Scripture Light the Most Sure Light

Sermon III. Christ's Contentment, which he doth, and shall find in his Assurance of Issue Page 127

• The Introduction Page 128
• Quest.
  Wherein doth Christ express this Con entment ibid.
• Answ.
  The Issue is, what he travelled with, or what be t • av • lled for ibid.
• I. For his Seed, the Issue he travelled with: his de ight is proved by eight A • guments. ibid.
• Quest.
  Why doth Ch • ist take such contentment in his Issue? Page 133
• Answ.
  • 1 They are his own ibid.
  • 2 They are given him of his Father ibid.
  • 3 They have all relations to him ibid.
  • 4 They are one with him ibid.
  • 5 They are suitable to him ib.
  • 6 By them also he liveth. Page 134
• II. For the Issue he travelled for, his delight must be great.
• 1 He sees the good pleasure of God prosper in his hands. ib.
• 2 Thereby the reproach is • owled away from his sufferings.
• 3 He thereby obtains the end of his sufferings ibid.
• Quest. How shall this appear that Christ • awe this? Page 135
• Answ.
  • 1 It hath been cleared already.
  • 2 It is proved further by Scripture ibid.
  • 3 Nothing can hinder Christ from it ibid.
  • An Objection answered: proving that Christ died for all. Page 136
• Application.
  • Use, 1. Universal Redemption is false Doct • ine Page 137
• Object.
  • Christ died c nditionally Page 138
  • 1 A •• w. negatively, and cons • med by three Arguments.
  • 2 P •• of that Christ's m • rits were not conditional Page 139
  • 3 Proof &c. ibid.
  • 4 Proof ibid.
  • 5 Proof ibid.
  • 6 Proof Page 140
  • 7 Proof Page 141
  • 8 Proof Page 142
  • 9 Proof. The Covenant of Grace is free, absolute, and without Condition ibid.
    • 1 The Lord delivered it without Condition ibid.
    • 2 It is like the Covenant made with Noah ibid.
    • 3 In the Covenant of Grace, there is a converting mercy promised ibid.
    • 4 The Spirit is promised in the Covenant ibid.
    • 5 The Covenant of Grace is easier than the Covenant of Works Page 143
• Object.
  • All Divines say, Faith, and Repentance, are the Condition of the Covenant ibid.
• Answ.
  • Not all: not Luther, Zanchi, Junius, Dr. Ames. ibid.
  • Use 2 The Saints cannot be Apostates Page 144
  • Use 3. This Doctrine looks upon Godly, and Ungodly men Page 125
  • 1 It calls on the Godly to be satisfied in Christ ibid.
  • 2 The Godly are called upon to be contented with Christ, and to endeavor all for him Page 146
• Quest.
  • What must the Godly do to answer Christ's love? ibid.
• Answ.
  Many things
  • 1 To bear the same mind to Christ, he bear to us ibid.
  • 2 To use the means of Grace in public and private Ordinances Page 147
  • 3 To use one Grace so as to make us fit for another ibid.
  • 4 To be thankful for our present Condition ibid.
  • 5 Use no come • any, but what you may receive some good from ibid.
  • 6 Use y • ur particular Calling, so as to be fit for a general Calling Page 148
  • 7 Be merry, yet so as you may not grieve afterwards for your mirth ibid.
  • 8 It is excellent to know what God's design is, yet we must admire what we cannot understand ibid.
  • 9 So mind the Truth of the Times, as not to neglect the power of Godliness Page 148, 149
  • 10 Desire to die, yet be contented to live ibid.

Sermon I.

• THE Words opened in two Branches. Page 1
• 1 The sad Discouragements of a gracious Spirit. Page 2
• 2 The Remedies ibid.
  • Three Doctrines observe • in the first Branch ibid.
• 1 That the Saints have an inward Peace ibid.
• 2 This Peace may be interrupted ibid.
• 3 The Saints have no reason to be di • couraged. This is the main thing aimed at ibid.
• Doct. 1. proved 3
  • The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, are engaged for their peace, Page 4
  • 1 The Father is engaged
• 1 By his Prerogative ib.
• 2 By his Commandment ibid.
• 3 By Virtue of his Promise. Page 5
• 4 By Purchase ibid.
• 5 In regard of the Chastisements of the Saints ibid
• 2 The Son is engaged Page 6
  • 1 By his qualifications he received from his Father. ibid
  • 2 By his own disposition Page 7
  • 3 By his Office. ibid.
• 3 The Holy Ghost is engaged, As Christ's Executor (be it spoken with Reverence ibid.
• As our Advoca • e, in some sense, though Christ alone be our Advocate. ibid.
• Object.
  Experience showeth the contrary, by the unquiet Condition of the Saints. Page 8
• Answ.
  [Doct. 2] Their quiet may be interrupted. Some distinctions • herein • o be considered ibid
  • 1 There is a Fundamental Peace naturally flowing from Justification. 2. There is an additional peace flowing from the sense of their Justification: the former cannot be lost, the latter may. ibid.
  • 2 There is great difference between peace, comfort and joy Page 9
  • 3 There is a peace in opposition to what one hath been, and a peace that lies in opposition to what one would be ibid.
  • 4 There is a dormant peace, and there is a wak • ned peace ibid.
• Quest.
  What is the Issue of this? Page 10
• Application.
  • 1 See what a blessed Condition the Saints of God are in. ib.
  • 2 Thankfulness of the Godly called for ibid.
• Object.
  May be the Peace I have, is not right, wherefore I cannot praise the Lord for it. Page 11
• Answ.
  • 1 I grant, that there is a false Peace that wicked men have, but there is a true Peace to th • Godly Page ••
  • T • e di •• ere • ce of true and false Peace ib ••
  • Common Peace ariseth from the apprehension of God's common Goodness.
  • Special P • ace ariseth from the apprehension of God's s • ecial favor.
  • F •• se Peace is • Guard to our Sins.
  • True Peace is a Guard to our Graces. ibid.
• 2 True Peace is wrought by Faith ibid.
• 3 Tru • Peace will live in the sight of Sin ibid.
• 4 True Peace loves to be tried ibid.
• 5 True Peace is spoken by God ibid.
• An Appeal to any that doubt of their Peace Page 13
• Object.
  I fear my inward Peace, because it doth not continue •• id.
• Answ.
  The second Doctrine answers this ibid.
• Object.
  • I fear my peace, because I came so lightly by it Page 14
• Answ.
  • All peace is the free gift of God for Christ his sake, not for our sufferings Page 15
• Object.
  I want that Peace within, how shall I come by it? ibid.
• Answ.
  The Lord only can speak this peace to thee, which he doth speak in the way of his Ordinance ibid.
• Quest.
  What doth the Lord speak in his Ordinances that may quiet my Soul? ibid.
• Answ.
  • 1 You are willed to consider much of the fullness of Christ's satisfaction. ibid.
    • God for Christ's sake works all our works for us Page 16
  • 2 Christ is our Peace-maker, we must go to him ibid.
    • The manner how we must go.
  • 1 Go in uprightness Page 17
  • 2 Carry the Promise with you ibid.
  • 3 Wait long on Christ, till Peace do come. ibid.
• Quest.
  Must we not be humbled for sins committed? ibid.
• Answ.
  In all your Humiliation, carry Christ along with you ibid.
• 4 Labor to mortify your affections ibid.
• 5 Walk not with doubting company Page 18
• 6 When God speaks a little peace to thee, refuse it not, for it will increase. Page 19
  • This is amplified Page 20

Sermon II.

• DOCT. 2.
  • The Saints may be under much discouragement. Page 21
  • Two words in the Text most Emphatical, Cast down, Disquieted. ibid.
    • The words opened by four Questions Page 22
  • 1 How far a good man may be discouraged.
  • 2 How it comes that he is discouraged
  • 3 How discouragements can stand with Grace
  • 4 How they may be cured.
• Quest. 1.
  How far may a good man be discouraged? Page 22
• Answ.
  • 1 A Saint may refuse Comfort for the Soul ibid.
  • 2 For the Body also ibid.
  • 3 A good man may refuse Duty Page 23
  • 4 He may be weary of his life ibid.
• Quest. 2.
  Why doth God suffer his Children to be so discouraged? ibid.
• Answ.
  • In general It is for their good. Page 24
  • More particularly
    • 1 It is God's way to deal so with men ibid.
    • 2 This way God sets a greater price on our inward peace Page 25
    • 3 God will have us to love him only ibid.
    • 4 He thus trains up his Children to more perfection. ib.
    • 5 He doth this to keep his Chil-from security Page 24
    • 6 This is explained by the similitude of a Surgeon dealing with his Patient. Page 26
• Object.
  Can any man foretell a man's discouragement? ibid.
• Answ. Affirmatively.
• 1 It may be foretold when a man placeth his Spiritual Comfort on outward Blessings Page 27
• 2 When a man is unthankful for true peace, and not humbled for false Peace. ibid
• 3 When a man doth raise his Comfort only from Grace within, and not from Christ without. Yet Grace within is, 1. A Cause sine qua non. 2. It removes all impediments of Comfo • t. 3. It is a witnessing Cause. 4. It is a confirming Cause. ibid.
• 4 When a man layeth his comfort on the impression or coming in of the Word, rather than upon the Word i • self.
• The words on Psal. 16.4. critically expounded Page 28
• Quest. 3.
  How can all this stand with Grace? ibid.
• Answ. Affirmatively
• The Saints are never so discouraged, but there is some Grace left ibid.
• Quest.
  Is there no evil in Discouragements? Page 29
• Answ. Affirmatively
  Very much ibid.
• Quest. 4.
  What must a poor Soul do to recover its peace lost? Page 30
• Answered, partly by way of Question, partly by Direction ibid.
• 1 Hast thou quite forgot thy former peace? Page 31
• 2 Do you not use the means for restoring your Comforts? ibid.
  • Some seek Comfort by way of reasoning with God.
  • Some seek it in Duty, neglecting their Calling. Both are d • ceived
• 3 Have you not so far strained for some outward comfort, as to lose your inward comfort? ibid.
• Quest.
  What shall I do that my comforts may be restored Page 32
• Answ. By Direction in three things.
  • 1 Do what you would do to be justified ibid.
  • 2 Seek whether God hath withdrawn his presence for your sin ibid.
• An Objection answered. Page 33
• 3 Read the Scriptures much ibid.
• Object.
  What if I do, they may not comfort me. ib.
• Answ.
  You cannot tell, till you prove it Page 34
• Somtimes the Promise comes to us, sometimes we go to it ib.
• Object.
  I shall meet with threatenings in the Scripture. ibid.
• Answ. Negatively, for
  • Threatenings lead you to the Promise Page 34
• Object.
  There are many other things in Scripture that concern no • my Condition ibid.
• Answ. Negatively
  Christ cureth us sometimes by diverting our minds ibid.
• Quest.
  Where Peace returns, what must I do Page 35
• Answ.
  • 1 Be sure it be true Peace ib.
  • 2 Fall upon Satan's Quarters ibid.
  • 3 Put all your Comforts into Christ's hands ibid.
  • 4 Spend all for Christ, comfort others Page 36

Sermon III.

