A FUNERAL SERMON. Opening the Nature and Grounds OF ASSURANCE, Occasioned by the DEATH OF Mr. Philip King, Minister. Who Departed this Life, November, 8th. 1699. By JONATHAN OWEN. LONDON: Printed for: Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three-Crowns in Cheapside near Mercers-Chapel. 1700. To the Church of Christ, Congregating in Dead-Mans-Place Southwark, the Author wisheth, that all Grace and Peace may abound. Beloved in our Lord, GOD by his merciful Providence hath yet continued us together in the sacred Bonds of the glorious Gospel; and it is my earnest Prayer and Desire, that we may steadfastly keep the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace and Love. Amongst the many Afflictions which have attended my Course in the Ministry, this hath been none of the least; to wit, the too little Service which I have done for Christ and immortal Souls; yet I thankfully acknowledge to the God of all Grace, it is none of my Fear, that I have laboured altogether in vain; some of you I have espoused to Christ, others by my Poor endeavours have been built up in him; what the Blessed Apostle writes to the Corinthians is verified in some measure amongst you, 1 Epist. 1. Chap. 27, 28. yea God is my Witness, I would gladly spend and be spent for you, it's Ability and not Will which is wanting to Answer your affectionate Expectations in all things; when your Sympathy somewhat eased me, the Lord directed, you to one richly anointed for his Master's Work: But ah alas! Mr. P. K. is removed in the Morning of his Days, in the Twenty Fourth Year of his Age; when your Eyes and Heart were much upon him, it may be too much, for to know Ministers after the Flesh is the speedy way to be rid of them; those Feet which were beautiful in bringing glad-tidings, shall walk with you and speak to you no more: O that all such humbling Providences might be wisely improved! The Voice of the Rod speaks loud and plain, comply with it for the Lord's sake; for what Reasons I was loath to undertake this Province you know; but I can deny no reasonable Request to your concurrant Desires; and now what you all would have, hath not only come to your Ear, but also to your Eye, and into your Hands; it may be this will abide with many of you, when shortly it will be said of me, as now of the more Worthy, that I am gone also: What may be the censures of some I know not, and if you be profited I shall less Matter. This with hearty Prayers for each other; is what I propound, and desire, whilst I am Living; and your Unworthy Pastor, Jonathan Owen. Books, lately Printed for Thomas Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside near Mercers-Chapel. MR. Adams' Funeral Sermon. A Discourse concerning the Redeemers Dominion over the Invisible Worlds; some Part whereof was Preached on the Occasion of the Death of John Houghton Esquire. Dr. Bates' Funeral Sermon. Mr. Mead's Funeral Sermon. All Four by the Reverend Mr. John whither. Of the Shortness of Time. By F. Fuller. Mr. Bradford's Eight Sermons Preached at St. Paul's, at the Lecture founded by the Honourable Robert boil Esquire. Mr. Philip Henry's Life. Mr. Reynold's Minister of Nottingham his Life. Mr. Math. Henry's Discourse of Meekness. Mr. Joseph Barrett's Funeral Sermon, to which is annexed his Life, etc. A FUNERAL SERMON: Opening the Nature and Grounds OF ASSURANCE, Occasioned by the DEATH OF Mr. Philip King, Minister. JOB XIX. XXV. For I know that my Redeemer liveth. HOLY Job was an eminent Instance of Grace, he had this singular Honour put upon him, viz, Heaven's Testimony that he was a non-such for true Piety, ver. 8. Never was Saint upon Earth exercised with Afflictions like him; they came upon him as the Waves of the Sea. The Sabbeans and the Chaldeans, Wind and Storms swept all away; his Wife seemeth to be spared only to add to his Sorrows; all his Friends were miserable Comforters, such that added unto, and aggravated his Calamities, Chap. 16.2. His admirable Patience doth thus appear, to wit, in all he exalted God, and debased himself, Chap. 1.21. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, and blessed be the Name of the Lord. Chap. 7.20. I have sinned; there is his great Self-abasement. In this Chapter, he proceeds to maintain his Integrity against Bildad; he chargeth Job very high, he loads him with black Crimes, and numbers him with the vilest of Men, such that knew not God, as you may see in Chap. 18. But to fall upon the Text, it contains the Reason of his Defence and foregoing Option, and the Grounds of his inward Support under all his outward Afflictions. Therein more Particularly you have Two Things. 