CHAP. XXXVI. Questions, and Cases of Conscience about our communion with God.

Quest. What is it to be in communion with God?

Answ. When we are made one with him, or u∣nited to him, as a childe to his Father, 1 Joh. 1.3. So that our communion with God, is

• 1. To see him in his works.
• 2. To hear him in his Word.
• 3. To speak to him by prayer, and praise.
• 4. To walk with him in meditation of his presence.

Quest. What are the evidences, or signs of our communion with God, and with Je∣sus Christ?

Answ. First, The holy spirit of God, and of Jesus Christ given to us, 1 Joh. [ I] 3.24. Hereby we know that he abideth in us, by his Spirit which he hath given us. So 1 Joh. 4.13.

Quest. How doe we know this our communion with God, by his Spirit given us?

Answ. First, As the inward, immediate, efficient cause of this divine commu∣nion [ I] with us. For 1. God dwells in us by his Spirit, Ephes. 2.22. 2. Christ sup∣plies his absence from his Church by his Spirit, Joh. 14.15, 17, 25, 26. and 16.17, 18.

Secondly, As an Anointing, teaching us all things, 1 Joh. 2.27. Revealing to us the things that are given us of God, 1 Cor. 2.12. and illuminating us with [ II] light to receive them. Yea sometimes the Spirit evidences our fellowship with God, by such a clear, bright, and immediate way, that it wonderfully assures us hereof, Joh. 14.21, 22, 23. [ III]

Thirdly, As a witness with our spirits, Rom. 8.15, 16. [ IV]

Fourthly, As a seal upon our hearts, Ephes. 1.13. [ V]

Fifthly, As the earnest, and first-fruits of our adoption, and endless communi∣on with God in glory, Ephes. 1.14. Rom. 8.23.

Sixthly, As the original cause, and root of all these spiritual fruits, which are only found in them that have communion with God, Gal. 5.22, 23. [ VI]

Quest. But by what signs may we know that the Spirit of God is given us?

Page  364Answ. If the Spirit of God be given us, then

1. We are, or have been effectually convinced by the spirit of our own natu∣rall misery, and of Christs supernaturall alsufficiency to remove it, Joh. 16.7. to 12.

2. We are washed, and sanctified by the Spirit, 1 Cor. 6.11. mortifying the old man, and quickening the new man in us, Rom. 8.13, 11.

3. We are acted, guided, and led by the Spirit of God, Rom. 8.14.

4. We minde the things of the Spirit, Rom. 8.5. our thoughts, projects, con∣trivements, &c. do habitually fix here.

5. We bring forth the fruits of the Spirit, which spirit cannot bring forth bad fruit, not be barren, Ephes. 5.9. Gal. 5.22, 23.

6. We combat by the Spirit against the flesh, Gal. 5.17.

7. We are strengthened to every good word and work, with might in the in∣ward man by the Spirit, Ephes. 3.16. Col. 1.10, 11. and particularly by the spirit we are notably enabled unto prayer against all our infirmities, Rom. 8.15, 26, 27.

Secondly, The true abiding of the ancient, Primitive truth, and Doctrine of [ II] Christ in us, is another sign of our communion with God: So that we are not car∣ried aside to unsound new fangled opinions, 1 Ioh. 2.22, 23, 24. All novelties in Doctrine are to be censured by Primitive truths, and brought to the ancient stand∣ard for their regulation.

Quest. How shall we know that we sincerely abide in the truth?

[ I] Answ. First, if we have a cordial love to the truth, 2 Thes. 2.10. Contrary in those, 2 Tim. 4.3, 4.

Secondly, A consciencious care to doe nothing against the truth, but any [ II] thing for it, 2 Cor. 13.8. 2 Ioh. 10.11.

Thirdly, an earnest contending for the faith once delivered to the Saints, Iude [ III] 3. not for new upstart Doctrines, and new-coyned opinions.

