THis blessed servant of God , Steven , being called to account concerning what he had said touching Jesus Christ his destroying the Temple , it is the scope of his whole Discourse throughout this Chapter , to justifie the Doctrine that he had taught ; that though he had taught Jesus of Nazareth should destroy that place , yet in so teaching , he taught no Blasphemy : And this he doth in an Historical Narration make clear and evident :

1. From the sweet Communion which their Fathers had with God before either Temple or Tabernacle was built : and if so , then he would not have them look at it as unsafe for them , or as an utter ruine to Religion , if that both the Temple and the Ordinances of the Temple were destroyed in themselves , and fulfilled in Him . Three passages of Abrahams communion with God , Steven doth relate and maintain that he had them before any of Moses his Customes were known .

1. God did effectually call him ; which call he did also obey , ( 2 , 3 , 4. ver. ) though as yet he knew no Circumcision .

2. God giveth him a trial of his Faith , wherein he found Abraham faithful , 5 , 6 , 7. verses . God promised to give him the land of Canaan for a Possession , but he gave him not a foots breadth . He promised to give it unto his Seed , when as yet he had no childe : and when God gave him Seed , yet they should sojourn in a strange Land , and be in Bondage four hundred years .

3. God gave him the Covenant of Circumcision , in the words of the Text. And Abraham in the strength of the Blessing of God begat Isaac , and circumcised him according to Gods direction ; and all this before Moses gave any Ordinances unto them to keep ; and before either Temple , or Tabernacle was built . From hence we have heard , that the soul may have very spiritual and gracious communion with God , before it partake in any seal of Church-fellowship . For Abrahams Faith was throughly tryed before he had the Seal of Church-Covenant given him . We heard also this propounded , which is the words of the Text , that God gave unto Abraham the Covenant of Circumcision : which Doctrine doth imply in it four principal parts , all of them serving to clear Stevens meaning .

1. The Author and manner of dispensing it : God gave , so it was by Gift .

2. The Articles of it ; and they are to be inquired into .

3. The Confederates , and they are expressed ; God on the one side , and Abraham and his Seed on the other side .

4. The Seal of it , Circumcision , which was also the Seal of Church-Covenant . These four parts do yeeld so many Notes ; the first of them was spoken unto in the last point formerly handled . Now for the second and third parts , ( to wit , the Articles of the Covenant , and the Confederates ) we comprehend them both in this one Note .

That in the Covenant which God made with Abraham , Doct. God gave himself to be a God to Abraham , and to his Seed ; and received Abraham and his Seed to be a People unto himself ; and the chiefest of this seed , the Lord Jesus Christ , he took to be the Mediator , or Surety of this Covenant between them both . This is the sum of the Articles , and of the Confederates : what the Articles be , is not here mentioned ; but Gen. 17.7 . they be , ( for to speak of Circumcision before the Covenant , it is but a seal to a blank ) where the Lord expresseth himself thus , saying , I will stablish my Covenant between me and thee , and thy seed after thee , in their generations , for an everlasting Covenant , to be a God unto thee , and to thy seed after thee . As for other parts of the Covenant , they were more properly given unto himself , as to be exceeding fruitful , and to be the Father of many Nations , to inherit the land of Canaan , &c. those things were more peculiarly proper unto Abraham , though they have also a moral and universal use and force in all the Faithful , whom the Lord doth make fruitful , and giveth them a Nail in his Tabernacle . In the Covenant these three things are implied :

1. God gave himself to be a God unto Abraham , and to his Seed : this is such an Argument as the strength and wisdome of men and angels cannot unfold : It is a Catechism-point , and by way of Catechism to be opened , ( as the Lord hath revealed it ) I mean , plainly , and familiarly .

2 God did receive Abraham , and his Seed , to be his People : this is implyed , and necessarily inferred by the rule of Relatives : for if God do give himself to be a God to Abraham , and to his Seed , and doth not firstly require it of Abraham and of his Seed that they should give up themselves to be his People , then it must of necessity follow , that the Lord will undertake to receive them to be a People unto himself , and so he will perform both his own part of the Covenant , and Abrahams part also , according to what we read , Deut. 7.6 , 7 , 8. The Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special People unto himself : Not because ye were in number more then any people , ( for ye were the fewest of all people : but because he loved you , and would keep the Oath we● he had sworn unto your fathers , therefore hath be brought you out with a mighty hand , &c. when as they were in a land of Idols , and the Lord lifted up his hand to have destroyed them there ; yet he remembred , and wrought for his own Names sake : So that though they were far off , yet the Lord ( to make good his Covenant ) brought them out of Aegypt , and so from one Covenant to another : by all which things it doth appear , that the Lord will keep our part of the Covenant also ; and this is necessarily implied , in that he promiseth to be a God unto Abraham , and to his Seed , and there is no Restipulation on Abrahams part ; we see this likewise held forth ; Deut. 29.1 . & 13. where the Lord entereth into another Covenant with them in the land of Moab , besides the Covenant which he made with them in Horeb ; and in this Covenant he doth establish them to be a People unto himself , as well as give himself unto them to be their God , ver. 13. And as God required it of them to circumcise the outward man , even the foreskin of their children ; so he will also circumcise them , taking possession of them , and circumcising their hearts , taking away the stoniness of them , and so fitting them to be a Temple for himself to dwell in .

3. The Lord in this Covenant taketh the chiefest of Abrahams Seed , even the Lord Jesus Christ , to be the Mediator and Surety of the Covenant , and unto him do all the Promises belong ; so the Apostle doth expound it , Gal. 3.16 . Unto Abraham , and to his seed were the Promises made : He saith not , And to his seeds , as of many , but as of one , And to thy seed ; which is Christ . And so by him are all the Promises and Blessings of the Covenant conveyed unto Abraham , and to his seed , ( his faithful seed ) all the world over : and therefore he is called the Mediator of a better Covenant , Heb. 7.22 . meaning the Covenant of Grace , Heb. 3.6 . These three things do contain the sum of the Covenant of Grace , and of the Gospel of Jesus Christ , and would therefore be plainly discovered unto Christians : As ,

1. What is the meaning of this , that God gave himself unto Ahraham ?

2. How doth he take Abraham , and his seed , and make them his People ?

3. How doth he take Jesus Christ , and make him the surety of the Covenant between them both ? For the Covenant is established , and so is a firm , and sure , and everlasting Covenant : Now in this gift , that God gave himself unto Abraham , Observe 3. things , 1. The Blessing given . 2. The Order in which it was given . 3. The manner of giving it .

