A SERMON OF assurance. Fourteen years ago Preached in CAMBRIDGE, since in other Places. Now by the importunity of Friends exposed to public view. By THOMAS FULLER B. D. late Lecturer in Lombard Street. LONDON, Printed by J. D. for John Williams at the sign of the crown in Paul's churchyard. 1647. TO THE honourable, and nobly accomplished Knight, Sir John DANVERS, all the blessings of this, and a better life. SIR, We read how Zachariah being struck dumb, called for table-books thereon to write his mind, making his hands to supply the defect of his mouth: It hath been the pleasure of the present Authority (to whose commands I humbly submit) to make me mute, forbidding me till further order the exercise of my public Preaching, wherefore I am fain to employ my fingers in writing, to make the best signs I can, thereby to express, as my desire to the general good, so my particular gratitude to your Honour. May this Treatise but find the same favour from your eye, as once it did from your ear, and be as well accepted when read, as formerly when heard. And let this humble Dedication be interpreted a weak acknowledgement of those strong obligations your bounty hath laid upon me. Well may you taste the fruits of that tree, whose root your liberality hath preserved from withering▪ Sir, these hard times have taught me the Art of frugality, to improve every thing to the best advantage; by the same rules of thrift, this my Dedication as returning thanks for your former favours, so begs the continuance of the same. And to end, as I began, with the example of Zachariah, as his dumbness was but temporary; so I hope by God's goodness, and the savour of my friends, amongst whom your Honour stands in the highest rank, the miracle may be wrought, that the dumb may speak again, and as well by words publicly profess, as now by his hand, he subscribes himself, Your Servant in all Christian office. THOMAS FULLER. TO THE CHRISTIAN READER. I Shall be short in my addresses unto thee; not only, because I know not thy disposition, being a stranger unto thee; but chiefly, because I am ignorant of my own present Condition, remaining as yet, a stranger to myself Were I restored to the free use of my Function, I would then request, the concurrence of thy thanks with mine, to ●… gracious God the giver▪ and honourable Persons the dealers of this great favour unto me. Were I finally interdicted my 〈◊〉, without hope of recovery, I would bespeak thy pity to bemoan my estate. But lying as yet in the Marshes between Hope and fear, I am no fit subject to be condoled for, or congratulated with. Yet it is, I trust▪ no piece of Popery to maintain; that the prayers of others may be beneficial, and available for a person in my purgatory condition. Which moves me to cravethy Christian suffrages, that I may be rid out of my present torment, on such terms as may most tend to God's glory, mine own good, and the edification of others. However matters shall succeed, it is no small comfort to my Conscience, that in respect of my ministerial Function, I do not die Felo de se; not stabbing my Profession by mine own laziness, who hither to have, and hereafter shall improve my utmost endeavours, by any lawful means to procure my restitution. When the Priests would have carried the ark after David, David forbade them to go further, If (said he▪ I shall find favour in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me again, and sh●…w me both it, and his habitation. But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee: behold here am I, let him do to me, as seemeth good unto him▪ Some perchance would persuade me, to have the Pulpit carried after me, along with me to my private Lodgings, but hitherto I have refrained from such exercises, as subject to offence, hoping in due time to be b●…ught back to the Pulpit, and endeavouring to compose myself to David's resolution. And if I should be totally forbidden my Function, this is my confidence, that, That great pasture of God's Providence, whereon so many of my Profession do daily feed, is not yet made so bare by their biting, but that, besides them and Millions more, it may still comfortably maintain, Thy Friend and servant in Christ Jesus. THOMAS FULLER. A SERMON OF assurance. 2 PETER 1. 10. Give rather diligence to make your calling and election sure. Man's life may not unfitly be compared to a Candle. Cu●…iosity may well be resembled to the thief in the Candle, which makes men to spend much precious ti●…e in needless disputes, the conclusions whereof are both uncertain and unprofitable. The schoolmen's books are stuffed with such questions, about the distances and dignities of Angels, as if men were to marshal them in rank and File, how that heavenly host do march in glory one before another. When men hear improbable matters from far Countries related unto them, it is their usual return, It is better to believe them, then go thither to confute them. But let us not credit many unlikely-hoods concerning Angels, which the boldness of Schoolmen have obtruded upon us, but rather labour in God's due time, to go to heaven, there with our own happy e●…perience to confute them. Well it is said of Socrates, that he was the first of the Grecians, which humbled speculative into moral Philosophy. How well would the pains of that Minister be employed, who should endeavour to bring down and ab●…te many superfluous contemplative Queries into practical Divinity. It were liberty enough if the Sermons of all Preachers were bound to keep Residence only on such subjects, which all Christians are bound to believe, and practice for their soul's health; Amongst which the Doctrine in my Text, may justly challenge a principal part. When 〈◊〉 hea●…d but the mention of the name of Boaz, the Man, said * Ruth. 2. 