Fourthly, A bearing witness to the truth, both verbally, and really in the worst [ IV] times, and against the greatest dangers. So Paul, Phil. 1.17. and so Rev. 2.13. yea, Christ himself bore witness to the truth even unto death, Ioh. 18.37.

[ III] Thirdly, True confession that Jesus is the son of God, is an evidence of our communion with God, 1 Ioh. 4.15.

Object. But how can this be? did not the Divel confess Christ to be the Son of God? Mar. 1.24. Luke 4.34, 41. and Hypocrites? Mat. 7.22.23.

Answ. There is a double confessing that Jesus is the son of God.

1. Dogmaticall, arising meerly from the assenting act of Faith that believes the truth of Gods word, touching Jesus Christ. So Divels, and Hypocrites may con∣fess Christ, Tit. 1.16. and in opinion they know him, Luke 4.41. this may be with∣out any communion with God and Christ.

2. Fiduciall, arising not only from the assenting, but also from the applying act of Faith, when we confess Christ with confidence, and trust in him for salvation: This is here meant.

Quest. How shall we know when we fiducially confess Jesus Christ?

• Answ. 1. If we assent to the truth of Gods record touching Christ, 1 Ioh. 5.10, 11.
• 2. If we appy Christ to our selves, resting and living upon him according to that record, Ioh. 1.11, 12. Gal. 2.20.
• 3. If we confess Christ thus applyed, not only in words, but in deeds also, Tit. 1.16. Mat. 7.21.
• 4. If we confess Christ even to sufferings, and to death, Acts 20.23, 24. and 21.13. Rev. 2.13.

Fourthly, Not doing, or practising of sin, is a sign of our communion with God, 2 Ioh. 3.6, 8.

Page  365Fifthly, Unfeigned love to God, and dwelling therein, is a signe of our true [ V] communion with God, 1 Ioh. 4.16. For

1. Our true love to God denotes a reciprocation of mutual affections be∣twixt God and us, 1 Ioh. 4.19.

2. It implies a reciprocation of the genuine fruits, and effects of love mutually. God loving us, adops, redeems, calls, sanctifies, justifies, and glorifies us: we lo∣ving God, trust in him, fear, obey him, &c. both these import spiritual com∣munion with God.

Quest. How may we know that we truly dwell in Gods love?

• Answ. 1. When we love God with an intensive love, Luke 10.27. that is, with all within us.
• 2. When we love God with a predominant love, that overcomes our love to all other objects besides God, Psal. 97.10. Mat. 10.37. with Luke 14 26. Rev. 21.11.
• 3. When we love God obedientially, so as willingly to obey all his com∣mands, Ioh. 14.15. 1 Ioh. 5.3. 2 Cor. 5.14.
• 4. When we love him invincibly, so that our love cannot be quenched, or conquered, but we are ready to endure any thing for his sake, Cant. 8.6, 7. Acts 20.23, 24. and 21.13.
• 5. When we love him continually, Ephes. 6.24.

Sixthly, walking in light, and not in darkness, evidenceth our communion with God, 1 Ioh. 1.5, 6, 7.

Quest. How shall we know that we walk thus?

• Answ. 1. When we are effectually translated from darkness to light, Acts 26.18. Col. 1.13. Ephes. 5.8.
• 2. When we cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armour of light, Rom. 13.12. &c. when we bring forth the fruits of light, Eph. 5.9.
• 3. when we shun all fellowship with works of darkness in others. Eph. 5.11.
• 4. When we love the light, and come to it, that our deeds may be manife∣sted to be of God, Ioh. 3.20, 21.

Seventhly, Walking as Christ, or chief Captain, Heb. 2.10. walked, is ano∣ther sign of our communion with God, 1 Ioh. 2.6.

Quest. How did Christ walk, that we may know whether we walk as he walked?

