unto_o i_o he_o have_v pull_v i_o in_o piece_n and_o set_v i_o as_o a_o mark_n for_o the_o arrow_n he_o have_v cause_v the_o arrow_n of_o his_o quiver_n to_o enter_v into_o my_o reins_o he_o have_v â—illed_v i_o with_o bitternâ—…s_n and_o make_v i_o drunken_a with_o wormwood_n he_o have_v break_v my_o tooth_n with_o gravel_n stone_n he_o have_v cover_v i_o with_o ash_n and_o this_o have_v be_v of_o so_o long_a continuance_n upon_o i_o that_o i_o have_v forget_v prosperity_n i_o can_v 17._o 17._o scarce_o remember_v that_o ever_o i_o have_v a_o better_a day_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o i_o conclude_v that_o my_o strength_n and_o my_o hope_n be_v perish_v from_o the_o lord_n oh_o say_v the_o church_n this_o be_v 18._o 18._o my_o very_a case_n when_o i_o remember_v my_o affliction_n 19_o 19_o the_o wormwood_n and_o the_o gall_n i_o even_o say_v as_o thou_o do_v but_o i_o withal_o consider_v that_o though_o my_o case_n be_v bad_a yet_o it_o may_v have_v be_v worse_o sure_a god_n have_v show_v i_o some_o mercy_n in_o that_o i_o live_v it_o be_v of_o the_o mercy_n 〈◊〉_d the_o lord_n 22._o 22._o etc._n etc._n therefore_o have_v i_o hope_v and_o therefore_o i_o 32._o 23._o etc._n etc._n to_o 32._o conclude_v that_o though_o the_o lord_n cause_n grief_n yet_o he_o will_v have_v compassion_n etc._n etc._n read_v that_o chapter_n ter_z all_o over_o i_o have_v give_v but_o a_o draught_n of_o it_o and_o therein_o see_v thy_o case_n and_o thy_o cure_n as_o to_o thy_o own_o experience_n urge_v his_o preservation_n of_o thou_o and_o support_v thus_o long_o and_o plead_v for_o its_o continuance_n obj._n but_o how_o can_v i_o hope_v hope_n proceed_v from_o faith_n and_o i_o can_v believe_v for_o i_o be_o yet_o you_o tell_v i_o in_o a_o state_n of_o nature_n till_o by_o these_o trouble_v god_n convert_v i_o answ_n it_o be_v true_a of_o the_o grace_n of_o hope_n that_o it_o proceed_v from_o faith_n in_o order_n of_o nature_n and_o be_v a_o fruit_n of_o conversion_n 1_o pet._n 1._o 3._o and_o till_o conversion_n we_o can_v rejoice_v in_o hope_n of_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n but_o there_o be_v another_o hope_n that_o be_v not_o always_o gracious_a though_o possible_o sometime_o grace_n may_v be_v seminal_o in_o it_o and_o may_v first_o appear_v by_o it_o as_o the_o first_o act_n of_o faith_n may_v appear_v in_o such_o a_o act_n of_o hope_n as_o this_o true_o i_o be_o a_o condemn_a creature_n but_o there_o be_v such_o and_o such_o free_a offer_n of_o christ_n and_o promise_n of_o mercy_n to_o sinner_n indefinite_o and_o why_o not_o to_o i_o yet_o i_o say_v this_o hope_n be_v not_o always_o gracious_a because_o it_o be_v common_a to_o presumptuous_a as_o well_o as_o repent_v sinner_n and_o be_v the_o very_a ground_n on_o which_o they_o presume_v this_o hope_n i_o shall_v for_o distinction_n sake_n call_v a_o moral_a or_o rational_a hope_n because_o it_o be_v gather_v from_o the_o general_a promise_n of_o scripture_n in_o a_o rational_a way_n as_o also_o because_o it_o be_v but_o a_o general_a probable_a hope_n that_o be_v accompany_v only_o with_o opinion_n and_o not_o faith_n though_o it_o may_v ground_n faith_n as_o to_o its_o act_n of_o reliance_n upon_o christ_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o mercy_n in_o he_o where_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n please_v to_o infuse_v faith_n in_o such_o a_o rational_a way_n as_o divers_a time_n he_o do_v whereas_o the_o hope_n that_o flow_v from_o faith_n be_v a_o spiritual_a and_o infuse_a hope_n and_o be_v not_o so_o much_o the_o apprehend_v a_o possibility_n as_o expect_v a_o certainty_n of_o fulfil_v the_o promise_n to_o i_o in_o particular_a arise_v i_o mean_v in_o the_o act_n of_o it_o not_o in_o the_o habit_n or_o seed_n of_o it_o for_o that_o be_v infuse_v in_o the_o first_o vital_a act_n of_o reliance_n upon_o christ_n which_o unite_v to_o christ_n and_o so_o justify_v arise_v i_o say_v from_o the_o particular_a evidence_n of_o my_o justification_n by_o faith_n and_o so_o from_o a_o act_n of_o assurance_n and_o be_v high_a or_o low_a like_o it_o distinguish_v thus_o the_o one_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o negative_a hope_n the_o other_o a_o positive_a the_o one_o say_v i_o be_o not_o exclude_v the_o other_o say_v i_o be_o include_v it_o be_v language_n be_v why_o not_o i_o now_o it_o be_v the_o former_a hope_n that_o rational_a moral_a hope_n i_o advise_v thou_o to_o keep_v alive_a in_o thy_o soul_n let_v no_o power_n of_o corruption_n no_o strength_n of_o temptation_n no_o length_n or_o grievousnesse_n of_o thy_o soul_n trouble_v no_o false_a conclusion_n from_o god_n decree_n of_o reprobation_n etc._n etc._n drive_v thou_o out_o of_o a_o firm_a assent_n to_o this_o proposition_n that_o though_o thy_o case_n be_v sad_a yet_o it_o be_v not_o desperate_a god_n have_v invite_v such_o as_o thou_o be_v have_v offer_v christ_n and_o grace_n free_o to_o thou_o among_o other_o and_o therefore_o thou_o be_v by_o no_o positive_a declare_v act_n of_o god_n exclude_v more_o than_o any_o other_o it_o be_v a_o great_a support_n that_o a_o soul_n in_o this_o case_n get_v by_o such_o a_o argument_n as_o this_o be_v for_o although_o grace_n do_v not_o always_o attend_v or_o accompany_v this_o hope_n yet_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n do_v use_v it_o as_o it_o do_v all_o other_o preparatory_a work_n to_o dispose_v the_o soul_n for_o grace_n nay_o i_o know_v not_o but_o that_o if_o the_o soul_n follow_v this_o moral_a hope_n with_o a_o constant_a use_n of_o all_o mean_n and_o ordinance_n and_o in_o they_o resolve_v to_o cast_v himself_o upon_o christ_n to_o be_v save_v by_o he_o in_o his_o own_o way_n and_o upon_o his_o own_o term_n why_o this_o hope_n may_v not_o be_v the_o immediate_a ground_n if_o not_o the_o vehicle_n or_o chariot_n of_o the_o very_a first_o act_n of_o justify_v faith_n wherefore_o 3_o let_v this_o hope_n produce_v wait_v think_v not_o that_o thou_o be_v present_o cast_v off_o by_o god_n because_o he_o do_v not_o present_o as_o to_o thy_o sense_n answer_v thy_o desire_n there_o be_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o impatience_n usual_o in_o trouble_a spirit_n and_o there_o be_v reason_n why_o such_o soul_n shall_v be_v subject_a to_o that_o fail_v for_o the_o wound_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v a_o intolerable_a wound_n prov._n 18._o 14._o and_o nothing_o be_v more_o grievous_a to_o a_o man_n in_o intolerable_a pain_n and_o anguish_n than_o delay_n hear_v i_o speedy_o say_v david_n else_o shall_v i_o be_v like_a unto_o they_o that_o go_v down_o into_o the_o pit_n psalm_n 143._o 7._o and_o when_o god_n hide_v long_o he_o apprehend_v it_o will_v be_v for_o ever_o psalm_n 13._o 1._o but_o we_o must_v labour_v against_o this_o corruption_n and_o endeavour_v to_o bring_v our_o soul_n to_o a_o contentedness_n to_o wait_v for_o god_n salvation_n as_o long_o as_o he_o think_v fit_a to_o exercise_v and_o discipline_n we_o in_o that_o condition_n the_o scripture_n abound_v in_o exhortation_n promise_n and_o example_n press_v home_o this_o duty_n upon_o we_o the_o place_n lam._n 3._o 26._o require_v not_o only_a hope_n but_o wait_v the_o word_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d siluit_fw-la a_o quiet_a silent_a wait_a free_a from_o clamorous_a complaint_n against_o god_n murmur_v at_o his_o delay_n and_o desperate_a expression_n of_o despondency_n of_o spirit_n and_o we_o have_v a_o great_a encouragement_n hereunto_o if_o we_o consider_v 1._o that_o this_o time_n of_o delay_n be_v god_n wait_a time_n as_o well_o as_o we_o be_v 30._o 18._o the_o lord_n therefore_o wait_v that_o he_o may_v be_v gracious_a and_o indeed_o he_o have_v wait_v upon_o we_o many_o year_n before_o he_o can_v prevail_v with_o we_o to_o give_v he_o the_o hear_n of_o any_o his_o gracious_a invitation_n and_o do_v we_o now_o think_v it_o much_o to_o wait_v on_o he_o till_o he_o hear_v we_o beside_o 2._o save_v grace_n be_v a_o thing_n worth_a the_o wait_n for_o thou_o have_v hear_v often_o and_o pray_v often_o thou_o say_v and_o yet_o see_v no_o fruit_n of_o it_o thou_o have_v obtain_v neither_o grace_n nor_o peace_n conversion_n nor_o comfort_n remember_v what_o the_o apostle_n say_v jam._n 5._o 7._o though_o with_o relation_n to_o another_o fruit_n i._n e._n the_o fruit_n of_o external_a suffering_n yet_o the_o force_n of_o his_o argument_n be_v no_o less_o herein_o also_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d lengthen_v out_o the_o patience_n into_o long_a suffering_n behold_v your_o husbandman_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d lengthen_v out_o his_o hope_n though_o the_o seed_n come_v not_o up_o after_o the_o first_o rain_n yet_o he_o expect_v another_o shower_n it_o be_v not_o ripe_a as_o soon_o as_o it_o grow_v up_o it_o may_v be_v a_o
of_o christ_n in_o his_o name_n shall_v declare_v that_o as_o far_o as_o the_o word_n give_v he_o ground_n to_o judge_v of_o thy_o case_n he_o full_o persuade_v himself_o that_o thou_o be_v a_o child_n of_o god_n the_o lord_n have_v promise_v to_o confirm_v the_o word_n of_o his_o servant_n and_o perform_v the_o counsel_n of_o his_o messenger_n isai_n 44._o 26._o and_o it_o be_v not_o for_o nothing_o that_o he_o have_v promise_v to_o loose_v in_o heaven_n what_o they_o lose_v on_o earth_n mat._n 16._o 19_o it_o be_v true_a they_o may_v err_v in_o the_o application_n and_o god_n be_v not_o bind_v to_o justify_v they_o in_o their_o mistake_n but_o yet_o it_o be_v as_o true_a that_o seldom_o do_v a_o godly_a know_a minister_n and_o such_o a_o one_o only_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v consult_v in_o such_o case_n so_o gross_o mistake_v the_o case_n of_o his_o soul-patient_a as_o to_o misapply_v comfort_n but_o upon_o such_o ground_n as_o will_v hold_v water_n according_a to_o the_o word_n and_o he_o can_v be_v so_o much_o a_o enemy_n to_o thy_o soul_n and_o his_o own_o as_o to_o go_v about_o wilful_o to_o deceive_v thou_o so_o may_v it_o be_v say_v of_o the_o judgement_n of_o serious_a and_o experience_a christian_n that_o although_o they_o can_v absolve_v the_o trouble_a soul_n authoritative_o as_o minister_n can_v and_o charge_v you_o to_o rest_v in_o their_o word_n in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n yet_o they_o may_v pass_v a_o private_a sentence_n upon_o your_o condition_n from_o the_o word_n and_o their_o own_o experience_n and_o you_o be_v bind_v not_o to_o reject_v it_o rash_o and_o inconsiderate_o but_o to_o allow_v it_o some_o weight_n in_o your_o serious_a thought_n the_o least_o that_o you_o can_v allow_v to_o the_o testimony_n of_o such_o person_n of_o both_o sort_n concern_v your_o estate_n be_v 1._o a_o charitable_a interpretation_n of_o it_o and_o the_o ground_n upon_o which_o they_o give_v it_o so_o far_o as_o to_o think_v thus_o of_o it_o why_o may_v not_o i_o in_o darkness_n and_o confusion_n of_o spirit_n be_v rather_o deceive_v in_o my_o judgement_n of_o myself_o than_o such_o person_n who_o as_o they_o be_v free_a from_o my_o distemper_n and_o entire_o love_v my_o soul_n so_o have_v more_o intimate_a acquaintance_n with_o god_n and_o the_o light_n of_o their_o own_o experience_n to_o keep_v they_o from_o mistake_v 2_o hearty_a prayer_n to_o god_n that_o he_o will_v make_v good_a the_o word_n of_o his_o servant_n and_o open_v your_o heart_n to_o receive_v they_o 3_o a_o suspension_n of_o any_o severe_a determination_n or_o sentence_n concern_v yourself_o see_v you_o find_v so_o many_o suppose_v able_a than_o yourself_o to_o be_v of_o another_o judgement_n 4_o a_o strive_v and_o labour_v with_o your_o own_o heart_n by_o meditation_n upon_o the_o ground_n upon_o which_o they_o pass_v their_o judgement_n of_o you_o to_o incline_v they_o to_o receive_v it_o 5._o to_o follow_v their_o advice_n and_o counsel_n ground_v thereupon_o as_o far_o as_o possible_o you_o can_v and_o to_o blame_v yourselves_o before_o god_n when_o you_o do_v not_o do_v so_o isai_n 50._o 10._o who_o be_v there_o among_o you_o that_o fear_v the_o lord_n and_z obey_v the_o voice_n of_o his_o servant_n that_o walk_v in_o darkness_n etc._n etc._n chap._n fourteen_o the_o first_o direction_n to_o the_o attain_n of_o a_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n in_o its_o witness_v act._n and_o first_o concern_v exercise_v frequent_a act_n of_o reliance_n as_o also_o a_o case_n concern_v the_o exercise_n of_o reliance_n in_o want_n of_o assurance_n how_o it_o can_v be_v faith_n in_o four_o noble_a act_n describe_v after_o the_o removal_n of_o hindrance_n follow_v these_o direction_n i._o exercise_v frequent_a act_n of_o reliance_n upon_o the_o free_a grace_n of_o god_n in_o christ_n and_o the_o promise_n in_o which_o it_o be_v hold_v forth_o unto_o thou_o together_o with_o the_o offer_n and_o invitation_n of_o the_o gospel_n back_v they_o quest_n but_o how_o can_v i_o rely_v upon_o that_o grace_n which_o i_o be_o not_o assure_v belong_v unto_o i_o if_o i_o rely_v upon_o a_o friend_n in_o a_o matter_n of_o moment_n concern_v who_o i_o have_v no_o certain_a evidence_n that_o he_o ever_o intend_v i_o any_o good_a i_o may_v deceive_v myself_o and_o thereby_o undo_v myself_o while_o i_o lean_a to_o a_o break_a reed_n answ_n 1._o the_o be_v assure_v that_o god_n be_v i_o in_o particular_a be_v not_o the_o only_a ground_n of_o my_o reliance_n upon_o he_o it_o be_v true_a there_o be_v act_n of_o reliance_n that_o follow_v assurance_n when_o a_o man_n rely_v upon_o god_n as_o a_o know_v friend_n but_o yet_o there_o be_v act_n of_o reliance_n that_o precede_v assurance_n as_o when_o i_o rely_v upon_o god_n as_o one_o that_o have_v offer_v to_o be_v a_o friend_n to_o all_o that_o will_v due_o make_v use_n of_o he_o such_o a_o friend_n i_o be_o not_o assure_v be_v my_o friend_n in_o particular_a before_o i_o go_v to_o he_o but_o i_o go_v to_o he_o take_v hold_v of_o his_o offer_n claim_v his_o promise_n and_o resolve_v to_o adventure_v myself_o thereupon_o and_o thus_o at_o last_o i_o get_v a_o good_a word_n from_o he_o that_o give_v i_o a_o particular_a assurance_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v with_o i_o according_a to_o my_o faith_n mat._n 9_o 29._o that_o you_o may_v understand_v this_o the_o more_o clear_o know_v there_o be_v these_o four_o act_n in_o faith_n and_o they_o be_v like_o so_o many_o stair_n one_o above_o the_o other_o the_o one_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o the_o other_o i_o deny_v not_o but_o they_o may_v all_o be_v bring_v together_o in_o time_n but_o in_o nature_n i_o apprehend_v from_o the_o word_n they_o be_v produce_v in_o this_o order_n those_o be_v 1_o acceptance_n the_o gospel_n reveal_v life_n and_o salvation_n to_o poor_a undo_v sinner_n through_o christ_n who_o abandon_v and_o renounce_v their_o own_o sin_n and_o righteousness_n be_v content_v to_o receive_v it_o from_o he_o in_o his_o own_o way_n the_o answer_n of_o the_o heart_n to_o this_o truth_n be_v it_o be_v a_o say_v worthy_a of_o all_o acceptation_n 1_o tim._n 1._o 15._o and_o according_o i_o accept_v of_o these_o term_n and_o resolve_v in_o god_n strength_n i_o will_v not_o seek_v salvation_n in_o any_o other_o name_n lord_n christ_n accept_v of_o i_o i_o surrender_v myself_o into_o thy_o hand_n i_o beseech_v thou_o discharge_v all_o thy_o office_n on_o and_o for_o i_o this_o be_v call_v receive_v john_n 1._o 12._o it_o be_v sometime_o express_v by_o a_o term_n of_o motion_n come_v to_o christ_n john_n 6._o 37._o yea_o fly_v for_o refuge_n to_o he_o heb._n 6._o 18._o both_o which_o imply_v renunciation_n of_o other_o security_n and_o accept_v his_o alone_a 2_o claim_n the_o next_o thing_n apprehend_v in_o the_o gospel_n be_v the_o general_a offer_n of_o these_o term_n and_o salvation_n by_o they_o unto_o all_o that_o come_v unto_o christ_n and_o god_n earnest_a invitation_n to_o accept_v of_o it_o the_o first_o be_v the_o discovery_n of_o the_o way_n of_o life_n and_o that_o the_o soul_n like_v and_o accept_v and_o come_v this_o be_v the_o discovery_n of_o the_o person_n to_o who_o this_o way_n be_v passable_a and_o those_o be_v all_o that_o exclude_v not_o themselves_o ho_o every_o one_o that_o thirst_v come_v isai_n 55._o 1._o apoc._n 22._o 17._o let_v whoever_o will_v come_v the_o answer_n of_o the_o heart_n here_o be_v lord_n i_o come_v lord_n i_o put_v in_o for_o a_o share_n in_o this_o offer_n this_o be_v call_v lay_v hold_n upon_o the_o hope_n that_o be_v set_v before_o we_o heb._n 6._o 18._o 3_o reliance_n or_o dependence_n this_o be_v a_o gracious_a offer_n indeed_o say_v the_o soul_n and_o i_o have_v put_v in_o for_o a_o share_n in_o it_o but_o may_v i_o depend_v upon_o it_o yes_o say_v the_o gospel_n and_o there_o come_v in_o the_o promise_n second_v the_o offer_n and_o invitation_n thou_o may_v adventure_v thy_o soul_n on_o it_o for_o god_n have_v say_v that_o who_o ever_o come_v to_o christ_n he_o will_v in_o no_o wise_a cast_v out_o john_n 6._o 37._o that_o he_o that_o thirst_v come_v shall_v eat_v that_o which_o be_v good_a etc._n etc._n isai_n 55._o 1_o 2_o 3_o matth._n 11._o 28._o the_o answer_n of_o the_o heart_n here_o be_v sink_v or_o swim_v i_o will_v adventure_v my_o soul_n upon_o this_o promise_n i_o will_v carry_v it_o to_o hell_n with_o i_o in_o my_o die_a gripe_n if_o i_o must_v perish_v though_o he_o kill_v i_o yet_o will_v i_o trust_v in_o he_o as_o job_n say_v under_o affliction_n job_n 10._o 13._o this_o act_n be_v usual_o express_v by_o trust_v in_o god_n ephes_n 1_o 12_o 13._o trust_v and_o stay_v a_o man_n self_n on_o god_n isai_n 50._o
