diff options
Diffstat (limited to '12311-0.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | 12311-0.txt | 12159 |
1 files changed, 12159 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/12311-0.txt b/12311-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4107793 --- /dev/null +++ b/12311-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,12159 @@ +*** 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 *** |