Third Case of Conscience

Though a man can have no right to any spiritual [illegible] in Christ without faith, and though the [illegible] never witnesses this without, or before faith; [illegible], when faith is there, when some gracious [illegible] is wrought, may not, does not the Spirit [illegible] a man's good estate without any respect to [illegible], or any gracious qualification existent in the [illegible]?

I answer: So marvelous, secret, and unsearchable are the dispensations of the Spirit to the soul [illegible] as the wind blows where it [illegible], you hear [illegible] sound of it, you know not from where it comes [illegible] where it goes: So it is here; the hidden [illegible] of the manner of the Spirit's work in the [illegible] of it, is so hard to discern, that to make any approach so as to discover the way of God, and to undermine an error entrenching thereabout, by [illegible] of reason, is more than ordinarily [illegible] and therefore for our better proceeding in answer [illegible] this question, I shall endeavor to do these [illegible] things.

- 1 State the question, and open it in the [illegible] thereof. - 2 Give in such arguments as we conceive [illegible] plainest evidence with them to settle [illegible] truth. - 3 Answer some such objections as are of greatest weight.

For the right [illegible] of the question, in [illegible] to the case propounded, I lay down this conclusion: the Spirit of God never gives in immediate [illegible] of any right we have to, or that we are made [illegible] of any benefit from Christ without respect [illegible] some qualification, gracious disposition, or condition in the soul.

There are three particulars to be opened for the right understanding of this conclusion.

First, what is meant by evidence? Answer: [illegible] light of [illegible] let in on God's part, and [illegible] on ours, whereby either we have, or may have, [illegible] true and never failing ground of right discerning, [illegible] what is so manifested and apprehended; so that evidence [illegible], First, that God by his Spirit manifests his [illegible] and our good, and that we either do, or may [illegible] it for our comfort; for it is the aim of the [illegible] to understand this evidence with application [illegible] the truth to our own particular estate.

For we [illegible] not now what the Word is in itself, or what [illegible] Spirit does in the ordinary dispensation thereof, [illegible] that is light in itself, and makes all things [illegible] indifferently at all times (Ephesians 5:13), but here we [illegible] this discovery and manifestation of the mind [illegible] of God as it comes home to our particular that [illegible] and hearts may be settled: as (Luke 24:32) he opened the Scriptures, verse 45, he opened their [illegible] that they might understand the [illegible]: and so the truth was more clear and their sight [illegible] clear (1 Corinthians 2:12), he has given us his Spirit [illegible] we may know the things that are freely given to [illegible] of God: (1 John 5:20) he has given us an [illegible], that we may know that we know him.

Secondly, this right discerning on our part is not [illegible] a certain knowledge, or science of that good [illegible] is thus witnessed to us, but an assurance of faith, whereby the heart embraces it as true to it, [illegible] good for it: the one of these is a help to the [illegible], sanctified reason, or reason exercised about [illegible] truths, is an instrument appointed by God in the hand of his Spirit, to beget this act of faith; for [illegible] exercised about the Word and work of the [illegible], it brings in the light of the truth as a mighty [illegible] with more strength and plainness to the heart, [illegible] draws out this act of divine faith, whereby it [illegible] this as a truth of God. For look what the [illegible] of another man may do in the use of the Word [illegible] ordinance, that my reason used in such a manner [illegible] to God may do. But another man by the [illegible] of reason or strength of argument out of the [illegible] may convince my conscience, indeed settle and [illegible] my heart, in assurance of a truth which formerly I saw not, and therefore it is said (Acts 14:22) they confirmed the souls of the disciples, exhorting them, etc.

True it is the grace and habit of faith is presumed, and was wrought before by the [illegible] power of the Spirit which raised Christ from the dead; [illegible] being wrought, the truths of God under the exercise of [illegible] reason, will not only settle our judgment in knowing, but our assurance of faith in [illegible] firmly believing and embracing; for first truths [illegible] to the understanding to be judged, before they be [illegible] up and presented to the heart to be believed (Psalm 9:10): they that know your name will trust in [illegible]. This is eternal life to know you (John 17:3), [illegible] (2 Peter 1:3) through the knowledge of our Lord [illegible] Savior: for a blind, hood-winked faith is the [illegible] of apostates and papists, of deceivers and [illegible] but not the faith of God's elect.

