But the jealousy that is exercised about the person and love of Christ unto the soul is quite of another nature, and jii'oduceth other effects. It cheers, enlivens, and enlargeth the soul, stirs up to ac- tivity, eaniestness, and industry in its inquiries and desires after Clirist. " Jealousy," saith the spouse, " ' is hard as the grave ;' there- fore, ' set mo as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal x\])0\\ thine arm.' " It makes the soul restlessly pant after nearer, more sensible, and more
Ver.4.] FAITH AND SPIRITUAL SENSE DISTINGUISHED. 561
assured communion with Christ; it stirs up vigorous and active spirits in all duties. Every doubt and fear that it ingenerates con- cerning the love of Christ stirs up the soul unto more earnestness after him, delight in him, and sedulous watching against every thing that may keep it at a distance from him, or occasion him to hide, Avithdraw, or absent himself from it.
2. Unbelief, that works by questioning of the promises, is univer- sally selfish; it begins and ends in self. Self-love, in desires after freedom from guilt, danger, and punishment, is the life and soul of it. May this end be attained, it hath no delight in God ; nor doth it care what way it be attained, so it may be attained. May such persons have any persuasions that they shall be freed from death and hell, be it by the works of the law or by the observance of any in- ventions of their own, whether any glory ariseth unto God from his grace and faithfulness or no, they are not solicitous.
The jealousy we speak of hath the person of Christ and his excel- lency for its' constant object. These it fills the mind with in many and various thoughts, still representing him more and more amiable and more desirable unto the soul: so doth the spouse upon the like occasion, as you may see at large, Cant. v. 9-16. Being at some loss for his presence, for he had withdrawn himself, not finding her wonted communion and intercourse with him, fearing that, upon her provocation, she might forfeit her interest in his love, she falls upon the consideration of all his excellencies; and thereby the more in- flames herself into desires after his company and enjoyment. All these diverse things may be thus distinguished and discerned.
Rule VI.
Distinction between faith and spiritual sense.
Learn to distinguish between faith and spiritual sense.
This rule the apostle gives us, 2 Cor. v. 7, " We walk by faith, and not by sight." It is the sight of glory that is especially here in- tended. But faith and sense in any kind are clearly distinguished. That may be believed which is not felt; yea, it is the will and command of God that faith should stand and do its work where all sense fails, Isa. 1. 10. And it is with spiritual sense in this matter as it is with natural. Thomas would not believe unless he saw the object of his faith with his eyes, or felt it with his hand. But saith our Saviour, " Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet believe,"
VOL. VI. 36
562 AN EXPOSITION UPON PSALM cxxx. [Ver. 4.
— who believe upon the testimony of God, Avithout the help of their own sense or reason. And if we will believe no more of God, of his love, of his grace, of our acceptance with him, than we have a spiritual affecting sense of, we shall be many times at a loss. Sensible im- pressions from God's love are great springs of joy; but they are not absolutely necessary unto peace, nor unto an evidence that we do believe.
We will deal thus with the vilest person living, — we will believe him whilst we have the certainty of our sense to secure us. And if we deal so with God, what is there in our so doing praiseworthy? The prophet tells us what it is to believe in respect of providence, Hab. iii. 1 7. When there is nothing left outward and visible to sup- port us, then to rest quietly on God, that is to believe: so Ps. Ixxiii. 26. And the apostle, in the example of Abraham, shows us what it is to believe with respect unto a special promise: Rom. iv. 18, " Against hope, he believed in hope.''' When he saw not any out- ward ordinary means for the accomplishment of the promise, when innumerable objections arose against any such hope as might have respect unto such means, yet he resolved all his thoughts into the faithfulness of God in the promise, and therein raised a new hope in its accomplishment; so in hope believing against hope.
To clear this matter, you must observe what I intend by this spi~ 7'itual sense, which you must learn to distinguish faith from, and to know that true faith interesting the soul in forgiveness may be with- out it; that so you may not conclude unto a real want of pardon from the want of the refreshing sense of it.'
Grace in general may be referred unto two heads: — 1. Our accepta- tion Avith God through Christ, — the same upon the matter with the forgiveness of sin that we are treating of; and, 2. Grace of sanctifi- cation from God in Christ. Of each of these there is a spiritual sense or experience to be obtained, in both distinguished from faith that gives us a real interest in forgiveness.