, may have a hand in that bodily distemper too.
+When the poor soul is thus accustomed or habituated to the attempting of
+the duty, it will at length appear not so terrible as it did; and so the
+body may become not so soon altered thereby as it was.
+
+2. When such an one can do no more, he should keep his love to the duty,
+and his desires after it, fresh, and lively, and should not suffer these
+quite to die out.
+
+3. He should be much in the use of frequent ejaculations, and of short
+supplications darted up to God; for these will not make such an
+impression on the body, and so will not so occasion the raising and
+wakening the bodily distemper, as more solemn addresses to God in prayer
+would possibly do.
+
+4. If he cannot go to Christ with confidence, to draw out of him life
+and strength, according to his need, yet he may give a look to him,
+though it were from afar; and he may think of him, and speak of him
+frequently, and would narrowly observe every thing that pointeth him
+out, or bringeth any thing of him to remembrance.
+
+5. Such souls should not give way to despairing thoughts, as if their
+case were wholly helpless and hopeless; for that is a reflecting on the
+power and skill of Christ, and therefore is provoking and dishonourable
+to him.
+
+6. Let Christ, and all that is his, be precious always and lovely unto
+them. And thus they should keep some room in their heart open for him,
+till he should be pleased to come to them with salvation; and who can
+tell how soon he may come?
+
+But enough of this. There is a _fourth_ case of deadness to be spoken
+to, and that is,
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+HOW SHALL THE SOUL MAKE USE OF CHRIST, AS THE LIFE, WHICH IS UNDER THE
+PREVAILING POWER OF UNBELIEF AND INFIDELITY.
+
+
+That we may help to give some clearing to a poor soul in this case, we
+shall,
+
+1. See what are the several steps and degrees of this distemper.
+
+2. Consider what the causes hereof are.
+
+3. Shew how Christ is life to a soul in such a case; and,
+
+4. Give some directions how a soul in that case should make use of
+Christ as the Life, to the end it may be delivered therefrom.
+
+And, _first,_ There are many several steps to, and degrees of this
+distemper. We shall mention a few; as,
+
+1. When they cannot come with confidence, and draw out of him by faith,
+what their soul's case calleth for; they cannot "with joy draw waters
+out of the wells of salvation," Isa. xii. 3; but keep at a distance, and
+entertain jealous thoughts of him. This is a degree of unbelief making
+way for more.
+
+2. When they cannot confidently assert and avow their interest in him,
+as the church did, Isa. xii. 2, saying, "Behold, God is my salvation, I
+will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my
+song; he also is become my salvation."
+
+3. When they much question, if ever they have indeed laid hold on
+Christ, and so cannot go to him for the supplies of their wants and
+necessities.
+
+4. When, moreover, they question if they be allowed of God, and
+warranted to come to him, and lay hold upon him; yea, and they think
+they have many arguments whereby to maintain this their unbelief, and
+justify their keeping a-back from Christ.
+
+5. Or, when, if they look to him at all, it is with much mixture of
+faithless fears that they shall not be the better, or at least doubting
+whether it shall be to their advantage or not.
+
+6. This unbelief will advance further, and they may come to that, not
+only to conclude, that they have no part or portion in him, but also to
+conclude that their case is desperate and irredeemable; and so say there
+is no more hope, they are cut off for their part, as Ezek. xxxvii. 11,
+and so lie by as dead and forlorn.
+
+7. Yea, they may come higher, and vent some desperate thoughts and
+expressions of God, to the great scandal of the godly, and the dishonour
+of God.
+
+8. And yet more, they may come that length, to question all the
+promises, and to cry out with David, in his haste, Psalm c. 11, that
+"all men are liars."
+
+9. Yea, they may come to this, to scout the whole gospel to be nothing
+but a heap of delusions, and a cunningly-devised fable, or but mere
+notions and fancies.
+
+10. And at length come to question, if there be a God that ruleth in the
+earth.
+
+These are dreadful degrees and steps of this horrible distemper, and
+enough to make all flesh tremble.
+
+Let us see next whence this cometh. The causes hereof we may reduce to
+three heads:
+
+_First._ The holy Lord hath a holy hand in this, and hath noble ends and
+designs before him in this matter; as,
+
+1. The Lord may think good to order matters thus, that he may magnify
+his power and grace, in rescuing such as were returned to the very brink
+of hell, and seemed to many to be lost and irrecoverably gone.
+
+2. That in punishing them thus, for giving way to the first motions of
+unbelief, he might warn all to guard against such an evil, and not to
+foster and give way to groundless complaints, nor entertain objections,
+moved against their condition by the devil.
+
+3. To warn all to walk circumspectly, and to work out their salvation
+with fear and trembling, not knowing what may befall them ere they die.
+
+4. To teach all to walk humbly, not knowing what advantage Satan may get
+of them eve all be done; and to see their daily need of Christ to
+strengthen their faith, and to keep their grips of him fast.
+
+5. So the Lord may think good to dispense so with some, that he may give
+a full proof of his wonderfully great patience and long-suffering in
+bearing with such, and that so long.
+
+6. As also to demonstrate his sovereignty, in measuring out his
+dispensations to his own, as he seeth will most glorify himself.
+
+_Next,_ Satan hath an active hand in this; for,
+
+1. He raiseth up clouds and mists in the believer, so that he cannot see
+the work of God within himself, and so is made to cry out, that he hath
+no grace, and that all was but delusions and imaginations, which he
+looked upon as grace before.
+
+2. He raiseth up in them jealousies of God, and of all his ways, and
+puts a false gloss and construction on all which God doth, to the end he
+may confirm them in their jealousies, which they have drunk in of God.
+
+3. Having gained this ground, he worketh then upon their corruption with
+very great advantage; and thus driveth them from evil to worse, and not
+only to question their perfect interest in Christ, but also to quit all
+hope for the time to come.
+
+4. This being done, he driveth the soul yet farther, and filleth it with
+prejudices against God and his glorious truths; and from this he can
+easily bring them to call all in question.
+
+5. Yea, he will represent God as an enemy to them; and when this is
+done, how easy it is with him to put them on desperate courses, and
+cause them to speak wickedly and desperately of God.
+
+6. And when this is done, he can easily darken the understanding, that
+the poor soul shall not see the glory of the gospel, and of the covenant
+of grace, nor the lustre and beauty of holiness: yea, and raise
+prejudices against the same, because there is no hope of partaking of
+the benefit thereof; and so bring them on, to a plain questioning of
+all, as mere delusions.
+
+7. And when he hath gotten them brought this length, he hath fair
+advantage to make them question if there be a God, and so drive them
+forward to atheism. And thus deceitfully he can carry the soul from one
+step to another.
+
+But, _third,_ there are many sinful causes of this within the man's
+self; as,
+
+1. Pride and haughtiness of mind, as thinking their mountain standeth so
+strong, that it cannot be moved. And this provoketh God to hide his
+face, as Psalm xxx.
+
+2. Self-confidence, a concomitant of pride, supposing themselves to be
+so well rooted that they cannot be shaken, whereas it were better for
+them to walk in fear.
+
+3. Want of watchfulness over a deceitful heart, and an evil heart of
+unbelief, that is still departing from the living God, Heb. iii. 12. It
+is good to be jealous here.
+
+4. Giving way to doubtings and questionings too readily at first. It is
+not good to tempt the Lord by parlying too much and too readily with
+Satan. Eve's practice might be a warning sufficient to us.
+
+5. Not living in the sight of their wants, and of their daily necessity
+of Christ, nor acting faith upon him daily, for the supplying of their
+wants. And when faith is not used, it may contract rust and be weakened,
+and come at length not to be discerned.
+
+6. Entertaining of jealous thoughts of God, and hearkening too readily
+to any thing that may foster and increase or confirm these.
+
+7. Not delighting themselves in, and with pleasure dwelling on, the
+thoughts of Christ, of his offices, of the gospel and promises; so that
+these come at length to lose their beauty and glory in the soul, and
+have not the lustre that once they had; and this doth open a door to
+much mischief.
+
+8. In a word, not walking with God according to the gospel, provoking
+the Lord to give them up to themselves for a time.
+
+We come now to the _third_ particular, which is, to shew how Christ is
+Life to the poor soul in this case. And for the clearing of this,
+consider,
+
+1. That Christ is "the author and finisher of faith," Heb. xii. 2; and
+so, as he did rebuke unbelief at the first, he can rebuke it again.
+
+2. That he is the great prophet clearing up the gospel, and every thing
+that is necessary for us to know, bringing life and immortality to
+light by the gospel, 2 Tim. i. 10, and so manifesting the lustre and
+beauty of the gospel.
+
+3. He bringeth the promises home to the soul, in their reality,
+excellency, and truth, being the faithful witness and the amen, Rev.
+iii. 14, and the confirmer of the promises, so that they are all yea and
+amen in him, 2 Cor. i. 20. And this serveth to establish the soul in the
+faith, and to shoot out thoughts of unbelief.
+
+4. So doth he, by his Spirit, dispel the mists and clouds which Satan,
+through unbelief, had raised in the soul.
+
+5. And thereby also rebuketh those mistakes of God, and prejudices at
+him and his ways, which Satan hath wrought there, through corruption.
+
+6. He discovereth himself to be a ready help in time of trouble, and the
+hope and anchor of salvation, Heb. vi. 19; and a priest living for ever
+to make intercession for poor sinners, Heb. vii. 25.
+
+7. And hereby he cleareth up to the poor soul a possibility of help and
+relief; and thus rebuketh despair or preventeth it.
+
+8. He manifesteth himself to be the marrow and substance of the gospel:
+and this maketh every line thereof pleasant and beautiful to the soul,
+and so freeth them from the prejudices that they had at it.
+
+9. So in manifesting himself in the gospel, he revealeth the Father,
+that the soul cometh to "the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face
+of Jesus Christ," 2 Cor. iv. 6. And this saveth the soul from atheism.
+
+10. When the soul cannot grip him, nor look to him, yet he can look to
+the soul, and by his love quicken and revive the soul, and warm the
+heart with love to him, and at length move and incline it sweetly to
+open to him; and thus grip and hold fast a lost sheep, yea, and bring it
+home again.
+
+But what should a soul do in such a case? To this, (which is the
+_fourth_ particular to be spoken to), I answer,
+
+1. That they should strive against those evils formerly mentioned, which
+procured or occasioned this distemper. A stop should be put to those
+malignant humours.
+
+2. They should be careful to lay again the foundation of solid knowledge
+of God, and of his glorious truths revealed in the gospel, and labour
+for the faith of God's truth and veracity; for till this be, nothing can
+be right in the soul.
+
+3. They should be thoroughly convinced of the treachery, deceitfulness,
+and wickedness of their hearts, that they may see it is not worthy to be
+trusted, and that they may be jealous of it, and not hearken so readily
+to it as they have done, especially seeing Satan can prompt it to speak
+for his advantage.
+
+4. They should remember also, that it is divine help that can recover
+them, and cause them grip to the promises, and lay hold on them of new
+again, as well as at first, and that of themselves they can do nothing.
+
+5. In using of the means for the recovery of life, they should eye
+Christ, and because this eyeing of Christ is faith, and their disease
+lieth most there, they should do as the Israelites did who were stung in
+the eye with the serpents,--they looked to the brazen serpent with the
+wounded and stung eye: so should they do with a sickly and almost dead
+faith, grip him, and with an eye almost put out and made blind, look to
+him, knowing how ready he is to help, and what a tender heart he hath.
+
+6. And to confirm them in this resolution, they should take a new view
+of all the notable encouragements to believe, wherewith the whole gospel
+aboundeth.
+
+7. And withal fix on him, as the only "author and finisher of faith."
+
+8. And, in a word, they should cast a wonderfully unbelieving and
+atheistical soul on him, who is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in
+working, and is wonderful in mercy and grace, and in all his ways. And
+thus may he at length, in his own time, and in the way that will most
+glorify himself, raise up that poor soul out of the grave of infidelity
+wherein it was stinking; and so prove himself to be indeed "the
+resurrection and the life, to the praise of the glory of his grace."
+
+We come now to speak to another case, which is,
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+HOW CHRIST IS MADE USE OF AS THE LIFE, BY ONE THAT IS SO DEAD AND
+SENSELESS, AS HE CANNOT KNOW WHAT TO JUDGE OF HIMSELF, OR HIS OWN CASE,
+EXCEPT WHAT IS NAUGHT.
+
+
+We spake something to this very case upon the matter, when we spoke of
+Christ as the Truth. Yet we shall speak a little to it here, but shall
+not enlarge particulars formerly mentioned. And therefore we shall speak
+a little to those five particulars; and so,
+
+1. Shew what this distemper is. 2. Shew whence it proceedeth, and how
+the soul cometh to fall into it. 3. Shew how Christ, as the Life,
+bringeth about a recovery of it 4. Shew how the soul is to be exercised,
+that it may obtain a recovery; and, 5. Answer some questions or
+objections.
+
+As to the _first_, Believers many times may be so dead, as not only not
+to see and know that they have an interest in Christ, and to be
+uncertain what to judge of themselves, but also be so carried away with
+prejudices and mistakes, as that they will judge no otherwise of
+themselves than that their case is naught; yea, and not only will deny
+or miscall the good that God hath wrought in them by his Spirit, but
+also reason themselves to be out of the state of grace, and a stranger
+to faith, and to the workings of the Spirit: and hereupon will come to
+call all delusions, which sometime they had felt and seen in themselves,
+which is a sad distemper, and which grace in life would free the soul
+from.
+
+This proceedeth (which is the _second_ particular) partly from God's
+hiding of his face, and changing his dispensations about them, and
+compassing them with clouds, and partly from themselves and their own
+mistakes: as,
+
+1. Judging their state, not by the unchangeable rule of truth, but by
+the outward dispensations of God, which change upon the best.
+
+2. Judging their state by the observable measure of grace within them,
+and so concluding their state bad, because they observe corruption
+prevailing now and then, and grace decaying, and they perceive no
+victory over temptations, nor growth in grace, &c.
+
+3. Judging also their state by others; and so they suppose that they
+cannot be believers, because they are so unlike to others, whom they
+judge true believers. This is also to judge by a wrong rule.
+
+4. Judging themselves by themselves, that is, because they look so
+unlike to what sometimes they were themselves, they conclude that their
+state cannot be good, which is also a wrong rule to judge their state
+by.
+
+5. Beginning to try and examine their case and state, and coming to no
+close or issue, so that when they have done, they are as unclear and
+uncertain what to judge of themselves, as when they began; or,
+
+6. Taking little or no pains to try themselves seriously, as in the
+sight of God, but resting satisfied with a superficial trial, which can
+come to no good issue.
+
+7. Trying and examining, but through the sleight of Satan, and because
+pitching upon wrong marks, coming to no good issue, but condemning
+themselves without ground.
+
+8. There is another thing which occasioneth this misjudging, to wit, the
+want of distinctness and clearness in covenanting with Christ, and the
+ignorance of the nature of true saving faith.
+
+As to the _third_ particular, how Christ is Life to the believer in this
+case,
+
+I answer, Christ manifesteth himself to be life to the soul in this
+case:
+
+1. By sending the Spirit of life, that enlighteneth, informeth,
+persuadeth, and sealeth.
+
+2. By actuating grace so in the soul, that it manifesteth itself, and
+evidenceth itself to be there; as the heat and burning of a fire will
+discover itself without other tokens.
+
+The _fourth_ particular, to wit, how the soul should be exercised, or
+how it should employ Christ, for an outgate from this, hath been
+abundantly cleared above, where we shewed, that believers in this case
+should,
+
+1. Be frequent in gripping Christ and closing with him as their
+all-sufficient Mediator; and faith thus frequently acting on him may
+discover itself at length.
+
+2. Look to Christ that hath eye-salve, and is given for a witness.
+
+3. Keep grips fast of him, though they be in the dark; and walk on
+gripping to him.
+
+4. Keep love toward him and his working, and in exercise.
+
+5. Beg of him to clear up their state, by his Spirit explaining the true
+marks of grace, and discovering the working of grace in the soul.
+
+But it will be said, and so I come to the _last_ particular, what, if
+after all this, I remain as formerly, as unable to judge aright of my
+state as ever?
+
+_Answer._ Yet thou shouldst continue gripping Christ, loving him,
+looking to him, casting a lost, dead soul with all thy wants upon him,
+and mind this as thy constant work. Yea, thou shouldst labour to be
+growing in these direct acts of faith; and learn to submit to God
+herein, knowing that those reflect acts are not absolutely necessary;
+and that thou shouldst think it much if he bring thee to heaven at
+length, though covered with a cloud all thy days.
+
+_Obj._ 2. But others get much more clearness.
+
+_Ans._ I grant that; yet know, that every one getteth not clearness, and
+such as have it, have it not in the same measure. And must God give thee
+as much as he giveth to another? What if thou could not make that use of
+it that others do, but wax proud thereby, and forget thyself? Therefore
+it will be best to give God liberty to dispense his favours as he will,
+and that thou be about thy commanded duty, the exercise of faith, love,
+fear, patience, &c.
+
+_Obj._ 3. But if at any time I got a sight of my case, it would be some
+peace and satisfaction to me.
+
+_Ans._ I grant that, and what knowest thou; but thou mayest also get
+that favour ere thou die. Why then wilt thou not wait his leisure?
+
+_Obj._ 4. But the want of it in the mean time maketh me go heartlessly
+and discouragedly about commanded duties, and maketh that I cannot apply
+things distinctly to myself.
+
+_Ans._ Yet the word of command is the same, the offer is the same, and
+the encouragement is the same. Why then should thou not be going on,
+leaning to Christ in the wilderness, even though thou want that
+comfortable sight?
+
+_Obj._ 5. But it is one thing to want a clear sight of my state, it is
+another thing to judge myself, to be yet in the state of nature; and
+this is my case.
+
+_Ans._ I grant, this is the worst of the two; yet, what if thou misjudge
+thyself without ground; should thou not suffer for thy own folly; and
+whom can thou blame but thyself? And if thou judge so, thou cannot but
+know that it is thy duty to do the thing that thou supposeth is not yet
+done, that is, run away to Christ for life and salvation, and rest on
+him and abide there; and if this were frequently renewed, the grounds of
+thy former mistake might be easily removed.
+
+Yet further, I would add these few things:
+
+1. Take no pleasure in debating against your own soul; for that is but
+to serve Satan's design.
+
+2. Be not too rash or ready to drink in prejudices against the work of
+God in your own souls; for that is to conclude with Satan against
+yourselves.
+
+3. Make much of any little light he is pleased to give, were it but of
+one mark, and be not ill to please; for one scriptural mark, as love to
+the brethren, may sufficiently evidence the thing.
+
+4. See how thy soul would like the condition of such as are carnal,
+profane, careless in the matters of God; and if thy soul doth really
+abhor that, and thou would not upon any account choose to be in such a
+case, thou may gather something from that to thy comfort. But enough of
+this case here.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+HOW IS CHRIST, AS THE LIFE, TO BE APPLIED BY A SOUL THAT MISSETH GOD'S
+FAVOUR AND COUNTENANCE.
+
+
+The sixth case, that we shall speak a little to, is a deadness,
+occasioned by the Lord's hiding of himself, who is their life, and "the
+fountain of life," Ps. xxxvi. 9, and "whose loving-kindness is better
+than life," Ps. lxiii. 3, and "in whose favour is their life," Ps. xxx.
+5. A case, which the frequent complaints of the saints manifest to be
+rife enough, concerning which we shall,
+
+1. Shew some of the consequences of the Lord's hiding his face, whereby
+the soul's case will appear. 2. Shew the reasons of this dispensation.
+3. Shew how Christ is life to the soul in this case; and, 4. Point out
+the soul's duty; or how he is to make use of Christ for a recovery.
+
+As to the _first,_ we may take notice of those particulars:
+
+1. They complain of God's hiding of himself, and forsaking them, Ps.
+xxii. 1, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" and Ps. xiii. 3,
+"How long wilt thou forsake me?" &c.
+
+2. They cry out for a blink of his face, and get it not; for he hath
+withdrawn himself, Ps. xiii. 1, "how long wilt thou hide thy face from
+me?" Heman, Ps. lxxxviii., cried out night and day, but yet God's face
+was hid, ver. 1, 9, 14. The spouse seeketh long, Cant. v.; see Ps. xxii.
+1, 2.
+
+3. They are looking for an outgate, but get none. And "hope deferred
+maketh their heart sick," Prov. xiii. 12.
+
+4. They are in the dark, and cannot tell' why the Lord dispenseth so
+towards them; "Why," said Heman, Ps. xviii. 14, "castest thou off my
+soul? why holdest thou thy face from me?" They cannot understand
+wherefore it is. So Job cried out, "shew me wherefore thou contendest
+with me," Job x. 2.
+
+5. They may also be walking, in the mean while, without light or
+counsel, so as they shall not know what to do. "How long shall I take
+counsel in my soul," Ps. xiii. 2.
+
+6. Moreover, they may have their heart filled with sorrow; as we see,
+Ps. xiii. 2, "having sorrow in my heart," said David. He also saith, Ps.
+xxxviii. that his sorrow was continually before him, ver. 17; and Ps.
+cxvi. 3, "I found trouble and sorrow."
+
+7. They may be so, as the sweet experience of others may yield them no
+supply of comfort at present, Ps. xxii. 4-6, "Our fathers trusted in
+thee," said David, "and thou didst deliver them; they cried to thee, and
+were delivered; they trusted in thee, and were not confounded." But that
+gave him no present ease or comfort; for immediately he addeth, ver. 6,
+"but I am a worm and no man, a reproach of men," &c.
+
+8. Yea, all their own former experiences may yield them little solace;
+as we see in the same place, Ps. xxii. 9, 10, compared with ver. 14,15,
+"Thou art he," says he, ver. 9, "that took me out of the womb," &c. And
+yet he complains, ver. 14, "that he was poured out like water, and his
+bones out of joint, that his heart was melted in the midst of his
+bowels," &c.
+
+9. They may be brought near to a giving over all in despondency, and be
+brought, in their sense, to the very dust of death, Psal. xxii. 16.
+
+If it be inquired, why the Lord dispenseth so with his own people?
+
+We answer, and this is the _second_ particular, that he doeth it for
+holy and wise reasons, whereof we may name a few; as,
+
+1. To punish their carelessness and negligence; as we see he did with
+the spouse, Cant. v.
+
+2. To chastise them for their ill-improving of his favour and kindness
+when they had it; as the same passage evidenceth.
+
+3. To check them for their security and carnal confidence, as he did
+David, Psal. xxx. 6, 7, when he said his mountain stood strong, and he
+should never be moved. Then did the Lord hide his face, and he was
+troubled.
+
+4. To try if their obedience to his commands be pure and conscientious,
+and not in a sort mercenary, because of his lifting up upon them the
+light of his countenance; and to see if conscience to a command driveth
+them to duty, when they are in the dark, and have no encouragement.
+
+5. To put the graces of the Spirit to trial and to exercise; as their
+faith, patience, hope, love, &c. Psal. xiii. 5, 6, 22, 24.
+
+6. To awaken them from their security, and to set them to a more
+diligent following of duty; as we see in the spouse, Cant. v.
+
+7. To sharpen their desire and hunger after him, as this instance
+cleareth.
+
+Even in such a case as this, Christ is life to the soul, which is the
+_third_ particular,
+
+1. By taking away the sinful causes of such a distance, having laid down
+his life and shed his blood for the remission of their sins, so that
+such a dispensation is not flowing from pure wrath, but is rather an act
+of mercy and love.
+
+2. By advocating the poor man's cause in heaven, where he is making
+intercession for his own, and thereby obtaining a delivery from that
+condition, in God's own time, even the shining again of his countenance
+upon them.
+
+3. By keeping life in, as to habitual grace, and by breathing thereupon,
+so that it becometh lively, and operative even in such a winter day.
+
+4. By supporting the soul under that dispensation, and keeping it from
+fainting, through the secret influences of grace, which he conveyeth
+into the soul; as he did to the poor woman of Canaan, Matth. xv.
+
+5. By setting the soul a-work, to use such means as God hath appointed
+for a recovery; as, to cry, to plead, to long, to wait, &c. "Their heart
+shall live that seek him."
+
+6. By teaching the soul to submit to and acquiesce in what God doth,
+acknowledging his righteousness, greatness, and sovereignty; and this
+quietness of heart is its life.
+
+7. By keeping the heart fast to the covenant of grace; so that whatever
+come, they will never quit that bargain, but they will trust in him
+though he should kill them; and they will adhere to the covenant of
+grace, though they should be dragged through hell.
+
+8. At length when he seeth it fit and convenient, he quickeneth by
+drawing back the veil, and filling the soul with joy, in the light of
+God's countenance; and causing it to sing, as having the heart lifted up
+in the ways of the Lord.
+
+As to the _last_ particular, concerning the duty of a soul in such a
+case; we say,
+
+1. He should humble himself under this dispensation, knowing that it is
+the great God with whom he hath to do; and that there is no contending
+with him; and that all flesh should stoop before him.
+
+2. He should justify God in all that he doth, and say with David, Psal.
+xxii. 3. "But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of
+Israel."
+
+3. He should look upon himself as unworthy of the least of that kind: "I
+am a worm," said David, Psal. xxii. 6, "and no man."
+
+4. He should search out his provocations, and run away to the fountain,
+the blood of Christ, that these may be purged away, and his conscience
+sprinkled from dead works, and his soul washed in the fountain opened to
+the house of David for sin and for uncleanness.
+
+5. He must also employ Christ, to discover to him more and more of his
+guiltiness, whereby he hath grieved the Spirit of God; and as sins are
+discovered to him, he would repent of them, and run away with them to
+the blood that cleanseth from all sin. This was Elihu's advice to Job,
+chap. xxxiv. 31, 32. "Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have
+borne chastisement, I will not offend. That which I see not, teach thou
+me; if I have done iniquity, I will do no more."
+
+6. He should grip to Christ in the covenant, and rest there with joy and
+satisfaction; he should hold that fast that he may ride out the storm in
+a dark night; "though he make not mine house to grow," said David, 2
+Sam. xxiii. 5; yet this was all his salvation and all his desire, that
+he "had made with him an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and
+sure." The spouse took this course, when she could not get a sight of
+him whom her soul loved, Cant. vi. 3, and asserted her interest in him;
+"I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine."
+
+7. He should be entertaining high and loving thoughts of God, commending
+him highly, let his dispensations be what they will. So did the spouse,
+Cant. v. 10, 16.
+
+8. He should earnestly seek after him. The spouse did so, Cant. v. 6.
+The discouragement she met with at the hands of the watchmen, did not
+put her off her pursuit, ver. 7, but she continued, yea, was "sick of
+love;" ver. 8; and her looks had a prevailing power with him, as we see,
+Cant. vi. 5, where the bridegroom uttered that most astonishing word,
+"Turn away thine eyes from me, for they have overcome me."
+
+9. This new manifestation which he is seeking for, must be expected in
+and through Christ, who is the true tabernacle, and he who was
+represented by the mercy-seat. He is the only trusting-place; in him
+alone will the Father be seen.
+
+10. He should also look to him for strength and support, in the mean
+time; and for grace, that he may be kept from fainting, and may be
+helped to wait till he come, who knoweth the fittest season wherein to
+appear.
+
+But it will be said, what if, after all this, we get no outgate, but he
+hideth his face still from us?
+
+I answer, such should know, that life is one thing, and comfort is
+another thing; grace is one thing, and warm blinks of God's face is
+another. The one is necessary to the very being of a Christian, the
+other not, but only necessary to his comfortable being; and therefore
+they should be content, if God give them grace, though they miss comfort
+for a time.
+
+2. They should learn to commit that matter to Christ who knoweth how to
+give that which is good and best for them.
+
+3. They should be hanging on him for strength and for duty; and in his
+strength setting about every commanded duty, and be exercising faith,
+love, patience, hope, desire, &c.
+
+4. Let the well-ordered covenant be all their salvation, and all their
+desire; and though they should not get a comfortable blink of God's
+face, so long as they were here, yet holding fast this covenant, they
+should at length be saved souls, and what would they have more? and when
+they get this, what will they miss?
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.
+
+HOW SHALL ONE MAKE USE OF CHRIST AS THE LIFE, WHEN WRESTLING WITH AN
+ANGRY GOD BECAUSE OF SIN?
+
+
+That we may give some satisfaction to this question, we shall,
+
+1. Shew what are the ingredients in this case, or what useth to concur
+in this distemper.
+
+2. Shew some reasons why the Lord is pleased to dispense thus with his
+people.
+
+3. Shew how Christ is life to the soul in this case.
+
+4. Shew the believer's duty for a recovery; and,
+
+5. Add a word or two of caution.
+
+As to the _first,_ There may be those parts of, or ingredients in this
+distemper:
+
+1. God presenting their sins unto their view, so as they shall cry out,
+"Our sin is ever before us," Psal. li. 3, and say, as it is, Psal. xc.
+8. "Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the
+light of thy countenance;" and so cause them see the Lord contending for
+sin, as the church did, Isa. lix. "We roar all like bears, and mourn
+sore like doves. We look for judgment but there is none, for salvation
+but it is far off from us; for our transgressions are multiplied before
+thee, and our sins testify against us; for our transgressions are with
+us; and as for our iniquities, we know them," &c.
+
+2. Yea, God may bring upon them the iniquities of their youth, as Job
+speaketh, chap. xiii. 26, and so bring upon them, or suffer conscience
+to charge them, with their old sins formerly repented of and pardoned.
+And this is more terrible: David is made to remember his original sin,
+Psal. li.
+
+3. And, as Job speaketh, chap. xv. 17, God may seem to be sealing up all
+their sins in a bag, that none of them may be lost or fall by, without
+being taken notice of; and, as it were, be gathering them together in a
+heap.
+
+4. He may pursue sore with signs of wrath and displeasure, because of
+those sins, as we see in David, Psal. iv.; xxxviii. 51, and in several
+others of his people, chastened of the Lord because of their
+transgressions; whereof there are many instances in Scripture.
+
+5. Yea, and that for a considerable time together, and cause them cry
+out, with David, Psal. iv. 3, "But thou, O Lord, how long!"
+
+6. And that not only with outward, but also with inward plagues and
+strokes, as David's case cleareth, in the fore-cited Psalms.
+
+7. Yea, and not even themselves, but even their posterity; as David's
+child was smitten with death, and the posterity of Manasses, who found
+mercy himself, 2 Chron. xxxiii. 13, was carried into captivity for his
+sin, 2 Kings xxiii. 26, 27.
+
+8. Further, the Lord may deprive them of all their former joy and
+comfort, which made David cry out, Psalm li. 12, "Restore unto me the
+joy of thy salvation, and grant me thy free Spirit."
+
+9. And, which is yet more terrible, write their sin upon their judgment,
+as when he caused the sword and whoredom follow David's house.
+
+10. And, finally, he may cause them fear utter off-casting, as Psalm li.
+12, "cast me not away," said he, "from thy presence."
+
+And this the Lord thinketh good to do (that we may speak a word to the
+_second_ particular) for those, and the like reasons:
+
+1. To discover to them, and to all the world, how just, holy, and
+righteous a God he is, that cannot approve of, or bear with sin, even in
+his own children.
+
+2. To make all fear and tremble before this great and holy God, who is
+terrible in his judgments, even when they come from a Father's hand that
+is not pursuing in pure anger and wrath, but chastening in love. Sure
+all must think that his dispensations with the wicked will be much more
+fearful and horrible, seeing they are not yet reconciled to him through
+the blood of Jesus.
+
+3. To press believers more earnestly into Christ, that they may get a
+new extract of their pardon, and their souls washed in the blood of
+Jesus.
+
+4. To teach them to walk more circumspectly afterwards, and to guard
+more watchfully against Satan's temptations, and to employ Christ more
+as their strength, light, and guide.
+
+5. To cause them see their great obligation to Jesus Christ, for
+delivering them from that state of wrath, wherein they were by nature,
+as well as others, and would have lain in to all eternity, had he not
+redeemed them.
+
+6. To exercise their faith, patience, and hope; to see if in hope they
+will believe against hope, and lay hold on the strength of the Lord,
+that they make peace with him, Isaiah xxvii. 5.
+
+7. To give a fresh proof of his wonderful mercy, grace, love, and
+compassion, upholding the soul in the mean time, and at length pardoning
+them, and speaking peace to their souls through the blood of Jesus.
+
+But as to the _third_ particular, we may look on Christ as the Life to
+the soul in this case, upon those accounts,
+
+1. He hath satisfied justice, and so hath borne the pure wrath of God
+due for their sins. "He hath trodden the wine press alone," Isaiah
+lxiii. 5. "He was wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our
+sins," Isaiah liii. 5, 10; and therefore they drink not of this cup
+which would make them drunk, and to stagger, and fall, and never rise
+again.
+
+2. Yea, he hath procured that mercy and love shall accompany all those
+sharp dispensations, and that they shall flow from mercy; yea, and that
+they shall be as a covenanted blessing promised in the covenant, Psalm
+lxxxix. 30, &c.
+
+3. And sometimes he is pleased to let them see this clear difference
+betwixt the strokes they lie under, and the judgments of pure wrath
+which attend the wicked; and this supporteth the soul; for then he seeth
+that those dispensations, how sharp soever they be, shall work together
+for good to him, and come from the hand of a gracious loving Father,
+reconciled in the blood of Christ.
+
+4. "He is a Prince, exalted to give repentance and remission of sins to
+Israel," Acts v. 31. Yea, he hath procured such a clause in the
+covenant, which is well ordered in all things and sure, that upon their
+renewing of faith and repentance, their after sins shall be pardoned;
+and besides the promises of faith and repentance in the covenant, his
+being a Prince exalted to give both, giveth assurance of their receiving
+of both.
+
+5. He cleareth to them their interest in the covenant, and their right
+to the promises of the covenant; and through their closing with Christ
+by faith, he raiseth up their heart in hope, and causeth them to expect
+an outgate, even remission of their sins, and turning away the
+displeasure in due time through him. And this is a great part of their
+life.
+
+6. Being the author and finisher of faith, and a prince to give
+repentance, he, by his Spirit, worketh up the soul to a renewing of its
+grips of himself by faith, and to a running to the death and blood of
+Christ for pardon and washing, and worketh godly sorrow in the heart,
+whereupon followeth pardon, according to the gospel constitution, though
+the believer as yet perceiveth it not; and sin being pardoned before
+God, conform to the tenor of the covenant of grace, the man is a living
+man, whatever fears of death he may be kept under for a time.
+
+7. He helpeth also to a justifying of God, and to a holy, submissive
+frame of spirit under that dispensation; so that they are willing to
+bear the indignation of the Lord, because they have sinned against him,
+Micah vii. 9; and to wait for an outgate in God's own time, and to kiss
+the rod, and to accept of the punishment of their sin.
+
+8. When he seeth it fit for his own glory, and their advantage, he
+speaketh peace at length to the soul, and saith, "son (or daughter) be
+of good cheer, thy sins are forgiven thee; and then is the soul restored
+to life."
+
+As to the _fourth_ particular. The soul that is wrestling with an angry
+God for sin, and would make use of Christ as the Life, should do these
+things:
+
+1. He should look to Christ as standing under God's curse in our room,
+and as satisfying justice for all the elect, and for all their sins.
+
+2. He should eye the covenant wherein new pardon is promised, upon the
+renewing of faith and repentance.
+
+3. He should eye Christ as the great Lord dispensator of both faith and
+repentance, and hang on him for both, and thus believe, that he may
+believe and repent, or lay his soul open to him, that he may work in him
+both repentance and faith.
+
+4. He should flee to the blood of sprinkling, "that speaks better things
+than the blood of Abel," that he may be washed, and sprinkled with
+hyssop, as David did, Psalm li. 7.
+
+5. He should eye Christ as a prince to give pardon and remission of
+sins, and as exalted for this end, and should fix his eye upon him, as
+now exalted in glory for this end.
+
+6. He should close with Christ of new, as his only all-sufficient
+Mediator; and having done this, and repented of his sins, whereby God
+hath been provoked, he should conclude through faith, that a pardon is
+passed in the court of heaven, conform to the tenor of the gospel, and
+wait on Christ until the intimation come.
+
+As for the cautions which I promised to speak to, in the _last_ place,
+take those few:
+
+1. Do not conclude there is no pardon, because there is no intimation
+thereof made to thy soul as yet. According to the dispensation of grace
+condescended upon in the gospel, pardon is had immediately upon a soul's
+believing and repenting; but the intimation, sense, and feeling of
+pardon, is a distinct thing, and may, for several ends, be long kept up
+from the soul. Sure they go not always together.
+
+2. Do not conclude there is no pardon, because the rod that was
+inflicted for sin is not as yet taken off. God pardoned David's sin, and
+did intimate the same to him by Nathan, and yet the sword did not depart
+from his house till he died. God can forgive, and yet take vengeance on
+their inventions, Psalm xcix. 8.
+
+3. Do not upon this ground question God's faithfulness, or conclude
+that God's covenant doth not stand fast. He is the same, and the
+covenant abideth fast and firm; but the change is in thee.
+
+4. Do not think that because thou hast once received Christ, that
+therefore, without any new act of faith on him, or of repentance towards
+God, thou should immediately be pardoned of thy sins, as soon as they
+are committed; for the gospel method must be followed, and it should
+satisfy us.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII.
+
+NO MAN COMETH TO THE FATHER BUT BY ME.
+
+
+This being added for further confirmation of what was formerly said,
+will point out unto us several necessary truths, as,
+
+I. That it is most necessary to be sound and clear in this fundamental
+point of coming to God only in and through Christ. For,
+
+1. It is the whole marrow of the gospel.
+
+2. It is the hinge of our salvation, Christ is "the chief corner stone,"
+Isa. xxxviii. 16. 1 Pet. i. 5, 6; and,
+
+3. The only ground of all our solid and true peace and comfort.
+
+4 An error or a mistake here, is most dangerous, hazarding, if not
+ruining all.
+
+5. Satan endeavours mainly against this, raiseth up heresies, errors,
+and false opinions, and prompteth some to vent perplexing doubts and
+objections, and all to darken this cardinal point. So doth he muster up
+all his temptations for this end, at length to keep poor souls from
+acquaintance with this way, and from making use of it, or entering into
+it.
+
+6. Our corrupt hearts are most averse from it, and will close with any
+way, how troublesome, how expensive and costly soever it may seem to be,
+rather than with this.
+
+7. There are a multitude of false ways, as we did shew above.
+
+All which do clear up this necessity, and should teach us to be very
+diligent to win to acquaintance with it, and to make sure that we are in
+it, and to hold it fast, and to keep it pure in our practice, without
+mixing any thing with it, or corrupting of it.
+
+II. That it is no small difficulty to get this truth believed and
+practised, that through Christ alone we come to the Father. Therefore is
+the same thing asserted and inculcated again upon the same matter; for,
+
+1. Nature will not teach this way; it is far above nature.
+
+2. Yea, our natural inclinations are much against it, opposing it, and
+fighting against it.
+
+3. This way is altogether contrary to that high esteem which naturally
+all of us have of ourselves.
+
+4. And is opposite to that pride of heart which naturally we are subject
+to.
+
+5. Yea, there is nothing in us by nature that will willingly comply with
+this way; but, on the contrary, all is opposite thereunto.
+
+6. And therefore it is the Christian's first lesson to deny himself.
+
+The consideration of which should humble us, and make us very jealous of
+our own hearts and inclinations, and of all those courses which they are
+inclinable to and bent upon. And it should put us to try if ever we have
+overcome this difficulty; and have now all our hopes and comforts
+founded on him, and on nothing else; and are up and down in our peace
+and joy according as we win in to him, or are shut out from him; and in
+all our approaches to God, upon whatsoever account, are leaning to him
+and resting upon him alone, expecting access, acceptance, and a hearing,
+only in him; and are quieted under all our fears and temptations, with
+this,--that Christ is our way to the Father.
+
+III. That even believers have need to have this truth inculcated often:
+For,
+
+1. Satan is busy pulling them off this ground by all the wiles and
+temptations he can.
+
+2. Their own corruption within, and the evil heart of unbelief, is
+always opposing this way, and drawing them off it.
+
+3. Through the sleight of Satan and the power of corruption, they are
+oftentimes declining from this pure gospel way.
+
+4. The experience of believers can tell, that when they are at their
+best, it is a great work and exercise to them to keep their hearts right
+in this matter.
+
+5. Is it not too often seen, that they are the spiritual plague of
+formality, which stealeth them off their feet here?
+
+6. And is it not found oftentimes that they are too ready to lean to
+something beside Christ?
+
+How ought all to be convinced of this, and humbled under the sense of
+it! And see also how necessary it is to be often preaching on this
+subject, and to be often thinking upon and studying this fundamental
+truth.
+
+IV. It should be a strong motive and incitement to us to make use of
+Christ as the way to the Father, that no man cometh to the Father but by
+him; for this may be looked upon as an argument enforcing their
+use-making of him as the way.
+
+V. It discovereth the ground of that truth, that there are but few that
+are saved, for none cometh to the Father but by him; few, in respect of
+the whole world, once hear of him; and of such as hear of him, few have
+the true way of employing and applying him, as the way to the Father
+cleareth up unto them. And again, of such as have the truth, as it is in
+Jesus, preached unto them, O how few go to him and make use of him
+according to the truth, and believe and practise the truth!
+
+VI. That in and through Christ alone we must come,
+
+1. To the knowledge of the Father; "for no man knoweth the Father but
+the Son;" and he alone, who came out of the bosom of the Father,
+revealeth him.
+
+2. To the favour and friendship of the Father; for he alone is our
+peace, and in him alone is the Father well pleased.
+
+3. To the kingdom of the Father here; for here only is the door, John
+x.; and by his Spirit are we effectually called.
+
+4. To the kingdom of the Father above; for he alone hath opened that
+door, and is entered into the holiest of all, as our forerunner, and is
+gone to prepare a place for us.
+
+5. Through him alone must we address ourselves to the Father in our
+supplications, John xvi. 23. Rev. viii. 3; in our thanksgiving, Rom. i.
+8. Col. iii. 17; and praise, Heb. xiii. 15. Eph. iii. 21.
+
+6. Through him alone have we access and an open door to the Father, Eph.
+ii. 18; iii. 21. Heb. iv. 16.
+
+I shall only speak to one case here, viz.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX.
+
+HOW SHOULD WE MAKE USE OF CHRIST, IN GOING TO THE FATHER, IN PRAYER, AND
+OTHER ACTS OF WORSHIP?
+
+
+In short, for answering of this question, I shall lay down those
+particulars:
+
+1. There should be a lively sense of the infinite distance that is
+between the great God and us finite creatures, and yet more betwixt the
+Holy Ghost and us sinful wretches.
+
+2. There should be an eyeing of Christ as the great peacemaker, through
+his death and merits having satisfied justice and reconciled sinners
+unto God; that so we may look on God now no more as an enemy, but as
+reconciled in Jesus.
+
+3. There should be, sometimes at least, a more formal and explicit
+actual closing with Christ as ours, when we are going about such duties,
+and always an implicit and virtual embracing of him as our Mediator, or
+an habitual hanging upon him and leaning to him as our Mediator and
+peacemaker.
+
+4. There should be an eyeing of him as our great High Priest now living
+for ever to make intercession for us, and to keep the door of heaven
+open to us: upon which account the apostle presseth the Hebrews to "come
+boldly to the throne of grace," Heb. iv. 14,16. See also Heb. v. 24,25.
+
+5. There should be a gripping to him even in reference to that
+particular act of worship, and a laying hold upon him, to speak so, as
+our master-usher to bring us by the hand in to the Father, conscious of
+our own unworthiness.
+
+6. There should be a confident leaning to him in our approaching, and so
+we should approach him without fear and diffidence; and that
+notwithstanding that we find not our souls in such a good frame as we
+would Wish, yea, and guilt looking us in the face.
+
+7. Thus should we roll all the difficulties that come in our way, and
+all the discouragements which we meet with, on him, that he may take
+away the one and the other, and help us over the one and the other.
+
+8. As we should take an answer to all objections from him alone, and put
+him to remove all scruples and difficulties, and strengthen ourselves
+against all impediments and discouragements alone, in and through him,
+so there should be the bringing of all our positive encouragements from
+him alone, and all our hopes of coming speed with the Father should be
+grounded upon him.
+
+9. We should expect all our welcome and acceptance with the Father only
+in and through Christ, and expect nothing for any thing in ourselves,
+nor for our graces, good frame, preparation, or any thing of that kind.
+So we should not found our acceptance nor our peace and satisfaction on
+ourselves, nor on any thing we have or do; nor should we conclude our
+exclusion or want of acceptance, because we do not apprehend our frame
+so good as it ought to be; so we should not found our acceptance on our
+right performance of duties, for that is not Christ.
+
+10. We should quiet ourselves on him alone in all our approaches,
+whatever liveliness we find or miss in duty. We are too much tickled and
+fain when duties go well with us, and troubled on the other hand when it
+is not so; and the ground of all this is, because we lean too much to
+our own duties, and do not quiet ourselves on him alone. And hence it
+is, that we are often quieted when we get the duty done and put by,
+though we have not met with him there, nor gotten use made of him as was
+necessary. All our comfort, peace, and quiet should be founded on him
+alone.
+
+11. We should look to him for the removal of all the discouragements
+that Satan casts in our way while we are about this or that piece of
+worship, to put us back, or cause us to advance slowly and faintingly;
+and casting them all on him, go forward in our duty.
+
+12. We should look for all our returns and answers only in and through
+him, and lay all the weight of our hopes and expectations of a good
+answer only on him, 1 John v. 13, 14, 15.
+
+For caution I would add a word or two:
+
+1. I do not think that the believer can explicitly and distinctly act
+all these things whenever he is going to God, or can distinctly perceive
+all these several acts; nor have I specified and particularly mentioned
+them thus, for this end, but to shew at some length, how Christ is to be
+employed in those acts of worship which we are called to perform; and
+that because we oftentimes think the simple naming of him, and asking of
+things for his sake, is sufficient, though our hearts lean more to some
+other thing than to him; and the conscientious Christian will find his
+soul, when he is rightly going about the duties of worship, looking
+towards Christ thus, sometimes more distinctly and explicitly as to one
+particular, and sometimes more as to another.
+
+2. Though the believer cannot distinctly act faith on Christ all these
+ways, when he is going about commanded duties of worship, yet he should
+be sure to have his heart going out after Christ, as the only ground of
+his approaching to and acceptance with and of being heard by the Father;
+and to have his heart in such an habitual frame of resting on Christ,
+that really there may be a relying upon him all these ways, though not
+distinctly discerned.
+
+3. Sometimes the believer will be called to be more distinct and
+explicit in looking to and resting upon Christ, as to one particular,
+and sometimes more as to another. When Satan is dissuading him to go to
+God because he is an infinitely holy One, and he himself is but a
+sinner, then he is called to act faith on Christ as the Mediator making
+reconciliation between God and sinners; and when Satan is dissuading
+from approaching to God, because of their want of an interest in God,
+then should they act faith on Christ, and embrace him according to the
+gospel, and rest there, and so approach. And when Satan casts up his
+unworthiness and former sins, to keep him a-back or to discourage him,
+then he is called to lay hold on Christ as the great High Priest and
+Advocate, and casting that discouragement on him, to go forward. So
+likewise, when Satan is discouraging him in his duty, by bringing before
+him his sins, he should take this course; and when, because of his
+sinful way of worshipping God, and calling upon him, and other things,
+he is made to fear that all is in vain, and that neither God regardeth
+him nor his services, and that he shall not come speed, then should he
+cast all the burden of his acceptance, and of obtaining what he asketh
+and desireth, on Christ, and quiet himself there; and so as _to_ the
+rest. And hence appeareth the usefulness of our branching out of this
+matter.
+
+4. In all this, there must be an acting in the strength of Jesus; a
+looking to Christ and resting upon Christ, according to the present case
+and necessity, in Christ; that is, by his strength and grace
+communicated to us by his Spirit; then do we worship God in the Spirit,
+and in the newness of the Spirit, when all is done, in the matter of
+worship, in and through Jesus.
+
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life
+by John Brown (of Wamphray)
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12311 ***
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+and The Life, by John Brown</title>
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+<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12311 ***</div>
+
+<div class="title">
+<h2>CHRIST<br>
+<br>
+THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE.</h2>
+<br>
+<br>
+BY THE LATE<br>
+<b>REV. JOHN BROWN</b>,<br>
+MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL AT WAMPHRAY.<br>
+<br>
+WRITTEN DURING THE TIME OF HIS BANISHMENT IN HOLLAND.</div>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 45%;">
+<br>
+<p>"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the
+life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."&mdash;JOHN XIV.
+6.</p>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 45%;">
+<br>
+<h2>CONTENTS.</h2>
+<p><a href="#DEDICATION.">Dedication</a></p>
+<p><a href="#THE_AUTHOR_TO_THE_READER.">The Author to the
+Reader</a></p>
+<p><a href="#RECOMMENDATION.">Recommendation</a></p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_I.">CHAPTER I.</a></p>
+<p>Introduction, with some general observations from the
+cohesion.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_II.">CHAPTER II.</a></p>
+<p>Of the words themselves in general.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_III.">CHAPTER III.</a></p>
+<p>How Christ is the Way in general. "I am the Way."</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_IV.">CHAPTER IV.</a></p>
+<p>How Christ is made use of for Justification as a Way.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_V.">CHAPTER V.</a></p>
+<p>How Christ is to be made use of, as the Way, for sanctification
+in general.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_VI.">CHAPTER VI.</a></p>
+<p>How Christ is to be made use of, in reference to the killing and
+crucifying of the Old Man.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_VII.">CHAPTER VII.</a></p>
+<p>How Christ is to be made use of, in reference to growing in
+grace.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII.">CHAPTER VIII.</a></p>
+<p>How to make use of Christ for taking the guilt of our daily
+out-breakings away.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_IX.">CHAPTER IX.</a></p>
+<p>How to make use of Christ for cleansing of us from out daily
+spots.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_X.">CHAPTER X.</a></p>
+<p>Some generals proposed.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XI.">CHAPTER XI.</a></p>
+<p>More particularly in what respect Christ is called the
+Truth.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XII.">CHAPTER XII.</a></p>
+<p>Some general uses from this useful truth, that Christ is the
+Truth.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII.">CHAPTER XIII.</a></p>
+<p>How to make use of Christ as the Truth, for growth in
+knowledge.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV.">CHAPTER XIV.</a></p>
+<p>How to make use of Christ, as Truth, for comfort, when truth is
+oppressed and borne down.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XV.">CHAPTER XV.</a></p>
+<p>How to make use of Christ for steadfastness, in a time when
+truth is oppressed and borne down.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI.">CHAPTER XVI.</a></p>
+<p>How to make use of Christ as the Truth, when error prevaileth,
+and the spirit of error carrieth many away.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII.">CHAPTER XVII.</a></p>
+<p>How to make use of Christ as the Truth, that we may get our case
+and condition cleared up to us.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII.">CHAPTER XVIII.</a></p>
+<p>How we shall make use of Christ as the Truth, that we may win to
+right and suitable thoughts of God.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX.">CHAPTER XIX.</a></p>
+<p>"And the Life." How Christ is the Life.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XX.">CHAPTER XX.</a></p>
+<p>Some general uses.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI.">CHAPTER XXI.</a></p>
+<p>How to make use of Christ as the Life, when the believer is so
+sitten-up in the ways of God, that he can do nothing.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII.">CHAPTER XXII.</a></p>
+<p>How Christ is to be made use of as our Life, in case of
+heartlessness and fainting through discouragements.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII.">CHAPTER XXIII.</a></p>
+<p>How to make use of Christ as the Life, when the soul is dead as
+to duty.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV.">CHAPTER XXIV.</a></p>
+<p>How shall the soul make use of Christ, as the Life, which is
+under the prevailing power of unbelief and infidelity.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV.">CHAPTER XXV.</a></p>
+<p>How Christ is made use of as the Life, by one that is so dead
+and senseless, as he cannot know what to judge of himself, or his
+own case, except what is naught.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI.">CHAPTER XXVI.</a></p>
+<p>How is Christ, as the Life, to be applied by a soul that misseth
+God's favour and countenance.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII.">CHAPTER XXVII.</a></p>
+<p>How shall one make use of Christ as the Life, when wrestling
+with an angry God because of sin?</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII.">CHAPTER XXVIII.</a></p>
+<p>No man cometh to the Father but by me.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX.">CHAPTER XXIX.</a></p>
+<p>How should we make use of Christ, in going to the Father, in
+prayer, and other acts of worship?</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="DEDICATION." id="DEDICATION."></a>
+<h2>DEDICATION.</h2>
+<p>TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE AND RELIGIOUS LADY, THE LADY
+STRATHNAVER.</p>
+<p>MADAM,</p>
+<p>Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone, in whom all
+the building fitly framed together, groweth unto an holy temple in
+the Lord; as it ought to be the principal concern of all who have
+not sitten down on this side of Jordan to satisfy their souls (once
+created for, and in their own nature requiring, in order to
+satisfaction, spiritual, immortal, and incorruptible substance,)
+with husks prepared for beasts, to be built in and upon this
+corner-stone, for an habitation of God, through the Spirit; so it
+ought to be the main design and work of such as would be approven
+of God as faithful labourers and co-workers with God, to be
+following the example of him who determined not to know anything
+among those he wrote unto, save Jesus Christ and him crucified. O!
+this noble, heart-ravishing, soul-satisfying mysterious theme,
+Jesus Christ crucified, the short compend of that uncontrovertibly
+great mystery of godliness, God manifest in the flesh, justified in
+the spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on
+in the world, received up into glory, wherein are things the angels
+desire to look unto, or with vehement desire bend, as it were,
+their necks, and bow down their heads to look and peep into, (as
+the word used, I Pet. i. 12, importeth) is a subject for angelical
+heads to pry into, for the most indefatigable and industrious
+spirits to be occupied about. The searching into, and studying of
+this one truth, in reference to a closing with it as our life, is
+an infallible mark of a soul divinely enlightened, and endued with
+spiritual and heavenly wisdom; for though it be unto the Jews a
+stumbling-block, and to the Greeks foolishness, yet unto them who
+are called, it is Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God,
+because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness
+of God is stronger than men. O what depths of the manifold wisdom
+of God are there in this mystery! The more it is preached, known,
+and believed aright, the more it is understood to be beyond
+understanding, and to be what it is&mdash;a mystery. Did ever any
+preacher or believer get a broad look of this boundless ocean,
+wherein infinite wisdom, love that passeth all understanding, grace
+without all dimensions, justice that is admirable and tremendous,
+and God in his glorious properties, condescensions, high and noble
+designs, and in all his perfections and virtues, flow over all
+banks; or were they ever admitted to a prospect hereof in the face
+of Jesus Christ, and were not made to cry out, O the depth and
+height, the breadth and length! O the inconceivable, and
+incomprehensible boundlessness of all infinitely transcendent
+perfections! Did ever any with serious diligence, as knowing their
+life lay in it, study this mysterious theme, and were not in full
+conviction of soul, made to say, the more they promoved in this
+study, and the more they descended in their divings into this
+depth, or soared upward in their mounting speculations in this
+height, they found it the more an unsearchable mystery! The study
+of other themes (which, alas! many who think it below them to be
+happy, are too much occupied in) when it hath wasted the spirits,
+wearied the mind, worn the body, and rarified the brain to the next
+degree unto a distraction, what satisfaction can it give as to what
+is attained, or encouragement as to future attainments? And when,
+as to both these, something is had, and the poor soul puffed up
+with an airy and fanciful apprehension of having obtained some
+great thing, but in truth a great nothing, or a nothing pregnant
+with vanity and vexation of spirit, foolish twins causing no
+gladness to the father, "for he that increaseth knowledge
+increaseth sorrow," Eccles. i. 18. What peace can all yield to a
+soul reflecting on posting away time, now near the last point, and
+looking forward to endless eternity? Oh the thoughts of time wasted
+with, and fair opportunities of good lost by the vehement pursuings
+and huntings after shadows and vanities, will torment the soul by
+assaulting it with piercing convictions of madness and folly, in
+forsaking all to overtake nothing; with dreadful and
+soul-terrifying discourses of the saddest of disappointments, and
+with the horror of an everlasting and irrecoverable loss. And what
+hath the laborious spirit then reaped of all the travail of his
+soul, when he hath lost it? But, on the other hand, O what calmness
+of mind, serenity of soul, and peace of conscience, because of the
+peace of God which passeth all understanding, will that poor soul
+look back, when standing on the border of eternity, on the bygone
+days or hours it spent in seeking after, praying and using all
+appointed means for some saving acquaintance with, and interest in
+this only soul up-making, and soul-satisfying mystery; and upon its
+yielding up itself, through the efficacious operations of the
+Spirit of grace, wholly, without disputing, unto the powerful
+workings of this mystery within; and in becoming crucified with
+Christ, and living through a crucified Christ's living in it, by
+his Spirit and power. And with what rejoicing of heart, and
+glorious singing of soul, will it look forward to eternity, and its
+everlasting abode in the prepared mansions, remembering that there
+its begun study will be everlastingly continued, its capacity to
+understand that unsearchable mystery will be inconceivably greater;
+and the spiritual, heavenly and glorious joy, which it will have in
+that practical reading its divinity without book of ordinances,
+will be its life and felicity for ever? And what peace and joy in
+the Holy Ghost, what inward inexpressible quiet and contentment of
+mind will the soul enjoy in dwelling on these thoughts, when it
+shall have withal the inward and well-grounded persuasion of its
+right through Christ, to the full possession of that all which now
+it cannot conceive, let be comprehend; the foretastes whereof
+filleth it with joy unspeakable and full of glory, and the hope of
+shortly landing there, where it shall see and enjoy, and wonder and
+praise, and rest in this endless and felicitating work, making it
+to sing while passing through the valley and shadow of death? O if
+this were believed! O that we were not drunk to a distraction and
+madness, with the adulterous-love of vain and airy speculations, to
+the postponing, if not utter neglecting, of this main and only
+up-making work, of getting real acquaintance with, and a begun
+possession of this mystery in our souls, Christ, the grand mystery,
+formed within us, living and working within us by his Spirit, and
+working us up into a conformity unto, and an heart-closing with God
+manifested in the flesh, that we may find in experience, or at
+least in truth and reality, have a true transumpt of that gospel
+mystery in our souls! Oh, when shall we take pleasure in pursuing
+after this happiness that will not flee from us, but is rather
+pursuing us! when shall we receive with joy and triumph, this King
+of glory that is courting us daily, and is seeking access and entry
+into our souls! Oh, why cry we not out in the height of the passion
+of spiritual longing and desire, O come Lord Jesus, King of glory,
+with thine own key, and open the door, and enlarge and dilate the
+chambers of the soul, that thou may enter and be entertained as the
+King of glory, with all thy glorious retinue, to the ennobling of
+my soul, and satisfying of all the desires of that immortal spark?
+Why do we not covet after this knowledge which hath a true and firm
+connexion with all the best and truly divine gifts. O happy soul
+that is wasted and worn to a shadow, if that could be, in this
+study and exercise, which at length will enliven, and, as it were,
+bring in a new heavenly and spiritual soul into the soul, so that
+it shall look no more like a dead dis-spirited thing out of its
+native soil and element, but as a free, elevated, and spiritualized
+spirit, expatiating itself and flying abroad in the open air of its
+own element and country. O happy day, O happy hour that is really
+and effectually spent in this employment! What would souls,
+swimming in this ocean of pleasures and delights care for? Yea,
+with what abhorrency would they look upon the bewitching
+allurements of the purest kind of carnal delights, which flow from
+the mind's satisfaction in feeding on the poor apprehensions, and
+groundlessly expected comprehensions of objects, suited to its
+natural genius and capacity? O what a more hyperbolical exceeding
+and glorious satisfaction hath a soul in its very pursuings after
+(when it misseth and cannot reach) that which is truly desirable!
+How doth the least glimpse through the smallest cranie, of this
+glorious and glorifying knowledge of God in Christ, apprehended by
+faith, raise up the soul to that pitch of joy and satisfaction
+which the knowledge of natural things, in its purest perfection,
+shall never be able to cause; and to what a surmounting measure of
+this joy and contentation will the experiencing and feeling, by
+spiritual sense, the sweet and relish of this captivating, and
+transcendently excellent knowledge raise the soul unto? O must not
+this be the very suburbs of heaven to the soul! When the soul thus
+seeth and apprehendeth God in Christ, and that as its own God
+through Christ, (for as all saving knowledge draweth out the soul
+unto an embracing and closing with the object, so it bringeth in
+the object to the making up of the reciprocal union and in-being)
+it cannot but admire with exultation, and exult with admiration, at
+that condescendence of free grace that hath made it, in any
+measure, capable of this begun glory, and will further make it
+meet, by this begun glory, to be a partaker of the inheritance of
+the saints in light. And what will a soul that hath tasted of the
+pure delights of this river of gospel manifestations, and hath
+seen, with soul-ravishing delights, in some measure, the manifold
+wisdom of God wrapped up therein; and the complete and perfect
+symmetry of all the parts of that noble contexture, and also the
+pure design of that contrivance to abase man, and to extol the
+riches of the free grace of God, that the sinner, when possessed of
+all designed for him and effectuated in him thereby, may know who
+alone should wear the crown and have all the glory; what, I say,
+will such a soul see in another gospel (calculated to the meridian
+of the natural, crooked, and corrupt temper of proud men, who is
+soon made vain of nothing, which, instead of bringing a sinner,
+fallen from God through pride, back again to the enjoyment of him,
+through a Mediator, doth but foster that innate plague and
+rebellion, which and procured his first excommunication from the
+favour, and banishment out of the paradise of God,) that shall
+attract its heart to it, and move it to a compliance with it? When
+the poor sinner that hath been made to pant after a Saviour, and
+hath been pursued to the very ports of the city of refuge by the
+avenger of blood, the justice of God, hath tasted and seen how good
+God is, and felt the sweetness of free love in a crucified Christ,
+and seen the beauty and glory of the mystery of his free grace,
+suitably answering and overcoming the mystery of its sin and
+misery; O what a complacency hath he therein, and in the way of
+gospel salvation, wherein free grace is seen to overflow all banks,
+to the eternal praise of the God of all grace. How saltless and
+unsavoury will the most cunningly-devised and patched-together mode
+of salvation be, that men, studying the perversion of the gospel,
+and seeking the ruin of souls with all their skill, industry, and
+learning, are setting off with forced rhetoric, and the artifice of
+words of man's wisdom, and with the plausible advantages of a
+pretended sanctity, and of strong grounds and motives unto
+diligence and painfulness, to a very denying and renouncing
+Christian liberty, when once it is observed, how it entrencheth
+upon, and darkeneth lustre, or diminisheth the glory of free grace,
+and hath the least tendency to the setting of the crown on the
+creature's head, in whole or in part? The least perception, that
+hereby the sinner's song, "ascribing blessing, honour, glory, and
+power unto him that was slain, and hath redeemed them to God by his
+blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
+and hath made them, unto their God, kings and priests," shall be
+marred, will be enough to render that device detestable, and
+convince the soul, that it is not the gospel of the grace of God
+and of Christ, but rather the mystery of iniquity. What a peculiar
+savouriness doth the humbled believer find in the doctrine of the
+true gospel-grace, and the more that he be thereby made nothing,
+and Christ made all; that he in his highest attainments be debased,
+and Christ exalted; that his most lovely peacock feathers be laid,
+and the crown flourish on Christ's head; that he be laid flat,
+without one foot to stand upon, and Christ the only supporter and
+carrier of him to glory; that he be as dead without life, and
+Christ live in him, the more lovely, the more beautiful, the more
+desirable and acceptable is it unto him. O what a complacency hath
+the graced soul in that contrivance of infinite wisdom, wherein the
+mystery of the grace of God is so displayed, that nothing appeareth
+from the lowest foundation-stone to the uppermost cope-stone but
+grace, grace, free grace making up all the materials, and free
+grace with infinite wisdom cementing all? The gracious soul can be
+warm under no other covering but what is made of that web, wherein
+grace, and only grace, is both wooft and warp; and the reason is
+manifest, for such an one hath the clearest sight and discovery of
+his own condition, and seeth that nothing suiteth him and his case
+but free grace; nothing can make up his wants but free grace;
+nothing can cover his deformities but free grace; nothing can help
+his weaknesses, shortcomings, faintings, sins, and miscarriages but
+free grace. Therefore is free grace all his salvation and all his
+desire. It is his glory to be free grace's debtor for evermore; the
+crown of glory will have a far more exceeding and eternal weight,
+and be of an hyperbolically hyperbolic and eternal weight, and yet
+easily carried and worn, when he seeth how free grace and love hath
+lined it, and free grace and free love sets it on and keeps it on
+for ever; this makes the glorified saint wear it with ease, by
+casting it down at the feet of the gracious and loving purchaser
+and bestower. His exaltation is the saint's glory, and by free
+grace, the saints receiving and holding all of free grace, is he
+exalted. O what a glory is it to the saint, to set the crown of
+glorious free grace with his own hands on the head of such a
+Saviour, and to say, "Not unto me, not unto me, but unto thee, even
+unto thee alone, be the glory for ever and ever." With what
+delight, satisfaction, and complacency will the glorified saint,
+upon this account, sing the redeemed and ransomed their song? And
+if the result and effect of free grace will give such a sweet sound
+there, and make the glorified's heaven, in some respects, another
+thing, or at least, in some respect, a more excellent heaven than
+Adam's heaven would have been; for Adam could not have sung the
+song of the redeemed; Adam's heaven would not have been the
+purchase of the blood of God; nor would Adam have sitten with
+Christ Redeemer on his throne; nor would there have been in his
+heaven such rich hangings of free grace, nor such mansions prepared
+by that gracious and loving husband, Christ, who will come and
+bring his bought bride home with him. Seeing, I say, heaven, even
+upon the account of free grace, will have such a special, lovely,
+desirable, and glorious lustre, O bow should grace be prized by us
+now! How should the gospel of the grace of God be prized by us!
+What an antipathy to glory, as now prepared and dressed up for
+sinful man, must they shew, whose whole wits and parts are busied
+to darken the glory of that grace, which God would have shining in
+the gospel; and who are at so much pains and labour to dress up
+another gospel, (though the apostle hath told us, Gal. i. 7, that
+there is not another,) wherein gospel-grace must stand by, and
+law-grace take the throne, that so man may sacrifice to his own
+net, and burn incense to his own drag, and may, at most, be grace's
+debtor in part; and yet no way may the saved man account himself
+more grace's debtor, than the man was who wilfully destroyed
+himself in not performing of the conditions; for grace, as the new
+gospellers, or rather gospel-spillers mean and say, did equally to
+both frame the conditions, make known to the contrivance, and
+tender the conditional peace and salvation. But as to the
+difference betwixt Paul and Judas, it was Paul that made himself to
+differ, and not the free grace of God determining the heart of Paul
+by grace to a closing with and accepting of the bargain. It was not
+grace that wrought in him both to will and to do. It was he, and
+not the grace of God in him; what is more contradictory to the
+gospel of the grace of God? And yet vain man will not condescend to
+the free grace of God. Pelagianism and Arminianism needeth not put
+a man to much study, and to the reading of many books, to the end
+it may be learned, (though the patrons hereof labour hot in the
+very fires, to make their notions hang together, and to give them
+such a lustre of unsanctified and corrupt reason, as may be taking
+with such as know no other conduct in the matters of God,) for
+naturally we all are born Pelagians and Arminians. These tenets are
+deeply engraven in the heart of every son of fallen Adam. What
+serious servant of God findeth not this, in his dealing with souls,
+whom he is labouring to bring into the way of the gospel? Yea, what
+Christian is there, who hath acquaintance with his own heart, and
+is observing its biasses, and corrupt inclinations, that is not
+made to cry out, O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me
+from these dregs of Pelagianism, Arminianism, and Jesuitism, which
+I find yet within my soul? Hence, it may seem no wonderful or
+strange thing (though, after so much clear light, it may be
+astonishing to think, that now, in this age, so many are so openly
+and avowedly appearing for this dangerous and deadly error,) to us,
+to hear and see this infection spreading and gaining ground so
+fast, there needeth few arguments or motives to work up carnal
+hearts to an embracing thereof, and to a cheerful acquiescing
+therein; little labour will make a spark of fire work upon
+gunpowder. And, methinks, if nothing else will, this one thing
+should convince us all of the error of this way, that nature so
+quickly and readily complieth therewith. For who, that hath an eye
+upon, or regard of such things, seeth not what a world of carnal
+reasonings, objections, prejudices, and scruples, natural men have
+in readiness against the gospel of Christ; and with what
+satisfaction, peace, and delight they reason and plead themselves
+out of the very reach of free grace; and what work there is to get
+a poor soul, in any measure wakened and convinced of its lost
+condition, wrought up to a compliance with the gospel-way of
+salvation? How many other designs, projects, and essays doth it
+follow, with a piece of natural vehemency and seriousness, without
+wearying, were it even to the wasting of its body and spirits, let
+be its substance and riches, before it be brought to a closing with
+a crucified Mediator, and to an accounting of all its former
+workings, attainments, and painful labourings and gain, as loss for
+Christ, and for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ, and as
+dung that it may win Christ, and be found in him, not having its
+own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through
+the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith,
+Phil. iii. 7-9. And may it not seem strange, that now, after so
+many have found, through the grace of God, the sweet experience of
+the gracious workings of the gospel-grace of God upon their hearts,
+and so are in case, as having this witness within them, to give
+verdict against those assertions, yea, more, and many more than
+were in several ages before; yet Satan should become so bold as to
+vent these desperate opinions, so diametrically opposite to the
+grace of God declared in the gospel, and engraven in the hearts of
+many hundreds by the finger of God, confirming, in the most
+undoubted manner, the truth of the gospel doctrines. This would
+seem to say, that there are such clear sunshine days of the gospel,
+and of the Son of Man a-coming (and who can tell how soon this
+night shall be at an end?) that all these doctrines of nature shall
+receive a more conspicuous and shameful dash than they have
+received for these many ages. Hithertil when Satan raised up and
+sent forth his qualified instruments for this desperate work, God
+always prepared carpenters to fright these horns, and thus gospel
+truth came forth, as gold out of a furnace, more clear and shining:
+And who can tell but there may be a dispensation of the pure grace
+of God, in opposition to these perverting ways of Satan, yet to
+come, that, as to the measure of light and power, shall excel
+whatever hath been since the apostles' days. Even so, come, Lord
+Jesus. However, Madam, the grace of God will be what it is, to all
+the chosen and ransomed ones, they will find in it, which will make
+whatever cometh in competition therewith or would darken it,
+contemptible in their eyes: And happy they, of whom in this day
+wherein darkness covereth the earth, and gross darkness the people,
+it may be said, the Lord hath arisen upon them, and his glory hath
+been seen upon them: For whatever others, whose understanding is
+yet darkened, and they alienated from the life of God through the
+ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their
+hearts, imagine of the gospel-grace, and however they discern
+nothing of the heavenly and spiritual glory of the grace of God;
+yet they, being delivered or cast into the form and mould of the
+doctrine of the gospel which they have obeyed from the heart,
+through the powerful and irresistible efficacy of the mighty grace
+of God, have seen such an alluring excellency in that gracious
+contrivance of infinite wisdom, to set forth the unparallelableness
+of the pure grace of God, and are daily seeing more and more of the
+graciousness and wisdom of that heavenly invention, in its adequate
+suitableness to all their necessities, that as they cannot but
+admire and commend the riches of that grace that interlineth every
+sentence of the gospel, and the greatness of that love that hath
+made such a completely broad plaister to cover all their sores and
+wounds; so the longer they live, and the more they drink of this
+pure fountain of heavenly nectar; and the more their necessities
+press them to a taking on of new obligations, because of new
+supplies from this ocean of grace, the more they are made to admire
+the wisdom and goodness of the Author; and the more they are made
+to fall in love with to delight, and lose themselves in the
+thoughts of this incomprehensible grace of God; yea, and to long to
+be there, where they shall be in better case to contemplate, and
+have more wit to wonder at, and better dexterity to prize, and a
+stronger head to muse upon, and a more enlarged heart to praise for
+this boundless and endless treasure of the grace of God, with which
+they are enriched, through Jesus Christ. Sure, if we be not thus
+enamoured and ravished with it, it is because we are yet standing
+without, or, at most, upon the threshold and border of this grace;
+were we once got within the jurisdiction of grace, and had yielded
+up ourselves unto the power thereof, and were living and breathing
+in this air, O! how sweet a life might we have! What a kindly
+element would grace be to us! As sin had reigned unto death, even
+so grace should reign, through righteousness unto eternal life, by
+Jesus Christ our Lord, Rom. v. 21. Grace reigning within us through
+righteousness, would frame and fit our souls for that eternal life
+that is insured to all who come once under the commanding,
+enlivening, strengthening, confirming, corroborating, and
+perfecting power of grace. And seeking grace for grace, and so
+living, and walking, and spending upon grace's costs and charges; O
+how lively, and thriving proficients might we be! The more we spend
+of grace (if it could be spent) the richer should we be in grace. O
+what an enriching trade must it be to trade with free grace, where
+there is no loss, and all is gain, the stock, and gain, and all is
+insured; yea, more, labouring in grace's field would bring us in
+Isaac's blessing an hundred-fold. But, alas! it is one thing to
+talk of grace, but a far other thing to trade with grace. When we
+are so great strangers unto the life of grace, through not
+breathing in the air of grace, how can the name of the Lord Jesus
+be glorified in us, and we in him, according to the grace of our
+God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, Thess. i. 12. Consider we, what an
+affront and indignity it is unto the Lord dispensator of grace,
+that we look so lean and ill-favoured, as if there were not enough
+of the fattening bread of the grace of God in our Father's house,
+or as if the great Steward, who is full of grace and truth, were
+unwilling to bestow it upon us, or grudged us of our allowance,
+when the fault is in ourselves; we will not follow the course that
+wise grace and gracious wisdom hath prescribed; we will not open
+our mouth wide, that he might fill us; nor go to him with our
+narrowed or closed mouths, that grace might make way for grace, and
+widen the mouth for receiving of more grace; but lie by in our
+leanness and weakness. And, alas! we love too well to be so. O but
+grace be ill wared on us who carry so unworthily with it as we do;
+yet it is well with the gracious soul that he is under grace's
+tutory and care; for grace will care for him when he careth not
+much for it, nor yet seeth well to his own welfare; grace can and
+will prevent, yea, must prevent, afterward, as well as at the
+first; that grace may be grace, and appear to be grace, and
+continue unchangeably to be grace, and so free grace. Well is it
+with the believer, whom grace has once taken by the heart and
+brought within the bond of the covenant of grace; its deadliest
+condition is not desperate. When corruption prevaileth to such a
+height, that the man is given over for dead, there being no sense,
+no motion, no warmth, no breath almost to be observed, yet grace,
+when violently constrained by that strong distemper, to retire to a
+secret corner of the soul, and there to lurk and lie quiet, will
+yet at length, through the receiving influences of grace promised
+in the covenant, and granted in the Lord's good time, come out of
+its prison, take the fields, and recover the empire of the soul;
+and then the dry and withered stocks, when the God of all grace
+will be as dew unto Israel, shall blossom and grow as the lily, and
+cast forth his roots as Lebanon; his branches shall spread, and his
+beauty shall be as the olive-tree, and his smell as Lebanon. It is
+a happy thing either for church or particular soul to be planted in
+grace's sappy soil, they lie open to the warm beams of the Sun of
+Righteousness; and the winter blasts may be sharp and long; clouds
+may intercept the heat, and nipping frosts may cause a sad decay,
+and all the sap may return and lie, as it were, dormant in the
+root; yet the winter will pass, the rain will be over and gone, and
+the flowers will appear on the earth; the time of singing of birds
+will come, and the voice of the turtle will be heard in the land;
+then shall even the wilderness and solitary place be glad, and the
+desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose, it shall blossom
+abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing; the glory of
+Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and
+Sharon, they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of
+our God. We wonder that 'tis not always hot summer days, a
+flourishing and fruitful season, with souls and with churches. But
+know we the thoughts of the Lord; see we to the bottom of the deep
+contrivance of infinite wisdom? Know we the usefulness, yea,
+necessity of long winter nights, stormy blasts, rain, hail, snow,
+and frost? Consider we, that our state and condition, while here,
+calleth for those vicissitudes, and requireth the blowing of the
+north as well as of the south winds? If we considered, how grace
+had ordered all things for our best, and most for the glory and
+exaltation of grace, we would sit down and sing under the saddest
+of dispensations, and living by faith and hope, we would rejoice in
+the confident expectation of a gracious outgate; for as long as
+grace predomineth (and that will be until glory take the empire)
+all will run in the channel of grace; and though now sense (which
+is oft faith's unfaithful friend) will be always suggesting false
+tales of God, and of his grace unto unbelief, and raising thereby
+discontents, doubts, fears, jealousies, and many distempers in the
+soul, to its prejudice and hurt, yet in end, grace shall be seen to
+be grace; and the faithful shall get such a full sight of this
+manifold grace, as ordering, tempering, timing, shortening, or
+continuing, of all the sad and dismal days and seasons that have
+passed over their own or their mother's head, that they shall see,
+that grace did order all, yea, every circumstance of all the
+various tossings, changes, ups and downs, that they did meet with.
+And O what a satisfying sight will that be, when the general
+assembly and church of the first-born, which are in-rolled in
+Heaven, and every individual saint, shall come together, and take a
+view of all their experience, the result of which shall be, grace
+began, grace carried on, and grace hath perfected all, grace was at
+the bottom of all? What shoutings, grace, grace unto it, will be
+there; when the head-stone shall be brought forth? What
+soul-satisfying complacency in, and admiration at all that is past,
+will a back-look thereat yield, when every one shall be made to
+say, grace hath done all well, not a pin of all the work of grace
+in and about me might have been wanted; now I see, that the work of
+God is perfect, grace was glorious grace, and wise grace, whatever
+I thought of it then. O what a fool have I been, in quarrelling at,
+and in not being fully satisfied with all that grace was doing with
+me? O how little is this believed now?</p>
+<p>In conscience, madam, that your ladyship (to me no ways known,
+but by a savoury report) shall accept of this bold address, I
+recommend your ladyship, my very noble lord your husband, and
+offspring, to the word of his grace, and subscribe myself,</p>
+<p>MADAM,</p>
+<p>Your and their servant</p>
+<p>in the gospel and the grace of God.</p>
+<p>JOHN BROWN.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="THE_AUTHOR_TO_THE_READER." id=
+"THE_AUTHOR_TO_THE_READER."></a>
+<h2>THE AUTHOR TO THE READER.</h2>
+<br>
+<p>CHRISTIAN READER,&mdash;After the foregoing address, I need not
+put thee to much more trouble: only I shall say, that he must needs
+be a great stranger in our Israel, or sadly smitten with that
+epidemic plague of indifferency, which hath infected many of this
+generation, to a benumbing of them, and rendering them insensible
+and unconcerned in the matters of God, and of their own souls, and
+sunk deep in the gulf of dreadful inconsideration, who seeth not,
+or taketh no notice of, nor is troubled at the manifest and
+terrible appearances of the inexpressibly great hazard, our all, as
+Christians in this life, is this day exposed into. I mean the
+mystery of the gospel of the grace of God, wherein the exceeding
+riches of his grace, in his kindness towards us, through Christ
+Jesus, hath been shown. We have enjoyed for a considerable time, a
+clear and powerful dispensation hereof, in great purity and plenty;
+but, alas! is it not manifest to all, that will not wilfully shut
+their eyes, that this mercy and goodness of God hath been wickedly
+abused, and the pure administration of his grace and love
+perfidiously sinned away, by this apostate generation. Are our
+spots this day the spots of his children? Are their fruits
+answerable to the Lord's pains and labour about us, to be seen even
+amongst the greatest of professors? Is there that gospel holiness,
+tenderness, watchfulness, growing in grace, and in the knowledge of
+Jesus Christ, that growing up in Christ, in all things that
+heavenly mindedness, that fellowship with the Father and with his
+Son Christ Jesus, and that conversation in heaven, that the
+dispensation of grace, we have been favoured with beyond many, and
+have been long living under, did call for at our hands? Alas! our
+grapes are but wild and stinking. Wherefore (and who can think it
+strange, if it be so?) the Lord seemeth to be about to contend with
+us, by covering our horizon with Egyptian darkness; many who would
+not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved, being
+already given up to strong delusion, that they should believe a
+lie, and many more in hazard to be drawn aside to crooked paths, by
+men of corrupt minds, who have been, and are still busy to vent and
+spread abroad, with no little petulancy and confidence, damnable
+doctrines, to the perverting of the doctrine of the gospel of Jesus
+Christ, and to the subverting and overturning of the very
+foundations of our hope and assurance; and that in such a way, and
+by such means and stratagems, as seem to have wrath written upon
+them in legible letters; for the more plausible and taking a
+corrupt doctrine be, it is the more dangerous and judgment-like,
+and more are thereby in hazard to be deluded and drawn away.</p>
+<p>Nay (which is yet more terrible and dreadful) it is to be
+feared, that the jealous God, in his holy and righteous judgment,
+hath given a providential commission (to speak to) unto the
+seducing spirit, to persuade and prevail; for is not this the clear
+language of the present holy and righteous dispensations of God,
+and of the stupendously indifferent frame and disposition of the
+generality of men, called Christians, not only provoking God to
+spue them out of his mouth, but a disposing them also unto a
+receiving of whatsoever men, lying in wait to deceive, shall
+propose and obtrude?</p>
+<p>Alas! the clouds are not now a-gathering, but our horizon is
+covered over with blackness, and great drops are a-falling, that
+presage a terrible overflowing deluge of error, and apostacy from
+the truth and profession of the gospel of Jesus Christ, to be at
+hand, if the Lord wonderfully prevent it not. And behold (O
+wonderful!) the generality of professors are sleeping in security,
+apprehending no danger. Satan is more cunning now, than to drive
+men to Popery by rage and cruelty, (and yet what he may be
+permitted to do after this manner, who can tell?) or by openly
+pleading in his emissaries, for this abomination, (and yet even
+thus is he already prevailing with not a few) or to send forth his
+agents for Arminianism and Socinianism (though even this way too,
+he is too much prevailing.) But his main work now seemeth to be, to
+bring in another gospel, (and yet there is not another) or rather
+an antievangelic and antichristian delusory dream, overturning at
+once the whole gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; and for
+this end he employeth the Quakers, on the one hand, men of
+desperate and antievangelic principles, the very sink of all
+abominations, old and late, (as I shall show, if the Lord will
+continue health and strength, in an examination of their doctrine
+and principles, lately emitted by one Robert Barcley) and, on the
+other hand, men, (or moralists, if you will call them so) pleading
+for, and crying up an antievangelic holiness, a mere shadow without
+substance or reality; and that in place of Christ himself; and in
+order to the carrying on of this desperate design, the old dragon
+is employing men of seeming different principles and ways, whom,
+though their faces seem to look to contrary airths, yet he holdeth
+notwithstanding fast tied by their tails (as Samson's foxes were)
+that thereby, if the Lord permit it, he may, by the fire of enmity
+to the pure gospel of the grace of God, burning in their tails,
+cause a conflagration of that truth, wherein lyeth all our hope:
+For this new model of religion, that many are so busied about, is
+such as Pelagians, Arminians, Papists, Socinians, Quakers, yea
+Turks, and moral heathens; yea, and all who are enemies to, and not
+reconcilable with the true grace of God held forth in the gospel,
+will willingly admit of, and harmoniously agree in: A way which
+complyeth so well with proud self, and with the corrupt nature of
+man, that it is little wonder, if it have many abettors and
+admirers. I shall say no more of this; but only infer,</p>
+<p>That sure the consideration of this should move all, in whom is
+any thing of the zeal of God, and love to souls, their own and
+others', to appear in the defence of the gospel of our salvation,
+by all means incumbent to them, and possible for them; for if this
+citadel and stronghold, wherein our all, and the all of pure and
+true religion, lyeth, be blown up, we are gone; and indeed no less
+is intended by this antichristian and antievangelic enemy, than the
+utter subversion of true Christian religion. Who would not then be
+hereby alarmed, and upon their guard, when matters are at this
+pass? Should not all, who have any love to their own souls, any
+zeal for the glory of Christ, anointed of the Father to be our
+prophet, priest, and king; my desire to see the crown flourishing
+upon his head, and to have the gospel preserved pure and
+uncorrupted, be pleading with God by prayer, in the behalf of his
+Son's kingdom, crown, and glory; and wrestling with him till he
+were pleased to dispel these clouds, and prevent this black day:
+especially should they not be labouring to be acquainted, in truth
+and reality, with the gospel of Jesus Christ, that having the
+mysterious truths thereof imprinted on their souls, and their
+hearts cast into its mould, they may be preserved from the hurt of
+this deadly poison; for this, with a constant dependence upon, and
+use-making of Christ in all his offices, will prove the best
+preservative against this infection.</p>
+<p>The persuasion whereof did induce me to publish the following
+heads of some sermons, after they have been translated into Dutch,
+and published here: Knowing that they might be of no less use to
+the people of God in Britain and Ireland. I know not a more
+effectual mean to unstable souls from siding with and embracing
+every new notion; and from being carried about with every wind of
+doctrine, by the slight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby
+they lye in wait to deceive; than to put them upon the real
+exercise of gospel godliness, and to the daily practice of the main
+and fundamental gospel work, of living by faith in Jesus Christ,
+and of growing up into him, in all things, who is the head, from
+whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted, by that
+which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in
+the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body, unto the
+edifying of itself in love. Such, I am sure, as have thus learned
+the truth, as it is in Jesus, and are practising the same
+accordingly, will have an antidote within them against the
+strongest poison of these seducers, and a real answer to, and
+confutation of, all their subtile sophisms. The soul exercising
+itself into gospel godliness, will find work enough to take it
+wholly up; and find such a solid ground to stand upon; and see such
+a satisfying fulness, answering all its necessities and wants, and
+such a sure heart-quieting ground of peace, hope, and consolation
+in Jesus Christ, as that it will have no leisure, and small
+temptation to listen to seducing perverters, and no inclination to
+seek after empty cisterns.</p>
+<p>I know much may be desiderated in this following treatise, and
+many may have exceptions not without ground against it. Some may
+think it arrogancy, and too great confidence in me, to attempt the
+handling of such a mysterious and necessary part of Christian
+practice, wherein few, (if any, so far as I know,) have gone
+before, in direct handling of this matter, at least in this method
+and order, I mean that part which is about sanctification. Others
+may be displeased with the mean and low style; with my multiplying
+particulars, which might have been better and more handsomely
+couched under fewer heads, and with my unnecessary contracting of
+the whole into such a narrow bound, and other things of that kind;
+for which, and many other failings of the like nature and import,
+which may without any diligent search, be found in it, even by
+ordinary and unprejudiced readers; I shall not industriously labour
+to apologize, knowing that my very apology in this case, will need
+an apology; only I shall say this, that considering how the snare,
+which the vigilant and active enemy of our salvation, the devil,
+was laying by an unholy morality, did nearly concern all, and
+especially the meanest (for parts and experience) and less fixed
+Christians, I thought a discourse on such a subject as I judged
+most necessary at all times, and especially in such a day of
+hazard, should be framed to the capacity of one as well as another;
+the most understanding can receive benefit, by that which is
+calculated to the capacity of children, when these can reap little
+edification by what is suited to the palate of those; and the less
+experienced, or such as are of lower understanding, will be less
+able to draw a general to a particular; or to improve and so fully
+to comprehend one particular touched, as to be able thereby to
+understand and take in a like particular not mentioned; than such
+as have their senses more exercised, and are thereby in case to
+make a better improvement of what is but compendiously declared,
+when those must have the bread broken to their hand, or they shall
+receive but small edification thereby; and yet, I suppose, the
+judicious will observe some variety, smaller or greater, even where
+particulars seem to be, at the first view, most unnecessarily
+multiplied. I know, and willingly grant, (for it is obvious enough)
+that a discourse of this subject and matter, might have required a
+far larger volume; but then how should such have profited thereby,
+whom poverty might possibly have scared from buying; or the
+necessary affairs of their ordinary callings would have keeped from
+a diligent perusal of it? And I thought that neither of these
+should have been overlooked in this special or general design which
+I had before my eyes.</p>
+<p>One thing, as my answer to all, I shall but add; if hereby
+others whom the Lord hath more enabled with all necessaries for
+such a work, shall be hereby either instigated or encouraged to
+write upon this subject, (I mean mainly the last part thereof,
+touching the use-making of Christ in sanctification; for blessed be
+the Lord, many have been employed of the Lord to speak soundly and
+edifyingly unto the use-making of Christ as to righteousness and
+justification,) a full, plain, edifying and satisfying discovery of
+this necessary and important truth, viz. Christ made of God to us
+wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. And withal,
+point out plainly and particularly the way how believers in all
+their particular and various exigencies may and should so make use
+of and apply that all fulness which is treasured up in the Head,
+for the benefit and advantage of the members of the mystical body,
+as they may not only theoretically see, but practically also
+experience this truth, that in him they are complete; and so they
+may be helped to understand how through the necessary and constant
+use-making of him, as all in all, they may grow up in him in all
+things. If this be, I say, done by any to better purpose, I shall
+think this my adventure not altogether fruitless, and in part at
+least excusable.</p>
+<p>As for thee, O Christian, whose instruction, edification, and
+confirmation in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the faith which
+was once delivered unto the saints, I mainly intended in this
+undertaking, I have a few things to add:</p>
+<p>Know then, that there are certain men (as the Apostle Jude
+speaketh) crept in unawares, who were of old ordained to this
+condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into
+lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus
+Christ; for in these last days we see that these perilous times are
+come, (of which Paul advertised Timothy, 2 Tim. iii. 1, &amp;c.)
+wherein men shall be lovers of their ownselves, covetous, boasters,
+proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
+without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, (or make
+bates) incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
+traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers
+of God, having the form of godliness, but denying the power
+thereof&mdash;for of this sort are they which creep into houses,
+and lead captive silly women, laden with sins, led away with divers
+lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of
+the truth. And because it is so, he exhorteth to give diligence to
+make your calling and election sure, by giving all diligence to add
+to faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, and to knowledge temperance,
+and to temperance patience, and to patience godliness, and to
+godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness charity,
+for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. As the Apostle
+Peter assureth us, 2 Peter i. 5, 6, 7-10. For it is the elect who
+are secured from full and final defection and apostacy, Matth.
+xxiv. 24. Mark xii. 22. Rom. xi. 5, 6; ix. 11; viii. 33. Matth.
+xxiv. 31. Mark xiii. 27. And the promise of salvation is made to
+such as shall endure to the end. The crown is for the overcomers,
+and such as are faithful to the death, Matth. x. 22; xxiv. 13. Mark
+xiii. 13. Rev. ii. 10, 11, 17, 26, 27, 28; iii. 5, 12, 21. All
+which, and the like, are set down, that hereby his people might be
+rationally moved to a constant seriousness, in the working out of
+their own salvation, in fear and trembling; and the forewarnings
+given of the great difficulty of the reaching the end of our faith,
+the salvation of our souls, because of the many active, vigilant,
+indefatigable, subtile, and insinuating adversaries, who by good
+words and fair speeches, will readily deceive the hearts of the
+simple, and to awaken the more his people to be sober and vigilant,
+because their adversary the devil (who acteth and moveth his under
+agents, in their several modes, methods and motions, so as he may
+best, according to the various tempers, present dispositions,
+advantages or disadvantages of such as he intendeth to seduce,
+which he carefully studieth, and plyeth for this end, obtain his
+designed end, their ruin and destruction) as a roaring lion,
+walking about seeking whom he may devour. And this calleth them to
+haste out their slumber and security, who will be loath to miss his
+opportunity, surprise them to their great loss and
+disadvantage.</p>
+<p>It is, beloved, high time now to awake, to look about us, to
+consider where we are, upon what ground we stand, whether the enemy
+or we have the advantage, how and in what posture we are to
+rencounter with deceivers that seek to cheat us out of all our
+souls, and of the Lord our Righteousness, and draw us off the paths
+of life, that when we come to die (beside the unspeakably great
+loss we would thereby be at, even here, in missing the comfortable
+accesses to God through Jesus Christ the inflowings of grace and
+strength for spiritual duty through the Lord our strength; the
+sweet communications of peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, the
+shedding abroad of the love of God in our hearts by the Holy Ghost,
+which is given unto us, and the full assurance of hope through the
+Lord Jesus our hope) we might be frustrated of all our
+expectations; and find, that all that which men made us grip to,
+lay hold on, and lean unto, instead of Christ, was but a mere
+shadow, and a lie in our right hand, to the unexpressible grief,
+vexation, and sorrow of soul when all should end in a dreadful and
+horrible disappointment.</p>
+<p>But let us not think that our purposes, firm-like resolutions to
+adhere to the truth, and our present abhorrence at, and detestation
+of errors now broached, to the overturning the very foundations of
+true Christianity, will sufficiently guard us from, and make us
+proof against the shots and assaults of these crafty seducers. Nor
+think, that our learning and knowledge in the theory of the truth;
+nor our abilities to rencounter sophisters, will secure us from a
+fall; let us not think that the enemies are contemptible, and
+therefore we need be the less anxious, nor yet think that former
+experiences and through-bearings, in the like cases, will be a
+pillow, whereby we may now lay ourselves down to sleep. If we do,
+we shall certainly deceive ourselves, if all our strength and
+standing be in ourselves, and through ourselves; and if this be the
+ground of our hope, the righteous Lord in his holy justice, may
+give us up to be a prey. Peter's instance should never be forgotten
+by us; and such as tempt the Lord have no ground to expect his last
+issue.</p>
+<p>Our strength must be in Christ: to the rock of ages must we fly:
+to our chambers in him must we retire, and there must we hide
+ourselves: on Christ's lee-side can we only ride safe, and be free
+of the hazard of the storm. To him therefore must our recourse be
+daily, by new and fresh acts of faith in and through him and his
+influences, communicated according to the tenor of the covenant of
+grace, through faith eyeing the promiser, the promise, with the
+price purchasing, and so drawing and sucking light, direction,
+strength, stability, and what our present exigent calleth for, must
+we think to stand. And happy they who, conscious to themselves of
+their own weakness, and convinced of the insufficiency of all
+things within them, in godly fear hide themselves under the wings
+of the Almighty, and get in into this stronghold, resolving there
+to abide, and there to be secured from all their adversaries,
+within or without. These humble fearers may expect a safe and noble
+outgate; when more strong-like and more confident adventurers shall
+(being left to themselves, because trusting in themselves),
+shamefully fall, and be triumphed over by the enemy, to the grief
+of the godly, and for a snare to others.</p>
+<p>The best way then, to keep the faith of Christ, which many are
+now seeking to shake and to loose us from, is to be exercising the
+faith of Christ. The serious and upright practising of the gospel
+is the only best mean to keep thee firm in the profession of the
+gospel, when the gospel with thee is not a few fine notions in the
+brain; but is heavenly and necessary truth sunk into the heart, and
+living and acting there; it will keep thee, and thou wilt own it
+more firmly and steadfastly in a day of trial. Thy walking in
+Christ, and working and living, by him living in thee, will so root
+thee in the gospel truth, that enemies will pull in vain, when
+seeking to overthrow thee. The gospel of the grace of God received
+and entertained in thy soul in love, and constant suitable
+improvement, will fortify thee, and secure itself in thee, so that
+vehement blasts shall but contribute to its more fixed abode, and
+more fruitful actings in thee. Live up then to the gospel, and so
+be sure of it, and be safe in it. I mean, let Christ live in thee
+as thy all, and cast all thy care and cumber on him; lay all thy
+difficulties before him; lean all thy weight upon him; draw all thy
+necessities out of him: and undertake all thy duties in him; be
+strong in him, and in the power of his might; let him be thy
+counsellor, conductor, leader, teacher, captain, commander, light,
+life, strength, and all, so shall thou stand and have cause to
+glory, even in thine infirmities, for thou shalt find the power of
+Christ resting upon thee, and thou shalt have cause to say,
+therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in
+necessities, in persecution, in distresses for Christ's sake; for
+when I am weak, then am I strong. Remember that great word, Phil.
+iv. 13, "I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth
+me."</p>
+<p>It hath been the usual and ordinary question of believers, How
+shall we make use of Christ for sanctification? To this great and
+important question, I, (though the meanest and most unfit for such
+a work, of all that God hath sent to feed his flock) have
+adventured or endeavoured at least, to give such as truly desire to
+cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit,
+perfecting holiness in the fear of God, some satisfaction herein,
+laying before them some plain directions framed to their
+capacities, and suited to some of their most ordinary and usual
+causes; some whereof are more comprehensive, and others more
+particular, may be looked upon as exemplary instances, serving for
+other cases of the like nature; for hardly could every particular
+circumstantiate case be particularly spoken to, and some might
+judge that to be superfluous, if thou, in the light and strength of
+Christ, shalt really practise what is here pointed forth, I may be
+confident to say, thy labour shall not be in vain in the Lord, and
+thou shalt attain unto another sort of holiness than that which
+proud pretenders boast of, and shalt be far without the reach of
+that snare, which unstable souls are too readily entangled with. I
+mean, the plausible pretension of more than ordinary sanctity which
+yet is but forced, feigned, constrained, mostly external, and
+framed to cause admiration in beholders, whom they intend to make a
+prey of. This shall be no temptation to thee, who by experience
+findeth a more safe, satisfying, full, free, easy, pleasant and
+heartsome way of mortifying lusts, growing in grace, and in the
+knowledge of Jesus Christ, and so perfecting holiness, by running
+immediately to Christ, and by living in and upon him, who is made
+of God to us, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption.
+That the Lord may bless the same to thee, for this end, shall be,
+and is the desire and prayer of him who is,</p>
+<p>Thy servant in the work of the gospel,</p>
+<p>JOHN BROWN.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="RECOMMENDATION." id="RECOMMENDATION."></a>
+<h2>RECOMMENDATION.</h2>
+<br>
+<p>CHRISTIAN READER,</p>
+<p>If thou answer this designation, and art really a partaker of
+the unction, which is the high import of that blessed and glorious
+name called upon thee, thine eye must affect thy heart, and a soul
+swelled with godly sorrow must at last burst and bleed forth at a
+weeping eye, while thou looks upon most of this licentious and
+loathsome generation, arrived at that height of prodigious
+profanity as to glory in their shame, and boast of bearing the
+badge and black mark of damnation. But, besides this swarm who
+savage it to hell, and make such haste hither, as they foam
+themselves into everlasting flames, carrying, under the shape and
+visage of men, as devils in disguise; the face of the church is
+covered with a scum of such, who are so immersed in the concerns of
+this life, and are so intense in the pursuit of the pleasures,
+gain, and honours thereof, as their way doth manifestly witness
+them to be sunk into the deep oblivion of God, and desperate
+inconsideration of their precious and immortal souls. But in the
+third place, besides these who are hurried into such a distraction
+with the cares of this life, that they, as natural brute beasts
+made to be destroyed, are never at leisure to consider either the
+nature and necessity of their noble souls, or to converse with the
+notion of a Deity. Thou may perceive a company of self-deceiving
+speculatists, who make broad the phylacteries of their garments,
+and boast of some high attainments in religion; yea, would have
+others look upon them as arrived at the very porch of heaven, and
+advanced to a high pitch of proficiency in the ways of God, because
+they can discourse a little of the mysteries of salvation, and
+without ever diving farther into the depth and true nature of
+religion, dream themselves into a consideration of being saints,
+and conclude themselves candidates for glory.</p>
+<p>This is that heart-moving object which presents itself to thy
+eye and observation this day. This is that deplorable posture,
+wherein thou mayest perceive most men at the very point of
+perishing eternally, who are within the pale of the visible church,
+some dancing themselves headlong in all haste into the lake of fire
+and brimstone, some so much concerned in things which have no
+connexion with their happiness, as to drop unconcernedly into the
+pit, out of which there is no redemption; and others dreaming
+themselves into endless perdition: and all of them unite in a
+deriding at, or despising the means used, and essays made, in order
+to their recovery.</p>
+<p>But if his servants, in following their work closely, seem to
+have gained a little ground upon men, and almost persuaded them to
+be Christians, Satan, to the end he may make all miscarry, and
+counterwork these workers together with God, and poison poor souls
+by a perversion of the gospel, beyond the power of an antidote,
+hath raised up, instigated and set on work a race of proud
+rationalists, for they are wiser than to class themselves amongst
+those poor fools, those base things, those nothings, to whom Christ
+is made all things, to whom Christ is made wisdom that he may be
+righteousness, sanctification, and redemption to them; nay, they
+must be wise men after the flesh, wise above what is written. A
+crucified Christ is really unto them foolishness and weakness,
+though the power of God and the wisdom of God: they will needs go
+to work another way; they will needs glory in his presence, and
+have a heaven of their own band-wind. O my soul, enter not into
+their secrets! and, O sweet Jesus, let thy name be to me, The Lord
+my righteousness; thou hast won it,&mdash;wear it; and gather not
+my soul with such who make mention of any other righteousness but
+of thine only! to bring in another gospel amongst us than the
+gospel of the grace of God. As they determine to know some other
+thing than Christ and him crucified; so with the enticing words of
+man's wisdom they bewitch men into a disobedience to the truth,
+setting somewhat else before them than a crucified Christ; and this
+they do, that they may remove men from those who call them into the
+grace of Christ, unto another gospel. A Christ, it is true; they
+speak of; but it is not the Christ of God, for all they drive at (O
+cursed and truly antichristian design!) is, that he may profit them
+nothing, while they model all religion according to this novel
+project of their magnified morality. This is that which gives both
+life and lustre to that image which they adore, to the Dagon after
+whom they would have the world wonder and worship.</p>
+<p>That there is such a moralizing or muddizing, if I may be for
+once admitted to coin a new word to give these men their due, of
+Christianity now introduced and coming in fashion, many of the late
+pieces in request do evince. Now that Christianity should moralize
+men above all things, I both give and grant; for he who is partaker
+of the divine nature, and hath obtained precious faith, must add
+virtue to his faith. But that it should be only conceived and
+conceited as an elevation of nature to a more clear light, in the
+matter of morality, wherein our Lord is only respected as an
+heavenly teacher and perfect pattern proposed for imitation, is but
+a proud, pleasing fancy of self-conceited, darkened, and deluded
+dreamers, robbing God of the glory of his mercy and goodness; our
+Lord Jesus Christ of the glory of his grace and merit. The spirit
+of the efficacy of his glorious and mighty operations; and
+themselves and their pilgrimages, who give them the hand as guides,
+of the comfort and fruit of all.</p>
+<p>It cannot escape thy observation, how busy Satan is this day,
+upon the one hand, to keep men, under the call of the gospel to
+give all diligence to make their calling and election sure, idle
+all the day, so that no persuasion can induce them to engage
+seriously to fall about a working out their own salvation in fear
+and trembling; and, on the other, equally diligent and industrious
+to divert men from trusting in the name of the Lord, and staying
+upon their God; setting them on work to go and gather fuel, and
+kindle a fire, and compass themselves about with sparks, that they
+may walk in the light of their own fire, and in the sparks that
+they have kindled, knowing well that they shall this way most
+certainly lose their toil and travel, and have no other reward at
+his hand of all their labour, but to lie down in everlasting
+sorrow, while the stout-hearted and far from righteousness and
+salvation, shall get their soul for a prey, and be made to rejoice
+in his salvation, and bless him who hath made them meet to be
+partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.</p>
+<p>I am neither the fit person for so great an undertaking, nor do
+these limits, within which I must bound myself, permit me to
+expatiate in many notions about the nature of this excellent and
+precious thing, true gospel holiness. Oh! if, in the entry, I could
+on my own behalf and others, sob out my alas! from the bottom of my
+soul, because, be what it will, it is some other thing than men
+take it to be. Few habituate themselves to a thinking upon it, in
+its high nature, and soul enriching advantages, till their hearts
+receive suitable impressions of it, and their lives be the very
+transumpt of the law of God written in their heart; the thing,
+alas! is lost in a noise of words, and heap of notions about it;
+neither is it a wonder that men fall into mistakes about it, since
+it is only the heart possessed of it that is capable to understand
+and perceive its true excellency. But if it be asked what it is; we
+say, it may be shortly taken up, as the elevation and raising up of
+a poor mortal unto a conformity with God. As a participation of the
+divine nature, or as the very image of God stamped on the soul,
+impressed on the thoughts and affections, and expressed in the life
+and conversation; so that the man in whom Christ is formed, and in
+whom he dwells, lives, and walks, hath while upon the earth, a
+conversation in heaven; not only in opposition to those many, whose
+end is destruction, whose god is their belly, whose glory is in
+their shame, who mind earthly things; but also to those pretenders
+unto and personaters of religion, who have confidence in the flesh,
+and worship God with their own spirit, which in the matters of God
+is flesh and not spirit, and have somewhat else to rejoice in than
+in Christ Jesus, and a being found in him, not having their own
+righteousness.</p>
+<p>True gospel holiness, then, consists in some similitude and
+likeness to God, and fellowship with him founded upon that
+likeness. There is such an impression of God, his glorious
+attributes, his infinite power, majesty, mercy, justice, wisdom,
+holiness, and grace, &amp;c., as sets him up all alone in the soul
+without any competition, and produceth those real apprehensions of
+him, that he is alone excellent and matchless. O how preferable
+doth be appear, when indeed seen, to all things! And how doth this
+light of his infinite gloriousness, shining into the soul, darken
+and obscure to an invisibleness all other excellencies, even as the
+rising of the sun makes all the lesser lights to disappear. Alas!
+how is God unknown in his glorious being and attributes! When once
+the Lord enters the soul, and shines into the heart, it is like the
+rising of the sun at midnight: all these things which formerly
+pretended to some loveliness, and did dazzle with their lustre, are
+eternally darkened. Now, all natural perfections, and moral
+virtues, in their flower and perfections, are at best looked upon
+as <i>aliquid nihil</i>. What things were formerly accounted gain
+and godliness, are now counted loss for the excellency of the
+knowledge of Christ Jesus the Lord, and the soul cannot only suffer
+the loss of them all without a sob, but be satisfied to throw them
+away as dung, that it may win him, and be found in him. Now, the
+wonder of a Deity, in his greatness, power, and grace, swallows up
+the soul in sweet admiration. O how doth it love to lose itself in
+finding here what it cannot fathom? And then it begins truly to see
+the greatness and evil of sin; then it is looked upon without the
+covering of pleasure or profit, and loathed as the leprosy of hell.
+Now the man is truly like God in the knowledge of good and evil, in
+the knowledge of that one infinite good, God; and in the knowledge
+of that one almost infinite evil, sin. This is the first point of
+likeness to him, to be conformed to him in our understanding, that
+as he knows himself to be the only self-being and fountain-good,
+and all created things in their flower and perfection, with all
+their real or fancied conveniences being compared with him, but as
+the drop of a bucket, or nothing; yea, less than nothing, vanity
+(which is nothing blown up, by the force or forgery of a vainly
+working imagination, to the consistence of an appearance), so for a
+soul to know indeed and believe in the heart, that there is nothing
+deserves the name of good besides God, to have the same superlative
+and transcendent thoughts of that great and glorious self-being
+God, and the same diminishing and debasing thoughts of all things
+and beings besides him. And that as the Lord seeth no evil in the
+creation but sin, and hates that with a perfect hatred, as contrary
+to his holy will; so for a soul to aggravate sin in its own sight
+to an infiniteness of evil, at least till it see it only short of
+infiniteness in this respect, that it can be swallowed up of
+infinite mercy. But whence hath the soul all this light? It owes
+all this, and owns itself as debtor for it to him, who opens the
+eyes of the blind. It is he who commands the light to shine out of
+darkness, who hath made these blessed discoveries, and hath given
+the poor benighted soul, the light of the knowledge of the glory of
+God, in the face of Jesus Christ. These irradiations are from the
+Spirit's illumination; 'tis the Spirit of wisdom and revelation
+that hath made day-light in the darkened soul. The man who had the
+heart of a beast, as to any saving or solid knowledge of God or
+himself, hath now got an understanding to know him that is true.
+Now is Christ become the poor man's wisdom, he is now renewed in
+knowledge after the image of him that created him; he might well
+babble of spiritual things, but till now he understood nothing of
+the beauty and excellency of God and his ways; nay, he knew not
+what he knew, he was ignorant as a beast of the life and lustre of
+those things which he knew in the letter; nothing seemed more
+despicable to him in the world, than true godliness; but now he
+judgeth otherwise, because he hath the mind of Christ. The things
+which in his darkness he did undervalue as trifles to be mocked at,
+he now can only mind and admire, since he became a child of light;
+now being delivered from that blindness and brutishness of spirit,
+which possesseth the world, (and possessed himself till he was
+transformed by the renewing of his mind) who esteem basely of
+spiritual things, and set them at nought, he prizeth as alone
+precious. The world wonders what pleasure or content can be in the
+service of God, because they see not by tasting how good he is; to
+be prying into and poring upon invisible things, is to them visible
+madness, but to the enlightened mind, the things that are not seen
+are only worth seeing, and while they appear not to be, they only
+are; whereas the things that are seen appear but to be, and are
+not. Though the surpassing sweetness of spiritual things should be
+spoke of to them, who cannot favour the things of God, in such a
+manner as the glorious light of them did surround men; yet they can
+perceive no such thing; all is to them cunningly devised fables;
+let be spoke what will, they see no form, no comeliness, no beauty
+in this glorious object&mdash;God in Christ reconciling sinners to
+himself. Alas! the mind is blinded; the dungeon is within; and till
+Christ open the eyes, as well as reveal his light, the soul abides
+in its blindness, and is buried in midnight darkness; but when the
+Spirit of God opens the man's eyes, and he is translated by an act
+of omnipotency out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of
+his dear Son, which is a kingdom of marvellous light, O what
+matchless beauty doth he now see in these things, which appeared
+despicable and dark nothings to him, till he got the unction, the
+eye-salve, which teacheth all things. Now he sees (what none
+without the Spirit can see) the things which God hath prepared for
+them that love him, and are freely given them of God; and these,
+though seen at a distance, reflect such rays of beauty into his
+soul, that he beholds and is ravished, he sees and is swallowed up
+in wonder.</p>
+<p>But then, in the next place, this is not a spiritless
+inefficacious speculation about these things, to know no evil but
+sin and separation from God, and no blessedness but in the fruition
+of him; it is not such a knowledge of them as doth not principle
+motion to pursue after them. This I grant is part of the image of
+God, when the Sun of Righteousness, by arising upon the man, hath
+made day-light in his soul, and by these divine discoveries hath
+taught him to make the true parallel betwixt things that differ,
+and to put a just value upon them according to their intrinsic
+worth. But this divine illumination doth not consist in a mere
+notion of such things in the head, nor doth it subsist in
+enlightening the mind; but in such an impression of God upon the
+soul, as transforms and changes the heart into his likeness by
+love.' Knowledge is but one line, one draught or lineament of the
+soul's likeness to him; that alone doth not make up the image, but
+knowledge rooted in the heart, and engraven on the soul, hining and
+shewing itself forth in a gospel-adorning conversation, that makes
+a comely proportion; when the same hand that touched the eye, and
+turned the man from darkness to light, and gave an heart to know
+him, that he is the Lord, that doth also circumcise the man's heart
+to love the Lord his God, with all his heart, and with all his
+soul, and with all his mind; and this love manifesting its
+liveliness, in its constraining power to live to him and for him.
+Light without, heat is but wild fire; but light in the mind,
+begetting heat in the heart, making it burn Godward, Christward,
+and heavenward; light in the understanding, setting on fire and
+inflaming the affections, and these shining out in a heavenly
+conversation, makes up the lively image of God, both in feature and
+stature, both in proportion and colour. Faith begins this image,
+and draws the lineaments; and love bringing forth obedience
+finishes, and gives it the lively lustre. The burnings of love in
+obedience to God is that which illuminates the whole, and makes a
+man look indeed like him, to whose image he is predestinate to be
+conform, and then makes him, who is ravished with the charms of
+that beauty, say, as in a manner overcome thereby, "how fair is thy
+love, my sister, my spouse? How much better is thy love than wine,
+and the smell of thine ointments than all spices?" But consider,
+that as these beams, which irradiate the soul, are from the Spirit
+of Christ, so that spiritual heat and warmth come out of the same
+airth, and proceed from the same author, for our fire burns as he
+blows, our lamp shines as he snuffs and furnisheth oil. Men
+therefore should not indulge themselves in this delusion, to think,
+that that which will pass for pure religion and undefiled before
+God, consists either in an outward blameless conversation, or in
+putting on and wearing an external garb of profession. No, as the
+top of it reacheth higher, so the root of it lies deeper; it is
+rooted in the heart, this seed being sown in an honest heart (or
+making the heart honest in which it is sown) takes root downward,
+and brings forth fruit upward, as trees that grow as far under
+ground as above, so these trees of righteousness, the planting of
+the Lord that he may be glorified, grow as far and as fast under
+ground as above; godliness grows as far downwards in self-emptying,
+self-denial, and self-abasing, in hungering and thirsting after
+more of righteousness, in the secret engagements of the heart to
+God in Christ, in these burstings of heart and bleeding of soul, to
+which God alone is witness, because of shortcoming in holiness,
+because of a body of death within, and because of that law in the
+members warring against the law of the mind, and bringing often
+into captivity to the law of sin, as it grows upward in a
+profession. And this is that pure religion and undefiled before
+God, which is both most pleasant to him, and profitable to the
+soul.</p>
+<p>But to make the difference betwixt dead morality, in its best
+dress, and true godliness, more clear and obvious, that loveliness
+of the one may engage men into a loathing of the other, this dead
+carion and stinking carcase of rotten morality, which still stinks
+in the nostrils of God, even when embalmed with the most costly
+ointments of its miserably misled patrons, we say, that true
+godliness, which in quality and kind differs from this much pleaded
+for and applauded morality, a black heathen by a mongrel kind of
+Christians baptised of late with the name of Christianity, and
+brought into the temple of the Lord, concerning which he hath
+commanded that it should never in that shape, and for that end it
+is introduced, enter into his congregation; and the bringers for
+their pains are like to seclude themselves for ever from his
+presence. It respects Jesus Christ, 1st, as its principle; 2d, as
+its pattern; 3d, as its altar; and, 4th, as its end.</p>
+<p>1. I say, true holiness, in its being and operation, respects
+Jesus Christ as its principle; "I live," said that shining saint,
+"yet not I, but Christ liveth in me." As that which gives religion
+its first being, is the religation of the soul to God; so that
+which gives it motion, and draws forth that life into action, is
+the same God's working all their works in them and for them, so
+that in all they do, they are workers together with God; every act
+of holiness is an act of the soul made alive unto God through Jesus
+Christ, and quickened to each action by the supervenience of new
+life and influence; therefore, says Christ, without me ye can do
+nothing; it is not, being out of me ye can do nothing, for he spoke
+it to those who were in him, but, if ye leave me out in doing, all
+ye do will be nothing. 'Tis Jesus Christ who gives life and legs,
+so that our runnings are according to his drawings. "My soul
+followeth hard after thee," said that holy man; but whence is all
+this life and vigour? "Thy right hand upholdeth me," Oh! it is the
+upholdings and helpings of this right hand, enlarging the man's
+heart, that makes a running in the ways of his commandments; it is
+he who, while the saints work out the work of their own salvation,
+worketh in them both to will and to do. It is he who giveth power
+to the faint, and who, to them that have no might, encreaseth
+strength, so that the poor lifeless, languishing lie-by is made to
+mount up with eagles' wings, and surmount all these difficulties,
+with a holy facility, which were simply insuperable, and pure
+impossibilities. Now the man runs and doth not weary, because
+Christ draws; and he walks and doth not faint, because Christ, in
+whom dwells the fulness of the Godhead bodily, dwells in him, and
+walks in him, and dwells in him for that very end, that he may have
+a completeness and competency of strength for duty. All grace is
+made to abound unto him, that he always having all sufficiency in
+all things, may abound unto every good work. He is able of himself
+to do nothing, no, not to think any thing as he ought, but he hath
+a sufficiency of God, whereby he is thoroughly furnished unto every
+good work; so that he may say, I am able for all things: it is more
+than "I am able to do all things," as we read it; its just import
+is, "I am able to do all things, and to endure all things;" and
+that which keeps it from vain boasting, is what is added, "through
+Christ which strengthened me," or putting power in me, or rather
+impowering me, which is by a supervenient act drawing forth life
+into a liveliness of exercise, according to the present exigent.
+There is a power in a saint, because Christ is in him, that
+overpowers all the powers of darkness without, and all the power of
+indwelling corruption within, so that when the poor weak creature
+is ready to despond; within sight of his duty, and say, because of
+difficulty, what is my strength that I should hope? Christ saith,
+despond not, my grace is sufficient for thee, and my power shall
+rest upon thee, to a reviving thee, and raising thee up, and
+putting thee in case to say, when I am weak, then I am strong; his
+strength, who impowers me, is made perfect in my weakness, so that
+I will glory in my infirmities, and be glad in being grace's
+debtor. But what power is that, which raiseth the dead sinner, and
+carries the soul in its actings so far without the line, and above
+the sphere of all natural activity, when stretched to its utmost?
+O, it is an exceeding great power which is to them-ward who
+believe, that must make all things, how difficult soever, easy,
+when he works in them to will and to do, according to the working
+of his mighty power, (or as it is upon the margin, and more
+emphatic, of the might of his power,) which he wrought in Christ,
+when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right
+hand, &amp;c.; he that raised up the Lord Jesus from the dead,
+raiseth up believers also by Jesus; and being raised and revived by
+him, to walk in newness of life, the life of Jesus, in its
+communications of strength, is manifest in their mortal flesh,
+according to that of the same apostle; "the life that I live in the
+flesh," saith he, "I live by the faith of the Son of God." Faith
+brings in Christ in my soul, and Christ being my life, carries out
+my soul in all the acts of obedience, wherein, though I be the
+formal agent, yet the efficiency and the power, by which I operate,
+is from him; so that I can give no better account of it than
+this,&mdash;I&mdash;not I. But who then, if not you? The grace of
+God, saith he, which was with me. But this mystery to our bold,
+because blind moralists, of an indwelling Christ working mightily
+in the soul, is plain madness and melancholy; however we understand
+his knowledge in the mystery of Christ, who said, "The life I live
+in the flesh," &amp;c.; and from what we understand of his
+knowledge in that mystery, which he had by revelation, we
+understand our moralists to be men of corrupt minds, who concerning
+the faith hath made shipwreck; but what is that, "The life I live
+in the flesh," &amp;c. The import of it seems to be this, if not
+more,&mdash;while I have in me a soul animating my body, as the
+principle of all my vital and natural actions, I have Jesus Christ
+animating my soul, and by the impulse and communicate virtue and
+strength of an indwelling Christ, I am made to run the ways of his
+commandments, wherein I take so great delight, that I am found of
+no duty as of my enemy.</p>
+<p>2. The gospel holiness respects Jesus Christ as its pattern. It
+proposeth no lower pattern for imitation than to be conform to his
+image, (he that is begotten again into a lively hope, by the
+resurrection of Christ from the dead, girds up the loins of his
+mind, which are the affections of his soul, lest by falling flat
+upon the earth, he be hindered in running the race set before him,
+as looking to the forerunner his pattern,) in this girdle of hope,
+that he may be "holy in all manner of conversation," keeping his
+eye upon the precept and pattern, that his practice may be conform.
+It is written, saith he, "be ye holy, for I am holy;" the hope of
+seeing God, and being ever with him, imposeth a necessity upon him
+who hath it, to look no lower than at him, who is glorious in
+holiness; and therefore he is said to purify himself even as he is
+pure; and knowing that this is the end of their being quickened
+together with Christ, that they may walk even as he walked, they in
+their working and walking aim at no less than to be like him; and
+therefore never sit down upon any attained measure, as if they were
+already perfect. The spotless purity of God expressed in his laws,
+is that whereto they study assimilation; therefore they are still
+in motion towards this mark, and are changed from one of glorious
+grace into another, into the same image, even as by the Spirit of
+the Lord, who never gives over his putting them to cleanse from all
+filthiness of the flesh and of the spirit, till that be true in the
+truest sense, "Thou art all fair, my love, there is no spot in
+thee." And knowing that perfect fruition of him cannot be without
+the perfect conformity to him, herein do they exercise themselves
+to grow in grace, and to be still advancing towards some more
+likeness to his image, forgetting all their attainments, as things
+that are behind, and by their Teachings forth unto that which is
+before, make it evident that they make every begun degree of grace
+and conformity to God, a prevenient capacity for a new degree which
+yet they have not attained. I know our moralists look upon
+themselves as matchless, in talking of following his steps as he
+hath left us an example; in this they make a flourishing with
+flanting effrontery, but for all their boasting of wisdom, such a
+poor simple man as I, am made to wonder at their folly, who
+proposing, as they say, the purity of Christ as their pattern, are
+not even thence convinced, that in order to a conformity thereto,
+there is a simple and absolute necessity of the mighty operations
+of that Spirit of God, whereby this end can be reached; but while
+they flout at the Spirit's working as a melancholy fancy, whereby
+the soul is garnished with the beauty of holiness, and made an
+habitation for God, I doubt not to say of these great sayers, that
+they understand neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm;
+nay, doth not the talking of the one, not only without seeing the
+necessity of the other, but speaking against it, say in the heart
+of every one, who hath not the heart of a beast, that they have
+never yet got a sight of the holiness of that pattern, nor of their
+own pollutions and impotency; for if they had, they would give
+themselves up to Jesus Christ to be washed by him, without which
+they can have no part with him. O there will be a vast difference,
+at the latter day, betwixt them who have given their black souls to
+Jesus to bleach, when he shall present them without spot, not only
+clothed with wrought gold, but all glorious within, and those who
+have never dipped, yea, who have despised to dip their defiled
+souls in any other fountain, save in the impure puddle of their own
+performances. This will make them loathsome in his sight, and cause
+his soul abhor those who have done this despite unto the Spirit of
+grace, as to slight that blessed fountain, opened for sin and for
+uncleanness, let them pretend as high as they will, to look to him
+as a pattern; while, because the plague-sore is gone up in their
+eye, they look not to him as a price, nor to the grace of Jesus
+Christ, as that which can only principle any acceptable performance
+of duty, he will plunge them in the ditch, and it will cost them
+their souls, for rejecting the counsel of God against themselves,
+in not making use of him who came by water as well as by blood.</p>
+<p>3. This gospel holiness respects Christ as the altar. It is in
+him, and for him, that his soul is well pleased with our
+performance&mdash;this is the altar upon which thou must lay thy
+gift, and leave it, without which thy labour is lost, and
+whatsoever thou dost is loathed, as a corrupt thing. As believers
+draw all their strength from him, so they expect acceptance only
+through him, and for him. They do not look for it, but in the
+Beloved; they dare not draw near to God in duty, but by him. This
+is the new and living way which is consecrate for them; and if
+such, who offer to come to God, do not enter in hereat, instead of
+being admitted to a familiar converse with God, they shall find him
+a consuming fire. When the saints have greatest liberty in prayer,
+and so of all other performances, when their hearts are most lifted
+up in the ways of the Lord, they abhor at thinking their prayer can
+any otherways be set forth before him as incense, or the lifting up
+of their hands as the evening sacrifice, but as presented by the
+great intercessor, and perfumed by the merit of his oblation. If
+they could weep out the marrow of their bones, and the moisture of
+their body, in mourning over sin; yet they durst not think of
+having what comes from so impure a spring, and runs through so
+polluted a channel, presented to God, but by Jesus Christ, in order
+to acceptation; for, as they look to the exalted Saviour, to get
+their repentance from him, so when by the pourings out upon them of
+the spirit of grace and supplication, he hath made them pour out
+their hearts before him, and hath melted them into true tenderness,
+so that their mourning is a great mourning, they carry back these
+tears to be washen and bathed in his blood, as knowing without this
+of how little worth and value with God their salt water is; but
+when they are thus washed he puts them in his bottle, and then
+pours them out again to them in the wine of strong consolation.
+Thus are they made glad in his house of prayer, and their sighs and
+groans come up with acceptance upon his altar. O blessed altar,
+that sanctifies the gold! this is that altar, whereto the mocking
+moralist hath no right. It is by him that the poor believer offers
+up his sacrifice to God continually; whatever he doth in word or
+deed, he desires to do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. As he
+knows, he lives to make intercession, and to appear in the presence
+of God for his poor people, both to procure influences for duty,
+and plead for acceptation: so he depends upon him for both, as
+knowing he can never otherways hear nor have it said unto him,
+"well done thou good and faithful servant." It may be he can do
+little, he hath but a mite to offer; but he puts it in the
+Mediator's hand to be presented to God. He hath not gold, nor
+silver, nor purple to bring; he can do no great things; he hath but
+goats' hair or rams' skins, but he gives them the right tincture,
+he makes them red in the blood of Christ, and so they are a
+beautiful incarnation.</p>
+<p>But let us, on the other hand, take a short view of what our
+moralists substitute in its place, as in their account, both more
+beautiful in the eye, and more beneficial to the souls of men,
+wherein I intend to be brief. I might comprehend the account to be
+given shortly, and give it most exactly, yet truly in these few
+words. As the most undoubted deviation from, and perfect opposition
+unto the whole contrivance of salvation, and the conveyance of it
+into the souls of men, as revealed in this gospel which brings life
+and immortality to light, that fighters against the grace of God in
+its value and virtue can forge, stretching their blind reason to
+the overthrow of true religion, and ruin of the souls of men. For
+to this height these masters of reason have, in their blind rage,
+risen up against the Lord and against his anointed; this is the
+dreadful period of that path, wherein we are persuaded to walk, yea
+hectored, if we would not forfeit the repute of men by these grand
+sophies, who arrogate to themselves the name and thing of
+knowledge, as if wisdom were to die with them. The deep mysteries
+of salvation, which angels desire to look into, and only satisfy
+themselves with admiration at, must appear as respondents at their
+bar; and if they decline the judge and court, as incompetent, they
+flee out and flout at subjecting this blind mole, man's reason, to
+the revelation of faith in a mystery. The manifold wisdom of God,
+and the manifold grace of God, must either condescend to their
+unfoldings, and be content to speak in their dialect, or else these
+wits, these Athenian dictators, will give the deep things of God,
+because beyond their divings, the same entertainment which that
+great gospel preacher, Paul, met with from men of the same mould,
+kidney, and complexion, because he preached unto them Jesus, What
+would the babbler say, said they. The Spirit of wisdom and
+revelation they know not, they have not, they acknowledge not; nay,
+they despise him in his saving and soul-ascertaining illuminations;
+and the workings of that mighty power to them-ward who believe, is
+to the men of this new mould (because they have not found it) an
+insufferable fancy, to be exploded with a disdain and indignation,
+which discovers what spirit actuates them in this opposition.</p>
+<p>But I would recommend to you, who can neither purchase nor
+peruse what is more voluminous (how worthy soever) the serious
+perusal, as of the whole of that savoury and grace-breathing peace,
+the fulfilling of the Scriptures; so therein that short but sweet
+digression, against black-mouthed Parker, wherein the gracious
+author takes out his own soul, and sets before thine eye, the image
+of God impressed thereon; for while he deals with that desperado by
+clear and convincing reason, flowing natively from the pure
+fountain of divine revelation, he hath the advantage of most men,
+and writers too, in silencing that proud blasphemer of the good
+ways of God, with arguments taken from what he hath found acted
+upon his own soul. And likewise I would recommend, as a sovereign
+antidote against this poison, the diligent perusing and pondering
+of what is shortly hinted against the hellish belchings of the same
+unhallowed author (in the Preface to that piece of great Mr.
+Durham, upon the Commands) by a disciple, who, besides his natural
+acuteness and sub-actness of judgment in the depth of the gospel
+mysteries, is known, by all who know him (and for myself, I know
+none now alive his equal) to have most frequent access to lean his
+head on his Master's bosom, and so in best case to tell his
+fellow-disciples and brethren, what is breathed into his own soul,
+while he lives in these embraces, and under the sheddings abroad of
+that love of God in his soul, which drew and did dictate these
+lines, against that flouter at all such fruitions. Nor can I here
+omit to observe, how, when the devil raised up Parker, that
+monster, to bark and blaspheme, the Lord raised up a Merveil to
+fight him at his own weapon, who did so cudgel and quell that
+boasting bravo, as I know not if he be dead of his wound, but for
+any thing I know, he hath laid his speech.</p>
+<p>It was not the author's design in this piece, (levelled only at
+this mark, to teach thee how to make use of the strength and grace
+that is in Christ Jesus, and find the promised ease in performance
+of duties; in handling of which argument, he hath been remarkably
+assisted, and thou canst not read with attention, but thou must
+bear him witness, and bless the Lord on his behalf, that he hath
+hit the mark at which he aimed) to engage in a formal debate with
+these audacious moralists, who would boast and bogle us out of the
+good old way, wherein, if men walk, they must find rest to their
+souls. Yet if by the doctrine he hath here explained and pressed,
+as the only way of life, they do not find what a mortal wound he
+hath given their morality, all the lovers of the truth will see it;
+and it may be, the Lord sparing life, and continuing the same
+gracious and great assistance, he hath had in engaging with many
+and great adversaries to the truth at home and abroad, they may see
+somewhat from his pen, which may make the lovers of our Lord Jesus
+Christ in sincerity, and of the operations of his Spirit, sing over
+these successors to Sisera, who with their jumping chariots and
+rattling wheels, assault the truth, at his feet they bowed, they
+fell, they lay down at his feet, they bowed, they fell where they
+bowed, there they fell down dead; so let all the enemies of thy
+truth perish, O Lord! How to make the whole more useful for thee,
+for whose advantage 'tis mainly intended, I leave to the author's
+own direction; only this I must say, his method and mould, wherein
+he casts his sweet matter, and his way of handling this so
+seasonable a subject, is so accommodate to each case, and brought
+home to the conscience, and down to the capacity of the meanest
+Christian, which was his aim, that the feeble, in this day, might
+be as David; that howbeit many worthy men have not only hinted, but
+enlarged upon the same matter, yet thou canst not but see some
+heart-endearing singularity in his way of improving and handling
+this great gospel truth. Next, I must tell thee, that as I myself
+read it with much satisfaction (though, alas! I dare not say, I
+have by reading reaped the designed advantage), so that thou mayest
+be blushed into a perusal thereof, and profiting thereby, I must
+likewise tell thee, I say, it hath been turned into Dutch, and that
+it hath not only met with great acceptation amongst all the serious
+and godly in these parts, who have seen it, but is much sought
+after; and they profess themselves singularly thereby edified, and
+set a-going after God, by its efficacious persuasiveness, with a
+singing alacrity; and if it have not the same effect upon thee and
+me, they and it will arise up against us in judgment.</p>
+<p>Up, therefore, Christians, and be doing: Listen to such a
+teacher, who, lest thou tire in thy race, or turn back, teacheth
+thee a certain and sweet way of singular proficiency and progress
+in the ways of God. It may be, it is not thy work, nor mine, to
+write both against these soul-murdering, however magnified, methods
+of taking men off Jesus Christ; but our penury of parts for that,
+should first put us to seek plenty of tears, that we may weep, to
+see our master so wounded by the piercing pens of those who, to
+patronise their mock religion, wrest the Scriptures, and with
+wicked hands wring the word of the Lord, till it weep blood: this,
+I say, should provoke thee and me to weep upon him, till he appear,
+and beat the pens of such deceivers out of their hand by a blow of
+his; 2d, It should provoke us to know the truth, that we may
+contend earnestly for the faith delivered to the saints, and to
+have these contradicted truths so impressed in their life upon our
+souls, that the pen of the most subtle pleader for this perversion
+of the gospel may neither delete these, nor be able to stagger us,
+but we may, from the efficacious working of these, have the witness
+in ourselves, and know the men who teach otherways not to be of
+God; 3d, It should be our ambition, when the all of religion is
+cried down, and a painted shadow, a putrid, however perfumed,
+nothing put in its place, to make it appear, by our practice, that
+religion is an elevation of the soul above the sphere and activity
+of dead morality; and that it is no less or lower principle that
+acts us, than Christ dwelling in us, and walking in us. How can the
+love of God, and of Christ, and of the Spirit be in us, if these
+perverse praters against the power of godliness, provoke us not to
+emit a practical declaration to the world, and extort a testimony
+to his grace by our way, from the enemies thereof? Improve,
+therefore, this his special help to that purpose, which in a most
+seasonable time is brought to thy hand.</p>
+<p>But to sum up all shortly, there are but three things which make
+religion an heavy burden; 1st, The blindness of the mind; and here
+thou art taught to make use of that eye-salve, whereby the eyes of
+the blind see out of obscurity, and out of darkness; he who
+formerly erred in spirit, by the light held forth in these lines,
+may see a surpassing beauty in the ways of God; 2d, That aversion
+and unwillingness which is in the mind, whereby the sweet and easy
+yoke of his commands is spurned at as heavy; in order to the
+removing thereof, and that thou mayest be among his willing people,
+here thou hast Christ held forth in his conquering beauty,
+displaying his banner of love over souls, so that thou canst not
+look upon him as held forth, but faith will bow thy neck to take on
+his yoke, because it sees it is lined with the love of Christ, and
+then this love that lines the yoke, shed abroad in the heart, will
+constrain to a bearing of it; but, 3d, When the spirit is willing,
+there remains yet much weakness; love kindled in the heart conquers
+the mind into a compliance with his will, and a complacency in his
+commands, but its greatest strength is often to weep over a
+withered hand. Now that thy hands which fall down may be made
+strong for labour, and thou mayest be girded with strength, and
+have grace for grace, yea, all grace to make thee abound unto every
+good word and work, the author leads thee up unto the full fountain
+of all gospel furniture, and strength; and teacheth thee how to
+make use of Christ, as thy sufficiency, for working all thy works
+in thee and for thee. I say, therefore, again unto thee, take
+heart, let not thine hands fall down, essay nothing thou would have
+well done or easily done, in thine own strength; but yet how
+difficult soever the duty be, approach it as having no confidence
+in the flesh, but with an eye to thy stock, that rich store-house
+of all furniture, and it shall be with thee as it was with the
+priests, before whom Jordan recoiled, so soon as their foot entered
+within the brink; God shall make thy difficulties evanish; and by
+the illapses of the Spirit of power and might from Jesus Christ
+depended upon, shall so strengthen thee, that thy duty is made easy
+to admiration, and becomes the delight of thy soul. Pray for the
+continuance of the life of the author, who, by his assiduous
+working for Christ, hath been often near unto death, not regarding
+his own life, to supply the lack of other men's service, to the
+interest and Church of God; and let him be comforted for this piece
+of travel undertaken for thy soul's interest, by hearing thou dost
+improve it to thy advantage, for which it is so exactly calculate:
+And with all I beg thy fervent and earnest intercessions for grace,
+and more grace, to him who is thy poor, yet soul's well-wisher and
+servant, for Christ's sake,</p>
+<p>R. M. W.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_I." id="CHAPTER_I."></a>
+<h2>CHRIST<br>
+<br>
+THE WAY, AND THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE.</h2>
+<br>
+<p>JOHN XIV. 6&mdash;JESUS SAITH UNTO THEM, I AM THE WAY, AND THE
+TRUTH, AND THE LIFE; NO MAN COMETH UNTO THE FATHER BUT BY ME.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2>
+<h4>THE INTRODUCTION, WITH SOME GENERAL OBSERVATIONS FROM THE
+COHESION.</h4>
+<br>
+<p>Doubtless it is always useful, yea, necessary, for the children
+of God to know the right way of making use of Christ, who is made
+all things to them which they need, even "wisdom, righteousness,
+sanctification, and redemption," 1 Cor. i. 30. But it is never more
+necessary for believers to be clear and distinct in this matter,
+than when Satan, by all means, is seeking to pervert the right ways
+of the Lord, and, one way or other, to lead souls away, and draw
+them off Christ; knowing that, if he prevail here, he hath gained
+his point. And therefore he endeavoureth not only to darken it by
+error, either more gross or more subtle, but also to darken it by
+mistakes and prejudices: whence it cometh to pass, that not only
+strangers are made to wander out of the way, but oftentimes many of
+his own people are walking in darkness of ignorance and mistakes,
+and remain lean through want of the real exercise of the life of
+faith, which would make them fat and flourishing; because it would
+make them "strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might, and
+to grow up in Christ in all things."</p>
+<p>The clearing up then of this truth cannot but be most seasonable
+now, when Satan is prevailing with many, whom he cannot get tempted
+to looseness and profanity, to sit down upon something which is not
+Christ, and to rest upon something with themselves, distinct from
+him, both in the matter of justification and sanctification. This
+subtle adversary is now setting some a-work, to cry up, by
+preaching, speaking, and printing, a way to heaven which is not
+Christ; a kind of morality, civility, and outward holiness,
+whereupon the soul is to rest. And this holiness, not wrought and
+effectuated through the strength of Jesus, by faith sucking life
+and furniture from him; but through our own art and skill, which in
+effect is nothing but an extract of refined Popery, Socinianism,
+and Arminianism, devised and broached of purpose to draw the soul
+off Christ, that he may stand upon his own legs, and walk by his
+own power, and thank himself, at least in part, for the crown at
+length.</p>
+<p>Further, through the great goodness of God, the true way of a
+soul's justification is admirably cleared up; and many are, at
+least theoretically, acquainted therewith; and many also
+practically, to the quieting of their wakened consciences, and
+stopping the mouth of their accusers, and obtaining of peace, joy,
+and the lively hope of the everlasting crown; yet many gracious
+souls profess their unacquaintedness with the solid and thriving
+way of use-making of Christ for growth in grace and true
+sanctification. Therefore some discovery of the truth here cannot
+but be useful, seasonable, yea, and acceptable unto them. If he,
+who is the Truth, would give grace to understand, and to unfold
+this so necessary and always advantageous a truth, and would help
+to write of and explain this truth by faith in him who is here said
+to be the Truth, then should we have cause to bless and magnify his
+name. But if he, because of sin, shall hide himself, and not let
+out these beams of light, whereby we might discover light, we shall
+but darken counsel with words without our knowledge, and leave the
+matter as unclear as ever. Therefore is it necessary, there be both
+in him that writeth, and in such as read, a single dependence on
+him, who "is for a leader," Isa. lv. 5, and hath promised to "bring
+the blind by a way which they know not, and to lead them in paths
+they had not known, and to make darkness light before them, and
+crooked things straight," Isa. xlii. 16, that thus by acting faith
+on him we may find, in so far, the truth of this verified, viz.
+that he is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Now, for clearing up
+of this matter, we would know, that our Lord Jesus, from the
+beginning of this chapter, is laying down some grounds of
+consolation, sufficient to comfort his disciples against the sad
+news of his departure and death; and to encourage them against the
+fears they had of much evil to befall them when their Lord and
+Master should be taken from them; which is a sufficient proof of
+the tender heart of Jesus, who alloweth all his followers strong
+consolation against all fears, hazards, troubles, and perplexities
+which they can meet with in their way. He will not leave them
+comfortless, and therefore he layeth down strong grounds of
+consolation to support their drooping and fainting hearts; as
+loving to see his followers always rejoicing in the Lord, and
+singing in the ways of Zion: that the world may see and be
+convinced of a reality in Christianity, and of the preferableness
+of that life, notwithstanding of all the troubles that attend it,
+unto any other, how sweet and desirable soever it may appear to
+flesh and blood.</p>
+<p>In prosecution of which design, he told them, verse 4, that they
+"knew whether he went," and the way also which he was to take, and
+by which he was to bring them to the Father, to the mansion spoken
+of, and so to life eternal. But Thomas rashly and incredulously (as
+too usually he did, chap. xi. 16; xx. 25,) venteth himself, and
+little less than contradicteth his Master, saying, verse 5, "We
+know not whither thou goest, and how can we know the way?" wherein
+we have an emblem of many a believer, who may have more grace and
+knowledge of God and of Christ than they will be able to see, or
+acknowledge that they have; what through temptations, inward
+distempers, sense of their many defects, and great ignorance,
+strong desires of high measures, clearer discoveries of the
+vastness of the object, mistakes about the true nature of grace,
+despising the day of small things, and indistinctness as to the
+actings of grace, or want of understanding and right uptaking of
+grace in its various outgoings and actings under various notions,
+and the like.</p>
+<p>Whereupon Christ, after his usual manner, taketh occasion to
+clear up that ground of consolation further unto them; and to let
+them see the true way of coming to the Father, that thereby they
+might be helped to see that they were not such strangers unto the
+way as they supposed; and withal, he amplifieth and layeth out the
+properties and excellencies of this way, as being the only true and
+living way; and that in such a manner, as they might both see the
+way to be perfect, full, safe, saving, and satisfying; and also
+learn their duty of improving this way always, and in all things,
+until they come home at length to the Father, saying, "I am the
+way, and the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but
+by me."</p>
+<p>Christ then saying, that he not only is the way to the Father,
+even the true way, but that he is so the true way, as that he is
+also truth itself in the abstract, and so the living way, that he
+is life itself in the abstract, giveth us ground to consider, after
+what manner it is that he is the Truth and the Life, as well as the
+Way; and that for clearing up and discovering of his being an
+absolutely perfect, transcendently excellent, incomparably
+preferable and fully satisfying way, useful to believers in all
+cases, all exigents, all distresses, all difficulties, all trials,
+all temptations, all doubts, all perplexities, and in all causes or
+occasions of distempers, fears, faintings, discouragements, &amp;c.
+which they may meet with in their way to heaven. And this will lead
+us to clear up the duty of believers, on the other hand, and to
+show how they should, in all their various cases and difficulties,
+make use of Christ as the only all-sufficient way to the Father,
+and as truth and life in the way, and so we will be led to speak of
+Christ's being to his people all that is requisite for them here in
+the way, whether for justification or sanctification; and how
+people are to make use of him as being all, or, as being made of
+"God to us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption,"
+1 Cor. i. 30.</p>
+<p>Ere we come to the words in particular, we would look upon them
+as having relation to Thomas his words in the preceding verse,
+wherein he did little less than contradict what Christ had said in
+the 4th verse, and learn several very comfortable points of
+doctrine, as,</p>
+<p>I. That Jesus Christ is very tender of his followers, and will
+not cast them off, nor upbraid them for every escape whereby they
+may provoke him to anger and grieve his Spirit; but gently passeth
+by many of their failings, when he findeth they are not obstinate
+in their mistake, nor perverse in their way. For how gently and
+meekly doth he here pass over Thomas his unhandsome expression,
+finding that Thomas spake here, not out of obstinacy and
+pertinaciousness, but out of ignorance and a mistake. And the
+reason is, because, 1. Christ knoweth our infirmity and weakness,
+and is of a tender heart, and therefore will not "break the bruised
+reed," Isa. xlii. Well knoweth he that rough and untender handling
+would crush us, and break us all in pieces. And, 2. He is full of
+bowels of mercy, and can "have compassion on them that are out of
+the way, and can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities,"
+Heb. iv. 15. v. 2.</p>
+<p>Which truth, as upon the one hand, it should encourage all to
+choose him for their leader, and give up themselves unto him, who
+is so tender of his followers; so, upon the other hand, it should
+rebuke such as are ready to entertain evil and hard thoughts of
+him, as if he were an hard master, and ill to be followed, and put
+all from entertaining the least thought of his untenderness and
+want of compassion. But, moreover,</p>
+<p>II. We see, that weaknesses and corruptions breaking out in
+believers, when they are honestly and ingenuously laid open before
+the Lord, will not fear him away, but rather engage him the more to
+help and succour. Much of Thomas his weakness and corruption
+appeared in what he said; yet the same being honestly and
+ingenuously laid open to Christ, not out of a spirit of
+contradiction, but out of a desire to learn, Christ is so far from
+thrusting him away, that he rather condescendeth the more, out of
+love and tenderness, to instruct him better, and clear the way more
+fully. And that, because, 1. He knoweth our mould and fashion, how
+feckless and frail we are, and that if he should deal with us
+according to our folly, we should quickly be destroyed. 2. He is
+not as a man, hasty, rash, proud; but gentle, loving, tender, and
+full of compassion. 3. It is his office and proper work to be an
+instructor to the ignorant, and a helper of our infirmities and
+weaknesses, a physician to bind up and cure our sores and
+wounds.</p>
+<p>Who would not then willingly give up themselves to such a
+teacher that will not thrust them to the door, nor give them up to
+themselves always, when their corruptions would provoke him
+thereunto? And what a madness is this in many, to stand a-back from
+Christ, because of their infirmities; and to scar at him, because
+of their weakness, when the more corruption we find the more we
+should run to him? and it is soon enough to depart from Christ when
+he thrusts us away, and saith, he will have no more to do with us;
+yea, he will allow us to stay after we are thrice thrust away.
+Only, let us take heed that we approve not ourselves in our evils,
+that we hide them not as unwilling to part with them, that we
+obstinately maintain them not, nor ourselves in them; but that we
+lie open before him, and deal with him, with honesty,
+ingenuousness, and plainness.</p>
+<p>III. We see, further, That ignorance ingenuously acknowledged
+and laid open before Christ, puts the soul in a fair way to get
+more instruction. Thomas having candidly, according as he thought,
+in the simplicity of his heart, professed his ignorance, is in a
+fair way now to get instruction. For this is Christ's work, to
+instruct the ignorant, to open the eyes of the blind.</p>
+<p>Why then are we so foolish as to conceal our ignorance from him,
+and to hide our case and condition from him; and why doth not this
+commend Christ's school to us so much the more? why do we not carry
+as ingenious scholars, really desirous to learn? But,</p>
+<p>IV. We may learn, That our ill condition and distempers put into
+Christ's hand will have remarkable out-gates, and an advantageous
+issue; seeing Christ taketh occasion here from Thomas his laying
+open his condition, not without some mixture of corruption, to
+clear up the truth more fully and plainly than it was before; for
+hereby, 1. Christ giveth an open declaration of the glory of his
+power, mercy, goodness, wisdom, &amp;c. 2. He hath occasion to give
+a proof of his divine art and glorious skill of healing diseased
+souls, and of making broken bones stronger than ever they were. 3.
+Thus he effectually accomplished his noble designs, and perfecteth
+his work, in a way tending to abase man, by discovering his
+infirmities and failings; and to glorify himself in his goodness
+and love. 4. Thus he triumpheth more over Satan, and in a more
+remarkable and glorious manner destroyeth his works. 5. Thus he
+declareth how wonderfully he can make all things work together for
+good to his chosen ones that love him and follow him. 6. Yea, thus
+he engageth souls to wonder more at his divine wisdom and power; to
+despair less in time coming, when cases would seem hard; to
+acknowledge his great and wonderful grace, and his infinite power
+and wisdom, that can bring life out of death; and also to be more
+sensible of the mercy, and thankful for it.</p>
+<p>O believer, what manner of joy is here! how happy art thou that
+hath given up thyself to him! Thy worst condition can turn to thy
+advantage. He can make thy ignorance, vented with a mixture of
+corruption, turn to the increase of thy knowledge. Bless him for
+this; and, with joy and satisfaction, abide thou under his tutory
+and at his school. And withal, be not discouraged, be thy case of
+ignorance and corruption what it will, lay it before him with
+sincerity and singleness of heart, and then "thou mayest glory in
+thine infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest on thee," 2
+Cor. xii. 9; for thou shalt see, in due time, what advantage
+infinite love and wisdom can bring to thy soul thereby.</p>
+<p>May not this be a strong motive to induce strangers to give up
+themselves to him, who will sweetly take occasion, at their
+failings and shortcomings, to help them forward in the way? And
+what excuse can they have who sit the call of the gospel, and say,
+in effect, they will not go to Christ because their case is not
+good. And O that believers were not sometimes led away with this
+error of scaring at Christ, because of infirmities seen and
+discovered!</p>
+<p>V. It is remarkable, that, as the disciples did ofttimes vent
+much of their carnal conceptions of the kingdom of Christ, as
+apprehending it to be some carnal, outward, pompous, stately, and,
+upon that account, desirable condition; so there might be much of
+this carnal apprehension lurking under this acknowledgment and
+question of Thomas; and the Lord, who knew their thoughts, doth
+here wisely draw them off those notions, and sets them about
+another study, to tell us, that it is best and most useful and
+profitable for us, to be much taken up in the study and search of
+necessary fundamental truths, and, particularly, of the way to the
+Father. For, 1. Here is the substantial food of the soul; other
+notions are but vain, and oftentimes they make the case of the soul
+worse; but the study of this is always edifying. 2. The right
+understanding of this and other fundamental truths will not puff
+up, but keep the soul humble, and will make the soul active and
+diligent in duty. 3. The fruit of this study is profitable and
+lasting. 4. And the right uptaking of these truths will discover
+the vanity of other sciences, falsely so called, and the folly of
+spending our time about other things. 5. The right understanding of
+this fundamental will help us to understand other truths the
+better. 6. A mistake in this, and such like fundamentals, or the
+ignorance of them, is more dangerous than the ignorance of or
+mistake in other things.</p>
+<p>Oh! if this were teaching us all, in humility, to be much in the
+study of such fundamental necessary truths as this is; and to guard
+against a piece of vanity in affecting knowledge, the effect of
+which is nothing but a puffing of us up with pride and conceit!</p>
+<p>VI. We may here take notice of what may serve to discover Thomas
+his mistake, and what is the ground of Christ's assertion, verse 4,
+which Thomas doth little less than contradict, verse 5, viz. that
+such as had any acquaintance with Christ did, according to the
+measure of their knowledge of him, both know heaven and the way to
+it; whence we see these truths,</p>
+<p>1. Persons may have some real acquaintance with Christ, and yet
+be, for a time, very indistinct in their notions about him, and
+apprehensions of him. They may know Christ in some measure, and yet
+look upon themselves as great strangers to the knowledge of heaven,
+and be oft complaining of their ignorance of the right way to
+heaven.</p>
+<p>2. Where there is the least measure of true acquaintance with
+Christ, with love to him, and a desire to know more of him, Christ
+will take notice thereof, though it be covered over with a heap of
+mistakes, and accompanied with much ignorance, weakness, and
+indistinctness. He seeth not as man seeth, which is good news to
+some that are weak in knowledge, and unable to give any good
+account of any knowledge they have; yet one thing they can say,
+that he who knoweth all things, knoweth that they love him.</p>
+<p>3. Various are the dispensations of God's grace unto his own. To
+some he giveth a greater, to others a lesser measure of knowledge
+of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven; and to one and the same
+person, more at one time than at another. Various are his
+manifestations and out-lettings of grace and love. Small beginnings
+may come to much at length. Thomas, and the rest of the disciples,
+had but little clear and distinct apprehensions of the way of
+salvation through Jesus Christ; and yet, ere all was done, they
+attained to such a measure of understanding in the mysteries of
+God, as that we are said to be "built upon the foundation of the
+apostles, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone," Eph.
+ii. 20. This should teach the best much sobriety, and not to judge
+of all by themselves; or to think, that God's way with them must be
+a standard or a rule whereby to judge of all the rest; as if his
+way of dealing were one and the same with all.</p>
+<p>4. The knowledge of Christ is all. Know him, and we know heaven
+and the way to it; for upon this ground doth Christ make good what
+he said, touching their knowing whither he went, and the way; and
+answereth the objection that Thomas did propose, viz. because he
+was the way, &amp;c., and they being acquaint with him, (which here
+is presupposed,) were not ignorant of the place whither he was
+going, nor of the way leading thither. The knowledge then of Jesus
+Christ is a true and full compend of all saving knowledge. Hence it
+"is life eternal to know him," John xvii. 3. "They that know him,
+know the Father," John xiv. 9. and viii. 19. "They that see him,
+see the Father also," John xiv. 9. "He is in the Father, and the
+Father in him," John xiv. 10, 11. and x. 38. and xvii. 21. And so
+knowing him they know heaven; for what is heaven else but the
+presence and glorious manifestations of the Father; for when Christ
+speaks of his going to heaven, he saith, "He was going to the
+Father." So knowing him, they know the way, both how Christ was to
+go to heaven as our cautioner, head, and attorney, and how we must
+follow.</p>
+<p>Let then a man have never so much knowledge, and be acquainted
+with the mysteries of all arts and sciences, and with the depths of
+nature, and intrigues of states, and all the theory of religion; if
+he be unacquainted with Jesus, he knoweth nothing as he ought to
+know.</p>
+<p>And upon the other hand, let a poor soul that is honest, and
+hath some knowledge of, and acquaintance with him, be satisfied,
+though it cannot discourse nor dispute, nor speak to cases of
+conscience, as some others; if we know him, it matters not though
+we be ignorant of many things, and thereby become less esteemed of
+by others. Here is the true test, by which we may take a right
+estimate of our own, or of others' knowledge. The true rule to try
+knowledge by, is not fine notions, clear and distinct expressions,
+but heart-acquaintance with him; "in whom are hid all the treasures
+of wisdom and knowledge," Col. ii. 3.</p>
+<p>O sad! that we are not more taken up in this study, which would
+be a compendious way for us to know all? Why spend we our money for
+that which is not bread, and our labour for that which will not
+profit us? Why waste we our time and spirits in learning this
+science, and that art; when, alas! after we, with much labour and
+toil, have attained to the yondmost pitch there, we are never one
+whit the nearer heaven and happiness? yea, it were well, if we were
+not further off! Oh! if we were wise at length, and could think
+more of this one thing necessary; and could be stirred up to learn
+more of him, and to make this the subject of all our study and
+labour.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_II." id="CHAPTER_II."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2>
+<br>
+<h4>OF THE WORDS THEMSELVES IN GENERAL.</h4>
+<p>We come now to the words themselves, wherein Christ asserts that
+he is, 1, "the way;" 2, "the truth;" 3, "the life;" and, 4, "that
+no man cometh to the Father but by him."</p>
+<p>In them we learn these two things in general.</p>
+<p><i>First,</i> The misery of wretched man by nature. This cannot
+be in a few words expressed.</p>
+<p>These words will point out those particulars thereof, which we
+will but mention.</p>
+<p>1. That he is born an enemy to, and living at a distance from
+God, by virtue of the curse of the broken covenant of life made
+with Adam.</p>
+<p>2. That he neither can nor will return to God, of himself. His
+way is not in himself; he hath need of another to be his way.</p>
+<p>3. That he is a blind, wandering creature, ready to by-ways and
+to wander; yea, he loveth to wander. He goeth astray as soon as he
+is born, speaking lies.</p>
+<p>4. He cannot discern the true way, but is blinded with prejudice
+thereat, and full of mistakes. He is nothing but a lump of
+error.</p>
+<p>5. He is dead legally and really: how can he then come home? How
+can he walk in the way, though it were pointed out to him?</p>
+<p>6. He, even when he entereth into the way, is subject to so many
+faintings, swoonings, upsittings, &amp;c. that except he get new
+quickening, he must lie by the way and perish.</p>
+<p>In a word, his misery is such as cannot be expressed; for as
+little as it is believed, and laid to heart; or seen and mourned
+for, and lamented.</p>
+<p>Now, for a ground to our following discourse, I would press the
+solid, thorough and sensible apprehension of this, without which
+there will be no use-making or application of Christ; "for the
+whole need not the physician, but the sick;" and Christ is "not
+come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance," Matt. ix.
+12. Mark ii. 17. Yea, believers themselves would live within the
+sight of this, and not forget their frailty; for though there be a
+change wrought in them, yet they are not perfect, but will have
+need of Christ as the way, the truth, and the life, till he bring
+them in, and set them down upon the throne, and crown them with the
+crown of life. And, O happy they, who must not walk on foot without
+this guide leading them by the hand, or rather carrying them in his
+arms. Let all them who would make use of Christ remember what they
+were, and what they are, and keep the sense of their frailty and
+misery fresh; that seeing their need of him, they may be in better
+case to look out to him for help and supply, and be more distinct
+in their application of him.</p>
+<p>The <i>second</i> general is, that Christ is a complete
+mediator, thoroughly furnished for all our necessities. Are we at a
+distance from the Father? He is a way to bring us together. Are we
+wandered out of the way? He is the way to us. Are we blind and
+ignorant? He is the truth. Are we dead? He is the life. Concerning
+this fulness and completeness of his, we would mark these
+things:</p>
+<p>1. That he is thoroughly furnished with all things we stand in
+need of; the way, the truth, and the life. He hath eye-salve,
+clothing, gold tried in the fire, &amp;c. "For the Spirit of the
+Lord is upon him, and hath anointed him," Isa. lxi. 1.</p>
+<p>2. He is suitably qualified, not only having a fulness, and an
+all-fulness, so that whatever we need is to be had in him, but also
+a suitable fulness answering our case to the life. Are we out of
+the way? He is the way. Are we dead? He is life, &amp;c.</p>
+<p>3. He is richly qualified with this suitable good. He hath not
+only "wisdom and knowledge," but "treasures of it," yea, "all the
+treasures" thereof, Col. ii. 3. There is fulness in him; yea, "it
+hath pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell," Col.
+i. 19. Yea, "the fulness of the Godhead dwelleth in him bodily,"
+Col. ii. 9.</p>
+<p>4. Hence this is an up-making completeness and fulness; for we
+are said to be "complete in him," Col. ii. 10. And he is said to
+"be all in all," Col. iv. 11. "He filleth all in all," Eph. i.
+23.</p>
+<p>5. It is also a satisfying completeness. The eye is not
+satisfied with seeing, nor the ear with hearing. The avaricious man
+is not satisfied with gold, nor the ambitious man with honour; but
+still they are crying with the loch leech, give, give! But the man
+who getteth Christ is full; he sitteth down and cryeth, enough,
+enough! And no wonder, for he hath all; he can desire no more; he
+can seek no more; for what can the man want that is complete in
+him?</p>
+<p>6. There is here that which will answer all the objections of a
+soul; and these sometimes are not few. If they say they cannot know
+the way to the Father, then he is the truth to instruct and teach
+them that, and so to enter them into it. And if they say they
+cannot walk in that way, nor advance in it one step, but will faint
+and sit up, succumb and fall by; he answereth that he is the life,
+to put life and keep life in them, and to cause them to walk, by
+putting a new principle of life in them, and breathing of new on
+that principle.</p>
+<p>O thrice happy they who have fled to him for refuge! It is easy
+for them to answer all objections and cavils of Satan, and of a
+false heart. It is easy for them to put Christ to answer all. And,
+on the other hand, who can tell the misery of such as are strangers
+to Jesus? How shall their wants be made up? How shall they answer
+challenges, accusations, temptations, doubts, fears, objections,
+and discouragements, cast up in their way?</p>
+<p>Oh! should not this endear the way of the gospel to us, and make
+Christ precious unto us! Is it not a wonder that such an
+all-sufficient mediator, who is able to save to the uttermost all
+that come to God through him, should be so little regarded and
+sought unto; and that there should be so few that embrace him, and
+take him as he is offered in the gospel.</p>
+<p>How can this be answered in the day of accounts? What excuse can
+unbelievers now have? Is not all to be found in Christ that their
+case calleth for? Is he not a complete mediator, thoroughly
+furnished with all necessaries? Is not the riches of his fulness
+written on all his dispensations? The mouths, then, of unbelievers,
+must be for ever stopped.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_III." id="CHAPTER_III."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2>
+<br>
+<h4>HOW CHRIST IS THE WAY IN GENERAL, "I AM THE WAY."</h4>
+<p>We come now to speak more particularly to the words; and,
+<i>first,</i> Of his being a way. Our design being to point at the
+way of use-making of Christ in all our necessities, straits, and
+difficulties which are in our way to heaven; and particularly to
+point out the way how believers should make use of Christ in all
+their particular exigencies; and so live by faith in him, walk in
+him, grow up in him, advance and march forward toward glory in him.
+It will not be amiss to speak of this fulness of Christ in
+reference to unbelievers, as occasion offereth, because this will
+help to clear the other.</p>
+<p>Before we can clear up how any can make use of Christ, we must
+speak something of their necessity of him, and of his being
+furnished fitly, fully, richly, and satisfyingly for their case;
+and this will make the way of use-making of Christ more plain.</p>
+<p>While Christ then says, "I am the Way," he points out those
+things to us:</p>
+<p>1. That man is now estranged from the Lord, and in a wandering
+condition: He hath departed from God, he is revolted and gone.
+"They are all gone out of the way," Rom. iii. 12. "They go astray
+as soon as they are born, speaking lies," Psal. lviii. 3.</p>
+<p>2. Nay, not only so, but we love naturally to wander and to run
+away from God, as Jeremiah complaineth of that wicked people, Jer.
+xiv. 10. Naturally, with "the dromedary, we traverse our ways,"
+Jer. ii. 23, and run hither and thither, but never look towards
+him. Nay, we are like those spoken of, Job xxi. 14. "We desire not
+the knowledge of his ways, we will have none of him," Psalm lxxxi.
+11; nor "of his reproofs," Prov. i. 30.</p>
+<p>Oh, how sad is this! And yet how is it more sad, that this is
+not believed, nor once considered. And that it is not believed, is
+manifest; for,</p>
+<p>1. How rare is it to meet with persons that are not very well
+pleased and satisfied with themselves and their condition? They
+thank the Lord it was aye well with them. They have no complaints.
+They see no wants nor necessities. They wonder what makes folk
+complain of their condition, of their evil heart, or of their
+hazard and danger. They understand not these matters.</p>
+<p>2. Do we not find people very quiet and at rest, though they
+remain in the congregation of the dead, Prov. xxi. 16. They sleep
+in a sound skin, because they see no hazard. The thoughts of their
+condition never bereave them of one night's rest: No challenges
+have they; all is at peace with them, for the strong man keeps the
+house.</p>
+<p>3. How rare is it to find people exercised about this matter,
+and busied with it in their thoughts, either while alone, or while
+in company with others; or once seriously thinking and considering
+of it, yea, or so much as suspecting the matter?</p>
+<p>4. How rare is it to see any soul broken in heart, and humbled
+because of this; who is walking under this as under a load; whose
+soul is bleeding under the consideration of this! Is there any
+mourning for this?</p>
+<p>5. Where is that to be heard, "Men and brethren, what shall we
+do to be saved?" How shall we enter into the right way? Where is
+that good old way, that we may walk in it? Few such questions and
+cases troubling consciences; and no wonder, for a deep sleep is
+upon them.</p>
+<p>6. How cometh it then, that the pointing forth of the way is so
+little hearkened unto? Sure were this natural condition perceived,
+a report of the sure and safe way would be much more welcome than
+it is: Christ by his messengers would not be put to cry so often in
+vain, "This is the way, turn in hither."</p>
+<p>Here is enough to convince of this ignorance and insensibleness;
+but it is his Spirit, which "convinceth the world of sin," John
+xvi. that must bear home this conviction.</p>
+<p><i>Secondly</i>, It pointeth out to us this, that "the way of
+man is not in himself," Jer. x. 23, that is, that nothing, he can
+do can or will prove a way to him to the Father: For Christ is the
+Way, as excluding all other means and ways. And that man can do
+nothing to help himself into the way, is clear; for,</p>
+<p>1. "His way is darkness," Prov. iv. 14. He knoweth no better, he
+is satisfied therewith; there he sleepeth and resteth.</p>
+<p>2. He cannot nor doth not desire to return. He hateth to be
+reformed.</p>
+<p>3. Yea, he thinketh himself safe; no man can convince him of the
+contrary: The way he is in "seemeth right to him, though the end
+thereof be death;" Prov. xiv. 12, and xvi. 25.</p>
+<p>4. Every man hath his own particular way to which he turneth,
+Isaiah liii, 6; some one thing or other that he is pleased with,
+and that he thinks will abundantly carry him through, and there
+resteth he; and what these ordinarily are, we shall hear
+presently.</p>
+<p>5. In this his way, which yet is a false way, "he trusteth,"
+Hosea x. 13, he leaneth upon it, little knowing that it will fail
+him at length, and that he and his hope and confidence shall
+perish.</p>
+<p>Is it not strange then to see men and women "gading about to
+seek their way," as it is said, Jer. ii. 36. as if they could find
+it out; or as if they could of themselves fall upon the way. What a
+lamentable sight is it, to see people "wearying themselves with
+very lies," Ezek. xxiv. 12; "and wearied in the multitude of their
+own counsels," Isaiah xlvii. 15.</p>
+<p>But what are those false and lying ways which men weary
+themselves in, and all in vain; and which they chuse and trust
+unto, and yet are not the way which will prove safe and sure?</p>
+<p><i>Ans.</i> It will not be easy to reckon them all up, we shall
+name some that are principal and most ordinary; such as,</p>
+<p>1. Good purposes and resolutions, with which many deceive
+themselves, supposing that to be all which is required: And, alas!
+all their purposes are like to Ephraim's goodness,&mdash;like the
+early cloud and morning dew that soon evanisheth; their purposes
+are soon broken off, and soon disappointed, because made without
+counsel, Prov. xv. 22. Many foolishly rest here, that they have a
+good mind to do better, and to amend their ways, and they purpose
+after such a time or such time, they shall begin a new manner of
+life; but their purposes never come to any effect, and so at length
+they and their purposes both perish.</p>
+<p>2. Some convictions and inward challenges. The word now and then
+pierceth them so far, and sore and sharp dispensations from the
+Lord so far affect their heart, that they see it is not well with
+them; and they are made, with Saul, to cry out, "I have sinned," 1
+Sam. xv. 24, and they advance no further; those convictions either
+die out again, or work no further change: And, poor souls, they
+think, because at such a sermon, or such a communion, they had some
+such convictions and sharp challenges, therefore they imagine all
+is well with them; when a Judas may have convictions, sharper than
+ever they had, and a Felix, Acts xxiv. 25.</p>
+<p>3. Convictions followed with some sort of amendment. Some may
+dreadfully deceive themselves with this, and conclude that all is
+right with them, and that the way they are in is safe and sure;
+because they have had convictions, which have been so effectual as
+to cause them to amend many things, and become, as to many things,
+changed men and women, when, alas, their way is but a way of
+darkness still; it is not Christ; they have never come to him.
+Herod hearing John Baptist, had his own convictions and amendments;
+for "he did many things," Mark vi. 20.</p>
+<p>4. Many rest upon their outward civility and morality, or
+negative holiness. They cannot be challenged for gross faults, and
+that is all the way they have to rest in: Alas! could not a wicked
+Pharisee say as much as they, viz. "That he was no extortioner,
+unjust person, or an adulterer, nor such as the publican was," Luke
+xviii. 11. How many heathens, as to this, shall outstrip such as
+profess themselves Christians? and yet they lived and died
+strangers to the right way to happiness. See what that poor young
+man said, Luke xviii. 21.</p>
+<p>5. Some may win to more than civility, and attain unto a kind of
+outward holiness, and outward performance of the duties of
+religion, such as hearing, reading, prayer, communicating, and rest
+there, and yet perish: For that is but their own way, it is not the
+right way. Had not the foolish virgins lamps? and did they not wait
+with the rest, Matth. xxv.; and will not many say, in that day, "We
+have eaten and drunken in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our
+streets:" to whom Christ shall answer, "I know not whence you are,
+depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity?" Luke xiii. 26, 27.
+Were not the Jews much in duties and outward ordinances? and yet
+see how the Lord rejected them all, Isaiah i. 11-15, and lxvi.
+3.</p>
+<p>6. Much knowledge doth deceive many. They think because they can
+talk of religion, speak to cases of conscience, handle places of
+Scripture, and the like, that therefore all is right with them;
+when alas, that is but a slippery ground to stand upon. The
+Pharisees sat in Moses' seat, and taught sometimes sound doctrine;
+and yet were heart-enemies to Jesus, Matth. xxiii. And will not
+many think to plead themselves into heaven, by saying, that they
+"have prophesied in his name," Matth. vii. 22. There is "a
+knowledge that puffeth up," 1 Cor. xiii. 2. Some there are whose
+knowledge seemeth to be operative and practical, and not merely
+speculative. Some may "escape the pollutions of the world through
+the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ," and yet again
+become entangled therein and overcome; so that "their latter end is
+worse than the beginning;" see 2 Peter ii. 20, 21, 22. Knowledge, I
+grant, is good, but it is not Christ, and so it is not the way to
+the Father; and many, alas! lean to it, and are deceived at
+last.</p>
+<p>7. A kind of seeming seriousness in the performance of duties,
+and in seeking of God, deceiveth many. They think, because they are
+not conscious to their own dissembling, but they look upon
+themselves as earnest in what they do, that therefore all is well.
+Sayeth not Christ, that not "every one that saith, Lord, Lord,
+shall enter into the kingdom of God?" Matth. vii. 21; that is, not
+every one that reneweth their suits, and ingeminateth their
+desires, cry, and cry over again, and, as it were, will not give it
+over; and yet they come short of their expectation. Did not the
+foolish virgins seem earnest and serious, when they continued
+waiting with the rest, and at length cried "Lord, Lord, open unto
+us;" and yet they are kept at the door. Many consider not that
+there is a secret and close hypocrisy, that some may be under and
+not know it, as well as a gross hypocrisy and dissimulation, which
+may be easily observed; "Will not many seek to enter in that shall
+not be able?" Matth. vii. 13. Luke xiii. 24.</p>
+<p>8. Many deceive themselves with this, that they are looked on by
+other godly, discerning persons and ministers, as good serious
+Christians, and that they carry so handsomely and so fair, that no
+man can judge otherways of them, than that they are good serious
+seekers of God. But, alas! the day is coming which will discover
+many things, and many one will be deceived both of themselves and
+of others. "Not he who commendeth himself is approved, but whom God
+approveth," 2 Cor. x. 18. Therefore, Paul exhorts Timothy, "to
+study to show himself approved unto God," 2 Tim. ii. 15. Men look
+only on the outside, and cannot see into the heart; but God
+searcheth the heart; and it is an easy matter to deceive men, but
+God will not be deceived.</p>
+<p>9. Some may suppose themselves in a safe and sure way, if they
+outstrip others in religious duties, and be much in extraordinary
+duties, when, alas! for all that, the heart may be rotten. "The
+Pharisee fasted twice a-week," Luke xviii. 12, and yet was but an
+enemy to Christ. O how deceitful is the heart of man!</p>
+<p>10. Inward peace and quietness of conscience may deceive some;
+and they may suppose that all is right with them; because they do
+nothing over the belly of their conscience. Their heart doth not
+accuse them of falsehood and dissimulation in their way with God or
+man, but they do all things according to their light. No doubt that
+young man (Luke xviii. 21,) spoke according to his judgment and
+light, when he said, "All these things have I kept from my youth."
+And Paul saith of himself (Acts xxiii. 1,) "that he had lived in
+all good conscience before God till that very day;" meaning, that
+even while he was a Pharisee unconverted, he had not tortured his
+conscience, nor done anything directly against it, but had always
+walked according to his light. See Acts xxvi. 9.</p>
+<p>11. A way of zeal may deceive many who may think their case
+unquestionable, because they are zealous for their way, and, as
+they think, their zeal is pure for God. Was not Paul, while a
+Pharisee, very zealous, when, out of zeal to his way, he persecuted
+the church, Philip. iii. 6. See my zeal for the Lord, could I thus
+say, 2 Kings x. 16; and the Jews had a zeal of God, but not
+according to knowledge, Rom. x. 2; and Christ tells us, that such
+as should persecute the Apostles unto death, would think they did
+God good service, John xvi. 2.</p>
+<p>12. Some also may put it beyond question, that they are in the
+right way, because they are more strict in all their ways than
+others, and will not so much as keep fellowship or company with
+them; saying, with those, (Isaiah lxv. 5) "Stand by, I am holier
+than thou, come not near to me," who yet are but a smoke in God's
+nose, and a fire that burneth all the day.</p>
+<p>13. Some may rest on, and deceive themselves with their great
+attainments, and more than ordinary experiences, when, alas! we see
+to what a height some may come, and yet prove nothing. Let such
+souls read with trembling that word of Paul, Heb. vi 4, 5, where we
+see some may come to be enlightened, to taste of the heavenly gift,
+to be made partakers of the Holy Ghost, to taste the good word of
+God, and the powers of the world to come, and yet prove cast-aways;
+taking these expressions as pointing forth something distinct from
+real grace.</p>
+<p>Many such false ways, wherein men please themselves, might be
+mentioned; by these every one may see cause of searching and trying
+over and over again. It is a dreadful thing to be deceived here,
+and it is best to put it to a trial, when there is a possibility of
+getting the matter helped. And many may fear and tremble when they
+see they are not yet come the length of many such as sit down
+without Christ, and lose all their labour. Oh, if this could put
+people to a serious examination and trial of themselves, and of the
+nature of that way wherein they are, and rest at present!</p>
+<p><i>Thirdly</i>, We might here observe, that this true and living
+way is but one for all. There is but "one Mediator between God and
+man," 1 Tim. ii. 5. One Mediator for both Old and New Testament,
+the seed of the woman. Howbeit the Lord's dispensations with his
+people, in that one way, may be various, as his way with his people
+under the law is different from his way with his people under the
+gospel; and his dispensations with individual believers, whether
+under the law or under the gospel, is not the same in all
+things.</p>
+<p>And this should teach us to relinquish our own ways, and to
+enter into this one only way; and it should move such as are in
+this way to study unity and agreement among themselves; and yet not
+infer or suppose, that God's way with them must be in all things
+alike. Yea, though the Lord's way with them be different from his
+way with others, and more dark, disconsolate, and bitter, yet let
+them be quiet and silent before the Lord, and acknowledge his
+goodness that hath brought them into the one only way, Jesus
+Christ, and keepeth them there.</p>
+<p>But, <i>fourthly,</i> The main thing here, and which is obvious,
+is this, that Jesus Christ is the way to the Father, the one and
+only way, the sovereign and excellent way, and he alone is the way.
+There is not another. "Neither is there salvation in any other; for
+there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we
+must be saved," Acts iv. 12.</p>
+<p>For clearing of this, we shall speak a little to those four
+things, and shew,</p>
+<p>1. What is our case, and what need we have of a way.</p>
+<p>2. How Christ answereth this our case and necessity, and is a
+fit way for us.</p>
+<p>3. How he alone is the way, and answereth this our case.</p>
+<p>4. What are the rare advantages and specialities of this
+way.</p>
+<p>And this will make way for our clearing up, how Christ is made
+use of as a way by poor sinners.</p>
+<p>For the first of these, our present case and necessity,
+something was spoken to it before; we shall reduce all those to two
+heads. The first is, our state of guilt, and separation from God
+because of sin and guilt; the next is, our state of wickedness and
+enmity against God.</p>
+<p>As to the first, we may take notice of those things:</p>
+<p>1. That sin, original and actual, hath separated us from God,
+and cast us out of his favour, and out of that station of favour
+and friendship which once we were advanced to in Adam.</p>
+<p>2. That we are under God's curse and wrath, and excommunicated
+from the presence of the Lord, by a sad, yet just, sentence
+according to law, and so are under death.</p>
+<p>As to the next thing, we may take notice of those
+particulars:</p>
+<p>1. That we are impure and polluted with sin and daily
+iniquity.</p>
+<p>2. That we are ignorant of the right way of returning into
+favour with God, seeking out to ourselves many inventions.</p>
+<p>3. That we are impotent for any good work or commanded duty.</p>
+<p>That not only so, but we are unwilling to do any thing that is
+good, or to enter into the way when pointed out unto us; yea, we
+are enemies to God by wicked works, and have an innate hatred to
+all his ways.</p>
+<p>5. We desire not to be out of the condition whereinto we are;
+there we love to lie and sleep, and desire not to be roused up or
+awakened.</p>
+<p>6. We are under the power and command of Satan, who leadeth us
+out of the way, yea, and driveth us forward in the wrong way, to
+our perdition.</p>
+<p>These things are plain and undeniable, and need no further
+confirmation; though, alas! it is little believed or laid to heart
+by many.</p>
+<p>For the second, how Christ answereth this our case and
+necessity. He is a way to us to help us out of both these, both out
+of our state of guilt and separation, and out of our state of
+wickedness and enmity.</p>
+<p>And, first, he helpeth us out of our state of guilt and
+separation:</p>
+<p>1. By taking away our guilt and sin; "being made sin for us, who
+knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in
+him," 2 Cor. v. 21. He hath filled the great gap betwixt God and
+us, with his body, and hath made of it, as it were, a bridge, by
+which they may go over to the Father: "We enter now into the
+holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he
+hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his
+flesh," Heb. x. 19, 20; "we are now brought near by his blood,"
+Eph. ii. 13, so that through him we are restored again to
+friendship with God, and made one with him; for Christ the Mediator
+hath "made both one, reconciling Jews and Gentiles both unto God,
+in one body, by the cross, having slain the enmity," Eph. ii.
+16.</p>
+<p>2. By taking away the curse and wrath that was due to us, being
+"made a curse for us," Gal iii. 13. So that he is become our peace,
+and "through him we have access by one spirit unto the Father, and
+are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the
+saints, and of the household of God," Eph. ii. 14, 18, 19. "He is
+set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood," Rom.
+iii. 25. 1 John ii. 2, and iv. 10. "By him have we now received
+atonement," Rom. v. 11.</p>
+<p>Next, he helpeth us out of our state of wickedness and
+enmity,</p>
+<p>1. By taking away our impurity and uncleanness, "by washing us
+and cleansing us in his blood," Ezek. xvi. 6-9. Col. i. 22, "having
+purchased grace for us," Eph. v. 1, 3, "we are blessed with all
+spiritual blessings in him." He applieth his merits, and layeth the
+foundation of grace and holiness in the soul, and carrieth on the
+work of mortification and vivification; and so killing the old man
+by his Spirit, both meritoriously and efficiently, he cleanseth and
+washeth. Hence, we are said to be baptised with him in his death,
+and buried with him by baptism into death, that we should walk in
+newness of life. And so our old man is crucified with him, that the
+body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve
+sin, Rom. vi. 3, 4, 6. And for our daily infirmities and escapes,
+whereby we pollute ourselves, his blood "is a fountain opened to
+the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and
+for uncleanness," Zech. xiii. 1; and to this fountain he bringeth
+by the spirit of repentance, which he, as an exalted prince,
+bestoweth, Acts. v. 31, and by faith. So 1 John ii. 1, "if any man
+sin, we have an advocate with the Father," &amp;c.</p>
+<p>2. As for our ignorance and blindness, he taketh that away,
+being given for a light to the Gentiles, Isa. xlii. 6, and xlix. 6.
+Luke ii. 32. He is sent to open the blind eyes, Isa. xlii. 7; to
+bring out the prisoners from their dark prisons, Isa. xlii. 7, and
+lxi. 1. Yea, he is anointed for this end, so that such as walk in
+darkness see a great light, and they that dwell in the land of the
+shadow of death, upon them the light hath shined, Isa. ix. 2.
+Matth. iv. 15; and he hath eye-salve to give, Rev. iii. 18.</p>
+<p>3. He is qualified for taking away our impotency, so that
+through him we can do all things, Philip, iv. 13; "when we are
+weak, we are strong in him who is our strength, and liveth in us,"
+2 Cor. xii. 10. Gal. ii. 20. Hence, "he worketh in us both to will
+and to do of his own good pleasure," Philip. ii. 13.</p>
+<p>4. He also taketh away our natural averseness, unwillingness,
+wickedness, and hatred of his ways, making his people "willing in
+the day of his power," Psal. cx. So he taketh away "the enmity that
+is in us," Col. ii. 20, and reconcileth us to God and to his ways,
+that our hearts do sweetly comply with them, and we become most
+willing and glad to walk in them, yea, and "to run the way of his
+commandments through his enlarging of our hearts," Psal. cxix.
+22.</p>
+<p>5. He likewise taketh away that desire and willingness, which we
+have, to lie still in our natural condition, by convincing us of
+the dreadful hazard thereof, through the spirit of conviction,
+whereby he convinceth the world of it, John xvi. 8, and
+circumciseth their ears to hear, and maketh them willing to hearken
+to the counsel of God.</p>
+<p>6. As for the power and dominion of Satan, he breaketh that, by
+"leading captivity captive," Eph. iv. 8; Psal. lxviii. 18; "and
+spoiling the strongman's house; for he is come to destroy the works
+of the devil," 1 John iii. 8; "and he spoileth principalities and
+powers," Col. ii. 15. Thus, as a captain of salvation, he leadeth
+them out as a conqueror; having paid the price, he delivereth also
+by power and authority from the hand of this jailor.</p>
+<p>And thus we see how he answereth our case and necessity, and is
+a fit way for us; and though this be not questioned, yet little is
+it believed and considered, and less put in practice.</p>
+<p>And as for the third particular, that he alone is this way, and
+answereth our case herein, it needeth not be much spoken to, since
+it is clear and manifest, confirmed by the experience of all
+generations, and the disappointments of fools who have been seeking
+other ways. Angels in heaven cannot do our business, they cannot
+satisfy justice for us, nor have they any power over our heart to
+turn it as they will; nay, they are not acquainted with our secret
+thoughts, that cabinet is kept close from them, and reserved as the
+peculiar privilege of God alone. The blood of bulls and of goats
+cannot do it; for the apostle tells us, that it is impossible for
+that to take away sin, Heb. x. 4. That blood shed according to the
+law did cleanse ceremonially, but it is only the blood of Jesus,
+typified by that, which cleanseth really; so that we are sanctified
+through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all, Heb.
+x. 10. No pains or labour of ours can avail here. The Lord will not
+be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers
+of oil. "He will not take our first-born for our transgression, nor
+the son of our body for the sin of our soul," Micah vi. 7.
+Ordinance and means will not do it, nor any invention of our own:
+"no man can by any means redeem his brother, or give to God a
+ransom for him; for the redemption of the soul is precious, and it
+ceaseth for ever," Psal. xlix. 7, 8. He alone hath laid down the
+price; all our sufferings, prayers, tears, labours, penances, and
+the like, signify nothing here; they cannot satisfy justice for one
+sin.</p>
+<p>As to the fourth particular, viz., the singularity of this way,
+those things make it manifest and apparent:</p>
+<p>1. This is such a way as can discover itself, and make itself
+known unto the erring traveller. Christ Jesus is such a way as can
+say to the wandering soul, "this is the way, walk ye in it," Isa.
+xxx. 25. No way can do this. This is comfortable.</p>
+<p>2. This way can not only discover itself to the wandering
+traveller, but also it can bring folk into it. Christ can bring
+souls unto himself, when they are running on in their wandering
+condition. He can move their hearts to turn into the right way, put
+grace in their soul for this end, begin resolutions in them, and
+sow the seed of faith; and so stay their course which they were
+violently pursuing, and make them look about and consider what they
+are doing. As the former was good news to poor, blind, and witless
+creatures that were wandering and knew not whither they were going;
+so this is good news to poor souls that find their heart inclining
+to wander, and loving to go astray.</p>
+<p>3. This way can cause us walk in it. If we be rebellious and
+obstinate, he can command with authority; for he is given for a
+leader and commander, Isa. lv. 4. How sweet should this be to the
+soul that is weighted with a stubborn, untractable, and
+unpersuadable heart, that he, as a king, governor, and commander,
+can with authority draw or drive, and cause us follow and run?</p>
+<p>4. This way is truth, as well as the way; so that the soul that
+once entereth in here is safe for ever; no wandering here. "The
+wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err in this way," Isa. xxxv.
+8. "He will bring the blind by a way that they knew not, and lead
+them in paths that they have not known; he will make darkness light
+before them, and crooked things straight; those things will he do
+unto them, and not forsake them," Isa. xlii. 16.</p>
+<p>5. This way is also life, and so can revive the faint and weary
+traveller. "He giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no
+might he increaseth strength; yea, he renews their strength, and
+makes them mount up with wings as eagles, and run and not be weary,
+and walk and not be faint," Isa. xl. 29, 31; "and so he giveth legs
+to the traveller, yea, he carrieth the lambs in his bosom," Isa.
+xl. 11. Oh! who would not walk in this way? what can discourage the
+man that walketh here? what can he fear? No way can quicken and
+refresh the weary man. This way can do it; yea, it can quicken one
+that is as dead, and cause him march on with fresh alacrity and
+vigour.</p>
+<p>6. From all these it followeth, that this way is a most
+pleasant, heartsome, desirable and comfortable way. The man is safe
+here, and he may "sing in the ways of the Lord," Psalm cxxxviii. 5.
+"For wisdom's ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are
+peace," Prov. iii. 17. He is a way that is food, physic, cordials,
+and all that the poor traveller standeth in need of till he come
+hence.</p>
+<p>From all which, ere we come to particulars, we shall in general
+point out those duties, which natively result thence, by way of
+use.</p>
+<p>1. O what cause is there here for all of us to fall a wondering,
+both that God should ever have condescended to have appointed a way
+how sinners and rebels, that had wickedly departed from him, and
+deserved to be cast out of his presence and favour for ever, might
+come back again, and enjoy happiness and felicity in the friendship
+and favour of that God that could have got the glory of his justice
+in our destruction, and stood in no need of us, or of any thing we
+could do: as also, that he appointed such a way, that Jesus Christ
+his only Son, should, to speak so, lie as a bridge betwixt God and
+sinful rebels, and as a highway, that they might return to the
+great God upon him. Let all the creation of God wonder at this
+wonderful condescending love of God, that appointed such a way; and
+of Christ, that was content to lout so low as to become this way to
+us, this new and living way; and that for this end he should have
+taken on flesh, and become Emmanuel, God with us, and tabernacled
+with us, that through this vail of his flesh, he might consecrate a
+way to us. Let angels wonder at this condescendency.</p>
+<p>2. Hence we may see ground of being convinced of those things:
+(1.) That naturally we are out of the way to peace and favour with
+God, and in a way that leadeth to death, and so that our misery and
+wretchedness, so long as it is so, cannot be expressed. (2.) That
+we can do nothing for ourselves; set all our wits a-work, we cannot
+fall upon a way that will bring us home. (3.) That it is madness
+for us to seek out another way, and to vex ourselves in vain, to
+run to this and to that mean or invention of our own, and be found
+fools in the end. (4.) That our madness is so much the greater in
+this, that we will turn to our own ways that will fail us, when
+there is such a noble and excellent, and every way satisfying way
+prepared to our hand. (5.) That our wickedness is so desperate,
+that the way which is pointed out to us doth not please us, and
+that we will not enter into it, nor walk in it. (6.) That this way,
+which is also the truth and the life, is only worth the embracing,
+and is only safe and sure; we should be convinced and persuaded of
+the worth, sufficiency, and desirableness of this way. Reason, with
+ordinary light from the word, may teach these things; but grace can
+only carry them into the heart, and make them take rooting
+there.</p>
+<p>3. We may read here our obligation to those particulars: (1.) To
+turn our back upon all other false and deceitful ways, and not rest
+there. (2.) To enter into this way, though "the gate be narrow and
+strait," Matt vii. 13. Luke xiii. 24, yet "to strive to enter in."
+(3.) To resolve to abide in that way as acquiescing in it, resting
+satisfied with it, and thus to be "rooted in him," Col. ii. 7, and
+"to dwell in him," 1 John iii. 24, and "to live in him," or
+"through him," 1 John iv. 9. (4.) To "walk in this way," Col. ii.
+6. that is, to make constant use of him, and to make progress in
+the way in and through him; to go from strength to strength in him,
+drawing all our furniture from him, by faith, according to the
+covenant; and that the soul should guard against, 1. stepping aside
+out of this good and pleasant way; 2. backsliding; 3. sitting up,
+and fainting by the way.</p>
+<p>In a word, this pointeth out our duty, to make use of Christ as
+our way to the Father, and only of Christ; and this leads us to the
+particulars we shall speak a little to.</p>
+<p>There are two main things which stand in our way, and hinder us
+from approaching to the Father. 1. Unrighteousness and guilt,
+whereby we are legally banished, because of the broken covenant,
+and the righteous sentence of God according to that covenant. And,
+2. Wickedness, impurity, and unholiness, which is, as a physical
+bar, lying in our way; because nothing that is unclean can dwell
+and abide with him, who is of purer eyes than he can behold
+iniquity; and nothing that is unclean can enter in there where he
+is. So then there must be an use-making of Christ, as a way through
+both these impediments; we need justification and pardon for the
+one, and sanctification and cleansing for the other. Now Christ
+being the way to the Father, both as to justification, in taking
+away the enmity, in changing our state, and removing our
+unrighteousness and guilt, whereby we were lying under the sentence
+of the law, adjudging such sinners as we are to hell; and as to
+sanctification, in cleansing us from all our pollutions, renewing
+our souls, washing away our spots and defilements, &amp;c. He must
+be made use of in reference to both.</p>
+<p>In speaking to the <i>first</i>, we shall be the shorter,
+because through God's great mercy, the gospel's pure way of
+justification by faith in Christ is richly and abundantly cleared
+up by many worthy authors, of late, both as concerning the
+theoretical and practical part.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_IV." id="CHAPTER_IV."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2>
+<br>
+<h4>HOW CHRIST IS MADE USE OF FOR JUSTIFICATION AS A WAY.</h4>
+<p>What Christ hath done to purchase, procure, and bring about our
+justification before God, is mentioned already, viz. That he stood
+in the room of sinners, engaging for them as their cautioner,
+undertaking, and at length paying down the ransom; becoming sin, or
+a sacrifice for sin, and a curse for them, and so laying down his
+life a ransom to satisfy divine justice; and this he hath made
+known in the gospel, calling sinners to an accepting of him as
+their only Mediator, and to a resting upon him for life and
+salvation; and withal, working up such, as belong to the election
+of grace, to an actual closing with him upon the conditions of the
+covenant, and to an accepting of him, believing in him, and resting
+upon him, as satisfied with, and acquiescing in that sovereign way
+of salvation and justification through a crucified Mediator.</p>
+<p>Now, for such as would make use of Christ as the way to the
+Father in the point of justification, those things are requisite;
+to which we shall only premise this word of caution, That we judge
+not the want of these requisites a ground to exempt any, that
+heareth the gospel, from the obligation to believe and rest upon
+Christ as he is offered in the gospel.</p>
+<p>1. There must be a conviction of sin and misery. A conviction of
+original guilt, whereby we are banished out of God's presence and
+favour, and are in a state of enmity and death, are come short of
+the glory of God, Rom. iii. 23; becoming dead or under the sentence
+of death, through the offence of one, Rom. v. 15; being made
+sinners by one man's disobedience, verse 19, and therefore under
+the reigning power of death, verse 17, and under that judgment that
+came upon all men to condemnation, verse 18. And of original innate
+wickedness, whereby the heart is filled with enmity against God,
+and is a hater of him and all his ways, standing in full opposition
+to him and to his holy laws; loving to contradict and resist him in
+all his actings; despising and undervaluing all his condescensions
+of love; obstinately refusing his goodness and offers of mercy; and
+peremptorily persisting in rebellion and heart-opposition; not only
+not accepting his kindness and offers of mercy, but contemning
+them, trampling them under foot as embittered against him. As also,
+there must be a conviction of our actual transgressions, whereby we
+have corrupted our ways yet more, run farther away from God,
+brought on more wrath upon our souls, according to that sentence of
+the law, "Cursed is everyone that abideth not in all things that
+are written in the law to do them," Deut. xxvii. 26. Gal. iii. 10.
+What way this conviction is begun and carried on in the soul, and
+to what measure it must come, I cannot now stand to explain; only,
+in short, know, That upon whatever occasion it be begun, whether by
+a word carried home to the heart by the finger of God, or by some
+sharp and crossing dispensation, fear of approaching death, some
+heinous out-breaking, or the like, it is a real thing, a
+heart-reaching conviction, not general and notional, but
+particular, plain, and pinching, affecting the heart with fear and
+terror, making the soul seriously and really to mind this matter,
+to be taken up with the thoughts of it, and anxiously and earnestly
+to cry out, "What shall I do to be saved?" and finally, will make
+the soul willing to hearken and hear what hopes of mercy there is
+in the gospel, and to embrace the way of salvation which is there
+laid down. And the reason of this is, because Christ himself tells
+us, "The whole needeth not the physician, but the sick," Matt. ix.
+12. "He is not come to call the righteous," that is, such as are
+righteous in their own eyes, "but sinners," that is, such as are
+now no more whole at the heart, as seeing no evil, no hazard or
+danger, but pricked and pierced with the sense of their lost
+condition, being under the heavy wrath and vengeance of the great
+God, because of sin; and seeing their own vileness, cursedness,
+wickedness and desperate madness. Because naturally we hate God and
+Christ, John xv. 23-25, and have a strong and natural antipathy at
+the way of salvation through Jesus, therefore nothing but strong
+and inevitable necessity will drive us to a compliance with this
+gospel device of love.</p>
+<p>2. There must be some measure of humiliation. Under this
+conviction the man is bowed down, and made mute before God; no more
+boasting of his goodness and of his happy condition; no high or
+great thoughts of his righteousness; for all are looked on now as
+"filthy rags," Isa. lxv. 6. "What things were as gain before to the
+soul, must now be counted loss, yea, and as dung," Philip, iii. 7,
+8. The man must be cast down in himself, and far from high and
+conceity thoughts of himself, or of any thing he ever did or can
+do. "For the Lord resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the
+humble," James iv. 6; 1 Pet. v. 5. "He reviveth the spirit of the
+humble," Isa. lvii. 15. "He that humbleth himself shall be
+exalted," Matt. xviii. 4, and xxiii. 12; Luke xiv. 11, and xviii.
+14.</p>
+<p>3. There must be a despairing of getting help or relief out of
+this condition, by ourselves, or any thing we can do; a conviction
+of the unprofitableness of all things under the sun for our relief.
+No expectation of help from our supposed good heart, good purposes,
+good deeds, works of charity, many prayers, commendations of
+others, sober and harmless walking, or anything else within us or
+without us that is not Christ. For, so long as we have the least
+hope or expectation of doing our own business without Christ, we
+will not come to him. Our heart hangeth so after the old way of
+salvation through works, that we cannot endure to hear of any
+other, nor can we yield to any other. Could we but have heaven by
+the way of works, we would spare no pains, no cost, no labour, no
+expenses; nay, we would put ourselves to much pain and torment by
+whippings, cuttings, fastings, watchings, and the like; we would
+spare our first-born; nay, we would dig our graves in a rock with
+our nails, and cut our own days, could we but get heaven by this
+means; such is our antipathy at the way of salvation through a
+crucified Christ, that we would choose any way but that, cost what
+it would; therefore, before we can heartily close with Christ and
+accept of him, we must be put from those refuges of lies, and see
+that there is nothing but a disappointment written on them all,
+that all our prayers, fastings, cries, duties, reformations,
+sufferings, good wishes, good deeds, &amp;c. are nothing in his
+eyes, but so many provocations to the eyes of his jealousy, and so,
+further causes of our misery.</p>
+<p>4. There must be a rational, deliberate, and resolute
+relinquishing of all those things in ourselves, on which our heart
+is ready to dote. The man being convinced of the vanity of all
+things by which he hath been hoping for salvation, must now purpose
+to lose his grips of them, to turn his back upon them, to quit them
+with purpose of heart, and to say to them, get you hence, as Isa.
+xxx. 22. This is to deny ourselves, which we must do ere we become
+his disciples, Matt. xvi. 24. This is to forsake our father's
+house, Psalm xlv. 10, and to pluck out our right eye, and to cut
+off our right arm, Matth. v. 29, 30. This abandoning of all our
+false propes and subterfuges must be resolute, over the belly of
+much opposition within, from the carnal and natural inclinations of
+the heart; and of much opposition without, from Satan's ensnaring
+suggestions and deceitful temptations: It must be a real, rational
+act of the soul, upon solid and thorough conviction of their
+unprofitableness, yea, of their dangerousness and
+destructiveness.</p>
+<p>5. There must be some knowledge of the nature of the gospel
+covenant, and of the way which now God hath chosen whereby to
+glorify his grace in the salvation of poor sinners. That God,
+Father, Son, and Holy Ghost thought good, for the glory of free
+grace and wisdom, in a way of justice and mercy, to send Jesus
+Christ to assume man's nature, and so become God and man in two
+distinct natures, and one person, for ever; and to become under the
+law, to undergo the curse thereof, and to die the cursed death of
+the cross, to satisfy justice, and pay the ransom for the
+redemption of the elect. In which undertaking our Lord was a
+servant, Isa. xlii. 1, and xlix. 6, and lii. 13, and liii. 11.
+Zech. iii. 8. Matt. xii. 18; and had furniture from God for all his
+undertaking, Isa. xlii. 1, and lxi. 1, 2. Matt. xii. 18; and had a
+promise of seeing his seed, and of prolonging his days, &amp;c.
+Isa. xliii. 10, 11. Thus there was a covenant of redemption betwixt
+God and the Mediator; and the Mediator undertaking, was obliged to
+perform all that he undertook, and accordingly did so. For, as the
+Lord laid on him, or caused to meet together on him, "the iniquity
+of us all," Isa. liii. 6, so in due time "he bare our griefs, and
+carried our sorrows. He was wounded for our transgressions, and
+bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon
+him. He was cut off out of the land of the living, and stricken for
+the transgression of his people; he made his soul an offering for
+sin, and bare the iniquities of his people. Pouring out his soul
+unto death he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the
+transgressors," Isa. liii. 4, 5, 10, 11, 12. So "that what the law
+could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending
+his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, for sin (or by a
+sacrifice for sin) condemned sin in the flesh," Rom. viii. 3, "that
+the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us," verse 4.
+Thus "he made him sin (or a sacrifice for sin) that we might become
+righteous," 2 Cor. v. 20; and "he was once offered to bear the sins
+of many," Heb. ix. 28; and "he, through the eternal Spirit, offered
+himself without spot to God," verse 14, and "his own self bare our
+sins in his own body on the tree," 1 Pet. ii. 24. There must, I
+say, be some knowledge of, and acquaintance with this great mystery
+of the gospel, wherein is declared "the manifold wisdom of God,"
+Eph. iii. 10, and with the noble design of God, in sending his Son,
+after this manner, to die the death, that condemned sinners might
+live, and return to the bosom of God; as redeemed "not with gold or
+silver, or corruptible things but with the precious blood of
+Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot," 1 Pet. i.
+18. And being "so redeemed by blood, to become kings and priests
+unto God," 1 Pet. ii. 2. Rev. v. 9, 10. The man must not be
+ignorant of this, else all will be in vain. I do not determine how
+distinct and full this knowledge must be; but sure there must be so
+much knowledge of it, as will give the soul ground of hope, and, in
+expectation of salvation by this way, cause it turn its back upon
+all other ways, and account itself happy if it could once win
+here.</p>
+<p>6. There must be a persuasion of the sufficiency, completeness
+and satisfactoriness of the way of salvation through this crucified
+Mediator, else the soul will not be induced to leave its other
+courses, and betake itself to this alone. He must be sure that
+salvation is only to be had this way, and that undoubtedly it will
+be had this way, that so with confidence he may cast himself over
+on this way, and sweetly sing of a noble outgate. And therefore he
+must believe, that Christ is really God as well as man, and a true
+man as well as God; that he is fully furnished for the work of
+redemption, having the Spirit given to him without measure; and
+endued fully and richly with all qualifications fitting for all our
+necessities, and enabling him to "save to the uttermost all that
+come unto God by him," Heb. vii. 25; that "he is made of God to us
+wisdom, righteousness, and sanctification," 1 Cor. i. 30; that "all
+power in heaven and in earth is given unto him," Matt. xxviii. 18;
+that "all things are put under his feet;" and that "he is given to
+be Head over all things to the church," Eph. i. 22; that "in him
+dwelleth all fulness," Col. i. 19; that "in him are hid all the
+treasures of wisdom and knowledge," Col. ii. 3; yea, "that in him
+dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily;" so that we are
+"complete in him, who is the head of all principality and power,"
+verses 9, 10.</p>
+<p>7. The soul must know that he is not only an able and
+all-sufficient Mediator, but that also he is willing and ready to
+redeem and save all that will come. For all the preceding
+particulars will but increase his sorrow and torment him more, so
+long as he supposeth, through ignorance and the suggestion of
+Satan, that he hath no part in that redemption, no access to it, no
+ground of hope of salvation by it. Therefore it is necessary that
+the soul conceive not only a possibility, but also a probability of
+help this way, and that the dispensation of the gospel of grace,
+and the promulgation and offer of these good news to him, speak out
+so much, that the patience of God waiting long, and his goodness
+renewing the offers, confirmeth this; that his serious pressing,
+his strong motives, on the one hand, and his sharp threatenings on
+the other; his reiterated commands, his ingeminated obtestations;
+his expressed sorrow and grief over such as would not come to him;
+his upbraiding and objurations of such as do obstinately refuse,
+and the like, put his willingness to save such as will come to him
+out of all question. Yea, his obviating of objections, and taking
+all excuses out of their mouth, maketh the case plain and manifest,
+so that such as will not come are left without excuse, and have no
+impediment lying in the way but their own unwillingness.</p>
+<p>8. The man must know upon what terms and conditions Christ
+offereth himself in the gospel, viz. upon condition of accepting of
+him, believing in him, and resting upon him; and that no other way
+we can be made partakers of the good things purchased by Christ,
+but by accepting of him as he is offered in the gospel, that is to
+say, freely, "without price or money," Isa. lv. 1, absolutely
+without reservation, wholly, and for all ends, &amp;c. For, till
+this be known, there will be no closing with Christ; and till there
+be a closing with Christ, there is no advantage to be had by him.
+The soul must be married to him as an husband, fixed to him as the
+branches to the tree, united to him as the members to the head,
+become one with him, "one spirit," 1 Cor. vi. 17. See John xv. 5.
+Eph. v. 30. The soul must close with him for all things, adhere to
+him upon all hazards, take him and the sharpest cross that
+followeth him. Now, I say, the soul must be acquainted with these
+conditions; for it must act deliberately and rationally here.
+Covenanting with Christ is a grave business, and requireth
+deliberation, posedness of soul, rational resolution, full purpose
+of heart, and satisfaction of soul, and therefore the man must be
+acquainted with the conditions of the new covenant.</p>
+<p>9. There must be a satisfaction with the terms of the gospel,
+and the heart must actually close with Christ as he is offered in
+the gospel. The heart must open to him, and take him in, Rev. iii.
+20. The soul must embrace and receive him, John i. 12. The man must
+take him as his Lord and Master, King, Priest, and Prophet; must
+give up himself to him as his leader and commander, and resolve to
+follow him in all things, and thus close a bargain with him; for,
+till this be done, there is no union with Christ, and, till there
+be an union with Christ, there is no partaking of the fruits of his
+redemption as to justification, no pardon, no acceptance, no access
+to the favour of God, nor peace nor joy in the Holy Ghost, no
+getting of the conscience sprinkled, nor no intimation of love or
+favour from God, &amp;c.</p>
+<p>10. There must be a leaning to and resting upon him and on his
+perfect sacrifice. The soul must sit down here as satisfied, and
+acquiesce in this complete mediation of his. This is to believe on
+him, to rest on him, John iii. 18. 1 Pet. ii. 6, as an
+all-sufficient help. This is to cast the burden of a broken
+covenant, of a guilty conscience, of deserved wrath, of the curse
+of the law, &amp;c. upon him, that he may bear away those evils
+from us. This is to put on the Lord Jesus (in part), Rom. xiii. 14;
+to cover ourselves with his righteousness from the face of justice,
+to stand in this armour of proof against the accusations of law,
+Satan, and an evil conscience. This is to flee to him as our city
+of refuge, that we may be safe from the avenger of blood. This is
+to make him our refuge from the storm of God's anger, and a shadow
+from the heat of his wrath, Isa. xxv. 4, and "our hiding-place from
+the wind, and a covert from the tempest," and as the "shadow of a
+great rock in a weary land," Isa. xxxii. 2. When we hide ourselves
+in him as the complete cautioner that hath fully satisfied justice,
+and "desire to be found in him alone, not having our own
+righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the
+faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith," Phil.
+iii. 9. This is to lay our hand on the head of the sacrifice, when
+we rest on this sacrifice, and expect salvation through it alone.
+This is to cast ourselves in Christ's arms, as peremptorily
+resolving to go no other way to the Father, and to plead no other
+righteousness before God's bar but Christ's; that is faith, yea,
+the lively acting of justifying faith.</p>
+<p>Thus then is Christ made use of as the way to the Father, in the
+point of justification, when the poor awakened sinner, convinced of
+his sin and misery, of his own inability to help himself, of the
+insufficiency of all means beside Christ, of Christ's
+all-sufficiency, readiness, and willingness to help, of the equity
+and reasonableness of the conditions on which he is offered, and
+life through him, is now content and fully satisfied with this way,
+actually renouncing all other ways whatsoever, and doth with heart
+and hand embrace Jesus Christ, and take him as he is offered in the
+gospel, to make use of him for all things, to Jean to him, and rest
+upon him in all hazards, and particularly, to refuge itself under
+his wings, and to rest there with complacency, satisfaction, and
+delight, and hide itself from the wrath of God and all
+accusations.</p>
+<p>Yet it should be known, that this act of faith, whereby the soul
+goeth out to Christ, and accepteth of and leaneth to him, is not
+alike in all.</p>
+<p>1. In some it may be more lively, strong and active, like the
+centurion's faith, that could argue syllogistically, Matt. viii. 8,
+&amp;c, which Christ looked upon as a great faith, a greater
+whereof he had not found, no not in Israel, verse 10; and like the
+faith of the woman of Canaan, Matt. xv. 21, &amp;c, that would take
+no naysay, but of seeming refusals did make arguments, which Christ
+commendeth as a great faith, verse 28. But in others it may be more
+weak and fainting, not able to reason aright for its own comfort
+and strength, as Matt, vi. 30, but is mixed with much fear, as
+Matt. viii. 26, yea, and with much faithfulness, so that the soul
+must cry, "Lord, help my unbelief!" Mark ix. 24.</p>
+<p>2. In some the acts and actings of this faith may be more clear
+and discernible, both by themselves, and by spiritual onlookers; in
+others, so covered over with a heap of doubts, unbelief, jealousy,
+and other corruption, that the actings of it can hardly, or not at
+all, be perceived by themselves or others; so that nothing shall be
+heard but complaints, fears, doubtings, and objections.</p>
+<p>3. In some, this faith may have strong and perceptible actings,
+wrestling through much discouragement and opposition, and many
+difficulties; as in the woman of Canaan, Matt. xv.; running through
+with peremptory resoluteness, saying, with Job, chap. xiii. 15,
+"Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him;" and thus taking the
+kingdom of heaven with violence. In others it may be so weak, that
+the least opposition or discouragement may be sufficient to make
+the soul give over hope, and almost despair of overcoming and
+winning through, and be as a bruised reed or a smoking flax.</p>
+<p>4. In some, though it appear not strong and violent or wilful
+(in a manner) in its actings, yet it may be firm, fixed, and
+resolute in staying upon him, Isa. xxvi. 3, 4, and trusting in him,
+Psalm cxxv. 1, resolving to hing there, and if it perish, it
+perisheth; in others weak and bashful.</p>
+<p>5. In some it may be yet weaker, going out in strong and
+vehement hungerings, Matt. v. 6. The man dare not say, that he doth
+believe or that he doth adhere to Christ and stay upon him; yet he
+dare say, he longeth for him, and panteth after him, as ever "the
+hart doth after the water-brooks," Psalm xlii. 1, 2; he hungereth
+and thirsteth for him, and cannot be satisfied with any thing
+without him.</p>
+<p>6. In some, it may be so weak, that the soul can only perceive
+the heart looking out after him; upon little more ground than a
+maybe it shall be helped, Isa. xlv. 22. They look to him for
+salvation, being convinced that there is no other way; and resolved
+to follow no other way, they resolve to lie at his door, waiting
+and looking for a sight of the king's face, and to lie waiting till
+they die, if no better may be.</p>
+<p>7. In some, it may be so weak, that nothing more can be
+perceived but a satisfaction with the terms of the covenant, a
+willingness to accept of the bargain, and an heart consenting
+thereunto, though they dare not say that they actually close
+therewith, yea, nor dare say that they shall be welcome, Rev. xxii.
+17.</p>
+<p>8. In some, it may be so weak and low, that they cannot say that
+they have any right hunger or desire after him, nor that their
+heart doth rightly and really consent to the covenant of grace; yet
+they would fain be at it, and cry out, O for a willing heart! O for
+ardent desires! O for a right hunger! and they are dissatisfied,
+and cannot be reconciled with their hearts for not desiring more,
+hungering more, consenting more; so that, if they had this, they
+would think themselves happy and up-made. And thus we see their
+faith is so low, that it appeareth in nothing more manifestly, than
+in their complainings of the want of it.</p>
+<p>So then, the poor weak believer needeth not to be so far
+discouraged as to despair and give over the matter as hopeless and
+lost; let him hang on, depend and wait. A weak faith to-day may
+become stronger within a short time. He that laid the foundation
+can and will finish the building, for all his works are perfect.
+And a weak faith, when true, will prove saving, and lay hold on a
+saving strong Mediator.</p>
+<p>Moreover, as to the acting of faith on Christ's death and
+sacrifice for the stopping the mouth of conscience, law, Satan, and
+for the opposing to the pursuing justice of God because of sin, it
+may sometimes be strong, distinct, clear, and resolute; at other
+times again be weak, mixed, or accompanied with much fear,
+perplexity, doubting, and distrust, because of their own seen
+unworthiness, many failings, doubtings of the sincerity of their
+repentance, and the like.</p>
+<p>This is a main business, and of great concernment, yet many are
+not much troubled about it, nor exercised at the heart hereabout,
+as they ought, deceiving themselves with foolish imaginations:
+For,</p>
+<p>1. They think they were believers all their days, they never
+doubted of God's grace and good-will, they had always a good heart
+for God, though they never knew what awakened conscience, or sense
+of the wrath of God meant.</p>
+<p>2. Or they think, because God is merciful, he will not be so
+severe as to stand upon all those things that ministers require;
+forgetting that he is a just God, and a God of truth, that will do
+according to what he hath said.</p>
+<p>3. Or they suppose it is an easy matter to believe, and not such
+a difficult thing as it is called; not considering or believing,
+that no less power than that which raised Christ from the dead,
+will work up the heart unto faith.</p>
+<p>4. Or they resolve, that they will do it afterward, at some more
+convenient season; not perceiving the cunning slight of Satan in
+this, nor considering, that faith is not in their power, but the
+gift of God; and that, if they lay not hold on the call of God, but
+harden their heart in their day, God may judicially blind them, so
+that these things shall be hid from their eyes; and so that
+occasion, they pretend to wait for, never come.</p>
+<p>Oh! if such whom this mainly concerneth, could be induced to
+enter into this way; considering,</p>
+<p>1. That except they enter into this way they cannot be safe, the
+wrath of God will pursue them, the avenger of blood will overtake
+them; no salvation but here.</p>
+<p>2. That in this way is certain salvation; this way will
+infallibly lead to the Father; for he keepeth in the way, and
+bringeth safe home, Exod. xxiii. 20.</p>
+<p>3. 'Tis the old path and the good way, Jer. vi. 16; all the
+saints have the experience of this, who are already come to glory.
+And,</p>
+<p>4. It is a highway, and a way of righteousness, wherein, if very
+fools walk, they shall not wander, Isa. xxxv. 8, 9, and if the weak
+walk in it, they shall not faint, Isa. xl. 31.</p>
+<p>5. That except this be done, there is no advantage to be had by
+him; his death and all his sufferings, as to those persons that
+will not believe and enter into him as the way to the Father, are
+in vain.</p>
+<p>6. Yea, such as will not believe in him say, in effect, either
+that Christ hath not died nor consecrated a way through the vail of
+his flesh; or, that all that he hath done and suffered is not
+sufficient to bring a soul home to God; or that they can do their
+own business without him, and that it was a foolish and vain thing
+for Christ to die the death for that end; or, lastly, that they
+care not for salvation; they are indifferent whether they perish or
+be saved.</p>
+<p>7. That, as to them, the whole gospel is in vain, all the
+ordinances, all the administration of ordinances, all the pains of
+ministers, are in vain.</p>
+<p>8. That, as to them, all Christ's intreaties, motives,
+allurements, patience and long-suffering, his standing at the door
+and knocking till his locks be wet with the dew, &amp;c. are in
+vain; yea, they are contemptuously rejected, despised, slighted,
+and undervalued.</p>
+<p>9. That all the great promises are by such rejected as untrue,
+or as not worthy the seeking or having; and that all the
+threatenings, on the other hand, are not to be regarded or
+feared.</p>
+<p>10. In a word, that heaven and the fellowship of God is not
+worth the seeking, and that hell and the fellowship of devils is
+not worth the fearing; or, that there is neither a heaven nor a
+hell, and that all are but fictions; and that there is no such
+thing as the wrath of God against sinners, or that it is not much
+to be feared.</p>
+<p>If it be asked, what warrant have poor sinners to lay hold on
+Christ, and grip to him, as made of God righteousness?</p>
+<p>I answer, 1. our absolute necessity of him is a ground to press
+us to go and seek help and relief: we see we are gone in ourselves,
+and therefore are we allowed to seek out for help elsewhere.</p>
+<p>2. Christ's all-sufficient furniture, whereby he is a qualified
+Mediator, fitted with all necessaries for our case and condition,
+having laid down a price to the satisfaction of justice, is a
+sufficient invitation for us to look toward him for help, and to
+wait at that door.</p>
+<p>3. His being appointed of the Father to be Mediator of the
+covenant, and particularly, to lay down his life a ransom for sin;
+and Christ's undertaking all his offices, and performing all the
+duties thereof, conform to the covenant of redemption, is a strong
+encouragement to poor sinners to come to him, because he cannot
+deny himself, and he will be true to his trust.</p>
+<p>4. The Father's offering of him to us in the gospel, and
+Christ's inviting us who are weary and heavy laden; yea, calling
+and commanding such to come to him in his own and in his Father's
+name, under the pain of his and his Father's wrath and everlasting
+displeasure; exhorting further, and requesting upon terms of love,
+pressing earnestly by many motives, sending out his ambassadors to
+beseech in his stead poor sinners to be reconciled, and to turn in
+to him for life and salvation; yea, upbraiding such as will not
+come to him. All these are a sufficient warrant for a poor
+necessitous sinner to lay hold on his offer.</p>
+<p>And, further, to encourage poor souls to come unto him, all
+things are so well ordered in the gospel, as that nothing occurreth
+that can in the least prove a stumbling-block or a just ground of
+excuse for their forbearing to believe and to accept of his offers.
+All objections possible are obviated to such as are but willing;
+the way is cast up, and all stones of stumbling cast out of it; so
+that such as will not come can pretend no excuse. They cannot
+object the greatness of their sins: for the greater their sins be
+they have the greater need of one who is sent to take away sin, and
+whose blood purgeth from all sin, 1 John i. 7. What great sinner
+did he ever refuse that came to him, and was willing to be saved by
+him? Is there any clause in all the gospel excluding great sinners?
+Nor need they object their great unworthiness; for he doth all
+freely for the glory of his free grace. None ever got any good of
+him for their worth; for no man ever had any worth. Nor need they
+object their long refusing and resisting many calls; for he will
+make such as are willing welcome at the eleventh hour; him that
+cometh he will in no case put away, John vi. 37. Nor can they
+object their changeableness, that they will not stand to the
+bargain, but break and return with the dog to the vomit; for Christ
+hath engaged to bring all through that come unto him; he will raise
+them up at the last day, John vi. 40; he will present them to
+himself holy and without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, Eph.
+v. The covenant is fully provided with promises to stop the mouth
+of that objection. Nor can they object the difficulty or
+impossibility of believing; for that is Christ's work also, he "is
+the author and finisher of faith," Heb. xii. 1. Can they not with
+confidence cast themselves upon him; yet if they can hunger and
+thirst for him, and look to him, he will accept of that; "look to
+me," says he, "and be saved," Isa. xlv. 22. If they cannot look to
+him, nor hunger and thirst for him, yet if they be willing, all is
+well. Are they willing that Christ save them in his way, and
+therefore willingly give themselves over to him, and are willing
+and content that Christ, by his Spirit, work more hunger in them,
+and a more lively faith, and work both to will and to do according
+to his own good pleasure, it is well.</p>
+<p>But it will be said, that the terms and conditions on which he
+offereth himself are hard. Answer&mdash;I grant the terms are hard
+to flesh and blood, and to proud unmortified nature; but to such as
+are willing to be saved, so as God may be most glorified, the terms
+are easy, most rational and satisfying: for,</p>
+<p>1. We are required to take him only for our Mediator, and to
+join none with him, and to mix nothing with him. Corrupt nature is
+averse from this, and would at least mix something of self with
+him, and not rest on Christ only: corrupt nature would not have the
+man wholly denying himself, and following Christ only. And hence
+many lose themselves, and lose all; because, with the Galatians,
+they would mix the law and the gospel together; do something
+themselves for satisfaction of justice, and take Christ for the
+rest that remains. Now, the Lord will have all the glory, as good
+reason is, and will have none to share with him; he will give of
+his glory to none. And is not this rational and easy? What can be
+objected against this?</p>
+<p>2. We are required to take him wholly, that he may be a complete
+Mediator to us; as a prophet to teach, as a king to subdue our
+lusts, to cause us to walk in his ways, as well as a priest to
+satisfy justice for us, to die and intercede for us. Is it not
+reason that we take him as God hath made him for us? Is there any
+thing in him to be refused? And is there any thing in him which we
+have no need of? Is there not all the reason then in the world for
+this, that we take him wholly? And what stumbling-block is
+here?</p>
+<p>3. We are required to take him freely, "without money and
+without price," Isa. lv. 1, for he will not be bought any manner of
+way; that free grace may be free grace, therefore he will give all
+freely. True enough it is, corruption would be at buying, though it
+have nothing to lay out. Pride will not stoop to a free gift. But
+can any say the terms are hard, when all is offered freely?</p>
+<p>4. We are required to take them absolutely, without any
+reversion of mental reservation. Some would willingly quit all but
+one or two lusts they cannot think to twin with; and they would
+deny themselves in many things, but they would still most willingly
+keep a back-door open to some beloved lust or other. And who seeth
+not what double dealing is here? And what reason can plead for this
+double dealing? Corruption, it is true, will think this hard, but
+no man can rationally say that this is a just ground of
+discouragement to any, or a sufficient ground to warrand them to
+stay away from Christ, seeing they cannot be supposed sincerely to
+desire redemption from any sin, who would not desire redemption
+from every sin. He who loveth any known lust, and would not
+willingly be delivered therefrom, hath no real hatred at any lust,
+as such, nor desire to be saved; for one such lust would be his
+death.</p>
+<p>5. It is required, that we accept of him really and cordially,
+with our heart and soul, and not by a mere external verbal
+profession, And is there not all the reason in the world for this?
+He offereth himself really to us, and shall we not be real in
+accepting of him? What, I pray, can be justly excepted against
+this? or, what real discouragement can any gather from this?</p>
+<p>6. We are to take him for all necessaries, that is, with a
+resolution to make use of him as our all-sufficient Mediator. And
+is not this most reasonable? Ought we not to take him for all the
+ends and purposes for which God hath appointed him, and set him
+forth, and offered him to us? What then can any suppose to lie here
+which should scar a soul from laying hold upon him? Nay, should not
+this be looked upon as a very great encouragement? And should we
+not bless the Lord, that hath provided such a complete and
+all-sufficient Mediator?</p>
+<p>7. We are to take him and all the crosses that may attend our
+taking or following of him; we must take up our cross, be it what
+it will that he thinketh good to appoint to us, and follow him,
+Matt. xvi. 24. Mark viii. 34. "For he that taketh not up his cross,
+and followeth not after him, is not worthy of him," Matt. x. 38. I
+know flesh and blood will take this for a hard saying; but they
+that consider, that Christ will bear the heaviest end of the cross,
+yea, all of it, and so support them by his Spirit while they are
+under it, that they shall have no just cause to complain; and how
+he will suffer none to go his errand upon their own charges, but
+will be with them when they go through the fire and water, Isa.
+xliii. 2, so that they shall suffer no loss, neither shall the
+waters overflow them, nor the fire kindle upon them; and that he
+who loseth his life for Christ's sake and the gospel's, shall save
+it, Mark viii. 35; yea, that they shall receive an hundred-fold for
+all their losses, Matt. xix. 29, and that even with persecution,
+Mark x. 30, and, in the world to come, eternal life. They, I say,
+who consider this, will see no discouragement here, nor ground of
+complaint; nay, they will account it their glory to suffer any loss
+for Christ's sake.</p>
+<p>8. Hence it followeth, that we are to take him, so as to avouch
+him and his cause and interest on all hazards, stand to his truth,
+and not be ashamed of him in a day of trial. Confession of him must
+be made with the mouth, as with the heart we must believe, Rom. x.
+9. Let corruption speak against this what it will, because it is
+always desirous to keep the skin whole. Yet reason cannot but say
+that it is equitable, especially seeing he hath said, that
+"whosoever confesseth him before men, he will confess them before
+his Father which is in heaven," Matt. x. 32. And that, "If we
+suffer with him, we shall also reign with him," 2 Tim. ii. 12. Is
+he our Lord and master, and should we not own and avouch him?
+Should we be ashamed of him for any thing, that can befall us, upon
+that account? What master would not take that ill at his servant's
+hands?</p>
+<p>Hence, then, we see, that there is nothing in all the conditions
+on which he offereth himself to us, that can give the least ground,
+in reason, why a poor soul should draw back, and be unwilling to
+accept of this noble offer, or think that the conditions are
+hard.</p>
+<p>But there is one main objection, which may trouble some, and
+that is, they cannot believe; faith being the gift of God, it must
+be wrought in them; how then can they go to God for this, and make
+use of Christ for this end, that their souls may be wrought up to a
+believing and consenting to the bargain, and hearty accepting of
+the offer?</p>
+<p>To this I would say these things:</p>
+<p>1. It is true, that "faith is the gift of God," Eph. ii. 8, and
+that it is "he alone who worketh in us, both to will and to do,"
+Phil. i. 29, "and none cometh to the Son, but whom the Father
+draweth," John vi. 44; and it is a great matter, and no small
+advancement, to win to the real faith, and through conviction of
+this our impotency. For thereby the soul will be brought to a
+greater measure of humiliation, and of despairing of salvation in
+itself, which is no small advantage unto a poor soul that would be
+saved.</p>
+<p>2. Though faith be not in our power, yet it is our duty. Our
+impotency to perform our duty, doth not loose our obligation to the
+duty; so that our not believing is our sin; and for this God may
+justly condemn us. His wrath abideth on all who believe not in his
+Son Jesus, and will not accept of the offer of salvation through
+the crucified Mediator. And though faith, as all other acts of
+grace, be efficiently the work of the Spirit, yet it is formally
+our work: we do believe; but it is the Spirit that worketh faith in
+us.</p>
+<p>3. The ordinary way of the Spirit's working faith in us, is by
+pressing home the duty upon us, whereby we are brought to a
+despairing in ourselves, and to a looking out to him, whose grace
+alone it is that can work it in the soul, for that necessary help
+and breathing, without which the soul will not come.</p>
+<p>4. Christ Jesus hath purchased this grace of faith to all the
+elect, as other graces necessary to their salvation; and it is
+promised and covenanted to him, "That he shall see his seed, and
+shall see of the travail of his soul," Isa. liii. 10; and that by
+the knowledge of him, that is, the rational and understanding act
+of the soul gripping to and laying hold upon him, as he is offered
+in the gospel, "many shall be justified," Isa. liii. 10. Hence he
+saith, "That all whom the Father hath given to him, shall come unto
+him," John vi. 37; and the apostle tells us, "that we are blessed
+with all spiritual blessings in him," Eph. i. 3.</p>
+<p>5. Not only hath Christ purchased this grace of faith, and all
+other graces necessary for the salvation of the elect, but God hath
+committed to him the administration and actual dispensation, and
+out-giving of all those graces, which the redeemed stand in need
+of. Hence "he is a prince exalted to give repentance and
+forgiveness of sins," Acts v. 31. "All power in heaven and earth is
+committed unto him," Matt, xxviii. 18, 19. Hence he is called, "the
+author and finisher of faith," Heb. xii. 2; and he tells his
+disciples, John xiv. 13, 14, that whatever they shall ask in his
+name, he will do it. He is made a Prince and a Saviour, "having all
+judgment committed unto him," John v. 22; and "he is Lord of all,"
+Acts x. 36. Rom. xiv. 9.</p>
+<p>6. Hereupon the sinner, being convinced of his lost condition
+through sin and misery, of an utter impossibility of helping
+himself out of that state of death, of Christ's all-sufficiency and
+willingness to save all that will come to him, and of its own
+inability to believe or come to him for life and salvation, or to
+lay hold on, and lean to his merits and satisfaction, and so
+despairing in himself, is to look out to Jesus, the author of
+eternal salvation, the foundation and chief corner-stone, the
+author and finisher of faith; I say, the sinner, being thus
+convinced, is thus to look out to Jesus; not that that conviction
+is any proper qualification prerequisite as necessary, either to
+prepare, dispose, and fit for faith, or far less to merit any
+manner of way, or bring on faith; but because this is Christ's
+method to bring a soul to faith by this conviction, to the glory of
+his grace. The soul naturally being averse from Christ, and utterly
+unwilling to accept of that way of salvation, must be redacted to
+that strait, that it shall see, that it must either accept of this
+offer or die. As the whole needeth not a physician, so Christ is
+come to save only that which is lost; and his method is to convince
+the world of sin, in the first place; and then of righteousness,
+John xvi. 8, 9.</p>
+<p>7. This looking out to Jesus for faith, comprehendeth those
+things: (1.) The soul's acknowledgment of the necessity of faith,
+to the end it may partake of Christ, and of his merits. (2.) The
+soul's satisfaction with that way of partaking of Christ, by a
+closing with him, and a resting upon him by faith. (3.) A sense and
+conviction of the unbelief and stubbornness of the heart, or a
+seeing of its own impotency, yea, and unwillingness to believe.
+(4.) A persuasion that Christ can over-master the infidelity and
+wickedness of the heart, and work up the soul unto a willing
+consent unto the bargain. (5.) A hope, or a half-hope (to speak so)
+that Christ, who is willing to save all poor sinners that come to
+him for salvation; and hath said, that he will put none away in any
+case that cometh&mdash;will have pity upon him at length. (6.) A
+resolution to lie at his door, till he come with life, till he
+quicken, till he unite the soul to himself. (7.) A lying open to
+the breathings of his Spirit, by guarding against every thing (so
+far as they can) that may grieve or provoke him, and waiting on him
+in all the ordinances, he hath appointed, for begetting faith; such
+as reading the Scriptures, hearing the word, conference with godly
+persons, and prayer, &amp;c. (8.) A waiting with patience on him
+who never said to the house of Jacob, "seek me in vain," Isa. xlv.
+19; still crying and looking to him who hath commanded the ends of
+the earth to look to him; and waiting for him who waiteth to be
+gracious, Isa. xxx. 18, remembering that they are all blessed that
+wait for him; and that "there is much good prepared for them that
+wait for him," Isa. lxiv. 4.</p>
+<p>8. The sinner would essay this believing, and closing with
+Christ, and set about it, as he can, seriously, heartily, and
+willingly, yea, and resolutely over the belly of much opposition,
+and many discouragements, looking to him who must help, yea, and
+work the whole work; for God worketh in and with man as a rational
+creature. The soul then would set the willingness it findeth, on
+work, and wait for more; and as the Lord is pleased to commend, by
+his Spirit, the way of grace more unto the soul, and to warm the
+heart with love to it, and a desire after it, strike the iron while
+it is hot; and, looking to him for help, grip to Christ in the
+covenant; and so set to its seal, though with a trembling hand; and
+subscribe its name, though with much fear and doubting, remembering
+"that he who worketh to will, must work the deed also," Phil. ii.
+13, "and he that beginneth a good work will perfect it," Phil. i.
+6.</p>
+<p>9. The soul essaying thus to believe in Christ's strength, and
+to creep when it cannot walk or run, would hold fast what it hath
+attained, and resolve never to recall any consent, or half-consent,
+it hath given to the bargain, but still look forward, hold on,
+wrestle against unbelief and unwillingness, entertain every good
+motion of the Spirit for this end, and never admit of any thing
+that may quench its lodgings, desires, or expectation.</p>
+<p>10. Nay, if the sinner be come this length, that, with the bit
+willingness he hath, he consenteth to the bargain, and is not
+satisfied with any thing in himself, that draweth back, or
+consenteth not, and with the little skill or strength he hath is
+writing down his name, and saying, even so I take him; and is
+holding at this, peremptorily resolving never to go back, or unsay
+what he hath said; but, on the contrary, is firmly purposed to
+adhere, and as he groweth in strength, to grip more firmly, and
+adhere to him, he may conclude that the bargain is closed already,
+and that he hath faith already; for here there is an accepting of
+Christ on his own terms, a real consenting unto the covenant of
+grace, though weak, and not so discernible as the soul would wish.
+The soul dare not say but it loveth the bargain, and is satisfied
+with it, and longeth for it, and desireth nothing more than that it
+might partake thereof, and enjoy him whom it loveth, hungereth for,
+panteth after, or breatheth, as it is able, that it may live in
+him, and be saved through him.</p>
+<p>But some will say, If I had any evidence of God's approbation of
+this act of my soul, any testimony of his Spirit, I could then with
+confidence say, that I had believed and accepted of the covenant
+and of Christ offered therein; but so long as I perceive nothing of
+this, how can I suppose, that any motion of this kind in my soul is
+real faith?</p>
+<p>For <i>Answer</i>&mdash;1. We would know, that our believing,
+and God's sealing to our sense, are two distinct acts and
+separable, and oft separated. Our believing is one thing, and God's
+sealing with the Holy Spirit of promise to our sense, is another
+thing; and this followeth, though not inseparably, the other, Eph.
+i. 13, "In whom also, after that ye believed, ye were sealed with
+that Holy Spirit of promise."</p>
+<p>And so, 2. We would know, that many a man may believe, and yet
+not know that he doth believe. He may set to his seal, that God is
+true in his offer of life through Jesus, and accept of that offer
+as a truth, and close with it; and yet live under darkness and
+doubtings of his faith, long and many a day; partly through not
+discerning the true nature of faith; partly through the great sense
+and feeling of his own corruption and unbelief; partly through a
+mistake of the Spirit's operations within, or the want of a clear
+and distinct uptaking of the motions of his own soul; partly
+because he findeth so much doubting and fear, as if there could be
+no faith where there was doubting or fear, contrary to Mark ix. 24.
