Page images
PDF
EPUB

to our own diligence.

What kind of witness- CHAP. ing of the Spirit they conceive, and what XVI. they experience in their own souls, God, and themselves know. I would not deny, that. there is a certain internal instinct, not to be explained by human language, which by a secret conviction of conscience, assures the beloved of God, concerning their justification and adoption.

er

XIII.

with our

spirit, which

are in us. 44

XIII. Nevertheless, since the ordinary dispensation of the gracious providence of God, But togethwhich is common to all the elect, ought to be distinguished from those extraordinary re- he excites velations of the Spirit, which were peculiar to discern the gifts of, to the prophets; and since this witnessing grace that: of the Spirit, of which we now treat, consists not so much in words as in facts; it is credible that the Holy Spirit generally so works in the souls of believers, that he excites their spirit, otherwise languishing, to the diligent observation of those qualities which are in the soul, and of those things which are done in it, and by it, and irradiates the eyes of the mind with a super-celestial light, lest they should be deceived by things more specious. than solid, or overlook those things which God hath taught in scripture to be evidences of his grace. For the Spirit of God so beareth witness, that he witnesseth together with. our spirit, in exciting it to bear a true testimony, and in confirming its testimony, and convincing the conscience of its truth. My conscience also bearing me witness in the

XVI.

CHAP Holy Ghost, Rom. ix. 1. and thus indeed, even the witnessing of the Divine Spirit is not altogether separated from the observation of the signs of grace. And it often happens, that the Spirit of God so embraces his elect with these allurements of his most beneficent love, that while they enjoy those spiritual and ineffable delights, which earthly souls neither receive nor taste, they are no less persuaded of their election and justification, than if they saw their names engraven on the very hands of God. [27.]

XIV. Assurance

XIV. But farther, it is a part of our duty, of election to study to make our calling and election arises from sure, 2 Pet. i. 10. That is, to endeavour, that by evident signs we may be persuaded Christian of the love of God towards us. But how

a conscious

ness of

virtues.

shall we obtain that? "If we give all diligence to add to our faith fortitude, to fortitude knowledge, &c. For if these things be in us, and abound, they will make us that we shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacketh these things, is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins," verses 5-9. Therefore from a consciousness of Christian virtues, there arises in godly men, an assurance of their election and vocation: "and these virtues, (as Bernard elegantly says, in his Book concerning Grace and Free Will,) are certain

Note [27.]

XVI.

seminaries of hope, incentives of love, eviden- CHAP. ces of hidden predestination, and presages of future felicity."

[ocr errors]

XV.

it is demon

whether

one be in

in Christ.

XV. Paul also commands, that every man By them examine and prove himself whether he be strated in the faith, and whether Jesus Christ be in him, 2 Cor. xiii. 5. To the right performan- the faith and ces of which examination it is necessary, that first we be solidly taught from the word of God, what are the distinguishing marks of a state of grace; then that we begin a diligent search of our own conscience, whether they can be found in us. If we consult the word of God, almost every where, we find that the heirs of present grace and future glory are described by their qualities and virtues, and by the exercise of these. See, if you please, Psal. xv. and xxiv. and Matth. v. yea, in some places, we are expressly taught, that it is from hence that our state is to be known, 1 John. iii. 14. "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren." Again in the 19th verse, and "hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him." These words certainly signify something very different from, and diametrically contrary to these assertions we lately heard.

XVI. Since the learned men confess that sanctification is a consequence and an effect of justification, and such an effect indeed, which is inseparable from a consciousness of justification, it is strange why they deny that it is a cer

XVI.

XVI.

CHAP. tain sign of justification. Cannot therefore the cause be known from its proper effects? From one of two inseparable benefits, cannot the other be inferred?

XVII.

The very

of those

who think

lead the

same way.

XVII. The brethren confess that none can arguments have a consciousness of his justification, but from faith, and by faith. But how does any otherwise, man know that he has faith? From the evidence of the thing, say they. For since the soul is immediately conscious to itself of its own actions, it knows whether it hears the testimony of God's Spirit, whether it receives it, and by believing, answers it: for faith is the echo, and as it were, a certain repercussion of the Divine voice, speaking to the soul. I do not choose to oppose. But pray, let them tell the reason, why the soul is less conscious of its affection, than of its assent. How comes it, that I do not as well know that I frequently think with pleasure concerning God, that I eagerly desire and long after familiar communion with him, and am solicitous to do what may be pleasing to him, and in fine, am grieved when I wander from the rule of duty; as that I know the sacred whispers of God to my soul is truly the voice of God, and that my soul, by the assent of faith, answers to it? Herce I conclude, that sanctification and its effects, are by no means to be slighted, 'when we treat of assuring the soul as to its justification.

XVIII.

XVIII. Neither will it be improper to com. The assur- pare the assurance which is from the witness

ance result

СНАР.

XVI.

ing from the

ing of the Divine Spirit with that which arises from discerning the evidences of grace. If the witnessing of the Holy Ghost be viewed in itself, and known to be the testimony of testimony the Spirit himself, truly nothing surer than of the Divine Spirit, it, nothing more worthy of credit, can be compared conceived. Which Chyrsostom hath illustrat

with that

which aris

view of the

ed to excellent purpose, Homil. xiv. in E- es from a pist. ad Rom. ου του χαρισματος εστιν η φωνη μόνον, αλλα evidences

και τούδοντος την δωρεαν παρακλητού. ταν δε το Πνευμα μαρτο- of grace, ῆρε ποια λοιπον αμφιβολία, ει μεν γαρ άνθρωπος, η αγγελος» η αρχαγγελος, η αλλα τις τοιαυτη δύναμις τουτο υπισχνείτο, και αμφιβάλλειν ην εικος τινας, της δι ανώτατου ουσίας, της και δωρησαμένη τουτο και δι τῶν εκελευσεν ευχεσθαι, μαρτυρούσης ἡμιν, τις αμφισβητήσει λοιπον περι της αξίας. "This is the voice not only of the gift, but also of the Comforter who bestows the gift. But when the Spirit beareth witness, pray, what doubt can remain? For if either man, angel, or archangel, or any such power should promise this, it might be proper to doubt. But when the Supreme Being, and he indeed who bestows this gift, testifies to us, even by these things which he hath commanded us to ask, who, pray, can doubt of his fidelity?" I do not doubt, but that the testimony of the Spirit, where it is present, shines with such splendid rays of celestial light in the souls of believers, that they are most fully persuaded it is God who speaks. But I desire to hear from pious men, how they experience that testimony in themselves, whether by way of some constant act; or intermitting, indeed, but very frequently repeated; or whether they

P

« PreviousContinue »