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. VII. How Christ is to be made use of, in reference to Growing in grace.

I Come now to speak a little to the other part of Sanctification, which concearneth the change of our nature and frame, and is called Vivification, or Quickening of the new man of grace: which is called the New man, as having all its severall members and parts, as well as the old man; and called New, because posteriour to the other; and, after regeneration, is upon the growing hand▪ This duty of growing in grace, as it is called 2. Pet. 3. u•…•…t, is variously expressed and held forth to us in scripture: for it is called, an abideing and bringing forth fruit in Christ Iohn. 15: 5. adding to faith vertue, and to vertue knowledge &c. 2 Pet. 1: 5, 6, 7. a going on to perfection Heb. 7: 1. a growing up in Christ in all things Ephes. 4: 15. a working out our salvation Phil. 2: 12. a perfecting of holi∣nesse 2. Cor. 7: 1. a walkeing in newnesse of life Rom. 6: 4. a yeelding of our selves unto God, as a∣live from the dead, and our members as instruments of righteousnesse unto God Rom. 6: 13, 18. a bringing forth of fruit unto God Rom. 7: 4. a serving in newnesse of spirit Rom. 7: 6. a being re∣newed in the spirit of our mindes▪ and a putting on the new man, which after God is created in righ∣teousnesse and true holinesse Ephes. 4: 23, 24. Col. 3: 10. and the like: some whereof do more imme∣diatly

expresse the nature of this change, as to the root; and some as to the fruit, and effects thereof, and some the progresse and advancement, that is made or to be made therein. And all of them point out a speciall piece of work, which lieth on all, that would see the face of God, viz. to be holy, gracious and growing in grace.

This then being a speciall piece of the exercise▪ and dayly work of a Christian and it being certane▪ as some of the places now cited do also affirme, that without Christ, they cannot get this work either begun o•…•… carryed on, the maine difficulty and question is, how they are to make use of Christ for this end?

For answere whereunto, though, by what we have said in our former discourse, it may be easie to gather what is to be said here; yet I shall briefly put the Reader in minde of those things, as usefull here.

1. The Beleever would consider, what an orna∣ment this is to the soul, to have on this new m•…•…n, which is created after the image of God Ephes. 4▪ 23. what an excellency lyeth here, to recover th•…•… lost glory, holinesse and the image of God; and what advantage the soul reapeth hereby, when it is made meet to be a partaker of the inheritance of the Saints in light Col. 1: 12. and walking worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitfull in every good work▪ and increasing in the knowledge of God▪ Col. 1: 10. and strengthened with all might accor∣ding to his glorious pover, unto all patience and long suffering with joyfulnesse vers. 11. and when the abounding of the graces of the Spirit make

them, that they shall neither be barren nor unfruitfull in the knowledge of our Lord Iesus Christ 2. Pet. 1: 8▪ and to be a vessell unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the masters use, and prepared unto every good work 2. Tim. 2: 21; what glory and peace is here, to be found obedient unto the many commands given to be holy? What hazard is in the want of holinesse, when without it we cannot see God Heb. 12: 14. How unanswereable it is unto our profession, who are members to such a holy Head, to be un holy? What profite, joy and satisfaction there is, i•…•… being temples of the holy ghost, in walking after the spirit, in bringing forth fruit unto the glory of the Father, &c. The con∣sideration of these and other motives unto this study of sanctification, would arme the soul with resolution, and harden it against opposition.

2. It would be remembered, that this work, though it be laid upon us, as our duty, and we be called thereunto of God; yet it is beyond our hand and power: it is true, at conversion, the seed of grace is cast into the soul, new habites are infused, a new principle of life is given, the stonny heart is changed into an heart of flesh; yet these principles and ha∣bits can not act in themselves, or be brought into act, by any thing that a beleever, considered in himself and without divine helpe, can do: But this work of sanctification, and grou•…•…h in grace▪ must be caryed on by divine help▪ by the Spirit of Jesus, dwelling and working within; and therefore it is called the sanctification of the spirit 2. Thes. 2: 13. 1. Pet. 1: 2. The God of peace must san∣ctifie us 1. Thes. 5: 23. We are said to be sancti∣fi•…•…

by God the Father Iud. 1. and by the holy ghost Rom. 15: 16. See also 1. Cor. 6: 11. We would remember, that of our selves we can do no∣thing 2. Cor. 3: 5. and that He must work in us both to will and to do, of his owne good pleasure Phil. 2: 13. Albeit no beleever will question the truth of this; yet it may be, it shall be found af∣ter tryal, that one maine cause of their not growing in grace, and making progresse in this work, is their not acting as beleeving this; but setting about the work, as if it were a work, which they themselves could master, and do, without speciall divine help: Therefore the beleever would abide, live and act▪ in the faith of this truth.

