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for_o a_o moment_n wrought_v for_o they_o a_o far_o more_o exceed_v eternal_a weight_n of_o glory_n that_o they_o do_v not_o faint_a but_o rather_o wax_v more_o bold_a by_o their_o bond_n the_o same_o truth_n may_v also_o be_v compass_v about_o with_o a_o cloud_n of_o witness_n of_o such_o as_o do_v die_v a_o natural_a death_n but_o that_o work_n be_v do_v to_o our_o hand_n by_o melchior_n adam_n and_o other_o who_o have_v deliver_v to_o we_o the_o story_n of_o the_o life_n and_o death_n of_o man_n famous_a in_o their_o generation_n for_o piety_n and_o learning_n yea_o so_o usual_a be_v it_o with_o christ_n disciple_n to_o have_v their_o inward_a man_n renew_v day_n by_o day_n
uncertainty_n concern_v ourselves_o do_v we_o not_o sleight_v some_o ordinance_n or_o omit_v some_o duty_n or_o give_v way_n to_o some_o lust_n 3._o though_o one_o may_v be_v a_o child_n of_o god_n who_o do_v want_v this_o assurance_n yet_o be_v there_o no_o child_n of_o god_n who_o sit_v down_o satisfy_v under_o the_o want_n of_o it_o who_o do_v not_o desire_v to_o attain_v to_o the_o full_a assurance_n of_o hope_n uncertainty_n of_o our_o condition_n be_v not_o so_o light_a a_o evil_a as_o that_o a_o christian_n can_v carry_v it_o as_o if_o it_o be_v no_o burden_n nay_o but_o he_o follow_v christ_n with_o unutterable_a sigh_n and_o groan_n he_o travel_v from_o ordinance_n to_o ordinance_n till_o his_o evidence_n be_v clear_v up_o and_o his_o title_n to_o the_o promise_n of_o pardon_n be_v make_v out_o if_o a_o child_n shall_v have_v some_o doubt_v throw_v into_o his_o mind_n concern_v his_o father_n love_n to_o he_o will_v he_o be_v at_o rest_n till_o it_o be_v remove_v how_o then_o can_v any_o believer_n be_v himself_o under_o prevail_a doubt_n concern_v the_o good_a will_n of_o his_o heavenly_a father_n have_v god_n promise_v we_o his_o spirit_n to_o seal_v we_o up_o to_o the_o day_n of_o redemption_n have_v he_o beside_o his_o covenant_n give_v we_o his_o sacrament_n that_o we_o may_v have_v the_o more_o abundant_a consolation_n and_o after_o all_o this_o shall_v we_o quiet_o sit_v in_o the_o dark_a as_o if_o nothing_o ail_v we_o how_o then_o dwell_v the_o love_n of_o god_n in_o we_o especial_o those_o who_o have_v sometime_o have_v the_o light_n of_o god_n countenance_n shine_v on_o they_o and_o have_v after_o lose_v it_o must_v needs_o be_v restless_a till_o they_o have_v recover_v it_o thou_o do_v hide_v thy_o face_n and_o i_o be_v trouble_v psal_n 30._o v._n 7._o trouble_a with_o a_o witness_n for_o it_o be_v his_o daily_a sorrow_n of_o heart_n yea_o it_o be_v as_o death_n to_o he_o for_o this_o he_o make_v his_o tear_n day_n and_o night_n he_o pour_v out_o his_o soul_n in_o he_o and_o his_o upbraid_n by_o his_o enemy_n with_o this_o be_v as_o a_o sword_n in_o his_o bone_n psal_n 42.3_o 4_o 10._o as_o for_o the_o spouse_n in_o the_o canticle_n we_o do_v find_v chap._n 5._o v._n 6._o that_o when_o her_o belove_a have_v withdraw_v himself_o and_o be_v go_v her_o soul_n fail_v when_o she_o speak_v she_o seek_v but_o she_o can_v not_o find_v he_o she_o call_v but_o he_o make_v no_o answer_n hereupon_o she_o go_v to_o the_o watchman_n to_o the_o daughter_n of_o jerusalem_n charge_v they_o if_o they_o find_v she_o belove_v to_o tell_v he_o she_o be_v sick_a of_o love_n v._o 7.8_o he_o never_o due_o estimate_v the_o friendship_n of_o christ_n who_o can_v bear_v his_o strangeness_n without_o great_a sorrow_n and_o heaviness_n of_o heart_n in_o answer_n to_o the_o