1. In the Blessing given : when God doth by Covenant give himself to be a God , it doth imply 2. things .

1. That God doth give himself , the Father , the Son , and the Holy Ghost ; the whole Nature of God , and all the Persons of the Godhead , with all the Attributes of that Nature , and all the Offices of those Persons : For it is not a confused God , that vanisheth away in a general imagination , but God distinctly considered in his Persons , Attributes , Properties , &c. thus the Lord giveth himself to Abrabam and to his seed : I will be a Father unto you , 2 Cor. 6.28 . and that is not spoken to the Jewes only , but unto all the Israel of God : He giveth the Son also , Isa. 9.6 . Vnto us a Son is born , &c. and God so loved the world , that he gave his only begotten Son : Joh. 3.16 . And for the Holy Spirit , This is my Covenant with them , Joh. 16.7 . & 13. saith the Lord , ( Isa. 59.21 . ) My Spirit that is upon thee , and my words that I have put into thy mouth , shall not depart out of thy mouth , nor out of the mouth of thy seed , nor out of the mouth of thy seeds seed from henceforth , and for ever : and this is it which the Apostle also saith , Gal. 4.6 . God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts , crying , Abba , Father : thus the Lord giveth himself unto his servants from one generation to another . If therefore the Lord God the Father give himself , he will not be wanting to draw his people unto the Son , Joh. 6.44 . No man can come to me , except the Father which hath sent me draw him : And what is the chief business , and work that the Son hath to do about us ? No man can have fellowship with the Father , but he must have fellowship with Jesus Christ ; so our Saviour himself saith , Joh. 14.6 . No man can come unto the Father but by me : this therefore the Lord Jesus Christ will do for all the elect seed of Abraham : He will open their eyes to see , that the Father did not draw them to Damnation , nor utter desolation , but unto Salvation by him : this hath he promised to do . And if it be the work of the Spirit of God to establish us both in the Father and the Son , then will he convince the world of Sin , of Righteousness , and of Judgment , Joh. 16.8 . to 11. and so will stablish our hearts in the Comforts of the Lord our God ; and this is that which the Apostle prayeth for the Ephesians , chap. 3.16 . That the Lord would grant unto them according to the riches of his glory , to be strengthned with might by his spirit in the inner man : and hence it cometh to passe , that what the Lord would have us to do , he is present by his Spirit to teach us , and to strengthen us , and so to do it for us : All these things doth the Lord work for Abraham , and for his seed ; so that look what is meet for a Father to do , or for a Brother to do , or for the Spirit of God to do , that will the Lord do unto his elect ones ; and so he giveth all his Attributes , and they are even God himself ; and therefore when Moses desired to see his Glory ( and he desired it from the Grace that God had shewed him ) Exod. 34.6 . the Lord proclaimed his Name before him , Jehovah , Jehovah , strong , merciful , and gracious , long-suffering and abundant in goodness and truth : thus doth the Lord give himself , and all the Persons in the Godhead ( as they are called ) and Attributes , they are no more , nor other then God himself .

2. And as God himself is implyed ; so when God is given by Covenant , all the Ordinances , and Creatures , and Works of God are given also : For so it was in all Covenants of old time ; when Jehosaphat maketh a Covenant with Ahab King of Israel , 2 King . 22.4 . then , I am as thou art , and my people as thy people , and my ho ses as thy horses , and all that he hath is for Ahabs service ; as the King goeth , so goeth his strength : So thus it doth come to passe , that if the Lord of Hosts be for us , and give himself unto us , then also doth he give us his eternal Election , and Redemption , and whatsoever he hath wrought for the salvation of his Elect : He hath not so dealt with any Nation , ( Psal. 147.20 . ) but only with the Israel of God , unto them hath he given his Lawes , and shewed them his Judgments : And for his Creatures , they are all given to be for his people , to whom he hath given himself : If God be a God unto Abraham , then shall all Gods people be sor him ; Melchizedeck shall blesse him ; Aner , Eshchol , and Mamre shall be confederates with him . The Sun , Moon , and Stars shall fight in their courses for the people of God ; the Sea shall give way unto them , to passe through it on dry ground : What ailed you , ye streams of Jordan , to go backward ? Why , all the creatures of God must stoop unto the people of God , when he is in Covenant with them : this is that which the Lord promiseth unto his people , Hos. 2.18 . to 22. when the Lord shall marry them to him in faithfulness . In that day ( saith the Lord ) I will make a Covenant for them with the beasts of the field , and with the fowls of the heaven , and with the creeping things of the ground ; and I will break the bow , and the sword , and the battel out of the earth , and I will make them to lie down safely . And it shall come to passe in that day , I will hear the Heavens , and they shall hear the Earth , and the earth shall hear the Corn , and the Wine , and the Oyl , and they shall hear Jezreel . Whether Paul or Apollo ; or Cephas , or the World , or Life , or Death , or things present , or things to come , all are yours , 1 Cor. 3.22 . This is the large Gift of Gods Covenant : Nay , and ( which is wonderful , and beyond all comprehension ) when I say all the creatures and ordinances of God are ours , the very expression of the phrase doth imply that the Lord giveth himself to be the staffe and strength of them , so that you shall see the presence of God in them ; he will not only give a man Wife , and Children , and Ordinances , and Providences , but he himself will be in all these , and blesse his people in the enjoyment of them all , so as that they shall enjoy God in all : Psal. 16.5 , 6. The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance . He saw the Lord in what he did enjoy ; and when he had any thing , it was in God ; and when he wanted any thing , it was supplied in him . The like did Jacob finde , when his brother Esau came against him with 400. men , and the Lord turned him from the fierceness of his wrath : here was the Covenant of Abraham , the Lord gave him the mouth , and arms , and tears of his brother Esau ; what saith Jacob to all this ? Gen. 33.10 . I have seen thy face as though I had seen the face of God : He saw the power and mercy of God in changing the countenance of his elder Brother : and that is it which sweetneth all that a man doth enjoy ; the loving kindness of God in all , is the Blessing of all : and this likewise doth Jacob acknowledge , Gen. 33.5 . These are the Children which God of his grace hath given me ; and so he looked at them , as Gods wives , and children , and servants , and cattel ; and this is the very life of the Covenant of Grace , when as the Lord is wrapped up in all his Blessings , when as he giveth himself , and in himself his Christ , and in Christ , Peter , and Paul , and all things unto his Church . This is the main thing given , God himself , the God of the Covenant , his Persons , Nature , Ordinances , Providences , and now Abraham is made the Lord of the world , and so the Apostle doth interpret it , Rom. 4.13 . The Promise that he should be heir of the world , was not to Abraham , nor to his seed through the Law , but through the righteousness of Faith ; and this is that which Abraham did receive , in receiving the Lord to be his God .

2. In the order of giving the Covenant , there is something to be observed :

1. God giveth first , and not the Creature , it was not Abraham that gave unto God first ; for which of all the creatures shall offer a Covenant unto the mighty God ? Rom. 11.35 . Who hath given unto him first ? and it shall be recompensed unto him again ; the Lord hath the pre-eminence in giving ; for what should Abraham give unto God , if God give not something unto him first ? he is the first giver .

2. He is also the first thing in order that is given : For doth he give the world first ? or ordinances first ? or any other spiritual or temporal blessings first ? No doubtless , the Lord is the first thing that he giveth by his Covenant , and with himself all things else also ; Rom. 8.32 . and there is the precedency of Jesus Christ ; he is given , and in him all spiritual blessings , as the Apostle saith , Eph. 1.3 . Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ , who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus . And this for the order in giving the Covenant , not obedience first , nor faith first , nor any thing else first , but Himself is Donum primum , & primarium , and in him all his goodness .

3. For the Manner of giving ; in that he giveth himself , there is implied both the freedom and eternety of the gift : Firmness therefore , and that unto eternity . In that he giveth himself , it must of necessity be done freely ; for what can any creature give to purchase God ? if a man could give thousands of worlds , they were not enough to redeem or purchase one soul ; and if he had millions of worlds to give , what were they all to purchase so great a gift as God himself is ? therefore it must needs be of free gift ; for the creature can do nothing to prevent God : God indeed may give with a purpose to receive back again ; but he looketh to receive no more then what he first giveth us , and giveth us strength of Will and Deed to give him back again . He required this of Abraham , that he should walk before him , and be upright , Gen. 17.1 . but the very truth is , though Abraham shall perform these things in an Evangelical manner ; yet God himself doth undertake in this Covenant to be the Author and Finisher both of his Faith and Obedience , Heb. 12.2 . And this doth argue the marvelous freedome of the Covenant of Grace : for the Lord offereth it out of his Grace , without the foresight of Faith , or Works ; for he undertaketh to give both Will and Deed of his good pleasure , Phil. 2.13 .

But it may be said , Object . Did not the Lord except it , that he should give himself back again , or else the Lord would not give himself ?

Truly then it had not been of Free-grace : Answ. But as you see sometimes great Princes will take in a neighbour-Nation into league with them , and not tell them of it : so doth the Lord deal with his elect ones ; he maketh a Covenant with Christ , and taketh us into that Covenant , otherwise he should not at all intend it effectually , nor ever give himself unto us ; for we are not able to give our selves unto him till he first take us . For if Abraham did give himself , it was because God did take him first ; and therefore it is that the Apostle telleth us that the Lord took hold of Paul , that he might take hold upon the Lord , Phil. 3.12 . I follow after , if that I may apprehend that , for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus : is not he the Father that hath bought us ? hath not he made us , & established us ? Deut. 32.6 . If we give up our selves unto the Lord , it is because the Lord hath taken hold upon our hearts first .

