Distinguishing Marks of Saving Faith (2)

In some true members of the covenant of grace there is still much darkness, so that they do not have a clear perception of what constitutes sufficient light and life. And even though they know this when considering it divorced from themselves and would be capable of stating this clearly to others, they nevertheless lack sufficient light to observe these graces in themselves. In addition to this, so much of the old man yet remains in them (a fact upon which they focus to such an extent that they question whether this can co-exist with grace) that they live between hope and fear. Hence, they are poor, even though they possess much that is good. Others have good opinions of themselves, but they deceive themselves miserably. “There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness” (Prov. 30:12). Behold, therefore, how necessary it is that we scrutinize our hearts and examine ourselves as to who and how we are.

To be of assistance in this matter, I shall describe several spiritual frames, so that you may examine yourself as to what sort of person you are.

1. There are people who have no knowledge, no desire, neither do they meditate upon or have discussions about, God, heaven, hell, the soul, the covenant, the Mediator, faith, or conversion. Their thoughts do not transcend beyond this earth and do not penetrate beyond that which is visible; of invisible things they can not speak a word. Is the soul immortal and is there a heaven and a hell? Such they shall discover after their death; in the meantime they passively wait to see where God will send them. They leave the matter to God, as it is not for them to search this out. They who are fortunate enough to go to heaven shall then be well off; the others necessarily entertain a good hope about themselves. Thou fools!

2. Others know very well that they are ungodly, worldly, and unregener-ate; they admit freely that if they continue in this manner, they cannot be saved. Yet there is no evidence of emotion or sorrow, neither is there an earnest determination to forsake their sinful life and be converted; they are bewitched and possessed of Satan. They do not wish to focus upon their heart and spiritual condition knowing well what the results would be. This could cause them to be distraught and fearful, which is something they do not desire. They do not wish to hear about sorrow, nor do they wish to hear the “jabbering” of ministers who, either from the pulpit or in private, uncover their sins; they do not wish to have the lid removed from this pot. They hate those who rebuke them, as it is written in Isaiah 30:9–11, “This is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.” Such have already condemned themselves, and they shall be judged by that which proceeds from their heart and mouth.

3. Others are not as ungodly; they are good-natured, have a meek character, and are externally religious. Nevertheless they are aware that they do not possess spiritual life, are not indwelt by the Spirit, have no communion with God, nor have faith, but rather are living for that which is visible. They are fully convinced that they are without grace, but it does not trouble their heart very much. There is no earnest concern, no anxiety, and even if occasionally there is an inclination to truly repent, a bosom sin will hinder them and they will depart from this inclination with a sigh, choosing the things of this world, as the young ruler, of whom it is written, “He went away sorrowful” (Matthew 19:22).

4. Others come even a step closer, having escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord Jesus (2 Peter 2:20). They join the fellowship of the godly, and are active in many things, as Herod in Mark 6:20. However, they do not come to an ultimate conclusion concerning their spiritual state. They leave this unresolved as they do not know what it is. Yes, they complain much about their spiritual poverty to the God-fearing, and speak of a great fear that they have not been regenerated. However, their secret objective is to gain the respect, love, and pity of the godly. If someone ventures to deal faithfully with them, declaring to them that they still appear to be in a natural state rather than being regenerate, they become offended, and change their manner of expression in an effort to defend themselves. The outcome often reveals that they have deceived others and have kept themselves from being genuinely concerned. However of this sort there are also those who are very concerned and fearful and live in anxiety with this conviction during their entire lifetime. They nevertheless remain who they are, without Spirit and life.

Others are fully convinced that they are without grace, hut it does not trouble their heart very much. There is no earnest concern, no anxiety, and even if occasionally there is an inclination to truly repent, a bosom sin will hinder them.

Wilhelmus à Brakel (1635–1711), a Second Reformation divine, was a leading representative of practical Reformed Orthodoxy in the Netherlands who became most renowned for his major work, Redelijke Godsdienst (The Christian’s Reasonable Service). This article continues the translation of Chapter 33 of this valuable work.

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