Christ the way and the truth and the life, or, A short discourse pointing forth the way of making use of Christ for justification and especially and more particularly for sanctification in all its parts, from Johan. XIV, vers. VI : wherein several cases of conscience are briefly answered, chiefly touching sanctification / by John Brown.

CHAP. XV. How to make use of Christ for stedfastness, in a time, when truth is oppressed and borne downe.

WHen enemies are prevailing, and the way of truth is evil spoken of, many fainte and many turne aside, and do not plead for truth, not stand

up for the interest of Christ, in their houre and po∣wer of darknesse; many are overcome with base feare, and either side with the workers of iniquity, or are not valient for the truth, But being faint∣hearted turne back. Now the thoughts of this may put some, who desire to stand fast, and to owne Him and his cause, in a day of tryall, to enquire how they shall make use of Christ, who is the Truth, so as to be inabled to stand in the day of temptation, and to keep fast by Truth, when it is loaded with re∣proaches, and buryed under an h•…•…pe of obloquy. For satisfaction to this question, I shall shortly point out those directions, which, if followed, may prove helpful to keep the soul from fainting, misbeleeving, doubting, quarrelling at the Lord's dispensations, and from yeelding to the temptati∣tions, in such a day.

1. The beleever would live in the conviction of his hazard, through the slight of Satan, the strength of the temptation, the wickednesse and treachery of the heart, the evil example of others, and the want of sanctified courage, Zeal and resolution; and this will keep the soul humble, and farr from boast∣ing of its own strength, which was Peter's fault.

2. They would live in the faith and perswasion of this. That it is Christ alone, who is the Truth, who can help them to stand for truth, in a day of temptation; and that all their former purposes, vo∣wes, resolutions, solemne professions, and the like, will prove but weak cables to hold them fast, in a day of storme: and that only the rock of ages must save them; and their being a ley ward of Him, and partaking of his warme and saife protection,

will do their businesse. That all their stock of grace, and knowledge, and that confirmed with resolutions and sincere purposes, will helpe but little, in that day: and that new influences of grace and truth, from the fountaine, that is full of grace and truth, will only prove establishing to the soul, and confirme it in the truth, in that day.

3. Therefore, they would eye Christ in his Offi∣ces; particularly as the great Prophet, who can teach, as never man taught; so teach, as to make the soul receive the doctrine, and to hold it fast, to receive it in love, and lay it up in the heart, as a rich and enriching treasure.

4. They would eye him, in his relations unto his people, as their Head, Husband, Brother, Leader, Commander, Captaine, &c. for those give ground of approaching unto Him, with con∣fidence, in the day of darknesse and mists, for light and direction, and for strength and courage▪ in the day of temptation: and give ground of hope of helpe, in that day of tryal and difficulty.

5. They would eye and act faith upon the pro∣mises of assistance and through▪ bearing, in the day of calamity; such as those▪ Esa. 43: 2. when thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thow walkest through the fire, thou shall no•…•… be burnt; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee▪ And Esai. 41: 13. for I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, feare not, I will helpe thee: and particularly▪ they would eye the promises o•…•… light, in the da•…•… of darknesse. See Esai. 58: 8, 10. & 60: 20. 2 Sam. •…•…2: 29.

6. They would look on Christ as an exalted conquerour, now risen and glorified: as a victorious captaine, that hath fought and overcome; that they, as his followers, may be made partakers of his victory and conquest, and so reape the fruit of his resurrection and ascension, in their establishment in the truth, when it is borne down, and questioned, yea and condemned by men. He abode stedfast and unmoveable in the midst of all the stormes, that blew in his face: and as He came to bear witnesse to the truth; so did He faithfully and zealously avow truth, even to the death; and in death got the victory of the Arch liar and deceiver. Now the beleever would eye this, for the strengthening of his faith and hope of victory also, through Him: and therefore would waite patiently for his help; and not make haste: for they who beleeve make not haste Esa. 28: 16. knowing that He is true and faithful and will not disappoint his followers, that trust in Him. And moreover, it would be of ad∣vantage to them, in this case, to eye that gracious and comfortable word Iohn. 14: 19—because I live, you shall live also: and so by faith conclude, that seing Christ now liveth, as a conquerour over darknesse, untruth, reproaches, calumnies, and opposition of liars, yea of the father of lies; they, through Him, shall also live, and ride out that storme: and this will give much courage to the soul, to endure temptation, and to waite in patience for an outgate.

