distinction_n about_o cause_n or_o mean_n that_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v understand_v for_o understand_v this_o question_n by_o what_o mean_v the_o promise_n be_v make_v sufficient_a to_o evidence_n to_o the_o soul_n his_o union_n with_o christ_n 1._o the_o soul_n must_v understand_v the_o distinction_n between_o the_o principal_a instrumental_a efficient_a cause_n and_o the_o less_o principal_a instrumental_a efficient_a cause_n though_o there_o be_v proper_o unto_o every_o action_n but_o one_o principal_a cause_n yet_o in_o respect_n of_o instrumental_a cause_n there_o may_v be_v many_o thing_n that_o may_v have_v the_o respect_n of_o efficient_a cause_n for_o the_o produce_v one_o and_o the_o same_o thing_n though_o there_o can_v be_v but_o one_o principal_a instrumental_a efficient_a neither_o unless_o it_o be_v coordinate_a 2._o you_o must_v understand_v that_o the_o mean_n or_o instrumental_a efficient_a cause_n be_v divide_v again_o into_o natural_a instrumental_a efficient_a cause_n and_o artificial_a the_o natural_a instrumental_a cause_n be_v that_o which_o work_v by_o its_o own_o natural_a inbred_a virtue_n that_o be_v by_o a_o proper_a disposition_n of_o its_o own_o and_o by_o a_o power_n that_o it_o have_v in_o itself_o without_o dependence_n upon_o any_o create_a cause_n though_o nothing_o that_o be_v a_o instrumental_a cause_n can_v be_v say_v to_o work_v by_o his_o own_o virtue_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o principal_a efficient_a cause_n 3._o you_o must_v understand_v that_o instrumental_a efficient_a cause_n be_v to_o be_v consider_v again_o either_o as_o those_o that_o be_v mediate_a cause_n or_o immediate_a cause_n the_o mediate_a efficient_a cause_n be_v that_o which_o contribute_v something_o to_o the_o produce_v the_o effect_n that_o be_v that_o which_o have_v some_o influence_n into_o the_o great_a effect_n of_o the_o soul_n assurance_n either_o direct_o or_o indirect_o though_o it_o be_v but_o a_o far_o off_o there_o be_v many_o immediate_a thing_n that_o come_v between_o that_o make_v up_o the_o soul_n evidence_n the_o immediate_a cause_n that_o be_v the_o cause_n that_o work_v so_o immediate_o that_o nothing_o intervene_v between_o the_o effect_n which_o be_v the_o soul_n assurance_n and_o the_o cause_n that_o which_o have_v the_o last_o stroke_n as_o i_o may_v say_v that_o be_v proper_o the_o immediate_a cause_n that_o which_o be_v once_o effect_v in_o the_o soul_n the_o soul_n do_v immediate_o and_o without_o intermission_n of_o time_n draw_v the_o conclusion_n that_o he_o be_v unite_v to_o jesus_n christ_n that_o be_v the_o immediate_a efficient_a cause_n 4._o instrumental_a cause_n be_v such_o as_o either_o solitary_a efficient_a cause_n or_o combine_v efficient_a cause_n that_o be_v such_o cause_n as_o work_v by_o themselves_o without_o other_o to_o produce_v such_o a_o effect_n or_o else_o such_o as_o work_v by_o other_o cause_v not_o without_o respect_n there_o be_v a_o efficient_a cause_n alone_o and_o a_o concause_n with_o another_o and_o both_o contribute_v assistance_n to_o the_o same_o thing_n 5._o these_o efficient_a instrumental_a cause_n be_v divide_v again_o into_o subordinate_a cause_n or_o coordinate_a cause_n that_o be_v such_o instrumental_a cause_n that_o though_o they_o work_v together_o be_v in_o a_o subordination_n to_o one_o instrumental_a efficient_a cause_n or_o else_o such_o as_o produce_v a_o equal_a power_n joint_o together_o for_o the_o effect_v the_o same_o thing_n it_o be_v then_o that_o efficient_a instrumental_a cause_n be_v subordinate_a when_o one_o have_v the_o supremacy_n and_o all_o have_v dependence_n upon_o one_o though_o many_o thing_n have_v influence_n into_o the_o same_o thing_n and_o they_o be_v coordinate_a when_o they_o have_v equal_a dependence_n one_o upon_o another_o one_o not_o be_v able_a to_o work_v without_o another_o now_o all_o these_o distinction_n