The safety of appearing at the day of judgement, in the righteousness of Christ

3. There is a great difference in the risings of mens hearts against yielding to God, from the different manner of Gods dispensations, to the same under this work: Especially in three things: 1. Some men had abundance more confidence that they were in a good estate than ever others did obtain unto: they were strongly persuaded that they were converted, had had abundance of joy under the apprehension of their good condition: and when these hopes come to be pulled away from them, it is no wonder that their hearts work exceedingly: they are like the troubled Sea that casts forth mire and dirt. 2. Some men when they are emptied of their own righteousness are left more upon the borders of despair than others are: there is a secret hope that God does sustain the hearts of all by; an hope rising from the power of God, and the deliverance he has wrought for others &c: in some there is more ⟨p. 217⟩of this hope in others less: the more there is of this the more this work of submission is facilitated: an enemy will sooner yield where he has more hope of mercy than where he has less: the less hope men have, the more difficult their submission will be: that made the Syrians yield because they looked on the Kings of Israel as merciful Kings, 1 King 20.31. 3. God does discover his own sovereignty sooner unto some than unto others: the conviction of that is the thing that silences the heart, and makes it bow: that brought down Jobs Spirit, Job 42.2, 5 the soul will not yield till convinced of this, and God is pleased to deal with men variously as to this, some he convinces sooner, and thereby prevents much of those stubborn workings, that otherwise would be.

3. There is a great difference in the risings of mens hearts against yielding to God, from the different manner of Gods dispensations, to the same under this work: Especially in three things: 1. Some men had abundance more confidence that they were in a good estate than ever others did obtain unto: they were strongly perswaded that they were converted, had had abundance of joy under the apprehension of their good condition: and when these hopes come to be pulled away from them, it is no wonder that their hearts work exceedingly: they are like the troubled Sea that casts forth mire and dirt. 2. Some men when they are emptied of their own righteousness are left more upon the borders of dispair than others are: there is a secret hope that God does sustain the hearts of all by; an hope rising from the power of God, and the deliverance he has wrought for others &c: in some there is more ⟨p. 217⟩of this hope in others less: the more there is of this the more this work of submission is facilitated: an enemy will sooner yield where he has more hope of mercy than where he has less: the less hope men have, the more difficult their submission will be: that made the Syrians yield because they looked on the Kings of Israel as merciful Kings, 1 King 20.31. 3. God does discover his own soveraignty sooner unto some than unto others: the conviction of that is the thing that silences the heart, and makes it bow: that brought down Jobs Spirit, Job 42.2, 5 the soul will not yield till convinced of this, and God is pleased to deal with men variously as to this, some he convinces sooner, and thereby prevents much of those stubborn workings, that otherwise would be.

2. The second way of trial is by the manner of the Souls first closing with Christ: there is a great difference between saints and hypocrites in their first venturing upon Christ: though there be a similitude, yet there is also a dissimilitude: some persons indeed through negligence, lose the distinct remembrance of this, which occasions much darkness afterwards, but a false heart does not experience such things in his first receiving of the Gospel as a sincere heart does: there are some things that are common to one and to another, but there are other things that are peculiar to the people of God: if the manner of their closing were the same, their Faith would be the same: the manner of closing is such as doth distinguish them, and take it up in such particulars:

2. The second way of trial is by the manner of the Souls first closing with Christ: there is a great difference between saints and hipocrites in their first venturing upon Christ: though there be a similitude, yet there is also a dissimilitude: some persons indeed through negligence, lose the distinct remembrance of this, which occasions much darkness afterwards, but a false heart does not experience such things in his first receiving of the Gospel as a sincere heart does: there are some things that are common to one and to another, but there are other things that are peculiar to the people of God: if the manner of their closing were the same, their Faith would be the same: the manner of closing is such as doth distinguish them, and take it up in such particulars:

1. The soul is assured of the truth of the Gospel by the spirit of God: before the Soul was full of ⟨p. 218⟩doubts and questions, but when he closes with Christ he is assured of the truth of the Gospel: the reason that men do not entertain the truth of the Gospel is because they are not assured of the truth of it, when they believe the truth of it, then it works effectually up on them, 1 Thess. 2.13. ye received it not as the word of man, but (as it is in truth) the Word of God, which effectually worketh in you that believe: When the soul first closeth with Christ, it is satisfied in the truth of the gospel:

but now he sees gospel principles in such a manner that he is satisfied that God called him, and that he may venture upon Christ, 2. The soul has at this time an assured knowledge of the truth of the gospel: it is not an opinion or conjecture arising from some probable appearances but an assurance: therefore they say, we believe and are sure, Joh. 6.69. the soul sees that it is certainly so: God gives us outwardly great assurance of the truth of the gospel; and at this time the soul has inwardly an assurance of it: tis very true there is a difference in the measure of assurance, that one has, and another has: all assurance is not in the like degree: we read ⟨p. 220⟩sometime in Scripture of an Assurance, 1 Thess. 1.5. of a full Assurance, Heb. 9.22. of all riches of the full assurance of understanding, Col. 2.2. this assurance in the first closing with Christ, what ever degree it is in, does not remove the habit and principle of doubting, though it does mortify it in part; that it never recovers its strength again; yet there will be frequent returnings of this spirit of doubting; it will attend a Saint less or more as long as he lives; and many times in the first closing with Christ the assurance is not in such a degree, but that there will be actual doubting, the workings of a spirit of fear are not wholly removed: some doubtings and misgivings of heart are consistent with assurance: a man may see that it must needs be so, that it can't be otherwise; and yet immediately have recoilings of spirit: but the assurance of the soul so far prevails over all his doubtings, that he can venture himself in the arms of Jesus Christ. 3. The soul is assured at this time by the Spirit of God, that the Gospel is true: and the messages of salvation certain. The comforter shall convince of righteousness, Joh. 16.10. the Spirit works a principle of faith, and draws it into act: sanctifies the reason and understanding: and discovers the glorious excellency of God, whereby the heart is assured; indeed this assurance cannot arise from any other cause: natural reason will not assure men of this: for the reason of man is miserably corrupted, and cannot see such spiritual things, 1 Cor. 2.14.

but now he sees gospel principles in such a manner that he is satisfied that God called him, and that he may venture upon Christ, 2. The soul has at this time an assured knowledg of the truth of the gospel: it is not an opinion or conjecture arising from some probable appearances but an assurance: therefore they say, we believe and are sure, Joh. 6.69. the soul sees that it is certainly so: God gives us outwardly great assurance of the truth of the gospel; and at this time the soul has inwardly an assurance of it: tis very true there is a difference in the measure of assurance, that one has, and another has: all assurance is not in the like degree: we read ⟨p. 220⟩sometime in Scripture of an Assurance, 1 Thess. 1.5. of a full Assurance, Heb. 9.22. of all riches of the full assurance of understanding, Col. 2.2. this assurance in the first closing with Christ, what ever degree it is in, does not remove the habit and principle of doubting, though it does mortifie it in part; that it never recovers its strength again; yet there will be frequent returnings of this spirit of doubting; it will attend a Saint less or more as long as he lives; and many times in the first closing with Christ the assurance is not in such a degree, but that there will be actual doubting, the workings of a spirit of fear are not wholly removed: some doubtings and misgivings of heart are consistent with assurance: a man may see that it must needs be so, that it can't be otherwise; and yet immediately have recoylings of spirit: but the assurance of the soul so far prevails over all his doubtings, that he can venture himself in the arms of Jesus Christ. 3. The soul is assured at this time by the Spirit of God, that the Gospel is true: and the messages of salvation certain. The comforter shall convince of righteousness, Joh. 16.10. the Spirit works a principle of faith, and draws it into act: sanctifies the reason and understanding: and discovers the glorious excellency of God, whereby the heart is assured; indeed this assurance cannot arise from any other cause: natural reason will not assure men of this: for the reason of man is miserably corrupted, and cannot see such spiritual things, 1 Cor. 2.14.

the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him, neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned Indeed natural reason from Scripture principles, may strongly argue the truth of this way of salvation against the Papist and other ⟨p. 221⟩Heretics; but natural reason can't satisfy men about those scripture principles: yea though natural reason be enlightened by a common work of the Spirit, so as to be greatly affected with the Gospel for a time, yet it cannot assure a man of the truth of it, neither is it possible for Satan to work any such assurance in men: men are sometimes afraid whether the discovery they have had were not the delusions of the Devil: but though the Devil may comfort false hearts, and fill them with joy, yet he cannot assure men of the truth of the Gospel: for he can only raise those principles that are in men, and not put a new principle of faith in them; whereby it is that the truth of the Gospel is discerned: neither can the Devil give a discovery to the soul of the glorious nature of God, or excellency of Christ, so as that the heart should trust him, love him, &c. Satan can make no such discoveries to a natural man, as a natural mind is uncapable of receiving, so that this assurance is the peculiar work of the Spirit.