3. Therefore beleevers would not, in going about this work, either trust to their own strength, to the habites of grace, to their former experiences, to their knowledge and pairts, or the like; nor yet would they trust to any externall meane, which they are to go about: because the wisdome, strength and helpe, which their case calleth for, is not to be found in them: yet they should not think of laying these meanes and dutyes aside; for then should they sin against God, they should prejudge themselvs of the helpe, strength and supply, which God useth to convey to the soul, in & by the use of the meanes: and withall▪ they should tempte the Lord, by prescribing another way to Him, than He hath thought good to take: The beleever then would use the meanes and duties prescribed, and that diligently, se•…•…iously and constantly; and yet would leane as little to them, and exspect help & reliefe as little from them▪ as if he were not

useing them at all, as we said above. And indeed this would be a right way, yea the most advantagious and profitable way, of going about dutyes, to be diligent in the use of them, because of Gods command; and yet to place out hope and exspe∣ctation in God alone, and to look above the ordi∣nances for our help.

4. Albeit it be true, that the power and grace of God, alone, doth beginne, and carry on this work of sanctification in the soul; yet, though he might, did He but see it for his glory, carry on and finish this work in the so•…•…l, without the interven∣tion of second causes or meanes, he hath notwith∣standing thought it fit, forth •…•… glory of his name, to worke this work, by meanes, and particulary by beleevers setting about the work: He worketh not in man, as if he were a block or a stone, but useth him as a rationall creature, endued with a rationall soul, having useful and necessary facultyes▪ and having a body fitted by organs to be •…•…ubservient to the soul, in its actions. Therefore the beleever must not think to lye by and do nothing: for he is commanded to worke out his owne salvation, and that because it is God that worketh in him, both to will and to do: Because God worketh all, therefore he should worke; so reasoneth the Apostle: so that God's working is an argument and motive to man to worke, and not an argument to him to lye by idle, and do nothing. And here is the holy art & divine skill, requisite in this businesse, to wit, for the believer to be as diligent and active, as if he could bring forth fruit, in his own strength, and by his owne working; and yet to be as abstracted

from himself, his owne grace, ability, knowledge and experience, in his working, as if he were lying by like a mee•…•… block, & only moving as moved by externall force.

5. The soul, that would make progresse in Chri∣stianity, and grow in grace, would remember, that Christ is proposed to us, as a copy, which we are to imitate; and that therefore we should set Christ continually before us, as our patterne, that we may follow his steps. 1. Pet. 1: 15. and 2▪ •…•…1. But with all, it would be remembered, that He is not like other ensamples or copies, that can helpe the man, that imitateth them, no other way than by their objective prospect▪ for looking by faith on this copy, will bring vertue to the man, that studyeth to imitate, whereby he shall be inabled to follow his copie the better. O 〈◊〉〈◊〉 we knew in experience, what this were, to take a look of Chr•…•…'s Love. Patience, Long suffering▪ Meeknesse, Hatred of sin, Zeal &c. and by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to pore-in, till, by vertue proceeding from that copie, we found our hearts, in some measure, framed into the same disposition, or, at least, more inclined to be cast into the same mould!

6. The beleever would act faith on Christ, a•…•… the Head of the body, and as the stock, in which the branches are engrafted, and thereby suck sap and life and strength from Him▪ that he may work, walk and grow, as becometh a Christian. The be∣leever must grow up in Him, being a branch in Him, and must bring forth fruit in Him, as the forementioned places clear. Now Christ himselfe tells us, that the branches cannot bring forth