7. They would study much, and suck at the grand promise of his coming againe, and of final∣ly dispelling all clouds: and of fully clearing up

his glorious truths, that are now covered over with obloquie, and buryed under reproaches: and this will encourage the soul to stand to truth, in the midst of all opposition, beleeving that, at length, truth, how much soever opposed now, shall be victorious.

8. They should be single in their dependence on Him, for strength and throwbearing, in that day of tryal; not leaning to their own understanding; but acknowledging Him in all their wayes Prov. 3: 6. and when they see no hope of outgate in the world, nor appearance of the clearing up of the day, they would comfort themselvs, and encourage them∣selves in the Lord, as David did, in a great straite 1 Sam, 30: 6.

9. Upon the forementioned grounds, they would cast all the care of their throughbearing on Him, who careth for them 1 Pet. 5: 7. rolling all their difficulties on Him, consulting only with Him, & his Word, and not with flesh and blood; and so they would commit their wayes to Him, who disposeth of all things, as He seeth good; forbea∣ring to limite the holy one of Israel, or to quarrel with Him for any thing he doth; and patiently wait for his out-gate, and delivery.

10. It were good, in this time of tryal, to be remembring the worth of truth, and intertaining high thoughts of the smallest piece of truth, that is questioned, for his sake, who is the Truth: that a sight of the glorious worth thereof, may make them account the lesse of all they can lose, in the defence and maintenance thereof.

11. So were it good at this time, when truthes

come to be questioned, to be lying neare to the Truth, for light, and to be keeping fast, what He by his Spirit cleareth up to be truth, though the light should not be so full, as to dispel all objections. This were to depend upon Him for light, with singlenesse of heart; and in godly simplicity and sincerity to follow his direction and torch, though it should not shine so bright, as they would wish.

Cautions.

A few words of caution will be usefull here also: as

1. The beleever, though taking this course, would not think to be altogether free of fear of stepping aside, in lesse or in more: God may think good, to let much of this abide, to the end he may be keeped watchfull, tender and diligent; for fear maketh the soul circumspect and watchfull; and this is a good preservative from defection.

2. Nor would the beleever think, that hereby he shall be keeped altogether free of fainting. The heart now and then, through fear and misbeleef, may fall into a fit of fainting, and think all is gone: and yet He may carry poor souls thorow, and make his strength perfect in their weaknesse 2 Cor. 12: 9. That when they are supported and carryed through the temptation, they may sing praise to Him; and not ascribe any thing to themselves: remembring how often they were f•…•…inting, and almost giving over the cause, as desperate and hope∣lesse.

3. They would not think it strange, if in the time of their wreastling with difficultyes, the Lord

hide his face from them, and give them not that 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 Him in prayer that sometimes they have met with for the Lord may see it fit, to put them to this point of tryall, among the rest, to see if the love of his glory and truth will keep them standing▪ when they want the encourage∣ments, that might be expected in that way: and if pure conscience to the command and authority of God will keep from siding with an evil way, when the soul is destitute of all sensible encouragement, both from within and from without.

4. In all this businesse, beleevers would carry singly, with an eye to God's glory; and would not be acted with self-ends, or drawn by carnal and selfy motives. They would not desire stability and through bearing, to be seen of men, or to gaine applause and the praise of Men; lest God be provok∣ed to leave them to themselves, and they at length come off with discredit, as Peter did. Therefore they would strive against these carnal motions of the heart; and laboure for spirituality, singlenesse of heart, and truth in the inward parts, which the Lord desireth. Psal. 51: 6.