Christ: The Way, the Truth, and the LifeBrown, John
Religion
Christ: The Way, the Truth, and the Life
Brown, John
Bible. John XIV, 6 -- Criticism, interpretation, etc.; Jesus Christ; Justification (Christian theology); Sanctification
8. There is another thing which occasioneth this misjudging, to wit, the
want of distinctness and clearness in covenanting with Christ, and the
ignorance of the nature of true saving faith.
As to the _third_ particular, how Christ is Life to the believer in this
case,
I answer, Christ manifesteth himself to be life to the soul in this
case:
1. By sending the Spirit of life, that enlighteneth, informeth,
persuadeth, and sealeth.
2. By actuating grace so in the soul, that it manifesteth itself, and
evidenceth itself to be there; as the heat and burning of a fire will
discover itself without other tokens.
The _fourth_ particular, to wit, how the soul should be exercised, or
how it should employ Christ, for an outgate from this, hath been
abundantly cleared above, where we shewed, that believers in this case
should,
1. Be frequent in gripping Christ and closing with him as their
all-sufficient Mediator; and faith thus frequently acting on him may
discover itself at length.
2. Look to Christ that hath eye-salve, and is given for a witness.
3. Keep grips fast of him, though they be in the dark; and walk on
gripping to him.
4. Keep love toward him and his working, and in exercise.
5. Beg of him to clear up their state, by his Spirit explaining the true
marks of grace, and discovering the working of grace in the soul.
But it will be said, and so I come to the _last_ particular, what, if
after all this, I remain as formerly, as unable to judge aright of my
state as ever?
_Answer._ Yet thou shouldst continue gripping Christ, loving him,
looking to him, casting a lost, dead soul with all thy wants upon him,
and mind this as thy constant work. Yea, thou shouldst labour to be
growing in these direct acts of faith; and learn to submit to God
herein, knowing that those reflect acts are not absolutely necessary;
and that thou shouldst think it much if he bring thee to heaven at
length, though covered with a cloud all thy days.
_Obj._ 2. But others get much more clearness.
_Ans._ I grant that; yet know, that every one getteth not clearness, and
such as have it, have it not in the same measure. And must God give thee
as much as he giveth to another? What if thou could not make that use of
it that others do, but wax proud thereby, and forget thyself? Therefore
it will be best to give God liberty to dispense his favours as he will,
and that thou be about thy commanded duty, the exercise of faith, love,
fear, patience, &c.
_Obj._ 3. But if at any time I got a sight of my case, it would be some
peace and satisfaction to me.
_Ans._ I grant that, and what knowest thou; but thou mayest also get
that favour ere thou die. Why then wilt thou not wait his leisure?
_Obj._ 4. But the want of it in the mean time maketh me go heartlessly
and discouragedly about commanded duties, and maketh that I cannot apply
things distinctly to myself.
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