offend_v be_v a_o society_n or_o some_o public_a person_n equivalent_a 2_o in_o case_n the_o party_n in_o such_o act_n of_o judgement_n be_v free_v from_o error_n which_o be_v the_o present_a condition_n of_o the_o apostle_n guide_v in_o their_o administration_n by_o a_o infallible_a spirit_n object_n 5._o this_o synod_n act_v 15._o lexi_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d septuag_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d some_o call_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d vid._n schindl_n lexi_fw-la so_o speak_v as_o have_v power_n to_o lay_v the_o truth_n of_o god_n clear_v and_o declare_v by_o it_o as_o a_o burden_n upon_o the_o church_n v._o 28._o which_o our_o ordinary_a synod_n seem_v not_o to_o have_v power_n to_o do_v resp_n the_o notion_n or_o term_n burden_n may_v be_v take_v political_o i._n e._n for_o a_o truth_n impose_v by_o virtue_n of_o church_n power_n and_o authority_n this_o though_o the_o apostle_n as_o apostle_n may_v do_v yet_o if_o they_o do_v so_o in_o this_o place_n which_o we_o rather_o conceive_v not_o it_o be_v extraordinary_a and_o consequent_o not_o exemplary_a or_o the_o word_n burden_n may_v be_v take_v for_o the_o charge_v of_o the_o church_n to_o receive_v and_o yield_v obedience_n in_o the_o lord_n unto_o the_o truth_n discuss_v clear_v and_o orderly_o command_v to_o they_o in_o which_o sense_n if_o we_o take_v it_o here_o according_a as_o it_o be_v take_v in_o divers_a place_n elsewhere_o pro._n 30.1_o &_o 21.1_o rev._n 2.24_o than_o the_o stile_n or_o manner_n of_o speak_v be_v exemplary_a of_o the_o power_n of_o synod_n the_o three_o question_n quest_n 3._o what_o be_v the_o power_n of_o a_o synod_n resp_n the_o power_n of_o a_o synod_n be_v decisive_n directive_n &_o declarative_a of_o the_o truth_n by_o clear_v and_o evidence_v the_o same_o out_o of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n non_o coactive_a yet_o more_o than_o discretive_a for_o the_o better_a understanding_n hereof_o consider_v that_o ecclesiastical_a power_n be_v 1_o decisive_n in_o determine_v by_o way_n of_o discussion_n and_o disputation_n what_o be_v truth_n and_o so_o consequent_o resolve_v the_o question_n in_o weighty_a matter_n of_o religion_n act_v 15.16,28_o &_o 16.4_o this_o belong_v to_o the_o synod_n 2_o discretive_a in_o discern_v of_o the_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n that_o be_v determine_v this_o belong_v to_o every_o believer_n 3_o coactive_a or_o judicial_a for_o we_o omit_v to_o speak_v in_o this_o place_n of_o official_a judgement_n in_o judge_v of_o the_o truth_n determine_v authoritative_o so_o as_o to_o impose_v it_o with_o authority_n and_o to_o censure_v the_o disobedient_a with_o ecclesiastical_a censure_n 1_o cor._n 5.12_o mat._n 18.17_o this_o belong_v to_o every_o particular_a church_n the_o judgement_n of_o a_o synod_n be_v in_o some_o respect_n superior_a in_o some_o respect_n inferior_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n it_o be_v superior_a in_o respect_n of_o direction_n inferior_a in_o respect_n of_o jurisdiction_n which_o it_o have_v none_o quere_z how_o and_o how_o far_o do_v the_o sentence_n of_o a_o synod_n bind_v answ_n we_o must_v distinguish_v between_o the_o synod_n declaration_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o the_o political_a imposition_n of_o the_o truth_n declare_v by_o the_o synod_n the_o synod_n declaration_n of_o the_o truth_n bind_v not_o political_o but_o formal_o only_a i._n e._n in_o foro_fw-la interiori_fw-la i._n e._n it_o bind_v the_o conscience_n and_o that_o by_o way_n of_o the_o high_a institution_n that_o be_v mere_o doctrinal_a the_o political_a imposition_n of_o the_o truth_n declare_v by_o the_o synod_n be_v ecclesiastical_a or_o civil_a ecclesiastical_a by_o particular_a church_n and_o this_o bind_v not_o only_o formal_o but_o political_o in_o foro_fw-la exteriori_fw-la i._n e._n it_o bind_v the_o outward_a man_n so_o as_o the_o disobedient_a in_o matter_n of_o offence_n be_v subject_a unto_o church_n