of_o cause_n must_v be_v understand_v for_o a_o right_n clear_a understanding_n of_o this_o question_n by_o what_o mean_v a_o soul_n do_v attain_v the_o evidence_n of_o his_o union_n now_o these_o thing_n be_v premise_v i_o shall_v lay_v down_o the_o answer_n in_o positive_a conclusion_n answ_n 1._o first_o i_o answer_v direct_o to_o the_o question_n that_o there_o be_v divers_a mediate_v and_o less_o principal_a cause_n that_o do_v afar_o off_o help_v something_o for_o the_o evidence_n to_o the_o soul_n his_o union_n with_o christ_n from_o the_o absolute_a promise_n there_o be_v divers_a such_o cause_n that_o be_v partly_o artificial_a and_o partly_o natural_a of_o this_o nature_n i_o may_v reckon_v up_o divers_a as_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n in_o the_o open_n and_o clear_v the_o nature_n the_o largeness_n of_o the_o extent_n and_o the_o excellency_n of_o those_o absolute_a promise_n to_o a_o soul_n likewise_o the_o dispensation_n of_o the_o sacrament_n either_o of_o baptism_n or_o the_o lord_n supper_n the_o element_n of_o water_n in_o one_o be_v appoint_v by_o christ_n himself_o in_o the_o use_n of_o it_o to_o discover_v the_o soul_n partake_v of_o the_o death_n of_o christ_n by_o be_v bury_v in_o the_o water_n and_o to_o signify_v the_o soul_n partake_v of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n by_o rise_v out_o of_o the_o water_n and_o so_o consequent_o communion_n with_o christ_n in_o all_o the_o effect_n of_o his_o death_n and_o life_n consequent_o seal_v to_o the_o soul_n that_o jesus_n christ_n die_v for_o he_o and_o live_v for_o he_o so_o the_o other_o sacrament_n the_o element_n of_o bread_n and_o wine_n be_v appoint_v by_o jesus_n christ_n to_o signify_v to_o the_o soul_n the_o break_n of_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o effusion_n of_o his_o blood_n and_o the_o application_n of_o those_o element_n to_o he_o be_v element_n by_o which_o his_o body_n shall_v be_v refresh_v and_o clear_v be_v appoint_v to_o show_v the_o life_n and_o nourishment_n of_o his_o soul_n to_o be_v from_o christ_n alone_o these_o sacrament_n in_o their_o right_a institution_n may_v be_v instrumental_a immediate_a cause_n afar_o off_o to_o contribute_v to_o a_o soul_n something_o of_o his_o union_n so_o prayer_n meditation_n and_o christian_a conference_n inquire_v into_o the_o freeness_n of_o the_o promise_n and_o the_o latitude_n of_o it_o and_o every_o spiritual_a ordinance_n of_o god_n wherein_o the_o promise_n of_o god_n be_v bring_v to_o any_o remembrance_n may_v contribute_v something_o to_o the_o soul_n union_n with_o christ_n which_o be_v proper_o artificial_a cause_n not_o natural_a but_o of_o a_o mix_a kind_n partly_o artificial_a and_o partly_o natural_a and_o all_o these_o be_v in_o this_o kind_a instrumental_a efficient_a cause_n they_o may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v mean_n by_o which_o the_o soul_n attain_v the_o infallible_a evidence_n of_o his_o union_n and_o it_o be_v very_o seldom_o if_o i_o may_v not_o say_v never_o but_o god_n use_v one_o of_o these_o mean_n to_o clear_v up_o to_o the_o soul_n his_o union_n with_o christ_n in_o the_o absolute_a promise_n answ_n 2._o second_o i_o answer_v that_o it_o be_v common_o â—â—â—eived_v that_o there_o be_v three_o more_o immediate_a joint_n concur_v cause_n to_o make_v up_o to_o the_o soul_n the_o evidence_n of_o his_o union_n from_o the_o promise_n though_o those_o forename_a mean_n do_v work_v instrumental_o for_o that_o end_n yet_o there_o be_v some_o that_o do_v work_v more_o inward_o that_o be_v common_o receive_v to_o be_v joint_a cause_n work_v for_o one_o and_o the_o same_o end_n i_o mean_v for_o assure_v the_o soul_n from_o the_o promise_n of_o his_o union_n with_o christ_n as_o i._o the_o irradiation_n i_o mean_v the_o bright_a shine_a light_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v set_v up_o as_o a_o precious_a heavenly_a lamp_n