Ioy in tribulation. Or, Consolations for the afflicted spirits. By Phinees Fletcher, B.D. and minister of Gods Word at Hilgay in Norfolke

CHAP. XXXIII. Containing some infallible signes of our Calling and Election.

MAny sure, and evident markes hath the Lord Jesus Christ set upon his Sheep, which as by the hand of his Spirit in the Scripture he hath graven, so hath he by the same hand printed them upon us, that considering our selves marked out by them, we may come, not onely to a probable hope, but full assu∣rance of faith, that we are his chosen Flocke, and Sheepe of his pasture,* 1.1 who shall never pe∣rish, never be plucked out of his, and his Fathers hand. Of ve∣ry many I will insist one∣ly

upon some few.

First then, read advisedly [ 1] that Scripture, 1 Ioh. 3. 1, 2. Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed up∣on us, that wee should bee cal∣led the Sonnes of God•• And, we know that when hee shall ap∣peare, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Hence, in the first place, it is evident, that those whom the Father hath made children unto him∣selfe, hee hath most deare∣ly, and everlastingly loved: (see also Ier. 31. 3.) And a∣gaine, that when wee know our filiation, (when wee are made Sonnes,) wee know al∣so that when Christ shall appeare, wee shall see him as hee is, and bee glori∣fied with him: This

then is cleare, that when wee are children of God, wee are eternally beloved by him, and shal reigne with him in e∣ternity. But how shall wee know that we are made chil∣dren? Looke into the 9 verse of that chap. The seed of God re∣maineth in them who are borne of God:* 1.2 he begetteth us by the Word of truth.* 1.3 That immortall seede brings forth in us an immortall life. Hence also is it manifest that when God hath power∣fully and effectually sowne this seed in the heart of any man, then the life of God, (that eternall life) is given him: in which regard the Go∣spell is often called the power of God to salvation.* 1.4 But some will say;* 1.5 Now I plainly see my estate were sure, if I could

infallibly know that the Word were effectually appli∣ed unto me by God. Oh how should I be sure of that? how should I be certaine that the Word is made to me a seed of life? Reade 1 Pet. 2. 2. and compare with it the three last verses of th•• former chapter. We are borne not of mortall, but immortall seed, the word of God: this Word endureth for ever: and this is the Word which by the Gospell is preached unto you. Wherefore laying aside, &c. As new borne babes ••esire (or thirst for) the sincere milke of the Go∣spell, that you may grow thereby. From all these Scriptures linked together, observe how plainly, and necessarily, be∣yond all contradiction, these two conclu••ions are gathered••

1. Whosoever thirsteth for the sincere milke of the Gospell to grow up by it in grace, and all obedience, hee is cer∣tainely new borne, and a babe, (at least) in this immortall life. 2. Whosoever is borne of God by this seed of his Word, is everlastingly beloved of God, and shall appeare with Christ in glorie.

When therefore we finde that whereas heretofore, being full, we loathed this hony-combe;* 1.6 but now, feeling our selves empty and hungry, even the most bitter part of Gods word is sweet unto us: so that wee can truly say, All the words of God, even his com∣mands, and judgements, as wel as his promises,* 1.7 are pleasant unto our taste, more than home

unto our mouth; that frequent∣ly, as the Infant for the brest, wee longue for it, not for custome, feare, or know∣ledge onely, but to grow up in all obedience to God, then may we, without all question, conclude; Seeing God hath effectually applied this Word unto my soule, and in his e∣ternall love begotten mee as a childe, and heire to himselfe, joynt heire with Christ, I know that nothing shall se∣perate mee from the love of God, which is in Christ; no∣thing shall plucke mee out of the hand of my gracious Sa∣viour, and my Almighty Fa∣ther.

