The beatitudes: or A discourse upon part of Christs famous Sermon on the Mount.: Wherunto is added Christs various fulnesse. The preciousnesse of the soul. The souls malady and cure. The beauty of grace. The spiritual watch. The heavenly race. The sacred anchor. The trees of righteousnesse. The perfume of love. The good practitioner. By Thomas Watson, minister of the word at Stephens Walbrook in the city of London.

SECT. 4.

Setting forth the signs of Gods children.

4. THE fourth particular to be discussed, is, To shew the signs of Gods children; it concerns us to know whose children we are.* 1.1 Austin saith, All man∣kind are divided into two Ranks; either they are the chil∣dren of God, or the children of the Divel†.

[ 1] 1. The first sign of our heavenly son-ship, is tender∣ness of heart. 2 Chron. 34.27. Because thy heart was tender. A child-like heart is a render heart; he who be∣fore had a flinty, hath now a fleshy heart: A tender heart is like melting wax to God, he may set what seal he will upon it; this tenderness of heart shews it self three wayes.

1. A tender heart grieves for sin; a child weeps for offending his father, Peter shewed a tender heart, when

Christ looked upon him, and he remembred his sin, he wept as a childe. Clemens Alexandrinus saith, he never heard a Cock crow, but he wept* 1.2: And some learned Writers tell us, that by much weeping there seemed to be as it were, Channels made in his blessed face. The least hair makes the eye weep; the least sin makes the heart smite. Davids heart smote him when he cut off the Lap of King Sauls garment? What would it have done if he had cut off his head?

2. A tender heart melts under mercy: Though when God thunders by affliction, the rain of tears doth fall from a gracious eye, yet the heart is never so kindly dissolved, as under the Sun-beams of Gods mercy; see how Davids heart was melted with Gods kindness. 2 Sam. 7.18. Who am I O Lord God, and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? there was a gracious thaw upon his heart. So saith a childe of God, Lord, who am I? (a piece of dust and sin kneaded together) that the ori∣ent beams of free-grace should shine upon me! Who am I, that thou shouldest pity me when I lay in my blood, and spread the golden wings of mercy over me! The soul is overcome with Gods goodness, the tears drop, the love flames; mercy hath a melting influence upon the soul.

3. A tender heart trembles under Gods threatnings, Psalm 119.120. My flesh trembleth for fear of thee, 2 Chron. 34.27. Because thy heart was tender, and thou didst humble thy self before God, when thou heardst his words against this place, and didst rend thy clothes, &c. If the father be angry, the child trembles. When Mini∣sters denounce the menaces and threats of God against sin, tender souls sit in a trembling posture; this frame of heart God delights in, Isa. 66.2. To this man will I look, even to him that trembleth at my word; a wicked man

like the Leviathan, is made without fear, Job 41.33. He neither believes the Promises, nor dreads the Threatnings; let judgement be denounced against sin, he laughs at the shaking of a spear; he thinks either that God is ignorant and doth not see, or impotent and cannot punish; the moun∣tains quake before the Lord, the hills melt, the rocks are thrown down by him, Nahum. 1.5. But the hearts of sin∣ners are more obdurate than the rocks; an hardned sinner like Nebuchadnezzar, hath the heart of a beast given to him, Dan. 4.16. a child-like heart is a tender heart; the stone is taken away.

[ 2] 2. The second signe of son-ship is Assimilation, Col. 3.10. Ye have put on the new man which is renewed af-the image of him that created him. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; the child resembles the father; Gods children are like their heavenly Father, they bear his very image and impresse; wicked men say they are the children of God, but there is too great a dissimilitude and unlikenesse; the Jews brag'd they were Abrahams children, but Christ disproves them by this argument, because they were not like him, John 8.40. Ye seek to kill me, a man that have told you the truth which I have heard of God; this did not Abraham. You Abrahams children, and go about to kill me! Abra∣ham would not have murdered an innocent, you are more like Satan than Abraham, ver. 44. ye are of your father the Divel. Such as are proud, earthly, malitious, may say, our father which art in hell; 'tis blasphemy to call God our Father, and make the Divel our Pattern. Gods children resemble him in meeknesse and holinesse; they are his walking pictures; As the Seale stamps its print, and likenesse upon the Wax; so doth God stamp the print and effigies of his own beauty upon his children.