censure_n affirmative_o towards_o their_o own_o member_n negative_o by_o non_fw-la communion_n as_o concern_v other_o whether_o church_n or_o member_n 3._o supremi_fw-la magistratuâ—_n approbatio_fw-la est_fw-la supremum_fw-la ut_fw-la soquuntar_fw-la arrestum_fw-la fr._n hom._n disp_n 18._o th._n 4._o &_o disp_a 17._o thes_n 3._o civil_a by_o the_o magistrate_n strengthen_v the_o truth_n thus_o declare_v by_o the_o synod_n and_o approve_v by_o the_o church_n either_o by_o his_o mere_a authoritative_a suffrage_n assent_n and_o testimony_n if_o the_o matter_n need_v no_o more_o or_o by_o his_o authoritative_a sanction_n of_o it_o by_o civil_a punishment_n the_o nature_n of_o the_o offence_n so_o require_v in_o this_o orderly_a proceed_n of_o the_o church_n and_o civil_a magistrate_n together_o in_o their_o respective_a political_a imposition_n of_o the_o truth_n clear_v and_o declare_v by_o the_o synod_n we_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v to_o speak_v of_o such_o a_o place_n wherein_o the_o christian_a magistrate_n walk_v together_o orderly_o referve_v ecclesiastical_a bind_a power_n to_o the_o particular_a church_n where_o either_o there_o be_v no_o magistrate_n or_o the_o magistrate_n be_v want_v in_o his_o duty_n as_o also_o civil_a power_n to_o the_o christian_a magistrate_n where_o the_o church_n be_v want_v to_o their_o duty_n the_o four_o question_n quest_n 4._o to_o who_o belong_v the_o power_n of_o call_v a_o synod_n answ_n for_o satisfaction_n to_o this_o question_n we_o shall_v propound_v one_o distinction_n and_o answer_v three_o query_n distin_n the_o power_n of_o call_v synod_n be_v either_o single_a authoritative_a belong_v to_o the_o magistrate_n ministerial_a belong_v to_o the_o particular_a church_n mix_v when_o both_o proceed_v orderly_a and_o joint_o in_o the_o use_n of_o their_o several_a power_n argument_n prove_v the_o authoritative_a power_n of_o call_v synod_n to_o belong_v to_o the_o magistrate_n 1_o because_o the_o magistrate_n be_v custos_fw-la utriusque_fw-la tabulae_fw-la i._n e._n charge_v with_o the_o custody_n of_o both_o table_n that_o he_o be_v keeper_n of_o the_o second_o table_n be_v grant_v that_o he_o be_v keeper_n of_o the_o former_a be_v sufficient_o prove_v in_o the_o first_o question_n 2_o from_o the_o record_a and_o approve_a example_n of_o godly_a king_n in_o the_o scripture_n david_n 1_o chron._n 23.2_o hezekiah_n 2_o chron._n 29.4_o josiah_n 2_o kin._n 23.1,2_o 3_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o such_o great_a assembly_n though_o synodical_a assemble_v be_v spiritual_a yet_o mere_a assemble_v of_o a_o multitude_n together_o which_o a_o synodical_a assembly_n presuppose_v be_v a_o civil_a act_n and_o therefore_o can_v in_o good_a policy_n be_v suffer_v without_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o magistrate_n 4_o from_o the_o necessary_a though_o not_o essential_a requisite_n to_o the_o be_v of_o a_o synod_n as_o place_n time_n manner_n of_o meeting_n peace_n all_o which_o need_v the_o consent_n of_o the_o magistrate_n in_o case_n of_o violent_a disturbance_n the_o church_n as_o such_o have_v no_o civil_a power_n to_o defend_v they_o can_v but_o want_v the_o assistance_n of_o the_o magistrate_n that_o they_o may_v meet_v and_o transact_v the_o matter_n of_o the_o synod_n in_o safety_n and_o quietness_n 5_o from_o the_o proportion_n that_o the_o magistrate_n con-coactive_a or_o call_v power_n of_o a_o synod_n hold_v with_o his_o confirmation_n of_o the_o conclusion_n of_o the_o synod_n the_o same_o reason_n that_o warrant_v his_o confirm_a power_n for_o the_o better_a strengthen_v the_o observation_n of_o the_o conclusion_n of_o the_o synod_n warrant_v his_o call_a power_n for_o the_o better_a be_v of_o the_o synod_n argument_n prove_v the_o ministerial_a power_n of_o call_v synod_n which_o may_v be_v fit_o call_v a_o power_n of_o liberty_n because_o church_n therein_o have_v no_o authority_n one_o over_o another_o to_o belong_v unto_o the_o particular_a church_n 1_o from_o that_o famous_a