that_o shine_v so_o clear_o into_o the_o dark_a soul_n that_o it_o make_v the_o soul_n see_v in_o a_o sensible_a way_n that_o he_o do_v receive_v the_o promise_n and_o embrace_v the_o lord_n jesus_n give_v in_o that_o promise_n faith_n give_v the_o soul_n such_o a_o feel_a experience_n that_o it_o do_v receive_v the_o promise_n of_o jesus_n christ_n give_v even_o when_o it_o be_v receive_v of_o it_o his_o soul_n grasp_v jesus_n christ_n so_o powerful_o as_o he_o feel_v his_o arm_n grasp_v jesus_n christ_n in_o the_o promise_n ii_o there_o be_v the_o conclusion_n renew_v conscience_n draw_v by_o the_o strength_n of_o spiritual_a and_o experimental_a reason_n that_o the_o promise_n be_v unto_o his_o particular_a soul_n and_o that_o he_o be_v unite_v unto_o jesus_n christ_n as_o appear_v from_o the_o promise_n the_o truth_n of_o it_o appear_v from_o rom._n 8.16_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n bear_v witness_n with_o our_o spirit_n that_o we_o be_v son_n of_o god_n there_o be_v a_o two_o fold_v witness_n the_o witness_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o our_o spirit_n which_o can_v be_v nothing_o but_o the_o renew_a understanding_n or_o conscience_n that_o give_v the_o testimony_n and_o both_o of_o they_o witness_n at_o one_o
and_o the_o same_o time_n and_o they_o be_v both_o but_o witness_v one_o and_o the_o same_o thing_n and_o help_v the_o soul_n to_o draw_v one_o and_o the_o same_o conclusion_n at_o the_o same_o time_n iii_o there_o be_v the_o manifestation_n of_o the_o true_a inseparable_a effect_n of_o union_n with_o jesus_n christ_n to_o be_v in_o the_o soul_n that_o be_v the_o soul_n behold_v the_o very_a juice_n of_o jesus_n christ_n the_o precious_a vine_n flow_v down_o into_o his_o soul_n as_o into_o one_o of_o his_o branch_n the_o soul_n find_v the_o same_o grace_n that_o be_v in_o jesus_n christ_n the_o head_n drop_v down_o into_o his_o bosom_n so_o that_o the_o soul_n conclude_v he_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o member_n to_o the_o head_n have_v influence_n from_o it_o now_o there_o be_v three_o thing_n to_o be_v open_v about_o this_o which_o be_v concause_n which_o may_v clear_v up_o to_o our_o understanding_n what_o may_v be_v safe_o hold_v forth_o in_o these_o 1._o that_o none_o of_o these_o neither_o the_o shine_a of_o faith_n nor_o the_o testimony_n of_o conscience_n nor_o the_o inseparable_a effect_n of_o union_n be_v concause_n in_o evidence_v unto_o the_o soul_n the_o will_n of_o god_n in_o take_v the_o particular_a soul_n into_o union_n with_o christ_n the_o promise_n itself_o afford_v this_o light_n to_o the_o soul_n by_o the_o sole_a aid_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n without_o respect_n to_o any_o disposition_n inclination_n believe_v qualification_n whatever_o can_v be_v imagine_v 2._o these_o three_o be_v only_a concause_n in_o produce_v to_o the_o soul_n the_o effect_n of_o that_o first_o evidence_n that_o be_v in_o produce_v in_o the_o soul_n the_o conclusion_n of_o his_o own_o union_n with_o jesus_n christ_n that_o do_v arise_v from_o the_o first_o evidence_n of_o the_o lord_n will_v to_o take_v his_o soul_n into_o union_n with_o christ_n 3._o that_o it_o be_v only_o the_o first_o of_o those_o three_o thing_n which_o be_v the_o shine_v forth_o of_o the_o light_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v proper_o a_o coadjoyn_a cause_n in_o the_o make_n up_o a_o soul_n evidence_n from_o the_o promise_n of_o his_o union_n with_o christ_n those_o two_o latter_a do_v follow_v after_o the_o first_o clear_a evidence_n in_o the_o soul_n of_o his_o union_n with_o christ_n from_o the_o promise_n and_o so_o can_v come_v in_o as_o joint_a concause_n to_o make_v up_o the_o evidence_n answ_n 3._o three_o i_o answer_v there_o be_v indeed_o three_o joint_n concur_v cause_n for_o the_o make_n up_o this_o union_n to_o the_o soul_n faith_n of_o its_o union_n with_o christ_n and_o