[ 3] 3. The third sign of Gods children is, they have the Spi∣rit of God. 'Tis called the Spirit of adoption, Rom. 8.15. ye have received the Spirit of adoption, &c.

Quest. How shall we know that we have received the Spirit of adoption, and so are in the state of adoption?

Answ. The Spirit of God hath a three-fold work in them who are made children.

• 1. A Regenerating work.
• 2. A Supplicating work.
• 3. A Witnessing work.

1. A Regenerating work; whomsoever the Spirit a∣dopts, it regenerates; Gods children are said to be born of the Spirit, John 3.5. Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God; we must first be born of the Spirit, before we are bapti∣zed with this new name of sons and daughters; we are not Gods children by creation but renovation; not by our first birth, but our new-birth. This New-birth produced by the Word as the material cause* 1.3, and by the Spirit as the efficient cause, is nothing else but a change of nature, Rom. 12.2. which though it be not a perfect change, yet is a thorow change, 1 Thes. 5.23. This change of heart is as necessary* 1.4 as salvation.

Quest. How shall we know that we have this regene∣rating work of the Spirit?

Answ. Two wayes.

• By the pangs.
• By the products.

1. By the pangs; There are spiritual pangs before the new-birth; some bruisings of soul; some groanings and cryings out, some struglings in the heart between flesh and spirit, Acts 2.37. they were prick'd at their heart; The child hath sharp throws before the birth, so it is in the new-birth; I grant the new-birth doth recipere magis &

minus; all have not the same pangs of humiliation; yet all have pangs; all feel the hammer of the Law upon their heart, though some are more bruised with this hammer than others; Gods Spirit is a Spirit of bondage, before it be a Spirit of adoption, Rom. 8.15. What then shall we say to those who are as much to seek about the new-birth as Nicodemus! John 3.4. How can a man be born when he is old, &c? The new-birth is ludibrium impiis, though it be grande mysterium piis; some thank God they ne∣ver had any trouble of spirit, they were alwayes quiet. These blesse God for the greatest curse; it is a signe they are not Gods children; the child of grace is alwayes born with pangs.

2. The new-birth is known by the Products, which are three.

1. Sensibility. The infant that is new-born, is sensible of the least touch; If the Spirit hath regenerated thee, thou art sensible of the ebullitions and first risings of sin, which before thou didst not perceive. Paul cries out of the law in his members, Rom. 7.23. The new-born Saint sees sin in the root.

2. Circumspection. He who is born of the Spirit is care∣ful to preserve grace; he plies the breast of Ordinances, 1 Pet. 1.2. he is fearful of that which may endanger his spiritual life, 1 John 5.18. he lives by faith, yet passeth the time of his sojourning in fear, 1 Pet. 1.17. This is the first work of the Spirit in them who are made chil∣dren, a regenerating work.

3. The Spirit of God hath a supplicating work in the heart: The spirit of adoption is a spirit of supplication, Rom. 8.15. Ye have received the spirit of adoption where∣by we cry Abba Father. While the child is in the womb it cannot cry: while men lie in the womb of their natural estate, they cannot pray effectually, but when they are

born of the Spirit, then they cry Abba Father. Prayer is nothing else but the souls breathing it self into the bo∣some of its Father. 'Tis a sweet and familiar intercourse with God; as soon us ever the Spirit of God comes into the heart, it sets it a praying; no sooner was Paul con∣verted, but the next word is, behold he prayeth* 1.5, Acts 9.11. It is reported in the life of Luther, when he prayed, it was with so much reverence as if he were praying to God, and with so much boldnesse, as if he had been speak∣ing to his friend* 1.6. And Eusebius reports of Constan∣tine the Emperour, that everyday he used to shut up him∣self in some secret place in his Palace, and there on bend∣ed knees did make his devour prayers and soliloquies to God; Gods Spirit tunes the strings of the affections, and then we make melody in prayer. For any to say in de∣rision, you pray by the Spirit, is a blasphemy against the Spirit: it is a main work of the Spirit of God in the hearts of his children to help them to pray, Gal. 4.6. Be∣cause you are sons, God hath sent the spirit of his Son in∣to your hearts, Crying, Abba Father.