• DOCT. 3.
  • David's condition is put for a pattern Page 42
  • Habakkuks Condition ibid
  • A Godly man may rejoice in any Condition ibid.
  • The Saints think they have reason for their Discouragements Page 43
  • The Saints may have reason for their Discouragements. ibid.
• Quest.
  What have the Saints that is a sufficient Bulwark against all discouragements? ibid.
• Answ.
  • 1 A godly man hath a propriety in God ibid.
    • How God is my God Page 44
  • 2 God knows him, and his condition ibid.
  • 3 God will not have his People to be discouraged: proved from God the Son, to God the Father Page 45
  • 4 The Saints have no discouragement, but there is a greater Encouragement bound up with it Page 46
  • God makes our discouragements, causes of encouragements Page 47
  • 5 A pray • ng man can never be very miserable. Page 48
  • 4 The matter of our discouragements, is but as a cloud ibid.
• Quest.
  How shall it appear to be but a cloud? ibid.
• Answ.
  • 1 If this Cloud come after the Promise Page 49
  • 2 If a man can see to work. Page 50
  • 3 If there be some openings of light with the darkness, by intermission ibid.
• Application Page 51
• Object.
  I have reason to be discouraged, for I have no feeling of God's Love ibid.
• Answ.
  • 1 We do not live by feeling, but by Faith. ibid.
  • 2 The great difference between a Godly man, and a wicked man in this Page 52
  • 3 An Exhortation to the Saints, not to be dscouraged, for four Reasons ibid.
• 1 You rejoice Satan when you are discouraged. ibid.
• 2 You grieve the heart of God ib.
• 3 You do thereby make void the end of Christ's coming ibid.
• 4 You make yourself unfit for Christ's Service. ibid.
• Quest.
  What shall a man do to bear up against all discouragements? Page 54
• Answ.
  • 1 Never lay your Comforts upon any Condition ibid.
  • 2 Think of Christ in a right way Page 55
  • 3 Check yourself for being discouraged ibid
  • 4 Mix the thoughts of your Discouragements, with thoughts of Comfort ibid.
  • 5 Mortify Self-Love Page 56
  • 6 Question yourself for being discouraged ibid.
• So much for the Proof in general Page 57

Sermon IV.

• The Point is cleared, and proved, by nine particular Instances Page 58
• 1 Discouragements from gross sins Page 59
• 2 From weakness of Grace
• 3 From their failing in Duty
• 4 From want of evidence of God's Love
• 5 From Temptations
• 6 From Desertions
• 7 From Afflictions
• 8 From Unserviceableness
• 9 From the Condition itself.
• INSTANCE, I.
• Proved by way of Question, and Answer. Page 60
• Quest.
  How may this appear? ibid.
• Answ.
  • 1 They know they shall never be condemned Page 61
  • 2 Their sins shall never part God and them, proved by the Covenant made with No • h. Page 62
  • 3 Their sins are occasions of more Grace, proved Page 63
• Object.
  Suppose my sin be such that there is no such found to be pardoned in Scripture, may I not be discouraged? ibid.
• Answ.
  Negatively ibid.
• Object.
  Suppose a man sin against his conscience and knowledge. ib.
• Answ. Negatively Page 65
• Object.
  Suppose it be an exceeding great sin a godly man hath committed ibid.
• Answ. Negatively ibid.
• Object.
  Suppose it be a sin of revol • ing, and backsliding Page 66
• 1 Answ. Negatively
• 2 You may be mistaken
• 3 Christ died for sinners, were they young or old in their sins. Page 67
• Object.
  Suppose a man cannot repent enough for his sin presently? Page 67
• Answ. Negatively Page 68
• And proved by three Reasons
• Quest.
  Should not a godly man be humbled for his sin? Page 69
• Answ. Affirmatively
• Reasons to prove it by Page 70
• Quest.
  What is the difference between humbled, and discouraged? ibid.
• Answ.
  • 1 When a man is humbled, the Object of his grief, is his sin; but he is not discouraged: Cain was discouraged, but not humbled Page 71
  • 2 True humiliation, is a real friend to spiritual Joy ibid.
  • 3 True humiliation brings on Diety, Discouragement drives us from it Page 72
• Quest.
  How shall a man be humbled, and not discouraged? ibid.
• Answ.
  • 1 A man must be humbled for his sin, be it never so small; but not discouraged for his sin, be it never so great ib.
  • 2 In your humiliation, do not part that which God hath joined Page 73
  • 3 Mourn not for your sin in order to your condition; but mourn over your condition in order to your sin ibid.
  • 4 In your humiliation, meddle not too much with God's Prerogative Page 74
  • 5 The more you are humbled at the sight of God's free Grace, the less you will be discouraged: Somtimes we present the Lord to our souls, under the notion of his greatness; and sometimes under the notion of Goodness. Whence he cites a saying of Luther's ibid.
  • 6 If you would be humbled, and not discouraged, lay the stress of all your sorrow upon your sin, and drive up your sin to your Unbelief Page 75

Sermon V.

• ISTANCE, II.
• A Complaint of small Grace. Page 76
• The Answer, negatively.
  • God recompenceth weakness with wisdom Page 77
  • Every godly man is a wise man ibid.
• Quest.
  Is it no disadvantage to be weak in Grace? ibid.
• Answ.
  affirmatively
• 1 He is the more ready to stumble and fall ibid.
• 2 His Comforts are more easily quenched Page 78
• 3 He cannot glorify God, as the strong Christian may: for three Reasons ibid.
• 1 He doubteth oftener ib.
• 2 The more a man lives by hope, the more he glorifies God Page 78
• 3 A strong Christian will do great things for God Page 79
• 4 A strong Christian can tend the public, a weak Christian cannot ibid.
• 5 A strong Christian can wait long on God, a weak cannot. ibid.
• 6 A strong Christian is helpful to others ibid.
• Secondly,
  • There is no reason of being discouraged. ibid.
  • The Reason are two
    • 1 Weakness doth not exclude mercy ibid.
    • 2 The weak Christian hath as many Promises from God as the strong ibid.
• 1 If your weak Grace be true Grace, you have as great a share in Christ's Righteousness as the strongest Christian hath Page 80
• 2 The Promises of Scripture, are most to those that are weak in Grace ibid.
• 3 Weak Christians have most kisses from God Page 81
• 3 If I be weak in Grace, if Christ will condescend to mine infirmities, I need not be discouraged Page 82
• 4 Christ puts a Why, and a Wherefore, on the discouragements of weak Christians ib.
• 5 A Christian would be discouraged, if he did not sometimes find this smallness of Grace within him Page 83
• Object.
  It is an uncomfortable thing to be weak ibid.
• 1 Answ. Negatively Page 83
• 2 There is difference between uncomfortableness, and less comfort ibid.
• Quest.
  How shall I know that my little grace is an earnest of more grace? ibid.
• Answ.
  • 1 Because you have the Spirit of Adoption ibid.
  • 2 If you mourn for little grace, and wait on God for more. ibid.
• Object.
  I am not discouraged at my weakness for the uncomfortableness of it, but for the unserviceableness of it. Page 84
• Answ.
  • 1 You ought not so to be discouraged, for the spiritual victory lies not in ourselves. ib.
  • 2 Though your grace be weak, yet you may do much for God ibid.
• Object.
  I am most discouraged in regard of my own guiltiness Page 85
• Answ.
  • 1 You may be mistaken ibid.
  • 2 If your sin have weakened your grace, you must be humbled, but not discouraged; for three Reasons. ibid.
  • 1 If nothing have befallen you, but what may befall a true Believer ibid.
  • 2 Though grace be weakened by sin, yet if it be true, it cannot fail. ibid.
  • 3 If the Promise belong to you Page 86
• Object.
  • I fear my Grace is not true, but common Grace Page 86
  • Differences between true, and common Grace ibid.
• 1 True grace, though small, will not oppose much grace ibid.
• 2 It loves to be tried ibid.
• 3 It is very inquisitive after the ways of God, and further Truths Page 87
• 4 It is much in humiliation ib.
• 5 It works proportionably to its strength ibid.
• 6 It is willing to learn of others ibid.
• 7 It is very sensible of its own weakness Page 88
• Object.
  I am an old Professor, yet weak in grace ibid.
• Answ.
  • You may be weak in respect of others, yet strong in respect of your former parts. This is cleared by three Reasons ibid.
  • 1 The more extensive a man's Obedience is, the more he is grown in grace. ibid.
  • 2 The more exact a man is in Duty, the more he is grown in grace ibid.
  • 3 The more a man understands his Christian Liberty, and yet walks more strictly, the more he is grown in grace Page 89
• Quest.
  If I be weak in grace, and temptations press me, what must I do? ibid.
• Answ.
  • 1 Consider what a great charge God the Father hath given to Christ's • f those that are weak. ibid.
  • 2 Consider what charge Christ gave to his Apostles and Ministers, of those that are weak ibid.
  • 3 Consider what a great mercy it is to have a little true grace Page 90
  • 4 Think how your grace will grow weaker under discoucouragements ibid.

Sermon VI.