+Matth. viii. 26, and xiv. 31.; partly, because he hath not that
+persuasion that others have had, as if there were not various
+degrees of faith, as there is of other graces, and the like.</p>
+<p>Therefore, 3. We would know, that many may really believe, and
+yet miss this sensible sealing of the Spirit which they would be
+at. God may think it not yet seasonable to grant them that, lest
+they forget themselves and become too proud; and to train them up
+more to the life of faith, whereby he may be glorified; and for
+other holy ends, he may suspend the giving of this for a time.</p>
+<p>4. Yet we would know, that all that believe, have the seal
+within them, 1 John v. 10, "He that believeth on the Son of God,
+hath the witness in himself," that is, he hath that which really is
+a seal, though he see it not, nor perceive it not; even the work of
+God's Spirit in his soul, inclining and determining him unto the
+accepting of this bargain, and to a liking of and endeavouring
+after holiness; and the whole gospel clearing up what faith is, is
+a seal and confirmation of the business. So that the matter is
+sealed, and confirmed by the word, though the soul want those
+sensible breathings of the Spirit, shedding abroad his love in the
+heart, and filling the soul with a full assurance, by hushing all
+doubts and fears to the door; yea, though they should be a stranger
+unto the Spirit's witnessing thus with their spirits, that they are
+the children of God, and clearing up distinctly the real work of
+grace within their soul, and so saying in effect, that they have in
+truth believed.</p>
+<p>But enough of this; seeing all this, and much more is abundantly
+held forth and explained, in that excellent and useful treatise of
+Mr. Guthrie's, entitled, "The Christian's Great Interest."</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_V." id="CHAPTER_V."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2>
+<br>
+<h4>HOW CHRIST IS TO BE MADE USE OF, AS THE WAY, FOR SANCTIFICATION
+IN GENERAL.</h4>
+<p>Having shown how a poor soul, lying under the burden of sin and
+wrath, is to make use of Jesus Christ for righteousness and
+justification, and so to make use of him, go out to him, and apply
+him, as "he is made of God to us righteousness," 1 Cor. i. 30, and
+that but briefly. This whole great business being more fully and
+satisfactorily handled, in that forementioned great, though small
+treatise, viz. "The Christian's Great Interest," we shall now come
+and show, how a believer or a justified soul shall further make use
+of Christ for sanctification, this being a particular about which
+they are oftentimes much exercised and perplexed.</p>
+<p>That we may therefore, in some weak measure, through the help of
+this light and grace, propose some things to clear up this great
+and necessary truth, we shall first speak a little to it in the
+general, and then come to clear up the matter more
+particularly.</p>
+<p>Before we speak of the matter in general, it would be
+remembered, 1. That the person who only is in case to make use of
+Christ for sanctification, is one that hath made use of him already
+for righteousness and justification. For one who is a stranger to
+Christ, and is living in nature, hath no access to Christ for
+sanctification. He must be a believer, and within the covenant, ere
+he can make use of the grounds of sanctification laid down in the
+covenant. One must first be united to Christ, and justified by
+faith in him, before he can draw any virtue from him for perfecting
+holiness. He must first be in him, before he can grow up in him, or
+bring forth fruit in him. And therefore the first thing that souls
+would go about, should be to get an union made up with Christ, and
+be clothed with his righteousness by faith; and then they have a
+right to all his benefits. <i>First</i>, they should labour to get
+their state changed from enmity to peace and reconciliation with
+God, through faith in Jesus.</p>
+<p>Yet, <i>next</i>, it would be observed, that when it is said,
+that one must be a believer before he can go to Christ, and make
+use of him for holiness and sanctification, it is not so understood
+and said, that one must know, that indeed he is justified by faith,
+before he can make any use of Christ for sanctification. One may be
+justified, and a believer, yea, and growing in grace through Jesus
+Christ, and so actually improving the grounds of sanctification,
+and making use of Christ for this end, and allowed thereunto, and
+yet win to no certainty of his union with Christ, of his
+justification through faith in him, nor of his faith.</p>
+<p>But, <i>thirdly</i>, if it be said, How can a soul with
+confidence approach to Christ, for use-making of him, in reference
+to sanctification, that is, still doubting of his state and
+regeneration?</p>
+<p>I answer, It is true, a clear sight of our interest in Christ by
+faith, would be a great encouragement to our confident approaching
+to, and use-making of him, in all things; and this consideration
+should move all to a more earnest search and study of the marks and
+evidences of their interest; a good help whereunto they will find
+in the forementioned book. I shall only say this here, That if the
+soul have an earnest desire to be sanctified wholly, and to have on
+the image of God, that he may glorify him, and panteth after
+holiness as for life, that he may look like him that is holy, and
+maketh this his work and study; sorrowing at nothing more than at
+his shortcoming; crying out and longing for the day when he shall
+be delivered from a body of death, and have the old man wholly
+crucified; he needeth not question his interest in Christ, and
+warrant to make use of him for every part of sanctification; for
+this longing desire after conformity to God's law, and panting
+after this spiritual life, to the end God may be exalted, Christ
+glorified, and others edified, will not be readily found in one
+that is yet in nature. It is true, I grant, some who design to
+establish their own righteousness, and to be justified by their own
+works and inherent holiness, may wish that they may be more holy
+and less guilty; and for some other corrupt ends, they may desire
+to be free of the power of some lust, which they find noxious and
+troublesome; and yet retain with love and desire, some other
+beloved lusts, and so have a heart still cleaving to the heart of
+some detestable thing or other. But gracious souls, as they have
+respect to all the commands of God, so they have not that design of
+being justified before God by their works; nor do they study
+mortification, and sanctification for any such end; nay, they no
+sooner discover any bias of their false deceitful hearts unto any
+such end, but as soon they disown it, and abhor it. So that hence
+believers may get some discovery of the reality of their faith and
+interest in Christ, and of their warrant, yea, and duty to make use
+of Christ for sanctification.</p>
+<p>This premised, we come to speak something, in the general, of
+believer's use-making of Christ, as made of God to us
+sanctification. And for this end, we shall only speak a little to
+two things. <i>First</i>, We shall show upon what account it is
+that Christ is called our sanctification, or, "made of God to us
+sanctification," as the apostle's phrase is, 1 Cor. i. 30; or, what
+Christ hath done as Mediator, to begin, and carry on to perfection
+the work of sanctification in the soul. And, <i>secondly,</i> How
+the soul is to demean itself in this matter, or how the soul is to
+make use of, and improve what Christ hath done, for this end, that
+it may grow in grace, and perfect holiness in the fear of God.</p>
+<p>As to the <i>first,</i> we would know, that though the work of
+sanctification be formally ours, yet it is wrought by another hand,
+as the principal efficient cause, even by the Father, Son, and Holy
+Ghost. The Father is said to purge the branches, that they may
+bring forth more fruit, John xv. 1. Hence we are said to be
+sanctified by God the Father, Jude 1. The Son is also called the
+Sanctifier, Heb. ii. 21. He sanctifieth and cleanseth the Church
+with the washing of water by the word, Eph. v. 26. The Spirit is
+also said to sanctify, 2 Thes. ii. 13. 1 Pet. i. 2. Rom. xv. 16.
+Hence we are said to be washed and sanctified by the Spirit of God,
+1 Cor. vi. 11.</p>
+<p>But more particularly, we are said to be sanctified in Christ, 1
+Cor. i. 2; and "he is made of God to us sanctification," 1 Cor. i.
+30. Let us then see in what sense this may be true. And,</p>
+<p>1. He hath by his death and blood procured that this work of
+sanctification shall be wrought and carried on. For "he suffered
+without the gate, that he might sanctify the people with his own
+blood," Heb. xiii. 12. "We are saved by the washing of
+regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which he shed on us
+abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour," Titus iii. 5, 6. "He
+gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and
+purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works," Tit.
+ii. 14. Thus our sanctification is the fruit of his death, and
+purchased by his blood. "He gave himself for his church, that he
+might sanctify it," Eph. v. 25, 26.</p>
+<p>2. He dying as a cautioner and public person, believers are
+accounted in law to be dead to sin in him. Hence the apostle tells
+us, Rom. vi. 3-6, that as many of us as are baptised into Jesus
+Christ, were baptized into his death; and that therefore we are
+buried with him by baptism into death; and are planted together in
+the likeness of his death; yea, and that our old man is crucified
+with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth
+we should not serve sin. Whence believers are warranted and
+commanded, verse 11, to reckon themselves "to be dead indeed unto
+sin;" and therefore sin should "not reign in their mortal bodies to
+fulfil the lusts thereof," verse 12. This is a sure ground of hope
+and comfort for believers, that Christ died thus as a public
+person; and that by virtue thereof, being now united to Christ by
+faith, they are dead to sin by law; and sin cannot challenge a
+dominion over them, as before their conversion it might have done,
+and did; for the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth,
+but no longer. Wherefore believing brethren "becoming dead to the
+law by the body of Christ, are married to another, even to him who
+is raised from the dead, that they should bring forth fruit unto
+God," Rom. vii. 1-4.</p>
+<p>3. Hence it followeth, that our "old man is crucified with
+Christ, that the body of sin might be destroyed," Rom. vi. 6. So
+that this old tyrant that oppresseth the people of God, hath got
+his death wounds, in the crucifixion of Christ, and shall never
+recover his former vigour and activity, to oppress and bear down
+the people of God, as he did. He is now virtually, through the
+death of Jesus, killed and crucified, being in Christ nailed to the
+cross.</p>
+<p>4. His resurrection is a pawn and pledge of this sanctification.
+For as he died as a public person, so he rose again as a public
+person. "We are buried with him by baptism, that like as Christ was
+raised up from the dead, by the glory of the Father, even so we
+also should walk in newness of life," Rom. vi. 4; and believers are
+said to be "planted together with him, in the likeness of his
+resurrection," verse 5; "and they shall live with him," verse 8;
+"and therefore they are to reckon themselves alive unto God,
+through Jesus Christ our Lord," verse 11. "We are raised up
+together," Eph. ii. 6.</p>
+<p>5. This sanctification is an article of the covenant of
+redemption betwixt the Father and the Son, Isa. lii. 15, "So shall
+he sprinkle many nations." Chap. liii. 10, "He shall see his seed,
+and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand." Christ,
+then, having this promised to him, must see to the accomplishment
+thereof, and will have it granted to him; seeing he hath fulfilled
+all that was engaged to by him&mdash;having made his soul an
+offering for sin.</p>
+<p>6. This sanctification is promised in the covenant of grace,
+Jer. xxxiii. 8. "And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity."
+Ezek. xxxvii. 23, "And I will cleanse them." So chap. xxxvi. 25,
+"Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean;
+from all your filthiness, and from all your idols will I cleanse
+you." Now all the promises of the covenant of grace are confirmed
+to us in the Mediator. For, "in him all the promises of the
+covenant are yea and amen," 2 Cor. i. 20.</p>
+<p>7. He hath purchased and made sure to his own, the new nature,
+and the heart of flesh, which is also promised, Ezek. xxxvi. 26,
+and xi. 19. Jer. xxxii. 39. This is the new and lively principle of
+grace, the spring of sanctification, which cannot be idle in the
+soul; but must be emitting vital acts natively.</p>
+<p>Yea, through him, are believers made partakers of the divine
+nature, which is a growing thing,&mdash;young glory in the soul, 2
+Pet. i. 3,4, "According as his divine power hath given unto us all
+things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge
+of him that hath called us to glory and virtue, whereby are given
+unto us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these we
+might be made partakers of the divine nature," &amp;c.</p>
+<p>8. The Spirit is promised, to cause us walk in his statutes,
+Ezek. xlvi. 27. Now all these promises are made good to us in
+Christ, who is the cautioner of the covenant; yea, he hath gotten
+now the dispensing and giving out of the rich promises of the
+covenant, committed unto him; so as he is the great and glorious
+custodier of all purchased blessings.</p>
+<p>9. There are new waterings, breathings, and gales of the Spirit,
+given in Christ, Isa. xxvii. 3. He must water his garden or
+vineyard every moment. This is the north wind and the south wind
+that bloweth upon the garden, Cant. iv. 16. He must be as the dew
+unto Israel, Hos. xiv. 5.</p>
+<p>10. Through Christ is the believer brought into such a covenant
+state, as giveth great ground of hope of certain victory. He is not
+now under the law, but under grace; and hence inferreth the
+apostle, Rom. vi. 14, "That sin shall not have dominion over them."
+Being now under that dispensation of grace, whereby all their stock
+is in the Mediator's hand, and at his disposal; and not in their
+own hand and power, as under the covenant of works, there is a sure
+ground laid down for constant supply and furniture in all
+necessities.</p>
+<p>11. Christ hath prayed for this, John xvii. 17, "Sanctify them
+through thy truth;" where the Lord is praying, that his disciples
+might be more and more sanctified, and so fitted and qualified for
+the work of the ministry they were to be employed in. And what he
+prayed for them, was not for them alone, but also for the elect,
+proportionably, who are opposed to the world, for which he did not
+pray, verse 9.</p>
+<p>12. He standeth to believers in relation of a vine, or a root,
+in which they grow as branches, so that by abiding in him, living
+by faith in him, and drawing sap from him, they bring forth fruit
+in him, John xv. 1, 2, 4, 5. Their stock of grace is in him, the
+root; and he communicateth sap and life unto his branches, whereby
+they grow, flourish, and bring forth fruit to the glory of God.</p>
+<p>13. Christ hath taken on him the office of a prophet and
+teacher, to instruct us in the way wherein we ought to go; for he
+is that great prophet whom the Lord promised to raise up, and who
+was to be heard and obeyed in all things, Deut. xviii. 15. Acts
+iii. 22, and vii. 37. "He is given for a witness, and a leader,"
+Isa. lv. 4; and we are commanded to hear him, Matt, xvii. 5. Mark
+x. 7.</p>
+<p>14. He hath also taken on him the office of a king, Psal. ii. 6.
+Matt, xxviii. 5. Isa. ix. 7. Phil. ii. 8-11. and thereby standeth
+engaged to subdue all their spiritual enemies, Satan and
+corruption, Psal. cx. He is given for a leader and commander, Isa.
+lv. 5, and so can cause his people walk in his ways.</p>
+<p>15. When we defile ourselves with new transgressions and
+failings, he hath provided a fountain for us to wash in; "a
+fountain opened to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of
+Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness," Zech. xiii. 1; and this
+fountain is his blood, which cleanseth from all sin, Heb. ix. 14. 1
+John i. 7. Rev. i. 5.</p>
+<p>16. He is set before us as a copy and pattern, that we "should
+walk even as he walked," 1 John ii. 6. "He left us an example that
+we should follow his steps," 1 Pet. ii. 21. But we should beware to
+separate this consideration from the preceding, as antichristian
+Socinians do, who will have Christ only to be a copy.</p>
+<p>17. He hath overcome Satan, our arch enemy, and hath destroyed
+his works, 1 John iii. 8. He came to destroy the works of the
+devil; and in particular, his works of wickedness in the soul. Thus
+he is a conqueror and the captain of our salvation.</p>
+<p>18. As he hath purchased, so hath he appointed ordinances, for
+the laying of the foundation, and carrying on this work of
+sanctification; both word and sacraments are appointed for that;
+the word to convert and to confirm, John xvii. 17. "Sanctify them
+through thy truth, thy word is truth," said Christ. The word is
+given as the rule; and also through the means thereof is life and
+strength conveyed to the soul, "to perfect holiness in the fear of
+God," 1 Pet. ii. 2. And the sacraments are given to strengthen and
+confirm the soul in the ways of God.</p>
+<p>19. As he hath laid down strong encouragements to his followers,
+to hold on in the way of holiness, many great and precious
+promises, by which they may be made partakers of the divine nature,
+2 Pet. i. 4; and by which they are encouraged to cleanse themselves
+from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, 2 Cor. vii. 1; and
+many motives to hold on and continue; so hath he rolled
+difficulties out of the way, whether they be within us, or without
+us, and thereby made the way easy and pleasant to such as walk in
+it; so as they may now run the way of his commandments, and walk
+and not weary, and run and not be faint.</p>
+<p>Nay, 20. We would remember for our encouragement and confidence,
+that in carrying on of this work lieth the satisfaction of the
+soul, and the pleasure of the Lord that must prosper in his hand,
+and thus he seeth his seed, and hath of the travail of his soul,
+and is satisfied.</p>
+<p>These particulars, rightly considered, will discover unto us,
+what a noble ground for sanctification is in Christ laid down for
+believers, which they may, and must by faith grip to, that they may
+grow in grace, and grow up in Christ, and perfect holiness; and
+what a wonderful contrivance of grace this is, wherein all things
+are made so sure for believers, Christ becoming all things to them,
+and paving a royal and sure way for them; sure for them, and
+glorious to himself!</p>
+<p>As to the second particular, that is, how believers are to carry
+in this matter, or how they are to make use of Christ, and of those
+grounds of sanctification in Christ, which we have mentioned:</p>
+<p><i>First,</i> There are some things which they should beware of,
+and guard against; as,</p>
+<p>1. They should beware of an heartless despondency, and giving
+way to discouragement, and hearkening to the language of unbelief,
+or to the suggestion of Satan, whereby he will labour to persuade
+them of the impossibility of getting the work of sanctification
+throughed, or any progress made therein to purpose. Satan and a
+deceitful heart can soon muster up many difficulties, and allege
+that there are many lions, many insuperable difficulties in the
+way, to discourage them from venturing forward; and if Satan
+prevail here, he hath gained a great point. Therefore the believer
+should keep up his head in hope, and beware of multiplying
+discouragements to himself, or of concluding the matter impossible;
+for then shall he neither have heart nor hand for the work, but sit
+down and wring his hands as overcome with discouragement and
+despondency of spirit.</p>
+<p>2. They should beware of wilfully rejecting their own mercies,
+and forbearing to make use of the grounds of hope, of strength and
+progress in the matter of sanctification, which Christ hath allowed
+them to make use of. There is such an evil among God's children,
+that they scar at that which Christ out of great love hath provided
+for them, and dare not with confidence make use of, nor apply to
+themselves the great and comfortable promises, to the end they
+might be encouraged; they will not take their allowance, as
+thinking themselves unworthy; and that it would be presumption in
+them to challenge a right to such great things; and they think it
+commendable humility in them, to stand a-back, and so wilfully
+refuse the advantages and helps, that make so much for their growth
+in grace.</p>
+<p>3. They should beware of a careless neglect of the means
+appointed for advancing in holiness; for, though the means do not
+work the effect, yet it is by the means that God hath chosen to
+work the work of sanctification. Here that is to be seen, "that the
+hand of the diligent maketh rich; and the field of the slothful is
+soon grown over with thorns and nettles; so that poverty cometh as
+one that travaileth, and want as an armed man," Prov. xxiv. 30. It
+is a sinful tempting of God, to think to be sanctified another way
+than God hath in his deep wisdom condescended upon.</p>
+<p>4. Yet they should beware of laying too much weight on the means
+and ordinances, as if they could effectuate the business. Though
+the Lord hath thought fit to work in and by the means, yet he
+himself must do the work. Means are but means, and not the
+principal cause; nor can they work, but as the principal agent is
+pleased to make use of them, and to work by them. When we lean to
+the means and to instruments, we prejudge ourselves, by disobliging
+of God, and provoking him to leave us, that we may wrestle with the
+ordinances alone, and find no advantage. Therefore the soul should
+guard against this.</p>
+<p>5. Albeit the means can do nothing unless he breathe, yet we
+should beware not only of neglecting, as we said before, but also
+of a slighting way of performing them, without that earnestness and
+diligence that is required,&mdash;"cursed is he who doth the work
+of the Lord negligently," Jer. xlviii. 10. Here then is the special
+art of Christianity apparent, to be as diligent, earnest and
+serious in the use of the means, as if they could effectuate the
+matter we were seeking; and yet to be as much abstracted from them,
+in our hopes and expectation, and to be as much leaning on the Lord
+alone, and depending on him for the blessing, as if we were using
+no means at all.</p>
+<p>6. They should beware of slighting and neglecting the motions of
+the Spirit; for thereby they may lose the best opportunity. They
+should be always on the wing, ready to embrace the least motion;
+and they should stand always ready, waiting for the breathings of
+his Spirit, and open at his call; lest afterward, they be put to
+call and seek, and not attain what they would be at, as we see in
+the spouse, Cant. v. 2, 3, 4, &amp;c.</p>
+<p>7. They should also guard against the quenching of the Spirit, 1
+Thess. v. 12; or grieving of the Spirit, Eph. iv. 30, by their
+unchristian and unsuitable carriage; for this will much mar their
+sanctification. It is by the Spirit that the work of sanctification
+is carried on in the soul; and when this Spirit is disturbed, and
+put from his work, how can the work go on? When the motions of this
+indwelling Spirit are extinguished, his work is marred and
+retarded; and when he is grieved, he is hindered in his work.
+Therefore souls must guard against unbelief, despondency,
+unsuitable and unchristian carriage.</p>
+<p>8. Especially they should beware of wasting sins, Psal. li. 10.
+Sins against light and conscience, such as David called
+presumptuous sins, Psal. xix. 13. They should beware also of
+savouring any unknown corruption, or any thing of that kind, that
+may hinder the work of sanctification.</p>
+<p><i>Secondly</i>, It were useful, and of great advantage for such
+as would grow in grace, and advance in the way of holiness, to be
+living in the constant conviction,</p>
+<p>1. Of the necessity of holiness, "without which no man shall see
+God," Heb. xii. 14. "Nothing entering into the New Jerusalem that
+defileth," Rev. xxi. 7.</p>
+<p>2. Of their own inability to do any one act right; how they are
+not sufficient of themselves to think any thing as of themselves, 2
+Cor. iii. 5; and that without Christ they can do nothing, John xv.
+5.</p>
+<p>3. Of the insufficiency of any human help, or means, or way
+which they might think good to choose, to mortify aright one
+corruption, or to give strength for the discharge of any one duty;
+for our sufficiency is of God, 2 Cor. iii. and it is "through the
+Spirit that we must mortify the deeds of the body," Rom. viii.
+13.</p>
+<p>4. And of the treachery and deceitfulness of the heart, which is
+bent to follow by-ways, being not only "deceitful above all things,
+but also desperately wicked," Jer. xvii. 9.</p>
+<p>That by this means, the soul may be jealous of itself, and
+despair of doing any thing in its own strength, and so be fortified
+against that main evil, which is an enemy to all true
+sanctification, viz. confidence in the flesh.</p>
+<p><i>Thirdly</i>, The soul will keep its eye fixed on those
+things:</p>
+<p>1. On Christ's all-sufficiency to help; in all cases that "he is
+able to save to the uttermost," Heb. vii. 25.</p>
+<p>2. On his compassionateness to such as are out of the way; and
+readiness to help poor sinners with his grace and strength; and
+this will keep up the soul from fainting and despairing.</p>
+<p>3. On the commands of holiness; such as those, "cleanse your
+hand, and purify your hearts," James iv. 8, and, "be ye holy, for I
+am holy," 1 Pet. i. 15, 16, and the like; that the authority of God
+and conscience to command may set the soul a-work.</p>
+<p>4. On the great recompense of reward that is appointed for such
+as wrestle on, and endure to the end; and on the great promises of
+great things to such as are sanctified, whereof the scriptures are
+full; that the soul may be encouraged to run through difficulties,
+to ride out storms, to endure hardness, as a good soldier, and to
+persevere in duty.</p>
+<p>5. On the other hand, on the many sad threatenings and
+denunciations of wrath, against such as transgress his laws, and on
+all the sad things that such as shake off the fear of God and the
+study of holiness have to look for, of which the scripture is full;
+that by this means the soul may be kept in awe, and spurred forward
+unto duty, and made the more willing to shake off laziness.</p>
+<p>6. On the rule, the word of God, by which alone we must regulate
+all our actions; and this ought to be our meditation day and night,
+and all our study, as we see it was David's, and other holy men of
+God, their daily work, see Psal. i. and cxix.</p>
+<p><i>Fourthly</i>, In all this study of holiness, and aiming at an
+higher measure of grace, the believer would level at a right end,
+and so would not design holiness for this end, that he might be
+justified thereby, or that he might thereby procure and purchase to
+himself heaven and God's favour; for the weight of all that must
+lie on Jesus Christ, who is our righteousness; and our holiness
+must not dethrone him, nor rob him of his glory, which he will not
+give to another; but would study holiness, to the end he might
+glorify God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and please him who
+calleth to holiness, and thereby be "meet to be partakers of the
+inheritance of the saints in light," Col. i. 10, 12; and be made a
+meet bride for such a holy bridegroom, and a member to such an holy
+head; that hereby others might be edified, Matt. v. 16. 1 Pet. ii.
+12, and iii. 1, 2; that the soul may look like a temple of the Holy
+Ghost, and like a servant of Christ's bought with a price, 1 Cor.
+vi. 17-20; and have a clear evidence of his regeneration and
+justification, and also that he may express his thankfulness to God
+for all his favours and benefits.</p>
+<p><i>Fifthly</i>, The soul should by faith lay hold on, and grip
+fast to the ground of sanctification; that is to say, (1.) To what
+Christ hath purchased for his people. (2.) To what as a public
+person he hath done for them; and so by faith,</p>
+<p>1. Challenge a right to, and lay hold on the promises of grace,
+strength, victory, and thorough bearing, in their combating with
+corruption within, and Satan and a wicked world without.</p>
+<p>2. "Reckon themselves dead unto sin, through the death of
+Christ; and alive unto God through his resurrection," Rom. vi. 4,
+11. "And that the old man is crucified with him, that the body of
+sin might be destroyed," verse 6. "And that they are now not under
+the law, but under grace," verse 14.</p>
+<p>That by this means they may be encouraged to continue fighting
+against a vanquished enemy, and not give over, notwithstanding of
+disappointments, discouragements, prevailings of corruption,
+&amp;c. and the believer may know upon what ground he standeth, and
+what is the ground of his hope and expectation of victory in the
+end; and so he "may run, not as uncertainly; and so fight, not as
+one that beateth the air," 1 Cor. ix. 26.</p>
+<p><i>Sixthly</i>, In this work of sanctification, the believer
+should be much in the lively exercise of faith; fight by faith;
+advance by faith, grow up, and bring forth fruit by faith; and
+so,</p>
+<p>1. The believer would be oft renewing his grips of Christ,
+holding him fast by faith; and so abiding in him, that he may bring
+forth fruit, John xv. 4,5.</p>
+<p>2. Not only would he be keeping his union fast with Christ, but
+he would also be eyeing Christ by faith, as his store-house, and
+general Lord dispensator of all the purchased blessings of the
+covenant, which he standeth in need of, and looking on Christ, as
+standing engaged by office to complete his work of salvation, and
+to present him with the rest to himself holy, without blemish, yea,
+and without spot and wrinkle, or any such thing, Eph. v. 27.</p>
+<p>3. He would by faith grip to the promises, both of the general
+stock of grace, the new heart, and heart of flesh, and the spirit
+to cause us walk in his statutes, Ezek. xxxvi. 26,27; and of the
+several particular acts of grace that be standeth in need of, such
+as that, Jer. xxx. 8, "I will cleanse them from all their
+iniquities," &amp;c. So Ezek. xxxvi. 25. Jer. xxxi. 19. As the
+church doth, Micah vii. 9. "He will subdue our iniquities," &amp;c.
+And so having, or gripping these promises, we are to cleanse
+ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, "and perfect
+holiness in the fear of God," 2 Cor. vii. 1.</p>
+<p>4. As the believer would by faith draw out of Christ, through
+the conduit of the promises, which are all "yea and amen in him," 2
+Cor. i. 20. grace, strength, knowledge, courage, or whatever his
+fight in this warfare calleth for, to the end he may be strong in
+"the Lord, and in the power of his might," Eph. vi. 10; so he would
+by faith roll the weight of the whole work upon Christ; and thus
+cast himself, and his care and burden on him who careth for him, 1
+Pet. v. 7. Psal. xxxvii. 5, and lv. 22; and so go on in duty,
+without anxiety, knowing who beareth the weight of all, and who
+hath undertaken to work both to will and to do, according to his
+good pleasure. Thus should the work be easy and safe, when by faith
+we roll the burden on him, who is the chosen one fitted for that
+work, and leave it on him, who is our strength, patiently waiting
+for the outgate, in hope.</p>
+<p>Thus the believer makes use of Christ, as made of God
+sanctification, when in the use of means appointed, eyeing the
+covenant of grace, and the promises thereof, and what Christ hath
+done to sanctify and cleanse his people, he rolleth the matter on
+him, and expecteth help, salvation, and victory through him.</p>
+<br>
+<p>CAUTIONS.</p>
+<p>But lest some should be discouraged, and think all this in vain,
+because they perceive no progress nor growth in grace for all this,
+but rather corruption as strong and troublesome as ever, I would
+say a few things to them.</p>
+<p>1. Let them search and try, whether their shortcoming and
+disappointment doth not much proceed from this, that the matter is
+not so cleanly cast over on Christ as it should be; is it not too
+oft found, that they go forth to the battle in their own strength,
+lippening to their own stock of grace, to their own knowledge, or
+to their duties, or the like? How then can they prosper?</p>
+<p>2. Let them mourn as they get any discovery of this, and guard
+against that corrupt bias of the heart, which is still inclining
+them to an engagement without the Captain of their salvation, and a
+fighting without the armour of God.</p>
+<p>3. Let them try and see, if, in studying holiness, they be not
+led by corrupt ends; and do not more labour after sanctification,
+that they may be more worthy and the better accepted of God, and
+that they may have quietness and peace as to their acceptance with
+God, as if this were any cause, matter, or condition of their
+righteousness and justification before God, than that they may shew
+their obedience to the command of God, 1 Thes. iv. 3. Eph. ii. 10.
+John xv. 16; and express their thankfulness to him, and glorify
+God, Mal. i. 6. Matt. iii. 16. John xvii. 10. Eph. iv. 30; and if
+so, they ought to acknowledge God's goodness in that
+disappointment, seeing thereby they see more and more a necessity
+of laying aside their own righteousness, and of betaking themselves
+to the righteousness of Christ, and of resting on that alone for
+peace and acceptance with God.</p>
+<p>4. They should try and see, if their negligence and carelessness
+in watching, and in the discharge of duties, do not occasion their
+disappointments and shortcoming. God sometimes thinks fit to suffer
+a lion of corruption to set on them, that they may look about them,
+and stand more vigilantly upon their watch-tower, knowing that they
+have to do with a vigilant adversary, the devil, who, as a roaring
+lion, goeth about seeking whom he may devour, I Pet. v. 8. and that
+"they fight not against flesh and blood, but against
+principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness
+of this world; against spiritual wickedness in high places," Eph.
+vi. 12. It is not for nought that we are so often commanded to
+watch, Matt. xxiv. 42, and xxv. 13, and xxvi. 41, and xiv. 38. Luke
+xxi. 36. Mark xiii. 33-37. 1 Cor. xvi. 13. 1 Thes. v. 6. 1 Pet. iv.
+7. Col. iv. 2. Through the want of this, we know what befel David
+and Peter.</p>
+<p>5. They should try and see, whether there be not too much
+self-confidence, which occasioned Peter's foul fall. God may, in
+justice and mercy, suffer corruption to break loose upon such, at a
+time, and tread them under foot, to learn them afterward to carry
+more soberly; and to "work their salvation with fear and
+trembling," Phil. ii. 12, remembering what a jealous, holy God he
+is, with whom they have to do; what an adversary they have against
+them; and how weak their own strength is.</p>
+<p>6. This should be remembered, that one may be growing in grace,
+and advancing in holiness, when, to his apprehension, he is not
+going forward from strength to strength, but rather going backward.
+It is one thing to have grace, and another thing to see that we
+have grace; so it is one thing to be growing in grace, and another
+thing to see that we are growing in grace. Many may question their
+growth in grace, when their very questioning of it may evince the
+contrary. For they may conclude no growth, but rather a back-going,
+because they perceive more and more violent, and strong
+corruptions, and hidden works of darkness and wickedness, within
+their soul, than ever they did before; while as that great
+discovery sheweth the increase of their spiritual knowledge, and an
+increase in this is an increase in grace; so they may question and
+doubt of their growth, upon mistakes, as thinking corruption always
+strongest when it makes the greatest stir and noise; or their
+complaints may flow from a vehement desire they have to have much
+more sanctification, which may cause them overlook many degrees
+they have advanced. Or some such thing may occasion their darkness
+and complaints; yea, God may think it fittest for them, to the end
+they may be kept humble and diligent, to be in the dark as to their
+progress; whereas if they saw what advancement and progress they
+had made in Christianity, they might grow wanton, secure, and
+careless, and so occasion some sad dispensation to humble them
+again.</p>
+<p>7. It should be remembered, that perfect victory is not to be
+had here. It is true, in respect of justification through the
+imputation of the perfect righteousness of Christ, and in respect
+of their sincerity and gospel simplicity, and in respect also of
+the parts of the new man, believers are said to be perfect; such an
+one was Noah, Gen. vi. 9, and Job, chap. i. 1, 8. See also Psalm
+xxxvii. 37, and lxiv. 4. 1 Cor. ii. 6. Heb. v. 14. James iii. 2.
+And it is true, we are to aim at perfection, and to pray for it, as
+Matt. v. 48. 2 Cor. xiii. 11. Col. iv. 12. Heb. xiii. 21. James i.
+4. 1 Pet. v. 10. Heb. vi. 1. Yet as to the degrees of holiness and
+sanctification, and in respect of the remnant of corruption within,
+there is no full perfection here, Jer. ix. 20, 21. Phil. iii. 12.
+For even he who is washed, and, as to justification, is clean every
+whit, yet needeth to wash his feet, because contracting filth in
+his conversation, Job xiii. 10. So that if the Lord should mark
+iniquity, no man should stand, Psalm cxxx. 3, and cxliii. 2. There
+will still be in the best something, more or less, of that battle,
+that Paul speaketh of, Rom. vii. 15-23. So that they will still
+have occasion to cry out with him, verse 24, "O wretched man that I
+am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death!" And the
+flesh will still lust against the spirit, and the spirit against
+the flesh, so that they shall not be able to do what they would,
+Gal. v. 17. The place of perfection is above, where all tears are
+wiped away, and the weary wrestler is at rest.</p>
+<p>8. Let them not mistake and think, that every stirring of
+corruption in the soul, argueth its dominion and prevailing power.
+Corruption may stir and make a great deal ado, where it cannot get
+leave to reign; and be as a violent and cruel invader, seeking the
+throne, putting the whole kingdom in a combustion, who is resisted
+with force of arms.</p>
+<p>Corruption may be more quiet and still, when indeed it hath the
+throne of the soul; as a conqueror may be more quiet and still,
+when he hath overcome and is in peaceable possession of the
+kingdom, than when he was but fighting for it. When the strong man
+keeps the house, and is master, then all is quiet and at rest, till
+a stronger come and thrust him out, and dispossess him.</p>
+<p>9. Sanctification doth not always consist in a man's freedom
+from some corruptions. For there may be some corruptions that one
+hath no natural inclination to, but, on the contrary, a great
+aversion for; as some world's wretches may have no inclination to
+prodigality and ranting, or such like vices, which are contrary to
+their humour, or to their constant education; and Satan may never
+tempt some man to such evils, knowing he will get more advantage by
+plying his temper and genius, and so carrying him away to the other
+contrary evil; and so, though this man know not so much, as what it
+is once to be tempted to those vices, yet that will not say, that
+he is a sanctified man; far less will it say, that he hath more
+grace than another man, whose predominant that evil is, and against
+which he is daily fighting and wrestling. Whence it appeareth that
+wrestling and protesting against even an overcoming corruption, may
+evidence more of grace, than freedom from some evils, to which some
+are not so much tempted, and to which they are naturally less
+inclined.</p>
+<p>10. Nor should they think, that corruption is always master of
+the soul, and possessing the throne as a full conqueror, when it
+prevaileth and carrieth the soul headlong at a time, for corruption
+may sometimes come in upon the soul as an inundation with
+irresistible violence, and, for a time, carry all before it, so
+that the soul cannot make any sensible resistance; as when a
+sudden, violent, and unexpected temptation setteth on, so as the
+poor man is overwhelmed, and scarce knoweth where he is, or what he
+is doing, till he be laid on his back. At that time it will be a
+great matter, if the soul dare quietly enter a protest against and
+dissent from what is done, and if there be an honest protestation
+against the violent and tyrannical invasion of corruption, we
+cannot say, that corruption is in peaceable possession of the
+throne. If the spirit be lusting against the flesh, levying all the
+forces he can against the invader, by prayer and supplication to
+God, and calling in all the supply of divine help he can get, and,
+when he can do no more, is fighting and groaning under that unjust
+invasion, resolving never to pay homage to the usurper, nor to obey
+his laws, nor so much as parley with him, or make peace, we cannot
+say, that the soul doth consent fully unto this usurpation. Nay, if
+the soul shall do this much, at such a time when Satan sets on with
+all his force, it will be a greater evidence of the strength of
+grace in the soul, than if the soul should do the same or a little
+more, at a time when the temptation is not so strong.</p>
+<p>11. It is not good for them to say, that grace is not growing in
+them, because they advance not so far as some do; and because they
+come not to the pitch of grace that they see some advanced to. That
+is not a sure rule to measure their growth in grace by. Some may
+have a better natural temper, whereby they are less inclined to
+several vices which these find a strong propension to; they may
+have the advantage of a better education, and the like; so that
+they should rather try themselves this year by what they were the
+last year, and that in reference to the lusts to which they have
+been most subject all their days.</p>
+<p>12. We must not think that every believer will attain to the
+same measure of grace. There is a measure appointed for every
+member or joint of this body; and every joint supplieth, according
+to the effectual working in the measure of every part, Eph. iv. 16.
+God hath more ado with some than with others; there is more
+strength required in an arm or leg than in a finger or toe; and
+every one should be content with his measure, so far as not to fret
+or repine against God and his dispensations, that makes them but a
+finger, and not an arm of the body; and do their duty in their
+station, fighting against sin, according to the measure or grace
+dispensed to them of the Lord, and that faithfully and constantly;
+and not quarrel with God, that he maketh us not as free of
+temptations and corruptions as some others. For the captain must
+not he blamed for commanding some of his soldiers to this post
+where they never once see the enemy, and others to that post where
+they must continually fight. The soldier is here under command, and
+therefore must be quiet, and take his lot; so must the Christian
+reverence the Lord's dispensations, in ordering matters, so as they
+shall never have one hour's quietness, while, as others have more
+rest and peace, and stand at their post fighting, resolving never
+to yield, but rather to cover the ground with their dead bodies,
+till the commander-in-chief think good to relieve them. Sure I am,
+as the only wise God hath distributed to every member of the body,
+as he hath thought good, so it is the duty of every member to
+endeavour this holy submission to him, as to the measure of grace,
+considered as his free gift bestowed on them; and to be humbled for
+the grudgings of his heart, because God hath not given him more
+talents. And sure I am, though this submission make no great noise
+in the world; yet really this is one of the highest degrees of
+grace attainable here, and such an ornament of a meek and quiet
+spirit, as is in the sight of God of great price. So that whoever
+hath attained to this, have the very grace they seem to want, and
+more. Yet, lest this should be abused, let me add a word or two of
+caution, to qualify this submission. (1.) There must be with it a
+high prizing even of that degree of grace which they want. (2)
+There must be a panting after grace, as it is God's image, and a
+conformity to him, and with so much singleness, as they may be in
+case to say, without the reproachings of their heart, they do not
+so much love holiness for heaven, as heaven for holiness. (3.)
+There must be an unceasingness in using all means, whereby the
+growth of grace may be promoved to this end, that they may be
+conformed to his image, rather than that they may be comforted.
+(4.) There must be also a deep humiliation for the want of that
+degree of grace they would have, as it importeth the want of so
+much conformity to him to whose image they are predestinated to be
+conformed, which will very well consist with this submission we are
+speaking of.</p>
+<p>13. It would be remembered, that there may be a great progress,
+even when it is not observed; when, (1.) Hereby the man is made to
+lie in the dust, to loath himself, and cry, behold I am vile! (2.)
+Hereby his indignation against the body of death is the more
+increased. (3.) Hereby his esteem of a Saviour and of the blessed
+contrivance of salvation is the more heightened, that he seeth he
+is thereby brought to make mention of his righteousness, even of
+his only. (4.) Hereby his longing after immediate fruition is
+increased, where all these complaints shall cease. (5.) And hereby
+he is put to essay that much slighted duty of holding fast the
+rejoicing of his hope firm unto the end, looking and longing for
+the grace that shall be brought unto him at the revelation of Jesus
+Christ, when he shall be presented without spot, and be made meet
+to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_VI." id="CHAPTER_VI."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2>
+<br>
+<h4>HOW CHRIST IS TO BE MADE USE OF, IN REFERENCE TO THE KILLING
+AND CRUCIFYING OF THE OLD MAN.</h4>
+<p>Having thus shortly pointed out some things in general, serving
+to the clearing and opening up the way of our use-making of Christ
+for sanctification, we come now more particularly to the clearing
+up of this business. In sanctification we must consider,
+<i>first,</i> The renewing and changing of our nature and frame;
+and, <i>next,</i> The washing and purging away of our daily
+contracted spots. The first of these is commonly divided into two
+parts, viz. <i>1st,</i> The mortification, killing, and crucifying
+of the old man of sin and corruption which is within; and,
+<i>2d,</i> The vivification, renewing, quickening, and
+strengthening of the new man of grace; and this is a growth in
+grace, and in fruitfulness and holiness.</p>
+<p>As to the first of these, viz. The mortification or crucifying
+of the old man, we would know, that there is such a principle of
+wickedness and enmity against God in man by nature, now since the
+fall, whereby the man is inclined to evil, and only to evil. This
+is called the old man, as being like the body, made of so many
+parts, joints, and members, that is, so many lusts and corruptions
+and evil inclinations, which, together, make up a-corpus, and they
+are fast joined and compacted together, as the members of the body,
+each useful and serviceable to one another, and all of them
+concurring and contributing their utmost to the carrying on of the
+work of sin, and so it is the man of sin; and it is also called the
+old man, as having first possession of the soul, before it is by
+grace renewed, and it is a dying more and more daily. Thus it is
+called the old man, and the body of sin, Rom. vi. 6. This old man
+hath his members in our members and faculties, so that none of them
+are free,&mdash;understanding, will, affections, and the members of
+our body are all servants of unrighteousness to this body of sin,
+and old man. So we read of the motions of sin, Rom. vii. 5, which
+work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death; and of the
+lusts of the flesh, Rom. xiii. 14. Gal. v. 16, 24; and the lusts of
+sin, Rom. vi. 12. So we hear of the desires of the flesh and of the
+mind, Eph. ii. 3; and of affections and lusts, Gal. v. 24. And the
+old man is said to be corrupt, according to the deceitful lusts,
+Eph. iv. 22; all which lusts and affections are as so many members
+of this body of sin, and of this old man. And, further, there is
+herein a considerable power, force, and efficacy, which this old
+man hath in us, to carry us away, and, as it were, command or
+constrain us, as by a forcible law. Hence we read of the law of sin
+and death, Rom. viii. 2, which only the "law of the Spirit of life
+in Christ doth make us free from." It is also called a "law in our
+members warring against the law of our mind," Rom. vii. 23, "and
+bringing us into captivity to the law of sin which is in our
+members." So it is said, "to lust against the Spirit, and to war,"
+Gal. v. 17. All which point out the strength, activity, and
+dominion of sin in the soul, so that it is as the husband over the
+wife, Rom. vii. 1; yea, it hath a domineering and constraining
+power, where its horns are not held in by grace. And as its power
+is great, so its nature is wicked and malicious; for it is pure
+"enmity against God," Rom. viii. 7; so that it neither is nor can
+be reconciled, and therefore must be put off and abolished, Eph.
+ii. 15; killed and crucified, Rom. vi. 6. Now herein lieth the work
+of a believer, to be killing, mortifying, and crucifying this
+enemy, or rather enmity; and delivering himself from under this
+bondage and slavery, that he may be Christ's free man, and that
+through the Spirit, Rom. viii. 13.</p>
+<p>Now, if it be asked, How shall a believer make use of Christ, to
+the end this old man may be gotten crucified? or, how should a
+believer mortify this old man, and the lusts thereof, through
+Christ, or by the Spirit of Jesus? We shall propose those things,
+which may help to clear this:</p>
+<p>1. The believer should have his eye on this old man as his
+arch-enemy, as a deadly cut-throat lying within his bosom. It is an
+enemy lodging within him, in his soul, mind, heart, and affections,
+so that there is no part free; and therefore is acquaint with all
+the motions of the soul, and is always opposing and hindering every
+thing that is good. It is an enemy that will never be reconciled to
+God, and therefore will not be reconciled with the believer as
+such; for it is called enmity itself, and so it is always actively
+seeking to promove the ruin of the soul, what by prompting,
+inclining, moving, and forcibly drawing or driving, sometimes with
+violence and rage, to evil; what by with standing, resisting,
+opposing, counter-working, and contradicting what is good; so that
+the believer cannot get that done which he would do, and is made to
+do that which he would not. Therefore this being such an enemy, and
+so dangerous an enemy, so constant and implacable an enemy, so
+active and close an enemy, so deadly and destructive, it is the
+believer's part to guard against this enemy, to have a vigilant eye
+upon it, to carry as an irreconcilable enemy thereunto; and
+therefore never to come in terms of capitulation or agreement
+therewith, never once to parley, let be make peace. And the
+believer would not have his vigilant eye upon this or that member
+of this body of death, so much as upon the body itself, or the
+principle of wickedness and rebellion against God; the head, life,
+spirit, or law, of this body of death; for there lieth its greatest
+wickedness and activity; and this is always opposing us, though not
+in every joint and member; but sometimes in one, sometimes in
+another.</p>
+<p>2. Though the believer should have a main eye upon the body,
+this innate, strong, and forcible law of sin and death, yet should
+he have friendship and familiarity with no part, member, or lust of
+all this body. All the deeds of the body should be mortified, Rom.
+viii. 13; the old man with his deeds should be mortified, Col. iii.
+6; and we should "mortify our members which are upon the earth,"
+verse 5; for all of them are against us, and the least of them
+countenanced, entertained, and embraced, will work our ruin, and
+cut our soul's throat; therefore should the believer look on each
+of them, and on all of them, as his deadly enemies.</p>
+<p>3. He should consider, that, as it is a very unseemly thing for
+him to be a slave to that old tyrant, and to yield his members as
+so many servants to iniquity, so it is dangerous and deadly. His
+life lieth at the stake; either he must get it mortified, killed,
+and subdued, or it will kill him; his life will go for its life; if
+this enemy escape, he is a gone man. The consideration of this
+should cause the believer to act here in earnestness and
+seriousness, with care and diligence, and set about this work of
+mortification with labour and pains.</p>
+<p>4. Much more must it be against all reason and Christianity, for
+the believer to be making "provision for the flesh, to fulfil the
+lusts thereof," Rom. xiii. 14. To be strengthening the hands of,
+and laying provision to this enemy, which is set and sworn against
+us, can stand with no reason. And here is much of the Christian's
+prudence and spiritual wisdom required, to discern what may make
+for fostering of this or that corruption, or member of the body of
+sin and death, and to withdraw that, as we will labour to take away
+provision of any kind from an enemy that is coming against us. Paul
+acted herein as a wise gamester and combatant, when he kept under
+his body, and brought it into subjection, 1 Cor. ix. 27. It were
+but to mock God, and to preach forth our own folly, to be looking
+to Christ for help against such an enemy, and, in the meantime, to
+be underhand strengthening the hands of the enemy; this would be
+double dealing, and treachery against ourselves.</p>
+<p>5. To the end, their opposition unto this enemy may be the
+stronger and more resolute, they should consider, that this body of
+sin is wholly set against God, and his interest in the soul, being
+very enmity itself against God, Rom. viii. 7; and always lusting
+and fighting against the work of God in the soul, Gal. v. 17; and
+against every thing that is good, so that it will not suffer, so
+far as it can hinder the soul to do anything that is good, at least
+in a right manner, and for a right end. Nay, with its lustings, it
+driveth constantly to that which is evil, raiseth evil motions and
+inclinations in the soul, ere the believer be aware; sideth with
+any temptation that is offered, to the end that it may destroy the
+soul, like a traitor within; as we see it did in David, when he
+fell into adultery; and with Asaph, Psalm lxxiii. 2; yea, itself
+opposeth and tempteth, James i. 14, by setting mind, will, and
+affections on wrong courses; and thus it driveth the soul to a
+course of rebellion against God, or diverts it, and draws it back,
+that it cannot get God served aright; yea, sometimes it sets a fire
+in the soul, entangling all the faculties, filling the mind with
+darkness or prejudice, misleading or preventing the affections, and
+so miscarrying the will, and leading it captive, Rom. vii. 23; so
+that the thing is done which the unregenerate soul would not do,
+and the duty is left undone which the soul would fain have done;
+yea, and that sometimes notwithstanding of the soul's watching and
+striving against this; so strong is its force.</p>
+<p>6. The believer should remember, that this enemy is not for him
+to fight against alone, and that his own strength and skill will
+make but a slender opposition unto it. It will laugh at the shaking
+of his spear; it can easily insinuate itself, on all occasions,
+because it lieth so near and close to the soul, always residing
+there, and is at the believer's right hand whatever he be doing,
+and is always openly or closely opposing, and that with great
+facility; for it easily besetteth, Heb. xii. 1, because it lieth
+within the soul, and in all the faculties of it&mdash;in the heart,
+mind, will, conscience, and affections; so that upon this account,
+the deceitfulness of the heart is great, and passeth the search of
+man, Jer. xvii. 9. Man cannot know all the windings and turnings,
+all the drifts and designs, all the lurking and retiring places,
+all the falsehoods and double dealings, all the dissimulations,
+lies, and subterfuges, all the plausible and deceitful pretexts and
+insinuations of his heart acted and spirited by this law of sin and
+death. And besides this slight and cunning, it hath strength and
+power to draw by lusts into destruction and perdition, 1 Tim. iv.
+9, and to carry the soul headlong; so that it makes the man's case
+miserable, Rom. vii. 24. All which would say, that the believer
+should call in other help than his own, and remember, that "through
+the Spirit he must mortify the deeds of the body," Rom. viii.
+13.</p>
+<p>7. And therefore the believer must lay aside all his carnal
+weapons, in dealing with his adversary, and look out for divine
+help and assistance, even for the promised Spirit, through which
+alone he can be instructed and enabled for this great work; for of
+himself he can do nothing, not so much as think a good thought as
+of himself, 2 Cor. iii. 5, far less will he be able to oppose such
+a mighty adversary, that hath so great and many advantages; and
+therefore all his carnal means, purposes, vows, and fightings in
+himself, will but render himself weaker, and a readier prey unto
+this adversary, which gaineth ground while he is so opposed. It is
+Christ alone and his Spirit, that can destroy the works of the
+devil, and kill or crucify this enmity.</p>
+<p>8. So that the believer must have his recourse for help and
+succour here, unto Jesus the Captain of salvation, and must follow
+him, and fight under his banners, make use of his weapons, which
+are spiritual; fight according to his counsel and conduct, taking
+him as a Leader and Commander, and lying open for his orders and
+instructions, waiting for the motions of his Spirit, and following
+them; and thus oppose and fight against this deadly enemy, with an
+eye always on Christ by faith, depending on him for light to the
+mind, resolution to the will, and grace to the whole soul to stand
+in the battle, and to withstand all assaults, and never engage in a
+dispute with this enemy, or any lust or member of this body without
+Christ the principal, that is, the soul would despair in itself,
+and be strong in him, and in the power of his might, by faith
+griping to him, as Head, Captain, and Commander-in-chief, resolving
+to fight in his strength, and to oppose through the help of his
+Spirit.</p>
+<p>9. And for this cause, the believer would eye the covenant of
+redemption, the basis of all our hope and consolation, wherein
+final and full victory is promised to Christ, as Head of the elect,
+viz. "that he shall bruise the serpent's head;" and so that in him,
+all his followers and members of his mystical body shall lift up
+the head, and get full victory at length over both sin and death.
+Now it is "God that giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus
+Christ," 1 Cor. xv. 57. The believer would also eye by faith the
+covenant of grace, wherein particularly this same victory is
+promised to the believer, in and through Jesus, Rom. xvi. 20. "And
+the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly; and
+sin shall not have dominion over you, for ye are not under the law,
+but under grace," Rom. vi. 14. The believer, I say, would look out
+by faith unto, and lay hold on these and the like promises, and
+thereby get strength conveyed to himself, whereby he may strive
+lawfully, and fight valiantly, and oppose with courage and
+resolution.</p>
+<p>10. Further, the believer would eye Christ as a fountain of
+furniture, as a full and complete magazine, standing open, and
+ready for every one of his honest soldiers to run to for new
+supplies of what they want; so that whatever they find wanting in
+their Christian armour, they must run away to the open magazine,
+Christ's fulness, that standeth ready for them, and by faith take
+and put on what they want and stand in need of in their warfare. If
+their girdle of truth be slacked, loosed, or weakened, and they be
+meeting with temptations anent their hypocrisy, and Satan objecting
+to them their double dealing, of purpose to discourage them, and to
+make them faint and give over the fight; they must away to him who
+is the truth, that he may bind on that girdle better, and make
+their hearts more upright before God in all they do. And if their
+breastplate of righteousness be weakened, and Satan there seem to
+get advantage, by casting up to them their unrighteous dealings
+towards God or men, they must flee to him, who only can help here,
+and beg pardon through his blood for their failings, and set to
+again afresh to the battle. If their resolution, which is
+understood by the preparation of the gospel of peace, grow weak, it
+must be renewed in Christ's armoury, and the feet of new be shod
+therewith. If their shield of faith begin to fail them, away must
+they get to him who "is the Author and Finisher of faith," Heb.
+xii. 2. And if their helmet of hope begin to fail them, in this
+armoury alone can that be supplied. And if their sword be blunted
+in their hand, or they unable to wield it aright, the Spirit of
+Jesus can only teach their hands to fight, and instruct them how to
+manage that useful weapon with advantage. Thus must the believer
+"be strong in him, and in the power of his might," Eph. vi. 10. "He
+is their God that girdeth them with strength, and maketh their way
+perfect. He maketh their feet like hind's feet, and setteth them
+upon their high places. He teacheth their hands to war, so that a
+bow of steel is broken by their arms. He giveth them the shield of
+salvation. His right hand upholdeth them. He girdeth with strength
+unto the battle," &amp;c. Psalm xviii. 32, &amp;c.</p>
+<p>11. For the further strengthening of their hope, faith, and
+confidence, believers would eye Christ, as hanging on the cross,
+and overcoming by death, death, and him that hath the power of
+death, the devil; and so as meritoriously purchasing this
+redemption from the slavery of sin and Satan, and particularly from
+the slavery of that body of death, and of the law of sin and death;
+for the apostle tells us, Rom. viii. 2, "That the law of the Spirit
+of life in Christ Jesus doth make us free from the law of sin and
+death," and that because, as he saith further, ver. 3, 4, "what the
+law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God
+sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin
+condemned sin in the flesh; that the righteousness of the law might
+be fulfilled in us." So that the believer may now look upon that
+enemy, how fearful soever it may appear, as condemned and killed in
+the death, of Christ; he having laid down the price of redemption,
+hath bought this freedom from the chains and fetters with which he
+was held in captivity. Faith, then, on the death of Jesus
+satisfying justice for the poor captive, may, and should support
+and strengthen the hope and confidence of the believer, that he
+shall obtain the victory at length.</p>
+<p>12. And it will further confirm the hope and faith of the
+believer, to look to Christ hanging on the cross, and there
+vanquishing and overcoming this arch-enemy, as a public person,
+representing the elect who died in him, and virtually and legally
+did in him overcome that jailor, and break his fetters; and the
+soul now believing, may, yea, should reckon itself in Christ dying,
+as it were, upon the cross, and there overcoming all those
+spiritual enemies. "Likewise," saith the apostle, Rom. vi. 11,
+"Reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin." From hence,
+even while fighting, the believer may account himself a conqueror,
+yea, "more than a conqueror, through him that loved him," Rom.
+viii. 37. Now faith acting thus on Christ, as a public person,
+dying and overcoming death and sin, the believer may not only infer
+the certainty of victory, knowing that our old man is crucified
+with Christ, Rom. vi. 6; but also from the cross of Christ draw
+strength to stand and fight against the strugglings of this
+vanquished and killed enemy. "They that are Christ's have crucified
+the flesh with the affections and lusts," Gal. v. 24. But how? Even
+by the cross of Christ. "For thereby is the world crucified unto
+me," saith the apostle, Gal. vi. 14, "and I unto the world." "Your
+old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be
+destroyed," Rom. vi. 6.</p>
+<p>13. The believer being dead indeed unto sin, through the cross
+of Christ, is to look upon himself as legally freed from that yoke
+of bondage under sin and death. "The law hath dominion over a man
+as long as he liveth," Rom. vii. 1. "But by the body of Christ
+believers are become dead to the law," ver. 4. That law of sin and
+death which hath dominion over a man that liveth still in nature,
+and is not yet by faith planted in the likeness of Christ's death,
+nor buried with him by baptism into death, Rom. vi. 4, 5, hath not
+that dominion over believers it had once&mdash;"For the law of the
+Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made them free from the law of
+sin and death," Rom. viii. 2; so that now the believer, is free
+from that tyranny; and that tyrant can exercise no lawful
+jurisdiction or authority over him; and therefore he may with the
+greater courage repel the insolencies of that tyrant, that contrary
+to all right and equity seeketh to lord it over him still. They are
+no lawful subjects to that cruel and raging prince, or to that
+spiritual wickedness.</p>
+<p>14. So that the believer, renouncing that jurisdiction under
+which he was formerly, and being under a new husband, and under a
+new law, even the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, is to
+look upon all the motions of sin as illegal, and as treasonable
+acts of a tyrant. "The old man being crucified with Christ, that
+the body of sin might be destroyed, the believer is not any more to
+serve sin," Rom. vi. 6; "and being now dead, they are freed from
+sin," ver. 7; "and are married to another, even to him who is
+raised from the dead, and so they should not serve sin, but bring
+forth fruit unto God," Rom. vii. 4; and therefore, look upon all
+motions of the flesh, and all the inclinations and stirrings of the
+old law of sin, as acts of treachery and rebellion against the
+right and jurisdiction of the believer's new Lord and husband; and
+are therefore obliged to lay hold on this old man, this body of
+death, and all the members of it, as traitors to the rightful king
+and husband, and to take them prisoners to the king, that he may
+give out sentence, and execute the same against them, as enemies to
+his kingdom and interest in the soul;&mdash;they being now no more
+"servants of sin, but of righteousness, they ought no more to yield
+their members servants to uncleanness, and iniquity unto iniquity,"
+Rom. vi. 18, 19; "and being debtors no more to the flesh, to live
+after the flesh," Rom. vii. 12; "they are to mortify the deeds of
+the body through the spirit," ver. 13; "and to crucify the flesh
+with the affections and lusts," Gal. v. 24; that is, by bringing
+them to the cross of Christ, where first they were condemned and
+crucified, in their full body and power; that a new sentence, as it
+were, may go out against them, as parts of that condemned tyrant,
+and as belonging to that crucified body.</p>
+<p>15. So that the believer that would carry faithfully in this
+matter, and fight lawfully in this warfare, and hope to obtain the
+victory through Jesus Christ, must bring these traitors that appear
+in their sinful motions and lusts in the soul, working rebellion
+against the just authority and equitable laws of the lawful prince
+Jesus, before the tribunal of him who hath now got "all power and
+authority in heaven and in earth," Matt, xxviii. 18; "and hath all
+judgment committed to him," John v. 22; "and to this end, both
+died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead
+and living," Rom. xvi. 9; that he may execute justice upon the
+traitor, head, and members; that he may trample these devils under,
+and bruise the head of these serpents within us. The believer then
+is by faith in prayer, to carry these open enemies to Christ, and
+declare and witness against them as traitors, by what mischief they
+have done in the soul, by their hindering the righteous laws of the
+king to be obeyed; and constraining and forcing, what by arguments
+and allurements, and what by forcible inclinations and pousings, to
+a disobedience and a counteracting of Christ; and he should urge
+and plead upon the fundamental laws of the land, viz. the articles
+of agreement betwixt the Father and the Son, and the faithful
+promises of the covenant of grace; and upon Christ's office as king
+and governor, and his undertaking as Mediator; upon the merits of
+his death and sufferings; upon his dying as a common person; upon
+the constitution of the gospel, whereby they are in law repute as
+dying in him, and so free from the law of sin and death; and upon
+their relation to him as their new Lord, Head, Husband, King,
+Commander, &amp;c. Upon these arguments, I say, to plead for
+justice against the rebel that is now brought to the bar, and so by
+faith leave the prisoner in his hand, that he may, in his own time
+and way, give a second blow unto the neck of this implacable and
+raging enemy, that he may not rise up to disturb the peace of the
+soul as before; or to trouble, impede, and molest the soul in
+paying the homage and obedience due to his lawful master and
+sovereign king, JESUS.</p>
+<br>
+<p>CAUTIONS AND DIRECTIONS.</p>
+<p>For further clearing of the premises, I would propose a few
+particulars, for caution and direction, as,&mdash;</p>
+<p>1. This work of laying the burden of this business on Christ by
+faith, would be gone about with much singleness of heart, aiming at
+the glory of God, and the carrying on of his work in the soul; and
+not for self-ends, and carnal by-respects, lest thereby we mar
+all.</p>
+<p>2. It would be carried on, without partiality, against all and
+every one of the lusts and motions of the old man. For if there be
+a compliance with and a sparing of any one known lust, the whole
+work may be marred; they may meet with a disappointment as to the
+particular lust they are desiring victory over;&mdash;and the lust
+they are harbouring, though it may seem little, may open a door to
+many stronger, and so occasion sad days to the man, ere he be
+aware.</p>
+<p>3. As they would bring the particular lust, or lusts, unto
+Christ, as chief Lord Justice; so they would always lay the axe to
+the root of the tree, and crave justice against the main body, that
+yet lieth within the soul; and these particular corruptions and
+affections, that are as members of that body of sin, should put
+them in mind of the old man, for they should "crucify the flesh
+with the affections and lusts thereof," Gal. v. 24; the body and
+the members. These lusts are the lusts of sin, or of that head-sin,
+which hath a law, or the force and impulse of a law in the soul;
+and therefore their main design would be against this root, where
+lieth the strength and body of the enemy, and which acteth in those
+members; this is the capital enmity, and should be mainly opposed.
+And the following of this course would prove more successful than
+that which many time we take: our nibbling at, or wrestling against
+this or that member of the body of death, is but of little
+advantage, so long as the main body of sin, the bitter root of
+wickedness, the carnal mind, this innate enmity is miskent, and not
+opposed; but on the contrary, strike at this, we strike at all.</p>
+<p>4. This would be the believer's constant work, to be "crucifying
+the flesh, with the lusts thereof; to be mortifying their members,"
+wherein the members of the old man quarter and lodge, Col. iii. 5;
+"to be spiritually minded, and to mind the things of the Spirit,"
+Rom. viii. 5, 6. "For the carnal mind is enmity, against God," Rom.
+viii. 7; "and so is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed
+can be." It is not only an enemy which may be reconciled, but
+enmity in the abstract, which never can be reconciled. And this
+enmity will never be idle; for it cannot till it be fully and
+finally destroyed; "the flesh is always lusting against the
+spirit,'" Gal. v. 17; "for they are contrary one to the other." So
+that though, to our sense, it may sometimes appear as sleeping, in
+regard that it doth not by some particular lust so molest and
+perplex the soul as formerly it did: yet it is restless, and may be
+more active in another lust, and so by changing weapons on us,
+deceive us. Here then is much spiritual wisdom and vigilancy
+required. When they think they have gotten one lust subdued, they
+must not think the war is at an end; but after all their particular
+victories, watch and pray, that they enter not into temptation.</p>
+<p>5. This way of laying the weight of the matter on Christ, should
+and will keep them humble, and teach them not to ascribe the glory
+of any good that is done unto themselves, but to give him all the
+glory, who is jealous of his glory, and will not give it to
+another, that the crown may alone flourish on his head, who is the
+captain of their salvation, and who by his Spirit worketh all their
+works in them.</p>
+<p>6. Nor would this way of carrying the matter to Christ, and
+putting it over on him, cause the believer become negligent in
+commanded duties, reading, hearing prayer, &amp;c; for it is there
+he must expect to meet with Christ; there must he seek him, and
+there must he wait for him, and his Spirit to do the work desired.
+For though he hath not limited himself to these means, so, as he
+cannot, or will not any other way help, yet he hath bound us to
+them; and it is our duty to wait there, where he hath commanded us
+to wait, though he should sometime think good to come another way,
+for the manifestation of the sovereignty of his grace.</p>
+<p>7. Yet while we are about the means, we would guard against a
+leaning to them, lest, instead of getting victory over corruption,
+we be brought more in bondage thereunto another way. We must not
+think that our prayers, or our hearing, or reading, &amp;c. will
+bring down the body of death, or subdue any one corruption; for
+that were but an yielding to corruption, and opening a back door to
+the carnal mind, and to another deadly lust, and a beating
+corruption with a sword of straw. This is not to mortify the deeds
+of the body through the Spirit, but through the flesh; and a
+fleshly weapon will never draw blood of this spiritual wickedness
+or old man, or of any corrupt lust or affection thereof; and yet
+how many times doth our deceitful heart bias us this way? Our work
+would be, as is said, to use the ordinances as means, whereby we
+may get the business laid on Christ, and help from Christ to do the
+business. We must go to the means with our prisoner to find Christ
+there at his court and assizes, that he may take course with the
+traitor.</p>
+<p>8. In all this there would be a looking to, and dependence on
+Christ for help and grace; because of ourselves, as of ourselves,
+we cannot do this much; we cannot complain aright of corruptions,
+nor take them away to Christ, nor ask for justice against them. As
+constables and other officers must carry malefactors to the courts
+of justice, upon public charges; so Christ will not have us doing
+or attempting this much on our own charges, for he giveth noble
+allowance.</p>
+<p>9. In following of this course, we would not think always to
+come speed at the first. Sometimes the Lord, for the encouragement
+of his children, may give them a speedy hearing, and deliver them
+from the tyranny of some particular lust or other that hath
+troubled them; so that for some time at least, it shall not so
+trouble them as it did. Yet he will not do so always, but may think
+it good to keep them waiting on him, and hanging on his courts for
+some considerable time, that he may thereby exercise their faith,
+patience, desire, zeal, and diligence. So that it should not seem
+strange to us, if we be not admitted at the first, and get not our
+answer at the first cry.</p>
+<p>10. When the Lord thinketh good to delay the answer to our
+desires, and the execution of justice on the malefactor and
+traitor, or to deliver us from his tyranny and trouble, we would
+beware of thinking to capitulate with the enemy for our peace and
+quiet, or to enter into a cessation of arms with him; that is, our
+enmity against him should never abate; nor should our desire after
+the mortification and crucifixion of this lust grow less; nor
+should we be at quiet and at peace, though it should seem to grow a
+little more calm and still, or not to rage as formerly; for this
+looks but like a covenant or confederacy with lust, which will not
+stand.</p>
+<p>11. We would also know, that what Christ said of devils, holdeth
+good of these lusts, viz. "that some of them do not go out but by
+fasting and prayer;" that is, by Christ sought unto and found in
+these means. There are some lusts that will not be so easily killed
+and mortified as others, but will cost us more pains and labour, as
+being corruptions which possibly have some greater advantage of our
+natural temper and constitution of body, or of long continuance and
+a cursed habit, or the like. We must not then think it strange, if
+some such lust be not subdued so easily as some others to which we
+have fewer and weaker, and not so frequent temptations.</p>
+<p>12. As we cannot expect a full conquest of the body of death, so
+long as we are here, as was shown above, neither can we expect a
+full and final victory over any one lust, which ever we have been
+troubled with. It is true, believers may be kept from some gross
+out-breaking of a corruption, which sometime prevailed, as Peter
+was from relapsing into an open and downright denying his Master;
+yet that same corruption did afterward stir, though not so
+violently as to carry him to such an height of sin; yet so far as
+to cause him do that which was a partial denying of his Master,
+when Paul withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed
+for withdrawing from the Gentiles, for fear of them of the
+circumcision, &amp;c. Gal. ii. 11, 12.: So, though a particular
+lust may be so far subdued through grace, as that for some
+considerable time a man may not find it so violent as it was; yet
+be cannot say that it is totally killed, because it may stir
+thereafter in some weaker measure; yea, he cannot tell, but ere he
+come to die, that same corruption may rise to be as violent as
+ever, and that Satan may again think to enter the soul at that same
+breach which once he entered at; yea, and who can tell, whether God
+may not suffer that corruption, which lay long as dead, to revive
+again for a time, and for a time drive the soul as violently as
+ever, and prevail for a time? And this should teach all to walk
+soberly, watchfully, and in fear, and to have a vigilant eye, even
+upon such lusts and carnal affections, as they may suppose they
+have got the victory of.</p>
+<p>13. We would not think that we gain no ground upon corruption,
+because we still perceive it stirring, less or more; for as
+corruption is not always strongest, as was said above, nor hath the
+deepest footing in the soul, when its motions and stirrings are
+most felt; so neither must we think that there is no ground gained
+upon a lust, because we are still troubled and molested with its
+stirrings; for it is a great advantage to be more sensible of the
+motions of this enemy; and our more faithful and active wrestling
+against it may make its least stirrings more sensible to us; as the
+motions and trouble which a malefactor, while in grips and in
+prison, maketh, may be thought more of than his greater ragings
+before he was apprehended; yet he may be sure in fetters for all
+that. A beast that hath gotten death's blow may get out of grips,
+and run more mad than ever, and yet will die at length of the same
+blow.</p>
+<p>14. Though we should find present ease and quiet by our
+following this way, yet we should think it much, if the Lord help
+us to stand, when we have done all we can, though we meet not with
+the hoped for success presently; if he give us grace to continue
+without wearying or fainting, and to be resolved never to give
+over, we have reason to bless him; if we be kept still in the
+conflict with pursuit of the enemy, it is our great advantage; the
+victory shall come in God's own time. If our opposition so
+continue, that we are resolved never to take nor give quarter,
+though our trouble and exercise should be the greater, and our ease
+and quiet the less, we ought to bless him, yea, and rejoice in hope
+of what he shall yet do for us; for he that will come, shall come,
+and will not tarry. Let us wait for him, in doing our duty, and
+faithfully keeping our post.</p>
+<p>15. Yea, if we get quietness or ease from the violence of raging
+lusts for any little time, and be not continually driven and
+carried headlong therewith, we ought to be thankful for this, and
+to walk humbly before him; lest he be provoked by our
+unthankfulness and pride, and let these furious dogs loose upon us
+again.</p>
+<p>16. When we are bending our strength and all our forces against
+some one corruption or other, which possibly hath been most
+troublesome to us, we would not be secure as to all others, or
+think that we are in hazard only on this side; for Satan may make a
+feint here, and really intend an assault at another place, by some
+other corrupt affection. O what need have we of spiritual wisdom
+that we may be better acquainted with his stratagems and wiles I
+Let us so then fight against one member of this body of death, as
+to have our eye upon others, lest when we think to keep out Satan
+at the fore-door, he enter in at the back-door. He can make use of
+extremities, and play his game with both; yea, and gain his point,
+if we be not aware.</p>
+<br>
+<p>OBJECTIONS ANSWERED.</p>
+<p>It will not be amiss, for further explaining of the matter, to
+remove a scruple or two. Some may say, that they cannot perceive
+that all their pains in this matter come to any good issue; for
+they never found corruption stir more, and act more lively and
+incessantly, than since they began to fight against it in good
+earnest; so that this would seem not to be the right way.</p>
+<p>I answer, Though from what is said before, particularly cautions
+9th and 13th, a resolution of this doubt maybe had; yet I shall
+propose those things, for further clearing of the matter:</p>
+<p>1. May not much of this flow from thy not laying the whole work
+so wholly off thyself, and upon Christ, as thou oughtest to do? Try
+and see.</p>
+<p>2. May not the devil rage most, when he thinks ere long to be
+ejected? May he not labour to create most trouble to the soul, when
+he seeth that he is like to be put from some of his strengths?</p>
+<p>3. May not the devil be doing this of purpose to drive thee to
+despair of ever getting corruption subdued and mortified; or to a
+fainting and sitting up in the pursuit, and to a despondency of
+spirit; that so instead of fighting or standing, thou may cede and
+turn thee back? And should we comply with him in his designs?</p>
+<p>4. May not the Lord give way to this for a time, to try thy
+seriousness, patience, submission and faith, and to sharpen thy
+diligence, and kindle up thy zeal? And should we not submit to his
+wise dispensations?</p>
+<p>5. How can thou say that thou gainest no advantage, as long as
+thou art not made to lay aside the matter wholly, as hopeless of
+any good issue; but, on the contrary, art helped to stand, and to
+resist sin, to cry out against it, to fight as thou canst, and at
+least not to yield?</p>
+<p>6. What if God see it for thy advantage, that thou be kept so in
+exercise for a time, to the end thou may be kept humble, watchful,
+and diligent? He may see more of thee, than thou canst see of
+thyself, and so may know what is best for thee; and should thou not
+condescend to be disposed of by him as he will, and to let him make
+of thee, and do with thee what he will?</p>
+<p>7. What if God be about to chasten thee thus for thy former
+negligence, security, and unwatchfulness, and giving too much
+advantage to those lusts, which now, after his awakening of thee,
+thou would be delivered from? Should thou not bear the indignation
+of the Lord, because thou hast sinned against him, as the Church
+resolved to do, Micah vii. 9?</p>
+<p>8. Is it not thy duty the more that corruption stirs, to run
+with it the oftener to Christ, that he may subdue it and put it to
+silence? May not thou improve this to thy advantage, by making many
+errands to him?</p>
+<p>9. May it not come in a day, that hath not come in a year? Art
+thou sure, that all thy pains shall be in vain? Or thinkest thou
+that all his children have got victory alike soon over their lusts?
+What cause is there then to complain thus?</p>
+<p>10. May not all this convince thee, that it is thy duty to wait
+on him, in the use of his appointed means, and to be patient,
+standing fast to thy post, resolving, when thou hast done all, yet
+to stand?</p>
+<p>11. May not this satisfy thee, that God through grace accepteth
+thy labour and wrestling, as thy duty, and accounteth it service to
+him, and obedience?</p>
+<p>But again, it may possibly be objected thus: so long as I am in
+this condition, kept under with my lusts, I cannot get God
+glorified and served as he ought to be.</p>
+<p>I answer, though so long as it is so with thee, thou cannot
+glorify and serve him, in such a particular manner as others, who
+have got more victory over those evils under which thou art
+groaning, yet God can get glory and service of thee another way;
+as,</p>
+<p>1. By thy submission, with calmness of spirit, to his wise
+dispensations, when thou dare not speak against him, and say, with
+Rebecca, in another case, if it be so, why am I thus? But sweetly
+and willingly cast thyself down at his feet, saying, good is the
+will of the Lord; let him do what seemeth him good, &amp;c.</p>
+<p>2. By thy patient on-waiting, when thou art not wearying nor
+fainting, but saying, why should I not wait upon the great King's
+leisure? Is he not free to come when he will? Dare I set limits to
+the Holy One of Israel?</p>
+<p>3. By thy humility, when thou blessest him, for keeping thee so
+long out of hell, and thinkest much of his giving thee grace to see
+and observe the stirrings of corruption, which carnal wretches
+never perceive; and helping thee to withstand and complain of
+corruption, which they sweetly comply with.</p>
+<p>4. By thy hatred of sin, when all that Satan can do cannot make
+thee comply with those lusts, or sweetly embrace those vipers, or
+lie down in peace with those rotten members of the old man, as
+others do.</p>
+<p>5. By thy watchfulness, when all thy disappointments cause thee
+the more earnestly watch against that enemy.</p>
+<p>6. By thy acting faith, when still thou art carrying sin in its
+lusts to Christ to kill and subdue, as believing the tenor of the
+gospel and new covenant.</p>
+<p>7. By thy hope, which appeareth by thy not despairing, and
+giving over the matter as a hopeless business, and turning aside to
+wicked courses.</p>
+<p>8. By thy praying, when thou criest to him continually for help,
+who only can help.</p>
+<p>9. By thy wrestling and standing against all opposition, for
+thereby is his strength made perfect in thy weakness, 2 Cor. xii.
+9.</p>
+<p>10. By thine obedience; for it is his command that thou stand
+and fight this good fight of faith.</p>
+<p>So that if thou hast a desire to glorify him, thou wants not
+occasion to do it, even in this condition wherein thou complainest
+that thou cannot get him glorified. And if those grounds do not
+satisfy thee, it is to be feared that it is not so much a desire to
+glorify him, that moveth thee to cry so earnestly for actual
+delivery from the trouble of the flesh and the lusts thereof, as
+something else, which thou may search after and find out; such as
+love to ease, quietness, applause and commendation of others, or
+the like.</p>
+<p>But, in the <i>third</i> place, it may be objected, is it not
+promised that sin shall not have dominion over us, as "not being
+under the law, but under grace," Rom. vi. 14. How can we then but
+be troubled, when we find not this promise made good?</p>
+<p>I answer, 1st, Sin is not always victorious and domineering,
+when it seemeth to rage and stir most. Your opposition thereunto,
+fighting and wrestling against it, sheweth that it hath not full
+dominion. So long as an invading usurper is opposed, he hath not
+full dominion, not having peaceable possession of what he is
+seeking; and thus the promise is in part accomplished.</p>
+<p>2. Victory and a full conquest over the flesh, and lusts
+thereof, is not promised to any believer, at his first appearing in
+the fields to fight; nor granted to all in any measure, at their
+first putting on their armour.</p>
+<p>3. Therefore it is thy part to fight on, and wait for that full
+victory, viz. that sin shall not have dominion over thee, for it
+shall come in due time.</p>
+<p>4. God hath his own time and seasons wherein he accomplisheth
+his promises; and we must leave him a latitude, both as to the time
+when, and as to the manner how, and as to the degree in which he
+shall make good his promises; and he is wise in his
+dispensations.</p>
+<p>Therefore, though the promise as yet appeareth not to be
+accomplished, there is no true cause of trouble of mind, because it
+shall be afterward fully accomplished; and the wrestling against
+sin, saith that it is in great measure accomplished already;
+because where it hath a full dominion, it suppresseth all
+opposition or contradiction, except some faint resistance, which a
+natural conscience, for carnal ends, on carnal principles and
+grounds, may, now or then, make against this or that particular
+corruption, which occasioneth shame, disgrace, loss, challenges of
+a carnal conscience, and disquietness that way, when yet it is not
+hated nor wrestled against as sin, or as a member of the old man,
+and the body of death. The objector would consider, that having
+subjected his consent to Christ, he is delivered really from that
+natural state of bondage under sin as a lawful lord, howbeit the
+old tyrant, now wanting a title, is making new invasions, to
+trouble the peace and quiet of the soul.</p>
+<p><i>Fourthly,</i> It may be said, but what can then, in the mean
+time, keep up the heart of a poor soul from sinking?</p>
+<p><i>Ans.</i> Several things, if rightly considered, might help to
+support the soul in this case, as,</p>
+<p>1. That they are helped to wrestle against this body of death,
+in all the members of it, so soon as they discover themselves, were
+it their right eye and right hand.</p>
+<p>2. That these lusts gain not ground upon them; or if they do
+seem to gain ground, yet they attain not to a full dominion, not
+gaining their consent.</p>
+<p>3. That God is faithful, and therefore the promised victory
+shall be had in due time, and Satan's head shall certainly be
+bruised.</p>
+<p>4. That the wrestling soul is about his duty, carrying as a good
+soldier of Jesus Christ, fighting the battles of the Lord, and
+waiting on him in faith and hope.</p>
+<p>But further, <i>fifthly,</i> some may say, If I were kept from
+yielding, my wrestling and standing would yield me some comfort;
+but when lust so stirreth, as that it conceiveth and bringeth forth
+sin, (James i. 15,) what can support or comfort me then?</p>
+<p><i>Ans.</i> 1. Corruption cannot stir in us, but therein we sin,
+for the very first rise, the <i>motus primo-primi</i>, as they are
+called, are sinful, being contrary to the holy law of God; and the
+very in-being of that old man is our sin; for it is sinful, and
+rebellious against God, yea it is very enmity and rebellion itself.
+When Satan cometh with a temptation from without, he findeth always
+much in us to entertain the temptation. So that the very stirring
+of corruption, which is occasioned by the temptation from without,
+is our guilt.</p>
+<p>2. It is true it is our duty, to set against the first risings
+and motions of corruption, when it first enticeth, before it hath
+conceived or brought forth sin; and it will argue grace in life and
+in action, to be able to hinder the motions of lust so far, that it
+shall not conceive and bring forth sin. Yet we may not say, that
+there is no grace in the soul, or no measure of mortification
+attained, where lust sometimes not only enticeth, but conceiveth
+and bringeth forth sin. The sad experience of many of God's
+worthies, registrated in the word, cleareth this abundantly. We
+must not say, such an one is fallen, therefore he is dead. Paul
+reasoneth otherways, Rom. vii.</p>
+<p>3. Yet even then, when lust conceiveth and bringeth forth sin,
+this may comfort and bear up the heart of a poor believer. (1.)
+That though corruption prevail so far, as to bear down all
+opposition, and run down all that standeth in its way, yet it
+getteth not the full consent of the soul: there is still a party
+for God in the soul, that opposeth so far as to protest against it,
+or at least to dissent from it, and not to will that which yet is
+done, and positively to will that which cannot be gotten
+effectuated, (2.) And further, this may bear up the poor soul, that
+there is a party within, which, though for a time, during the
+violent overrunning of corruption, can do little more than sigh and
+groan in a corner, yet is waiting and longing for an opportunity
+when it may appear more for God, and against that wicked usurper.
+(3.)So also this may comfort the poor soul, that as it perceiveth
+corruption stirring, and the old man moving one member or other, it
+runneth away to the king; and when it is not able to apprehend the
+traitor, and take him captive to the court of justice, doth there
+discover the traitor, and tell the king that there is such or such
+a traitor acting such and such rebellion against him and his laws,
+and complain and seek help to take the rebel prisoner, and bring
+him bound hand and foot to the king, that he may give out sentence
+against him; that is, when he can do no more against that raging
+enemy, maketh his complaint to the Lord, and lieth before him,
+sighing and groaning for help and strength to withstand and oppose
+more this enemy.</p>
+<p><i>Lastly,</i> Some may yet object, and say, If it were not
+worse with me than it is with others, I could then be satisfied;
+but I see some mightily prevailing over corruption, and I am still
+at under, and can get no victory; and can I choose but be sad at
+this?</p>
+<p>I answer, 1. Dost thou know for a certainty, that those persons
+whose condition thou judgest happy, are altogether free of the
+inward stirrings of those lusts that thou art brought under by? Or
+dost thou know for a certainty that they are not under the power of
+some other corruption, as thou thinkest thyself under the power of
+that corruption whereof thou complainest? What knowest thou, then,
+but they may be as much complaining on other accounts as thou dost
+on that?</p>
+<p>2. But be it so as thou supposeth, that there is a difference
+betwixt thy condition and the condition of others, knowest thou
+not, that all the members of the body are not alike great and
+strong, as not being equally to be employed in work requiring
+strength. Are there not some young strong men in Christ's family,
+and some that are but babes? May not a captain send some of his
+soldiers to one post, where they shall possibly not see the enemy
+all the day long, and some others to another post, where they shall
+have no rest all the day? And why, I pray, may not God dispose of
+his soldiers as he will? He knoweth what he is doing: It is not
+safe that every one of the soldiers know what are the designs of
+the commander or general; nor is it always fit for us to know or to
+inquire what may be the designs of God with us, and what he may be
+about to do. He may intend to employ one in greater works than
+another, and so exercise them otherways for that warfare and work.
+It may suffice that the prevailing of others may encourage thee to
+hope, that at last thy strong corruptions shall also fall by the
+hand of the grace of God.</p>
+<p>3. If thy sadness savour not of envy and fretting, thou should
+bless him that hereby thou art put to the exercise of spiritual
+sorrow.</p>
+<p>4. It is well if this bring thee to bless God for the success of
+others, because hereby his grace is glorified, 1 Cor. xii. 26.</p>
+<p>Therefore, 5. Let this satisfy us, That he is the Lord, who
+doeth what he will in heaven and in earth, and may dispose of us as
+he will, and make of us what he will, for his own glory. And that
+we are to mind our duty, and be faithful at our post, standing and
+fighting in the strength of the Lord, resolving never to comply
+with the enemy, and to rejoice in this, that the enemy is already
+conquered by the captain, and that we share in his victory, and
+that the very God of peace shall quickly bruise Satan under our
+feet, Rom. xvi. 20.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_VII." id="CHAPTER_VII."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2>
+<br>
+<h4>HOW CHRIST IS TO BE MADE USE OF, IN REFERENCE TO GROWING IN
+GRACE.</h4>
+<p>I come now to speak a little to the other part of
+sanctification, which concerneth the change of our nature and
+frame, and is called vivification, or quickening of the new man of
+grace; which is called the new man, as having all its several
+members and parts, as well as the old man; and called new, because
+posterior to the other; and after regeneration is upon the growing
+hand, this duty of growing in grace, as it is called, 2 Pet. iii.
+&amp;c. is variously expressed and held forth to us in Scripture;
+for it is called "an abiding and bringing forth fruit in Christ,"
+John xv. 5; "adding to faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge," 2
+Pet. i. 5, 6, 7; "a going on to perfection," Heb. vii. 1; "a
+growing up in Christ in all things," Eph. iv. 15; "a working out
+our salvation," Phil. ii. 12; "a perfecting of holiness," 2 Cor.
+vii. 1; "a walking in newness of life," Rom. vi. 4; "a yielding of
+ourselves unto God, as alive from the dead, and our members as
+instruments of righteousness unto God," Rom. vi. 13, 18; "a
+bringing forth fruit unto God," Rom, vii. 4; "a serving in newness
+of spirit," Rom. vii. 6; "a being renewed in the spirit of our
+minds, and a putting on the new man, which after God is created in
+righteousness and true holiness," Eph. iv. 23,24. Col. iii. 10, and
+the like: some whereof do more immediately express the nature of
+this change, as to the root, and some as to the fruit and effects
+thereof, and some the progress and advancement that is made or to
+be made therein. And all of them point out a special piece of work,
+which lieth on all that would see the face of God, viz. to be holy,
+gracious, and growing in grace.</p>
+<p>This, then, being a special piece of the exercise and daily work
+of a Christian, and it being certain, as some of the places now
+cited do also affirm, that without Christ they cannot get this work
+either begun or carried on, the main difficulty and question is,
+How they are to make use of Christ for this end?</p>
+<p>For answer whereunto, though by what we have said in our former
+discourse, it may be easy to gather what is to be said here; yet I
+shall briefly put the reader in mind of those things, as useful
+here.</p>
+<p>1. The believer would consider what an ornament this is to the
+soul, to have on this new man, which is created after the image of
+God, Eph. iv. 23. What an excellency lieth here, to recover that
+lost glory, holiness and the image of God? and what advantage the
+soul reapeth hereby, when it "is made meet to be a partaker of the
+inheritance of the saints in light," Col. i. 12; "and walking
+worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good
+work, and increasing in the knowledge of God," Col. i. 10; "and
+strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto
+all patience and long-suffering, with joyfulness," ver. 11; and
+when the abounding of the graces of the Spirit maketh them "that
+they shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our
+Lord Jesus Christ," 2 Pet. i. 8; "and to be a vessel unto honour,
+sanctified, and meet for the Master's use, and prepared unto every
+work," 2 Tim. ii. 21. What glory and peace is here, to be found
+obedient unto the many commands given to be holy: what hazard is in
+the want of holiness, when without it we cannot see God, Heb. xii.
+14: how unanswerable it is unto our profession, who are members to
+such a holy head, to be unholy: what profit, joy, and satisfaction
+there is, in being temples of the Holy Ghost, in walking after the
+Spirit, in bringing forth fruit unto the glory of the Father,
+&amp;c. The consideration of these and other motives unto this
+study of sanctification, would arm the soul with resolution, and
+harden it against opposition.</p>
+<p>2. It would be remembered, that this work, though it be laid
+upon us, as our duty, and we be called thereunto of God, yet it is
+beyond our hand and power. It is true, at conversion, the seed of
+grace is cast into the soul, new habits are infused, a new
+principle of life is given, the stony heart is changed into an
+heart of flesh; yet these principles and habits cannot act in
+themselves, or be brought into act, by any thing that a believer,
+considered in himself, and without divine help, can do. But this
+work of sanctification and growth in grace must be carried on by
+divine help, by the Spirit of Jesus dwelling and working within;
+and therefore it is called the sanctification of the Spirit, 2
+Thess. ii. 13. 1 Pet. i. 2. The God of peace must sanctify us, I
+Thess. v. 23. We are said to be sanctified by God the Father, Jude
+1.; and by the Holy Ghost, Rom. xv. 16; see also 1 Cor. vi. 11. "We
+would remember that of ourselves we can do nothing," 2 Cor. iii. 5,
+and "that he must work in us both to will and to do of his own good
+pleasure," Phil. ii. 13. Albeit no believer will question the truth
+of this; yet it may be, it shall be found after trial, that one
+main cause of their not growing in grace, and making progress in
+this work, is their not acting as believing this, but setting about
+the work, as if it were a work which they themselves could master
+and do without special divine help. Therefore the believer would
+abide, live, and act, in the faith of this truth.</p>
+<p>3. Therefore believers would not, in going about this work,
+either trust to their own strength, to the habits of grace, to
+their former experiences, to their knowledge and parts, or the
+like; nor yet would they trust to any external mean, which they are
+to go about; because the wisdom, strength, and help, which their
+case calleth for, is not to be found in them; yet they should not
+think of laying these means and duties aside, for then should they
+sin against God; they should prejudge themselves of the help,
+strength, and supply, which God useth to convey to the soul, in and
+by the use of the means. And withal, they should tempt the Lord, by
+prescribing another way to him than he hath thought good to take.
+The believer, then, would use the means and duties prescribed, and
+that diligently, seriously, and constantly; and yet would lean as
+little to them, and expect help and relief as little from them, as
+if he were not using them at all, as we said above. And indeed this
+would be a right way; yea, the most advantageous and profitable
+way, of going about duties, to be diligent in the use of them,
+because of God's command, and yet to place our hope and expectation
+in God alone, and to look above the ordinances for our help.</p>
+<p>4. Albeit it be true that the power and grace of God alone, doth
+begin and carry on this work of sanctification in the soul: yet
+though he might, did he but see it for his glory, carry on and
+finish this work in the soul, without the intervention of second
+causes or means, he hath notwithstanding thought it fit, for the
+glory of his name, to work this work by means, and particularly by
+believers setting about the work. He worketh not in man as if he
+were a block or a stone, but useth him as a rational creature,
+endued with a rational soul, having useful and necessary faculties,
+and a body fired by organs to be subservient to the soul in its
+actions. Therefore the believer must not think to lie by and do
+nothing, for he is commanded to work out his own salvation, and
+that because it is God that worketh in him both to will and to do.
+Because God worketh all, therefore he should work; so reasoneth the
+apostle. So that God's working is an argument and motive to the man
+to work, and not an argument to him to lie by idle and do nothing.
+And here is the holy art and divine skill requisite in this
+business, to wit, for the believer to be as diligent and active as
+if he could bring forth fruit in his own strength, and by his own
+working; and yet to be as abstracted from himself, his own grace,
+ability, knowledge, experience, in his working, as if he were lying
+by like a mere block, and only moving as moved by external
+force.</p>
+<p>5. The soul that would make progress in Christianity, and grow
+in grace, would remember that Christ is proposed to us as a copy,
+which we are to imitate, and that therefore we should set Christ
+continually before us as our pattern, that we may follow his steps,
+1 Pet. i. 15, and ii. 21. But withal it would be remembered, that
+he is not like other ensamples or copies, that can help the man
+that imitateth them in no other way than by their objective
+prospect; for looking by faith on this copy, will bring virtue to
+the man that studieth to imitate, whereby he shall be enabled to
+follow his copy better. O! if we knew in experience what this were,
+to take a look of Christ's love, patience, long-suffering,
+meekness, hatred of sin, zeal, &amp;c, and by faith to pore in,
+till, by virtue proceeding from that copy, we found our hearts in
+some measure framed into the same disposition, or at least more
+inclined to be cast into the same mould!</p>
+<p>6. The believer would act faith on Christ, as the head of the
+body, and as the stock in which the branches are ingrafted, and
+thereby suck sap, and life, and strength from him, that he may
+work, walk, and grow, as becometh a Christian. The believer must
+grow up in him, being a branch in him, and must bring forth fruit
+in him, as the forementioned places clear. Now, Christ himself
+tells us, that the branches cannot bring forth fruit, except they
+abide in the vine; and that no more can his disciples bring forth,
+except they abide in him, John xv. Therefore, as it is by faith
+that the soul, as a branch, is united to Christ, as the vine; and
+as it is by faith that they abide in him; so it is by faith that
+they must bring forth fruit; and this faith must grip Christ as the
+vine, and the stock or root from which cometh sap, life, and
+strength. Faith, then, must look to Christ as the fountain of
+furniture&mdash;as the head from whence cometh all the influences
+of strength and motion. Christ hath strength and life enough to
+give out, for "the fulness of the Godhead dwelleth in him bodily;"
+and he is also willing enough to communicate of his fulness, as the
+relations he hath taken on do witness. The head will not grudge to
+give to the members of the body, spirits for action and motion; nor
+will a vine grudge to give sap into the branches. Nay, life,
+strength, and furniture will, as it were, natively flow out of
+Christ unto believers, except they, through unbelief, and other
+distempers, cause obstructions; as life and sap doth natively and
+kindly flow from the root to the branches, or from the head to the
+members, unless obstructions stop the passage. It is necessary,
+therefore, that believers eye Christ under these and the like
+relations, and look upon him as standing, (so to speak,) obliged by
+his place and relation, to grant strength and influences of life,
+whereby they may become fruitful in every good work; and so with
+holy, humble, and allowed boldness, press in faith for new
+communications of grace, virtue, strength, courage, activity, and
+what else they need; for, from the head, all the body, by joints
+and bands, having nourishment ministered, increaseth with the
+increase of God. Col. ii. 19. Eph. iv. 16.</p>
+<p>7. For this cause believers would lie open to the influences of
+Christ, and guard against the putting of obstructions in the way,
+through grieving of the Spirit, by which he conveyeth and
+communicateth those influences unto the soul; and through
+questioning and misbelieving Christ's faithfulness and unchangeable
+willingness, which as a violent humour stoppeth the passage. So
+then believers would lie open by looking and waiting, drawing,
+seeking from him what they need, and by guarding against every
+thing that may provoke the Lord to anger, whether in omission or
+commission. Here is requisite, an holy, humble, sober, and watchful
+walk; an earnest, serious, and hungry looking out to him, and a
+patient waiting for supply and furniture from him. This is to open
+the mouth wide that he may fill it; to lie before the Sun of
+Righteousness, that the beams thereof may beat upon them, and warm
+and revive them; and to wait as a beggar at this King's gate, till
+he give the alms.</p>
+<p>8. For the strengthening their hope and faith in this, they
+would lay hold upon Christ dying, and by his death purchasing all
+those influences of life and strength which are requisite for
+carrying on the work of grace and sanctification in the soul. For
+we must be "blessed in Christ with all spiritual blessings," Eph.
+i. 3. The believer, then, would look upon these influences, as
+purchased at a dear rate, by the blood of Jesus Christ; so that the
+divine power giveth unto us all things that pertain unto life and
+godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to
+glory and virtue, 2 Peter i. 3. And this will encourage the soul to
+wait on, and expect the flowing down of influences, and spiritual
+blessings and showers of grace, to cause the soul to flourish and
+become fruitful, and to urge and press more earnestly by faith the
+bestowing of the purchased benefits.</p>
+<p>9. Moreover, the believer would look on Jesus as standing
+engaged and obliged to carry on this work, both receiving them as
+for this end, from the Father. Hence we are said "to be chosen in
+him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy,"
+&amp;c. Eph. i. 4; and as dying for them. For he gave himself for
+the church, that he might sanctify and cleanse it, that he might
+present it to himself a glorious church, that it should be holy,
+Eph. v. 25-27. He hath reconciled them, in the body of his flesh,
+through death, to present them holy, Col. i. 2, 22. So that the
+noble covenant of redemption may found the certain hope and
+expectation of the believer, upon a double account: (1.) Upon the
+account of the Father's faithfulness, who promised a seed to Jesus,
+viz. such as should be his children, and so be sanctified through
+him, and that the pleasure of the Lord, which in part is the work
+of sanctification, should prosper in his hand. And, (2.) Upon the
+account of Christ's undertaking and engaging, as is said, to bring
+his sons and daughters to glory, which must be thought
+sanctification; for without holiness no man shall see God. And they
+must look like himself, who is a holy head, a holy husband, a holy
+captain; and therefore they must be holy members, a holy spouse,
+and holy soldiers. So that he standeth engaged to sanctify them by
+his Spirit and word, and therefore is called the sanctifier, Heb.
+ii. 11; "for both he that sanctifieth, and they who are sanctified,
+are all one." Yea, their union with Christ layeth the foundation of
+this; for "being joined to the Lord, they become one Spirit," 1
+Cor. vi. 17, and are animated and quickened by one and the same
+Spirit of life and grace, and therefore must be sanctified by that
+Spirit.</p>
+<p>10. The believer likewise would act faith upon the promises of
+the new covenant, of grace, strength, life, &amp;c, whereby they
+shall walk in his ways, have God's laws put into their minds, and
+wrote in their hearts, Heb. viii. 10. Jer. xxxi. 33; and of the new
+heart, and new spirit, and the heart of flesh, and the Spirit
+within them, to cause them walk in his ways or statutes, and keep
+his judgments, and do them, Ezek. xxxvi. 26, 27, and the like,
+wherewith the Scripture aboundeth; because these are all given over
+to the believer by way of testament and legacy, Christ becoming the
+Mediator of the New Testament, that by means of death, for the
+redemption of the transgressions that were under the first
+testament, they which are called might receive the promise of
+eternal inheritance, Heb. ix. 15. Now, Christ, by his death, hath
+confirmed this testament; "for where a testament is, there must
+also of necessity be the death of the testator; for a testament is
+of force after men are dead," vers. 16, 17. Christ, then, dying to
+make the testament of force, hath made the legacy of the promises
+sure unto the believer; so that now all the "promises are yea and
+amen in Christ," 2 Cor. i. 20. "He was made a minister of
+circumcision to confirm the promises made to the fathers," Rom. xv.
+8. That the eyeing of these promises by faith is a noble mean to
+sanctification, is clear, by what the apostle saith, 2 Cor. vii. 1,
+"Having therefore these promises, let us cleanse ourselves;
+perfecting holiness in the fear of God." And it is by faith that
+those promises must be received, Heb. xi. 33: So that the believer
+that would grow in grace, would eye Christ, the fundamental
+promise, the testator establishing the testament, and the executor
+or dispensator of the covenant, and expect the good things through
+him, and from him, through the conduit and channel of the
+promises.</p>
+<p>11. Yet further, believers would eye Christ in his resurrection,
+as a public person, and so look on themselves, and reckon
+themselves as rising virtually in and with him, and take the
+resurrection of Christ as a certain pawn and pledge of their
+sanctification; for so reasoneth the apostle, Rom. vi. 4, 5, 11,
+13. "We are buried," says he, "with him by baptism unto death; that
+like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the
+Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life:
+For&mdash;we shall be also planted in the likeness of his
+resurrection; and if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we
+shall also live with him:&mdash;therefore reckon ye also yourselves
+to be&mdash;alive unto God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, and
+yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead,
+and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God." The
+right improving of this ground would be of noble advantage to the
+student of holiness: for then he might with strong confidence
+conclude, that the work of sanctification should prosper in his
+hand; for he may now look upon himself as "quickened together with
+Christ," Eph. ii. 5. Christ dying and rising, as a public person,
+and he by faith being now joined with him, and united to him.</p>
+<p>12. Moreover this resurrection of Christ may yield us another
+ground of hope and confidence in this work; for there is mention
+made of the power of his resurrection, Phil. iii. 10. So that by
+faith we may draw strength and virtue from Christ, as an arisen and
+quickened head, whereby we also may live unto God, and bring forth
+fruit unto him, and serve no more in the oldness of the letter,
+"but in the newness of the Spirit," Rom. vii. 4, 6. He was
+quickened as a head, and when the head is quickened, the members
+cannot but look for some communication of life therefrom, and to
+live in the strength of the life of the head: see Col. iii. 1,
+2.</p>
+<p>13. Faith may and should also look to Christ, as an intercessor
+with the Father. For this particular, John xvii. 17, "Sanctify them
+through thy truth, thy Word is truth:" and this will add to their
+confidence, that the work shall go on; for Christ was always heard
+of the Father, John xi. 41, 42, and so will be in his prayer, which
+was not put up for the few disciples alone.</p>
+<p>The believer then would eye Christ as engaging to the Father to
+begin and perfect this work; as dying to purchase the good things
+promised, and to confirm the same; as quickened, and rising as head
+and public person, to ensure this work, and to bestow and actually
+confer the graces requisite; and as praying also for the Father's
+concurrence, and cast the burden of the work on him by faith,
+knowing that he standeth obliged, by his place and relation to his
+people, to bear all their burthens, to work all their works in
+them, to perfect his own work that he hath begun in them, to
+present them to himself at last a holy bride, to give them the
+Spirit "to dwell in them," Rom. viii. 9, 11 "and to quicken their
+mortal bodies," ver. 11, "and to lead them," ver. 14; "till at
+length they be crowned, and brought forward to glory." This is to
+live by faith, when Christ liveth, acteth, and worketh in us by his
+Spirit, Gal. ii. 20. Thus Christ dwelleth in the heart by faith;
+and by this his people become rooted and grounded in love, which is
+a cardinal grace; and knowing the love of Christ, which passeth
+knowledge, they become filled with all the fulness of God, Eph.
+iii. 17, 19. So that the believer is to commit by faith the work to
+Christ, and leave the stress of all the business on him who is
+their life. Yet the believer must not think he is to do nothing, or
+to lay aside the means of ordinances, but using these diligently,
+would in them commit the matter to Christ, and by faith roll the
+whole work on him, expecting, upon the ground of his relations,
+engagements, promises, beginnings, &amp;c., that he will certainly
+perfect the work, (Phil. i. 6,) and take it well off their hands,
+and be well pleased with them for putting the work in his hands,
+and leaving it on him "who is made of God to us
+sanctification."</p>
+<br>
+<p>CAUTIONS.</p>
+<p>As in the former part, so here it will not be amiss to give a
+few words of caution, for preventing of mistakes.</p>
+<p>1. We would beware of thinking that perfection can be attained
+here: the perfect man and measure of the stature of the fulness of
+Christ is but coming, and till then the body will be a perfecting
+and edifying, through the work of the ministry, Eph. iv. 12, 13.
+Believers must not think of sitting down on any measure of grace
+which they attain to here; but they must be growing in grace, going
+from strength to strength, till they appear in the upper Zion with
+the apostle, Phil. iii. 13. "Forgetting those things that are
+behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, they
+must press toward the mark, for the prize of the high calling of
+God in Christ Jesus." It must then be a dreadful delusion for any
+to think that they can reach to such a degree of perfection here,
+as not to stand in need of the ordinance any more. Let all
+believers live in the constant conviction of their shortcoming, and
+be humbled, and so work out their salvation with fear and
+trembling.</p>
+<p>2. Nor should every believer expect one and the same measure of
+holiness, nor can it be expected with reason that all shall advance
+here to the same height of sanctity; for every part of the body
+hath its own measure, and an effectual working in that measure: and
+so every joint of the body supplieth less or more, according to its
+proportion, and contributeth to the increase of the body, and to
+the edifying of itself in love, as the apostle clearly sheweth,
+Eph. iv. 16. As in the natural body the diversity of functions and
+uses of the members requireth diversity of furniture and strength,
+so in the mystical body of Christ the members have not all alike
+measure, but each hath his proper distinct measure, according to
+his place and usefulness in the body. Believers then would learn
+much sobriety here and submission, knowing that God may dispense
+his graces as he will, and give them to each member in what measure
+he thinketh good: only they would take heed, that their poverty and
+leanness be not occasioned through their own carelessness and
+negligence, in not plying the means of grace with that faithfulness
+and single dependence on Christ that they ought.</p>
+<p>3. It would be remembered, that there may be some progress made
+in the way of holiness, when yet the believer may apprehend no such
+thing; not only because the measure of the growth may be so small
+and indiscernible, but also because even where the growth in itself
+is discernible, the Lord may think it good, for wise ends, to hide
+it from their eyes, that they may be kept humble and diligent;
+whereas, if they saw how matters stood indeed with them, they might
+(without a new degree of grace) swell and be puffed up, yea, even
+forget God, and misken themselves and others too. Likewise this may
+proceed from such an earnest desire after more, that they forget
+any measure they have gotten, and so despise the day of small
+things.</p>
+<p>4. There may be a great progress in holiness, though not in that
+particular which the believer is most eyeing to his sense and
+apprehension: for when he thinks he is not growing in love to and
+zeal for God, &amp;c, he may be growing in humility, which is also
+a member of the new man of grace; and when he can perceive no
+growth in knowledge, there may be a growth in affection and
+tenderness. And if the work be carried on in any joint or member,
+it decayeth in none, though it may be better apprehended in one
+than another.</p>
+<p>5. There may be much holiness, where the believer is complaining
+of the want of fruits, when under that dispensation of the Lord
+towards him, he is made to stoop before the Most High, to put his
+mouth in the dust, if so be there may be hope, and pleasantly to
+submit to God's wise ordering, without grudging or quarrelling with
+God for what he doth, and to accept sweetly the punishment of his
+iniquity, if he see guilt lying at the root of this dispensation.
+Where there is a silent submission to the sovereign and only wise
+disposing hand of God, and the man is saying, if he will not have
+me to be a fruitful tree in his garden, nor to grow and flourish as
+the palm-tree, let me be a shrub, only let me be kept within the
+precincts of his garden, that his eye may be upon me for good; let
+me abide within his courts, that I may behold his countenance,
+there is grace, and no small measure of grace. To be an hired
+servant is much, Luke xv. 19.</p>
+<p>6. But withal, it would be observed, that this gracious frame of
+soul, that is silent before God, under several disappointments, is
+accompanied with much singleness of heart, in panting after more
+holiness, and with seriousness and diligence in all commanded
+duties, waiting upon the Lord, who is their hope and their
+salvation in each of them, and with mourning for their own sinful
+accession to that shortcoming in their expectations.</p>
+<p>7. We would not think that there is no progress in Christianity,
+or growth in grace, because it cometh not our way, or by the
+instruments and means that we must expect it by. Possibly we are
+too fond on some instruments and means that we prefer to others;
+and we think, if ever we get good, it must be that way, and by that
+means, be it private or public: and God may give a proof of his
+sovereignty, and check us for our folly, by taking another way. He
+would not be found of the bride, neither by her seeking of him
+secretly on her bed by night; nor more publicly, by going about the
+city, in the streets and broad ways; nor by the means of the
+watchmen, Cant. iii. 1, 2, 3.</p>
+<p>8. Nor would we think that there is no growth in the work of
+grace, because it cometh not at such or such prelimited or fore-set
+time; nor would we think the matter desperate, because of our
+looking long, and waiting, and asking, and labouring, and yet
+seeing no sensible advantage. Such and such a believer, saith the
+soul, made great progress in a short time, but I come no speed, for
+as long as I have been at this school. O! we should beware of
+limiting the Holy One of Israel. Let us be at duty, and commit the
+event to him.</p>
+<p>9. It is not a fit time to take the measure of our graces, as to
+their sensible growth and fruitfulness, when devils are broken
+loose upon us; temptations are multiplied, corruptions make a great
+noise, and we are meeting with a horrible tempest shaking us on all
+hands: for it will be strong grace that will much appear then; it
+will be strong faith that will say, Though he kill me, yet will I
+trust in him. At such a time it will be much if the man keep the
+ground he hath gained, though he make no progress. It will be much
+for a tree to stand, and not to be blown out of the ground, in the
+time of a strong and vehement storm, of wind, though it keep not
+its flourishes and yield not fruit The trees, which in a cold
+winter day bear neither leaves nor fruit, must not be said to go
+back, nor not to grow; because when the spring cometh again, they
+may revive and be as fruitful as ever.</p>
+<p>10. We would not always measure our graces by what appeareth
+outwardly; for there may be some accidental occurrence that may
+hinder that, and yet grace be at work within doors, which few or
+none can observe. The believer may be in a sweet and gracious
+frame, blushing before the Lord, yea, melting in love, or taken up
+with spiritual meditations and wondering, when as to some external
+duties, it can find no present disposition, through some accidental
+impediment or other, so that to some, who judge most by outward
+appearance, no such things as the active working of grace in life
+can appear.</p>
+<p>11. We would think it no small measure or degree of holiness, to
+be with singleness of heart pursuing it, even though it should seem
+to flee from us; to be earnestly panting after it, and hungering
+and thirsting for it. Nehemiah thought this no small thing, when he
+said, Neh. i. 11, "O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be
+attentive to the prayer of thy servants who desire to fear thy
+name."</p>
+<p>12. Whatever measure of holiness the believer win to, he would
+take special heed that he place no part of his confidence of his
+being accepted and justified before God in it, as if that could
+come in any part of the price to satisfy justice: but when he hath
+done all, let him call and account himself an unprofitable servant.
+Though believers will not be so gross as to speak thus, yet sure
+their justifying of their holding a-back from God, because they
+find not such a measure of grace and holiness as they would have,
+looketh too much this way, and saith, that they lean too much
+hereunto in the matter of the acceptance of their persons before
+God. Now this should be specially guarded against, lest their
+labour be in vain.</p>
+<br>
+<p>OBJECTIONS ANSWERED.</p>
+<p>An objection or two must here also be removed. And 1. Some may
+say, that though they have been labouring, and striving, and
+working now for some long time, yet they can perceive no
+advancement; they are as far short as ever.</p>
+<p><i>Ans</i>. Hath it not been found, that some have complained
+without cause? Have not some complained of their unfruitfulness and
+want of growth, that other good Christians would have thought
+themselves very happy, if they had but advanced half so far as they
+saw them to have done?</p>
+<p>But be it so, as it is alleged, what if the fault be their own?
+What if the cause of this be, that they attempt things in their own
+strength, leaning to their own understanding, or habits of grace,
+or means, &amp;c., and that they do not go about duties with that
+single dependence on Christ that is requisite, nor do they suck
+life, strength, and sap from him, by faith through the promises,
+nor give themselves up to him by faith, that he may work in them
+both to will and to do. Should not this be seen, mourned for, and
+helped?</p>
+<p>3. If all this shortcoming and disappointment cause them lie in
+the dust, and humble themselves more and more before the Lord, the
+grace of humiliation is growing, and that is no small advantage, to
+be growing downward.</p>
+<p>4. Withal, they would do well to hold on in duty, looking to
+Christ for help, and rolling all difficulties on him, give
+themselves away to him, as their head and Lord, and so continue
+their life of faith, or their consenting to let Christ live in them
+by faith, or work in them by his Spirit what is well-pleasing in
+his sight, and wait for the blessing and fruit in God's own
+time.</p>
+<p><i>Next</i>, It will be objected, Though we might wait thus, yet
+how unedifying are we unto others, when there appeareth no fruit of
+the spirit of grace in us.</p>
+<p><i>Ans</i>. A Christian behaviour and deportment under the sense
+of fruitlessness, expressing an holy submission of soul unto God,
+as sovereign, much humility of mind before him, justifying of God,
+and taking guilt to themselves, with a firm resolution, to wait on
+patiently in the use of means appointed, cannot but be edifying to
+Christian souls; such exercises being really the works and fruit of
+the spirit of grace working within.</p>
+<p>But, <i>thirdly</i>, some may say, How then are the promises of
+the covenant made good?</p>
+<p><i>Ans</i>. 1. The same measure of sanctification and holiness
+is not promised to all.</p>
+<p>2. No great measure is promised to any absolutely. So much
+indeed is secured to all believers as shall carry them to heaven,
+as without which they cannot see God. But much as to the degree
+depends on our performing through faith the conditions requisite,
+to wit, on condition of our abiding in the vine, of our acting
+faith on him, &amp;c.; and when these and the like conditions are
+not faithfully performed by us, what can we expect? So the Lord
+hath appointed a way wherein he will be found, and will have us to
+wait for strength and influence from him; and if we neglect these
+means which he hath appointed, how can we expect the good which he
+hath promised in the use of these means?</p>
+<p>3. The Lord has his own time of making good all his promises,
+and we must not limit him to a day.</p>
+<p>4. Hereby the Lord may be trying and exercising thy faith,
+patience, hope, dependence, submission, diligence, &amp;c., and "if
+these be in thee, and abound, they shall make that thou shalt
+neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus
+Christ," 2 Pet. i. 11.</p>
+<p>But <i>lastly</i>, It will be inquired, what can support the
+believing soul in this case?</p>
+<p><i>Ans</i>. 1. The consideration and faith of the covenant of
+redemption, wherein both the Father's engagement of the Son, and
+the Son's engagement to the Father, secureth grace and holiness,
+and salvation to the believer. And whatever we be, they will be
+true to each other,&mdash;our unbelief will not make the faith of
+God of none effect.</p>
+<p>2. The consideration of the noble and faithful promises
+contained in the covenant of grace, which shall all be made good in
+due time.</p>
+<p>3. If we be humbled under the sense of our failings and
+shortcomings, and made to mourn before the Lord, stirred up to more
+diligence and seriousness, that may yield comfort to our soul. If
+we be growing in humility, godly sorrow, repentance, diligence, and
+be gripping faster by faith to the root, we want not ground of joy
+and support; for if that be, we cannot want fruit.</p>
+<p>4. It should be matter of joy and thanksgiving, that the
+believer is kept from turning his back on the way of God, and kept
+with his face still Zion-ward. Though he make but little progress,
+yet he is still looking forward, and creeping as he may, waiting at
+God's door, begging and asking, studying, labouring, and
+endeavouring for strength to go faster.</p>
+<p>5. It is no small matter of peace and comfort, if we be kept
+from fretting, grudging and repining at the Lord's dispensations
+with us, and be taught to sit silent in the dust, adoring his
+sovereignty, and ascribing no iniquity to our Maker.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_VIII." id="CHAPTER_VIII."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2>
+<br>
+<h4>HOW TO MAKE USE OF CHRIST FOR TAKING THE GUILT OF OUR DAILY
+OUT-BREAKINGS AWAY.</h4>
+<p>The next part of our sanctification is in reference to our daily
+failings and transgressions, committed partly through the violence
+of temptations, as we see in David and Peter, and other eminent men
+of God; partly through daily infirmities, because of our weakness
+and imperfections; for, "in many things we offend all," James iii.
+2; and, "if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the
+truth is not in us," 1 John i. 8; "a righteous man falleth seven
+times," Prov. xxiv. 16; "there is not a just man upon earth, that
+doeth good and sinneth not," Eccl. vii. 20; and Solomon further
+saith, 1 Kings viii. 46, "That there is no man that sinneth not."
+This being so, the question is, how Christ is to be made use of,
+for taking these away.</p>
+<p>For satisfaction to this, it would be considered, that in those
+daily out breakings there are two things to be noticed.
+<i>First</i>, There is the guilt which is commonly called <i>reatus
+paenae</i>, whereby the transgressor is liable to the sentence of
+the law, or to the penalty annexed to the breach thereof, which is
+no less than God's curse; for "cursed is every one that abideth not
+in all things, which are in the law to do them," Gal. iii. 10.
+<i>Next</i>, There is the stain or blot, which is called <i>reatus
+culpae</i>, whereby the soul is defiled, and made in so far
+incapable of glory, (for nothing entereth in there which defileth,)
+and of communion and fellowship with God, who is of purer eyes than
+he can behold iniquity. So that it is manifest, how necessary it is
+that both these be taken away, that they may not stand in our way
+to the Father. And as to both, we must make use of Christ, who is
+the only way to the Father.</p>
+<p>And this we shall now clear. And, <i>first</i>, speak of the
+taking away of the guilt that is contracted by every sin. And for
+this cause we shall speak briefly to two things. (1.) Shew what
+Christ hath done as Mediator, for this end, that the guilt
+contracted by our daily failings and out-breakings, might be taken
+away. (2.) Shew what the believer should do for the guilt taken
+away in Christ; or how he should make use of Christ for
+reconciliation with God after transgressions; or, for the taking
+away of the guilt that he lieth under, because of his violation of
+the law.</p>
+<p>As to the first, we say, Christ, for taking away of guilt
+contracted daily, hath done these things:</p>
+<p>1. Christ laid down his life a ransom for all the sins of the
+elect; both such as were past before they believed, and such as
+were to be committed after. His blood was shed for the remission of
+sins indefinitely, and without distinction, Matt. xxvi. 28.</p>
+<p>2. And this was done according to the tenor of the covenant of
+redemption, wherein the Father "caused all our sins to meet
+together on him," Isa. liii. 6; and made him sin, or a sacrifice
+for sin, indefinitely, 2 Cor. v. 21; and so did not except the sins
+committed after conversion.</p>
+<p>3. Having satisfied justice, and being risen from the dead as a
+conqueror, he is now exalted to "be a prince, to give repentance
+and remission of sins," Acts v. 31. Now repentance and remission of
+sins his people have need of, after conversion as well as before
+conversion.</p>
+<p>4. There are promises of pardon and remission of sins in the new
+covenant of grace, all which are sealed and confirmed in the blood
+of Jesus, Jer. xxxi. 34, "For I will forgive their iniquity, and I
+will remember their sin no more." And chap, xxxiii. 8, "And I will
+cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned
+against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities whereby they
+have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me." Isa.
+xliii. 25, "I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions
+for mine own sake; and will not remember thy sins."</p>
+<p>5. Though there be no actual pardon of sins, till they be
+committed, and repented of, according to the tenor of the gospel,
+Matt. iii. 2, Luke xiii. 3. Acts ii. 38; and viii. 22; yet while
+Christ bare all the sins of his people upon the cross, they were
+all then virtually and meritoriously taken away; of which Christ's
+resurrection was a certain pledge and evidence; for then got he his
+acquitance from all that either law or justice could charge him
+with, in behalf of them, for whom he laid down his life a ransom.
+Rom. viii. 33, 34, "Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's
+elect? It is God that justifieth: Who is he that condemneth? It is
+Christ that died, or rather that is risen again."</p>
+<p>6. So that by virtue of Christ's death, there is a way laid
+down, in the covenant of grace, how the sins of the elect shall be
+actually pardoned, viz. that at their conversion and first laying
+hold on Christ by faith, all the sins, whereof they then stand
+guilty, shall be actually pardoned and forgiven, in their
+justification; and all their after-sins shall also be actually
+pardoned, upon their griping to Christ of new by faith, and turning
+to God by repentance. And this way is agreed to by Father and Son,
+and revealed in the gospel, for the instruction and encouragement
+of believers; and all to the glory of his free grace. "In whom we
+have redemption, (saith the apostle, Eph. i. 7-9) through his
+blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his
+grace; wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and
+prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of his will,
+according to his good pleasure, which he hath purposed in
+himself."</p>
+<p>7. Beside Christ's death and resurrection, which give ground of
+hope, of pardon, of daily out-breakings, there is likewise his
+intercession useful for this end. For, so saith the apostle, 1 John
+ii. 1, 2, "If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father,
+Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the propitiation for our
+sins." This intercession is a special part of his priesthood, who
+was the great high priest, Heb. iv. 14, 1; and a completing part,
+Heb. viii. 4, and ix. 8; and upon this account it is, that "He is
+able to save to the uttermost, all that come to God through him,
+because he liveth for ever to make intercession for them," Heb.
+vii. 25. For by his intercession is the work of redemption carried
+on, the purchased benefits applied, and particularly, new grants of
+remission are, through his intercession, issued forth: he pleading
+and interceding, in a way suitable, to his glorified condition,
+upon his death and propitiation made, while he was upon the cross,
+accepted of the Father, and declared to be accepted by his
+resurrection, ascension, and sitting at his Father's right hand.
+And thus, as believers are reconciled to God by Christ's death,
+they are saved by his life, Rom. v. 10. So that Christ's living to
+be an intercessor, makes the salvation sure; and so laying down a
+ground for taking away of daily out-breakings, which, if not taken
+away, would hinder and obstruct the believer's salvation.</p>
+<p>8. And as for the condition requisite to renewed pardon, viz.
+faith and repentance, Christ is the worker of both. For he is a
+prince exalted to give repentance, first and last, Acts iv. 30; and
+as he is the author of faith, so he is the finisher of it, Heb.
+xii. 2.</p>
+<p>As to the <i>second</i> particular, namely, what believers
+should do for getting the guilt of their daily failings and
+out-breakings taken away by Christ; or how they should make use of
+Christ for this end, I shall, for clearing of it, propose those
+things to consideration:</p>
+<p>1. We would beware to think, that all our after actual
+transgressions are actually pardoned, either when Christ died, or
+when we first believed in Christ, as some suppose; for sin cannot
+properly be said to be pardoned before it be committed. David was
+put to sue out for pardon, after his actual transgression was
+committed, and not for the mere sense and feeling of the pardon, or
+the intimation of it to his spirit, when he cried out, Psalm li. 2,
+"Blot out my transgressions, wash me," &amp;c; and verse 9, "Hide
+thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities;" and verse
+14, "Deliver me from blood-guiltiness." Sure when he spoke thus, he
+sought some other thing than intimation of pardon to his sense and
+conscience; for that he desired also, but in far more clear
+expressions, verse 8, "Make me to hear joy and gladness," &amp;c.;
+and verse 12, "Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation," &amp;c.
+Scripture phrases to express remission import this, viz. covering
+of sin, pardoning of debts, blotting out of sins, hiding of God's
+face from sin, not remembering of them, casting of them behind his
+back, casting of them into the sea, removing of sin, Psalm xxxiii.
+1, 2. These and the like phrases, though many of them be
+metaphorical, yet do all of them clearly evince, that sin must
+first have a being before it can be pardoned. The same is clearly
+imported by the gospel conditions requisite before pardon; such as
+acknowledgment of sin, (1 John i. 9) which we see was practised by
+the worthies of old; David, Psalm xxxii. 51. Nehemiah, chap. ix.
+Ezra, chap. ix. and Daniel, chap. ix. Confessing and forsaking of
+it, Prov. xxviii. 13. Sorrowing for it, and repenting of it, and
+laying hold on Christ by faith, &amp;c.</p>
+<p>The reason why I propose this, is not only to guard against this
+Antinomian error, but also to guard the soul from security, to
+which this doctrine hath a natural tendency. For if a person once
+think, that all his sins were pardoned, upon his first believing,
+so that many of them were pardoned before they were committed; he
+shall never be affected for his after transgressions, nor complain
+of a body of death, nor account himself miserable upon that
+account, as Paul did, Rom. vii. 24; nor shall he ever pray for
+remission, though Christ has taught all to do so, in that pattern
+of prayer; nor shall he act faith upon the promise of pardon made
+in the covenant of grace for after transgressions, or for
+transgressions actually committed, Jer. xxxi. 34, and xxxiii. 8.
+Heb. viii. 12; and so there shall be no use made of Christ for new
+pardons, or remissions of new sins.</p>
+<p>2. The believer would remember, that among other things,
+antecedently requisite to remission of posterior actual
+transgressions, gospel repentance is especially required, (Luke
+xiii. 3. Matt. iii. 2. Ezek. xviii. 28, 30. Luke xv. 17,18. Hos.
+ii. 6, 7. Ezek. xiv. 6,) whereby a sinner, through the help of the
+Spirit, being convinced not only of his hazard by reason of sin,
+but also of the hatefulness and filthiness of sin; and having a
+sight of the mercy of God in Christ Jesus to sinners, turning from
+their sin, doth turn from those sins unto God, with a full purpose
+of heart, in his strength, to follow him, and obey his laws. And
+hereby the soul is brought to loathe itself and sin, and is made
+willing to desire, seek for, accept of, and prize remissions of
+sins. This makes them more wary and careful in time coming; "For
+behold," says the apostle, 2 Cor. vii. 11, "this self same thing
+that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in
+you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea,
+what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what
+revenge," &amp;c. Thus is God glorified in his justice, Psalm li.
+4; and his mercy is acknowledged, in not entering with us into
+judgment, nor casting us into hell, as he might have done in
+justice.</p>
+<p>3. Yet it would be remembered, that though it hath seemed good
+in the Lord's eyes to choose this method, and appoint this way of
+obtaining pardon of sins daily committed, for the glory of his
+grace and mercy; and likewise for our good, we must not ascribe too
+much unto repentance, in the matter of pardon. We must not make it
+a cause of our remission, either efficient or meritorious. We must
+not think that it hath any hand in appeasing the wrath of God, or
+in satisfying justice. Pardon must always be an act of God's free
+grace, unmerited at our hands, and procured alone through the
+merits of Christ. We must not put repentance in Christ's room and
+place, nor ascribe any imperfection unto his merits, as if they
+needed any supply from any act of ours. We must beware of leaning
+to our repentance and godly sorrow, even so far as to think to
+commend ourselves to God, thereby that we may obtain pardon.</p>
+<p>4. The believer would consider seriously the dreadfulness of
+their condition who are lying under the lash of the law for sin.
+The law saith, "Cursed is every one that continueth not in all
+things written in the law;" and every sin is a transgression of the
+law. So that, according to law and justice, they are in hazard. For
+every sin in itself exposeth the sinner to eternal wrath, sin being
+an offence against God, who is a righteous judge, and a breach of
+his law. A right sight and apprehension of this, would serve to
+humble the sinner before God, and make him more earnest in seeking
+out for pardon, that this obligation to punishment might be
+removed.</p>
+<p>5. The believer would not only consider the sin itself, but also
+take notice of all its aggravations. There are peculiar
+aggravations of some sins taken from the time, manner, and other
+circumstances, which, rightly considered, will help forward the
+work of humiliation. And the sins of believers have this
+aggravation above the sins of others, that they are committed
+against more love, and special love, and against more opposition
+and contradiction of the grace of God within the soul, against more
+light and conviction, &amp;c. And therefore their humiliation upon
+this account ought to be singular and serious. So was it with
+David, when he took notice of the special aggravation of his sin,
+Psalm li. 4, 6, 14, and Ezra, chap ix. and Nehemiah, chap. ix. and
+Daniel chap. ix. This considering of sin, with its due
+aggravations, would help to prize mercies at a high rate, and cause
+the soul more willingly wait for and more seriously seek after
+remission; knowing that God is more angry for great sins, than for
+sins of infirmity, and may therefore pursue the same with sorer
+judgments, as he broke David's bones, withdrew his comforts,
+&amp;c.</p>
+<p>6. The believer would be convinced of an impossibility of doing
+anything in himself which can procure pardon at the hands of God;
+should he weep, cry, afflict himself, and pray never so, all will
+do nothing by way of merit, for taking away of the least sin that
+ever he committed; and the conviction of this would drive him to
+despair in himself, and be a mean to bring him cleanly off himself,
+and to look out for mere mercy in Christ Jesus. So long as, through
+the deceitfulness of Satan, the false heart inclineth to the old
+bias, and hath its eye upon any thing in itself, from whence it
+draweth its hopes and expectation of pardon and acceptance, it will
+not purely act faith on Christ for this end, and so he will lose
+all his labour, and in the end be disappointed. Therefore the
+believer would guard against this, and that so much the more, that
+the false deceitful heart is so much inclined thereto; and that
+this deceit can sometime work so cunningly, that it can hardly be
+discerned, being covered over with many false glosses and pretexts;
+and that it is so dishonourable to Jesus, and hurtful and
+prejudicial to the soul.</p>
+<p>7. The believer would act faith on the promises of pardon in the
+new covenant, as having a right to them through Jesus Christ, and
+challenge with humble boldness, the fulfilling of the same,
+according to that, 1 John i. 9, "If we confess our sins, he is
+faithful and just to forgive us our sins." So that the believer may
+not only take hold of mercy and grace in God, as an encouragement
+and invitation to go to God for pardon; but even of the justice and
+righteousness of God, because of his faithful promises; and the
+believer would have here a special eye to Christ, in whom all the
+promises are yea and amen; and look for the accomplishment of them
+through him, and for his sake alone.</p>
+<p>8. Faith would eye Christ, as hanging upon the cross, and
+offering up himself, through the eternal Spirit, a sacrifice to
+satisfy divine justice, for all the sins of his own chosen ones; we
+cannot think, that Christ bare but some of their sins, or only
+their sins committed before conversion; and if he bare all, as the
+Father laid all upon him, the believer is to lay hold on him by
+faith, as hanging on the cross, as well for taking away of the
+guilt of sins committed after conversion, as before; his sacrifice
+was a sacrifice for all, "and he bare our sins (without distinction
+or exception,) in his own body on the tree," 1 Pet. ii. 24. David
+had his eye on this, when he cried out, Psalm li. 7, "Purge me with
+hyssop;" hyssop being sometimes used in the legal purifications,
+which typified that purification which Christ really wrought when
+he gave himself a sacrifice for sin, Levit. xiv. 6. Num. xix.
+18.</p>
+<p>9. The believer looking on Christ, dying as a Mediator, to
+pacify the wrath of God, and to make satisfaction to the justice of
+God, for the sins of his people, would renew his consent unto that
+gracious and wise contrivance of Heaven, of pardoning sins, through
+a crucified Mediator, that mercy and justice might kiss each other,
+and be glorified together; and declare again his full satisfaction
+with Christ's satisfying of justice for him, and taking away the
+guilt of his sins, by that blood that was shed upon the cross, by
+taking those sins, whereof now he standeth guilty, and for which he
+is desirous of pardon, and by faith nailing them to the cross of
+Christ, and rolling them on his shoulders, that the guilt of them,
+as well as of the rest, might be taken away, through the merits of
+his death and satisfaction. Thus the believer consenteth to the
+noble act of free grace, whereby the Lord made all our sins to meet
+together on Christ, when he taketh those particular sins, wherewith
+now he is troubled, and casteth them in into the heap, that Christ,
+as the true scape-goat, may carry all away. This is to lay our
+hands on the head of our sacrifice.</p>
+<p>10. The believer hath another ground of comfort to grip to, in
+this case, and that is, Christ's eternal priesthood, whereby he
+makes intercession for the transgressions of his people, and as
+their advocate and attorney with the Father, pleadeth their cause,
+whereby he is able to save them to the last and uttermost step of
+their journey, and so to save them from the guilt of all casual and
+emergent sins, that might hinder their salvation. So that the
+believer is to put those sins, that now he would have pardoned,
+into the hands of Christ, the everlasting Intercessor, and
+all-sufficient Advocate, that he, by virtue of his death, would
+obtain a new pardon of these their failings and transgressions, and
+deliverance from the guilt thereof; and their acceptance with the
+Father, notwithstanding of these transgressions.</p>
+<p>11. Thus believers eyeing Christ as dying, rising again,
+ascending, and as sitting at the Father's right hand, there to be a
+priest for ever, after the order of Melchisedec, and to intercede
+for his own, and to see to the application of what benefits,
+pardons, favours, and other things they need, from all which they
+have strong ground of comfort and of hope, yea, and assurance of
+pardon, would acquiesce in this way; and having laid those
+particular sins, under the burden whereof they now groan, on Christ
+the Mediator, dying on the cross to make satisfaction, and arising
+to make application of what was purchased, and having put them in
+his hand, who is a faithful high priest, and a noble intercessor,
+would remember, that "Christ is a prince exalted, to give
+repentance and remission of sins;" and so expect the sentence even
+from him, as a prince now exalted, and as having obtained that of
+the Father, even a power to forgive sins, justice being now
+sufficiently satisfied, through his death; yea, and as having all
+power in heaven and in earth, as being Lord both of the dead and of
+the living. Sure a right thought of this would much quiet the soul,
+in hope of obtaining pardon through him; seeing now the pardon is
+in his own hand, to give out, who loved them so dearly, that he
+gave himself to the death for them, and shed his heart blood to
+satisfy justice for their transgressions. Since he who hath
+procured their pardon at so dear a rate, and is their attorney to
+agent their business at the throne of grace, hath now obtained the
+prayed-for and looked-for pardon, and hath it in his own hand, they
+will not question but he will give it, and so absolve them from
+their guilt.</p>
+<p>12. The believer, having taken this course with his daily
+provocations, and laid them all on him, would aquiesce in this way,
+and not seek after another, that he may obtain pardon. Here he
+would rest, committing the matter by faith in prayer to Christ, and
+leaving his guilt and sins on him, expect the pardon, yea,
+conclude, that they are already pardoned; and that for these sins,
+he shall never be brought unto condemnation, whatever Satan and a
+misbelieving heart may say or suggest afterward.</p>
+<p>Thus should a believer make use of Christ, for the taking away
+of the guilt of his daily transgressions; and for further clearing
+of it, I shall add a few cautions.</p>
+<br>
+<p>CAUTIONS.</p>
+<p>1. However the believer is to be much moved at, and affected
+with his sins and provocations, which he committeth after God hath
+visited his soul with salvation, and brought him into a covenant
+with himself, yet he must not suppose, that his sins after
+justification do mar his state; as if thereby he were brought into
+a non-justified state, or to a non-reconciled state. It is true,
+such sins, especially if gross, whether in themselves, or by reason
+of circumstances, will darken a man's state, and put him to search
+and try his condition over again. But yet we dare not say, that
+they make any alteration in the state of a believer; for once in a
+justified state always in a justified state. It is true likewise,
+that as to those sins, which now he hath committed, he cannot be
+said to be acquitted or justified, till this pardon be got out by
+faith and repentance, as is said; yet his state remaineth fixed and
+unchanged; so that though God should seem to deal with such in his
+dispensations, as with enemies, yet really his affections change
+not; he never accounteth them real enemies; nay, love lieth at the
+bottom of all his sharpest dispensations. If they forsake his law,
+and walk not in his judgments; if they break his statutes and keep
+not his commandments, he will visit their transgression with the
+rod, and their iniquity with stripes, nevertheless his
+loving-kindness will he not utterly take from them, nor suffer his
+faithfulness to fail; his covenant will he not break, nor alter the
+thing that has gone out of his lips, Psalm lxxxix. 30-34. And
+again, though after transgressions may waken challenges for former
+sins, which have been pardoned and blotted out, and give occasions
+to Satan to raise a storm in the soul, and put all in confusion,
+yet really sins once pardoned cannot become again unpardoned sins.
+The Lord doth not revoke his sentence, nor alter the thing that is
+gone out of his mouth. It is true likewise, that a believer, by
+committing of gross sins, may come to miss the effects of God's
+favour and good will, and the intimations of his love and kindness;
+and so be made to cry with David, Psalm li. 8, "Make me to hear joy
+and gladness;" and ver. 12, "Restore unto me the joy of thy
+salvation," &amp;c. Yet that really holdeth true, that whom he
+loveth he loveth to the end; and he is a God that changeth not; and
+his gifts are without repentance. Yea, though grieving of the
+Spirit may bring souls under sharp throes, and pangs of the spirit
+of bondage, and the terrors of God, and his sharp errors, the
+poison whereof may drink up their spirits, and so be far from the
+actual witnessings of the Spirit of adoption; yet the Spirit will
+never be again really a spirit of bondage unto fear, nor deny his
+own work in the soul, or the soul's real right to, or possession of
+that fundamental privilege of adoption,&mdash;I say, that the soul
+is no more a son, nor within the covenant.</p>
+<p>2. The course before mentioned is to be taken with all sins,
+though, (1.) They be never so heinous and gross. (2.) Though they
+be accompanied with never such aggravating and crying aggravations.
+(3.) Though they be sins frequently fallen into; and, (4.) Though
+they be sins many and heaped together. David's transgression was a
+heinous sin, and had heinous aggravations, yea, there was an heap
+and a complication of sins together in that one; yet he followed
+this course. We find none of these kind of sins excepted in the new
+covenant; and where the law doth not distinguish, we ought not to
+distinguish; where God's law doth not expressly exclude us, we
+should not exclude ourselves. Christ's death is able enough to take
+away all sin. If through it a believer be justified from all his
+transgressions committed before conversion, why may not also a
+believer be, through virtue of it, justified from his gross and
+multiplied sins committed after conversion? The blood of Christ
+cleanseth from all sin; Christ hath taught his followers to pray,
+"Forgive us our sins, as we forgive them that sin against us;" and
+he hath told us also, that we must forgive our brother seventy
+times seven, Matth. xiii. <i>22.</i> We would not be discouraged
+then from taking this course, because our sins are such and such;
+nay, rather, we would look on this, as an argument to press us more
+unto this way, because the greater our sins be, the greater need
+have we of pardon, and to say with David, Psalm xxv. 11, "Pardon
+mine iniquity, for it is great."</p>
+<p>3. We would not think, that upon our taking of this course, we
+shall be instantly freed from challenges, because of those sins,
+for pardoning whereof we take this course; nor should we think,
+that because challenges remain, that therefore there is no pardon
+had, or that this is not the way to pardon; for, as we shall show
+afterward, pardon is one thing, and intimation of pardon is another
+thing. We may be pardoned, and yet suppose that we are not
+pardoned; challenges will abide till the conscience be sprinkled,
+and till the Prince of Peace command peace to the conscience, and
+put the accuser to silence; who, when he can do no more, will mar
+the peace of a believer, as long as he can, and stop the current of
+his comforts, which made David pray, that "God would restore to him
+the joy of his salvation," Psalm li.</p>
+<p>4. Nor would we think, that upon our taking of this course for
+the pardon of our sins, we shall never thereafter meet with a
+challenge upon the account of these sins. It is true, when sins are
+pardoned, they are fully pardoned in God's court, and that
+obligation to condemnation is taken away, and the pardoned person
+is looked upon as no sinner, that is, as no person liable to
+condemnation because of these sins; for being pardoned he becometh
+just before God; yet we dare not say, but conscience afterward,
+being alarmed with new transgressions, may mistake, as people
+suddenly put into a fight are ready to do; nor dare we say, that
+God will not permit Satan to upbraid us with those sins, which have
+been blotted out long ago, as he suffered Shimei, who was but an
+instrument of Satan, to cast up to David his blood-guiltiness,
+which had been pardoned long before. The Lord may think good to
+suffer this, that his people may be kept humble, and made more
+tender and watchful in all their ways.</p>
+<p>5. Believers would not misimprove or abuse this great
+condescendency of free grace, and take the great liberty to sin,
+because there is such a sure, safe, and pleasant way of getting
+those sins blotted out and forgiven. "Shall we sin because we are
+not under grace, but under the law? That be far from us," saith the
+Apostle, Rom. vi. 15. This were indeed to turn the grace of God
+into lasciviousness. And it may be a question, if such as have
+really repented, and gotten their sins pardoned, will be so ready
+to make this use of it; sure sense of pardon will work some other
+effect, as we see, Ezek. xvi. 62, 63.</p>
+<p>6. The believer, in going about this work of nailing his sins to
+the cross of Christ, and of improving Christ's death, resurrection,
+and constant intercession, for the obtaining of pardon, would not
+think of going alone, or of doing this in his own strength; for of
+himself he can do nothing. He must look to Christ for grace to help
+in this time of need, and must go about this duty with dependence
+on him, waiting for the influence of light, counsel, strength, and
+grace from him, to repent and believe; for he is a prince exalted
+to give repentance, first and last, and he is the author and
+finisher of faith; so that without him we can do nothing.</p>
+<p>7. Let the believer beware of concluding, that be hath got no
+pardon, because he hath met with no sensible intimation thereof by
+the flowing in of peace and joy in his soul. Pardon is one mercy,
+and intimation of it to the soul is another distinct mercy, and
+separable from it: shall we therefore say, we have not gotten the
+first, because we have not gotten both? The Lord, for wise reasons,
+can pardon poor sinners, and not give any intimation thereof; viz.
+that they may watch more against sin afterward, and not be so bold
+as they have been; and that they may find more in experience, what
+a bitter thing it is to sin against God, and learn withal to depend
+on him for less and more; and to carry more humbly; for it may be,
+God seeth, that if they saw their sins pardoned, they would forget
+themselves, and rush into new sins again.</p>
+<p>8. The believer must not think it strange, if he find more
+trouble after greater sins, and a greater difficulty to lay hold on
+Christ for pardon of those, than for pardon of others. For as God
+hath been more dishonoured by these, so is his anger more kindled
+upon that account; and it is suitable for the glory of God's
+justice, that our sorrow for such sins be proportionally greater;
+and this will likewise increase the difficulty; and ordinarily the
+effects of God's fatherly displeasure make deeper wounds in the
+soul after such sins, and these are not so easily healed; all which
+will call for suitable and proportionally greater godly sorrow and
+repentance, and acts of faith, because faith will meet with more
+opposition and discouragement there, and therefore must be the more
+strong, to go through these impediments, and to lay hold on his
+cross. Yet though this should make all watchful, and to guard
+against gross and crying sins, it should not drive any to despair,
+nor to say with that despairing wretch, their sin is greater than
+it can be forgiven; the ocean of mercy can drown and swallow up
+greater as well as lesser sins; Christ is an all-sufficient
+Mediator for the greatest sins as well as the least. "O, for thy
+name's sake, pardon mine iniquity, for it is great!" will come in
+season to a soul ready to sink with the weight of this millstone
+tied about its neck.</p>
+<p>9. As the greater sins should not make us despair of taking this
+course for remission, so nor should the smallness of sin make us to
+neglect this way; for the least sin cannot be pardoned but through
+Jesus Christ; for the law of God is violated thereby, justice
+provoked, God's authority vilified, &amp;c. and therefore cannot be
+now pardoned, by reason of the threatenings annexed to the law,
+without a ransom. Death is the wages of sin, lesser and greater,
+and the curse is due to all sin, greater and smaller. There, the
+believer would not suffer one sin, seen and discovered, to lie
+unpardoned, but on the first discovery thereof, take it away to
+Christ, and nail it to the cross.</p>
+<p>10. The believer would not conclude, that his sins are not
+pardoned, because possibly temporal strokes, inflicted because of
+them, are not removed; for though David's sin was pardoned, yet
+because of that sin of his, a temporal stroke attended him and his
+family, to his dying day; for not only did God cut off the child,
+(2 Sam. xv. 14.), but told him, that the sword should never depart
+from his house, and that he would raise up evil against him out of
+his own house, and give his wives to one that should lie with them
+in the sight of the sun, vers. 10, 11. So we read, that the Lord
+took vengeance on their inventions whose sins he had pardoned,
+Psalm xcix. 8. God may see this fit and expedient, for his own
+glory, and for humbling of them, and causing them to fear the more
+to sin against him. Yea, not only may temporal calamities be
+inflicted, because of sin pardoned, or continued, after sin is
+pardoned, but even sense of God's displeasure may continue after
+pardon, as appeareth by that penitential Psalm (the fifty-first)
+penned by David, after Nathan had spoken to him concerning his
+sin.</p>
+<br>
+<p>QUESTIONS OR OBJECTIONS ANSWERED.</p>
+<p>1. What course shall we take with secret sins? I answer, this
+same course must be followed with them. There is an implicit
+repentance of sins that have not been distinctly seen and observed,
+as who can see and observe all their failings? And so there may be
+an implicit faith acting; that is, the believer being persuaded
+that he is guilty of more sins than he hath got a clear sight of,
+as he would bewail his condition before God because of these, and
+sorrow for them after a godly manner, so he would take them
+together in a heap, or as a closed bagful, and by faith nail them
+to the cross of Christ, as if they were all distinctly seen and
+known. "Who can understand his errors," said David, Psalm xix. 12:
+yet says he moreover, "cleanse thou me from secret faults."</p>
+<p>2. But what if, after all this, I find no intimation of pardon
+to my soul? <i>Ans.</i> As this should serve to keep thee humble,
+so it should excite to more diligence, in this duty of going with
+thy sins to Christ, and to ply him and his cross more, in and
+through the promises, and keep thy soul constant in this duty of
+the running to Christ, as an all-sufficient Mediator, and as an
+intercessor with the Father; and thus wait on him waiteth to be
+gracious, even in this particular, of intimating pardon to thy
+soul,&mdash;he knoweth when it is fittest for thee to know that thy
+sins are forgiven.</p>
+<p>3. But what can yield me any ground of peace while it is so,
+that I see no pardon or remission granted to me? <i>Ans.</i> This
+may yield thee peace, that, following this course which hath been
+explained, thou art about thy duty. Thou art not at peace with sin,
+nor harbouring that viper in thy soul; thou art mourning and
+sorrowing over it, and running to Christ the prince of pardons,
+through his blood and intercession, conform to the covenant of
+redemption, and after the encouragement given in the many and
+precious promises of the covenant of grace; and having these
+promises, and rolling thy guilt on Christ as thy cautioner, conform
+to the manner expressed in the gospel, thou art allowed to believe
+that thy sins are pardoned, and that thou art accepted in the
+beloved, and so quiet thy soul through faith, God abiding faithful
+and true, and his promises being all yea and amen in Christ.</p>
+<p>4. But so long as I find no intimation of pardon, I cannot think
+that I have taken the right gospel way of bringing my sins to
+Christ. <i>Ans.</i> Though that will not follow, as we cleared
+above&mdash;for a soul may take the right gospel way of getting the
+guilt of their sins taken away in Christ, and God may pardon
+thereupon, and for all that not think it fit to give intimation of
+that pardon as yet, for wise and holy ends&mdash;yet the soul may
+humble itself for its shortcoming, and still go about the duty,
+amending in Christ what it supposeth to be amiss, and renewing its
+act of repentance and faith, and beg of Christ understanding in the
+matter, and so continue carrying sin always to Christ's cross, and
+eyeing his intercession, and wait for a full clearing of the matter
+in his good time.</p>
+<p>5. But what shall I do with the guilt of my weak repentance, and
+weak faith? <i>Ans.</i> When with a weak and defective repentance
+and faith thou art carrying away thy sins to Christ, and nailing
+them, to his cross, let the imperfection of thy faith and
+repentance go with the rest, and leave all there.</p>
+<p>6. What shall I do with my conscience, that still accuseth me of
+guilt, notwithstanding of my taking and following this course?
+<i>Ans.</i> Despise not the accusation of conscience, but let these
+humble thee the more, and keep thee closer at this duty. Yet know,
+that conscience is but an under servant, and God's deputy, and must
+accuse according to law, (I speak not here of the irregular,
+furious, and turbulent motions of Satan, casting in grenades in the
+soul and conscience, to raise a combustion and put all in a fire);
+its mouth, must be stopped by law, and so the soul would stay and
+answer the accusations of conscience with this, that he hath fled
+to Christ, the only Mediator and Cautioner, and cast his burden on
+him; and leaneth to his merits alone; and hath put those sins in
+his hand, as his advocate and intercessor with the Father; and that
+the gospel requireth no more of him. And if conscience should say,
+that both faith and repentance are imperfect and defective, and
+that guilt is thereby rather increased than taken away,&mdash;he
+must answer again, true; but I have done with the guilt of my faith
+and repentance, as with the rest, taken all to Christ, and left all
+on him; and herein only do I acquiesce,&mdash;I look not for pardon
+for my imperfect faith and repentance, yea, nor would I look for
+pardon of my sins, for my faith and repentance, were they never so
+perfect, but only in and through Jesus Christ, the only Cautioner,
+Redeemer, and Advocate. But further, this deputy would be brought
+to his master, who can only command him to silence; that is to say,
+the believer would go to Christ with the accusing conscience, and
+desire him to command its silence, that he may have peace of
+conscience, and freedom from those accusations that are bitter and
+troublesome. Remember withal, that if these accusations drive thee
+to Christ, and endear him more to thy soul, they will do no harm,
+because they drive thee to thy only resting place, and to the grand
+peacemaker. But if otherwise they discourage or for-slow thee in
+thy motion Christward, then be sure conscience speaketh without
+warrant, and its accusations ought not, in so far, and as to that
+end, to be regarded.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_IX." id="CHAPTER_IX."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2>
+<br>
+<h4>HOW TO MAKE USE OF CHRIST FOR CLEANSING OF US FROM OUR DAILY
+SPOTS.</h4>
+<br>
+<p>Having spoken of the way of making use of Christ for removing
+the guilt of our daily transgressions, we come to speak of the way
+of making use of Christ, for taking away the guilt that cleaveth to
+the soul, through daily transgressions; "for every sin defileth the
+man," Matt. xv. 20; and the best are said to have their spots, and
+to need washing, which presupposeth filthiness and defilement, Eph.
+v. 27. John xiii. 8-10. Hence we are so oft called to this duty of
+washing and making us clean. Isa. i. 16. Jer. iv. 14. Acts xxii.
+16. David prays for this washing, Psal. li. 2-7. And it is Christ's
+work to wash. 1 Cor. vi. 11. Rev. i. 5. Eph. v. 26. See Tit. iii.
+5. Now, in speaking to this, we shall observe the same method; and
+first shew, what Christ has done to take away this filth; and next,
+what way we are to make use of him, for this end, to get our spots
+and filthiness taken away, that we may be holy.</p>
+<p>As to the <i>first</i>, for the purging away of the filth of our
+daily failings and transgressions, Christ has done these
+things:</p>
+<p>1. He hath died that he may procure this benefit and advantage
+to us; and thus he hath washed us meritoriously in his own blood
+which he shed upon the cross. Thus he "loved us, and washed us from
+our sins, in his own blood," Rev. i. 5; and this is from all sins,
+as well such as are committed after, as such as are committed
+before conversion. Thus, "he by himself purged our sins," Heb. i.
+3, viz. by offering up of himself as an expiatory sacrifice to make
+an atonement, and so procure this liberty. So also it is said, Eph.
+v. 25-27, that Christ gave himself for his church, "that he might
+sanctify and cleanse it&mdash;that he might present it to himself a
+glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, but
+that it should be holy and without blemish." So, Tit. ii. 14, "He
+gave himself for us, that he might purify to himself a peculiar
+people, zealous of good works." Here then is the foundation and
+ground of all cleansing and purification&mdash;Christ's death
+procuring it.</p>
+<p>2. As he hath procured, so he sendeth the Spirit to effectuate
+this, and to work this washing and sanctification in us. Hence, it
+is said, 1 Cor. vi. 11, "that we are sanctified and washed, in the
+name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." We are said
+to be saved "by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the
+Holy Ghost, which he hath shed upon us abundantly through Jesus
+Christ our Saviour," Tit. iii. 5, 6. The sending then, or shedding
+of the holy and sanctifying Spirit upon us, whereby we are
+sanctified, and consequently purified and purged from our filth, is
+a fruit of Christ's death and mediation, being purchased thereby,
+and is an effect of his resurrection, and glorification, and
+intercession in glory.</p>
+<p>3. He hath made a fountain of his blood for this end, that we
+may go to it daily, and wash and be clean. Thus his "blood
+cleanseth from all sin," 1 John i. 7-9. This is the "fountain
+opened to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem
+for sin and for uncleanness," Zech. xiii. 1.</p>
+<p>4. He hath purchased and provided the external means, whereby
+this cleansing and sanctification is brought about, viz. the
+preaching of the gospel, which he himself preached, and thereby
+sanctified, John xv. 3, "Now are ye clean through the word that I
+have spoken unto you." Eph. v. 26, the church is "sanctified and
+cleansed with the washing of water, by the word."</p>
+<p>5. So hath he procured, and worketh in the soul those graces
+that promove and carry on this work of sanctification and
+purifying; such as faith, which purifieth the heart, Acts xv. 9;
+whereof he is the author and finisher, Heb. xii.; and hope, which
+whosoever hath, "purifieth himself, even as he is pure," 1 John
+iii. 3.</p>
+<p>6. He hath confirmed and ratified all the promises of the
+covenant, which are ample and large, touching this cleansing and
+washing, Jer. xxxv. 8, "And I will cleanse them from all their
+iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me." Ezek. xxxvi. 25,
+"Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean
+from all your filthiness." So Ezek. xxxvii. 23, "and I will cleanse
+them." And all the other promises of the covenant, apprehended by
+faith, have no small influence on our cleansing; 2 Cor. vii. 1.
+"Having therefore these promises, let us cleanse ourselves,"
+&amp;c.; all which promises are yea and amen in Christ, 2 Cor. i.
+20.</p>
+<p>Thus Christ made all sure, for the cleansing and washing of his
+people, conform to that article of the covenant of redemption, "so
+shall he sprinkle many nations," Isa. lii. 15.</p>
+<p><i>Secondly,</i> As to the way of our use-making of Christ for
+the purging away of our filth and daily pollutions, believers would
+take this course:</p>
+<p>1. They would remember and live in the conviction of the
+exceeding abominableness and filthiness of sin, which is compared
+to the vomit of a dog, and to the mire wherein the sow walloweth, 2
+Pet. ii. 22; filthy rags, Isa. lxiv. 6; to a menstruous cloth, Isa.
+xxx. 22, and the like, that this may move them to seek with greater
+care and diligence, to have that filth taken away.</p>
+<p>2. They would remember also how abominable sin makes them in the
+eyes of an holy God, "who cannot behold iniquity," being a God of
+purer eyes than to behold it, Hab. i. 13; nor can he look on it;
+and how therefore no thing can enter into the New Jerusalem, nor
+any thing that defileth. And this will make them so much the more
+to abhor it, and to seek to be washed from it.</p>
+<p>3. They would look by faith on the blood of Christ that is shed
+for this end, to wash filthy souls into; and run to it as a
+fountain opened for this end, that they might come to it, and wash
+and be clean.</p>
+<p>4. For their encouragement, they would grip by faith to the
+promises of the new covenant, which are large and full.</p>
+<p>5. And remember the end of Christ's death, viz., to purchase to
+himself a holy people, zealous of good works, to present them to
+himself holy, and without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; and
+this will be further ground of encouragement.</p>
+<p>6. They would put the work by faith in his hand, who hath best
+skill to wash a foul soul, and to purge away all their spots; and
+by faith pray for and expect the Spirit to sanctify and cleanse
+them from all their filthiness; that is, they would make known and
+spread forth their abominations before the Lord, and eyeing Christ
+as the only great High Priest, whose blood is a fountain to wash
+in, would lay the work on him, and by faith put him to wash away
+that filth, and to purify their souls by his Spirit, pardoning
+their bygone iniquities and renewing them in the Spirit of their
+minds by grace, that they may walk before him in fear. Thus they
+would roll the work on him, and leave it there.</p>
+<br>
+<p>CAUTIONS AND DIRECTIONS.</p>
+<p><i>First,</i> The believer would in all this work be kept in the
+exercise of these graces following:</p>
+<p>1. Of humility; seeing what a vile, filthy wretch he is, that
+stands in need of washing and purging daily, because of his daily
+pollutions and transgressions.</p>
+<p>2. Of love; considering with what a loving God he hath to do,
+that hath provided so liberally all things for him, and
+particularly hath provided a fountain, and such a fountain, whereto
+he not only may, but is commanded to resort daily.</p>
+<p>3. Of thankfulness; remembering how great this mercy is, how
+unworthy he is, on whom it is bestowed, and who he is that doth
+grant it.</p>
+<p>4. Of fear; lest God's goodness be abused, and he provoked who
+is so gracious to us.</p>
+<p>5. Of sincerity, and godly ingenuity, avoiding all hypocrisy and
+formality, knowing that we have to do with him, who will not be
+mocked.</p>
+<p>6. Of holy hatred; loathing and abhorrence of sin, which makes
+us so filthy and odious in the eyes of the Lord.</p>
+<p><i>Secondly,</i> This course would be followed for the purging
+away of the least sins; for till they be purged away, we remain in
+our filth, and cannot expect God's favourable countenance, nor his
+warm embracements, nor the hearty intimations of his love and
+kindness. And a small inconsiderable like spot may grow greater,
+and provoke God to let the accuser of the brethren, Satan, who
+always waits for his opportunity, loose upon us, and a conscience
+wakened may make much of a little defilement to keep the soul from
+approaching to God.</p>
+<p>3. This course would be followed with every sin, quickly without
+delay; for the longer those spots continue, it will be the more
+difficult to get them taken away. The soul will after some time,
+become the less troubled about them, and possibly forget them, and
+so they will remain; and this may occasion at last a sad distance,
+and provoke God to hide his face, which will cause more bitterness
+and sorrow. It were good, then, to keep up a spirit of tenderness
+and fear.</p>
+<p>4. Let this be our daily work and exercise; for we are daily
+contracting new filth. Yesterday's cleansing will not save us from
+new filth to-day; nor will our running to the fountain to-day,
+serve to take away new spots to-morrow; new spots call for new
+washing, so that this must be our very life and exercise, to be
+daily and continually running to the fountain with our souls; and
+giving Christ, the great purger, much to do.</p>
+<p>5. We must not think to be perfectly washed, so long as we are
+here; for we will be contracting new filth daily, our feet will
+still be to wash, John xiii. 10. We will not be without spot or
+wrinkle, till we come home to that place, wherein entereth nothing
+that defileth.</p>
+<p>6. Let the believer's recourse in this matter be wholly to Jesus
+Christ and his blood, and lay no weight on their sorrow,
+repentance, or tears, or on any outward means which they are
+commanded to use; yet would they not lay aside these means, but go
+through them to the fountain, to Jesus, there, and there only to be
+cleansed.</p>
+<p>7. They should not be discouraged or despair when their spots
+appear great, and not like the spots of his children; for Christ's
+blood can purge from all sin, and wash away all their filth, of how
+deep soever a dye it be. Christ's blood is so deep an ocean, that a
+mountain will be sunk out of sight in it, as well as a small pebble
+stone.</p>
+<p>8. Though Christ's blood be strong enough to purge from all sin,
+even the greatest, yet they should know, that scandalous spots, or
+a deep stain, may cost them more frequent running to the fountain,
+through humiliation, godly sorrow, prayer, and supplication.
+David's scandalous blot cost him more trouble and pains, before he
+got it purged away, than many others, as we see, Psalm li.</p>
+<p>9. When all this is done, we must think of having on another
+righteousness, as our clothing and covering, in the day of our
+appearance before our Judge&mdash;even the righteousness of Jesus
+Christ, which only is perfect, and able to save us from the wrath
+of God. Let us be never so washed in the matter of sanctification,
+and cleansed from our spots, we cannot for all that be accounted
+righteous before God; nor will that satisfy justice, or take away
+the guilt so much as of one transgression before God. Christ's
+righteousness will be our upper garment for all eternity. This is
+the fine linen wherewith his bride is busked in heaven.</p>
+<p>10. At every time we run to the fountain with our daily
+contracted filth, we would not forget to carry along with us the
+mother corruption, which is the sink and puddle of all filthiness;
+I mean our natural corrupted rottenness and pollution, from whence
+flow all our other actual pollutions. We would do well to carry
+mother and daughter both together to the fountain. David prayed to
+be washed and purged, as well from his original filthiness, wherein
+he was conceived and born, as from his blood-guiltiness. Psalm li.
+5, 7.</p>
+<p>11. Let not this occasion our carelessness in watching against
+sin; for that would be, to turn his grace into wantonness; but
+rather let it sharpen our diligence in watching against all
+occasions of sin, lest we again defile our soul.</p>
+<p>12. Not only must we have our bodies, or our outward
+conversation washed, but our soul within, the frame of our heart,
+our understanding, will, affections, and conscience, sprinkled with
+that blood. The blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit
+"offered himself without spot to God," must purge our Consciences
+from dead works, to serve the living God, Heb. ix. 14. and we must
+"have our hearts, sprinkled from an evil conscience," Heb. x.
+22.</p>
+<p><i>Finally,</i> If the believer fear that he shall not be able
+to remember all these particular duties, let him remember this,
+viz. to put a foul soul, defiled with original and actual
+pollutions, in Christ's hand daily, and leave it to him to wash by
+his blood and Spirit; and yet remember to lay the weight of his
+acceptance before God, upon the imputed righteousness of Jesus
+Christ, and not upon his own cleanness, when thus sanctified and
+washen, which is but imperfect.</p>
+<br>
+<p>QUESTIONS OR OBJECTIONS ANSWERED.</p>
+<p>But, alas! some may object, and say, that their very faith,
+which must carry the rest of their filth to the fountain of
+Christ's blood, is defiled. How, then, can they expect to be made
+clean? <i>Answer.</i> The blood of Jesus Christ is sufficiently
+able to wash all our filth away; and the filth of faith, as well as
+of other actions. Therefore, when faith, as a hand, is carrying the
+filth of the soul away to Christ to be washed in his blood, let the
+foul hand go with the foul handful; give Christ faith and all to
+wash.</p>
+<p>2. But what shall I do, when, notwithstanding of all this, my
+conscience shall still accuse me of uncleanness, and cry out
+against me as filthy and abominable? <i>Answer.</i> Take it away
+also to the blood of Jesus, that there it may be purged, Heb. ix.
+14; and here alone will we "get our hearts sprinkled from an evil
+conscience," Heb. x. 22. The conscience must be steeped, so to
+speak, in the blood of Jesus, and so it shall be clean. And taking
+our filthy hearts to this cleansing fountain to be washed, we will
+get them delivered and sprinkled from an evil conscience, that it
+shall no more have ground of accusation against us. When we have it
+to say, that we have put our filthy souls in the hand of the great
+cleanser, Jesus Christ, and brought all our pollutions to his
+blood, what can conscience say to us? The Lord, it is true, may
+suffer our conscience still to bark upon us, and cast up our
+filthiness to us, that we may be the more humbled, and be put to
+lie more constantly at the fountain; yet when we have fled to
+Christ, and taken our filthiness to the open and appointed
+fountain, we can answer the accusations of conscience in law, and
+have peace.</p>
+<p>3. But I am apt to think, will some say, that if I had once
+taken the right way to get my sins and filthiness purged away, my
+conscience would trouble me no more; but now, so long as it doggeth
+me thus, I cannot think that the way which I have taken is the
+right way. <i>Answer.</i> Though the Lord may think good to suffer
+conscience to trouble a man for a time, though he hath taken the
+right way, as is said, for a further exercise and trial to him; yet
+the believer will have no less disadvantage by examining his way,
+and trying whether he hath laid the matter cleanly over on Christ,
+or whether he hath laid too much weight on his own humiliation,
+sorrow, and pains; and whether he be leaving the matter on Jesus,
+and expecting to be washed alone in his blood, or looking into
+himself, and expecting some help in the matter from self; and after
+trial, would mourn for any failing he gets discovered, and still be
+about that work of running with filth to the fountain. But withal
+they would go to Christ for help, because without him they cannot
+come to him; they cannot come or carry their soul to the fountain
+opened for sin and for uncleanness; so that in all this work, there
+would be a single dependence on Christ for understanding and
+strength to go about this work aright.</p>
+<p>Thus have we endeavoured to clear up Christ being the way to the
+Father, first and last; and how all believers or unbelievers are to
+make use of him as the way to the Father, whatever their condition
+be: from all which we may see,</p>
+<p>1. That such are in a wretched and forlorn condition who are
+still strangers to Christ, and will not lay hold on him, nor come
+to him, and walk in him, and make use of him. They are unrighteous
+and unholy, and daily contracting more guilt and more filth; and
+they know no way either for justification or sanctification, but a
+way of self, which will prove like the brooks, which run dry in
+summer, and disappoint the weary traveller when he hath most need.
+They are without Christ, and so without the way, the only way, the
+safe and sure way to the Father. And, oh! if all that is here
+spoken could induce them to think once of the misery of their
+condition, and to seek out for relief, that they might not only be
+saved from their state of sin and misery, but brought into a state
+of salvation through Jesus Christ, so that they might be justified
+before God, from all that justice, the devil, the law, or
+conscience could lay against them, and thoroughly sanctified, and
+so at length brought home to the Father, fair and spotless.</p>
+<p>2. Upon the other hand, we see the noble advantage of believers,
+who, through grace, are entered in this way; for it is a full and
+complete way that shall carry them safe home. They shall find that
+he is able to save to the uttermost all that come to God through
+him. And, oh! if they were sensible of this, how would it excite
+them to thankfulness! How would it encourage them to run through
+difficulties great and many!</p>
+<p>3. We see what a special duty lieth upon believers to make
+special use of Christ in all things, as the way to the Father, and
+so march to heaven in him, as the only way; march in his hands, or
+rather be carried in his arms and bosom. This were to go from
+strength to strength, till at length they appeared in Zion, and
+landed in that pleasant place of rest, where the weary are at rest,
+and yet rest not day nor night, but sing praises to "him that hath
+redeemed them by his blood, out of every kindred and tongue, and
+people and nation, saying, blessing, honour, glory, and power, be
+unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever
+and ever," Rev. v. 9, 13.</p>
+<p>4. Hence we may see the cause of the leanness of believers, of
+their wanderings, of their shortcomings, of their many defilements,
+&amp;c. viz. their not constant making use of Christ as the way in
+all things, according to the tenor of the gospel. Oh I if this were
+laid to heart and mourned for, and if grace were sought to help
+it!</p>
+<p>This one point of truth, that Christ is the way, well understood
+and rightly put into practice, would do all our business, both as
+to justification and sanctification, and were poor sinners once
+entered into this way, and had they grace from this way to walk in
+it, it would prove their life and salvation: For it is the marrow
+and substance of the whole gospel. So that there needeth little
+more to be said: Yet we shall speak a little to the other
+particulars in the text.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_X." id="CHAPTER_X."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER X.</h2>
+<br>
+<h4>"THE TRUTH." SOME GENERALS PROPOSED.</h4>
+<p>That what we are to speak to for the clearing and improving this
+noble piece of truth, that Christ is the Truth, may be the more
+clearly understood and edifying, we shall first take notice of some
+generals, and then show particularly how or in what respects Christ
+is called the Truth; and finally speak to some cases wherein we are
+to make use of Christ as the Truth.</p>
+<p>As to the first. There are four general things here to be
+noticed.</p>
+<p>1. This supposeth what our case by nature is, and what we are
+all without Christ, who is the Truth: as,</p>
+<p><i>First.</i> It supposeth that without Christ we are in
+darkness, mistakes, errors: yea, we are said to be darkness itself.
+Eph. v. 8, "Ye were sometimes darkness," &amp;c. John i. 5, and of
+darkness; 1 Thess. v. 5, yea, under the "power of darkness;" Col.
+i. 13. John xii. 35. 1 John ii. 11, "walking in darkness;" 1 John
+i. 6, and "abiding in darkness." 1 Pet. ii. 9. 1 Thess. v. 4. John
+xii. 46, "We wander and go astray as soon as we are born, speaking
+lies," Psal. lviii. 3. Yea, we "go astray in the greatness of our
+folly," Prov. v. 22. We are "all gone astray," Isa. liii. 6. Psal.
+cxix. 67-176; so far are we from any knowledge of, or acquaintance
+with truth, or with the way of truth.</p>
+<p><i>Secondly.</i> It supposeth that we cannot turn into the right
+way. A spirit of error and untruth leadeth us continually wrong;
+like the sheep we wander still, and we weary ourselves in our
+wandering; and so spend all our labour and pains in vain. Being
+under the power of untruth and error, we cannot walk one step
+right.</p>
+<p><i>Thirdly.</i> Though all other ways, beside him who only is
+the way and the truth, be false ways and by-ways, leading us away
+from the true resting-place, and from that way which is the truth;
+yet we are prone and ready to cleave to those false and erroneous
+ways, and grip to shadows, and to lean to them, as if they were the
+ways of truth: Such as,</p>
+<p>1. A good heart, which many may imagine they have, when they
+have nothing less.</p>
+<p>2. Good intentions and purposes for time to come, which such, as
+were not under the power of error and untruth, would never deceive
+themselves withal.</p>
+<p>3. An harmless life, without scandalous out-breakings to the
+reproach of Christianity, a foundation on which no wise man, led by
+truth, would build his salvation, or hopes of eternal
+happiness.</p>
+<p>4. An outward, moral, civil and discreet carriage, which no man
+can blame, and wherein a heathen can outstrip many called
+Christians; so that it must be a poor ground to found our hopes
+upon; and yet many are so blinded, that they lean all their weight
+upon such a rotten staff.</p>
+<p>5. Outward exercise of religious duties, wherein a Pharisee may
+outstrip many; and yet, O how many build all their hopes of heaven
+upon this sandy foundation, which none but blinded persons would
+do!</p>
+<p>6. The commendation and applause of ministers and Christians, is
+that which many rest upon, which is a sad proof of the blindness of
+their hearts.</p>
+<p>7. The way of good works and alms-deeds blindfoldeth many, and
+sheweth that they were never led by truth, or taught of Christ, who
+is the truth.</p>
+<p>8. Some pinching grief and sorrow for sin, is another way which
+people, strangers to the truth, deceive themselves withal.</p>
+<p>9. A common sort of repentance, backed with some kind of
+amendment and outward reformation, is a way that many rest secure
+in, though it lead to destruction.</p>
+<p>10. Freedom from challenges of conscience deceiveth many.</p>
+<p>Though these and such like ways be dangerous, yea, deadly, yet
+how many are there to be found among Christians, that have no
+better ground of their hope of salvation, and will cleave to them
+so fast, as no preaching will make them so much as once question
+the matter, or suspect that these ways will in the end deceive
+them; so strong is their inclination to the way of error, though
+not as the way of error.</p>
+<p><i>Fourthly.</i> It presupposeth also an inclinableness in us by
+nature to wander out of the way; for being nothing but a mass of
+error, made up of darkness, ignorance, and mistakes, we have a
+strong bias to error, which agreeth best with our natural,
+corrupted temper. Hence it is, that we have such a strong
+propension to errors and mistakes: Whether,</p>
+<p>1. Concerning God, and his way of dealing with his church, or
+with ourselves. O how ready are our hearts by nature, to hatch and
+foment wrong, unseemly, untrue, yea, unchristian, if not
+blasphemous thoughts and conceptions of his nature, attributes,
+word, and works? And how ready and prone are we to receive and
+entertain wrong apprehensions of all his ways and dealings with his
+church and people? And as for his works in and about ourselves, O!
+what unsuitable, erroneous, false, ungodly, absurd, and abominable
+opinions do we with greediness drink in and foster; yea, feed upon
+with delight? Who is able to recount all the errors and mistakes
+which our heart by nature is ready to admit and foster with
+complacency? Are we not by nature ready to say, that there is not a
+God,&mdash;as the fool, Psal. xiv. 1. Or, that he is not such a God
+as his word and works declare him to be&mdash;a holy, just,
+righteous, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient God, &amp;c. Or that
+he is a changeable God, and actually changed, not being the same
+now which sometime he was. That he hath forgotten to be gracious,
+and remembereth not his people in adversity; and so is not tender
+and merciful. That he hath forgotten his promises, and so is not
+faithful and true. That he approveth of sin, because he suffereth
+the way of the wicked to prosper, and so is not a holy God, &amp;c.
+Yea, do not ofttimes such thoughts as these lodge within the heart
+of the truly godly? All which sheweth how prone we are to receive
+and entertain erroneous and false thoughts of God.</p>
+<p>2. Concerning ourselves. Supposing ourselves to be born again
+and reconciled to God, when yet we are living in black nature: And
+who so bold and confident that they are right, as they that are
+furthest out of the way? Or, on the other hand, supposing ourselves
+to be in a bad state, and in nature and darkness, when the day-star
+from on high hath visited us, and brought our souls from death unto
+life. And who more ready to complain than such as have least cause?
+Or supposing ourselves in a good condition; lively, active,
+diligent, watchful, &amp;c, when it is just otherwise with us: Or,
+on the contrary, complaining of deadness, formality, upsitting,
+fainting, heartlessness in the ways of God, when it is not so. Or,
+in questioned matters, taking truth to be error, and error to be
+truth.</p>
+<p>3. Concerning others. How ready are we to run either to the one
+extremity or the other in judging their persons and actions?</p>
+<p>Oh! where is the faith of this natural condition? where is the
+real conviction of it? Sure there is but little real believing of
+this when,</p>
+<p>(1.) There are so many that never so much as suspect themselves
+or question either their state or condition, at one time or other;
+never once imagine that their blinded hearts may deceive them;
+never once dream of a possibility of mistaking, and of dying with a
+lie in their right hand.</p>
+<p>(2.) And so many that are not lamenting and bewailing this their
+condition, nor crying out and complaining of a false, deceitful,
+and desperately wicked heart.</p>
+<p>(3.) And so few that are indeed humbled under the sense of this,
+and made therefore to walk more watchfully and soberly with an eye
+always upon their treacherous and deceiving hearts.</p>
+<p>(4.) And so few, crying for help from God against this deceitful
+adversary, through daily experience of the atheism, hypocrisy,
+ignorance, misconceptions of God and of his ways, and deceitfulness
+of our hearts, might sufficiently put it out of doubt with us.</p>
+<p><i>Next,</i> How miserable must their condition be, who are yet
+strangers to Christ; for they are living in darkness, lying in
+darkness, walking in darkness, yea, very darkness itself, a mass of
+error, mistakes, ignorance, and misconceptions of all things that
+are good; and still wandering out of the way.</p>
+<p><i>Finally,</i> Should not this preach out to, and convince us
+all of a necessity of having more acquaintance with truth, with
+Jesus Christ, who is the truth, that we may be delivered from this
+woful and wretched condition; for truth only can set us free
+therefrom.</p>
+<p>II. The <i>second</i> general thing to be noticed here is, that
+all other ways and courses, which we can take or follow, that we
+may obtain life, beside Christ, are but lies, false and deceitful
+ways,&mdash;there is no truth in them: For he only is the truth; no
+other whatsoever can bear this epithet: For,</p>
+<p>1. He only can satisfy the soul in all points otherways;
+whatever we can imagine and dream can yield no true satisfaction in
+this matter.</p>
+<p>2. He only can secure the soul from destructive ruinous courses,
+which will undo the soul. All other ways will fail here; none of
+them can give the least security to the soul, that they shall not
+bring him, in end, to destruction and everlasting perdition.</p>
+<p>3. He only can bring the soul safe through all opposition and
+difficulties in the way. No other way can do this; but will leave
+us in the mire, ere ever we come to the end of our journey.</p>
+<p>4. He will not deceive nor disappoint the soul. All other ways
+in end will prove treacherous, and give the traveller a doleful and
+sad disappointment.</p>
+<p>O what a warning should this be to us all, to take heed that we
+embrace not a lie, instead of him who is the truth; and sit not
+down with a shadow instead of the substance. How ready are we to
+put other things in his place? But whatever it be that gets his
+room in the soul, though good and worthy in itself, will prove a
+lie. Even, (1.) All our outward holiness and duties. Yea, (2.) All
+our experiences and great attainments. Yea, (3.) All our gifts and
+endowments. Aye, (4.) Our very graces. None of these are Christ's;
+and if we place that hope and confidence in them, which we should
+place on him, they will not prove the truth to us,&mdash;he alone
+is the truth.</p>
+<p>How sure then should we labour to be, that we do not die with a
+lie in our right hand. And how carefully should we guard against
+the trusting in, or leaning to any thing that is not Christ, and
+whole Christ, and only Christ, and Christ as offered in the gospel;
+seeing this way is only the truth, and no other way will be found
+so in end, though at present we may find in it,</p>
+<p>(1.) Some inward peace and quietness of heart, as if all were
+right.</p>
+<p>(2.) Some satisfaction of mind, things being right, as we
+apprehend, but falsely, through the deceitfulness of the heart.</p>
+<p>(3.) Something like assurance and confidence, that all will be
+right with us.</p>
+<p>(4.) And hope founded thereupon, which may help to ride through
+some storms, and yet fail us at length.</p>
+<p>III. The <i>third</i> general is this, Christ Jesus is not only
+the truth in himself, but also in reference to us. The scope of the
+place cleareth this, as he is the way and the life for our use, so
+he is the truth. Not only as God equal with the Father, but also as
+Mediator, and our Immanuel.</p>
+<p>As God, he is, 1. Essentially truth, being God equal with the
+Father in power and glory.</p>
+<p>2. In respect of veracity, he is the God of truth, Deut. xxxii.
+4; faithful in all his sayings, Ps. xxxi. 5; keeping truth for
+ever, Ps. cxlvi. 6.</p>
+<p>3. He is the fountain and spring-head of all created truth, for
+he is the first truth.</p>
+<p>As Mediator, and in reference to us, "he is full of grace and
+truth," John i. 14; "he received not the Spirit in measure," John
+iii. 34; and this Spirit is a Spirit of truth. But of this more,
+when we come to shew more particularly, how and in what respects he
+is called the truth, as Mediator.</p>
+<p>IV. The <i>fourth</i> general, which is here observable, is,
+that he is not only called "Truth," but "the Truth," as he is the
+way and the life; and not only true, but truth in the abstract.
+Which saith,</p>
+<p>1. That he is every way Truth, however we consider him, as God,
+or as Mediator.</p>
+<p>2. That all truth is in him; all truth of salvation for us is to
+be found in him.</p>
+<p>3. That all that is in him is truth, his natures, offices,
+performances, words, works, &amp;c, all are true.</p>
+<p>4. That he is pure and unmixed truth; no lie in him, no error or
+mistake there.</p>
+<p>5. That truth in him is in its perfection and excellency. In the
+truest of men it is very imperfect.</p>
+<p>O what an excellent one must he be! How completely fitted and
+furnished for us! Oh! if our souls could love him, and close with
+him, and rest upon him as all-sufficient!</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_XI." id="CHAPTER_XI."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2>
+<h4>MORE PARTICULARLY, IN WHAT RESPECT CHRIST IS CALLED THE
+TRUTH.</h4>
+<br>
+<p>But for further explaining of this matter, we would see more
+particularly, in what respects it is, that he is called the truth;
+and this will make way to our use-making of him. So,</p>
+<p><i>First,</i> He is the Truth, in opposition to the shadows and
+types of him, under the law. Hence, as "the law," the whole
+Levitical and typical dispensation, "came by Moses, so grace and
+truth came by Jesus Christ," John i. 17. They were all shadows of
+him, and he is the substance and body of them all, Col. ii. 17; and
+this is true in these respects:</p>
+<p>1. All these shadows and types pointed at him, and directed, as
+with a finger, the Israelites, who were under that dispensation, to
+look to Christ, the promised Messiah, and to rest, and to lay all
+their weight on him. So that the law was a shadow of good things to
+come, Heb. x. 1. Col. ii. 17.</p>
+<p>2. They all terminate in him, he putting an end, by his coming
+and performing his work, to all those types which only related to
+him, and to what he was to do; the body being come, there is no
+more need of the shadow and the thing typified existing, there is
+no more need or use of the type.</p>
+<p>3. They are all fulfilled in him; he answereth them all fully,
+so that whatever was shadowed forth by them is completely to be
+found in him. This the apostle, in his Epistle to the Hebrews,
+abundantly evinceth. And Paul to the Colossians, tells us, "we are
+complete in him," and therefore need no more follow the
+shadows.</p>
+<p><i>Secondly,</i> He is the Truth in reference to the prophecies
+of old; all which did principally point at him and his
+concernments, his person, nature, offices, work, kingdom, &amp;c.;
+and whatever was foretold in these prophecies is perfectly
+fulfilled in him, or done by him, or shall in due time be
+effectuated by him. He is that great prophet spoken of, Deut xviii.
+15, 18, 19. So said the Jews themselves, John vi. 14. All the
+prophets from Samuel spoke of him and of his days, Acts iii. 22-24.
+"And to him gave all the prophets witness," Acts x. 43. And
+whatever they prophesied or witnessed of him, was, or is in due
+time to be fulfilled in him. Hence, we find the evangelists and
+apostles frequently applying the sayings and prophecies of the Old
+Testament unto him. And Luke (chap. iv. 18,) himself said the
+prophecy of Isaiah lxi. 1, &amp;c., was fulfilled in him. See 1
+Pet. x. 11, 12. And himself expounded to the two disciples going to
+Emmaus, in all the Scriptures, beginning at Moses and all the
+prophets, all the things concerning himself, Luke xxiv. 27. And
+thus is he the Truth of all the prophecies.</p>
+<p><i>Thirdly,</i> He is the Truth, in reference to his undertaking
+with the Father in that glorious covenant of redemption; for
+whatever the Father laid on him to do, that he did fully and
+faithfully. "He was to bear our griefs, to carry our sorrows;" and
+that he did. "He was to be wounded for our transgressions, and
+bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon
+him, and by his stripes we were to be healed," Isa. liii. 5; and so
+it was, Rom. iv. 25. 1 Cor. xv. 3. 1 Pet. ii. 23. "His soul was to
+be made an offering for sin," Isa. liii. 10, and so it was; for he
+offered up himself a sacrifice for sin. Yea, all that he was to do,
+by virtue of that covenant, he did it perfectly, so as he cried
+out, while hanging on the cross, "It is finished," John xix. 30;
+and, in his prayer, John xvii., he told his Father, verse 4, that
+he had glorified him on earth, and had finished the work which he
+gave him to do; so that the Father was well pleased with him, Matt.
+iii. 17; xii. 18; and xvii. 5. Mark i. 11. Luke iii. 22.</p>
+<p><i>Fourthly,</i> He is the Truth, in respect of his offices
+which he took upon him for our good; for all the duties of these
+offices which he was to do, and what remaineth to be done, he will
+perfect in due time. Did he take upon him the office of a prophet?
+He did fully execute the same, in revealing mediately and
+immediately the whole counsel of God, John i. 18; and xv. 15. Eph.
+iv. 11, 12, 13. Acts xx. 32. 1 Pet. 10, 11, 12. Heb. i. 2. Did he
+take upon him the office of a priest? So did he fulfil the same,
+offering up himself an expiatory sacrifice to God, Heb. ix. 28; and
+ii. 17; and becoming a priest, and living for ever to make
+intercession for us, Heb. vii. 25. And did he take on the office
+and function of a King? So doth he execute the same, calling a
+people to himself out of the world by his word and
+Spirit&mdash;Acts xv. 14, 15, 16. Isa. lv. 4, 5. Psalm cx.
+3&mdash;erecting a visible church, a company of visible professors
+to profess and declare his name; which, as his kingdom, he ruleth
+with his own officers, laws and penalties, or censures; so that the
+government is on his shoulders, Isaiah ix. 6, 7, who is the head of
+the body, the church, Eph. i. 22, 23. Col. i. 18; and this his
+kingdom he ruleth, in a visible manner, by his own officers,
+&amp;c. Ephes. iv. 11, 12. 1 Cor. xii. 28. Isaiah xxxiii. 22. Matt.
+xviii. 17, 18. 1 Cor. v. 4, 5; and further, he executes this office
+by effectually calling the elect, giving them grace, Acts v. 3;
+rewarding the obedient, Rev. xxii. 12; ii. 10; chastising the
+disobedient, Rev. iii. 19; bringing his own home at length, through
+all their temptations, afflictions, and overcoming all their
+enemies, 1 Cor. xv. 25. Psalm cx.; and at length he shall do the
+part of a king, when he shall judge quick and dead at the last day,
+2 Thess. i. 8, 9. Acts xvii. 31. 2 Tim. iv. 1.</p>
+<p><i>Fifthly,</i> He is the Truth in this regard, that he fully
+answers all the titles and names which he had got. As he was called
+Jesus, so did he save his people from their sins, Matt. i. 21. As
+he was called Christ, so was he anointed with the Spirit without
+measure, John iii. 34. Psalm xlv. 7; and separated for his work,
+and endued with all power for that effect, Job vi. 27. Matt.
+xxviii. 18, 19, 20; and established to be a prophet, Acts iii. 21,
+22. Luke iv. 18, 21; a priest, Heb. v. 5, 6, 7; iv. 14, 15; and a
+king, Psalm ii. 6. Isaiah ix. 6, 7. Matt. xxi. 5. Phil. ii. 8-11.
+Was he called "Immanuel," Isaiah vii. 14? So was he indeed God with
+us, being God and man in one person for ever. Was he called
+"Wonderful," Isaiah ix. 6? So was he indeed in his two distinct
+natures in one person; at which the angels may wonder, Eph. iii.
+10, 11. 1 Pet. i. 12. 1 Tim. iii. 16. Was he called "Counsellor?"
+So was he indeed, coming out from the Father's bosom, with the
+whole counsel of God concerning our salvation, John i. 14, 18; iii.
+13; v. 20, and xv. 15. Was he called the "mighty God?" So was he
+indeed, Psalm cx. 1. Matt. xxii. 44. Heb. i. 13. Psalm xlv. 6. Heb.
+i. 8. Jer. xxiii. 6, and xxxiii. 16. Mal. iii. 1. Matt. xi. 10.
+Psalm lxxxiii. 18. Luke i. 76. John i. 1; xiv. 1. John v. 20. Tit.
+ii. 13. Rom. ix. 5. Was he called the "everlasting Father?" So is
+he the Father of eternity, being (as some interpret the word) the
+author of eternal life, which he giveth to all that believe in him,
+John vi. 39, 40, 47, 51; viii. 51; x. 28; xi. 25, 26. Heb. v. 9,
+and vii. 25. Was he called the "Prince of Peace?" So is he the
+Prince of Peace indeed, being our peace, Mic. v. 5. Eph. ii. 14;
+making up peace between God and us, Isaiah liii. 5, and liii. 19.
+Eph. ii. 17. Col. i. 20. Hence his gospel is the gospel of peace,
+and his ministers ambassadors of peace, Isaiah lii. 7. Rom. x. 15.
+2 Cor. v. 19, 20. Eph. vi. 15. And he giveth peace to all his,
+Zech. ix. 10. John xiv. 27; xvii. 33. Rom. v. 1; viii. 16, and xiv.
+17. 2 Thes. iii. 17. Was he called the "Lord our Righteousness?"
+Jer. xxiii. 6; so is he the same indeed, bringing in everlasting
+righteousness, Dan. ix. 24; and "being made of God to us
+righteousness," 1 Cor. i. 30; and making us righteous, 2 Cor. v.
+21.</p>
+<p><i>Sixthly,</i> He is the Truth in reference to the promises,
+which,</p>
+<p>1. Centre all in him, and lead to him as the great promise.</p>
+<p>2. Are founded all upon him, who is the only Mediator of the
+covenant of promises.</p>
+<p>3. Are confirmed all by him, and made yea and amen in him, 2
+Cor. i. 20. He confirmed the promises made to the fathers, Rev. xv.
+8.</p>
+<p>4. Are all dispensed and given out by him, who is the executor
+of his own testament, and the great dispensator of all that we
+need; so that what we ask of the Father he giveth it himself, John
+xiv. 13, 14.</p>
+<p><i>Seventhly,</i> He is the Truth, in that he fully answereth
+all the hopes and expectations of his people. He shall not be found
+a liar unto them, whatever Satan may suggest unto them, or a
+misbelieving heart may prompt them to conceive, and their jealousy
+may make them apprehend; and whatever his dispensations may now
+seem to say. In end they shall all find, that he is the truth,
+fully satisfying all their desires; and granting all that ever they
+could hope for, or expect from him. They shall at length be
+satisfied with his likeness, Psalm xvii. 15; yea, abundantly
+satisfied with the fatness of his house, Psalm xxxvi. 8; and with
+his goodness, Psalm lxv. 4; and that as with marrow and fatness,
+Psalm lxiii. 5. One sight of his glory will fully satisfy, and
+cause them to cry out, enough! Jeremiah is now saying, as once he
+did in the bitterness of his soul, through the power of corruption
+and temptation, (chap. xv. 18.) "wilt thou be altogether unto me as
+a liar, and as waters that fail?"</p>
+<p><i>Eighthly,</i> He is the Truth, in opposition to all other
+ways of salvation: for,</p>
+<p>1. There is no salvation now by the law of works, that covenant
+being once broken cannot any more save; the law cannot now do it,
+in that it is weak through the flesh, Rom. viii. 3.</p>
+<p>2. There is no salvation now by the law of Moses without Christ:
+hence Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, did
+not attain to the law of righteousness, because they sought it not
+by faith, but as it were by the works of the law, Rom. ix. 31, 32.
+They went about to establish their own righteousness, and did not
+submit themselves unto the righteousness of God, Rom. x. 3.</p>
+<p>3. There is no salvation by any thing mixed in with Christ, as
+the apostle fully cleareth in his epistle to the Galatians.</p>
+<p>4. There is no salvation by any other way or medium, which mart
+can invent or fall upon, whereof there are not a few, as we shewed
+above: "for there is not another name given under heaven, by which
+we can be saved," but the name of Jesus, Acts iv. 12. No religion
+Will save but this.</p>
+<p>So that he is the true salvation, and he only is the true
+salvation; and he is the sure and safe salvation: such as make use
+of him shall not be mistaken nor disappointed, Isaiah xxxv. 8.</p>
+<p><i>Ninthly,</i> He is the Truth, in respect of his leading and
+guiding his people in the truth: hence he is called "a teacher from
+God," John iii. 2; and one that "teacheth the way of God in truth,"
+Matt. xxii. 16. "A prophet mighty in deed and word," Luke xxiv. 19.
+And in this respect he is the truth upon several accounts.</p>
+<p>1. Of his personal teaching, God spoke by him, Heb. i. 2. He
+revealed the Father's mind, Matt. xi. 27. John i. 18.</p>
+<p>2. Of his messengers sent by him, as prophets of old, apostles
+and ministers of late, whom he sendeth forth to make disciples,
+Matt, xxviii. 18; and to open the eyes of the blind, Acts xxvi.
+18.</p>
+<p>3. Of his word, which he hath left as our rule, and which is a
+sure, word of prophecy, more sure than a voice from heaven, 2 Pet.
+i. 19.</p>
+<p>4. Of his ordinances, which he hath established as means to
+guide us in the way of truth.</p>
+<p>5. Of his Spirit, whereby he maketh the word clear, John xiv.
+26. This Spirit is sent to teach all truth, and to lead and guide
+us in all truth, John xvii. 13. 1 John ii. 27; and sept by him, and
+by the Father in his name, John xiv. 26; xv. 16; xvi. 14.</p>
+<p>6. Of his dispensations of providence, within us and without us,
+by which likewise he instructeth in the way of truth.</p>
+<p><i>Tenthly.</i> He, is the Truth, in, respect of his bearing
+witness to, the truth; and this he doth,</p>
+<p>1. By himself, who was given for a witness, Isaiah lv. 4; and
+came to bear witness to the truth, John iii. 11; xviii. 37; and was
+a faithful witness, Rev. i. 5; iii. 14,</p>
+<p>2. By his ministers, who witness the truth of the gospel by
+publishing and proclaiming the same.</p>
+<p>3. By his martyrs, who seal the truth with their blood, and so
+bear witness to it, Rev. ii. 13; xvii. 6. Acts xxii. 20.</p>
+<p>4. By his Spirit, sealing the truth of grace in a believer, and
+his interest in God through Christ, and his right to all the
+benefits of the new covenant, "in whom also, after ye believed, ye
+were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest
+of our inheritance," Eph. i. 13, 14.</p>
+<p><i>Eleventhly.</i> He is the Truth, in respect that he carrieth
+towards poor sinners in all things, according to the tenor of the
+gospel, and the offers thereof; he offers himself to all freely,
+and promiseth to put none away that come to him; and this he doth
+in truth: for no man can say, that he had a sincere and true desire
+to come to Jesus, and that he rejected him and would not look upon
+him. He giveth encouragement to all sinners to come, that will be
+content to quit their sins; and promiseth to upbraid none that
+cometh. And is there any that in their own experience can witness
+the contrary? He offers all freely; and did he ever reject any upon
+the want of a price in their hand? Nay, hath not the cause of their
+getting no admittance been, that they thought to commend themselves
+to Christ by their worth; and would not take all freely, for the
+glory of his grace? Let believers and others speak here, out of
+their own experience, in truth and in uprightness; and it shall be
+found, that he was and is the truth.</p>
+<p><i>Twelfthly.</i> He is the Truth, in that, in all his
+dispensations in the gospel, and in all his works and actions in
+and about his own people, he is true and upright. All his offers,
+all his promises, all his dispensations, are done in truth and
+uprightness; yea, all are done out of truth and uprightness of
+love, true tenderness and affection to them, whatever the
+corruption of jealousy and misbelief think and say to the contrary.
+He is the truth; and so always the same, unchangeable in his love,
+whatever his dispensations seem to say; and the believer may rest
+assured hereof, that he being the truth, shall be to him whatever
+his word holdeth him forth to be, and that constantly and
+unchangeably.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_XII." id="CHAPTER_XII."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XII.</h2>
+<h4>SOME GENERAL USES FROM THIS USEFUL TRUTH, THAT CHRIST IS THE
+TRUTH.</h4>
+<br>
+<p>Having thus cleared up this truth, we should come to speak of
+the way of believers making use of him as the truth, in several
+cases wherein they will stand in need of him as the truth. But ere
+we come to the particulars, we shall first propose some general
+uses of this useful point.</p>
+<p><i>First.</i> This point of truth serveth to discover unto us,
+the woful condition of such as are strangers to Christ the truth;
+and oh, if it were believed! For,</p>
+<p>1. They are not yet delivered from that dreadful plague of
+blindness, error, ignorance, mistakes under which all are by
+nature; a condition, that if rightly seen, would cause the soul lie
+low in the dust.</p>
+<p>2. Whatever course they take, till they come to Christ, and
+while they remain in that condition, is a lie, and a false,
+erroneous, and deceitful way. For still they are turning aside to
+lies, Psalm xl. 4; and seeking after them, Psalm iv. 2.</p>
+<p>3. Whatever hopes and confidence they may have, that their way
+shall carry them through, yet in end they will be found to inherit
+lies, Jer. xvi. 19; and meet with the saddest disappointment that
+can be. For instead of the fellowship of God, Christ, angels, and
+glorified spirits, they shall take up their lodging with devils and
+damned souls; and that because they have made no acquaintance with
+the way of truth; and the way wherein they are, is but a lie and a
+falsehood; and so of necessity must deceive them.</p>
+<p>4. All their literal and speculative knowledge shall not avail
+them, so long as they are strangers unto him who is the truth.
+Their knowledge is but ignorance, because it is not a knowledge of
+him who is the truth.</p>
+<p>5. They have none to go to for help and light in the day of
+their darkness, confusion, and perplexity; for they are not
+reconciled unto the truth, which alone can prove steadable and
+comfortable in that day.</p>
+<p>6. They can do nothing to help themselves out of that state of
+darkness and ignorance; and whatever they do to help themselves
+shall but increase their darkness and misery; because there is no
+truth there, and truth, even the truth alone, can dispel these
+clouds of error, mistakes, ignorance, &amp;c.</p>
+<p><i>Secondly.</i> Hence, we see the happy and blessed condition
+of believers, who have embraced this truth, and gotten their souls
+opened to him who is the truth; for,</p>
+<p>1. They are in part delivered from that mass of lies, mistakes,
+misapprehensions, errors, deceitfulness and ignorance under which
+they lay formerly, and all the unregenerate do yet lie. And though
+they be not fully delivered therefrom, yet the day is coming when
+that shall be, and the begun work of grace and truth in them is a
+pledge thereof; and at present they have ground to believe, that
+that evil shall not again have dominion over them, they being now
+under grace, and under the guidance of truth.</p>
+<p>2. Howbeit they have many perplexing thoughts, doubts and fears
+of their state and condition, and think many a time, that they
+shall one day or other perish by the way; and all their hopes and
+confidence shall evanish; yet having given up themselves to truth,
+and to the truth, they shall not be disappointed in the end. The
+truth shall land them safe on the other side. The truth shall prove
+no lie.</p>
+<p>3. They have a fast and steadable friend to go to, in a day of
+darkness, clouds, doubts, when falsehood and lies are like to
+prevail, even the Truth, who alone can help them in that day.</p>
+<p>4. Howbeit the knowledge they have of God, and of the mysteries
+of the gospel, be but small; yet that small measure being taught by
+him, who is the truth, and flowing from truth, shall prove
+sanctifying and saving.</p>
+<p>9. They have ground to hope for more freedom from errors and
+deceitful lies, than others; for they have chosen the way of truth,
+and given themselves up to the leading of truth.</p>
+<p><i>Object.</i> But do not even such drink in and receive and
+plead for errors, as well as others; and is it not sometime found,
+that they even live and die in some mistakes and errors?</p>
+<p><i>Answ.</i> I grant the Lord may suffer even some of his own to
+fall into, and to continue for some time in errors, yea, and it may
+be all their days, as to some errors, that hereby, all may learn to
+tremble and fear, and to work out their salvation with fear and
+trembling. (2.) Some may be tried thereby, Dan. xi. 35. (3.) Others
+may break their neck thereupon. (4.) To punish themselves, for not
+making that use of truth, and of the truth, that they should have
+done; yet we would consider these few things:</p>
+<p>1. That there are many more unregenerate persons that fall into
+error.</p>
+<p>2. If his people fall into error at any time, they do not always
+continue therein to the end. God for his own glory maketh, sometime
+or other, truth shine in upon their soul, which discovereth that
+mistake, and presently, the grace of God in their soul maketh them
+to abhor the same.</p>
+<p>3. Or if some continue in it to their dying day, yet they repent
+of it, by an implicit repentance, as they do of other unknown and
+unseen evils that lie in their soul; so that that error doth not
+destroy their soul.</p>
+<p>4. There are some gross errors, which a regenerate soul cannot
+readily embrace, or if, through a mistake, or the power of a
+temptation, they do embrace them, yet they cannot heartily close
+with them, whatever for a time, through corruption and pride, they
+may seem outwardly to do; and that because the very daily exercise
+of grace will discover them; and so they will be found to be
+against their daily experience; as some opinions of the Papists,
+Arminians, and Socinians, together with the abominable Quakers,
+which a gracious soul, when not carried away with the torrent of
+corruption, and with the tempest of a temptation, cannot but
+observe to contradict the daily workings of grace in their soul,
+and the motions of their sanctified soul, in prayer and other holy
+duties; and so such as they cannot but find to be false by their
+own experience.</p>
+<p><i>Thirdly.</i> Here is ground of a sharp reproof of the wicked,
+who continue in unbelief; and,</p>
+<p>1. Will not believe, nor give any credit to his promises;
+wherewith he seeketh to allure poor souls to come to him for
+life.</p>
+<p>2. Nor will they believe his threatenings, wherewith he useth to
+alarm souls, and to urge them forward to their duty.</p>
+<p>3. Nor will they believe and receive his offers, as true.</p>
+<p>5. Nor will they believe, that he is the true prophet, priest,
+and king, that must save souls from hell and death, and therefore
+they will not give him employment in his offices.</p>
+<p>All which cannot but be a high provocation, for in effect it is
+to say that he is not the truth, nor worthy to be believed. Let
+them consider this, and see how they think he shall take this off
+their hands. No man will take it well that another should either
+call or account him a liar; and can they think that Christ shall
+take it well at their hands, to be accounted by them a liar? What
+will they think to be challenged for this in the great day? Now,
+the truth is, all unbelievers, as they make God a liar, (O horrid
+and abominable crime! Whose hair would not stand on end to hear
+this?) 1 John v. 10, 11. "He that believeth not God hath made him a
+liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
+And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life; and
+this life is in his Son." So do they make the Son of God a liar, in
+all his sayings, in all his offices, and in all his works; and they
+make the Holy Ghost a liar, in not believing that truth that he
+hath sealed as firm truth. They make the covenant of suretiship
+betwixt the Father and the Son, a mere lie and a forgery. O
+dreadful! They make the word of truth a lie, and they make all the
+saints liars, and all the officers of Jesus Christ, who declare
+this truth, and the saints who believe it, and rest upon it,
+liars.</p>
+<p><i>Fourthly.</i> Hence is there ground of reproof to the godly,
+in that,</p>
+<p>1. They do not firmly enough believe his sayings, neither his
+promises, nor his threatenings, as appeareth too oft upon the one
+hand, by their faintings and fears, and upon the other hand, by
+their carelessness and loose walk.</p>
+<p>2. They make not use of him, in all cases as they ought. His
+offices lie by and are not improved; nor is he gone to as the
+truth, in cases requiring his help, as the truth; that is, in cases
+of darkness, doubtings, confusion, ignorance of their case and
+condition, and the like.</p>
+<p>3. They do not approach to him, nor to God through him, heartily
+and cordially, as the very truth, and true way.</p>
+<p>4. Nor do they rest with confidence upon him in all
+difficulties, as being the truth that will not fail them, nor
+disappoint them.</p>
+<p>5. Nor do they rejoice in him, as satisfied with him, who is the
+truth, in the want of all other things.</p>
+<p><i>Fifthly.</i> The right consideration of this truth should
+keep us in mind of several great duties; such as those,</p>
+<p>1. Of pitying those places where this truth is not heard of, as
+among Turks and heathens; or where it is darkened with superstition
+and men's inventions, as among papists; or where it hath been
+clearly shining, but now is darkened, as in some churches now under
+the prevailing power of corruption; or, lastly, where it is not
+received in its power and lustre, as, alas! it is too little
+received in the best and purest churches.</p>
+<p>2. Of being thankful to him for making this truth known in the
+world, and particularly in the place where we were born, or had our
+abode; and yet more for that he hath determined our hearts to a
+believing of this truth, in some weak measure; to an embracing of
+it, and to a giving of ourselves up to be led, ruled, and guided
+thereby.</p>
+<p>3. Of esteeming highly of every piece of truth for his sake who
+is the truth; studying it for his sake&mdash;loving it for his
+sake&mdash;holding it fast for his sake&mdash;witnessing to it, as
+we are called, for his sake. We should buy the truth, and not sell
+it, Prov. xxiii. 23; and we should plead for it, and be valiant for
+it, Isa. lix. 4, 14. Jer. vii. 28; ix. 3.</p>
+<p>4. Of taking part with him and his cause, in all hazards, for
+truth is always on his side; and truth shall prevail at length.</p>
+<p>5. Of giving him employment in our doubts and difficulties,
+whether,</p>
+<p>(1.) They be about some controverted points of truth, which come
+to be debated, or to trouble the church. Or,</p>
+<p>(2.) About our own estate and condition, quarrelled at by Satan,
+or questioned by the false heart. Or,</p>
+<p>(3.) About our carriage in our daily walk. In all these, and the
+like, we should be employing truth, that we may be led in truth,
+and taught by truth, to walk in sure paths.</p>
+<p>6. Of carrying in all things before him as true; for he is
+truth, and the truth, and so cannot be deceived; and therefore we
+should walk before him in sincerity and singleness of heart,
+without guile, hypocrisy, or falsehood, that we may look like
+children of the truth; and of the day, and of light, and children
+that will not lie or dissemble, Isaiah lxiii. 8; not like these
+that lied unto him, Psalm lxxviii. 38. Isaiah lix. 13.</p>
+<p>7. Of taking him only for our guide to heaven, by denying our
+own wit, skill, and understanding, and looking to and resting upon
+him, who alone is the truth, and so acknowledging him in all our
+ways, depending on him for light and counsel, for singleness of
+heart, humility, diligence, and truth, in the inward parts.</p>
+<p>8. Of giving up ourselves daily unto him and his guidance, and
+denying our own wills, humours, parties, or opinions; for he alone
+is truth, and can only guide us aright. And for this cause, we
+would acquaint ourselves well with the word, which is our rule, and
+seek after the Spirit, whom Christ hath promised to lead us into
+all truth.</p>
+<p><i>Sixthly.</i> Should not this be a strong inducement to all of
+us, to lay hold on and grip to him, who is the truth, and only the
+truth? seeing,</p>
+<p>1. All other ways which we can take, will prove a lie to us in
+the end.</p>
+<p>2. He is substance, and no shadow, and all that love him shall
+inherit substance; for he will fill all their treasures, Prov.
+viii. 21.</p>
+<p>3. Such as embrace him shall not wander, nor be misled; for his
+"mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to his
+lips," Prov. viii. 7. "All the words of his mouth are in
+righteousness, and there is nothing froward or perverse in them,"
+verse 8. "He is wisdom, and dwelleth with prudence, and findeth out
+knowledge of witty inventions," verse 12. "Counsel is his, and
+sound wisdom; he hath understanding and strength," ver. 14.</p>
+<p>4. He will make good all his promises in due time, and give a
+subsistence and a being to them all; for he is the Truth, and the
+Truth must stand to his promises, and fulfil them all.</p>
+<p>5. He will never, nay, "never leave his people, nor forsake
+them," Heb. xiii. 5. He is truth, and cannot deceive; he cannot
+forsake nor disappoint. He is a spring of water, whose waters fail
+not, Isaiah lviii. 11. Therefore they cannot be disappointed in the
+end, and perish, who trust to him.</p>
+<p>6. The truth will make them free, John viii. 32, 36, and so
+deliver them from their state of sin and misery, wherein they lay
+as captives; and from that spiritual bondage and slavery under
+which they were held.</p>
+<p><i>Seventhly</i>. This, to believers, may be a spring of
+consolation in many cases, as,</p>
+<p>1. When error and wickedness seem to prosper and prevail; for
+though it prevail for a time, yet truth will be victorious at
+length, and the truth will overcome all. He is truth, and will
+plead for truth.</p>
+<p>2. When friends, acquaintances, relations, fail them, and father
+and mother forsake them, truth will take them up. He who is the
+truth will answer his name, and never deceive, never forsake.</p>
+<p>3. When riches, honours, pleasures, or what else their heart
+hath being going out after, prove like summer brooks; for the truth
+will be the same to them in all generations; there is no shadow of
+turning with him. The Truth is always truth, and true.</p>
+<p>4. When we fear that either ourselves or others shall fall away,
+in a day of trial, and turn from the truth. Though all men prove
+liars and deceivers, truth will abide the same, and stand out all
+the blasts of opposition.</p>
+<p>5. When unbelief would make us question the truth of the
+promises, the faith of his being truth itself, and the truth, even
+truth in the abstract, would shame unbelief out of countenance.
+Shall truth fail? Shall not the Truth be true? What a contradiction
+were that?</p>
+<p>6. When we know not how to answer the objections of Satan, and
+of a false treacherous heart; for truth can easily answer all
+cavils; and he who is the truth can repel all objections against
+truth. Truth is impregnable, and can stand against all.</p>
+<p>7. When we cannot know, nor discover the wiles and subtilty of
+Satan. Truth can discover the depths of Satan, and make the poor
+soul more acquaint with them; so that they shall not any more be
+ignorant of his devices, who look to him.</p>
+<p>8. When the thoughts of the deceitfulness of our hearts trouble
+us, the depth whereof we cannot search. This then may comfort us,
+that truth may search the heart and the reins, Jer. xvii. 9,
+10.</p>
+<p>9. When we cannot tell what our disease and distemper is, and so
+cannot seek suitable remedies, or help from God, O what a comfort
+is it, to know and believe, that he is the truth, with whom we have
+to do, and so knoweth our distemper perfectly, and all its causes
+and symptoms,&mdash;truth cannot be at a stand in discerning our
+disease; so nor can he be ignorant of the fittest and only safest
+cures.</p>
+<p>10. When we know not what to ask in prayer, as not knowing what
+is best for us, it is a comfort to remember that we have to do with
+the Truth, who is perfectly acquainted with all that, and knoweth
+what is best.</p>
+<p>11. When we know not how to answer the calumnies of adversaries,
+it is comfortable to know that he is the truth, that will hear
+truth, when men will not, and will own and stand for the truth,
+when enemies do what they can to darken an honest man's good cause.
+It is comfortable to know, we have the Truth to appeal to, as David
+had, Psalm vii. 17.</p>
+<p>12. When we think on our own covenant-breaking, and dealing
+deceitfully with God, it is comfortable to remember, that though we
+and all men be liars, and deal deceitfully with him, yet he is the
+truth, and will keep covenant for ever; he will not, he cannot deny
+himself, 2 Tim. ii. 13.</p>
+<p><i>Eighthly,</i> Hence we may certainly conclude, that truth,
+which is Christ's cause, shall at length prevail; for he is truth,
+yea, the truth, and so abideth truth; therefore must he prevail,
+and all the mouths of liars must be stopped. So then let us remain
+persuaded, that truth at length shall be victorious, and that the
+cause of Christ shall have the victory. Though,</p>
+<p>1. The enemies of truth, and the cause of Christ, be multiplied,
+and many there be that rise up against it.</p>
+<p>2. These enemies should prosper, and that for along time, and
+carry on their course of error and wickedness with a high hand.</p>
+<p>3. There should be few found to befriend truth, and to own it in
+an evil day.</p>
+<p>4. Yea, many of those that did sometime own it, and plead for
+it, should at length turn their backs upon it, as did Demas.</p>
+<p>5. And such as continue constant and faithful, be loaded with
+reproaches, and pressed under with sore persecution, for adhering
+to truth, and owning constantly the good cause.</p>
+<p>6. Yea, though all things in providence should seem to say, that
+truth shall not rise again, but seem, on the contrary, to conspire
+against the same.</p>
+<p><i>Ninthly,</i> May we not hence read, what should be our way
+and course, in a time when a spirit of error is gone abroad, and
+many are carried off their feet therewith, or when we are doubtful
+what to do, and what side of the dispute to take. O then is the fit
+time for us to employ truth, to live near to him who is the truth,
+to wait on him, and hang upon him, with singleness of heart.</p>
+<p><i>Objection.</i> But many even of his own people do err and
+step aside. <i>Ans.</i> That is true: But yet, (1.) That will be no
+excuse to thee. Nay,(2.) That should make thee fear and tremble
+more. (3.) And it should press thee to lie near to Christ, and to
+wrestle more earnestly with him, for the Spirit of light and of
+truth, and to depend more constantly and faithfully upon him, with
+singleness of heart, and to give up all thy soul and way to him, as
+the God of truth, and as the truth, that thou mayest be led into
+all truth.</p>
+<p><i>Tenthly,</i> This should stir us up to go to him, and make
+use of him as the truth in all cases, wherein we may stand in need
+of truth's hand to help us; and for this cause we should mind those
+particulars:</p>
+<p>1. We should live in the constant conviction of our ignorance,
+blindness, hypocrisy, readiness to mistake and err. This is clear
+and manifest, and proved to be truth by daily experience; yet how
+little is it believed, that it is so with us? Do we see and believe
+the atheism of our hearts? Do we see and believe the hypocrisy of
+our hearts? Are we jealous of them, as we ought to be? O that it
+were so! Let this then be more minded by us.</p>
+<p>2. Let us live in the persuasion of this, that he only, and
+nothing below him, will be able to clear our doubts, dispel our
+clouds, clear up our mistakes, send us light, and manifest truth
+unto us; not our own study, pains, prayers, duties, learning,
+understanding; nor ministers, nor professors, and experienced
+Christians, and the like.</p>
+<p>3. We should be daily giving up ourselves to him, as the truth,
+in all the forementioned respects, and receiving him into our souls
+as such, that we may dwell and abide there: then shall the truth
+make us free; and if the Son make us free, we shall be free indeed,
+John viii. 36.</p>
+<p>4. There should be much single dependence on him for light,
+instruction, direction, and guidance in all our exigencies.</p>
+<p>5. Withal, there should be a waiting on him with patience,
+giving him liberty to take his own way and time, and a leaving of
+him thereunto.</p>
+<p>6. We should by all means guard against such things as are
+hinderances, and will prove obstacles to us in this matter; such
+as,</p>
+<p>(1.) Prejudices against the truth; for then we will undervalue
+light, and reject all the directions and instructions of the
+Spirit, as not agreeing with our prejudicate opinion.</p>
+<p>(2.) A wilful turning away from truth, as these, 2 Tim. iv. 4.
+Titus i. 14.</p>
+<p>(3.) Addictedness to our own judgments and opinions, which
+causeth pertinaciousness, pride, and conceit, as thinking ourselves
+so wise, as that we need no information; and this occasioneth a
+self-confidence.</p>
+<p>(4.) Looking too much unto, and hanging too much upon men, who
+are but instruments, crying them up as infallible, and receiving,
+without further examination, all that they say, not like the
+Bereans, Acts xvii. This is a great hinderance to the receiving of
+truth, and very prejudicial.</p>
+<p>(5.) A neglecting of the use of the means which God hath
+appointed for this end.</p>
+<p>(6.) Or an hanging too much on them, and so misplacing them,
+giving them his room.</p>
+<p>(7.) Leaning too much to our own understanding, wit and
+knowledge, &amp;c.</p>
+<p>(8.) A resisting of the truth, 2 Tim. iii. 8. These and the like
+hinderances should be guarded against, lest they mar our attaining
+to the knowledge of truth.</p>
+<p>7. There should be much of the exercise of prayer, for this is
+the main conduit and mean, through which light is conveyed into the
+soul. There should also be a serious and Christian reading and
+hearing of the word, which is truth, and the word of truth, and the
+Scripture of truth; and those duties should be gone about with,
+(1.) much self-denial; (2.) with much singleness of heart; (3.)
+with much humility; (4.) with much willingness and readiness to be
+instructed; (5.) with much seriousness and earnestness; and, (6.)
+with faith and dependence on God for his blessing and
+breathing.</p>
+<p>8. We should beware of trusting to our own understandings, or to
+the judgments of other men; nor should we look to what suiteth most
+our own humours, nor to what appeareth most specious and plausible,
+for that may deceive us.</p>
+<p>9. We should lie open to the influences and rays of light, by
+exercising faith in earnest desires; as also patient waiting for
+and single looking to him, minding his name and his relations,
+promises, and engagements, and the strengthening of our faith and
+confidence.</p>
+<p>10. We should labour to keep fast whatever he teacheth us by his
+word and Spirit, and not prove leaking vessels. This the apostle
+exhorteth to, Heb. ii. 1, "Therefore we ought to give the more
+earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we
+should let them slip;" yea, and we should be established "in the
+truth," 2 Pet. i. 12.</p>
+<p>11. We should beware of resting on a form of the truth, as those
+did, of whom we read, Rom. ii. 20; and of holding the truth in
+unrighteousness, as those, Rom. i. 18; and of disobeying it, as
+those mentioned in Rom. ii. 8. See also Gal. iii. 1; v. 7.</p>
+<p>12. But on the contrary, we should so receive truth, as that it
+might rule and be master in us, captivate judgment, will, and
+affections, and break out into the practice. And this recommendeth
+several duties, such as,</p>
+<p>(1.) To have the truth in us; while as, if we practise
+otherwise, "the truth is not in us," 1 John i. 8; ii. 4.</p>
+<p>(2.) To be of the truth, as belonging to its jurisdiction,
+power, and command, 1 John iii. 19. John xviii. 37.</p>
+<p>(3.) To do the truth, by having true fellowship with him, 1 John
+i. 6; and "to walk in the truth," 2 John iv. 3. John iv. Psalm
+lxxxvi. 11.</p>
+<p>(4.) To have the loins girt with truth, Eph. i. 14.</p>
+<p>(5.) To receive the love of the truth, 2 Thess. ii. 10.</p>
+<p>(6.) To be instructed of him, "as the truth is in Jesus," Eph.
+iv. 21.</p>
+<p>(7.) To purify the soul in obeying the truth, 1 Pet. ii. 22.</p>
+<p>This shall suffice for clearing up, and applying in the general
+this excellent truth, that Christ is the truth. We shall now come
+and make some more particular use of this precious point, by
+speaking to some particular cases (which we shall instance in, by
+which the understanding Christian may be helped to understand how
+to carry and how to make use of Christ in other the like cases),
+wherein Christ is to be made use of as the truth, and show how
+believers are to make use of him in these cases as the truth.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_XIII." id="CHAPTER_XIII."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIII.</h2>
+<h4>HOW TO MAKE USE OF CHRIST AS THE TRUTH, FOR GROWTH IN
+KNOWLEDGE.</h4>
+<br>
+<p>It is a commanded duty, that we grow in the knowledge of Jesus
+Christ, 2 Pet. iii. 18; and the knowledge of him being life
+eternal, John xvii. 3, and our measure of knowledge of him here
+being but imperfect, for we know but in part, it cannot but be an
+useful duty, and a desirable thing, to be growing in this
+knowledge. This is to walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, to
+be increasing in the knowledge of God, Col. i. 10. Knowledge must
+be added to virtue; and it layeth a ground for other Christian
+virtues, 2 Pet. i. 5, 6. In this knowledge we must not be barren, 2
+Pet. i. 2. And this being so necessary, so desirable, so useful,
+and so advantageous a grace, the believer cannot but desire to have
+more and more of it, especially seeing it is a part of the image of
+God, Col. iii. 10.</p>
+<p>Now it is the truth that must teach them here, first and last.
+"The light of the knowledge of the glory of God must be had in the
+face of Jesus Christ," 2 Cor. iv. 6. The question therefore is, how
+we should make use of Jesus Christ for this end, that we may attain
+to more of this excellent knowledge.</p>
+<p><i>First.</i> It is good to live in the constant conviction of a
+necessity of his teaching us, and this taketh in those
+particulars:</p>
+<p>1. That we should be conscious of our ignorance, even when we
+know most, or think we know most, remembering that the best knoweth
+but in part, 1 Cor. xiii. 9. The more true knowledge we attain to,
+the more will we see and be convinced of our ignorance; because the
+more we know, the more will we discover of the vastness and
+incomprehensibility of that object, which is proposed to our
+knowledge.</p>
+<p>2. That we should remember, how deceitful our hearts are; and
+how ready they are to sit down upon a shadow of knowledge, even
+where we know nothing as we ought to know, 1 Cor. viii. 2; and this
+will keep us jealous and watchful.</p>
+<p>3. And to help forward our jealousy of our own hearts and
+watchfulness, we should remember that our hearts naturally are
+averse from any true and saving knowledge; whatever desire there be
+naturally after knowledge of hidden things out of curiosity; and of
+things natural; or of things spiritual, as natural, for the
+perfection of nature, as might be pretended, whereby in effect
+those that increase knowledge, increase sorrow, Eccl. i. 18. Yet
+there is no inclination after spiritual and saving knowledge, in us
+naturally, but an aversion of heart therefrom.</p>
+<p>4. That we should study and know the absolute necessity of this
+knowledge. How necessary it is for our Christian communion with
+God, and Christian walk with others; how necessary for our right
+improving of dispensations, general and particular; what a noble
+ornament of a Christian it is, and a necessary piece of the image
+of God, which we have lost.</p>
+<p><i>Secondly.</i> Upon these grounds mentioned, we would also be
+convinced of this:</p>
+<p>1. That of ourselves, and by all our natural parts, endowments,
+quickness and sagacity, we cannot attain to this saving knowledge,
+which is a special and saving grace, and so must be wrought in the
+soul by a divine hand, even the mighty power of God. By our private
+study and reading, we may attain to a literal, heady, and
+speculative knowledge, that will puff us up, 1 Cor. viii. 1; but
+thereby shall we never attain to this knowledge, which is
+spiritual, hearty, and practical, and so saving, we must have the
+anointing here, which teacheth us all things, 1 John ii. 27. And of
+this we should be persuaded, that we may look to a higher hand for
+light and instruction.</p>
+<p><i>Thirdly.</i> There should be an eyeing of Christ's furniture
+and fitness for this work of teaching of us, to wit,</p>
+<p>1. An eyeing of him as the substantial wisdom of the Father,
+Prov. viii.</p>
+<p>2. An eyeing of him, as one come out of the bosom of the Father,
+John i. 18; and so sufficiently enabled to acquaint us with the
+mysteries of God for salvation.</p>
+<p>3. An eyeing of him as Mediator, fully endued with all
+necessaries for this piece of his work, and so having received the
+Spirit without measure, for this end, John iii. 34; and as having
+hid in him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, Col. ii. 3;
+and as having all fullness dwelling in him, Col. i. 19; and also
+Isa. xi. 2; lxi. 1,2.</p>
+<p>4. An eyeing of him, as having power to send the Spirit, that
+anointing that teacheth us all things, "and is truth and is no
+lie," 1 John ii. 20-27; not only by way of intercession and
+entreaty, begging it of the Father, John xv. 16, 17; but also
+authoritatively, as conjunct with the Father. The Father sendeth
+him in Christ's name, John xiv. 26; and Christ sendeth him from the
+Father, John xv. 26; and this Spirit of truth which guideth into
+all truth, shall receive of Christ's, and shew it unto us, John
+xvi. 13-15.</p>
+<p><i>Fourthly,</i> There should be an eyeing of Christ's
+readiness, willingness, and engagement to help in this case; and
+this will encourage the soul to go forward. And for this cause we
+would remember those things:</p>
+<p>1. That he standeth obliged to help us with instruction, by
+virtue of his office, as a prophet, a witness, a leader, and a
+commander, Isa. l v. 4.</p>
+<p>2. That he is commissioned of the Father for this end, and so is
+the Father's servant; and is given for "a light to the Gentiles,"
+Isa. xlii. 6; xlix. 6; and the Father is said to speak by him, or
+in him, Heb. i. 1.</p>
+<p>3. That he received his gifts and qualifications for this end
+and purpose, that he might give out and dispense to his members
+according to their necessity; as is clear from Psalm lxviii. 18,
+compared with Eph. iv. 8; what he is said to have received in the
+one place, he is said to have given in the other.</p>
+<p>4. That he hath begun this work already by his Spirit in his
+followers; and therefore standeth engaged to see it perfected; for
+all his works are perfect works.</p>
+<p>5. That he hath a love to his scholars, and a desire to have
+them all thriving, and making progress in knowledge; this being his
+glory who is their master and teacher.</p>
+<p>6. That he laid down ways and means, and a constant course for
+instructing of his people: for,</p>
+<p>(1.) He hath given his word, and settled and established
+ordinances for this end.</p>
+<p>(2.) He hath established a ministry for instructing his people,
+Eph. iv. 8-13.</p>
+<p>(3.) He hath gifted persons for this work of the ministry, 1
+Cor. xii. 4-11.</p>
+<p>(4.) He maketh these officers, in the faithful administration of
+their function, and through his blessing and Spirit, maketh their
+work prosperous and effectual in his own, as he seeth fit.</p>
+<p><i>Fifthly.</i> There should be an eyeing of the promises of the
+covenant of grace made for this end, whether general or particular,
+or both; such as those which we have, Isa. ii. 9. Hab. ii. 14, "The
+earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord," or of "the
+glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea;" and that, Isa.
+xxxii. 4, "the heart of the rash shall understand knowledge,"
+&amp;c.; and Jer. xxxi, 34, "They shall all know me."</p>
+<p><i>Sixthly.</i> There should be a constant, diligent, serious,
+and single using of the means of knowledge, with a faithful
+dependence on Christ by faith, gripping to him in his relations,
+offices, engagements, and promises, and waiting upon his breathing
+in hope and patience, Psal. xxv. 5.</p>
+<p><i>Seventhly.</i> There should be a guarding against every thing
+that may obstruct this work, and grieve him in it; and therefore we
+would beware,</p>
+<p>1. To undervalue and have a little esteem of knowledge; for this
+will grieve him; and (to speak so) put him from work.</p>
+<p>2. To misimprove any measure of knowledge he giveth.</p>
+<p>3. To weary of the means and ordinances whereby he useth to
+convey knowledge into the soul.</p>
+<p>4. To limit the holy One of Israel to this or that mean, to this
+or that time, or to this or that measure, who should have a
+latitude as to all these.</p>
+<p>5. To despise the day of small things, because we get not
+more.</p>
+<p>6. To be too curious in seeking after the knowledge of hidden
+mysteries, the knowledge whereof is not so necessary.</p>
+<p>7. To lean too much unto, and to depend too much upon the
+ordinances, or instruments, as if all, or any thing, could come
+from them.</p>
+<p><i>Eighthly.</i> There should be a right improving of any
+measure of knowledge we get to his glory, and to the edification of
+others, with humility and thankfulness, and so a putting of that
+talent in use, to gain more to his glory. Whatever measure of
+knowledge we get, we should in all haste, put it into practice, and
+set it to work; so shall it increase, and engage him to give
+more.</p>
+<p><i>Ninthly.</i> There should be a lying open to Christ's
+instructions, and to the shinings of the Spirit of light and of
+truth, and a ready receiving of what measure he is pleased to grant
+or infuse. Which includeth those duties, 1. A serious and earnest
+hungering and thirsting after more spiritual knowledge.</p>
+<p>2. A diligent use of every approven mean for this end.</p>
+<p>3. A going about the means with much self-denial, spirituality,
+singleness of heart, and sincerity, looking to and depending upon
+him, who must breathe upon the means, and make them useful.</p>
+<p>4. A greedy receiving, drinking in, and treasuring up in the
+soul what is gotten.</p>
+<p>5. A guarding against selfish and bye-ends, with a single eyeing
+of his glory.</p>
+<p>6. A guarding against pride in the heart, and a studying of
+humility and meekness; for the "meek will he guide in judgment, and
+the meek will he teach his way," Psal. xxv. 9.</p>
+<p>7. A putting of the heart or understanding in his hand, together
+with the truth, that is heard and received, that he may write the
+truth, and cause the heart receive the impression of the truth.</p>
+<p><i>Tenthly.</i> There should be a rolling of the whole matter by
+faith on him, as the only teacher, a putting of the ignorant,
+blockish, averse, and perverse heart, into his hand, that he may
+frame it to his own mind, and a leaving of it there, till he by the
+Spirit, write in it what he thinketh meet, to his own glory and our
+good.</p>
+<p>And sure, were this way followed, growth in knowledge would not
+be so rare a thing as it is.</p>
+<br>
+<p>CAUTIONS.</p>
+<p>For further direction and caution in this matter, the believer
+would take notice of these particulars:</p>
+<p>1. That he should not sit down upon any measure of knowledge he
+hath attained to, or can attain to here, as if he had enough, and
+should labour for no more; but he should still be minding his duty
+of seeking, and pressing for more.</p>
+<p>2. Whenever he is about any mean of knowledge, such as
+preaching, reading, conference, &amp;c. his heart should be only
+upon Christ. He should be hanging on his lips for a word of
+instruction; and with greediness looking for a word from his mouth;
+he should be sending many posts to heaven, many ejaculatory desires
+for light and understanding, and that with singleness and
+sincerity, and not for base ends, or out of hypocrisy.</p>
+<p>3. Let him not think, that there is no growth in knowledge,
+because possibly he perceiveth it not, or is not satisfied as to
+the measure thereof; yea, though possibly he perceive more
+ignorance, than ever he did before. If he grow in the knowledge of
+his own ignorance, it is a growth of knowledge not to be despised;
+and in a manner, what can we else know of God, but that he far
+transcendeth all our knowledge, and that he is an incomprehensible
+one, in all his ways.</p>
+<p>4. Let him not think, that there is no growth in knowledge,
+because he perceiveth not a growth in the knowledge of such or such
+a particular, which he desireth most; for if there be a truth in
+the knowledge of other particulars, necessary to be known, there is
+no reason to complain. If one grow not, as he supposeth, in the
+knowledge of God, and of the mysteries of the gospel; yet if he
+grow in the discovery of the treachery and wickedness of his own
+heart, he cannot say that he groweth not in knowledge.</p>
+<p>5. Let him not measure his growth in knowledge, by his growth in
+the faculty of speaking and discoursing of such or such points of
+religion; many measure their knowledge by their tongue, and think
+they know little, because they can express little; and so they
+think they attain to no increase or growth in knowledge, because
+they perceive no increase or growth in this faculty of discoursing,
+and talking of such or such points of truth. It is safer to measure
+their knowledge by the impression that the truth hath on their
+spirits, and the effects of it on all their carriage, than by their
+ability and skill to talk and dispute of it.</p>
+<p>6. Let them beware to imagine, that they shall be able to search
+out the Almighty unto perfection, "Canst thou (said Zophar, Job.
+xi. 7, 8, 9.) by searching find out God? canst thou find out the
+Almighty unto perfection? He is as high as heaven, what canst thou
+do? deeper than hell, what canst thou know? The measure thereof is
+longer than the earth, and broader than, the sea." Or that they
+shall be able ever to win to the bottom of their own false
+deceitful heart, which, as Jeremiah saith, chap. xvii. 9, "Is
+deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know
+it?" and which it is God's prerogative alone to search and try,
+ver. 10. Neither let them think, so long as they are here, to win
+to an exact and perfect knowledge of the mysteries of God, wherein
+is the manifold wisdom of God, Eph. iii. 10, which very
+principalities and powers in heavenly places are learning; and
+which the angels are poring and looking into with desire, 1 Pet. i.
+12. There is no perfection in knowledge to be had here; for here
+the best but knoweth in part, and prophesieth in part, 1 Cor. xiii.
+4.</p>
+<p>7. Let them not think that every one shall have the same measure
+of knowledge; every one hath not the like use for it, or the like
+capacity for it. There is a measure proportioned to every one; they
+should not then complain, because they have not such a measure of
+knowledge as they perceive in some others. It may be, the Lord hath
+some harder piece of service, which calleth for more knowledge, to
+put others to. Let every one then mind his duty faithfully and
+conscientiously, and let him not quarrel with God, that he
+attaineth not to such a measure of knowledge as he seeth others
+attain unto.</p>
+<p>8. Neither let them think, that the same measure is required of
+all. For more is required of some, by reason of their office and
+charge in the house of God, being called to teach and instruct
+others; and so more is required of such, as have larger capacities,
+and a better faculty of understanding than others, who naturally
+are but of a narrow reach, and of a shallow capacity. More also is
+required of such as live under plain, powerful, and lively
+ordinances, and under a more powerful and spiritual dispensation of
+the grace of God, than of others that want such advantages. So
+likewise, more is required of old Christians than of new beginners;
+old men, of much and long experience, should know more than such as
+are but babes in Christ and but of yesterday.</p>
+<p>9. Let their desires run out after that knowledge, not which
+puffeth up,&mdash;for there is a knowledge which puffeth up, 1 Cor.
+viii. 1,&mdash;but which humbleth, and driveth the soul farther
+from itself and nearer to Christ.</p>
+<p>10. They should carefully distinguish betwixt the gift of
+knowledge and the grace of knowledge: That ordinarily puffeth up,
+this humbleth; that bringeth not the soul to Jesus, this doth; that
+is but a form, Rom. ii. 20, and doth not retain God, Rom. i. 28,
+this is a real thing, laying hold on God and holding him fast,
+having the fear of the Lord for its principle, for this "fear of
+the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," Job. xxviii. 28. Psalm cxi.
+10. Prov. i. 7, and ix. 10.; that lieth most in the head, and
+venteth most in discourses, words, yea, and sometimes vanisheth
+into vain notions, but this goeth down to the heart, and lodgeth
+there and appeareth in the man's walk and conversation; as these
+two would be distinguished, so the one would not be measured by the
+other.</p>
+<p>11. When they do not profit indeed, let them beware of
+quarrelling with Christ, or of blaming him in any manner of way;
+but let them lay the blame of their shortcoming on themselves, for
+not making more use of him by faith and single dependence upon him.
+It is true, none will be so bold as in words to quarrel with or
+blame him; yet the heart is deceitful and tacitly may raise and
+foment such thoughts of him and his dispensations, as can pass
+under no other notion than a quarrelling with him. Now these would
+be guarded against.</p>
+<p>12. Beware of urging for, or expecting immediate revelation, or
+extraordinary manifestations. For we should not tempt the Lord, nor
+set limits to him, neither should we prescribe means and ways to
+him,&mdash;we must be satisfied with the ordinary means which he
+hath appointed, and wait at wisdom's doors, with our ears nailed to
+his posts.</p>
+<p>13. Whatever point of truth they learn, or whatever measure of
+knowledge they get, they would do well to give that back again to
+Christ, to keep for them against a time of need; and wait on him
+for grace to improve it for his glory.</p>
+<p>14. Let them beware of minding things too high, Psalm cxxxi. 1.
