between_o those_o who_o he_o serve_v and_o their_o enemy_n so_o that_o he_o may_v leave_v his_o guard_n and_o set_v open_v the_o gate_n and_o cease_v his_o watchfulness_n how_o wary_a will_v he_o be_v lest_o under_o this_o pretence_n he_o be_v betray_v no_o say_v he_o i_o will_v keep_v my_o hold_n until_o i_o have_v express_a order_n from_o my_o superior_n conscience_n be_v entrust_v with_o the_o power_n of_o god_n in_o the_o soul_n of_o a_o sinner_n with_o command_n to_o keep_v all_o in_o subjection_n with_o reference_n unto_o the_o judgement_n to_o come_v it_o will_v not_o betray_v its_o trust_n in_o believe_v every_o report_n of_o peace_n no_o but_o this_o it_o say_v and_o it_o speak_v in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n gild_n and_o punishment_n be_v inseparable_a twin_n if_o the_o soul_n sin_n god_n will_v judge_v what_o tell_v you_o i_o of_o forgiveness_n i_o know_v what_o my_o commission_n be_v and_o that_o i_o will_v abide_v by_o you_o shall_v not_o bring_v in_o a_o superior_a commander_n a_o cross_a principle_n into_o my_o trust_n for_o if_o this_o be_v so_o it_o seem_v i_o must_v let_v go_v my_o throne_n another_o lord_n must_v come_v in_o not_o know_v as_o yet_o how_o this_o whole_a business_n be_v compound_v in_o the_o blood_n of_o christ._n now_o who_o shall_v a_o man_n believe_v if_o not_o his_o own_o conscience_n which_o as_o it_o will_v not_o flatter_v he_o so_o it_o intend_v not_o to_o affright_v he_o but_o to_o speak_v the_o truth_n as_o the_o matter_n require_v conscience_n have_v two_o work_n in_o reference_n unto_o sin_n one_o to_o condemn_v the_o act_n of_o sin_n another_o to_o judge_v the_o person_n of_o the_o sinner_n both_o with_o reference_n to_o the_o judgement_n of_o god_n when_o forgiveness_n come_v it_o will_v sever_v and_o part_v these_o employment_n and_o take_v one_o of_o they_o out_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o conscience_n it_o will_v divide_v the_o spoil_n with_o this_o strong_a one_o it_o shall_v condemn_v the_o fact_n or_o every_o sin_n but_o it_o shall_v no_o more_o condemn_v the_o sinner_n the_o person_n of_o the_o sinner_n that_o shall_v be_v free_v from_o its_o sentence_n here_o conscience_n labour_v with_o all_o its_o might_n to_o keep_v its_o whole_a dominion_n and_o to_o keep_v out_o the_o power_n of_o forgiveness_n from_o be_v enthrone_v in_o the_o soul._n it_o will_v allow_v man_n to_o talk_v of_o forgiveness_n to_o hear_v it_o preach_v though_o they_o abuse_v it_o every_o day_n but_o to_o receive_v it_o in_o its_o power_n that_o stand_v up_o in_o direct_a opposition_n to_o its_o dominion_n in_o the_o kingdom_n say_v conscience_n i_o will_v be_v great_a than_o thou_o and_o in_o many_o in_o the_o most_o it_o keep_v its_o possession_n and_o will_v not_o be_v depose_v nor_o indeed_o be_v it_o a_o easy_a work_n so_o to_o deal_v with_o it_o the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o that_o all_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o the_o law_n can_v not_o do_v it_o heb._n 10._o 2._o they_o can_v not_o bring_v a_o man_n into_o that_o estate_n wherein_o he_o shall_v have_v no_o more_o conscience_n of_o sin_n that_o be_v conscience_n condemn_v the_o person_n for_o conscience_n in_o a_o sense_n of_o sin_n and_o condemnation_n of_o it_o be_v never_o to_o be_v take_v away_o and_o this_o can_v