20. she, is near unto us, and of our affinity; So no sooner do you hear this Text read unto you, Give rather diligence to make your calling and election sure; but every well affected heart is ready to claim blood and challenge right therein. Questions about Angels are neither kith nor kin to my soul; but this a precept of that consequence, of that concernment, we all ought to share a part and interest in the speedy and real practice thereof. Some difference there is betwixt us, and the Romanists, in reading the Text who following the vulgar Latin, add per bona opera; make your calling and election sure by good works. A clause altogether omitted in our English Translations, because in the Greek nothing appears answerable thereunto. Good reason therefore, that we should correct the transcript by the original, and purify the stream to the clearness of the fountain. God grant, that though on these just grounds we exclude good works, out of the Text, we may admit, embrace, and practise them in our lives and conversations. My Text may not unfitly be compared to Ehud's dagger, short, but sharp. And although now it be fall'n into a lame hand, (the unworthiness of the Preacher in this place) to manage it, yet enforced with the assistance of God's arm, it may prove able to give the deadly blow, to four Eglo●… sins, tyrannising in too many men's hearts. 1. Supine negligence in matters of Salvation. 2. busy meddling in other men's matters. 3. Preposterous curiosity in unsearchable mysteries. 4. continual wavering, or Scepticalness concerning our Calling and Election. Supine negligence is dispa●…ched in that word, Give diligence. This grace of Assurance is unattainabl●… by ease and idleness. busy meddling in other men's matters is destroyed in the Particl●…Your E●…ch one ought principally to intend his own assurance. Prepost●…rous curiosity is stab●…ed with the order of the words, Calling and Election, not Election and Calling. Men must fi●…t begin to assure their Calling, and then 〈◊〉, argue and infer the assurance of th●…ir Election. continual wavering is wounded under the fifth rib, in the conclusion of my Text, Sure. we will but touch at three first, and land at the last, as the chief subject of our ensuing Discourse. This Grace of Assurance is not attainable with ease and idleness. Christianity is a laborious Profession. Observe God's servants clean through the Scripture, resembled to men of painful vocations: To Racers, who must stretch every sinew to get first to the goal: to Wrestlers, a troublesome employment; so that I am unresolved whether to recount it amongst toils, or Exercises, (at the best it is but a toilsome Exercise.) To soldiers, who are in constant Service and daily Duty, always on the Guard against their Enemies. Besides, we Ministers are compared to Shepherds, a painful and dangerous profession amongst the Jews; to Watchmen, which continually wake for the good of o●…hers: so that besides the difficulties of our Christian calling, we are encumbered with others, which attend our ministerial function. Let none therefore conceit, that Salvation with the Graces accompanying it (whereof this Assurance we treat of is a principal) is to be compassed with facility, without constant care and endeavour to obtain it. How easily was the man in the gospel let down to our Saviour in the house, whilst four men for him uncovering the roof thereof, let him down with cords lying quietly on his couch? Some may suppose that with as little hardship they may be lifted up to heaven, and that whilst they lazily lie snorting on their beds of security, (never mortifying their lusts, never striving for grace, never struggling against their corruptions) they shall be drawn up to happiness, or it let down to them, merely by the cords of God's mercy, and Christ's merits. Such men without amendment will one day find themselves dangerously deceived, and that it is a laborious task, to gain either the sureness, or assurance of salvation, wherein, according to the Apostles prescription, we must give diligence. To make your [Each Christian is principally to endeavour the Assurance of his own Calling and Election.] Indeed it were to be wished, that Parents, besides themselves, were assured of the true sanctity (so by consequence of their Calling and Election) of themselves multiplied, the children God hath given them, of the second part of their selves lying in their bosom, their wives, of t●…ue grace in their friends and family. How comfortable were it, if Ministers were ascertained of true grace and piety in the breasts and bosoms of the people committed to their charge. But the best way to pass a rational verdict, on the sincerity of sanctity in another, is first to find an experimental Evidence thereof in one's own heart. A philosopher complained, that it was an exceeding hard thing to find a wise man; true, said another, for he must be a wise man that seeks him, and knows when he hath found him; and hence ariseth the difficulty, because two wise men in effect must meet together, the Seeker, and the Finder. It is a hard thing in like manner to be assured of unfeigned faith, and undissembled Devotion in another man's heart. Because first, that party must have a feeling of the operation of grace in his own soul (otherwise blind men are incompetent Judges of colours) before he can make his presumptions of holiness in another, from those sacred symptoms and fruits of piety, which he finds in his own Conscience. Let it therefore be every man's main work, first to make a scrutiny in his own soul, to make his own Calling and Election sure. How contrary is this to the common practice of most in the world? It is a tale of the wandering Jew, but it is too much truth of too many wandering Christians: whose home is always to be abroad, professors in spiritual palmistry, who will undertake to read the Life-line, the line of eternal life in the hands of men's souls, though for all their ●…kill, they often mistake the hands of Esau for the hands of Jacob, approving many hypocrites for their holiness and condemning sincere souls for counterfeits and dissemblers. Calling and Election [men are not to launch into the Depths of Predestination at the first dash, but first soberly to begin with their Calling or Vocation.] Surely the very angels which climbed up the ladder in Jacob's * Gen. 28. 