• INSTANCE, III.
• Object.
  A dull heart in Duty causeth discouragement Page 92
• Answ.
  Negatively,
• There is reason to be afflicted, but not to be discouraged. ib.
• Quest.
  How may that appear? Page 93
• Answ.
  • 1 Every good man is in Covenant with God ibid
  • 2 Though his Duty be done in weakness, there is somewhat of Christ in it. ibid.
  • 3 Our acceptance of Duty must not come in by way of performance, but by way of Christ. Page 94
• Object.
  • I have no parts in Duty, therefore I am discouraged ibid.
• Answ.
  • 1 God accepts the desire for Christ's sake Page 94
  • 2 Thy parts are •• swerable to thy grace Page 95
  • 3 Parts and gifts do not commend our Services unto God ibid.
  • 4 Parts recompensed some other way Page 96
• Object.
  I want the grace and holiness of Duty ibid.
• Answ.
  Pearls may grow on Rocks; so may some graces on thy rocky heart Page 97
• 1 Are you contented with the straightness of your condition? Answ. Negatively. ib.
• 2 If your condition here, be no other than the condition of the Saints, you have no cause to be discouraged ibid.
• 3 You would fain have enlargements represent your condition to God Page 98
• 4 It is God's way to restrain prayer, before he gives enlargements ibid.
• 5 Dullness in prayer is an ill sin, yet the sense thereof is a good sign Page 99
• 6 Prayer is not pouring out of many words, but the pouring out of the Soul unto God. ibid.
• Object.
  • I am not only dull in duty, bu • full of distraction. Page 100
• Answ.
  This is a great evil, yet no cause of discouragement; for three Reasons ibid.
  • 1 All men have some distractions in d • ty. ibid.
  • 2 Distractions shall not hurt us, because they please us not. Page 101
  • 3 Our distractions move the Lord to pity us ibid.
• Object.
  I pray, and am never the nearer, should not that discourage me? Page 102
• Answ.
  Negatively.
  • 1 It is a great mercy that God will receive my prayer, though I never receive the thing I pray for ibid.
  • 2 God's Children usually think God hears not their prayers when he doth ibid.
  • 3 The Lord not granting your prayer, is not always matter of discouragement, but sometimes of encouragement Page 103
  • 4 Whoever waited on God by prayer, but be received more than he prayed for? Page 104
  • 5 Should God presently answer our prayers always, we should be discouraged Page 105
• Object. 1.
  • I fear God denieth my prayer ibid.
  • 1 Answ. Affirmatively. It may be so to his own children ibid.
  • 2 If the thing you pray for, be good for you, and you continue praying, it is a sign that God rather delays, than denies you ibid.
• Object. 2.
  I fear God is angry with me. Page 106
• Answ.
  Was not God angry with Jonah and the Canaanitish woman? Page 106
• Object. 3.
  But she believed, there is much unbelief in my prayer ibid.
• Answ.
  Was it not so with David? ibid.
• Object. 4.
  I am self-ish, and pray only by reason of affliction ibid.
• Answ.
  So it was with Jonah ibid.
• Object. 5.
  My prayer is not well prepared ibid.
• Answ.
  Hezekiah prayed for those that came unprepared ibid.
• Object. 6.
  I am full of passions. ibid.
• Answ.
  What think you of Elijah? ibid.
• Object. 7.
  My condition is such or such. ibid.
• Answ.
  The condition of distressed men paralleled in Scripture, when they look toward Christ. ib.
• Application.
  • 1 What encouragements here are for all poor souls to come unto Christ. Page 107
  • 2 What a vast difference there is here, between a godly, and a wicked man ibid.
• Quest.
  What must I do against discouragements, that come from mine own failing in duty, or God's not answering me? Page 108
• Answ.
  • 1 Lay not the weight of your comfort upon duty ibid.
  • 2 Consider that difficulty commends duty ibid.
  • 3 Leave the success of our spiritual things unto God himself Page 109

Sermon VII.

• INSTANCE, IV.
• Object.
  O! I want assurance of the love of God, must I not be then discouraged? Page 111
• Answ.
  Negatively
• Yet it is a sore evil Page 112
• He that wants the assurance of God's love, is neither fit to receive mercy from God, nor to praise God ibid.
• He that wants the assurance of God's love, converseth too much with Satan ibid.
• Quest.
  How may it appear we must not be discouraged, when we want this assurance? Page 113
• 1 Answ. negatively. For want of Assurance is not that unbelief that condemneth us. ib.
• 2 Want of Assurance shall turn to the Saints good Page 114
  • They gain experience by it, to see the emptiness of their own righteousness ibid.
  • A man learns thus to comfort others Page 115
• 3 A good man may have comfort, though he want assurance Page 115
• Object.
  I have no Promise to bring me comfort Page 116
• Answ.
  Negatively,
  • 1 That must not discourage a Christian, for have you not the word of the Gospel? ib.
  • 2 The promise of grace belongeth to you: proved by three Reasons. 1 You do, or have rested on the Promise. 2. If the Command belong unto you, why not the Promise? 3. It is your duty to rest on the Promise Page 117
• Object. 2.
  God's Promise in Scripture, runs upon some Condition which I cannot perform ib.
• Answ.
  • 1 A good man may apply the Promise, though he hath not performed the Condition. ib.
  • 2 The condition of one promise is the thing promised in another promise Page 118
  • 3 The condition of the promise is performed for you, better than you can perform it ib.
• Object.
  Instead of a promise, there is a threatening on my Soul. Page 119
• Answ.
  • 1 God hath two Arms to draw his Children to him; the Arm of Love, and the Arm of Anger. ibid.
  • 2 Joshua sometimes lost the sight of the promise: and for the threatening, you know how it was with David Page 120
  • 3 A Threatening from God, may be repealed, but a promise shall never be repealed. ibid.
• The Reason is, God never repeals in the matter of the Gospel Page 121
• Object.
  • I have assurance of God's displeasure, must I not then be discouraged? Page 122
• Answ.
  Negatively.
  • 1 It may be you look on the back side of God's dispensation, wherein appears his Anger. ibid.
  • 2 There is no such testimony of Reprobation in all the Scripture ibid.
• Object.
  I have been without assurance these many years, yet living under Gospel means; therefore I look for none Page 123
• Answ.
  Negatively.
  • 1 Our evidence for Heaven, is in God's keeping. ibid.
  • 2 Consider four Propositions.
    • 1 A man may have saving Faith, who hath no assurance of God's love ibid.
    • 2 A man may have strong Faith and assurance, yet many doubts Page 124
    • 3 A man may have strong faith and assurance, yet for a long time be deprived of the feeling of it. ib.
    • 4 A godly man may live and die doubting ibid.
  • 3 Though some may die doubting, and yet be saved, a man may from Scripture fetch Arguments, from whence he may ordinarily conclude he shall be saved. Page 125
• Arg. 1. There is a faith of Reliance, from whence we may conclude a faith of Assurance. Page 125
• Arg. 2. God hath done great things for thy soul in trouble, thou mayest conclude he will do more ibid.
• Arg. 3. If thy heart be upright in the matter of assurance, God will give it thee. ibid.
• Arg. 4. If a man can praise God for what he hath, though his condition be very sad Page 126
• Arg. 5. If the Lord be the health of your countenance, you shall have assurance of your salvation ibid.
• A Caution that no man may misapply this Doctrine. Page 127
• Quest.
  Suppose I want assurance, how shall I bear up against all discouragements? Page 128
• Answ.
  by way of Direction.
• 1 Seek earnestly after God's love, and Christ's satisfaction ibid.
• 2 Hearken to no comfort out of an Ordinance, contrary to the comfort the Lord speaks in his Ordinance. ibid.
• 3 Be not discontented with your condition Page 129
• 4 Do not say, I shall never hav • assurance. ibid.
• 5 The less assurance you have, the more precious your Obedience may be Page 130

Sermon VIII.

• INSTANCE, V.
• I have been under Temptations many years, and yet find no comfort, must I not be discouraged? Page 132
• Answ.
  Negatively.
• Temptations are great afflictions ibid.
• They are an immediate combating with the Devil Page 133
• They commonly seize on soul and body, yet we must not be discouraged for them Page 134
• Quest.
  How shall that appear? ibid.
• Answ.
  By four demonstrations.
  • 1 Satan tempts God's people to discourage them ibid.
  • 2 God pitieth us under Temptations Page 135
  • 3 Christ overcame all Temptations for us ibid.
  • 4 All temptations shall turn to our good Page 136
    • 1 Thereby they are more humbled ibid.
    • 2 Thereby they are more occasioned to love God ibid.
    • 3 Thereby God's grace in Christ is more discovered. Page 137
    • 4 Thereby their graces are more increased. ibid.
    • 5 Thereby all the Saints triumph over Satan ib.
• Object. 1.
  I have been long tempted, yet find no deliverance Page 137
• Answ.
  Christ was tempted in all things as we are. ibid.
• Object. 2.
  I doubt, being so tempted, whether I am the child of God. Page 138
• Answ.
  Christ was so tempted in two of the three temptations, in his forty days temptation. A comparison that illustrates the matter, and is very sit against discouragement ibid.
• Object. 3.
  I am tempted to make myself away, to blaspheme God, and to believe I have sinned against the holy Ghost. Page 139
• Answ.
  I confess this is sad indeed: but I dare not say they are damned, though I read not of any such example in Scripture, of any godly man that killed himself, yet I dare not say they are saved. Page 140
• Object. 4.
  But I am weak, and yield to many temptations, must I not be discouraged? Page 141
• Answ. Negatively.
  • For out of weakness, we are made strong ibid.
  • Three sorts of People are in the world; Old Men; Middle aged; Children. The time of young men is the overcoming time: Yet the Apostle John writes unto them all. So though you be weak, yet you may overcome Page 142
• Object. 5.
  I have been overcome in my temptations ibid.
• Answ.
  You are never overcome so long as you keep your weapon in your hand: you may be overcome in skirmish, yet overcome in battle ibid.
• Object. 6.
  My temptations are not such as God's children meet withal Page 143
• Answ.
  Negatively.
• 1 For the godly are tempted to presume, to despair, unbelief. The differences. ibid.
• 2 The godly accuse themselves when they fall to sin by temptation; but the wicked lay it on others, and on the temptation ibid.
• 3 When a godly man is tempted to evil, he rather startles at the sin, than at the burden of it; but the wicked startle at the punishment more than the sin Page 144
• Temptations use to be greater after Conversion ib.
  • 1 Peter did not deny Christ before he was converted to Jesus Christ ibid.
  • 2 God never measures his children by what they are in temptations. Page 145
• Quest.
  What shall I do then that I may not be discouraged? Page 146
• Answ.
  If temptations arise from natural causes, Physic is to be used ibid.
• 1 Expect not too much from any one means of help; but wait on God Page 146
• 2 Say not of a Temptation, this is no Temptation Page 147
• 3 Consider that Christ is engaged to help you, when you are tempted. ibid.
• 4 Think not to relieve yourself under temptations, with physical and moral Reasons. Page 148
• 5 Advise with others that have been tempted, though weaker than yourself ibid.
• 6 Especially converse with the Promise ibid.
• 7 The greatest Consolations do sometimes follow the worst Temptations Page 149

Sermon IX.