be_v no_o otherwise_o do_v but_o by_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n as_o the_o apostle_n at_o large_a there_o declare_v it_o be_v then_o no_o easy_a thing_n to_o make_v a_o discovery_n of_o forgiveness_n unto_o a_o soul_n when_o the_o work_n and_o employment_n which_o conscience_n upon_o unquestionable_a ground_n challenge_v unto_o itself_o lie_v in_o opposition_n unto_o it_o hence_o be_v the_o soul_n great_a desire_n to_o establish_v its_o own_o righteousness_n whereby_o its_o natural_a principle_n may_v be_v preserve_v in_o their_o power_n let_v self-righteousness_n be_v enthrone_v and_o natural_a conscience_n desire_v no_o more_o it_o be_v satisfy_v and_o pacify_v the_o law_n it_o know_v and_o righteousness_n it_o know_v but_o as_o for_o forgiveness_n it_o say_v whence_o be_v it_o unto_o the_o utmost_a until_o christ_n perfect_v his_o conquest_n there_o be_v on_o this_o account_n secret_a struggle_n in_o the_o heart_n against_o free_a pardon_n in_o the_o gospel_n and_o fluctuation_n of_o mind_n and_o spirit_n about_o it_o yea_o hence_o be_v the_o doubt_n and_o fear_n of_o believer_n themselves_o they_o be_v nothing_o but_o the_o strive_n of_o conscience_n to_o keep_v its_o whole_a dominion_n to_o condemn_v the_o sinner_n as_o well_o as_o the_o sin_n more_n or_o less_o it_o keep_v up_o its_o pretension_n against_o the_o gospel_n whilst_o we_o live_v in_o this_o world_n it_o be_v a_o great_a work_n that_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n have_v to_o do_v upon_o the_o conscience_n of_o a_o sinner_n for_o whereas_o as_o it_o have_v be_v declare_v it_o have_v a_o power_n and_o claim_v a_o right_a to_o condemn_v both_o sin_n and_o sinner_n the_o one_o part_n of_o this_o its_o power_n be_v to_o be_v clear_v strengthen_v make_v more_o active_a vigorous_a and_o watchful_a the_o other_o to_o be_v take_v quite_o away_o it_o shall_v now_o see_v more_o sin_n than_o former_o more_o of_o the_o vileness_n of_o all_o sin_n than_o former_o and_o condemn_v they_o with_o more_o abborrency_n than_o ever_o upon_o more_o and_o more_o glorious_a account_n than_o former_o but_o it_o be_v also_o make_v to_o see_v a_o interposition_n between_o these_o sin_n and_o the_o person_n of_o the_o sinner_n who_o have_v commit_v they_o which_o be_v no_o small_a or_o ordinary_a work_n sin_n second_o the_o law_n lie_v against_o this_o discovery_n the_o law_n be_v a_o beam_n of_o the_o holiness_n of_o god_n himself_o what_o it_o speak_v unto_o we_o it_o speak_v in_o the_o name_n and_o authority_n of_o god_n and_o i_o shall_v brief_o show_v concern_v it_o these_o two_o thing_n 1._o that_o this_o be_v the_o voice_n of_o the_o law_n namely_o that_o there_o be_v no_o forgiveness_n for_o a_o sinner_n 2._o that_o a_o sinner_n have_v great_a reason_n to_o give_v credit_n to_o the_o law_n in_o that_o assertion_n 1._o it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o law_n know_v neither_o mercy_n nor_o forgiveness_n the_o very_a sanction_n of_o it_o lie_v whole_o against_o they_o the_o soul_n that_o sin_v shall_v die_v curse_a be_v he_o that_o continue_v not_o in_o all_o thing_n write_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n to_o do_v they_o deut._n 27._o 26._o hence_o the_o apostle_n pronounce_v universal_o without_o exception_n that_o they_o who_o be_v under_o the_o law_n be_v