12. dream did first begin at the last and lowest Round. First look to find thy justification, and sanctification, than thy adoption and vocation, lastly thy election and predestination. But alas, as the Hebrews read their letters backward: so it is to be feared that too many preposterously invert the order of my Text, and instead of Calling and Election, read Election and Calling, first grasping at those mysteries (both in their practice and discourse) which are above their reach, as if their souls feared to be ●…unne aground, if sailing in the shallows of Faith and good works, they never count themselves safe, but when adventuring in those secrets wherein they can find no bottom. We are now come to the youngest part in the Text, to which we intend a Benjamin's portion. B●…ing to discourse of the certainty of calling and election, not in respect of God's predestination, it being from all Eternity sure in him, * Ac●… 15. 8. from the beginning of the world God knoweth all his works, but in reference to man's apprehension, concerning the assurance thereof. And now lest our discourse like * 1 Chro: 12. 15. Jordan in the first month should overflow, we will raise these banks to bridle it, and consider; 1. That assurance of Calling and Election is feasible in this life-to be attained. 2. What this assur●…nce is. 3. How a Christian buckleth and applieth it to his soul? 4. We will satisfy some doubts and difficulties in this behalf. 5. We will conclude with comfortatable uses to all sorts of Christians. Of the first. That assurance of ones Calling and Election may, without any miraculous revelation, be in this life acquired, appeareth plain in the Text; because the Apostle in the simplicity of the dovelike Spirit exhorts us to the attaining thereof. Now surely it had been no better than holy fraud, (which heaven hath a pillory to punish) to put men upon a labour in vain, to seek that which is not to be found. Think not therefore that the assurance of Calling and Election is like the philosopher's stone, which so many have searched for, yet all have lost their estates, before they could find it out; but no doubt by God's blessing it is in this world attainable. And yet the Papists maintain, that whilst we live in this world, and sail in our desires and affections to the rich Indies of Heaven and happiness, no further Land is discoverable beyond the Cape of good hope, and that it is arrogancy and presumption (without an immediate express by revelation from Heaven) for any to conceive himself assured of his salvation. For the second, this assurance of ones Calling and Election is a [sepa●…able] fruit or effect, not of every true, but only of some strong Paiths, whereby the party is persuaded, of the certainty of his Calling and Election. I say separable, to manifest my dissenting from such worthy Divines, who make this Assurance to be the very Being, Essence, Life, soul, and Formality of Faith itself. Whence these two Opinions as false, as dangerous, must of necessity be inferred. First, that every one who hath true faith, and are eternally to be saved, have always some measure of this Assurance: Secondly, that such, who are devoid of this Assurance, are likewise deprived of all sincere faith for the present. But God forbid any Preacher should deliver Doctrines so destructive to Christian comfort on the one side, and advantageous to spiritual Pride on the other. Such will prove Carnificinae, the ra●…ks and tortures of tender Consciences. And as the * 1 King. 3. careless Mother killed her little child, for she overlaid it; so the weight of this heavy Doct●…in, would press many poor, but pious soul●…s; many faint, but feeble infant-faiths to the pit of despair, exacting and extorting from them more than God requires, that every Faith should have assurance with it, or else be uneffectual to salvation. No, the formality of Faith, consists in man's renouncing and disclaiming all sufficiency in himself, casting, rolling, and relying his soul totally and entirely on the mercies of God, and merits of Christ, though not assured sometimes of the certainty of his salvation. Like a man in a tempest cast out of the ship, and lying on a plank or board, placeth-all his human hopes on that plank or board, thereby to escape drowning, though he have no certainty, that the same shall bring him safe to the shore. As for those reverend Divines who have written and maintained the contrary, that Assurance is the very soul of faith, and faith dead and useless without it; far be it from me, because dissenting from thei●… opinions, to rail on their Persons, and wound the memories of those which are dead with opprobrious terms▪ rather let us thank God for their learned and religious writings left behind them, knowing, that the head of the knowledge of this Age, stands on the shoulders of the former, and their very errors have advantaged us into a clearer discovery of the truth in this particular. In the next place; a Christian thus collecteth this Assurance of his Calling and Election, by composing this practical syllogism in his soul. The Major. He that truly repenteth himself of his sins, and relieth with a true faith on God in Christ, is surely Called, and by consequence Elected before all Eternity to be a vessel of honour. The Minor. But I truly repent myself of my sins, and rely with a true faith on God in Christ. The Conclusion. Therefore I am truly Called and Elected, &c. The Major is the sense of the Scripture in several places, the very effect of God's promises, and the