+It is better to fear, and to stand in awe, and to seek to lay the
+foundations well, to get the saving knowledge of things necessary
+to salvation. This will yield most peace and satisfaction.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_XIV." id="CHAPTER_XIV."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIV.</h2>
+<h4>HOW TO MAKE USE OF CHRIST, AS TRUTH, FOR COMFORT, WHEN TRUTH IS
+OPPRESSED AND BORN DOWN.</h4>
+<br>
+<p>There is another difficulty, wherein believing souls will stand
+in need of Christ, as the truth, to help them; and that is, when
+his work is overturned, his cause borne down, truth condemned, and
+enemies, in their opposition to his work, prospering in all their
+wicked attempts. This is a very trying dispensation, as we see it
+was to the holy penman of Psalm lxxiii. for it made him to stagger,
+so that his feet were almost gone, and his steps had well nigh
+slipt; yea he was almost repenting of his being a godly person,
+saying, ver. 13, "Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and
+washed my hands in innocency." It was something like this, which
+made Jeremiah say, chap. viii. 18, "When I would comfort myself
+against sorrow, my heart is faint in me." The harvest was past, and
+the summer was ended, and yet they were not saved, ver. 20; and
+they looked for peace, but no good came, and for a time of health,
+but behold trouble, ver. 15&mdash;and this was fainting and
+vexatious. And what made Baruch, Jeremiah's faithful companion in
+tribulation, say, "Woe is me now! for the Lord hath added grief to
+my sorrow; I fainted in my sighing, and I find no rest," Jer. xlv.
+3, but this, that all things were turning upside down. God was
+breaking down that, which he had built; and plucking up that which
+he had planted. Tribulation and suffering for a good cause, is even
+fainting to some; as the Apostle hinteth, Ephes. iii. 13, when he
+says, wherefore, "I desire that ye faint not at my tribulation for
+you." And that which evinceth the danger of this dispensation, is
+the fainting and backsliding of many, in such a time of trial, as
+sad experience too often cleareth.</p>
+<p>Now the believer's stay in this case, must be the Rock of Ages,
+Jesus the Truth. It is he alone who can keep straight and honest in
+such a reeling time. So that a sight of Christ as the Truth, in
+reference to the carrying on of truth in the earth, and advancing
+his cause and work, will be the only support of a soul shaken by
+such a piece of trial.</p>
+<p>But the question is, how should believers make use of Christ, in
+such a time, to the end they may be kept from fainting and
+succumbing in such a storm? To which I answer, that the faith and
+consideration of those particulars would help to establishment:</p>
+<p>1. That Christ, in all this great work of redemption, and in
+every piece of it, is the Father's servant. So is he frequently
+called, "his servant," Isa. xlii. 1; xlix. 3, 5, 6; lii. 13; and
+liii. 11. Zech. iii. 8; and therefore this work is a work intrusted
+to him, and he standeth engaged as a servant, to be faithful to his
+trust. Moreover add to this, that he hath a commission to perfect
+that work; and we need not doubt, but he who is the truth will be
+true to his trust. "Him hath God the Father sealed," John vi. 27;
+and he often tells us himself, that he is "sent of the Father,"
+John iv. 34; v. 23, 24, 30, 36, 37; vi. 38, 39, 40, 44, 57; viii.
+16, 18; xii. 44, 45, 49; vii. 16; ix. 4; x. 36; and xi. 42.</p>
+<p>2. That while he was upon the earth, he finished that work that
+was committed to him to finish here, having purchased all that was
+to be bought by his blood, paying all the price that justice did
+ask, John xvii. 4; xix. 30. By which price he hath purchased a
+people to himself, Rev. v. 9. Luke i. 68. So that his work, cause,
+and interest, is a purchased work bought with his blood.</p>
+<p>3. That his resurrection and glorification is an undoubted proof
+of this, that justice is satisfied, and that the price is fully
+paid; and also that his exaltation at the Father's right hand is a
+sure evidence and ground of hope, that he shall at last triumph
+over all his enemies, and that his work of truth shall prosper. The
+Father said to him, Psalm cx. 1, "Sit thou on my right hand, until
+I make thine enemies thy footstool." Being highly exalted, he hath
+got "a name above every name: that at his name every knee should
+bow, of things in heaven and things in earth, and things under the
+earth; and that every tongue should confess, that Jesus Christ is
+Lord, to the glory of God the Father," Phil. ii. 9, 10, 11.</p>
+<p>4. That the Father standeth engaged to make good to him all that
+was promised, and to give him all that he purchased, Isa. liii. 10,
+11, 12. Christ, having now fulfilled his undertaking, by making his
+soul an offering for sin, and so satisfying justice, which is
+openly declared by his resurrection, and admission to glory, as the
+head of his elect, is to expect the accomplishment of what was
+conditioned unto him. His work, therefore, on the earth must
+prosper; and the Father hath undertaken to see it prosper. Surely
+the faith of this would much support a poor soul, staggering at the
+thoughts of the prosperity of the wicked, and of their evil
+cause.</p>
+<p>5. That Christ himself is now thoroughly furnished and enabled
+for the carrying on of his work, over the belly of all adversaries,
+for all power in "Heaven and earth is given to him," Matt. xxviii.
+18; "and every knee must bow to him," Phil. ii. 10; "all judgment
+is committed unto him," John v. 22, 27; "angels, powers, and
+authority are made subject unto him," 1 Pet. iii. 22; "yea, all
+things are under him," Eph. i. 22. How then can his work miscarry;
+or who can hinder, that truth should flourish on the earth?</p>
+<p>6. That Christ is actually at work, employing this power for the
+carrying forward of his design, for the glory of the Father, and
+for his own glory, and for the good of his poor people. The Father
+worked by him, and he by the Spirit, which is his great Vicegerent,
+sent from the Father, and from him, and his work is to glorify the
+Son, and he shall receive of his, and show it unto us, John xvi.
+14.</p>
+<p>7. That Christ, upon many accounts, standeth engaged to perfect
+this work which he hath begun and is about. His honour is engaged
+to go through, seeing now he is fully furnished for it, and hath
+all the creation at his command. He must then perfect his work, as
+to the application, as well as he did perfect it as to the
+purchase. His love to his Father's and his own glory, and to his
+own people's good and salvation, may assure us, that he will not
+leave the work unperfected; and his power and furniture may give us
+full security, that no stop which his work meeteth with shall be
+able to hinder it.</p>
+<p>8. That hence it is clear and manifest, that his wheel is in the
+midst of the wheels of men, and that therefore he is ordering all
+their motions and reelings to the best. His wheel keepeth an even
+pace, and moveth equally and equitably in the midst of men's
+contrary motions.</p>
+<p>9. And that, therefore, all the eccentric and irregular motions
+of devils and wicked men being in his hand, and ordered by him,
+cannot hinder, but further his end; so that even enemies, while
+opposing and seeking to destroy the cause and interest of Christ,
+that his name and truth should no more be mentioned, are promoving
+his work. His wheel is the great wheel that ordereth all the lesser
+and subordinate wheels, whatever contrary motions they may have the
+one to the other, and all or many of them may seem to have to this
+great wheel; so that, do they what they will, the work of our Lord
+goeth on. Their opposition is setting his work forward, though they
+intend the contrary; however their faces look, they row to the port
+he would be at. This is an undoubted truth, and confirmed in all
+ages, and yet is not firmly believed; and a truth it is, which, if
+believed, would do much to settle our staggering souls in a stormy
+day.</p>
+<p>10. That at last he shall come "to be glorified in his saints,"
+2 Thess. i. 10; "when he shall be revealed from heaven with all his
+mighty angels," verse 7. Then shall it be seen whose counsel shall
+stand, his or men's; and whose work shall prosper, his or
+Satan's.</p>
+<br>
+<p>CAUTIONS.</p>
+<p>Yet, let me add a few words, for caution and direction here.</p>
+<p>1. The consideration of these things mentioned should not make
+us slacken our diligence in prayer and other duties; and when they
+are aright considered, they will rather prove a spur and a goad in
+our side to set us forward, than a bridle to hold us back.</p>
+<p>2. We would not think that Christ's work and interest is going
+backward always, when it seemeth so to us. Even when he is casting
+down what he hath built up, and plucking up what he hath planted,
+his work is prospering, for all that is in order to the laying of a
+better foundation, and to the carrying on of a more glorious work,
+when he shall lay all the stones with fair colours, and the
+foundations with sapphires, and make the windows of crystal,
+&amp;c. Isa. liv. 11,12.</p>
+<p>3. Though his work be always going on, and his truth prospering,
+yet we would not think that it will always prosper alike in our
+apprehensions; many times we judge by rules of our own making, and
+not by the rule of truth, and hence it is that we mistake
+oftentimes. We walk little by faith, and too much by sense; and
+hence we judge too much by sense, and so pass a wrong judgment, to
+his dishonour, and the saddening of our own hearts.</p>
+<p>4. Nor would we think that his truth and interest is ruined and
+gone, because it is sore oppressed in this or that particular place
+of the world; as if his work were not of an universal extent, and
+in all the churches. If his truth thrive and prosper in some other
+place of the world, shall we not say, that his kingdom is coming?
+Or shall we limit all his work and interest to one small part of
+the world?</p>
+<p>5. We would not think the worse of his work because it is
+carried on with so many stops, and doth meet with so many
+impediments in its way. We are not acquainted with the depths of
+his infinite wisdom and counsel; and so we see not what noble ends
+he hath before him, in suffering those impediments to lie in the
+way of his chariot. We think he should ride so triumphantly all
+along, that none should once dare to cast the least block in his
+way. But we judge carnally, as unacquainted with the many noble and
+glorious designs which he hath in ordering matters. As himself was
+for a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence, so will he have the
+way of the carrying on of his work prove, in his holy and spotless
+justice, a stumbling-stone to many that shall stumble thereat, and
+fall, and never rise any more.</p>
+<p>6. We should beware to think that Christ hath forgotten his
+work, because he seemeth to take no notice of our prayers, which we
+are putting up now and then for his work. He may be doing that
+which we are desiring in the general, and yet not let us know that
+he is answering our prayers; and that for wise and holy ends, to
+keep us humble and diligent. He may seem to disregard our suits,
+and yet be carrying on his work, and granting us our desires upon
+the matter.</p>
+<p>7. Hence we should beware of desponding, and growing heartless
+and faint, when we see few owning truth, or standing upon Christ's
+side; for he needeth not man's help to carry on this work, though
+he sometimes thinketh good to condescend so far as to honour some
+to be instrumental in setting of it forward, who yet have nothing
+but as he giveth; let us not then think, that his work cannot
+prosper because great ones and mean ones oppose it, and such as
+should stand for it and own it, are few and fainting, without
+strength, courage, or zeal.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_XV." id="CHAPTER_XV."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XV.</h2>
+<h4>HOW TO MAKE USE OF CHRIST FOR STEADFASTNESS, IN A TIME WHEN
+TRUTH IS OPPRESSED AND BORNE DOWN.</h4>
+<br>
+<p>When enemies are prevailing, and the way of truth is evil spoken
+of, many faint, and many turn aside, and do not plead for truth,
+nor stand up for the interest of Christ, in their hour and power of
+darkness: many are overcome with base fear, and either side with
+the workers of iniquity, or are not valiant for the truth, but
+being faint-hearted, turn back. Now the thoughts of this may put
+some who desire to stand fast, and to own him and his cause in a
+day of trial, to enquire how they shall make use of Christ, who is
+the truth, so as to be enabled to stand in the day of temptation,
+and keep fast by truth when it is loaded with reproaches, and
+buried under an heap of obloquy. For satisfaction to this question,
+I shall shortly point out those directions which, if followed, may
+prove helpful to keep the soul from fainting, misbelieving,
+doubting, quarrelling at the Lord's dispensations, and from
+yielding to the temptations in such a day.</p>
+<p>1. The believer should live in the conviction of his hazard
+through the sleight of Satan, the strength of temptation, the
+wickedness and treachery of the heart, the evil example of others,
+and the want of sanctified courage, zeal, and resolution; and this
+will keep the soul humble, and far from boasting of its own
+strength, which was Peter's fault.</p>
+<p>2. They should live in the faith and persuasion of this, that it
+is Christ alone who is the truth, who can help them to stand for
+truth in a day of temptation; and that all their former purposes,
+vows, resolutions, solemn professions, and the like, will prove but
+weak cables to hold them fast in a day of a storm; and that only
+the rock of ages must save them; and their being a leeward of him,
+and partaking of his warm and safe protection, will do their
+business. That all their stock of grace and knowledge, and that
+confirmed with resolutions and sincere purposes, will help but
+little in that day; and that new influences of grace and truth,
+from the fountain, that is full of grace and truth, will only prove
+establishing to the soul, and confirm it in the truth in that
+day.</p>
+<p>3. Therefore they should eye Christ in his offices, particularly
+as the great prophet who can teach as never man taught; so teach as
+to make the soul receive the doctrine, and to hold it fast&mdash;to
+receive it in love, and lay it up in the heart as a rich and
+enriching treasure.</p>
+<p>4. They should eye him in his relations unto his people, as
+their head, husband, brother, leader, commander, captain, &amp;c.;
+for those give ground of approaching unto him with confidence in
+the day of darkness and mists, for light and direction, and for
+strength and courage in the day of temptation; and give ground of
+hope of help in that day of trial and difficulty.</p>
+<p>5. They should eye and act faith upon the promises of assistance
+and through-bearing, in the day of calamity; such as
+those&mdash;Isa. xliii. 2, "When thou passest through the waters, I
+will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow
+thee; when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burnt;
+neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." And Isaiah xli. 13, "For
+I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, fear
+not, I will help thee." And particularly they would eye the
+promises of light in the day of darkness, Isaiah lviii. 8, 10; lx.
+20. 2 Sam. xxii. 29.</p>
+<p>6. They should look on Christ as an exalted conqueror, now risen
+and glorified; as a victorious captain that hath fought and
+overcome, that they, as his followers, may be made partakers of his
+victory and conquest, and so reap the fruit of his resurrection and
+ascension, in their establishment in the truth, when it is borne
+down and questioned, yea, and condemned by men. He abode steadfast
+and immoveable in the midst of all the storms that blew in his
+face; and as he came to bear witness to the truth, so did he
+faithfully and zealously avow truth, even to the death; and in
+death got the victory of the arch liar and deceiver. Now the
+believer should eye this, for the strengthening of his faith and
+hope of victory also, through him; and therefore would wait
+patiently for his help, and not make haste; for they who believe
+make not haste, Isaiah xxviii. 16, knowing that he is true and
+faithful, and will not disappoint his followers that trust in him.
+And moreover it would be of advantage to them in this case, to eye
+that gracious and comfortable word, John xiv. 19, "because I live,
+ye shall live also;" and so by faith conclude, that seeing Christ
+now liveth as a conqueror over darkness, untruth, reproaches,
+calumnies, and opposition of liars, yea, of the father of lies,
+they through him shall also live, and ride out that storm; and this
+will give much courage to the soul to endure temptation, and to
+wait in patience for an outgate.</p>
+<p>7. They should study much, and suck at the grand promise of his
+coming again, and of finally dispelling all clouds, and of fully
+clearing up his glorious truths, that are now covered over with
+obloquy, and buried under reproaches; and this will encourage the
+soul to stand to truth in the midst of opposition, believing, that
+at length, truth, how much soever opposed now, shall be
+victorious.</p>
+<p>8. They should be single in their dependence on him, for
+strength and through-bearing, in that day of trial&mdash;not
+leaning to their own understanding, but acknowledging him in all
+their ways, Prov. iii. 8; and when they see no hope of outgate in
+the world, nor appearance of the clearing up of the day, they would
+comfort themselves, and encourage themselves in the Lord, as David
+did in a great strait, 1 Sam. xx. 6.</p>
+<p>9. Upon the forementioned grounds they would cast all the care
+of their through-bearing on him, who careth for them, 1 Pet. v.
+7&mdash;rolling all their difficulties on him&mdash;consulting only
+with him and his word, and not with flesh and blood; and so they
+would commit their ways to him, who disposeth of all things as he
+seeth good; forbearing to limit the Holy One of Israel, or to
+quarrel with him for any thing he doth; and patiently wait for his
+outgate and delivery.</p>
+<p>10. It were good, in this time of trial, to be remembering the
+worth of truth, and entertaining high thoughts of the smallest
+piece of truth that is questioned, for his sake, who is the truth;
+that a sight of the glorious worth thereof, may make them account
+the less of all they can lose in the defence and maintenance
+thereof.</p>
+<p>11. So were it good at this time, when truths come to be
+questioned, to be lying near to the truth, for light, and to be
+keeping fast, what he by his Spirit cleareth up to be truth, though
+the light should not be so full as to dispel all objections. This
+were to depend upon him for light, with singleness of heart; and in
+godly simplicity and sincerity to follow his direction and torch,
+though it should not shine so bright as they could wish.</p>
+<br>
+<p>CAUTIONS.</p>
+<p>A few words of caution will be useful here also; as,</p>
+<p>1. The believer, though taking this course, would not think to
+be altogether free of fear of stepping aside, in less or in more.
+God may think good to let much of this abide, to the end he may be
+kept watchful, tender, and diligent; for fear maketh the soul
+circumspect and watchful; and this is a good preservative from
+defection.</p>
+<p>2. Nor would the believer think, that hereby he shall be kept
+altogether free of fainting. The heart, now and then, through fear
+and misbelief, may fall into a fit of fainting, and think all is
+gone; and yet he may carry poor souls through, and make his
+strength perfect in their wickedness, 2 Cor. xii. 9; that when they
+are supported and carried through the temptation, they may sing
+praise to him, and not ascribe any thing to
+themselves&mdash;remembering how often they were fainting, and
+almost giving over the cause as desperate and hopeless.</p>
+<p>3. They would not think it strange, if, in the time of their
+wrestling with difficulties, the Lord hide his face from them, and
+give not them that joyful access unto him in prayer, that sometimes
+they have met with; for the Lord may see it fit to put them to this
+point of trial among the rest, to see if the love of his glory and
+truth will keep them standing, when they want the encouragement
+that might be expected in that way; and if pure conscience to the
+command and authority of God, will keep from siding with an evil
+way, when the soul is destitute of all sensible encouragement, both
+from within and from without.</p>
+<p>4. In all this business believers should carry singly with an
+eye to God's glory; and should not be acted with self-ends, or
+drawn by carnal and selfish motives. They should not desire
+stability and through-bearing to be seen of men, or to gain
+applause and praise of men; lest God be provoked to leave them to
+themselves, and they at length come off with discredit, as did
+Peter. Therefore they should strive against these carnal motions of
+the heart, and labour for spirituality, singleness of heart, and
+truth in the inward parts, which the Lord desireth, Psalm li.
+6.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_XVI." id="CHAPTER_XVI."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVI.</h2>
+<h4>HOW TO MAKE USE OF CHRIST AS THE TRUTH, WHEN ERROR PREVAILETH,
+AND THE SPIRIT OF ERROR CARRIETH MANY AWAY.</h4>
+<br>
+<p>There is a time when the spirit of error is going abroad, and
+truth is questioned, and many are led away with delusions. For
+Satan can change himself into an angel of light, and make many
+great and fairlike pretensions to holiness, and under that pretext
+usher in untruths, and gain the consent of many unto them; so that
+in such a time of temptation many are stolen off their feet, and
+made to depart from the right ways of God, and to embrace error and
+delusions instead of truth. Now the question is, how a poor
+believer shall make use of Christ, who is the truth, for keeping
+him steadfast in the truth, in such a day of trial, and from
+embracing of error, how plausible soever it may appear. For
+satisfaction to this we shall propose these few things:</p>
+<p>1. In such a time, when a spirit of error is let loose and
+rageth, and carrieth several away, it were good for all who would
+be kept straight and honest, to be walking in fear. It is not good
+to despise such a sly and subtle enemy, especially in the hour and
+power of darkness. Then all are called to be on their guard, and to
+stand upon their watch-tower, and to be jealous of their corrupt
+hearts, that are ready enough of their own accord to drink in
+error, and to receive the temptation at any time; and much more
+then.</p>
+<p>2. They should not think that their knowledge and ability to
+dispute for truth, will keep them steadfast, if there be not more;
+for if the temptation grow, they may come to reason and dispute
+themselves out of all their former knowledge and skill. The father
+of lies is a cunning sophister, and knoweth, how to shake their
+grounds and cast all loose.</p>
+<p>3. They should renew their covenant grips of Christ, and make
+sure that main business, viz. their peace and union with God in
+Christ, and their accepting of Christ for their head and husband.
+They would labour to have the foundation sure, and to be united
+unto the chief corner-stone, that so blow the storm as it will,
+they may ride safely; and that hereby they may have access to
+Christ with boldness, in their difficulty, and may with confidence
+seek light from him in the hour of darkness.</p>
+<p>4. To the end they may be kept more watchful and circumspect,
+they should remember, that it is a dishonourable thing to Christ,
+for them to step aside, in the least matter of truth; the denying
+of the least point of truth is a consequential denying of him who
+is the truth; and to loose a foot in the matters of truth is very
+dangerous; for who can tell when they who once slip a foot shall
+recover it again? And who can tell how many, and how dreadful
+errors they may drink in, who have once opened the door to a small
+error? Therefore they should beware of tampering in this matter,
+and to admit any error, upon the account that it is a small and
+inconsiderable one. There may be an unseen concatenation betwixt
+one error and another, and betwixt a small one and a greater one,
+so as if the little one be admitted and received, the greater shall
+follow; and it may be feared that if they once dally with error,
+and make a gap in their consciences, that God will give them up to
+judicial blindness, that, ere all be done, they shall embrace that
+opinion which sometime they seemed to hate as death.</p>
+<p>5. They should eye the promises suiting that cause; viz. the
+promises of God's guiding "the blind by a way which they know not:
+of making darkness light before them, and crooked things straight,"
+Isa. xlii. 16; and of "guiding continually," Isa. lviii. 11; see
+also Isa. xlix. 10.; lvii. 18.; and they would act faith on these
+and the like promises, as now made sure by Jesus.</p>
+<p>6. Particularly, they should fix their eye upon that principal
+promise, of the Spirit of truth, to guide into all truth, John xvi.
+13.</p>
+<p>7. With singleness of heart they should depend on Christ, and
+wait for light from him, and beware of prejudice at the truth; with
+singleness of heart they should lie open to his instructions, and
+to the influences of his light and direction, and receive in the
+beams of his divine light; and thus go about duties, viz. prayer,
+conference, preaching, reading, &amp;c. with an eye fixed on him,
+and with a soul open to him, and free of all sinful pre-engagement
+and love to error.</p>
+<p>8. With singleness of heart, they should give up their souls to
+Christ, as the truth, that he would write the truth in their souls,
+and frame their souls unto the truth, and unto that truth which is
+most questioned, and by which they are most in hazard to be drawn
+away; and urge and press him by prayer and supplication to do the
+duty of a head, a husband, guide and commander, &amp;c. unto them;
+and that he would be a light unto them in that day of darkness, and
+not suffer them to dishonour him or prove scandalous to others; by
+departing from the truth and embracing error. A serious
+single-hearted dealing with him upon the grounds of the covenant
+promises and his relations and engagements, might prove steadable
+in this case, if accompanied with a lying open to the influences of
+truth and to the light of information which he is pleased to send
+by the Spirit of truth.</p>
+<br>
+<p>CAUTIONS AND DIRECTIONS.</p>
+<p>For further clearing of this matter, we shall hint at some
+cautions and further directions useful here: such as,</p>
+<p>1. They should beware of thinking that God should come to them
+with light and instruction in an extraordinary manner, and reveal
+the truth of the question controverted somewhat immediately: for
+this were a manifest tempting and limiting of the Holy One of
+Israel. We must be satisfied with the means of instruction which he
+hath provided, and run to the law and to the testimony. We have the
+Scriptures, which are able to make the man of God perfect and
+"thoroughly furnished unto all good works," 2 Tim. iii. 16, 17; and
+to "make wise unto salvation," ver. 15. There must we see light;
+and there must we wait for the breathings of his Spirit with life,
+and coming with light to clear up truth to us: for they are the
+scriptures of truth, Dan. x. 21; and the law of the Lord, which is
+"perfect, converting the soul;" and the commandment of the Lord,
+that is pure, "enlightening the eyes," Psalm xix. 7, 8. We have the
+ministry which God hath also appointed for this end, to make known
+unto us his mind; there must we wait for him and his light. Thus
+must we wait at the posts of wisdom's doors; and wait for the king
+of light in his own way wherein he hath appointed us to wait for
+him. And if he think good to come another way more immediate, let
+him always be welcome; but let not us limit him nor prescribe ways
+to him, but follow his directions.</p>
+<p>2. When any thing is borne in upon their spirit as a truth to be
+received, or as an error to be rejected, more immediately, they
+should beware of admitting of every such thing without trial and
+examination; for we are expressly forbidden to believe every
+spirit, and commanded to try them whether they are of God or not, 1
+John iv. 1. The Lord will not take it ill that even his own
+immediate motions and revelations be tried and examined by the
+word; because the word is given us for this end, to be our test and
+standard of truth. The way of immediate revelation is not the
+ordinary way now of God's manifesting his mind to his people. He
+hath now chosen another way, and given us a more sure word of
+prophesy than was, "even a voice from heaven," as Peter saith, 2
+Pet. i. 18, 19. It is commended in the Bereans, Acts xvii. 11, who
+upon this account were "more noble than those of Thessalonica, in
+that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and
+searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so." Even
+Paul's words, though he was an authorised and an infallible apostle
+of Christ's, are here put to the touch-stone of the word. "Many
+false prophets may go out, and deceive many, and speak great
+swelling words of vanity," 1 John iv. 1; 2 Pet. ii. 18; and the
+devil can transchange himself into an angel of light, 2 Cor. xi.
+14; and though an angel out of heaven should preach any other thing
+than what is in the written word, we ought not to receive his
+doctrine, but to reject it, and to account him accursed, Gal. i. 8.
+So that the written word must be much studied by us; and by it must
+we try all motions, all doctrines, all inspirations, all
+revelations, and all manifestations.</p>
+<p>3. Much more, they should beware of thinking that the dictates
+of their conscience obligeth them, so as that always they must of
+necessity follow the same. Conscience, being God's deputy in the
+soul, is to be followed no further than it speaketh for God and
+according to truth. An erring conscience, though it bind so far as
+that he who doth contrary to the dictates thereof sinneth against
+God, in that, knowing no other than that the dictates of conscience
+are right and consonant to the mind of God, yet dare counteract the
+same, and thus formally rebel against God's authority; yet it doth
+not oblige us to believe and to do what it asserteth to be truth
+and duty. It will not then be enough for them to say, my conscience
+and the light within me speaketh so, and instructeth me so; for
+that light may be darkness, and error, and delusion, and so no rule
+for them to walk by. "To the law and to the testimony," and if
+their conscience, mind, and light within them "speak not according
+to this word, it is because there is no light in them," Isa. viii.
+20. I grant, as I said, they cannot without sin counteract the
+dictates even of an erring conscience, because they know no better
+but that these dictates are according to truth; and thus an erring
+conscience is a most dangerous thing, and bringeth people under a
+great dilemma, that whether they follow it or not, they sin; and
+there is no other remedy here, but to lay by the erring conscience,
+and get a conscience rightly informed by the word; putting it in
+Christ's hand to be better formed and informed, that so it may do
+its office better. This then should be especially guarded against,
+for if once they lay down this for a principle, that whatever their
+conscience and mind, or inward light (as some call it) dictate,
+must be followed, there is no delusion, how false, how abominable
+soever it be, but they may be at length in hazard to be drawn away
+with; and so the rule that they will walk by be nothing in effect
+but the spirit of lies and of delusion, and the motions and
+dictates of him who is the father of lies, that is, the devil.</p>
+<p>4. Such as pretend to walk so much by conscience, should take
+heed that they take not that for the dictate of conscience, which
+really is but the dictates of their own humours, inclinations,
+pre-occupied minds, and biassed wills. When conscience speaketh, it
+groundeth on the authority of God, whether truly or falsely, and
+proposeth such a thing to be done, or to be refrained from, merely
+because God commandeth that, and forbiddeth this, though sometimes
+it mistaketh. But though the dictates of men's humours,
+inclinations, pre-occupied judgments, and wills, may pretend God's
+authority for what they say, yet really some carnal respect,
+selfish end, and the like, lieth at the bottom, and is the chief
+spring of that motion. And also the dictates of humour and biassed
+wills are usually more violent and fierce than the dictates of
+conscience; for wanting the authority of God to back their
+assertions and prescriptions, they must make up that with an
+addition of preternatural force and strength. Hence, such as are
+purely led by conscience, are pliable, humble, and ready to hear
+and receive information; whereas, others are headstrong and
+pertinacious, unwilling to receive instruction, or to hear any
+thing contrary to their minds, lest their conscience, receiving
+more light, speak with a higher voice against their inclinations
+and former ways, and so create more trouble to them; while, as now
+they enjoy more quiet within, so long as the cry of their self-will
+and biassed judgments is so loud, that they cannot well hear the
+still and low voice of conscience.</p>
+<p>5. They should labour for much self-denial and sincerity; and to
+be free from the snares and power of selfish ends, as credit, a
+name, and applause, or what of that kind, that may be like "the
+fear of man that bringeth a snare," Prov. xxix. 25; for that will
+be like a gift that blindeth the eyes of the wise, Exod. xxiii. 8.
+Love to carry on a party, or a design to be seen or accounted
+somebody, to maintain their credit and reputation, lest they be
+accounted changelings and the like, will prove very dangerous in
+this case; for these may forcibly carry the soul away, to embrace
+one error after another, and one error to strengthen and confirm
+another, that it is hard to know where or when they shall stand.
+And these, by respects, may so forcibly drive the soul forward,
+that he shall neither hear the voice of conscience within, nor any
+instruction from without.</p>
+<p>6. They should study the word of truth without prejudice and any
+sinful pre-engagement, lest they be made thereby to wire-draw and
+wrest the word to their own destruction, as some of whom Peter
+speaketh, 2 Pet. iii. 16. It is a dangerous thing to study the word
+with a prejudicate opinion; and to bow or wire-draw the word and
+make it speak what we would have it speak, for the confirmation of
+our opinions and sentiments. For this is but to mock God and his
+law, and to say, let his law speak what it will, I will maintain
+this opinion, and so make the word speak as we would have it, or
+else lay it by. This is to walk by some other rule than the word,
+and to make the word serve our lusts and confirm our errors, than
+which a greater indignity cannot be done to the Spirit of truth
+speaking in the word.</p>
+<p>7. In reading and studying of the word there should be much
+single dependence on the Spirit for light; waiting for clearness
+from him whom Christ hath promised to lead us into all truth. An
+earnest wrestling with him for his assistance, enlightening the
+mind with divine light to understand the truth, and inclining the
+soul to a ready embracing and receiving of the truth declared in
+the word.</p>
+<p>8. Though one place of scripture be enough to confirm any point
+of truth, and ground sufficient for us to believe what is there
+said, there being nothing in scripture but what is truth; yet, in
+such a time of abounding errors, and when many are going abroad
+speaking perverse things to lead the simple away, it were spiritual
+wisdom to be comparing scripture with scripture, and not be lightly
+embracing whatever may seem probable, and fairly deducible from
+some one passage or other of scripture, but to be comparing that
+with other passages and see what concord there is; for this is
+certain, whatever point contradicteth other clear and manifest
+testimonies of scripture cannot be true; however a cunning
+sophister may make it seem very probably to flow out of such or
+such a passage of scripture. The testimony of the Spirit is
+uniform, and free from all contradictions; and therefore we must
+see, if such an assertion, that some would draw from such a
+passage, agree with other plain passages, and if not, be sure that
+is not the meaning of the place. When the devil did wrest and abuse
+that passage of truth, Ps. xci. 11. "He shall give his angels
+charge concerning thee," &amp;c, and from thence would infer, that
+Christ might cast himself down, Matt. iv. 6, Christ shews that this
+inference was bad, because it did not agree with other divine
+testimonies, particularly not with that, Deut. vi. 16, "Thou shalt
+not tempt the Lord thy God." And thereby he teacheth us to take
+this course in times of temptation, and so compare spiritual things
+with spiritual, as Paul speaketh, 1 Cor. ii. 13. Especially they
+should beware of expounding clear scriptures by such as are more
+dark and mysterious; see 2 Pet. iii. 16. It is always safer to
+explain darker passages by such as are more clear.</p>
+<p>9. Let them guard against an humour of new-fangledness,
+nauseating old and solid truths, and seeking after something new,
+having ears itching after new doctrines, yea, or new modes and
+dresses of old truths. For this is provoking to God, and proveth
+dangerous; for such turn away their ears from the truth, and are
+turned into fables, as Paul telleth us, 2 Tim. iv. 3, 4. "For the
+time will come," saith he, "when they will not endure sound
+doctrine, but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves
+teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears
+from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." This savoureth of
+a spirit of levity and inconstancy, which is dangerous.</p>
+<p>10. They should labour to have no prejudice at the truth, but
+receive it in the love of it; lest, for that cause, God give them
+up to strong delusions, to believe lies, and to be led with the
+deceivableness of unrighteousness, as we see, 2 Thess. ii. 10-12,
+"And. with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that
+perish, because they received not the love of the truth, that they
+might be saved; and for this cause God shall send them strong
+delusion that they should believe a lie, that they all might be
+damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in
+unrighteousness."</p>
+<p>11. So should they beware of stifling the truth, of making it a
+prisoner, and detaining it in unrighteousness, like those spoken
+of, Rom. i. 18. "For which cause God them up to uncleanness and
+vile affections, and they became vain in their imaginations, and
+their foolish heart was darkened, yea, professing themselves to be
+wise, they became fools," ver. 21, &amp;c. They should let truth
+have free liberty and power in the soul; and should yield up
+themselves to be ruled and guided by it; and not torture with it,
+lay chains upon it, or fetter it, and keep it as a prisoner that
+can do nothing.</p>
+<p>12. For this cause, they should hold fast the truth which they
+have learned, and have been taught by the Spirit out of the word.
+When Paul would guard and fortify Timothy against seducers, that
+crept into houses, leading captive silly women, &amp;c., among
+other directions gave him this, 2 Tim. iii. 14, 15, "But continue
+thou in the things which thou hast learned, and hast been assured
+of, knowing of whom thou hast learned; and that from a child thou
+hast known the Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto
+salvation," &amp;c. So he would have the Colossians walking in
+Christ, rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith as
+they had been taught, Col. ii. 6, 7.</p>
+<p>13. Especially they would be holding the groundwork
+fast,&mdash;faith in Christ. It were good in such a time of erring
+from the way of truth, to be gripping Christ faster, and cleaving
+to him by faith, and living by faith in him. This is to hold the
+foundation fast; and then let the tempest of error blow as it will,
+they will ride at a sure anchor, and be safe, because fixed upon
+the Rock of Ages; and further, living near Christ in such a
+dangerous day, would be a noble preservative from the infection of
+error. The soul that is dwelling in Christ and gripping to him
+daily by faith, and acting love on him, dwelleth in light, will
+discover error sooner than another, because living under the rays
+of the Sun of Righteousness, which discovereth error.</p>
+<p>14. They should labour to learn the truth, as it is in Jesus;
+and the truths which they have heard of him, and have been taught
+by him, as the truth is in him, will abide, when other truths that
+have been learned but of men, and heard of men, and as it was in
+the preaching of men, and in books, shall soon evanish in a day of
+trial. This is to learn Christ, as the apostle speaketh, Eph. iv.
+20, 21, "But ye have not so learned Christ, if so be that ye have
+heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus."
+When we learn the truth, as it is in Jesus, it bringeth us always
+to him, and hath a tendency to fix our hearts on him, and is a
+piece of the bond that bindeth us to him and his way: we receive it
+then as a piece of his doctrine, which we must own, and stand unto.
+O if we learned all our divinity thus, we would be more constant
+and steadfast in it than we are!</p>
+<p>15. When controversies arise, and they know not which side to
+choose&mdash;both seemeth to them to be alike well founded on the
+word&mdash;they should exercise their spiritual sagacity, and set
+their gift of discerning a work, to see which of the two tendeth
+most to promote piety and godliness, and the kingdom of Christ, and
+so see which of the two is the truth, "which is after godliness,"
+as the apostle speaketh, Tit. i. 1; they must look which of the two
+is the doctrine which is according to godliness, I Tim. vi. 3. That
+is the truth which is Christ's, and which should be owned and
+embraced, viz. which floweth from a spirit of godliness, and
+tendeth to promove godliness, and suiteth with the true principles
+of godliness, even gospel godliness, wrought according to the tenor
+of the covenant of grace; that is, by the strength of the Spirit of
+Jesus, dwelling and working in us, and not according to the tenor
+of the covenant of works, that is, wrought by our own strength,
+&amp;c.</p>
+<p>16. Yet withal they should take heed that they mistake not here;
+for they may look upon some ways and doctrines as having a greater
+tendency to promove godliness than others; which indeed have not,
+but only seem so. They should therefore consider well what is the
+way of godliness laid down in the noble device of the gospel, which
+is the way that only glorifieth God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost;
+and see what suiteth most with that, according to the word, and not
+what seemeth most suitable to godliness in their apprehension. The
+word is the best judge and test of true godliness; and in the word
+we have the only safest mean of true godliness held forth:
+therefore we should see what doctrine tendeth most to promote
+godliness according to the way held forth in the word, and choose
+that.</p>
+<p>17. They should guard against pride and self-conceit, as
+thinking they are wise enough, and understanding enough in those
+matters, and so need not take a lesson of any. This may be of great
+prejudice; for "it is the meek that God guideth in judgment; and to
+the meek will he teach his way," Psalm xxv. 9. Therefore it were
+good for his people in such a day, to be meek and humble, willing
+and ready to learn of any person, how mean soever, that can teach
+the ways of God. The Lord may bless a word spoken by a private
+person, when he will not bless the word spoken by a minister; for
+his blessings are free. And it is not good to despise any mean.
+Apollos, though instructed in the way of the Lord, mighty in the
+Scriptures, fervent in spirit, and teaching diligently the things
+of the Lord, Acts xviii. 24, 25, yet was content to learn of
+Aquila, and of his wife Priscilla, when they expounded unto him the
+way of God more perfectly, ver. 26.</p>
+<p>18. In such a time, it is not unsafe to look to such as have
+been eminent in the ways of God, and lie near to him; for it is
+probable they may know much of the mind of God in those questioned
+matters. Hence we find the apostle putting Timothy and others to
+this duty in a time when false teachers were going abroad, saying,
+2 Tim. iii. 10, "but thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of
+life;" and 1 Cor. iv. 16, "wherefore I beseech you to be followers
+of me;" and 1 Cor. xi. 1; and again, Phil. iii. 17, "brethren, be
+followers together of me." All which say, that though we should
+call no man Rabbi, as hanging our faith absolutely on him, yet in
+such a time of prevailing error and of false teachers going abroad,
+some respect should be had to such as have found grace of the Lord
+to be faithful in times of trial, and have maintained truth, and
+stood for it, in times of persecution, and have with singleness of
+heart followed the Lord; it not being ordinary with God to leave
+such as in sincerity seek him, and desire to follow his way in
+truth and uprightness, and to give the revelation of his mind and
+the manifestation of his Spirit to others, who have not gone
+through such trials.</p>
+<p>19. They should also at such a time be much in the sincere
+practice of uncontroverted duties, and in putting uncontroverted
+and unquestionable and unquestioned truths into practice; and this
+may prove a notable mean to keep them right: for then are they in
+God's way, and so the devil hath not that advantage of them that he
+hath of others who are out of the way of duty. David understood
+more than the ancients, because he kept God's precepts, Psal. cxix.
+100.</p>
+<p>20. It were good and suitable at such a time, to be much in the
+fear of God, remembering what an one he is, and how hazardous it is
+to sin against him, by drinking in the least point of error. The
+promise is made to such, Psalm xxv. 12, "What man is he that
+feareth the Lord, him shall he teach in the way that he shall
+choose."</p>
+<p>21. Finally, at such a time they should be much in communion
+with Jesus, lying near him; much in prayer to him, studying his
+relations, offices, furniture, readiness to help with light and
+counsel; and they should draw near to him with humility, boldness,
+faith, confidence, love, tenderness, and sincerity; and then they
+shall not find that he shall fail them, or disappoint them.</p>
+<p>Enough of this. I proceed therefore to another case, which
+is:</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_XVII." id="CHAPTER_XVII."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVII.</h2>
+<h4>HOW TO MAKE USE OF CHRIST AS THE TRUTH, THAT WE MAY GET OUR
+CASE AND CONDITION CLEARED UP TO US.</h4>
+<br>
+<p>The believer is oft complaining of darkness concerning his case
+and condition, so as he cannot tell what to say of himself, or what
+judgment to pass on himself, and he knoweth not how to win to a
+distinct and clear discovery of his state and condition. Now, it is
+truth alone, and the Truth, that can satisfy them as to this. The
+question then is, how they shall make use of, and apply themselves
+to this truth, to the end they may get the truth of their condition
+discovered to them. But first let us see what this case may be.
+Consider, then,</p>
+<p>1. That grace may be in the soul, and yet not be seen nor
+observed. This is manifest by daily experience.</p>
+<p>2. Not only so, but a gracious soul that is reconciled With God
+in Christ, and hath the spirit of grace dwelling in it, may suppose
+itself a stranger yet unto this reconciliation, and void of the
+grace of God, and so be still in the state of nature.</p>
+<p>3. Yea, a soul may not only suppose and conclude itself in
+nature, while it is in a state of grace, but further, may be filled
+with terror and apprehensions of God's wrath and indignation; and
+that in such a measure, as that thereby it may be as a distracted
+person, as we see it was with Heman, Psalm lxxxviii. 15, who said,
+"while I suffer thy terror, I am distracted." The wrath of God lay
+hard upon him, and he said, that he was afflicted with all God's
+waves, ver. 7. Hence he cried out, vers. 16. 17, "thy fierce wrath
+goeth over me, thy terrors have cut me off, they came round about
+me daily," or all the day, "like water they compassed me about
+together." And yet for all this, the first word of his complaint
+was faith, ver. 1. Many such complaints hear we out of Job's mouth,
+to whom God, notwithstanding, was that gracious, that he never came
+to question his state before God, or to conclude his hypocrisy, or
+his being still in the state of nature. But it is not so with every
+one that is so exercised.</p>
+<p>4. Yea, further, with those inward strokes upon the soul, they
+may have sin and guilt charged upon their consciences; and this
+will make their life yet more bitter, and put a sharper edge upon
+the rods. Thus was Job made to possess the sins of his youth, Job.
+xiii. 26, and made to say, "My transgression is sealed up in a bag,
+and thou sewest up mine iniquity," Job. xiv. 17.</p>
+<p>5. Moreover, they may be in such a condition a long time, and
+all the while have no light of comfort, as we may see in Job and
+Heman. They may even walk in darkness, and have no light of
+comfort, Isa. 1. 10.</p>
+<p>6. Yea, and also be without the hope of a delivery or outgate.
+Hence crieth Heman, Psalm lxxxviii. 4-5, "I am counted with them
+that go down into the pit, free among the dead, like the slain that
+lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more, and they are cut
+off from thine hand." Yea, they may be driven to the very border of
+despair, and conclude that there is no hope, as the church did,
+Ezek. xxxvii. 11, "Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost, and
+we are cut off for our parts;" and as Job, chap. vii. 6, "My days
+are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope;"
+and chap. xix. 10, "He hath destroyed me on every side, and I am
+gone: mine hope hath been removed like a tree."</p>
+<p>Now, though sometimes, as we see in Job, and in Heman too, a
+soul may be under such a sad and sharp dispensation, and yet not
+brought to question their state, or to conclude themselves children
+of wrath, lying still in black nature, yet it is not so with all
+who are so exercised; but many under such a dispensation, may at
+least be in the dark as to their state before God; and if they do
+not positively assert their state to be bad, yet they do much
+question if they be in the state of grace, and would be comforted
+under all their pressures and afflictions, if they could win to the
+least well-grounded apprehension of their interest in Christ.</p>
+<p>In such a case as this is, there is ground for a poor soul to
+make use of Christ for outgate; and an outgate may be had in God's
+time, and as he seeth fit, by a right use-making of and going out
+to him, who is the Truth. So, then, the soul that would have its
+state and condition cleared up, and a discovery of its being
+reconciled to God through Jesus, and in a state of grace, and would
+make use of Christ as the Truth, for this end, would,</p>
+<p>(1.) Look out to Christ, as a feeling High Priest, faithful and
+merciful, who, being like us in all things, except sin, doth
+sympathise with, and succour such as are tempted, Heb. ii. 17, 18.
+And as a Priest, "that is touched with the feeling of our
+infirmities," Heb. iv. 15. Albeit Christ, in the deepest of his
+darkness, was never made to question his Sonship, but avouched God
+to be his God even when he was forsaken, Psalm xxii. 1. Matt,
+xxvii. 46. Mark xv. 34. Yet he knew what it was to be tempted, to
+question his Sonship, when the devil said unto him, Matt. iv. 3,
+"If thou be the Son of God;" and he knows what such a distress as
+he himself was into, wrestling with an angry God, hiding himself
+and forsaking, will work in a poor sinner; and being a merciful and
+sympathising High Priest, he cannot but pity such as are under such
+a distemper, and, as a gracious Head, sympathise with them. Now,
+the believer would look out to him as such an one, and upon this
+ground go to him with confidence and boldness, and lay out their
+case before him, that he may help and send relief:</p>
+<p>(2.) They would also eye Christ as able to save out of that
+condition, and to command light to shine out of darkness; and so,
+as one "able to save to the uttermost all that come to God through
+him," Heb. vii. 25.</p>
+<p>(3.) And not only so, but eye him also as given, sent, and
+commissioned of the Father, to be a light to such as sit in
+darkness; even to the Gentile. Isa. xlii. 6, and xlix. 6. Luke ii.
+32. Acts xiii. 47; xxvi. 23. John viii. 12; and this will encourage
+the poor souls to go out to him with their darkness, when they see
+that he is sent as a Light and as the Truth, to clear up poor souls
+that walk in darkness and have no light. When they see that it is
+his place and office to help them, and consider that he is true to
+his trust, and true and faithful in all that was committed to him,
+it not only will embolden them to come forward to him, but it will
+strengthen their hope, and encourage them to wait on.</p>
+<p>(4.) They would stay themselves on him as an all-sufficient
+helper, renouncing all other, crying out, that they will have no
+light but his light, and that they will seek no where else for
+light, but wait at his door, till he, who is the Sun of
+Righteousness, shall arise in their soul, and come with healing
+light in his wings.</p>
+<p>(5.) They would by faith roll and cast their darkened souls,
+their confused case, their overwhelmed hearts on him, and leave
+them there; for he is the only physician; and the blind soul must
+be put in his hand, who can take away the film, and cause the
+scales fall off, and make light break into the soul and discover
+unto it its condition.</p>
+<p>(6.) It would be useful and very steadable, in such a time of
+darkness, for the believer to be frequent in acting direct acts of
+faith on Christ; that is, be frequent in going to him as an
+all-sufficient Mediator, as the only refuge and shadow for a poor,
+weary, scorched soul, Isa. iv. 6. "And a man shall be as an
+hiding-place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest, as
+rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a
+weary land," Isa. xxxii. 2; "as one who is a strength to the needy
+in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat,"
+&amp;c. Isa. xxv, 4. When the soul is thus overwhelmed with clouds,
+and doubteth of its interest in Christ, it would then put it out of
+doubt, by flying to him for refuge from the storm of God's
+indignation, and lay hold on him as he is freely offered in the
+gospel, and thus renew its grips of him as the offered
+all-sufficient Mediator, and frequent direct acts of faith will
+help at length to a reflex act. The soul that is daily running to
+Christ, according to the covenant, with all its necessities, and
+laying hold on him as only able to help, will at length come to see
+that it hath believed on him, and is made welcome by him, and
+accepted through him. So that reiterated acts of faith on an
+offered cautioner and salvation, will dispel at length those clouds
+of darkness that trouble the soul.</p>
+<p>7. Such souls would beware of making their bands stronger, and
+their darkness greater, by their folly and unwise carriage; for
+this cause they would beware,</p>
+<p>(1.) To cry out in despondency of spirit as if there were no
+hope, and to conclude peremptorily, that they are cut off, and it
+is vain to wait any longer; for this course will but darken them
+the more, and multiply the clouds over their head.</p>
+<p>(2.) To run away from Christ through unbelief and despair, for
+that will make their case yet worse.</p>
+<p>(3.) To walk untenderly and not circumspectly; for the more sins
+appear, the less light will be had. O but souls would be tender in
+all their conversation at that time, and guard against the least
+sin or appearance of evil!</p>
+<p>(4.) To fret and repine against God, because of that
+dispensation; for that will but entangle the soul more, and wreathe
+the yoke straiter about its neck, and put itself further out of
+case to be relieved and to receive light.</p>
+<p>8. Such would do well not to limit the Holy One of Israel, but
+to wait with patience till his time come to speak in light to the
+soul, knowing that such as wait upon him shall never be ashamed,
+Isa. xlix. 23, because he waiteth to be gracious; and therefore
+blessed are all they that wait upon him, Isa. xxx. 18.</p>
+<p><i>Quest.</i> But what if for all this I get no outgate, but my
+distress and darkness rather grow upon my hand? <i>Ans.</i> That
+such a thing may be, I grant, the Lord thinking it fit. (1.) To
+exercise their faith, dependence, patience, hope, and desire more.
+(2.) And to discover more unto them their own weakness, faintings,
+faithfulness. (3.) To shew his absolute power and sovereignty. (4.)
+To make his grace and mercy more conspicuous and remarkable at
+length. And, (5.) to train them up in a way of dependence on him in
+the dark, and of leaning to him when walking in darkness, yea, and
+in a way of believing when they think they have no faith at all,
+and for other holy ends. Yet the soul would not despond, for there
+are several things that may serve to support and bear up the heart
+even in that case, as,</p>
+<p>1. This is not their case alone, others have been in the like
+before, and many have had the like complaints in all ages, as is
+known to such as have been acquainted with exercised souls.</p>
+<p>2. It may yield peace and comfort to know that they are about
+duty when looking to him, and depending upon him, and waiting for
+his light.</p>
+<p>3. The promises made to such as wait for him may support the
+soul and yield comfort.</p>
+<p>4. The distinct knowledge and uptaking of their condition,
+though it be comfortable and refreshing, yet it is not absolutely
+necessary. A soul may be a saved soul, though those clouds should
+continue to its dying day; and though, as long as they lived, they
+should never get a clear discovery of their gracious state, but
+spend their days in mourning, complaining, and crying out of
+darkness.</p>
+<p>5. Such a soul should think that it is much that he is kept out
+of hell so long; and sure, the thoughts of what he is, and of what
+he deserveth, may make him sober, and not to think much, though he
+reach not so high as to see his name written in the book of
+life.</p>
+<p>6. They should know that full assurance of hope and of faith is
+but rare: and even such as have it do not ordinarily keep it long;
+so that it should not much trouble them, if, after all their pains,
+they cannot win at it.</p>
+<p>7. If they win to any real ground of hope, how small soever,
+they should think much of that; for many dear to Christ live long,
+and never know what so much is.</p>
+<p>8. It is no small matter that they are not sinking in the gulf
+of inconsideration, and plagued with an indifferency in these
+matters, but are made to value Christ and an interest in him at
+such a rate.</p>
+<p>9. Their going to Christ with all their wants, laying all on
+him, and their making that their daily exercise, may keep up their
+hearts from fainting, yea, and fill their souls with joy; for that
+is really the exercise of faith. And the great and gracious
+promises are made to such as believe, and not to such only as know
+they do believe. I grant such as know not that they do believe,
+cannot draw comfort from these promises; yet it is true that one
+may, by reflecting on the actings of his own soul, see and know
+that really he is going out to Christ, forsaking himself, casting
+his burden on him, waiting and depending upon him; when yet he will
+not say that he doth believe. And when he seeth this working of
+soul towards Christ, he is obliged to believe that he believeth,
+and thereupon rejoice in hope of the great promises. And however
+the very sight and knowledge of this acting and motion of soul may
+give them some comfort, though they shall not take it for faith,
+because it is the way of duty, and it is the thing the gospel
+calleth for, and because they cannot show an instance of anyone
+soul that did so, and perished. But the truth is, the right
+understanding of the nature of faith would clear many doubts, and
+prevent many questions.</p>
+<p>I come to speak a little to the last case which I shall handle,
+which is,</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_XVIII." id="CHAPTER_XVIII."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2>
+<h4>HOW WE SHALL MAKE USE OF CHRIST AS THE TRUTH, THAT WE MAY WIN
+TO RIGHT AND SUITABLE THOUGHTS OF GOD.</h4>
+<br>
+<p>This is a case that much troubleth the people of God,&mdash;they
+cannot get right and suitable thoughts of God, which they earnestly
+desire to have, nor know not how to win at them; and certain it is,
+he only who is the Truth, and came out of the bosom of the Father,
+can help here. Therefore for our use-making of him for this end, it
+would be remembered,</p>
+<p>1. That the mind of man, through the fall, is nothing but a mass
+of ignorance and blindness; that "the understanding is darkened,"
+Eph. iv. 17, 18; "and naturally we are in darkness," 1 John ii. 9,
+11; "yea, under the power of darkness," Col. i. 13; and, which is
+more, our minds are naturally filled with prejudice against God,
+and enmity, through wickedness naturally residing there, and which
+the prince of the power of the air, the spirit which worketh in the
+children of disobedience, increaseth and stirreth up.</p>
+<p>2. That this evil is not totally taken away, even in the godly,
+but helped only in part; for they see and know but in part, 1 Cor.
+xiii. 13.</p>
+<p>3. That hence it cometh to pass, that through the working of
+corruption, the soul of a believer can sometimes win to no right
+thought of God at all; or at best to some very narrow and
+unsuitable conceptions of him and his ways; yea, sometimes, all the
+thoughts they can get of God are vain and idle, if not misshapen
+and blasphemous.</p>
+<p>4. That as we are, we cannot see God; "for no man hath seen
+him," Matt. xi. 27. John iv. 46; for he is an invisible God, 1 Tim.
+i. 17. Heb. xi. 27. "He dwelleth in light which no man can approach
+unto. Him no man hath seen, nor can see," 1 Tim. vi. 16. 1 John iv.
+12.</p>
+<p>5. That all that knowledge of God which is saving, is to be
+found in Christ, who is the "brightness of his glory, and the
+express image of his person," Heb. i. 2; "and the image of the
+invisible God," Col. i. 15; and is for this end come out from the
+bosom of the Father, that he might acquaint us with him, and with
+all his secrets, John i. 18. Matt. xi. 27, so far as is needful for
+us to know. He is God incarnate, that in him we may see the
+invisible. Thus "God is manifest in the flesh," 1 Tim. iii. 16;
+"and the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us," John i. 14.</p>
+<p>6. That therefore if we would see and know God, we must go to
+Christ, who is the temple in which God dwelleth and manifesteth his
+glory; and in and through him, must we see and conceive of God. The
+light that we get of the knowledge of the glory of God, must be in
+the face of Jesus Christ, 2 Cor. iv. 6; that is, in the
+manifestations that Christ hath made of himself, in his natures,
+offices, ordinances, works, dispensations of grace, mediate and
+immediate, &amp;c. And thus doth God, who commanded the light to
+shine out of darkness, "cause this light of the knowledge of his
+glory shine into our hearts," viz. in the face of Jesus Christ,
+that is, in the dispensations of grace in the gospel, which is the
+glorious gospel of Christ, 2 Cor. iv. 4, and, as it were, the face
+of Jesus Christ; for as by the face a man is best known and
+distinguished from others, so Christ is visibly, and discernibly,
+and manifestly, seen and known, in and by the gospel dispensations;
+there are all the lineaments and draughts of the glory of God which
+we would know, lively and clearly to be seen.</p>
+<p>So then, if we would make use of Christ for this end, that we
+may win to a right sight of God, and suitable conceptions of his
+glory, we would consider those things:</p>
+<p>1. We would live under the sense and thorough conviction of the
+greatness and incomprehensibleness of God, as being every way past
+finding out; and also under the conviction of our own darkness and
+incapacity to conceive aright of him, even as to what he hath
+revealed of himself.</p>
+<p>2. We would know, that what the works of creation and providence
+declare and preach forth of God, though it be sufficient to make
+heathens and others that do not improve the same to a right
+acknowledging of him, inexcusable, as Paul teacheth us, Rom. i. 20;
+yet all that is short of giving to us that saving knowledge of him,
+which must be had, and which is life eternal, John xvii. 2.</p>
+<p>3. We would know, that what of God is to be found out by the
+works of creation and providence, is more distinctly seen in Christ
+and in the gospel. Here is a greater and more glorious discovery of
+God, and of his glorious attributes, his justice, power, wisdom,
+goodness, holiness, truth, &amp;c. than can be found by the deepest
+diving naturalist, and most wise moral observer of Providence, that
+is not taught out of the gospel.</p>
+<p>4. Yea, there is something of God to be seen in Christ, in the
+gospel, which can be observed in none of his works of, creation or
+common providence; there is the grace of God that bringeth
+salvation, that is made to appear only by the gospel, Titus ii. 11;
+and there is a peculiar kindness and love of God towards man, which
+is only discovered by Christ in the gospel, Titus iii. 4. There is
+that manifold wisdom of God, that mystery which was hid from the
+beginning of the world in God; that principalities and powers in
+heavenly places, the greatest and wisest of naturalists must learn
+by the church, wherein that is preached and proclaimed, by the
+dispensations of the gospel, Eph. iii. 9, 10. His mercy pardoning
+poor sinners, justice being satisfied, cannot be cleared by nature.
+Nature cannot unfold that mystery of justice and mercy, concurring
+to the salvation of a sinner&mdash;only the gospel can clear that
+riddle.</p>
+<p>5. We would remember, that all the beams of that glory which are
+necessary and useful for us to know, are, to speak so, contracted
+in Christ, and there vailed, to the end that we may more steadily
+look upon them. We may go to our Brother, who is flesh of our
+flesh, and there, through the vail of his flesh, see and behold
+what otherwise was invisible. As we can look to the sun better
+shining in a pail of water, than by looking up immediately; so can
+we behold God and his glory better in Christ, where there is a thin
+vail (to speak so) drawn over that otherwise blinding, yea, killing
+glory, than by looking to God without Christ; for, alas! we could
+not endure one glance of an immediate ray of divine glory: it would
+kill us outright.</p>
+<p>6. We must then go to Christ, and there see God; for he who
+seeth him seeth the Father also, John xiv. 9. Particularly, we must
+go the face of Jesus Christ, that is, that whereby he hath made
+himself known, the noble contrivance of the glorious gospel,
+wherein all things are so carried on, as that God is glorified in
+his Son, in the salvation of poor sinners. The whole work of
+salvation is laid on Christ, and the Father is glorified in him,
+who is his Servant and his Chosen, whom he upholdeth and furnisheth
+for the work, Isa. xlii. 1,2. He is called the covenant itself. He
+is the undertaker in the covenant of redemption and in the covenant
+of grace; all is founded on him; all the good things of it are
+given out by him; all the grace by which we close with it, and
+accept of him according to it, is given by him. Now, in this gospel
+contrivance are all the lines of the glorious face of Christ to be
+seen; and in that face must we see and discern the glory of God,
+all the rays of which are centered in Christ, and there will we get
+a noble prospect of that glorious object. So that all such as would
+make use of Christ for this end, that they might come to have right
+and suitable thoughts and apprehensions of God, must be well
+acquainted with the whole draught and frame of the gospel; and so
+acquainted therewith, as to see Christ the substance, ground and
+all of it, and to see him in every part of it.</p>
+<p>7. Whatever we know or learn of God by his works of creation and
+providence, in the world or about ourselves, we would bring it in
+here that it may receive a new tincture and a deeper impression.
+That is done, when we find and learn something of Christ there, and
+are brought nearer Christ thereby, and made thereby to discover
+something more of the glory of God in the face of Christ; or are
+made to understand better something of the revelation that is made
+of God in the gospel, or moved thereby to improve it better.</p>
+<p>8. In all this matter, we must not go without our guide, lest we
+wander in this wilderness, and it prove a labyrinth to us. We must
+take Christ with us all along; he must teach us to understand his
+own face, and to read the glorious characters of that excellent
+glory which is to be seen in his face. He must be our interpreter,
+and teach us how to read this book, and how to understand what is
+written therein; he must give the discerning eye, and the
+understanding heart; even the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
+to take up the mysteries of God.</p>
+<p>9. And for this cause, we should by faith lay hold upon the
+promises of the Spirit, whereby we may be made spiritual, and have
+our understandings enlightened more and more, to understand the
+mysterious characters of divine majesty and glory.</p>
+<p>10. In all this exercise we should walk with fear, and carry
+with us impressions of the dreadful majesty and glory of God, that
+we may tremble and fear, and stand in awe, and read what we read of
+this glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, this glorious Bible,
+with reverence and godly fear. And thus we may be helped to win to
+right and suitable thoughts of God; yet withal we should, for</p>
+<br>
+<p>CAUTIONS,</p>
+<p>Consider a few things further; as,</p>
+<p>1. That we must not think to "search out the Almighty unto
+perfection," Job xi. 7.</p>
+<p>2. Nor must we think to get any one point of God known and
+understood perfectly; corruption will mix in itself, do our best;
+and our shortcomings will not easily be reckoned up.</p>
+<p>3. We must beware of carnal curiosity, and of unlawful diving
+into this depth, lest we drown.</p>
+<p>4. We should not dream of a state here, wherein we will not need
+Christ for this end. Yea, I suppose, in glory, he will be of use to
+us, as to the seeing of God; for even there, as he is to-day, so
+shall he for ever abide, God and man in two distinct natures and
+one person, and that cannot be for nought; and as God will be still
+God invisible and unsearchable, so we, though glorified, will
+remain finite creatures, and therefore will stand in need of
+Christ, that in his glorious face we may see the invisible. He must
+be our <i>lumen gloriae</i>.</p>
+<p>5. We should think it no small matter to have the impressions of
+this sight upon our hearts, that we cannot see him; and that we, in
+this state of sin, cannot get right and suitable apprehensions of
+him. I say, the impression of this on our spirits, that is, such a
+sight of impossibility to get him seen aright, as will keep the
+heart in awe, and cause us walk before him in fear and reverence,
+and to humble ourselves in the dust, and to tremble whenever we
+make mention of his name, or begin to meditate on him, knowing how
+great an one he is, and how dangerous it is to think amiss of him,
+and how difficult to get a right thought of him.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_XIX." id="CHAPTER_XIX."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIX.</h2>
+<h4>"AND THE LIFE." HOW CHRIST IS THE LIFE.</h4>
+<br>
+<p>This, as the former, being spoken indefinitely, may be
+universally taken, as relating both to such as are yet in the state
+of nature, and to such as are in the state of grace, and so may be
+considered in reference to both, and ground three points of truth,
+both in reference to the one, and in reference to the other; to
+wit, 1. That our case is such as we stand in need of his help, as
+being the Life. 2. That no other way but by him, can we get that
+supply of life, which we stand in need of, for he only is the Life,
+excluding all other. 3. That this help is to be had in him fully
+and completely, for not only is he able to quicken, but he is
+called the Life; so that the help which he giveth is full,
+excellent, and complete.</p>
+<p>Looking upon the words in reference to such as are in nature,
+they point out those three truths to us:</p>
+<p>I. That all of us by nature are dead, standing in need of
+quickening and of life; for this is presupposed, while he is said
+to be the Life, and that both legally and really: Legally, being
+under the sentence of death, for Adam's transgression, Rom. v. 15,
+and for that original corruption of heart we have; and really, the
+sentence of the law being in part executed, and that both as to the
+body and as to the soul. As to the body, it is now subject to
+death, and all the forerunners thereof, such as weakness, pains,
+sickness, fears, torment, trouble, weariness, yea, and in hazard of
+hell-fire, and the torments of the second death for ever. As to the
+soul, it also is many ways dead; but first in a way that is purely
+penal, and next in a way that is also sinful; and both ways, as to
+what is present, and as to what is future. For as to that which is
+penal and present, it is, (1.) separated from God and his favour,
+Gen. iii. 8, 10, 24; (2.) is under his curse and wrath, whence it
+cometh to pass, that by nature we are children of wrath, Eph. ii.
+2, 5; servants of Satan, 2 Tim. ii. 26; the consequence of which is
+sad and heavy, for hence it is that we cannot please God, do what
+we will. Till we be brought out of that state, our ordinary and
+civil actions, even ploughing the ground, is sin, Prov. xxi. 4;
+yea, our religious actions, whether natural or instituted, are
+abomination; even our sacrifices, Prov. xv. 8; xxi. 27; and
+prayers, Prov. xxviii. 9. Psalm x. 7; yea, and all our thoughts and
+purposes, Prov. xv. 26; and likewise all our ways, Prov. xv. 9. As
+to what is penal and future, it is obnoxious to that everlasting
+excommunication from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory
+of his power, 2 Thess. i. 8, 9; and to the torments of hell for
+ever, Mark ix. 44, 46, 48. Luke xvi. As to what is not only penal
+but also sinful, the soul here is under the stroke of darkness in
+the understanding, perverseness and rebelliousness in the will,
+irregularity and disorder in the affections, whereby the soul is
+unfit for any thing that is good, Rom. iii. 10-20. Eph. ii. 1, 2,
+3. Rom. v. 6; viii. 7, 8; whence proceedeth all our actual
+transgressions, James i. 14, 15. And moreover sometimes the soul is
+given up to a reprobate mind, Rom. i. 28; to strong delusion, 2
+Thess. ii. 2; to hardness of heart, Rom. ii. 5; horror of
+conscience, Isa. xxxiii. 14; to vile affections, Rom. i. 26, and
+the like spiritual plagues, which, though the Lord inflict on some
+only, yet all are obnoxious to the same by nature, and can expect
+no less, if the Lord should enter with them into judgment. And
+finally, as to what is future of this kind, they are, being fuel
+for Tophet, obnoxious to that malignant, sinful, blasphemous, and
+desperate rebellion against God, in hell for evermore!</p>
+<p>O how lamentable, upon this consideration, must the condition of
+such be, as are yet in the state of nature! Oh, if it were but seen
+and felt! But, alas! there is this addition to all, that people
+know not this; they consider it not, they believe it not, they feel
+it not, they see it not; and hence it cometh to pass, that,</p>
+<p><i>First</i>. They cannot bewail and lament their condition, nor
+be humbled therefor.</p>
+<p><i>Secondly</i>. They cannot, and will not seek after a remedy;
+for the whole will not trouble themselves to seek after a
+physician.</p>
+<p>And sure upon this account, their case calleth for pity and
+compassion from all that know what a dreadful thing it is to be in
+such a condition, and should stir up all to pray for them, and to
+do all they can to help them out of that state of sin and misery,
+which is dreadful to think upon.</p>
+<p>Should not the thoughts and consideration of this put us all to
+try and search, if we be yet translated from death to life, and
+delivered out of that dreadful and terrible state, and made
+partakers of the first resurrection. It not being my purpose to
+handle this point at large, I shall not here insist in giving
+marks, whereby this may be known, and which are obvious in Paul's
+Epistles, and to be found handled at large in several practical
+pieces, chiefly in Mr. Guthrie's Great Interest. I shall only
+desire every one to consider and examine,</p>
+<p>1. Whether or not the voice of Christ, which quickeneth the
+dead, hath been heard and welcomed in their soul. This is effectual
+calling.</p>
+<p>2. Whether or not there be a thorough change wrought in their
+soul, a change in the whole man, so as all things are become new. 2
+Cor. v. 17.</p>
+<p>3. Whether or not there be a principle of life within? and they
+be led by the Spirit.</p>
+<p>4. Whether or not there be a living to the glory of the Lord
+Redeemer.</p>
+<p>And when by an impartial trial, a discovery is made of the
+badness of our condition, should we not be alarmed to look about
+us, and to labour by all means for an outgate? Considering, (1.)
+How doleful and lamentable this condition is. (2.) How sad and
+dreadful the consequences of it are. (3.) How happy a thing it is
+to be delivered from this miserable and sinful condition. And, (4.)
+How there is a possibility of outgate.</p>
+<p><i>Finally</i>. It may break a heart of stone to think, how
+people that are in such a condition are so unwilling to come out of
+it: For,</p>
+<p>1. How unwilling are they once to suspect their condition, or to
+suppose that it may be bad, and that they may be yet
+unconverted?</p>
+<p>2. How unwilling are they, to sit down seriously to try and
+examine the matter, and to lay their case to the touch-stone of the
+word?</p>
+<p>3. Yea, how unwilling are they to hear any thing that may tend
+to awaken them, or to discover unto them the deadness of their
+condition?</p>
+<p>4. How ready to stifle challenges of conscience, or any common
+motion of the Spirit, which tendeth to alarm their soul?</p>
+<p>5. How great enemies are they to such ordinances as serve to
+awaken sleeping consciences?</p>
+<p>6. And how do they hate such ministers as preach such doctrine
+as may serve to rouse them up, and set them a-work about their own
+salvation?</p>
+<p>II. We learn hence, that without Christ there is no imaginary
+way of delivery out of this natural state of death. "No other name
+is given under heaven whereby we can be saved," Acts iv. 12; and
+angels can make no help here, nor can one of us deliver another;
+the redemption of the soul is more precious than so, Psalm xlix. 7,
+8. Nor is there any thing we can do for ourselves that will avail
+here; all our prayers, tears, whippings, fastings, vows,
+alms-deeds, purposes, promises, resolutions, abstinence from some
+evils, outward amendments, good morality and civility, outward
+religiousness, yea, and if it were possible, our keeping of the
+whole law, will not help us out of this pit. And we may weary
+ourselves in such exercises in vain; for they will prove but bodily
+exercises that profit little. And when in this way we have spent
+all our time, parts, spirits, and labour, we shall at length see
+and say, that we have spent our money for that which is not
+bread.</p>
+<p>This should put all of us to try what it is which we lean to for
+life; and what it is, the consideration whereof giveth us peace and
+quietness when the thoughts of death, judgment, hell, and the wrath
+of God come upon us and trouble us: For if it be any thing beside
+Christ that our soul leaneth to, and that we are comforted by, and
+found all our hopes upon, we will meet with a lamentable (oh! for
+ever lamentable!) disappointment. Be sure then, that our hearts
+renounce all other ways and means of outgate out of this death,
+besides Jesus, the resurrection and the life, else it will not be
+well with us.</p>
+<p>III. We see here, that delivery out of this natural state of
+death is only had by Christ: For he alone is the life, and the life
+that is in him is suitable and excellent. Hence he is called "the
+bread of life," John vi. 35, 48. "The resurrection and the life,"
+John xi. 25. "The water of life," Rev. xxi. 6, and xxii. 17. "The
+tree of life," Rev. xxii. 2, 14. "The prince of life," Acts iii.
+15. "Our life," Col. iii. 4. "The word of life, and life itself," 1
+John i. 1, 2.</p>
+<p>And as he is a suitable and excellent life, so is he an
+all-sufficient and perfect life, able every way to help us and to
+deliver us from all the parts of our death. For,</p>
+<p>1. He delivereth from the sentence of the law, Rom. v. 17, 18,
+undergoing the curse of the law, and becoming a curse for us, 2
+Cor. v. 21.</p>
+<p>2. He taketh away the curse and sting of all temporal plagues,
+yea, and of death itself, causing all to work together for good to
+such as love him, Rom. viii. 28. He hath killed him that had the
+power of death, that is, the devil, Heb. ii. 14; and through him
+the sting of death, which is sin, is taken away, 1 Cor. xv. 56,
+57.</p>
+<p>3. He reconcileth to God, taking away that distance and enmity,
+2 Cor. v. 20; and so he is our peace and peacemaker, purchasing
+access to us to the Father, Eph. ii. 14, 16; iii. 12.</p>
+<p>4. He also delivereth from the power of sin and corruption, Rom.
+vii. 24.</p>
+<p>5. And from all those spiritual strokes; such as blindness,
+hardness of heart, &amp;c. For he is our light; and hath procured a
+new heart for us, even a heart of flesh.</p>
+<p>6. So delivereth he from hell fire, having satisfied justice,
+and having brought life and immortality to light; and he giveth
+life eternal, as we see, Rev. ii. 3.</p>
+<p>Oh! it is sad, that Christ is so little made use of, and that so
+many will forsake the fountain of living waters, and dig to
+themselves broken cisterns that can hold no water; and slight,
+despise, and undervalue the gospel of Christ, which bringeth life
+and immortality to light.</p>
+<p>Oh! if the consideration of this could move such as never found
+any change in themselves, to run to, and make use of Jesus Christ
+for life; and would for this end,</p>
+<p>(1.) Cry to him, that he would make them sensible of their
+deadness, and waken them out of their deep sleep.</p>
+<p>(2.) Cry to him, to set them a-work to renounce all other help
+beside his, as being utterly unable to quicken and put life in
+them.</p>
+<p>(3.) Cry to him, that he would draw and determine their souls to
+a closing with him by faith alone, to a hearing of his voice, to an
+obeying of his call, to a following of his direction, to a giving
+up of themselves to him, leaning to him, and waiting for all from
+him alone: in a word, to take him for their life in all points, and
+to lean to him for life, and to expect it from him, through faith
+in the promises of the gospel.</p>
+<p><i>Next.</i> This being spoken to the disciples, whom we suppose
+to have been believers, it will give us ground to speak of it, in
+reference to believers, and so yield three points of truth, which
+we shall briefly touch, and then come to speak of use-making of
+Christ as the Life, in some particular cases.</p>
+<p><i>First.</i> It is here clearly presupposed, that even
+believers have need of Christ to be life unto them; and so have
+their fits of deadness. If it were not so, why would Christ have
+said to believers, that he was life? And daily experience doth
+abundantly confirm it. For,</p>
+<p>1. They are oft so weak and unable to resist temptation, or to
+go about any commanded duty, as if they were quite dead.</p>
+<p>2. They are oft so borne down with discouragement, because of
+the strength of opposition which they meet with on all hands; and
+because of the manifold disappointments which they meet with, that
+they have neither heart nor hand; and they faint and set up in the
+ways of the Lord; and cannot go through difficulties, but
+oftentimes lie by.</p>
+<p>3. Through daily fighting, and seeing no victory, they become
+weary and faint-hearted; so that they lie by as dead, Isa. xl.
+29.</p>
+<p>4. They oft fall sick and decay, and have need of restoration
+and quickening.</p>
+<p>5. The want of the sense of God's favour, and of the comforts of
+the Holy Ghost, maketh them to dwine and droop, and look out as
+dead.</p>
+<p>6. While under soul desertions upon one account or other, they
+look upon themselves as free among the dead, that is, as dead men,
+of the society of the dead, with Heman, Psalm lxxxviii.</p>
+<p>7. Yea, many times they are as dead men, led captive in chains
+of unbelief and corruptions, as we see David was, when his heart
+panted, and his strength failed him, and the light of his eyes were
+gone from him, Psalm xxxviii. 10.</p>
+<p>8. Many times the frequent changes, and ups and downs they meet
+with, take all courage and heart from them, that they become like
+men tossed at sea, so as they have no more strength.</p>
+<p>And many such things befall them, which make them look as dead,
+and to stand in need of quickening, reviving and strengthening
+cordials from him who is the life. And thus the Lord thinketh good
+to dispense with his own people,</p>
+<p>(1.) That they may be kept humble, and know themselves to be
+indigent creatures, needing influences of life daily.</p>
+<p>(2.) That they may have many errands to him who is the life, and
+have much to do with him, and depend upon him continually.</p>
+<p>(3.) That he may show himself wonderful, in and about them,
+giving proof of his skill in quickening the dead, and in bringing
+such through unto everlasting life, who were daily, as it were,
+giving up the ghost, and at the point of death.</p>
+<p>(4.) That heaven may be heaven; that is, a place "where the
+weary are at rest," Job iii. 17; and the troubled rest, 2 Thes. i.
+7; and where the inhabitants shall not say they are sick, Isa.
+xxxiii. 24.</p>
+<p>(5.) That they may be taught more the life of faith and of
+dependence on him, and trained up in that way.</p>
+<p>(6.) That he may be owned, acknowledged, and submitted unto as a
+sovereign God, doing what he will in heaven and in earth.</p>
+<p>For all this, there is no cause that any should take up any
+prejudice at Christianity: for, for all this their life is sure,
+and the outgate is sure and safe. Nor would they think it strange,
+to see believers oft mourning and drooping, seeing their case will
+oft fall for new supplies of life. Their fits are not known to
+every one; nor doth every one know what lieth sometimes at their
+heart; nor would they think it such an easy matter to win to heaven
+as they imagine; and so deceive themselves. The righteous are saved
+through many deaths.</p>
+<p>And as for believers, they would not think it strange to meet
+with such fits of deadness; nor thence conclude, that all their
+former work was but delusion, and that they are still in the state
+of nature. But rather observe the wisdom, faithfulness, and power
+of God in bringing their broken ship through so much broken water,
+yea, and shipwrecks; and his goodness in ordering matters so as
+they shall be kept humble, watchful, diligent and constant in
+dependence upon him who is and must be their life, first and last.
+And hence learn a necessity of living always near to Christ, and
+depending constantly upon him by faith; for he being their life,
+they cannot be without him, but they must die and decay.</p>
+<p><i>Second.</i> We hence learn, that under all these fits of
+deadness to which his people are subject, nothing without Christ
+will help: Not,</p>
+<p>1. All their pains in and about ordinary means, prayer, reading,
+hearing, meditation, conference, &amp;c. They will all cry out,
+that help is not in them: for he is the life.</p>
+<p>2. Nor extraordinary duties, such as fasting and prayer, and
+vows,&mdash;these will never revive and quicken a drooping or
+fainting sickly soul: for they are not Christ, nor the life.</p>
+<p>3. Nor will a stout courageous spirit and resolution of heart
+avail. If he who is the Life, breathe not, all that will melt away
+and evanish.</p>
+<p>4. Nor will the stock of habitual grace which remaineth in the
+soul, be sufficient to quicken and revive the sick soul, if the
+Life breathe not on these habits; and if new influences of life and
+strength flow not in upon the soul, and new rays come not down from
+this Sun of Righteousness to warm the frozen soul, the habits will
+lie by as dead.</p>
+<p>5. Far less will their great gifts and endowments help them out
+of that dead condition; all their light and knowledge, without the
+influences of this Life, will prove weak and insufficient for this
+end and purpose.</p>
+<p>6. Nor will sound, pure and lively-like ordinances work out this
+effect; for till he look down, all these ordinances may prove dead
+and deadening to them.</p>
+<p>It were good if believers were living under the conviction of
+this daily, and by their practice and carriage declaring if they
+believe, that Christ only is the Life, and that they must live in
+him, and be quickened and revived through him alone.</p>
+<p><i>Third</i>. We see hence, that Christ is the Life, that is,
+one that sufficiently, yea, and abundantly can help the believer
+while under those fits of deadness which have been mentioned, and
+the like. There is in him a rich supply of things that tend to
+revive, encourage, strengthen and enliven a soul under spiritual
+deadness and fainting. Therefore is he called the Life; as having
+in him all that which is necessary for and answerable to souls
+under spiritual sicknesses, distempers, desertions, fainting and
+swooning fits, &amp;c., for with him "is the fountain of life,"
+Psalm xxxvi. 9; "and he it is that upholdeth the soul in life,"
+Psalm lxvi. 9; "and can command the blessing, even life for ever
+more," Psalm cxxxiii. 3.</p>
+<p>For further clearing of this, we would consider those
+things,</p>
+<p>1. That he is God, equal with the Father in power and glory, and
+thereby "hath life in himself," John v. 26; and can "quicken whom
+he will," ver. 21. By this he proveth his own Godhead and equality
+with the Father; so, John i. 4, it is said, "that in him was life,"
+and that life was the light of men, whereby also his Godhead is
+confirmed. This should be firmly believed, and rooted in our
+hearts, as being the ground of all our hope, comfort, and life:
+For, were it not so, that our Mediator were the true God, all our
+hopes were gone, our comforts could not be long lived, and our life
+were extinct.</p>
+<p>2. As Mediator God-man, he is fully and thoroughly furnished to
+quicken and enliven his members and followers, first and last; and
+all along their life must be hid with Christ in God; "for in him
+dwelleth the Fulness of the Godhead bodily," Col. ii. 9; as
+Mediator, he is called "a tree of life," Prov. iii. 18; quickening
+and enlivening all that feed upon him; and "the bread of life,"
+John vi. 35, 48. Yea, because of power and authority to command
+life to the dead soul, he is called "the Prince of life," Acts iii.
+15; and as a living, quickening stone, he giveth life to all that
+are built upon him, 1 Pet. ii. 4. Yea, as being fully fitted and
+furnished for this work, he calleth himself "the resurrection and
+the life," John xi. 25. This should be riveted in our hearts, as a
+comfortable and encouraging truth.</p>
+<p>3. Of this stock of life and quickening and reviving grace which
+he hath got, and is furnished withal as Mediator and Redeemer of
+his people, he is communicative,&mdash;"of his fulness do we
+receive, and grace for grace," John i. 16. He got it that he might
+give it out, and that from him as a head it might flow unto his
+members, and therefore he is the bread that came down from heaven,
+and giveth life to the world, John vi. 35. Yea, he giveth eternal
+life to all his sheep, John x. 28; and he is come for this end,
+that his sheep might have life, John x. 10. Therefore hath he taken
+on such relations, as may give ground of confirmation of this, as
+of a head, of a stock or root, and the like. This consideration is
+strengthening and reviving.</p>
+<p>4. He communicateth of this stock of life, and of reviving
+strength, which he hath most sweetly and on most easy terms. So
+that,</p>
+<p>(1.) Such as seek him shall find life by him, Psalm lxix.
+32.</p>
+<p>(2.) Yea, such as know him shall not miss life, John xvii. 3. 1
+John v. 20.</p>
+<p>(3.) If we will believe on him and rest upon him, we have life
+first and last, John iii. 15, 16, 36; vi. 40, 47. 1 Tim. i. 16.</p>
+<p>(4.) If we will come to him, John v. 40, and cast our dead soul
+upon him, we shall live.</p>
+<p>(5.) If we will hear his voice, Isa. lv. 3, and receive his
+instructions, we shall live; for they are the instructions of
+life.</p>
+<p>(6.) Nay, if the soul be so dead, that it can neither walk nor
+hear, if it can but look to him, he will give life, Isa. xlv.
+22.</p>
+<p>(7.) And if the soul be so weak, that it cannot look, nor lift
+up its eyes; yet if it be willing, he will come with life. Rev.
+xxii. 17.</p>
+<p>Oh, if this were believed!</p>
+<p>5. As he is communicative of that life which he hath gotten as
+head, and that upon easy terms; so he giveth out of that life
+liberally, largely, abundantly, yea, more abundantly, John x. 10.
+The water of life which he giveth, is "a well of water springing up
+to everlasting life," John iv. 14. Therefore he alloweth his
+friends to drink abundantly, Cant. v. 1.</p>
+<p>6. Yet it would be remembered, that he is Lord and master
+thereof, and Prince of this life, and so may dispense it and give
+it out, in what measure he seeth fit; and he is wise to measure out
+best for his own glory, and to their advantage.</p>
+<p>7. All this life is sure in him,&mdash;none of his shall be
+disappointed thereof. His offices, which he hath taken on; and his
+commission, which he hath of the Father, abundantly clear this; and
+love to his, will not suffer him to keep up any thing that is for
+their advantage. He is faithful in his house as a son, and will do
+all that was committed unto him to do. The whole transaction of the
+covenant of redemption, and suretyship, and all the promises of the
+new covenant of grace, confirm this to be a sure truth; so that
+they that have him have life, 1 John v. 12. Prov. viii. 35.</p>
+<p>8. Yea, all that is in Christ contributeth to this life and
+quickening. His words and doctrine are the words of eternal life,
+John vi. 63, 68. Phil. ii. 16. His works and ways are the ways of
+life, Acts ii. 28. His natures, offices, sufferings, actings, all
+he did as Mediator, concur to the quickening and enlivening of a
+poor dead soul.</p>
+<p>9. This fulness of life which he hath, is fully suited to the
+believer's condition, in all points, as we shall hear.</p>
+<p>10. This life is eminently and transcendently in him, and
+exclusively of all others. It is in him, and in him alone; and it
+is in him in a most excellent manner: So that he is the life, in
+the abstract; not only a living head, and an enlivening head; but
+life itself, the life, the "resurrection and the life."</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_XX." id="CHAPTER_XX."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XX.</h2>
+<p>SOME GENERAL USES.</p>
+<br>
+<p>Before we come to speak of some particular cases of deadness,
+wherein believers are to make use of Christ as the Life, we shall
+first propose some useful consequences and deductions from what
+hath been spoken of this life; and,</p>
+<p>I. The faith of those things, which have been mentioned, would
+be of great use and advantage to believers; and therefore they
+should study to have the faith of this truth fixed on their hearts,
+and a deep impression thereof on their spirits, to the end,
+that,</p>
+<p>1. Be their case and condition what it will, they might be kept
+from despair, and despondency of spirit, from giving over their
+case as hopeless; and from looking upon themselves as irremediably
+gone. The faith of Christ being life, and the life, would keep up
+the soul in hope, and cause it say,&mdash;how dead soever my case
+be, yet life can help me, and he who is the resurrection and the
+life, can recover me.</p>
+<p>2. Yea, be their case and condition what it will, they would
+have here some ground of encouragement, to go to him with their
+dead soul, and to look to him for help, seeing he is the Life, as
+Mediator, to the end he might enliven and quicken his dead,
+fainting, swooning members, and to recover them from their
+deadness.</p>
+<p>3. They might be freed from many scruples and objections that
+scar and discourage them. This one truth believed would clear up
+the way so, as that such things, as would have been impediments and
+objections before, shall evanish, and be rolled out of the way now:
+Such as, the objections taken from their own worthlessness, their
+long continuance in that dead condition, and the like.</p>
+<p>4. They might hereby likewise be freed from that dreadful plague
+and evil of jealousy, whereby the soul is oft kept back from coming
+to Christ: For they fear he will not make them welcome; they doubt
+of his love and tenderness, and question his pity and compassion;
+yea, their jealousy maketh them to doubt of his faithfulness; so
+that the faith of this truth would cure this jealousy, and deliver
+the soul therefrom, and open a way for the soul to come forward
+with boldness and confidence.</p>
+<p>5. They might also be hereby helped to wait with patience, and
+to be still and quiet under the Lord's various dispensations; so as
+they would not fret nor repine against him, knowing that he would
+prove himself to be Life, even the Life, in his own good time; so
+that the soul would patiently wait at his door, till he were
+pleased to look out, and with his look convey life into their dead
+soul.</p>
+<p>6. They might be preserved hereby from looking out to or
+expecting any help from any other quarter: knowing that he alone is
+the Life; and so that help can no where else be had. The faith of
+this truth would guard from any sinistrous ways which the soul, in
+a time of strait, is ready to run to for relief: for hereby would
+it see that neither instruments nor means, nor outward
+administrations, nor any thing of that kind, can quicken their dead
+soul; and that he, and he alone must breathe in life into them, as
+at first, so now again.</p>
+<p>II. May we not see and observe here great matter of admiration
+at the goodness and rich bounty of God towards his people, who hath
+found out and condescended upon such a sure, safe, and satisfying
+way, whereby he becometh all things to his people which they stand
+in need of; and that notwithstanding,</p>
+<p>1. That we are most unworthy of any such dispensation of grace
+at his hands.</p>
+<p>2. That we too oft are too desirous of other guests in our
+hearts beside him: O how much corruption, sin and death lodge
+within our souls! and how more desirous are we ofttimes of death
+than of life!</p>
+<p>3. That we little improve the noble advantages for life which we
+have granted unto us; yea, many a time we abuse them; and this he
+did foresee, and yet notwithstanding would condescend unto us.</p>
+<p>4. That we do little express our thankfulness for such
+mercies.</p>
+<p>But not for our sakes hath he done this, but for his own name's
+sake: For noble and holy ends hath he resolved on this course;
+as,</p>
+<p>(1.) That he might be "all in all," Col. iii. 11, and they
+nothing; that he alone might fill all in all, Eph. i. ult., and
+they be empty and nothing without him.</p>
+<p>(2.) That he might wear the glory of all; "for of him, and
+through him, and to him are all things," Rom. xi. 36, and that no
+man might share therein.</p>
+<p>(3.) That man might be his everlasting debtor, and cast down, in
+testimony thereof, his crown at his feet, "who sitteth on the
+throne," as those did, Rev. iv. 10, and might cry out with these
+same elders, ver. 11, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory,
+and honour, and power," &amp;c.; and with those, chap. v. 12,
+"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches,
+and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and blessing."</p>
+<p>(4.) That man's mouth might be stopped for ever, and all
+boasting excluded; for man is a proud creature, and ready to boast
+of that which is nothing and vanity. Now God hath chosen this noble
+way of the covenant of grace, that no man might boast any more.
+Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? By the law of
+works? no, but by the law of faith, saith the apostle, Rom. iii.
+24.</p>
+<p>(5.) That all might be sure to the poor chosen believer. The
+Lord will not have the stock of life, any longer to be in a man's
+own hand: for even Adam, in the state of innocency, could not use
+it well, but made shipwreck thereof, and turned a bankrupt; much
+more would man now do so, in this state of sin, in which he lieth
+at present, therefore hath God, out of love and tenderness to his
+chosen ones, put all their stock in the hand of Christ, who is
+better able to manage it, to God's glory and man's advantage, being
+faithful in all things, and a trusty servant, "having the fulness
+of the Godhead dwelling in him bodily." "Therefore," saith the
+apostle, Rom. iv. 16. "it is of faith, that it might be by grace;
+to the end, the promises might be sure to all the seed."</p>
+<p>(6.) That believers might have strong consolation,
+notwithstanding of all the opposition of enemies without and
+within, when they see that now their "life is hid with Christ in
+God," Col. iii. 3, and that their life is in their head, they will
+not fear so much devils and men without, nor their own dead and
+corrupt hearts within.</p>
+<p>III. How inexcusable must all such be,</p>
+<p>1. Who will not lay hold on this life, on Jesus who is the Life,
+sure life, yea, everlasting life.</p>
+<p>2. Who seek life any other way, than by and through him who is
+the Life.</p>
+<p>3. Who oppose this way of life, and not only reject the offers
+of it, but prove enemies to it, and to all that carry it or preach
+it.</p>
+<p>IV. Here is strong encouragement to all that would be at heaven,
+to enter into this gospel, which is a way of life; such need not
+fear that their salvation shall not be advanced; let Satan and all
+their adversaries do what they can, all that enter into this way
+shall live. For the way itself is life, and nothing but life. So
+that here all objections are obviated; life can answer all. If the
+believer fear, that he shall never win through difficulties, he
+shall die by the way; or by fainting, succumbing and swooning,
+dishonour the profession, and at length fall off and apostatize, or
+despair and give over all hope; here is that which may answer and
+obviate all, "I am the life;" and who can perish in the way which
+is the way of life, an enlivening way, yea, the way which is life
+itself; yea, the life in a singular and eminent manner?</p>
+<p>V. Here is ground of reproof even of believers, who, though they
+have come to Christ, yet do not live in him as they ought, do not
+walk in him with that liveliness and activity which is called for;
+but,</p>
+<p>1. Lean too much to their own understanding, gifts or graces;
+and think thereby to ride out storms, and to wide through all
+difficulties, while as, if he who is the Life do not breathe upon
+us, all that will fail us in the day of trial. Our understanding
+and parts or gifts may dry up, and our graces may wither and decay,
+and go backward.</p>
+<p>2. Rest too much on duties; when they should in them go to him
+who is the Life. For only in him is life to be had; and him should
+they seek to in the ordinances, that they might have life from him
+in those outward duties; and this appeareth in their way of going
+about duties, without that dependence on him, and single eyeing of
+him, which is called for. As also by their freting and repining,
+when duties do not their business, as if life lay all in duties;
+and concluding all will be right, because they get duties somewhat
+tolerably performed; and, on the contrary, desponding, when duties
+fall heavy on them, and they find themselves indisposed for duty.
+All which clearly evinceth, that they lay too much weight on
+duties; while as it would be otherwise with them, if they were
+purely depending on Christ, and looking for all from him.</p>
+<p>3. Despond too soon, because they get not help and relief
+instantly; or because they are not preserved from every degree of
+fainting.</p>
+<p>4. Neglect to make use of him, and to come to him with all their
+wants, failings and necessities, as they ought; or come not with
+that freedom and boldness which the gospel grounds allow.</p>
+<p>VI. This preacheth out the woful misery of such as are strangers
+to Christ. For being strangers to the Life, they have no life, they
+are dead, and death is engraven on all they do; even though,</p>
+<p>1. They should be very diligent in external duties, yea, and
+outstrip many true believers; as the Pharisees had their fasts
+twice a-week, Luke xviii.</p>
+<p>2. They should be eminently gifted, able to instruct others, and
+to speak of the mysteries of the gospel, to purpose and to
+edification. For such gifts of knowledge and utterance may be,
+where the lively operations of the grace of Christ are not, and
+consequently where Christ is not, as the Life.</p>
+<p>3. They should seem eminent in all their outward carriage, and
+seem to carry most christianly in all their walk, and appear most
+devout in the matter of worship.</p>
+<p>4. And they should have something more than ordinary; even taste
+of the heavenly gift, and be made partakers of extraordinary gifts
+of the Holy Ghost; yea, and taste the good word of God, and the
+powers of the world to come, Heb. vi. 4, 5.</p>
+<p>VII. This discovereth the noble advantage of such as have
+accepted of Christ for their life. Their condition is happy, sure,
+desirable, and thriving; for Christ is theirs, and life is theirs;
+because Christ, who is the Life, is theirs.</p>
+<p><i>Obj.</i> 1. But some wicked persons may say, We see not that
+happy and advantageous condition of such as go for believers; for
+we observe them to be as little lively ofttimes as others, and as
+unfit for duties; yea, and sometimes as much subject to sin and
+corruption as others.</p>
+<p><i>Ans.</i> 1. However it be with them, either in thine eyes, or
+possibly in their own sometimes, yet thou mayest hold thy peace;
+for in their worst condition, they would not exchange with thee for
+a world; in their deadest-like condition, they are not void of all
+life, as thou art, notwithstanding all thy motions, and seeming
+activeness in duty; because all thy motion in and about duty is but
+like the moving of children's puppets, caused by external motives,
+such as a name, applause, peace from a natural conscience, or the
+like; and not from any inward principle of grace and life.</p>
+<p>2. Howbeit they sometimes seem to be dead, yet they are not
+always so; life doth really work sometimes in them; whereas there
+was never any true or kindly motion of life in thee.</p>
+<p>3. There may be more life in them, yea, life in motion, when
+they seem to be overcome with some lusts or corruption, yea, when
+really they are overcome, than beholders that are strangers to the
+heart can observe. For when temptation is violent, as having the
+advantage of the time and place, of the constitution of the body,
+and the like, it argueth no small degree of life, and of life in
+motion, to make some resistance and opposition thereunto, though at
+length he should be overcome thereby. And this opposition and
+resistance, flowing from a principle of grace, speaketh out life,
+though corruption, having the advantage, should at that time
+overpower the motion of life, and carry the man away.</p>
+<p>4. If it be not otherwise with believers than is objected, they
+may blame themselves, for not improving Christ better for life.</p>
+<p><i>Object.</i> But some who are true believers will object the
+same, and cry out of themselves as dead; and say, They find not
+that liveliness and activity in their souls, that will evidence
+Christ, the Life, dwelling and working in them.</p>
+<p><i>Ans.</i> It may be they prejudge themselves of that lively
+frame they might enjoy, and so wrong themselves:</p>
+<p>1. In not exercising faith on Christ, and drawing life from him
+and through him. The life which they live should be by faith, Gal.
+ii. 20. How then can such as do not eat become fat? by faith we
+feed on Christ.</p>
+<p>2. In not watching, but giving way to security, and thereby
+encouraging and strengthening the adversary, as we see in David;
+when they stand not on their watch-tower, they invite Satan to set
+on; and he is vigilant enough, and knoweth how to take his
+advantage, and to improve his opportunity.</p>
+<p>3. In giving way to laziness and not stirring up themselves, as
+we see in the bride, Cant. iii. 1; v. 3; when they stir not up the
+grace of God which is in them, how can they be lively? If grace be
+laid by, it will contract rust. The best way to keep grace lively,
+is to keep it in exercise, how little soever it be.</p>
+<p>4. By their rashness, walking without fear, as is to be observed
+in Peter, when he slipped so foully. When through their want of
+circumspection, they precipitate themselves into danger, and cast
+themselves among their enemies' hands, is it any wonder, that it go
+not with them as they would; and that they provoke God to leave
+them to themselves; that they may know what they are, and learn
+afterwards not to tempt the Lord, and to walk more
+circumspectly?</p>
+<p>5. By leaning too much to their attainments, and not looking out
+for new influences of grace and life. Hereby they provoke God to
+let them know to their expense, that for as great a length as they
+are come, they must live by faith, and be quickened by new
+influences from the Spirit of life.</p>
+<p>6. So they may wrong themselves through their ignorance of
+Christ, and of the way of making use of him; and if they, through
+unacquaintedness with Christ and the right way of improving the
+fulness that is in him, miss the fruit and advantage which
+otherwise they might have, they can only blame themselves.</p>
+<p>7. They may also prejudge themselves by their self-love,
+self-esteem, self-seeking, self-pleasing, &amp;c., which piece and
+piece will draw them off Christ, and cause them forget the way of
+sucking life from him, who is the fountain of life.</p>
+<p>8. When they give way to small sins, they open a door to
+greater; and they lose thereby their tenderness, and so provoke the
+Lord to withdraw; and this is another way, whereby they prejudge
+themselves of that benefit of liveliness, which they might
+otherwise have.</p>
+<p>9. So also by worldly-mindedness, which alienateth their mind
+from God; and,</p>
+<p>10. By their impatience, and fretting, and repining against God,
+and his wise dispensations, they also prejudge and wrong
+themselves; for while they are in that mood, they cannot with due
+composedness of Spirit, go to Christ, and draw life from him
+through faith.</p>
+<p><i>Obj.</i> 3. But is there not even some of those who are most
+tender, that complain of their deadness and shortcomings?</p>
+<p><i>Ans.</i> 1. It may be that they complain without cause; and
+that they have more cause of rejoicing, and of blessing the Lord
+for what he hath done to them, than of complaining.</p>
+<p>2. Their complaining will not prove the want of life, but rather
+the contrary. For when they complain most, they must be most
+sensible if their complaints be real, and not merely for a fashion;
+and sense is a manifest evidence of life.</p>
+<p>3. It would be remembered, that the Lord can make their failings
+and shortcomings contribute to the furthering of their life, as we
+see it did in Peter.</p>
+<p>4. It would also be remembered, that Christ doth not distribute
+and give out of this life to all his members and followers, in a
+like measure; but to some more, and to others less, according as he
+seeth it meet and convenient, both for his own glory and their
+good, He hath more service for some than for others; and some he
+will employ in greater and more difficult work, which will call for
+more life; and others he will employ in common work, which will not
+call for such an eminent degree of life.</p>
+<p>5. And upon the same account, he may think it good to give to
+the same person a larger measure of grace at one time than at
+another.</p>
+<p>6. And that for wise reasons and noble ends; as,</p>
+<p>(1.) That all may see how absolute he is in his dispensations; a
+sovereign that doth with his own what he will, and will not give an
+account of any of his ways or communications to us.</p>
+<p>(2.) That we may learn submission, and quietly to stoop before
+him, whatever measure he be pleased to dispense towards us.</p>
+<p>(3.) That we may learn to depend upon him more closely all
+along; in all our ways to acknowledge him.</p>
+<p>(4.) That we may learn to exercise patience, which must have its
+perfect work, in waiting upon him as a great king. This is his
+glory, and it is the testifying of our homage to him.</p>
+<p>(5.) He will train us up so as to be well contented and
+satisfied, if he bring us home at length, though not with such a
+convoy of the graces of his Spirit as we would wish.</p>
+<p>(6.) That we may see and read our daily obligation to Christ our
+life, and the daily need we have of his keeping our life in, by
+fresh gales of his Spirit, and new heavenly influences.</p>
+<p>(7.) And that getting new proofs of his kindness and
+faithfulness, we may give him new songs of praise daily, and so
+express our thankfulness to him, which will tend to set forth his
+glory.</p>
+<p>VIII. This may point out unto believers, several duties to which
+they are called. We shall name some few of many; as,</p>
+<p>1. That they should rejoice, and be comforted in the thoughts of
+this, that they have such a complete Mediator, one that is
+thoroughly furnished, and made all things for them; not only the
+Way, and the Truth, but the Life also.</p>
+<p>2. The thoughts of this should also stir up the wondering at the
+wisdom, graciousness, and goodness of God; and to thankfulness for
+providing such an all-sufficient way for them.</p>
+<p>3. This should also encourage them under all temptations,
+faintings, backsets, and fits of deadness that they fall into, that
+there is one who is the Life; and that he whom their soul hath
+chosen is the Life, and so fully able to quicken and enliven
+them.</p>
+<p>4. This should teach them humility, and not to be proud of any
+thing they have or do; for it is he, who is the Life, who keepeth
+them in life, and helpeth them to any duty; yea, it is life that
+worketh all in them.</p>
+<p>5. And likewise it should teach them to acknowledge him, to whom
+they are obliged for any thing they do, for any life they have, or
+any acts or fruits of life that appear in them; and to be thankful
+to him therefor.</p>
+<p>6. And mainly, they should here read their obligation and duty,
+to improve this advantage, and to draw life out of this fountain,
+and so live by this life; act and do all in and through this life;
+and so be quickened by this life, in all their fits of deadness;
+and for this cause would keep those things in mind:</p>
+<p>(1.) That they should live in a constant conviction of their own
+weakness, deadness, and inability to do any acts of life of
+themselves; and far less to recover themselves out of any distemper
+and fit of deadness which they fall into.</p>
+<p>(2.) That they should live in the faith of this, that there is
+life enough in him, who is the Life, to do their business. They
+should be persuaded of his all-sufficiency.</p>
+<p>(3.) That he is not only an all-sufficient deliverer, able to
+deliver a soul that is, as it were, rotting in the grave, and to
+cause the dead to hear his voice and live; but also most willing
+and ready to answer them in all their necessities, according to
+wisdom, and as he seeth it for his glory, and their soul's
+advantage. The faith of this is necessary, and will be very
+encouraging.</p>
+<p>(4.) That they should go to him, how dead-like soever their
+condition be, and by faith roll their dead case upon him, who is
+the Life.</p>
+<p>(5.) That they should pray upon the promises of grace and
+influence, even out of the belly of hell, or of the grave, with
+Jonah, chap. ii. 2; for he is faithful and true, and
+tender-hearted, and will hear and give a good answer at length.</p>
+<p>(6.) That in the exercise of faith and prayer, they should wait
+with patience, till he be pleased to come, and breathe upon the dry
+bones, and till the Sun of Righteousness arise on their souls with
+healing in his wings.</p>
+<p>But of this more particularly in the following cases, which now
+we come to speak a little unto, of purpose to clear more fully how
+the believer is to make use of Christ as the Life, when he is under
+some one distemper or other, that calleth for life and quickening
+from Christ the Life. We cannot handle distinctly all the
+particular cases which maybe brought under this head; it will
+suffice, for clearing of this great duty, to speak to some few.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXI." id="CHAPTER_XXI."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXI.</h2>
+<h4>HOW TO MAKE USE OF CHRIST AS THE LIFE, WHEN THE BELIEVER IS SO
+SITTEN-UP IN THE WAYS OF GOD, THAT HE CAN DO NOTHING.</h4>
+<br>
+<p>Sometimes the believer is under such a distemper of weakness and
+deadness, that there is almost no commanded duty that he can go
+about; his heart and all is so dead, that he cannot so much as
+groan under that deadness. Yea, he may be under such a decay, that
+little or no difference will be observed betwixt him and others
+that are yet in nature; and be not only unable to go actively and
+lively about commanded duties, yea, or to wrestle from under that
+deadness; but also be so dead, that he shall scarce have any
+effectual desire or longing to be out of that condition. Now, in
+speaking to the use-making of Christ for quickening in this dead
+case, we shall do those things:</p>
+<p>1. For clearing of the case, we shall show how probably it is
+brought on. 2. How Christ is life to the soul in such a case as
+this. 3. How the believer is to make use of Christ for the life, in
+this case; and, 4. Further clear the matter, by answering a
+question or two.</p>
+<p>As to the <i>first</i>, such a distemper as this may be brought
+upon the soul,</p>
+<p>1. Through some strong and violent temptation from without,
+meeting with some evil disposition of the heart within, and so
+surprising and overpowering the poor soul, as we see in David and
+Peter.</p>
+<p>2. Through the cunning and sleight of Satan, stealing the
+believer, that is not watchful enough, insensibly off his feet, and
+singing him asleep by degrees.</p>
+<p>3. Through carelessness, in not adverting at first to the
+beginnings and first degrees of this deadness and upsitting, when
+the heart beginneth to grow formal and superficial in duties, and
+to be satisfied with a perfunctorious performance, without life and
+sense.</p>
+<p>4. Through torturing of conscience, in light and smaller
+matters; for this may provoke God to let conscience fall asleep,
+and so the soul become more untender, and scruple little, at
+length, at great matters; and thus deadness may come to a height,
+God ordering it so, for a further punishment to them, for their
+untenderness and uncircumspectness.</p>
+<p>5. Through their not stirring up themselves, and shaking off
+that spirit of laziness and drowsiness, when it first seizeth upon
+them; but, with the sluggard, yet another slumber, and another
+sleep, and a folding of the hands to sleep.</p>
+<p>6. Continuing in some known sin, and not repenting of it, may
+bring on this distemper, as may be observed in David.</p>
+<p>As to the <i>second</i> particular, Christ is life to the soul
+in this case; in that,</p>
+<p>1. He keepeth possession of the soul; for the seed remaineth,
+the root abideth fast in the ground; there is life still at the
+heart, though the man make no motion, like one in a deep sleep, or
+in a swoon, yet life is not away.</p>
+<p>2. He in due time awakeneth, and rouseth up the soul, and so
+recovereth it out of that condition, by some means or other, either
+by some alarm of judgment and terror, as he did David; or
+dispensation of mercy and tenderness, as he did Peter; and usually
+he recovereth the soul,</p>
+<p>(1.) By discovering something of this condition, by giving so
+much sense and knowledge, and sending so much light, as will let
+the soul see that it is not well, and that it is under that
+distemper of lifelessness.</p>
+<p>(2.) By the discovering the dreadfulness of such a condition,
+and how hazardous it is to continue therein.</p>
+<p>(3.) By putting the soul in mind, that he is the life and the
+resurrection; and through the stirring up of grace, causing the
+soul to look to him for quickening and outgate.</p>
+<p>(4.) By raising up the soul at length out of that drowsiness,
+and sluggish folding of the hands to sleep, and out of that deep
+security, and putting it into a more lively, vigilant, and active
+frame.</p>
+<p>As to the <i>third</i>, the believer that would make use of
+Christ, for a recovery out of this condition, would mind those
+duties:</p>
+<p>1. He would look to Christ, as the light of men, and the
+enlightener of the blind; to the end, he may get a better and a
+more thorough discovery of his condition; for it is half health
+here to be sensible of this disease. The soul that is once brought
+to sense, is half recovered of this fever and lethargy.</p>
+<p>2. He would eye Christ as God, able to cause the dead and dry
+bones to live, as Ezek. chap. xxvii.; and this will keep from
+despondency and despair; yea, it will make the poor believer
+conceive hope, when he seeth that his physician is God, to whom
+nothing is impossible.</p>
+<p>3. He would look to him also, as head and husband, and life to
+the poor soul that adhereth to him; and this will strengthen his
+hope and expectation; for he will see that Christ is engaged (to
+speak so) in point of honour, to quicken a poor dead and lifeless
+member; for the life in the head is for the good of the whole body,
+and of every member of the body, that is not quite cut off. And the
+good that is in the husband is forthcoming for the relief of the
+poor wife, that hath not yet got a bill of divorce. And Christ
+being life and the Life, he must be appointed for the relief, the
+quickening and recovering from death of such as are given to him,
+that they may be finally raised up at the last day; he must present
+all his members lively in that day.</p>
+<p>4. He would by faith wrap himself up in the promises, and lie
+before this Sun of Righteousness, till the heat of his beams thaw
+his frozen heart, and bring warmth into his cold and dead soul, and
+thus renew his grips of him, accepting of him as the Life, and as
+his life. Christ himself tells us, John xi. 40, that this is the
+Father's will, that hath sent him, that every one that seeth the
+Son, and believeth on him, might have everlasting life, and he will
+raise him up at the last day. Faith closing with him, as it was the
+mean of life at first, so it will be the mean of recovery out of a
+dead distemper afterwards.</p>
+<p>5. He would mourn for such sins and provocations, as he
+discovereth in himself to have caused and brought on this
+distemper. Repentance and godly sorrow for such evils, as have
+sinned Christ and life away, is a way to bring life back again.</p>
+<p>6. He would be sure to harbour no known sin in his soul, but to
+set himself against every known evil, as an enemy to the life and
+recovery which he is seeking.</p>
+<p>7. He must wait on Christ his life, in the appointed means; for
+that is the will of the Lord, that he should be waited upon there,
+and sought for there. There is little hopes of recovery for such as
+lay aside the ordinances. Though the ordinances without him cannot
+revive or quicken a poor soul, yet he hath condescended so far as
+to come with life to his people in and through the ordinances, and
+hath appointed us to wait for him there; we must be willing to
+accept of all his condescensions of love, and seek and wait for him
+there, where he hath said he will be found.</p>
+<p>8. In going about those ordinances of life, he would beware of
+putting them in Christ's room, <i>i.e.</i> he would beware of
+thinking that ordinances will do his business; as some ignorantly
+do, who think that by praying so often a-day, and reading so much,
+and hearing so much, they shall recover their lost lively frame,
+when, alas! all the ordinances, without him, signify nothing. They,
+without him, are cold and lifeless, and can never bring heat and
+warmth to a cold soul. It is he in the ordinances whom we are to
+seek, and from whom alone life is to be expected, and none
+else.</p>
+<p>9. Though life lieth not in the ordinances as separated from
+Christ, and life is to be expected from him alone, yet he would
+beware of going about the ordinances in a careless, superficial,
+and indifferent manner: for this will argue little desire after
+life, and will bring on more deadness. The ordinances then should
+be gone about seriously, diligently, and with great carefulness,
+yea, with such earnestness as if life were not about the ordinances
+at all. This is the right way of going about the ordinances.</p>
+<p>10. He must in all this wait with patience, without fretting or
+quarrelling with him for his delaying to come. He must wait with
+much humility. It becometh not him who hath, through his folly,
+sinned life away, to quarrel now with God, because he restoreth him
+not again to life at the first asking. He may be glad if at length,
+after long seeking, waiting, and much diligence, he come and
+restore to him the joy of salvation, and if he be not made to lie
+as bedrid all his days, for a monument of folly in sinning away his
+life, strength, and legs as he did.</p>
+<p>11. He must beware of giving way to any thing that may increase
+or continue this deadness; such as untenderness in his walk,
+unwatchfulness, negligence, and carelessness; and especially he
+must beware not to provoke God by sinning against light.</p>
+<p>12. He would also beware of limiting the Lord to any set measure
+of life and strength: for it becometh not beggars to be carvers,
+far less such beggars as through folly have sinned away a good
+portion. It was not for the prodigal to seek a new patrimony, after
+he had dilapidated the former; it might suffice him to be made as a
+servant.</p>
+<p>13. He would use well any small measure of life he getteth, for
+God and his glory; getteth he but one talent, he should use it that
+he may gain thereby: we say, use limbs and have limbs, use strength
+and have it. This will be the way to get more.</p>
+<p>14. He would be taking on the vows of the Lord, and that in the
+Lord, to walk more watchful in time coming, charging all within and
+without not to stir or provoke the Lord to depart further or to
+scare him from coming to the soul.</p>
+<p>As to the <i>last</i> particular,</p>
+<p>If it be inquired, 1. What can that soul do that is not sensible
+of this deadness and weakness?</p>
+<p><i>Ans</i>. Though there be not any real sense and feeling of
+this condition, yet there may be a suspicion that all is not right;
+and if this be, the soul must look out to Christ for the life of
+sense and for a sight of the provocations that have brought on that
+condition. He that is the Life must recover the very beginnings of
+life; and when the soul winneth to any real apprehension and sense
+of this deadness, it must follow the course formerly prescribed for
+a recovery.</p>
+<p>2. But it will be asked, how can a soul act faith in such a
+case? And if it cannot act faith, how can it come to Christ and
+make use of him?</p>
+<p><i>Ans</i>. It is true, while the soul is in that case, it
+cannot act a strong and lively faith; yet it can act a weak and a
+sickly faith; and a weak faith and a sickly faith can lay hold on
+an enlivening Christ, and so bring in more strength and life to the
+soul. If the soul be so weak as that it cannot grip, yet it can
+look to him that can quicken the dead and hath helped many a poor
+soul before out of a dead condition: or if it cannot do so much as
+look, yet it may give an half-look, and lie before him who waiteth
+to be gracious; and sustain itself if it can get no more, with a
+maybe he shall come.</p>
+<p>3. But further, it may be asked, what can the soul do, when,
+after all this, it findeth no help or supply, but deadness
+remaining, yea, and it may be, growing?</p>
+<p><i>Ans</i>. The soul in that case must lie at his door, waiting
+for his salvation, and resolving, if no better may be, to die at
+his door, and leave no approved means or commanded duty unessayed,
+that it may recover its former vigour, activity and strength. And
+while the believer is waiting thus, he is at his duty; and this may
+yield him peace, and he may be sure that he shall never be ashamed,
+Psalm xxv. 3; lxix. 6. Isa. 1. 18.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXII." id="CHAPTER_XXII."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXII.</h2>
+<h4>HOW CHRIST IS TO BE MADE USE OF AS OUR LIFE, IN CASE OF
+HEARTLESSNESS AND FAINTING THROUGH DISCOURAGEMENTS.</h4>
+<br>
+<p>There is another evil and distemper which believers are subject
+to, and that is a case of fainting through manifold
+discouragements, which make them so heartless that they can do
+nothing; yea, and to sit up, as if they were dead. The question
+then is, how such a soul shall make use of Christ as in the end it
+may be freed from that fit of fainting, and win over those
+discouragements: for satisfaction to which we shall,</p>
+<p>1. Name some of those discouragements which occasion this.</p>
+<p>2. Show what Christ hath done to remove all those
+discouragements.</p>
+<p>3. Show how the soul should make use of Christ for life in this
+case; and,</p>
+<p>4. Add a few words of caution.</p>
+<p>As to the <i>first</i>, there are several things which may give
+occasion to this distemper; we shall name those few:</p>
+<p>1. The sense of a strong, active, lively, and continually
+stirring body of death, and that notwithstanding of means used to
+bear it down and kill it. This is very discouraging; for it made
+Paul cry out, "Woe is me, miserable man, who shall deliver me from
+this body of death?" Rom. vii. 24. It is a most discouraging thing
+to be still fighting, and yet getting no ease, let be victory; to
+have to do with an enemy that abides always alike strong, fight and
+oppose as we will, yea, not only is not weakened, far less
+overcome, but that groweth in power, and prevaileth. And this many
+times affecteth the hearts of God's children and causeth them to
+faint.</p>
+<p>2. It may be the case of some, that they are assaulted with
+strange temptations and buffettings of Satan that are not usual.
+This made Paul cry out thrice, 2 Cor. xii.; and if the Lord had not
+told him that his grace was sufficient for him, what would he have
+done? Hence some of his cry out in their complaint, was there ever
+any so tempted, so assaulted with the devil, as I am? Sure this
+dispensation cannot but be much afflicting, saddening and
+discouraging.</p>
+<p>3. The sense of the real weakness of grace under lively means,
+and notwithstanding of their serious and earnest desires and
+endeavours after growth in grace, cannot but disquiet and
+discourage them: for they may readily conclude, that all their
+pains and labour shall be in vain for any thing they can
+observe.</p>
+<p>4. The want of sensible incomes of joy and comfort is another
+fainting and discouraging dispensation; as the feeling of these is
+a heart-strengthening and most encouraging thing, which made David
+so earnestly cry for it, Psal. li. 8, 12; when a poor soul that
+hath the testimony of his own conscience, that it hath been in some
+measure of singleness of heart and honestly seeking the face of God
+for a good many years, and yet cannot say that ever it knew what
+those incomes of joy and comfort meant which some have tasted
+largely of, it cannot choose but be discouraged and much cast down,
+as not knowing what to say of itself, or how to judge of its own
+case.</p>
+<p>5. The want of access in their addresses to God, is another
+heart-discouraging thing. They go about the duty of prayer with
+that measure of earnestness and uprightness of heart that they can
+win at, at least this is their aim and endeavour, and yet they meet
+with a fast closed door, when they cry and shout; he shutteth out
+their prayer, as the church complaineth, Lam. iii. 8. This sure
+will affect them deeply, and cause their hearts sometimes to
+faint.</p>
+<p>6. The want of freedom and liberty in their addresses to God is
+another thing which causeth sorrow and fainting. They go to pray,
+but their tongue cleaveth to the roof of their mouth: they are
+straitened and cannot get their hearts vented.</p>
+<p>7. Outward persecution that attendeth the way of godliness, and
+afflictions that accompany such as live godly, is another
+discouraging thing, both to themselves who are under afflictions,
+and to others who hear it and see it; wherefore the apostle
+desireth earnestly that the Ephesians should not faint at his
+tribulation, chap. iii. 13.</p>
+<p>8. The Lord's sharp and sore dispensations for sin, as towards
+David, Psal. li., or out of his sovereignty, for trial and other
+ends, as towards Job, is likewise a discouraging, heart-breaking
+thing, and that which will make strong giants to roar and faint,
+and look upon themselves as dead men, as we see in these two
+eminent men of God.</p>
+<p>As to the <i>second</i> thing, Christ is life to the believer in
+this case, in having done that which in reason may support under
+all these discouragements, and having done so much for removing or
+weakening of these; yea, and for carrying them over all, which may
+be in a word cleared as to each.</p>
+<p>1. As for the body of death, let it stir in the believer as fast
+as it will or can, it is already killed, and all that struggling is
+but like the struggling of a man in the pangs of death; for our
+"old man is crucified with Christ," Rom. vi. 6; and the believer is
+dead to sin and risen legally with him, Col. ii. 11, 12; iii. 3.
+But of this I spoke abundantly above.</p>
+<p>2. As to Satan's troubling the poor believer, through Christ
+also he is a vanquished enemy: "He hath overcome him that had the
+power of death, even the devil," Heb. ii. 14.</p>
+<p>3. As for that felt weakness of grace, that is no ground of
+discouragement, so long as he liveth who can make the lame to leap
+as an hart, and can make waters break out in the wilderness, and
+streams in the desert, Isa xxxv. 6, 7; "and giveth power to the
+faint, and to them that have no might increaseth strength; so that
+such as wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, and they
+shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be
+weary, and they shall walk and not faint," Isa. xl. 29, 31. For "in
+him are all the promises yea and amen," 2 Cor. i. 20. So that they
+need not faint upon this account, nor be discouraged: for the work
+he hath begun he will finish it, and he will quicken in the way,
+Psal. cxix. 37.</p>
+<p>4. As for the want of sensible incomes of joy and comfort, he
+hath promised to send the Comforter, in his own good time, John
+xiv. 26; xv. 26. "As one whom his Father comforteth, so will he
+comfort his," Isa. lxvi. 13. Joy and gladness is promised in the
+covenant, Jer. xxxi. 13. But further, though he keep up these
+influences of joy and comfort, he supporteth another way. The
+lively hope of heaven may bear up the heart under all this want:
+for there shall the soul have fulness of joy and pleasures for
+evermore: no tears, no sorrow there, Psal. xvi. 11. Isa. xxxv.
+10.</p>
+<p>5. As for the want of access in their prayers, they may possibly
+blame themselves, for he has by his merits opened the door; and is
+become (to speak so) master-usher to the poor soul, to lead him
+unto the Father, so that "by him we have access," Eph. ii. 18,
+"yea, boldness and access through faith in him," Eph. iii. 12; "and
+he is our advocate," 1 John ii. 1; and, as our attorney, is gone to
+heaven before us; "and there liveth for ever to make intercession,"
+Heb. vi. 28; vii. 25. And what is there more to be done to procure
+us access; or to move and encourage us to "come boldly unto the
+throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help
+in time of need?" Heb. iv. 14, 16.</p>
+<p>6. As to that want of freedom and liberty in prayer; he helpeth
+that also: For he maketh the dumb to sing, Isa. xxxv. 6, and maketh
+the tongue of the stammerer to speak elegantly, Isa. xxxii. 4. He
+can enlarge the heart, and help the soul to pour out his heart
+before God.</p>
+<p>7. As to outward persecution, he can easily take that
+discouragement away, by giving the hundred-fold with it; by
+supporting under it, and bringing safe through it. When his
+presence is with them through fire and water, Isa. xliii. 2, what
+can trouble them? And when he maketh their consolations abound, 2
+Cor. i. 5, what can discourage them? Have not his sung in the very
+fires; and rejoiced in all their afflictions? The resting of the
+Spirit of God and of glory, which Peter speaketh of, 1 Pet. iv. 14,
+is comfortable enough.</p>
+<p>8. As for all those sharp dispensations mentioned in the last
+place, he having taken the sting of all, even of death away, by
+taking away sin, and purchased the blessing and love of the Father,
+having made reconciliation through his blood, all those
+dispensations flow from love, even such as seem sharpest, being
+inflicted for sin, as we see, Heb. xii. 6; so that there is no
+cause here of fainting or of being so discouraged as to give over
+the matter. But for help in this case, there should be a use-making
+of Jesus, as the Life; and that is</p>
+<p>The <i>third</i> thing which we shall speak a little to, viz.
+How the soul should make use of Christ as the Life, to the end it
+may be delivered from this fainting occasioned through manifold
+discouragements.</p>
+<p>1. The believer in this case would mind the covenant of
+redemption, wherein Christ hath promised and so standeth obliged
+and engaged to carry on his own through all discouragements to the
+end; so that if any one believer miscarry, Christ loseth more than
+they lose: for the believer can but lose his soul, but Christ shall
+lose his glory; and this is more worth than all the souls that ever
+were created. And, further, not only shall Christ lose his glory as
+Redeemer, but the Father shall lose his glory in not making good
+his promise to Christ his Son. For by the same covenant he standeth
+engaged to carry through the seed that Christ had died for. And his
+appointing Christ to be his servant for this end, and choosing him
+from among all the folk, and his upholding of him, concurring with
+him, delighting in him, and promising that he shall bring forth
+judgment to the Gentiles, and that to victory, or to truth, speak
+out his engagement to see all true believers brought home. See Isa.
+xlii. 1-4. Matt. xii. 17-21. Psalm lxxxix. 19-21, 28, 29, 35-37.
+Sure the faith of this would support the poor believer under all
+those discouragements.</p>
+<p>2. They would mind likewise the covenant of grace, wherein all
+things are contrived and laid down, so far as that the believer may
+have abundant consolation and comfort in all cases; and wherein
+there is enough to take away all cause of fainting and
+discouragement; as might fully be made to appear, if any did
+question it.</p>
+<p>3. They would remember how richly Christ is furnished with all
+qualifications; suiting even that case wherein they are like to be
+overwhelmed with discouragements; and could the believer but think
+upon and believe those three things, he might be kept up under all
+discouragements: (1.) That Christ is a compassionate,
+tender-hearted Mediator, having bowels more tender than the bowels
+of any mother; so that "he will not break the bruised reed, nor
+quench the smoking flax," Isa. xl. 2. He had compassion on the very
+bodies of the multitude that followed him; and would not let them
+go away fasting, lest they should faint in the way, Matt. xv. 32.
+Mark viii. 3; and will he not have compassion on the souls of his
+followers, when like to faint through spiritual discouragements?
+(2.) That he hath power and authority to command all things that
+can serve to carry on a poor believer; for all power in heaven and
+in earth is given unto him; all things are made subject to him.
+(3.) That he hath a great readiness and willingness upon many
+accounts to help his followers in their necessities. Sure, were
+these three firmly believed, the believer could not faint, having
+Christ, who is tender and loving, and willing to help, and withal
+able to do what he will, to look to and to run to for supply.</p>
+<p>4. They would take up Christ under all his heart-strengthening
+and soul-comforting relations, as a tender brother, a careful
+shepherd, a fellow-feeling high priest, a loving husband, a
+sympathizing head, a life-communicating root, an all-sufficient
+king, &amp;c., any of which is enough to bear up the head, and
+comfort the heart of a drooping, discouraged, and fainting soul.
+Much more may all of them yield strong consolation to support and
+revive a soul staggering and fainting through discouragement. Oh!
+if ye would but rightly improve and dwell upon the thoughts of the
+comforting and heart-quickening relations! our hearts would not
+fail us so much as they do.</p>
+<p>5. They would eye him as now in glory, who as head and captain
+of salvation hath wrestled through and overcome all difficulties
+and discouragements that were in his way, and in name and behalf of
+all believers that are his followers and members of his body, is
+now possessed of glory, and thence draw an heart-comforting, and
+soul-strengthening conclusion, thus, Is he entered into glory as
+head? then such a poor, faint-hearted, discouraged worm as I am,
+may at length come there as a little bit of his body, especially
+since he said, that seeing he liveth, all his shall live also, John
+xiv. 19.</p>
+<p>6. They would remember how Christ, who was always heard of his
+Father, John xi. 41, did supplicate for this, as Mediator and
+Intercessor for his people, John xvii. 24, saying, "Father, I will
+that they also whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am,"
+&amp;c. May not the poor faint-hearted believer that is looking to
+Jesus, draw an heart-reviving, and soul-encouraging conclusion out
+of this, and say, though my prayers be shut out, and when I cry for
+relief under my discouragements, I get no hearing; but, on the
+contrary, my discouragements grow, and my heart fainteth the more;
+yet Christ always was heard, and the Father will not say him nay;
+why then may not I lift up my head in hope, and sing in the hope of
+the glory of God, in the midst of all my discouragements?</p>
+<p>7. By faith they would cast all their discouragements,
+entanglements, and difficulties, as burdens too heavy for their
+back, on Christ, and leave them there with him who only can remove
+them; and withal, resolve never to give over, but to go forward in
+his strength, and thus become daily stronger and stronger in
+resolutions, purposes, desires, and endeavours, when they can do no
+more.</p>
+<p>8. They would look to Jesus, the author and finisher of faith,
+and set him before them as a copy of courage, "who for the joy that
+was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame," and
+endureth contradiction of sinners against himself, Heb. xii. 2, 3.
+And this may prove a mean to keep us from wearying and fainting in
+our minds, as the apostle hinteth there.</p>
+<p>9. They would remember, that Christ going before, as the Captain
+of their salvation, hath broken the ice to them, and the force and
+strength of all those discouragements, as we did lately show; so
+that now they should be looked upon as broken and powerless
+discouragements.</p>
+<p>10. They would fix their eye by faith on Jesus, as only able to
+do their business, to bear up their head, to carry them through
+discouragements, to apply cordials to their fainting hearts, and
+remain fixed in that posture and resolution, looking for
+strengthening and encouraging life from him, and from him alone;
+and thus declare, that, (1.) They are unable of themselves to stand
+out such storms of discouragements, and to wrestle through such
+difficulties. (2.) They believe he is only able to bear them up,
+and carry them through, and make them despise all those
+discouragements which the devil and their own evil hearts muster up
+against them. (3.) That come what will come, they will not quit the
+bargain&mdash;they will never recall or take back their
+subscription and consent to the covenant of grace, and to Christ,
+as theirs, offered therein, though they should die and die again by
+the way. (4.) That they would fain be kept on in the way, and
+helped forward without failing and fainting by the way. (5.) That
+they cannot run through hard walls&mdash;they cannot do
+impossibilities&mdash;they cannot break through such mighty
+discouragements. (6.) That yet through him they can do all things.
+(7.) That he must help, or they are gone, and shall never win
+through all these difficulties and discouragements, but shall one
+day or other die by the hand of Saul. (8.) That they will wait,
+earnestly seeking help from him, crying for it, and looking for it,
+and resolve never to give over, and if they be disappointed they
+are disappointed.</p>
+<p>Now for the <i>last</i> particular, the word of caution, take
+these,</p>
+<p>1. They would not think to be altogether free of fainting, for
+there is no perfection here, and there is much flesh and corruption
+remaining, and that will occasion fainting.</p>
+<p>2. Nor would they think to be free of all the causes and
+occasions of this fainting, viz. the discouragements formerly
+mentioned, or the like; for, if the devil can do any thing, he will
+work discouragements, both within and without. So that they would
+lay their resolution to meet with discouragements; for few or none
+ever went to heaven but they had many a storm in their face; and
+they must not think to have a way paved for themselves alone.</p>
+<p>3. They would not pore too much, or dwell too long and too much
+upon the thoughts of those discouragements; for that is Satan's
+advantage, and tendeth to weaken themselves. But it were better to
+be looking beyond them, as Christ did, Heb. xii. 2, when he had the
+cross and the shame to wrestle with, he looked to the joy that was
+set before him; and that made him endure the cross and despise the
+shame; and as Moses did, Heb. xi. 25-27, when he had afflictions
+and the wrath of the king to wrestle against; he had respect unto
+the recompense of the reward, and so he endured as seeing him who
+is invisible.</p>
+<p>4. They would remember that as Christ hath tender bowels, and is
+full of compassion, and is both ready and able to help them; so is
+he wise, and knoweth how to let out his mercies best. He is not
+like a foolish, affectionate mother, that would hazard the life of
+the child, before she put the child to any pain. He seeth what is
+best for his own glory, and for their good here and hereafter; and
+that he will do with much tenderness and readiness.</p>
+<p>5. They would look upon it as no mean mercy, if, notwithstanding
+of all the discouragements and storms that blow in their face, they
+are helped to keep their face up the hill, and are fixed in their
+resolution, never willingly to turn their back upon the way of God,
+but to continue creeping forward as they may, whatever storms they
+meet with; yea, upon this account ought they heartily to bless his
+name, and to rejoice; for "their hearts shall live that seek him,"
+Psalm xxii. 26.</p>
+<p>6. They would remember, for their encouragement, that as many
+have been helped through all discouragements, and have been brought
+home at length, so may they be brought through all those storms
+which now they wrestle with. It is the glory of the Mediator to
+bring his broken, torn, and sinking vessel, safe to shore.</p>
+<p>Now, I come to a third case, and that is,</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXIII." id="CHAPTER_XXIII."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2>
+<h4>HOW TO MAKE USE OF CHRIST AS THE LIFE WHEN THE SOUL IS DEAD AS
+TO DUTY.</h4>
+<br>
+<p>Sometimes the believer will be under such a distemper, as that
+he will be as unfit and unable for discharging of any commanded
+duty, as dead men, or one in a swoon, is to work or go a journey.
+And it were good to know how Christ should be made use of as the
+Life, to the end the diseased soul may be delivered from this. For
+this cause we shall consider those four things:</p>
+<p>1. See what are the several steps and degrees of this
+distemper.</p>
+<p>2. Consider whence it cometh, or what are the causes or
+occasions thereof.</p>
+<p>3. Consider how Christ is life to the soul in such a dead case;
+and,</p>
+<p>4. Point out the way of the soul's use-making of Christ, that
+would be delivered herefrom.</p>
+<p>As to the <i>first</i>, this distemper cometh on by several
+steps and degrees. It will be sufficient to mention some of the
+main and most remarkable steps; such as,</p>
+<p>1. There is a falling from our watchfulness and tenderness; and
+when we leave our watch tower, we invite and encourage Satan to set
+upon us, as was said before.</p>
+<p>2. There is going about duty, but in a lazy way, when we love
+and seek after carnal ease, and seek out ways of doing the duty, so
+as maybe least troublesome to the flesh, as the spouse did, Cant.
+iii. 1, when she sought her beloved upon her bed.</p>
+<p>3. There is a lying by, and not stirring up ourselves to an
+active way of going about duty, of which the prophet complaineth,
+Isa. liv. 7, when he saith, there is none that stirreth up himself
+to take hold of thee.</p>
+<p>4. There is a giving way to spiritual drowsiness, and upsitting
+in duties, and in the way of God. "I sleep," said the spouse, Cant.
+v. 2, 3, and "I have put off my coat," &amp;c. She knew she was not
+right, but was drowsy, and yet she did not shake it off, but
+composed herself for it, took off her coat, and washed her feet,
+and so lay down to sleep.</p>
+<p>5. There is a satisfaction and contentment with his condition,
+as thinking we are pretty well, at least for that time; and thus
+was the spouse in that forementioned place led away; she was so far
+from being dissatisfied with her condition, that she rather
+expressed contentment therewith.</p>
+<p>6. There may be such a love to such a condition, and such a
+satisfaction in it, as that they may shift every thing that hath a
+tendency to rouse them up out of that sluggish laziness, as not
+loving to be awakened out of their sleep. So we see the bride
+shifts and putteth off Christ's call and invitation to her, to
+arise and open to him.</p>
+<p>7. Yea, there is a defending of that condition, as at least
+tolerable and none of the worst; a justifying of it, or at least a
+pleading for themselves and excusing the matter, and covering over
+their neglect of duty with fair pretexts, as the spouse did when
+she answered Christ's call with this, that she had washed her feet
+and might not defile them again.</p>
+<p>8. Yea, further, there is a pleading for this case, by alleging
+an impossibility to get it helped as matters now stand; or, at
+least, they will muster up insuperable-like difficulties in their
+own way of doing duty, as the sluggard will say, that there is a
+lion in the way; and the spouse alleged she could not put on her
+coat again.</p>
+<p>9. Yea, it may come yet higher, even to a peremptory refusing to
+set about the duty; for what else can be read out of the bride's
+carriage, than that she would not rise and open to her beloved.</p>
+<p>10. There is also a desperate laying the duty aside, as
+supposing it impossible to be got done, and so a resolute laying of
+it by as hopeless, and as a business they need not trouble
+themselves withal, because they will not get through it.</p>
+<p>11. And hence floweth an utter indisposition and unfitness for
+duty.</p>
+<p>12. Yea, and in some it may come to this height, that the
+thoughts of going about any commanded duty, especially of worship,
+either in public or private; or their minting and attempting to set
+about it, shall fill them with terror and affrightment, that they
+shall be constrained to forbear; yea, to lay aside all thoughts of
+going about any such duty.</p>
+<p>This is a very dead-like condition,&mdash;what can be the causes
+or occasions thereof?</p>
+<p>I answer, (and this is the <i>second</i> particular,) some or
+all of these things may be considered as having a hand in this:</p>
+<p>1. No care to keep up a tender frame of heart, but growing
+slack, loose, and careless, in going about Christian duties, may
+bring on such a distemper.</p>
+<p>2. Slighting of challenges for omission of duties, or leaving
+duties over the belly of conscience, may make way for such an
+evil.</p>
+<p>3. Giving way to carnality and formality in duties, is a ready
+mean to usher in this evil. For when the soul turns carnal or
+formal in the discharge of duties, duties have not that spiritual
+lustre which they had, and the soul becometh the sooner wearied of
+them, as seeing no such desirableness in them, nor advantage by
+them.</p>
+<p>4. When people drown themselves in cares of the world, they
+occasion this deadness to themselves; for then duties not only are
+not gone about heartily, but they are looked on as a burden, and
+the man becometh weary of them; and from that he cometh to neglect
+them; and by continuing in the neglect of them, he contracteth an
+aversion of heart for them; and then an utter unfitness and
+indisposition for discharging of them followeth.</p>
+<p>5. Satan hath an active hand here, driving on with his crafts
+and wiles from one step to another.</p>
+<p>6. The hand also of a sovereign God is to be observed here,
+giving way to this, yea, and ordering matters in his justice and
+wisdom so, as such persons shall come under such an indisposition,
+and that for wise and holy ends; as, (1.) That by such a
+dispensation he may humble them, who possibly were puffed up
+before, as thinking themselves fit enough to go about any duty, how
+difficult or hazardous soever, as Peter, who boasted so of his own
+strength, as he thought nothing to lay down his life for Christ,
+and to die with him; and yet at length came to that, that he could
+not, or durst not speak the truth to a damsel. (2.) That he may
+punish one spiritual sin with another. (3.) To give warning to all
+to watch and pray, and to work out their salvation with fear and
+trembling, and not to be high-minded, but fear. (4.) That thereby,
+in his just and righteous judgment, he may lay a stumbling-block
+before some, to the breaking of their neck, when they shall, for
+this cause, reject and mock at all religion. (5.) That he may give
+proof at length of his admirable skill in recovering from such a
+distemper, that no flesh might have ground to despair, in the most
+dead condition they can fall into. (6.) And to shew, sometimes,
+what a sovereign dispensator of life he is, and how free he is in
+all his favours.</p>
+<p>As to the <i>third</i> particular, how Christ is life in this
+case,</p>
+<p>We answer, 1. By keeping possession of the believer, even when
+he seemeth to be most dead; and keeping life at the root, when
+there is neither fruit appearing nor flourishes, and hardly many
+green leaves to evidence life.</p>
+<p>2. By blowing at the coal of grace in the soul, in his own time
+and way, and putting an end to the winter, and sending the time of
+the singing of the birds, a spring time of life.</p>
+<p>3. By loosing the bands with which he was held fast formerly,
+enlarging the heart with desires to go about the duty; so that now
+he willingly riseth up out of his bed of security, and cheerfully
+shaketh off his drowsiness and sluggishness, and former
+unwillingness; and now with willingness and cheerfulness he setteth
+about the duty.</p>
+<p>4. By sending influences of life and strength into the soul,
+whereby the wheels of the soul are made to run with ease, being
+oiled with those divine influences.</p>
+<p>5. And this he doth by touching the heart, and wakening it by
+his Spirit; as he raised the spouse out of her bed of security and
+laziness, by putting in his hand at the hole of the
+door,&mdash;then were her bowels moved for him, Cant. v. 4; and
+thus he setteth faith on work again, having the key of David to
+open the heart, Rev. iii. 7.</p>
+<p>6. By giving a discovery of the evil of their former ways and
+courses, he worketh up the heart to godly sorrow and remorse for
+what is done, making their bowels move for grief and sorrow, that
+they should so have dishonoured and grieved him.</p>
+<p>7. By setting the soul thus on work to do what formerly it
+neither could nor would do; and thus he maketh the soul strong in
+the Lord, and in the power of his might, Eph. vi. 10, and able to
+run and not be weary, and to walk and not be faint, Isa. xl.</p>
+<p>8. By discovering the great recompense of reward that is coming,
+and the great help they have at hand, in the covenant and promises
+thereof, and in Christ their head and Lord. He maketh the burden
+light and the duty easy.</p>
+<p>As to the <i>last</i> particular, viz. how a believer, in such a
+case, should make use of Christ as the Life, that he may be
+delivered therefrom.</p>
+<p>When the poor believer is any way sensible of this decay, and
+earnestly desiring to be from under that power of death, and in
+case to go about commanded duties, he should,</p>
+<p>1. Look to Christ for enlightened eyes, that he may get a more
+thorough discovery of the hazard and wretchedness of such a
+condition, that hereby being awakened and alarmed, he may more
+willingly use the means of recovery, and be more willing to be at
+some pains to be delivered.</p>
+<p>2. He should run to the blood of Jesus, to get the guilt of his
+bygone sinful ways washed away, and blotted out; to the end he may
+obtain the favour of God, and get his reconciled face shining upon
+him again.</p>
+<p>3. He should eye Christ as a prince exalted to give repentance,
+that so his sorrow for his former sinful courses may be kindly,
+spiritual, thorough, and affecting the heart. He would cry to
+Christ, that he would put in his hand by the hole of the door, that
+his bowels may become moved for him.</p>
+<p>4. He should also look to him as that good shepherd, who will
+strengthen that which is sick, Ezek. xxxiv. 16. And take notice
+also of his other relations, and of his obligations thereby, and by
+the covenant of redemption; and this will strengthen his hope.</p>
+<p>5. He should lay hold on Christ as his strength, whereby his
+feet may be made like hinds' feet, and he may be made to walk upon
+his high places, Hab. iii. 19; and he would grip to that promise,
+Isa. xli. 10, "I will strengthen thee;" and lay hold on Christ in
+it.</p>
+<p>6. Having done thus, he should set about every commanded duty,
+in the strength of Jesus, looking to him for help and supply, from
+whom cometh all his strength, and though he should not find that
+help and assistance which he expected, yet he should not be
+discouraged, but continue, and when he can do no more, offer
+himself as ready and willing to go about the duty, as if he had
+strength.</p>
+<p>7. He should lie open to, and be ready to receive the influences
+of strength, which he, who is the head, shall think good to give in
+his own time, manner, and measure; and this taketh in these
+duties:</p>
+<p>(1.) That they should carefully guard against the evils formerly
+mentioned, which brought on this distemper; such as carelessness,
+untenderness, unwatchfulness, laziness, carnal security, formality,
+and want of seriousness, &amp;c.</p>
+<p>(2.) That they should beware of giving way to dispondency, or
+concluding the matter hopeless and irremediable; for that is both
+discouraging to the soul, and a tempting provocation of God.</p>
+<p>(3.) That they should be exercising the grace of patient
+waiting.</p>
+<p>(4.) That they should be waiting in the use of the appointed
+means, and thereby, as it were, rubbing the dead and cold member
+before the fire, till it gather warmth.</p>
+<p>(5.) That they should be keeping all their sails up, waiting for
+the gale of the Spirit, that should make their ship sail.</p>
+<p>(6.) That they should be looking to him alone, who hath promised
+that quickening Spirit; and patiently waiting his leisure, not
+limiting him to any definite time.</p>
+<p>(7.) That they should be cherishing and stirring up any small
+beginnings that are.</p>
+<p>(8.) That they should be welcoming most cheerfully every motion
+of the Spirit, and improving every advantage of that kind, and
+striking the iron when it is hot, and hold the wheels of the soul
+a-going, when they are once put in motion, and so be loath to
+grieve the good and holy Spirit of God, Eph. iv. 30, or to quench
+his motions, 1 Thess. v. 19.</p>
+<p>If these duties were honestly minded and gone about, in him, and
+in his strength, none can tell how soon there may be a change
+wrought in the soul.</p>
+<p>But if it be asked, what such can do, to whom the very thoughts
+of the duty, and aiming at it, is matter of terror;</p>
+<p><i>Ans.</i> It may be, something, if not much, of that may flow
+from a bodily distemper, as occasioneth the alteration of the body,
+upon the thorough apprehension of any thing that is weighty and of
+moment, so as they cannot endure to be much affected with any
+thing. But leaving this to others, I would advise such a soul to
+those duties:</p>
+<p>1. To be frequently setting to the duty, as, for example, of
+prayer, though that should raise the distemper of their body, for
+through time that may wear away, or at least grow less; whileas,
+their giving way thereto, will still make the duty the more and
+more terrible, and so render themselves the more unfit for it, and
+thus they shall gratify Satan, who, it may be, may have a hand in
+that bodily distemper too. When the poor soul is thus accustomed or
+habituated to the attempting of the duty, it will at length appear
+not so terrible as it did; and so the body may become not so soon
+altered thereby as it was.</p>
+<p>2. When such an one can do no more, he should keep his love to
+the duty, and his desires after it, fresh, and lively, and should
+not suffer these quite to die out.</p>
+<p>3. He should be much in the use of frequent ejaculations, and of
+short supplications darted up to God; for these will not make such
+an impression on the body, and so will not so occasion the raising
+and wakening the bodily distemper, as more solemn addresses to God
+in prayer would possibly do.</p>
+<p>4. If he cannot go to Christ with confidence, to draw out of him
+life and strength, according to his need, yet he may give a look to
+him, though it were from afar; and he may think of him, and speak
+of him frequently, and would narrowly observe every thing that
+pointeth him out, or bringeth any thing of him to remembrance.</p>
+<p>5. Such souls should not give way to despairing thoughts, as if
+their case were wholly helpless and hopeless; for that is a
+reflecting on the power and skill of Christ, and therefore is
+provoking and dishonourable to him.</p>
+<p>6. Let Christ, and all that is his, be precious always and
+lovely unto them. And thus they should keep some room in their
+heart open for him, till he should be pleased to come to them with
+salvation; and who can tell how soon he may come?</p>
+<p>But enough of this. There is a <i>fourth</i> case of deadness to
+be spoken to, and that is,</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXIV." id="CHAPTER_XXIV."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2>
+<h4>HOW SHALL THE SOUL MAKE USE OF CHRIST, AS THE LIFE, WHICH IS
+UNDER THE PREVAILING POWER OF UNBELIEF AND INFIDELITY.</h4>
+<br>
+<p>That we may help to give some clearing to a poor soul in this
+case, we shall,</p>
+<p>1. See what are the several steps and degrees of this
+distemper.</p>
+<p>2. Consider what the causes hereof are.</p>
+<p>3. Shew how Christ is life to a soul in such a case; and,</p>
+<p>4. Give some directions how a soul in that case should make use
+of Christ as the Life, to the end it may be delivered
+therefrom.</p>
+<p>And, <i>first,</i> There are many several steps to, and degrees
+of this distemper. We shall mention a few; as,</p>
+<p>1. When they cannot come with confidence, and draw out of him by
+faith, what their soul's case calleth for; they cannot "with joy
+draw waters out of the wells of salvation," Isa. xii. 3; but keep
+at a distance, and entertain jealous thoughts of him. This is a
+degree of unbelief making way for more.</p>
+<p>2. When they cannot confidently assert and avow their interest
+in him, as the church did, Isa. xii. 2, saying, "Behold, God is my
+salvation, I will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord Jehovah is
+my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation."</p>
+<p>3. When they much question, if ever they have indeed laid hold
+on Christ, and so cannot go to him for the supplies of their wants
+and necessities.</p>
+<p>4. When, moreover, they question if they be allowed of God, and
+warranted to come to him, and lay hold upon him; yea, and they
+think they have many arguments whereby to maintain this their
+unbelief, and justify their keeping a-back from Christ.</p>
+<p>5. Or, when, if they look to him at all, it is with much mixture
+of faithless fears that they shall not be the better, or at least
+doubting whether it shall be to their advantage or not.</p>
+<p>6. This unbelief will advance further, and they may come to
+that, not only to conclude, that they have no part or portion in
+him, but also to conclude that their case is desperate and
+irredeemable; and so say there is no more hope, they are cut off
+for their part, as Ezek. xxxvii. 11, and so lie by as dead and
+forlorn.</p>
+<p>7. Yea, they may come higher, and vent some desperate thoughts
+and expressions of God, to the great scandal of the godly, and the
+dishonour of God.</p>
+<p>8. And yet more, they may come that length, to question all the
+promises, and to cry out with David, in his haste, Psalm c. 11,
+that "all men are liars."</p>
+<p>9. Yea, they may come to this, to scout the whole gospel to be
+nothing but a heap of delusions, and a cunningly-devised fable, or
+but mere notions and fancies.</p>
+<p>10. And at length come to question, if there be a God that
+ruleth in the earth.</p>
+<p>These are dreadful degrees and steps of this horrible distemper,
+and enough to make all flesh tremble.</p>
+<p>Let us see next whence this cometh. The causes hereof we may
+reduce to three heads:</p>
+<p><i>First.</i> The holy Lord hath a holy hand in this, and hath
+noble ends and designs before him in this matter; as,</p>
+<p>1. The Lord may think good to order matters thus, that he may
+magnify his power and grace, in rescuing such as were returned to
+the very brink of hell, and seemed to many to be lost and
+irrecoverably gone.</p>
+<p>2. That in punishing them thus, for giving way to the first
+motions of unbelief, he might warn all to guard against such an
+evil, and not to foster and give way to groundless complaints, nor
+entertain objections, moved against their condition by the
+devil.</p>
+<p>3. To warn all to walk circumspectly, and to work out their
+salvation with fear and trembling, not knowing what may befall them
+ere they die.</p>
+<p>4. To teach all to walk humbly, not knowing what advantage Satan
+may get of them eve all be done; and to see their daily need of
+Christ to strengthen their faith, and to keep their grips of him
+fast.</p>
+<p>5. So the Lord may think good to dispense so with some, that he
+may give a full proof of his wonderfully great patience and
+long-suffering in bearing with such, and that so long.</p>
+<p>6. As also to demonstrate his sovereignty, in measuring out his
+dispensations to his own, as he seeth will most glorify
+himself.</p>
+<p><i>Next,</i> Satan hath an active hand in this; for,</p>
+<p>1. He raiseth up clouds and mists in the believer, so that he
+cannot see the work of God within himself, and so is made to cry
+out, that he hath no grace, and that all was but delusions and
+imaginations, which he looked upon as grace before.</p>
+<p>2. He raiseth up in them jealousies of God, and of all his ways,
+and puts a false gloss and construction on all which God doth, to
+the end he may confirm them in their jealousies, which they have
+drunk in of God.</p>
+<p>3. Having gained this ground, he worketh then upon their
+corruption with very great advantage; and thus driveth them from
+evil to worse, and not only to question their perfect interest in
+Christ, but also to quit all hope for the time to come.</p>
+<p>4. This being done, he driveth the soul yet farther, and filleth
+it with prejudices against God and his glorious truths; and from
+this he can easily bring them to call all in question.</p>
+<p>5. Yea, he will represent God as an enemy to them; and when this
+is done, how easy it is with him to put them on desperate courses,
+and cause them to speak wickedly and desperately of God.</p>
+<p>6. And when this is done, he can easily darken the
+understanding, that the poor soul shall not see the glory of the
+gospel, and of the covenant of grace, nor the lustre and beauty of
+holiness: yea, and raise prejudices against the same, because there
+is no hope of partaking of the benefit thereof; and so bring them
+on, to a plain questioning of all, as mere delusions.</p>
+<p>7. And when he hath gotten them brought this length, he hath
+fair advantage to make them question if there be a God, and so
+drive them forward to atheism. And thus deceitfully he can carry
+the soul from one step to another.</p>
+<p>But, <i>third,</i> there are many sinful causes of this within
+the man's self; as,</p>
+<p>1. Pride and haughtiness of mind, as thinking their mountain
+standeth so strong, that it cannot be moved. And this provoketh God
+to hide his face, as Psalm xxx.</p>
+<p>2. Self-confidence, a concomitant of pride, supposing themselves
+to be so well rooted that they cannot be shaken, whereas it were
+better for them to walk in fear.</p>
+<p>3. Want of watchfulness over a deceitful heart, and an evil
+heart of unbelief, that is still departing from the living God,
+Heb. iii. 12. It is good to be jealous here.</p>
+<p>4. Giving way to doubtings and questionings too readily at
+first. It is not good to tempt the Lord by parlying too much and
+too readily with Satan. Eve's practice might be a warning
+sufficient to us.</p>
+<p>5. Not living in the sight of their wants, and of their daily
+necessity of Christ, nor acting faith upon him daily, for the
+supplying of their wants. And when faith is not used, it may
+contract rust and be weakened, and come at length not to be
+discerned.</p>
+<p>6. Entertaining of jealous thoughts of God, and hearkening too
+readily to any thing that may foster and increase or confirm
+these.</p>
+<p>7. Not delighting themselves in, and with pleasure dwelling on,
+the thoughts of Christ, of his offices, of the gospel and promises;
+so that these come at length to lose their beauty and glory in the
+soul, and have not the lustre that once they had; and this doth
+open a door to much mischief.</p>
+<p>8. In a word, not walking with God according to the gospel,
+provoking the Lord to give them up to themselves for a time.</p>
+<p>We come now to the <i>third</i> particular, which is, to shew
+how Christ is Life to the poor soul in this case. And for the
+clearing of this, consider,</p>
+<p>1. That Christ is "the author and finisher of faith," Heb. xii.
+2; and so, as he did rebuke unbelief at the first, he can rebuke it
+again.</p>
+<p>2. That he is the great prophet clearing up the gospel, and
+every thing that is necessary for us to know, bringing life and
+immortality to light by the gospel, 2 Tim. i. 10, and so
+manifesting the lustre and beauty of the gospel.</p>
+<p>3. He bringeth the promises home to the soul, in their reality,
+excellency, and truth, being the faithful witness and the amen,
+Rev. iii. 14, and the confirmer of the promises, so that they are
+all yea and amen in him, 2 Cor. i. 20. And this serveth to
+establish the soul in the faith, and to shoot out thoughts of
+unbelief.</p>
+<p>4. So doth he, by his Spirit, dispel the mists and clouds which
+Satan, through unbelief, had raised in the soul.</p>
+<p>5. And thereby also rebuketh those mistakes of God, and
+prejudices at him and his ways, which Satan hath wrought there,
+through corruption.</p>
+<p>6. He discovereth himself to be a ready help in time of trouble,
+and the hope and anchor of salvation, Heb. vi. 19; and a priest
+living for ever to make intercession for poor sinners, Heb. vii.
+25.</p>
+<p>7. And hereby he cleareth up to the poor soul a possibility of
+help and relief; and thus rebuketh despair or preventeth it.</p>
+<p>8. He manifesteth himself to be the marrow and substance of the
+gospel: and this maketh every line thereof pleasant and beautiful
+to the soul, and so freeth them from the prejudices that they had
+at it.</p>
+<p>9. So in manifesting himself in the gospel, he revealeth the
+Father, that the soul cometh to "the knowledge of the glory of God,
+in the face of Jesus Christ," 2 Cor. iv. 6. And this saveth the
+soul from atheism.</p>
+<p>10. When the soul cannot grip him, nor look to him, yet he can
+look to the soul, and by his love quicken and revive the soul, and
+warm the heart with love to him, and at length move and incline it
+sweetly to open to him; and thus grip and hold fast a lost sheep,
+yea, and bring it home again.</p>
+<p>But what should a soul do in such a case? To this, (which is the
+<i>fourth</i> particular to be spoken to), I answer,</p>
+<p>1. That they should strive against those evils formerly
+mentioned, which procured or occasioned this distemper. A stop
+should be put to those malignant humours.</p>
+<p>2. They should be careful to lay again the foundation of solid
+knowledge of God, and of his glorious truths revealed in the
+gospel, and labour for the faith of God's truth and veracity; for
+till this be, nothing can be right in the soul.</p>
+<p>3. They should be thoroughly convinced of the treachery,
+deceitfulness, and wickedness of their hearts, that they may see it
+is not worthy to be trusted, and that they may be jealous of it,
+and not hearken so readily to it as they have done, especially
+seeing Satan can prompt it to speak for his advantage.</p>
+<p>4. They should remember also, that it is divine help that can
+recover them, and cause them grip to the promises, and lay hold on
+them of new again, as well as at first, and that of themselves they
+can do nothing.</p>
+<p>5. In using of the means for the recovery of life, they should
+eye Christ, and because this eyeing of Christ is faith, and their
+disease lieth most there, they should do as the Israelites did who
+were stung in the eye with the serpents,&mdash;they looked to the
+brazen serpent with the wounded and stung eye: so should they do
+with a sickly and almost dead faith, grip him, and with an eye
+almost put out and made blind, look to him, knowing how ready he is
+to help, and what a tender heart he hath.</p>
+<p>6. And to confirm them in this resolution, they should take a
+new view of all the notable encouragements to believe, wherewith
+the whole gospel aboundeth.</p>
+<p>7. And withal fix on him, as the only "author and finisher of
+faith."</p>
+<p>8. And, in a word, they should cast a wonderfully unbelieving
+and atheistical soul on him, who is wonderful in counsel, and
+excellent in working, and is wonderful in mercy and grace, and in
+all his ways. And thus may he at length, in his own time, and in
+the way that will most glorify himself, raise up that poor soul out
+of the grave of infidelity wherein it was stinking; and so prove
+himself to be indeed "the resurrection and the life, to the praise
+of the glory of his grace."</p>
+<p>We come now to speak to another case, which is,</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXV." id="CHAPTER_XXV."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXV.</h2>
+<h4>HOW CHRIST IS MADE USE OF AS THE LIFE, BY ONE THAT IS SO DEAD
+AND SENSELESS, AS HE CANNOT KNOW WHAT TO JUDGE OF HIMSELF, OR HIS
+OWN CASE, EXCEPT WHAT IS NAUGHT.</h4>
+<br>
+<p>We spake something to this very case upon the matter, when we
+spoke of Christ as the Truth. Yet we shall speak a little to it
+here, but shall not enlarge particulars formerly mentioned. And
+therefore we shall speak a little to those five particulars; and
+so,</p>
+<p>1. Shew what this distemper is. 2. Shew whence it proceedeth,
+and how the soul cometh to fall into it. 3. Shew how Christ, as the
+Life, bringeth about a recovery of it 4. Shew how the soul is to be
+exercised, that it may obtain a recovery; and, 5. Answer some
+questions or objections.</p>
+<p>As to the <i>first</i>, Believers many times may be so dead, as
+not only not to see and know that they have an interest in Christ,
+and to be uncertain what to judge of themselves, but also be so
+carried away with prejudices and mistakes, as that they will judge
+no otherwise of themselves than that their case is naught; yea, and
+not only will deny or miscall the good that God hath wrought in
+them by his Spirit, but also reason themselves to be out of the
+state of grace, and a stranger to faith, and to the workings of the
+Spirit: and hereupon will come to call all delusions, which
+sometime they had felt and seen in themselves, which is a sad
+distemper, and which grace in life would free the soul from.</p>
+<p>This proceedeth (which is the <i>second</i> particular) partly
+from God's hiding of his face, and changing his dispensations about
+them, and compassing them with clouds, and partly from themselves
+and their own mistakes: as,</p>
+<p>1. Judging their state, not by the unchangeable rule of truth,
+but by the outward dispensations of God, which change upon the
+best.</p>
+<p>2. Judging their state by the observable measure of grace within
+them, and so concluding their state bad, because they observe
+corruption prevailing now and then, and grace decaying, and they
+perceive no victory over temptations, nor growth in grace,
+&amp;c.</p>
+<p>3. Judging also their state by others; and so they suppose that
+they cannot be believers, because they are so unlike to others,
+whom they judge true believers. This is also to judge by a wrong
+rule.</p>
+<p>4. Judging themselves by themselves, that is, because they look
+so unlike to what sometimes they were themselves, they conclude
+that their state cannot be good, which is also a wrong rule to
+judge their state by.</p>
+<p>5. Beginning to try and examine their case and state, and coming
+to no close or issue, so that when they have done, they are as
+unclear and uncertain what to judge of themselves, as when they
+began; or,</p>
+<p>6. Taking little or no pains to try themselves seriously, as in
+the sight of God, but resting satisfied with a superficial trial,
+which can come to no good issue.</p>
+<p>7. Trying and examining, but through the sleight of Satan, and
+because pitching upon wrong marks, coming to no good issue, but
+condemning themselves without ground.</p>
+<p>8. There is another thing which occasioneth this misjudging, to
+wit, the want of distinctness and clearness in covenanting with
+Christ, and the ignorance of the nature of true saving faith.</p>
+<p>As to the <i>third</i> particular, how Christ is Life to the
+believer in this case,</p>
+<p>I answer, Christ manifesteth himself to be life to the soul in
+this case:</p>
+<p>1. By sending the Spirit of life, that enlighteneth, informeth,
+persuadeth, and sealeth.</p>
+<p>2. By actuating grace so in the soul, that it manifesteth
+itself, and evidenceth itself to be there; as the heat and burning
+of a fire will discover itself without other tokens.</p>
+<p>The <i>fourth</i> particular, to wit, how the soul should be
+exercised, or how it should employ Christ, for an outgate from
+this, hath been abundantly cleared above, where we shewed, that
+believers in this case should,</p>
+<p>1. Be frequent in gripping Christ and closing with him as their
+all-sufficient Mediator; and faith thus frequently acting on him
+may discover itself at length.</p>
+<p>2. Look to Christ that hath eye-salve, and is given for a
+witness.</p>
+<p>3. Keep grips fast of him, though they be in the dark; and walk
+on gripping to him.</p>
+<p>4. Keep love toward him and his working, and in exercise.</p>
+<p>5. Beg of him to clear up their state, by his Spirit explaining
+the true marks of grace, and discovering the working of grace in
+the soul.</p>
+<p>But it will be said, and so I come to the <i>last</i>
+particular, what, if after all this, I remain as formerly, as
+unable to judge aright of my state as ever?</p>
+<p><i>Answer.</i> Yet thou shouldst continue gripping Christ,
+loving him, looking to him, casting a lost, dead soul with all thy
+wants upon him, and mind this as thy constant work. Yea, thou
+shouldst labour to be growing in these direct acts of faith; and
+learn to submit to God herein, knowing that those reflect acts are
+not absolutely necessary; and that thou shouldst think it much if
+he bring thee to heaven at length, though covered with a cloud all
+thy days.</p>
+<p><i>Obj.</i> 2. But others get much more clearness.</p>
+<p><i>Ans.</i> I grant that; yet know, that every one getteth not
+clearness, and such as have it, have it not in the same measure.
+And must God give thee as much as he giveth to another? What if
+thou could not make that use of it that others do, but wax proud
+thereby, and forget thyself? Therefore it will be best to give God
+liberty to dispense his favours as he will, and that thou be about
+thy commanded duty, the exercise of faith, love, fear, patience,
+&amp;c.</p>
+<p><i>Obj.</i> 3. But if at any time I got a sight of my case, it
+would be some peace and satisfaction to me.</p>
+<p><i>Ans.</i> I grant that, and what knowest thou; but thou mayest
+also get that favour ere thou die. Why then wilt thou not wait his
+leisure?</p>
+<p><i>Obj.</i> 4. But the want of it in the mean time maketh me go
+heartlessly and discouragedly about commanded duties, and maketh
+that I cannot apply things distinctly to myself.</p>
+<p><i>Ans.</i> Yet the word of command is the same, the offer is
+the same, and the encouragement is the same. Why then should thou
+not be going on, leaning to Christ in the wilderness, even though
+thou want that comfortable sight?</p>
+<p><i>Obj.</i> 5. But it is one thing to want a clear sight of my
+state, it is another thing to judge myself, to be yet in the state
+of nature; and this is my case.</p>
+<p><i>Ans.</i> I grant, this is the worst of the two; yet, what if
+thou misjudge thyself without ground; should thou not suffer for
+thy own folly; and whom can thou blame but thyself? And if thou
+judge so, thou cannot but know that it is thy duty to do the thing
+that thou supposeth is not yet done, that is, run away to Christ
+for life and salvation, and rest on him and abide there; and if
+this were frequently renewed, the grounds of thy former mistake
+might be easily removed.</p>
+<p>Yet further, I would add these few things:</p>
+<p>1. Take no pleasure in debating against your own soul; for that
+is but to serve Satan's design.</p>
+<p>2. Be not too rash or ready to drink in prejudices against the
+work of God in your own souls; for that is to conclude with Satan
+against yourselves.</p>
+<p>3. Make much of any little light he is pleased to give, were it
+but of one mark, and be not ill to please; for one scriptural mark,
+as love to the brethren, may sufficiently evidence the thing.</p>
+<p>4. See how thy soul would like the condition of such as are
+carnal, profane, careless in the matters of God; and if thy soul
+doth really abhor that, and thou would not upon any account choose
+to be in such a case, thou may gather something from that to thy
+comfort. But enough of this case here.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXVI." id="CHAPTER_XXVI."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXVI.</h2>
+<h4>HOW IS CHRIST, AS THE LIFE, TO BE APPLIED BY A SOUL THAT
+MISSETH GOD'S FAVOUR AND COUNTENANCE.</h4>
+<br>
+<p>The sixth case, that we shall speak a little to, is a deadness,
+occasioned by the Lord's hiding of himself, who is their life, and
+"the fountain of life," Ps. xxxvi. 9, and "whose loving-kindness is
+better than life," Ps. lxiii. 3, and "in whose favour is their
+life," Ps. xxx. 5. A case, which the frequent complaints of the
+saints manifest to be rife enough, concerning which we shall,</p>
+<p>1. Shew some of the consequences of the Lord's hiding his face,
+whereby the soul's case will appear. 2. Shew the reasons of this
+dispensation. 3. Shew how Christ is life to the soul in this case;
+and, 4. Point out the soul's duty; or how he is to make use of
+Christ for a recovery.</p>
+<p>As to the <i>first,</i> we may take notice of those
+particulars:</p>
+<p>1. They complain of God's hiding of himself, and forsaking them,
+Ps. xxii. 1, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" and Ps.
+xiii. 3, "How long wilt thou forsake me?" &amp;c.</p>
+<p>2. They cry out for a blink of his face, and get it not; for he
+hath withdrawn himself, Ps. xiii. 1, "how long wilt thou hide thy
+face from me?" Heman, Ps. lxxxviii., cried out night and day, but
+yet God's face was hid, ver. 1, 9, 14. The spouse seeketh long,
+Cant. v.; see Ps. xxii. 1, 2.</p>
+<p>3. They are looking for an outgate, but get none. And "hope
+deferred maketh their heart sick," Prov. xiii. 12.</p>
+<p>4. They are in the dark, and cannot tell' why the Lord
+dispenseth so towards them; "Why," said Heman, Ps. xviii. 14,
+"castest thou off my soul? why holdest thou thy face from me?" They
+cannot understand wherefore it is. So Job cried out, "shew me
+wherefore thou contendest with me," Job x. 2.</p>
+<p>5. They may also be walking, in the mean while, without light or
+counsel, so as they shall not know what to do. "How long shall I
+take counsel in my soul," Ps. xiii. 2.</p>
+<p>6. Moreover, they may have their heart filled with sorrow; as we
+see, Ps. xiii. 2, "having sorrow in my heart," said David. He also
+saith, Ps. xxxviii. that his sorrow was continually before him,
+ver. 17; and Ps. cxvi. 3, "I found trouble and sorrow."</p>
+<p>7. They may be so, as the sweet experience of others may yield
+them no supply of comfort at present, Ps. xxii. 4-6, "Our fathers
+trusted in thee," said David, "and thou didst deliver them; they
+cried to thee, and were delivered; they trusted in thee, and were
+not confounded." But that gave him no present ease or comfort; for
+immediately he addeth, ver. 6, "but I am a worm and no man, a
+reproach of men," &amp;c.</p>
+<p>8. Yea, all their own former experiences may yield them little
+solace; as we see in the same place, Ps. xxii. 9, 10, compared with
+ver. 14,15, "Thou art he," says he, ver. 9, "that took me out of
+the womb," &amp;c. And yet he complains, ver. 14, "that he was
+poured out like water, and his bones out of joint, that his heart
+was melted in the midst of his bowels," &amp;c.</p>
+<p>9. They may be brought near to a giving over all in despondency,
+and be brought, in their sense, to the very dust of death, Psal.
+xxii. 16.</p>
+<p>If it be inquired, why the Lord dispenseth so with his own
+people?</p>
+<p>We answer, and this is the <i>second</i> particular, that he
+doeth it for holy and wise reasons, whereof we may name a few;
+as,</p>
+<p>1. To punish their carelessness and negligence; as we see he did
+with the spouse, Cant. v.</p>
+<p>2. To chastise them for their ill-improving of his favour and
+kindness when they had it; as the same passage evidenceth.</p>
+<p>3. To check them for their security and carnal confidence, as he
+did David, Psal. xxx. 6, 7, when he said his mountain stood strong,
+and he should never be moved. Then did the Lord hide his face, and
+he was troubled.</p>
+<p>4. To try if their obedience to his commands be pure and
+conscientious, and not in a sort mercenary, because of his lifting
+up upon them the light of his countenance; and to see if conscience
+to a command driveth them to duty, when they are in the dark, and
+have no encouragement.</p>
+<p>5. To put the graces of the Spirit to trial and to exercise; as
+their faith, patience, hope, love, &amp;c. Psal. xiii. 5, 6, 22,
+24.</p>
+<p>6. To awaken them from their security, and to set them to a more
+diligent following of duty; as we see in the spouse, Cant. v.</p>
+<p>7. To sharpen their desire and hunger after him, as this
+instance cleareth.</p>
+<p>Even in such a case as this, Christ is life to the soul, which
+is the <i>third</i> particular,</p>
+<p>1. By taking away the sinful causes of such a distance, having
+laid down his life and shed his blood for the remission of their
+sins, so that such a dispensation is not flowing from pure wrath,
+but is rather an act of mercy and love.</p>
+<p>2. By advocating the poor man's cause in heaven, where he is
+making intercession for his own, and thereby obtaining a delivery
+from that condition, in God's own time, even the shining again of
+his countenance upon them.</p>
+<p>3. By keeping life in, as to habitual grace, and by breathing
+thereupon, so that it becometh lively, and operative even in such a
+winter day.</p>
+<p>4. By supporting the soul under that dispensation, and keeping
+it from fainting, through the secret influences of grace, which he
+conveyeth into the soul; as he did to the poor woman of Canaan,
+Matth. xv.</p>
+<p>5. By setting the soul a-work, to use such means as God hath
+appointed for a recovery; as, to cry, to plead, to long, to wait,
+&amp;c. "Their heart shall live that seek him."</p>
+<p>6. By teaching the soul to submit to and acquiesce in what God
+doth, acknowledging his righteousness, greatness, and sovereignty;
+and this quietness of heart is its life.</p>
+<p>7. By keeping the heart fast to the covenant of grace; so that
+whatever come, they will never quit that bargain, but they will
+trust in him though he should kill them; and they will adhere to
+the covenant of grace, though they should be dragged through
+hell.</p>
+<p>8. At length when he seeth it fit and convenient, he quickeneth
+by drawing back the veil, and filling the soul with joy, in the
+light of God's countenance; and causing it to sing, as having the
+heart lifted up in the ways of the Lord.</p>
+<p>As to the <i>last</i> particular, concerning the duty of a soul
+in such a case; we say,</p>
+<p>1. He should humble himself under this dispensation, knowing
+that it is the great God with whom he hath to do; and that there is
+no contending with him; and that all flesh should stoop before
+him.</p>
+<p>2. He should justify God in all that he doth, and say with
+David, Psal. xxii. 3. "But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest
+the praises of Israel."</p>
+<p>3. He should look upon himself as unworthy of the least of that
+kind: "I am a worm," said David, Psal. xxii. 6, "and no man."</p>
+<p>4. He should search out his provocations, and run away to the
+fountain, the blood of Christ, that these may be purged away, and
+his conscience sprinkled from dead works, and his soul washed in
+the fountain opened to the house of David for sin and for
+uncleanness.</p>
+<p>5. He must also employ Christ, to discover to him more and more
+of his guiltiness, whereby he hath grieved the Spirit of God; and
+as sins are discovered to him, he would repent of them, and run
+away with them to the blood that cleanseth from all sin. This was
+Elihu's advice to Job, chap. xxxiv. 31, 32. "Surely it is meet to
+be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend.
+That which I see not, teach thou me; if I have done iniquity, I
+will do no more."</p>
+<p>6. He should grip to Christ in the covenant, and rest there with
+joy and satisfaction; he should hold that fast that he may ride out
+the storm in a dark night; "though he make not mine house to grow,"
+said David, 2 Sam. xxiii. 5; yet this was all his salvation and all
+his desire, that he "had made with him an everlasting covenant,
+ordered in all things and sure." The spouse took this course, when
+she could not get a sight of him whom her soul loved, Cant. vi. 3,
+and asserted her interest in him; "I am my beloved's, and my
+beloved is mine."</p>
+<p>7. He should be entertaining high and loving thoughts of God,
+commending him highly, let his dispensations be what they will. So
+did the spouse, Cant. v. 10, 16.</p>
+<p>8. He should earnestly seek after him. The spouse did so, Cant.
+v. 6. The discouragement she met with at the hands of the watchmen,
+did not put her off her pursuit, ver. 7, but she continued, yea,
+was "sick of love;" ver. 8; and her looks had a prevailing power
+with him, as we see, Cant. vi. 5, where the bridegroom uttered that
+most astonishing word, "Turn away thine eyes from me, for they have
+overcome me."</p>
+<p>9. This new manifestation which he is seeking for, must be
+expected in and through Christ, who is the true tabernacle, and he
+who was represented by the mercy-seat. He is the only
+trusting-place; in him alone will the Father be seen.</p>
+<p>10. He should also look to him for strength and support, in the
+mean time; and for grace, that he may be kept from fainting, and
+may be helped to wait till he come, who knoweth the fittest season
+wherein to appear.</p>
+<p>But it will be said, what if, after all this, we get no outgate,
+but he hideth his face still from us?</p>
+<p>I answer, such should know, that life is one thing, and comfort
+is another thing; grace is one thing, and warm blinks of God's face
+is another. The one is necessary to the very being of a Christian,
+the other not, but only necessary to his comfortable being; and
+therefore they should be content, if God give them grace, though
+they miss comfort for a time.</p>
+<p>2. They should learn to commit that matter to Christ who knoweth
+how to give that which is good and best for them.</p>
+<p>3. They should be hanging on him for strength and for duty; and
+in his strength setting about every commanded duty, and be
+exercising faith, love, patience, hope, desire, &amp;c.</p>
+<p>4. Let the well-ordered covenant be all their salvation, and all
+their desire; and though they should not get a comfortable blink of
+God's face, so long as they were here, yet holding fast this
+covenant, they should at length be saved souls, and what would they
+have more? and when they get this, what will they miss?</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXVII." id="CHAPTER_XXVII."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXVII.</h2>
+<h4>HOW SHALL ONE MAKE USE OF CHRIST AS THE LIFE, WHEN WRESTLING
+WITH AN ANGRY GOD BECAUSE OF SIN?</h4>
+<br>
+<p>That we may give some satisfaction to this question, we
+shall,</p>
+<p>1. Shew what are the ingredients in this case, or what useth to
+concur in this distemper.</p>
+<p>2. Shew some reasons why the Lord is pleased to dispense thus
+with his people.</p>
+<p>3. Shew how Christ is life to the soul in this case.</p>
+<p>4. Shew the believer's duty for a recovery; and,</p>
+<p>5. Add a word or two of caution.</p>
+<p>As to the <i>first,</i> There may be those parts of, or
+ingredients in this distemper:</p>
+<p>1. God presenting their sins unto their view, so as they shall
+cry out, "Our sin is ever before us," Psal. li. 3, and say, as it
+is, Psal. xc. 8. "Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our
+secret sins in the light of thy countenance;" and so cause them see
+the Lord contending for sin, as the church did, Isa. lix. "We roar
+all like bears, and mourn sore like doves. We look for judgment but
+there is none, for salvation but it is far off from us; for our
+transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify
+against us; for our transgressions are with us; and as for our
+iniquities, we know them," &amp;c.</p>
+<p>2. Yea, God may bring upon them the iniquities of their youth,
+as Job speaketh, chap. xiii. 26, and so bring upon them, or suffer
+conscience to charge them, with their old sins formerly repented of
+and pardoned. And this is more terrible: David is made to remember
+his original sin, Psal. li.</p>
+<p>3. And, as Job speaketh, chap. xv. 17, God may seem to be
+sealing up all their sins in a bag, that none of them may be lost
+or fall by, without being taken notice of; and, as it were, be
+gathering them together in a heap.</p>
+<p>4. He may pursue sore with signs of wrath and displeasure,
+because of those sins, as we see in David, Psal. iv.; xxxviii. 51,
+and in several others of his people, chastened of the Lord because
+of their transgressions; whereof there are many instances in
+Scripture.</p>
+<p>5. Yea, and that for a considerable time together, and cause
+them cry out, with David, Psal. iv. 3, "But thou, O Lord, how
+long!"</p>
+<p>6. And that not only with outward, but also with inward plagues
+and strokes, as David's case cleareth, in the fore-cited
+Psalms.</p>
+<p>7. Yea, and not even themselves, but even their posterity; as
+David's child was smitten with death, and the posterity of
+Manasses, who found mercy himself, 2 Chron. xxxiii. 13, was carried
+into captivity for his sin, 2 Kings xxiii. 26, 27.</p>
+<p>8. Further, the Lord may deprive them of all their former joy
+and comfort, which made David cry out, Psalm li. 12, "Restore unto
+me the joy of thy salvation, and grant me thy free Spirit."</p>
+<p>9. And, which is yet more terrible, write their sin upon their
+judgment, as when he caused the sword and whoredom follow David's
+house.</p>
+<p>10. And, finally, he may cause them fear utter off-casting, as
+Psalm li. 12, "cast me not away," said he, "from thy presence."</p>
+<p>And this the Lord thinketh good to do (that we may speak a word
+to the <i>second</i> particular) for those, and the like
+reasons:</p>
+<p>1. To discover to them, and to all the world, how just, holy,
+and righteous a God he is, that cannot approve of, or bear with
+sin, even in his own children.</p>
+<p>2. To make all fear and tremble before this great and holy God,
+who is terrible in his judgments, even when they come from a
+Father's hand that is not pursuing in pure anger and wrath, but
+chastening in love. Sure all must think that his dispensations with
+the wicked will be much more fearful and horrible, seeing they are
+not yet reconciled to him through the blood of Jesus.</p>
+<p>3. To press believers more earnestly into Christ, that they may
+get a new extract of their pardon, and their souls washed in the
+blood of Jesus.</p>
+<p>4. To teach them to walk more circumspectly afterwards, and to
+guard more watchfully against Satan's temptations, and to employ
+Christ more as their strength, light, and guide.</p>
+<p>5. To cause them see their great obligation to Jesus Christ, for
+delivering them from that state of wrath, wherein they were by
+nature, as well as others, and would have lain in to all eternity,
+had he not redeemed them.</p>
+<p>6. To exercise their faith, patience, and hope; to see if in
+hope they will believe against hope, and lay hold on the strength
+of the Lord, that they make peace with him, Isaiah xxvii. 5.</p>
+<p>7. To give a fresh proof of his wonderful mercy, grace, love,
+and compassion, upholding the soul in the mean time, and at length
+pardoning them, and speaking peace to their souls through the blood
+of Jesus.</p>
+<p>But as to the <i>third</i> particular, we may look on Christ as
+the Life to the soul in this case, upon those accounts,</p>
+<p>1. He hath satisfied justice, and so hath borne the pure wrath
+of God due for their sins. "He hath trodden the wine press alone,"
+Isaiah lxiii. 5. "He was wounded for our transgressions, and
+bruised for our sins," Isaiah liii. 5, 10; and therefore they drink
+not of this cup which would make them drunk, and to stagger, and
+fall, and never rise again.</p>
+<p>2. Yea, he hath procured that mercy and love shall accompany all
+those sharp dispensations, and that they shall flow from mercy;
+yea, and that they shall be as a covenanted blessing promised in
+the covenant, Psalm lxxxix. 30, &amp;c.</p>
+<p>3. And sometimes he is pleased to let them see this clear
+difference betwixt the strokes they lie under, and the judgments of
+pure wrath which attend the wicked; and this supporteth the soul;
+for then he seeth that those dispensations, how sharp soever they
+be, shall work together for good to him, and come from the hand of
+a gracious loving Father, reconciled in the blood of Christ.</p>
+<p>4. "He is a Prince, exalted to give repentance and remission of
+sins to Israel," Acts v. 31. Yea, he hath procured such a clause in
+the covenant, which is well ordered in all things and sure, that
+upon their renewing of faith and repentance, their after sins shall
+be pardoned; and besides the promises of faith and repentance in
+the covenant, his being a Prince exalted to give both, giveth
+assurance of their receiving of both.</p>
+<p>5. He cleareth to them their interest in the covenant, and their
+right to the promises of the covenant; and through their closing
+with Christ by faith, he raiseth up their heart in hope, and
+causeth them to expect an outgate, even remission of their sins,
+and turning away the displeasure in due time through him. And this
+is a great part of their life.</p>
+<p>6. Being the author and finisher of faith, and a prince to give
+repentance, he, by his Spirit, worketh up the soul to a renewing of
+its grips of himself by faith, and to a running to the death and
+blood of Christ for pardon and washing, and worketh godly sorrow in
+the heart, whereupon followeth pardon, according to the gospel
+constitution, though the believer as yet perceiveth it not; and sin
+being pardoned before God, conform to the tenor of the covenant of
+grace, the man is a living man, whatever fears of death he may be
+kept under for a time.</p>
+<p>7. He helpeth also to a justifying of God, and to a holy,
+submissive frame of spirit under that dispensation; so that they
+are willing to bear the indignation of the Lord, because they have
+sinned against him, Micah vii. 9; and to wait for an outgate in
+God's own time, and to kiss the rod, and to accept of the
+punishment of their sin.</p>
+<p>8. When he seeth it fit for his own glory, and their advantage,
+he speaketh peace at length to the soul, and saith, "son (or
+daughter) be of good cheer, thy sins are forgiven thee; and then is
+the soul restored to life."</p>
+<p>As to the <i>fourth</i> particular. The soul that is wrestling
+with an angry God for sin, and would make use of Christ as the
+Life, should do these things:</p>
+<p>1. He should look to Christ as standing under God's curse in our
+room, and as satisfying justice for all the elect, and for all
+their sins.</p>
+<p>2. He should eye the covenant wherein new pardon is promised,
+upon the renewing of faith and repentance.</p>
+<p>3. He should eye Christ as the great Lord dispensator of both
+faith and repentance, and hang on him for both, and thus believe,
+that he may believe and repent, or lay his soul open to him, that
+he may work in him both repentance and faith.</p>
+<p>4. He should flee to the blood of sprinkling, "that speaks
+better things than the blood of Abel," that he may be washed, and
+sprinkled with hyssop, as David did, Psalm li. 7.</p>
+<p>5. He should eye Christ as a prince to give pardon and remission
+of sins, and as exalted for this end, and should fix his eye upon
+him, as now exalted in glory for this end.</p>
+<p>6. He should close with Christ of new, as his only
+all-sufficient Mediator; and having done this, and repented of his
+sins, whereby God hath been provoked, he should conclude through
+faith, that a pardon is passed in the court of heaven, conform to
+the tenor of the gospel, and wait on Christ until the intimation
+come.</p>
+<p>As for the cautions which I promised to speak to, in the
+<i>last</i> place, take those few:</p>
+<p>1. Do not conclude there is no pardon, because there is no
+intimation thereof made to thy soul as yet. According to the
+dispensation of grace condescended upon in the gospel, pardon is
+had immediately upon a soul's believing and repenting; but the
+intimation, sense, and feeling of pardon, is a distinct thing, and
+may, for several ends, be long kept up from the soul. Sure they go
+not always together.</p>
+<p>2. Do not conclude there is no pardon, because the rod that was
+inflicted for sin is not as yet taken off. God pardoned David's
+sin, and did intimate the same to him by Nathan, and yet the sword
+did not depart from his house till he died. God can forgive, and
+yet take vengeance on their inventions, Psalm xcix. 8.</p>
+<p>3. Do not upon this ground question God's faithfulness, or
+conclude that God's covenant doth not stand fast. He is the same,
+and the covenant abideth fast and firm; but the change is in
+thee.</p>
+<p>4. Do not think that because thou hast once received Christ,
+that therefore, without any new act of faith on him, or of
+repentance towards God, thou should immediately be pardoned of thy
+sins, as soon as they are committed; for the gospel method must be
+followed, and it should satisfy us.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII." id="CHAPTER_XXVIII."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXVIII.</h2>
+<h4>NO MAN COMETH TO THE FATHER BUT BY ME.</h4>
+<br>
+<p>This being added for further confirmation of what was formerly
+said, will point out unto us several necessary truths, as,</p>
+<p>I. That it is most necessary to be sound and clear in this
+fundamental point of coming to God only in and through Christ.
+For,</p>
+<p>1. It is the whole marrow of the gospel.</p>
+<p>2. It is the hinge of our salvation, Christ is "the chief corner
+stone," Isa. xxxviii. 16. 1 Pet. i. 5, 6; and,</p>
+<p>3. The only ground of all our solid and true peace and
+comfort.</p>
+<p>4 An error or a mistake here, is most dangerous, hazarding, if
+not ruining all.</p>
+<p>5. Satan endeavours mainly against this, raiseth up heresies,
+errors, and false opinions, and prompteth some to vent perplexing
+doubts and objections, and all to darken this cardinal point. So
+doth he muster up all his temptations for this end, at length to
+keep poor souls from acquaintance with this way, and from making
+use of it, or entering into it.</p>
+<p>6. Our corrupt hearts are most averse from it, and will close
+with any way, how troublesome, how expensive and costly soever it
+may seem to be, rather than with this.</p>
+<p>7. There are a multitude of false ways, as we did shew
+above.</p>
+<p>All which do clear up this necessity, and should teach us to be
+very diligent to win to acquaintance with it, and to make sure that
+we are in it, and to hold it fast, and to keep it pure in our
+practice, without mixing any thing with it, or corrupting of
+it.</p>
+<p>II. That it is no small difficulty to get this truth believed
+and practised, that through Christ alone we come to the Father.
+Therefore is the same thing asserted and inculcated again upon the
+same matter; for,</p>
+<p>1. Nature will not teach this way; it is far above nature.</p>
+<p>2. Yea, our natural inclinations are much against it, opposing
+it, and fighting against it.</p>
+<p>3. This way is altogether contrary to that high esteem which
+naturally all of us have of ourselves.</p>
+<p>4. And is opposite to that pride of heart which naturally we are
+subject to.</p>
+<p>5. Yea, there is nothing in us by nature that will willingly
+comply with this way; but, on the contrary, all is opposite
+thereunto.</p>
+<p>6. And therefore it is the Christian's first lesson to deny
+himself.</p>
+<p>The consideration of which should humble us, and make us very
+jealous of our own hearts and inclinations, and of all those
+courses which they are inclinable to and bent upon. And it should
+put us to try if ever we have overcome this difficulty; and have
+now all our hopes and comforts founded on him, and on nothing else;
+and are up and down in our peace and joy according as we win in to
+him, or are shut out from him; and in all our approaches to God,
+upon whatsoever account, are leaning to him and resting upon him
+alone, expecting access, acceptance, and a hearing, only in him;
+and are quieted under all our fears and temptations, with
+this,&mdash;that Christ is our way to the Father.</p>
+<p>III. That even believers have need to have this truth inculcated
+often: For,</p>
+<p>1. Satan is busy pulling them off this ground by all the wiles
+and temptations he can.</p>
+<p>2. Their own corruption within, and the evil heart of unbelief,
+is always opposing this way, and drawing them off it.</p>
+<p>3. Through the sleight of Satan and the power of corruption,
+they are oftentimes declining from this pure gospel way.</p>
+<p>4. The experience of believers can tell, that when they are at
+their best, it is a great work and exercise to them to keep their
+hearts right in this matter.</p>
+<p>5. Is it not too often seen, that they are the spiritual plague
+of formality, which stealeth them off their feet here?</p>
+<p>6. And is it not found oftentimes that they are too ready to
+lean to something beside Christ?</p>
+<p>How ought all to be convinced of this, and humbled under the
+sense of it! And see also how necessary it is to be often preaching
+on this subject, and to be often thinking upon and studying this
+fundamental truth.</p>
+<p>IV. It should be a strong motive and incitement to us to make
+use of Christ as the way to the Father, that no man cometh to the
+Father but by him; for this may be looked upon as an argument
+enforcing their use-making of him as the way.</p>
+<p>V. It discovereth the ground of that truth, that there are but
+few that are saved, for none cometh to the Father but by him; few,
+in respect of the whole world, once hear of him; and of such as
+hear of him, few have the true way of employing and applying him,
+as the way to the Father cleareth up unto them. And again, of such
+as have the truth, as it is in Jesus, preached unto them, O how few
+go to him and make use of him according to the truth, and believe
+and practise the truth!</p>
+<p>VI. That in and through Christ alone we must come,</p>
+<p>1. To the knowledge of the Father; "for no man knoweth the
+Father but the Son;" and he alone, who came out of the bosom of the
+Father, revealeth him.</p>
+<p>2. To the favour and friendship of the Father; for he alone is
+our peace, and in him alone is the Father well pleased.</p>
+<p>3. To the kingdom of the Father here; for here only is the door,
+John x.; and by his Spirit are we effectually called.</p>
+<p>4. To the kingdom of the Father above; for he alone hath opened
+that door, and is entered into the holiest of all, as our
+forerunner, and is gone to prepare a place for us.</p>
+<p>5. Through him alone must we address ourselves to the Father in
+our supplications, John xvi. 23. Rev. viii. 3; in our thanksgiving,
+Rom. i. 8. Col. iii. 17; and praise, Heb. xiii. 15. Eph. iii.
+21.</p>
+<p>6. Through him alone have we access and an open door to the
+Father, Eph. ii. 18; iii. 21. Heb. iv. 16.</p>
+<p>I shall only speak to one case here, viz.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXIX." id="CHAPTER_XXIX."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXIX.</h2>
+<h4>HOW SHOULD WE MAKE USE OF CHRIST, IN GOING TO THE FATHER, IN
+PRAYER, AND OTHER ACTS OF WORSHIP?</h4>
+<br>
+<p>In short, for answering of this question, I shall lay down those
+particulars:</p>
+<p>1. There should be a lively sense of the infinite distance that
+is between the great God and us finite creatures, and yet more
+betwixt the Holy Ghost and us sinful wretches.</p>
+<p>2. There should be an eyeing of Christ as the great peacemaker,
+through his death and merits having satisfied justice and
+reconciled sinners unto God; that so we may look on God now no more
+as an enemy, but as reconciled in Jesus.</p>
+<p>3. There should be, sometimes at least, a more formal and
+explicit actual closing with Christ as ours, when we are going
+about such duties, and always an implicit and virtual embracing of
+him as our Mediator, or an habitual hanging upon him and leaning to
+him as our Mediator and peacemaker.</p>
+<p>4. There should be an eyeing of him as our great High Priest now
+living for ever to make intercession for us, and to keep the door
+of heaven open to us: upon which account the apostle presseth the
+Hebrews to "come boldly to the throne of grace," Heb. iv. 14,16.
+See also Heb. v. 24,25.</p>
+<p>5. There should be a gripping to him even in reference to that
+particular act of worship, and a laying hold upon him, to speak so,
+as our master-usher to bring us by the hand in to the Father,
+conscious of our own unworthiness.</p>
+<p>6. There should be a confident leaning to him in our
+approaching, and so we should approach him without fear and
+diffidence; and that notwithstanding that we find not our souls in
+such a good frame as we would Wish, yea, and guilt looking us in
+the face.</p>
+<p>7. Thus should we roll all the difficulties that come in our
+way, and all the discouragements which we meet with, on him, that
+he may take away the one and the other, and help us over the one
+and the other.</p>
+<p>8. As we should take an answer to all objections from him alone,
+and put him to remove all scruples and difficulties, and strengthen
+ourselves against all impediments and discouragements alone, in and
+through him, so there should be the bringing of all our positive
+encouragements from him alone, and all our hopes of coming speed
+with the Father should be grounded upon him.</p>
+<p>9. We should expect all our welcome and acceptance with the
+Father only in and through Christ, and expect nothing for any thing
+in ourselves, nor for our graces, good frame, preparation, or any
+thing of that kind. So we should not found our acceptance nor our
+peace and satisfaction on ourselves, nor on any thing we have or
+do; nor should we conclude our exclusion or want of acceptance,
+because we do not apprehend our frame so good as it ought to be; so
+we should not found our acceptance on our right performance of
+duties, for that is not Christ.</p>
+<p>10. We should quiet ourselves on him alone in all our
+approaches, whatever liveliness we find or miss in duty. We are too
+much tickled and fain when duties go well with us, and troubled on
+the other hand when it is not so; and the ground of all this is,
+because we lean too much to our own duties, and do not quiet
+ourselves on him alone. And hence it is, that we are often quieted
+when we get the duty done and put by, though we have not met with
+him there, nor gotten use made of him as was necessary. All our
+comfort, peace, and quiet should be founded on him alone.</p>
+<p>11. We should look to him for the removal of all the
+discouragements that Satan casts in our way while we are about this
+or that piece of worship, to put us back, or cause us to advance
+slowly and faintingly; and casting them all on him, go forward in
+our duty.</p>
+<p>12. We should look for all our returns and answers only in and
+through him, and lay all the weight of our hopes and expectations
+of a good answer only on him, 1 John v. 13, 14, 15.</p>
+<p>For caution I would add a word or two:</p>
+<p>1. I do not think that the believer can explicitly and
+distinctly act all these things whenever he is going to God, or can
+distinctly perceive all these several acts; nor have I specified
+and particularly mentioned them thus, for this end, but to shew at
+some length, how Christ is to be employed in those acts of worship
+which we are called to perform; and that because we oftentimes
+think the simple naming of him, and asking of things for his sake,
+is sufficient, though our hearts lean more to some other thing than
+to him; and the conscientious Christian will find his soul, when he
+is rightly going about the duties of worship, looking towards
+Christ thus, sometimes more distinctly and explicitly as to one
+particular, and sometimes more as to another.</p>
+<p>2. Though the believer cannot distinctly act faith on Christ all
+these ways, when he is going about commanded duties of worship, yet
+he should be sure to have his heart going out after Christ, as the
+only ground of his approaching to and acceptance with and of being
+heard by the Father; and to have his heart in such an habitual
+frame of resting on Christ, that really there may be a relying upon
+him all these ways, though not distinctly discerned.</p>
+<p>3. Sometimes the believer will be called to be more distinct and
+explicit in looking to and resting upon Christ, as to one
+particular, and sometimes more as to another. When Satan is
+dissuading him to go to God because he is an infinitely holy One,
+and he himself is but a sinner, then he is called to act faith on
+Christ as the Mediator making reconciliation between God and
+sinners; and when Satan is dissuading from approaching to God,
+because of their want of an interest in God, then should they act
+faith on Christ, and embrace him according to the gospel, and rest
+there, and so approach. And when Satan casts up his unworthiness
+and former sins, to keep him a-back or to discourage him, then he
+is called to lay hold on Christ as the great High Priest and
+Advocate, and casting that discouragement on him, to go forward. So
+likewise, when Satan is discouraging him in his duty, by bringing
+before him his sins, he should take this course; and when, because
+of his sinful way of worshipping God, and calling upon him, and
+other things, he is made to fear that all is in vain, and that
+neither God regardeth him nor his services, and that he shall not
+come speed, then should he cast all the burden of his acceptance,
+and of obtaining what he asketh and desireth, on Christ, and quiet
+himself there; and so as <i>to</i> the rest. And hence appeareth
+the usefulness of our branching out of this matter.</p>
+<p>4. In all this, there must be an acting in the strength of
+Jesus; a looking to Christ and resting upon Christ, according to
+the present case and necessity, in Christ; that is, by his strength
+and grace communicated to us by his Spirit; then do we worship God
+in the Spirit, and in the newness of the Spirit, when all is done,
+in the matter of worship, in and through Jesus.</p>
+<br>
+<h3>THE END.</h3>
+<br>
+<br>
+
+<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12311 ***</div>
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life
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+Title: Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life
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+Author: John Brown (of Wamphray)
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+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHRIST THE WAY ***
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+
+<div class="title">
+<h2>CHRIST<br>
+<br>
+THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE.</h2>
+<br>
+<br>
+BY THE LATE<br>
+<b>REV. JOHN BROWN</b>,<br>
+MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL AT WAMPHRAY.<br>
+<br>
+WRITTEN DURING THE TIME OF HIS BANISHMENT IN HOLLAND.</div>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 45%;">
+<br>
+<p>"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the
+life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."&mdash;JOHN XIV.
+6.</p>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 45%;">
+<br>
+<h2>CONTENTS.</h2>
+<p><a href="#DEDICATION.">Dedication</a></p>
+<p><a href="#THE_AUTHOR_TO_THE_READER.">The Author to the
+Reader</a></p>
+<p><a href="#RECOMMENDATION.">Recommendation</a></p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_I.">CHAPTER I.</a></p>
+<p>Introduction, with some general observations from the
+cohesion.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_II.">CHAPTER II.</a></p>
+<p>Of the words themselves in general.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_III.">CHAPTER III.</a></p>
+<p>How Christ is the Way in general. "I am the Way."</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_IV.">CHAPTER IV.</a></p>
+<p>How Christ is made use of for Justification as a Way.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_V.">CHAPTER V.</a></p>
+<p>How Christ is to be made use of, as the Way, for sanctification
+in general.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_VI.">CHAPTER VI.</a></p>
+<p>How Christ is to be made use of, in reference to the killing and
+crucifying of the Old Man.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_VII.">CHAPTER VII.</a></p>
+<p>How Christ is to be made use of, in reference to growing in
+grace.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII.">CHAPTER VIII.</a></p>
+<p>How to make use of Christ for taking the guilt of our daily
+out-breakings away.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_IX.">CHAPTER IX.</a></p>
+<p>How to make use of Christ for cleansing of us from out daily
+spots.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_X.">CHAPTER X.</a></p>
+<p>Some generals proposed.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XI.">CHAPTER XI.</a></p>
+<p>More particularly in what respect Christ is called the
+Truth.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XII.">CHAPTER XII.</a></p>
+<p>Some general uses from this useful truth, that Christ is the
+Truth.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII.">CHAPTER XIII.</a></p>
+<p>How to make use of Christ as the Truth, for growth in
+knowledge.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV.">CHAPTER XIV.</a></p>
+<p>How to make use of Christ, as Truth, for comfort, when truth is
+oppressed and borne down.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XV.">CHAPTER XV.</a></p>
+<p>How to make use of Christ for steadfastness, in a time when
+truth is oppressed and borne down.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI.">CHAPTER XVI.</a></p>
+<p>How to make use of Christ as the Truth, when error prevaileth,
+and the spirit of error carrieth many away.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII.">CHAPTER XVII.</a></p>
+<p>How to make use of Christ as the Truth, that we may get our case
+and condition cleared up to us.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII.">CHAPTER XVIII.</a></p>
+<p>How we shall make use of Christ as the Truth, that we may win to
+right and suitable thoughts of God.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX.">CHAPTER XIX.</a></p>
+<p>"And the Life." How Christ is the Life.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XX.">CHAPTER XX.</a></p>
+<p>Some general uses.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI.">CHAPTER XXI.</a></p>
+<p>How to make use of Christ as the Life, when the believer is so
+sitten-up in the ways of God, that he can do nothing.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII.">CHAPTER XXII.</a></p>
+<p>How Christ is to be made use of as our Life, in case of
+heartlessness and fainting through discouragements.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII.">CHAPTER XXIII.</a></p>
+<p>How to make use of Christ as the Life, when the soul is dead as
+to duty.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV.">CHAPTER XXIV.</a></p>
+<p>How shall the soul make use of Christ, as the Life, which is
+under the prevailing power of unbelief and infidelity.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV.">CHAPTER XXV.</a></p>
+<p>How Christ is made use of as the Life, by one that is so dead
+and senseless, as he cannot know what to judge of himself, or his
+own case, except what is naught.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI.">CHAPTER XXVI.</a></p>
+<p>How is Christ, as the Life, to be applied by a soul that misseth
+God's favour and countenance.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII.">CHAPTER XXVII.</a></p>
+<p>How shall one make use of Christ as the Life, when wrestling
+with an angry God because of sin?</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII.">CHAPTER XXVIII.</a></p>
+<p>No man cometh to the Father but by me.</p>
+<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX.">CHAPTER XXIX.</a></p>
+<p>How should we make use of Christ, in going to the Father, in
+prayer, and other acts of worship?</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="DEDICATION." id="DEDICATION."></a>
+<h2>DEDICATION.</h2>
+<p>TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE AND RELIGIOUS LADY, THE LADY
+STRATHNAVER.</p>
+<p>MADAM,</p>
+<p>Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone, in whom all
+the building fitly framed together, groweth unto an holy temple in
+the Lord; as it ought to be the principal concern of all who have
+not sitten down on this side of Jordan to satisfy their souls (once
+created for, and in their own nature requiring, in order to
+satisfaction, spiritual, immortal, and incorruptible substance,)
+with husks prepared for beasts, to be built in and upon this
+corner-stone, for an habitation of God, through the Spirit; so it
+ought to be the main design and work of such as would be approven
+of God as faithful labourers and co-workers with God, to be
+following the example of him who determined not to know anything
+among those he wrote unto, save Jesus Christ and him crucified. O!
+this noble, heart-ravishing, soul-satisfying mysterious theme,
+Jesus Christ crucified, the short compend of that uncontrovertibly
+great mystery of godliness, God manifest in the flesh, justified in
+the spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on
+in the world, received up into glory, wherein are things the angels
+desire to look unto, or with vehement desire bend, as it were,
+their necks, and bow down their heads to look and peep into, (as
+the word used, I Pet. i. 12, importeth) is a subject for angelical
+heads to pry into, for the most indefatigable and industrious
+spirits to be occupied about. The searching into, and studying of
+this one truth, in reference to a closing with it as our life, is
+an infallible mark of a soul divinely enlightened, and endued with
+spiritual and heavenly wisdom; for though it be unto the Jews a
+stumbling-block, and to the Greeks foolishness, yet unto them who
+are called, it is Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God,
+because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness
+of God is stronger than men. O what depths of the manifold wisdom
+of God are there in this mystery! The more it is preached, known,
+and believed aright, the more it is understood to be beyond
+understanding, and to be what it is&mdash;a mystery. Did ever any
+preacher or believer get a broad look of this boundless ocean,
+wherein infinite wisdom, love that passeth all understanding, grace
+without all dimensions, justice that is admirable and tremendous,
+and God in his glorious properties, condescensions, high and noble
+designs, and in all his perfections and virtues, flow over all
+banks; or were they ever admitted to a prospect hereof in the face
+of Jesus Christ, and were not made to cry out, O the depth and
+height, the breadth and length! O the inconceivable, and
+incomprehensible boundlessness of all infinitely transcendent
+perfections! Did ever any with serious diligence, as knowing their
+life lay in it, study this mysterious theme, and were not in full
+conviction of soul, made to say, the more they promoved in this
+study, and the more they descended in their divings into this
+depth, or soared upward in their mounting speculations in this
+height, they found it the more an unsearchable mystery! The study
+of other themes (which, alas! many who think it below them to be
+happy, are too much occupied in) when it hath wasted the spirits,
+wearied the mind, worn the body, and rarified the brain to the next
+degree unto a distraction, what satisfaction can it give as to what
+is attained, or encouragement as to future attainments? And when,
+as to both these, something is had, and the poor soul puffed up
+with an airy and fanciful apprehension of having obtained some
+great thing, but in truth a great nothing, or a nothing pregnant
+with vanity and vexation of spirit, foolish twins causing no
+gladness to the father, "for he that increaseth knowledge
+increaseth sorrow," Eccles. i. 18. What peace can all yield to a
+soul reflecting on posting away time, now near the last point, and
+looking forward to endless eternity? Oh the thoughts of time wasted
+with, and fair opportunities of good lost by the vehement pursuings
+and huntings after shadows and vanities, will torment the soul by
+assaulting it with piercing convictions of madness and folly, in
+forsaking all to overtake nothing; with dreadful and
+soul-terrifying discourses of the saddest of disappointments, and
+with the horror of an everlasting and irrecoverable loss. And what
+hath the laborious spirit then reaped of all the travail of his
+soul, when he hath lost it? But, on the other hand, O what calmness
+of mind, serenity of soul, and peace of conscience, because of the
+peace of God which passeth all understanding, will that poor soul
+look back, when standing on the border of eternity, on the bygone
+days or hours it spent in seeking after, praying and using all
+appointed means for some saving acquaintance with, and interest in
+this only soul up-making, and soul-satisfying mystery; and upon its
+yielding up itself, through the efficacious operations of the
+Spirit of grace, wholly, without disputing, unto the powerful
+workings of this mystery within; and in becoming crucified with
+Christ, and living through a crucified Christ's living in it, by
+his Spirit and power. And with what rejoicing of heart, and
+glorious singing of soul, will it look forward to eternity, and its
+everlasting abode in the prepared mansions, remembering that there
+its begun study will be everlastingly continued, its capacity to
+understand that unsearchable mystery will be inconceivably greater;
+and the spiritual, heavenly and glorious joy, which it will have in
+that practical reading its divinity without book of ordinances,
+will be its life and felicity for ever? And what peace and joy in
+the Holy Ghost, what inward inexpressible quiet and contentment of
+mind will the soul enjoy in dwelling on these thoughts, when it
+shall have withal the inward and well-grounded persuasion of its
+right through Christ, to the full possession of that all which now
+it cannot conceive, let be comprehend; the foretastes whereof
+filleth it with joy unspeakable and full of glory, and the hope of
+shortly landing there, where it shall see and enjoy, and wonder and
+praise, and rest in this endless and felicitating work, making it
+to sing while passing through the valley and shadow of death? O if
+this were believed! O that we were not drunk to a distraction and
+madness, with the adulterous-love of vain and airy speculations, to
+the postponing, if not utter neglecting, of this main and only
+up-making work, of getting real acquaintance with, and a begun
+possession of this mystery in our souls, Christ, the grand mystery,
+formed within us, living and working within us by his Spirit, and
+working us up into a conformity unto, and an heart-closing with God
+manifested in the flesh, that we may find in experience, or at
+least in truth and reality, have a true transumpt of that gospel
+mystery in our souls! Oh, when shall we take pleasure in pursuing
+after this happiness that will not flee from us, but is rather
+pursuing us! when shall we receive with joy and triumph, this King
+of glory that is courting us daily, and is seeking access and entry
+into our souls! Oh, why cry we not out in the height of the passion
+of spiritual longing and desire, O come Lord Jesus, King of glory,
+with thine own key, and open the door, and enlarge and dilate the
+chambers of the soul, that thou may enter and be entertained as the
+King of glory, with all thy glorious retinue, to the ennobling of
+my soul, and satisfying of all the desires of that immortal spark?
+Why do we not covet after this knowledge which hath a true and firm
+connexion with all the best and truly divine gifts. O happy soul
+that is wasted and worn to a shadow, if that could be, in this
+study and exercise, which at length will enliven, and, as it were,
+bring in a new heavenly and spiritual soul into the soul, so that
+it shall look no more like a dead dis-spirited thing out of its
+native soil and element, but as a free, elevated, and spiritualized
+spirit, expatiating itself and flying abroad in the open air of its
+own element and country. O happy day, O happy hour that is really
+and effectually spent in this employment! What would souls,
+swimming in this ocean of pleasures and delights care for? Yea,
+with what abhorrency would they look upon the bewitching
+allurements of the purest kind of carnal delights, which flow from
+the mind's satisfaction in feeding on the poor apprehensions, and
+groundlessly expected comprehensions of objects, suited to its
+natural genius and capacity? O what a more hyperbolical exceeding
+and glorious satisfaction hath a soul in its very pursuings after
+(when it misseth and cannot reach) that which is truly desirable!
+How doth the least glimpse through the smallest cranie, of this
+glorious and glorifying knowledge of God in Christ, apprehended by
+faith, raise up the soul to that pitch of joy and satisfaction
+which the knowledge of natural things, in its purest perfection,
+shall never be able to cause; and to what a surmounting measure of
+this joy and contentation will the experiencing and feeling, by
+spiritual sense, the sweet and relish of this captivating, and
+transcendently excellent knowledge raise the soul unto? O must not
+this be the very suburbs of heaven to the soul! When the soul thus
+seeth and apprehendeth God in Christ, and that as its own God
+through Christ, (for as all saving knowledge draweth out the soul
+unto an embracing and closing with the object, so it bringeth in
+the object to the making up of the reciprocal union and in-being)
+it cannot but admire with exultation, and exult with admiration, at
+that condescendence of free grace that hath made it, in any
+measure, capable of this begun glory, and will further make it
+meet, by this begun glory, to be a partaker of the inheritance of
+the saints in light. And what will a soul that hath tasted of the
+pure delights of this river of gospel manifestations, and hath
+seen, with soul-ravishing delights, in some measure, the manifold
+wisdom of God wrapped up therein; and the complete and perfect
+symmetry of all the parts of that noble contexture, and also the
+pure design of that contrivance to abase man, and to extol the
+riches of the free grace of God, that the sinner, when possessed of
+all designed for him and effectuated in him thereby, may know who
+alone should wear the crown and have all the glory; what, I say,
+will such a soul see in another gospel (calculated to the meridian
+of the natural, crooked, and corrupt temper of proud men, who is
+soon made vain of nothing, which, instead of bringing a sinner,
+fallen from God through pride, back again to the enjoyment of him,
+through a Mediator, doth but foster that innate plague and
+rebellion, which and procured his first excommunication from the
+favour, and banishment out of the paradise of God,) that shall
+attract its heart to it, and move it to a compliance with it? When
+the poor sinner that hath been made to pant after a Saviour, and
+hath been pursued to the very ports of the city of refuge by the
+avenger of blood, the justice of God, hath tasted and seen how good
+God is, and felt the sweetness of free love in a crucified Christ,
+and seen the beauty and glory of the mystery of his free grace,
+suitably answering and overcoming the mystery of its sin and
+misery; O what a complacency hath he therein, and in the way of
+gospel salvation, wherein free grace is seen to overflow all banks,
+to the eternal praise of the God of all grace. How saltless and
+unsavoury will the most cunningly-devised and patched-together mode
+of salvation be, that men, studying the perversion of the gospel,
+and seeking the ruin of souls with all their skill, industry, and
+learning, are setting off with forced rhetoric, and the artifice of
+words of man's wisdom, and with the plausible advantages of a
+pretended sanctity, and of strong grounds and motives unto
+diligence and painfulness, to a very denying and renouncing
+Christian liberty, when once it is observed, how it entrencheth
+upon, and darkeneth lustre, or diminisheth the glory of free grace,
+and hath the least tendency to the setting of the crown on the
+creature's head, in whole or in part? The least perception, that
+hereby the sinner's song, "ascribing blessing, honour, glory, and
+power unto him that was slain, and hath redeemed them to God by his
+blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
+and hath made them, unto their God, kings and priests," shall be
+marred, will be enough to render that device detestable, and
+convince the soul, that it is not the gospel of the grace of God
+and of Christ, but rather the mystery of iniquity. What a peculiar
+savouriness doth the humbled believer find in the doctrine of the
+true gospel-grace, and the more that he be thereby made nothing,
+and Christ made all; that he in his highest attainments be debased,
+and Christ exalted; that his most lovely peacock feathers be laid,
+and the crown flourish on Christ's head; that he be laid flat,
+without one foot to stand upon, and Christ the only supporter and
+carrier of him to glory; that he be as dead without life, and
+Christ live in him, the more lovely, the more beautiful, the more
+desirable and acceptable is it unto him. O what a complacency hath
+the graced soul in that contrivance of infinite wisdom, wherein the
+mystery of the grace of God is so displayed, that nothing appeareth
+from the lowest foundation-stone to the uppermost cope-stone but
+grace, grace, free grace making up all the materials, and free
+grace with infinite wisdom cementing all? The gracious soul can be
+warm under no other covering but what is made of that web, wherein
+grace, and only grace, is both wooft and warp; and the reason is
+manifest, for such an one hath the clearest sight and discovery of
+his own condition, and seeth that nothing suiteth him and his case
+but free grace; nothing can make up his wants but free grace;
+nothing can cover his deformities but free grace; nothing can help
+his weaknesses, shortcomings, faintings, sins, and miscarriages but
+free grace. Therefore is free grace all his salvation and all his
+desire. It is his glory to be free grace's debtor for evermore; the
+crown of glory will have a far more exceeding and eternal weight,
+and be of an hyperbolically hyperbolic and eternal weight, and yet
+easily carried and worn, when he seeth how free grace and love hath
+lined it, and free grace and free love sets it on and keeps it on
+for ever; this makes the glorified saint wear it with ease, by
+casting it down at the feet of the gracious and loving purchaser
+and bestower. His exaltation is the saint's glory, and by free
+grace, the saints receiving and holding all of free grace, is he
+exalted. O what a glory is it to the saint, to set the crown of
+glorious free grace with his own hands on the head of such a
+Saviour, and to say, "Not unto me, not unto me, but unto thee, even
+unto thee alone, be the glory for ever and ever." With what
+delight, satisfaction, and complacency will the glorified saint,
+upon this account, sing the redeemed and ransomed their song? And
+if the result and effect of free grace will give such a sweet sound
+there, and make the glorified's heaven, in some respects, another
+thing, or at least, in some respect, a more excellent heaven than
+Adam's heaven would have been; for Adam could not have sung the
+song of the redeemed; Adam's heaven would not have been the
+purchase of the blood of God; nor would Adam have sitten with
+Christ Redeemer on his throne; nor would there have been in his
+heaven such rich hangings of free grace, nor such mansions prepared
+by that gracious and loving husband, Christ, who will come and
+bring his bought bride home with him. Seeing, I say, heaven, even
+upon the account of free grace, will have such a special, lovely,
+desirable, and glorious lustre, O bow should grace be prized by us
+now! How should the gospel of the grace of God be prized by us!
+What an antipathy to glory, as now prepared and dressed up for
+sinful man, must they shew, whose whole wits and parts are busied
+to darken the glory of that grace, which God would have shining in
+the gospel; and who are at so much pains and labour to dress up
+another gospel, (though the apostle hath told us, Gal. i. 7, that
+there is not another,) wherein gospel-grace must stand by, and
+law-grace take the throne, that so man may sacrifice to his own
+net, and burn incense to his own drag, and may, at most, be grace's
+debtor in part; and yet no way may the saved man account himself
+more grace's debtor, than the man was who wilfully destroyed
+himself in not performing of the conditions; for grace, as the new
+gospellers, or rather gospel-spillers mean and say, did equally to
+both frame the conditions, make known to the contrivance, and
+tender the conditional peace and salvation. But as to the
+difference betwixt Paul and Judas, it was Paul that made himself to
+differ, and not the free grace of God determining the heart of Paul
+by grace to a closing with and accepting of the bargain. It was not
+grace that wrought in him both to will and to do. It was he, and
+not the grace of God in him; what is more contradictory to the
+gospel of the grace of God? And yet vain man will not condescend to
+the free grace of God. Pelagianism and Arminianism needeth not put
+a man to much study, and to the reading of many books, to the end
+it may be learned, (though the patrons hereof labour hot in the
+very fires, to make their notions hang together, and to give them
+such a lustre of unsanctified and corrupt reason, as may be taking
+with such as know no other conduct in the matters of God,) for
+naturally we all are born Pelagians and Arminians. These tenets are
+deeply engraven in the heart of every son of fallen Adam. What
+serious servant of God findeth not this, in his dealing with souls,
+whom he is labouring to bring into the way of the gospel? Yea, what
+Christian is there, who hath acquaintance with his own heart, and
+is observing its biasses, and corrupt inclinations, that is not
+made to cry out, O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me
+from these dregs of Pelagianism, Arminianism, and Jesuitism, which
+I find yet within my soul? Hence, it may seem no wonderful or
+strange thing (though, after so much clear light, it may be
+astonishing to think, that now, in this age, so many are so openly
+and avowedly appearing for this dangerous and deadly error,) to us,
+to hear and see this infection spreading and gaining ground so
+fast, there needeth few arguments or motives to work up carnal
+hearts to an embracing thereof, and to a cheerful acquiescing
+therein; little labour will make a spark of fire work upon
+gunpowder. And, methinks, if nothing else will, this one thing
+should convince us all of the error of this way, that nature so
+quickly and readily complieth therewith. For who, that hath an eye
+upon, or regard of such things, seeth not what a world of carnal
+reasonings, objections, prejudices, and scruples, natural men have
+in readiness against the gospel of Christ; and with what
+satisfaction, peace, and delight they reason and plead themselves
+out of the very reach of free grace; and what work there is to get
+a poor soul, in any measure wakened and convinced of its lost
+condition, wrought up to a compliance with the gospel-way of
+salvation? How many other designs, projects, and essays doth it
+follow, with a piece of natural vehemency and seriousness, without
+wearying, were it even to the wasting of its body and spirits, let
+be its substance and riches, before it be brought to a closing with
+a crucified Mediator, and to an accounting of all its former
+workings, attainments, and painful labourings and gain, as loss for
+Christ, and for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ, and as
+dung that it may win Christ, and be found in him, not having its
+own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through
+the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith,
+Phil. iii. 7-9. And may it not seem strange, that now, after so
+many have found, through the grace of God, the sweet experience of
+the gracious workings of the gospel-grace of God upon their hearts,
+and so are in case, as having this witness within them, to give
+verdict against those assertions, yea, more, and many more than
+were in several ages before; yet Satan should become so bold as to
+vent these desperate opinions, so diametrically opposite to the
+grace of God declared in the gospel, and engraven in the hearts of
+many hundreds by the finger of God, confirming, in the most
+undoubted manner, the truth of the gospel doctrines. This would
+seem to say, that there are such clear sunshine days of the gospel,
+and of the Son of Man a-coming (and who can tell how soon this
+night shall be at an end?) that all these doctrines of nature shall
+receive a more conspicuous and shameful dash than they have
+received for these many ages. Hithertil when Satan raised up and
+sent forth his qualified instruments for this desperate work, God
+always prepared carpenters to fright these horns, and thus gospel
+truth came forth, as gold out of a furnace, more clear and shining:
+And who can tell but there may be a dispensation of the pure grace
+of God, in opposition to these perverting ways of Satan, yet to
+come, that, as to the measure of light and power, shall excel
+whatever hath been since the apostles' days. Even so, come, Lord
+Jesus. However, Madam, the grace of God will be what it is, to all
+the chosen and ransomed ones, they will find in it, which will make
+whatever cometh in competition therewith or would darken it,
+contemptible in their eyes: And happy they, of whom in this day
+wherein darkness covereth the earth, and gross darkness the people,
+it may be said, the Lord hath arisen upon them, and his glory hath
+been seen upon them: For whatever others, whose understanding is
+yet darkened, and they alienated from the life of God through the
+ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their
+hearts, imagine of the gospel-grace, and however they discern
+nothing of the heavenly and spiritual glory of the grace of God;
+yet they, being delivered or cast into the form and mould of the
+doctrine of the gospel which they have obeyed from the heart,
+through the powerful and irresistible efficacy of the mighty grace
+of God, have seen such an alluring excellency in that gracious
+contrivance of infinite wisdom, to set forth the unparallelableness
+of the pure grace of God, and are daily seeing more and more of the
+graciousness and wisdom of that heavenly invention, in its adequate
+suitableness to all their necessities, that as they cannot but
+admire and commend the riches of that grace that interlineth every
+sentence of the gospel, and the greatness of that love that hath
+made such a completely broad plaister to cover all their sores and
+wounds; so the longer they live, and the more they drink of this
+pure fountain of heavenly nectar; and the more their necessities
+press them to a taking on of new obligations, because of new
+supplies from this ocean of grace, the more they are made to admire
+the wisdom and goodness of the Author; and the more they are made
+to fall in love with to delight, and lose themselves in the
+thoughts of this incomprehensible grace of God; yea, and to long to
+be there, where they shall be in better case to contemplate, and
+have more wit to wonder at, and better dexterity to prize, and a
+stronger head to muse upon, and a more enlarged heart to praise for
+this boundless and endless treasure of the grace of God, with which
+they are enriched, through Jesus Christ. Sure, if we be not thus
+enamoured and ravished with it, it is because we are yet standing
+without, or, at most, upon the threshold and border of this grace;
+were we once got within the jurisdiction of grace, and had yielded
+up ourselves unto the power thereof, and were living and breathing
+in this air, O! how sweet a life might we have! What a kindly
+element would grace be to us! As sin had reigned unto death, even
+so grace should reign, through righteousness unto eternal life, by
+Jesus Christ our Lord, Rom. v. 21. Grace reigning within us through
+righteousness, would frame and fit our souls for that eternal life
+that is insured to all who come once under the commanding,
+enlivening, strengthening, confirming, corroborating, and
+perfecting power of grace. And seeking grace for grace, and so
+living, and walking, and spending upon grace's costs and charges; O
+how lively, and thriving proficients might we be! The more we spend
+of grace (if it could be spent) the richer should we be in grace. O
+what an enriching trade must it be to trade with free grace, where
+there is no loss, and all is gain, the stock, and gain, and all is
+insured; yea, more, labouring in grace's field would bring us in
+Isaac's blessing an hundred-fold. But, alas! it is one thing to
+talk of grace, but a far other thing to trade with grace. When we
+are so great strangers unto the life of grace, through not
+breathing in the air of grace, how can the name of the Lord Jesus
+be glorified in us, and we in him, according to the grace of our
+God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, Thess. i. 12. Consider we, what an
+affront and indignity it is unto the Lord dispensator of grace,
+that we look so lean and ill-favoured, as if there were not enough
+of the fattening bread of the grace of God in our Father's house,
+or as if the great Steward, who is full of grace and truth, were
+unwilling to bestow it upon us, or grudged us of our allowance,
+when the fault is in ourselves; we will not follow the course that
+wise grace and gracious wisdom hath prescribed; we will not open
+our mouth wide, that he might fill us; nor go to him with our
+narrowed or closed mouths, that grace might make way for grace, and
+widen the mouth for receiving of more grace; but lie by in our
+leanness and weakness. And, alas! we love too well to be so. O but
+grace be ill wared on us who carry so unworthily with it as we do;
+yet it is well with the gracious soul that he is under grace's
+tutory and care; for grace will care for him when he careth not
+much for it, nor yet seeth well to his own welfare; grace can and
+will prevent, yea, must prevent, afterward, as well as at the
+first; that grace may be grace, and appear to be grace, and
+continue unchangeably to be grace, and so free grace. Well is it
+with the believer, whom grace has once taken by the heart and
+brought within the bond of the covenant of grace; its deadliest
+condition is not desperate. When corruption prevaileth to such a
+height, that the man is given over for dead, there being no sense,
+no motion, no warmth, no breath almost to be observed, yet grace,
+when violently constrained by that strong distemper, to retire to a
+secret corner of the soul, and there to lurk and lie quiet, will
+yet at length, through the receiving influences of grace promised
+in the covenant, and granted in the Lord's good time, come out of
+its prison, take the fields, and recover the empire of the soul;
+and then the dry and withered stocks, when the God of all grace
+will be as dew unto Israel, shall blossom and grow as the lily, and
+cast forth his roots as Lebanon; his branches shall spread, and his
+beauty shall be as the olive-tree, and his smell as Lebanon. It is
+a happy thing either for church or particular soul to be planted in
+grace's sappy soil, they lie open to the warm beams of the Sun of
+Righteousness; and the winter blasts may be sharp and long; clouds
+may intercept the heat, and nipping frosts may cause a sad decay,
+and all the sap may return and lie, as it were, dormant in the
+root; yet the winter will pass, the rain will be over and gone, and
+the flowers will appear on the earth; the time of singing of birds
+will come, and the voice of the turtle will be heard in the land;
+then shall even the wilderness and solitary place be glad, and the
+desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose, it shall blossom
+abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing; the glory of
+Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and
+Sharon, they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of
+our God. We wonder that 'tis not always hot summer days, a
+flourishing and fruitful season, with souls and with churches. But
+know we the thoughts of the Lord; see we to the bottom of the deep
+contrivance of infinite wisdom? Know we the usefulness, yea,
+necessity of long winter nights, stormy blasts, rain, hail, snow,
+and frost? Consider we, that our state and condition, while here,
+calleth for those vicissitudes, and requireth the blowing of the
+north as well as of the south winds? If we considered, how grace
+had ordered all things for our best, and most for the glory and
+exaltation of grace, we would sit down and sing under the saddest
+of dispensations, and living by faith and hope, we would rejoice in
+the confident expectation of a gracious outgate; for as long as
+grace predomineth (and that will be until glory take the empire)
+all will run in the channel of grace; and though now sense (which
+is oft faith's unfaithful friend) will be always suggesting false
+tales of God, and of his grace unto unbelief, and raising thereby
+discontents, doubts, fears, jealousies, and many distempers in the
+soul, to its prejudice and hurt, yet in end, grace shall be seen to
+be grace; and the faithful shall get such a full sight of this
+manifold grace, as ordering, tempering, timing, shortening, or
+continuing, of all the sad and dismal days and seasons that have
+passed over their own or their mother's head, that they shall see,
+that grace did order all, yea, every circumstance of all the
+various tossings, changes, ups and downs, that they did meet with.
+And O what a satisfying sight will that be, when the general
+assembly and church of the first-born, which are in-rolled in
+Heaven, and every individual saint, shall come together, and take a
+view of all their experience, the result of which shall be, grace
+began, grace carried on, and grace hath perfected all, grace was at
+the bottom of all? What shoutings, grace, grace unto it, will be
+there; when the head-stone shall be brought forth? What
+soul-satisfying complacency in, and admiration at all that is past,
+will a back-look thereat yield, when every one shall be made to
+say, grace hath done all well, not a pin of all the work of grace
+in and about me might have been wanted; now I see, that the work of
+God is perfect, grace was glorious grace, and wise grace, whatever
+I thought of it then. O what a fool have I been, in quarrelling at,
+and in not being fully satisfied with all that grace was doing with
+me? O how little is this believed now?</p>
+<p>In conscience, madam, that your ladyship (to me no ways known,
+but by a savoury report) shall accept of this bold address, I
+recommend your ladyship, my very noble lord your husband, and
+offspring, to the word of his grace, and subscribe myself,</p>
+<p>MADAM,</p>
+<p>Your and their servant</p>
+<p>in the gospel and the grace of God.</p>
+<p>JOHN BROWN.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="THE_AUTHOR_TO_THE_READER." id=
+"THE_AUTHOR_TO_THE_READER."></a>
+<h2>THE AUTHOR TO THE READER.</h2>
+<br>
+<p>CHRISTIAN READER,&mdash;After the foregoing address, I need not
+put thee to much more trouble: only I shall say, that he must needs
+be a great stranger in our Israel, or sadly smitten with that
+epidemic plague of indifferency, which hath infected many of this
+generation, to a benumbing of them, and rendering them insensible
+and unconcerned in the matters of God, and of their own souls, and
+sunk deep in the gulf of dreadful inconsideration, who seeth not,
+or taketh no notice of, nor is troubled at the manifest and
+terrible appearances of the inexpressibly great hazard, our all, as
+Christians in this life, is this day exposed into. I mean the
+mystery of the gospel of the grace of God, wherein the exceeding
+riches of his grace, in his kindness towards us, through Christ
+Jesus, hath been shown. We have enjoyed for a considerable time, a
+clear and powerful dispensation hereof, in great purity and plenty;
+but, alas! is it not manifest to all, that will not wilfully shut
+their eyes, that this mercy and goodness of God hath been wickedly
+abused, and the pure administration of his grace and love
+perfidiously sinned away, by this apostate generation. Are our
+spots this day the spots of his children? Are their fruits
+answerable to the Lord's pains and labour about us, to be seen even
+amongst the greatest of professors? Is there that gospel holiness,
+tenderness, watchfulness, growing in grace, and in the knowledge of
+Jesus Christ, that growing up in Christ, in all things that
+heavenly mindedness, that fellowship with the Father and with his
+Son Christ Jesus, and that conversation in heaven, that the
+dispensation of grace, we have been favoured with beyond many, and
+have been long living under, did call for at our hands? Alas! our
+grapes are but wild and stinking. Wherefore (and who can think it
+strange, if it be so?) the Lord seemeth to be about to contend with
+us, by covering our horizon with Egyptian darkness; many who would
+not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved, being
+already given up to strong delusion, that they should believe a
+lie, and many more in hazard to be drawn aside to crooked paths, by
+men of corrupt minds, who have been, and are still busy to vent and
+spread abroad, with no little petulancy and confidence, damnable
+doctrines, to the perverting of the doctrine of the gospel of Jesus
+Christ, and to the subverting and overturning of the very
+foundations of our hope and assurance; and that in such a way, and
+by such means and stratagems, as seem to have wrath written upon
+them in legible letters; for the more plausible and taking a
+corrupt doctrine be, it is the more dangerous and judgment-like,
+and more are thereby in hazard to be deluded and drawn away.</p>
+<p>Nay (which is yet more terrible and dreadful) it is to be
+feared, that the jealous God, in his holy and righteous judgment,
+hath given a providential commission (to speak to) unto the
+seducing spirit, to persuade and prevail; for is not this the clear
+language of the present holy and righteous dispensations of God,
+and of the stupendously indifferent frame and disposition of the
+generality of men, called Christians, not only provoking God to
+spue them out of his mouth, but a disposing them also unto a
+receiving of whatsoever men, lying in wait to deceive, shall
+propose and obtrude?</p>
+<p>Alas! the clouds are not now a-gathering, but our horizon is
+covered over with blackness, and great drops are a-falling, that
+presage a terrible overflowing deluge of error, and apostacy from
+the truth and profession of the gospel of Jesus Christ, to be at
+hand, if the Lord wonderfully prevent it not. And behold (O
+wonderful!) the generality of professors are sleeping in security,
+apprehending no danger. Satan is more cunning now, than to drive
+men to Popery by rage and cruelty, (and yet what he may be
+permitted to do after this manner, who can tell?) or by openly
+pleading in his emissaries, for this abomination, (and yet even
+thus is he already prevailing with not a few) or to send forth his
+agents for Arminianism and Socinianism (though even this way too,
+he is too much prevailing.) But his main work now seemeth to be, to
+bring in another gospel, (and yet there is not another) or rather
+an antievangelic and antichristian delusory dream, overturning at
+once the whole gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; and for
+this end he employeth the Quakers, on the one hand, men of
+desperate and antievangelic principles, the very sink of all
+abominations, old and late, (as I shall show, if the Lord will
+continue health and strength, in an examination of their doctrine
+and principles, lately emitted by one Robert Barcley) and, on the
+other hand, men, (or moralists, if you will call them so) pleading
+for, and crying up an antievangelic holiness, a mere shadow without
+substance or reality; and that in place of Christ himself; and in
+order to the carrying on of this desperate design, the old dragon
+is employing men of seeming different principles and ways, whom,
+though their faces seem to look to contrary airths, yet he holdeth
+notwithstanding fast tied by their tails (as Samson's foxes were)
+that thereby, if the Lord permit it, he may, by the fire of enmity
+to the pure gospel of the grace of God, burning in their tails,
+cause a conflagration of that truth, wherein lyeth all our hope:
+For this new model of religion, that many are so busied about, is
+such as Pelagians, Arminians, Papists, Socinians, Quakers, yea
+Turks, and moral heathens; yea, and all who are enemies to, and not
+reconcilable with the true grace of God held forth in the gospel,
+will willingly admit of, and harmoniously agree in: A way which
+complyeth so well with proud self, and with the corrupt nature of
+man, that it is little wonder, if it have many abettors and
+admirers. I shall say no more of this; but only infer,</p>
+<p>That sure the consideration of this should move all, in whom is
+any thing of the zeal of God, and love to souls, their own and
+others', to appear in the defence of the gospel of our salvation,
+by all means incumbent to them, and possible for them; for if this
+citadel and stronghold, wherein our all, and the all of pure and
+true religion, lyeth, be blown up, we are gone; and indeed no less
+is intended by this antichristian and antievangelic enemy, than the
+utter subversion of true Christian religion. Who would not then be
+hereby alarmed, and upon their guard, when matters are at this
+pass? Should not all, who have any love to their own souls, any
+zeal for the glory of Christ, anointed of the Father to be our
+prophet, priest, and king; my desire to see the crown flourishing
+upon his head, and to have the gospel preserved pure and
+uncorrupted, be pleading with God by prayer, in the behalf of his
+Son's kingdom, crown, and glory; and wrestling with him till he
+were pleased to dispel these clouds, and prevent this black day:
+especially should they not be labouring to be acquainted, in truth
+and reality, with the gospel of Jesus Christ, that having the
+mysterious truths thereof imprinted on their souls, and their
+hearts cast into its mould, they may be preserved from the hurt of
+this deadly poison; for this, with a constant dependence upon, and
+use-making of Christ in all his offices, will prove the best
+preservative against this infection.</p>
+<p>The persuasion whereof did induce me to publish the following
+heads of some sermons, after they have been translated into Dutch,
+and published here: Knowing that they might be of no less use to
+the people of God in Britain and Ireland. I know not a more
+effectual mean to unstable souls from siding with and embracing
+every new notion; and from being carried about with every wind of
+doctrine, by the slight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby
+they lye in wait to deceive; than to put them upon the real
+exercise of gospel godliness, and to the daily practice of the main
+and fundamental gospel work, of living by faith in Jesus Christ,
+and of growing up into him, in all things, who is the head, from
+whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted, by that
+which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in
+the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body, unto the
+edifying of itself in love. Such, I am sure, as have thus learned
+the truth, as it is in Jesus, and are practising the same
+accordingly, will have an antidote within them against the
+strongest poison of these seducers, and a real answer to, and
+confutation of, all their subtile sophisms. The soul exercising
+itself into gospel godliness, will find work enough to take it
+wholly up; and find such a solid ground to stand upon; and see such
+a satisfying fulness, answering all its necessities and wants, and
+such a sure heart-quieting ground of peace, hope, and consolation
+in Jesus Christ, as that it will have no leisure, and small
+temptation to listen to seducing perverters, and no inclination to
+seek after empty cisterns.</p>
+<p>I know much may be desiderated in this following treatise, and
+many may have exceptions not without ground against it. Some may
+think it arrogancy, and too great confidence in me, to attempt the
+handling of such a mysterious and necessary part of Christian
+practice, wherein few, (if any, so far as I know,) have gone
+before, in direct handling of this matter, at least in this method
+and order, I mean that part which is about sanctification. Others
+may be displeased with the mean and low style; with my multiplying
+particulars, which might have been better and more handsomely
+couched under fewer heads, and with my unnecessary contracting of
+the whole into such a narrow bound, and other things of that kind;
+for which, and many other failings of the like nature and import,
+which may without any diligent search, be found in it, even by
+ordinary and unprejudiced readers; I shall not industriously labour
+to apologize, knowing that my very apology in this case, will need
+an apology; only I shall say this, that considering how the snare,
+which the vigilant and active enemy of our salvation, the devil,
+was laying by an unholy morality, did nearly concern all, and
+especially the meanest (for parts and experience) and less fixed
+Christians, I thought a discourse on such a subject as I judged
+most necessary at all times, and especially in such a day of
+hazard, should be framed to the capacity of one as well as another;
+the most understanding can receive benefit, by that which is
+calculated to the capacity of children, when these can reap little
+edification by what is suited to the palate of those; and the less
+experienced, or such as are of lower understanding, will be less
+able to draw a general to a particular; or to improve and so fully
+to comprehend one particular touched, as to be able thereby to
+understand and take in a like particular not mentioned; than such
+as have their senses more exercised, and are thereby in case to
+make a better improvement of what is but compendiously declared,
+when those must have the bread broken to their hand, or they shall
+receive but small edification thereby; and yet, I suppose, the
+judicious will observe some variety, smaller or greater, even where
+particulars seem to be, at the first view, most unnecessarily
+multiplied. I know, and willingly grant, (for it is obvious enough)
+that a discourse of this subject and matter, might have required a
+far larger volume; but then how should such have profited thereby,
+whom poverty might possibly have scared from buying; or the
+necessary affairs of their ordinary callings would have keeped from
+a diligent perusal of it? And I thought that neither of these
+should have been overlooked in this special or general design which
+I had before my eyes.</p>
+<p>One thing, as my answer to all, I shall but add; if hereby
+others whom the Lord hath more enabled with all necessaries for
+such a work, shall be hereby either instigated or encouraged to
+write upon this subject, (I mean mainly the last part thereof,
+touching the use-making of Christ in sanctification; for blessed be
+the Lord, many have been employed of the Lord to speak soundly and
+edifyingly unto the use-making of Christ as to righteousness and
+justification,) a full, plain, edifying and satisfying discovery of
+this necessary and important truth, viz. Christ made of God to us
+wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. And withal,
+point out plainly and particularly the way how believers in all
+their particular and various exigencies may and should so make use
+of and apply that all fulness which is treasured up in the Head,
+for the benefit and advantage of the members of the mystical body,
+as they may not only theoretically see, but practically also
+experience this truth, that in him they are complete; and so they
+may be helped to understand how through the necessary and constant
+use-making of him, as all in all, they may grow up in him in all
+things. If this be, I say, done by any to better purpose, I shall
+think this my adventure not altogether fruitless, and in part at
+least excusable.</p>
+<p>As for thee, O Christian, whose instruction, edification, and
+confirmation in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the faith which
+was once delivered unto the saints, I mainly intended in this
+undertaking, I have a few things to add:</p>
+<p>Know then, that there are certain men (as the Apostle Jude
+speaketh) crept in unawares, who were of old ordained to this
+condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into
+lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus
+Christ; for in these last days we see that these perilous times are
+come, (of which Paul advertised Timothy, 2 Tim. iii. 1, &amp;c.)