But doth not the Lord require of him to circumcise his seed the eighth day ? Object .

So he doth indeed , Answ. but the Lord giveth him that also : God the Father seeth it needfull for their everlasting Salvation , therefore he doth give him Circumcision , and giveth him the grace to circumcise his children : I know that the Lord doth call for many things under a covenant of Grace , but then the Lord doth

1. Work those things in them : And ,

2. He will have them know , that those things are nothing , without the working of his Grace . It is true , he may circumcise Isaac , but who shall circumcise the heart of Isaac ? it is a small matter to circumcise the flesh : so it is a small matter for us to baptize with water ; but who must wash us from our sins , save only the Lord our God ? so that he doth secretly intimate , that what his poor servants do outwardly , he would do it inwardly and effectually . The children of Israel shall at the Lords commandment march about the city Jericho seven daies together , and not speak a word , and hereby the wals of the city shall fall down flat ; of what use were these weapons to such an end ? what would the Lord shew his people hereby ? hereby he teacheth them to know by what ability and power to bring mighty things to pass : they shall do duties as the Lord commandeth them , but he himself will breath in them to make them effectual . For though we do never so much , yet we cannot reach unto the accomplishment of any good thing ; not by might , nor by strength , but by my Spirit : the Lord therefore by his Spirit must work all our works for us : Here is the freeness of Gods Covenant , in that the Lord giveth himself first , Jer. 32.40 . I will make an everlasting Covenant with them , that I will not turn away from them to do them good : but I will put my fear in their hearts , that they shall not depart from me . You may speak of Conditions in this kinde : but the Lord doth undertake both for his own part , and for our parts also : for as the Covenant is free , so the Lord will freely maintain , and preserve all his Elect , and all from the immutable Nature of God ; it is not possible that God should lye : I am Jehovah , I change not , Mal. 3.6 . therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed : Hence springeth our Eternity , and perseverance unto it ( Rom. 11.29 . ) for the gifts and callings of God are without repentance : And I am perswaded ( saith the Apostle Paul ) that he that hath begun this work will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ , Phil. 1.6 . The Lord took your Father Abram , and brought him from the other side of the floud : Josh. 24.3 . and he being called , obeyed , Heb. 11.8 . Thus ( mind ye ) the Lord dealeth in the Covenant of Grace ; he looketh towards those that look not towards him , as is held forth , Hos. 3.3 . where the Lord biddeth the Prophet love a woman that was an adulteress , and say unto her , Thou shalt be for me , and I will be for thee ; this is a branch of the Covenant , when the Lord doth undertake to receive Abraham and his seed unto himself ; his giving himself unto them doth breed a reciprocal returning of them unto him . Now it may be demanded ,

How the Lord did take Abraham and his seed to be his people ? Quest.

By a double Act : As , Answ.

1. Of Preparation , not on Abrahams part , nor on his seeds part , but on his own part , the Lord prepared them .

2. The Lord did invest him with the Blessings of this Covenant .

1. For Preparation : the Lord prepareth them by a double work of his Spirit , which are manifest in all the seed of Abraham .

1. By a spirit of bondage , whereby he cutteth off the seed of Abraham from all worldly intanglements , and delights : thus God took Abraham , and brought him from beyond the floud , and so doth he take men off from their countreys and fathers houses ; he separates them from all such things , that he might draw them unto himself : thus he dealt with the children of Israel , and called them to be a singular People unto himself , Deut. 7.6 , 7 , 8. Thus doth the Lord deal with all those , whom he receiveth to be a people unto himself : by this spirit of Bondage , he draweth them from all their sinful lusts , and passions , so as that they can finde no life in them , nor any hope of mercy at all in any thing : by this Bondage , the Lord setteth home unto the consciences of men , the weight and danof their sins , and bindeth them under the sense of his wrath unto fear of Damnation . The Romans first received the spirit of Bondage to fear , before ever they came to receive the Spirit of Adoption , Rom. 8.25 . But thus the Lord doth even shut a Soul out of doors , that he may open to him another and a better way .

2. The Lord also prepareth his people by a Spirit of burning , which upon a Spirit of Bondage he doth shed abroad into the hearts of men : this we read of , Mal. 4.1 . Behold , the day cometh that shall burn as an oven , and all the proud , and all that do wickedly shall be as stubble , and the day that cometh shall burn them up , and it shall leave them neither root nor branch . It is spoken of the Ministery of John Baptist , which did burn like an oven against all the Scribes and Pharisees , and left them neither the root of Abrahams Covenant , nor the branch of their own good Works . He cutteth them off from the Covenant of Abraham , Mat. 3.9 . Think not to say within your selves that you have Abraham to your Father ; for I say unto you , that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham : and so by cutting them off from the Root , he leaveth them no ground to trust on . From their good Works also the Lord Jesus Christ cutteth them off , Mat. 6.2 . When thou dost thine alms , sound not a Trumpet before thee as the Hypocrites do , that they may have the glory of men : and vers. 5. When thou prayest , thou shalt not be as the Hypocrites are , &c. and vers. 16. When ye Fast , ye shall not be as the Hypocrites are , of a sad countenance , &c. This was a Spirit of Burning which the Lord conveyed by the Ministry of Christ , and of John Baptist , to burn up all the Hypocrites like stubble ; and the beauty of their works were blasted by it : and this is Gods usual manner of dealing . Now there are many under a spirit of bondage , that never came under a spirit of burning ; and they being convinced of sin , and of the danger thereof , yet hope to wrestle it out , and work it out by their own performances , till the spirit of Burning come and consume all that false confidence . But when the spirit of Burning cometh , he then blasteth all the fruits and branches of their righteousness , and burns up all that a man hath wrought , or can work . And this is that which the Prophet Esay , chap. 4.4 . speaketh of , that the Lord will purge away the filth of the Daughter of Zion , with a Spirit of Judgment , and of Burning ; the one is a spirit of Sanctification , and the other is a consuming Fire , which forceth them not to build any comfort upon any works that they have done : this may Hypocrites reach unto in their judgments , so as that they may be convinced that they have neither root within them , nor branch growing upon them ; and yet in the mean while they may not come unto a Spirit of Adoption : but hereby also the Lord useth to prepare his people . Some bless themselves in worldly courses , and never came unto a spirit of bondage . Some do finde comfort in their performances , and never saw the vanity of their own Righteousness : But there are those whom the Lord doth carry further , unto a spirit of burning , even unto a sensible feeling of Gods wrath burning against whatsoever is as stubble , ( and such is a mans own gifts , and parts , and worth ) so that now the poor soul findeth that he hath no Root , not any sure mercy of the Covenant of Grace , that he can rest upon : no green branch of righteousness remaining , but all is blasted and broken in pieces , according to what the Prophet Isay saith , chap. 40.6 , 7. All flesh is grass , and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field : the grass withereth , and the flower fadeth ; because the Spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it : and so the Lord cometh to leave a man neither Root nor Branch : For by a spirit of Bondage the Lord blasteth all flesh : but when it cometh unto the goodliness of flesh , that is consumed by a spirit of Burning .

2. As God thus prepareth us for himself : so he doth give himself unto us , and taketh possession of us by his blessed Spirit : the Father giveth himself and his Son by his blessed Spirit , ( for the Spirit it is by which he doth visit the hearts of his people ) and this is the main Blessing of the Covenant of Grace . For the better clearing of it , it may be demanded ,

How doth the Lord give himself unto his People , Quest. and his People back again to receive him ?

