THE Converted Man's New Birth: describing the direct way to go to Heaven: wherein all men may clearly see, whether they shall be saved or damned. chewing the Principal care, and vehement desire, which every one ought to take, in seeking their Saluatio●. With the Spiritual battle between the regenerate Man and Satan. here is also laid open the true estate ●f the Regenerate Man, with the certainty ●● his Salvation: With an excellent mark, to know the Child of God, which hath truly repent; And concluding with a right zealous and godly Prayer, out of the pure Fountain of the holy Scripture. Dedicated unto all the Elect Children of God, which truly Repent. Newly Published by john Andrew's Preacher of God's Word. Being first seen and allowed. LONDON: Printed by N. O. and I. N. 1629. Christian Readers, I have Dedicated and directed this my Book unto all You, the Elect Children of God, desiring through jesus Christ, your health in the LORD. GEntle Readers, or Hearers, whosoever ye are, that are the Children of GOD, unto whom this my Book is Dedicated: I desire you all, as good and ●ouing Patrons, which shall either hear or peruse this my labour, to grant me these two requests: First, to believe, that in making it, I have made it according unto the Truth, wherein I aim not at mine own profit, but at the setting forth of God's glory, the discharge of my conscience, and the benefit of you the Children of my Lord and Saviour jesus Christ. Secondly, to read it attentively, with all sedulity; and censure as you shall find, accept as you like, and deal therein towards me the Author, as God shall move your minds. And with all, I most earnestly desire you, and every one of you, tha● shall gather any spiritual comfort to cure your souls, out o● these my Labours, to receive my instructions willingly, treasur● them in your hearts carefully, an● meditate thereon zealously, tha● ye enter not into temptation carelessly. And further, I entirely beseech you, to pray unto our Lord jesus Christ for me, to give me his Grace, guide me with hi● Word, and direct me by hi● Holy Spirit, that what I either Preach or Write, I may both i● life and Doctrine, express an● perform the same unto my liu● end: That whilst I endeavour t● raise others, I may raise myself from all my sins, unto the Glory of GOD'S Holy name, and the salvation of my own soul, in the great day of our Lord: And so do for me, an earnest repentant sinner, even as you yourselves, towards yourselves, expect from jesus Christ. Vale in Christo. Yours towards you, as I would you should be for me▪ john Andrew's Preacher of God's Word, The Contents of the Book. THE first Chapter entreateth of the principal care, zeal, an vehement desire, which ●uery one ought to take, in seeking their salvation. p. ● The second Chapter entreate● of the shortness and uncertainty of man's life, an● how it may be a motive to induce us to return unto t●● Lord by repentance. p. 1● The third Chapter describeth short and celestial view ●● the place whereunto we a● called. p. 1● The fourth Chapter entreateth of the spiritual battle, in which no doubt, but every regenerate man oftentimes fighteth against Satan, before he attain eternal life. p. 16 The fifth Chapter entreateth of the true estate of the regenerate man, with the certainty of his salvation. page 23 The sixth Chapter showeth an excellent mark to know the child of God, which hath truly repent. pag. 33 Lastly, a right zealous and godly Prayer, taken out of the pure Fountain of the Holy Scripture. pag. 38 THese parts are al● Authentical, an● exactly comprise in a short and compendious Method; briefly to be read, that it may be effectually practised. THE Converted Man's new Birth: Describing the direct way to go to HEAVEN. CHAP. I. This first Chapter entreateth of the principal Care, Zeal, and vehement desire, which every one ought to take in the seeking their salvation. THere is nothing in the World that we ought so to affect and desire, as to seek to have our souls saved in the Kingdom of Heaven: And if there be any thing in the Book of GOD, from the Alpha of Genesis, unto the Omega of the Revelation, that is able to draw a sinner unto Repentance, sure it is the remembrance of his Salvation; And as the Lord of Hosts hath drawn his sword by foreign Nations, showing the miseries that are like to ensue upon us by reason of our sin, and security: Let us now therefore, with all expedition, bestow our short and troublesome time in seeking our salvation, and with all Humility return unto the Lord by speedy Repentance, for if we lose the life of our bodies, by defending the Gospel, in seeking our salvation, we may find it again; but if we lose our souls for want thereof, it will be irrevokeable, and never recalled again: Oh too too many now a days in this declining age, seem to be careless of their salvation. And although England never lived so long in peace and security, nor the Gospel never so generally Preached amongst us, yet I fear, never did men make so ill use of so good a blessing; miranda miserecordia, God's mercy is to be wondered at, that he hath spared us so long; it is his mercy, and nothing but his mercy, that we are not consumed; our sins is, In ultimo gradu, in the highest degree that may be, so that Laetantur cum malefecerint, they rejoice and take pleasure, when they have done evil; wherefore I doubt not, but the iniquity of the whole World is come to maturity, which causeth our sins to cry louder than the sins of Sodom; Ezekel 16. 