Againe, whosoever is par∣taker [ 2] of the victory of Christ, so that now not sinne, but

Christ reignes in him, is cer∣tainly a true member of the Lord Jesus, and one of them, for whom Christ hath dyed: See Rom. 8.37,38. We are more than Conquerors through him that loved us: I am perswaded, therefore, that nothing shall se∣perate us, &c.* 1.8 God hath given us victorie through our Lord Ie∣sus Christ. So then, when by the Word the strong holds of Satan are battered, and beaten downe in us, & every thought subdued to the obedience of Christ; when the dominion of sinne is deposed in us, and the Scepter of Christ, and his Throne set up in our hearts, we are in the state of grace, (Rom. 6.14.) and members of his mysticall body, baptised into his death, quickened in his re∣surrection,

as is apparent in the whole course of that chapter. But how should I be assured that Christ reigneth in me, and not sinne? Why?* 1.9 Know you not that to whom you yeeld your selves servants to o∣bey, his servants yon are to whom you obey. Marke then, obedi∣ence in service must bee from a yeelding willingnesse, and love:* 1.10 (With good will doing ser∣vice:) If then thou obeyest, thou yeeldest up thy selfe, (not forced) with love, and good will to do what is com∣manded: See then, and con••i∣der not so much what thou doest, but what thou wouldst doe, and whom thou obeyest. Thou doest the evill thou wouldst not doe; thou doest not the good thou wouldest doe: Then this is

no obedience, when it is done, but not with good wil:* 1.11 nay, so far art thou from obeying, that it is not done by thee, but by sin in thee. Sin doth it in thee, thou doest it not in sinne. But when the inward man deligh∣teth in the law of God, how∣soever the command of the Lord is not done as it ought, yet because out of love to it, & the giver of it, thy wil puts on the outward man to obe∣dience: hence is manifest, that the law of God is written in thy heart, (see Psal. 40.8.) and that thou livest in obedience not to sin, but Christ. Hence it is clearly evinced that thou art not a servāt of sin, whose yoak thou hatest: Thou yeeldest not up thy selfe with love, and cheerfulnesse to obey it, but

sighest under the burden of it: a captive then thou maist be to sin, but no servant. Remember this•• He is not a member of Christ, and his faithfull ser∣vant, who either for feare of law, anger of superiours, or some such outward respect, is driven & inforced to Christi∣an duties: yet the hand, or foot (which by reasō of some sore breeding in it, or some weak∣nesse by a blow, or fal, thorne sticking in it, & festering, can∣not doe the office of it is not∣withstanding a member; and a servant not throughly recove∣red of a deadly malady, nor a∣ble to do perfect service, is yet a faithful servant: So neither is he a servant to sin, who over∣wrastled by strong tentations, detesting this body of death, is carried

captive, sending up his spirit in grones unutterable, and crying out, oh wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me? And hee certainly is a servant, and member of Christ, who, pressed with sin∣full weakenesse, would doe what hee cannot, and doth what hee can. Take a more through view of this truth in a familiar, and confessed in∣stance: Spai••e is truly said to be under the dominion of the Spanish King; because the peo∣ple acknowledging thēselves Subjects, willingly live under his lawes: but Holland is as truly said not to be under his dominion, because having shaken off his yoake, they live not under his lawes, nor will heare of his service. And al∣though

sometime in fight they are overcome, yet doe they renew their forces, and both openly professe, and be∣have themselves as enemies. Thus is it with the faithfull:* 1.12 They were the servants of sinne, but now from the heart they have obeyed that forme of doctrine which was delivered them. They hate, and reject the Law of sinne in their members. But doth not sinne fight against them? Yes, and they against it: And this is a signe of en∣mitie, not obedience: But it often prevailes also. True, but it prevailes as an Enemie; therefore they renew their strength by prayer, plucke up their hearts, and set them∣selves in order to resist, and subdue it: No signe of domi∣nion

in all this, but rather of that deadly feod mentioned by the Apostle,* 1.13 The spirit lust∣eth against the flesh, and the flesh against the spirit, and these two are contrarie.

Hence again we may know that we have claime to Christ, and all that hee hath done for the Elect. For, if I am not un∣der the dominion of sinne, I am under grace, and the true subject of Christ, even a mem∣ber of his body. But I plainly finde in me a rebellion against sinne; within, by loathing it as a body of death, and a stinking carrion; without, by oppo∣sing it in all my actions, and labouring to free my selfe not onely from subjection, but from the encumbrance, and molestation of it, utterly to

root it our, as the spirituall Canaanite. Certain am I there∣fore, that Christ hath subdu∣ed sinne in me, setled me in his kingdome, and in his bodie: Nothing can separate mee from him.

