a_o sermon_n preach_v before_o the_o king_n febr._n 25_o 1675_o 6._o by_o john_n tillotson_n d._n d._n dean_n of_o canterbury_n and_o chaplain_n in_o ordinary_a to_o his_o majesty_n publish_a by_o his_o majesty_n special_a command_n london_n print_v by_o a._n maxwell_n for_o edward_n gellibrand_n at_o the_o ball_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1676._o a_o sermon_n preach_v before_o the_o king_n febr._n 25_o 1675_o 6._o 1_o john_n 3.10_o in_o this_o the_o child_n of_o god_n be_v manifest_a and_o the_o child_n of_o the_o devil_n whosoever_o do_v not_o righteousness_n be_v not_o of_o god_n it_o be_v certain_o a_o matter_n of_o the_o great_a consequence_n to_o we_o both_o in_o order_n to_o our_o present_a peace_n and_o future_a happiness_n true_o to_o understand_v our_o spiritual_a state_n and_o condition_n and_o whether_o we_o belong_v to_o god_n and_o be_v his_o child_n or_o not_o and_o it_o be_v not_o so_o difficult_a as_o be_v common_o imagine_v to_o arrive_v at_o this_o knowledge_n if_o we_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o it_o and_o will_v but_o deal_v impartial_o with_o ourselves_o for_o the_o text_n give_v we_o a_o plain_a mark_n and_o character_n whereby_o we_o may_v know_v it_o in_o this_o the_o child_n of_o god_n be_v manifest_a and_o the_o child_n of_o the_o devil_n whosoever_o do_v not_o righteousness_n be_v not_o of_o god_n from_o which_o word_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v by_o god_n assistance_n to_o lay_v man_n open_a to_o themselves_o and_o to_o represent_v to_o every_o one_o of_o we_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o condition_n and_o then_o leave_v it_o to_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n and_o every_o man_n serious_a consideration_n to_o make_v the_o best_a use_n of_o it_o i_o shall_v brief_o explain_v the_o word_n and_o then_o consider_v the_o matter_n contain_v in_o they_o by_o the_o child_n of_o god_n and_o the_o child_n of_o the_o devil_n be_v mean_v good_a and_o bad_a man_n it_o be_v usual_a in_o the_o phrase_n of_o scripture_n to_o call_v person_n or_o thing_n which_o partake_v of_o such_o a_o nature_n or_o quality_n the_o child_n of_o those_o who_o be_v eminent_o endue_v with_o that_o nature_n and_o disposition_n thus_o they_o who_o be_v of_o the_o faith_n of_o abraham_n and_o do_v the_o work_n of_o abraham_n be_v call_v abraham_n child_n in_o like_a manner_n those_o who_o in_o their_o disposition_n and_o action_n imitate_v god_n be_v call_v the_o child_n of_o god_n and_o on_o the_o contrary_a those_o that_o addict_v themselves_o to_o sin_n and_o impiety_n be_v count_v of_o another_o race_n and_o descent_n they_o resemble_v the_o devil_n and_o belong_v to_o he_o as_o the_o chief_a and_o head_n of_o that_o faction_n by_o righteousness_n be_v here_o mean_v universal_a goodness_n and_o conformity_n to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n in_o opposition_n to_o sin_v which_o be_v the_o transgression_n of_o that_o law_n by_o be_v manifest_a be_v mean_v that_o hereby_o good_a and_o bad_a man_n be_v real_o distinguish_v so_o that_o every_o one_o that_o will_v examine_v his_o condition_n by_o this_o mark_n may_v know_v of_o which_o number_n he_o be_v and_o to_o what_o party_n he_o belong_v i_o come_v now_o to_o the_o main_a argument_n contain_v in_o the_o word_n which_o be_v to_o