example_n act_v 15._o where_o the_o synod_n meet_v and_z site_z without_o the_o call_n of_o civil_a authority_n there_o be_v then_o no_o christian_a magistrate_n 2_o because_o the_o power_n of_o the_o constitution_n of_o synod_n as_o proper_o such_o first_o reside_v with_o ariseth_z from_z and_o last_o return_v to_o particular_a church_n 3_o because_o the_o power_n of_o the_o magistrate_n tend_v not_o to_o the_o be_v but_o to_o the_o better_a be_v of_o synod_n and_o add_v thereunto_o be_v accumulative_a not_o privative_a i._n e._n it_o add_v strength_n to_o it_o but_o take_v not_o any_o power_n from_o it_o hence_o a_o synod_n may_v in_o ease_n be_v without_o any_o consent_n of_o the_o magistrate_n but_o can_v be_v without_o some_o consent_n explicit_a or_o implicit_a of_o the_o church_n 4_o because_o the_o lord_n jesus_n have_v invest_v the_o church_n with_o sufficient_a ecclesiastical_a power_n in_o the_o best_a ecclesiastical_a manner_n to_o attain_v their_o ecclesiastical_a end_n which_o yet_o be_v not_o if_o they_o have_v not_o power_n of_o themselves_o by_o joint_a consent_n to_o call_v a_o synod_n query_n query_n 1_o in_o what_o case_n may_v the_o magistrate_n proceed_v to_o call_v a_o synod_n without_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o church_n answ_n the_o magistrate_n in_o case_n the_o church_n be_v defective_a and_o not_o to_o be_v prevail_v with_o for_o the_o performance_n of_o their_o duty_n just_a cause_n so_o require_v may_v call_v a_o synod_n and_o the_o church_n ought_v to_o yield_v obedience_n thereunto_o but_o notwithstanding_o the_o refusal_n he_o may_v proceed_v to_o call_v a_o assembly_n and_o that_o for_o the_o same_o end_n that_o a_o synod_n meet_v for_o namely_o to_o consider_v of_o and_o clear_v the_o truth_n from_o the_o scripture_n in_o weighty_a matter_n of_o religion_n but_o such_o a_o assembly_n call_v and_o gather_v without_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o church_n be_v not_o proper_o that_o which_o be_v usual_o understand_v by_o a_o synod_n for_o though_o it_o be_v in_o the_o power_n of_o the_o magistrate_n to_o call_v yet_o it_o be_v not_o in_o his_o power_n to_o constitute_v a_o synod_n without_o at_o least_o the_o implicit_a consent_n of_o the_o church_n because_o church-messenger_n who_o necessary_o presuppose_v a_o explicit_a which_o order_n call_v for_o or_o implicit_a consent_n of_o the_o church_n be_v essential_a to_o a_o synod_n query_n 2_o in_o what_o case_n may_v the_o church_n call_v a_o synod_n without_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o magistrate_n answ_n in_o case_n the_o magistrate_n be_v defective_a and_o not_o to_o be_v prevail_v with_o for_o the_o performance_n of_o his_o duty_n just_a cause_n providence_n and_o prudence_n concur_v the_o church_n may_v both_o call_v and_o constitute_v a_o synod_n the_o reason_n why_o the_o church_n can_v constitute_v a_o synod_n without_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o magistrate_n although_o the_o magistrate_n can_v constitute_v a_o synod_n without_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o church_n be_v because_o the_o essentials_n of_o a_o synod_n together_o with_o such_o other_o cause_n as_o be_v require_v to_o the_o be_v though_o not_o so_o much_o to_o the_o better_a be_v of_o a_o synod_n arise_v out_o of_o particular_a church_n as_o appear_v from_o the_o follow_a enumeration_n of_o the_o cause_n thereof_o the_o essential_a cause_n remote_a the_o authoritative_a call_n of_o the_o magistrate_n next_o the_o ministerial_a call_n of_o the_o church_n the_o material_a cause_n the_o member_n of_o the_o synod_n i._n e._n qualify_a church-messenger_n the_o formal_a cause_n the_o meeting_n together_o of_o such_o church-messenger_n in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n the_o final_a cause_n to_o confider_v of_o and_o clear_v the_o truth_n in_o question_n from_o the_o word_n of_o god_n query_n 3_o in_o case_n the_o magistrate_n and_o church_n be_v both_o willing_a to_o proceed_v orderly_o in_o the_o joint_a