Epitome ugaiainonton logon, or, A taste of the truth as it is in Jesus consisting of ten questions and answers, and a brief exposition upon the same : whereunto are added ten generall directions ... intended chiefly for the benefit of my countreymen, kindred, and acquaintance in Lancashire / composed by John Jackson, M.A.

Objections answered whereby weak Chri∣stians do suspect the truth of their faith, and whereby they are kept from per∣severing in the faith. * 1.1

[Object. 1] BUt you may object and say, I cannot deny but I have been so convinced of sin, as to see an absolute need of a Saviour: Of righteousnesse, as to see Christ to be fully willing and able to save sinners: of the necessity of faith, so as to see it im∣possible to please God without faith; And God (if I know my heart) hath given me to undervalue all things in comparison of Christ: To hunger and thirst after Christ: To purpose in my heart to trust in Christ, and to cleave unto him: To make my request unto him in Christs name, by praier

and supplication with thanksgiving: To be so affected with his love in Christ, as to desire and endeavour out of love and thankfulnes to serve him in holines and righteousnes all my daies: Yet these works have been wrought in me outwardly by such means, to wit by the history of the Scri∣ptures and my own reasonings upon the same, and for such ends, namely more immediately for my own salvation then for Gods glory: as that I fear they are but delusions of Satan, and deceits of my own heart, and that I have not attained the faith of Gods elect unto this day.

[Answ.] Some of the Disciples of Christ that had faith and a work of true grace wrought in them, did think and fear that the appearing of Christ un∣to them had been a delusion, (t) 1.2 and were tempted to suspect their faith, and to cast away their confidence after they had attained faith unfained. (u) 1.3 As Satan endeavours to make those think that they doe beleeve that doe but pre∣sume: So endeavours to make those think that doe beleeve, that they do but presume; (x) 1.4 so as that if the works of grace afore mentioned have been inwardly wrought in your heart by Gods Spirit though they were outwardly wrought by the means and for the ends afore∣said: Then you ought not thereby either to fear that they are delusions of Satan, or deceits of your own heart (being they are both above, (y) 1.5 and contrary thereunto, (z) 1.6 ) Or to que∣stion the truth of your faith; For the work of Gods grace is in, upon, and by a rationall crea∣ture, and in a rationall way; God gives the soul to know inwardly by his Spirit, and out∣wardly by the history of the Scripture that all have sinned, (a) 1.7 and that condemnation is come upon

all, (••) and so to reason it self to be a sinner li∣able unto condemnation; He gives the soul to know that God so loved the world, that he gave his onely begotten Son that whosoever beleeveth in him should not perish but have eternall life, (b) 1.8 and so to reason a possibility of its salvation: He gives the soul to know that without faith it is impossible to please him, that he that beleeves shall be saved, that he that beleeves not, is con∣demned already, (c) 1.9 and so causeth it to reason it self to beleeve by thinking of the necessity, and benefit of faith, and of the dangers and disadvantages of unbelief, or the like: He gives the soul to know that all things are but dung and losse in comparison of Christ, (d) 1.10 and so causes it in a rationall way to prize Christ, to trust in him, and to cleave unto him: He gives the soul to know that sinners may come boldly unto the throne of grace through Christ, (e) 1.11 and so to reason that then it may have accesse unto him through Christ: He gives the soul to know that he is glorified in the salvation of souls, and that they give glory unto him that beleeve and live so as becomes the Gospel, (f) 1.12 and so to reason that it seeks Gods glory in seeking its own salvation, and so it comes to passe that it seeks its salvation more immediately then Gods glory; What Saints can say (I challenge the whole world of Christians) that they have alwaies sought Gods glory more then their own salvation? Happy are those self-seeking souls that seek Gods glory in their salvation!

[Object. 2] I am not sanctified, for corruption remaineth in me, warreth against me, and oftentimes over∣comes me; so as that I am afraid I have not a justifying faith, in that I have not a sanctifying faith.

[Answ.]