Quest. But many of the children of God have not such abilities to expresse themselves in prayer; how then doth the Spirit help their infirmities.

Answ. Though they have not alwayes the gifts of the Spirit in prayer, yet they have the groans of the Spirit, Rom. 8.26. Gifts are the Ornament of prayer, but not the life of prayer. A carcass may be hung with jew∣els. Though the Spirit may deny fluency of speech, yet it gives fervency of desire, and such prayers are most preva∣lent. The prayers which the Spirit indites in the hearts of Gods children, have these three-fold qualifications.

1. The prayers of Gods children are believing pray∣ers: Prayer is the key, Faith is the hand that turns it; Faith feathers the Arrow of prayer, and makes it pierce

the Throne of grace. Matth. 21.22. Whatever you shall ask in prayer believing, ye shall receive. Where∣upon saith Hierom* 1.7, I would not presume to pray, unless I bring faith along with me; to pray, and not believe, is (as one saith) a kind of jeer offered to God* 1.8; as if we thought either he did not hear, or he would not grant.

That Faith may be animated in prayer, we must bring Christ in our Arms when we appear before God. 1 Sam. 7.9. And Samuel took a sucking Lamb, and offered it for a burnt-offering, and Samuel cryed unto the Lord for Israel, and the Lord heard him; this sucking Lamb typi∣fied Christ. When we come to God in prayer, we must bring the Lamb Christ along with us. Themistocles carried the Kings son in his Arms, and so pacified the King when he was angry* 1.9; the children of God present Christ in the Arms of their Faith.

2. The prayers of Gods children indited by the Spirit, are ardent prayers. Ye have received the Spirit, whereby we cry Abba, Father, Rom. 8.15. Father, that implies Faith; we cry, that implies fervency. The in∣cense was to be laid upon burning coals, Lev. 16.12. The incense was a type of prayer; the burning coals of arden∣cy in prayer: Elias prayed earnestly, Jam. 5.17. In the Greek it is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,* 1.10, IN PRAYING HE PRAYED; that is, he did it with vehemency†; in prayer the heart must boyle over with heat of affection: Prayer is compared to groans unutterable* 1.11, it alludes to a woman that is in pangs. We should be in pangs when we are travelling for mercy; such prayer commands God himself, Isa. 45.11.

3. The prayers of Gods children are heart-cleansing prayers, they purge out sin; many pray against sin, and sin against prayer; Gods children do not only pray against sin, but pray down sin.

3. The Spirit of God hath a witnessing work in the [ 3] heart; Gods children have not only the influence of the Spirit, but the witness. Rom. 8.16. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. There is a three-fold witness a child of God hath; the witness of the Word, the witness of Conscience, the witness of the Spirit; the Word makes the major Proposition; He who is in such a manner qualified, is a childe of God. Conscience makes the minor; but Thou art so divinely qualified; the Spirit makes the conclusion, therefore Thou art a child of God; The Spirit joyns with the witness of Conscience. Rom. 8.16. The Spirit witnesseth with our spirits: The Spirit teacheth Conscience to search the Records of Scripture, and finde its evidences for hea∣ven, it helps conscience to spell out its name in a promise; it bears witness with our spirit.

Quest. [Quest.] But how shall I know the witness of the Spi∣rit from a delusion?

Answ. [Answ.] The Spirit of God always witnesseth according to the Word, as the Eccho answers the voyce. Enthusiasts speak much of the Spirit, but they leave the Word: That inspiration which is either without the Word, or against it, is an imposture. The Spirit of God did in∣dite the Word, 2 Pet. 1.21. Now if the Sp••rit should witness otherwise than according to the Word, the Spirit should be divided against it self, it should be a spirit of contradiction, witnessing one thing for a truth in the Word, and another thing different from it in a mans con∣science.