fruit, except they abide in the vine, and that no more can his disciples bring forth fruit, except they abide in Him. Iohn. 15. Therefore, as it 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 faith, that the soul, as a branch, is united to Christ, as the vine; and as it is by faith, that they abide in Him; so is it by faith, that they must bring forth fruit: and this faith must grippe Christ as the Vine, and the Stock, or Root, from which cometh sap, life, and strength: faith then must look to Christ, as the fountain of 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ as the head, •…•…om whence cometh all the in •…•…∣ces of strength and motion. Christ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 strength and life enough to give out, for the fulnesse of the God head dwelleth in Him bodyly▪ and he is also willing enough to communicate of his fulnesse, as the relations He hath taken on do witnesse Th•…•… head will not grudge to give to the members of the body spirits, for action and motion; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 will a vine grudge to give sap unto the branches: •…•…ay life, strength and furniture will (as it were) native∣ly flow out of Christ unto beleevers, except they through unbeleef, and other distempers, cause ob∣structions; as life and sap doth natively and kindely flow from the root to the branches, of from the head to the members unlesse obstructions stoppe the pas∣sage▪ It is necessary therefore, that beleevers eye Christ under these and the like relations, and look upon Him, as standing (to speak so) obliged by his place and relation, to grant strength and influ∣ences of life, whereby they may become fruitful in every good work; and so with holy, humble and allowed boldnesse, presse in faith for new com∣munications

of grace, vertue, strength, courage activity, and what else they need: for from the head all the body by joints & bands, having nourishment ministred, increaseth with the increase of God Col. 2: 19. Ephes. 4: 16.

7. For this cause, beleevers would lye open unto the influences of Christ, and guaird against the puting of obstructions in the way, through griev∣ing of the Spirit, by which He conveyeth & com∣municateth those influences unto the soul; and through questioning & misbeleeving Christ's faith∣fulnesse, and unchangable willingnesse, which as a violent humore stoppeth the passage. So then beleevers would lye open by looking, and waiting, drawing▪ seeking from Him, what they need, and by guarding against every thing, that may provoke the Lord to anger•…•…, whether in omission or commission. Here is requisite •…•…n holy, humble, sober and watchfull walk, an earnest, serious, and hungry looking out to Him, and a patient waiting for supply and furniture from Him. This is to open the mouth wide, that He may fill it; to lie be∣fore the sun of righteousnesse, that the beames thereof may beat upon them, & warme & revive them; and to waite as a beggar at this kings gate, till he give the almes.

8. For the strengthening of their hope & faith in this, they would lay hold upon Christ dying, and by his death purchaseing all those influences of life and strength, which are requisite for carrying on of the work of grace and sanctification in the soul: for we must be blessed in Christ with all spiritual blessings. Eph. 1•…•…▪ 3. The beleever then would

look on these influences, as purchased at a deare rate, by the blood of Jesus Christ; so that the divine power giveth unto us all things, that pertaine unto life and godlinesse, through the knowledge of Him, that hath called us to glory & virtue 2 Pet. 1: 3. And this will encourage the soul to wait on, and expect the flowing down of influences, and spiritual bless∣ings, and showres of grace, to cause the soul to flourish, and become fruitfull; and to urge and presse more earnestly by faith the bestowing of the purchased benefites.

9. Moreover, the beleever would look on Je∣sus, as standing engaged and obliged to carry on this work, both as receiving them for this end, from the Father: hence we are said to be chosen in him, before the fundation of the world, that we should be holy &c. Ephes. •…•…: 4. and a•…•… dying for them•…•… for He gave himself son the church, that He might san∣cti•…•…y & cleanse it, that He might present it to him∣self a glorious church, that it should be holy Ephes. 5: 25, 26, 27. He hath reconciled them, in the body of his flesh, through death to present them holy Col. 1: 21, 22. So that the noble 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Re∣demption may found the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hope and expecta∣tion of the beleever, upon •…•… 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉. First upon the account of the Fathers faithfulnesse, who promised a seed to Iesus, Viz. such as should be his children, and so be sanctified through Him, and that the pleasure of the Lord, which in p•…•…rt i•…•… th•…•… work of sanctification▪ should prosper in his hand. And next upon the account of Christs undertaking▪ and engaging▪ as is said, to b•…•…ing his son•…•… and daughters to glory, which must be through san∣ctification,

for without holinesse no man shall see God. And they must look like himself, who is a holy Head, a holy Husband, a holy Captane, and therefore they must be holy members, a holy spouse & holy souldiers. So that He standeth en∣gaged to sanctifie them by his Spirit and word; and therefore is called the Sanctifier. Heb. 2: 11. for both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one. Yea, their union with Christ layeth the foundation of this: for being joyned to the Lord they become one Spirit 1 Cor. 6: 17. and are ani∣mated and quickened by one & the same Spirit of life and grace; and therefore must be sanctified by that Spirit.

