Use 1. Now for the uses of this, seeing that the persuasion of Christ's love to us in special is the spring of all holy Hfe, this serves, in the first place, to free tJds doctrine of assurance from scandal. Assurance then is not the ground of presumption or security. These spring not from a particular faith, for a holy life, the clean contrary, springs from it. None can live a holy life but by a particular faith; and whosoever in par- ticular doth believe the forgiveness of his own sins, will live a holy life, and not put himself into former bondage. It is a sign he is not that per- son for whom Christ gave himself, that doth enthrall himself into his former courses, unless he repent. We see those of the Israelites who had a mind to go back again into Egypt, did all perish in the wilderness ; and those in Babylon's captivity who would not come out when they were called, did perish. It is pity they should ever be delivered that are in love with bondage. Those that will serve and be slaves still, it is pity but their ears should be bored to perpetual servitude. Some will live in their sins, and yet think that Christ died for them. No ; whom Christ loves in parti- cular, he gives them grace to lead a holy Ufe, and to be freed from the bondage of their former corruptions. Those that are not redeemed from their vain conversation, are not redeemed from hell and damnation, unless God give repentance. Those both go together. Therefore let it be also a rule of trying and discerning, whether we truly believe that Christ loved us, and gave himself for us, by our care to live to him, and to give ourselves to him back again by a holy life. Wheresoever the one is, there is the other. This is that which may stop the mouths of many, and will shame them at the day of judgment, notwithstanding all their boasting that God is merciful, and Christ died for them. Oh ! — their hearts will tell them, — but I have not cared to have the fruit of Christ's death in the governing of his Spirit ; I would not have him my king ; my conscience tells me I would not have Christ upon those terms : he ofi"ered himself to rule me; the minister told me of the danger, but I have preferred some base lust or other, such and such a course, before Christ ; I hated to be reformed, I flattered myself with hope of mercy on no ground at all ; therefore I never had any benefit by him. Use 2. To make another use : if particular faith and assurance be the ground of a holy life, let us labour for it by all means ; and let those that are in the state of grace, let them come to this fire if they will be kindled : if the}' find themselves dull to holy duties, let them come to this fire. Are we dead spiritually ? Are we not so enlarged as we should be ? Why, come and consider of the infinite love of God in giving his Son for thee, and the sweet love of Christ in giving himself for thee ; and dwell in the medi- tation of this love. Do not let thy heart go ofi" the consideration of Christ's sweet love, in stooping so low, not only in becoming man, but so low as hardly ever creature was, and all in love. Should not this kindle love in us again ? So much the more dearer he should be unto us, the more base * That is, ' all at once,' — a sea term. Cf. Halliwell, suh vcce.—G.
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402 SALVATION APPLIED.
be was for us. When we have warmed our frozen hearts with the conside- ration of his particuhxr lovo towards us, then wo add lire to holy duties. Iron, when it is warm, is fit for any impression ; so our cold hearts, though stiff of themselves, being warmed and fired by the love of Christ, are fit to receive any impression, and to do and to sullcr any thing.
When we find oiu"se!ves backward to sutler anything for Christ, consider that Christ gave himself; or, if we bo not thankful and fruitful enough, consider what was the end of Christ's giving himself, that we should serve him in holiness and righteousness all the days of our lives without fear ; and being freed from the fear of death, damnation, and slavish fear, that we should serve him cheerfully in the spirit of adoption and love. I beseech you, in all indispositions of soul, let us make use of this, to come unto Jesus Christ. Experience teacheth any one when they are fittest for sufiering, doing of any duty, to resist a sinful temptation to discontent or murmuring, even when they enjoy the assurance of Christ's love, and can read their own evidence that they are God's children, and the members of Christ. Then they are fit for anything. Therefore we should, as the apostle Peter exhorts us, ' give all diligence to make our calling and elec- tion sure,' 2 Pet. i. 10. It is a thing which requires all diligence. And the reason why we have it no more, is because we do not give all diligence to attain it. It requires our utmost endeavour, being of the greatest con- sequence, by which God hath most honour, and we most comfort, because it makes us most fruitful in our conversation.