under_o the_o curse_n gal._n 3._o 10._o and_o say_v he_o v_o 12._o the_o law_n be_v not_o of_o faith_n there_o be_v a_o inconsistency_n between_o the_o law_n and_o believe_v they_o can_v have_v their_o abode_n in_o power_n together_o do_v this_o and_o live_v fail_v and_o die_v be_v the_o constant_a immutable_a voice_n of_o the_o law_n this_o it_o speak_v in_o general_a to_o all_o and_o this_o in_o particular_a to_o every_o one_o 2._o the_o sinner_n seem_v to_o have_v manifold_a and_o weighty_a reason_n to_o attend_v to_o the_o voice_n of_o this_o law_n and_o to_o acquiesce_v in_o its_o sentence_n for_o 1._o the_o law_n be_v connatural_a to_o he_o his_o domestic_a his_o old_a acquaintance_n it_o come_v into_o the_o world_n with_o he_o and_o have_v grow_v up_o with_o he_o from_o his_o infancy_n it_o be_v implant_v in_o his_o heart_n by_o nature_n be_v his_o own_o reason_n he_o can_v never_o shake_v it_o off_o or_o part_n with_o it_o it_o be_v his_o familiar_a his_o friend_n that_o cleave_v to_o he_o as_o the_o flesh_n to_o the_o bone_n so_o that_o they_o who_o have_v not_o the_o law_n write_v can_v but_o sheâ—_n forth_o the_o work_n of_o the_o law_n rom._n 2._o 14._o 15._o and_o that_o because_o the_o law_n itself_o be_v inbred_a to_o they_o and_o all_o the_o faculty_n of_o the_o soul_n be_v at_o peace_n with_o it_o in_o subjection_n to_o it_o it_o be_v the_o bond_n and_o ligament_n of_o their_o union_n harmony_n and_o correspondency_n among_o themselves_o in_o all_o their_o moral_a act_n it_o give_v life_n order_n motion_n to_o they_o all_o now_o the_o gospel_n that_o come_v to_o control_v this_o sentence_n of_o the_o law_n and_o to_o relieve_v the_o sinner_n from_o it_o be_v foreign_a to_o his_o nature_n a_o strange_a thing_n to_o he_o a_o thing_n he_o have_v no_o acquaintance_n or_o familiarity_n with_o it_o have_v not_o be_v breed_v up_o with_o he_o nor_o be_v there_o any_o thing_n in_o he_o to_o side_n with_o it_o to_o make_v a_o party_n for_o it_o or_o to_o plead_v in_o its_o behalf_n now_o shall_v not_o a_o man_n rather_o believe_v a_o domestic_a a_o friend_n indeed_o himself_o than_o a_o foreigner_n a_o stranger_n that_o come_v with_o uncouth_a principle_n and_o such_o as_o
the_o like_a kind_n but_o his_o sovereignty_n righteousness_n and_o holiness_n how_o be_v they_o declare_v hereby_o either_o not_o at_o all_o or_o not_o in_o so_o evident_a a_o manner_n as_o be_v necessary_a that_o he_o may_v be_v full_o glorify_v in_o they_o or_o for_o they_o what_o then_o do_v he_o do_v leave_v they_o in_o darkness_n veil_v undiscovered_a satisfy_v himself_o in_o the_o glory_n of_o those_o property_n which_o his_o work_n of_o creation_n have_v make_v know_v be_v there_o any_o reason_n why_o he_o shall_v do_v so_o design_v to_o do_v all_o thing_n for_o himself_o and_o for_o his_o own_o glory_n wherefore_o he_o give_v his_o holy_a law_n as_o a_o rule_n of_o obedience_n unto_o man_n and_o angel_n this_o plain_o reveal_v his_o sovereignty_n or_o authority_n over_o they_o his_o holiness_n and_o righteousness_n in_o the_o equity_n and_o purity_n of_o thing_n he_o require_v of_o they_o so_o that_o in_o and_o by_o these_o property_n also_o he_o may_v be_v glorify_v as_o he_o make_v all_o thing_n for_o himself_o that_o be_v the_o manifestation_n of_o his_o greatness_n power_n wisdom_n and_o goodness_n so_o he_o give_v