+wherein men shall be lovers of their ownselves, covetous, boasters,
+proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
+without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, (or make
+bates) incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
+traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers
+of God, having the form of godliness, but denying the power
+thereof&mdash;for of this sort are they which creep into houses,
+and lead captive silly women, laden with sins, led away with divers
+lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of
+the truth. And because it is so, he exhorteth to give diligence to
+make your calling and election sure, by giving all diligence to add
+to faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, and to knowledge temperance,
+and to temperance patience, and to patience godliness, and to
+godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness charity,
+for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. As the Apostle
+Peter assureth us, 2 Peter i. 5, 6, 7-10. For it is the elect who
+are secured from full and final defection and apostacy, Matth.
+xxiv. 24. Mark xii. 22. Rom. xi. 5, 6; ix. 11; viii. 33. Matth.
+xxiv. 31. Mark xiii. 27. And the promise of salvation is made to
+such as shall endure to the end. The crown is for the overcomers,
+and such as are faithful to the death, Matth. x. 22; xxiv. 13. Mark
+xiii. 13. Rev. ii. 10, 11, 17, 26, 27, 28; iii. 5, 12, 21. All
+which, and the like, are set down, that hereby his people might be
+rationally moved to a constant seriousness, in the working out of
+their own salvation, in fear and trembling; and the forewarnings
+given of the great difficulty of the reaching the end of our faith,
+the salvation of our souls, because of the many active, vigilant,
+indefatigable, subtile, and insinuating adversaries, who by good
+words and fair speeches, will readily deceive the hearts of the
+simple, and to awaken the more his people to be sober and vigilant,
+because their adversary the devil (who acteth and moveth his under
+agents, in their several modes, methods and motions, so as he may
+best, according to the various tempers, present dispositions,
+advantages or disadvantages of such as he intendeth to seduce,
+which he carefully studieth, and plyeth for this end, obtain his
+designed end, their ruin and destruction) as a roaring lion,
+walking about seeking whom he may devour. And this calleth them to
+haste out their slumber and security, who will be loath to miss his
+opportunity, surprise them to their great loss and
+disadvantage.</p>
+<p>It is, beloved, high time now to awake, to look about us, to
+consider where we are, upon what ground we stand, whether the enemy
+or we have the advantage, how and in what posture we are to
+rencounter with deceivers that seek to cheat us out of all our
+souls, and of the Lord our Righteousness, and draw us off the paths
+of life, that when we come to die (beside the unspeakably great
+loss we would thereby be at, even here, in missing the comfortable
+accesses to God through Jesus Christ the inflowings of grace and
+strength for spiritual duty through the Lord our strength; the
+sweet communications of peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, the
+shedding abroad of the love of God in our hearts by the Holy Ghost,
+which is given unto us, and the full assurance of hope through the
+Lord Jesus our hope) we might be frustrated of all our
+expectations; and find, that all that which men made us grip to,
+lay hold on, and lean unto, instead of Christ, was but a mere
+shadow, and a lie in our right hand, to the unexpressible grief,
+vexation, and sorrow of soul when all should end in a dreadful and
+horrible disappointment.</p>
+<p>But let us not think that our purposes, firm-like resolutions to
+adhere to the truth, and our present abhorrence at, and detestation
+of errors now broached, to the overturning the very foundations of
+true Christianity, will sufficiently guard us from, and make us
+proof against the shots and assaults of these crafty seducers. Nor
+think, that our learning and knowledge in the theory of the truth;
+nor our abilities to rencounter sophisters, will secure us from a
+fall; let us not think that the enemies are contemptible, and
+therefore we need be the less anxious, nor yet think that former
+experiences and through-bearings, in the like cases, will be a
+pillow, whereby we may now lay ourselves down to sleep. If we do,
+we shall certainly deceive ourselves, if all our strength and
+standing be in ourselves, and through ourselves; and if this be the
+ground of our hope, the righteous Lord in his holy justice, may
+give us up to be a prey. Peter's instance should never be forgotten
+by us; and such as tempt the Lord have no ground to expect his last
+issue.</p>
+<p>Our strength must be in Christ: to the rock of ages must we fly:
+to our chambers in him must we retire, and there must we hide
+ourselves: on Christ's lee-side can we only ride safe, and be free
+of the hazard of the storm. To him therefore must our recourse be
+daily, by new and fresh acts of faith in and through him and his
+influences, communicated according to the tenor of the covenant of
+grace, through faith eyeing the promiser, the promise, with the
+price purchasing, and so drawing and sucking light, direction,
+strength, stability, and what our present exigent calleth for, must
+we think to stand. And happy they who, conscious to themselves of
+their own weakness, and convinced of the insufficiency of all
+things within them, in godly fear hide themselves under the wings
+of the Almighty, and get in into this stronghold, resolving there
+to abide, and there to be secured from all their adversaries,
+within or without. These humble fearers may expect a safe and noble
+outgate; when more strong-like and more confident adventurers shall
+(being left to themselves, because trusting in themselves),
+shamefully fall, and be triumphed over by the enemy, to the grief
+of the godly, and for a snare to others.</p>
+<p>The best way then, to keep the faith of Christ, which many are
+now seeking to shake and to loose us from, is to be exercising the
+faith of Christ. The serious and upright practising of the gospel
+is the only best mean to keep thee firm in the profession of the
+gospel, when the gospel with thee is not a few fine notions in the
+brain; but is heavenly and necessary truth sunk into the heart, and
+living and acting there; it will keep thee, and thou wilt own it
+more firmly and steadfastly in a day of trial. Thy walking in
+Christ, and working and living, by him living in thee, will so root
+thee in the gospel truth, that enemies will pull in vain, when
+seeking to overthrow thee. The gospel of the grace of God received
+and entertained in thy soul in love, and constant suitable
+improvement, will fortify thee, and secure itself in thee, so that
+vehement blasts shall but contribute to its more fixed abode, and
+more fruitful actings in thee. Live up then to the gospel, and so
+be sure of it, and be safe in it. I mean, let Christ live in thee
+as thy all, and cast all thy care and cumber on him; lay all thy
+difficulties before him; lean all thy weight upon him; draw all thy
+necessities out of him: and undertake all thy duties in him; be
+strong in him, and in the power of his might; let him be thy
+counsellor, conductor, leader, teacher, captain, commander, light,
+life, strength, and all, so shall thou stand and have cause to
+glory, even in thine infirmities, for thou shalt find the power of
+Christ resting upon thee, and thou shalt have cause to say,
+therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in
+necessities, in persecution, in distresses for Christ's sake; for
+when I am weak, then am I strong. Remember that great word, Phil.
+iv. 13, "I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth
+me."</p>
+<p>It hath been the usual and ordinary question of believers, How
+shall we make use of Christ for sanctification? To this great and
+important question, I, (though the meanest and most unfit for such
+a work, of all that God hath sent to feed his flock) have
+adventured or endeavoured at least, to give such as truly desire to
+cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit,
+perfecting holiness in the fear of God, some satisfaction herein,
+laying before them some plain directions framed to their
+capacities, and suited to some of their most ordinary and usual
+causes; some whereof are more comprehensive, and others more
+particular, may be looked upon as exemplary instances, serving for
+other cases of the like nature; for hardly could every particular
+circumstantiate case be particularly spoken to, and some might
+judge that to be superfluous, if thou, in the light and strength of
+Christ, shalt really practise what is here pointed forth, I may be
+confident to say, thy labour shall not be in vain in the Lord, and
+thou shalt attain unto another sort of holiness than that which
+proud pretenders boast of, and shalt be far without the reach of
+that snare, which unstable souls are too readily entangled with. I
+mean, the plausible pretension of more than ordinary sanctity which
+yet is but forced, feigned, constrained, mostly external, and
+framed to cause admiration in beholders, whom they intend to make a
+prey of. This shall be no temptation to thee, who by experience
+findeth a more safe, satisfying, full, free, easy, pleasant and
+heartsome way of mortifying lusts, growing in grace, and in the
+knowledge of Jesus Christ, and so perfecting holiness, by running
+immediately to Christ, and by living in and upon him, who is made
+of God to us, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption.
+That the Lord may bless the same to thee, for this end, shall be,
+and is the desire and prayer of him who is,</p>
+<p>Thy servant in the work of the gospel,</p>
+<p>JOHN BROWN.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="RECOMMENDATION." id="RECOMMENDATION."></a>
+<h2>RECOMMENDATION.</h2>
+<br>
+<p>CHRISTIAN READER,</p>
+<p>If thou answer this designation, and art really a partaker of
+the unction, which is the high import of that blessed and glorious
+name called upon thee, thine eye must affect thy heart, and a soul
+swelled with godly sorrow must at last burst and bleed forth at a
+weeping eye, while thou looks upon most of this licentious and
+loathsome generation, arrived at that height of prodigious
+profanity as to glory in their shame, and boast of bearing the
+badge and black mark of damnation. But, besides this swarm who
+savage it to hell, and make such haste hither, as they foam
+themselves into everlasting flames, carrying, under the shape and
+visage of men, as devils in disguise; the face of the church is
+covered with a scum of such, who are so immersed in the concerns of
+this life, and are so intense in the pursuit of the pleasures,
+gain, and honours thereof, as their way doth manifestly witness
+them to be sunk into the deep oblivion of God, and desperate
+inconsideration of their precious and immortal souls. But in the
+third place, besides these who are hurried into such a distraction
+with the cares of this life, that they, as natural brute beasts
+made to be destroyed, are never at leisure to consider either the
+nature and necessity of their noble souls, or to converse with the
+notion of a Deity. Thou may perceive a company of self-deceiving
+speculatists, who make broad the phylacteries of their garments,
+and boast of some high attainments in religion; yea, would have
+others look upon them as arrived at the very porch of heaven, and
+advanced to a high pitch of proficiency in the ways of God, because
+they can discourse a little of the mysteries of salvation, and
+without ever diving farther into the depth and true nature of
+religion, dream themselves into a consideration of being saints,
+and conclude themselves candidates for glory.</p>
+<p>This is that heart-moving object which presents itself to thy
+eye and observation this day. This is that deplorable posture,
+wherein thou mayest perceive most men at the very point of
+perishing eternally, who are within the pale of the visible church,
+some dancing themselves headlong in all haste into the lake of fire
+and brimstone, some so much concerned in things which have no
+connexion with their happiness, as to drop unconcernedly into the
+pit, out of which there is no redemption; and others dreaming
+themselves into endless perdition: and all of them unite in a
+deriding at, or despising the means used, and essays made, in order
+to their recovery.</p>
+<p>But if his servants, in following their work closely, seem to
+have gained a little ground upon men, and almost persuaded them to
+be Christians, Satan, to the end he may make all miscarry, and
+counterwork these workers together with God, and poison poor souls
+by a perversion of the gospel, beyond the power of an antidote,
+hath raised up, instigated and set on work a race of proud
+rationalists, for they are wiser than to class themselves amongst
+those poor fools, those base things, those nothings, to whom Christ
+is made all things, to whom Christ is made wisdom that he may be
+righteousness, sanctification, and redemption to them; nay, they
+must be wise men after the flesh, wise above what is written. A
+crucified Christ is really unto them foolishness and weakness,
+though the power of God and the wisdom of God: they will needs go
+to work another way; they will needs glory in his presence, and
+have a heaven of their own band-wind. O my soul, enter not into
+their secrets! and, O sweet Jesus, let thy name be to me, The Lord
+my righteousness; thou hast won it,&mdash;wear it; and gather not
+my soul with such who make mention of any other righteousness but
+of thine only! to bring in another gospel amongst us than the
+gospel of the grace of God. As they determine to know some other
+thing than Christ and him crucified; so with the enticing words of
+man's wisdom they bewitch men into a disobedience to the truth,
+setting somewhat else before them than a crucified Christ; and this
+they do, that they may remove men from those who call them into the
+grace of Christ, unto another gospel. A Christ, it is true; they
+speak of; but it is not the Christ of God, for all they drive at (O
+cursed and truly antichristian design!) is, that he may profit them
+nothing, while they model all religion according to this novel
+project of their magnified morality. This is that which gives both
+life and lustre to that image which they adore, to the Dagon after
+whom they would have the world wonder and worship.</p>
+<p>That there is such a moralizing or muddizing, if I may be for
+once admitted to coin a new word to give these men their due, of
+Christianity now introduced and coming in fashion, many of the late
+pieces in request do evince. Now that Christianity should moralize
+men above all things, I both give and grant; for he who is partaker
+of the divine nature, and hath obtained precious faith, must add
+virtue to his faith. But that it should be only conceived and
+conceited as an elevation of nature to a more clear light, in the
+matter of morality, wherein our Lord is only respected as an
+heavenly teacher and perfect pattern proposed for imitation, is but
+a proud, pleasing fancy of self-conceited, darkened, and deluded
+dreamers, robbing God of the glory of his mercy and goodness; our
+Lord Jesus Christ of the glory of his grace and merit. The spirit
+of the efficacy of his glorious and mighty operations; and
+themselves and their pilgrimages, who give them the hand as guides,
+of the comfort and fruit of all.</p>
+<p>It cannot escape thy observation, how busy Satan is this day,
+upon the one hand, to keep men, under the call of the gospel to
+give all diligence to make their calling and election sure, idle
+all the day, so that no persuasion can induce them to engage
+seriously to fall about a working out their own salvation in fear
+and trembling; and, on the other, equally diligent and industrious
+to divert men from trusting in the name of the Lord, and staying
+upon their God; setting them on work to go and gather fuel, and
+kindle a fire, and compass themselves about with sparks, that they
+may walk in the light of their own fire, and in the sparks that
+they have kindled, knowing well that they shall this way most
+certainly lose their toil and travel, and have no other reward at
+his hand of all their labour, but to lie down in everlasting
+sorrow, while the stout-hearted and far from righteousness and
+salvation, shall get their soul for a prey, and be made to rejoice
+in his salvation, and bless him who hath made them meet to be
+partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.</p>
+<p>I am neither the fit person for so great an undertaking, nor do
+these limits, within which I must bound myself, permit me to
+expatiate in many notions about the nature of this excellent and
+precious thing, true gospel holiness. Oh! if, in the entry, I could
+on my own behalf and others, sob out my alas! from the bottom of my
+soul, because, be what it will, it is some other thing than men
+take it to be. Few habituate themselves to a thinking upon it, in
+its high nature, and soul enriching advantages, till their hearts
+receive suitable impressions of it, and their lives be the very
+transumpt of the law of God written in their heart; the thing,
+alas! is lost in a noise of words, and heap of notions about it;
+neither is it a wonder that men fall into mistakes about it, since
+it is only the heart possessed of it that is capable to understand
+and perceive its true excellency. But if it be asked what it is; we
+say, it may be shortly taken up, as the elevation and raising up of
+a poor mortal unto a conformity with God. As a participation of the
+divine nature, or as the very image of God stamped on the soul,
+impressed on the thoughts and affections, and expressed in the life
+and conversation; so that the man in whom Christ is formed, and in
+whom he dwells, lives, and walks, hath while upon the earth, a
+conversation in heaven; not only in opposition to those many, whose
+end is destruction, whose god is their belly, whose glory is in
+their shame, who mind earthly things; but also to those pretenders
+unto and personaters of religion, who have confidence in the flesh,
+and worship God with their own spirit, which in the matters of God
+is flesh and not spirit, and have somewhat else to rejoice in than
+in Christ Jesus, and a being found in him, not having their own
+righteousness.</p>
+<p>True gospel holiness, then, consists in some similitude and
+likeness to God, and fellowship with him founded upon that
+likeness. There is such an impression of God, his glorious
+attributes, his infinite power, majesty, mercy, justice, wisdom,
+holiness, and grace, &amp;c., as sets him up all alone in the soul
+without any competition, and produceth those real apprehensions of
+him, that he is alone excellent and matchless. O how preferable
+doth be appear, when indeed seen, to all things! And how doth this
+light of his infinite gloriousness, shining into the soul, darken
+and obscure to an invisibleness all other excellencies, even as the
+rising of the sun makes all the lesser lights to disappear. Alas!
+how is God unknown in his glorious being and attributes! When once
+the Lord enters the soul, and shines into the heart, it is like the
+rising of the sun at midnight: all these things which formerly
+pretended to some loveliness, and did dazzle with their lustre, are
+eternally darkened. Now, all natural perfections, and moral
+virtues, in their flower and perfections, are at best looked upon
+as <i>aliquid nihil</i>. What things were formerly accounted gain
+and godliness, are now counted loss for the excellency of the
+knowledge of Christ Jesus the Lord, and the soul cannot only suffer
+the loss of them all without a sob, but be satisfied to throw them
+away as dung, that it may win him, and be found in him. Now, the
+wonder of a Deity, in his greatness, power, and grace, swallows up
+the soul in sweet admiration. O how doth it love to lose itself in
+finding here what it cannot fathom? And then it begins truly to see
+the greatness and evil of sin; then it is looked upon without the
+covering of pleasure or profit, and loathed as the leprosy of hell.
+Now the man is truly like God in the knowledge of good and evil, in
+the knowledge of that one infinite good, God; and in the knowledge
+of that one almost infinite evil, sin. This is the first point of
+likeness to him, to be conformed to him in our understanding, that
+as he knows himself to be the only self-being and fountain-good,
+and all created things in their flower and perfection, with all
+their real or fancied conveniences being compared with him, but as
+the drop of a bucket, or nothing; yea, less than nothing, vanity
+(which is nothing blown up, by the force or forgery of a vainly
+working imagination, to the consistence of an appearance), so for a
+soul to know indeed and believe in the heart, that there is nothing
+deserves the name of good besides God, to have the same superlative
+and transcendent thoughts of that great and glorious self-being
+God, and the same diminishing and debasing thoughts of all things
+and beings besides him. And that as the Lord seeth no evil in the
+creation but sin, and hates that with a perfect hatred, as contrary
+to his holy will; so for a soul to aggravate sin in its own sight
+to an infiniteness of evil, at least till it see it only short of
+infiniteness in this respect, that it can be swallowed up of
+infinite mercy. But whence hath the soul all this light? It owes
+all this, and owns itself as debtor for it to him, who opens the
+eyes of the blind. It is he who commands the light to shine out of
+darkness, who hath made these blessed discoveries, and hath given
+the poor benighted soul, the light of the knowledge of the glory of
+God, in the face of Jesus Christ. These irradiations are from the
+Spirit's illumination; 'tis the Spirit of wisdom and revelation
+that hath made day-light in the darkened soul. The man who had the
+heart of a beast, as to any saving or solid knowledge of God or
+himself, hath now got an understanding to know him that is true.
+Now is Christ become the poor man's wisdom, he is now renewed in
+knowledge after the image of him that created him; he might well
+babble of spiritual things, but till now he understood nothing of
+the beauty and excellency of God and his ways; nay, he knew not
+what he knew, he was ignorant as a beast of the life and lustre of
+those things which he knew in the letter; nothing seemed more
+despicable to him in the world, than true godliness; but now he
+judgeth otherwise, because he hath the mind of Christ. The things
+which in his darkness he did undervalue as trifles to be mocked at,
+he now can only mind and admire, since he became a child of light;
+now being delivered from that blindness and brutishness of spirit,
+which possesseth the world, (and possessed himself till he was
+transformed by the renewing of his mind) who esteem basely of
+spiritual things, and set them at nought, he prizeth as alone
+precious. The world wonders what pleasure or content can be in the
+service of God, because they see not by tasting how good he is; to
+be prying into and poring upon invisible things, is to them visible
+madness, but to the enlightened mind, the things that are not seen
+are only worth seeing, and while they appear not to be, they only
+are; whereas the things that are seen appear but to be, and are
+not. Though the surpassing sweetness of spiritual things should be
+spoke of to them, who cannot favour the things of God, in such a
+manner as the glorious light of them did surround men; yet they can
+perceive no such thing; all is to them cunningly devised fables;
+let be spoke what will, they see no form, no comeliness, no beauty
+in this glorious object&mdash;God in Christ reconciling sinners to
+himself. Alas! the mind is blinded; the dungeon is within; and till
+Christ open the eyes, as well as reveal his light, the soul abides
+in its blindness, and is buried in midnight darkness; but when the
+Spirit of God opens the man's eyes, and he is translated by an act
+of omnipotency out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of
+his dear Son, which is a kingdom of marvellous light, O what
+matchless beauty doth he now see in these things, which appeared
+despicable and dark nothings to him, till he got the unction, the
+eye-salve, which teacheth all things. Now he sees (what none
+without the Spirit can see) the things which God hath prepared for
+them that love him, and are freely given them of God; and these,
+though seen at a distance, reflect such rays of beauty into his
+soul, that he beholds and is ravished, he sees and is swallowed up
+in wonder.</p>
+<p>But then, in the next place, this is not a spiritless
+inefficacious speculation about these things, to know no evil but
+sin and separation from God, and no blessedness but in the fruition
+of him; it is not such a knowledge of them as doth not principle
+motion to pursue after them. This I grant is part of the image of
+God, when the Sun of Righteousness, by arising upon the man, hath
+made day-light in his soul, and by these divine discoveries hath
+taught him to make the true parallel betwixt things that differ,
+and to put a just value upon them according to their intrinsic
+worth. But this divine illumination doth not consist in a mere
+notion of such things in the head, nor doth it subsist in
+enlightening the mind; but in such an impression of God upon the
+soul, as transforms and changes the heart into his likeness by
+love.' Knowledge is but one line, one draught or lineament of the
+soul's likeness to him; that alone doth not make up the image, but
+knowledge rooted in the heart, and engraven on the soul, hining and
+shewing itself forth in a gospel-adorning conversation, that makes
+a comely proportion; when the same hand that touched the eye, and
+turned the man from darkness to light, and gave an heart to know
+him, that he is the Lord, that doth also circumcise the man's heart
+to love the Lord his God, with all his heart, and with all his
+soul, and with all his mind; and this love manifesting its
+liveliness, in its constraining power to live to him and for him.
+Light without, heat is but wild fire; but light in the mind,
+begetting heat in the heart, making it burn Godward, Christward,
+and heavenward; light in the understanding, setting on fire and
+inflaming the affections, and these shining out in a heavenly
+conversation, makes up the lively image of God, both in feature and
+stature, both in proportion and colour. Faith begins this image,
+and draws the lineaments; and love bringing forth obedience
+finishes, and gives it the lively lustre. The burnings of love in
+obedience to God is that which illuminates the whole, and makes a
+man look indeed like him, to whose image he is predestinate to be
+conform, and then makes him, who is ravished with the charms of
+that beauty, say, as in a manner overcome thereby, "how fair is thy
+love, my sister, my spouse? How much better is thy love than wine,
+and the smell of thine ointments than all spices?" But consider,
+that as these beams, which irradiate the soul, are from the Spirit
+of Christ, so that spiritual heat and warmth come out of the same
+airth, and proceed from the same author, for our fire burns as he
+blows, our lamp shines as he snuffs and furnisheth oil. Men
+therefore should not indulge themselves in this delusion, to think,
+that that which will pass for pure religion and undefiled before
+God, consists either in an outward blameless conversation, or in
+putting on and wearing an external garb of profession. No, as the
+top of it reacheth higher, so the root of it lies deeper; it is
+rooted in the heart, this seed being sown in an honest heart (or
+making the heart honest in which it is sown) takes root downward,
+and brings forth fruit upward, as trees that grow as far under
+ground as above, so these trees of righteousness, the planting of
+the Lord that he may be glorified, grow as far and as fast under
+ground as above; godliness grows as far downwards in self-emptying,
+self-denial, and self-abasing, in hungering and thirsting after
+more of righteousness, in the secret engagements of the heart to
+God in Christ, in these burstings of heart and bleeding of soul, to
+which God alone is witness, because of shortcoming in holiness,
+because of a body of death within, and because of that law in the
+members warring against the law of the mind, and bringing often
+into captivity to the law of sin, as it grows upward in a
+profession. And this is that pure religion and undefiled before
+God, which is both most pleasant to him, and profitable to the
+soul.</p>
+<p>But to make the difference betwixt dead morality, in its best
+dress, and true godliness, more clear and obvious, that loveliness
+of the one may engage men into a loathing of the other, this dead
+carion and stinking carcase of rotten morality, which still stinks
+in the nostrils of God, even when embalmed with the most costly
+ointments of its miserably misled patrons, we say, that true
+godliness, which in quality and kind differs from this much pleaded
+for and applauded morality, a black heathen by a mongrel kind of
+Christians baptised of late with the name of Christianity, and
+brought into the temple of the Lord, concerning which he hath
+commanded that it should never in that shape, and for that end it
+is introduced, enter into his congregation; and the bringers for
+their pains are like to seclude themselves for ever from his
+presence. It respects Jesus Christ, 1st, as its principle; 2d, as
+its pattern; 3d, as its altar; and, 4th, as its end.</p>
+<p>1. I say, true holiness, in its being and operation, respects
+Jesus Christ as its principle; "I live," said that shining saint,
+"yet not I, but Christ liveth in me." As that which gives religion
+its first being, is the religation of the soul to God; so that
+which gives it motion, and draws forth that life into action, is
+the same God's working all their works in them and for them, so
+that in all they do, they are workers together with God; every act
+of holiness is an act of the soul made alive unto God through Jesus
+Christ, and quickened to each action by the supervenience of new
+life and influence; therefore, says Christ, without me ye can do
+nothing; it is not, being out of me ye can do nothing, for he spoke
+it to those who were in him, but, if ye leave me out in doing, all
+ye do will be nothing. 'Tis Jesus Christ who gives life and legs,
+so that our runnings are according to his drawings. "My soul
+followeth hard after thee," said that holy man; but whence is all
+this life and vigour? "Thy right hand upholdeth me," Oh! it is the
+upholdings and helpings of this right hand, enlarging the man's
+heart, that makes a running in the ways of his commandments; it is
+he who, while the saints work out the work of their own salvation,
+worketh in them both to will and to do. It is he who giveth power
+to the faint, and who, to them that have no might, encreaseth
+strength, so that the poor lifeless, languishing lie-by is made to
+mount up with eagles' wings, and surmount all these difficulties,
+with a holy facility, which were simply insuperable, and pure
+impossibilities. Now the man runs and doth not weary, because
+Christ draws; and he walks and doth not faint, because Christ, in
+whom dwells the fulness of the Godhead bodily, dwells in him, and
+walks in him, and dwells in him for that very end, that he may have
+a completeness and competency of strength for duty. All grace is
+made to abound unto him, that he always having all sufficiency in
+all things, may abound unto every good work. He is able of himself
+to do nothing, no, not to think any thing as he ought, but he hath
+a sufficiency of God, whereby he is thoroughly furnished unto every
+good work; so that he may say, I am able for all things: it is more
+than "I am able to do all things," as we read it; its just import
+is, "I am able to do all things, and to endure all things;" and
+that which keeps it from vain boasting, is what is added, "through
+Christ which strengthened me," or putting power in me, or rather
+impowering me, which is by a supervenient act drawing forth life
+into a liveliness of exercise, according to the present exigent.
+There is a power in a saint, because Christ is in him, that
+overpowers all the powers of darkness without, and all the power of
+indwelling corruption within, so that when the poor weak creature
+is ready to despond; within sight of his duty, and say, because of
+difficulty, what is my strength that I should hope? Christ saith,
+despond not, my grace is sufficient for thee, and my power shall
+rest upon thee, to a reviving thee, and raising thee up, and
+putting thee in case to say, when I am weak, then I am strong; his
+strength, who impowers me, is made perfect in my weakness, so that
+I will glory in my infirmities, and be glad in being grace's
+debtor. But what power is that, which raiseth the dead sinner, and
+carries the soul in its actings so far without the line, and above
+the sphere of all natural activity, when stretched to its utmost?
+O, it is an exceeding great power which is to them-ward who
+believe, that must make all things, how difficult soever, easy,
+when he works in them to will and to do, according to the working
+of his mighty power, (or as it is upon the margin, and more
+emphatic, of the might of his power,) which he wrought in Christ,
+when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right
+hand, &amp;c.; he that raised up the Lord Jesus from the dead,
+raiseth up believers also by Jesus; and being raised and revived by
+him, to walk in newness of life, the life of Jesus, in its
+communications of strength, is manifest in their mortal flesh,
+according to that of the same apostle; "the life that I live in the
+flesh," saith he, "I live by the faith of the Son of God." Faith
+brings in Christ in my soul, and Christ being my life, carries out
+my soul in all the acts of obedience, wherein, though I be the
+formal agent, yet the efficiency and the power, by which I operate,
+is from him; so that I can give no better account of it than
+this,&mdash;I&mdash;not I. But who then, if not you? The grace of
+God, saith he, which was with me. But this mystery to our bold,
+because blind moralists, of an indwelling Christ working mightily
+in the soul, is plain madness and melancholy; however we understand
+his knowledge in the mystery of Christ, who said, "The life I live
+in the flesh," &amp;c.; and from what we understand of his
+knowledge in that mystery, which he had by revelation, we
+understand our moralists to be men of corrupt minds, who concerning
+the faith hath made shipwreck; but what is that, "The life I live
+in the flesh," &amp;c. The import of it seems to be this, if not
+more,&mdash;while I have in me a soul animating my body, as the
+principle of all my vital and natural actions, I have Jesus Christ
+animating my soul, and by the impulse and communicate virtue and
+strength of an indwelling Christ, I am made to run the ways of his
+commandments, wherein I take so great delight, that I am found of
+no duty as of my enemy.</p>
+<p>2. The gospel holiness respects Jesus Christ as its pattern. It
+proposeth no lower pattern for imitation than to be conform to his
+image, (he that is begotten again into a lively hope, by the
+resurrection of Christ from the dead, girds up the loins of his
+mind, which are the affections of his soul, lest by falling flat
+upon the earth, he be hindered in running the race set before him,
+as looking to the forerunner his pattern,) in this girdle of hope,
+that he may be "holy in all manner of conversation," keeping his
+eye upon the precept and pattern, that his practice may be conform.
+It is written, saith he, "be ye holy, for I am holy;" the hope of
+seeing God, and being ever with him, imposeth a necessity upon him
+who hath it, to look no lower than at him, who is glorious in
+holiness; and therefore he is said to purify himself even as he is
+pure; and knowing that this is the end of their being quickened
+together with Christ, that they may walk even as he walked, they in
+their working and walking aim at no less than to be like him; and
+therefore never sit down upon any attained measure, as if they were
+already perfect. The spotless purity of God expressed in his laws,
+is that whereto they study assimilation; therefore they are still
+in motion towards this mark, and are changed from one of glorious
+grace into another, into the same image, even as by the Spirit of
+the Lord, who never gives over his putting them to cleanse from all
+filthiness of the flesh and of the spirit, till that be true in the
+truest sense, "Thou art all fair, my love, there is no spot in
+thee." And knowing that perfect fruition of him cannot be without
+the perfect conformity to him, herein do they exercise themselves
+to grow in grace, and to be still advancing towards some more
+likeness to his image, forgetting all their attainments, as things
+that are behind, and by their Teachings forth unto that which is
+before, make it evident that they make every begun degree of grace
+and conformity to God, a prevenient capacity for a new degree which
+yet they have not attained. I know our moralists look upon
+themselves as matchless, in talking of following his steps as he
+hath left us an example; in this they make a flourishing with
+flanting effrontery, but for all their boasting of wisdom, such a
+poor simple man as I, am made to wonder at their folly, who
+proposing, as they say, the purity of Christ as their pattern, are
+not even thence convinced, that in order to a conformity thereto,
+there is a simple and absolute necessity of the mighty operations
+of that Spirit of God, whereby this end can be reached; but while
+they flout at the Spirit's working as a melancholy fancy, whereby
+the soul is garnished with the beauty of holiness, and made an
+habitation for God, I doubt not to say of these great sayers, that
+they understand neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm;
+nay, doth not the talking of the one, not only without seeing the
+necessity of the other, but speaking against it, say in the heart
+of every one, who hath not the heart of a beast, that they have
+never yet got a sight of the holiness of that pattern, nor of their
+own pollutions and impotency; for if they had, they would give
+themselves up to Jesus Christ to be washed by him, without which
+they can have no part with him. O there will be a vast difference,
+at the latter day, betwixt them who have given their black souls to
+Jesus to bleach, when he shall present them without spot, not only
+clothed with wrought gold, but all glorious within, and those who
+have never dipped, yea, who have despised to dip their defiled
+souls in any other fountain, save in the impure puddle of their own
+performances. This will make them loathsome in his sight, and cause
+his soul abhor those who have done this despite unto the Spirit of
+grace, as to slight that blessed fountain, opened for sin and for
+uncleanness, let them pretend as high as they will, to look to him
+as a pattern; while, because the plague-sore is gone up in their
+eye, they look not to him as a price, nor to the grace of Jesus
+Christ, as that which can only principle any acceptable performance
+of duty, he will plunge them in the ditch, and it will cost them
+their souls, for rejecting the counsel of God against themselves,
+in not making use of him who came by water as well as by blood.</p>
+<p>3. This gospel holiness respects Christ as the altar. It is in
+him, and for him, that his soul is well pleased with our
+performance&mdash;this is the altar upon which thou must lay thy
+gift, and leave it, without which thy labour is lost, and
+whatsoever thou dost is loathed, as a corrupt thing. As believers
+draw all their strength from him, so they expect acceptance only
+through him, and for him. They do not look for it, but in the
+Beloved; they dare not draw near to God in duty, but by him. This
+is the new and living way which is consecrate for them; and if
+such, who offer to come to God, do not enter in hereat, instead of
+being admitted to a familiar converse with God, they shall find him
+a consuming fire. When the saints have greatest liberty in prayer,
+and so of all other performances, when their hearts are most lifted
+up in the ways of the Lord, they abhor at thinking their prayer can
+any otherways be set forth before him as incense, or the lifting up
+of their hands as the evening sacrifice, but as presented by the
+great intercessor, and perfumed by the merit of his oblation. If
+they could weep out the marrow of their bones, and the moisture of
+their body, in mourning over sin; yet they durst not think of
+having what comes from so impure a spring, and runs through so
+polluted a channel, presented to God, but by Jesus Christ, in order
+to acceptation; for, as they look to the exalted Saviour, to get
+their repentance from him, so when by the pourings out upon them of
+the spirit of grace and supplication, he hath made them pour out
+their hearts before him, and hath melted them into true tenderness,
+so that their mourning is a great mourning, they carry back these
+tears to be washen and bathed in his blood, as knowing without this
+of how little worth and value with God their salt water is; but
+when they are thus washed he puts them in his bottle, and then
+pours them out again to them in the wine of strong consolation.
+Thus are they made glad in his house of prayer, and their sighs and
+groans come up with acceptance upon his altar. O blessed altar,
+that sanctifies the gold! this is that altar, whereto the mocking
+moralist hath no right. It is by him that the poor believer offers
+up his sacrifice to God continually; whatever he doth in word or
+deed, he desires to do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. As he
+knows, he lives to make intercession, and to appear in the presence
+of God for his poor people, both to procure influences for duty,
+and plead for acceptation: so he depends upon him for both, as
+knowing he can never otherways hear nor have it said unto him,
+"well done thou good and faithful servant." It may be he can do
+little, he hath but a mite to offer; but he puts it in the
+Mediator's hand to be presented to God. He hath not gold, nor
+silver, nor purple to bring; he can do no great things; he hath but
+goats' hair or rams' skins, but he gives them the right tincture,
+he makes them red in the blood of Christ, and so they are a
+beautiful incarnation.</p>
+<p>But let us, on the other hand, take a short view of what our
+moralists substitute in its place, as in their account, both more
+beautiful in the eye, and more beneficial to the souls of men,
+wherein I intend to be brief. I might comprehend the account to be
+given shortly, and give it most exactly, yet truly in these few
+words. As the most undoubted deviation from, and perfect opposition
+unto the whole contrivance of salvation, and the conveyance of it
+into the souls of men, as revealed in this gospel which brings life
+and immortality to light, that fighters against the grace of God in
+its value and virtue can forge, stretching their blind reason to
+the overthrow of true religion, and ruin of the souls of men. For
+to this height these masters of reason have, in their blind rage,
+risen up against the Lord and against his anointed; this is the
+dreadful period of that path, wherein we are persuaded to walk, yea
+hectored, if we would not forfeit the repute of men by these grand
+sophies, who arrogate to themselves the name and thing of
+knowledge, as if wisdom were to die with them. The deep mysteries
+of salvation, which angels desire to look into, and only satisfy
+themselves with admiration at, must appear as respondents at their
+bar; and if they decline the judge and court, as incompetent, they
+flee out and flout at subjecting this blind mole, man's reason, to
+the revelation of faith in a mystery. The manifold wisdom of God,
+and the manifold grace of God, must either condescend to their
+unfoldings, and be content to speak in their dialect, or else these
+wits, these Athenian dictators, will give the deep things of God,
+because beyond their divings, the same entertainment which that
+great gospel preacher, Paul, met with from men of the same mould,
+kidney, and complexion, because he preached unto them Jesus, What
+would the babbler say, said they. The Spirit of wisdom and
+revelation they know not, they have not, they acknowledge not; nay,
+they despise him in his saving and soul-ascertaining illuminations;
+and the workings of that mighty power to them-ward who believe, is
+to the men of this new mould (because they have not found it) an
+insufferable fancy, to be exploded with a disdain and indignation,
+which discovers what spirit actuates them in this opposition.</p>
+<p>But I would recommend to you, who can neither purchase nor
+peruse what is more voluminous (how worthy soever) the serious
+perusal, as of the whole of that savoury and grace-breathing peace,
+the fulfilling of the Scriptures; so therein that short but sweet
+digression, against black-mouthed Parker, wherein the gracious
+author takes out his own soul, and sets before thine eye, the image
+of God impressed thereon; for while he deals with that desperado by
+clear and convincing reason, flowing natively from the pure
+fountain of divine revelation, he hath the advantage of most men,
+and writers too, in silencing that proud blasphemer of the good
+ways of God, with arguments taken from what he hath found acted
+upon his own soul. And likewise I would recommend, as a sovereign
+antidote against this poison, the diligent perusing and pondering
+of what is shortly hinted against the hellish belchings of the same
+unhallowed author (in the Preface to that piece of great Mr.
+Durham, upon the Commands) by a disciple, who, besides his natural
+acuteness and sub-actness of judgment in the depth of the gospel
+mysteries, is known, by all who know him (and for myself, I know
+none now alive his equal) to have most frequent access to lean his
+head on his Master's bosom, and so in best case to tell his
+fellow-disciples and brethren, what is breathed into his own soul,
+while he lives in these embraces, and under the sheddings abroad of
+that love of God in his soul, which drew and did dictate these
+lines, against that flouter at all such fruitions. Nor can I here
+omit to observe, how, when the devil raised up Parker, that
+monster, to bark and blaspheme, the Lord raised up a Merveil to
+fight him at his own weapon, who did so cudgel and quell that
+boasting bravo, as I know not if he be dead of his wound, but for
+any thing I know, he hath laid his speech.</p>
+<p>It was not the author's design in this piece, (levelled only at
+this mark, to teach thee how to make use of the strength and grace
+that is in Christ Jesus, and find the promised ease in performance
+of duties; in handling of which argument, he hath been remarkably
+assisted, and thou canst not read with attention, but thou must
+bear him witness, and bless the Lord on his behalf, that he hath
+hit the mark at which he aimed) to engage in a formal debate with
+these audacious moralists, who would boast and bogle us out of the
+good old way, wherein, if men walk, they must find rest to their
+souls. Yet if by the doctrine he hath here explained and pressed,
+as the only way of life, they do not find what a mortal wound he
+hath given their morality, all the lovers of the truth will see it;
+and it may be, the Lord sparing life, and continuing the same
+gracious and great assistance, he hath had in engaging with many
+and great adversaries to the truth at home and abroad, they may see
+somewhat from his pen, which may make the lovers of our Lord Jesus
+Christ in sincerity, and of the operations of his Spirit, sing over
+these successors to Sisera, who with their jumping chariots and
+rattling wheels, assault the truth, at his feet they bowed, they
+fell, they lay down at his feet, they bowed, they fell where they
+bowed, there they fell down dead; so let all the enemies of thy
+truth perish, O Lord! How to make the whole more useful for thee,
+for whose advantage 'tis mainly intended, I leave to the author's
+own direction; only this I must say, his method and mould, wherein
+he casts his sweet matter, and his way of handling this so
+seasonable a subject, is so accommodate to each case, and brought
+home to the conscience, and down to the capacity of the meanest
+Christian, which was his aim, that the feeble, in this day, might
+be as David; that howbeit many worthy men have not only hinted, but
+enlarged upon the same matter, yet thou canst not but see some
+heart-endearing singularity in his way of improving and handling
+this great gospel truth. Next, I must tell thee, that as I myself
+read it with much satisfaction (though, alas! I dare not say, I
+have by reading reaped the designed advantage), so that thou mayest
+be blushed into a perusal thereof, and profiting thereby, I must
+likewise tell thee, I say, it hath been turned into Dutch, and that
+it hath not only met with great acceptation amongst all the serious
+and godly in these parts, who have seen it, but is much sought
+after; and they profess themselves singularly thereby edified, and
+set a-going after God, by its efficacious persuasiveness, with a
+singing alacrity; and if it have not the same effect upon thee and
+me, they and it will arise up against us in judgment.</p>
+<p>Up, therefore, Christians, and be doing: Listen to such a
+teacher, who, lest thou tire in thy race, or turn back, teacheth
+thee a certain and sweet way of singular proficiency and progress
+in the ways of God. It may be, it is not thy work, nor mine, to
+write both against these soul-murdering, however magnified, methods
+of taking men off Jesus Christ; but our penury of parts for that,
+should first put us to seek plenty of tears, that we may weep, to
+see our master so wounded by the piercing pens of those who, to
+patronise their mock religion, wrest the Scriptures, and with
+wicked hands wring the word of the Lord, till it weep blood: this,
+I say, should provoke thee and me to weep upon him, till he appear,
+and beat the pens of such deceivers out of their hand by a blow of
+his; 2d, It should provoke us to know the truth, that we may
+contend earnestly for the faith delivered to the saints, and to
+have these contradicted truths so impressed in their life upon our
+souls, that the pen of the most subtle pleader for this perversion
+of the gospel may neither delete these, nor be able to stagger us,
+but we may, from the efficacious working of these, have the witness
+in ourselves, and know the men who teach otherways not to be of
+God; 3d, It should be our ambition, when the all of religion is
+cried down, and a painted shadow, a putrid, however perfumed,
+nothing put in its place, to make it appear, by our practice, that
+religion is an elevation of the soul above the sphere and activity
+of dead morality; and that it is no less or lower principle that
+acts us, than Christ dwelling in us, and walking in us. How can the
+love of God, and of Christ, and of the Spirit be in us, if these
+perverse praters against the power of godliness, provoke us not to
+emit a practical declaration to the world, and extort a testimony
+to his grace by our way, from the enemies thereof? Improve,
+therefore, this his special help to that purpose, which in a most
+seasonable time is brought to thy hand.</p>
+<p>But to sum up all shortly, there are but three things which make
+religion an heavy burden; 1st, The blindness of the mind; and here
+thou art taught to make use of that eye-salve, whereby the eyes of
+the blind see out of obscurity, and out of darkness; he who
+formerly erred in spirit, by the light held forth in these lines,
+may see a surpassing beauty in the ways of God; 2d, That aversion
+and unwillingness which is in the mind, whereby the sweet and easy
+yoke of his commands is spurned at as heavy; in order to the
+removing thereof, and that thou mayest be among his willing people,
+here thou hast Christ held forth in his conquering beauty,
+displaying his banner of love over souls, so that thou canst not
+look upon him as held forth, but faith will bow thy neck to take on
+his yoke, because it sees it is lined with the love of Christ, and
+then this love that lines the yoke, shed abroad in the heart, will
+constrain to a bearing of it; but, 3d, When the spirit is willing,
+there remains yet much weakness; love kindled in the heart conquers
+the mind into a compliance with his will, and a complacency in his
+commands, but its greatest strength is often to weep over a
+withered hand. Now that thy hands which fall down may be made
+strong for labour, and thou mayest be girded with strength, and
+have grace for grace, yea, all grace to make thee abound unto every
+good word and work, the author leads thee up unto the full fountain
+of all gospel furniture, and strength; and teacheth thee how to
+make use of Christ, as thy sufficiency, for working all thy works
+in thee and for thee. I say, therefore, again unto thee, take
+heart, let not thine hands fall down, essay nothing thou would have
+well done or easily done, in thine own strength; but yet how
+difficult soever the duty be, approach it as having no confidence
+in the flesh, but with an eye to thy stock, that rich store-house
+of all furniture, and it shall be with thee as it was with the
+priests, before whom Jordan recoiled, so soon as their foot entered
+within the brink; God shall make thy difficulties evanish; and by
+the illapses of the Spirit of power and might from Jesus Christ
+depended upon, shall so strengthen thee, that thy duty is made easy
+to admiration, and becomes the delight of thy soul. Pray for the
+continuance of the life of the author, who, by his assiduous
+working for Christ, hath been often near unto death, not regarding
+his own life, to supply the lack of other men's service, to the
+interest and Church of God; and let him be comforted for this piece
+of travel undertaken for thy soul's interest, by hearing thou dost
+improve it to thy advantage, for which it is so exactly calculate:
+And with all I beg thy fervent and earnest intercessions for grace,
+and more grace, to him who is thy poor, yet soul's well-wisher and
+servant, for Christ's sake,</p>
+<p>R. M. W.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_I." id="CHAPTER_I."></a>
+<h2>CHRIST<br>
+<br>
+THE WAY, AND THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE.</h2>
+<br>
+<p>JOHN XIV. 6&mdash;JESUS SAITH UNTO THEM, I AM THE WAY, AND THE
+TRUTH, AND THE LIFE; NO MAN COMETH UNTO THE FATHER BUT BY ME.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2>
+<h4>THE INTRODUCTION, WITH SOME GENERAL OBSERVATIONS FROM THE
+COHESION.</h4>
+<br>
+<p>Doubtless it is always useful, yea, necessary, for the children
+of God to know the right way of making use of Christ, who is made
+all things to them which they need, even "wisdom, righteousness,
+sanctification, and redemption," 1 Cor. i. 30. But it is never more
+necessary for believers to be clear and distinct in this matter,
+than when Satan, by all means, is seeking to pervert the right ways
+of the Lord, and, one way or other, to lead souls away, and draw
+them off Christ; knowing that, if he prevail here, he hath gained
+his point. And therefore he endeavoureth not only to darken it by
+error, either more gross or more subtle, but also to darken it by
+mistakes and prejudices: whence it cometh to pass, that not only
+strangers are made to wander out of the way, but oftentimes many of
+his own people are walking in darkness of ignorance and mistakes,
+and remain lean through want of the real exercise of the life of
+faith, which would make them fat and flourishing; because it would
+make them "strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might, and
+to grow up in Christ in all things."</p>
+<p>The clearing up then of this truth cannot but be most seasonable
+now, when Satan is prevailing with many, whom he cannot get tempted
+to looseness and profanity, to sit down upon something which is not
+Christ, and to rest upon something with themselves, distinct from
+him, both in the matter of justification and sanctification. This
+subtle adversary is now setting some a-work, to cry up, by
+preaching, speaking, and printing, a way to heaven which is not
+Christ; a kind of morality, civility, and outward holiness,
+whereupon the soul is to rest. And this holiness, not wrought and
+effectuated through the strength of Jesus, by faith sucking life
+and furniture from him; but through our own art and skill, which in
+effect is nothing but an extract of refined Popery, Socinianism,
+and Arminianism, devised and broached of purpose to draw the soul
+off Christ, that he may stand upon his own legs, and walk by his
+own power, and thank himself, at least in part, for the crown at
+length.</p>
+<p>Further, through the great goodness of God, the true way of a
+soul's justification is admirably cleared up; and many are, at
+least theoretically, acquainted therewith; and many also
+practically, to the quieting of their wakened consciences, and
+stopping the mouth of their accusers, and obtaining of peace, joy,
+and the lively hope of the everlasting crown; yet many gracious
+souls profess their unacquaintedness with the solid and thriving
+way of use-making of Christ for growth in grace and true
+sanctification. Therefore some discovery of the truth here cannot
+but be useful, seasonable, yea, and acceptable unto them. If he,
+who is the Truth, would give grace to understand, and to unfold
+this so necessary and always advantageous a truth, and would help
+to write of and explain this truth by faith in him who is here said
+to be the Truth, then should we have cause to bless and magnify his
+name. But if he, because of sin, shall hide himself, and not let
+out these beams of light, whereby we might discover light, we shall
+but darken counsel with words without our knowledge, and leave the
+matter as unclear as ever. Therefore is it necessary, there be both
+in him that writeth, and in such as read, a single dependence on
+him, who "is for a leader," Isa. lv. 5, and hath promised to "bring
+the blind by a way which they know not, and to lead them in paths
+they had not known, and to make darkness light before them, and
+crooked things straight," Isa. xlii. 16, that thus by acting faith
+on him we may find, in so far, the truth of this verified, viz.
+that he is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Now, for clearing up
+of this matter, we would know, that our Lord Jesus, from the
+beginning of this chapter, is laying down some grounds of
+consolation, sufficient to comfort his disciples against the sad
+news of his departure and death; and to encourage them against the
+fears they had of much evil to befall them when their Lord and
+Master should be taken from them; which is a sufficient proof of
+the tender heart of Jesus, who alloweth all his followers strong
+consolation against all fears, hazards, troubles, and perplexities
+which they can meet with in their way. He will not leave them
+comfortless, and therefore he layeth down strong grounds of
+consolation to support their drooping and fainting hearts; as
+loving to see his followers always rejoicing in the Lord, and
+singing in the ways of Zion: that the world may see and be
+convinced of a reality in Christianity, and of the preferableness
+of that life, notwithstanding of all the troubles that attend it,
+unto any other, how sweet and desirable soever it may appear to
+flesh and blood.</p>
+<p>In prosecution of which design, he told them, verse 4, that they
+"knew whether he went," and the way also which he was to take, and
+by which he was to bring them to the Father, to the mansion spoken
+of, and so to life eternal. But Thomas rashly and incredulously (as
+too usually he did, chap. xi. 16; xx. 25,) venteth himself, and
+little less than contradicteth his Master, saying, verse 5, "We
+know not whither thou goest, and how can we know the way?" wherein
+we have an emblem of many a believer, who may have more grace and
+knowledge of God and of Christ than they will be able to see, or
+acknowledge that they have; what through temptations, inward
+distempers, sense of their many defects, and great ignorance,
+strong desires of high measures, clearer discoveries of the
+vastness of the object, mistakes about the true nature of grace,
+despising the day of small things, and indistinctness as to the
+actings of grace, or want of understanding and right uptaking of
+grace in its various outgoings and actings under various notions,
+and the like.</p>
+<p>Whereupon Christ, after his usual manner, taketh occasion to
+clear up that ground of consolation further unto them; and to let
+them see the true way of coming to the Father, that thereby they
+might be helped to see that they were not such strangers unto the
+way as they supposed; and withal, he amplifieth and layeth out the
+properties and excellencies of this way, as being the only true and
+living way; and that in such a manner, as they might both see the
+way to be perfect, full, safe, saving, and satisfying; and also
+learn their duty of improving this way always, and in all things,
+until they come home at length to the Father, saying, "I am the
+way, and the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but
+by me."</p>
+<p>Christ then saying, that he not only is the way to the Father,
+even the true way, but that he is so the true way, as that he is
+also truth itself in the abstract, and so the living way, that he
+is life itself in the abstract, giveth us ground to consider, after
+what manner it is that he is the Truth and the Life, as well as the
+Way; and that for clearing up and discovering of his being an
+absolutely perfect, transcendently excellent, incomparably
+preferable and fully satisfying way, useful to believers in all
+cases, all exigents, all distresses, all difficulties, all trials,
+all temptations, all doubts, all perplexities, and in all causes or
+occasions of distempers, fears, faintings, discouragements, &amp;c.
+which they may meet with in their way to heaven. And this will lead
+us to clear up the duty of believers, on the other hand, and to
+show how they should, in all their various cases and difficulties,
+make use of Christ as the only all-sufficient way to the Father,
+and as truth and life in the way, and so we will be led to speak of
+Christ's being to his people all that is requisite for them here in
+the way, whether for justification or sanctification; and how
+people are to make use of him as being all, or, as being made of
+"God to us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption,"
+1 Cor. i. 30.</p>
+<p>Ere we come to the words in particular, we would look upon them
+as having relation to Thomas his words in the preceding verse,
+wherein he did little less than contradict what Christ had said in
+the 4th verse, and learn several very comfortable points of
+doctrine, as,</p>
+<p>I. That Jesus Christ is very tender of his followers, and will
+not cast them off, nor upbraid them for every escape whereby they
+may provoke him to anger and grieve his Spirit; but gently passeth
+by many of their failings, when he findeth they are not obstinate
+in their mistake, nor perverse in their way. For how gently and
+meekly doth he here pass over Thomas his unhandsome expression,
+finding that Thomas spake here, not out of obstinacy and
+pertinaciousness, but out of ignorance and a mistake. And the
+reason is, because, 1. Christ knoweth our infirmity and weakness,
+and is of a tender heart, and therefore will not "break the bruised
+reed," Isa. xlii. Well knoweth he that rough and untender handling
+would crush us, and break us all in pieces. And, 2. He is full of
+bowels of mercy, and can "have compassion on them that are out of
+the way, and can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities,"
+Heb. iv. 15. v. 2.</p>
+<p>Which truth, as upon the one hand, it should encourage all to
+choose him for their leader, and give up themselves unto him, who
+is so tender of his followers; so, upon the other hand, it should
+rebuke such as are ready to entertain evil and hard thoughts of
+him, as if he were an hard master, and ill to be followed, and put
+all from entertaining the least thought of his untenderness and
+want of compassion. But, moreover,</p>
+<p>II. We see, that weaknesses and corruptions breaking out in
+believers, when they are honestly and ingenuously laid open before
+the Lord, will not fear him away, but rather engage him the more to
+help and succour. Much of Thomas his weakness and corruption
+appeared in what he said; yet the same being honestly and
+ingenuously laid open to Christ, not out of a spirit of
+contradiction, but out of a desire to learn, Christ is so far from
+thrusting him away, that he rather condescendeth the more, out of
+love and tenderness, to instruct him better, and clear the way more
+fully. And that, because, 1. He knoweth our mould and fashion, how
+feckless and frail we are, and that if he should deal with us
+according to our folly, we should quickly be destroyed. 2. He is
+not as a man, hasty, rash, proud; but gentle, loving, tender, and
+full of compassion. 3. It is his office and proper work to be an
+instructor to the ignorant, and a helper of our infirmities and
+weaknesses, a physician to bind up and cure our sores and
+wounds.</p>
+<p>Who would not then willingly give up themselves to such a
+teacher that will not thrust them to the door, nor give them up to
+themselves always, when their corruptions would provoke him
+thereunto? And what a madness is this in many, to stand a-back from
+Christ, because of their infirmities; and to scar at him, because
+of their weakness, when the more corruption we find the more we
+should run to him? and it is soon enough to depart from Christ when
+he thrusts us away, and saith, he will have no more to do with us;
+yea, he will allow us to stay after we are thrice thrust away.
+Only, let us take heed that we approve not ourselves in our evils,
+that we hide them not as unwilling to part with them, that we
+obstinately maintain them not, nor ourselves in them; but that we
+lie open before him, and deal with him, with honesty,
+ingenuousness, and plainness.</p>
+<p>III. We see, further, That ignorance ingenuously acknowledged
+and laid open before Christ, puts the soul in a fair way to get
+more instruction. Thomas having candidly, according as he thought,
+in the simplicity of his heart, professed his ignorance, is in a
+fair way now to get instruction. For this is Christ's work, to
+instruct the ignorant, to open the eyes of the blind.</p>
+<p>Why then are we so foolish as to conceal our ignorance from him,
+and to hide our case and condition from him; and why doth not this
+commend Christ's school to us so much the more? why do we not carry
+as ingenious scholars, really desirous to learn? But,</p>
+<p>IV. We may learn, That our ill condition and distempers put into
+Christ's hand will have remarkable out-gates, and an advantageous
+issue; seeing Christ taketh occasion here from Thomas his laying
+open his condition, not without some mixture of corruption, to
+clear up the truth more fully and plainly than it was before; for
+hereby, 1. Christ giveth an open declaration of the glory of his
+power, mercy, goodness, wisdom, &amp;c. 2. He hath occasion to give
+a proof of his divine art and glorious skill of healing diseased
+souls, and of making broken bones stronger than ever they were. 3.
+Thus he effectually accomplished his noble designs, and perfecteth
+his work, in a way tending to abase man, by discovering his
+infirmities and failings; and to glorify himself in his goodness
+and love. 4. Thus he triumpheth more over Satan, and in a more
+remarkable and glorious manner destroyeth his works. 5. Thus he
+declareth how wonderfully he can make all things work together for
+good to his chosen ones that love him and follow him. 6. Yea, thus
+he engageth souls to wonder more at his divine wisdom and power; to
+despair less in time coming, when cases would seem hard; to
+acknowledge his great and wonderful grace, and his infinite power
+and wisdom, that can bring life out of death; and also to be more
+sensible of the mercy, and thankful for it.</p>
+<p>O believer, what manner of joy is here! how happy art thou that
+hath given up thyself to him! Thy worst condition can turn to thy
+advantage. He can make thy ignorance, vented with a mixture of
+corruption, turn to the increase of thy knowledge. Bless him for
+this; and, with joy and satisfaction, abide thou under his tutory
+and at his school. And withal, be not discouraged, be thy case of
+ignorance and corruption what it will, lay it before him with
+sincerity and singleness of heart, and then "thou mayest glory in
+thine infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest on thee," 2
+Cor. xii. 9; for thou shalt see, in due time, what advantage
+infinite love and wisdom can bring to thy soul thereby.</p>
+<p>May not this be a strong motive to induce strangers to give up
+themselves to him, who will sweetly take occasion, at their
+failings and shortcomings, to help them forward in the way? And
+what excuse can they have who sit the call of the gospel, and say,
+in effect, they will not go to Christ because their case is not
+good. And O that believers were not sometimes led away with this
+error of scaring at Christ, because of infirmities seen and
+discovered!</p>
+<p>V. It is remarkable, that, as the disciples did ofttimes vent
+much of their carnal conceptions of the kingdom of Christ, as
+apprehending it to be some carnal, outward, pompous, stately, and,
+upon that account, desirable condition; so there might be much of
+this carnal apprehension lurking under this acknowledgment and
+question of Thomas; and the Lord, who knew their thoughts, doth
+here wisely draw them off those notions, and sets them about
+another study, to tell us, that it is best and most useful and
+profitable for us, to be much taken up in the study and search of
+necessary fundamental truths, and, particularly, of the way to the
+Father. For, 1. Here is the substantial food of the soul; other
+notions are but vain, and oftentimes they make the case of the soul
+worse; but the study of this is always edifying. 2. The right
+understanding of this and other fundamental truths will not puff
+up, but keep the soul humble, and will make the soul active and
+diligent in duty. 3. The fruit of this study is profitable and
+lasting. 4. And the right uptaking of these truths will discover
+the vanity of other sciences, falsely so called, and the folly of
+spending our time about other things. 5. The right understanding of
+this fundamental will help us to understand other truths the
+better. 6. A mistake in this, and such like fundamentals, or the
+ignorance of them, is more dangerous than the ignorance of or
+mistake in other things.</p>
+<p>Oh! if this were teaching us all, in humility, to be much in the
+study of such fundamental necessary truths as this is; and to guard
+against a piece of vanity in affecting knowledge, the effect of
+which is nothing but a puffing of us up with pride and conceit!</p>
+<p>VI. We may here take notice of what may serve to discover Thomas
+his mistake, and what is the ground of Christ's assertion, verse 4,
+which Thomas doth little less than contradict, verse 5, viz. that
+such as had any acquaintance with Christ did, according to the
+measure of their knowledge of him, both know heaven and the way to
+it; whence we see these truths,</p>
+<p>1. Persons may have some real acquaintance with Christ, and yet
+be, for a time, very indistinct in their notions about him, and
+apprehensions of him. They may know Christ in some measure, and yet
+look upon themselves as great strangers to the knowledge of heaven,
+and be oft complaining of their ignorance of the right way to
+heaven.</p>
+<p>2. Where there is the least measure of true acquaintance with
+Christ, with love to him, and a desire to know more of him, Christ
+will take notice thereof, though it be covered over with a heap of
+mistakes, and accompanied with much ignorance, weakness, and
+indistinctness. He seeth not as man seeth, which is good news to
+some that are weak in knowledge, and unable to give any good
+account of any knowledge they have; yet one thing they can say,
+that he who knoweth all things, knoweth that they love him.</p>
+<p>3. Various are the dispensations of God's grace unto his own. To
+some he giveth a greater, to others a lesser measure of knowledge
+of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven; and to one and the same
+person, more at one time than at another. Various are his
+manifestations and out-lettings of grace and love. Small beginnings
+may come to much at length. Thomas, and the rest of the disciples,
+had but little clear and distinct apprehensions of the way of
+salvation through Jesus Christ; and yet, ere all was done, they
+attained to such a measure of understanding in the mysteries of
+God, as that we are said to be "built upon the foundation of the
+apostles, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone," Eph.
+ii. 20. This should teach the best much sobriety, and not to judge
+of all by themselves; or to think, that God's way with them must be
+a standard or a rule whereby to judge of all the rest; as if his
+way of dealing were one and the same with all.</p>
+<p>4. The knowledge of Christ is all. Know him, and we know heaven
+and the way to it; for upon this ground doth Christ make good what
+he said, touching their knowing whither he went, and the way; and
+answereth the objection that Thomas did propose, viz. because he
+was the way, &amp;c., and they being acquaint with him, (which here
+is presupposed,) were not ignorant of the place whither he was
+going, nor of the way leading thither. The knowledge then of Jesus
+Christ is a true and full compend of all saving knowledge. Hence it
+"is life eternal to know him," John xvii. 3. "They that know him,
+know the Father," John xiv. 9. and viii. 19. "They that see him,
+see the Father also," John xiv. 9. "He is in the Father, and the
+Father in him," John xiv. 10, 11. and x. 38. and xvii. 21. And so
+knowing him they know heaven; for what is heaven else but the
+presence and glorious manifestations of the Father; for when Christ
+speaks of his going to heaven, he saith, "He was going to the
+Father." So knowing him, they know the way, both how Christ was to
+go to heaven as our cautioner, head, and attorney, and how we must
+follow.</p>
+<p>Let then a man have never so much knowledge, and be acquainted
+with the mysteries of all arts and sciences, and with the depths of
+nature, and intrigues of states, and all the theory of religion; if
+he be unacquainted with Jesus, he knoweth nothing as he ought to
+know.</p>
+<p>And upon the other hand, let a poor soul that is honest, and
+hath some knowledge of, and acquaintance with him, be satisfied,
+though it cannot discourse nor dispute, nor speak to cases of
+conscience, as some others; if we know him, it matters not though
+we be ignorant of many things, and thereby become less esteemed of
+by others. Here is the true test, by which we may take a right
+estimate of our own, or of others' knowledge. The true rule to try
+knowledge by, is not fine notions, clear and distinct expressions,
+but heart-acquaintance with him; "in whom are hid all the treasures
+of wisdom and knowledge," Col. ii. 3.</p>
+<p>O sad! that we are not more taken up in this study, which would
+be a compendious way for us to know all? Why spend we our money for
+that which is not bread, and our labour for that which will not
+profit us? Why waste we our time and spirits in learning this
+science, and that art; when, alas! after we, with much labour and
+toil, have attained to the yondmost pitch there, we are never one
+whit the nearer heaven and happiness? yea, it were well, if we were
+not further off! Oh! if we were wise at length, and could think
+more of this one thing necessary; and could be stirred up to learn
+more of him, and to make this the subject of all our study and
+labour.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_II." id="CHAPTER_II."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2>
+<br>
+<h4>OF THE WORDS THEMSELVES IN GENERAL.</h4>
+<p>We come now to the words themselves, wherein Christ asserts that
+he is, 1, "the way;" 2, "the truth;" 3, "the life;" and, 4, "that
+no man cometh to the Father but by him."</p>
+<p>In them we learn these two things in general.</p>
+<p><i>First,</i> The misery of wretched man by nature. This cannot
+be in a few words expressed.</p>
+<p>These words will point out those particulars thereof, which we
+will but mention.</p>
+<p>1. That he is born an enemy to, and living at a distance from
+God, by virtue of the curse of the broken covenant of life made
+with Adam.</p>
+<p>2. That he neither can nor will return to God, of himself. His
+way is not in himself; he hath need of another to be his way.</p>
+<p>3. That he is a blind, wandering creature, ready to by-ways and
+to wander; yea, he loveth to wander. He goeth astray as soon as he
+is born, speaking lies.</p>
+<p>4. He cannot discern the true way, but is blinded with prejudice
+thereat, and full of mistakes. He is nothing but a lump of
+error.</p>
+<p>5. He is dead legally and really: how can he then come home? How
+can he walk in the way, though it were pointed out to him?</p>
+<p>6. He, even when he entereth into the way, is subject to so many
+faintings, swoonings, upsittings, &amp;c. that except he get new
+quickening, he must lie by the way and perish.</p>
+<p>In a word, his misery is such as cannot be expressed; for as
+little as it is believed, and laid to heart; or seen and mourned
+for, and lamented.</p>
+<p>Now, for a ground to our following discourse, I would press the
+solid, thorough and sensible apprehension of this, without which
+there will be no use-making or application of Christ; "for the
+whole need not the physician, but the sick;" and Christ is "not
+come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance," Matt. ix.
+12. Mark ii. 17. Yea, believers themselves would live within the
+sight of this, and not forget their frailty; for though there be a
+change wrought in them, yet they are not perfect, but will have
+need of Christ as the way, the truth, and the life, till he bring
+them in, and set them down upon the throne, and crown them with the
+crown of life. And, O happy they, who must not walk on foot without
+this guide leading them by the hand, or rather carrying them in his
+arms. Let all them who would make use of Christ remember what they
+were, and what they are, and keep the sense of their frailty and
+misery fresh; that seeing their need of him, they may be in better
+case to look out to him for help and supply, and be more distinct
+in their application of him.</p>
+<p>The <i>second</i> general is, that Christ is a complete
+mediator, thoroughly furnished for all our necessities. Are we at a
+distance from the Father? He is a way to bring us together. Are we
+wandered out of the way? He is the way to us. Are we blind and
+ignorant? He is the truth. Are we dead? He is the life. Concerning
+this fulness and completeness of his, we would mark these
+things:</p>
+<p>1. That he is thoroughly furnished with all things we stand in
+need of; the way, the truth, and the life. He hath eye-salve,
+clothing, gold tried in the fire, &amp;c. "For the Spirit of the
+Lord is upon him, and hath anointed him," Isa. lxi. 1.</p>
+<p>2. He is suitably qualified, not only having a fulness, and an
+all-fulness, so that whatever we need is to be had in him, but also
+a suitable fulness answering our case to the life. Are we out of
+the way? He is the way. Are we dead? He is life, &amp;c.</p>
+<p>3. He is richly qualified with this suitable good. He hath not
+only "wisdom and knowledge," but "treasures of it," yea, "all the
+treasures" thereof, Col. ii. 3. There is fulness in him; yea, "it
+hath pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell," Col.
+i. 19. Yea, "the fulness of the Godhead dwelleth in him bodily,"
+Col. ii. 9.</p>
+<p>4. Hence this is an up-making completeness and fulness; for we
+are said to be "complete in him," Col. ii. 10. And he is said to
+"be all in all," Col. iv. 11. "He filleth all in all," Eph. i.
+23.</p>
+<p>5. It is also a satisfying completeness. The eye is not
+satisfied with seeing, nor the ear with hearing. The avaricious man
+is not satisfied with gold, nor the ambitious man with honour; but
+still they are crying with the loch leech, give, give! But the man
+who getteth Christ is full; he sitteth down and cryeth, enough,
+enough! And no wonder, for he hath all; he can desire no more; he
+can seek no more; for what can the man want that is complete in
+him?</p>
+<p>6. There is here that which will answer all the objections of a
+soul; and these sometimes are not few. If they say they cannot know
+the way to the Father, then he is the truth to instruct and teach
+them that, and so to enter them into it. And if they say they
+cannot walk in that way, nor advance in it one step, but will faint
+and sit up, succumb and fall by; he answereth that he is the life,
+to put life and keep life in them, and to cause them to walk, by
+putting a new principle of life in them, and breathing of new on
+that principle.</p>
+<p>O thrice happy they who have fled to him for refuge! It is easy
+for them to answer all objections and cavils of Satan, and of a
+false heart. It is easy for them to put Christ to answer all. And,
+on the other hand, who can tell the misery of such as are strangers
+to Jesus? How shall their wants be made up? How shall they answer
+challenges, accusations, temptations, doubts, fears, objections,
+and discouragements, cast up in their way?</p>
+<p>Oh! should not this endear the way of the gospel to us, and make
+Christ precious unto us! Is it not a wonder that such an
+all-sufficient mediator, who is able to save to the uttermost all
+that come to God through him, should be so little regarded and
+sought unto; and that there should be so few that embrace him, and
+take him as he is offered in the gospel.</p>
+<p>How can this be answered in the day of accounts? What excuse can
+unbelievers now have? Is not all to be found in Christ that their
+case calleth for? Is he not a complete mediator, thoroughly
+furnished with all necessaries? Is not the riches of his fulness
+written on all his dispensations? The mouths, then, of unbelievers,
+must be for ever stopped.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_III." id="CHAPTER_III."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2>
+<br>
+<h4>HOW CHRIST IS THE WAY IN GENERAL, "I AM THE WAY."</h4>
+<p>We come now to speak more particularly to the words; and,
+<i>first,</i> Of his being a way. Our design being to point at the
+way of use-making of Christ in all our necessities, straits, and
+difficulties which are in our way to heaven; and particularly to
+point out the way how believers should make use of Christ in all
+their particular exigencies; and so live by faith in him, walk in
+him, grow up in him, advance and march forward toward glory in him.
+It will not be amiss to speak of this fulness of Christ in
+reference to unbelievers, as occasion offereth, because this will
+help to clear the other.</p>
+<p>Before we can clear up how any can make use of Christ, we must
+speak something of their necessity of him, and of his being
+furnished fitly, fully, richly, and satisfyingly for their case;
+and this will make the way of use-making of Christ more plain.</p>
+<p>While Christ then says, "I am the Way," he points out those
+things to us:</p>
+<p>1. That man is now estranged from the Lord, and in a wandering
+condition: He hath departed from God, he is revolted and gone.
+"They are all gone out of the way," Rom. iii. 12. "They go astray
+as soon as they are born, speaking lies," Psal. lviii. 3.</p>
+<p>2. Nay, not only so, but we love naturally to wander and to run
+away from God, as Jeremiah complaineth of that wicked people, Jer.
+xiv. 10. Naturally, with "the dromedary, we traverse our ways,"
+Jer. ii. 23, and run hither and thither, but never look towards
+him. Nay, we are like those spoken of, Job xxi. 14. "We desire not
+the knowledge of his ways, we will have none of him," Psalm lxxxi.
+11; nor "of his reproofs," Prov. i. 30.</p>
+<p>Oh, how sad is this! And yet how is it more sad, that this is
+not believed, nor once considered. And that it is not believed, is
+manifest; for,</p>
+<p>1. How rare is it to meet with persons that are not very well
+pleased and satisfied with themselves and their condition? They
+thank the Lord it was aye well with them. They have no complaints.
+They see no wants nor necessities. They wonder what makes folk
+complain of their condition, of their evil heart, or of their
+hazard and danger. They understand not these matters.</p>
+<p>2. Do we not find people very quiet and at rest, though they
+remain in the congregation of the dead, Prov. xxi. 16. They sleep
+in a sound skin, because they see no hazard. The thoughts of their
+condition never bereave them of one night's rest: No challenges
+have they; all is at peace with them, for the strong man keeps the
+house.</p>
+<p>3. How rare is it to find people exercised about this matter,
+and busied with it in their thoughts, either while alone, or while
+in company with others; or once seriously thinking and considering
+of it, yea, or so much as suspecting the matter?</p>
+<p>4. How rare is it to see any soul broken in heart, and humbled
+because of this; who is walking under this as under a load; whose
+soul is bleeding under the consideration of this! Is there any
+mourning for this?</p>
+<p>5. Where is that to be heard, "Men and brethren, what shall we
+do to be saved?" How shall we enter into the right way? Where is
+that good old way, that we may walk in it? Few such questions and
+cases troubling consciences; and no wonder, for a deep sleep is
+upon them.</p>
+<p>6. How cometh it then, that the pointing forth of the way is so
+little hearkened unto? Sure were this natural condition perceived,
+a report of the sure and safe way would be much more welcome than
+it is: Christ by his messengers would not be put to cry so often in
+vain, "This is the way, turn in hither."</p>
+<p>Here is enough to convince of this ignorance and insensibleness;
+but it is his Spirit, which "convinceth the world of sin," John
+xvi. that must bear home this conviction.</p>
+<p><i>Secondly</i>, It pointeth out to us this, that "the way of
+man is not in himself," Jer. x. 23, that is, that nothing, he can
+do can or will prove a way to him to the Father: For Christ is the
+Way, as excluding all other means and ways. And that man can do
+nothing to help himself into the way, is clear; for,</p>
+<p>1. "His way is darkness," Prov. iv. 14. He knoweth no better, he
+is satisfied therewith; there he sleepeth and resteth.</p>
+<p>2. He cannot nor doth not desire to return. He hateth to be
+reformed.</p>
+<p>3. Yea, he thinketh himself safe; no man can convince him of the
+contrary: The way he is in "seemeth right to him, though the end
+thereof be death;" Prov. xiv. 12, and xvi. 25.</p>
+<p>4. Every man hath his own particular way to which he turneth,
+Isaiah liii, 6; some one thing or other that he is pleased with,
+and that he thinks will abundantly carry him through, and there
+resteth he; and what these ordinarily are, we shall hear
+presently.</p>
+<p>5. In this his way, which yet is a false way, "he trusteth,"
+Hosea x. 13, he leaneth upon it, little knowing that it will fail
+him at length, and that he and his hope and confidence shall
+perish.</p>
+<p>Is it not strange then to see men and women "gading about to
+seek their way," as it is said, Jer. ii. 36. as if they could find
+it out; or as if they could of themselves fall upon the way. What a
+lamentable sight is it, to see people "wearying themselves with
+very lies," Ezek. xxiv. 12; "and wearied in the multitude of their
+own counsels," Isaiah xlvii. 15.</p>
+<p>But what are those false and lying ways which men weary
+themselves in, and all in vain; and which they chuse and trust
+unto, and yet are not the way which will prove safe and sure?</p>
+<p><i>Ans.</i> It will not be easy to reckon them all up, we shall
+name some that are principal and most ordinary; such as,</p>
+<p>1. Good purposes and resolutions, with which many deceive
+themselves, supposing that to be all which is required: And, alas!
+all their purposes are like to Ephraim's goodness,&mdash;like the
+early cloud and morning dew that soon evanisheth; their purposes
+are soon broken off, and soon disappointed, because made without
+counsel, Prov. xv. 22. Many foolishly rest here, that they have a
+good mind to do better, and to amend their ways, and they purpose
+after such a time or such time, they shall begin a new manner of
+life; but their purposes never come to any effect, and so at length
+they and their purposes both perish.</p>
+<p>2. Some convictions and inward challenges. The word now and then
+pierceth them so far, and sore and sharp dispensations from the
+Lord so far affect their heart, that they see it is not well with
+them; and they are made, with Saul, to cry out, "I have sinned," 1
+Sam. xv. 24, and they advance no further; those convictions either
+die out again, or work no further change: And, poor souls, they
+think, because at such a sermon, or such a communion, they had some
+such convictions and sharp challenges, therefore they imagine all
+is well with them; when a Judas may have convictions, sharper than
+ever they had, and a Felix, Acts xxiv. 25.</p>
+<p>3. Convictions followed with some sort of amendment. Some may
+dreadfully deceive themselves with this, and conclude that all is
+right with them, and that the way they are in is safe and sure;
+because they have had convictions, which have been so effectual as
+to cause them to amend many things, and become, as to many things,
+changed men and women, when, alas, their way is but a way of
+darkness still; it is not Christ; they have never come to him.
+Herod hearing John Baptist, had his own convictions and amendments;
+for "he did many things," Mark vi. 20.</p>
+<p>4. Many rest upon their outward civility and morality, or
+negative holiness. They cannot be challenged for gross faults, and
+that is all the way they have to rest in: Alas! could not a wicked
+Pharisee say as much as they, viz. "That he was no extortioner,
+unjust person, or an adulterer, nor such as the publican was," Luke
+xviii. 11. How many heathens, as to this, shall outstrip such as
+profess themselves Christians? and yet they lived and died
+strangers to the right way to happiness. See what that poor young
+man said, Luke xviii. 21.</p>
+<p>5. Some may win to more than civility, and attain unto a kind of
+outward holiness, and outward performance of the duties of
+religion, such as hearing, reading, prayer, communicating, and rest
+there, and yet perish: For that is but their own way, it is not the
+right way. Had not the foolish virgins lamps? and did they not wait
+with the rest, Matth. xxv.; and will not many say, in that day, "We
+have eaten and drunken in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our
+streets:" to whom Christ shall answer, "I know not whence you are,
+depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity?" Luke xiii. 26, 27.
+Were not the Jews much in duties and outward ordinances? and yet
+see how the Lord rejected them all, Isaiah i. 11-15, and lxvi.
+3.</p>
+<p>6. Much knowledge doth deceive many. They think because they can
+talk of religion, speak to cases of conscience, handle places of
+Scripture, and the like, that therefore all is right with them;
+when alas, that is but a slippery ground to stand upon. The
+Pharisees sat in Moses' seat, and taught sometimes sound doctrine;
+and yet were heart-enemies to Jesus, Matth. xxiii. And will not
+many think to plead themselves into heaven, by saying, that they
+"have prophesied in his name," Matth. vii. 22. There is "a
+knowledge that puffeth up," 1 Cor. xiii. 2. Some there are whose
+knowledge seemeth to be operative and practical, and not merely
+speculative. Some may "escape the pollutions of the world through
+the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ," and yet again
+become entangled therein and overcome; so that "their latter end is
+worse than the beginning;" see 2 Peter ii. 20, 21, 22. Knowledge, I
+grant, is good, but it is not Christ, and so it is not the way to
+the Father; and many, alas! lean to it, and are deceived at
+last.</p>
+<p>7. A kind of seeming seriousness in the performance of duties,
+and in seeking of God, deceiveth many. They think, because they are
+not conscious to their own dissembling, but they look upon
+themselves as earnest in what they do, that therefore all is well.
+Sayeth not Christ, that not "every one that saith, Lord, Lord,
+shall enter into the kingdom of God?" Matth. vii. 21; that is, not
+every one that reneweth their suits, and ingeminateth their
+desires, cry, and cry over again, and, as it were, will not give it
+over; and yet they come short of their expectation. Did not the
+foolish virgins seem earnest and serious, when they continued
+waiting with the rest, and at length cried "Lord, Lord, open unto
+us;" and yet they are kept at the door. Many consider not that
+there is a secret and close hypocrisy, that some may be under and
+not know it, as well as a gross hypocrisy and dissimulation, which
+may be easily observed; "Will not many seek to enter in that shall
+not be able?" Matth. vii. 13. Luke xiii. 24.</p>
+<p>8. Many deceive themselves with this, that they are looked on by
+other godly, discerning persons and ministers, as good serious
+Christians, and that they carry so handsomely and so fair, that no
+man can judge otherways of them, than that they are good serious
+seekers of God. But, alas! the day is coming which will discover
+many things, and many one will be deceived both of themselves and
+of others. "Not he who commendeth himself is approved, but whom God
+approveth," 2 Cor. x. 18. Therefore, Paul exhorts Timothy, "to
+study to show himself approved unto God," 2 Tim. ii. 15. Men look
+only on the outside, and cannot see into the heart; but God
+searcheth the heart; and it is an easy matter to deceive men, but
+God will not be deceived.</p>
+<p>9. Some may suppose themselves in a safe and sure way, if they
+outstrip others in religious duties, and be much in extraordinary
+duties, when, alas! for all that, the heart may be rotten. "The
+Pharisee fasted twice a-week," Luke xviii. 12, and yet was but an
+enemy to Christ. O how deceitful is the heart of man!</p>
+<p>10. Inward peace and quietness of conscience may deceive some;
+and they may suppose that all is right with them; because they do
+nothing over the belly of their conscience. Their heart doth not
+accuse them of falsehood and dissimulation in their way with God or
+man, but they do all things according to their light. No doubt that
+young man (Luke xviii. 21,) spoke according to his judgment and
+light, when he said, "All these things have I kept from my youth."
+And Paul saith of himself (Acts xxiii. 1,) "that he had lived in
+all good conscience before God till that very day;" meaning, that
+even while he was a Pharisee unconverted, he had not tortured his
+conscience, nor done anything directly against it, but had always
+walked according to his light. See Acts xxvi. 9.</p>
+<p>11. A way of zeal may deceive many who may think their case
+unquestionable, because they are zealous for their way, and, as
+they think, their zeal is pure for God. Was not Paul, while a
+Pharisee, very zealous, when, out of zeal to his way, he persecuted
+the church, Philip. iii. 6. See my zeal for the Lord, could I thus
+say, 2 Kings x. 16; and the Jews had a zeal of God, but not
+according to knowledge, Rom. x. 2; and Christ tells us, that such
+as should persecute the Apostles unto death, would think they did
+God good service, John xvi. 2.</p>
+<p>12. Some also may put it beyond question, that they are in the
+right way, because they are more strict in all their ways than
+others, and will not so much as keep fellowship or company with
+them; saying, with those, (Isaiah lxv. 5) "Stand by, I am holier
+than thou, come not near to me," who yet are but a smoke in God's
+nose, and a fire that burneth all the day.</p>
+<p>13. Some may rest on, and deceive themselves with their great
+attainments, and more than ordinary experiences, when, alas! we see
+to what a height some may come, and yet prove nothing. Let such
+souls read with trembling that word of Paul, Heb. vi 4, 5, where we
+see some may come to be enlightened, to taste of the heavenly gift,
+to be made partakers of the Holy Ghost, to taste the good word of
+God, and the powers of the world to come, and yet prove cast-aways;
+taking these expressions as pointing forth something distinct from
+real grace.</p>
+<p>Many such false ways, wherein men please themselves, might be
+mentioned; by these every one may see cause of searching and trying
+over and over again. It is a dreadful thing to be deceived here,
+and it is best to put it to a trial, when there is a possibility of
+getting the matter helped. And many may fear and tremble when they
+see they are not yet come the length of many such as sit down
+without Christ, and lose all their labour. Oh, if this could put
+people to a serious examination and trial of themselves, and of the
+nature of that way wherein they are, and rest at present!</p>
+<p><i>Thirdly</i>, We might here observe, that this true and living
+way is but one for all. There is but "one Mediator between God and
+man," 1 Tim. ii. 5. One Mediator for both Old and New Testament,
+the seed of the woman. Howbeit the Lord's dispensations with his
+people, in that one way, may be various, as his way with his people
+under the law is different from his way with his people under the
+gospel; and his dispensations with individual believers, whether
+under the law or under the gospel, is not the same in all
+things.</p>
+<p>And this should teach us to relinquish our own ways, and to
+enter into this one only way; and it should move such as are in
+this way to study unity and agreement among themselves; and yet not
+infer or suppose, that God's way with them must be in all things
+alike. Yea, though the Lord's way with them be different from his
+way with others, and more dark, disconsolate, and bitter, yet let
+them be quiet and silent before the Lord, and acknowledge his
+goodness that hath brought them into the one only way, Jesus
+Christ, and keepeth them there.</p>
+<p>But, <i>fourthly,</i> The main thing here, and which is obvious,
+is this, that Jesus Christ is the way to the Father, the one and
+only way, the sovereign and excellent way, and he alone is the way.
+There is not another. "Neither is there salvation in any other; for
+there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we
+must be saved," Acts iv. 12.</p>
+<p>For clearing of this, we shall speak a little to those four
+things, and shew,</p>
+<p>1. What is our case, and what need we have of a way.</p>
+<p>2. How Christ answereth this our case and necessity, and is a
+fit way for us.</p>
+<p>3. How he alone is the way, and answereth this our case.</p>
+<p>4. What are the rare advantages and specialities of this
+way.</p>
+<p>And this will make way for our clearing up, how Christ is made
+use of as a way by poor sinners.</p>
+<p>For the first of these, our present case and necessity,
+something was spoken to it before; we shall reduce all those to two
+heads. The first is, our state of guilt, and separation from God
+because of sin and guilt; the next is, our state of wickedness and
+enmity against God.</p>
+<p>As to the first, we may take notice of those things:</p>
+<p>1. That sin, original and actual, hath separated us from God,
+and cast us out of his favour, and out of that station of favour
+and friendship which once we were advanced to in Adam.</p>
+<p>2. That we are under God's curse and wrath, and excommunicated
+from the presence of the Lord, by a sad, yet just, sentence
+according to law, and so are under death.</p>
+<p>As to the next thing, we may take notice of those
+particulars:</p>
+<p>1. That we are impure and polluted with sin and daily
+iniquity.</p>
+<p>2. That we are ignorant of the right way of returning into
+favour with God, seeking out to ourselves many inventions.</p>
+<p>3. That we are impotent for any good work or commanded duty.</p>
+<p>That not only so, but we are unwilling to do any thing that is
+good, or to enter into the way when pointed out unto us; yea, we
+are enemies to God by wicked works, and have an innate hatred to
+all his ways.</p>
+<p>5. We desire not to be out of the condition whereinto we are;
+there we love to lie and sleep, and desire not to be roused up or
+awakened.</p>
+<p>6. We are under the power and command of Satan, who leadeth us
+out of the way, yea, and driveth us forward in the wrong way, to
+our perdition.</p>
+<p>These things are plain and undeniable, and need no further
+confirmation; though, alas! it is little believed or laid to heart
+by many.</p>
+<p>For the second, how Christ answereth this our case and
+necessity. He is a way to us to help us out of both these, both out
+of our state of guilt and separation, and out of our state of
+wickedness and enmity.</p>
+<p>And, first, he helpeth us out of our state of guilt and
+separation:</p>
+<p>1. By taking away our guilt and sin; "being made sin for us, who
+knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in
+him," 2 Cor. v. 21. He hath filled the great gap betwixt God and
+us, with his body, and hath made of it, as it were, a bridge, by
+which they may go over to the Father: "We enter now into the
+holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he
+hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his
+flesh," Heb. x. 19, 20; "we are now brought near by his blood,"
+Eph. ii. 13, so that through him we are restored again to
+friendship with God, and made one with him; for Christ the Mediator
+hath "made both one, reconciling Jews and Gentiles both unto God,
+in one body, by the cross, having slain the enmity," Eph. ii.
+16.</p>
+<p>2. By taking away the curse and wrath that was due to us, being
+"made a curse for us," Gal iii. 13. So that he is become our peace,
+and "through him we have access by one spirit unto the Father, and
+are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the
+saints, and of the household of God," Eph. ii. 14, 18, 19. "He is
+set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood," Rom.
+iii. 25. 1 John ii. 2, and iv. 10. "By him have we now received
+atonement," Rom. v. 11.</p>
+<p>Next, he helpeth us out of our state of wickedness and
+enmity,</p>
+<p>1. By taking away our impurity and uncleanness, "by washing us
+and cleansing us in his blood," Ezek. xvi. 6-9. Col. i. 22, "having
+purchased grace for us," Eph. v. 1, 3, "we are blessed with all
+spiritual blessings in him." He applieth his merits, and layeth the
+foundation of grace and holiness in the soul, and carrieth on the
+work of mortification and vivification; and so killing the old man
+by his Spirit, both meritoriously and efficiently, he cleanseth and
+washeth. Hence, we are said to be baptised with him in his death,
+and buried with him by baptism into death, that we should walk in
+newness of life. And so our old man is crucified with him, that the
+body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve
+sin, Rom. vi. 3, 4, 6. And for our daily infirmities and escapes,
+whereby we pollute ourselves, his blood "is a fountain opened to
+the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and
+for uncleanness," Zech. xiii. 1; and to this fountain he bringeth
+by the spirit of repentance, which he, as an exalted prince,
+bestoweth, Acts. v. 31, and by faith. So 1 John ii. 1, "if any man
+sin, we have an advocate with the Father," &amp;c.</p>
+<p>2. As for our ignorance and blindness, he taketh that away,
+being given for a light to the Gentiles, Isa. xlii. 6, and xlix. 6.
+Luke ii. 32. He is sent to open the blind eyes, Isa. xlii. 7; to
+bring out the prisoners from their dark prisons, Isa. xlii. 7, and
+lxi. 1. Yea, he is anointed for this end, so that such as walk in
+darkness see a great light, and they that dwell in the land of the
+shadow of death, upon them the light hath shined, Isa. ix. 2.
+Matth. iv. 15; and he hath eye-salve to give, Rev. iii. 18.</p>
+<p>3. He is qualified for taking away our impotency, so that
+through him we can do all things, Philip, iv. 13; "when we are
+weak, we are strong in him who is our strength, and liveth in us,"
+2 Cor. xii. 10. Gal. ii. 20. Hence, "he worketh in us both to will
+and to do of his own good pleasure," Philip. ii. 13.</p>
+<p>4. He also taketh away our natural averseness, unwillingness,
+wickedness, and hatred of his ways, making his people "willing in
+the day of his power," Psal. cx. So he taketh away "the enmity that
+is in us," Col. ii. 20, and reconcileth us to God and to his ways,
+that our hearts do sweetly comply with them, and we become most
+willing and glad to walk in them, yea, and "to run the way of his
+commandments through his enlarging of our hearts," Psal. cxix.
+22.</p>
+<p>5. He likewise taketh away that desire and willingness, which we
+have, to lie still in our natural condition, by convincing us of
+the dreadful hazard thereof, through the spirit of conviction,
+whereby he convinceth the world of it, John xvi. 8, and
+circumciseth their ears to hear, and maketh them willing to hearken
+to the counsel of God.</p>
+<p>6. As for the power and dominion of Satan, he breaketh that, by
+"leading captivity captive," Eph. iv. 8; Psal. lxviii. 18; "and
+spoiling the strongman's house; for he is come to destroy the works
+of the devil," 1 John iii. 8; "and he spoileth principalities and
+powers," Col. ii. 15. Thus, as a captain of salvation, he leadeth
+them out as a conqueror; having paid the price, he delivereth also
+by power and authority from the hand of this jailor.</p>
+<p>And thus we see how he answereth our case and necessity, and is
+a fit way for us; and though this be not questioned, yet little is
+it believed and considered, and less put in practice.</p>
+<p>And as for the third particular, that he alone is this way, and
+answereth our case herein, it needeth not be much spoken to, since
+it is clear and manifest, confirmed by the experience of all
+generations, and the disappointments of fools who have been seeking
+other ways. Angels in heaven cannot do our business, they cannot
+satisfy justice for us, nor have they any power over our heart to
+turn it as they will; nay, they are not acquainted with our secret
+thoughts, that cabinet is kept close from them, and reserved as the
+peculiar privilege of God alone. The blood of bulls and of goats
+cannot do it; for the apostle tells us, that it is impossible for
+that to take away sin, Heb. x. 4. That blood shed according to the
+law did cleanse ceremonially, but it is only the blood of Jesus,
+typified by that, which cleanseth really; so that we are sanctified
+through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all, Heb.
+x. 10. No pains or labour of ours can avail here. The Lord will not
+be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers
+of oil. "He will not take our first-born for our transgression, nor
+the son of our body for the sin of our soul," Micah vi. 7.
+Ordinance and means will not do it, nor any invention of our own:
+"no man can by any means redeem his brother, or give to God a
+ransom for him; for the redemption of the soul is precious, and it
+ceaseth for ever," Psal. xlix. 7, 8. He alone hath laid down the
+price; all our sufferings, prayers, tears, labours, penances, and
+the like, signify nothing here; they cannot satisfy justice for one
+sin.</p>
+<p>As to the fourth particular, viz., the singularity of this way,
+those things make it manifest and apparent:</p>
+<p>1. This is such a way as can discover itself, and make itself
+known unto the erring traveller. Christ Jesus is such a way as can
+say to the wandering soul, "this is the way, walk ye in it," Isa.
+xxx. 25. No way can do this. This is comfortable.</p>
+<p>2. This way can not only discover itself to the wandering
+traveller, but also it can bring folk into it. Christ can bring
+souls unto himself, when they are running on in their wandering
+condition. He can move their hearts to turn into the right way, put
+grace in their soul for this end, begin resolutions in them, and
+sow the seed of faith; and so stay their course which they were
+violently pursuing, and make them look about and consider what they
+are doing. As the former was good news to poor, blind, and witless
+creatures that were wandering and knew not whither they were going;
+so this is good news to poor souls that find their heart inclining
+to wander, and loving to go astray.</p>
+<p>3. This way can cause us walk in it. If we be rebellious and
+obstinate, he can command with authority; for he is given for a
+leader and commander, Isa. lv. 4. How sweet should this be to the
+soul that is weighted with a stubborn, untractable, and
+unpersuadable heart, that he, as a king, governor, and commander,
+can with authority draw or drive, and cause us follow and run?</p>
+<p>4. This way is truth, as well as the way; so that the soul that
+once entereth in here is safe for ever; no wandering here. "The
+wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err in this way," Isa. xxxv.
+8. "He will bring the blind by a way that they knew not, and lead
+them in paths that they have not known; he will make darkness light
+before them, and crooked things straight; those things will he do
+unto them, and not forsake them," Isa. xlii. 16.</p>
+<p>5. This way is also life, and so can revive the faint and weary
+traveller. "He giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no
+might he increaseth strength; yea, he renews their strength, and
+makes them mount up with wings as eagles, and run and not be weary,
+and walk and not be faint," Isa. xl. 29, 31; "and so he giveth legs
+to the traveller, yea, he carrieth the lambs in his bosom," Isa.
+xl. 11. Oh! who would not walk in this way? what can discourage the
+man that walketh here? what can he fear? No way can quicken and
+refresh the weary man. This way can do it; yea, it can quicken one
+that is as dead, and cause him march on with fresh alacrity and
+vigour.</p>
+<p>6. From all these it followeth, that this way is a most
+pleasant, heartsome, desirable and comfortable way. The man is safe
+here, and he may "sing in the ways of the Lord," Psalm cxxxviii. 5.
+"For wisdom's ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are
+peace," Prov. iii. 17. He is a way that is food, physic, cordials,
+and all that the poor traveller standeth in need of till he come
+hence.</p>
+<p>From all which, ere we come to particulars, we shall in general
+point out those duties, which natively result thence, by way of
+use.</p>
+<p>1. O what cause is there here for all of us to fall a wondering,
+both that God should ever have condescended to have appointed a way
+how sinners and rebels, that had wickedly departed from him, and
+deserved to be cast out of his presence and favour for ever, might
+come back again, and enjoy happiness and felicity in the friendship
+and favour of that God that could have got the glory of his justice
+in our destruction, and stood in no need of us, or of any thing we
+could do: as also, that he appointed such a way, that Jesus Christ
+his only Son, should, to speak so, lie as a bridge betwixt God and
+sinful rebels, and as a highway, that they might return to the
+great God upon him. Let all the creation of God wonder at this
+wonderful condescending love of God, that appointed such a way; and
+of Christ, that was content to lout so low as to become this way to
+us, this new and living way; and that for this end he should have
+taken on flesh, and become Emmanuel, God with us, and tabernacled
+with us, that through this vail of his flesh, he might consecrate a
+way to us. Let angels wonder at this condescendency.</p>
+<p>2. Hence we may see ground of being convinced of those things:
+(1.) That naturally we are out of the way to peace and favour with
+God, and in a way that leadeth to death, and so that our misery and
+wretchedness, so long as it is so, cannot be expressed. (2.) That
+we can do nothing for ourselves; set all our wits a-work, we cannot
+fall upon a way that will bring us home. (3.) That it is madness
+for us to seek out another way, and to vex ourselves in vain, to
+run to this and to that mean or invention of our own, and be found
+fools in the end. (4.) That our madness is so much the greater in
+this, that we will turn to our own ways that will fail us, when
+there is such a noble and excellent, and every way satisfying way
+prepared to our hand. (5.) That our wickedness is so desperate,
+that the way which is pointed out to us doth not please us, and
+that we will not enter into it, nor walk in it. (6.) That this way,
+which is also the truth and the life, is only worth the embracing,
+and is only safe and sure; we should be convinced and persuaded of
+the worth, sufficiency, and desirableness of this way. Reason, with
+ordinary light from the word, may teach these things; but grace can
+only carry them into the heart, and make them take rooting
+there.</p>
+<p>3. We may read here our obligation to those particulars: (1.) To
+turn our back upon all other false and deceitful ways, and not rest
+there. (2.) To enter into this way, though "the gate be narrow and
+strait," Matt vii. 13. Luke xiii. 24, yet "to strive to enter in."
+(3.) To resolve to abide in that way as acquiescing in it, resting
+satisfied with it, and thus to be "rooted in him," Col. ii. 7, and
+"to dwell in him," 1 John iii. 24, and "to live in him," or
+"through him," 1 John iv. 9. (4.) To "walk in this way," Col. ii.
+6. that is, to make constant use of him, and to make progress in
+the way in and through him; to go from strength to strength in him,
+drawing all our furniture from him, by faith, according to the
+covenant; and that the soul should guard against, 1. stepping aside
+out of this good and pleasant way; 2. backsliding; 3. sitting up,
+and fainting by the way.</p>
+<p>In a word, this pointeth out our duty, to make use of Christ as
+our way to the Father, and only of Christ; and this leads us to the
+particulars we shall speak a little to.</p>
+<p>There are two main things which stand in our way, and hinder us
+from approaching to the Father. 1. Unrighteousness and guilt,
+whereby we are legally banished, because of the broken covenant,
+and the righteous sentence of God according to that covenant. And,
+2. Wickedness, impurity, and unholiness, which is, as a physical
+bar, lying in our way; because nothing that is unclean can dwell
+and abide with him, who is of purer eyes than he can behold
+iniquity; and nothing that is unclean can enter in there where he
+is. So then there must be an use-making of Christ, as a way through
+both these impediments; we need justification and pardon for the
+one, and sanctification and cleansing for the other. Now Christ
+being the way to the Father, both as to justification, in taking
+away the enmity, in changing our state, and removing our
+unrighteousness and guilt, whereby we were lying under the sentence
+of the law, adjudging such sinners as we are to hell; and as to
+sanctification, in cleansing us from all our pollutions, renewing
+our souls, washing away our spots and defilements, &amp;c. He must
+be made use of in reference to both.</p>
+<p>In speaking to the <i>first</i>, we shall be the shorter,
+because through God's great mercy, the gospel's pure way of
+justification by faith in Christ is richly and abundantly cleared
+up by many worthy authors, of late, both as concerning the
+theoretical and practical part.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_IV." id="CHAPTER_IV."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2>
+<br>
+<h4>HOW CHRIST IS MADE USE OF FOR JUSTIFICATION AS A WAY.</h4>
+<p>What Christ hath done to purchase, procure, and bring about our
+justification before God, is mentioned already, viz. That he stood
+in the room of sinners, engaging for them as their cautioner,
+undertaking, and at length paying down the ransom; becoming sin, or
+a sacrifice for sin, and a curse for them, and so laying down his
+life a ransom to satisfy divine justice; and this he hath made
+known in the gospel, calling sinners to an accepting of him as
+their only Mediator, and to a resting upon him for life and
+salvation; and withal, working up such, as belong to the election
+of grace, to an actual closing with him upon the conditions of the
+covenant, and to an accepting of him, believing in him, and resting
+upon him, as satisfied with, and acquiescing in that sovereign way
+of salvation and justification through a crucified Mediator.</p>
+<p>Now, for such as would make use of Christ as the way to the
+Father in the point of justification, those things are requisite;
+to which we shall only premise this word of caution, That we judge
+not the want of these requisites a ground to exempt any, that
+heareth the gospel, from the obligation to believe and rest upon
+Christ as he is offered in the gospel.</p>
+<p>1. There must be a conviction of sin and misery. A conviction of
+original guilt, whereby we are banished out of God's presence and
+favour, and are in a state of enmity and death, are come short of
+the glory of God, Rom. iii. 23; becoming dead or under the sentence
+of death, through the offence of one, Rom. v. 15; being made
+sinners by one man's disobedience, verse 19, and therefore under
+the reigning power of death, verse 17, and under that judgment that
+came upon all men to condemnation, verse 18. And of original innate
+wickedness, whereby the heart is filled with enmity against God,
+and is a hater of him and all his ways, standing in full opposition
+to him and to his holy laws; loving to contradict and resist him in
+all his actings; despising and undervaluing all his condescensions
+of love; obstinately refusing his goodness and offers of mercy; and
+peremptorily persisting in rebellion and heart-opposition; not only
+not accepting his kindness and offers of mercy, but contemning
+them, trampling them under foot as embittered against him. As also,
+there must be a conviction of our actual transgressions, whereby we
+have corrupted our ways yet more, run farther away from God,
+brought on more wrath upon our souls, according to that sentence of
+the law, "Cursed is everyone that abideth not in all things that
+are written in the law to do them," Deut. xxvii. 26. Gal. iii. 10.
+What way this conviction is begun and carried on in the soul, and
+to what measure it must come, I cannot now stand to explain; only,
+in short, know, That upon whatever occasion it be begun, whether by
+a word carried home to the heart by the finger of God, or by some
+sharp and crossing dispensation, fear of approaching death, some
+heinous out-breaking, or the like, it is a real thing, a
+heart-reaching conviction, not general and notional, but
+particular, plain, and pinching, affecting the heart with fear and
+terror, making the soul seriously and really to mind this matter,
+to be taken up with the thoughts of it, and anxiously and earnestly
+to cry out, "What shall I do to be saved?" and finally, will make
+the soul willing to hearken and hear what hopes of mercy there is
+in the gospel, and to embrace the way of salvation which is there
+laid down. And the reason of this is, because Christ himself tells
+us, "The whole needeth not the physician, but the sick," Matt. ix.
+12. "He is not come to call the righteous," that is, such as are
+righteous in their own eyes, "but sinners," that is, such as are
+now no more whole at the heart, as seeing no evil, no hazard or
+danger, but pricked and pierced with the sense of their lost
+condition, being under the heavy wrath and vengeance of the great
+God, because of sin; and seeing their own vileness, cursedness,
+wickedness and desperate madness. Because naturally we hate God and
+Christ, John xv. 23-25, and have a strong and natural antipathy at
+the way of salvation through Jesus, therefore nothing but strong
+and inevitable necessity will drive us to a compliance with this
+gospel device of love.</p>
+<p>2. There must be some measure of humiliation. Under this
+conviction the man is bowed down, and made mute before God; no more
+boasting of his goodness and of his happy condition; no high or
+great thoughts of his righteousness; for all are looked on now as
+"filthy rags," Isa. lxv. 6. "What things were as gain before to the
+soul, must now be counted loss, yea, and as dung," Philip, iii. 7,
+8. The man must be cast down in himself, and far from high and
+conceity thoughts of himself, or of any thing he ever did or can
+do. "For the Lord resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the
+humble," James iv. 6; 1 Pet. v. 5. "He reviveth the spirit of the
+humble," Isa. lvii. 15. "He that humbleth himself shall be
+exalted," Matt. xviii. 4, and xxiii. 12; Luke xiv. 11, and xviii.
+14.</p>
+<p>3. There must be a despairing of getting help or relief out of
+this condition, by ourselves, or any thing we can do; a conviction
+of the unprofitableness of all things under the sun for our relief.
+No expectation of help from our supposed good heart, good purposes,
+good deeds, works of charity, many prayers, commendations of
+others, sober and harmless walking, or anything else within us or
+without us that is not Christ. For, so long as we have the least
+hope or expectation of doing our own business without Christ, we
+will not come to him. Our heart hangeth so after the old way of
+salvation through works, that we cannot endure to hear of any
+other, nor can we yield to any other. Could we but have heaven by
+the way of works, we would spare no pains, no cost, no labour, no
+expenses; nay, we would put ourselves to much pain and torment by
+whippings, cuttings, fastings, watchings, and the like; we would
+spare our first-born; nay, we would dig our graves in a rock with
+our nails, and cut our own days, could we but get heaven by this
+means; such is our antipathy at the way of salvation through a
+crucified Christ, that we would choose any way but that, cost what
+it would; therefore, before we can heartily close with Christ and
+accept of him, we must be put from those refuges of lies, and see
+that there is nothing but a disappointment written on them all,
+that all our prayers, fastings, cries, duties, reformations,
+sufferings, good wishes, good deeds, &amp;c. are nothing in his
+eyes, but so many provocations to the eyes of his jealousy, and so,
+further causes of our misery.</p>
+<p>4. There must be a rational, deliberate, and resolute
+relinquishing of all those things in ourselves, on which our heart
+is ready to dote. The man being convinced of the vanity of all
+things by which he hath been hoping for salvation, must now purpose
+to lose his grips of them, to turn his back upon them, to quit them
+with purpose of heart, and to say to them, get you hence, as Isa.
+xxx. 22. This is to deny ourselves, which we must do ere we become
+his disciples, Matt. xvi. 24. This is to forsake our father's
+house, Psalm xlv. 10, and to pluck out our right eye, and to cut
+off our right arm, Matth. v. 29, 30. This abandoning of all our
+false propes and subterfuges must be resolute, over the belly of
+much opposition within, from the carnal and natural inclinations of
+the heart; and of much opposition without, from Satan's ensnaring
+suggestions and deceitful temptations: It must be a real, rational
+act of the soul, upon solid and thorough conviction of their
+unprofitableness, yea, of their dangerousness and
+destructiveness.</p>
+<p>5. There must be some knowledge of the nature of the gospel
+covenant, and of the way which now God hath chosen whereby to
+glorify his grace in the salvation of poor sinners. That God,
+Father, Son, and Holy Ghost thought good, for the glory of free
+grace and wisdom, in a way of justice and mercy, to send Jesus
+Christ to assume man's nature, and so become God and man in two
+distinct natures, and one person, for ever; and to become under the
+law, to undergo the curse thereof, and to die the cursed death of
+the cross, to satisfy justice, and pay the ransom for the
+redemption of the elect. In which undertaking our Lord was a
+servant, Isa. xlii. 1, and xlix. 6, and lii. 13, and liii. 11.
+Zech. iii. 8. Matt. xii. 18; and had furniture from God for all his
+undertaking, Isa. xlii. 1, and lxi. 1, 2. Matt. xii. 18; and had a
+promise of seeing his seed, and of prolonging his days, &amp;c.
+Isa. xliii. 10, 11. Thus there was a covenant of redemption betwixt
+God and the Mediator; and the Mediator undertaking, was obliged to
+perform all that he undertook, and accordingly did so. For, as the
+Lord laid on him, or caused to meet together on him, "the iniquity
+of us all," Isa. liii. 6, so in due time "he bare our griefs, and
+carried our sorrows. He was wounded for our transgressions, and
+bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon
+him. He was cut off out of the land of the living, and stricken for
+the transgression of his people; he made his soul an offering for
+sin, and bare the iniquities of his people. Pouring out his soul
+unto death he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the
+transgressors," Isa. liii. 4, 5, 10, 11, 12. So "that what the law
+could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending
+his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, for sin (or by a
+sacrifice for sin) condemned sin in the flesh," Rom. viii. 3, "that
+the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us," verse 4.
+Thus "he made him sin (or a sacrifice for sin) that we might become
+righteous," 2 Cor. v. 20; and "he was once offered to bear the sins
+of many," Heb. ix. 28; and "he, through the eternal Spirit, offered
+himself without spot to God," verse 14, and "his own self bare our
+sins in his own body on the tree," 1 Pet. ii. 24. There must, I
+say, be some knowledge of, and acquaintance with this great mystery
+of the gospel, wherein is declared "the manifold wisdom of God,"
+Eph. iii. 10, and with the noble design of God, in sending his Son,
+after this manner, to die the death, that condemned sinners might
+live, and return to the bosom of God; as redeemed "not with gold or
+silver, or corruptible things but with the precious blood of
+Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot," 1 Pet. i.
+18. And being "so redeemed by blood, to become kings and priests
+unto God," 1 Pet. ii. 2. Rev. v. 9, 10. The man must not be
+ignorant of this, else all will be in vain. I do not determine how
+distinct and full this knowledge must be; but sure there must be so
+much knowledge of it, as will give the soul ground of hope, and, in
+expectation of salvation by this way, cause it turn its back upon
+all other ways, and account itself happy if it could once win
+here.</p>
+<p>6. There must be a persuasion of the sufficiency, completeness
+and satisfactoriness of the way of salvation through this crucified
+Mediator, else the soul will not be induced to leave its other
+courses, and betake itself to this alone. He must be sure that
+salvation is only to be had this way, and that undoubtedly it will
+be had this way, that so with confidence he may cast himself over
+on this way, and sweetly sing of a noble outgate. And therefore he
+must believe, that Christ is really God as well as man, and a true
+man as well as God; that he is fully furnished for the work of
+redemption, having the Spirit given to him without measure; and
+endued fully and richly with all qualifications fitting for all our
+necessities, and enabling him to "save to the uttermost all that
+come unto God by him," Heb. vii. 25; that "he is made of God to us
+wisdom, righteousness, and sanctification," 1 Cor. i. 30; that "all
+power in heaven and in earth is given unto him," Matt. xxviii. 18;
+that "all things are put under his feet;" and that "he is given to
+be Head over all things to the church," Eph. i. 22; that "in him
+dwelleth all fulness," Col. i. 19; that "in him are hid all the
+treasures of wisdom and knowledge," Col. ii. 3; yea, "that in him
+dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily;" so that we are
+"complete in him, who is the head of all principality and power,"
+verses 9, 10.</p>
+<p>7. The soul must know that he is not only an able and
+all-sufficient Mediator, but that also he is willing and ready to
+redeem and save all that will come. For all the preceding
+particulars will but increase his sorrow and torment him more, so
+long as he supposeth, through ignorance and the suggestion of
+Satan, that he hath no part in that redemption, no access to it, no
+ground of hope of salvation by it. Therefore it is necessary that
+the soul conceive not only a possibility, but also a probability of
+help this way, and that the dispensation of the gospel of grace,
+and the promulgation and offer of these good news to him, speak out
+so much, that the patience of God waiting long, and his goodness
+renewing the offers, confirmeth this; that his serious pressing,
+his strong motives, on the one hand, and his sharp threatenings on
+the other; his reiterated commands, his ingeminated obtestations;
+his expressed sorrow and grief over such as would not come to him;
+his upbraiding and objurations of such as do obstinately refuse,
+and the like, put his willingness to save such as will come to him
+out of all question. Yea, his obviating of objections, and taking
+all excuses out of their mouth, maketh the case plain and manifest,
+so that such as will not come are left without excuse, and have no
+impediment lying in the way but their own unwillingness.</p>
+<p>8. The man must know upon what terms and conditions Christ
+offereth himself in the gospel, viz. upon condition of accepting of
+him, believing in him, and resting upon him; and that no other way
+we can be made partakers of the good things purchased by Christ,
+but by accepting of him as he is offered in the gospel, that is to
+say, freely, "without price or money," Isa. lv. 1, absolutely
+without reservation, wholly, and for all ends, &amp;c. For, till
+this be known, there will be no closing with Christ; and till there
+be a closing with Christ, there is no advantage to be had by him.
+The soul must be married to him as an husband, fixed to him as the
+branches to the tree, united to him as the members to the head,
+become one with him, "one spirit," 1 Cor. vi. 17. See John xv. 5.
+Eph. v. 30. The soul must close with him for all things, adhere to
+him upon all hazards, take him and the sharpest cross that
+followeth him. Now, I say, the soul must be acquainted with these
+conditions; for it must act deliberately and rationally here.
+Covenanting with Christ is a grave business, and requireth
+deliberation, posedness of soul, rational resolution, full purpose
+of heart, and satisfaction of soul, and therefore the man must be
+acquainted with the conditions of the new covenant.</p>
+<p>9. There must be a satisfaction with the terms of the gospel,
+and the heart must actually close with Christ as he is offered in
+the gospel. The heart must open to him, and take him in, Rev. iii.
+20. The soul must embrace and receive him, John i. 12. The man must
+take him as his Lord and Master, King, Priest, and Prophet; must
+give up himself to him as his leader and commander, and resolve to
+follow him in all things, and thus close a bargain with him; for,
+till this be done, there is no union with Christ, and, till there
+be an union with Christ, there is no partaking of the fruits of his
+redemption as to justification, no pardon, no acceptance, no access
+to the favour of God, nor peace nor joy in the Holy Ghost, no
+getting of the conscience sprinkled, nor no intimation of love or
+favour from God, &amp;c.</p>
+<p>10. There must be a leaning to and resting upon him and on his
+perfect sacrifice. The soul must sit down here as satisfied, and
+acquiesce in this complete mediation of his. This is to believe on
+him, to rest on him, John iii. 18. 1 Pet. ii. 6, as an
+all-sufficient help. This is to cast the burden of a broken
+covenant, of a guilty conscience, of deserved wrath, of the curse
+of the law, &amp;c. upon him, that he may bear away those evils
+from us. This is to put on the Lord Jesus (in part), Rom. xiii. 14;
+to cover ourselves with his righteousness from the face of justice,
+to stand in this armour of proof against the accusations of law,
+Satan, and an evil conscience. This is to flee to him as our city
+of refuge, that we may be safe from the avenger of blood. This is
+to make him our refuge from the storm of God's anger, and a shadow
+from the heat of his wrath, Isa. xxv. 4, and "our hiding-place from
+the wind, and a covert from the tempest," and as the "shadow of a
+great rock in a weary land," Isa. xxxii. 2. When we hide ourselves
+in him as the complete cautioner that hath fully satisfied justice,
+and "desire to be found in him alone, not having our own
+righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the
+faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith," Phil.
+iii. 9. This is to lay our hand on the head of the sacrifice, when
+we rest on this sacrifice, and expect salvation through it alone.
+This is to cast ourselves in Christ's arms, as peremptorily
+resolving to go no other way to the Father, and to plead no other
+righteousness before God's bar but Christ's; that is faith, yea,
+the lively acting of justifying faith.</p>
+<p>Thus then is Christ made use of as the way to the Father, in the
+point of justification, when the poor awakened sinner, convinced of
+his sin and misery, of his own inability to help himself, of the
+insufficiency of all means beside Christ, of Christ's
+all-sufficiency, readiness, and willingness to help, of the equity
+and reasonableness of the conditions on which he is offered, and
+life through him, is now content and fully satisfied with this way,
+actually renouncing all other ways whatsoever, and doth with heart
+and hand embrace Jesus Christ, and take him as he is offered in the
+gospel, to make use of him for all things, to Jean to him, and rest
+upon him in all hazards, and particularly, to refuge itself under
+his wings, and to rest there with complacency, satisfaction, and
+delight, and hide itself from the wrath of God and all
+accusations.</p>
+<p>Yet it should be known, that this act of faith, whereby the soul
+goeth out to Christ, and accepteth of and leaneth to him, is not
+alike in all.</p>
+<p>1. In some it may be more lively, strong and active, like the
+centurion's faith, that could argue syllogistically, Matt. viii. 8,
+&amp;c, which Christ looked upon as a great faith, a greater
+whereof he had not found, no not in Israel, verse 10; and like the
+faith of the woman of Canaan, Matt. xv. 21, &amp;c, that would take
+no naysay, but of seeming refusals did make arguments, which Christ
+commendeth as a great faith, verse 28. But in others it may be more
+weak and fainting, not able to reason aright for its own comfort
+and strength, as Matt, vi. 30, but is mixed with much fear, as
+Matt. viii. 26, yea, and with much faithfulness, so that the soul
+must cry, "Lord, help my unbelief!" Mark ix. 24.</p>
+<p>2. In some the acts and actings of this faith may be more clear
+and discernible, both by themselves, and by spiritual onlookers; in
+others, so covered over with a heap of doubts, unbelief, jealousy,
+and other corruption, that the actings of it can hardly, or not at
+all, be perceived by themselves or others; so that nothing shall be
+heard but complaints, fears, doubtings, and objections.</p>
+<p>3. In some, this faith may have strong and perceptible actings,
+wrestling through much discouragement and opposition, and many
+difficulties; as in the woman of Canaan, Matt. xv.; running through
+with peremptory resoluteness, saying, with Job, chap. xiii. 15,
+"Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him;" and thus taking the
+kingdom of heaven with violence. In others it may be so weak, that
+the least opposition or discouragement may be sufficient to make
+the soul give over hope, and almost despair of overcoming and
+winning through, and be as a bruised reed or a smoking flax.</p>
+<p>4. In some, though it appear not strong and violent or wilful
+(in a manner) in its actings, yet it may be firm, fixed, and
+resolute in staying upon him, Isa. xxvi. 3, 4, and trusting in him,
+Psalm cxxv. 1, resolving to hing there, and if it perish, it
+perisheth; in others weak and bashful.</p>
+<p>5. In some it may be yet weaker, going out in strong and
+vehement hungerings, Matt. v. 6. The man dare not say, that he doth
+believe or that he doth adhere to Christ and stay upon him; yet he
+dare say, he longeth for him, and panteth after him, as ever "the
+hart doth after the water-brooks," Psalm xlii. 1, 2; he hungereth
+and thirsteth for him, and cannot be satisfied with any thing
+without him.</p>
+<p>6. In some, it may be so weak, that the soul can only perceive
+the heart looking out after him; upon little more ground than a
+maybe it shall be helped, Isa. xlv. 22. They look to him for
+salvation, being convinced that there is no other way; and resolved
+to follow no other way, they resolve to lie at his door, waiting
+and looking for a sight of the king's face, and to lie waiting till
+they die, if no better may be.</p>
+<p>7. In some, it may be so weak, that nothing more can be
+perceived but a satisfaction with the terms of the covenant, a
+willingness to accept of the bargain, and an heart consenting
+thereunto, though they dare not say that they actually close
+therewith, yea, nor dare say that they shall be welcome, Rev. xxii.
+17.</p>
+<p>8. In some, it may be so weak and low, that they cannot say that
+they have any right hunger or desire after him, nor that their
+heart doth rightly and really consent to the covenant of grace; yet
+they would fain be at it, and cry out, O for a willing heart! O for
+ardent desires! O for a right hunger! and they are dissatisfied,
+and cannot be reconciled with their hearts for not desiring more,
+hungering more, consenting more; so that, if they had this, they
+would think themselves happy and up-made. And thus we see their
+faith is so low, that it appeareth in nothing more manifestly, than
+in their complainings of the want of it.</p>
+<p>So then, the poor weak believer needeth not to be so far
+discouraged as to despair and give over the matter as hopeless and
+lost; let him hang on, depend and wait. A weak faith to-day may
+become stronger within a short time. He that laid the foundation
+can and will finish the building, for all his works are perfect.
+And a weak faith, when true, will prove saving, and lay hold on a
+saving strong Mediator.</p>
+<p>Moreover, as to the acting of faith on Christ's death and
+sacrifice for the stopping the mouth of conscience, law, Satan, and
+for the opposing to the pursuing justice of God because of sin, it
+may sometimes be strong, distinct, clear, and resolute; at other
+times again be weak, mixed, or accompanied with much fear,
+perplexity, doubting, and distrust, because of their own seen
+unworthiness, many failings, doubtings of the sincerity of their
+repentance, and the like.</p>
+<p>This is a main business, and of great concernment, yet many are
+not much troubled about it, nor exercised at the heart hereabout,
+as they ought, deceiving themselves with foolish imaginations:
+For,</p>
+<p>1. They think they were believers all their days, they never
+doubted of God's grace and good-will, they had always a good heart
+for God, though they never knew what awakened conscience, or sense
+of the wrath of God meant.</p>
+<p>2. Or they think, because God is merciful, he will not be so
+severe as to stand upon all those things that ministers require;
+forgetting that he is a just God, and a God of truth, that will do
+according to what he hath said.</p>
+<p>3. Or they suppose it is an easy matter to believe, and not such
+a difficult thing as it is called; not considering or believing,
+that no less power than that which raised Christ from the dead,
+will work up the heart unto faith.</p>
+<p>4. Or they resolve, that they will do it afterward, at some more
+convenient season; not perceiving the cunning slight of Satan in
+this, nor considering, that faith is not in their power, but the
+gift of God; and that, if they lay not hold on the call of God, but
+harden their heart in their day, God may judicially blind them, so
+that these things shall be hid from their eyes; and so that
+occasion, they pretend to wait for, never come.</p>
+<p>Oh! if such whom this mainly concerneth, could be induced to
+enter into this way; considering,</p>
+<p>1. That except they enter into this way they cannot be safe, the
+wrath of God will pursue them, the avenger of blood will overtake
+them; no salvation but here.</p>
+<p>2. That in this way is certain salvation; this way will
+infallibly lead to the Father; for he keepeth in the way, and
+bringeth safe home, Exod. xxiii. 20.</p>
+<p>3. 'Tis the old path and the good way, Jer. vi. 16; all the
+saints have the experience of this, who are already come to glory.
+And,</p>
+<p>4. It is a highway, and a way of righteousness, wherein, if very
+fools walk, they shall not wander, Isa. xxxv. 8, 9, and if the weak
+walk in it, they shall not faint, Isa. xl. 31.</p>
+<p>5. That except this be done, there is no advantage to be had by
+him; his death and all his sufferings, as to those persons that
+will not believe and enter into him as the way to the Father, are
+in vain.</p>
+<p>6. Yea, such as will not believe in him say, in effect, either
+that Christ hath not died nor consecrated a way through the vail of
+his flesh; or, that all that he hath done and suffered is not
+sufficient to bring a soul home to God; or that they can do their
+own business without him, and that it was a foolish and vain thing
+for Christ to die the death for that end; or, lastly, that they
+care not for salvation; they are indifferent whether they perish or
+be saved.</p>
+<p>7. That, as to them, the whole gospel is in vain, all the
+ordinances, all the administration of ordinances, all the pains of
+ministers, are in vain.</p>
+<p>8. That, as to them, all Christ's intreaties, motives,
+allurements, patience and long-suffering, his standing at the door
+and knocking till his locks be wet with the dew, &amp;c. are in
+vain; yea, they are contemptuously rejected, despised, slighted,
+and undervalued.</p>
+<p>9. That all the great promises are by such rejected as untrue,
+or as not worthy the seeking or having; and that all the
+threatenings, on the other hand, are not to be regarded or
+feared.</p>
+<p>10. In a word, that heaven and the fellowship of God is not
+worth the seeking, and that hell and the fellowship of devils is
+not worth the fearing; or, that there is neither a heaven nor a
+hell, and that all are but fictions; and that there is no such
+thing as the wrath of God against sinners, or that it is not much
+to be feared.</p>
+<p>If it be asked, what warrant have poor sinners to lay hold on
+Christ, and grip to him, as made of God righteousness?</p>
+<p>I answer, 1. our absolute necessity of him is a ground to press
+us to go and seek help and relief: we see we are gone in ourselves,
+and therefore are we allowed to seek out for help elsewhere.</p>
+<p>2. Christ's all-sufficient furniture, whereby he is a qualified
+Mediator, fitted with all necessaries for our case and condition,
+having laid down a price to the satisfaction of justice, is a
+sufficient invitation for us to look toward him for help, and to
+wait at that door.</p>
+<p>3. His being appointed of the Father to be Mediator of the
+covenant, and particularly, to lay down his life a ransom for sin;
+and Christ's undertaking all his offices, and performing all the
+duties thereof, conform to the covenant of redemption, is a strong
+encouragement to poor sinners to come to him, because he cannot
+deny himself, and he will be true to his trust.</p>
+<p>4. The Father's offering of him to us in the gospel, and
+Christ's inviting us who are weary and heavy laden; yea, calling
+and commanding such to come to him in his own and in his Father's
+name, under the pain of his and his Father's wrath and everlasting
+displeasure; exhorting further, and requesting upon terms of love,
+pressing earnestly by many motives, sending out his ambassadors to
+beseech in his stead poor sinners to be reconciled, and to turn in
+to him for life and salvation; yea, upbraiding such as will not
+come to him. All these are a sufficient warrant for a poor
+necessitous sinner to lay hold on his offer.</p>
+<p>And, further, to encourage poor souls to come unto him, all
+things are so well ordered in the gospel, as that nothing occurreth
+that can in the least prove a stumbling-block or a just ground of
+excuse for their forbearing to believe and to accept of his offers.
+All objections possible are obviated to such as are but willing;
+the way is cast up, and all stones of stumbling cast out of it; so
+that such as will not come can pretend no excuse. They cannot
+object the greatness of their sins: for the greater their sins be
+they have the greater need of one who is sent to take away sin, and
+whose blood purgeth from all sin, 1 John i. 7. What great sinner
+did he ever refuse that came to him, and was willing to be saved by
+him? Is there any clause in all the gospel excluding great sinners?
+Nor need they object their great unworthiness; for he doth all
+freely for the glory of his free grace. None ever got any good of
+him for their worth; for no man ever had any worth. Nor need they
+object their long refusing and resisting many calls; for he will
+make such as are willing welcome at the eleventh hour; him that
+cometh he will in no case put away, John vi. 37. Nor can they
+object their changeableness, that they will not stand to the
+bargain, but break and return with the dog to the vomit; for Christ
+hath engaged to bring all through that come unto him; he will raise
+them up at the last day, John vi. 40; he will present them to
+himself holy and without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, Eph.
+v. The covenant is fully provided with promises to stop the mouth
+of that objection. Nor can they object the difficulty or
+impossibility of believing; for that is Christ's work also, he "is
+the author and finisher of faith," Heb. xii. 1. Can they not with
+confidence cast themselves upon him; yet if they can hunger and
+thirst for him, and look to him, he will accept of that; "look to
+me," says he, "and be saved," Isa. xlv. 22. If they cannot look to
+him, nor hunger and thirst for him, yet if they be willing, all is
+well. Are they willing that Christ save them in his way, and
+therefore willingly give themselves over to him, and are willing
+and content that Christ, by his Spirit, work more hunger in them,
+and a more lively faith, and work both to will and to do according
+to his own good pleasure, it is well.</p>
+<p>But it will be said, that the terms and conditions on which he
+offereth himself are hard. Answer&mdash;I grant the terms are hard
+to flesh and blood, and to proud unmortified nature; but to such as
+are willing to be saved, so as God may be most glorified, the terms
+are easy, most rational and satisfying: for,</p>
+<p>1. We are required to take him only for our Mediator, and to
+join none with him, and to mix nothing with him. Corrupt nature is
+averse from this, and would at least mix something of self with
+him, and not rest on Christ only: corrupt nature would not have the
+man wholly denying himself, and following Christ only. And hence
+many lose themselves, and lose all; because, with the Galatians,
+they would mix the law and the gospel together; do something
+themselves for satisfaction of justice, and take Christ for the
+rest that remains. Now, the Lord will have all the glory, as good
+reason is, and will have none to share with him; he will give of
+his glory to none. And is not this rational and easy? What can be
+objected against this?</p>
+<p>2. We are required to take him wholly, that he may be a complete
+Mediator to us; as a prophet to teach, as a king to subdue our
+lusts, to cause us to walk in his ways, as well as a priest to
+satisfy justice for us, to die and intercede for us. Is it not
+reason that we take him as God hath made him for us? Is there any
+thing in him to be refused? And is there any thing in him which we
+have no need of? Is there not all the reason then in the world for
+this, that we take him wholly? And what stumbling-block is
+here?</p>
+<p>3. We are required to take him freely, "without money and
+without price," Isa. lv. 1, for he will not be bought any manner of
+way; that free grace may be free grace, therefore he will give all
+freely. True enough it is, corruption would be at buying, though it
+have nothing to lay out. Pride will not stoop to a free gift. But
+can any say the terms are hard, when all is offered freely?</p>
+<p>4. We are required to take them absolutely, without any
+reversion of mental reservation. Some would willingly quit all but
+one or two lusts they cannot think to twin with; and they would
+deny themselves in many things, but they would still most willingly
+keep a back-door open to some beloved lust or other. And who seeth
+not what double dealing is here? And what reason can plead for this
+double dealing? Corruption, it is true, will think this hard, but
+no man can rationally say that this is a just ground of
+discouragement to any, or a sufficient ground to warrand them to
+stay away from Christ, seeing they cannot be supposed sincerely to
+desire redemption from any sin, who would not desire redemption
+from every sin. He who loveth any known lust, and would not
+willingly be delivered therefrom, hath no real hatred at any lust,
+as such, nor desire to be saved; for one such lust would be his
+death.</p>
+<p>5. It is required, that we accept of him really and cordially,
+with our heart and soul, and not by a mere external verbal
+profession, And is there not all the reason in the world for this?
+He offereth himself really to us, and shall we not be real in
+accepting of him? What, I pray, can be justly excepted against
+this? or, what real discouragement can any gather from this?</p>
+<p>6. We are to take him for all necessaries, that is, with a
+resolution to make use of him as our all-sufficient Mediator. And
+is not this most reasonable? Ought we not to take him for all the
+ends and purposes for which God hath appointed him, and set him
+forth, and offered him to us? What then can any suppose to lie here
+which should scar a soul from laying hold upon him? Nay, should not
+this be looked upon as a very great encouragement? And should we
+not bless the Lord, that hath provided such a complete and
+all-sufficient Mediator?</p>
+<p>7. We are to take him and all the crosses that may attend our
+taking or following of him; we must take up our cross, be it what
+it will that he thinketh good to appoint to us, and follow him,
+Matt. xvi. 24. Mark viii. 34. "For he that taketh not up his cross,
+and followeth not after him, is not worthy of him," Matt. x. 38. I
+know flesh and blood will take this for a hard saying; but they
+that consider, that Christ will bear the heaviest end of the cross,
+yea, all of it, and so support them by his Spirit while they are
+under it, that they shall have no just cause to complain; and how
+he will suffer none to go his errand upon their own charges, but
+will be with them when they go through the fire and water, Isa.
+xliii. 2, so that they shall suffer no loss, neither shall the
+waters overflow them, nor the fire kindle upon them; and that he
+who loseth his life for Christ's sake and the gospel's, shall save
+it, Mark viii. 35; yea, that they shall receive an hundred-fold for
+all their losses, Matt. xix. 29, and that even with persecution,
+Mark x. 30, and, in the world to come, eternal life. They, I say,
+who consider this, will see no discouragement here, nor ground of
+complaint; nay, they will account it their glory to suffer any loss
+for Christ's sake.</p>
+<p>8. Hence it followeth, that we are to take him, so as to avouch
+him and his cause and interest on all hazards, stand to his truth,
+and not be ashamed of him in a day of trial. Confession of him must
+be made with the mouth, as with the heart we must believe, Rom. x.
+9. Let corruption speak against this what it will, because it is
+always desirous to keep the skin whole. Yet reason cannot but say
+that it is equitable, especially seeing he hath said, that
+"whosoever confesseth him before men, he will confess them before
+his Father which is in heaven," Matt. x. 32. And that, "If we
+suffer with him, we shall also reign with him," 2 Tim. ii. 12. Is
+he our Lord and master, and should we not own and avouch him?
+Should we be ashamed of him for any thing, that can befall us, upon
+that account? What master would not take that ill at his servant's
+hands?</p>
+<p>Hence, then, we see, that there is nothing in all the conditions
+on which he offereth himself to us, that can give the least ground,
+in reason, why a poor soul should draw back, and be unwilling to
+accept of this noble offer, or think that the conditions are
+hard.</p>
+<p>But there is one main objection, which may trouble some, and
+that is, they cannot believe; faith being the gift of God, it must
+be wrought in them; how then can they go to God for this, and make
+use of Christ for this end, that their souls may be wrought up to a
+believing and consenting to the bargain, and hearty accepting of
+the offer?</p>
+<p>To this I would say these things:</p>
+<p>1. It is true, that "faith is the gift of God," Eph. ii. 8, and
+that it is "he alone who worketh in us, both to will and to do,"
+Phil. i. 29, "and none cometh to the Son, but whom the Father
+draweth," John vi. 44; and it is a great matter, and no small
+advancement, to win to the real faith, and through conviction of
+this our impotency. For thereby the soul will be brought to a
+greater measure of humiliation, and of despairing of salvation in
+itself, which is no small advantage unto a poor soul that would be
+saved.</p>
+<p>2. Though faith be not in our power, yet it is our duty. Our
+impotency to perform our duty, doth not loose our obligation to the
+duty; so that our not believing is our sin; and for this God may
+justly condemn us. His wrath abideth on all who believe not in his
+Son Jesus, and will not accept of the offer of salvation through
+the crucified Mediator. And though faith, as all other acts of
+grace, be efficiently the work of the Spirit, yet it is formally
+our work: we do believe; but it is the Spirit that worketh faith in
+us.</p>
+<p>3. The ordinary way of the Spirit's working faith in us, is by
+pressing home the duty upon us, whereby we are brought to a
+despairing in ourselves, and to a looking out to him, whose grace
+alone it is that can work it in the soul, for that necessary help
+and breathing, without which the soul will not come.</p>
+<p>4. Christ Jesus hath purchased this grace of faith to all the
+elect, as other graces necessary to their salvation; and it is
+promised and covenanted to him, "That he shall see his seed, and
+shall see of the travail of his soul," Isa. liii. 10; and that by
+the knowledge of him, that is, the rational and understanding act
+of the soul gripping to and laying hold upon him, as he is offered
+in the gospel, "many shall be justified," Isa. liii. 10. Hence he
+saith, "That all whom the Father hath given to him, shall come unto
+him," John vi. 37; and the apostle tells us, "that we are blessed
+with all spiritual blessings in him," Eph. i. 3.</p>
+<p>5. Not only hath Christ purchased this grace of faith, and all
+other graces necessary for the salvation of the elect, but God hath
+committed to him the administration and actual dispensation, and
+out-giving of all those graces, which the redeemed stand in need
+of. Hence "he is a prince exalted to give repentance and
+forgiveness of sins," Acts v. 31. "All power in heaven and earth is
+committed unto him," Matt, xxviii. 18, 19. Hence he is called, "the
+author and finisher of faith," Heb. xii. 2; and he tells his
+disciples, John xiv. 13, 14, that whatever they shall ask in his
+name, he will do it. He is made a Prince and a Saviour, "having all
+judgment committed unto him," John v. 22; and "he is Lord of all,"
+Acts x. 36. Rom. xiv. 9.</p>
+<p>6. Hereupon the sinner, being convinced of his lost condition
+through sin and misery, of an utter impossibility of helping
+himself out of that state of death, of Christ's all-sufficiency and
+willingness to save all that will come to him, and of its own
+inability to believe or come to him for life and salvation, or to
+lay hold on, and lean to his merits and satisfaction, and so
+despairing in himself, is to look out to Jesus, the author of
+eternal salvation, the foundation and chief corner-stone, the
+author and finisher of faith; I say, the sinner, being thus
+convinced, is thus to look out to Jesus; not that that conviction
+is any proper qualification prerequisite as necessary, either to
+prepare, dispose, and fit for faith, or far less to merit any
+manner of way, or bring on faith; but because this is Christ's
+method to bring a soul to faith by this conviction, to the glory of
+his grace. The soul naturally being averse from Christ, and utterly
+unwilling to accept of that way of salvation, must be redacted to
+that strait, that it shall see, that it must either accept of this
+offer or die. As the whole needeth not a physician, so Christ is
+come to save only that which is lost; and his method is to convince
+the world of sin, in the first place; and then of righteousness,
+John xvi. 8, 9.</p>
+<p>7. This looking out to Jesus for faith, comprehendeth those
+things: (1.) The soul's acknowledgment of the necessity of faith,
+to the end it may partake of Christ, and of his merits. (2.) The
+soul's satisfaction with that way of partaking of Christ, by a
+closing with him, and a resting upon him by faith. (3.) A sense and
+conviction of the unbelief and stubbornness of the heart, or a
+seeing of its own impotency, yea, and unwillingness to believe.
+(4.) A persuasion that Christ can over-master the infidelity and
+wickedness of the heart, and work up the soul unto a willing
+consent unto the bargain. (5.) A hope, or a half-hope (to speak so)
+that Christ, who is willing to save all poor sinners that come to
+him for salvation; and hath said, that he will put none away in any
+case that cometh&mdash;will have pity upon him at length. (6.) A
+resolution to lie at his door, till he come with life, till he
+quicken, till he unite the soul to himself. (7.) A lying open to
+the breathings of his Spirit, by guarding against every thing (so
+far as they can) that may grieve or provoke him, and waiting on him
+in all the ordinances, he hath appointed, for begetting faith; such
+as reading the Scriptures, hearing the word, conference with godly
+persons, and prayer, &amp;c. (8.) A waiting with patience on him
+who never said to the house of Jacob, "seek me in vain," Isa. xlv.
+19; still crying and looking to him who hath commanded the ends of
+the earth to look to him; and waiting for him who waiteth to be
+gracious, Isa. xxx. 18, remembering that they are all blessed that
+wait for him; and that "there is much good prepared for them that
+wait for him," Isa. lxiv. 4.</p>
+<p>8. The sinner would essay this believing, and closing with
+Christ, and set about it, as he can, seriously, heartily, and
+willingly, yea, and resolutely over the belly of much opposition,
+and many discouragements, looking to him who must help, yea, and
+work the whole work; for God worketh in and with man as a rational
+creature. The soul then would set the willingness it findeth, on
+work, and wait for more; and as the Lord is pleased to commend, by
+his Spirit, the way of grace more unto the soul, and to warm the
+heart with love to it, and a desire after it, strike the iron while
+it is hot; and, looking to him for help, grip to Christ in the
+covenant; and so set to its seal, though with a trembling hand; and
+subscribe its name, though with much fear and doubting, remembering
+"that he who worketh to will, must work the deed also," Phil. ii.
+13, "and he that beginneth a good work will perfect it," Phil. i.
+6.</p>
+<p>9. The soul essaying thus to believe in Christ's strength, and
+to creep when it cannot walk or run, would hold fast what it hath
+attained, and resolve never to recall any consent, or half-consent,
+it hath given to the bargain, but still look forward, hold on,
+wrestle against unbelief and unwillingness, entertain every good
+motion of the Spirit for this end, and never admit of any thing
+that may quench its lodgings, desires, or expectation.</p>
+<p>10. Nay, if the sinner be come this length, that, with the bit
+willingness he hath, he consenteth to the bargain, and is not
+satisfied with any thing in himself, that draweth back, or
+consenteth not, and with the little skill or strength he hath is
+writing down his name, and saying, even so I take him; and is
+holding at this, peremptorily resolving never to go back, or unsay
+what he hath said; but, on the contrary, is firmly purposed to
+adhere, and as he groweth in strength, to grip more firmly, and
+adhere to him, he may conclude that the bargain is closed already,
+and that he hath faith already; for here there is an accepting of
+Christ on his own terms, a real consenting unto the covenant of
+grace, though weak, and not so discernible as the soul would wish.
+The soul dare not say but it loveth the bargain, and is satisfied
+with it, and longeth for it, and desireth nothing more than that it
+might partake thereof, and enjoy him whom it loveth, hungereth for,
+panteth after, or breatheth, as it is able, that it may live in
+him, and be saved through him.</p>
+<p>But some will say, If I had any evidence of God's approbation of
+this act of my soul, any testimony of his Spirit, I could then with
+confidence say, that I had believed and accepted of the covenant
+and of Christ offered therein; but so long as I perceive nothing of
+this, how can I suppose, that any motion of this kind in my soul is
+real faith?</p>
+<p>For <i>Answer</i>&mdash;1. We would know, that our believing,
+and God's sealing to our sense, are two distinct acts and
+separable, and oft separated. Our believing is one thing, and God's
+sealing with the Holy Spirit of promise to our sense, is another
+thing; and this followeth, though not inseparably, the other, Eph.
+i. 13, "In whom also, after that ye believed, ye were sealed with
+that Holy Spirit of promise."</p>
+<p>And so, 2. We would know, that many a man may believe, and yet
+not know that he doth believe. He may set to his seal, that God is
+true in his offer of life through Jesus, and accept of that offer
+as a truth, and close with it; and yet live under darkness and
+doubtings of his faith, long and many a day; partly through not
+discerning the true nature of faith; partly through the great sense
+and feeling of his own corruption and unbelief; partly through a
+mistake of the Spirit's operations within, or the want of a clear
+and distinct uptaking of the motions of his own soul; partly
+because he findeth so much doubting and fear, as if there could be
+no faith where there was doubting or fear, contrary to Mark ix. 24.
+Matth. viii. 26, and xiv. 31.; partly, because he hath not that
+persuasion that others have had, as if there were not various
+degrees of faith, as there is of other graces, and the like.</p>
+<p>Therefore, 3. We would know, that many may really believe, and
+yet miss this sensible sealing of the Spirit which they would be
+at. God may think it not yet seasonable to grant them that, lest
+they forget themselves and become too proud; and to train them up
+more to the life of faith, whereby he may be glorified; and for
+other holy ends, he may suspend the giving of this for a time.</p>
+<p>4. Yet we would know, that all that believe, have the seal
+within them, 1 John v. 10, "He that believeth on the Son of God,
+hath the witness in himself," that is, he hath that which really is
+a seal, though he see it not, nor perceive it not; even the work of
+God's Spirit in his soul, inclining and determining him unto the
+accepting of this bargain, and to a liking of and endeavouring
+after holiness; and the whole gospel clearing up what faith is, is
+a seal and confirmation of the business. So that the matter is
+sealed, and confirmed by the word, though the soul want those
+sensible breathings of the Spirit, shedding abroad his love in the
+heart, and filling the soul with a full assurance, by hushing all
+doubts and fears to the door; yea, though they should be a stranger
+unto the Spirit's witnessing thus with their spirits, that they are
+the children of God, and clearing up distinctly the real work of
+grace within their soul, and so saying in effect, that they have in
+truth believed.</p>
+<p>But enough of this; seeing all this, and much more is abundantly
+held forth and explained, in that excellent and useful treatise of
+Mr. Guthrie's, entitled, "The Christian's Great Interest."</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_V." id="CHAPTER_V."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2>
+<br>
+<h4>HOW CHRIST IS TO BE MADE USE OF, AS THE WAY, FOR SANCTIFICATION
+IN GENERAL.</h4>
+<p>Having shown how a poor soul, lying under the burden of sin and
+wrath, is to make use of Jesus Christ for righteousness and
+justification, and so to make use of him, go out to him, and apply
+him, as "he is made of God to us righteousness," 1 Cor. i. 30, and
+that but briefly. This whole great business being more fully and
+satisfactorily handled, in that forementioned great, though small
+treatise, viz. "The Christian's Great Interest," we shall now come
+and show, how a believer or a justified soul shall further make use
+of Christ for sanctification, this being a particular about which
+they are oftentimes much exercised and perplexed.</p>
+<p>That we may therefore, in some weak measure, through the help of
+this light and grace, propose some things to clear up this great
+and necessary truth, we shall first speak a little to it in the
+general, and then come to clear up the matter more
+particularly.</p>
+<p>Before we speak of the matter in general, it would be
+remembered, 1. That the person who only is in case to make use of
+Christ for sanctification, is one that hath made use of him already
+for righteousness and justification. For one who is a stranger to
+Christ, and is living in nature, hath no access to Christ for
+sanctification. He must be a believer, and within the covenant, ere
+he can make use of the grounds of sanctification laid down in the
+covenant. One must first be united to Christ, and justified by
+faith in him, before he can draw any virtue from him for perfecting
+holiness. He must first be in him, before he can grow up in him, or
+bring forth fruit in him. And therefore the first thing that souls
+would go about, should be to get an union made up with Christ, and
+be clothed with his righteousness by faith; and then they have a
+right to all his benefits. <i>First</i>, they should labour to get
+their state changed from enmity to peace and reconciliation with
+God, through faith in Jesus.</p>
+<p>Yet, <i>next</i>, it would be observed, that when it is said,
+that one must be a believer before he can go to Christ, and make
+use of him for holiness and sanctification, it is not so understood
+and said, that one must know, that indeed he is justified by faith,
+before he can make any use of Christ for sanctification. One may be
+justified, and a believer, yea, and growing in grace through Jesus
+Christ, and so actually improving the grounds of sanctification,
+and making use of Christ for this end, and allowed thereunto, and
+yet win to no certainty of his union with Christ, of his
+justification through faith in him, nor of his faith.</p>
+<p>But, <i>thirdly</i>, if it be said, How can a soul with
+confidence approach to Christ, for use-making of him, in reference
+to sanctification, that is, still doubting of his state and
+regeneration?</p>
+<p>I answer, It is true, a clear sight of our interest in Christ by
+faith, would be a great encouragement to our confident approaching
+to, and use-making of him, in all things; and this consideration
+should move all to a more earnest search and study of the marks and
+evidences of their interest; a good help whereunto they will find
+in the forementioned book. I shall only say this here, That if the
+soul have an earnest desire to be sanctified wholly, and to have on
+the image of God, that he may glorify him, and panteth after
+holiness as for life, that he may look like him that is holy, and
+maketh this his work and study; sorrowing at nothing more than at
+his shortcoming; crying out and longing for the day when he shall
+be delivered from a body of death, and have the old man wholly
+crucified; he needeth not question his interest in Christ, and
+warrant to make use of him for every part of sanctification; for
+this longing desire after conformity to God's law, and panting
+after this spiritual life, to the end God may be exalted, Christ
+glorified, and others edified, will not be readily found in one
+that is yet in nature. It is true, I grant, some who design to
+establish their own righteousness, and to be justified by their own
+works and inherent holiness, may wish that they may be more holy
+and less guilty; and for some other corrupt ends, they may desire
+to be free of the power of some lust, which they find noxious and
+troublesome; and yet retain with love and desire, some other
+beloved lusts, and so have a heart still cleaving to the heart of
+some detestable thing or other. But gracious souls, as they have
+respect to all the commands of God, so they have not that design of
+being justified before God by their works; nor do they study
+mortification, and sanctification for any such end; nay, they no
+sooner discover any bias of their false deceitful hearts unto any
+such end, but as soon they disown it, and abhor it. So that hence
+believers may get some discovery of the reality of their faith and
+interest in Christ, and of their warrant, yea, and duty to make use
+of Christ for sanctification.</p>
+<p>This premised, we come to speak something, in the general, of
+believer's use-making of Christ, as made of God to us
+sanctification. And for this end, we shall only speak a little to
+two things. <i>First</i>, We shall show upon what account it is
+that Christ is called our sanctification, or, "made of God to us
+sanctification," as the apostle's phrase is, 1 Cor. i. 30; or, what
+Christ hath done as Mediator, to begin, and carry on to perfection
+the work of sanctification in the soul. And, <i>secondly,</i> How
+the soul is to demean itself in this matter, or how the soul is to
+make use of, and improve what Christ hath done, for this end, that
+it may grow in grace, and perfect holiness in the fear of God.</p>
+<p>As to the <i>first,</i> we would know, that though the work of
+sanctification be formally ours, yet it is wrought by another hand,
+as the principal efficient cause, even by the Father, Son, and Holy
+Ghost. The Father is said to purge the branches, that they may
+bring forth more fruit, John xv. 1. Hence we are said to be
+sanctified by God the Father, Jude 1. The Son is also called the
+Sanctifier, Heb. ii. 21. He sanctifieth and cleanseth the Church
+with the washing of water by the word, Eph. v. 26. The Spirit is
+also said to sanctify, 2 Thes. ii. 13. 1 Pet. i. 2. Rom. xv. 16.
+Hence we are said to be washed and sanctified by the Spirit of God,
+1 Cor. vi. 11.</p>
+<p>But more particularly, we are said to be sanctified in Christ, 1
+Cor. i. 2; and "he is made of God to us sanctification," 1 Cor. i.
+30. Let us then see in what sense this may be true. And,</p>
+<p>1. He hath by his death and blood procured that this work of
+sanctification shall be wrought and carried on. For "he suffered
+without the gate, that he might sanctify the people with his own
+blood," Heb. xiii. 12. "We are saved by the washing of
+regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which he shed on us
+abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour," Titus iii. 5, 6. "He
+gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and
+purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works," Tit.
+ii. 14. Thus our sanctification is the fruit of his death, and
+purchased by his blood. "He gave himself for his church, that he
+might sanctify it," Eph. v. 25, 26.</p>
+<p>2. He dying as a cautioner and public person, believers are
+accounted in law to be dead to sin in him. Hence the apostle tells
+us, Rom. vi. 3-6, that as many of us as are baptised into Jesus
+Christ, were baptized into his death; and that therefore we are
+buried with him by baptism into death; and are planted together in
+the likeness of his death; yea, and that our old man is crucified
+with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth
+we should not serve sin. Whence believers are warranted and
+commanded, verse 11, to reckon themselves "to be dead indeed unto
+sin;" and therefore sin should "not reign in their mortal bodies to
+fulfil the lusts thereof," verse 12. This is a sure ground of hope
+and comfort for believers, that Christ died thus as a public
+person; and that by virtue thereof, being now united to Christ by
+faith, they are dead to sin by law; and sin cannot challenge a
+dominion over them, as before their conversion it might have done,
+and did; for the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth,
+but no longer. Wherefore believing brethren "becoming dead to the
+law by the body of Christ, are married to another, even to him who
+is raised from the dead, that they should bring forth fruit unto
+God," Rom. vii. 1-4.</p>
+<p>3. Hence it followeth, that our "old man is crucified with
+Christ, that the body of sin might be destroyed," Rom. vi. 6. So
+that this old tyrant that oppresseth the people of God, hath got
+his death wounds, in the crucifixion of Christ, and shall never
+recover his former vigour and activity, to oppress and bear down
+the people of God, as he did. He is now virtually, through the
+death of Jesus, killed and crucified, being in Christ nailed to the
+cross.</p>
+<p>4. His resurrection is a pawn and pledge of this sanctification.
+For as he died as a public person, so he rose again as a public
+person. "We are buried with him by baptism, that like as Christ was
+raised up from the dead, by the glory of the Father, even so we
+also should walk in newness of life," Rom. vi. 4; and believers are
+said to be "planted together with him, in the likeness of his
+resurrection," verse 5; "and they shall live with him," verse 8;
+"and therefore they are to reckon themselves alive unto God,
+through Jesus Christ our Lord," verse 11. "We are raised up
+together," Eph. ii. 6.</p>
+<p>5. This sanctification is an article of the covenant of
+redemption betwixt the Father and the Son, Isa. lii. 15, "So shall
+he sprinkle many nations." Chap. liii. 10, "He shall see his seed,
+and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand." Christ,
+then, having this promised to him, must see to the accomplishment
+thereof, and will have it granted to him; seeing he hath fulfilled
+all that was engaged to by him&mdash;having made his soul an
+offering for sin.</p>
+<p>6. This sanctification is promised in the covenant of grace,
+Jer. xxxiii. 8. "And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity."
+Ezek. xxxvii. 23, "And I will cleanse them." So chap. xxxvi. 25,
+"Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean;
+from all your filthiness, and from all your idols will I cleanse
+you." Now all the promises of the covenant of grace are confirmed
+to us in the Mediator. For, "in him all the promises of the
+covenant are yea and amen," 2 Cor. i. 20.</p>
+<p>7. He hath purchased and made sure to his own, the new nature,
+and the heart of flesh, which is also promised, Ezek. xxxvi. 26,
+and xi. 19. Jer. xxxii. 39. This is the new and lively principle of
+grace, the spring of sanctification, which cannot be idle in the
+soul; but must be emitting vital acts natively.</p>
+<p>Yea, through him, are believers made partakers of the divine
+nature, which is a growing thing,&mdash;young glory in the soul, 2
+Pet. i. 3,4, "According as his divine power hath given unto us all
+things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge
+of him that hath called us to glory and virtue, whereby are given
+unto us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these we
+might be made partakers of the divine nature," &amp;c.</p>
+<p>8. The Spirit is promised, to cause us walk in his statutes,
+Ezek. xlvi. 27. Now all these promises are made good to us in
+Christ, who is the cautioner of the covenant; yea, he hath gotten
+now the dispensing and giving out of the rich promises of the
+covenant, committed unto him; so as he is the great and glorious
+custodier of all purchased blessings.</p>
+<p>9. There are new waterings, breathings, and gales of the Spirit,
+given in Christ, Isa. xxvii. 3. He must water his garden or
+vineyard every moment. This is the north wind and the south wind
+that bloweth upon the garden, Cant. iv. 16. He must be as the dew
+unto Israel, Hos. xiv. 5.</p>
+<p>10. Through Christ is the believer brought into such a covenant
+state, as giveth great ground of hope of certain victory. He is not
+now under the law, but under grace; and hence inferreth the
+apostle, Rom. vi. 14, "That sin shall not have dominion over them."
+Being now under that dispensation of grace, whereby all their stock
+is in the Mediator's hand, and at his disposal; and not in their
+own hand and power, as under the covenant of works, there is a sure
+ground laid down for constant supply and furniture in all
+necessities.</p>
+<p>11. Christ hath prayed for this, John xvii. 17, "Sanctify them
+through thy truth;" where the Lord is praying, that his disciples
+might be more and more sanctified, and so fitted and qualified for
+the work of the ministry they were to be employed in. And what he
+prayed for them, was not for them alone, but also for the elect,
+proportionably, who are opposed to the world, for which he did not
+pray, verse 9.</p>
+<p>12. He standeth to believers in relation of a vine, or a root,
+in which they grow as branches, so that by abiding in him, living
+by faith in him, and drawing sap from him, they bring forth fruit
+in him, John xv. 1, 2, 4, 5. Their stock of grace is in him, the
+root; and he communicateth sap and life unto his branches, whereby
+they grow, flourish, and bring forth fruit to the glory of God.</p>
+<p>13. Christ hath taken on him the office of a prophet and
+teacher, to instruct us in the way wherein we ought to go; for he
+is that great prophet whom the Lord promised to raise up, and who
+was to be heard and obeyed in all things, Deut. xviii. 15. Acts
+iii. 22, and vii. 37. "He is given for a witness, and a leader,"
+Isa. lv. 4; and we are commanded to hear him, Matt, xvii. 5. Mark
+x. 7.</p>
+<p>14. He hath also taken on him the office of a king, Psal. ii. 6.
+Matt, xxviii. 5. Isa. ix. 7. Phil. ii. 8-11. and thereby standeth
+engaged to subdue all their spiritual enemies, Satan and
+corruption, Psal. cx. He is given for a leader and commander, Isa.
+lv. 5, and so can cause his people walk in his ways.</p>
+<p>15. When we defile ourselves with new transgressions and
+failings, he hath provided a fountain for us to wash in; "a
+fountain opened to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of
+Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness," Zech. xiii. 1; and this
+fountain is his blood, which cleanseth from all sin, Heb. ix. 14. 1
+John i. 7. Rev. i. 5.</p>
+<p>16. He is set before us as a copy and pattern, that we "should
+walk even as he walked," 1 John ii. 6. "He left us an example that
+we should follow his steps," 1 Pet. ii. 21. But we should beware to
+separate this consideration from the preceding, as antichristian
+Socinians do, who will have Christ only to be a copy.</p>
+<p>17. He hath overcome Satan, our arch enemy, and hath destroyed
+his works, 1 John iii. 8. He came to destroy the works of the
+devil; and in particular, his works of wickedness in the soul. Thus
+he is a conqueror and the captain of our salvation.</p>
+<p>18. As he hath purchased, so hath he appointed ordinances, for
+the laying of the foundation, and carrying on this work of
+sanctification; both word and sacraments are appointed for that;
+the word to convert and to confirm, John xvii. 17. "Sanctify them
+through thy truth, thy word is truth," said Christ. The word is
+given as the rule; and also through the means thereof is life and
+strength conveyed to the soul, "to perfect holiness in the fear of
+God," 1 Pet. ii. 2. And the sacraments are given to strengthen and
+confirm the soul in the ways of God.</p>
+<p>19. As he hath laid down strong encouragements to his followers,
+to hold on in the way of holiness, many great and precious
+promises, by which they may be made partakers of the divine nature,
+2 Pet. i. 4; and by which they are encouraged to cleanse themselves
+from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, 2 Cor. vii. 1; and
+many motives to hold on and continue; so hath he rolled
+difficulties out of the way, whether they be within us, or without
+us, and thereby made the way easy and pleasant to such as walk in
+it; so as they may now run the way of his commandments, and walk
+and not weary, and run and not be faint.</p>
+<p>Nay, 20. We would remember for our encouragement and confidence,
+that in carrying on of this work lieth the satisfaction of the
+soul, and the pleasure of the Lord that must prosper in his hand,
+and thus he seeth his seed, and hath of the travail of his soul,
+and is satisfied.</p>
+<p>These particulars, rightly considered, will discover unto us,
+what a noble ground for sanctification is in Christ laid down for
+believers, which they may, and must by faith grip to, that they may
+grow in grace, and grow up in Christ, and perfect holiness; and
+what a wonderful contrivance of grace this is, wherein all things
+are made so sure for believers, Christ becoming all things to them,
+and paving a royal and sure way for them; sure for them, and
+glorious to himself!</p>
+<p>As to the second particular, that is, how believers are to carry
+in this matter, or how they are to make use of Christ, and of those
+grounds of sanctification in Christ, which we have mentioned:</p>
+<p><i>First,</i> There are some things which they should beware of,
+and guard against; as,</p>
+<p>1. They should beware of an heartless despondency, and giving
+way to discouragement, and hearkening to the language of unbelief,
+or to the suggestion of Satan, whereby he will labour to persuade
+them of the impossibility of getting the work of sanctification
+throughed, or any progress made therein to purpose. Satan and a
+deceitful heart can soon muster up many difficulties, and allege
+that there are many lions, many insuperable difficulties in the
+way, to discourage them from venturing forward; and if Satan
+prevail here, he hath gained a great point. Therefore the believer
+should keep up his head in hope, and beware of multiplying
+discouragements to himself, or of concluding the matter impossible;
+for then shall he neither have heart nor hand for the work, but sit
+down and wring his hands as overcome with discouragement and
+despondency of spirit.</p>
+<p>2. They should beware of wilfully rejecting their own mercies,
+and forbearing to make use of the grounds of hope, of strength and
+progress in the matter of sanctification, which Christ hath allowed
+them to make use of. There is such an evil among God's children,
+that they scar at that which Christ out of great love hath provided
+for them, and dare not with confidence make use of, nor apply to
+themselves the great and comfortable promises, to the end they
+might be encouraged; they will not take their allowance, as
+thinking themselves unworthy; and that it would be presumption in
+them to challenge a right to such great things; and they think it
+commendable humility in them, to stand a-back, and so wilfully
+refuse the advantages and helps, that make so much for their growth
+in grace.</p>
+<p>3. They should beware of a careless neglect of the means
+appointed for advancing in holiness; for, though the means do not
+work the effect, yet it is by the means that God hath chosen to
+work the work of sanctification. Here that is to be seen, "that the
+hand of the diligent maketh rich; and the field of the slothful is
+soon grown over with thorns and nettles; so that poverty cometh as
+one that travaileth, and want as an armed man," Prov. xxiv. 30. It
+is a sinful tempting of God, to think to be sanctified another way
+than God hath in his deep wisdom condescended upon.</p>
+<p>4. Yet they should beware of laying too much weight on the means
+and ordinances, as if they could effectuate the business. Though
+the Lord hath thought fit to work in and by the means, yet he
+himself must do the work. Means are but means, and not the
+principal cause; nor can they work, but as the principal agent is
+pleased to make use of them, and to work by them. When we lean to
+the means and to instruments, we prejudge ourselves, by disobliging
+of God, and provoking him to leave us, that we may wrestle with the
+ordinances alone, and find no advantage. Therefore the soul should
+guard against this.</p>
+<p>5. Albeit the means can do nothing unless he breathe, yet we
+should beware not only of neglecting, as we said before, but also
+of a slighting way of performing them, without that earnestness and
+diligence that is required,&mdash;"cursed is he who doth the work
+of the Lord negligently," Jer. xlviii. 10. Here then is the special
+art of Christianity apparent, to be as diligent, earnest and
+serious in the use of the means, as if they could effectuate the
+matter we were seeking; and yet to be as much abstracted from them,
+in our hopes and expectation, and to be as much leaning on the Lord
+alone, and depending on him for the blessing, as if we were using
+no means at all.</p>
+<p>6. They should beware of slighting and neglecting the motions of
+the Spirit; for thereby they may lose the best opportunity. They
+should be always on the wing, ready to embrace the least motion;
+and they should stand always ready, waiting for the breathings of
+his Spirit, and open at his call; lest afterward, they be put to
+call and seek, and not attain what they would be at, as we see in
+the spouse, Cant. v. 2, 3, 4, &amp;c.</p>
+<p>7. They should also guard against the quenching of the Spirit, 1
+Thess. v. 12; or grieving of the Spirit, Eph. iv. 30, by their
+unchristian and unsuitable carriage; for this will much mar their
+sanctification. It is by the Spirit that the work of sanctification
+is carried on in the soul; and when this Spirit is disturbed, and
+put from his work, how can the work go on? When the motions of this
+indwelling Spirit are extinguished, his work is marred and
+retarded; and when he is grieved, he is hindered in his work.
+Therefore souls must guard against unbelief, despondency,
+unsuitable and unchristian carriage.</p>
+<p>8. Especially they should beware of wasting sins, Psal. li. 10.
+Sins against light and conscience, such as David called
+presumptuous sins, Psal. xix. 13. They should beware also of
+savouring any unknown corruption, or any thing of that kind, that
+may hinder the work of sanctification.</p>
+<p><i>Secondly</i>, It were useful, and of great advantage for such
+as would grow in grace, and advance in the way of holiness, to be
+living in the constant conviction,</p>
+<p>1. Of the necessity of holiness, "without which no man shall see
+God," Heb. xii. 14. "Nothing entering into the New Jerusalem that
+defileth," Rev. xxi. 7.</p>
+<p>2. Of their own inability to do any one act right; how they are
+not sufficient of themselves to think any thing as of themselves, 2
+Cor. iii. 5; and that without Christ they can do nothing, John xv.
+5.</p>
+<p>3. Of the insufficiency of any human help, or means, or way
+which they might think good to choose, to mortify aright one
+corruption, or to give strength for the discharge of any one duty;
+for our sufficiency is of God, 2 Cor. iii. and it is "through the
+Spirit that we must mortify the deeds of the body," Rom. viii.
+13.</p>
+<p>4. And of the treachery and deceitfulness of the heart, which is
+bent to follow by-ways, being not only "deceitful above all things,
+but also desperately wicked," Jer. xvii. 9.</p>
+<p>That by this means, the soul may be jealous of itself, and
+despair of doing any thing in its own strength, and so be fortified
+against that main evil, which is an enemy to all true
+sanctification, viz. confidence in the flesh.</p>
+<p><i>Thirdly</i>, The soul will keep its eye fixed on those
+things:</p>
+<p>1. On Christ's all-sufficiency to help; in all cases that "he is
+able to save to the uttermost," Heb. vii. 25.</p>
+<p>2. On his compassionateness to such as are out of the way; and
+readiness to help poor sinners with his grace and strength; and
+this will keep up the soul from fainting and despairing.</p>
+<p>3. On the commands of holiness; such as those, "cleanse your
+hand, and purify your hearts," James iv. 8, and, "be ye holy, for I
+am holy," 1 Pet. i. 15, 16, and the like; that the authority of God
+and conscience to command may set the soul a-work.</p>
+<p>4. On the great recompense of reward that is appointed for such
+as wrestle on, and endure to the end; and on the great promises of
+great things to such as are sanctified, whereof the scriptures are
+full; that the soul may be encouraged to run through difficulties,
+to ride out storms, to endure hardness, as a good soldier, and to
+persevere in duty.</p>
+<p>5. On the other hand, on the many sad threatenings and
+denunciations of wrath, against such as transgress his laws, and on
+all the sad things that such as shake off the fear of God and the
+study of holiness have to look for, of which the scripture is full;
+that by this means the soul may be kept in awe, and spurred forward
+unto duty, and made the more willing to shake off laziness.</p>
+<p>6. On the rule, the word of God, by which alone we must regulate
+all our actions; and this ought to be our meditation day and night,
+and all our study, as we see it was David's, and other holy men of
+God, their daily work, see Psal. i. and cxix.</p>
+<p><i>Fourthly</i>, In all this study of holiness, and aiming at an
+higher measure of grace, the believer would level at a right end,
+and so would not design holiness for this end, that he might be
+justified thereby, or that he might thereby procure and purchase to
+himself heaven and God's favour; for the weight of all that must
+lie on Jesus Christ, who is our righteousness; and our holiness
+must not dethrone him, nor rob him of his glory, which he will not
+give to another; but would study holiness, to the end he might
+glorify God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and please him who
+calleth to holiness, and thereby be "meet to be partakers of the
+inheritance of the saints in light," Col. i. 10, 12; and be made a
+meet bride for such a holy bridegroom, and a member to such an holy
+head; that hereby others might be edified, Matt. v. 16. 1 Pet. ii.
+12, and iii. 1, 2; that the soul may look like a temple of the Holy
+Ghost, and like a servant of Christ's bought with a price, 1 Cor.
+vi. 17-20; and have a clear evidence of his regeneration and
+justification, and also that he may express his thankfulness to God
+for all his favours and benefits.</p>
+<p><i>Fifthly</i>, The soul should by faith lay hold on, and grip
+fast to the ground of sanctification; that is to say, (1.) To what
+Christ hath purchased for his people. (2.) To what as a public
+person he hath done for them; and so by faith,</p>
+<p>1. Challenge a right to, and lay hold on the promises of grace,
+strength, victory, and thorough bearing, in their combating with
+corruption within, and Satan and a wicked world without.</p>
+<p>2. "Reckon themselves dead unto sin, through the death of
+Christ; and alive unto God through his resurrection," Rom. vi. 4,
+11. "And that the old man is crucified with him, that the body of
+sin might be destroyed," verse 6. "And that they are now not under
+the law, but under grace," verse 14.</p>
+<p>That by this means they may be encouraged to continue fighting
+against a vanquished enemy, and not give over, notwithstanding of
+disappointments, discouragements, prevailings of corruption,
+&amp;c. and the believer may know upon what ground he standeth, and
+what is the ground of his hope and expectation of victory in the
+end; and so he "may run, not as uncertainly; and so fight, not as
+one that beateth the air," 1 Cor. ix. 26.</p>
+<p><i>Sixthly</i>, In this work of sanctification, the believer
+should be much in the lively exercise of faith; fight by faith;
+advance by faith, grow up, and bring forth fruit by faith; and
+so,</p>
+<p>1. The believer would be oft renewing his grips of Christ,
+holding him fast by faith; and so abiding in him, that he may bring
+forth fruit, John xv. 4,5.</p>
+<p>2. Not only would he be keeping his union fast with Christ, but
+he would also be eyeing Christ by faith, as his store-house, and
+general Lord dispensator of all the purchased blessings of the
+covenant, which he standeth in need of, and looking on Christ, as
+standing engaged by office to complete his work of salvation, and
+to present him with the rest to himself holy, without blemish, yea,
+and without spot and wrinkle, or any such thing, Eph. v. 27.</p>
+<p>3. He would by faith grip to the promises, both of the general
+stock of grace, the new heart, and heart of flesh, and the spirit
+to cause us walk in his statutes, Ezek. xxxvi. 26,27; and of the
+several particular acts of grace that be standeth in need of, such
+as that, Jer. xxx. 8, "I will cleanse them from all their
+iniquities," &amp;c. So Ezek. xxxvi. 25. Jer. xxxi. 19. As the
+church doth, Micah vii. 9. "He will subdue our iniquities," &amp;c.
+And so having, or gripping these promises, we are to cleanse
+ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, "and perfect
+holiness in the fear of God," 2 Cor. vii. 1.</p>
+<p>4. As the believer would by faith draw out of Christ, through
+the conduit of the promises, which are all "yea and amen in him," 2
+Cor. i. 20. grace, strength, knowledge, courage, or whatever his
+fight in this warfare calleth for, to the end he may be strong in
+"the Lord, and in the power of his might," Eph. vi. 10; so he would
+by faith roll the weight of the whole work upon Christ; and thus
+cast himself, and his care and burden on him who careth for him, 1
+Pet. v. 7. Psal. xxxvii. 5, and lv. 22; and so go on in duty,
+without anxiety, knowing who beareth the weight of all, and who
+hath undertaken to work both to will and to do, according to his
+good pleasure. Thus should the work be easy and safe, when by faith
+we roll the burden on him, who is the chosen one fitted for that
+work, and leave it on him, who is our strength, patiently waiting
+for the outgate, in hope.</p>
+<p>Thus the believer makes use of Christ, as made of God
+sanctification, when in the use of means appointed, eyeing the
+covenant of grace, and the promises thereof, and what Christ hath
+done to sanctify and cleanse his people, he rolleth the matter on
+him, and expecteth help, salvation, and victory through him.</p>
+<br>
+<p>CAUTIONS.</p>
+<p>But lest some should be discouraged, and think all this in vain,
+because they perceive no progress nor growth in grace for all this,
+but rather corruption as strong and troublesome as ever, I would
+say a few things to them.</p>
+<p>1. Let them search and try, whether their shortcoming and
+disappointment doth not much proceed from this, that the matter is
+not so cleanly cast over on Christ as it should be; is it not too
+oft found, that they go forth to the battle in their own strength,
+lippening to their own stock of grace, to their own knowledge, or
+to their duties, or the like? How then can they prosper?</p>
+<p>2. Let them mourn as they get any discovery of this, and guard
+against that corrupt bias of the heart, which is still inclining
+them to an engagement without the Captain of their salvation, and a
+fighting without the armour of God.</p>
+<p>3. Let them try and see, if, in studying holiness, they be not
+led by corrupt ends; and do not more labour after sanctification,
+that they may be more worthy and the better accepted of God, and
+that they may have quietness and peace as to their acceptance with
+God, as if this were any cause, matter, or condition of their
+righteousness and justification before God, than that they may shew
+their obedience to the command of God, 1 Thes. iv. 3. Eph. ii. 10.
+John xv. 16; and express their thankfulness to him, and glorify
+God, Mal. i. 6. Matt. iii. 16. John xvii. 10. Eph. iv. 30; and if
+so, they ought to acknowledge God's goodness in that
+disappointment, seeing thereby they see more and more a necessity
+of laying aside their own righteousness, and of betaking themselves
+to the righteousness of Christ, and of resting on that alone for
+peace and acceptance with God.</p>
+<p>4. They should try and see, if their negligence and carelessness
+in watching, and in the discharge of duties, do not occasion their
+disappointments and shortcoming. God sometimes thinks fit to suffer
+a lion of corruption to set on them, that they may look about them,
+and stand more vigilantly upon their watch-tower, knowing that they
+have to do with a vigilant adversary, the devil, who, as a roaring
+lion, goeth about seeking whom he may devour, I Pet. v. 8. and that
+"they fight not against flesh and blood, but against
+principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness
+of this world; against spiritual wickedness in high places," Eph.
+vi. 12. It is not for nought that we are so often commanded to
+watch, Matt. xxiv. 42, and xxv. 13, and xxvi. 41, and xiv. 38. Luke
+xxi. 36. Mark xiii. 33-37. 1 Cor. xvi. 13. 1 Thes. v. 6. 1 Pet. iv.
+7. Col. iv. 2. Through the want of this, we know what befel David
+and Peter.</p>
+<p>5. They should try and see, whether there be not too much
+self-confidence, which occasioned Peter's foul fall. God may, in
+justice and mercy, suffer corruption to break loose upon such, at a
+time, and tread them under foot, to learn them afterward to carry
+more soberly; and to "work their salvation with fear and
+trembling," Phil. ii. 12, remembering what a jealous, holy God he
+is, with whom they have to do; what an adversary they have against
+them; and how weak their own strength is.</p>
+<p>6. This should be remembered, that one may be growing in grace,
+and advancing in holiness, when, to his apprehension, he is not
+going forward from strength to strength, but rather going backward.
+It is one thing to have grace, and another thing to see that we
+have grace; so it is one thing to be growing in grace, and another
+thing to see that we are growing in grace. Many may question their
+growth in grace, when their very questioning of it may evince the
+contrary. For they may conclude no growth, but rather a back-going,
+because they perceive more and more violent, and strong
+corruptions, and hidden works of darkness and wickedness, within
+their soul, than ever they did before; while as that great
+discovery sheweth the increase of their spiritual knowledge, and an
+increase in this is an increase in grace; so they may question and
+doubt of their growth, upon mistakes, as thinking corruption always
+strongest when it makes the greatest stir and noise; or their
+complaints may flow from a vehement desire they have to have much
+more sanctification, which may cause them overlook many degrees
+they have advanced. Or some such thing may occasion their darkness
+and complaints; yea, God may think it fittest for them, to the end
+they may be kept humble and diligent, to be in the dark as to their
+progress; whereas if they saw what advancement and progress they
+had made in Christianity, they might grow wanton, secure, and
+careless, and so occasion some sad dispensation to humble them
+again.</p>
+<p>7. It should be remembered, that perfect victory is not to be
+had here. It is true, in respect of justification through the
+imputation of the perfect righteousness of Christ, and in respect
+of their sincerity and gospel simplicity, and in respect also of
+the parts of the new man, believers are said to be perfect; such an
+one was Noah, Gen. vi. 9, and Job, chap. i. 1, 8. See also Psalm
+xxxvii. 37, and lxiv. 4. 1 Cor. ii. 6. Heb. v. 14. James iii. 2.
+And it is true, we are to aim at perfection, and to pray for it, as
+Matt. v. 48. 2 Cor. xiii. 11. Col. iv. 12. Heb. xiii. 21. James i.
+4. 1 Pet. v. 10. Heb. vi. 1. Yet as to the degrees of holiness and
+sanctification, and in respect of the remnant of corruption within,
+there is no full perfection here, Jer. ix. 20, 21. Phil. iii. 12.
+For even he who is washed, and, as to justification, is clean every
+whit, yet needeth to wash his feet, because contracting filth in
+his conversation, Job xiii. 10. So that if the Lord should mark
+iniquity, no man should stand, Psalm cxxx. 3, and cxliii. 2. There
+will still be in the best something, more or less, of that battle,
+that Paul speaketh of, Rom. vii. 15-23. So that they will still
+have occasion to cry out with him, verse 24, "O wretched man that I
+am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death!" And the
+flesh will still lust against the spirit, and the spirit against
+the flesh, so that they shall not be able to do what they would,
+Gal. v. 17. The place of perfection is above, where all tears are
+wiped away, and the weary wrestler is at rest.</p>
+<p>8. Let them not mistake and think, that every stirring of
+corruption in the soul, argueth its dominion and prevailing power.
+Corruption may stir and make a great deal ado, where it cannot get
+leave to reign; and be as a violent and cruel invader, seeking the
+throne, putting the whole kingdom in a combustion, who is resisted
+with force of arms.</p>
+<p>Corruption may be more quiet and still, when indeed it hath the
+throne of the soul; as a conqueror may be more quiet and still,
+when he hath overcome and is in peaceable possession of the
+kingdom, than when he was but fighting for it. When the strong man
+keeps the house, and is master, then all is quiet and at rest, till
+a stronger come and thrust him out, and dispossess him.</p>
+<p>9. Sanctification doth not always consist in a man's freedom
+from some corruptions. For there may be some corruptions that one
+hath no natural inclination to, but, on the contrary, a great
+aversion for; as some world's wretches may have no inclination to
+prodigality and ranting, or such like vices, which are contrary to
+their humour, or to their constant education; and Satan may never
+tempt some man to such evils, knowing he will get more advantage by
+plying his temper and genius, and so carrying him away to the other
+contrary evil; and so, though this man know not so much, as what it
+is once to be tempted to those vices, yet that will not say, that
+he is a sanctified man; far less will it say, that he hath more
+grace than another man, whose predominant that evil is, and against
+which he is daily fighting and wrestling. Whence it appeareth that
+wrestling and protesting against even an overcoming corruption, may
+evidence more of grace, than freedom from some evils, to which some
+are not so much tempted, and to which they are naturally less
+inclined.</p>
+<p>10. Nor should they think, that corruption is always master of
+the soul, and possessing the throne as a full conqueror, when it
+prevaileth and carrieth the soul headlong at a time, for corruption
+may sometimes come in upon the soul as an inundation with
+irresistible violence, and, for a time, carry all before it, so
+that the soul cannot make any sensible resistance; as when a
+sudden, violent, and unexpected temptation setteth on, so as the
+poor man is overwhelmed, and scarce knoweth where he is, or what he
+is doing, till he be laid on his back. At that time it will be a
+great matter, if the soul dare quietly enter a protest against and
+dissent from what is done, and if there be an honest protestation
+against the violent and tyrannical invasion of corruption, we
+cannot say, that corruption is in peaceable possession of the
+throne. If the spirit be lusting against the flesh, levying all the
+forces he can against the invader, by prayer and supplication to
+God, and calling in all the supply of divine help he can get, and,
+when he can do no more, is fighting and groaning under that unjust
+invasion, resolving never to pay homage to the usurper, nor to obey
+his laws, nor so much as parley with him, or make peace, we cannot
+say, that the soul doth consent fully unto this usurpation. Nay, if
+the soul shall do this much, at such a time when Satan sets on with
+all his force, it will be a greater evidence of the strength of
+grace in the soul, than if the soul should do the same or a little
+more, at a time when the temptation is not so strong.</p>
+<p>11. It is not good for them to say, that grace is not growing in
+them, because they advance not so far as some do; and because they
+come not to the pitch of grace that they see some advanced to. That
+is not a sure rule to measure their growth in grace by. Some may
+have a better natural temper, whereby they are less inclined to
+several vices which these find a strong propension to; they may
+have the advantage of a better education, and the like; so that
+they should rather try themselves this year by what they were the
+last year, and that in reference to the lusts to which they have
+been most subject all their days.</p>
+<p>12. We must not think that every believer will attain to the
+same measure of grace. There is a measure appointed for every
+member or joint of this body; and every joint supplieth, according
+to the effectual working in the measure of every part, Eph. iv. 16.
+God hath more ado with some than with others; there is more
+strength required in an arm or leg than in a finger or toe; and
+every one should be content with his measure, so far as not to fret
+or repine against God and his dispensations, that makes them but a
+finger, and not an arm of the body; and do their duty in their
+station, fighting against sin, according to the measure or grace
+dispensed to them of the Lord, and that faithfully and constantly;
+and not quarrel with God, that he maketh us not as free of
+temptations and corruptions as some others. For the captain must
+not he blamed for commanding some of his soldiers to this post
+where they never once see the enemy, and others to that post where
+they must continually fight. The soldier is here under command, and
+therefore must be quiet, and take his lot; so must the Christian
+reverence the Lord's dispensations, in ordering matters, so as they
+shall never have one hour's quietness, while, as others have more
+rest and peace, and stand at their post fighting, resolving never
+to yield, but rather to cover the ground with their dead bodies,
+till the commander-in-chief think good to relieve them. Sure I am,
+as the only wise God hath distributed to every member of the body,
+as he hath thought good, so it is the duty of every member to
+endeavour this holy submission to him, as to the measure of grace,
+considered as his free gift bestowed on them; and to be humbled for
+the grudgings of his heart, because God hath not given him more
+talents. And sure I am, though this submission make no great noise
+in the world; yet really this is one of the highest degrees of
+grace attainable here, and such an ornament of a meek and quiet
+spirit, as is in the sight of God of great price. So that whoever
+hath attained to this, have the very grace they seem to want, and
+more. Yet, lest this should be abused, let me add a word or two of
+caution, to qualify this submission. (1.) There must be with it a
+high prizing even of that degree of grace which they want. (2)
+There must be a panting after grace, as it is God's image, and a
+conformity to him, and with so much singleness, as they may be in
+case to say, without the reproachings of their heart, they do not
+so much love holiness for heaven, as heaven for holiness. (3.)
+There must be an unceasingness in using all means, whereby the
+growth of grace may be promoved to this end, that they may be
+conformed to his image, rather than that they may be comforted.
+(4.) There must be also a deep humiliation for the want of that
+degree of grace they would have, as it importeth the want of so
+much conformity to him to whose image they are predestinated to be
+conformed, which will very well consist with this submission we are
+speaking of.</p>
+<p>13. It would be remembered, that there may be a great progress,
+even when it is not observed; when, (1.) Hereby the man is made to
+lie in the dust, to loath himself, and cry, behold I am vile! (2.)
+Hereby his indignation against the body of death is the more
+increased. (3.) Hereby his esteem of a Saviour and of the blessed
+contrivance of salvation is the more heightened, that he seeth he
+is thereby brought to make mention of his righteousness, even of
+his only. (4.) Hereby his longing after immediate fruition is
+increased, where all these complaints shall cease. (5.) And hereby
+he is put to essay that much slighted duty of holding fast the
+rejoicing of his hope firm unto the end, looking and longing for
+the grace that shall be brought unto him at the revelation of Jesus
+Christ, when he shall be presented without spot, and be made meet
+to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_VI." id="CHAPTER_VI."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2>
+<br>
+<h4>HOW CHRIST IS TO BE MADE USE OF, IN REFERENCE TO THE KILLING
+AND CRUCIFYING OF THE OLD MAN.</h4>
+<p>Having thus shortly pointed out some things in general, serving
+to the clearing and opening up the way of our use-making of Christ
+for sanctification, we come now more particularly to the clearing
+up of this business. In sanctification we must consider,
+<i>first,</i> The renewing and changing of our nature and frame;
+and, <i>next,</i> The washing and purging away of our daily
+contracted spots. The first of these is commonly divided into two
+parts, viz. <i>1st,</i> The mortification, killing, and crucifying
+of the old man of sin and corruption which is within; and,
+<i>2d,</i> The vivification, renewing, quickening, and
+strengthening of the new man of grace; and this is a growth in
+grace, and in fruitfulness and holiness.</p>
+<p>As to the first of these, viz. The mortification or crucifying
+of the old man, we would know, that there is such a principle of
+wickedness and enmity against God in man by nature, now since the
+fall, whereby the man is inclined to evil, and only to evil. This
+is called the old man, as being like the body, made of so many
+parts, joints, and members, that is, so many lusts and corruptions
+and evil inclinations, which, together, make up a-corpus, and they
+are fast joined and compacted together, as the members of the body,
+each useful and serviceable to one another, and all of them
+concurring and contributing their utmost to the carrying on of the
+work of sin, and so it is the man of sin; and it is also called the
+old man, as having first possession of the soul, before it is by
+grace renewed, and it is a dying more and more daily. Thus it is
+called the old man, and the body of sin, Rom. vi. 6. This old man
+hath his members in our members and faculties, so that none of them
+are free,&mdash;understanding, will, affections, and the members of
+our body are all servants of unrighteousness to this body of sin,
+and old man. So we read of the motions of sin, Rom. vii. 5, which
+work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death; and of the
+lusts of the flesh, Rom. xiii. 14. Gal. v. 16, 24; and the lusts of
+sin, Rom. vi. 12. So we hear of the desires of the flesh and of the
+mind, Eph. ii. 3; and of affections and lusts, Gal. v. 24. And the
+old man is said to be corrupt, according to the deceitful lusts,
+Eph. iv. 22; all which lusts and affections are as so many members
+of this body of sin, and of this old man. And, further, there is
+herein a considerable power, force, and efficacy, which this old
+man hath in us, to carry us away, and, as it were, command or
+constrain us, as by a forcible law. Hence we read of the law of sin
+and death, Rom. viii. 2, which only the "law of the Spirit of life
+in Christ doth make us free from." It is also called a "law in our
+members warring against the law of our mind," Rom. vii. 23, "and
+bringing us into captivity to the law of sin which is in our
+members." So it is said, "to lust against the Spirit, and to war,"
+Gal. v. 17. All which point out the strength, activity, and
+dominion of sin in the soul, so that it is as the husband over the
+wife, Rom. vii. 1; yea, it hath a domineering and constraining
+power, where its horns are not held in by grace. And as its power
+is great, so its nature is wicked and malicious; for it is pure
+"enmity against God," Rom. viii. 7; so that it neither is nor can
+be reconciled, and therefore must be put off and abolished, Eph.
+ii. 15; killed and crucified, Rom. vi. 6. Now herein lieth the work
+of a believer, to be killing, mortifying, and crucifying this
+enemy, or rather enmity; and delivering himself from under this
+bondage and slavery, that he may be Christ's free man, and that
+through the Spirit, Rom. viii. 13.</p>
+<p>Now, if it be asked, How shall a believer make use of Christ, to
+the end this old man may be gotten crucified? or, how should a
+believer mortify this old man, and the lusts thereof, through
+Christ, or by the Spirit of Jesus? We shall propose those things,
+which may help to clear this:</p>
+<p>1. The believer should have his eye on this old man as his
+arch-enemy, as a deadly cut-throat lying within his bosom. It is an
+enemy lodging within him, in his soul, mind, heart, and affections,
+so that there is no part free; and therefore is acquaint with all
+the motions of the soul, and is always opposing and hindering every
+thing that is good. It is an enemy that will never be reconciled to
+God, and therefore will not be reconciled with the believer as
+such; for it is called enmity itself, and so it is always actively
+seeking to promove the ruin of the soul, what by prompting,
+inclining, moving, and forcibly drawing or driving, sometimes with
+violence and rage, to evil; what by with standing, resisting,
+opposing, counter-working, and contradicting what is good; so that
+the believer cannot get that done which he would do, and is made to
+do that which he would not. Therefore this being such an enemy, and
+so dangerous an enemy, so constant and implacable an enemy, so
+active and close an enemy, so deadly and destructive, it is the
+believer's part to guard against this enemy, to have a vigilant eye
+upon it, to carry as an irreconcilable enemy thereunto; and
+therefore never to come in terms of capitulation or agreement
+therewith, never once to parley, let be make peace. And the
+believer would not have his vigilant eye upon this or that member
+of this body of death, so much as upon the body itself, or the
+principle of wickedness and rebellion against God; the head, life,
+spirit, or law, of this body of death; for there lieth its greatest
+wickedness and activity; and this is always opposing us, though not
+in every joint and member; but sometimes in one, sometimes in
+another.</p>
+<p>2. Though the believer should have a main eye upon the body,
+this innate, strong, and forcible law of sin and death, yet should
+he have friendship and familiarity with no part, member, or lust of
+all this body. All the deeds of the body should be mortified, Rom.
+viii. 13; the old man with his deeds should be mortified, Col. iii.
+6; and we should "mortify our members which are upon the earth,"
+verse 5; for all of them are against us, and the least of them
+countenanced, entertained, and embraced, will work our ruin, and
+cut our soul's throat; therefore should the believer look on each
+of them, and on all of them, as his deadly enemies.</p>
+<p>3. He should consider, that, as it is a very unseemly thing for
+him to be a slave to that old tyrant, and to yield his members as
+so many servants to iniquity, so it is dangerous and deadly. His
+life lieth at the stake; either he must get it mortified, killed,
+and subdued, or it will kill him; his life will go for its life; if
+this enemy escape, he is a gone man. The consideration of this
+should cause the believer to act here in earnestness and
+seriousness, with care and diligence, and set about this work of
+mortification with labour and pains.</p>
+<p>4. Much more must it be against all reason and Christianity, for
+the believer to be making "provision for the flesh, to fulfil the
+lusts thereof," Rom. xiii. 14. To be strengthening the hands of,
+and laying provision to this enemy, which is set and sworn against
+us, can stand with no reason. And here is much of the Christian's
+prudence and spiritual wisdom required, to discern what may make
+for fostering of this or that corruption, or member of the body of
+sin and death, and to withdraw that, as we will labour to take away
+provision of any kind from an enemy that is coming against us. Paul
+acted herein as a wise gamester and combatant, when he kept under
+his body, and brought it into subjection, 1 Cor. ix. 27. It were
+but to mock God, and to preach forth our own folly, to be looking
+to Christ for help against such an enemy, and, in the meantime, to
+be underhand strengthening the hands of the enemy; this would be
+double dealing, and treachery against ourselves.</p>
+<p>5. To the end, their opposition unto this enemy may be the
+stronger and more resolute, they should consider, that this body of
+sin is wholly set against God, and his interest in the soul, being
+very enmity itself against God, Rom. viii. 7; and always lusting
+and fighting against the work of God in the soul, Gal. v. 17; and
+against every thing that is good, so that it will not suffer, so
+far as it can hinder the soul to do anything that is good, at least
+in a right manner, and for a right end. Nay, with its lustings, it
+driveth constantly to that which is evil, raiseth evil motions and
+inclinations in the soul, ere the believer be aware; sideth with
+any temptation that is offered, to the end that it may destroy the
+soul, like a traitor within; as we see it did in David, when he
+fell into adultery; and with Asaph, Psalm lxxiii. 2; yea, itself
+opposeth and tempteth, James i. 14, by setting mind, will, and
+affections on wrong courses; and thus it driveth the soul to a
+course of rebellion against God, or diverts it, and draws it back,
+that it cannot get God served aright; yea, sometimes it sets a fire
+in the soul, entangling all the faculties, filling the mind with
+darkness or prejudice, misleading or preventing the affections, and
+so miscarrying the will, and leading it captive, Rom. vii. 23; so
+that the thing is done which the unregenerate soul would not do,
+and the duty is left undone which the soul would fain have done;
+yea, and that sometimes notwithstanding of the soul's watching and
+striving against this; so strong is its force.</p>
+<p>6. The believer should remember, that this enemy is not for him
+to fight against alone, and that his own strength and skill will
+make but a slender opposition unto it. It will laugh at the shaking
+of his spear; it can easily insinuate itself, on all occasions,
+because it lieth so near and close to the soul, always residing
+there, and is at the believer's right hand whatever he be doing,
+and is always openly or closely opposing, and that with great
+facility; for it easily besetteth, Heb. xii. 1, because it lieth
+within the soul, and in all the faculties of it&mdash;in the heart,
+mind, will, conscience, and affections; so that upon this account,
+the deceitfulness of the heart is great, and passeth the search of
+man, Jer. xvii. 9. Man cannot know all the windings and turnings,
+all the drifts and designs, all the lurking and retiring places,
+all the falsehoods and double dealings, all the dissimulations,
+lies, and subterfuges, all the plausible and deceitful pretexts and
+insinuations of his heart acted and spirited by this law of sin and
+death. And besides this slight and cunning, it hath strength and
+power to draw by lusts into destruction and perdition, 1 Tim. iv.
+9, and to carry the soul headlong; so that it makes the man's case
+miserable, Rom. vii. 24. All which would say, that the believer
+should call in other help than his own, and remember, that "through
+the Spirit he must mortify the deeds of the body," Rom. viii.
+13.</p>
+<p>7. And therefore the believer must lay aside all his carnal
+weapons, in dealing with his adversary, and look out for divine
+help and assistance, even for the promised Spirit, through which
+alone he can be instructed and enabled for this great work; for of
+himself he can do nothing, not so much as think a good thought as
+of himself, 2 Cor. iii. 5, far less will he be able to oppose such
+a mighty adversary, that hath so great and many advantages; and
+therefore all his carnal means, purposes, vows, and fightings in
+himself, will but render himself weaker, and a readier prey unto
+this adversary, which gaineth ground while he is so opposed. It is
+Christ alone and his Spirit, that can destroy the works of the
+devil, and kill or crucify this enmity.</p>
+<p>8. So that the believer must have his recourse for help and
+succour here, unto Jesus the Captain of salvation, and must follow
+him, and fight under his banners, make use of his weapons, which
+are spiritual; fight according to his counsel and conduct, taking
+him as a Leader and Commander, and lying open for his orders and
+instructions, waiting for the motions of his Spirit, and following
+them; and thus oppose and fight against this deadly enemy, with an
+eye always on Christ by faith, depending on him for light to the
+mind, resolution to the will, and grace to the whole soul to stand
+in the battle, and to withstand all assaults, and never engage in a
+dispute with this enemy, or any lust or member of this body without
+Christ the principal, that is, the soul would despair in itself,
+and be strong in him, and in the power of his might, by faith
+griping to him, as Head, Captain, and Commander-in-chief, resolving
+to fight in his strength, and to oppose through the help of his
+Spirit.</p>
+<p>9. And for this cause, the believer would eye the covenant of
+redemption, the basis of all our hope and consolation, wherein
+final and full victory is promised to Christ, as Head of the elect,
+viz. "that he shall bruise the serpent's head;" and so that in him,
+all his followers and members of his mystical body shall lift up
+the head, and get full victory at length over both sin and death.
+Now it is "God that giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus
+Christ," 1 Cor. xv. 57. The believer would also eye by faith the
+covenant of grace, wherein particularly this same victory is
+promised to the believer, in and through Jesus, Rom. xvi. 20. "And
+the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly; and
+sin shall not have dominion over you, for ye are not under the law,
+but under grace," Rom. vi. 14. The believer, I say, would look out
+by faith unto, and lay hold on these and the like promises, and
+thereby get strength conveyed to himself, whereby he may strive
+lawfully, and fight valiantly, and oppose with courage and
+resolution.</p>
+<p>10. Further, the believer would eye Christ as a fountain of
+furniture, as a full and complete magazine, standing open, and
+ready for every one of his honest soldiers to run to for new
+supplies of what they want; so that whatever they find wanting in
+their Christian armour, they must run away to the open magazine,
+Christ's fulness, that standeth ready for them, and by faith take
+and put on what they want and stand in need of in their warfare. If
+their girdle of truth be slacked, loosed, or weakened, and they be
+meeting with temptations anent their hypocrisy, and Satan objecting
+to them their double dealing, of purpose to discourage them, and to
+make them faint and give over the fight; they must away to him who
+is the truth, that he may bind on that girdle better, and make
+their hearts more upright before God in all they do. And if their
+breastplate of righteousness be weakened, and Satan there seem to
+get advantage, by casting up to them their unrighteous dealings
+towards God or men, they must flee to him, who only can help here,
+and beg pardon through his blood for their failings, and set to
+again afresh to the battle. If their resolution, which is
+understood by the preparation of the gospel of peace, grow weak, it
+must be renewed in Christ's armoury, and the feet of new be shod
+therewith. If their shield of faith begin to fail them, away must
+they get to him who "is the Author and Finisher of faith," Heb.
+xii. 2. And if their helmet of hope begin to fail them, in this
+armoury alone can that be supplied. And if their sword be blunted
+in their hand, or they unable to wield it aright, the Spirit of
+Jesus can only teach their hands to fight, and instruct them how to
+manage that useful weapon with advantage. Thus must the believer
+"be strong in him, and in the power of his might," Eph. vi. 10. "He
+is their God that girdeth them with strength, and maketh their way
+perfect. He maketh their feet like hind's feet, and setteth them
+upon their high places. He teacheth their hands to war, so that a
+bow of steel is broken by their arms. He giveth them the shield of
+salvation. His right hand upholdeth them. He girdeth with strength
+unto the battle," &amp;c. Psalm xviii. 32, &amp;c.</p>
+<p>11. For the further strengthening of their hope, faith, and
+confidence, believers would eye Christ, as hanging on the cross,
+and overcoming by death, death, and him that hath the power of
+death, the devil; and so as meritoriously purchasing this
+redemption from the slavery of sin and Satan, and particularly from
+the slavery of that body of death, and of the law of sin and death;
+for the apostle tells us, Rom. viii. 2, "That the law of the Spirit
+of life in Christ Jesus doth make us free from the law of sin and
+death," and that because, as he saith further, ver. 3, 4, "what the
+law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God
+sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin
+condemned sin in the flesh; that the righteousness of the law might
+be fulfilled in us." So that the believer may now look upon that
+enemy, how fearful soever it may appear, as condemned and killed in
+the death, of Christ; he having laid down the price of redemption,
+hath bought this freedom from the chains and fetters with which he
+was held in captivity. Faith, then, on the death of Jesus
+satisfying justice for the poor captive, may, and should support
+and strengthen the hope and confidence of the believer, that he
+shall obtain the victory at length.</p>
+<p>12. And it will further confirm the hope and faith of the
+believer, to look to Christ hanging on the cross, and there
+vanquishing and overcoming this arch-enemy, as a public person,
+representing the elect who died in him, and virtually and legally
+did in him overcome that jailor, and break his fetters; and the
+soul now believing, may, yea, should reckon itself in Christ dying,
+as it were, upon the cross, and there overcoming all those
+spiritual enemies. "Likewise," saith the apostle, Rom. vi. 11,
+"Reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin." From hence,
+even while fighting, the believer may account himself a conqueror,
+yea, "more than a conqueror, through him that loved him," Rom.
+viii. 37. Now faith acting thus on Christ, as a public person,
+dying and overcoming death and sin, the believer may not only infer
+the certainty of victory, knowing that our old man is crucified
+with Christ, Rom. vi. 6; but also from the cross of Christ draw
+strength to stand and fight against the strugglings of this
+vanquished and killed enemy. "They that are Christ's have crucified
+the flesh with the affections and lusts," Gal. v. 24. But how? Even
+by the cross of Christ. "For thereby is the world crucified unto
+me," saith the apostle, Gal. vi. 14, "and I unto the world." "Your
+old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be
+destroyed," Rom. vi. 6.</p>
+<p>13. The believer being dead indeed unto sin, through the cross
+of Christ, is to look upon himself as legally freed from that yoke
+of bondage under sin and death. "The law hath dominion over a man
+as long as he liveth," Rom. vii. 1. "But by the body of Christ
+believers are become dead to the law," ver. 4. That law of sin and
+death which hath dominion over a man that liveth still in nature,
+and is not yet by faith planted in the likeness of Christ's death,
+nor buried with him by baptism into death, Rom. vi. 4, 5, hath not
+that dominion over believers it had once&mdash;"For the law of the
+Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made them free from the law of
+sin and death," Rom. viii. 2; so that now the believer, is free
+from that tyranny; and that tyrant can exercise no lawful
+jurisdiction or authority over him; and therefore he may with the
+greater courage repel the insolencies of that tyrant, that contrary
+to all right and equity seeketh to lord it over him still. They are
+no lawful subjects to that cruel and raging prince, or to that
+spiritual wickedness.</p>
+<p>14. So that the believer, renouncing that jurisdiction under
+which he was formerly, and being under a new husband, and under a
+new law, even the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, is to
+look upon all the motions of sin as illegal, and as treasonable
+acts of a tyrant. "The old man being crucified with Christ, that
+the body of sin might be destroyed, the believer is not any more to
+serve sin," Rom. vi. 6; "and being now dead, they are freed from
+sin," ver. 7; "and are married to another, even to him who is
+raised from the dead, and so they should not serve sin, but bring
+forth fruit unto God," Rom. vii. 4; and therefore, look upon all
+motions of the flesh, and all the inclinations and stirrings of the
+old law of sin, as acts of treachery and rebellion against the
+right and jurisdiction of the believer's new Lord and husband; and
+are therefore obliged to lay hold on this old man, this body of
+death, and all the members of it, as traitors to the rightful king
+and husband, and to take them prisoners to the king, that he may
+give out sentence, and execute the same against them, as enemies to
+his kingdom and interest in the soul;&mdash;they being now no more
+"servants of sin, but of righteousness, they ought no more to yield
+their members servants to uncleanness, and iniquity unto iniquity,"
+Rom. vi. 18, 19; "and being debtors no more to the flesh, to live
+after the flesh," Rom. vii. 12; "they are to mortify the deeds of
+the body through the spirit," ver. 13; "and to crucify the flesh
+with the affections and lusts," Gal. v. 24; that is, by bringing
+them to the cross of Christ, where first they were condemned and
+crucified, in their full body and power; that a new sentence, as it
+were, may go out against them, as parts of that condemned tyrant,
+and as belonging to that crucified body.</p>
+<p>15. So that the believer that would carry faithfully in this
+matter, and fight lawfully in this warfare, and hope to obtain the
+victory through Jesus Christ, must bring these traitors that appear
+in their sinful motions and lusts in the soul, working rebellion
+against the just authority and equitable laws of the lawful prince
+Jesus, before the tribunal of him who hath now got "all power and
+authority in heaven and in earth," Matt, xxviii. 18; "and hath all
+judgment committed to him," John v. 22; "and to this end, both
+died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead
+and living," Rom. xvi. 9; that he may execute justice upon the
+traitor, head, and members; that he may trample these devils under,
+and bruise the head of these serpents within us. The believer then
+is by faith in prayer, to carry these open enemies to Christ, and
+declare and witness against them as traitors, by what mischief they
+have done in the soul, by their hindering the righteous laws of the
+king to be obeyed; and constraining and forcing, what by arguments
+and allurements, and what by forcible inclinations and pousings, to
+a disobedience and a counteracting of Christ; and he should urge
+and plead upon the fundamental laws of the land, viz. the articles
+of agreement betwixt the Father and the Son, and the faithful
+promises of the covenant of grace; and upon Christ's office as king
+and governor, and his undertaking as Mediator; upon the merits of
+his death and sufferings; upon his dying as a common person; upon
+the constitution of the gospel, whereby they are in law repute as
+dying in him, and so free from the law of sin and death; and upon
+their relation to him as their new Lord, Head, Husband, King,
+Commander, &amp;c. Upon these arguments, I say, to plead for
+justice against the rebel that is now brought to the bar, and so by
+faith leave the prisoner in his hand, that he may, in his own time
+and way, give a second blow unto the neck of this implacable and
+raging enemy, that he may not rise up to disturb the peace of the
+soul as before; or to trouble, impede, and molest the soul in
+paying the homage and obedience due to his lawful master and
+sovereign king, JESUS.</p>
+<br>
+<p>CAUTIONS AND DIRECTIONS.</p>
+<p>For further clearing of the premises, I would propose a few
+particulars, for caution and direction, as,&mdash;</p>
+<p>1. This work of laying the burden of this business on Christ by
+faith, would be gone about with much singleness of heart, aiming at
+the glory of God, and the carrying on of his work in the soul; and
+not for self-ends, and carnal by-respects, lest thereby we mar
+all.</p>
+<p>2. It would be carried on, without partiality, against all and
+every one of the lusts and motions of the old man. For if there be
+a compliance with and a sparing of any one known lust, the whole
+work may be marred; they may meet with a disappointment as to the
+particular lust they are desiring victory over;&mdash;and the lust
+they are harbouring, though it may seem little, may open a door to
+many stronger, and so occasion sad days to the man, ere he be
+aware.</p>
+<p>3. As they would bring the particular lust, or lusts, unto
+Christ, as chief Lord Justice; so they would always lay the axe to
+the root of the tree, and crave justice against the main body, that
+yet lieth within the soul; and these particular corruptions and
+affections, that are as members of that body of sin, should put
+them in mind of the old man, for they should "crucify the flesh
+with the affections and lusts thereof," Gal. v. 24; the body and
+the members. These lusts are the lusts of sin, or of that head-sin,
+which hath a law, or the force and impulse of a law in the soul;
+and therefore their main design would be against this root, where
+lieth the strength and body of the enemy, and which acteth in those
+members; this is the capital enmity, and should be mainly opposed.
+And the following of this course would prove more successful than
+that which many time we take: our nibbling at, or wrestling against
+this or that member of the body of death, is but of little
+advantage, so long as the main body of sin, the bitter root of
+wickedness, the carnal mind, this innate enmity is miskent, and not
+opposed; but on the contrary, strike at this, we strike at all.</p>
+<p>4. This would be the believer's constant work, to be "crucifying
+the flesh, with the lusts thereof; to be mortifying their members,"
+wherein the members of the old man quarter and lodge, Col. iii. 5;
+"to be spiritually minded, and to mind the things of the Spirit,"
+Rom. viii. 5, 6. "For the carnal mind is enmity, against God," Rom.
+viii. 7; "and so is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed
+can be." It is not only an enemy which may be reconciled, but
+enmity in the abstract, which never can be reconciled. And this
+enmity will never be idle; for it cannot till it be fully and
+finally destroyed; "the flesh is always lusting against the
+spirit,'" Gal. v. 17; "for they are contrary one to the other." So
+that though, to our sense, it may sometimes appear as sleeping, in
+regard that it doth not by some particular lust so molest and
+perplex the soul as formerly it did: yet it is restless, and may be
+more active in another lust, and so by changing weapons on us,
+deceive us. Here then is much spiritual wisdom and vigilancy
+required. When they think they have gotten one lust subdued, they
+must not think the war is at an end; but after all their particular
+victories, watch and pray, that they enter not into temptation.</p>
+<p>5. This way of laying the weight of the matter on Christ, should
+and will keep them humble, and teach them not to ascribe the glory
+of any good that is done unto themselves, but to give him all the
+glory, who is jealous of his glory, and will not give it to
+another, that the crown may alone flourish on his head, who is the
+captain of their salvation, and who by his Spirit worketh all their
+works in them.</p>
+<p>6. Nor would this way of carrying the matter to Christ, and
+putting it over on him, cause the believer become negligent in
+commanded duties, reading, hearing prayer, &amp;c; for it is there
+he must expect to meet with Christ; there must he seek him, and
+there must he wait for him, and his Spirit to do the work desired.
+For though he hath not limited himself to these means, so, as he
+cannot, or will not any other way help, yet he hath bound us to
+them; and it is our duty to wait there, where he hath commanded us
+to wait, though he should sometime think good to come another way,
+for the manifestation of the sovereignty of his grace.</p>
+<p>7. Yet while we are about the means, we would guard against a
+leaning to them, lest, instead of getting victory over corruption,
+we be brought more in bondage thereunto another way. We must not
+think that our prayers, or our hearing, or reading, &amp;c. will
+bring down the body of death, or subdue any one corruption; for
+that were but an yielding to corruption, and opening a back door to
+the carnal mind, and to another deadly lust, and a beating
+corruption with a sword of straw. This is not to mortify the deeds
+of the body through the Spirit, but through the flesh; and a
+fleshly weapon will never draw blood of this spiritual wickedness
+or old man, or of any corrupt lust or affection thereof; and yet
+how many times doth our deceitful heart bias us this way? Our work
+would be, as is said, to use the ordinances as means, whereby we
+may get the business laid on Christ, and help from Christ to do the
+business. We must go to the means with our prisoner to find Christ
+there at his court and assizes, that he may take course with the
+traitor.</p>
+<p>8. In all this there would be a looking to, and dependence on
+Christ for help and grace; because of ourselves, as of ourselves,
+we cannot do this much; we cannot complain aright of corruptions,
+nor take them away to Christ, nor ask for justice against them. As
+constables and other officers must carry malefactors to the courts
+of justice, upon public charges; so Christ will not have us doing
+or attempting this much on our own charges, for he giveth noble
+allowance.</p>
+<p>9. In following of this course, we would not think always to
+come speed at the first. Sometimes the Lord, for the encouragement
+of his children, may give them a speedy hearing, and deliver them
+from the tyranny of some particular lust or other that hath
+troubled them; so that for some time at least, it shall not so
+trouble them as it did. Yet he will not do so always, but may think
+it good to keep them waiting on him, and hanging on his courts for
+some considerable time, that he may thereby exercise their faith,
+patience, desire, zeal, and diligence. So that it should not seem
+strange to us, if we be not admitted at the first, and get not our
+answer at the first cry.</p>
+<p>10. When the Lord thinketh good to delay the answer to our
+desires, and the execution of justice on the malefactor and
+traitor, or to deliver us from his tyranny and trouble, we would
+beware of thinking to capitulate with the enemy for our peace and
+quiet, or to enter into a cessation of arms with him; that is, our
+enmity against him should never abate; nor should our desire after
+the mortification and crucifixion of this lust grow less; nor
+should we be at quiet and at peace, though it should seem to grow a
+little more calm and still, or not to rage as formerly; for this
+looks but like a covenant or confederacy with lust, which will not
+stand.</p>
+<p>11. We would also know, that what Christ said of devils, holdeth
+good of these lusts, viz. "that some of them do not go out but by
+fasting and prayer;" that is, by Christ sought unto and found in
+these means. There are some lusts that will not be so easily killed
+and mortified as others, but will cost us more pains and labour, as
+being corruptions which possibly have some greater advantage of our
+natural temper and constitution of body, or of long continuance and
+a cursed habit, or the like. We must not then think it strange, if
+some such lust be not subdued so easily as some others to which we
+have fewer and weaker, and not so frequent temptations.</p>
+<p>12. As we cannot expect a full conquest of the body of death, so
+long as we are here, as was shown above, neither can we expect a
+full and final victory over any one lust, which ever we have been
+troubled with. It is true, believers may be kept from some gross
+out-breaking of a corruption, which sometime prevailed, as Peter
+was from relapsing into an open and downright denying his Master;
+yet that same corruption did afterward stir, though not so
+violently as to carry him to such an height of sin; yet so far as
+to cause him do that which was a partial denying of his Master,
+when Paul withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed
+for withdrawing from the Gentiles, for fear of them of the
+circumcision, &amp;c. Gal. ii. 11, 12.: So, though a particular
+lust may be so far subdued through grace, as that for some
+considerable time a man may not find it so violent as it was; yet
+be cannot say that it is totally killed, because it may stir
+thereafter in some weaker measure; yea, he cannot tell, but ere he
+come to die, that same corruption may rise to be as violent as
+ever, and that Satan may again think to enter the soul at that same
+breach which once he entered at; yea, and who can tell, whether God
+may not suffer that corruption, which lay long as dead, to revive
+again for a time, and for a time drive the soul as violently as
+ever, and prevail for a time? And this should teach all to walk
+soberly, watchfully, and in fear, and to have a vigilant eye, even
+upon such lusts and carnal affections, as they may suppose they
+have got the victory of.</p>
+<p>13. We would not think that we gain no ground upon corruption,
+because we still perceive it stirring, less or more; for as
+corruption is not always strongest, as was said above, nor hath the
+deepest footing in the soul, when its motions and stirrings are
+most felt; so neither must we think that there is no ground gained
+upon a lust, because we are still troubled and molested with its
+stirrings; for it is a great advantage to be more sensible of the
+motions of this enemy; and our more faithful and active wrestling
+against it may make its least stirrings more sensible to us; as the
+motions and trouble which a malefactor, while in grips and in
+prison, maketh, may be thought more of than his greater ragings
+before he was apprehended; yet he may be sure in fetters for all
+that. A beast that hath gotten death's blow may get out of grips,
+and run more mad than ever, and yet will die at length of the same
+blow.</p>
+<p>14. Though we should find present ease and quiet by our
+following this way, yet we should think it much, if the Lord help
+us to stand, when we have done all we can, though we meet not with
+the hoped for success presently; if he give us grace to continue
+without wearying or fainting, and to be resolved never to give
+over, we have reason to bless him; if we be kept still in the
+conflict with pursuit of the enemy, it is our great advantage; the
+victory shall come in God's own time. If our opposition so
+continue, that we are resolved never to take nor give quarter,
+though our trouble and exercise should be the greater, and our ease
+and quiet the less, we ought to bless him, yea, and rejoice in hope
+of what he shall yet do for us; for he that will come, shall come,
+and will not tarry. Let us wait for him, in doing our duty, and
+faithfully keeping our post.</p>
+<p>15. Yea, if we get quietness or ease from the violence of raging
+lusts for any little time, and be not continually driven and
+carried headlong therewith, we ought to be thankful for this, and
+to walk humbly before him; lest he be provoked by our
+unthankfulness and pride, and let these furious dogs loose upon us
+again.</p>
+<p>16. When we are bending our strength and all our forces against
+some one corruption or other, which possibly hath been most
+troublesome to us, we would not be secure as to all others, or
+think that we are in hazard only on this side; for Satan may make a
+feint here, and really intend an assault at another place, by some
+other corrupt affection. O what need have we of spiritual wisdom
+that we may be better acquainted with his stratagems and wiles I
+Let us so then fight against one member of this body of death, as
+to have our eye upon others, lest when we think to keep out Satan
+at the fore-door, he enter in at the back-door. He can make use of
+extremities, and play his game with both; yea, and gain his point,
+if we be not aware.</p>
+<br>
+<p>OBJECTIONS ANSWERED.</p>
+<p>It will not be amiss, for further explaining of the matter, to
+remove a scruple or two. Some may say, that they cannot perceive
+that all their pains in this matter come to any good issue; for
+they never found corruption stir more, and act more lively and
+incessantly, than since they began to fight against it in good
+earnest; so that this would seem not to be the right way.</p>
+<p>I answer, Though from what is said before, particularly cautions
+9th and 13th, a resolution of this doubt maybe had; yet I shall
+propose those things, for further clearing of the matter:</p>
+<p>1. May not much of this flow from thy not laying the whole work
+so wholly off thyself, and upon Christ, as thou oughtest to do? Try
+and see.</p>
+<p>2. May not the devil rage most, when he thinks ere long to be
+ejected? May he not labour to create most trouble to the soul, when
+he seeth that he is like to be put from some of his strengths?</p>
+<p>3. May not the devil be doing this of purpose to drive thee to
+despair of ever getting corruption subdued and mortified; or to a
+fainting and sitting up in the pursuit, and to a despondency of
+spirit; that so instead of fighting or standing, thou may cede and
+turn thee back? And should we comply with him in his designs?</p>
+<p>4. May not the Lord give way to this for a time, to try thy
+seriousness, patience, submission and faith, and to sharpen thy
+diligence, and kindle up thy zeal? And should we not submit to his
+wise dispensations?</p>
+<p>5. How can thou say that thou gainest no advantage, as long as
+thou art not made to lay aside the matter wholly, as hopeless of
+any good issue; but, on the contrary, art helped to stand, and to
+resist sin, to cry out against it, to fight as thou canst, and at
+least not to yield?</p>
+<p>6. What if God see it for thy advantage, that thou be kept so in
+exercise for a time, to the end thou may be kept humble, watchful,
+and diligent? He may see more of thee, than thou canst see of
+thyself, and so may know what is best for thee; and should thou not
+condescend to be disposed of by him as he will, and to let him make
+of thee, and do with thee what he will?</p>
+<p>7. What if God be about to chasten thee thus for thy former
+negligence, security, and unwatchfulness, and giving too much
+advantage to those lusts, which now, after his awakening of thee,
+thou would be delivered from? Should thou not bear the indignation
+of the Lord, because thou hast sinned against him, as the Church
+resolved to do, Micah vii. 9?</p>
+<p>8. Is it not thy duty the more that corruption stirs, to run
+with it the oftener to Christ, that he may subdue it and put it to
+silence? May not thou improve this to thy advantage, by making many
+errands to him?</p>
+<p>9. May it not come in a day, that hath not come in a year? Art
+thou sure, that all thy pains shall be in vain? Or thinkest thou
+that all his children have got victory alike soon over their lusts?
+What cause is there then to complain thus?</p>
+<p>10. May not all this convince thee, that it is thy duty to wait
+on him, in the use of his appointed means, and to be patient,
+standing fast to thy post, resolving, when thou hast done all, yet
+to stand?</p>
+<p>11. May not this satisfy thee, that God through grace accepteth
+thy labour and wrestling, as thy duty, and accounteth it service to
+him, and obedience?</p>
+<p>But again, it may possibly be objected thus: so long as I am in
+this condition, kept under with my lusts, I cannot get God
+glorified and served as he ought to be.</p>
+<p>I answer, though so long as it is so with thee, thou cannot
+glorify and serve him, in such a particular manner as others, who
+have got more victory over those evils under which thou art
+groaning, yet God can get glory and service of thee another way;
+as,</p>
+<p>1. By thy submission, with calmness of spirit, to his wise
+dispensations, when thou dare not speak against him, and say, with
+Rebecca, in another case, if it be so, why am I thus? But sweetly
+and willingly cast thyself down at his feet, saying, good is the
+will of the Lord; let him do what seemeth him good, &amp;c.</p>
+<p>2. By thy patient on-waiting, when thou art not wearying nor
+fainting, but saying, why should I not wait upon the great King's
+leisure? Is he not free to come when he will? Dare I set limits to
+the Holy One of Israel?</p>
+<p>3. By thy humility, when thou blessest him, for keeping thee so
+long out of hell, and thinkest much of his giving thee grace to see
+and observe the stirrings of corruption, which carnal wretches
+never perceive; and helping thee to withstand and complain of
+corruption, which they sweetly comply with.</p>
+<p>4. By thy hatred of sin, when all that Satan can do cannot make
+thee comply with those lusts, or sweetly embrace those vipers, or
+lie down in peace with those rotten members of the old man, as
+others do.</p>
+<p>5. By thy watchfulness, when all thy disappointments cause thee
+the more earnestly watch against that enemy.</p>
+<p>6. By thy acting faith, when still thou art carrying sin in its
+lusts to Christ to kill and subdue, as believing the tenor of the
+gospel and new covenant.</p>
+<p>7. By thy hope, which appeareth by thy not despairing, and
+giving over the matter as a hopeless business, and turning aside to
+wicked courses.</p>
+<p>8. By thy praying, when thou criest to him continually for help,
+who only can help.</p>
+<p>9. By thy wrestling and standing against all opposition, for
+thereby is his strength made perfect in thy weakness, 2 Cor. xii.
+9.</p>
+<p>10. By thine obedience; for it is his command that thou stand
+and fight this good fight of faith.</p>
+<p>So that if thou hast a desire to glorify him, thou wants not
+occasion to do it, even in this condition wherein thou complainest
+that thou cannot get him glorified. And if those grounds do not
+satisfy thee, it is to be feared that it is not so much a desire to
+glorify him, that moveth thee to cry so earnestly for actual
+delivery from the trouble of the flesh and the lusts thereof, as
+something else, which thou may search after and find out; such as
+love to ease, quietness, applause and commendation of others, or
+the like.</p>
+<p>But, in the <i>third</i> place, it may be objected, is it not
+promised that sin shall not have dominion over us, as "not being
+under the law, but under grace," Rom. vi. 14. How can we then but
+be troubled, when we find not this promise made good?</p>
+<p>I answer, 1st, Sin is not always victorious and domineering,
+when it seemeth to rage and stir most. Your opposition thereunto,
+fighting and wrestling against it, sheweth that it hath not full
+dominion. So long as an invading usurper is opposed, he hath not
+full dominion, not having peaceable possession of what he is
+seeking; and thus the promise is in part accomplished.</p>
+<p>2. Victory and a full conquest over the flesh, and lusts
+thereof, is not promised to any believer, at his first appearing in
+the fields to fight; nor granted to all in any measure, at their
+first putting on their armour.</p>
+<p>3. Therefore it is thy part to fight on, and wait for that full
+victory, viz. that sin shall not have dominion over thee, for it
+shall come in due time.</p>
+<p>4. God hath his own time and seasons wherein he accomplisheth
+his promises; and we must leave him a latitude, both as to the time
+when, and as to the manner how, and as to the degree in which he
+shall make good his promises; and he is wise in his
+dispensations.</p>
+<p>Therefore, though the promise as yet appeareth not to be
+accomplished, there is no true cause of trouble of mind, because it
+shall be afterward fully accomplished; and the wrestling against
+sin, saith that it is in great measure accomplished already;
+because where it hath a full dominion, it suppresseth all
+opposition or contradiction, except some faint resistance, which a
+natural conscience, for carnal ends, on carnal principles and
+grounds, may, now or then, make against this or that particular
+corruption, which occasioneth shame, disgrace, loss, challenges of
+a carnal conscience, and disquietness that way, when yet it is not
+hated nor wrestled against as sin, or as a member of the old man,
+and the body of death. The objector would consider, that having
+subjected his consent to Christ, he is delivered really from that
+natural state of bondage under sin as a lawful lord, howbeit the
+old tyrant, now wanting a title, is making new invasions, to
+trouble the peace and quiet of the soul.</p>
+<p><i>Fourthly,</i> It may be said, but what can then, in the mean
+time, keep up the heart of a poor soul from sinking?</p>
+<p><i>Ans.</i> Several things, if rightly considered, might help to
+support the soul in this case, as,</p>
+<p>1. That they are helped to wrestle against this body of death,
+in all the members of it, so soon as they discover themselves, were
+it their right eye and right hand.</p>
+<p>2. That these lusts gain not ground upon them; or if they do
+seem to gain ground, yet they attain not to a full dominion, not
+gaining their consent.</p>
+<p>3. That God is faithful, and therefore the promised victory
+shall be had in due time, and Satan's head shall certainly be
+bruised.</p>
+<p>4. That the wrestling soul is about his duty, carrying as a good
+soldier of Jesus Christ, fighting the battles of the Lord, and
+waiting on him in faith and hope.</p>
+<p>But further, <i>fifthly,</i> some may say, If I were kept from
+yielding, my wrestling and standing would yield me some comfort;
+but when lust so stirreth, as that it conceiveth and bringeth forth
+sin, (James i. 15,) what can support or comfort me then?</p>
+<p><i>Ans.</i> 1. Corruption cannot stir in us, but therein we sin,
+for the very first rise, the <i>motus primo-primi</i>, as they are
+called, are sinful, being contrary to the holy law of God; and the
+very in-being of that old man is our sin; for it is sinful, and
+rebellious against God, yea it is very enmity and rebellion itself.
+When Satan cometh with a temptation from without, he findeth always
+much in us to entertain the temptation. So that the very stirring
+of corruption, which is occasioned by the temptation from without,
+is our guilt.</p>
+<p>2. It is true it is our duty, to set against the first risings
+and motions of corruption, when it first enticeth, before it hath
+conceived or brought forth sin; and it will argue grace in life and
+in action, to be able to hinder the motions of lust so far, that it
+shall not conceive and bring forth sin. Yet we may not say, that
+there is no grace in the soul, or no measure of mortification
+attained, where lust sometimes not only enticeth, but conceiveth
+and bringeth forth sin. The sad experience of many of God's
+worthies, registrated in the word, cleareth this abundantly. We
+must not say, such an one is fallen, therefore he is dead. Paul
+reasoneth otherways, Rom. vii.</p>
+<p>3. Yet even then, when lust conceiveth and bringeth forth sin,
+this may comfort and bear up the heart of a poor believer. (1.)
+That though corruption prevail so far, as to bear down all
+opposition, and run down all that standeth in its way, yet it
+getteth not the full consent of the soul: there is still a party
+for God in the soul, that opposeth so far as to protest against it,
+or at least to dissent from it, and not to will that which yet is
+done, and positively to will that which cannot be gotten
+effectuated, (2.) And further, this may bear up the poor soul, that
+there is a party within, which, though for a time, during the
+violent overrunning of corruption, can do little more than sigh and
+groan in a corner, yet is waiting and longing for an opportunity
+when it may appear more for God, and against that wicked usurper.
+(3.)So also this may comfort the poor soul, that as it perceiveth
+corruption stirring, and the old man moving one member or other, it
+runneth away to the king; and when it is not able to apprehend the
+traitor, and take him captive to the court of justice, doth there
+discover the traitor, and tell the king that there is such or such
+a traitor acting such and such rebellion against him and his laws,
+and complain and seek help to take the rebel prisoner, and bring
+him bound hand and foot to the king, that he may give out sentence
+against him; that is, when he can do no more against that raging
+enemy, maketh his complaint to the Lord, and lieth before him,
+sighing and groaning for help and strength to withstand and oppose
+more this enemy.</p>
+<p><i>Lastly,</i> Some may yet object, and say, If it were not
+worse with me than it is with others, I could then be satisfied;
+but I see some mightily prevailing over corruption, and I am still
+at under, and can get no victory; and can I choose but be sad at
+this?</p>
+<p>I answer, 1. Dost thou know for a certainty, that those persons
+whose condition thou judgest happy, are altogether free of the
+inward stirrings of those lusts that thou art brought under by? Or
+dost thou know for a certainty that they are not under the power of
+some other corruption, as thou thinkest thyself under the power of
+that corruption whereof thou complainest? What knowest thou, then,
+but they may be as much complaining on other accounts as thou dost
+on that?</p>
+<p>2. But be it so as thou supposeth, that there is a difference
+betwixt thy condition and the condition of others, knowest thou
+not, that all the members of the body are not alike great and
+strong, as not being equally to be employed in work requiring
+strength. Are there not some young strong men in Christ's family,
+and some that are but babes? May not a captain send some of his
+soldiers to one post, where they shall possibly not see the enemy
+all the day long, and some others to another post, where they shall
+have no rest all the day? And why, I pray, may not God dispose of
+his soldiers as he will? He knoweth what he is doing: It is not
+safe that every one of the soldiers know what are the designs of
+the commander or general; nor is it always fit for us to know or to
+inquire what may be the designs of God with us, and what he may be
+about to do. He may intend to employ one in greater works than
+another, and so exercise them otherways for that warfare and work.
+It may suffice that the prevailing of others may encourage thee to
+hope, that at last thy strong corruptions shall also fall by the
+hand of the grace of God.</p>
+<p>3. If thy sadness savour not of envy and fretting, thou should
+bless him that hereby thou art put to the exercise of spiritual
+sorrow.</p>
+<p>4. It is well if this bring thee to bless God for the success of
+others, because hereby his grace is glorified, 1 Cor. xii. 26.</p>
+<p>Therefore, 5. Let this satisfy us, That he is the Lord, who
+doeth what he will in heaven and in earth, and may dispose of us as
+he will, and make of us what he will, for his own glory. And that
+we are to mind our duty, and be faithful at our post, standing and
+fighting in the strength of the Lord, resolving never to comply
+with the enemy, and to rejoice in this, that the enemy is already
+conquered by the captain, and that we share in his victory, and
+that the very God of peace shall quickly bruise Satan under our
+feet, Rom. xvi. 20.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_VII." id="CHAPTER_VII."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2>
+<br>
+<h4>HOW CHRIST IS TO BE MADE USE OF, IN REFERENCE TO GROWING IN
+GRACE.</h4>
+<p>I come now to speak a little to the other part of
+sanctification, which concerneth the change of our nature and
+frame, and is called vivification, or quickening of the new man of
+grace; which is called the new man, as having all its several
+members and parts, as well as the old man; and called new, because
+posterior to the other; and after regeneration is upon the growing
+hand, this duty of growing in grace, as it is called, 2 Pet. iii.