three_o question_n how_o or_o in_o what_o way_n assurance_n be_v wrought_v by_o the_o spirit_n i_o say_v his_o way_n of_o work_v be_v very_o dark_a and_o mysterious_a and_o assurance_n itself_o be_v better_o feel_v then_o express_v compare_v therefore_o as_o some_o conceive_v rev._n 2.17_o to_o the_o manna_n that_o be_v hide_v and_o to_o the_o white_a stono_fw-mi and_o the_o new_a name_n write_v in_o the_o stone_n which_o no_o man_n know_v save_v he_o that_o receive_v it_o the_o spirit_n work_v in_o our_o regeneration_n be_v inexpressible_a compare_v therefore_o john_n 3._o to_o the_o wind_n that_o blow_v where_o it_o list_v the_o sound_n whereof_o we_o hear_v but_o know_v not_o whence_o it_o come_v nor_o whether_o it_o go_v his_o work_n in_o assure_v we_o that_o we_o be_v regenerate_v be_v much_o more_o inexpressible_a there_o be_v two_o kind_n of_o act_n in_o the_o soul_n 1._o direct_v act_n such_o as_o be_v that_o by_o which_o the_o soul_n cleave_v to_o christ_n or_o lay_v hold_v on_o he_o or_o believe_v in_o he_o for_o remission_n of_o sin_n and_o salvation_n 2._o reflex_n act_n such_o as_o be_v that_o by_o which_o a_o man_n return_v on_o himself_o and_o do_v though_o not_o believe_v yet_o know_v that_o he_o believe_v believe_v sincere_o such_o reflex_n act_n be_v the_o most_o noble_a royal_a operation_n '_o the_o most_o refine_a spiritual_a working_n sufficient_a if_o we_o have_v no_o other_o argument_n to_o prove_v the_o soul_n immortality_n but_o such_o working_n of_o the_o soul_n usual_o be_v but_o weak_a and_o transient_a radius_fw-la reflexus_fw-la languet_fw-la be_v the_o rule_n in_o optic_n and_o which_o leave_v we_o at_o a_o great_a loss_n those_o place_n of_o scripture_n from_o which_o we_o shall_v borrow_v our_o light_n in_o this_o matter_n be_v so_o vex_v with_o variety_n of_o descant_n and_o interpretation_n that_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o know_v what_o to_o make_v of_o they_o it_o will_v quite_o tire_v out_o the_o patience_n of_o a_o ordinary_a reader_n if_o i_o shall_v but_o recite_v the_o variety_n of_o comment_n on_o that_o place_n 1_o john_n 5.8_o there_o be_v three_o that_o bear_v record_n on_o earth_n the_o spirit_n the_o water_n the_o blood_n and_o these_o three_o agree_v in_o one_o that_o indeed_o seem_v to_o be_v more_o plain_a rom._n 8.16_o the_o spirit_n itself_o bear_v witness_v with_o our_o spirit_n that_o we_o be_v the_o child_n of_o god_n but_o first_o grotius_n will_v have_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o be_v no_o more_o than_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o he_o bring_v for_o proof_n a_o place_n or_o two_o in_o scripture_n in_o which_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v so_o use_v because_o it_o be_v apply_v to_o the_o witness_n of_o conscience_n well_o have_v no_o other_o foundation_n to_o build_v his_o conceit_n on_o we_o may_v easy_o rid_v our_o hand_n of_o he_o for_o the_o witness_n of_o conscience_n be_v a_o joint_a witness_n it_o witness_v together_o with_o god_n and_o be_v therefore_o call_v as_o some_o think_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o then_o grant_v that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d do_v signify_v a_o joint-witnessing_a it_o will_v not_o be_v so_o easy_a to_o find_v out_o what_o the_o other_o partner_n be_v that_o be_v join_v with_o god_n spirit_n in_o this_o action_n as_o we_o translate_v it_o shall_v seem_v to_o be_v our_o own_o spirit_n but_o the_o rhemist_n translate_v not_o with_o our_o spirit_n