the_o law_n for_o himself_o that_o be_v the_o manifestation_n of_o his_o authority_n holiness_n and_o righteousness_n but_o be_v this_o all_o be_v there_o not_o remunerative_a justice_n in_o god_n in_o a_o way_n of_o bounty_n be_v there_o not_o vindictive_a justice_n in_o he_o in_o a_o way_n of_o severity_n there_o be_v so_o and_o in_o the_o pursuit_n of_o the_o design_n mention_v they_o also_o be_v to_o be_v manifest_v or_o god_n will_v not_o be_v glorify_v in_o they_o this_o therefore_o he_o do_v also_o in_o the_o reward_n and_o punishment_n that_o he_o annex_v unto_o the_o law_n of_o obedience_n that_o he_o have_v prescribe_v to_o manifest_v his_o remunerative_a justice_n he_o promise_v a_o reward_n in_o a_o way_n of_o bounty_n which_o the_o angel_n that_o sin_v not_o be_v make_v partaker_n of_o and_o in_o the_o penalty_n threaten_v which_o sin_v angel_n and_o man_n incur_v he_o reveal_v his_o vindictive_a justice_n in_o a_o way_n of_o severity_n so_o be_v all_o these_o property_n of_o god_n make_v know_v by_o their_o effect_n and_o so_o be_v god_n glorify_v in_o they_o or_o on_o their_o account_n but_o after_o all_o this_o be_v there_o no_o other_o property_n of_o his_o nature_n divine_a excellency_n that_o can_v be_v separate_v from_o his_o be_v which_o by_o none_o of_o these_o mean_n be_v so_o much_o as_o once_o intimate_v to_o be_v in_o he_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o there_o be_v such_o be_v mercy_n grace_n patience_n long-suffering_a compassion_n and_o the_o like_a concern_v which_o observe_v 1._o that_o where_o there_o be_v no_o object_n of_o they_o they_o can_v be_v declare_v or_o manifest_v or_o exercise_v as_o god_n power_n or_o wisdom_n can_v not_o be_v manifest_a if_o there_o be_v no_o object_n of_o they_o no_o more_o can_v his_o grace_n or_o mercy_n if_o never_o any_o stand_n in_o need_n of_o they_o they_o can_v never_o be_v exercise_v and_o consequent_o never_o be_v know_v therefore_o be_v they_o not_o reveal_v neither_o by_o the_o creation_n of_o all_o thing_n nor_o by_o the_o law_n or_o its_o sanction_n nor_o by_o the_o law_n write_v in_o our_o heart_n for_o all_o these_o suppose_v no_o object_n of_o grace_n and_o mercy_n for_o it_o be_v sinner_n only_o and_o such_o as_o have_v make_v themselves_o miserable_a by_o sin_n that_o they_o can_v be_v exercise_v about_o 2._o there_o be_v no_o excellency_n of_o god_n nature_n that_o be_v more_o expressive_a of_o divine_a goodness_n loveliness_n and_o beauty_n than_o these_o be_v of_o mercy_n grace_n long-suffering_a and_o patience_n and_o therefore_o there_o be_v nothing_o that_o god_n so_o require_v our_o likeness_n unto_o he_o in_o our_o conformity_n unto_o his_o image_n as_o in_o these_o namely_o mercy_n grace_n and_o readiness_n to_o forgive_v and_o the_o contrary_a frame_n in_o any_o he_o do_v of_o all_o thing_n most_o abhor_v they_o shall_v have_v judgement_n without_o mercy_n who_o show_v no_o mercy_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o god_n will_v be_v glorify_v in_o the_o manifestation_n of_o these_o property_n of_o his_o nature_n 3._o these_o property_n can_v be_v no_o otherwise_o exercise_v and_o consequent_o no_o other_o way_n know_v but_o only_o in_o and_o by_o the_o pardon_n of_o sin_n which_o put_v it_o beyond_o all_o question_n that_o there_o be_v forgiveness_n with_o god_n god_n