1. A full and Clear Confession of Job's Faith. Respecting the Person, Office, and Glory of Jesus Christ; his Person, that he is really and truly God. So he expressly calls him, In my Flesh shall I see God, ver. 26. His Office, a Redeemer of lost and enthralled Sinners; his Glory, both Present and Future; his Present Glory, a living Redeemer; his Future, in the latter part of the Verse, He shall stand at the latter Day upon the Earth: i. e. He shall come in our Nature to Judge the World, and Triumph over all his Enemies. 2. You have here, the Nature, Kind, and Degree of Holy Job's Faith, it was not a common but a special Faith, not a dead but a living Faith, not a weak but strong Faith, not a doubting but a Plerophory, a full Assurance of Faith, I know that my Redeemer liveth; having thus briefly opened the Words, behold an Ocean of spiritual Matter presents itself, we may venture to Launch into it; and how pleasant will it be, if we are wrapped up in the ravishing Contemplations thereof, as the Deceased often was in such Work; and that remarkably, in his last Discourses upon glorying in nothing but the Cross of Christ. The Doct. They are great and rare Instances of Grace, who like Job, can say, They know that their Redeemer liveth, i. e. That can say it upon Scripture Grounds. Would to God we were all come up to this Grace, since it is possible with a Holy Ambition, let us aspire after it. The Method of prosecuting this Point shall be thus, if the Lord will. I. To Premise two Things for Illustration. II. To set before you the Scripture Foundation of a well-grounded Assurance. III. I shall confirm this Truth, by demonstrating the greatness and rarity of this Grace. iv The Practical Improvement of the whole, with respect to the sad Occasion thereof. The two Things to be premised are these. 1. There are but few that can say from Scripture-Foundation, They know that their Redeemer liveth; this is not more sad than true, it is facile, easy and common to repeat the Words, but it is peculiar and rare to find those who upon the like footing as Job can thus express themselves; Zeph. 1.12. There God speaks of searching Jerusalem as with Candles, which denotes the exactness of the Scrutiny, so if we make the most diligent inquiry into the Lives and Experiences of most Men and Women. O where are the Persons that can or may thus warrantably declare themselves; I know that my Redeemer liveth, among them that profess Christ in a more exact way than others, that hear more of his Person, Office, and Glory, as Redeemer; even among these it is a rare thing, most are but come up to Hopes, and but few to the good Hope through Grace, that which maketh not ashamed, 2 Thess. 2.16. 2. For as I would awaken all, so I would not cast down any of Christ's weak Lambs. We that Preach the Word, must with Boanerges Thunder, and with Barnabas speak Consolation to you; therefore know, it is possible to be interested in Christ, and not be fully assured of it; Assurance is not of the Essence of Christianity, it is but accidental, like Benjamins' Mess, it is a peculiar Favour; they were as really joseph's Brethren that had it not as he; you may be of Christ's Brotherhood by adopting Grace, and yet be without it: If Assurance were of the Essence of Grace, than none could be saved but such; this makes the number of the Blessed Saints Ten Thousand Times fewer than they are, it excludes all Dead Infants out of Heaven; indeed what the Apostle saith is remarkable, 1 John 5.10. He that believeth on the Son of God, hath the Witness in himself: But consider, as it is spoken of Adult Persons, so it refers to the Witness spoken off before; viz. the Spirit, the Water, and the Blood, now every Adult Believer hath this Witness in himself; but alas, it oftentimes so falls out, that the Ear of Faith is so Deaf, and the Eye of Faith so dim, and Hand of Faith so weak, that the renewed Believer neither hears, sees, nor receives his own Mercy's as he ought; many a doubting Saint hath got safe to Glory, when carnal Confidents have dropped into Hell-Flames; a Child may be born Heir to a great Estate, and by reason of his Infancy not know it; it as Birth and Blood which gives right to it, not the present Sense and Knowledge of the thing; this renders the Matter comfortable, the other makes the Thing sure; thus much of what I thought needful to be Premised, but few know upon Scripture Bottom, that their Redeemer liveth, it is possible to be savingly interested in Christ, and yet not know it certainly. I enter upon the second General. 