49. 50. and ascend higher than the sins of Niniuch. jonas 1. 2. Wherefore, if all our Navy were ready, all our Ports fortified; all our Coasts guarded; all our men strongly armed, and our Land environed with a wall of Brass; yet it is to be feared, that we have a Traitor within us, even our long continued and unrepented sins, that will draw God's vengeance upon us, and cause him to whet his sword, and utterly confound us, Except we repent. God would have spared Sodom, i● there had been but twenty, nay but ten Righteous therein: So no doubt, it is for some good people's sake, that holds up their hands like Moses, and grieve for the sins of our time, like Lot, that God hath spared us so long. Again, God's sword was once drawn against Niniveh, against whom a fearful doom was pronounced; Yet forty days and Niniveh shall be destroyed. The King and the Nobility, jonas 3. 4. with all his Subjects, presently fell to Repentance: they fasted; they prayed; and incessantly with all humility humbled themselves in Sackecloath and Ashes, their sins cried for vengeance; but their Repentance for mercy, their sins ascend up to Heaven, jonas 1. 2. and clamours loud in the ears of God's justice for vengeance, vengeance, O revenge with vengeance. Their Repentance ascends higher, and cries louder into the ears of God's mercy: Good Lord have mercy, spare us, O spare us we beseech thee; whereby we may see that God regards not the clamour of sin, so much as he doth the cry of a true repentant sinner. But England, O sinful England, there was never any Nation in the World, that hath such store of Heavenly Manna, as his Word, his Will, his Truth, his Gospel, which we have received, jugentia beneficia, infinite benefits, much knowledge of the Truth, so much Preaching of the Word, and so much glorious light of the Gospel: And yet Mirandum est degeneres nos, it is wonder, and a great wonder, that such a degenerate generation as this, such a corrupt and sinful Nation as we, should so live in such a blessed and illuminated a time. But our sins, our sins, our unrepented sins, are more than can be numbered by any Arithmetition, and greater than can be measured by a Geometrition: As our a jeremiah 5. 7. Eccles. 23. 9 swearing and forswearing; our b jerem. 17. 21. prophatning the Lords Sabaoth; our c jere. 6. 14. jeremiah 5. 3. contempt of God's Word; our d jeremiah 6. 13 covetousness; our e Amos 6. 6. drunkenness; our f Esay 3. 10, 11, 12. jeremiah 9 5. deceit; our g Ezechiel 6. 9 whoredom, our pride, our unthankfulness, and our waxing worse & worse, with many more, which cry to Heaven for God's vengeance against us. Oh therefore let us with all expedition seek for our salvation by speedy repentance: Let us not only weep, but power forth our tears for our sins like h Esay 5. Esay 29. 20. Hab. 2. 5. David: h Psal. 6. 6. Wrestle with GOD like i Gene. 32. 24. jacob: Cry like k Esay. 58. 1. Esay: That our heads may be full of water, and our eyes a Fountain of tears, like l jere. 4. 19 jeremiah: Let us be clad m john 3. 6. in Sackecloath like the Ninivites: Humbled unto the ground n Gene. 17. 18▪ like Abraham: Mourn like a Dove o Esay. 38. 14. with Ezechia: Roar out p job. 3. 24. our grief with job: Pour out our Soul q 1 Sam 1. 10. with Hanna: Rend our r joel. 3. 13. hearts with the penitent; lament with s Mat. 26. 75. Peter: Sorrow t Luk. 7. 38. with Mary: And cry out with the u Acts 16. 30. Acts. 2. 37. jews; Men and Brethren, what shall we do to be saved? For there is nothing more needful, than the salvation of our souls. The vehement desire of their salvation, caused the Patriarches, Prophets, and the Saints of the old World, to long for, and desire that eternal, sweet, and most joyful inheritance, Regnum Dei, the Kingdom of God; It caused Abraham to forsake his a Gene. 12. 4. Heb. 11. 8. own natural Country; and his Father's House, and t● go● he knew not whither: It caused Moses to forsake b Exod 2. 11. Heb. 11. 24. Egypt, and refused to be called the Son of Pharaohs daughter: it caused Toby, job, Elias, and Paul, to wish To be dissolved, and to be with Christ. It caused the careless Ninivites to believe c jonas. 3. 5. jonas Preaching: The desperate soldiers to hear d Mat. 3 5 john's Sermon: The obstinate Israelites to hear e Acts. 2. 37. Peter's persuasion: The Eunuch to give ear to f Acts. 18 38. Philip: Cornelius the Captain, with a great multitude, to hear g Acts. 10. 5. Peter; and the Macedonians to h Acts. 20. 7 continue Paul's Doctrine until midnight. When john the Baptist first Preached, Primitiva quidem Ecclesia, The Primitive Church did most clearly shine, in so much that i Mat. 11. 