1. They being thus prepared , Answ. the Spirit of God taketh up his seat in the soul , by making it a Temple unto himself , in the Name of the Father , and of the Son ; and so are they made an habitation of God through the Spirit , Ephes. 2.22 . Because ye are Sons , God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts , &c. Gal. 4.6 . ( He speaketh not of sons by actual Regeneration , but by Gods eternal Counsel . ) The fame Spirit is also called the Comforter , whom Jesus Christ hath promised to send , Joh. 16.7 , 8 , 9. If I depart , I will send you the Comforter ; and when he is come , he will reprove the world of sin , of righteousness , and of judgment ; of sin , because they beleeve not in me : this the Holy Ghost convinceth men of , to be the greatest misery of the soul , that they have not beleeved upon Jesus Christ . And look as a talent of gold , or some weighty metal falling into a vessel of water , dasheth out all that is in the vessel , to make room for it self : so the Lord Jesus Christ coming into the soul , dasheth out all watry confidences , and maketh room for himself . And in very deed , because the heart of man is not only like unto water , but is hard as yee , and strong ; therefore the Spirit of God cometh like fire , and melteth the iron stone of the heart , and softneth it into flesh ; so that now the soul is utterly at a loss , not only in regard of his sins , but in regard of his best works also ; and is most of all convinced of his unbelief . Now this holy Spirit of God being thus shed abroad into the heart , at the very first entrance of it into the soul , as it doth chiefly convince the soul of unbelief ; so ,

2. The same Spirit worketh Faith in the soul , to yeeld himself unto the Lord , to receive the Lord Jesus Christ ; and this is a true saving work ; he now submitteth unto the will of God : so that the Spirit of God becometh unto the soul not only as a Spirit of burning , to consume all that is like stubble ; but doth also melt the iron stone of the heart , and softneth it into flesh , that the word may take deep impression in it : Now there is room for Jesus Christ , now Faith is wrought there ; and now a soul can plead with God by Faith in Prayer : he seeth there is no former safe hold of his Covenant that he can plead , nor any righteousness of his own , but such as hypocrites will quarrel for , and rise up to maintain , as they did against John Baptist , pleading their covenant , and their righteousness : with these things a poor soul is not satisfied : but unto you that fear my Name , shall the Son of righteousness arise with healing in his wings , &c. Mal. 4.2 . Herein is implied such a reverent fear , as distrusting our selves , giveth all the honour to the Lord Jesus : this Fear of the Lord accompanieth Faith , and is of like nature to it : both of them distrusting our selves , and both of them giving all honour to Christ ; the one out of confidence in him , the other out of reverence to him .

Thus it is in our Effectual calling ; the Spirit of God taking possession in our hearts , and working this Faith in us , thereby we submit unto the Lord ; and this is Faith in Jesus Christ , that maketh us one with Christ : for our Effectual calling bringeth us to be one with him , 1 Cor. 1.9 . God is faithful , by whom ye were called into the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ . This fellowship standeth in two things :

1. In the unity of the Spirit , 1 Cor. 6.17 . He that is joyned to the Lord is one Spirit .

2. In a lively Faith on our parts . So that by Beleeving this is the first thing we do , we yeeld unto the work of God ; when this stronger man cometh , to wit , Christ by his Spirit , we yeeld up all our armour to him ; and herein standeth our coming on to be in Christ , and in God the Father , by this Spirit of God that taketh possession of the heart , and hath not only burnt up root and branch of our Legal righteousness , but hath also melted us unto a soft frame to yeeld up our selves unto the Lord ; and now we are fit for any duty , the Lord having possessed us with his powerful presence : herein lyeth our Effectual calling ; and this is true spiritual union between the Lord and our souls . Now this Faith thus wrought in our Effectual calling , is not built upon any conditional promise of Grace pre-existent in us , nor can it be built upon any : but upon some absolute free Promise of God unto the soul , according to what we read , Isai. 43.22 . to 25. Thou hast not called upon me O Jacob , but thou hast been weary of me O Israel ; thou hast not brought me the small cattel of thy burnt-offerings , neither hast thou honoured me with thy sacrifices : I have not caused thee to serve with an offering , nor wearied thee with incense : Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money , neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices ; but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins , thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities : I , even I am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake , and will not remember thy sins . In all this we see the absolute freeness of the Grace of God . But if the Promise be conditional , it is a condition subsequent to Faith , not antecedent before it .

You will say , Object . Though some may be converted by such an absolute Promise , yet some other mans Faith may be built upon a conditional Promise , and the condition preexistent .

I pray you consider it : Answ. If it be a Condition , it is to some good Qualification or other , some good work or other of the Spirit of God in the heart of a Christian . Was this work wrought before Conversion , or after ? Every Christian knoweth , that all works before conversion are but dross , and dung : to apply promises to such works , were indeed to build upon a sandy foundation . What say you then to works after conversion ? All works after conversion are fruits of Faith ; and if they proceed from Faith , then faith went before , then a mans faith was not built upon a conditional promise ; how is it possible that it should ? when as all works after conversion , are either fruits of Faith , or else they are no true sanctification ; then faith went before in order of Nature , and so was not built upon works , but works upon it .

Our Faith closeth with Christ upon a promise of Free-Grace , Calvin . Inst. l. 3. c. 2. s . 29. otherwise ( as saith Calvin ) my faith would alwaies be trembling and wavering , as my works be . Upon a promise of Free-Grace therefore my Faith is built , as upon the promise of God in Christ reconciling the world unto himself , 2 Cor. 5.18 , 19. The word is ( it may be ) spoken outwardly unto all Christians : but if God do set it home particularly unto any Soul , that man receiveth this Gift of God , and it is made his own : First , he beleeveth the promise of Free-grace , and then afterward come other promises , that do bear witness unto the right application of that promise unto the soul : but I am first built upon a promise of Free-grace , or else there is no true closing with Jesus Christ : well then , being thus united unto Christ , from this union with Christ do flow all other blessings and benefits of the Covenant of Grace : for hence springeth communion with Christ in all spiritual blessings , that the Lord hath wrought for us in him ; and they are two of them Relative blessings ( as they are called by Divines ) & two of them positive blessings . The two Former are laid up in Gods own Hand , and are not created in us : the other two positive Blessings are created in us .

1. For the uncreated Blessings , They are 1. Adoption . 2. Justification . And they spring immediately ( simul & semel ) from the former union with Christ ; for as soon as ever the Spirit of God is in our hearts , and hath wrought faith , that we do not spurn against Jesus Christ , but receive him , now is the Divine Nature of Christ in us , and we are now become the sons of God , as Christ himself is . Look as in a mans first natural conception , as soon as ever one doth live , there is an heir of Adam , even so soon as the soul liveth : so it is in the new spiritual Birth ; as soon as the Holy Ghost cometh , and hath wrought this Faith , now is the Seed of God in us , the Life of Christ , and the Spirit of God ; and now we are the Sons of God , as we read Joh. c. 12. As many as received him , to them he gave power to be the sons of God . Immediately upon this union with Christ , we are Sons by Adoption ; and as we are adopted , so likewise our sins are now imputed unto Christ , and his righteousness unto us , and so our persons are justified . For how , and when was Adams sin imputed unto us ? Psal. 51.5 . Behold , I was shapen in iniquity , in sin did my mother conceive me : So soon as over there was life , it was the life of Adam , and then the imputation of Adams sin falleth immediately upon the soul . So when we do receive Christ by this living Faith , having the Life of Christ in us , we have the righteousness of Christ ( the second Adam ) imputed to us . For what doth the childe in the womb ? though it doth neither good nor evil , but is meerly passive , yet sinful it is , and a childe of Adam : So also in this our Regeneration , the soul receiveth Christ by that Faith which the Lord hath wrought in it , whereby also it is made capable of the priviledg of Adoption ; and so the Lord accounteth us his children , and imputeth the Righteousness of his Son unto us , whereby we are Justified . These things do dwell in Gods Bosome , and the meaning of them is afterwards revealed unto the soul ; but communicated they are , both that of Adoption , and this of Justification , by this gift of faith wrought in us . But we are still upon the first work of conversion , wherein a Christian is only passive , and receptive ; and truly it must needs be so in the first work of God upon us .

