and_o fear_n they_o have_v then_o their_o indubitable_a evidence_n to_o seek_v and_o as_o it_o often_o fall_v out_o in_o other_o thing_n when_o we_o be_v most_o in_o haste_n we_o lest_o of_o all_o know_v where_o to_o seek_v or_o find_v the_o thing_n we_o want_v so_o when_o the_o sudden_a onset_n of_o temptation_n constrain_v we_o to_o make_v good_a our_o title_n to_o christ_n and_o the_o love_n and_o favour_n of_o god_n in_o that_o hurley_a burley_n and_o confusion_n which_o be_v raise_v in_o the_o soul_n thereby_o we_o know_v no_o more_o for_o the_o present_a how_o to_o make_v good_a our_o title_n than_o if_o we_o never_o have_v any_o 3._o we_o may_v yet_o assign_v this_o high_a reason_n that_o it_o please_v god_n to_o restrain_v satan_n from_o assault_v the_o infant-grace_n of_o his_o little_a one_o that_o they_o may_v not_o be_v discourage_v from_o a_o way_n &_o course_n of_o holiness_n before_o they_o be_v harden_v and_o habituate_v thereunto_o as_o a_o captain_n will_v not_o set_v his_o freshwater_n soldier_n to_o bear_v the_o brunt_n of_o the_o day_n lest_o he_o discourage_v they_o for_o ever_o after_o but_o when_o god_n have_v for_o a_o certain_a time_n train_v up_o his_o servant_n in_o their_o posture_n of_o grace_n and_o holiness_n he_o than_o lead_v they_o forth_o to_o the_o trial_n to_o see_v how_o they_o can_v endure_v the_o shock_n of_o temptation_n 3._o none_o can_v promise_v themselves_o a_o uninterrupted_a course_n of_o peace_n &_o comfort_n how_o high_a degree_n of_o grace_n soever_o they_o may_v possible_o have_v attain_v unto_o nay_o many_o time_n god_n suffer_v his_o strong_a servant_n to_o encounter_v with_o the_o strong_a interruption_n so_o that_o although_o there_o be_v no_o true_a comfort_n nor_o can_v be_v where_o there_o be_v no_o true_a grace_n yet_o the_o several_a degree_n of_o comfort_n do_v not_o necessary_o and_o constant_o accompany_v and_o flow_v from_o proportionable_a degree_n of_o grace_n sect_n vi_o the_o sum_n of_o what_o remain_v to_o be_v do_v have_v now_o lay_v the_o groundwork_n i_o pass_v on_o to_o the_o superstructure_n yet_o i_o must_v premise_v thus_o much_o that_o those_o trouble_n and_o disquietment_n of_o mind_n which_o many_o time_n befall_v the_o people_n of_o god_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n ground_v upon_o some_o mistake_n and_o misapprehension_n which_o if_o once_o rectify_v there_o will_v need_v but_o little_a if_o any_o thing_n more_o to_o reduce_v they_o to_o a_o quiet_a and_o comfortable_a state_n and_o posture_n of_o spirit_n therefore_o the_o remainder_n of_o my_o present_a task_n will_v stand_v in_o two_o attempt_n 1._o to_o lay_v down_o some_o proposition_n for_o the_o rectify_v of_o those_o mistake_n and_o the_o answer_v of_o all_o objection_n that_o be_v ground_v thereupon_o 2._o to_o give_v some_o plain_n easy_a and_o brief_a direction_n for_o the_o attain_n of_o true_a solid_a peace_n and_o comfort_n so_o ground_v as_o that_o it_o may_v be_v less_o liable_a to_o the_o common_a assault_n or_o more_o easy_o recoverable_a if_o at_o any_o time_n it_o be_v overcloud_v sect_n vii_o of_o conversion_n i_o shall_v begin_v with_o those_o proposition_n which_o relate_v to_o conversion_n because_o it_o be_v the_o first_o save_v work_n upon_o the_o soul_n and_o therefore_o some_o sound_a believer_n be_v in_o the_o dark_a concern_v that_o first_o necessary_a work_n they_o be_v much_o tempt_v to_o suspect_v all_o their_o evidence_n of_o after-grace_n the_o substance_n of_o this_o