general scope of the gospel: so that if Satan should be so impudent, as to deny the truth of this Proposition, he may be beaten with that weapon, whereat once he challenged our Saviour, it is written. All the difficulty is in the Minor. Happy that man, blessed that woman, who without self-delusion, without flattering their own souls, can seriously make this Assumption, But I, &c. For such I dare be bold to make the Conclusion, yea it makes itself for them, without my Assistance. But alas! many out of fearfulness dare not make this Minor, concerning this Assumption to be presumption in them. And although, they might truly do it (being in a better condition than they conceive themselves) yet overwhelmed with the sense of their sins and God's severity, they assume the contrary, and poor souls, often apprehend and conclude their own damnation in their wounded consciences: whereas others with a more dangerous mistake of common illuminations, for discrim●…nating grace, falsely make the Minor and causelessly infer, their blessed condition, without just ground for the same. Such few as go rightly to work do produce these three witnesses, to assert the truth of this Minor proposition. First, the testimony of their Conscience, that attorney general to the King of heaven, whose Yea or Nay, aught to be more with us then all the Oa●…hes in the world beside. One knoweth whom it is that he loveth, and whom he loveth not, whom it is he trusteth, and whom he trusteth not, and in like manner his Conscience tells him, whether he doth, or doth not truly repent, whether seemingly, or sincerely he casteth himself on God in Christ. Secondly, the witness of the holy Spirit in their hearts, * Rom. 8. 16. which beareth witness with their Spirit, that they are the children of God. Now we must with sorrow confess, that this doctrine of the Spirit dwelling in the heart of God's servants is much discountenanced of late, and the devil thereupon hath improved his own interest. To speak plainly, it is not the fierceness of the Lion, nor the fraud of the Fox, but the mimicalness of the Ape, which in our Age hath discredited the undoubted Truth. But what if the Apes in India finding a glowworm, mistook it to be true fire, and heaping much combustible matter about it, hoped by their blowing of it, thence to kindle a flame; I say, what if that Animal {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} that Mirth▪ making creature, deceived it ●…elfe, doth it thence follow ●…hat there is no true fire at all? And what if some fanatical Anabaptists, by u●…urpation have entitled their brainsick fanc●…es, to be so many illuminations of the spiri●…, must we presently turn * Acts 23. 8. Sadduces in this point, and deny that there is any spirit at all? God forbid. We confess the Apostles in the Primitive Church were our elder brethren, and wi●…h Isaac carri●…d away the inheritance of the spirit in so great a proportion, as to be enabled thereby to miraculous operations; Yet so, that we, (though the younger brethren) the sons of Keturah, have rich and precious gifts of the spirit bestowed upon us, which at sometime or other, in a higher or lower degree sweetly move the soul of all God's servants, and in many of them, testify the truth of that Minor Proposition, namely the sincerity of their faith and repentance. The third and last witness we will insist on, is that comfort and contentment, the Conscience of the party tak●…s in doing good works, and bringing forth the fruits of new obedience. That though he knows his best good works are stained with corruptio●…s and many imperfections, yet because they are the end of his vocation, and the Justifiers of his Faith; because thereby the Gos●…ell is graced, wicked men amazed, some of them converted, the rest confounded, weak Christians confirmed, the poor relieved, Devils r●…pining at them, Angels rejoicing for them, God himself glorified by them, I say,▪ because of these and other reasons, he doth good deeds with h●…mility and cheerfulness, and findeth a singular joy in his soul resulting from the doing thereof. This joy is an excellent witness to depose the truth of his Faith and repentance, and to confirm the Minor in the former syllogism. See here though good works on just ground were excluded our Text, yet in due time and their proper places we have entertained them in our sermon. If good works offer to crowd into our justification, let us be so bold as to shut the door against them. But if we have any to come i●…to our sanctification, thereby also to ave●…re and attest the truth of our Faith and Repentance; let us say to them as Laban to Jacob, why stand ye without come in ye blessed of the Lord. And this joy conceived from the good works men do, is the more pure the more private, the more sincere, the more secretly it is carried. I shall ever commend the modesty of Elisabeth: who a●…ter long barrenness finding herself with child did not publish her happiness to the view of the world, but hid herself three ●…oneths. If after too long sterility in goodness, thou perceivest thyself at last by God's grace pregnant in pious works, vent not thy good success in the marketplace, do not boast and brag thereof in discourse to others, but be contented to enjoy the solid comfort thereof betwixt God and thy own conscience. So●… much for the th●…ee witnesses to confirm the truth of the Minor. All that I shall add is this; let us who are or should be scholars take heed, whom our parents or friends have bred at the fountains of Learning and Religion, till our portions are almost shrunk into our Education. Let us take heed, least silly simple p●…ople, who never read Aristotle's Organon, never knew how to mould Argument in mood and figure, make this syllogism true in their hearts, by their supernatural logic; whilst we, with all our wit and 〈◊〉 learning, make at the best but a solecism, a●…d thereby put a dangerous fallacy upon our own souls. But here we must propound and answer some objections, the resolution whereof may tend both to our instruction and comfort; The Object. first is this, whether all the servants of God now living, and in the state of grace, are for the present assured of their Calling and Election; So that if instantly arrested to pay their debt to nature, they are as confident of their souls mounting up to heaven and happiness, as of their bodies falling down to dust and corruption. We divide the congregation of God's servants now surviving into ranks; First * Acts. Mnasons Answ. old disciples, seniour professors of 〈◊〉. * Luke 2. 