that_o be_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n the_o light_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o witness_n of_o conscience_n take_v the_o witness_n of_o conscience_n only_o for_o a_o experimental_a knowledge_n that_o soul_n do_v receive_v and_o have_v receive_v the_o lord_n jesus_n free_o give_v by_o god_n to_o be_v one_o with_o the_o soul_n so_o that_o conscience_n do_v only_o answer_v as_o it_o be_v like_o a_o precious_a echo_n to_o the_o soul_n the_o voice_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n to_o the_o soul_n the_o spirit_n of_o god_n reveal_v the_o light_n of_o the_o promise_n or_o apply_v the_o promise_n to_o the_o soul_n the_o light_n of_o faith_n show_v the_o soul_n receive_v of_o the_o promise_n and_o the_o voice_n of_o conscience_n consent_v to_o the_o voice_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n or_o give_v the_o echo_n to_o the_o voice_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n in_o the_o soul_n answ_n 4._o four_o i_o answer_v there_o be_v some_o that_o may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v concause_n or_o join_v concur_v cause_n in_o the_o evidence_n to_o the_o soul_n his_o union_n in_o the_o promise_n yet_o they_o be_v all_o but_o subordinate_a cause_n to_o one_o prime_a principal_a cause_n which_o be_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n shall_v i_o take_v these_o three_o which_o some_o have_v conceive_v to_o be_v joint_a concur_v cause_n which_o be_v the_o light_n of_o faith_n the_o witness_n of_o conscience_n and_o the_o manifestation_n of_o the_o inseparable_a effect_n of_o union_n yet_o all_o these_o come_v in_o a_o way_n of_o subordination_n to_o the_o principal_a efficient_a instrumental_a cause_n which_o be_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n as_o you_o may_v see_v if_o you_o look_v upon_o the_o light_n of_o faith_n 1_o cor._n 2.12_o we_o have_v receive_v not_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o world_n but_o the_o spirit_n which_o be_v of_o god_n that_o we_o may_v know_v the_o thing_n that_o be_v free_o give_v we_o of_o god_n you_o see_v the_o internal_a vision_n or_o internal_a light_n they_o have_v of_o any_o grace_n of_o any_o gift_n be_v by_o the_o light_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n put_v upon_o those_o gift_n or_o put_v into_o the_o soul_n to_o discern_v those_o gift_n so_o likewise_o of_o the_o second_o the_o testimony_n of_o conscience_n whatever_o testimony_n conscience_n will_v give_v be_v it_o either_o through_o practical_a or_o experimental_a reason_n draw_v from_o the_o word_n of_o god_n or_o be_v it_o only_o to_o bear_v witness_n to_o the_o soul_n own_o act_n and_o so_o take_v only_o for_o a_o sense_n of_o the_o soul_n own_o believe_v yet_o also_o this_o witness_n of_o conscience_n have_v its_o subordination_n to_o that_o principal_a cause_n the_o spirit_n of_o god_n as_o rom._n 9.1_o when_o the_o conscience_n be_v say_v to_o bear_v witness_n of_o any_o good_a act_n in_o the_o soul_n it_o be_v say_v to_o be_v through_o the_o spirit_n and_o indeed_o the_o conscience_n be_v altogether_o corrupt_v natural_o the_o habit_n of_o spiritual_a light_n and_o discern_a by_o which_o it_o judge_v be_v only_o from_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n thence_o it_o must_v necessary_o follow_v also_o that_o every_o act_n of_o that_o renew_a light_n that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n have_v infuse_v into_o the_o conscience_n must_v be_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n for_o out_o of_o all_o question_n the_o act_n of_o every_o habit_n of_o grace_n receive_v do_v as_o well_o depend_v upon_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n as_o the_o first_o infusion_n of_o it_o into_o the_o soul_n do_v and_o if_o you_o look_v upon_o the_o three_o also_o which_o be_v the_o manifestation_n of_o all_o the_o effect_n of_o union_n that_o