work_n consist_v in_o that_o real_a change_n which_o be_v wrought_v in_o the_o whole_a man_n whereby_o he_o be_v turn_v from_o sin_n and_o satan_n unto_o god_n and_o be_v bring_v out_o of_o a_o state_n of_o nature_n into_o a_o state_n of_o grace_n but_o those_o doubt_n and_o fear_n which_o arise_v many_o time_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o god_n child_n be_v not_o about_o the_o nature_n and_o notion_n of_o conversion_n but_o spring_n from_o mistake_n about_o the_o circumstance_n thereof_o concern_v which_o therefore_o i_o shall_v lay_v down_o these_o follow_a proposition_n 1._o prop._n a_o man_n may_v be_v convert_v or_o in_o a_o state_n of_o grace_n yet_o not_o know_v it_o and_o this_o either_o 1._o for_o some_o time_n immediate_o after_o conversion_n as_o in_o all_o probability_n a_o infant_n for_o some_o time_n after_o its_o birth_n do_v not_o put_v forth_o any_o of_o those_o reflex_n act_n whereby_o it_o judge_v itself_o to_o be_v alive_a though_o i_o may_v not_o say_v that_o a_o new_a convert_n be_v like_o a_o infant_n uncapable_a of_o exert_v such_o reflex_n act_n yet_o certain_o many_o do_v not_o or_o if_o they_o make_v attempt_n yet_o sometime_o the_o reality_n of_o their_o conversion_n be_v too_o obscure_a for_o they_o to_o discern_v in_o that_o infant-state_n 2._o this_o also_o may_v be_v the_o condition_n of_o a_o true_a believer_n in_o his_o adult_n or_o grow_v state_n to_o be_v ignorant_a of_o his_o conversion_n and_o that_o either_o from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o work_n of_o grace_n in_o his_o heart_n or_o by_o some_o after-occasionall_a darken_n i_o do_v not_o mean_v that_o a_o man_n may_v know_v he_o have_v true_a grace_n and_o yet_o not_o know_v whether_o ever_o he_o be_v convert_v or_o no_o but_o take_v conversion_n for_o the_o first_o entrance_n into_o a_o state_n of_o true_a grace_n whosoever_o doubt_n or_o be_v ignorant_a of_o his_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o grace_n by_o what_o mean_v soever_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v must_v needs_o also_o be_v equal_o in_o doubt_n of_o his_o conversion_n except_o with_o the_o arminian_o socinian_o etc._n etc._n he_o think_v that_o true_a grace_n may_v be_v total_o lose_v which_o be_v a_o error_n of_o very_a dangerous_a consequence_n and_o therefore_o of_o necessity_n to_o be_v rectify_v 2._o prop._n a_o man_n may_v be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o grace_n and_o yet_o not_o know_v the_o time_n of_o his_o conversion_n nay_o he_o may_v have_v good_a evidence_n that_o he_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o grace_n and_o from_o thence_o conclude_v that_o for_o certain_a there_o be_v a_o particular_a time_n of_o his_o conversion_n and_o yet_o not_o know_v when_o that_o time_n be_v indeed_o when_o he_o be_v once_o come_v to_o that_o conclusion_n that_o he_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o grace_n he_o may_v probable_o conclude_v that_o such_o a_o particular_a time_n be_v the_o time_n of_o his_o pass_v from_o death_n to_o life_n but_o yet_o some_o can_v go_v so_o far_o in_o conjecture_v at_o the_o particular_a time_n that_o work_n have_v be_v wrought_v in_o they_o while_o they_o be_v very_o young_a or_o otherwise_o wrought_v by_o such_o gentle_a and_o gradual_a mean_n as_o good_a education_n or_o the_o like_a that_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a for_o they_o almost_o to_o discern_v when_o they_o pass_v from_o the_o utmost_a