give_v we_o a_o certain_a character_n and_o mark_v of_o distinction_n between_o a_o good_a and_o bad_a man_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d by_o this_o the_o child_n of_o god_n be_v manifest_a and_o the_o child_n of_o the_o devil_n whosoever_o do_v not_o righteousness_n be_v not_o of_o god_n in_o the_o management_n of_o the_o follow_a discourse_n i_o shall_v proceed_v in_o this_o method_n first_o we_o will_v consider_v the_o character_n and_o mark_n of_o difference_n between_o a_o good_a and_o bad_a man_n which_o be_v here_o lay_v down_o whosoever_o do_v not_o righteousness_n be_v not_o of_o god_n second_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o show_v that_o by_o this_o mark_n every_o man_n may_v with_o due_a care_n and_o diligence_n come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o his_o spiritual_a estate_n and_o condition_n by_o this_o the_o child_n of_o god_n be_v manifest_a and_o the_o child_n of_o the_o devil_n three_o i_o shall_v inquire_v whence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o notwithstanding_o this_o so_o many_o person_n be_v at_o so_o great_a uncertainty_n concern_v their_o condition_n i._o we_o will_v consider_v the_o character_n and_o mark_n of_o difference_n between_o a_o good_a and_o bad_a man_n which_o be_v here_o in_o the_o text_n whosoever_o do_v not_o righteousness_n be_v not_o of_o god_n which_o imply_v likewise_o on_o the_o contrary_a that_o whosoever_o do_v righteousness_n be_v of_o god_n now_o in_o the_o strict_a sense_n of_o this_o phrase_n he_o only_o who_o live_v in_o all_o the_o commandment_n of_o god_n blameless_a can_v be_v say_v to_o do_v righteousness_n but_o in_o this_o sense_n there_o be_v none_o that_o do_v righteousness_n no_o not_o one_o and_o consequent_o none_o can_v be_v the_o child_n of_o god_n but_o the_o text_n suppose_v some_o to_o be_v so_o and_o therefore_o by_o do_v righteousness_n the_o apostle_n must_v necessary_o be_v understand_v to_o mean_v something_o that_o be_v short_a of_o perfect_a and_o unsinning_a obedience_n so_o that_o the_o question_n be_v what_o do_v of_o righteousness_n be_v sufficient_a to_o denominate_v a_o man_n a_o child_n of_o god_n and_o to_o put_v he_o into_o a_o state_n of_o grace_n and_o favour_n with_o he_o and_o i_o do_v not_o intend_v nice_o to_o state_n this_o matter_n it_o be_v not_o perhaps_o possible_a to_o be_v do_v nothing_o be_v more_o difficult_a than_o to_o determine_v the_o very_a utmost_a bound_n and_o limit_n of_o thing_n and_o to_o tell_v exact_o and_o just_a to_o a_o point_n where_o the_o line_n of_o difference_n between_o virtue_n and_o vice_n between_o the_o state_n of_o a_o good_a and_o bad_a man_n be_v to_o be_v place_v and_o if_o it_o can_v be_v do_v it_o will_v be_v of_o no_o great_a use_n for_o i_o take_v it_o to_o be_v no_o part_n of_o my_o business_n to_o tell_v man_n how_o many_o fault_n they_o may_v have_v and_o how_o little_a goodness_n and_o yet_o be_v the_o child_n of_o god_n but_o rather_o to_o acquaint_v they_o what_o degree_n of_o holiness_n and_o goodness_n be_v necessary_a to_o give_v man_n a_o clear_a and_o comfortable_a evidence_n of_o their_o good_a estate_n towards_o god_n and_o then_o to_o persuade_v they_o in_o order_n to_o their_o peace_n and_o assurance_n to_o endeavour_v after_o such_o degree_n wherefore_o to_o state_n the_o business_n so_o far_o