12. the Kingdom of Heaven suffered violence; That is, there was such forwardness and zeal, in those that heard him Preach, to procure their salvation, in the Kingdom of Heaven, that they strove most earnestly to go in; and this affection our Saviour requireth, when he saith, Strive to enter in at the strait Gate; For Dominus vobiscum dum vos cum Domino: The Lord is with you, Luke. 13. 24. while ye hear his voice. 2 Chro. 15. 2. The Prophet David lamented that he was so long kept from the joys of his Salvation: Woe is me (saith he) that I am constrained to dwell with Mosech, and to have my habitation among the Tents of Keder. And again, Like as the Hart desireth the water brook; so longeth my soul after thee O God: And again, he saith, That he should utterly have fainted, but that he did rest in hope of a better Kingdom; and believed verily in short time, to see the joys of his Salvation, in the land of the living. And many others counted their Country but a cursed vale of misery; their worldly glory but vanity; their dwellings but a Prison; their pleasure but sorrow, mourning and tears; and all their doings were to this end that they might joy in their salvation in the kingdom of Heaven. CHAP. II. The second Chapter entreateth of the shortness, and uncertainty of man's life, and how it may be a motive to induce us to return unto the Lord by repentance, because no man knows the time thereof, nor when God will call him. ALl Creatures wax old with this aged World; although Methusela lived 969. a Gen. 5. 27. years; yet in our age if we reach to 80. it b Psal 89. 46. is with sorrow and labour; man's days are but a c Psal. 39 5, 6. span, saith David, and all flesh is grass, saith the Prophet d Esay 40. 6. Esay: So that man is scarce entered into the World, but he is admonished to remember to depart out of e Eccle. 40. 1. ●●. the same; for as all the world is mutable, so of all the things in the world, man is most mutable, we are all but Tenants at will, and know not how long we shall remain in this earthly Tabernacle, and as our days are but short and evil, and many cut off f Gene. 7. 11. Gene. 19 24. Exod. 14. 27. Num. 21. 6. Num. 16. 31. Acts 12. 23. Luke 12. 20. Acts 5. 10. judg. 3. 21, 22. 2 Sam. 3. 27. suddenly, that they have scarce time to think on God, or once cry Lord help me; therefore we ought always so to live, that we may ever g Esay 55. 6. jere. 25. 15. Gal. 6. 10. Heb. 3. 7. 15. Psalm 95. 8. be prepared for the Lord. Let the memory of death be ever the lookingglass of our life, and seeing the young must depart from the World as well as the old: Let us imagine that the Spring of our days are past, our Summer is spent, and that we are arrived at the Autumn, or fall of the leaf; h Psalm 89. 46 So that in every moment we are in the waning; The date of our poor Pilgrimage almost expired, and the Lamp of our lives lieth twinkling upon the snuff; our forces enfeebled, our senses impaired, and on every side, our tottering and ruinous cottage of our faint flesh, ready to fall. It were now high time, therefore, to leave our own ways, and q Psalm 77. 6. with all expedition look towards our Celestial home; lest we been like those which are tossed with many sturdy storms, and cannot arrive at their desired Port; ride little way, but are much turmoiled. So, these that pass many years in their unrepented sins, and purchase but small profit to salve their sick souls, should have a long living in destruction, Proverbs 8. 1. but a short life in r Wis. 4. 8. 9 Proverbs 16. 31 Wisdom 17. 10 conversion; besides that, where sin reigns there goes God's curse also: There is no peace to s Esay 48. 2●. Proverbs 28. 1. the wicked. But howsoever, whether in youth, or in age, we would leave our sins, and return unto the Lord by Repentance, we must know this, that it is not in our own t Lam. 5. 21. jere. 31. 18. 2 Tim. 2. 25, 26. power. No man can leave his sins when he would; nor no Pope or Potentate can pardon them but God: neither is any u Psal 49. 7, 8 Acts. 4. 12. Hos. 13. 4. Psal. 32. 1, 2, 3. Math. 1. 21. Luke. 5. 11. Psal. 3. 8. john 15. 16. john 1. 29. Acts 10. 43. Psal. 17. 7. Daniel 9 9 Hosa 14. 34. Luke 2. 30 1 Tim. 1. 15. Luke 24. 47. 1 john 1. 7 Psalm 4. 8. 1 john 3. 5, 6. Psal. 51. 12. 14. john 6. 93. Esay 45. 15. Psalm 79. 9 Luke 1. 17. john 4. 9 man capable of grace, necessary to salvation, before God calls him, as our Saviour saith, No man can come unto me, except my Father draw x john 6. 44. him. The labourer received his penny, as well that came in the last hour, as he that came in the y Mat. 27. 38. first: And the Thief was saved, that was on the Cross: So that there is no time too late, in this life to repent, if we repent truly, whensoever it shall please God to call us, neither any time too early, if we prepare ourselves to leave our sins, and come unto him when he calls us: So that, whether it be early, or late, we must always prepare ourselves, to forsake ourselves in our sins, and come at his calling. CHAP III The third Chapter describeth a short and Celestial view of the place, whereunto we are called. WE are not called unto any earthly a john 7. 