• INSTANCE, VI.
• Spiritual Desertions, are just cause of discouragement Page 150
• Answ. Negatively.
  • I know no affliction so great to a gracious heart as this, yet God's children must not faint here Page 151
• Quest.
  How may this appear? Page 152
• Answ.
  • 1. How God is said to forsake a man ibid.
    • 1 In regard of union, God never forsakes his own. ibid.
    • 2 In regard of his Power, Grace, and Strength, he never forsakes them totally ibid.
    • 3 In regard of Vision, and comfortable feelings, he forsakes them but for a time, and returns again: None of these can discourage us ibid.
  • 2 God forsakes his People that he may not forsake them. Page 153
  • 3 Though God's People are left sometimes in the dark, they have always light enough to work by Page 154
• Object. 1.
  I fear Christ hath withdrawn himself from me in regard of Union. ibid.
• Answ.
  Negatively.
• You cannot judge of Grace under spiritual Desertions. ib.
• Object. 2.
  I find God's Displeasure, &c. Page 155
• Answ. Negatively,
  For this hath been the Saints condition before you. ibid.
• Object. 3.
  I have drawn this displeasure on my own head, therefore, &c. Page 156
• Answ. Negatively.
  For God will hide his face, and smite too, yet not forsake ibid.
• Object. 4.
  My condition is worse every day, therefore &c. Page 157
• Answ. Negatively
  For so were the Israelites in Egypt. ibid.
• Object. 5.
  I find in Scripture a final rejection, therefore &c. Page 158
• Answ. Negatively
  • 1 The Saints usually think so, that their Desertion is final. Page 159
  • 2 The Promise usually takes off this Objection. ibid.
  • 3 Scripture will make it clear to you. ibid.
• Six Questions to resolve this by Page 159
  • 1 Did you ever read in Scripture that a man was finally forsaken of the Lord, but that an evil spirit from the Lord did seize upon him presently? Page 160
  • 2 Did you ever read that God did forsake any, that were not willing to forsake God? ibid.
  • 3 Did you ever read that God forsook any man who was sensible of this forsaking, and complained of it simply for itself? ibid.
  • 4 Did you ever read of any man forsaken by God, who was tender in the point of sin? ibid.
  • 5 Did you ever read that Christ did forsake a soul, in which he left his Soul furnished with spiritual household-stuf? Page 161
  • 6 Did you ever read that Christ forsook any man who longed after him as the greatest good? ibid
• Quest.
  What shall I do when Christ hides his face from me? Page 262
• Answ.
  • 1 Do not measure God's Eternal affection by some present Dispensation ibid:
  • 2 Let fall no despairing speeches Page 263
  • 3 Hear indifferently on both sides. ibid.
  • 4 Labor more to live by Faith. Page 264
• Your own Experience will convince you. Page 265

Sermon X.

• INSTANCE, VII.
• The case was David's, therefore you need not be discouraged. Page 267
• Obj. But besides National miseries, I have many Personal Afflictions; therefore &c. Page 268
• Answ.
  Negatively, for
  • 1 It is no new-thing for the Saints to be personally afflicted. ibid.
  • 2 When they are afflicted, they are in some respects more sensible of their affliction than the wicked are ibid.
  • 3 As they will be sensible of affliction, so they are very apt to be much discouraged by reason of them. ibid.
• Four things considerable to clear this Truth Page 269
  • 1 What the Sufferings of the Saints are. ibid.
  • 2 Whence they proceed.
  • 3 What accompanies them.
  • 4 What follows them. Page 269
• For the first.
  • 1 They are parts of Christ's Purchase for them. ibid.
  • 2 They proceed from God's love. Page 270
  • 3 Much supporting Grace accompanies them. Page 271
  • 4 They bring forth quiet fruits of Righteousness Page 272
• Object. 1.
  My afflictions are without end, therefore &c. Page 273
• Answ.
  Negatively: For God takes away your comforts for a time, that you may not be drunk with them ibid.
• Object. 2.
  My Afflictions are not usual, but new ones, and strange. Page 274
• Answ.
  You think so, but not truly. ibid.
• Object. 3.
  I want all kinds of Mercies, my Afflictions have no bottom. ibid.
• Answ.
  It was David's case ibid.
• Object. 4.
  But my dearest friends hate me, therefore &c. Page 275
• Answ.
  negatively: For Our greatest Enemies may prove our greatest Friends. ibid.
• Object. 5.
  But my afflictions expose me to all Temptations, therefore &c. Page 276
• Answ.
  negatively: For
  • 1 May be you are mistaken. ib.
  • 2 God by affliction calls a man to some other work. ibid.
  • 3 No affliction doth expose a man to a new sin, that makes him sensible of his former sin. ibid.
  • 4 When a man thus fears, it is a sign of Grace Page 277
• Object. 6.
  My sin is the cause of my affliction, and I know not what sin it is, therefore &c. ibid.
• Answ. negatively: For
  • So it was with Jonah, so with David, &c. ibid.
  • It is sometimes better for a particular sin to lie undiscovered Page 278
• Object. 7.
  But I fear my afflictions come from God's displeasure, therefore &c. ibid.
• Answ.
  negatively: For
  • 1 Afflictions argue God's love rather than his hatred. ibid.
  • 2 Is there anything in God that is not a friend to all the Saints? ibid.
  • 3 But what are those visible Characters of love engraven. on affliction? Page 279
• 1 If affliction be a blessing, then it comes from love. ibid.
• 2 If affliction end in our love to God, then it comes from God's love t • us. ib.
• 3 If affliction teacheth the mind of God, then it doth come from love ibid.
• 4 If i • be but in measure, and at a seasonable time, then it comes from love. ibid.
• 5 God is more especially present in affliction than at other times Page 279
• Object. 8.
  But our whole Nation is afflicted, therefore &c. Page 280
• Answ. negatively,
  This is a sad thing. If ever England had cause to be humbled under the hand of the Lord, it is now: Yet say to the Righteous, in evil times it shall go well with him. ibid.
• Quest.
  What must we do to bear up against all discouragements? Page 282
• Answ.
  • 1 If you have assurance of God's love in Christ, hold to that; if you have it not, this affl • ction shall bring you to it. ibid.
  • 2 Remember much your Fellowship with Christ in his Sufferings. ibid.
  • 3 Labor more to be a stranger to the world, and to live by Faith ibid.
  • 4 Consider what Christ hath born, and left you to bear. Page 283
  • 5 Consider frequently, and seriously, what abundance of good, you, and others may get by your afflictions ibid.
  • 6 When afflictions come, look not only on the evil of it, but on the good of it too. ibid.

Sermon XI.

• INSTANCE, VIII.
• Object.
  Either men think they are not called forth to work for God, or they want abilities, or they have no success, therefore. Page 285
• Answ.
  negatively: For
  • 1 Is Family work nothing? There is a three-fold sweat saith Luther, Political, Ecclesiastical, Domestical. Page 286
  • 2 Is it nothing to be trusted with the work of your Christian Station? ibid.
  • 3 Is it nothing to be employed to comfort others? ibid.
• Object. 1.
  But God doth not employ me in the world, I am an useless Creature, therefore &c. ib.
• Answ.
  • 1 It is a great blessing to be employed in any Service of God ibid.
  • 2 The more a man doth for God, the more he doth honor God Page 287
  • 3 By being employed, we are kept from Temptations. ibid.
  • 4 Great employment is the mercy promised. ibid.
  • 5 The more serviceable a man is for God, the more will God be apt to pardon his failings. Page 288
  • 6 If a man be faithful in God's work, God will bless him. Page 288
  • 7 The serviceable man for God is the only man that doth live and speak when he is dead. ibid.
• I may be God's Servant, though I am not employed by him in his Service: For Page 289
• 1 The Service of God is twofold; either public, or private. The private Service is the saving Service, though we have no public employment. ibid.
• 2 Special, or public employment, is various also; either in a mean, or a great employment. ibid.
• 3 Though God do not use me at present, he may use me afterwards. Page 290
• 4 A man may be so employed, and yet go to Hell; and he may not be employed, and yet go to Heaven. ibid.
• 5 You must rejoice when others are employed. ibid.
• Object. 2.
  But I want abilities, therefore &c. Page 291
• Answ.
  negatively; For
  • 1 God's greatest works are not always done by the greatest abilities ibid.
  • 2 Our best abilities are from God ibid.
  • 3 The Spirit of God, doth not always breath alike. Page 292
  • 4 If God call you to a work, he will give you needful assistance in that time. ibid.
• Object. 3.
  I fear I intrude into God's work because I want abilities. ibid.
• Answ. Negatively.
• 1 God sometimes first calls a man, and then gives abilities afterward. ibid.
• 2 If God's door-keepers do judge you able, you must rest on their judgment. Page 293
• Though I am to judge of mine own grace, yet others, and not I, must judge of my abilities. ibid.
• Object. 4.
  I fear I am an intruder, because I meet with so many difficulties. ibid.
• Answ.
  • 1 What good action doth not? ibid.
  • 2 The greatest Call from God, usually finds the greatest difficulties. Page 294
• Object. 5.
  God I believe hath called me to his Service, but I am unserviceable. ibid.
• Answ.
  That is ill indeed. ibid.
• But this compla • nt, showeth you are willing to serve God, therefore be not discouraged. Page 295
• Object. 6.
  I work, and have no success in my work, therefore &c. ibid.
• Answ. Negatively.
  • 1 You may mistake the success. Page 296
  • 2 God's dearest Children here, sometimes labored all night, and caught n • thing. Page 296
• Object. 7.
  I fear God hath employed me in the way of judgment, and not of mercy, therefore Page 297
• Answ. negatively: For
  • 1 If you love God the more for your imp oyment, it came from God's love to you. ibid.
  • 2 If God d • th any way acquaint me with his design therein, he doth employ me in love to me. ibid.
  • 3 He that is employed in love, hath high thoughts of the employment, b • t low thoughts of his own actings under it. ibid.
  • 4 He that is employed in love, is very tender of the Name of God. Page 298
  • 5 He that is employed in love, doth grow in grace ibid.
  • 6 He will not pock • t up much for himself in God's Service. ibid.
  • 7 He will do God's work without any great noise of himself. Page 299
  • 8 He is willing to be used, and contemed to be laid by. ibid.
  • 9 He will do God's work fully, though he do his own work by ha • fs. ibid.
  • 10 When God calls a man in judgment, he ha • h ordinarily more skil to destroy what is man's, than to set up what is God's. ibid.
• Quest.
  Suppose that God shall not use me • n his Se • v • ce, or if he do, I meet with such difficulties, what must I do then, not to be discouraged? Page 300
• Answ.
  • 1 If you are not called to public Service, then
    • 1 Consider you have the more time to mind your own soul. ibid.
    • 2 If you be not called to work, and yet be willing to work, you shall be paid for that service you never did. ibid.
  • 2 In case you be called forth, Page 301
    • 1 Consider, the greater the difficulties are you meet withal, the more is your obedience in carrying on the work. ibid.
    • 2 The more assistance m • y you look for. ibid.
  • 3 In case you have no success in your work, ibid.
    • 1 Consider, that the less success you have, the more are you free from envy. Page 302
    • 2 Hereby are you kept from that great temptation of resting on your own labor. Page 302