The people of God both in the old and new Testament that were true beleevers were in part unsanctified, (g) 1.13 and had remainders of sin and corruption in them that warred against them, and that did at times overcome them; (h) 1.14 So as that whatever your corruptions are and have been, if you doe not allow of them, but strive against them by complaining humbly un∣to God of them in your praiers, and by acting and exercising faith on Jesus Christ for that end that you might have victory over them: Then you have no just ground to suspect the truth of your justifying faith by reason of the remain∣ders of sin and corruption, or want of sanctifi∣cation; (i) 1.15 It is not corruption but grace that discovers corruptions or sinfull workings and warreth against them. (k) 1.16

[Object. 3] I have sinned so often both presumptuously and secretly since I first begun to endeavour to beleeve, as that I cannot but doubt whether I doe truly beleeve or no.

[Answ.] The Saints of God both before and since the coming of Christ were overtaken after their first beleeving in many grosse and grievous sins, (l) 1.17 both against the light of nature, and the Scriptures; (m) 1.18 yea against their knowledge and resolution of better obedience; (n) 1.19 So at that whatsoever your sins are and have been since your first beleeving, and how often soe∣ver you have sinned them over and over, though seventy times seven in a day: Yet if God give you ordinarily to order your life according un∣to his word, and in some measure to eschew all evil, and all appearances of evil, and to renew your faith and repentance as your sins are re∣newed: Then you ought not thereby to be

scrupulous about the truth of your faith; (o) 1.20 If one beleever be to forgive another upon repen∣tance seventy times seven in a day; (p) 1.21 How oft then will God forgive a beleeving penitent in a day? Even so oft as he sinneth, and saith I have sinned and it profits me not. (q) 1.22

[Object. 4] Though I desire to perform every duty (if I know my heart) that I know God requires of me: yet my heart is so unheavenly and indisposed unto holy duties, and I am so formall, hypocriticall, negligent, rash, irreverent, secure, cold and un∣spirituall in the duties of Gods worship both in publike and in private; as that I think if I had true faith it would not be thus with me, and that God will never accept of such like performances.

[Answ.] Some of the people of God both in the old and new Testament that had true faith were both indisposed unto holy duties, (r) 1.23 and neg∣ligent and secure in them; (s) 1.24 Yea in many things in the duties of Gods worship they did offend all; (t) 1.25 And I am perswaded all the Saints of God on this side heaven doe some∣times finde the like indispositions of heart unto, and distempers of soul in holy duties as you have even now complained of; So as that if you doe not wittingly and willingly allow of them, nor rest securely in them, but dislike them, and call upon God to quicken you; and to help you against them, and to give you a better heart, more affections, zeal, and fervency to serve him withall: And after that perform ho∣ly duties as well as you can, and look for ac∣ceptance of your performances onely through Jesus Christ: Then you have no just cause ei∣ther to think your faith is not right, or that your performances are not acceptable unto God

in Jesus Christ by reason of your indispositions unto, or want of affection, zeal, sincerity or the like in holy duties; (u) 1.26 A beleeving sincere humbe heart, is not alwaies in a lively, holy; zealous, spirituall temper; (x) 1.27 They are hea∣venly-minded, and in some measure disposed unto holy duties that give up their hearts unto God when they draw nigh unto him in the du∣ties of his worship, to be put, and kept in a heavenly frame; (y) 1.28 When a beleeving soul saith, I would O Lord, but I cannot serve thee as I ought: Then God saith I will accept of what thou wouldest doe for well done in and through my beloved Son in whom (with thee) I am well pleased. (z) 1.29

[Object. 5] I am so ignorant, forgetfull, and unprofitable under the means of grace as that I fear my faith is not right.

[Answ.] Some of the Disciples of Christ that were ac∣counted beleevers by Christ himself were so ig∣norant, forgetfull, and unprofitable under the Ministery of Christ, as that they neither knew, remembred, learned, nor beleeved such things as were necessary to be known and beleeved unto salvation; (a) 1.30 Therefore if you so profit by the means of grace as to be convinced of your unprofitablenesse for time past, and so as to use the means of grace for the present that you might profit thereby for time to come, Then you ought not to doubt of your faith by reason of your unprofitablenesse under the means of grace; (b) 1.31 If God should say unto his people, have you learned, beleeved, and practised some∣thing out of every part of my word you have read, or heard read, opened, preached, and re∣peated at any time? He would thereby either

make them speechlesse, or humble acknow∣ledgers of their unprofitablenesse; They truly profit by the means of grace, that thereby learn Christ, belief in him, and obedience unto him. (c) 1.32

[Object. 6] I doe not grow in grace, nor go from faith to faith, neither do I bring forth much fruit, there∣fore I fear I have no faith, and that I am no true Disciple of Christ.