as_o be_v necessary_a to_o give_v man_n a_o sufficient_a knowledge_n of_o their_o condition_n i_o shall_v brief_o consider_v who_o they_o be_v that_o in_o the_o apostle_n sense_n may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v doer_n of_o righteousness_n or_o not_o doer_n of_o it_o and_o because_o the_o apostle_n lay_v down_o the_o rule_n negative_o i_o shall_v therefore_o in_o the_o first_o place_n inquire_v who_o they_o be_v that_o in_o the_o apostle_n sense_n may_v be_v say_v not_o to_o do_v righteousness_n 1._o they_o that_o live_v in_o the_o general_a course_n of_o a_o wicked_a life_n in_o the_o practice_n of_o great_a and_o know_v sin_n as_o injustice_n intemperance_n filthy_a and_o sensual_a lust_n profane_a neglect_n and_o contempt_n of_o god_n and_o religion_n so_o that_o by_o the_o whole_a course_n and_o tenor_n of_o their_o action_n it_o be_v plain_a beyond_o all_o denial_n that_o there_o be_v no_o fear_n of_o god_n before_o their_o eye_n concern_v these_o the_o case_n be_v so_o very_o evident_a that_o it_o seem_v too_o mild_a and_o gentle_a a_o expression_n to_o call_v they_o not_o doer_n of_o righteousness_n 2._o they_o who_o live_v in_o the_o habitual_a practice_n of_o any_o one_o know_v sin_n or_o in_o the_o neglect_n of_o any_o considerable_a part_n of_o their_o know_a duty_n for_o any_o vicious_a habit_n denominate_v a_o man_n and_o put_v he_o into_o a_o evil_a state_n 3._o they_o who_o be_v guilty_a of_o the_o single_a act_n of_o a_o very_a heinous_a and_o notorious_a crime_n as_o a_o deliberate_a act_n of_o blasphemy_n of_o murder_n perjury_n fraud_n or_o oppression_n or_o of_o any_o other_o crime_n of_o the_o like_a enormity_n for_o though_o ordinary_o one_o single_a act_n of_o sin_n do_v not_o denominate_v one_o a_o bad_a man_n when_o the_o general_a course_n of_o the_o man_n life_n be_v contrary_a yet_o the_o single_a act_n of_o some_o sort_n of_o sin_n be_v so_o cry_v and_o heinous_a and_o do_v so_o stare_v every_o man_n conscience_n in_o the_o face_n that_o they_o be_v just_o esteem_v to_o be_v of_o equal_a malignity_n with_o vicious_a habit_n of_o a_o inferior_a kind_n because_o they_o do_v almost_o necessary_o suppose_v a_o great_a depravation_n of_o mind_n and_o a_o monstrous_a alienation_n from_o god_n and_o goodness_n in_o
of_o his_o father_n or_o his_o prince_n and_o when_o he_o keep_v the_o know_a law_n of_o the_o land_n and_o no_o sensible_a and_o considerate_a man_n ever_o have_v any_o doubt_n of_o this_o kind_n for_o if_o a_o man_n can_v know_v any_o thing_n he_o can_v certain_o tell_v when_o he_o keep_v or_o break_v a_o know_a law_n so_o that_o all_o scruple_n of_o this_o nature_n be_v frivolous_a and_o idle_a pretence_n to_o cover_v man_n fault_n and_o such_o as_o they_o will_v be_v ashamed_a to_o allege_v in_o any_o other_o case_n and_o a_o good_a man_n may_v likewise_o know_v when_o he_o obey_v god_n sincere_o not_o but_o that_o man_n often_o deceive_v themselves_o with_o a_o opinion_n or_o at_o least_o a_o groundless_a hope_n of_o their_o own_o sincerity_n but_o if_o they_o will_v deal_v fair_o with_o themselves_o and_o use_v due_a care_n and_o diligence_n there_o be_v very_o few_o case_n if_o any_o wherein_o they_o may_v not_o know_v their_o own_o sincerity_n in_o any_o act_n of_o obedience_n to_o god_n for_o what_o can_v a_o man_n know_v concern_v himself_o if_o not_o