10. The beleever likewise would act faith upon the promises of the new Covenant, of grace, strength, life, &c whereby they shall walk in his wayes, have Gods lawes put into their mindes, and write into their hearts, Heb. 8: 10. Ier. 31: 33. and of the new heart, and new spirit, and the heart of flesh, and the Spirit within them to cause them walk in his wayes or statutes, and keep his judgments and do them Ezech. 36: 26, 27. and the like, wherewith the scripture aboundeth: Because these are all given over to the beleever, by way of Testament and lega∣cy, Christ becoming the mediator of the new Testa∣ment, that by meanes of death, for the redempti∣on of the transgressions, that were under the first Testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternall inheritance. Heb. 9: 15. No•…•… Christ by his death hath confirmed this Testament▪ for where a Testament is, there must also of necessi∣ty be the death' of the testatour, for a Testament is of

force after men are dead vers. 16, 17. Christ then dying to make the Testament of force, hath made the legacy of the promises sure unto the beleever, so that now all the promises are yea and amen in Christ 2 Cor. 1: 20. He was made a minister of circumci∣sion to confirme the promises made to the Fathers Rom. 15: 8. That the eyeing of these promises by faith is a noble meane to sanctification, is cleare, by what the Apostle sayeth, 2 Cor. 7: 1. Having therefore these promises let us cleanse ourselves—perfecting holinesse in the feare of God. And it is by faith that those promises must be received Heb. 11: 33. So that the beleever, that would grow in grace, would eye Christ, the fundamentall promise, the Testatour establishing the Testament, and the ex∣cutor or dispensator of the covenant, and exspect the good things through Him and from Him, through the conduite, and channell of the pro∣mises.

11. Yet further, beleevers would eye Christ i•…•… his Resurrection, as a publick person: and so look on themselves, and reckon themselves, as riseing virtually in and with Him, and take the resurre∣ction of Christ as a certane paune and pledge of their sanctification: for so reasoneth the Apostle Rom. 6: 4, 5, 11▪ 13. we are buryed (say•…•…s He) with him by baptisme into death, that likeas Christ was raised up from the dead, by the glory of the Fa∣ther; even so we also should 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of life: for—we shall •…•…e 〈◊〉〈◊〉 also in the likenesse of his resurrection, and if we 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dead with Christ, we beleeve, that we shall also live with him—therefore reckon ye also yourselves to be—alive

unto God, through Iesus Christ our Lord ▪ and yeeld yourselves unto God, as these that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righ∣teousnesse unto God. The right improving of this ground, would be of noble advantage unto the student of holinesse: for thence he might with strong confidence conclude, that the work of sanctificati∣on should prosper in his hand: for he may now look upon himself, as quickened together with Christ Epes. 2: 5. Christ dying and riseing, as a publick per∣son, and he by faith being now joyned with him, and united to him.

12. Moreover this Resurrection of Christ may yeeld us another ground of hope and confidence, in this work: for there is mention made of the power of his resurrection Phil. 3: 10. So that by faith we may draw strength and vertue from Christ, as an arisen and quickened Head, whereby we also may live unto God, and bring forth fruit unto him, and serve no more in the oldnesse of the letter, but in the newnesse of Spirit. Rom. 7: 4, 6. He was quickened as an Head, and when the head is quickened, the members cannot but look for some communication of life therefrom, and to live in the strength of the life of the head: See Col. 3: 1, 2.

13. Faith may and should also look to Christ, as an intercessor with the Father, for this particular, Iohn. 17: 17. Sanctifie them through thy truth, thy word is truth: and this will adde to their confi∣dence, that the work shall go on: for Christ was alwayes heard of the Father Iohn. 11: 41, 42. and so will be in this prayer, which was not put up for these few disciples alone.