37. Tabernacle, but to the Kingdom of b Mat. 2●. 14. Heaven, unto that blessed c ● Peter 1. 11. and everlasting Kingdom, unto that Celestial and Heavenly d Luke 24. jerusalem, that Kingdom of f Reve. 21. 11. glory; that throne of g Reve. 22. 1. Majesty; that Paradise h Reve. 2. 7 of pleasure; that glory of God, and life k john 17. 3 everlasting, which was the first l Genesis 1. 1. Psalm 33. 6. Psalm 136. 5. Acts 14. 15. Reve. 14. 17. of all God's works and therefore it is most ancient. Whose felicity cannot m 1 Cor. 2. 9 Esay 64. 4 Psalm 31. 20. be imagined, neither the blessings numbered, so incomparable as cannot be equalled, and of such value as none can comprise it, so great as cannot be measured, and of such eternity, as never can be n Danel 7. 14. Luke 1. ●3. Daniel ●. 44. ended▪ The very name of Heaven to all is lovely, because it is a Haven o Ma● 11. 28, 29. jere▪ ●. ●6. for rest; a City p 〈…〉 2●. 2. for beauty, and a Kingdom q Ma● 16. 19 for state: It is the Harbour for the r Exodus 6. 3▪ Just; the peculiar s 1 Peter 2. 9 people; the regenerate t Titus 2. 14. 2 Cor. 5. 9 Christians; the u Luke 1. ●9. john 1●. 8. 12▪ john 9 5. john 1. 9 john 11. 12. 35. john 12. 36. Ephe. 5. 8. Children of light; the elect by God's praeordination; where all are w Mat. 25. 34. Kings, and Heirs with x Gala. 4. 7. Christ; invested with y Rom. 8. 17. Rom. 9 13. glory; Crowned with Majesty, clothed z 2 Tim. 4. 8. 1 Peter. 5. 4. with security, decked with delights, replenished with pleasure, garnished with all graces, adorned with beauty, furnished with the best company, and flourishing with the flower of all Nations; it is desired of all, hoped for of many, but only enjoyed of the best. And as Heaven is out Summum bonum, our chief good thing, so it is our Terminus adquem the end of all our a 1 Cor. 1. 21. Esay. 2. 5. Ma●. 16. 15. Preaching, the drift of all our b Psalm 95. 8. joshuah 8. 4. 1 Samuel 12. 14 Hearing, the fruit of all c Rom. 10. 17. Mat. 13. 4. Mat. 4. 39 Luke. 8. 8. Mat. 16. 16. 17. john 6. 65. our Believing; the effect of all our d 1 john 5. 20. Gala. 4. 9 Knowledge; and the main point of all our Profession, that we may so live, that we may enjoy, this blessed and everlasting Kingdom. CHAP. FOUR The fourth Chapter entreateth of the Spiritual battle, in which no doubt, every Regenerate man oftentimes fighteth against Satan, before he attain eternal life. SAthan is ever quiet with the sinner, before he feareth he shall lose him, but then he seeketh by all means that possibly he can, to attempt, pervert, and utterly overthrow * 1 Peter 5. 8 him. Moses was quiet, until he began to deliver the Children of Israel; then●orah ●orah could say, a Number 16. 3▪ Ye take too much upon you: King David was quiet when he kept his Father's b 1 Sam. 16. 11. sheep; but after he fought for the Church of God: Then Saul c 1 Sam. 17. 50. 1 Sam. 18. 11. 29 could rise against him: Saint Paul was quiet, so long as he was with the Scribes d Acts 9 1, 2. Acts 22. ●●. 34. and Pharisees, but afterwards he had enemies enough: Satan tempted, and overcame the perfectest, as e Genesis 3. 6. Adam; the strongest as f judges 16. 1● sampson; and the wisest as g 2 Reg 11 Solomon: He therefore that h 1 Cor. 10. 12. standeth, let him take heed lest he fall, Christ was no sooner Baptised, and had fasted i Matthew. 4. 1▪ Luke 4. 1. Mark. 1. 12. forty days, but Satan could tempt him. And so it is with every Regenerate man, even when he is most weakest, than the Devil is strongest, 1 Peter 5. ●. and busiest against him; Who daily laboureth to delude him with all manner of enticements: First, To delight in sin: Secondly, To consent: Thirdly, To custom, and from custom to hardness of heart from hardness of heart, to boasting, from boasting, unto desperation, and from desperation to damnation; and thus by degrees, if sin be not resisted, the Devil will labour to bring the sinner unto destruction. Wherefore we must daily labour to prevent them by Divine meditations; divert them by fervent prayers, and correct them by sighs, and speedy Repentance: For I hold those enticements, and vanishing thoughts, which many times pass through a Regenerate man without approbation, not without suppression, to be properly Nec mors nec morbus animae, sed deformitas, Neither the death, nor disease of the soul, but the deformity thereof, they are Tela immisa, Satan's darts, shot at us, In cord, non excorde, in the heart, not of the heart: which the godly seek, but give no consent unto, they are our crosses, but not our sins, they are but Morbus mentis, The disease of the mind. Those motions St. Paul confesseth, the Children of God, are never free from them: It is observed in Hierom, which he betrays in many places of his works, That his whole life, was in continual warfare with his lusts: It caused St. Paul to cry out, to be delivered from the prick of the flesh; But the Lord answered him, My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in thy weakness. I hold these & such like temptations, to be the battle which every Regenerate man fighteth against Satan. For, where were a Timothy 2. 