to_o i_o in_o my_o infancy_n and_o therefore_o i_o want_v the_o lively_a and_o sensible_a application_n of_o the_o element_n to_o i_o which_o may_v possible_o if_o it_o be_v now_o to_o be_v do_v prove_v effectual_a to_o give_v i_o this_o assurance_n what_o use_n can_v i_o make_v of_o such_o a_o past_a sacrament_n be_v it_o not_o better_o to_o re-new_a it_o answ_n thou_o may_v make_v the_o same_o use_n of_o it_o as_o the_o jew_n do_v of_o circumcision_n although_o many_o year_n after_o the_o jew_n child_n no_o more_o see_v their_o own_o circumcision_n understand_o than_o thou_o do_v thy_o baptism_n object_n yea_o but_o the_o mark_n of_o circumcision_n say_v anabaptist_n be_v visible_a afterward_o and_o so_o though_o they_o be_v circumcise_v in_o infancy_n yet_o they_o may_v know_v that_o they_o be_v so_o otherwise_o then_o by_o bare_a relation_n but_o i_o know_v that_o i_o be_o baptize_v mere_o by_o the_o relation_n of_o friend_n or_o the_o register_n answ_n the_o jew_n when_o man_n may_v see_v that_o their_o foreskin_n have_v be_v cut_v off_o but_o that_o it_o be_v do_v in_o a_o sacramental_a way_n they_o know_v only_o by_o relation_n as_o we_o have_v our_o baptism_n for_o how_o do_v a_o jew_n know_v that_o he_o be_v bear_v of_o jewish_a parent_n and_o not_o of_o ishmaels_n posterity_n or_o esau_n among_o who_o circumcision_n continue_v when_o the_o covenant_n be_v remove_v from_o they_o but_o by_o tradition_n but_o i_o will_v rell_v thou_o how_o thou_o shall_v improve_v even_o thy_o infant_n baptism_n whenever_o then_o thou_o see_v that_o sacrament_n administer_v upon_o other_o reflect_v upon_o thyself_o and_o draw_v a_o argument_n of_o assurance_n from_o it_o thus_o loe_o here_o my_o soul_n the_o blood_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o element_n of_o water_n not_o only_o pour_v out_o but_o apply_v to_o yonder_o little_a one_o and_o have_v not_o god_n do_v as_o much_o for_o i_o and_o have_v he_o thus_o seal_v to_o i_o the_o promise_n of_o pardon_n and_o shall_v i_o not_o believe_v it_o have_v not_o i_o perform_v by_o his_o grace_n my_o carnis_fw-la 1_o pet._n 3._o 21._o anima_fw-la non_fw-la lavatione_fw-la sed_fw-la responsione_n sancitur_fw-la tert._n l._n the_o resurrectione_n carnis_fw-la part_n of_o the_o covenant_n in_o the_o answer_n of_o a_o good_a conscience_n serious_o desire_v and_o resolve_v to_o take_v he_o for_o my_o god_n and_o do_v my_o duty_n to_o he_o to_o the_o utmost_a in_o the_o strength_n of_o christ_n and_o shall_v i_o doubt_v his_o performance_n on_o his_o part_n do_v not_o god_n show_v his_o willingness_n to_o receive_v i_o into_o his_o favour_n and_o pardon_v my_o sin_n when_o he_o be_v so_o gracious_a as_o to_o seal_v his_o covenant_n to_o i_o in_o my_o very_a infancy_n sure_o that_o be_v a_o great_a mercy_n to_o i_o that_o god_n afford_v i_o that_o seal_n then_o whereas_o if_o i_o have_v live_v unbaptise_v to_o these_o year_n possible_o my_o scrupulous_a spirit_n will_v have_v keep_v i_o from_o it_o altogether_o as_o be_v unfit_a to_o receive_v it_o as_o now_o it_o publish_v see_v more_o of_o this_o in_o another_o treatise_n of_o the_o same_o author_n concern_v the_o practical_a use_n of_o infant_n baptism_n late_o publish_v do_v from_o the_o other_o sacrament_n now_o see_v the_o lord_n have_v prevent_v i_o with_o this_o mercy_n and_o claim_v i_o before_o i_o can_v claim_v he_o let_v i_o not_o think_v he_o will_v not_o hold_v his_o claim_n to_o i_o now_o i_o do_v claim_n and_o lay_v hold_v upon_o he_o and_o let_v i_o not_o doubt_v but_o if_o i_o follow_v after_o he_o i_o shall_v in_o time_n apprehend_v that_o for_o which_o i_o be_o apprehend_v in_o this_o visible_a way_n of_o claim_n by_o christ_n 2._o the_o lord_n supper_n this_o be_v a_o ordinance_n in_o which_o right_o receive_v assurance_n come_v on_o horseback_n to_o the_o soul_n if_o i_o may_v so_o speak_v so_o many_o speak_a action_n and_o so_o many_o special_a application_n in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n by_o a_o minister_n stand_v in_o the_o stead_n and_o represent_v the_o person_n of_o christ_n may_v probable_o be_v the_o mean_n to_o convey_v this_o bless_a message_n to_o thy_o soul_n from_o jesus_n christ_n son_n or_o daughter_n be_v of_o good_a cheer_n thy_o sin_n be_v forgive_v thou_o chap._n xvii_o contain_v some_o practical_a case_n concern_v the_o lord_n supper_n with_o relation_n hereunto_o but_o here_o arise_v a_o objection_n object_n i_o be_o not_o a_o fit_a receiver_n without_o this_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n which_o you_o speak_v of_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v improper_a to_o bid_v i_o seek_v that_o testimony_n this_o way_n whereas_o i_o can_v apply_v myself_o to_o this_o way_n till_o i_o have_v it_o in_o actual_a assurance_n answ_n hereto_o i_o answer_v negative_o that_o proposition_n which_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o thy_o mistake_n be_v but_o mistake_v for_o truth_n to_o wit_n that_o none_o be_v a_o fit_a receiver_n of_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n body_n and_o blood_n but_o one_o that_o be_v certify_v by_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n that_o he_o be_v a_o child_n of_o god_n this_o be_v that_o that_o puzzle_v and_o embroyl_n many_o a_o poor_a soul_n that_o he_o know_v not_o which_o way_n to_o take_v between_o sin_v against_o god_n invitation_n in_o refuse_v to_o come_v and_o against_o the_o institution_n in_o come_v unworthy_o but_o i_o hope_v to_o speak_v a_o word_n satisfactory_o in_o this_o case_n that_o this_o be_v a_o mistake_a principle_n i_o prove_v by_o this_o argument_n the_o actual_a assurance_n mention_v be_v not_o require_v under_o any_o of_o those_o thing_n wherein_o we_o be_v to_o examine_v ourselves_o before_o we_o come_v therefore_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a to_o make_v a_o fit_a receiver_n the_o grace_n to_o be_v examine_v among_o the_o protestant_n divine_v be_v usual_o these_o four_o knowledge_n faith_n charity_n and_o repentance_n under_o knowledge_n charity_n and_o repentance_n i_o believe_v no_o man_n comprehend_v the_o certainty_n of_o his_o interest_n in_o christ_n they_o be_v grace_n in_o their_o nature_n quite_o different_a from_o it_o though_o possible_o in_o some_o high_a act_n of_o they_o it_o be_v suppose_v i_o dare_v not_o think_v there_o can_v be_v none_o of_o these_o without_o assurance_n all_o the_o doubt_n be_v concern_v faith_n whether_o the_o faith_n require_v to_o the_o receive_v the_o lord_n supper_n be_v not_o faith_n of_o persuasion_n that_o i_o be_o a_o child_n of_o god_n from_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n i_o conceive_v the_o faith_n require_v to_o my_o come_n to_o the_o lord_n supper_n be_v no_o more_o but_o the_o have_v accept_v the_o term_n of_o salvation_n reveal_v through_o christ_n my_o have_v claim_v my_o share_n in_o the_o free_a offer_n thereof_o in_o the_o gospel_n and_o my_o reliance_n and_o dependence_n upon_o god_n faithfulness_n in_o the_o make_v that_o claim_n good_a unto_o i_o and_o if_o i_o can_v find_v these_o act_n have_v serious_o to_o my_o utmost_a knowledge_n and_o search_n be_v perform_v by_o i_o i_o need_v examine_v no_o further_o whether_o i_o have_v sufficient_a faith_n to_o fit_v i_o for_o the_o sacrament_n and_o my_o ground_n be_v 1._o because_o by_o these_o act_n there_o be_v a_o real_a application_n of_o the_o soul_n to_o jesus_n christ_n for_o justification_n which_o the_o scripture_n express_v by_o come_v to_o christ_n believe_v and_o trust_v in_o he_o as_o be_v before_o show_v and_o of_o christ_n to_o the_o soul_n which_o be_v express_v by_o receive_v he_o and_o 12_o psalm_n 2._o 12_o john_n 1._o 12_o in_o these_o act_v the_o nature_n of_o faith_n as_o it_o apply_v christ_n for_o justification_n be_v sufficient_o express_v now_o those_o that_o come_v to_o christ_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v the_o witness_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o their_o heart_n that_o they_o be_v christ_n for_o rest_v or_o peace_n of_o conscience_n which_o be_v the_o immediate_a fruit_n of_o that_o assure_v testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v promise_v as_o the_o consequent_a of_o come_v to_o christ_n mat._n 11._o 28._o and_o become_v the_o child_n of_o god_n which_o be_v less_o than_o know_v we_o be_v so_o be_v set_v down_o as_o the_o consequent_a of_o receive_v christ_n joh._n 1._o 20_o and_o therefore_o by_o the_o way_n to_o receive_v christ_n be_v not_o to_o know_v that_o i_o be_o a_o child_n of_o god_n but_o to_o apply_v myself_o to_o he_o that_o i_o may_v be_v so_o and_o as_o for_o trust_v or_o believe_v in_o christ_n that_o it_o be_v true_o do_v without_o actual_a assurance_n be_v clear_a because_o trust_v in_o christ_n the_o object_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v speak_v of_o by_o way_n of_o distinction_n from_o this_o seal_n or_o assure_v act_n of_o the_o spirit_n as_o that_o which_o go_v before_o
as_o mal._n 1._o 8._o and_o that_o of_o david_n 2_o sam._n 24._o 24._o so_o on_o the_o other_o side_n if_o childish_a bashfulness_n come_v in_o in_o stead_n of_o childlike_a reverence_n or_o servile_a fear_n in_o stead_n of_o filial_a awfulnesse_n he_o consider_v god_n mercy_n bounty_n truth_n christ_n merit_n and_o mediation_n his_o own_o relation_n through_o he_o etc._n etc._n and_o so_o balance_v that_o scale_n when_o it_o weigh_v too_o low_a such_o counter_a consideration_n as_o these_o the_o soul_n have_v at_o hand_n to_o ballast_n itself_o even_o in_o all_o the_o part_n of_o duty_n and_o this_o shall_v suffice_v for_o the_o clear_n of_o these_o case_n chap._n lvi_o some_o comfortable_a information_n from_o this_o thesis_n and_o for_o a_o upshot_n a_o case_n how_o i_o shall_v know_v whether_o my_o actual_a fervency_n and_o boldness_n be_v from_o god_n spirit_n or_o satan_n or_o any_o natural_a principle_n etc._n etc._n this_o afford_v matter_n of_o abundant_a comfort_n to_o all_o who_o have_v this_o boldness_n and_o fervency_n from_o the_o operation_n of_o this_o witness_v spirit_n in_o prayer_n 1._o in_o the_o work_n itself_o certain_o it_o be_v a_o sweet_a thing_n to_o be_v able_a in_o all_o thing_n to_o make_v a_o man_n request_n know_v to_o god_n with_o confidence_n how_o incomparable_a a_o ease_n be_v it_o to_o a_o man_n to_o have_v a_o bosom-friend_n and_o he_o such_o a_o one_o as_o be_v able_a not_o only_o to_o hear_v but_o hear_v and_o help_v to_o make_v of_o one_o counsel_n in_o the_o weighty_a and_o most_o important_a business_n in_o the_o great_a and_o most_o unsupportable_a burden_n especial_o to_o a_o child_n to_o have_v such_o a_o father_n this_o be_v the_o happiness_n ascribe_v to_o the_o jew_n above_o all_o other_o nation_n mere_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o a_o outward_a propriety_n a_o visible_a church_n propriety_n and_o liberty_n of_o approach_n deut._n 4._o 7._o to_o have_v god_n so_o nigh_o to_o they_o in_o all_o that_o they_o call_v upon_o he_o for_o 2._o in_o the_o rise_n of_o it_o this_o be_v a_o main_a work_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n you_o be_v arrive_v as_o high_a in_o point_n of_o communion_n with_o god_n as_o you_o can_v possible_o in_o this_o state_n of_o distance_n the_o witness_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v our_o most_o comfortable_a enjoyment_n and_o the_o prayer_n and_o praise_n that_o proceed_v from_o it_o our_o most_o comfortable_a employment_n that_o we_o be_v capable_a of_o here_o below_o and_o the_o comfort_n of_o it_o lie_v in_o this_o that_o it_o be_v a_o act_n of_o influence_n from_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o most_o noble_a and_o heavenly_a nature_n of_o any_o other_o it_o be_v a_o evidence_n of_o a_o large_a and_o abundant_a measure_n of_o the_o spirit_n 3._o in_o the_o issue_n of_o it_o what_o may_v not_o such_o a_o one_o do_v with_o god_n but_o that_o the_o cause_n of_o miraculous_a work_n be_v cease_v and_o so_o it_o be_v a_o tempt_a god_n to_o put_v he_o needlesse_o to_o extraordinary_a expense_n sure_o i_o may_v say_v such_o a_o one_o might_n as_o our_o saviour_n say_v say_v to_o this_o or_o that_o mountain_n be_v thou_o pluck_v up_o by_o the_o root_n and_o cast_v into_o the_o depth_n of_o the_o sea_n and_o that_o with_o assurance_n of_o success_n mat._n 17._o 20._o &_o 21._o 22._o now_o if_o this_o be_v true_a of_o the_o least_o degree_n and_o measure_n of_o faith_n though_o but_o reliance_n as_o it_o be_v much_o more_o undoubted_o of_o act_n of_o assurance_n and_o such_o a_o one_o be_v this_o spiritual_a boldness_n and_o confidence_n in_o prayer_n qu._n but_o how_o shall_v i_o know_v whether_o my_o fervency_n and_o boldness_n of_o spirit_n in_o prayer_n come_v from_o god_n spirit_n of_o adoption_n or_o my_o own_o spirit_n or_o possible_o satan_n spirit_n of_o delusion_n answ_n this_o question_n be_v weighty_a and_o i_o must_v answer_v distinct_o to_o both_o part_n 1._o for_o fervency_n it_o be_v true_a 1._o sometime_o it_o be_v but_o natural_a great_a want_n produce_v earnest_a entreaty_n beggar_n ready_a to_o starve_v beg_v in_o earnest_n terror_n of_o god_n and_o fright_n of_o conscience_n many_o time_n make_v fervent_a 2._o sometime_o it_o may_v also_o be_v the_o work_n of_o a_o delude_a and_o prestigious_a spirit_n who_o i_o know_v not_o why_o he_o may_v not_o counterfeit_v the_o spirit_n of_o prayer_n in_o this_o operation_n as_o well_o as_o the_o spirit_n of_o grace_n in_o many_o other_o but_o 3._o the_o discovery_n of_o the_o difference_n lie_v in_o these_o particular_n 1._o in_o the_o nature_n of_o this_o fervency_n and_o that_o consist_v in_o these_o thing_n 1._o in_o the_o lively_a act_n of_o all_o our_o grace_n in_o prayer_n this_o i_o have_v show_v you_o before_o be_v the_o course_n of_o god_n saint_n to_o stir_v up_o all_o within_o they_o to_o the_o performance_n of_o the_o duty_n the_o bow_n that_o be_v serviceable_a must_v be_v bend_v in_o all_o part_n alike_o else_o it_o will_v fail_v the_o expectation_n of_o the_o archer_n a_o counterfeit_a fervency_n or_o a_o mere_a natural_a fervency_n be_v partial_a desire_v may_v seem_v to_o be_v fervent_a in_o prayer_n but_o humility_n and_o sorrow_n for_o sin_n and_o thankfulness_n be_v cold_a many_o a_o man_n ask_v what_o he_o want_v with_o great_a earnestness_n but_o confess_v sin_n and_o give_v thanks_o for_o mercy_n receive_v superficial_o this_o put_v a_o great_a suspicion_n upon_o the_o duty_n 2._o in_o a_o zealous_a watchfulness_n over_o a_o man_n heart_n against_o all_o those_o thing_n that_o may_v cool_v deaden_a or_o distract_v it_o and_o thus_o a_o gracious_a soul_n be_v not_o only_o then_o fervent_a when_o it_o may_v be_v a_o landfloud_n of_o affection_n drown_v for_o the_o present_a the_o act_n of_o formality_n wander_v thought_n etc._n etc._n but_o even_o when_o these_o be_v most_o stir_v it_o show_v its_o fervency_n by_o labour_v and_o wrestle_v against_o they_o another_o may_v be_v fervent_a now_o and_o then_o upon_o such_o or_o such_o a_o particular_a impression_n of_o spirit_n as_o suppose_v in_o the_o sense_n of_o some_o imminent_a danger_n some_o extraordinary_a conviction_n but_o he_o do_v not_o keep_v his_o watch_n or_o stand_v so_o upon_o his_o guard_n as_o to_o preserve_v himself_o in_o that_o temper_n but_o suffer_v himself_o to_o decline_v into_o formality_n and_o deadness_n again_o as_o soon_o as_o that_o impression_n be_v a_o little_a lay_v by_o the_o vent_n it_o find_v in_o a_o duty_n 2._o in_o the_o matter_n wherein_o one_o be_v fervent_a a_o man_n may_v be_v fervent_a in_o such_o thing_n as_o concern_v his_o own_o present_a necessity_n isai_n 26._o 16._o they_o pour_v out_o a_o prayer_n when_o thy_o chasten_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v upon_o they_o effuderunt_fw-la or_o liquefecerunt_fw-la orationem_fw-la they_o seem_v to_o be_v melt_o fluent_a as_o metal_n when_o it_o run_v by_o the_o force_n of_o fire_n but_o that_o be_v a_o fervency_n that_o hold_v no_o long_a than_o the_o fire_n last_v in_o those_o thing_n that_o concern_v the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o be_v more_o remote_a from_o a_o man_n private_a concernment_n there_o be_v more_o coldness_n and_o indifferency_n in_o petition_n for_o pardon_n of_o sin_n much_o heat_n little_a in_o petition_n for_o grace_n etc._n etc._n 3_o in_o the_o concomitant_n of_o this_o fervency_n it_o do_v beget_v a_o suitable_a frame_n of_o spirit_n 1._o in_o all_o place_n many_o a_o one_o be_v very_o appear_o fervent_a when_o he_o pray_v before_o other_o but_o be_v there_o the_o same_o heat_n in_o private_a or_o rather_o be_v our_o private_a closet_n prayer_n cold_a and_o formal_a satan_n spirit_n a_o spirit_n of_o vainglory_n etc._n etc._n may_v make_v a_o man_n fervent_a before_o other_o but_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n only_o supply_v a_o private_a fervency_n to_o wrestle_v with_o god_n in_o private_a as_o jacob_n do_v by_o night_n and_o alone_o be_v likely_a to_o be_v gracious_a fervency_n 2._o in_o all_o duty_n a_o man_n that_o have_v a_o kindly_a heat_n of_o affection_n in_o prayer_n will_v not_o be_v without_o some_o impression_n of_o it_o in_o other_o duty_n in_o the_o hear_n of_o the_o word_n a_o man_n heart_n will_v burn_v luke_n 24._o 32._o in_o his_o place_n and_o call_v there_o will_v be_v a_o zealous_a endeavour_n to_o do_v good_a a_o zealous_a anger_n against_o sin_n a_o zealous_a grief_n for_o sin_n this_o be_v see_v in_o david_n ps_n 119._o 32._o 139._o &_o 102_o ps_n throughout_o a_o zealous_a and_o fervent_a love_n to_o all_o the_o saint_n 1_o pet._n 1._o 22._o 4._o in_o the_o rise_n of_o it_o 1._o it_o be_v get_v in_o the_o saint_n by_o industry_n kindle_v by_o meditation_n and_o most_o common_o they_o know_v how_o they_o come_v by_o it_o how_o much_o ado_n it_o cost_v they_o
particular_n c._n 11._o a_o question_n concern_v the_o measure_n of_o this_o work_n ch_z 12._o another_o concern_v the_o state_n of_o a_o soul_n under_o this_o work_n whether_o gracious_a or_o not_o c._n 13._o a_o objection_n answer_v from_o christ_n invitation_n of_o sinner_n to_o he_o without_o require_v such_o condition_n as_o necessary_a to_o their_o acceptance_n c._n 14._o improvement_n of_o the_o thesis_n 1._o early_o convert_n be_v encourage_v c._n 15._o 2._o touchy_a hearer_n be_v reprove_v and_o the_o public_a ministerial_a application_n of_o the_o law_n to_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n vindicate_v from_o mistake_a inconvenience_n as_o 1._o that_o it_o be_v a_o doctrine_n not_o proper_a for_o saint_n who_o be_v the_o chief_a part_n of_o a_o auditory_a 2._o that_o it_o may_v occasion_v the_o grieve_v of_o many_o who_o god_n will_v not_o have_v grieve_v c._n 16._o 3._o convert_v examine_v whether_o real_a or_o pretend_a and_o abundance_n of_o our_o day_n find_v suspicious_a and_o serious_o deal_v withal_o c._n 17._o 4._o person_n under_o a_o spirit_n of_o bondage_n support_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o work_n under_o which_o they_o lie_v it_o be_v design_v by_o the_o holy_a spirit_n to_o a_o further_a end_n satisfy_v in_o a_o doubt_n or_o two_o 1._o concern_v the_o possibility_n of_o lose_v those_o impression_n without_o a_o good_a issue_n 2._o concern_v the_o present_a symptom_n by_o which_o the_o issue_n of_o present_a trouble_n of_o conscience_n may_v be_v guess_v at_o c._n 18._o 5._o person_n that_o have_v pass_v through_o the_o pike_n and_o be_v get_v out_o of_o the_o wilderness_n cheer_v in_o the_o remembrance_n of_o their_o past_a experience_n c._n 19_o 6._o convince_v soul_n under_o the_o hammer_n and_o in_o the_o fire_n caution_v to_o take_v heed_n how_o they_o defeat_v the_o spirit_n design_n and_o frustrate_v his_o attempt_n upon_o they_o in_o order_n unto_o a_o through_o conversion_n in_o seven_o particular_n c._n 20._o 7._o four_o sort_n of_o person_n be_v exhort_v 1._o those_o that_o have_v go_v through_o this_o work_n with_o fruit_n and_o benefit_n who_o main_a duty_n four_o ch_n 21._o 2._o those_o that_o have_v go_v through_o it_o fruitless_o without_o a_o sound_n and_o effectual_a conversion_n who_o duty_n be_v 1._o deep_a humiliation_n upon_o several_a move_a consideration_n from_o the_o sadness_n of_o that_o condition_n chap._n 22._o 2_o a_o serious_a endeavour_n to_o recover_v those_o lose_a impression_n again_o a_o practical_a question_n hence_o arise_v discuss_v objection_n against_o this_o course_n answer_v 1_o from_o present_a joy_n 2_o from_o esteem_n of_o high_a attainment_n with_o other_o 3_o from_o possibility_n of_o salvation_n without_o it_o chap._n 23._o objection_n of_o another_o nature_n answer_v from_o hazard_n of_o god_n not_o own_v such_o a_o apostate_n which_o hazard_n seem_v to_o be_v heighten_v by_o a_o fear_n of_o have_v sin_v the_o sin_n against_o the_o holy_a ghost_n chap._n 24._o 3_o those_o that_o be_v under_o this_o condition_n also_o exhort_v 1_o to_o be_v patient_a under_o god_n hammer_n till_o he_o reduce_v they_o to_o the_o shape_n he_o intend_v 2_o to_o keep_v up_o hope_n where_o be_v by_o the_o way_n inquire_v what_o kind_n of_o hope_n precede_v faith_n 3_o to_o wait_v in_o hope_n where_o by_o the_o way_n how_o 4_o to_o lie_v under_o mean_n and_o what_o mean_v most_o proper_a where_o a_o question_n whether_o a_o unconverted_a man_n may_v pray_v 5_o to_o seek_v conversion_n in_o they_o rather_o than_o comfort_v 6._o to_o choose_v some_o mean_n more_o than_o other_o and_o which_o 7._o to_o observe_v every_o improvement_n with_o thankfulness_n 8._o to_o meditate_v on_o most_o rowze_a affect_a truth_n a_o scheme_n of_o some_o such_o truth_n 9_o to_o take_v heed_n of_o a_o double_a snare_n in_o particular_a calling_n 10._o to_o pick_v company_n 11._o to_o be_v open_a heart_a to_o choice_n friend_n 12._o to_o take_v special_a care_n that_o how_o little_a progress_n soever_o they_o make_v it_o be_v sincere_a 13._o to_o be_v humble_a under_o improvement_n c._n 25._o 26._o 4._o those_o that_o be_v altogether_o unacquainted_a with_o this_o work_n where_o a_o practical_a question_n what_o a_o natural_a man_n can_v do_v towards_o his_o own_o conviction_n in_o order_n to_o conversion_n answer_v in_o 10_o particular_n c._n 27._o the_o intendment_n of_o the_o answer_v clear_v in_o some_o particular_n and_o some_o far_a objection_n answer_v c._n 28._o the_o second_o treatise_n concern_v the_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n have_v four_o general_a thesis_n or_o proposition_n thesis_n i._o that_o the_o spirit_n of_o