432 SERMONS UPON 2 COKINTHIANS V, [SeR. II.
some measure affecteth the heart, as if they were ah-eady enjoyed This hope is not a fancy, hke the supposal or bare imagination of a beggar, what an happy life he might lead if he were a king, but the expecta- tion of a prince who is the undoubted heir of the crown, and knoweth that one day he shall possess it. (4.) In primitiis — in the first-fruits, wliich are grace and comfort, and begun communion with Christ, which are both a taste how good, and a pledge how sure, called the earnest, Eph. i. 13. Our present communion with Christ and delight in him, it is an heaven upon earth, as the sweet odours of Arabia are smelt in the neighbouring countries.
2. Here is a certain confidence — ' We know.' It is not only we think, or we hope, but we know. No man calleth that knowledge which is but a conjecture. Therefore a certain knowledge is here understood, a knowledge not built upon probabilities, but certainties ; only here will be the question whether this knowledge that I shall be saved or go to heaven when I die be the knowledge of faith or the knowledge of sense ? I answer. It is both. The scripture sometimes expresseth it barely by knowing, sometimes by believing. (1.) By knowing, as 1 John ii. 3, ' We know that we know him, if we keep his commandments ; ' and 1 John iii. 14, ' We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren ;' 1 John iv. 13, ' Hereby we know that we dwell in him, and he in us, because we love the brethren.' In all which places it implieth spiritual sense ; we feel it, we find it to be so, by reflection upon ourselves. Again, (2.) some- times our particular happiness, or the grace of God to us, is made to be a matter of faith : Kom. vi. 8, ' If we be dead with Christ, we believe we shall also live with him.' So 1 John iv. 16, ' We have known and believed the love which God hath to us.' Mark, it is a thing to be believed, and that with a divine faith. Queiij, But how can this be, you will say, since I have no divine testimony and revelation for it that I shall be saved ? Ans. If I take anything upon man's testimony, that is credulity ; if I take it upon God's testimony, that is faith. Now, I have God's testirnony in the general, that whosoever believeth shall be saved, and particulars are included in their generals. Look, as with that faith that believeth the commandments, Ps. cxix. 66, I believe that it is the will of God that I must not steal, I must not commit adultery, dishonour parents, because God hath said so to all and every one, though not to me by name ; so with that faith which believes promises, I believe they belong to me, though my name be not expressed in Christ's charter and deed of grace, if I have the qualification annexed. The qualification I discern by spiritual sense ; the benefit of the promise I expect by faith, even salvation to me. It is a matter to be believed upon supposition that I am converted and brought home to God, &c. As in this syllogism, all the dead shall rise ; Peter is dead ; ergo, the conclusion is de fide, it helong- eth to faith, though it be not expressly written in scripture. The first proposition is evident by faith, the second by sense, and yet the con- clusion is de fide. So here, all that heartily come to God by Jesus Christ shall be saved, this is written in scripture ; but I do so, that is evident by spiritual sense ; the conclusion is de fide, I am bound to believe that I shall be saved. If it be so upon supposition, the con-
VeR. 1.] SERMONS UPON 2 CORINTHIANS V. 433
elusion doth arise from premises, one whereof is in scripture, the other evident by spiritual sense ; therefore it is of faith. Only let me give you these cautions. (1st.) The particular certainty of our eternal salvation is not equal in certainty and firmness of assent to that assurance which we have about the common object of faith, the pro- mises of the gospel ; because some things are believed absolutely and immediately, other things are believed only mediately, and upon sup- position as they suit with things believed immediately. The promises of the gospel are totally and immediately revealed in scripture. But that I shall be saved in particular dependeth upon an argument, whereof one part is in scripture, the other ariseth from reflection upon and observation of a man's heart and ways ; the conclusion is certain according to the verity of the second proposition. It is absolutely certain and evident by faith, that whosoever believeth in Christ shall not perish, but have everlasting life. But that I believe in Christ with a saving faith, it is not so certain, though certain it may be. I have greater assurance that God is faithful and true than that my heart is upright ; therefore greater assurance of the general truth, that the true believer shall be saved, than I can have of this, that I am a true believer. (■2dly.) As our assurance of our own interest or particular salvation is not so strong as our assurance of the truth of the gospel, so it is not so absolutely necessary ; for firm adherence to gospel promises, with a resolution of obedience, is the qualification absolutely necessary to the pardon of sins, justification of our persons, or our acceptance with God ; but assurance of our own salvation, though it be comfortable, it is not absolutely necessary. The humble and broken heart God will not despise, Ps. li. 17. Many poor souls that want assurance are tenderly beloved of him, owned by him as heirs of salvation, and their good works accepted in Jesus Christ, that do only resolvedly adhere to gospel promises, and seek after God in the way of an humble obedience, yea, though they write bitter things against themselves. (3dly.) Assurance of the word is sooner gotten than assurance of our interest ; as soon as the word entereth upon, yea, before it can have any thorough efficacy upon our hearts, we receive it as the word of God, or else it would not work upon us, 1 Thes. i. 5, and 1 Thes. ii. 13. Assurance of our own salvation is not usually got at once, but by degrees, after we have had some experience of a settled and habitual devotedness to God, and grace hath been ■well exercised and approved in manifold duties, trials, and combats : Eev. ii. 17, ' To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna ;' and this establishment of heart will come after conquest, and some experience in afHictions.