9 grace, if there were b james 1. 14. no temptation? where were mortification, if no lusts to c Romans 8 13. mortify? And where were d Colosians 3. 5 job 2. 10. patience, if there were no e Psalm ●19. 71 affliction? if there were no motion to sin, where were the battle, the victory, and the Crown we shall obtain, if we have no Adversary to strive withal? The Devil, as he is the Prince of this World, So still he seeketh whom he may devour; 1 Peter 5. ●. he himself is chief general, and is always the sore-man in the battle; his Lieutenants are fleshly lusts, which are in open war against Chastity: the Sergeants of his Band, are the cursed Children of dacknesse, which are in continual strife, against the Children of light: His common Soldiers are the effects of the flesh, to fight against the fruits of the Spirit. And their armour is the breast plate of injury, the girdle of falsehood, the shoes of discord, the shield of infidelity, the helmet of mistrust, with the piercing darts of cruelty, the Cannon shot of spiteful Reproaches, the arrows of flying slanders, and the frailty of the flesh, to pervert and utterly confound us, except we prevent them by Prayer and Repentance. Therefore, the Children of God ought to put on God's Armour, and manfully fight against the devices of sin, Ephesians 6. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 Satan, and all his detestable crew, before they can obtain their spiritual inheritance in the Kingdom of Heaven: Which weapons are able to overcome the Devil, and all the lewd lusts of the world; yea, and all the whole host of vices therein. Our Captain and chief General, in all our conflict, Is the mighty a 〈…〉. 5. 5. Lion of the Tribe of judah, the b 〈…〉 Prince of Peace, the Conqueror c 〈…〉 of Death, d 〈…〉 Heil, and e 〈…〉 Sin: Yea, the f G●●e●●s 〈…〉 great judge of the World, and g 〈…〉 2. 2●. Bishop of our Souls, Christ jesus h Matthew 1. 21 our Saviour. And to resist the Tyranny of the Devil, i 1 Timothy 4● 〈◊〉 Acts 5. 31. it standeth us in hand, to be also well and strongly armed, with the breastplate of equity, the Shield of undoubted faith in Christ, the Helmet of assured hope, the Shoes of knowledge and peace in the holy Ghost, the girdle of truth, well buckled with patience, and constancy, the Cannon shot of deep sighs, proceeding from a true penitent heart, the Arrows of bitter tears, brought forth by remorse of conscience, and the two edged Sword of the eternal word of GOD; For, it standeth us upon, to keep our continual battle, ready and orderly; To sight valiantly, hope assuredly, endure constantly, to march on charitably and cheerfully: To watch and stand fast in our fight, for the quarrel is GOD'S, and the Victory ours, even the very salvation of our own souls. If we resist the Devil in the power of jesus Christ, He will fly from us: So often as we resist him, so often we overcome, it will make the Angels glad, and glorify GOD, which exhorts us to fight, and helps us in our extremity, and time of need; GOD beholds our striving, and helps us up, that we should not faint; and will crown us with glory, and honour when we overcome; therefore, the greater our Temptations are, the more noble must be our Resistance; and the more godly our lives and conversations are, the greater shallbe our Crown and Glory, in the kingdom of Heaven. CHAP. V. The fifth Chapter entreateth of the true estate of the Regenerate man, with the certainty of his salvation. REgeneration is our a 2 Cor. 5. 17. Gala. 7. 15. new birth, whereby we are borne, and renewed again b Acts 11▪ 18▪ 2 K●n●s 17 13. Ho●ea 14▪ 1. jerem. 18. 11. Ezekel. 18. 21. 22. 23. jerem. 25. 5. Mat. 3. 2. 6. 8. jerem. 36. 3. Mat. 4. 17. Luke 13. 3. Acts 2. 38. Luke 24. 4. Acts 17. 30. 1 Peter 3. 9 by Repentance: And as the * Mat. 3. 2. 6. 8. Merchants sold all that he had, and forsaketh his Worldly wealth, to gain one precious pearl: So the Regenerate man leaveth and forsaketh his sins, and all worldly vanities, for to obtain eternal life: And doth not only dislike and forsake his sins, but also from the tender bowels of his heart, incessantly, with all humility, pour out his c Mat. 15. 22 23 24▪ 25. 26. 27. 28 Mar. 7 25. 29. 27. 28. 29. 30. 2 Samuel 24. 20 Romans 12. 12 daily prayers unto Almighty God, to give him his grace, to suppress, and mortify them; and so showeth the power of God's grace, working in him. And by returning unto God by his true Repentance. God giveth him d john 5. 6. Ro●a●s ● 4. Gal●● 16. ●●hesians 4 1. a new heart, and a new Spirit, (not in substance or quantity, but in quality) which is a true and faithful witness giving Testimoney, not to GOD, for that it needs not; not to others, for that it cannot, but to the man who hath it, for that it must; of th● Truth of those things which it knoweth to be in him, concerning Gods will, and his own eternal wellfaire. Seeing then A faithful witness will not lie; Proverbs 14. 