bondage_n to_o god_n elect_a end_n in_o a_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n adoption_n describe_v chap._n 1._o the_o work_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n explain_v in_o particular_n chap._n 2._o two_o practical_a query_n concern_v the_o extent_n of_o the_o thesis_n qu._n 1._o whether_o the_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n perform_v all_o those_o work_n in_o and_o upon_o every_o elect_a person_n or_o no_o quest_n 2._o whether_o all_o those_o work_n be_v wrought_v on_o every_o one_o of_o the_o elect_n that_o have_v go_v through_o a_o spirit_n of_o bondage_n chap._n 3._o four_o head_n of_o argument_n to_o prove_v the_o thesis_n in_o the_o sense_n so_o explain_v chap._n 4._o six_o reason_n of_o god_n so_o do_v ch_n 5._o a_o question_n de_fw-fr modo_fw-la how_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n testify_v our_o adoption_n whether_o immediate_o mediate_o 1_o immediate_a testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n allow_v with_o limitation_n 2_o mediate_v prefer_v and_o that_o twofold_a ch_n 6_o another_o question_n tend_v to_o the_o distinct_a discovery_n of_o the_o way_n of_o the_o spirit_n work_v in_o his_o mediate_a and_o argumentative_a evidence_n chap._n 7_o and_o a_o three_o question_n quest_n whether_o the_o ground_n of_o this_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v from_o absolute_a promise_n and_o general_a offer_n of_o the_o gospel_n or_o conditional_a promise_n and_o special_a mark_n ch_n 8._o improvement_n of_o the_o thesis_n where_o 1_o how_o this_o shall_v render_v the_o thought_n of_o soul_n under_o bondage_n reconcile_v to_o their_o present_a condition_n where_o a_o question_n or_o case_n concern_v election_n as_o the_o doctrine_n thereof_o be_v make_v use_n of_o by_o satan_n in_o discourage_a tentation_n chap._n 9_o 2_o encouragement_n to_o all_o convert_v by_o way_n of_o a_o spirit_n of_o bondage_n to_o endeavour_v after_o the_o witness_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n with_o motive_n to_o quicken_v they_o chap._n 10._o direction_n concern_v the_o mean_n how_o to_o obtain_v a_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n in_o its_o witness_v act_n where_o be_v premise_v something_o of_o remove_v hindrance_n and_o what_o those_o be_v the_o five_o first_o chap._n 11._o five_o more_o chap._n 12._o the_o last_o hindrance_n and_o some_o case_n of_o conscience_n concern_v scrupulousness_n of_o conscience_n how_o far_o to_o be_v attend_v chap._n 13._o the_o direction_n be_v 1_o exercise_v frequent_a act_n of_o reliance_n where_o a_o question_n answer_v whether_o and_o how_o a_o man_n can_v rely_v without_o assurance_n faith_n in_o four_o noble_a act_n the_o order_n of_o they_o chap._n 14._o 2_o seek_v god_n face_n in_o ordinance_n the_o word_n prayer_n with_o particular_n concern_v it_o chap._n 15._o sacrament_n where_o a_o practical_a question_n quest_n whether_o our_o baptism_n administer_v in_o infancy_n be_v any_o or_o at_o least_o so_o lively_a a_o help_v to_o assurance_n as_o at_o ripe_a year_n and_o how_o it_o may_v be_v thus_o improve_v chap._n 16._o some_o practical_a case_n concern_v the_o lord_n supper_n quest_n how_o it_o can_v be_v use_v as_o a_o mean_n to_o this_o assure_v testimony_n see_v it_o be_v suppose_v necessary_a to_o have_v that_o to_o fit_v a_o man_n for_o a_o worthy_a participation_n of_o it_o qu._n 2._o how_o far_o the_o examination_n require_v before_o that_o sacrament_n favour_v the_o doctrine_n of_o that_o suppose_a necessity_n chap._n 17._o 3_o taking_z notice_n of_o light_n at_o the_o least_o cranny_n 4_o endeavour_v after_o more_o of_o the_o work_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o sanctification_n 5_o follow_v the_o guidance_n of_o the_o spirit_n universal_o where_o a_o case_n of_o conscience_n how_o the_o motion_n of_o the_o spirit_n especial_o in_o this_o affair_n may_v be_v discern_v from_o tentation_n and_o the_o motion_n of_o a_o delude_a heart_n chap._n 18._o a_o close_a case_n what_o be_v to_o be_v think_v of_o a_o man_n that_o as_o to_o his_o own_o sense_n and_o other_o life_n and_o die_v in_o darkness_n without_o any_o experience_n of_o this_o testimony_n chap._n 19_o thesis_n ii_o that_o a_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n be_v a_o certain_a evidence_n of_o a_o state_n of_o adoption_n clear_v by_o scripture_n reason_n the_o first_o of_o which_o yield_v occasion_n to_o state_n this_o question_n qu._n whether_o a_o
not_o as_o actual_o and_o assure_o so_o but_o as_o one_o that_o have_v offer_v himself_o to_o that_o relation_n and_o will_v own_v it_o to_o those_o that_o upon_o that_o offer_n claim_v it_o at_o his_o hand_n thence_o though_o they_o know_v not_o god_n to_o be_v their_o fateer_n yet_o they_o lay_v hand_n on_o he_o upon_o his_o free_a offer_n as_o engage_v to_o be_v their_o father_n and_o so_o by_o frequent_a act_n of_o reliance_n grow_v up_o into_o assurance_n that_o he_o be_v so_o when_o they_o find_v such_o fruit_n of_o their_o reliance_n as_o evidence_n a_o real_a relation_n between_o god_n and_o they_o i_o know_v many_o of_o god_n saint_n do_v and_o i_o think_v they_o shall_v call_v god_n father_n when_o they_o scarce_o know_v whether_o they_o may_v be_v so_o bold_a or_o no_o and_o speed_v that_o way_n 3._o that_o if_o any_o one_o of_o god_n elect_v want_v the_o assure_v testimony_n of_o god_n spirit_n it_o be_v their_o own_o fault_n see_v god_n hold_v it_o forth_o to_o they_o in_o many_o a_o precious_a promise_n and_o if_o they_o dare_v not_o call_v god_n father_n it_o be_v because_o through_o cloud_n of_o temptation_n and_o corruption_n they_o darken_v those_o evidence_n which_o may_v demonstrate_v their_o sonship_n for_o justification_n and_o sanctification_n if_o discover_v be_v sure_a foundation_n of_o comfort_n and_o assurance_n thence_o their_o condition_n be_v express_v by_o darkness_n which_o be_v not_o the_o extinguish_n of_o light_n in_o the_o object_n or_o in_o the_o eye_n but_o cloud_v it_o 4._o of_o those_o that_o have_v this_o assurance_n and_o enlargement_n thereupon_o very_o few_o or_o none_o keep_v it_o at_o all_o time_n alike_o and_o can_v alike_o improve_v it_o on_o every_o occasion_n great_a sin_n and_o great_a trouble_n etc._n etc._n may_v many_o time_n cloud_n and_o sometime_o as_o to_o the_o act_n blot_v out_o the_o evidence_n of_o their_o adoption_n thus_o david_n want_v this_o spirit_n psal_n 51._o 11._o 12._o a_o child_n have_v offend_v may_v scarce_o dare_v call_v father_n while_o that_o guilt_n remain_v uncover_v 5._o even_o the_o high_a and_o heroical_a act_n of_o assure_v faith_n in_o god_n saint_n be_v not_o always_o free_a from_o some_o mixture_n of_o doubt_v else_o there_o be_v no_o difference_n between_o assurance_n and_o plerophory_n or_o full_a assurance_n answ_n â—_o but_o to_o answer_v more_o particular_o 1._o to_o the_o first_o question_n 1._o all_o the_o elect_a of_o god_n have_v not_o present_o when_o call_v the_o particular_a assure_v testimony_n of_o god_n spirit_n though_o even_o that_o belong_v to_o they_o because_o of_o some_o obstruction_n that_o either_o from_o satan_n or_o their_o own_o heart_n may_v be_v put_v in_o their_o way_n a_o man_n may_v be_v long_o a_o child_n of_o god_n before_o he_o know_v himself_o to_o be_v so_o there_o must_v in_o order_n of_o nature_n be_v the_o certitudo_fw-la objecti_fw-la before_o certitudo_fw-la subjecti_fw-la for_o i_o can_v never_o be_v sure_a of_o a_o thing_n before_o it_o be_v and_o how_o long_o this_o proposition_n i_o be_o justify_v may_v be_v true_a before_o this_o i_o know_v i_o be_o justify_v i_o can_v tell_v it_o may_v be_v divers_a year_n 2._o a_o elect_a child_n of_o god_n for_o any_o thing_n i_o know_v or_o to_o my_o utmost_a knowledge_n the_o scripture_n reveal_v may_v go_v to_o heaven_n without_o that_o particular_a actual_a assurance_n or_o a_o particular_a confidence_n to_o address_v himself_o to_o god_n as_o his_o father_n otherwise_o then_o by_o claim_n as_o before_o for_o i_o conceive_v it_o be_v not_o essential_a to_o the_o have_v of_o eternal_a life_n to_o know_v that_o a_o man_n have_v grace_n actual_o but_o only_o to_o have_v those_o thing_n in_o he_o whence_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o grace_n may_v be_v to_o a_o clear_a and_o more_o enlighten_v spirit_n discover_v though_o it_o be_v say_v he_o that_o believe_v not_o shall_v be_v damn_v yet_o it_o be_v not_o where_o say_v he_o that_o know_v not_o he_o believe_v shall_v be_v damn_v 3._o yet_o be_v every_o such_o elect_a child_n of_o god_n act_n the_o reality_n of_o his_o relation_n to_o god_n produce_v in_o a_o saint_n those_o fruit_n even_o when_o he_o himself_o do_v not_o know_v they_o as_o appear_v in_o second_o trouble_n in_o god_n people_n after_o conversion_n faith_n produce_v those_o act_n not_o by_o its_o assure_v but_o unite_n act_n carry_v out_o after_o holiness_n and_o obedience_n to_o god_n by_o the_o secret_a seed_n of_o god_n that_o be_v in_o he_o by_o a_o natural_a inclination_n i_o mean_v from_o the_o new_a nature_n though_o he_o be_v not_o so_o visible_o act_v by_o moral_a persuasion_n or_o force_v of_o argument_n from_o grace_n receive_v as_o those_o that_o see_v they_o have_v grace_n and_o be_v adopt_v usual_o be_v as_o in_o those_o creature_n that_o want_v reason_n there_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o in_o infant_n a_o natural_a love_n to_o parent_n though_o they_o can_v argue_v themselves_o by_o reason_n into_o the_o duty_n that_o evidence_n it_o from_o the_o particular_a knowledge_n of_o that_o relation_n and_o upon_o the_o same_o account_n they_o be_v affect_v with_o the_o evil_n of_o displease_v their_o parent_n although_o they_o feel_v no_o stripe_n and_o do_v not_o draw_v out_o that_o sorrow_n by_o argument_n from_o their_o father_n love_n 2._o to_o the_o second_o question_n i_o answer_v 1_o that_o neither_o be_v it_o necessary_o thus_o in_o all_o that_o have_v be_v under_o a_o spirit_n of_o bondage_n though_o elect_v upon_o the_o reason_n before_o allege_a 2._o yet_o have_v such_o that_o have_v be_v under_o a_o spirit_n of_o bondage_n more_o special_a promise_n of_o this_o kind_n which_o can_v they_o lay_v all_o hold_n on_o they_o will_v attain_v it_o but_o satan_n take_v the_o work_n of_o the_o spirit_n out_o of_o his_o hand_n and_o find_v they_o prepare_v for_o such_o impression_n of_o trouble_n by_o the_o former_a work_n keep_v the_o very_a stamp_n of_o a_o spirit_n of_o bondage_n on_o they_o when_o they_o be_v as_o to_o their_o condition_n under_o a_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n mat._n 11._o 28._o isa_n 57_o 15._o 3._o nay_o when_o they_o get_v comfort_n and_o assurance_n it_o be_v common_o the_o strong_a and_o more_o full_a and_o firm_a understand_v this_o point_n thus_o then_o that_o usual_o and_o in_o god_n ordinary_a way_n of_o deal_n with_o his_o elect_n when_o he_o have_v bring_v they_o under_o bondage_n by_o the_o spirit_n he_o do_v send_v they_o a_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n in_o its_o evidence_a act_n as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o rest_n though_o he_o may_v sometime_o vary_v from_o the_o usual_a and_o ordinary_a rule_n and_o the_o give_v of_o the_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n in_o these_o act_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v as_o that_o of_o the_o spirit_n of_o bondage_n and_o its_o method_n before_o discover_v that_o except_o possible_o in_o some_o few_o singular_a case_n it_o be_v ordinary_o so_o chap._n iv_o argument_n to_o prove_v this_o thesis_n or_o proposition_n now_o let_v we_o advance_v to_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o thesis_n quest_n how_o appear_v it_o that_o god_n do_v so_o ordinary_o ans_fw-fr 1_o by_o his_o promise_n 2_o by_o his_o design_n in_o bring_v under_o the_o spirit_n of_o bondage_n 3_o by_o the_o duty_n that_o he_o expect_v of_o his_o saint_n 4_o by_o the_o experience_n of_o his_o people_n arg._n 1_o by_o his_o promise_n which_o engage_v he_o thereunto_o john_n 16_o 10_o 11_o 12_o the_o same_o spirit_n that_o be_v promise_v to_o convince_v of_o sin_n say_v christ_n shall_v convince_v of_o righteousness_n and_o of_o judgement_n of_o righteousness_n because_o i_o go_v to_o the_o father_n i._n e._n he_o shall_v convince_v poor_a burden_a soul_n that_o there_o be_v a_o sufficient_a righteousness_n in_o i_o to_o cover_v the_o guilt_n of_o all_o their_o sin_n and_o this_o by_o my_o ascension_n which_o declare_v the_o full_a discharge_n of_o the_o debt_n which_o on_o the_o behalf_n of_o my_o elect_n i_o contract_v and_o because_o i_o go_v to_o my_o father_n my_o admission_n to_o my_o father_n give_v full_a assurance_n that_o i_o be_o again_o receive_v into_o his_o favour_n and_o so_o there_o remain_v no_o cause_n of_o his_o displeasure_n against_o i_o or_o i_o that_o cast_v themselves_o upon_o i_o for_o righteousness_n of_o judgement_n i._n e._n of_o the_o truth_n and_o reality_n of_o their_o own_o grace_n as_o isai_n 43._o 1_o 3._o or_o of_o judgement_n because_o the_o prince_n of_o this_o world_n be_v judge_v i._n e._n a_o judgement_n of_o absolution_n of_o their_o person_n and_o cause_n which_o shall_v appear_v by_o the_o contrary_a sentence_n on_o their_o accuser_n it_o shall_v be_v make_v appear_v that_o god_n have_v condemn_v he_o that_o accuse_v you_o and_o keep_v you_o in_o
with_o such_o a_o faith_n as_o he_o believe_v the_o bible_n to_o be_v true_a in_o every_o part_n of_o it_o and_o this_o appear_v in_o those_o that_o be_v under_o a_o spirit_n of_o bondage_n produce_v such_o and_o such_o promise_n to_o they_o they_o will_v say_v true_a these_o promise_n be_v excellent_a promise_n and_o will_v no_o question_n yield_v abundance_n of_o marrow_n to_o they_o to_o who_o they_o belong_v but_o they_o can_v see_v nothing_o in_o they_o that_o belong_v to_o they_o here_o be_v a_o full_a well_o but_o they_o have_v nothing_o to_o draw_v or_o it_o be_v a_o well_o enclose_v it_o be_v not_o free_a for_o they_o 2_o particular_a when_o the_o spirit_n help_v the_o soul_n to_o single_a out_o such_o a_o word_n and_o open_v a_o door_n of_o hope_n to_o the_o soul_n that_o it_o have_v a_o share_n in_o it_o and_o this_o be_v that_o that_o make_v way_n for_o and_o be_v complete_v in_o the_o minor_a of_o the_o former_a syllogism_n which_o i_o call_v 2_o conviction_n of_o case_n thus_o the_o spirit_n enlighten_v the_o conscience_n to_o apply_v the_o promise_n to_o its_o self_n by_o own_v the_o condition_n of_o it_o the_o word_n say_v such_o and_o such_o person_n be_v child_n of_o god_n the_o renew_a conscience_n enlighten_v by_o the_o spirit_n say_v this_o be_v my_o case_n i_o be_o such_o a_o person_n now_o here_o the_o spirit_n either_o enlighten_v a_o man_n to_o see_v himself_o under_o that_o condition_n by_o work_v a_o present_a assent_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o minor_a proposition_n as_o suppose_v a_o argument_n from_o the_o promise_n he_o that_o believe_v have_v everlasting_a life_n but_o i_o believe_v ergo._n the_o assent_n to_o this_o minor_a proposition_n i_o believe_v may_v be_v wrought_v by_o a_o sudden_a work_n of_o the_o spirit_n as_o soon_o as_o the_o major_a proposition_n whereon_o it_o be_v ground_v be_v apprehend_v and_o so_o it_o be_v a_o work_n somewhat_o near_o of_o kin_n unto_o that_o of_o the_o first_o branch_n of_o mediate_v testimony_n wherein_o the_o testimony_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v by_o the_o word_n yet_o without_o argumentation_n or_o else_o as_o usual_o by_o elicit_v and_o draw_v forth_o the_o soul_n to_o such_o a_o assent_n by_o a_o far_a evidence_n of_o argument_n for_o it_o be_v very_o seldom_o see_v but_o that_o such_o soul_n as_o have_v be_v exercise_v with_o a_o spirit_n of_o bondage_n be_v not_o easy_o bring_v to_o own_o any_o good_a in_o themselves_o so_o that_o even_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n have_v much_o ado_n to_o answer_v all_o the_o cavil_n of_o satan_n and_o their_o own_o suspicious_a heart_n in_o point_n of_o gracious_a self-justification_n which_o such_o soul_n be_v much_o afraid_a of_o and_o not_o more_o difficult_o bring_v to_o any_o thing_n then_o to_o own_o this_o proposition_n but_o i_o believe_v or_o the_o like_a now_o in_o such_o a_o case_n the_o spirit_n work_n be_v long_o and_o he_o be_v fain_o to_o bring_v many_o more_o argument_n to_o confirm_v this_o minor_n true_a say_v the_o soul_n he_o that_o believe_v have_v everlasting_a life_n but_o i_o be_o none_o of_o those_o believer_n and_o therefore_o quid_fw-la ad_fw-la i_o what_o do_v this_o promise_n concern_v such_o a_o unbelieving_a wretch_n as_o i_o be_o then_o the_o spirit_n satisfy_v the_o soul_n in_o the_o minor_a by_o produce_v such_o proof_n of_o scripture_n as_o evidence_n faith_n in_o the_o subject_a in_o who_o it_o be_v such_o as_o purify_n the_o heart_n love_v to_o god_n his_o way_n his_o 10_o actâ—_n 15._o 9_o gal._n 5._o 6_o zech._n 12._o 10_o people_n grief_n for_o sin_n etc._n etc._n and_o possible_o go_v far_a and_o prove_v those_o grace_n to_o be_v in_o the_o soul_n by_o far_a mark_n draw_v from_o the_o act_n of_o they_o which_o discover_v the_o habit_n whence_o they_o proceed_v this_o be_v a_o work_n of_o conviction_n i_o tell_v you_o before_o and_o may_v be_v do_v by_o many_o argument_n or_o few_o according_a to_o the_o light_n that_o accompany_v they_o to_o the_o soul_n nor_o be_v there_o any_o reason_n why_o dr._n crisp_n and_o his_o follower_n shall_v cry_v down_o this_o way_n of_o get_v assurance_n by_o mark_n and_o sign_n as_o uncertain_a see_v the_o doubt_a soul_n will_v find_v something_o that_o seem_v faulty_a in_o every_o grace_n which_o be_v present_v to_o it_o as_o a_o evidence_n object_n if_o the_o spirit_n say_v say_v they_o thou_o be_v a_o believer_n because_o thou_o have_v love_n that_o be_v a_o fruit_n of_o faith_n the_o soul_n may_v still_o doubt_v whether_o it_o have_v love_n if_o love_n be_v manifest_v by_o delight_n in_o god_n commandment_n etc._n etc._n the_o question_n will_v still_o be_v whether_o that_o delight_n be_v sincere_a or_o counterfeit_a pure_a or_o mix_v ingenuous_a or_o selfended_n and_o therefore_o say_v they_o there_o can_v no_o judgement_n be_v make_v certain_o concern_v a_o man_n justification_n by_o his_o sanctification_n or_o concern_v sanctification_n by_o the_o operation_n of_o particular_a grace_n ans_fw-fr to_o this_o we_o answer_v true_a these_o grace_n while_o i_o bare_o endeavour_v to_o discover_v they_o by_o my_o own_o reason_n may_v be_v still_o subject_a to_o question_v and_o so_o can_v make_v no_o firm_a assurance_n but_o in_o the_o soul_n that_o be_v gracious_o assure_v this_o way_n the_o spirit_n of_o god_n rest_v the_o heart_n upon_o a_o ultimum_fw-la quod_fw-la sic_fw-la convince_v he_o by_o that_o which_o be_v most_o visible_a in_o he_o and_o stop_v the_o mouth_n of_o cavil_v reason_n from_o perplex_v the_o question_n any_o more_o as_o a_o wise_a moderator_n in_o a_o dispute_n that_o when_o the_o argument_n have_v be_v spin_v out_o so_o long_o by_o a_o wrangle_a companion_n that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o more_o say_v but_o in_o away_o of_o groundless_a cavil_v and_o angry_a reflection_n etc._n etc._n break_v off_o the_o dispute_n check_v the_o wrangle_a antagonist_n and_o determine_v the_o controversy_n by_o his_o own_o sentence_n upon_o the_o whole_a matter_n so_o when_o a_o man_n be_v own_o cavil_v heart_n and_o satan_n help_v it_o have_v pick_v out_o all_o the_o flaw_n possible_o in_o his_o evidence_n for_o heaven_n and_o have_v leave_v no_o stone_n unturned_a to_o invalidate_v it_o and_o withal_o the_o spirit_n have_v enable_v a_o man_n to_o plead_v to_o all_o exception_n of_o moment_n and_o yet_o these_o wrangle_a companion_n will_v not_o be_v satisfy_v at_o last_o the_o spirit_n make_v a_o man_n to_o see_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o can_v be_v say_v that_o have_v not_o be_v answer_v but_o only_o such_o wrangling_n as_o deserve_v no_o answer_n but_o scorn_n and_o so_o determine_v and_o enable_v the_o soul_n to_o determine_v the_o great_a question_n by_o infer_v the_o conclusion_n with_o undeniable_a evidence_n i_o know_v not_o why_o this_o way_n the_o spirit_n of_o god_n assure_v shall_v not_o be_v less_o subject_a to_o question_v then_o immediate_a assurance_n see_v in_o a_o time_n of_o darkness_n that_o be_v as_o questionable_a and_o will_v require_v as_o long_o a_o debate_n to_o satisfy_v the_o soul_n whether_o indeed_o it_o be_v the_o voice_n of_o the_o spirit_n or_o a_o man_n own_o heart_n and_o satan_n collude_v with_o it_o to_o deceive_v a_o man_n let_v any_o man_n show_v i_o that_o it_o be_v easy_a for_o a_o man_n to_o be_v certain_o convince_v that_o the_o spirit_n immediate_a testimony_n be_v true_a and_o proceed_v from_o the_o spirit_n then_o that_o such_o and_o such_o fruit_n of_o grace_n the_o matter_n of_o its_o mediate_a testimony_n be_v not_o counterfeit_v and_o i_o have_v do_v press_v this_o argument_n any_o more_o 3_o the_o three_o thing_n the_o spirit_n do_v be_v to_o infer_v the_o conclusion_n of_o the_o grand_a syllogism_n in_o a_o conviction_n of_o a_o gracious_a and_o happy_a estate_n thus_o therefore_o thou_o be_v a_o child_n of_o god_n a_o heir_n of_o glory_n justify_v sanctify_a etc._n etc._n for_o all_o these_o term_n and_o many_o more_o be_v of_o equal_a import_n to_o the_o case_n in_o hand_n the_o conclude_v any_o thing_n in_o a_o man_n that_o necessary_o accompany_v salvation_n conclude_v the_o certainty_n of_o salvation_n to_o that_o person_n and_o seal_v up_o assurance_n in_o the_o former_a two_o act_n the_o spirit_n be_v the_o candle_n of_o the_o lord_n without_o a_o man_n in_o point_v out_o the_o word_n and_o within_o a_o man_n in_o the_o application_n of_o his_o case_n to_o the_o word_n and_o in_o this_o he_o act_v the_o part_n of_o a_o just_a determiner_n of_o the_o controversy_n upon_o this_o evidence_n a_o judge_n in_o the_o conscience_n quit_v and_o justify_v the_o prisoner_n and_o this_o be_v his_o sentence_n of_o absolution_n and_o therefore_o when_o it_o be_v pronounce_v by_o his_o minister_n as_o most_o common_o it_o be_v it_o be_v call_v lose_v the_o