As it is very easie to see the [ 3] soule in the body (though in∣visible in the substance) by the effects and workes of it; so will it be no difficult matter to discerne the blessed Spirit dwelling in us, by his many, and manifest operations: For as in the whole body of Christ, so in every member the holy Ghost is ever wor∣king: Looke as in the bodie the soule is never idle, but e∣ver in action, even in swoones when we feele it not, yet then it ceaseth not; and though at

such times wee have no sense of it, yet others conversing with us, evidently perceive it working for life; so in the new man,* 1.14 It is the same Spirit which worketh all in all: so that when we feele it not our selves, o∣thers easily see it.

Two maine actions of the Spirit, comprehending the rest, are mortification, oppo∣sing, resisting, and working out the old man, (all sinfull matter in us,) or Vivification, quickning, repairing, and strengthening the new man. No sooner the Spirit enters, but it discovers to us much ig∣norance; and then stirres up to incline the eare unto wisedome,* 1.15 and apply the heart to understan∣ding, the tongue to crie for know∣ledge, and lift up the voyce for

understanding. When now the i••••elligible part is somewhat cleared, and light brought forth in this new Creation; strait the dulnesse, and dead∣nesse of the concupiscible part (the will, and affections) is laid open. Then the heart longues, and the tongue calls out for quicke••i••g grace. Take notice of this in the Saints: Thus David begs for more light,* 1.16 Open mine eyes, that I may see the wonders of thy Law. Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy S••at••tes. Give mee under∣standing. But now when by the grace of God, in the ex∣ercise of the Word, hee was growne wiser than his enemses, and of more understanding than all his teachers; then strait his eye was upon that sluggish∣nesse,

and deadnesse of spirit: and how loud, and frequent is he for quickning?* 1.17 Quicken me according to thy Word; quicken me according to thy judgement; quicken me according to thy lo∣ving kindnesse: how often re∣peated in that one Psalme?

Certaine is it, that as wee can never in this life wholly shake off all sinfull infirmi∣ties; so that blessed Spirit will never suffer us to rest in any: Looke as in the earthly Cana∣an the Israelites (untill the reigne of Salomon) were ne∣ver in full peace; sometime vexed with Iabin of Canaan, sometime with the Philistims, but ever victorious: Remark∣able is it, that ever their vexa∣tion was a sure signe of their enlargement; and oppression

by the enemy, ushered in the destruction of the oppressor: (for when Israels soule was grieved with the Canaa••ites,* 1.18 Gods soule was grieved for his Israel:) So in the state of grace, till that true Salomon, the Prince of peace, shall ful∣ly reigne over all his, and our enemies, wee shall ever be in continuall strife with our sin∣full corruptions; first with one, then with another; and nothing should more fully as∣sure us that God hath certain∣ly purposed to cut off any sin∣full affection in us, then that discovering it to our eyes, and giving us sense of the burden; he gives us no rest, that wee may give him no rest, but seek importunately for helpe, till we finde it subdued, and de∣stroyed

in us. Neither doth the blessed Spirit, by his bap∣tisme of fire, onely mortifie, and purge out the drosse of our sinfull nature, but quic∣kens us by that heat of life in vivification; so that the soule, enflamed with the thirst of grace and glory, can make no stay in his race, till it touch the marke; with all diligence adding to faith, vertue; to vertue, knowledge; to knowledge, temperance:* 1.19 and when we are not destitute of any grace,* 1.20 then putting us forward to grow in the grace which we have received.

Hence is it that even in the depth of tentation when our selves (judging by sense) sup∣pose that all is lost; standers by (as they say) see further

then wee, and can easily dis∣cerne this Spirit mightily working in us, grieving under the load of sinne, and unutte∣rably groaning under this op∣pression, judging our selves, sighing for grace.