+&amp;c. is variously expressed and held forth to us in Scripture;
+for it is called "an abiding and bringing forth fruit in Christ,"
+John xv. 5; "adding to faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge," 2
+Pet. i. 5, 6, 7; "a going on to perfection," Heb. vii. 1; "a
+growing up in Christ in all things," Eph. iv. 15; "a working out
+our salvation," Phil. ii. 12; "a perfecting of holiness," 2 Cor.
+vii. 1; "a walking in newness of life," Rom. vi. 4; "a yielding of
+ourselves unto God, as alive from the dead, and our members as
+instruments of righteousness unto God," Rom. vi. 13, 18; "a
+bringing forth fruit unto God," Rom, vii. 4; "a serving in newness
+of spirit," Rom. vii. 6; "a being renewed in the spirit of our
+minds, and a putting on the new man, which after God is created in
+righteousness and true holiness," Eph. iv. 23,24. Col. iii. 10, and
+the like: some whereof do more immediately express the nature of
+this change, as to the root, and some as to the fruit and effects
+thereof, and some the progress and advancement that is made or to
+be made therein. And all of them point out a special piece of work,
+which lieth on all that would see the face of God, viz. to be holy,
+gracious, and growing in grace.</p>
+<p>This, then, being a special piece of the exercise and daily work
+of a Christian, and it being certain, as some of the places now
+cited do also affirm, that without Christ they cannot get this work
+either begun or carried on, the main difficulty and question is,
+How they are to make use of Christ for this end?</p>
+<p>For answer whereunto, though by what we have said in our former
+discourse, it may be easy to gather what is to be said here; yet I
+shall briefly put the reader in mind of those things, as useful
+here.</p>
+<p>1. The believer would consider what an ornament this is to the
+soul, to have on this new man, which is created after the image of
+God, Eph. iv. 23. What an excellency lieth here, to recover that
+lost glory, holiness and the image of God? and what advantage the
+soul reapeth hereby, when it "is made meet to be a partaker of the
+inheritance of the saints in light," Col. i. 12; "and walking
+worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good
+work, and increasing in the knowledge of God," Col. i. 10; "and
+strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto
+all patience and long-suffering, with joyfulness," ver. 11; and
+when the abounding of the graces of the Spirit maketh them "that
+they shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our
+Lord Jesus Christ," 2 Pet. i. 8; "and to be a vessel unto honour,
+sanctified, and meet for the Master's use, and prepared unto every
+work," 2 Tim. ii. 21. What glory and peace is here, to be found
+obedient unto the many commands given to be holy: what hazard is in
+the want of holiness, when without it we cannot see God, Heb. xii.
+14: how unanswerable it is unto our profession, who are members to
+such a holy head, to be unholy: what profit, joy, and satisfaction
+there is, in being temples of the Holy Ghost, in walking after the
+Spirit, in bringing forth fruit unto the glory of the Father,
+&amp;c. The consideration of these and other motives unto this
+study of sanctification, would arm the soul with resolution, and
+harden it against opposition.</p>
+<p>2. It would be remembered, that this work, though it be laid
+upon us, as our duty, and we be called thereunto of God, yet it is
+beyond our hand and power. It is true, at conversion, the seed of
+grace is cast into the soul, new habits are infused, a new
+principle of life is given, the stony heart is changed into an
+heart of flesh; yet these principles and habits cannot act in
+themselves, or be brought into act, by any thing that a believer,
+considered in himself, and without divine help, can do. But this
+work of sanctification and growth in grace must be carried on by
+divine help, by the Spirit of Jesus dwelling and working within;
+and therefore it is called the sanctification of the Spirit, 2
+Thess. ii. 13. 1 Pet. i. 2. The God of peace must sanctify us, I
+Thess. v. 23. We are said to be sanctified by God the Father, Jude
+1.; and by the Holy Ghost, Rom. xv. 16; see also 1 Cor. vi. 11. "We
+would remember that of ourselves we can do nothing," 2 Cor. iii. 5,
+and "that he must work in us both to will and to do of his own good
+pleasure," Phil. ii. 13. Albeit no believer will question the truth
+of this; yet it may be, it shall be found after trial, that one
+main cause of their not growing in grace, and making progress in
+this work, is their not acting as believing this, but setting about
+the work, as if it were a work which they themselves could master
+and do without special divine help. Therefore the believer would
+abide, live, and act, in the faith of this truth.</p>
+<p>3. Therefore believers would not, in going about this work,
+either trust to their own strength, to the habits of grace, to
+their former experiences, to their knowledge and parts, or the
+like; nor yet would they trust to any external mean, which they are
+to go about; because the wisdom, strength, and help, which their
+case calleth for, is not to be found in them; yet they should not
+think of laying these means and duties aside, for then should they
+sin against God; they should prejudge themselves of the help,
+strength, and supply, which God useth to convey to the soul, in and
+by the use of the means. And withal, they should tempt the Lord, by
+prescribing another way to him than he hath thought good to take.
+The believer, then, would use the means and duties prescribed, and
+that diligently, seriously, and constantly; and yet would lean as
+little to them, and expect help and relief as little from them, as
+if he were not using them at all, as we said above. And indeed this
+would be a right way; yea, the most advantageous and profitable
+way, of going about duties, to be diligent in the use of them,
+because of God's command, and yet to place our hope and expectation
+in God alone, and to look above the ordinances for our help.</p>
+<p>4. Albeit it be true that the power and grace of God alone, doth
+begin and carry on this work of sanctification in the soul: yet
+though he might, did he but see it for his glory, carry on and
+finish this work in the soul, without the intervention of second
+causes or means, he hath notwithstanding thought it fit, for the
+glory of his name, to work this work by means, and particularly by
+believers setting about the work. He worketh not in man as if he
+were a block or a stone, but useth him as a rational creature,
+endued with a rational soul, having useful and necessary faculties,
+and a body fired by organs to be subservient to the soul in its
+actions. Therefore the believer must not think to lie by and do
+nothing, for he is commanded to work out his own salvation, and
+that because it is God that worketh in him both to will and to do.
+Because God worketh all, therefore he should work; so reasoneth the
+apostle. So that God's working is an argument and motive to the man
+to work, and not an argument to him to lie by idle and do nothing.
+And here is the holy art and divine skill requisite in this
+business, to wit, for the believer to be as diligent and active as
+if he could bring forth fruit in his own strength, and by his own
+working; and yet to be as abstracted from himself, his own grace,
+ability, knowledge, experience, in his working, as if he were lying
+by like a mere block, and only moving as moved by external
+force.</p>
+<p>5. The soul that would make progress in Christianity, and grow
+in grace, would remember that Christ is proposed to us as a copy,
+which we are to imitate, and that therefore we should set Christ
+continually before us as our pattern, that we may follow his steps,
+1 Pet. i. 15, and ii. 21. But withal it would be remembered, that
+he is not like other ensamples or copies, that can help the man
+that imitateth them in no other way than by their objective
+prospect; for looking by faith on this copy, will bring virtue to
+the man that studieth to imitate, whereby he shall be enabled to
+follow his copy better. O! if we knew in experience what this were,
+to take a look of Christ's love, patience, long-suffering,
+meekness, hatred of sin, zeal, &amp;c, and by faith to pore in,
+till, by virtue proceeding from that copy, we found our hearts in
+some measure framed into the same disposition, or at least more
+inclined to be cast into the same mould!</p>
+<p>6. The believer would act faith on Christ, as the head of the
+body, and as the stock in which the branches are ingrafted, and
+thereby suck sap, and life, and strength from him, that he may
+work, walk, and grow, as becometh a Christian. The believer must
+grow up in him, being a branch in him, and must bring forth fruit
+in him, as the forementioned places clear. Now, Christ himself
+tells us, that the branches cannot bring forth fruit, except they
+abide in the vine; and that no more can his disciples bring forth,
+except they abide in him, John xv. Therefore, as it is by faith
+that the soul, as a branch, is united to Christ, as the vine; and
+as it is by faith that they abide in him; so it is by faith that
+they must bring forth fruit; and this faith must grip Christ as the
+vine, and the stock or root from which cometh sap, life, and
+strength. Faith, then, must look to Christ as the fountain of
+furniture&mdash;as the head from whence cometh all the influences
+of strength and motion. Christ hath strength and life enough to
+give out, for "the fulness of the Godhead dwelleth in him bodily;"
+and he is also willing enough to communicate of his fulness, as the
+relations he hath taken on do witness. The head will not grudge to
+give to the members of the body, spirits for action and motion; nor
+will a vine grudge to give sap into the branches. Nay, life,
+strength, and furniture will, as it were, natively flow out of
+Christ unto believers, except they, through unbelief, and other
+distempers, cause obstructions; as life and sap doth natively and
+kindly flow from the root to the branches, or from the head to the
+members, unless obstructions stop the passage. It is necessary,
+therefore, that believers eye Christ under these and the like
+relations, and look upon him as standing, (so to speak,) obliged by
+his place and relation, to grant strength and influences of life,
+whereby they may become fruitful in every good work; and so with
+holy, humble, and allowed boldness, press in faith for new
+communications of grace, virtue, strength, courage, activity, and
+what else they need; for, from the head, all the body, by joints
+and bands, having nourishment ministered, increaseth with the
+increase of God. Col. ii. 19. Eph. iv. 16.</p>
+<p>7. For this cause believers would lie open to the influences of
+Christ, and guard against the putting of obstructions in the way,
+through grieving of the Spirit, by which he conveyeth and
+communicateth those influences unto the soul; and through
+questioning and misbelieving Christ's faithfulness and unchangeable
+willingness, which as a violent humour stoppeth the passage. So
+then believers would lie open by looking and waiting, drawing,
+seeking from him what they need, and by guarding against every
+thing that may provoke the Lord to anger, whether in omission or
+commission. Here is requisite, an holy, humble, sober, and watchful
+walk; an earnest, serious, and hungry looking out to him, and a
+patient waiting for supply and furniture from him. This is to open
+the mouth wide that he may fill it; to lie before the Sun of
+Righteousness, that the beams thereof may beat upon them, and warm
+and revive them; and to wait as a beggar at this King's gate, till
+he give the alms.</p>
+<p>8. For the strengthening their hope and faith in this, they
+would lay hold upon Christ dying, and by his death purchasing all
+those influences of life and strength which are requisite for
+carrying on the work of grace and sanctification in the soul. For
+we must be "blessed in Christ with all spiritual blessings," Eph.
+i. 3. The believer, then, would look upon these influences, as
+purchased at a dear rate, by the blood of Jesus Christ; so that the
+divine power giveth unto us all things that pertain unto life and
+godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to
+glory and virtue, 2 Peter i. 3. And this will encourage the soul to
+wait on, and expect the flowing down of influences, and spiritual
+blessings and showers of grace, to cause the soul to flourish and
+become fruitful, and to urge and press more earnestly by faith the
+bestowing of the purchased benefits.</p>
+<p>9. Moreover, the believer would look on Jesus as standing
+engaged and obliged to carry on this work, both receiving them as
+for this end, from the Father. Hence we are said "to be chosen in
+him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy,"
+&amp;c. Eph. i. 4; and as dying for them. For he gave himself for
+the church, that he might sanctify and cleanse it, that he might
+present it to himself a glorious church, that it should be holy,
+Eph. v. 25-27. He hath reconciled them, in the body of his flesh,
+through death, to present them holy, Col. i. 2, 22. So that the
+noble covenant of redemption may found the certain hope and
+expectation of the believer, upon a double account: (1.) Upon the
+account of the Father's faithfulness, who promised a seed to Jesus,
+viz. such as should be his children, and so be sanctified through
+him, and that the pleasure of the Lord, which in part is the work
+of sanctification, should prosper in his hand. And, (2.) Upon the
+account of Christ's undertaking and engaging, as is said, to bring
+his sons and daughters to glory, which must be thought
+sanctification; for without holiness no man shall see God. And they
+must look like himself, who is a holy head, a holy husband, a holy
+captain; and therefore they must be holy members, a holy spouse,
+and holy soldiers. So that he standeth engaged to sanctify them by
+his Spirit and word, and therefore is called the sanctifier, Heb.
+ii. 11; "for both he that sanctifieth, and they who are sanctified,
+are all one." Yea, their union with Christ layeth the foundation of
+this; for "being joined to the Lord, they become one Spirit," 1
+Cor. vi. 17, and are animated and quickened by one and the same
+Spirit of life and grace, and therefore must be sanctified by that
+Spirit.</p>
+<p>10. The believer likewise would act faith upon the promises of
+the new covenant, of grace, strength, life, &amp;c, whereby they
+shall walk in his ways, have God's laws put into their minds, and
+wrote in their hearts, Heb. viii. 10. Jer. xxxi. 33; and of the new
+heart, and new spirit, and the heart of flesh, and the Spirit
+within them, to cause them walk in his ways or statutes, and keep
+his judgments, and do them, Ezek. xxxvi. 26, 27, and the like,
+wherewith the Scripture aboundeth; because these are all given over
+to the believer by way of testament and legacy, Christ becoming the
+Mediator of the New Testament, that by means of death, for the
+redemption of the transgressions that were under the first
+testament, they which are called might receive the promise of
+eternal inheritance, Heb. ix. 15. Now, Christ, by his death, hath
+confirmed this testament; "for where a testament is, there must
+also of necessity be the death of the testator; for a testament is
+of force after men are dead," vers. 16, 17. Christ, then, dying to
+make the testament of force, hath made the legacy of the promises
+sure unto the believer; so that now all the "promises are yea and
+amen in Christ," 2 Cor. i. 20. "He was made a minister of
+circumcision to confirm the promises made to the fathers," Rom. xv.
+8. That the eyeing of these promises by faith is a noble mean to
+sanctification, is clear, by what the apostle saith, 2 Cor. vii. 1,
+"Having therefore these promises, let us cleanse ourselves;
+perfecting holiness in the fear of God." And it is by faith that
+those promises must be received, Heb. xi. 33: So that the believer
+that would grow in grace, would eye Christ, the fundamental
+promise, the testator establishing the testament, and the executor
+or dispensator of the covenant, and expect the good things through
+him, and from him, through the conduit and channel of the
+promises.</p>
+<p>11. Yet further, believers would eye Christ in his resurrection,
+as a public person, and so look on themselves, and reckon
+themselves as rising virtually in and with him, and take the
+resurrection of Christ as a certain pawn and pledge of their
+sanctification; for so reasoneth the apostle, Rom. vi. 4, 5, 11,
+13. "We are buried," says he, "with him by baptism unto death; that
+like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the
+Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life:
+For&mdash;we shall be also planted in the likeness of his
+resurrection; and if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we
+shall also live with him:&mdash;therefore reckon ye also yourselves
+to be&mdash;alive unto God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, and
+yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead,
+and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God." The
+right improving of this ground would be of noble advantage to the
+student of holiness: for then he might with strong confidence
+conclude, that the work of sanctification should prosper in his
+hand; for he may now look upon himself as "quickened together with
+Christ," Eph. ii. 5. Christ dying and rising, as a public person,
+and he by faith being now joined with him, and united to him.</p>
+<p>12. Moreover this resurrection of Christ may yield us another
+ground of hope and confidence in this work; for there is mention
+made of the power of his resurrection, Phil. iii. 10. So that by
+faith we may draw strength and virtue from Christ, as an arisen and
+quickened head, whereby we also may live unto God, and bring forth
+fruit unto him, and serve no more in the oldness of the letter,
+"but in the newness of the Spirit," Rom. vii. 4, 6. He was
+quickened as a head, and when the head is quickened, the members
+cannot but look for some communication of life therefrom, and to
+live in the strength of the life of the head: see Col. iii. 1,
+2.</p>
+<p>13. Faith may and should also look to Christ, as an intercessor
+with the Father. For this particular, John xvii. 17, "Sanctify them
+through thy truth, thy Word is truth:" and this will add to their
+confidence, that the work shall go on; for Christ was always heard
+of the Father, John xi. 41, 42, and so will be in his prayer, which
+was not put up for the few disciples alone.</p>
+<p>The believer then would eye Christ as engaging to the Father to
+begin and perfect this work; as dying to purchase the good things
+promised, and to confirm the same; as quickened, and rising as head
+and public person, to ensure this work, and to bestow and actually
+confer the graces requisite; and as praying also for the Father's
+concurrence, and cast the burden of the work on him by faith,
+knowing that he standeth obliged, by his place and relation to his
+people, to bear all their burthens, to work all their works in
+them, to perfect his own work that he hath begun in them, to
+present them to himself at last a holy bride, to give them the
+Spirit "to dwell in them," Rom. viii. 9, 11 "and to quicken their
+mortal bodies," ver. 11, "and to lead them," ver. 14; "till at
+length they be crowned, and brought forward to glory." This is to
+live by faith, when Christ liveth, acteth, and worketh in us by his
+Spirit, Gal. ii. 20. Thus Christ dwelleth in the heart by faith;
+and by this his people become rooted and grounded in love, which is
+a cardinal grace; and knowing the love of Christ, which passeth
+knowledge, they become filled with all the fulness of God, Eph.
+iii. 17, 19. So that the believer is to commit by faith the work to
+Christ, and leave the stress of all the business on him who is
+their life. Yet the believer must not think he is to do nothing, or
+to lay aside the means of ordinances, but using these diligently,
+would in them commit the matter to Christ, and by faith roll the
+whole work on him, expecting, upon the ground of his relations,
+engagements, promises, beginnings, &amp;c., that he will certainly
+perfect the work, (Phil. i. 6,) and take it well off their hands,
+and be well pleased with them for putting the work in his hands,
+and leaving it on him "who is made of God to us
+sanctification."</p>
+<br>
+<p>CAUTIONS.</p>
+<p>As in the former part, so here it will not be amiss to give a
+few words of caution, for preventing of mistakes.</p>
+<p>1. We would beware of thinking that perfection can be attained
+here: the perfect man and measure of the stature of the fulness of
+Christ is but coming, and till then the body will be a perfecting
+and edifying, through the work of the ministry, Eph. iv. 12, 13.
+Believers must not think of sitting down on any measure of grace
+which they attain to here; but they must be growing in grace, going
+from strength to strength, till they appear in the upper Zion with
+the apostle, Phil. iii. 13. "Forgetting those things that are
+behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, they
+must press toward the mark, for the prize of the high calling of
+God in Christ Jesus." It must then be a dreadful delusion for any
+to think that they can reach to such a degree of perfection here,
+as not to stand in need of the ordinance any more. Let all
+believers live in the constant conviction of their shortcoming, and
+be humbled, and so work out their salvation with fear and
+trembling.</p>
+<p>2. Nor should every believer expect one and the same measure of
+holiness, nor can it be expected with reason that all shall advance
+here to the same height of sanctity; for every part of the body
+hath its own measure, and an effectual working in that measure: and
+so every joint of the body supplieth less or more, according to its
+proportion, and contributeth to the increase of the body, and to
+the edifying of itself in love, as the apostle clearly sheweth,
+Eph. iv. 16. As in the natural body the diversity of functions and
+uses of the members requireth diversity of furniture and strength,
+so in the mystical body of Christ the members have not all alike
+measure, but each hath his proper distinct measure, according to
+his place and usefulness in the body. Believers then would learn
+much sobriety here and submission, knowing that God may dispense
+his graces as he will, and give them to each member in what measure
+he thinketh good: only they would take heed, that their poverty and
+leanness be not occasioned through their own carelessness and
+negligence, in not plying the means of grace with that faithfulness
+and single dependence on Christ that they ought.</p>
+<p>3. It would be remembered, that there may be some progress made
+in the way of holiness, when yet the believer may apprehend no such
+thing; not only because the measure of the growth may be so small
+and indiscernible, but also because even where the growth in itself
+is discernible, the Lord may think it good, for wise ends, to hide
+it from their eyes, that they may be kept humble and diligent;
+whereas, if they saw how matters stood indeed with them, they might
+(without a new degree of grace) swell and be puffed up, yea, even
+forget God, and misken themselves and others too. Likewise this may
+proceed from such an earnest desire after more, that they forget
+any measure they have gotten, and so despise the day of small
+things.</p>
+<p>4. There may be a great progress in holiness, though not in that
+particular which the believer is most eyeing to his sense and
+apprehension: for when he thinks he is not growing in love to and
+zeal for God, &amp;c, he may be growing in humility, which is also
+a member of the new man of grace; and when he can perceive no
+growth in knowledge, there may be a growth in affection and
+tenderness. And if the work be carried on in any joint or member,
+it decayeth in none, though it may be better apprehended in one
+than another.</p>
+<p>5. There may be much holiness, where the believer is complaining
+of the want of fruits, when under that dispensation of the Lord
+towards him, he is made to stoop before the Most High, to put his
+mouth in the dust, if so be there may be hope, and pleasantly to
+submit to God's wise ordering, without grudging or quarrelling with
+God for what he doth, and to accept sweetly the punishment of his
+iniquity, if he see guilt lying at the root of this dispensation.
+Where there is a silent submission to the sovereign and only wise
+disposing hand of God, and the man is saying, if he will not have
+me to be a fruitful tree in his garden, nor to grow and flourish as
+the palm-tree, let me be a shrub, only let me be kept within the
+precincts of his garden, that his eye may be upon me for good; let
+me abide within his courts, that I may behold his countenance,
+there is grace, and no small measure of grace. To be an hired
+servant is much, Luke xv. 19.</p>
+<p>6. But withal, it would be observed, that this gracious frame of
+soul, that is silent before God, under several disappointments, is
+accompanied with much singleness of heart, in panting after more
+holiness, and with seriousness and diligence in all commanded
+duties, waiting upon the Lord, who is their hope and their
+salvation in each of them, and with mourning for their own sinful
+accession to that shortcoming in their expectations.</p>
+<p>7. We would not think that there is no progress in Christianity,
+or growth in grace, because it cometh not our way, or by the
+instruments and means that we must expect it by. Possibly we are
+too fond on some instruments and means that we prefer to others;
+and we think, if ever we get good, it must be that way, and by that
+means, be it private or public: and God may give a proof of his
+sovereignty, and check us for our folly, by taking another way. He
+would not be found of the bride, neither by her seeking of him
+secretly on her bed by night; nor more publicly, by going about the
+city, in the streets and broad ways; nor by the means of the
+watchmen, Cant. iii. 1, 2, 3.</p>
+<p>8. Nor would we think that there is no growth in the work of
+grace, because it cometh not at such or such prelimited or fore-set
+time; nor would we think the matter desperate, because of our
+looking long, and waiting, and asking, and labouring, and yet
+seeing no sensible advantage. Such and such a believer, saith the
+soul, made great progress in a short time, but I come no speed, for
+as long as I have been at this school. O! we should beware of
+limiting the Holy One of Israel. Let us be at duty, and commit the
+event to him.</p>
+<p>9. It is not a fit time to take the measure of our graces, as to
+their sensible growth and fruitfulness, when devils are broken
+loose upon us; temptations are multiplied, corruptions make a great
+noise, and we are meeting with a horrible tempest shaking us on all
+hands: for it will be strong grace that will much appear then; it
+will be strong faith that will say, Though he kill me, yet will I
+trust in him. At such a time it will be much if the man keep the
+ground he hath gained, though he make no progress. It will be much
+for a tree to stand, and not to be blown out of the ground, in the
+time of a strong and vehement storm, of wind, though it keep not
+its flourishes and yield not fruit The trees, which in a cold
+winter day bear neither leaves nor fruit, must not be said to go
+back, nor not to grow; because when the spring cometh again, they
+may revive and be as fruitful as ever.</p>
+<p>10. We would not always measure our graces by what appeareth
+outwardly; for there may be some accidental occurrence that may
+hinder that, and yet grace be at work within doors, which few or
+none can observe. The believer may be in a sweet and gracious
+frame, blushing before the Lord, yea, melting in love, or taken up
+with spiritual meditations and wondering, when as to some external
+duties, it can find no present disposition, through some accidental
+impediment or other, so that to some, who judge most by outward
+appearance, no such things as the active working of grace in life
+can appear.</p>
+<p>11. We would think it no small measure or degree of holiness, to
+be with singleness of heart pursuing it, even though it should seem
+to flee from us; to be earnestly panting after it, and hungering
+and thirsting for it. Nehemiah thought this no small thing, when he
+said, Neh. i. 11, "O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be
+attentive to the prayer of thy servants who desire to fear thy
+name."</p>
+<p>12. Whatever measure of holiness the believer win to, he would
+take special heed that he place no part of his confidence of his
+being accepted and justified before God in it, as if that could
+come in any part of the price to satisfy justice: but when he hath
+done all, let him call and account himself an unprofitable servant.
+Though believers will not be so gross as to speak thus, yet sure
+their justifying of their holding a-back from God, because they
+find not such a measure of grace and holiness as they would have,
+looketh too much this way, and saith, that they lean too much
+hereunto in the matter of the acceptance of their persons before
+God. Now this should be specially guarded against, lest their
+labour be in vain.</p>
+<br>
+<p>OBJECTIONS ANSWERED.</p>
+<p>An objection or two must here also be removed. And 1. Some may
+say, that though they have been labouring, and striving, and
+working now for some long time, yet they can perceive no
+advancement; they are as far short as ever.</p>
+<p><i>Ans</i>. Hath it not been found, that some have complained
+without cause? Have not some complained of their unfruitfulness and
+want of growth, that other good Christians would have thought
+themselves very happy, if they had but advanced half so far as they
+saw them to have done?</p>
+<p>But be it so, as it is alleged, what if the fault be their own?
+What if the cause of this be, that they attempt things in their own
+strength, leaning to their own understanding, or habits of grace,
+or means, &amp;c., and that they do not go about duties with that
+single dependence on Christ that is requisite, nor do they suck
+life, strength, and sap from him, by faith through the promises,
+nor give themselves up to him by faith, that he may work in them
+both to will and to do. Should not this be seen, mourned for, and
+helped?</p>
+<p>3. If all this shortcoming and disappointment cause them lie in
+the dust, and humble themselves more and more before the Lord, the
+grace of humiliation is growing, and that is no small advantage, to
+be growing downward.</p>
+<p>4. Withal, they would do well to hold on in duty, looking to
+Christ for help, and rolling all difficulties on him, give
+themselves away to him, as their head and Lord, and so continue
+their life of faith, or their consenting to let Christ live in them
+by faith, or work in them by his Spirit what is well-pleasing in
+his sight, and wait for the blessing and fruit in God's own
+time.</p>
+<p><i>Next</i>, It will be objected, Though we might wait thus, yet
+how unedifying are we unto others, when there appeareth no fruit of
+the spirit of grace in us.</p>
+<p><i>Ans</i>. A Christian behaviour and deportment under the sense
+of fruitlessness, expressing an holy submission of soul unto God,
+as sovereign, much humility of mind before him, justifying of God,
+and taking guilt to themselves, with a firm resolution, to wait on
+patiently in the use of means appointed, cannot but be edifying to
+Christian souls; such exercises being really the works and fruit of
+the spirit of grace working within.</p>
+<p>But, <i>thirdly</i>, some may say, How then are the promises of
+the covenant made good?</p>
+<p><i>Ans</i>. 1. The same measure of sanctification and holiness
+is not promised to all.</p>
+<p>2. No great measure is promised to any absolutely. So much
+indeed is secured to all believers as shall carry them to heaven,
+as without which they cannot see God. But much as to the degree
+depends on our performing through faith the conditions requisite,
+to wit, on condition of our abiding in the vine, of our acting
+faith on him, &amp;c.; and when these and the like conditions are
+not faithfully performed by us, what can we expect? So the Lord
+hath appointed a way wherein he will be found, and will have us to
+wait for strength and influence from him; and if we neglect these
+means which he hath appointed, how can we expect the good which he
+hath promised in the use of these means?</p>
+<p>3. The Lord has his own time of making good all his promises,
+and we must not limit him to a day.</p>
+<p>4. Hereby the Lord may be trying and exercising thy faith,
+patience, hope, dependence, submission, diligence, &amp;c., and "if
+these be in thee, and abound, they shall make that thou shalt
+neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus
+Christ," 2 Pet. i. 11.</p>
+<p>But <i>lastly</i>, It will be inquired, what can support the
+believing soul in this case?</p>
+<p><i>Ans</i>. 1. The consideration and faith of the covenant of
+redemption, wherein both the Father's engagement of the Son, and
+the Son's engagement to the Father, secureth grace and holiness,
+and salvation to the believer. And whatever we be, they will be
+true to each other,&mdash;our unbelief will not make the faith of
+God of none effect.</p>
+<p>2. The consideration of the noble and faithful promises
+contained in the covenant of grace, which shall all be made good in
+due time.</p>
+<p>3. If we be humbled under the sense of our failings and
+shortcomings, and made to mourn before the Lord, stirred up to more
+diligence and seriousness, that may yield comfort to our soul. If
+we be growing in humility, godly sorrow, repentance, diligence, and
+be gripping faster by faith to the root, we want not ground of joy
+and support; for if that be, we cannot want fruit.</p>
+<p>4. It should be matter of joy and thanksgiving, that the
+believer is kept from turning his back on the way of God, and kept
+with his face still Zion-ward. Though he make but little progress,
+yet he is still looking forward, and creeping as he may, waiting at
+God's door, begging and asking, studying, labouring, and
+endeavouring for strength to go faster.</p>
+<p>5. It is no small matter of peace and comfort, if we be kept
+from fretting, grudging and repining at the Lord's dispensations
+with us, and be taught to sit silent in the dust, adoring his
+sovereignty, and ascribing no iniquity to our Maker.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_VIII." id="CHAPTER_VIII."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2>
+<br>
+<h4>HOW TO MAKE USE OF CHRIST FOR TAKING THE GUILT OF OUR DAILY
+OUT-BREAKINGS AWAY.</h4>
+<p>The next part of our sanctification is in reference to our daily
+failings and transgressions, committed partly through the violence
+of temptations, as we see in David and Peter, and other eminent men
+of God; partly through daily infirmities, because of our weakness
+and imperfections; for, "in many things we offend all," James iii.
+2; and, "if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the
+truth is not in us," 1 John i. 8; "a righteous man falleth seven
+times," Prov. xxiv. 16; "there is not a just man upon earth, that
+doeth good and sinneth not," Eccl. vii. 20; and Solomon further
+saith, 1 Kings viii. 46, "That there is no man that sinneth not."
+This being so, the question is, how Christ is to be made use of,
+for taking these away.</p>
+<p>For satisfaction to this, it would be considered, that in those
+daily out breakings there are two things to be noticed.
+<i>First</i>, There is the guilt which is commonly called <i>reatus
+paenae</i>, whereby the transgressor is liable to the sentence of
+the law, or to the penalty annexed to the breach thereof, which is
+no less than God's curse; for "cursed is every one that abideth not
+in all things, which are in the law to do them," Gal. iii. 10.
+<i>Next</i>, There is the stain or blot, which is called <i>reatus
+culpae</i>, whereby the soul is defiled, and made in so far
+incapable of glory, (for nothing entereth in there which defileth,)
+and of communion and fellowship with God, who is of purer eyes than
+he can behold iniquity. So that it is manifest, how necessary it is
+that both these be taken away, that they may not stand in our way
+to the Father. And as to both, we must make use of Christ, who is
+the only way to the Father.</p>
+<p>And this we shall now clear. And, <i>first</i>, speak of the
+taking away of the guilt that is contracted by every sin. And for
+this cause we shall speak briefly to two things. (1.) Shew what
+Christ hath done as Mediator, for this end, that the guilt
+contracted by our daily failings and out-breakings, might be taken
+away. (2.) Shew what the believer should do for the guilt taken
+away in Christ; or how he should make use of Christ for
+reconciliation with God after transgressions; or, for the taking
+away of the guilt that he lieth under, because of his violation of
+the law.</p>
+<p>As to the first, we say, Christ, for taking away of guilt
+contracted daily, hath done these things:</p>
+<p>1. Christ laid down his life a ransom for all the sins of the
+elect; both such as were past before they believed, and such as
+were to be committed after. His blood was shed for the remission of
+sins indefinitely, and without distinction, Matt. xxvi. 28.</p>
+<p>2. And this was done according to the tenor of the covenant of
+redemption, wherein the Father "caused all our sins to meet
+together on him," Isa. liii. 6; and made him sin, or a sacrifice
+for sin, indefinitely, 2 Cor. v. 21; and so did not except the sins
+committed after conversion.</p>
+<p>3. Having satisfied justice, and being risen from the dead as a
+conqueror, he is now exalted to "be a prince, to give repentance
+and remission of sins," Acts v. 31. Now repentance and remission of
+sins his people have need of, after conversion as well as before
+conversion.</p>
+<p>4. There are promises of pardon and remission of sins in the new
+covenant of grace, all which are sealed and confirmed in the blood
+of Jesus, Jer. xxxi. 34, "For I will forgive their iniquity, and I
+will remember their sin no more." And chap, xxxiii. 8, "And I will
+cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned
+against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities whereby they
+have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me." Isa.
+xliii. 25, "I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions
+for mine own sake; and will not remember thy sins."</p>
+<p>5. Though there be no actual pardon of sins, till they be
+committed, and repented of, according to the tenor of the gospel,
+Matt. iii. 2, Luke xiii. 3. Acts ii. 38; and viii. 22; yet while
+Christ bare all the sins of his people upon the cross, they were
+all then virtually and meritoriously taken away; of which Christ's
+resurrection was a certain pledge and evidence; for then got he his
+acquitance from all that either law or justice could charge him
+with, in behalf of them, for whom he laid down his life a ransom.
+Rom. viii. 33, 34, "Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's
+elect? It is God that justifieth: Who is he that condemneth? It is
+Christ that died, or rather that is risen again."</p>
+<p>6. So that by virtue of Christ's death, there is a way laid
+down, in the covenant of grace, how the sins of the elect shall be
+actually pardoned, viz. that at their conversion and first laying
+hold on Christ by faith, all the sins, whereof they then stand
+guilty, shall be actually pardoned and forgiven, in their
+justification; and all their after-sins shall also be actually
+pardoned, upon their griping to Christ of new by faith, and turning
+to God by repentance. And this way is agreed to by Father and Son,
+and revealed in the gospel, for the instruction and encouragement
+of believers; and all to the glory of his free grace. "In whom we
+have redemption, (saith the apostle, Eph. i. 7-9) through his
+blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his
+grace; wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and
+prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of his will,
+according to his good pleasure, which he hath purposed in
+himself."</p>
+<p>7. Beside Christ's death and resurrection, which give ground of
+hope, of pardon, of daily out-breakings, there is likewise his
+intercession useful for this end. For, so saith the apostle, 1 John
+ii. 1, 2, "If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father,
+Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the propitiation for our
+sins." This intercession is a special part of his priesthood, who
+was the great high priest, Heb. iv. 14, 1; and a completing part,
+Heb. viii. 4, and ix. 8; and upon this account it is, that "He is
+able to save to the uttermost, all that come to God through him,
+because he liveth for ever to make intercession for them," Heb.
+vii. 25. For by his intercession is the work of redemption carried
+on, the purchased benefits applied, and particularly, new grants of
+remission are, through his intercession, issued forth: he pleading
+and interceding, in a way suitable, to his glorified condition,
+upon his death and propitiation made, while he was upon the cross,
+accepted of the Father, and declared to be accepted by his
+resurrection, ascension, and sitting at his Father's right hand.
+And thus, as believers are reconciled to God by Christ's death,
+they are saved by his life, Rom. v. 10. So that Christ's living to
+be an intercessor, makes the salvation sure; and so laying down a
+ground for taking away of daily out-breakings, which, if not taken
+away, would hinder and obstruct the believer's salvation.</p>
+<p>8. And as for the condition requisite to renewed pardon, viz.
+faith and repentance, Christ is the worker of both. For he is a
+prince exalted to give repentance, first and last, Acts iv. 30; and
+as he is the author of faith, so he is the finisher of it, Heb.
+xii. 2.</p>
+<p>As to the <i>second</i> particular, namely, what believers
+should do for getting the guilt of their daily failings and
+out-breakings taken away by Christ; or how they should make use of
+Christ for this end, I shall, for clearing of it, propose those
+things to consideration:</p>
+<p>1. We would beware to think, that all our after actual
+transgressions are actually pardoned, either when Christ died, or
+when we first believed in Christ, as some suppose; for sin cannot
+properly be said to be pardoned before it be committed. David was
+put to sue out for pardon, after his actual transgression was
+committed, and not for the mere sense and feeling of the pardon, or
+the intimation of it to his spirit, when he cried out, Psalm li. 2,
+"Blot out my transgressions, wash me," &amp;c; and verse 9, "Hide
+thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities;" and verse
+14, "Deliver me from blood-guiltiness." Sure when he spoke thus, he
+sought some other thing than intimation of pardon to his sense and
+conscience; for that he desired also, but in far more clear
+expressions, verse 8, "Make me to hear joy and gladness," &amp;c.;
+and verse 12, "Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation," &amp;c.
+Scripture phrases to express remission import this, viz. covering
+of sin, pardoning of debts, blotting out of sins, hiding of God's
+face from sin, not remembering of them, casting of them behind his
+back, casting of them into the sea, removing of sin, Psalm xxxiii.
+1, 2. These and the like phrases, though many of them be
+metaphorical, yet do all of them clearly evince, that sin must
+first have a being before it can be pardoned. The same is clearly
+imported by the gospel conditions requisite before pardon; such as
+acknowledgment of sin, (1 John i. 9) which we see was practised by
+the worthies of old; David, Psalm xxxii. 51. Nehemiah, chap. ix.
+Ezra, chap. ix. and Daniel, chap. ix. Confessing and forsaking of
+it, Prov. xxviii. 13. Sorrowing for it, and repenting of it, and
+laying hold on Christ by faith, &amp;c.</p>
+<p>The reason why I propose this, is not only to guard against this
+Antinomian error, but also to guard the soul from security, to
+which this doctrine hath a natural tendency. For if a person once
+think, that all his sins were pardoned, upon his first believing,
+so that many of them were pardoned before they were committed; he
+shall never be affected for his after transgressions, nor complain
+of a body of death, nor account himself miserable upon that
+account, as Paul did, Rom. vii. 24; nor shall he ever pray for
+remission, though Christ has taught all to do so, in that pattern
+of prayer; nor shall he act faith upon the promise of pardon made
+in the covenant of grace for after transgressions, or for
+transgressions actually committed, Jer. xxxi. 34, and xxxiii. 8.
+Heb. viii. 12; and so there shall be no use made of Christ for new
+pardons, or remissions of new sins.</p>
+<p>2. The believer would remember, that among other things,
+antecedently requisite to remission of posterior actual
+transgressions, gospel repentance is especially required, (Luke
+xiii. 3. Matt. iii. 2. Ezek. xviii. 28, 30. Luke xv. 17,18. Hos.
+ii. 6, 7. Ezek. xiv. 6,) whereby a sinner, through the help of the
+Spirit, being convinced not only of his hazard by reason of sin,
+but also of the hatefulness and filthiness of sin; and having a
+sight of the mercy of God in Christ Jesus to sinners, turning from
+their sin, doth turn from those sins unto God, with a full purpose
+of heart, in his strength, to follow him, and obey his laws. And
+hereby the soul is brought to loathe itself and sin, and is made
+willing to desire, seek for, accept of, and prize remissions of
+sins. This makes them more wary and careful in time coming; "For
+behold," says the apostle, 2 Cor. vii. 11, "this self same thing
+that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in
+you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea,
+what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what
+revenge," &amp;c. Thus is God glorified in his justice, Psalm li.
+4; and his mercy is acknowledged, in not entering with us into
+judgment, nor casting us into hell, as he might have done in
+justice.</p>
+<p>3. Yet it would be remembered, that though it hath seemed good
+in the Lord's eyes to choose this method, and appoint this way of
+obtaining pardon of sins daily committed, for the glory of his
+grace and mercy; and likewise for our good, we must not ascribe too
+much unto repentance, in the matter of pardon. We must not make it
+a cause of our remission, either efficient or meritorious. We must
+not think that it hath any hand in appeasing the wrath of God, or
+in satisfying justice. Pardon must always be an act of God's free
+grace, unmerited at our hands, and procured alone through the
+merits of Christ. We must not put repentance in Christ's room and
+place, nor ascribe any imperfection unto his merits, as if they
+needed any supply from any act of ours. We must beware of leaning
+to our repentance and godly sorrow, even so far as to think to
+commend ourselves to God, thereby that we may obtain pardon.</p>
+<p>4. The believer would consider seriously the dreadfulness of
+their condition who are lying under the lash of the law for sin.
+The law saith, "Cursed is every one that continueth not in all
+things written in the law;" and every sin is a transgression of the
+law. So that, according to law and justice, they are in hazard. For
+every sin in itself exposeth the sinner to eternal wrath, sin being
+an offence against God, who is a righteous judge, and a breach of
+his law. A right sight and apprehension of this, would serve to
+humble the sinner before God, and make him more earnest in seeking
+out for pardon, that this obligation to punishment might be
+removed.</p>
+<p>5. The believer would not only consider the sin itself, but also
+take notice of all its aggravations. There are peculiar
+aggravations of some sins taken from the time, manner, and other
+circumstances, which, rightly considered, will help forward the
+work of humiliation. And the sins of believers have this
+aggravation above the sins of others, that they are committed
+against more love, and special love, and against more opposition
+and contradiction of the grace of God within the soul, against more
+light and conviction, &amp;c. And therefore their humiliation upon
+this account ought to be singular and serious. So was it with
+David, when he took notice of the special aggravation of his sin,
+Psalm li. 4, 6, 14, and Ezra, chap ix. and Nehemiah, chap. ix. and
+Daniel chap. ix. This considering of sin, with its due
+aggravations, would help to prize mercies at a high rate, and cause
+the soul more willingly wait for and more seriously seek after
+remission; knowing that God is more angry for great sins, than for
+sins of infirmity, and may therefore pursue the same with sorer
+judgments, as he broke David's bones, withdrew his comforts,
+&amp;c.</p>
+<p>6. The believer would be convinced of an impossibility of doing
+anything in himself which can procure pardon at the hands of God;
+should he weep, cry, afflict himself, and pray never so, all will
+do nothing by way of merit, for taking away of the least sin that
+ever he committed; and the conviction of this would drive him to
+despair in himself, and be a mean to bring him cleanly off himself,
+and to look out for mere mercy in Christ Jesus. So long as, through
+the deceitfulness of Satan, the false heart inclineth to the old
+bias, and hath its eye upon any thing in itself, from whence it
+draweth its hopes and expectation of pardon and acceptance, it will
+not purely act faith on Christ for this end, and so he will lose
+all his labour, and in the end be disappointed. Therefore the
+believer would guard against this, and that so much the more, that
+the false deceitful heart is so much inclined thereto; and that
+this deceit can sometime work so cunningly, that it can hardly be
+discerned, being covered over with many false glosses and pretexts;
+and that it is so dishonourable to Jesus, and hurtful and
+prejudicial to the soul.</p>
+<p>7. The believer would act faith on the promises of pardon in the
+new covenant, as having a right to them through Jesus Christ, and
+challenge with humble boldness, the fulfilling of the same,
+according to that, 1 John i. 9, "If we confess our sins, he is
+faithful and just to forgive us our sins." So that the believer may
+not only take hold of mercy and grace in God, as an encouragement
+and invitation to go to God for pardon; but even of the justice and
+righteousness of God, because of his faithful promises; and the
+believer would have here a special eye to Christ, in whom all the
+promises are yea and amen; and look for the accomplishment of them
+through him, and for his sake alone.</p>
+<p>8. Faith would eye Christ, as hanging upon the cross, and
+offering up himself, through the eternal Spirit, a sacrifice to
+satisfy divine justice, for all the sins of his own chosen ones; we
+cannot think, that Christ bare but some of their sins, or only
+their sins committed before conversion; and if he bare all, as the
+Father laid all upon him, the believer is to lay hold on him by
+faith, as hanging on the cross, as well for taking away of the
+guilt of sins committed after conversion, as before; his sacrifice
+was a sacrifice for all, "and he bare our sins (without distinction
+or exception,) in his own body on the tree," 1 Pet. ii. 24. David
+had his eye on this, when he cried out, Psalm li. 7, "Purge me with
+hyssop;" hyssop being sometimes used in the legal purifications,
+which typified that purification which Christ really wrought when
+he gave himself a sacrifice for sin, Levit. xiv. 6. Num. xix.
+18.</p>
+<p>9. The believer looking on Christ, dying as a Mediator, to
+pacify the wrath of God, and to make satisfaction to the justice of
+God, for the sins of his people, would renew his consent unto that
+gracious and wise contrivance of Heaven, of pardoning sins, through
+a crucified Mediator, that mercy and justice might kiss each other,
+and be glorified together; and declare again his full satisfaction
+with Christ's satisfying of justice for him, and taking away the
+guilt of his sins, by that blood that was shed upon the cross, by
+taking those sins, whereof now he standeth guilty, and for which he
+is desirous of pardon, and by faith nailing them to the cross of
+Christ, and rolling them on his shoulders, that the guilt of them,
+as well as of the rest, might be taken away, through the merits of
+his death and satisfaction. Thus the believer consenteth to the
+noble act of free grace, whereby the Lord made all our sins to meet
+together on Christ, when he taketh those particular sins, wherewith
+now he is troubled, and casteth them in into the heap, that Christ,
+as the true scape-goat, may carry all away. This is to lay our
+hands on the head of our sacrifice.</p>
+<p>10. The believer hath another ground of comfort to grip to, in
+this case, and that is, Christ's eternal priesthood, whereby he
+makes intercession for the transgressions of his people, and as
+their advocate and attorney with the Father, pleadeth their cause,
+whereby he is able to save them to the last and uttermost step of
+their journey, and so to save them from the guilt of all casual and
+emergent sins, that might hinder their salvation. So that the
+believer is to put those sins, that now he would have pardoned,
+into the hands of Christ, the everlasting Intercessor, and
+all-sufficient Advocate, that he, by virtue of his death, would
+obtain a new pardon of these their failings and transgressions, and
+deliverance from the guilt thereof; and their acceptance with the
+Father, notwithstanding of these transgressions.</p>
+<p>11. Thus believers eyeing Christ as dying, rising again,
+ascending, and as sitting at the Father's right hand, there to be a
+priest for ever, after the order of Melchisedec, and to intercede
+for his own, and to see to the application of what benefits,
+pardons, favours, and other things they need, from all which they
+have strong ground of comfort and of hope, yea, and assurance of
+pardon, would acquiesce in this way; and having laid those
+particular sins, under the burden whereof they now groan, on Christ
+the Mediator, dying on the cross to make satisfaction, and arising
+to make application of what was purchased, and having put them in
+his hand, who is a faithful high priest, and a noble intercessor,
+would remember, that "Christ is a prince exalted, to give
+repentance and remission of sins;" and so expect the sentence even
+from him, as a prince now exalted, and as having obtained that of
+the Father, even a power to forgive sins, justice being now
+sufficiently satisfied, through his death; yea, and as having all
+power in heaven and in earth, as being Lord both of the dead and of
+the living. Sure a right thought of this would much quiet the soul,
+in hope of obtaining pardon through him; seeing now the pardon is
+in his own hand, to give out, who loved them so dearly, that he
+gave himself to the death for them, and shed his heart blood to
+satisfy justice for their transgressions. Since he who hath
+procured their pardon at so dear a rate, and is their attorney to
+agent their business at the throne of grace, hath now obtained the
+prayed-for and looked-for pardon, and hath it in his own hand, they
+will not question but he will give it, and so absolve them from
+their guilt.</p>
+<p>12. The believer, having taken this course with his daily
+provocations, and laid them all on him, would aquiesce in this way,
+and not seek after another, that he may obtain pardon. Here he
+would rest, committing the matter by faith in prayer to Christ, and
+leaving his guilt and sins on him, expect the pardon, yea,
+conclude, that they are already pardoned; and that for these sins,
+he shall never be brought unto condemnation, whatever Satan and a
+misbelieving heart may say or suggest afterward.</p>
+<p>Thus should a believer make use of Christ, for the taking away
+of the guilt of his daily transgressions; and for further clearing
+of it, I shall add a few cautions.</p>
+<br>
+<p>CAUTIONS.</p>
+<p>1. However the believer is to be much moved at, and affected
+with his sins and provocations, which he committeth after God hath
+visited his soul with salvation, and brought him into a covenant
+with himself, yet he must not suppose, that his sins after
+justification do mar his state; as if thereby he were brought into
+a non-justified state, or to a non-reconciled state. It is true,
+such sins, especially if gross, whether in themselves, or by reason
+of circumstances, will darken a man's state, and put him to search
+and try his condition over again. But yet we dare not say, that
+they make any alteration in the state of a believer; for once in a
+justified state always in a justified state. It is true likewise,
+that as to those sins, which now he hath committed, he cannot be
+said to be acquitted or justified, till this pardon be got out by
+faith and repentance, as is said; yet his state remaineth fixed and
+unchanged; so that though God should seem to deal with such in his
+dispensations, as with enemies, yet really his affections change
+not; he never accounteth them real enemies; nay, love lieth at the
+bottom of all his sharpest dispensations. If they forsake his law,
+and walk not in his judgments; if they break his statutes and keep
+not his commandments, he will visit their transgression with the
+rod, and their iniquity with stripes, nevertheless his
+loving-kindness will he not utterly take from them, nor suffer his
+faithfulness to fail; his covenant will he not break, nor alter the
+thing that has gone out of his lips, Psalm lxxxix. 30-34. And
+again, though after transgressions may waken challenges for former
+sins, which have been pardoned and blotted out, and give occasions
+to Satan to raise a storm in the soul, and put all in confusion,
+yet really sins once pardoned cannot become again unpardoned sins.
+The Lord doth not revoke his sentence, nor alter the thing that is
+gone out of his mouth. It is true likewise, that a believer, by
+committing of gross sins, may come to miss the effects of God's
+favour and good will, and the intimations of his love and kindness;
+and so be made to cry with David, Psalm li. 8, "Make me to hear joy
+and gladness;" and ver. 12, "Restore unto me the joy of thy
+salvation," &amp;c. Yet that really holdeth true, that whom he
+loveth he loveth to the end; and he is a God that changeth not; and
+his gifts are without repentance. Yea, though grieving of the
+Spirit may bring souls under sharp throes, and pangs of the spirit
+of bondage, and the terrors of God, and his sharp errors, the
+poison whereof may drink up their spirits, and so be far from the
+actual witnessings of the Spirit of adoption; yet the Spirit will
+never be again really a spirit of bondage unto fear, nor deny his
+own work in the soul, or the soul's real right to, or possession of
+that fundamental privilege of adoption,&mdash;I say, that the soul
+is no more a son, nor within the covenant.</p>
+<p>2. The course before mentioned is to be taken with all sins,
+though, (1.) They be never so heinous and gross. (2.) Though they
+be accompanied with never such aggravating and crying aggravations.
+(3.) Though they be sins frequently fallen into; and, (4.) Though
+they be sins many and heaped together. David's transgression was a
+heinous sin, and had heinous aggravations, yea, there was an heap
+and a complication of sins together in that one; yet he followed
+this course. We find none of these kind of sins excepted in the new
+covenant; and where the law doth not distinguish, we ought not to
+distinguish; where God's law doth not expressly exclude us, we
+should not exclude ourselves. Christ's death is able enough to take
+away all sin. If through it a believer be justified from all his
+transgressions committed before conversion, why may not also a
+believer be, through virtue of it, justified from his gross and
+multiplied sins committed after conversion? The blood of Christ
+cleanseth from all sin; Christ hath taught his followers to pray,
+"Forgive us our sins, as we forgive them that sin against us;" and
+he hath told us also, that we must forgive our brother seventy
+times seven, Matth. xiii. <i>22.</i> We would not be discouraged
+then from taking this course, because our sins are such and such;
+nay, rather, we would look on this, as an argument to press us more
+unto this way, because the greater our sins be, the greater need
+have we of pardon, and to say with David, Psalm xxv. 11, "Pardon
+mine iniquity, for it is great."</p>
+<p>3. We would not think, that upon our taking of this course, we
+shall be instantly freed from challenges, because of those sins,
+for pardoning whereof we take this course; nor should we think,
+that because challenges remain, that therefore there is no pardon
+had, or that this is not the way to pardon; for, as we shall show
+afterward, pardon is one thing, and intimation of pardon is another
+thing. We may be pardoned, and yet suppose that we are not
+pardoned; challenges will abide till the conscience be sprinkled,
+and till the Prince of Peace command peace to the conscience, and
+put the accuser to silence; who, when he can do no more, will mar
+the peace of a believer, as long as he can, and stop the current of
+his comforts, which made David pray, that "God would restore to him
+the joy of his salvation," Psalm li.</p>
+<p>4. Nor would we think, that upon our taking of this course for
+the pardon of our sins, we shall never thereafter meet with a
+challenge upon the account of these sins. It is true, when sins are
+pardoned, they are fully pardoned in God's court, and that
+obligation to condemnation is taken away, and the pardoned person
+is looked upon as no sinner, that is, as no person liable to
+condemnation because of these sins; for being pardoned he becometh
+just before God; yet we dare not say, but conscience afterward,
+being alarmed with new transgressions, may mistake, as people
+suddenly put into a fight are ready to do; nor dare we say, that
+God will not permit Satan to upbraid us with those sins, which have
+been blotted out long ago, as he suffered Shimei, who was but an
+instrument of Satan, to cast up to David his blood-guiltiness,
+which had been pardoned long before. The Lord may think good to
+suffer this, that his people may be kept humble, and made more
+tender and watchful in all their ways.</p>
+<p>5. Believers would not misimprove or abuse this great
+condescendency of free grace, and take the great liberty to sin,
+because there is such a sure, safe, and pleasant way of getting
+those sins blotted out and forgiven. "Shall we sin because we are
+not under grace, but under the law? That be far from us," saith the
+Apostle, Rom. vi. 15. This were indeed to turn the grace of God
+into lasciviousness. And it may be a question, if such as have
+really repented, and gotten their sins pardoned, will be so ready
+to make this use of it; sure sense of pardon will work some other
+effect, as we see, Ezek. xvi. 62, 63.</p>
+<p>6. The believer, in going about this work of nailing his sins to
+the cross of Christ, and of improving Christ's death, resurrection,
+and constant intercession, for the obtaining of pardon, would not
+think of going alone, or of doing this in his own strength; for of
+himself he can do nothing. He must look to Christ for grace to help
+in this time of need, and must go about this duty with dependence
+on him, waiting for the influence of light, counsel, strength, and
+grace from him, to repent and believe; for he is a prince exalted
+to give repentance, first and last, and he is the author and
+finisher of faith; so that without him we can do nothing.</p>
+<p>7. Let the believer beware of concluding, that be hath got no
+pardon, because he hath met with no sensible intimation thereof by
+the flowing in of peace and joy in his soul. Pardon is one mercy,
+and intimation of it to the soul is another distinct mercy, and
+separable from it: shall we therefore say, we have not gotten the
+first, because we have not gotten both? The Lord, for wise reasons,
+can pardon poor sinners, and not give any intimation thereof; viz.
+that they may watch more against sin afterward, and not be so bold
+as they have been; and that they may find more in experience, what
+a bitter thing it is to sin against God, and learn withal to depend
+on him for less and more; and to carry more humbly; for it may be,
+God seeth, that if they saw their sins pardoned, they would forget
+themselves, and rush into new sins again.</p>
+<p>8. The believer must not think it strange, if he find more
+trouble after greater sins, and a greater difficulty to lay hold on
+Christ for pardon of those, than for pardon of others. For as God
+hath been more dishonoured by these, so is his anger more kindled
+upon that account; and it is suitable for the glory of God's
+justice, that our sorrow for such sins be proportionally greater;
+and this will likewise increase the difficulty; and ordinarily the
+effects of God's fatherly displeasure make deeper wounds in the
+soul after such sins, and these are not so easily healed; all which
+will call for suitable and proportionally greater godly sorrow and
+repentance, and acts of faith, because faith will meet with more
+opposition and discouragement there, and therefore must be the more
+strong, to go through these impediments, and to lay hold on his
+cross. Yet though this should make all watchful, and to guard
+against gross and crying sins, it should not drive any to despair,
+nor to say with that despairing wretch, their sin is greater than
+it can be forgiven; the ocean of mercy can drown and swallow up
+greater as well as lesser sins; Christ is an all-sufficient
+Mediator for the greatest sins as well as the least. "O, for thy
+name's sake, pardon mine iniquity, for it is great!" will come in
+season to a soul ready to sink with the weight of this millstone
+tied about its neck.</p>
+<p>9. As the greater sins should not make us despair of taking this
+course for remission, so nor should the smallness of sin make us to
+neglect this way; for the least sin cannot be pardoned but through
+Jesus Christ; for the law of God is violated thereby, justice
+provoked, God's authority vilified, &amp;c. and therefore cannot be
+now pardoned, by reason of the threatenings annexed to the law,
+without a ransom. Death is the wages of sin, lesser and greater,
+and the curse is due to all sin, greater and smaller. There, the
+believer would not suffer one sin, seen and discovered, to lie
+unpardoned, but on the first discovery thereof, take it away to
+Christ, and nail it to the cross.</p>
+<p>10. The believer would not conclude, that his sins are not
+pardoned, because possibly temporal strokes, inflicted because of
+them, are not removed; for though David's sin was pardoned, yet
+because of that sin of his, a temporal stroke attended him and his
+family, to his dying day; for not only did God cut off the child,
+(2 Sam. xv. 14.), but told him, that the sword should never depart
+from his house, and that he would raise up evil against him out of
+his own house, and give his wives to one that should lie with them
+in the sight of the sun, vers. 10, 11. So we read, that the Lord
+took vengeance on their inventions whose sins he had pardoned,
+Psalm xcix. 8. God may see this fit and expedient, for his own
+glory, and for humbling of them, and causing them to fear the more
+to sin against him. Yea, not only may temporal calamities be
+inflicted, because of sin pardoned, or continued, after sin is
+pardoned, but even sense of God's displeasure may continue after
+pardon, as appeareth by that penitential Psalm (the fifty-first)
+penned by David, after Nathan had spoken to him concerning his
+sin.</p>
+<br>
+<p>QUESTIONS OR OBJECTIONS ANSWERED.</p>
+<p>1. What course shall we take with secret sins? I answer, this
+same course must be followed with them. There is an implicit
+repentance of sins that have not been distinctly seen and observed,
+as who can see and observe all their failings? And so there may be
+an implicit faith acting; that is, the believer being persuaded
+that he is guilty of more sins than he hath got a clear sight of,
+as he would bewail his condition before God because of these, and
+sorrow for them after a godly manner, so he would take them
+together in a heap, or as a closed bagful, and by faith nail them
+to the cross of Christ, as if they were all distinctly seen and
+known. "Who can understand his errors," said David, Psalm xix. 12:
+yet says he moreover, "cleanse thou me from secret faults."</p>
+<p>2. But what if, after all this, I find no intimation of pardon
+to my soul? <i>Ans.</i> As this should serve to keep thee humble,
+so it should excite to more diligence, in this duty of going with
+thy sins to Christ, and to ply him and his cross more, in and
+through the promises, and keep thy soul constant in this duty of
+the running to Christ, as an all-sufficient Mediator, and as an
+intercessor with the Father; and thus wait on him waiteth to be
+gracious, even in this particular, of intimating pardon to thy
+soul,&mdash;he knoweth when it is fittest for thee to know that thy
+sins are forgiven.</p>
+<p>3. But what can yield me any ground of peace while it is so,
+that I see no pardon or remission granted to me? <i>Ans.</i> This
+may yield thee peace, that, following this course which hath been
+explained, thou art about thy duty. Thou art not at peace with sin,
+nor harbouring that viper in thy soul; thou art mourning and
+sorrowing over it, and running to Christ the prince of pardons,
+through his blood and intercession, conform to the covenant of
+redemption, and after the encouragement given in the many and
+precious promises of the covenant of grace; and having these
+promises, and rolling thy guilt on Christ as thy cautioner, conform
+to the manner expressed in the gospel, thou art allowed to believe
+that thy sins are pardoned, and that thou art accepted in the
+beloved, and so quiet thy soul through faith, God abiding faithful
+and true, and his promises being all yea and amen in Christ.</p>
+<p>4. But so long as I find no intimation of pardon, I cannot think
+that I have taken the right gospel way of bringing my sins to
+Christ. <i>Ans.</i> Though that will not follow, as we cleared
+above&mdash;for a soul may take the right gospel way of getting the
+guilt of their sins taken away in Christ, and God may pardon
+thereupon, and for all that not think it fit to give intimation of
+that pardon as yet, for wise and holy ends&mdash;yet the soul may
+humble itself for its shortcoming, and still go about the duty,
+amending in Christ what it supposeth to be amiss, and renewing its
+act of repentance and faith, and beg of Christ understanding in the
+matter, and so continue carrying sin always to Christ's cross, and
+eyeing his intercession, and wait for a full clearing of the matter
+in his good time.</p>
+<p>5. But what shall I do with the guilt of my weak repentance, and
+weak faith? <i>Ans.</i> When with a weak and defective repentance
+and faith thou art carrying away thy sins to Christ, and nailing
+them, to his cross, let the imperfection of thy faith and
+repentance go with the rest, and leave all there.</p>
+<p>6. What shall I do with my conscience, that still accuseth me of
+guilt, notwithstanding of my taking and following this course?
+<i>Ans.</i> Despise not the accusation of conscience, but let these
+humble thee the more, and keep thee closer at this duty. Yet know,
+that conscience is but an under servant, and God's deputy, and must
+accuse according to law, (I speak not here of the irregular,
+furious, and turbulent motions of Satan, casting in grenades in the
+soul and conscience, to raise a combustion and put all in a fire);
+its mouth, must be stopped by law, and so the soul would stay and
+answer the accusations of conscience with this, that he hath fled
+to Christ, the only Mediator and Cautioner, and cast his burden on
+him; and leaneth to his merits alone; and hath put those sins in
+his hand, as his advocate and intercessor with the Father; and that
+the gospel requireth no more of him. And if conscience should say,
+that both faith and repentance are imperfect and defective, and
+that guilt is thereby rather increased than taken away,&mdash;he
+must answer again, true; but I have done with the guilt of my faith
+and repentance, as with the rest, taken all to Christ, and left all
+on him; and herein only do I acquiesce,&mdash;I look not for pardon
+for my imperfect faith and repentance, yea, nor would I look for
+pardon of my sins, for my faith and repentance, were they never so
+perfect, but only in and through Jesus Christ, the only Cautioner,
+Redeemer, and Advocate. But further, this deputy would be brought
+to his master, who can only command him to silence; that is to say,
+the believer would go to Christ with the accusing conscience, and
+desire him to command its silence, that he may have peace of
+conscience, and freedom from those accusations that are bitter and
+troublesome. Remember withal, that if these accusations drive thee
+to Christ, and endear him more to thy soul, they will do no harm,
+because they drive thee to thy only resting place, and to the grand
+peacemaker. But if otherwise they discourage or for-slow thee in
+thy motion Christward, then be sure conscience speaketh without
+warrant, and its accusations ought not, in so far, and as to that
+end, to be regarded.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_IX." id="CHAPTER_IX."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2>
+<br>
+<h4>HOW TO MAKE USE OF CHRIST FOR CLEANSING OF US FROM OUR DAILY
+SPOTS.</h4>
+<br>
+<p>Having spoken of the way of making use of Christ for removing
+the guilt of our daily transgressions, we come to speak of the way
+of making use of Christ, for taking away the guilt that cleaveth to
+the soul, through daily transgressions; "for every sin defileth the
+man," Matt. xv. 20; and the best are said to have their spots, and
+to need washing, which presupposeth filthiness and defilement, Eph.
+v. 27. John xiii. 8-10. Hence we are so oft called to this duty of
+washing and making us clean. Isa. i. 16. Jer. iv. 14. Acts xxii.
+16. David prays for this washing, Psal. li. 2-7. And it is Christ's
+work to wash. 1 Cor. vi. 11. Rev. i. 5. Eph. v. 26. See Tit. iii.
+5. Now, in speaking to this, we shall observe the same method; and
+first shew, what Christ has done to take away this filth; and next,
+what way we are to make use of him, for this end, to get our spots
+and filthiness taken away, that we may be holy.</p>
+<p>As to the <i>first</i>, for the purging away of the filth of our
+daily failings and transgressions, Christ has done these
+things:</p>
+<p>1. He hath died that he may procure this benefit and advantage
+to us; and thus he hath washed us meritoriously in his own blood
+which he shed upon the cross. Thus he "loved us, and washed us from
+our sins, in his own blood," Rev. i. 5; and this is from all sins,
+as well such as are committed after, as such as are committed
+before conversion. Thus, "he by himself purged our sins," Heb. i.
+3, viz. by offering up of himself as an expiatory sacrifice to make
+an atonement, and so procure this liberty. So also it is said, Eph.
+v. 25-27, that Christ gave himself for his church, "that he might
+sanctify and cleanse it&mdash;that he might present it to himself a
+glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, but
+that it should be holy and without blemish." So, Tit. ii. 14, "He
+gave himself for us, that he might purify to himself a peculiar
+people, zealous of good works." Here then is the foundation and
+ground of all cleansing and purification&mdash;Christ's death
+procuring it.</p>
+<p>2. As he hath procured, so he sendeth the Spirit to effectuate
+this, and to work this washing and sanctification in us. Hence, it
+is said, 1 Cor. vi. 11, "that we are sanctified and washed, in the
+name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." We are said
+to be saved "by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the
+Holy Ghost, which he hath shed upon us abundantly through Jesus
+Christ our Saviour," Tit. iii. 5, 6. The sending then, or shedding
+of the holy and sanctifying Spirit upon us, whereby we are
+sanctified, and consequently purified and purged from our filth, is
+a fruit of Christ's death and mediation, being purchased thereby,
+and is an effect of his resurrection, and glorification, and
+intercession in glory.</p>
+<p>3. He hath made a fountain of his blood for this end, that we
+may go to it daily, and wash and be clean. Thus his "blood
+cleanseth from all sin," 1 John i. 7-9. This is the "fountain
+opened to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem
+for sin and for uncleanness," Zech. xiii. 1.</p>
+<p>4. He hath purchased and provided the external means, whereby
+this cleansing and sanctification is brought about, viz. the
+preaching of the gospel, which he himself preached, and thereby
+sanctified, John xv. 3, "Now are ye clean through the word that I
+have spoken unto you." Eph. v. 26, the church is "sanctified and
+cleansed with the washing of water, by the word."</p>
+<p>5. So hath he procured, and worketh in the soul those graces
+that promove and carry on this work of sanctification and
+purifying; such as faith, which purifieth the heart, Acts xv. 9;
+whereof he is the author and finisher, Heb. xii.; and hope, which
+whosoever hath, "purifieth himself, even as he is pure," 1 John
+iii. 3.</p>
+<p>6. He hath confirmed and ratified all the promises of the
+covenant, which are ample and large, touching this cleansing and
+washing, Jer. xxxv. 8, "And I will cleanse them from all their
+iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me." Ezek. xxxvi. 25,
+"Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean
+from all your filthiness." So Ezek. xxxvii. 23, "and I will cleanse
+them." And all the other promises of the covenant, apprehended by
+faith, have no small influence on our cleansing; 2 Cor. vii. 1.
+"Having therefore these promises, let us cleanse ourselves,"
+&amp;c.; all which promises are yea and amen in Christ, 2 Cor. i.
+20.</p>
+<p>Thus Christ made all sure, for the cleansing and washing of his
+people, conform to that article of the covenant of redemption, "so
+shall he sprinkle many nations," Isa. lii. 15.</p>
+<p><i>Secondly,</i> As to the way of our use-making of Christ for
+the purging away of our filth and daily pollutions, believers would
+take this course:</p>
+<p>1. They would remember and live in the conviction of the
+exceeding abominableness and filthiness of sin, which is compared
+to the vomit of a dog, and to the mire wherein the sow walloweth, 2
+Pet. ii. 22; filthy rags, Isa. lxiv. 6; to a menstruous cloth, Isa.
+xxx. 22, and the like, that this may move them to seek with greater
+care and diligence, to have that filth taken away.</p>
+<p>2. They would remember also how abominable sin makes them in the
+eyes of an holy God, "who cannot behold iniquity," being a God of
+purer eyes than to behold it, Hab. i. 13; nor can he look on it;
+and how therefore no thing can enter into the New Jerusalem, nor
+any thing that defileth. And this will make them so much the more
+to abhor it, and to seek to be washed from it.</p>
+<p>3. They would look by faith on the blood of Christ that is shed
+for this end, to wash filthy souls into; and run to it as a
+fountain opened for this end, that they might come to it, and wash
+and be clean.</p>
+<p>4. For their encouragement, they would grip by faith to the
+promises of the new covenant, which are large and full.</p>
+<p>5. And remember the end of Christ's death, viz., to purchase to
+himself a holy people, zealous of good works, to present them to
+himself holy, and without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; and
+this will be further ground of encouragement.</p>
+<p>6. They would put the work by faith in his hand, who hath best
+skill to wash a foul soul, and to purge away all their spots; and
+by faith pray for and expect the Spirit to sanctify and cleanse
+them from all their filthiness; that is, they would make known and
+spread forth their abominations before the Lord, and eyeing Christ
+as the only great High Priest, whose blood is a fountain to wash
+in, would lay the work on him, and by faith put him to wash away
+that filth, and to purify their souls by his Spirit, pardoning
+their bygone iniquities and renewing them in the Spirit of their
+minds by grace, that they may walk before him in fear. Thus they
+would roll the work on him, and leave it there.</p>
+<br>
+<p>CAUTIONS AND DIRECTIONS.</p>
+<p><i>First,</i> The believer would in all this work be kept in the
+exercise of these graces following:</p>
+<p>1. Of humility; seeing what a vile, filthy wretch he is, that
+stands in need of washing and purging daily, because of his daily
+pollutions and transgressions.</p>
+<p>2. Of love; considering with what a loving God he hath to do,
+that hath provided so liberally all things for him, and
+particularly hath provided a fountain, and such a fountain, whereto
+he not only may, but is commanded to resort daily.</p>
+<p>3. Of thankfulness; remembering how great this mercy is, how
+unworthy he is, on whom it is bestowed, and who he is that doth
+grant it.</p>
+<p>4. Of fear; lest God's goodness be abused, and he provoked who
+is so gracious to us.</p>
+<p>5. Of sincerity, and godly ingenuity, avoiding all hypocrisy and
+formality, knowing that we have to do with him, who will not be
+mocked.</p>
+<p>6. Of holy hatred; loathing and abhorrence of sin, which makes
+us so filthy and odious in the eyes of the Lord.</p>
+<p><i>Secondly,</i> This course would be followed for the purging
+away of the least sins; for till they be purged away, we remain in
+our filth, and cannot expect God's favourable countenance, nor his
+warm embracements, nor the hearty intimations of his love and
+kindness. And a small inconsiderable like spot may grow greater,
+and provoke God to let the accuser of the brethren, Satan, who
+always waits for his opportunity, loose upon us, and a conscience
+wakened may make much of a little defilement to keep the soul from
+approaching to God.</p>
+<p>3. This course would be followed with every sin, quickly without
+delay; for the longer those spots continue, it will be the more
+difficult to get them taken away. The soul will after some time,
+become the less troubled about them, and possibly forget them, and
+so they will remain; and this may occasion at last a sad distance,
+and provoke God to hide his face, which will cause more bitterness
+and sorrow. It were good, then, to keep up a spirit of tenderness
+and fear.</p>
+<p>4. Let this be our daily work and exercise; for we are daily
+contracting new filth. Yesterday's cleansing will not save us from
+new filth to-day; nor will our running to the fountain to-day,
+serve to take away new spots to-morrow; new spots call for new
+washing, so that this must be our very life and exercise, to be
+daily and continually running to the fountain with our souls; and
+giving Christ, the great purger, much to do.</p>
+<p>5. We must not think to be perfectly washed, so long as we are
+here; for we will be contracting new filth daily, our feet will
+still be to wash, John xiii. 10. We will not be without spot or
+wrinkle, till we come home to that place, wherein entereth nothing
+that defileth.</p>
+<p>6. Let the believer's recourse in this matter be wholly to Jesus
+Christ and his blood, and lay no weight on their sorrow,
+repentance, or tears, or on any outward means which they are
+commanded to use; yet would they not lay aside these means, but go
+through them to the fountain, to Jesus, there, and there only to be
+cleansed.</p>
+<p>7. They should not be discouraged or despair when their spots
+appear great, and not like the spots of his children; for Christ's
+blood can purge from all sin, and wash away all their filth, of how
+deep soever a dye it be. Christ's blood is so deep an ocean, that a
+mountain will be sunk out of sight in it, as well as a small pebble
+stone.</p>
+<p>8. Though Christ's blood be strong enough to purge from all sin,
+even the greatest, yet they should know, that scandalous spots, or
+a deep stain, may cost them more frequent running to the fountain,
+through humiliation, godly sorrow, prayer, and supplication.
+David's scandalous blot cost him more trouble and pains, before he
+got it purged away, than many others, as we see, Psalm li.</p>
+<p>9. When all this is done, we must think of having on another
+righteousness, as our clothing and covering, in the day of our
+appearance before our Judge&mdash;even the righteousness of Jesus
+Christ, which only is perfect, and able to save us from the wrath
+of God. Let us be never so washed in the matter of sanctification,
+and cleansed from our spots, we cannot for all that be accounted
+righteous before God; nor will that satisfy justice, or take away
+the guilt so much as of one transgression before God. Christ's
+righteousness will be our upper garment for all eternity. This is
+the fine linen wherewith his bride is busked in heaven.</p>
+<p>10. At every time we run to the fountain with our daily
+contracted filth, we would not forget to carry along with us the
+mother corruption, which is the sink and puddle of all filthiness;
+I mean our natural corrupted rottenness and pollution, from whence
+flow all our other actual pollutions. We would do well to carry
+mother and daughter both together to the fountain. David prayed to
+be washed and purged, as well from his original filthiness, wherein
+he was conceived and born, as from his blood-guiltiness. Psalm li.
+5, 7.</p>
+<p>11. Let not this occasion our carelessness in watching against
+sin; for that would be, to turn his grace into wantonness; but
+rather let it sharpen our diligence in watching against all
+occasions of sin, lest we again defile our soul.</p>
+<p>12. Not only must we have our bodies, or our outward
+conversation washed, but our soul within, the frame of our heart,
+our understanding, will, affections, and conscience, sprinkled with
+that blood. The blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit
+"offered himself without spot to God," must purge our Consciences
+from dead works, to serve the living God, Heb. ix. 14. and we must
+"have our hearts, sprinkled from an evil conscience," Heb. x.
+22.</p>
+<p><i>Finally,</i> If the believer fear that he shall not be able
+to remember all these particular duties, let him remember this,
+viz. to put a foul soul, defiled with original and actual
+pollutions, in Christ's hand daily, and leave it to him to wash by
+his blood and Spirit; and yet remember to lay the weight of his
+acceptance before God, upon the imputed righteousness of Jesus
+Christ, and not upon his own cleanness, when thus sanctified and
+washen, which is but imperfect.</p>
+<br>
+<p>QUESTIONS OR OBJECTIONS ANSWERED.</p>
+<p>But, alas! some may object, and say, that their very faith,
+which must carry the rest of their filth to the fountain of
+Christ's blood, is defiled. How, then, can they expect to be made
+clean? <i>Answer.</i> The blood of Jesus Christ is sufficiently
+able to wash all our filth away; and the filth of faith, as well as
+of other actions. Therefore, when faith, as a hand, is carrying the
+filth of the soul away to Christ to be washed in his blood, let the
+foul hand go with the foul handful; give Christ faith and all to
+wash.</p>
+<p>2. But what shall I do, when, notwithstanding of all this, my
+conscience shall still accuse me of uncleanness, and cry out
+against me as filthy and abominable? <i>Answer.</i> Take it away
+also to the blood of Jesus, that there it may be purged, Heb. ix.
+14; and here alone will we "get our hearts sprinkled from an evil
+conscience," Heb. x. 22. The conscience must be steeped, so to
+speak, in the blood of Jesus, and so it shall be clean. And taking
+our filthy hearts to this cleansing fountain to be washed, we will
+get them delivered and sprinkled from an evil conscience, that it
+shall no more have ground of accusation against us. When we have it
+to say, that we have put our filthy souls in the hand of the great
+cleanser, Jesus Christ, and brought all our pollutions to his
+blood, what can conscience say to us? The Lord, it is true, may
+suffer our conscience still to bark upon us, and cast up our
+filthiness to us, that we may be the more humbled, and be put to
+lie more constantly at the fountain; yet when we have fled to
+Christ, and taken our filthiness to the open and appointed
+fountain, we can answer the accusations of conscience in law, and
+have peace.</p>
+<p>3. But I am apt to think, will some say, that if I had once
+taken the right way to get my sins and filthiness purged away, my
+conscience would trouble me no more; but now, so long as it doggeth
+me thus, I cannot think that the way which I have taken is the
+right way. <i>Answer.</i> Though the Lord may think good to suffer
+conscience to trouble a man for a time, though he hath taken the
+right way, as is said, for a further exercise and trial to him; yet
+the believer will have no less disadvantage by examining his way,
+and trying whether he hath laid the matter cleanly over on Christ,
+or whether he hath laid too much weight on his own humiliation,
+sorrow, and pains; and whether he be leaving the matter on Jesus,
+and expecting to be washed alone in his blood, or looking into
+himself, and expecting some help in the matter from self; and after
+trial, would mourn for any failing he gets discovered, and still be
+about that work of running with filth to the fountain. But withal
+they would go to Christ for help, because without him they cannot
+come to him; they cannot come or carry their soul to the fountain
+opened for sin and for uncleanness; so that in all this work, there
+would be a single dependence on Christ for understanding and
+strength to go about this work aright.</p>
+<p>Thus have we endeavoured to clear up Christ being the way to the
+Father, first and last; and how all believers or unbelievers are to
+make use of him as the way to the Father, whatever their condition
+be: from all which we may see,</p>
+<p>1. That such are in a wretched and forlorn condition who are
+still strangers to Christ, and will not lay hold on him, nor come
+to him, and walk in him, and make use of him. They are unrighteous
+and unholy, and daily contracting more guilt and more filth; and
+they know no way either for justification or sanctification, but a
+way of self, which will prove like the brooks, which run dry in
+summer, and disappoint the weary traveller when he hath most need.
+They are without Christ, and so without the way, the only way, the
+safe and sure way to the Father. And, oh! if all that is here
+spoken could induce them to think once of the misery of their
+condition, and to seek out for relief, that they might not only be
+saved from their state of sin and misery, but brought into a state
+of salvation through Jesus Christ, so that they might be justified
+before God, from all that justice, the devil, the law, or
+conscience could lay against them, and thoroughly sanctified, and
+so at length brought home to the Father, fair and spotless.</p>
+<p>2. Upon the other hand, we see the noble advantage of believers,
+who, through grace, are entered in this way; for it is a full and
+complete way that shall carry them safe home. They shall find that
+he is able to save to the uttermost all that come to God through
+him. And, oh! if they were sensible of this, how would it excite
+them to thankfulness! How would it encourage them to run through
+difficulties great and many!</p>
+<p>3. We see what a special duty lieth upon believers to make
+special use of Christ in all things, as the way to the Father, and
+so march to heaven in him, as the only way; march in his hands, or
+rather be carried in his arms and bosom. This were to go from
+strength to strength, till at length they appeared in Zion, and
+landed in that pleasant place of rest, where the weary are at rest,
+and yet rest not day nor night, but sing praises to "him that hath
+redeemed them by his blood, out of every kindred and tongue, and
+people and nation, saying, blessing, honour, glory, and power, be
+unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever
+and ever," Rev. v. 9, 13.</p>
+<p>4. Hence we may see the cause of the leanness of believers, of
+their wanderings, of their shortcomings, of their many defilements,
+&amp;c. viz. their not constant making use of Christ as the way in
+all things, according to the tenor of the gospel. Oh I if this were
+laid to heart and mourned for, and if grace were sought to help
+it!</p>
+<p>This one point of truth, that Christ is the way, well understood
+and rightly put into practice, would do all our business, both as
+to justification and sanctification, and were poor sinners once
+entered into this way, and had they grace from this way to walk in
+it, it would prove their life and salvation: For it is the marrow
+and substance of the whole gospel. So that there needeth little
+more to be said: Yet we shall speak a little to the other
+particulars in the text.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_X." id="CHAPTER_X."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER X.</h2>
+<br>
+<h4>"THE TRUTH." SOME GENERALS PROPOSED.</h4>
+<p>That what we are to speak to for the clearing and improving this
+noble piece of truth, that Christ is the Truth, may be the more
+clearly understood and edifying, we shall first take notice of some
+generals, and then show particularly how or in what respects Christ
+is called the Truth; and finally speak to some cases wherein we are
+to make use of Christ as the Truth.</p>
+<p>As to the first. There are four general things here to be
+noticed.</p>
+<p>1. This supposeth what our case by nature is, and what we are
+all without Christ, who is the Truth: as,</p>
+<p><i>First.</i> It supposeth that without Christ we are in
+darkness, mistakes, errors: yea, we are said to be darkness itself.
+Eph. v. 8, "Ye were sometimes darkness," &amp;c. John i. 5, and of
+darkness; 1 Thess. v. 5, yea, under the "power of darkness;" Col.
+i. 13. John xii. 35. 1 John ii. 11, "walking in darkness;" 1 John
+i. 6, and "abiding in darkness." 1 Pet. ii. 9. 1 Thess. v. 4. John
+xii. 46, "We wander and go astray as soon as we are born, speaking
+lies," Psal. lviii. 3. Yea, we "go astray in the greatness of our
+folly," Prov. v. 22. We are "all gone astray," Isa. liii. 6. Psal.
+cxix. 67-176; so far are we from any knowledge of, or acquaintance
+with truth, or with the way of truth.</p>
+<p><i>Secondly.</i> It supposeth that we cannot turn into the right
+way. A spirit of error and untruth leadeth us continually wrong;
+like the sheep we wander still, and we weary ourselves in our
+wandering; and so spend all our labour and pains in vain. Being
+under the power of untruth and error, we cannot walk one step
+right.</p>
+<p><i>Thirdly.</i> Though all other ways, beside him who only is
+the way and the truth, be false ways and by-ways, leading us away
+from the true resting-place, and from that way which is the truth;
+yet we are prone and ready to cleave to those false and erroneous
+ways, and grip to shadows, and to lean to them, as if they were the
+ways of truth: Such as,</p>
+<p>1. A good heart, which many may imagine they have, when they
+have nothing less.</p>
+<p>2. Good intentions and purposes for time to come, which such, as
+were not under the power of error and untruth, would never deceive
+themselves withal.</p>
+<p>3. An harmless life, without scandalous out-breakings to the
+reproach of Christianity, a foundation on which no wise man, led by
+truth, would build his salvation, or hopes of eternal
+happiness.</p>
+<p>4. An outward, moral, civil and discreet carriage, which no man
+can blame, and wherein a heathen can outstrip many called
+Christians; so that it must be a poor ground to found our hopes
+upon; and yet many are so blinded, that they lean all their weight
+upon such a rotten staff.</p>
+<p>5. Outward exercise of religious duties, wherein a Pharisee may
+outstrip many; and yet, O how many build all their hopes of heaven
+upon this sandy foundation, which none but blinded persons would
+do!</p>
+<p>6. The commendation and applause of ministers and Christians, is
+that which many rest upon, which is a sad proof of the blindness of
+their hearts.</p>
+<p>7. The way of good works and alms-deeds blindfoldeth many, and
+sheweth that they were never led by truth, or taught of Christ, who
+is the truth.</p>
+<p>8. Some pinching grief and sorrow for sin, is another way which
+people, strangers to the truth, deceive themselves withal.</p>
+<p>9. A common sort of repentance, backed with some kind of
+amendment and outward reformation, is a way that many rest secure
+in, though it lead to destruction.</p>
+<p>10. Freedom from challenges of conscience deceiveth many.</p>
+<p>Though these and such like ways be dangerous, yea, deadly, yet
+how many are there to be found among Christians, that have no
+better ground of their hope of salvation, and will cleave to them
+so fast, as no preaching will make them so much as once question
+the matter, or suspect that these ways will in the end deceive
+them; so strong is their inclination to the way of error, though
+not as the way of error.</p>
+<p><i>Fourthly.</i> It presupposeth also an inclinableness in us by
+nature to wander out of the way; for being nothing but a mass of
+error, made up of darkness, ignorance, and mistakes, we have a
+strong bias to error, which agreeth best with our natural,
+corrupted temper. Hence it is, that we have such a strong
+propension to errors and mistakes: Whether,</p>
+<p>1. Concerning God, and his way of dealing with his church, or
+with ourselves. O how ready are our hearts by nature, to hatch and
+foment wrong, unseemly, untrue, yea, unchristian, if not
+blasphemous thoughts and conceptions of his nature, attributes,
+word, and works? And how ready and prone are we to receive and
+entertain wrong apprehensions of all his ways and dealings with his
+church and people? And as for his works in and about ourselves, O!
+what unsuitable, erroneous, false, ungodly, absurd, and abominable
+opinions do we with greediness drink in and foster; yea, feed upon
+with delight? Who is able to recount all the errors and mistakes
+which our heart by nature is ready to admit and foster with
+complacency? Are we not by nature ready to say, that there is not a
+God,&mdash;as the fool, Psal. xiv. 1. Or, that he is not such a God
+as his word and works declare him to be&mdash;a holy, just,
+righteous, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient God, &amp;c. Or that
+he is a changeable God, and actually changed, not being the same
+now which sometime he was. That he hath forgotten to be gracious,
+and remembereth not his people in adversity; and so is not tender
+and merciful. That he hath forgotten his promises, and so is not
+faithful and true. That he approveth of sin, because he suffereth
+the way of the wicked to prosper, and so is not a holy God, &amp;c.
+Yea, do not ofttimes such thoughts as these lodge within the heart
+of the truly godly? All which sheweth how prone we are to receive
+and entertain erroneous and false thoughts of God.</p>
+<p>2. Concerning ourselves. Supposing ourselves to be born again
+and reconciled to God, when yet we are living in black nature: And
+who so bold and confident that they are right, as they that are
+furthest out of the way? Or, on the other hand, supposing ourselves
+to be in a bad state, and in nature and darkness, when the day-star
+from on high hath visited us, and brought our souls from death unto
+life. And who more ready to complain than such as have least cause?
+Or supposing ourselves in a good condition; lively, active,
+diligent, watchful, &amp;c, when it is just otherwise with us: Or,
+on the contrary, complaining of deadness, formality, upsitting,
+fainting, heartlessness in the ways of God, when it is not so. Or,
+in questioned matters, taking truth to be error, and error to be
+truth.</p>
+<p>3. Concerning others. How ready are we to run either to the one
+extremity or the other in judging their persons and actions?</p>
+<p>Oh! where is the faith of this natural condition? where is the
+real conviction of it? Sure there is but little real believing of
+this when,</p>
+<p>(1.) There are so many that never so much as suspect themselves
+or question either their state or condition, at one time or other;
+never once imagine that their blinded hearts may deceive them;
+never once dream of a possibility of mistaking, and of dying with a
+lie in their right hand.</p>
+<p>(2.) And so many that are not lamenting and bewailing this their
+condition, nor crying out and complaining of a false, deceitful,
+and desperately wicked heart.</p>
+<p>(3.) And so few that are indeed humbled under the sense of this,
+and made therefore to walk more watchfully and soberly with an eye
+always upon their treacherous and deceiving hearts.</p>
+<p>(4.) And so few, crying for help from God against this deceitful
+adversary, through daily experience of the atheism, hypocrisy,
+ignorance, misconceptions of God and of his ways, and deceitfulness
+of our hearts, might sufficiently put it out of doubt with us.</p>
+<p><i>Next,</i> How miserable must their condition be, who are yet
+strangers to Christ; for they are living in darkness, lying in
+darkness, walking in darkness, yea, very darkness itself, a mass of
+error, mistakes, ignorance, and misconceptions of all things that
+are good; and still wandering out of the way.</p>
+<p><i>Finally,</i> Should not this preach out to, and convince us
+all of a necessity of having more acquaintance with truth, with
+Jesus Christ, who is the truth, that we may be delivered from this
+woful and wretched condition; for truth only can set us free
+therefrom.</p>
+<p>II. The <i>second</i> general thing to be noticed here is, that
+all other ways and courses, which we can take or follow, that we
+may obtain life, beside Christ, are but lies, false and deceitful
+ways,&mdash;there is no truth in them: For he only is the truth; no
+other whatsoever can bear this epithet: For,</p>
+<p>1. He only can satisfy the soul in all points otherways;
+whatever we can imagine and dream can yield no true satisfaction in
+this matter.</p>
+<p>2. He only can secure the soul from destructive ruinous courses,
+which will undo the soul. All other ways will fail here; none of
+them can give the least security to the soul, that they shall not
+bring him, in end, to destruction and everlasting perdition.</p>
+<p>3. He only can bring the soul safe through all opposition and
+difficulties in the way. No other way can do this; but will leave
+us in the mire, ere ever we come to the end of our journey.</p>
+<p>4. He will not deceive nor disappoint the soul. All other ways
+in end will prove treacherous, and give the traveller a doleful and
+sad disappointment.</p>
+<p>O what a warning should this be to us all, to take heed that we
+embrace not a lie, instead of him who is the truth; and sit not
+down with a shadow instead of the substance. How ready are we to
+put other things in his place? But whatever it be that gets his
+room in the soul, though good and worthy in itself, will prove a
+lie. Even, (1.) All our outward holiness and duties. Yea, (2.) All
+our experiences and great attainments. Yea, (3.) All our gifts and
+endowments. Aye, (4.) Our very graces. None of these are Christ's;
+and if we place that hope and confidence in them, which we should
+place on him, they will not prove the truth to us,&mdash;he alone
+is the truth.</p>
+<p>How sure then should we labour to be, that we do not die with a
+lie in our right hand. And how carefully should we guard against
+the trusting in, or leaning to any thing that is not Christ, and
+whole Christ, and only Christ, and Christ as offered in the gospel;
+seeing this way is only the truth, and no other way will be found
+so in end, though at present we may find in it,</p>
+<p>(1.) Some inward peace and quietness of heart, as if all were
+right.</p>
+<p>(2.) Some satisfaction of mind, things being right, as we
+apprehend, but falsely, through the deceitfulness of the heart.</p>
+<p>(3.) Something like assurance and confidence, that all will be
+right with us.</p>
+<p>(4.) And hope founded thereupon, which may help to ride through
+some storms, and yet fail us at length.</p>
+<p>III. The <i>third</i> general is this, Christ Jesus is not only
+the truth in himself, but also in reference to us. The scope of the
+place cleareth this, as he is the way and the life for our use, so
+he is the truth. Not only as God equal with the Father, but also as
+Mediator, and our Immanuel.</p>
+<p>As God, he is, 1. Essentially truth, being God equal with the
+Father in power and glory.</p>
+<p>2. In respect of veracity, he is the God of truth, Deut. xxxii.
+4; faithful in all his sayings, Ps. xxxi. 5; keeping truth for
+ever, Ps. cxlvi. 6.</p>
+<p>3. He is the fountain and spring-head of all created truth, for
+he is the first truth.</p>
+<p>As Mediator, and in reference to us, "he is full of grace and
+truth," John i. 14; "he received not the Spirit in measure," John
+iii. 34; and this Spirit is a Spirit of truth. But of this more,
+when we come to shew more particularly, how and in what respects he
+is called the truth, as Mediator.</p>
+<p>IV. The <i>fourth</i> general, which is here observable, is,
+that he is not only called "Truth," but "the Truth," as he is the
+way and the life; and not only true, but truth in the abstract.
+Which saith,</p>
+<p>1. That he is every way Truth, however we consider him, as God,
+or as Mediator.</p>
+<p>2. That all truth is in him; all truth of salvation for us is to
+be found in him.</p>
+<p>3. That all that is in him is truth, his natures, offices,
+performances, words, works, &amp;c, all are true.</p>
+<p>4. That he is pure and unmixed truth; no lie in him, no error or
+mistake there.</p>
+<p>5. That truth in him is in its perfection and excellency. In the
+truest of men it is very imperfect.</p>
+<p>O what an excellent one must he be! How completely fitted and
+furnished for us! Oh! if our souls could love him, and close with
+him, and rest upon him as all-sufficient!</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_XI." id="CHAPTER_XI."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2>
+<h4>MORE PARTICULARLY, IN WHAT RESPECT CHRIST IS CALLED THE
+TRUTH.</h4>
+<br>
+<p>But for further explaining of this matter, we would see more
+particularly, in what respects it is, that he is called the truth;
+and this will make way to our use-making of him. So,</p>
+<p><i>First,</i> He is the Truth, in opposition to the shadows and
+types of him, under the law. Hence, as "the law," the whole
+Levitical and typical dispensation, "came by Moses, so grace and
+truth came by Jesus Christ," John i. 17. They were all shadows of
+him, and he is the substance and body of them all, Col. ii. 17; and
+this is true in these respects:</p>
+<p>1. All these shadows and types pointed at him, and directed, as
+with a finger, the Israelites, who were under that dispensation, to
+look to Christ, the promised Messiah, and to rest, and to lay all
+their weight on him. So that the law was a shadow of good things to
+come, Heb. x. 1. Col. ii. 17.</p>
+<p>2. They all terminate in him, he putting an end, by his coming
+and performing his work, to all those types which only related to
+him, and to what he was to do; the body being come, there is no
+more need of the shadow and the thing typified existing, there is
+no more need or use of the type.</p>
+<p>3. They are all fulfilled in him; he answereth them all fully,
+so that whatever was shadowed forth by them is completely to be
+found in him. This the apostle, in his Epistle to the Hebrews,
+abundantly evinceth. And Paul to the Colossians, tells us, "we are
+complete in him," and therefore need no more follow the
+shadows.</p>
+<p><i>Secondly,</i> He is the Truth in reference to the prophecies
+of old; all which did principally point at him and his
+concernments, his person, nature, offices, work, kingdom, &amp;c.;
+and whatever was foretold in these prophecies is perfectly
+fulfilled in him, or done by him, or shall in due time be
+effectuated by him. He is that great prophet spoken of, Deut xviii.
+15, 18, 19. So said the Jews themselves, John vi. 14. All the
+prophets from Samuel spoke of him and of his days, Acts iii. 22-24.
+"And to him gave all the prophets witness," Acts x. 43. And
+whatever they prophesied or witnessed of him, was, or is in due
+time to be fulfilled in him. Hence, we find the evangelists and
+apostles frequently applying the sayings and prophecies of the Old
+Testament unto him. And Luke (chap. iv. 18,) himself said the
+prophecy of Isaiah lxi. 1, &amp;c., was fulfilled in him. See 1
+Pet. x. 11, 12. And himself expounded to the two disciples going to
+Emmaus, in all the Scriptures, beginning at Moses and all the
+prophets, all the things concerning himself, Luke xxiv. 27. And
+thus is he the Truth of all the prophecies.</p>
+<p><i>Thirdly,</i> He is the Truth, in reference to his undertaking
+with the Father in that glorious covenant of redemption; for
+whatever the Father laid on him to do, that he did fully and
+faithfully. "He was to bear our griefs, to carry our sorrows;" and
+that he did. "He was to be wounded for our transgressions, and
+bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon
+him, and by his stripes we were to be healed," Isa. liii. 5; and so
+it was, Rom. iv. 25. 1 Cor. xv. 3. 1 Pet. ii. 23. "His soul was to
+be made an offering for sin," Isa. liii. 10, and so it was; for he
+offered up himself a sacrifice for sin. Yea, all that he was to do,
+by virtue of that covenant, he did it perfectly, so as he cried
+out, while hanging on the cross, "It is finished," John xix. 30;
+and, in his prayer, John xvii., he told his Father, verse 4, that
+he had glorified him on earth, and had finished the work which he
+gave him to do; so that the Father was well pleased with him, Matt.
+iii. 17; xii. 18; and xvii. 5. Mark i. 11. Luke iii. 22.</p>
+<p><i>Fourthly,</i> He is the Truth, in respect of his offices
+which he took upon him for our good; for all the duties of these
+offices which he was to do, and what remaineth to be done, he will
+perfect in due time. Did he take upon him the office of a prophet?
+He did fully execute the same, in revealing mediately and
+immediately the whole counsel of God, John i. 18; and xv. 15. Eph.
+iv. 11, 12, 13. Acts xx. 32. 1 Pet. 10, 11, 12. Heb. i. 2. Did he
+take upon him the office of a priest? So did he fulfil the same,
+offering up himself an expiatory sacrifice to God, Heb. ix. 28; and
+ii. 17; and becoming a priest, and living for ever to make
+intercession for us, Heb. vii. 25. And did he take on the office
+and function of a King? So doth he execute the same, calling a
+people to himself out of the world by his word and
+Spirit&mdash;Acts xv. 14, 15, 16. Isa. lv. 4, 5. Psalm cx.
+3&mdash;erecting a visible church, a company of visible professors
+to profess and declare his name; which, as his kingdom, he ruleth
+with his own officers, laws and penalties, or censures; so that the
+government is on his shoulders, Isaiah ix. 6, 7, who is the head of
+the body, the church, Eph. i. 22, 23. Col. i. 18; and this his
+kingdom he ruleth, in a visible manner, by his own officers,
+&amp;c. Ephes. iv. 11, 12. 1 Cor. xii. 28. Isaiah xxxiii. 22. Matt.
+xviii. 17, 18. 1 Cor. v. 4, 5; and further, he executes this office
+by effectually calling the elect, giving them grace, Acts v. 3;
+rewarding the obedient, Rev. xxii. 12; ii. 10; chastising the
+disobedient, Rev. iii. 19; bringing his own home at length, through
+all their temptations, afflictions, and overcoming all their
+enemies, 1 Cor. xv. 25. Psalm cx.; and at length he shall do the
+part of a king, when he shall judge quick and dead at the last day,
+2 Thess. i. 8, 9. Acts xvii. 31. 2 Tim. iv. 1.</p>
+<p><i>Fifthly,</i> He is the Truth in this regard, that he fully
+answers all the titles and names which he had got. As he was called
+Jesus, so did he save his people from their sins, Matt. i. 21. As
+he was called Christ, so was he anointed with the Spirit without
+measure, John iii. 34. Psalm xlv. 7; and separated for his work,
+and endued with all power for that effect, Job vi. 27. Matt.
+xxviii. 18, 19, 20; and established to be a prophet, Acts iii. 21,
+22. Luke iv. 18, 21; a priest, Heb. v. 5, 6, 7; iv. 14, 15; and a
+king, Psalm ii. 6. Isaiah ix. 6, 7. Matt. xxi. 5. Phil. ii. 8-11.
+Was he called "Immanuel," Isaiah vii. 14? So was he indeed God with
+us, being God and man in one person for ever. Was he called
+"Wonderful," Isaiah ix. 6? So was he indeed in his two distinct
+natures in one person; at which the angels may wonder, Eph. iii.
+10, 11. 1 Pet. i. 12. 1 Tim. iii. 16. Was he called "Counsellor?"
+So was he indeed, coming out from the Father's bosom, with the
+whole counsel of God concerning our salvation, John i. 14, 18; iii.
+13; v. 20, and xv. 15. Was he called the "mighty God?" So was he
+indeed, Psalm cx. 1. Matt. xxii. 44. Heb. i. 13. Psalm xlv. 6. Heb.
+i. 8. Jer. xxiii. 6, and xxxiii. 16. Mal. iii. 1. Matt. xi. 10.
+Psalm lxxxiii. 18. Luke i. 76. John i. 1; xiv. 1. John v. 20. Tit.
+ii. 13. Rom. ix. 5. Was he called the "everlasting Father?" So is
+he the Father of eternity, being (as some interpret the word) the
+author of eternal life, which he giveth to all that believe in him,
+John vi. 39, 40, 47, 51; viii. 51; x. 28; xi. 25, 26. Heb. v. 9,
+and vii. 25. Was he called the "Prince of Peace?" So is he the
+Prince of Peace indeed, being our peace, Mic. v. 5. Eph. ii. 14;
+making up peace between God and us, Isaiah liii. 5, and liii. 19.
+Eph. ii. 17. Col. i. 20. Hence his gospel is the gospel of peace,
+and his ministers ambassadors of peace, Isaiah lii. 7. Rom. x. 15.
+2 Cor. v. 19, 20. Eph. vi. 15. And he giveth peace to all his,
+Zech. ix. 10. John xiv. 27; xvii. 33. Rom. v. 1; viii. 16, and xiv.
+17. 2 Thes. iii. 17. Was he called the "Lord our Righteousness?"
+Jer. xxiii. 6; so is he the same indeed, bringing in everlasting
+righteousness, Dan. ix. 24; and "being made of God to us
+righteousness," 1 Cor. i. 30; and making us righteous, 2 Cor. v.
+21.</p>
+<p><i>Sixthly,</i> He is the Truth in reference to the promises,
+which,</p>
+<p>1. Centre all in him, and lead to him as the great promise.</p>
+<p>2. Are founded all upon him, who is the only Mediator of the
+covenant of promises.</p>
+<p>3. Are confirmed all by him, and made yea and amen in him, 2
+Cor. i. 20. He confirmed the promises made to the fathers, Rev. xv.
+8.</p>
+<p>4. Are all dispensed and given out by him, who is the executor
+of his own testament, and the great dispensator of all that we
+need; so that what we ask of the Father he giveth it himself, John
+xiv. 13, 14.</p>
+<p><i>Seventhly,</i> He is the Truth, in that he fully answereth
+all the hopes and expectations of his people. He shall not be found
+a liar unto them, whatever Satan may suggest unto them, or a
+misbelieving heart may prompt them to conceive, and their jealousy
+may make them apprehend; and whatever his dispensations may now
+seem to say. In end they shall all find, that he is the truth,
+fully satisfying all their desires; and granting all that ever they
+could hope for, or expect from him. They shall at length be
+satisfied with his likeness, Psalm xvii. 15; yea, abundantly
+satisfied with the fatness of his house, Psalm xxxvi. 8; and with
+his goodness, Psalm lxv. 4; and that as with marrow and fatness,
+Psalm lxiii. 5. One sight of his glory will fully satisfy, and
+cause them to cry out, enough! Jeremiah is now saying, as once he
+did in the bitterness of his soul, through the power of corruption
+and temptation, (chap. xv. 18.) "wilt thou be altogether unto me as
+a liar, and as waters that fail?"</p>
+<p><i>Eighthly,</i> He is the Truth, in opposition to all other
+ways of salvation: for,</p>
+<p>1. There is no salvation now by the law of works, that covenant
+being once broken cannot any more save; the law cannot now do it,
+in that it is weak through the flesh, Rom. viii. 3.</p>
+<p>2. There is no salvation now by the law of Moses without Christ:
+hence Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, did
+not attain to the law of righteousness, because they sought it not
+by faith, but as it were by the works of the law, Rom. ix. 31, 32.
+They went about to establish their own righteousness, and did not
+submit themselves unto the righteousness of God, Rom. x. 3.</p>
+<p>3. There is no salvation by any thing mixed in with Christ, as
+the apostle fully cleareth in his epistle to the Galatians.</p>
+<p>4. There is no salvation by any other way or medium, which mart
+can invent or fall upon, whereof there are not a few, as we shewed
+above: "for there is not another name given under heaven, by which
+we can be saved," but the name of Jesus, Acts iv. 12. No religion
+Will save but this.</p>
+<p>So that he is the true salvation, and he only is the true
+salvation; and he is the sure and safe salvation: such as make use
+of him shall not be mistaken nor disappointed, Isaiah xxxv. 8.</p>
+<p><i>Ninthly,</i> He is the Truth, in respect of his leading and
+guiding his people in the truth: hence he is called "a teacher from
+God," John iii. 2; and one that "teacheth the way of God in truth,"
+Matt. xxii. 16. "A prophet mighty in deed and word," Luke xxiv. 19.
+And in this respect he is the truth upon several accounts.</p>
+<p>1. Of his personal teaching, God spoke by him, Heb. i. 2. He
+revealed the Father's mind, Matt. xi. 27. John i. 18.</p>
+<p>2. Of his messengers sent by him, as prophets of old, apostles
+and ministers of late, whom he sendeth forth to make disciples,
+Matt, xxviii. 18; and to open the eyes of the blind, Acts xxvi.
+18.</p>
+<p>3. Of his word, which he hath left as our rule, and which is a
+sure, word of prophecy, more sure than a voice from heaven, 2 Pet.
+i. 19.</p>
+<p>4. Of his ordinances, which he hath established as means to
+guide us in the way of truth.</p>
+<p>5. Of his Spirit, whereby he maketh the word clear, John xiv.
+26. This Spirit is sent to teach all truth, and to lead and guide
+us in all truth, John xvii. 13. 1 John ii. 27; and sept by him, and
+by the Father in his name, John xiv. 26; xv. 16; xvi. 14.</p>
+<p>6. Of his dispensations of providence, within us and without us,
+by which likewise he instructeth in the way of truth.</p>
+<p><i>Tenthly.</i> He, is the Truth, in, respect of his bearing
+witness to, the truth; and this he doth,</p>
+<p>1. By himself, who was given for a witness, Isaiah lv. 4; and
+came to bear witness to the truth, John iii. 11; xviii. 37; and was
+a faithful witness, Rev. i. 5; iii. 14,</p>
+<p>2. By his ministers, who witness the truth of the gospel by
+publishing and proclaiming the same.</p>
+<p>3. By his martyrs, who seal the truth with their blood, and so
+bear witness to it, Rev. ii. 13; xvii. 6. Acts xxii. 20.</p>
+<p>4. By his Spirit, sealing the truth of grace in a believer, and
+his interest in God through Christ, and his right to all the
+benefits of the new covenant, "in whom also, after ye believed, ye
+were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest
+of our inheritance," Eph. i. 13, 14.</p>
+<p><i>Eleventhly.</i> He is the Truth, in respect that he carrieth
+towards poor sinners in all things, according to the tenor of the
+gospel, and the offers thereof; he offers himself to all freely,
+and promiseth to put none away that come to him; and this he doth
+in truth: for no man can say, that he had a sincere and true desire
+to come to Jesus, and that he rejected him and would not look upon
+him. He giveth encouragement to all sinners to come, that will be
+content to quit their sins; and promiseth to upbraid none that
+cometh. And is there any that in their own experience can witness
+the contrary? He offers all freely; and did he ever reject any upon
+the want of a price in their hand? Nay, hath not the cause of their
+getting no admittance been, that they thought to commend themselves
+to Christ by their worth; and would not take all freely, for the
+glory of his grace? Let believers and others speak here, out of
+their own experience, in truth and in uprightness; and it shall be
+found, that he was and is the truth.</p>
+<p><i>Twelfthly.</i> He is the Truth, in that, in all his
+dispensations in the gospel, and in all his works and actions in
+and about his own people, he is true and upright. All his offers,
+all his promises, all his dispensations, are done in truth and
+uprightness; yea, all are done out of truth and uprightness of
+love, true tenderness and affection to them, whatever the
+corruption of jealousy and misbelief think and say to the contrary.
+He is the truth; and so always the same, unchangeable in his love,
+whatever his dispensations seem to say; and the believer may rest
+assured hereof, that he being the truth, shall be to him whatever
+his word holdeth him forth to be, and that constantly and
+unchangeably.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_XII." id="CHAPTER_XII."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XII.</h2>
+<h4>SOME GENERAL USES FROM THIS USEFUL TRUTH, THAT CHRIST IS THE
+TRUTH.</h4>
+<br>
+<p>Having thus cleared up this truth, we should come to speak of
+the way of believers making use of him as the truth, in several
+cases wherein they will stand in need of him as the truth. But ere
+we come to the particulars, we shall first propose some general
+uses of this useful point.</p>
+<p><i>First.</i> This point of truth serveth to discover unto us,
+the woful condition of such as are strangers to Christ the truth;
+and oh, if it were believed! For,</p>
+<p>1. They are not yet delivered from that dreadful plague of
+blindness, error, ignorance, mistakes under which all are by
+nature; a condition, that if rightly seen, would cause the soul lie
+low in the dust.</p>
+<p>2. Whatever course they take, till they come to Christ, and
+while they remain in that condition, is a lie, and a false,
+erroneous, and deceitful way. For still they are turning aside to
+lies, Psalm xl. 4; and seeking after them, Psalm iv. 2.</p>
+<p>3. Whatever hopes and confidence they may have, that their way
+shall carry them through, yet in end they will be found to inherit
+lies, Jer. xvi. 19; and meet with the saddest disappointment that
+can be. For instead of the fellowship of God, Christ, angels, and
+glorified spirits, they shall take up their lodging with devils and
+damned souls; and that because they have made no acquaintance with
+the way of truth; and the way wherein they are, is but a lie and a
+falsehood; and so of necessity must deceive them.</p>
+<p>4. All their literal and speculative knowledge shall not avail
+them, so long as they are strangers unto him who is the truth.
+Their knowledge is but ignorance, because it is not a knowledge of
+him who is the truth.</p>
+<p>5. They have none to go to for help and light in the day of
+their darkness, confusion, and perplexity; for they are not
+reconciled unto the truth, which alone can prove steadable and
+comfortable in that day.</p>
+<p>6. They can do nothing to help themselves out of that state of
+darkness and ignorance; and whatever they do to help themselves
+shall but increase their darkness and misery; because there is no
+truth there, and truth, even the truth alone, can dispel these
+clouds of error, mistakes, ignorance, &amp;c.</p>
+<p><i>Secondly.</i> Hence, we see the happy and blessed condition
+of believers, who have embraced this truth, and gotten their souls
+opened to him who is the truth; for,</p>
+<p>1. They are in part delivered from that mass of lies, mistakes,
+misapprehensions, errors, deceitfulness and ignorance under which
+they lay formerly, and all the unregenerate do yet lie. And though
+they be not fully delivered therefrom, yet the day is coming when
+that shall be, and the begun work of grace and truth in them is a
+pledge thereof; and at present they have ground to believe, that
+that evil shall not again have dominion over them, they being now
+under grace, and under the guidance of truth.</p>
+<p>2. Howbeit they have many perplexing thoughts, doubts and fears
+of their state and condition, and think many a time, that they
+shall one day or other perish by the way; and all their hopes and
+confidence shall evanish; yet having given up themselves to truth,
+and to the truth, they shall not be disappointed in the end. The
+truth shall land them safe on the other side. The truth shall prove
+no lie.</p>
+<p>3. They have a fast and steadable friend to go to, in a day of
+darkness, clouds, doubts, when falsehood and lies are like to
+prevail, even the Truth, who alone can help them in that day.</p>
+<p>4. Howbeit the knowledge they have of God, and of the mysteries
+of the gospel, be but small; yet that small measure being taught by
+him, who is the truth, and flowing from truth, shall prove
+sanctifying and saving.</p>
+<p>9. They have ground to hope for more freedom from errors and
+deceitful lies, than others; for they have chosen the way of truth,
+and given themselves up to the leading of truth.</p>
+<p><i>Object.</i> But do not even such drink in and receive and
+plead for errors, as well as others; and is it not sometime found,
+that they even live and die in some mistakes and errors?</p>
+<p><i>Answ.</i> I grant the Lord may suffer even some of his own to
+fall into, and to continue for some time in errors, yea, and it may
+be all their days, as to some errors, that hereby, all may learn to
+tremble and fear, and to work out their salvation with fear and
+trembling. (2.) Some may be tried thereby, Dan. xi. 35. (3.) Others
+may break their neck thereupon. (4.) To punish themselves, for not
+making that use of truth, and of the truth, that they should have
+done; yet we would consider these few things:</p>
+<p>1. That there are many more unregenerate persons that fall into
+error.</p>
+<p>2. If his people fall into error at any time, they do not always
+continue therein to the end. God for his own glory maketh, sometime
+or other, truth shine in upon their soul, which discovereth that
+mistake, and presently, the grace of God in their soul maketh them
+to abhor the same.</p>
+<p>3. Or if some continue in it to their dying day, yet they repent
+of it, by an implicit repentance, as they do of other unknown and
+unseen evils that lie in their soul; so that that error doth not
+destroy their soul.</p>
+<p>4. There are some gross errors, which a regenerate soul cannot
+readily embrace, or if, through a mistake, or the power of a
+temptation, they do embrace them, yet they cannot heartily close
+with them, whatever for a time, through corruption and pride, they
+may seem outwardly to do; and that because the very daily exercise
+of grace will discover them; and so they will be found to be
+against their daily experience; as some opinions of the Papists,
+Arminians, and Socinians, together with the abominable Quakers,
+which a gracious soul, when not carried away with the torrent of
+corruption, and with the tempest of a temptation, cannot but
+observe to contradict the daily workings of grace in their soul,
+and the motions of their sanctified soul, in prayer and other holy
+duties; and so such as they cannot but find to be false by their
+own experience.</p>
+<p><i>Thirdly.</i> Here is ground of a sharp reproof of the wicked,
+who continue in unbelief; and,</p>
+<p>1. Will not believe, nor give any credit to his promises;
+wherewith he seeketh to allure poor souls to come to him for
+life.</p>
+<p>2. Nor will they believe his threatenings, wherewith he useth to
+alarm souls, and to urge them forward to their duty.</p>
+<p>3. Nor will they believe and receive his offers, as true.</p>
+<p>5. Nor will they believe, that he is the true prophet, priest,
+and king, that must save souls from hell and death, and therefore
+they will not give him employment in his offices.</p>
+<p>All which cannot but be a high provocation, for in effect it is
+to say that he is not the truth, nor worthy to be believed. Let
+them consider this, and see how they think he shall take this off
+their hands. No man will take it well that another should either
+call or account him a liar; and can they think that Christ shall
+take it well at their hands, to be accounted by them a liar? What
+will they think to be challenged for this in the great day? Now,
+the truth is, all unbelievers, as they make God a liar, (O horrid
+and abominable crime! Whose hair would not stand on end to hear
+this?) 1 John v. 10, 11. "He that believeth not God hath made him a
+liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
+And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life; and
+this life is in his Son." So do they make the Son of God a liar, in
+all his sayings, in all his offices, and in all his works; and they
+make the Holy Ghost a liar, in not believing that truth that he
+hath sealed as firm truth. They make the covenant of suretiship
+betwixt the Father and the Son, a mere lie and a forgery. O
+dreadful! They make the word of truth a lie, and they make all the
+saints liars, and all the officers of Jesus Christ, who declare
+this truth, and the saints who believe it, and rest upon it,
+liars.</p>
+<p><i>Fourthly.</i> Hence is there ground of reproof to the godly,
+in that,</p>
+<p>1. They do not firmly enough believe his sayings, neither his
+promises, nor his threatenings, as appeareth too oft upon the one
+hand, by their faintings and fears, and upon the other hand, by
+their carelessness and loose walk.</p>
+<p>2. They make not use of him, in all cases as they ought. His
+offices lie by and are not improved; nor is he gone to as the
+truth, in cases requiring his help, as the truth; that is, in cases
+of darkness, doubtings, confusion, ignorance of their case and
+condition, and the like.</p>
+<p>3. They do not approach to him, nor to God through him, heartily
+and cordially, as the very truth, and true way.</p>
+<p>4. Nor do they rest with confidence upon him in all
+difficulties, as being the truth that will not fail them, nor
+disappoint them.</p>
+<p>5. Nor do they rejoice in him, as satisfied with him, who is the
+truth, in the want of all other things.</p>
+<p><i>Fifthly.</i> The right consideration of this truth should
+keep us in mind of several great duties; such as those,</p>
+<p>1. Of pitying those places where this truth is not heard of, as
+among Turks and heathens; or where it is darkened with superstition
+and men's inventions, as among papists; or where it hath been
+clearly shining, but now is darkened, as in some churches now under
+the prevailing power of corruption; or, lastly, where it is not
+received in its power and lustre, as, alas! it is too little
+received in the best and purest churches.</p>
+<p>2. Of being thankful to him for making this truth known in the
+world, and particularly in the place where we were born, or had our
+abode; and yet more for that he hath determined our hearts to a
+believing of this truth, in some weak measure; to an embracing of
+it, and to a giving of ourselves up to be led, ruled, and guided
+thereby.</p>
+<p>3. Of esteeming highly of every piece of truth for his sake who
+is the truth; studying it for his sake&mdash;loving it for his
+sake&mdash;holding it fast for his sake&mdash;witnessing to it, as
+we are called, for his sake. We should buy the truth, and not sell
+it, Prov. xxiii. 23; and we should plead for it, and be valiant for
+it, Isa. lix. 4, 14. Jer. vii. 28; ix. 3.</p>
+<p>4. Of taking part with him and his cause, in all hazards, for
+truth is always on his side; and truth shall prevail at length.</p>
+<p>5. Of giving him employment in our doubts and difficulties,
+whether,</p>
+<p>(1.) They be about some controverted points of truth, which come
+to be debated, or to trouble the church. Or,</p>
+<p>(2.) About our own estate and condition, quarrelled at by Satan,
+or questioned by the false heart. Or,</p>
+<p>(3.) About our carriage in our daily walk. In all these, and the
+like, we should be employing truth, that we may be led in truth,
+and taught by truth, to walk in sure paths.</p>
+<p>6. Of carrying in all things before him as true; for he is
+truth, and the truth, and so cannot be deceived; and therefore we
+should walk before him in sincerity and singleness of heart,
+without guile, hypocrisy, or falsehood, that we may look like
+children of the truth; and of the day, and of light, and children
+that will not lie or dissemble, Isaiah lxiii. 8; not like these
+that lied unto him, Psalm lxxviii. 38. Isaiah lix. 13.</p>
+<p>7. Of taking him only for our guide to heaven, by denying our
+own wit, skill, and understanding, and looking to and resting upon
+him, who alone is the truth, and so acknowledging him in all our
+ways, depending on him for light and counsel, for singleness of
+heart, humility, diligence, and truth, in the inward parts.</p>
+<p>8. Of giving up ourselves daily unto him and his guidance, and
+denying our own wills, humours, parties, or opinions; for he alone
+is truth, and can only guide us aright. And for this cause, we
+would acquaint ourselves well with the word, which is our rule, and
+seek after the Spirit, whom Christ hath promised to lead us into
+all truth.</p>
+<p><i>Sixthly.</i> Should not this be a strong inducement to all of
+us, to lay hold on and grip to him, who is the truth, and only the
+truth? seeing,</p>
+<p>1. All other ways which we can take, will prove a lie to us in
+the end.</p>
+<p>2. He is substance, and no shadow, and all that love him shall
+inherit substance; for he will fill all their treasures, Prov.
+viii. 21.</p>
+<p>3. Such as embrace him shall not wander, nor be misled; for his
+"mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to his
+lips," Prov. viii. 7. "All the words of his mouth are in
+righteousness, and there is nothing froward or perverse in them,"
+verse 8. "He is wisdom, and dwelleth with prudence, and findeth out
+knowledge of witty inventions," verse 12. "Counsel is his, and
+sound wisdom; he hath understanding and strength," ver. 14.</p>
+<p>4. He will make good all his promises in due time, and give a
+subsistence and a being to them all; for he is the Truth, and the
+Truth must stand to his promises, and fulfil them all.</p>
+<p>5. He will never, nay, "never leave his people, nor forsake
+them," Heb. xiii. 5. He is truth, and cannot deceive; he cannot
+forsake nor disappoint. He is a spring of water, whose waters fail
+not, Isaiah lviii. 11. Therefore they cannot be disappointed in the
+end, and perish, who trust to him.</p>
+<p>6. The truth will make them free, John viii. 32, 36, and so
+deliver them from their state of sin and misery, wherein they lay
+as captives; and from that spiritual bondage and slavery under
+which they were held.</p>
+<p><i>Seventhly</i>. This, to believers, may be a spring of
+consolation in many cases, as,</p>
+<p>1. When error and wickedness seem to prosper and prevail; for
+though it prevail for a time, yet truth will be victorious at
+length, and the truth will overcome all. He is truth, and will
+plead for truth.</p>
+<p>2. When friends, acquaintances, relations, fail them, and father
+and mother forsake them, truth will take them up. He who is the
+truth will answer his name, and never deceive, never forsake.</p>
+<p>3. When riches, honours, pleasures, or what else their heart
+hath being going out after, prove like summer brooks; for the truth
+will be the same to them in all generations; there is no shadow of
+turning with him. The Truth is always truth, and true.</p>
+<p>4. When we fear that either ourselves or others shall fall away,
+in a day of trial, and turn from the truth. Though all men prove
+liars and deceivers, truth will abide the same, and stand out all
+the blasts of opposition.</p>
+<p>5. When unbelief would make us question the truth of the
+promises, the faith of his being truth itself, and the truth, even
+truth in the abstract, would shame unbelief out of countenance.
+Shall truth fail? Shall not the Truth be true? What a contradiction
+were that?</p>
+<p>6. When we know not how to answer the objections of Satan, and
+of a false treacherous heart; for truth can easily answer all
+cavils; and he who is the truth can repel all objections against
+truth. Truth is impregnable, and can stand against all.</p>
+<p>7. When we cannot know, nor discover the wiles and subtilty of
+Satan. Truth can discover the depths of Satan, and make the poor
+soul more acquaint with them; so that they shall not any more be
+ignorant of his devices, who look to him.</p>
+<p>8. When the thoughts of the deceitfulness of our hearts trouble
+us, the depth whereof we cannot search. This then may comfort us,
+that truth may search the heart and the reins, Jer. xvii. 9,
+10.</p>
+<p>9. When we cannot tell what our disease and distemper is, and so
+cannot seek suitable remedies, or help from God, O what a comfort
+is it, to know and believe, that he is the truth, with whom we have
+to do, and so knoweth our distemper perfectly, and all its causes
+and symptoms,&mdash;truth cannot be at a stand in discerning our
+disease; so nor can he be ignorant of the fittest and only safest
+cures.</p>
+<p>10. When we know not what to ask in prayer, as not knowing what
+is best for us, it is a comfort to remember that we have to do with
+the Truth, who is perfectly acquainted with all that, and knoweth
+what is best.</p>
+<p>11. When we know not how to answer the calumnies of adversaries,
+it is comfortable to know that he is the truth, that will hear
+truth, when men will not, and will own and stand for the truth,
+when enemies do what they can to darken an honest man's good cause.
+It is comfortable to know, we have the Truth to appeal to, as David
+had, Psalm vii. 17.</p>
+<p>12. When we think on our own covenant-breaking, and dealing
+deceitfully with God, it is comfortable to remember, that though we
+and all men be liars, and deal deceitfully with him, yet he is the
+truth, and will keep covenant for ever; he will not, he cannot deny
+himself, 2 Tim. ii. 13.</p>
+<p><i>Eighthly,</i> Hence we may certainly conclude, that truth,
+which is Christ's cause, shall at length prevail; for he is truth,
+yea, the truth, and so abideth truth; therefore must he prevail,
+and all the mouths of liars must be stopped. So then let us remain
+persuaded, that truth at length shall be victorious, and that the
+cause of Christ shall have the victory. Though,</p>
+<p>1. The enemies of truth, and the cause of Christ, be multiplied,
+and many there be that rise up against it.</p>
+<p>2. These enemies should prosper, and that for along time, and
+carry on their course of error and wickedness with a high hand.</p>
+<p>3. There should be few found to befriend truth, and to own it in
+an evil day.</p>
+<p>4. Yea, many of those that did sometime own it, and plead for
+it, should at length turn their backs upon it, as did Demas.</p>
+<p>5. And such as continue constant and faithful, be loaded with
+reproaches, and pressed under with sore persecution, for adhering
+to truth, and owning constantly the good cause.</p>
+<p>6. Yea, though all things in providence should seem to say, that
+truth shall not rise again, but seem, on the contrary, to conspire
+against the same.</p>
+<p><i>Ninthly,</i> May we not hence read, what should be our way
+and course, in a time when a spirit of error is gone abroad, and
+many are carried off their feet therewith, or when we are doubtful
+what to do, and what side of the dispute to take. O then is the fit
+time for us to employ truth, to live near to him who is the truth,
+to wait on him, and hang upon him, with singleness of heart.</p>
+<p><i>Objection.</i> But many even of his own people do err and
+step aside. <i>Ans.</i> That is true: But yet, (1.) That will be no
+excuse to thee. Nay,(2.) That should make thee fear and tremble
+more. (3.) And it should press thee to lie near to Christ, and to
+wrestle more earnestly with him, for the Spirit of light and of
+truth, and to depend more constantly and faithfully upon him, with
+singleness of heart, and to give up all thy soul and way to him, as
+the God of truth, and as the truth, that thou mayest be led into
+all truth.</p>
+<p><i>Tenthly,</i> This should stir us up to go to him, and make
+use of him as the truth in all cases, wherein we may stand in need
+of truth's hand to help us; and for this cause we should mind those
+particulars:</p>
+<p>1. We should live in the constant conviction of our ignorance,
+blindness, hypocrisy, readiness to mistake and err. This is clear
+and manifest, and proved to be truth by daily experience; yet how
+little is it believed, that it is so with us? Do we see and believe
+the atheism of our hearts? Do we see and believe the hypocrisy of
+our hearts? Are we jealous of them, as we ought to be? O that it
+were so! Let this then be more minded by us.</p>
+<p>2. Let us live in the persuasion of this, that he only, and
+nothing below him, will be able to clear our doubts, dispel our
+clouds, clear up our mistakes, send us light, and manifest truth
+unto us; not our own study, pains, prayers, duties, learning,
+understanding; nor ministers, nor professors, and experienced
+Christians, and the like.</p>
+<p>3. We should be daily giving up ourselves to him, as the truth,
+in all the forementioned respects, and receiving him into our souls
+as such, that we may dwell and abide there: then shall the truth
+make us free; and if the Son make us free, we shall be free indeed,
+John viii. 36.</p>
+<p>4. There should be much single dependence on him for light,
+instruction, direction, and guidance in all our exigencies.</p>
+<p>5. Withal, there should be a waiting on him with patience,
+giving him liberty to take his own way and time, and a leaving of
+him thereunto.</p>
+<p>6. We should by all means guard against such things as are
+hinderances, and will prove obstacles to us in this matter; such
+as,</p>
+<p>(1.) Prejudices against the truth; for then we will undervalue
+light, and reject all the directions and instructions of the
+Spirit, as not agreeing with our prejudicate opinion.</p>
+<p>(2.) A wilful turning away from truth, as these, 2 Tim. iv. 4.
+Titus i. 14.</p>
+<p>(3.) Addictedness to our own judgments and opinions, which
+causeth pertinaciousness, pride, and conceit, as thinking ourselves
+so wise, as that we need no information; and this occasioneth a
+self-confidence.</p>
+<p>(4.) Looking too much unto, and hanging too much upon men, who
+are but instruments, crying them up as infallible, and receiving,
+without further examination, all that they say, not like the
+Bereans, Acts xvii. This is a great hinderance to the receiving of
+truth, and very prejudicial.</p>
+<p>(5.) A neglecting of the use of the means which God hath
+appointed for this end.</p>
+<p>(6.) Or an hanging too much on them, and so misplacing them,
+giving them his room.</p>
+<p>(7.) Leaning too much to our own understanding, wit and
+knowledge, &amp;c.</p>
+<p>(8.) A resisting of the truth, 2 Tim. iii. 8. These and the like
+hinderances should be guarded against, lest they mar our attaining
+to the knowledge of truth.</p>
+<p>7. There should be much of the exercise of prayer, for this is
+the main conduit and mean, through which light is conveyed into the
+soul. There should also be a serious and Christian reading and
+hearing of the word, which is truth, and the word of truth, and the
+Scripture of truth; and those duties should be gone about with,
+(1.) much self-denial; (2.) with much singleness of heart; (3.)
+with much humility; (4.) with much willingness and readiness to be
+instructed; (5.) with much seriousness and earnestness; and, (6.)
+with faith and dependence on God for his blessing and
+breathing.</p>
+<p>8. We should beware of trusting to our own understandings, or to
+the judgments of other men; nor should we look to what suiteth most
+our own humours, nor to what appeareth most specious and plausible,
+for that may deceive us.</p>
+<p>9. We should lie open to the influences and rays of light, by
+exercising faith in earnest desires; as also patient waiting for
+and single looking to him, minding his name and his relations,
+promises, and engagements, and the strengthening of our faith and
+confidence.</p>
+<p>10. We should labour to keep fast whatever he teacheth us by his
+word and Spirit, and not prove leaking vessels. This the apostle
+exhorteth to, Heb. ii. 1, "Therefore we ought to give the more
+earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we
+should let them slip;" yea, and we should be established "in the
+truth," 2 Pet. i. 12.</p>
+<p>11. We should beware of resting on a form of the truth, as those
+did, of whom we read, Rom. ii. 20; and of holding the truth in
+unrighteousness, as those, Rom. i. 18; and of disobeying it, as
+those mentioned in Rom. ii. 8. See also Gal. iii. 1; v. 7.</p>
+<p>12. But on the contrary, we should so receive truth, as that it
+might rule and be master in us, captivate judgment, will, and
+affections, and break out into the practice. And this recommendeth
+several duties, such as,</p>
+<p>(1.) To have the truth in us; while as, if we practise
+otherwise, "the truth is not in us," 1 John i. 8; ii. 4.</p>
+<p>(2.) To be of the truth, as belonging to its jurisdiction,
+power, and command, 1 John iii. 19. John xviii. 37.</p>
+<p>(3.) To do the truth, by having true fellowship with him, 1 John
+i. 6; and "to walk in the truth," 2 John iv. 3. John iv. Psalm
+lxxxvi. 11.</p>
+<p>(4.) To have the loins girt with truth, Eph. i. 14.</p>
+<p>(5.) To receive the love of the truth, 2 Thess. ii. 10.</p>
+<p>(6.) To be instructed of him, "as the truth is in Jesus," Eph.
+iv. 21.</p>
+<p>(7.) To purify the soul in obeying the truth, 1 Pet. ii. 22.</p>
+<p>This shall suffice for clearing up, and applying in the general
+this excellent truth, that Christ is the truth. We shall now come
+and make some more particular use of this precious point, by
+speaking to some particular cases (which we shall instance in, by
+which the understanding Christian may be helped to understand how
+to carry and how to make use of Christ in other the like cases),
+wherein Christ is to be made use of as the truth, and show how
+believers are to make use of him in these cases as the truth.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_XIII." id="CHAPTER_XIII."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIII.</h2>
+<h4>HOW TO MAKE USE OF CHRIST AS THE TRUTH, FOR GROWTH IN
+KNOWLEDGE.</h4>
+<br>
+<p>It is a commanded duty, that we grow in the knowledge of Jesus
+Christ, 2 Pet. iii. 18; and the knowledge of him being life
+eternal, John xvii. 3, and our measure of knowledge of him here
+being but imperfect, for we know but in part, it cannot but be an
+useful duty, and a desirable thing, to be growing in this
+knowledge. This is to walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, to
+be increasing in the knowledge of God, Col. i. 10. Knowledge must
+be added to virtue; and it layeth a ground for other Christian
+virtues, 2 Pet. i. 5, 6. In this knowledge we must not be barren, 2
+Pet. i. 2. And this being so necessary, so desirable, so useful,
+and so advantageous a grace, the believer cannot but desire to have
+more and more of it, especially seeing it is a part of the image of
+God, Col. iii. 10.</p>
+<p>Now it is the truth that must teach them here, first and last.
+"The light of the knowledge of the glory of God must be had in the
+face of Jesus Christ," 2 Cor. iv. 6. The question therefore is, how
+we should make use of Jesus Christ for this end, that we may attain
+to more of this excellent knowledge.</p>
+<p><i>First.</i> It is good to live in the constant conviction of a
+necessity of his teaching us, and this taketh in those
+particulars:</p>
+<p>1. That we should be conscious of our ignorance, even when we
+know most, or think we know most, remembering that the best knoweth
+but in part, 1 Cor. xiii. 9. The more true knowledge we attain to,
+the more will we see and be convinced of our ignorance; because the
+more we know, the more will we discover of the vastness and
+incomprehensibility of that object, which is proposed to our
+knowledge.</p>
+<p>2. That we should remember, how deceitful our hearts are; and
+how ready they are to sit down upon a shadow of knowledge, even
+where we know nothing as we ought to know, 1 Cor. viii. 2; and this
+will keep us jealous and watchful.</p>
+<p>3. And to help forward our jealousy of our own hearts and
+watchfulness, we should remember that our hearts naturally are
+averse from any true and saving knowledge; whatever desire there be
+naturally after knowledge of hidden things out of curiosity; and of
+things natural; or of things spiritual, as natural, for the
+perfection of nature, as might be pretended, whereby in effect
+those that increase knowledge, increase sorrow, Eccl. i. 18. Yet
+there is no inclination after spiritual and saving knowledge, in us
+naturally, but an aversion of heart therefrom.</p>
+<p>4. That we should study and know the absolute necessity of this
+knowledge. How necessary it is for our Christian communion with
+God, and Christian walk with others; how necessary for our right
+improving of dispensations, general and particular; what a noble
+ornament of a Christian it is, and a necessary piece of the image
+of God, which we have lost.</p>
+<p><i>Secondly.</i> Upon these grounds mentioned, we would also be
+convinced of this:</p>
+<p>1. That of ourselves, and by all our natural parts, endowments,
+quickness and sagacity, we cannot attain to this saving knowledge,
+which is a special and saving grace, and so must be wrought in the
+soul by a divine hand, even the mighty power of God. By our private
+study and reading, we may attain to a literal, heady, and
+speculative knowledge, that will puff us up, 1 Cor. viii. 1; but
+thereby shall we never attain to this knowledge, which is
+spiritual, hearty, and practical, and so saving, we must have the
+anointing here, which teacheth us all things, 1 John ii. 27. And of
+this we should be persuaded, that we may look to a higher hand for
+light and instruction.</p>
+<p><i>Thirdly.</i> There should be an eyeing of Christ's furniture
+and fitness for this work of teaching of us, to wit,</p>
+<p>1. An eyeing of him as the substantial wisdom of the Father,
+Prov. viii.</p>
+<p>2. An eyeing of him, as one come out of the bosom of the Father,
+John i. 18; and so sufficiently enabled to acquaint us with the
+mysteries of God for salvation.</p>
+<p>3. An eyeing of him as Mediator, fully endued with all
+necessaries for this piece of his work, and so having received the
+Spirit without measure, for this end, John iii. 34; and as having
+hid in him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, Col. ii. 3;
+and as having all fullness dwelling in him, Col. i. 19; and also
+Isa. xi. 2; lxi. 1,2.</p>
+<p>4. An eyeing of him, as having power to send the Spirit, that
+anointing that teacheth us all things, "and is truth and is no
+lie," 1 John ii. 20-27; not only by way of intercession and
+entreaty, begging it of the Father, John xv. 16, 17; but also
+authoritatively, as conjunct with the Father. The Father sendeth
+him in Christ's name, John xiv. 26; and Christ sendeth him from the
+Father, John xv. 26; and this Spirit of truth which guideth into
+all truth, shall receive of Christ's, and shew it unto us, John
+xvi. 13-15.</p>
+<p><i>Fourthly,</i> There should be an eyeing of Christ's
+readiness, willingness, and engagement to help in this case; and
+this will encourage the soul to go forward. And for this cause we
+would remember those things:</p>
+<p>1. That he standeth obliged to help us with instruction, by
+virtue of his office, as a prophet, a witness, a leader, and a
+commander, Isa. l v. 4.</p>
+<p>2. That he is commissioned of the Father for this end, and so is
+the Father's servant; and is given for "a light to the Gentiles,"
+Isa. xlii. 6; xlix. 6; and the Father is said to speak by him, or
+in him, Heb. i. 1.</p>
+<p>3. That he received his gifts and qualifications for this end
+and purpose, that he might give out and dispense to his members
+according to their necessity; as is clear from Psalm lxviii. 18,
+compared with Eph. iv. 8; what he is said to have received in the
+one place, he is said to have given in the other.</p>
+<p>4. That he hath begun this work already by his Spirit in his
+followers; and therefore standeth engaged to see it perfected; for
+all his works are perfect works.</p>
+<p>5. That he hath a love to his scholars, and a desire to have
+them all thriving, and making progress in knowledge; this being his
+glory who is their master and teacher.</p>
+<p>6. That he laid down ways and means, and a constant course for
+instructing of his people: for,</p>
+<p>(1.) He hath given his word, and settled and established
+ordinances for this end.</p>
+<p>(2.) He hath established a ministry for instructing his people,
+Eph. iv. 8-13.</p>
+<p>(3.) He hath gifted persons for this work of the ministry, 1
+Cor. xii. 4-11.</p>
+<p>(4.) He maketh these officers, in the faithful administration of
+their function, and through his blessing and Spirit, maketh their
+work prosperous and effectual in his own, as he seeth fit.</p>
+<p><i>Fifthly.</i> There should be an eyeing of the promises of the
+covenant of grace made for this end, whether general or particular,
+or both; such as those which we have, Isa. ii. 9. Hab. ii. 14, "The
+earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord," or of "the
+glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea;" and that, Isa.
+xxxii. 4, "the heart of the rash shall understand knowledge,"
+&amp;c.; and Jer. xxxi, 34, "They shall all know me."</p>
+<p><i>Sixthly.</i> There should be a constant, diligent, serious,
+and single using of the means of knowledge, with a faithful
+dependence on Christ by faith, gripping to him in his relations,
+offices, engagements, and promises, and waiting upon his breathing
+in hope and patience, Psal. xxv. 5.</p>
+<p><i>Seventhly.</i> There should be a guarding against every thing
+that may obstruct this work, and grieve him in it; and therefore we
+would beware,</p>
+<p>1. To undervalue and have a little esteem of knowledge; for this
+will grieve him; and (to speak so) put him from work.</p>
+<p>2. To misimprove any measure of knowledge he giveth.</p>
+<p>3. To weary of the means and ordinances whereby he useth to
+convey knowledge into the soul.</p>
+<p>4. To limit the holy One of Israel to this or that mean, to this
+or that time, or to this or that measure, who should have a
+latitude as to all these.</p>
+<p>5. To despise the day of small things, because we get not
+more.</p>
+<p>6. To be too curious in seeking after the knowledge of hidden
+mysteries, the knowledge whereof is not so necessary.</p>
+<p>7. To lean too much unto, and to depend too much upon the
+ordinances, or instruments, as if all, or any thing, could come
+from them.</p>
+<p><i>Eighthly.</i> There should be a right improving of any
+measure of knowledge we get to his glory, and to the edification of
+others, with humility and thankfulness, and so a putting of that
+talent in use, to gain more to his glory. Whatever measure of
+knowledge we get, we should in all haste, put it into practice, and
+set it to work; so shall it increase, and engage him to give
+more.</p>
+<p><i>Ninthly.</i> There should be a lying open to Christ's
+instructions, and to the shinings of the Spirit of light and of
+truth, and a ready receiving of what measure he is pleased to grant
+or infuse. Which includeth those duties, 1. A serious and earnest
+hungering and thirsting after more spiritual knowledge.</p>
+<p>2. A diligent use of every approven mean for this end.</p>
+<p>3. A going about the means with much self-denial, spirituality,
+singleness of heart, and sincerity, looking to and depending upon
+him, who must breathe upon the means, and make them useful.</p>
+<p>4. A greedy receiving, drinking in, and treasuring up in the
+soul what is gotten.</p>
+<p>5. A guarding against selfish and bye-ends, with a single eyeing
+of his glory.</p>
+<p>6. A guarding against pride in the heart, and a studying of
+humility and meekness; for the "meek will he guide in judgment, and
+the meek will he teach his way," Psal. xxv. 9.</p>
+<p>7. A putting of the heart or understanding in his hand, together
+with the truth, that is heard and received, that he may write the
+truth, and cause the heart receive the impression of the truth.</p>
+<p><i>Tenthly.</i> There should be a rolling of the whole matter by
+faith on him, as the only teacher, a putting of the ignorant,
+blockish, averse, and perverse heart, into his hand, that he may
+frame it to his own mind, and a leaving of it there, till he by the
+Spirit, write in it what he thinketh meet, to his own glory and our
+good.</p>
+<p>And sure, were this way followed, growth in knowledge would not
+be so rare a thing as it is.</p>
+<br>
+<p>CAUTIONS.</p>
+<p>For further direction and caution in this matter, the believer
+would take notice of these particulars:</p>
+<p>1. That he should not sit down upon any measure of knowledge he
+hath attained to, or can attain to here, as if he had enough, and
+should labour for no more; but he should still be minding his duty
+of seeking, and pressing for more.</p>
+<p>2. Whenever he is about any mean of knowledge, such as
+preaching, reading, conference, &amp;c. his heart should be only
+upon Christ. He should be hanging on his lips for a word of
+instruction; and with greediness looking for a word from his mouth;
+he should be sending many posts to heaven, many ejaculatory desires
+for light and understanding, and that with singleness and
+sincerity, and not for base ends, or out of hypocrisy.</p>
+<p>3. Let him not think, that there is no growth in knowledge,
+because possibly he perceiveth it not, or is not satisfied as to
+the measure thereof; yea, though possibly he perceive more
+ignorance, than ever he did before. If he grow in the knowledge of
+his own ignorance, it is a growth of knowledge not to be despised;
+and in a manner, what can we else know of God, but that he far
+transcendeth all our knowledge, and that he is an incomprehensible
+one, in all his ways.</p>
+<p>4. Let him not think, that there is no growth in knowledge,
+because he perceiveth not a growth in the knowledge of such or such
+a particular, which he desireth most; for if there be a truth in
+the knowledge of other particulars, necessary to be known, there is
+no reason to complain. If one grow not, as he supposeth, in the
+knowledge of God, and of the mysteries of the gospel; yet if he
+grow in the discovery of the treachery and wickedness of his own
+heart, he cannot say that he groweth not in knowledge.</p>
+<p>5. Let him not measure his growth in knowledge, by his growth in
+the faculty of speaking and discoursing of such or such points of
+religion; many measure their knowledge by their tongue, and think
+they know little, because they can express little; and so they
+think they attain to no increase or growth in knowledge, because
+they perceive no increase or growth in this faculty of discoursing,
+and talking of such or such points of truth. It is safer to measure
+their knowledge by the impression that the truth hath on their
+spirits, and the effects of it on all their carriage, than by their
+ability and skill to talk and dispute of it.</p>
+<p>6. Let them beware to imagine, that they shall be able to search
+out the Almighty unto perfection, "Canst thou (said Zophar, Job.
+xi. 7, 8, 9.) by searching find out God? canst thou find out the
+Almighty unto perfection? He is as high as heaven, what canst thou
+do? deeper than hell, what canst thou know? The measure thereof is
+longer than the earth, and broader than, the sea." Or that they
+shall be able ever to win to the bottom of their own false
+deceitful heart, which, as Jeremiah saith, chap. xvii. 9, "Is
+deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know
+it?" and which it is God's prerogative alone to search and try,
+ver. 10. Neither let them think, so long as they are here, to win
+to an exact and perfect knowledge of the mysteries of God, wherein
+is the manifold wisdom of God, Eph. iii. 10, which very
+principalities and powers in heavenly places are learning; and
+which the angels are poring and looking into with desire, 1 Pet. i.
+12. There is no perfection in knowledge to be had here; for here
+the best but knoweth in part, and prophesieth in part, 1 Cor. xiii.
+4.</p>
+<p>7. Let them not think that every one shall have the same measure
+of knowledge; every one hath not the like use for it, or the like
+capacity for it. There is a measure proportioned to every one; they
+should not then complain, because they have not such a measure of
+knowledge as they perceive in some others. It may be, the Lord hath
+some harder piece of service, which calleth for more knowledge, to
+put others to. Let every one then mind his duty faithfully and
+conscientiously, and let him not quarrel with God, that he
+attaineth not to such a measure of knowledge as he seeth others
+attain unto.</p>
+<p>8. Neither let them think, that the same measure is required of
+all. For more is required of some, by reason of their office and
+charge in the house of God, being called to teach and instruct
+others; and so more is required of such, as have larger capacities,
+and a better faculty of understanding than others, who naturally
+are but of a narrow reach, and of a shallow capacity. More also is
+required of such as live under plain, powerful, and lively
+ordinances, and under a more powerful and spiritual dispensation of
+the grace of God, than of others that want such advantages. So
+likewise, more is required of old Christians than of new beginners;
+old men, of much and long experience, should know more than such as
+are but babes in Christ and but of yesterday.</p>
+<p>9. Let their desires run out after that knowledge, not which
+puffeth up,&mdash;for there is a knowledge which puffeth up, 1 Cor.
+viii. 1,&mdash;but which humbleth, and driveth the soul farther
+from itself and nearer to Christ.</p>
+<p>10. They should carefully distinguish betwixt the gift of
+knowledge and the grace of knowledge: That ordinarily puffeth up,
+this humbleth; that bringeth not the soul to Jesus, this doth; that
+is but a form, Rom. ii. 20, and doth not retain God, Rom. i. 28,
+this is a real thing, laying hold on God and holding him fast,
+having the fear of the Lord for its principle, for this "fear of
+the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," Job. xxviii. 28. Psalm cxi.
+10. Prov. i. 7, and ix. 10.; that lieth most in the head, and
+venteth most in discourses, words, yea, and sometimes vanisheth
+into vain notions, but this goeth down to the heart, and lodgeth
+there and appeareth in the man's walk and conversation; as these
+two would be distinguished, so the one would not be measured by the
+other.</p>
+<p>11. When they do not profit indeed, let them beware of
+quarrelling with Christ, or of blaming him in any manner of way;
+but let them lay the blame of their shortcoming on themselves, for
+not making more use of him by faith and single dependence upon him.
+It is true, none will be so bold as in words to quarrel with or
+blame him; yet the heart is deceitful and tacitly may raise and
+foment such thoughts of him and his dispensations, as can pass
+under no other notion than a quarrelling with him. Now these would
+be guarded against.</p>
+<p>12. Beware of urging for, or expecting immediate revelation, or
+extraordinary manifestations. For we should not tempt the Lord, nor
+set limits to him, neither should we prescribe means and ways to
+him,&mdash;we must be satisfied with the ordinary means which he
+hath appointed, and wait at wisdom's doors, with our ears nailed to
+his posts.</p>
+<p>13. Whatever point of truth they learn, or whatever measure of
+knowledge they get, they would do well to give that back again to
+Christ, to keep for them against a time of need; and wait on him
+for grace to improve it for his glory.</p>
+<p>14. Let them beware of minding things too high, Psalm cxxxi. 1.
+It is better to fear, and to stand in awe, and to seek to lay the
+foundations well, to get the saving knowledge of things necessary
+to salvation. This will yield most peace and satisfaction.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_XIV." id="CHAPTER_XIV."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIV.</h2>
+<h4>HOW TO MAKE USE OF CHRIST, AS TRUTH, FOR COMFORT, WHEN TRUTH IS
+OPPRESSED AND BORN DOWN.</h4>
+<br>
+<p>There is another difficulty, wherein believing souls will stand
+in need of Christ, as the truth, to help them; and that is, when
+his work is overturned, his cause borne down, truth condemned, and
+enemies, in their opposition to his work, prospering in all their
+wicked attempts. This is a very trying dispensation, as we see it
+was to the holy penman of Psalm lxxiii. for it made him to stagger,
+so that his feet were almost gone, and his steps had well nigh
+slipt; yea he was almost repenting of his being a godly person,
+saying, ver. 13, "Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and
+washed my hands in innocency." It was something like this, which
+made Jeremiah say, chap. viii. 18, "When I would comfort myself
+against sorrow, my heart is faint in me." The harvest was past, and
+the summer was ended, and yet they were not saved, ver. 20; and
+they looked for peace, but no good came, and for a time of health,
+but behold trouble, ver. 15&mdash;and this was fainting and
+vexatious. And what made Baruch, Jeremiah's faithful companion in
+tribulation, say, "Woe is me now! for the Lord hath added grief to
+my sorrow; I fainted in my sighing, and I find no rest," Jer. xlv.
+3, but this, that all things were turning upside down. God was
+breaking down that, which he had built; and plucking up that which
+he had planted. Tribulation and suffering for a good cause, is even
+fainting to some; as the Apostle hinteth, Ephes. iii. 13, when he
+says, wherefore, "I desire that ye faint not at my tribulation for
+you." And that which evinceth the danger of this dispensation, is
+the fainting and backsliding of many, in such a time of trial, as
+sad experience too often cleareth.</p>
+<p>Now the believer's stay in this case, must be the Rock of Ages,
+Jesus the Truth. It is he alone who can keep straight and honest in
+such a reeling time. So that a sight of Christ as the Truth, in
+reference to the carrying on of truth in the earth, and advancing
+his cause and work, will be the only support of a soul shaken by
+such a piece of trial.</p>
+<p>But the question is, how should believers make use of Christ, in
+such a time, to the end they may be kept from fainting and
+succumbing in such a storm? To which I answer, that the faith and
+consideration of those particulars would help to establishment:</p>
+<p>1. That Christ, in all this great work of redemption, and in
+every piece of it, is the Father's servant. So is he frequently
+called, "his servant," Isa. xlii. 1; xlix. 3, 5, 6; lii. 13; and
+liii. 11. Zech. iii. 8; and therefore this work is a work intrusted
+to him, and he standeth engaged as a servant, to be faithful to his
+trust. Moreover add to this, that he hath a commission to perfect
+that work; and we need not doubt, but he who is the truth will be
+true to his trust. "Him hath God the Father sealed," John vi. 27;
+and he often tells us himself, that he is "sent of the Father,"
+John iv. 34; v. 23, 24, 30, 36, 37; vi. 38, 39, 40, 44, 57; viii.
+16, 18; xii. 44, 45, 49; vii. 16; ix. 4; x. 36; and xi. 42.</p>
+<p>2. That while he was upon the earth, he finished that work that
+was committed to him to finish here, having purchased all that was
+to be bought by his blood, paying all the price that justice did
+ask, John xvii. 4; xix. 30. By which price he hath purchased a
+people to himself, Rev. v. 9. Luke i. 68. So that his work, cause,
+and interest, is a purchased work bought with his blood.</p>
+<p>3. That his resurrection and glorification is an undoubted proof
+of this, that justice is satisfied, and that the price is fully
+paid; and also that his exaltation at the Father's right hand is a
+sure evidence and ground of hope, that he shall at last triumph
+over all his enemies, and that his work of truth shall prosper. The
+Father said to him, Psalm cx. 1, "Sit thou on my right hand, until
+I make thine enemies thy footstool." Being highly exalted, he hath
+got "a name above every name: that at his name every knee should
+bow, of things in heaven and things in earth, and things under the
+earth; and that every tongue should confess, that Jesus Christ is
+Lord, to the glory of God the Father," Phil. ii. 9, 10, 11.</p>
+<p>4. That the Father standeth engaged to make good to him all that
+was promised, and to give him all that he purchased, Isa. liii. 10,
+11, 12. Christ, having now fulfilled his undertaking, by making his
+soul an offering for sin, and so satisfying justice, which is
+openly declared by his resurrection, and admission to glory, as the
+head of his elect, is to expect the accomplishment of what was
+conditioned unto him. His work, therefore, on the earth must
+prosper; and the Father hath undertaken to see it prosper. Surely
+the faith of this would much support a poor soul, staggering at the
+thoughts of the prosperity of the wicked, and of their evil
+cause.</p>
+<p>5. That Christ himself is now thoroughly furnished and enabled
+for the carrying on of his work, over the belly of all adversaries,
+for all power in "Heaven and earth is given to him," Matt. xxviii.
+18; "and every knee must bow to him," Phil. ii. 10; "all judgment
+is committed unto him," John v. 22, 27; "angels, powers, and
+authority are made subject unto him," 1 Pet. iii. 22; "yea, all
+things are under him," Eph. i. 22. How then can his work miscarry;
+or who can hinder, that truth should flourish on the earth?</p>
+<p>6. That Christ is actually at work, employing this power for the
+carrying forward of his design, for the glory of the Father, and
+for his own glory, and for the good of his poor people. The Father
+worked by him, and he by the Spirit, which is his great Vicegerent,
+sent from the Father, and from him, and his work is to glorify the
+Son, and he shall receive of his, and show it unto us, John xvi.
+14.</p>
+<p>7. That Christ, upon many accounts, standeth engaged to perfect
+this work which he hath begun and is about. His honour is engaged
+to go through, seeing now he is fully furnished for it, and hath
+all the creation at his command. He must then perfect his work, as
+to the application, as well as he did perfect it as to the
+purchase. His love to his Father's and his own glory, and to his
+own people's good and salvation, may assure us, that he will not
+leave the work unperfected; and his power and furniture may give us
+full security, that no stop which his work meeteth with shall be
+able to hinder it.</p>
+<p>8. That hence it is clear and manifest, that his wheel is in the
+midst of the wheels of men, and that therefore he is ordering all
+their motions and reelings to the best. His wheel keepeth an even
+pace, and moveth equally and equitably in the midst of men's
+contrary motions.</p>
+<p>9. And that, therefore, all the eccentric and irregular motions
+of devils and wicked men being in his hand, and ordered by him,
+cannot hinder, but further his end; so that even enemies, while
+opposing and seeking to destroy the cause and interest of Christ,
+that his name and truth should no more be mentioned, are promoving
+his work. His wheel is the great wheel that ordereth all the lesser
+and subordinate wheels, whatever contrary motions they may have the
+one to the other, and all or many of them may seem to have to this
+great wheel; so that, do they what they will, the work of our Lord
+goeth on. Their opposition is setting his work forward, though they
+intend the contrary; however their faces look, they row to the port
+he would be at. This is an undoubted truth, and confirmed in all
+ages, and yet is not firmly believed; and a truth it is, which, if
+believed, would do much to settle our staggering souls in a stormy
+day.</p>
+<p>10. That at last he shall come "to be glorified in his saints,"
+2 Thess. i. 10; "when he shall be revealed from heaven with all his
+mighty angels," verse 7. Then shall it be seen whose counsel shall
+stand, his or men's; and whose work shall prosper, his or
+Satan's.</p>
+<br>
+<p>CAUTIONS.</p>
+<p>Yet, let me add a few words, for caution and direction here.</p>
+<p>1. The consideration of these things mentioned should not make
+us slacken our diligence in prayer and other duties; and when they
+are aright considered, they will rather prove a spur and a goad in
+our side to set us forward, than a bridle to hold us back.</p>
+<p>2. We would not think that Christ's work and interest is going
+backward always, when it seemeth so to us. Even when he is casting
+down what he hath built up, and plucking up what he hath planted,
+his work is prospering, for all that is in order to the laying of a
+better foundation, and to the carrying on of a more glorious work,
+when he shall lay all the stones with fair colours, and the
+foundations with sapphires, and make the windows of crystal,
+&amp;c. Isa. liv. 11,12.</p>
+<p>3. Though his work be always going on, and his truth prospering,
+yet we would not think that it will always prosper alike in our
+apprehensions; many times we judge by rules of our own making, and
+not by the rule of truth, and hence it is that we mistake
+oftentimes. We walk little by faith, and too much by sense; and
+hence we judge too much by sense, and so pass a wrong judgment, to
+his dishonour, and the saddening of our own hearts.</p>
+<p>4. Nor would we think that his truth and interest is ruined and
+gone, because it is sore oppressed in this or that particular place
+of the world; as if his work were not of an universal extent, and
+in all the churches. If his truth thrive and prosper in some other
+place of the world, shall we not say, that his kingdom is coming?
+Or shall we limit all his work and interest to one small part of
+the world?</p>
+<p>5. We would not think the worse of his work because it is
+carried on with so many stops, and doth meet with so many
+impediments in its way. We are not acquainted with the depths of
+his infinite wisdom and counsel; and so we see not what noble ends
+he hath before him, in suffering those impediments to lie in the
+way of his chariot. We think he should ride so triumphantly all
+along, that none should once dare to cast the least block in his
+way. But we judge carnally, as unacquainted with the many noble and
+glorious designs which he hath in ordering matters. As himself was
+for a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence, so will he have the
+way of the carrying on of his work prove, in his holy and spotless
+justice, a stumbling-stone to many that shall stumble thereat, and
+fall, and never rise any more.</p>
+<p>6. We should beware to think that Christ hath forgotten his
+work, because he seemeth to take no notice of our prayers, which we
+are putting up now and then for his work. He may be doing that
+which we are desiring in the general, and yet not let us know that
+he is answering our prayers; and that for wise and holy ends, to
+keep us humble and diligent. He may seem to disregard our suits,
+and yet be carrying on his work, and granting us our desires upon
+the matter.</p>
+<p>7. Hence we should beware of desponding, and growing heartless
+and faint, when we see few owning truth, or standing upon Christ's
+side; for he needeth not man's help to carry on this work, though
+he sometimes thinketh good to condescend so far as to honour some
+to be instrumental in setting of it forward, who yet have nothing
+but as he giveth; let us not then think, that his work cannot
+prosper because great ones and mean ones oppose it, and such as
+should stand for it and own it, are few and fainting, without
+strength, courage, or zeal.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_XV." id="CHAPTER_XV."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XV.</h2>
+<h4>HOW TO MAKE USE OF CHRIST FOR STEADFASTNESS, IN A TIME WHEN
+TRUTH IS OPPRESSED AND BORNE DOWN.</h4>
+<br>
+<p>When enemies are prevailing, and the way of truth is evil spoken
+of, many faint, and many turn aside, and do not plead for truth,
+nor stand up for the interest of Christ, in their hour and power of
+darkness: many are overcome with base fear, and either side with
+the workers of iniquity, or are not valiant for the truth, but
+being faint-hearted, turn back. Now the thoughts of this may put
+some who desire to stand fast, and to own him and his cause in a
+day of trial, to enquire how they shall make use of Christ, who is
+the truth, so as to be enabled to stand in the day of temptation,
+and keep fast by truth when it is loaded with reproaches, and
+buried under an heap of obloquy. For satisfaction to this question,
+I shall shortly point out those directions which, if followed, may
+prove helpful to keep the soul from fainting, misbelieving,
+doubting, quarrelling at the Lord's dispensations, and from
+yielding to the temptations in such a day.</p>
+<p>1. The believer should live in the conviction of his hazard
+through the sleight of Satan, the strength of temptation, the
+wickedness and treachery of the heart, the evil example of others,
+and the want of sanctified courage, zeal, and resolution; and this
+will keep the soul humble, and far from boasting of its own
+strength, which was Peter's fault.</p>
+<p>2. They should live in the faith and persuasion of this, that it
+is Christ alone who is the truth, who can help them to stand for
+truth in a day of temptation; and that all their former purposes,
+vows, resolutions, solemn professions, and the like, will prove but
+weak cables to hold them fast in a day of a storm; and that only
+the rock of ages must save them; and their being a leeward of him,
+and partaking of his warm and safe protection, will do their
+business. That all their stock of grace and knowledge, and that
+confirmed with resolutions and sincere purposes, will help but
+little in that day; and that new influences of grace and truth,
+from the fountain, that is full of grace and truth, will only prove
+establishing to the soul, and confirm it in the truth in that
+day.</p>
+<p>3. Therefore they should eye Christ in his offices, particularly
+as the great prophet who can teach as never man taught; so teach as
+to make the soul receive the doctrine, and to hold it fast&mdash;to
+receive it in love, and lay it up in the heart as a rich and
+enriching treasure.</p>
+<p>4. They should eye him in his relations unto his people, as
+their head, husband, brother, leader, commander, captain, &amp;c.;
+for those give ground of approaching unto him with confidence in
+the day of darkness and mists, for light and direction, and for
+strength and courage in the day of temptation; and give ground of
+hope of help in that day of trial and difficulty.</p>
+<p>5. They should eye and act faith upon the promises of assistance
+and through-bearing, in the day of calamity; such as
+those&mdash;Isa. xliii. 2, "When thou passest through the waters, I
+will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow
+thee; when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burnt;
+neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." And Isaiah xli. 13, "For
+I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, fear
+not, I will help thee." And particularly they would eye the
+promises of light in the day of darkness, Isaiah lviii. 8, 10; lx.
+20. 2 Sam. xxii. 29.</p>
+<p>6. They should look on Christ as an exalted conqueror, now risen
+and glorified; as a victorious captain that hath fought and
+overcome, that they, as his followers, may be made partakers of his
+victory and conquest, and so reap the fruit of his resurrection and
+ascension, in their establishment in the truth, when it is borne
+down and questioned, yea, and condemned by men. He abode steadfast
+and immoveable in the midst of all the storms that blew in his
+face; and as he came to bear witness to the truth, so did he
+faithfully and zealously avow truth, even to the death; and in
+death got the victory of the arch liar and deceiver. Now the
+believer should eye this, for the strengthening of his faith and
+hope of victory also, through him; and therefore would wait
+patiently for his help, and not make haste; for they who believe
+make not haste, Isaiah xxviii. 16, knowing that he is true and
+faithful, and will not disappoint his followers that trust in him.
+And moreover it would be of advantage to them in this case, to eye
+that gracious and comfortable word, John xiv. 19, "because I live,
+ye shall live also;" and so by faith conclude, that seeing Christ
+now liveth as a conqueror over darkness, untruth, reproaches,
+calumnies, and opposition of liars, yea, of the father of lies,
+they through him shall also live, and ride out that storm; and this
+will give much courage to the soul to endure temptation, and to
+wait in patience for an outgate.</p>
+<p>7. They should study much, and suck at the grand promise of his
+coming again, and of finally dispelling all clouds, and of fully
+clearing up his glorious truths, that are now covered over with
+obloquy, and buried under reproaches; and this will encourage the
+soul to stand to truth in the midst of opposition, believing, that
+at length, truth, how much soever opposed now, shall be
+victorious.</p>
+<p>8. They should be single in their dependence on him, for
+strength and through-bearing, in that day of trial&mdash;not
+leaning to their own understanding, but acknowledging him in all
+their ways, Prov. iii. 8; and when they see no hope of outgate in
+the world, nor appearance of the clearing up of the day, they would
+comfort themselves, and encourage themselves in the Lord, as David
+did in a great strait, 1 Sam. xx. 6.</p>
+<p>9. Upon the forementioned grounds they would cast all the care
+of their through-bearing on him, who careth for them, 1 Pet. v.
+7&mdash;rolling all their difficulties on him&mdash;consulting only
+with him and his word, and not with flesh and blood; and so they
+would commit their ways to him, who disposeth of all things as he
+seeth good; forbearing to limit the Holy One of Israel, or to
+quarrel with him for any thing he doth; and patiently wait for his
+outgate and delivery.</p>
+<p>10. It were good, in this time of trial, to be remembering the
+worth of truth, and entertaining high thoughts of the smallest
+piece of truth that is questioned, for his sake, who is the truth;
+that a sight of the glorious worth thereof, may make them account
+the less of all they can lose in the defence and maintenance
+thereof.</p>
+<p>11. So were it good at this time, when truths come to be
+questioned, to be lying near to the truth, for light, and to be
+keeping fast, what he by his Spirit cleareth up to be truth, though
+the light should not be so full as to dispel all objections. This
+were to depend upon him for light, with singleness of heart; and in
+godly simplicity and sincerity to follow his direction and torch,
+though it should not shine so bright as they could wish.</p>
+<br>
+<p>CAUTIONS.</p>
+<p>A few words of caution will be useful here also; as,</p>
+<p>1. The believer, though taking this course, would not think to
+be altogether free of fear of stepping aside, in less or in more.
+God may think good to let much of this abide, to the end he may be
+kept watchful, tender, and diligent; for fear maketh the soul
+circumspect and watchful; and this is a good preservative from
+defection.</p>
+<p>2. Nor would the believer think, that hereby he shall be kept
+altogether free of fainting. The heart, now and then, through fear
+and misbelief, may fall into a fit of fainting, and think all is
+gone; and yet he may carry poor souls through, and make his
+strength perfect in their wickedness, 2 Cor. xii. 9; that when they
+are supported and carried through the temptation, they may sing
+praise to him, and not ascribe any thing to
+themselves&mdash;remembering how often they were fainting, and
+almost giving over the cause as desperate and hopeless.</p>
+<p>3. They would not think it strange, if, in the time of their
+wrestling with difficulties, the Lord hide his face from them, and
+give not them that joyful access unto him in prayer, that sometimes
+they have met with; for the Lord may see it fit to put them to this
+point of trial among the rest, to see if the love of his glory and
+truth will keep them standing, when they want the encouragement
+that might be expected in that way; and if pure conscience to the
+command and authority of God, will keep from siding with an evil
+way, when the soul is destitute of all sensible encouragement, both
+from within and from without.</p>
+<p>4. In all this business believers should carry singly with an
+eye to God's glory; and should not be acted with self-ends, or
+drawn by carnal and selfish motives. They should not desire
+stability and through-bearing to be seen of men, or to gain
+applause and praise of men; lest God be provoked to leave them to
+themselves, and they at length come off with discredit, as did
+Peter. Therefore they should strive against these carnal motions of
+the heart, and labour for spirituality, singleness of heart, and
+truth in the inward parts, which the Lord desireth, Psalm li.
+6.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_XVI." id="CHAPTER_XVI."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVI.</h2>
+<h4>HOW TO MAKE USE OF CHRIST AS THE TRUTH, WHEN ERROR PREVAILETH,
+AND THE SPIRIT OF ERROR CARRIETH MANY AWAY.</h4>
+<br>
+<p>There is a time when the spirit of error is going abroad, and
+truth is questioned, and many are led away with delusions. For
+Satan can change himself into an angel of light, and make many
+great and fairlike pretensions to holiness, and under that pretext
+usher in untruths, and gain the consent of many unto them; so that
+in such a time of temptation many are stolen off their feet, and
+made to depart from the right ways of God, and to embrace error and
+delusions instead of truth. Now the question is, how a poor
+believer shall make use of Christ, who is the truth, for keeping
+him steadfast in the truth, in such a day of trial, and from
+embracing of error, how plausible soever it may appear. For
+satisfaction to this we shall propose these few things:</p>
+<p>1. In such a time, when a spirit of error is let loose and
+rageth, and carrieth several away, it were good for all who would
+be kept straight and honest, to be walking in fear. It is not good
+to despise such a sly and subtle enemy, especially in the hour and
+power of darkness. Then all are called to be on their guard, and to
+stand upon their watch-tower, and to be jealous of their corrupt
+hearts, that are ready enough of their own accord to drink in
+error, and to receive the temptation at any time; and much more
+then.</p>
+<p>2. They should not think that their knowledge and ability to
+dispute for truth, will keep them steadfast, if there be not more;
+for if the temptation grow, they may come to reason and dispute
+themselves out of all their former knowledge and skill. The father
+of lies is a cunning sophister, and knoweth, how to shake their
+grounds and cast all loose.</p>
+<p>3. They should renew their covenant grips of Christ, and make
+sure that main business, viz. their peace and union with God in
+Christ, and their accepting of Christ for their head and husband.
+They would labour to have the foundation sure, and to be united
+unto the chief corner-stone, that so blow the storm as it will,
+they may ride safely; and that hereby they may have access to
+Christ with boldness, in their difficulty, and may with confidence
+seek light from him in the hour of darkness.</p>
+<p>4. To the end they may be kept more watchful and circumspect,
+they should remember, that it is a dishonourable thing to Christ,
+for them to step aside, in the least matter of truth; the denying
+of the least point of truth is a consequential denying of him who
+is the truth; and to loose a foot in the matters of truth is very
+dangerous; for who can tell when they who once slip a foot shall
+recover it again? And who can tell how many, and how dreadful
+errors they may drink in, who have once opened the door to a small
+error? Therefore they should beware of tampering in this matter,
+and to admit any error, upon the account that it is a small and
+inconsiderable one. There may be an unseen concatenation betwixt
+one error and another, and betwixt a small one and a greater one,
+so as if the little one be admitted and received, the greater shall
+follow; and it may be feared that if they once dally with error,
+and make a gap in their consciences, that God will give them up to
+judicial blindness, that, ere all be done, they shall embrace that
+opinion which sometime they seemed to hate as death.</p>
+<p>5. They should eye the promises suiting that cause; viz. the
+promises of God's guiding "the blind by a way which they know not:
+of making darkness light before them, and crooked things straight,"
+Isa. xlii. 16; and of "guiding continually," Isa. lviii. 11; see
+also Isa. xlix. 10.; lvii. 18.; and they would act faith on these
+and the like promises, as now made sure by Jesus.</p>
+<p>6. Particularly, they should fix their eye upon that principal
+promise, of the Spirit of truth, to guide into all truth, John xvi.
+13.</p>
+<p>7. With singleness of heart they should depend on Christ, and
+wait for light from him, and beware of prejudice at the truth; with
+singleness of heart they should lie open to his instructions, and
+to the influences of his light and direction, and receive in the
+beams of his divine light; and thus go about duties, viz. prayer,
+conference, preaching, reading, &amp;c. with an eye fixed on him,
+and with a soul open to him, and free of all sinful pre-engagement
+and love to error.</p>
+<p>8. With singleness of heart, they should give up their souls to
+Christ, as the truth, that he would write the truth in their souls,
+and frame their souls unto the truth, and unto that truth which is
+most questioned, and by which they are most in hazard to be drawn
+away; and urge and press him by prayer and supplication to do the
+duty of a head, a husband, guide and commander, &amp;c. unto them;
+and that he would be a light unto them in that day of darkness, and
+not suffer them to dishonour him or prove scandalous to others; by
+departing from the truth and embracing error. A serious
+single-hearted dealing with him upon the grounds of the covenant
+promises and his relations and engagements, might prove steadable
+in this case, if accompanied with a lying open to the influences of
+truth and to the light of information which he is pleased to send
+by the Spirit of truth.</p>
+<br>
+<p>CAUTIONS AND DIRECTIONS.</p>
+<p>For further clearing of this matter, we shall hint at some
+cautions and further directions useful here: such as,</p>
+<p>1. They should beware of thinking that God should come to them
+with light and instruction in an extraordinary manner, and reveal
+the truth of the question controverted somewhat immediately: for
+this were a manifest tempting and limiting of the Holy One of
+Israel. We must be satisfied with the means of instruction which he
+hath provided, and run to the law and to the testimony. We have the
+Scriptures, which are able to make the man of God perfect and
+"thoroughly furnished unto all good works," 2 Tim. iii. 16, 17; and
+to "make wise unto salvation," ver. 15. There must we see light;
+and there must we wait for the breathings of his Spirit with life,
+and coming with light to clear up truth to us: for they are the
+scriptures of truth, Dan. x. 21; and the law of the Lord, which is
+"perfect, converting the soul;" and the commandment of the Lord,
+that is pure, "enlightening the eyes," Psalm xix. 7, 8. We have the
+ministry which God hath also appointed for this end, to make known
+unto us his mind; there must we wait for him and his light. Thus
+must we wait at the posts of wisdom's doors; and wait for the king
+of light in his own way wherein he hath appointed us to wait for
+him. And if he think good to come another way more immediate, let
+him always be welcome; but let not us limit him nor prescribe ways
+to him, but follow his directions.</p>
+<p>2. When any thing is borne in upon their spirit as a truth to be
+received, or as an error to be rejected, more immediately, they
+should beware of admitting of every such thing without trial and
+examination; for we are expressly forbidden to believe every
+spirit, and commanded to try them whether they are of God or not, 1
+John iv. 1. The Lord will not take it ill that even his own
+immediate motions and revelations be tried and examined by the
+word; because the word is given us for this end, to be our test and
+standard of truth. The way of immediate revelation is not the
+ordinary way now of God's manifesting his mind to his people. He
+hath now chosen another way, and given us a more sure word of
+prophesy than was, "even a voice from heaven," as Peter saith, 2
+Pet. i. 18, 19. It is commended in the Bereans, Acts xvii. 11, who
+upon this account were "more noble than those of Thessalonica, in
+that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and
+searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so." Even
+Paul's words, though he was an authorised and an infallible apostle
+of Christ's, are here put to the touch-stone of the word. "Many
+false prophets may go out, and deceive many, and speak great
+swelling words of vanity," 1 John iv. 1; 2 Pet. ii. 18; and the
+devil can transchange himself into an angel of light, 2 Cor. xi.
+14; and though an angel out of heaven should preach any other thing
+than what is in the written word, we ought not to receive his
+doctrine, but to reject it, and to account him accursed, Gal. i. 8.
+So that the written word must be much studied by us; and by it must
+we try all motions, all doctrines, all inspirations, all
+revelations, and all manifestations.</p>
+<p>3. Much more, they should beware of thinking that the dictates
+of their conscience obligeth them, so as that always they must of
+necessity follow the same. Conscience, being God's deputy in the
+soul, is to be followed no further than it speaketh for God and
+according to truth. An erring conscience, though it bind so far as
+that he who doth contrary to the dictates thereof sinneth against
+God, in that, knowing no other than that the dictates of conscience
+are right and consonant to the mind of God, yet dare counteract the
+same, and thus formally rebel against God's authority; yet it doth
+not oblige us to believe and to do what it asserteth to be truth
+and duty. It will not then be enough for them to say, my conscience
+and the light within me speaketh so, and instructeth me so; for
+that light may be darkness, and error, and delusion, and so no rule
+for them to walk by. "To the law and to the testimony," and if
+their conscience, mind, and light within them "speak not according
+to this word, it is because there is no light in them," Isa. viii.
+20. I grant, as I said, they cannot without sin counteract the
+dictates even of an erring conscience, because they know no better
+but that these dictates are according to truth; and thus an erring
+conscience is a most dangerous thing, and bringeth people under a
+great dilemma, that whether they follow it or not, they sin; and
+there is no other remedy here, but to lay by the erring conscience,
+and get a conscience rightly informed by the word; putting it in
+Christ's hand to be better formed and informed, that so it may do
+its office better. This then should be especially guarded against,
+for if once they lay down this for a principle, that whatever their
+conscience and mind, or inward light (as some call it) dictate,
+must be followed, there is no delusion, how false, how abominable
+soever it be, but they may be at length in hazard to be drawn away
+with; and so the rule that they will walk by be nothing in effect
+but the spirit of lies and of delusion, and the motions and
+dictates of him who is the father of lies, that is, the devil.</p>
+<p>4. Such as pretend to walk so much by conscience, should take
+heed that they take not that for the dictate of conscience, which
+really is but the dictates of their own humours, inclinations,
+pre-occupied minds, and biassed wills. When conscience speaketh, it
+groundeth on the authority of God, whether truly or falsely, and
+proposeth such a thing to be done, or to be refrained from, merely
+because God commandeth that, and forbiddeth this, though sometimes
+it mistaketh. But though the dictates of men's humours,
+inclinations, pre-occupied judgments, and wills, may pretend God's
+authority for what they say, yet really some carnal respect,
+selfish end, and the like, lieth at the bottom, and is the chief
+spring of that motion. And also the dictates of humour and biassed
+wills are usually more violent and fierce than the dictates of
+conscience; for wanting the authority of God to back their
+assertions and prescriptions, they must make up that with an
+addition of preternatural force and strength. Hence, such as are
+purely led by conscience, are pliable, humble, and ready to hear
+and receive information; whereas, others are headstrong and
+pertinacious, unwilling to receive instruction, or to hear any
+thing contrary to their minds, lest their conscience, receiving
+more light, speak with a higher voice against their inclinations
+and former ways, and so create more trouble to them; while, as now
+they enjoy more quiet within, so long as the cry of their self-will
+and biassed judgments is so loud, that they cannot well hear the
+still and low voice of conscience.</p>
+<p>5. They should labour for much self-denial and sincerity; and to
+be free from the snares and power of selfish ends, as credit, a
+name, and applause, or what of that kind, that may be like "the
+fear of man that bringeth a snare," Prov. xxix. 25; for that will
+be like a gift that blindeth the eyes of the wise, Exod. xxiii. 8.
+Love to carry on a party, or a design to be seen or accounted
+somebody, to maintain their credit and reputation, lest they be
+accounted changelings and the like, will prove very dangerous in
+this case; for these may forcibly carry the soul away, to embrace
+one error after another, and one error to strengthen and confirm
+another, that it is hard to know where or when they shall stand.
+And these, by respects, may so forcibly drive the soul forward,
+that he shall neither hear the voice of conscience within, nor any
+instruction from without.</p>
+<p>6. They should study the word of truth without prejudice and any
+sinful pre-engagement, lest they be made thereby to wire-draw and
+wrest the word to their own destruction, as some of whom Peter
+speaketh, 2 Pet. iii. 16. It is a dangerous thing to study the word
+with a prejudicate opinion; and to bow or wire-draw the word and
+make it speak what we would have it speak, for the confirmation of
+our opinions and sentiments. For this is but to mock God and his
+law, and to say, let his law speak what it will, I will maintain
+this opinion, and so make the word speak as we would have it, or
+else lay it by. This is to walk by some other rule than the word,
+and to make the word serve our lusts and confirm our errors, than
+which a greater indignity cannot be done to the Spirit of truth
+speaking in the word.</p>
+<p>7. In reading and studying of the word there should be much
+single dependence on the Spirit for light; waiting for clearness
+from him whom Christ hath promised to lead us into all truth. An
+earnest wrestling with him for his assistance, enlightening the
+mind with divine light to understand the truth, and inclining the
+soul to a ready embracing and receiving of the truth declared in
+the word.</p>
+<p>8. Though one place of scripture be enough to confirm any point
+of truth, and ground sufficient for us to believe what is there
+said, there being nothing in scripture but what is truth; yet, in
+such a time of abounding errors, and when many are going abroad
+speaking perverse things to lead the simple away, it were spiritual
+wisdom to be comparing scripture with scripture, and not be lightly
+embracing whatever may seem probable, and fairly deducible from
+some one passage or other of scripture, but to be comparing that
+with other passages and see what concord there is; for this is
+certain, whatever point contradicteth other clear and manifest
+testimonies of scripture cannot be true; however a cunning
+sophister may make it seem very probably to flow out of such or
+such a passage of scripture. The testimony of the Spirit is
+uniform, and free from all contradictions; and therefore we must
+see, if such an assertion, that some would draw from such a
+passage, agree with other plain passages, and if not, be sure that
+is not the meaning of the place. When the devil did wrest and abuse
+that passage of truth, Ps. xci. 11. "He shall give his angels
+charge concerning thee," &amp;c, and from thence would infer, that
+Christ might cast himself down, Matt. iv. 6, Christ shews that this
+inference was bad, because it did not agree with other divine
+testimonies, particularly not with that, Deut. vi. 16, "Thou shalt
+not tempt the Lord thy God." And thereby he teacheth us to take
+this course in times of temptation, and so compare spiritual things
+with spiritual, as Paul speaketh, 1 Cor. ii. 13. Especially they
+should beware of expounding clear scriptures by such as are more
+dark and mysterious; see 2 Pet. iii. 16. It is always safer to
+explain darker passages by such as are more clear.</p>
+<p>9. Let them guard against an humour of new-fangledness,
+nauseating old and solid truths, and seeking after something new,
+having ears itching after new doctrines, yea, or new modes and
+dresses of old truths. For this is provoking to God, and proveth
+dangerous; for such turn away their ears from the truth, and are
+turned into fables, as Paul telleth us, 2 Tim. iv. 3, 4. "For the
+time will come," saith he, "when they will not endure sound
+doctrine, but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves
+teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears
+from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." This savoureth of
+a spirit of levity and inconstancy, which is dangerous.</p>
+<p>10. They should labour to have no prejudice at the truth, but
+receive it in the love of it; lest, for that cause, God give them
+up to strong delusions, to believe lies, and to be led with the
+deceivableness of unrighteousness, as we see, 2 Thess. ii. 10-12,
+"And. with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that
+perish, because they received not the love of the truth, that they
+might be saved; and for this cause God shall send them strong
+delusion that they should believe a lie, that they all might be
+damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in
+unrighteousness."</p>
+<p>11. So should they beware of stifling the truth, of making it a
+prisoner, and detaining it in unrighteousness, like those spoken
+of, Rom. i. 18. "For which cause God them up to uncleanness and
+vile affections, and they became vain in their imaginations, and
+their foolish heart was darkened, yea, professing themselves to be
+wise, they became fools," ver. 21, &amp;c. They should let truth
+have free liberty and power in the soul; and should yield up
+themselves to be ruled and guided by it; and not torture with it,
+lay chains upon it, or fetter it, and keep it as a prisoner that
+can do nothing.</p>
+<p>12. For this cause, they should hold fast the truth which they
+have learned, and have been taught by the Spirit out of the word.
+When Paul would guard and fortify Timothy against seducers, that
+crept into houses, leading captive silly women, &amp;c., among
+other directions gave him this, 2 Tim. iii. 14, 15, "But continue
+thou in the things which thou hast learned, and hast been assured
+of, knowing of whom thou hast learned; and that from a child thou
+hast known the Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto
+salvation," &amp;c. So he would have the Colossians walking in
+Christ, rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith as
+they had been taught, Col. ii. 6, 7.</p>
+<p>13. Especially they would be holding the groundwork
+fast,&mdash;faith in Christ. It were good in such a time of erring
+from the way of truth, to be gripping Christ faster, and cleaving
+to him by faith, and living by faith in him. This is to hold the
+foundation fast; and then let the tempest of error blow as it will,
+they will ride at a sure anchor, and be safe, because fixed upon
+the Rock of Ages; and further, living near Christ in such a
+dangerous day, would be a noble preservative from the infection of
+error. The soul that is dwelling in Christ and gripping to him
+daily by faith, and acting love on him, dwelleth in light, will
+discover error sooner than another, because living under the rays
+of the Sun of Righteousness, which discovereth error.</p>
+<p>14. They should labour to learn the truth, as it is in Jesus;
+and the truths which they have heard of him, and have been taught
+by him, as the truth is in him, will abide, when other truths that
+have been learned but of men, and heard of men, and as it was in
+the preaching of men, and in books, shall soon evanish in a day of
+trial. This is to learn Christ, as the apostle speaketh, Eph. iv.
+20, 21, "But ye have not so learned Christ, if so be that ye have
+heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus."
+When we learn the truth, as it is in Jesus, it bringeth us always
+to him, and hath a tendency to fix our hearts on him, and is a
+piece of the bond that bindeth us to him and his way: we receive it
+then as a piece of his doctrine, which we must own, and stand unto.
+O if we learned all our divinity thus, we would be more constant
+and steadfast in it than we are!</p>
+<p>15. When controversies arise, and they know not which side to
+choose&mdash;both seemeth to them to be alike well founded on the
+word&mdash;they should exercise their spiritual sagacity, and set
+their gift of discerning a work, to see which of the two tendeth
+most to promote piety and godliness, and the kingdom of Christ, and
+so see which of the two is the truth, "which is after godliness,"
+as the apostle speaketh, Tit. i. 1; they must look which of the two
+is the doctrine which is according to godliness, I Tim. vi. 3. That
+is the truth which is Christ's, and which should be owned and
+embraced, viz. which floweth from a spirit of godliness, and
+tendeth to promove godliness, and suiteth with the true principles
+of godliness, even gospel godliness, wrought according to the tenor
+of the covenant of grace; that is, by the strength of the Spirit of
+Jesus, dwelling and working in us, and not according to the tenor
+of the covenant of works, that is, wrought by our own strength,
+&amp;c.</p>
+<p>16. Yet withal they should take heed that they mistake not here;
+for they may look upon some ways and doctrines as having a greater
+tendency to promove godliness than others; which indeed have not,
+but only seem so. They should therefore consider well what is the
+way of godliness laid down in the noble device of the gospel, which
+is the way that only glorifieth God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost;
+and see what suiteth most with that, according to the word, and not
+what seemeth most suitable to godliness in their apprehension. The
+word is the best judge and test of true godliness; and in the word
+we have the only safest mean of true godliness held forth:
+therefore we should see what doctrine tendeth most to promote
+godliness according to the way held forth in the word, and choose
+that.</p>
+<p>17. They should guard against pride and self-conceit, as
+thinking they are wise enough, and understanding enough in those
+matters, and so need not take a lesson of any. This may be of great
+prejudice; for "it is the meek that God guideth in judgment; and to
+the meek will he teach his way," Psalm xxv. 9. Therefore it were
+good for his people in such a day, to be meek and humble, willing
+and ready to learn of any person, how mean soever, that can teach
+the ways of God. The Lord may bless a word spoken by a private
+person, when he will not bless the word spoken by a minister; for
+his blessings are free. And it is not good to despise any mean.
+Apollos, though instructed in the way of the Lord, mighty in the
+Scriptures, fervent in spirit, and teaching diligently the things
+of the Lord, Acts xviii. 24, 25, yet was content to learn of
+Aquila, and of his wife Priscilla, when they expounded unto him the
+way of God more perfectly, ver. 26.</p>
+<p>18. In such a time, it is not unsafe to look to such as have
+been eminent in the ways of God, and lie near to him; for it is
+probable they may know much of the mind of God in those questioned
+matters. Hence we find the apostle putting Timothy and others to
+this duty in a time when false teachers were going abroad, saying,
+2 Tim. iii. 10, "but thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of
+life;" and 1 Cor. iv. 16, "wherefore I beseech you to be followers
+of me;" and 1 Cor. xi. 1; and again, Phil. iii. 17, "brethren, be
+followers together of me." All which say, that though we should
+call no man Rabbi, as hanging our faith absolutely on him, yet in
+such a time of prevailing error and of false teachers going abroad,
+some respect should be had to such as have found grace of the Lord
+to be faithful in times of trial, and have maintained truth, and
+stood for it, in times of persecution, and have with singleness of
+heart followed the Lord; it not being ordinary with God to leave
+such as in sincerity seek him, and desire to follow his way in
+truth and uprightness, and to give the revelation of his mind and
+the manifestation of his Spirit to others, who have not gone
+through such trials.</p>
+<p>19. They should also at such a time be much in the sincere
+practice of uncontroverted duties, and in putting uncontroverted
+and unquestionable and unquestioned truths into practice; and this
+may prove a notable mean to keep them right: for then are they in
+God's way, and so the devil hath not that advantage of them that he
+hath of others who are out of the way of duty. David understood
+more than the ancients, because he kept God's precepts, Psal. cxix.
+100.</p>
+<p>20. It were good and suitable at such a time, to be much in the
+fear of God, remembering what an one he is, and how hazardous it is
+to sin against him, by drinking in the least point of error. The
+promise is made to such, Psalm xxv. 12, "What man is he that
+feareth the Lord, him shall he teach in the way that he shall
+choose."</p>
+<p>21. Finally, at such a time they should be much in communion
+with Jesus, lying near him; much in prayer to him, studying his
+relations, offices, furniture, readiness to help with light and
+counsel; and they should draw near to him with humility, boldness,
+faith, confidence, love, tenderness, and sincerity; and then they
+shall not find that he shall fail them, or disappoint them.</p>
+<p>Enough of this. I proceed therefore to another case, which
+is:</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_XVII." id="CHAPTER_XVII."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVII.</h2>
+<h4>HOW TO MAKE USE OF CHRIST AS THE TRUTH, THAT WE MAY GET OUR
+CASE AND CONDITION CLEARED UP TO US.</h4>
+<br>
+<p>The believer is oft complaining of darkness concerning his case
+and condition, so as he cannot tell what to say of himself, or what
+judgment to pass on himself, and he knoweth not how to win to a
+distinct and clear discovery of his state and condition. Now, it is
+truth alone, and the Truth, that can satisfy them as to this. The
+question then is, how they shall make use of, and apply themselves
+to this truth, to the end they may get the truth of their condition
+discovered to them. But first let us see what this case may be.
+Consider, then,</p>
+<p>1. That grace may be in the soul, and yet not be seen nor
+observed. This is manifest by daily experience.</p>
+<p>2. Not only so, but a gracious soul that is reconciled With God
+in Christ, and hath the spirit of grace dwelling in it, may suppose
+itself a stranger yet unto this reconciliation, and void of the
+grace of God, and so be still in the state of nature.</p>
+<p>3. Yea, a soul may not only suppose and conclude itself in
+nature, while it is in a state of grace, but further, may be filled
+with terror and apprehensions of God's wrath and indignation; and
+that in such a measure, as that thereby it may be as a distracted
+person, as we see it was with Heman, Psalm lxxxviii. 15, who said,
+"while I suffer thy terror, I am distracted." The wrath of God lay
+hard upon him, and he said, that he was afflicted with all God's
+waves, ver. 7. Hence he cried out, vers. 16. 17, "thy fierce wrath
+goeth over me, thy terrors have cut me off, they came round about
+me daily," or all the day, "like water they compassed me about
+together." And yet for all this, the first word of his complaint
+was faith, ver. 1. Many such complaints hear we out of Job's mouth,
+to whom God, notwithstanding, was that gracious, that he never came
+to question his state before God, or to conclude his hypocrisy, or
+his being still in the state of nature. But it is not so with every
+one that is so exercised.</p>
+<p>4. Yea, further, with those inward strokes upon the soul, they
+may have sin and guilt charged upon their consciences; and this
+will make their life yet more bitter, and put a sharper edge upon
+the rods. Thus was Job made to possess the sins of his youth, Job.
+xiii. 26, and made to say, "My transgression is sealed up in a bag,
+and thou sewest up mine iniquity," Job. xiv. 17.</p>
+<p>5. Moreover, they may be in such a condition a long time, and
+all the while have no light of comfort, as we may see in Job and
+Heman. They may even walk in darkness, and have no light of
+comfort, Isa. 1. 10.</p>
+<p>6. Yea, and also be without the hope of a delivery or outgate.
+Hence crieth Heman, Psalm lxxxviii. 4-5, "I am counted with them
+that go down into the pit, free among the dead, like the slain that
+lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more, and they are cut
+off from thine hand." Yea, they may be driven to the very border of
+despair, and conclude that there is no hope, as the church did,
+Ezek. xxxvii. 11, "Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost, and
+we are cut off for our parts;" and as Job, chap. vii. 6, "My days
+are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope;"
+and chap. xix. 10, "He hath destroyed me on every side, and I am
+gone: mine hope hath been removed like a tree."</p>
+<p>Now, though sometimes, as we see in Job, and in Heman too, a
+soul may be under such a sad and sharp dispensation, and yet not
+brought to question their state, or to conclude themselves children
+of wrath, lying still in black nature, yet it is not so with all
+who are so exercised; but many under such a dispensation, may at
+least be in the dark as to their state before God; and if they do
+not positively assert their state to be bad, yet they do much
+question if they be in the state of grace, and would be comforted
+under all their pressures and afflictions, if they could win to the
+least well-grounded apprehension of their interest in Christ.</p>
+<p>In such a case as this is, there is ground for a poor soul to
+make use of Christ for outgate; and an outgate may be had in God's
+time, and as he seeth fit, by a right use-making of and going out
+to him, who is the Truth. So, then, the soul that would have its
+state and condition cleared up, and a discovery of its being
+reconciled to God through Jesus, and in a state of grace, and would
+make use of Christ as the Truth, for this end, would,</p>
+<p>(1.) Look out to Christ, as a feeling High Priest, faithful and
+merciful, who, being like us in all things, except sin, doth
+sympathise with, and succour such as are tempted, Heb. ii. 17, 18.
+And as a Priest, "that is touched with the feeling of our
+infirmities," Heb. iv. 15. Albeit Christ, in the deepest of his
+darkness, was never made to question his Sonship, but avouched God
+to be his God even when he was forsaken, Psalm xxii. 1. Matt,
+xxvii. 46. Mark xv. 34. Yet he knew what it was to be tempted, to
+question his Sonship, when the devil said unto him, Matt. iv. 3,
+"If thou be the Son of God;" and he knows what such a distress as
+he himself was into, wrestling with an angry God, hiding himself
+and forsaking, will work in a poor sinner; and being a merciful and
+sympathising High Priest, he cannot but pity such as are under such
+a distemper, and, as a gracious Head, sympathise with them. Now,
+the believer would look out to him as such an one, and upon this
+ground go to him with confidence and boldness, and lay out their
+case before him, that he may help and send relief:</p>
+<p>(2.) They would also eye Christ as able to save out of that
+condition, and to command light to shine out of darkness; and so,
+as one "able to save to the uttermost all that come to God through
+him," Heb. vii. 25.</p>
+<p>(3.) And not only so, but eye him also as given, sent, and
+commissioned of the Father, to be a light to such as sit in
+darkness; even to the Gentile. Isa. xlii. 6, and xlix. 6. Luke ii.
+32. Acts xiii. 47; xxvi. 23. John viii. 12; and this will encourage
+the poor souls to go out to him with their darkness, when they see
+that he is sent as a Light and as the Truth, to clear up poor souls
+that walk in darkness and have no light. When they see that it is
+his place and office to help them, and consider that he is true to
+his trust, and true and faithful in all that was committed to him,
+it not only will embolden them to come forward to him, but it will
+strengthen their hope, and encourage them to wait on.</p>
+<p>(4.) They would stay themselves on him as an all-sufficient
+helper, renouncing all other, crying out, that they will have no
+light but his light, and that they will seek no where else for
+light, but wait at his door, till he, who is the Sun of
+Righteousness, shall arise in their soul, and come with healing
+light in his wings.</p>
+<p>(5.) They would by faith roll and cast their darkened souls,
+their confused case, their overwhelmed hearts on him, and leave
+them there; for he is the only physician; and the blind soul must
+be put in his hand, who can take away the film, and cause the
+scales fall off, and make light break into the soul and discover
+unto it its condition.</p>
+<p>(6.) It would be useful and very steadable, in such a time of
+darkness, for the believer to be frequent in acting direct acts of
+faith on Christ; that is, be frequent in going to him as an
+all-sufficient Mediator, as the only refuge and shadow for a poor,
+weary, scorched soul, Isa. iv. 6. "And a man shall be as an
+hiding-place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest, as
+rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a
+weary land," Isa. xxxii. 2; "as one who is a strength to the needy
+in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat,"
+&amp;c. Isa. xxv, 4. When the soul is thus overwhelmed with clouds,
+and doubteth of its interest in Christ, it would then put it out of
+doubt, by flying to him for refuge from the storm of God's
+indignation, and lay hold on him as he is freely offered in the
+gospel, and thus renew its grips of him as the offered
+all-sufficient Mediator, and frequent direct acts of faith will
+help at length to a reflex act. The soul that is daily running to
+Christ, according to the covenant, with all its necessities, and
+laying hold on him as only able to help, will at length come to see
+that it hath believed on him, and is made welcome by him, and
+accepted through him. So that reiterated acts of faith on an
+offered cautioner and salvation, will dispel at length those clouds
+of darkness that trouble the soul.</p>
+<p>7. Such souls would beware of making their bands stronger, and
+their darkness greater, by their folly and unwise carriage; for
+this cause they would beware,</p>
+<p>(1.) To cry out in despondency of spirit as if there were no
+hope, and to conclude peremptorily, that they are cut off, and it
+is vain to wait any longer; for this course will but darken them
+the more, and multiply the clouds over their head.</p>
+<p>(2.) To run away from Christ through unbelief and despair, for
+that will make their case yet worse.</p>
+<p>(3.) To walk untenderly and not circumspectly; for the more sins
+appear, the less light will be had. O but souls would be tender in
+all their conversation at that time, and guard against the least
+sin or appearance of evil!</p>
+<p>(4.) To fret and repine against God, because of that
+dispensation; for that will but entangle the soul more, and wreathe
+the yoke straiter about its neck, and put itself further out of
+case to be relieved and to receive light.</p>
+<p>8. Such would do well not to limit the Holy One of Israel, but
+to wait with patience till his time come to speak in light to the
+soul, knowing that such as wait upon him shall never be ashamed,
+Isa. xlix. 23, because he waiteth to be gracious; and therefore
+blessed are all they that wait upon him, Isa. xxx. 18.</p>
+<p><i>Quest.</i> But what if for all this I get no outgate, but my
+distress and darkness rather grow upon my hand? <i>Ans.</i> That
+such a thing may be, I grant, the Lord thinking it fit. (1.) To
+exercise their faith, dependence, patience, hope, and desire more.
+(2.) And to discover more unto them their own weakness, faintings,
+faithfulness. (3.) To shew his absolute power and sovereignty. (4.)
+To make his grace and mercy more conspicuous and remarkable at
+length. And, (5.) to train them up in a way of dependence on him in
+the dark, and of leaning to him when walking in darkness, yea, and
+in a way of believing when they think they have no faith at all,
+and for other holy ends. Yet the soul would not despond, for there
+are several things that may serve to support and bear up the heart
+even in that case, as,</p>
+<p>1. This is not their case alone, others have been in the like
+before, and many have had the like complaints in all ages, as is
+known to such as have been acquainted with exercised souls.</p>
+<p>2. It may yield peace and comfort to know that they are about
+duty when looking to him, and depending upon him, and waiting for
+his light.</p>
+<p>3. The promises made to such as wait for him may support the
+soul and yield comfort.</p>
+<p>4. The distinct knowledge and uptaking of their condition,
+though it be comfortable and refreshing, yet it is not absolutely
+necessary. A soul may be a saved soul, though those clouds should
+continue to its dying day; and though, as long as they lived, they
+should never get a clear discovery of their gracious state, but
+spend their days in mourning, complaining, and crying out of
+darkness.</p>
+<p>5. Such a soul should think that it is much that he is kept out
+of hell so long; and sure, the thoughts of what he is, and of what
+he deserveth, may make him sober, and not to think much, though he
+reach not so high as to see his name written in the book of
+life.</p>
+<p>6. They should know that full assurance of hope and of faith is
+but rare: and even such as have it do not ordinarily keep it long;
+so that it should not much trouble them, if, after all their pains,
+they cannot win at it.</p>
+<p>7. If they win to any real ground of hope, how small soever,
+they should think much of that; for many dear to Christ live long,
+and never know what so much is.</p>
+<p>8. It is no small matter that they are not sinking in the gulf
+of inconsideration, and plagued with an indifferency in these
+matters, but are made to value Christ and an interest in him at
+such a rate.</p>
+<p>9. Their going to Christ with all their wants, laying all on
+him, and their making that their daily exercise, may keep up their
+hearts from fainting, yea, and fill their souls with joy; for that
+is really the exercise of faith. And the great and gracious
+promises are made to such as believe, and not to such only as know
+they do believe. I grant such as know not that they do believe,
+cannot draw comfort from these promises; yet it is true that one
+may, by reflecting on the actings of his own soul, see and know
+that really he is going out to Christ, forsaking himself, casting
+his burden on him, waiting and depending upon him; when yet he will
+not say that he doth believe. And when he seeth this working of
+soul towards Christ, he is obliged to believe that he believeth,
+and thereupon rejoice in hope of the great promises. And however
+the very sight and knowledge of this acting and motion of soul may
+give them some comfort, though they shall not take it for faith,
+because it is the way of duty, and it is the thing the gospel
+calleth for, and because they cannot show an instance of anyone
+soul that did so, and perished. But the truth is, the right
+understanding of the nature of faith would clear many doubts, and
+prevent many questions.</p>
+<p>I come to speak a little to the last case which I shall handle,
+which is,</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_XVIII." id="CHAPTER_XVIII."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2>
+<h4>HOW WE SHALL MAKE USE OF CHRIST AS THE TRUTH, THAT WE MAY WIN
+TO RIGHT AND SUITABLE THOUGHTS OF GOD.</h4>
+<br>
+<p>This is a case that much troubleth the people of God,&mdash;they
+cannot get right and suitable thoughts of God, which they earnestly
+desire to have, nor know not how to win at them; and certain it is,
+he only who is the Truth, and came out of the bosom of the Father,
+can help here. Therefore for our use-making of him for this end, it
+would be remembered,</p>
+<p>1. That the mind of man, through the fall, is nothing but a mass
+of ignorance and blindness; that "the understanding is darkened,"
+Eph. iv. 17, 18; "and naturally we are in darkness," 1 John ii. 9,
+11; "yea, under the power of darkness," Col. i. 13; and, which is
+more, our minds are naturally filled with prejudice against God,
+and enmity, through wickedness naturally residing there, and which
+the prince of the power of the air, the spirit which worketh in the
+children of disobedience, increaseth and stirreth up.</p>
+<p>2. That this evil is not totally taken away, even in the godly,
+but helped only in part; for they see and know but in part, 1 Cor.
+xiii. 13.</p>
+<p>3. That hence it cometh to pass, that through the working of
+corruption, the soul of a believer can sometimes win to no right
+thought of God at all; or at best to some very narrow and
+unsuitable conceptions of him and his ways; yea, sometimes, all the
+thoughts they can get of God are vain and idle, if not misshapen
+and blasphemous.</p>
+<p>4. That as we are, we cannot see God; "for no man hath seen
+him," Matt. xi. 27. John iv. 46; for he is an invisible God, 1 Tim.
+i. 17. Heb. xi. 27. "He dwelleth in light which no man can approach
+unto. Him no man hath seen, nor can see," 1 Tim. vi. 16. 1 John iv.
+12.</p>
+<p>5. That all that knowledge of God which is saving, is to be
+found in Christ, who is the "brightness of his glory, and the
+express image of his person," Heb. i. 2; "and the image of the
+invisible God," Col. i. 15; and is for this end come out from the
+bosom of the Father, that he might acquaint us with him, and with
+all his secrets, John i. 18. Matt. xi. 27, so far as is needful for
+us to know. He is God incarnate, that in him we may see the
+invisible. Thus "God is manifest in the flesh," 1 Tim. iii. 16;
+"and the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us," John i. 14.</p>
+<p>6. That therefore if we would see and know God, we must go to
+Christ, who is the temple in which God dwelleth and manifesteth his
+glory; and in and through him, must we see and conceive of God. The
+light that we get of the knowledge of the glory of God, must be in
+the face of Jesus Christ, 2 Cor. iv. 6; that is, in the
+manifestations that Christ hath made of himself, in his natures,
+offices, ordinances, works, dispensations of grace, mediate and
+immediate, &amp;c. And thus doth God, who commanded the light to
+shine out of darkness, "cause this light of the knowledge of his
+glory shine into our hearts," viz. in the face of Jesus Christ,
+that is, in the dispensations of grace in the gospel, which is the
+glorious gospel of Christ, 2 Cor. iv. 4, and, as it were, the face
+of Jesus Christ; for as by the face a man is best known and
+distinguished from others, so Christ is visibly, and discernibly,
+and manifestly, seen and known, in and by the gospel dispensations;
+there are all the lineaments and draughts of the glory of God which
+we would know, lively and clearly to be seen.</p>
+<p>So then, if we would make use of Christ for this end, that we
+may win to a right sight of God, and suitable conceptions of his
+glory, we would consider those things:</p>
+<p>1. We would live under the sense and thorough conviction of the
+greatness and incomprehensibleness of God, as being every way past
+finding out; and also under the conviction of our own darkness and
+incapacity to conceive aright of him, even as to what he hath
+revealed of himself.</p>
+<p>2. We would know, that what the works of creation and providence
+declare and preach forth of God, though it be sufficient to make
+heathens and others that do not improve the same to a right
+acknowledging of him, inexcusable, as Paul teacheth us, Rom. i. 20;
+yet all that is short of giving to us that saving knowledge of him,
+which must be had, and which is life eternal, John xvii. 2.</p>
+<p>3. We would know, that what of God is to be found out by the
+works of creation and providence, is more distinctly seen in Christ
+and in the gospel. Here is a greater and more glorious discovery of
+God, and of his glorious attributes, his justice, power, wisdom,
+goodness, holiness, truth, &amp;c. than can be found by the deepest
+diving naturalist, and most wise moral observer of Providence, that
+is not taught out of the gospel.</p>
+<p>4. Yea, there is something of God to be seen in Christ, in the
+gospel, which can be observed in none of his works of, creation or
+common providence; there is the grace of God that bringeth
+salvation, that is made to appear only by the gospel, Titus ii. 11;
+and there is a peculiar kindness and love of God towards man, which
+is only discovered by Christ in the gospel, Titus iii. 4. There is
+that manifold wisdom of God, that mystery which was hid from the
+beginning of the world in God; that principalities and powers in
+heavenly places, the greatest and wisest of naturalists must learn
+by the church, wherein that is preached and proclaimed, by the
+dispensations of the gospel, Eph. iii. 9, 10. His mercy pardoning
+poor sinners, justice being satisfied, cannot be cleared by nature.
+Nature cannot unfold that mystery of justice and mercy, concurring
+to the salvation of a sinner&mdash;only the gospel can clear that
+riddle.</p>
+<p>5. We would remember, that all the beams of that glory which are
+necessary and useful for us to know, are, to speak so, contracted
+in Christ, and there vailed, to the end that we may more steadily
+look upon them. We may go to our Brother, who is flesh of our
+flesh, and there, through the vail of his flesh, see and behold
+what otherwise was invisible. As we can look to the sun better
+shining in a pail of water, than by looking up immediately; so can
+we behold God and his glory better in Christ, where there is a thin
+vail (to speak so) drawn over that otherwise blinding, yea, killing
+glory, than by looking to God without Christ; for, alas! we could
+not endure one glance of an immediate ray of divine glory: it would
+kill us outright.</p>
+<p>6. We must then go to Christ, and there see God; for he who
+seeth him seeth the Father also, John xiv. 9. Particularly, we must
+go the face of Jesus Christ, that is, that whereby he hath made
+himself known, the noble contrivance of the glorious gospel,
+wherein all things are so carried on, as that God is glorified in
+his Son, in the salvation of poor sinners. The whole work of
+salvation is laid on Christ, and the Father is glorified in him,
+who is his Servant and his Chosen, whom he upholdeth and furnisheth
+for the work, Isa. xlii. 1,2. He is called the covenant itself. He
+is the undertaker in the covenant of redemption and in the covenant
+of grace; all is founded on him; all the good things of it are
+given out by him; all the grace by which we close with it, and
+accept of him according to it, is given by him. Now, in this gospel
+contrivance are all the lines of the glorious face of Christ to be
+seen; and in that face must we see and discern the glory of God,
+all the rays of which are centered in Christ, and there will we get
+a noble prospect of that glorious object. So that all such as would
+make use of Christ for this end, that they might come to have right
+and suitable thoughts and apprehensions of God, must be well
+acquainted with the whole draught and frame of the gospel; and so
+acquainted therewith, as to see Christ the substance, ground and
+all of it, and to see him in every part of it.</p>
+<p>7. Whatever we know or learn of God by his works of creation and
+providence, in the world or about ourselves, we would bring it in
+here that it may receive a new tincture and a deeper impression.
+That is done, when we find and learn something of Christ there, and
+are brought nearer Christ thereby, and made thereby to discover
+something more of the glory of God in the face of Christ; or are
+made to understand better something of the revelation that is made
+of God in the gospel, or moved thereby to improve it better.</p>
+<p>8. In all this matter, we must not go without our guide, lest we
+wander in this wilderness, and it prove a labyrinth to us. We must
+take Christ with us all along; he must teach us to understand his
+own face, and to read the glorious characters of that excellent
+glory which is to be seen in his face. He must be our interpreter,
+and teach us how to read this book, and how to understand what is
+written therein; he must give the discerning eye, and the
+understanding heart; even the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
+to take up the mysteries of God.</p>
+<p>9. And for this cause, we should by faith lay hold upon the
+promises of the Spirit, whereby we may be made spiritual, and have
+our understandings enlightened more and more, to understand the
+mysterious characters of divine majesty and glory.</p>
+<p>10. In all this exercise we should walk with fear, and carry
+with us impressions of the dreadful majesty and glory of God, that
+we may tremble and fear, and stand in awe, and read what we read of
+this glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, this glorious Bible,
+with reverence and godly fear. And thus we may be helped to win to
+right and suitable thoughts of God; yet withal we should, for</p>
+<br>
+<p>CAUTIONS,</p>
+<p>Consider a few things further; as,</p>
+<p>1. That we must not think to "search out the Almighty unto
+perfection," Job xi. 7.</p>
+<p>2. Nor must we think to get any one point of God known and
+understood perfectly; corruption will mix in itself, do our best;
+and our shortcomings will not easily be reckoned up.</p>
+<p>3. We must beware of carnal curiosity, and of unlawful diving
+into this depth, lest we drown.</p>
+<p>4. We should not dream of a state here, wherein we will not need
+Christ for this end. Yea, I suppose, in glory, he will be of use to
+us, as to the seeing of God; for even there, as he is to-day, so
+shall he for ever abide, God and man in two distinct natures and
+one person, and that cannot be for nought; and as God will be still
+God invisible and unsearchable, so we, though glorified, will
+remain finite creatures, and therefore will stand in need of
+Christ, that in his glorious face we may see the invisible. He must
+be our <i>lumen gloriae</i>.</p>
+<p>5. We should think it no small matter to have the impressions of
+this sight upon our hearts, that we cannot see him; and that we, in
+this state of sin, cannot get right and suitable apprehensions of
+him. I say, the impression of this on our spirits, that is, such a
+sight of impossibility to get him seen aright, as will keep the
+heart in awe, and cause us walk before him in fear and reverence,
+and to humble ourselves in the dust, and to tremble whenever we
+make mention of his name, or begin to meditate on him, knowing how
+great an one he is, and how dangerous it is to think amiss of him,
+and how difficult to get a right thought of him.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_XIX." id="CHAPTER_XIX."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIX.</h2>
+<h4>"AND THE LIFE." HOW CHRIST IS THE LIFE.</h4>
+<br>
+<p>This, as the former, being spoken indefinitely, may be
+universally taken, as relating both to such as are yet in the state
+of nature, and to such as are in the state of grace, and so may be
+considered in reference to both, and ground three points of truth,
+both in reference to the one, and in reference to the other; to
+wit, 1. That our case is such as we stand in need of his help, as
+being the Life. 2. That no other way but by him, can we get that
+supply of life, which we stand in need of, for he only is the Life,
+excluding all other. 3. That this help is to be had in him fully
+and completely, for not only is he able to quicken, but he is
+called the Life; so that the help which he giveth is full,
+excellent, and complete.</p>
+<p>Looking upon the words in reference to such as are in nature,
+they point out those three truths to us:</p>
+<p>I. That all of us by nature are dead, standing in need of
+quickening and of life; for this is presupposed, while he is said
+to be the Life, and that both legally and really: Legally, being
+under the sentence of death, for Adam's transgression, Rom. v. 15,
+and for that original corruption of heart we have; and really, the
+sentence of the law being in part executed, and that both as to the
+body and as to the soul. As to the body, it is now subject to
+death, and all the forerunners thereof, such as weakness, pains,
+sickness, fears, torment, trouble, weariness, yea, and in hazard of
+hell-fire, and the torments of the second death for ever. As to the
+soul, it also is many ways dead; but first in a way that is purely
+penal, and next in a way that is also sinful; and both ways, as to
+what is present, and as to what is future. For as to that which is
+penal and present, it is, (1.) separated from God and his favour,
+Gen. iii. 8, 10, 24; (2.) is under his curse and wrath, whence it
+cometh to pass, that by nature we are children of wrath, Eph. ii.
+2, 5; servants of Satan, 2 Tim. ii. 26; the consequence of which is
+sad and heavy, for hence it is that we cannot please God, do what
+we will. Till we be brought out of that state, our ordinary and
+civil actions, even ploughing the ground, is sin, Prov. xxi. 4;
+yea, our religious actions, whether natural or instituted, are
+abomination; even our sacrifices, Prov. xv. 8; xxi. 27; and
+prayers, Prov. xxviii. 9. Psalm x. 7; yea, and all our thoughts and
+purposes, Prov. xv. 26; and likewise all our ways, Prov. xv. 9. As
+to what is penal and future, it is obnoxious to that everlasting
+excommunication from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory
+of his power, 2 Thess. i. 8, 9; and to the torments of hell for
+ever, Mark ix. 44, 46, 48. Luke xvi. As to what is not only penal
+but also sinful, the soul here is under the stroke of darkness in
+the understanding, perverseness and rebelliousness in the will,
+irregularity and disorder in the affections, whereby the soul is
+unfit for any thing that is good, Rom. iii. 10-20. Eph. ii. 1, 2,
+3. Rom. v. 6; viii. 7, 8; whence proceedeth all our actual
+transgressions, James i. 14, 15. And moreover sometimes the soul is
+given up to a reprobate mind, Rom. i. 28; to strong delusion, 2
+Thess. ii. 2; to hardness of heart, Rom. ii. 5; horror of
+conscience, Isa. xxxiii. 14; to vile affections, Rom. i. 26, and
+the like spiritual plagues, which, though the Lord inflict on some
+only, yet all are obnoxious to the same by nature, and can expect
+no less, if the Lord should enter with them into judgment. And
+finally, as to what is future of this kind, they are, being fuel
+for Tophet, obnoxious to that malignant, sinful, blasphemous, and
+desperate rebellion against God, in hell for evermore!</p>
+<p>O how lamentable, upon this consideration, must the condition of
+such be, as are yet in the state of nature! Oh, if it were but seen
+and felt! But, alas! there is this addition to all, that people
+know not this; they consider it not, they believe it not, they feel
+it not, they see it not; and hence it cometh to pass, that,</p>
+<p><i>First</i>. They cannot bewail and lament their condition, nor
+be humbled therefor.</p>
+<p><i>Secondly</i>. They cannot, and will not seek after a remedy;
+for the whole will not trouble themselves to seek after a
+physician.</p>
+<p>And sure upon this account, their case calleth for pity and
+compassion from all that know what a dreadful thing it is to be in
+such a condition, and should stir up all to pray for them, and to
+do all they can to help them out of that state of sin and misery,
+which is dreadful to think upon.</p>
+<p>Should not the thoughts and consideration of this put us all to
+try and search, if we be yet translated from death to life, and
+delivered out of that dreadful and terrible state, and made
+partakers of the first resurrection. It not being my purpose to
+handle this point at large, I shall not here insist in giving
+marks, whereby this may be known, and which are obvious in Paul's
+Epistles, and to be found handled at large in several practical
+pieces, chiefly in Mr. Guthrie's Great Interest. I shall only
+desire every one to consider and examine,</p>
+<p>1. Whether or not the voice of Christ, which quickeneth the
+dead, hath been heard and welcomed in their soul. This is effectual
+calling.</p>
+<p>2. Whether or not there be a thorough change wrought in their
+soul, a change in the whole man, so as all things are become new. 2
+Cor. v. 17.</p>
+<p>3. Whether or not there be a principle of life within? and they
+be led by the Spirit.</p>
+<p>4. Whether or not there be a living to the glory of the Lord
+Redeemer.</p>
+<p>And when by an impartial trial, a discovery is made of the
+badness of our condition, should we not be alarmed to look about
+us, and to labour by all means for an outgate? Considering, (1.)
+How doleful and lamentable this condition is. (2.) How sad and
+dreadful the consequences of it are. (3.) How happy a thing it is
+to be delivered from this miserable and sinful condition. And, (4.)
+How there is a possibility of outgate.</p>
+<p><i>Finally</i>. It may break a heart of stone to think, how
+people that are in such a condition are so unwilling to come out of
+it: For,</p>
+<p>1. How unwilling are they once to suspect their condition, or to
+suppose that it may be bad, and that they may be yet
+unconverted?</p>
+<p>2. How unwilling are they, to sit down seriously to try and
+examine the matter, and to lay their case to the touch-stone of the
+word?</p>
+<p>3. Yea, how unwilling are they to hear any thing that may tend
+to awaken them, or to discover unto them the deadness of their
+condition?</p>
+<p>4. How ready to stifle challenges of conscience, or any common
+motion of the Spirit, which tendeth to alarm their soul?</p>
+<p>5. How great enemies are they to such ordinances as serve to
+awaken sleeping consciences?</p>
+<p>6. And how do they hate such ministers as preach such doctrine
+as may serve to rouse them up, and set them a-work about their own
+salvation?</p>
+<p>II. We learn hence, that without Christ there is no imaginary
+way of delivery out of this natural state of death. "No other name
+is given under heaven whereby we can be saved," Acts iv. 12; and
+angels can make no help here, nor can one of us deliver another;
+the redemption of the soul is more precious than so, Psalm xlix. 7,
+8. Nor is there any thing we can do for ourselves that will avail
+here; all our prayers, tears, whippings, fastings, vows,
+alms-deeds, purposes, promises, resolutions, abstinence from some
+evils, outward amendments, good morality and civility, outward
+religiousness, yea, and if it were possible, our keeping of the
+whole law, will not help us out of this pit. And we may weary
+ourselves in such exercises in vain; for they will prove but bodily
+exercises that profit little. And when in this way we have spent
+all our time, parts, spirits, and labour, we shall at length see
+and say, that we have spent our money for that which is not
+bread.</p>
+<p>This should put all of us to try what it is which we lean to for
+life; and what it is, the consideration whereof giveth us peace and
+quietness when the thoughts of death, judgment, hell, and the wrath
+of God come upon us and trouble us: For if it be any thing beside
+Christ that our soul leaneth to, and that we are comforted by, and
+found all our hopes upon, we will meet with a lamentable (oh! for
+ever lamentable!) disappointment. Be sure then, that our hearts
+renounce all other ways and means of outgate out of this death,
+besides Jesus, the resurrection and the life, else it will not be
+well with us.</p>
+<p>III. We see here, that delivery out of this natural state of
+death is only had by Christ: For he alone is the life, and the life
+that is in him is suitable and excellent. Hence he is called "the
+bread of life," John vi. 35, 48. "The resurrection and the life,"
+John xi. 25. "The water of life," Rev. xxi. 6, and xxii. 17. "The
+tree of life," Rev. xxii. 2, 14. "The prince of life," Acts iii.
+15. "Our life," Col. iii. 4. "The word of life, and life itself," 1
+John i. 1, 2.</p>
+<p>And as he is a suitable and excellent life, so is he an
+all-sufficient and perfect life, able every way to help us and to
+deliver us from all the parts of our death. For,</p>
+<p>1. He delivereth from the sentence of the law, Rom. v. 17, 18,
+undergoing the curse of the law, and becoming a curse for us, 2
+Cor. v. 21.</p>
+<p>2. He taketh away the curse and sting of all temporal plagues,
+yea, and of death itself, causing all to work together for good to
+such as love him, Rom. viii. 28. He hath killed him that had the
+power of death, that is, the devil, Heb. ii. 14; and through him
+the sting of death, which is sin, is taken away, 1 Cor. xv. 56,
+57.</p>
+<p>3. He reconcileth to God, taking away that distance and enmity,
+2 Cor. v. 20; and so he is our peace and peacemaker, purchasing
+access to us to the Father, Eph. ii. 14, 16; iii. 12.</p>
+<p>4. He also delivereth from the power of sin and corruption, Rom.
+vii. 24.</p>
+<p>5. And from all those spiritual strokes; such as blindness,
+hardness of heart, &amp;c. For he is our light; and hath procured a
+new heart for us, even a heart of flesh.</p>
+<p>6. So delivereth he from hell fire, having satisfied justice,
+and having brought life and immortality to light; and he giveth
+life eternal, as we see, Rev. ii. 3.</p>
+<p>Oh! it is sad, that Christ is so little made use of, and that so
+many will forsake the fountain of living waters, and dig to
+themselves broken cisterns that can hold no water; and slight,
+despise, and undervalue the gospel of Christ, which bringeth life
+and immortality to light.</p>
+<p>Oh! if the consideration of this could move such as never found
+any change in themselves, to run to, and make use of Jesus Christ
+for life; and would for this end,</p>
+<p>(1.) Cry to him, that he would make them sensible of their
+deadness, and waken them out of their deep sleep.</p>
+<p>(2.) Cry to him, to set them a-work to renounce all other help
+beside his, as being utterly unable to quicken and put life in
+them.</p>
+<p>(3.) Cry to him, that he would draw and determine their souls to
+a closing with him by faith alone, to a hearing of his voice, to an
+obeying of his call, to a following of his direction, to a giving
+up of themselves to him, leaning to him, and waiting for all from
+him alone: in a word, to take him for their life in all points, and
+to lean to him for life, and to expect it from him, through faith
+in the promises of the gospel.</p>
+<p><i>Next.</i> This being spoken to the disciples, whom we suppose
+to have been believers, it will give us ground to speak of it, in
+reference to believers, and so yield three points of truth, which
+we shall briefly touch, and then come to speak of use-making of
+Christ as the Life, in some particular cases.</p>
+<p><i>First.</i> It is here clearly presupposed, that even
+believers have need of Christ to be life unto them; and so have
+their fits of deadness. If it were not so, why would Christ have
+said to believers, that he was life? And daily experience doth
+abundantly confirm it. For,</p>
+<p>1. They are oft so weak and unable to resist temptation, or to
+go about any commanded duty, as if they were quite dead.</p>
+<p>2. They are oft so borne down with discouragement, because of
+the strength of opposition which they meet with on all hands; and
+because of the manifold disappointments which they meet with, that
+they have neither heart nor hand; and they faint and set up in the
+ways of the Lord; and cannot go through difficulties, but
+oftentimes lie by.</p>
+<p>3. Through daily fighting, and seeing no victory, they become
+weary and faint-hearted; so that they lie by as dead, Isa. xl.
+29.</p>
+<p>4. They oft fall sick and decay, and have need of restoration
+and quickening.</p>
+<p>5. The want of the sense of God's favour, and of the comforts of
+the Holy Ghost, maketh them to dwine and droop, and look out as
+dead.</p>
+<p>6. While under soul desertions upon one account or other, they
+look upon themselves as free among the dead, that is, as dead men,
+of the society of the dead, with Heman, Psalm lxxxviii.</p>
+<p>7. Yea, many times they are as dead men, led captive in chains
+of unbelief and corruptions, as we see David was, when his heart
+panted, and his strength failed him, and the light of his eyes were
+gone from him, Psalm xxxviii. 10.</p>
+<p>8. Many times the frequent changes, and ups and downs they meet
+with, take all courage and heart from them, that they become like
+men tossed at sea, so as they have no more strength.</p>
+<p>And many such things befall them, which make them look as dead,
+and to stand in need of quickening, reviving and strengthening
+cordials from him who is the life. And thus the Lord thinketh good
+to dispense with his own people,</p>
+<p>(1.) That they may be kept humble, and know themselves to be
+indigent creatures, needing influences of life daily.</p>
+<p>(2.) That they may have many errands to him who is the life, and
+have much to do with him, and depend upon him continually.</p>
+<p>(3.) That he may show himself wonderful, in and about them,
+giving proof of his skill in quickening the dead, and in bringing
+such through unto everlasting life, who were daily, as it were,
+giving up the ghost, and at the point of death.</p>
+<p>(4.) That heaven may be heaven; that is, a place "where the
+weary are at rest," Job iii. 17; and the troubled rest, 2 Thes. i.
+7; and where the inhabitants shall not say they are sick, Isa.
+xxxiii. 24.</p>
+<p>(5.) That they may be taught more the life of faith and of
+dependence on him, and trained up in that way.</p>
+<p>(6.) That he may be owned, acknowledged, and submitted unto as a
+sovereign God, doing what he will in heaven and in earth.</p>
+<p>For all this, there is no cause that any should take up any
+prejudice at Christianity: for, for all this their life is sure,
+and the outgate is sure and safe. Nor would they think it strange,
+to see believers oft mourning and drooping, seeing their case will
+oft fall for new supplies of life. Their fits are not known to
+every one; nor doth every one know what lieth sometimes at their
+heart; nor would they think it such an easy matter to win to heaven
+as they imagine; and so deceive themselves. The righteous are saved
+through many deaths.</p>
+<p>And as for believers, they would not think it strange to meet
+with such fits of deadness; nor thence conclude, that all their
+former work was but delusion, and that they are still in the state
+of nature. But rather observe the wisdom, faithfulness, and power
+of God in bringing their broken ship through so much broken water,
+yea, and shipwrecks; and his goodness in ordering matters so as
+they shall be kept humble, watchful, diligent and constant in
+dependence upon him who is and must be their life, first and last.
+And hence learn a necessity of living always near to Christ, and
+depending constantly upon him by faith; for he being their life,
+they cannot be without him, but they must die and decay.</p>
+<p><i>Second.</i> We hence learn, that under all these fits of
+deadness to which his people are subject, nothing without Christ
+will help: Not,</p>
+<p>1. All their pains in and about ordinary means, prayer, reading,
+hearing, meditation, conference, &amp;c. They will all cry out,
+that help is not in them: for he is the life.</p>
+<p>2. Nor extraordinary duties, such as fasting and prayer, and
+vows,&mdash;these will never revive and quicken a drooping or
+fainting sickly soul: for they are not Christ, nor the life.</p>
+<p>3. Nor will a stout courageous spirit and resolution of heart
+avail. If he who is the Life, breathe not, all that will melt away
+and evanish.</p>
+<p>4. Nor will the stock of habitual grace which remaineth in the
+soul, be sufficient to quicken and revive the sick soul, if the
+Life breathe not on these habits; and if new influences of life and
+strength flow not in upon the soul, and new rays come not down from
+this Sun of Righteousness to warm the frozen soul, the habits will
+lie by as dead.</p>
+<p>5. Far less will their great gifts and endowments help them out
+of that dead condition; all their light and knowledge, without the
+influences of this Life, will prove weak and insufficient for this
+end and purpose.</p>
+<p>6. Nor will sound, pure and lively-like ordinances work out this
+effect; for till he look down, all these ordinances may prove dead
+and deadening to them.</p>
+<p>It were good if believers were living under the conviction of
+this daily, and by their practice and carriage declaring if they
+believe, that Christ only is the Life, and that they must live in
+him, and be quickened and revived through him alone.</p>
+<p><i>Third</i>. We see hence, that Christ is the Life, that is,
+one that sufficiently, yea, and abundantly can help the believer
+while under those fits of deadness which have been mentioned, and
+the like. There is in him a rich supply of things that tend to
+revive, encourage, strengthen and enliven a soul under spiritual
+deadness and fainting. Therefore is he called the Life; as having
+in him all that which is necessary for and answerable to souls
+under spiritual sicknesses, distempers, desertions, fainting and
+swooning fits, &amp;c., for with him "is the fountain of life,"
+Psalm xxxvi. 9; "and he it is that upholdeth the soul in life,"
+Psalm lxvi. 9; "and can command the blessing, even life for ever
+more," Psalm cxxxiii. 3.</p>
+<p>For further clearing of this, we would consider those
+things,</p>
+<p>1. That he is God, equal with the Father in power and glory, and
+thereby "hath life in himself," John v. 26; and can "quicken whom
+he will," ver. 21. By this he proveth his own Godhead and equality
+with the Father; so, John i. 4, it is said, "that in him was life,"
+and that life was the light of men, whereby also his Godhead is
+confirmed. This should be firmly believed, and rooted in our
+hearts, as being the ground of all our hope, comfort, and life:
+For, were it not so, that our Mediator were the true God, all our
+hopes were gone, our comforts could not be long lived, and our life
+were extinct.</p>
+<p>2. As Mediator God-man, he is fully and thoroughly furnished to
+quicken and enliven his members and followers, first and last; and
+all along their life must be hid with Christ in God; "for in him
+dwelleth the Fulness of the Godhead bodily," Col. ii. 9; as
+Mediator, he is called "a tree of life," Prov. iii. 18; quickening
+and enlivening all that feed upon him; and "the bread of life,"
+John vi. 35, 48. Yea, because of power and authority to command
+life to the dead soul, he is called "the Prince of life," Acts iii.
+15; and as a living, quickening stone, he giveth life to all that
+are built upon him, 1 Pet. ii. 4. Yea, as being fully fitted and
+furnished for this work, he calleth himself "the resurrection and
+the life," John xi. 25. This should be riveted in our hearts, as a
+comfortable and encouraging truth.</p>
+<p>3. Of this stock of life and quickening and reviving grace which
+he hath got, and is furnished withal as Mediator and Redeemer of
+his people, he is communicative,&mdash;"of his fulness do we
+receive, and grace for grace," John i. 16. He got it that he might
+give it out, and that from him as a head it might flow unto his
+members, and therefore he is the bread that came down from heaven,
+and giveth life to the world, John vi. 35. Yea, he giveth eternal
+life to all his sheep, John x. 28; and he is come for this end,
+that his sheep might have life, John x. 10. Therefore hath he taken
+on such relations, as may give ground of confirmation of this, as
+of a head, of a stock or root, and the like. This consideration is
+strengthening and reviving.</p>
+<p>4. He communicateth of this stock of life, and of reviving
+strength, which he hath most sweetly and on most easy terms. So
+that,</p>
+<p>(1.) Such as seek him shall find life by him, Psalm lxix.
+32.</p>
+<p>(2.) Yea, such as know him shall not miss life, John xvii. 3. 1
+John v. 20.</p>
+<p>(3.) If we will believe on him and rest upon him, we have life
+first and last, John iii. 15, 16, 36; vi. 40, 47. 1 Tim. i. 16.</p>
+<p>(4.) If we will come to him, John v. 40, and cast our dead soul
+upon him, we shall live.</p>
+<p>(5.) If we will hear his voice, Isa. lv. 3, and receive his
+instructions, we shall live; for they are the instructions of
+life.</p>
+<p>(6.) Nay, if the soul be so dead, that it can neither walk nor
+hear, if it can but look to him, he will give life, Isa. xlv.
+22.</p>
+<p>(7.) And if the soul be so weak, that it cannot look, nor lift
+up its eyes; yet if it be willing, he will come with life. Rev.
+xxii. 17.</p>
+<p>Oh, if this were believed!</p>
+<p>5. As he is communicative of that life which he hath gotten as
+head, and that upon easy terms; so he giveth out of that life
+liberally, largely, abundantly, yea, more abundantly, John x. 10.