4. The fourth sign of Gods children, is, Zeal for [ 4] God; they are zealous for his Day, his Truth, his Glo∣ry; they who are born of God, are impatient of his dishonour. Moses was cool in his own cause, but hot in Gods; when the people of Israel had wrought folly in

the golden Calf, he breaks the Tables: When Saint Paul saw the people of Athens given to Idolatry, his spirit was stirred in him, Acts 17.16. In the Greek it is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, his spirit was imbittered, or as the word may signifie, he was in a Paroxysme, or burning fit of zeal. He could not contain, but with this fire of zeal discharg∣eth against their sin. As we shall answer for idle words, so for sinful silence; it is dangerous in this sense to be posses∣sed with a dumb Divel. David saith, the zeal of Gods house had eaten him up, Psal. 69.9. Many Christians whose zeal once had almost eaten them up, now they have eaten up their zeal; they are grown tepid and neutral; the breath of preferment blowing upon them, hath cooled their heat: I can never believe that he hath the heart of a childe in him, that can be patient when Gods glory suf∣fers. Can an ingenuous childe endure to hear his father reproached? though we should be silent under Gods dis∣pleasure, yet not under his dishonour: When there is an holy fire kindled in the heart, it will break forth at the lips; zeal tempered with holiness, is the white and sanguine, which gives the foul its best complexion.

Of all others, let Ministers be impatient when Gods glory is impeached and eclipsed. A Minister without zeal, is like salt that hath lost its savour. Zeal will make men take injuries done to God, as done to themselves: It is reported of Chrysostom, that he reproved any sin against God, as if he himself had received a perso∣nal wrong* 1.12. Let not Ministers be either shaken with fear, or seduced with flattery; God never made Ministers to be as false glasses, to make bad faces look fair; for want of this fire of zeal, they are in danger of another fire, even the burning lake, Rev. 21.8. into which the fearful shall be cast.

[ 5] 5. Those who are Gods children, and are born of

God, are of a more noble and celestial spirit than men of the world; they minde 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, things above* 1.13: 1 John 5.4. Whatsoever is born of God, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, over∣cometh the world. The children of God live in an high∣er Region, they are compared to Eagles, Isa. 40.31. in regard of their sublimeness and heavenly-mindedness; their souls are fled aloft, Christ is in their heart. Col. 1.27. and the world is under their feet, Rev. 12.1. Men of the world are ever tumbling in thick clay; they are terrae filii; not Eagles, but Earth-worms; the Saints are of another spirit, they are born of God, and walk with God, as the childe walks with the father. Noah walked with God, Gen. 6.9. Gods children shew their high Pedigree in their heavenly Conversation, Phil. 3.21.

6. Another sign of Adoption, is love to them that [ 6] are children. Gods children are knit together with the bond of love; as all the members of the body are knit together by several nerves and ligaments: If we are born of God, then we love the brotherhood, 1 Pet. 2.17. Idem est motus animae in imaginem & rem; he that loves the person, loves the picture: The children of God are his walking pictures; and if we are of God, we love those who have his Effigies and Pourtraiture drawn upon their souls: If we are born of God, we love the Saints not∣withstanding their infirmities; Children love one ano∣ther, though they have some imperfections of nature, a squint-eye, or a crooked back. We love gold in the Oar, though it have some drossiness in it; the best Saints have their blemishes: We read of the spot of Gods chil∣dren, Deutr. 32.5. A Saint in this life, is like a fair face with a scar in it: If we are born of God, we love his children though they are poor; we love to see the image and picture of our father, though hung in never so poor a

Frame; we love to see a rich Christ in a poor man.

And if we are children of the Highest, we shew our love to Gods children,

1. By prizing their persons above others: He who is born of God, honoureth them that fear the Lord, Psal. 15.4. The Saints are the dearly beloved of Gods soul, Jerem. 12.7. They are his jewels, Mal. 3.17. They are of the true blood-royal; and he who is divinely adop∣ted, sets an higher estimate upon these, than upon others.