the_o reality_n of_o his_o own_o intention_n if_o any_o man_n shall_v in_o earnest_n tell_v i_o that_o he_o doubt_v very_o much_o whether_o he_o have_v that_o friendship_n for_o i_o which_o he_o make_v profession_n of_o and_o that_o he_o be_v afraid_a that_o his_o affection_n to_o i_o be_v not_o real_a and_o sincere_a i_o confess_v i_o shall_v doubt_v of_o it_o too_o because_o i_o shall_v certain_o conclude_v that_o no_o man_n can_v know_v that_o matter_n so_o well_o as_o he_o himself_o and_o there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o whoever_o have_v a_o hearty_a kindness_n for_o another_o and_o a_o sincere_a desire_n to_o serve_v and_o please_v he_o know_v he_o have_v it_o and_o according_o good_a and_o holy_a man_n in_o scripture_n do_v every_o where_o with_o great_a confidence_n and_o assurance_n appeal_v to_o god_n concern_v the_o integrity_n and_o sincerity_n of_o their_o heart_n towards_o he_o and_o i_o can_v call_v to_o mind_n so_o much_o as_o any_o one_o passage_n in_o scrippture_n from_o whence_o it_o can_v be_v collect_v that_o any_o good_a man_n ever_o doubt_v of_o his_o own_o sincerity_n and_o to_o say_v the_o truth_n it_o be_v not_o modesty_n but_o impudence_n for_o any_o man_n to_o suspect_v himself_o of_o hypocrisy_n good_a man_n have_v always_o abhor_v the_o thought_n of_o it_o you_o have_v hear_v of_o the_o patience_n of_o job_n and_o yet_o he_o can_v not_o bear_v to_o have_v his_o integrity_n question_v it_o be_v a_o brave_a and_o a_o generous_a speech_n of_o he_o till_o i_o die_v i_o will_v not_o remove_v my_o integrity_n from_o i_o and_o yet_o it_o have_v so_o happen_v that_o this_o be_v become_v a_o very_a common_a doubt_n among_o religious_a people_n and_o they_o have_v be_v so_o unreasonable_o cherish_v in_o it_o as_o to_o have_v it_o make_v a_o considerable_a evidence_n of_o a_o man_n sincerity_n to_o doubt_v of_o it_o himself_o it_o be_v indeed_o say_v in_o scripture_n jer._n 17.9_o that_o the_o heart_n be_v deceitful_a above_o all_o thing_n and_o desperate_o wicked_a who_o can_v know_v it_o which_o be_v true_a concern_v our_o future_a intention_n and_o action_n no_o man_n know_v how_o his_o mind_n may_v change_v hereafter_o little_o do_v hazael_n think_v that_o ever_o he_o shall_v do_v those_o thing_n which_o the_o prophet_n foretell_v he_o but_o though_o this_o be_v true_a in_o itself_o yet_o it_o be_v not_o the_o meaning_n of_o that_o text._n for_o the_o prophet_n in_o that_o chapter_n plain_o make_v use_v of_o this_o consideration_n of_o the_o falsehood_n and_o deceitfulness_n of_o man_n heart_n as_o a_o argument_n to_o take_v of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n from_o trust_v in_o the_o arm_n of_o flesh_n and_o in_o those_o promise_n which_o be_v make_v to_o they_o of_o foreign_a assistance_n from_o egypt_n because_o man_n may_v pretend_v fair_a and_o yet_o deceive_v those_o that_o rely_v upon_o they_o for_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n be_v deceitful_a and_o desperate_o wicked_a and_o none_o but_o god_n know_v whether_o man_n inward_a intention_n be_v answerable_a to_o their_o outward_a profession_n for_o he_o search_v the_o heart_n and_o tri_v the_o reins_o but_o now_o because_o god_n alone_o know_v the_o heart_n of_o all_o man_n and_o the_o sincerity_n of_o their_o intention_n towards_o one_o another_o do_v it_o from_o hence_o