the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him, neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned Indeed natural reason from Scripture principles, may strongly argue the truth of this way of salvation against the Papist and other ⟨p. 221⟩Hereticks; but natural reason can't satisfie men about those scripture principles: yea though natural reason be enlightned by a common work of the Spirit, so as to be greatly affected with the Gospel for a time, yet it cannot assure a man of the truth of it, neither is it possible for Satan to work any such assurance in men: men are sometimes afraid whether the discovery they have had were not the delusions of the Devil: but though the Devil may comfort false hearts, and fill them with joy, yet he cannot assure men of the truth of the Gospel: for he can only raise those principles that are in men, and not put a new principle of faith in them; whereby it is that the truth of the Gospel is discerned: neither can the Devil give a discovery to the soul of the glorious nature of God, or excellency of Christ, so as that the heart should trust him, love him, &c. Satan can make no such discoveries to a natural man, as a natural mind is uncapable of receiving, so that this assurance is the peculiar work of the Spirit.

From this particular we may conclude the Faith of two sorts of persons to be false: on this account that they never have been assured of the truth of the Gospel.

1. Such as are persuaded of the truth of the Gospel only from tradition: the bottom of many mens persuasions is the profession and judgment of such men among whom they live: this is the doctrine that they have been bred up in, the principle that their Parents have taught them: they abhor to have any thoughts to the contrary, because they have been Educated in this way, upon the same ground that a ⟨p. 222⟩Mahometan and Papist is tenacious of the religion of his Country: and as the Heathen were wont to stick to the religion of their Forefathers, Jer. 2.11, 14. Mic. 5. upon this account many receive the Gospel; and this may be a great advantage to men, because they are brought under means, and are kept from prejudices against the Gospel; and so tradition cannot be true faith: men cannot be assured of the Gospel upon this foundation; this can only be the bottom of a strong opinion, and conjecture, not of Assurance.

1. Such as are perswaded of the truth of the Gospel only from tradition: the bottonie of many mens perswasions is the profession and judgment of such men among whom they live: this is the doctrine that they have been bred up in, the principle that their Parents have taught them: they abhor to have any thoughts to the contrary, because they have been Educated in this way, upon the same ground that a ⟨p. 222⟩Mahometan and Papist is tenacious of the religion of his Country: and as the Heathen were wont to stick to the religion of their Forefathers, Jer. 2.11, 14. Mic. 5. upon this account many receive the Gospel; and this may be a great advantage to men, because they are brought under means, and are kept from prejudices against the Gospel; and so tradition cannot be true faith: men cannot be assured of the Gospel upon this foundation; this can only be the bottom of a strong opinion, and conjecture, not of Assurance.

2. There is also another sort, whose Faith does appear from hence to be unsound: namely, such who believed that God meant them in the calls of the Gospel, because they found some good affections in themselves: if their heart had been dead and unsavoury, they could not have thought that God called them: but the foundation of their believing that they were invited, was, they found some goodness in themselves: but certainly this was built upon conjecture, and an opinion of their own: and therefore they could not be assured of it: they had no assurance that they were called, though they might have a strong confidence, yet they could not be assured from thence that they were invited

2. In the first closure of the soul with Christ, the Soul comes to him, merely upon the encouragement of the call of God in the Gospel: God invites sinners in the Gospel, to come to Christ, and many ways urgeth them so to do: and from thence the soul takes its encouragement.

2. In the first closure of the soul with Christ, the Soul comes to him, meerly upon the incouragement of the call of God in the Gospel: God invites sinners in the Gospel, to come to Christ, and many ways urgeth them so to do: and from thence the soul takes its encouragement.