+The water of life which he giveth, is "a well of water springing up
+to everlasting life," John iv. 14. Therefore he alloweth his
+friends to drink abundantly, Cant. v. 1.</p>
+<p>6. Yet it would be remembered, that he is Lord and master
+thereof, and Prince of this life, and so may dispense it and give
+it out, in what measure he seeth fit; and he is wise to measure out
+best for his own glory, and to their advantage.</p>
+<p>7. All this life is sure in him,&mdash;none of his shall be
+disappointed thereof. His offices, which he hath taken on; and his
+commission, which he hath of the Father, abundantly clear this; and
+love to his, will not suffer him to keep up any thing that is for
+their advantage. He is faithful in his house as a son, and will do
+all that was committed unto him to do. The whole transaction of the
+covenant of redemption, and suretyship, and all the promises of the
+new covenant of grace, confirm this to be a sure truth; so that
+they that have him have life, 1 John v. 12. Prov. viii. 35.</p>
+<p>8. Yea, all that is in Christ contributeth to this life and
+quickening. His words and doctrine are the words of eternal life,
+John vi. 63, 68. Phil. ii. 16. His works and ways are the ways of
+life, Acts ii. 28. His natures, offices, sufferings, actings, all
+he did as Mediator, concur to the quickening and enlivening of a
+poor dead soul.</p>
+<p>9. This fulness of life which he hath, is fully suited to the
+believer's condition, in all points, as we shall hear.</p>
+<p>10. This life is eminently and transcendently in him, and
+exclusively of all others. It is in him, and in him alone; and it
+is in him in a most excellent manner: So that he is the life, in
+the abstract; not only a living head, and an enlivening head; but
+life itself, the life, the "resurrection and the life."</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_XX." id="CHAPTER_XX."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XX.</h2>
+<p>SOME GENERAL USES.</p>
+<br>
+<p>Before we come to speak of some particular cases of deadness,
+wherein believers are to make use of Christ as the Life, we shall
+first propose some useful consequences and deductions from what
+hath been spoken of this life; and,</p>
+<p>I. The faith of those things, which have been mentioned, would
+be of great use and advantage to believers; and therefore they
+should study to have the faith of this truth fixed on their hearts,
+and a deep impression thereof on their spirits, to the end,
+that,</p>
+<p>1. Be their case and condition what it will, they might be kept
+from despair, and despondency of spirit, from giving over their
+case as hopeless; and from looking upon themselves as irremediably
+gone. The faith of Christ being life, and the life, would keep up
+the soul in hope, and cause it say,&mdash;how dead soever my case
+be, yet life can help me, and he who is the resurrection and the
+life, can recover me.</p>
+<p>2. Yea, be their case and condition what it will, they would
+have here some ground of encouragement, to go to him with their
+dead soul, and to look to him for help, seeing he is the Life, as
+Mediator, to the end he might enliven and quicken his dead,
+fainting, swooning members, and to recover them from their
+deadness.</p>
+<p>3. They might be freed from many scruples and objections that
+scar and discourage them. This one truth believed would clear up
+the way so, as that such things, as would have been impediments and
+objections before, shall evanish, and be rolled out of the way now:
+Such as, the objections taken from their own worthlessness, their
+long continuance in that dead condition, and the like.</p>
+<p>4. They might hereby likewise be freed from that dreadful plague
+and evil of jealousy, whereby the soul is oft kept back from coming
+to Christ: For they fear he will not make them welcome; they doubt
+of his love and tenderness, and question his pity and compassion;
+yea, their jealousy maketh them to doubt of his faithfulness; so
+that the faith of this truth would cure this jealousy, and deliver
+the soul therefrom, and open a way for the soul to come forward
+with boldness and confidence.</p>
+<p>5. They might also be hereby helped to wait with patience, and
+to be still and quiet under the Lord's various dispensations; so as
+they would not fret nor repine against him, knowing that he would
+prove himself to be Life, even the Life, in his own good time; so
+that the soul would patiently wait at his door, till he were
+pleased to look out, and with his look convey life into their dead
+soul.</p>
+<p>6. They might be preserved hereby from looking out to or
+expecting any help from any other quarter: knowing that he alone is
+the Life; and so that help can no where else be had. The faith of
+this truth would guard from any sinistrous ways which the soul, in
+a time of strait, is ready to run to for relief: for hereby would
+it see that neither instruments nor means, nor outward
+administrations, nor any thing of that kind, can quicken their dead
+soul; and that he, and he alone must breathe in life into them, as
+at first, so now again.</p>
+<p>II. May we not see and observe here great matter of admiration
+at the goodness and rich bounty of God towards his people, who hath
+found out and condescended upon such a sure, safe, and satisfying
+way, whereby he becometh all things to his people which they stand
+in need of; and that notwithstanding,</p>
+<p>1. That we are most unworthy of any such dispensation of grace
+at his hands.</p>
+<p>2. That we too oft are too desirous of other guests in our
+hearts beside him: O how much corruption, sin and death lodge
+within our souls! and how more desirous are we ofttimes of death
+than of life!</p>
+<p>3. That we little improve the noble advantages for life which we
+have granted unto us; yea, many a time we abuse them; and this he
+did foresee, and yet notwithstanding would condescend unto us.</p>
+<p>4. That we do little express our thankfulness for such
+mercies.</p>
+<p>But not for our sakes hath he done this, but for his own name's
+sake: For noble and holy ends hath he resolved on this course;
+as,</p>
+<p>(1.) That he might be "all in all," Col. iii. 11, and they
+nothing; that he alone might fill all in all, Eph. i. ult., and
+they be empty and nothing without him.</p>
+<p>(2.) That he might wear the glory of all; "for of him, and
+through him, and to him are all things," Rom. xi. 36, and that no
+man might share therein.</p>
+<p>(3.) That man might be his everlasting debtor, and cast down, in
+testimony thereof, his crown at his feet, "who sitteth on the
+throne," as those did, Rev. iv. 10, and might cry out with these
+same elders, ver. 11, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory,
+and honour, and power," &amp;c.; and with those, chap. v. 12,
+"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches,
+and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and blessing."</p>
+<p>(4.) That man's mouth might be stopped for ever, and all
+boasting excluded; for man is a proud creature, and ready to boast
+of that which is nothing and vanity. Now God hath chosen this noble
+way of the covenant of grace, that no man might boast any more.
+Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? By the law of
+works? no, but by the law of faith, saith the apostle, Rom. iii.
+24.</p>
+<p>(5.) That all might be sure to the poor chosen believer. The
+Lord will not have the stock of life, any longer to be in a man's
+own hand: for even Adam, in the state of innocency, could not use
+it well, but made shipwreck thereof, and turned a bankrupt; much
+more would man now do so, in this state of sin, in which he lieth
+at present, therefore hath God, out of love and tenderness to his
+chosen ones, put all their stock in the hand of Christ, who is
+better able to manage it, to God's glory and man's advantage, being
+faithful in all things, and a trusty servant, "having the fulness
+of the Godhead dwelling in him bodily." "Therefore," saith the
+apostle, Rom. iv. 16. "it is of faith, that it might be by grace;
+to the end, the promises might be sure to all the seed."</p>
+<p>(6.) That believers might have strong consolation,
+notwithstanding of all the opposition of enemies without and
+within, when they see that now their "life is hid with Christ in
+God," Col. iii. 3, and that their life is in their head, they will
+not fear so much devils and men without, nor their own dead and
+corrupt hearts within.</p>
+<p>III. How inexcusable must all such be,</p>
+<p>1. Who will not lay hold on this life, on Jesus who is the Life,
+sure life, yea, everlasting life.</p>
+<p>2. Who seek life any other way, than by and through him who is
+the Life.</p>
+<p>3. Who oppose this way of life, and not only reject the offers
+of it, but prove enemies to it, and to all that carry it or preach
+it.</p>
+<p>IV. Here is strong encouragement to all that would be at heaven,
+to enter into this gospel, which is a way of life; such need not
+fear that their salvation shall not be advanced; let Satan and all
+their adversaries do what they can, all that enter into this way
+shall live. For the way itself is life, and nothing but life. So
+that here all objections are obviated; life can answer all. If the
+believer fear, that he shall never win through difficulties, he
+shall die by the way; or by fainting, succumbing and swooning,
+dishonour the profession, and at length fall off and apostatize, or
+despair and give over all hope; here is that which may answer and
+obviate all, "I am the life;" and who can perish in the way which
+is the way of life, an enlivening way, yea, the way which is life
+itself; yea, the life in a singular and eminent manner?</p>
+<p>V. Here is ground of reproof even of believers, who, though they
+have come to Christ, yet do not live in him as they ought, do not
+walk in him with that liveliness and activity which is called for;
+but,</p>
+<p>1. Lean too much to their own understanding, gifts or graces;
+and think thereby to ride out storms, and to wide through all
+difficulties, while as, if he who is the Life do not breathe upon
+us, all that will fail us in the day of trial. Our understanding
+and parts or gifts may dry up, and our graces may wither and decay,
+and go backward.</p>
+<p>2. Rest too much on duties; when they should in them go to him
+who is the Life. For only in him is life to be had; and him should
+they seek to in the ordinances, that they might have life from him
+in those outward duties; and this appeareth in their way of going
+about duties, without that dependence on him, and single eyeing of
+him, which is called for. As also by their freting and repining,
+when duties do not their business, as if life lay all in duties;
+and concluding all will be right, because they get duties somewhat
+tolerably performed; and, on the contrary, desponding, when duties
+fall heavy on them, and they find themselves indisposed for duty.
+All which clearly evinceth, that they lay too much weight on
+duties; while as it would be otherwise with them, if they were
+purely depending on Christ, and looking for all from him.</p>
+<p>3. Despond too soon, because they get not help and relief
+instantly; or because they are not preserved from every degree of
+fainting.</p>
+<p>4. Neglect to make use of him, and to come to him with all their
+wants, failings and necessities, as they ought; or come not with
+that freedom and boldness which the gospel grounds allow.</p>
+<p>VI. This preacheth out the woful misery of such as are strangers
+to Christ. For being strangers to the Life, they have no life, they
+are dead, and death is engraven on all they do; even though,</p>
+<p>1. They should be very diligent in external duties, yea, and
+outstrip many true believers; as the Pharisees had their fasts
+twice a-week, Luke xviii.</p>
+<p>2. They should be eminently gifted, able to instruct others, and
+to speak of the mysteries of the gospel, to purpose and to
+edification. For such gifts of knowledge and utterance may be,
+where the lively operations of the grace of Christ are not, and
+consequently where Christ is not, as the Life.</p>
+<p>3. They should seem eminent in all their outward carriage, and
+seem to carry most christianly in all their walk, and appear most
+devout in the matter of worship.</p>
+<p>4. And they should have something more than ordinary; even taste
+of the heavenly gift, and be made partakers of extraordinary gifts
+of the Holy Ghost; yea, and taste the good word of God, and the
+powers of the world to come, Heb. vi. 4, 5.</p>
+<p>VII. This discovereth the noble advantage of such as have
+accepted of Christ for their life. Their condition is happy, sure,
+desirable, and thriving; for Christ is theirs, and life is theirs;
+because Christ, who is the Life, is theirs.</p>
+<p><i>Obj.</i> 1. But some wicked persons may say, We see not that
+happy and advantageous condition of such as go for believers; for
+we observe them to be as little lively ofttimes as others, and as
+unfit for duties; yea, and sometimes as much subject to sin and
+corruption as others.</p>
+<p><i>Ans.</i> 1. However it be with them, either in thine eyes, or
+possibly in their own sometimes, yet thou mayest hold thy peace;
+for in their worst condition, they would not exchange with thee for
+a world; in their deadest-like condition, they are not void of all
+life, as thou art, notwithstanding all thy motions, and seeming
+activeness in duty; because all thy motion in and about duty is but
+like the moving of children's puppets, caused by external motives,
+such as a name, applause, peace from a natural conscience, or the
+like; and not from any inward principle of grace and life.</p>
+<p>2. Howbeit they sometimes seem to be dead, yet they are not
+always so; life doth really work sometimes in them; whereas there
+was never any true or kindly motion of life in thee.</p>
+<p>3. There may be more life in them, yea, life in motion, when
+they seem to be overcome with some lusts or corruption, yea, when
+really they are overcome, than beholders that are strangers to the
+heart can observe. For when temptation is violent, as having the
+advantage of the time and place, of the constitution of the body,
+and the like, it argueth no small degree of life, and of life in
+motion, to make some resistance and opposition thereunto, though at
+length he should be overcome thereby. And this opposition and
+resistance, flowing from a principle of grace, speaketh out life,
+though corruption, having the advantage, should at that time
+overpower the motion of life, and carry the man away.</p>
+<p>4. If it be not otherwise with believers than is objected, they
+may blame themselves, for not improving Christ better for life.</p>
+<p><i>Object.</i> But some who are true believers will object the
+same, and cry out of themselves as dead; and say, They find not
+that liveliness and activity in their souls, that will evidence
+Christ, the Life, dwelling and working in them.</p>
+<p><i>Ans.</i> It may be they prejudge themselves of that lively
+frame they might enjoy, and so wrong themselves:</p>
+<p>1. In not exercising faith on Christ, and drawing life from him
+and through him. The life which they live should be by faith, Gal.
+ii. 20. How then can such as do not eat become fat? by faith we
+feed on Christ.</p>
+<p>2. In not watching, but giving way to security, and thereby
+encouraging and strengthening the adversary, as we see in David;
+when they stand not on their watch-tower, they invite Satan to set
+on; and he is vigilant enough, and knoweth how to take his
+advantage, and to improve his opportunity.</p>
+<p>3. In giving way to laziness and not stirring up themselves, as
+we see in the bride, Cant. iii. 1; v. 3; when they stir not up the
+grace of God which is in them, how can they be lively? If grace be
+laid by, it will contract rust. The best way to keep grace lively,
+is to keep it in exercise, how little soever it be.</p>
+<p>4. By their rashness, walking without fear, as is to be observed
+in Peter, when he slipped so foully. When through their want of
+circumspection, they precipitate themselves into danger, and cast
+themselves among their enemies' hands, is it any wonder, that it go
+not with them as they would; and that they provoke God to leave
+them to themselves; that they may know what they are, and learn
+afterwards not to tempt the Lord, and to walk more
+circumspectly?</p>
+<p>5. By leaning too much to their attainments, and not looking out
+for new influences of grace and life. Hereby they provoke God to
+let them know to their expense, that for as great a length as they
+are come, they must live by faith, and be quickened by new
+influences from the Spirit of life.</p>
+<p>6. So they may wrong themselves through their ignorance of
+Christ, and of the way of making use of him; and if they, through
+unacquaintedness with Christ and the right way of improving the
+fulness that is in him, miss the fruit and advantage which
+otherwise they might have, they can only blame themselves.</p>
+<p>7. They may also prejudge themselves by their self-love,
+self-esteem, self-seeking, self-pleasing, &amp;c., which piece and
+piece will draw them off Christ, and cause them forget the way of
+sucking life from him, who is the fountain of life.</p>
+<p>8. When they give way to small sins, they open a door to
+greater; and they lose thereby their tenderness, and so provoke the
+Lord to withdraw; and this is another way, whereby they prejudge
+themselves of that benefit of liveliness, which they might
+otherwise have.</p>
+<p>9. So also by worldly-mindedness, which alienateth their mind
+from God; and,</p>
+<p>10. By their impatience, and fretting, and repining against God,
+and his wise dispensations, they also prejudge and wrong
+themselves; for while they are in that mood, they cannot with due
+composedness of Spirit, go to Christ, and draw life from him
+through faith.</p>
+<p><i>Obj.</i> 3. But is there not even some of those who are most
+tender, that complain of their deadness and shortcomings?</p>
+<p><i>Ans.</i> 1. It may be that they complain without cause; and
+that they have more cause of rejoicing, and of blessing the Lord
+for what he hath done to them, than of complaining.</p>
+<p>2. Their complaining will not prove the want of life, but rather
+the contrary. For when they complain most, they must be most
+sensible if their complaints be real, and not merely for a fashion;
+and sense is a manifest evidence of life.</p>
+<p>3. It would be remembered, that the Lord can make their failings
+and shortcomings contribute to the furthering of their life, as we
+see it did in Peter.</p>
+<p>4. It would also be remembered, that Christ doth not distribute
+and give out of this life to all his members and followers, in a
+like measure; but to some more, and to others less, according as he
+seeth it meet and convenient, both for his own glory and their
+good, He hath more service for some than for others; and some he
+will employ in greater and more difficult work, which will call for
+more life; and others he will employ in common work, which will not
+call for such an eminent degree of life.</p>
+<p>5. And upon the same account, he may think it good to give to
+the same person a larger measure of grace at one time than at
+another.</p>
+<p>6. And that for wise reasons and noble ends; as,</p>
+<p>(1.) That all may see how absolute he is in his dispensations; a
+sovereign that doth with his own what he will, and will not give an
+account of any of his ways or communications to us.</p>
+<p>(2.) That we may learn submission, and quietly to stoop before
+him, whatever measure he be pleased to dispense towards us.</p>
+<p>(3.) That we may learn to depend upon him more closely all
+along; in all our ways to acknowledge him.</p>
+<p>(4.) That we may learn to exercise patience, which must have its
+perfect work, in waiting upon him as a great king. This is his
+glory, and it is the testifying of our homage to him.</p>
+<p>(5.) He will train us up so as to be well contented and
+satisfied, if he bring us home at length, though not with such a
+convoy of the graces of his Spirit as we would wish.</p>
+<p>(6.) That we may see and read our daily obligation to Christ our
+life, and the daily need we have of his keeping our life in, by
+fresh gales of his Spirit, and new heavenly influences.</p>
+<p>(7.) And that getting new proofs of his kindness and
+faithfulness, we may give him new songs of praise daily, and so
+express our thankfulness to him, which will tend to set forth his
+glory.</p>
+<p>VIII. This may point out unto believers, several duties to which
+they are called. We shall name some few of many; as,</p>
+<p>1. That they should rejoice, and be comforted in the thoughts of
+this, that they have such a complete Mediator, one that is
+thoroughly furnished, and made all things for them; not only the
+Way, and the Truth, but the Life also.</p>
+<p>2. The thoughts of this should also stir up the wondering at the
+wisdom, graciousness, and goodness of God; and to thankfulness for
+providing such an all-sufficient way for them.</p>
+<p>3. This should also encourage them under all temptations,
+faintings, backsets, and fits of deadness that they fall into, that
+there is one who is the Life; and that he whom their soul hath
+chosen is the Life, and so fully able to quicken and enliven
+them.</p>
+<p>4. This should teach them humility, and not to be proud of any
+thing they have or do; for it is he, who is the Life, who keepeth
+them in life, and helpeth them to any duty; yea, it is life that
+worketh all in them.</p>
+<p>5. And likewise it should teach them to acknowledge him, to whom
+they are obliged for any thing they do, for any life they have, or
+any acts or fruits of life that appear in them; and to be thankful
+to him therefor.</p>
+<p>6. And mainly, they should here read their obligation and duty,
+to improve this advantage, and to draw life out of this fountain,
+and so live by this life; act and do all in and through this life;
+and so be quickened by this life, in all their fits of deadness;
+and for this cause would keep those things in mind:</p>
+<p>(1.) That they should live in a constant conviction of their own
+weakness, deadness, and inability to do any acts of life of
+themselves; and far less to recover themselves out of any distemper
+and fit of deadness which they fall into.</p>
+<p>(2.) That they should live in the faith of this, that there is
+life enough in him, who is the Life, to do their business. They
+should be persuaded of his all-sufficiency.</p>
+<p>(3.) That he is not only an all-sufficient deliverer, able to
+deliver a soul that is, as it were, rotting in the grave, and to
+cause the dead to hear his voice and live; but also most willing
+and ready to answer them in all their necessities, according to
+wisdom, and as he seeth it for his glory, and their soul's
+advantage. The faith of this is necessary, and will be very
+encouraging.</p>
+<p>(4.) That they should go to him, how dead-like soever their
+condition be, and by faith roll their dead case upon him, who is
+the Life.</p>
+<p>(5.) That they should pray upon the promises of grace and
+influence, even out of the belly of hell, or of the grave, with
+Jonah, chap. ii. 2; for he is faithful and true, and
+tender-hearted, and will hear and give a good answer at length.</p>
+<p>(6.) That in the exercise of faith and prayer, they should wait
+with patience, till he be pleased to come, and breathe upon the dry
+bones, and till the Sun of Righteousness arise on their souls with
+healing in his wings.</p>
+<p>But of this more particularly in the following cases, which now
+we come to speak a little unto, of purpose to clear more fully how
+the believer is to make use of Christ as the Life, when he is under
+some one distemper or other, that calleth for life and quickening
+from Christ the Life. We cannot handle distinctly all the
+particular cases which maybe brought under this head; it will
+suffice, for clearing of this great duty, to speak to some few.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXI." id="CHAPTER_XXI."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXI.</h2>
+<h4>HOW TO MAKE USE OF CHRIST AS THE LIFE, WHEN THE BELIEVER IS SO
+SITTEN-UP IN THE WAYS OF GOD, THAT HE CAN DO NOTHING.</h4>
+<br>
+<p>Sometimes the believer is under such a distemper of weakness and
+deadness, that there is almost no commanded duty that he can go
+about; his heart and all is so dead, that he cannot so much as
+groan under that deadness. Yea, he may be under such a decay, that
+little or no difference will be observed betwixt him and others
+that are yet in nature; and be not only unable to go actively and
+lively about commanded duties, yea, or to wrestle from under that
+deadness; but also be so dead, that he shall scarce have any
+effectual desire or longing to be out of that condition. Now, in
+speaking to the use-making of Christ for quickening in this dead
+case, we shall do those things:</p>
+<p>1. For clearing of the case, we shall show how probably it is
+brought on. 2. How Christ is life to the soul in such a case as
+this. 3. How the believer is to make use of Christ for the life, in
+this case; and, 4. Further clear the matter, by answering a
+question or two.</p>
+<p>As to the <i>first</i>, such a distemper as this may be brought
+upon the soul,</p>
+<p>1. Through some strong and violent temptation from without,
+meeting with some evil disposition of the heart within, and so
+surprising and overpowering the poor soul, as we see in David and
+Peter.</p>
+<p>2. Through the cunning and sleight of Satan, stealing the
+believer, that is not watchful enough, insensibly off his feet, and
+singing him asleep by degrees.</p>
+<p>3. Through carelessness, in not adverting at first to the
+beginnings and first degrees of this deadness and upsitting, when
+the heart beginneth to grow formal and superficial in duties, and
+to be satisfied with a perfunctorious performance, without life and
+sense.</p>
+<p>4. Through torturing of conscience, in light and smaller
+matters; for this may provoke God to let conscience fall asleep,
+and so the soul become more untender, and scruple little, at
+length, at great matters; and thus deadness may come to a height,
+God ordering it so, for a further punishment to them, for their
+untenderness and uncircumspectness.</p>
+<p>5. Through their not stirring up themselves, and shaking off
+that spirit of laziness and drowsiness, when it first seizeth upon
+them; but, with the sluggard, yet another slumber, and another
+sleep, and a folding of the hands to sleep.</p>
+<p>6. Continuing in some known sin, and not repenting of it, may
+bring on this distemper, as may be observed in David.</p>
+<p>As to the <i>second</i> particular, Christ is life to the soul
+in this case; in that,</p>
+<p>1. He keepeth possession of the soul; for the seed remaineth,
+the root abideth fast in the ground; there is life still at the
+heart, though the man make no motion, like one in a deep sleep, or
+in a swoon, yet life is not away.</p>
+<p>2. He in due time awakeneth, and rouseth up the soul, and so
+recovereth it out of that condition, by some means or other, either
+by some alarm of judgment and terror, as he did David; or
+dispensation of mercy and tenderness, as he did Peter; and usually
+he recovereth the soul,</p>
+<p>(1.) By discovering something of this condition, by giving so
+much sense and knowledge, and sending so much light, as will let
+the soul see that it is not well, and that it is under that
+distemper of lifelessness.</p>
+<p>(2.) By the discovering the dreadfulness of such a condition,
+and how hazardous it is to continue therein.</p>
+<p>(3.) By putting the soul in mind, that he is the life and the
+resurrection; and through the stirring up of grace, causing the
+soul to look to him for quickening and outgate.</p>
+<p>(4.) By raising up the soul at length out of that drowsiness,
+and sluggish folding of the hands to sleep, and out of that deep
+security, and putting it into a more lively, vigilant, and active
+frame.</p>
+<p>As to the <i>third</i>, the believer that would make use of
+Christ, for a recovery out of this condition, would mind those
+duties:</p>
+<p>1. He would look to Christ, as the light of men, and the
+enlightener of the blind; to the end, he may get a better and a
+more thorough discovery of his condition; for it is half health
+here to be sensible of this disease. The soul that is once brought
+to sense, is half recovered of this fever and lethargy.</p>
+<p>2. He would eye Christ as God, able to cause the dead and dry
+bones to live, as Ezek. chap. xxvii.; and this will keep from
+despondency and despair; yea, it will make the poor believer
+conceive hope, when he seeth that his physician is God, to whom
+nothing is impossible.</p>
+<p>3. He would look to him also, as head and husband, and life to
+the poor soul that adhereth to him; and this will strengthen his
+hope and expectation; for he will see that Christ is engaged (to
+speak so) in point of honour, to quicken a poor dead and lifeless
+member; for the life in the head is for the good of the whole body,
+and of every member of the body, that is not quite cut off. And the
+good that is in the husband is forthcoming for the relief of the
+poor wife, that hath not yet got a bill of divorce. And Christ
+being life and the Life, he must be appointed for the relief, the
+quickening and recovering from death of such as are given to him,
+that they may be finally raised up at the last day; he must present
+all his members lively in that day.</p>
+<p>4. He would by faith wrap himself up in the promises, and lie
+before this Sun of Righteousness, till the heat of his beams thaw
+his frozen heart, and bring warmth into his cold and dead soul, and
+thus renew his grips of him, accepting of him as the Life, and as
+his life. Christ himself tells us, John xi. 40, that this is the
+Father's will, that hath sent him, that every one that seeth the
+Son, and believeth on him, might have everlasting life, and he will
+raise him up at the last day. Faith closing with him, as it was the
+mean of life at first, so it will be the mean of recovery out of a
+dead distemper afterwards.</p>
+<p>5. He would mourn for such sins and provocations, as he
+discovereth in himself to have caused and brought on this
+distemper. Repentance and godly sorrow for such evils, as have
+sinned Christ and life away, is a way to bring life back again.</p>
+<p>6. He would be sure to harbour no known sin in his soul, but to
+set himself against every known evil, as an enemy to the life and
+recovery which he is seeking.</p>
+<p>7. He must wait on Christ his life, in the appointed means; for
+that is the will of the Lord, that he should be waited upon there,
+and sought for there. There is little hopes of recovery for such as
+lay aside the ordinances. Though the ordinances without him cannot
+revive or quicken a poor soul, yet he hath condescended so far as
+to come with life to his people in and through the ordinances, and
+hath appointed us to wait for him there; we must be willing to
+accept of all his condescensions of love, and seek and wait for him
+there, where he hath said he will be found.</p>
+<p>8. In going about those ordinances of life, he would beware of
+putting them in Christ's room, <i>i.e.</i> he would beware of
+thinking that ordinances will do his business; as some ignorantly
+do, who think that by praying so often a-day, and reading so much,
+and hearing so much, they shall recover their lost lively frame,
+when, alas! all the ordinances, without him, signify nothing. They,
+without him, are cold and lifeless, and can never bring heat and
+warmth to a cold soul. It is he in the ordinances whom we are to
+seek, and from whom alone life is to be expected, and none
+else.</p>
+<p>9. Though life lieth not in the ordinances as separated from
+Christ, and life is to be expected from him alone, yet he would
+beware of going about the ordinances in a careless, superficial,
+and indifferent manner: for this will argue little desire after
+life, and will bring on more deadness. The ordinances then should
+be gone about seriously, diligently, and with great carefulness,
+yea, with such earnestness as if life were not about the ordinances
+at all. This is the right way of going about the ordinances.</p>
+<p>10. He must in all this wait with patience, without fretting or
+quarrelling with him for his delaying to come. He must wait with
+much humility. It becometh not him who hath, through his folly,
+sinned life away, to quarrel now with God, because he restoreth him
+not again to life at the first asking. He may be glad if at length,
+after long seeking, waiting, and much diligence, he come and
+restore to him the joy of salvation, and if he be not made to lie
+as bedrid all his days, for a monument of folly in sinning away his
+life, strength, and legs as he did.</p>
+<p>11. He must beware of giving way to any thing that may increase
+or continue this deadness; such as untenderness in his walk,
+unwatchfulness, negligence, and carelessness; and especially he
+must beware not to provoke God by sinning against light.</p>
+<p>12. He would also beware of limiting the Lord to any set measure
+of life and strength: for it becometh not beggars to be carvers,
+far less such beggars as through folly have sinned away a good
+portion. It was not for the prodigal to seek a new patrimony, after
+he had dilapidated the former; it might suffice him to be made as a
+servant.</p>
+<p>13. He would use well any small measure of life he getteth, for
+God and his glory; getteth he but one talent, he should use it that
+he may gain thereby: we say, use limbs and have limbs, use strength
+and have it. This will be the way to get more.</p>
+<p>14. He would be taking on the vows of the Lord, and that in the
+Lord, to walk more watchful in time coming, charging all within and
+without not to stir or provoke the Lord to depart further or to
+scare him from coming to the soul.</p>
+<p>As to the <i>last</i> particular,</p>
+<p>If it be inquired, 1. What can that soul do that is not sensible
+of this deadness and weakness?</p>
+<p><i>Ans</i>. Though there be not any real sense and feeling of
+this condition, yet there may be a suspicion that all is not right;
+and if this be, the soul must look out to Christ for the life of
+sense and for a sight of the provocations that have brought on that
+condition. He that is the Life must recover the very beginnings of
+life; and when the soul winneth to any real apprehension and sense
+of this deadness, it must follow the course formerly prescribed for
+a recovery.</p>
+<p>2. But it will be asked, how can a soul act faith in such a
+case? And if it cannot act faith, how can it come to Christ and
+make use of him?</p>
+<p><i>Ans</i>. It is true, while the soul is in that case, it
+cannot act a strong and lively faith; yet it can act a weak and a
+sickly faith; and a weak faith and a sickly faith can lay hold on
+an enlivening Christ, and so bring in more strength and life to the
+soul. If the soul be so weak as that it cannot grip, yet it can
+look to him that can quicken the dead and hath helped many a poor
+soul before out of a dead condition: or if it cannot do so much as
+look, yet it may give an half-look, and lie before him who waiteth
+to be gracious; and sustain itself if it can get no more, with a
+maybe he shall come.</p>
+<p>3. But further, it may be asked, what can the soul do, when,
+after all this, it findeth no help or supply, but deadness
+remaining, yea, and it may be, growing?</p>
+<p><i>Ans</i>. The soul in that case must lie at his door, waiting
+for his salvation, and resolving, if no better may be, to die at
+his door, and leave no approved means or commanded duty unessayed,
+that it may recover its former vigour, activity and strength. And
+while the believer is waiting thus, he is at his duty; and this may
+yield him peace, and he may be sure that he shall never be ashamed,
+Psalm xxv. 3; lxix. 6. Isa. 1. 18.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXII." id="CHAPTER_XXII."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXII.</h2>
+<h4>HOW CHRIST IS TO BE MADE USE OF AS OUR LIFE, IN CASE OF
+HEARTLESSNESS AND FAINTING THROUGH DISCOURAGEMENTS.</h4>
+<br>
+<p>There is another evil and distemper which believers are subject
+to, and that is a case of fainting through manifold
+discouragements, which make them so heartless that they can do
+nothing; yea, and to sit up, as if they were dead. The question
+then is, how such a soul shall make use of Christ as in the end it
+may be freed from that fit of fainting, and win over those
+discouragements: for satisfaction to which we shall,</p>
+<p>1. Name some of those discouragements which occasion this.</p>
+<p>2. Show what Christ hath done to remove all those
+discouragements.</p>
+<p>3. Show how the soul should make use of Christ for life in this
+case; and,</p>
+<p>4. Add a few words of caution.</p>
+<p>As to the <i>first</i>, there are several things which may give
+occasion to this distemper; we shall name those few:</p>
+<p>1. The sense of a strong, active, lively, and continually
+stirring body of death, and that notwithstanding of means used to
+bear it down and kill it. This is very discouraging; for it made
+Paul cry out, "Woe is me, miserable man, who shall deliver me from
+this body of death?" Rom. vii. 24. It is a most discouraging thing
+to be still fighting, and yet getting no ease, let be victory; to
+have to do with an enemy that abides always alike strong, fight and
+oppose as we will, yea, not only is not weakened, far less
+overcome, but that groweth in power, and prevaileth. And this many
+times affecteth the hearts of God's children and causeth them to
+faint.</p>
+<p>2. It may be the case of some, that they are assaulted with
+strange temptations and buffettings of Satan that are not usual.
+This made Paul cry out thrice, 2 Cor. xii.; and if the Lord had not
+told him that his grace was sufficient for him, what would he have
+done? Hence some of his cry out in their complaint, was there ever
+any so tempted, so assaulted with the devil, as I am? Sure this
+dispensation cannot but be much afflicting, saddening and
+discouraging.</p>
+<p>3. The sense of the real weakness of grace under lively means,
+and notwithstanding of their serious and earnest desires and
+endeavours after growth in grace, cannot but disquiet and
+discourage them: for they may readily conclude, that all their
+pains and labour shall be in vain for any thing they can
+observe.</p>
+<p>4. The want of sensible incomes of joy and comfort is another
+fainting and discouraging dispensation; as the feeling of these is
+a heart-strengthening and most encouraging thing, which made David
+so earnestly cry for it, Psal. li. 8, 12; when a poor soul that
+hath the testimony of his own conscience, that it hath been in some
+measure of singleness of heart and honestly seeking the face of God
+for a good many years, and yet cannot say that ever it knew what
+those incomes of joy and comfort meant which some have tasted
+largely of, it cannot choose but be discouraged and much cast down,
+as not knowing what to say of itself, or how to judge of its own
+case.</p>
+<p>5. The want of access in their addresses to God, is another
+heart-discouraging thing. They go about the duty of prayer with
+that measure of earnestness and uprightness of heart that they can
+win at, at least this is their aim and endeavour, and yet they meet
+with a fast closed door, when they cry and shout; he shutteth out
+their prayer, as the church complaineth, Lam. iii. 8. This sure
+will affect them deeply, and cause their hearts sometimes to
+faint.</p>
+<p>6. The want of freedom and liberty in their addresses to God is
+another thing which causeth sorrow and fainting. They go to pray,
+but their tongue cleaveth to the roof of their mouth: they are
+straitened and cannot get their hearts vented.</p>
+<p>7. Outward persecution that attendeth the way of godliness, and
+afflictions that accompany such as live godly, is another
+discouraging thing, both to themselves who are under afflictions,
+and to others who hear it and see it; wherefore the apostle
+desireth earnestly that the Ephesians should not faint at his
+tribulation, chap. iii. 13.</p>
+<p>8. The Lord's sharp and sore dispensations for sin, as towards
+David, Psal. li., or out of his sovereignty, for trial and other
+ends, as towards Job, is likewise a discouraging, heart-breaking
+thing, and that which will make strong giants to roar and faint,
+and look upon themselves as dead men, as we see in these two
+eminent men of God.</p>
+<p>As to the <i>second</i> thing, Christ is life to the believer in
+this case, in having done that which in reason may support under
+all these discouragements, and having done so much for removing or
+weakening of these; yea, and for carrying them over all, which may
+be in a word cleared as to each.</p>
+<p>1. As for the body of death, let it stir in the believer as fast
+as it will or can, it is already killed, and all that struggling is
+but like the struggling of a man in the pangs of death; for our
+"old man is crucified with Christ," Rom. vi. 6; and the believer is
+dead to sin and risen legally with him, Col. ii. 11, 12; iii. 3.
+But of this I spoke abundantly above.</p>
+<p>2. As to Satan's troubling the poor believer, through Christ
+also he is a vanquished enemy: "He hath overcome him that had the
+power of death, even the devil," Heb. ii. 14.</p>
+<p>3. As for that felt weakness of grace, that is no ground of
+discouragement, so long as he liveth who can make the lame to leap
+as an hart, and can make waters break out in the wilderness, and
+streams in the desert, Isa xxxv. 6, 7; "and giveth power to the
+faint, and to them that have no might increaseth strength; so that
+such as wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, and they
+shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be
+weary, and they shall walk and not faint," Isa. xl. 29, 31. For "in
+him are all the promises yea and amen," 2 Cor. i. 20. So that they
+need not faint upon this account, nor be discouraged: for the work
+he hath begun he will finish it, and he will quicken in the way,
+Psal. cxix. 37.</p>
+<p>4. As for the want of sensible incomes of joy and comfort, he
+hath promised to send the Comforter, in his own good time, John
+xiv. 26; xv. 26. "As one whom his Father comforteth, so will he
+comfort his," Isa. lxvi. 13. Joy and gladness is promised in the
+covenant, Jer. xxxi. 13. But further, though he keep up these
+influences of joy and comfort, he supporteth another way. The
+lively hope of heaven may bear up the heart under all this want:
+for there shall the soul have fulness of joy and pleasures for
+evermore: no tears, no sorrow there, Psal. xvi. 11. Isa. xxxv.
+10.</p>
+<p>5. As for the want of access in their prayers, they may possibly
+blame themselves, for he has by his merits opened the door; and is
+become (to speak so) master-usher to the poor soul, to lead him
+unto the Father, so that "by him we have access," Eph. ii. 18,
+"yea, boldness and access through faith in him," Eph. iii. 12; "and
+he is our advocate," 1 John ii. 1; and, as our attorney, is gone to
+heaven before us; "and there liveth for ever to make intercession,"
+Heb. vi. 28; vii. 25. And what is there more to be done to procure
+us access; or to move and encourage us to "come boldly unto the
+throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help
+in time of need?" Heb. iv. 14, 16.</p>
+<p>6. As to that want of freedom and liberty in prayer; he helpeth
+that also: For he maketh the dumb to sing, Isa. xxxv. 6, and maketh
+the tongue of the stammerer to speak elegantly, Isa. xxxii. 4. He
+can enlarge the heart, and help the soul to pour out his heart
+before God.</p>
+<p>7. As to outward persecution, he can easily take that
+discouragement away, by giving the hundred-fold with it; by
+supporting under it, and bringing safe through it. When his
+presence is with them through fire and water, Isa. xliii. 2, what
+can trouble them? And when he maketh their consolations abound, 2
+Cor. i. 5, what can discourage them? Have not his sung in the very
+fires; and rejoiced in all their afflictions? The resting of the
+Spirit of God and of glory, which Peter speaketh of, 1 Pet. iv. 14,
+is comfortable enough.</p>
+<p>8. As for all those sharp dispensations mentioned in the last
+place, he having taken the sting of all, even of death away, by
+taking away sin, and purchased the blessing and love of the Father,
+having made reconciliation through his blood, all those
+dispensations flow from love, even such as seem sharpest, being
+inflicted for sin, as we see, Heb. xii. 6; so that there is no
+cause here of fainting or of being so discouraged as to give over
+the matter. But for help in this case, there should be a use-making
+of Jesus, as the Life; and that is</p>
+<p>The <i>third</i> thing which we shall speak a little to, viz.
+How the soul should make use of Christ as the Life, to the end it
+may be delivered from this fainting occasioned through manifold
+discouragements.</p>
+<p>1. The believer in this case would mind the covenant of
+redemption, wherein Christ hath promised and so standeth obliged
+and engaged to carry on his own through all discouragements to the
+end; so that if any one believer miscarry, Christ loseth more than
+they lose: for the believer can but lose his soul, but Christ shall
+lose his glory; and this is more worth than all the souls that ever
+were created. And, further, not only shall Christ lose his glory as
+Redeemer, but the Father shall lose his glory in not making good
+his promise to Christ his Son. For by the same covenant he standeth
+engaged to carry through the seed that Christ had died for. And his
+appointing Christ to be his servant for this end, and choosing him
+from among all the folk, and his upholding of him, concurring with
+him, delighting in him, and promising that he shall bring forth
+judgment to the Gentiles, and that to victory, or to truth, speak
+out his engagement to see all true believers brought home. See Isa.
+xlii. 1-4. Matt. xii. 17-21. Psalm lxxxix. 19-21, 28, 29, 35-37.
+Sure the faith of this would support the poor believer under all
+those discouragements.</p>
+<p>2. They would mind likewise the covenant of grace, wherein all
+things are contrived and laid down, so far as that the believer may
+have abundant consolation and comfort in all cases; and wherein
+there is enough to take away all cause of fainting and
+discouragement; as might fully be made to appear, if any did
+question it.</p>
+<p>3. They would remember how richly Christ is furnished with all
+qualifications; suiting even that case wherein they are like to be
+overwhelmed with discouragements; and could the believer but think
+upon and believe those three things, he might be kept up under all
+discouragements: (1.) That Christ is a compassionate,
+tender-hearted Mediator, having bowels more tender than the bowels
+of any mother; so that "he will not break the bruised reed, nor
+quench the smoking flax," Isa. xl. 2. He had compassion on the very
+bodies of the multitude that followed him; and would not let them
+go away fasting, lest they should faint in the way, Matt. xv. 32.
+Mark viii. 3; and will he not have compassion on the souls of his
+followers, when like to faint through spiritual discouragements?
+(2.) That he hath power and authority to command all things that
+can serve to carry on a poor believer; for all power in heaven and
+in earth is given unto him; all things are made subject to him.
+(3.) That he hath a great readiness and willingness upon many
+accounts to help his followers in their necessities. Sure, were
+these three firmly believed, the believer could not faint, having
+Christ, who is tender and loving, and willing to help, and withal
+able to do what he will, to look to and to run to for supply.</p>
+<p>4. They would take up Christ under all his heart-strengthening
+and soul-comforting relations, as a tender brother, a careful
+shepherd, a fellow-feeling high priest, a loving husband, a
+sympathizing head, a life-communicating root, an all-sufficient
+king, &amp;c., any of which is enough to bear up the head, and
+comfort the heart of a drooping, discouraged, and fainting soul.
+Much more may all of them yield strong consolation to support and
+revive a soul staggering and fainting through discouragement. Oh!
+if ye would but rightly improve and dwell upon the thoughts of the
+comforting and heart-quickening relations! our hearts would not
+fail us so much as they do.</p>
+<p>5. They would eye him as now in glory, who as head and captain
+of salvation hath wrestled through and overcome all difficulties
+and discouragements that were in his way, and in name and behalf of
+all believers that are his followers and members of his body, is
+now possessed of glory, and thence draw an heart-comforting, and
+soul-strengthening conclusion, thus, Is he entered into glory as
+head? then such a poor, faint-hearted, discouraged worm as I am,
+may at length come there as a little bit of his body, especially
+since he said, that seeing he liveth, all his shall live also, John
+xiv. 19.</p>
+<p>6. They would remember how Christ, who was always heard of his
+Father, John xi. 41, did supplicate for this, as Mediator and
+Intercessor for his people, John xvii. 24, saying, "Father, I will
+that they also whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am,"
+&amp;c. May not the poor faint-hearted believer that is looking to
+Jesus, draw an heart-reviving, and soul-encouraging conclusion out
+of this, and say, though my prayers be shut out, and when I cry for
+relief under my discouragements, I get no hearing; but, on the
+contrary, my discouragements grow, and my heart fainteth the more;
+yet Christ always was heard, and the Father will not say him nay;
+why then may not I lift up my head in hope, and sing in the hope of
+the glory of God, in the midst of all my discouragements?</p>
+<p>7. By faith they would cast all their discouragements,
+entanglements, and difficulties, as burdens too heavy for their
+back, on Christ, and leave them there with him who only can remove
+them; and withal, resolve never to give over, but to go forward in
+his strength, and thus become daily stronger and stronger in
+resolutions, purposes, desires, and endeavours, when they can do no
+more.</p>
+<p>8. They would look to Jesus, the author and finisher of faith,
+and set him before them as a copy of courage, "who for the joy that
+was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame," and
+endureth contradiction of sinners against himself, Heb. xii. 2, 3.
+And this may prove a mean to keep us from wearying and fainting in
+our minds, as the apostle hinteth there.</p>
+<p>9. They would remember, that Christ going before, as the Captain
+of their salvation, hath broken the ice to them, and the force and
+strength of all those discouragements, as we did lately show; so
+that now they should be looked upon as broken and powerless
+discouragements.</p>
+<p>10. They would fix their eye by faith on Jesus, as only able to
+do their business, to bear up their head, to carry them through
+discouragements, to apply cordials to their fainting hearts, and
+remain fixed in that posture and resolution, looking for
+strengthening and encouraging life from him, and from him alone;
+and thus declare, that, (1.) They are unable of themselves to stand
+out such storms of discouragements, and to wrestle through such
+difficulties. (2.) They believe he is only able to bear them up,
+and carry them through, and make them despise all those
+discouragements which the devil and their own evil hearts muster up
+against them. (3.) That come what will come, they will not quit the
+bargain&mdash;they will never recall or take back their
+subscription and consent to the covenant of grace, and to Christ,
+as theirs, offered therein, though they should die and die again by
+the way. (4.) That they would fain be kept on in the way, and
+helped forward without failing and fainting by the way. (5.) That
+they cannot run through hard walls&mdash;they cannot do
+impossibilities&mdash;they cannot break through such mighty
+discouragements. (6.) That yet through him they can do all things.
+(7.) That he must help, or they are gone, and shall never win
+through all these difficulties and discouragements, but shall one
+day or other die by the hand of Saul. (8.) That they will wait,
+earnestly seeking help from him, crying for it, and looking for it,
+and resolve never to give over, and if they be disappointed they
+are disappointed.</p>
+<p>Now for the <i>last</i> particular, the word of caution, take
+these,</p>
+<p>1. They would not think to be altogether free of fainting, for
+there is no perfection here, and there is much flesh and corruption
+remaining, and that will occasion fainting.</p>
+<p>2. Nor would they think to be free of all the causes and
+occasions of this fainting, viz. the discouragements formerly
+mentioned, or the like; for, if the devil can do any thing, he will
+work discouragements, both within and without. So that they would
+lay their resolution to meet with discouragements; for few or none
+ever went to heaven but they had many a storm in their face; and
+they must not think to have a way paved for themselves alone.</p>
+<p>3. They would not pore too much, or dwell too long and too much
+upon the thoughts of those discouragements; for that is Satan's
+advantage, and tendeth to weaken themselves. But it were better to
+be looking beyond them, as Christ did, Heb. xii. 2, when he had the
+cross and the shame to wrestle with, he looked to the joy that was
+set before him; and that made him endure the cross and despise the
+shame; and as Moses did, Heb. xi. 25-27, when he had afflictions
+and the wrath of the king to wrestle against; he had respect unto
+the recompense of the reward, and so he endured as seeing him who
+is invisible.</p>
+<p>4. They would remember that as Christ hath tender bowels, and is
+full of compassion, and is both ready and able to help them; so is
+he wise, and knoweth how to let out his mercies best. He is not
+like a foolish, affectionate mother, that would hazard the life of
+the child, before she put the child to any pain. He seeth what is
+best for his own glory, and for their good here and hereafter; and
+that he will do with much tenderness and readiness.</p>
+<p>5. They would look upon it as no mean mercy, if, notwithstanding
+of all the discouragements and storms that blow in their face, they
+are helped to keep their face up the hill, and are fixed in their
+resolution, never willingly to turn their back upon the way of God,
+but to continue creeping forward as they may, whatever storms they
+meet with; yea, upon this account ought they heartily to bless his
+name, and to rejoice; for "their hearts shall live that seek him,"
+Psalm xxii. 26.</p>
+<p>6. They would remember, for their encouragement, that as many
+have been helped through all discouragements, and have been brought
+home at length, so may they be brought through all those storms
+which now they wrestle with. It is the glory of the Mediator to
+bring his broken, torn, and sinking vessel, safe to shore.</p>
+<p>Now, I come to a third case, and that is,</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXIII." id="CHAPTER_XXIII."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2>
+<h4>HOW TO MAKE USE OF CHRIST AS THE LIFE WHEN THE SOUL IS DEAD AS
+TO DUTY.</h4>
+<br>
+<p>Sometimes the believer will be under such a distemper, as that
+he will be as unfit and unable for discharging of any commanded
+duty, as dead men, or one in a swoon, is to work or go a journey.
+And it were good to know how Christ should be made use of as the
+Life, to the end the diseased soul may be delivered from this. For
+this cause we shall consider those four things:</p>
+<p>1. See what are the several steps and degrees of this
+distemper.</p>
+<p>2. Consider whence it cometh, or what are the causes or
+occasions thereof.</p>
+<p>3. Consider how Christ is life to the soul in such a dead case;
+and,</p>
+<p>4. Point out the way of the soul's use-making of Christ, that
+would be delivered herefrom.</p>
+<p>As to the <i>first</i>, this distemper cometh on by several
+steps and degrees. It will be sufficient to mention some of the
+main and most remarkable steps; such as,</p>
+<p>1. There is a falling from our watchfulness and tenderness; and
+when we leave our watch tower, we invite and encourage Satan to set
+upon us, as was said before.</p>
+<p>2. There is going about duty, but in a lazy way, when we love
+and seek after carnal ease, and seek out ways of doing the duty, so
+as maybe least troublesome to the flesh, as the spouse did, Cant.
+iii. 1, when she sought her beloved upon her bed.</p>
+<p>3. There is a lying by, and not stirring up ourselves to an
+active way of going about duty, of which the prophet complaineth,
+Isa. liv. 7, when he saith, there is none that stirreth up himself
+to take hold of thee.</p>
+<p>4. There is a giving way to spiritual drowsiness, and upsitting
+in duties, and in the way of God. "I sleep," said the spouse, Cant.
+v. 2, 3, and "I have put off my coat," &amp;c. She knew she was not
+right, but was drowsy, and yet she did not shake it off, but
+composed herself for it, took off her coat, and washed her feet,
+and so lay down to sleep.</p>
+<p>5. There is a satisfaction and contentment with his condition,
+as thinking we are pretty well, at least for that time; and thus
+was the spouse in that forementioned place led away; she was so far
+from being dissatisfied with her condition, that she rather
+expressed contentment therewith.</p>
+<p>6. There may be such a love to such a condition, and such a
+satisfaction in it, as that they may shift every thing that hath a
+tendency to rouse them up out of that sluggish laziness, as not
+loving to be awakened out of their sleep. So we see the bride
+shifts and putteth off Christ's call and invitation to her, to
+arise and open to him.</p>
+<p>7. Yea, there is a defending of that condition, as at least
+tolerable and none of the worst; a justifying of it, or at least a
+pleading for themselves and excusing the matter, and covering over
+their neglect of duty with fair pretexts, as the spouse did when
+she answered Christ's call with this, that she had washed her feet
+and might not defile them again.</p>
+<p>8. Yea, further, there is a pleading for this case, by alleging
+an impossibility to get it helped as matters now stand; or, at
+least, they will muster up insuperable-like difficulties in their
+own way of doing duty, as the sluggard will say, that there is a
+lion in the way; and the spouse alleged she could not put on her
+coat again.</p>
+<p>9. Yea, it may come yet higher, even to a peremptory refusing to
+set about the duty; for what else can be read out of the bride's
+carriage, than that she would not rise and open to her beloved.</p>
+<p>10. There is also a desperate laying the duty aside, as
+supposing it impossible to be got done, and so a resolute laying of
+it by as hopeless, and as a business they need not trouble
+themselves withal, because they will not get through it.</p>
+<p>11. And hence floweth an utter indisposition and unfitness for
+duty.</p>
+<p>12. Yea, and in some it may come to this height, that the
+thoughts of going about any commanded duty, especially of worship,
+either in public or private; or their minting and attempting to set
+about it, shall fill them with terror and affrightment, that they
+shall be constrained to forbear; yea, to lay aside all thoughts of
+going about any such duty.</p>
+<p>This is a very dead-like condition,&mdash;what can be the causes
+or occasions thereof?</p>
+<p>I answer, (and this is the <i>second</i> particular,) some or
+all of these things may be considered as having a hand in this:</p>
+<p>1. No care to keep up a tender frame of heart, but growing
+slack, loose, and careless, in going about Christian duties, may
+bring on such a distemper.</p>
+<p>2. Slighting of challenges for omission of duties, or leaving
+duties over the belly of conscience, may make way for such an
+evil.</p>
+<p>3. Giving way to carnality and formality in duties, is a ready
+mean to usher in this evil. For when the soul turns carnal or
+formal in the discharge of duties, duties have not that spiritual
+lustre which they had, and the soul becometh the sooner wearied of
+them, as seeing no such desirableness in them, nor advantage by
+them.</p>
+<p>4. When people drown themselves in cares of the world, they
+occasion this deadness to themselves; for then duties not only are
+not gone about heartily, but they are looked on as a burden, and
+the man becometh weary of them; and from that he cometh to neglect
+them; and by continuing in the neglect of them, he contracteth an
+aversion of heart for them; and then an utter unfitness and
+indisposition for discharging of them followeth.</p>
+<p>5. Satan hath an active hand here, driving on with his crafts
+and wiles from one step to another.</p>
+<p>6. The hand also of a sovereign God is to be observed here,
+giving way to this, yea, and ordering matters in his justice and
+wisdom so, as such persons shall come under such an indisposition,
+and that for wise and holy ends; as, (1.) That by such a
+dispensation he may humble them, who possibly were puffed up
+before, as thinking themselves fit enough to go about any duty, how
+difficult or hazardous soever, as Peter, who boasted so of his own
+strength, as he thought nothing to lay down his life for Christ,
+and to die with him; and yet at length came to that, that he could
+not, or durst not speak the truth to a damsel. (2.) That he may
+punish one spiritual sin with another. (3.) To give warning to all
+to watch and pray, and to work out their salvation with fear and
+trembling, and not to be high-minded, but fear. (4.) That thereby,
+in his just and righteous judgment, he may lay a stumbling-block
+before some, to the breaking of their neck, when they shall, for
+this cause, reject and mock at all religion. (5.) That he may give
+proof at length of his admirable skill in recovering from such a
+distemper, that no flesh might have ground to despair, in the most
+dead condition they can fall into. (6.) And to shew, sometimes,
+what a sovereign dispensator of life he is, and how free he is in
+all his favours.</p>
+<p>As to the <i>third</i> particular, how Christ is life in this
+case,</p>
+<p>We answer, 1. By keeping possession of the believer, even when
+he seemeth to be most dead; and keeping life at the root, when
+there is neither fruit appearing nor flourishes, and hardly many
+green leaves to evidence life.</p>
+<p>2. By blowing at the coal of grace in the soul, in his own time
+and way, and putting an end to the winter, and sending the time of
+the singing of the birds, a spring time of life.</p>
+<p>3. By loosing the bands with which he was held fast formerly,
+enlarging the heart with desires to go about the duty; so that now
+he willingly riseth up out of his bed of security, and cheerfully
+shaketh off his drowsiness and sluggishness, and former
+unwillingness; and now with willingness and cheerfulness he setteth
+about the duty.</p>
+<p>4. By sending influences of life and strength into the soul,
+whereby the wheels of the soul are made to run with ease, being
+oiled with those divine influences.</p>
+<p>5. And this he doth by touching the heart, and wakening it by
+his Spirit; as he raised the spouse out of her bed of security and
+laziness, by putting in his hand at the hole of the
+door,&mdash;then were her bowels moved for him, Cant. v. 4; and
+thus he setteth faith on work again, having the key of David to
+open the heart, Rev. iii. 7.</p>
+<p>6. By giving a discovery of the evil of their former ways and
+courses, he worketh up the heart to godly sorrow and remorse for
+what is done, making their bowels move for grief and sorrow, that
+they should so have dishonoured and grieved him.</p>
+<p>7. By setting the soul thus on work to do what formerly it
+neither could nor would do; and thus he maketh the soul strong in
+the Lord, and in the power of his might, Eph. vi. 10, and able to
+run and not be weary, and to walk and not be faint, Isa. xl.</p>
+<p>8. By discovering the great recompense of reward that is coming,
+and the great help they have at hand, in the covenant and promises
+thereof, and in Christ their head and Lord. He maketh the burden
+light and the duty easy.</p>
+<p>As to the <i>last</i> particular, viz. how a believer, in such a
+case, should make use of Christ as the Life, that he may be
+delivered therefrom.</p>
+<p>When the poor believer is any way sensible of this decay, and
+earnestly desiring to be from under that power of death, and in
+case to go about commanded duties, he should,</p>
+<p>1. Look to Christ for enlightened eyes, that he may get a more
+thorough discovery of the hazard and wretchedness of such a
+condition, that hereby being awakened and alarmed, he may more
+willingly use the means of recovery, and be more willing to be at
+some pains to be delivered.</p>
+<p>2. He should run to the blood of Jesus, to get the guilt of his
+bygone sinful ways washed away, and blotted out; to the end he may
+obtain the favour of God, and get his reconciled face shining upon
+him again.</p>
+<p>3. He should eye Christ as a prince exalted to give repentance,
+that so his sorrow for his former sinful courses may be kindly,
+spiritual, thorough, and affecting the heart. He would cry to
+Christ, that he would put in his hand by the hole of the door, that
+his bowels may become moved for him.</p>
+<p>4. He should also look to him as that good shepherd, who will
+strengthen that which is sick, Ezek. xxxiv. 16. And take notice
+also of his other relations, and of his obligations thereby, and by
+the covenant of redemption; and this will strengthen his hope.</p>
+<p>5. He should lay hold on Christ as his strength, whereby his
+feet may be made like hinds' feet, and he may be made to walk upon
+his high places, Hab. iii. 19; and he would grip to that promise,
+Isa. xli. 10, "I will strengthen thee;" and lay hold on Christ in
+it.</p>
+<p>6. Having done thus, he should set about every commanded duty,
+in the strength of Jesus, looking to him for help and supply, from
+whom cometh all his strength, and though he should not find that
+help and assistance which he expected, yet he should not be
+discouraged, but continue, and when he can do no more, offer
+himself as ready and willing to go about the duty, as if he had
+strength.</p>
+<p>7. He should lie open to, and be ready to receive the influences
+of strength, which he, who is the head, shall think good to give in
+his own time, manner, and measure; and this taketh in these
+duties:</p>
+<p>(1.) That they should carefully guard against the evils formerly
+mentioned, which brought on this distemper; such as carelessness,
+untenderness, unwatchfulness, laziness, carnal security, formality,
+and want of seriousness, &amp;c.</p>
+<p>(2.) That they should beware of giving way to dispondency, or
+concluding the matter hopeless and irremediable; for that is both
+discouraging to the soul, and a tempting provocation of God.</p>
+<p>(3.) That they should be exercising the grace of patient
+waiting.</p>
+<p>(4.) That they should be waiting in the use of the appointed
+means, and thereby, as it were, rubbing the dead and cold member
+before the fire, till it gather warmth.</p>
+<p>(5.) That they should be keeping all their sails up, waiting for
+the gale of the Spirit, that should make their ship sail.</p>
+<p>(6.) That they should be looking to him alone, who hath promised
+that quickening Spirit; and patiently waiting his leisure, not
+limiting him to any definite time.</p>
+<p>(7.) That they should be cherishing and stirring up any small
+beginnings that are.</p>
+<p>(8.) That they should be welcoming most cheerfully every motion
+of the Spirit, and improving every advantage of that kind, and
+striking the iron when it is hot, and hold the wheels of the soul
+a-going, when they are once put in motion, and so be loath to
+grieve the good and holy Spirit of God, Eph. iv. 30, or to quench
+his motions, 1 Thess. v. 19.</p>
+<p>If these duties were honestly minded and gone about, in him, and
+in his strength, none can tell how soon there may be a change
+wrought in the soul.</p>
+<p>But if it be asked, what such can do, to whom the very thoughts
+of the duty, and aiming at it, is matter of terror;</p>
+<p><i>Ans.</i> It may be, something, if not much, of that may flow
+from a bodily distemper, as occasioneth the alteration of the body,
+upon the thorough apprehension of any thing that is weighty and of
+moment, so as they cannot endure to be much affected with any
+thing. But leaving this to others, I would advise such a soul to
+those duties:</p>
+<p>1. To be frequently setting to the duty, as, for example, of
+prayer, though that should raise the distemper of their body, for
+through time that may wear away, or at least grow less; whileas,
+their giving way thereto, will still make the duty the more and
+more terrible, and so render themselves the more unfit for it, and
+thus they shall gratify Satan, who, it may be, may have a hand in
+that bodily distemper too. When the poor soul is thus accustomed or
+habituated to the attempting of the duty, it will at length appear
+not so terrible as it did; and so the body may become not so soon
+altered thereby as it was.</p>
+<p>2. When such an one can do no more, he should keep his love to
+the duty, and his desires after it, fresh, and lively, and should
+not suffer these quite to die out.</p>
+<p>3. He should be much in the use of frequent ejaculations, and of
+short supplications darted up to God; for these will not make such
+an impression on the body, and so will not so occasion the raising
+and wakening the bodily distemper, as more solemn addresses to God
+in prayer would possibly do.</p>
+<p>4. If he cannot go to Christ with confidence, to draw out of him
+life and strength, according to his need, yet he may give a look to
+him, though it were from afar; and he may think of him, and speak
+of him frequently, and would narrowly observe every thing that
+pointeth him out, or bringeth any thing of him to remembrance.</p>
+<p>5. Such souls should not give way to despairing thoughts, as if
+their case were wholly helpless and hopeless; for that is a
+reflecting on the power and skill of Christ, and therefore is
+provoking and dishonourable to him.</p>
+<p>6. Let Christ, and all that is his, be precious always and
+lovely unto them. And thus they should keep some room in their
+heart open for him, till he should be pleased to come to them with
+salvation; and who can tell how soon he may come?</p>
+<p>But enough of this. There is a <i>fourth</i> case of deadness to
+be spoken to, and that is,</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXIV." id="CHAPTER_XXIV."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2>
+<h4>HOW SHALL THE SOUL MAKE USE OF CHRIST, AS THE LIFE, WHICH IS
+UNDER THE PREVAILING POWER OF UNBELIEF AND INFIDELITY.</h4>
+<br>
+<p>That we may help to give some clearing to a poor soul in this
+case, we shall,</p>
+<p>1. See what are the several steps and degrees of this
+distemper.</p>
+<p>2. Consider what the causes hereof are.</p>
+<p>3. Shew how Christ is life to a soul in such a case; and,</p>
+<p>4. Give some directions how a soul in that case should make use
+of Christ as the Life, to the end it may be delivered
+therefrom.</p>
+<p>And, <i>first,</i> There are many several steps to, and degrees
+of this distemper. We shall mention a few; as,</p>
+<p>1. When they cannot come with confidence, and draw out of him by
+faith, what their soul's case calleth for; they cannot "with joy
+draw waters out of the wells of salvation," Isa. xii. 3; but keep
+at a distance, and entertain jealous thoughts of him. This is a
+degree of unbelief making way for more.</p>
+<p>2. When they cannot confidently assert and avow their interest
+in him, as the church did, Isa. xii. 2, saying, "Behold, God is my
+salvation, I will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord Jehovah is
+my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation."</p>
+<p>3. When they much question, if ever they have indeed laid hold
+on Christ, and so cannot go to him for the supplies of their wants
+and necessities.</p>
+<p>4. When, moreover, they question if they be allowed of God, and
+warranted to come to him, and lay hold upon him; yea, and they
+think they have many arguments whereby to maintain this their
+unbelief, and justify their keeping a-back from Christ.</p>
+<p>5. Or, when, if they look to him at all, it is with much mixture
+of faithless fears that they shall not be the better, or at least
+doubting whether it shall be to their advantage or not.</p>
+<p>6. This unbelief will advance further, and they may come to
+that, not only to conclude, that they have no part or portion in
+him, but also to conclude that their case is desperate and
+irredeemable; and so say there is no more hope, they are cut off
+for their part, as Ezek. xxxvii. 11, and so lie by as dead and
+forlorn.</p>
+<p>7. Yea, they may come higher, and vent some desperate thoughts
+and expressions of God, to the great scandal of the godly, and the
+dishonour of God.</p>
+<p>8. And yet more, they may come that length, to question all the
+promises, and to cry out with David, in his haste, Psalm c. 11,
+that "all men are liars."</p>
+<p>9. Yea, they may come to this, to scout the whole gospel to be
+nothing but a heap of delusions, and a cunningly-devised fable, or
+but mere notions and fancies.</p>
+<p>10. And at length come to question, if there be a God that
+ruleth in the earth.</p>
+<p>These are dreadful degrees and steps of this horrible distemper,
+and enough to make all flesh tremble.</p>
+<p>Let us see next whence this cometh. The causes hereof we may
+reduce to three heads:</p>
+<p><i>First.</i> The holy Lord hath a holy hand in this, and hath
+noble ends and designs before him in this matter; as,</p>
+<p>1. The Lord may think good to order matters thus, that he may
+magnify his power and grace, in rescuing such as were returned to
+the very brink of hell, and seemed to many to be lost and
+irrecoverably gone.</p>
+<p>2. That in punishing them thus, for giving way to the first
+motions of unbelief, he might warn all to guard against such an
+evil, and not to foster and give way to groundless complaints, nor
+entertain objections, moved against their condition by the
+devil.</p>
+<p>3. To warn all to walk circumspectly, and to work out their
+salvation with fear and trembling, not knowing what may befall them
+ere they die.</p>
+<p>4. To teach all to walk humbly, not knowing what advantage Satan
+may get of them eve all be done; and to see their daily need of
+Christ to strengthen their faith, and to keep their grips of him
+fast.</p>
+<p>5. So the Lord may think good to dispense so with some, that he
+may give a full proof of his wonderfully great patience and
+long-suffering in bearing with such, and that so long.</p>
+<p>6. As also to demonstrate his sovereignty, in measuring out his
+dispensations to his own, as he seeth will most glorify
+himself.</p>
+<p><i>Next,</i> Satan hath an active hand in this; for,</p>
+<p>1. He raiseth up clouds and mists in the believer, so that he
+cannot see the work of God within himself, and so is made to cry
+out, that he hath no grace, and that all was but delusions and
+imaginations, which he looked upon as grace before.</p>
+<p>2. He raiseth up in them jealousies of God, and of all his ways,
+and puts a false gloss and construction on all which God doth, to
+the end he may confirm them in their jealousies, which they have
+drunk in of God.</p>
+<p>3. Having gained this ground, he worketh then upon their
+corruption with very great advantage; and thus driveth them from
+evil to worse, and not only to question their perfect interest in
+Christ, but also to quit all hope for the time to come.</p>
+<p>4. This being done, he driveth the soul yet farther, and filleth
+it with prejudices against God and his glorious truths; and from
+this he can easily bring them to call all in question.</p>
+<p>5. Yea, he will represent God as an enemy to them; and when this
+is done, how easy it is with him to put them on desperate courses,
+and cause them to speak wickedly and desperately of God.</p>
+<p>6. And when this is done, he can easily darken the
+understanding, that the poor soul shall not see the glory of the
+gospel, and of the covenant of grace, nor the lustre and beauty of
+holiness: yea, and raise prejudices against the same, because there
+is no hope of partaking of the benefit thereof; and so bring them
+on, to a plain questioning of all, as mere delusions.</p>
+<p>7. And when he hath gotten them brought this length, he hath
+fair advantage to make them question if there be a God, and so
+drive them forward to atheism. And thus deceitfully he can carry
+the soul from one step to another.</p>
+<p>But, <i>third,</i> there are many sinful causes of this within
+the man's self; as,</p>
+<p>1. Pride and haughtiness of mind, as thinking their mountain
+standeth so strong, that it cannot be moved. And this provoketh God
+to hide his face, as Psalm xxx.</p>
+<p>2. Self-confidence, a concomitant of pride, supposing themselves
+to be so well rooted that they cannot be shaken, whereas it were
+better for them to walk in fear.</p>
+<p>3. Want of watchfulness over a deceitful heart, and an evil
+heart of unbelief, that is still departing from the living God,
+Heb. iii. 12. It is good to be jealous here.</p>
+<p>4. Giving way to doubtings and questionings too readily at
+first. It is not good to tempt the Lord by parlying too much and
+too readily with Satan. Eve's practice might be a warning
+sufficient to us.</p>
+<p>5. Not living in the sight of their wants, and of their daily
+necessity of Christ, nor acting faith upon him daily, for the
+supplying of their wants. And when faith is not used, it may
+contract rust and be weakened, and come at length not to be
+discerned.</p>
+<p>6. Entertaining of jealous thoughts of God, and hearkening too
+readily to any thing that may foster and increase or confirm
+these.</p>
+<p>7. Not delighting themselves in, and with pleasure dwelling on,
+the thoughts of Christ, of his offices, of the gospel and promises;
+so that these come at length to lose their beauty and glory in the
+soul, and have not the lustre that once they had; and this doth
+open a door to much mischief.</p>
+<p>8. In a word, not walking with God according to the gospel,
+provoking the Lord to give them up to themselves for a time.</p>
+<p>We come now to the <i>third</i> particular, which is, to shew
+how Christ is Life to the poor soul in this case. And for the
+clearing of this, consider,</p>
+<p>1. That Christ is "the author and finisher of faith," Heb. xii.
+2; and so, as he did rebuke unbelief at the first, he can rebuke it
+again.</p>
+<p>2. That he is the great prophet clearing up the gospel, and
+every thing that is necessary for us to know, bringing life and
+immortality to light by the gospel, 2 Tim. i. 10, and so
+manifesting the lustre and beauty of the gospel.</p>
+<p>3. He bringeth the promises home to the soul, in their reality,
+excellency, and truth, being the faithful witness and the amen,
+Rev. iii. 14, and the confirmer of the promises, so that they are
+all yea and amen in him, 2 Cor. i. 20. And this serveth to
+establish the soul in the faith, and to shoot out thoughts of
+unbelief.</p>
+<p>4. So doth he, by his Spirit, dispel the mists and clouds which
+Satan, through unbelief, had raised in the soul.</p>
+<p>5. And thereby also rebuketh those mistakes of God, and
+prejudices at him and his ways, which Satan hath wrought there,
+through corruption.</p>
+<p>6. He discovereth himself to be a ready help in time of trouble,
+and the hope and anchor of salvation, Heb. vi. 19; and a priest
+living for ever to make intercession for poor sinners, Heb. vii.
+25.</p>
+<p>7. And hereby he cleareth up to the poor soul a possibility of
+help and relief; and thus rebuketh despair or preventeth it.</p>
+<p>8. He manifesteth himself to be the marrow and substance of the
+gospel: and this maketh every line thereof pleasant and beautiful
+to the soul, and so freeth them from the prejudices that they had
+at it.</p>
+<p>9. So in manifesting himself in the gospel, he revealeth the
+Father, that the soul cometh to "the knowledge of the glory of God,
+in the face of Jesus Christ," 2 Cor. iv. 6. And this saveth the
+soul from atheism.</p>
+<p>10. When the soul cannot grip him, nor look to him, yet he can
+look to the soul, and by his love quicken and revive the soul, and
+warm the heart with love to him, and at length move and incline it
+sweetly to open to him; and thus grip and hold fast a lost sheep,
+yea, and bring it home again.</p>
+<p>But what should a soul do in such a case? To this, (which is the
+<i>fourth</i> particular to be spoken to), I answer,</p>
+<p>1. That they should strive against those evils formerly
+mentioned, which procured or occasioned this distemper. A stop
+should be put to those malignant humours.</p>
+<p>2. They should be careful to lay again the foundation of solid
+knowledge of God, and of his glorious truths revealed in the
+gospel, and labour for the faith of God's truth and veracity; for
+till this be, nothing can be right in the soul.</p>
+<p>3. They should be thoroughly convinced of the treachery,
+deceitfulness, and wickedness of their hearts, that they may see it
+is not worthy to be trusted, and that they may be jealous of it,
+and not hearken so readily to it as they have done, especially
+seeing Satan can prompt it to speak for his advantage.</p>
+<p>4. They should remember also, that it is divine help that can
+recover them, and cause them grip to the promises, and lay hold on
+them of new again, as well as at first, and that of themselves they
+can do nothing.</p>
+<p>5. In using of the means for the recovery of life, they should
+eye Christ, and because this eyeing of Christ is faith, and their
+disease lieth most there, they should do as the Israelites did who
+were stung in the eye with the serpents,&mdash;they looked to the
+brazen serpent with the wounded and stung eye: so should they do
+with a sickly and almost dead faith, grip him, and with an eye
+almost put out and made blind, look to him, knowing how ready he is
+to help, and what a tender heart he hath.</p>
+<p>6. And to confirm them in this resolution, they should take a
+new view of all the notable encouragements to believe, wherewith
+the whole gospel aboundeth.</p>
+<p>7. And withal fix on him, as the only "author and finisher of
+faith."</p>
+<p>8. And, in a word, they should cast a wonderfully unbelieving
+and atheistical soul on him, who is wonderful in counsel, and
+excellent in working, and is wonderful in mercy and grace, and in
+all his ways. And thus may he at length, in his own time, and in
+the way that will most glorify himself, raise up that poor soul out
+of the grave of infidelity wherein it was stinking; and so prove
+himself to be indeed "the resurrection and the life, to the praise
+of the glory of his grace."</p>
+<p>We come now to speak to another case, which is,</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXV." id="CHAPTER_XXV."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXV.</h2>
+<h4>HOW CHRIST IS MADE USE OF AS THE LIFE, BY ONE THAT IS SO DEAD
+AND SENSELESS, AS HE CANNOT KNOW WHAT TO JUDGE OF HIMSELF, OR HIS
+OWN CASE, EXCEPT WHAT IS NAUGHT.</h4>
+<br>
+<p>We spake something to this very case upon the matter, when we
+spoke of Christ as the Truth. Yet we shall speak a little to it
+here, but shall not enlarge particulars formerly mentioned. And
+therefore we shall speak a little to those five particulars; and
+so,</p>
+<p>1. Shew what this distemper is. 2. Shew whence it proceedeth,
+and how the soul cometh to fall into it. 3. Shew how Christ, as the
+Life, bringeth about a recovery of it 4. Shew how the soul is to be
+exercised, that it may obtain a recovery; and, 5. Answer some
+questions or objections.</p>
+<p>As to the <i>first</i>, Believers many times may be so dead, as
+not only not to see and know that they have an interest in Christ,
+and to be uncertain what to judge of themselves, but also be so
+carried away with prejudices and mistakes, as that they will judge
+no otherwise of themselves than that their case is naught; yea, and
+not only will deny or miscall the good that God hath wrought in
+them by his Spirit, but also reason themselves to be out of the
+state of grace, and a stranger to faith, and to the workings of the
+Spirit: and hereupon will come to call all delusions, which
+sometime they had felt and seen in themselves, which is a sad
+distemper, and which grace in life would free the soul from.</p>
+<p>This proceedeth (which is the <i>second</i> particular) partly
+from God's hiding of his face, and changing his dispensations about
+them, and compassing them with clouds, and partly from themselves
+and their own mistakes: as,</p>
+<p>1. Judging their state, not by the unchangeable rule of truth,
+but by the outward dispensations of God, which change upon the
+best.</p>
+<p>2. Judging their state by the observable measure of grace within
+them, and so concluding their state bad, because they observe
+corruption prevailing now and then, and grace decaying, and they
+perceive no victory over temptations, nor growth in grace,
+&amp;c.</p>
+<p>3. Judging also their state by others; and so they suppose that
+they cannot be believers, because they are so unlike to others,
+whom they judge true believers. This is also to judge by a wrong
+rule.</p>
+<p>4. Judging themselves by themselves, that is, because they look
+so unlike to what sometimes they were themselves, they conclude
+that their state cannot be good, which is also a wrong rule to
+judge their state by.</p>
+<p>5. Beginning to try and examine their case and state, and coming
+to no close or issue, so that when they have done, they are as
+unclear and uncertain what to judge of themselves, as when they
+began; or,</p>
+<p>6. Taking little or no pains to try themselves seriously, as in
+the sight of God, but resting satisfied with a superficial trial,
+which can come to no good issue.</p>
+<p>7. Trying and examining, but through the sleight of Satan, and
+because pitching upon wrong marks, coming to no good issue, but
+condemning themselves without ground.</p>
+<p>8. There is another thing which occasioneth this misjudging, to
+wit, the want of distinctness and clearness in covenanting with
+Christ, and the ignorance of the nature of true saving faith.</p>
+<p>As to the <i>third</i> particular, how Christ is Life to the
+believer in this case,</p>
+<p>I answer, Christ manifesteth himself to be life to the soul in
+this case:</p>
+<p>1. By sending the Spirit of life, that enlighteneth, informeth,
+persuadeth, and sealeth.</p>
+<p>2. By actuating grace so in the soul, that it manifesteth
+itself, and evidenceth itself to be there; as the heat and burning
+of a fire will discover itself without other tokens.</p>
+<p>The <i>fourth</i> particular, to wit, how the soul should be
+exercised, or how it should employ Christ, for an outgate from
+this, hath been abundantly cleared above, where we shewed, that
+believers in this case should,</p>
+<p>1. Be frequent in gripping Christ and closing with him as their
+all-sufficient Mediator; and faith thus frequently acting on him
+may discover itself at length.</p>
+<p>2. Look to Christ that hath eye-salve, and is given for a
+witness.</p>
+<p>3. Keep grips fast of him, though they be in the dark; and walk
+on gripping to him.</p>
+<p>4. Keep love toward him and his working, and in exercise.</p>
+<p>5. Beg of him to clear up their state, by his Spirit explaining
+the true marks of grace, and discovering the working of grace in
+the soul.</p>
+<p>But it will be said, and so I come to the <i>last</i>
+particular, what, if after all this, I remain as formerly, as
+unable to judge aright of my state as ever?</p>
+<p><i>Answer.</i> Yet thou shouldst continue gripping Christ,
+loving him, looking to him, casting a lost, dead soul with all thy
+wants upon him, and mind this as thy constant work. Yea, thou
+shouldst labour to be growing in these direct acts of faith; and
+learn to submit to God herein, knowing that those reflect acts are
+not absolutely necessary; and that thou shouldst think it much if
+he bring thee to heaven at length, though covered with a cloud all
+thy days.</p>
+<p><i>Obj.</i> 2. But others get much more clearness.</p>
+<p><i>Ans.</i> I grant that; yet know, that every one getteth not
+clearness, and such as have it, have it not in the same measure.
+And must God give thee as much as he giveth to another? What if
+thou could not make that use of it that others do, but wax proud
+thereby, and forget thyself? Therefore it will be best to give God
+liberty to dispense his favours as he will, and that thou be about
+thy commanded duty, the exercise of faith, love, fear, patience,
+&amp;c.</p>
+<p><i>Obj.</i> 3. But if at any time I got a sight of my case, it
+would be some peace and satisfaction to me.</p>
+<p><i>Ans.</i> I grant that, and what knowest thou; but thou mayest
+also get that favour ere thou die. Why then wilt thou not wait his
+leisure?</p>
+<p><i>Obj.</i> 4. But the want of it in the mean time maketh me go
+heartlessly and discouragedly about commanded duties, and maketh
+that I cannot apply things distinctly to myself.</p>
+<p><i>Ans.</i> Yet the word of command is the same, the offer is
+the same, and the encouragement is the same. Why then should thou
+not be going on, leaning to Christ in the wilderness, even though
+thou want that comfortable sight?</p>
+<p><i>Obj.</i> 5. But it is one thing to want a clear sight of my
+state, it is another thing to judge myself, to be yet in the state
+of nature; and this is my case.</p>
+<p><i>Ans.</i> I grant, this is the worst of the two; yet, what if
+thou misjudge thyself without ground; should thou not suffer for
+thy own folly; and whom can thou blame but thyself? And if thou
+judge so, thou cannot but know that it is thy duty to do the thing
+that thou supposeth is not yet done, that is, run away to Christ
+for life and salvation, and rest on him and abide there; and if
+this were frequently renewed, the grounds of thy former mistake
+might be easily removed.</p>
+<p>Yet further, I would add these few things:</p>
+<p>1. Take no pleasure in debating against your own soul; for that
+is but to serve Satan's design.</p>
+<p>2. Be not too rash or ready to drink in prejudices against the
+work of God in your own souls; for that is to conclude with Satan
+against yourselves.</p>
+<p>3. Make much of any little light he is pleased to give, were it
+but of one mark, and be not ill to please; for one scriptural mark,
+as love to the brethren, may sufficiently evidence the thing.</p>
+<p>4. See how thy soul would like the condition of such as are
+carnal, profane, careless in the matters of God; and if thy soul
+doth really abhor that, and thou would not upon any account choose
+to be in such a case, thou may gather something from that to thy
+comfort. But enough of this case here.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXVI." id="CHAPTER_XXVI."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXVI.</h2>
+<h4>HOW IS CHRIST, AS THE LIFE, TO BE APPLIED BY A SOUL THAT
+MISSETH GOD'S FAVOUR AND COUNTENANCE.</h4>
+<br>
+<p>The sixth case, that we shall speak a little to, is a deadness,
+occasioned by the Lord's hiding of himself, who is their life, and
+"the fountain of life," Ps. xxxvi. 9, and "whose loving-kindness is
+better than life," Ps. lxiii. 3, and "in whose favour is their
+life," Ps. xxx. 5. A case, which the frequent complaints of the
+saints manifest to be rife enough, concerning which we shall,</p>
+<p>1. Shew some of the consequences of the Lord's hiding his face,
+whereby the soul's case will appear. 2. Shew the reasons of this
+dispensation. 3. Shew how Christ is life to the soul in this case;
+and, 4. Point out the soul's duty; or how he is to make use of
+Christ for a recovery.</p>
+<p>As to the <i>first,</i> we may take notice of those
+particulars:</p>
+<p>1. They complain of God's hiding of himself, and forsaking them,
+Ps. xxii. 1, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" and Ps.
+xiii. 3, "How long wilt thou forsake me?" &amp;c.</p>
+<p>2. They cry out for a blink of his face, and get it not; for he
+hath withdrawn himself, Ps. xiii. 1, "how long wilt thou hide thy
+face from me?" Heman, Ps. lxxxviii., cried out night and day, but
+yet God's face was hid, ver. 1, 9, 14. The spouse seeketh long,
+Cant. v.; see Ps. xxii. 1, 2.</p>
+<p>3. They are looking for an outgate, but get none. And "hope
+deferred maketh their heart sick," Prov. xiii. 12.</p>
+<p>4. They are in the dark, and cannot tell' why the Lord
+dispenseth so towards them; "Why," said Heman, Ps. xviii. 14,
+"castest thou off my soul? why holdest thou thy face from me?" They
+cannot understand wherefore it is. So Job cried out, "shew me
+wherefore thou contendest with me," Job x. 2.</p>
+<p>5. They may also be walking, in the mean while, without light or
+counsel, so as they shall not know what to do. "How long shall I
+take counsel in my soul," Ps. xiii. 2.</p>
+<p>6. Moreover, they may have their heart filled with sorrow; as we
+see, Ps. xiii. 2, "having sorrow in my heart," said David. He also
+saith, Ps. xxxviii. that his sorrow was continually before him,
+ver. 17; and Ps. cxvi. 3, "I found trouble and sorrow."</p>
+<p>7. They may be so, as the sweet experience of others may yield
+them no supply of comfort at present, Ps. xxii. 4-6, "Our fathers
+trusted in thee," said David, "and thou didst deliver them; they
+cried to thee, and were delivered; they trusted in thee, and were
+not confounded." But that gave him no present ease or comfort; for
+immediately he addeth, ver. 6, "but I am a worm and no man, a
+reproach of men," &amp;c.</p>
+<p>8. Yea, all their own former experiences may yield them little
+solace; as we see in the same place, Ps. xxii. 9, 10, compared with
+ver. 14,15, "Thou art he," says he, ver. 9, "that took me out of
+the womb," &amp;c. And yet he complains, ver. 14, "that he was
+poured out like water, and his bones out of joint, that his heart
+was melted in the midst of his bowels," &amp;c.</p>
+<p>9. They may be brought near to a giving over all in despondency,
+and be brought, in their sense, to the very dust of death, Psal.
+xxii. 16.</p>
+<p>If it be inquired, why the Lord dispenseth so with his own
+people?</p>
+<p>We answer, and this is the <i>second</i> particular, that he
+doeth it for holy and wise reasons, whereof we may name a few;
+as,</p>
+<p>1. To punish their carelessness and negligence; as we see he did
+with the spouse, Cant. v.</p>
+<p>2. To chastise them for their ill-improving of his favour and
+kindness when they had it; as the same passage evidenceth.</p>
+<p>3. To check them for their security and carnal confidence, as he
+did David, Psal. xxx. 6, 7, when he said his mountain stood strong,
+and he should never be moved. Then did the Lord hide his face, and
+he was troubled.</p>
+<p>4. To try if their obedience to his commands be pure and
+conscientious, and not in a sort mercenary, because of his lifting
+up upon them the light of his countenance; and to see if conscience
+to a command driveth them to duty, when they are in the dark, and
+have no encouragement.</p>
+<p>5. To put the graces of the Spirit to trial and to exercise; as
+their faith, patience, hope, love, &amp;c. Psal. xiii. 5, 6, 22,
+24.</p>
+<p>6. To awaken them from their security, and to set them to a more
+diligent following of duty; as we see in the spouse, Cant. v.</p>
+<p>7. To sharpen their desire and hunger after him, as this
+instance cleareth.</p>
+<p>Even in such a case as this, Christ is life to the soul, which
+is the <i>third</i> particular,</p>
+<p>1. By taking away the sinful causes of such a distance, having
+laid down his life and shed his blood for the remission of their
+sins, so that such a dispensation is not flowing from pure wrath,
+but is rather an act of mercy and love.</p>
+<p>2. By advocating the poor man's cause in heaven, where he is
+making intercession for his own, and thereby obtaining a delivery
+from that condition, in God's own time, even the shining again of
+his countenance upon them.</p>
+<p>3. By keeping life in, as to habitual grace, and by breathing
+thereupon, so that it becometh lively, and operative even in such a
+winter day.</p>
+<p>4. By supporting the soul under that dispensation, and keeping
+it from fainting, through the secret influences of grace, which he
+conveyeth into the soul; as he did to the poor woman of Canaan,
+Matth. xv.</p>
+<p>5. By setting the soul a-work, to use such means as God hath
+appointed for a recovery; as, to cry, to plead, to long, to wait,
+&amp;c. "Their heart shall live that seek him."</p>
+<p>6. By teaching the soul to submit to and acquiesce in what God
+doth, acknowledging his righteousness, greatness, and sovereignty;
+and this quietness of heart is its life.</p>
+<p>7. By keeping the heart fast to the covenant of grace; so that
+whatever come, they will never quit that bargain, but they will
+trust in him though he should kill them; and they will adhere to
+the covenant of grace, though they should be dragged through
+hell.</p>
+<p>8. At length when he seeth it fit and convenient, he quickeneth
+by drawing back the veil, and filling the soul with joy, in the
+light of God's countenance; and causing it to sing, as having the
+heart lifted up in the ways of the Lord.</p>
+<p>As to the <i>last</i> particular, concerning the duty of a soul
+in such a case; we say,</p>
+<p>1. He should humble himself under this dispensation, knowing
+that it is the great God with whom he hath to do; and that there is
+no contending with him; and that all flesh should stoop before
+him.</p>
+<p>2. He should justify God in all that he doth, and say with
+David, Psal. xxii. 3. "But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest
+the praises of Israel."</p>
+<p>3. He should look upon himself as unworthy of the least of that
+kind: "I am a worm," said David, Psal. xxii. 6, "and no man."</p>
+<p>4. He should search out his provocations, and run away to the
+fountain, the blood of Christ, that these may be purged away, and
+his conscience sprinkled from dead works, and his soul washed in
+the fountain opened to the house of David for sin and for
+uncleanness.</p>
+<p>5. He must also employ Christ, to discover to him more and more
+of his guiltiness, whereby he hath grieved the Spirit of God; and
+as sins are discovered to him, he would repent of them, and run
+away with them to the blood that cleanseth from all sin. This was
+Elihu's advice to Job, chap. xxxiv. 31, 32. "Surely it is meet to
+be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend.
+That which I see not, teach thou me; if I have done iniquity, I
+will do no more."</p>
+<p>6. He should grip to Christ in the covenant, and rest there with
+joy and satisfaction; he should hold that fast that he may ride out
+the storm in a dark night; "though he make not mine house to grow,"
+said David, 2 Sam. xxiii. 5; yet this was all his salvation and all
+his desire, that he "had made with him an everlasting covenant,
+ordered in all things and sure." The spouse took this course, when
+she could not get a sight of him whom her soul loved, Cant. vi. 3,
+and asserted her interest in him; "I am my beloved's, and my
+beloved is mine."</p>
+<p>7. He should be entertaining high and loving thoughts of God,
+commending him highly, let his dispensations be what they will. So
+did the spouse, Cant. v. 10, 16.</p>
+<p>8. He should earnestly seek after him. The spouse did so, Cant.
+v. 6. The discouragement she met with at the hands of the watchmen,
+did not put her off her pursuit, ver. 7, but she continued, yea,
+was "sick of love;" ver. 8; and her looks had a prevailing power
+with him, as we see, Cant. vi. 5, where the bridegroom uttered that
+most astonishing word, "Turn away thine eyes from me, for they have
+overcome me."</p>
+<p>9. This new manifestation which he is seeking for, must be
+expected in and through Christ, who is the true tabernacle, and he
+who was represented by the mercy-seat. He is the only
+trusting-place; in him alone will the Father be seen.</p>
+<p>10. He should also look to him for strength and support, in the
+mean time; and for grace, that he may be kept from fainting, and
+may be helped to wait till he come, who knoweth the fittest season
+wherein to appear.</p>
+<p>But it will be said, what if, after all this, we get no outgate,
+but he hideth his face still from us?</p>
+<p>I answer, such should know, that life is one thing, and comfort
+is another thing; grace is one thing, and warm blinks of God's face
+is another. The one is necessary to the very being of a Christian,
+the other not, but only necessary to his comfortable being; and
+therefore they should be content, if God give them grace, though
+they miss comfort for a time.</p>
+<p>2. They should learn to commit that matter to Christ who knoweth
+how to give that which is good and best for them.</p>
+<p>3. They should be hanging on him for strength and for duty; and
+in his strength setting about every commanded duty, and be
+exercising faith, love, patience, hope, desire, &amp;c.</p>
+<p>4. Let the well-ordered covenant be all their salvation, and all
+their desire; and though they should not get a comfortable blink of
+God's face, so long as they were here, yet holding fast this
+covenant, they should at length be saved souls, and what would they
+have more? and when they get this, what will they miss?</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXVII." id="CHAPTER_XXVII."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXVII.</h2>
+<h4>HOW SHALL ONE MAKE USE OF CHRIST AS THE LIFE, WHEN WRESTLING
+WITH AN ANGRY GOD BECAUSE OF SIN?</h4>
+<br>
+<p>That we may give some satisfaction to this question, we
+shall,</p>
+<p>1. Shew what are the ingredients in this case, or what useth to
+concur in this distemper.</p>
+<p>2. Shew some reasons why the Lord is pleased to dispense thus
+with his people.</p>
+<p>3. Shew how Christ is life to the soul in this case.</p>
+<p>4. Shew the believer's duty for a recovery; and,</p>
+<p>5. Add a word or two of caution.</p>
+<p>As to the <i>first,</i> There may be those parts of, or
+ingredients in this distemper:</p>
+<p>1. God presenting their sins unto their view, so as they shall
+cry out, "Our sin is ever before us," Psal. li. 3, and say, as it
+is, Psal. xc. 8. "Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our
+secret sins in the light of thy countenance;" and so cause them see
+the Lord contending for sin, as the church did, Isa. lix. "We roar
+all like bears, and mourn sore like doves. We look for judgment but
+there is none, for salvation but it is far off from us; for our
+transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify
+against us; for our transgressions are with us; and as for our
+iniquities, we know them," &amp;c.</p>
+<p>2. Yea, God may bring upon them the iniquities of their youth,
+as Job speaketh, chap. xiii. 26, and so bring upon them, or suffer
+conscience to charge them, with their old sins formerly repented of
+and pardoned. And this is more terrible: David is made to remember
+his original sin, Psal. li.</p>
+<p>3. And, as Job speaketh, chap. xv. 17, God may seem to be
+sealing up all their sins in a bag, that none of them may be lost
+or fall by, without being taken notice of; and, as it were, be
+gathering them together in a heap.</p>
+<p>4. He may pursue sore with signs of wrath and displeasure,
+because of those sins, as we see in David, Psal. iv.; xxxviii. 51,
+and in several others of his people, chastened of the Lord because
+of their transgressions; whereof there are many instances in
+Scripture.</p>
+<p>5. Yea, and that for a considerable time together, and cause
+them cry out, with David, Psal. iv. 3, "But thou, O Lord, how
+long!"</p>
+<p>6. And that not only with outward, but also with inward plagues
+and strokes, as David's case cleareth, in the fore-cited
+Psalms.</p>
+<p>7. Yea, and not even themselves, but even their posterity; as
+David's child was smitten with death, and the posterity of
+Manasses, who found mercy himself, 2 Chron. xxxiii. 13, was carried
+into captivity for his sin, 2 Kings xxiii. 26, 27.</p>
+<p>8. Further, the Lord may deprive them of all their former joy
+and comfort, which made David cry out, Psalm li. 12, "Restore unto
+me the joy of thy salvation, and grant me thy free Spirit."</p>
+<p>9. And, which is yet more terrible, write their sin upon their
+judgment, as when he caused the sword and whoredom follow David's
+house.</p>
+<p>10. And, finally, he may cause them fear utter off-casting, as
+Psalm li. 12, "cast me not away," said he, "from thy presence."</p>
+<p>And this the Lord thinketh good to do (that we may speak a word
+to the <i>second</i> particular) for those, and the like
+reasons:</p>
+<p>1. To discover to them, and to all the world, how just, holy,
+and righteous a God he is, that cannot approve of, or bear with
+sin, even in his own children.</p>
+<p>2. To make all fear and tremble before this great and holy God,
+who is terrible in his judgments, even when they come from a
+Father's hand that is not pursuing in pure anger and wrath, but
+chastening in love. Sure all must think that his dispensations with
+the wicked will be much more fearful and horrible, seeing they are
+not yet reconciled to him through the blood of Jesus.</p>
+<p>3. To press believers more earnestly into Christ, that they may
+get a new extract of their pardon, and their souls washed in the
+blood of Jesus.</p>
+<p>4. To teach them to walk more circumspectly afterwards, and to
+guard more watchfully against Satan's temptations, and to employ
+Christ more as their strength, light, and guide.</p>
+<p>5. To cause them see their great obligation to Jesus Christ, for
+delivering them from that state of wrath, wherein they were by
+nature, as well as others, and would have lain in to all eternity,
+had he not redeemed them.</p>
+<p>6. To exercise their faith, patience, and hope; to see if in
+hope they will believe against hope, and lay hold on the strength
+of the Lord, that they make peace with him, Isaiah xxvii. 5.</p>
+<p>7. To give a fresh proof of his wonderful mercy, grace, love,
+and compassion, upholding the soul in the mean time, and at length
+pardoning them, and speaking peace to their souls through the blood
+of Jesus.</p>
+<p>But as to the <i>third</i> particular, we may look on Christ as
+the Life to the soul in this case, upon those accounts,</p>
+<p>1. He hath satisfied justice, and so hath borne the pure wrath
+of God due for their sins. "He hath trodden the wine press alone,"
+Isaiah lxiii. 5. "He was wounded for our transgressions, and
+bruised for our sins," Isaiah liii. 5, 10; and therefore they drink
+not of this cup which would make them drunk, and to stagger, and
+fall, and never rise again.</p>
+<p>2. Yea, he hath procured that mercy and love shall accompany all
+those sharp dispensations, and that they shall flow from mercy;
+yea, and that they shall be as a covenanted blessing promised in
+the covenant, Psalm lxxxix. 30, &amp;c.</p>
+<p>3. And sometimes he is pleased to let them see this clear
+difference betwixt the strokes they lie under, and the judgments of
+pure wrath which attend the wicked; and this supporteth the soul;
+for then he seeth that those dispensations, how sharp soever they
+be, shall work together for good to him, and come from the hand of
+a gracious loving Father, reconciled in the blood of Christ.</p>
+<p>4. "He is a Prince, exalted to give repentance and remission of
+sins to Israel," Acts v. 31. Yea, he hath procured such a clause in
+the covenant, which is well ordered in all things and sure, that
+upon their renewing of faith and repentance, their after sins shall
+be pardoned; and besides the promises of faith and repentance in
+the covenant, his being a Prince exalted to give both, giveth
+assurance of their receiving of both.</p>
+<p>5. He cleareth to them their interest in the covenant, and their
+right to the promises of the covenant; and through their closing
+with Christ by faith, he raiseth up their heart in hope, and
+causeth them to expect an outgate, even remission of their sins,
+and turning away the displeasure in due time through him. And this
+is a great part of their life.</p>
+<p>6. Being the author and finisher of faith, and a prince to give
+repentance, he, by his Spirit, worketh up the soul to a renewing of
+its grips of himself by faith, and to a running to the death and
+blood of Christ for pardon and washing, and worketh godly sorrow in
+the heart, whereupon followeth pardon, according to the gospel
+constitution, though the believer as yet perceiveth it not; and sin
+being pardoned before God, conform to the tenor of the covenant of
+grace, the man is a living man, whatever fears of death he may be
+kept under for a time.</p>
+<p>7. He helpeth also to a justifying of God, and to a holy,
+submissive frame of spirit under that dispensation; so that they
+are willing to bear the indignation of the Lord, because they have
+sinned against him, Micah vii. 9; and to wait for an outgate in
+God's own time, and to kiss the rod, and to accept of the
+punishment of their sin.</p>
+<p>8. When he seeth it fit for his own glory, and their advantage,
+he speaketh peace at length to the soul, and saith, "son (or
+daughter) be of good cheer, thy sins are forgiven thee; and then is
+the soul restored to life."</p>
+<p>As to the <i>fourth</i> particular. The soul that is wrestling
+with an angry God for sin, and would make use of Christ as the
+Life, should do these things:</p>
+<p>1. He should look to Christ as standing under God's curse in our
+room, and as satisfying justice for all the elect, and for all
+their sins.</p>
+<p>2. He should eye the covenant wherein new pardon is promised,
+upon the renewing of faith and repentance.</p>
+<p>3. He should eye Christ as the great Lord dispensator of both
+faith and repentance, and hang on him for both, and thus believe,
+that he may believe and repent, or lay his soul open to him, that
+he may work in him both repentance and faith.</p>
+<p>4. He should flee to the blood of sprinkling, "that speaks
+better things than the blood of Abel," that he may be washed, and
+sprinkled with hyssop, as David did, Psalm li. 7.</p>
+<p>5. He should eye Christ as a prince to give pardon and remission
+of sins, and as exalted for this end, and should fix his eye upon
+him, as now exalted in glory for this end.</p>
+<p>6. He should close with Christ of new, as his only
+all-sufficient Mediator; and having done this, and repented of his
+sins, whereby God hath been provoked, he should conclude through
+faith, that a pardon is passed in the court of heaven, conform to
+the tenor of the gospel, and wait on Christ until the intimation
+come.</p>
+<p>As for the cautions which I promised to speak to, in the
+<i>last</i> place, take those few:</p>
+<p>1. Do not conclude there is no pardon, because there is no
+intimation thereof made to thy soul as yet. According to the
+dispensation of grace condescended upon in the gospel, pardon is
+had immediately upon a soul's believing and repenting; but the
+intimation, sense, and feeling of pardon, is a distinct thing, and
+may, for several ends, be long kept up from the soul. Sure they go
+not always together.</p>
+<p>2. Do not conclude there is no pardon, because the rod that was
+inflicted for sin is not as yet taken off. God pardoned David's
+sin, and did intimate the same to him by Nathan, and yet the sword
+did not depart from his house till he died. God can forgive, and
+yet take vengeance on their inventions, Psalm xcix. 8.</p>
+<p>3. Do not upon this ground question God's faithfulness, or
+conclude that God's covenant doth not stand fast. He is the same,
+and the covenant abideth fast and firm; but the change is in
+thee.</p>
+<p>4. Do not think that because thou hast once received Christ,
+that therefore, without any new act of faith on him, or of
+repentance towards God, thou should immediately be pardoned of thy
+sins, as soon as they are committed; for the gospel method must be
+followed, and it should satisfy us.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII." id="CHAPTER_XXVIII."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXVIII.</h2>
+<h4>NO MAN COMETH TO THE FATHER BUT BY ME.</h4>
+<br>
+<p>This being added for further confirmation of what was formerly
+said, will point out unto us several necessary truths, as,</p>
+<p>I. That it is most necessary to be sound and clear in this
+fundamental point of coming to God only in and through Christ.
+For,</p>
+<p>1. It is the whole marrow of the gospel.</p>
+<p>2. It is the hinge of our salvation, Christ is "the chief corner
+stone," Isa. xxxviii. 16. 1 Pet. i. 5, 6; and,</p>
+<p>3. The only ground of all our solid and true peace and
+comfort.</p>
+<p>4 An error or a mistake here, is most dangerous, hazarding, if
+not ruining all.</p>
+<p>5. Satan endeavours mainly against this, raiseth up heresies,
+errors, and false opinions, and prompteth some to vent perplexing
+doubts and objections, and all to darken this cardinal point. So
+doth he muster up all his temptations for this end, at length to
+keep poor souls from acquaintance with this way, and from making
+use of it, or entering into it.</p>
+<p>6. Our corrupt hearts are most averse from it, and will close
+with any way, how troublesome, how expensive and costly soever it
+may seem to be, rather than with this.</p>
+<p>7. There are a multitude of false ways, as we did shew
+above.</p>
+<p>All which do clear up this necessity, and should teach us to be
+very diligent to win to acquaintance with it, and to make sure that
+we are in it, and to hold it fast, and to keep it pure in our
+practice, without mixing any thing with it, or corrupting of
+it.</p>
+<p>II. That it is no small difficulty to get this truth believed
+and practised, that through Christ alone we come to the Father.
+Therefore is the same thing asserted and inculcated again upon the
+same matter; for,</p>
+<p>1. Nature will not teach this way; it is far above nature.</p>
+<p>2. Yea, our natural inclinations are much against it, opposing
+it, and fighting against it.</p>
+<p>3. This way is altogether contrary to that high esteem which
+naturally all of us have of ourselves.</p>
+<p>4. And is opposite to that pride of heart which naturally we are
+subject to.</p>
+<p>5. Yea, there is nothing in us by nature that will willingly
+comply with this way; but, on the contrary, all is opposite
+thereunto.</p>
+<p>6. And therefore it is the Christian's first lesson to deny
+himself.</p>
+<p>The consideration of which should humble us, and make us very
+jealous of our own hearts and inclinations, and of all those
+courses which they are inclinable to and bent upon. And it should
+put us to try if ever we have overcome this difficulty; and have
+now all our hopes and comforts founded on him, and on nothing else;
+and are up and down in our peace and joy according as we win in to
+him, or are shut out from him; and in all our approaches to God,
+upon whatsoever account, are leaning to him and resting upon him
+alone, expecting access, acceptance, and a hearing, only in him;
+and are quieted under all our fears and temptations, with
+this,&mdash;that Christ is our way to the Father.</p>
+<p>III. That even believers have need to have this truth inculcated
+often: For,</p>
+<p>1. Satan is busy pulling them off this ground by all the wiles
+and temptations he can.</p>
+<p>2. Their own corruption within, and the evil heart of unbelief,
+is always opposing this way, and drawing them off it.</p>
+<p>3. Through the sleight of Satan and the power of corruption,
+they are oftentimes declining from this pure gospel way.</p>
+<p>4. The experience of believers can tell, that when they are at
+their best, it is a great work and exercise to them to keep their
+hearts right in this matter.</p>
+<p>5. Is it not too often seen, that they are the spiritual plague
+of formality, which stealeth them off their feet here?</p>
+<p>6. And is it not found oftentimes that they are too ready to
+lean to something beside Christ?</p>
+<p>How ought all to be convinced of this, and humbled under the
+sense of it! And see also how necessary it is to be often preaching
+on this subject, and to be often thinking upon and studying this
+fundamental truth.</p>
+<p>IV. It should be a strong motive and incitement to us to make
+use of Christ as the way to the Father, that no man cometh to the
+Father but by him; for this may be looked upon as an argument
+enforcing their use-making of him as the way.</p>
+<p>V. It discovereth the ground of that truth, that there are but
+few that are saved, for none cometh to the Father but by him; few,
+in respect of the whole world, once hear of him; and of such as
+hear of him, few have the true way of employing and applying him,
+as the way to the Father cleareth up unto them. And again, of such
+as have the truth, as it is in Jesus, preached unto them, O how few
+go to him and make use of him according to the truth, and believe
+and practise the truth!</p>
+<p>VI. That in and through Christ alone we must come,</p>
+<p>1. To the knowledge of the Father; "for no man knoweth the
+Father but the Son;" and he alone, who came out of the bosom of the
+Father, revealeth him.</p>
+<p>2. To the favour and friendship of the Father; for he alone is
+our peace, and in him alone is the Father well pleased.</p>
+<p>3. To the kingdom of the Father here; for here only is the door,
+John x.; and by his Spirit are we effectually called.</p>
+<p>4. To the kingdom of the Father above; for he alone hath opened
+that door, and is entered into the holiest of all, as our
+forerunner, and is gone to prepare a place for us.</p>
+<p>5. Through him alone must we address ourselves to the Father in
+our supplications, John xvi. 23. Rev. viii. 3; in our thanksgiving,
+Rom. i. 8. Col. iii. 17; and praise, Heb. xiii. 15. Eph. iii.
+21.</p>
+<p>6. Through him alone have we access and an open door to the
+Father, Eph. ii. 18; iii. 21. Heb. iv. 16.</p>
+<p>I shall only speak to one case here, viz.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr style="width: 65%;">
+<br>
+<br>
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXIX." id="CHAPTER_XXIX."></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXIX.</h2>
+<h4>HOW SHOULD WE MAKE USE OF CHRIST, IN GOING TO THE FATHER, IN
+PRAYER, AND OTHER ACTS OF WORSHIP?</h4>
+<br>
+<p>In short, for answering of this question, I shall lay down those
+particulars:</p>
+<p>1. There should be a lively sense of the infinite distance that
+is between the great God and us finite creatures, and yet more
+betwixt the Holy Ghost and us sinful wretches.</p>
+<p>2. There should be an eyeing of Christ as the great peacemaker,
+through his death and merits having satisfied justice and
+reconciled sinners unto God; that so we may look on God now no more
+as an enemy, but as reconciled in Jesus.</p>
+<p>3. There should be, sometimes at least, a more formal and
+explicit actual closing with Christ as ours, when we are going
+about such duties, and always an implicit and virtual embracing of
+him as our Mediator, or an habitual hanging upon him and leaning to
+him as our Mediator and peacemaker.</p>
+<p>4. There should be an eyeing of him as our great High Priest now
+living for ever to make intercession for us, and to keep the door
+of heaven open to us: upon which account the apostle presseth the
+Hebrews to "come boldly to the throne of grace," Heb. iv. 14,16.
+See also Heb. v. 24,25.</p>
+<p>5. There should be a gripping to him even in reference to that
+particular act of worship, and a laying hold upon him, to speak so,
+as our master-usher to bring us by the hand in to the Father,
+conscious of our own unworthiness.</p>
+<p>6. There should be a confident leaning to him in our
+approaching, and so we should approach him without fear and
+diffidence; and that notwithstanding that we find not our souls in
+such a good frame as we would Wish, yea, and guilt looking us in
+the face.</p>
+<p>7. Thus should we roll all the difficulties that come in our
+way, and all the discouragements which we meet with, on him, that
+he may take away the one and the other, and help us over the one
+and the other.</p>
+<p>8. As we should take an answer to all objections from him alone,
+and put him to remove all scruples and difficulties, and strengthen
+ourselves against all impediments and discouragements alone, in and
+through him, so there should be the bringing of all our positive
+encouragements from him alone, and all our hopes of coming speed
+with the Father should be grounded upon him.</p>
+<p>9. We should expect all our welcome and acceptance with the
+Father only in and through Christ, and expect nothing for any thing
+in ourselves, nor for our graces, good frame, preparation, or any
+thing of that kind. So we should not found our acceptance nor our
+peace and satisfaction on ourselves, nor on any thing we have or
+do; nor should we conclude our exclusion or want of acceptance,
+because we do not apprehend our frame so good as it ought to be; so
+we should not found our acceptance on our right performance of
+duties, for that is not Christ.</p>
+<p>10. We should quiet ourselves on him alone in all our
+approaches, whatever liveliness we find or miss in duty. We are too
+much tickled and fain when duties go well with us, and troubled on
+the other hand when it is not so; and the ground of all this is,
+because we lean too much to our own duties, and do not quiet
+ourselves on him alone. And hence it is, that we are often quieted
+when we get the duty done and put by, though we have not met with
+him there, nor gotten use made of him as was necessary. All our
+comfort, peace, and quiet should be founded on him alone.</p>
+<p>11. We should look to him for the removal of all the
+discouragements that Satan casts in our way while we are about this
+or that piece of worship, to put us back, or cause us to advance
+slowly and faintingly; and casting them all on him, go forward in
+our duty.</p>
+<p>12. We should look for all our returns and answers only in and
+through him, and lay all the weight of our hopes and expectations
+of a good answer only on him, 1 John v. 13, 14, 15.</p>
+<p>For caution I would add a word or two:</p>
+<p>1. I do not think that the believer can explicitly and
+distinctly act all these things whenever he is going to God, or can
+distinctly perceive all these several acts; nor have I specified
+and particularly mentioned them thus, for this end, but to shew at
+some length, how Christ is to be employed in those acts of worship
+which we are called to perform; and that because we oftentimes
+think the simple naming of him, and asking of things for his sake,
+is sufficient, though our hearts lean more to some other thing than
+to him; and the conscientious Christian will find his soul, when he
+is rightly going about the duties of worship, looking towards
+Christ thus, sometimes more distinctly and explicitly as to one
+particular, and sometimes more as to another.</p>
+<p>2. Though the believer cannot distinctly act faith on Christ all
+these ways, when he is going about commanded duties of worship, yet
+he should be sure to have his heart going out after Christ, as the
+only ground of his approaching to and acceptance with and of being
+heard by the Father; and to have his heart in such an habitual
+frame of resting on Christ, that really there may be a relying upon
+him all these ways, though not distinctly discerned.</p>
+<p>3. Sometimes the believer will be called to be more distinct and
+explicit in looking to and resting upon Christ, as to one
+particular, and sometimes more as to another. When Satan is
+dissuading him to go to God because he is an infinitely holy One,
+and he himself is but a sinner, then he is called to act faith on
+Christ as the Mediator making reconciliation between God and
+sinners; and when Satan is dissuading from approaching to God,
+because of their want of an interest in God, then should they act
+faith on Christ, and embrace him according to the gospel, and rest
+there, and so approach. And when Satan casts up his unworthiness
+and former sins, to keep him a-back or to discourage him, then he
+is called to lay hold on Christ as the great High Priest and
+Advocate, and casting that discouragement on him, to go forward. So
+likewise, when Satan is discouraging him in his duty, by bringing
+before him his sins, he should take this course; and when, because
+of his sinful way of worshipping God, and calling upon him, and
+other things, he is made to fear that all is in vain, and that
+neither God regardeth him nor his services, and that he shall not
+come speed, then should he cast all the burden of his acceptance,
+and of obtaining what he asketh and desireth, on Christ, and quiet
+himself there; and so as <i>to</i> the rest. And hence appeareth
+the usefulness of our branching out of this matter.</p>
+<p>4. In all this, there must be an acting in the strength of
+Jesus; a looking to Christ and resting upon Christ, according to
+the present case and necessity, in Christ; that is, by his strength
+and grace communicated to us by his Spirit; then do we worship God
+in the Spirit, and in the newness of the Spirit, when all is done,
+in the matter of worship, in and through Jesus.</p>
+<br>
+<h3>THE END.</h3>
+<br>
+<br>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life
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diff --git a/old/12311.txt b/old/12311.txt
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--- /dev/null
+++ b/old/12311.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,12579 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life
+by John Brown (of Wamphray)
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life
+
+Author: John Brown (of Wamphray)
+
+Release Date: May 10, 2004 [EBook #12311]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHRIST THE WAY ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Jordan Dohms and PG Distributed Proofreaders
+
+
+
+
+
+CHRIST
+
+THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND
+THE LIFE.
+
+BY THE LATE
+REV. JOHN BROWN,
+MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL AT WAMPHRAY.
+
+WRITTEN DURING THE TIME OF HIS BANISHMENT IN HOLLAND.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no man
+cometh unto the Father, but by me."--JOHN XIV. 6.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Dedication
+
+The Author to the Reader
+
+Recommendation
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+Introduction, with some general observations from the cohesion.
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+Of the words themselves in general.
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+How Christ is the Way in general. "I am the Way."
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+How Christ is made use of for Justification as a Way.
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+How Christ is to be made use of, as the Way, for sanctification in
+general.
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+How Christ is to be made use of, in reference to the killing and
+crucifying of the Old Man.
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+How Christ is to be made use of, in reference to growing in grace.
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+How to make use of Christ for taking the guilt of our daily
+out-breakings away.
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+How to make use of Christ for cleansing of us from out daily spots.
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+Some generals proposed.
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+More particularly in what respect Christ is called the Truth.
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+Some general uses from this useful truth, that Christ is the Truth.
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+How to make use of Christ as the Truth, for growth in knowledge.
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+How to make use of Christ, as Truth, for comfort, when truth is
+oppressed and borne down.
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+How to make use of Christ for steadfastness, in a time when truth is
+oppressed and borne down.
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+How to make use of Christ as the Truth, when error prevaileth, and the
+spirit of error carrieth many away.
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+How to make use of Christ as the Truth, that we may get our case and
+condition cleared up to us.
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+How we shall make use of Christ as the Truth, that we may win to right
+and suitable thoughts of God.
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+"And the Life." How Christ is the Life.
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+Some general uses.
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+How to make use of Christ as the Life, when the believer is so sitten-up
+in the ways of God, that he can do nothing.
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+How Christ is to be made use of as our Life, in case of heartlessness
+and fainting through discouragements.
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+How to make use of Christ as the Life, when the soul is dead as to duty.
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+How shall the soul make use of Christ, as the Life, which is under the
+prevailing power of unbelief and infidelity.
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+How Christ is made use of as the Life, by one that is so dead and
+senseless, as he cannot know what to judge of himself, or his own case,
+except what is naught.
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+How is Christ, as the Life, to be applied by a soul that misseth God's
+favour and countenance.
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.
+
+How shall one make use of Christ as the Life, when wrestling with an
+angry God because of sin?
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII.
+
+No man cometh to the Father but by me.
+
+CHAPTER XXIX.
+
+How should we make use of Christ, in going to the Father, in prayer, and
+other acts of worship?
+
+
+
+
+DEDICATION.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE AND RELIGIOUS LADY, THE LADY STRATHNAVER.
+
+MADAM,
+
+Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone, in whom all the
+building fitly framed together, groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord;
+as it ought to be the principal concern of all who have not sitten down
+on this side of Jordan to satisfy their souls (once created for, and in
+their own nature requiring, in order to satisfaction, spiritual,
+immortal, and incorruptible substance,) with husks prepared for beasts,
+to be built in and upon this corner-stone, for an habitation of God,
+through the Spirit; so it ought to be the main design and work of such
+as would be approven of God as faithful labourers and co-workers with
+God, to be following the example of him who determined not to know
+anything among those he wrote unto, save Jesus Christ and him crucified.
+O! this noble, heart-ravishing, soul-satisfying mysterious theme, Jesus
+Christ crucified, the short compend of that uncontrovertibly great
+mystery of godliness, God manifest in the flesh, justified in the
+spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the
+world, received up into glory, wherein are things the angels desire to
+look unto, or with vehement desire bend, as it were, their necks, and
+bow down their heads to look and peep into, (as the word used, I Pet. i.
+12, importeth) is a subject for angelical heads to pry into, for the
+most indefatigable and industrious spirits to be occupied about. The
+searching into, and studying of this one truth, in reference to a
+closing with it as our life, is an infallible mark of a soul divinely
+enlightened, and endued with spiritual and heavenly wisdom; for though
+it be unto the Jews a stumbling-block, and to the Greeks foolishness,
+yet unto them who are called, it is Christ the power of God, and the
+wisdom of God, because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the
+weakness of God is stronger than men. O what depths of the manifold
+wisdom of God are there in this mystery! The more it is preached, known,
+and believed aright, the more it is understood to be beyond
+understanding, and to be what it is--a mystery. Did ever any preacher or
+believer get a broad look of this boundless ocean, wherein infinite
+wisdom, love that passeth all understanding, grace without all
+dimensions, justice that is admirable and tremendous, and God in his
+glorious properties, condescensions, high and noble designs, and in all
+his perfections and virtues, flow over all banks; or were they ever
+admitted to a prospect hereof in the face of Jesus Christ, and were not
+made to cry out, O the depth and height, the breadth and length! O the
+inconceivable, and incomprehensible boundlessness of all infinitely
+transcendent perfections! Did ever any with serious diligence, as
+knowing their life lay in it, study this mysterious theme, and were not
+in full conviction of soul, made to say, the more they promoved in this
+study, and the more they descended in their divings into this depth, or
+soared upward in their mounting speculations in this height, they found
+it the more an unsearchable mystery! The study of other themes (which,
+alas! many who think it below them to be happy, are too much occupied
+in) when it hath wasted the spirits, wearied the mind, worn the body,
+and rarified the brain to the next degree unto a distraction, what
+satisfaction can it give as to what is attained, or encouragement as to
+future attainments? And when, as to both these, something is had, and
+the poor soul puffed up with an airy and fanciful apprehension of having
+obtained some great thing, but in truth a great nothing, or a nothing
+pregnant with vanity and vexation of spirit, foolish twins causing no
+gladness to the father, "for he that increaseth knowledge increaseth
+sorrow," Eccles. i. 18. What peace can all yield to a soul reflecting on
+posting away time, now near the last point, and looking forward to
+endless eternity? Oh the thoughts of time wasted with, and fair
+opportunities of good lost by the vehement pursuings and huntings after
+shadows and vanities, will torment the soul by assaulting it with
+piercing convictions of madness and folly, in forsaking all to overtake
+nothing; with dreadful and soul-terrifying discourses of the saddest of
+disappointments, and with the horror of an everlasting and irrecoverable
+loss. And what hath the laborious spirit then reaped of all the travail
+of his soul, when he hath lost it? But, on the other hand, O what
+calmness of mind, serenity of soul, and peace of conscience, because of
+the peace of God which passeth all understanding, will that poor soul
+look back, when standing on the border of eternity, on the bygone days
+or hours it spent in seeking after, praying and using all appointed
+means for some saving acquaintance with, and interest in this only soul
+up-making, and soul-satisfying mystery; and upon its yielding up itself,
+through the efficacious operations of the Spirit of grace, wholly,
+without disputing, unto the powerful workings of this mystery within;
+and in becoming crucified with Christ, and living through a crucified
+Christ's living in it, by his Spirit and power. And with what rejoicing
+of heart, and glorious singing of soul, will it look forward to
+eternity, and its everlasting abode in the prepared mansions,
+remembering that there its begun study will be everlastingly continued,
+its capacity to understand that unsearchable mystery will be
+inconceivably greater; and the spiritual, heavenly and glorious joy,
+which it will have in that practical reading its divinity without book
+of ordinances, will be its life and felicity for ever? And what peace
+and joy in the Holy Ghost, what inward inexpressible quiet and
+contentment of mind will the soul enjoy in dwelling on these thoughts,
+when it shall have withal the inward and well-grounded persuasion of its
+right through Christ, to the full possession of that all which now it
+cannot conceive, let be comprehend; the foretastes whereof filleth it
+with joy unspeakable and full of glory, and the hope of shortly landing
+there, where it shall see and enjoy, and wonder and praise, and rest in
+this endless and felicitating work, making it to sing while passing
+through the valley and shadow of death? O if this were believed! O that
+we were not drunk to a distraction and madness, with the adulterous-love
+of vain and airy speculations, to the postponing, if not utter
+neglecting, of this main and only up-making work, of getting real
+acquaintance with, and a begun possession of this mystery in our souls,
+Christ, the grand mystery, formed within us, living and working within
+us by his Spirit, and working us up into a conformity unto, and an
+heart-closing with God manifested in the flesh, that we may find in
+experience, or at least in truth and reality, have a true transumpt of
+that gospel mystery in our souls! Oh, when shall we take pleasure in
+pursuing after this happiness that will not flee from us, but is rather
+pursuing us! when shall we receive with joy and triumph, this King of
+glory that is courting us daily, and is seeking access and entry into
+our souls! Oh, why cry we not out in the height of the passion of
+spiritual longing and desire, O come Lord Jesus, King of glory, with
+thine own key, and open the door, and enlarge and dilate the chambers of
+the soul, that thou may enter and be entertained as the King of glory,
+with all thy glorious retinue, to the ennobling of my soul, and
+satisfying of all the desires of that immortal spark? Why do we not
+covet after this knowledge which hath a true and firm connexion with all
+the best and truly divine gifts. O happy soul that is wasted and worn to
+a shadow, if that could be, in this study and exercise, which at length
+will enliven, and, as it were, bring in a new heavenly and spiritual
+soul into the soul, so that it shall look no more like a dead
+dis-spirited thing out of its native soil and element, but as a free,
+elevated, and spiritualized spirit, expatiating itself and flying abroad
+in the open air of its own element and country. O happy day, O happy
+hour that is really and effectually spent in this employment! What would
+souls, swimming in this ocean of pleasures and delights care for? Yea,
+with what abhorrency would they look upon the bewitching allurements of
+the purest kind of carnal delights, which flow from the mind's
+satisfaction in feeding on the poor apprehensions, and groundlessly
+expected comprehensions of objects, suited to its natural genius and
+capacity? O what a more hyperbolical exceeding and glorious satisfaction
+hath a soul in its very pursuings after (when it misseth and cannot
+reach) that which is truly desirable! How doth the least glimpse through
+the smallest cranie, of this glorious and glorifying knowledge of God in
+Christ, apprehended by faith, raise up the soul to that pitch of joy and
+satisfaction which the knowledge of natural things, in its purest
+perfection, shall never be able to cause; and to what a surmounting
+measure of this joy and contentation will the experiencing and feeling,
+by spiritual sense, the sweet and relish of this captivating, and
+transcendently excellent knowledge raise the soul unto? O must not this
+be the very suburbs of heaven to the soul! When the soul thus seeth and
+apprehendeth God in Christ, and that as its own God through Christ, (for
+as all saving knowledge draweth out the soul unto an embracing and
+closing with the object, so it bringeth in the object to the making up
+of the reciprocal union and in-being) it cannot but admire with
+exultation, and exult with admiration, at that condescendence of free
+grace that hath made it, in any measure, capable of this begun glory,
+and will further make it meet, by this begun glory, to be a partaker of
+the inheritance of the saints in light. And what will a soul that hath
+tasted of the pure delights of this river of gospel manifestations, and
+hath seen, with soul-ravishing delights, in some measure, the manifold
+wisdom of God wrapped up therein; and the complete and perfect symmetry
+of all the parts of that noble contexture, and also the pure design of
+that contrivance to abase man, and to extol the riches of the free grace
+of God, that the sinner, when possessed of all designed for him and
+effectuated in him thereby, may know who alone should wear the crown and
+have all the glory; what, I say, will such a soul see in another gospel
+(calculated to the meridian of the natural, crooked, and corrupt temper
+of proud men, who is soon made vain of nothing, which, instead of
+bringing a sinner, fallen from God through pride, back again to the
+enjoyment of him, through a Mediator, doth but foster that innate plague
+and rebellion, which and procured his first excommunication from the
+favour, and banishment out of the paradise of God,) that shall attract
+its heart to it, and move it to a compliance with it? When the poor
+sinner that hath been made to pant after a Saviour, and hath been
+pursued to the very ports of the city of refuge by the avenger of blood,
+the justice of God, hath tasted and seen how good God is, and felt the
+sweetness of free love in a crucified Christ, and seen the beauty and
+glory of the mystery of his free grace, suitably answering and
+overcoming the mystery of its sin and misery; O what a complacency hath
+he therein, and in the way of gospel salvation, wherein free grace is
+seen to overflow all banks, to the eternal praise of the God of all
+grace. How saltless and unsavoury will the most cunningly-devised and
+patched-together mode of salvation be, that men, studying the perversion
+of the gospel, and seeking the ruin of souls with all their skill,
+industry, and learning, are setting off with forced rhetoric, and the
+artifice of words of man's wisdom, and with the plausible advantages of
+a pretended sanctity, and of strong grounds and motives unto diligence
+and painfulness, to a very denying and renouncing Christian liberty,
+when once it is observed, how it entrencheth upon, and darkeneth lustre,
+or diminisheth the glory of free grace, and hath the least tendency to
+the setting of the crown on the creature's head, in whole or in part?
+The least perception, that hereby the sinner's song, "ascribing
+blessing, honour, glory, and power unto him that was slain, and hath
+redeemed them to God by his blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and
+people, and nation; and hath made them, unto their God, kings and
+priests," shall be marred, will be enough to render that device
+detestable, and convince the soul, that it is not the gospel of the
+grace of God and of Christ, but rather the mystery of iniquity. What a
+peculiar savouriness doth the humbled believer find in the doctrine of
+the true gospel-grace, and the more that he be thereby made nothing, and
+Christ made all; that he in his highest attainments be debased, and
+Christ exalted; that his most lovely peacock feathers be laid, and the
+crown flourish on Christ's head; that he be laid flat, without one foot
+to stand upon, and Christ the only supporter and carrier of him to
+glory; that he be as dead without life, and Christ live in him, the more
+lovely, the more beautiful, the more desirable and acceptable is it unto
+him. O what a complacency hath the graced soul in that contrivance of
+infinite wisdom, wherein the mystery of the grace of God is so
+displayed, that nothing appeareth from the lowest foundation-stone to
+the uppermost cope-stone but grace, grace, free grace making up all the
+materials, and free grace with infinite wisdom cementing all? The
+gracious soul can be warm under no other covering but what is made of
+that web, wherein grace, and only grace, is both wooft and warp; and the
+reason is manifest, for such an one hath the clearest sight and
+discovery of his own condition, and seeth that nothing suiteth him and
+his case but free grace; nothing can make up his wants but free grace;
+nothing can cover his deformities but free grace; nothing can help his
+weaknesses, shortcomings, faintings, sins, and miscarriages but free
+grace. Therefore is free grace all his salvation and all his desire. It
+is his glory to be free grace's debtor for evermore; the crown of glory
+will have a far more exceeding and eternal weight, and be of an
+hyperbolically hyperbolic and eternal weight, and yet easily carried and
+worn, when he seeth how free grace and love hath lined it, and free
+grace and free love sets it on and keeps it on for ever; this makes the
+glorified saint wear it with ease, by casting it down at the feet of the
+gracious and loving purchaser and bestower. His exaltation is the
+saint's glory, and by free grace, the saints receiving and holding all
+of free grace, is he exalted. O what a glory is it to the saint, to set
+the crown of glorious free grace with his own hands on the head of such
+a Saviour, and to say, "Not unto me, not unto me, but unto thee, even
+unto thee alone, be the glory for ever and ever." With what delight,
+satisfaction, and complacency will the glorified saint, upon this
+account, sing the redeemed and ransomed their song? And if the result
+and effect of free grace will give such a sweet sound there, and make
+the glorified's heaven, in some respects, another thing, or at least, in
+some respect, a more excellent heaven than Adam's heaven would have
+been; for Adam could not have sung the song of the redeemed; Adam's
+heaven would not have been the purchase of the blood of God; nor would
+Adam have sitten with Christ Redeemer on his throne; nor would there
+have been in his heaven such rich hangings of free grace, nor such
+mansions prepared by that gracious and loving husband, Christ, who will
+come and bring his bought bride home with him. Seeing, I say, heaven,
+even upon the account of free grace, will have such a special, lovely,
+desirable, and glorious lustre, O bow should grace be prized by us now!
+How should the gospel of the grace of God be prized by us! What an
+antipathy to glory, as now prepared and dressed up for sinful man, must
+they shew, whose whole wits and parts are busied to darken the glory of
+that grace, which God would have shining in the gospel; and who are at
+so much pains and labour to dress up another gospel, (though the apostle
+hath told us, Gal. i. 7, that there is not another,) wherein
+gospel-grace must stand by, and law-grace take the throne, that so man
+may sacrifice to his own net, and burn incense to his own drag, and may,
+at most, be grace's debtor in part; and yet no way may the saved man
+account himself more grace's debtor, than the man was who wilfully
+destroyed himself in not performing of the conditions; for grace, as the
+new gospellers, or rather gospel-spillers mean and say, did equally to
+both frame the conditions, make known to the contrivance, and tender the
+conditional peace and salvation. But as to the difference betwixt Paul
+and Judas, it was Paul that made himself to differ, and not the free
+grace of God determining the heart of Paul by grace to a closing with
+and accepting of the bargain. It was not grace that wrought in him both
+to will and to do. It was he, and not the grace of God in him; what is
+more contradictory to the gospel of the grace of God? And yet vain man
+will not condescend to the free grace of God. Pelagianism and
+Arminianism needeth not put a man to much study, and to the reading of
+many books, to the end it may be learned, (though the patrons hereof
+labour hot in the very fires, to make their notions hang together, and
+to give them such a lustre of unsanctified and corrupt reason, as may be
+taking with such as know no other conduct in the matters of God,) for
+naturally we all are born Pelagians and Arminians. These tenets are
+deeply engraven in the heart of every son of fallen Adam. What serious
+servant of God findeth not this, in his dealing with souls, whom he is
+labouring to bring into the way of the gospel? Yea, what Christian is
+there, who hath acquaintance with his own heart, and is observing its
+biasses, and corrupt inclinations, that is not made to cry out, O
+wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from these dregs of
+Pelagianism, Arminianism, and Jesuitism, which I find yet within my
+soul? Hence, it may seem no wonderful or strange thing (though, after so
+much clear light, it may be astonishing to think, that now, in this age,
+so many are so openly and avowedly appearing for this dangerous and
+deadly error,) to us, to hear and see this infection spreading and
+gaining ground so fast, there needeth few arguments or motives to work
+up carnal hearts to an embracing thereof, and to a cheerful acquiescing
+therein; little labour will make a spark of fire work upon gunpowder.
+And, methinks, if nothing else will, this one thing should convince us
+all of the error of this way, that nature so quickly and readily
+complieth therewith. For who, that hath an eye upon, or regard of such
+things, seeth not what a world of carnal reasonings, objections,
+prejudices, and scruples, natural men have in readiness against the
+gospel of Christ; and with what satisfaction, peace, and delight they
+reason and plead themselves out of the very reach of free grace; and
+what work there is to get a poor soul, in any measure wakened and
+convinced of its lost condition, wrought up to a compliance with the
+gospel-way of salvation? How many other designs, projects, and essays
+doth it follow, with a piece of natural vehemency and seriousness,
+without wearying, were it even to the wasting of its body and spirits,
+let be its substance and riches, before it be brought to a closing with
+a crucified Mediator, and to an accounting of all its former workings,
+attainments, and painful labourings and gain, as loss for Christ, and
+for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ, and as dung that it may
+win Christ, and be found in him, not having its own righteousness, which
+is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the
+righteousness which is of God by faith, Phil. iii. 7-9. And may it not
+seem strange, that now, after so many have found, through the grace of
+God, the sweet experience of the gracious workings of the gospel-grace
+of God upon their hearts, and so are in case, as having this witness
+within them, to give verdict against those assertions, yea, more, and
+many more than were in several ages before; yet Satan should become so
+bold as to vent these desperate opinions, so diametrically opposite to
+the grace of God declared in the gospel, and engraven in the hearts of
+many hundreds by the finger of God, confirming, in the most undoubted
+manner, the truth of the gospel doctrines. This would seem to say, that
+there are such clear sunshine days of the gospel, and of the Son of Man
+a-coming (and who can tell how soon this night shall be at an end?) that
+all these doctrines of nature shall receive a more conspicuous and
+shameful dash than they have received for these many ages. Hithertil
+when Satan raised up and sent forth his qualified instruments for this
+desperate work, God always prepared carpenters to fright these horns,
+and thus gospel truth came forth, as gold out of a furnace, more clear
+and shining: And who can tell but there may be a dispensation of the
+pure grace of God, in opposition to these perverting ways of Satan, yet
+to come, that, as to the measure of light and power, shall excel
+whatever hath been since the apostles' days. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
+However, Madam, the grace of God will be what it is, to all the chosen
+and ransomed ones, they will find in it, which will make whatever cometh
+in competition therewith or would darken it, contemptible in their eyes:
+And happy they, of whom in this day wherein darkness covereth the earth,
+and gross darkness the people, it may be said, the Lord hath arisen upon
+them, and his glory hath been seen upon them: For whatever others,
+whose understanding is yet darkened, and they alienated from the life of
+God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of
+their hearts, imagine of the gospel-grace, and however they discern
+nothing of the heavenly and spiritual glory of the grace of God; yet
+they, being delivered or cast into the form and mould of the doctrine of
+the gospel which they have obeyed from the heart, through the powerful
+and irresistible efficacy of the mighty grace of God, have seen such an
+alluring excellency in that gracious contrivance of infinite wisdom, to
+set forth the unparallelableness of the pure grace of God, and are daily
+seeing more and more of the graciousness and wisdom of that heavenly
+invention, in its adequate suitableness to all their necessities, that
+as they cannot but admire and commend the riches of that grace that
+interlineth every sentence of the gospel, and the greatness of that love
+that hath made such a completely broad plaister to cover all their sores
+and wounds; so the longer they live, and the more they drink of this
+pure fountain of heavenly nectar; and the more their necessities press
+them to a taking on of new obligations, because of new supplies from
+this ocean of grace, the more they are made to admire the wisdom and
+goodness of the Author; and the more they are made to fall in love with
+to delight, and lose themselves in the thoughts of this incomprehensible
+grace of God; yea, and to long to be there, where they shall be in
+better case to contemplate, and have more wit to wonder at, and better
+dexterity to prize, and a stronger head to muse upon, and a more
+enlarged heart to praise for this boundless and endless treasure of the
+grace of God, with which they are enriched, through Jesus Christ. Sure,
+if we be not thus enamoured and ravished with it, it is because we are
+yet standing without, or, at most, upon the threshold and border of this
+grace; were we once got within the jurisdiction of grace, and had
+yielded up ourselves unto the power thereof, and were living and
+breathing in this air, O! how sweet a life might we have! What a kindly
+element would grace be to us! As sin had reigned unto death, even so
+grace should reign, through righteousness unto eternal life, by Jesus
+Christ our Lord, Rom. v. 21. Grace reigning within us through
+righteousness, would frame and fit our souls for that eternal life that
+is insured to all who come once under the commanding, enlivening,
+strengthening, confirming, corroborating, and perfecting power of grace.
+And seeking grace for grace, and so living, and walking, and spending
+upon grace's costs and charges; O how lively, and thriving proficients
+might we be! The more we spend of grace (if it could be spent) the
+richer should we be in grace. O what an enriching trade must it be to
+trade with free grace, where there is no loss, and all is gain, the
+stock, and gain, and all is insured; yea, more, labouring in grace's
+field would bring us in Isaac's blessing an hundred-fold. But, alas! it
+is one thing to talk of grace, but a far other thing to trade with
+grace. When we are so great strangers unto the life of grace, through
+not breathing in the air of grace, how can the name of the Lord Jesus be
+glorified in us, and we in him, according to the grace of our God, and
+the Lord Jesus Christ, Thess. i. 12. Consider we, what an affront and
+indignity it is unto the Lord dispensator of grace, that we look so lean
+and ill-favoured, as if there were not enough of the fattening bread of
+the grace of God in our Father's house, or as if the great Steward, who
+is full of grace and truth, were unwilling to bestow it upon us, or
+grudged us of our allowance, when the fault is in ourselves; we will not
+follow the course that wise grace and gracious wisdom hath prescribed;
+we will not open our mouth wide, that he might fill us; nor go to him
+with our narrowed or closed mouths, that grace might make way for grace,
+and widen the mouth for receiving of more grace; but lie by in our
+leanness and weakness. And, alas! we love too well to be so. O but grace
+be ill wared on us who carry so unworthily with it as we do; yet it is
+well with the gracious soul that he is under grace's tutory and care;
+for grace will care for him when he careth not much for it, nor yet
+seeth well to his own welfare; grace can and will prevent, yea, must
+prevent, afterward, as well as at the first; that grace may be grace,
+and appear to be grace, and continue unchangeably to be grace, and so
+free grace. Well is it with the believer, whom grace has once taken by
+the heart and brought within the bond of the covenant of grace; its
+deadliest condition is not desperate. When corruption prevaileth to such
+a height, that the man is given over for dead, there being no sense, no
+motion, no warmth, no breath almost to be observed, yet grace, when
+violently constrained by that strong distemper, to retire to a secret
+corner of the soul, and there to lurk and lie quiet, will yet at length,
+through the receiving influences of grace promised in the covenant, and
+granted in the Lord's good time, come out of its prison, take the
+fields, and recover the empire of the soul; and then the dry and
+withered stocks, when the God of all grace will be as dew unto Israel,
+shall blossom and grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon;
+his branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive-tree,
+and his smell as Lebanon. It is a happy thing either for church or
+particular soul to be planted in grace's sappy soil, they lie open to
+the warm beams of the Sun of Righteousness; and the winter blasts may be
+sharp and long; clouds may intercept the heat, and nipping frosts may
+cause a sad decay, and all the sap may return and lie, as it were,
+dormant in the root; yet the winter will pass, the rain will be over and
+gone, and the flowers will appear on the earth; the time of singing of
+birds will come, and the voice of the turtle will be heard in the land;
+then shall even the wilderness and solitary place be glad, and the
+desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose, it shall blossom
+abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing; the glory of Lebanon
+shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall
+see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God. We wonder that
+'tis not always hot summer days, a flourishing and fruitful season, with
+souls and with churches. But know we the thoughts of the Lord; see we to
+the bottom of the deep contrivance of infinite wisdom? Know we the
+usefulness, yea, necessity of long winter nights, stormy blasts, rain,
+hail, snow, and frost? Consider we, that our state and condition, while
+here, calleth for those vicissitudes, and requireth the blowing of the
+north as well as of the south winds? If we considered, how grace had
+ordered all things for our best, and most for the glory and exaltation
+of grace, we would sit down and sing under the saddest of dispensations,
+and living by faith and hope, we would rejoice in the confident
+expectation of a gracious outgate; for as long as grace predomineth (and
+that will be until glory take the empire) all will run in the channel of
+grace; and though now sense (which is oft faith's unfaithful friend)
+will be always suggesting false tales of God, and of his grace unto
+unbelief, and raising thereby discontents, doubts, fears, jealousies,
+and many distempers in the soul, to its prejudice and hurt, yet in end,
+grace shall be seen to be grace; and the faithful shall get such a full
+sight of this manifold grace, as ordering, tempering, timing,
+shortening, or continuing, of all the sad and dismal days and seasons
+that have passed over their own or their mother's head, that they shall
+see, that grace did order all, yea, every circumstance of all the
+various tossings, changes, ups and downs, that they did meet with. And O
+what a satisfying sight will that be, when the general assembly and
+church of the first-born, which are in-rolled in Heaven, and every
+individual saint, shall come together, and take a view of all their
+experience, the result of which shall be, grace began, grace carried on,
+and grace hath perfected all, grace was at the bottom of all? What
+shoutings, grace, grace unto it, will be there; when the head-stone
+shall be brought forth? What soul-satisfying complacency in, and
+admiration at all that is past, will a back-look thereat yield, when
+every one shall be made to say, grace hath done all well, not a pin of
+all the work of grace in and about me might have been wanted; now I see,
+that the work of God is perfect, grace was glorious grace, and wise
+grace, whatever I thought of it then. O what a fool have I been, in
+quarrelling at, and in not being fully satisfied with all that grace was
+doing with me? O how little is this believed now?
+
+In conscience, madam, that your ladyship (to me no ways known, but by a
+savoury report) shall accept of this bold address, I recommend your
+ladyship, my very noble lord your husband, and offspring, to the word of
+his grace, and subscribe myself,
+
+MADAM,
+
+Your and their servant
+
+in the gospel and the grace of God.
+
+JOHN BROWN.
+
+
+
+
+THE AUTHOR TO THE READER.
+
+
+CHRISTIAN READER,--After the foregoing address, I need not put thee to
+much more trouble: only I shall say, that he must needs be a great
+stranger in our Israel, or sadly smitten with that epidemic plague of
+indifferency, which hath infected many of this generation, to a
+benumbing of them, and rendering them insensible and unconcerned in the
+matters of God, and of their own souls, and sunk deep in the gulf of
+dreadful inconsideration, who seeth not, or taketh no notice of, nor is
+troubled at the manifest and terrible appearances of the inexpressibly
+great hazard, our all, as Christians in this life, is this day exposed
+into. I mean the mystery of the gospel of the grace of God, wherein the
+exceeding riches of his grace, in his kindness towards us, through
+Christ Jesus, hath been shown. We have enjoyed for a considerable time,
+a clear and powerful dispensation hereof, in great purity and plenty;
+but, alas! is it not manifest to all, that will not wilfully shut their
+eyes, that this mercy and goodness of God hath been wickedly abused, and
+the pure administration of his grace and love perfidiously sinned away,
+by this apostate generation. Are our spots this day the spots of his
+children? Are their fruits answerable to the Lord's pains and labour
+about us, to be seen even amongst the greatest of professors? Is there
+that gospel holiness, tenderness, watchfulness, growing in grace, and in
+the knowledge of Jesus Christ, that growing up in Christ, in all things
+that heavenly mindedness, that fellowship with the Father and with his
+Son Christ Jesus, and that conversation in heaven, that the
+dispensation of grace, we have been favoured with beyond many, and have
+been long living under, did call for at our hands? Alas! our grapes are
+but wild and stinking. Wherefore (and who can think it strange, if it be
+so?) the Lord seemeth to be about to contend with us, by covering our
+horizon with Egyptian darkness; many who would not receive the love of
+the truth, that they might be saved, being already given up to strong
+delusion, that they should believe a lie, and many more in hazard to be
+drawn aside to crooked paths, by men of corrupt minds, who have been,
+and are still busy to vent and spread abroad, with no little petulancy
+and confidence, damnable doctrines, to the perverting of the doctrine of
+the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to the subverting and overturning of the
+very foundations of our hope and assurance; and that in such a way, and
+by such means and stratagems, as seem to have wrath written upon them in
+legible letters; for the more plausible and taking a corrupt doctrine
+be, it is the more dangerous and judgment-like, and more are thereby in
+hazard to be deluded and drawn away.
+
+Nay (which is yet more terrible and dreadful) it is to be feared, that
+the jealous God, in his holy and righteous judgment, hath given a
+providential commission (to speak to) unto the seducing spirit, to
+persuade and prevail; for is not this the clear language of the present
+holy and righteous dispensations of God, and of the stupendously
+indifferent frame and disposition of the generality of men, called
+Christians, not only provoking God to spue them out of his mouth, but a
+disposing them also unto a receiving of whatsoever men, lying in wait to
+deceive, shall propose and obtrude?
+
+Alas! the clouds are not now a-gathering, but our horizon is covered
+over with blackness, and great drops are a-falling, that presage a
+terrible overflowing deluge of error, and apostacy from the truth and
+profession of the gospel of Jesus Christ, to be at hand, if the Lord
+wonderfully prevent it not. And behold (O wonderful!) the generality of
+professors are sleeping in security, apprehending no danger. Satan is
+more cunning now, than to drive men to Popery by rage and cruelty, (and
+yet what he may be permitted to do after this manner, who can tell?) or
+by openly pleading in his emissaries, for this abomination, (and yet
+even thus is he already prevailing with not a few) or to send forth his
+agents for Arminianism and Socinianism (though even this way too, he is
+too much prevailing.) But his main work now seemeth to be, to bring in
+another gospel, (and yet there is not another) or rather an
+antievangelic and antichristian delusory dream, overturning at once the
+whole gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; and for this end he
+employeth the Quakers, on the one hand, men of desperate and
+antievangelic principles, the very sink of all abominations, old and
+late, (as I shall show, if the Lord will continue health and strength,
+in an examination of their doctrine and principles, lately emitted by
+one Robert Barcley) and, on the other hand, men, (or moralists, if you
+will call them so) pleading for, and crying up an antievangelic
+holiness, a mere shadow without substance or reality; and that in place
+of Christ himself; and in order to the carrying on of this desperate
+design, the old dragon is employing men of seeming different principles
+and ways, whom, though their faces seem to look to contrary airths, yet
+he holdeth notwithstanding fast tied by their tails (as Samson's foxes
+were) that thereby, if the Lord permit it, he may, by the fire of enmity
+to the pure gospel of the grace of God, burning in their tails, cause a
+conflagration of that truth, wherein lyeth all our hope: For this new
+model of religion, that many are so busied about, is such as Pelagians,
+Arminians, Papists, Socinians, Quakers, yea Turks, and moral heathens;
+yea, and all who are enemies to, and not reconcilable with the true
+grace of God held forth in the gospel, will willingly admit of, and
+harmoniously agree in: A way which complyeth so well with proud self,
+and with the corrupt nature of man, that it is little wonder, if it have
+many abettors and admirers. I shall say no more of this; but only infer,
+
+That sure the consideration of this should move all, in whom is any
+thing of the zeal of God, and love to souls, their own and others', to
+appear in the defence of the gospel of our salvation, by all means
+incumbent to them, and possible for them; for if this citadel and
+stronghold, wherein our all, and the all of pure and true religion,
+lyeth, be blown up, we are gone; and indeed no less is intended by this
+antichristian and antievangelic enemy, than the utter subversion of true
+Christian religion. Who would not then be hereby alarmed, and upon their
+guard, when matters are at this pass? Should not all, who have any love
+to their own souls, any zeal for the glory of Christ, anointed of the
+Father to be our prophet, priest, and king; my desire to see the crown
+flourishing upon his head, and to have the gospel preserved pure and
+uncorrupted, be pleading with God by prayer, in the behalf of his Son's
+kingdom, crown, and glory; and wrestling with him till he were pleased
+to dispel these clouds, and prevent this black day: especially should
+they not be labouring to be acquainted, in truth and reality, with the
+gospel of Jesus Christ, that having the mysterious truths thereof
+imprinted on their souls, and their hearts cast into its mould, they may
+be preserved from the hurt of this deadly poison; for this, with a
+constant dependence upon, and use-making of Christ in all his offices,
+will prove the best preservative against this infection.
+
+The persuasion whereof did induce me to publish the following heads of
+some sermons, after they have been translated into Dutch, and published
+here: Knowing that they might be of no less use to the people of God in
+Britain and Ireland. I know not a more effectual mean to unstable souls
+from siding with and embracing every new notion; and from being carried
+about with every wind of doctrine, by the slight of men, and cunning
+craftiness, whereby they lye in wait to deceive; than to put them upon
+the real exercise of gospel godliness, and to the daily practice of the
+main and fundamental gospel work, of living by faith in Jesus Christ,
+and of growing up into him, in all things, who is the head, from whom
+the whole body fitly joined together and compacted, by that which every
+joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of
+every part, maketh increase of the body, unto the edifying of itself in
+love. Such, I am sure, as have thus learned the truth, as it is in
+Jesus, and are practising the same accordingly, will have an antidote
+within them against the strongest poison of these seducers, and a real
+answer to, and confutation of, all their subtile sophisms. The soul
+exercising itself into gospel godliness, will find work enough to take
+it wholly up; and find such a solid ground to stand upon; and see such a
+satisfying fulness, answering all its necessities and wants, and such a
+sure heart-quieting ground of peace, hope, and consolation in Jesus
+Christ, as that it will have no leisure, and small temptation to listen
+to seducing perverters, and no inclination to seek after empty cisterns.
+
+I know much may be desiderated in this following treatise, and many may
+have exceptions not without ground against it. Some may think it
+arrogancy, and too great confidence in me, to attempt the handling of
+such a mysterious and necessary part of Christian practice, wherein few,
+(if any, so far as I know,) have gone before, in direct handling of this
+matter, at least in this method and order, I mean that part which is
+about sanctification. Others may be displeased with the mean and low
+style; with my multiplying particulars, which might have been better and
+more handsomely couched under fewer heads, and with my unnecessary
+contracting of the whole into such a narrow bound, and other things of
+that kind; for which, and many other failings of the like nature and
+import, which may without any diligent search, be found in it, even by
+ordinary and unprejudiced readers; I shall not industriously labour to
+apologize, knowing that my very apology in this case, will need an
+apology; only I shall say this, that considering how the snare, which
+the vigilant and active enemy of our salvation, the devil, was laying by
+an unholy morality, did nearly concern all, and especially the meanest
+(for parts and experience) and less fixed Christians, I thought a
+discourse on such a subject as I judged most necessary at all times, and
+especially in such a day of hazard, should be framed to the capacity of
+one as well as another; the most understanding can receive benefit, by
+that which is calculated to the capacity of children, when these can
+reap little edification by what is suited to the palate of those; and
+the less experienced, or such as are of lower understanding, will be
+less able to draw a general to a particular; or to improve and so fully
+to comprehend one particular touched, as to be able thereby to
+understand and take in a like particular not mentioned; than such as
+have their senses more exercised, and are thereby in case to make a
+better improvement of what is but compendiously declared, when those
+must have the bread broken to their hand, or they shall receive but
+small edification thereby; and yet, I suppose, the judicious will
+observe some variety, smaller or greater, even where particulars seem to
+be, at the first view, most unnecessarily multiplied. I know, and
+willingly grant, (for it is obvious enough) that a discourse of this
+subject and matter, might have required a far larger volume; but then
+how should such have profited thereby, whom poverty might possibly have
+scared from buying; or the necessary affairs of their ordinary callings
+would have keeped from a diligent perusal of it? And I thought that
+neither of these should have been overlooked in this special or general
+design which I had before my eyes.
+
+One thing, as my answer to all, I shall but add; if hereby others whom
+the Lord hath more enabled with all necessaries for such a work, shall
+be hereby either instigated or encouraged to write upon this subject, (I
+mean mainly the last part thereof, touching the use-making of Christ in
+sanctification; for blessed be the Lord, many have been employed of the
+Lord to speak soundly and edifyingly unto the use-making of Christ as to
+righteousness and justification,) a full, plain, edifying and satisfying
+discovery of this necessary and important truth, viz. Christ made of God
+to us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. And withal,
+point out plainly and particularly the way how believers in all their
+particular and various exigencies may and should so make use of and
+apply that all fulness which is treasured up in the Head, for the
+benefit and advantage of the members of the mystical body, as they may
+not only theoretically see, but practically also experience this truth,
+that in him they are complete; and so they may be helped to understand
+how through the necessary and constant use-making of him, as all in
+all, they may grow up in him in all things. If this be, I say, done by
+any to better purpose, I shall think this my adventure not altogether
+fruitless, and in part at least excusable.
+
+As for thee, O Christian, whose instruction, edification, and
+confirmation in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the faith which was
+once delivered unto the saints, I mainly intended in this undertaking, I
+have a few things to add:
+
+Know then, that there are certain men (as the Apostle Jude speaketh)
+crept in unawares, who were of old ordained to this condemnation,
+ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and
+denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ; for in these last
+days we see that these perilous times are come, (of which Paul
+advertised Timothy, 2 Tim. iii. 1, &c.) wherein men shall be lovers of
+their ownselves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to
+parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers,
+false accusers, (or make bates) incontinent, fierce, despisers of those
+that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasure more
+than lovers of God, having the form of godliness, but denying the power
+thereof--for of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead
+captive silly women, laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, ever
+learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. And
+because it is so, he exhorteth to give diligence to make your calling
+and election sure, by giving all diligence to add to faith virtue, to
+virtue knowledge, and to knowledge temperance, and to temperance
+patience, and to patience godliness, and to godliness brotherly
+kindness, and to brotherly kindness charity, for if ye do these things,
+ye shall never fall. As the Apostle Peter assureth us, 2 Peter i. 5, 6,
+7-10. For it is the elect who are secured from full and final defection
+and apostacy, Matth. xxiv. 24. Mark xii. 22. Rom. xi. 5, 6; ix. 11;
+viii. 33. Matth. xxiv. 31. Mark xiii. 27. And the promise of salvation
+is made to such as shall endure to the end. The crown is for the
+overcomers, and such as are faithful to the death, Matth. x. 22; xxiv.
+13. Mark xiii. 13. Rev. ii. 10, 11, 17, 26, 27, 28; iii. 5, 12, 21. All
+which, and the like, are set down, that hereby his people might be
+rationally moved to a constant seriousness, in the working out of their
+own salvation, in fear and trembling; and the forewarnings given of the
+great difficulty of the reaching the end of our faith, the salvation of
+our souls, because of the many active, vigilant, indefatigable, subtile,
+and insinuating adversaries, who by good words and fair speeches, will
+readily deceive the hearts of the simple, and to awaken the more his
+people to be sober and vigilant, because their adversary the devil (who
+acteth and moveth his under agents, in their several modes, methods and
+motions, so as he may best, according to the various tempers, present
+dispositions, advantages or disadvantages of such as he intendeth to
+seduce, which he carefully studieth, and plyeth for this end, obtain his
+designed end, their ruin and destruction) as a roaring lion, walking
+about seeking whom he may devour. And this calleth them to haste out
+their slumber and security, who will be loath to miss his opportunity,
+surprise them to their great loss and disadvantage.
+
+It is, beloved, high time now to awake, to look about us, to consider
+where we are, upon what ground we stand, whether the enemy or we have
+the advantage, how and in what posture we are to rencounter with
+deceivers that seek to cheat us out of all our souls, and of the Lord
+our Righteousness, and draw us off the paths of life, that when we come
+to die (beside the unspeakably great loss we would thereby be at, even
+here, in missing the comfortable accesses to God through Jesus Christ
+the inflowings of grace and strength for spiritual duty through the Lord
+our strength; the sweet communications of peace and joy in the Holy
+Ghost, the shedding abroad of the love of God in our hearts by the Holy
+Ghost, which is given unto us, and the full assurance of hope through
+the Lord Jesus our hope) we might be frustrated of all our expectations;
+and find, that all that which men made us grip to, lay hold on, and lean
+unto, instead of Christ, was but a mere shadow, and a lie in our right
+hand, to the unexpressible grief, vexation, and sorrow of soul when all
+should end in a dreadful and horrible disappointment.
+
+But let us not think that our purposes, firm-like resolutions to adhere
+to the truth, and our present abhorrence at, and detestation of errors
+now broached, to the overturning the very foundations of true
+Christianity, will sufficiently guard us from, and make us proof against
+the shots and assaults of these crafty seducers. Nor think, that our
+learning and knowledge in the theory of the truth; nor our abilities to
+rencounter sophisters, will secure us from a fall; let us not think that
+the enemies are contemptible, and therefore we need be the less anxious,
+nor yet think that former experiences and through-bearings, in the like
+cases, will be a pillow, whereby we may now lay ourselves down to sleep.
+If we do, we shall certainly deceive ourselves, if all our strength and
+standing be in ourselves, and through ourselves; and if this be the
+ground of our hope, the righteous Lord in his holy justice, may give us
+up to be a prey. Peter's instance should never be forgotten by us; and
+such as tempt the Lord have no ground to expect his last issue.
+
+Our strength must be in Christ: to the rock of ages must we fly: to our
+chambers in him must we retire, and there must we hide ourselves: on
+Christ's lee-side can we only ride safe, and be free of the hazard of
+the storm. To him therefore must our recourse be daily, by new and fresh
+acts of faith in and through him and his influences, communicated
+according to the tenor of the covenant of grace, through faith eyeing
+the promiser, the promise, with the price purchasing, and so drawing and
+sucking light, direction, strength, stability, and what our present
+exigent calleth for, must we think to stand. And happy they who,
+conscious to themselves of their own weakness, and convinced of the
+insufficiency of all things within them, in godly fear hide themselves
+under the wings of the Almighty, and get in into this stronghold,
+resolving there to abide, and there to be secured from all their
+adversaries, within or without. These humble fearers may expect a safe
+and noble outgate; when more strong-like and more confident adventurers
+shall (being left to themselves, because trusting in themselves),
+shamefully fall, and be triumphed over by the enemy, to the grief of the
+godly, and for a snare to others.
+
+The best way then, to keep the faith of Christ, which many are now
+seeking to shake and to loose us from, is to be exercising the faith of
+Christ. The serious and upright practising of the gospel is the only
+best mean to keep thee firm in the profession of the gospel, when the
+gospel with thee is not a few fine notions in the brain; but is heavenly
+and necessary truth sunk into the heart, and living and acting there; it
+will keep thee, and thou wilt own it more firmly and steadfastly in a
+day of trial. Thy walking in Christ, and working and living, by him
+living in thee, will so root thee in the gospel truth, that enemies will
+pull in vain, when seeking to overthrow thee. The gospel of the grace of
+God received and entertained in thy soul in love, and constant suitable
+improvement, will fortify thee, and secure itself in thee, so that
+vehement blasts shall but contribute to its more fixed abode, and more
+fruitful actings in thee. Live up then to the gospel, and so be sure of
+it, and be safe in it. I mean, let Christ live in thee as thy all, and
+cast all thy care and cumber on him; lay all thy difficulties before
+him; lean all thy weight upon him; draw all thy necessities out of him:
+and undertake all thy duties in him; be strong in him, and in the power
+of his might; let him be thy counsellor, conductor, leader, teacher,
+captain, commander, light, life, strength, and all, so shall thou stand
+and have cause to glory, even in thine infirmities, for thou shalt find
+the power of Christ resting upon thee, and thou shalt have cause to say,
+therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities,
+in persecution, in distresses for Christ's sake; for when I am weak,
+then am I strong. Remember that great word, Phil. iv. 13, "I can do all
+things through Christ, which strengtheneth me."
+
+It hath been the usual and ordinary question of believers, How shall we
+make use of Christ for sanctification? To this great and important
+question, I, (though the meanest and most unfit for such a work, of all
+that God hath sent to feed his flock) have adventured or endeavoured at
+least, to give such as truly desire to cleanse themselves from all
+filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of
+God, some satisfaction herein, laying before them some plain directions
+framed to their capacities, and suited to some of their most ordinary
+and usual causes; some whereof are more comprehensive, and others more
+particular, may be looked upon as exemplary instances, serving for other
+cases of the like nature; for hardly could every particular
+circumstantiate case be particularly spoken to, and some might judge
+that to be superfluous, if thou, in the light and strength of Christ,
+shalt really practise what is here pointed forth, I may be confident to
+say, thy labour shall not be in vain in the Lord, and thou shalt attain
+unto another sort of holiness than that which proud pretenders boast of,
+and shalt be far without the reach of that snare, which unstable souls
+are too readily entangled with. I mean, the plausible pretension of more
+than ordinary sanctity which yet is but forced, feigned, constrained,
+mostly external, and framed to cause admiration in beholders, whom they
+intend to make a prey of. This shall be no temptation to thee, who by
+experience findeth a more safe, satisfying, full, free, easy, pleasant
+and heartsome way of mortifying lusts, growing in grace, and in the
+knowledge of Jesus Christ, and so perfecting holiness, by running
+immediately to Christ, and by living in and upon him, who is made of God
+to us, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption. That the
+Lord may bless the same to thee, for this end, shall be, and is the
+desire and prayer of him who is,
+
+Thy servant in the work of the gospel,
+
+JOHN BROWN.
+
+
+
+
+
+RECOMMENDATION.
+
+
+CHRISTIAN READER,
+
+If thou answer this designation, and art really a partaker of the
+unction, which is the high import of that blessed and glorious name
+called upon thee, thine eye must affect thy heart, and a soul swelled
+with godly sorrow must at last burst and bleed forth at a weeping eye,
+while thou looks upon most of this licentious and loathsome generation,
+arrived at that height of prodigious profanity as to glory in their
+shame, and boast of bearing the badge and black mark of damnation. But,
+besides this swarm who savage it to hell, and make such haste hither, as
+they foam themselves into everlasting flames, carrying, under the shape
+and visage of men, as devils in disguise; the face of the church is
+covered with a scum of such, who are so immersed in the concerns of this
+life, and are so intense in the pursuit of the pleasures, gain, and
+honours thereof, as their way doth manifestly witness them to be sunk
+into the deep oblivion of God, and desperate inconsideration of their
+precious and immortal souls. But in the third place, besides these who
+are hurried into such a distraction with the cares of this life, that
+they, as natural brute beasts made to be destroyed, are never at leisure
+to consider either the nature and necessity of their noble souls, or to
+converse with the notion of a Deity. Thou may perceive a company of
+self-deceiving speculatists, who make broad the phylacteries of their
+garments, and boast of some high attainments in religion; yea, would
+have others look upon them as arrived at the very porch of heaven, and
+advanced to a high pitch of proficiency in the ways of God, because they
+can discourse a little of the mysteries of salvation, and without ever
+diving farther into the depth and true nature of religion, dream
+themselves into a consideration of being saints, and conclude themselves
+candidates for glory.
+
+This is that heart-moving object which presents itself to thy eye and
+observation this day. This is that deplorable posture, wherein thou
+mayest perceive most men at the very point of perishing eternally, who
+are within the pale of the visible church, some dancing themselves
+headlong in all haste into the lake of fire and brimstone, some so much
+concerned in things which have no connexion with their happiness, as to
+drop unconcernedly into the pit, out of which there is no redemption;
+and others dreaming themselves into endless perdition: and all of them
+unite in a deriding at, or despising the means used, and essays made, in
+order to their recovery.
+
+But if his servants, in following their work closely, seem to have
+gained a little ground upon men, and almost persuaded them to be
+Christians, Satan, to the end he may make all miscarry, and counterwork
+these workers together with God, and poison poor souls by a perversion
+of the gospel, beyond the power of an antidote, hath raised up,
+instigated and set on work a race of proud rationalists, for they are
+wiser than to class themselves amongst those poor fools, those base
+things, those nothings, to whom Christ is made all things, to whom
+Christ is made wisdom that he may be righteousness, sanctification, and
+redemption to them; nay, they must be wise men after the flesh, wise
+above what is written. A crucified Christ is really unto them
+foolishness and weakness, though the power of God and the wisdom of God:
+they will needs go to work another way; they will needs glory in his
+presence, and have a heaven of their own band-wind. O my soul, enter not
+into their secrets! and, O sweet Jesus, let thy name be to me, The Lord
+my righteousness; thou hast won it,--wear it; and gather not my soul
+with such who make mention of any other righteousness but of thine only!
+to bring in another gospel amongst us than the gospel of the grace of
+God. As they determine to know some other thing than Christ and him
+crucified; so with the enticing words of man's wisdom they bewitch men
+into a disobedience to the truth, setting somewhat else before them than
+a crucified Christ; and this they do, that they may remove men from
+those who call them into the grace of Christ, unto another gospel. A
+Christ, it is true; they speak of; but it is not the Christ of God, for
+all they drive at (O cursed and truly antichristian design!) is, that he
+may profit them nothing, while they model all religion according to this
+novel project of their magnified morality. This is that which gives both
+life and lustre to that image which they adore, to the Dagon after whom
+they would have the world wonder and worship.
+
+That there is such a moralizing or muddizing, if I may be for once
+admitted to coin a new word to give these men their due, of Christianity
+now introduced and coming in fashion, many of the late pieces in request
+do evince. Now that Christianity should moralize men above all things, I
+both give and grant; for he who is partaker of the divine nature, and
+hath obtained precious faith, must add virtue to his faith. But that it
+should be only conceived and conceited as an elevation of nature to a
+more clear light, in the matter of morality, wherein our Lord is only
+respected as an heavenly teacher and perfect pattern proposed for
+imitation, is but a proud, pleasing fancy of self-conceited, darkened,
+and deluded dreamers, robbing God of the glory of his mercy and
+goodness; our Lord Jesus Christ of the glory of his grace and merit. The
+spirit of the efficacy of his glorious and mighty operations; and
+themselves and their pilgrimages, who give them the hand as guides, of
+the comfort and fruit of all.
+
+It cannot escape thy observation, how busy Satan is this day, upon the
+one hand, to keep men, under the call of the gospel to give all
+diligence to make their calling and election sure, idle all the day, so
+that no persuasion can induce them to engage seriously to fall about a
+working out their own salvation in fear and trembling; and, on the
+other, equally diligent and industrious to divert men from trusting in
+the name of the Lord, and staying upon their God; setting them on work
+to go and gather fuel, and kindle a fire, and compass themselves about
+with sparks, that they may walk in the light of their own fire, and in
+the sparks that they have kindled, knowing well that they shall this way
+most certainly lose their toil and travel, and have no other reward at
+his hand of all their labour, but to lie down in everlasting sorrow,
+while the stout-hearted and far from righteousness and salvation, shall
+get their soul for a prey, and be made to rejoice in his salvation, and
+bless him who hath made them meet to be partakers of the inheritance of
+the saints in light.
+
+I am neither the fit person for so great an undertaking, nor do these
+limits, within which I must bound myself, permit me to expatiate in many
+notions about the nature of this excellent and precious thing, true
+gospel holiness. Oh! if, in the entry, I could on my own behalf and
+others, sob out my alas! from the bottom of my soul, because, be what it
+will, it is some other thing than men take it to be. Few habituate
+themselves to a thinking upon it, in its high nature, and soul enriching
+advantages, till their hearts receive suitable impressions of it, and
+their lives be the very transumpt of the law of God written in their
+heart; the thing, alas! is lost in a noise of words, and heap of notions
+about it; neither is it a wonder that men fall into mistakes about it,
+since it is only the heart possessed of it that is capable to understand
+and perceive its true excellency. But if it be asked what it is; we say,
+it may be shortly taken up, as the elevation and raising up of a poor
+mortal unto a conformity with God. As a participation of the divine
+nature, or as the very image of God stamped on the soul, impressed on
+the thoughts and affections, and expressed in the life and conversation;
+so that the man in whom Christ is formed, and in whom he dwells, lives,
+and walks, hath while upon the earth, a conversation in heaven; not only
+in opposition to those many, whose end is destruction, whose god is
+their belly, whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things; but
+also to those pretenders unto and personaters of religion, who have
+confidence in the flesh, and worship God with their own spirit, which
+in the matters of God is flesh and not spirit, and have somewhat else to
+rejoice in than in Christ Jesus, and a being found in him, not having
+their own righteousness.
+
+True gospel holiness, then, consists in some similitude and likeness to
+God, and fellowship with him founded upon that likeness. There is such
+an impression of God, his glorious attributes, his infinite power,
+majesty, mercy, justice, wisdom, holiness, and grace, &c., as sets him
+up all alone in the soul without any competition, and produceth those
+real apprehensions of him, that he is alone excellent and matchless. O
+how preferable doth be appear, when indeed seen, to all things! And how
+doth this light of his infinite gloriousness, shining into the soul,
+darken and obscure to an invisibleness all other excellencies, even as
+the rising of the sun makes all the lesser lights to disappear. Alas!
+how is God unknown in his glorious being and attributes! When once the
+Lord enters the soul, and shines into the heart, it is like the rising
+of the sun at midnight: all these things which formerly pretended to
+some loveliness, and did dazzle with their lustre, are eternally
+darkened. Now, all natural perfections, and moral virtues, in their
+flower and perfections, are at best looked upon as _aliquid nihil_. What
+things were formerly accounted gain and godliness, are now counted loss
+for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus the Lord, and the
+soul cannot only suffer the loss of them all without a sob, but be
+satisfied to throw them away as dung, that it may win him, and be found
+in him. Now, the wonder of a Deity, in his greatness, power, and grace,
+swallows up the soul in sweet admiration. O how doth it love to lose
+itself in finding here what it cannot fathom? And then it begins truly
+to see the greatness and evil of sin; then it is looked upon without the
+covering of pleasure or profit, and loathed as the leprosy of hell. Now
+the man is truly like God in the knowledge of good and evil, in the
+knowledge of that one infinite good, God; and in the knowledge of that
+one almost infinite evil, sin. This is the first point of likeness to
+him, to be conformed to him in our understanding, that as he knows
+himself to be the only self-being and fountain-good, and all created
+things in their flower and perfection, with all their real or fancied
+conveniences being compared with him, but as the drop of a bucket, or
+nothing; yea, less than nothing, vanity (which is nothing blown up, by
+the force or forgery of a vainly working imagination, to the consistence
+of an appearance), so for a soul to know indeed and believe in the
+heart, that there is nothing deserves the name of good besides God, to
+have the same superlative and transcendent thoughts of that great and
+glorious self-being God, and the same diminishing and debasing thoughts
+of all things and beings besides him. And that as the Lord seeth no evil
+in the creation but sin, and hates that with a perfect hatred, as
+contrary to his holy will; so for a soul to aggravate sin in its own
+sight to an infiniteness of evil, at least till it see it only short of
+infiniteness in this respect, that it can be swallowed up of infinite
+mercy. But whence hath the soul all this light? It owes all this, and
+owns itself as debtor for it to him, who opens the eyes of the blind. It
+is he who commands the light to shine out of darkness, who hath made
+these blessed discoveries, and hath given the poor benighted soul, the
+light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ.
+These irradiations are from the Spirit's illumination; 'tis the Spirit
+of wisdom and revelation that hath made day-light in the darkened soul.
+The man who had the heart of a beast, as to any saving or solid
+knowledge of God or himself, hath now got an understanding to know him
+that is true. Now is Christ become the poor man's wisdom, he is now
+renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him; he might
+well babble of spiritual things, but till now he understood nothing of
+the beauty and excellency of God and his ways; nay, he knew not what he
+knew, he was ignorant as a beast of the life and lustre of those things
+which he knew in the letter; nothing seemed more despicable to him in
+the world, than true godliness; but now he judgeth otherwise, because he
+hath the mind of Christ. The things which in his darkness he did
+undervalue as trifles to be mocked at, he now can only mind and admire,
+since he became a child of light; now being delivered from that
+blindness and brutishness of spirit, which possesseth the world, (and
+possessed himself till he was transformed by the renewing of his mind)
+who esteem basely of spiritual things, and set them at nought, he
+prizeth as alone precious. The world wonders what pleasure or content
+can be in the service of God, because they see not by tasting how good
+he is; to be prying into and poring upon invisible things, is to them
+visible madness, but to the enlightened mind, the things that are not
+seen are only worth seeing, and while they appear not to be, they only
+are; whereas the things that are seen appear but to be, and are not.
+Though the surpassing sweetness of spiritual things should be spoke of
+to them, who cannot favour the things of God, in such a manner as the
+glorious light of them did surround men; yet they can perceive no such
+thing; all is to them cunningly devised fables; let be spoke what will,
+they see no form, no comeliness, no beauty in this glorious object--God
+in Christ reconciling sinners to himself. Alas! the mind is blinded; the
+dungeon is within; and till Christ open the eyes, as well as reveal his
+light, the soul abides in its blindness, and is buried in midnight
+darkness; but when the Spirit of God opens the man's eyes, and he is
+translated by an act of omnipotency out of the kingdom of darkness into
+the kingdom of his dear Son, which is a kingdom of marvellous light, O
+what matchless beauty doth he now see in these things, which appeared
+despicable and dark nothings to him, till he got the unction, the
+eye-salve, which teacheth all things. Now he sees (what none without the
+Spirit can see) the things which God hath prepared for them that love
+him, and are freely given them of God; and these, though seen at a
+distance, reflect such rays of beauty into his soul, that he beholds and
+is ravished, he sees and is swallowed up in wonder.
+
+But then, in the next place, this is not a spiritless inefficacious
+speculation about these things, to know no evil but sin and separation
+from God, and no blessedness but in the fruition of him; it is not such
+a knowledge of them as doth not principle motion to pursue after them.
+This I grant is part of the image of God, when the Sun of Righteousness,
+by arising upon the man, hath made day-light in his soul, and by these
+divine discoveries hath taught him to make the true parallel betwixt
+things that differ, and to put a just value upon them according to their
+intrinsic worth. But this divine illumination doth not consist in a mere
+notion of such things in the head, nor doth it subsist in enlightening
+the mind; but in such an impression of God upon the soul, as transforms
+and changes the heart into his likeness by love.' Knowledge is but one
+line, one draught or lineament of the soul's likeness to him; that alone
+doth not make up the image, but knowledge rooted in the heart, and
+engraven on the soul, hining and shewing itself forth in a
+gospel-adorning conversation, that makes a comely proportion; when the
+same hand that touched the eye, and turned the man from darkness to
+light, and gave an heart to know him, that he is the Lord, that doth
+also circumcise the man's heart to love the Lord his God, with all his
+heart, and with all his soul, and with all his mind; and this love
+manifesting its liveliness, in its constraining power to live to him and
+for him. Light without, heat is but wild fire; but light in the mind,
+begetting heat in the heart, making it burn Godward, Christward, and
+heavenward; light in the understanding, setting on fire and inflaming
+the affections, and these shining out in a heavenly conversation, makes
+up the lively image of God, both in feature and stature, both in
+proportion and colour. Faith begins this image, and draws the
+lineaments; and love bringing forth obedience finishes, and gives it the
+lively lustre. The burnings of love in obedience to God is that which
+illuminates the whole, and makes a man look indeed like him, to whose
+image he is predestinate to be conform, and then makes him, who is
+ravished with the charms of that beauty, say, as in a manner overcome
+thereby, "how fair is thy love, my sister, my spouse? How much better is
+thy love than wine, and the smell of thine ointments than all spices?"
+But consider, that as these beams, which irradiate the soul, are from
+the Spirit of Christ, so that spiritual heat and warmth come out of the
+same airth, and proceed from the same author, for our fire burns as he
+blows, our lamp shines as he snuffs and furnisheth oil. Men therefore
+should not indulge themselves in this delusion, to think, that that
+which will pass for pure religion and undefiled before God, consists
+either in an outward blameless conversation, or in putting on and
+wearing an external garb of profession. No, as the top of it reacheth
+higher, so the root of it lies deeper; it is rooted in the heart, this
+seed being sown in an honest heart (or making the heart honest in which
+it is sown) takes root downward, and brings forth fruit upward, as trees
+that grow as far under ground as above, so these trees of righteousness,
+the planting of the Lord that he may be glorified, grow as far and as
+fast under ground as above; godliness grows as far downwards in
+self-emptying, self-denial, and self-abasing, in hungering and thirsting
+after more of righteousness, in the secret engagements of the heart to
+God in Christ, in these burstings of heart and bleeding of soul, to
+which God alone is witness, because of shortcoming in holiness, because
+of a body of death within, and because of that law in the members
+warring against the law of the mind, and bringing often into captivity
+to the law of sin, as it grows upward in a profession. And this is that
+pure religion and undefiled before God, which is both most pleasant to
+him, and profitable to the soul.
+
+But to make the difference betwixt dead morality, in its best dress, and
+true godliness, more clear and obvious, that loveliness of the one may
+engage men into a loathing of the other, this dead carion and stinking
+carcase of rotten morality, which still stinks in the nostrils of God,
+even when embalmed with the most costly ointments of its miserably
+misled patrons, we say, that true godliness, which in quality and kind
+differs from this much pleaded for and applauded morality, a black
+heathen by a mongrel kind of Christians baptised of late with the name
+of Christianity, and brought into the temple of the Lord, concerning
+which he hath commanded that it should never in that shape, and for that
+end it is introduced, enter into his congregation; and the bringers for
+their pains are like to seclude themselves for ever from his presence.
+It respects Jesus Christ, 1st, as its principle; 2d, as its pattern; 3d,
+as its altar; and, 4th, as its end.
+
+1. I say, true holiness, in its being and operation, respects Jesus
+Christ as its principle; "I live," said that shining saint, "yet not I,
+but Christ liveth in me." As that which gives religion its first being,
+is the religation of the soul to God; so that which gives it motion, and
+draws forth that life into action, is the same God's working all their
+works in them and for them, so that in all they do, they are workers
+together with God; every act of holiness is an act of the soul made
+alive unto God through Jesus Christ, and quickened to each action by the
+supervenience of new life and influence; therefore, says Christ, without
+me ye can do nothing; it is not, being out of me ye can do nothing, for
+he spoke it to those who were in him, but, if ye leave me out in doing,
+all ye do will be nothing. 'Tis Jesus Christ who gives life and legs, so
+that our runnings are according to his drawings. "My soul followeth
+hard after thee," said that holy man; but whence is all this life and
+vigour? "Thy right hand upholdeth me," Oh! it is the upholdings and
+helpings of this right hand, enlarging the man's heart, that makes a
+running in the ways of his commandments; it is he who, while the saints
+work out the work of their own salvation, worketh in them both to will
+and to do. It is he who giveth power to the faint, and who, to them that
+have no might, encreaseth strength, so that the poor lifeless,
+languishing lie-by is made to mount up with eagles' wings, and surmount
+all these difficulties, with a holy facility, which were simply
+insuperable, and pure impossibilities. Now the man runs and doth not
+weary, because Christ draws; and he walks and doth not faint, because
+Christ, in whom dwells the fulness of the Godhead bodily, dwells in him,
+and walks in him, and dwells in him for that very end, that he may have
+a completeness and competency of strength for duty. All grace is made to
+abound unto him, that he always having all sufficiency in all things,
+may abound unto every good work. He is able of himself to do nothing,
+no, not to think any thing as he ought, but he hath a sufficiency of
+God, whereby he is thoroughly furnished unto every good work; so that he
+may say, I am able for all things: it is more than "I am able to do all
+things," as we read it; its just import is, "I am able to do all things,
+and to endure all things;" and that which keeps it from vain boasting,
+is what is added, "through Christ which strengthened me," or putting
+power in me, or rather impowering me, which is by a supervenient act
+drawing forth life into a liveliness of exercise, according to the
+present exigent. There is a power in a saint, because Christ is in him,
+that overpowers all the powers of darkness without, and all the power of
+indwelling corruption within, so that when the poor weak creature is
+ready to despond; within sight of his duty, and say, because of
+difficulty, what is my strength that I should hope? Christ saith,
+despond not, my grace is sufficient for thee, and my power shall rest
+upon thee, to a reviving thee, and raising thee up, and putting thee in
+case to say, when I am weak, then I am strong; his strength, who
+impowers me, is made perfect in my weakness, so that I will glory in my
+infirmities, and be glad in being grace's debtor. But what power is
+that, which raiseth the dead sinner, and carries the soul in its actings
+so far without the line, and above the sphere of all natural activity,
+when stretched to its utmost? O, it is an exceeding great power which is
+to them-ward who believe, that must make all things, how difficult
+soever, easy, when he works in them to will and to do, according to the
+working of his mighty power, (or as it is upon the margin, and more
+emphatic, of the might of his power,) which he wrought in Christ, when
+he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand, &c.; he
+that raised up the Lord Jesus from the dead, raiseth up believers also
+by Jesus; and being raised and revived by him, to walk in newness of
+life, the life of Jesus, in its communications of strength, is manifest
+in their mortal flesh, according to that of the same apostle; "the life
+that I live in the flesh," saith he, "I live by the faith of the Son of
+God." Faith brings in Christ in my soul, and Christ being my life,
+carries out my soul in all the acts of obedience, wherein, though I be
+the formal agent, yet the efficiency and the power, by which I operate,
+is from him; so that I can give no better account of it than
+this,--I--not I. But who then, if not you? The grace of God, saith he,
+which was with me. But this mystery to our bold, because blind
+moralists, of an indwelling Christ working mightily in the soul, is
+plain madness and melancholy; however we understand his knowledge in the
+mystery of Christ, who said, "The life I live in the flesh," &c.; and
+from what we understand of his knowledge in that mystery, which he had
+by revelation, we understand our moralists to be men of corrupt minds,
+who concerning the faith hath made shipwreck; but what is that, "The
+life I live in the flesh," &c. The import of it seems to be this, if not
+more,--while I have in me a soul animating my body, as the principle of
+all my vital and natural actions, I have Jesus Christ animating my soul,
+and by the impulse and communicate virtue and strength of an indwelling
+Christ, I am made to run the ways of his commandments, wherein I take so
+great delight, that I am found of no duty as of my enemy.
+
+2. The gospel holiness respects Jesus Christ as its pattern. It
+proposeth no lower pattern for imitation than to be conform to his
+image, (he that is begotten again into a lively hope, by the
+resurrection of Christ from the dead, girds up the loins of his mind,
+which are the affections of his soul, lest by falling flat upon the
+earth, he be hindered in running the race set before him, as looking to
+the forerunner his pattern,) in this girdle of hope, that he may be
+"holy in all manner of conversation," keeping his eye upon the precept
+and pattern, that his practice may be conform. It is written, saith he,
+"be ye holy, for I am holy;" the hope of seeing God, and being ever with
+him, imposeth a necessity upon him who hath it, to look no lower than at
+him, who is glorious in holiness; and therefore he is said to purify
+himself even as he is pure; and knowing that this is the end of their
+being quickened together with Christ, that they may walk even as he
+walked, they in their working and walking aim at no less than to be like
+him; and therefore never sit down upon any attained measure, as if they
+were already perfect. The spotless purity of God expressed in his laws,
+is that whereto they study assimilation; therefore they are still in
+motion towards this mark, and are changed from one of glorious grace
+into another, into the same image, even as by the Spirit of the Lord,
+who never gives over his putting them to cleanse from all filthiness of
+the flesh and of the spirit, till that be true in the truest sense,
+"Thou art all fair, my love, there is no spot in thee." And knowing that
+perfect fruition of him cannot be without the perfect conformity to him,
+herein do they exercise themselves to grow in grace, and to be still
+advancing towards some more likeness to his image, forgetting all their
+attainments, as things that are behind, and by their Teachings forth
+unto that which is before, make it evident that they make every begun
+degree of grace and conformity to God, a prevenient capacity for a new
+degree which yet they have not attained. I know our moralists look upon
+themselves as matchless, in talking of following his steps as he hath
+left us an example; in this they make a flourishing with flanting
+effrontery, but for all their boasting of wisdom, such a poor simple man
+as I, am made to wonder at their folly, who proposing, as they say, the
+purity of Christ as their pattern, are not even thence convinced, that
+in order to a conformity thereto, there is a simple and absolute
+necessity of the mighty operations of that Spirit of God, whereby this
+end can be reached; but while they flout at the Spirit's working as a
+melancholy fancy, whereby the soul is garnished with the beauty of
+holiness, and made an habitation for God, I doubt not to say of these
+great sayers, that they understand neither what they say, nor whereof
+they affirm; nay, doth not the talking of the one, not only without
+seeing the necessity of the other, but speaking against it, say in the
+heart of every one, who hath not the heart of a beast, that they have
+never yet got a sight of the holiness of that pattern, nor of their own
+pollutions and impotency; for if they had, they would give themselves up
+to Jesus Christ to be washed by him, without which they can have no part
+with him. O there will be a vast difference, at the latter day, betwixt
+them who have given their black souls to Jesus to bleach, when he shall
+present them without spot, not only clothed with wrought gold, but all
+glorious within, and those who have never dipped, yea, who have despised
+to dip their defiled souls in any other fountain, save in the impure
+puddle of their own performances. This will make them loathsome in his
+sight, and cause his soul abhor those who have done this despite unto
+the Spirit of grace, as to slight that blessed fountain, opened for sin
+and for uncleanness, let them pretend as high as they will, to look to
+him as a pattern; while, because the plague-sore is gone up in their
+eye, they look not to him as a price, nor to the grace of Jesus Christ,
+as that which can only principle any acceptable performance of duty, he
+will plunge them in the ditch, and it will cost them their souls, for
+rejecting the counsel of God against themselves, in not making use of
+him who came by water as well as by blood.
+
+3. This gospel holiness respects Christ as the altar. It is in him, and
+for him, that his soul is well pleased with our performance--this is the
+altar upon which thou must lay thy gift, and leave it, without which thy
+labour is lost, and whatsoever thou dost is loathed, as a corrupt thing.
+As believers draw all their strength from him, so they expect acceptance
+only through him, and for him. They do not look for it, but in the
+Beloved; they dare not draw near to God in duty, but by him. This is
+the new and living way which is consecrate for them; and if such, who
+offer to come to God, do not enter in hereat, instead of being admitted
+to a familiar converse with God, they shall find him a consuming fire.
+When the saints have greatest liberty in prayer, and so of all other
+performances, when their hearts are most lifted up in the ways of the
+Lord, they abhor at thinking their prayer can any otherways be set forth
+before him as incense, or the lifting up of their hands as the evening
+sacrifice, but as presented by the great intercessor, and perfumed by
+the merit of his oblation. If they could weep out the marrow of their
+bones, and the moisture of their body, in mourning over sin; yet they
+durst not think of having what comes from so impure a spring, and runs
+through so polluted a channel, presented to God, but by Jesus Christ, in
+order to acceptation; for, as they look to the exalted Saviour, to get
+their repentance from him, so when by the pourings out upon them of the
+spirit of grace and supplication, he hath made them pour out their
+hearts before him, and hath melted them into true tenderness, so that
+their mourning is a great mourning, they carry back these tears to be
+washen and bathed in his blood, as knowing without this of how little
+worth and value with God their salt water is; but when they are thus
+washed he puts them in his bottle, and then pours them out again to them
+in the wine of strong consolation. Thus are they made glad in his house
+of prayer, and their sighs and groans come up with acceptance upon his
+altar. O blessed altar, that sanctifies the gold! this is that altar,
+whereto the mocking moralist hath no right. It is by him that the poor
+believer offers up his sacrifice to God continually; whatever he doth in
+word or deed, he desires to do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. As he
+knows, he lives to make intercession, and to appear in the presence of
+God for his poor people, both to procure influences for duty, and plead
+for acceptation: so he depends upon him for both, as knowing he can
+never otherways hear nor have it said unto him, "well done thou good and
+faithful servant." It may be he can do little, he hath but a mite to
+offer; but he puts it in the Mediator's hand to be presented to God. He
+hath not gold, nor silver, nor purple to bring; he can do no great
+things; he hath but goats' hair or rams' skins, but he gives them the
+right tincture, he makes them red in the blood of Christ, and so they
+are a beautiful incarnation.
+
+But let us, on the other hand, take a short view of what our moralists
+substitute in its place, as in their account, both more beautiful in the
+eye, and more beneficial to the souls of men, wherein I intend to be
+brief. I might comprehend the account to be given shortly, and give it
+most exactly, yet truly in these few words. As the most undoubted
+deviation from, and perfect opposition unto the whole contrivance of
+salvation, and the conveyance of it into the souls of men, as revealed
+in this gospel which brings life and immortality to light, that
+fighters against the grace of God in its value and virtue can forge,
+stretching their blind reason to the overthrow of true religion, and
+ruin of the souls of men. For to this height these masters of reason
+have, in their blind rage, risen up against the Lord and against his
+anointed; this is the dreadful period of that path, wherein we are
+persuaded to walk, yea hectored, if we would not forfeit the repute of
+men by these grand sophies, who arrogate to themselves the name and
+thing of knowledge, as if wisdom were to die with them. The deep
+mysteries of salvation, which angels desire to look into, and only
+satisfy themselves with admiration at, must appear as respondents at
+their bar; and if they decline the judge and court, as incompetent, they
+flee out and flout at subjecting this blind mole, man's reason, to the
+revelation of faith in a mystery. The manifold wisdom of God, and the
+manifold grace of God, must either condescend to their unfoldings, and
+be content to speak in their dialect, or else these wits, these Athenian
+dictators, will give the deep things of God, because beyond their
+divings, the same entertainment which that great gospel preacher, Paul,
+met with from men of the same mould, kidney, and complexion, because he
+preached unto them Jesus, What would the babbler say, said they. The
+Spirit of wisdom and revelation they know not, they have not, they
+acknowledge not; nay, they despise him in his saving and
+soul-ascertaining illuminations; and the workings of that mighty power
+to them-ward who believe, is to the men of this new mould (because they
+have not found it) an insufferable fancy, to be exploded with a disdain
+and indignation, which discovers what spirit actuates them in this
+opposition.
+
+But I would recommend to you, who can neither purchase nor peruse what
+is more voluminous (how worthy soever) the serious perusal, as of the
+whole of that savoury and grace-breathing peace, the fulfilling of the
+Scriptures; so therein that short but sweet digression, against
+black-mouthed Parker, wherein the gracious author takes out his own
+soul, and sets before thine eye, the image of God impressed thereon; for
+while he deals with that desperado by clear and convincing reason,
+flowing natively from the pure fountain of divine revelation, he hath
+the advantage of most men, and writers too, in silencing that proud
+blasphemer of the good ways of God, with arguments taken from what he
+hath found acted upon his own soul. And likewise I would recommend, as a
+sovereign antidote against this poison, the diligent perusing and
+pondering of what is shortly hinted against the hellish belchings of the
+same unhallowed author (in the Preface to that piece of great Mr.
+Durham, upon the Commands) by a disciple, who, besides his natural
+acuteness and sub-actness of judgment in the depth of the gospel
+mysteries, is known, by all who know him (and for myself, I know none
+now alive his equal) to have most frequent access to lean his head on
+his Master's bosom, and so in best case to tell his fellow-disciples
+and brethren, what is breathed into his own soul, while he lives in
+these embraces, and under the sheddings abroad of that love of God in
+his soul, which drew and did dictate these lines, against that flouter
+at all such fruitions. Nor can I here omit to observe, how, when the
+devil raised up Parker, that monster, to bark and blaspheme, the Lord
+raised up a Merveil to fight him at his own weapon, who did so cudgel
+and quell that boasting bravo, as I know not if he be dead of his wound,
+but for any thing I know, he hath laid his speech.
+
+It was not the author's design in this piece, (levelled only at this
+mark, to teach thee how to make use of the strength and grace that is in
+Christ Jesus, and find the promised ease in performance of duties; in
+handling of which argument, he hath been remarkably assisted, and thou
+canst not read with attention, but thou must bear him witness, and bless
+the Lord on his behalf, that he hath hit the mark at which he aimed) to
+engage in a formal debate with these audacious moralists, who would
+boast and bogle us out of the good old way, wherein, if men walk, they
+must find rest to their souls. Yet if by the doctrine he hath here
+explained and pressed, as the only way of life, they do not find what a
+mortal wound he hath given their morality, all the lovers of the truth
+will see it; and it may be, the Lord sparing life, and continuing the
+same gracious and great assistance, he hath had in engaging with many
+and great adversaries to the truth at home and abroad, they may see
+somewhat from his pen, which may make the lovers of our Lord Jesus
+Christ in sincerity, and of the operations of his Spirit, sing over
+these successors to Sisera, who with their jumping chariots and rattling
+wheels, assault the truth, at his feet they bowed, they fell, they lay
+down at his feet, they bowed, they fell where they bowed, there they
+fell down dead; so let all the enemies of thy truth perish, O Lord! How
+to make the whole more useful for thee, for whose advantage 'tis mainly
+intended, I leave to the author's own direction; only this I must say,
+his method and mould, wherein he casts his sweet matter, and his way of
+handling this so seasonable a subject, is so accommodate to each case,
+and brought home to the conscience, and down to the capacity of the
+meanest Christian, which was his aim, that the feeble, in this day,
+might be as David; that howbeit many worthy men have not only hinted,
+but enlarged upon the same matter, yet thou canst not but see some
+heart-endearing singularity in his way of improving and handling this
+great gospel truth. Next, I must tell thee, that as I myself read it
+with much satisfaction (though, alas! I dare not say, I have by reading
+reaped the designed advantage), so that thou mayest be blushed into a
+perusal thereof, and profiting thereby, I must likewise tell thee, I
+say, it hath been turned into Dutch, and that it hath not only met with
+great acceptation amongst all the serious and godly in these parts, who
+have seen it, but is much sought after; and they profess themselves
+singularly thereby edified, and set a-going after God, by its
+efficacious persuasiveness, with a singing alacrity; and if it have not
+the same effect upon thee and me, they and it will arise up against us
+in judgment.
+
+Up, therefore, Christians, and be doing: Listen to such a teacher, who,
+lest thou tire in thy race, or turn back, teacheth thee a certain and
+sweet way of singular proficiency and progress in the ways of God. It
+may be, it is not thy work, nor mine, to write both against these
+soul-murdering, however magnified, methods of taking men off Jesus
+Christ; but our penury of parts for that, should first put us to seek
+plenty of tears, that we may weep, to see our master so wounded by the
+piercing pens of those who, to patronise their mock religion, wrest the
+Scriptures, and with wicked hands wring the word of the Lord, till it
+weep blood: this, I say, should provoke thee and me to weep upon him,
+till he appear, and beat the pens of such deceivers out of their hand by
+a blow of his; 2d, It should provoke us to know the truth, that we may
+contend earnestly for the faith delivered to the saints, and to have
+these contradicted truths so impressed in their life upon our souls,
+that the pen of the most subtle pleader for this perversion of the
+gospel may neither delete these, nor be able to stagger us, but we may,
+from the efficacious working of these, have the witness in ourselves,
+and know the men who teach otherways not to be of God; 3d, It should be
+our ambition, when the all of religion is cried down, and a painted
+shadow, a putrid, however perfumed, nothing put in its place, to make it
+appear, by our practice, that religion is an elevation of the soul above
+the sphere and activity of dead morality; and that it is no less or
+lower principle that acts us, than Christ dwelling in us, and walking in
+us. How can the love of God, and of Christ, and of the Spirit be in us,
+if these perverse praters against the power of godliness, provoke us not
+to emit a practical declaration to the world, and extort a testimony to
+his grace by our way, from the enemies thereof? Improve, therefore, this
+his special help to that purpose, which in a most seasonable time is
+brought to thy hand.
+
+But to sum up all shortly, there are but three things which make
+religion an heavy burden; 1st, The blindness of the mind; and here thou
+art taught to make use of that eye-salve, whereby the eyes of the blind
+see out of obscurity, and out of darkness; he who formerly erred in
+spirit, by the light held forth in these lines, may see a surpassing
+beauty in the ways of God; 2d, That aversion and unwillingness which is
+in the mind, whereby the sweet and easy yoke of his commands is spurned
+at as heavy; in order to the removing thereof, and that thou mayest be
+among his willing people, here thou hast Christ held forth in his
+conquering beauty, displaying his banner of love over souls, so that
+thou canst not look upon him as held forth, but faith will bow thy neck
+to take on his yoke, because it sees it is lined with the love of
+Christ, and then this love that lines the yoke, shed abroad in the
+heart, will constrain to a bearing of it; but, 3d, When the spirit is
+willing, there remains yet much weakness; love kindled in the heart
+conquers the mind into a compliance with his will, and a complacency in
+his commands, but its greatest strength is often to weep over a withered
+hand. Now that thy hands which fall down may be made strong for labour,
+and thou mayest be girded with strength, and have grace for grace, yea,
+all grace to make thee abound unto every good word and work, the author
+leads thee up unto the full fountain of all gospel furniture, and
+strength; and teacheth thee how to make use of Christ, as thy
+sufficiency, for working all thy works in thee and for thee. I say,
+therefore, again unto thee, take heart, let not thine hands fall down,
+essay nothing thou would have well done or easily done, in thine own
+strength; but yet how difficult soever the duty be, approach it as
+having no confidence in the flesh, but with an eye to thy stock, that
+rich store-house of all furniture, and it shall be with thee as it was
+with the priests, before whom Jordan recoiled, so soon as their foot
+entered within the brink; God shall make thy difficulties evanish; and
+by the illapses of the Spirit of power and might from Jesus Christ
+depended upon, shall so strengthen thee, that thy duty is made easy to
+admiration, and becomes the delight of thy soul. Pray for the
+continuance of the life of the author, who, by his assiduous working for
+Christ, hath been often near unto death, not regarding his own life, to
+supply the lack of other men's service, to the interest and Church of
+God; and let him be comforted for this piece of travel undertaken for
+thy soul's interest, by hearing thou dost improve it to thy advantage,
+for which it is so exactly calculate: And with all I beg thy fervent and
+earnest intercessions for grace, and more grace, to him who is thy poor,
+yet soul's well-wisher and servant, for Christ's sake,
+
+R. M. W.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHRIST
+
+THE WAY, AND THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE.
+
+
+JOHN XIV. 6--JESUS SAITH UNTO THEM, I AM THE WAY, AND THE TRUTH, AND THE
+LIFE; NO MAN COMETH UNTO THE FATHER BUT BY ME.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+THE INTRODUCTION, WITH SOME GENERAL OBSERVATIONS FROM THE COHESION.
+
+
+Doubtless it is always useful, yea, necessary, for the children of God
+to know the right way of making use of Christ, who is made all things to
+them which they need, even "wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and
+redemption," 1 Cor. i. 30. But it is never more necessary for believers
+to be clear and distinct in this matter, than when Satan, by all means,
+is seeking to pervert the right ways of the Lord, and, one way or other,
+to lead souls away, and draw them off Christ; knowing that, if he
+prevail here, he hath gained his point. And therefore he endeavoureth
+not only to darken it by error, either more gross or more subtle, but
+also to darken it by mistakes and prejudices: whence it cometh to pass,
+that not only strangers are made to wander out of the way, but
+oftentimes many of his own people are walking in darkness of ignorance
+and mistakes, and remain lean through want of the real exercise of the
+life of faith, which would make them fat and flourishing; because it
+would make them "strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might, and
+to grow up in Christ in all things."
+
+The clearing up then of this truth cannot but be most seasonable now,
+when Satan is prevailing with many, whom he cannot get tempted to
+looseness and profanity, to sit down upon something which is not Christ,
+and to rest upon something with themselves, distinct from him, both in
+the matter of justification and sanctification. This subtle adversary is
+now setting some a-work, to cry up, by preaching, speaking, and
+printing, a way to heaven which is not Christ; a kind of morality,
+civility, and outward holiness, whereupon the soul is to rest. And this
+holiness, not wrought and effectuated through the strength of Jesus, by
+faith sucking life and furniture from him; but through our own art and
+skill, which in effect is nothing but an extract of refined Popery,
+Socinianism, and Arminianism, devised and broached of purpose to draw
+the soul off Christ, that he may stand upon his own legs, and walk by
+his own power, and thank himself, at least in part, for the crown at
+length.
+
+Further, through the great goodness of God, the true way of a soul's
+justification is admirably cleared up; and many are, at least
+theoretically, acquainted therewith; and many also practically, to the
+quieting of their wakened consciences, and stopping the mouth of their
+accusers, and obtaining of peace, joy, and the lively hope of the
+everlasting crown; yet many gracious souls profess their
+unacquaintedness with the solid and thriving way of use-making of Christ
+for growth in grace and true sanctification. Therefore some discovery of
+the truth here cannot but be useful, seasonable, yea, and acceptable
+unto them. If he, who is the Truth, would give grace to understand, and
+to unfold this so necessary and always advantageous a truth, and would
+help to write of and explain this truth by faith in him who is here said
+to be the Truth, then should we have cause to bless and magnify his
+name. But if he, because of sin, shall hide himself, and not let out
+these beams of light, whereby we might discover light, we shall but
+darken counsel with words without our knowledge, and leave the matter as
+unclear as ever. Therefore is it necessary, there be both in him that
+writeth, and in such as read, a single dependence on him, who "is for a
+leader," Isa. lv. 5, and hath promised to "bring the blind by a way
+which they know not, and to lead them in paths they had not known, and
+to make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight," Isa.
+xlii. 16, that thus by acting faith on him we may find, in so far, the
+truth of this verified, viz. that he is the Way, the Truth, and the
+Life. Now, for clearing up of this matter, we would know, that our Lord
+Jesus, from the beginning of this chapter, is laying down some grounds
+of consolation, sufficient to comfort his disciples against the sad news
+of his departure and death; and to encourage them against the fears they
+had of much evil to befall them when their Lord and Master should be
+taken from them; which is a sufficient proof of the tender heart of
+Jesus, who alloweth all his followers strong consolation against all
+fears, hazards, troubles, and perplexities which they can meet with in
+their way. He will not leave them comfortless, and therefore he layeth
+down strong grounds of consolation to support their drooping and
+fainting hearts; as loving to see his followers always rejoicing in the
+Lord, and singing in the ways of Zion: that the world may see and be
+convinced of a reality in Christianity, and of the preferableness of
+that life, notwithstanding of all the troubles that attend it, unto any
+other, how sweet and desirable soever it may appear to flesh and blood.
+
+In prosecution of which design, he told them, verse 4, that they "knew
+whether he went," and the way also which he was to take, and by which he
+was to bring them to the Father, to the mansion spoken of, and so to
+life eternal. But Thomas rashly and incredulously (as too usually he
+did, chap. xi. 16; xx. 25,) venteth himself, and little less than
+contradicteth his Master, saying, verse 5, "We know not whither thou
+goest, and how can we know the way?" wherein we have an emblem of many a
+believer, who may have more grace and knowledge of God and of Christ
+than they will be able to see, or acknowledge that they have; what
+through temptations, inward distempers, sense of their many defects, and
+great ignorance, strong desires of high measures, clearer discoveries of
+the vastness of the object, mistakes about the true nature of grace,
+despising the day of small things, and indistinctness as to the actings
+of grace, or want of understanding and right uptaking of grace in its
+various outgoings and actings under various notions, and the like.
+
+Whereupon Christ, after his usual manner, taketh occasion to clear up
+that ground of consolation further unto them; and to let them see the
+true way of coming to the Father, that thereby they might be helped to
+see that they were not such strangers unto the way as they supposed; and
+withal, he amplifieth and layeth out the properties and excellencies of
+this way, as being the only true and living way; and that in such a
+manner, as they might both see the way to be perfect, full, safe,
+saving, and satisfying; and also learn their duty of improving this way
+always, and in all things, until they come home at length to the Father,
+saying, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto
+the Father but by me."
+
+Christ then saying, that he not only is the way to the Father, even the
+true way, but that he is so the true way, as that he is also truth
+itself in the abstract, and so the living way, that he is life itself in
+the abstract, giveth us ground to consider, after what manner it is that
+he is the Truth and the Life, as well as the Way; and that for clearing
+up and discovering of his being an absolutely perfect, transcendently
+excellent, incomparably preferable and fully satisfying way, useful to
+believers in all cases, all exigents, all distresses, all difficulties,
+all trials, all temptations, all doubts, all perplexities, and in all
+causes or occasions of distempers, fears, faintings, discouragements,
+&c. which they may meet with in their way to heaven. And this will lead
+us to clear up the duty of believers, on the other hand, and to show how
+they should, in all their various cases and difficulties, make use of
+Christ as the only all-sufficient way to the Father, and as truth and
+life in the way, and so we will be led to speak of Christ's being to
+his people all that is requisite for them here in the way, whether for
+justification or sanctification; and how people are to make use of him
+as being all, or, as being made of "God to us wisdom, righteousness,
+sanctification, and redemption," 1 Cor. i. 30.
+
+Ere we come to the words in particular, we would look upon them as
+having relation to Thomas his words in the preceding verse, wherein he
+did little less than contradict what Christ had said in the 4th verse,
+and learn several very comfortable points of doctrine, as,
+
+I. That Jesus Christ is very tender of his followers, and will not cast
+them off, nor upbraid them for every escape whereby they may provoke him
+to anger and grieve his Spirit; but gently passeth by many of their
+failings, when he findeth they are not obstinate in their mistake, nor
+perverse in their way. For how gently and meekly doth he here pass over
+Thomas his unhandsome expression, finding that Thomas spake here, not
+out of obstinacy and pertinaciousness, but out of ignorance and a
+mistake. And the reason is, because, 1. Christ knoweth our infirmity and
+weakness, and is of a tender heart, and therefore will not "break the
+bruised reed," Isa. xlii. Well knoweth he that rough and untender
+handling would crush us, and break us all in pieces. And, 2. He is full
+of bowels of mercy, and can "have compassion on them that are out of the
+way, and can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities," Heb. iv.
+15. v. 2.
+
+Which truth, as upon the one hand, it should encourage all to choose him
+for their leader, and give up themselves unto him, who is so tender of
+his followers; so, upon the other hand, it should rebuke such as are
+ready to entertain evil and hard thoughts of him, as if he were an hard
+master, and ill to be followed, and put all from entertaining the least
+thought of his untenderness and want of compassion. But, moreover,
+
+II. We see, that weaknesses and corruptions breaking out in believers,
+when they are honestly and ingenuously laid open before the Lord, will
+not fear him away, but rather engage him the more to help and succour.
+Much of Thomas his weakness and corruption appeared in what he said; yet
+the same being honestly and ingenuously laid open to Christ, not out of
+a spirit of contradiction, but out of a desire to learn, Christ is so
+far from thrusting him away, that he rather condescendeth the more, out
+of love and tenderness, to instruct him better, and clear the way more
+fully. And that, because, 1. He knoweth our mould and fashion, how
+feckless and frail we are, and that if he should deal with us according
+to our folly, we should quickly be destroyed. 2. He is not as a man,
+hasty, rash, proud; but gentle, loving, tender, and full of compassion.
+3. It is his office and proper work to be an instructor to the ignorant,
+and a helper of our infirmities and weaknesses, a physician to bind up
+and cure our sores and wounds.
+
+Who would not then willingly give up themselves to such a teacher that
+will not thrust them to the door, nor give them up to themselves always,
+when their corruptions would provoke him thereunto? And what a madness
+is this in many, to stand a-back from Christ, because of their
+infirmities; and to scar at him, because of their weakness, when the
+more corruption we find the more we should run to him? and it is soon
+enough to depart from Christ when he thrusts us away, and saith, he will
+have no more to do with us; yea, he will allow us to stay after we are
+thrice thrust away. Only, let us take heed that we approve not ourselves
+in our evils, that we hide them not as unwilling to part with them, that
+we obstinately maintain them not, nor ourselves in them; but that we lie
+open before him, and deal with him, with honesty, ingenuousness, and
+plainness.
+
+III. We see, further, That ignorance ingenuously acknowledged and laid
+open before Christ, puts the soul in a fair way to get more instruction.
+Thomas having candidly, according as he thought, in the simplicity of
+his heart, professed his ignorance, is in a fair way now to get
+instruction. For this is Christ's work, to instruct the ignorant, to
+open the eyes of the blind.
+
+Why then are we so foolish as to conceal our ignorance from him, and to
+hide our case and condition from him; and why doth not this commend
+Christ's school to us so much the more? why do we not carry as ingenious
+scholars, really desirous to learn? But,
+
+IV. We may learn, That our ill condition and distempers put into
+Christ's hand will have remarkable out-gates, and an advantageous issue;
+seeing Christ taketh occasion here from Thomas his laying open his
+condition, not without some mixture of corruption, to clear up the truth
+more fully and plainly than it was before; for hereby, 1. Christ giveth
+an open declaration of the glory of his power, mercy, goodness, wisdom,
+&c. 2. He hath occasion to give a proof of his divine art and glorious
+skill of healing diseased souls, and of making broken bones stronger
+than ever they were. 3. Thus he effectually accomplished his noble
+designs, and perfecteth his work, in a way tending to abase man, by
+discovering his infirmities and failings; and to glorify himself in his
+goodness and love. 4. Thus he triumpheth more over Satan, and in a more
+remarkable and glorious manner destroyeth his works. 5. Thus he
+declareth how wonderfully he can make all things work together for good
+to his chosen ones that love him and follow him. 6. Yea, thus he
+engageth souls to wonder more at his divine wisdom and power; to despair
+less in time coming, when cases would seem hard; to acknowledge his
+great and wonderful grace, and his infinite power and wisdom, that can
+bring life out of death; and also to be more sensible of the mercy, and
+thankful for it.
+
+O believer, what manner of joy is here! how happy art thou that hath
+given up thyself to him! Thy worst condition can turn to thy advantage.
+He can make thy ignorance, vented with a mixture of corruption, turn to
+the increase of thy knowledge. Bless him for this; and, with joy and
+satisfaction, abide thou under his tutory and at his school. And withal,
+be not discouraged, be thy case of ignorance and corruption what it
+will, lay it before him with sincerity and singleness of heart, and then
+"thou mayest glory in thine infirmities, that the power of Christ may
+rest on thee," 2 Cor. xii. 9; for thou shalt see, in due time, what
+advantage infinite love and wisdom can bring to thy soul thereby.
+
+May not this be a strong motive to induce strangers to give up
+themselves to him, who will sweetly take occasion, at their failings and
+shortcomings, to help them forward in the way? And what excuse can they
+have who sit the call of the gospel, and say, in effect, they will not
+go to Christ because their case is not good. And O that believers were
+not sometimes led away with this error of scaring at Christ, because of
+infirmities seen and discovered!
+
+V. It is remarkable, that, as the disciples did ofttimes vent much of
+their carnal conceptions of the kingdom of Christ, as apprehending it to
+be some carnal, outward, pompous, stately, and, upon that account,
+desirable condition; so there might be much of this carnal apprehension
+lurking under this acknowledgment and question of Thomas; and the Lord,
+who knew their thoughts, doth here wisely draw them off those notions,
+and sets them about another study, to tell us, that it is best and most
+useful and profitable for us, to be much taken up in the study and
+search of necessary fundamental truths, and, particularly, of the way to
+the Father. For, 1. Here is the substantial food of the soul; other
+notions are but vain, and oftentimes they make the case of the soul
+worse; but the study of this is always edifying. 2. The right
+understanding of this and other fundamental truths will not puff up, but
+keep the soul humble, and will make the soul active and diligent in
+duty. 3. The fruit of this study is profitable and lasting. 4. And the
+right uptaking of these truths will discover the vanity of other
+sciences, falsely so called, and the folly of spending our time about
+other things. 5. The right understanding of this fundamental will help
+us to understand other truths the better. 6. A mistake in this, and such
+like fundamentals, or the ignorance of them, is more dangerous than the
+ignorance of or mistake in other things.
+
+Oh! if this were teaching us all, in humility, to be much in the study
+of such fundamental necessary truths as this is; and to guard against a
+piece of vanity in affecting knowledge, the effect of which is nothing
+but a puffing of us up with pride and conceit!
+
+VI. We may here take notice of what may serve to discover Thomas his
+mistake, and what is the ground of Christ's assertion, verse 4, which
+Thomas doth little less than contradict, verse 5, viz. that such as had
+any acquaintance with Christ did, according to the measure of their
+knowledge of him, both know heaven and the way to it; whence we see
+these truths,
+
+1. Persons may have some real acquaintance with Christ, and yet be, for
+a time, very indistinct in their notions about him, and apprehensions of
+him. They may know Christ in some measure, and yet look upon themselves
+as great strangers to the knowledge of heaven, and be oft complaining of
+their ignorance of the right way to heaven.
+
+2. Where there is the least measure of true acquaintance with Christ,
+with love to him, and a desire to know more of him, Christ will take
+notice thereof, though it be covered over with a heap of mistakes, and
+accompanied with much ignorance, weakness, and indistinctness. He seeth
+not as man seeth, which is good news to some that are weak in knowledge,
+and unable to give any good account of any knowledge they have; yet one
+thing they can say, that he who knoweth all things, knoweth that they
+love him.
+
+3. Various are the dispensations of God's grace unto his own. To some he
+giveth a greater, to others a lesser measure of knowledge of the
+mysteries of the kingdom of heaven; and to one and the same person, more
+at one time than at another. Various are his manifestations and
+out-lettings of grace and love. Small beginnings may come to much at
+length. Thomas, and the rest of the disciples, had but little clear and
+distinct apprehensions of the way of salvation through Jesus Christ; and
+yet, ere all was done, they attained to such a measure of understanding
+in the mysteries of God, as that we are said to be "built upon the
+foundation of the apostles, Jesus Christ himself being the chief
+corner-stone," Eph. ii. 20. This should teach the best much sobriety,
+and not to judge of all by themselves; or to think, that God's way with
+them must be a standard or a rule whereby to judge of all the rest; as
+if his way of dealing were one and the same with all.
+
+4. The knowledge of Christ is all. Know him, and we know heaven and the
+way to it; for upon this ground doth Christ make good what he said,
+touching their knowing whither he went, and the way; and answereth the
+objection that Thomas did propose, viz. because he was the way, &c., and
+they being acquaint with him, (which here is presupposed,) were not
+ignorant of the place whither he was going, nor of the way leading
+thither. The knowledge then of Jesus Christ is a true and full compend
+of all saving knowledge. Hence it "is life eternal to know him," John
+xvii. 3. "They that know him, know the Father," John xiv. 9. and viii.
+19. "They that see him, see the Father also," John xiv. 9. "He is in the
+Father, and the Father in him," John xiv. 10, 11. and x. 38. and xvii.
+21. And so knowing him they know heaven; for what is heaven else but the
+presence and glorious manifestations of the Father; for when Christ
+speaks of his going to heaven, he saith, "He was going to the Father."
+So knowing him, they know the way, both how Christ was to go to heaven
+as our cautioner, head, and attorney, and how we must follow.
+
+Let then a man have never so much knowledge, and be acquainted with the
+mysteries of all arts and sciences, and with the depths of nature, and
+intrigues of states, and all the theory of religion; if he be
+unacquainted with Jesus, he knoweth nothing as he ought to know.
+
+And upon the other hand, let a poor soul that is honest, and hath some
+knowledge of, and acquaintance with him, be satisfied, though it cannot
+discourse nor dispute, nor speak to cases of conscience, as some others;
+if we know him, it matters not though we be ignorant of many things, and
+thereby become less esteemed of by others. Here is the true test, by
+which we may take a right estimate of our own, or of others' knowledge.
+The true rule to try knowledge by, is not fine notions, clear and
+distinct expressions, but heart-acquaintance with him; "in whom are hid
+all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge," Col. ii. 3.
+
+O sad! that we are not more taken up in this study, which would be a
+compendious way for us to know all? Why spend we our money for that
+which is not bread, and our labour for that which will not profit us?
+Why waste we our time and spirits in learning this science, and that
+art; when, alas! after we, with much labour and toil, have attained to
+the yondmost pitch there, we are never one whit the nearer heaven and
+happiness? yea, it were well, if we were not further off! Oh! if we were
+wise at length, and could think more of this one thing necessary; and
+could be stirred up to learn more of him, and to make this the subject
+of all our study and labour.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+OF THE WORDS THEMSELVES IN GENERAL.
+
+
+We come now to the words themselves, wherein Christ asserts that he is,
+1, "the way;" 2, "the truth;" 3, "the life;" and, 4, "that no man cometh
+to the Father but by him."
+
+In them we learn these two things in general.
+
+_First,_ The misery of wretched man by nature. This cannot be in a few
+words expressed.
+
+These words will point out those particulars thereof, which we will but
+mention.
+
+1. That he is born an enemy to, and living at a distance from God, by
+virtue of the curse of the broken covenant of life made with Adam.
+
+2. That he neither can nor will return to God, of himself. His way is
+not in himself; he hath need of another to be his way.
+
+3. That he is a blind, wandering creature, ready to by-ways and to
+wander; yea, he loveth to wander. He goeth astray as soon as he is born,
+speaking lies.
+
+4. He cannot discern the true way, but is blinded with prejudice
+thereat, and full of mistakes. He is nothing but a lump of error.
+
+5. He is dead legally and really: how can he then come home? How can he
+walk in the way, though it were pointed out to him?
+
+6. He, even when he entereth into the way, is subject to so many
+faintings, swoonings, upsittings, &c. that except he get new quickening,
+he must lie by the way and perish.
+
+In a word, his misery is such as cannot be expressed; for as little as
+it is believed, and laid to heart; or seen and mourned for, and
+lamented.
+
+Now, for a ground to our following discourse, I would press the solid,
+thorough and sensible apprehension of this, without which there will be
+no use-making or application of Christ; "for the whole need not the
+physician, but the sick;" and Christ is "not come to call the righteous,
+but sinners to repentance," Matt. ix. 12. Mark ii. 17. Yea, believers
+themselves would live within the sight of this, and not forget their
+frailty; for though there be a change wrought in them, yet they are not
+perfect, but will have need of Christ as the way, the truth, and the
+life, till he bring them in, and set them down upon the throne, and
+crown them with the crown of life. And, O happy they, who must not walk
+on foot without this guide leading them by the hand, or rather carrying
+them in his arms. Let all them who would make use of Christ remember
+what they were, and what they are, and keep the sense of their frailty
+and misery fresh; that seeing their need of him, they may be in better
+case to look out to him for help and supply, and be more distinct in
+their application of him.
+
+The _second_ general is, that Christ is a complete mediator, thoroughly
+furnished for all our necessities. Are we at a distance from the Father?
+He is a way to bring us together. Are we wandered out of the way? He is
+the way to us. Are we blind and ignorant? He is the truth. Are we dead?
+He is the life. Concerning this fulness and completeness of his, we
+would mark these things:
+
+1. That he is thoroughly furnished with all things we stand in need of;
+the way, the truth, and the life. He hath eye-salve, clothing, gold
+tried in the fire, &c. "For the Spirit of the Lord is upon him, and hath
+anointed him," Isa. lxi. 1.
+
+2. He is suitably qualified, not only having a fulness, and an
+all-fulness, so that whatever we need is to be had in him, but also a
+suitable fulness answering our case to the life. Are we out of the way?
+He is the way. Are we dead? He is life, &c.
+
+3. He is richly qualified with this suitable good. He hath not only
+"wisdom and knowledge," but "treasures of it," yea, "all the treasures"
+thereof, Col. ii. 3. There is fulness in him; yea, "it hath pleased the
+Father that in him should all fulness dwell," Col. i. 19. Yea, "the
+fulness of the Godhead dwelleth in him bodily," Col. ii. 9.
+
+4. Hence this is an up-making completeness and fulness; for we are said
+to be "complete in him," Col. ii. 10. And he is said to "be all in all,"
+Col. iv. 11. "He filleth all in all," Eph. i. 23.
+
+5. It is also a satisfying completeness. The eye is not satisfied with
+seeing, nor the ear with hearing. The avaricious man is not satisfied
+with gold, nor the ambitious man with honour; but still they are crying
+with the loch leech, give, give! But the man who getteth Christ is full;
+he sitteth down and cryeth, enough, enough! And no wonder, for he hath
+all; he can desire no more; he can seek no more; for what can the man
+want that is complete in him?
+
+6. There is here that which will answer all the objections of a soul;
+and these sometimes are not few. If they say they cannot know the way to
+the Father, then he is the truth to instruct and teach them that, and so
+to enter them into it. And if they say they cannot walk in that way, nor
+advance in it one step, but will faint and sit up, succumb and fall by;
+he answereth that he is the life, to put life and keep life in them, and
+to cause them to walk, by putting a new principle of life in them, and
+breathing of new on that principle.
+
+O thrice happy they who have fled to him for refuge! It is easy for them
+to answer all objections and cavils of Satan, and of a false heart. It
+is easy for them to put Christ to answer all. And, on the other hand,
+who can tell the misery of such as are strangers to Jesus? How shall
+their wants be made up? How shall they answer challenges, accusations,
+temptations, doubts, fears, objections, and discouragements, cast up in
+their way?
+
+Oh! should not this endear the way of the gospel to us, and make Christ
+precious unto us! Is it not a wonder that such an all-sufficient
+mediator, who is able to save to the uttermost all that come to God
+through him, should be so little regarded and sought unto; and that
+there should be so few that embrace him, and take him as he is offered
+in the gospel.
+
+How can this be answered in the day of accounts? What excuse can
+unbelievers now have? Is not all to be found in Christ that their case
+calleth for? Is he not a complete mediator, thoroughly furnished with
+all necessaries? Is not the riches of his fulness written on all his
+dispensations? The mouths, then, of unbelievers, must be for ever
+stopped.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+HOW CHRIST IS THE WAY IN GENERAL, "I AM THE WAY."
+
+
+We come now to speak more particularly to the words; and, _first,_ Of
+his being a way. Our design being to point at the way of use-making of
+Christ in all our necessities, straits, and difficulties which are in
+our way to heaven; and particularly to point out the way how believers
+should make use of Christ in all their particular exigencies; and so
+live by faith in him, walk in him, grow up in him, advance and march
+forward toward glory in him. It will not be amiss to speak of this
+fulness of Christ in reference to unbelievers, as occasion offereth,
+because this will help to clear the other.
+
+Before we can clear up how any can make use of Christ, we must speak
+something of their necessity of him, and of his being furnished fitly,
+fully, richly, and satisfyingly for their case; and this will make the
+way of use-making of Christ more plain.
+
+While Christ then says, "I am the Way," he points out those things to
+us:
+
+1. That man is now estranged from the Lord, and in a wandering
+condition: He hath departed from God, he is revolted and gone. "They are
+all gone out of the way," Rom. iii. 12. "They go astray as soon as they
+are born, speaking lies," Psal. lviii. 3.
+
+2. Nay, not only so, but we love naturally to wander and to run away
+from God, as Jeremiah complaineth of that wicked people, Jer. xiv. 10.
+Naturally, with "the dromedary, we traverse our ways," Jer. ii. 23, and
+run hither and thither, but never look towards him. Nay, we are like
+those spoken of, Job xxi. 14. "We desire not the knowledge of his ways,
+we will have none of him," Psalm lxxxi. 11; nor "of his reproofs," Prov.
+i. 30.
+
+Oh, how sad is this! And yet how is it more sad, that this is not
+believed, nor once considered. And that it is not believed, is manifest;
+for,
+
+1. How rare is it to meet with persons that are not very well pleased
+and satisfied with themselves and their condition? They thank the Lord
+it was aye well with them. They have no complaints. They see no wants
+nor necessities. They wonder what makes folk complain of their
+condition, of their evil heart, or of their hazard and danger. They
+understand not these matters.
+
+2. Do we not find people very quiet and at rest, though they remain in
+the congregation of the dead, Prov. xxi. 16. They sleep in a sound skin,
+because they see no hazard. The thoughts of their condition never
+bereave them of one night's rest: No challenges have they; all is at
+peace with them, for the strong man keeps the house.
+
+3. How rare is it to find people exercised about this matter, and busied
+with it in their thoughts, either while alone, or while in company with
+others; or once seriously thinking and considering of it, yea, or so
+much as suspecting the matter?
+
+4. How rare is it to see any soul broken in heart, and humbled because
+of this; who is walking under this as under a load; whose soul is
+bleeding under the consideration of this! Is there any mourning for
+this?
+
+5. Where is that to be heard, "Men and brethren, what shall we do to be
+saved?" How shall we enter into the right way? Where is that good old
+way, that we may walk in it? Few such questions and cases troubling
+consciences; and no wonder, for a deep sleep is upon them.
+
+6. How cometh it then, that the pointing forth of the way is so little
+hearkened unto? Sure were this natural condition perceived, a report of
+the sure and safe way would be much more welcome than it is: Christ by
+his messengers would not be put to cry so often in vain, "This is the
+way, turn in hither."
+
+Here is enough to convince of this ignorance and insensibleness; but it
+is his Spirit, which "convinceth the world of sin," John xvi. that must
+bear home this conviction.
+
+_Secondly_, It pointeth out to us this, that "the way of man is not in
+himself," Jer. x. 23, that is, that nothing, he can do can or will prove
+a way to him to the Father: For Christ is the Way, as excluding all
+other means and ways. And that man can do nothing to help himself into
+the way, is clear; for,
+
+1. "His way is darkness," Prov. iv. 14. He knoweth no better, he is
+satisfied therewith; there he sleepeth and resteth.
+
+2. He cannot nor doth not desire to return. He hateth to be reformed.
+
+3. Yea, he thinketh himself safe; no man can convince him of the
+contrary: The way he is in "seemeth right to him, though the end thereof
+be death;" Prov. xiv. 12, and xvi. 25.
+
+4. Every man hath his own particular way to which he turneth, Isaiah
+liii, 6; some one thing or other that he is pleased with, and that he
+thinks will abundantly carry him through, and there resteth he; and what
+these ordinarily are, we shall hear presently.
+
+5. In this his way, which yet is a false way, "he trusteth," Hosea x.
+13, he leaneth upon it, little knowing that it will fail him at length,
+and that he and his hope and confidence shall perish.
+
+Is it not strange then to see men and women "gading about to seek their
+way," as it is said, Jer. ii. 36. as if they could find it out; or as if
+they could of themselves fall upon the way. What a lamentable sight is
+it, to see people "wearying themselves with very lies," Ezek. xxiv. 12;
+"and wearied in the multitude of their own counsels," Isaiah xlvii. 15.
+
+But what are those false and lying ways which men weary themselves in,
+and all in vain; and which they chuse and trust unto, and yet are not
+the way which will prove safe and sure?
+
+_Ans._ It will not be easy to reckon them all up, we shall name some
+that are principal and most ordinary; such as,
+
+1. Good purposes and resolutions, with which many deceive themselves,
+supposing that to be all which is required: And, alas! all their
+purposes are like to Ephraim's goodness,--like the early cloud and
+morning dew that soon evanisheth; their purposes are soon broken off,
+and soon disappointed, because made without counsel, Prov. xv. 22. Many
+foolishly rest here, that they have a good mind to do better, and to
+amend their ways, and they purpose after such a time or such time, they
+shall begin a new manner of life; but their purposes never come to any
+effect, and so at length they and their purposes both perish.
+
+2. Some convictions and inward challenges. The word now and then
+pierceth them so far, and sore and sharp dispensations from the Lord so
+far affect their heart, that they see it is not well with them; and they
+are made, with Saul, to cry out, "I have sinned," 1 Sam. xv. 24, and
+they advance no further; those convictions either die out again, or work
+no further change: And, poor souls, they think, because at such a
+sermon, or such a communion, they had some such convictions and sharp
+challenges, therefore they imagine all is well with them; when a Judas
+may have convictions, sharper than ever they had, and a Felix, Acts
+xxiv. 25.
+
+3. Convictions followed with some sort of amendment. Some may
+dreadfully deceive themselves with this, and conclude that all is right
+with them, and that the way they are in is safe and sure; because they
+have had convictions, which have been so effectual as to cause them to
+amend many things, and become, as to many things, changed men and women,
+when, alas, their way is but a way of darkness still; it is not Christ;
+they have never come to him. Herod hearing John Baptist, had his own
+convictions and amendments; for "he did many things," Mark vi. 20.
+
+4. Many rest upon their outward civility and morality, or negative
+holiness. They cannot be challenged for gross faults, and that is all
+the way they have to rest in: Alas! could not a wicked Pharisee say as
+much as they, viz. "That he was no extortioner, unjust person, or an
+adulterer, nor such as the publican was," Luke xviii. 11. How many
+heathens, as to this, shall outstrip such as profess themselves
+Christians? and yet they lived and died strangers to the right way to
+happiness. See what that poor young man said, Luke xviii. 21.
+
+5. Some may win to more than civility, and attain unto a kind of outward
+holiness, and outward performance of the duties of religion, such as
+hearing, reading, prayer, communicating, and rest there, and yet perish:
+For that is but their own way, it is not the right way. Had not the
+foolish virgins lamps? and did they not wait with the rest, Matth. xxv.;
+and will not many say, in that day, "We have eaten and drunken in thy
+presence, and thou hast taught in our streets:" to whom Christ shall
+answer, "I know not whence you are, depart from me, all ye workers of
+iniquity?" Luke xiii. 26, 27. Were not the Jews much in duties and
+outward ordinances? and yet see how the Lord rejected them all, Isaiah
+i. 11-15, and lxvi. 3.
+
+6. Much knowledge doth deceive many. They think because they can talk of
+religion, speak to cases of conscience, handle places of Scripture, and
+the like, that therefore all is right with them; when alas, that is but
+a slippery ground to stand upon. The Pharisees sat in Moses' seat, and
+taught sometimes sound doctrine; and yet were heart-enemies to Jesus,
+Matth. xxiii. And will not many think to plead themselves into heaven,
+by saying, that they "have prophesied in his name," Matth. vii. 22.
+There is "a knowledge that puffeth up," 1 Cor. xiii. 2. Some there are
+whose knowledge seemeth to be operative and practical, and not merely
+speculative. Some may "escape the pollutions of the world through the
+knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ," and yet again become
+entangled therein and overcome; so that "their latter end is worse than
+the beginning;" see 2 Peter ii. 20, 21, 22. Knowledge, I grant, is good,
+but it is not Christ, and so it is not the way to the Father; and many,
+alas! lean to it, and are deceived at last.
+
+7. A kind of seeming seriousness in the performance of duties, and in
+seeking of God, deceiveth many. They think, because they are not
+conscious to their own dissembling, but they look upon themselves as
+earnest in what they do, that therefore all is well. Sayeth not Christ,
+that not "every one that saith, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom
+of God?" Matth. vii. 21; that is, not every one that reneweth their
+suits, and ingeminateth their desires, cry, and cry over again, and, as
+it were, will not give it over; and yet they come short of their
+expectation. Did not the foolish virgins seem earnest and serious, when
+they continued waiting with the rest, and at length cried "Lord, Lord,
+open unto us;" and yet they are kept at the door. Many consider not that
+there is a secret and close hypocrisy, that some may be under and not
+know it, as well as a gross hypocrisy and dissimulation, which may be
+easily observed; "Will not many seek to enter in that shall not be
+able?" Matth. vii. 13. Luke xiii. 24.
+
+8. Many deceive themselves with this, that they are looked on by other
+godly, discerning persons and ministers, as good serious Christians, and
+that they carry so handsomely and so fair, that no man can judge
+otherways of them, than that they are good serious seekers of God. But,
+alas! the day is coming which will discover many things, and many one
+will be deceived both of themselves and of others. "Not he who
+commendeth himself is approved, but whom God approveth," 2 Cor. x. 18.
+Therefore, Paul exhorts Timothy, "to study to show himself approved
+unto God," 2 Tim. ii. 15. Men look only on the outside, and cannot see
+into the heart; but God searcheth the heart; and it is an easy matter to
+deceive men, but God will not be deceived.
+
+9. Some may suppose themselves in a safe and sure way, if they outstrip
+others in religious duties, and be much in extraordinary duties, when,
+alas! for all that, the heart may be rotten. "The Pharisee fasted twice
+a-week," Luke xviii. 12, and yet was but an enemy to Christ. O how
+deceitful is the heart of man!
+
+10. Inward peace and quietness of conscience may deceive some; and they
+may suppose that all is right with them; because they do nothing over
+the belly of their conscience. Their heart doth not accuse them of
+falsehood and dissimulation in their way with God or man, but they do
+all things according to their light. No doubt that young man (Luke
+xviii. 21,) spoke according to his judgment and light, when he said,
+"All these things have I kept from my youth." And Paul saith of himself
+(Acts xxiii. 1,) "that he had lived in all good conscience before God
+till that very day;" meaning, that even while he was a Pharisee
+unconverted, he had not tortured his conscience, nor done anything
+directly against it, but had always walked according to his light. See
+Acts xxvi. 9.
+
+11. A way of zeal may deceive many who may think their case
+unquestionable, because they are zealous for their way, and, as they
+think, their zeal is pure for God. Was not Paul, while a Pharisee, very
+zealous, when, out of zeal to his way, he persecuted the church, Philip.
+iii. 6. See my zeal for the Lord, could I thus say, 2 Kings x. 16; and
+the Jews had a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge, Rom. x. 2;
+and Christ tells us, that such as should persecute the Apostles unto
+death, would think they did God good service, John xvi. 2.
+
+12. Some also may put it beyond question, that they are in the right
+way, because they are more strict in all their ways than others, and
+will not so much as keep fellowship or company with them; saying, with
+those, (Isaiah lxv. 5) "Stand by, I am holier than thou, come not near
+to me," who yet are but a smoke in God's nose, and a fire that burneth
+all the day.
+
+13. Some may rest on, and deceive themselves with their great
+attainments, and more than ordinary experiences, when, alas! we see to
+what a height some may come, and yet prove nothing. Let such souls read
+with trembling that word of Paul, Heb. vi 4, 5, where we see some may
+come to be enlightened, to taste of the heavenly gift, to be made
+partakers of the Holy Ghost, to taste the good word of God, and the
+powers of the world to come, and yet prove cast-aways; taking these
+expressions as pointing forth something distinct from real grace.
+
+Many such false ways, wherein men please themselves, might be mentioned;
+by these every one may see cause of searching and trying over and over
+again. It is a dreadful thing to be deceived here, and it is best to put
+it to a trial, when there is a possibility of getting the matter helped.
+And many may fear and tremble when they see they are not yet come the
+length of many such as sit down without Christ, and lose all their
+labour. Oh, if this could put people to a serious examination and trial
+of themselves, and of the nature of that way wherein they are, and rest
+at present!
+
+_Thirdly_, We might here observe, that this true and living way is but
+one for all. There is but "one Mediator between God and man," 1 Tim. ii.
+5. One Mediator for both Old and New Testament, the seed of the woman.
