A second sort of signs of life is from the effects of spiritual life; And,

A second sort of signes of life is from the effects of spirituall life; And,

1 Justification or pardon of sins is a principal part of our spiritual life, Psal. 32.2, 3. And this is called justification to life, Rom. 5.18. Even as a condemned mans pardon is the life of the man, so is the pardon of our sins the life of our souls. Now the first effect flowing from the pardon of our sin, is,

1 Justification or pardon of sins is a principall part of our spirituall life, Psal. 32.2, 3. And this is called justification to life, Rom. 5.18. Even as a condemned mans pardon is the life of the man, so is the pardon of our sins the life of our souls. Now the first effect flowing from the pardon of our sin, is,

1 Some inward peace of conscience, some inward satisfaction that he never found before. My sin is not pardoned, at least not manifested so to be, till I find some measure of inward peace, Rom. 5.1. What was it that burdened thy conscience, but guilt of sin? If therefore God say to my soul, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee; upon this follows the tranquility of the mind, and sometimes in that unspeakable manner, that passeth all understanding, Phil. 4.7. Though this be not so ordinary, yet they always find a secret peace and ease, as if you had cast off millstones from the heart, Isa. 32.17. The effect of righteousness is quietness and assurance for ever; if sin be pardoned, peace and everlasting assurance follows.

1 Some inward peace of conscience, some inward satisfaction that he never found before. My sin is not pardoned, at least not manifested so to be, till I finde some measure of inward peace, Rom. 5.1. What was it that burthened thy conscience, but guilt of sin? If therefore God say to my soul, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee; upon this follows the tranquility of the mind, and sometimes in that unspeakable manner, that passeth all understanding, Phil. 4.7. Though this be not so ordinary, yet they alwayes finde a secret peace and ease, as if you had cast off milstones from the heart, Isa. 32.17. The effect of righteousnesse is quietnesse and assurance for ever; if sin be pardoned, peace and everlasting assurance follows.

A 3. effect of our life of Justification is that which our Saviour gives, Luke 7.47. Her sins which are many are forgiven her, because she loves much. He that loves much hath much forgiven him. The love of God in some measure proportionable to the sin pardoned, is a good evidence of the pardon of our sins. Gods pardons are lively pardons, they leave not a man as he was, but whom he pardons them he heals. This woman was a notorious Harlot, her loving much showed that her many sins were forgiven her; according to the multitude and measure of sins pardoned, such is the measure of our love to God and his Saints; And indeed, there is none hath so little forgiven him, but he thinks it a great deal, as indeed well he may, and thinks himself bound to love God abundantly.

A 3. effect of our life of Justification is that which our Saviour gives, Luke 7.47. Her sins which are many are forgiven her, because she loves much. He that loves much hath much forgiven him. The love of God in some measure proportionable to the sin pardoned, is a good evidence of the pardon of our sins. Gods pardons are lively pardons, they leave not a man as he was, but whom he pardons them he heals. This woman was a notorious Harlot, her loving much shewed that her many sins were forgiven her; according to the multitude and measure of sins pardoned, such is the measure of our love to God and his Saints; And indeed, there is none hath so little forgiven him, but he thinks it a great deal, as indeed well he may, and thinks himselfe bound to love God abundantly.

For application.

Consider therefore what peace thou hast. Perhaps thou wilt say, I have had peace all my life long, but such peace is ill rooted, it springs not from a word of God; And,

2 It's fruitless. Thou sayest thou hast peace, but what care hast thou to maintain it, and to expel thy sins which hinder thy peace? And again, if thou hast such peace, where is thy love? If that be wanting, pardon of sin is wanting.

2 It's fruitlesse. Thou sayst thou hast peace, but what care hast thou to maintain it, and to expell thy sins which hinder thy peace? And again, if thou hast such peace, where is thy love? If that be wanting, pardon of sin is wanting.

If thou wouldst have good ground of the pardon of thy sins, try thy self by the former signs.

If thou wouldst have good ground of the pardon of thy sins, try thy self by the former signes.

Having before heard of the effects of the life of our Justification, now we come to show the effects of Sanctification. Now because Sanctification is found partly in the heart, partly in the life of a Christian, First, I will show you the effects of Sanctification in the heart. Wheresoever this Spirit of Sanctification is shed abroad, you shall find variety of graces, so different and various, that in nature they could not stand together. There are in Christians certain combinations of graces.