[Answ.] The Disciples of Christ that had faith did not immediately after their first beleeving, go from faith unto faith, (d) 1.33 nor sensibly grow in grace and bear fruit, being they are compared unto branches in a vine which may grow and not bear fruit, nor be discerned to grow: which may grow and bear fruit, and yet come short of others in growth and fruitfulnesse: which may grow and bear fruit and yet not unto ex∣pectation and means; So as that if (as you are a babe, or new born babe in Christ) you de∣sire the sincere milk of the Gospel that you may grow and bear fruit thereby: If (as you are a middle aged Christian) you can discern that you have grown for time past in the knowledge of Christ, and in your desires after him, and that you have brought forth any fruit at all, and endeavour for the present to abide in Christ that you might grow and bear fruit for time to come: If (as you are in the last age of Chri∣stianity) you grow in the purposes of your heart to cleave unto Christ, that you might bear much fruit, though you decay in your bo∣dy, parts, common gifts, and in the exercise of speciall grace: Then you doe causelessely que∣stion your faith about your not growing in grace, and not bearing of much fruit, (e) 1.34 whether you be a childe, a young man, or a fa∣ther

in Christ; (f) 1.35 If you be in Christ and do abide in him by faith then you do grow in grace though you know it not; If you grow in grace then you are ingrafted into Christ, and you will bear fruit in due time: branches out of the vine doe not grow; If you have grown in grace though for the present you rather decay then increase in grace, yet let not your heart be troubled within you: old-aged Christians may be twise children in Christ.

[Object. 7] I am so afflicted with poverty, sorrow, sicknes, pains, aches, losse of friends, goods, good name, and many moe such like crosses and calamities: as that I am doubtfull whether I be the childe of God by faith or no.

[Answ.] Those whom Christ calls brethren, and whom the Apostle Paul saith the world was not worthy of, and therefore they were the children of God by faith, were hated, reviled, persecuted, imprisoned, cruelly dealt withall, (g) 1.36 and so poor as that they had neither house to cover their heads, not beds to lye in, (h) 1.37 nor apparell to cover their nakednesse, nor where∣withall to eat and drink: (i) 1.38 Yea they were sick, and lived as miserable sad a life, and died as lamentable cruell a death as poor creatures of mankinde could doe; (k) 1.39 So as that what∣soever your afflictions are or have been, if your heart be drawn neerer unto God by them, or kept closer unto God in them, or any way made be••ter by them: Then you doe without cause suspect your adoption and faith by reason of your afflictions; (l) 1.40 There is no outward mise∣ry in life or death that ever any of mankinde met withall, but an elect beleeving childe of God may meet with the like: (m) 1.41 onely here is

the difference, as all things work together for the eternall good of beleevers: (n) 1.42 So all things work together for the just condemnation of unbeleevers; (n) 1.43 Those afflictions are out of love and in mercy, and doe as it were seal up unto you your adoption that give you an occa∣sion to say It is good for me that I have been afflicted. (o) 1.44

[Object. 8] I have so little joy in beleeving, and my soul is so filled with the terrors of God, and my heart is so troubled within me, as that I conceive if I did truly beleeve in Christ I should not be left thus comfortlesse as I am.

[Answ.] Some both old and new Testament belee∣vers had the terrours of the Almighty so upon them, and the light of Gods countenance so hid from them, (p) 1.45 and their hearts so troubled within them, (q) 1.46 as that they had little, or no joy in their beleeving; (r) 1.47 So as that if you endeavour when God hides himself from you and leaves you comfortlesse to finde out the cau∣ses of, and reasons why God leaves you, and lets in his wrath upon you, and (having found them out) endeavour the removeall of them: And, if in the mean while you fear God, and do what you can in the use of all means to glo∣rifie God by trusting in his mercy, and in his Christ for the salvation of your soul whatever be the issue of it: Then you ought not in any wise to think or imagine that you do not truly beleeve by reason of the terrors of God upon you, or want of joy in beleeving; (s) 1.48 They truly beleeve that can say when the terrours of the Almighty are upon them, I am O Lord, thy creature, if thou doest fight against me as an enemie thou maiest soon kill me, and though

thou slay me, yet will I trust in thee; (t) 1.49 They shall be saved that beleeve though they have no comfort in beleeving: (u) 1.50 But God will not long withhold his face from those, whose hearts cleave unto him; (x) 1.51 Can a father alwaies withhold his countenance and favour from that childe that saith unto him, Father, I confesse I have offended you so as that I am no more worthy to be called your childe: yet I purpose to doe so no more; I beseech you pardon me and be not alwaies angry with me? As a father pittieth his children: so the Lord pittieth them that fear him. (y) 1.52