bound_n of_o common_a grace_n into_o a_o state_n of_o special_a grace_n and_o this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v a_o common_a case_n among_o many_o believer_n now_o adays_o 3._o prop._n that_o change_n which_o be_v wrought_v in_o conversion_n be_v more_o in_o the_o inward_a than_o in_o the_o outward_a man_n i_o speak_v now_o in_o respect_n of_o reality_n and_o not_o in_o respect_n of_o outward_a appearance_n although_o it_o be_v true_a also_o that_o many_o time_n that_o change_v which_o be_v wrought_v by_o conversion_n have_v so_o great_a a_o influence_n upon_o the_o outward_a man_n in_o point_n of_o action_n &_o conversation_n that_o the_o change_n be_v very_o manifest_a and_o visible_a yet_o i_o say_v that_o the_o radical_a and_o principal_a change_n be_v in_o the_o inward_a man_n this_o be_v manifest_a by_o the_o word_n by_o which_o repentance_n be_v general_o express_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n a_o a_o member_n of_o conversion_n as_o in_o that_o remarkable_a conjunction_n of_o repentance_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o conversion_n in_o act._n 3.19_o repent_v and_o be_v convert_v that_o your_o sin_n may_v be_v blot_v out_o the_o word_n which_o we_o translate_v repent_v signifyes_n a_o change_n of_o the_o mind_n which_o be_v the_o primary_n act_n of_o repentance_n and_o part_n of_o conversion_n although_o secondary_o there_o be_v divers_a other_o thing_n that_o pertain_v thereto_o this_o be_v also_o manifest_a in_o that_o other_o expression_n whereby_o christ_n recommend_v the_o same_o thing_n to_o nicodemus_n under_o the_o name_n of_o regeneration_n or_o a_o new_a birth_n for_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o body_n be_v not_o bear_v again_o which_o be_v nicodemus_n gross_a apprehension_n at_o the_o first_o neither_o be_v the_o soul_n as_o to_o the_o be_v or_o substance_n thereof_o bear_v again_o yet_o no_o doubt_n but_o some_o very_a great_a change_n and_o remarkable_a alteration_n be_v note_v to_o we_o by_o such_o a_o expression_n it_o remain_v therefore_o that_o this_o grand_a
pass_v away_o shall_v be_v show_v anon_o 3._o it_o be_v use_v to_o signify_v the_o effectual_a blessing_n of_o the_o mean_n of_o grace_n to_o the_o conversion_n of_o the_o person_n so_o visit_v as_o 1_o pet_n 2.12_o now_o happy_a be_v those_o bless_a soul_n who_o day_n of_o visitation_n in_o this_o sense_n be_v past_a that_o can_v say_v that_o the_o day_n and_o time_n be_v past_a wherein_o the_o lord_n do_v effectual_o visit_v they_o with_o offer_n of_o christ_n and_o grace_n to_o their_o acceptance_n and_o conversion_n as_o for_o the_o accept_a time_n and_o the_o day_n of_o salvation_n they_o signify_v one_o and_o the_o same_o thing_n which_o be_v no_o other_o but_o the_o time_n wherein_o mean_n of_o grace_n be_v afford_v and_o offer_v of_o christ_n and_o life_n by_o he_o be_v make_v to_o the_o soul_n this_o be_v call_v the_o accept_a time_n because_o it_o be_v the_o time_n wherein_o if_o we_o close_v with_o the_o offer_n that_o be_v make_v and_o make_v a_o right_a improvement_n of_o the_o mean_n that_o be_v afford_v god_n will_v accept_v of_o we_o in_o christ_n and_o it_o be_v call_v the_o day_n of_o salvation_n because_o the_o mean_n of_o grace_n and_o offer_n of_o christ_n be_v mean_n and_o offer_v of_o salvation_n by_o jesus_n christ_n so_o that_o the_o sense_n of_o these_o two_o latter_a expression_n fall_v in_o with_o the_o second_o sense_n of_o the_o day_n of_o visitation_n in_o