7. and the Spirit of the Penitent, testify the Truth of his Repentance; why may not he then, be as firmly persuaded of the certainty of his salvation: as his heart witnesseth the sincerity of his conversion: Yes surely, 2 Cor. 13. 5. St. Paul proves it, Know ye not your own selves, how jesus Christ is in you, except ye be Reprobates: We may surely know, that if we have truly repent, and are heartily sorry for our sins, with a full and determinate purpose to continue in newness of life, Romans 81. That Christ is in us, john 5●. 24. if Christ be in us, than we are in Christ; if we be in Christ, we cannot be condemned: For there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ jesus. For, sin legally considered is mortal, But a Esay 59 2. Luke 13. 3. Nahu. 2. 25. evangelically, is venial, except the sin against the Holy Ghost, mortal, by his own merit, but b Esay 1. 18. john 5. 8. venial by christ his mercy: Mortal to the natural unregenerated man; For he d john 3. 18. that believeth not, is condemned already; but venial to the Regenerate though still sin: By the covenant of grace, it dissolveth not the love and league between God and man, and so is venial, in all other sin is mortal by his own nature. Again, Rom. 7. 5. 6. by nature man and his flesh are all one, but by grace they are separated: By nature when the flesh doth sin, the man also sinneth, because he is in subjection unto it: but in the estate of grace, although the flesh be in him, (and do sin,) yet he sinneth not, because they are di●orsed a sunder; For man as soon as he is in the estate of grace, is newly married unto Christ: In this case, although the flesh beget sin, yet the regenerate man shall not be condemned. Yet, one thing let us consider, That he which a jere. 20 14. 15. Psalm 22. 1. jonas 2. 4. Mark. 9 24. Psalm 77. 6 Psalm 42. 11. Psal. 51. 10. 12. never doubted of his salvation, scarce ever believed to be saved; For it is not every little sob, or sigh, that brings Repentance sufficient to please God, or a little while to cry Lord help, Lord help, I am a sinner, but God is merciful, etc. and so lightly daub them over, as though God's mercy were gained in a moment: Let no man deceive himself, It b Luke 18. 1. Rom. 12. 12. Colo. 4. 2. will cost him many a prayer, and many c james 4. 9 Deut. 1. 45. Gen. 37. 34. 35 2 King 20. 1. 2. 3 Mat. 26. 75. 2 King. 22. 11. 19 Psalm▪ 30. 5. a tear, before he can be certain or sure to have pardon for his sins. For as no man can repent until he know his sins, so no man can know his sins until he search himself; Therefore you must with King d Psalm 77. 6. Psalm 119. 59 David, Search your spirits, and f 2 Cor. 13. 5. Lamen. 3. 4. Psalm 4. 4 examine your conscience strictly, try it throughly, search it narrowly, to prove diligently, who, and what manner of person ye are, and in what case ye feel your selves, to set, and know how deeply your conscience is wounded with sin. And then, if you find g Psalm 77. 6. your ways dangerous, and your case fearful, you must thereupon resolve to take a new course, and withal to seek how, and which way you may come again into a Pro. 3. 3, 4. judges 6. 17. favour with God: As David did, Who b Psalm. 51. cried unto God again, and again; and you must never leave the Lord, until you obtain his * Exod. 20. 6. Exod. 22. 27. mercy, and favour, that you may get some comfortable persuasion of God's love in Christ, for the pardon of your sins; until you do so, you shall never c Pro. 15. 13. 2 Cor. 1. 12. Romans 5. 1. Acts 20. 26. 1 Pet. 3. 15. 16. 21 Psalm 30. 2. 3. have any peace, or quietness of conscience, nor any sound comfort of God's holy Spirit in you. Therefore, Vnum necessarium, This one thing is necessary, whatsoever we leave unknown, let us labour to know this, That we are a Gala. 4. 9 2 Timothy 2. 19 Romans 11. 2. Colo. 1. 10. Hosea. 6. 6. the Lords. Qui Christum discit, satis est si caetera nescit, He may without danger be ignorant of those things, that truly knoweth jesus Christ. The best have desired to make their Salvation sure; as I the unworthiest of all other, do daily labour to do the same: David which knew that God loved him, entreateth to know it more, I know thou favourest me; Psalm 35. 3. yet he cried, Dic animamcae, Say unto my soul. I am thy Salvation. The Scripture hath many proofs of the a john. 19 ●5 26. 27. Rom. 8. 9 15. 16. Psalm 31. 1. job 13. 25. 26. Gala 4. 5. 6. 7. john 4. 15. 16. 17 1 john 2. 28. Psalm 35 9 2 Peter 1. 10. certainty of our salvation; and David would never pray for that which could not be: neither would St. Peter charge us with a duty which could not possibly be performed: Make your election sure; which must be done, by the true and proper work of b Heb. 11. 1. 5. 6 Mat. 9 29. Dan. 3. 17. Acts 15. 9 1 Peter 1. 9 Faith, that giveth the true believer a steadfast, and unmovable assurance of the love of God, that he may fully enjoy the comfort of his Salvation. And whereas St. Paul saith, Know ye not how jesus Christ is in you, 2 Cor. 13. 