will_v not_o lose_v the_o glory_n of_o these_o his_o excellency_n he_o will_v be_v reveal_v in_o they_o he_o will_v be_v know_v by_o they_o he_o will_v be_v glorify_v for_o they_o which_o he_o can_v not_o be_v if_o there_o be_v not_o forgiveness_n with_o he_o so_o that_o here_o come_v in_o not_o only_o the_o truth_n but_o the_o necessity_n of_o forgiveness_n also_o forgiveness_n manifest_v in_o the_o send_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n to_o die_v for_o sin_n and_o from_o the_o obligation_n that_o be_v on_o we_o to_o forgive_v one_o another_o christ._n xii_o in_o the_o next_o place_n we_o shall_v proceed_v unto_o that_o evidence_n which_o be_v the_o centre_n wherein_o all_o the_o line_n of_o those_o forego_n do_v meet_v and_o rest_v the_o fountain_n of_o all_o those_o stream_n of_o refreshment_n that_o be_v in_o they_o that_o which_o animate_v and_o give_v life_n and_o efficacy_n unto_o they_o this_o lie_v in_o god_n send_v of_o his_o son_n the_o consideration_n hereof_o will_v leave_v no_o pretence_n or_o excuse_n unto_o unbelief_n in_o this_o matter_n to_o make_v this_o evidence_n more_o clear_a and_o legible_a as_o to_o what_o be_v intend_v in_o it_o we_o must_v consider_v 1._o what_o be_v the_o rise_n of_o this_o send_n we_o speak_v of_o 2._o who_o it_o be_v that_o be_v send_v 3._o how_o or_o in_o what_o manner_n he_o be_v send_v 4._o unto_o what_o end_n and_o purpose_n first_o the_o rise_n and_o spring_n of_o it_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v it_o come_v forth_o from_o the_o eternal_a mutual_a consent_n and_o counsel_n of_o the_o father_n and_o the_o son_n zech._n 6._o 13._o the_o counsel_n of_o peace_n shall_v be_v between_o they_o both_o it_o be_v of_o christ_n the_o branch_n of_o who_o he_o speak_v he_o shall_v build_v the_o temple_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o he_o shall_v bear_v the_o glory_n and_o shall_v sit_v and_o rule_v upon_o his_o throne_n and_o shall_v be_v a_o priest_n upon_o his_o throne_n and_o the_o counsel_n of_o peace_n shall_v be_v between_o they_o both_o that_o be_v between_o god_n the_o father_n who_o send_v he_o and_o himself_o there_o lay_v the_o counsel_n of_o peace_n make_v between_o god_n and_o man_n in_o due_a time_n accomplish_v by_o he_o who_o be_v our_o peace_n eph._n 2._o 16._o so_o he_o speak_v prov._n 8._o 30_o 31._o then_o i_o be_v by_o he_o as_o one_o bring_v up_o with_o he_o and_o i_o be_v daily_o his_o delight_n rejoice_v always_o before_o he_o rejoice_v in_o the_o habitable_a part_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o my_o delight_n be_v with_o the_o son_n of_o man_n they_o be_v the_o word_n of_o the_o wisdom_n that_o be_v of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n when_o be_v this_o do_v then_o i_o be_v with_o he_o why_o before_o the_o mountain_n be_v settle_v whilst_o as_o yet_o he_o have_v not_o make_v the_o earth_n nor_o the_o field_n that_o be_v before_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n or_o from_o eternity_n v_o 25_o 26._o but_o how_o then_o can_v he_o rejoice_v in_o the_o habitable_a part_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o how_o can_v his_o delight_n be_v with_o the_o son_n of_o man_n see_v as_o yet_o they_o be_v not_o i_o answer_v it_o be_v the_o counsel_n of_o peace_n towards_o they_o before_o mention_v in_o