+Howbeit the Lord's dispensations with his people, in that one way, may
+be various, as his way with his people under the law is different from
+his way with his people under the gospel; and his dispensations with
+individual believers, whether under the law or under the gospel, is not
+the same in all things.
+
+And this should teach us to relinquish our own ways, and to enter into
+this one only way; and it should move such as are in this way to study
+unity and agreement among themselves; and yet not infer or suppose, that
+God's way with them must be in all things alike. Yea, though the Lord's
+way with them be different from his way with others, and more dark,
+disconsolate, and bitter, yet let them be quiet and silent before the
+Lord, and acknowledge his goodness that hath brought them into the one
+only way, Jesus Christ, and keepeth them there.
+
+But, _fourthly,_ The main thing here, and which is obvious, is this,
+that Jesus Christ is the way to the Father, the one and only way, the
+sovereign and excellent way, and he alone is the way. There is not
+another. "Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none
+other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved," Acts
+iv. 12.
+
+For clearing of this, we shall speak a little to those four things, and
+shew,
+
+1. What is our case, and what need we have of a way.
+
+2. How Christ answereth this our case and necessity, and is a fit way
+for us.
+
+3. How he alone is the way, and answereth this our case.
+
+4. What are the rare advantages and specialities of this way.
+
+And this will make way for our clearing up, how Christ is made use of as
+a way by poor sinners.
+
+For the first of these, our present case and necessity, something was
+spoken to it before; we shall reduce all those to two heads. The first
+is, our state of guilt, and separation from God because of sin and
+guilt; the next is, our state of wickedness and enmity against God.
+
+As to the first, we may take notice of those things:
+
+1. That sin, original and actual, hath separated us from God, and cast
+us out of his favour, and out of that station of favour and friendship
+which once we were advanced to in Adam.
+
+2. That we are under God's curse and wrath, and excommunicated from the
+presence of the Lord, by a sad, yet just, sentence according to law, and
+so are under death.
+
+As to the next thing, we may take notice of those particulars:
+
+1. That we are impure and polluted with sin and daily iniquity.
+
+2. That we are ignorant of the right way of returning into favour with
+God, seeking out to ourselves many inventions.
+
+3. That we are impotent for any good work or commanded duty.
+
+That not only so, but we are unwilling to do any thing that is good, or
+to enter into the way when pointed out unto us; yea, we are enemies to
+God by wicked works, and have an innate hatred to all his ways.
+
+5. We desire not to be out of the condition whereinto we are; there we
+love to lie and sleep, and desire not to be roused up or awakened.
+
+6. We are under the power and command of Satan, who leadeth us out of
+the way, yea, and driveth us forward in the wrong way, to our perdition.
+
+These things are plain and undeniable, and need no further confirmation;
+though, alas! it is little believed or laid to heart by many.
+
+For the second, how Christ answereth this our case and necessity. He is
+a way to us to help us out of both these, both out of our state of guilt
+and separation, and out of our state of wickedness and enmity.
+
+And, first, he helpeth us out of our state of guilt and separation:
+
+1. By taking away our guilt and sin; "being made sin for us, who knew no
+sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him," 2 Cor. v.
+21. He hath filled the great gap betwixt God and us, with his body, and
+hath made of it, as it were, a bridge, by which they may go over to the
+Father: "We enter now into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new
+and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that
+is to say, his flesh," Heb. x. 19, 20; "we are now brought near by his
+blood," Eph. ii. 13, so that through him we are restored again to
+friendship with God, and made one with him; for Christ the Mediator hath
+"made both one, reconciling Jews and Gentiles both unto God, in one
+body, by the cross, having slain the enmity," Eph. ii. 16.
+
+2. By taking away the curse and wrath that was due to us, being "made a
+curse for us," Gal iii. 13. So that he is become our peace, and "through
+him we have access by one spirit unto the Father, and are no more
+strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of
+the household of God," Eph. ii. 14, 18, 19. "He is set forth to be a
+propitiation through faith in his blood," Rom. iii. 25. 1 John ii. 2,
+and iv. 10. "By him have we now received atonement," Rom. v. 11.
+
+Next, he helpeth us out of our state of wickedness and enmity,
+
+1. By taking away our impurity and uncleanness, "by washing us and
+cleansing us in his blood," Ezek. xvi. 6-9. Col. i. 22, "having
+purchased grace for us," Eph. v. 1, 3, "we are blessed with all
+spiritual blessings in him." He applieth his merits, and layeth the
+foundation of grace and holiness in the soul, and carrieth on the work
+of mortification and vivification; and so killing the old man by his
+Spirit, both meritoriously and efficiently, he cleanseth and washeth.
+Hence, we are said to be baptised with him in his death, and buried with
+him by baptism into death, that we should walk in newness of life. And
+so our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be
+destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin, Rom. vi. 3, 4, 6.
+And for our daily infirmities and escapes, whereby we pollute ourselves,
+his blood "is a fountain opened to the house of David and to the
+inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness," Zech. xiii. 1;
+and to this fountain he bringeth by the spirit of repentance, which he,
+as an exalted prince, bestoweth, Acts. v. 31, and by faith. So 1 John
+ii. 1, "if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father," &c.
+
+2. As for our ignorance and blindness, he taketh that away, being given
+for a light to the Gentiles, Isa. xlii. 6, and xlix. 6. Luke ii. 32. He
+is sent to open the blind eyes, Isa. xlii. 7; to bring out the prisoners
+from their dark prisons, Isa. xlii. 7, and lxi. 1. Yea, he is anointed
+for this end, so that such as walk in darkness see a great light, and
+they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them the light
+hath shined, Isa. ix. 2. Matth. iv. 15; and he hath eye-salve to give,
+Rev. iii. 18.
+
+3. He is qualified for taking away our impotency, so that through him we
+can do all things, Philip, iv. 13; "when we are weak, we are strong in
+him who is our strength, and liveth in us," 2 Cor. xii. 10. Gal. ii.
+20. Hence, "he worketh in us both to will and to do of his own good
+pleasure," Philip. ii. 13.
+
+4. He also taketh away our natural averseness, unwillingness,
+wickedness, and hatred of his ways, making his people "willing in the
+day of his power," Psal. cx. So he taketh away "the enmity that is in
+us," Col. ii. 20, and reconcileth us to God and to his ways, that our
+hearts do sweetly comply with them, and we become most willing and glad
+to walk in them, yea, and "to run the way of his commandments through
+his enlarging of our hearts," Psal. cxix. 22.
+
+5. He likewise taketh away that desire and willingness, which we have,
+to lie still in our natural condition, by convincing us of the dreadful
+hazard thereof, through the spirit of conviction, whereby he convinceth
+the world of it, John xvi. 8, and circumciseth their ears to hear, and
+maketh them willing to hearken to the counsel of God.
+
+6. As for the power and dominion of Satan, he breaketh that, by "leading
+captivity captive," Eph. iv. 8; Psal. lxviii. 18; "and spoiling the
+strongman's house; for he is come to destroy the works of the devil," 1
+John iii. 8; "and he spoileth principalities and powers," Col. ii. 15.
+Thus, as a captain of salvation, he leadeth them out as a conqueror;
+having paid the price, he delivereth also by power and authority from
+the hand of this jailor.
+
+And thus we see how he answereth our case and necessity, and is a fit
+way for us; and though this be not questioned, yet little is it believed
+and considered, and less put in practice.
+
+And as for the third particular, that he alone is this way, and
+answereth our case herein, it needeth not be much spoken to, since it is
+clear and manifest, confirmed by the experience of all generations, and
+the disappointments of fools who have been seeking other ways. Angels in
+heaven cannot do our business, they cannot satisfy justice for us, nor
+have they any power over our heart to turn it as they will; nay, they
+are not acquainted with our secret thoughts, that cabinet is kept close
+from them, and reserved as the peculiar privilege of God alone. The
+blood of bulls and of goats cannot do it; for the apostle tells us, that
+it is impossible for that to take away sin, Heb. x. 4. That blood shed
+according to the law did cleanse ceremonially, but it is only the blood
+of Jesus, typified by that, which cleanseth really; so that we are
+sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for
+all, Heb. x. 10. No pains or labour of ours can avail here. The Lord
+will not be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of
+rivers of oil. "He will not take our first-born for our transgression,
+nor the son of our body for the sin of our soul," Micah vi. 7. Ordinance
+and means will not do it, nor any invention of our own: "no man can by
+any means redeem his brother, or give to God a ransom for him; for the
+redemption of the soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever," Psal.
+xlix. 7, 8. He alone hath laid down the price; all our sufferings,
+prayers, tears, labours, penances, and the like, signify nothing here;
+they cannot satisfy justice for one sin.
+
+As to the fourth particular, viz., the singularity of this way, those
+things make it manifest and apparent:
+
+1. This is such a way as can discover itself, and make itself known unto
+the erring traveller. Christ Jesus is such a way as can say to the
+wandering soul, "this is the way, walk ye in it," Isa. xxx. 25. No way
+can do this. This is comfortable.
+
+2. This way can not only discover itself to the wandering traveller, but
+also it can bring folk into it. Christ can bring souls unto himself,
+when they are running on in their wandering condition. He can move their
+hearts to turn into the right way, put grace in their soul for this end,
+begin resolutions in them, and sow the seed of faith; and so stay their
+course which they were violently pursuing, and make them look about and
+consider what they are doing. As the former was good news to poor,
+blind, and witless creatures that were wandering and knew not whither
+they were going; so this is good news to poor souls that find their
+heart inclining to wander, and loving to go astray.
+
+3. This way can cause us walk in it. If we be rebellious and obstinate,
+he can command with authority; for he is given for a leader and
+commander, Isa. lv. 4. How sweet should this be to the soul that is
+weighted with a stubborn, untractable, and unpersuadable heart, that he,
+as a king, governor, and commander, can with authority draw or drive,
+and cause us follow and run?
+
+4. This way is truth, as well as the way; so that the soul that once
+entereth in here is safe for ever; no wandering here. "The wayfaring
+men, though fools, shall not err in this way," Isa. xxxv. 8. "He will
+bring the blind by a way that they knew not, and lead them in paths that
+they have not known; he will make darkness light before them, and
+crooked things straight; those things will he do unto them, and not
+forsake them," Isa. xlii. 16.
+
+5. This way is also life, and so can revive the faint and weary
+traveller. "He giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might
+he increaseth strength; yea, he renews their strength, and makes them
+mount up with wings as eagles, and run and not be weary, and walk and
+not be faint," Isa. xl. 29, 31; "and so he giveth legs to the traveller,
+yea, he carrieth the lambs in his bosom," Isa. xl. 11. Oh! who would not
+walk in this way? what can discourage the man that walketh here? what
+can he fear? No way can quicken and refresh the weary man. This way can
+do it; yea, it can quicken one that is as dead, and cause him march on
+with fresh alacrity and vigour.
+
+6. From all these it followeth, that this way is a most pleasant,
+heartsome, desirable and comfortable way. The man is safe here, and he
+may "sing in the ways of the Lord," Psalm cxxxviii. 5. "For wisdom's
+ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace," Prov. iii.
+17. He is a way that is food, physic, cordials, and all that the poor
+traveller standeth in need of till he come hence.
+
+From all which, ere we come to particulars, we shall in general point
+out those duties, which natively result thence, by way of use.
+
+1. O what cause is there here for all of us to fall a wondering, both
+that God should ever have condescended to have appointed a way how
+sinners and rebels, that had wickedly departed from him, and deserved to
+be cast out of his presence and favour for ever, might come back again,
+and enjoy happiness and felicity in the friendship and favour of that
+God that could have got the glory of his justice in our destruction, and
+stood in no need of us, or of any thing we could do: as also, that he
+appointed such a way, that Jesus Christ his only Son, should, to speak
+so, lie as a bridge betwixt God and sinful rebels, and as a highway,
+that they might return to the great God upon him. Let all the creation
+of God wonder at this wonderful condescending love of God, that
+appointed such a way; and of Christ, that was content to lout so low as
+to become this way to us, this new and living way; and that for this end
+he should have taken on flesh, and become Emmanuel, God with us, and
+tabernacled with us, that through this vail of his flesh, he might
+consecrate a way to us. Let angels wonder at this condescendency.
+
+2. Hence we may see ground of being convinced of those things: (1.) That
+naturally we are out of the way to peace and favour with God, and in a
+way that leadeth to death, and so that our misery and wretchedness, so
+long as it is so, cannot be expressed. (2.) That we can do nothing for
+ourselves; set all our wits a-work, we cannot fall upon a way that will
+bring us home. (3.) That it is madness for us to seek out another way,
+and to vex ourselves in vain, to run to this and to that mean or
+invention of our own, and be found fools in the end. (4.) That our
+madness is so much the greater in this, that we will turn to our own
+ways that will fail us, when there is such a noble and excellent, and
+every way satisfying way prepared to our hand. (5.) That our wickedness
+is so desperate, that the way which is pointed out to us doth not please
+us, and that we will not enter into it, nor walk in it. (6.) That this
+way, which is also the truth and the life, is only worth the embracing,
+and is only safe and sure; we should be convinced and persuaded of the
+worth, sufficiency, and desirableness of this way. Reason, with ordinary
+light from the word, may teach these things; but grace can only carry
+them into the heart, and make them take rooting there.
+
+3. We may read here our obligation to those particulars: (1.) To turn
+our back upon all other false and deceitful ways, and not rest there.
+(2.) To enter into this way, though "the gate be narrow and strait,"
+Matt vii. 13. Luke xiii. 24, yet "to strive to enter in." (3.) To
+resolve to abide in that way as acquiescing in it, resting satisfied
+with it, and thus to be "rooted in him," Col. ii. 7, and "to dwell in
+him," 1 John iii. 24, and "to live in him," or "through him," 1 John iv.
+9. (4.) To "walk in this way," Col. ii. 6. that is, to make constant use
+of him, and to make progress in the way in and through him; to go from
+strength to strength in him, drawing all our furniture from him, by
+faith, according to the covenant; and that the soul should guard
+against, 1. stepping aside out of this good and pleasant way; 2.
+backsliding; 3. sitting up, and fainting by the way.
+
+In a word, this pointeth out our duty, to make use of Christ as our way
+to the Father, and only of Christ; and this leads us to the particulars
+we shall speak a little to.
+
+There are two main things which stand in our way, and hinder us from
+approaching to the Father. 1. Unrighteousness and guilt, whereby we are
+legally banished, because of the broken covenant, and the righteous
+sentence of God according to that covenant. And, 2. Wickedness,
+impurity, and unholiness, which is, as a physical bar, lying in our way;
+because nothing that is unclean can dwell and abide with him, who is of
+purer eyes than he can behold iniquity; and nothing that is unclean can
+enter in there where he is. So then there must be an use-making of
+Christ, as a way through both these impediments; we need justification
+and pardon for the one, and sanctification and cleansing for the other.
+Now Christ being the way to the Father, both as to justification, in
+taking away the enmity, in changing our state, and removing our
+unrighteousness and guilt, whereby we were lying under the sentence of
+the law, adjudging such sinners as we are to hell; and as to
+sanctification, in cleansing us from all our pollutions, renewing our
+souls, washing away our spots and defilements, &c. He must be made use
+of in reference to both.
+
+In speaking to the _first_, we shall be the shorter, because through
+God's great mercy, the gospel's pure way of justification by faith in
+Christ is richly and abundantly cleared up by many worthy authors, of
+late, both as concerning the theoretical and practical part.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+HOW CHRIST IS MADE USE OF FOR JUSTIFICATION AS A WAY.
+
+
+What Christ hath done to purchase, procure, and bring about our
+justification before God, is mentioned already, viz. That he stood in
+the room of sinners, engaging for them as their cautioner, undertaking,
+and at length paying down the ransom; becoming sin, or a sacrifice for
+sin, and a curse for them, and so laying down his life a ransom to
+satisfy divine justice; and this he hath made known in the gospel,
+calling sinners to an accepting of him as their only Mediator, and to a
+resting upon him for life and salvation; and withal, working up such, as
+belong to the election of grace, to an actual closing with him upon the
+conditions of the covenant, and to an accepting of him, believing in
+him, and resting upon him, as satisfied with, and acquiescing in that
+sovereign way of salvation and justification through a crucified
+Mediator.
+
+Now, for such as would make use of Christ as the way to the Father in
+the point of justification, those things are requisite; to which we
+shall only premise this word of caution, That we judge not the want of
+these requisites a ground to exempt any, that heareth the gospel, from
+the obligation to believe and rest upon Christ as he is offered in the
+gospel.
+
+1. There must be a conviction of sin and misery. A conviction of
+original guilt, whereby we are banished out of God's presence and
+favour, and are in a state of enmity and death, are come short of the
+glory of God, Rom. iii. 23; becoming dead or under the sentence of
+death, through the offence of one, Rom. v. 15; being made sinners by one
+man's disobedience, verse 19, and therefore under the reigning power of
+death, verse 17, and under that judgment that came upon all men to
+condemnation, verse 18. And of original innate wickedness, whereby the
+heart is filled with enmity against God, and is a hater of him and all
+his ways, standing in full opposition to him and to his holy laws;
+loving to contradict and resist him in all his actings; despising and
+undervaluing all his condescensions of love; obstinately refusing his
+goodness and offers of mercy; and peremptorily persisting in rebellion
+and heart-opposition; not only not accepting his kindness and offers of
+mercy, but contemning them, trampling them under foot as embittered
+against him. As also, there must be a conviction of our actual
+transgressions, whereby we have corrupted our ways yet more, run farther
+away from God, brought on more wrath upon our souls, according to that
+sentence of the law, "Cursed is everyone that abideth not in all things
+that are written in the law to do them," Deut. xxvii. 26. Gal. iii. 10.
+What way this conviction is begun and carried on in the soul, and to
+what measure it must come, I cannot now stand to explain; only, in
+short, know, That upon whatever occasion it be begun, whether by a word
+carried home to the heart by the finger of God, or by some sharp and
+crossing dispensation, fear of approaching death, some heinous
+out-breaking, or the like, it is a real thing, a heart-reaching
+conviction, not general and notional, but particular, plain, and
+pinching, affecting the heart with fear and terror, making the soul
+seriously and really to mind this matter, to be taken up with the
+thoughts of it, and anxiously and earnestly to cry out, "What shall I do
+to be saved?" and finally, will make the soul willing to hearken and
+hear what hopes of mercy there is in the gospel, and to embrace the way
+of salvation which is there laid down. And the reason of this is,
+because Christ himself tells us, "The whole needeth not the physician,
+but the sick," Matt. ix. 12. "He is not come to call the righteous,"
+that is, such as are righteous in their own eyes, "but sinners," that
+is, such as are now no more whole at the heart, as seeing no evil, no
+hazard or danger, but pricked and pierced with the sense of their lost
+condition, being under the heavy wrath and vengeance of the great God,
+because of sin; and seeing their own vileness, cursedness, wickedness
+and desperate madness. Because naturally we hate God and Christ, John
+xv. 23-25, and have a strong and natural antipathy at the way of
+salvation through Jesus, therefore nothing but strong and inevitable
+necessity will drive us to a compliance with this gospel device of love.
+
+2. There must be some measure of humiliation. Under this conviction the
+man is bowed down, and made mute before God; no more boasting of his
+goodness and of his happy condition; no high or great thoughts of his
+righteousness; for all are looked on now as "filthy rags," Isa. lxv. 6.
+"What things were as gain before to the soul, must now be counted loss,
+yea, and as dung," Philip, iii. 7, 8. The man must be cast down in
+himself, and far from high and conceity thoughts of himself, or of any
+thing he ever did or can do. "For the Lord resisteth the proud, but
+giveth grace to the humble," James iv. 6; 1 Pet. v. 5. "He reviveth the
+spirit of the humble," Isa. lvii. 15. "He that humbleth himself shall be
+exalted," Matt. xviii. 4, and xxiii. 12; Luke xiv. 11, and xviii. 14.
+
+3. There must be a despairing of getting help or relief out of this
+condition, by ourselves, or any thing we can do; a conviction of the
+unprofitableness of all things under the sun for our relief. No
+expectation of help from our supposed good heart, good purposes, good
+deeds, works of charity, many prayers, commendations of others, sober
+and harmless walking, or anything else within us or without us that is
+not Christ. For, so long as we have the least hope or expectation of
+doing our own business without Christ, we will not come to him. Our
+heart hangeth so after the old way of salvation through works, that we
+cannot endure to hear of any other, nor can we yield to any other. Could
+we but have heaven by the way of works, we would spare no pains, no
+cost, no labour, no expenses; nay, we would put ourselves to much pain
+and torment by whippings, cuttings, fastings, watchings, and the like;
+we would spare our first-born; nay, we would dig our graves in a rock
+with our nails, and cut our own days, could we but get heaven by this
+means; such is our antipathy at the way of salvation through a crucified
+Christ, that we would choose any way but that, cost what it would;
+therefore, before we can heartily close with Christ and accept of him,
+we must be put from those refuges of lies, and see that there is nothing
+but a disappointment written on them all, that all our prayers,
+fastings, cries, duties, reformations, sufferings, good wishes, good
+deeds, &c. are nothing in his eyes, but so many provocations to the eyes
+of his jealousy, and so, further causes of our misery.
+
+4. There must be a rational, deliberate, and resolute relinquishing of
+all those things in ourselves, on which our heart is ready to dote. The
+man being convinced of the vanity of all things by which he hath been
+hoping for salvation, must now purpose to lose his grips of them, to
+turn his back upon them, to quit them with purpose of heart, and to say
+to them, get you hence, as Isa. xxx. 22. This is to deny ourselves,
+which we must do ere we become his disciples, Matt. xvi. 24. This is to
+forsake our father's house, Psalm xlv. 10, and to pluck out our right
+eye, and to cut off our right arm, Matth. v. 29, 30. This abandoning of
+all our false propes and subterfuges must be resolute, over the belly of
+much opposition within, from the carnal and natural inclinations of the
+heart; and of much opposition without, from Satan's ensnaring
+suggestions and deceitful temptations: It must be a real, rational act
+of the soul, upon solid and thorough conviction of their
+unprofitableness, yea, of their dangerousness and destructiveness.
+
+5. There must be some knowledge of the nature of the gospel covenant,
+and of the way which now God hath chosen whereby to glorify his grace in
+the salvation of poor sinners. That God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
+thought good, for the glory of free grace and wisdom, in a way of
+justice and mercy, to send Jesus Christ to assume man's nature, and so
+become God and man in two distinct natures, and one person, for ever;
+and to become under the law, to undergo the curse thereof, and to die
+the cursed death of the cross, to satisfy justice, and pay the ransom
+for the redemption of the elect. In which undertaking our Lord was a
+servant, Isa. xlii. 1, and xlix. 6, and lii. 13, and liii. 11. Zech.
+iii. 8. Matt. xii. 18; and had furniture from God for all his
+undertaking, Isa. xlii. 1, and lxi. 1, 2. Matt. xii. 18; and had a
+promise of seeing his seed, and of prolonging his days, &c. Isa. xliii.
+10, 11. Thus there was a covenant of redemption betwixt God and the
+Mediator; and the Mediator undertaking, was obliged to perform all that
+he undertook, and accordingly did so. For, as the Lord laid on him, or
+caused to meet together on him, "the iniquity of us all," Isa. liii. 6,
+so in due time "he bare our griefs, and carried our sorrows. He was
+wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our iniquities, the
+chastisement of our peace was upon him. He was cut off out of the land
+of the living, and stricken for the transgression of his people; he made
+his soul an offering for sin, and bare the iniquities of his people.
+Pouring out his soul unto death he bare the sin of many, and made
+intercession for the transgressors," Isa. liii. 4, 5, 10, 11, 12. So
+"that what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh,
+God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, for sin (or by
+a sacrifice for sin) condemned sin in the flesh," Rom. viii. 3, "that
+the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us," verse 4. Thus
+"he made him sin (or a sacrifice for sin) that we might become
+righteous," 2 Cor. v. 20; and "he was once offered to bear the sins of
+many," Heb. ix. 28; and "he, through the eternal Spirit, offered himself
+without spot to God," verse 14, and "his own self bare our sins in his
+own body on the tree," 1 Pet. ii. 24. There must, I say, be some
+knowledge of, and acquaintance with this great mystery of the gospel,
+wherein is declared "the manifold wisdom of God," Eph. iii. 10, and with
+the noble design of God, in sending his Son, after this manner, to die
+the death, that condemned sinners might live, and return to the bosom of
+God; as redeemed "not with gold or silver, or corruptible things but
+with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and
+without spot," 1 Pet. i. 18. And being "so redeemed by blood, to become
+kings and priests unto God," 1 Pet. ii. 2. Rev. v. 9, 10. The man must
+not be ignorant of this, else all will be in vain. I do not determine
+how distinct and full this knowledge must be; but sure there must be so
+much knowledge of it, as will give the soul ground of hope, and, in
+expectation of salvation by this way, cause it turn its back upon all
+other ways, and account itself happy if it could once win here.
+
+6. There must be a persuasion of the sufficiency, completeness and
+satisfactoriness of the way of salvation through this crucified
+Mediator, else the soul will not be induced to leave its other courses,
+and betake itself to this alone. He must be sure that salvation is only
+to be had this way, and that undoubtedly it will be had this way, that
+so with confidence he may cast himself over on this way, and sweetly
+sing of a noble outgate. And therefore he must believe, that Christ is
+really God as well as man, and a true man as well as God; that he is
+fully furnished for the work of redemption, having the Spirit given to
+him without measure; and endued fully and richly with all qualifications
+fitting for all our necessities, and enabling him to "save to the
+uttermost all that come unto God by him," Heb. vii. 25; that "he is made
+of God to us wisdom, righteousness, and sanctification," 1 Cor. i. 30;
+that "all power in heaven and in earth is given unto him," Matt. xxviii.
+18; that "all things are put under his feet;" and that "he is given to
+be Head over all things to the church," Eph. i. 22; that "in him
+dwelleth all fulness," Col. i. 19; that "in him are hid all the
+treasures of wisdom and knowledge," Col. ii. 3; yea, "that in him
+dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily;" so that we are
+"complete in him, who is the head of all principality and power," verses
+9, 10.
+
+7. The soul must know that he is not only an able and all-sufficient
+Mediator, but that also he is willing and ready to redeem and save all
+that will come. For all the preceding particulars will but increase his
+sorrow and torment him more, so long as he supposeth, through ignorance
+and the suggestion of Satan, that he hath no part in that redemption, no
+access to it, no ground of hope of salvation by it. Therefore it is
+necessary that the soul conceive not only a possibility, but also a
+probability of help this way, and that the dispensation of the gospel of
+grace, and the promulgation and offer of these good news to him, speak
+out so much, that the patience of God waiting long, and his goodness
+renewing the offers, confirmeth this; that his serious pressing, his
+strong motives, on the one hand, and his sharp threatenings on the
+other; his reiterated commands, his ingeminated obtestations; his
+expressed sorrow and grief over such as would not come to him; his
+upbraiding and objurations of such as do obstinately refuse, and the
+like, put his willingness to save such as will come to him out of all
+question. Yea, his obviating of objections, and taking all excuses out
+of their mouth, maketh the case plain and manifest, so that such as will
+not come are left without excuse, and have no impediment lying in the
+way but their own unwillingness.
+
+8. The man must know upon what terms and conditions Christ offereth
+himself in the gospel, viz. upon condition of accepting of him,
+believing in him, and resting upon him; and that no other way we can be
+made partakers of the good things purchased by Christ, but by accepting
+of him as he is offered in the gospel, that is to say, freely, "without
+price or money," Isa. lv. 1, absolutely without reservation, wholly, and
+for all ends, &c. For, till this be known, there will be no closing with
+Christ; and till there be a closing with Christ, there is no advantage
+to be had by him. The soul must be married to him as an husband, fixed
+to him as the branches to the tree, united to him as the members to the
+head, become one with him, "one spirit," 1 Cor. vi. 17. See John xv. 5.
+Eph. v. 30. The soul must close with him for all things, adhere to him
+upon all hazards, take him and the sharpest cross that followeth him.
+Now, I say, the soul must be acquainted with these conditions; for it
+must act deliberately and rationally here. Covenanting with Christ is a
+grave business, and requireth deliberation, posedness of soul, rational
+resolution, full purpose of heart, and satisfaction of soul, and
+therefore the man must be acquainted with the conditions of the new
+covenant.
+
+9. There must be a satisfaction with the terms of the gospel, and the
+heart must actually close with Christ as he is offered in the gospel.
+The heart must open to him, and take him in, Rev. iii. 20. The soul must
+embrace and receive him, John i. 12. The man must take him as his Lord
+and Master, King, Priest, and Prophet; must give up himself to him as
+his leader and commander, and resolve to follow him in all things, and
+thus close a bargain with him; for, till this be done, there is no union
+with Christ, and, till there be an union with Christ, there is no
+partaking of the fruits of his redemption as to justification, no
+pardon, no acceptance, no access to the favour of God, nor peace nor joy
+in the Holy Ghost, no getting of the conscience sprinkled, nor no
+intimation of love or favour from God, &c.
+
+10. There must be a leaning to and resting upon him and on his perfect
+sacrifice. The soul must sit down here as satisfied, and acquiesce in
+this complete mediation of his. This is to believe on him, to rest on
+him, John iii. 18. 1 Pet. ii. 6, as an all-sufficient help. This is to
+cast the burden of a broken covenant, of a guilty conscience, of
+deserved wrath, of the curse of the law, &c. upon him, that he may bear
+away those evils from us. This is to put on the Lord Jesus (in part),
+Rom. xiii. 14; to cover ourselves with his righteousness from the face
+of justice, to stand in this armour of proof against the accusations of
+law, Satan, and an evil conscience. This is to flee to him as our city
+of refuge, that we may be safe from the avenger of blood. This is to
+make him our refuge from the storm of God's anger, and a shadow from the
+heat of his wrath, Isa. xxv. 4, and "our hiding-place from the wind, and
+a covert from the tempest," and as the "shadow of a great rock in a
+weary land," Isa. xxxii. 2. When we hide ourselves in him as the
+complete cautioner that hath fully satisfied justice, and "desire to be
+found in him alone, not having our own righteousness, which is of the
+law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness
+which is of God by faith," Phil. iii. 9. This is to lay our hand on the
+head of the sacrifice, when we rest on this sacrifice, and expect
+salvation through it alone. This is to cast ourselves in Christ's arms,
+as peremptorily resolving to go no other way to the Father, and to plead
+no other righteousness before God's bar but Christ's; that is faith,
+yea, the lively acting of justifying faith.
+
+Thus then is Christ made use of as the way to the Father, in the point
+of justification, when the poor awakened sinner, convinced of his sin
+and misery, of his own inability to help himself, of the insufficiency
+of all means beside Christ, of Christ's all-sufficiency, readiness, and
+willingness to help, of the equity and reasonableness of the conditions
+on which he is offered, and life through him, is now content and fully
+satisfied with this way, actually renouncing all other ways whatsoever,
+and doth with heart and hand embrace Jesus Christ, and take him as he is
+offered in the gospel, to make use of him for all things, to Jean to
+him, and rest upon him in all hazards, and particularly, to refuge
+itself under his wings, and to rest there with complacency,
+satisfaction, and delight, and hide itself from the wrath of God and all
+accusations.
+
+Yet it should be known, that this act of faith, whereby the soul goeth
+out to Christ, and accepteth of and leaneth to him, is not alike in all.
+
+1. In some it may be more lively, strong and active, like the
+centurion's faith, that could argue syllogistically, Matt. viii. 8, &c,
+which Christ looked upon as a great faith, a greater whereof he had not
+found, no not in Israel, verse 10; and like the faith of the woman of
+Canaan, Matt. xv. 21, &c, that would take no naysay, but of seeming
+refusals did make arguments, which Christ commendeth as a great faith,
+verse 28. But in others it may be more weak and fainting, not able to
+reason aright for its own comfort and strength, as Matt, vi. 30, but is
+mixed with much fear, as Matt. viii. 26, yea, and with much
+faithfulness, so that the soul must cry, "Lord, help my unbelief!" Mark
+ix. 24.
+
+2. In some the acts and actings of this faith may be more clear and
+discernible, both by themselves, and by spiritual onlookers; in others,
+so covered over with a heap of doubts, unbelief, jealousy, and other
+corruption, that the actings of it can hardly, or not at all, be
+perceived by themselves or others; so that nothing shall be heard but
+complaints, fears, doubtings, and objections.
+
+3. In some, this faith may have strong and perceptible actings,
+wrestling through much discouragement and opposition, and many
+difficulties; as in the woman of Canaan, Matt. xv.; running through with
+peremptory resoluteness, saying, with Job, chap. xiii. 15, "Though he
+slay me, yet will I trust in him;" and thus taking the kingdom of heaven
+with violence. In others it may be so weak, that the least opposition or
+discouragement may be sufficient to make the soul give over hope, and
+almost despair of overcoming and winning through, and be as a bruised
+reed or a smoking flax.
+
+4. In some, though it appear not strong and violent or wilful (in a
+manner) in its actings, yet it may be firm, fixed, and resolute in
+staying upon him, Isa. xxvi. 3, 4, and trusting in him, Psalm cxxv. 1,
+resolving to hing there, and if it perish, it perisheth; in others weak
+and bashful.
+
+5. In some it may be yet weaker, going out in strong and vehement
+hungerings, Matt. v. 6. The man dare not say, that he doth believe or
+that he doth adhere to Christ and stay upon him; yet he dare say, he
+longeth for him, and panteth after him, as ever "the hart doth after the
+water-brooks," Psalm xlii. 1, 2; he hungereth and thirsteth for him, and
+cannot be satisfied with any thing without him.
+
+6. In some, it may be so weak, that the soul can only perceive the heart
+looking out after him; upon little more ground than a maybe it shall be
+helped, Isa. xlv. 22. They look to him for salvation, being convinced
+that there is no other way; and resolved to follow no other way, they
+resolve to lie at his door, waiting and looking for a sight of the
+king's face, and to lie waiting till they die, if no better may be.
+
+7. In some, it may be so weak, that nothing more can be perceived but a
+satisfaction with the terms of the covenant, a willingness to accept of
+the bargain, and an heart consenting thereunto, though they dare not
+say that they actually close therewith, yea, nor dare say that they
+shall be welcome, Rev. xxii. 17.
+
+8. In some, it may be so weak and low, that they cannot say that they
+have any right hunger or desire after him, nor that their heart doth
+rightly and really consent to the covenant of grace; yet they would fain
+be at it, and cry out, O for a willing heart! O for ardent desires! O
+for a right hunger! and they are dissatisfied, and cannot be reconciled
+with their hearts for not desiring more, hungering more, consenting
+more; so that, if they had this, they would think themselves happy and
+up-made. And thus we see their faith is so low, that it appeareth in
+nothing more manifestly, than in their complainings of the want of it.
+
+So then, the poor weak believer needeth not to be so far discouraged as
+to despair and give over the matter as hopeless and lost; let him hang
+on, depend and wait. A weak faith to-day may become stronger within a
+short time. He that laid the foundation can and will finish the
+building, for all his works are perfect. And a weak faith, when true,
+will prove saving, and lay hold on a saving strong Mediator.
+
+Moreover, as to the acting of faith on Christ's death and sacrifice for
+the stopping the mouth of conscience, law, Satan, and for the opposing
+to the pursuing justice of God because of sin, it may sometimes be
+strong, distinct, clear, and resolute; at other times again be weak,
+mixed, or accompanied with much fear, perplexity, doubting, and
+distrust, because of their own seen unworthiness, many failings,
+doubtings of the sincerity of their repentance, and the like.
+
+This is a main business, and of great concernment, yet many are not much
+troubled about it, nor exercised at the heart hereabout, as they ought,
+deceiving themselves with foolish imaginations: For,
+
+1. They think they were believers all their days, they never doubted of
+God's grace and good-will, they had always a good heart for God, though
+they never knew what awakened conscience, or sense of the wrath of God
+meant.
+
+2. Or they think, because God is merciful, he will not be so severe as
+to stand upon all those things that ministers require; forgetting that
+he is a just God, and a God of truth, that will do according to what he
+hath said.
+
+3. Or they suppose it is an easy matter to believe, and not such a
+difficult thing as it is called; not considering or believing, that no
+less power than that which raised Christ from the dead, will work up the
+heart unto faith.
+
+4. Or they resolve, that they will do it afterward, at some more
+convenient season; not perceiving the cunning slight of Satan in this,
+nor considering, that faith is not in their power, but the gift of God;
+and that, if they lay not hold on the call of God, but harden their
+heart in their day, God may judicially blind them, so that these things
+shall be hid from their eyes; and so that occasion, they pretend to wait
+for, never come.
+
+Oh! if such whom this mainly concerneth, could be induced to enter into
+this way; considering,
+
+1. That except they enter into this way they cannot be safe, the wrath
+of God will pursue them, the avenger of blood will overtake them; no
+salvation but here.
+
+2. That in this way is certain salvation; this way will infallibly lead
+to the Father; for he keepeth in the way, and bringeth safe home, Exod.
+xxiii. 20.
+
+3. 'Tis the old path and the good way, Jer. vi. 16; all the saints have
+the experience of this, who are already come to glory. And,
+
+4. It is a highway, and a way of righteousness, wherein, if very fools
+walk, they shall not wander, Isa. xxxv. 8, 9, and if the weak walk in
+it, they shall not faint, Isa. xl. 31.
+
+5. That except this be done, there is no advantage to be had by him; his
+death and all his sufferings, as to those persons that will not believe
+and enter into him as the way to the Father, are in vain.
+
+6. Yea, such as will not believe in him say, in effect, either that
+Christ hath not died nor consecrated a way through the vail of his
+flesh; or, that all that he hath done and suffered is not sufficient to
+bring a soul home to God; or that they can do their own business without
+him, and that it was a foolish and vain thing for Christ to die the
+death for that end; or, lastly, that they care not for salvation; they
+are indifferent whether they perish or be saved.
+
+7. That, as to them, the whole gospel is in vain, all the ordinances,
+all the administration of ordinances, all the pains of ministers, are in
+vain.
+
+8. That, as to them, all Christ's intreaties, motives, allurements,
+patience and long-suffering, his standing at the door and knocking till
+his locks be wet with the dew, &c. are in vain; yea, they are
+contemptuously rejected, despised, slighted, and undervalued.
+
+9. That all the great promises are by such rejected as untrue, or as not
+worthy the seeking or having; and that all the threatenings, on the
+other hand, are not to be regarded or feared.
+
+10. In a word, that heaven and the fellowship of God is not worth the
+seeking, and that hell and the fellowship of devils is not worth the
+fearing; or, that there is neither a heaven nor a hell, and that all are
+but fictions; and that there is no such thing as the wrath of God
+against sinners, or that it is not much to be feared.
+
+If it be asked, what warrant have poor sinners to lay hold on Christ,
+and grip to him, as made of God righteousness?
+
+I answer, 1. our absolute necessity of him is a ground to press us to go
+and seek help and relief: we see we are gone in ourselves, and therefore
+are we allowed to seek out for help elsewhere.
+
+2. Christ's all-sufficient furniture, whereby he is a qualified
+Mediator, fitted with all necessaries for our case and condition, having
+laid down a price to the satisfaction of justice, is a sufficient
+invitation for us to look toward him for help, and to wait at that door.
+
+3. His being appointed of the Father to be Mediator of the covenant, and
+particularly, to lay down his life a ransom for sin; and Christ's
+undertaking all his offices, and performing all the duties thereof,
+conform to the covenant of redemption, is a strong encouragement to poor
+sinners to come to him, because he cannot deny himself, and he will be
+true to his trust.
+
+4. The Father's offering of him to us in the gospel, and Christ's
+inviting us who are weary and heavy laden; yea, calling and commanding
+such to come to him in his own and in his Father's name, under the pain
+of his and his Father's wrath and everlasting displeasure; exhorting
+further, and requesting upon terms of love, pressing earnestly by many
+motives, sending out his ambassadors to beseech in his stead poor
+sinners to be reconciled, and to turn in to him for life and salvation;
+yea, upbraiding such as will not come to him. All these are a sufficient
+warrant for a poor necessitous sinner to lay hold on his offer.
+
+And, further, to encourage poor souls to come unto him, all things are
+so well ordered in the gospel, as that nothing occurreth that can in the
+least prove a stumbling-block or a just ground of excuse for their
+forbearing to believe and to accept of his offers. All objections
+possible are obviated to such as are but willing; the way is cast up,
+and all stones of stumbling cast out of it; so that such as will not
+come can pretend no excuse. They cannot object the greatness of their
+sins: for the greater their sins be they have the greater need of one
+who is sent to take away sin, and whose blood purgeth from all sin, 1
+John i. 7. What great sinner did he ever refuse that came to him, and
+was willing to be saved by him? Is there any clause in all the gospel
+excluding great sinners? Nor need they object their great unworthiness;
+for he doth all freely for the glory of his free grace. None ever got
+any good of him for their worth; for no man ever had any worth. Nor need
+they object their long refusing and resisting many calls; for he will
+make such as are willing welcome at the eleventh hour; him that cometh
+he will in no case put away, John vi. 37. Nor can they object their
+changeableness, that they will not stand to the bargain, but break and
+return with the dog to the vomit; for Christ hath engaged to bring all
+through that come unto him; he will raise them up at the last day, John
+vi. 40; he will present them to himself holy and without spot or
+wrinkle, or any such thing, Eph. v. The covenant is fully provided with
+promises to stop the mouth of that objection. Nor can they object the
+difficulty or impossibility of believing; for that is Christ's work
+also, he "is the author and finisher of faith," Heb. xii. 1. Can they
+not with confidence cast themselves upon him; yet if they can hunger and
+thirst for him, and look to him, he will accept of that; "look to me,"
+says he, "and be saved," Isa. xlv. 22. If they cannot look to him, nor
+hunger and thirst for him, yet if they be willing, all is well. Are they
+willing that Christ save them in his way, and therefore willingly give
+themselves over to him, and are willing and content that Christ, by his
+Spirit, work more hunger in them, and a more lively faith, and work both
+to will and to do according to his own good pleasure, it is well.
+
+But it will be said, that the terms and conditions on which he offereth
+himself are hard. Answer--I grant the terms are hard to flesh and blood,
+and to proud unmortified nature; but to such as are willing to be saved,
+so as God may be most glorified, the terms are easy, most rational and
+satisfying: for,
+
+1. We are required to take him only for our Mediator, and to join none
+with him, and to mix nothing with him. Corrupt nature is averse from
+this, and would at least mix something of self with him, and not rest on
+Christ only: corrupt nature would not have the man wholly denying
+himself, and following Christ only. And hence many lose themselves, and
+lose all; because, with the Galatians, they would mix the law and the
+gospel together; do something themselves for satisfaction of justice,
+and take Christ for the rest that remains. Now, the Lord will have all
+the glory, as good reason is, and will have none to share with him; he
+will give of his glory to none. And is not this rational and easy? What
+can be objected against this?
+
+2. We are required to take him wholly, that he may be a complete
+Mediator to us; as a prophet to teach, as a king to subdue our lusts, to
+cause us to walk in his ways, as well as a priest to satisfy justice for
+us, to die and intercede for us. Is it not reason that we take him as
+God hath made him for us? Is there any thing in him to be refused? And
+is there any thing in him which we have no need of? Is there not all the
+reason then in the world for this, that we take him wholly? And what
+stumbling-block is here?
+
+3. We are required to take him freely, "without money and without
+price," Isa. lv. 1, for he will not be bought any manner of way; that
+free grace may be free grace, therefore he will give all freely. True
+enough it is, corruption would be at buying, though it have nothing to
+lay out. Pride will not stoop to a free gift. But can any say the terms
+are hard, when all is offered freely?
+
+4. We are required to take them absolutely, without any reversion of
+mental reservation. Some would willingly quit all but one or two lusts
+they cannot think to twin with; and they would deny themselves in many
+things, but they would still most willingly keep a back-door open to
+some beloved lust or other. And who seeth not what double dealing is
+here? And what reason can plead for this double dealing? Corruption, it
+is true, will think this hard, but no man can rationally say that this
+is a just ground of discouragement to any, or a sufficient ground to
+warrand them to stay away from Christ, seeing they cannot be supposed
+sincerely to desire redemption from any sin, who would not desire
+redemption from every sin. He who loveth any known lust, and would not
+willingly be delivered therefrom, hath no real hatred at any lust, as
+such, nor desire to be saved; for one such lust would be his death.
+
+5. It is required, that we accept of him really and cordially, with our
+heart and soul, and not by a mere external verbal profession, And is
+there not all the reason in the world for this? He offereth himself
+really to us, and shall we not be real in accepting of him? What, I
+pray, can be justly excepted against this? or, what real discouragement
+can any gather from this?
+
+6. We are to take him for all necessaries, that is, with a resolution to
+make use of him as our all-sufficient Mediator. And is not this most
+reasonable? Ought we not to take him for all the ends and purposes for
+which God hath appointed him, and set him forth, and offered him to us?
+What then can any suppose to lie here which should scar a soul from
+laying hold upon him? Nay, should not this be looked upon as a very
+great encouragement? And should we not bless the Lord, that hath
+provided such a complete and all-sufficient Mediator?
+
+7. We are to take him and all the crosses that may attend our taking or
+following of him; we must take up our cross, be it what it will that he
+thinketh good to appoint to us, and follow him, Matt. xvi. 24. Mark
+viii. 34. "For he that taketh not up his cross, and followeth not after
+him, is not worthy of him," Matt. x. 38. I know flesh and blood will
+take this for a hard saying; but they that consider, that Christ will
+bear the heaviest end of the cross, yea, all of it, and so support them
+by his Spirit while they are under it, that they shall have no just
+cause to complain; and how he will suffer none to go his errand upon
+their own charges, but will be with them when they go through the fire
+and water, Isa. xliii. 2, so that they shall suffer no loss, neither
+shall the waters overflow them, nor the fire kindle upon them; and that
+he who loseth his life for Christ's sake and the gospel's, shall save
+it, Mark viii. 35; yea, that they shall receive an hundred-fold for all
+their losses, Matt. xix. 29, and that even with persecution, Mark x. 30,
+and, in the world to come, eternal life. They, I say, who consider this,
+will see no discouragement here, nor ground of complaint; nay, they will
+account it their glory to suffer any loss for Christ's sake.
+
+8. Hence it followeth, that we are to take him, so as to avouch him and
+his cause and interest on all hazards, stand to his truth, and not be
+ashamed of him in a day of trial. Confession of him must be made with
+the mouth, as with the heart we must believe, Rom. x. 9. Let corruption
+speak against this what it will, because it is always desirous to keep
+the skin whole. Yet reason cannot but say that it is equitable,
+especially seeing he hath said, that "whosoever confesseth him before
+men, he will confess them before his Father which is in heaven," Matt.
+x. 32. And that, "If we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him,"
+2 Tim. ii. 12. Is he our Lord and master, and should we not own and
+avouch him? Should we be ashamed of him for any thing, that can befall
+us, upon that account? What master would not take that ill at his
+servant's hands?
+
+Hence, then, we see, that there is nothing in all the conditions on
+which he offereth himself to us, that can give the least ground, in
+reason, why a poor soul should draw back, and be unwilling to accept of
+this noble offer, or think that the conditions are hard.
+
+But there is one main objection, which may trouble some, and that is,
+they cannot believe; faith being the gift of God, it must be wrought in
+them; how then can they go to God for this, and make use of Christ for
+this end, that their souls may be wrought up to a believing and
+consenting to the bargain, and hearty accepting of the offer?
+
+To this I would say these things:
+
+1. It is true, that "faith is the gift of God," Eph. ii. 8, and that it
+is "he alone who worketh in us, both to will and to do," Phil. i. 29,
+"and none cometh to the Son, but whom the Father draweth," John vi. 44;
+and it is a great matter, and no small advancement, to win to the real
+faith, and through conviction of this our impotency. For thereby the
+soul will be brought to a greater measure of humiliation, and of
+despairing of salvation in itself, which is no small advantage unto a
+poor soul that would be saved.
+
+2. Though faith be not in our power, yet it is our duty. Our impotency
+to perform our duty, doth not loose our obligation to the duty; so that
+our not believing is our sin; and for this God may justly condemn us.
+His wrath abideth on all who believe not in his Son Jesus, and will not
+accept of the offer of salvation through the crucified Mediator. And
+though faith, as all other acts of grace, be efficiently the work of the
+Spirit, yet it is formally our work: we do believe; but it is the Spirit
+that worketh faith in us.
+
+3. The ordinary way of the Spirit's working faith in us, is by pressing
+home the duty upon us, whereby we are brought to a despairing in
+ourselves, and to a looking out to him, whose grace alone it is that can
+work it in the soul, for that necessary help and breathing, without
+which the soul will not come.
+
+4. Christ Jesus hath purchased this grace of faith to all the elect, as
+other graces necessary to their salvation; and it is promised and
+covenanted to him, "That he shall see his seed, and shall see of the
+travail of his soul," Isa. liii. 10; and that by the knowledge of him,
+that is, the rational and understanding act of the soul gripping to and
+laying hold upon him, as he is offered in the gospel, "many shall be
+justified," Isa. liii. 10. Hence he saith, "That all whom the Father
+hath given to him, shall come unto him," John vi. 37; and the apostle
+tells us, "that we are blessed with all spiritual blessings in him,"
+Eph. i. 3.
+
+5. Not only hath Christ purchased this grace of faith, and all other
+graces necessary for the salvation of the elect, but God hath committed
+to him the administration and actual dispensation, and out-giving of all
+those graces, which the redeemed stand in need of. Hence "he is a prince
+exalted to give repentance and forgiveness of sins," Acts v. 31. "All
+power in heaven and earth is committed unto him," Matt, xxviii. 18, 19.
+Hence he is called, "the author and finisher of faith," Heb. xii. 2; and
+he tells his disciples, John xiv. 13, 14, that whatever they shall ask
+in his name, he will do it. He is made a Prince and a Saviour, "having
+all judgment committed unto him," John v. 22; and "he is Lord of all,"
+Acts x. 36. Rom. xiv. 9.
+
+6. Hereupon the sinner, being convinced of his lost condition through
+sin and misery, of an utter impossibility of helping himself out of that
+state of death, of Christ's all-sufficiency and willingness to save all
+that will come to him, and of its own inability to believe or come to
+him for life and salvation, or to lay hold on, and lean to his merits
+and satisfaction, and so despairing in himself, is to look out to Jesus,
+the author of eternal salvation, the foundation and chief corner-stone,
+the author and finisher of faith; I say, the sinner, being thus
+convinced, is thus to look out to Jesus; not that that conviction is any
+proper qualification prerequisite as necessary, either to prepare,
+dispose, and fit for faith, or far less to merit any manner of way, or
+bring on faith; but because this is Christ's method to bring a soul to
+faith by this conviction, to the glory of his grace. The soul naturally
+being averse from Christ, and utterly unwilling to accept of that way of
+salvation, must be redacted to that strait, that it shall see, that it
+must either accept of this offer or die. As the whole needeth not a
+physician, so Christ is come to save only that which is lost; and his
+method is to convince the world of sin, in the first place; and then of
+righteousness, John xvi. 8, 9.
+
+7. This looking out to Jesus for faith, comprehendeth those things: (1.)
+The soul's acknowledgment of the necessity of faith, to the end it may
+partake of Christ, and of his merits. (2.) The soul's satisfaction with
+that way of partaking of Christ, by a closing with him, and a resting
+upon him by faith. (3.) A sense and conviction of the unbelief and
+stubbornness of the heart, or a seeing of its own impotency, yea, and
+unwillingness to believe. (4.) A persuasion that Christ can over-master
+the infidelity and wickedness of the heart, and work up the soul unto a
+willing consent unto the bargain. (5.) A hope, or a half-hope (to speak
+so) that Christ, who is willing to save all poor sinners that come to
+him for salvation; and hath said, that he will put none away in any case
+that cometh--will have pity upon him at length. (6.) A resolution to lie
+at his door, till he come with life, till he quicken, till he unite the
+soul to himself. (7.) A lying open to the breathings of his Spirit, by
+guarding against every thing (so far as they can) that may grieve or
+provoke him, and waiting on him in all the ordinances, he hath
+appointed, for begetting faith; such as reading the Scriptures, hearing
+the word, conference with godly persons, and prayer, &c. (8.) A waiting
+with patience on him who never said to the house of Jacob, "seek me in
+vain," Isa. xlv. 19; still crying and looking to him who hath commanded
+the ends of the earth to look to him; and waiting for him who waiteth to
+be gracious, Isa. xxx. 18, remembering that they are all blessed that
+wait for him; and that "there is much good prepared for them that wait
+for him," Isa. lxiv. 4.
+
+8. The sinner would essay this believing, and closing with Christ, and
+set about it, as he can, seriously, heartily, and willingly, yea, and
+resolutely over the belly of much opposition, and many discouragements,
+looking to him who must help, yea, and work the whole work; for God
+worketh in and with man as a rational creature. The soul then would set
+the willingness it findeth, on work, and wait for more; and as the Lord
+is pleased to commend, by his Spirit, the way of grace more unto the
+soul, and to warm the heart with love to it, and a desire after it,
+strike the iron while it is hot; and, looking to him for help, grip to
+Christ in the covenant; and so set to its seal, though with a trembling
+hand; and subscribe its name, though with much fear and doubting,
+remembering "that he who worketh to will, must work the deed also,"
+Phil. ii. 13, "and he that beginneth a good work will perfect it," Phil.
+i. 6.
+
+9. The soul essaying thus to believe in Christ's strength, and to creep
+when it cannot walk or run, would hold fast what it hath attained, and
+resolve never to recall any consent, or half-consent, it hath given to
+the bargain, but still look forward, hold on, wrestle against unbelief
+and unwillingness, entertain every good motion of the Spirit for this
+end, and never admit of any thing that may quench its lodgings, desires,
+or expectation.
+
+10. Nay, if the sinner be come this length, that, with the bit
+willingness he hath, he consenteth to the bargain, and is not satisfied
+with any thing in himself, that draweth back, or consenteth not, and
+with the little skill or strength he hath is writing down his name, and
+saying, even so I take him; and is holding at this, peremptorily
+resolving never to go back, or unsay what he hath said; but, on the
+contrary, is firmly purposed to adhere, and as he groweth in strength,
+to grip more firmly, and adhere to him, he may conclude that the bargain
+is closed already, and that he hath faith already; for here there is an
+accepting of Christ on his own terms, a real consenting unto the
+covenant of grace, though weak, and not so discernible as the soul would
+wish. The soul dare not say but it loveth the bargain, and is satisfied
+with it, and longeth for it, and desireth nothing more than that it
+might partake thereof, and enjoy him whom it loveth, hungereth for,
+panteth after, or breatheth, as it is able, that it may live in him, and
+be saved through him.
+
+But some will say, If I had any evidence of God's approbation of this
+act of my soul, any testimony of his Spirit, I could then with
+confidence say, that I had believed and accepted of the covenant and of
+Christ offered therein; but so long as I perceive nothing of this, how
+can I suppose, that any motion of this kind in my soul is real faith?
+
+For _Answer_--1. We would know, that our believing, and God's sealing to
+our sense, are two distinct acts and separable, and oft separated. Our
+believing is one thing, and God's sealing with the Holy Spirit of
+promise to our sense, is another thing; and this followeth, though not
+inseparably, the other, Eph. i. 13, "In whom also, after that ye
+believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise."
+
+And so, 2. We would know, that many a man may believe, and yet not know
+that he doth believe. He may set to his seal, that God is true in his
+offer of life through Jesus, and accept of that offer as a truth, and
+close with it; and yet live under darkness and doubtings of his faith,
+long and many a day; partly through not discerning the true nature of
+faith; partly through the great sense and feeling of his own corruption
+and unbelief; partly through a mistake of the Spirit's operations
+within, or the want of a clear and distinct uptaking of the motions of
+his own soul; partly because he findeth so much doubting and fear, as if
+there could be no faith where there was doubting or fear, contrary to
+Mark ix. 24. Matth. viii. 26, and xiv. 31.; partly, because he hath not
+that persuasion that others have had, as if there were not various
+degrees of faith, as there is of other graces, and the like.
+
+Therefore, 3. We would know, that many may really believe, and yet miss
+this sensible sealing of the Spirit which they would be at. God may
+think it not yet seasonable to grant them that, lest they forget
+themselves and become too proud; and to train them up more to the life
+of faith, whereby he may be glorified; and for other holy ends, he may
+suspend the giving of this for a time.
+
+4. Yet we would know, that all that believe, have the seal within them,
+1 John v. 10, "He that believeth on the Son of God, hath the witness in
+himself," that is, he hath that which really is a seal, though he see it
+not, nor perceive it not; even the work of God's Spirit in his soul,
+inclining and determining him unto the accepting of this bargain, and
+to a liking of and endeavouring after holiness; and the whole gospel
+clearing up what faith is, is a seal and confirmation of the business.
+So that the matter is sealed, and confirmed by the word, though the soul
+want those sensible breathings of the Spirit, shedding abroad his love
+in the heart, and filling the soul with a full assurance, by hushing all
+doubts and fears to the door; yea, though they should be a stranger unto
+the Spirit's witnessing thus with their spirits, that they are the
+children of God, and clearing up distinctly the real work of grace
+within their soul, and so saying in effect, that they have in truth
+believed.
+
+But enough of this; seeing all this, and much more is abundantly held
+forth and explained, in that excellent and useful treatise of Mr.
+Guthrie's, entitled, "The Christian's Great Interest."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+HOW CHRIST IS TO BE MADE USE OF, AS THE WAY, FOR SANCTIFICATION IN
+GENERAL.
+
+
+Having shown how a poor soul, lying under the burden of sin and wrath,
+is to make use of Jesus Christ for righteousness and justification, and
+so to make use of him, go out to him, and apply him, as "he is made of
+God to us righteousness," 1 Cor. i. 30, and that but briefly. This whole
+great business being more fully and satisfactorily handled, in that
+forementioned great, though small treatise, viz. "The Christian's Great
+Interest," we shall now come and show, how a believer or a justified
+soul shall further make use of Christ for sanctification, this being a
+particular about which they are oftentimes much exercised and perplexed.
+
+That we may therefore, in some weak measure, through the help of this
+light and grace, propose some things to clear up this great and
+necessary truth, we shall first speak a little to it in the general, and
+then come to clear up the matter more particularly.
+
+Before we speak of the matter in general, it would be remembered, 1.
+That the person who only is in case to make use of Christ for
+sanctification, is one that hath made use of him already for
+righteousness and justification. For one who is a stranger to Christ,
+and is living in nature, hath no access to Christ for sanctification. He
+must be a believer, and within the covenant, ere he can make use of the
+grounds of sanctification laid down in the covenant. One must first be
+united to Christ, and justified by faith in him, before he can draw any
+virtue from him for perfecting holiness. He must first be in him, before
+he can grow up in him, or bring forth fruit in him. And therefore the
+first thing that souls would go about, should be to get an union made up
+with Christ, and be clothed with his righteousness by faith; and then
+they have a right to all his benefits. _First_, they should labour to
+get their state changed from enmity to peace and reconciliation with
+God, through faith in Jesus.
+
+Yet, _next_, it would be observed, that when it is said, that one must
+be a believer before he can go to Christ, and make use of him for
+holiness and sanctification, it is not so understood and said, that one
+must know, that indeed he is justified by faith, before he can make any
+use of Christ for sanctification. One may be justified, and a believer,
+yea, and growing in grace through Jesus Christ, and so actually
+improving the grounds of sanctification, and making use of Christ for
+this end, and allowed thereunto, and yet win to no certainty of his
+union with Christ, of his justification through faith in him, nor of his
+faith.
+
+But, _thirdly_, if it be said, How can a soul with confidence approach
+to Christ, for use-making of him, in reference to sanctification, that
+is, still doubting of his state and regeneration?
+
+I answer, It is true, a clear sight of our interest in Christ by faith,
+would be a great encouragement to our confident approaching to, and
+use-making of him, in all things; and this consideration should move all
+to a more earnest search and study of the marks and evidences of their
+interest; a good help whereunto they will find in the forementioned
+book. I shall only say this here, That if the soul have an earnest
+desire to be sanctified wholly, and to have on the image of God, that he
+may glorify him, and panteth after holiness as for life, that he may
+look like him that is holy, and maketh this his work and study;
+sorrowing at nothing more than at his shortcoming; crying out and
+longing for the day when he shall be delivered from a body of death, and
+have the old man wholly crucified; he needeth not question his interest
+in Christ, and warrant to make use of him for every part of
+sanctification; for this longing desire after conformity to God's law,
+and panting after this spiritual life, to the end God may be exalted,
+Christ glorified, and others edified, will not be readily found in one
+that is yet in nature. It is true, I grant, some who design to establish
+their own righteousness, and to be justified by their own works and
+inherent holiness, may wish that they may be more holy and less guilty;
+and for some other corrupt ends, they may desire to be free of the power
+of some lust, which they find noxious and troublesome; and yet retain
+with love and desire, some other beloved lusts, and so have a heart
+still cleaving to the heart of some detestable thing or other. But
+gracious souls, as they have respect to all the commands of God, so they
+have not that design of being justified before God by their works; nor
+do they study mortification, and sanctification for any such end; nay,
+they no sooner discover any bias of their false deceitful hearts unto
+any such end, but as soon they disown it, and abhor it. So that hence
+believers may get some discovery of the reality of their faith and
+interest in Christ, and of their warrant, yea, and duty to make use of
+Christ for sanctification.
+
+This premised, we come to speak something, in the general, of believer's
+use-making of Christ, as made of God to us sanctification. And for this
+end, we shall only speak a little to two things. _First_, We shall show
+upon what account it is that Christ is called our sanctification, or,
+"made of God to us sanctification," as the apostle's phrase is, 1 Cor.
+i. 30; or, what Christ hath done as Mediator, to begin, and carry on to
+perfection the work of sanctification in the soul. And, _secondly,_ How
+the soul is to demean itself in this matter, or how the soul is to make
+use of, and improve what Christ hath done, for this end, that it may
+grow in grace, and perfect holiness in the fear of God.
+
+As to the _first,_ we would know, that though the work of sanctification
+be formally ours, yet it is wrought by another hand, as the principal
+efficient cause, even by the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. The Father is
+said to purge the branches, that they may bring forth more fruit, John
+xv. 1. Hence we are said to be sanctified by God the Father, Jude 1. The
+Son is also called the Sanctifier, Heb. ii. 21. He sanctifieth and
+cleanseth the Church with the washing of water by the word, Eph. v. 26.
+The Spirit is also said to sanctify, 2 Thes. ii. 13. 1 Pet. i. 2. Rom.
+xv. 16. Hence we are said to be washed and sanctified by the Spirit of
+God, 1 Cor. vi. 11.
+
+But more particularly, we are said to be sanctified in Christ, 1 Cor. i.
+2; and "he is made of God to us sanctification," 1 Cor. i. 30. Let us
+then see in what sense this may be true. And,
+
+1. He hath by his death and blood procured that this work of
+sanctification shall be wrought and carried on. For "he suffered without
+the gate, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood," Heb.
+xiii. 12. "We are saved by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of
+the Holy Ghost, which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our
+Saviour," Titus iii. 5, 6. "He gave himself for us, that he might redeem
+us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous
+of good works," Tit. ii. 14. Thus our sanctification is the fruit of his
+death, and purchased by his blood. "He gave himself for his church, that
+he might sanctify it," Eph. v. 25, 26.
+
+2. He dying as a cautioner and public person, believers are accounted in
+law to be dead to sin in him. Hence the apostle tells us, Rom. vi. 3-6,
+that as many of us as are baptised into Jesus Christ, were baptized into
+his death; and that therefore we are buried with him by baptism into
+death; and are planted together in the likeness of his death; yea, and
+that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be
+destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Whence believers are
+warranted and commanded, verse 11, to reckon themselves "to be dead
+indeed unto sin;" and therefore sin should "not reign in their mortal
+bodies to fulfil the lusts thereof," verse 12. This is a sure ground of
+hope and comfort for believers, that Christ died thus as a public
+person; and that by virtue thereof, being now united to Christ by faith,
+they are dead to sin by law; and sin cannot challenge a dominion over
+them, as before their conversion it might have done, and did; for the
+law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth, but no longer.
+Wherefore believing brethren "becoming dead to the law by the body of
+Christ, are married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead,
+that they should bring forth fruit unto God," Rom. vii. 1-4.
+
+3. Hence it followeth, that our "old man is crucified with Christ, that
+the body of sin might be destroyed," Rom. vi. 6. So that this old tyrant
+that oppresseth the people of God, hath got his death wounds, in the
+crucifixion of Christ, and shall never recover his former vigour and
+activity, to oppress and bear down the people of God, as he did. He is
+now virtually, through the death of Jesus, killed and crucified, being
+in Christ nailed to the cross.
+
+4. His resurrection is a pawn and pledge of this sanctification. For as
+he died as a public person, so he rose again as a public person. "We are
+buried with him by baptism, that like as Christ was raised up from the
+dead, by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness
+of life," Rom. vi. 4; and believers are said to be "planted together
+with him, in the likeness of his resurrection," verse 5; "and they shall
+live with him," verse 8; "and therefore they are to reckon themselves
+alive unto God, through Jesus Christ our Lord," verse 11. "We are raised
+up together," Eph. ii. 6.
+
+5. This sanctification is an article of the covenant of redemption
+betwixt the Father and the Son, Isa. lii. 15, "So shall he sprinkle many
+nations." Chap. liii. 10, "He shall see his seed, and the pleasure of
+the Lord shall prosper in his hand." Christ, then, having this promised
+to him, must see to the accomplishment thereof, and will have it granted
+to him; seeing he hath fulfilled all that was engaged to by him--having
+made his soul an offering for sin.
+
+6. This sanctification is promised in the covenant of grace, Jer.
+xxxiii. 8. "And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity." Ezek.
+xxxvii. 23, "And I will cleanse them." So chap. xxxvi. 25, "Then will I
+sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean; from all your
+filthiness, and from all your idols will I cleanse you." Now all the
+promises of the covenant of grace are confirmed to us in the Mediator.
+For, "in him all the promises of the covenant are yea and amen," 2 Cor.
+i. 20.
+
+7. He hath purchased and made sure to his own, the new nature, and the
+heart of flesh, which is also promised, Ezek. xxxvi. 26, and xi. 19.
+Jer. xxxii. 39. This is the new and lively principle of grace, the
+spring of sanctification, which cannot be idle in the soul; but must be
+emitting vital acts natively.
+
+Yea, through him, are believers made partakers of the divine nature,
+which is a growing thing,--young glory in the soul, 2 Pet. i. 3,4,
+"According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that
+pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath
+called us to glory and virtue, whereby are given unto us exceeding great
+and precious promises, that by these we might be made partakers of the
+divine nature," &c.
+
+8. The Spirit is promised, to cause us walk in his statutes, Ezek. xlvi.
+27. Now all these promises are made good to us in Christ, who is the
+cautioner of the covenant; yea, he hath gotten now the dispensing and
+giving out of the rich promises of the covenant, committed unto him; so
+as he is the great and glorious custodier of all purchased blessings.
+
+9. There are new waterings, breathings, and gales of the Spirit, given
+in Christ, Isa. xxvii. 3. He must water his garden or vineyard every
+moment. This is the north wind and the south wind that bloweth upon the
+garden, Cant. iv. 16. He must be as the dew unto Israel, Hos. xiv. 5.
+
+10. Through Christ is the believer brought into such a covenant state,
+as giveth great ground of hope of certain victory. He is not now under
+the law, but under grace; and hence inferreth the apostle, Rom. vi. 14,
+"That sin shall not have dominion over them." Being now under that
+dispensation of grace, whereby all their stock is in the Mediator's
+hand, and at his disposal; and not in their own hand and power, as under
+the covenant of works, there is a sure ground laid down for constant
+supply and furniture in all necessities.
+
+11. Christ hath prayed for this, John xvii. 17, "Sanctify them through
+thy truth;" where the Lord is praying, that his disciples might be more
+and more sanctified, and so fitted and qualified for the work of the
+ministry they were to be employed in. And what he prayed for them, was
+not for them alone, but also for the elect, proportionably, who are
+opposed to the world, for which he did not pray, verse 9.
+
+12. He standeth to believers in relation of a vine, or a root, in which
+they grow as branches, so that by abiding in him, living by faith in
+him, and drawing sap from him, they bring forth fruit in him, John xv.
+1, 2, 4, 5. Their stock of grace is in him, the root; and he
+communicateth sap and life unto his branches, whereby they grow,
+flourish, and bring forth fruit to the glory of God.
+
+13. Christ hath taken on him the office of a prophet and teacher, to
+instruct us in the way wherein we ought to go; for he is that great
+prophet whom the Lord promised to raise up, and who was to be heard and
+obeyed in all things, Deut. xviii. 15. Acts iii. 22, and vii. 37. "He is
+given for a witness, and a leader," Isa. lv. 4; and we are commanded to
+hear him, Matt, xvii. 5. Mark x. 7.
+
+14. He hath also taken on him the office of a king, Psal. ii. 6. Matt,
+xxviii. 5. Isa. ix. 7. Phil. ii. 8-11. and thereby standeth engaged to
+subdue all their spiritual enemies, Satan and corruption, Psal. cx. He
+is given for a leader and commander, Isa. lv. 5, and so can cause his
+people walk in his ways.
+
+15. When we defile ourselves with new transgressions and failings, he
+hath provided a fountain for us to wash in; "a fountain opened to the
+house of David, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for
+uncleanness," Zech. xiii. 1; and this fountain is his blood, which
+cleanseth from all sin, Heb. ix. 14. 1 John i. 7. Rev. i. 5.
+
+16. He is set before us as a copy and pattern, that we "should walk even
+as he walked," 1 John ii. 6. "He left us an example that we should
+follow his steps," 1 Pet. ii. 21. But we should beware to separate this
+consideration from the preceding, as antichristian Socinians do, who
+will have Christ only to be a copy.
+
+17. He hath overcome Satan, our arch enemy, and hath destroyed his
+works, 1 John iii. 8. He came to destroy the works of the devil; and in
+particular, his works of wickedness in the soul. Thus he is a conqueror
+and the captain of our salvation.
+
+18. As he hath purchased, so hath he appointed ordinances, for the
+laying of the foundation, and carrying on this work of sanctification;
+both word and sacraments are appointed for that; the word to convert and
+to confirm, John xvii. 17. "Sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is
+truth," said Christ. The word is given as the rule; and also through the
+means thereof is life and strength conveyed to the soul, "to perfect
+holiness in the fear of God," 1 Pet. ii. 2. And the sacraments are given
+to strengthen and confirm the soul in the ways of God.
+
+19. As he hath laid down strong encouragements to his followers, to hold
+on in the way of holiness, many great and precious promises, by which
+they may be made partakers of the divine nature, 2 Pet. i. 4; and by
+which they are encouraged to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of
+the flesh and spirit, 2 Cor. vii. 1; and many motives to hold on and
+continue; so hath he rolled difficulties out of the way, whether they be
+within us, or without us, and thereby made the way easy and pleasant to
+such as walk in it; so as they may now run the way of his commandments,
+and walk and not weary, and run and not be faint.
+
+Nay, 20. We would remember for our encouragement and confidence, that in
+carrying on of this work lieth the satisfaction of the soul, and the
+pleasure of the Lord that must prosper in his hand, and thus he seeth
+his seed, and hath of the travail of his soul, and is satisfied.
+
+These particulars, rightly considered, will discover unto us, what a
+noble ground for sanctification is in Christ laid down for believers,
+which they may, and must by faith grip to, that they may grow in grace,
+and grow up in Christ, and perfect holiness; and what a wonderful
+contrivance of grace this is, wherein all things are made so sure for
+believers, Christ becoming all things to them, and paving a royal and
+sure way for them; sure for them, and glorious to himself!
+
+As to the second particular, that is, how believers are to carry in this
+matter, or how they are to make use of Christ, and of those grounds of
+sanctification in Christ, which we have mentioned:
+
+_First,_ There are some things which they should beware of, and guard
+against; as,
+
+1. They should beware of an heartless despondency, and giving way to
+discouragement, and hearkening to the language of unbelief, or to the
+suggestion of Satan, whereby he will labour to persuade them of the
+impossibility of getting the work of sanctification throughed, or any
+progress made therein to purpose. Satan and a deceitful heart can soon
+muster up many difficulties, and allege that there are many lions, many
+insuperable difficulties in the way, to discourage them from venturing
+forward; and if Satan prevail here, he hath gained a great point.
+Therefore the believer should keep up his head in hope, and beware of
+multiplying discouragements to himself, or of concluding the matter
+impossible; for then shall he neither have heart nor hand for the work,
+but sit down and wring his hands as overcome with discouragement and
+despondency of spirit.
+
+2. They should beware of wilfully rejecting their own mercies, and
+forbearing to make use of the grounds of hope, of strength and progress
+in the matter of sanctification, which Christ hath allowed them to make
+use of. There is such an evil among God's children, that they scar at
+that which Christ out of great love hath provided for them, and dare not
+with confidence make use of, nor apply to themselves the great and
+comfortable promises, to the end they might be encouraged; they will
+not take their allowance, as thinking themselves unworthy; and that it
+would be presumption in them to challenge a right to such great things;
+and they think it commendable humility in them, to stand a-back, and so
+wilfully refuse the advantages and helps, that make so much for their
+growth in grace.
+
+3. They should beware of a careless neglect of the means appointed for
+advancing in holiness; for, though the means do not work the effect, yet
+it is by the means that God hath chosen to work the work of
+sanctification. Here that is to be seen, "that the hand of the diligent
+maketh rich; and the field of the slothful is soon grown over with
+thorns and nettles; so that poverty cometh as one that travaileth, and
+want as an armed man," Prov. xxiv. 30. It is a sinful tempting of God,
+to think to be sanctified another way than God hath in his deep wisdom
+condescended upon.
+
+4. Yet they should beware of laying too much weight on the means and
+ordinances, as if they could effectuate the business. Though the Lord
+hath thought fit to work in and by the means, yet he himself must do the
+work. Means are but means, and not the principal cause; nor can they
+work, but as the principal agent is pleased to make use of them, and to
+work by them. When we lean to the means and to instruments, we prejudge
+ourselves, by disobliging of God, and provoking him to leave us, that we
+may wrestle with the ordinances alone, and find no advantage. Therefore
+the soul should guard against this.
+
+5. Albeit the means can do nothing unless he breathe, yet we should
+beware not only of neglecting, as we said before, but also of a
+slighting way of performing them, without that earnestness and diligence
+that is required,--"cursed is he who doth the work of the Lord
+negligently," Jer. xlviii. 10. Here then is the special art of
+Christianity apparent, to be as diligent, earnest and serious in the use
+of the means, as if they could effectuate the matter we were seeking;
+and yet to be as much abstracted from them, in our hopes and
+expectation, and to be as much leaning on the Lord alone, and depending
+on him for the blessing, as if we were using no means at all.
+
+6. They should beware of slighting and neglecting the motions of the
+Spirit; for thereby they may lose the best opportunity. They should be
+always on the wing, ready to embrace the least motion; and they should
+stand always ready, waiting for the breathings of his Spirit, and open
+at his call; lest afterward, they be put to call and seek, and not
+attain what they would be at, as we see in the spouse, Cant. v. 2, 3, 4,
+&c.
+
+7. They should also guard against the quenching of the Spirit, 1 Thess.
+v. 12; or grieving of the Spirit, Eph. iv. 30, by their unchristian and
+unsuitable carriage; for this will much mar their sanctification. It is
+by the Spirit that the work of sanctification is carried on in the soul;
+and when this Spirit is disturbed, and put from his work, how can the
+work go on? When the motions of this indwelling Spirit are extinguished,
+his work is marred and retarded; and when he is grieved, he is hindered
+in his work. Therefore souls must guard against unbelief, despondency,
+unsuitable and unchristian carriage.
+
+8. Especially they should beware of wasting sins, Psal. li. 10. Sins
+against light and conscience, such as David called presumptuous sins,
+Psal. xix. 13. They should beware also of savouring any unknown
+corruption, or any thing of that kind, that may hinder the work of
+sanctification.
+
+_Secondly_, It were useful, and of great advantage for such as would
+grow in grace, and advance in the way of holiness, to be living in the
+constant conviction,
+
+1. Of the necessity of holiness, "without which no man shall see God,"
+Heb. xii. 14. "Nothing entering into the New Jerusalem that defileth,"
+Rev. xxi. 7.
+
+2. Of their own inability to do any one act right; how they are not
+sufficient of themselves to think any thing as of themselves, 2 Cor.
+iii. 5; and that without Christ they can do nothing, John xv. 5.
+
+3. Of the insufficiency of any human help, or means, or way which they
+might think good to choose, to mortify aright one corruption, or to give
+strength for the discharge of any one duty; for our sufficiency is of
+God, 2 Cor. iii. and it is "through the Spirit that we must mortify the
+deeds of the body," Rom. viii. 13.
+
+4. And of the treachery and deceitfulness of the heart, which is bent to
+follow by-ways, being not only "deceitful above all things, but also
+desperately wicked," Jer. xvii. 9.
+
+That by this means, the soul may be jealous of itself, and despair of
+doing any thing in its own strength, and so be fortified against that
+main evil, which is an enemy to all true sanctification, viz. confidence
+in the flesh.
+
+_Thirdly_, The soul will keep its eye fixed on those things:
+
+1. On Christ's all-sufficiency to help; in all cases that "he is able to
+save to the uttermost," Heb. vii. 25.
+
+2. On his compassionateness to such as are out of the way; and readiness
+to help poor sinners with his grace and strength; and this will keep up
+the soul from fainting and despairing.
+
+3. On the commands of holiness; such as those, "cleanse your hand, and
+purify your hearts," James iv. 8, and, "be ye holy, for I am holy," 1
+Pet. i. 15, 16, and the like; that the authority of God and conscience
+to command may set the soul a-work.
+
+4. On the great recompense of reward that is appointed for such as
+wrestle on, and endure to the end; and on the great promises of great
+things to such as are sanctified, whereof the scriptures are full; that
+the soul may be encouraged to run through difficulties, to ride out
+storms, to endure hardness, as a good soldier, and to persevere in duty.
+
+5. On the other hand, on the many sad threatenings and denunciations of
+wrath, against such as transgress his laws, and on all the sad things
+that such as shake off the fear of God and the study of holiness have to
+look for, of which the scripture is full; that by this means the soul
+may be kept in awe, and spurred forward unto duty, and made the more
+willing to shake off laziness.
+
+6. On the rule, the word of God, by which alone we must regulate all our
+actions; and this ought to be our meditation day and night, and all our
+study, as we see it was David's, and other holy men of God, their daily
+work, see Psal. i. and cxix.
+
+_Fourthly_, In all this study of holiness, and aiming at an higher
+measure of grace, the believer would level at a right end, and so would
+not design holiness for this end, that he might be justified thereby, or
+that he might thereby procure and purchase to himself heaven and God's
+favour; for the weight of all that must lie on Jesus Christ, who is our
+righteousness; and our holiness must not dethrone him, nor rob him of
+his glory, which he will not give to another; but would study holiness,
+to the end he might glorify God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and
+please him who calleth to holiness, and thereby be "meet to be partakers
+of the inheritance of the saints in light," Col. i. 10, 12; and be made
+a meet bride for such a holy bridegroom, and a member to such an holy
+head; that hereby others might be edified, Matt. v. 16. 1 Pet. ii. 12,
+and iii. 1, 2; that the soul may look like a temple of the Holy Ghost,
+and like a servant of Christ's bought with a price, 1 Cor. vi. 17-20;
+and have a clear evidence of his regeneration and justification, and
+also that he may express his thankfulness to God for all his favours and
+benefits.
+
+_Fifthly_, The soul should by faith lay hold on, and grip fast to the
+ground of sanctification; that is to say, (1.) To what Christ hath
+purchased for his people. (2.) To what as a public person he hath done
+for them; and so by faith,
+
+1. Challenge a right to, and lay hold on the promises of grace,
+strength, victory, and thorough bearing, in their combating with
+corruption within, and Satan and a wicked world without.
+
+2. "Reckon themselves dead unto sin, through the death of Christ; and
+alive unto God through his resurrection," Rom. vi. 4, 11. "And that the
+old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed,"
+verse 6. "And that they are now not under the law, but under grace,"
+verse 14.
+
+That by this means they may be encouraged to continue fighting against a
+vanquished enemy, and not give over, notwithstanding of disappointments,
+discouragements, prevailings of corruption, &c. and the believer may
+know upon what ground he standeth, and what is the ground of his hope
+and expectation of victory in the end; and so he "may run, not as
+uncertainly; and so fight, not as one that beateth the air," 1 Cor. ix.
+26.
+
+_Sixthly_, In this work of sanctification, the believer should be much
+in the lively exercise of faith; fight by faith; advance by faith, grow
+up, and bring forth fruit by faith; and so,
+
+1. The believer would be oft renewing his grips of Christ, holding him
+fast by faith; and so abiding in him, that he may bring forth fruit,
+John xv. 4,5.
+
+2. Not only would he be keeping his union fast with Christ, but he would
+also be eyeing Christ by faith, as his store-house, and general Lord
+dispensator of all the purchased blessings of the covenant, which he
+standeth in need of, and looking on Christ, as standing engaged by
+office to complete his work of salvation, and to present him with the
+rest to himself holy, without blemish, yea, and without spot and
+wrinkle, or any such thing, Eph. v. 27.
+
+3. He would by faith grip to the promises, both of the general stock of
+grace, the new heart, and heart of flesh, and the spirit to cause us
+walk in his statutes, Ezek. xxxvi. 26,27; and of the several particular
+acts of grace that be standeth in need of, such as that, Jer. xxx. 8, "I
+will cleanse them from all their iniquities," &c. So Ezek. xxxvi. 25.
+Jer. xxxi. 19. As the church doth, Micah vii. 9. "He will subdue our
+iniquities," &c. And so having, or gripping these promises, we are to
+cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, "and perfect
+holiness in the fear of God," 2 Cor. vii. 1.
+
+4. As the believer would by faith draw out of Christ, through the
+conduit of the promises, which are all "yea and amen in him," 2 Cor. i.
+20. grace, strength, knowledge, courage, or whatever his fight in this
+warfare calleth for, to the end he may be strong in "the Lord, and in
+the power of his might," Eph. vi. 10; so he would by faith roll the
+weight of the whole work upon Christ; and thus cast himself, and his
+care and burden on him who careth for him, 1 Pet. v. 7. Psal. xxxvii. 5,
+and lv. 22; and so go on in duty, without anxiety, knowing who beareth
+the weight of all, and who hath undertaken to work both to will and to
+do, according to his good pleasure. Thus should the work be easy and
+safe, when by faith we roll the burden on him, who is the chosen one
+fitted for that work, and leave it on him, who is our strength,
+patiently waiting for the outgate, in hope.
+
+Thus the believer makes use of Christ, as made of God sanctification,
+when in the use of means appointed, eyeing the covenant of grace, and
+the promises thereof, and what Christ hath done to sanctify and cleanse
+his people, he rolleth the matter on him, and expecteth help, salvation,
+and victory through him.
+
+
+CAUTIONS.
+
+But lest some should be discouraged, and think all this in vain, because
+they perceive no progress nor growth in grace for all this, but rather
+corruption as strong and troublesome as ever, I would say a few things
+to them.
+
+1. Let them search and try, whether their shortcoming and disappointment
+doth not much proceed from this, that the matter is not so cleanly cast
+over on Christ as it should be; is it not too oft found, that they go
+forth to the battle in their own strength, lippening to their own stock
+of grace, to their own knowledge, or to their duties, or the like? How
+then can they prosper?
+
+2. Let them mourn as they get any discovery of this, and guard against
+that corrupt bias of the heart, which is still inclining them to an
+engagement without the Captain of their salvation, and a fighting
+without the armour of God.
+
+3. Let them try and see, if, in studying holiness, they be not led by
+corrupt ends; and do not more labour after sanctification, that they may
+be more worthy and the better accepted of God, and that they may have
+quietness and peace as to their acceptance with God, as if this were any
+cause, matter, or condition of their righteousness and justification
+before God, than that they may shew their obedience to the command of
+God, 1 Thes. iv. 3. Eph. ii. 10. John xv. 16; and express their
+thankfulness to him, and glorify God, Mal. i. 6. Matt. iii. 16. John
+xvii. 10. Eph. iv. 30; and if so, they ought to acknowledge God's
+goodness in that disappointment, seeing thereby they see more and more a
+necessity of laying aside their own righteousness, and of betaking
+themselves to the righteousness of Christ, and of resting on that alone
+for peace and acceptance with God.
+
+4. They should try and see, if their negligence and carelessness in
+watching, and in the discharge of duties, do not occasion their
+disappointments and shortcoming. God sometimes thinks fit to suffer a
+lion of corruption to set on them, that they may look about them, and
+stand more vigilantly upon their watch-tower, knowing that they have to
+do with a vigilant adversary, the devil, who, as a roaring lion, goeth
+about seeking whom he may devour, I Pet. v. 8. and that "they fight not
+against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers,
+against the rulers of the darkness of this world; against spiritual
+wickedness in high places," Eph. vi. 12. It is not for nought that we
+are so often commanded to watch, Matt. xxiv. 42, and xxv. 13, and xxvi.
+41, and xiv. 38. Luke xxi. 36. Mark xiii. 33-37. 1 Cor. xvi. 13. 1 Thes.
+v. 6. 1 Pet. iv. 7. Col. iv. 2. Through the want of this, we know what
+befel David and Peter.
+
+5. They should try and see, whether there be not too much
+self-confidence, which occasioned Peter's foul fall. God may, in justice
+and mercy, suffer corruption to break loose upon such, at a time, and
+tread them under foot, to learn them afterward to carry more soberly;
+and to "work their salvation with fear and trembling," Phil. ii. 12,
+remembering what a jealous, holy God he is, with whom they have to do;
+what an adversary they have against them; and how weak their own
+strength is.
+
+6. This should be remembered, that one may be growing in grace, and
+advancing in holiness, when, to his apprehension, he is not going
+forward from strength to strength, but rather going backward. It is one
+thing to have grace, and another thing to see that we have grace; so it
+is one thing to be growing in grace, and another thing to see that we
+are growing in grace. Many may question their growth in grace, when
+their very questioning of it may evince the contrary. For they may
+conclude no growth, but rather a back-going, because they perceive more
+and more violent, and strong corruptions, and hidden works of darkness
+and wickedness, within their soul, than ever they did before; while as
+that great discovery sheweth the increase of their spiritual knowledge,
+and an increase in this is an increase in grace; so they may question
+and doubt of their growth, upon mistakes, as thinking corruption always
+strongest when it makes the greatest stir and noise; or their complaints
+may flow from a vehement desire they have to have much more
+sanctification, which may cause them overlook many degrees they have
+advanced. Or some such thing may occasion their darkness and complaints;
+yea, God may think it fittest for them, to the end they may be kept
+humble and diligent, to be in the dark as to their progress; whereas if
+they saw what advancement and progress they had made in Christianity,
+they might grow wanton, secure, and careless, and so occasion some sad
+dispensation to humble them again.
+
+7. It should be remembered, that perfect victory is not to be had here.
+It is true, in respect of justification through the imputation of the
+perfect righteousness of Christ, and in respect of their sincerity and
+gospel simplicity, and in respect also of the parts of the new man,
+believers are said to be perfect; such an one was Noah, Gen. vi. 9, and
+Job, chap. i. 1, 8. See also Psalm xxxvii. 37, and lxiv. 4. 1 Cor. ii.
+6. Heb. v. 14. James iii. 2. And it is true, we are to aim at
+perfection, and to pray for it, as Matt. v. 48. 2 Cor. xiii. 11. Col.
+iv. 12. Heb. xiii. 21. James i. 4. 1 Pet. v. 10. Heb. vi. 1. Yet as to
+the degrees of holiness and sanctification, and in respect of the
+remnant of corruption within, there is no full perfection here, Jer. ix.
+20, 21. Phil. iii. 12. For even he who is washed, and, as to
+justification, is clean every whit, yet needeth to wash his feet,
+because contracting filth in his conversation, Job xiii. 10. So that if
+the Lord should mark iniquity, no man should stand, Psalm cxxx. 3, and
+cxliii. 2. There will still be in the best something, more or less, of
+that battle, that Paul speaketh of, Rom. vii. 15-23. So that they will
+still have occasion to cry out with him, verse 24, "O wretched man that
+I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death!" And the flesh
+will still lust against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh, so
+that they shall not be able to do what they would, Gal. v. 17. The place
+of perfection is above, where all tears are wiped away, and the weary
+wrestler is at rest.
+
+8. Let them not mistake and think, that every stirring of corruption in
+the soul, argueth its dominion and prevailing power. Corruption may stir
+and make a great deal ado, where it cannot get leave to reign; and be as
+a violent and cruel invader, seeking the throne, putting the whole
+kingdom in a combustion, who is resisted with force of arms.
+
+Corruption may be more quiet and still, when indeed it hath the throne
+of the soul; as a conqueror may be more quiet and still, when he hath
+overcome and is in peaceable possession of the kingdom, than when he was
+but fighting for it. When the strong man keeps the house, and is master,
+then all is quiet and at rest, till a stronger come and thrust him out,
+and dispossess him.
+
+9. Sanctification doth not always consist in a man's freedom from some
+corruptions. For there may be some corruptions that one hath no natural
+inclination to, but, on the contrary, a great aversion for; as some
+world's wretches may have no inclination to prodigality and ranting, or
+such like vices, which are contrary to their humour, or to their
+constant education; and Satan may never tempt some man to such evils,
+knowing he will get more advantage by plying his temper and genius, and
+so carrying him away to the other contrary evil; and so, though this man
+know not so much, as what it is once to be tempted to those vices, yet
+that will not say, that he is a sanctified man; far less will it say,
+that he hath more grace than another man, whose predominant that evil
+is, and against which he is daily fighting and wrestling. Whence it
+appeareth that wrestling and protesting against even an overcoming
+corruption, may evidence more of grace, than freedom from some evils, to
+which some are not so much tempted, and to which they are naturally less
+inclined.
+
+10. Nor should they think, that corruption is always master of the soul,
+and possessing the throne as a full conqueror, when it prevaileth and
+carrieth the soul headlong at a time, for corruption may sometimes come
+in upon the soul as an inundation with irresistible violence, and, for a
+time, carry all before it, so that the soul cannot make any sensible
+resistance; as when a sudden, violent, and unexpected temptation setteth
+on, so as the poor man is overwhelmed, and scarce knoweth where he is,
+or what he is doing, till he be laid on his back. At that time it will
+be a great matter, if the soul dare quietly enter a protest against and
+dissent from what is done, and if there be an honest protestation
+against the violent and tyrannical invasion of corruption, we cannot
+say, that corruption is in peaceable possession of the throne. If the
+spirit be lusting against the flesh, levying all the forces he can
+against the invader, by prayer and supplication to God, and calling in
+all the supply of divine help he can get, and, when he can do no more,
+is fighting and groaning under that unjust invasion, resolving never to
+pay homage to the usurper, nor to obey his laws, nor so much as parley
+with him, or make peace, we cannot say, that the soul doth consent fully
+unto this usurpation. Nay, if the soul shall do this much, at such a
+time when Satan sets on with all his force, it will be a greater
+evidence of the strength of grace in the soul, than if the soul should
+do the same or a little more, at a time when the temptation is not so
+strong.
+
+11. It is not good for them to say, that grace is not growing in them,
+because they advance not so far as some do; and because they come not to
+the pitch of grace that they see some advanced to. That is not a sure
+rule to measure their growth in grace by. Some may have a better natural
+temper, whereby they are less inclined to several vices which these find
+a strong propension to; they may have the advantage of a better
+education, and the like; so that they should rather try themselves this
+year by what they were the last year, and that in reference to the lusts
+to which they have been most subject all their days.
+
+12. We must not think that every believer will attain to the same
+measure of grace. There is a measure appointed for every member or joint
+of this body; and every joint supplieth, according to the effectual
+working in the measure of every part, Eph. iv. 16. God hath more ado
+with some than with others; there is more strength required in an arm or
+leg than in a finger or toe; and every one should be content with his
+measure, so far as not to fret or repine against God and his
+dispensations, that makes them but a finger, and not an arm of the body;
+and do their duty in their station, fighting against sin, according to
+the measure or grace dispensed to them of the Lord, and that faithfully
+and constantly; and not quarrel with God, that he maketh us not as free
+of temptations and corruptions as some others. For the captain must not
+he blamed for commanding some of his soldiers to this post where they
+never once see the enemy, and others to that post where they must
+continually fight. The soldier is here under command, and therefore must
+be quiet, and take his lot; so must the Christian reverence the Lord's
+dispensations, in ordering matters, so as they shall never have one
+hour's quietness, while, as others have more rest and peace, and stand
+at their post fighting, resolving never to yield, but rather to cover
+the ground with their dead bodies, till the commander-in-chief think
+good to relieve them. Sure I am, as the only wise God hath distributed
+to every member of the body, as he hath thought good, so it is the duty
+of every member to endeavour this holy submission to him, as to the
+measure of grace, considered as his free gift bestowed on them; and to
+be humbled for the grudgings of his heart, because God hath not given
+him more talents. And sure I am, though this submission make no great
+noise in the world; yet really this is one of the highest degrees of
+grace attainable here, and such an ornament of a meek and quiet spirit,
+as is in the sight of God of great price. So that whoever hath attained
+to this, have the very grace they seem to want, and more. Yet, lest
+this should be abused, let me add a word or two of caution, to qualify
+this submission. (1.) There must be with it a high prizing even of that
+degree of grace which they want. (2) There must be a panting after
+grace, as it is God's image, and a conformity to him, and with so much
+singleness, as they may be in case to say, without the reproachings of
+their heart, they do not so much love holiness for heaven, as heaven for
+holiness. (3.) There must be an unceasingness in using all means,
+whereby the growth of grace may be promoved to this end, that they may
+be conformed to his image, rather than that they may be comforted. (4.)
+There must be also a deep humiliation for the want of that degree of
+grace they would have, as it importeth the want of so much conformity to
+him to whose image they are predestinated to be conformed, which will
+very well consist with this submission we are speaking of.
+
+13. It would be remembered, that there may be a great progress, even
+when it is not observed; when, (1.) Hereby the man is made to lie in the
+dust, to loath himself, and cry, behold I am vile! (2.) Hereby his
+indignation against the body of death is the more increased. (3.) Hereby
+his esteem of a Saviour and of the blessed contrivance of salvation is
+the more heightened, that he seeth he is thereby brought to make mention
+of his righteousness, even of his only. (4.) Hereby his longing after
+immediate fruition is increased, where all these complaints shall cease.
+(5.) And hereby he is put to essay that much slighted duty of holding
+fast the rejoicing of his hope firm unto the end, looking and longing
+for the grace that shall be brought unto him at the revelation of Jesus
+Christ, when he shall be presented without spot, and be made meet to be
+a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+HOW CHRIST IS TO BE MADE USE OF, IN REFERENCE TO THE KILLING AND
+CRUCIFYING OF THE OLD MAN.
+
+
+Having thus shortly pointed out some things in general, serving to the
+clearing and opening up the way of our use-making of Christ for
+sanctification, we come now more particularly to the clearing up of this
+business. In sanctification we must consider, _first,_ The renewing and
+changing of our nature and frame; and, _next,_ The washing and purging
+away of our daily contracted spots. The first of these is commonly
+divided into two parts, viz. _1st,_ The mortification, killing, and
+crucifying of the old man of sin and corruption which is within; and,
+_2d,_ The vivification, renewing, quickening, and strengthening of the
+new man of grace; and this is a growth in grace, and in fruitfulness and
+holiness.
+
+As to the first of these, viz. The mortification or crucifying of the
+old man, we would know, that there is such a principle of wickedness and
+enmity against God in man by nature, now since the fall, whereby the man
+is inclined to evil, and only to evil. This is called the old man, as
+being like the body, made of so many parts, joints, and members, that
+is, so many lusts and corruptions and evil inclinations, which,
+together, make up a-corpus, and they are fast joined and compacted
+together, as the members of the body, each useful and serviceable to one
+another, and all of them concurring and contributing their utmost to the
+carrying on of the work of sin, and so it is the man of sin; and it is
+also called the old man, as having first possession of the soul, before
+it is by grace renewed, and it is a dying more and more daily. Thus it
+is called the old man, and the body of sin, Rom. vi. 6. This old man
+hath his members in our members and faculties, so that none of them are
+free,--understanding, will, affections, and the members of our body are
+all servants of unrighteousness to this body of sin, and old man. So we
+read of the motions of sin, Rom. vii. 5, which work in our members to
+bring forth fruit unto death; and of the lusts of the flesh, Rom. xiii.
+14. Gal. v. 16, 24; and the lusts of sin, Rom. vi. 12. So we hear of the
+desires of the flesh and of the mind, Eph. ii. 3; and of affections and
+lusts, Gal. v. 24. And the old man is said to be corrupt, according to
+the deceitful lusts, Eph. iv. 22; all which lusts and affections are as
+so many members of this body of sin, and of this old man. And, further,
+there is herein a considerable power, force, and efficacy, which this
+old man hath in us, to carry us away, and, as it were, command or
+constrain us, as by a forcible law. Hence we read of the law of sin and
+death, Rom. viii. 2, which only the "law of the Spirit of life in Christ
+doth make us free from." It is also called a "law in our members warring
+against the law of our mind," Rom. vii. 23, "and bringing us into
+captivity to the law of sin which is in our members." So it is said, "to
+lust against the Spirit, and to war," Gal. v. 17. All which point out
+the strength, activity, and dominion of sin in the soul, so that it is
+as the husband over the wife, Rom. vii. 1; yea, it hath a domineering
+and constraining power, where its horns are not held in by grace. And as
+its power is great, so its nature is wicked and malicious; for it is
+pure "enmity against God," Rom. viii. 7; so that it neither is nor can
+be reconciled, and therefore must be put off and abolished, Eph. ii. 15;
+killed and crucified, Rom. vi. 6. Now herein lieth the work of a
+believer, to be killing, mortifying, and crucifying this enemy, or
+rather enmity; and delivering himself from under this bondage and
+slavery, that he may be Christ's free man, and that through the Spirit,
+Rom. viii. 13.
+
+Now, if it be asked, How shall a believer make use of Christ, to the end
+this old man may be gotten crucified? or, how should a believer mortify
+this old man, and the lusts thereof, through Christ, or by the Spirit of
+Jesus? We shall propose those things, which may help to clear this:
+
+1. The believer should have his eye on this old man as his arch-enemy,
+as a deadly cut-throat lying within his bosom. It is an enemy lodging
+within him, in his soul, mind, heart, and affections, so that there is
+no part free; and therefore is acquaint with all the motions of the
+soul, and is always opposing and hindering every thing that is good. It
+is an enemy that will never be reconciled to God, and therefore will not
+be reconciled with the believer as such; for it is called enmity itself,
+and so it is always actively seeking to promove the ruin of the soul,
+what by prompting, inclining, moving, and forcibly drawing or driving,
+sometimes with violence and rage, to evil; what by with standing,
+resisting, opposing, counter-working, and contradicting what is good; so
+that the believer cannot get that done which he would do, and is made to
+do that which he would not. Therefore this being such an enemy, and so
+dangerous an enemy, so constant and implacable an enemy, so active and
+close an enemy, so deadly and destructive, it is the believer's part to
+guard against this enemy, to have a vigilant eye upon it, to carry as an
+irreconcilable enemy thereunto; and therefore never to come in terms of
+capitulation or agreement therewith, never once to parley, let be make
+peace. And the believer would not have his vigilant eye upon this or
+that member of this body of death, so much as upon the body itself, or
+the principle of wickedness and rebellion against God; the head, life,
+spirit, or law, of this body of death; for there lieth its greatest
+wickedness and activity; and this is always opposing us, though not in
+every joint and member; but sometimes in one, sometimes in another.
+
+2. Though the believer should have a main eye upon the body, this
+innate, strong, and forcible law of sin and death, yet should he have
+friendship and familiarity with no part, member, or lust of all this
+body. All the deeds of the body should be mortified, Rom. viii. 13; the
+old man with his deeds should be mortified, Col. iii. 6; and we should
+"mortify our members which are upon the earth," verse 5; for all of them
+are against us, and the least of them countenanced, entertained, and
+embraced, will work our ruin, and cut our soul's throat; therefore
+should the believer look on each of them, and on all of them, as his
+deadly enemies.
+
+3. He should consider, that, as it is a very unseemly thing for him to
+be a slave to that old tyrant, and to yield his members as so many
+servants to iniquity, so it is dangerous and deadly. His life lieth at
+the stake; either he must get it mortified, killed, and subdued, or it
+will kill him; his life will go for its life; if this enemy escape, he
+is a gone man. The consideration of this should cause the believer to
+act here in earnestness and seriousness, with care and diligence, and
+set about this work of mortification with labour and pains.
+
+4. Much more must it be against all reason and Christianity, for the
+believer to be making "provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts
+thereof," Rom. xiii. 14. To be strengthening the hands of, and laying
+provision to this enemy, which is set and sworn against us, can stand
+with no reason. And here is much of the Christian's prudence and
+spiritual wisdom required, to discern what may make for fostering of
+this or that corruption, or member of the body of sin and death, and to
+withdraw that, as we will labour to take away provision of any kind from
+an enemy that is coming against us. Paul acted herein as a wise gamester
+and combatant, when he kept under his body, and brought it into
+subjection, 1 Cor. ix. 27. It were but to mock God, and to preach forth
+our own folly, to be looking to Christ for help against such an enemy,
+and, in the meantime, to be underhand strengthening the hands of the
+enemy; this would be double dealing, and treachery against ourselves.
+
+5. To the end, their opposition unto this enemy may be the stronger and
+more resolute, they should consider, that this body of sin is wholly set
+against God, and his interest in the soul, being very enmity itself
+against God, Rom. viii. 7; and always lusting and fighting against the
+work of God in the soul, Gal. v. 17; and against every thing that is
+good, so that it will not suffer, so far as it can hinder the soul to do
+anything that is good, at least in a right manner, and for a right end.
+Nay, with its lustings, it driveth constantly to that which is evil,
+raiseth evil motions and inclinations in the soul, ere the believer be
+aware; sideth with any temptation that is offered, to the end that it
+may destroy the soul, like a traitor within; as we see it did in David,
+when he fell into adultery; and with Asaph, Psalm lxxiii. 2; yea, itself
+opposeth and tempteth, James i. 14, by setting mind, will, and
+affections on wrong courses; and thus it driveth the soul to a course of
+rebellion against God, or diverts it, and draws it back, that it cannot
+get God served aright; yea, sometimes it sets a fire in the soul,
+entangling all the faculties, filling the mind with darkness or
+prejudice, misleading or preventing the affections, and so miscarrying
+the will, and leading it captive, Rom. vii. 23; so that the thing is
+done which the unregenerate soul would not do, and the duty is left
+undone which the soul would fain have done; yea, and that sometimes
+notwithstanding of the soul's watching and striving against this; so
+strong is its force.
+
+6. The believer should remember, that this enemy is not for him to fight
+against alone, and that his own strength and skill will make but a
+slender opposition unto it. It will laugh at the shaking of his spear;
+it can easily insinuate itself, on all occasions, because it lieth so
+near and close to the soul, always residing there, and is at the
+believer's right hand whatever he be doing, and is always openly or
+closely opposing, and that with great facility; for it easily besetteth,
+Heb. xii. 1, because it lieth within the soul, and in all the faculties
+of it--in the heart, mind, will, conscience, and affections; so that
+upon this account, the deceitfulness of the heart is great, and passeth
+the search of man, Jer. xvii. 9. Man cannot know all the windings and
+turnings, all the drifts and designs, all the lurking and retiring
+places, all the falsehoods and double dealings, all the dissimulations,
+lies, and subterfuges, all the plausible and deceitful pretexts and
+insinuations of his heart acted and spirited by this law of sin and
+death. And besides this slight and cunning, it hath strength and power
+to draw by lusts into destruction and perdition, 1 Tim. iv. 9, and to
+carry the soul headlong; so that it makes the man's case miserable, Rom.
+vii. 24. All which would say, that the believer should call in other
+help than his own, and remember, that "through the Spirit he must
+mortify the deeds of the body," Rom. viii. 13.
+
+7. And therefore the believer must lay aside all his carnal weapons, in
+dealing with his adversary, and look out for divine help and assistance,
+even for the promised Spirit, through which alone he can be instructed
+and enabled for this great work; for of himself he can do nothing, not
+so much as think a good thought as of himself, 2 Cor. iii. 5, far less
+will he be able to oppose such a mighty adversary, that hath so great
+and many advantages; and therefore all his carnal means, purposes, vows,
+and fightings in himself, will but render himself weaker, and a readier
+prey unto this adversary, which gaineth ground while he is so opposed.
+It is Christ alone and his Spirit, that can destroy the works of the
+devil, and kill or crucify this enmity.
+
+8. So that the believer must have his recourse for help and succour
+here, unto Jesus the Captain of salvation, and must follow him, and
+fight under his banners, make use of his weapons, which are spiritual;
+fight according to his counsel and conduct, taking him as a Leader and
+Commander, and lying open for his orders and instructions, waiting for
+the motions of his Spirit, and following them; and thus oppose and fight
+against this deadly enemy, with an eye always on Christ by faith,
+depending on him for light to the mind, resolution to the will, and
+grace to the whole soul to stand in the battle, and to withstand all
+assaults, and never engage in a dispute with this enemy, or any lust or
+member of this body without Christ the principal, that is, the soul
+would despair in itself, and be strong in him, and in the power
+of his might, by faith griping to him, as Head, Captain, and
+Commander-in-chief, resolving to fight in his strength, and to oppose
+through the help of his Spirit.
+
+9. And for this cause, the believer would eye the covenant of
+redemption, the basis of all our hope and consolation, wherein final and
+full victory is promised to Christ, as Head of the elect, viz. "that he
+shall bruise the serpent's head;" and so that in him, all his followers
+and members of his mystical body shall lift up the head, and get full
+victory at length over both sin and death. Now it is "God that giveth us
+the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ," 1 Cor. xv. 57. The believer
+would also eye by faith the covenant of grace, wherein particularly this
+same victory is promised to the believer, in and through Jesus, Rom.
+xvi. 20. "And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet
+shortly; and sin shall not have dominion over you, for ye are not under
+the law, but under grace," Rom. vi. 14. The believer, I say, would look
+out by faith unto, and lay hold on these and the like promises, and
+thereby get strength conveyed to himself, whereby he may strive
+lawfully, and fight valiantly, and oppose with courage and resolution.
+
+10. Further, the believer would eye Christ as a fountain of furniture,
+as a full and complete magazine, standing open, and ready for every one
+of his honest soldiers to run to for new supplies of what they want; so
+that whatever they find wanting in their Christian armour, they must run
+away to the open magazine, Christ's fulness, that standeth ready for
+them, and by faith take and put on what they want and stand in need of
+in their warfare. If their girdle of truth be slacked, loosed, or
+weakened, and they be meeting with temptations anent their hypocrisy,
+and Satan objecting to them their double dealing, of purpose to
+discourage them, and to make them faint and give over the fight; they
+must away to him who is the truth, that he may bind on that girdle
+better, and make their hearts more upright before God in all they do.
+And if their breastplate of righteousness be weakened, and Satan there
+seem to get advantage, by casting up to them their unrighteous dealings
+towards God or men, they must flee to him, who only can help here, and
+beg pardon through his blood for their failings, and set to again afresh
+to the battle. If their resolution, which is understood by the
+preparation of the gospel of peace, grow weak, it must be renewed in
+Christ's armoury, and the feet of new be shod therewith. If their shield
+of faith begin to fail them, away must they get to him who "is the
+Author and Finisher of faith," Heb. xii. 2. And if their helmet of hope
+begin to fail them, in this armoury alone can that be supplied. And if
+their sword be blunted in their hand, or they unable to wield it aright,
+the Spirit of Jesus can only teach their hands to fight, and instruct
+them how to manage that useful weapon with advantage. Thus must the
+believer "be strong in him, and in the power of his might," Eph. vi. 10.
+"He is their God that girdeth them with strength, and maketh their way
+perfect. He maketh their feet like hind's feet, and setteth them upon
+their high places. He teacheth their hands to war, so that a bow of
+steel is broken by their arms. He giveth them the shield of salvation.
+His right hand upholdeth them. He girdeth with strength unto the
+battle," &c. Psalm xviii. 32, &c.
+
+11. For the further strengthening of their hope, faith, and confidence,
+believers would eye Christ, as hanging on the cross, and overcoming by
+death, death, and him that hath the power of death, the devil; and so as
+meritoriously purchasing this redemption from the slavery of sin and
+Satan, and particularly from the slavery of that body of death, and of
+the law of sin and death; for the apostle tells us, Rom. viii. 2, "That
+the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus doth make us free from the
+law of sin and death," and that because, as he saith further, ver. 3, 4,
+"what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God
+sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin
+condemned sin in the flesh; that the righteousness of the law might be
+fulfilled in us." So that the believer may now look upon that enemy, how
+fearful soever it may appear, as condemned and killed in the death, of
+Christ; he having laid down the price of redemption, hath bought this
+freedom from the chains and fetters with which he was held in captivity.
+Faith, then, on the death of Jesus satisfying justice for the poor
+captive, may, and should support and strengthen the hope and confidence
+of the believer, that he shall obtain the victory at length.
+
+12. And it will further confirm the hope and faith of the believer, to
+look to Christ hanging on the cross, and there vanquishing and
+overcoming this arch-enemy, as a public person, representing the elect
+who died in him, and virtually and legally did in him overcome that
+jailor, and break his fetters; and the soul now believing, may, yea,
+should reckon itself in Christ dying, as it were, upon the cross, and
+there overcoming all those spiritual enemies. "Likewise," saith the
+apostle, Rom. vi. 11, "Reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto
+sin." From hence, even while fighting, the believer may account himself
+a conqueror, yea, "more than a conqueror, through him that loved him,"
+Rom. viii. 37. Now faith acting thus on Christ, as a public person,
+dying and overcoming death and sin, the believer may not only infer the
+certainty of victory, knowing that our old man is crucified with Christ,
+Rom. vi. 6; but also from the cross of Christ draw strength to stand and
+fight against the strugglings of this vanquished and killed enemy. "They
+that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and
+lusts," Gal. v. 24. But how? Even by the cross of Christ. "For thereby
+is the world crucified unto me," saith the apostle, Gal. vi. 14, "and I
+unto the world." "Your old man is crucified with him, that the body of
+sin might be destroyed," Rom. vi. 6.
+
+13. The believer being dead indeed unto sin, through the cross of
+Christ, is to look upon himself as legally freed from that yoke of
+bondage under sin and death. "The law hath dominion over a man as long
+as he liveth," Rom. vii. 1. "But by the body of Christ believers are
+become dead to the law," ver. 4. That law of sin and death which hath
+dominion over a man that liveth still in nature, and is not yet by faith
+planted in the likeness of Christ's death, nor buried with him by
+baptism into death, Rom. vi. 4, 5, hath not that dominion over believers
+it had once--"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath
+made them free from the law of sin and death," Rom. viii. 2; so that now
+the believer, is free from that tyranny; and that tyrant can exercise no
+lawful jurisdiction or authority over him; and therefore he may with the
+greater courage repel the insolencies of that tyrant, that contrary to
+all right and equity seeketh to lord it over him still. They are no
+lawful subjects to that cruel and raging prince, or to that spiritual
+wickedness.
+
+14. So that the believer, renouncing that jurisdiction under which he
+was formerly, and being under a new husband, and under a new law, even
+the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, is to look upon all the
+motions of sin as illegal, and as treasonable acts of a tyrant. "The old
+man being crucified with Christ, that the body of sin might be
+destroyed, the believer is not any more to serve sin," Rom. vi. 6; "and
+being now dead, they are freed from sin," ver. 7; "and are married to
+another, even to him who is raised from the dead, and so they should not
+serve sin, but bring forth fruit unto God," Rom. vii. 4; and therefore,
+look upon all motions of the flesh, and all the inclinations and
+stirrings of the old law of sin, as acts of treachery and rebellion
+against the right and jurisdiction of the believer's new Lord and
+husband; and are therefore obliged to lay hold on this old man, this
+body of death, and all the members of it, as traitors to the rightful
+king and husband, and to take them prisoners to the king, that he may
+give out sentence, and execute the same against them, as enemies to his
+kingdom and interest in the soul;--they being now no more "servants of
+sin, but of righteousness, they ought no more to yield their members
+servants to uncleanness, and iniquity unto iniquity," Rom. vi. 18, 19;
+"and being debtors no more to the flesh, to live after the flesh," Rom.
+vii. 12; "they are to mortify the deeds of the body through the spirit,"
+ver. 13; "and to crucify the flesh with the affections and lusts," Gal.
+v. 24; that is, by bringing them to the cross of Christ, where first
+they were condemned and crucified, in their full body and power; that a
+new sentence, as it were, may go out against them, as parts of that
+condemned tyrant, and as belonging to that crucified body.
+
+15. So that the believer that would carry faithfully in this matter, and
+fight lawfully in this warfare, and hope to obtain the victory through
+Jesus Christ, must bring these traitors that appear in their sinful
+motions and lusts in the soul, working rebellion against the just
+authority and equitable laws of the lawful prince Jesus, before the
+tribunal of him who hath now got "all power and authority in heaven and
+in earth," Matt, xxviii. 18; "and hath all judgment committed to him,"
+John v. 22; "and to this end, both died, and rose, and revived, that he
+might be Lord both of the dead and living," Rom. xvi. 9; that he may
+execute justice upon the traitor, head, and members; that he may trample
+these devils under, and bruise the head of these serpents within us. The
+believer then is by faith in prayer, to carry these open enemies to
+Christ, and declare and witness against them as traitors, by what
+mischief they have done in the soul, by their hindering the righteous
+laws of the king to be obeyed; and constraining and forcing, what by
+arguments and allurements, and what by forcible inclinations and
+pousings, to a disobedience and a counteracting of Christ; and he should
+urge and plead upon the fundamental laws of the land, viz. the articles
+of agreement betwixt the Father and the Son, and the faithful promises
+of the covenant of grace; and upon Christ's office as king and governor,
+and his undertaking as Mediator; upon the merits of his death and
+sufferings; upon his dying as a common person; upon the constitution of
+the gospel, whereby they are in law repute as dying in him, and so free
+from the law of sin and death; and upon their relation to him as their
+new Lord, Head, Husband, King, Commander, &c. Upon these arguments, I
+say, to plead for justice against the rebel that is now brought to the
+bar, and so by faith leave the prisoner in his hand, that he may, in his
+own time and way, give a second blow unto the neck of this implacable
+and raging enemy, that he may not rise up to disturb the peace of the
+soul as before; or to trouble, impede, and molest the soul in paying the
+homage and obedience due to his lawful master and sovereign king, JESUS.
+
+
+CAUTIONS AND DIRECTIONS.
+
+For further clearing of the premises, I would propose a few particulars,
+for caution and direction, as,--
+
+1. This work of laying the burden of this business on Christ by faith,
+would be gone about with much singleness of heart, aiming at the glory
+of God, and the carrying on of his work in the soul; and not for
+self-ends, and carnal by-respects, lest thereby we mar all.
+
+2. It would be carried on, without partiality, against all and every
+one of the lusts and motions of the old man. For if there be a
+compliance with and a sparing of any one known lust, the whole work may
+be marred; they may meet with a disappointment as to the particular lust
+they are desiring victory over;--and the lust they are harbouring,
+though it may seem little, may open a door to many stronger, and so
+occasion sad days to the man, ere he be aware.
+
+3. As they would bring the particular lust, or lusts, unto Christ, as
+chief Lord Justice; so they would always lay the axe to the root of the
+tree, and crave justice against the main body, that yet lieth within the
+soul; and these particular corruptions and affections, that are as
+members of that body of sin, should put them in mind of the old man, for
+they should "crucify the flesh with the affections and lusts thereof,"
+Gal. v. 24; the body and the members. These lusts are the lusts of sin,
+or of that head-sin, which hath a law, or the force and impulse of a law
+in the soul; and therefore their main design would be against this root,
+where lieth the strength and body of the enemy, and which acteth in
+those members; this is the capital enmity, and should be mainly opposed.
+And the following of this course would prove more successful than that
+which many time we take: our nibbling at, or wrestling against this or
+that member of the body of death, is but of little advantage, so long as
+the main body of sin, the bitter root of wickedness, the carnal mind,
+this innate enmity is miskent, and not opposed; but on the contrary,
+strike at this, we strike at all.
+
+4. This would be the believer's constant work, to be "crucifying the
+flesh, with the lusts thereof; to be mortifying their members," wherein
+the members of the old man quarter and lodge, Col. iii. 5; "to be
+spiritually minded, and to mind the things of the Spirit," Rom. viii. 5,
+6. "For the carnal mind is enmity, against God," Rom. viii. 7; "and so
+is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." It is not only
+an enemy which may be reconciled, but enmity in the abstract, which
+never can be reconciled. And this enmity will never be idle; for it
+cannot till it be fully and finally destroyed; "the flesh is always
+lusting against the spirit,'" Gal. v. 17; "for they are contrary one to
+the other." So that though, to our sense, it may sometimes appear as
+sleeping, in regard that it doth not by some particular lust so molest
+and perplex the soul as formerly it did: yet it is restless, and may be
+more active in another lust, and so by changing weapons on us, deceive
+us. Here then is much spiritual wisdom and vigilancy required. When they
+think they have gotten one lust subdued, they must not think the war is
+at an end; but after all their particular victories, watch and pray,
+that they enter not into temptation.
+
+5. This way of laying the weight of the matter on Christ, should and
+will keep them humble, and teach them not to ascribe the glory of any
+good that is done unto themselves, but to give him all the glory, who is
+jealous of his glory, and will not give it to another, that the crown
+may alone flourish on his head, who is the captain of their salvation,
+and who by his Spirit worketh all their works in them.
+
+6. Nor would this way of carrying the matter to Christ, and putting it
+over on him, cause the believer become negligent in commanded duties,
+reading, hearing prayer, &c; for it is there he must expect to meet with
+Christ; there must he seek him, and there must he wait for him, and his
+Spirit to do the work desired. For though he hath not limited himself to
+these means, so, as he cannot, or will not any other way help, yet he
+hath bound us to them; and it is our duty to wait there, where he hath
+commanded us to wait, though he should sometime think good to come
+another way, for the manifestation of the sovereignty of his grace.
+
+7. Yet while we are about the means, we would guard against a leaning to
+them, lest, instead of getting victory over corruption, we be brought
+more in bondage thereunto another way. We must not think that our
+prayers, or our hearing, or reading, &c. will bring down the body of
+death, or subdue any one corruption; for that were but an yielding to
+corruption, and opening a back door to the carnal mind, and to another
+deadly lust, and a beating corruption with a sword of straw. This is not
+to mortify the deeds of the body through the Spirit, but through the
+flesh; and a fleshly weapon will never draw blood of this spiritual
+wickedness or old man, or of any corrupt lust or affection thereof; and
+yet how many times doth our deceitful heart bias us this way? Our work
+would be, as is said, to use the ordinances as means, whereby we may get
+the business laid on Christ, and help from Christ to do the business. We
+must go to the means with our prisoner to find Christ there at his court
+and assizes, that he may take course with the traitor.
+
+8. In all this there would be a looking to, and dependence on Christ for
+help and grace; because of ourselves, as of ourselves, we cannot do this
+much; we cannot complain aright of corruptions, nor take them away to
+Christ, nor ask for justice against them. As constables and other
+officers must carry malefactors to the courts of justice, upon public
+charges; so Christ will not have us doing or attempting this much on our
+own charges, for he giveth noble allowance.
+
+9. In following of this course, we would not think always to come speed
+at the first. Sometimes the Lord, for the encouragement of his children,
+may give them a speedy hearing, and deliver them from the tyranny of
+some particular lust or other that hath troubled them; so that for some
+time at least, it shall not so trouble them as it did. Yet he will not
+do so always, but may think it good to keep them waiting on him, and
+hanging on his courts for some considerable time, that he may thereby
+exercise their faith, patience, desire, zeal, and diligence. So that it
+should not seem strange to us, if we be not admitted at the first, and
+get not our answer at the first cry.
+
+10. When the Lord thinketh good to delay the answer to our desires, and
+the execution of justice on the malefactor and traitor, or to deliver us
+from his tyranny and trouble, we would beware of thinking to capitulate
+with the enemy for our peace and quiet, or to enter into a cessation of
+arms with him; that is, our enmity against him should never abate; nor
+should our desire after the mortification and crucifixion of this lust
+grow less; nor should we be at quiet and at peace, though it should
+seem to grow a little more calm and still, or not to rage as formerly;
+for this looks but like a covenant or confederacy with lust, which will
+not stand.
+
+11. We would also know, that what Christ said of devils, holdeth good of
+these lusts, viz. "that some of them do not go out but by fasting and
+prayer;" that is, by Christ sought unto and found in these means. There
+are some lusts that will not be so easily killed and mortified as
+others, but will cost us more pains and labour, as being corruptions
+which possibly have some greater advantage of our natural temper and
+constitution of body, or of long continuance and a cursed habit, or the
+like. We must not then think it strange, if some such lust be not
+subdued so easily as some others to which we have fewer and weaker, and
+not so frequent temptations.
+
+12. As we cannot expect a full conquest of the body of death, so long as
+we are here, as was shown above, neither can we expect a full and final
+victory over any one lust, which ever we have been troubled with. It is
+true, believers may be kept from some gross out-breaking of a
+corruption, which sometime prevailed, as Peter was from relapsing into
+an open and downright denying his Master; yet that same corruption did
+afterward stir, though not so violently as to carry him to such an
+height of sin; yet so far as to cause him do that which was a partial
+denying of his Master, when Paul withstood him to the face, because he
+was to be blamed for withdrawing from the Gentiles, for fear of them of
+the circumcision, &c. Gal. ii. 11, 12.: So, though a particular lust may
+be so far subdued through grace, as that for some considerable time a
+man may not find it so violent as it was; yet be cannot say that it is
+totally killed, because it may stir thereafter in some weaker measure;
+yea, he cannot tell, but ere he come to die, that same corruption may
+rise to be as violent as ever, and that Satan may again think to enter
+the soul at that same breach which once he entered at; yea, and who can
+tell, whether God may not suffer that corruption, which lay long as
+dead, to revive again for a time, and for a time drive the soul as
+violently as ever, and prevail for a time? And this should teach all to
+walk soberly, watchfully, and in fear, and to have a vigilant eye, even
+upon such lusts and carnal affections, as they may suppose they have got
+the victory of.
+
+13. We would not think that we gain no ground upon corruption, because
+we still perceive it stirring, less or more; for as corruption is not
+always strongest, as was said above, nor hath the deepest footing in the
+soul, when its motions and stirrings are most felt; so neither must we
+think that there is no ground gained upon a lust, because we are still
+troubled and molested with its stirrings; for it is a great advantage to
+be more sensible of the motions of this enemy; and our more faithful and
+active wrestling against it may make its least stirrings more sensible
+to us; as the motions and trouble which a malefactor, while in grips and
+in prison, maketh, may be thought more of than his greater ragings
+before he was apprehended; yet he may be sure in fetters for all that. A
+beast that hath gotten death's blow may get out of grips, and run more
+mad than ever, and yet will die at length of the same blow.
+
+14. Though we should find present ease and quiet by our following this
+way, yet we should think it much, if the Lord help us to stand, when we
+have done all we can, though we meet not with the hoped for success
+presently; if he give us grace to continue without wearying or fainting,
+and to be resolved never to give over, we have reason to bless him; if
+we be kept still in the conflict with pursuit of the enemy, it is our
+great advantage; the victory shall come in God's own time. If our
+opposition so continue, that we are resolved never to take nor give
+quarter, though our trouble and exercise should be the greater, and our
+ease and quiet the less, we ought to bless him, yea, and rejoice in hope
+of what he shall yet do for us; for he that will come, shall come, and
+will not tarry. Let us wait for him, in doing our duty, and faithfully
+keeping our post.
+
+15. Yea, if we get quietness or ease from the violence of raging lusts
+for any little time, and be not continually driven and carried headlong
+therewith, we ought to be thankful for this, and to walk humbly before
+him; lest he be provoked by our unthankfulness and pride, and let these
+furious dogs loose upon us again.
+
+16. When we are bending our strength and all our forces against some
+one corruption or other, which possibly hath been most troublesome to
+us, we would not be secure as to all others, or think that we are in
+hazard only on this side; for Satan may make a feint here, and really
+intend an assault at another place, by some other corrupt affection. O
+what need have we of spiritual wisdom that we may be better acquainted
+with his stratagems and wiles I Let us so then fight against one member
+of this body of death, as to have our eye upon others, lest when we
+think to keep out Satan at the fore-door, he enter in at the back-door.
+He can make use of extremities, and play his game with both; yea, and
+gain his point, if we be not aware.
+
+
+OBJECTIONS ANSWERED.
+
+It will not be amiss, for further explaining of the matter, to remove a
+scruple or two. Some may say, that they cannot perceive that all their
+pains in this matter come to any good issue; for they never found
+corruption stir more, and act more lively and incessantly, than since
+they began to fight against it in good earnest; so that this would seem
+not to be the right way.
+
+I answer, Though from what is said before, particularly cautions 9th and
+13th, a resolution of this doubt maybe had; yet I shall propose those
+things, for further clearing of the matter:
+
+1. May not much of this flow from thy not laying the whole work so
+wholly off thyself, and upon Christ, as thou oughtest to do? Try and
+see.
+
+2. May not the devil rage most, when he thinks ere long to be ejected?
+May he not labour to create most trouble to the soul, when he seeth that
+he is like to be put from some of his strengths?
+
+3. May not the devil be doing this of purpose to drive thee to despair
+of ever getting corruption subdued and mortified; or to a fainting and
+sitting up in the pursuit, and to a despondency of spirit; that so
+instead of fighting or standing, thou may cede and turn thee back? And
+should we comply with him in his designs?
+
+4. May not the Lord give way to this for a time, to try thy seriousness,
+patience, submission and faith, and to sharpen thy diligence, and
+kindle up thy zeal? And should we not submit to his wise dispensations?
+
+5. How can thou say that thou gainest no advantage, as long as thou art
+not made to lay aside the matter wholly, as hopeless of any good issue;
+but, on the contrary, art helped to stand, and to resist sin, to cry out
+against it, to fight as thou canst, and at least not to yield?
+
+6. What if God see it for thy advantage, that thou be kept so in
+exercise for a time, to the end thou may be kept humble, watchful, and
+diligent? He may see more of thee, than thou canst see of thyself, and
+so may know what is best for thee; and should thou not condescend to be
+disposed of by him as he will, and to let him make of thee, and do with
+thee what he will?
+
+7. What if God be about to chasten thee thus for thy former negligence,
+security, and unwatchfulness, and giving too much advantage to those
+lusts, which now, after his awakening of thee, thou would be delivered
+from? Should thou not bear the indignation of the Lord, because thou
+hast sinned against him, as the Church resolved to do, Micah vii. 9?
+
+8. Is it not thy duty the more that corruption stirs, to run with it the
+oftener to Christ, that he may subdue it and put it to silence? May not
+thou improve this to thy advantage, by making many errands to him?
+
+9. May it not come in a day, that hath not come in a year? Art thou
+sure, that all thy pains shall be in vain? Or thinkest thou that all his
+children have got victory alike soon over their lusts? What cause is
+there then to complain thus?
+
+10. May not all this convince thee, that it is thy duty to wait on him,
+in the use of his appointed means, and to be patient, standing fast to
+thy post, resolving, when thou hast done all, yet to stand?
+
+11. May not this satisfy thee, that God through grace accepteth thy
+labour and wrestling, as thy duty, and accounteth it service to him, and
+obedience?
+
+But again, it may possibly be objected thus: so long as I am in this
+condition, kept under with my lusts, I cannot get God glorified and
+served as he ought to be.
+
+I answer, though so long as it is so with thee, thou cannot glorify and
+serve him, in such a particular manner as others, who have got more
+victory over those evils under which thou art groaning, yet God can get
+glory and service of thee another way; as,
+
+1. By thy submission, with calmness of spirit, to his wise
+dispensations, when thou dare not speak against him, and say, with
+Rebecca, in another case, if it be so, why am I thus? But sweetly and
+willingly cast thyself down at his feet, saying, good is the will of the
+Lord; let him do what seemeth him good, &c.
+
+2. By thy patient on-waiting, when thou art not wearying nor fainting,
+but saying, why should I not wait upon the great King's leisure? Is he
+not free to come when he will? Dare I set limits to the Holy One of
+Israel?
+
+3. By thy humility, when thou blessest him, for keeping thee so long out
+of hell, and thinkest much of his giving thee grace to see and observe
+the stirrings of corruption, which carnal wretches never perceive; and
+helping thee to withstand and complain of corruption, which they sweetly
+comply with.
+
+4. By thy hatred of sin, when all that Satan can do cannot make thee
+comply with those lusts, or sweetly embrace those vipers, or lie down in
+peace with those rotten members of the old man, as others do.
+
+5. By thy watchfulness, when all thy disappointments cause thee the more
+earnestly watch against that enemy.
+
+6. By thy acting faith, when still thou art carrying sin in its lusts to
+Christ to kill and subdue, as believing the tenor of the gospel and new
+covenant.
+
+7. By thy hope, which appeareth by thy not despairing, and giving over
+the matter as a hopeless business, and turning aside to wicked courses.
+
+8. By thy praying, when thou criest to him continually for help, who
+only can help.
+
+9. By thy wrestling and standing against all opposition, for thereby is
+his strength made perfect in thy weakness, 2 Cor. xii. 9.
+
+10. By thine obedience; for it is his command that thou stand and fight
+this good fight of faith.
+
+So that if thou hast a desire to glorify him, thou wants not occasion to
+do it, even in this condition wherein thou complainest that thou cannot
+get him glorified. And if those grounds do not satisfy thee, it is to be
+feared that it is not so much a desire to glorify him, that moveth thee
+to cry so earnestly for actual delivery from the trouble of the flesh
+and the lusts thereof, as something else, which thou may search after
+and find out; such as love to ease, quietness, applause and commendation
+of others, or the like.
+
+But, in the _third_ place, it may be objected, is it not promised that
+sin shall not have dominion over us, as "not being under the law, but
+under grace," Rom. vi. 14. How can we then but be troubled, when we find
+not this promise made good?
+
+I answer, 1st, Sin is not always victorious and domineering, when it
+seemeth to rage and stir most. Your opposition thereunto, fighting and
+wrestling against it, sheweth that it hath not full dominion. So long as
+an invading usurper is opposed, he hath not full dominion, not having
+peaceable possession of what he is seeking; and thus the promise is in
+part accomplished.
+
+2. Victory and a full conquest over the flesh, and lusts thereof, is not
+promised to any believer, at his first appearing in the fields to fight;
+nor granted to all in any measure, at their first putting on their
+armour.
+
+3. Therefore it is thy part to fight on, and wait for that full victory,
+viz. that sin shall not have dominion over thee, for it shall come in
+due time.
+
+4. God hath his own time and seasons wherein he accomplisheth his
+promises; and we must leave him a latitude, both as to the time when,
+and as to the manner how, and as to the degree in which he shall make
+good his promises; and he is wise in his dispensations.
+
+Therefore, though the promise as yet appeareth not to be accomplished,
+there is no true cause of trouble of mind, because it shall be afterward
+fully accomplished; and the wrestling against sin, saith that it is in
+great measure accomplished already; because where it hath a full
+dominion, it suppresseth all opposition or contradiction, except some
+faint resistance, which a natural conscience, for carnal ends, on carnal
+principles and grounds, may, now or then, make against this or that
+particular corruption, which occasioneth shame, disgrace, loss,
+challenges of a carnal conscience, and disquietness that way, when yet
+it is not hated nor wrestled against as sin, or as a member of the old
+man, and the body of death. The objector would consider, that having
+subjected his consent to Christ, he is delivered really from that
+natural state of bondage under sin as a lawful lord, howbeit the old
+tyrant, now wanting a title, is making new invasions, to trouble the
+peace and quiet of the soul.
+
+_Fourthly,_ It may be said, but what can then, in the mean time, keep up
+the heart of a poor soul from sinking?
+
+_Ans._ Several things, if rightly considered, might help to support the
+soul in this case, as,
+
+1. That they are helped to wrestle against this body of death, in all
+the members of it, so soon as they discover themselves, were it their
+right eye and right hand.
+
+2. That these lusts gain not ground upon them; or if they do seem to
+gain ground, yet they attain not to a full dominion, not gaining their
+consent.
+
+3. That God is faithful, and therefore the promised victory shall be had
+in due time, and Satan's head shall certainly be bruised.
+
+4. That the wrestling soul is about his duty, carrying as a good soldier
+of Jesus Christ, fighting the battles of the Lord, and waiting on him in
+faith and hope.
+
+But further, _fifthly,_ some may say, If I were kept from yielding, my
+wrestling and standing would yield me some comfort; but when lust so
+stirreth, as that it conceiveth and bringeth forth sin, (James i. 15,)
+what can support or comfort me then?
+
+_Ans._ 1. Corruption cannot stir in us, but therein we sin, for the very
+first rise, the _motus primo-primi_, as they are called, are sinful,
+being contrary to the holy law of God; and the very in-being of that old
+man is our sin; for it is sinful, and rebellious against God, yea it is
+very enmity and rebellion itself. When Satan cometh with a temptation
+from without, he findeth always much in us to entertain the temptation.
+So that the very stirring of corruption, which is occasioned by the
+temptation from without, is our guilt.
+
+2. It is true it is our duty, to set against the first risings and
+motions of corruption, when it first enticeth, before it hath conceived
+or brought forth sin; and it will argue grace in life and in action, to
+be able to hinder the motions of lust so far, that it shall not conceive
+and bring forth sin. Yet we may not say, that there is no grace in the
+soul, or no measure of mortification attained, where lust sometimes not
+only enticeth, but conceiveth and bringeth forth sin. The sad experience
+of many of God's worthies, registrated in the word, cleareth this
+abundantly. We must not say, such an one is fallen, therefore he is
+dead. Paul reasoneth otherways, Rom. vii.
+
+3. Yet even then, when lust conceiveth and bringeth forth sin, this may
+comfort and bear up the heart of a poor believer. (1.) That though
+corruption prevail so far, as to bear down all opposition, and run down
+all that standeth in its way, yet it getteth not the full consent of the
+soul: there is still a party for God in the soul, that opposeth so far
+as to protest against it, or at least to dissent from it, and not to
+will that which yet is done, and positively to will that which cannot be
+gotten effectuated, (2.) And further, this may bear up the poor soul,
+that there is a party within, which, though for a time, during the
+violent overrunning of corruption, can do little more than sigh and
+groan in a corner, yet is waiting and longing for an opportunity when it
+may appear more for God, and against that wicked usurper. (3.)So also
+this may comfort the poor soul, that as it perceiveth corruption
+stirring, and the old man moving one member or other, it runneth away to
+the king; and when it is not able to apprehend the traitor, and take him
+captive to the court of justice, doth there discover the traitor, and
+tell the king that there is such or such a traitor acting such and such
+rebellion against him and his laws, and complain and seek help to take
+the rebel prisoner, and bring him bound hand and foot to the king, that
+he may give out sentence against him; that is, when he can do no more
+against that raging enemy, maketh his complaint to the Lord, and lieth
+before him, sighing and groaning for help and strength to withstand and
+oppose more this enemy.
+
+_Lastly,_ Some may yet object, and say, If it were not worse with me
+than it is with others, I could then be satisfied; but I see some
+mightily prevailing over corruption, and I am still at under, and can
+get no victory; and can I choose but be sad at this?
+
+I answer, 1. Dost thou know for a certainty, that those persons whose
+condition thou judgest happy, are altogether free of the inward
+stirrings of those lusts that thou art brought under by? Or dost thou
+know for a certainty that they are not under the power of some other
+corruption, as thou thinkest thyself under the power of that corruption
+whereof thou complainest? What knowest thou, then, but they may be as
+much complaining on other accounts as thou dost on that?
+
+2. But be it so as thou supposeth, that there is a difference betwixt
+thy condition and the condition of others, knowest thou not, that all
+the members of the body are not alike great and strong, as not being
+equally to be employed in work requiring strength. Are there not some
+young strong men in Christ's family, and some that are but babes? May
+not a captain send some of his soldiers to one post, where they shall
+possibly not see the enemy all the day long, and some others to another
+post, where they shall have no rest all the day? And why, I pray, may
+not God dispose of his soldiers as he will? He knoweth what he is doing:
+It is not safe that every one of the soldiers know what are the designs
+of the commander or general; nor is it always fit for us to know or to
+inquire what may be the designs of God with us, and what he may be about
+to do. He may intend to employ one in greater works than another, and so
+exercise them otherways for that warfare and work. It may suffice that
+the prevailing of others may encourage thee to hope, that at last thy
+strong corruptions shall also fall by the hand of the grace of God.
+
+3. If thy sadness savour not of envy and fretting, thou should bless him
+that hereby thou art put to the exercise of spiritual sorrow.
+
+4. It is well if this bring thee to bless God for the success of
+others, because hereby his grace is glorified, 1 Cor. xii. 26.
+
+Therefore, 5. Let this satisfy us, That he is the Lord, who doeth what
+he will in heaven and in earth, and may dispose of us as he will, and
+make of us what he will, for his own glory. And that we are to mind our
+duty, and be faithful at our post, standing and fighting in the strength
+of the Lord, resolving never to comply with the enemy, and to rejoice in
+this, that the enemy is already conquered by the captain, and that we
+share in his victory, and that the very God of peace shall quickly
+bruise Satan under our feet, Rom. xvi. 20.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+HOW CHRIST IS TO BE MADE USE OF, IN REFERENCE TO GROWING IN GRACE.
+
+
+I come now to speak a little to the other part of sanctification, which
+concerneth the change of our nature and frame, and is called
+vivification, or quickening of the new man of grace; which is called the
+new man, as having all its several members and parts, as well as the old
+man; and called new, because posterior to the other; and after
+regeneration is upon the growing hand, this duty of growing in grace, as
+it is called, 2 Pet. iii. &c. is variously expressed and held forth to
+us in Scripture; for it is called "an abiding and bringing forth fruit
+in Christ," John xv. 5; "adding to faith virtue, and to virtue
+knowledge," 2 Pet. i. 5, 6, 7; "a going on to perfection," Heb. vii. 1;
+"a growing up in Christ in all things," Eph. iv. 15; "a working out our
+salvation," Phil. ii. 12; "a perfecting of holiness," 2 Cor. vii. 1; "a
+walking in newness of life," Rom. vi. 4; "a yielding of ourselves unto
+God, as alive from the dead, and our members as instruments of
+righteousness unto God," Rom. vi. 13, 18; "a bringing forth fruit unto
+God," Rom, vii. 4; "a serving in newness of spirit," Rom. vii. 6; "a
+being renewed in the spirit of our minds, and a putting on the new man,
+which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness," Eph. iv.
+23,24. Col. iii. 10, and the like: some whereof do more immediately
+express the nature of this change, as to the root, and some as to the
+fruit and effects thereof, and some the progress and advancement that is
+made or to be made therein. And all of them point out a special piece of
+work, which lieth on all that would see the face of God, viz. to be
+holy, gracious, and growing in grace.
+
+This, then, being a special piece of the exercise and daily work of a
+Christian, and it being certain, as some of the places now cited do also
+affirm, that without Christ they cannot get this work either begun or
+carried on, the main difficulty and question is, How they are to make
+use of Christ for this end?
+
+For answer whereunto, though by what we have said in our former
+discourse, it may be easy to gather what is to be said here; yet I shall
+briefly put the reader in mind of those things, as useful here.
+
+1. The believer would consider what an ornament this is to the soul, to
+have on this new man, which is created after the image of God, Eph. iv.
+23. What an excellency lieth here, to recover that lost glory, holiness
+and the image of God? and what advantage the soul reapeth hereby, when
+it "is made meet to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in
+light," Col. i. 12; "and walking worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing,
+being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of
+God," Col. i. 10; "and strengthened with all might, according to his
+glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering, with joyfulness,"
+ver. 11; and when the abounding of the graces of the Spirit maketh them
+"that they shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of
+our Lord Jesus Christ," 2 Pet. i. 8; "and to be a vessel unto honour,
+sanctified, and meet for the Master's use, and prepared unto every
+work," 2 Tim. ii. 21. What glory and peace is here, to be found obedient
+unto the many commands given to be holy: what hazard is in the want of
+holiness, when without it we cannot see God, Heb. xii. 14: how
+unanswerable it is unto our profession, who are members to such a holy
+head, to be unholy: what profit, joy, and satisfaction there is, in
+being temples of the Holy Ghost, in walking after the Spirit, in
+bringing forth fruit unto the glory of the Father, &c. The consideration
+of these and other motives unto this study of sanctification, would arm
+the soul with resolution, and harden it against opposition.
+
+2. It would be remembered, that this work, though it be laid upon us, as
+our duty, and we be called thereunto of God, yet it is beyond our hand
+and power. It is true, at conversion, the seed of grace is cast into the
+soul, new habits are infused, a new principle of life is given, the
+stony heart is changed into an heart of flesh; yet these principles and
+habits cannot act in themselves, or be brought into act, by any thing
+that a believer, considered in himself, and without divine help, can do.
+But this work of sanctification and growth in grace must be carried on
+by divine help, by the Spirit of Jesus dwelling and working within; and
+therefore it is called the sanctification of the Spirit, 2 Thess. ii.
+13. 1 Pet. i. 2. The God of peace must sanctify us, I Thess. v. 23. We
+are said to be sanctified by God the Father, Jude 1.; and by the Holy
+Ghost, Rom. xv. 16; see also 1 Cor. vi. 11. "We would remember that of
+ourselves we can do nothing," 2 Cor. iii. 5, and "that he must work in
+us both to will and to do of his own good pleasure," Phil. ii. 13.
+Albeit no believer will question the truth of this; yet it may be, it
+shall be found after trial, that one main cause of their not growing in
+grace, and making progress in this work, is their not acting as
+believing this, but setting about the work, as if it were a work which
+they themselves could master and do without special divine help.
+Therefore the believer would abide, live, and act, in the faith of this
+truth.
+
+3. Therefore believers would not, in going about this work, either trust
+to their own strength, to the habits of grace, to their former
+experiences, to their knowledge and parts, or the like; nor yet would
+they trust to any external mean, which they are to go about; because the
+wisdom, strength, and help, which their case calleth for, is not to be
+found in them; yet they should not think of laying these means and
+duties aside, for then should they sin against God; they should prejudge
+themselves of the help, strength, and supply, which God useth to convey
+to the soul, in and by the use of the means. And withal, they should
+tempt the Lord, by prescribing another way to him than he hath thought
+good to take. The believer, then, would use the means and duties
+prescribed, and that diligently, seriously, and constantly; and yet
+would lean as little to them, and expect help and relief as little from
+them, as if he were not using them at all, as we said above. And indeed
+this would be a right way; yea, the most advantageous and profitable
+way, of going about duties, to be diligent in the use of them, because
+of God's command, and yet to place our hope and expectation in God
+alone, and to look above the ordinances for our help.
+
+4. Albeit it be true that the power and grace of God alone, doth begin
+and carry on this work of sanctification in the soul: yet though he
+might, did he but see it for his glory, carry on and finish this work in
+the soul, without the intervention of second causes or means, he hath
+notwithstanding thought it fit, for the glory of his name, to work this
+work by means, and particularly by believers setting about the work. He
+worketh not in man as if he were a block or a stone, but useth him as a
+rational creature, endued with a rational soul, having useful and
+necessary faculties, and a body fired by organs to be subservient to the
+soul in its actions. Therefore the believer must not think to lie by and
+do nothing, for he is commanded to work out his own salvation, and that
+because it is God that worketh in him both to will and to do. Because
+God worketh all, therefore he should work; so reasoneth the apostle. So
+that God's working is an argument and motive to the man to work, and not
+an argument to him to lie by idle and do nothing. And here is the holy
+art and divine skill requisite in this business, to wit, for the
+believer to be as diligent and active as if he could bring forth fruit
+in his own strength, and by his own working; and yet to be as abstracted
+from himself, his own grace, ability, knowledge, experience, in his
+working, as if he were lying by like a mere block, and only moving as
+moved by external force.
+
+5. The soul that would make progress in Christianity, and grow in grace,
+would remember that Christ is proposed to us as a copy, which we are to
+imitate, and that therefore we should set Christ continually before us
+as our pattern, that we may follow his steps, 1 Pet. i. 15, and ii. 21.
+But withal it would be remembered, that he is not like other ensamples
+or copies, that can help the man that imitateth them in no other way
+than by their objective prospect; for looking by faith on this copy,
+will bring virtue to the man that studieth to imitate, whereby he shall
+be enabled to follow his copy better. O! if we knew in experience what
+this were, to take a look of Christ's love, patience, long-suffering,
+meekness, hatred of sin, zeal, &c, and by faith to pore in, till, by
+virtue proceeding from that copy, we found our hearts in some measure
+framed into the same disposition, or at least more inclined to be cast
+into the same mould!
+
+6. The believer would act faith on Christ, as the head of the body, and
+as the stock in which the branches are ingrafted, and thereby suck sap,
+and life, and strength from him, that he may work, walk, and grow, as
+becometh a Christian. The believer must grow up in him, being a branch
+in him, and must bring forth fruit in him, as the forementioned places
+clear. Now, Christ himself tells us, that the branches cannot bring
+forth fruit, except they abide in the vine; and that no more can his
+disciples bring forth, except they abide in him, John xv. Therefore, as
+it is by faith that the soul, as a branch, is united to Christ, as the
+vine; and as it is by faith that they abide in him; so it is by faith
+that they must bring forth fruit; and this faith must grip Christ as the
+vine, and the stock or root from which cometh sap, life, and strength.
+Faith, then, must look to Christ as the fountain of furniture--as the
+head from whence cometh all the influences of strength and motion.
+Christ hath strength and life enough to give out, for "the fulness of
+the Godhead dwelleth in him bodily;" and he is also willing enough to
+communicate of his fulness, as the relations he hath taken on do
+witness. The head will not grudge to give to the members of the body,
+spirits for action and motion; nor will a vine grudge to give sap into
+the branches. Nay, life, strength, and furniture will, as it were,
+natively flow out of Christ unto believers, except they, through
+unbelief, and other distempers, cause obstructions; as life and sap doth
+natively and kindly flow from the root to the branches, or from the head
+to the members, unless obstructions stop the passage. It is necessary,
+therefore, that believers eye Christ under these and the like relations,
+and look upon him as standing, (so to speak,) obliged by his place and
+relation, to grant strength and influences of life, whereby they may
+become fruitful in every good work; and so with holy, humble, and
+allowed boldness, press in faith for new communications of grace,
+virtue, strength, courage, activity, and what else they need; for, from
+the head, all the body, by joints and bands, having nourishment
+ministered, increaseth with the increase of God. Col. ii. 19. Eph. iv.
+16.
+
+7. For this cause believers would lie open to the influences of Christ,
+and guard against the putting of obstructions in the way, through
+grieving of the Spirit, by which he conveyeth and communicateth those
+influences unto the soul; and through questioning and misbelieving
+Christ's faithfulness and unchangeable willingness, which as a violent
+humour stoppeth the passage. So then believers would lie open by looking
+and waiting, drawing, seeking from him what they need, and by guarding
+against every thing that may provoke the Lord to anger, whether in
+omission or commission. Here is requisite, an holy, humble, sober, and
+watchful walk; an earnest, serious, and hungry looking out to him, and a
+patient waiting for supply and furniture from him. This is to open the
+mouth wide that he may fill it; to lie before the Sun of Righteousness,
+that the beams thereof may beat upon them, and warm and revive them; and
+to wait as a beggar at this King's gate, till he give the alms.
+
+8. For the strengthening their hope and faith in this, they would lay
+hold upon Christ dying, and by his death purchasing all those
+influences of life and strength which are requisite for carrying on the
+work of grace and sanctification in the soul. For we must be "blessed in
+Christ with all spiritual blessings," Eph. i. 3. The believer, then,
+would look upon these influences, as purchased at a dear rate, by the
+blood of Jesus Christ; so that the divine power giveth unto us all
+things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of
+him that hath called us to glory and virtue, 2 Peter i. 3. And this will
+encourage the soul to wait on, and expect the flowing down of
+influences, and spiritual blessings and showers of grace, to cause the
+soul to flourish and become fruitful, and to urge and press more
+earnestly by faith the bestowing of the purchased benefits.
+
+9. Moreover, the believer would look on Jesus as standing engaged and
+obliged to carry on this work, both receiving them as for this end, from
+the Father. Hence we are said "to be chosen in him before the foundation
+of the world, that we should be holy," &c. Eph. i. 4; and as dying for
+them. For he gave himself for the church, that he might sanctify and
+cleanse it, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, that
+it should be holy, Eph. v. 25-27. He hath reconciled them, in the body
+of his flesh, through death, to present them holy, Col. i. 2, 22. So
+that the noble covenant of redemption may found the certain hope and
+expectation of the believer, upon a double account: (1.) Upon the
+account of the Father's faithfulness, who promised a seed to Jesus, viz.
+such as should be his children, and so be sanctified through him, and
+that the pleasure of the Lord, which in part is the work of
+sanctification, should prosper in his hand. And, (2.) Upon the account
+of Christ's undertaking and engaging, as is said, to bring his sons and
+daughters to glory, which must be thought sanctification; for without
+holiness no man shall see God. And they must look like himself, who is a
+holy head, a holy husband, a holy captain; and therefore they must be
+holy members, a holy spouse, and holy soldiers. So that he standeth
+engaged to sanctify them by his Spirit and word, and therefore is called
+the sanctifier, Heb. ii. 11; "for both he that sanctifieth, and they
+who are sanctified, are all one." Yea, their union with Christ layeth
+the foundation of this; for "being joined to the Lord, they become one
+Spirit," 1 Cor. vi. 17, and are animated and quickened by one and the
+same Spirit of life and grace, and therefore must be sanctified by that
+Spirit.
+
+10. The believer likewise would act faith upon the promises of the new
+covenant, of grace, strength, life, &c, whereby they shall walk in his
+ways, have God's laws put into their minds, and wrote in their hearts,
+Heb. viii. 10. Jer. xxxi. 33; and of the new heart, and new spirit, and
+the heart of flesh, and the Spirit within them, to cause them walk in
+his ways or statutes, and keep his judgments, and do them, Ezek. xxxvi.
+26, 27, and the like, wherewith the Scripture aboundeth; because these
+are all given over to the believer by way of testament and legacy,
+Christ becoming the Mediator of the New Testament, that by means of
+death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the
+first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of
+eternal inheritance, Heb. ix. 15. Now, Christ, by his death, hath
+confirmed this testament; "for where a testament is, there must also of
+necessity be the death of the testator; for a testament is of force
+after men are dead," vers. 16, 17. Christ, then, dying to make the
+testament of force, hath made the legacy of the promises sure unto the
+believer; so that now all the "promises are yea and amen in Christ," 2
+Cor. i. 20. "He was made a minister of circumcision to confirm the
+promises made to the fathers," Rom. xv. 8. That the eyeing of these
+promises by faith is a noble mean to sanctification, is clear, by what
+the apostle saith, 2 Cor. vii. 1, "Having therefore these promises, let
+us cleanse ourselves; perfecting holiness in the fear of God." And it is
+by faith that those promises must be received, Heb. xi. 33: So that the
+believer that would grow in grace, would eye Christ, the fundamental
+promise, the testator establishing the testament, and the executor or
+dispensator of the covenant, and expect the good things through him, and
+from him, through the conduit and channel of the promises.
+
+11. Yet further, believers would eye Christ in his resurrection, as a
+public person, and so look on themselves, and reckon themselves as
+rising virtually in and with him, and take the resurrection of Christ as
+a certain pawn and pledge of their sanctification; for so reasoneth the
+apostle, Rom. vi. 4, 5, 11, 13. "We are buried," says he, "with him by
+baptism unto death; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by
+the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life:
+For--we shall be also planted in the likeness of his resurrection; and
+if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with
+him:--therefore reckon ye also yourselves to be--alive unto God, through
+Jesus Christ our Lord, and yield yourselves unto God, as those that are
+alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness
+unto God." The right improving of this ground would be of noble
+advantage to the student of holiness: for then he might with strong
+confidence conclude, that the work of sanctification should prosper in
+his hand; for he may now look upon himself as "quickened together with
+Christ," Eph. ii. 5. Christ dying and rising, as a public person, and he
+by faith being now joined with him, and united to him.
+
+12. Moreover this resurrection of Christ may yield us another ground of
+hope and confidence in this work; for there is mention made of the power
+of his resurrection, Phil. iii. 10. So that by faith we may draw
+strength and virtue from Christ, as an arisen and quickened head,
+whereby we also may live unto God, and bring forth fruit unto him, and
+serve no more in the oldness of the letter, "but in the newness of the
+Spirit," Rom. vii. 4, 6. He was quickened as a head, and when the head
+is quickened, the members cannot but look for some communication of life
+therefrom, and to live in the strength of the life of the head: see Col.
+iii. 1, 2.
+
+13. Faith may and should also look to Christ, as an intercessor with the
+Father. For this particular, John xvii. 17, "Sanctify them through thy
+truth, thy Word is truth:" and this will add to their confidence, that
+the work shall go on; for Christ was always heard of the Father, John
+xi. 41, 42, and so will be in his prayer, which was not put up for the
+few disciples alone.
+
+The believer then would eye Christ as engaging to the Father to begin
+and perfect this work; as dying to purchase the good things promised,
+and to confirm the same; as quickened, and rising as head and public
+person, to ensure this work, and to bestow and actually confer the
+graces requisite; and as praying also for the Father's concurrence, and
+cast the burden of the work on him by faith, knowing that he standeth
+obliged, by his place and relation to his people, to bear all their
+burthens, to work all their works in them, to perfect his own work that
+he hath begun in them, to present them to himself at last a holy bride,
+to give them the Spirit "to dwell in them," Rom. viii. 9, 11 "and to
+quicken their mortal bodies," ver. 11, "and to lead them," ver. 14;
+"till at length they be crowned, and brought forward to glory." This is
+to live by faith, when Christ liveth, acteth, and worketh in us by his
+Spirit, Gal. ii. 20. Thus Christ dwelleth in the heart by faith; and by
+this his people become rooted and grounded in love, which is a cardinal
+grace; and knowing the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, they
+become filled with all the fulness of God, Eph. iii. 17, 19. So that the
+believer is to commit by faith the work to Christ, and leave the stress
+of all the business on him who is their life. Yet the believer must not
+think he is to do nothing, or to lay aside the means of ordinances, but
+using these diligently, would in them commit the matter to Christ, and
+by faith roll the whole work on him, expecting, upon the ground of his
+relations, engagements, promises, beginnings, &c., that he will
+certainly perfect the work, (Phil. i. 6,) and take it well off their
+hands, and be well pleased with them for putting the work in his hands,
+and leaving it on him "who is made of God to us sanctification."
+
+
+CAUTIONS.
+
+As in the former part, so here it will not be amiss to give a few words
+of caution, for preventing of mistakes.
+
+1. We would beware of thinking that perfection can be attained here:
+the perfect man and measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ is
+but coming, and till then the body will be a perfecting and edifying,
+through the work of the ministry, Eph. iv. 12, 13. Believers must not
+think of sitting down on any measure of grace which they attain to here;
+but they must be growing in grace, going from strength to strength, till
+they appear in the upper Zion with the apostle, Phil. iii. 13.
+"Forgetting those things that are behind, and reaching forth unto those
+things which are before, they must press toward the mark, for the prize
+of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." It must then be a dreadful
+delusion for any to think that they can reach to such a degree of
+perfection here, as not to stand in need of the ordinance any more. Let
+all believers live in the constant conviction of their shortcoming, and
+be humbled, and so work out their salvation with fear and trembling.
+
+2. Nor should every believer expect one and the same measure of
+holiness, nor can it be expected with reason that all shall advance here
+to the same height of sanctity; for every part of the body hath its own
+measure, and an effectual working in that measure: and so every joint of
+the body supplieth less or more, according to its proportion, and
+contributeth to the increase of the body, and to the edifying of itself
+in love, as the apostle clearly sheweth, Eph. iv. 16. As in the natural
+body the diversity of functions and uses of the members requireth
+diversity of furniture and strength, so in the mystical body of Christ
+the members have not all alike measure, but each hath his proper
+distinct measure, according to his place and usefulness in the body.
+Believers then would learn much sobriety here and submission, knowing
+that God may dispense his graces as he will, and give them to each
+member in what measure he thinketh good: only they would take heed, that
+their poverty and leanness be not occasioned through their own
+carelessness and negligence, in not plying the means of grace with that
+faithfulness and single dependence on Christ that they ought.
+
+3. It would be remembered, that there may be some progress made in the
+way of holiness, when yet the believer may apprehend no such thing; not
+only because the measure of the growth may be so small and
+indiscernible, but also because even where the growth in itself is
+discernible, the Lord may think it good, for wise ends, to hide it from
+their eyes, that they may be kept humble and diligent; whereas, if they
+saw how matters stood indeed with them, they might (without a new degree
+of grace) swell and be puffed up, yea, even forget God, and misken
+themselves and others too. Likewise this may proceed from such an
+earnest desire after more, that they forget any measure they have
+gotten, and so despise the day of small things.
+
+4. There may be a great progress in holiness, though not in that
+particular which the believer is most eyeing to his sense and
+apprehension: for when he thinks he is not growing in love to and zeal
+for God, &c, he may be growing in humility, which is also a member of
+the new man of grace; and when he can perceive no growth in knowledge,
+there may be a growth in affection and tenderness. And if the work be
+carried on in any joint or member, it decayeth in none, though it may be
+better apprehended in one than another.
+
+5. There may be much holiness, where the believer is complaining of the
+want of fruits, when under that dispensation of the Lord towards him, he
+is made to stoop before the Most High, to put his mouth in the dust, if
+so be there may be hope, and pleasantly to submit to God's wise
+ordering, without grudging or quarrelling with God for what he doth, and
+to accept sweetly the punishment of his iniquity, if he see guilt lying
+at the root of this dispensation. Where there is a silent submission to
+the sovereign and only wise disposing hand of God, and the man is
+saying, if he will not have me to be a fruitful tree in his garden, nor
+to grow and flourish as the palm-tree, let me be a shrub, only let me be
+kept within the precincts of his garden, that his eye may be upon me for
+good; let me abide within his courts, that I may behold his countenance,
+there is grace, and no small measure of grace. To be an hired servant is
+much, Luke xv. 19.
+
+6. But withal, it would be observed, that this gracious frame of soul,
+that is silent before God, under several disappointments, is accompanied
+with much singleness of heart, in panting after more holiness, and with
+seriousness and diligence in all commanded duties, waiting upon the
+Lord, who is their hope and their salvation in each of them, and with
+mourning for their own sinful accession to that shortcoming in their
+expectations.
+
+7. We would not think that there is no progress in Christianity, or
+growth in grace, because it cometh not our way, or by the instruments
+and means that we must expect it by. Possibly we are too fond on some
+instruments and means that we prefer to others; and we think, if ever we
+get good, it must be that way, and by that means, be it private or
+public: and God may give a proof of his sovereignty, and check us for
+our folly, by taking another way. He would not be found of the bride,
+neither by her seeking of him secretly on her bed by night; nor more
+publicly, by going about the city, in the streets and broad ways; nor by
+the means of the watchmen, Cant. iii. 1, 2, 3.
+
+8. Nor would we think that there is no growth in the work of grace,
+because it cometh not at such or such prelimited or fore-set time; nor
+would we think the matter desperate, because of our looking long, and
+waiting, and asking, and labouring, and yet seeing no sensible
+advantage. Such and such a believer, saith the soul, made great progress
+in a short time, but I come no speed, for as long as I have been at this
+school. O! we should beware of limiting the Holy One of Israel. Let us
+be at duty, and commit the event to him.
+
+9. It is not a fit time to take the measure of our graces, as to their
+sensible growth and fruitfulness, when devils are broken loose upon us;
+temptations are multiplied, corruptions make a great noise, and we are
+meeting with a horrible tempest shaking us on all hands: for it will be
+strong grace that will much appear then; it will be strong faith that
+will say, Though he kill me, yet will I trust in him. At such a time it
+will be much if the man keep the ground he hath gained, though he make
+no progress. It will be much for a tree to stand, and not to be blown
+out of the ground, in the time of a strong and vehement storm, of wind,
+though it keep not its flourishes and yield not fruit The trees, which
+in a cold winter day bear neither leaves nor fruit, must not be said to
+go back, nor not to grow; because when the spring cometh again, they may
+revive and be as fruitful as ever.
+
+10. We would not always measure our graces by what appeareth outwardly;
+for there may be some accidental occurrence that may hinder that, and
+yet grace be at work within doors, which few or none can observe. The
+believer may be in a sweet and gracious frame, blushing before the Lord,
+yea, melting in love, or taken up with spiritual meditations and
+wondering, when as to some external duties, it can find no present
+disposition, through some accidental impediment or other, so that to
+some, who judge most by outward appearance, no such things as the active
+working of grace in life can appear.
+
+11. We would think it no small measure or degree of holiness, to be with
+singleness of heart pursuing it, even though it should seem to flee from
+us; to be earnestly panting after it, and hungering and thirsting for
+it. Nehemiah thought this no small thing, when he said, Neh. i. 11, "O
+Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of
+thy servants who desire to fear thy name."
+
+12. Whatever measure of holiness the believer win to, he would take
+special heed that he place no part of his confidence of his being
+accepted and justified before God in it, as if that could come in any
+part of the price to satisfy justice: but when he hath done all, let him
+call and account himself an unprofitable servant. Though believers will
+not be so gross as to speak thus, yet sure their justifying of their
+holding a-back from God, because they find not such a measure of grace
+and holiness as they would have, looketh too much this way, and saith,
+that they lean too much hereunto in the matter of the acceptance of
+their persons before God. Now this should be specially guarded against,
+lest their labour be in vain.
+
+
+OBJECTIONS ANSWERED.
+
+An objection or two must here also be removed. And 1. Some may say, that
+though they have been labouring, and striving, and working now for some
+long time, yet they can perceive no advancement; they are as far short
+as ever.
+
+_Ans_. Hath it not been found, that some have complained without cause?
+Have not some complained of their unfruitfulness and want of growth,
+that other good Christians would have thought themselves very happy, if
+they had but advanced half so far as they saw them to have done?
+
+But be it so, as it is alleged, what if the fault be their own? What if
+the cause of this be, that they attempt things in their own strength,
+leaning to their own understanding, or habits of grace, or means, &c.,
+and that they do not go about duties with that single dependence on
+Christ that is requisite, nor do they suck life, strength, and sap from
+him, by faith through the promises, nor give themselves up to him by
+faith, that he may work in them both to will and to do. Should not this
+be seen, mourned for, and helped?
+
+3. If all this shortcoming and disappointment cause them lie in the
+dust, and humble themselves more and more before the Lord, the grace of
+humiliation is growing, and that is no small advantage, to be growing
+downward.
+
+4. Withal, they would do well to hold on in duty, looking to Christ for
+help, and rolling all difficulties on him, give themselves away to him,
+as their head and Lord, and so continue their life of faith, or their
+consenting to let Christ live in them by faith, or work in them by his
+Spirit what is well-pleasing in his sight, and wait for the blessing and
+fruit in God's own time.
+
+_Next_, It will be objected, Though we might wait thus, yet how
+unedifying are we unto others, when there appeareth no fruit of the
+spirit of grace in us.
+
+_Ans_. A Christian behaviour and deportment under the sense of
+fruitlessness, expressing an holy submission of soul unto God, as
+sovereign, much humility of mind before him, justifying of God, and
+taking guilt to themselves, with a firm resolution, to wait on patiently
+in the use of means appointed, cannot but be edifying to Christian
+souls; such exercises being really the works and fruit of the spirit of
+grace working within.
+
+But, _thirdly_, some may say, How then are the promises of the covenant
+made good?
+
+_Ans_. 1. The same measure of sanctification and holiness is not
+promised to all.
+
+2. No great measure is promised to any absolutely. So much indeed is
+secured to all believers as shall carry them to heaven, as without which
+they cannot see God. But much as to the degree depends on our performing
+through faith the conditions requisite, to wit, on condition of our
+abiding in the vine, of our acting faith on him, &c.; and when these and
+the like conditions are not faithfully performed by us, what can we
+expect? So the Lord hath appointed a way wherein he will be found, and
+will have us to wait for strength and influence from him; and if we
+neglect these means which he hath appointed, how can we expect the good
+which he hath promised in the use of these means?
+
+3. The Lord has his own time of making good all his promises, and we
+must not limit him to a day.
+
+4. Hereby the Lord may be trying and exercising thy faith, patience,
+hope, dependence, submission, diligence, &c., and "if these be in thee,
+and abound, they shall make that thou shalt neither be barren nor
+unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ," 2 Pet. i. 11.
+
+But _lastly_, It will be inquired, what can support the believing soul
+in this case?
+
+_Ans_. 1. The consideration and faith of the covenant of redemption,
+wherein both the Father's engagement of the Son, and the Son's
+engagement to the Father, secureth grace and holiness, and salvation to
+the believer. And whatever we be, they will be true to each other,--our
+unbelief will not make the faith of God of none effect.
+
+2. The consideration of the noble and faithful promises contained in the
+covenant of grace, which shall all be made good in due time.
+
+3. If we be humbled under the sense of our failings and shortcomings,
+and made to mourn before the Lord, stirred up to more diligence and
+seriousness, that may yield comfort to our soul. If we be growing in
+humility, godly sorrow, repentance, diligence, and be gripping faster by
+faith to the root, we want not ground of joy and support; for if that
+be, we cannot want fruit.
+
+4. It should be matter of joy and thanksgiving, that the believer is
+kept from turning his back on the way of God, and kept with his face
+still Zion-ward. Though he make but little progress, yet he is still
+looking forward, and creeping as he may, waiting at God's door, begging
+and asking, studying, labouring, and endeavouring for strength to go
+faster.
+
+5. It is no small matter of peace and comfort, if we be kept from
+fretting, grudging and repining at the Lord's dispensations with us, and
+be taught to sit silent in the dust, adoring his sovereignty, and
+ascribing no iniquity to our Maker.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+HOW TO MAKE USE OF CHRIST FOR TAKING THE GUILT OF OUR DAILY
+OUT-BREAKINGS AWAY.
+
+
+The next part of our sanctification is in reference to our daily
+failings and transgressions, committed partly through the violence of
+temptations, as we see in David and Peter, and other eminent men of God;
+partly through daily infirmities, because of our weakness and
+imperfections; for, "in many things we offend all," James iii. 2; and,
+"if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in
+us," 1 John i. 8; "a righteous man falleth seven times," Prov. xxiv. 16;
+"there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good and sinneth not,"
+Eccl. vii. 20; and Solomon further saith, 1 Kings viii. 46, "That there
+is no man that sinneth not." This being so, the question is, how Christ
+is to be made use of, for taking these away.
+
+For satisfaction to this, it would be considered, that in those daily
+out breakings there are two things to be noticed. _First_, There is the
+guilt which is commonly called _reatus paenae_, whereby the transgressor
+is liable to the sentence of the law, or to the penalty annexed to the
+breach thereof, which is no less than God's curse; for "cursed is every
+one that abideth not in all things, which are in the law to do them,"
+Gal. iii. 10. _Next_, There is the stain or blot, which is called
+_reatus culpae_, whereby the soul is defiled, and made in so far
+incapable of glory, (for nothing entereth in there which defileth,) and
+of communion and fellowship with God, who is of purer eyes than he can
+behold iniquity. So that it is manifest, how necessary it is that both
+these be taken away, that they may not stand in our way to the Father.
+And as to both, we must make use of Christ, who is the only way to the
+Father.
+
+And this we shall now clear. And, _first_, speak of the taking away of
+the guilt that is contracted by every sin. And for this cause we shall
+speak briefly to two things. (1.) Shew what Christ hath done as
+Mediator, for this end, that the guilt contracted by our daily failings
+and out-breakings, might be taken away. (2.) Shew what the believer
+should do for the guilt taken away in Christ; or how he should make use
+of Christ for reconciliation with God after transgressions; or, for the
+taking away of the guilt that he lieth under, because of his violation
+of the law.
+
+As to the first, we say, Christ, for taking away of guilt contracted
+daily, hath done these things:
+
+1. Christ laid down his life a ransom for all the sins of the elect;
+both such as were past before they believed, and such as were to be
+committed after. His blood was shed for the remission of sins
+indefinitely, and without distinction, Matt. xxvi. 28.
+
+2. And this was done according to the tenor of the covenant of
+redemption, wherein the Father "caused all our sins to meet together on
+him," Isa. liii. 6; and made him sin, or a sacrifice for sin,
+indefinitely, 2 Cor. v. 21; and so did not except the sins committed
+after conversion.
+
+3. Having satisfied justice, and being risen from the dead as a
+conqueror, he is now exalted to "be a prince, to give repentance and
+remission of sins," Acts v. 31. Now repentance and remission of sins his
+people have need of, after conversion as well as before conversion.
+
+4. There are promises of pardon and remission of sins in the new
+covenant of grace, all which are sealed and confirmed in the blood of
+Jesus, Jer. xxxi. 34, "For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will
+remember their sin no more." And chap, xxxiii. 8, "And I will cleanse
+them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I
+will pardon all their iniquities whereby they have sinned, and whereby
+they have transgressed against me." Isa. xliii. 25, "I, even I, am he
+that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake; and will not
+remember thy sins."
+
+5. Though there be no actual pardon of sins, till they be committed, and
+repented of, according to the tenor of the gospel, Matt. iii. 2, Luke
+xiii. 3. Acts ii. 38; and viii. 22; yet while Christ bare all the sins
+of his people upon the cross, they were all then virtually and
+meritoriously taken away; of which Christ's resurrection was a certain
+pledge and evidence; for then got he his acquitance from all that either
+law or justice could charge him with, in behalf of them, for whom he
+laid down his life a ransom. Rom. viii. 33, 34, "Who shall lay anything
+to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth: Who is he that
+condemneth? It is Christ that died, or rather that is risen again."
+
+6. So that by virtue of Christ's death, there is a way laid down, in the
+covenant of grace, how the sins of the elect shall be actually pardoned,
+viz. that at their conversion and first laying hold on Christ by faith,
+all the sins, whereof they then stand guilty, shall be actually pardoned
+and forgiven, in their justification; and all their after-sins shall
+also be actually pardoned, upon their griping to Christ of new by faith,
+and turning to God by repentance. And this way is agreed to by Father
+and Son, and revealed in the gospel, for the instruction and
+encouragement of believers; and all to the glory of his free grace. "In
+whom we have redemption, (saith the apostle, Eph. i. 7-9) through his
+blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
+wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having
+made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good
+pleasure, which he hath purposed in himself."
+
+7. Beside Christ's death and resurrection, which give ground of hope, of
+pardon, of daily out-breakings, there is likewise his intercession
+useful for this end. For, so saith the apostle, 1 John ii. 1, 2, "If any
+man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the
+righteous; and he is the propitiation for our sins." This intercession
+is a special part of his priesthood, who was the great high priest, Heb.
+iv. 14, 1; and a completing part, Heb. viii. 4, and ix. 8; and upon this
+account it is, that "He is able to save to the uttermost, all that come
+to God through him, because he liveth for ever to make intercession for
+them," Heb. vii. 25. For by his intercession is the work of redemption
+carried on, the purchased benefits applied, and particularly, new grants
+of remission are, through his intercession, issued forth: he pleading
+and interceding, in a way suitable, to his glorified condition, upon his
+death and propitiation made, while he was upon the cross, accepted of
+the Father, and declared to be accepted by his resurrection, ascension,
+and sitting at his Father's right hand. And thus, as believers are
+reconciled to God by Christ's death, they are saved by his life, Rom. v.
+10. So that Christ's living to be an intercessor, makes the salvation
+sure; and so laying down a ground for taking away of daily
+out-breakings, which, if not taken away, would hinder and obstruct the
+believer's salvation.
+
+8. And as for the condition requisite to renewed pardon, viz. faith and
+repentance, Christ is the worker of both. For he is a prince exalted to
+give repentance, first and last, Acts iv. 30; and as he is the author of
+faith, so he is the finisher of it, Heb. xii. 2.
+
+As to the _second_ particular, namely, what believers should do for
+getting the guilt of their daily failings and out-breakings taken away
+by Christ; or how they should make use of Christ for this end, I shall,
+for clearing of it, propose those things to consideration:
+
+1. We would beware to think, that all our after actual transgressions
+are actually pardoned, either when Christ died, or when we first
+believed in Christ, as some suppose; for sin cannot properly be said to
+be pardoned before it be committed. David was put to sue out for pardon,
+after his actual transgression was committed, and not for the mere sense
+and feeling of the pardon, or the intimation of it to his spirit, when
+he cried out, Psalm li. 2, "Blot out my transgressions, wash me," &c;
+and verse 9, "Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all my
+iniquities;" and verse 14, "Deliver me from blood-guiltiness." Sure when
+he spoke thus, he sought some other thing than intimation of pardon to
+his sense and conscience; for that he desired also, but in far more
+clear expressions, verse 8, "Make me to hear joy and gladness," &c.; and
+verse 12, "Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation," &c. Scripture
+phrases to express remission import this, viz. covering of sin,
+pardoning of debts, blotting out of sins, hiding of God's face from sin,
+not remembering of them, casting of them behind his back, casting of
+them into the sea, removing of sin, Psalm xxxiii. 1, 2. These and the
+like phrases, though many of them be metaphorical, yet do all of them
+clearly evince, that sin must first have a being before it can be
+pardoned. The same is clearly imported by the gospel conditions
+requisite before pardon; such as acknowledgment of sin, (1 John i. 9)
+which we see was practised by the worthies of old; David, Psalm xxxii.
+51. Nehemiah, chap. ix. Ezra, chap. ix. and Daniel, chap. ix. Confessing
+and forsaking of it, Prov. xxviii. 13. Sorrowing for it, and repenting
+of it, and laying hold on Christ by faith, &c.
+
+The reason why I propose this, is not only to guard against this
+Antinomian error, but also to guard the soul from security, to which
+this doctrine hath a natural tendency. For if a person once think, that
+all his sins were pardoned, upon his first believing, so that many of
+them were pardoned before they were committed; he shall never be
+affected for his after transgressions, nor complain of a body of death,
+nor account himself miserable upon that account, as Paul did, Rom. vii.
+24; nor shall he ever pray for remission, though Christ has taught all
+to do so, in that pattern of prayer; nor shall he act faith upon the
+promise of pardon made in the covenant of grace for after
+transgressions, or for transgressions actually committed, Jer. xxxi. 34,
+and xxxiii. 8. Heb. viii. 12; and so there shall be no use made of
+Christ for new pardons, or remissions of new sins.
+
+2. The believer would remember, that among other things, antecedently
+requisite to remission of posterior actual transgressions, gospel
+repentance is especially required, (Luke xiii. 3. Matt. iii. 2. Ezek.
+xviii. 28, 30. Luke xv. 17,18. Hos. ii. 6, 7. Ezek. xiv. 6,) whereby a
+sinner, through the help of the Spirit, being convinced not only of his
+hazard by reason of sin, but also of the hatefulness and filthiness of
+sin; and having a sight of the mercy of God in Christ Jesus to sinners,
+turning from their sin, doth turn from those sins unto God, with a full
+purpose of heart, in his strength, to follow him, and obey his laws. And
+hereby the soul is brought to loathe itself and sin, and is made willing
+to desire, seek for, accept of, and prize remissions of sins. This makes
+them more wary and careful in time coming; "For behold," says the
+apostle, 2 Cor. vii. 11, "this self same thing that ye sorrowed after a
+godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of
+yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement
+desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge," &c. Thus is God glorified in
+his justice, Psalm li. 4; and his mercy is acknowledged, in not entering
+with us into judgment, nor casting us into hell, as he might have done
+in justice.
+
+3. Yet it would be remembered, that though it hath seemed good in the
+Lord's eyes to choose this method, and appoint this way of obtaining
+pardon of sins daily committed, for the glory of his grace and mercy;
+and likewise for our good, we must not ascribe too much unto repentance,
+in the matter of pardon. We must not make it a cause of our remission,
+either efficient or meritorious. We must not think that it hath any hand
+in appeasing the wrath of God, or in satisfying justice. Pardon must
+always be an act of God's free grace, unmerited at our hands, and
+procured alone through the merits of Christ. We must not put repentance
+in Christ's room and place, nor ascribe any imperfection unto his
+merits, as if they needed any supply from any act of ours. We must
+beware of leaning to our repentance and godly sorrow, even so far as to
+think to commend ourselves to God, thereby that we may obtain pardon.
+
+4. The believer would consider seriously the dreadfulness of their
+condition who are lying under the lash of the law for sin. The law
+saith, "Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things written in
+the law;" and every sin is a transgression of the law. So that,
+according to law and justice, they are in hazard. For every sin in
+itself exposeth the sinner to eternal wrath, sin being an offence
+against God, who is a righteous judge, and a breach of his law. A right
+sight and apprehension of this, would serve to humble the sinner before
+God, and make him more earnest in seeking out for pardon, that this
+obligation to punishment might be removed.
+
+5. The believer would not only consider the sin itself, but also take
+notice of all its aggravations. There are peculiar aggravations of some
+sins taken from the time, manner, and other circumstances, which,
+rightly considered, will help forward the work of humiliation. And the
+sins of believers have this aggravation above the sins of others, that
+they are committed against more love, and special love, and against more
+opposition and contradiction of the grace of God within the soul,
+against more light and conviction, &c. And therefore their humiliation
+upon this account ought to be singular and serious. So was it with
+David, when he took notice of the special aggravation of his sin, Psalm
+li. 4, 6, 14, and Ezra, chap ix. and Nehemiah, chap. ix. and Daniel
+chap. ix. This considering of sin, with its due aggravations, would help
+to prize mercies at a high rate, and cause the soul more willingly wait
+for and more seriously seek after remission; knowing that God is more
+angry for great sins, than for sins of infirmity, and may therefore
+pursue the same with sorer judgments, as he broke David's bones,
+withdrew his comforts, &c.
+
+6. The believer would be convinced of an impossibility of doing anything
+in himself which can procure pardon at the hands of God; should he
+weep, cry, afflict himself, and pray never so, all will do nothing by
+way of merit, for taking away of the least sin that ever he committed;
+and the conviction of this would drive him to despair in himself, and be
+a mean to bring him cleanly off himself, and to look out for mere mercy
+in Christ Jesus. So long as, through the deceitfulness of Satan, the
+false heart inclineth to the old bias, and hath its eye upon any thing
+in itself, from whence it draweth its hopes and expectation of pardon
+and acceptance, it will not purely act faith on Christ for this end, and
+so he will lose all his labour, and in the end be disappointed.
+Therefore the believer would guard against this, and that so much the
+more, that the false deceitful heart is so much inclined thereto; and
+that this deceit can sometime work so cunningly, that it can hardly be
+discerned, being covered over with many false glosses and pretexts; and
+that it is so dishonourable to Jesus, and hurtful and prejudicial to the
+soul.
+
+7. The believer would act faith on the promises of pardon in the new
+covenant, as having a right to them through Jesus Christ, and challenge
+with humble boldness, the fulfilling of the same, according to that, 1
+John i. 9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive
+us our sins." So that the believer may not only take hold of mercy and
+grace in God, as an encouragement and invitation to go to God for
+pardon; but even of the justice and righteousness of God, because of his
+faithful promises; and the believer would have here a special eye to
+Christ, in whom all the promises are yea and amen; and look for the
+accomplishment of them through him, and for his sake alone.
+
+8. Faith would eye Christ, as hanging upon the cross, and offering up
+himself, through the eternal Spirit, a sacrifice to satisfy divine
+justice, for all the sins of his own chosen ones; we cannot think, that
+Christ bare but some of their sins, or only their sins committed before
+conversion; and if he bare all, as the Father laid all upon him, the
+believer is to lay hold on him by faith, as hanging on the cross, as
+well for taking away of the guilt of sins committed after conversion, as
+before; his sacrifice was a sacrifice for all, "and he bare our sins
+(without distinction or exception,) in his own body on the tree," 1 Pet.
+ii. 24. David had his eye on this, when he cried out, Psalm li. 7,
+"Purge me with hyssop;" hyssop being sometimes used in the legal
+purifications, which typified that purification which Christ really
+wrought when he gave himself a sacrifice for sin, Levit. xiv. 6. Num.
+xix. 18.
+
+9. The believer looking on Christ, dying as a Mediator, to pacify the
+wrath of God, and to make satisfaction to the justice of God, for the
+sins of his people, would renew his consent unto that gracious and wise
+contrivance of Heaven, of pardoning sins, through a crucified Mediator,
+that mercy and justice might kiss each other, and be glorified together;
+and declare again his full satisfaction with Christ's satisfying of
+justice for him, and taking away the guilt of his sins, by that blood
+that was shed upon the cross, by taking those sins, whereof now he
+standeth guilty, and for which he is desirous of pardon, and by faith
+nailing them to the cross of Christ, and rolling them on his shoulders,
+that the guilt of them, as well as of the rest, might be taken away,
+through the merits of his death and satisfaction. Thus the believer
+consenteth to the noble act of free grace, whereby the Lord made all our
+sins to meet together on Christ, when he taketh those particular sins,
+wherewith now he is troubled, and casteth them in into the heap, that
+Christ, as the true scape-goat, may carry all away. This is to lay our
+hands on the head of our sacrifice.
+
+10. The believer hath another ground of comfort to grip to, in this
+case, and that is, Christ's eternal priesthood, whereby he makes
+intercession for the transgressions of his people, and as their advocate
+and attorney with the Father, pleadeth their cause, whereby he is able
+to save them to the last and uttermost step of their journey, and so to
+save them from the guilt of all casual and emergent sins, that might
+hinder their salvation. So that the believer is to put those sins, that
+now he would have pardoned, into the hands of Christ, the everlasting
+Intercessor, and all-sufficient Advocate, that he, by virtue of his
+death, would obtain a new pardon of these their failings and
+transgressions, and deliverance from the guilt thereof; and their
+acceptance with the Father, notwithstanding of these transgressions.
+
+11. Thus believers eyeing Christ as dying, rising again, ascending, and
+as sitting at the Father's right hand, there to be a priest for ever,
+after the order of Melchisedec, and to intercede for his own, and to see
+to the application of what benefits, pardons, favours, and other things
+they need, from all which they have strong ground of comfort and of
+hope, yea, and assurance of pardon, would acquiesce in this way; and
+having laid those particular sins, under the burden whereof they now
+groan, on Christ the Mediator, dying on the cross to make satisfaction,
+and arising to make application of what was purchased, and having put
+them in his hand, who is a faithful high priest, and a noble
+intercessor, would remember, that "Christ is a prince exalted, to give
+repentance and remission of sins;" and so expect the sentence even from
+him, as a prince now exalted, and as having obtained that of the Father,
+even a power to forgive sins, justice being now sufficiently satisfied,
+through his death; yea, and as having all power in heaven and in earth,
+as being Lord both of the dead and of the living. Sure a right thought
+of this would much quiet the soul, in hope of obtaining pardon through
+him; seeing now the pardon is in his own hand, to give out, who loved
+them so dearly, that he gave himself to the death for them, and shed his
+heart blood to satisfy justice for their transgressions. Since he who
+hath procured their pardon at so dear a rate, and is their attorney to
+agent their business at the throne of grace, hath now obtained the
+prayed-for and looked-for pardon, and hath it in his own hand, they will
+not question but he will give it, and so absolve them from their guilt.
+
+12. The believer, having taken this course with his daily provocations,
+and laid them all on him, would aquiesce in this way, and not seek after
+another, that he may obtain pardon. Here he would rest, committing the
+matter by faith in prayer to Christ, and leaving his guilt and sins on
+him, expect the pardon, yea, conclude, that they are already pardoned;
+and that for these sins, he shall never be brought unto condemnation,
+whatever Satan and a misbelieving heart may say or suggest afterward.
+
+Thus should a believer make use of Christ, for the taking away of the
+guilt of his daily transgressions; and for further clearing of it, I
+shall add a few cautions.
+
+
+CAUTIONS.
+
+1. However the believer is to be much moved at, and affected with his
+sins and provocations, which he committeth after God hath visited his
+soul with salvation, and brought him into a covenant with himself, yet
+he must not suppose, that his sins after justification do mar his state;
+as if thereby he were brought into a non-justified state, or to a
+non-reconciled state. It is true, such sins, especially if gross,
+whether in themselves, or by reason of circumstances, will darken a
+man's state, and put him to search and try his condition over again. But
+yet we dare not say, that they make any alteration in the state of a
+believer; for once in a justified state always in a justified state. It
+is true likewise, that as to those sins, which now he hath committed, he
+cannot be said to be acquitted or justified, till this pardon be got out
+by faith and repentance, as is said; yet his state remaineth fixed and
+unchanged; so that though God should seem to deal with such in his
+dispensations, as with enemies, yet really his affections change not; he
+never accounteth them real enemies; nay, love lieth at the bottom of all
+his sharpest dispensations. If they forsake his law, and walk not in his
+judgments; if they break his statutes and keep not his commandments, he
+will visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with
+stripes, nevertheless his loving-kindness will he not utterly take from
+them, nor suffer his faithfulness to fail; his covenant will he not
+break, nor alter the thing that has gone out of his lips, Psalm lxxxix.
+30-34. And again, though after transgressions may waken challenges for
+former sins, which have been pardoned and blotted out, and give
+occasions to Satan to raise a storm in the soul, and put all in
+confusion, yet really sins once pardoned cannot become again unpardoned
+sins. The Lord doth not revoke his sentence, nor alter the thing that
+is gone out of his mouth. It is true likewise, that a believer, by
+committing of gross sins, may come to miss the effects of God's favour
+and good will, and the intimations of his love and kindness; and so be
+made to cry with David, Psalm li. 8, "Make me to hear joy and gladness;"
+and ver. 12, "Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation," &c. Yet that
+really holdeth true, that whom he loveth he loveth to the end; and he is
+a God that changeth not; and his gifts are without repentance. Yea,
+though grieving of the Spirit may bring souls under sharp throes, and
+pangs of the spirit of bondage, and the terrors of God, and his sharp
+errors, the poison whereof may drink up their spirits, and so be far
+from the actual witnessings of the Spirit of adoption; yet the Spirit
+will never be again really a spirit of bondage unto fear, nor deny his
+own work in the soul, or the soul's real right to, or possession of that
+fundamental privilege of adoption,--I say, that the soul is no more a
+son, nor within the covenant.
+
+2. The course before mentioned is to be taken with all sins, though,
+(1.) They be never so heinous and gross. (2.) Though they be accompanied
+with never such aggravating and crying aggravations. (3.) Though they be
+sins frequently fallen into; and, (4.) Though they be sins many and
+heaped together. David's transgression was a heinous sin, and had
+heinous aggravations, yea, there was an heap and a complication of sins
+together in that one; yet he followed this course. We find none of these
+kind of sins excepted in the new covenant; and where the law doth not
+distinguish, we ought not to distinguish; where God's law doth not
+expressly exclude us, we should not exclude ourselves. Christ's death is
+able enough to take away all sin. If through it a believer be justified
+from all his transgressions committed before conversion, why may not
+also a believer be, through virtue of it, justified from his gross and
+multiplied sins committed after conversion? The blood of Christ
+cleanseth from all sin; Christ hath taught his followers to pray,
+"Forgive us our sins, as we forgive them that sin against us;" and he
+hath told us also, that we must forgive our brother seventy times
+seven, Matth. xiii. _22._ We would not be discouraged then from taking
+this course, because our sins are such and such; nay, rather, we would
+look on this, as an argument to press us more unto this way, because the
+greater our sins be, the greater need have we of pardon, and to say with
+David, Psalm xxv. 11, "Pardon mine iniquity, for it is great."
+
+3. We would not think, that upon our taking of this course, we shall be
+instantly freed from challenges, because of those sins, for pardoning
+whereof we take this course; nor should we think, that because
+challenges remain, that therefore there is no pardon had, or that this
+is not the way to pardon; for, as we shall show afterward, pardon is one
+thing, and intimation of pardon is another thing. We may be pardoned,
+and yet suppose that we are not pardoned; challenges will abide till the
+conscience be sprinkled, and till the Prince of Peace command peace to
+the conscience, and put the accuser to silence; who, when he can do no
+more, will mar the peace of a believer, as long as he can, and stop the
+current of his comforts, which made David pray, that "God would restore
+to him the joy of his salvation," Psalm li.
+
+4. Nor would we think, that upon our taking of this course for the
+pardon of our sins, we shall never thereafter meet with a challenge upon
+the account of these sins. It is true, when sins are pardoned, they are
+fully pardoned in God's court, and that obligation to condemnation is
+taken away, and the pardoned person is looked upon as no sinner, that
+is, as no person liable to condemnation because of these sins; for being
+pardoned he becometh just before God; yet we dare not say, but
+conscience afterward, being alarmed with new transgressions, may
+mistake, as people suddenly put into a fight are ready to do; nor dare
+we say, that God will not permit Satan to upbraid us with those sins,
+which have been blotted out long ago, as he suffered Shimei, who was but
+an instrument of Satan, to cast up to David his blood-guiltiness, which
+had been pardoned long before. The Lord may think good to suffer this,
+that his people may be kept humble, and made more tender and watchful in
+all their ways.
+
+5. Believers would not misimprove or abuse this great condescendency of
+free grace, and take the great liberty to sin, because there is such a
+sure, safe, and pleasant way of getting those sins blotted out and
+forgiven. "Shall we sin because we are not under grace, but under the
+law? That be far from us," saith the Apostle, Rom. vi. 15. This were
+indeed to turn the grace of God into lasciviousness. And it may be a
+question, if such as have really repented, and gotten their sins
+pardoned, will be so ready to make this use of it; sure sense of pardon
+will work some other effect, as we see, Ezek. xvi. 62, 63.
+
+6. The believer, in going about this work of nailing his sins to the
+cross of Christ, and of improving Christ's death, resurrection, and
+constant intercession, for the obtaining of pardon, would not think of
+going alone, or of doing this in his own strength; for of himself he can
+do nothing. He must look to Christ for grace to help in this time of
+need, and must go about this duty with dependence on him, waiting for
+the influence of light, counsel, strength, and grace from him, to repent
+and believe; for he is a prince exalted to give repentance, first and
+last, and he is the author and finisher of faith; so that without him we
+can do nothing.
+
+7. Let the believer beware of concluding, that be hath got no pardon,
+because he hath met with no sensible intimation thereof by the flowing
+in of peace and joy in his soul. Pardon is one mercy, and intimation of
+it to the soul is another distinct mercy, and separable from it: shall
+we therefore say, we have not gotten the first, because we have not
+gotten both? The Lord, for wise reasons, can pardon poor sinners, and
+not give any intimation thereof; viz. that they may watch more against
+sin afterward, and not be so bold as they have been; and that they may
+find more in experience, what a bitter thing it is to sin against God,
+and learn withal to depend on him for less and more; and to carry more
+humbly; for it may be, God seeth, that if they saw their sins pardoned,
+they would forget themselves, and rush into new sins again.
+
+8. The believer must not think it strange, if he find more trouble after
+greater sins, and a greater difficulty to lay hold on Christ for pardon
+of those, than for pardon of others. For as God hath been more
+dishonoured by these, so is his anger more kindled upon that account;
+and it is suitable for the glory of God's justice, that our sorrow for
+such sins be proportionally greater; and this will likewise increase the
+difficulty; and ordinarily the effects of God's fatherly displeasure
+make deeper wounds in the soul after such sins, and these are not so
+easily healed; all which will call for suitable and proportionally
+greater godly sorrow and repentance, and acts of faith, because faith
+will meet with more opposition and discouragement there, and therefore
+must be the more strong, to go through these impediments, and to lay
+hold on his cross. Yet though this should make all watchful, and to
+guard against gross and crying sins, it should not drive any to despair,
+nor to say with that despairing wretch, their sin is greater than it can
+be forgiven; the ocean of mercy can drown and swallow up greater as well
+as lesser sins; Christ is an all-sufficient Mediator for the greatest
+sins as well as the least. "O, for thy name's sake, pardon mine
+iniquity, for it is great!" will come in season to a soul ready to sink
+with the weight of this millstone tied about its neck.
+
+9. As the greater sins should not make us despair of taking this course
+for remission, so nor should the smallness of sin make us to neglect
+this way; for the least sin cannot be pardoned but through Jesus Christ;
+for the law of God is violated thereby, justice provoked, God's
+authority vilified, &c. and therefore cannot be now pardoned, by reason
+of the threatenings annexed to the law, without a ransom. Death is the
+wages of sin, lesser and greater, and the curse is due to all sin,
+greater and smaller. There, the believer would not suffer one sin, seen
+and discovered, to lie unpardoned, but on the first discovery thereof,
+take it away to Christ, and nail it to the cross.
+
+10. The believer would not conclude, that his sins are not pardoned,
+because possibly temporal strokes, inflicted because of them, are not
+removed; for though David's sin was pardoned, yet because of that sin of
+his, a temporal stroke attended him and his family, to his dying day;
+for not only did God cut off the child, (2 Sam. xv. 14.), but told him,
+that the sword should never depart from his house, and that he would
+raise up evil against him out of his own house, and give his wives to
+one that should lie with them in the sight of the sun, vers. 10, 11. So
+we read, that the Lord took vengeance on their inventions whose sins he
+had pardoned, Psalm xcix. 8. God may see this fit and expedient, for his
+own glory, and for humbling of them, and causing them to fear the more
+to sin against him. Yea, not only may temporal calamities be inflicted,
+because of sin pardoned, or continued, after sin is pardoned, but even
+sense of God's displeasure may continue after pardon, as appeareth by
+that penitential Psalm (the fifty-first) penned by David, after Nathan
+had spoken to him concerning his sin.
+
+
+QUESTIONS OR OBJECTIONS ANSWERED.
+
+1. What course shall we take with secret sins? I answer, this same
+course must be followed with them. There is an implicit repentance of
+sins that have not been distinctly seen and observed, as who can see and
+observe all their failings? And so there may be an implicit faith
+acting; that is, the believer being persuaded that he is guilty of more
+sins than he hath got a clear sight of, as he would bewail his condition
+before God because of these, and sorrow for them after a godly manner,
+so he would take them together in a heap, or as a closed bagful, and by
+faith nail them to the cross of Christ, as if they were all distinctly
+seen and known. "Who can understand his errors," said David, Psalm xix.
+12: yet says he moreover, "cleanse thou me from secret faults."
+
+2. But what if, after all this, I find no intimation of pardon to my
+soul? _Ans._ As this should serve to keep thee humble, so it should
+excite to more diligence, in this duty of going with thy sins to Christ,
+and to ply him and his cross more, in and through the promises, and keep
+thy soul constant in this duty of the running to Christ, as an
+all-sufficient Mediator, and as an intercessor with the Father; and thus
+wait on him waiteth to be gracious, even in this particular, of
+intimating pardon to thy soul,--he knoweth when it is fittest for thee
+to know that thy sins are forgiven.
+
+3. But what can yield me any ground of peace while it is so, that I see
+no pardon or remission granted to me? _Ans._ This may yield thee peace,
+that, following this course which hath been explained, thou art about
+thy duty. Thou art not at peace with sin, nor harbouring that viper in
+thy soul; thou art mourning and sorrowing over it, and running to Christ
+the prince of pardons, through his blood and intercession, conform to
+the covenant of redemption, and after the encouragement given in the
+many and precious promises of the covenant of grace; and having these
+promises, and rolling thy guilt on Christ as thy cautioner, conform to
+the manner expressed in the gospel, thou art allowed to believe that thy
+sins are pardoned, and that thou art accepted in the beloved, and so
+quiet thy soul through faith, God abiding faithful and true, and his
+promises being all yea and amen in Christ.
+
+4. But so long as I find no intimation of pardon, I cannot think that I
+have taken the right gospel way of bringing my sins to Christ. _Ans._
+Though that will not follow, as we cleared above--for a soul may take
+the right gospel way of getting the guilt of their sins taken away in
+Christ, and God may pardon thereupon, and for all that not think it fit
+to give intimation of that pardon as yet, for wise and holy ends--yet
+the soul may humble itself for its shortcoming, and still go about the
+duty, amending in Christ what it supposeth to be amiss, and renewing its
+act of repentance and faith, and beg of Christ understanding in the
+matter, and so continue carrying sin always to Christ's cross, and
+eyeing his intercession, and wait for a full clearing of the matter in
+his good time.
+
+5. But what shall I do with the guilt of my weak repentance, and weak
+faith? _Ans._ When with a weak and defective repentance and faith thou
+art carrying away thy sins to Christ, and nailing them, to his cross,
+let the imperfection of thy faith and repentance go with the rest, and
+leave all there.
+
+6. What shall I do with my conscience, that still accuseth me of guilt,
+notwithstanding of my taking and following this course? _Ans._ Despise
+not the accusation of conscience, but let these humble thee the more,
+and keep thee closer at this duty. Yet know, that conscience is but an
+under servant, and God's deputy, and must accuse according to law, (I
+speak not here of the irregular, furious, and turbulent motions of
+Satan, casting in grenades in the soul and conscience, to raise a
+combustion and put all in a fire); its mouth, must be stopped by law,
+and so the soul would stay and answer the accusations of conscience with
+this, that he hath fled to Christ, the only Mediator and Cautioner, and
+cast his burden on him; and leaneth to his merits alone; and hath put
+those sins in his hand, as his advocate and intercessor with the Father;
+and that the gospel requireth no more of him. And if conscience should
+say, that both faith and repentance are imperfect and defective, and
+that guilt is thereby rather increased than taken away,--he must answer
+again, true; but I have done with the guilt of my faith and repentance,
+as with the rest, taken all to Christ, and left all on him; and herein
+only do I acquiesce,--I look not for pardon for my imperfect faith and
+repentance, yea, nor would I look for pardon of my sins, for my faith
+and repentance, were they never so perfect, but only in and through
+Jesus Christ, the only Cautioner, Redeemer, and Advocate. But further,
+this deputy would be brought to his master, who can only command him to
+silence; that is to say, the believer would go to Christ with the
+accusing conscience, and desire him to command its silence, that he may
+have peace of conscience, and freedom from those accusations that are
+bitter and troublesome. Remember withal, that if these accusations drive
+thee to Christ, and endear him more to thy soul, they will do no harm,
+because they drive thee to thy only resting place, and to the grand
+peacemaker. But if otherwise they discourage or for-slow thee in thy
+motion Christward, then be sure conscience speaketh without warrant, and
+its accusations ought not, in so far, and as to that end, to be
+regarded.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+HOW TO MAKE USE OF CHRIST FOR CLEANSING OF US FROM OUR DAILY SPOTS.
+
+
+Having spoken of the way of making use of Christ for removing the guilt
+of our daily transgressions, we come to speak of the way of making use
+of Christ, for taking away the guilt that cleaveth to the soul, through
+daily transgressions; "for every sin defileth the man," Matt. xv. 20;
+and the best are said to have their spots, and to need washing, which
+presupposeth filthiness and defilement, Eph. v. 27. John xiii. 8-10.
+Hence we are so oft called to this duty of washing and making us clean.
+Isa. i. 16. Jer. iv. 14. Acts xxii. 16. David prays for this washing,
+Psal. li. 2-7. And it is Christ's work to wash. 1 Cor. vi. 11. Rev. i.
+5. Eph. v. 26. See Tit. iii. 5. Now, in speaking to this, we shall
+observe the same method; and first shew, what Christ has done to take
+away this filth; and next, what way we are to make use of him, for this
+end, to get our spots and filthiness taken away, that we may be holy.
+
+As to the _first_, for the purging away of the filth of our daily
+failings and transgressions, Christ has done these things:
+
+1. He hath died that he may procure this benefit and advantage to us;
+and thus he hath washed us meritoriously in his own blood which he shed
+upon the cross. Thus he "loved us, and washed us from our sins, in his
+own blood," Rev. i. 5; and this is from all sins, as well such as are
+committed after, as such as are committed before conversion. Thus, "he
+by himself purged our sins," Heb. i. 3, viz. by offering up of himself
+as an expiatory sacrifice to make an atonement, and so procure this
+liberty. So also it is said, Eph. v. 25-27, that Christ gave himself for
+his church, "that he might sanctify and cleanse it--that he might
+present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or
+any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish." So,
+Tit. ii. 14, "He gave himself for us, that he might purify to himself a
+peculiar people, zealous of good works." Here then is the foundation and
+ground of all cleansing and purification--Christ's death procuring it.
+
+2. As he hath procured, so he sendeth the Spirit to effectuate this, and
+to work this washing and sanctification in us. Hence, it is said, 1 Cor.
+vi. 11, "that we are sanctified and washed, in the name of the Lord
+Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." We are said to be saved "by the
+washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which he hath
+shed upon us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour," Tit. iii. 5,
+6. The sending then, or shedding of the holy and sanctifying Spirit upon
+us, whereby we are sanctified, and consequently purified and purged from
+our filth, is a fruit of Christ's death and mediation, being purchased
+thereby, and is an effect of his resurrection, and glorification, and
+intercession in glory.
+
+3. He hath made a fountain of his blood for this end, that we may go to
+it daily, and wash and be clean. Thus his "blood cleanseth from all
+sin," 1 John i. 7-9. This is the "fountain opened to the house of David,
+and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness," Zech.
+xiii. 1.
+
+4. He hath purchased and provided the external means, whereby this
+cleansing and sanctification is brought about, viz. the preaching of the
+gospel, which he himself preached, and thereby sanctified, John xv. 3,
+"Now are ye clean through the word that I have spoken unto you." Eph. v.
+26, the church is "sanctified and cleansed with the washing of water, by
+the word."
+
+5. So hath he procured, and worketh in the soul those graces that
+promove and carry on this work of sanctification and purifying; such as
+faith, which purifieth the heart, Acts xv. 9; whereof he is the author
+and finisher, Heb. xii.; and hope, which whosoever hath, "purifieth
+himself, even as he is pure," 1 John iii. 3.
+
+6. He hath confirmed and ratified all the promises of the covenant,
+which are ample and large, touching this cleansing and washing, Jer.
+xxxv. 8, "And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they
+have sinned against me." Ezek. xxxvi. 25, "Then will I sprinkle clean
+water upon you, and ye shall be clean from all your filthiness." So
+Ezek. xxxvii. 23, "and I will cleanse them." And all the other promises
+of the covenant, apprehended by faith, have no small influence on our
+cleansing; 2 Cor. vii. 1. "Having therefore these promises, let us
+cleanse ourselves," &c.; all which promises are yea and amen in Christ,
+2 Cor. i. 20.
+
+Thus Christ made all sure, for the cleansing and washing of his people,
+conform to that article of the covenant of redemption, "so shall he
+sprinkle many nations," Isa. lii. 15.
+
+_Secondly,_ As to the way of our use-making of Christ for the purging
+away of our filth and daily pollutions, believers would take this
+course:
+
+1. They would remember and live in the conviction of the exceeding
+abominableness and filthiness of sin, which is compared to the vomit of
+a dog, and to the mire wherein the sow walloweth, 2 Pet. ii. 22; filthy
+rags, Isa. lxiv. 6; to a menstruous cloth, Isa. xxx. 22, and the like,
+that this may move them to seek with greater care and diligence, to have
+that filth taken away.
+
+2. They would remember also how abominable sin makes them in the eyes of
+an holy God, "who cannot behold iniquity," being a God of purer eyes
+than to behold it, Hab. i. 13; nor can he look on it; and how therefore
+no thing can enter into the New Jerusalem, nor any thing that defileth.
+And this will make them so much the more to abhor it, and to seek to be
+washed from it.
+
+3. They would look by faith on the blood of Christ that is shed for this
+end, to wash filthy souls into; and run to it as a fountain opened for
+this end, that they might come to it, and wash and be clean.
+
+4. For their encouragement, they would grip by faith to the promises of
+the new covenant, which are large and full.
+
+5. And remember the end of Christ's death, viz., to purchase to himself
+a holy people, zealous of good works, to present them to himself holy,
+and without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; and this will be further
+ground of encouragement.
+
+6. They would put the work by faith in his hand, who hath best skill to
+wash a foul soul, and to purge away all their spots; and by faith pray
+for and expect the Spirit to sanctify and cleanse them from all their
+filthiness; that is, they would make known and spread forth their
+abominations before the Lord, and eyeing Christ as the only great High
+Priest, whose blood is a fountain to wash in, would lay the work on him,
+and by faith put him to wash away that filth, and to purify their souls
+by his Spirit, pardoning their bygone iniquities and renewing them in
+the Spirit of their minds by grace, that they may walk before him in
+fear. Thus they would roll the work on him, and leave it there.
+
+
+CAUTIONS AND DIRECTIONS.
+
+_First,_ The believer would in all this work be kept in the exercise of
+these graces following:
+
+1. Of humility; seeing what a vile, filthy wretch he is, that stands in
+need of washing and purging daily, because of his daily pollutions and
+transgressions.
+
+2. Of love; considering with what a loving God he hath to do, that hath
+provided so liberally all things for him, and particularly hath provided
+a fountain, and such a fountain, whereto he not only may, but is
+commanded to resort daily.
+
+3. Of thankfulness; remembering how great this mercy is, how unworthy he
+is, on whom it is bestowed, and who he is that doth grant it.
+
+4. Of fear; lest God's goodness be abused, and he provoked who is so
+gracious to us.
+
+5. Of sincerity, and godly ingenuity, avoiding all hypocrisy and
+formality, knowing that we have to do with him, who will not be mocked.
+
+6. Of holy hatred; loathing and abhorrence of sin, which makes us so
+filthy and odious in the eyes of the Lord.
+
+_Secondly,_ This course would be followed for the purging away of the
+least sins; for till they be purged away, we remain in our filth, and
+cannot expect God's favourable countenance, nor his warm embracements,
+nor the hearty intimations of his love and kindness. And a small
+inconsiderable like spot may grow greater, and provoke God to let the
+accuser of the brethren, Satan, who always waits for his opportunity,
+loose upon us, and a conscience wakened may make much of a little
+defilement to keep the soul from approaching to God.
+
+3. This course would be followed with every sin, quickly without delay;
+for the longer those spots continue, it will be the more difficult to
+get them taken away. The soul will after some time, become the less
+troubled about them, and possibly forget them, and so they will remain;
+and this may occasion at last a sad distance, and provoke God to hide
+his face, which will cause more bitterness and sorrow. It were good,
+then, to keep up a spirit of tenderness and fear.
+
+4. Let this be our daily work and exercise; for we are daily contracting
+new filth. Yesterday's cleansing will not save us from new filth to-day;
+nor will our running to the fountain to-day, serve to take away new
+spots to-morrow; new spots call for new washing, so that this must be
+our very life and exercise, to be daily and continually running to the
+fountain with our souls; and giving Christ, the great purger, much to
+do.
+
+5. We must not think to be perfectly washed, so long as we are here; for
+we will be contracting new filth daily, our feet will still be to wash,
+John xiii. 10. We will not be without spot or wrinkle, till we come home
+to that place, wherein entereth nothing that defileth.
+
+6. Let the believer's recourse in this matter be wholly to Jesus Christ
+and his blood, and lay no weight on their sorrow, repentance, or tears,
+or on any outward means which they are commanded to use; yet would they
+not lay aside these means, but go through them to the fountain, to
+Jesus, there, and there only to be cleansed.
+
+7. They should not be discouraged or despair when their spots appear
+great, and not like the spots of his children; for Christ's blood can
+purge from all sin, and wash away all their filth, of how deep soever a
+dye it be. Christ's blood is so deep an ocean, that a mountain will be
+sunk out of sight in it, as well as a small pebble stone.
+
+8. Though Christ's blood be strong enough to purge from all sin, even
+the greatest, yet they should know, that scandalous spots, or a deep
+stain, may cost them more frequent running to the fountain, through
+humiliation, godly sorrow, prayer, and supplication. David's scandalous
+blot cost him more trouble and pains, before he got it purged away, than
+many others, as we see, Psalm li.
+
+9. When all this is done, we must think of having on another
+righteousness, as our clothing and covering, in the day of our
+appearance before our Judge--even the righteousness of Jesus Christ,
+which only is perfect, and able to save us from the wrath of God. Let us
+be never so washed in the matter of sanctification, and cleansed from
+our spots, we cannot for all that be accounted righteous before God; nor
+will that satisfy justice, or take away the guilt so much as of one
+transgression before God. Christ's righteousness will be our upper
+garment for all eternity. This is the fine linen wherewith his bride is
+busked in heaven.
+
+10. At every time we run to the fountain with our daily contracted
+filth, we would not forget to carry along with us the mother corruption,
+which is the sink and puddle of all filthiness; I mean our natural
+corrupted rottenness and pollution, from whence flow all our other
+actual pollutions. We would do well to carry mother and daughter both
+together to the fountain. David prayed to be washed and purged, as well
+from his original filthiness, wherein he was conceived and born, as from
+his blood-guiltiness. Psalm li. 5, 7.
+
+11. Let not this occasion our carelessness in watching against sin; for
+that would be, to turn his grace into wantonness; but rather let it
+sharpen our diligence in watching against all occasions of sin, lest we
+again defile our soul.
+
+12. Not only must we have our bodies, or our outward conversation
+washed, but our soul within, the frame of our heart, our understanding,
+will, affections, and conscience, sprinkled with that blood. The blood
+of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit "offered himself without spot
+to God," must purge our Consciences from dead works, to serve the living
+God, Heb. ix. 14. and we must "have our hearts, sprinkled from an evil
+conscience," Heb. x. 22.
+
+_Finally,_ If the believer fear that he shall not be able to remember
+all these particular duties, let him remember this, viz. to put a foul
+soul, defiled with original and actual pollutions, in Christ's hand
+daily, and leave it to him to wash by his blood and Spirit; and yet
+remember to lay the weight of his acceptance before God, upon the
+imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ, and not upon his own cleanness,
+when thus sanctified and washen, which is but imperfect.
+
+
+QUESTIONS OR OBJECTIONS ANSWERED.
+
+But, alas! some may object, and say, that their very faith, which must
+carry the rest of their filth to the fountain of Christ's blood, is
+defiled. How, then, can they expect to be made clean? _Answer._ The
+blood of Jesus Christ is sufficiently able to wash all our filth away;
+and the filth of faith, as well as of other actions. Therefore, when
+faith, as a hand, is carrying the filth of the soul away to Christ to be
+washed in his blood, let the foul hand go with the foul handful; give
+Christ faith and all to wash.
+
+2. But what shall I do, when, notwithstanding of all this, my conscience
+shall still accuse me of uncleanness, and cry out against me as filthy
+and abominable? _Answer._ Take it away also to the blood of Jesus, that
+there it may be purged, Heb. ix. 14; and here alone will we "get our
+hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience," Heb. x. 22. The conscience
+must be steeped, so to speak, in the blood of Jesus, and so it shall be
+clean. And taking our filthy hearts to this cleansing fountain to be
+washed, we will get them delivered and sprinkled from an evil
+conscience, that it shall no more have ground of accusation against us.
+When we have it to say, that we have put our filthy souls in the hand of
+the great cleanser, Jesus Christ, and brought all our pollutions to his
+blood, what can conscience say to us? The Lord, it is true, may suffer
+our conscience still to bark upon us, and cast up our filthiness to us,
+that we may be the more humbled, and be put to lie more constantly at
+the fountain; yet when we have fled to Christ, and taken our filthiness
+to the open and appointed fountain, we can answer the accusations of
+conscience in law, and have peace.
+
+3. But I am apt to think, will some say, that if I had once taken the
+right way to get my sins and filthiness purged away, my conscience would
+trouble me no more; but now, so long as it doggeth me thus, I cannot
+think that the way which I have taken is the right way. _Answer._ Though
+the Lord may think good to suffer conscience to trouble a man for a
+time, though he hath taken the right way, as is said, for a further
+exercise and trial to him; yet the believer will have no less
+disadvantage by examining his way, and trying whether he hath laid the
+matter cleanly over on Christ, or whether he hath laid too much weight
+on his own humiliation, sorrow, and pains; and whether he be leaving the
+matter on Jesus, and expecting to be washed alone in his blood, or
+looking into himself, and expecting some help in the matter from self;
+and after trial, would mourn for any failing he gets discovered, and
+still be about that work of running with filth to the fountain. But
+withal they would go to Christ for help, because without him they cannot
+come to him; they cannot come or carry their soul to the fountain opened
+for sin and for uncleanness; so that in all this work, there would be a
+single dependence on Christ for understanding and strength to go about
+this work aright.
+
+Thus have we endeavoured to clear up Christ being the way to the Father,
+first and last; and how all believers or unbelievers are to make use of
+him as the way to the Father, whatever their condition be: from all
+which we may see,
+
+1. That such are in a wretched and forlorn condition who are still
+strangers to Christ, and will not lay hold on him, nor come to him, and
+walk in him, and make use of him. They are unrighteous and unholy, and
+daily contracting more guilt and more filth; and they know no way either
+for justification or sanctification, but a way of self, which will prove
+like the brooks, which run dry in summer, and disappoint the weary
+traveller when he hath most need. They are without Christ, and so
+without the way, the only way, the safe and sure way to the Father. And,
+oh! if all that is here spoken could induce them to think once of the
+misery of their condition, and to seek out for relief, that they might
+not only be saved from their state of sin and misery, but brought into a
+state of salvation through Jesus Christ, so that they might be justified
+before God, from all that justice, the devil, the law, or conscience
+could lay against them, and thoroughly sanctified, and so at length
+brought home to the Father, fair and spotless.
+
+2. Upon the other hand, we see the noble advantage of believers, who,
+through grace, are entered in this way; for it is a full and complete
+way that shall carry them safe home. They shall find that he is able to
+save to the uttermost all that come to God through him. And, oh! if they
+were sensible of this, how would it excite them to thankfulness! How
+would it encourage them to run through difficulties great and many!
+
+3. We see what a special duty lieth upon believers to make special use
+of Christ in all things, as the way to the Father, and so march to
+heaven in him, as the only way; march in his hands, or rather be carried
+in his arms and bosom. This were to go from strength to strength, till
+at length they appeared in Zion, and landed in that pleasant place of
+rest, where the weary are at rest, and yet rest not day nor night, but
+sing praises to "him that hath redeemed them by his blood, out of every
+kindred and tongue, and people and nation, saying, blessing, honour,
+glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the
+Lamb for ever and ever," Rev. v. 9, 13.
+
+4. Hence we may see the cause of the leanness of believers, of their
+wanderings, of their shortcomings, of their many defilements, &c. viz.
+their not constant making use of Christ as the way in all things,
+according to the tenor of the gospel. Oh I if this were laid to heart
+and mourned for, and if grace were sought to help it!
+
+This one point of truth, that Christ is the way, well understood and
+rightly put into practice, would do all our business, both as to
+justification and sanctification, and were poor sinners once entered
+into this way, and had they grace from this way to walk in it, it would
+prove their life and salvation: For it is the marrow and substance of
+the whole gospel. So that there needeth little more to be said: Yet we
+shall speak a little to the other particulars in the text.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+"THE TRUTH." SOME GENERALS PROPOSED.
+
+
+That what we are to speak to for the clearing and improving this noble
+piece of truth, that Christ is the Truth, may be the more clearly
+understood and edifying, we shall first take notice of some generals,
+and then show particularly how or in what respects Christ is called the
+Truth; and finally speak to some cases wherein we are to make use of
+Christ as the Truth.
+
+As to the first. There are four general things here to be noticed.
+
+1. This supposeth what our case by nature is, and what we are all
+without Christ, who is the Truth: as,
+
+_First._ It supposeth that without Christ we are in darkness, mistakes,
+errors: yea, we are said to be darkness itself. Eph. v. 8, "Ye were
+sometimes darkness," &c. John i. 5, and of darkness; 1 Thess. v. 5, yea,
+under the "power of darkness;" Col. i. 13. John xii. 35. 1 John ii. 11,
+"walking in darkness;" 1 John i. 6, and "abiding in darkness." 1 Pet.
+ii. 9. 1 Thess. v. 4. John xii. 46, "We wander and go astray as soon as
+we are born, speaking lies," Psal. lviii. 3. Yea, we "go astray in the
+greatness of our folly," Prov. v. 22. We are "all gone astray," Isa.
+liii. 6. Psal. cxix. 67-176; so far are we from any knowledge of, or
+acquaintance with truth, or with the way of truth.
+
+_Secondly._ It supposeth that we cannot turn into the right way. A
+spirit of error and untruth leadeth us continually wrong; like the sheep
+we wander still, and we weary ourselves in our wandering; and so spend
+all our labour and pains in vain. Being under the power of untruth and
+error, we cannot walk one step right.
+
+_Thirdly._ Though all other ways, beside him who only is the way and the
+truth, be false ways and by-ways, leading us away from the true
+resting-place, and from that way which is the truth; yet we are prone
+and ready to cleave to those false and erroneous ways, and grip to
+shadows, and to lean to them, as if they were the ways of truth: Such
+as,
+
+1. A good heart, which many may imagine they have, when they have
+nothing less.
+
+2. Good intentions and purposes for time to come, which such, as were
+not under the power of error and untruth, would never deceive themselves
+withal.
+
+3. An harmless life, without scandalous out-breakings to the reproach of
+Christianity, a foundation on which no wise man, led by truth, would
+build his salvation, or hopes of eternal happiness.
+
+4. An outward, moral, civil and discreet carriage, which no man can
+blame, and wherein a heathen can outstrip many called Christians; so
+that it must be a poor ground to found our hopes upon; and yet many are
+so blinded, that they lean all their weight upon such a rotten staff.
+
+5. Outward exercise of religious duties, wherein a Pharisee may outstrip
+many; and yet, O how many build all their hopes of heaven upon this
+sandy foundation, which none but blinded persons would do!
+
+6. The commendation and applause of ministers and Christians, is that
+which many rest upon, which is a sad proof of the blindness of their
+hearts.
+
+7. The way of good works and alms-deeds blindfoldeth many, and sheweth
+that they were never led by truth, or taught of Christ, who is the
+truth.
+
+8. Some pinching grief and sorrow for sin, is another way which people,
+strangers to the truth, deceive themselves withal.
+
+9. A common sort of repentance, backed with some kind of amendment and
+outward reformation, is a way that many rest secure in, though it lead
+to destruction.
+
+10. Freedom from challenges of conscience deceiveth many.
+
+Though these and such like ways be dangerous, yea, deadly, yet how many
+are there to be found among Christians, that have no better ground of
+their hope of salvation, and will cleave to them so fast, as no
+preaching will make them so much as once question the matter, or suspect
+that these ways will in the end deceive them; so strong is their
+inclination to the way of error, though not as the way of error.
+
+_Fourthly._ It presupposeth also an inclinableness in us by nature to
+wander out of the way; for being nothing but a mass of error, made up of
+darkness, ignorance, and mistakes, we have a strong bias to error, which
+agreeth best with our natural, corrupted temper. Hence it is, that we
+have such a strong propension to errors and mistakes: Whether,
+
+1. Concerning God, and his way of dealing with his church, or with
+ourselves. O how ready are our hearts by nature, to hatch and foment
+wrong, unseemly, untrue, yea, unchristian, if not blasphemous thoughts
+and conceptions of his nature, attributes, word, and works? And how
+ready and prone are we to receive and entertain wrong apprehensions of
+all his ways and dealings with his church and people? And as for his
+works in and about ourselves, O! what unsuitable, erroneous, false,
+ungodly, absurd, and abominable opinions do we with greediness drink in
+and foster; yea, feed upon with delight? Who is able to recount all the
+errors and mistakes which our heart by nature is ready to admit and
+foster with complacency? Are we not by nature ready to say, that there
+is not a God,--as the fool, Psal. xiv. 1. Or, that he is not such a God
+as his word and works declare him to be--a holy, just, righteous,
+omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient God, &c. Or that he is a changeable
+God, and actually changed, not being the same now which sometime he was.
+That he hath forgotten to be gracious, and remembereth not his people in
+adversity; and so is not tender and merciful. That he hath forgotten his
+promises, and so is not faithful and true. That he approveth of sin,
+because he suffereth the way of the wicked to prosper, and so is not a
+holy God, &c. Yea, do not ofttimes such thoughts as these lodge within
+the heart of the truly godly? All which sheweth how prone we are to
+receive and entertain erroneous and false thoughts of God.
+
+2. Concerning ourselves. Supposing ourselves to be born again and
+reconciled to God, when yet we are living in black nature: And who so
+bold and confident that they are right, as they that are furthest out of
+the way? Or, on the other hand, supposing ourselves to be in a bad
+state, and in nature and darkness, when the day-star from on high hath
+visited us, and brought our souls from death unto life. And who more
+ready to complain than such as have least cause? Or supposing ourselves
+in a good condition; lively, active, diligent, watchful, &c, when it is
+just otherwise with us: Or, on the contrary, complaining of deadness,
+formality, upsitting, fainting, heartlessness in the ways of God, when
+it is not so. Or, in questioned matters, taking truth to be error, and
+error to be truth.
+
+3. Concerning others. How ready are we to run either to the one
+extremity or the other in judging their persons and actions?
+
+Oh! where is the faith of this natural condition? where is the real
+conviction of it? Sure there is but little real believing of this when,
+
+(1.) There are so many that never so much as suspect themselves or
+question either their state or condition, at one time or other; never
+once imagine that their blinded hearts may deceive them; never once
+dream of a possibility of mistaking, and of dying with a lie in their
+right hand.
+
+(2.) And so many that are not lamenting and bewailing this their
+condition, nor crying out and complaining of a false, deceitful, and
+desperately wicked heart.
+
+(3.) And so few that are indeed humbled under the sense of this, and
+made therefore to walk more watchfully and soberly with an eye always
+upon their treacherous and deceiving hearts.
+
+(4.) And so few, crying for help from God against this deceitful
+adversary, through daily experience of the atheism, hypocrisy,
+ignorance, misconceptions of God and of his ways, and deceitfulness of
+our hearts, might sufficiently put it out of doubt with us.
+
+_Next,_ How miserable must their condition be, who are yet strangers to
+Christ; for they are living in darkness, lying in darkness, walking in
+darkness, yea, very darkness itself, a mass of error, mistakes,
+ignorance, and misconceptions of all things that are good; and still
+wandering out of the way.
+
+_Finally,_ Should not this preach out to, and convince us all of a
+necessity of having more acquaintance with truth, with Jesus Christ, who
+is the truth, that we may be delivered from this woful and wretched
+condition; for truth only can set us free therefrom.
+
+II. The _second_ general thing to be noticed here is, that all other
+ways and courses, which we can take or follow, that we may obtain life,
+beside Christ, are but lies, false and deceitful ways,--there is no
+truth in them: For he only is the truth; no other whatsoever can bear
+this epithet: For,
+
+1. He only can satisfy the soul in all points otherways; whatever we can
+imagine and dream can yield no true satisfaction in this matter.
+
+2. He only can secure the soul from destructive ruinous courses, which
+will undo the soul. All other ways will fail here; none of them can give
+the least security to the soul, that they shall not bring him, in end,
+to destruction and everlasting perdition.
+
+3. He only can bring the soul safe through all opposition and
+difficulties in the way. No other way can do this; but will leave us in
+the mire, ere ever we come to the end of our journey.
+
+4. He will not deceive nor disappoint the soul. All other ways in end
+will prove treacherous, and give the traveller a doleful and sad
+disappointment.
+
+O what a warning should this be to us all, to take heed that we embrace
+not a lie, instead of him who is the truth; and sit not down with a
+shadow instead of the substance. How ready are we to put other things in
+his place? But whatever it be that gets his room in the soul, though
+good and worthy in itself, will prove a lie. Even, (1.) All our outward
+holiness and duties. Yea, (2.) All our experiences and great
+attainments. Yea, (3.) All our gifts and endowments. Aye, (4.) Our very
+graces. None of these are Christ's; and if we place that hope and
+confidence in them, which we should place on him, they will not prove
+the truth to us,--he alone is the truth.
+
+How sure then should we labour to be, that we do not die with a lie in
+our right hand. And how carefully should we guard against the trusting
+in, or leaning to any thing that is not Christ, and whole Christ, and
+only Christ, and Christ as offered in the gospel; seeing this way is
+only the truth, and no other way will be found so in end, though at
+present we may find in it,
+
+(1.) Some inward peace and quietness of heart, as if all were right.
+
+(2.) Some satisfaction of mind, things being right, as we apprehend, but
+falsely, through the deceitfulness of the heart.
+
+(3.) Something like assurance and confidence, that all will be right
+with us.
+
+(4.) And hope founded thereupon, which may help to ride through some
+storms, and yet fail us at length.
+
+III. The _third_ general is this, Christ Jesus is not only the truth in
+himself, but also in reference to us. The scope of the place cleareth
+this, as he is the way and the life for our use, so he is the truth. Not
+only as God equal with the Father, but also as Mediator, and our
+Immanuel.
+
+As God, he is, 1. Essentially truth, being God equal with the Father in
+power and glory.
+
+2. In respect of veracity, he is the God of truth, Deut. xxxii. 4;
+faithful in all his sayings, Ps. xxxi. 5; keeping truth for ever, Ps.
+cxlvi. 6.
+
+3. He is the fountain and spring-head of all created truth, for he is
+the first truth.
+
+As Mediator, and in reference to us, "he is full of grace and truth,"
+John i. 14; "he received not the Spirit in measure," John iii. 34; and
+this Spirit is a Spirit of truth. But of this more, when we come to
+shew more particularly, how and in what respects he is called the truth,
+as Mediator.
+
+IV. The _fourth_ general, which is here observable, is, that he is not
+only called "Truth," but "the Truth," as he is the way and the life; and
+not only true, but truth in the abstract. Which saith,
+
+1. That he is every way Truth, however we consider him, as God, or as
+Mediator.
+
+2. That all truth is in him; all truth of salvation for us is to be
+found in him.
+
+3. That all that is in him is truth, his natures, offices, performances,
+words, works, &c, all are true.
+
+4. That he is pure and unmixed truth; no lie in him, no error or mistake
+there.
+
+5. That truth in him is in its perfection and excellency. In the truest
+of men it is very imperfect.
+
+O what an excellent one must he be! How completely fitted and furnished
+for us! Oh! if our souls could love him, and close with him, and rest
+upon him as all-sufficient!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+MORE PARTICULARLY, IN WHAT RESPECT CHRIST IS CALLED THE TRUTH.
+
+
+But for further explaining of this matter, we would see more
+particularly, in what respects it is, that he is called the truth; and
+this will make way to our use-making of him. So,
+
+_First,_ He is the Truth, in opposition to the shadows and types of him,
+under the law. Hence, as "the law," the whole Levitical and typical
+dispensation, "came by Moses, so grace and truth came by Jesus Christ,"
+John i. 17. They were all shadows of him, and he is the substance and
+body of them all, Col. ii. 17; and this is true in these respects:
+
+1. All these shadows and types pointed at him, and directed, as with a
+finger, the Israelites, who were under that dispensation, to look to
+Christ, the promised Messiah, and to rest, and to lay all their weight
+on him. So that the law was a shadow of good things to come, Heb. x. 1.
+Col. ii. 17.
+
+2. They all terminate in him, he putting an end, by his coming and
+performing his work, to all those types which only related to him, and
+to what he was to do; the body being come, there is no more need of the
+shadow and the thing typified existing, there is no more need or use of
+the type.
+
+3. They are all fulfilled in him; he answereth them all fully, so that
+whatever was shadowed forth by them is completely to be found in him.
+This the apostle, in his Epistle to the Hebrews, abundantly evinceth.
+And Paul to the Colossians, tells us, "we are complete in him," and
+therefore need no more follow the shadows.
+
+_Secondly,_ He is the Truth in reference to the prophecies of old; all
+which did principally point at him and his concernments, his person,
+nature, offices, work, kingdom, &c.; and whatever was foretold in these
+prophecies is perfectly fulfilled in him, or done by him, or shall in
+due time be effectuated by him. He is that great prophet spoken of, Deut
+xviii. 15, 18, 19. So said the Jews themselves, John vi. 14. All the
+prophets from Samuel spoke of him and of his days, Acts iii. 22-24. "And
+to him gave all the prophets witness," Acts x. 43. And whatever they
+prophesied or witnessed of him, was, or is in due time to be fulfilled
+in him. Hence, we find the evangelists and apostles frequently applying
+the sayings and prophecies of the Old Testament unto him. And Luke
+(chap. iv. 18,) himself said the prophecy of Isaiah lxi. 1, &c., was
+fulfilled in him. See 1 Pet. x. 11, 12. And himself expounded to the two
+disciples going to Emmaus, in all the Scriptures, beginning at Moses and
+all the prophets, all the things concerning himself, Luke xxiv. 27. And
+thus is he the Truth of all the prophecies.
+
+_Thirdly,_ He is the Truth, in reference to his undertaking with the
+Father in that glorious covenant of redemption; for whatever the Father
+laid on him to do, that he did fully and faithfully. "He was to bear
+our griefs, to carry our sorrows;" and that he did. "He was to be
+wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our iniquities; the
+chastisement of our peace was upon him, and by his stripes we were to be
+healed," Isa. liii. 5; and so it was, Rom. iv. 25. 1 Cor. xv. 3. 1 Pet.
+ii. 23. "His soul was to be made an offering for sin," Isa. liii. 10,
+and so it was; for he offered up himself a sacrifice for sin. Yea, all
+that he was to do, by virtue of that covenant, he did it perfectly, so
+as he cried out, while hanging on the cross, "It is finished," John xix.
+30; and, in his prayer, John xvii., he told his Father, verse 4, that he
+had glorified him on earth, and had finished the work which he gave him
+to do; so that the Father was well pleased with him, Matt. iii. 17; xii.
+18; and xvii. 5. Mark i. 11. Luke iii. 22.
+
+_Fourthly,_ He is the Truth, in respect of his offices which he took
+upon him for our good; for all the duties of these offices which he was
+to do, and what remaineth to be done, he will perfect in due time. Did
+he take upon him the office of a prophet? He did fully execute the same,
+in revealing mediately and immediately the whole counsel of God, John i.
+18; and xv. 15. Eph. iv. 11, 12, 13. Acts xx. 32. 1 Pet. 10, 11, 12.
+Heb. i. 2. Did he take upon him the office of a priest? So did he fulfil
+the same, offering up himself an expiatory sacrifice to God, Heb. ix.
+28; and ii. 17; and becoming a priest, and living for ever to make
+intercession for us, Heb. vii. 25. And did he take on the office and
+function of a King? So doth he execute the same, calling a people to
+himself out of the world by his word and Spirit--Acts xv. 14, 15, 16.
+Isa. lv. 4, 5. Psalm cx. 3--erecting a visible church, a company of
+visible professors to profess and declare his name; which, as his
+kingdom, he ruleth with his own officers, laws and penalties, or
+censures; so that the government is on his shoulders, Isaiah ix. 6, 7,
+who is the head of the body, the church, Eph. i. 22, 23. Col. i. 18; and
+this his kingdom he ruleth, in a visible manner, by his own officers,
+&c. Ephes. iv. 11, 12. 1 Cor. xii. 28. Isaiah xxxiii. 22. Matt. xviii.