Having before heard of the effects of the life of our Justification, now we come to shew the effects of Sanctification. Now because Sanctification is found partly in the heart, partly in the life of a Christian, First, I will shew you the effects of Sanctification in the heart. Wheresoever this Spirit of Sanctification is shed abroad, you shall finde variety of graces, so different and various, that in nature they could not stand together. There are in Christians certain combinations of graces.

1 Look at grace as it first works in the conversion of a sinner. When a man is first brought on to God, he is then taken up with two contrary effects, with joy that God should have such mercy on him, and withal grief and sorrow for his sins, whereby he hath offended so merciful a God: as it was with the return of the Jews temporal Captivity, Psal. 126.1, 2, 3. We were like them that dreamed, then were our mouths filled with laughter. They were out of themselves, like men in a dream, they rejoiced at this their delivery, and yet the same people that rejoiced at this their delivery, yet in their return they went up mourning with weeping and supplication, for their unworthy ⟨p. 399⟩dealing with God, Jer. 50.4, 5. And such a combination of affection is there in a Christian at his first conversion, he rejoiceth in his deliverance; and yet never was there any so kindly mourning as a Christian sensible of Christs redemption and goodness to him, in this case he mourns as a man that mourns for his first-born, Zach. 12.10.

1 Look at grace as it first works in the conversion of a sinner. When a man is first brought on to God, he is then taken up with two contrary effects, with joy that God should have such mercy on him, and withall griefe and sorrow for his sins, whereby he hath offended so mercifull a God: as it was with the return of the Jews temporall Captivity, Psal. 126.1, 2, 3. We were like them that dreamed, then were our mouths filled with laughter. They were out of themselves, like men in a dream, they rejoyced at this their delivery, and yet the same people that rejoyced at this their delivery, yet in their return they went up mourning with weeping and supplication, for their unworthy ⟨p. 399⟩dealing with God, Jer. 50.4, 5. And such a combination of affection is there in a Christian at his first conversion, he rejoyceth in his deliverance; and yet never was there any so kindly mourning as a Christian sensible of Christs redemption and goodnesse to him, in this case he mourns as a man that mourns for his first-born,

2 In the duties of Gods worship there is another combination of affection, and that his joy and fear, Psal. 2.11. Rejoice before him with trembling, When grace is lively and stirring, a Christian comes with holy fear and awfulness, & yet none comes with more joy and holiness. A dead hearted Christian he comes very unwillingly, and holds back; but living Christians are a willing people, Ps. 110.3. It's the joy of their hearts to do God any service; and yet withal, never do Christians go about any duties with more awfulness then when they come with most joy. In another thing those affections do not concur. When a man goes joyfully about his business, he goes not about it with trembling; or, if he goes trembling, he goes not rejoicing; But a Christian, though he go about a duty with much fear, yet with much joy, Psal. 130.4. There is mercy with thee that thou mayst be feared. Exod. 15.11. God is fearful in praises. When the heart is most enlarged to praise God, then is it most awful of God.

2 In the duties of Gods worship there is another combination of affection, and that his joy and fear, Psal. 2.11. Rejoyce before him with trembling, When grace is lively and stirring, a Christian comes with holy fear and awefulnesse, & yet none comes with more joy and holynesse. A dead hearted Christian he comes very unwillingly, and holds back; but living Christians are a willing people, Ps. 110.3. It's the joy of their hearts to do God any service; and yet withall, never do Christians go about any duties with more awefulnesse then when they come with most joy. In another thing those affections do not concur. When a man goes joyfully about his businesse, he goes not about it with trembling; or, if he goes trembling, he goes not rejoycing; But a Christian, though he go about a duty with much fear, yet with much joy, Psal. 130.4. There is mercy with thee that thou mayst be feared.

3 Take a godly man in tribulations, when he is most oppressed with afflictions, and made sad and awful by them, yet then is the heart most joyous. This was an argument of their sincerity, 1 Thess. 1.6. Having received the Word in much affliction, and joy in the holy Ghost. Now, naturally no affliction is joyous, and yet Paul saith, We rejoice in tribulation, Rom. 5.3. A Christian under sore pressures of Gods hand, that doth thresh them out of his husk, is not only content, but joyful; and that is above all nature.

