Answ.

It will be hard to give sure Essential differences between the preparatory work in those, in whom afterwards Christ is formed, and those legal stirrings, which are sometimes in Reprobates: If there were not some gracious result of these Convictions and Awakenings of Consci­ence in the Lords People, and other [Page 50] marks, [...] [...]ich we shall speak after­wards [...] we [...] hard to adventure upon any difference that is clear in these legal stirrings. Yet for Answer to the Ob­jection, I shall offer some things, which rarely will be found in the stirrings of Reprobates, and which are ordinarily found in that Law-work, which hath a gracious issue.

1. The Convictions of Hypocrites and Re­probates, are usually confined to some few very gross Transgressions. Saul grants no more but the Persecuting of David, 1 Sam. 26.21. Judas grants only the be­traying of innocent Blood, Mat. 27.4. But [...]sually those Convictions, by which the Lord prepareth His own way in the Soul, although they may begin at one or more particular Transgressions, yet they sist not, but the man is led on to see many breaches of the Law, and in­numerable Evils compassing him as David speaketh in the sight of his sin, Psal. 40.12. And withal, that universal Conviction (if I may call it so) is not general, as usually we hear senseless Men saying, that in all things they Sin: But is particular and condescending, as Paul afterwards make of himself; he not only is the chief [Page 51] of Sinners, but particularly, he was a Blas­phemer, a Persecuter, 1. Tim. 1.13.

2 The Convictions which Hypocrites have do seldom reach their Corruption, and that Body of Death, which breeds an averseness from what is good, and strongly inclineth to what is evil. Ordinarily where we find Hypocrites speaking of themselves in Scripture, they speak loftily and with some self-conceit, both as to their free­dom from Corruption. Joh. 9.34. The Pharisees say to the Poor man, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? (As if they themselves were not as Corrupt by Nature as he.) They speak of great sins Hazael did, 2 King, 8.13. Am I a Dog that I should do this great thing? And also in their undertakings of Duty, as that man spake, Mat. 8.19. I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. See how the people do speak, Jer. 42.2, 3, 4, 5, 6. They undertake to do all that God will comand them. So that they still go about in any case to establish their own Righteousness, not submitting unto the Righteousness of God. But I may say, That convictions and exercise about Corruption, and that body of Death, in­ [...]ing to evil, and disenabling for good [Page 52] is not the least part of the work, where the Lord is preparing his own way. They use to judge themselves very wretched because of a Body of Sin, and are at their wits end how to be delivered, as Paul speaketh when he is under the ex­ercise of it afterwards, Romans 17.19.

3. It will ordinarily be found, that the Convictions which are in Hypocrites, either are not so serious, as that some other business will not put them out of head before any satis­faction be gotten. As in Cain, who went and built a City, and we hear no more of his Convictions, Gen. 4. Felix went a­way until a more convenient time, and we hear no more of his Trembling, Act. 24.25. Or, if that work become very serious, then it runneth to the other ex­tremity and despair of relief, leaving no room for any out-gate. So we find Ju­ [...]as very serious in his Convictions, yet he grew desperate and hanged himself, Mat. 27.4, 5. But where the Lord pre­pareth His own way, the work is both so serious, as the person cannot be put off it, (until he find some satisfaction) and yet under that very seriousness [...] [...]e [...]h open for relief! both which are [...]lear in the [...]aylors we [...]s, [...] [Page 55] to be Saved? Act. 16.30. This serious Enquiry after relief, is a very observable thing in the preparatory work which leadeth on to Christ. Yet we desire none to lay too much weight on these things, since God hath allowed clearer differences between the Precious and the Vile.

Answ.

It is true, the Lord discovereth to some, great sights of their Sin and Mi­sery, and they are thereby put under great legal Terrors. But as all are not brought in by that sensible prepara­tory Law-work, (as we shew before) so even those who are dealt with after that way, are very differently and vari­ously exercised in regard of degrees of Terror, and of continuance of that work; The Jaylor hath a violent work of a very short continuance▪ Paul hath a work continuing three dayes. Some persons are in bondage through fear of Deat [...] [Page 56] all their dayes, Heb. 2 So that we must not limit the Lord to one way of working here. The main thing we are to look unto in these legal awakenings and con­victions of Sin and Misery, is, If the Lord reach those ends in us, for which usually these stirrings and convictions are sent into the Soul; and if those ends be reach­ed, it is well; we are not to vex our selves about any preparatory work further. Now, those ends which God driveth or­dinarily with Sinners by these legal ter­rors and awakenings of Conscience, are Four;

First, The Lord discovers sights of mens Sin and Miser [...] [...] them, to chase them out of themselves and to put them out of conceit of their own Righteousness. Men Naturally have great thoughts of themselves, and do incline much to the Covenant of Works. The Lord therefore doth dis­cover to them so much of their Sin and Corruption, even in their best things, that they are made to loath themselves, and to despair of relief in themselves; and so they are forced to flee out of them­selves, and from the Covenant of works, to seek refuge elsewhere, Heb. 6.18. They become Dead to themselves and [Page 57] the Law, as to the point of Justification. Rom. 7.4. Then have they no more con­fidence in the flesh, Phil. 3.3. This is supposed in the offers of Christ coming to seek and save that which is lost, Luk. 19.10. and to be a Physician to those who are Sick, Mat 9.12.

The Second great end, is, To commend CHRIST JESƲS to mens Hearts above all things: That so they might fall in Love with Him, and betake themselves to that Treasure and Jewel, which only enricheth, Mat. 13.44. and by so doing may serve the Lords design in the con­trivement of the Gospel, which was the manifestation of His Free Grace through Christ Jesus, in the Salvation of men. The sight of a mans own misery and Damnable estate by Nature, is a ready way to make him prize Christ highly, who alone can set such a wretch at liber­ty. Yea, it not only leadeth a man to an high esteem of Christ, but also of all things that relate to that way of Salvati­on, as Grace, New-Covenant, Faith, &c. and maketh him carefully to gather and treasure up his Michtams or Golden Scrip­tures, for the confirmation if his interest in these things.

[Page 58]The Third great end, is, To deter and scare people from Sin, and to make them cast-out with it, and consent to put their neck under all His yoke. God kindleth some sparks of Hell in mens bosomes by the discovery of their sin, as a ready means to make them henceforth stand in awe, knowing how bitter a thing it is to depart from the Lord. Jer. 2.19. So we find rest offered to the weary, upon condition they will allow no peaceable abode to Belial, 2 Cor. 14.17, 18.

The Fourth great end, is, To work up men to a patient and thankful submission to all the Masters pleasure. This is a singular piece of work, Ezek. 16.63. then shalt thou not open thy mouth any more. The sight of a mans own vileness and deservings, maketh him silent, and lo lay his hand on his mouth whatever God doth unto him: Psal. 39.9. I was dumb, and opened not my mouth, because thou did it. Ezra 9.13. God hath punished us less then our iniquities. Mic. 7.9. I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned. The man careth not what God doth to him, or how He deal with him, if He save him from the Wrath to come. Also, any Mercy is a large mercy to him, [Page 59] who hath seen such a sight of himself, Gen. 32.10. he is less than the least of mercies: any crumb falling from the Masters Table is welcome, Mat. 15.2 [...]. He thinks it rich mercy that he is not consumed, Lam. 3.22· This is the thing that marvellously maketh His poor crossed People so silent under and satisfyed with their lot; Nay they think he deserveth Hell who openeth his mouth at any thing God doth to him, since He hath Pardoned his Transgressions. So then, for satis­fying the Objection, I say, If the Lord hath driven thee out of thy self, and commended Christ to thy heart above all things, and made thee resolve on His strength to wage war with every known Transgression, and thou art, in some measure, as a weaned Child, acquiesing in what He doth unto thee, desiring to lay thy hand on thy mouth thankfully: Then thy Convictions of sin and misery, and whatsoever thou dost plead as a pre­paratory work, is sufficient, and thou art to debate no more about it; only be advised to study new discoveries of the sense of thy lost condition every day, because of thy old and new Sins, and also to see fresh help in Christ, who is a Prie [...] [Page 60] forever to make intercession, and to have the work of Sanctification and Patience with Thankfulness renewed & quickened often, for somewhat of that work, which abaseth thee, exalteth Christ, and con­formeth to His Will, must convey thee throughout all thy Life Time in this world.

We come now to speak of some more [...] and sure marks, by which men may take up their Gracious state and Interest in Christ.

The First thing whereby men may know it, is, Their cl [...]s [...]ng with Christ in the Gospel, wherein He is held forth. This is Believing, or Faith, which is the condition of the Covenant, Rom. 4.16. It is of Faith, &c. Act. 16.31. Believe — and thou shalt be Saved. Now, although in propriety of Speech, it is hard to prove an Interest by Faith, it being our very Interest in Him; yet the hearts closing with Christ Jesus, is so discernable in it self, that it may well place it amongst the marks of a Gra­cious state: And if a man can make out this, that he believeth on, & in Christ Je­sus, he thereby doth prove a very true interest in Him. Many do scare at this, [Page 61] is a mark upon one of these three grounds ordinarily.

1 Some conceive Faith to be a diffi [...]u [...] mysterious thing, hardly attainable. To these I say, Do not mistake: Faith is not so difficult as many do apprehend it to be. I grant, True Faith in the meanest degree, is the gift of God, and above the power of Flesh and Blood: For, God must draw men to Christ, Phil. 1.29. Job. 6.44. Yet it were a reflection upon Christ, & all He hath done, to say, It were a matter of insuperable difficulty, as is clear, Rom. 10.6, — 11. It were according to that Scripture, as much upon the matter, as to say, Christ came not from Heaven, [...] not Risen from the Dead, or Ascended victorious to Heaven. I say, He hath made the way to Heaven most easie; and Faith, which is the condition requi­red on our part, more easie then men do imagine.

For the better understanding of this, Consider, That justifying Faith, is not to believe that I am Elected, or, to believe that God loveth me, or that Christ dyed for me, or the like. These things are indeed very difficult and almost impos­sible at the first hand to be wo [...] a [...] by [Page 62] those who are Serious; whilest Natural Athiests, and deluded Hypocrites, find no difficulty in asserting all those things. I say, True justifying Faith is not any of the foresaid things; neither is it simply the Believing of any sentence that is written, or that can be thought upon. I grant, he that believeth or Christ Je­sus, believeth what God hath said about mans Sinful Miserable condition by Na­ture, and he believeth that to be true, that there is Life in the Son, who was Slain, and is Risen again from the Dead, &c. But none of these, nor the believing of many such Truths, do speak out justi­fying Faith, or that Believing on the Son of God spoken of in Scripture: for, then it were simply an act of the Understand­ing. But true Justifying Faith, which we now seek after, as a good mark of an Interest in Christ, is chiefly and princi­pally an act or work of the heart and will, having presupposed sundry things about Truth in the understanding, with the Heart it is believed unto Salvation, Rom. 10.10. And although it seem ( ver. 9. of that Chapter) that a man is Saved upon condition that he believe this truth, GOD Raised CHRIST from the Dead; [Page 63] yet we must understand another thing there, (and ver. 10.) than the believing the truth of that Proposition: For, be­sides that, all Devils have that Faith whereby they believe that God Raised Christ from the Dead. So the Scripture hath clearly resolved Justifying Faith [...] a receiving of Christ, Joh. 1.12. The receiving of Christ is there explain­ed to be the believing on his Name. It is still called a staying on the Lord, Isa. 26.3. A trusting in God, often mentioned in the Psalms; and the word is a leaning on him. It is a believing on Christ, Joh 1.12. and often so exprest in the New-Testament. When God maketh men be­lieve Savingly, He is said to draw them unto Christ; and when the Lord inviteth them to believe, He calleth them to come to Him, Joh. 6▪ 37, 44. The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man finding a Jewel, wherewith he falleth in Love, Mat. 13. [...]4, —46. Now, I say, this acting of the Heart on Christ Jesus, is not so difficult a thing, as is conceived. Shall that be judged a mysterious difficult thing, which doth consist much in desire? If men have but an appetite, they have it; for, they are blessed that Hunger after Righteou [...] ­ness, [Page 64] Mat. 5.6. If you will, you are wel­come, Rev. 22.17. It is a matter of such intricacy, and insuperable difficulty, greedily to look to that exalted Saviour. Isa. 45.22. and to receive a thing that is offered, held forth and declared to be mine, if I will but accept and take it, and in a manner open my mouth and give way to it: Such a thing is Faith, Psal. 81 10. if not less. Oh if I could perswade people what is Justifying Faith, which impropriateth Christ to me! We often scare people from their just rest and quiet, by making them apprehend Faith to be some deep mysterious thing, and by moving unnecessary doubts about it, whereby it is needlesly darkned.

3 Some make no use of this mark, as Judging [...] a high presumptuous Crime, to pretend [...] so excellent a thing as is the very condition of the New-Covenant. To these, I say, You need not startle so much at it, as if it were high Pride to pretend unto it: For, whatsoever true Faith be, men must resolve to have it, or nothing at all; all other marks are in vain without it; a thousand things besides, will not [...] the [...]ness: Unless a ma [...] believe, [Page 65] he abideth in the state of Condemnati­on, Joh. 3.18.36.

3. Others do not meddle with this noble mark of Faith, because they judge it a work of greatest difficulty, to find out Faith where it is. To these, I say, It is not so diffi­cult to find it out, since he that believeth, hath the witness in himself, 1. Joh. 5.10 It is a thing which by some serious search may be known. Not only may do much to find it out by the preparatory work going before it in many; as the appre­hending and believing of a mans lost estate, and that he cannot do his own bu­siness, and that there is satisfying fulness in Christ, very desirable, if he could o­vertake it. A serious minding of this, with a Heart laid open for relief: As also, by the ordinary companions and concomitants of it, viz. the liking of Christs Dominion, His Kingly and Pro­phetical Office, a desire to resign my self wholly up to Him, to be at His disposing. As also, by the native Consequences of it, viz. the assoyling of the Word, the assoyling of my own Conscience accord­ing to the Word, a Heart-purifying work, a working by Love, &c. I say, not only may we know Faith by these [Page 66] things, but it is discernable by it self, and of its own Nature; although I deny not, but there must be some help of Gods Spirit, by which we know what is freely given unto us of God, 1 Cor. 2.12. As also, that God hath allowed many evidences and marks, as precious helps whereby men may clear up Faith more ful­ly to themselves, 1 Joh. 5.13. Yet I still say, that Faith, or Believing, which is some acting of the Heart upon Christ in the Gospel, and the transacting with him there, is discernable of it self, and by it self, to a judicious understanding person, with an ordinary influence of the Spirit; unless the Lord, for reasons known to Himself, do overcloud a mans reflex light, by which he should take up and perceive what is in him.

This Justifying Faith which we assert to be so discernable, is, in the Lords deep wis­dom and Gracious condescendency, variously exprest in Scripture, according to the diffe­rent actings of it upon God, and outgoings after Him; so as every one who hath it, may find and take it up in his own mould. It sometimes acteth by a desire of Union with him in Christ. This is that Looking [...]o Him, Isa. 45.22. This seems to be [Page 67] a we [...]ct of Faith, and far below other actings of it at other ti [...]es, perhaps in that same person. Men will look to what they dare not approach (to their appre­hension) which they dare not touch or embrace▪ They may look to one, to whom t [...]y dare not speak. Yet God hath made the Promise to Faith in that acting, as the fore [...]ited Scripture doth shew; and this He hath done mercifully and wisely, for this is the only discern­able way of the acting of Faith of some persons sometimes: Such are the actings or out-goings of Faith exprest in Scrip­ture, by Hungring & Thirsting after Righ­teousness, Mat. 5.6. and that exprest by Willing, Rev. 22.17.

Again, This Faith goeth out sometimes in the act of recumbenc [...] or leaning on the Lord, the Soul taking [...]p Christ then as a resting sto [...]; and God hath so held HIM out, although HE be a stumbling stone to others, Rom. 9. [...]3. This acting of it, is hinted in the expressions of Trusting & Staying on God, so often mentioned in Scripture; and [...]racious Promises are made to this acting [...] Faith: as Isa. 26.3, 4. God will keep [...] imperfect peace whose minds are stayed [Page 68] on Him; because such do trust in Him. Trust in the Lord; for with Him is ever­lasting strength. So, Psal. 125.1. They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zi­on, which abideth forever. I say, the Lord hath made Promises to this way of Faiths acting, as knowing it will often go out after Him in this way with many persons, and this way of its acting will be most discernable to them. It goeth out after God sometimes by an act of waiting when the Soul hath somewhat depending be­fore God, and hath not got out his mind satisfyingly about that thing; then Faith doth wait, and so it hath the Pro­mise, Isa, 49.23. Sometimes it acteth in a wilful way upon the Lord, when the Soul apprehendeth God thrusting it away, and threatning its ruine; So J [...]b 13.15 Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him. The Faith of that poor woman, Mat. 15.22.28. so highly commended by Christ, did go out in this way of wilful acting o­ver difficulties; and the Lord speaketh much good of it, and to it; because some will be put to it, to exercise Faith that way sometimes, and so they have that for their encouragement. It were tedious to instance all the several wayes of the [Page 69] acting of Faith upon, and its exercise a­bout, and outgoings after Christ. I may say, according to the various conditions and pressures of the Soul of man, the Lord hath variously held out Himself, and His Fulness in Christ under divers notions, as might most fitly meet the distress or condition of Man; and accordingly Faith which God hath appointed to traffick and travel between Christ and Man, as the Instrument of conveyance of His ful­ness unto man, and of maintaining Uni­on and Communion, with Him, acteth variously and differently upon God in Christ: For, Faith is the very shaping out of a mans Heart according to Gods device of Salvation by Christ Jesus, in whom it pleased the Father that Fulness should dwell. So that let Christ turn what way He will, Faith airteth and pointeth that way. Now, He turneth all wayes in which He can be useful to poor man, and therefore Faith acteth ac­cordingly on Him for drawing out of that fulness, according to a mans case and condition.