There were many other things that encouraged ⟨p. 223⟩them before to wait upon God for converting grace, as the power of God; Gods converting of others, his strivings with him by his Spirit, but the thing that is his encouragement to come to Christ, is the call of the Gospel: he sees his warrant in the call of the Gospel: the call of the Gospel is the foundation of his faith: that is the reason of his faith that God calls him in his Word. The call of God does contain in it sufficient encouragement to believe; for therein God shows his readiness to save sinners, therein he shows that there is a way of salvation prepared for them: therein he binds his faithfulness to them, and lays bonds upon himself to save them if they come to Christ, and this is the encouragement to them to believe, Acts 13 48. they glorified the Word of the Lord, and as many, for it may be read, such as were ordained to eternal life believed.

There were many other things that encouraged ⟨p. 223⟩them before to wait upon God for converting grace, as the power of God; Gods converting of others, his strivings with him by his Spirit, but the thing that is his encouragement to come to Christ, is the call of the Gospel: he sees his warrant in the call of the Gospel: the call of the Gospel is the foundation of his faith: that is the reason of his faith that God calls him in his Word. The call of God does contain in it sufficient encouragement to believe; for therein God shews his readiness to save sinners, therein he shews that there is a way of salvation prepared for them: therein he binds his faithfulness to them, and lays bonds upon himself to save them if they come to Christ, and this is the encouragement to them to believe, Acts 13 48. they glorified the Word of the Lord, and as many, for it may be read, such as were ordained to eternal life believed.

For the right understanding of this:

Consider 1.

1. It is indifferent with this first closing with Christ, whether the soul takes notice of the call to believe as Gods call or Christs call: some souls in their first closing, take notice that Christ calls them: others that God calls them: and it is no material thing which of these ways it be: if either the soul hear God, or hear Christ calling him, the answer to that call is true faith: for there is sufficient warrant for us to come either from the voice of God, or the voice of Christ: this is an abundant demonstration of it: that the call of the Gospel is sometimes propounded to us in Scripture as the call of God, Jer. 3.22. Gal. 3.15. 2 Tim. 1.9. and sometimes ⟨p. 224⟩it is propounded unto us as the call of Christ, Rev, 3.18.20. there is this difference between them, that Christ calls us by an authority derived from God: God does derive his authority from none: but Jesus Christ as Mediator does derive his authority from God: but his authority is a sufficient warrant, Mat. 17.5. hear him: and hence Ministers may indifferently invite men in the name of God or Christ, 2 Cor. 5.20. now then we are Ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us, we pray you in Christs stead be ye reconciled to God.

3. There is no necessity that at the time of the souls closing with Christ he should be reading or hearing the call of the Gospel: it is by those calls, but many times they do not prevail while a man is hearing of them but afterwards: sometimes it is in the very time of hearing, Acts 14.1, 2. Acts 2.41. but it may be as well afterwards: it may be in time of prayer, and often is, or in meditation: God does it for them that wait upon him in his Ordinances, but not always in the time of Ordinances: thus it is with other works of the Spirit, awakening of sinners, comforting of Saints and Sinners, Mat. 21.29 be said I will not, but afterwards he repented and went.

3. There is no necessity that at the time of the souls closing with Christ he should be reading or hearing the call of the Gospel: it is by those calls, but many times they do not prevail while a man is hearing of them but afterwards: sometimes it is in the very time of hearing, Acts 14.1, 2. Acts 2.41. but it may be as well afterwards: it may be in time of prayer, and often is, or in meditation: God does it for them that wait upon him in his Ordinances, but not always in the time of Ordinances: thus it is with other works of the Spirit, awakening of finners, comforting of Saints and Sinners, Mat. 21.29 be said I will not, but afterwards he repented and went.

3. There is no necessity that this closure with Christ should be wrought by the letter of the Scriptures: frequently it is by some particular word; but it is many times otherwise: sometimes the thing is urged by a Minister, according to the Scripture, and God makes some sentence that he speaks effectual, Acts 16.31, 32. so sometimes in meditation God makes men see the general call of the Gospel, though no particular place be pitched upon: thus 'tis sometimes afterwards with Saints.

3. There is no necessity that this closure with Christ should be wrought by the letter of the Scriptures: frequently it is by some particular word; but it is many times otherwise: sometimes the thing is urged by a Minister, according to the Scripture, and God makes some sentence that he speaks effectual, Acts 16.31, 32. so somtimes in meditation God makes men see the general cal of the Gospel, though no particular place be pitched upon: thus 'tis sometimes afterwards with Saints.