2. We shew our love to the children of God, by pri∣zing their company above others. Children love to as∣sociate and be together; the communion of Saints is pre∣cious. Christs Doves will flock together in company; pares cum paribus, &c. Psal. 119.63. I am a com∣panion of all them that fear thee; though a childe of God is courteous to all* 1.14; We read that Abraham bowed him∣self to the children of Heth, Gen. 23.7. A childe of God hath a love of civility to all, but a love of compla∣cency only to such as are fellow-heirs with him of the same inheritance.

By this persons may try their Adoption; it appears plainly that they are not the children of God, who hate those that are born of God; they soile and black the sil∣ver wings of Christs Doves, by their aspersive reproach∣es; they cannot endure the society of the Saints. As Vul∣tures hate sweet smells, and are killed with them; so the wicked love not to come near the godly, they cannot abide the precious perfume of their graces; they hate these sweet smells; it is a sign they are of the Serpents brood, who hate the seed of the woman.

[ 7] 7. The seventh sign of Gods children, is, to delight to be much in Gods presence. Children love to be in

the presence of their father; where the King is, there is the Court; where the presence of God is, there is Hea∣ven; God is in a special manner present in his Ordinan∣ces, they are the Ark of his presence: Now if we are children, we love to be much in holy duties; in the use of Ordinances we draw near to God, we come into our Fa∣thers presence; in prayer we have secret conference with God; the soul while it is praying, is as it were parlying with God. In the Word we hear God speaking from heaven to us; and how doth every childe of God delight to hear his Fathers voyce! In the Sacrament God kis∣seth his children with the kisses of his lips; he gives them a smile of his face, and a privy-seal of his love; oh it is good to draw near to God, Psal. 73.28. It is sweet be∣ing in his presence; every true child of God saith, a day in thy Courts is better than a thousand, Psal. 84.10. Slighters of Ordinances are none of Gods children, be∣cause they care not to be in his presence; they love the Tavern better than the Temple. Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, Gen. 4.16. not that he could go out of Gods sight, Psal. 139.7. but the meaning is, Cain went from the Church of God, where the Lord gave visible signs of his presence to his people.

8. The eighth sign, is, compliance with the will of [ 8] our heavenly Father. A child-like heart answers to Gods call, as the eccho answers to the voyce; it is like the flower that opens and shuts with the Sun; so it opens to God, and shuts to Tentation; this is the Motto of a new-born Saint, Speak Lord, thy servant hears, 1 Sam. 3.9. When God bids his children pray in their Closets, mortifie sin, suffer for his Name, they are ambitious to obey, they will lay down their lives at their Fathers call. Hypocrites court God, and speak him fair, but refuse to go on his errand; they are not children, but rebels.

[ 9] 9. The last sign is, He who is a childe of God, will labour to make others the children of God; the holy seed of grace propagates, Gal. 4.19. Phil••m. 10. He who is of the seed-Royal, will be ambitiously desirous to bring others into the Kindred. Art thou divinely adop∣ted, thou wilt studiously endeavour to make thy childe a childe of the most High. There are two Reasons why a godly parent will endeavour to bring his childe into the heavenly Kindred.

1. Out of conscience: A good parent sees the injury he hath done his childe; he hath conveyed the plague of sin to him, and in conscience he will endeavour to make some recompence: In the old Law, he that had smitten and wounded another, was bound to see him healed, and pay for his cure. Parents have given their children a wound in their souls, and therefore must do what in them lies, by admonition, prayers, tears, to see the wound healed.

2. Out of a flaming zeal to the honour of God. He who hath tasted Gods love in Adoption, looks upon him∣self as engaged to bring God all the glory he can; if he hath a childe, or acquaintance that are strangers to God, he would gladly promote the work of grace in their hearts; it is a glory to Christ, when multitudes are born to him.

How far are they from being Gods children, who have no care to bring others into the Family of God! Too blame are those Masters, who mind more their servants work, than their souls; too blame are those parents, who are regardless of their children; they do not drop in principles of knowledge into them, but suffer them to have their head; they will let them lye and swear, but not ask bles∣sing; read Play-books, but not Scripture.

[Object. 1] Object. 1. But say some, to chatechise and teach our

children, is to take Gods name in vain.