As for Example, The Soul is naked, destitute of a covering to keep it from the storm of Gods Wrath; Christ is fine [Page 70] Raiment, Rev. 3.17, 18. Then accord­ingly, Faith's work here is to put on the Lord Jesus, Gal. 3.27. The Soul is hun­gry and thirsty after somewhat that may Everlastingly satisfie; Christ Jesus is Milk, Wine, Water, the Bread of Life, and the true Manna, Isa. 55.1, 2. Joh. 6 48, 51. He is the Feast of fat things, and of wine refined, Isa. 25.6. Then the work and exercise of Faith, is, to go buy, eat and drink abundantly, Isa. 55.1 Joh. 6.53, 57. The Soul is pursued for Guilt more or less & is not Law-biding: Christ Jesus is the City of Refuge and the High-Priest there, during whose Life-time (that is forever) the poor man, who wins thither, is safe. Then the work and exercise of Faith is, to flee thither for Refuge, to lay hold on the Hope set before us, Heb. 6.18. In a word, what­soever way He may benefit poor man, so He speaketh of Himself; and as He hold­eth out Himself in the Scripture, so Faith doth point towards Him. If He be a Bridegroom, Faith will go out in a Mar­riage Relation▪ If He be a Father, Faith pleadeth the man to be a Child; If He be a Shepherd, Faith pleads the man may be one of His Sheep: If He be a Lord, [Page 71] Faith calleth Him so, which none can do but by the Spirit of Jesus: If He be Dead and Risen again for our Justification, Faith believeth God hath raised Him on that account, Rom. 10.9. Wheresoever He be, there would Faith be; and what­soever He is, Faith would be somewhat proportionally. For, by Faith the heart is shapen out in breadth & length for Him: Yea, when the fame and report of Him goeth abroad in His Truth, although Faith see not much, yet it believeth on His Name, upon the very fame He hath sent abroad of Himself, Joh. 1.12.

But here for avoiding of mistakes, Con­sider,

First; That although Justifying Faith acteth so variously, yet every Reliever, who hath a good Title to Jesus Christ, hath not all these various actings & exercises of Faith; for, his condition craveth them not: and also the Master is pleased not to lead our the Faith of some persons at sometimes in some of these wayes, (for reasons known to Him­self) even when their necessity (to their apprehension) calleth for such acting of Faith. Surely every one dare not say, Though He kill me, yet will I trust in Him [Page 72] Many would not have gone up with that woman I spoke of, Mat. 15. but would have been discouraged and quit the pur­suit. It is on this account that Christ doth highly commend the faith of some be­yond the faith of others, Mat 8.10. Mat 15.28. Many good people are much dis­quieted about their Faith, because it go­eth not out in all those wayes we find recorded in Scripture: But there is hard­ly any man will be found, whose faith acteth all these wayes.

Secondly; Many of these actings of Faith are much intended and remitted. They are sometimes Strong and Vigorous, and discernable, and sometimes they fail, and misbelief doth prevail; so as it were an uncertain thing to judge of a mans state by these. We find the Saints very dif­ferent from themselves in regard of the actings of Faith sometimes, as we shewed before.

Thirdly; Each one of these actings of Faith, s [...]keth good to the person in whom it is and hath Promises annexed unto it, as we have said.

Yet,

Fourthly; Although these actings of Faith [...]ave Promises annexed unto them, they are [Page 73] not for that, the condition of the New-Co­venant: for then every one behoved to have each one of them, which is not true as we said before. A Promise is made to him who overcometh, but perseverence is not the condition of the New-Covenant, but doth suppose it. There are Promises made to the exercise of all Graces in Scripture; but only Faith is the con­dition of the Covenant. I say then, these Promises are made to these actings of Faith, not as such, but as they do suppose Justifying Faith, which is the Covenant. All these are actings of Faith, but not as it is Justifying.

Therefore,

Fifthly; There is somewhat common to all Gracious persons, which may be supposed by all the foresaid actings of Faith, wherein the nature & essense of Justifying Faith stand­eth; and this is the hearts satisfaction about Gods device of Salvation by Christ; when man pleaseth Gods invention of satisfaction to Justice through Jesus Christ, in whom all fulness doth dwell now by the Fathers plea­sure; when the Soul and Heart of man ac­quiese [...] in that, then it Believeth unto Sal­vation. As at first the Lord made man suitable unto the Covenant of Works, [Page 74] by Creating him perfect, and so putting him in a capacity to perform His Will in that Covenant. So under the New-Covenant, when God giveth the New Heart to man, He sets the Idea and Stamp of all His device in the New-Covenant upon the man, so as there is a consonan­cy to Gods will there: Thus he beareth the Image of the Second Adam, CHRIST JESUS on him. This is a great part of the new heart, and is most opposed to works. Since now the man absolutely falleth off works, becoming Dead to the Law (as to the point of Justification) by the Body of Christ, Rom. 7.4. Many perceiving that God hath devised a way of satisfying Divine justice, and recover­ing lost man by the Incarnation of Christ, he thinks this so good and sure a way, that he absolutely giveth up with the Law, as I said before, and closeth with this device: and this is Believing or Faith, very opposite to works and all resting thereupon. This cannot fail to be in all Gracious persons, in whom many of the actings of Faith are not to be found. This doth clearly suppose known distress in a man, without all relief in himself; this supposeth known fulness in Christ, as [Page 75] the alone sufficient relief; this imports a sort of impropriation: for the heart pleasing that device, in so far swayeth towards it. This is a thing clearly sup­posed in all the actings of faith, spoken of before. He that greedily hungereth, hath this; and he that leaneth, hath this, &c. This is to esteem Christ the Wisdom and the Power of God to Salvation; so is He said to be to all that believe, 1 Cor. 1, 24 they esteem that device wise and sure, beseeming God, and that is to believe. On this account, Christ who is the re­jected stone to many, is Precious to them who believe; a fit stone to recover, for­tifie and beautifie the tottering building and fabrick of lost man, 1 Pet. 1. The Kingdom of God is like a man finding a treasure, which with joy he selleth all; Mat. 13.44. These words hold out the very way of believing, viz. Salvation is discovered in the Gospel to be by Christ; the heart valueth that invention as satis­fying. This is to believe on the Son of God lifted up, which is compared with the looking to the Brasen Serpent, Joh. 3.14. It was mans approbation of that device which made it effectual for his healing. So it is here; he that believet [...] [Page 76] setteth to his Seal that God is true. True, wherein? In that record He hath born, that God hath provided Life for men, & placed it all in Christ 1 Joh. 5.10, 11. He that believeth not, maketh God a L [...]ar. Wherein? In His saying that Christ is a safe and sure way to Heaven. This is the pleasing and acquiesing in that device, and it is consonant to all, I know spoken of, [...]ustifying Faith in Scripture. This is the believing on Christ & on His Name, the receiving of Him and resting on him for Salvation, in our Catechism. The be­lieving that Jesus is the CHRIST, that is, the Anointed One, whom the Fa­ther hath Sealed, & set apart, and qualifi­ed for the work of Reconciling Man unto God; and, he that believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God, 1 Joh 5.1. This is to believe with the Heart, that God hath raised Christ from the Dead. The man believeth Christ Died, and is Raised on the account of satisfaction for mans Transgression; Devils may believe that. Nay, but the man I speak of, believeth it with his Heart, (which no Natural man doth, until a new heart be given to him) that is, he cordially pleaseth, is satisfyed [...]ith, and acquieseth in this noble inven­tion. [Page 77] And this Faith laveth out it self now and then in its actings, out-goings and exercises, according to all the Cove­nant relations, under which Christ is held forth in the Scripture.

Now, I say, this Faith is discernable, not only in these actings many times; a man may know if his heart doth hun­ger after Christ, and flee for refuge to him when pursued, and if he doth com­mit himself unto God, &c. But also in its very Nature; as it is justifying it is discernable and may be known. A man may clearly know, if from known distress in himself upon the report and fame of Christs fulness, his heart doth please Gods device in the New-Covenant, if if goeth out after Christ in that invention, and pleaseth Him as Lord of the Life of men, terminating and resting there, and no where else, acquiesing in that contrive­ment with desire and complacency. This is a discernable thing. Therefore I ob­test men impartially to examine them­selves, and if they find that their heart is closed so with that device of Salvation, and is gone out after Him as precious, that thereupon they conclude a sure and true interest in Christ Jesus, and a go [...] [Page 78] claim and title to the Crown, since he that believeth shall never Pe [...]tsh, but have e­verlasting Life, Joh, 3, 16, 36.

Answ.

To say nothing of that thought of your heart, [whereby you wonder that any man should not please the device of Salvation by Christ, & lead out towards him] as a very promising thing, and speaking out justifying Faith to be in your bosome; and to say nothing in contra­diction to that which you think, that a Natural man, whilest such, and before he get a New Heart, can please that device, and believe with his heart, and affecti­onately, that which perfectly overthrow­eth the Covenant of works, and abaseth man in the point of Self-righteousness already attained, or that can be won at [...] him, which is inconsistent with many [Page 79] Scriptural truths. I offer these differen­ces between the Faith of all Hypocrites or Reprobates, and that true saving justi­fying Faith, whereof we have spoken.

1. They never close with Jesus Christ (in that device) and Him alone as a suf­ficient covering of the eyes, as is said of A­braham to Sarah, Gen. 20.16. They still hold fast somewhat of their own, at least to help to procure Gods favour and sal­vation: Their heart doth still speak, as that Young mans speech, Luk. 18.18, 21. doth insinuate, what want I that I may inherit Life? Besies that, they do still retain their former Lovers, and will not break their Covenants with Hell and Death, imagining they may have Christ with these things equally sharing in their heart; contrary to that, A man cannot serve two Masters, Mat. 6.24. Either Christ must be judged absolute Lord, and worthy to be so, or nothing at all. And so it is clear, their heart is not shapen out for that device of Salvati­on by Christ, whom God hath alone made Lord here, in whom all fulness shall dwell. But where justifying Faith is, the Soul of a man and his Heart doth close with Christ, and him alone, having [...] [Page 80] confidence in the flesh, Ph [...]l. 3.3 Psal. 62.5. he trusteth only in God. As also the man here giveth up with other Lovers, as they compete with Christ, they resolve not to be for another, Hos. 3.3. They call him Lord, which a man can only do by the Spirit of Christ, 1 Cor. 12.3.

2. As Hypocrites and Reprobates do never close with Christ Alone; so they do never close with Full Christ, as He is anointed to be a King to rule over man in all things; a Priest, to procure Pardon and to make peace for man upon all occasions; a Prophet to be Wisdom, and a Teacher and Counsellor in all cases to man. So they do not receive Christ, especially in the first and third Office. But where true justifying faith is, a man closeth with whole Christ in all his Offices, judging all his will, Good, Ho­ly, Just and Spiritual, Rom. 7.12 & right concerning all things, Psal, 119.128. making mention of His Righteousness only, Psal. 71.16. The man also giveth up himself to be taught of him, Mat. 11.29. So that Christ is made to the true Believer with his own consent, Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification and compleat [...]demption, 1 Cor. 1.30 And although [Page 81] he hath not all these things formally in exercise when his heart goeth out after Christ, yet, upon search and tryal, it will be found with him, as I have said.

3, Hypocrites and Reprobates do never close with Christ, and all the inconvenience; may follow him. They stick at that with that man, Mat. 8.19, 20. But where true justifying Faith is, a man doth close with him on all hazards; he resolveth to forego all rather then to forego Christ, Mark 10.28. he reckoneth all to be loss and dung for the excellency of Christ Je­sus, as his Lord, and to be found in him, Phil. 3.8. We might give other differ­rences also, As that true faith is opera­tive, purifying the heart, Act. 15.9. working by love, Gal. 5.9· whilest hy­pocrites do only cleanse the outside of the platter, Mat. 23.25. and do all to be seen of men, Mat. 6.5. not seeking the honour of God only, and so cannot believe, Joh, 5.44. We might also shew that true Faith is never alone in a man, but attended with other saving Graces: But because these things will co-incide with what followeth, and here we are shewing that a man may take up his gra­cious State by his Faith, and the actin [...] [Page 82] thereof on Christ. We pass these things.

The Second great mark of a Gracious state and true Saving interest in Jesus Christ is, The New Creature, 2 Cor. 5.17. If any man be in Christ, he is a New Creature. This New Creation or Renovation of that man, is a very sensible change, al­though not in those who are effectually called from the womb or in their Young­er years, because those have had this New Creature from that time in them, so as this change in after period of time is not discernable; yet in those who have regenerated and brought into Christ af­ter they were come to greater age, and so have been more palbably under the power of Darkness before they were translated into the Kingdom of Christ: Col. 1.13. But in all who do warrantably pretend to Christ, this New Creature must be, although some do not know ex­perimentally the contraries of every part of it, so as others do because they have not been equally in regard of practice, under the power of Darkness. This New Creature is called the New Man, Gal. 3.10. which doth hold out the ex­ [...]nt of it. It is not simply a new Tongue [Page 83] or new Hand, but a New Man. There is a principle of new life and motion put in the man, which is the New Heart: which new principle of Life sendeth for acts of Life, or of conformity to the I­mage of Him who Created it, Col. 3.10 So as the party is renewed in some mea­sure every way. This renovation of the man who is in Christ, may be reduced in these two great heads.

First; There is a renovation of the mans person, Soul and Body, in some measure.

1. His Ʋnderstanding is renewed, so as he judgeth Christ Preached in the Gospel to be the Wisdom and Power of God, a wise strong device beseeming God. 1 Cor. 1.23, 24. He knoweth the things of God real­ly and solidly, not to be Yea and Nay, and uncertain fancies, but also to be Yea & Amen solid, certain substantial things, having a desirable accomplishment in Christ, and resolving much in Him, 1 Cor. 2.15.2 Cor. [...] 18. Natural men cou­ [...] under Gospel-Ordinances, although they have some national knowledge of God, Christ, Promises, the motions of the Holy Spirit, &c. so a [...] they may Con­fer, Preach and Dispute of these things; [Page 84] yet they look on them as common received maxims of Christianity, from which to re­cede were a singularity & disgrace; but not as real, solid, substantial truths, so as to adventure their Souls and everlasting be­ing on them. The Understanding is re­newed also to take up somewhat of God in the Creatures, as be aring sparks of His Glorious Attributes, Psal. 19.1. They see the Heavens declaring His glory and Power, and somewhat of God in Provi­dence and Dispensations that fall out▪ H [...] wondrous works declare that His Name is near. Psal. 75.1. The Understanding also taketh up the conditions and cases of the Soul other wayes than it was wont to do; as we find the Saints usually speak­ing in Scripture, O my Soul, thou hast said unto the Lord, &c. Psal. 16.2. My Soul said, thy face will I seek, Psal. 27.8. Why art thou cast down O my Soul? Psal. 42.5 Psal. 43.5. Return unto thy rest, O my Soul, Psal. 167.