The beleever then would eye Christ as engadg∣ing to the Father, to begin and perfect this work; a•…•… dying to purchase the good things promised, and to confirme the same; as quickened and riseing a•…•… head and a publick person, to ensure this work; and to bestow and actually conferre the graces requisite; and as praying also for the Fathers concurrence; and cast the burden of the work on Him by faith, knowing, that He standeth obliged, by his place and relation to his people, to beare all their bur∣thens, to work all their works in them; to perfect his owne work that He hath begun in them; to present them to himself at last a holy bride; to give them the Spirit to dwel in them Rom▪ 8: 9▪ 11▪ and •…•…o quicken their mortall bodyes vers. 11. and to lead them vers. 14. till at length they be crown∣ed, and brought forward to glory. This is to live by faith: when Christ liveth, acteth and worketh in us by his Spirit Gal. 2: 20. Thus Christ dwelleth in the heart by faith: and by this, his people become rooted and grounded in love, which is a car∣dinall grace, and knowing the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, they become filled with all the fulnesse of God Ephes. 3: 17, 19. So that the be∣leever is to commit by faith the work to Christ, and leave the stresse of all the businesse on Him, who is their life: Yet the beleever must not think, to do nothing, nor to lay aside the means and ordi∣nances, but us•…•…ing these diligently would, in them, commit the matter to Christ, and by faith roll the whole work on Him, exspecting, upon the ground of his relations, engadgments, promises, beginnings &c. that He will certanely perfect the

work Phil. 1: 6. and take it well off their hands, and be well pleased with them, for putting the work in his hands, and leaving it on Him, who is made of God to us sanctification.

Cautions.

As in the former part, so here, it will not be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to give a few words of caution, for prevent∣ing of mistakes.

1. We would bewar of thinking, that perfection can be attained here: the perfect man, and mea∣sure of the stature of the fulnesse of Christ is but coming▪ and till then the body will but be a perfect∣ing & edifying, through the work of the ministery Ephes. 4: 12, 13. Beleevers must not think of sitting down on any measure of grace, which they attaine to here; but they must be growing in grace, going from strength to strengh, till they appeare in the upper Z•…•…on, with the Apostle Phil. 3: 13. forgetting those things that are behinde, and reach∣ing forth unto those things which are before, they must presse toward the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Iesus. It must then be a dreadful delusion, for any to think, that they can reach to such a degree of perfection here, as not to stand in need of the ordinance any more▪ Let all beleevers live in the constant convicton of their shortcoming and be humbled, and so worke out their salvation with fear and trembling.

2. Nor should every beleever exspect one and the same measure of holinesse, nor can it be expect∣ed with reason, that all shall advance here to the same height of sanctity▪ for every part of the body

hath its owne measure: and an effectuall working in that measure; and so every joint of the body supplieth lesse or more according to its proportion, and contribureth to the increase of the body, and to the edifying of it self in love, as the Apostle cle∣a•…•…ly showeth. Ephes. 4: 16. As in the natural•…•… body, the diversity of functions and uses of the members requireth diversity of furniture & strength; so, in the mysticall body of Christ, the members have not all alike measure, but each hath his proper distinct measure, according to his place and useful∣nesse in the body. Beleevers then would learne much sobr•…•…ety here and submission, knowing that God may dispense his graces as he will, and give them to each member, in what measure he thinketh good: Only they would take heed▪ that their poverty and leannesse be not occasioned through their own carelesnesse and negligence, in not plying the meanes of grace with that faithful∣nesse, and single dependence on Christ, that they ought.

3. It would be remembered, that there may be some progresse made in the way of holinesse, when yet the beleever may apprehend no such thing; not only because the measure of the grouth may be so small and indiscernable, but also because even where the growth in it self is discernable, the Lord may think it good for wise ends, to hide it from their eyes, that they may be keeped humble, and diligent; whileas if they saw how matters stood indeed with them▪ they might, (without a new degree of grace) swell and be puffed up, yea even forget God, and misken themselves and others

too. Likewise this may proceed from such an ear∣nest desire after more, that they forget any measure they have gotten. and so despise the day of small things.

4. There may be a progresse in holinesse, though not in that particular, which the beleever is most eying, to his sense and apprehension: for when he thinks he is not growing in Love to, and Zeal for, God &c. he may be growing in Humility, which is also a memb•…•…r of the new man of grace; and when he can perceive no grouth in Knowledge, there may be a grouth in Affection & Tendernesse▪ And if the work be carryed on in any joynt or mem∣ber, it decayeth in none, though it may be better apprehended in one, than in another.