Answ. 1. Is the fulfilling Gods command taking [Answ. 1] his name in vain? Deut. 6.6, 7. These words which I command thee this day, thou shalt teach them diligently to thy children. Prov. 22.6. Train up a childe in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Ephes. 6.4. Ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. This three-fold cord of Scripture is not ea∣sily broken.

2. The Saints of old were continually grafting prin∣ciples [Answ. 2] of holy knowledge in their children. Gen. 18.19. I know that Abraham will command his children, and they shall keep the way of the Lord. 1 Chron. 28.9. And thou Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy Father, and serve him with a perfect heart. Sure Abraham and Da∣vid did not take Gods name in vain. What need is there of instilling holy instructions to over-top the poysonful weeds of sin that grow? as Husbandmen, when they have planted young Trees, they set stayes to them,* 1.15 to keep them from bending. Children are young Plants; the heavenly precepts of their parents are like stayes set about them, to keep them from bending to errour and and profaness; when can there be a fitter season to dissemi∣nate and infuse knowledge into children, than in their mi∣nority? Now is a time to give them the breast, and let them suck in the sincere milk of the Word, 1 Pet. 2.2.

2. But it is to no purpose to teach our children the [Object. 2] knowledge of God; they have no sense of spiritual things, nor are they the better for our instructions.

1. We read in Scripture of children, who by vertue [Answ. 1] of instruction, have had their tender years sanctified: Timothies Mother and Grand-mother taught him the Scriptures from his Cradle, 2 Tim. 3.15. And that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,

from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures. Timothy sucked in Religion as it were with his milk; we read of young children who cried Hosanna to Christ, and did trumpet forth his praises, Matth. 21.15. And sure those children of Tyre had some seeds of good wrought in them, in that they shewed their love to Paul, and would help him on his way to Sea-shoar. Acts 21.5. They all brought us on our way, with wives and children. Saint Paul had a Convoy of young Saints to bring him to take ship.

[Answ. 2] 2. Suppose our counsel and instruction doth not at pre∣sent prevail with our children, it may afterwards take ef∣fect. The seed a man sowes in his ground, doth not pre∣sently spring up, but in its season it brings forth a crop; he that plants a Wood, doth not see the full growth till ma∣ny years after: If we must not instruct our children, be∣cause at present they reap not the benefit; by the same rea∣son we should not baptize our children, because at present they have not the sense of baptisme; nay, by the same reason Ministers should not preach the Word, because at present many of their hearers have no benefit.

[Answ. 3] 3. If our counsels and admonitions prevail not with our children, yet we have delivered our own souls. There is comfort in the discharge of conscience, we must let alone issues and events; duty is our work, success is Gods.

All which considered, should make parents whet holy instructions upon their children; they who are of the Fa∣mily of God, and whom he hath adopted for children, will endeavour that their children may be more Gods children than theirs; they will travail in birth till Christ be formed in them. A true Saint is a load-stone that will be still drawing others to God: Let this suffice to have spoken of the signs of Adoption. I proceed.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Aut filii Dei, aut filii Diabo∣li. Aug.
• * 1.2

  Da mihi Do∣mine, in hoc exilio, lachry∣marum fontem quem super om∣nem d••litiarum copiam ••surio. Aug. l. de con∣trit. cord.
• * 1.3

  James 1.18.
• * 1.4

  Generatus damnatus nisi regeneratus. Austin.
• * 1.5

  Implet Spiri∣tus Sanctus or∣ganum suum & tanquam filia chordarum, tan∣git digitus Dei corda Sancto∣rum▪ Prosper in Epist.
• * 1.6

  Theodor. in vit. Luth. p. 142.
• * 1.7

  Non orarem, nisi crederem.
• * 1.8

  Irrisio Dei est. Pelican.
• * 1.9

  Thucyd.
• * 1.10

  Verbis addita verbalia apud Hebraeus vehe∣mentiam signi¦ficant. Grot.
• * 1.11

  Rom. 8.26.
• * 1.12

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.13

  Col. 3.2.
• * 1.14

  1 Pet. 3.8.
• * 1.15

  Ut Agricolae sti••pibus pedi∣menta apponunt.