come_v under_o that_o in_o 1_o cor._n 2.12_o all_o gift_n all_o gift_n of_o grace_n through_o union_n must_v be_v discern_v through_o the_o spirit_n of_o wisdom_n in_o the_o heart_n enable_v soul_n to_o discern_v the_o thing_n free_o give_v they_o of_o god_n as_o the_o apostle_n do_v well_o illustrate_v it_o v._o 11_o compare_v the_o light_n that_o the_o spirit_n which_o they_o have_v receive_v give_v to_o they_o to_o discern_v the_o gift_n of_o god_n to_o the_o light_n of_o conscience_n to_o discern_v what_o be_v in_o man_n what_o man_n know_v the_o thing_n of_o a_o man_n save_o the_o spirit_n of_o man_n which_o be_v in_o he_o even_o so_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n know_v no_o man_n but_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n whereby_o he_o make_v it_o evident_a that_o the_o use_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n dwell_v in_o the_o soul_n be_v the_o same_o for_o the_o discover_n of_o all_o the_o working_n of_o the_o soul_n to_o it_o as_o the_o use_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o a_o man_n be_v to_o discover_v to_o he_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n as_o man_n answ_n 5._o five_o i_o answer_v that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n alone_o be_v the_o principal_n most_o immediate_a and_o natural_a instrumental_a efficient_a cause_n of_o the_o promise_n evidence_v to_o the_o soul_n his_o union_n with_o christ_n though_o you_o see_v there_o be_v divers_a cause_n that_o may_v afar_o off_o have_v some_o kind_n of_o influence_n yet_o no_o influence_n further_o than_o they_o have_v a_o dependence_n upon_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n work_v in_o they_o and_o through_o they_o and_o however_o the_o sight_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o testimony_n of_o conscience_n may_v in_o some_o measure_n be_v say_v to_o be_v concause_n yet_o the_o instrumental_a efficient_a cause_n that_o have_v the_o alpha_n and_o omega_n that_o which_o strike_v the_o first_o and_o last_o stroke_n that_o assure_v the_o soul_n faith_n that_o he_o be_v unite_v to_o christ_n that_o be_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n alone_o it_o be_v that_o which_o set_v on_o work_v all_o other_o mean_n for_o that_o end_n now_o that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n alone_o be_v this_o principal_a efficient_a instrumental_a cause_n i_o shall_v clear_v to_o you_o by_o some_o demonstration_n i._o it_o appear_v by_o the_o general_a office_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n the_o spirit_n be_v design_v to_o that_o office_n alone_o to_o reveal_v truth_n or_o to_o guide_v soul_n into_o all_o truth_n as_o appear_v john_n 16.43_o when_o the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n be_v come_v he_o will_v
whence_o to_o draw_v a_o conclusion_n of_o his_o contrary_a state_n to_o the_o state_n of_o other_o christian_n that_o he_o behold_v to_o excel_v he_o in_o so_o a_o high_a a_o measure_n when_o it_o rise_v to_o this_o it_o become_v a_o sinful_a dark_a distemper_n and_o that_o will_v appear_v in_o divers_a thing_n 1._o this_o may_v prove_v a_o measure_n of_o god_n love_n by_o the_o act_n of_o his_o love_n 2._o it_o may_v be_v a_o argue_v mere_o from_o a_o soul_n want_v of_o light_a to_o discern_v god_n good_a will_n to_o he_o in_o christ_n 3._o it_o make_v the_o soul_n draw_v a_o conclusion_n of_o the_o total_a want_n of_o the_o be_v of_o grace_n while_o a_o soul_n thus_o conclude_v because_o he_o see_v no_o grace_n shine_v forth_o in_o himself_o as_o he_o do_v in_o other_o that_o therefore_o he_o be_v not_o belove_v of_o god_n in_o christ_n it_o may_v come_v to_o argue_v in_o this_o manner_n because_o i_o see_v my_o soul_n be_v not_o such_o a_o burn_a and_o shine_a light_n as_o such_o a_o christian_a therefore_o i_o be_o not_o so_o much_o as_o smoke_a flax_n 4._o this_o argument_n from_o the_o defect_n of_o