2. What is that Scripture-Foundation, which this full Assurance of Faith (I know, that my Redeemer liveth) must be Built upon. Here take Notice, for it is without Controversy; this Assurance hath its Original in Grace, and not in Nature; true, a natural Man may be endued with great Knowledge, his Head may be full of Speculative Understanding about Divine Things, he may come under very powerful and common workings of the Spirit, and yet be without a Foundation for this; so much the Apostle declares, Heb. 6.4, 5. Now that I may set this weighty Matter before you in the plain Light of the Word, to know that one's Redeemer liveth, it is and must be built upon this Threefold Foundation, viz. 1. The saving Knowledge of Christ. 2. The appropriating Acts of Faith. 3. And the Witness of the Spirit. 1. Christ Jesus in his Person, Office and Glory as Redeemer must be revealed to that Soul: Without this Manifestation of Christ no Man can say it; though ignorant and confident Persons may Orally speak the Words, but he that doth it with this Faith, must know in whom he believeth, 2 Tim. 1.12. The Glory of God, in the Face, or Person of Jesus Christ, must shine into that Heart, 2 Cor. 6.4. For God who commanded the Light to shine out of Darkness, hath shined into our Hearts, to give the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God, in the Face of Jesus Christ. All this is evident from Jobs Confession, let me consider it a little farther. 1. He knew the Lord Jesus Christ in his Person; i. e. He knew him to be really God, eternally, naturally, and essentially God, therefore he expressly so calls him; ver. 26. Though after my Skin, Worms destroy this Body, yet in my Flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself. The glorious Display which Christ will make of himself in the latter Day, all shall see, some to their Eternal Horror and Confusion, and some to their Everlasting Joy; all the redeemed shall see and enjoy Christ, than not one shall be disappointed or missing; but those who are sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise, they know it assuredly; Whom I shall see for myself, ver. 27. 2. A well-grounded Assurance, includes, not only the Knowledge of Christ's Person as God, but also an Acquaintance with his Offices as Redeemer in both Natures, the Lord Jesus by Eternal and Foederal Agreement with his Father, is become a Redeemer; Holy Job had the Knowledge and Foresight of this, he not only acknowledgeth Christ to be a Redeemer, but he confesseth him to be his living Redeemer. Christ redeemeth his two ways, by Price and Power, by the Price of Satisfaction paid to the Honour, Law, and Justice of God; to his Honour, by the Death of one, who thought it no robbery to be equal with him, Phil. 2.6. To his Law, by the perfect Obedience of Christ's own self, who was under it, Gal 4.4. To his Justice, by being made a Curse, i. e. his enduring the Substance thereof, Gal. 3.13. As thus by Price, so by Power the Lord Jesus Christ redeems Souls, he hath already conquered, Sin, Death, Hell, and the Grave by his Almighty Power: He is now conquering Sinners to himself by the Ministry of the Word and Spirit, and yet a little while, and the last Trump shall sound, and the Dead in the Bowels of the Earth, and in Depths of the Sea, shall hear his Voice and come to Judgement, John 5.28, 29. They that have done good, to the Resurrection of Life, and they that have done evil unto the Resurrection of Damnation; then Christ will complete the Redemption of his People, their Bodies and Souls shall be reunited, they shall all appear with him in Glory. 