2. Now for the Positive Blessings that are wrought in us : They are 1. Sanctification . 2. Glorification .

1. When we are called , then are we Sanctified , then are we Glorified , 1 Cor. 1.2 . as in our natural conception , as soon as ever the childe liveth , Adams sin is first imputed , and then there is a proneness in it to carry it captive unto fin , and to make it backward unto any goodness : So when the Life of Christ is dispensed unto the soul , now the Lord comes to convey with it Justification , or pardon of sin , and then there is a promise in a Justified person to walk in the spirit , Gal. 5.25 . If we live in the Spirit , let us also walk in the Spirit . By Faith our hearts come to be purified , Acts 15.9 . and the same Spirit quickneth us unto holy duties , so that we live , yet not we , but Christ liveth in us ; neither are we only in his hand , but the Spirit sanctifying , draweth us into an holy confederacy to serve God in Family , Church , and Common-wealth ; and this Sanctification groweth , and encreaseth more and more , 2 Cor. 7.1 . 1 Thes. 4.1 . & 5.23 .

2. The other positive gift is Glorification , which we read of , Rom. 8.30 . Whom he called , them also he justified ; and whom he justified , them also he glorified : this the Apostle Peter mentioneth , 1 Pet. 5.10 . The God of all grace hath called us into his eternal glory it Christ Jesus : And in truth , he hath begun the work from the time that he first began to sanctifie us , 2 Tim. 1.9 . He hath saved us , and called us : from the very first time that God worketh upon the soul graciously , there is a glorious work in that soul ; and others may see it , though himself sometimes seeth nothing that he hath received . Thus we see the second branch of the Doctrine opened , How the Lord doth receive Abraham and his seed unto himself , preparing them by a spirit of Bondage , and of Burning , and then taking possession of them savingly by the inhabitation of the blessed Spirit ; the same Spirit begetting Faith , we are alive in Jesus Christ , and so come to be Adopted , and Justified in him : the same Faith which receiveth Adoption and Justification , doth begin to stir a little , and to breath forth into gracious desires , and some holy mourning , and beginneth now to put forth such works as the holy Ghost carrieth the soul an end in ; working all our works in us , and for us .

3. Now for the third and last part of the Doctrine : The Lord took the chiefest of Abrahams seed to be the Mediator of this Covenant , unto whom all the Promises were made , Gal. 3.16 .

How did the Lord constitute him so to be ? Quest.

1. By a double Act : first , Answ. by receiving Jesus Christ the Son of the Virgin Mary , to be one Person with the second in Trinity , hereby laying a ground of a firm Mediation between God and us : for Jesus Christ being of Gods Nature , therefore he will be faithful unto God ; and being of our Nature , therefore he will be compassionate towards us . And here is the root of all the life and power of this Mediation , to wit , this Personal Union of the Son of man , with the second Person in Trinity , which is a firm and everlasting Union

2. By Gods giving him to be a Covenant , Isa. 42.6 . I will give thee for a Covenant of the People , for a Light of the Gentiles . What is meant hereby ? the Lord meaneth , that he giveth him to be a Mediator of this Covenant :

1. To receive from God all the promises and gracious gifts , whatsoever is requisite for him to be , King , Priest , and Prophet ; and all these things he receiveth from the hand of the Father , Col. 1.19 . for it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell : thus he becometh a plentiful Redeemer . And as the Lord gave him to be a Covenant , so he giveth him also to work all things needful for our Redemption ; partly by his passion , and obedience unto the Death of the Cross , Phil. 2.8 . and partly by fulfilling all the righteousness of the Law , Mat. 3.15 . The Lord Jesus Christ did fully accomplish whatsoever was requisite for him to accomplish in his own Person .

2. He doth perform all things needful for the Application of this Redemption unto our souls , Isa. 26.12 . And to this end , he it is that sheadeth abroad his Spirit into our hearts , Joh. 15.26 . & 16.7 . and when this blessed Spirit cometh , he applieth unto the soul all this gracious Redemption of Jesus Christ , by giving Jesus Christ and all the Fruits of his redemption , and by working all those blessed works , that the souls of his people come to be partakers of ; and so performeth all those conditions that are required on our parts : if it be needful for us to have Faith , he will work it in us ; if it be needful for us to live a life of Faith , he will help us so to live , for it is not of our selves , it is the gift of God : Eph. 2.9 . Thus hath the Lord made him a compleat Mediator of this holy Covenant ; and whatsoever we receive , we receive from him : for unto him first , as the head of the Church , are all blessings given ; and unto us , all promises in him are Yea , and in him Amen , 2 Cor. 1.20 . for though Christ be not a sinner in his own Person , yet in respect of his Members , he is many times lost in them , though not in himself ; and poor in them , though not in himself : for us therefore he receiveth the Promises of God ; and that is the great security of them , that they are laid up safe in him , and belong unto us if we have union with the Head ; and in him we perform whatsoever God requireth ; whether we pray , or preach , or hear , we do all in the Name of Jesus Christ , going forth in his strength , and power : Col. 3.17 . Thus is the Lord Jesus Christ a firm surety of this better Covenant , stablished upon better Promises , Heb. 8.6 .

In the first place : Use 1 This may teach us a broad difference between the Covenant of Works , and the Covenant of Grace . In the Covenant of Works ,

The Lord offereth Himself as a Father , Diff. 1 his Son as a Redeemer , his Spirit as a Sanctifier ; but this is still upon a condition of obedience : if they shall keep his Laws , and obey his voice , then they shall be a peculiar treasure unto him above all people , Exod. 19.5 , 6. This also they undertake to do , Deut. 5.27 . All that the Lord our God shall speak unto thee , we will hear it , and do it ; but , O saith God , that there was such an heart in them , vers. 29. When they rebelled , he did not pardon them graciously , but the Angel whom he sendeth with them , he biddeth them beware of him , and obey his voice , and provoke him not , for he will not pardon your transgressions , for my Name is in him : In the Covenant of Grace he will , but not in this : here is indeed a conditional Redeemer and Saviour ; and so it is expressed , Isa. 63.8 , 9 , 10. He was their Saviour ; in all their affliction he was afflicted , and the Angel of his presence saved them in his love , &c. But they rebelled , and vexed his holy Spirit , therefore he was turned to be their enemy , and fought against them : with many of them God was not well pleased ( almost with none of them ) but overthrew them in the wilderness : Thus in the Covenant of Works all is given upon condition of obedience .

The Lord giving himself , Diff. 2 his Son , and Spirit upon condition , though it be but to Works , yet he is pleased to receive , them into some kinde of Relative Vnion , expressed , Jer. 32.32 . Which my Covenant they brake , although I was an Husband to them . He was married unto them in Church-Covenant , this was some kinde of union : He was their God , and they were his peculiar people ; and yet the Lord cast them off , a generation of his wrath , from this Marriage-Covenant between them and him : from this union there springeth a kinde of Faith , by which the soul cleaveth unto the Lord in some measure ; else there could not be this Marriage-Union ; and this Faith is that of which you read , Psal. 106.12 , 13. They beleeved his words ; they sang his praise : they soon forgat his works : they waited not for his counsel : So also Exod. 14.31 . it is said , They beleeved the Lord , and his servant Moses : this is that Faith which men may receive , and yet may Apostate from it , spoken of , Heb. 6.3 , to 6. For a while some do beleeve , and in time of temptation fall away , Luk. 8.13 . But all that Faith was never grounded upon any free promise of Grace , but all was built upon Ordinances , and Duties , and upon no higher ground . In the 2 Chron. 13.8 , to 12. marvellously strong are the expressions of Abijah , when Jeroboam came against him ; You think to withstand the Kingdom of the Lord in the hand of David , &c. Have not you cast out the Priests of the Lord ? saith he , &c. But as for us , the Lord is our God , and we have not forsaken him ; and the Priests which minister unto the Lord are the Sons of Aaron , and the Levites wait upon their business ; and they burn unto the Lord every morning , and every evening Burat-sacrifices , and sweet Incense ; the Shew-bread also they set in order upon the pure Table , and the Candlestick of gold , with the Lamps thereof , to burn every evening : for we keep the charge of the Lord our God , but ye have forsaken him . And behold , God himself is with us for our Captain , and his Priests with sounding Trumpets to cry Alarm against you . O ye children of Israel , fight ye not against the Lord God of your fathers , for you shall not prosper . Thus we see what Faith he did express ; and hereupon ( vers. 18. ) the children of Israel were brought under , and the children of Judah prevailed ; and yet this Kings heart was not perfect with the Lord his God : 2 King . 15.3 . and yet ( minde you ) a strong confidence he had , that the Lord was with him , and that he would be present with his own ordinances ; there Faith built upon fellowship with Ordinances , like unto that Faith in the Scripture before alledged , Luk. 8.13 . Men are affected with the Word , and beleeve , and finde comfort ; and all this springeth from that Relative communion which they have with the Lord ; they finde refreshing in their way and work , and many times take it for the very Seal of the Spirit of God ; all which may be , and often is found in Hypocrites : but here is the difference ; In a Covenant of Works God giveth himself conditionally ; in that of Grace , absolutely : in both , he maketh a Covenant , in the one of Grace , the other of Works , in which the voice of the Lord is , If you be true to me , then I will not renounce you ; and in this Covenant is Faith found , but it is only built upon such changes as they finde in themselves , and will in the end vanish utterly away .