10._o 4_o assurance_n a_o soul_n have_v go_v thus_o far_o the_o next_o question_n be_v but_o what_o if_o see_v there_o be_v many_o that_o come_v and_o claim_v a_o interest_n in_o christ_n that_o shall_v at_o last_o be_v cast_v out_o because_o they_o do_v not_o indeed_o come_v and_o claim_v christ_n as_o they_o shall_v i_o say_v what_o if_o i_o be_v find_v among_o they_o and_o then_o i_o shall_v be_v ashamed_a of_o my_o hope_n and_o my_o reliance_n at_o the_o last_o when_o i_o have_v expect_v so_o much_o from_o it_o now_o to_o this_o the_o scripture_n say_v there_o be_v no_o condemnation_n to_o they_o that_o be_v in_o christ_n jesus_n rom._n 8._o 1._o john_n 3._o 16._o whoever_o believe_v shall_v have_v everlasting_a life_n etc._n etc._n hereby_o shall_v you_o know_v that_o you_o be_v pass_v from_o death_n to_o life_n &c_n &c_n 1_o john_n 3._o 14._o john_n 14._o 21._o then_o shall_v i_o not_o be_v ashamed_a when_o i_o have_v respect_n etc._n etc._n psal_n 119_o 6._o the_o answer_n of_o the_o heart_n to_o this_o be_v such_o a_o one_o be_o i_o therefore_o my_o faith_n be_v true_a therefore_o i_o be_o under_o this_o condition_n or_o state_n i_o know_v that_o i_o be_o pass_v from_o death_n to_o life_n i_o know_v that_o i_o be_o of_o god_n 1_o john_n 5._o 19_o i_o need_v not_o be_v ashamed_a now_o the_o three_o of_o these_o act_n to_o wit_n reliance_n be_v a_o act_n to_o be_v exercise_v perpetual_o in_o order_n to_o the_o get_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o the_o last_o viz._n assurance_n when_o assurance_n as_o most_o ordinary_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v be_v not_o enjoy_v at_o the_o same_o time_n together_o with_o it_o for_o 1_o this_o be_v the_o advice_n isai_n 50._o 10._o let_v he_o trust_v in_o the_o lord_n and_o stay_v himself_o upon_o his_o god_n who_o be_v he_o that_o be_v thus_o advise_v one_o that_o walk_v in_o darkness_n and_o see_v no_o light_n and_o therefore_o be_v not_o assure_v that_o god_n be_v his_o god_n though_o he_o be_v so_o he_o must_v stay_v upon_o his_o god_n first_o he_o must_v lay_v claim_n to_o he_o as_o his_o god_n and_o then_o stay_v and_o depend_v and_o rest_n upon_o he_o i_o illustrate_v it_o thus_o suppose_v such_o a_o friend_n as_o i_o before_o mention_v that_o offer_v the_o high_a act_n of_o real_a friendship_n to_o all_o that_o come_v to_o he_o accept_v of_o it_o upon_o such_o and_o such_o term_n claim_v his_o favour_n and_o rely_v on_o his_o promise_n which_o be_v the_o way_n for_o i_o to_o be_v assure_v that_o this_o man_n will_v be_v my_o friend_n in_o particular_a be_v it_o not_o this_o to_o go_v to_o he_o and_o tell_v he_o sir_n your_o publication_n of_o your_o good_a will_n encourage_v i_o to_o accept_v your_o offer_n embolden_v i_o to_o claim_v a_o interest_n in_o your_o friendship_n though_o neither_o your_o proclamation_n nor_o offer_v nor_o promise_v name_v i_o in_o particular_a and_o now_o sir_n i_o rely_v upon_o your_o promise_n to_o interpose_v for_o i_o between_o i_o and_o justice_n to_o pay_v such_o a_o debt_n for_o i_o if_o you_o fail_v i_o i_o be_o a_o undo_v man_n i_o have_v such_o a_o esteem_n of_o your_o word_n that_o i_o be_o resolve_v i_o will_v adventure_v myself_o upon_o it_o and_o all_o that_o i_o be_o though_o i_o know_v your_o mind_n no_o far_o concern_v i_o in_o particular_a yet_o i_o can_v withal_o but_o desire_n that_o if_o you_o think_v fit_a you_o will_v give_v i_o a_o particular_a assurance_n that_o i_o be_o accept_v by_o you_o as_o one_o of_o those_o to_o who_o you_o stand_v so_o engage_v that_o by_o the_o knowledge_n of_o my_o particular_a obligation_n to_o you_o i_o may_v be_v encourage_v the_o more_o cheerful_o to_o serve_v you_o and_o to_o be_v the_o more_o hearty_o thankful_a i_o appeal_v to_o all_o man_n whether_o this_o be_v not_o the_o likely_a way_n to_o get_v a_o particular_a engagement_n from_o this_o man_n apply_v this_o to_o the_o case_n in_o hand_n and_o you_o will_v see_v reason_n in_o my_o direction_n to_o act_v reliance_n in_o order_n to_o assurance_n 2_o beside_o reliance_n frequent_o exercise_v will_v yield_v argument_n of_o assurance_n especial_o be_v act_v in_o particular_a case_n as_o suppose_v temptation_n corruption_n strait_n as_o though_o a_o man_n have_v no_o particular_a obligation_n from_o a_o friend_n yet_o know_v his_o principle_n that_o he_o never_o fail_v those_o that_o depend_v on_o he_o and_o have_v rely_v upon_o he_o often_o and_o find_v he_o have_v not_o fail_v he_o at_o any_o time_n at_o last_o he_o become_v assure_v that_o he_o will_v not_o so_o see_v i_o know_v that_o god_n never_o fail_v they_o that_o trust_v in_o he_o and_o i_o have_v find_v that_o he_o have_v stand_v by_o i_o in_o many_o a_o sad_a plunge_n of_o spirit_n in_o pursuance_n of_o that_o and_o the_o like_a obligation_n i_o hence_o argue_v sure_o he_o will_v never_o fail_v i_o so_o the_o holy_a prophet_n argue_v 1_o sam._n 17._o 37._o and_o so_o the_o apostle_n paul_n 2_o cor._n 1._o 10._o god_n have_v deliver_v god_n do_v deliver_v and_o god_n will_v deliver_v 3_o assurance_n be_v recover_v the_o same_o way_n when_o it_o be_v lose_v wherein_o it_o be_v to_o be_v get_v when_o a_o man_n be_v utter_o a_o stranger_n to_o it_o and_o this_o i_o evidence_n thus_o a_o soul_n in_o desertion_n look_v upon_o himself_o as_o have_v no_o grace_n at_o all_o and_o therefore_o he_o do_v act_n and_o if_o he_o can_v act_v no_o high_a we_o advise_v he_o to_o act_v as_o if_o he_o begin_v all_o anew_o this_o course_n be_v in_o vain_a if_o not_o the_o same_o in_o both_o chap._n xv._o another_o direction_n concern_v seek_v god_n face_n in_o ordinance_n such_o as_o the_o word_n and_o prayer_n 2._o direct_v 2._o ii_o seek_v diligent_o in_o all_o ordinance_n after_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n the_o way_n for_o recovery_n of_o lose_a evidence_n be_v that_o as_o be_v say_v before_o which_o be_v most_o proper_a for_o get_v it_o at_o first_o the_o church_n in_o cant._n 3_o 1_o 2_o 3_o 4._o have_v lose_v her_o belove_a it_o be_v night_n a_o night_n of_o desertion_n and_o he_o have_v slip_v away_o in_o the_o dark_a what_o do_v she_o then_o she_o seek_v he_o first_o upon_o her_o bed_n lay_v still_o its_o likely_a and_o send_v some_o sleepy_a call_v after_o he_o but_o christ_n will_v not_o be_v find_v at_o that_o rate_n i_o seek_v he_o but_o i_o find_v he_o not_o what_o then_o see_v what_o follow_v i_o will_v rise_v now_o yea_o that_o be_v a_o more_o likely_a course_n shake_v off_o that_o sinful_a sloth_n and_o seek_v he_o in_o good_a earnest_n so_o she_o do_v i_o will_v go_v about_o the_o city_n in_o the_o street_n and_o in_o the_o broad_a way_n in_o the_o city_n that_o be_v in_o the_o church_n set_v out_o by_o a_o city_n often_o in_o scripture_n because_o of_o communion_n defence_n order_n like_o a_o city_n and_o often_o by_o the_o city_n of_o jerusalem_n in_o particular_a in_o the_o street_n and_o broad_a 2._o apoc._n 21._o 2._o way_n i._n e._n the_o place_n of_o concourse_n the_o assembly_n of_o the_o saint_n there_o wisdom_n utter_v her_o voice_n prov._n 1._o 20_o 21._o there_o she_o meet_v with_o the_o watchman_n and_o she_o ask_v they_o etc._n etc._n and_o then_o when_o she_o have_v advise_v with_o they_o and_o follow_v their_o direction_n see_v what_o follow_v ver_fw-la 4._o it_o be_v but_o a_o little_a that_o i_o pass_v from_o they_o but_o i_o find_v he_o who_o my_o soul_n love_v i_o find_v he_o that_o be_v in_o the_o evidence_n and_o refreshment_n of_o his_o spirit_n 1_o seek_v in_o the_o word_n if_o god_n give_v any_o soul_n peace_n in_o a_o ordinary_a way_n and_o who_o be_v we_o that_o we_o shall_v put_v god_n to_o the_o charge_n of_o extraordinary_n it_o be_v the_o fruit_n of_o the_o lip_n isai_n 57_o 19_o the_o fruit_n of_o who_o lip_n even_o the_o lip_n of_o those_o who_o lip_n be_v appoint_v to_o be_v the_o treasury_n of_o save_a knowledge_n for_o the_o church_n the_o priest_n 7_o mal._n 2._o 7_o lip_n shall_v preserve_v knowledge_n and_o the_o people_n shall_v seek_v it_o at_o his_o mouth_n but_o may_n the_o soul_n say_v what_o can_v he_o do_v towards_o that_o work_n it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o power_n of_o man_n to_o ease_v i_o man_n can_v heal_v the_o wound_n that_o a_o almighty_a god_n make_v yes_o such_o a_o man_n may_v do_v much_o ministerial_o and_o instrumental_o for_o he_o be_v the_o messenger_n of_o the_o lord_n of_o host_n mal._n 2._o 7._o certain_o god_n can_v have_v give_v cornelius_n direction_n what_o to_o do_v without_o send_v he_o to_o peter_n it_o be_v as_o easy_a for_o he_o to_o have_v
be_v yea_o &_o amen_o sure_a and_o firm_a in_o christ_n by_o virtue_n of_o his_o purchase_n propter_fw-la pretium_fw-la solutum_fw-la as_o a_o bargain_n be_v to_o the_o purchaser_n upon_o consideration_n of_o the_o price_n whether_o any_o man_n think_v they_o so_o or_o no_o but_o it_o be_v the_o spirit_n that_o make_v they_o sure_a to_o the_o party_n for_o who_o they_o be_v purchase_v per_fw-la possessionem_fw-la inchoatam_fw-la by_o a_o inchoated_a possession_n as_o the_o jew_n be_v put_v in_o possession_n of_o the_o lard_n of_o canaan_n by_o a_o few_o cluster_n of_o grape_n and_o a_o man_n enter_v upon_o a_o great_a estate_n by_o the_o cut_n of_o a_o turf_n upon_o the_o land_n assurance_n be_v a_o turf_n of_o the_o land_n of_o promise_n and_o this_o be_v put_v into_o our_o hand_n by_o the_o spirit_n i_o can_v add_v many_o more_o place_n i_o will_v name_v at_o present_a only_o one_o more_o and_o that_o be_v rom._n 5._o 5._o the_o love_n of_o god_n be_v shed_v abroad_o in_o our_o heart_n by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n that_o be_v give_v to_o we_o and_o what_o be_v the_o fruit_n of_o that_o abundant_a shed_v abroad_o of_o the_o spirit_n hence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v ver_fw-la 4._o that_o our_o hope_n make_v not_o ashamed_a if_o one_o man_n build_v upon_o the_o testimony_n of_o another_o in_o business_n of_o concernment_n and_o when_o he_o come_v to_o produce_v he_o in_o open_a court_n his_o testimony_n come_v not_o up_o to_o the_o business_n in_o hand_n or_o his_o testimony_n appear_v suspicious_a a_o man_n do_v not_o only_o lose_v his_o cause_n but_o his_o hope_n also_o and_o be_v public_o shame_v for_o his_o confidence_n in_o such_o a_o testimony_n but_o say_v the_o apostle_n if_o the_o holy_a ghost_n shed_v abroad_o the_o love_n of_o god_n in_o our_o heart_n i._n e._n plentiful_o assure_v we_o of_o it_o the_o hope_n that_o be_v ground_v thereupon_o will_v never_o make_v we_o ashamed_a his_o testimony_n will_v bear_v a_o man_n and_o his_o cause_n up_o before_o the_o judgement_n seat_n of_o christ_n or_o his_o deputy_n conscience_n whenever_o it_o shall_v be_v call_v in_o question_n whether_o here_o or_o hereafter_o at_o the_o great_a day_n 2._o reason_n and_o herein_o consider_v two_o thing_n i._o the_o matter_n of_o the_o assurance_n which_o the_o spirit_n give_v regular_o be_v a_o demonstration_n a_o demonstration_n say_v logician_n be_v syllogismus_fw-la scientificus_fw-la a_o argument_n that_o produce_v a_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o the_o thing_n conclude_v demonstration_n be_v of_o two_o sort_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o and_o why._n 1_o that_o a_o thing_n be_v i_o can_v certain_o prove_v that_o the_o tree_n live_v because_o it_o grow_v and_o bring_v forth_o leaf_n and_o fruit_n that_o a_o man_n be_v in_o a_o present_a good_a temper_n of_o body_n because_o he_o have_v a_o good_a pulse_n and_o this_o be_v call_v demonstratio_fw-la ab_fw-la effectu_fw-la or_o demonstratio_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d thus_o the_o spirit_n certain_o prove_v that_o i_o be_o a_o child_n of_o god_n by_o the_o effect_n of_o adoption_n thus_o he_o that_o be_v lead_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n be_v a_o son_n of_o god_n but_o this_o man_n be_v lead_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n therefore_o he_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n here_o be_v a_o certain_a testimony_n the_o major_n of_o this_o argument_n he_o that_o be_v lead_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n be_v plain_a scripture_n and_o set_v forth_o the_o proper_a effect_n of_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n to_o be_v lead_v by_o the_o spirit_n or_o to_o endeavour_v to_o be_v holy_a in_o all_o manner_n of_o conversation_n the_o minor_a or_o second_v proposition_n be_v true_a by_o experience_n which_o i_o see_v by_o the_o spiritual_a sense_n which_o the_o spirit_n give_v i_o and_o therefore_o the_o conclusion_n be_v demonstrative_o true_a such_o a_o man_n be_v a_o son_n of_o god_n 2_o why_o it_o be_v and_o this_o also_o have_v place_n here_o i_o can_v certain_o and_o demonstrative_o prove_v that_o it_o be_v day_n because_o the_o sun_n shine_v that_o make_v day_n so_o if_o the_o spirit_n conclude_v thus_o he_o that_o be_v beget_v of_o god_n be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n but_o such_o a_o man_n be_v beget_v of_o god_n therefore_o etc._n etc._n the_o argument_n be_v demonstrative_a and_o produce_v where_o the_o spirit_n set_v it_o home_n a_o certain_a assent_n this_o be_v demonstratio_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o conclude_v the_o effect_n from_o the_o cause_n quest_n but_o here_o be_v a_o question_n whether_o a_o man_n may_v be_v assure_v of_o his_o good_a estate_n by_o a_o argument_n à _fw-la priori_fw-la that_o be_v by_o that_o which_o constitute_v he_o in_o such_o a_o estate_n as_o suppose_v whether_o a_o man_n may_v know_v that_o he_o be_v a_o child_n of_o god_n from_o the_o very_a act_n of_o his_o conversion_n which_o constitute_v he_o such_o or_o rather_o whether_o his_o only_a evidence_n that_o he_o be_v a_o child_n of_o god_n be_v not_o from_o the_o effect_n of_o his_o relation_n to_o god_n and_o that_o convert_v grace_n that_o make_v he_o so_o because_o grace_n in_o its_o first_o generation_n be_v dark_a answ_n hereunto_o i_o answer_v in_o a_o word_n 1._o if_o the_o spirit_n may_v and_o do_v sometime_o immediate_o testify_v or_o mediate_o but_o not_o by_o argument_n as_o have_v be_v declare_v heretofore_o than_o he_o can_v assure_v a_o man_n without_o the_o present_a use_n of_o either_o of_o these_o mean_n to_o prove_v it_o so_o that_o he_o can_v if_o he_o please_v work_v a_o immediate_a consent_n to_o this_o proposition_n at_o first_o conversion_n i_o be_o at_o this_o instant_n beget_v of_o god_n which_o be_v the_o minor_a proposition_n in_o the_o syllogism_n which_o be_v a_o implicit_a assurance_n that_o such_o a_o one_o be_v a_o child_n of_o god_n 2._o the_o spirit_n testify_v as_o he_o ordinary_o do_v i_o e._n by_o argument_n be_v at_o liberty_n to_o use_v his_o own_o argument_n to_o satisfy_v the_o conscience_n and_o the_o evidence_n or_o in-evidence_n of_o the_o proposition_n shall_v not_o hinder_v the_o assent_n of_o the_o soul_n to_o the_o conclusion_n if_o the_o spirit_n give_v light_a to_o they_o if_o the_o spirit_n will_v tell_v a_o soul_n under_o his_o own_o vis_fw-la plastica_fw-la in_o the_o very_a womb_n of_o renew_v grace_n in_o the_o act_n of_o regeneration_n this_o work_n i_o be_o now_o work_v be_v a_o regenerate_a work_n god_n be_v now_o beget_v true_a grace_n in_o thy_o heart_n therefore_o thou_o be_v a_o child_n of_o god_n i_o know_v not_o why_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v a_o demonstrative_a evidence_n because_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o conclusion_n thou_o regenerate_v person_n be_v a_o child_n of_o god_n depend_v on_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o proposition_n every_o one_o who_o god_n beget_v to_o a_o life_n of_o grace_n be_v a_o child_n of_o god_n and_o so_o certain_o from_o scripture_n the_o assumption_n but_o thou_o be_v one_o who_o god_n at_o this_o instant_n have_v beget_v to_o a_o life_n of_o grace_n be_v true_a by_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o spirit_n testify_v to_o a_o man_n own_o spirit_n who_o by_o spiritual_a sense_n be_v enable_v to_o feel_v that_o work_n upon_o himself_o and_o therefore_o this_o evidence_n may_v be_v a_o sure_a evidence_n though_o it_o be_v à _fw-fr priori_fw-la yet_o will_v i_o be_v understand_v wary_o in_o what_o caution_n caution_n i_o say_v herein_o 1._o i_o only_o affirm_v a_o possibility_n of_o receive_v assurance_n this_o way_n not_o a_o usual_a or_o ordinary_a course_n of_o the_o spirit_n towards_o all_o or_o any_o that_o i_o know_v in_o particular_a because_o it_o be_v that_o which_o i_o hear_v oftentimes_o plead_v for_o by_o some_o of_o god_n precious_a one_o who_o experience_n in_o this_o secret_a work_n of_o the_o spirit_n may_v be_v more_o than_o i_o i_o can_v say_v less_o than_o this_o yet_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o other_o of_o a_o antinomian_a spirit_n that_o reject_v all_o trial_n by_o the_o effect_n of_o regeneration_n which_o i_o still_o affirm_v to_o be_v the_o usual_a road_n way_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o give_v assurance_n i_o dare_v not_o say_v more_o 2_o remember_v that_o before_o i_o tell_v you_o that_o habitual_a and_o fix_v settle_a permanent_a actual_a assurance_n be_v collect_v from_o the_o fruit_n of_o the_o spirit_n that_o follow_v the_o first_o act_n of_o unite_n grace_n though_o a_o present_a temporary_a actual_a assurance_n may_v possible_o be_v give_v in_o the_o very_a moment_n of_o actual_a union_n between_o christ_n and_o the_o soul_n and_o therefore_o it_o concern_v every_o one_o that_o have_v be_v so_o assure_v at_o first_o not_o to_o rest_v there_o but_o to_o endeavour_v to_o ratify_v and_o habituate_v that_o assurance_n