5. except ye be reprobates? Here the Apostle giveth us to understand, that all which believe, have the spirit of discerning, to know certainly that they do believe. And showeth that, to prove a man's self whether he be in the faith, which is to prove whether Christ be in him, because the Faith of which he speaketh, is that lively saith, whereby Christ dwelleth in our hearts. He therefore that knoweth himself to been in the true Faith, knoweth Christ to be in himself: As St. Paul saith, I know whom I have believed. And again, by this we know, 2 Timo. 1. 12. he dwelleth in us, even by the spirit which he hath given us: 1 john 3. 24: It is manifest that the property of true faith, guides the assurance of our salvation, and the greater our faith is, 1 Peter 1. 7. 8 9 the greater is our assurance. And consequently the true believer knoweth, and is assured of his election and salvation, for Faith is the Faith of Gods elect: Acts 13. 48. So many believed as were ordained unto salvation: ●om. 8. 38. 39 And I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor Angels, nor Principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, shall be able to separate me, from the love of God. Therefore the Apostle was fully persuaded of his salvation: 2 Timoth. 4. ● And again, Henceforth is laid up for me the crown of righteousness: So the Virgin Mary called Christ her Saviour; Luke 1. 47. and the Thief upon the Cross, Luke 23. 43. said, Lord remember me; The like said St. Paul, Gala. 2. 20. That Christ gave himself for me. Phil. 1. 2. 3. If you be demanded how long you may be assured of your salvation; you may answer, so long as you have truly repent, and continue in newness of life, your sure trust & confidence is, that God will never forsake them that put their trust in him: for Every one that believeth in him, Rom. 9 33. shall not be ashamed. And this promise God hath made to all that believe in him: I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me: jere. 32. 40. And again, There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ jesus, because (saith the Apostle) they walk not after the flesh, Rom. 8. 1. but after the Spirit. Lastly, the most excellent Faith, showeth not itself most glorious, when we have most sense or feeling; but rather when we feel, or discern the contrary. job, job 13. 15. when he apprehended nothing but God's wrath and displeasure, even than he showed a most victorious Faith, Lo, though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: The like of jacob, in his tedious conflict, Gene. 32. 24. where he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me: Hosea 12. 4. And the woman of Canaan, who although she received diverse repulses, and earnest denial, yet continued her suit, Mat. 15. 28. and is commended▪ for her Faith, Heb. 12. 2. by the Author and finisher of our Faith. To conclude, we are not to build the assurance of our salvation, upon our own sense or feeling; but upon God's unchangeable and gracious promises made unto us, in Christ jesus. CHAP. VI The sixth Chapter, showeth an excellent mark to know the child of God, which hath truly repent. HE that hath earnestly Repent, and is truly converted from his sins, hath this special mark in him: Mat. 13. 14. He is none of those fruitless a Mat 13. 19 29 hearers, barren believers, unregenerate knowers, or verbal Professors; but he is the faithful doer of the will and word of God. Whosoever b 1 john 3. 5 keepeth God's word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: Hereby know we that we are in him, he that abideth in God, ought also to walk even as he hath walked: That is as St. john showeth us, Every man that c 1 john 3. 2. hath this hope in him, purifieth himself, even as he is pure: And seeketh d Psalm 95. 8. the present time to return unto the Lord; because he hath a bleeding and a tender e Psalm 51. 17 heart; it trembleth f Psalm 51. 4. at the Word: It is pricked g Acts 2. 37. when it is rebuked; and inflamed with burning h Psalm 69. 5. john 2. 17 psal 119. 139. Titus 2. 14. zeal, when it is instructed. The Regenerate man desireth nothing so much, As he i 〈◊〉 55. 6. 26. desireth God; Therefore, he maketh himself k 1 john 3. 3. fit for him, l Rome 4 7. 8 Blessed; the m Esay 41. 8. Wisdom 7. 27 john 15. 14. 15. friend of God, and doth count all things n Phillip 3. 8. but dung, that he may win Christ. He rejoiceth in o Rome 12 19 20 forgiving them that hurt him; and p Mat. 5. 44. loveth them that hate him; and q Rom. 12. 19 rendereth good for evil, he despiseth r Pro. 14. 21. none, but loveth s Romans 12 10 all, and is not rash in t Eccle. 5. 1. words, but u Pro. 10. 32. reasonable, not hasty w Pro. 18. 13. but seasonable, not x Pro. 25 11 grievous, but gracious, not y Proverbs 15. ●▪ provoking, but z Pro. 12. 19 appeasing, not a judges 8. 3. offensive, but to good b Psalm 30. 1 purpose: Sober in c Proverbs 15. 1 censuring, faithful d Gala. 6. 