mercy_n so_o then_o the_o meaning_n of_o those_o expression_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o present_a case_n be_v this_o viz._n that_o there_o be_v a_o time_n wherein_o god_n do_v merciful_o visit_v a_o person_n or_o people_n with_o the_o mean_n of_o grace_n and_o offer_v of_o life_n &_o salvation_n by_o jesus_n christ_n wherewith_o if_o they_o shall_v close_v by_o unfeigned_a repentance_n and_o save_a faith_n god_n will_v accept_v of_o they_o in_o christ_n according_a to_o the_o tenor_n of_o the_o gospel_n now_o for_o the_o clear_n of_o such_o doubt_n and_o difficulty_n as_o may_v arise_v concern_v this_o day_n of_o visitation_n and_o the_o accept_a time_n i_o shall_v lay_v down_o these_o follow_a proposition_n 1._o prop._n in_o reference_n to_o god_n decree_n the_o accept_a time_n can_v no_o more_o be_v pass_v now_o or_o another_o time_n than_o it_o be_v from_o all_o eternity_n for_o the_o decree_n be_v make_v from_o all_o eternity_n and_o do_v remain_v unchangeable_a to_o all_o eternity_n but_o whatsoever_o there_o be_v in_o these_o decree_n which_o concern_v the_o salvation_n or_o damnation_n of_o any_o particular_a person_n be_v altogether_o secret_a god_n have_v no_o where_n write_v they_o nor_o any_o way_n make_v they_o know_v nor_o make_v they_o possible_a to_o be_v search_v into_o any_o further_a than_o the_o event_n do_v declare_v they_o and_o therefore_o for_o any_o one_o to_o conclude_v himself_o either_o from_o the_o beginning_n or_o from_o any_o particular_a time_n or_o day_n past_a to_o be_v in_o a_o unalterable_a state_n of_o reprobation_n be_v no_o better_a than_o a_o horrid_a presumption_n proceed_v from_o the_o devil_n and_o a_o delude_a heart_n and_o not_o any_o way_n from_o the_o word_n or_o spirit_n of_o god_n 2._o prop._n the_o time_n of_o a_o nation_n or_o people_n visitation_n in_o general_n may_v evident_o expire_v and_o be_v visible_o past_a the_o gospel_n may_v be_v remove_v and_o ordinance_n take_v away_o from_o they_o or_o so_o overwhelm_v in_o a_o deluge_n of_o ignorance_n and_o error_n that_o it_o may_v be_v true_o say_v that_o the_o accept_a time_n and_o day_n of_o salvation_n be_v cease_v unto_o they_o yet_o this_o neither_o bar_n offer_v of_o grace_n from_o be_v make_v to_o particular_a person_n in_o that_o nation_n nor_o make_v they_o void_a to_o such_o as_o be_v willing_a to_o accept_v and_o close_v with_o they_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o cessation_n of_o the_o day_n of_o salvation_n to_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o jew_n upon_o their_o rejection_n of_o christ_n matt._n 23.37_o 38._o luk._n 19.42_o 44._o and_o upon_o their_o rejection_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n publish_v by_o the_o apostle_n act._n 13.46_o 51._o act._n 18.6_o act._n 28.25_o etc._n etc._n 28._o so_o that_o they_o become_v no_o church_n no_o peculiar_a people_n in_o that_o special_a relation_n to_o god_n wherein_o they_o have_v stand_v for_o many_o age_n before_o yet_o we_o know_v that_o there_o be_v many_o particular_a person_n of_o that_o nation_n yea_o some_o thousand_o at_o that_o time_n and_o afterward_o that_o accept_v of_o the_o gospel-offers_a of_o grace_n be_v accept_v of_o god_n add_v to_o the_o church_n and_o make_v partaker_n of_o gospel_n salvation_n act._n 2.41_o 47._o three_o thousand_o at_o one_o time_n be_v add_v to_o the_o church_n and_o no_o less_o than_o five_o thousand_o at_o another_o time_n act._n 4.4_o beside_o those_o that_o come_v in_o