3. As the Knowledge of Christ's Person and Office, is included in this Assurance; so likewise, the Knowledge of his Present and Future Glory; to wit, that he now liveth, and shall stand upon the Earth at the latter Day; he liveth, there is much in that Expression; it Points at the Eternity, Fullness and Power of Christ as Redeemer; his Eternity, that as God he hath Life in and from himself; his Fullness, that he hath Life to give to all his Members; and his Power, that, as he lives by his own self, so he will quicken the Dead, and Judge the World in Righteousness; and show, that he hath the Keys of Hell and Death, Rev. 1.18. But, 2. In a well-grounded Assurance of an Interest in the living Redeemer; the Faith of a renewed Soul must appropriate Christ to himself; see how Jobs Faith wrought, he not only owns Christ to be a Redeemer; but his Faith cleaves fast to him, it grapples hard upon him, and it receives him with the whole Heart; my Redeemer, therein lies the appropriating Act of his Faith; Luther was wont to say, that the sweet of the Gospel lay much in Pronouns. My Lord, and my God, saith Thomas, John 20.28. Who loved me, and gave himself for me, saith Paul, Gal. 2.20. When Job lost all his earthly Enjoyments, he did not lose his Interest in Christ; when he could not say my Wealth and worldly Substance, my Living, Sons and Daughters; then in the Assurance of Faith, he could say, my living Redeemer; when nothing upon Earth could yield him Comfort, than his Faith fetched it from his living Redeemer; when he was stripped of all, this remained, and indeed it is that good Part, which shall not be taken away, Luke 10.42. 3. To constitute a well-grounded Assurance of an Interest in the Living Redeemer, there must be the Witness of the Spirit; the Spirit must not only Witness to the Person and Office of Christ as Redeemer, but also unto a Man's Personal Interest in him; not only did all the Prophets give Witness unto Christ, Acts 10.44. But his Incarnation and Baptism, his Death, Resurrection and Ascension, does put this Matter out of Doubt; (but herein Jobs Faith excels ours,) he believed on the Redeemer to come in the Flesh, but we upon Him now clothed with our Nature; he foresaw the Eternal Word to be made Flesh, but we must believe upon Christ God manifest in the Flesh, 1 Tom. 3. last. and received up into Glory. As this is the objective Faith of Assurance, so to enable the Soul to say, my Redeemer liveth, there must be the internal subjective Witness of the Spirit, Rom. 8.16. The Spirit itself beareth Witness with our Spirits, that we are the Children of God: Here you have two Things, the Witness, and the Matter witnessed. The Witness is the Spirit, and the Matter witnessed unto, is Adoption, and surely, Conscience enlightened and sanctified, must 〈◊〉 the Court where this Witness is heard and received; so then, what can this Witness 〈◊〉, but the Holy Spirits so enlightening the Mind, and persuading the Will, that Conscience must conclude that Christ is received, with the Privilege to be a Son of God, John 1.12. But as many as received him to them gave he Power to become the Sons of God, even to them that believe on his Name. Holy Job had this Witness within himself, and this bore him up against all the reproaches of his miserable Comforters; thus you see upon what Foundation this Assertion is built. Can we say, That we know our Redeemer liveth? then Christ in his Person, Christ in his Ofces, and Christ in his Glory, as Redeemer, must be known to us, than Faith must thus appropriate him, than the Spirit must thus Witness our personal Interest in him. I proceed to the Third General. 3. Which is to Confirm the Doctrine, to wit, that they are great and rare Instances of Grace, who can say with Holy Job, They know that their Redeemer liveth, i. e. that can say it upon Scripture Foundation; now that such Instances are both great and rare, thus appears. 1. From their Paucity. 2. From their Excellency of Spirit. 3. From their Christian Deportment, with respect to Death and Judgement; of these a little, which also is their excelling. 1. If we consider the Paucity of these Instances they must be rare; the scarcity of a thing oftentimes makes it rare; if Gold were as plenty as Silver, it would be less valuable than it is; this celestial Jewel (a well-grounded Assurance) it is lodged in the Breast but of very few, more are Poor with much Wealth, then are Rich in the full Assurance of Faith. Since Christ's Flock is but little comparatively, as he assures us, Luke 12.32. Therefore the number of sealed Souls cannot be great; as Holy Job was a non-such in his Day, so there are but a few such in ours. Not many do attain to Assurance, and them that are indulged with it, do not always hold it; it is got in great Diligence, and it is kept with no less. This the Apostle plainly hints, Heb. 6.11, 12. And we desire, that every one of you do show the same Diligence, to the full Assurance of Hope unto the End; that ye be not slothful, but followers of