Sermon XII.

• INSTANCE, IX.
• My afflictions are seated in my condition itself, therefore &c. Page 304
• Answ.
  negatively: For
  • 1 A good man's outward condition may be very bad. Page 305
  • 2 It may be worse in regard of the world than the condition of a wicked man. ibid.
  • 3 It may be worse after his conversion than it was before. ibid.
• Yet a godly man must not be discouraged. For
  • 1 I demonstrate: If a good man's condition be carved out by the hand of his Teacher, he hath no reason to complain ibid.
  • 2 If a man doth not live upon his condition itself, but upon his call to it, he ha • h no reason to be discouraged Page 306
  • 3 If there can be no condition of a godly man without mercy Christ hath paid for, then he may n • t be discouraged Page 307
• But I am a poor man, in so mean a condition that I cannot serve God as the rich may, therefore &c. ibid.
• Answ. Negatively.
  For, Do you know the burden of prosperity? B • rden and Service go together, Numb. 4. Page 308
• Luther did a great • woe • k in way of Faith, than Alexander did in conquering the world. The more riches, the more debts. Page 309
• Object. 2.
  I am in an unsettled condition, sometimes high, sometimes low, therefore &c. ibid.
• Answ. Negatively.
  • 1 For what settlement would you have in this world of vanity? Page 310
  • 2 If God loves you in your unsettled condition, you need not be discouraged ibid.
• Object. 3.
  I am troubled, not for my outward condition, but for the condition of my soul, have I not cause now to be discouraged? Page 311
• Answ. Negatively For
  • 1 If you want Ordinances, God will make that want to be an Ordinance to you. ibid.
  • 2 If you want memory, know that there is a head memory, and a heart memory: the last is the principal, and will suffice, if the other be wanting Page 313
  • 3 As for yoar deadness, it is some life to feel ones own d • adness ibid.
  • 4 A • for your unprofitableness under means, there is great difference be • ween less fruitful, and unfruitful, for ib.
    • 1 Though a g od man be unfrui • full, he will be sensible of it Page 314
    • 2 Though a good man may be too unfruitful, yet he doth not cumber the ground ibid.
    • 3 He desires to use means to bring forth fruit ibid.
    • 4 God will prune him, but not cut him down ibid.
• Object. 4.
  I fear I am an Hypocrite; therofore &c. Page 314
• Answ. Negatively. For
  • 1 Though you have lain long dead under the means, Christ may at length roll away the stone ibid.
  • 2 God's Children usually think they are Hypocrites Page 315
  • 3 Did ever Hypocrite long for God's presence in Christ, as the best good? ibid.
• Object. 5.
  But a few are elected, and I fear I am not one, therefore &c. ibid.
• Answ. Negatively. For
  • This is no prejudice to the growth of your comfort. Page 317
  • 1 As for Election. It is true that there is a certain number only that are elected. ib.
  • 2 This number is unalterable ibid.
  • 3 God knows them all certainly ibid.
  • 4 A man may know himself to be one of those Elect. ibid.
    • Three things here to be noted, Page 318
    • 1 That some are elected. ib.
    • 2 That a man may be assured he is one of them. ibid.
    • 3 The way to know it, is not to begin aloft, but at your Vocation, as Paul did, putting Election last. ib.
• 2 Christ died for all men, both Jew and Gentile, but not for every particular man, with intention to save him ibid.
• Universal Redemption is an enemy to an afflicted soul. Page 319
  • I shall clear this Point thus.
    • 1 This Doctrine makes void the satisfaction of Christ for actual sins; for they that hold Universal Redemption, say, That thousands are damned for those sins which Christ hath satisfied for. ib.
    • 2 The intercession of Christ joined with the death of Christ, is a great comfort to a Christian; but this Doctrine parts Christ's death and intercession, telling us Christ died for all, but that he doth not intercede for all Page 320
    • 3 This Doctrine is an enemy to free Grace ibid.
    • 4 It destroys the assurance of Salvation Page 321
    • 5 The mercy of God, is made by it, to depend on our performance of Conditions Page 322
• Object. 6.
  If Christ did not die for all, how can I know he died for me? ibid.
• Answ.
  They that make this Objection, holding Universal Redemption, do answer it themselves. Yet to know further Page 323
  • 1 There is a faith of Relyance, and a faith of Assurance. I have ground to rely on Christ, because he died for sinners. ibid.
  • 2 The act of Reliance is below the act of Assurance; but he that relies on Christ, shall be saved ibid.
• Object. 7.
  I am persuaded that never any good man was in my Condition. Page 323, 324
• Answ. Negatively. For
  • 1 The Saints usually think so ibid.
  • 2 If it were so, God works new things ordinarily ibid.
• Application.
  • 1 What great necessity we have to consider our condition, whether we be in Christ or no, for everyone will say he believeth ibid.
  • 2 If you do not believe, you are here invited to it by this Doctrine. Page 325
  • 3 If you do believe, then see that you walk answerable thereunto ibid.

Sermon XIII.

• Means against Discouragements. Page 327
• DOCT.
  • Faith is the Help against all Discouragements. Page 328
  • For your better understanding, consider,
  • 1 What is Hope. ibid.
  • 2 That Faith quiets the heart in sad times. ibid.
  • 3 It is the day of all the Saints to trust in God, especially at that time ibid.
  • 4 What there is in faith, and how faith can do it ibid.
• Quest. 1.
  What is it to trust in God? ib.
• Answ.
  • 1 To trust in God, is to rely on God for help, &c. ibid.
  • 2 He that trusteth in God, doth trust unto him for some good thing that lieth out of sight. Page 329
• Quest. 2.
  How may it appear that Faith will quiet the soul? Page 330
• Answ.
  • It is proved several ways out of Scripture ibid.
  • Faith gives free access to God. Page 331
  • There are three Vails in Scripture. 1. Of Obscurity. 2. The Vail of covering guilt. 3. A Vail of shame Page 332
• Quest. 3.
  How may it appear, that when discouragements arise, Faith must then be exercised, and then especially? ibid.
• Answ.
  It was David's case, and the Scripture is express for it. ibid.
• Quest. 4.
  What power hath Faith to allay discouragements? what is in faith can do it? and how doth faith do it? Page 333
• Answ.
  • 1 Faith gives a man the true prospect of things past, present, and to come: And all Discouragements arise, because men do not see things as they are ibid.
  • 2 True saving Faith sees that in God, and in Christ, which answers all our fears Page 335
  • 3 Faith puts the Soul under God's Commandments to answer all Objections. Page 336
• More briefly of saving Faith.
  • 1 It is the proper work of Faith to resign our wills unto God's will. Page 337
  • 2 It is the proper work of Faith to apply a suitable Promise ibid.
  • 3 True faith will not venture without God's Call. Page 338
  • 4 True faith sees the hand of God in every dispensation ibid.
  • 5 True faith looks on both sides of God's Dispensation, and of our own Condition ibid.
  • 6 Fath sees one contrary in another? ibid.
  • 7 It is the work of true faith to engage God to suffer. ibid.
• Application.
  Then if discouragements arise, exercise your faith ibid.
• Quest.
  Will every faith quiet a man's heart? ibid.
• Answ.
  Negatively. For There is a feigned, and ineffectual; and there is an unfeigned, and effectual faith: A counterfeit faith will not quiet a man's soul, &c. ibid.
• Quest.
  How then shall a man exercise his faith, that he may bear up against all Discouragements Page 339
• Answ.
  • 1 You must be humbled for your unbelief, &c. ib • d.
  • 2 Go not to God without Christ. Page 340
  • 3 Trust in the Lord himself, and not in your own duties. ibid.
  • 4 Trust in the Lord, before you do act in your business ibid.
  • 5 Trust in Jesus Christ before you trust in the Promise. Page 341
  • 6 If God give you a Promise, never let it go, though you see nothing but the contrary. ibid.
• Object.
  I fear I should presume, and tempt the Lord ibid.
• Answ.
  To doubt after so much experience, were rather to tempt the Lord Page 342
• Quest.
  If God give me a Promise, and I see no performance, how shall I not be discouraged? Page 343
• Answ.
  Either it is thy Duty to believe on Christ, or not: if not, why dost thou believe at all? If it be thy Duty, why shouldest thou not rely on him? ibid.
  • Be of good comfort: for
• 1 If you want assurance in God, look on Christ Page 344
• 2 If you want assurance, turn your eyes from those Objections that invade your faith. ibid.
• 3 Believe that you do believe. Helps for Faith. Page 344
• 1 God never leads his People to any great mercy, but he puts the sentence of death on all means that tend to it. ib.
• 2 It is a great sin to limit God's mercy, as to limit his power ibid.
• 3 When God gives a Promise, he sometimes trieth whether we will believe, or not. ibid.
• 4 God often times fulfils one Promise, and denieth another. ibid.
• 5 When we see nothing but what is contrary to help, then is Christ's time to help. Page 345
• 6 Be your Affliction ordinary, or extraordinary, you must trust to God for mercy ibid.
• 7 Questions to ask a man's own Soul, to encourage us Page 346
• 8 Consider frequently, and seriously, what a blessed thing it is to trust in God. Page 347
• It is reasonable to wait on God, For
  • 1 He waited on you for your Repentance ibid.
  • 2 You have waited on men will you not wait on God? ibid.
  • 3 When you give over waiting deliverance may come to your shame Page 348
  • 4 If you give over waiting, you lose all your former labor. ibid.
  • 5 If you wait on God, he will not always forget your work of Faith Page 349

The Sin against the Holy Ghost. ON Matth. 12.31, 32.