2 The Heart and Affections are renewed. The heart is made a new heart, [...] heart of flesh, capable of impressions, having a copie of His Law stamped on it, and fear of God put into it, whereby the [...]ans Duty becometh in a manner native & [Page] kindly to the man, Jer. 32.39, 40. E [...] 36.26. It was before a heart of stone, void of the fear of God. The Affecti­ons are renewed now. The Love is re­newed in some good measure. It goeth out after God, I will love the Lord, Psal. 18.1. After his Law, O how I love the Law, Psal. 119.97. after those who have Gods image in them, Joh. 13.35.1 Joh. 3.14. This love to Gods People is upon a pure account, as they are the Children of God and do keep His Statutes, 1 Pet. 1.22. It is with a pure heart, Psal. 119.83. and therefore it goeth towards a [...] such, whom the man knoweth or appre­hendeth to be such, Psal. 119.63. I am [...] Companion to all them, &c. In all cases and conditions, even where there is no­thing to beautifie or comm [...]nd, but the Image of God. And this love is so fer­vent many times, 1 Pet. 1.22. that it [...]tteth i [...] self out in all relations, so as a man seeketh a Godly Wife, a Godly Master, a Godly Servant, a Godly Coun­ [...], if he have to choose upon, Psal. [...]1.6. and it is not quenched by many [...]ers, Cant. 8.7. Many imperfections and infirmities, difference in opinion▪ [...] received, will not altogeth [...] [Page 86] quench Love. Also it is communicative of good according to its measure, and as the case of the poor Godly requireth, Psal. 16.2.1 Joh. 3.17.18, 19. The mans Hatred is also renewed, and is now bend­ed against sin, Psal. 119.113. I hate van thoughts: against Gods Enemies, as such, Psal. 139.21. Do not I hate them that hate thee? &c. The joy or delight is renewed, for it runneth towards God, Psal. 73.25. Whom have I in Heaven but thee? &c. Towards his Law and Will, Psal. 1.2. His delight is in the Law of the Lord. And towards the Godly and their Fellowship, Psal. 16.3 — In whom is all my delight. The sorrow is turned against sin which hath wronged Christ, Zec. 12.10. Look­ing to Him whom they have Pierced, they Mourn. 2 Cor. 7.11 The sorrow is God­ly there, and against what encroacheth upon Gods honour; they are sorrowful for the — Assemblies, and the reproach of that is their burden, Zeph. 3.18. There is some renovation in all the affections, as in every other part of the Soul, point­ing now towards God.

3. The very outward members of the man are renewed. As the Scripture speaks, The Tongue, the Eye, the Ear, the Hand, the [Page 87] Foot, &c. So that those members which on [...] were improved as weapons of Un­righteousness unto sin, are now improved as weapons of Righteousness unto Holi­ness, Rom. 6.19.

Secondly; A man who is in Christ, is renewed in some measure in all his wayes. Behold all things are new, 2 Cor. 5.17. The man becometh new;

1. In the way of his Interest. He was upon any good before, though but ap­parent and at best but External. Psal. 4.6. But now his interest and business is, How to be found in Christ in that day? Phil. 3.9 or, How to be forth coming to Him, and walk before Him in the land of the Living? Psal. 56.31. which he would choose among all the mercies that fill this Earth, Psal 119.64. The interest of Christ also becometh the Mans interest, as ap­peareth in the Song of Hannah, 1 Sam. 2 and in the Song of Mary, Luk. 1. It is strange to see people newly Converted, and having teached but the beginnings of knowledge, concern and interest them­selves in the Publick matters of Christs Kingdom, so desirous to have Him riding prosperously & subduing the people un­der Him.

[Page 88]2. The man that is in Christ, is renewed in the way of his Worship. He was wont to serve God in the Oldness of the Letter, for the fashion, answering the Letter of the command in the outside of Duty, which one in whom the Old man hath ab­solute dominion can do: But now he worshippeth God in the newness of the Spirit, Rom. 7.6. in a new way, where­in he is helped by the Spirit of God, Rom. 8. beyond the reach of flesh and blood. He serveth now the true and living God, 1 Thes. 1 in Spirit and in Truth, Joh. 4.24. having spiritual appre­hensions of God, and engaged in his very Soul in that work, doing and saying true­ly and not feignedly when he worship­peth, still desiring to approach unto Him as a living God, who heareth and seeth him and can accept his service, Psal. 42. I grant, he fails of this many times; yet I may say, such worship he intend­eth, & sometimes overtaketh, & doth not much reckon worship, which is not so per­formed unto God; And the iniquity of his holy things is not the least part of his burden and exercise: Such a worship Na­tural men are strangers unto, whilest the babble out their Vain-glorious boast­ings, [Page 89] Luk. 18.11. to an unknown God, Act. 17.23

3. The man that is in Christ, is renewed in the way of his outward calling and employ­ment in the world, he now resolveth to be a­bout it, because God hath commanded so: Rom. 12.11. And to eye God in it as the last end, doing it to His Glory, 1 Cor. 10.31. and studieth to keep some enter­course with God in the exercise of his out­ward employments, as Jacob doth in his latter Will, Gen. 49.18. and Nehemiah did, Neb. 2.4. So as the man resolveth to walk with God, and set Him alwayes before him, Psal. 16.8. wherein I deny not he falleth often.

4. He becometh new in the way of his Re­lations: He becometh a more Dutiful Husband, Father, Brother, Master, Ser­vant, Neighbour, &c. herein doth he exercise himself to keep a Conscience void of offence towards Men as well as towards God, Act. 24.16.1 Cor. 9.22. becoming all things to all men.

5. He becometh new in the way of his lawful Liberties. He studieth to make use of Meat, Drink, Sleep, Recreations, Apparrel with an eye to God, labour­ing not to come under the power of [Page 90] any lawful thing, 1 Cor. 6.13. nor to give offence to others in the use of these things, Rom. 14.21. Rom. 15 2. nor using liberty as an occasion to the flesh, Gal. 5. Yea, he laboureth to use all these things as a stranger on earth, so as his mode­ration may appear, Phil. 4, 5. and some way he doth eye God as the last end in these thing, 1 Cor. 10, 31. doing all to the glory of God: So as we may say of that man, Old things are much passed away, All things are in some measure be­come New, 2 Cor. 5.15. He that is so a New Creature, is undoubtedly in Christ.

This Renovation of a man in all manner of Conversation, and this being under Law to God in all things, is that Holiness, without which no man shall see God, Heb. 12.14. Men may fancy things to themselves, but unless they study to approve them­selves unto God in all well-pleasing, and reach some inward testimony of sincerity that way, they shall not assure their hearts before him. The testimony of mens Con­science is their rejoycing, 2 Cor. 1.12 By this we know that we know Him, if we keep his Commandments, 1 Joh. 2.1 Joh. 3. No confidence if the heart condemn. [Page 91] This is the New Creature, having a prin­ciple of new spiritual Life infused by God into the heart, whereby it becometh new, and putteth forth acts of new Life throughout the whole man, as we have said, so as he is poluted towards the whole Law, both these Commands which forbid Sin; so he resolveth to set against secret Sins, not to lay a stumbling-block before the blind, Lev. 19.14, Little sins, which are judged so by many, the least things of the Law, Mat. 5.19. Spiritual sins, filthiness of the spirit, 2 Cor. 7, sins of Omission as well as of Commission, since men are to be judged by these, Mat 25. — yea, sins that are winded in into his Natural humour and constitution, and so as are a right eye or hand to him, Mat 5.29. This new principle of Life, by the good hand of God, maketh the man set against every known sin, so far as not to allow peaceable abode to any known darkness, 2 Cor. 6.14 As also he is point­ed towards those Commands which relate to Duty, and the quickning of Grace in man. It maketh a man respect all known Commands, Psal. 110.6▪ to live Godly, Righteously and Soberly, Tit. 2.12 yea, and to study a right and sincere way and [Page 92] manner of doing things, resolving not to give over this study of conformity to Gods Will whilest he liveth on earth, but still to bend forward towards the prize of the high calling of God, Phil. 3.14. This is true Holiness, very becoming all those who pretend to be heirs of that holy ha­bitation in the immediate company and fellowship of a holy God, 1 Joh. 3.

Some may think these things high at­tainments and very hard to be won at: I grant it is true.

But;

First; Remember, that there is a very large allowance in the Covenant promised to His people, which maketh things more easie. The Lord hath engaged to take away the stony heart, to give a heart of flesh, a new heart, an heart to fear him for ever; He hath engaged to put his Law in mens heart, to put his Fear in their heart, to make them keep that Law; to put his Spirit in them to cause them to keep it. He hath promised to satisfie the Priests with satness, that the Souls of the people may be satiated with goodness, and to keep and water them continually eve­ry moment. Ezekiel, 36.26. Jer. 32.40. Jer. 31. Ezek. 36.27. Jer 34 [Page 93] 14 Jer. 31.12 Isa. 27.3 and if he must be enquired to do all these things unto men, he engageth to pour out the Spirit of grace and supplication on them, and so to learn them how to seek these things, and how to put him to it, to do all for them, Zech. 12.

Secondly, For the satisfaction of the weak­er, I grant this new Creature, as we have circumscribed and enlarged, it will not be found in all the degrees of it, in every Gracious per­son. But it is well; if

1. There be a New Man, we cannot grant less: If any man be in Christ, there must be a New Creature, and that is the New Man, Eph. 4.21, — which all must put on who we savingly taught of Christ. There must be some renewing after the Image of God in a mans Soul and Body; there must be somewhat of every part of the man point­ing towards God: although I grant, e­very one cannot instruct this to others, neither discern it in himself, because many know not the distinct parts of the soul, nor pieces of reformation competent to every part of soul and body. Yet it will be found there is some such thing in them, yea, they have a witness of it with­in [Page 94] in them, if you make the thing plain, and clear to them what it is.

2. There must be s [...]ch a respect unto Gods known Commands, that a man doth not al­low peaceably any known iniquity to dwell in him: For, what concord is between light and darkness? 2 Cor 6, — Psal. 119.6. Psal. 66.18 he must not regard iniquity. I grant men may be ignorant of many Commands, and many Sins, and may imagine in some cases, that some sins are not hateful unto God. But supponing that they are instructed in these things, there can be no agreement between Righ­teousness and Unrighteousness.

3. Men must point towards all the Law of God, in their honest resolutions: For, this is nothing else, then to give up the heart unto God, to put his Law in it without exception, which is a part of the Cove­nant we are to make with God, Heb 8.10 I grant many know not how to point towards Gods Law in all their wayes, but if it be made manifest unto them how that should be done, they will point at it. And it is true, they will many times fail of their resolution in their practice; yet whe [...] they have failed, they can say, they did resolve otherwayes, and will yet [Page 95] honestly and without guile resolve to do otherwayes, and it will prove their af­fliction to have failed of their resolution, when the Lord discovereth it to them, which He will do in due time.

4 When we are to judge of our state by the New Creature, we must do it at a new convenient time, when we are in good case, at least, not when we are in worst case: for the flesh and spirit do lust and fight against other, Gal. 5 17 and sometimes the one, and some­times the other doth prevail. Now I say, we must choose a convenient time, when the Spiritual part is not by some temp [...]a­tion worsted & overpowred by the flesh: for in that case the new creature is re­coyled back in its streams, and much re­turned to the fountain and the habits, except in some small things not easily discernable, whereby it maketh opposi­tion to the flesh, according to the foresaid Scripture: for now it is the time of win­ter in the soul, and we may not expect Fruit, yea, nor Leaves, as in some other season; only here, lest prophane Athiests should make advantage of this, we will say, That the spirit doth often prevail over the flesh in a Godly man, and the scope, aim, tenour and main dr [...] of his [Page 96] way is in the Law of the Lord, that is his walk, Psal. 119. whereas the path­way and ordinary course of the Wicked is sin, as is often hinted in the Book of the Proverbs of Solomon. And if it hap­pen that a Godly man be over-mastered by any transgression, ordinarily it his sad exercise; and we suppose he keeps it still in dependency before God, to have it rectified, as David speaketh, Psal. 56.13 Wilt thou not deliver my feet from falling?

Answ.

I grant that Athiests and Hypocrites have many things in them, which do look like the New Creature;

First, In regard of the parts of the man.

1 They may come to much knowledge; as Heb. 6.4 they are enlightned.

2 There may be a real amongst their af­fections; as they receive the Word with joy, Matth 13 20.

3 They may reach a great deal of outward reformation in the outward man; both a­bout [Page 97] freedom from sin, and engagement to positive duty, as that Pharisee did, Luk 18. — 12 Yea,

4. In regard of their practical understand­ing, they may judge some things of God to be excellent. The people said, that never man spake as Christ. Joh. 7.46

Secondly; Hypocrites may have a great deal of profession:

1 They may talk of the Law and Gospel, and of the Covenant, as the Wicked do, Psal 50.16

2 They may confess sin openly to their own shame, as King Saul did, 1 Sam. 26 21.

3 They humble themselves in Sackcloth as Ahab, 1 King 21.17

4 They may enquire busily after Duty, and come chearfully to receive it, Isa. 58 [...]

5 They may joyn with Gods interest in a hard and difficult time; as Demas and o­ther Hypocrites, in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles, who afterwards fell off.

6 They may give much of their Goods to God and the Saints, as Acts 5. if not all their Goods, 1 Cor. &c. Yea,

7. It is not impossible for some such being stra [...]tly engaged in their Credit, to give their Bodies to be Burnt; as in the forecited place.

[Page 98]Thirdly, Hypocrites may advance far in the common and ordinary steps of a Christian work; such as the Elect have when God leads them Captive.

As;

1 They may be under great conviction of Sin; As Judas was, Mat. 27.4, — so was King Saul often.

2. They may tremble at the Word of God, and be under much terror as Felix was, Acts 24.25.

3 They may rejoyce in receiving of the truth, as Mat. 13 &c.

4 They may be in some peace, and quiet in expectation of Salvation by Christ, as the Foolish Virgins were, Mat. 24

5 All this may be backed and followed with some good measure of Reformation. The Unclean Spirit may go out of them, Mat 12 43

6 This Work may seem to be confirmed by some special experiences and tastings of the good Word of God, Heb 6.4

Fourthly, Hypocrites may have some things very like the saving Graces of the Spirit;

As:

1 They may have a sort of Faith, as Simon Magus, Act. 8 13.

[Page 99]2. A sort of Repentance, and walk Mourn­ [...] ▪ Mal. 3.14

3 A great fear of God; such as Balaam had, who for a house full of Gold would not go with the messengers of Bala [...], with­out leave asked of God, and given, Num. 22.18

4 They have a sort of Hope, Job 1.3.13

5 They have some Love: So had Herod to John, Mark 6.26. I need not to in­sist it; it is out of all question they have Counterfeits of all saving Graces.

6 They have somewhat like the special communications of God and the witnessing of His Spirit; as somewhat like the powers of the World to come, powerfully on them, with some flashes of joy arising thence, as Heb. 6.4 Notwithstanding of all which they are but almost perswaded with Agrippa, to be Christians, Act. 26.28. It were tedi­ous to speak particularly to each of these things, and to clear it up, that they are all but rotten ware: I shall condescend upon some few things, wherein a truely [...]newed man, who is in Christ, doth dif­fer from Hypocrites and Reprobates.

1. Whatsoever change be in Hypocr [...]tes [...] the [...] H [...]arts is not changed and made [...]w. [...] heart is only given to the [Page 100] Elect when they are Converted & brought under the bond of the Covenant, Jer. 31 39 Ezek· 36.26. Hypocrites did never apprehend Christ as the only satisfying Good in all the world, for which with joy they would quit all, for then the Kingdom of God were entred in them, Mat, 13.44. The truly [...]newed man dare and can upon good ground say, and hath a testimony of it from an high, that his heart hath been changed in taking up of Christ, and hath been led out after Him, as the only enriching treasure, in whom to be found, he counteth all else loss and dung, Phil. 3 8, 9

2, Whatsoever Reformation or Profession Hypocrites do attain unto, as it cometh not from a new heart, and pure Principle of zeal for God, so it is alwayes for some wicked and by-end; as to be seen of men, Mat. 6.5. or to evite and shun some outward strait to be free of Gods wrath and the trouble of their own Conscience, Isa. 59.3. Ma [...]. 3.14. In testimony of this, they never have respect to all known Com­mands, else they should never be ashamed, Psal. 119.6. nor do they without ap­proven Guile in their own heart, resolve against every known iniquity, else they [Page 101] were freed of Heart-condemnings, and so might justly have confidence before God, 1 Joh. 3, 20. If in never so mean a case, they did from a principle of love unto, and of zeal for Christ, and for a right end, confess and profess Him, Christ were obliged by His own word to con­fess them before His Father, Mat. 10.30

3. Whatsoever length Hypocrites advance in that work, by which people are led in unto Christ, yet they never seek first the Kingdom of God and the Righteousness thereof, Mat. 6.33 the One thing that is necessary, viz. Christs Fri [...]d-ship and Fellow-ship, is never their One Thing and Heart-satis­fying Choice, else that better part would never be taken from them, Luk. 10.42.

4. Whatsoever counterfeits of Grace are in Hypocrites, yet they are all bred there, with­out any saving work of the Spirit of Christ: and it is enough to exclude them from the benefit of this mark, that they are never denied to these things, nor empti­ed of them, but still do rest on them as their Saviour, so that they submit not unto the Righteousness of God, Rom. 10 3. and that is enough to keep them at a distance from Christ, who will never clout that old garment of Hypocrites, with His [Page 102] fine new linnen, nor put His new Wine in these old bottles, Mat. 9.16, 17.