daily_a in_o small_a number_n 3._o prop._n the_o day_n of_o grace_n can_v be_v say_v to_o be_v pass_v to_o any_o particular_a person_n so_o long_o as_o they_o continue_v under_o the_o general_n call_v of_o the_o gospel_n and_o have_v any_o desire_n to_o close_v therewith_o and_o this_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v not_o only_o of_o such_o call_v as_o may_v or_o shall_v be_v make_v afterward_o for_o time_n to_o come_v but_o whosoever_o have_v at_o any_o time_n receive_v a_o call_n by_o the_o general_a publication_n of_o the_o gospel_n though_o they_o have_v hitherto_o reject_v and_o make_v light_n of_o all_o those_o invitation_n yet_o if_o at_o any_o time_n while_o they_o live_v they_o shall_v have_v a_o hearty_a desire_n to_o come_v to_o christ_n for_o life_n and_o to_o close_v with_o he_o upon_o the_o term_n of_o the_o gospel_n then_o be_v the_o accept_a time_n then_o be_v the_o day_n of_o salvation_n they_o shall_v in_o no_o wise_n be_v cast_v off_o 4._o prop._n yet_o without_o question_n it_o be_v very_o dangerous_a to_o put_v off_o invitation_n and_o to_o make_v excuse_n and_o delay_v the_o time_n of_o our_o closure_n with_o christ_n for_o while_o we_o be_v delay_v and_o rest_n in_o good_a purpose_n for_o the_o future_a death_n may_v come_v at_o unaware_o and_o put_v a_o end_n indeed_o to_o the_o time_n of_o our_o visitation_n and_o put_v we_o past_o a_o capacity_n of_o accept_v if_o we_o will_v beside_o by_o continuance_n in_o sin_n the_o heart_n be_v harden_v through_o the_o deceitfulness_n thereof_o and_o become_v more_o and_o more_o unfit_a and_o unwilling_a to_o be_v bring_v in_o subjection_n to_o the_o government_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o term_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o moreover_o by_o delay_n and_o excuse_n the_o spirit_n of_o god_n be_v grieve_v and_o may_v withhold_v his_o motion_n and_o cease_v to_o stir_v up_o desire_n in_o the_o heart_n after_o christ_n any_o more_o therefore_o it_o be_v good_a to_o take_v the_o spirit_n advice_n to_o day_n if_o you_o will_v hear_v his_o voice_n harden_v not_o your_o heart_n take_v christ_n and_o grace_n and_o life_n while_o they_o be_v to_o be_v have_v for_o if_o we_o delay_v though_o it_o be_v but_o to_o another_o call_v or_o another_o day_n we_o know_v not_o what_o a_o day_n may_v bring_v forth_o to_o our_o eternal_a prejudice_n 5._o prop._n if_o after_o all_o this_o we_o can_v suppose_v that_o the_o time_n of_o any_o particular_a person_n visitation_n can_v be_v pass_v while_o he_o live_v yet_o without_o all_o doubt_n it_o leave_v he_o under_o that_o stupidity_n and_o obduracy_n in_o sin_n that_o he_o be_v altogether_o senseless_a of_o his_o condition_n and_o the_o misery_n of_o it_o so_o far_o be_v he_o from_o bewail_v the_o loss_n of_o his_o opportunity_n and_o wish_v in_o that_o respect_n that_o time_n past_a can_v be_v call_v back_o again_o so_o that_o i_o never_o desire_v a_o more_o sure_a evidence_n that_o any_o one_o particular_a day_n of_o grace_n be_v not_o past_a than_o to_o find_v he_o mourn_v under_o the_o fear_n of_o it_o bewail_v his_o sin_n and_o want_n of_o grace_n and_o thirst_v after_o christ_n and_o his_o righteousness_n to_o this_o head_n i_o shall_v only_o add_v one_o word_n by_o way_n of_o explication_n of_o that_o expression_n of_o the_o apostle_n paul_n now_o be_v the_o accept_a time_n now_o be_v the_o day_n of_o salvation_n this_o word_n now_o be_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v so_o