• THere are two Arguments in the words Page 353
• 1 The largeness of God's heart in forgiving sins to men. ib.
• 2 The unpardonableness of the sin against the Holy Ghost, ibid.
• I had rather speak first to the former; but to prevent Objections from some distressed soul, I shall fi • st speak to the latter Page 354
• For opening the words
• Quest. 1.
  Whether the Jews our Savior spake then to, did then sin against the Holy Ghost? ib.
• Answ.
  Some think, No; But I rather think, Yes; for the Reasons in the Text. ibid.
• Quest. 2.
  Is there any so giveness of sins in the world to come? ibid.
• Answ.
  It is an unusual Phrase, noting the eternity of misery. Page 355
• DOCT.
  The Sin against the Holy Ghost, is an unpardonable sin. Page 355
  • The Truth opened by the enquiry into two things:
    • 1 What the Sin against the holy Ghost is ibid.
    • 2 How this sin is unpardonable beyond other sins ibid.
• For to say, what this sin is? ibid.
• I answer, Nega • ively, and Affirma •• vely. ibid.
• 1 Negatively. It is not that sin whereby men do barely deny the Deity of the Holy Ghost, &c. ibid.
• 2 Nor is it every opposition to the work of the Holy Ghost, &c. Page 356
• 3 It is not necessary that every man who sins against the holy Ghost, should be an universal Apostate, as i • is ordinarily thought ibid.
  • There is a twofold Apostate, Either one that declineth from the profession of the Truth; Or one that rebels against the T • uth revealed, and will go no further, cleared by an example Page 357
• 4 Final Unbelief, and Impenitency, is not the sin against the holy Ghost; neither that a man lives and dies in, nor that he purposeth to live in to the last, for many have so purposed to live, yet have been converted ib • d
  • 1 The Jews did then commit this sin, yet they had not continued in it to their death. ibid.
  • 2 Final unbelief, is rather sin against God the Son. ibid.
  • 3 If final unbelief be this sin, then Christ should threaten that he which dieth in his sin, should not be forgiven w •• lst he liveth Page 358
  • 4 He that dieth in any sin against the Father, or the Son, shall never be forgiven
  • 5 This is asserted from 1 Joh. 5.16. ibid.
  • 6 A man may sin this unpardonable sin whilst he lives ibid.
  • 7 It is a sin a man may know another man to be guilty of whilst he lives ibid.
  • 8 A man may speak a word against the holy Ghost whilst he lives ibid.
  • 9 All wicked men dying impenitently, under the Gospel, should sin this sin. ibid.
    • 2 Affirmatively ibid.
• 1 It is a malicious, willful opposing the holy Ghost ibid.
• 2 He that commits this sin, blasphemeth the peculiar work of the Holy Ghost. ib.
• 3 It must be malicious blasphemy Page 359
• Quest.
  How can a man sin maliciously, since he will is always carried to what is good? ibid.
• Answ. Affirmatively:
  • For,
    • 1 That good, is either moral good, natural good, or profitable good; but the will is not always carried upon that which is honestly good in appearance, &c. Page 359
    • 2 If this were a reason, the Devils do not sin maliciously. ibid.
    • 3 Though every man sins ignorantly, yet every man doth not sin out of ignorance: for then, Page 360
      • 1 Why is there so vast a difference between a sin of ignorance, and presumption? ibid
      • 2 If every sin should arise from ignorance in the understanding, the will would be always carried upon honest good, at least in appearance. ibid.
      • 3 If it were so, the will could not fall off from the dictate of the Understanding. Page 361
      • 4 If the will always follow the understanding, then the created, and defiled will of man, cannot tend unto any object, upon any reason, upon which the Divine will of God cannot • end unto its object. ibid.
      • 5 All men confess a sin of malice, and a sin of ignorance ibid.
    • 4 Suppose that some ignorance in the understanding, be the remote cause of the sin, yet malice is the next, and chief cause Page 362
    • 5 A Question answered, how the will should be always carried upon that which is good, and yet a man may sin maliciously ibid.
    • 6 It is a malicious sin against the Holy Ghost, after he hath been convinced by the Holy Ghost Page 363
  • Quest. 2.
    Why is this sin unpardonable above all others? ibid.
• Answ.
  • 1 It is not because it is hard to be pardoned Page 364
  • 2 It is not only unpardonable in regard of event ibid.
  • 3 Nor is it greater than God's mercy ibid.
  • 4 Nor because it is a sin against the means of pardon ibid.
  • 5 Nor because a man doth not repent thereof. ibid.
    • But it is unpardonable, because God hath appointed no sacrifice for it ibid.
• Application.
  • 1 If the sin against the Holy Ghost be unpardonable, then the Holy Ghost is God. Page 365
  • 2 There is great necessity to know what this sin against the Holy Ghost is, that if a man have sinned t • is sin, we may not pray for him. ibid.
  • 3 Think on God's mercy that hath kept us from this great sin ibid.
• Object. 1.
  I fear I have sinned this great sin, because my sins are so great Page 366
• Answ.
  How great may that sin of yours be, and not be that sin? Page 366
• Object. 2.
  I fear it, for I have fallen foully into it gross sin ibid.
• Answ.
  So did David ibid.
• Object. 3.
  But I have lost my communion with God ibid.
• Answ.
  So did the Church of Ephesus. Page 367
• Object. 4.
  I have resisted God's Spirit. ib.
• Answ.
  A man may do so, and yet not sin against the holy Ghost. ibid.
• Object. 5.
  I have denied the Truth ibid.
• Answ.
  So did Peter ibid.
• Object. 6.
  I have been a blasphemer ibid.
• Answ.
  So was Paul Page 368
• Object. 7.
  I have sinned maliciously ibid.
• Answ.
  Maliciously is taken three ways: Either sinning from some ill habit, as all wicked men do; Or out of passion, as Paul did; Or out of liberty of his own will, and self-conviction. Had you sinned this last way, you would not be troubled about it, but well pleased with it ibid
• Object. 8.
  I have forsaken God, and God hath forsaken me ibid.
• Answ.
  David thought so ibid.
• Object. 9.
  I despair Page 369
• Answ.
  • You know what Heman said, All thy waves are gone over my head. ibid.
  • To clear this, I ask five Questions ibid.
  • 1 Art thou willing to forgive men that have trespassed against thee? ibid.
  • 2 Have you opposed the ways of God out of malice? ibid.
  • 3 Do you not desire to be humbled for your sin? ibid.
  • 4 Do you not desire above all things, the breathings of God's Spirit upon your heart Page 370
  • 5 Where do you find in all the Bible, that they that sinned against the Holy Ghost, are afraid that they have sinned it. The great misery of that man who hath sinned against the Holy Ghost. ibid.
  • What great comfort is here for Believers that cannot commit this sin? Page 371
• Applic. 4.
  If this be unpardonable, what great cause have we to look to ourselves? ibid.
• Quest.
  What must we do to be kept from this unpardonable sin? Page 372
• Answ.
  • 1 Do as David did against presumptuous sins ibid.
  • 2 Be always humbled for lesser sins Page 372
  • 3 Fear always ibid.
  • 4 Resolve to do good Page 373
  • 5 Do not blaspheme what you understand not ibid.
  • 6 Never blaspheme the way of God that thou hast found to be true ibid.
  • 7 Take heed of all declinings. ibid.
  • 8 Forsake not the assembling yourselves together, as the manner of some is ibid.

Of SINS of Infirmity. ON Matthew, 26.43.