• Answ. 1. Christ walked holily, purely, and inoffensively towards God and man, Heb 4.15 and 7.26. Isa. 59.9. So should we, 1 Cor. 10.32, 33. Act. 23.1. and 24.16. 1 Thes. 2.10, 11, 12.
• 2. Christ walked most humbly and meekly, Mat. 11.28. Phil. 2.5, 6, 7.
• 3. Most self-denyingly; though rich, he became poor for our sakes, 2 Cor. 8.9. So Mar. 14.36.
• 4. Most zealously, Ioh. 2.15, 16, 17.
• 5. Most obedientially to his heavenly Father, Rom. 5.19. Ioh. 4.34. Heb. 5 8, 9. Phil. 2.8.
• 6. Most profitably, he went about doing good, Act. 10.38.
• 7. Most lovingly, tenderly, and compassionately to poor sinners to win, and save them, Luke 4.18, 19, 20, 21. Mat. 12.19, 20. and 11.28, 29, 30. Luk. 7.37. to the end.
• 8. Most spiritually and Heavenly, he lived on earth, as if he had been in heaven, extracting heavenly contemplations, and spiritual lessons from all sorts of earthly objects, and occasions presented before him, as Ioh. 4.10, &c. and ver. 31.32. and 6.26, 27, &c. and 15.1. &c.

Eighthly, Keeping his word, and commandments, discovers our communion with him, 1 Joh. 2.5. and 3.23, 24.

Quest. How shall we know whether we keepe his commandments as we ought?

Answ. If we practice righteousness, 1 Joh. 2.29. and 3.10. and that.

Page  366 [ I] First, for the substance, and matter, that whatsoever we do be good, forbearing the contrary, or Indifferent.

[ II] Secondly, From a right ground, and principle, Luk. 12.33, 34. 2 Kin. 10.30, 31. which is

• 1. From a pure heart: 1. Purified by the blood of Christ for our justificati∣on, Zach. 13. 1. Psal. 51.7. Act. 15.9. 2. By the spirit of Christ for our sanctification, 1 Cor. 6.11. Psal. 66.18.
• 2. From a good conscience, purged by Christ from dead works, to serve the living God, Heb. 9.14. and when its habitually exercised to an inof∣fensiveness towards God and man, Acts 24.16. with 23.1. and when it endeavours to be compleatly, and universally good, Acts 23.1. Yea, when it approves it self good in Gods sight, 1 Pet. 3.21. and when from all this the heart gives in a comfortable testimony of its simplicity and godly sincerity, able to support under greatest distress, 2 Co. 1.8. &c.
• 3. From faith unfeigned without which there is no pleasing of God, Heb. 11.6. Faith washes all out duties, and acts of obedience, in the blood of Christ, and so renders them acceptable to God, 1 Pet. 2.5.

[ III] Thirdly, When for form, and manner we doe righteousness, so as God re∣quires: and that

• 1. Spiritually, and heartily, Prov. 23.26: Joh. 4.24. 1 Cor. 6.20.
• 2. Sincerely, and uprightly, Gen. 17.1. as David, Psal. 18.22. and 66.18. Paul, 2 Cor. 2. ult. Peter, Joh. 21.15, 16, 17.
• 3. Obedientially, because God commands it, as in Noah, Heb. 11.7. Abraham, Heb. 11.8, 17, &c. David, Psal. 40.8. and 119.143. Paul, Rom. 7.22.
• 4. Vniversally, without reservations, and exceptions, Psal. 119.6. Numb. 14.22. Luke 1.6.
• 5. Constantly, Psal. 1.2, 3. and 92.13, 14. and 119.20.

[ IV] Fourthly, For right ends, Gods glory, 1 Cor. 10.31. and our own, and others spiritual and eternal good, Mat. 5.16. 1 Pet. 4.2, 3, 4. Rom. 2.7.

[ IX] Ninthly, True brotherly love is a sign of our communion with God, 1 Joh. 4.12. and 5.1. Mr. Roberts Believers Evidences.