restrictive_o as_o if_o the_o apostle_n limit_v the_o accept_a time_n to_o that_o day_n or_o hour_n wherein_o he_o speak_v or_o write_v but_o now_o that_o be_v now_o that_o the_o partition_n wall_n betwixt_o jew_n and_o gentile_n be_v break_v down_o the_o limit_n of_o the_o church_n enlarge_v the_o messiah_n reveal_v the_o gospel_n preach_v and_o all_o indifferent_o call_v to_o faith_n and_o repentance_n now_o be_v the_o time_n wherein_o all_o without_o distinction_n may_v come_v in_o for_o a_o share_n in_o the_o benefit_n purchase_v by_o jesus_n christ_n and_o whosoever_o come_v and_o close_v with_o christ_n upon_o the_o term_n of_o the_o gospel_n shall_v be_v accept_v and_o save_v finis_fw-la courteous_a reader_n be_v please_v to_o take_v notice_n that_o these_o book_n follow_v be_v print_v for_o and_o sell_v by_o william_n miller_n at_o the_o gild_a acorn_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n near_o the_o little_a north-door_n jwenall_n with_o cutts_n by_o sir_n robert_n stapylton_n knight_n f._n l._n cradock_n harmony_n of_o the_o evangelist_n f._n principle_n octavo_fw-la clark_n live_v of_o worthy_n quarto_fw-la christian_n good_a fellowship_n or_o love_n and_o good_a work_n quarto_fw-la a_o antidote_n against_o immoderate_a mourning_n for_o the_o dead_a quarto_fw-la description_n of_o germany_n quarto_fw-la minister_n due_n quarto_fw-la golden_a apple_n octavo_fw-la fettiplace_v the_o soul_n narrow_a search_n for_o sin_n octavo_fw-la archee_n banquet_n of_o jest_n octavo_fw-la clark_n about_o comfort_n
a_o brief_a and_o pithy_a treatise_n about_o comfort_n which_o god_n child_n have_v or_o at_o least_o earnest_o desire_n and_o long_o after_o whilst_o they_o be_v in_o this_o world_n together_o with_o the_o observation_n of_o comfort_n and_o the_o removal_n of_o they_o by_o john_n clark_n master_n of_o art_n sometime_o rector_n of_o cotgrave_n in_o nottinghamshire_n london_n print_v by_o e._n t._n and_o r._n h._n for_o william_n miller_n at_o the_o guild_v acron_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n near_o the_o little_a north_n door_n 1670._o the_o content_n of_o the_o several_a section_n 1_o of_o comfort_n in_o general_n 2._o the_o hindrance_n of_o comfort_n 3._o other_o hindrance_n of_o a_o christian_n comfort_n 4._o the_o author_n of_o a_o christian_n trouble_n 5._o of_o the_o connexion_n between_o grace_n and_o comfort_n 6._o the_o sum_n of_o what_o remain_v 7._o of_o conversion_n 8._o of_o sorrow_n for_o sin_n 9_o of_o the_o pardonableness_n of_o sin_n 10._o of_o the_o sin_n unto_o death_n 11._o of_o the_o day_n of_o grace_n the_o time_n of_o visitation_n or_o the_o accept_a time_n sect_n 1._o of_o comfort_n in_o general_n it_o ill_o become_v christian_n to_o conceive_v of_o god_n as_o of_o a_o egyptian_a taskmaster_n who_o only_o require_v from_o his_o servant_n the_o performance_n of_o their_o task_n without_o respect_n to_o their_o comfort_n and_o refreshment_n sure_o it_o be_v the_o entertainment_n of_o some_o such_o like_a thought_n which_o discourage_v many_o from_o enter_v upon_o the_o service_n of_o god_n and_o that_o which_o for_o a_o long_a time_n make_v it_o tedious_a to_o many_o who_o have_v engage_v themselves_o already_o in_o his_o service_n do_v proceed_v very_o heavy_o and_o yet_o be_v so_o far_o convince_v of_o the_o necessity_n of_o continue_v therein_o that_o they_o dare_v not_o entertain_v any_o thought_n of_o go_v back_o this_o no_o doubt_n be_v a_o very_a great_a injury_n to_o he_o who_o be_v