[Object. 9] I do not live by faith upon the promises, for I fear death, and that I shall want the things of this life before death, and that I shall at one time or another dishonour God by falling away and so pe∣rish for ever: Therefore I fear that I have no lively faith.

[Answ.] The Disciples of Christ that had a lively faith though but a little of it, did not live by faith without distrustfull cares and fears, either for this life, or the things thereof, (z) 1.53 neither did they trust Christ in his promises without doubting and trouble of heart, either for his spirit here, or for heaven hereafter; (a) 1.54 So as that if there be but a little of a new-beleeving heart in you that opposes the old, fearfull, evil unbeleeving-heart, and that saith unto it, God is faithfull in his promise, therefore I shall ne∣ver perish, nor lack any thing in this life that is good for me: And if you side with the better part of your heart, and humbly complain of the worse part of it unto God that is able to take it away, and doe resolve in the strength of Christ that it shall be your care and endeavour while

you live to trust in the Lord for everlasting life, though you cannot live upon his promises (as you ought) for temporall life, and the things thereunto belonging: Then you ought not to question the livelines of your faith by reason of your not living by faith; (b) 1.55 A Saint of God may trust Christ for eternall, and yet not all∣waies and in all respects, for temporall life; (c) 1.56 They beleeve and live by faith, and shall be blessed for ever that trust in the Lord for their souls, and for their eternall well-being in the world to come, though they cannot live upon God by faith without all doubting and distrust∣full cares and fears for their bodies, and for their temporall and spirituall well being in this world.

[Object. 10] I neither have nor ever had assurance of faith, therefore I am doubtfull whether I have any true faith or no.

[Answ.] Some of Gods people in the new Testament that did truely beleeve on the name of the Son of God, did neither know that they did beleeve, nor that they should have eternall life upon be∣leeving; (d) 1.57 Therefore if God have given you so to know and acknowledge Christ to be the Son of the living God as to beleeve on his name, and so as to desire to trust in him, and to rest and rely upon him alone for salvation: Then you ought not to suspect your faith of adherence for want of full assurance of faith, (e) 1.58 God knows how little knowledge of Christ, and how little faith in Christ will save a soul! This I know that they are blessed that beleeve without sence and feeling as well as those that beleeve with full assurance of faith; (f) 1.59 Assu∣rance (to speak properly) is not the act but the

effect of beleeving, and the testimony of Gods Spirit in beleevers telling them that they doe beleeve; (g) 1.60 They are blessed that truly be∣leeve in Christ though they neither know it in their life nor at their death that they doe be∣leeve; (h) 1.61 We enjoy Christ by faith, and not by feeling. But as God hath formerly given beleevers to know the things that were freely given them of God: (i) 1.62 So you may comfortably conceive that God will give you in due time (if he hath given you to beleeve) to know that you doe beleeve; Least any carelesse Chri∣stians, wicked Protestants, and temporary pro∣fessors should presume upon my answers unto the later sort of objections: * 1.63 Therefore I would have all to know that I apprehend and conceive the second sort of objections to be the doubts of those that have such a like work of grace be∣gun and continued in them as is mentioned in the first objection.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The second sott of ob∣jections an∣swered.
• (t) 1.2

