How doth this manifest difference apear?
A double signe of it, 1 Cor. 12.10. It is a spirituall gift of discerning. He speaks of discerning what gifts, and what measures a man hath, and wherein the strength of a mans gifts lies, 1 Cor. 2 15. Although he cannot discern eve∣ry mans speciall gifts, what he is most fit for, yet plain and manifest things he discerns, and also between morall and spirituall, between things of God, and Satan, and the World.
The second manifestation of this difference is the inclination of the end of the one and of the other. By their fruits ye shall know them, Mat. 7.20. Gal. 5.19.
Obj. Cannot an hypocrite passe so as that he cannot be discerned? What say you of Judas, he was not discerned of a long time, Mat. 26.22. for every of the Disci∣ples began to suspect themselves, 2 Cor. 1.13, 14, 15, 16. Again, Gods people carry things so weakly, and the pulse of Gods grace beats so weakly, as if no life and strength were in them, 1 Kings 19.17, 18. Psalm 12.1.
Answ. Sometimes hypocrisie is spun with so fine a thread, and it is so well dyed, as that you can hardly discern any difference. And sometimes grace is so low in the heart, as that you cannot discern it. This is true, but it is but for a time. Judas at length was plainly known to have been but a theef, 2 Tim. 3.8, 9. Jannes and Jambres can do miracles as well as Moses and Aaron, but in time they shall be discerned, 1 Tim. 5.22, 45. Lay hands suddenly on no man; for if he prove not pure, thou shalt be pertaker of his sins, and all the hurt he doth. Some mens sins lye open before hand, i. e. before the judgement of the Church, others follow after, they cannot be hid, God will have them made manifest in due time, Luke 12.2. There is nothing so secret but it will be dis∣covered. If you put leaven into five pecks of meal, it will not alwayes lye hid∣den, but in time break forth.
Ʋse 1. An argument of just reproof to good men and bad. If after a while we know not our selves, 2 Cor. 13.5. As if it were a dangerous sign of a mans separation from God, if after so long a time of the Apostles preaching, they knew not what was in them.
2. This reproves the Popish Doctors, that say no man can discern his owne estate. They alledge that place, Eccl. 9.1, 2. A man cannot know by outward things whether he be in Gods favour or not. If a man come in a sheep-skin, I shall take him to be a sheep, Mat. 7.16, to 20.
3. To teach every one to take heed of a devillish spirit, or any unrighteous course of life; for though a man may hide it long, yet at length it will be known. It is as impossible that a mans want of love should not be known, as for a man to keep fire in his bosome, and it not to break out, Psalm 36 2, 3, 4.
4. Of exhortation to all that are born of God, not alwayes to smoother grace; God will have your grace manifest, and that to edifie withall, 2 Cor. 12.7. Do not content your selves with close and houshold Christianity, but manifest of what spirit you are. It was commendable in Elizabeth, to hide her selfe six moneths, Luke 2.6. When she was stirring with childe, then she visi∣ted her Cousen Mary. So if God have wrought any conception of grace in our hearts, it doth well to be concealed a while, lest like the stony ground, in time of persecution it should fall away. When thou art sure there is a manifest work of Gods Spirit in thy heart, then manifest thy selfe.