just_o style_v the_o god_n of_o all_o consolation_n and_o who_o have_v by_o the_o gospel_n so_o infinite_o remit_v the_o burden_n of_o that_o task_n which_o be_v require_v of_o man_n when_o he_o be_v sufficient_o able_a to_o undergo_v it_o yea_o and_o have_v from_o age_n to_o age_n be_v remit_v it_o till_o at_o length_n the_o yoke_n be_v easy_a and_o the_o burden_n light_n to_o all_o those_o who_o do_v impartial_o judge_v of_o it_o and_o in_o the_o bear_n of_o it_o do_v not_o make_v it_o grievous_a to_o themselves_o far_o be_v it_o therefore_o from_o any_o that_o own_o themselves_o for_o the_o servant_n of_o the_o most_o high_a to_o cast_v such_o a_o imputation_n upon_o their_o lord_n and_o master_n and_o to_o disgrace_v his_o service_n by_o misrepresent_v it_o to_o themselves_o or_o other_o as_o a_o yoke_n which_o neither_o themselves_o nor_o their_o forefather_n have_v be_v able_a to_o bear_v although_o of_o necessity_n they_o have_v be_v constrain_v to_o bear_v it_o only_o lest_o they_o purchase_v his_o displeasure_n and_o so_o run_v themselves_o inevitable_o upon_o the_o ruin_n both_o of_o their_o soul_n and_o body_n we_o can_v but_o receive_v the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o a_o system_a of_o truth_n the_o least_o title_n whereof_o will_v not_o admit_v of_o any_o appearance_n or_o shadow_n of_o falsehood_n and_o if_o we_o be_v conversant_a therein_o we_o meet_v with_o thousand_o of_o place_n wherein_o it_o be_v not_o only_o attest_v by_o credible_a and_o unsuspected_a witness_n that_o god_n be_v the_o god_n of_o peace_n joy_n and_o consolation_n but_o demonstrate_v also_o by_o those_o gracious_a and_o precious_a promise_n which_o he_o have_v make_v for_o our_o comfort_n and_o encouragement_n in_o the_o way_n of_o holiness_n and_o the_o many_o historical_a report_n of_o those_o who_o have_v profess_v themselves_o to_o have_v receive_v the_o abundant_a consolation_n of_o christ_n in_o their_o subjection_n to_o the_o gospel_n though_o call_v thereby_o to_o passive_a duty_n which_o of_o all_o other_o be_v the_o hard_a and_o heavy_a but_o because_o it_o be_v matter_n of_o undeniable_a experience_n that_o many_o of_o god_n true_a and_o faithful_a servant_n complain_v of_o that_o small_a portion_n of_o these_o consolation_n which_o they_o be_v make_v partaker_n of_o which_o rather_o support_v they_o under_o the_o yoke_n of_o christ_n service_n than_o enable_v they_o to_o bear_v the_o burden_n with_o cheerfulness_n and_o delight_n it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o inquire_v whence_o this_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o afterward_o we_o may_v the_o more_o effectual_o apply_v the_o remedy_n sect_n 2._o the_o hindrance_n of_o comfort_n as_o the_o barrenness_n of_o land_n where_o there_o be_v no_o defect_n on_o the_o husbandman_n part_n do_v common_o proceed_v from_o one_o of_o the_o two_o contrary_a extreme_n of_o wet_a and_o drought_n so_o likewise_o the_o want_n of_o comfort_n in_o the_o soul_n of_o believer_n for_o on_o god_n part_n there_o be_v no_o defect_n he_o be_v true_o style_v as_o be_v say_v before_o the_o god_n of_o all_o consolation_n and_o christ_n the_o prince_n of_o peace_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n the_o comforter_n and_o the_o gospel_n glad_a tiding_n to_o all_o that_o receive_v it_o in_o faith_n but_o there_o be_v two_o extreme_n into_o which_o believer_n do_v common_o plunge_v themselves_o if_o not_o to_o the_o total_a loss_n yet_o to_o the_o very_a