them, who through Faith and Patience inherit the Promises. Who doth not hence perceive, that our utmost Diligence, and a well-grounded Assurance, are inseparably Connext? Such Instances must be rare, because they are but few. 2. The rarity and greatness of such Instances of Grace, appears from their Eminency of Spirit; and that, with Respect to their knowing, doing, and suffering the Will of God; Scripture-certified Saints, are Persons of a choice Spirit, when Holy Jobs Body was rough cast with Ulcers, Boils, and Sores, than his precious Soul like the King's Daughter was all glorious within, Psalm 45.13. He upon the Dunghill, was in Gods esteem a rare Jewel. So the sacred Scriptures style the Saints, Mal. 3.17. They shall be mine, saith the Lord of Host, in that Day when I make up my Jewels. What the Holy Ghost remarks concerning Caleb, for his eminent Zeal, his undaunted Courage, and constant Obedience is applicable unto these Darlings of Heaven, well assured Souls, Numb. 14.24. But my Servant Caleb because he had another Spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the Land whereinto he went, and his Seed shall possess it. Mark, God seldom makes great Promises to the faithful, but his Heart is also towards their Children, his Seed shall possess it; so in like manner, those that are sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise; and therefore can say, their Redeemer liveth, they are Men and Women of choice and eminent Spirits; and this excellency of Spirit chief consists in these three Things, to wit. 1. In their clear knowing. 2. In their faithful doing. 3. In their patiented Suffering the Will of God; let me insist upon these a little. 1. They have another Spirit of Knowledge, than what other Persons commonly have; That a Mind savingly enlightened in the great Truths of the Gospel is necessary unto a well grounded Assurance, I need not stand to prove, Job witnesseth it in the Text, I know that my Redeemer liveth, and you have read what Paul saith of himself to this Purpose, 2. Tim. 1.12. I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded, that be is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that Day. I shall not now insist upon the specific Difference, which is between common and special Knowledge. You may be sure, it is more than gradeal. Jobs Friends were Men of exquisite Parts, they were endued with a great measure of excellent Understanding; but in all which they have elegantly said, concerning the Nature, Perfections, Attributes, and Providence of God, how little is there made of Christ the Redeemer? But see how full, clear, and express Holy Job is in this Matter. Was Christ in our Nature a living Redeemer, in the Decree, Purpose, and Promise of God the Father? This Job knew. Was he actually to come in the Flesh, and therein to Die and Satisfy for the Sins of his People? Job was not ignorant of this. Will he at the latter Day stand upon the Earth, and appear in a most glorious Manner; and then shall all that believe unto Salvation admire him, and see him for themselves? Why Holy Job was instructed into all this, herein also lay his excellent Knowledge; as Heaven gave a singular Testimony to his Godliness, so that of the Psalmist was verified in him, Psalm 25.14. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will show them his Covenant. The Glory of God in the Face of Jesus shone into his Heart, he knew him to be a Redeemer, and his living Redeemer. 2. As they have another Spirit of Knowledge, so also of Obedience unto the revealed Will of God; (but mistake me not here,) I do not allege that our Obedience is the Spring and Foundation of Gospel Assurance; no, no, the Faith of Assurance looks higher; and through all this, to expect it from thence in our imperfect State, is but lost labour; such will always be doubtful and fluctuating about it; if Adam's perfect Obedience did not secure the Love of God to him, muchless can our imperfect; this Assurance comes in at the Door of Faith, from Faith's eyeing of, from Faith's relying upon, and improving the Person, Offices, and Glory of the Redeemer. Obedience can't give it, but it always evidenceth that it is well grounded. Remember I am showing the Rarity of this Grace, from that excellent Spirit of Obedience, which goes along with it. And this Obedience flows from the right Principles of Faith in Christ, and Love to God; it's managed by the Rule of the Word, and prosecuted unto the Glory of God. Thus they adorn the Doctrine of God their Saviour in all things, thus they observe whatsoever he hath commanded them, and thus they desire to stand complete in the whole Will of God; like as the Needle in the Compass, inclines to the right Point, so such is the Divine Virtue of a well grounded Assurance, it prompts the Subjects of it to respect every Divine Command. The Language of their Holy Souls, is like to that of Samuel, 1 Sam. 3.9. Speak Lord for thy Servant heareth. Or like that of Saul, when our Lord spoke vocally unto him from Heaven, and miraculously Converted him to the Faith of himself, Acts 9.6. Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? No sooner was the Will and Work of his persecuted Lord revealed unto him, but his whole Self, Soul and Body was engaged in it, his Head and Heart shall contrive, his Mouth shall boldly speak, and his Feet take many a weary step to propagate the glorious Gospel of the Blessed Jesus. This is that eminency of Obedience which assured Souls are inspired with. 3. As they have another Spirit of Eminency for knowing and doing, so they have also for Suffering the Will of God; the Sovereign Lord of all Things, hath wisely ordered that his Servants should meet with Tribulations in this World, I say with many, much, and great, Tribulations, John 16. last. In the World ye shall have Tribulation. Acts 14.22. Through much Tribulation we must enter into the Kingdom of God. Those that had washed their Robes, and made them White in the Blood of the Lamb, are said to come out of great Tribulation, Rev. 7.14. Now it is not the Moral Virtue, but the Christian Grace of Patience which glorifies God in Afflictions; it is Patience excited by a living Faith, Patience exerted by a Divine Love; such is that eminency of Spirit which is in a well-grounded Assurance, they according to our Lord's Injunction, In your Patience possess ye your Souls, Luke 21.19. i e. They enjoy themselves in Christ, when they possess little or nothing else, Job was not only eminent for his Faith of Assurance, but also for his singular and exemplary Patience; others have been enabled to say, they know that their Redeemer liveth: But none (except Christ) did ever match him in Patience, though Job was not perfect and without fault, yet he was a Non-such for Patience; in all his Afflictions, he highly exalts the Sovereignty, Wisdom, Holiness and Justice of God; saying, The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the Name of the Lord, Job 1.21. in all his Tribulations, he greatly debased himself, saying, I have sinned, Job 7.20. And therefore the Holy Ghost puts a special mark of Honour upon him, James 5.10. We have heard of the Patience of Job: Well-assured Saints are eminent Instances of Grace in regard of their patiented Suffering the Will of God; let me add one Argument more to confirm this Point. 3. The greatness and rarity of this Grace (a well grounded Assurance of an Interest in Christ) further appears in their Triumphing over Death, Hell, and the Grave, with their patiented waiting for Christ's particular and general coming to Judge the World. Christ hath conquered Death, Hell, and the Grave on the behalf of every true Believer; Rom. 8.37. Nay in all these Things, we are more than Conquerors through him that hath loved us. This ghastly Enemy, the grim King of Terrors, Death, must shortly be encountered by every one of us; as every Believer may, so them that are rightly assured can Triumph in Christ over them; they like Paul can give Death a bold challenge to do its worst, 1 Cor. 15.55, 56, 57 O Death, where is thy sting? O Grave, where is thy Victory? The sting of Death is Sin, and the strength of Sin is the Law; but thanks be to God, which giveth us the Victory through our Lord Jesus Christ; Victory they have by Free Gift through Jesus Christ, the Faith of Assurance often puts Believers upon desiring and groaning to be dissolved and why, though immediately after Death comes Judgement; yet being clothed upon, they shall not be found naked of Christ's Righteousness, 2 Cor. 5.3. If so be that being clothed, we shall not be found naked; hence it is that Believers, especially such that are sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise, they are said to Love, and look for the appearing and coming of Christ to Judgement, 2 Tim. 4.8. Henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that Day, and not to me only, but unto all them also