Quest. What is the reason that unlettered men many times stand out in their profession to blood, whereas those that are more able and learned yield to anything ?
Ans. The reason is, the knowledge of the one is set fast upon the soul ; the Spirit brings his seal and this man's knowledge close together ; whereas the learning and abilities of the other, is only a discoursive thing, swimming in the brain without any solid foundation. Their knowledge of truths is not spiritual ; they see not heavenly things by heavenly, but by a natural light. Those that would not apostatise must have a knowledge suit- able to the things they know ; they must see spiritual things by the Spirit of God. Therefore when we come to hear the word, we should not come •with strong conceits of our own, to bring all to our wdts, but with reverent dispositions and dependence upon God, that he would teach us together with his ministers, and close with his ordinances so as to fasten truths upon our souls ; else shall we never hold out ; for that which must stablish and quiet the soul, must be greater than the soul.
In time of tentations, when the terrors of the Almighty encompass us, when God lays open our conscience, and writes bitter things against us, those truths that most satisfy the soul at such a time must be above the natural capacity of the soul. Therefore, saith the apostle, ' It is God that establishes,' and God by his Spirit that seals us up unto the day of redemp- tion ; because divine truths of themselves in the bare letter cannot stir up the heart. It is only the blessed Spirit (which is above our spirits) that must quiet the conscience in all perplexities. The Lord can soon still the soui when he settles spiritual truths upon it. Therefore go to him in thy distress and trouble of mind. Send up ejaculations to God, that he would seal the comfort revealed in his word to thy soul, that as it is true in itself, so it may be true to thee likewise.
This is a necessary observation for us all. Oh, we desire in the hour
140 YEA AND AMEN ; OR,
of death to find some comforts, that be standing comforts, that may uphold us against hell and judgment. Know that nothing will do this but spiritual truths spiritually known ; but holy truths set on by the Holy Ghost upon the soul. Oft therefore enter into thine heart, and examine upon what grounds and motives thou bclievest. Consider well what it is thou bclievest, and upon what evidences, and with what light ; otherwise expect not to find solid peace.
Quest. What course may a Christian generally take when he wants com- fort and inward refreshing '?
Alls. There arc, in 1 John v., ' three witnesses in heaven and three in earth,' to secure us of our estate in grace, The three witnesses in heaven are, ' the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost.' And the three wit- nesses in earth are, ' the Spirit, the water, and blood ; ' and these three on earth, and those three in heaven agree in one.* Now by the Spirit here is meant the feelings and sweet motions thereof. The water may well be the laver of sanctification ; and by blood is understood the suilerings of Christ for our justification.
When therefore we find that extraordinary seal I spake of before — the joys of the Spirit of God — that it is not in us, what shall wj do ? Shall we despair then ? No. Then go to the water. When the witness of the Spirit is silent, go to the work of the Spirit ; see what gracious dispositions are found in thee.
Quest. Ay, but what shall we do if the waters be troubled in the soul, as sometimes there is such a confusion that we cannot see the image of God upon it in sanctification.
Aiis. Then go to the blood. There is always comfort. Go to the ' fountain set open for Judah and Jerusalem to wash in,' Zech, xiii. 1. That is never dry. If we find much sin upon our consciences, and no peace in our hearts, apply the blood of sprinkling. That will give rest.
When thou findest nothing but corruption and filthiness in thy soul, when thou seest neither joy nor sanctification of spirit, go to the Lord Jesus, and he will purge thee from all guilt, and wash thee with clean water. But to go on.
Who hath sealed us, and given us the earnest of his Spirit in our hearts.
This is the third word, borrowed from human contracts, to set forth God's gracious work in the soul. Anointing we had before, and sealing. Now here is ' earnest,' The variety of expression shews there is a great remainder of unbelief in the soul of man, which causeth the blessed Spirit to use so many words to manifest God's mind, and assure the soul of sal- vation ; stablishing, anointing, sealing, and earnest.
And indeed so it is. Howsoever we in the time of prosperity, when all things go well with us, are apt to presume our estate is good, yet in the hour of death, when conscience is awaked, we are prone to nothing so much as to call all in question, and believe the lies and doubts and fears of our own deceitful hearts, more than the undoubted truth and promise of God, Therefore the Lord takes all courses to establish us. He gives us rich and precious promises ; he gives us the Holy Spirit to confirm us in those promises, he seals us with that Spirit, and gives us a comfortable ' earnest' thereof, and all to settle these wretched and unbelieving hearts of ours. So desirous is God that we should be well conceited of him, that he loves us better than we love ourselves. He prizeth our love so much, that he labours by all means to secure us of our eternal welfare ; as knowing, that * Cf. iSlote dddd, Vol. III. page 536.— G.