to_o himself_o by_o argument_n à _fw-la posteriori_fw-la from_o the_o effect_n of_o that_o convert_n grace_n which_o he_o have_v for_o the_o present_a have_v actual_a assurance_n of_o ii_o the_o formal_a act_n of_o assurance_n as_o it_o be_v the_o work_n of_o the_o spirit_n testify_v our_o sonship_n from_o such_o argument_n as_o have_v be_v mention_v or_o without_o they_o be_v likewise_o certain_a and_o evidence_v if_o we_o consider_v the_o witness_n who_o thus_o testify_v the_o holy_a spirit_n of_o god_n in_o who_o there_o be_v these_o thing_n considerable_a which_o make_v a_o witness_n credible_a 1._o knowledge_n 2._o faithfulness_n 3._o disengagement_n 1_o knowledge_n this_o testimony_n be_v between_o two_o party_n god_n and_o man_n therefore_o 1_o joh._n 5._o 6_o 7._o the_o spirit_n witness_v in_o heaven_n and_o in_o earth_n too_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n know_v both_o thorough_o and_o not_o only_o the_o party_n but_o all_o their_o thought_n and_o action_n he_o know_v the_o scripture_n he_o know_v the_o mind_n of_o god_n yea_o even_o in_o the_o deep_a â—hings_n god_n secret_a decree_n and_o intention_n concern_v man_n and_o their_o final_a and_o eternal_a condition_n which_o be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o depth_n of_o god_n 1_o cor._n 2._o 10._o even_o those_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o which_o the_o apostle_n speak_v rom._n 11._o 33._o concern_v which_o in_o a_o way_n of_o admiration_n and_o amazement_n he_o pronounce_v a_o utter_a unsearchablenesse_n by_o all_o power_n of_o nature_n and_o these_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d he_o search_v out_o i._n e._n enable_v his_o people_n to_o search_v out_o he_o can_v enable_v his_o people_n for_o he_o be_v god_n and_o need_v not_o himself_o search_v for_o that_o knowledge_n to_o search_v into_o the_o very_a decree_n of_o god_n concern_v their_o eternal_a predestination_n to_o life_n and_o no_o wonder_n for_o all_o those_o secret_n of_o god_n come_v through_o his_o hand_n as_o we_o say_v he_o have_v the_o draw_v up_o of_o all_o the_o eternal_a record_n of_o god_n decree_n he_o be_v let_v it_o be_v understand_v with_o reverence_n the_o secretary_n of_o god_n as_o a_o man_n spirit_n be_v his_o secretary_n and_o only_o know_v what_o be_v in_o he_o 1_o cor._n 2._o 11._o see_v how_o the_o apostle_n enlarge_v upon_o that_o subject_a in_o the_o former_a place_n compare_v for_o 4_o 7_o 8_o 10_o 11_o 12._o and_o all_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v do_v in_o nature_n or_o grace_n they_o come_v through_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o spirit_n see_v in_o creation_n gen._n 1._o 2._o redemption_n he_o miraculous_o operate_v in_o the_o conception_n of_o christ_n luke_n 1._o 35._o in_o the_o anoint_v he_o isai_n 61._o 1_o 2._o luke_n 4._o 18._o regeneration_n job_n 3._o 5._o sanctification_n 1_o pet._n 1._o 2._o he_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o able_a witness_n to_o the_o work_n that_o he_o do_v himself_o then_o for_o the_o knowledge_n he_o have_v of_o man_n see_v psalm_n 139._o 7._o compare_v with_o the_o precede_a and_o the_o follow_a verse_n rom._n 9_o 1._o thou_o know_v no_o good_a in_o thyself_o but_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n know_v it_o because_o he_o be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o he_o know_v all_o thy_o sin_n and_o therefore_o when_o he_o bring_v under_o bondage_n he_o can_v and_o do_v set_v all_o our_o secret_a sin_n in_o order_n before_o our_o eye_n a_o man_n see_v himself_o by_o a_o new_a light_n psal_n 50._o 21._o so_o in_o assurance_n he_o give_v a_o man_n a_o clear_a sight_n of_o that_o in_o himself_o which_o before_o he_o can_v not_o see_v the_o spirit_n know_v thy_o secret_a groan_n because_o he_o make_v supplication_n in_o they_o rom._n 8._o 26._o thy_o secret_a grace_n be_v his_o fruit_n gal._n 5._o 22._o he_o know_v the_o meaning_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o can_v apply_v comfort_n sound_o according_a to_o the_o mind_n of_o god_n 2_o pet._n 1._o 21._o 2_o faithfulness_n a_o man_n that_o be_v not_o know_v to_o be_v of_o sufficient_a credit_n for_o honesty_n and_o faithfulness_n in_o his_o word_n be_v not_o admit_v for_o a_o sufficient_a witness_n but_o a_o honest_a man_n that_o make_v conscience_n of_o his_o word_n be_v credible_a in_o every_o court_n and_o case_n the_o spirit_n be_v such_o a_o witness_n john_n 15._o 16._o he_o be_v call_v the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n indeed_o truth_n be_v his_o essence_n for_o he_o be_v god_n and_o he_o can_v lie_v but_o he_o will_v cease_v to_o be_v god_n 1_o joh._n 5._o 6._o the_o spirit_n bear_v witness_n of_o the_o blood_n of_o justification_n and_o the_o water_n of_o sanctification_n but_o how_o be_v we_o assure_v his_o witness_n be_v true_a he_o answer_v because_o the_o spirit_n be_v truth_n the_o spirit_n will_v never_o be_v induce_v to_o give_v a_o false_a evidence_n he_o never_o call_v good_a evil_n or_o evil_a good_a the_o strength_n of_o divine_a consolation_n lie_v in_o this_o that_o it_o depend_v upon_o the_o credit_n of_o god_n who_o can_v possible_o lie_v heb._n 6._o 17_o 18._o 3_o he_o be_v disengage_v and_o that_o add_v a_o three_o particular_a 1_o to_o the_o value_n of_o his_o testimony_n the_o spirit_n be_v no_o way_n a_o party_n with_o they_o for_o who_o he_o testify_v stand_v in_o no_o relation_n to_o we_o far_o than_o he_o assume_v we_o into_o communion_n with_o himself_o of_o mere_a grace_n get_v no_o benefit_n to_o himself_o by_o his_o testimony_n even_o the_o glory_n that_o he_o get_v by_o it_o add_v nothing_o to_o he_o if_o our_o own_o heart_n witness_v alone_o they_o be_v party_n and_o may_v flatter_v themselves_o if_o satan_n witness_n he_o be_v also_o a_o party_n in_o that_o he_o seek_v his_o own_o end_n viz._n the_o eternal_a undo_n of_o poor_a soul_n with_o himself_o by_o such_o a_o delusive_a comfort_n 2_o nay_o more_o the_o spirit_n testimony_n be_v the_o testimony_n of_o one_o who_o we_o have_v often_o resist_v grieve_a vex_a quench_v now_o though_o a_o person_n testimony_n who_o a_o man_n have_v offend_v avail_v not_o against_o he_o in_o law_n yet_o a_o discontent_a person_n testimony_n for_o he_o with_o who_o he_o be_v offend_v be_v of_o great_a force_n and_o yet_o be_v the_o spirit_n testimony_n even_o against_o a_o man_n no_o less_o true_a because_o the_o sinner_n stand_v as_o a_o enemy_n against_o the_o holy_a ghost_n because_o partly_o that_o testimony_n be_v for_o his_o good_a and_o partly_o because_o though_o a_o enemy_n yet_o he_o have_v often_o labour_v to_o persuade_v the_o sinner_n against_o who_o he_o witness_v to_o be_v reconcile_v which_o take_v away_o all_o suspicion_n of_o malice_n from_o the_o spirit_n condemn_v testimony_n but_o i_o here_o show_v only_o this_o that_o if_o notwithstanding_o a_o state_n and_o act_n of_o enmity_n the_o spirit_n testimony_n be_v valid_a against_o a_o man_n it_o must_v needs_o be_v more_o probable_a when_o it_o speak_v for_o he_o though_o actual_o offend_v by_o he_o so_o much_o for_o the_o proof_n chap._n xxi_o a_o case_n whether_o this_o privilege_n be_v so_o certain_a as_o it_o exclude_v all_o doubt_v here_o it_o will_v be_v needful_a to_o handle_v a_o question_n before_o application_n that_o be_v quest_n whether_o this_o evidence_n be_v such_o as_o to_o admit_v no_o doubt_v to_o which_o i_o answer_v 1_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v sometime_o full_a and_o plain_a to_o the_o point_n sometime_o it_o be_v but_o partial_a and_o speak_v something_o towards_o it_o but_o not_o thorough_o to_o satisfaction_n a_o full_a testimony_n be_v a_o satisfy_a testimony_n and_o can_v at_o the_o same_o time_n admit_v of_o partial_a doubt_n this_o be_v call_v full_a assurance_n but_o 4._o heb._n 6._o 4._o a_o partial_a evidence_n may_v admit_v partial_a diffidence_n there_o be_v therefore_o a_o rejoice_v with_o fear_n and_o tremble_a psal_n 2._o 11._o though_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o may_v be_v sufficient_a at_o another_o time_n to_o evidence_n yet_o it_o will_v not_o do_v it_o then_o 2_o full_a assurance_n arise_v from_o a_o entire_a and_o home-testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n at_o one_o time_n may_v admit_v such_o measure_n of_o doubt_v and_o diffidence_n at_o another_o time_n as_o may_v raise_v strong_a prejudices_fw-la against_o itself_o sometime_o a_o saint_n be_v at_o the_o top_n of_o the_o ladder_n of_o assurance_n ready_a to_o put_v his_o foot_n on_o the_o threshold_n of_o heaven_n itself_o and_o at_o other_o time_n under_o such_o a_o sad_a pang_n of_o doubt_v and_o diffidence_n as_o bring_v he_o to_o the_o very_a brink_n of_o hell_n see_v david_n psa_n 27._o 1._o &_o 4._o 6._o &_o 51._o 8_o 11._o &_o 42._o &_o 43._o ult_n &_o 13._o 1._o and_o job_n job_n 19_o 25._o &_o 6._o 4._o but_o this_o arise_v not_o from_o defect_n in_o the_o evidence_n but_o in_o the_o man_n use_n
of_o it_o if_o i_o have_v never_o so_o good_a a_o evidence_n and_o lay_v it_o out_o of_o the_o way_n or_o blot_v it_o the_o fault_n be_v not_o in_o my_o evidence_n if_o the_o title_n be_v questionable_a again_o which_o it_o confirm_v and_o the_o truth_n be_v very_o few_o of_o god_n people_n enjoy_v a_o uninterrupted_n actual_a assurance_n indeed_o it_o be_v such_o a_o sparkle_n of_o glory_n that_o a_o soul_n can_v bear_v it_o and_o as_o a_o testimony_n though_o never_o so_o full_a to_o a_o cause_n so_o that_o in_o one_o court_n it_o carry_v the_o judgement_n without_o far_a ado_n may_v be_v upon_o review_v in_o another_o court_n call_v into_o question_n again_o and_o be_v perplex_v so_o by_o a_o cunning_a lawyer_n that_o it_o may_v seem_v questionable_a again_o so_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o spirit_n that_o once_o give_v full_a assurance_n in_o the_o conscience_n may_v by_o satan_n be_v bring_v to_o the_o court_n of_o sense_n and_o reason_n and_o make_v disputable_a again_o yet_o as_o to_o habitual_a assurance_n it_o be_v true_a that_o it_o can_v never_o be_v quite_o extinguish_v by_o doubt_v it_o may_v be_v dip_v but_o not_o drown_v it_o may_v be_v in_o a_o swoon_n but_o not_o die_v a_o saint_n may_v say_v to_o satan_n when_o he_o triumph_n most_o over_o his_o assurance_n as_o the_o church_n mic._n 7_o 8_o 9_o rejoice_v not_o over_o i_o etc._n etc._n when_o i_o be_o in_o darkness_n etc._n etc._n god_n have_v promise_v it_o isa_n 57_o 15_o 16_o 17._o heaviness_n may_v endure_v for_o a_o night_n but_o joy_n come_v in_o the_o morning_n psal_n 306._o and_o indeed_o assurance_n be_v god_n seal_n and_o earnest_n if_o this_o gift_n of_o god_n be_v not_o without_o repentance_n neither_o be_v his_o covenant_n for_o eternal_a life_n and_o glory_n irrevocable_a if_o god_n recall_v his_o earnest_n he_o recant_v his_o bargain_n as_o the_o take_v a_o earnest_n back_o again_o among_o mâ—n_z make_v the_o bargain_n void_a and_o the_o puâ—ling_n off_o a_o seal_n cancel_v the_o deed._n yet_o let_v i_o not_o herein_o be_v mistake_v i_o will_v caution_n caution_n not_o be_v conceive_v to_o affirm_v that_o a_o child_n of_o god_n always_o recover_v his_o assurance_n again_o after_o loss_n in_o this_o life_n in_o as_o full_a a_o measure_n as_o he_o once_o have_v it_o a_o man_n may_v lose_v his_o assurance_n for_o his_o ill_a manage_n of_o it_o and_o possible_o such_o may_v be_v the_o heinousness_n of_o such_o a_o miscarriage_n as_o may_v provoke_v god_n to_o let_v he_o lie_v long_o under_o break_a bone_n and_o whenever_o by_o renew_v repentance_n he_o recover_v it_o he_o may_v just_o withdraw_v from_o he_o some_o measure_n of_o that_o boldness_n and_o confidence_n in_o his_o presence_n which_o he_o have_v before_o nay_o i_o know_v not_o why_o a_o true_a child_n of_o god_n may_v not_o after_o lose_v assurance_n if_o lose_v in_o such_o a_o way_n of_o provocation_n on_o his_o part_n go_v mourn_v all_o his_o day_n and_o hardly_o ever_o be_v able_a to_o 15._o isai_n 3â—_n 15._o act_v it_o again_o direct_o and_o formal_o yet_o the_o habit_n of_o it_o may_v be_v still_o firm_a and_o unmoveable_a and_o in_o itself_o still_o capable_a to_o be_v reduce_v into_o act_n but_o that_o he_o be_v by_o reason_n of_o those_o obstruction_n which_o he_o have_v lay_v in_o his_o own_o way_n incapable_a of_o revive_v the_o act_n of_o it_o now_o that_o even_o in_o such_o a_o one_o the_o habit_n of_o it_o remain_v still_o be_v evident_a from_o hence_o that_o he_o still_o produce_v some_o visible_a fruit_n of_o it_o keep_v up_o a_o contest_v though_o but_o a_o weak_a and_o faint_a one_o with_o doubt_v and_o do_v not_o quite_o lay_v down_o the_o weapon_n to_o despair_v that_o though_o he_o apprehend_v his_o hope_n exceed_o small_a yet_o he_o will_v not_o be_v buy_v out_o of_o they_o by_o all_o satan_n offer_n and_o even_o in_o this_o darkness_n many_o time_n choose_v affliction_n for_o righteousness_n sake_n as_o that_o holy_a martyr_n that_o under_o those_o sad_a desertion_n be_v go_v to_o the_o stake_n and_o reâ—olved_v to_o die_v though_o he_o have_v not_o receive_v that_o actual_a assurance_n again_o which_o make_v he_o cry_v out_o he_o be_v come_v he_o be_v come_v but_o glover_n glover_n all_o these_o act_n be_v not_o the_o direct_a act_n of_o assurance_n but_o indirect_a and_o virtual_a act_n such_o as_o suffice_v to_o keep_v the_o life_n and_o soul_n of_o religion_n together_o as_o we_o use_v to_o express_v ourselves_o but_o such_o as_o discover_v much_o of_o the_o vigour_n of_o a_o saint_n spiritual_a constitution_n to_o be_v impair_v other_o question_n there_o be_v that_o may_v be_v prâ—mised_v here_o but_o i_o shall_v find_v time_n to_o take_v they_o up_o in_o the_o application_n chap._n xxii_o popish_a doctrine_n concern_v doubt_v and_o uncertainty_n confute_v our_o own_o certainty_n and_o assurance_n of_o salvation_n examine_v where_o several_a case_n concern_v the_o distinction_n of_o the_o spirit_n testimony_n from_o satan_n or_o our_o own_o heart_n this_o afford_v we_o matter_n of_o confutation_n of_o the_o erroneous_a doctrine_n of_o doubt_v application_n application_n and_o uncertainty_n which_o the_o papist_n and_o person_n among_o ourselves_o un-experienced_n in_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n take_v for_o truth_n viz._n that_o a_o man_n can_v in_o this_o life_n be_v certain_o assure_v of_o his_o own_o salvation_n these_o person_n rob_v the_o holy_a spirit_n of_o one_o of_o his_o special_a office_n that_o of_o be_v the_o comforter_n the_o lord_n jesus_n of_o one_o of_o the_o glorious_a fruit_n of_o his_o ascension_n which_o be_v the_o send_v the_o holy_a ghost_n to_o his_o people_n to_o that_o end_n god_n the_o father_n of_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o glory_n and_o service_n at_o least_o of_o the_o most_o noble_a and_o generous_a part_n of_o it_o that_o that_o proceed_v from_o love_n and_o thankfulness_n the_o saint_n of_o their_o great_a encouragement_n to_o obedience_n support_v in_o tribulation_n comfort_n in_o suffering_n and_o hope_v in_o death_n and_o last_o evacuate_v one_o main_a end_n of_o the_o very_a scripture_n themselves_o which_o be_v therefore_o at_o least_o a_o main_a part_n of_o they_o write_v that_o the_o saint_n may_v know_v that_o they_o have_v eternal_a life_n 1_o john_n 5_o 13._o and_o if_o there_o be_v no_o other_o reason_n why_o we_o shall_v abhor_v the_o romish_a synagogue_n yet_o be_v this_o sufficient_a that_o they_o profess_o hold_v forth_o a_o doctrine_n of_o despair_n that_o be_v such_o a_o doctrine_n in_o which_o a_o man_n can_v neither_o comfortable_o live_v nor_o die_v but_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o those_o that_o preach_v up_o the_o merit_n of_o work_n shall_v preach_v down_o certainty_n of_o salvation_n for_o if_o god_n love_v i_o or_o hate_v i_o as_o i_o believe_v or_o not_o believe_v obey_v or_o not_o obey_v persevere_v or_o not_o persevere_v it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o from_o the_o sight_n of_o my_o own_o frequent_a fail_n i_o be_v in_o a_o perpetual_a hesitancy_n as_o to_o my_o estate_n no_o certainty_n in_o the_o conclusion_n can_v be_v gather_v from_o uncertain_a premise_n use_v 2._o this_o let_v we_o know_v whether_o the_o persuasion_n that_o we_o have_v of_o our_o own_o good_a condition_n and_o the_o peace_n and_o joy_n that_o possible_o we_o get_v therefrom_o be_v sound_a and_o certain_a or_o no._n if_o the_o spirit_n witness_v it_o it_o be_v sound_a if_o the_o spirit_n witness_v it_o not_o it_o be_v suspicious_a and_o can_v afford_v no_o sufficient_a and_o satisfactory_a peace_n unto_o our_o spirit_n quest_n but_o how_o shall_v i_o know_v whether_o the_o persuasion_n that_o i_o have_v that_o i_o be_o a_o child_n of_o god_n do_v proceed_v from_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n or_o no_o may_v not_o satan_n be_v the_o author_n of_o such_o a_o persuasion_n and_o may_v not_o i_o reason_v myself_o into_o it_o and_o if_o so_o how_o shall_v i_o know_v the_o spirit_n testimony_n from_o these_o answ_n this_o be_v a_o very_a difficult_a question_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v take_v up_o some_o time_n more_o than_o ordinary_a to_o sift_v the_o difficulty_n to_o the_o bottom_n and_o then_o take_v it_o away_o as_o god_n shall_v enable_v i_o something_o be_v i_o shall_v premise_v by_o way_n of_o concession_n as_o 1_o it_o be_v undoubted_o true_a that_o satan_n may_v so_o transform_v himself_o into_o a_o angel_n of_o light_n as_o to_o suggest_v to_o a_o man_n a_o certain_a persuasion_n of_o his_o own_o good_a condition_n he_o be_v a_o lie_a spirit_n in_o the_o mouth_n of_o false_a prophet_n and_o inspire_v they_o with_o plausible_a doctrine_n and_o comfortable_a dream_n where_o with_o they_o pronounce_v peace_n to_o those_o to_o who_o the_o lord_n say_v there_o be_v no_o peace_n and_o this_o he_o do_v not_o