that Love his appearing. So in Heb. 9.28. Christ was once offered to bear the Sins of many, and unto them that look for him, shall be appear the second Time, without Sin unto Salvation. They Love and look for Christ's appearing, like as a loving Wife doth for the pleasant return of her long absent Husband: It could be no great Matter for Job to Die, for it was but to go to his living Redeemer; it could be no terrifying Thing to him to appear at the Bar of God, for he not only kept his Integrity unto the Last, but he knew that his powerful Advocate and Days-man was his living Redeemer. Thus I have finished the Doctrinal Part of this Observation; viz. They are great and rare Instances of Grace, who can with Holy Job, upon Scripture Grounds say, They know that their Redeemer liveth. Now this Doctrine might be applied many Ways, but to Contract: 1. Know that the greatness and rarity of this Grace is no effectual Bar to the thing itself; though it be great Grace, and a special Favour, yet it is possible and attainable; the Papists and Arminians err greatly by denying the possibility of Assurance, in the true and proper Scripture Sense of it. Is not the Effect of Christ's Righteousness apprehended by Faith, Peace, Quietness, and Assurance for ever? Yea Isa. 32.17. Doth not the Holy Ghost expressly say. These things have I written unto you that believe on the Name of the Son of God, that ye may know, that ye have Eternal Life, 1 John 5.13. Is it not the special Office of the Spirit to Witness and Seal up our Interest in Christ? 1 John 5.8. There are Three that bear Witness in Earth, the Spirit, and the Water, and the Blood, and these Three agree in one. Moreover, are not we required to give Diligence, to make our Calling and Election sure? 2. Pet. 1.10. Let me add, have not some of Christ's faithful Servants attained to it in this Life? if the Deceased had not experienced this great Grace, if he had not been one of these rare Instances, you had not been thus entertained, by this Subject at present. Now that you may attain to this rich Grace, and have an experimental discerning that you are in the blessed number of these rare Instances. Take this Advice. 1. Steadfastly believe, that a well grounded Assurance is attainable, but withal take heed of the two common Extremes, which▪ abound much in this present Age; viz. do not with some deny the possibility of the thing, nor with others (who know not experimentally the way of the Spirit in working this) I say, do not with them presume upon it without Scripture warrant, these both must be carefully shunned; they are very hazardous, to the Peace, Comfort, and welfare of immortal Souls. 2. Hope, that in the use of appointed means you may be favoured with it. Say not there is no hope, as God hath not excluded you, so do not you shut out yourselves. The very command to give Diligence, imports a design and possibility of the Thing; 2. Pet. 1.10. Give Diligence to make your Calling and Election sure. Methinks the Grace and Authority herein contained, should move you to strive and endeavour after it; yea to conclude though not for, yet in so doing it is possible for you, and you in particular; do not only propound Grace necessary to Salvation in the use of the means, but level and aim at this, even to know like Job, That your Redeemer liveth. 3. Would you attain to this Grace, viz. (a well grounded Assurance of your interest in the living, Redeemer) then with Diligence attend to the Ministry of the Word; even that which hath a Testimony in your Consciences, that it is the Ministry of the Gospel, and hath the Administration of the Spirit going along with it. Not only Faith, Rom. 10.17. But also this Assurance comes by Hearing, and what an encouraging Promise is that which you have in Hosea 6.3. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord, his going forth is prepared as the Morning, and he shall come unto us as the Rain, as the latter and the former Rain unto the Earth. O what hold is here for Faith, mark, his going forth is prepared, and prepared as the Morning; now how doth the Morning go forth? Why certainly, gradually, irresistably and exceeding comfortably? Why thus will the Lord discover himself to the redeemed; but remember then, you must follow on, not play fast and lose; take some steps and then turn out of the war, but you must with this Promise, like a Staff in your hand, follow on to know the Lord. In this his ordinary Way he