follow_v that_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n either_o impossible_a or_o very_a difficult_a for_o any_o man_n to_o know_v the_o sincerity_n of_o his_o own_o present_a intention_n and_o action_n to_o make_v any_o such_o conclusion_n be_v to_o condemn_v the_o generation_n of_o god_n child_n those_o holy_a and_o excellent_a man_n in_o scripture_n job_n and_o david_n and_o hezekiah_n and_o st._n paul_n who_o do_v so_o frequent_o appeal_v to_o god_n concern_v their_o own_o integrity_n and_o sure_o when_o the_o apostle_n say_v no_o man_n know_v the_o thing_n of_o a_o man_n but_o the_o spirit_n of_o a_o man_n which_o be_v in_o he_o he_o plain_o suppose_v that_o every_o man_n be_v conscious_a to_o the_o motion_n and_o intention_n of_o his_o own_o mind_n i_o have_v insist_v the_o long_a upon_o this_o that_o i_o may_v from_o the_o very_a foundation_n destroy_v a_o imagination_n which_o be_v not_o only_o untrue_a in_o itself_o but_o have_v likewise_o be_v a_o very_a great_a hindrance_n to_o the_o peace_n and_o comfort_n of_o many_o good_a man_n iii_o let_v we_o inquire_v whence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o notwithstanding_o this_o so_o many_o person_n be_v at_o so_o great_a uncertainty_n about_o their_o spiritual_a condition_n for_o the_o clear_n of_o this_o matter_n we_o will_v destinct_o consider_v these_o three_o thing_n first_o the_o ground_n of_o the_o false_a hope_n and_o confidence_n of_o man_n real_o bad_a concern_v their_o good_a condition_n second_o the_o causeless_a doubt_n and_o jealousy_n of_o man_n real_o good_a concern_v their_o bad_a condition_n and_o three_o the_o just_a cause_n of_o doubt_v in_o other_o as_o for_o the_o trouble_n and_o fear_n of_o man_n who_o be_v notorious_o bad_a and_o live_v in_o the_o practice_n of_o know_a vice_n these_o do_v not_o fall_v under_o our_o consideration_n if_o they_o be_v trouble_v about_o their_o condition_n it_o be_v no_o more_o than_o what_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v and_o if_o they_o be_v only_o doubtful_a of_o it_o it_o be_v less_o than_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v to_o person_n in_o this_o condition_n there_o be_v only_a counsel_n to_o be_v give_v to_o leave_v their_o sin_n and_o become_v better_o but_o no_o comfort_n to_o be_v administer_v to_o they_o till_o first_o they_o have_v follow_v that_o counsel_n for_o till_o they_o reform_v if_o they_o think_v themselves_o to_o be_v in_o a_o bad_a condition_n they_o think_v just_a as_o they_o ought_v and_o as_o there_o be_v great_a reason_n and_o no_o body_n shall_v go_v about_o to_o persuade_v they_o otherwise_o first_o then_o we_o will_v consider_v the_o ground_n of_o the_o false_a hope_n and_o confidence_n of_o man_n real_o bad_a concern_v their_o good_a condition_n i_o do_v not_o now_o mean_v the_o worst_a of_o man_n but_o such_o as_o make_v some_o show_n and_o appearance_n of_o goodness_n it_o be_v very_o unpleasing_a to_o man_n to_o fall_v under_o the_o hard_a opinion_n and_o censure_n of_o other_o but_o the_o most_o grievous_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n for_o a_o man_n to_o be_v condemn_v by_o himself_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o man_n use_v all_o manner_n of_o shift_n to_o avoid_v so_o great_a a_o inconvenience_n as_o be_v the_o ill_a opinion_n of_o a_o man_n self_n concern_v