There is a Difference also that springeth from the fruits of these two Covenants in their continuance : Diff. 3 for though in the Covenant of Works there be a semblance of Justification , and Adoption , and a kinde of Sanctification , yet they endure but for a season ; and therefore he calleth them Lo-ammi , for ye are not my people ; and Lo-ruhamah , for I will no more have mercy , though sometimes they were his people , and he then had mercy on them : they may also have pardon of sin for a season , Psal. 78.37 , 38. Being full of compassion , he forgave their iniquity , and destroyed them not ; yet they were such whose heart was not upright with him , neither were they stedfast in his Covenant : this is plainly held forth in the Parable , Mat. 18.23 , to the end : when the servant had not wherewith to pay his Lord , he fell down and worshipped him , saying , Lord , have patience with me , & I will pay thee all , his Lord was moved with compassion , and loosed him , and forgave him the Debt : but when he had not like compassion on his fellow servant , then his Lord was wroth , and charged all his iniquities upon him , and cast him into prison until he should pay all that was due unto him : So that this pardon is not everlasting , but only respite from outward punishment , and from inward pangs of conscience many times ; and this they take for pardon of sin , and acceptance in Jesus Christ , when indeed they are deluded : So likewise their Sanctification is but for a moment , they come at last some of them to tread under foot the Bloud of the Covenant wherewith they were sanctified , Heb. 10.29 . For , Christ was but a conditional Redeemer unto them : they had only gifts of Tongues , and utterance , and wisdome , and discerning of Spirits , and a common Faith : which things are not that Sanctification which is a fruit of Saving Faith ; but only such gifts as do sanctifie them unto the work of the Ministery perhaps , or Magistracy , and fit them for houshold-government , or the like : and so much positive work there is in them , as doth make them in some measure fit for the work , or service which they are called unto . For a little more explaining of this :

Quest. Is it the same with that Sanctification which is in Gods children ?

God forbid . Answ. All the men in the world are divided into two Ranks ; Godly , or Ungodly ; Righteous , or Wicked ; of wicked men , two sorts ; some are notoriously wicked , others are Hypocrites : of Hypocrites two sorts ( and you shall finde them in the Church of God ) some are washed Swine , others are Goats .

1. The Swine are those of whom our Saviour Christ saith , that they return unto their wallowing in the myre : like unto these are such men , as at the hearing of some Sermon have been stomack-sick of their sins , and have rejected their wicked courses , but yet the swines heart remaineth in them ; and as a swine , when he cometh where the puddle is , will readily lie down in it ; so will these men wallow in the puddle of uncleanness , when their conscience is not pricked for the present : but these are a grosser kinde of Hypocrites .

2. There is another sort that go far beyond these : and those are Goats , so called , Mat. 25.32 , 33. and these are clean beasts , such as chew the cud , meditate upon ordinances ; and they divide the hoof ; they live both in a general , and particular calling , and will not be idle : they are also fit for sacrifice : what then is wanting ? Truly they are not Sheep all this while , they are but Goats ; yet a Goat doth loath that which a Swine will readily break into : but where then do they fall short of the nature of Sheep ? A difference there is , which standeth principally in these Particulars .

1. The Goat is of a capricious Nature , and affecteth eminency ; his Gate also is stately , Prov. 30.31 . Agur reckoneth the Hee-Goat among the four things that are comly in going .

2. And they are full of Ambition ; they cannot abide swamps , and holes , but will be climbing upon the tops of mountains ; there is not that plain , lowly , sheep-like frame , that attendeth unto the voice of the shepherd to be led up and down into fresh pastures : they attend upon their own ends , and will outshoot God in his own bow ; and therefore when they have done many things for Christ , he will say unto them , Depart from me ye workers of iniquity : more eminency they did affect , then they were guided unto : thus it was with Jehu , who in his zeal for God , thought to promote himself ; and herein he will not be perswaded of his sin , and therefore walking along in crooked waies , the Lord led him forth with evil doers ; he cometh at length to cleave unto the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat , who made Israel to sin : notwithstanding you may receive a Goat into Church-fellowship for all his capricious Nature , and he will be a clean creature , and of much good use : the five foolish , ( Mat. 25.2 . ) were all of them virgins , all of them abhorring Idolarry , and all go forth to meet the Bridegroom ; and yet they are foolish , and never shall you make them wise , to be all for Christ , in him , and from him , only hearing and obeying his voice .

3. They are of a rankish nature all of them , specially the old Goats will have an unsavoury relish , far from the pleasant sweetness that is in a Sheep ; and herein hypocrites are greatly different from the Sheep of Christ ; and many times also they do push with the shoulder the poor sheep of Christ , as the Prophet speaketh , Ezek. 34.21 . And they mar the pastures with their feet , and will be at length mudling the fair waters of the Sanctuary also : And in their best sanctification they fall far short of a sheep-like frame of spirit , diligently to hear the voice of the shepherd ; this will not be found in the sanctification of the best hypocrite under heaven ; they may go far , and yet at length fall away : this is no Arminianism , but if you search the Scriptures diligently , you will finde these things to be true . But such instances deceive the Arminians .

There is a fourth Difference between the Covenant of Works and of Grace in re●pect of the Mediator : Diff. 4. Gal. 3.19 . The Law was given and ordained by Angels in the hand of a Mediator ; Moses was a mediator according to their Works ; and this our Saviour telleth the Jews , Joh. 5.45 . You have one that accuseth you , even Moses in whom ye trust : and as for Jesus Christ , if he be given to be their Redeemer , it is but according to their works , if they shall obey his voice : but if they shall sin against him , he will overthrow them body and soul into the nethermost Hell . But now in the Covenant of Grace , Jesus Christ hath obtained a more excellent ministery , to be the Mediator of a better Covenant , stablished upon better promises , Heb. 8.6 . Thus we see in this first Use the difference between the Covenant of Works , and the Covenant of Grace .

I might ( in the second place ) from hence also gather an Argument against the whole Body of Arminianism ; Use 2 for they look at no gift of God , but meerly upon the Faith , or Works of the creature foreseen : if you speak of Election , they tell you it is of Faith foreseen ; if of Glory , it is upon condition of perseverance : but we see how contrary it is unto this truth of God ; for he giveth himself first , before he giveth any thing else accompanying salvation : he gave us Christ in his eternal Counsel , before Election ; and so doth he also in our Effectual calling ; not Faith before Christ , to enable us to choose whether we will have him , or not have him : but he is God , and first giveth himself , and with himself , Faith , and so worketh our wils unto himself , not otherwise , leaving it to us to choose whether we will have him to be our God or no. Many things in Popery and Arminianssm , come to be confuted from hence ; for in truth they hold forth no more but a Covenant of Works : and if we will not grant Faith and good Works to be the cause of all the blessed gifts of God , they will take it marvellously unkindly ; but they were as good deliver unto us another Gospel .