• THe difference between the true, and the false Disciple. Page 377
• The Text divided ibid.
  • Here is the Disciples sin, and the Lord's Grace Page 378
• 1 They slept ibid.
  • 1 The Cause; for their eyes were heavy ibid.
  • 2 The Repetition; he found them asleep again ibid.
• 2 Christ comes again ibid.
• DOCT.
  • Though a man sin again and again, yet if it be a sin of Infirmity, Christ will come to him again. ibid.
  • Three things considered in the opening of the words ibid.
    • 1 A good man may fall oft into the same sin.
    • 2 This sin may be but a sin of infirmity.
    • 3 That Christ will not leave him for it. ibid.
  • I The first Proposition proved Page 379
  • II The second Proposition proved. And to clear it, consider what a sin of Infirmity is. Page 380
    • 1 It is a sin of weakness in Scripture Phrase ibid.
    • 2 Infirmity is a defect in one that hath life Page 381
    • 3 It ariseth not from willfulness, but from want of strength to resist ibid.
• Quest. 1.
  Is every sin a god • y man commits a sin of Infirmity? ibid.
• Answ.
  Negatively, with the Reasons ibid.
• Quest. 2.
  Is any sin a wicked man commits, a sin of Infirmity? ibid.
• Answ.
  Negatively, with the Reasons ibid.
• Quest. 3.
  Can any great, foul sin, be a sin of Infirmity? ibid.
• Answ.
  Negatively, with Reasons ibid.
• Quest.
  How may I know a sin of Infirmity? Page 382
• Answ.
  First, Some mistakes are observed. Secondly, It is answered Negatively. Lastly, Affirmatively Page 382
• 1 There are mistakes on both hands: Some think they are sins of Infirmity, when they are not: And some think they are not, when they are. ibid.
• The first kind of mistake is on the left hand: four-fold.
  • 1 Some think it a sin of Infirmity, because it is a small sin. ibid.
  • 2 Because they are drawn on by others Page 383
  • 3 Because they strive against it ibid.
  • 4 Because they are troub • ed after it ibid.
• The Second mistake, on the right hand, is three-fold: Page 384
  • 1 Because they sin knowingly ibid.
  • 2 Because they fall into the same sin again ibid.
  • 3 Because they fall into it after admonition ibid.
• Object. 1.
  My sin can be no sin of infirmity; for I sin against my conscience, and knowingly ibid.
• Answ.
  It is one thing to sin knowingly, and another to sin against knowledge ibid.
• Object. 2.
  I fall into my sin again, and lie in it, therefore &c. Page 385
• Answ.
  There is much mistake about lying in sin; he that complains of it, lies not in it ibid.
• Object. 3.
  I fall into it after admonition, therefore &c. ibid.
• Answ.
  So did the Disciples in the Text ibid.
• Quest.
  How then shall we know a sin of Infirmity? Page 386
• Answ. Negatively
  • 1 That is no sin of infirmity that is gross and scandalous, committed with deliberation ibid.
  • 2 A ring-leading sin to other sins, is no sin of infirmity. ibid.
  • 3 A sin of Presumption, is no sin of infirmity ibid.
  • 4 A reigning sin, is no sin of infirmity Page 387
    • Sin reigneth in a man,
      • 1 When it commands his Spiritual Duties ibid.
      • 2 When men do yield the Members of their Bodies, as weapons of Unrighteousness Page 388
      • 3 Sin reigneth when it usually riseth by opposition ibid.
• Quest:
  How shall we know a sin of infirmity, affirmatively? ibid.
• Answ.
  • 1 If it proceed from want of Age in Christianity ibid.
  • 2 If it be no other sin than what is incident to all the Saints Page 389
  • 3 If it be such a sin as you cannot avoid ibid.
  • 4 If your sin be your burden ibid.
  • 5 An infirmity will hardly acknowledge itself to be a sin of infirmity Page 390
  • 6 If your sin rise chiefly from some outward cause ibid.
  • 7 Infirmity loves admonition Page 391
  • 8 Infirmity is an ill sin, but a good sign ibid.
  • 9 Sins of infirmity • re Servants to Grace ibid.
  • 10 Infirm • ty keeps a man's heart humble Page 392
• Quest
  Suppose my sin be a sin of infirmity, what then? Page 393
• Answ.
  Then Christ will never leave you ibid.
• Quest.
  Is there no evil in a sin of infirmity? ibid.
• Answ.
  Yes, very much; it is a Gibeonite, though it se • ve Grace ibid.
• III. Though there be much evil in it, Christ will not cast us off for it. For Page 394
• 1 It is an honor to a man to pass by infirmities, much more to Christ ibid.
• 2 The Cov • nant of God is c • njugal, and passeth over infirmities ibid.
• 3 The Saints are Members of Christ's Body Page 395
• Object.
  The back-slider shall be filled with his own ways ibid.
• Answ.
  • 1 There is great difference between the relapses of the Saints, and the backslidings of Hypocrites ibid.
  • 2 The meaning of that is explained, how a man is said to be satisfied with his own ways Page 396
• Application.
  See what great necessity we have to examine our sins, and to know what they are ibid.
• Quest.
  What advantage hath this sin of infirmity above other sins? Page 397
• Answ.
  • 1 Very much; for if it be a sin of infirmity, though it be very g eat, it shall not hinder the acceptance of my Duty ibid.
  • 2 It shall n • t hinder the sense of my Justification ibid.
  • 3 There is a pardon lies of course for it ibid.
  • 4 It shall n • ver bring a scourge on a man's family ibid.
  • 5 It will never spoil a man's Gifts ibid.
• Quest.
  • Suppose I find a sin of infirmity, and fall • nto it again, what must I do? Page 398
• Answ.
  These Duties
  • 1 I will observe God's design in it, and labor all I can to advance God's design ibid.
  • 2 By God's Grace I will never believe Satan's false reports of Christ, that he is a hard Master Page 399
  • 3 I will not question my spiritual estate for every sin ib.
  • 4 I will not cast off myself, and others for sins of infirmity.
  • 5 I will not cast off the things of Christ, because of any infirmity may hang to them Page 399
  • 6 I will never be discouraged from doing my duty ibid.
  • 7 I will commit no sin, because it is but a sin of infirmity. ib.
• Quest.
  What shall we do not to fall into this sin again? Page 400
• Answ.
  • 1 Forget not your former sin ibid.
  • 2 Quench your sins in the blood of Christ ibid.
  • 3 Watch and pray ibid.

The False Apostle, tried and discovered. ON Revel. 2.2.

• IT is held that these seven Epistles, written to the seven Churches in Asia, contain the state of Christ's Church unto his coming again Page 405
• The first Epistle is written to languishing Ephesus ibid.
• Christ's commendations of this Church ibid.
• 1. For her Labor. 2. Patience. 3. Zeal. Page 406
• Her Zeal is described two ways. First, By the Persons they dealt withal, false Teachers. Secondly, By their exercise of their Zeal, and that in two things, 1. By the discovery of false Teachers. 2. By the hatred of their deeds. ibid.
• The discovery of false Teachers was a work concerned the Apostles then living ibid.
• DOCT.
  • It is a work of great Commendation with Jesus Christ, to try, and discover false Teachers.
  • To clear this Point, consider, ibid.
  • Arg. 1. What dangerous people false Teachers are Page 407
  • Arg. 2. It it hard to discover them Page 408
  • Arg. 3. It is an excellent thing to discover them Page 409
• Object.
  Is it lawful to go to their meetings to discover them? Page 410
• Answ.
  Negatively,
  • No more than you must go to Rome to try, and find out Papists ibid.
• Quest.
  How then shall I try all things? ibid.
• Answ.
  Mark this Scripture well, 1 Thes. 5.20, 21. ibid.
• Application.
  We should all take pains in this work, because Christ commends it Page 411
• Quest.
  If we may not go to their Meetings, how shall we discover false Teachers? Page 412
• Answ.
  All Teachers are to be discovered three ways. By
  • Their Call
  • Their Doctrine
  • Their Fruits, or Lives. ibid.
• I. For a man's Call to preach: He is called either to a particular work, or to an Office. The first is called Prophesy: and so some men are called to preach.
• If men be so called, then they must preach, 1. According to the Analogy of Faith. 2. If so called, they must have a Gift to profit others by 3. He must submit what he saith, to the judgment of others, or he is a false Prophet in this kind ibid.
• Secondly, If a man be called to Office, then his Office is either Extraordinary, or Ordinary ibid.
• 1 If Extraordinary, he is either a Prophet to foretell what is to come; or an Evangelist, whose Office is to minister to the Apostles. Page 412, 413
• 2 If a man be called to an ordinary Office, 1. He must be apparently Godly. 2. He must be qualified for preaching. 3. He must be chosen, or desired by the Church. 4. He must be separated to the work of the Ministry. ibid.
• II. For the Doctrine; Teachers may, and must be tried by their Doctrine ibid.
  • Particular Doctrines men must be tried by, are many. I will name some few ib.
  • 1 True Apostles ever exalted the Scriptures Page 414
  • 2 True Apostles never denied the Deity of Christ ibid.
  • 3 True Apostles never did deny Ordinances ibid.
  • 4 True Apostles preached for Justification by faith, and imputed righteousness in opposition to works Page 415
  • 5 They never told us, that there is a light in every man, which followed, will bring him to Salvation ibid.
  • 6 They never preached that any man might be perfect, and without sin in this life. ibid.
  • 7 True Apostles never preached against respect unto Magistrates, Parents, Masters Page 416
  • 8 True Apostles, never preached against the resurrection and assention of the Body ibid.
  • 9 The Apostles never preached that there is no place of Heaven or Hell after death ib.
• III. A Teacher may, and must be tried by his Life and Fruits Page 417
• Quest.
  If they go in Sheeps Cloathing, how shall I know they are Wolves? ibid.
• Answ.
  Yes,
  • 1 A Wolf is a Wolf in Sheeps clothing, for he is fierce and cruel Page 417
  • 2 He howls at the Sheep, and barks at the Shepherds ib.
  • 3 He rends the Sheep Page 418
• Quest.
  What fruits doth our Savior mean we must know them by? ibid.
• Answ.
  • 1 If you find they walk after the flesh. ibid.
  • 2 If they are given to lying. ib.
  • 3 If the height of their Religion be to maintain some Opinion that consists in voluntary Humility ibid.
  • 4 If their Doctrine tends to draw men away from the Ordinance of God ibid.
  • 5 If he falls short of him he would seem to be, yet in show goes beyond him ibid.
  • 6 If you find that his great work is to destroy the Church of Christ. Page 419
  • 7 If he forsake the Assemblies of the Saints ibid.
  • 1 It is the special work of Church Officers, to try and discover false Teachers ibid.
  • 2 It is a work incumbent upon all the Saints and Churches. ib.
  • More practically
    • 1 Go to God for a spirit of discerning Page 420
    • 2 Lie in no sin or Error, for all sin blinds ibid.
    • 3 Consult with others about it ibid.
    • 4 Keep close to the Scripture ibid.
    • 5 Have not too great charity towards an Opinion of such as are accounted false Teachers ibid.
    • 6 Wait long before you close with any of their Opinions, that you may not be deceived. ibid.

The Good and Means of Establishment. ON 1 Pet. 5.10.