5. We may say, Let Hypocrites, Re­probates, or Athiests have what they can, they want the three great Essentials of Religion and true Christianity: First, They are not broken in themselves, and emptied even of their righteousness, the length of self-loathing, ye [...] lying open for relief. Such lost ones Christ came to seek and save, Luk. 19.10 Secondly, They never took up Christ Jesus as the only treasure and jewel that can only enrich, & should satisfie, and therefore have never cor­dially agreed unto Gods device in the Covenant, and so are not worthy of Him; neither hath the Kingdom of God sa­vingly entered into their heart, Mat. 13 [...] Thirdly, They never in earnest do close with Christs whole yoke without exception, judging all his Will just and good, holy and spiritual, as Rom. 7 12. And therefore no rest allowed on th [...] by Christ, Mat. 11 2 [...] Therefore whoso­ever thou art who can lay clear and just claim to these three foresaid things thou art beyond the reach of all Athei [...]s, Hy­pocrites and Reprobates in the world, as [Page 103] having answered the great ends and intents of Law and Gospel.

Answ.

It is much te be lamented, that peo­ple professing His Name, should be so slaited and enslaved by transgression as many are. Yet in answer to the Object­ion, if it be seriously proposed, we say, the Saints are found in Scripture justly laying claim unto God and His Covenant, when iniquity did prevail over them, as we find, Psal. 65.3. Iniquities prevail a­gainst me; as for our transgressions, thou wilt do them away. Rom. 7.25 Paul thanks God through Christ, when a law in his members leads him Captive unto sin: But for the better understanding and safe application of such Truths, we must difference between gross out-breakings and ordinary infirmities or heart ills, or sins that come unawares upon a man, without forethought or deliberation. As [Page 104] for the former fort, it is hard for a man whilest he is under the power of them, to see his gracious change, although it be in him, and very hard to draw any com­fort from it, until the man be in some measure recovered, and begin seriously to resent such sins, and to resolve against them. We find David calling himself Gods servant, quickly after his numbering of Gods People, but he was then under the serious resentment of his sin, 2 Sam. 24.10, Jonab layeth claim to God as his Master under his rebellion, but he is then [...]ueing it, and in a spirit of revenge a­gainst himself for his sin, Jonah 1.9, — 12 M [...], As for these sins of infirmity, and dayly incursion and heart ills, such a [...] those whereof Paul doth complain (it is [...]) were. We shall draw out some things from that seventh Chapter to the Romans, whereupon Paul maintains his interest in Christ, and if you can ap­ply them, it is well. (1) When Paul findeth that he doth much fail, and can­not reach conformity to Gods Law, he doth not blame the Law as being too strict so as men can't keep it, as hypocrites use to speak; but he doth blame himself as be­ing cannot & he faith of the Law, that it is good, holy and spiritual, Rom. 7.12, 14

[Page 105]2. He can say, he failed of a good which he intended, and did out-shoot himself, and he had often honestly resolved a­gainst the evil which he fell into, Rom. 7.15, 18, 19. (3) He saith that the prevailing of sin over him is his exer­cise, so as he judgeth himself wretched because of such a body of Death, from which he longeth to be delivered, Rom. 7.24. (4) He saith, that whilest he is under the power and law of Sin, there is somewhat in the bottom of his heart opposing it, although overmastered by it, which would be another way, and when that gets the upper hand, it is a delight­some thing, Rom. 7.22, 25. Upon these things he thanks God in Christ that there is no Condemnation, Rom. 7.25. Now, then look if ye can lay claim to these things.

First, If you do blame your self, and approve the Law, whilest you fail.

Secondly, If you can say that you do often resolve against sin honestly, and without known guile, and do so resolve the contrary good before the evil break in upon you.

Thirdly, If you can say, that you are so far exercised with your failings, as to [...] your self wretched because of such [Page 106] things, and a body of death, which is the root and fountain of such things?

Fourthly. If you can say, that there is a party within you opposing these evils, which would be at the right way, and, as it were, is in its element, when it is in Gods way, it is well; only be advised not to take rest until in some measure, you be rid of the ground of this objection, or at least, until you can very clearly say, you are waging War with these things: Now a good help against the prevailing power of Sin, is to cleave close to Christ Jesus by Faith, which as it is a desirable part of Sanctification, and a notable piece of Conformity to Gods will, and most subservient unto His design in the Gospel, Gal. 2.20, 21. and so should be much endeavoured by People, as a work pleasing unto God, Joh. 6.29. So it is the ready way to draw life and sap from Christ, the blessed root for fruit­fulness in all cases, as Joh. 15.4, 5

[...]sw.

I shall shortly hint some of these excel­lent Communications, and I hope upon a right discovery of them there will be but small ground found for the jealous com­plaints of many Gracious people.

First, (Beside these Convictions of the Spirit of God, which use to usher Christs way unto the Souls of men, and these also which afterwards do ordinarily at­tend them) There is a Seal of the Spirit of God spoken of in Scripture; the principal thing whereof is the Sanctifying work of the holy Ghost, imprinting the draughts and lineaments of Gods Image and Re­vealed will upon a man, as a seal or sig­net doth leave an impression and stamp of its likeness upon the thing Sealed, so it is, 2 Tim. 2.19. The foundation of God — having this Seal; the Lord knoweth them who are His. And let every one that nameth the Name of Christ, depart from iniquity. And thus I conceive the seal to be called a witness, 1 Joh. 5 10. He that believeth hath the witness in himself; that is, the [Page 108] grounds upon which an interest in Christ is to be made out, and proved, are in every Believer; for he hath somewhat of the sanctifying work of Gods Spirit in him, which is a sure (although not al­wayes a clear and manifest) witness.

Secondly, There is Communion with God much talked of among Christians, where­by they understand the sensible presense of God refreshing the Soul exceedingly. But if we speak properly, Communion with God is a mutual interest between God and a man, who hath closed with him in Christ. It is a common-ness or a common interest between God and a Man; not only is a man interested in God Himself, but in all that is the Lords: so the Lord hath a special interest in the man, and also all that belongs to him. There is a Commu­nion between Husband and Wife, where­by they have a special interest in others, persons, goods, gear and concernments, so it is here; there is such a Communi­on with God. He is our God, and all things are ours, because He is ours: this Communion with God all true Believers have at all times, as we shall shew after­wards: I grant there is an actual im­provement [Page 109] of that Communion, whereby men do boldly meddle with any thing that belongs unto God, and do meddle with Himself as their own, with much homeliness and familiarity, especially in Worship, when the Soul doth converse with a living God, partaking of the Divine Nature, growing like unto Him, and sweetly travelling through his At­tributes, and with some confidence of interest, viewing these things as the mans own goods and gear: this we call Com­munion with God in Ordinances: This indeed is not so ordinarily nor frequent­ly made out to men, and all Gods Peo­ple do not equally partake of it; and it is true, that what is in God, goeth not out for the behove of the man, to his ap­prehension equally at all times, yet cer­tainly Communion with God, properly so called, viz. that common-ness of Interest between God and a Man who is savingly in Covenant with Him, doth alwayes stand firm and sure; and so much of Com­munion with God in Ordinances have all Believers, as that their heart converseth with a living God there now and then, and is in some measure changed into that same image, and there needs be no doubt about any further in it.

[Page 110]Thirdly, There is a thing which is called Fell [...]wship with God, often mistaken also amongst Believers. If by fellowship be meant the walking in our duty as in the sight of a living God, who seeth and heareth us, and is witness to all our carriage. It is a thing common unto all gracious men, they all have it habitually, and in de­sign, Psal. 16.8. I have set the Lord al­wayes before me; yea, and often they have it actually in exercise, when their spirit is in any good frame; they walk as if they saw God standing by them, and have some thoughts of His favour through Christ; Truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, 1 Joh. 1.3. If we by Fellowship, do mean a sweet, refreshing, familiar, sensible conversing with God, which doth delight and refresh the Soul, (beside what the Conscience of Duty doth) it is then a walking in the light of His Countenance, and a good part of sen­sible presence; and although it seemeth Enoch had much of it, whilest it is said, He walked with God, Gen. 5.24. yet it is not so ordinary as the former, nor so common to all Christians, for here the Soul is filled as with marrow and fatness, [Page 111] following hard after its guide, and s [...]gu­larly upheld by his right hand, Psal. 63.5, 8.

Fourthly, There is a thing which is cal­led Access unto God: and this I take to be the removing of obstructions out of the way between a man and God, so as the man is admitted to come near. We are said to have access to a great person, when doors are cast open, guards re­moved from about him, and we admit­ted to close at him; so it is here. Now this Access in Scripture, is sometimes taken for Christs preparing of the way, the re­moving of enmity between God and sin­ners; so as men now have a patent way to come unto God through Christ, Eph, 2.18. Sometimes it is taken for the actual improvement of that Ac [...]ess pur­chased by Christ, when a man finds all obstructions and differences, which do or­dinarily fall in between him and God, re­moved; God is not uncouth to him, nor as a stranger, keeping up himself from him, or frowning on him, but the man is admitted to come even to his seat, as Job 23.3. Of the want of this doth Job complain, Job 23.8, 9 whilst he saith, I go forward, backward, to the right and [Page 112] left hand, & I find him not. The first sort of Access is common to all Believers, they are brought near by the Blood of the Covenant, and are no more far off, as the deadly enmity between God and them is removed. But Access, in the other sense, is dispensed more, according to the Lords absolute soveraignty and plea­sure, and it is left in the power of Be­lievers to obstruct it unto themselves, until it please the Lord mercifully and freely to grant unto them again, so it is up and down, and there needs be no question, as to a mans state) about it.

Fifthly, There is a thing called Liberty before God, and this properly is freedom, or free speaking unto God. Many do much question their state, because of the want of this now and then, since the Scripture hath said, Where the Spirit is, there is Li­berty, 2 Cor. 3.17. but they do justly con­fine that liberty spoken of there, unto this free speaking before God. I grant where the spirit of the Lord doth sa­vingly discover Gods will in the Scrip­tures to a man, there is liberty from a­ny obligation to the Ceremonial-Law, and from the Condemning power of the [Page 113] Moral-Law, and from much of that gross Darkness and Ignorance, which is on Na­tural hearts as a vail hiding Christ in the Gospel from them. I grant also, that sometimes, even this liberty which is a free communing with God, and ordering of our cause before him, and filling of our mouths with arguments, Job 23.4. is granted to the Godly, but not as liber­ty taken in the former senses. Although the Lord hath obliged Himself to pour out the Spirit of Prayer upon all the house of David in some measure, Zech. 12.10. yet this Communication of the Spirit, which we call liberty or free speak­ing unto God, dependeth much on the Lords absolute pleasure, when, and in what measure to allow it. This liberty which we call freedom, or free speaking with God in Prayer, is sometimes much abstracted from any great confidence in the time of Prayer, ( at least until it draw toward the close of it) it standeth much in a vivacity of the understanding to take up the case which a man is to speak be­fore God, so as he can order his cause; and next, there be words, or verbal ex­pressions, elegant, suitable, and very emphatical or powerful, or pithy; there [Page 114] is also joyned a fervency of Spirit in Prayer whereof the Scripture speaketh; The Soul is hot and bended and very intent: there is also ordinarily in this liberty a spec [...]al melting of the heart ( often joined with a great measure of the Spirit of Grace & Supplication, Zech. 11.10) so the Soul is poured out before God as for a First-born: such is the liberty which many Saints get before God, whilest in much broken­ness of Heart and fervency of spirit they are admitted to speak their mind fully to God, as a living God, noticing ( at least) their Prayer. Sometimes this liberty is joyned with Confidence, and then it is not only a free, but also a bold speak­ing before God: It is that Boldness with Confidence, Eph. 3.12. This is more rarely imparted unto men then the for­mer, yet it is ordinarily. It hath in it, beside what we spake before, some in­fluence of the Spirit upon Faith, making it put out some vigorous acting in Prayer; there is a sweet mournful frame of Spirit, by which a man poureth out his heart in Gods bosome, and with some confidence of His favour and good-will, pleadeth his cause before him, as a Living God; and this is all the sensible presence that [Page 115] many Sains do attain unto: There is no ground of doubt about a mans state in the point of Liberty before God in this last sense, because there is nothing essen­tial to the making up of a Gracious state here: some have it, some want it, some have it at some times and not at other times, so that it is much up and down; yet I may say, Gracious men may do much (by a very ordinary influence) contributing towards the attaining and retaining, or keeping of such a frame of Spirit.

Sixthly, There is a thing called, Influence or Breathing of the Spirit. This gracious influence (for of such only do I now speak) [...] either ordinary, and this is the operation of the Holy Spirit on the Soul and the habits of Grace there, whereby they are still kept alive and in some exercise and acting, although not very discernable. This influence ( I con­ceive) doth alwayes attend Believers, & is that Keeping and Watering night and day, and every moment, promised. Isa. 27.3. Or, this influence is more singu­lar and special, and is that same to a gracious (although a withered) Soul, as the wind and breath to the dry Bones, [Page 116] putting them in good case, Ezek. 37.9, 10. and as the dew or rain to the Grass, or newly mowen field & parched ground, Psal. 72.6 Such influence is meant, Cant. 4.16 By the blowing of the South wind, making the spices to flow out. When the Spirit moveth thus, there is an edge put upon the Graces of God in the Soul, and they are made to act more vi­gorously. This is the enlarging of the heart, by which a man doth run in the wayes of God, Psal. 119.32. This in­fluence is more discernable than the for­mer, and not so ordinarily communicated. Also here, sometimes the wind bloweth more upon one Grace, and sometimes more discernable upon another; and often upon many of the Graces together, and according to the lesser or greater measure of this influence, the Soul acteth more or less vigorously towards God: and since faith is a Created Grace in the Soul this Influence of the Spirit is upon it, some­times less, sometimes more, and accord­ingly is the assurance of Faith small or great.

Seventhly, There is the hearing of Pray­er, often spoken of in Scripture; and many vex themselves about it, alleging that they [Page 117] know nothing of it experimentally. I grant there is a favourable hearing of Prayer: But we must remember it is twofold.

Either;

1. It is such as a man is simply to believe by way of Argument on Scriptural grounds. As if I be fled unto Christ, and do ap­proach unto God in him, pray accord­ing to His Will, not regarding iniquity in my heart, exercising Faith about the thing I pray for, absolutely or conditi­onally, according to the nature of the thing and promises about it. I am ob­liged to believe that God heareth my Prayer and will give what is good, ac­cording to these Scriptures, Joh. 14.13, 14. Whatsoever you ask in my Name, I will do it, 1 Joh. 5.14. This is our confidence that whatsoever we ask according to His Will, He heareth us, Mark, 11.24. Be­lieve that you receive and you shall have what you do desire, Psal. 66.18. If I re­gard Iniquity, He will not hear. Then if I regard not Iniquity, I may believe that He doth hear me. Or;

2. A man doth sensibly perceive that God hea [...]eth his Prayer. It is made out to his heart, without any Sylogistical deduction. Such a hearing got Hannah, 1 Sam. 1.18 [Page 118] Her countenance was no more sad. Sure­ly the Lord did breath upon her Faith, and made her believe that she was heard, and she could not make it out by any ar­gument; for she had not grounds where­upon to build the premises of the argu­ment according to Scripture in that par­ticular. God did stamp in some way up­on her heart sensibly, and so made her believe it. This is but rarely granted, especially in cases clearly deducible in Scripture. And therefore people are much to be satisfied in exer­cising their Faith about the other, and let God give of this latter what He plea­seth. A mans gracious state should not be brought upon debate, upon the ac­count of such hearing of Prayer.

Eighthly, There is Assurance of Gods Favour by the witnessing of our own Spirits: which Assurance, is deduced by way of argument Sylogistically; Thus, whosoever Believeth on Christ shall never Perish; But I do Believe on Christ: Therefore I shall never Perish. Whoso hath respect unto all Gods Commandments shall never be ashamed; But I have respect unto all [...]is Commandments: Therefore I shall never be [Page 119] ashamed. I say, by reasoning thus, and comparing spiritual things with spiritual things, a man may attain unto a good certainty of his gracious sta [...]e. It is sup­posed, 1 Joh. 3.18, 19. that by loving the Brethren in deed and in truth, we may assure our hearts before God; and that a man may rejoyce upon the testi­mony of a good Conscience, 2 Cor. 1.12 A man may have confidence if his heart do not Condemn him, 1 Joh. 3.21 We may then attain unto some Assurance (al­though not full Assurance) by the wit­ness of our own spirits. I do not deny, that in this witnessing of our spirits to­wards Assurance, there is some concur­rence of the Spirit of God: But I con­ceive, there needeth but a very ordinary influence, without which we can do no­thing. Now, this Assurance, such as it is, may be reached by intelligent Believers, who keep a good Conscience in their walk. So, I hope, there needs be no de­bate about it, as to a mans gracious state [...] for if a man will clear himself of Heart-condemnings, he will speedily reach this Assurance.