3●…. Hannah's which have lived many years in the Temple, serving God with ●…asting and Prayers night and day. These by frequent acts, have contracted a habit of Piety, G●…ace by custom is made another nature unto them, especially towards the latter end of their lives; partly because their souls do steal a Glymps, Glance, or Pisgah-sight of heaven, through the Clefts and Chinkes of their Age, or sicknesse-broken-bodies; and partly because, as all motion is swiftest the nearest it comes to the centre: So they, the nearer they draw by dea●…h to heaven, God's Spir●…t and all goodness groweth more quick and active in them. Of t●…ese we say that it is often observed, God deals so graciously with th●…m, as to crown their endeavours with an assurance of salvation. To such I may add those whom I may call young-old-Christians, whose profession of Christ, though short, hath been thick; though young in years, yet they have not only done, but suffered for Christ. Religion hath cost them dear, they have not only been summered but wintered in piety, have not only passed prosperity, but have been acquainted with adversity therein. Great travelors in Christianity, which have cut the line, and have passed the Torrid Zone of Persecution, and which is more, of a wounded conscience. These also God may admit into the former form, and out of his undeserved mercy reward them with the Assurance of their salvation. But all stars which sh●…ne in heaven are not of the first greatness, neither are all of David's worthies to be equalled with the first three. Other Christians there are (who in God's due time may mate the former both in grace and glory) Punies in piety, Novices in Religion: Of such, I say, not one of a hundred (whatsoever they may erroneously pretend to the contrary) are assured of their Calling and Ele●…tion. If further it be demanded, whether every Saint of God belonging to Election, hath not at one time or other in his life or at his death, this assurance conveyed into his soul, I must confess that he●…rein, the streams of learned men's judgements, runn●… not only in different, but contra●…y channels. Some are of opinion that God is so gracious, and magnifies his mercy so much in his proceedings towards his ●…ervants, that the very meanest in the Family of Faith, have some proportion of this assurance, conferred upon them during their abode in this life. Other Divines, no 〈◊〉 inferior to the former in number, Learning, Religion, and Christian experience, main●…aine the opposite opinion: that God sometimes is so pleased, to try the patience, and humble the hearts of some of his servants, that a continual fear, is a constant covering of their eyes, they go heavily all the day long, never daring for fear of presumption, to own and acknowledge any grace in their hearts, alwai ●…jealous of their own condition, and sadly suspicious of themselves, lest all their 〈◊〉 prove hypoc●…isie, and their Piety be more in pro●…ession then 〈◊〉. Those may be 〈◊〉 ●…nto children in their mother's belly, which have true life in them, and yet themselves do not know that they live. For my own part, I conceive this controversy can only be decided betwixt God, and a man's own Conscience: no third Person can be privy to the secret transactions betwixt them. The last of these two Opinions (so far as one may conjecture) hath most of charity, and not the least of truth in it. I am persuaded that many a pious soul dying in the fit of a t●…mptation, hath instantly expected to sink from his deathbed into hellfire, when the same by God's goodness hath been countermanded a contrary way, and sent to bliss and happiness; Yea, it is more than probable, that many sad and affli●…ted spirits, have been possessed of glory in heaven, before they durst ever own that themselves had any true Grace on earth. The next question which comes to be resolved, is, whether this assurance once possessed, may not afterwards be forfeited. Here the controversy is not, whether once the child of God, may relapse into the state of damnation, totally and finally losing all saving Grace in his heart, (which desperate Position cuts asunder the sinews of all Gospelcomfort) but it is only inquired into, whether the apprehension or Assurance of his calling may not in some cases be lost. Wherein our answer is affirmative, and this usually comes to pass on these two sad Occasions. First, when the Party commits some Conscience-wasting sin, such as Tertullian terms, Peccatum devoratorium salutis; and continu●…s in the same some season without repentance. indeed every surreptitious sin, or sin of infirmity, and especially a complication of many of them together, have a good mind to destroy this Assurance; But it is seldom seen, that their strength is so great, (though they frequently fret and daily nibble at the cords of our Assurance) as to share or grind them asunder, a thing usually done by the committing of high and heinous offences. There is a whirlwind in the West-Indies, called a Herricane, which comes but seldom, and yet too often. For then Rasor-like it shaves down all level and flat before it, Trees, and towns, and towers, in a word, it is as wild and savage as the Natives of the country. No less the impetuous violence