to have the Spirit acting graciously; then sinne that grace may abound, be sicke, and exceeding sicke, that Christ may bestow on you much Gospel-physicke; To be aboundant in the worke of the Lord, to delight in the Law of the Lord in the inner man, to labour more aboundantly then they all, to bee rich in good works, are nothing else but to goe a whoring from God. So Saltmarsh expoundeth these words, I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Such were yee, but yee are justified, but yee are sanctified, &c. That Christ beleeved, repented, sorrowed for sinne, mortified sinne perfectly for me, and this (saith hee) is sanctification, and the fulnesse of his, the All in All. Then to doe nothing my selfe, but sinneful∣ly to omit all duties, and let Christ doe all, is full sanctifica∣tion; and the lesse yee doe, the more Christ doth for you.
Object. 1. Christ saith not, Peter be encouraged to beleeve, because thou art an holy, obedient, loving Apostle. But I have prayed that thy faith faile not, Saltmarsh, Free grace, pag. 32.33.
Answ. In that place he doth not shew Peter how he should know by such and such signes, that hee beleeved; but for Peters comfort and faith, he sheweth him the true cause, why he should not fall away, to wit, because his Advocate intercee∣deth for him.
Object. 2. Christ saith not to his Apostles, O my Disci∣ples, though I be from you, yet yee have been thus and thus humble, penitent, obedient, and let this be your ground and as∣surance when I am gone, but hee layes in promises, yee be∣leeve in God, beleeve also in me, I will send the Comforter Saltmarsh, pag, 33.
Answ. We make no qualifications, object, or ground, or cause of faith, but onely signes to know wee have faith, therefore might Christ haue said, ye shall know yee love me, and beleeve, because you love those begotten of me.
1. But we thinke, though naturall sweating at duties, set∣teth not the Spirit on edge to worke graciously; yet to worke by the grace of God, increaseth both talents and grace.
2. Nor the frequent actings of grace, nor the simply look∣ing on them especially under sad houres, to wine to our feet againe are ill, but the abuses to bee avoided. As 1. the comparative poring, and the more frequent living on the com∣forts