5. There may be much holiness, where the believer is compleaning of the want of fruits, when under that dispensation of the Lord towards him, he is made to stoup before the most high, to put his mouth in the dust, if so be there may be hope, and pleasantly to submit to God's wise ordering, with∣out grudging, or quarrelling with God for what He doth; and to accept sweetly the punishment of his iniquity; if he see guilt lying at the root of this dispensation. Where there is a silent submission to the soveraigne & only wise disposeing hand of God, and the man is saying, if he will not have me to be a frutefull tree in his garden, nor to grow and flou∣ri•…•…h as the palme tree▪ Let me be a shrub, only let me be keep•…•…d within the precincts of his garden, that his eye may be upon me for good▪ let me abide within his courts, that I may behold his countenan∣ce, there is grace, and no small measure of

grace. To be an hired servant is much Luk▪ 15: 19.

6. But withall, it would be observed▪ that this gracious frame of soul, that is silent before God, under severall disappointments, is accompanied with much singleness of heart, in panting after more holiness, and with seriousness and diligence in all commanded dutyes, waiting upon the Lord, who is their hope and their salvation, in each of them: and with mourning for their own sin∣full accession to that shortcoming in their expecta∣tions.

7. We would not think that there is no progress in Christianity, or grouth in grace, because it cometh not our way, or by the instruments and meanes, that we most expect it by: possibly we are too fonde o•…•… some instruments and meanes, that we preferre to others, and we think, if ever we get good, it must be that way, and by that meane, be it private or publick: and God may give a proof of his Soveraignity, and check us for our folly. By taking another way: He would not be found of the Bride, neither by her seeking of him secretly on her bed by night; nor more publickly, by going about the city, in the streets and broad wayes; nor by the meanes of the watchmen Cant. 3▪ 1, 2, 3.

8. Nor would we think, that there is no grouth in the work of grace, because it cometh not at such or such a prelimited or fore-set time: nor would we think the matter desperate, because of our looking long, and waiting, and asking, and labouring, and yet seeing no sensible advantage: Such and such a

beleever (sayeth the soul) made great progresse in a short time, but I come no speed, for as long as I have been at this school. O! we should beware of limiteing the holy one of Israel, Let us be at duty, and commit the event to Him.

9. It is not a fit time, to take the measure of our graces, as to their sensible grouth and fruitfulnesse, when devils are broken loose upon us; temptations are multiplyed, corruptions make a great noise, and we are meeting with an horrible tempest shaking us on all hands: for it will be strong grace, that will much appear then; It will be a strong faith, that will say, though He kill me, yet will I trust in Him. At such a time it will be much, if the man keep the ground he hath gained, though he make no pro∣gress: It will be much for a tree to stand, and not be blowne out of the ground, in the time of a strong and vehement storme of winde, though it keep not its flourishes, & yeeld not fruit. The trees, which in a cold winter day bear neither leafs nor fruit, must not be said to go back, nor not to grow, be∣cause when the spring cometh againe, they may revive, and be as fruitfull as ever.

10. We would not alway measure our graces by what appeareth outwardly; for there may be some accidental occurrence, that may hinder that: and yet grace be at work within doors, which few or none can observe. The Believer may be in a sweet and gracious frame▪ blushing before the Lord, y•…•…a melting in love, or taken up with spirituall medi∣tations, & wondering, when as to some externall duties, it can finde no present disposition, through some accidentall impediment or other, so that to

some, who judge most by out ward appearance, no such thing as the active working of grace in life can appeare.

11. We would think it no small measure or de∣gree of holinesse, to be with singleness•…•… of heart pursueing it, even though it should seem to flee from us: to be earnestly panting after it, and hungering and thirsting for it: Nehemiah thought this no small thing, when he said Neh. 1. last. O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine eare be attentive to the prayer—of thy servants, who desire to feare thy name.

12. Whatever measure of holinesse the beleeve•…•… win to, he would take speciall heed, that he place no part of his confidence of his being accepted and justified before God, in it; as if that could come in as any part of the price to satisfy justice: but when he hath done all, let him call and account himself an unprofitable servant: Though beleevers will not be so grosse, as to speak thus; yet sure, their justi∣fying of their holding aback from God, because they finde not such a measure of grace and holinesse, as they would have, looketh too much this way, and sayeth, that they leane too much hereunto, in the matter of the acceptance of their persons before God. Now this would be specially guairded against▪ lest their labour be in vaine.