1. in answering, mild e Psal 119. 1. in reprooving, careful in f Psal. 39 1. defending, and fearful of g 1 Cor. 11. 1 offending, imitating the h Pro. 4. 14. Godly, shunning the i Psal. 5. 9 wicked, embracing the k 1 Pet. 3. 9 virtuous, and flying l james 4. 9 1 Peter 5. 5. sin: For the Spirit of God assures no man m Luke 13. 3 pardon of his sins, but such as be humbled for them, repent and n 1 john 1. 9 confess them to God, leave and forsake o Ephe. 4. ●4 1 Pet. 1. 2. 3. Gala. 6. 15. 2 Cor. 5. 17. them, and withal to become new p Rome 6. 4. Acts 3. 26. Gala. 5. 16. Ephe. 4. 1. 1 joh. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6 1 Peter 2. 9 10 11. 12. 13. john 3. 16. Acts 20. 21. Creatures, and walk in newness q Mar. 3. 35. of life. All those that walk in newness of life, are such as our Saviour Christ called his Mother, Sister, q Mar. 3. 35. and Brother, his r Romans 6. 18 Servants, his Friends, s john 15. 14. 1 his Sons, and t Can. 5. 1 his Spouse. All those be terms of love, and that from Christ himself, to requite the Regenerate man, that returneth unto him by unfeigned Repentance. Non tam audire, quam obedire requirit Deus, God regards more an obedient heart, than an attentive ear; what should I say more, seeing the whole course and cannon of Scripture runneth that all Christians in their returning unto the Lord by Repentance should be Attents, vigilantes, u Psal. 130. 3. Psalm 143. 2 Daniel 9 7. 8 Luke 21. 26 Mark 24. 24 Mich. 6 6. Rom. 11. 25. Romans 12. Mat. 10. Pro. 4. 13. Ecces. 2. 15. soliciti, instantes, seruentes, perseverantes sine intermissione, That is attentive, vigilant, careful, instant, fervent, and perseverant without intermission of the service of God; That they may attain, Fontem vitae, radicem, prudentiae, coronam & plenitudinem sapientiae, gloriam & gaudium, quod est faelicissimum donum: The fountain of life, the root of Prudence, the crown and full esse of wisdom, the glory and joy of God, which is the most happiest estate that can be given unto man, a blessed gift: Who can desire more to move him to return unto the Lord by Repentance. A Right, Zealous, and Godly Prayer, taken out of the pure fountain of holy Scripture; Very necessary for all repentant sinners to use daily upon their knees, unto Almighty God. MOst gracious, high, a ●s; ay 57 15. Mark 5. 7. Psalm 86. 5. and most merciful b Psalm 143. 9 Psalm 86. 15 Saviour; as thou c 1 Tim. 4. 10 Matthew 1. 21 art in promises true, in d Psalm 86. 5 Number 23. 19 works holy, in mercies e Esay 6. 3. rich, and f Psalm 130. 7 Romans 10. 12 towards the penitent sinner most merciful, have g Ezekel 18. 21 Hosea 6. 1. jeremy 18. 18. mercy upon me, and endue me good Lord with thy fear, with h Psalm 2. 11 sorrow of hearr for my sins, with i Psalm 51. 17 humility of mind, with a k Psalm 23. 4 true Faith, and pure l 1 Peter 1. 9 Acts 15. 9 Acts 15. 9 conscience, that m Roman. 3. 18 I may (by thy help) seriously enter into myself, descend into my own conscience, and make a true survey of my inward man; and withal help me n Cor. ●● 3. 5. O Lord, my o Psalm 70. 5. Psal 109. 25. ● life to correct p john 5. 16. 40. my present sinfulness, erect my further weakness, and direct my future frailty, that I never fall again into sin, lest I perish in my q Psal 94. 23. wickedness: Behold, O sweet jesus r Wis. 16. 21. they creature, sighs after s Psalm 42. 1. 2 thee, thou art my Creator; O make t Gene. 1. 26. Genesis 5. 1. Wis. ●. 23. me new again, behold I u Psalm 28. 1. Psalm 5. 2. thy workmanship cry unto thee; thou art w john 14. 6. john 11. 25. my life; O quicken x Psalm 7. 1. Psalm 99 8. 9 Psalm 18. 1. me again; O Lord my God y john 1. 4. 1 john 1. 5. 7. 2 Samu. 22. 20. john 8. 12. john 9 5. my light, whereby z Luke 1. 79. I am directed; have a Psalm 51. 1 mercy upon me; O b Psalm 22. 19 defender of my life, my strength c Exod. 15 2. 2 Sam. 22. 3. job 9 19 and my comfort in the day of my d Psalm 59 16 trouble, consider my e Psalm 25. 19 adversaries, and deliver me from that soul f Reve. 1 2 3. dragon, that he never may devour me, who still seeketh to swallow me g 1 〈◊〉 5. 8. up, and would cause my sins to make a separation between this vanishing estate of mine, and thine eternity; h 〈…〉 2. O therefore, hold him fast good Lord, and bruise him in pieces, that i 〈…〉 he exercise not his devices upon me, and cast me not off in the time of my age, now I am grey k Psalm 71. 16 headed, but be thou l 2 Samuel 22. 3 job 9 19 Exodus 15. 2. my strength, now my strength faileth me: And most humbly I beseech thee again, and again, with sighs, groans, and tears, to take away all my sins from me, that in all the rest of my life, my ways may be verity, and my m Psalm 86. 11 paths piety: O let thy holy Spirit n 1 Cor. 3. 10. conduct me, and thy word direct me, that o john 1. 1. I may forsake all my sins, whereby I may begin to live in thy p Psalm 2. 11. 1 Peter 1. 17. fear, proceed and continue in thy favour, grow daily in thy grace, that I may end, and live with thee in thy glory, and so sweet jesus say, Amen. FINIS