himself_o and_o his_o own_o condition_n some_o therefore_o rely_v upon_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o their_o be_v baptize_v into_o it_o but_o this_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v any_o exemption_n from_o a_o good_a life_n that_o it_o be_v the_o great_a and_o most_o solemn_a obligation_n to_o it_o do_v thou_o believe_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n thou_o of_o all_o man_n be_v inexcusable_a if_o thou_o allow_v thyself_o in_o ungodliness_n and_o worldly_a lust_n other_o trust_v to_o their_o external_a devotion_n they_o frequent_v the_o church_n and_o serve_v god_n constant_o they_o pray_v to_o he_o and_o hear_v his_o word_n and_o receive_v the_o bless_a sacrament_n but_o let_v we_o not_o deceive_v ourselves_o god_n be_v not_o mock_v all_o this_o be_v so_o far_o from_o make_v amends_o for_o the_o impiety_n of_o our_o life_n that_o on_o the_o contrary_a the_o impiety_n of_o our_o life_n spoil_v all_o the_o acceptance_n of_o our_o devotion_n he_o that_o turn_v away_o his_o ear_n from_o hear_v the_o law_n that_o be_v from_o obey_v it_o even_o his_o prayer_n shall_v be_v a_o abomination_n other_o depend_v
very_o much_o upon_o their_o repentance_n especial_o if_o they_o set_v solemn_a time_n apart_o for_o it_o and_o there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o that_o a_o sincere_a repentance_n will_v put_v a_o man_n into_o a_o good_a condition_n but_o than_o it_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v that_o no_o repentance_n be_v sincere_a but_o that_o which_o produce_v a_o real_a change_n and_o reformation_n in_o our_o life_n other_o satisfy_v themselves_o with_o the_o exercise_n of_o some_o particular_a grace_n and_o virtue_n as_o justice_n and_o liberality_n and_o charity_n and_o be_v it_o not_o a_o thousand_o pity_n that_o thy_o life_n be_v not_o all_o of_o a_o piece_n and_o that_o all_o the_o other_o part_n of_o it_o be_v not_o answerable_a to_o these_o that_o thou_o shall_v lose_v the_o reward_n of_o so_o much_o real_a goodness_n out_o of_o thy_o fondness_n to_o any_o one_o vice_n or_o lust_n have_v thou_o never_o hear_v what_o the_o scripture_n say_v that_o he_o who_o offend_v in_o one_o point_n be_v a_o transgressor_n of_o the_o whole_a law_n to_o make_v a_o man_n a_o good_a man_n all_o part_n of_o goodness_n must_v concur_v but_o any_o one_o way_n of_o wickedness_n be_v sufficient_a to_o denominate_v a_o man_n bad_a last_o some_o comfort_n themselves_o in_o the_o good_a opinion_n which_o perhaps_o other_o have_v of_o they_o but_o if_o we_o know_v ourselves_o to_o be_v bad_a it_o be_v not_o the_o good_a opinion_n of_o other_o concern_v we_o which_o can_v either_o alter_v or_o better_v our_o condition_n they_o may_v have_v reason_n for_o their_o charity_n and_o yet_o thou_o none_o for_o thy_o confidence_n trust_v no_o body_n concern_v thyself_o rather_o than_o thyself_o because_o no_o body_n can_v know_v thou_o so_o well_o as_o thou_o may_v know_v thyself_o these_o and_o such_o as_o these_o be_v the_o hope_n of_o the_o hypocrite_n which_o job_n elegant_o compare_v to_o the_o spider_n web_n fine_o and_o artificial_o wrought_v but_o miserable_o thin_a and_o weak_a so_o that_o we_o ourselves_o may_v see_v through_o they_o and_o if_o we_o lie_v the_o least_o stress_n upon_o they_o they_o will_v vanish_v second_o we_o will_v