benefit_n to_o be_v lay_v hold_v on_o by_o i_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o faith_n the_o frequent_a repetition_n of_o that_o representation_n especial_o by_o such_o visible_a sign_n must_v needs_o feed_v it_o and_o suppose_v it_o feed_v mere_o a_o faith_n of_o applicatory_a reliance_n and_o adherence_n yet_o as_o you_o have_v be_v also_o before_o teach_v act_v of_o reliance_n frequent_o exercise_v will_v grow_v into_o act_n of_o assurance_n 4_o conference_n with_o the_o people_n of_o god_n especial_o those_o who_o have_v &_o maintain_v a_o constant_a communion_n and_o familiar_a acquaintance_n with_o god_n such_o as_o walk_v in_o the_o light_n of_o his_o countenance_n and_o the_o joy_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n all_o the_o day_n long_o a_o man_n that_o will_v keep_v a_o good_a constitution_n of_o body_n will_v sometime_o converse_v and_o discourse_n with_o a_o age_a healthy_a father_n &_o know_v of_o he_o how_o he_o have_v order_v himself_o to_o live_v to_o that_o age_n and_o maintain_v a_o constant_a good_a temper_n of_o body_n so_o long_o and_o it_o will_v be_v much_o for_o our_o advantage_n to_o converse_v with_o such_o person_n as_o be_v most_o common_o in_o the_o sunshine_n to_o learn_v from_o they_o how_o they_o maintain_v such_o a_o constant_a light_n upon_o their_o spirit_n whereas_o other_o have_v it_o but_o as_o a_o flash_n of_o lightning_n and_o it_o vanish_v away_o again_o how_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o god_n that_o be_v to_o other_o but_o like_o a_o sojourner_n or_o a_o traveller_n that_o tarry_v but_o for_o a_o night_n become_v their_o constant_a inmate_n beside_o such_o person_n mouth_n be_v usual_o full_a of_o the_o high_a praise_n of_o god_n they_o speak_v of_o 6_o psal_n 149._o 6_o the_o righteousness_n of_o god_n and_o make_v their_o boast_n of_o god_n all_o the_o day_n long_o they_o will_v tell_v 24_o psal_n 44._o 8_o and_o 71._o 24_o you_o what_o god_n have_v do_v for_o their_o soul_n psal_n 66_o 16._o and_o glad_a they_o will_v be_v that_o you_o will_v give_v they_o the_o hear_n with_o any_o delight_n now_o it_o must_v needs_o feed_v the_o same_o gracious_a assurance_n in_o you_o to_o find_v other_o record_v the_o same_o great_a thing_n of_o god_n work_v for_o and_o towards_o they_o which_o you_o find_v in_o yourself_o as_o it_o increase_v &_o confirm_v a_o man_n knowledge_n to_o talk_v with_o know_v man_n concern_v their_o experience_n in_o that_o way_n of_o learning_n in_o which_o he_o himself_o be_v a_o practitioner_n a_o melancholy_a man_n be_v affect_v more_o deep_o with_o the_o sad_a story_n of_o a_o melancholy_a companion_n and_o no_o question_n but_o there_o be_v a_o like_a sympathy_n in_o the_o affection_n of_o joy_n and_o confidence_n etc._n etc._n so_o it_o be_v in_o way_n of_o duty_n as_o iron_n sharpen_v iron_n so_o do_v the_o countenance_n of_o a_o man_n his_o friend_n say_v solomon_n and_o no_o question_n god_n will_v bless_v that_o mean_n which_o he_o himself_o have_v bestow_v upon_o other_o that_o they_o may_v administer_v upon_o occasion_n 5._o 2_o cor._n 1._o 5._o 2._o strengthen_v exercise_n exercise_n of_o act_n of_o assurance_n strengthen_v the_o habit_n renew_v the_o act_n of_o that_o faith_n of_o evidence_n which_o thou_o have_v every_o morning_n and_o evening_n or_o often_o if_o it_o may_v be_v frequent_o every_o hour_n as_o god_n give_v occasion_n get_v renew_v experience_n of_o the_o love_n of_o god_n often_o by_o trust_v he_o often_o in_o particular_a case_n david_n often_o do_v so_o for_o the_o conquer_a of_o such_o or_o such_o a_o corruption_n for_o the_o resist_a such_o or_o such_o a_o particular_a temptation_n etc._n etc._n adventure_v yourselves_o now_o and_o then_o upon_o the_o credit_n of_o particular_a promise_n which_o be_v so_o many_o specimina_fw-la so_o many_o exemplification_n of_o our_o interest_n in_o god_n answer_n of_o prayer_n in_o particular_a case_n be_v a_o great_a strengthen_n to_o assurance_n save_v gift_n and_o sanctify_a gift_n be_v in_o themselves_o evidence_n of_o god_n love_n much_o more_o when_o particular_o ask_v yet_o take_v need_n of_o tempt_a god_n which_o i_o do_v 1_o when_o i_o oblige_v he_o absolute_o where_o he_o be_v bind_v but_o conditional_o as_o in_o temporal_n and_o in_o spiritual_n not_o absolute_o necessary_a in_o themselves_o or_o not_o so_o necessary_a as_o some_o other_o thing_n may_v be_v which_o possible_o we_o ask_v not_o 2_o when_o i_o put_v too_o much_o weight_n upon_o my_o desire_n as_o resolve_v to_o make_v experiment_n of_o god_n love_n by_o they_o and_o to_o conclude_v in_o case_n of_o suspension_n or_o denial_n that_o it_o be_v a_o answer_n from_o god_n that_o he_o love_v i_o not_o god_n will_v not_o have_v they_o make_v trial_n of_o his_o love_n a_o father_n will_v not_o allow_v a_o child_n to_o say_v father_n if_o you_o love_v i_o give_v i_o this_o or_o that_o but_o when_o a_o child_n submissive_o beg_v and_o receive_v they_o he_o will_v allow_v he_o to_o say_v now_o i_o know_v my_o father_n love_v i_o by_o his_o give_v such_o and_o such_o thing_n 3_o when_o i_o tie_v god_n up_o to_o circumstance_n of_o time_n manner_n measure_n let_v i_o ask_v the_o thing_n believe_o according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o word_n as_o far_o as_o they_o be_v good_a for_o i_o i._n e._n may_v not_o hinder_v some_o better_a design_n of_o god_n or_o a_o great_a good_a to_o i_o and_o if_o i_o receive_v take_v comfort_n in_o my_o answer_n from_o god_n as_o those_o that_o be_v so_o many_o pregnant_a example_n of_o his_o care_n for_o i_o 3_o strengthen_v providence_n providence_n alone_o be_v no_o evidence_n that_o god_n love_v i_o but_o when_o he_o do_v love_v a_o man_n before_o and_o a_o man_n know_v it_o by_o more_o certain_a rule_n this_o be_v a_o good_a confirmation_n to_o our_o faith_n psalm_n 41._o 11._o such_o a_o one_o david_n call_v a_o token_n for_o good_a psal_n 86._o 17._o some_o passage_n of_o providence_n have_v a_o stamp_n of_o some_o immediate_a interposition_n of_o divine_a grace_n and_o power_n for_o a_o man_n good_a chap._n xxviii_o the_o discovery_n of_o several_a moth_n that_o eat_v out_o a_o christian_n evidence_n 3_o take_v heed_n of_o several_a thing_n that_o tend_v to_o the_o weaken_n of_o assurance_n that_o promote_v satan_n malignant_a design_n against_o it_o 1_o of_o spiritual_a pride_n this_o be_v a_o sin_n which_o be_v feed_v by_o the_o high_a attainment_n of_o a_o christian_a in_o this_o life_n it_o be_v think_v it_o get_v into_o heaven_n in_o the_o fall_a angel_n it_o be_v a_o hard_a matter_n for_o a_o poor_a contemptible_a worm_n to_o be_v take_v up_o into_o the_o bosom_n and_o familiar_a acquaintance_n with_o god_n and_o not_o to_o be_v proud_a of_o it_o the_o proud_a person_n in_o earthly_a court_n be_v those_o who_o from_o a_o mean_a estate_n be_v raise_v up_o to_o be_v favourite_n the_o strong_a the_o liquor_n be_v that_o a_o man_n drink_v the_o soon_o it_o will_v fly_v up_o into_o his_o brain_n and_o intoxicate_a he_o temporal_a distinction_n between_o saint_n and_o other_o find_v matter_n enough_o in_o our_o corrupt_a nature_n to_o blow_v up_o our_o heart_n with_o high_a conceit_n and_o certain_o then_o that_o which_o make_v great_a difference_n if_o it_o find_v a_o heart_n apt_a to_o kindle_v will_v make_v the_o fire_n of_o pride_n and_o self-conceit_n flame_n much_o more_o but_o this_o be_v a_o dangerous_a sin_n in_o such_o a_o case_n it_o be_v the_o ready_a way_n to_o procure_v a_o abatement_n at_o least_o if_o not_o a_o total_a withdraw_a of_o the_o fuel_n that_o kindle_v it_o this_o be_v a_o continual_a smoke_n in_o god_n nose_n a_o thing_n that_o will_v make_v he_o turn_v away_o his_o face_n isai_n 65._o 5._o see_v a_o remarkable_a example_n in_o this_o case_n 2_o cor._n 12._o 7._o the_o apostle_n paul_n have_v be_v take_v up_o by_o a_o special_a rapture_n into_o the_o three_o heaven_n and_o have_v abundance_n of_o high_a revelation_n and_o likely_a enough_o he_o be_v apt_a to_o be_v lift_v up_o with_o they_o in_o his_o own_o spirit_n but_o lest_o it_o shall_v be_v so_o god_n gracious_o prevent_v the_o kindle_v of_o spiritual_a pride_n by_o a_o messenger_n of_o satan_n which_o be_v send_v on_o purpose_n to_o buffet_v he_o to_o prevent_v it_o and_o he_o be_v in_o such_o a_o case_n that_o he_o be_v fain_o to_o pray_v hard_a and_o often_o i_o petition_v the_o lord_n thrice_o and_o yet_o he_o can_v not_o prevail_v for_o the_o removal_n of_o it_o if_o god_n give_v such_o harsh_a potion_n for_o the_o mere_a prevention_n of_o this_o disease_n how_o bitter_a think_v we_o will_v he_o give_v for_o the_o heal_n of_o it_o sad_n temptation_n sad_a fall_n and_o sad_a desertion_n ordinary_o attend_v spiritual_a pride_n 1_o this_o occasion_v the_o
love_v thou_o do_v he_o ever_o crush_v any_o soul_n under_o his_o foot_n that_o he_o do_v not_o kick_v into_o hell_n at_o last_o and_o no_o wonder_n if_o satan_n when_o he_o have_v the_o command_n of_o all_o the_o port_n and_o advenue_n of_o the_o soul_n will_v let_v it_o receive_v no_o intelligence_n but_o what_o he_o please_v and_o use_v it_o to_o such_o daily_a object_n as_o augment_v its_o terror_n if_o he_o raise_v such_o mist_n as_o hinder_v it_o from_o discern_v any_o thing_n distinct_o 4_o partly_o by_o take_v the_o work_n out_o of_o the_o spirit_n hand_n as_o sometime_o he_o do_v the_o lord_n permit_v it_o also_o for_o secret_a reason_n of_o his_o own_o and_o hereof_o i_o shall_v show_v you_o some_o instance_n by_o which_o you_o may_v judge_v of_o his_o deal_n in_o other_o the_o like_a case_n 1_o many_o time_n the_o spirit_n stir_v up_o the_o soul_n to_o examine_v its_o growth_n in_o and_o improvement_n of_o grace_n possible_o upon_o occasion_n of_o some_o late_a notable_a delay_n and_o to_o endeavour_v a_o recovery_n of_o lose_a strength_n a_o quicken_a of_o what_o be_v ready_a to_o die_v this_o motion_n be_v from_o the_o spirit_n thus_o far_o now_o satan_n take_v it_o up_o and_o from_o feel_v barrenness_n and_o deadness_n stir_v up_o the_o soul_n far_o to_o inquire_v afresh_o whether_o ever_o that_o be_v true_a grace_n that_o be_v now_o so_o barren_a whether_o such_o a_o tree_n have_v ever_o any_o life_n that_o manifest_v so_o little_a growth_n 2_o many_o time_n the_o spirit_n set_v home_o the_o consideration_n of_o some_o affliction_n and_o put_v the_o soul_n upon_o enquiry_n why_o the_o lord_n thus_o contend_v with_o it_o now_o come_v in_o satan_n and_o alter_v the_o question_n and_o put_v the_o soul_n upon_o the_o enquiry_n whether_o such_o affliction_n may_v stand_v with_o god_n love_n or_o no_o 3_o many_o time_n the_o spirit_n stir_v up_o to_o repentance_n and_o recovery_n from_o grievous_a fall_n satan_n take_v up_o this_o work_n and_o put_v the_o soul_n upon_o question_v whether_o ever_o it_o have_v any_o grace_n see_v there_o be_v yet_o in_o the_o heart_n a_o liableness_n to_o such_o great_a corruption_n this_o i_o touch_v before_o thus_o you_o see_v whence_o the_o terror_n that_o surprise_v saint_n after_o conversion_n and_o assurance_n do_v arise_v and_o so_o the_o thesis_n clear_v from_o mistake_n proceed_v we_o now_o to_o the_o application_n of_o it_o chap._n xxxvi_o saint_n convince_v of_o folly_n in_o give_v way_n to_o trouble_v thought_n after_o conversion_n and_o assurance_n i._o therefore_o for_o application_n 1_o hence_o the_o saint_n of_o god_n may_v see_v how_o little_a reason_n or_o warrant_v they_o have_v to_o justify_v themselves_o in_o admission_n of_o sâ—ulfetters_n after_o conversion_n but_o especial_o after_o assurance_n 1_o will_v a_o man_n think_v it_o be_v a_o discreet_a act_n in_o himself_o to_o be_v afraid_a of_o every_o leaf_n that_o stir_v and_o startle_v at_o every_o reed_n that_o shake_v a_o wise_a man_n when_o he_o be_v in_o quiet_a possession_n of_o what_o he_o enjoy_v will_v see_v good_a authority_n ere_o he_o will_v be_v dispossess_v upon_o any_o pretence_n whatsoever_o the_o devil_n never_o bring_v a_o true_a authority_n for_o the_o disturbance_n of_o any_o saint_n peace_n i_o be_o bind_v to_o take_v notice_n of_o no_o authority_n in_o matter_n of_o inward_a trouble_n and_o peace_n but_o that_o of_o god_n spirit_n my_o conscience_n be_v his_o throne_n and_o i_o can_v answer_v it_o unto_o god_n if_o i_o permit_v satan_n to_o usurp_v it_o i_o ought_v to_o be_v able_a to_o discover_v that_o counterfeit_n and_o oppose_v he_o though_o he_o come_v as_o a_o angel_n of_o light_n how_o much_o more_o when_o he_o come_v like_o a_o prince_n of_o darkness_n 2_o what_o account_n can_v i_o give_v to_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n the_o comforter_n for_o resign_v so_o slight_o the_o garrison_n of_o strength_n the_o ground_n of_o gracious_a assurance_n which_o he_o have_v put_v into_o my_o hand_n saint_n must_v make_v as_o much_o conscience_n of_o part_v with_o their_o comfort_n without_o sufficient_a cause_n as_o of_o embezel_v any_o thing_n else_o with_o which_o god_n entrust_v they_o friend_n we_o be_v accountable_a for_o our_o comfort_n and_o therefore_o it_o will_v concern_v we_o not_o to_o be_v easy_o cheat_v of_o they_o they_o be_v precious_a thing_n the_o joy_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v our_o strength_n 10._o nehem._n 8._o 10._o if_o we_o betray_v our_o strength_n by_o lose_v our_o comfort_n how_o shall_v we_o answer_v the_o rob_n god_n of_o so_o much_o service_n as_o he_o may_v lose_v from_o we_o thereby_o 3_o how_o shall_v we_o answer_v the_o mischief_n that_o may_v accrue_v to_o other_o who_o use_v in_o trouble_n and_o distemper_n of_o mind_n to_o have_v recourse_n to_o our_o counsel_n and_o experience_n see_v job_n 4._o 2_o 3_o 4_o 5_o 6._o if_o i_o must_v not_o prodigal_o throw_v away_o my_o estate_n nay_o if_o i_o must_v labour_v with_o my_o hand_n that_o i_o may_v have_v to_o give_v the_o bodily_a food_n to_o he_o that_o need_v certain_o i_o must_v even_o in_o mere_a charity_n to_o other_o endeavour_v to_o maintain_v that_o spiritual_a joy_n which_o be_v their_o refreshment_n chap._n xxxvii_o the_o way_n how_o to_o discard_v they_o this_o also_o give_v a_o stand_a rule_n to_o we_o concern_v the_o entertainment_n of_o soul-terrour_n after_o conversion_n and_o assurance_n if_o they_o have_v no_o warrant_n from_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n then_o why_o will_v thou_o entertain_v so_o much_o as_o a_o conference_n with_o they_o i_o think_v uncomfortable_a thought_n ought_v to_o be_v cast_v out_o without_o dispute_n as_o blasphemous_a and_o atheistical_a suggestion_n in_o some_o case_n q._n but_o how_o far_o and_o in_o what_o case_n may_v it_o be_v be_v lawful_a to_o reject_v such_o thought_n as_o tend_v to_o the_o question_n of_o assurance_n former_o receive_v without_o dispute_n for_o it_o seem_v the_o case_n of_o blasphemous_a and_o atheistical_a suggestion_n and_o these_o we_o be_v now_o speak_v of_o differ_v very_o much_o those_o be_v at_o first_o blush_n by_o any_o soul_n competent_o enlighten_v to_o be_v discern_v to_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o express_a word_n of_o god_n and_o so_o matter_n out_o of_o all_o dispute_n these_o it_o may_v be_v pretend_v ground_n from_o the_o word_n and_o be_v in_o their_o own_o nature_n such_o as_o i_o be_o allow_v to_o dispute_v a._n it_o be_v true_a there_o be_v some_o difference_n between_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o suggestion_n themselves_o but_o yet_o as_o to_o i_o and_o my_o case_n they_o may_v be_v in_o effect_n the_o same_o for_o i_o may_v by_o a_o precede_a assurance_n from_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n be_v as_o much_o ascertain_v that_o i_o be_o a_o child_n of_o god_n as_o i_o be_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n or_o concern_v any_o other_o fundamental_a point_n of_o faith_n so_o that_o i_o may_v be_v very_o well_o allow_v the_o same_o way_n of_o proceed_v in_o the_o one_o case_n which_o i_o be_o prescribe_v in_o the_o other_o and_o i_o conceive_v i_o may_v do_v so_o in_o these_o case_n 1._o when_o the_o present_a doubt_n or_o dispute_v concern_v my_o condition_n be_v not_o hand_v to_o i_o in_o the_o way_n and_o method_n of_o divine_a motion_n god_n usual_a way_n of_o put_v the_o soul_n upon_o enquiry_n concern_v its_o own_o condition_n to_o such_o as_o enjoy_v ordinance_n be_v under_o the_o administration_n of_o they_o if_o therefore_o without_o any_o such_o ground_n whether_o from_o the_o private_a work_n of_o my_o own_o thought_n or_o from_o such_o injection_n as_o i_o can_v give_v no_o account_n of_o i_o begin_v after_o assurance_n to_o fall_v a_o question_n i_o own_o condition_n i_o may_v well_o fear_v the_o hand_n of_o satan_n be_v in_o this_o and_o i_o may_v silence_v they_o for_o the_o present_a as_o come_v to_o trouble_v my_o peace_n without_o a_o warrant_n as_o if_o a_o arrest_n shall_v be_v lay_v upon_o i_o out_o of_o the_o ordinary_a way_n of_o law_n i_o may_v defend_v myself_o by_o force_n or_o escape_v by_o sleight_n and_o the_o law_n will_v judge_v i_o in_o so_o do_v to_o have_v do_v no_o more_o than_o what_o i_o may_v lawful_o do_v 2_o when_o the_o present_a dispute_n concern_v my_o state_n and_o condition_n be_v impose_v upon_o i_o under_o such_o circumstance_n as_o render_v it_o unlikely_a to_o be_v manage_v candid_o clear_o and_o impartial_o so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o likelihood_n but_o it_o shall_v rather_o end_v in_o confusion_n and_o further_a disturbance_n than_o peace_n and_o solid_a satisfaction_n if_o i_o shall_v be_v provoke_v to_o dispute_v with_o a_o adversary_n concern_v such_o or_o such_o a_o point_n at_o a_o time_n when_o i_o be_o not_o furnish_v with_o such_o help_n
as_o a_o disputant_n in_o that_o case_n may_v lawful_o require_v at_o such_o a_o time_n when_o my_o mind_n by_o reason_n of_o some_o great_a oppression_n or_o other_o business_n be_v not_o at_o liberty_n to_o recollect_v its_o strength_n or_o before_o such_o judge_n as_o be_v already_o prepossess_v by_o he_o and_o strong_o engage_v on_o his_o side_n etc._n etc._n i_o may_v very_o justifiable_o decline_v it_o and_o answer_v his_o challenge_n with_o silence_n and_o provocation_n with_o slight_v see_v so_o disingenuous_a a_o carriage_n on_o his_o part_n deserve_v no_o other_o so_o when_o i_o be_o solicit_v to_o put_v my_o evidence_n for_o salvation_n in_o dispute_n at_o such_o a_o time_n when_o i_o want_v my_o wont_a influence_n from_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n when_o as_o the_o church_n 9_o psalm_n 74._o 9_o complain_v in_o another_o case_n i_o see_v not_o my_o token_n when_o my_o spirit_n be_v overwhelm_v and_o swallow_v up_o with_o the_o oppression_n of_o soul-trouble_n when_o last_o i_o perceive_v i_o must_v plead_v my_o cause_n before_o sense_n and_o reason_n who_o be_v already_o prepossess_v and_o fee_v on_o the_o adversary_n side_n i_o may_v very_o just_o refuse_v to_o enter_v the_o list_n upon_o such_o term_n and_o reflect_v the_o disgrace_n of_o so_o dishonourable_a a_o challenge_n upon_o my_o adversary_n before_o god_n and_o conscience_n 3._o when_o i_o find_v such_o doubt_n concern_v my_o condition_n inject_v or_o suggest_v upon_o design_n to_o hinder_v and_o disturb_v i_o in_o some_o present_a service_n wherein_o i_o have_v special_a use_n of_o assurance_n to_o put_v they_o off_o at_o least_o till_o a_o more_o convenient_a time_n in_o such_o a_o case_n be_v a_o special_a part_n of_o spiritual_a wisdom_n it_o be_v find_v by_o the_o usual_a experience_n of_o god_n saint_n that_o when_o they_o have_v most_o to_o do_v for_o their_o assurance_n they_o shall_v have_v it_o most_o to_o seek_v suppose_v when_o they_o go_v to_o pray_v especial_o upon_o any_o extraordinary_a occasion_n when_o they_o address_v themselves_o to_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n when_o they_o be_v under_o some_o heavy_a affliction_n it_o may_v be_v when_o they_o be_v in_o some_o sort_n call_v forth_o to_o suffer_v for_o god_n now_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o when_o our_o doubt_n and_o trouble_n of_o spirit_n in_o our_o observation_n usual_o return_v upon_o we_o at_o such_o season_n they_o be_v then_o inject_v upon_o a_o special_a design_n to_o hinder_v we_o in_o the_o present_a service_n wherefore_o see_v by_o admit_v so_o much_o as_o a_o dispute_n upon_o they_o at_o such_o a_o time_n i_o yield_v the_o devil_n his_o know_a design_n i_o may_v very_o safe_o reject_v they_o except_o i_o think_v it_o a_o course_n more_o eligible_a to_o gratify_v the_o enemy_n of_o god_n glory_n and_o my_o own_o good_a with_o the_o neglect_n or_o heartless_a performance_n of_o a_o duty_n then_o to_o break_v through_o a_o bug_n bear_v impediment_n purposely_o lay_v in_o my_o way_n and_o set_v about_o it_o with_o that_o furniture_n which_o god_n have_v gracious_o vouchsafe_v to_o enable_v i_o thereunto_o and_o so_o much_o shall_v suffice_v for_o the_o answer_n of_o this_o case_n concern_v the_o way_n of_o turn_v a_o troublesome_a incruder_n out_o of_o door_n but_o it_o may_v be_v far_o object_v object_n but_o they_o pretend_v still_o they_o come_v from_o the_o spirit_n &_o see_v you_o tell_v i_o the_o beginning_n of_o they_o &_o occasional_a ground_n of_o they_o may_v be_v from_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o i_o find_v withal_o that_o they_o have_v grow_v out_o of_o such_o work_n of_o the_o spirit_n as_o you_o have_v but_o now_o describe_v how_o shall_v i_o know_v how_o far_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n lead_v i_o and_o where_o satan_n work_n begin_v that_o i_o may_v submit_v to_o the_o one_o and_o resist_v the_o other_o ans_fw-fr in_o general_n see_v i_o have_v before_o give_v you_o some_o non-ultra's_a beyond_o which_o the_o spirit_n can_v go_v and_o therefore_o must_v refer_v you_o to_o those_o for_o particular_n i_o say_v in_o general_n that_o while_o nothing_o be_v press_v upon_o you_o but_o what_o may_v stand_v with_o the_o supposal_n of_o a_o renew_a estate_n what_o ever_o motion_n yield_v you_o your_o title_n to_o god_n and_o grace_n and_o neither_o in_o their_o nature_n or_o in_o their_o ground_n tend_v to_o weaken_v your_o evidence_n must_v be_v obey_v as_o the_o motion_n of_o god_n spirit_n though_o never_o so_o harsh_a or_o unpleasing_a as_o far_o as_o they_o have_v any_o command_n or_o allow_v example_n in_o the_o word_n you_o must_v not_o take_v it_o for_o a_o motion_n of_o satan_n that_o bid_v you_o repent_v of_o confess_v mourn_v for_o renew_a sin_n that_o bid_v you_o examine_v your_o