great_a abatement_n of_o those_o consolation_n which_o they_o may_v otherwise_o in_o a_o very_a large_a measure_n be_v partaker_n of_o for_o either_o they_o seek_v for_o and_o expect_v comfort_n independent_a on_o duty_n or_o else_o they_o whole_o suspend_v their_o comfort_n on_o the_o performance_n thereof_o 1._o sometime_o a_o child_n of_o god_n may_v grow_v careless_a and_o slothful_a in_o the_o performance_n of_o duty_n so_o that_o if_o he_o omit_v not_o that_o part_n which_o consist_v in_o bodily_a exercise_n as_o pray_v hear_v read_v etc._n etc._n yet_o he_o be_v not_o careful_a to_o exercise_v those_o grace_n which_o be_v the_o very_a life_n and_o soul_n of_o duty_n and_o which_o indeed_o do_v give_v they_o the_o denomination_n of_o duty_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n and_o then_o no_o wonder_n if_o god_n withhold_v from_o he_o those_o consolation_n which_o in_o this_o spiritual_a distemper_n may_v rather_o encourage_v he_o in_o his_o sloth_n than_o quicken_v he_o to_o a_o more_o effectual_a endeavour_n to_o walk_v close_o with_o god_n now_o therefore_o for_o such_o a_o one_o to_o expect_v a_o infusion_n of_o spiritual_a consolation_n in_o the_o way_n of_o his_o sloth_n and_o carnality_n be_v altogether_o vain_a because_o he_o do_v thereby_o but_o invite_v god_n to_o encourage_v he_o in_o a_o evil_a way_n which_o the_o holy_a god_n will_v never_o do_v how_o much_o less_o than_o have_v they_o any_o reason_n to_o expect_v a_o share_n in_o these_o consolation_n who_o not_o only_o neglect_v the_o internal_a exercise_n of_o grace_n but_o also_o in_o a_o very_a great_a measure_n through_o a_o great_a prevalency_n of_o this_o spiritual_a sloth_n do_v frequent_o omit_v the_o external_a performance_n of_o require_a duty_n yea_o so_o great_a sometime_o be_v the_o deceit_n of_o a_o christian_n heart_n in_o this_o particular_a that_o they_o be_v apt_a to_o say_v i_o can_v do_v duty_n i_o have_v no_o heart_n to_o go_v to_o ordinance_n for_o i_o have_v no_o comfort_n in_o my_o heart_n when_o i_o be_o about_o they_o i_o have_v no_o smile_n of_o god_n countenance_n upon_o my_o soul_n if_o the_o lord_n will_v but_o bestow_v some_o comfort_n upon_o i_o than_o i_o can_v do_v duty_n cheerful_o i_o can_v go_v to_o ordinance_n willing_o but_o while_o i_o be_o without_o comfort_n i_o can_v do_v nothing_o thus_o some_o by_o a_o error_n on_o the_o left_a hand_n do_v in_o vain_a seek_v for_o comfort_n before_o and_o out_o of_o a_o way_n of_o duty_n 2._o other_o sometime_o fall_v as_o much_o short_a of_o their_o desire_a comfort_n by_o a_o extreme_a on_o the_o right_a hand_n for_o they_o be_v indeed_o very_o painful_a and_o diligent_a in_o the_o performance_n of_o every_o know_a duty_n and_o do_v not_o only_o mind_v the_o outside_n of_o duty_n but_o do_v also_o very_o serious_o engage_v their_o heart_n to_o accompany_v their_o outward_a performance_n by_o the_o exercise_n of_o every_o suitable_a and_o necessary_a grace_n to_o the_o utmost_a of_o their_o power_n but_o then_o they_o suspend_v their_o comfort_n on_o such_o a_o exquisiteness_n and_o perfection_n of_o performance_n as_o be_v either_o very_o rare_o or_o not_o at_o all_o attainable_a on_o this_o side_n heaven_n this_o according_a to_o the_o best_a of_o my_o observation_n be_v that_o spring_n of_o trouble_n which_o feed_v the_o mind_n of_o many_o of_o god_n dear_a servant_n with_o a_o perpetuity_n of_o disconsolateness_n draw_v out_o their_o distemper_n to_o month_n and_o year_n and_o sometime_o to_o