Ninthly, There is a witnessing of Gods spirit, mentioned, Rom. 8.16. A bearing [Page 120] witness with our Spirits, that we are the Chil­dren of God. This operation of the Spirit, is best understood,, if we produce any syllogism by which our spirit do witness our Son-ship: As for example, Whoso­ever loveth the Brethren, is past from Death to Life, and consequently is in Christ; But I love the Brethren: Therefore I am past from Death to Life. Here there is a threefold operation of the Spirit, or three operations rather. The First is a beam of Divine light upon the first pro­position, perswading the Divine authori­ty of it, as the Word of God: The Spirit of the Lord must witness the Divinity of the Scripture; and that is the infalli­ble Word of God, far beyond all other arguments can be used. The Second operation is, a Glorious beam of light from the Spirit, shining upon the second proposition, and so upon his own graces in the Soul, discovering them to be true Graces, and such as the Scripture calleth so. Thus we are said to know by His Spirit the things freely given unto us of God, 1 Cor. 2.13. The Third operation is in order to the third proposition of the argument, or the conclusion; and this I conceive to be nothing else but [Page 121] an influence upon Faith, strengthning it to draw a conclusion of full assurance up­on the foresaid premises. Now (with submission unto others, who have greater light in the Scripture, and more expe­rience of these communications) I do conceive the witness of the Spirit, or witnessing of it, which is mentioned, Rom. 8.16. is not that first operation upon the first proposition; for, that ope­ration is that testimony of the Spirit, by which He beareth witness to the Divini­ty of the whole Scripture, and asserteth the Divine authority of it unto the souls of Gracious men, and such an operati­on may be upon a truth of Scripture, which doth not relate to a mans Son-ship or Interest in Christ at all. The Spirit may so shine upon any truth, relating to Duty, or any other fundamental truth perswading the Divinity of it, upon and unto the soul, and speak nothing relating to a mans interest in Christ. Neither is the third operation of the Spirit, by which He makes Faith boldly draw the conclusion. This witnessing of the Spirit for that operation, is nothing else but influence upon Faith, bringing it out to full assurance; but that whereupon this [Page 122] full assurance is drawn or put out, is some­what deposed and witnessed already. Therefore I conceive the second opera­tion of the Spirit upon the second pro­position, and so upon the Graces in the man, is that witness of Gods Spirit, that beam of Divine light, shining upon those Graces, whereby they are made very conspicuous to the understanding: That is the witness; the shining so on them is His witnessing: for, only here in this proposition and in this operation, doth the Spirit of God prove a co-witness with our spirit: for, the main thing wherein the witness of our spirit lieth, is in the second proposition, and so the Spirit of God, witnessing with our spi­rits, is also in that same proposition. So these two witnesses, having deposed and witnessed one and the same thing, viz. the truth and reality of such and such Graces in the man, which our own spirit or conscience doth depose, according to its knowledge; and the Spirit of the Lord doth certainly affirm and witness to be so. There is a sentence drawn forth, and a conclusion of the mans Son-ship by the mans Faith, breathed upon by the Spirit for that effect, and this conclusion [Page 123] beareth the full assurance of a mans Son­ship. It may be presumed, that some true Saints do not partake of this all their dayes, as Heb [...]. 2.15.

Tenthly, I speak with the experience of many Saints, and I hope, according to Scrip­ture, if I say, there is a communication of the Spirit of God which is let out to some of His People; sometimes it is somewhat be­side, if not beyond, that witnessing of a Son­ship spoken of before: It is a Glorious Di­vine manifestation of God unto the Soul, shedding abroad Gods love in the Heart; it is a thing better felt then spoken of; it is no audible voice, but it is a waffe of Glory filling the Soul with God, as He is Life, Light, Love and Liberty, countervasting that audible voice; O Man, greatly Be­loved, Dan. 9.22. putting a man in a transport with this in his heart, It is good to be here, as Mat. 17, 4 It is that which went out from Christ to Mary, when He but mentioned her name, Joh. 10.16 He had spoken some words to her before, and she understood not that it was He: But when He uttered this one word MARY, there was some ad­mirable conveyance and manifestation [Page 124] made out unto her heart, by which she was so satisfyingly filled, that there was no place for arguing & disputing, whether or not that was Christ, and if she had a [...] interest in Him. That manifestation made Faith to it self, and did purchase credit and trust to it self, and was equi­valent with, Thus saith the Lord. This is such a glanse of Glory, that it may in the highest sense be called, the earnest or first fruits of the inheritance: for, it is a felt armful of the Holy GOD, almost wholly conforming the man unto His likeness, so swallowing him up, that He forgetteth all things except the present manifestation. Oh, How Glorious is this manifestation of the Spirit! Faith here riseth to so full an assurance, that it re­solveth wholly into sensible embracements of God. This is the thing which doth best deserve the title of sensible presence. And, it is like, is not given unto all Believers, some whereof, are all their Dayes under bondage, and in fear, Heb. 2.15 But here love, almost perfect, casteth out fear. This is so absolutely let out upon the Masters pleasure, and so transient and passing or quickly gone when it is, that no man may bring his [Page 125] Gracious state upon debate for want of it.

Eleventhly, There is a thing we call Peace, about which many do vex themselves. This Peace is either about a mans state, that he is reconciled unto God by Jesus Christ, or it is about his present case and condition, thas he is walking so, as ap­proven of God, at least so far, as there is no quarrel or controversie between God and him threatning a stroke: both of these are either such in the court of Scripture, and consequently in Gods ac­count, or in the court of a mans Con­science. Peace about a mans state, as being in Christ, is sure in the Court of Scripture and of Heaven, when a man doth by Faith close with Christ and New-Covenant, Rom. 5.1. Being justifyed by Faith, we have Peace with God; it being sure and solid in the Court of Scripture, it should hold sure in the Court of a mans Conscience, it being rightly inform­ed, for in that case, it still speaks ac­cording to Scripture: but because often the Conscience is misinformed and in the dark, therefore there is often Peace about a mans state according to Scripture, whilest his Conscience doth threaten the [Page 126] contrary, and doth still Condemn, and refuseth to assoil the man, as being re­conciled unto God through Christ. In this case, the Conscience must be inform­ed, and the mans Gracious state made out by the marks of Grace, as we shew before; and here the witness of my own spirit, will do much to allay the Cry of the Conscience, and if the Spirit of the Lord joyn His witness and testimony, the Conscience is perfectly satisfied, and proclameth Peace to the man. The o­ther Peace, about a mans present case or condition, viz. that it is approven of God in a Gospel sense, it may be want­ing, and justly wanting, although the o­ther Peace about a mans state be sure. This Peace about a mans case and con­dition, it is either such in the Court of Scripture, and this is when a man is not regarding iniquity, and respecting the Commands of God without exception; then the Scripture saith, he stands in an even place, and he needeth fear no stated quarrel between God and him, in order to a temporary stroak; and when it is thus, his Conscience should also assoil him that same way; and would do so, if it were rightly informed; but because [Page 127] the Conscience is often in the dark, there­fore a man may be alarm'd with evil in the Court of Conscience, as if he were justly to expect a stroak from God be­cause of his sin, and some quarrel God hath at him, although He intend salvati­on for him; this is enough to keep a man in disquiet, and to inhibit him the rejoycing allowed upon him, whilest he is walking in his integrity: therefore a man must here also inform his Consci­ence, and receive no accusations nor con­demnings from it, unless it make them clear by Scripture: at that bar, let every man stand, both about his state and his condition or case; and let him appeal from all other Courts to that, and not receive any indictment but conform to the truth of God, by which the Con­science is to proceed in all things; and if this were well lookt unto, there would not be so many groundless suspicions a­mongst the Lords People, either about their state or their condition upon every thought which entertain their mind.

Twelfthly, There is the joy of the Holy Ghost, and this is when the Spirit doth breath upon our rejoycing in God ( which is a Grace [Page 128] very little in exercise with many) and maketh it set out sensibly and vigorously; & He exciteth and stirreth the passion of joy and of delight in the Soul, so as there is an unspeakable and glorious joy in the Soul, in the apprehension of Gods friendship and near­ness unto him. 1 Pet. 1.8. This joy followeth upon peace & peace followeth righteous­ness, Rom. 14.17. This joy readily will not fail to be according to the measure of the assurance of Faith, as 1 Pet. 1.8 In whom believing, ye rejoyce, &c. so that the removal of mistakes about other things, will allay doubts about this.

Now, because some of these excellent communications of the Spirit, after they are gone, are brought in question as de­lusions of Satan, for vindicating of them we say, that the special operations of Gods Spirit in any high degree, usually are communicated to people after such brokenness of spirit, Psal. 51.8. after so singular pains in religious Duty, Dan. 9.3, 21 or in time of such suffering for Righteousness, 1 Pet. 5.14. or if they break in as the rain that waiteth not for man, then they do so humble and abase the person, Isa. 6.5. and there are found [Page 129] so many evidences of Grace in the man, Rom. 8.16. or these things do so pro­voke unto Holiness, and to have every thing answerable and conform unto these manifestations of God, 2 Tim. 2.19. the person under them doth so loath all things beside Gods friendship and fel­lowship, Mat. 17.4. and these things do carry on them and with them so much authority, and Divine superscription, whilst they are in the soul; that after­wards they may appear sufficiently to be special communications of God, and singular, gracious operations of His Spirit, and no delusions of Satan transforming himself into an Angel of light, 2 Cor. 11 14. nor such common flashes of the Spirit as may admit afterwards irrecoverable Apostacy from God, Heb. 6.4, 5, 6. Now then to conclude this part of the work that relateth unto tryal; I say to all these who complain of the want of the precious out-lettings of the Spirit.

1. Bless God if you want nothing essential for making out of a saving interest in Christ. God hath given unto you Christ Jesus, the greatest gift He had, and since your heart is shapen out for Him, He will [Page 130] with Him, give you all things that are good for you in their season.

2. I do believe, upon a right search and tryal, after you have understood the com­munications of the Spirit, you are not so great a stranger to many things as you did suspect your self to be. But;

3. Remember the Promises of Life, and of Peace with God, are no where in Scrip­ture made unto these special things whereof you alledge the want: The Promises are made unto Faith, followed with Holiness! and it may be presumed, that many Heirs of Glory do not in this life par­take of some of these things, but are in Bondage all their dayes through fear of Death, Heb. 2.15. so that there should be no mistake about these things: we may seek after them, but God is free to give or withold them.

4. Many do seek after such manifestati­ons before they give credit by Faith unto Gods Word. He hath born record that there is Life enough for men in CHRIST JESUS, and if men would by Believing set to their seal that GOD is true, they should partake of more of these excel­lent things.

5. I may say, many have not honourable ap­prehensions [Page 131] and thoughts of the Spirit of God, whose proper work it is to put out the fore­said noble operations: they do not adore Him as God, but vex, grieve, quench and resist Him, and many people com­plaining of the want of their things, are not at the pains to seek the Spirit in His out-goings▪ and few do set themselves a­part for such precious receipts: There­fore be at more pains in Religion, give more credit to His Word, and esteem more highly of the Spirit of God, and so you may find more of these Excel­lent things.

Answ.

It is true, all the Children of Adam are base and naughty before Him, tho charteth His Angels with Folly, Job 4.18. All Nations are less then nothing and vani [...]y before him, Isa. 40.17. There is such a disproportion between God and Men, that unless HE himself had devised than Covenant, and of his own Free­will had offered so to transact with men, [...]t had been high Treason for Men o [...] Angels to have imagined that God should have humbled himself and become a Ser­vant, and have taken on our Nature, & have united it by a personal [...]nion to the Blessed Godhead; and that he should have subjected himself to the shameful Death of the Cross; and all this, that [Page 169] men who were Rebels, should be recon­ciled unto God, and be made Eternal hap­py, by being In His holy Company for­ever. But I say all that, was his own device and free choice. Yea, moreover, if God had not soveraignly commanded men to close with Him in and through Christ, Isa. 55.1, 2, 3. Matth. 11.28. 1 Joh. 3.23. 2 Cor. 5.20. no man [...]urst have made use of that device of His. [...] then, although with Abigail I may say, let me be but a Servant, to wash the feet of the servants of my Lord, 1 Sam. 25.41. Yet since he hath in his holy wisdom deviced that way, and [...]weth how to be richly glorified in it, Eph. 1.18. Joh. 17.10. and hath commanded me, as I shall be answerable in the great day, to close with him in Christ, as said is I dare not disobey, nor enquire into the reasons of his contrivements and com­mands, but must adventure on the busi­ness, is I would not be found to frustrate the Grace of God, and in a manner dis­appoint the Gospel, Gal. 2 21. and fal­sify the Record which God hath born of His Son, that there is Life enough in Him for men, 1 Joh. 5.10, and so make God a Liar, and add that rebellion to all my former transgressions.

Answ.

Is your Sin beyond the Drunkenness and Incest of Lot; Adultery covered with Murder, in David; Idolatry and horrid Apostacy in Solomon; Idolatry, Murder and Witchcraft in Manasseh; An­ger against God and his way in Jonah: Forswearing of Christ in Peter, after he was forewarned, and had vowed the contrary; bloudy Persecution in Paul, making the Saints to Blaspheme &c.? (Now wo to him who is imboldned to Sin by these instances, recorded in Scrip­ture, and adduced here, to the commen­dation of the Free and Rich Grace of God, and to encourage poor penitent Sinners to fly unto Christ;) I say, are your sins beyond these? Yet all these ob­tained Pardon through Christ, as the Scripture doth shew. Know therefore, that all sins do [...]ly alike level before the [...]ree Grace of God, who loveth freely, [Page 171] Hos. 14.4. and looketh not to less or more sin: If the person have a heart to come unto him through Christ, then He is able to save to the utmost, Heb. 7.25 Yea, it is more provoking before God, not to close with Christ when the offer cometh to a man, than all the rest of his transgressions are: For, he that believeth not, hath made God a Liar, in that record He hath born of life in the Son: and he who doth not believe, shall be Condemned for not believing on the Son of God: that shall be the main thing in his ditty, Joh. 3.18. So that much sin cannot excuse a man, if he scar at Christ and shift his offer, since God hath openly declared, that this is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, Christ came to save Sinners, whereof I am chief: Even he who is Chief of sinners in his own apprehension, is bound to believe and accept this saying, 1 Tim. 1.15.

Answ.

What can the aggravations of thy sins be which are not parallel'd in the fore­cited examples? Is thy against great light? So [...]hoved many of these we spake of before. Was it against sin­gular mercies and deliverances? So was that of Lot, and Noah his Drunkenness. Was thy sin done with much deliberati­on? So was Davids whilest he wrote the Letter against Ʋriah. Was it against or after any singular manifestation of God? So was Solomons. Was it by a small and despe [...]able temptation? So was that of Jonah and of Peter, if we consider the heinous [...]ess of their transgression. Hast thou reiterated the Sin, and committed it over again? So did Lot, so did Peter, so did J [...]boshaphat in joyning with Ahab and Jehoram, 1 King. 22.2 King. 3. A [...]e there many gross sins concurring together in thee? So were there in Manasseh. Hast thou stood long out in rebellion? (that, as all the former is thy shame) So did the Thief on the Cross, he stood it out to the last gasp, Luk. 23.4 [...].43. If yet thou hast an ear to hear, thou art commanded to hear, Mat. 1 [...].19. Although thou hast long spent thy Money [Page 173] for that which is not Bread, Isa. 55.1, 2 thou hast the greater need now to make hast and to slee for refuge, and if thou do so, He shall welcome thee, and in no wayes cast thee ou [...] ▪ Jo [...]. 6.37 especi­ally since he hath used no prescription of time in Scripture▪ So that all those ag­gravations of thy sin will not excuse thy shifting of the Lords offer.

Answ.

It is hard to condescend upon every particular transgression which may vex the Conscience; yea, lesser sins then some of those I have mentioned, may hugely disquiet, if the Lord blow the fire. But for thy satisfaction, I shall condescend upon some truths of Scripture, which do reach sins and cases more universally, then any man can do particularly See Exod. 34.7. God pardoneth Iniquiety, Transgression & Sin: that is all manner of sin, Ezek. 18.21,—If a man turn from [Page 174] all his wickedness, it shall no more be remembred, or prove his ruine. Joh· 6 37 Him that cometh, He will in no waye c [...]st out: that is, whatsoever be his sins, or the aggravations of them. Joh. 3.16. Whosoever believeth shall be saved; that is, without exception of any sin, or any case, Heb. 7.25. He is able to save to the utmost, those who come to God through Him. No man can sufficiently declare what is Gods Ʋttermost, Mat. 12.31. All manner of Sin and Blasphemy shall be Forgiven unto men: that is, there is no sort of Sin, whereof one instance shall not be forgiven in one person or other, except the Sin against the Holy Ghost. These and the like Scriptures, do carry all sorts of Sin before them; so that, let thy sins be what they will, or can be, they may be sunk in one of these two truths: so as thy sin can be no excuse to thee for shifting the offer of Peace and Salvation through Christ, since any man who Will, is allowed to come and take, Rev. 22.17 We will not multiply words. The Great God of Heaven & Earth, hath soveraignly commanded all who see their need of relief to betake themselves unto Christ Jesus, and to close [Page 175] cordially with Gods device of saving sin­ners by Him, laying aside all objections and excuses, as they shall be answerable unto Him in the day He shall Judge the quick and the dead, and shall drive away out of his Presence all these who would dare to say, their sins and condition were such, as that they durst not adventure upon Christs perfect Righteousness for their relief, notwithstanding of the Lords own command often interposed, and in a manner his credit engaged.