but_o to_o our_o spirit_n which_o translation_n be_v put_v into_o the_o margin_n of_o the_o english_a bible_n now_o read_v and_o be_v in_o the_o text_n of_o those_o former_o use_v and_o than_o it_o will_v be_v a_o question_n whether_o our_o spirit_n be_v not_o the_o joint-witness_a but_o only_o the_o recipient_a of_o this_o witness_n and_o the_o joint-witness_a the_o son_n of_o god_n or_o that_o voice_n cause_v in_o we_o by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n yet_o because_o some_o do_v therefore_o want_v assurance_n because_o they_o look_v for_o it_o in_o a_o undue_a and_o unwarrantable_a manner_n expect_v some_o vocal_a testimony_n to_o tell_v they_o that_o they_o be_v the_o child_n of_o god_n i_o shall_v therefore_o endeavour_v to_o unfold_v the_o matter_n as_o i_o be_o able_a and_o this_o i_o lay_v down_o in_o the_o first_o place_n that_o look_v in_o what_o way_n the_o spirit_n of_o bondage_n do_v work_v fear_n in_o the_o same_o way_n the_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n do_v work_v hope_n and_o assurance_n now_o the_o spirit_n bring_v unconvert_v person_n under_o fear_n and_o trouble_v concern_v their_o estate_n by_o convince_a they_o of_o the_o demerit_n of_o sin_n and_o show_v they_o that_o they_o be_v under_o the_o power_n of_o sin_n john_n 16.8_o he_o will_v convince_v the_o world_n of_o sin_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v errorem_fw-la prâ—…conceptum_fw-la profligare_fw-la and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o that_o fallacy_n in_o which_o something_o only_a seem_o and_o not_o real_o contradictory_n to_o the_o question_n be_v prove_v be_v call_v ab_fw-la ignoratione_n elenebi_fw-la the_o secure_a unconsider_v sinner_n live_v in_o sin_n as_o if_o it_o be_v a_o very_a harmless_a innocent_a thing_n he_o make_v a_o mock_n of_o it_o the_o spirit_n therefore_o to_o awaken_v he_o out_o of_o his_o security_n and_o to_o put_v he_o under_o a_o necessity_n of_o inquire_v after_o a_o saviour_n do_v join_v with_o his_o conscience_n bring_v he_o under_o a_o threefold_a conviction_n of_o law_n of_o fact_n of_o state_n by_o some_o such_o syllogism_n every_o liar_n shall_v have_v his_o portion_n in_o the_o lake_n that_o burn_v with_o fire_n and_o brimstone_n i_o be_o a_o liar_n therefore_o i_o shall_v have_v my_o portion_n in_o the_o lake_n that_o burn_v with_o fire_n and_o brimstone_n or_o he_o that_o believe_v not_o be_v condemn_v already_o i_o believe_v not_o therefore_o i_o be_o condemn_v already_o or_o he_o that_o
they_o can_v it_o seem_v marvellous_a that_o they_o be_v trouble_v and_o suffer_v to_o despair_v everlasting_o vii_o many_o be_v keep_v from_o assurance_n through_o groundless_a irrational_a scruple_n cause_v they_o to_o forbear_v the_o use_n of_o ordinance_n and_o other_o sanctify_a mean_n in_o which_o assurance_n be_v usual_o wrought_v will_v a_o sick_a man_n ever_o recover_v health_n that_o shall_v be_v afraid_a of_o physic_n or_o a_o weak_a man_n ever_o recover_v strength_n that_o shall_v abstain_v from_o the_o good_a wholesome_a food_n that_o be_v appoint_v to_o beget_v blood_n and_o spirit_n why_o no_o more_o will_v they_o ever_o meet_v with_o god_n or_o enjoy_v the_o sense_n of_o his_o love_n who_o come_v not_o near_o the_o place_n where_o his_o honour_n dwell_v they_o must_v needs_o be_v in_o the_o dark_a who_o will_v not_o open_v their_o eye_n to_o behold_v the_o sun_n of_o righteousness_n needs_o be_v in_o a_o perpetual_a thirst_n who_o will_v not_o draw_v water_n out_o of_o the_o well_n of_o