consider_v in_o the_o next_o place_n the_o causeless_a doubt_n and_o jealousy_n of_o man_n real_o good_a concern_v their_o bad_a condition_n 1._o some_o be_v afraid_a that_o they_o be_v reprobate_v from_o all_o eternity_n and_o therefore_o they_o can_v be_v the_o child_n of_o god_n this_o be_v so_o unreasonable_a that_o if_o it_o be_v not_o a_o real_a cause_n of_o trouble_n to_o some_o person_n it_o do_v not_o deserve_v to_o be_v consider_v for_o no_o man_n that_o sincere_o endeavour_v to_o please_v god_n and_o to_o keep_v his_o commandment_n have_v from_o scripture_n the_o least_o ground_n to_o suspect_v any_o latent_fw-la or_o secret_a decree_n of_o god_n against_o he_o that_o shall_v work_v his_o ruin_n but_o whatever_o the_o decree_n of_o god_n be_v concern_v the_o eternal_a state_n of_o man_n they_o can_v certain_o be_v no_o rule_n either_o of_o our_o duty_n or_o comfort_n and_o therefore_o for_o man_n to_o judge_n of_o their_o condition_n by_o the_o decree_n of_o god_n which_o be_v hide_v from_o we_o and_o not_o by_o his_o word_n which_o be_v near_o we_o and_o in_o our_o heart_n be_v as_o if_o a_o man_n wander_v in_o the_o wide_a sea_n in_o a_o dark_a night_n when_o the_o heaven_n be_v all_o cloud_v about_o he_o shall_v yet_o resolve_v to_o steer_v his_o course_n by_o the_o star_n which_o he_o can_v see_v and_o neglect_v the_o compass_n which_o be_v at_o hand_n and_o will_v afford_v he_o a_o much_o better_a and_o more_o certain_a direction_n 2._o good_a man_n be_v conscious_a to_o themselves_o of_o many_o frailty_n and_o imperfection_n and_o therefore_o they_o be_v afraid_a of_o their_o condition_n but_o god_n consider_v the_o infirmity_n of_o our_o present_a state_n and_o expect_v no_o other_o obedience_n from_o we_o in_o order_n to_o our_o acceptance_n with_o he_o but_o what_o this_o state_n of_o imperfection_n be_v capable_a of_o and_o provide_v the_o sincere_a endeavour_n and_o general_a course_n of_o our_o life_n be_v to_o please_v he_o and_o keep_v his_o commandment_n the_o term_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v so_o merciful_a that_o our_o frailty_n shall_v not_o be_v impute_v to_o we_o so_o as_o to_o affect_v our_o main_a state_n and_o to_o make_v we_o cease_v to_o be_v the_o child_n of_o god_n 3._o they_o be_v afraid_a their_o obedience_n be_v not_o sincere_a because_o it_o proceed_v many_o time_n from_o fear_n and_o not_o always_o out_o of_o pure_a love_n to_o god_n for_o answer_v to_o this_o it_o be_v plain_a from_o scripture_n that_o god_n propound_v to_o man_n several_a motive_n and_o argument_n to_o obedience_n some_o proper_a to_o work_v upon_o their_o fear_n as_o the_o threaten_n of_o punishment_n some_o upon_o their_o hope_n as_o the_o promise_n of_o blessing_n and_o reward_n other_o upon_o their_o love_n as_o the_o mercy_n and_o forgiveness_n of_o god_n from_o whence_o it_o be_v evident_a he_o intend_v they_o shall_v all_o work_n upon_o we_o and_o according_o the_o scripture_n give_v we_o instance_n in_o each_o kind_n noah_n move_v with_o fear_n obey_v god_n in_o prepare_v a_o ark_n moses_n have_v respect_n unto_o the_o recompense_n of_o reward_n marry_o magdalen_n love_v much_o and_o as_o it_o be_v hard_o to_o say_v so_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a to_o determine_v just_a how_o much_o influence_n and_o no_o more_o each_o of_o these_o have_v upon_o we_o