and cruelty of a conscience-wasting-sin: such as Lots●…ncest, David's Adultery, Peter's deni●…ll, when they come, they make a depopulation of all Graces formerly planted in the soul; maiming the hand of Faith, breaking the Anchor of Hope, quenching the heat of Charity▪ darkening the light of knowledge, and totally taking away for a time, the comfortable apprehension of God's love to them, and their calling to God. This made David petition to God, Restore to me the joy of thy salvation, Wherein three things are implied. First, that once he did possess that joy, Restore it. Secondly, that now he had lost it, Restore it; Lastly, that the loss thereof was not so desperate, but with hope by true sorrow, to recover this joy. Restore to me the joy of thy Salvation. The second way to lose this Assurance, is by suffering some great affliction, above the standard and proportion of ordinary crosses; seemingly of a sadder hue, and blacker complexion than what usually b●…fall other Christians. In such a case a sorrowful soul, is ready thus to reason with itself. Once I conceived my sel●…e in a happy condition, thinking myself estated in the favour of God, truly called, and by consequence truly elected to grace here, and glory hereafter. But now alas, I pe●…ceive myself utterly mistaken. I built my hopes on a false bottom; I am but a mere formalist, a pretender to piety, yea a reprobate and castaway, otherwise God would never afflict me in this fashion, with such hideous and horrible crosses, doleful tribulations, dismal temptations, so that the brimstone of hellfire may plainly be scented therein. Thus holy Job, when God discharged whole volleys of chain-shot of afflictions against him, one drew on another, we find him sometimes venting expression, rankly savouring of despair, and no wonder if he began to stagger who had drunk so deeply of the bitter cups. And now conceiving ourselves in some measure to have satisfied the most important practical queries wherewith this doctrine of Assurance is encumbered, we come to make some profitable application. The Gr●…cians had a threefold Song, the Old men sung, we have been, the middle aged men we are, the young men, we shall be. This Song will serve to divide my Auditors at this time. Some sing we have been. There was a happy time wherein we were ascertained of our C●…lling and Election; but now, alas poor souls I have lost it. Others Sing we are for the present in the peaceable poss●…ssi●…n of such assurance. Others ●…g we shall be in God's due time, when his goodness and wisdom seeth fit, such an happiness shall be bestowed upon us. We begin with the first that sing, we have been▪ O that it were in my power as well to help as to pity you, to amend as to bemoan your condition! It is the greatest misery, that one hath once been happy. All your Song is a burden. The best advice I can prescribe unto you is this; seriously consider with yourselves which way you lost this assurance of your Salvation was it by committing a conscience-wasting-sin? no Divine can commend unto you better or other physic, than only * Revel. 2. 5. 〈◊〉 Remember from whence thou art fallen, and repent and do thy first works. And although it may please God in his mercy to forgive thy dayly-imperfections and manifold infirmities, on thy general repentance and quotidian p●…ayer, and forgive us our trespasses, yet the most comfortable course and surest way to obtain peace of conscience after the committing of an heinous offence, is by particular humiliation for it, without which serious sorrow, solid comfort is either never given, or not long enjoyed. But if thou hast forfeited thy former assurance, through the pressure of some heavy affliction, learn and labour to rectify thy erroneous judgement, who from the premises haply of God's love, at the worst of his anger, hath falsely inferred a conclusion of his hatred against thee. ●…nsider how God corrects those whom he loves most, to the intent that all grace may be increased and improved in them. Passing by on a night in the streets, I met a youth h●…ving a lighted link in his hands, who was offended thereat, because it burned so da●…k and dim, and therefore the better to improve the light thereof, he beat, bruised, and battered it against the wall, that the wick therein might be sp●…ead out, and the pitch with other comb●…stible matter, (which before stifled the light with its overstiffness) might be loosened, which presently caused the link to blaze forth into a lighter flame. God in like manner deals with thy soul; that thou mayest shine the brighter before men, he doth buffet and afflict thee with several temptations, which give thee occasio●…s to exercise thy graces which lay hid in prosperity. Such corrections will in conclusion, greatly add to thy spiritual light and lustre. Apply these and the like consolations to thy soul, and remember what David saith, heaviness may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Yea but you will say, my night of sorrow, is like the nights in green-land, which last full four months together. A long night I must confess, but day will dawn at the last, and last the longer for it. Come we now to those that sing we are, who do not boast (that is a bad sign) but rejoice, that for the present they are possessed of this assurance. And is it so indeed? And dost thou not deceive thyself, beholding thy condition through a fl●…ttering glass or false spectacles? Well if thou affirmest it, I dare not deny it. It were no manners nor charity in me to give thy belief the lie; and therefore what you say of yourselves, I give credit thereunto. Only let me stay a little and congratulate your happy estate. Good success have you with your honour. God hath not dealt thus with every one, neither have all his servants so large a proportion of his favour. And now I will take the boldness to commend some counsel unto you. In