salvation_n to_o quench_v their_o thirst_n yet_o how_o many_o be_v afraid_a to_o come_v to_o the_o fire_n because_o they_o be_v cold_a and_o to_o put_v on_o their_o clothes_n because_o they_o be_v naked_a or_o to_o come_v to_o the_o physician_n because_o they_o be_v so_o extreme_o sick_a tell_v they_o they_o must_v pray_v they_o will_v answer_v no_o because_o be_v wicked_a their_o prayer_n must_v needs_o be_v a_o abomination_n to_o the_o lord_n invite_v they_o to_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n they_o will_v tell_v you_o that_o find_v not_o themselves_o to_o be_v in_o christ_n they_o shall_v but_o eat_v and_o drink_v judgement_n to_o themselves_o put_v they_o upon_o hear_v the_o word_n preach_v than_o they_o have_v something_o to_o object_n against_o either_o the_o call_v or_o the_o life_n of_o the_o minister_n such_o scruple_n as_o these_o be_v the_o thief_n that_o do_v waste_v the_o candle_n of_o the_o lord_n the_o worm_n that_o eat_v up_o the_o hide_a manna_n the_o veil_n that_o hide_v the_o new_a name_n from_o our_o eye_n a_o conscience_n true_o tender_a be_v the_o fit_a subject_n to_o receive_v the_o seal_n of_o the_o spirit_n but_o a_o scrupulous_a conscience_n be_v a_o very_a hell_n upon_o earth_n for_o it_o either_o quite_o take_v a_o man_n from_o the_o direct_a immediate_a act_n of_o god_n worship_n and_o service_n or_o else_o it_o confine_v he_o only_o to_o such_o keep_v he_o from_o the_o duty_n of_o his_o particular_a call_n it_o be_v hard_o to_o say_v which_o extreme_a be_v more_o dangerous_a the_o one_o starve_v the_o other_o surfeit_v the_o soul_n obj._n but_o can_v any_o one_o give_v god_n too_o much_o time_n or_o be_v too_o religious_a and_o careful_a about_o his_o soul_n a._n sure_o no_o he_o can_v have_v too_o much_o of_o our_o time_n unto_o who_o all_o our_o time_n be_v due_a nor_o can_v any_o one_o have_v too_o much_o of_o that_o which_o be_v his_o happiness_n or_o be_v too_o careful_a about_o that_o which_o if_o he_o shall_v lose_v nothing_o can_v be_v give_v in_o exchange_n for_o but_o yet_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o we_o to_o bestow_v too_o much_o time_n on_o some_o one_o part_n of_o obedience_n and_o we_o do_v so_o as_o oft_o as_o we_o suffer_v it_o to_o justle_v out_o all_o or_o any_o of_o the_o rest_n the_o work_n of_o our_o calling_n be_v the_o service_n of_o god_n when_o do_v in_o obedience_n to_o his_o command_n and_o with_o a_o eye_n to_o his_o glory_n and_o for_o they_o when_o so_o do_v we_o may_v from_o the_o lord_n expect_v to_o receive_v a_o reward_n and_o therefore_o when_o the_o devil_n transform_v himself_o into_o a_o angel_n of_o light_n suggest_v what_o will_v thou_o eat_v or_o drink_v card_n or_o spin_v study_v any_o humane_a author_n when_o thou_o know_v not_o but_o thou_o may_v be_v in_o hell_n the_o next_o moment_n he_o must_v be_v answer_v that_o obey_v god_n set_v no_o one_o near_a hell_n and_o that_o though_o pray_v be_v in_o itself_o better_a than_o any_o either_o natural_a or_o civil_a action_n yet_o he_o that_o command_v it_o command_v they_o also_o and_o therefore_o they_o also_o be_v in_o their_o season_n to_o be_v do_v the_o devil_n have_v that_o soul_n at_o advantage_n enough_o who_o he_o can_v persuade_v either_o not_o to_o pray_v or_o to_o do_v nothing_o but_o pray_v viii_o the_o great_a and_o most_o common_a cause_n of_o the_o want_n of_o assurance_n be_v some_o unmortified_a lust_n some_o secret_a bosom_n corruption_n unto_o which_o man_n give_v entertainment_n or_o at_o lest_o