the_o pursuit_n whereof_o he_o be_v to_o be_v send_v to_o converse_v among_o they_o on_o the_o earth_n he_o rejoice_v in_o the_o fore-thought_n of_o his_o be_v send_v to_o they_o and_o the_o work_n he_o have_v to_o do_v for_o they_o then_o with_o his_o own_o consent_n and_o delight_n be_v he_o fore-ordained_n unto_o his_o work_n even_o before_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o world_n 1_o pet._n 1._o 20._o and_o receive_v of_o the_o father_n the_o promise_n of_o eternal_a life_n even_o before_o the_o world_n begin_v tit._n 1._o 2._o that_o be_v to_o be_v give_v unto_o sinner_n by_o way_n of_o forgiveness_n through_o his_o blood_n so_o be_v this_o whole_a counsel_n express_v psalm_n 40._o 7_o 8._o whence_o it_o be_v make_v use_n of_o by_o the_o apostle_n heb._n 10._o 5_o 6_o 7._o then_o say_v i_o lo_o i_o come_v in_o the_o volume_n of_o thy_o book_n it_o be_v write_v of_o i_o i_o delight_v to_o do_v thy_o will_n o_o god_n thy_o law_n be_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o my_o heart_n there_o be_v the_o will_n of_o the_o father_n in_o
unto_o we_o that_o be_v want_v in_o this_o matter_n for_o 1._o there_o be_v forgiveness_n with_o god_n and_o this_o manifest_v reveal_v declare_v this_o manifestation_n of_o it_o be_v that_o which_o make_v it_o the_o object_n of_o our_o faith_n we_o believe_v thing_n to_o be_v in_o god_n and_o with_o he_o not_o mere_o and_o formal_o because_o they_o be_v so_o but_o because_o he_o have_v manifest_v and_o reveal_v they_o so_o to_o be_v 1_o john_n 1._o 2._o what_o he_o so_o declare_v it_o be_v our_o duty_n to_o believe_v or_o we_o frustrate_v the_o end_n of_o his_o revelation_n 2._o we_o be_v express_o command_v to_o believe_v and_o that_o upon_o the_o high_a promise_n and_o under_o the_o great_a penalty_n this_o command_n be_v that_o which_o make_v believe_v formal_o a_o duty_n faith_n be_v a_o grace_n as_o it_o be_v free_o wrought_v in_o we_o by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n the_o root_n of_o all_o obedience_n and_o duty_n as_o it_o be_v radical_o fix_v in_o the_o heart_n but_o as_o it_o be_v command_v it_o be_v a_o duty_n and_o these_o command_n you_o know_v be_v several_a way_n express_v by_o invitation_n exhortation_n proposition_n which_o all_o have_v in_o they_o the_o nature_n of_o command_n which_o take_v up_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n 3._o it_o be_v a_o duty_n as_o we_o have_v show_v of_o the_o great_a concernment_n unto_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n 4._o of_o the_o great_a importance_n unto_o our_o soul_n here_o and_o hereafter_o and_o these_o thing_n be_v necessary_a to_o be_v add_v to_o bottom_v our_o ensue_a exhortation_n upon_o evidence_n that_o most_o man_n do_v not_o believe_v forgiveness_n few_o that_o which_o shall_v now_o ensue_v be_v the_o peculiar_a improvement_n of_o this_o truth_n all_o along_o aim_v at_o namely_o to_o give_v exhortation_n and_o encouragement_n unto_o believe_v but_o i_o can_v take_v few_o step_n in_o this_o work_n wherein_o methinks_v i_o do_v hear_v some_o say_n sure_o all_o this_o be_v needless_a who_o be_v there_o that_o do_v not_o believe_v all_o that_o you_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v and_o so_o these_o pain_n be_v spend_v to_o little_a or_o no_o purpose_n i_o shall_v therefore_o before_o i_o