the first place be thankful to God f●…r this great courtesy conferred upon thee, and know, that all heavenly gifts as they are got by Prayer, are kept, confirmed, and increased by Praises. Secondly, take heed of insulting over such as want this assurance: upbraid not them with their sad condition. Say not unto them, I am certain of my Calling and Election, Ergo, I am a Saint, a chosen vessel, eternally to be sav●…d; Th●…u lackest this certainty, therefore art a reprobate, a cast away, a firebrand of Hell, eternally to be damned. Is this the expression of thy gratitude to God, proudly to trample on his servants, and thy brethren? It is hard to say, whether that thy inference hath more of profaneness, or falsehood in it. If a Favou●…ite to a great Emperor should say, [All that are not in as high esteem and credit with the Emperor as myself, are so many traitors.] Would not this be accounted not only, a vainglorious expression, but injurious, both to his sovereign and fellow-subjects? How many thousands of them, would be willing, yea desirous to adventure their lives, in a lawful cause for their Emperor's honour, who not withstanding never had the favour, to be personably known unto him, much less to be 〈◊〉 by him to places of eminent trust and command. And may not many be presumed on, as cordially affected to God's glory, which from their heart's love and ●…onour both him and his, completely loyal to his heavenly Majesty, who have not as yet been advanced so high, and ingratiated so far with him, as to receive the Assurance of their Calling and Election? Thirdly, walk humbly before God, and know that this Assurance hath a narrow throat, and may be choked with a small sin, if God leave thee to thyself. There be two kinds of poison, the one hot, the other cold. Hot poison makes speedy dispatch, it sends men post to their graves; Cold poison is not so active and operative, it kills but at distance, and if in any reasonable time it meets with a seasonable Antidote, the malignity thereof may be prevented, yea perchance without an Antidote, if falling upon a strong and sturdy constitution, may be mastered by natures own cordial; not finally to destroy, but only to stupefy and benumb. Presumption is hot poison, it kills its thousands, makes quick riddance of men's souls to 〈◊〉. Despair, we confess, is poison, and hath killed its thousands, but the venom there of is more curable, as more cold and faint in the operation thereof. Take heed therefore of presumption, lest the confidence of the Assurance of thy Calling betray thee to spiritual Pride, that to Security, that to Destruction. Her●… take notice that ●…he soul of a Saint consists o●… sacred riddles, and holy contradictions: rejoice (saith * Psal. 2. 11. David) before him with trembling▪ if rejoying how can he tremble, if trembling how can he rejoice? Oh that is an unhappy soul which cannot find an expedient betwixt these 〈◊〉! that cannot accommodate these seeming contrarieties: rejoicing, when he looks on a gracious God, trembling, when he beholds a sinful self: rejoicing, when looking upward on God's 〈◊〉, trembling, when looking downwards on his deserts. Ever triumphing, that he shall be saved, and evertrembling lest he should be damned; ever certain that he shall stand, and ever c●…refull lest he should fall. Tantus est gradus certitudinis, (Saith Saint Augustine) quantus est gradus sollicitudinis. He that hath much fear to of●…end God, hath much certainty to continue in his favour: he that fears little, hath little certainty; and h●… that is altogether fearless, whatsoever he proudly 〈◊〉 to the contrary, hath no assurance at all to persevere in God's favour. We may observe that such as have the shaking palsy in their heads, live to be very aged men: sure I am, that such as have a fil●…all fear to incur their heavenly father's displeasure, hold out to the last, even to that life which hath no end. The heavens themselves are said to have M●…tum trepidationis, and the best and most spiritual servants of God, constantly feel such trembling fits in their own souls. In a word, Assurance to persevere is a sparkle of heavenly fire, fed with the daily tinder of fear to offend God. Nor let any confidently presume on the mystery of predestination, (which like the laws of the Medes and Persians cannot be repealed) thereon to sin with indemnity, because once and ever God's servant, and no fear finally to fall from him. For, besides other answers to quell●… their pride, let such seriously consider but this particular instance. God granted Hezekiah a Lease●… of his life for fifteen years longer, and it was impossible for him to die till that term was expired; so that had Hezekiah fed on toads and Vipers, on the most noxious food for man's nature, he was notwithstanding immortal during the time prefixed; because Truth itself had promised it. However if Hezekiah proved careless in his diet, though certain of his life, he had no assurance of his health for that season. His intemperance might draw sickness on him, so that he might lose the li●…e of his life, his liberty of walking abroad, comfort in conversing with company, pleasure in tasting his meat and drink, to be kept constant prisoner on his bed, a languishing as bad as death itself. Grant in like manner, that Predestination privilegeth thee from final apostasy, yet if careless to keep God's commandments, thou Mayst forfeit all thy spiritual comfort, the joy of thy Salvation, have a hell on earth in thy Conscience, having in thy apprehension all the beams of God's favour eclipsed, one glimpse thereof a servant of God prizeth above millions of worlds. We come now to these that sing, We shall be. It is (say they) not only vain but wicked to seek to bett●…r our conditions by telling a lie. We should wrong God and our own consciences to affirm that for the present this Assurance is conferred upon us; but are not in despair in due time from God's mercy to receive it. Some counsels I have to recommend unto them. First do not envy and repine at their happiness, to whom this favour is already confirmed, but because God hath loved and honoured them so much, do thou love and honour them the more, and do desire and endeavour to be added to their society. Secondly know to thy comfort that were it not more for God's glory, and thy good, this Assurance had long since been bestowed upon thee. And for several reasons it is hitherto detained. 