Secondly, this evidence is laid out according [illegible] its proper object according to which it looks in [illegible] place, and in this dispute: namely, 1 its [illegible] aright to what spiritual benefit we shall have, or, [illegible] the possession or partaking of what we do enjoy [illegible] Christ, and these are rather some spiritual privileges or blessings received and manifested by our [illegible] than the qualifications themselves, as the [illegible] terms of the question do undeniably determine.

Hence it is plain (according to the opinion of [illegible] that hold the [illegible] of the question [illegible]) it is not touching the [illegible] of faith in [illegible] soul, because this evidence in the question, [illegible] faith wrought; again, it is not touching any [illegible] on or qualification of grace to be wrought in [illegible] soul, for I take [illegible] to be an everlasting truth.

The [illegible] never does give, nor can there be any evidence that God will work the first condition of grace, or the first grace in the soul before it be [illegible], for as we heard, evidence carries two things [illegible] it: 1 God reveals his will to, or work upon the [illegible]; 2 there is both science issuing from that [illegible] wisdom that has been set up in the mind, and [illegible] of faith, which embraces that truth and [illegible] firmly, being so clearly and firmly assented [illegible]: hence it follows necessarily, and [illegible],

That which presupposes the first Grace wrought [reconstructed: in] the Soul, and is an effect of that, cannot be [reconstructed: had] before the first Grace is wrought; but Evidence [reconstructed: also] presupposes spiritual knowledge and assurance [reconstructed: of] Faith; therefore it cannot be before the first Grace, [reconstructed: nor] before Faith is wrought [reconstructed: in] the Soul. Hence that [reconstructed: which] the Apostle says, (1 Corinthians 2, last verse): Who knows the mind [reconstructed: of] the Lord, but we have the mind of Christ, because [reconstructed: we] have the Spirit of Christ, and that cannot be had without Faith (Galatians 3:14): That we may receive the promise of the Spirit through Faith.

Those promises then, which imply the working of [reconstructed: the] condition of the covenant, or the first Grace, do [reconstructed: three] things: 1 What God alone can do as [reconstructed: pertaining] to his peculiar prerogative. 2 What [reconstructed: he] will do for his; that is, such as shall come of his Son Christ the second Adam. 3 What the means [reconstructed: and] manner is by which he will do it.

The seed of the woman shall break the Serpent's [reconstructed: head]: I will take away the heart of stone, and give [reconstructed: you] a heart of flesh, etc. That is, I alone can do [reconstructed: this], and I will do it for those that are the seed of the covenant (for still such promises have an eye to the covenant of the Church and the faithful [reconstructed: in] it, as, [reconstructed: I] will circumcise your heart, and the heart of your seed, etc.) And by the manifestation of the fullness and freeness of this mercy of mine I will work it. There is an irresistible light which the Lord lets into [reconstructed: the] mind at the first call, which makes way for Faith and is a direct act of knowledge which turns the [reconstructed: eye] of the Soul to look to that fullness of power and [reconstructed: fullness] of mercy, by which the heart is drawn to [reconstructed: believe]; but the reflect act of evidence by which we are assured of what God has done to us and for us, [reconstructed: and] whereby we see that we do see, is after this, and implies the thing done before we see it.

The issue is: the object of this evidence (we now speak of) is not gracious qualifications wrought [reconstructed: or] to be wrought, but our right to or possession of [reconstructed: those] privileges — as, you are my Son, your [reconstructed: soul is] accepted, your sins are pardoned. But how [reconstructed: you] should be brought to these, or have your heart framed to receive these, that is not attended at all; the spiritual privileges which we have or hope [reconstructed: for], mainly attended in this work of evidence, are pardon and forgiveness in our justification, our adoption, and acceptation to be sons, and the reconciliation of our persons to the Lord, and our happiness [reconstructed: in God]. These are the spiritual benefits which are here considered, and about which the [reconstructed: witness] is meant.

The third term to be opened in the question is: Immediate Evidence without respect to Faith or any saving qualification. It is called "immediate" in this dispute, not because it is without the word or not by means of the word, for to deny that would be too loathsome [reconstructed: to say]; but immediate in respect of [reconstructed: any] condition going before out of which it might [reconstructed: arise]. For however the question propounded grants [reconstructed: that] Faith and Grace is there, yet the evidence must be had without attending any thing of a qualification. I [reconstructed: find] a double pretense [reconstructed: behind] this kind of curiosity.