persuade_v any_o unto_o it_o endeavour_v to_o show_v that_o they_o do_v it_o not_o already_o many_o i_o say_v the_o most_o of_o man_n who_o live_v under_o the_o dispensation_n of_o the_o gospel_n do_v woeful_o deceive_v their_o own_o soul_n in_o this_o matter_n they_o do_v not_o believe_v what_o they_o profess_v themselves_o to_o believe_v and_o what_o they_o think_v they_o believe_v man_n talk_v of_o fundamental_a error_n this_o be_v to_o i_o the_o most_o fundamental_a error_n that_o any_o can_v fall_v into_o and_o the_o most_o pernicious_a it_o be_v make_v up_o of_o these_o two_o part_n 1._o they_o do_v not_o indeed_o believe_v forgiveness_n 2._o they_o suppose_v they_o do_v believe_v it_o which_o keep_v they_o from_o seek_v after_o their_o only_a remedy_n both_o these_o mistake_n be_v in_o the_o foundation_n and_o do_v ruin_v the_o soul_n of_o they_o that_o live_v and_o die_v in_o they_o i_o shall_v then_o by_o a_o brief_a enquiry_n put_v this_o matter_n to_o a_o trial_n by_o some_o plain_a rule_n and_o principle_n may_v this_o important_a question_n whether_o we_o do_v indeed_o believe_v forgiveness_n or_o no_o be_v answer_v and_o decide_v but_o to_o the_o resolution_n intend_v i_o shall_v premise_v two_o observation_n 1._o man_n in_o this_o case_n be_v very_o apt_a to_o deceive_v themselves_o self-love_n vain_a hope_n like_v of_o lust_n common_a false_a principle_n sloth_n unwillingness_n unto_o self-examination_n reputation_n with_o the_o world_n and_o it_o may_v be_v in_o the_o church_n all_o vigorous_o concur_v unto_o man_n self-deceiving_n in_o this_o matter_n it_o be_v no_o easy_a thing_n for_o a_o soul_n to_o break_v through_o all_o these_o and_o all_o self-reasonings_a that_o rise_n from_o they_o to_o come_v unto_o a_o clear_a judgement_n of_o its_o own_o act_n in_o deal_n with_o god_n about_o forgiveness_n man_n also_o find_v a_o common_a presumption_n of_o this_o truth_n and_o its_o be_v a_o easy_a relief_n against_o gripe_n of_o conscience_n and_o disturb_v thought_n about_o sin_n which_o they_o daily_o meet_v withal_o aim_v therefore_o only_o at_o the_o removal_n of_o trouble_n and_o find_v their_o present_a imagination_n of_o it_o sufficient_a thereunto_o they_o never_o bring_v their_o persuasion_n to_o the_o trial_n 2._o as_o man_n be_v apt_a to_o do_v thus_o so_o they_o actual_o do_v so_o they_o do_v deceive_v themselves_o and_o know_v not_o that_o they_o do_v so_o the_o last_o day_n will_v make_v this_o evident_a if_o man_n will_v no_o soon_o be_v convince_v of_o their_o folly_n when_o our_o saviour_n tell_v his_o disciple_n that_o one_o of_o they_o twelve_o shall_v betray_v he_o though_o it_o be_v but_o one_o of_o twelve_o that_o be_v in_o danger_n yet_o every_o one_o of_o the_o twelve_o make_v a_o particular_a enquiry_n about_o himself_o i_o will_v not_o say_v that_o one_o in_o each_o twelve_o be_v here_o mistake_v but_o i_o be_o sure_a the_o truth_n tell_v we_o that_o many_o be_v call_v and_o but_o few_o be_v choose_v they_o be_v but_o few_o who_o do_v real_o believe_v forgiveness_n be_v it_o not_o then_o incumbent_a on_o every_o one_o to_o be_v inquire_v in_o what_o number_n he_o be_v likely_a to_o be_v find_v at_o the_o last_o day_n whilst_o man_n put_v this_o enquiry_n off_o from_o themselves_o and_o think_v or_o say_v it_o may_v be_v the_o concernment_n of_o other_o it_o be_v