This may also serve to teach the people of God to bear a gracious respect unto those that are under a Covenan tof Works , Vse 3 and not forthwith to condemn them , as if there were no hope of their salvation : for God never calleth any unto fellowship with himself in a Covenant of Grace , but ordinarily he first bringeth them into a Covenant of Works . The ignorant look to be saved by their good prayers , and by their good serving of God . After , God may terrifie and humble their souls with the sense of their palpable wickedness . Then they may reform and trust in their performances : and then God may burn up all such false confidence ; Therefore those that are under a Covenant of Works , may belong unto the Lord , as well as thy self ; pray for them therefore ; Paul was under a Covenant of Works , Steven prayeth for him ; and as most conceive , that prayer was effectual unto his Conversion , and Paul was as dear unto the Lord as Steven himself was . Men under a Covenant of Works , the Lord may bring them home unto himself , by dashing all their works in pieces , and shewing them the presidence of their spirit : and the Lord will also come and pluck away the caul from their hearts ; and then they will have none in heaven but Christ , nor in the earth in comparison of him ; and then the Holy Ghost convinceth them of this sin above all their other sins , that they have not beleeved on Jesus Christ . Do not therefore censure any such , as to say there is no likelihood that they should ever come to have fellowship with Christ ; for if the Lord make them to fall down before him , and to yeeld up their spirits unto the Lord in holy reverence , and fear , these have now received some fecret smoking affections ( besides a Spirit of burning ) which the Lord will not quench .

It may serve in the next place to clear up our judgements in sundry passages that do concern the Covenant of Grace , Use 4 by Answers unto these six Questions following .

1. Quest. What is the first Gift that ever the Lord giveth unto his Elect ?

First of all he giveth himself : the Father , Answ. and the Son , and the Holy Spirit ; this is the Foundation ; and if you shall lay Faith in the Foundation before these , the foundation will lie uneasily , and the spirit of a true Christian shall not lie long in peace ; Christ must therefore be first , and with him Faith cometh in to receive him : first he will make a Covenant with us , and put his holy Spirit within us , which worketh in us Faith , and Fear , that we never shall depart from him . He giveth us his Son , and all things else in him : he giveth us in him pardon of sins in our Justification , and in him some degrees of Glory also , and in him right unto all the Promises of the Covenant ; no other Foundation but him : take him first therefore , for he is the first thing given .

But whether doth not the Lord give us some saving preparations , before Jesus Christ ? Object .

Reserving due honour to such gracious and precious Saints , as may be otherwise minded , Answ. I confess I do not discern , that the Lord worketh and giveth any saving preparation , in the heart , till he give union with Christ ; for if the Lord do give any saving Qualification before Christ , then the soul may be in the state of salvation before Christ ; and that seemeth to be prejudicial unto the Grace and Truth of Jesus Christ : for if there be no Name under heaven given , whereby we must be saved , but only Jesus Christ ; nor his Name , but in a way of fellowship with him ; then it seemeth to me apparently to follow , that whatsoever saving work there be in the soul , it is not there before Christ be there . It is true , John Baptist was sent to subdue all flesh , by a Spirit of Burning , which burneth up carnal confidence in the Covenant of Abraham , and all their fruits of righteousness : here were indeed preparations for Christ , but these were not saving , they were still children of wrath ; ye serpents , ye generation of vipers , notwithstanding all this . Further , John did indeed dispense poverty of Spirit , unto which a saving Promise was made ; but then Jesus Christ was there also ; whether they knew it , or knew it not , that is not greatly material in this Argument : but if the Kingdome of Heaven was there , Jesus Christ was there first , otherwise it will prove dishonourable unto the Name of Christ . Indeed there is a saving preparation before consolation in Christ , and the manifestation of our gracious union with him ; but for our first union , there are no steps unto that Altar , Exod. 20. ult. but Christ doth prepare his Tabernacle for himself to dwell in . This is in the first place for instruction , concerning what is the first gift which the Lord giveth unto the soul , before any work . He giveth spiritual union with his Son : this standeth firm from the tenor of the Covenant , and the nature of it .

2. Quest. In what order the Lord giveth the Covenant , and the blessings of it : whether Faith before them , or those Blessings before Faith be able to apply them ?

He doth give himself to work Faith , Answ. before Faith can be there ; for it is the Fruit of the Spirit that Faith is wrought in the soul ; Gal. 5.22 . the Spirit is in the soul in which Faith ( as a fruit ) groweth ; and this Faith doth receive the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ himself by his Spirit ; and it doth also receive Adoption , and Justification : but to be able actually to apply Christ , before we be in Christ , our first birth will not bear it ; for a man is as passive in his Regeneration , as in his first Generation ; only the Lord giveth us his Spirit that doth unite us unto Christ , which is received by Faith , together with Adoption and Justification : and this is the true and native order of the Lords working .

3. Quest. Whether do we receive the Lord Jesus Christ in an absolute , or in a conditional Promise ?

We know the Lord can convey himself in an Evangelical commandment , Answ. as well as in a promise ; as we finde it , Isa. 41.12 . Fear thou not , worm Jacob , I will help thee , &c. He can also convey himself in a ●hreatning unto the Devil ; as unto our first parents he did convey himself , wrapping up a promise in it , as Gen. 3.15 . I will put e●●nity between thee and the woman , and between thy seed and her seed ; it shall bruise thy head , and thou shalt bruise his heel : and from hence the Lord gave them to suck a sweet and comfortable promise of his Free Grace : and when the like is conveyed in a commandment , the Lord undertaketh to work that which he so commandeth : But now it is questioned , Whether the promise wherein the Lord giveth himself , be absolute , or conditional . Faith uniting us to Christ , it is ever upon an absolute promise ; or a condition subsequent , not antecedent . If you will say it is a Promise to a Condition ; What kinde of condition was it ? There is no condition before Faith ; for then a man is out of the way of any gracious Blessing from heaven ; no condition before it , whereby a man can close with Jesus Christ : and if it was a condition after Faith , unto which the promise was made , then Faith was there before ; and whatsoever followeth conversion , is no ground of Faith , but a fruit and effect of it : therefore I say , our first coming on to Christ , cannot be upon a conditional , but upon an absolute Promise . If the Lord bear witness unto Justification , it is either absolute , or to Faith . If he come to bear witness unto a mans Sanctification , then the Lord doth it from some work or other of his Grace in them ; as unto Abraham , Gen. 22.12 . By this I know that thou fearest me , seeing thou-hast not with-held thy Son , thine only Son . It is true indeed , after a mans Justification is born witness unto from Grace , or from Faith , then Sanctification and Justification do mutually bear witness one to another : that is , when Justification is not wholly doubted of , but in part , then Sanctification is of use to witness ; but not when Justification lieth wholly prostrate .

There is a fourth Question , which is as a further branch of the fourth Use ; of which I would not speak , but that I might through the good hand of God , the better clear things , that we may not stumble in our expressions , nor in any office of brotherly love , in conference about the covenant of Grace and Works .

4. Quest. Forasmuch as you hear of a Sanctification under a Covenant of Works , it doth imply , that there is a Sanctification that is but transitory , and not everlasting , nor immortal ; Whether then may a man evidence his union with Christ from his Sanctification ?

I answer in four Propositions , Answ. that I might not leave any occasion of scruple or difference about what is held forth in our Congregation ; as being that which doth yeeld as much agitation as any other Doctrine that is taught among us . Let me therefore shortly and plainly discover it ; and let it be so far received , as we see the life , and presence , and truth of the Spirit of God revealed in the Doctrine of Free-grace , from the Scriptures of Truth .