it_o be_v very_o well_o if_o man_n be_v reclaim_v from_o their_o fin_n and_o make_v good_a by_o the_o joint_a force_n of_o all_o the_o consideration_n which_o god_n offer_v to_o we_o to_o be_v sure_a love_n be_v the_o noble_a and_o most_o generous_a principle_n of_o obedience_n but_o fear_v common_o take_v the_o first_o and_o fast_o hold_v of_o we_o and_o in_o time_n of_o violent_a temptation_n be_v perhaps_o the_o best_a argument_n to_o keep_v even_o the_o best_a of_o man_n within_o the_o bound_n of_o their_o duty_n 4._o another_o cause_n of_o doubt_v in_o good_a man_n be_v from_o a_o sense_n of_o their_o imperfect_a performance_n of_o the_o duty_n of_o religion_n and_o of_o the_o abatement_n of_o their_o affection_n towards_o god_n at_o some_o time_n they_o have_v many_o wander_a thought_n in_o prayer_n and_o other_o exercise_n of_o devotion_n and_o they_o can_v for_o their_o life_n keep_v their_o mind_n continual_o intent_n on_o what_o they_o be_v about_o this_o we_o shall_v strive_v against_o as_o much_o as_o we_o can_v and_o that_o be_v the_o utmost_a we_o can_v do_v but_o to_o cure_v this_o whole_o be_v impossible_a the_o infirmity_n of_o our_o nature_n and_o the_o frame_n of_o our_o mind_n will_v not_o admit_v of_o it_o and_o therefore_o no_o man_n ought_v to_o question_v his_o sincerity_n because_o he_o can_v do_v that_o which_o be_v impossible_a for_o man_n to_o do_v and_o then_o for_o the_o abatement_n of_o our_o affection_n to_o god_n and_o religion_n at_o some_o time_n this_o natural_o proceed_v from_o the_o inconstancy_n of_o man_n temper_n by_o reason_n of_o which_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a that_o the_o best_a of_o man_n shall_v be_v able_a always_o to_o maintain_v and_o keep_v up_o the_o same_o degree_n of_o zeal_n and_o fervour_n towards_o god_n but_o our_o comfort_n be_v that_o god_n do_v not_o measure_v man_n sincerity_n by_o the_o tide_n of_o their_o affection_n but_o by_o the_o constant_a bent_n of_o their_o resolution_n and_o the_o general_a tenor_n of_o their_o life_n and_o action_n 5._o another_o cause_n of_o these_o doubt_n be_v that_o man_n expect_v more_o than_o ordinary_a and_o reasonable_a assurance_n of_o their_o good_a condition_n some_o particular_a revelation_n from_o god_n and_o extraordinary_a impression_n upon_o their_o mind_n to_o that_o purpose_n which_o they_o think_v the_o scripture_n mean_v by_o the_o testimony_n and_o seal_n and_o earnest_n of_o the_o spirit_n god_n may_v give_v this_o when_o and_o to_o who_o he_o please_v but_o i_o do_v not_o find_v that_o he_o have_v any_o where_o promise_v it_o and_o all_o that_o the_o scripture_n mean_v by_o those_o phrase_n of_o the_o testimony_n and_o seal_n and_o earnest_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v to_o my_o apprehension_n no_o more_o but_o this_o that_o the_o holy_a spirit_n which_o god_n bestow_v upon_o christian_n in_o so_o powerful_a and_o sensible_a a_o manner_n be_v a_o seal_n and_o earnest_n of_o their_o resurrection_n to_o eternal_a life_n according_a to_o that_o plain_a text_n rom._n 8.11_o if_o the_o spirit_n of_o he_o that_o raise_v up_o jesus_n from_o the_o dead_a dwell_v in_o you_o he_o that_o raise_v up_o christ_n from_o the_o dead_a shall_v also_o quicken_v your_o mortal_a body_n by_o his_o spirit_n that_o dwell_v in_o you_o but_o than_o who_o they_o be_v that_o have_v the_o