Answ.

Although none should charge this Sin on themselves, or on others, unless they can prove and instruct the charge ac­cording to Christs example, Mat. 12.5. 26, — 32. yet for satisfying of the doubt;

1. I shall shew what is not the Sin against the Holy Ghost, properly so called; because there be some gross sins which people do unwarrantably judge to be this Un­pardonable Sin.

[Page 176]2. I shall shew what is the Sin against the Holy Ghost.

3. I shall d [...]aw some conclusions in answer directly to the Objection.

As for the First, There be many gross sins, which although (as all other sins) they be sins against the Holy Ghost, who is God equal and one with the Father and the Son, and are done against some of His operations and motions, yet are they not The Sin against the Holy Ghost, which is the Unpardonable Sin.

As;

1. Blaspheming of God, under bodily Tortures, is not that Sin for, some Saints fell into this, Act. 26.11. much less, Blaspheming of God in a fit of Distraction, or Frenzie; for a man is not a free rational agent at that time, and He that spareth his People, as a Father doth the Son that serveth him, and doth pity, so Mal. 3.17. Psal. 103.13. doth He spare and pity in these rovings; for, so would our Fathers according to the flesh do, if we Blasphemed them in a fit of Distraction; much less are horrid blas­phemies against God, darted in upon the Soul, and not allowed there, this Unpar­donable Sin; for such things were offered [Page 177] to Christ, Mat. 4. and are often cast in upon the Saints.

2. The hating of good in others, whilst I am not convinced that it is good, but in my light do judge it to be evil; yea, the speaking against it, yea, the persecu­ting of it in that case, is not the Sin a­gainst the Holy Ghost; for, all these will be found in Paul before he was Convert­ed, and he obtained mercy, because he did these ignorantly·

3. Heart-rising at the thriving of others in the work and way of God, whiles [...] I love it in my self; yea, the rising of heart against Providence, which often expresseth it self against the Creatures nearest our hand; yea, this rising of heart entertained and maintained, (although they be horrid things leading towards that Unpardonable Sin, yet) are not that Sin; for these may be in the Saints, pro­ceeding from self love, which cannot en­dure to be darkned by another, and pro­ceeding from some cross in their Idol, under a fit of Temptation: the most part of all this was in Jonah, Jon. 4.

4. Not only are not decayes in what once was in the man, and falling into gross sins against light, after the receiving of [Page 178] the truth, this Unpardonable Sin; (for then many of all the Saints in Scripture were undone) But further, Apostacy from much of the truth, is not that Sin: for that was in Solomon, and in the Church of Corinth and Galatia; yea, Denying, yea, Foreswearing of the most fundamen­tal Truth, under a great temptation, is not this sin; for then Peter had been then undone.

5. As resisting, quenching, grieving & vexing of the Spirit of God by many sin­ful wayes, are not this Unpardonable sin, for they are charged with these, who are called to Repentance in Scripture, and not shut out, as guilty of this sin. So neither reiterating sin against light, is the Sin against the Holy Ghost, although it leadeth towards it; for such was Pe­ter's sin in denying Christ; so was Je­hoshaphat's sin in joyning with Ahab and Jehoram.

6. Purposes and Essayes of Self-murder, and even purposes of murdering Godly men, (the party being under a sad fit of temptation) yea, actual Self-murder, (although probaby it often joyneth in the issue with this Unpardonabe sin, which ought to make every soul look upon the [Page 179] very temptation to it with horrour and abhorrency, yet) is not the Sin against the Holy Ghost. The Taylor intended to kill himself upon a worse accoun [...] than many poor people do in the sight and sense of Gods wrath, and of their own sin and corruption; yet that [...]lor obtained par­don, Act. 16 2 [...], 34. And [...]a [...] before his Effectual Ca [...]ag, was accessory unto the murder of many Sa [...]ats, and intended to kill more, as himself granteth, Act. 26.9, — Although all these are dreadful Sins, each of them deserving wrath Ever­lasting, and not being re [...]e [...]ed of, bring­eth Endless vergeance, e [...]pecially the last cuts off hope of relief, for ought can be expected [...] ordinary way; yet none of these is the Unpardonable Sin against the Holy Ghost; and so under any of these, there is hope to him that hath an ear to hear the Joyful Sound of the Covenant: All manner of such Sin [...]nd Blasphemy may be forgiven, as is [...]ear in the Scripture, where these things [...]e mentioned.

As for the Second thing; Let us see, that the Sin against the Holy Ghost is? It is [...]t a simple act of transgression, but [...]complex of many mischievous things, [Page 180] involving Soul and Body ordinarily in Guilt. We thus describe it; It is a Re­jecting and Opposing of the chief Gospel-truth and way of Salvation, made out sin­gularly to a man, by the Spirit of God, in the truth and good thereof, and that A­vowedly, Freely, Wilfully,, Maliciously and Despightfully, breeding hopeless Fear. There be three places of Scripture, which do speak most of this Sin, and thence we will prove every part of this description, in so far as may be useful to our pre­sent purpose, by which it will appear that none who have a mind for Christ, need stumble at what is spoken of this sin in Scripture. See Mat. 12. 24, — 32. Heb. 6.4, 5, 6. Heb. 10.25, — 29.

First then, Let us consider the Object about which this Sin, or sinful acting of the man guilty thereof, is conversant, and that is, The chief Gospel-truth and way of Salvation: both which run to one thing. It is the way which God hath contrived for saving of Sinners by Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah and Saviour by whose Death and Righteousness men are to be saved, as he hath held forth in the Ordinances; confirming the same by many mighty works in Scripture tending [Page 181] there-a-way. This way of Salvation is the Object. The Pharisees oppose this, that Christ was the Messiah, Mat. 12. 23, 24. The wrong is done against the Son of God, Heb. 6.6. and the Blood of the Covenant, and the Spirit graciously offering to apply these things, Heb. 10.29.

Secondly, In the description, consider the qualification of this Object; It [...] [...] ­gularly made out to the party, by the Sp [...]it of God, both in the truth and good thereof ▪ This saith, (1.) That there must be knowledge of the truth and way of Sal­vation. The Pharisees knew that Christ was the Heir, Mat. 21.38. The party hath knowledge, Heb. 10.26. (2.) That knowledge of the thing, must not swim only in the head, but there must be some half-heart perswasion of it. Christ knew the Pharisees thoughts, and so did judge them, Mat. 12.25. and that the contra­ry of what they spake was made out upon their heart. The [...]e is a tasting, Heb. 6.4, 5. which is beyond simple enlightning; yea, there is such a perswasion ordina­ [...] [...]s leadeth to a deal of outward [...]ancti­ [...]tion, Heb. 10.29. (2.) This per­ [...]asion must not only be of the verity [Page 182] of the thing but of the good of it. The party tasteth the good word of God, and he apprehendeth the thing as eligible, Heb. 6.5 (4.) This perswasion is not made o [...]t only by strength of argument, but also by an enlightning work of Gods Spirit, shining on the truth, and making [...] conspicuous. Therefore is that Sin called, The Sin against the Holy Ghost, Ma [...] 1 [...] Mark 3. The persons are said to ha [...]e received the Holy Ghost, Heb. 6 4. and to do despight unto the Spirit of G [...]ce, who was in the nearest step of a gracious opera [...]ion with them, Heb. 10.29.

Thirdly, In this description, consider the acting of the party against the Ob­ject so qualified; it is a rejecting and op­posing of it: which importeth,

1. That men have once some way at least, been in hands with it, or had the offer of it, as is true of the Pharisees.

2. That they do reject, even with con­tempt what they had of it, or in their offer▪ The Pharisees deny it, and speak disdainfully of Christ, Mat. 12.24. They fall away, intending to shame Christ, Heb 6.5, 6

3. The men set themselves against it [Page 183] by the spirit of Persecution, as the Pha­risees did still. They rail against it: therefore it is called, Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, Mat. 12.24.31. They would Crucifie CHRIST again, if they could, Heb. 6 6. They are adversaries, Heb. 10.27.

Fourthly, Consider the properties of this acting.

1. It is Avowed: that is, not seeking to shelter or hide it self. The Pha­risees spake against Christ publickly, Mat 12.24. They would have Christ brought to an Open shame, Heb. 6.6. They for­sake the Ordinances which savour that way, Heb. 10.25 and despise the dan­ger: for, looking for indignation, they trample that blood still, Heb. 27, 29.

2. The party acteth Freely: It is not from unadvisedness, nor from force or constraint, but an acting of free choice; Nothing doth force the Pharisees to speak against and persecute Christ. They Crucifie to Themselves, they re-act the Murder of their own free accord, and in their own bosome, none constraining them, Heb. 6.6. They sin of free choice; as the word is, Spontaneously, Heb. 10.27.

[Page 184]3. It is acted Wilfully. They are so resolute, they will not be disswaded by any offer, or the most precious means, as is clear in the foresaid Scriptures.

4. It is done Maliciously; so as it pro­ceeds not so much, if at all, from a temptation to pleasure, profit, or honour; It proceedeth not from fear, or force, or from any good end proposed; but out of heart-malice against God and Christ, and the advancement of His Glo­ry and Kingdom. So that it is of the very nature of Satans sin, who hath an irreconcileable hatred against God, and the remedy of Sin, because his Glory is thereby advanced: This is a special ingredient in this Sin. The Pharisees are found guilty of heart-malice against Christ, since they speak so against Him, and not against their own Children cast­ing out Devils; and this is the force of Christs argument, Mat. 12.27. They do their utmost to Crucifie Christ again, and to bring Him to an open shame, Heb 6.6, They are adversaries like the Devil, Heb. 10.27.

5. It is done Despightfully. The malice must bewray it self. The Pharisees must proclaim that Christ hath correspondence [Page 185] with Devils, Mat. 12. He must be put to an open shame, and Crucified again, Heb. 6. They must tread under foot that Blood, and do despight to the Spirit, Heb 10.29. So that the party had rather perish a thousand times, than be in Christs debt for Salvation. The last thing in the description, is, the ordinary atten­dant or consequence of this sin: It breed­eth desperate and hopeless Fear. They fear Him, whom they hate with a slavish hopeless fear, such as Devils have Heb. 10.27. They know that God will put out His power against them: they trem­ble in the rememmbrance of it; And if they could be above Him, and destroy Him, they covet it; and since they can­not reach that, they hate with the ut­most of heart-malice, and do persecute Him and all that is His, with despight.

As for the Third thing proposed, viz. The Conclusions to be drawn from what is said, whereby we will speak directly to the Objection.

1. As I hinted before, since the Sin a­gainst the Holy Ghost is so remarkable, and may be well known where it is, none should charge themselves with it, unless they can prove and instruct the charge: for it [Page 186] it is a great wrong done unto God, to labour to perswade my Soul that He will never Pardon me: it is the very way to make me desperate, and to load me to the Unpardonable Sin. Therefore, un­less thou can, and dare say that thou dost hate the way which God hath devised for saving of Sinners, and dost resolve to oppose the thriving of His Kingdom, both with thy self and others, out of malice and despight against God, thou ought not to suspect thy self guilty of this sin.

2. Whatsoever thou hast done against God, if thou dost [...]ue it, and w [...]sh it were undone, thou cannot be guilty of this Sin: For in it, heart-malice and despight against God do still prevail.

3. If thou art content to be his Debter for Pardon, and would be infinitely obliged unto Him for it, then thou cannot in that case be guilty of the Sin against the Holy Ghost; for, as we shew before, they who are guilty of it, do so despight God that they would not be his Debters for Salvation.

4. Whatsoever thou hast done, [...]f thou hast a desire after Jesus Christ, and dost look with a sore heart after Him, and cannot think of parting with his blessed Company [Page 187] for ever; or if thou must shed with Him, yet dost wish well to him, and all his, thou neede [...]t not suspect thy self to be guilty of this Unpardonable Sin; for there can be no such hatred of Him in thy bosome, as is necessarily required to make up that sin.

5. If thou w [...]ld be above the reach of that [...] and se [...]re against it for ever, then go work up thy [...]eat to please Salvation by Christ Jesus, and to close with God in Him, acquiesing in Him as the sufficient ransome and rest, as we have been pres­sing before, and yield to Him to be saved in his way. Do this in good earnest, and thou shalt be forever put out of the reach of that ugly thing wherewith Satan doth affright so many poor seekers of God.

Answ.

It is true, that saving Faith by which alone a man can heartily close with [Page 188] God in Christ, is above our power, and is the gift of God, as we said before in the Premisees:

Yet remember;

1. The Lord hath left it as a duty upon all who hear this Gospel cordially by Faith to close with his offer of Salva­tion through Christ, as is clear in the Scripture: and you must know, that al­though it be not in our power to perform that duty of our selves, yet the Lord may justly Condemn for not performing of it, and we are inexcusable, becaue at first He made man perfectly able to do whatsoever He should command.

2. The Lord commanding this thing which is above our power, willeth us to be sensible of our inability to do the thing, and would have us putting it on Him to work it in us: He hath promi­sed to give the new Heart, and He hath not excluded any from the benefit of that promise.

3. The Lord useth by these commands and invitations, and mens meditation on the same, and their supplication about the thing, to convey power unto the Soul to perform the duty. Therefore, for answer to the Objection, I do obtest thee [Page 189] in the Lords Name, to lay to heart these His Commandments and Promise, and meditate on them, and upon that blessed business of the New Covenant, and pray unto God as you can, over them, (for He will be enquired to do these things, Ezek. 36.37.) and lay thy cold heart to that device of God, exprest in the Scriptures, and unto Christ Jesus who is given for a Covenant to the People, and look to Him for life and quickning; go and essay to please that Salvation, in the way God doth offer it, and to close with, and rest on Christ for it, as if all were in thy power, yet looking to Him for the thing, as knowing that it must come from Him; and if thou do so, He who meets these who remember Him in his wayes, Isa. 65.4· will not be want­ing on His part, and thou shalt not have ground to say, that thou moved towards the thi [...]g until thou could do no more for want of strength, and so left it at Gods door: It shall not fail on His part, if thou have a mind for the business; yea, I may say, if by all thou hast ever heard of that matter, thy heart loveth it, and desireth to be in hands with it, thou hast it already performed within thee, so [Page 190] that difficulty is past, before thou was aware of it.

Answ.

If you be convinced that it is a duty to believe on Christ, as said is, you may not shift it under any pretence. As for these complaints of some who have looked after Him, not admitting every one to be judge of his own fruit. I say;

1. Many by their jealousies of Gods love, and by their misbelief (after they have so closed with God) do obstruct many precious communications, which otherwise would be let out to them, Matthew 13.58.

2. It cannot be that any whose heart is gone out after Christ have found Him a wilderness, Jer. 2.31. Surely they find somewhat in their spirit swaying them towards God in these two great things, viz. how to be found in Him in that day, Phil. 3.8, 9. and how to be forth coming [Page 191] to his praise in the land of the living, Psal. 119.17. Psal. 56.13. They find these two things aloft in the Soul, and that is much. Moreover, they shall after search, if they judge a right, find ever since an emptiness in the Creatures, which abundance of the Creature cannot fill up: All is vanity; only God can fill the emp­ty room in their heart, and when He but breatheth a little, there is no room for additional comfort from Creatures: this saith, that God hath captivate the man, and hath fixed that saving principle in the understanding and heart; who is God but the Lord? Worship HIM all ye gods; Psal. 97.7. Yea, further, these whose heart hath closed with God in Christ, as said is, will not deny that there have been seasonable preventings and quicknings now and then, when the Soul was like to fail, Psal. 21.3. Psal. 94.18, 19. There­fore, let none say, that there is no fruit following, and let none shift their duty upon the unjust and groundless complaints of others.

Answ.

It may be very well said, that men do come to God, or close with Him, and yet they come to Christ and close with Him. They may be said to come under a Marriage-relation unto God, and unto Christ also, who is Husband, Father, Brother, &c. to them, and there is no such mysterie here, as some do conceive. For the better understanding of it, consider these few things.

1. Although God made man perfect at the beginning, and put him in some ca­pacity of transacting with Him immedi­ately, Eccl. 7 29. Gen. 2.16, 17 yet man by his Fall, did put himself at a perfect [Page 193] distance with God, and in a utter inca­pacity to bargain or deal any more with Him immediately.