heart_n and_o way_n and_o turn_v to_o the_o lord_n under_o affliction_n etc._n etc._n but_o if_o such_o motion_n be_v improve_v to_o the_o question_n of_o the_o whole_a work_n of_o god_n upon_o the_o soul_n this_o be_v suspicious_a and_o so_o far_o you_o must_v not_o go_v along_o with_o it_o chap._n xxxviii_o some_o ground_n upon_o which_o satan_n use_v to_o reduce_v convert_v and_o once_o assure_v soul_n into_o trouble_n answer_v wherein_o also_o be_v some_o case_n concern_v fall_v into_o sin_n after_o these_o mercy_n receive_v object_n yea_o but_o the_o ground_n methinks_v upon_o which_o these_o thought_n be_v press_v and_o urge_v upon_o my_o soul_n be_v such_o as_o seem_v to_o come_v from_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o although_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n never_o become_v a_o spirit_n of_o bondage_n again_o where_o he_o have_v be_v a_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n yet_o he_o may_v by_o such_o ground_n as_o these_o convince_v i_o of_o my_o former_a mistake_n in_o apprehend_v he_o to_o have_v be_v a_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n when_o he_o be_v not_o and_o it_o be_v good_a to_o lay_v a_o sure_a foundation_n answ_n it_o be_v good_a to_o lay_v a_o sure_a foundation_n but_o if_o upon_o every_o slight_a suggestion_n that_o it_o be_v amiss_o i_o must_v be_v bind_v to_o remove_v it_o and_o new-lay_a it_o i_o shall_v neither_o ever_o lie_v a_o foundation_n to_o the_o purpose_n nor_o build_v upon_o it_o as_o i_o ought_v to_o do_v suppose_v thy_o foundation_n rather_o to_o be_v good_a and_o strive_v to_o build_v holiness_n upon_o it_o and_o thou_o will_v thereby_o be_v satisfy_v in_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o foundation_n but_o what_o be_v those_o ground_n upon_o which_o thou_o conceive_v god_n spirit_n tell_v thou_o thou_o have_v be_v former_o mistake_v in_o thy_o condition_n object_n 1._o i_o be_o tell_v that_o a_o child_n of_o god_n especial_o after_o sound_a assurance_n have_v of_o his_o salvation_n can_v commit_v such_o sin_n as_o i_o have_v do_v since_o the_o time_n of_o my_o suppose_a assurance_n a._n i_o answer_v 1._o no_o child_n of_o god_n be_v either_o by_o convert_v or_o assure_v grace_n secure_v from_o the_o act_n of_o any_o sin_n while_o he_o live_v here_o below_o but_o from_o the_o love_n custom_n and_o trade_n of_o sin_n that_o in_o many_o thing_n we_o sin_v all_o the_o apostle_n james_n tell_v we_o and_o put_v himself_o in_o the_o number_n though_o certain_o he_o be_v a_o saint_n of_o the_o high_a attainment_n in_o point_n of_o assurance_n and_o comfort_n james_n 3._o 2._o i_o need_v not_o tell_v you_o of_o the_o dangerous_a fall_n of_o peter_n afer_fw-la conversion_n nor_o of_o the_o fowl_n fall_v of_o noah_n lot_n and_o david_n it_o be_v strange_a that_o mere_a pretender_n to_o religion_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o urge_v their_o example_n to_o harden_v themselves_o and_o you_o can_v make_v any_o use_n of_o they_o to_o support_v yourselves_o 2._o it_o may_v make_v for_o god_n great_a glory_n and_o your_o great_a good_a that_o you_o have_v fall_v so_o foul_o if_o in_o stead_n of_o draw_v discourage_a conclusion_n from_o thence_o you_o make_v your_o repentance_n as_o visible_a and_o eminent_a as_o your_o fall_n if_o you_o learn_v hereby_o and_o show_v hereafter_o a_o profess_a distrust_n of_o your_o own_o heart_n careful_o watch_v against_o temptation_n and_o occasion_n of_o the_o like_a sin_n and_o renew_v your_o address_n to_o god_n for_o fresh_a assistance_n of_o strength_n to_o fortify_v your_o renew_a resolution_n against_o they_o a_o saint_n get_v ground_n by_o stumble_v while_o he_o hasten_v to_o recover_v his_o pace_n the_o more_o for_o it_o 3_o you_o can_v never_o bring_v either_o of_o those_o bless_a fruit_n god_n glory_n or_o your_o own_o good_a out_o of_o your_o present_a condition_n in_o the_o way_n wherein_o you_o now_o be_v for_o god_n be_v not_o glorify_v in_o your_o unbelief_n suppose_v you_o the_o great_a sinner_n in_o the_o world_n but_o rather_o in_o this_o that_o you_o dare_v adventure_v a_o hideous_a
from_o sin_n how_o do_v thy_o old_a garment_n fit_v thou_o do_v thou_o more_o and_o more_o grow_v out_o of_o love_n with_o sin_n and_o more_o and_o more_o put_v it_o off_o at_o least_o in_o the_o love_n of_o it_o this_o growth_n the_o apostle_n see_v when_o he_o can_v see_v none_o else_o rom_n 7._o 20._o this_o be_v most_o discernible_a in_o the_o combat_n between_o the_o heart_n and_o original_a sin_n when_o a_o man_n club_n it_o down_o in_o its_o first_o motion_n it_o be_v a_o good_a token_n of_o growth_n a_o moral_a man_n may_v forbear_v those_o sin_n in_o act_n which_o a_o godly_a man_n may_v fall_v into_o but_o a_o saint_n labour_v more_o at_o the_o root_n of_o sin_n when_o moral_a man_n pare_v off_o the_o branch_n 3_o a_o growth_n of_o heavenly_a mindedness_n these_o toy_n and_o trifle_n of_o the_o world_n how_o do_v they_o take_v with_o thou_o that_o which_o the_o apostle_n say_v of_o childish_a knowledge_n etc._n etc._n i_o may_v say_v of_o childish_a desire_n 1_o cor._n 13._o 11._o a_o saint_n than_o grow_v a_o man_n when_o he_o throw_v away_o childish_a thing_n do_v thou_o grow_v more_o liberal_a and_o open_a heart_a the_o more_o a_o man_n heart_n be_v loose_v from_o the_o earth_n the_o near_a it_o grow_v to_o heaven_n grace_n here_o be_v glory_n in_o the_o cradle_n and_o it_o daily_o grow_v heavenward_o 4._o a_o growth_n of_o aim_n and_o desire_n what_o do_v thou_o purpose_n to_o thyself_o will_v not_o small_a thing_n content_v thou_o then_o thy_o appetite_n be_v grow_v the_o more_o manly_a we_o grow_v the_o more_o manly_a our_o aim_n be_v see_v how_o the_o apostle_n call_v this_o growth_n of_o aim_n perfection_n phil._n 3._o 15._o so_o that_o thy_o trouble_n that_o thou_o grow_v not_o and_o thy_o aim_n at_o far_a improvement_n discover_v that_o thou_o be_v improve_n 3_o use_v 3_o this_o thesis_n also_o be_v three_o way_n for_o consolation_n to_o saint_n for_o 1._o this_o confirm_v we_o in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o perseverance_n of_o the_o saint_n for_o if_o a_o true_a saint_n may_v fall_v away_o from_o grace_n the_o spirit_n may_v just_o again_o become_v a_o spirit_n of_o bondage_n to_o he_o for_o he_o that_o fall_v from_o grace_n fall_v under_o the_o law_n and_o he_o that_o fall_v under_o the_o law_n be_v liable_a to_o all_o its_o terror_n as_o his_o proper_a portion_n for_o all_o that_o the_o law_n speak_v it_o speak_v to_o they_o that_o be_v under_o the_o law_n rom._n 3._o 19_o if_o a_o child_n of_o god_n to_o day_n may_v prove_v a_o child_n of_o the_o devil_n to_o morrow_n sure_o the_o spirit_n may_v safe_o tell_v he_o so_o 2_o this_o scatter_v and_o dispell_n the_o great_a venom_n that_o imbitter_v saint_n second_v trouble_n when_o a_o man_n look_v on_o god_n as_o lead_v he_o into_o temptation_n it_o be_v far_o more_o bitter_a than_o when_o a_o man_n fall_v into_o it_o by_o his_o own_o neglect_n or_o satan_n malice_n when_o a_o man_n apprehend_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n who_o he_o expect_v as_o a_o comforter_n to_o become_v his_o tormentor_n this_o be_v a_o double_a torment_n now_o against_o this_o the_o lord_n give_v we_o this_o cordial_a assurance_n once_o for_o all_o that_o to_o a_o saint_n no_o such_o thing_n ever_o can_v be_v the_o work_n of_o the_o spirit_n 3_o this_o show_v saint_n a_o ground_n upon_o which_o if_o it_o be_v not_o their_o own_o fault_n they_o may_v live_v in_o constant_a peace_n to_o wit_n by_o maintain_v continual_a correspondence_n and_o uninterrupted_n amity_n with_o the_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n sure_o he_o that_o never_o speak_v bondage_n after_o he_o have_v speak_v peace_n may_v be_v hear_v speak_v peace_n always_o be_v it_o not_o our_o own_o fault_n do_v we_o heed_n what_o he_o say_v and_o acquaint_v ourselves_o more_o with_o his_o voice_n we_o shall_v find_v he_o a_o comforter_n still_o but_o we_o be_v apt_a to_o give_v more_o ear_n to_o our_o own_o carnal_a reason_n and_o satan_n tentation_n then_o to_o his_o gracious_a and_o comfortable_a tiding_n few_o saint_n shall_v they_o put_v their_o soul_n to_o david_n question_n psalm_n 42._o be_v able_a to_o answer_v it_o satisfactory_o except_o there_o be_v reason_n why_o man_n shall_v trouble_v and_o distract_v their_o own_o spirit_n whether_o god_n will_v or_o no._n and_o thus_o much_o shall_v suffice_v for_o this_o three_o point_n chap._n xlv_o a_o four_o thesis_n with_o its_o explication_n now_o come_v we_o to_o the_o last_o thesis_n from_o the_o text_n which_o be_v the_o four_o in_o this_o treatise_n doct._n that_o one_o principal_a work_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n in_o the_o soul_n that_o have_v receive_v it_o be_v to_o enliven_v and_o embolden_v it_o in_o prayer_n that_o we_o may_v not_o mistake_v in_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o proposition_n observe_v with_o i_o first_o a_o few_o thing_n tend_v to_o the_o explication_n of_o it_o when_o i_o say_v a_o principal_a work_n i_o mean_v not_o to_o compare_v the_o assistance_n he_o give_v to_o prayer_n with_o his_o work_n of_o unite_n the_o soul_n to_o christ_n in_o justification_n of_o quicken_a the_o soul_n with_o habitual_a grace_n in_o sanctification_n or_o the_o work_n of_o assurance_n itself_o for_o no_o stream_n can_v rational_o be_v admit_v into_o comparison_n with_o its_o fountain_n now_o the_o spirit_n of_o prayer_n be_v but_o a_o emanation_n of_o grace_n and_o adoption_n first_o a_o spirit_n of_o grace_n and_o then_o a_o spirit_n of_o supplication_n zech._n 12._o 10._o and_o therefore_o this_o must_v be_v understand_v of_o those_o operation_n which_o flow_v from_o habitual_a grace_n and_o assurance_n that_o of_o they_o there_o be_v no_o noble_a act_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o grace_n and_o adoption_n enable_v we_o to_o and_o in_o they_o than_o this_o qu._n 1._o what_o act_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n thus_o work_v answ_n when_o i_o speak_v of_o this_o particular_a boldness_n as_o the_o work_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n i_o will_v be_v understand_v of_o the_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n chief_o in_o his_o witness_v act_n of_o which_o we_o have_v hitherto_o principal_a treat_v though_o i_o shall_v not_o here_o more_o than_o in_o the_o former_a point_n exclude_v he_o in_o his_o other_o act_n only_o i_o shall_v show_v from_o which_o work_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n this_o which_o we_o treat_v of_o do_v more_o immediate_o arise_v for_o whereas_o i_o before_o tell_v you_o twice_o of_o four_o work_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n to_o unite_v to_o witness_v to_o intercede_v to_o direct_v whereof_o the_o unite_n act_n be_v the_o most_o noble_a and_o the_o fountain_n of_o all_o the_o rest_n union_n with_o christ_n be_v the_o source_n of_o all_o communion_n you_o must_v far_o know_v that_o the_o rest_n of_o these_o act_n do_v not_o alike_o primary_o flow_v from_o the_o first_o but_o by_o the_o meditation_n and_o interposition_n of_o one_o another_o the_o spirit_n intercede_v in_o we_o but_o by_o the_o help_n of_o his_o assure_v work_n he_o produce_v its_o most_o fervent_a and_o confident_a petition_n and_o the_o last_o work_n his_o guide_a work_n he_o perform_v by_o both_o the_o former_a viz._n persuade_v the_o soul_n upon_o assurance_n of_o success_n to_o fetch_v direction_n and_o assistance_n from_o god_n in_o all_o its_o way_n by_o faith_n in_o the_o promise_n and_o prayer_n q._n 2._o do_v the_o spirit_n work_v thus_o in_o all_o saint_n answ_n 1._o when_o i_o say_v it_o be_v the_o work_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n i_o must_v not_o be_v understand_v to_o affirm_v a_o constant_a and_o perpetual_a assistance_n of_o the_o witness_v spirit_n in_o all_o the_o saint_n to_o the_o performance_n of_o this_o duty_n in_o a_o like_o high_a spiritful_a and_o confident_a way_n for_o the_o dear_a saint_n of_o god_n while_o they_o enjoy_v the_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n may_v be_v under_o strange_a deadness_n distraction_n and_o indosposednesse_n in_o duty_n and_o under_o no_o less_o doubt_v suspiciousnesse_n and_o jealousy_n of_o god_n and_o his_o affection_n to_o they_o which_o must_v needs_o hinder_v their_o boldness_n in_o call_v he_o father_n 2_o thus_o according_o as_o we_o must_v distinguish_v time_n so_o we_o must_v distinguish_v between_o degree_n of_o liveliness_n and_o boldness_n in_o pray_v between_o pray_v to_o god_n as_o to_o a_o father_n and_o call_v he_o father_n aloud_o in_o prayer_n or_o as_o in_o the_o word_n of_o the_o text_n cry_v abba_n father_n for_o the_o spirit_n as_o he_o unite_v the_o soul_n to_o christ_n be_v a_o spirit_n of_o supplication_n help_v we_o to_o pray_v and_o that_o with_o life_n and_o boldness_n but_o because_o he_o may_v possible_o not_o always_o act_v in_o his_o witness_v way_n although_o even_o then_o the_o soul_n be_v enable_v to_o pray_v acceptable_o
it_o may_v not_o always_o be_v the_o condition_n of_o a_o saint_n to_o call_v god_n father_n with_o alike_a confidence_n while_o yet_o he_o may_v pray_v with_o abundance_n of_o holy_a importunity_n 3_o distinguish_v therefore_o between_o that_o liveliness_n and_o boldness_n of_o the_o soul_n in_o prayer_n which_o flow_v from_o the_o actual_a witness_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o that_o which_o arise_v mere_o from_o the_o gracious_a influence_n of_o the_o same_o spirit_n as_o he_o unite_v we_o to_o christ_n 1_o as_o for_o liveliness_n in_o prayer_n it_o may_v in_o a_o godly_a man_n proceed_v not_o only_o from_o the_o spirit_n witness_v but_o sometime_o from_o 1_o conscience_n of_o duty_n when_o a_o man_n quicken_v up_o his_o desire_n and_o other_o affection_n upon_o this_o consideration_n that_o he_o be_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o a_o live_a god_n and_o therefore_o it_o become_v he_o not_o to_o offer_v dead_a service_n to_o such_o a_o god_n 2_o or_o from_o sense_n of_o want_n that_o be_v it_o which_o usual_o add_v life_n and_o activity_n to_o our_o endeavour_n beggar_n when_o ready_a to_o starve_v be_v importunate_a 3._o or_o three_o from_o hope_n to_o speed_v now_o this_o hope_n to_o speed_n be_v either_o positive_a and_o particular_a which_o i_o receive_v from_o a_o paricular_a assurance_n of_o god_n engagement_n to_o i_o or_o more_o general_a and_o negative_a take_v away_o all_o discouragement_n which_o i_o may_v fancy_v to_o myself_o now_o the_o former_a hope_n a_o man_n under_o the_o witness_v act_n of_o the_o spirit_n pray_v by_o the_o latter_a quicken_v every_o godly_a christian_a whether_o he_o have_v actual_o or_o ever_o have_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n or_o no._n now_o the_o hope_n of_o a_o saint_n be_v ground_v either_o on_o certainty_n or_o probability_n probability_n remove_v discouragement_n certainty_n only_o give_v a_o positive_a and_o particular_a well_o ground_v hope_n and_o yet_o probability_n may_v enliven_v though_o certainty_n do_v far_o more_o a_o soul_n may_v come_v upon_o the_o general_a encouragement_n upon_o which_o god_n invit_v sinner_n to_o come_v to_o he_o and_o may_v thereby_o be_v much_o enliven_v in_o prayer_n although_o not_o with_o so_o great_a life_n and_o vigour_n as_o a_o man_n that_o can_v plead_v a_o particular_a right_n and_o title_n to_o god_n 2._o so_o concern_v boldness_n of_o the_o soul_n in_o duty_n a_o soul_n that_o walk_v in_o darkness_n may_v be_v bold_a in_o some_o sort_n 1._o upon_o sense_n of_o want_n which_o dispell_n all_o shamefacedness_n a_o man_n in_o necessity_n though_o he_o dare_v not_o open_v his_o mouth_n before_o to_o ask_v relief_n of_o a_o great_a personage_n through_o shame_n keep_v he_o back_o from_o it_o yet_o when_o there_o be_v no_o help_n he_o will_v put_v a_o good_a face_n upon_o it_o as_o we_o say_v and_o embolden_v himself_o to_o adventure_v to_o solicit_v supply_n so_o the_o soul_n say_v in_o such_o a_o case_n i_o must_v beg_v my_o life_n or_o perish_v ask_v or_o starve_v for_o want_n of_o supply_n i_o will_v adventure_v into_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n as_o hester_n into_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o king_n and_o if_o i_o perish_v i_o perish_v 2._o upon_o the_o discovery_n that_o the_o scripture_n make_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n that_o he_o be_v a_o god_n of_o infinite_a mercy_n that_o wait_v to_o be_v gracious_a &_o expect_v opportunity_n to_o manifest_v it_o a_o man_n will_v when_o he_o be_v in_o want_n more_o bold_o adventure_v to_o ask_v of_o a_o man_n who_o be_v report_v to_o be_v propense_a to_o act_n of_o bounty_n and_o ready_a upon_o all_o occasion_n to_o manifest_v it_o then_o of_o another_o who_o disposition_n be_v not_o so_o know_v thou_o be_v a_o god_n that_o hear_v prayer_n unto_o thou_o shall_v all_o flesh_n come_v psalm_n 65._o 2._o 3._o upon_o encouragement_n of_o invitation_n promise_n example_n such_o as_o call_v upon_o i_o in_o the_o day_n of_o trouble_n and_o i_o will_v answer_v thou_o psal_n 50._o 15._o and_o that_o psal_n 32._o 6._o although_o a_o man_n have_v no_o particular_a ground_n to_o conclude_v that_o he_o shall_v be_v hear_v yet_o upon_o these_o general_a ground_n he_o can_v many_o time_n urge_v god_n very_o confident_o but_o a_o soul_n under_o the_o actual_a testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n may_v embolden_v himself_o from_o a_o particular_a interest_n as_o david_n do_v ps_n 119._o 94._o lord_n i_o be_o thou_o save_v i_o and_o the_o church_n isa_n 63._o 19_o and_o psal_n 86._o 2._o preserve_v my_o soul_n for_o i_o be_o holy_a or_o one_o who_o thou_o favour_v and_o can_v urge_v his_o own_o experience_n as_o the_o church_n lord_n thou_o have_v be_v our_o habitation_n etc._n etc._n ps_n 90._o 1._o etc._n etc._n thou_o have_v be_v favourable_a to_o thy_o land_n psalm_n 85._o 1._o the_o point_n therefore_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v thus_o where_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n be_v actual_o a_o witness_v spirit_n of_o adoption_n there_o he_o main_o discover_v himself_o by_o enliven_a and_o embolden_v the_o soul_n unto_o special_a importunity_n to_o a_o particular_a claim_n and_o especial_a confidence_n in_o prayer_n chap._n xlvi_o some_o proof_n thereof_o that_o this_o be_v a_o principal_a work_n of_o the_o witniss_a spirit_n of_o adoption_n to_o raise_v the_o fervency_n and_o boldness_n of_o the_o soul_n in_o prayer_n may_v be_v evidence_v to_o we_o by_o the_o parallel_a place_n of_o scripture_n gal._n 4._o 6._o because_o you_o be_v son_n god_n have_v send_v the_o spirit_n of_o his_o son_n into_o your_o heart_n it_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o the_o witness_v act_n of_o the_o spirit_n because_o this_o gift_n follow_v upon_o sonship_n because_o you_o be_v son_n he_o say_v not_o that_o you_o may_v be_v son_n then_o indeed_o it_o must_v have_v be_v understand_v of_o the_o sanctify_a and_o unite_n grace_n of_o the_o spirit_n which_o make_v son_n but_o because_o you_o be_v son_n which_o suppose_v their_o present_a stand_v as_o child_n to_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o this_o gift_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v understand_v of_o the_o witness_v act_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o what_o follow_v from_o it_o what_o get_v they_o by_o this_o spirit_n of_o christ_n administer_v in_o this_o way_n what_o do_v the_o spirit_n there_o he_o cry_v not_o enable_v they_o to_o cry_v though_o that_o be_v true_a but_o he_o cry_v in_o they_o abba_n father_n cry_n with_o earnestness_n father_n with_o confidence_n and_o father_n father_n with_o holy_a importunity_n and_o this_o appear_v far_a 1._o from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o witness_v act_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o grace_n the_o spirit_n be_v a_o witness_n to_o all_o god_n promise_n and_o obligation_n to_o we_o and_o he_o put_v god_n seal_n to_o all_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n now_o to_o the_o vigorous_a and_o confident_a put_v a_o bond_n in_o suit_n a_o express_a witness_n to_o the_o seal_n and_o delivery_n be_v a_o great_a encouragement_n by_o prayer_n the_o soul_n put_v god_n bond_n in_o suit_n the_o spirit_n come_v into_o court_n at_o the_o same_o time_n while_o the_o bond_n be_v plead_v and_o say_v lord_z i_o witness_v this_o bond_n to_o be_v true_a i_o do_v put_v thy_o seal_n to_o it_o by_o thy_o own_o appointment_n and_o to_o the_o soul_n he_o say_v soul_n do_v not_o be_v nonsuit_v do_v not_o let_v thy_o suit_n fall_v i_o will_v witness_v for_o thou_o plead_v thy_o bond_n â—_o the_o utmost_a i_o will_v justify_v it_o what_o a_o encouragement_n be_v this_o 2._o from_o the_o comparative_a straightness_n and_o flatness_n of_o spirit_n and_o that_o cowardliness_n and_o dauntedness_n of_o spirit_n which_o possess_v the_o saint_n when_o the_o spirit_n be_v withdraw_v from_o they_o david_n when_o he_o have_v lose_v the_o joy_n of_o god_n salvation_n his_o mouth_n be_v shut_v his_o heart_n be_v straighten_v and_o he_o be_v fain_o to_o go_v to_o god_n for_o enlargement_n by_o his_o free_a spirit_n he_o complain_v of_o cast_v away_o from_o god_n presence_n etc._n etc._n psal_n 51._o 11_o 12._o uphold_v i_o say_v he_o with_o thy_o free_a spirit_n that_o be_v prop_v up_o my_o zeal_n and_o confidence_n which_o be_v even_o fall_v to_o the_o ground_n without_o such_o a_o support_n 3._o from_o the_o removal_n of_o all_o discouragement_n to_o a_o fervent_a and_o confident_a address_n to_o god_n the_o great_a discouragement_n of_o the_o soul_n be_v either_o a_o distance_n conceive_v between_o god_n and_o the_o soul_n or_o the_o guilt_n of_o sin_n that_o make_v it_o the_o spirit_n assure_v we_o that_o sin_n be_v pardon_v and_o that_o breach_n make_v up_o and_o that_o we_o may_v come_v when_o we_o will_v and_o be_v as_o bold_a with_o god_n as_o if_o there_o have_v never_o be_v any_o occasion_n of_o breach_n on_o our_o part_n or_o act_v of_o