By this then may wee evi∣dently dis••rne the Spirit dwel∣ling in us, that we are ever in spirituall motion, action, and exercise; sometime mortify∣ing, sometime quickning, e∣ver leading us forward to per∣fection: (See Rom. 8.11.13, 14.) so that we can never rest, or sit downe in a contented e∣state, till wee are fully com∣pleat in happinesse, and glory.

Lastly, another signe where∣by [ 4] we may, without all faile, conclude, that we are transla∣ted from death unto life,* 1.21 is, our

love to the Brethren. For cer∣tainely,* 1.22 He that receiveth a Pro∣phet in the name of a Prophet, shall receive a Prophets reward: and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man, shall receive the reward of a righteous man; and hee that gives a cup of water to a Disciple in the name of a Disciple, verilie hee in no wise shall lose his re∣ward: Nay this token of our love proves and makes good all the former; namely, that God is our Father, the Lord Iesus our Saviour, and we Tem∣ples of the holy Ghost:* 1.23 For, who∣soever beleeveth that Iesus is the Christ, is borne of God, and every one that loveth him that begot, loveth him also that is begotten of him.* 1.24 And, Behold, let us love one another: for

love is of God, and every one that loveth, is borne of God, and know∣eth God. Where the love of Gods children is set out by the Spirit as a sure token both of our love to God, and our new birth by God.

Againe, our Saviour ap∣pointeth it as the Badge of his Disciples; By this shall all men (how much more our selves) know, that you are my Disciples if you love one another.* 1.25 Read al∣so, 1 Ioh. 3.23,24. This is his command, that we should beleeve, and love one another: and he that keepeth this Commandement dwels in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us by the Spirit he hath given us.

The two great commande∣ments of the Gospell, are Faith, and love, which when

they are written in our hearts by the Spirit, and he stirres us up to cleave unto our head by faith, unto our fellow mem∣bers by love, it is manifest that we dwell in Christ, and Christ in us by that holy Spi∣rit.

Hence also may a faithfull soule surely gather; God him∣selfe hath most clearely testi∣fied, that if I love the Bre∣thren, I am translated from death to life, that I am borne of God, and therefore love the children of God, because being my selfe his childe, I love my Father. Christ hath set his badge, and cognizance upon me in that love, and that holy Spirit is ••hee, which by his presence hath brought my heart into obedience of this

precept. Certaine then is it, that this love to the Saints, is proper onely to the Saints, e∣ven to those whom God hath begotten by his Word, saved by his death, and sanctified by his grace. Seeing then I finde this love to the Saints rooted in my heart, that my soule cleaves to their persons, delights in their fellowship, admires their excellencies, sure am I that the same grace which I love f••ourishing in others, is planted in my selfe, that their Father is my Father, their Head my Head, and that Spirit which dwels in them, resteth on me, and will abide with me forever.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Ioh. 10.28, 29.
• * 1.2

  Iam. 1.18••
• * 1.3

  1 Pet. 1.23
• * 1.4

  Rom. 1.16
• * 1.5

  1 Cor. 1.18
• * 1.6

  Prov. 27.7.
• * 1.7

  Psal. 119. 103.
• * 1.8

  1 Cor. 15. 57.
• * 1.9

  Rom•• 6.16.
• * 1.10

  Eph. 6.7.
• * 1.11

  Rom. 2.20.
• * 1.12

  Rom. 6.17.
• * 1.13

  Gal. 5. 17.
• * 1.14

  1 Cor. 12.6
• * 1.15

  Pr. 2.2, 3,4
• * 1.16

  Psal. 119. ••••. 33, 34.
• * 1.17

  Psal. 119. 107. 149. 154. 156. 159, &c.
• * 1.18

  Iudg. 10.16
• * 1.19

  •• Pet. 1. 5, 6,7.
• * 1.20

  2 Pet. 3,18
• * 1.21

  1 Ioh, 3.••4
• * 1.22

  Mat. 10.41 42.
• * 1.23

  1 Ioh. 4.1.
• * 1.24

  & 4.7.
• * 1.25

  Ioh•• 13.35.