2. The Lord did, after Adam's fall, make manifest the New Covenant, in which he did signifie that he was content to transact with man again, in & through a Mediator; and so did appoint men to come to Him through Chr [...]t, Heb 7.25. and to look for acceptation only in him, Eph. 1.6. Ordaining men to hear Christ, He being the only party, in whom God was well pleased, Mat. 17.5.

3. This matter is so clear, and sup­posed to be so not our in the Scripture, and so manifest to all who are under the Ordinances, that the Lord doth often speak of transacting with Himself, not making mention of the Mediator; be­cause it is supposed, that every one in the Church knoweth that now there is no dealing with God, except by and through Christ Jesus the Mediator.

4. Consider that Christ Jesus, God-man is not only a sit trysting place for God and Men to meet into, and a fit spokes­man to treat between the parties now at variance, 2 Cor. 5.10. but we may say also, He is immediate Bridegroom, [Page 194] and so our closing or transacting with God, may be justly called, The Marriage of the Kings Son; and the Elect may be called, The Lambs Wi [...]e: Christ Jesus be­ing as it were, the hand which God hold­eth out unto men, and on which they lay hold when they deal with God. And so through and by Christ, we close with God as our God, on whom our Soul doth terminate, lastly and ultimately through Christ, 1 Pet. 1.21.

5. Consider, that the diverse relations mentioned in Scripture, are set down to signifie the sure and indissoluble Union and Communion between God and His People: whatsoever nearness is between Head and Members, Root and Branches, King and Subjects, Shepherd and Flock, Father and Children, Brother & Brother, Husband and Wife, &c. all is here, Joh. [...], 22, 23, 26. So that whatsoever be spoken in Scripture, People may be clear that God calleth them to be recon­ciled unto Him through Christ, and doth offer Himself to be their God and Hus­band in Him alone; and men are to ac­cept God to be their God in Christ, pleasing that way of relief for poor man, and to give up themselves unto God in [Page 195] Christ, in whom alone they can be ac­cepted. And they who close with Christ, they do close with God in Him, who is in Christ reconciled the world to him­self, 2 Cor. 5.19. Joh. 14.8, 9, 10, 11. And we are not to dip further into the diverse relations mentioned in Scripture, between God or Christ, and Men, then as they may point out Union and Com­munion, or nearness with God through Christ Jesus, and our advantage thereby.

These things being clear, we will not multiply words. But, since to believe on Christ is the great duty, required of all that hear this Gospel, we obtest every one, in the Lords Name, to whom the report of this shall come, that without delay they take to heart their lost con­dition in themselves, and that they lay to heart the relief which God hath pro­vided by Jesus Christ, whereof he hath made a free offer unto all who will be content of the same, and to be saved that way. And that they lay to heart, that there is no other way of escape from the Wrath that is to come (because of which men would be glad at the last Day, to run into a Lake of melted lead, to be [Page 196] hid from the face of the Lamb, whom they do here despise) We say we ob­test all in the consideration of these things, to work op their heart to this business, and to lay themselves open for God, and [...]o receive Him through Christ in the of­fers of the Gospel, acquiescing in him, as the only desirable and satisfying good, that so they may secure themselves: go speedily and search for his offers of Peace and Salvation in the Scripture, and work up your Heart and Soul to close with them, and with Christ in them, and with God in Christ, and do it so, as you may have this to say, that you were serious, and in earnest, and cordial here, as ever you were in any thing to your apprehen­sion; and for ought you know, Christ is the choice of your heart: at least, you neither know nor allow any thing to the contrary. Whereupon your heart doth appeal unto God, to search and try [...] there be ought amiss to rectifie it, and lead unto the right way Now this cleaving of the heart unto Him, and cast­ing it self upon him to be Saved in hi [...] way, is believing, which doth indeed se­cure a man from the wrath that is to come because now he hath received Christ, & [Page 197] believeth on Him, and so shall not enter into Condemnation, as saith the Scripture.

Answ.

It is ordinary for many whose [...]ea [...] are gone out after Christ in the Gospel, and have received Him, to [...] the same in question again There­fore I shall advise one thing as a notable help to fix the Soul, [...]pr [...]ss [...] with [...]od. in the maintaining Faith and an Interest in God; and t [...] is, that men not only close heartily with God in Christ, [...] said is, but also that they Expresly, Expli [...]ly, by word of mouth, and vive voice, and for­mally [Page 198] close with Christ Jesus, and accept Gods offer of Salvation through Him, and so make a Covenant with God. And this by Gods blessing may contribute not a little for establishing them about their saving Interest in God.

Before I speak directly to this express Covenanting with God, I promise these few things;

1. I do not here intend a Covenanting with God, essentially differing from the Cove­nant between God and the visible Church, as the Lord doth hold it out in His revealed Will. Neither do I intend a Covenant, differing essentially from that transacting of the heart with God in Christ, for­merly spoken unto: It is that same Co­venant, only it differeth by a singular cir­cumstance, viz. the formal expression of the thing which the heart did before practice.

2. I grant this express Covenanting and Transacting with God, is not absolutely necessary for a mans Salvation: For, if any person close heartily and sincerely with God, offering himself in Christ, in the Gospel, his soul and state is thereby secu­red, according to the Scripture, although [...]e utter not words with his mouth. But [Page 199] this express verbal Covenanting with God, is very expedient, for the better being of a mans state, and his more com­fortable maintaining of an interest in Christ Jesus.

3. This express Covenanting with God by word of Mouth, is of no worth, without sincere heart-closing with God in Christ joyned with it: For without that, it is but a prophaning of the Lords Name, and a mocking of Him to his face, so to draw near unto him with the lips, whilest the heart is far away from him.

4. I grant, both Cordial and Verbal tran­sacting with God, will not make out a mans gracious estate unto him, so as to put and keep it above controversie, without the joynt-witness of the Spirit, by which we know what is freely given unto us of God; yet this explicite way of transacting with God, joyned with the heart closing with Him in Christ, contributes much for clearing up unto a man, that there is a fixed bargain between God and him, and will do much to ward off him many ground­less jealousies and objections of an un­stable mind and heart, which useth af­frontedly to deny this hour, what it did really act and perform the former hour. [Page 200] This explicite Covenanting, is as an in­strument taken of what past between God and the Soul, and so hath its own advantage for strengthening of Faith.

As for this express Covenanting, we shall (1.) Shew that it a very warranta­table practice. (2.) We shall shew shortly what is preparatorily required of those who do so transact with God. (3.) How men shall go about that duty. (4.) What should follow thereupon.

As to the First, I say, it is a warranta­ble practice and an incumbent duty, expresly and by word to Covenant with God. Which appeareth thus:

1. In many places of Scripture (if we look to what they may bear accord­ing to their scope and the analogy of Faith) God hath commanded it, and left it on people as a duty, Isa. 44.5. One shall say, I am the Lords, Isa, 45 24. Sure­ly shall one say in the Lord have I righteous­ness and strength, Jer. 3.4. Wilt thou cry unto me, My Father, thou art the guide of my Youth. Zec. 13.9. They shall say, the Lord is my God, Hos. 2.16. Thou shalt call me Ishi; and in many places else­where. Now since God hath so clearly left i [...] on men in the Letter of the [Page 201] Word, they may be perswaded, that it [...]a practice warranted and allowed by Him, and well pleasing unto Him.

Arg. 2. It is the approven practice of the Saints in Scripture, thus expresly to Covenant with God, and they have found much quiet in that duty afterwards. David did often expresly say unto God, that he was his God, his Portion, and that himself was his Servant Thomas will put his interest out of question with it, Joh. 20.28 Yea, I say, the Saints are much quieted in remembrance of what hath past that way between God and them, Psal. 73.25. Psal. 142.5. We find it often in the Book of the Canticles. Now shall the chief worthies of God be so much in Duty, breeding so much quiet and satisfaction to them in many cases, and shall we be under the New Testa­ment, unto whom access is ministred a­bundantly, and who partake of the sap of the Olive; shall we (I say) ly behind in this approven piece of homeliness with God? Since we study to imitate that Cloud of witnesses in other things, (as Faith, Zeal, Patience, &c.) let us also imitate them in this.

[Page 202] Arg. 3. The thing about which we move here, is a matter of the greate [...] concernment in [...] [...]he world: It is the Life of our [...]. 32.47. Oh! shall men study to be Express Explicite, Plain and Peremptory in all their other great businesses, because they are such, and shall they not much more be peremptory and express in this, which doth most concern them? I wonder that many not only do not speak it with their mouth, but that they do not Swear and subscribe it with their hand, and do not every thing for securing of God to themselves in Christ, and themselves unto God, which the Scripture doth warrant, Isa. 44.5.

This also may have its own weight, as an argument to press this way of Cove­nanting with God. The business of in­terest in Christ, and of real and honest transacting with him, is a thing, which in the experience of Saints, is most fre­que [...]tly brought upon debate and in question. Therefore men had need, all the wayes they can, even by Thought, Word and Deed, to put it to a point.

This also may have place here for pressing this as a duty, That God is so formal, express, distinct and legal, (to [Page 203] say so) in all the bu [...]iness of mans Sal­vation, viz. Christ must be a near kins­man to whom the right of Redemption doth belong. He must be Chosen, Called, Authorized and Sent; Covenants for­mally drawn between the Father and Him, the Father accepting payment and satis­faction, giving formal discharges, all done clearly and expresly. Shall the Lord be so express, plain and peremptory in e­very part of the business, and shall our par [...] of it rest in a confused Thought, and we be as dumb Beasts before him? If it were a Marriage between Man and Wife, it would not be j [...]d enough, although there were con [...] in heart given by the Woman, and k [...] to the Man, if she did never express so much by word, be­ing in a capacity to do so. Now this Covenant between God and Man, is held out in Scripture, as a Marriage between man and wife, Hos. 2.19, 20. 2 Cor. 11 2. The whole Song of Solomon speaketh it. The Lord useth similitudes, to signi­fie unto us what he intends; and surely this is a special requisite in Marriage, that the Wife give an express and ex­plicit consent unto the business: the Man saith so, I take thee to be my lawful Wife, [Page 204] and do oblige my self to be a dutiful Husband: The Woman is obliged on the other part, to express her consent, and to say, Even so I take thee to be my lawful Husband and do promise Duty and Subjections. It i [...] so here; the Lord saith, I do betroth thee unto me in faithfulness, and thou s [...]alt call me Ishi, my Husband, Hos. 2. I will be for thee as a Head and Husband, if thou wilt not be for another, Hos. 3. The man ought to answer, and say, Amen, So be it, Thou shalt be my God, my Head and Lord, and I shall and will be thine, and not for another, Cant. 6.3. And so this making of the Covenant with God, is called, a giving of the hand to Him, as the word is, 2 Chron. 30 8. which doth hint a very express, formal, explicite and positive bargaining with God. So then, we conclude it to be an incum­bent duty, and a very approven practice, necessary for the quieting of a mans mind, and his more comfortable being in Co­venant with God, and more fully an­swering Gods condescendency & offer in that great and primary Promise, I will be your God, and you shall be my People.

Not only, may and should people thus [Page 205] expre [...]ly close with God in Christ for [...]ing their heart; but they may, upon [...]me occassions re [...]e [...] this verbal tran­saction with God▪ especia [...] when th [...] temptations they are made to question if ever the [...] have [...]ly and sincerely clo­sed Covenant with God, as they are then to put out new acts of Faith, embracing Christ as the desirable portion and tre [...] ­sure, and also upon other occasions: So were it expedient especially if there re­main any doubt about the thing, that by vi [...]e voice & express word, they determine that controversie, and say of the Lord, and to Him, that he is their refuge and portion, Psal. 91.2. Psal. 1 [...]2 We find the Saints doing so; and we may imitate them especially;

1. In the time of great backsliding, people were wont to renew the Covenant with God, and we should do so also: our heart should go out after Christ, in the Promises of reconciliation with God, for He is our Peace upon all occasions, and our Advo­cate, and we are bound to apprehend him so, when we transgress, 1 Joh. 2.1 and to express so much by word as the Saints did in their formal renewing of the Covenant.

[Page 206]2. When people are in hazard, and dif­ficulties are present or foreseen, then it were good that they should se [...]d out their hea [...]t after him, and express their adhering unto him, for securing their own heart: We find Joshua doing so, when he was to settle in the Land of Canaan, in the midst of snares, Josh. 24. So David doth in his straits. Psal. 57.1.

3 When men apprehend God to be at a distance from them, and their Soul to be un­der withering and decay, then it is safest heartily to close with Christ, and embrace him by Faith for securing of the Soul, and it were good to put it out of question, by the expression of the thing: This is the ready way to draw sap from Christ the root, for recovering of the Soul, & for establish­ing the heart before Him. The Spouse in the Song of Sol [...]on doth so, thus as­serting her interest in Him when in such a condition; professing and avowing Him to be her beloved, Cant. 5

4. At the celebration of the Lords Supper, men should thus cordially close with God in Christ, and speak and express so much: For, that is a Feast of Love, and then and there we come under a solemn profes­sion of closing with God in Christ per­sonally [Page 207] and openly, and do r [...]ceive the Seal of it: it is therefore beseeming, at that time, to bring up both heart and tongue to second and answer our pro­fe [...]ion, apprehending God to be our God, and resigning over our selves to be his, and at his disposing. We shall not con­fine the Lords People to times and sea­sons of this duty: the Lord may bind it upon them at his pleasure; only there is h [...]zard, that by too frequent express Covenanting with God, men turn too formal in it, therefore, it is not so fit that people should cordially at full length renew that explicite transaction with God, but rather to declare unto God, that they adhere unto the Covenant made with Him, and that they do maintain & never will revoke nor recal the same; and withal, they may hint the sum of it, in laying claim unto God in Christ, as their own God; and this they may do often, even in all their addresses to God, and probably this is the thing designed by the Saints in their so ordinary practice in Scripture, whilst they assert their in­terest in God, as their God and Portion; and it is fit that men in all their walk, hold their heart at the business, by heart-cleaving [Page 208] to God in Christ; The life w [...] live in the Flesh, should be by Faith in the Son of God, Gal. 2.20.

As to the Second thing, viz. What is preparatorily required of him who is expresly to transact with God here; besides what we spake before, as previous to a mans closing with Christ Jesus? We only add;

1. That he who would explicitly bar­gain with God, must know, that to do so, is warranted and allowed by God, as we shew before if this be wanting, a man cannot do it in Faith, and so it will be sin unto him, Rom. 14.23.

2. The man must labour to bring up his heart to the thing, that it do not be­lie the tongue; It will be a great mock­ing of God, so to draw near Him with the lips, whilst the heart is far off from Him, Isa. 25.13.

The Third thing to be considered in this express verbal Covenanting with God, is, The way how it is to be performed and managed. And beside what was said before in heart-closing with Christ; I add here,

1. The man should do it Confidently, not only believing that he is about his duty when he doth it, but also that God [Page 209] in Christ Jesus will accept his poor im­perfect way of doing this duty, He doth acc [...]pt a man according to what he hath, if there be a willing mind, 2 Cor. 8.12. A M [...]e is accepted, since it is all the Poor womans substance, Mark. 12.44. Yea, if it can be attained, the man should bel [...]e [...]e that the issue and consequence of this transacting shall prove comfortable, and all shall be well, and that God, who engageth for all in the Covenant, (since he hath determined the man to this hap­py choice) will in some measure make him forth-coming, and will perfect what concerns him; Faithful is He who hath promised, who will also do it, 1 Thes. 5 [...] [...]4. If this confidence be wanting, the matter will be done with much fear and jealousie, if not worse, and will still prove a disquieting business to the man.

2. It should be done Holily. It is cal­led, The Holy Covenant, Luk. 1.72. The holy things of David, Act. 13.34. Here it were fitting, that what is done in this express transacting with God, should not be done passingly, and on the by, but in some special address unto God; the thing should be spoken unto the Lord, Psal. 142.5. It is beseeming in so great a bu­siness, [Page 210] that a piece of time were set apart for Confession and Supplication before God: yea, also the person so transacting with God, should labour to have high ap­prehensions of Gods greatness and sove­raignty, 2 Sam. 7.22. Although He thus humble Himself to behold things in Hea­ven and Earth, and these high and holy thoughts of Him, will and should be at­tended with debasing and humbling thoughts of self, although admitted to this high dignity, 2 Sam. 7.18. It is no small thing to be allied unto, and with the Great GOD of Heaven, and His Son CHRIST; as David speaketh, when King Saul did offer his Daughter unto him, 1 Sam. 18.22. Yea further, there should be special guarding and watching, that the heart keep Spiritual in tran­sacting with God; there is great reason for this holy way of performing the duty; for, men are ready to mistake them­selves, and to shape the Lord according to their own fancy, and to turn carnal in the business; since it is a Marriage transaction held out in all the ordinary Expressions of Love, as in the Song of So­lomon, Isa. 62.5. Zeph. 3.17.