3 Take a godly man in tribulations, when he is most oppressed with afflictions, and made sad and awefull by them, yet then is the heart most joyous. This was an argument of their sincerity, 1 Thess. 1.6. Having received the Word in much affliction, and joy in the holy Ghost. Now, naturally no affliction is joyous, and yet Paul saith, We rejoyce in tribulation, Rom. 5.3. A Christian under sore pressures of Gods hand, that doth thresh them out of his husk, is not onely content, but joyfull; and that is above all nature.

4 There is a mixture in his affections, in his dealing with men. In a Christian you shall find much patience, and yet without all forbearance; very patient, and yet by no means bearing with evil, Rev. 2.2. This is the nature of spiritual patience; injuries put upon himself, he endures with patience, but injuries against God, he will by no means bear.

4 There is a mixture in his affections, in his dealing with men. In a Christian you shall finde much patience, and yet without all forbearance; very patient, and yet by no means bearing with evil, Rev. 2.2. This is the nature of spirituall patience; injuries put upon himselfe, he endures with patience, but injuries against God, he will by no means bear.

5 You shall find gentleness and meekness mixed with much austerity and stiffness. The wisdom that is from above is peaceable and gentle, Numb. 12.3. Moses was the meekest man upon the earth, yet the same Moses so meek and gentle in his own cause, if it be in Gods cause, he is so stiff that when the King would have the cattle left, he would not leave so much as an hoof at the Kings command, he is inflexible in Gods cause; even as the liquid air most easily yields to the least fly, yet if God set it as a firmament, to separate the waters above from the waters below, it stands like a wall of brass, it yields not, only lets it drop through by small drops, as through a sieve, but not to fall into a deluge: So, though a Christian be as the liquid air, easy and gentle, apt to yield, yet in a cause of God, let there be never so great a mass pressing on him, he stands steadfast and unmoveable.

5 You shall find gentlenesse and meeknesse mixed with much austerity and stiffnesse. The wisdome that is from above is peaceable and gentle, Numb. 12.3. Moses was the meekest man upon the earth, yet the same Moses so meek and gentle in his own cause, if it be in Gods cause, he is so stiffe that when the King would have the cattle left, he would not leave so much as an hoof at the Kings command, he is inflexible in Gods cause; even as the liquid air most easily yeelds to the least fly, yet if God set it as a firmament, to separate the waters above from the waters below, it stands like a wall of brasse, it yeelds not, only lets it drop through by small drops, as through a sieve, but not to fall into a deluge: So, though a Christian be as the liquid air, easie and gentle, apt to yeeld, yet in a cause of God, let there be never so great a masse pressing on him, he stands stedfast and unmoveable.

6 There is a modesty mixed with magnanimity, a thing not easily found in moral virtues Paul looks at all his outward privileges but as dross and dung in comparison of Christ; a man that speaks of himself, I am less then the least of all Saints, Eph. 3.8. though he were not inferior to the chiefest of the Apostles, 2 Cor. 12.11. Yet this modest man, Acts 10.37. when the Magistrates had whipped him and his companions, and then when they had done, would have sent them away; Nay, (saith he) but let them come and fetch us; see the magnanimity of his spirit, when his person, or calling, or cause is called in question, in that case he will put forth himself; deep modesty and high magnanimity to meet in one man, at one time, in the same action, this is a work above nature, Psal. 131.1, 2. You would think that such a weaned child as David was, should not have an high thought or word in him; but he that was thus mean, and low, and thus weaned from earthly preferments, if you come to speak of spiritual things, he looks at all worldly things as too mean for ⟨p. 400⟩him. Psal. 24.7.9. Lift up your heads ye gates, and be ye lift up ye everlasting doors, that is, let your hearts be lifted up to higher objects then the world can afford; his heart is weaned from the Kingdom and Crown, but to Gods favour and grace, and the Kingdom of heaven; why, are not these of an higher nature then they? Yes, and yet in these matters his heart is in a kind haughty, and his eyes lifted up, and he exerciseth himself in great matters; so that a Christian hath not a base spirit, but an heart lifted up above the world, to the favour of God, and pardon of sins, and an eternal Kingdom. Psal. 149.6. Let the high praises of God be in their mouths, In the Or ginal, high things, great and mighty things of God, his mighty majesty, and power, and glory and praise, let these be in your mouths. He would have a Christians spirit filled with high thoughts, and his mouth with high words, high words and powerful threatenings to bind Princes, the high promises and commands of God; nay, the high counsels of God, that are unsearchable, yet as far as they are revealed, a Christian will be prying into them, yet with much modesty and Christian magnanimity, his spirit searcheth out the deep things of God.