1. Perchance because as yet th●…u hast not fervently sued to God for it. Thy affections are gold weights, not zealously engaged in the desire thereof. Thou seemest indifferent and unconcerned, whether thou receivest this Assurance or no. Now God sets such an estimate and valuation on this Assurance, as a grand gift, and favour of the first magnitude, that he will have it sought, and searched, and sued, and prayed; and pressed for, with holy constancy, and restless importunity before he will grant it. Hannah called her son, * 1 Sam. 1, 20. Samuel, For (said she) I have asked him of the Lord. Every good thing, temporal, spiritual, inward, outward, every particular grace must be a Samuel, craved, and requested of God before the fruition thereof can be sweet to our souls, or comfortable to our Consciences▪ To have a favour, before we have requested it, is the ready way to lose it, before we know the true worth and value thereof. 2. Perchance God as, yet withholds this assurance from thee, with intent to render it more acceptable when it is bestowed. Never had Isaac been so welcome to Sarah, but because long barrenness, and expectation, had set so sharp an edge on her affection. 3. It may be God in his Providence foresees, should this Assurance be bestowed upon thee, thou wouldst play the unthrift and ill husband therewith: And therefore God still keeps it in his own hand, until thou be'st more wise and better able to manage and employ it. The * L●…e ●…5. prodigal son having received his Portion from his Father, riotously spe●…t it amongst Harlots; the same may be suspe●…d by thee, and therefore as careful Parents, jealous of their son's thriftiness, will not deliver unto them all their means at once, but rather confine them for some years to a small Pension and moderate annuity, intending to open their hands, and enlarge their bounty, when they see cause; God in like manner will not intrust thee with the gross sum of thy Assurance to be paid thee all at once, ●…ut r●…taile it out unto thee, by degrees more or less; now a scruple, now a dram thereof. And when thou shalt give good Evidence of thy Christian prudence to husband and imp●…ove it, the remnant of this Assurance shall wholly be made over unto thee. Thirdly, wait and attend the time of God. O tarry the Lords leasi●…e (when he will be, he can be at leisure) who in the most fittest minute and moment will confi●…me this long expected Assurance unto thee. Know this that all the weights and and plu●…mets of human importunity, cannot make the Clock of God's Time st●…ike a minute sooner than he hath set it. No doubt the Virgi●…Mary shared the greatest Interest in our Saviour according to the flesh, to obtain a reasonable request of him, and yet could not prevail for the working of a Miracle before his * John 2. 4. ho●…re was fully come. Wherefore be thou not like to Hophni and Phi●…eas the Priests, who contrary to God's institution, when any man offered a sacrifice, used to send a servant whilst the flesh was ●…ing, with a * ●… Sam. 2. 133 Flesh▪ hook of three te●…eh in his hand, who thrusting it into the kettle, took or his Master's part, whatsoever the flesh-hook brought up; And if any advised him to stay till the fat was bu●…nt, according to the custom un der the law, he presently proved impatient, would have no sodden flesh but raw, which if not instantly given him, he would take it by force. Now such are the ravenous appetites, and voracious stomachs of many men, that when they propound any thing to their desires, they will not stay till God hath fitted it for them; but by hook or by crook, by any sinister or indirect means they will compass their ends. Such will feed on raw meat (as if the heat of their ardent desires would roast it enough for themselves) morsels which perchance sometimes would be pleasant for the Palate to taste, but never wholesome for the stomach to digest. These are not pleased, though having what they please, if not also when they please: Be not thou of their Diet; know such raw meat will occasion crudities in thy stomach. Quietly attend till God hath cooked thy meat for thee: think not in vain to antedate, his time is the best time. Know that generally the Watches of our desores go too fast; and therefore to set them right, they must be set back according to the sun-dial of God's pleasure. Wherefo●…e without any murmuring or repining, do thou willingly and cheerfully wait the happy time, when God shall be pleased to bestow this Assurance upon thee. To Conclude with the time; The schoolmen have a distinction of a twofold certainty of Salvation; the one evidentiae, the other adhaerentiae: the former is when one evidently and clearly apprehends God's favour sealed unto him by his Spirit. This hitherto thou lackest, but dost diligently labour, daily pray, and duly wait to receive it. The latter of adherence or recumbency, all true Christians ought ever to be possessed off, which hope for any happiness. Namely when a man casteth himself wholly upon Christ, clinging about him with Jobs resolution, Though thou killest me, yet will I put my trust in thee. Till we gain the latter, let us make much of the former, having as much safety, though not so much solace in it; and which will with as much certainty, though not so much comfort, through God's mercy, bring our souls to heaven and happiness. Amen. FINIS.