Soule-reviving influences of the sun of righteousnesse, or Some bright beames of light and love, sparkling from Christ upon the darke and drooping hearts of sin-weakend and clouded believers, even while we are in this solitary wildernesse, not yet arrived at the land of spirituall Canaan; but taking a turne in the darke and dampe valley of the shadow of death. With several evangelicall and heart-winning incouragements to the life of faith in the Sonne of God, notwithstanding our manifold weaknesses and hainous provocations; yea to the keeping up of the same comfort, hope confidence, and joy in him in the sadest straights, of the sorest darknesse.

I cannot believe that I am elected,* 1.1 therefore nothing can doe mee good.

1. This is a secret, and to be left unto God, and not medled withall by us,* 1.2 Secret things belong unto God, and revealed things to us.

2. Consider that it is most certain, that these thoughts come from Satan,* 1.3 being so directly contrary to God in his word; and Satan is most especially

not to be hearkned unto when he tempts to unbeliefe, the stalke upon which all other sinnes grow: saith Sa∣tan, if thou are elected thou dost be∣lieve, and this faith brings forth the pleasant fruits of righteousnes. This is one of the grand polices of Satan, wherewith he nonpluses poore soules; for by this hee sets on the soule for evidence of its justification from things, which he knows, can afford lit∣tle but questionable assurance at best; as perswasion most upon markes and signes of our owne sanctification or good works, which can not hold good without love to Christ, and without faith it selfe to bring downe Christ upon them; wee know that every piece of coyne is valued accor∣ding to the image and superscription that it beares; and if Caesar be not there (though it bee silver stil) yet it is not coyne, it is not so currant, and he that hath it, cannot make such use of it, and so assure himselfe to trade with it, as otherwise he might; so there is not any thing of sanctification currant and of solid comfort to a believer, unlesse Christ

be there and his image, which is righ∣teousnes and true holinesse.

3. Consider that it is a usual delusion of Satan to tell a poore soule that God hath no mercy for it, when the soule hath obtained mercy, and this mercy not farr from it, yea at the gate as it were▪ and that it is the nature of un∣beliefe to be inquisitive and curious to find out any colourable pretention whereby it may seeme to doe wel, in excluding it selfe from grace, and in not harkening unto what God saith in his word.

I would gladly believe,* 1.4 but I dare not; besides I cannot believe.

Consider four things, viz.

1. Consider with thy selfe, and ex∣amine what reason thou hast or canst have to doubt or be afraid, since Christ cryeth saing, If any man thirst, let him come to me and drink;* 1.5 The spirit and the Bride say,* 1.6 come; and whosoever wil let him come. Doth God invite you to come, and are you afraid? oh come,* 1.7 he wil not quench the smoking

flax.* 1.8 Hope thou in his mercy, and know that the Lord takes pleasure in them that feare him, in them that hope in his mercy. Examine thy soule why it would flie unto the hills of its owne preparations,* 1.9 seeing that God, who is a strong hold, hath invited thee unto himselfe; and indeed the first thing that a poore soule that sees it self lost and fatherlesse,* 1.10 is to do; is to be∣lieve in the Lord Jesus; he expects no previous qualifications;* 1.11 and indeed the best preparation for Christ,* 1.12 is to see in our selves no preparation at all for him.* 1.13

2. Consider, that if thou desirest to believe, thy will is in part regene∣rate, and thou dost in some measure believe,* 1.14 (though weakly) Lord I be∣lieve, help thou my unbeliefe. And remember, that the heart in a mysti∣cal and spiritual acceptation, is seated in the will, and in the understanding, but more principally in the will; so that that object, or thing unto which the will is most inclined, or the desires runne out most after, unto that is the bent of the heart said to be;* 1.15 if our wills be renewed, our hearts are re∣newed:

Saith Paul, to will is present with me:* 1.16 good I would do: so then, with my mind I serve the law of God: where∣by it evidently appears, that the will is one with the mind, and that the heart is one with them, and that these three are one, and are alike spirituall; where your treasure is,* 1.17 there will your hearts be also; there will be your mind and your affections, and by affecti∣ons the heart is meant. Set your affe∣ctions on things above;* 1.18 Gods servants are in Scripture described by a desire to feare his name.* 1.19 Those desires that work towards God,* 1.20 came from him; The Spirit returns to him that gave it.* 1.21 If thy desires be spiritual, thou art spi∣ritual; they flow from faith, and from the Spirit, and are a part of the worke of grace in us, which he ha∣ving begunne, will perfect to his own praise.* 1.22 A man cannot desire that which he doth not believe to be, nor love. To wil to believe and repent, is an evidence that the soul doth believe and repent; to will to be regenerate, is an effect and testimonie of regene∣ration. It is God that worketh in you to will,* 1.23 &c. Spiritual desires cannot

possibly be in that soule that hath not spirituall life;* 1.24 for to desire after Christ, or to a believe in him, is an act of spirituall life;* 1.25 a dead man cannot desire, and nothing but Christ can possesse the soule of a sense of its want of him;* 1.26 the depraved will of man being wholly inthralled unto sin,* 1.27 can contribute nothing hereunto, but is altogether insufficient for, and averse unto it,* 1.28 and also to the perceiving and receiving of the things of God,* 1.29 they being spiritually discerned: God must give eyes to see and an heart to understand.* 1.30

3. Considert,* 1.31 hat many doe believe, and yet know not whether they be∣lieve or no,* 1.32 and thereupon they doe as the blinde man did, call their faith unbeliefe;* 1.33 many give God their hearts and know it not, being ignorant of what is meant by the heart, and where it is seated, viz. in the will, understanding, desires, affections and delights, though principally in the will.* 1.34

4. Consider, that it is not in the power of the Creature to believe,* 1.35 and that faith is not any condition of the

covenant of grace required on thy part, but a grace of the covenant on Gods part to be given; for this cove∣nant is not made with us, but with Christ for us:* 1.36 to believe is a fruit of the Spirit of Christ;* 1.37 we must bee in Christ before wee can beare fruit, therefore we must be in Christ before we can believe;* 1.38 hee that hath the Spirit of Christ hath Christ; we have the Spirit of Christ before we believe, therefore we have Christ before we believe;* 1.39 and men are ordained unto eternall life before they believe.

Notes

• * 1.1

  19 Dis∣courage∣ment.
• * 1.2

  Deut. 29. 29.
• * 1.3

  Gen. 3. 2, 3
• * 1.4

  20 Dis∣courage∣ment.
• * 1.5

  John 7. 37.
• * 1.6

  Rev. 22. 17
• * 1.7

  Mat. 12. 20
• * 1.8

  Psal. 147. 11
• * 1.9

  Psal. 11. 1.
• * 1.10

  Act. 16. 31
• * 1.11

  Isa. 6. 5, 6
• * 1.12

  Matth. 8. ••
• * 1.13

  Luk. 5. 8
• * 1.14

  Mark 9. 24
• * 1.15

  Rom. 8. 5, 6, 7
• * 1.16

  Rom. 7. 18 19 compa∣red with 21 and 15 verses.
• * 1.17

  Mat. 6. 21.
• * 1.18

  Col. 3. 2.
• * 1.19

  Neh. 1. 11
• * 1.20

  Psa. 145. 19
• * 1.21

  1 Pet. 2. 2, 3
• * 1.22

  Ignoti nul∣la cupido.
• * 1.23

  Phil. 2. 13.
• * 1.24

  Psa. 145. 19.
• * 1.25

  Rom. 6. 20.
• * 1.26

  2 Cor. 3. 5
• * 1.27

  Gen. 6. 5.
• * 1.28

  1 Cor. 2. 14.
• * 1.29

  Deut. 29. 4.
• * 1.30

  Eph. 1. 17, 18.
• * 1.31

  Eph. 1. 18 19.
• * 1.32

  1 John 5. 13.
• * 1.33

  Marke 9. 24.
• * 1.34

  Rom. 8. 5. 6, 7.
• * 1.35

  Phil. 1. 29.
• * 1.36

  Gal. 5. 22
• * 1.37

  John 15. 4
• * 1.38

  Rom 8. 9, 10.
• * 1.39

  Acts 13. 48.