• Different Opinions how these words a • e spoken, Page 425
• The Authors Opinion Page 426
• The words divided into
  • 1 A Blessing prayed for
  • 2 The Arguments ensuing it.
• 1 The Blessing prayed for, is expressed in four words; Perfect, Stablish, Strengthen, Settle you ibid.
• DOCT.
  • Settling Grace in respect of all trouble, is a great Mercy, and Blessing. Page 428
  • 1 It is a great mercy for a Nation to be settled.
  • 2 It is a great mercy for a Church to be settled.
  • 3 It is a great mercy for a particular soul to be settled.
  • I. The first part proved by Scripture Page 429
  • II. The Second part proved, by five Arguments Page 429
  • 1 When the Church hath this settlement, then it is edified.
  • 2 It is the mercy God hath promised to the Church Page 430
  • 3 It is that the Apostles labored for ibid.
  • 4 That they prayed for ibid.
  • 5 It is sometimes the signal mercy of Christ's Church ibid.
  • III. The third part proved by five Arguments Page 431
  • 1 It is the ground of all our fruitfulness ibid.
  • 2 It is the bottom of all our praises Page 432
  • 3 It is the beginning of our perseverance ibid.
  • 4 It is that good thing which pleaseth God exceedingly. ib.
  • 5 It is the Character of a gracious person Page 433
  • The second part of the Doctrine It is worthy of all our p • ayers, For Page 434
  • 1 It is that mercy we all need.
  • 2 God only can settle us Page 435
• Application.
  • How great cause have they that ar • settled, to praise God? ibid.
• Object.
  I find not this settlement, therefore I cannot praise God Page 436
• Answ.
  It may be so: yet there is much difference between variety of Grace, and instability of Spirit ibid.
• 2 If Establishment be so great a Blessing, how sad is their condition that are not established? ibid.
• Quest.
  What shall we do that we may be established? Page 437
• Answ. I.
  For a Nation. ib.
• 1 It must first settle Religion.
• 2 There must be care • aken for a succession of Godly Magistrates ibid.
• 3 They must do, and govern in Righteousness Page 438
• 4 They must trust in the Lord. ibid.
• II. For a Church. Page 439
• 1 All Churches must know that they are laid out for sufferings ibid.
• 2 A Church that would be settled, must have all the Officers and Ordinances of Christ.
• 3 Let all Churches know, and keep the word of God's Patience ibid.
• 4 If difficulty arise in a Church it must call for help from other Churches Page 440
• 5 Especially all Churches must pray for this mercy of Establishment ibid.
• III. Particular Persons, what they must do for this mercy. ibid.
• Quest. 1.
  What shall I do to be more settled in my Judgment, and in the Truth Page 442
• Answ.
  • 1 Get a clear understanding in the truth of the Gospel ibid.
  • 2 Take heed of unsettling Principles Page 443
  • 3 Make no Impression, the Rule and Square of your Judgment ibid.
  • 4 Get into God's House Page 444
  • 5 Go not into the company of those where false Doctrine is taught ibid.
  • 6 Practice what Truth you know Page 444
  • 7 Go to God for his establishing Grace Page 445
• Quest. 2.
  What shall I do to be more settled in my practice? ibid.
• Answ.
  • 1 You must be very sensible, and humbled for your own unsettledness. ibid.
  • 2 Labor for a serious Spirit. ib.
  • 3 Live not on your Condition alone, but upon the God of your Condition ibid.
  • 4 Take heed of a divided heart Page 446
  • 5 Put on the whole Armor of God ibid.
  • 6 The more you delight in God's ways, the more will your heart be established. Page 447
  • Rules to make the way to Heaven, sweet and easy to a man ibid.
  • 1 Do not separate between God's Commandment, and his Promise ibid.
  • 2 Apply yourself to God's work according to God's Method ibid.
  • 3 Improve that variety which God hath given you ibid.
  • 4 Do not stint yourself in any Duty, as to go no further. Page 448
  • 5 Naturallize God's Gifts in your soul ibid.
  • 7 Motives to establish a man in the ways of God ibid.
  • 1 Free yourself from temptations ibid.
  • 2 The fixation of your soul, is a great honor to your Profession Page 449
  • 3 You shall thereby rejoice the hearts of those that are set over you in the Lord ibid.
  • 4 You have been constant in seeking Earthly things, it is shame to be inconstant in seeking heavenly things ibid.
  • 5 If you be not constant in Good, you will be constant in evil ibid.
  • 6 The more inconstant you are, the more you make the way to Heaven difficult
  • Lastly, Go to God by Prayer for fixation Page 450

The great Things Faith can do. On Hebrews, 11.32.

Sermon I.

• THe Text Opened. Page 1, 2
• DOCT.
  Saving Faith will do very great things. Page 3
• Opened by three Propositions:
  • 1 Saving Faith is a working Grace. ibid.
  • 2 Saving Faith will do great things
  • 3 How saving Faith comes to do great things
• First Proposition proved. ib.
• 1 True Faith hath the spirit of the Gospel in it ibid.
• 2 'It is a friend to work. ibid.
• 3 'It is the first worker in the soul ibid.
• 4 It is an universal work Page 4
• 5 It works best alone ibid.
• 6 It works best sometimes in the dark ibid.
• 7 It works best at last ibid.
• II. What are those great things Faith can do? Page 5
• Answ.
  Faith will do as great things now, as it did under the Old Testament ibid.
• 1 Is it not a great matter to overcome temptations? ibid.
• 2 Is it not a great matter to perform duties to the hazard of life? ibid.
• 3 Is it not a great matter to mortify fears? ibid.
• 4 Is it not a great matter to mortify your cares? ibid.
• 5 Is it not a great matter to have your griefs asswaged? ibid.
• 6 Is it not a great matter to be kept steady in times of changes? Page 6
• 7 Is it not a great matter to be a stranger to the world? ibid.
• 8 Is it not a great matter for a man to be faithful under all his betrustments? ibid.
• 9 Is it not a great matter to see things invisible? ibid.
• 10 Is it not a great matter for a man to live in dependence only upon Christ? ibid.
  • More Comparatively.
• There are three great Agents in the world; • ut Faith works beyond them all Page 6
• 1 Compared with Power Page 7
• 2 Compared with moral Honesty. This is Proved by three Reasons ibid.
• 3 How it may appear that faith can do more than Gospel Gifts, and common grace. It is made to appear by four Arguments Page 8, 9
• III. How comes it to pass that true faith can do such great things? Page 10
  • Answered by four Reasons.
• 1 It goes forth in the might of God's Promise ibid.
• 2 It goes forth in the might of God's Power. ibid.
• 3 It goes forth in the strength of God's Call ibid.
• 4 It goes forth in the sense of what God and Christ hath done for the Soul Page 11
• Application.
  • 1 The Reason why men do no great things in their Generation, is because they want Faith ibid.
  • 2 If you would do great things call in for faith Page 12
• Quest.
  How shall we improve our faith to do great things? Page 13
• Answ.
  • 1 Study much the greatness of God ibid.
  • 2 Keep close to God's Ordinances ibid.
  • 3 Do not chide off your heart from believing Page 14
  • 4 Use your faith to do small things ibid.
  • 5 Look much upon the Call you have to any work Page 15
• Notes from Verse 32.
  • 1 The number of Believers under the Old Testament, it seems was not small ibid.
  • 2 God will own that Faith that is but weak at first ibid.
  • 3 From Sampson I collect it is possible a great sinner may be a true Believer ibid.
  • 4 Note from Jephthah, a bastard may be a true believer ibid.
  • 5 From the mentioning of David, Samuel, and the Prophets, &c. consider, when God hath extraordinary work to do, be raiseth up extraordinary men Page 17
  • Lastly, You see what high esteem God hath of Faith. ib.

The Great Things Faith can suffer. ON Hebrews, 11.35.

Sermon II.

• The Text opened Page 20, 21
• DOCT.
  True saving Faith will suffer great things. ib.
• Three Propositions.
  • 1 A true Believer may suffer hard things
  • 2 Faith will carry him through them.
  • 3 How Faith can carry him through them. ibid.
  • The first Proposition proved, Page 21, 22, 23
• Quest.
  Secondly. How shall a man be able to go through these hard things? ibid.
• Answ.
  True saving Faith will do it. Proved by four Reasons. Page 23, 24
• Object.
  We have read of many that suffered hard things, yet had not this faith ibid.
• Answ.
  • 1 A wicked man may suffer as an evil Doer Page 25
  • 2 A wicked man doth not suffer upon choice ibid.
  • 3 He doth not lay the stress of all upon Faith ibid
  • 4 He suffers not cheerfully, but discontentedly ibid.
  • 5 He will rest upon his sufferings ibid.
  • 6 He will yield at last Page 26
  • 7 He doth not bring forth the quiet fruits of Righteousness. ibid.
• Quest.
  Thirdly. By what means can Faith do this ibid.
• Answ.
  • 1 It is the work of saith to submit to God's will. ibid.
  • 2 It is the work of Faith to cleave to the Commandment of God ibid.
  • 3 It is the work of faith to close with the Gospel Page 27
  • 4 It is the work of faith to look upon the recompense of r • ward ibid.
  • 5 The more one sees the hand of God as a Father in sufferings, the more able a man will be to suffer. ibid.
  • 6 The more a man can see to the end of his affliction, the better he will go through it ib.
  • 7 It is the proper work of faith to look on both sides of the dispensation Page 28
  • 8 It is the proper work of faith to see one contrary in another ibid.
  • 9 If God engage to help us, faith can suffer much in afflictions ibid.
• Application.
  If any man be to suffer great things, let him call for faith. Page 29
• Object.
  These are no suffering times. ibid
• Answ.
  Bless God for your Gospel Liberty. Consider the sufferings of your Brethren. ibid.
• Particular applications to several conditions ibid.
• Who knows how soon suffering times may come? Page 30
• Quest.
  How shall we strengthen our Faith that we may be able to suffer? ibid.
• Answ.
  • 1 Consider frequently what great things the Lord hath done for you already ibid
  • 2 Study much the Book of the Revelations, which is a standing Cordial for suffering times Page 31
  • 3 Consider frequently, the great gain of suffering Page 32
  • That suffering times, are gaining times, proved by ten Arguments Page 32
  • 1 Suffering times are teaching times ibid.
  • 2 Suffering times are sin-discovering times ibid.
  • 3 They are self-bethinking times ibid.
  • 4 They are growing times. ib.
  • 5 They are truth-adorning times ibid.
  • 6 They are uniting times. Page 33
  • 7 They are praying times ib.
  • 8 They are soul-assuring times ibid.
  • 9 They are weaning times. ib.
  • 10 They are Heavenly, and glorious times ibid.
• Three Observations from the Words Page 34
  • 1 Consider the Persons that suffered, mentioned in the text, whence I collect, That greatness of sufferings, are no argument to make you doubt of your Salvation. ibid.
  • 2 They suffered in hopes of a better Resurrection; whence consider, what those men are that would steal from you the hopes of a better Resurrection Page 35
  • 3 They suffered all by faith, whence observe, That it is no easy thing to believe Page 36