  Luk. 24.37, to 40.
• (u) 1.3

  Luk 22.32. 1 Th. 3.5.
• (x) 1.4

  1 Pet. 5 8.
• (y) 1.5

  Iam. 1.17.
• (z) 1.6

  Luk 22 31 32. 1 Pet. 5.8.
• (a) 1.7

  Rom. 3.23.5.18.
• (b) 1.8

  Ioh. 3.16.
• (c) 1.9

  Heh, 11.6. Ioh. 3.18.
• (d) 1.10

  Mat. 13.46. Phil. 3.8.
• (e) 1.11

  Heb. 4.16.
• (f) 1.12

  Ioh. 15.8. Rom. 4.20.
• (g) 1.13

  Isa. 64.6. Ioh. 17.18, to 21.
• (h) 1.14

  Rom. 7.15 to 25. 1 Pet 2.11.
• (i) 1.15

  Rom 7.15, 24, 25. Ioh. 17.19.
• (k) 1.16

  Gal 5.17.
• (l) 1.17

  Gen. 9.21. 1 King. 11.3, 4, to 11. 2 Sam 12.7, to 13. Luk. 22.56, to 62.
• (m) 1.18

  1 Cor. 5.1.
• (n) 1.19

  Mat. 26.33, 35.
• (o) 1.20

  Gal. 6.16. 1 Thes. 5.22. Luk. 22 62. Rom. 7 24, 25.
• (p) 1.21

  Mat. 18.21. with Luk. 17.4.
• (q) 1.22

  Iob 33.27, 28.
• (r) 1.23

  Psal. 129.25, 37.40.
• (s) 1.24

  Mat. 16.40, 43, 45.
• (t) 1.25

  Lev. 5.15. Isa. 64.6. Iam 3.2.
• (u) 1.26

  Rom. 7.15 16, 17. Ps. 119.25, 37. 1 Prov. 23.26. 2 Pet 2.5.
• (x) 1.27

  Rom. 7.19, 24.
• (y) 1.28

  Prov. 23.26.
• (z) 1.29

  Mat. 3.17.
• (a) 1.30

  Luk. 24.1. to 53. Mat. 16.7, to 13. Heb. 5.12, 13. Heb. 5.9.
• (b) 1.31

  Ioh 16 8, 9, with Luk. 17, 8. Prov. 8.35, 36. Heb 5.12.6, 7, 8, 9.
• (c) 1.32

  Heb. 4.2. Ephes. 4.19, to 25.
• (d) 1.33

  Luk. 24.25 Ioh. 15.1, to 5
• (e) 1.34

  1 Pet. 2.2. Iam. 2.25. Ioh 8.31 15.5, 8.
• (f) 1.35

  1 Ioh. 2.12 to 16.
• (g) 1.36

  Heb, 11.36, to 40.
• (h) 1.37

  Heb. 11.38
• (i) 1.38

  Matth. 25.34, to 46.
• (k) 1.39

  Heb. 11.37.
• (l) 1.40

  Heb. 12.6, 7, 8, 11, 12.
• (m) 1.41

  Eccl. 9.2.
• (n) 1.42

  1 Cor. 2.9.
• (n) 1.43

  Iude 4.
• (o) 1.44

  Ps. 119.71 Heb. 12.8.
• (p) 1.45

  Ps. 88.3. to 18. Iob. 19.11. Isa. 45 15. Iob 23.8, 9. Cant. 5 6.
• (q) 1.46

  Ioh. 14.1.
• (r) 1.47

  Ps. 51.11, 12. Ioh. 14.1, 16, 17, 18.
• (s) 1.48

  Ps. 88.11. to 16. Iob 34.31, 32 Isa. 50.10.
• (t) 1.49

  Iob 13, 15.
• (u) 1.50

  Ioh. 3.16, 36.
• (x) 1.51

  Isa. 54.7.8.
• (y) 1.52

  Ps. 103.13.
• (z) 1.53

  Mat 6.28, to 34. Mat. 10.28.
• (a) 1.54

  Ioh. 14.1, 2, 26.
• (b) 1.55

  Rom. 4.18, 24, 25. Rom. 7.15.19, 24. Iob 13.15.
• (c) 1.56

  Mat. 14.30
• (d) 1.57

  1 Ioh. 5.13. Mark. 9.24. Luk. 24.25.
• (e) 1.58

  Mat. 16.17 Mat. 5.6. Ioh. 3.16.
• (f) 1.59

  Ioh. 20.29
• (g) 1.60

  Rom. 8.16 1 Cor. 2.12, 1 Ioh. 5.10.
• (h) 1.61

  Ps. 2.12. Rom. 4.6, to 13.
• (i) 1.62

  1 Cor. 2.12.
• * 1.63

  Caution.