The Fourth thing we shall speak a [Page 211] word unto, is, What should f [...]llow upon this express verbal Covenanting with God: I say, beside that Union and Communion with God in Christ, following upon believing, if a man explicitely by word transact with God;

1. He should thenceforth be singularly careful to abide close by God in all man­ner of Conversation: For, if a man thence­forth do any thing unsuitable, he doth falsifie his word before God, which will stick much in his Conscience, and prove a snare: if a man henceforth mistake God, and take on him to dispose of him­self, since he is not his own, and hath opened his Mouth unto the Lord, he makes enquiry after vowes, and devour­eth that which is holy, Prov. 20.25.

2. He who so transacteth with God, should hold stedfast that determination and conclusion. It is a shame for a man, whose heart hath closed with God, and whose mouth hath ratified and confirmed it solemnly before Him, to contradict himself again, and to admit any thing to the contrary, he ought boldly to main­tain the thing against all deadly.

Then let me obtest you who desire to be established in the matter of your inte­rest [Page 212] in God, that with all conveni [...]cy you set apart a piece of time for Prayer be­fore God, and labouring to work up your heart to Seriousness, Affection, and the Faith of the duty, to make a Covenant, and to transact with God by express word after this manner.

O Lord, I am a lost and broken Creature by Nature, & by innumerable actual trans­gressions which I do confess particularly before thee this day; and although, being born within the visible Church, I was from the Womb in Covenant with thee, & had the same Sc [...]d unto me in Baptism, yet for a long time, I have lived without God in the world, senseless and ignorant of my Obligation, by vertue of that Covenant. Thou hast (at length) discovered unto me, and bound up­on my heart, my miserable state in my self, and hast made manifest unto my heart, the satisfying relief thou hast provided by Christ Jesus, offering the same freely unto me, upon condition that I would accept of the same, & would close with the [...] as my God in Christ, warranting and commanding me upon my utmost Peril, to accept of this offer, and to flee unto Christ Jesus: yea, to my apprehen­sion, now thou hast sovernighly determined [Page 213] my heart, and shaped it for Christ Jesus, leading it out after him in the offer of the Gospel, causing me to approach unto the living God, to close so with Him, & to acquiese in his offer, without any known guile. And that I may come up to that establishment of Spirit in this matter, which should be t [...] my comfort, and the praise of thy Glorious Grace, therefore I am here this day to put this matter out of question, by express words before thee, according to thy will. And now, [...] unworthy as I am, do declare, That I [...] that CHRIST JESUS, who was s [...] [...] Jerusalem, was the Son of GOD, and the Saviour of the world; I do believe that record, That there is Life Eternal for men in Him, and in Him only: I do this day in my heart, please and [...]quiese in that device of saving Sinners by Him, and do intrust my Soul unto Him: I [...] accept of Reconciliation with God through [...], and do close with thee as my God in H [...]: I chuse Him in all that he [...], and all that may follow Him, and do resign up my sel [...], [...] I am, or have, unto thee, desiring it [...] divorced from every thing have [...] and that without exception [...] of any thing, (consistent with [...] [...] [...]dge) or [...]ended [...]ersion; [...] [Page 214] the hand to thee, and do take all things about me witnesses, that I, whatever I be, or have hitherto been, do accept of Gods offer of peace through Christ, and do make a sure Cove­nant with thee this day, never to be ran­versed, hoping that thou wilt make all things forth coming, both on thy part and mine, seriously begging (as I desire to be saved) that my Corruptions may be subdued, & my neck brought under thy sweet yoke in all things, & my heart made chearfully to acquiese in whatsoever thou dost unto me, or with me, in order to these ends. Now, Glory be unto thee, O Father, who devised such a Salvation, and gave the Son to accom­plish it: Glory be to Christ Jesus, who at so dear a [...]ate, did purchase the out­letting of that love from the Father's bo­some, and through whom alone this ac­cess is granted, and in whom I am re­conciled unto God, and honourably uni­ted unto Him, and am no more an ene­my or stranger: Glory to the Holy Ghost, who did alarm me when I was destroy­ing my self; and who did not only con­vince me of my hazard, but did also o­pen my eyes to behold the relief provi­ded in Christ; yea, and did perswade and determine my wild heart to fall in [Page 215] Love with Christ, as the enriching trea­sure, and this day doth teach me how to Covenant with God, and how to im­propriate to my self all the sure mercies of David, and blessing of Abraham, and to secure to my self the favour & friend­ship of God for ever. Now with my Soul, Heart, Head, and whole man, as I can, do acquiese in my choice this day, hence­forth resolving not to be my own, but thine [...]; and that the care of whatsoever concerns me shall be on thee as my Head and Lord, protesting humbly that failings on my part, (against which I resolve, thou knowest) shall not make void this Covenant, for so thou hast said, which I intend not to abuse, but so much the more to cleave close unto thee, and I must have liberty to renew, ratifie, & draw extracts of this transaction as often as shall be found needful. Now I know thy consent to this bargain stands recorded in Scripture, so as I need no new signification of it; and I, having accepted of thy offer upon thy own terms, will henceforth wait for what is good, and for thy Salvation in end: as thou are Faithful, pardon what is amiss in my way of doing the thing, and accept me in my sweet Lord JESƲS, in whom I only de­s [...]re Pardon; and in Testimony hereof, I set [Page 216] to my Seal that GOD is true, in declaring Him a Competent Saviour.

Let People Covenant with God in fewer or more words, as the Lord shall dispose them: for we intend no Plat­form of words for any person; only it were fitting that men should before the Lord, acknowledge their lost state in themselves, & the relief that is by Christ, and that they do declare that they accept of the same as it is offered in the Gos­pel, and do thankfully rest satisfied with it, intrusting themselves henceforth whol­ly unto God to be saved in His way, for which they wait according to His Faith­fulness. If men would heartily and sin­cerely do this, it might heartily through the Lords blessing, help to establish them against many fears and jealousies; and they might date some good thing from this day and hour, which might prove comfortable unto them when they fall in the dark afterwards, and even when many failings do stare them in the face perhaps at the hour of Death, 2 Sam. 23.5. It is much if a man can appeal unto God and say, Thou knowest there was a Day and an Hour, when in such a place I did [Page 217] accept of Peace through Christ, and did deliver up my heart to thee, to write on it thy whole Law without exception, Heaven and Earth are witnesses of it: remember the word unto thy Servant, on which thou causedst me to hope.

Answ.

It is to be regrated that mens heart doth not, with much bensail of desire and affection, embrace & welcome that bles­sed offer and portion: Yet for answer to the objection, remember; (1.) That those to whom the Lord giveth the new heart, forming Christ in them, the whole heart is not renewed, there is flesh and spirit, lusting against other, the one contrary un­to the other; so as a man can neither do the good or evil he would do, with fall be [...]sail, Gal. 5.17. It is well if there be a good part of the heart going out after Christ, desiring to close with Him on his own terms. (2.) That there is often [Page 218] rational love in the heart unto Christ Je­sus, expressing it self by a respect to his Commandments, 1 Joh. 5.5. when there is not a sensible prevailing love which maketh the Soul sick, Cant. 2.5. Men must not alwayes expect to find this. I say then, although somewhat in your heart draw back, yet if you can say, you are con­vinced of your broken state without Him, you want a Righteousness to cover your guilt, and you want strength to stand out against Sin, or to what is pleasing before God: you also see fulness in Him in both these respects; you dare say, somewhat within your heart, would be fain at him upon his own terms, and would have both Righteousness for justification, & Strengh in order to sanctification: & what is with­in you contradicting this, is your burden, in some measure, & your bondage. If it be so, your heart is brought a tolerable length; go on to the business and determine the matter by Covenanting with God, and say with your mouth, that you have both righteousness and strength in God, as He hath sworn your shall do, Isa. 45.24. It is approven Divinity to say unto God, I believe, when much mis-belief is in me, and the heart divided in the case, Mark [Page 219] 9.24. Withal, shew unto God how mat­ters are in your heart, that so you may be without guile before Him, concealing nothing from Him▪ and put your heart, as it is in his ha [...]d, to write his Law on it according to the Covenant: for that is the thing he seeketh of men, that they deliver up their heart to him, that He may stamp it with his whole Will, with­out exception: and if you can heartily consent unto that j [...]dging Christs blood a sufficient ransome and satisfaction for mans transgression, you may go and ex­presly strike Covenant with God, for your heart and affection is already engaged.

Answ.

1. You have already entered Covenant with God, as you are a Member of His visible Church, and what is now prest up­on you, is, but that you more heartily, sin­cerely, [Page 220] particularly, and more expresly Covenant and Transact with Him; you are already obliged heartily to close with God in Christ, and if you do it in heart, I hope the hazard is no greater by saying that you do so, or have done so.

2. What will you do if you shift hearty transacting with God in Christ, & do not accept His peace as it is offered? You have not a Second of it in the world; either you must [...]o this or perish forever: and if you do it with your Heart, you may al­so with your Tongue.

3. If people may scar at Covenanting with God because they will afterwards transgress; Then not one man should Covenant with God: for surely every one will transgress afterwards, if they live any length of time after the transaction; and we know no way like this to secure men from falling: for if you Covenant honestly with Him, he engageth, beside the new heart, to put His Fear & Law therein, to give his Spirit to cause you to walk in His way: And when you Cove­nant with God, you deliver up your self unto Him to be sanctified, and made con­form to His will. It is rather a giving up of your self to be led in his way in all [Page 221] things, and kept from every evil way, than any formal engagement on your part, to keep His way, and to hold off from evil. So that you need not f [...]ar at the Covenant, the Language whereof is, W [...]l [...] thou not be made clean [...] Jer 13.27. And all that shun to strike Covenant with God, do thereby declare, that they do not desire to be made clean.

4. As it is hard for any to say confi­dently they will transgress, if such a temptation did offer, so & so circumstan­tiate, because men men may think that either God will keep a temptation out of their way, or not suffer them to be tempt­ed above what they are able to bear, or give to them a way of escape, Psal 46.1 1 Cor. 10.13. So the question is not, what I may do afterwards, but, what I now re­solve to do. If my heart charge me pre­sently with any deceit or resolution to transgress, I must lay aside that deceit be­fore I transact with God. But if my heart charge me with no such purpose, yea, I dare say I resolve against every transgression: and although I think will fall before such and such a temptation, yet that thought floweth not from any allowed and approven resolution to do [Page 222] so, but from knowledge of my own Cor­ruption, and of what I have done to pro­voke God to desert me. But the Lord knowes I resolve not to transgress, nor do I approve any secret inclination of my heart to [...]ch a sin, but would reckon it my singular mercy to be kept from sin in such a case; and I judge my self a wretched man, because of such a body of Death within me, which doth threaten to make me transgress. In that case, I say my heart doth not Condemn me, there­fore I may and ought to have confidence before God, 1 Joh· 3.21. If this then be the case, I say to thee, although thou should afterwards fail many wayes, & so perhaps draw upon thy self sad temporal stroaks thereby, & lose for a season many expressions of His love: Yet there is an Advocate with the Father to plead thy Pardon, 1 Joh. 2.1. who hath satisfied for our breaches, Isa. 53.5, 6. And for His sake, God resolveth to hold fast the Covenant with men after their transgres­sion, Psal. 89.30, — 37. Else how could He be said to betroth us to Himself for­ever? Hos. 2.19, 29. and how could the Covenant be called Everlasting, ordered in all things and sure, if there were not [Page 223] ground of c [...]mfort in it, even when our [...]rt is not so [...]nd so with God? 2 Sam. 22.23. Yea, it were no better than the Covenant of Works, if these who enter it with God, could so depart from Him a­gain, as to make it void unto themselves and to put themselves into a worse con­dition, then they were into before they made it, J [...] 32.4 [...]. compared with, Heb [...].6. The Lord hateth putting away Mal. 2.16. No honest heart will stumble on this, but will rather be strengthened there­by in Duty, H [...] 14.9. For other tyes & bonds, beside divorce and punishment by Death, do oblige the ingenuous Wife unto Duty. So here, men will Fear the Lord and His Goodness, Hos. 3.5.

Answ.

1. Men are not to expect fruitfulness [Page 224] according to their desire, nor full assurance of Gods favour, immediately after they have fled unto Christ, & expresly transact­ed with God in Him These things will keep a man on work all his dayes. The Saints had their failings & short comings, yea, and backslidings, with many fits of dangerous mis-belief, after they had very seriously and expresly closed with God, as their God in Christ.

2. Many do look for fruitfulness in their walk and establishment of Faith, from their own Sincerity in transacting with God, rather than from the Spirit of the Lord Jesus. They heft their heart in their own honesty and resolutions, and not in the blessed root Christ Jesus, without whom we can do nothing, and are vanity in our best estate. Men should remem­ber, that one piece [...]f Grace cannot pro­duce any degree of Grace; further, no­thing can work Grace, but the Arm of Jehovah: and if men would lean unto Christ, and Govenant with Him as their duty absolutely, whatsoever may be the consequence, at least, looking only to Him for the suitable fruit, it should fare better with them: God pleaseth not, that men should betake themselves unto Christ, & [Page 225] Covenant with Him for a season, until they see if such & such fruit & establish­ment shall follow, purposing to disclaim their interest in Him and the Covenant, if such and such fruit doth not appear within such a length of time. This is to put the wayes of God to a tryal, and is very displeasing unto Him: men must absolutely close with CHRIST and Covenant with HIM, resolving to maintain these things as their duty, and a ready way to reach fruit, what­soever should follow thereupon, they having a Testimony within them, that they seriously design conformity to His re­vealed Will in all things; and that they have closed Covenant with Him for the same end, as well as to be saved thereby.

3. Men should be sparing to bring in question their sincerity in transacting with God, unless they can instruct the same, or have great presumptions for it. If you can instruct any deceit or guile in your transacting with Him, you are ob­liged to disclaim and rectisie it, and to transact with God honestly, and without Guile: But if you know nothing of your deceit, or guile, in the day you did tran­sact with him; Yea, you can say, that [Page 226] you did appeal unto God in that day, that you dealt honestly with him, and intended not to deceive; and did obtest Him ac­cording to His Faithfulness, to Search & Try if there was any crookedness in your way, and to discover it unto you, and heal it, Psal. 139.23, 24. and afterwards you came to the light, that your deeds might be made manifest, Joh. 3.20, 21. And you can say, that Gods answer from His Word to you, in so far as you could understand, were answers of Peace, and confirmations of your Sincerity. Yea further, You dare say, that if upon Life & Death, you were again to transact with Him, you can do it no other way, nor in­tending more sincerity and seriousness then before: Then I dare say unto thee, in the Lords Name, thou ought not to question thy Sincerity in transacting with God, but to have confidence before God, since thy heart doth not Condemn thee, 1 Joh. 3.21. And thou art bound to be­lieve, that God dealeth Ʋprightly with the Ʋpright man, and with the Pure doth shew himself Pure, Psal. 18.25, 26. If a man intend Honesty, God will not suffer him to beguile himself, Yea, the Lord suffereth no man to deceive himself, un­less [Page 227] the man intend to deceive both God and Men.

4. Therefore, impute your unfruit­fulness to your unwatchfulness and your misbelief, & impute your want of full assu­rance, unto an evil heart of unbelief, help­ed by Satan to act against the glorious free Grace of God, and charge not these things upon want of sincerity in your clo­sing with Christ. And resolve henceforth to abide close by the root, and you shall bring forth more fruit; and by much fruit you lay your self open to the wit­ness of Gods Spirit, which will testifie with your spirit, that you have sincere­ly and honestly closed with God, & that the rest of your works are wrought in God and approven of Him; and so the witness of the Spirit & the Water, joyn­ing with Blood, whereupon you are to lay the weight of your Soul and Conscience; and where alone you are to sink the Cur­ses of the Law due unto you for all your sins, and failings in your best things. These three do agree in one, viz. that this is the way of Life and Peace, and that you have interest therein, and so you come to quietness and full assurance, [Page 228] Joh. 15.4, Joh. 14 21, — Rom. 8.16. 1 Joh. 5.8.

O Blessed bargain of the New Cove­nant, and thrice Blessed Mediator of the same! Let Him ride prosperously, and subdue Nations and Languages, and ga­ther in all His Jewels, that honourable Company of the First-born, and stately troup of Kings and Priests, whose Glory it shall be to have washed their Garments in the Blood of that spotless Lamb, and whose happiness shall continually flourish in following Him whithersoever He go­eth, and in being in the immediate Company of the Ancient of dayes; one sight of whose Face, shall make them in a manner, forget that ever they were in the Earth. Oh, if I could perswade men to believe that these things are not Yea and Nay, and to make hast towards Him, who hasteth to judge the world, and to call men to an account, especially about the improvement of this Gospel. Even so, Come Lord JESƲS.