sealeth up Believers unto the Day of Redemption: Is Christ a living and Life giving Redeemer, then why may not you have Life in and from him? Hath he by the Price of his Blood, and the Power of his Spirit redeemed precious Souls: Why may not the Virtue of the one, and the Power of the other enclose and save you? Is he exalted in our Natures, then why may not you be pitied and relieved by him? Will he stand upon the Earth in the latter Day, and in a Triumphant Manner to Judge the World, then except the Judge be your Advocate, you'll perish for ever. 4. As the Gospel reveals Christ to poor Sinners, so put forth the Hand of Faith and receive him; you are under command to believe, and that without delay, 1 John 3. 23. No present Indisposition removes the Obligation, put not those blocks in your Way, which Christ in the Gospel has removed. What though Sinners are naturally impotent, yet who knows, but if you harken, his Power shall be exerted; the Poor Man did not Object his Hand was withered, but when his Heart was toward Christ's Grace and Power: He found it went out with the Command, and his withered hand was restored and made whole; see Mat. ●2. 13. The living Redeemer, is Lord of Life and Glory; when the Word went out of his Mouth, you know how Thomas replied my Lord and my God, John 20.28. 5. Take heed of grieving the Spirit, but understand, and examine yourselves in the way of his sealing and confirming Souls. I shall not touch upon the immediate and mediate Way of the Spirits Witness, you have not only heard, but experienced the thing itself in both Parts. But ah alas, it is Ignorance of this which makes some presume, and it is unacquaintedness with this which makes thee safe in the Hands of Christ, to fear they shall be miserable for ever. O that you were skilful in this matter, the Lord lead you into this Truth, viz. The right way of the Spirits sealing and assuring Souls. Now you will expect, that I should speak something of what hath occasioned this Subject; you know it is somewhat more than ordinary, two related to us, both Interred in one Week, desired this Text might be spoke from. The one was a Private Member, the other a Public Person; your choice and my Fellow-Helper in the Work of the Gospel. It is not my way to speak much of the Dead, I had rather that Persons Lives and Good Works, than my Lips, should be the Trumpets of their Praises; but in this I may not be altogether silent, Mr. Philip King for his Time and standing was a burning and shining Light, you could rejoice in it but for a season; because a violent Fever extinguished his Lamp in the Twenty Fifth Year of his Age. And now, when God is cutting off his faithful Watchmen, shall not we that remain tell you what of the Night? It is evident, God hath a Controversy with us, for his Ambassadors are called home; not only the Aged and Honourable whose Labours commend them to all judicious and ingenious Christians: But also, our budding Hopes are cut off in great measure by the surprising Death of the rising Generation; not only the Reverend Dr. Bates, and Worthy Mr. Mead, but some of our hopeful Young Ones, Mr. S— Mr. King are gone also. Formerly God gave us many faithful Witnesses in Time of restraint, but now we have Liberty, what have we else? Now our Elijah's Mantles are dropped off, O that a double Portion of the Spirit might be upon the succeeding Elisha's. But you of this Congregation, behold what the Lord hath done, and humbly inquire into the meaning of this sad Providence; doth not this Rod loudly call for the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace and Love? conform to it for the Lords sake. I need not inform you, that the Deceased was one of these rare Instances of Grace; was not his short abode with us a live Comment upon this Text. Did not almost every Prayer, and every Sermon, declare that he was upon the Celestial Wrings of a well grounded Assurance; and so comsequently as they were for him: Indeed he was of an eminent Spirit for powerful Godliness. I know not what Suffering-Work he was ever called out unto, but his Acquaintance with the Mysteries of the Gospel, his Patience in Sickness, and his Triumph in Death was all more than Ordinary; by these things we have fair warning, God help us to take it, lest worst befall us; not hardening, but teaching and humbling Afflictions are New-Covenant Mercies. So much for this Text, and Time, the Lord give you Understanding in all Things. FINIS.