+17, 18. 1 Cor. v. 4, 5; and further, he executes this office by
+effectually calling the elect, giving them grace, Acts v. 3; rewarding
+the obedient, Rev. xxii. 12; ii. 10; chastising the disobedient, Rev.
+iii. 19; bringing his own home at length, through all their temptations,
+afflictions, and overcoming all their enemies, 1 Cor. xv. 25. Psalm cx.;
+and at length he shall do the part of a king, when he shall judge quick
+and dead at the last day, 2 Thess. i. 8, 9. Acts xvii. 31. 2 Tim. iv. 1.
+
+_Fifthly,_ He is the Truth in this regard, that he fully answers all the
+titles and names which he had got. As he was called Jesus, so did he
+save his people from their sins, Matt. i. 21. As he was called Christ,
+so was he anointed with the Spirit without measure, John iii. 34. Psalm
+xlv. 7; and separated for his work, and endued with all power for that
+effect, Job vi. 27. Matt. xxviii. 18, 19, 20; and established to be a
+prophet, Acts iii. 21, 22. Luke iv. 18, 21; a priest, Heb. v. 5, 6, 7;
+iv. 14, 15; and a king, Psalm ii. 6. Isaiah ix. 6, 7. Matt. xxi. 5.
+Phil. ii. 8-11. Was he called "Immanuel," Isaiah vii. 14? So was he
+indeed God with us, being God and man in one person for ever. Was he
+called "Wonderful," Isaiah ix. 6? So was he indeed in his two distinct
+natures in one person; at which the angels may wonder, Eph. iii. 10, 11.
+1 Pet. i. 12. 1 Tim. iii. 16. Was he called "Counsellor?" So was he
+indeed, coming out from the Father's bosom, with the whole counsel of
+God concerning our salvation, John i. 14, 18; iii. 13; v. 20, and xv.
+15. Was he called the "mighty God?" So was he indeed, Psalm cx. 1. Matt.
+xxii. 44. Heb. i. 13. Psalm xlv. 6. Heb. i. 8. Jer. xxiii. 6, and
+xxxiii. 16. Mal. iii. 1. Matt. xi. 10. Psalm lxxxiii. 18. Luke i. 76.
+John i. 1; xiv. 1. John v. 20. Tit. ii. 13. Rom. ix. 5. Was he called
+the "everlasting Father?" So is he the Father of eternity, being (as
+some interpret the word) the author of eternal life, which he giveth to
+all that believe in him, John vi. 39, 40, 47, 51; viii. 51; x. 28; xi.
+25, 26. Heb. v. 9, and vii. 25. Was he called the "Prince of Peace?" So
+is he the Prince of Peace indeed, being our peace, Mic. v. 5. Eph. ii.
+14; making up peace between God and us, Isaiah liii. 5, and liii. 19.
+Eph. ii. 17. Col. i. 20. Hence his gospel is the gospel of peace, and
+his ministers ambassadors of peace, Isaiah lii. 7. Rom. x. 15. 2 Cor. v.
+19, 20. Eph. vi. 15. And he giveth peace to all his, Zech. ix. 10. John
+xiv. 27; xvii. 33. Rom. v. 1; viii. 16, and xiv. 17. 2 Thes. iii. 17.
+Was he called the "Lord our Righteousness?" Jer. xxiii. 6; so is he the
+same indeed, bringing in everlasting righteousness, Dan. ix. 24; and
+"being made of God to us righteousness," 1 Cor. i. 30; and making us
+righteous, 2 Cor. v. 21.
+
+_Sixthly,_ He is the Truth in reference to the promises, which,
+
+1. Centre all in him, and lead to him as the great promise.
+
+2. Are founded all upon him, who is the only Mediator of the covenant of
+promises.
+
+3. Are confirmed all by him, and made yea and amen in him, 2 Cor. i. 20.
+He confirmed the promises made to the fathers, Rev. xv. 8.
+
+4. Are all dispensed and given out by him, who is the executor of his
+own testament, and the great dispensator of all that we need; so that
+what we ask of the Father he giveth it himself, John xiv. 13, 14.
+
+_Seventhly,_ He is the Truth, in that he fully answereth all the hopes
+and expectations of his people. He shall not be found a liar unto them,
+whatever Satan may suggest unto them, or a misbelieving heart may prompt
+them to conceive, and their jealousy may make them apprehend; and
+whatever his dispensations may now seem to say. In end they shall all
+find, that he is the truth, fully satisfying all their desires; and
+granting all that ever they could hope for, or expect from him. They
+shall at length be satisfied with his likeness, Psalm xvii. 15; yea,
+abundantly satisfied with the fatness of his house, Psalm xxxvi. 8; and
+with his goodness, Psalm lxv. 4; and that as with marrow and fatness,
+Psalm lxiii. 5. One sight of his glory will fully satisfy, and cause
+them to cry out, enough! Jeremiah is now saying, as once he did in the
+bitterness of his soul, through the power of corruption and temptation,
+(chap. xv. 18.) "wilt thou be altogether unto me as a liar, and as
+waters that fail?"
+
+_Eighthly,_ He is the Truth, in opposition to all other ways of
+salvation: for,
+
+1. There is no salvation now by the law of works, that covenant being
+once broken cannot any more save; the law cannot now do it, in that it
+is weak through the flesh, Rom. viii. 3.
+
+2. There is no salvation now by the law of Moses without Christ: hence
+Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, did not attain to
+the law of righteousness, because they sought it not by faith, but as it
+were by the works of the law, Rom. ix. 31, 32. They went about to
+establish their own righteousness, and did not submit themselves unto
+the righteousness of God, Rom. x. 3.
+
+3. There is no salvation by any thing mixed in with Christ, as the
+apostle fully cleareth in his epistle to the Galatians.
+
+4. There is no salvation by any other way or medium, which mart can
+invent or fall upon, whereof there are not a few, as we shewed above:
+"for there is not another name given under heaven, by which we can be
+saved," but the name of Jesus, Acts iv. 12. No religion Will save but
+this.
+
+So that he is the true salvation, and he only is the true salvation; and
+he is the sure and safe salvation: such as make use of him shall not be
+mistaken nor disappointed, Isaiah xxxv. 8.
+
+_Ninthly,_ He is the Truth, in respect of his leading and guiding his
+people in the truth: hence he is called "a teacher from God," John iii.
+2; and one that "teacheth the way of God in truth," Matt. xxii. 16. "A
+prophet mighty in deed and word," Luke xxiv. 19. And in this respect he
+is the truth upon several accounts.
+
+1. Of his personal teaching, God spoke by him, Heb. i. 2. He revealed
+the Father's mind, Matt. xi. 27. John i. 18.
+
+2. Of his messengers sent by him, as prophets of old, apostles and
+ministers of late, whom he sendeth forth to make disciples, Matt,
+xxviii. 18; and to open the eyes of the blind, Acts xxvi. 18.
+
+3. Of his word, which he hath left as our rule, and which is a sure,
+word of prophecy, more sure than a voice from heaven, 2 Pet. i. 19.
+
+4. Of his ordinances, which he hath established as means to guide us in
+the way of truth.
+
+5. Of his Spirit, whereby he maketh the word clear, John xiv. 26. This
+Spirit is sent to teach all truth, and to lead and guide us in all
+truth, John xvii. 13. 1 John ii. 27; and sept by him, and by the Father
+in his name, John xiv. 26; xv. 16; xvi. 14.
+
+6. Of his dispensations of providence, within us and without us, by
+which likewise he instructeth in the way of truth.
+
+_Tenthly._ He, is the Truth, in, respect of his bearing witness to, the
+truth; and this he doth,
+
+1. By himself, who was given for a witness, Isaiah lv. 4; and came to
+bear witness to the truth, John iii. 11; xviii. 37; and was a faithful
+witness, Rev. i. 5; iii. 14,
+
+2. By his ministers, who witness the truth of the gospel by publishing
+and proclaiming the same.
+
+3. By his martyrs, who seal the truth with their blood, and so bear
+witness to it, Rev. ii. 13; xvii. 6. Acts xxii. 20.
+
+4. By his Spirit, sealing the truth of grace in a believer, and his
+interest in God through Christ, and his right to all the benefits of the
+new covenant, "in whom also, after ye believed, ye were sealed with that
+Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance," Eph.
+i. 13, 14.
+
+_Eleventhly._ He is the Truth, in respect that he carrieth towards poor
+sinners in all things, according to the tenor of the gospel, and the
+offers thereof; he offers himself to all freely, and promiseth to put
+none away that come to him; and this he doth in truth: for no man can
+say, that he had a sincere and true desire to come to Jesus, and that he
+rejected him and would not look upon him. He giveth encouragement to all
+sinners to come, that will be content to quit their sins; and promiseth
+to upbraid none that cometh. And is there any that in their own
+experience can witness the contrary? He offers all freely; and did he
+ever reject any upon the want of a price in their hand? Nay, hath not
+the cause of their getting no admittance been, that they thought to
+commend themselves to Christ by their worth; and would not take all
+freely, for the glory of his grace? Let believers and others speak here,
+out of their own experience, in truth and in uprightness; and it shall
+be found, that he was and is the truth.
+
+_Twelfthly._ He is the Truth, in that, in all his dispensations in the
+gospel, and in all his works and actions in and about his own people, he
+is true and upright. All his offers, all his promises, all his
+dispensations, are done in truth and uprightness; yea, all are done out
+of truth and uprightness of love, true tenderness and affection to them,
+whatever the corruption of jealousy and misbelief think and say to the
+contrary. He is the truth; and so always the same, unchangeable in his
+love, whatever his dispensations seem to say; and the believer may rest
+assured hereof, that he being the truth, shall be to him whatever his
+word holdeth him forth to be, and that constantly and unchangeably.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+SOME GENERAL USES FROM THIS USEFUL TRUTH, THAT CHRIST IS THE TRUTH.
+
+
+Having thus cleared up this truth, we should come to speak of the way of
+believers making use of him as the truth, in several cases wherein they
+will stand in need of him as the truth. But ere we come to the
+particulars, we shall first propose some general uses of this useful
+point.
+
+_First._ This point of truth serveth to discover unto us, the woful
+condition of such as are strangers to Christ the truth; and oh, if it
+were believed! For,
+
+1. They are not yet delivered from that dreadful plague of blindness,
+error, ignorance, mistakes under which all are by nature; a condition,
+that if rightly seen, would cause the soul lie low in the dust.
+
+2. Whatever course they take, till they come to Christ, and while they
+remain in that condition, is a lie, and a false, erroneous, and
+deceitful way. For still they are turning aside to lies, Psalm xl. 4;
+and seeking after them, Psalm iv. 2.
+
+3. Whatever hopes and confidence they may have, that their way shall
+carry them through, yet in end they will be found to inherit lies, Jer.
+xvi. 19; and meet with the saddest disappointment that can be. For
+instead of the fellowship of God, Christ, angels, and glorified spirits,
+they shall take up their lodging with devils and damned souls; and that
+because they have made no acquaintance with the way of truth; and the
+way wherein they are, is but a lie and a falsehood; and so of necessity
+must deceive them.
+
+4. All their literal and speculative knowledge shall not avail them, so
+long as they are strangers unto him who is the truth. Their knowledge is
+but ignorance, because it is not a knowledge of him who is the truth.
+
+5. They have none to go to for help and light in the day of their
+darkness, confusion, and perplexity; for they are not reconciled unto
+the truth, which alone can prove steadable and comfortable in that day.
+
+6. They can do nothing to help themselves out of that state of darkness
+and ignorance; and whatever they do to help themselves shall but
+increase their darkness and misery; because there is no truth there, and
+truth, even the truth alone, can dispel these clouds of error, mistakes,
+ignorance, &c.
+
+_Secondly._ Hence, we see the happy and blessed condition of believers,
+who have embraced this truth, and gotten their souls opened to him who
+is the truth; for,
+
+1. They are in part delivered from that mass of lies, mistakes,
+misapprehensions, errors, deceitfulness and ignorance under which they
+lay formerly, and all the unregenerate do yet lie. And though they be
+not fully delivered therefrom, yet the day is coming when that shall be,
+and the begun work of grace and truth in them is a pledge thereof; and
+at present they have ground to believe, that that evil shall not again
+have dominion over them, they being now under grace, and under the
+guidance of truth.
+
+2. Howbeit they have many perplexing thoughts, doubts and fears of their
+state and condition, and think many a time, that they shall one day or
+other perish by the way; and all their hopes and confidence shall
+evanish; yet having given up themselves to truth, and to the truth, they
+shall not be disappointed in the end. The truth shall land them safe on
+the other side. The truth shall prove no lie.
+
+3. They have a fast and steadable friend to go to, in a day of darkness,
+clouds, doubts, when falsehood and lies are like to prevail, even the
+Truth, who alone can help them in that day.
+
+4. Howbeit the knowledge they have of God, and of the mysteries of the
+gospel, be but small; yet that small measure being taught by him, who is
+the truth, and flowing from truth, shall prove sanctifying and saving.
+
+9. They have ground to hope for more freedom from errors and deceitful
+lies, than others; for they have chosen the way of truth, and given
+themselves up to the leading of truth.
+
+_Object._ But do not even such drink in and receive and plead for
+errors, as well as others; and is it not sometime found, that they even
+live and die in some mistakes and errors?
+
+_Answ._ I grant the Lord may suffer even some of his own to fall into,
+and to continue for some time in errors, yea, and it may be all their
+days, as to some errors, that hereby, all may learn to tremble and fear,
+and to work out their salvation with fear and trembling. (2.) Some may
+be tried thereby, Dan. xi. 35. (3.) Others may break their neck
+thereupon. (4.) To punish themselves, for not making that use of truth,
+and of the truth, that they should have done; yet we would consider
+these few things:
+
+1. That there are many more unregenerate persons that fall into error.
+
+2. If his people fall into error at any time, they do not always
+continue therein to the end. God for his own glory maketh, sometime or
+other, truth shine in upon their soul, which discovereth that mistake,
+and presently, the grace of God in their soul maketh them to abhor the
+same.
+
+3. Or if some continue in it to their dying day, yet they repent of it,
+by an implicit repentance, as they do of other unknown and unseen evils
+that lie in their soul; so that that error doth not destroy their soul.
+
+4. There are some gross errors, which a regenerate soul cannot readily
+embrace, or if, through a mistake, or the power of a temptation, they do
+embrace them, yet they cannot heartily close with them, whatever for a
+time, through corruption and pride, they may seem outwardly to do; and
+that because the very daily exercise of grace will discover them; and so
+they will be found to be against their daily experience; as some
+opinions of the Papists, Arminians, and Socinians, together with the
+abominable Quakers, which a gracious soul, when not carried away with
+the torrent of corruption, and with the tempest of a temptation, cannot
+but observe to contradict the daily workings of grace in their soul, and
+the motions of their sanctified soul, in prayer and other holy duties;
+and so such as they cannot but find to be false by their own experience.
+
+_Thirdly._ Here is ground of a sharp reproof of the wicked, who continue
+in unbelief; and,
+
+1. Will not believe, nor give any credit to his promises; wherewith he
+seeketh to allure poor souls to come to him for life.
+
+2. Nor will they believe his threatenings, wherewith he useth to alarm
+souls, and to urge them forward to their duty.
+
+3. Nor will they believe and receive his offers, as true.
+
+5. Nor will they believe, that he is the true prophet, priest, and king,
+that must save souls from hell and death, and therefore they will not
+give him employment in his offices.
+
+All which cannot but be a high provocation, for in effect it is to say
+that he is not the truth, nor worthy to be believed. Let them consider
+this, and see how they think he shall take this off their hands. No man
+will take it well that another should either call or account him a
+liar; and can they think that Christ shall take it well at their hands,
+to be accounted by them a liar? What will they think to be challenged
+for this in the great day? Now, the truth is, all unbelievers, as they
+make God a liar, (O horrid and abominable crime! Whose hair would not
+stand on end to hear this?) 1 John v. 10, 11. "He that believeth not God
+hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave
+of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal
+life; and this life is in his Son." So do they make the Son of God a
+liar, in all his sayings, in all his offices, and in all his works; and
+they make the Holy Ghost a liar, in not believing that truth that he
+hath sealed as firm truth. They make the covenant of suretiship betwixt
+the Father and the Son, a mere lie and a forgery. O dreadful! They make
+the word of truth a lie, and they make all the saints liars, and all the
+officers of Jesus Christ, who declare this truth, and the saints who
+believe it, and rest upon it, liars.
+
+_Fourthly._ Hence is there ground of reproof to the godly, in that,
+
+1. They do not firmly enough believe his sayings, neither his promises,
+nor his threatenings, as appeareth too oft upon the one hand, by their
+faintings and fears, and upon the other hand, by their carelessness and
+loose walk.
+
+2. They make not use of him, in all cases as they ought. His offices lie
+by and are not improved; nor is he gone to as the truth, in cases
+requiring his help, as the truth; that is, in cases of darkness,
+doubtings, confusion, ignorance of their case and condition, and the
+like.
+
+3. They do not approach to him, nor to God through him, heartily and
+cordially, as the very truth, and true way.
+
+4. Nor do they rest with confidence upon him in all difficulties, as
+being the truth that will not fail them, nor disappoint them.
+
+5. Nor do they rejoice in him, as satisfied with him, who is the truth,
+in the want of all other things.
+
+_Fifthly._ The right consideration of this truth should keep us in mind
+of several great duties; such as those,
+
+1. Of pitying those places where this truth is not heard of, as among
+Turks and heathens; or where it is darkened with superstition and men's
+inventions, as among papists; or where it hath been clearly shining, but
+now is darkened, as in some churches now under the prevailing power of
+corruption; or, lastly, where it is not received in its power and
+lustre, as, alas! it is too little received in the best and purest
+churches.
+
+2. Of being thankful to him for making this truth known in the world,
+and particularly in the place where we were born, or had our abode; and
+yet more for that he hath determined our hearts to a believing of this
+truth, in some weak measure; to an embracing of it, and to a giving of
+ourselves up to be led, ruled, and guided thereby.
+
+3. Of esteeming highly of every piece of truth for his sake who is the
+truth; studying it for his sake--loving it for his sake--holding it fast
+for his sake--witnessing to it, as we are called, for his sake. We
+should buy the truth, and not sell it, Prov. xxiii. 23; and we should
+plead for it, and be valiant for it, Isa. lix. 4, 14. Jer. vii. 28; ix.
+3.
+
+4. Of taking part with him and his cause, in all hazards, for truth is
+always on his side; and truth shall prevail at length.
+
+5. Of giving him employment in our doubts and difficulties, whether,
+
+(1.) They be about some controverted points of truth, which come to be
+debated, or to trouble the church. Or,
+
+(2.) About our own estate and condition, quarrelled at by Satan, or
+questioned by the false heart. Or,
+
+(3.) About our carriage in our daily walk. In all these, and the like,
+we should be employing truth, that we may be led in truth, and taught by
+truth, to walk in sure paths.
+
+6. Of carrying in all things before him as true; for he is truth, and
+the truth, and so cannot be deceived; and therefore we should walk
+before him in sincerity and singleness of heart, without guile,
+hypocrisy, or falsehood, that we may look like children of the truth;
+and of the day, and of light, and children that will not lie or
+dissemble, Isaiah lxiii. 8; not like these that lied unto him, Psalm
+lxxviii. 38. Isaiah lix. 13.
+
+7. Of taking him only for our guide to heaven, by denying our own wit,
+skill, and understanding, and looking to and resting upon him, who alone
+is the truth, and so acknowledging him in all our ways, depending on him
+for light and counsel, for singleness of heart, humility, diligence, and
+truth, in the inward parts.
+
+8. Of giving up ourselves daily unto him and his guidance, and denying
+our own wills, humours, parties, or opinions; for he alone is truth, and
+can only guide us aright. And for this cause, we would acquaint
+ourselves well with the word, which is our rule, and seek after the
+Spirit, whom Christ hath promised to lead us into all truth.
+
+_Sixthly._ Should not this be a strong inducement to all of us, to lay
+hold on and grip to him, who is the truth, and only the truth? seeing,
+
+1. All other ways which we can take, will prove a lie to us in the end.
+
+2. He is substance, and no shadow, and all that love him shall inherit
+substance; for he will fill all their treasures, Prov. viii. 21.
+
+3. Such as embrace him shall not wander, nor be misled; for his "mouth
+shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to his lips," Prov.
+viii. 7. "All the words of his mouth are in righteousness, and there is
+nothing froward or perverse in them," verse 8. "He is wisdom, and
+dwelleth with prudence, and findeth out knowledge of witty inventions,"
+verse 12. "Counsel is his, and sound wisdom; he hath understanding and
+strength," ver. 14.
+
+4. He will make good all his promises in due time, and give a
+subsistence and a being to them all; for he is the Truth, and the Truth
+must stand to his promises, and fulfil them all.
+
+5. He will never, nay, "never leave his people, nor forsake them," Heb.
+xiii. 5. He is truth, and cannot deceive; he cannot forsake nor
+disappoint. He is a spring of water, whose waters fail not, Isaiah
+lviii. 11. Therefore they cannot be disappointed in the end, and
+perish, who trust to him.
+
+6. The truth will make them free, John viii. 32, 36, and so deliver them
+from their state of sin and misery, wherein they lay as captives; and
+from that spiritual bondage and slavery under which they were held.
+
+_Seventhly_. This, to believers, may be a spring of consolation in many
+cases, as,
+
+1. When error and wickedness seem to prosper and prevail; for though it
+prevail for a time, yet truth will be victorious at length, and the
+truth will overcome all. He is truth, and will plead for truth.
+
+2. When friends, acquaintances, relations, fail them, and father and
+mother forsake them, truth will take them up. He who is the truth will
+answer his name, and never deceive, never forsake.
+
+3. When riches, honours, pleasures, or what else their heart hath being
+going out after, prove like summer brooks; for the truth will be the
+same to them in all generations; there is no shadow of turning with
+him. The Truth is always truth, and true.
+
+4. When we fear that either ourselves or others shall fall away, in a
+day of trial, and turn from the truth. Though all men prove liars and
+deceivers, truth will abide the same, and stand out all the blasts of
+opposition.
+
+5. When unbelief would make us question the truth of the promises, the
+faith of his being truth itself, and the truth, even truth in the
+abstract, would shame unbelief out of countenance. Shall truth fail?
+Shall not the Truth be true? What a contradiction were that?
+
+6. When we know not how to answer the objections of Satan, and of a
+false treacherous heart; for truth can easily answer all cavils; and he
+who is the truth can repel all objections against truth. Truth is
+impregnable, and can stand against all.
+
+7. When we cannot know, nor discover the wiles and subtilty of Satan.
+Truth can discover the depths of Satan, and make the poor soul more
+acquaint with them; so that they shall not any more be ignorant of his
+devices, who look to him.
+
+8. When the thoughts of the deceitfulness of our hearts trouble us, the
+depth whereof we cannot search. This then may comfort us, that truth may
+search the heart and the reins, Jer. xvii. 9, 10.
+
+9. When we cannot tell what our disease and distemper is, and so cannot
+seek suitable remedies, or help from God, O what a comfort is it, to
+know and believe, that he is the truth, with whom we have to do, and so
+knoweth our distemper perfectly, and all its causes and symptoms,--truth
+cannot be at a stand in discerning our disease; so nor can he be
+ignorant of the fittest and only safest cures.
+
+10. When we know not what to ask in prayer, as not knowing what is best
+for us, it is a comfort to remember that we have to do with the Truth,
+who is perfectly acquainted with all that, and knoweth what is best.
+
+11. When we know not how to answer the calumnies of adversaries, it is
+comfortable to know that he is the truth, that will hear truth, when men
+will not, and will own and stand for the truth, when enemies do what
+they can to darken an honest man's good cause. It is comfortable to
+know, we have the Truth to appeal to, as David had, Psalm vii. 17.
+
+12. When we think on our own covenant-breaking, and dealing deceitfully
+with God, it is comfortable to remember, that though we and all men be
+liars, and deal deceitfully with him, yet he is the truth, and will keep
+covenant for ever; he will not, he cannot deny himself, 2 Tim. ii. 13.
+
+_Eighthly,_ Hence we may certainly conclude, that truth, which is
+Christ's cause, shall at length prevail; for he is truth, yea, the
+truth, and so abideth truth; therefore must he prevail, and all the
+mouths of liars must be stopped. So then let us remain persuaded, that
+truth at length shall be victorious, and that the cause of Christ shall
+have the victory. Though,
+
+1. The enemies of truth, and the cause of Christ, be multiplied, and
+many there be that rise up against it.
+
+2. These enemies should prosper, and that for along time, and carry on
+their course of error and wickedness with a high hand.
+
+3. There should be few found to befriend truth, and to own it in an evil
+day.
+
+4. Yea, many of those that did sometime own it, and plead for it, should
+at length turn their backs upon it, as did Demas.
+
+5. And such as continue constant and faithful, be loaded with
+reproaches, and pressed under with sore persecution, for adhering to
+truth, and owning constantly the good cause.
+
+6. Yea, though all things in providence should seem to say, that truth
+shall not rise again, but seem, on the contrary, to conspire against the
+same.
+
+_Ninthly,_ May we not hence read, what should be our way and course, in
+a time when a spirit of error is gone abroad, and many are carried off
+their feet therewith, or when we are doubtful what to do, and what side
+of the dispute to take. O then is the fit time for us to employ truth,
+to live near to him who is the truth, to wait on him, and hang upon him,
+with singleness of heart.
+
+_Objection._ But many even of his own people do err and step aside.
+_Ans._ That is true: But yet, (1.) That will be no excuse to thee.
+Nay,(2.) That should make thee fear and tremble more. (3.) And it should
+press thee to lie near to Christ, and to wrestle more earnestly with
+him, for the Spirit of light and of truth, and to depend more constantly
+and faithfully upon him, with singleness of heart, and to give up all
+thy soul and way to him, as the God of truth, and as the truth, that
+thou mayest be led into all truth.
+
+_Tenthly,_ This should stir us up to go to him, and make use of him as
+the truth in all cases, wherein we may stand in need of truth's hand to
+help us; and for this cause we should mind those particulars:
+
+1. We should live in the constant conviction of our ignorance,
+blindness, hypocrisy, readiness to mistake and err. This is clear and
+manifest, and proved to be truth by daily experience; yet how little is
+it believed, that it is so with us? Do we see and believe the atheism of
+our hearts? Do we see and believe the hypocrisy of our hearts? Are we
+jealous of them, as we ought to be? O that it were so! Let this then be
+more minded by us.
+
+2. Let us live in the persuasion of this, that he only, and nothing
+below him, will be able to clear our doubts, dispel our clouds, clear up
+our mistakes, send us light, and manifest truth unto us; not our own
+study, pains, prayers, duties, learning, understanding; nor ministers,
+nor professors, and experienced Christians, and the like.
+
+3. We should be daily giving up ourselves to him, as the truth, in all
+the forementioned respects, and receiving him into our souls as such,
+that we may dwell and abide there: then shall the truth make us free;
+and if the Son make us free, we shall be free indeed, John viii. 36.
+
+4. There should be much single dependence on him for light, instruction,
+direction, and guidance in all our exigencies.
+
+5. Withal, there should be a waiting on him with patience, giving him
+liberty to take his own way and time, and a leaving of him thereunto.
+
+6. We should by all means guard against such things as are hinderances,
+and will prove obstacles to us in this matter; such as,
+
+(1.) Prejudices against the truth; for then we will undervalue light,
+and reject all the directions and instructions of the Spirit, as not
+agreeing with our prejudicate opinion.
+
+(2.) A wilful turning away from truth, as these, 2 Tim. iv. 4. Titus i.
+14.
+
+(3.) Addictedness to our own judgments and opinions, which causeth
+pertinaciousness, pride, and conceit, as thinking ourselves so wise, as
+that we need no information; and this occasioneth a self-confidence.
+
+(4.) Looking too much unto, and hanging too much upon men, who are but
+instruments, crying them up as infallible, and receiving, without
+further examination, all that they say, not like the Bereans, Acts xvii.
+This is a great hinderance to the receiving of truth, and very
+prejudicial.
+
+(5.) A neglecting of the use of the means which God hath appointed for
+this end.
+
+(6.) Or an hanging too much on them, and so misplacing them, giving them
+his room.
+
+(7.) Leaning too much to our own understanding, wit and knowledge, &c.
+
+(8.) A resisting of the truth, 2 Tim. iii. 8. These and the like
+hinderances should be guarded against, lest they mar our attaining to
+the knowledge of truth.
+
+7. There should be much of the exercise of prayer, for this is the main
+conduit and mean, through which light is conveyed into the soul. There
+should also be a serious and Christian reading and hearing of the word,
+which is truth, and the word of truth, and the Scripture of truth; and
+those duties should be gone about with, (1.) much self-denial; (2.) with
+much singleness of heart; (3.) with much humility; (4.) with much
+willingness and readiness to be instructed; (5.) with much seriousness
+and earnestness; and, (6.) with faith and dependence on God for his
+blessing and breathing.
+
+8. We should beware of trusting to our own understandings, or to the
+judgments of other men; nor should we look to what suiteth most our own
+humours, nor to what appeareth most specious and plausible, for that may
+deceive us.
+
+9. We should lie open to the influences and rays of light, by exercising
+faith in earnest desires; as also patient waiting for and single looking
+to him, minding his name and his relations, promises, and engagements,
+and the strengthening of our faith and confidence.
+
+10. We should labour to keep fast whatever he teacheth us by his word
+and Spirit, and not prove leaking vessels. This the apostle exhorteth
+to, Heb. ii. 1, "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the
+things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip;"
+yea, and we should be established "in the truth," 2 Pet. i. 12.
+
+11. We should beware of resting on a form of the truth, as those did, of
+whom we read, Rom. ii. 20; and of holding the truth in unrighteousness,
+as those, Rom. i. 18; and of disobeying it, as those mentioned in Rom.
+ii. 8. See also Gal. iii. 1; v. 7.
+
+12. But on the contrary, we should so receive truth, as that it might
+rule and be master in us, captivate judgment, will, and affections, and
+break out into the practice. And this recommendeth several duties, such
+as,
+
+(1.) To have the truth in us; while as, if we practise otherwise, "the
+truth is not in us," 1 John i. 8; ii. 4.
+
+(2.) To be of the truth, as belonging to its jurisdiction, power, and
+command, 1 John iii. 19. John xviii. 37.
+
+(3.) To do the truth, by having true fellowship with him, 1 John i. 6;
+and "to walk in the truth," 2 John iv. 3. John iv. Psalm lxxxvi. 11.
+
+(4.) To have the loins girt with truth, Eph. i. 14.
+
+(5.) To receive the love of the truth, 2 Thess. ii. 10.
+
+(6.) To be instructed of him, "as the truth is in Jesus," Eph. iv. 21.
+
+(7.) To purify the soul in obeying the truth, 1 Pet. ii. 22.
+
+This shall suffice for clearing up, and applying in the general this
+excellent truth, that Christ is the truth. We shall now come and make
+some more particular use of this precious point, by speaking to some
+particular cases (which we shall instance in, by which the understanding
+Christian may be helped to understand how to carry and how to make use
+of Christ in other the like cases), wherein Christ is to be made use of
+as the truth, and show how believers are to make use of him in these
+cases as the truth.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+HOW TO MAKE USE OF CHRIST AS THE TRUTH, FOR GROWTH IN KNOWLEDGE.
+
+
+It is a commanded duty, that we grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, 2
+Pet. iii. 18; and the knowledge of him being life eternal, John xvii. 3,
+and our measure of knowledge of him here being but imperfect, for we
+know but in part, it cannot but be an useful duty, and a desirable
+thing, to be growing in this knowledge. This is to walk worthy of the
+Lord unto all pleasing, to be increasing in the knowledge of God, Col.
+i. 10. Knowledge must be added to virtue; and it layeth a ground for
+other Christian virtues, 2 Pet. i. 5, 6. In this knowledge we must not
+be barren, 2 Pet. i. 2. And this being so necessary, so desirable, so
+useful, and so advantageous a grace, the believer cannot but desire to
+have more and more of it, especially seeing it is a part of the image of
+God, Col. iii. 10.
+
+Now it is the truth that must teach them here, first and last. "The
+light of the knowledge of the glory of God must be had in the face of
+Jesus Christ," 2 Cor. iv. 6. The question therefore is, how we should
+make use of Jesus Christ for this end, that we may attain to more of
+this excellent knowledge.
+
+_First._ It is good to live in the constant conviction of a necessity of
+his teaching us, and this taketh in those particulars:
+
+1. That we should be conscious of our ignorance, even when we know most,
+or think we know most, remembering that the best knoweth but in part, 1
+Cor. xiii. 9. The more true knowledge we attain to, the more will we see
+and be convinced of our ignorance; because the more we know, the more
+will we discover of the vastness and incomprehensibility of that object,
+which is proposed to our knowledge.
+
+2. That we should remember, how deceitful our hearts are; and how ready
+they are to sit down upon a shadow of knowledge, even where we know
+nothing as we ought to know, 1 Cor. viii. 2; and this will keep us
+jealous and watchful.
+
+3. And to help forward our jealousy of our own hearts and watchfulness,
+we should remember that our hearts naturally are averse from any true
+and saving knowledge; whatever desire there be naturally after knowledge
+of hidden things out of curiosity; and of things natural; or of things
+spiritual, as natural, for the perfection of nature, as might be
+pretended, whereby in effect those that increase knowledge, increase
+sorrow, Eccl. i. 18. Yet there is no inclination after spiritual and
+saving knowledge, in us naturally, but an aversion of heart therefrom.
+
+4. That we should study and know the absolute necessity of this
+knowledge. How necessary it is for our Christian communion with God, and
+Christian walk with others; how necessary for our right improving of
+dispensations, general and particular; what a noble ornament of a
+Christian it is, and a necessary piece of the image of God, which we
+have lost.
+
+_Secondly._ Upon these grounds mentioned, we would also be convinced of
+this:
+
+1. That of ourselves, and by all our natural parts, endowments,
+quickness and sagacity, we cannot attain to this saving knowledge, which
+is a special and saving grace, and so must be wrought in the soul by a
+divine hand, even the mighty power of God. By our private study and
+reading, we may attain to a literal, heady, and speculative knowledge,
+that will puff us up, 1 Cor. viii. 1; but thereby shall we never attain
+to this knowledge, which is spiritual, hearty, and practical, and so
+saving, we must have the anointing here, which teacheth us all things, 1
+John ii. 27. And of this we should be persuaded, that we may look to a
+higher hand for light and instruction.
+
+_Thirdly._ There should be an eyeing of Christ's furniture and fitness
+for this work of teaching of us, to wit,
+
+1. An eyeing of him as the substantial wisdom of the Father, Prov. viii.
+
+2. An eyeing of him, as one come out of the bosom of the Father, John i.
+18; and so sufficiently enabled to acquaint us with the mysteries of God
+for salvation.
+
+3. An eyeing of him as Mediator, fully endued with all necessaries for
+this piece of his work, and so having received the Spirit without
+measure, for this end, John iii. 34; and as having hid in him all the
+treasures of wisdom and knowledge, Col. ii. 3; and as having all
+fullness dwelling in him, Col. i. 19; and also Isa. xi. 2; lxi. 1,2.
+
+4. An eyeing of him, as having power to send the Spirit, that anointing
+that teacheth us all things, "and is truth and is no lie," 1 John ii.
+20-27; not only by way of intercession and entreaty, begging it of the
+Father, John xv. 16, 17; but also authoritatively, as conjunct with the
+Father. The Father sendeth him in Christ's name, John xiv. 26; and
+Christ sendeth him from the Father, John xv. 26; and this Spirit of
+truth which guideth into all truth, shall receive of Christ's, and shew
+it unto us, John xvi. 13-15.
+
+_Fourthly,_ There should be an eyeing of Christ's readiness,
+willingness, and engagement to help in this case; and this will
+encourage the soul to go forward. And for this cause we would remember
+those things:
+
+1. That he standeth obliged to help us with instruction, by virtue of
+his office, as a prophet, a witness, a leader, and a commander, Isa. l
+v. 4.
+
+2. That he is commissioned of the Father for this end, and so is the
+Father's servant; and is given for "a light to the Gentiles," Isa. xlii.
+6; xlix. 6; and the Father is said to speak by him, or in him, Heb. i.
+1.
+
+3. That he received his gifts and qualifications for this end and
+purpose, that he might give out and dispense to his members according to
+their necessity; as is clear from Psalm lxviii. 18, compared with Eph.
+iv. 8; what he is said to have received in the one place, he is said to
+have given in the other.
+
+4. That he hath begun this work already by his Spirit in his followers;
+and therefore standeth engaged to see it perfected; for all his works
+are perfect works.
+
+5. That he hath a love to his scholars, and a desire to have them all
+thriving, and making progress in knowledge; this being his glory who is
+their master and teacher.
+
+6. That he laid down ways and means, and a constant course for
+instructing of his people: for,
+
+(1.) He hath given his word, and settled and established ordinances for
+this end.
+
+(2.) He hath established a ministry for instructing his people, Eph. iv.
+8-13.
+
+(3.) He hath gifted persons for this work of the ministry, 1 Cor. xii.
+4-11.
+
+(4.) He maketh these officers, in the faithful administration of their
+function, and through his blessing and Spirit, maketh their work
+prosperous and effectual in his own, as he seeth fit.
+
+_Fifthly._ There should be an eyeing of the promises of the covenant of
+grace made for this end, whether general or particular, or both; such as
+those which we have, Isa. ii. 9. Hab. ii. 14, "The earth shall be filled
+with the knowledge of the Lord," or of "the glory of the Lord, as the
+waters cover the sea;" and that, Isa. xxxii. 4, "the heart of the rash
+shall understand knowledge," &c.; and Jer. xxxi, 34, "They shall all
+know me."
+
+_Sixthly._ There should be a constant, diligent, serious, and single
+using of the means of knowledge, with a faithful dependence on Christ by
+faith, gripping to him in his relations, offices, engagements, and
+promises, and waiting upon his breathing in hope and patience, Psal.
+xxv. 5.
+
+_Seventhly._ There should be a guarding against every thing that may
+obstruct this work, and grieve him in it; and therefore we would beware,
+
+1. To undervalue and have a little esteem of knowledge; for this will
+grieve him; and (to speak so) put him from work.
+
+2. To misimprove any measure of knowledge he giveth.
+
+3. To weary of the means and ordinances whereby he useth to convey
+knowledge into the soul.
+
+4. To limit the holy One of Israel to this or that mean, to this or that
+time, or to this or that measure, who should have a latitude as to all
+these.
+
+5. To despise the day of small things, because we get not more.
+
+6. To be too curious in seeking after the knowledge of hidden mysteries,
+the knowledge whereof is not so necessary.
+
+7. To lean too much unto, and to depend too much upon the ordinances, or
+instruments, as if all, or any thing, could come from them.
+
+_Eighthly._ There should be a right improving of any measure of
+knowledge we get to his glory, and to the edification of others, with
+humility and thankfulness, and so a putting of that talent in use, to
+gain more to his glory. Whatever measure of knowledge we get, we should
+in all haste, put it into practice, and set it to work; so shall it
+increase, and engage him to give more.
+
+_Ninthly._ There should be a lying open to Christ's instructions, and to
+the shinings of the Spirit of light and of truth, and a ready receiving
+of what measure he is pleased to grant or infuse. Which includeth those
+duties, 1. A serious and earnest hungering and thirsting after more
+spiritual knowledge.
+
+2. A diligent use of every approven mean for this end.
+
+3. A going about the means with much self-denial, spirituality,
+singleness of heart, and sincerity, looking to and depending upon him,
+who must breathe upon the means, and make them useful.
+
+4. A greedy receiving, drinking in, and treasuring up in the soul what
+is gotten.
+
+5. A guarding against selfish and bye-ends, with a single eyeing of his
+glory.
+
+6. A guarding against pride in the heart, and a studying of humility and
+meekness; for the "meek will he guide in judgment, and the meek will he
+teach his way," Psal. xxv. 9.
+
+7. A putting of the heart or understanding in his hand, together with
+the truth, that is heard and received, that he may write the truth, and
+cause the heart receive the impression of the truth.
+
+_Tenthly._ There should be a rolling of the whole matter by faith on
+him, as the only teacher, a putting of the ignorant, blockish, averse,
+and perverse heart, into his hand, that he may frame it to his own mind,
+and a leaving of it there, till he by the Spirit, write in it what he
+thinketh meet, to his own glory and our good.
+
+And sure, were this way followed, growth in knowledge would not be so
+rare a thing as it is.
+
+
+CAUTIONS.
+
+For further direction and caution in this matter, the believer would
+take notice of these particulars:
+
+1. That he should not sit down upon any measure of knowledge he hath
+attained to, or can attain to here, as if he had enough, and should
+labour for no more; but he should still be minding his duty of seeking,
+and pressing for more.
+
+2. Whenever he is about any mean of knowledge, such as preaching,
+reading, conference, &c. his heart should be only upon Christ. He should
+be hanging on his lips for a word of instruction; and with greediness
+looking for a word from his mouth; he should be sending many posts to
+heaven, many ejaculatory desires for light and understanding, and that
+with singleness and sincerity, and not for base ends, or out of
+hypocrisy.
+
+3. Let him not think, that there is no growth in knowledge, because
+possibly he perceiveth it not, or is not satisfied as to the measure
+thereof; yea, though possibly he perceive more ignorance, than ever he
+did before. If he grow in the knowledge of his own ignorance, it is a
+growth of knowledge not to be despised; and in a manner, what can we
+else know of God, but that he far transcendeth all our knowledge, and
+that he is an incomprehensible one, in all his ways.
+
+4. Let him not think, that there is no growth in knowledge, because he
+perceiveth not a growth in the knowledge of such or such a particular,
+which he desireth most; for if there be a truth in the knowledge of
+other particulars, necessary to be known, there is no reason to
+complain. If one grow not, as he supposeth, in the knowledge of God, and
+of the mysteries of the gospel; yet if he grow in the discovery of the
+treachery and wickedness of his own heart, he cannot say that he groweth
+not in knowledge.
+
+5. Let him not measure his growth in knowledge, by his growth in the
+faculty of speaking and discoursing of such or such points of religion;
+many measure their knowledge by their tongue, and think they know
+little, because they can express little; and so they think they attain
+to no increase or growth in knowledge, because they perceive no increase
+or growth in this faculty of discoursing, and talking of such or such
+points of truth. It is safer to measure their knowledge by the
+impression that the truth hath on their spirits, and the effects of it
+on all their carriage, than by their ability and skill to talk and
+dispute of it.
+
+6. Let them beware to imagine, that they shall be able to search out the
+Almighty unto perfection, "Canst thou (said Zophar, Job. xi. 7, 8, 9.)
+by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto
+perfection? He is as high as heaven, what canst thou do? deeper than
+hell, what canst thou know? The measure thereof is longer than the
+earth, and broader than, the sea." Or that they shall be able ever to
+win to the bottom of their own false deceitful heart, which, as Jeremiah
+saith, chap. xvii. 9, "Is deceitful above all things, and desperately
+wicked; who can know it?" and which it is God's prerogative alone to
+search and try, ver. 10. Neither let them think, so long as they are
+here, to win to an exact and perfect knowledge of the mysteries of God,
+wherein is the manifold wisdom of God, Eph. iii. 10, which very
+principalities and powers in heavenly places are learning; and which the
+angels are poring and looking into with desire, 1 Pet. i. 12. There is
+no perfection in knowledge to be had here; for here the best but knoweth
+in part, and prophesieth in part, 1 Cor. xiii. 4.
+
+7. Let them not think that every one shall have the same measure of
+knowledge; every one hath not the like use for it, or the like capacity
+for it. There is a measure proportioned to every one; they should not
+then complain, because they have not such a measure of knowledge as they
+perceive in some others. It may be, the Lord hath some harder piece of
+service, which calleth for more knowledge, to put others to. Let every
+one then mind his duty faithfully and conscientiously, and let him not
+quarrel with God, that he attaineth not to such a measure of knowledge
+as he seeth others attain unto.
+
+8. Neither let them think, that the same measure is required of all. For
+more is required of some, by reason of their office and charge in the
+house of God, being called to teach and instruct others; and so more is
+required of such, as have larger capacities, and a better faculty of
+understanding than others, who naturally are but of a narrow reach, and
+of a shallow capacity. More also is required of such as live under
+plain, powerful, and lively ordinances, and under a more powerful and
+spiritual dispensation of the grace of God, than of others that want
+such advantages. So likewise, more is required of old Christians than of
+new beginners; old men, of much and long experience, should know more
+than such as are but babes in Christ and but of yesterday.
+
+9. Let their desires run out after that knowledge, not which puffeth
+up,--for there is a knowledge which puffeth up, 1 Cor. viii. 1,--but
+which humbleth, and driveth the soul farther from itself and nearer to
+Christ.
+
+10. They should carefully distinguish betwixt the gift of knowledge and
+the grace of knowledge: That ordinarily puffeth up, this humbleth; that
+bringeth not the soul to Jesus, this doth; that is but a form, Rom. ii.
+20, and doth not retain God, Rom. i. 28, this is a real thing, laying
+hold on God and holding him fast, having the fear of the Lord for its
+principle, for this "fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," Job.
+xxviii. 28. Psalm cxi. 10. Prov. i. 7, and ix. 10.; that lieth most in
+the head, and venteth most in discourses, words, yea, and sometimes
+vanisheth into vain notions, but this goeth down to the heart, and
+lodgeth there and appeareth in the man's walk and conversation; as these
+two would be distinguished, so the one would not be measured by the
+other.
+
+11. When they do not profit indeed, let them beware of quarrelling with
+Christ, or of blaming him in any manner of way; but let them lay the
+blame of their shortcoming on themselves, for not making more use of him
+by faith and single dependence upon him. It is true, none will be so
+bold as in words to quarrel with or blame him; yet the heart is
+deceitful and tacitly may raise and foment such thoughts of him and his
+dispensations, as can pass under no other notion than a quarrelling with
+him. Now these would be guarded against.
+
+12. Beware of urging for, or expecting immediate revelation, or
+extraordinary manifestations. For we should not tempt the Lord, nor set
+limits to him, neither should we prescribe means and ways to him,--we
+must be satisfied with the ordinary means which he hath appointed, and
+wait at wisdom's doors, with our ears nailed to his posts.
+
+13. Whatever point of truth they learn, or whatever measure of knowledge
+they get, they would do well to give that back again to Christ, to keep
+for them against a time of need; and wait on him for grace to improve it
+for his glory.
+
+14. Let them beware of minding things too high, Psalm cxxxi. 1. It is
+better to fear, and to stand in awe, and to seek to lay the foundations
+well, to get the saving knowledge of things necessary to salvation. This
+will yield most peace and satisfaction.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+HOW TO MAKE USE OF CHRIST, AS TRUTH, FOR COMFORT, WHEN TRUTH IS
+OPPRESSED AND BORN DOWN.
+
+
+There is another difficulty, wherein believing souls will stand in need
+of Christ, as the truth, to help them; and that is, when his work is
+overturned, his cause borne down, truth condemned, and enemies, in their
+opposition to his work, prospering in all their wicked attempts. This is
+a very trying dispensation, as we see it was to the holy penman of Psalm
+lxxiii. for it made him to stagger, so that his feet were almost gone,
+and his steps had well nigh slipt; yea he was almost repenting of his
+being a godly person, saying, ver. 13, "Verily I have cleansed my heart
+in vain, and washed my hands in innocency." It was something like this,
+which made Jeremiah say, chap. viii. 18, "When I would comfort myself
+against sorrow, my heart is faint in me." The harvest was past, and the
+summer was ended, and yet they were not saved, ver. 20; and they looked
+for peace, but no good came, and for a time of health, but behold
+trouble, ver. 15--and this was fainting and vexatious. And what made
+Baruch, Jeremiah's faithful companion in tribulation, say, "Woe is me
+now! for the Lord hath added grief to my sorrow; I fainted in my
+sighing, and I find no rest," Jer. xlv. 3, but this, that all things
+were turning upside down. God was breaking down that, which he had
+built; and plucking up that which he had planted. Tribulation and
+suffering for a good cause, is even fainting to some; as the Apostle
+hinteth, Ephes. iii. 13, when he says, wherefore, "I desire that ye
+faint not at my tribulation for you." And that which evinceth the danger
+of this dispensation, is the fainting and backsliding of many, in such
+a time of trial, as sad experience too often cleareth.
+
+Now the believer's stay in this case, must be the Rock of Ages, Jesus
+the Truth. It is he alone who can keep straight and honest in such a
+reeling time. So that a sight of Christ as the Truth, in reference to
+the carrying on of truth in the earth, and advancing his cause and work,
+will be the only support of a soul shaken by such a piece of trial.
+
+But the question is, how should believers make use of Christ, in such a
+time, to the end they may be kept from fainting and succumbing in such a
+storm? To which I answer, that the faith and consideration of those
+particulars would help to establishment:
+
+1. That Christ, in all this great work of redemption, and in every piece
+of it, is the Father's servant. So is he frequently called, "his
+servant," Isa. xlii. 1; xlix. 3, 5, 6; lii. 13; and liii. 11. Zech. iii.
+8; and therefore this work is a work intrusted to him, and he standeth
+engaged as a servant, to be faithful to his trust. Moreover add to this,
+that he hath a commission to perfect that work; and we need not doubt,
+but he who is the truth will be true to his trust. "Him hath God the
+Father sealed," John vi. 27; and he often tells us himself, that he is
+"sent of the Father," John iv. 34; v. 23, 24, 30, 36, 37; vi. 38, 39,
+40, 44, 57; viii. 16, 18; xii. 44, 45, 49; vii. 16; ix. 4; x. 36; and
+xi. 42.
+
+2. That while he was upon the earth, he finished that work that was
+committed to him to finish here, having purchased all that was to be
+bought by his blood, paying all the price that justice did ask, John
+xvii. 4; xix. 30. By which price he hath purchased a people to himself,
+Rev. v. 9. Luke i. 68. So that his work, cause, and interest, is a
+purchased work bought with his blood.
+
+3. That his resurrection and glorification is an undoubted proof of
+this, that justice is satisfied, and that the price is fully paid; and
+also that his exaltation at the Father's right hand is a sure evidence
+and ground of hope, that he shall at last triumph over all his enemies,
+and that his work of truth shall prosper. The Father said to him, Psalm
+cx. 1, "Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy
+footstool." Being highly exalted, he hath got "a name above every name:
+that at his name every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things
+in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should
+confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father,"
+Phil. ii. 9, 10, 11.
+
+4. That the Father standeth engaged to make good to him all that was
+promised, and to give him all that he purchased, Isa. liii. 10, 11, 12.
+Christ, having now fulfilled his undertaking, by making his soul an
+offering for sin, and so satisfying justice, which is openly declared by
+his resurrection, and admission to glory, as the head of his elect, is
+to expect the accomplishment of what was conditioned unto him. His work,
+therefore, on the earth must prosper; and the Father hath undertaken to
+see it prosper. Surely the faith of this would much support a poor soul,
+staggering at the thoughts of the prosperity of the wicked, and of their
+evil cause.
+
+5. That Christ himself is now thoroughly furnished and enabled for the
+carrying on of his work, over the belly of all adversaries, for all
+power in "Heaven and earth is given to him," Matt. xxviii. 18; "and
+every knee must bow to him," Phil. ii. 10; "all judgment is committed
+unto him," John v. 22, 27; "angels, powers, and authority are made
+subject unto him," 1 Pet. iii. 22; "yea, all things are under him," Eph.
+i. 22. How then can his work miscarry; or who can hinder, that truth
+should flourish on the earth?
+
+6. That Christ is actually at work, employing this power for the
+carrying forward of his design, for the glory of the Father, and for his
+own glory, and for the good of his poor people. The Father worked by
+him, and he by the Spirit, which is his great Vicegerent, sent from the
+Father, and from him, and his work is to glorify the Son, and he shall
+receive of his, and show it unto us, John xvi. 14.
+
+7. That Christ, upon many accounts, standeth engaged to perfect this
+work which he hath begun and is about. His honour is engaged to go
+through, seeing now he is fully furnished for it, and hath all the
+creation at his command. He must then perfect his work, as to the
+application, as well as he did perfect it as to the purchase. His love
+to his Father's and his own glory, and to his own people's good and
+salvation, may assure us, that he will not leave the work unperfected;
+and his power and furniture may give us full security, that no stop
+which his work meeteth with shall be able to hinder it.
+
+8. That hence it is clear and manifest, that his wheel is in the midst
+of the wheels of men, and that therefore he is ordering all their
+motions and reelings to the best. His wheel keepeth an even pace, and
+moveth equally and equitably in the midst of men's contrary motions.
+
+9. And that, therefore, all the eccentric and irregular motions of
+devils and wicked men being in his hand, and ordered by him, cannot
+hinder, but further his end; so that even enemies, while opposing and
+seeking to destroy the cause and interest of Christ, that his name and
+truth should no more be mentioned, are promoving his work. His wheel is
+the great wheel that ordereth all the lesser and subordinate wheels,
+whatever contrary motions they may have the one to the other, and all or
+many of them may seem to have to this great wheel; so that, do they what
+they will, the work of our Lord goeth on. Their opposition is setting
+his work forward, though they intend the contrary; however their faces
+look, they row to the port he would be at. This is an undoubted truth,
+and confirmed in all ages, and yet is not firmly believed; and a truth
+it is, which, if believed, would do much to settle our staggering souls
+in a stormy day.
+
+10. That at last he shall come "to be glorified in his saints," 2 Thess.
+i. 10; "when he shall be revealed from heaven with all his mighty
+angels," verse 7. Then shall it be seen whose counsel shall stand, his
+or men's; and whose work shall prosper, his or Satan's.
+
+
+CAUTIONS.
+
+Yet, let me add a few words, for caution and direction here.
+
+1. The consideration of these things mentioned should not make us
+slacken our diligence in prayer and other duties; and when they are
+aright considered, they will rather prove a spur and a goad in our side
+to set us forward, than a bridle to hold us back.
+
+2. We would not think that Christ's work and interest is going backward
+always, when it seemeth so to us. Even when he is casting down what he
+hath built up, and plucking up what he hath planted, his work is
+prospering, for all that is in order to the laying of a better
+foundation, and to the carrying on of a more glorious work, when he
+shall lay all the stones with fair colours, and the foundations with
+sapphires, and make the windows of crystal, &c. Isa. liv. 11,12.
+
+3. Though his work be always going on, and his truth prospering, yet we
+would not think that it will always prosper alike in our apprehensions;
+many times we judge by rules of our own making, and not by the rule of
+truth, and hence it is that we mistake oftentimes. We walk little by
+faith, and too much by sense; and hence we judge too much by sense, and
+so pass a wrong judgment, to his dishonour, and the saddening of our own
+hearts.
+
+4. Nor would we think that his truth and interest is ruined and gone,
+because it is sore oppressed in this or that particular place of the
+world; as if his work were not of an universal extent, and in all the
+churches. If his truth thrive and prosper in some other place of the
+world, shall we not say, that his kingdom is coming? Or shall we limit
+all his work and interest to one small part of the world?
+
+5. We would not think the worse of his work because it is carried on
+with so many stops, and doth meet with so many impediments in its way.
+We are not acquainted with the depths of his infinite wisdom and
+counsel; and so we see not what noble ends he hath before him, in
+suffering those impediments to lie in the way of his chariot. We think
+he should ride so triumphantly all along, that none should once dare to
+cast the least block in his way. But we judge carnally, as unacquainted
+with the many noble and glorious designs which he hath in ordering
+matters. As himself was for a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence,
+so will he have the way of the carrying on of his work prove, in his
+holy and spotless justice, a stumbling-stone to many that shall stumble
+thereat, and fall, and never rise any more.
+
+6. We should beware to think that Christ hath forgotten his work,
+because he seemeth to take no notice of our prayers, which we are
+putting up now and then for his work. He may be doing that which we are
+desiring in the general, and yet not let us know that he is answering
+our prayers; and that for wise and holy ends, to keep us humble and
+diligent. He may seem to disregard our suits, and yet be carrying on his
+work, and granting us our desires upon the matter.
+
+7. Hence we should beware of desponding, and growing heartless and
+faint, when we see few owning truth, or standing upon Christ's side; for
+he needeth not man's help to carry on this work, though he sometimes
+thinketh good to condescend so far as to honour some to be instrumental
+in setting of it forward, who yet have nothing but as he giveth; let us
+not then think, that his work cannot prosper because great ones and mean
+ones oppose it, and such as should stand for it and own it, are few and
+fainting, without strength, courage, or zeal.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+HOW TO MAKE USE OF CHRIST FOR STEADFASTNESS, IN A TIME WHEN TRUTH IS
+OPPRESSED AND BORNE DOWN.
+
+
+When enemies are prevailing, and the way of truth is evil spoken of,
+many faint, and many turn aside, and do not plead for truth, nor stand
+up for the interest of Christ, in their hour and power of darkness: many
+are overcome with base fear, and either side with the workers of
+iniquity, or are not valiant for the truth, but being faint-hearted,
+turn back. Now the thoughts of this may put some who desire to stand
+fast, and to own him and his cause in a day of trial, to enquire how
+they shall make use of Christ, who is the truth, so as to be enabled to
+stand in the day of temptation, and keep fast by truth when it is loaded
+with reproaches, and buried under an heap of obloquy. For satisfaction
+to this question, I shall shortly point out those directions which, if
+followed, may prove helpful to keep the soul from fainting,
+misbelieving, doubting, quarrelling at the Lord's dispensations, and
+from yielding to the temptations in such a day.
+
+1. The believer should live in the conviction of his hazard through the
+sleight of Satan, the strength of temptation, the wickedness and
+treachery of the heart, the evil example of others, and the want of
+sanctified courage, zeal, and resolution; and this will keep the soul
+humble, and far from boasting of its own strength, which was Peter's
+fault.
+
+2. They should live in the faith and persuasion of this, that it is
+Christ alone who is the truth, who can help them to stand for truth in a
+day of temptation; and that all their former purposes, vows,
+resolutions, solemn professions, and the like, will prove but weak
+cables to hold them fast in a day of a storm; and that only the rock of
+ages must save them; and their being a leeward of him, and partaking of
+his warm and safe protection, will do their business. That all their
+stock of grace and knowledge, and that confirmed with resolutions and
+sincere purposes, will help but little in that day; and that new
+influences of grace and truth, from the fountain, that is full of grace
+and truth, will only prove establishing to the soul, and confirm it in
+the truth in that day.
+
+3. Therefore they should eye Christ in his offices, particularly as the
+great prophet who can teach as never man taught; so teach as to make the
+soul receive the doctrine, and to hold it fast--to receive it in love,
+and lay it up in the heart as a rich and enriching treasure.
+
+4. They should eye him in his relations unto his people, as their head,
+husband, brother, leader, commander, captain, &c.; for those give ground
+of approaching unto him with confidence in the day of darkness and
+mists, for light and direction, and for strength and courage in the day
+of temptation; and give ground of hope of help in that day of trial and
+difficulty.
+
+5. They should eye and act faith upon the promises of assistance and
+through-bearing, in the day of calamity; such as those--Isa. xliii. 2,
+"When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through
+the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the
+fire, thou shalt not be burnt; neither shall the flame kindle upon
+thee." And Isaiah xli. 13, "For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right
+hand, saying unto thee, fear not, I will help thee." And particularly
+they would eye the promises of light in the day of darkness, Isaiah
+lviii. 8, 10; lx. 20. 2 Sam. xxii. 29.
+
+6. They should look on Christ as an exalted conqueror, now risen and
+glorified; as a victorious captain that hath fought and overcome, that
+they, as his followers, may be made partakers of his victory and
+conquest, and so reap the fruit of his resurrection and ascension, in
+their establishment in the truth, when it is borne down and questioned,
+yea, and condemned by men. He abode steadfast and immoveable in the
+midst of all the storms that blew in his face; and as he came to bear
+witness to the truth, so did he faithfully and zealously avow truth,
+even to the death; and in death got the victory of the arch liar and
+deceiver. Now the believer should eye this, for the strengthening of his
+faith and hope of victory also, through him; and therefore would wait
+patiently for his help, and not make haste; for they who believe make
+not haste, Isaiah xxviii. 16, knowing that he is true and faithful, and
+will not disappoint his followers that trust in him. And moreover it
+would be of advantage to them in this case, to eye that gracious and
+comfortable word, John xiv. 19, "because I live, ye shall live also;"
+and so by faith conclude, that seeing Christ now liveth as a conqueror
+over darkness, untruth, reproaches, calumnies, and opposition of liars,
+yea, of the father of lies, they through him shall also live, and ride
+out that storm; and this will give much courage to the soul to endure
+temptation, and to wait in patience for an outgate.
+
+7. They should study much, and suck at the grand promise of his coming
+again, and of finally dispelling all clouds, and of fully clearing up
+his glorious truths, that are now covered over with obloquy, and buried
+under reproaches; and this will encourage the soul to stand to truth in
+the midst of opposition, believing, that at length, truth, how much
+soever opposed now, shall be victorious.
+
+8. They should be single in their dependence on him, for strength and
+through-bearing, in that day of trial--not leaning to their own
+understanding, but acknowledging him in all their ways, Prov. iii. 8;
+and when they see no hope of outgate in the world, nor appearance of the
+clearing up of the day, they would comfort themselves, and encourage
+themselves in the Lord, as David did in a great strait, 1 Sam. xx. 6.
+
+9. Upon the forementioned grounds they would cast all the care of their
+through-bearing on him, who careth for them, 1 Pet. v. 7--rolling all
+their difficulties on him--consulting only with him and his word, and
+not with flesh and blood; and so they would commit their ways to him,
+who disposeth of all things as he seeth good; forbearing to limit the
+Holy One of Israel, or to quarrel with him for any thing he doth; and
+patiently wait for his outgate and delivery.
+
+10. It were good, in this time of trial, to be remembering the worth of
+truth, and entertaining high thoughts of the smallest piece of truth
+that is questioned, for his sake, who is the truth; that a sight of the
+glorious worth thereof, may make them account the less of all they can
+lose in the defence and maintenance thereof.
+
+11. So were it good at this time, when truths come to be questioned, to
+be lying near to the truth, for light, and to be keeping fast, what he
+by his Spirit cleareth up to be truth, though the light should not be so
+full as to dispel all objections. This were to depend upon him for
+light, with singleness of heart; and in godly simplicity and sincerity
+to follow his direction and torch, though it should not shine so bright
+as they could wish.
+
+
+CAUTIONS.
+
+A few words of caution will be useful here also; as,
+
+1. The believer, though taking this course, would not think to be
+altogether free of fear of stepping aside, in less or in more. God may
+think good to let much of this abide, to the end he may be kept
+watchful, tender, and diligent; for fear maketh the soul circumspect and
+watchful; and this is a good preservative from defection.
+
+2. Nor would the believer think, that hereby he shall be kept altogether
+free of fainting. The heart, now and then, through fear and misbelief,
+may fall into a fit of fainting, and think all is gone; and yet he may
+carry poor souls through, and make his strength perfect in their
+wickedness, 2 Cor. xii. 9; that when they are supported and carried
+through the temptation, they may sing praise to him, and not ascribe any
+thing to themselves--remembering how often they were fainting, and
+almost giving over the cause as desperate and hopeless.
+
+3. They would not think it strange, if, in the time of their wrestling
+with difficulties, the Lord hide his face from them, and give not them
+that joyful access unto him in prayer, that sometimes they have met
+with; for the Lord may see it fit to put them to this point of trial
+among the rest, to see if the love of his glory and truth will keep them
+standing, when they want the encouragement that might be expected in
+that way; and if pure conscience to the command and authority of God,
+will keep from siding with an evil way, when the soul is destitute of
+all sensible encouragement, both from within and from without.
+
+4. In all this business believers should carry singly with an eye to
+God's glory; and should not be acted with self-ends, or drawn by carnal
+and selfish motives. They should not desire stability and
+through-bearing to be seen of men, or to gain applause and praise of
+men; lest God be provoked to leave them to themselves, and they at
+length come off with discredit, as did Peter. Therefore they should
+strive against these carnal motions of the heart, and labour for
+spirituality, singleness of heart, and truth in the inward parts, which
+the Lord desireth, Psalm li. 6.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+HOW TO MAKE USE OF CHRIST AS THE TRUTH, WHEN ERROR PREVAILETH, AND THE
+SPIRIT OF ERROR CARRIETH MANY AWAY.
+
+
+There is a time when the spirit of error is going abroad, and truth is
+questioned, and many are led away with delusions. For Satan can change
+himself into an angel of light, and make many great and fairlike
+pretensions to holiness, and under that pretext usher in untruths, and
+gain the consent of many unto them; so that in such a time of temptation
+many are stolen off their feet, and made to depart from the right ways
+of God, and to embrace error and delusions instead of truth. Now the
+question is, how a poor believer shall make use of Christ, who is the
+truth, for keeping him steadfast in the truth, in such a day of trial,
+and from embracing of error, how plausible soever it may appear. For
+satisfaction to this we shall propose these few things:
+
+1. In such a time, when a spirit of error is let loose and rageth, and
+carrieth several away, it were good for all who would be kept straight
+and honest, to be walking in fear. It is not good to despise such a sly
+and subtle enemy, especially in the hour and power of darkness. Then all
+are called to be on their guard, and to stand upon their watch-tower,
+and to be jealous of their corrupt hearts, that are ready enough of
+their own accord to drink in error, and to receive the temptation at any
+time; and much more then.
+
+2. They should not think that their knowledge and ability to dispute for
+truth, will keep them steadfast, if there be not more; for if the
+temptation grow, they may come to reason and dispute themselves out of
+all their former knowledge and skill. The father of lies is a cunning
+sophister, and knoweth, how to shake their grounds and cast all loose.
+
+3. They should renew their covenant grips of Christ, and make sure that
+main business, viz. their peace and union with God in Christ, and their
+accepting of Christ for their head and husband. They would labour to
+have the foundation sure, and to be united unto the chief corner-stone,
+that so blow the storm as it will, they may ride safely; and that hereby
+they may have access to Christ with boldness, in their difficulty, and
+may with confidence seek light from him in the hour of darkness.
+
+4. To the end they may be kept more watchful and circumspect, they
+should remember, that it is a dishonourable thing to Christ, for them to
+step aside, in the least matter of truth; the denying of the least point
+of truth is a consequential denying of him who is the truth; and to
+loose a foot in the matters of truth is very dangerous; for who can tell
+when they who once slip a foot shall recover it again? And who can tell
+how many, and how dreadful errors they may drink in, who have once
+opened the door to a small error? Therefore they should beware of
+tampering in this matter, and to admit any error, upon the account that
+it is a small and inconsiderable one. There may be an unseen
+concatenation betwixt one error and another, and betwixt a small one and
+a greater one, so as if the little one be admitted and received, the
+greater shall follow; and it may be feared that if they once dally with
+error, and make a gap in their consciences, that God will give them up
+to judicial blindness, that, ere all be done, they shall embrace that
+opinion which sometime they seemed to hate as death.
+
+5. They should eye the promises suiting that cause; viz. the promises of
+God's guiding "the blind by a way which they know not: of making
+darkness light before them, and crooked things straight," Isa. xlii. 16;
+and of "guiding continually," Isa. lviii. 11; see also Isa. xlix. 10.;
+lvii. 18.; and they would act faith on these and the like promises, as
+now made sure by Jesus.
+
+6. Particularly, they should fix their eye upon that principal promise,
+of the Spirit of truth, to guide into all truth, John xvi. 13.
+
+7. With singleness of heart they should depend on Christ, and wait for
+light from him, and beware of prejudice at the truth; with singleness of
+heart they should lie open to his instructions, and to the influences of
+his light and direction, and receive in the beams of his divine light;
+and thus go about duties, viz. prayer, conference, preaching, reading,
+&c. with an eye fixed on him, and with a soul open to him, and free of
+all sinful pre-engagement and love to error.
+
+8. With singleness of heart, they should give up their souls to Christ,
+as the truth, that he would write the truth in their souls, and frame
+their souls unto the truth, and unto that truth which is most
+questioned, and by which they are most in hazard to be drawn away; and
+urge and press him by prayer and supplication to do the duty of a head,
+a husband, guide and commander, &c. unto them; and that he would be a
+light unto them in that day of darkness, and not suffer them to
+dishonour him or prove scandalous to others; by departing from the truth
+and embracing error. A serious single-hearted dealing with him upon the
+grounds of the covenant promises and his relations and engagements,
+might prove steadable in this case, if accompanied with a lying open to
+the influences of truth and to the light of information which he is
+pleased to send by the Spirit of truth.
+
+
+CAUTIONS AND DIRECTIONS.
+
+For further clearing of this matter, we shall hint at some cautions and
+further directions useful here: such as,
+
+1. They should beware of thinking that God should come to them with
+light and instruction in an extraordinary manner, and reveal the truth
+of the question controverted somewhat immediately: for this were a
+manifest tempting and limiting of the Holy One of Israel. We must be
+satisfied with the means of instruction which he hath provided, and run
+to the law and to the testimony. We have the Scriptures, which are able
+to make the man of God perfect and "thoroughly furnished unto all good
+works," 2 Tim. iii. 16, 17; and to "make wise unto salvation," ver. 15.
+There must we see light; and there must we wait for the breathings of
+his Spirit with life, and coming with light to clear up truth to us: for
+they are the scriptures of truth, Dan. x. 21; and the law of the Lord,
+which is "perfect, converting the soul;" and the commandment of the
+Lord, that is pure, "enlightening the eyes," Psalm xix. 7, 8. We have
+the ministry which God hath also appointed for this end, to make known
+unto us his mind; there must we wait for him and his light. Thus must we
+wait at the posts of wisdom's doors; and wait for the king of light in
+his own way wherein he hath appointed us to wait for him. And if he
+think good to come another way more immediate, let him always be
+welcome; but let not us limit him nor prescribe ways to him, but follow
+his directions.
+
+2. When any thing is borne in upon their spirit as a truth to be
+received, or as an error to be rejected, more immediately, they should
+beware of admitting of every such thing without trial and examination;
+for we are expressly forbidden to believe every spirit, and commanded to
+try them whether they are of God or not, 1 John iv. 1. The Lord will not
+take it ill that even his own immediate motions and revelations be tried
+and examined by the word; because the word is given us for this end, to
+be our test and standard of truth. The way of immediate revelation is
+not the ordinary way now of God's manifesting his mind to his people. He
+hath now chosen another way, and given us a more sure word of prophesy
+than was, "even a voice from heaven," as Peter saith, 2 Pet. i. 18, 19.
+It is commended in the Bereans, Acts xvii. 11, who upon this account
+were "more noble than those of Thessalonica, in that they received the
+word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily,
+whether those things were so." Even Paul's words, though he was an
+authorised and an infallible apostle of Christ's, are here put to the
+touch-stone of the word. "Many false prophets may go out, and deceive
+many, and speak great swelling words of vanity," 1 John iv. 1; 2 Pet.
+ii. 18; and the devil can transchange himself into an angel of light, 2
+Cor. xi. 14; and though an angel out of heaven should preach any other
+thing than what is in the written word, we ought not to receive his
+doctrine, but to reject it, and to account him accursed, Gal. i. 8. So
+that the written word must be much studied by us; and by it must we try
+all motions, all doctrines, all inspirations, all revelations, and all
+manifestations.
+
+3. Much more, they should beware of thinking that the dictates of their
+conscience obligeth them, so as that always they must of necessity
+follow the same. Conscience, being God's deputy in the soul, is to be
+followed no further than it speaketh for God and according to truth. An
+erring conscience, though it bind so far as that he who doth contrary to
+the dictates thereof sinneth against God, in that, knowing no other than
+that the dictates of conscience are right and consonant to the mind of
+God, yet dare counteract the same, and thus formally rebel against God's
+authority; yet it doth not oblige us to believe and to do what it
+asserteth to be truth and duty. It will not then be enough for them to
+say, my conscience and the light within me speaketh so, and instructeth
+me so; for that light may be darkness, and error, and delusion, and so
+no rule for them to walk by. "To the law and to the testimony," and if
+their conscience, mind, and light within them "speak not according to
+this word, it is because there is no light in them," Isa. viii. 20. I
+grant, as I said, they cannot without sin counteract the dictates even
+of an erring conscience, because they know no better but that these
+dictates are according to truth; and thus an erring conscience is a most
+dangerous thing, and bringeth people under a great dilemma, that whether
+they follow it or not, they sin; and there is no other remedy here, but
+to lay by the erring conscience, and get a conscience rightly informed
+by the word; putting it in Christ's hand to be better formed and
+informed, that so it may do its office better. This then should be
+especially guarded against, for if once they lay down this for a
+principle, that whatever their conscience and mind, or inward light (as
+some call it) dictate, must be followed, there is no delusion, how
+false, how abominable soever it be, but they may be at length in hazard
+to be drawn away with; and so the rule that they will walk by be nothing
+in effect but the spirit of lies and of delusion, and the motions and
+dictates of him who is the father of lies, that is, the devil.
+
+4. Such as pretend to walk so much by conscience, should take heed that
+they take not that for the dictate of conscience, which really is but
+the dictates of their own humours, inclinations, pre-occupied minds, and
+biassed wills. When conscience speaketh, it groundeth on the authority
+of God, whether truly or falsely, and proposeth such a thing to be done,
+or to be refrained from, merely because God commandeth that, and
+forbiddeth this, though sometimes it mistaketh. But though the dictates
+of men's humours, inclinations, pre-occupied judgments, and wills, may
+pretend God's authority for what they say, yet really some carnal
+respect, selfish end, and the like, lieth at the bottom, and is the
+chief spring of that motion. And also the dictates of humour and biassed
+wills are usually more violent and fierce than the dictates of
+conscience; for wanting the authority of God to back their assertions
+and prescriptions, they must make up that with an addition of
+preternatural force and strength. Hence, such as are purely led by
+conscience, are pliable, humble, and ready to hear and receive
+information; whereas, others are headstrong and pertinacious, unwilling
+to receive instruction, or to hear any thing contrary to their minds,
+lest their conscience, receiving more light, speak with a higher voice
+against their inclinations and former ways, and so create more trouble
+to them; while, as now they enjoy more quiet within, so long as the cry
+of their self-will and biassed judgments is so loud, that they cannot
+well hear the still and low voice of conscience.
+
+5. They should labour for much self-denial and sincerity; and to be free
+from the snares and power of selfish ends, as credit, a name, and
+applause, or what of that kind, that may be like "the fear of man that
+bringeth a snare," Prov. xxix. 25; for that will be like a gift that
+blindeth the eyes of the wise, Exod. xxiii. 8. Love to carry on a party,
+or a design to be seen or accounted somebody, to maintain their credit
+and reputation, lest they be accounted changelings and the like, will
+prove very dangerous in this case; for these may forcibly carry the soul
+away, to embrace one error after another, and one error to strengthen
+and confirm another, that it is hard to know where or when they shall
+stand. And these, by respects, may so forcibly drive the soul forward,
+that he shall neither hear the voice of conscience within, nor any
+instruction from without.
+
+6. They should study the word of truth without prejudice and any sinful
+pre-engagement, lest they be made thereby to wire-draw and wrest the
+word to their own destruction, as some of whom Peter speaketh, 2 Pet.
+iii. 16. It is a dangerous thing to study the word with a prejudicate
+opinion; and to bow or wire-draw the word and make it speak what we
+would have it speak, for the confirmation of our opinions and
+sentiments. For this is but to mock God and his law, and to say, let his
+law speak what it will, I will maintain this opinion, and so make the
+word speak as we would have it, or else lay it by. This is to walk by
+some other rule than the word, and to make the word serve our lusts and
+confirm our errors, than which a greater indignity cannot be done to the
+Spirit of truth speaking in the word.
+
+7. In reading and studying of the word there should be much single
+dependence on the Spirit for light; waiting for clearness from him whom
+Christ hath promised to lead us into all truth. An earnest wrestling
+with him for his assistance, enlightening the mind with divine light to
+understand the truth, and inclining the soul to a ready embracing and
+receiving of the truth declared in the word.
+
+8. Though one place of scripture be enough to confirm any point of
+truth, and ground sufficient for us to believe what is there said, there
+being nothing in scripture but what is truth; yet, in such a time of
+abounding errors, and when many are going abroad speaking perverse
+things to lead the simple away, it were spiritual wisdom to be comparing
+scripture with scripture, and not be lightly embracing whatever may seem
+probable, and fairly deducible from some one passage or other of
+scripture, but to be comparing that with other passages and see what
+concord there is; for this is certain, whatever point contradicteth
+other clear and manifest testimonies of scripture cannot be true;
+however a cunning sophister may make it seem very probably to flow out
+of such or such a passage of scripture. The testimony of the Spirit is
+uniform, and free from all contradictions; and therefore we must see, if
+such an assertion, that some would draw from such a passage, agree with
+other plain passages, and if not, be sure that is not the meaning of the
+place. When the devil did wrest and abuse that passage of truth, Ps.
+xci. 11. "He shall give his angels charge concerning thee," &c, and from
+thence would infer, that Christ might cast himself down, Matt. iv. 6,
+Christ shews that this inference was bad, because it did not agree with
+other divine testimonies, particularly not with that, Deut. vi. 16,
+"Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." And thereby he teacheth us to
+take this course in times of temptation, and so compare spiritual things
+with spiritual, as Paul speaketh, 1 Cor. ii. 13. Especially they should
+beware of expounding clear scriptures by such as are more dark and
+mysterious; see 2 Pet. iii. 16. It is always safer to explain darker
+passages by such as are more clear.
+
+9. Let them guard against an humour of new-fangledness, nauseating old
+and solid truths, and seeking after something new, having ears itching
+after new doctrines, yea, or new modes and dresses of old truths. For
+this is provoking to God, and proveth dangerous; for such turn away
+their ears from the truth, and are turned into fables, as Paul telleth
+us, 2 Tim. iv. 3, 4. "For the time will come," saith he, "when they will
+not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts shall they heap to
+themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their
+ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." This savoureth of
+a spirit of levity and inconstancy, which is dangerous.
+
+10. They should labour to have no prejudice at the truth, but receive it
+in the love of it; lest, for that cause, God give them up to strong
+delusions, to believe lies, and to be led with the deceivableness of
+unrighteousness, as we see, 2 Thess. ii. 10-12, "And. with all
+deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish, because they
+received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved; and for
+this cause God shall send them strong delusion that they should believe
+a lie, that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had
+pleasure in unrighteousness."
+
+11. So should they beware of stifling the truth, of making it a
+prisoner, and detaining it in unrighteousness, like those spoken of,
+Rom. i. 18. "For which cause God them up to uncleanness and vile
+affections, and they became vain in their imaginations, and their
+foolish heart was darkened, yea, professing themselves to be wise, they
+became fools," ver. 21, &c. They should let truth have free liberty and
+power in the soul; and should yield up themselves to be ruled and guided
+by it; and not torture with it, lay chains upon it, or fetter it, and
+keep it as a prisoner that can do nothing.
+
+12. For this cause, they should hold fast the truth which they have
+learned, and have been taught by the Spirit out of the word. When Paul
+would guard and fortify Timothy against seducers, that crept into
+houses, leading captive silly women, &c., among other directions gave
+him this, 2 Tim. iii. 14, 15, "But continue thou in the things which
+thou hast learned, and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast
+learned; and that from a child thou hast known the Scriptures, which are
+able to make thee wise unto salvation," &c. So he would have the
+Colossians walking in Christ, rooted and built up in him, and stablished
+in the faith as they had been taught, Col. ii. 6, 7.
+
+13. Especially they would be holding the groundwork fast,--faith in
+Christ. It were good in such a time of erring from the way of truth, to
+be gripping Christ faster, and cleaving to him by faith, and living by
+faith in him. This is to hold the foundation fast; and then let the
+tempest of error blow as it will, they will ride at a sure anchor, and
+be safe, because fixed upon the Rock of Ages; and further, living near
+Christ in such a dangerous day, would be a noble preservative from the
+infection of error. The soul that is dwelling in Christ and gripping to
+him daily by faith, and acting love on him, dwelleth in light, will
+discover error sooner than another, because living under the rays of the
+Sun of Righteousness, which discovereth error.
+
+14. They should labour to learn the truth, as it is in Jesus; and the
+truths which they have heard of him, and have been taught by him, as the
+truth is in him, will abide, when other truths that have been learned
+but of men, and heard of men, and as it was in the preaching of men, and
+in books, shall soon evanish in a day of trial. This is to learn Christ,
+as the apostle speaketh, Eph. iv. 20, 21, "But ye have not so learned
+Christ, if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as
+the truth is in Jesus." When we learn the truth, as it is in Jesus, it
+bringeth us always to him, and hath a tendency to fix our hearts on him,
+and is a piece of the bond that bindeth us to him and his way: we
+receive it then as a piece of his doctrine, which we must own, and stand
+unto. O if we learned all our divinity thus, we would be more constant
+and steadfast in it than we are!
+
+15. When controversies arise, and they know not which side to
+choose--both seemeth to them to be alike well founded on the word--they
+should exercise their spiritual sagacity, and set their gift of
+discerning a work, to see which of the two tendeth most to promote piety
+and godliness, and the kingdom of Christ, and so see which of the two is
+the truth, "which is after godliness," as the apostle speaketh, Tit. i.
+1; they must look which of the two is the doctrine which is according to
+godliness, I Tim. vi. 3. That is the truth which is Christ's, and which
+should be owned and embraced, viz. which floweth from a spirit of
+godliness, and tendeth to promove godliness, and suiteth with the true
+principles of godliness, even gospel godliness, wrought according to the
+tenor of the covenant of grace; that is, by the strength of the Spirit
+of Jesus, dwelling and working in us, and not according to the tenor of
+the covenant of works, that is, wrought by our own strength, &c.
+
+16. Yet withal they should take heed that they mistake not here; for
+they may look upon some ways and doctrines as having a greater tendency
+to promove godliness than others; which indeed have not, but only seem
+so. They should therefore consider well what is the way of godliness
+laid down in the noble device of the gospel, which is the way that only
+glorifieth God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; and see what suiteth most
+with that, according to the word, and not what seemeth most suitable to
+godliness in their apprehension. The word is the best judge and test of
+true godliness; and in the word we have the only safest mean of true
+godliness held forth: therefore we should see what doctrine tendeth most
+to promote godliness according to the way held forth in the word, and
+choose that.
+
+17. They should guard against pride and self-conceit, as thinking they
+are wise enough, and understanding enough in those matters, and so need
+not take a lesson of any. This may be of great prejudice; for "it is the
+meek that God guideth in judgment; and to the meek will he teach his
+way," Psalm xxv. 9. Therefore it were good for his people in such a day,
+to be meek and humble, willing and ready to learn of any person, how
+mean soever, that can teach the ways of God. The Lord may bless a word
+spoken by a private person, when he will not bless the word spoken by a
+minister; for his blessings are free. And it is not good to despise any
+mean. Apollos, though instructed in the way of the Lord, mighty in the
+Scriptures, fervent in spirit, and teaching diligently the things of the
+Lord, Acts xviii. 24, 25, yet was content to learn of Aquila, and of his
+wife Priscilla, when they expounded unto him the way of God more
+perfectly, ver. 26.
+
+18. In such a time, it is not unsafe to look to such as have been
+eminent in the ways of God, and lie near to him; for it is probable they
+may know much of the mind of God in those questioned matters. Hence we
+find the apostle putting Timothy and others to this duty in a time when
+false teachers were going abroad, saying, 2 Tim. iii. 10, "but thou hast
+fully known my doctrine, manner of life;" and 1 Cor. iv. 16, "wherefore
+I beseech you to be followers of me;" and 1 Cor. xi. 1; and again, Phil.
+iii. 17, "brethren, be followers together of me." All which say, that
+though we should call no man Rabbi, as hanging our faith absolutely on
+him, yet in such a time of prevailing error and of false teachers going
+abroad, some respect should be had to such as have found grace of the
+Lord to be faithful in times of trial, and have maintained truth, and
+stood for it, in times of persecution, and have with singleness of heart
+followed the Lord; it not being ordinary with God to leave such as in
+sincerity seek him, and desire to follow his way in truth and
+uprightness, and to give the revelation of his mind and the
+manifestation of his Spirit to others, who have not gone through such
+trials.
+
+19. They should also at such a time be much in the sincere practice of
+uncontroverted duties, and in putting uncontroverted and unquestionable
+and unquestioned truths into practice; and this may prove a notable mean
+to keep them right: for then are they in God's way, and so the devil
+hath not that advantage of them that he hath of others who are out of
+the way of duty. David understood more than the ancients, because he
+kept God's precepts, Psal. cxix. 100.
+
+20. It were good and suitable at such a time, to be much in the fear of
+God, remembering what an one he is, and how hazardous it is to sin
+against him, by drinking in the least point of error. The promise is
+made to such, Psalm xxv. 12, "What man is he that feareth the Lord, him
+shall he teach in the way that he shall choose."
+
+21. Finally, at such a time they should be much in communion with Jesus,
+lying near him; much in prayer to him, studying his relations, offices,
+furniture, readiness to help with light and counsel; and they should
+draw near to him with humility, boldness, faith, confidence, love,
+tenderness, and sincerity; and then they shall not find that he shall
+fail them, or disappoint them.
+
+Enough of this. I proceed therefore to another case, which is:
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+HOW TO MAKE USE OF CHRIST AS THE TRUTH, THAT WE MAY GET OUR CASE AND
+CONDITION CLEARED UP TO US.
+
+
+The believer is oft complaining of darkness concerning his case and
+condition, so as he cannot tell what to say of himself, or what judgment
+to pass on himself, and he knoweth not how to win to a distinct and
+clear discovery of his state and condition. Now, it is truth alone, and
+the Truth, that can satisfy them as to this. The question then is, how
+they shall make use of, and apply themselves to this truth, to the end
+they may get the truth of their condition discovered to them. But first
+let us see what this case may be. Consider, then,
+
+1. That grace may be in the soul, and yet not be seen nor observed. This
+is manifest by daily experience.
+
+2. Not only so, but a gracious soul that is reconciled With God in
+Christ, and hath the spirit of grace dwelling in it, may suppose itself
+a stranger yet unto this reconciliation, and void of the grace of God,
+and so be still in the state of nature.
+
+3. Yea, a soul may not only suppose and conclude itself in nature, while
+it is in a state of grace, but further, may be filled with terror and
+apprehensions of God's wrath and indignation; and that in such a
+measure, as that thereby it may be as a distracted person, as we see it
+was with Heman, Psalm lxxxviii. 15, who said, "while I suffer thy
+terror, I am distracted." The wrath of God lay hard upon him, and he
+said, that he was afflicted with all God's waves, ver. 7. Hence he cried
+out, vers. 16. 17, "thy fierce wrath goeth over me, thy terrors have cut
+me off, they came round about me daily," or all the day, "like water
+they compassed me about together." And yet for all this, the first word
+of his complaint was faith, ver. 1. Many such complaints hear we out of
+Job's mouth, to whom God, notwithstanding, was that gracious, that he
+never came to question his state before God, or to conclude his
+hypocrisy, or his being still in the state of nature. But it is not so
+with every one that is so exercised.
+
+4. Yea, further, with those inward strokes upon the soul, they may have
+sin and guilt charged upon their consciences; and this will make their
+life yet more bitter, and put a sharper edge upon the rods. Thus was Job
+made to possess the sins of his youth, Job. xiii. 26, and made to say,
+"My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine
+iniquity," Job. xiv. 17.
+
+5. Moreover, they may be in such a condition a long time, and all the
+while have no light of comfort, as we may see in Job and Heman. They may
+even walk in darkness, and have no light of comfort, Isa. 1. 10.
+
+6. Yea, and also be without the hope of a delivery or outgate. Hence
+crieth Heman, Psalm lxxxviii. 4-5, "I am counted with them that go down
+into the pit, free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave,
+whom thou rememberest no more, and they are cut off from thine hand."
+Yea, they may be driven to the very border of despair, and conclude that
+there is no hope, as the church did, Ezek. xxxvii. 11, "Our bones are
+dried, and our hope is lost, and we are cut off for our parts;" and as
+Job, chap. vii. 6, "My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are
+spent without hope;" and chap. xix. 10, "He hath destroyed me on every
+side, and I am gone: mine hope hath been removed like a tree."
+
+Now, though sometimes, as we see in Job, and in Heman too, a soul may be
+under such a sad and sharp dispensation, and yet not brought to question
+their state, or to conclude themselves children of wrath, lying still in
+black nature, yet it is not so with all who are so exercised; but many
+under such a dispensation, may at least be in the dark as to their state
+before God; and if they do not positively assert their state to be bad,
+yet they do much question if they be in the state of grace, and would be
+comforted under all their pressures and afflictions, if they could win
+to the least well-grounded apprehension of their interest in Christ.
+
+In such a case as this is, there is ground for a poor soul to make use
+of Christ for outgate; and an outgate may be had in God's time, and as
+he seeth fit, by a right use-making of and going out to him, who is the
+Truth. So, then, the soul that would have its state and condition
+cleared up, and a discovery of its being reconciled to God through
+Jesus, and in a state of grace, and would make use of Christ as the
+Truth, for this end, would,
+
+(1.) Look out to Christ, as a feeling High Priest, faithful and
+merciful, who, being like us in all things, except sin, doth sympathise
+with, and succour such as are tempted, Heb. ii. 17, 18. And as a Priest,
+"that is touched with the feeling of our infirmities," Heb. iv. 15.
+Albeit Christ, in the deepest of his darkness, was never made to
+question his Sonship, but avouched God to be his God even when he was
+forsaken, Psalm xxii. 1. Matt, xxvii. 46. Mark xv. 34. Yet he knew what
+it was to be tempted, to question his Sonship, when the devil said unto
+him, Matt. iv. 3, "If thou be the Son of God;" and he knows what such a
+distress as he himself was into, wrestling with an angry God, hiding
+himself and forsaking, will work in a poor sinner; and being a merciful
+and sympathising High Priest, he cannot but pity such as are under such
+a distemper, and, as a gracious Head, sympathise with them. Now, the
+believer would look out to him as such an one, and upon this ground go
+to him with confidence and boldness, and lay out their case before him,
+that he may help and send relief:
+
+(2.) They would also eye Christ as able to save out of that condition,
+and to command light to shine out of darkness; and so, as one "able to
+save to the uttermost all that come to God through him," Heb. vii. 25.
+
+(3.) And not only so, but eye him also as given, sent, and commissioned
+of the Father, to be a light to such as sit in darkness; even to the
+Gentile. Isa. xlii. 6, and xlix. 6. Luke ii. 32. Acts xiii. 47; xxvi.
+23. John viii. 12; and this will encourage the poor souls to go out to
+him with their darkness, when they see that he is sent as a Light and as
+the Truth, to clear up poor souls that walk in darkness and have no
+light. When they see that it is his place and office to help them, and
+consider that he is true to his trust, and true and faithful in all that
+was committed to him, it not only will embolden them to come forward to
+him, but it will strengthen their hope, and encourage them to wait on.
+
+(4.) They would stay themselves on him as an all-sufficient helper,
+renouncing all other, crying out, that they will have no light but his
+light, and that they will seek no where else for light, but wait at his
+door, till he, who is the Sun of Righteousness, shall arise in their
+soul, and come with healing light in his wings.
+
+(5.) They would by faith roll and cast their darkened souls, their
+confused case, their overwhelmed hearts on him, and leave them there;
+for he is the only physician; and the blind soul must be put in his
+hand, who can take away the film, and cause the scales fall off, and
+make light break into the soul and discover unto it its condition.
+
+(6.) It would be useful and very steadable, in such a time of darkness,
+for the believer to be frequent in acting direct acts of faith on
+Christ; that is, be frequent in going to him as an all-sufficient
+Mediator, as the only refuge and shadow for a poor, weary, scorched
+soul, Isa. iv. 6. "And a man shall be as an hiding-place from the wind,
+and a covert from the tempest, as rivers of water in a dry place, as the
+shadow of a great rock in a weary land," Isa. xxxii. 2; "as one who is a
+strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow
+from the heat," &c. Isa. xxv, 4. When the soul is thus overwhelmed with
+clouds, and doubteth of its interest in Christ, it would then put it out
+of doubt, by flying to him for refuge from the storm of God's
+indignation, and lay hold on him as he is freely offered in the gospel,
+and thus renew its grips of him as the offered all-sufficient Mediator,
+and frequent direct acts of faith will help at length to a reflex act.
+The soul that is daily running to Christ, according to the covenant,
+with all its necessities, and laying hold on him as only able to help,
+will at length come to see that it hath believed on him, and is made
+welcome by him, and accepted through him. So that reiterated acts of
+faith on an offered cautioner and salvation, will dispel at length those
+clouds of darkness that trouble the soul.
+
+7. Such souls would beware of making their bands stronger, and their
+darkness greater, by their folly and unwise carriage; for this cause
+they would beware,
+
+(1.) To cry out in despondency of spirit as if there were no hope, and
+to conclude peremptorily, that they are cut off, and it is vain to wait
+any longer; for this course will but darken them the more, and multiply
+the clouds over their head.
+
+(2.) To run away from Christ through unbelief and despair, for that will
+make their case yet worse.
+
+(3.) To walk untenderly and not circumspectly; for the more sins appear,
+the less light will be had. O but souls would be tender in all their
+conversation at that time, and guard against the least sin or appearance
+of evil!
+
+(4.) To fret and repine against God, because of that dispensation; for
+that will but entangle the soul more, and wreathe the yoke straiter
+about its neck, and put itself further out of case to be relieved and to
+receive light.
+
+8. Such would do well not to limit the Holy One of Israel, but to wait
+with patience till his time come to speak in light to the soul, knowing
+that such as wait upon him shall never be ashamed, Isa. xlix. 23,
+because he waiteth to be gracious; and therefore blessed are all they
+that wait upon him, Isa. xxx. 18.
+
+_Quest._ But what if for all this I get no outgate, but my distress and
+darkness rather grow upon my hand? _Ans._ That such a thing may be, I
+grant, the Lord thinking it fit. (1.) To exercise their faith,
+dependence, patience, hope, and desire more. (2.) And to discover more
+unto them their own weakness, faintings, faithfulness. (3.) To shew his
+absolute power and sovereignty. (4.) To make his grace and mercy more
+conspicuous and remarkable at length. And, (5.) to train them up in a
+way of dependence on him in the dark, and of leaning to him when walking
+in darkness, yea, and in a way of believing when they think they have no
+faith at all, and for other holy ends. Yet the soul would not despond,
+for there are several things that may serve to support and bear up the
+heart even in that case, as,
+
+1. This is not their case alone, others have been in the like before,
+and many have had the like complaints in all ages, as is known to such
+as have been acquainted with exercised souls.
+
+2. It may yield peace and comfort to know that they are about duty when
+looking to him, and depending upon him, and waiting for his light.
+
+3. The promises made to such as wait for him may support the soul and
+yield comfort.
+
+4. The distinct knowledge and uptaking of their condition, though it be
+comfortable and refreshing, yet it is not absolutely necessary. A soul
+may be a saved soul, though those clouds should continue to its dying
+day; and though, as long as they lived, they should never get a clear
+discovery of their gracious state, but spend their days in mourning,
+complaining, and crying out of darkness.
+
+5. Such a soul should think that it is much that he is kept out of hell
+so long; and sure, the thoughts of what he is, and of what he deserveth,
+may make him sober, and not to think much, though he reach not so high
+as to see his name written in the book of life.
+
+6. They should know that full assurance of hope and of faith is but
+rare: and even such as have it do not ordinarily keep it long; so that
+it should not much trouble them, if, after all their pains, they cannot
+win at it.
+
+7. If they win to any real ground of hope, how small soever, they should
+think much of that; for many dear to Christ live long, and never know
+what so much is.
+
+8. It is no small matter that they are not sinking in the gulf of
+inconsideration, and plagued with an indifferency in these matters, but
+are made to value Christ and an interest in him at such a rate.
+
+9. Their going to Christ with all their wants, laying all on him, and
+their making that their daily exercise, may keep up their hearts from
+fainting, yea, and fill their souls with joy; for that is really the
+exercise of faith. And the great and gracious promises are made to such
+as believe, and not to such only as know they do believe. I grant such
+as know not that they do believe, cannot draw comfort from these
+promises; yet it is true that one may, by reflecting on the actings of
+his own soul, see and know that really he is going out to Christ,
+forsaking himself, casting his burden on him, waiting and depending upon
+him; when yet he will not say that he doth believe. And when he seeth
+this working of soul towards Christ, he is obliged to believe that he
+believeth, and thereupon rejoice in hope of the great promises. And
+however the very sight and knowledge of this acting and motion of soul
+may give them some comfort, though they shall not take it for faith,
+because it is the way of duty, and it is the thing the gospel calleth
+for, and because they cannot show an instance of anyone soul that did
+so, and perished. But the truth is, the right understanding of the
+nature of faith would clear many doubts, and prevent many questions.
+
+I come to speak a little to the last case which I shall handle, which
+is,
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+HOW WE SHALL MAKE USE OF CHRIST AS THE TRUTH, THAT WE MAY WIN TO RIGHT
+AND SUITABLE THOUGHTS OF GOD.
+
+
+This is a case that much troubleth the people of God,--they cannot get
+right and suitable thoughts of God, which they earnestly desire to have,
+nor know not how to win at them; and certain it is, he only who is the
+Truth, and came out of the bosom of the Father, can help here. Therefore
+for our use-making of him for this end, it would be remembered,
+
+1. That the mind of man, through the fall, is nothing but a mass of
+ignorance and blindness; that "the understanding is darkened," Eph. iv.
+17, 18; "and naturally we are in darkness," 1 John ii. 9, 11; "yea,
+under the power of darkness," Col. i. 13; and, which is more, our minds
+are naturally filled with prejudice against God, and enmity, through
+wickedness naturally residing there, and which the prince of the power
+of the air, the spirit which worketh in the children of disobedience,
+increaseth and stirreth up.
+
+2. That this evil is not totally taken away, even in the godly, but
+helped only in part; for they see and know but in part, 1 Cor. xiii. 13.
+
+3. That hence it cometh to pass, that through the working of corruption,
+the soul of a believer can sometimes win to no right thought of God at
+all; or at best to some very narrow and unsuitable conceptions of him
+and his ways; yea, sometimes, all the thoughts they can get of God are
+vain and idle, if not misshapen and blasphemous.
+
+4. That as we are, we cannot see God; "for no man hath seen him," Matt.
+xi. 27. John iv. 46; for he is an invisible God, 1 Tim. i. 17. Heb. xi.
+27. "He dwelleth in light which no man can approach unto. Him no man
+hath seen, nor can see," 1 Tim. vi. 16. 1 John iv. 12.
+
+5. That all that knowledge of God which is saving, is to be found in
+Christ, who is the "brightness of his glory, and the express image of
+his person," Heb. i. 2; "and the image of the invisible God," Col. i.
+15; and is for this end come out from the bosom of the Father, that he
+might acquaint us with him, and with all his secrets, John i. 18. Matt.
+xi. 27, so far as is needful for us to know. He is God incarnate, that
+in him we may see the invisible. Thus "God is manifest in the flesh," 1
+Tim. iii. 16; "and the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us," John i.
+14.
+
+6. That therefore if we would see and know God, we must go to Christ,
+who is the temple in which God dwelleth and manifesteth his glory; and
+in and through him, must we see and conceive of God. The light that we
+get of the knowledge of the glory of God, must be in the face of Jesus
+Christ, 2 Cor. iv. 6; that is, in the manifestations that Christ hath
+made of himself, in his natures, offices, ordinances, works,
+dispensations of grace, mediate and immediate, &c. And thus doth God,
+who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, "cause this light of
+the knowledge of his glory shine into our hearts," viz. in the face of
+Jesus Christ, that is, in the dispensations of grace in the gospel,
+which is the glorious gospel of Christ, 2 Cor. iv. 4, and, as it were,
+the face of Jesus Christ; for as by the face a man is best known and
+distinguished from others, so Christ is visibly, and discernibly, and
+manifestly, seen and known, in and by the gospel dispensations; there
+are all the lineaments and draughts of the glory of God which we would
+know, lively and clearly to be seen.
+
+So then, if we would make use of Christ for this end, that we may win to
+a right sight of God, and suitable conceptions of his glory, we would
+consider those things:
+
+1. We would live under the sense and thorough conviction of the
+greatness and incomprehensibleness of God, as being every way past
+finding out; and also under the conviction of our own darkness and
+incapacity to conceive aright of him, even as to what he hath revealed
+of himself.
+
+2. We would know, that what the works of creation and providence declare
+and preach forth of God, though it be sufficient to make heathens and
+others that do not improve the same to a right acknowledging of him,
+inexcusable, as Paul teacheth us, Rom. i. 20; yet all that is short of
+giving to us that saving knowledge of him, which must be had, and which
+is life eternal, John xvii. 2.
+
+3. We would know, that what of God is to be found out by the works of
+creation and providence, is more distinctly seen in Christ and in the
+gospel. Here is a greater and more glorious discovery of God, and of his
+glorious attributes, his justice, power, wisdom, goodness, holiness,
+truth, &c. than can be found by the deepest diving naturalist, and most
+wise moral observer of Providence, that is not taught out of the gospel.
+
+4. Yea, there is something of God to be seen in Christ, in the gospel,
+which can be observed in none of his works of, creation or common
+providence; there is the grace of God that bringeth salvation, that is
+made to appear only by the gospel, Titus ii. 11; and there is a peculiar
+kindness and love of God towards man, which is only discovered by
+Christ in the gospel, Titus iii. 4. There is that manifold wisdom of
+God, that mystery which was hid from the beginning of the world in God;
+that principalities and powers in heavenly places, the greatest and
+wisest of naturalists must learn by the church, wherein that is preached
+and proclaimed, by the dispensations of the gospel, Eph. iii. 9, 10. His
+mercy pardoning poor sinners, justice being satisfied, cannot be cleared
+by nature. Nature cannot unfold that mystery of justice and mercy,
+concurring to the salvation of a sinner--only the gospel can clear that
+riddle.
+
+5. We would remember, that all the beams of that glory which are
+necessary and useful for us to know, are, to speak so, contracted in
+Christ, and there vailed, to the end that we may more steadily look upon
+them. We may go to our Brother, who is flesh of our flesh, and there,
+through the vail of his flesh, see and behold what otherwise was
+invisible. As we can look to the sun better shining in a pail of water,
+than by looking up immediately; so can we behold God and his glory
+better in Christ, where there is a thin vail (to speak so) drawn over
+that otherwise blinding, yea, killing glory, than by looking to God
+without Christ; for, alas! we could not endure one glance of an
+immediate ray of divine glory: it would kill us outright.
+
+6. We must then go to Christ, and there see God; for he who seeth him
+seeth the Father also, John xiv. 9. Particularly, we must go the face of
+Jesus Christ, that is, that whereby he hath made himself known, the
+noble contrivance of the glorious gospel, wherein all things are so
+carried on, as that God is glorified in his Son, in the salvation of
+poor sinners. The whole work of salvation is laid on Christ, and the
+Father is glorified in him, who is his Servant and his Chosen, whom he
+upholdeth and furnisheth for the work, Isa. xlii. 1,2. He is called the
+covenant itself. He is the undertaker in the covenant of redemption and
+in the covenant of grace; all is founded on him; all the good things of
+it are given out by him; all the grace by which we close with it, and
+accept of him according to it, is given by him. Now, in this gospel
+contrivance are all the lines of the glorious face of Christ to be
+seen; and in that face must we see and discern the glory of God, all the
+rays of which are centered in Christ, and there will we get a noble
+prospect of that glorious object. So that all such as would make use of
+Christ for this end, that they might come to have right and suitable
+thoughts and apprehensions of God, must be well acquainted with the
+whole draught and frame of the gospel; and so acquainted therewith, as
+to see Christ the substance, ground and all of it, and to see him in
+every part of it.
+
+7. Whatever we know or learn of God by his works of creation and
+providence, in the world or about ourselves, we would bring it in here
+that it may receive a new tincture and a deeper impression. That is
+done, when we find and learn something of Christ there, and are brought
+nearer Christ thereby, and made thereby to discover something more of
+the glory of God in the face of Christ; or are made to understand better
+something of the revelation that is made of God in the gospel, or moved
+thereby to improve it better.
+
+8. In all this matter, we must not go without our guide, lest we wander
+in this wilderness, and it prove a labyrinth to us. We must take Christ
+with us all along; he must teach us to understand his own face, and to
+read the glorious characters of that excellent glory which is to be seen
+in his face. He must be our interpreter, and teach us how to read this
+book, and how to understand what is written therein; he must give the
+discerning eye, and the understanding heart; even the spirit of wisdom
+and understanding, to take up the mysteries of God.
+
+9. And for this cause, we should by faith lay hold upon the promises of
+the Spirit, whereby we may be made spiritual, and have our
+understandings enlightened more and more, to understand the mysterious
+characters of divine majesty and glory.
+
+10. In all this exercise we should walk with fear, and carry with us
+impressions of the dreadful majesty and glory of God, that we may
+tremble and fear, and stand in awe, and read what we read of this glory
+of God in the face of Jesus Christ, this glorious Bible, with reverence
+and godly fear. And thus we may be helped to win to right and suitable
+thoughts of God; yet withal we should, for
+
+
+CAUTIONS,
+
+Consider a few things further; as,
+
+1. That we must not think to "search out the Almighty unto perfection,"
+Job xi. 7.
+
+2. Nor must we think to get any one point of God known and understood
+perfectly; corruption will mix in itself, do our best; and our
+shortcomings will not easily be reckoned up.
+
+3. We must beware of carnal curiosity, and of unlawful diving into this
+depth, lest we drown.
+
+4. We should not dream of a state here, wherein we will not need Christ
+for this end. Yea, I suppose, in glory, he will be of use to us, as to
+the seeing of God; for even there, as he is to-day, so shall he for ever
+abide, God and man in two distinct natures and one person, and that
+cannot be for nought; and as God will be still God invisible and
+unsearchable, so we, though glorified, will remain finite creatures, and
+therefore will stand in need of Christ, that in his glorious face we may
+see the invisible. He must be our _lumen gloriae_.
+
+5. We should think it no small matter to have the impressions of this
+sight upon our hearts, that we cannot see him; and that we, in this
+state of sin, cannot get right and suitable apprehensions of him. I say,
+the impression of this on our spirits, that is, such a sight of
+impossibility to get him seen aright, as will keep the heart in awe, and
+cause us walk before him in fear and reverence, and to humble ourselves
+in the dust, and to tremble whenever we make mention of his name, or
+begin to meditate on him, knowing how great an one he is, and how
+dangerous it is to think amiss of him, and how difficult to get a right
+thought of him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+"AND THE LIFE." HOW CHRIST IS THE LIFE.
+
+
+This, as the former, being spoken indefinitely, may be universally
+taken, as relating both to such as are yet in the state of nature, and
+to such as are in the state of grace, and so may be considered in
+reference to both, and ground three points of truth, both in reference
+to the one, and in reference to the other; to wit, 1. That our case is
+such as we stand in need of his help, as being the Life. 2. That no
+other way but by him, can we get that supply of life, which we stand in
+need of, for he only is the Life, excluding all other. 3. That this help
+is to be had in him fully and completely, for not only is he able to
+quicken, but he is called the Life; so that the help which he giveth is
+full, excellent, and complete.
+
+Looking upon the words in reference to such as are in nature, they point
+out those three truths to us:
+
+I. That all of us by nature are dead, standing in need of quickening and
+of life; for this is presupposed, while he is said to be the Life, and
+that both legally and really: Legally, being under the sentence of
+death, for Adam's transgression, Rom. v. 15, and for that original
+corruption of heart we have; and really, the sentence of the law being
+in part executed, and that both as to the body and as to the soul. As to
+the body, it is now subject to death, and all the forerunners thereof,
+such as weakness, pains, sickness, fears, torment, trouble, weariness,
+yea, and in hazard of hell-fire, and the torments of the second death
+for ever. As to the soul, it also is many ways dead; but first in a way
+that is purely penal, and next in a way that is also sinful; and both
+ways, as to what is present, and as to what is future. For as to that
+which is penal and present, it is, (1.) separated from God and his
+favour, Gen. iii. 8, 10, 24; (2.) is under his curse and wrath, whence
+it cometh to pass, that by nature we are children of wrath, Eph. ii. 2,
+5; servants of Satan, 2 Tim. ii. 26; the consequence of which is sad
+and heavy, for hence it is that we cannot please God, do what we will.
+Till we be brought out of that state, our ordinary and civil actions,
+even ploughing the ground, is sin, Prov. xxi. 4; yea, our religious
+actions, whether natural or instituted, are abomination; even our
+sacrifices, Prov. xv. 8; xxi. 27; and prayers, Prov. xxviii. 9. Psalm x.
+7; yea, and all our thoughts and purposes, Prov. xv. 26; and likewise
+all our ways, Prov. xv. 9. As to what is penal and future, it is
+obnoxious to that everlasting excommunication from the presence of the
+Lord, and from the glory of his power, 2 Thess. i. 8, 9; and to the
+torments of hell for ever, Mark ix. 44, 46, 48. Luke xvi. As to what is
+not only penal but also sinful, the soul here is under the stroke of
+darkness in the understanding, perverseness and rebelliousness in the
+will, irregularity and disorder in the affections, whereby the soul is
+unfit for any thing that is good, Rom. iii. 10-20. Eph. ii. 1, 2, 3.
+Rom. v. 6; viii. 7, 8; whence proceedeth all our actual transgressions,
+James i. 14, 15. And moreover sometimes the soul is given up to a
+reprobate mind, Rom. i. 28; to strong delusion, 2 Thess. ii. 2; to
+hardness of heart, Rom. ii. 5; horror of conscience, Isa. xxxiii. 14; to
+vile affections, Rom. i. 26, and the like spiritual plagues, which,
+though the Lord inflict on some only, yet all are obnoxious to the same
+by nature, and can expect no less, if the Lord should enter with them
+into judgment. And finally, as to what is future of this kind, they are,
+being fuel for Tophet, obnoxious to that malignant, sinful, blasphemous,
+and desperate rebellion against God, in hell for evermore!
+
+O how lamentable, upon this consideration, must the condition of such
+be, as are yet in the state of nature! Oh, if it were but seen and felt!
+But, alas! there is this addition to all, that people know not this;
+they consider it not, they believe it not, they feel it not, they see it
+not; and hence it cometh to pass, that,
+
+_First_. They cannot bewail and lament their condition, nor be humbled
+therefor.
+
+_Secondly_. They cannot, and will not seek after a remedy; for the whole
+will not trouble themselves to seek after a physician.
+
+And sure upon this account, their case calleth for pity and compassion
+from all that know what a dreadful thing it is to be in such a
+condition, and should stir up all to pray for them, and to do all they
+can to help them out of that state of sin and misery, which is dreadful
+to think upon.
+
+Should not the thoughts and consideration of this put us all to try and
+search, if we be yet translated from death to life, and delivered out of
+that dreadful and terrible state, and made partakers of the first
+resurrection. It not being my purpose to handle this point at large, I
+shall not here insist in giving marks, whereby this may be known, and
+which are obvious in Paul's Epistles, and to be found handled at large
+in several practical pieces, chiefly in Mr. Guthrie's Great Interest. I
+shall only desire every one to consider and examine,
+
+1. Whether or not the voice of Christ, which quickeneth the dead, hath
+been heard and welcomed in their soul. This is effectual calling.
+
+2. Whether or not there be a thorough change wrought in their soul, a
+change in the whole man, so as all things are become new. 2 Cor. v. 17.
+
+3. Whether or not there be a principle of life within? and they be led
+by the Spirit.
+
+4. Whether or not there be a living to the glory of the Lord Redeemer.
+
+And when by an impartial trial, a discovery is made of the badness of
+our condition, should we not be alarmed to look about us, and to labour
+by all means for an outgate? Considering, (1.) How doleful and
+lamentable this condition is. (2.) How sad and dreadful the consequences
+of it are. (3.) How happy a thing it is to be delivered from this
+miserable and sinful condition. And, (4.) How there is a possibility of
+outgate.
+
+_Finally_. It may break a heart of stone to think, how people that are
+in such a condition are so unwilling to come out of it: For,
+
+1. How unwilling are they once to suspect their condition, or to suppose
+that it may be bad, and that they may be yet unconverted?
+
+2. How unwilling are they, to sit down seriously to try and examine the
+matter, and to lay their case to the touch-stone of the word?
+
+3. Yea, how unwilling are they to hear any thing that may tend to awaken
+them, or to discover unto them the deadness of their condition?
+
+4. How ready to stifle challenges of conscience, or any common motion of
+the Spirit, which tendeth to alarm their soul?
+
+5. How great enemies are they to such ordinances as serve to awaken
+sleeping consciences?
+
+6. And how do they hate such ministers as preach such doctrine as may
+serve to rouse them up, and set them a-work about their own salvation?
+
+II. We learn hence, that without Christ there is no imaginary way of
+delivery out of this natural state of death. "No other name is given
+under heaven whereby we can be saved," Acts iv. 12; and angels can make
+no help here, nor can one of us deliver another; the redemption of the
+soul is more precious than so, Psalm xlix. 7, 8. Nor is there any thing
+we can do for ourselves that will avail here; all our prayers, tears,
+whippings, fastings, vows, alms-deeds, purposes, promises, resolutions,
+abstinence from some evils, outward amendments, good morality and
+civility, outward religiousness, yea, and if it were possible, our
+keeping of the whole law, will not help us out of this pit. And we may
+weary ourselves in such exercises in vain; for they will prove but
+bodily exercises that profit little. And when in this way we have spent
+all our time, parts, spirits, and labour, we shall at length see and
+say, that we have spent our money for that which is not bread.
+
+This should put all of us to try what it is which we lean to for life;
+and what it is, the consideration whereof giveth us peace and quietness
+when the thoughts of death, judgment, hell, and the wrath of God come
+upon us and trouble us: For if it be any thing beside Christ that our
+soul leaneth to, and that we are comforted by, and found all our hopes
+upon, we will meet with a lamentable (oh! for ever lamentable!)
+disappointment. Be sure then, that our hearts renounce all other ways
+and means of outgate out of this death, besides Jesus, the resurrection
+and the life, else it will not be well with us.
+
+III. We see here, that delivery out of this natural state of death is
+only had by Christ: For he alone is the life, and the life that is in
+him is suitable and excellent. Hence he is called "the bread of life,"
+John vi. 35, 48. "The resurrection and the life," John xi. 25. "The
+water of life," Rev. xxi. 6, and xxii. 17. "The tree of life," Rev.
+xxii. 2, 14. "The prince of life," Acts iii. 15. "Our life," Col. iii.
+4. "The word of life, and life itself," 1 John i. 1, 2.
+
+And as he is a suitable and excellent life, so is he an all-sufficient
+and perfect life, able every way to help us and to deliver us from all
+the parts of our death. For,
+
+1. He delivereth from the sentence of the law, Rom. v. 17, 18,
+undergoing the curse of the law, and becoming a curse for us, 2 Cor. v.
+21.
+
+2. He taketh away the curse and sting of all temporal plagues, yea, and
+of death itself, causing all to work together for good to such as love
+him, Rom. viii. 28. He hath killed him that had the power of death, that
+is, the devil, Heb. ii. 14; and through him the sting of death, which is
+sin, is taken away, 1 Cor. xv. 56, 57.
+
+3. He reconcileth to God, taking away that distance and enmity, 2 Cor.
+v. 20; and so he is our peace and peacemaker, purchasing access to us to
+the Father, Eph. ii. 14, 16; iii. 12.
+
+4. He also delivereth from the power of sin and corruption, Rom. vii.
+24.
+
+5. And from all those spiritual strokes; such as blindness, hardness of
+heart, &c. For he is our light; and hath procured a new heart for us,
+even a heart of flesh.
+
+6. So delivereth he from hell fire, having satisfied justice, and having
+brought life and immortality to light; and he giveth life eternal, as we
+see, Rev. ii. 3.
+
+Oh! it is sad, that Christ is so little made use of, and that so many
+will forsake the fountain of living waters, and dig to themselves broken
+cisterns that can hold no water; and slight, despise, and undervalue the
+gospel of Christ, which bringeth life and immortality to light.
+
+Oh! if the consideration of this could move such as never found any
+change in themselves, to run to, and make use of Jesus Christ for life;
+and would for this end,
+
+(1.) Cry to him, that he would make them sensible of their deadness, and
+waken them out of their deep sleep.
+
+(2.) Cry to him, to set them a-work to renounce all other help beside
+his, as being utterly unable to quicken and put life in them.
+
+(3.) Cry to him, that he would draw and determine their souls to a
+closing with him by faith alone, to a hearing of his voice, to an
+obeying of his call, to a following of his direction, to a giving up of
+themselves to him, leaning to him, and waiting for all from him alone:
+in a word, to take him for their life in all points, and to lean to him
+for life, and to expect it from him, through faith in the promises of
+the gospel.
+
+_Next._ This being spoken to the disciples, whom we suppose to have been
+believers, it will give us ground to speak of it, in reference to
+believers, and so yield three points of truth, which we shall briefly
+touch, and then come to speak of use-making of Christ as the Life, in
+some particular cases.
+
+_First._ It is here clearly presupposed, that even believers have need
+of Christ to be life unto them; and so have their fits of deadness. If
+it were not so, why would Christ have said to believers, that he was
+life? And daily experience doth abundantly confirm it. For,
+
+1. They are oft so weak and unable to resist temptation, or to go about
+any commanded duty, as if they were quite dead.
+
+2. They are oft so borne down with discouragement, because of the
+strength of opposition which they meet with on all hands; and because of
+the manifold disappointments which they meet with, that they have
+neither heart nor hand; and they faint and set up in the ways of the
+Lord; and cannot go through difficulties, but oftentimes lie by.
+
+3. Through daily fighting, and seeing no victory, they become weary and
+faint-hearted; so that they lie by as dead, Isa. xl. 29.
+
+4. They oft fall sick and decay, and have need of restoration and
+quickening.
+
+5. The want of the sense of God's favour, and of the comforts of the
+Holy Ghost, maketh them to dwine and droop, and look out as dead.
+
+6. While under soul desertions upon one account or other, they look upon
+themselves as free among the dead, that is, as dead men, of the society
+of the dead, with Heman, Psalm lxxxviii.
+
+7. Yea, many times they are as dead men, led captive in chains of
+unbelief and corruptions, as we see David was, when his heart panted,
+and his strength failed him, and the light of his eyes were gone from
+him, Psalm xxxviii. 10.
+
+8. Many times the frequent changes, and ups and downs they meet with,
+take all courage and heart from them, that they become like men tossed
+at sea, so as they have no more strength.
+
+And many such things befall them, which make them look as dead, and to
+stand in need of quickening, reviving and strengthening cordials from
+him who is the life. And thus the Lord thinketh good to dispense with
+his own people,
+
+(1.) That they may be kept humble, and know themselves to be indigent
+creatures, needing influences of life daily.
+
+(2.) That they may have many errands to him who is the life, and have
+much to do with him, and depend upon him continually.
+
+(3.) That he may show himself wonderful, in and about them, giving proof
+of his skill in quickening the dead, and in bringing such through unto
+everlasting life, who were daily, as it were, giving up the ghost, and
+at the point of death.
+
+(4.) That heaven may be heaven; that is, a place "where the weary are at
+rest," Job iii. 17; and the troubled rest, 2 Thes. i. 7; and where the
+inhabitants shall not say they are sick, Isa. xxxiii. 24.
+
+(5.) That they may be taught more the life of faith and of dependence on
+him, and trained up in that way.
+
+(6.) That he may be owned, acknowledged, and submitted unto as a
+sovereign God, doing what he will in heaven and in earth.
+
+For all this, there is no cause that any should take up any prejudice
+at Christianity: for, for all this their life is sure, and the outgate
+is sure and safe. Nor would they think it strange, to see believers oft
+mourning and drooping, seeing their case will oft fall for new supplies
+of life. Their fits are not known to every one; nor doth every one know
+what lieth sometimes at their heart; nor would they think it such an
+easy matter to win to heaven as they imagine; and so deceive themselves.
+The righteous are saved through many deaths.
+
+And as for believers, they would not think it strange to meet with such
+fits of deadness; nor thence conclude, that all their former work was
+but delusion, and that they are still in the state of nature. But rather
+observe the wisdom, faithfulness, and power of God in bringing their
+broken ship through so much broken water, yea, and shipwrecks; and his
+goodness in ordering matters so as they shall be kept humble, watchful,
+diligent and constant in dependence upon him who is and must be their
+life, first and last. And hence learn a necessity of living always near
+to Christ, and depending constantly upon him by faith; for he being
+their life, they cannot be without him, but they must die and decay.
+
+_Second._ We hence learn, that under all these fits of deadness to which
+his people are subject, nothing without Christ will help: Not,
+
+1. All their pains in and about ordinary means, prayer, reading,
+hearing, meditation, conference, &c. They will all cry out, that help is
+not in them: for he is the life.
+
+2. Nor extraordinary duties, such as fasting and prayer, and
+vows,--these will never revive and quicken a drooping or fainting sickly
+soul: for they are not Christ, nor the life.
+
+3. Nor will a stout courageous spirit and resolution of heart avail. If
+he who is the Life, breathe not, all that will melt away and evanish.
+
+4. Nor will the stock of habitual grace which remaineth in the soul, be
+sufficient to quicken and revive the sick soul, if the Life breathe not
+on these habits; and if new influences of life and strength flow not in
+upon the soul, and new rays come not down from this Sun of
+Righteousness to warm the frozen soul, the habits will lie by as dead.
+
+5. Far less will their great gifts and endowments help them out of that
+dead condition; all their light and knowledge, without the influences of
+this Life, will prove weak and insufficient for this end and purpose.
+
+6. Nor will sound, pure and lively-like ordinances work out this effect;
+for till he look down, all these ordinances may prove dead and deadening
+to them.
+
+It were good if believers were living under the conviction of this
+daily, and by their practice and carriage declaring if they believe,
+that Christ only is the Life, and that they must live in him, and be
+quickened and revived through him alone.
+
+_Third_. We see hence, that Christ is the Life, that is, one that
+sufficiently, yea, and abundantly can help the believer while under
+those fits of deadness which have been mentioned, and the like. There is
+in him a rich supply of things that tend to revive, encourage,
+strengthen and enliven a soul under spiritual deadness and fainting.
+Therefore is he called the Life; as having in him all that which is
+necessary for and answerable to souls under spiritual sicknesses,
+distempers, desertions, fainting and swooning fits, &c., for with him
+"is the fountain of life," Psalm xxxvi. 9; "and he it is that upholdeth
+the soul in life," Psalm lxvi. 9; "and can command the blessing, even
+life for ever more," Psalm cxxxiii. 3.
+
+For further clearing of this, we would consider those things,
+
+1. That he is God, equal with the Father in power and glory, and thereby
+"hath life in himself," John v. 26; and can "quicken whom he will," ver.
+21. By this he proveth his own Godhead and equality with the Father; so,
+John i. 4, it is said, "that in him was life," and that life was the
+light of men, whereby also his Godhead is confirmed. This should be
+firmly believed, and rooted in our hearts, as being the ground of all
+our hope, comfort, and life: For, were it not so, that our Mediator were
+the true God, all our hopes were gone, our comforts could not be long
+lived, and our life were extinct.
+
+2. As Mediator God-man, he is fully and thoroughly furnished to quicken
+and enliven his members and followers, first and last; and all along
+their life must be hid with Christ in God; "for in him dwelleth the
+Fulness of the Godhead bodily," Col. ii. 9; as Mediator, he is called "a
+tree of life," Prov. iii. 18; quickening and enlivening all that feed
+upon him; and "the bread of life," John vi. 35, 48. Yea, because of
+power and authority to command life to the dead soul, he is called "the
+Prince of life," Acts iii. 15; and as a living, quickening stone, he
+giveth life to all that are built upon him, 1 Pet. ii. 4. Yea, as being
+fully fitted and furnished for this work, he calleth himself "the
+resurrection and the life," John xi. 25. This should be riveted in our
+hearts, as a comfortable and encouraging truth.
+
+3. Of this stock of life and quickening and reviving grace which he hath
+got, and is furnished withal as Mediator and Redeemer of his people, he
+is communicative,--"of his fulness do we receive, and grace for grace,"
+John i. 16. He got it that he might give it out, and that from him as a
+head it might flow unto his members, and therefore he is the bread that
+came down from heaven, and giveth life to the world, John vi. 35. Yea,
+he giveth eternal life to all his sheep, John x. 28; and he is come for
+this end, that his sheep might have life, John x. 10. Therefore hath he
+taken on such relations, as may give ground of confirmation of this, as
+of a head, of a stock or root, and the like. This consideration is
+strengthening and reviving.
+
+4. He communicateth of this stock of life, and of reviving strength,
+which he hath most sweetly and on most easy terms. So that,
+
+(1.) Such as seek him shall find life by him, Psalm lxix. 32.
+
+(2.) Yea, such as know him shall not miss life, John xvii. 3. 1 John v.
+20.
+
+(3.) If we will believe on him and rest upon him, we have life first and
+last, John iii. 15, 16, 36; vi. 40, 47. 1 Tim. i. 16.
+
+(4.) If we will come to him, John v. 40, and cast our dead soul upon
+him, we shall live.
+
+(5.) If we will hear his voice, Isa. lv. 3, and receive his
+instructions, we shall live; for they are the instructions of life.
+
+(6.) Nay, if the soul be so dead, that it can neither walk nor hear, if
+it can but look to him, he will give life, Isa. xlv. 22.
+
+(7.) And if the soul be so weak, that it cannot look, nor lift up its
+eyes; yet if it be willing, he will come with life. Rev. xxii. 17.
+
+Oh, if this were believed!
+
+5. As he is communicative of that life which he hath gotten as head, and
+that upon easy terms; so he giveth out of that life liberally, largely,
+abundantly, yea, more abundantly, John x. 10. The water of life which he
+giveth, is "a well of water springing up to everlasting life," John iv.
+14. Therefore he alloweth his friends to drink abundantly, Cant. v. 1.
+
+6. Yet it would be remembered, that he is Lord and master thereof, and
+Prince of this life, and so may dispense it and give it out, in what
+measure he seeth fit; and he is wise to measure out best for his own
+glory, and to their advantage.
+
+7. All this life is sure in him,--none of his shall be disappointed
+thereof. His offices, which he hath taken on; and his commission, which
+he hath of the Father, abundantly clear this; and love to his, will not
+suffer him to keep up any thing that is for their advantage. He is
+faithful in his house as a son, and will do all that was committed unto
+him to do. The whole transaction of the covenant of redemption, and
+suretyship, and all the promises of the new covenant of grace, confirm
+this to be a sure truth; so that they that have him have life, 1 John v.
+12. Prov. viii. 35.
+
+8. Yea, all that is in Christ contributeth to this life and quickening.
+His words and doctrine are the words of eternal life, John vi. 63, 68.
+Phil. ii. 16. His works and ways are the ways of life, Acts ii. 28. His
+natures, offices, sufferings, actings, all he did as Mediator, concur to
+the quickening and enlivening of a poor dead soul.
+
+9. This fulness of life which he hath, is fully suited to the believer's
+condition, in all points, as we shall hear.
+
+10. This life is eminently and transcendently in him, and exclusively
+of all others. It is in him, and in him alone; and it is in him in a
+most excellent manner: So that he is the life, in the abstract; not only
+a living head, and an enlivening head; but life itself, the life, the
+"resurrection and the life."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+SOME GENERAL USES.
+
+
+Before we come to speak of some particular cases of deadness, wherein
+believers are to make use of Christ as the Life, we shall first propose
+some useful consequences and deductions from what hath been spoken of
+this life; and,
+
+I. The faith of those things, which have been mentioned, would be of
+great use and advantage to believers; and therefore they should study to
+have the faith of this truth fixed on their hearts, and a deep
+impression thereof on their spirits, to the end, that,
+
+1. Be their case and condition what it will, they might be kept from
+despair, and despondency of spirit, from giving over their case as
+hopeless; and from looking upon themselves as irremediably gone. The
+faith of Christ being life, and the life, would keep up the soul in
+hope, and cause it say,--how dead soever my case be, yet life can help
+me, and he who is the resurrection and the life, can recover me.
+
+2. Yea, be their case and condition what it will, they would have here
+some ground of encouragement, to go to him with their dead soul, and to
+look to him for help, seeing he is the Life, as Mediator, to the end he
+might enliven and quicken his dead, fainting, swooning members, and to
+recover them from their deadness.
+
+3. They might be freed from many scruples and objections that scar and
+discourage them. This one truth believed would clear up the way so, as
+that such things, as would have been impediments and objections before,
+shall evanish, and be rolled out of the way now: Such as, the objections
+taken from their own worthlessness, their long continuance in that dead
+condition, and the like.
+
+4. They might hereby likewise be freed from that dreadful plague and
+evil of jealousy, whereby the soul is oft kept back from coming to
+Christ: For they fear he will not make them welcome; they doubt of his
+love and tenderness, and question his pity and compassion; yea, their
+jealousy maketh them to doubt of his faithfulness; so that the faith of
+this truth would cure this jealousy, and deliver the soul therefrom, and
+open a way for the soul to come forward with boldness and confidence.
+
+5. They might also be hereby helped to wait with patience, and to be
+still and quiet under the Lord's various dispensations; so as they would
+not fret nor repine against him, knowing that he would prove himself to
+be Life, even the Life, in his own good time; so that the soul would
+patiently wait at his door, till he were pleased to look out, and with
+his look convey life into their dead soul.
+
+6. They might be preserved hereby from looking out to or expecting any
+help from any other quarter: knowing that he alone is the Life; and so
+that help can no where else be had. The faith of this truth would guard
+from any sinistrous ways which the soul, in a time of strait, is ready
+to run to for relief: for hereby would it see that neither instruments
+nor means, nor outward administrations, nor any thing of that kind, can
+quicken their dead soul; and that he, and he alone must breathe in life
+into them, as at first, so now again.
+
+II. May we not see and observe here great matter of admiration at the
+goodness and rich bounty of God towards his people, who hath found out
+and condescended upon such a sure, safe, and satisfying way, whereby he
+becometh all things to his people which they stand in need of; and that
+notwithstanding,
+
+1. That we are most unworthy of any such dispensation of grace at his
+hands.
+
+2. That we too oft are too desirous of other guests in our hearts
+beside him: O how much corruption, sin and death lodge within our souls!
+and how more desirous are we ofttimes of death than of life!
+
+3. That we little improve the noble advantages for life which we have
+granted unto us; yea, many a time we abuse them; and this he did
+foresee, and yet notwithstanding would condescend unto us.
+
+4. That we do little express our thankfulness for such mercies.
+
+But not for our sakes hath he done this, but for his own name's sake:
+For noble and holy ends hath he resolved on this course; as,
+
+(1.) That he might be "all in all," Col. iii. 11, and they nothing; that
+he alone might fill all in all, Eph. i. ult., and they be empty and
+nothing without him.
+
+(2.) That he might wear the glory of all; "for of him, and through him,
+and to him are all things," Rom. xi. 36, and that no man might share
+therein.
+
+(3.) That man might be his everlasting debtor, and cast down, in
+testimony thereof, his crown at his feet, "who sitteth on the throne,"
+as those did, Rev. iv. 10, and might cry out with these same elders,
+ver. 11, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honour, and
+power," &c.; and with those, chap. v. 12, "Worthy is the Lamb that was
+slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and
+honour, and blessing."
+
+(4.) That man's mouth might be stopped for ever, and all boasting
+excluded; for man is a proud creature, and ready to boast of that which
+is nothing and vanity. Now God hath chosen this noble way of the
+covenant of grace, that no man might boast any more. Where is boasting
+then? It is excluded. By what law? By the law of works? no, but by the
+law of faith, saith the apostle, Rom. iii. 24.
+
+(5.) That all might be sure to the poor chosen believer. The Lord will
+not have the stock of life, any longer to be in a man's own hand: for
+even Adam, in the state of innocency, could not use it well, but made
+shipwreck thereof, and turned a bankrupt; much more would man now do so,
+in this state of sin, in which he lieth at present, therefore hath God,
+out of love and tenderness to his chosen ones, put all their stock in
+the hand of Christ, who is better able to manage it, to God's glory and
+man's advantage, being faithful in all things, and a trusty servant,
+"having the fulness of the Godhead dwelling in him bodily." "Therefore,"
+saith the apostle, Rom. iv. 16. "it is of faith, that it might be by
+grace; to the end, the promises might be sure to all the seed."
+
+(6.) That believers might have strong consolation, notwithstanding of
+all the opposition of enemies without and within, when they see that now
+their "life is hid with Christ in God," Col. iii. 3, and that their life
+is in their head, they will not fear so much devils and men without, nor
+their own dead and corrupt hearts within.
+
+III. How inexcusable must all such be,
+
+1. Who will not lay hold on this life, on Jesus who is the Life, sure
+life, yea, everlasting life.
+
+2. Who seek life any other way, than by and through him who is the Life.
+
+3. Who oppose this way of life, and not only reject the offers of it,
+but prove enemies to it, and to all that carry it or preach it.
+
+IV. Here is strong encouragement to all that would be at heaven, to
+enter into this gospel, which is a way of life; such need not fear that
+their salvation shall not be advanced; let Satan and all their
+adversaries do what they can, all that enter into this way shall live.
+For the way itself is life, and nothing but life. So that here all
+objections are obviated; life can answer all. If the believer fear, that
+he shall never win through difficulties, he shall die by the way; or by
+fainting, succumbing and swooning, dishonour the profession, and at
+length fall off and apostatize, or despair and give over all hope; here
+is that which may answer and obviate all, "I am the life;" and who can
+perish in the way which is the way of life, an enlivening way, yea, the
+way which is life itself; yea, the life in a singular and eminent
+manner?
+
+V. Here is ground of reproof even of believers, who, though they have
+come to Christ, yet do not live in him as they ought, do not walk in
+him with that liveliness and activity which is called for; but,
+
+1. Lean too much to their own understanding, gifts or graces; and think
+thereby to ride out storms, and to wide through all difficulties, while
+as, if he who is the Life do not breathe upon us, all that will fail us
+in the day of trial. Our understanding and parts or gifts may dry up,
+and our graces may wither and decay, and go backward.
+
+2. Rest too much on duties; when they should in them go to him who is
+the Life. For only in him is life to be had; and him should they seek to
+in the ordinances, that they might have life from him in those outward
+duties; and this appeareth in their way of going about duties, without
+that dependence on him, and single eyeing of him, which is called for.
+As also by their freting and repining, when duties do not their
+business, as if life lay all in duties; and concluding all will be
+right, because they get duties somewhat tolerably performed; and, on the
+contrary, desponding, when duties fall heavy on them, and they find
+themselves indisposed for duty. All which clearly evinceth, that they
+lay too much weight on duties; while as it would be otherwise with them,
+if they were purely depending on Christ, and looking for all from him.
+
+3. Despond too soon, because they get not help and relief instantly; or
+because they are not preserved from every degree of fainting.
+
+4. Neglect to make use of him, and to come to him with all their wants,
+failings and necessities, as they ought; or come not with that freedom
+and boldness which the gospel grounds allow.
+
+VI. This preacheth out the woful misery of such as are strangers to
+Christ. For being strangers to the Life, they have no life, they are
+dead, and death is engraven on all they do; even though,
+
+1. They should be very diligent in external duties, yea, and outstrip
+many true believers; as the Pharisees had their fasts twice a-week, Luke
+xviii.
+
+2. They should be eminently gifted, able to instruct others, and to
+speak of the mysteries of the gospel, to purpose and to edification.
+For such gifts of knowledge and utterance may be, where the lively
+operations of the grace of Christ are not, and consequently where Christ
+is not, as the Life.
+
+3. They should seem eminent in all their outward carriage, and seem to
+carry most christianly in all their walk, and appear most devout in the
+matter of worship.
+
+4. And they should have something more than ordinary; even taste of the
+heavenly gift, and be made partakers of extraordinary gifts of the Holy
+Ghost; yea, and taste the good word of God, and the powers of the world
+to come, Heb. vi. 4, 5.
+
+VII. This discovereth the noble advantage of such as have accepted of
+Christ for their life. Their condition is happy, sure, desirable, and
+thriving; for Christ is theirs, and life is theirs; because Christ, who
+is the Life, is theirs.
+
+_Obj._ 1. But some wicked persons may say, We see not that happy and
+advantageous condition of such as go for believers; for we observe them
+to be as little lively ofttimes as others, and as unfit for duties; yea,
+and sometimes as much subject to sin and corruption as others.
+
+_Ans._ 1. However it be with them, either in thine eyes, or possibly in
+their own sometimes, yet thou mayest hold thy peace; for in their worst
+condition, they would not exchange with thee for a world; in their
+deadest-like condition, they are not void of all life, as thou art,
+notwithstanding all thy motions, and seeming activeness in duty; because
+all thy motion in and about duty is but like the moving of children's
+puppets, caused by external motives, such as a name, applause, peace
+from a natural conscience, or the like; and not from any inward
+principle of grace and life.
+
+2. Howbeit they sometimes seem to be dead, yet they are not always so;
+life doth really work sometimes in them; whereas there was never any
+true or kindly motion of life in thee.
+
+3. There may be more life in them, yea, life in motion, when they seem
+to be overcome with some lusts or corruption, yea, when really they are
+overcome, than beholders that are strangers to the heart can observe.
+For when temptation is violent, as having the advantage of the time and
+place, of the constitution of the body, and the like, it argueth no
+small degree of life, and of life in motion, to make some resistance and
+opposition thereunto, though at length he should be overcome thereby.
+And this opposition and resistance, flowing from a principle of grace,
+speaketh out life, though corruption, having the advantage, should at
+that time overpower the motion of life, and carry the man away.
+
+4. If it be not otherwise with believers than is objected, they may
+blame themselves, for not improving Christ better for life.
+
+_Object._ But some who are true believers will object the same, and cry
+out of themselves as dead; and say, They find not that liveliness and
+activity in their souls, that will evidence Christ, the Life, dwelling
+and working in them.
+
+_Ans._ It may be they prejudge themselves of that lively frame they
+might enjoy, and so wrong themselves:
+
+1. In not exercising faith on Christ, and drawing life from him and
+through him. The life which they live should be by faith, Gal. ii. 20.
+How then can such as do not eat become fat? by faith we feed on Christ.
+
+2. In not watching, but giving way to security, and thereby encouraging
+and strengthening the adversary, as we see in David; when they stand not
+on their watch-tower, they invite Satan to set on; and he is vigilant
+enough, and knoweth how to take his advantage, and to improve his
+opportunity.
+
+3. In giving way to laziness and not stirring up themselves, as we see
+in the bride, Cant. iii. 1; v. 3; when they stir not up the grace of God
+which is in them, how can they be lively? If grace be laid by, it will
+contract rust. The best way to keep grace lively, is to keep it in
+exercise, how little soever it be.
+
+4. By their rashness, walking without fear, as is to be observed in
+Peter, when he slipped so foully. When through their want of
+circumspection, they precipitate themselves into danger, and cast
+themselves among their enemies' hands, is it any wonder, that it go not
+with them as they would; and that they provoke God to leave them to
+themselves; that they may know what they are, and learn afterwards not
+to tempt the Lord, and to walk more circumspectly?
+
+5. By leaning too much to their attainments, and not looking out for new
+influences of grace and life. Hereby they provoke God to let them know
+to their expense, that for as great a length as they are come, they must
+live by faith, and be quickened by new influences from the Spirit of
+life.
+
+6. So they may wrong themselves through their ignorance of Christ, and
+of the way of making use of him; and if they, through unacquaintedness
+with Christ and the right way of improving the fulness that is in him,
+miss the fruit and advantage which otherwise they might have, they can
+only blame themselves.
+
+7. They may also prejudge themselves by their self-love, self-esteem,
+self-seeking, self-pleasing, &c., which piece and piece will draw them
+off Christ, and cause them forget the way of sucking life from him, who
+is the fountain of life.
+
+8. When they give way to small sins, they open a door to greater; and
+they lose thereby their tenderness, and so provoke the Lord to withdraw;
+and this is another way, whereby they prejudge themselves of that
+benefit of liveliness, which they might otherwise have.
+
+9. So also by worldly-mindedness, which alienateth their mind from God;
+and,
+
+10. By their impatience, and fretting, and repining against God, and his
+wise dispensations, they also prejudge and wrong themselves; for while
+they are in that mood, they cannot with due composedness of Spirit, go
+to Christ, and draw life from him through faith.
+
+_Obj._ 3. But is there not even some of those who are most tender, that
+complain of their deadness and shortcomings?
+
+_Ans._ 1. It may be that they complain without cause; and that they have
+more cause of rejoicing, and of blessing the Lord for what he hath done
+to them, than of complaining.
+
+2. Their complaining will not prove the want of life, but rather the
+contrary. For when they complain most, they must be most sensible if
+their complaints be real, and not merely for a fashion; and sense is a
+manifest evidence of life.
+
+3. It would be remembered, that the Lord can make their failings and
+shortcomings contribute to the furthering of their life, as we see it
+did in Peter.
+
+4. It would also be remembered, that Christ doth not distribute and give
+out of this life to all his members and followers, in a like measure;
+but to some more, and to others less, according as he seeth it meet and
+convenient, both for his own glory and their good, He hath more service
+for some than for others; and some he will employ in greater and more
+difficult work, which will call for more life; and others he will employ
+in common work, which will not call for such an eminent degree of life.
+
+5. And upon the same account, he may think it good to give to the same
+person a larger measure of grace at one time than at another.
+
+6. And that for wise reasons and noble ends; as,
+
+(1.) That all may see how absolute he is in his dispensations; a
+sovereign that doth with his own what he will, and will not give an
+account of any of his ways or communications to us.
+
+(2.) That we may learn submission, and quietly to stoop before him,
+whatever measure he be pleased to dispense towards us.
+
+(3.) That we may learn to depend upon him more closely all along; in all
+our ways to acknowledge him.
+
+(4.) That we may learn to exercise patience, which must have its perfect
+work, in waiting upon him as a great king. This is his glory, and it is
+the testifying of our homage to him.
+
+(5.) He will train us up so as to be well contented and satisfied, if he
+bring us home at length, though not with such a convoy of the graces of
+his Spirit as we would wish.
+
+(6.) That we may see and read our daily obligation to Christ our life,
+and the daily need we have of his keeping our life in, by fresh gales of
+his Spirit, and new heavenly influences.
+
+(7.) And that getting new proofs of his kindness and faithfulness, we
+may give him new songs of praise daily, and so express our thankfulness
+to him, which will tend to set forth his glory.
+
+VIII. This may point out unto believers, several duties to which they
+are called. We shall name some few of many; as,
+
+1. That they should rejoice, and be comforted in the thoughts of this,
+that they have such a complete Mediator, one that is thoroughly
+furnished, and made all things for them; not only the Way, and the
+Truth, but the Life also.
+
+2. The thoughts of this should also stir up the wondering at the wisdom,
+graciousness, and goodness of God; and to thankfulness for providing
+such an all-sufficient way for them.
+
+3. This should also encourage them under all temptations, faintings,
+backsets, and fits of deadness that they fall into, that there is one
+who is the Life; and that he whom their soul hath chosen is the Life,
+and so fully able to quicken and enliven them.
+
+4. This should teach them humility, and not to be proud of any thing
+they have or do; for it is he, who is the Life, who keepeth them in
+life, and helpeth them to any duty; yea, it is life that worketh all in
+them.
+
+5. And likewise it should teach them to acknowledge him, to whom they
+are obliged for any thing they do, for any life they have, or any acts
+or fruits of life that appear in them; and to be thankful to him
+therefor.
+
+6. And mainly, they should here read their obligation and duty, to
+improve this advantage, and to draw life out of this fountain, and so
+live by this life; act and do all in and through this life; and so be
+quickened by this life, in all their fits of deadness; and for this
+cause would keep those things in mind:
+
+(1.) That they should live in a constant conviction of their own
+weakness, deadness, and inability to do any acts of life of themselves;
+and far less to recover themselves out of any distemper and fit of
+deadness which they fall into.
+
+(2.) That they should live in the faith of this, that there is life
+enough in him, who is the Life, to do their business. They should be
+persuaded of his all-sufficiency.
+
+(3.) That he is not only an all-sufficient deliverer, able to deliver a
+soul that is, as it were, rotting in the grave, and to cause the dead to
+hear his voice and live; but also most willing and ready to answer them
+in all their necessities, according to wisdom, and as he seeth it for
+his glory, and their soul's advantage. The faith of this is necessary,
+and will be very encouraging.
+
+(4.) That they should go to him, how dead-like soever their condition
+be, and by faith roll their dead case upon him, who is the Life.
+
+(5.) That they should pray upon the promises of grace and influence,
+even out of the belly of hell, or of the grave, with Jonah, chap. ii. 2;
+for he is faithful and true, and tender-hearted, and will hear and give
+a good answer at length.
+
+(6.) That in the exercise of faith and prayer, they should wait with
+patience, till he be pleased to come, and breathe upon the dry bones,
+and till the Sun of Righteousness arise on their souls with healing in
+his wings.
+
+But of this more particularly in the following cases, which now we come
+to speak a little unto, of purpose to clear more fully how the believer
+is to make use of Christ as the Life, when he is under some one
+distemper or other, that calleth for life and quickening from Christ the
+Life. We cannot handle distinctly all the particular cases which maybe
+brought under this head; it will suffice, for clearing of this great
+duty, to speak to some few.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+HOW TO MAKE USE OF CHRIST AS THE LIFE, WHEN THE BELIEVER IS SO SITTEN-UP
+IN THE WAYS OF GOD, THAT HE CAN DO NOTHING.
+
+
+Sometimes the believer is under such a distemper of weakness and
+deadness, that there is almost no commanded duty that he can go about;
+his heart and all is so dead, that he cannot so much as groan under that
+deadness. Yea, he may be under such a decay, that little or no
+difference will be observed betwixt him and others that are yet in
+nature; and be not only unable to go actively and lively about commanded
+duties, yea, or to wrestle from under that deadness; but also be so
+dead, that he shall scarce have any effectual desire or longing to be
+out of that condition. Now, in speaking to the use-making of Christ for
+quickening in this dead case, we shall do those things:
+
+1. For clearing of the case, we shall show how probably it is brought
+on. 2. How Christ is life to the soul in such a case as this. 3. How the
+believer is to make use of Christ for the life, in this case; and, 4.
+Further clear the matter, by answering a question or two.
+
+As to the _first_, such a distemper as this may be brought upon the
+soul,
+
+1. Through some strong and violent temptation from without, meeting with
+some evil disposition of the heart within, and so surprising and
+overpowering the poor soul, as we see in David and Peter.
+
+2. Through the cunning and sleight of Satan, stealing the believer, that
+is not watchful enough, insensibly off his feet, and singing him asleep
+by degrees.
+
+3. Through carelessness, in not adverting at first to the beginnings and
+first degrees of this deadness and upsitting, when the heart beginneth
+to grow formal and superficial in duties, and to be satisfied with a
+perfunctorious performance, without life and sense.
+
+4. Through torturing of conscience, in light and smaller matters; for
+this may provoke God to let conscience fall asleep, and so the soul
+become more untender, and scruple little, at length, at great matters;
+and thus deadness may come to a height, God ordering it so, for a
+further punishment to them, for their untenderness and uncircumspectness.
+
+5. Through their not stirring up themselves, and shaking off that spirit
+of laziness and drowsiness, when it first seizeth upon them; but, with
+the sluggard, yet another slumber, and another sleep, and a folding of
+the hands to sleep.
+
+6. Continuing in some known sin, and not repenting of it, may bring on
+this distemper, as may be observed in David.
+
+As to the _second_ particular, Christ is life to the soul in this case;
+in that,
+
+1. He keepeth possession of the soul; for the seed remaineth, the root
+abideth fast in the ground; there is life still at the heart, though the
+man make no motion, like one in a deep sleep, or in a swoon, yet life is
+not away.
+
+2. He in due time awakeneth, and rouseth up the soul, and so recovereth
+it out of that condition, by some means or other, either by some alarm
+of judgment and terror, as he did David; or dispensation of mercy and
+tenderness, as he did Peter; and usually he recovereth the soul,
+
+(1.) By discovering something of this condition, by giving so much sense
+and knowledge, and sending so much light, as will let the soul see that
+it is not well, and that it is under that distemper of lifelessness.
+
+(2.) By the discovering the dreadfulness of such a condition, and how
+hazardous it is to continue therein.
+
+(3.) By putting the soul in mind, that he is the life and the
+resurrection; and through the stirring up of grace, causing the soul to
+look to him for quickening and outgate.
+
+(4.) By raising up the soul at length out of that drowsiness, and
+sluggish folding of the hands to sleep, and out of that deep security,
+and putting it into a more lively, vigilant, and active frame.
+
+As to the _third_, the believer that would make use of Christ, for a
+recovery out of this condition, would mind those duties:
+
+1. He would look to Christ, as the light of men, and the enlightener of
+the blind; to the end, he may get a better and a more thorough discovery
+of his condition; for it is half health here to be sensible of this
+disease. The soul that is once brought to sense, is half recovered of
+this fever and lethargy.
+
+2. He would eye Christ as God, able to cause the dead and dry bones to
+live, as Ezek. chap. xxvii.; and this will keep from despondency and
+despair; yea, it will make the poor believer conceive hope, when he
+seeth that his physician is God, to whom nothing is impossible.
+
+3. He would look to him also, as head and husband, and life to the poor
+soul that adhereth to him; and this will strengthen his hope and
+expectation; for he will see that Christ is engaged (to speak so) in
+point of honour, to quicken a poor dead and lifeless member; for the
+life in the head is for the good of the whole body, and of every member
+of the body, that is not quite cut off. And the good that is in the
+husband is forthcoming for the relief of the poor wife, that hath not
+yet got a bill of divorce. And Christ being life and the Life, he must
+be appointed for the relief, the quickening and recovering from death of
+such as are given to him, that they may be finally raised up at the last
+day; he must present all his members lively in that day.
+
+4. He would by faith wrap himself up in the promises, and lie before
+this Sun of Righteousness, till the heat of his beams thaw his frozen
+heart, and bring warmth into his cold and dead soul, and thus renew his
+grips of him, accepting of him as the Life, and as his life. Christ
+himself tells us, John xi. 40, that this is the Father's will, that hath
+sent him, that every one that seeth the Son, and believeth on him, might
+have everlasting life, and he will raise him up at the last day. Faith
+closing with him, as it was the mean of life at first, so it will be the
+mean of recovery out of a dead distemper afterwards.
+
+5. He would mourn for such sins and provocations, as he discovereth in
+himself to have caused and brought on this distemper. Repentance and
+godly sorrow for such evils, as have sinned Christ and life away, is a
+way to bring life back again.
+
+6. He would be sure to harbour no known sin in his soul, but to set
+himself against every known evil, as an enemy to the life and recovery
+which he is seeking.
+
+7. He must wait on Christ his life, in the appointed means; for that is
+the will of the Lord, that he should be waited upon there, and sought
+for there. There is little hopes of recovery for such as lay aside the
+ordinances. Though the ordinances without him cannot revive or quicken a
+poor soul, yet he hath condescended so far as to come with life to his
+people in and through the ordinances, and hath appointed us to wait for
+him there; we must be willing to accept of all his condescensions of
+love, and seek and wait for him there, where he hath said he will be
+found.
+
+8. In going about those ordinances of life, he would beware of putting
+them in Christ's room, _i.e._ he would beware of thinking that
+ordinances will do his business; as some ignorantly do, who think that
+by praying so often a-day, and reading so much, and hearing so much,
+they shall recover their lost lively frame, when, alas! all the
+ordinances, without him, signify nothing. They, without him, are cold
+and lifeless, and can never bring heat and warmth to a cold soul. It is
+he in the ordinances whom we are to seek, and from whom alone life is to
+be expected, and none else.
+
+9. Though life lieth not in the ordinances as separated from Christ, and
+life is to be expected from him alone, yet he would beware of going
+about the ordinances in a careless, superficial, and indifferent manner:
+for this will argue little desire after life, and will bring on more
+deadness. The ordinances then should be gone about seriously,
+diligently, and with great carefulness, yea, with such earnestness as if
+life were not about the ordinances at all. This is the right way of
+going about the ordinances.
+
+10. He must in all this wait with patience, without fretting or
+quarrelling with him for his delaying to come. He must wait with much
+humility. It becometh not him who hath, through his folly, sinned life
+away, to quarrel now with God, because he restoreth him not again to
+life at the first asking. He may be glad if at length, after long
+seeking, waiting, and much diligence, he come and restore to him the joy
+of salvation, and if he be not made to lie as bedrid all his days, for a
+monument of folly in sinning away his life, strength, and legs as he
+did.
+
+11. He must beware of giving way to any thing that may increase or
+continue this deadness; such as untenderness in his walk,
+unwatchfulness, negligence, and carelessness; and especially he must
+beware not to provoke God by sinning against light.
+
+12. He would also beware of limiting the Lord to any set measure of life
+and strength: for it becometh not beggars to be carvers, far less such
+beggars as through folly have sinned away a good portion. It was not for
+the prodigal to seek a new patrimony, after he had dilapidated the
+former; it might suffice him to be made as a servant.
+
+13. He would use well any small measure of life he getteth, for God and
+his glory; getteth he but one talent, he should use it that he may gain
+thereby: we say, use limbs and have limbs, use strength and have it.
+This will be the way to get more.
+
+14. He would be taking on the vows of the Lord, and that in the Lord, to
+walk more watchful in time coming, charging all within and without not
+to stir or provoke the Lord to depart further or to scare him from
+coming to the soul.
+
+As to the _last_ particular,
+
+If it be inquired, 1. What can that soul do that is not sensible of this
+deadness and weakness?
+
+_Ans_. Though there be not any real sense and feeling of this condition,
+yet there may be a suspicion that all is not right; and if this be, the
+soul must look out to Christ for the life of sense and for a sight of
+the provocations that have brought on that condition. He that is the
+Life must recover the very beginnings of life; and when the soul winneth
+to any real apprehension and sense of this deadness, it must follow the
+course formerly prescribed for a recovery.
+
+2. But it will be asked, how can a soul act faith in such a case? And if
+it cannot act faith, how can it come to Christ and make use of him?
+
+_Ans_. It is true, while the soul is in that case, it cannot act a
+strong and lively faith; yet it can act a weak and a sickly faith; and a
+weak faith and a sickly faith can lay hold on an enlivening Christ, and
+so bring in more strength and life to the soul. If the soul be so weak
+as that it cannot grip, yet it can look to him that can quicken the
+dead and hath helped many a poor soul before out of a dead condition: or
+if it cannot do so much as look, yet it may give an half-look, and lie
+before him who waiteth to be gracious; and sustain itself if it can get
+no more, with a maybe he shall come.
+
+3. But further, it may be asked, what can the soul do, when, after all
+this, it findeth no help or supply, but deadness remaining, yea, and it
+may be, growing?
+
+_Ans_. The soul in that case must lie at his door, waiting for his
+salvation, and resolving, if no better may be, to die at his door, and
+leave no approved means or commanded duty unessayed, that it may recover
+its former vigour, activity and strength. And while the believer is
+waiting thus, he is at his duty; and this may yield him peace, and he
+may be sure that he shall never be ashamed, Psalm xxv. 3; lxix. 6. Isa.
+1. 18.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+HOW CHRIST IS TO BE MADE USE OF AS OUR LIFE, IN CASE OF HEARTLESSNESS
+AND FAINTING THROUGH DISCOURAGEMENTS.
+
+
+There is another evil and distemper which believers are subject to, and
+that is a case of fainting through manifold discouragements, which make
+them so heartless that they can do nothing; yea, and to sit up, as if
+they were dead. The question then is, how such a soul shall make use of
+Christ as in the end it may be freed from that fit of fainting, and win
+over those discouragements: for satisfaction to which we shall,
+
+1. Name some of those discouragements which occasion this.
+
+2. Show what Christ hath done to remove all those discouragements.
+
+3. Show how the soul should make use of Christ for life in this case;
+and,
+
+4. Add a few words of caution.
+
+As to the _first_, there are several things which may give occasion to
+this distemper; we shall name those few:
+
+1. The sense of a strong, active, lively, and continually stirring body
+of death, and that notwithstanding of means used to bear it down and
+kill it. This is very discouraging; for it made Paul cry out, "Woe is
+me, miserable man, who shall deliver me from this body of death?" Rom.
+vii. 24. It is a most discouraging thing to be still fighting, and yet
+getting no ease, let be victory; to have to do with an enemy that abides
+always alike strong, fight and oppose as we will, yea, not only is not
+weakened, far less overcome, but that groweth in power, and prevaileth.
+And this many times affecteth the hearts of God's children and causeth
+them to faint.
+
+2. It may be the case of some, that they are assaulted with strange
+temptations and buffettings of Satan that are not usual. This made Paul
+cry out thrice, 2 Cor. xii.; and if the Lord had not told him that his
+grace was sufficient for him, what would he have done? Hence some of his
+cry out in their complaint, was there ever any so tempted, so assaulted
+with the devil, as I am? Sure this dispensation cannot but be much
+afflicting, saddening and discouraging.
+
+3. The sense of the real weakness of grace under lively means, and
+notwithstanding of their serious and earnest desires and endeavours
+after growth in grace, cannot but disquiet and discourage them: for they
+may readily conclude, that all their pains and labour shall be in vain
+for any thing they can observe.
+
+4. The want of sensible incomes of joy and comfort is another fainting
+and discouraging dispensation; as the feeling of these is a
+heart-strengthening and most encouraging thing, which made David so
+earnestly cry for it, Psal. li. 8, 12; when a poor soul that hath the
+testimony of his own conscience, that it hath been in some measure of
+singleness of heart and honestly seeking the face of God for a good many
+years, and yet cannot say that ever it knew what those incomes of joy
+and comfort meant which some have tasted largely of, it cannot choose
+but be discouraged and much cast down, as not knowing what to say of
+itself, or how to judge of its own case.
+
+5. The want of access in their addresses to God, is another
+heart-discouraging thing. They go about the duty of prayer with that
+measure of earnestness and uprightness of heart that they can win at, at
+least this is their aim and endeavour, and yet they meet with a fast
+closed door, when they cry and shout; he shutteth out their prayer, as
+the church complaineth, Lam. iii. 8. This sure will affect them deeply,
+and cause their hearts sometimes to faint.
+
+6. The want of freedom and liberty in their addresses to God is another
+thing which causeth sorrow and fainting. They go to pray, but their
+tongue cleaveth to the roof of their mouth: they are straitened and
+cannot get their hearts vented.
+
+7. Outward persecution that attendeth the way of godliness, and
+afflictions that accompany such as live godly, is another discouraging
+thing, both to themselves who are under afflictions, and to others who
+hear it and see it; wherefore the apostle desireth earnestly that the
+Ephesians should not faint at his tribulation, chap. iii. 13.
+
+8. The Lord's sharp and sore dispensations for sin, as towards David,
+Psal. li., or out of his sovereignty, for trial and other ends, as
+towards Job, is likewise a discouraging, heart-breaking thing, and that
+which will make strong giants to roar and faint, and look upon
+themselves as dead men, as we see in these two eminent men of God.
+
+As to the _second_ thing, Christ is life to the believer in this case,
+in having done that which in reason may support under all these
+discouragements, and having done so much for removing or weakening of
+these; yea, and for carrying them over all, which may be in a word
+cleared as to each.
+
+1. As for the body of death, let it stir in the believer as fast as it
+will or can, it is already killed, and all that struggling is but like
+the struggling of a man in the pangs of death; for our "old man is
+crucified with Christ," Rom. vi. 6; and the believer is dead to sin and
+risen legally with him, Col. ii. 11, 12; iii. 3. But of this I spoke
+abundantly above.
+
+2. As to Satan's troubling the poor believer, through Christ also he is
+a vanquished enemy: "He hath overcome him that had the power of death,
+even the devil," Heb. ii. 14.
+
+3. As for that felt weakness of grace, that is no ground of
+discouragement, so long as he liveth who can make the lame to leap as an
+hart, and can make waters break out in the wilderness, and streams in
+the desert, Isa xxxv. 6, 7; "and giveth power to the faint, and to them
+that have no might increaseth strength; so that such as wait upon the
+Lord shall renew their strength, and they shall mount up with wings as
+eagles; they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not
+faint," Isa. xl. 29, 31. For "in him are all the promises yea and amen,"
+2 Cor. i. 20. So that they need not faint upon this account, nor be
+discouraged: for the work he hath begun he will finish it, and he will
+quicken in the way, Psal. cxix. 37.
+
+4. As for the want of sensible incomes of joy and comfort, he hath
+promised to send the Comforter, in his own good time, John xiv. 26; xv.
+26. "As one whom his Father comforteth, so will he comfort his," Isa.
+lxvi. 13. Joy and gladness is promised in the covenant, Jer. xxxi. 13.
+But further, though he keep up these influences of joy and comfort, he
+supporteth another way. The lively hope of heaven may bear up the heart
+under all this want: for there shall the soul have fulness of joy and
+pleasures for evermore: no tears, no sorrow there, Psal. xvi. 11. Isa.
+xxxv. 10.
+
+5. As for the want of access in their prayers, they may possibly blame
+themselves, for he has by his merits opened the door; and is become (to
+speak so) master-usher to the poor soul, to lead him unto the Father, so
+that "by him we have access," Eph. ii. 18, "yea, boldness and access
+through faith in him," Eph. iii. 12; "and he is our advocate," 1 John
+ii. 1; and, as our attorney, is gone to heaven before us; "and there
+liveth for ever to make intercession," Heb. vi. 28; vii. 25. And what is
+there more to be done to procure us access; or to move and encourage us
+to "come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and
+find grace to help in time of need?" Heb. iv. 14, 16.
+
+6. As to that want of freedom and liberty in prayer; he helpeth that
+also: For he maketh the dumb to sing, Isa. xxxv. 6, and maketh the
+tongue of the stammerer to speak elegantly, Isa. xxxii. 4. He can
+enlarge the heart, and help the soul to pour out his heart before God.
+
+7. As to outward persecution, he can easily take that discouragement
+away, by giving the hundred-fold with it; by supporting under it, and
+bringing safe through it. When his presence is with them through fire
+and water, Isa. xliii. 2, what can trouble them? And when he maketh
+their consolations abound, 2 Cor. i. 5, what can discourage them? Have
+not his sung in the very fires; and rejoiced in all their afflictions?
+The resting of the Spirit of God and of glory, which Peter speaketh of,
+1 Pet. iv. 14, is comfortable enough.
+
+8. As for all those sharp dispensations mentioned in the last place, he
+having taken the sting of all, even of death away, by taking away sin,
+and purchased the blessing and love of the Father, having made
+reconciliation through his blood, all those dispensations flow from
+love, even such as seem sharpest, being inflicted for sin, as we see,
+Heb. xii. 6; so that there is no cause here of fainting or of being so
+discouraged as to give over the matter. But for help in this case, there
+should be a use-making of Jesus, as the Life; and that is
+
+The _third_ thing which we shall speak a little to, viz. How the soul
+should make use of Christ as the Life, to the end it may be delivered
+from this fainting occasioned through manifold discouragements.
+
+1. The believer in this case would mind the covenant of redemption,
+wherein Christ hath promised and so standeth obliged and engaged to
+carry on his own through all discouragements to the end; so that if any
+one believer miscarry, Christ loseth more than they lose: for the
+believer can but lose his soul, but Christ shall lose his glory; and
+this is more worth than all the souls that ever were created. And,
+further, not only shall Christ lose his glory as Redeemer, but the
+Father shall lose his glory in not making good his promise to Christ his
+Son. For by the same covenant he standeth engaged to carry through the
+seed that Christ had died for. And his appointing Christ to be his
+servant for this end, and choosing him from among all the folk, and his
+upholding of him, concurring with him, delighting in him, and promising
+that he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles, and that to victory,
+or to truth, speak out his engagement to see all true believers brought
+home. See Isa. xlii. 1-4. Matt. xii. 17-21. Psalm lxxxix. 19-21, 28, 29,
+35-37. Sure the faith of this would support the poor believer under all
+those discouragements.
+
+2. They would mind likewise the covenant of grace, wherein all things
+are contrived and laid down, so far as that the believer may have
+abundant consolation and comfort in all cases; and wherein there is
+enough to take away all cause of fainting and discouragement; as might
+fully be made to appear, if any did question it.
+
+3. They would remember how richly Christ is furnished with all
+qualifications; suiting even that case wherein they are like to be
+overwhelmed with discouragements; and could the believer but think upon
+and believe those three things, he might be kept up under all
+discouragements: (1.) That Christ is a compassionate, tender-hearted
+Mediator, having bowels more tender than the bowels of any mother; so
+that "he will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax,"
+Isa. xl. 2. He had compassion on the very bodies of the multitude that
+followed him; and would not let them go away fasting, lest they should
+faint in the way, Matt. xv. 32. Mark viii. 3; and will he not have
+compassion on the souls of his followers, when like to faint through
+spiritual discouragements? (2.) That he hath power and authority to
+command all things that can serve to carry on a poor believer; for all
+power in heaven and in earth is given unto him; all things are made
+subject to him. (3.) That he hath a great readiness and willingness upon
+many accounts to help his followers in their necessities. Sure, were
+these three firmly believed, the believer could not faint, having
+Christ, who is tender and loving, and willing to help, and withal able
+to do what he will, to look to and to run to for supply.
+
+4. They would take up Christ under all his heart-strengthening and
+soul-comforting relations, as a tender brother, a careful shepherd, a
+fellow-feeling high priest, a loving husband, a sympathizing head, a
+life-communicating root, an all-sufficient king, &c., any of which is
+enough to bear up the head, and comfort the heart of a drooping,
+discouraged, and fainting soul. Much more may all of them yield strong
+consolation to support and revive a soul staggering and fainting through
+discouragement. Oh! if ye would but rightly improve and dwell upon the
+thoughts of the comforting and heart-quickening relations! our hearts
+would not fail us so much as they do.
+
+5. They would eye him as now in glory, who as head and captain of
+salvation hath wrestled through and overcome all difficulties and
+discouragements that were in his way, and in name and behalf of all
+believers that are his followers and members of his body, is now
+possessed of glory, and thence draw an heart-comforting, and
+soul-strengthening conclusion, thus, Is he entered into glory as head?
+then such a poor, faint-hearted, discouraged worm as I am, may at length
+come there as a little bit of his body, especially since he said, that
+seeing he liveth, all his shall live also, John xiv. 19.
+
+6. They would remember how Christ, who was always heard of his Father,
+John xi. 41, did supplicate for this, as Mediator and Intercessor for
+his people, John xvii. 24, saying, "Father, I will that they also whom
+thou hast given me, be with me where I am," &c. May not the poor
+faint-hearted believer that is looking to Jesus, draw an heart-reviving,
+and soul-encouraging conclusion out of this, and say, though my prayers
+be shut out, and when I cry for relief under my discouragements, I get
+no hearing; but, on the contrary, my discouragements grow, and my heart
+fainteth the more; yet Christ always was heard, and the Father will not
+say him nay; why then may not I lift up my head in hope, and sing in the
+hope of the glory of God, in the midst of all my discouragements?
+
+7. By faith they would cast all their discouragements, entanglements,
+and difficulties, as burdens too heavy for their back, on Christ, and
+leave them there with him who only can remove them; and withal, resolve
+never to give over, but to go forward in his strength, and thus become
+daily stronger and stronger in resolutions, purposes, desires, and
+endeavours, when they can do no more.
+
+8. They would look to Jesus, the author and finisher of faith, and set
+him before them as a copy of courage, "who for the joy that was set
+before him, endured the cross, despising the shame," and endureth
+contradiction of sinners against himself, Heb. xii. 2, 3. And this may
+prove a mean to keep us from wearying and fainting in our minds, as the
+apostle hinteth there.
+
+9. They would remember, that Christ going before, as the Captain of
+their salvation, hath broken the ice to them, and the force and strength
+of all those discouragements, as we did lately show; so that now they
+should be looked upon as broken and powerless discouragements.
+
+10. They would fix their eye by faith on Jesus, as only able to do their
+business, to bear up their head, to carry them through discouragements,
+to apply cordials to their fainting hearts, and remain fixed in that
+posture and resolution, looking for strengthening and encouraging life
+from him, and from him alone; and thus declare, that, (1.) They are
+unable of themselves to stand out such storms of discouragements, and to
+wrestle through such difficulties. (2.) They believe he is only able to
+bear them up, and carry them through, and make them despise all those
+discouragements which the devil and their own evil hearts muster up
+against them. (3.) That come what will come, they will not quit the
+bargain--they will never recall or take back their subscription and
+consent to the covenant of grace, and to Christ, as theirs, offered
+therein, though they should die and die again by the way. (4.) That they
+would fain be kept on in the way, and helped forward without failing and
+fainting by the way. (5.) That they cannot run through hard walls--they
+cannot do impossibilities--they cannot break through such mighty
+discouragements. (6.) That yet through him they can do all things. (7.)
+That he must help, or they are gone, and shall never win through all
+these difficulties and discouragements, but shall one day or other die
+by the hand of Saul. (8.) That they will wait, earnestly seeking help
+from him, crying for it, and looking for it, and resolve never to give
+over, and if they be disappointed they are disappointed.
+
+Now for the _last_ particular, the word of caution, take these,
+
+1. They would not think to be altogether free of fainting, for there is
+no perfection here, and there is much flesh and corruption remaining,
+and that will occasion fainting.
+
+2. Nor would they think to be free of all the causes and occasions of
+this fainting, viz. the discouragements formerly mentioned, or the like;
+for, if the devil can do any thing, he will work discouragements, both
+within and without. So that they would lay their resolution to meet with
+discouragements; for few or none ever went to heaven but they had many a
+storm in their face; and they must not think to have a way paved for
+themselves alone.
+
+3. They would not pore too much, or dwell too long and too much upon the
+thoughts of those discouragements; for that is Satan's advantage, and
+tendeth to weaken themselves. But it were better to be looking beyond
+them, as Christ did, Heb. xii. 2, when he had the cross and the shame to
+wrestle with, he looked to the joy that was set before him; and that
+made him endure the cross and despise the shame; and as Moses did, Heb.
+xi. 25-27, when he had afflictions and the wrath of the king to wrestle
+against; he had respect unto the recompense of the reward, and so he
+endured as seeing him who is invisible.
+
+4. They would remember that as Christ hath tender bowels, and is full of
+compassion, and is both ready and able to help them; so is he wise, and
+knoweth how to let out his mercies best. He is not like a foolish,
+affectionate mother, that would hazard the life of the child, before she
+put the child to any pain. He seeth what is best for his own glory, and
+for their good here and hereafter; and that he will do with much
+tenderness and readiness.
+
+5. They would look upon it as no mean mercy, if, notwithstanding of all
+the discouragements and storms that blow in their face, they are helped
+to keep their face up the hill, and are fixed in their resolution, never
+willingly to turn their back upon the way of God, but to continue
+creeping forward as they may, whatever storms they meet with; yea, upon
+this account ought they heartily to bless his name, and to rejoice; for
+"their hearts shall live that seek him," Psalm xxii. 26.
+
+6. They would remember, for their encouragement, that as many have been
+helped through all discouragements, and have been brought home at
+length, so may they be brought through all those storms which now they
+wrestle with. It is the glory of the Mediator to bring his broken, torn,
+and sinking vessel, safe to shore.
+
+Now, I come to a third case, and that is,
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+HOW TO MAKE USE OF CHRIST AS THE LIFE WHEN THE SOUL IS DEAD AS TO DUTY.
+
+
+Sometimes the believer will be under such a distemper, as that he will
+be as unfit and unable for discharging of any commanded duty, as dead
+men, or one in a swoon, is to work or go a journey. And it were good to
+know how Christ should be made use of as the Life, to the end the
+diseased soul may be delivered from this. For this cause we shall
+consider those four things:
+
+1. See what are the several steps and degrees of this distemper.
+
+2. Consider whence it cometh, or what are the causes or occasions
+thereof.
+
+3. Consider how Christ is life to the soul in such a dead case; and,
+
+4. Point out the way of the soul's use-making of Christ, that would be
+delivered herefrom.
+
+As to the _first_, this distemper cometh on by several steps and
+degrees. It will be sufficient to mention some of the main and most
+remarkable steps; such as,
+
+1. There is a falling from our watchfulness and tenderness; and when we
+leave our watch tower, we invite and encourage Satan to set upon us, as
+was said before.
+
+2. There is going about duty, but in a lazy way, when we love and seek
+after carnal ease, and seek out ways of doing the duty, so as maybe
+least troublesome to the flesh, as the spouse did, Cant. iii. 1, when
+she sought her beloved upon her bed.
+
+3. There is a lying by, and not stirring up ourselves to an active way
+of going about duty, of which the prophet complaineth, Isa. liv. 7, when
+he saith, there is none that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee.
+
+4. There is a giving way to spiritual drowsiness, and upsitting in
+duties, and in the way of God. "I sleep," said the spouse, Cant. v. 2,
+3, and "I have put off my coat," &c. She knew she was not right, but was
+drowsy, and yet she did not shake it off, but composed herself for it,
+took off her coat, and washed her feet, and so lay down to sleep.
+
+5. There is a satisfaction and contentment with his condition, as
+thinking we are pretty well, at least for that time; and thus was the
+spouse in that forementioned place led away; she was so far from being
+dissatisfied with her condition, that she rather expressed contentment
+therewith.
+
+6. There may be such a love to such a condition, and such a satisfaction
+in it, as that they may shift every thing that hath a tendency to rouse
+them up out of that sluggish laziness, as not loving to be awakened out
+of their sleep. So we see the bride shifts and putteth off Christ's call
+and invitation to her, to arise and open to him.
+
+7. Yea, there is a defending of that condition, as at least tolerable
+and none of the worst; a justifying of it, or at least a pleading for
+themselves and excusing the matter, and covering over their neglect of
+duty with fair pretexts, as the spouse did when she answered Christ's
+call with this, that she had washed her feet and might not defile them
+again.
+
+8. Yea, further, there is a pleading for this case, by alleging an
+impossibility to get it helped as matters now stand; or, at least, they
+will muster up insuperable-like difficulties in their own way of doing
+duty, as the sluggard will say, that there is a lion in the way; and
+the spouse alleged she could not put on her coat again.
+
+9. Yea, it may come yet higher, even to a peremptory refusing to set
+about the duty; for what else can be read out of the bride's carriage,
+than that she would not rise and open to her beloved.
+
+10. There is also a desperate laying the duty aside, as supposing it
+impossible to be got done, and so a resolute laying of it by as
+hopeless, and as a business they need not trouble themselves withal,
+because they will not get through it.
+
+11. And hence floweth an utter indisposition and unfitness for duty.
+
+12. Yea, and in some it may come to this height, that the thoughts of
+going about any commanded duty, especially of worship, either in public
+or private; or their minting and attempting to set about it, shall fill
+them with terror and affrightment, that they shall be constrained to
+forbear; yea, to lay aside all thoughts of going about any such duty.
+
+This is a very dead-like condition,--what can be the causes or occasions
+thereof?
+
+I answer, (and this is the _second_ particular,) some or all of these
+things may be considered as having a hand in this:
+
+1. No care to keep up a tender frame of heart, but growing slack, loose,
+and careless, in going about Christian duties, may bring on such a
+distemper.
+
+2. Slighting of challenges for omission of duties, or leaving duties
+over the belly of conscience, may make way for such an evil.
+
+3. Giving way to carnality and formality in duties, is a ready mean to
+usher in this evil. For when the soul turns carnal or formal in the
+discharge of duties, duties have not that spiritual lustre which they
+had, and the soul becometh the sooner wearied of them, as seeing no such
+desirableness in them, nor advantage by them.
+
+4. When people drown themselves in cares of the world, they occasion
+this deadness to themselves; for then duties not only are not gone about
+heartily, but they are looked on as a burden, and the man becometh
+weary of them; and from that he cometh to neglect them; and by
+continuing in the neglect of them, he contracteth an aversion of heart
+for them; and then an utter unfitness and indisposition for discharging
+of them followeth.
+
+5. Satan hath an active hand here, driving on with his crafts and wiles
+from one step to another.
+
+6. The hand also of a sovereign God is to be observed here, giving way
+to this, yea, and ordering matters in his justice and wisdom so, as such
+persons shall come under such an indisposition, and that for wise and
+holy ends; as, (1.) That by such a dispensation he may humble them, who
+possibly were puffed up before, as thinking themselves fit enough to go
+about any duty, how difficult or hazardous soever, as Peter, who boasted
+so of his own strength, as he thought nothing to lay down his life for
+Christ, and to die with him; and yet at length came to that, that he
+could not, or durst not speak the truth to a damsel. (2.) That he may
+punish one spiritual sin with another. (3.) To give warning to all to
+watch and pray, and to work out their salvation with fear and trembling,
+and not to be high-minded, but fear. (4.) That thereby, in his just and
+righteous judgment, he may lay a stumbling-block before some, to the
+breaking of their neck, when they shall, for this cause, reject and mock
+at all religion. (5.) That he may give proof at length of his admirable
+skill in recovering from such a distemper, that no flesh might have
+ground to despair, in the most dead condition they can fall into. (6.)
+And to shew, sometimes, what a sovereign dispensator of life he is, and
+how free he is in all his favours.
+
+As to the _third_ particular, how Christ is life in this case,
+
+We answer, 1. By keeping possession of the believer, even when he
+seemeth to be most dead; and keeping life at the root, when there is
+neither fruit appearing nor flourishes, and hardly many green leaves to
+evidence life.
+
+2. By blowing at the coal of grace in the soul, in his own time and
+way, and putting an end to the winter, and sending the time of the
+singing of the birds, a spring time of life.
+
+3. By loosing the bands with which he was held fast formerly, enlarging
+the heart with desires to go about the duty; so that now he willingly
+riseth up out of his bed of security, and cheerfully shaketh off his
+drowsiness and sluggishness, and former unwillingness; and now with
+willingness and cheerfulness he setteth about the duty.
+
+4. By sending influences of life and strength into the soul, whereby the
+wheels of the soul are made to run with ease, being oiled with those
+divine influences.
+
+5. And this he doth by touching the heart, and wakening it by his
+Spirit; as he raised the spouse out of her bed of security and laziness,
+by putting in his hand at the hole of the door,--then were her bowels
+moved for him, Cant. v. 4; and thus he setteth faith on work again,
+having the key of David to open the heart, Rev. iii. 7.
+
+6. By giving a discovery of the evil of their former ways and courses,
+he worketh up the heart to godly sorrow and remorse for what is done,
+making their bowels move for grief and sorrow, that they should so have
+dishonoured and grieved him.
+
+7. By setting the soul thus on work to do what formerly it neither could
+nor would do; and thus he maketh the soul strong in the Lord, and in the
+power of his might, Eph. vi. 10, and able to run and not be weary, and
+to walk and not be faint, Isa. xl.
+
+8. By discovering the great recompense of reward that is coming, and the
+great help they have at hand, in the covenant and promises thereof, and
+in Christ their head and Lord. He maketh the burden light and the duty
+easy.
+
+As to the _last_ particular, viz. how a believer, in such a case, should
+make use of Christ as the Life, that he may be delivered therefrom.
+
+When the poor believer is any way sensible of this decay, and earnestly
+desiring to be from under that power of death, and in case to go about
+commanded duties, he should,
+
+1. Look to Christ for enlightened eyes, that he may get a more thorough
+discovery of the hazard and wretchedness of such a condition, that
+hereby being awakened and alarmed, he may more willingly use the means
+of recovery, and be more willing to be at some pains to be delivered.
+
+2. He should run to the blood of Jesus, to get the guilt of his bygone
+sinful ways washed away, and blotted out; to the end he may obtain the
+favour of God, and get his reconciled face shining upon him again.
+
+3. He should eye Christ as a prince exalted to give repentance, that so
+his sorrow for his former sinful courses may be kindly, spiritual,
+thorough, and affecting the heart. He would cry to Christ, that he would
+put in his hand by the hole of the door, that his bowels may become
+moved for him.
+
+4. He should also look to him as that good shepherd, who will strengthen
+that which is sick, Ezek. xxxiv. 16. And take notice also of his other
+relations, and of his obligations thereby, and by the covenant of
+redemption; and this will strengthen his hope.
+
+5. He should lay hold on Christ as his strength, whereby his feet may be
+made like hinds' feet, and he may be made to walk upon his high places,
+Hab. iii. 19; and he would grip to that promise, Isa. xli. 10, "I will
+strengthen thee;" and lay hold on Christ in it.
+
+6. Having done thus, he should set about every commanded duty, in the
+strength of Jesus, looking to him for help and supply, from whom cometh
+all his strength, and though he should not find that help and assistance
+which he expected, yet he should not be discouraged, but continue, and
+when he can do no more, offer himself as ready and willing to go about
+the duty, as if he had strength.
+
+7. He should lie open to, and be ready to receive the influences of
+strength, which he, who is the head, shall think good to give in his own
+time, manner, and measure; and this taketh in these duties:
+
+(1.) That they should carefully guard against the evils formerly
+mentioned, which brought on this distemper; such as carelessness,
+untenderness, unwatchfulness, laziness, carnal security, formality, and
+want of seriousness, &c.
+
+(2.) That they should beware of giving way to dispondency, or concluding
+the matter hopeless and irremediable; for that is both discouraging to
+the soul, and a tempting provocation of God.
+
+(3.) That they should be exercising the grace of patient waiting.
+
+(4.) That they should be waiting in the use of the appointed means, and
+thereby, as it were, rubbing the dead and cold member before the fire,
+till it gather warmth.
+
+(5.) That they should be keeping all their sails up, waiting for the
+gale of the Spirit, that should make their ship sail.
+
+(6.) That they should be looking to him alone, who hath promised that
+quickening Spirit; and patiently waiting his leisure, not limiting him
+to any definite time.
+
+(7.) That they should be cherishing and stirring up any small beginnings
+that are.
+
+(8.) That they should be welcoming most cheerfully every motion of the
+Spirit, and improving every advantage of that kind, and striking the
+iron when it is hot, and hold the wheels of the soul a-going, when they
+are once put in motion, and so be loath to grieve the good and holy
+Spirit of God, Eph. iv. 30, or to quench his motions, 1 Thess. v. 19.
+
+If these duties were honestly minded and gone about, in him, and in his
+strength, none can tell how soon there may be a change wrought in the
+soul.
+
+But if it be asked, what such can do, to whom the very thoughts of the
+duty, and aiming at it, is matter of terror;
+
+_Ans._ It may be, something, if not much, of that may flow from a bodily
+distemper, as occasioneth the alteration of the body, upon the thorough
+apprehension of any thing that is weighty and of moment, so as they
+cannot endure to be much affected with any thing. But leaving this to
+others, I would advise such a soul to those duties:
+
+1. To be frequently setting to the duty, as, for example, of prayer,
+though that should raise the distemper of their body, for through time
+that may wear away, or at least grow less; whileas, their giving way
+thereto, will still make the duty the more and more terrible, and so
+render themselves the more unfit for it, and thus they shall gratify
+Satan, who, it may be, may have a hand in that bodily distemper too.
+When the poor soul is thus accustomed or habituated to the attempting of
+the duty, it will at length appear not so terrible as it did; and so the
+body may become not so soon altered thereby as it was.
+
+2. When such an one can do no more, he should keep his love to the duty,
+and his desires after it, fresh, and lively, and should not suffer these
+quite to die out.
+
+3. He should be much in the use of frequent ejaculations, and of short
+supplications darted up to God; for these will not make such an
+impression on the body, and so will not so occasion the raising and
+wakening the bodily distemper, as more solemn addresses to God in prayer
+would possibly do.
+
+4. If he cannot go to Christ with confidence, to draw out of him life
+and strength, according to his need, yet he may give a look to him,
+though it were from afar; and he may think of him, and speak of him
+frequently, and would narrowly observe every thing that pointeth him
+out, or bringeth any thing of him to remembrance.
+
+5. Such souls should not give way to despairing thoughts, as if their
+case were wholly helpless and hopeless; for that is a reflecting on the
+power and skill of Christ, and therefore is provoking and dishonourable
+to him.
+
+6. Let Christ, and all that is his, be precious always and lovely unto
+them. And thus they should keep some room in their heart open for him,
+till he should be pleased to come to them with salvation; and who can
+tell how soon he may come?
+
+But enough of this. There is a _fourth_ case of deadness to be spoken
+to, and that is,
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+HOW SHALL THE SOUL MAKE USE OF CHRIST, AS THE LIFE, WHICH IS UNDER THE
+PREVAILING POWER OF UNBELIEF AND INFIDELITY.
+
+
+That we may help to give some clearing to a poor soul in this case, we
+shall,
+
+1. See what are the several steps and degrees of this distemper.
+
+2. Consider what the causes hereof are.
+
+3. Shew how Christ is life to a soul in such a case; and,
+
+4. Give some directions how a soul in that case should make use of
+Christ as the Life, to the end it may be delivered therefrom.
+
+And, _first,_ There are many several steps to, and degrees of this
+distemper. We shall mention a few; as,
+
+1. When they cannot come with confidence, and draw out of him by faith,
+what their soul's case calleth for; they cannot "with joy draw waters
+out of the wells of salvation," Isa. xii. 3; but keep at a distance, and
+entertain jealous thoughts of him. This is a degree of unbelief making
+way for more.
+
+2. When they cannot confidently assert and avow their interest in him,
+as the church did, Isa. xii. 2, saying, "Behold, God is my salvation, I
+will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my
+song; he also is become my salvation."
+
+3. When they much question, if ever they have indeed laid hold on
+Christ, and so cannot go to him for the supplies of their wants and
+necessities.
+
+4. When, moreover, they question if they be allowed of God, and
+warranted to come to him, and lay hold upon him; yea, and they think
+they have many arguments whereby to maintain this their unbelief, and
+justify their keeping a-back from Christ.
+
+5. Or, when, if they look to him at all, it is with much mixture of
+faithless fears that they shall not be the better, or at least doubting
+whether it shall be to their advantage or not.
+
+6. This unbelief will advance further, and they may come to that, not
+only to conclude, that they have no part or portion in him, but also to
+conclude that their case is desperate and irredeemable; and so say there
+is no more hope, they are cut off for their part, as Ezek. xxxvii. 11,
+and so lie by as dead and forlorn.
+
+7. Yea, they may come higher, and vent some desperate thoughts and
+expressions of God, to the great scandal of the godly, and the dishonour
+of God.
+
+8. And yet more, they may come that length, to question all the
+promises, and to cry out with David, in his haste, Psalm c. 11, that
+"all men are liars."
+
+9. Yea, they may come to this, to scout the whole gospel to be nothing
+but a heap of delusions, and a cunningly-devised fable, or but mere
+notions and fancies.
+
+10. And at length come to question, if there be a God that ruleth in the
+earth.
+
+These are dreadful degrees and steps of this horrible distemper, and
+enough to make all flesh tremble.
+
+Let us see next whence this cometh. The causes hereof we may reduce to
+three heads:
+
+_First._ The holy Lord hath a holy hand in this, and hath noble ends and
+designs before him in this matter; as,
+
+1. The Lord may think good to order matters thus, that he may magnify
+his power and grace, in rescuing such as were returned to the very brink
+of hell, and seemed to many to be lost and irrecoverably gone.
+
+2. That in punishing them thus, for giving way to the first motions of
+unbelief, he might warn all to guard against such an evil, and not to
+foster and give way to groundless complaints, nor entertain objections,
+moved against their condition by the devil.
+
+3. To warn all to walk circumspectly, and to work out their salvation
+with fear and trembling, not knowing what may befall them ere they die.
+
+4. To teach all to walk humbly, not knowing what advantage Satan may get
+of them eve all be done; and to see their daily need of Christ to
+strengthen their faith, and to keep their grips of him fast.
+
+5. So the Lord may think good to dispense so with some, that he may give
+a full proof of his wonderfully great patience and long-suffering in
+bearing with such, and that so long.
+
+6. As also to demonstrate his sovereignty, in measuring out his
+dispensations to his own, as he seeth will most glorify himself.
+
+_Next,_ Satan hath an active hand in this; for,
+
+1. He raiseth up clouds and mists in the believer, so that he cannot see
+the work of God within himself, and so is made to cry out, that he hath
+no grace, and that all was but delusions and imaginations, which he
+looked upon as grace before.
+
+2. He raiseth up in them jealousies of God, and of all his ways, and
+puts a false gloss and construction on all which God doth, to the end he
+may confirm them in their jealousies, which they have drunk in of God.
+
+3. Having gained this ground, he worketh then upon their corruption with
+very great advantage; and thus driveth them from evil to worse, and not
+only to question their perfect interest in Christ, but also to quit all
+hope for the time to come.
+
+4. This being done, he driveth the soul yet farther, and filleth it with
+prejudices against God and his glorious truths; and from this he can
+easily bring them to call all in question.
+
+5. Yea, he will represent God as an enemy to them; and when this is
+done, how easy it is with him to put them on desperate courses, and
+cause them to speak wickedly and desperately of God.
+
+6. And when this is done, he can easily darken the understanding, that
+the poor soul shall not see the glory of the gospel, and of the covenant
+of grace, nor the lustre and beauty of holiness: yea, and raise
+prejudices against the same, because there is no hope of partaking of
+the benefit thereof; and so bring them on, to a plain questioning of
+all, as mere delusions.
+
+7. And when he hath gotten them brought this length, he hath fair
+advantage to make them question if there be a God, and so drive them
+forward to atheism. And thus deceitfully he can carry the soul from one
+step to another.
+
+But, _third,_ there are many sinful causes of this within the man's
+self; as,
+
+1. Pride and haughtiness of mind, as thinking their mountain standeth so
+strong, that it cannot be moved. And this provoketh God to hide his
+face, as Psalm xxx.
+
+2. Self-confidence, a concomitant of pride, supposing themselves to be
+so well rooted that they cannot be shaken, whereas it were better for
+them to walk in fear.
+
+3. Want of watchfulness over a deceitful heart, and an evil heart of
+unbelief, that is still departing from the living God, Heb. iii. 12. It
+is good to be jealous here.
+
+4. Giving way to doubtings and questionings too readily at first. It is
+not good to tempt the Lord by parlying too much and too readily with
+Satan. Eve's practice might be a warning sufficient to us.
+
+5. Not living in the sight of their wants, and of their daily necessity
+of Christ, nor acting faith upon him daily, for the supplying of their
+wants. And when faith is not used, it may contract rust and be weakened,
+and come at length not to be discerned.
+
+6. Entertaining of jealous thoughts of God, and hearkening too readily
+to any thing that may foster and increase or confirm these.
+
+7. Not delighting themselves in, and with pleasure dwelling on, the
+thoughts of Christ, of his offices, of the gospel and promises; so that
+these come at length to lose their beauty and glory in the soul, and
+have not the lustre that once they had; and this doth open a door to
+much mischief.
+
+8. In a word, not walking with God according to the gospel, provoking
+the Lord to give them up to themselves for a time.
+
+We come now to the _third_ particular, which is, to shew how Christ is
+Life to the poor soul in this case. And for the clearing of this,
+consider,
+
+1. That Christ is "the author and finisher of faith," Heb. xii. 2; and
+so, as he did rebuke unbelief at the first, he can rebuke it again.
+
+2. That he is the great prophet clearing up the gospel, and every thing
+that is necessary for us to know, bringing life and immortality to
+light by the gospel, 2 Tim. i. 10, and so manifesting the lustre and
+beauty of the gospel.
+
+3. He bringeth the promises home to the soul, in their reality,
+excellency, and truth, being the faithful witness and the amen, Rev.
+iii. 14, and the confirmer of the promises, so that they are all yea and
+amen in him, 2 Cor. i. 20. And this serveth to establish the soul in the
+faith, and to shoot out thoughts of unbelief.
+
+4. So doth he, by his Spirit, dispel the mists and clouds which Satan,
+through unbelief, had raised in the soul.
+
+5. And thereby also rebuketh those mistakes of God, and prejudices at
+him and his ways, which Satan hath wrought there, through corruption.
+
+6. He discovereth himself to be a ready help in time of trouble, and the
+hope and anchor of salvation, Heb. vi. 19; and a priest living for ever
+to make intercession for poor sinners, Heb. vii. 25.
+
+7. And hereby he cleareth up to the poor soul a possibility of help and
+relief; and thus rebuketh despair or preventeth it.
+
+8. He manifesteth himself to be the marrow and substance of the gospel:
+and this maketh every line thereof pleasant and beautiful to the soul,
+and so freeth them from the prejudices that they had at it.
+
+9. So in manifesting himself in the gospel, he revealeth the Father,
+that the soul cometh to "the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face
+of Jesus Christ," 2 Cor. iv. 6. And this saveth the soul from atheism.
+
+10. When the soul cannot grip him, nor look to him, yet he can look to
+the soul, and by his love quicken and revive the soul, and warm the
+heart with love to him, and at length move and incline it sweetly to
+open to him; and thus grip and hold fast a lost sheep, yea, and bring it
+home again.
+
+But what should a soul do in such a case? To this, (which is the
+_fourth_ particular to be spoken to), I answer,
+
+1. That they should strive against those evils formerly mentioned, which
+procured or occasioned this distemper. A stop should be put to those
+malignant humours.
+
+2. They should be careful to lay again the foundation of solid knowledge
+of God, and of his glorious truths revealed in the gospel, and labour
+for the faith of God's truth and veracity; for till this be, nothing can
+be right in the soul.
+
+3. They should be thoroughly convinced of the treachery, deceitfulness,
+and wickedness of their hearts, that they may see it is not worthy to be
+trusted, and that they may be jealous of it, and not hearken so readily
+to it as they have done, especially seeing Satan can prompt it to speak
+for his advantage.
+
+4. They should remember also, that it is divine help that can recover
+them, and cause them grip to the promises, and lay hold on them of new
+again, as well as at first, and that of themselves they can do nothing.
+
+5. In using of the means for the recovery of life, they should eye
+Christ, and because this eyeing of Christ is faith, and their disease
+lieth most there, they should do as the Israelites did who were stung in
+the eye with the serpents,--they looked to the brazen serpent with the
+wounded and stung eye: so should they do with a sickly and almost dead
+faith, grip him, and with an eye almost put out and made blind, look to
+him, knowing how ready he is to help, and what a tender heart he hath.
+
+6. And to confirm them in this resolution, they should take a new view
+of all the notable encouragements to believe, wherewith the whole gospel
+aboundeth.
+
+7. And withal fix on him, as the only "author and finisher of faith."
+
+8. And, in a word, they should cast a wonderfully unbelieving and
+atheistical soul on him, who is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in
+working, and is wonderful in mercy and grace, and in all his ways. And
+thus may he at length, in his own time, and in the way that will most
+glorify himself, raise up that poor soul out of the grave of infidelity
+wherein it was stinking; and so prove himself to be indeed "the
+resurrection and the life, to the praise of the glory of his grace."
+
+We come now to speak to another case, which is,
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+HOW CHRIST IS MADE USE OF AS THE LIFE, BY ONE THAT IS SO DEAD AND
+SENSELESS, AS HE CANNOT KNOW WHAT TO JUDGE OF HIMSELF, OR HIS OWN CASE,
+EXCEPT WHAT IS NAUGHT.
+
+
+We spake something to this very case upon the matter, when we spoke of
+Christ as the Truth. Yet we shall speak a little to it here, but shall
+not enlarge particulars formerly mentioned. And therefore we shall speak
+a little to those five particulars; and so,
+
+1. Shew what this distemper is. 2. Shew whence it proceedeth, and how
+the soul cometh to fall into it. 3. Shew how Christ, as the Life,
+bringeth about a recovery of it 4. Shew how the soul is to be exercised,
+that it may obtain a recovery; and, 5. Answer some questions or
+objections.
+
+As to the _first_, Believers many times may be so dead, as not only not
+to see and know that they have an interest in Christ, and to be
+uncertain what to judge of themselves, but also be so carried away with
+prejudices and mistakes, as that they will judge no otherwise of
+themselves than that their case is naught; yea, and not only will deny
+or miscall the good that God hath wrought in them by his Spirit, but
+also reason themselves to be out of the state of grace, and a stranger
+to faith, and to the workings of the Spirit: and hereupon will come to
+call all delusions, which sometime they had felt and seen in themselves,
+which is a sad distemper, and which grace in life would free the soul
+from.
+
+This proceedeth (which is the _second_ particular) partly from God's
+hiding of his face, and changing his dispensations about them, and
+compassing them with clouds, and partly from themselves and their own
+mistakes: as,
+
+1. Judging their state, not by the unchangeable rule of truth, but by
+the outward dispensations of God, which change upon the best.
+
+2. Judging their state by the observable measure of grace within them,
+and so concluding their state bad, because they observe corruption
+prevailing now and then, and grace decaying, and they perceive no
+victory over temptations, nor growth in grace, &c.
+
+3. Judging also their state by others; and so they suppose that they
+cannot be believers, because they are so unlike to others, whom they
+judge true believers. This is also to judge by a wrong rule.
+
+4. Judging themselves by themselves, that is, because they look so
+unlike to what sometimes they were themselves, they conclude that their
+state cannot be good, which is also a wrong rule to judge their state
+by.
+
+5. Beginning to try and examine their case and state, and coming to no
+close or issue, so that when they have done, they are as unclear and
+uncertain what to judge of themselves, as when they began; or,
+
+6. Taking little or no pains to try themselves seriously, as in the
+sight of God, but resting satisfied with a superficial trial, which can
+come to no good issue.
+
+7. Trying and examining, but through the sleight of Satan, and because
+pitching upon wrong marks, coming to no good issue, but condemning
+themselves without ground.
+
+8. There is another thing which occasioneth this misjudging, to wit, the
+want of distinctness and clearness in covenanting with Christ, and the
+ignorance of the nature of true saving faith.
+
+As to the _third_ particular, how Christ is Life to the believer in this
+case,
+
+I answer, Christ manifesteth himself to be life to the soul in this
+case:
+
+1. By sending the Spirit of life, that enlighteneth, informeth,
+persuadeth, and sealeth.
+
+2. By actuating grace so in the soul, that it manifesteth itself, and
+evidenceth itself to be there; as the heat and burning of a fire will
+discover itself without other tokens.
+
+The _fourth_ particular, to wit, how the soul should be exercised, or
+how it should employ Christ, for an outgate from this, hath been
+abundantly cleared above, where we shewed, that believers in this case
+should,
+
+1. Be frequent in gripping Christ and closing with him as their
+all-sufficient Mediator; and faith thus frequently acting on him may
+discover itself at length.
+
+2. Look to Christ that hath eye-salve, and is given for a witness.
+
+3. Keep grips fast of him, though they be in the dark; and walk on
+gripping to him.
+
+4. Keep love toward him and his working, and in exercise.
+
+5. Beg of him to clear up their state, by his Spirit explaining the true
+marks of grace, and discovering the working of grace in the soul.
+
+But it will be said, and so I come to the _last_ particular, what, if
+after all this, I remain as formerly, as unable to judge aright of my
+state as ever?
+
+_Answer._ Yet thou shouldst continue gripping Christ, loving him,
+looking to him, casting a lost, dead soul with all thy wants upon him,
+and mind this as thy constant work. Yea, thou shouldst labour to be
+growing in these direct acts of faith; and learn to submit to God
+herein, knowing that those reflect acts are not absolutely necessary;
+and that thou shouldst think it much if he bring thee to heaven at
+length, though covered with a cloud all thy days.
+
+_Obj._ 2. But others get much more clearness.
+
+_Ans._ I grant that; yet know, that every one getteth not clearness, and
+such as have it, have it not in the same measure. And must God give thee
+as much as he giveth to another? What if thou could not make that use of
+it that others do, but wax proud thereby, and forget thyself? Therefore
+it will be best to give God liberty to dispense his favours as he will,
+and that thou be about thy commanded duty, the exercise of faith, love,
+fear, patience, &c.
+
+_Obj._ 3. But if at any time I got a sight of my case, it would be some
+peace and satisfaction to me.
+
+_Ans._ I grant that, and what knowest thou; but thou mayest also get
+that favour ere thou die. Why then wilt thou not wait his leisure?
+
+_Obj._ 4. But the want of it in the mean time maketh me go heartlessly
+and discouragedly about commanded duties, and maketh that I cannot apply
+things distinctly to myself.
+
+_Ans._ Yet the word of command is the same, the offer is the same, and
+the encouragement is the same. Why then should thou not be going on,
+leaning to Christ in the wilderness, even though thou want that
+comfortable sight?
+
+_Obj._ 5. But it is one thing to want a clear sight of my state, it is
+another thing to judge myself, to be yet in the state of nature; and
+this is my case.
+
+_Ans._ I grant, this is the worst of the two; yet, what if thou misjudge
+thyself without ground; should thou not suffer for thy own folly; and
+whom can thou blame but thyself? And if thou judge so, thou cannot but
+know that it is thy duty to do the thing that thou supposeth is not yet
+done, that is, run away to Christ for life and salvation, and rest on
+him and abide there; and if this were frequently renewed, the grounds of
+thy former mistake might be easily removed.
+
+Yet further, I would add these few things:
+
+1. Take no pleasure in debating against your own soul; for that is but
+to serve Satan's design.
+
+2. Be not too rash or ready to drink in prejudices against the work of
+God in your own souls; for that is to conclude with Satan against
+yourselves.
+
+3. Make much of any little light he is pleased to give, were it but of
+one mark, and be not ill to please; for one scriptural mark, as love to
+the brethren, may sufficiently evidence the thing.
+
+4. See how thy soul would like the condition of such as are carnal,
+profane, careless in the matters of God; and if thy soul doth really
+abhor that, and thou would not upon any account choose to be in such a
+case, thou may gather something from that to thy comfort. But enough of
+this case here.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+HOW IS CHRIST, AS THE LIFE, TO BE APPLIED BY A SOUL THAT MISSETH GOD'S
+FAVOUR AND COUNTENANCE.
+
+
+The sixth case, that we shall speak a little to, is a deadness,
+occasioned by the Lord's hiding of himself, who is their life, and "the
+fountain of life," Ps. xxxvi. 9, and "whose loving-kindness is better
+than life," Ps. lxiii. 3, and "in whose favour is their life," Ps. xxx.
+5. A case, which the frequent complaints of the saints manifest to be
+rife enough, concerning which we shall,
+
+1. Shew some of the consequences of the Lord's hiding his face, whereby
+the soul's case will appear. 2. Shew the reasons of this dispensation.
+3. Shew how Christ is life to the soul in this case; and, 4. Point out
+the soul's duty; or how he is to make use of Christ for a recovery.
+
+As to the _first,_ we may take notice of those particulars:
+
+1. They complain of God's hiding of himself, and forsaking them, Ps.
+xxii. 1, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" and Ps. xiii. 3,
+"How long wilt thou forsake me?" &c.
+
+2. They cry out for a blink of his face, and get it not; for he hath
+withdrawn himself, Ps. xiii. 1, "how long wilt thou hide thy face from
+me?" Heman, Ps. lxxxviii., cried out night and day, but yet God's face
+was hid, ver. 1, 9, 14. The spouse seeketh long, Cant. v.; see Ps. xxii.
+1, 2.
+
+3. They are looking for an outgate, but get none. And "hope deferred
+maketh their heart sick," Prov. xiii. 12.
+
+4. They are in the dark, and cannot tell' why the Lord dispenseth so
+towards them; "Why," said Heman, Ps. xviii. 14, "castest thou off my
+soul? why holdest thou thy face from me?" They cannot understand
+wherefore it is. So Job cried out, "shew me wherefore thou contendest
+with me," Job x. 2.
+
+5. They may also be walking, in the mean while, without light or
+counsel, so as they shall not know what to do. "How long shall I take
+counsel in my soul," Ps. xiii. 2.
+
+6. Moreover, they may have their heart filled with sorrow; as we see,
+Ps. xiii. 2, "having sorrow in my heart," said David. He also saith, Ps.
+xxxviii. that his sorrow was continually before him, ver. 17; and Ps.
+cxvi. 3, "I found trouble and sorrow."
+
+7. They may be so, as the sweet experience of others may yield them no
+supply of comfort at present, Ps. xxii. 4-6, "Our fathers trusted in
+thee," said David, "and thou didst deliver them; they cried to thee, and
+were delivered; they trusted in thee, and were not confounded." But that
+gave him no present ease or comfort; for immediately he addeth, ver. 6,
+"but I am a worm and no man, a reproach of men," &c.
+
+8. Yea, all their own former experiences may yield them little solace;
+as we see in the same place, Ps. xxii. 9, 10, compared with ver. 14,15,
+"Thou art he," says he, ver. 9, "that took me out of the womb," &c. And
+yet he complains, ver. 14, "that he was poured out like water, and his
+bones out of joint, that his heart was melted in the midst of his
+bowels," &c.
+
+9. They may be brought near to a giving over all in despondency, and be
+brought, in their sense, to the very dust of death, Psal. xxii. 16.
+
+If it be inquired, why the Lord dispenseth so with his own people?
+
+We answer, and this is the _second_ particular, that he doeth it for
+holy and wise reasons, whereof we may name a few; as,
+
+1. To punish their carelessness and negligence; as we see he did with
+the spouse, Cant. v.
+
+2. To chastise them for their ill-improving of his favour and kindness
+when they had it; as the same passage evidenceth.
+
+3. To check them for their security and carnal confidence, as he did
+David, Psal. xxx. 6, 7, when he said his mountain stood strong, and he
+should never be moved. Then did the Lord hide his face, and he was
+troubled.
+
+4. To try if their obedience to his commands be pure and conscientious,
+and not in a sort mercenary, because of his lifting up upon them the
+light of his countenance; and to see if conscience to a command driveth
+them to duty, when they are in the dark, and have no encouragement.
+
+5. To put the graces of the Spirit to trial and to exercise; as their
+faith, patience, hope, love, &c. Psal. xiii. 5, 6, 22, 24.
+
+6. To awaken them from their security, and to set them to a more
+diligent following of duty; as we see in the spouse, Cant. v.
+
+7. To sharpen their desire and hunger after him, as this instance
+cleareth.
+
+Even in such a case as this, Christ is life to the soul, which is the
+_third_ particular,
+
+1. By taking away the sinful causes of such a distance, having laid down
+his life and shed his blood for the remission of their sins, so that
+such a dispensation is not flowing from pure wrath, but is rather an act
+of mercy and love.
+
+2. By advocating the poor man's cause in heaven, where he is making
+intercession for his own, and thereby obtaining a delivery from that
+condition, in God's own time, even the shining again of his countenance
+upon them.
+
+3. By keeping life in, as to habitual grace, and by breathing thereupon,
+so that it becometh lively, and operative even in such a winter day.
+
+4. By supporting the soul under that dispensation, and keeping it from
+fainting, through the secret influences of grace, which he conveyeth
+into the soul; as he did to the poor woman of Canaan, Matth. xv.
+
+5. By setting the soul a-work, to use such means as God hath appointed
+for a recovery; as, to cry, to plead, to long, to wait, &c. "Their heart
+shall live that seek him."
+
+6. By teaching the soul to submit to and acquiesce in what God doth,
+acknowledging his righteousness, greatness, and sovereignty; and this
+quietness of heart is its life.
+
+7. By keeping the heart fast to the covenant of grace; so that whatever
+come, they will never quit that bargain, but they will trust in him
+though he should kill them; and they will adhere to the covenant of
+grace, though they should be dragged through hell.
+
+8. At length when he seeth it fit and convenient, he quickeneth by
+drawing back the veil, and filling the soul with joy, in the light of
+God's countenance; and causing it to sing, as having the heart lifted up
+in the ways of the Lord.
+
+As to the _last_ particular, concerning the duty of a soul in such a
+case; we say,
+
+1. He should humble himself under this dispensation, knowing that it is
+the great God with whom he hath to do; and that there is no contending
+with him; and that all flesh should stoop before him.
+
+2. He should justify God in all that he doth, and say with David, Psal.
+xxii. 3. "But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of
+Israel."
+
+3. He should look upon himself as unworthy of the least of that kind: "I
+am a worm," said David, Psal. xxii. 6, "and no man."
+
+4. He should search out his provocations, and run away to the fountain,
+the blood of Christ, that these may be purged away, and his conscience
+sprinkled from dead works, and his soul washed in the fountain opened to
+the house of David for sin and for uncleanness.
+
+5. He must also employ Christ, to discover to him more and more of his
+guiltiness, whereby he hath grieved the Spirit of God; and as sins are
+discovered to him, he would repent of them, and run away with them to
+the blood that cleanseth from all sin. This was Elihu's advice to Job,
+chap. xxxiv. 31, 32. "Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have
+borne chastisement, I will not offend. That which I see not, teach thou
+me; if I have done iniquity, I will do no more."
+
+6. He should grip to Christ in the covenant, and rest there with joy and
+satisfaction; he should hold that fast that he may ride out the storm in
+a dark night; "though he make not mine house to grow," said David, 2
+Sam. xxiii. 5; yet this was all his salvation and all his desire, that
+he "had made with him an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and
+sure." The spouse took this course, when she could not get a sight of
+him whom her soul loved, Cant. vi. 3, and asserted her interest in him;
+"I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine."
+
+7. He should be entertaining high and loving thoughts of God, commending
+him highly, let his dispensations be what they will. So did the spouse,
+Cant. v. 10, 16.
+
+8. He should earnestly seek after him. The spouse did so, Cant. v. 6.
+The discouragement she met with at the hands of the watchmen, did not
+put her off her pursuit, ver. 7, but she continued, yea, was "sick of
+love;" ver. 8; and her looks had a prevailing power with him, as we see,
+Cant. vi. 5, where the bridegroom uttered that most astonishing word,
+"Turn away thine eyes from me, for they have overcome me."
+
+9. This new manifestation which he is seeking for, must be expected in
+and through Christ, who is the true tabernacle, and he who was
+represented by the mercy-seat. He is the only trusting-place; in him
+alone will the Father be seen.
+
+10. He should also look to him for strength and support, in the mean
+time; and for grace, that he may be kept from fainting, and may be
+helped to wait till he come, who knoweth the fittest season wherein to
+appear.
+
+But it will be said, what if, after all this, we get no outgate, but he
+hideth his face still from us?
+
+I answer, such should know, that life is one thing, and comfort is
+another thing; grace is one thing, and warm blinks of God's face is
+another. The one is necessary to the very being of a Christian, the
+other not, but only necessary to his comfortable being; and therefore
+they should be content, if God give them grace, though they miss comfort
+for a time.
+
+2. They should learn to commit that matter to Christ who knoweth how to
+give that which is good and best for them.
+
+3. They should be hanging on him for strength and for duty; and in his
+strength setting about every commanded duty, and be exercising faith,
+love, patience, hope, desire, &c.
+
+4. Let the well-ordered covenant be all their salvation, and all their
+desire; and though they should not get a comfortable blink of God's
+face, so long as they were here, yet holding fast this covenant, they
+should at length be saved souls, and what would they have more? and when
+they get this, what will they miss?
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.
+
+HOW SHALL ONE MAKE USE OF CHRIST AS THE LIFE, WHEN WRESTLING WITH AN
+ANGRY GOD BECAUSE OF SIN?
+
+
+That we may give some satisfaction to this question, we shall,
+
+1. Shew what are the ingredients in this case, or what useth to concur
+in this distemper.
+
+2. Shew some reasons why the Lord is pleased to dispense thus with his
+people.
+
+3. Shew how Christ is life to the soul in this case.
+
+4. Shew the believer's duty for a recovery; and,
+
+5. Add a word or two of caution.
+
+As to the _first,_ There may be those parts of, or ingredients in this
+distemper:
+
+1. God presenting their sins unto their view, so as they shall cry out,
+"Our sin is ever before us," Psal. li. 3, and say, as it is, Psal. xc.
+8. "Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the
+light of thy countenance;" and so cause them see the Lord contending for
+sin, as the church did, Isa. lix. "We roar all like bears, and mourn
+sore like doves. We look for judgment but there is none, for salvation
+but it is far off from us; for our transgressions are multiplied before
+thee, and our sins testify against us; for our transgressions are with
+us; and as for our iniquities, we know them," &c.
+
+2. Yea, God may bring upon them the iniquities of their youth, as Job
+speaketh, chap. xiii. 26, and so bring upon them, or suffer conscience
+to charge them, with their old sins formerly repented of and pardoned.
+And this is more terrible: David is made to remember his original sin,
+Psal. li.
+
+3. And, as Job speaketh, chap. xv. 17, God may seem to be sealing up all
+their sins in a bag, that none of them may be lost or fall by, without
+being taken notice of; and, as it were, be gathering them together in a
+heap.
+
+4. He may pursue sore with signs of wrath and displeasure, because of
+those sins, as we see in David, Psal. iv.; xxxviii. 51, and in several
+others of his people, chastened of the Lord because of their
+transgressions; whereof there are many instances in Scripture.
+
+5. Yea, and that for a considerable time together, and cause them cry
+out, with David, Psal. iv. 3, "But thou, O Lord, how long!"
+
+6. And that not only with outward, but also with inward plagues and
+strokes, as David's case cleareth, in the fore-cited Psalms.
+
+7. Yea, and not even themselves, but even their posterity; as David's
+child was smitten with death, and the posterity of Manasses, who found
+mercy himself, 2 Chron. xxxiii. 13, was carried into captivity for his
+sin, 2 Kings xxiii. 26, 27.
+
+8. Further, the Lord may deprive them of all their former joy and
+comfort, which made David cry out, Psalm li. 12, "Restore unto me the
+joy of thy salvation, and grant me thy free Spirit."
+
+9. And, which is yet more terrible, write their sin upon their judgment,
+as when he caused the sword and whoredom follow David's house.
+
+10. And, finally, he may cause them fear utter off-casting, as Psalm li.
+12, "cast me not away," said he, "from thy presence."
+
+And this the Lord thinketh good to do (that we may speak a word to the
+_second_ particular) for those, and the like reasons:
+
+1. To discover to them, and to all the world, how just, holy, and
+righteous a God he is, that cannot approve of, or bear with sin, even in
+his own children.
+
+2. To make all fear and tremble before this great and holy God, who is
+terrible in his judgments, even when they come from a Father's hand that
+is not pursuing in pure anger and wrath, but chastening in love. Sure
+all must think that his dispensations with the wicked will be much more
+fearful and horrible, seeing they are not yet reconciled to him through
+the blood of Jesus.
+
+3. To press believers more earnestly into Christ, that they may get a
+new extract of their pardon, and their souls washed in the blood of
+Jesus.
+
+4. To teach them to walk more circumspectly afterwards, and to guard
+more watchfully against Satan's temptations, and to employ Christ more
+as their strength, light, and guide.
+
+5. To cause them see their great obligation to Jesus Christ, for
+delivering them from that state of wrath, wherein they were by nature,
+as well as others, and would have lain in to all eternity, had he not
+redeemed them.
+
+6. To exercise their faith, patience, and hope; to see if in hope they
+will believe against hope, and lay hold on the strength of the Lord,
+that they make peace with him, Isaiah xxvii. 5.
+
+7. To give a fresh proof of his wonderful mercy, grace, love, and
+compassion, upholding the soul in the mean time, and at length pardoning
+them, and speaking peace to their souls through the blood of Jesus.
+
+But as to the _third_ particular, we may look on Christ as the Life to
+the soul in this case, upon those accounts,
+
+1. He hath satisfied justice, and so hath borne the pure wrath of God
+due for their sins. "He hath trodden the wine press alone," Isaiah
+lxiii. 5. "He was wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our
+sins," Isaiah liii. 5, 10; and therefore they drink not of this cup
+which would make them drunk, and to stagger, and fall, and never rise
+again.
+
+2. Yea, he hath procured that mercy and love shall accompany all those
+sharp dispensations, and that they shall flow from mercy; yea, and that
+they shall be as a covenanted blessing promised in the covenant, Psalm
+lxxxix. 30, &c.
+
+3. And sometimes he is pleased to let them see this clear difference
+betwixt the strokes they lie under, and the judgments of pure wrath
+which attend the wicked; and this supporteth the soul; for then he seeth
+that those dispensations, how sharp soever they be, shall work together
+for good to him, and come from the hand of a gracious loving Father,
+reconciled in the blood of Christ.
+
+4. "He is a Prince, exalted to give repentance and remission of sins to
+Israel," Acts v. 31. Yea, he hath procured such a clause in the
+covenant, which is well ordered in all things and sure, that upon their
+renewing of faith and repentance, their after sins shall be pardoned;
+and besides the promises of faith and repentance in the covenant, his
+being a Prince exalted to give both, giveth assurance of their receiving
+of both.
+
+5. He cleareth to them their interest in the covenant, and their right
+to the promises of the covenant; and through their closing with Christ
+by faith, he raiseth up their heart in hope, and causeth them to expect
+an outgate, even remission of their sins, and turning away the
+displeasure in due time through him. And this is a great part of their
+life.
+
+6. Being the author and finisher of faith, and a prince to give
+repentance, he, by his Spirit, worketh up the soul to a renewing of its
+grips of himself by faith, and to a running to the death and blood of
+Christ for pardon and washing, and worketh godly sorrow in the heart,
+whereupon followeth pardon, according to the gospel constitution, though
+the believer as yet perceiveth it not; and sin being pardoned before
+God, conform to the tenor of the covenant of grace, the man is a living
+man, whatever fears of death he may be kept under for a time.
+
+7. He helpeth also to a justifying of God, and to a holy, submissive
+frame of spirit under that dispensation; so that they are willing to
+bear the indignation of the Lord, because they have sinned against him,
+Micah vii. 9; and to wait for an outgate in God's own time, and to kiss
+the rod, and to accept of the punishment of their sin.
+
+8. When he seeth it fit for his own glory, and their advantage, he
+speaketh peace at length to the soul, and saith, "son (or daughter) be
+of good cheer, thy sins are forgiven thee; and then is the soul restored
+to life."
+
+As to the _fourth_ particular. The soul that is wrestling with an angry
+God for sin, and would make use of Christ as the Life, should do these
+things:
+
+1. He should look to Christ as standing under God's curse in our room,
+and as satisfying justice for all the elect, and for all their sins.
+
+2. He should eye the covenant wherein new pardon is promised, upon the
+renewing of faith and repentance.
+
+3. He should eye Christ as the great Lord dispensator of both faith and
+repentance, and hang on him for both, and thus believe, that he may
+believe and repent, or lay his soul open to him, that he may work in him
+both repentance and faith.
+
+4. He should flee to the blood of sprinkling, "that speaks better things
+than the blood of Abel," that he may be washed, and sprinkled with
+hyssop, as David did, Psalm li. 7.
+
+5. He should eye Christ as a prince to give pardon and remission of
+sins, and as exalted for this end, and should fix his eye upon him, as
+now exalted in glory for this end.
+
+6. He should close with Christ of new, as his only all-sufficient
+Mediator; and having done this, and repented of his sins, whereby God
+hath been provoked, he should conclude through faith, that a pardon is
+passed in the court of heaven, conform to the tenor of the gospel, and
+wait on Christ until the intimation come.
+
+As for the cautions which I promised to speak to, in the _last_ place,
+take those few:
+
+1. Do not conclude there is no pardon, because there is no intimation
+thereof made to thy soul as yet. According to the dispensation of grace
+condescended upon in the gospel, pardon is had immediately upon a soul's
+believing and repenting; but the intimation, sense, and feeling of
+pardon, is a distinct thing, and may, for several ends, be long kept up
+from the soul. Sure they go not always together.
+
+2. Do not conclude there is no pardon, because the rod that was
+inflicted for sin is not as yet taken off. God pardoned David's sin, and
+did intimate the same to him by Nathan, and yet the sword did not depart
+from his house till he died. God can forgive, and yet take vengeance on
+their inventions, Psalm xcix. 8.
+
+3. Do not upon this ground question God's faithfulness, or conclude
+that God's covenant doth not stand fast. He is the same, and the
+covenant abideth fast and firm; but the change is in thee.
+
+4. Do not think that because thou hast once received Christ, that
+therefore, without any new act of faith on him, or of repentance towards
+God, thou should immediately be pardoned of thy sins, as soon as they
+are committed; for the gospel method must be followed, and it should
+satisfy us.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII.
+
+NO MAN COMETH TO THE FATHER BUT BY ME.
+
+
+This being added for further confirmation of what was formerly said,
+will point out unto us several necessary truths, as,
+
+I. That it is most necessary to be sound and clear in this fundamental
+point of coming to God only in and through Christ. For,
+
+1. It is the whole marrow of the gospel.
+
+2. It is the hinge of our salvation, Christ is "the chief corner stone,"
+Isa. xxxviii. 16. 1 Pet. i. 5, 6; and,
+
+3. The only ground of all our solid and true peace and comfort.
+
+4 An error or a mistake here, is most dangerous, hazarding, if not
+ruining all.
+
+5. Satan endeavours mainly against this, raiseth up heresies, errors,
+and false opinions, and prompteth some to vent perplexing doubts and
+objections, and all to darken this cardinal point. So doth he muster up
+all his temptations for this end, at length to keep poor souls from
+acquaintance with this way, and from making use of it, or entering into
+it.
+
+6. Our corrupt hearts are most averse from it, and will close with any
+way, how troublesome, how expensive and costly soever it may seem to be,
+rather than with this.
+
+7. There are a multitude of false ways, as we did shew above.
+
+All which do clear up this necessity, and should teach us to be very
+diligent to win to acquaintance with it, and to make sure that we are in
+it, and to hold it fast, and to keep it pure in our practice, without
+mixing any thing with it, or corrupting of it.
+
+II. That it is no small difficulty to get this truth believed and
+practised, that through Christ alone we come to the Father. Therefore is
+the same thing asserted and inculcated again upon the same matter; for,
+
+1. Nature will not teach this way; it is far above nature.
+
+2. Yea, our natural inclinations are much against it, opposing it, and
+fighting against it.
+
+3. This way is altogether contrary to that high esteem which naturally
+all of us have of ourselves.
+
+4. And is opposite to that pride of heart which naturally we are subject
+to.
+
+5. Yea, there is nothing in us by nature that will willingly comply with
+this way; but, on the contrary, all is opposite thereunto.
+
+6. And therefore it is the Christian's first lesson to deny himself.
+
+The consideration of which should humble us, and make us very jealous of
+our own hearts and inclinations, and of all those courses which they are
+inclinable to and bent upon. And it should put us to try if ever we have
+overcome this difficulty; and have now all our hopes and comforts
+founded on him, and on nothing else; and are up and down in our peace
+and joy according as we win in to him, or are shut out from him; and in
+all our approaches to God, upon whatsoever account, are leaning to him
+and resting upon him alone, expecting access, acceptance, and a hearing,
+only in him; and are quieted under all our fears and temptations, with
+this,--that Christ is our way to the Father.
+
+III. That even believers have need to have this truth inculcated often:
+For,
+
+1. Satan is busy pulling them off this ground by all the wiles and
+temptations he can.
+
+2. Their own corruption within, and the evil heart of unbelief, is
+always opposing this way, and drawing them off it.
+
+3. Through the sleight of Satan and the power of corruption, they are
+oftentimes declining from this pure gospel way.
+
+4. The experience of believers can tell, that when they are at their
+best, it is a great work and exercise to them to keep their hearts right
+in this matter.
+
+5. Is it not too often seen, that they are the spiritual plague of
+formality, which stealeth them off their feet here?
+
+6. And is it not found oftentimes that they are too ready to lean to
+something beside Christ?
+
+How ought all to be convinced of this, and humbled under the sense of
+it! And see also how necessary it is to be often preaching on this
+subject, and to be often thinking upon and studying this fundamental
+truth.
+
+IV. It should be a strong motive and incitement to us to make use of
+Christ as the way to the Father, that no man cometh to the Father but by
+him; for this may be looked upon as an argument enforcing their
+use-making of him as the way.
+
+V. It discovereth the ground of that truth, that there are but few that
+are saved, for none cometh to the Father but by him; few, in respect of
+the whole world, once hear of him; and of such as hear of him, few have
+the true way of employing and applying him, as the way to the Father
+cleareth up unto them. And again, of such as have the truth, as it is in
+Jesus, preached unto them, O how few go to him and make use of him
+according to the truth, and believe and practise the truth!
+
+VI. That in and through Christ alone we must come,
+
+1. To the knowledge of the Father; "for no man knoweth the Father but
+the Son;" and he alone, who came out of the bosom of the Father,
+revealeth him.
+
+2. To the favour and friendship of the Father; for he alone is our
+peace, and in him alone is the Father well pleased.
+
+3. To the kingdom of the Father here; for here only is the door, John
+x.; and by his Spirit are we effectually called.
+
+4. To the kingdom of the Father above; for he alone hath opened that
+door, and is entered into the holiest of all, as our forerunner, and is
+gone to prepare a place for us.
+
+5. Through him alone must we address ourselves to the Father in our
+supplications, John xvi. 23. Rev. viii. 3; in our thanksgiving, Rom. i.
+8. Col. iii. 17; and praise, Heb. xiii. 15. Eph. iii. 21.
+
+6. Through him alone have we access and an open door to the Father, Eph.
+ii. 18; iii. 21. Heb. iv. 16.
+
+I shall only speak to one case here, viz.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX.
+
+HOW SHOULD WE MAKE USE OF CHRIST, IN GOING TO THE FATHER, IN PRAYER, AND
+OTHER ACTS OF WORSHIP?
+
+
+In short, for answering of this question, I shall lay down those
+particulars:
+
+1. There should be a lively sense of the infinite distance that is
+between the great God and us finite creatures, and yet more betwixt the
+Holy Ghost and us sinful wretches.
+
+2. There should be an eyeing of Christ as the great peacemaker, through
+his death and merits having satisfied justice and reconciled sinners
+unto God; that so we may look on God now no more as an enemy, but as
+reconciled in Jesus.
+
+3. There should be, sometimes at least, a more formal and explicit
+actual closing with Christ as ours, when we are going about such duties,
+and always an implicit and virtual embracing of him as our Mediator, or
+an habitual hanging upon him and leaning to him as our Mediator and
+peacemaker.
+
+4. There should be an eyeing of him as our great High Priest now living
+for ever to make intercession for us, and to keep the door of heaven
+open to us: upon which account the apostle presseth the Hebrews to "come
+boldly to the throne of grace," Heb. iv. 14,16. See also Heb. v. 24,25.
+
+5. There should be a gripping to him even in reference to that
+particular act of worship, and a laying hold upon him, to speak so, as
+our master-usher to bring us by the hand in to the Father, conscious of
+our own unworthiness.
+
+6. There should be a confident leaning to him in our approaching, and so
+we should approach him without fear and diffidence; and that
+notwithstanding that we find not our souls in such a good frame as we
+would Wish, yea, and guilt looking us in the face.
+
+7. Thus should we roll all the difficulties that come in our way, and
+all the discouragements which we meet with, on him, that he may take
+away the one and the other, and help us over the one and the other.
+
+8. As we should take an answer to all objections from him alone, and put
+him to remove all scruples and difficulties, and strengthen ourselves
+against all impediments and discouragements alone, in and through him,
+so there should be the bringing of all our positive encouragements from
+him alone, and all our hopes of coming speed with the Father should be
+grounded upon him.
+
+9. We should expect all our welcome and acceptance with the Father only
+in and through Christ, and expect nothing for any thing in ourselves,
+nor for our graces, good frame, preparation, or any thing of that kind.
+So we should not found our acceptance nor our peace and satisfaction on
+ourselves, nor on any thing we have or do; nor should we conclude our
+exclusion or want of acceptance, because we do not apprehend our frame
+so good as it ought to be; so we should not found our acceptance on our
+right performance of duties, for that is not Christ.
+
+10. We should quiet ourselves on him alone in all our approaches,
+whatever liveliness we find or miss in duty. We are too much tickled and
+fain when duties go well with us, and troubled on the other hand when it
+is not so; and the ground of all this is, because we lean too much to
+our own duties, and do not quiet ourselves on him alone. And hence it
+is, that we are often quieted when we get the duty done and put by,
+though we have not met with him there, nor gotten use made of him as was
+necessary. All our comfort, peace, and quiet should be founded on him
+alone.
+
+11. We should look to him for the removal of all the discouragements
+that Satan casts in our way while we are about this or that piece of
+worship, to put us back, or cause us to advance slowly and faintingly;
+and casting them all on him, go forward in our duty.
+
+12. We should look for all our returns and answers only in and through
+him, and lay all the weight of our hopes and expectations of a good
+answer only on him, 1 John v. 13, 14, 15.
+
+For caution I would add a word or two:
+
+1. I do not think that the believer can explicitly and distinctly act
+all these things whenever he is going to God, or can distinctly perceive
+all these several acts; nor have I specified and particularly mentioned
+them thus, for this end, but to shew at some length, how Christ is to be
+employed in those acts of worship which we are called to perform; and
+that because we oftentimes think the simple naming of him, and asking of
+things for his sake, is sufficient, though our hearts lean more to some
+other thing than to him; and the conscientious Christian will find his
+soul, when he is rightly going about the duties of worship, looking
+towards Christ thus, sometimes more distinctly and explicitly as to one
+particular, and sometimes more as to another.
+
+2. Though the believer cannot distinctly act faith on Christ all these
+ways, when he is going about commanded duties of worship, yet he should
+be sure to have his heart going out after Christ, as the only ground of
+his approaching to and acceptance with and of being heard by the Father;
+and to have his heart in such an habitual frame of resting on Christ,
+that really there may be a relying upon him all these ways, though not
+distinctly discerned.
+
+3. Sometimes the believer will be called to be more distinct and
+explicit in looking to and resting upon Christ, as to one particular,
+and sometimes more as to another. When Satan is dissuading him to go to
+God because he is an infinitely holy One, and he himself is but a
+sinner, then he is called to act faith on Christ as the Mediator making
+reconciliation between God and sinners; and when Satan is dissuading
+from approaching to God, because of their want of an interest in God,
+then should they act faith on Christ, and embrace him according to the
+gospel, and rest there, and so approach. And when Satan casts up his
+unworthiness and former sins, to keep him a-back or to discourage him,
+then he is called to lay hold on Christ as the great High Priest and
+Advocate, and casting that discouragement on him, to go forward. So
+likewise, when Satan is discouraging him in his duty, by bringing before
+him his sins, he should take this course; and when, because of his
+sinful way of worshipping God, and calling upon him, and other things,
+he is made to fear that all is in vain, and that neither God regardeth
+him nor his services, and that he shall not come speed, then should he
+cast all the burden of his acceptance, and of obtaining what he asketh
+and desireth, on Christ, and quiet himself there; and so as _to_ the
+rest. And hence appeareth the usefulness of our branching out of this
+matter.
+
+4. In all this, there must be an acting in the strength of Jesus; a
+looking to Christ and resting upon Christ, according to the present case
+and necessity, in Christ; that is, by his strength and grace
+communicated to us by his Spirit; then do we worship God in the Spirit,
+and in the newness of the Spirit, when all is done, in the matter of
+worship, in and through Jesus.
+
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life
+by John Brown (of Wamphray)
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