Objections answered.

An Objection or two must here also be removed▪ and first some may say: That though they have been labouring and striveing and working, now for some long time, yet they can perceive no advancement•…•… they are as far short as ever.

Answer 1. Hath it not been found, that some have compleaned without cause? Have not some complained of their fruitlesnesse and want of grouth, that other good Christians would have thought themselves very happy, if they had but advanced half so farre, as they saw them to have done?

2. But be it so, as it is alleiged, what if the fault be their owne? what if the cause of this be, that they attempt things in their owne strength, leaning to their own understanding, or habites of grace, or meanes &c. and that they do not go about duties, with that single dependence on Christ that is requi∣site, nor do they suck life, strength and sap from Him by faith, through the promises; nor give themselvs up to Him by faith, that He may worke in them both to will and to do? Should not this be seen, mourned for, and helped?

3▪ If all this shortcoming and disappointment cause them lye in the dust, and humble themselves more and more before the Lord, the grace of humi∣lity is growing, and that is no small advantage, to be growing downward.

4. Withall, they would do well to hold on in duty, looking to Christ for help, and rolling all difficulties on Him, give themselves away to Him, as their Head and Lord, and so continue their life of faith, or their consenting to let Christ live in them by faith, or work in them by his Spirit, what is welpleasing in his sight, and waite for the blessing and fruit, in God's own time.

Next it will be Objected. Though▪ we might wait thus; yet how unedifying are we unto others, when there appeareth no fruit of the spirit of grace 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪

Answer. A Christian behaviour and deport∣ment, under the sence of fruitlesnesse, expressing an holy submission of soul unto God as Soveraigne, much humility of minde before Him, justifying of God and taking guilt to themselves, with a firme resolution to waite on patiently, in the use of meanes appointed, cannot but be edifying to Christian soules; such exercises being really the works and fruit of the Spirit of grace working within.

But thirdly Some may say▪ How are then the pro∣mises of the covenant made good? Answere 1. The same measure of sanctification and holinesse is not promised to all.

2. No great measure is promised to any absolutly. So much indeed is secured to all beleevers, as shall carry them to heaven, as without which they cannot see God: but much as to the degrees depends on our performing through faith the conditions requi∣site, to wit, on condition of our abideing in the vine, of our acting faith on Him &c. and when these & the like conditions are not faithfully performed by us, what can we exspect? So the Lord hath appoint∣ed a way, wherein He will be found, and will have us to waite for strength and influence from Him▪ and if we neglect those meanes, which He hath ap∣pointed, how can we exspect the good, which He hath promised in the use of these means?

3. The Lord hath his owne time of making good all his promises, and we must not limite Him to a day.

4. Hereby the Lord may be trying and exerciseing thy Faith, Patience, Hope▪ Dependence, Submission, Diligence▪ &c. and if these be in thee and abound, they

shall make, that thou shall neither be barren, no•…•… unfruitfull in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ 2. Pet. 1: 11.

But lastly it will be enquired, what can support the beleeving soul, in this case?

Answere 1. The consideration and saith of the covenant of Redemption, wherein both the Fathers engadgment to the Son, and the Sons engadgment to the Father, secureth grace and holinesse, and salvation to the beleever. And whatever we be, They will be true to each other, our unbeleef will not make the faith of God of none effect.

2. The consideration of the noble and faithfull promises, contained in the covenant of Grace, which shall be all made good in due time.

3. If we be humbled under the sence of ou•…•… failings and shortcomings, and made to mourne before the Lord, and stirred up to more diligence and seriousnesse, that may yeeld comfort to our soul. If we be growing in Humility, godly Sorrow, Repentance, Diligence, and be gripping faster by faith to the Root, we want not ground of joy and support: for if that be, we cannot want fruit.

4. It should be matter of joy and thanksgiving, that the beleever is keeped from turning his back on the way of God, aud keeped with his face still Zion-ward: though he make but little progresse; yet he is still looking forward, and creeping as he may waiting at God's door, begging and asking, studying, labouring, and endeavouring for strength to go faster.

5. It is no small matter of peace and comfort▪ if we be keeped from fretting grudging, and repineing

at the Lords dispensations with us, and be taught to sit silent in the dust, adoreing His Soveraignity▪ and ascribeing no iniquity to our maker.