not_o i_o they_o perish_v and_o that_o without_o remedy_n remember_v what_o poor_a jacob_n say_v when_o he_o have_v lose_v one_o child_n and_o be_v afraid_a of_o the_o loss_n of_o another_o gen._n 43._o 14._o if_o i_o be_v bereave_v of_o my_o child_n i_o be_o bereave_v as_o if_o he_o shall_v have_v say_v if_o i_o lose_v my_o child_n i_o have_v no_o more_o to_o lose_v they_o be_v my_o all_o nothing_o worse_o can_v befall_v i_o in_o this_o world_n comfort_n joy_n yea_o life_n and_o all_o go_v with_o they_o how_o much_o more_o may_v man_n say_v in_o this_o case_n if_o we_o be_v deceive_v here_o we_o be_v deceive_v all_o be_v lose_v hope_v and_o life_n and_o soul_n all_o must_v perish_v and_o that_o for_o ever_o there_o be_v no_o help_n or_o relief_n for_o they_o who_o deceive_v themselves_o in_o this_o matter_n they_o have_v find_v out_o a_o way_n to_o go_v quiet_o down_o into_o the_o pit_n now_o these_o thing_n be_v premise_v only_o that_o they_o may_v be_v incentives_n unto_o self-examination_n in_o this_o matter_n and_o so_o render_v the_o ensue_a consideration_n useful_a let_v we_o then_o address_v ourselves_o unto_o they_o 1._o in_o general_n this_o be_v a_o gospel_n truth_n yea_o the_o great_a fundamental_a and_o most_o important_a truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n it_o be_v the_o turn_a point_n of_o the_o two_o covenant_n as_o god_n himself_o declare_v heb._n 7._o 7_o 8_o 9_o 10_o 11_o 12_o 13._o now_o a_o very_a easy_a consideration_n of_o the_o way_n and_o walking_n of_o man_n will_v satisfy_v we_o as_o to_o this_o enquiry_n whether_o they_o do_v indeed_o believe_v the_o gospel_n the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n and_o the_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o it_o certain_o their_o ignorance_n darkness_n blindness_n their_o corrupt_a affection_n and_o worldly_a conversation_n their_o earthly-mindedness_a and_o open_a disavow_v of_o the_o spirit_n way_n and_o yoke_n of_o christ_n speak_v no_o such_o language_n shall_v we_o think_v that_o proud_a heady_a worldly_a self-seckers_a hater_n of_o the_o people_n of_o god_n and_o his_o way_n despiser_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o grace_n and_o his_o work_n sacrificer_n to_o their_o own_o lust_n and_o such_o like_a do_v believe_v the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n or_o remission_n of_o sin_n god_n forbid_v we_o shall_v entertain_v any_o one_o thought_n of_o so_o great_a dishonour_n to_o the_o gospel_n where_o ever_o that_o be_v receive_v or_o believe_v it_o produce_v other_o effect_n tit._n 2._o 11_o 12._o isa._n 11_o 6_o 7_o 8_o 9_o it_o teach_v man_n to_o deny_v all_o ungodliness_n and_o worldly_a lust_n it_o change_v their_o heart_n nature_n and_o way_n it_o be_v not_o such_o a_o barren_a impotent_a and_o fruitless_a thing_n as_o such_o a_o apprehension_n will_v represent_v it_o 2._o they_o that_o real_o believe_v forgiveness_n in_o god_n do_v thereby_o obtain_v forgiveness_n believe_v give_v a_o interest_n in_o it_o it_o bring_v it_o home_o to_o the_o soul_n concern_v this_o be_v the_o inviolable_a law_n of_o the_o gospel_n believe_v and_o forgiveness_n be_v inseparable_o conjoin_v among_o the_o evidence_n that_o we_o may_v have_v of_o any_o one_o be_v interest_v in_o forgiveness_n i_o shall_v only_o name_v one_o they_o prize_v and_o value_v