grace_n may_v be_v a_o argument_n from_o the_o soul_n infirmity_n it_o may_v be_v but_o a_o argument_n from_o the_o tyranny_n that_o some_o lust_n have_v exercise_v over_o the_o heart_n to_o the_o conclude_v it_o be_v under_o the_o voluntary_a service_n of_o his_o lust_n 5._o it_o may_v be_v a_o reason_n from_o the_o want_n of_o fruitfulness_n in_o christianity_n to_o the_o want_n of_o christianity_n itself_o and_o the_o want_n of_o all_o fritfulness_n whatsoever_o now_o when_o the_o soul_n be_v about_o to_o draw_v such_o conclusion_n as_o these_o from_o its_o measure_n itself_o by_o other_o christian_n let_v these_o thing_n be_v observe_v 1._o he_o must_v first_o assure_v himself_o that_o the_o defect_n he_o behold_v in_o his_o own_o soul_n be_v a_o sinful_a defect_n four_o thing_n the_o soul_n must_v be_v assure_v the_o defect_n come_v not_o from_o before_o he_o can_v be_v assure_v the_o defect_n be_v sin_n first_o that_o it_o be_v not_o bare_o through_o the_o suspension_n of_o the_o influence_n of_o the_o comfort_a spirit_n of_o christ_n second_o it_o must_v be_v assure_v that_o the_o defect_n he_o behold_v in_o his_o own_o soul_n of_o the_o grace_n of_o other_o be_v not_o through_o the_o lord_n suspend_v the_o arbitrary_a influence_n of_o the_o quicken_a spirit_n of_o christ_n you_o must_v conceive_v there_o be_v influence_n that_o be_v for_o the_o soul_n be_v and_o influence_n that_o be_v for_o the_o soul_n well_o be_v these_o influence_n of_o the_o quicken_a spirit_n of_o christ_n that_o be_v for_o the_o soul_n be_v be_v never_o withdraw_v but_o the_o influence_n that_o be_v for_o the_o soul_n well_o be_v be_v communicate_v in_o various_a degree_n to_o various_a soul_n which_o therefore_o i_o call_v arbitrary_a influance_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o christ_n that_o be_v such_o as_o god_n dispose_v of_o according_a to_o his_o mere_a pleasure_n to_o the_o soul_n in_o divers_a degree_n at_o divers_a time_n and_o to_o divers_a soul_n in_o divers_a time_n three_o the_o soul_n must_v be_v assure_v that_o the_o defect_n he_o behold_v in_o his_o own_o soul_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o grace_n of_o other_o christian_n proceed_v not_o only_o from_o the_o defect_n of_o gift_n thar_z other_o furnish_v with_o the_o same_o grace_n enjoy_v above_o he_o gift_n be_v like_o a_o precious_a cundit-pipe_n that_o the_o lord_n have_v appoint_v to_o let_v out_o the_o stream_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o jesus_n christ_n through_o now_o if_o another_o soul_n have_v more_o abundance_n of_o those_o kind_n of_o gift_n more_o readiness_n of_o capacity_n quickness_n of_o understanding_n great_a depth_n in_o the_o apprehension_n of_o the_o thing_n of_o christ_n clearness_n of_o light_n more_o readiness_n of_o expression_n then_o thy_o soul_n may_v be_v deceive_v in_o judge_v a_o great_a degree_n of_o grace_n in_o such_o a_o soul_n than_o in_o thy_o soul_n in_o regard_n he_o have_v a_o great_a opportunity_n of_o expression_n of_o grace_n and_o a_o great_a aptness_n to_o hold_v forth_o grace_n receive_v than_o thou_o have_v four_o the_o soul_n must_v be_v assure_v that_o it_o be_v not_o from_o the_o defect_n of_o the_o mean_n and_o opportunity_n only_o without_o any_o negligence_n of_o any_o mean_n by_o the_o soul_n that_o his_o defect_n of_o grace_n proceed_v from_o 2._o the_o soul_n must_v be_v assure_v that_o those_o defect_n that_o he_o behold_v in_o himself_o be_v such_o defect_n as_o be_v altogether_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o state_n of_o the_o union_n of_o the_o soul_n with_o christ_n whatever_o give_v a_o true_a and_o sufficient_a demonstration_n of_o its_o cause_n must_v be_v a_o effect_n that_o proceed_v proper_o from_o such_o a_o cause_n only_o that_o can_v proceed_v from_o another_o cause_n 3._o the_o soul_n must_v be_v also_o sure_a that_o spiritual_a rashness_n and_o wilfulness_n or_o ignorance_n