First, a fear lest they should prejudice the freeness of Grace, if any condition or qualification in any [reconstructed: way] should be attended.

- 1 A conceit directly and expressly contrary to [reconstructed: the] very letter of the text and intendment of the [reconstructed: Spirit] (Romans 4:16): Therefore it is of Faith, that it might be by Grace; and if the being of Faith in the relying [reconstructed: on] Christ in the act of it does not hinder free Grace, [reconstructed: much] less will the seeing of it. - 2 Besides, if a [reconstructed: condition] attended would [reconstructed: hinder] free Grace, then the covenant of the Gospel [reconstructed: would] not attend, and by name expressly require [reconstructed: Faith], or else it should not be a covenant of [reconstructed: Grace]. - 3 It is free Grace that makes and works the [reconstructed: faith], and when it is wrought there is nothing given [reconstructed: for] it, or the party who believes, for his Faith, but [reconstructed: it is] an empty hand to take all from Christ — for [reconstructed: both] the party and it itself in its imperfections [reconstructed: are] pardoned.

A second pretense is, that I cannot know [reconstructed: whether] my Faith and Grace be good, before I know [reconstructed: whether] my estate be good: where these two things [reconstructed: are] plain.

- 1 A man may be in a good estate in nature before [reconstructed: Faith]. - 2 A man may know that he is so, without the [reconstructed: seeing] or seeing of Faith or Grace.

The revelation comes and says, "You are a son [reconstructed: of] God, your sins are pardoned"; and if you once get [reconstructed: such] a revelation, though your Faith and Grace be [reconstructed: weak], you may repair here, this will serve; before you do know this, you can never know the [reconstructed: goodness] of your Grace and Faith. And in truth, I suspect here is the mystery of this opinion, the very hinge upon which all the rest turn. And therefore though in words they will say, this evidence cannot be before Faith — that is, in time — yet in nature it may be; though this evidence and Faith are co-existing and co-appearing together in time, they exist and appear together, yet this evidence may be before Faith in nature. An opinion which is desperately dangerous.

That which contradicts the Gospel is false: [reconstructed: For] to say a man may be in a good estate before Faith contradicts the Gospel. He upon whom the wrath [reconstructed: of] God [reconstructed: abides], he is not in a good estate; but he that believes not, the wrath of God remains upon him (John 3:36). He that is not within the state of the covenant of Grace, he cannot know himself in a good estate; but without Faith no man is in the estate of the covenant of Grace; for they only who are of Faith are within that covenant (Galatians 3:9).

As my election is, so is the evidence of my consolation; but my election is without any eye to works.

If [reconstructed: this] be the meaning — as my election is of [reconstructed: free Grace], so also is my [reconstructed: consolation] and the evidence thereof, of free Grace — it is true. But if this be the meaning, [reconstructed: that] as election depends upon no means, nor works, no more does the evidence of my consolation — it is very false. It amounts to this: if the decree of God be independent, then is the execution; than which nothing is more contrary to Scripture and common experience (1 Peter 1:9): Receiving the end of your Faith, the salvation of your souls (Romans [reconstructed: 15]:13): Filled with joy and peace in believing. In a word, we are justified and saved freely; and yet both by Faith; and yet we are not elected by Faith.

Gather up the meaning of the question briefly.

- 1 [illegible] Evidence is meant, the Spirit witnessing, and I [illegible]: This discerning is by knowledge and assurance of faith, the one helps the other. - 2 It is concerning these spiritual privileges, justification, adoption, reconciliation, glorification. It cannot be touching the working of faith or any qualification to be wrought, because it is without respect to any qualification, and must in their apprehension evidence none. In fact there can be no evidence (that is) neither knowledge of spiritual wisdom, or assurance of faith, that God will work the first condition of grace. Because they are effects of the first grace and presuppose it. - 3 Lastly, this evidence is immediate not in regard of the Word according to which it is dispensed; but in regard of any qualification which is neither expressed on God's part, nor attended on my part, though it may be there.

Now we see the plain meaning of the question: I affirm it to be an erroneous and dangerous assertion: and therefore do oppose this against it, namely,

The Spirit of God never gives such an immediate evidence of spiritual privileges without a respect to a qualification.