which_o they_o do_v not_o so_o vigorous_o oppose_v and_o hearty_o renounce_v as_o they_o may_v hinc_fw-la illae_fw-la lachrymae_fw-la this_o be_v that_o which_o cast_v they_o on_o sore_a strait_n and_o difficulty_n how_o shall_v it_o be_v otherwise_o see_v god_n be_v infinite_o wise_a and_o holy_a either_o can_v or_o will_v not_o reveal_v his_o secret_n to_o those_o who_o harbour_n his_o know_a enemy_n in_o their_o bosom_n either_o can_v or_o will_v not_o regard_v the_o whining_n and_o complain_n of_o those_o who_o dally_v with_o that_o very_a sin_n which_o gall_v their_o conscience_n and_o connive_v at_o the_o stir_n of_o that_o very_a lust_n for_o which_o he_o hide_v his_o face_n from_o they_o do_v any_o one_o come_v to_o his_o minister_n or_o to_o his_o christian_a friend_n and_o say_v be_v it_o peace_n they_o must_v all_o answer_n what_o peace_n so_o long_o as_o thou_o live_v in_o commission_n of_o any_o know_a sin_n or_o omission_n of_o any_o know_a duty_n all_o doubt_n and_o fear_n be_v beget_v upon_o sin_n either_o real_a or_o imaginary_a if_o the_o sin_n be_v but_o imaginary_a a_o rectify_a judgement_n may_v scatter_v the_o doubt_n and_o fear_n as_o the_o sun_n do_v mist_n if_o the_o sin_n be_v real_a no_o cure_v the_o doubt_n thence_o arise_v but_o by_o a_o unfeigned_a repentance_n if_o i_o will_v produce_v all_o the_o scripture_n that_o prove_v this_o i_o must_v transcribe_v the_o one_o half_a of_o the_o bible_n but_o it_o will_v be_v needless_a so_o to_o do_v see_v it_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v a_o notion_n engrave_v even_o on_o natural_a conscience_n that_o sin_n so_o defile_v person_n that_o till_o they_o be_v wash_v from_o it_o neither_o they_o nor_o their_o service_n can_v be_v accept_v from_o whence_o arise_v the_o custom_n of_o set_v water-pot_n at_o their_o entrance_n into_o their_o temple_n or_o place_n of_o worship_n and_o those_o phrase_n eo_fw-la lavatum_fw-la ut_fw-la sacrificem_fw-la and_o num_fw-la lavabis_fw-la ut_fw-la rem_fw-la divinam_fw-la facias_fw-la quest_n 5._o what_o be_v the_o motive_n or_o argument_n by_o which_o we_o may_v quicken_v ourselves_o to_o look_v after_o this_o seal_a work_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n of_o god_n answ_n be_v there_o any_o need_n of_o argument_n to_o excite_v we_o to_o this_o duty_n do_v not_o the_o new_a creature_n natural_o pant_v after_o assurance_n as_o the_o hart_n pant_v after_o the_o river_n of_o water_n yea_o may_v not_o the_o rational_a soul_n seem_v to_o desire_v it_o do_v not_o all_o wicked_a man_n catch_v after_o certainty_n and_o frame_v unto_o themselves_o some_o kind_n of_o certainty_n in_o this_o only_a miserable_a that_o they_o either_o build_v on_o a_o false_a principle_n or_o on_o a_o true_a principle_n false_o apply_v to_o doubt_v of_o happiness_n be_v a_o heavy_a burden_n but_o to_o fear_v extreme_a misery_n that_o be_v intolerable_a and_o yet_o thus_o must_v every_o one_o do_v till_o he_o have_v either_o assurance_n or_o those_o probable_a hope_n that_o be_v next_o of_o kin_n to_o assurance_n shall_v worldling_n do_v so_o much_o to_o secure_v their_o land_n good_n estate_n shall_v they_o require_v bond_n seal_n oath_n surety_n and_o yet_o think_v all_o too_o little_a and_o shall_v we_o count_v any_o thing_n too_o much_o to_o assure_v unto_o ourselves_o the_o eternal_a condition_n of_o our_o poor_a soul_n in_o the_o fear_n of_o the_o lord_n let_v it_o be_v consider_v 1._o it_o be_v only_o the_o assure_a 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