That Sanctification according to the Law , Propos. 1 ( that is to say , such a Sanctification as may be found in a Covenant of Works ) is no evidence , or witness of our union with Christ . And I suppose there is no difference there . But though there be no difference in mens judgments in this ; yet it is an easie thing for Christians to mistake their evidence upon this very ground , and as much upon this ground as any : For when Christians come to be really wrought upon , and finde themselves discouraged from sin , and so reform their lives , and give up themselves to obey the Word , and finde comfort therein , ( and great consolation many times ) in such a case as this Christians do much differ upon the point ; and yet I do not know any of all the Teachers in this Countrey that withdraw their consents from this Doctrine , that such Sanctification as is wrought in hypocrites , though that it may reach to great improvements , yet it is no evidence of Justification at all . It hath been handled in another Congregation , ( and I think not without weight of truth ) that to distinguish in men between that Sanctification which floweth from the Law , and that which is of the Gospel , is a matter so narrow , that the Angels in heaven have much adoe to discern who differ : a work fitter for Angels to cut the scantling in it , then for the Ministers of the Gospel , though indeed there be great difference of the one from the other . Now though this do not tend to heal any difference in judgment ; yet it is useful to heal a misprision of sanctification , that may be found in all hypocrites . Three things are to be attended unto in all Sanctification : As 1. From what Root it springeth . 2. By what Rule it is guided . 3. At what End it aimeth .

And commonly under some one or other of these three , are put all the differences between the one Sanctification and the other : I speak it , that it may be searched , and ( God is my witness ) not to unsettle the well-grounded comfort of any soul : but if any man hath built upon an unsafe foundation , or hath built hay , or stubble ; better it is to know it at first , whilest there is hope in Israel , then when it is too late . In those three things formerly mentioned , are all the differences between the sanctification of Hypocrites , and of the Children of God ; and they go so close together , that you will say , it is not an easie matter to discern Justification by Sanctification .

1. For the Root of it : The soul having fellowship with Christ , by the Holy Ghost coming into the soul , and working Faith in Jesus Christ . This is the Root of all Christian Sanctification : Ezek. 36.27 . I will put my Spirit within you , &c. And , he that is joyned to the Lord , is one Spirit , 1 Cor. 6.17 . and for Faith , it is Faith that purifieth the heart , Act. 15.9 . and , without Faith it is impossible to please God , Heb. 11.6 . So that Faith must concurre unto the rootedness of our Sanctification in Christ . But the Apostle doth attribute both these Roots unto those Christians that shall afterwards fall away to sin the sin against the Holy Ghost , Heb. 6. They have tasted of the heavenly gift , and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost : that heavenly gift was Faith , which the Apostle reckoneth chiefly among the Principles of our Christian Religion , vers. 1. A taste they had of it ; yet from both these they fall away : you know what was said of Saul , 1 Sam. 10.10 . The Spirit of God came upon him : And so did it likewise upon Judas , and Demas , acting them mightily in their administrations ; and as they were thus carried along by the Spirit : So likewise the Spirit of Bondage will marvellously prevail with the sons of men , to draw them on to strong works of Reformation , from whence they reap no small consolation ; but think and say , ( as Abisah did ) that the Lord is with them , whilest they are with him : And as sometimes David said of himself , I beleeved , therefore I spake : So the Israelites also , ( Psal. 106.12 . ) beleeved , and sang the praises of God , upon the Red-sea-shore , and yet were they but an hypocritical generation . And if Hypocrites may work miracles in the Name of Christ , ( as they did , and expostulate with Christ about it , Mat. 7.22 . Have we not prophesied in thy Name , and in thy Name cast out devils , and in thy Name done many wondersul works ? ) then may a temporary Faith work ordinary works in Christianity also : and therefore you shall read ( Mat. 13.22 . ) that there is no fault found in the thorny soyl for their want of root , or for their want of depth of earth ; for the want of both which , the stony soyl was taxed : but look as it is with the branches of a Vine , what depth of earth the root hath , they have it , being graffed into the Vine , though they be but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , branches of the wilde Olive , and will bring forth but wilde Fruit : for though the branch of the wilde Olive be graffed into the fat Olive , and may flourish there ; yet will it bring forth its own fruit ; but in the root you will not finde a difference : yet there is a difference , but it is very hard to be discerned .

Yes , Object . ( will you say ) there is a plain difference ; for an Hypocrite is ever full of himself , but a true Christian doth all in Faith : he seeketh God daily , and waiteth upon God daily ; and these are not the waies of Hypocrites .

Consider I pray you what the Word of the Lord holdeth forth as the Root of this Sanctification , Answ. and I will go no further then express Scriptures : Isa. 58.2 . They seek me daily ; and this is spoken of hypocritical Israelites : and for waiting , we often hear it spoken of the five foolish Virgins , they all went out to meet the Bridegroom , Mat. 25.1 . though whilest he tarried long , they all fell asleep ; and so did the wise Virgins also . And for more particular application of God unto themselves , we finde that also , Hos. 8.2 . Israel shall cry unto me , My God , we know thee ; and yet ( in the same Scripture ) this Israel had transgressed the Covenant , and cast off the thing that is good : And for a further act of Faith , which is a staying a mans self upon God ; what saith the Text ? Isa. 48.2 . They stay themselves upon the God of Israel , ( and yet these are obstinate ; their neck as an iron sinew , and their brow as brass ) but it was not in truth and uprightness ; True , it was not : But how shall we know the difference ? Truly it is hard to perceive when men differ , and therefore it is not an easie matter to make such use of Sanctification , as by it to bear witness unto Justification : and it will be a very hard case , yea much more difficult , when men cannot feel the presence of spiritual gifts , but want spiritual light : and when they do finde Faith in themselves , they will finde it in Hypocrites also , even Faith to seek the Lord , and Faith to wait upon him , and Faith to apply him , saying , My God ; and Faith to stay upon the God of Israel : and yet these men do vanish away in hypocrisie . This Hypocrites may do : seeing therefore what easiness of error may befal Christians , whether this or that Grace may be of the right stamp , or no , it will behoove Christians to be wary ; for even Eagle-eyed Christians will have much adoe so to discern of Sanctification in themselves , before they see their Justification , as to cut off all Hypocrites from having the like in them . For the sanctified frame of life in Gods children , and that which seemeth to be like it in Hypocrites ; both of them spring from the Holy Ghost , and both from Faith : but now the Spirit of God hath this farther work in his own people , beyond what he worketh upon others ; though he melteth both , yet Hypocrites are melted as iron , which will return again to his hardness ; but his own people are melted into flesh , which will never return to his hardness more ; neither can they rest in any measure of softness , unto which they have attained , but still are carried towards Jesus Christ . So that the one is a Temporary Faith , and the other Persevereth ; though both work in the Name of Jesus Christ , yet this difference will be found between them ; not only when Hypocrites come to be blasted , but even in the midst of their profession . As for the Faith of the Gospel of Jesus Christ , it is not president of his own power , but his strength lieth out of himself in Jesus Christ , whereas hypocrites and legal Christians are confident of their Faith , that they can make use of it unto such and such ends : they think they need no more but look up to Jesus Christ , & their work is at an end ; and such strength they finde in themselves , that they do not fear but that they shall carry an end all their work in a safe course to Gods glory , and their own : where as the strongest Faith , even of the Thessalonians ( whose Faith was such , as that none of all the Churches went before them ) if it be not supplied , and strengthned , they know , and the Apostle Paul knoweth that it will warp ; this may we see by comparing 1 Thes. 1.3 . with chap. 3.2 , 10. and the Faithful people of God , Isa. 26.12 . acknowledge him to work all their works for them : and therefore as there is a real difference in the presence of the Spirit : so also in the work of Faith in hypocrites , and the children of God ; for the one putteth confidence in himself , and the other in Jehovah . This is the first difference of Sanctification .

2. There is difference also in the Rule whereby they are guided : though both seek to the Word of God , and take delight in that , insomuch as you shall not be able to difference them there , yet a great difference there is in the apprehension of the word : the one is so confident of the strength and comfort that he hath in the word , as he will be ready to take it ill at Gods hand , if he finde not assistance from him , and acceptance before him . Now the other see their need they have of the Lord to maintain their strength and comfort for