or_o temptation_n do_v not_o overcloud_v his_o judgement_n in_o his_o search_v out_o and_o try_v the_o defect_n in_o the_o soul_n therein_o i_o shall_v advise_v to_o three_o thing_n 1._o the_o soul_n ought_v to_o be_v sure_a that_o he_o trust_v not_o his_o own_o light_n alone_o 2._o the_o soul_n ought_v to_o bring_v all_o thing_n both_o in_o their_o substance_n and_o in_o their_o circumstance_n that_o be_v worthy_a to_o be_v weigh_v to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o word_n alone_o 3._o a_o soul_n must_v endeavour_v that_o his_o judgement_n be_v settle_v by_o god_n that_o be_v thus_o the_o soul_n that_o have_v his_o judgement_n pass_v upon_o his_o own_o defect_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o they_o to_o be_v such_o as_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o state_n of_o union_n with_o christ_n must_v endeavour_v to_o draw_v near_o to_o god_n to_o bring_v himself_o into_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o heart_n search_v god_n with_o a_o serious_a apprehension_n and_o meditation_n that_o all_o the_o secret_n of_o his_o spirit_n be_v open_a before_o god_n and_o then_o and_o there_o in_o this_o frame_n to_o view_v over_o again_o and_o meditate_v upon_o that_o judgement_n that_o he_o find_v himself_o ready_a to_o pass_v against_o his_o own_o soul_n and_o then_o observe_v whether_o his_o spirit_n then_o dare_v pass_v this_o conclusion_n against_o himself_o iii_o when_o a_o soul_n in_o measure_v himself_o by_o other_o make_v the_o defect_n of_o grace_n in_o himself_o to_o be_v the_o matter_n of_o discouragement_n of_o his_o soul_n and_o matter_n of_o impediment_n to_o the_o exercise_n of_o his_o faith_n in_o christ_n that_o be_v when_o the_o soul_n by_o look_v upon_o some_o other_o christian_n and_o behold_v many_o precious_a gracious_a holy_a disposition_n shine_v forth_o like_v so_o many_o star_n in_o the_o low_a orb_n when_o he_o see_v much_o holy_a fire_n drop_v down_o from_o heaven_n into_o their_o heart_n that_o drop_v forth_o in_o their_o conversation_n and_o look_v upon_o himself_o and_o see_v a_o defect_n in_o all_o see_v his_o own_o heart_n overgrow_v with_o dulness_n stupidness_n blockishness_n carelessness_n forgetfulness_n of_o god_n regardlesness_n of_o communion_n with_o god_n in_o christ_n and_o the_o soul_n make_v these_o defect_n of_o grace_n apprehend_v in_o himself_o matter_n of_o discouragement_n to_o his_o soul_n to_o beat_v it_o off_o and_o to_o keep_v it_o back_o from_o the_o exercise_n of_o faith_n then_o this_o distemper_n of_o judge_v themselves_o by_o other_o prevail_v too_o far_o 1._o it_o be_v a_o join_n with_o the_o wretched_a corrupt_a opposite_a heart_n against_o christ_n and_o the_o furnish_n the_o soul_n with_o matter_n of_o cavil_n and_o scruple_n against_o the_o bless_a tender_n of_o receive_v the_o love_n of_o jesus_n christ_n 2._o by_o this_o the_o soul_n make_v that_o part_n of_o his_o duty_n that_o he_o seem_v to_o perform_v to_o be_v nothing_o but_o disobedience_n the_o soul_n by_o look_v upon_o the_o grace_n that_o shine_v forth_o in_o any_o christian_n seem_v to_o do_v a_o part_n of_o his_o duty_n because_o it_o be_v one_o thing_n command_v and_o in_o reflect_v upon_o his_o own_o heart_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o those_o grace_n seem_v to_o do_v another_o part_n of_o his_o duty_n but_o both_o these_o be_v make_v disobedience_n when_o the_o soul_n make_v the_o defect_n of_o grace_n he_o find_v in_o himself_o when_o he_o look_v upon_o the_o grace_n of_o other_o discouragement_n to_o himself_o in_o exercise_v faith_n 3._o the_o soul_n cross_v god_n in_o his_o high_a end_n which_o be_v to_o make_v the_o excellency_n of_o jesus_n christ_n shine_v forth_o in_o the_o soul_n of_o his_o people_n iv_o the_o four_o case_n wherein_o a_o soul_n do_v measure_v himself_o too_o much_o by_o other_o so_o as_o it_o become_v a_o sinful_a distemper_n be_v when_o the_o