conscience_n mat._n 16._o 18_o 19_o and_o this_o i_o call_v conviction_n of_o a_o gracious_a and_o happy_a estate_n which_o be_v opposite_a to_o that_o conviction_n of_o a_o wicked_a and_o wretched_a estate_n discover_v in_o the_o conclusion_n of_o the_o legal_a syllogism_n before_o mention_v 4_o the_o effect_n of_o this_o testimony_n when_o it_o be_v finish_v be_v quite_o contrary_a to_o the_o former_a of_o the_o spirit_n of_o bondage_n 1._o calmness_n and_o sedation_n of_o spirit_n by_o the_o allay_n of_o those_o boisterous_a wind_n of_o temptation_n that_o raise_v the_o wave_n this_o be_v contrary_a to_o that_o soul_n confound_v horror_n that_o soul-ague_n soul-quake_a that_o i_o speak_v of_o former_o and_o be_v call_v in_o the_o scripture_n peace_n isai_n 57_o 19_o 21._o and_o it_o be_v oppose_v to_o the_o horrible_a confusion_n that_o be_v in_o a_o wicked_a man_n awaken_v conscience_n ver_fw-la 20._o but_o the_o wicked_a be_v like_o the_o trouble_a sea_n when_o it_o can_v rest_v therefore_o the_o godly_a man_n pacify_v conscience_n be_v like_o the_o calm_a sea_n that_o have_v not_o a_o wrinkle_n in_o its_o face_n not_o a_o blast_n to_o stir_v any_o there_o no_o wind_n breathe_v on_o it_o except_o that_o of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n to_o excite_v it_o to_o love_n and_o thankfulness_n 2._o joy_n and_o sweetness_n and_o self_n complacency_n in_o the_o heart_n which_o be_v oppose_v to_o that_o second_o fruit_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o bondage_n within_o a_o man_n which_o be_v before_o mention_v viz._n soul_n distress_v anguish_n a_o man_n that_o be_v before_o not_o only_o a_o terror_n but_o a_o burden_n to_o himself_o and_o be_v weary_a of_o live_v through_o his_o anguish_n of_o heart_n now_o begin_v to_o take_v pleasure_n in_o himself_o and_o begin_v to_o eat_v his_o bread_n with_o joy_n and_o go_v about_o his_o business_n rejoice_v as_o it_o be_v say_v of_o the_o primitive_a saint_n act_n 2._o 46._o &_o 8_o 39_o this_o be_v call_v joy_n in_o the_o holy_a ghost_n rom._n 14._o 17._o and_o 1_o thess_n 1._o 6._o of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n because_o proceed_v from_o this_o testimony_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n it_o be_v like_o the_o content_a a_o man_n take_v in_o view_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o wealth_n heap_v up_o together_o and_o a_o man_n can_v â—ay_n this_o be_v i_o when_o a_o miser_n do_v sibi_fw-la plaudere_fw-la applaud_v himself_o in_o the_o language_n of_o the_o poet_n and_o bless_v his_o soul_n in_o the_o horace_n horace_n language_n of_o the_o psalmist_n psal_n 49._o 18._o such_o a_o soul_n can_v go_v through_o the_o whole_a treasury_n of_o the_o word_n and_o wallow_v on_o the_o promise_v as_o oâ—_n so_o many_o heap_n of_o gold_n and_o cry_v out_o rejoice_v all_o this_o be_v i_o can_v look_v abroad_o among_o all_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n and_o say_v all_z these_o be_v i_o and_o look_v upward_o to_o heaven_n and_o to_o crown_v of_o glory_n and_o a_o innumerable_a company_n of_o angel_n etc._n etc._n and_o say_v all_z this_o shall_v be_v i_o too_o in_o possession_n as_o it_o be_v now_o in_o title_n this_o be_v like_o the_o triumph_n after_o a_o peace_n and_o express_v by_o the_o apostle_n 1_o cor._n 15._o 55_o 56_o 57_o in_o some_o such_o height_n of_o actual_a assurance_n of_o god_n love_n and_o his_o own_o happiness_n such_o a_o soul_n look_v as_o god_n promise_v david_n house_n shall_v be_v like_o the_o grass_n spring_v up_o by_o 4_o 2_o sam._n 23._o 4_o clear_a shine_a after_o rain_n 3_o soul_n support_v hope_n and_o this_o i_o set_v against_o soul-distracting_a despair_n which_o be_v reckon_v in_o the_o former_a point_n among_o the_o fruit_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o bondage_n this_o be_v not_o that_o hope_n which_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o justify_v dependence_n upon_o christ_n of_o which_o i_o have_v speak_v before_o but_o that_o which_o be_v the_o daughter_n of_o assurance_n and_o differ_v from_o the_o other_o as_o i_o tell_v you_o as_o negative_a and_o positive_a as_o rational_a and_o spiritual_a differ_v that_o hope_n be_v the_o daughter_n of_o notional_a knowledge_n this_o of_o experimental_a experience_n produce_v this_o hope_n rom._n 5._o 4._o this_o be_v that_o that_o raise_v a_o man_n to_o a_o certain_a and_o patient_a expectation_n of_o and_o wait_v for_o the_o thing_n which_o faith_n of_o evidence_n assure_v he_o he_o have_v a_o title_n unto_o and_o shall_v certain_o enjoy_v we_o through_o the_o spirit_n wait_v for_o the_o hope_n of_o righteousness_n by_o faith_n where_o wait_a set_v out_o the_o nature_n of_o this_o hope_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d we_o do_v look_v out_o for_o and_o expect_v with_o earnestness_n as_o the_o mother_n of_o sisera_n be_v say_v to_o do_v judges_z 5._o the_o hope_n i._o e._n the_o matter_n of_o the_o hope_n which_o be_v of_o righteousness_n by_o faith_n which_o justify_v faith_n assure_v we_o of_o and_o this_o be_v by_o the_o spirit_n the_o spirit_n testimony_n be_v the_o ground_n of_o this_o hope_n and_o his_o assistance_n the_o cause_n of_o it_o this_o be_v call_v the_o anchor_n of_o the_o soul_n that_o stay_v he_o from_o be_v carry_v away_o with_o wave_n of_o despair_n upon_o the_o rock_n of_o certain_a ruin_n and_o this_o be_v that_o that_o be_v the_o helmet_n of_o our_o salvation_n guard_v all_o blow_n from_o our_o head_n all_o the_o blow_n of_o temptation_n heb._n 6._o 19_o 20._o 1_o thes_n 5._o 8._o chap._n viii_o a_o case_n concern_v absolute_a promise_n and_o general_a offer_n of_o the_o the_o gospel_n and_o conditional_a promise_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o spirit_n evidence_n but_o here_o arise_v another_o question_n quest_n do_v the_o spirit_n in_o its_o mediate_a testimony_n witness_v from_o absolute_a promise_n or_o from_o conditional_a promise_n from_o general_a offer_n or_o special_a mark_n ans_fw-fr by_o absolute_a promise_n i_o here_o understand_v such_o as_o suppose_v no_o precede_a grace_n infuse_v into_o and_o act_v in_o we_o to_o the_o fulfil_n of_o they_o as_o the_o promise_v of_o the_o first_o grace_n and_o of_o the_o price_n and_o purchase_v of_o it_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n etc._n etc._n which_o suppose_v no_o gracious_a condition_n at_o all_o in_o we_o require_v to_o the_o performance_n of_o they_o if_o at_o least_o these_o may_v in_o a_o tolerable_a sense_n be_v call_v promise_n by_o conditional_a promise_n i_o mean_v those_o which_o express_v such_o and_o such_o qualification_n in_o we_o as_o dispose_v we_o to_o receive_v the_o benefit_n of_o such_o a_o promise_n as_o when_o christ_n be_v promise_v 21_o john_n 3._o 16_o matth._n 5._o 4_o john_n 14._o 21_o to_o believer_n comfort_n to_o they_o that_o mourn_v acquaintance_n with_o god_n to_o they_o that_o keep_v his_o commandment_n etc._n etc._n by_o general_a offer_n i_o mean_v such_o promise_n in_o scripture_n as_o tender_a christ_n to_o every_o one_o exclude_v none_o by_o special_a mark_n such_o character_n in_o scripture_n as_o discover_v who_o they_o be_v that_o have_v receive_v he_o next_o i_o shall_v distinguish_v between_o a_o support_a testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o a_o assure_v testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n 1_o the_o support_a testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v such_o a_o witness_n in_o a_o man_n heart_n as_o in_o a_o grievous_a plunge_n of_o temptation_n keep_v he_o from_o sink_v a_o plank_n in_o a_o desperate_a shipwreck_n that_o save_v he_o from_o drown_v and_o it_o be_v ordinary_o the_o last_o refuge_n of_o a_o soul_n when_o satan_n have_v quite_o conquer_v assurance_n than_o the_o spirit_n act_v that_o soul_n by_o a_o faith_n of_o reliance_n wherein_o he_o do_v petere_fw-la principium_fw-la in_o a_o good_a sense_n act_v faith_n as_o at_o first_o in_o justification_n well_o say_v the_o soul_n if_o i_o be_o no_o believer_n if_o i_o be_o no_o lover_n of_o god_n if_o i_o be_v a_o formalist_n a_o hypocrite_n yet_o there_o be_v faith_n repentance_n love_n sincerity_n for_o i_o in_o christ_n and_o god_n offer_v it_o free_o and_o unconditionate_o i_o will_v stay_v myself_o upon_o those_o promise_n or_o gracious_a declaration_n thus_o absolute_a promise_n may_v be_v and_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o the_o spirit_n support_v testimony_n 2_o but_o second_o there_o be_v a_o assure_v testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n that_o that_o a_o christian_a life_n by_o in_o calm_a and_o clear_a time_n and_o trade_n by_o that_o whereby_o we_o be_v say_v to_o know_v that_o god_n dwell_v in_o we_o and_o we_o in_o he_o 1_o john_n 4._o 13._o therein_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v say_v to_o come_v in_o the_o gospel_n in_o much_o assurance_n 1_o thess_n 1._o 5._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d with_o a_o full_a sail_n of_o peace_n and_o spiritual_a satisfaction_n so_o that_o not_o only_o all_o doubt_n be_v remove_v but_o all_o the_o ground_n on_o which_o a_o man_n doubt_n be_v
satisfy_v there_o be_v as_o much_o difference_n between_o these_o two_o act_n of_o the_o spirit_n as_o there_o be_v between_o such_o a_o plea_n as_o divert_v a_o judgement_n against_o a_o man_n at_o present_a and_o that_o wherein_o by_o a_o evident_a deed_n or_o writing_n it_o be_v certain_o determine_v on_o his_o side_n and_o so_o we_o may_v distinguish_v comfort_n and_o assurance_n and_o comfort_n and_o peace_n for_o though_o comfort_n always_o follow_v assurance_n so_o that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o assurance_n but_o it_o must_v comfort_v yet_o where_o ever_o there_o be_v comfort_n it_o follow_v not_o there_o must_v be_v assurance_n for_o there_o may_v be_v comfort_n in_o a_o less_o evil_a compare_v with_o a_o great_a and_o a_o poor_a soul_n may_v take_v comfort_n in_o this_o that_o although_o he_o be_v not_o sure_a he_o be_v include_v in_o the_o promise_n yet_o he_o be_v not_o exclude_v but_o assurance_n presuppose_v a_o actual_a persuasion_n that_o a_o man_n have_v a_o share_n in_o the_o promise_n a_o man_n may_v be_v comfort_v with_o this_o that_o although_o it_o be_v bad_a with_o he_o now_o yet_o it_o may_v be_v better_a but_o assurance_n suppose_v a_o sense_n of_o his_o good_a condition_n at_o present_a now_o to_o apply_v this_o distinction_n to_o the_o answer_n of_o the_o question_n propound_v i_o be_o not_o satisfy_v that_o any_o man_n can_v draw_v assurance_n as_o it_o be_v thus_o distinguish_v from_o support_n and_o comfort_n from_o a_o absolute_a promise_n because_o a_o absolute_a promise_n be_v no_o legal_a plea_n for_o i_o in_o particular_a as_o to_o my_o present_a title_n to_o god_n though_o it_o be_v for_o my_o future_a hope_n of_o such_o a_o title_n and_o my_o ground_n be_v this_o that_o which_o all_o be_v call_v upon_o to_o believe_v and_o which_o be_v offer_v to_o all_o alike_o can_v be_v a_o ground_a plea_n to_o put_v a_o distinction_n between_o i_o and_o other_o but_o particular_a assurance_n put_v a_o special_a mark_n of_o distinction_n between_o i_o and_o other_o and_o absolute_a promise_n be_v offer_v to_o all_o alike_o and_o therefore_o assurance_n can_v flow_v from_o a_o absolute_a promise_n nay_o let_v i_o add_v it_o be_v the_o constant_a guise_n of_o presumption_n to_o plead_v absolute_a promise_n in_o point_n of_o evidence_n as_o the_o promise_n of_o give_v christ_n to_o die_v for_o sinner_n and_o therefore_o they_o be_v confident_a he_o be_v they_o as_o well_o as_o other_o all_o that_o god_n saint_n draw_v from_o hence_o be_v a_o comfortable_a ground_n of_o apply_v themselves_o to_o christ_n with_o constancy_n and_o perseverance_n because_o the_o spirit_n testify_v to_o they_o that_o they_o be_v capable_a of_o the_o mercy_n that_o be_v hold_v forth_o in_o such_o promise_n if_o they_o so_o adhere_v to_o they_o and_o leave_v not_o to_o urge_v god_n with_o they_o and_o the_o case_n be_v the_o same_o with_o general_a offer_n god_n general_a offer_n and_o absolute_a promise_n be_v of_o the_o same_o nature_n in_o this_o case_n both_o may_v support_v comfort_v a_o man_n for_o the_o present_a but_o be_v no_o evidence_n for_o the_o future_a as_o a_o prince_n proclaim_v a_o act_n of_o grace_n a_o act_n of_o pardon_n and_o oblivion_n to_o traitor_n and_o invite_v in_o general_a term_n all_o person_n to_o come_v and_o receive_v it_o upon_o such_o and_o such_o condition_n among_o the_o rest_n one_o that_o apprehend_v himself_o more_o guilty_a than_o all_o other_o doubt_n whether_o it_o shall_v reach_v to_o he_o or_o no_o he_o come_v into_o such_o a_o market_n and_o hear_v the_o proclamation_n to_o all_o traitor_n etc._n etc._n whatsoever_o hereby_o be_v the_o man_n so_o far_o quiet_v and_o support_v with_o this_o news_n now_o say_v he_o i_o hear_v i_o be_o not_o exclude_v i_o be_o not_o unpardonable_a but_o now_o if_o this_o man_n go_v no_o far_o but_o a_o while_n after_o come_v to_o trial_n of_o law_n for_o his_o treason_n and_o he_o think_v to_o plead_v the_o general_a proclamation_n and_o the_o mercy_n of_o the_o prince_n extend_v itself_o to_o all_o malefactor_n will_v this_o serve_v for_o a_o legal_a evidence_n to_o a_o jury_n that_o he_o be_v a_o pardon_a man_n will_v it_o not_o be_v ask_v sir_n what_o evidence_n have_v you_o that_o you_o lay_v down_o your_o arm_n and_o accept_v this_o pardon_n here_o now_o be_v require_v another_o kind_n of_o testimony_n so_o here_o god_n proclaim_v mercy_n in_o christ_n to_o the_o great_a sinner_n and_o this_o he_o declare_v to_o proceed_v from_o his_o vast_a and_o unspeakable_a love_n and_o thereupon_o invite_v all_o sinner_n to_o come_v and_o accept_v of_o it_o for_o he_o be_v a_o god_n merciful_a and_o gracious_a abound_v in_o mercy_n and_o truth_n and_o 6._o exod._n 34._o 6._o will_v abundant_o pardon_v return_v sinner_n now_o a_o poor_a soul_n doubt_n whether_o he_o be_v include_v in_o this_o offer_n doubt_v it_o not_o say_v the_o spirit_n in_o a_o sermon_n or_o other_o ordinance_n be_v of_o good_a cheer_n man_n the_o pardon_n offer_v concern_v all_o now_o if_o a_o man_n rest_n here_o and_o believe_v hereupon_o that_o he_o be_v pardon_v because_o in_o god_n absolute_a and_o unconditioned_a invitation_n he_o be_v not_o exclude_v when_o conscience_n be_v awake_a it_o will_v say_v but_o may_v not_o judas_n and_o cain_n etc._n etc._n plead_v as_o much_o as_o that_o how_o can_v you_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o you_o have_v accept_v that_o pardon_n by_o faith_n here_o need_v mark_n and_o conditional_a promise_n i_o may_v plead_v absolute_a promise_n and_o general_a offer_n to_o god_n in_o prayer_n but_o i_o can_v plead_v they_o before_o god_n in_o court_n god_n say_v i_o will_v give_v you_o a_o new_a heart_n i_o will_v pour_v out_o the_o spirit_n of_o grace_n and_o supplication_n and_o so_o in_o 10_o zech_n 12._o 10_o general_a offer_n let_v whoever_o will_v come_v and_o drink_v of_o the_o water_n of_o life_n free_o i_o may_v go_v to_o 17_o apoc._n 12._o 17_o god_n on_o these_o promise_n and_o offer_v and_o say_v lord_n give_v i_o a_o new_a heart_n lord_n give_v i_o christ_n but_o if_o i_o stand_v before_o the_o court_n of_o conscience_n and_o plead_v these_o in_o way_n of_o evidence_n that_o i_o have_v a_o new_a heart_n that_o i_o have_v christ_n i_o must_v not_o prove_v it_o by_o god_n promise_v these_o blessing_n in_o general_a to_o i_o with_o all_o other_o but_o by_o the_o evidence_n of_o my_o acceptance_n of_o these_o offer_v and_o god_n fulfil_v of_o these_o promise_n i_o must_v be_v able_a to_o say_v here_o lord_z thou_o have_v make_v such_o offer_n and_o my_o heart_n have_v accept_v they_o thou_o have_v tender_v christ_n unto_o i_o and_o i_o have_v take_v he_o upon_o thy_o own_o term_n thou_o have_v promise_v a_o new_a heart_n and_o i_o bless_v thy_o name_n i_o find_v my_o heart_n renew_v be_v not_o these_o the_o badge_n and_o proper_a cognisance_n of_o thy_o child_n and_o servant_n may_v i_o not_o conclude_v a_o save_a interest_n in_o thou_o who_o have_v receive_v such_o save_a mercy_n and_o bounty_n from_o thou_o thus_o have_v i_o show_v you_o that_o although_o general_a offer_n and_o absolute_a promise_n may_v support_v and_o in_o a_o sort_n comfort_n yet_o conditional_a promise_n alone_o proper_o assure_v chap._n ix_o the_o main_a proposition_n apply_v a_o case_n concern_v election_n and_o that_o the_o misapprehension_n thereof_o hinder_v its_o evidence_n now_o come_v to_o hand_n the_o application_n of_o this_o point_n and_o in_o the_o first_o place_n this_o may_v reconcile_v the_o thought_n of_o many_o precious_a one_o under_o bondage_n to_o a_o good_a opinion_n of_o their_o present_a condition_n in_o that_o it_o be_v not_o only_o the_o spirit_n usual_a method_n where_o he_o become_v a_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n to_o become_v first_o a_o spirit_n of_o of_o bondage_n as_o in_o the_o former_a thesis_n be_v declare_v but_o that_o when_o he_o have_v be_v such_o a_o spirit_n of_o bondage_n he_o usual_o become_v a_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n witness_v our_o adoption_n it_o be_v a_o great_a encouragement_n to_o a_o sick_a man_n though_o he_o be_v grievous_o pain_v at_o present_a that_o his_o disease_n be_v such_o out_o of_o which_o most_o recover_v that_o though_o sometime_o it_o be_v yet_o seldom_o it_o be_v mortal_a object_n yea_o but_o you_o tell_v we_o the_o person_n to_o who_o it_o be_v not_o mortal_a and_o to_o who_o it_o usual_o end_v in_o ravish_a comfort_n be_v the_o elect_a of_o god_n but_o i_o doubt_v i_o be_o none_o of_o they_o and_o therefore_o i_o may_v and_o shall_v die_v of_o this_o disease_n for_o any_o thing_n you_o have_v say_v and_o never_o see_v the_o face_n of_o god_n in_o comfort_n here_o or_o hereafter_o answ_n 1._o observe_v the_o policy_n of_o satan_n in_o deal_v with_o thy_o soul_n now_o