exercise_n of_o their_o several_a power_n whether_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o either_o of_o they_o to_o call_v a_o synod_n without_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o other_o answ_n no_o they_o be_v to_o proceed_v now_o by_o way_n of_o a_o mix_v call_v i._n e._n orderly_o and_o joint_o in_o the_o use_n of_o their_o several_a power_n that_o which_o learned_a parker_n speak_v of_o the_o power_n of_o particular_a church_n concern_v call_v of_o synod_n hold_v also_o in_o this_o case_n concern_v the_o power_n of_o the_o magistrate_n their_o power_n be_v divers_a yet_o in_o respect_n of_o exercise_n they_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v divers_a nor_o divide_v the_o one_o from_o the_o other_o as_o before_z the_o church_n desire_n the_o magistrate_n command_v church_n act_n in_o a_o way_n of_o liberty_n the_o magistrate_n in_o a_o way_n of_o authority_n moses_n and_o aaron_n shall_v go_v together_o and_o kiss_v one_o another_o in_o the_o mount_n of_o god._n finis_fw-la courteous_a reader_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o death_n of_o the_o reverend_a author_n and_o the_o far_a distance_n of_o his_o love_a friend_n the_o publisher_n of_o this_o book_n some_o fault_n may_v have_v escape_v the_o press_n for_o the_o which_o the_o printer_n desire_v excuse_v vale._n
prop._n 2._o that_o true_a christian_a sanctification_n which_o be_v a_o work_n of_o faith_n be_v many_o time_n dark_a to_o a_o sincere_a christian_a it_o be_v general_o grant_v to_o be_v so_o in_o the_o first_o conversion_n and_o in_o time_n of_o temptation_n and_o desertion_n as_o also_o when_o a_o man_n look_v at_o his_o justification_n and_o at_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n woe_n be_v i_o for_o i_o be_o unclean_a say_v the_o prophet_n isaiah_n at_o such_o a_o time_n there_o be_v so_o much_o power_n of_o flesh_n even_o in_o spiritual_a christian_n special_o in_o young_a christian_n so_o much_o power_n in_o their_o lust_n and_o in_o their_o passion_n as_o will_v put_v their_o best_a friend_n to_o a_o stand_v what_o to_o think_v of_o they_o and_o much_o more_o themselves_o when_o as_o they_o come_v to_o be_v press_v with_o the_o power_n of_o their_o corruption_n special_o when_o they_o compare_v with_o such_o hypocrite_n as_o run_v away_o with_o more_o freedom_n of_o spirit_n than_o themselves_o for_o sometime_o their_o corruption_n do_v less_o appear_v and_o they_o be_v more_o free_a from_o temptation_n and_o not_o expose_v to_o such_o sinful_a course_n which_o sometime_o true_a heart_a christian_n be_v subject_a unto_o so_o a_o poor_a christian_a be_v discourage_v &_o a_o hypocrite_n embolden_v see_v himself_o more_o sanctify_v than_o the_o other_o in_o view_n prop._n 3._o that_o true_a sanctification_n of_o a_o sincere_a christian_a be_v not_o discern_v by_o he_o nor_o be_v indeed_o discernible_a until_o he_o first_o discern_v his_o justify_n faith_n a_o double_a ground_n of_o it_o &_o so_o leave_v it_o to_o your_o christian_n disquisition_n and_o search_n they_o be_v both_o take_v from_o the_o necessity_n of_o faith_n both_o to_o the_o acceptance_n of_o a_o man_n person_n and_o work_n there_o be_v a_o necessity_n of_o the_o activeness_n of_o faith_n in_o a_o man_n sanctification_n the_o lord_n have_v respect_n to_o abel_n and_o to_o his_o offering_n gen._n 4.4_o a_o man_n person_n must_v first_o be_v accept_v otherwise_o all_o his_o work_n will_v not_o go_v beyond_o the_o work_n of_o a_o legal_a christian_a and_o without_o faith_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o please_v god_n no_o acceptance_n therefore_o without_o faith_n it_o be_v also_o necessary_a to_o the_o performance_n of_o all_o spiritual_a duty_n for_o all_o sanctification_n be_v from_o that_o faith_n which_o christ_n do_v convey_v into_o the_o soul_n now_o if_o the_o just_a man_n live_v by_o his_o faith_n whether_o it_o be_v the_o life_n of_o sanctification_n or_o consolation_n than_o no_o christian_a can_v discern_v his_o sanctification_n to_o be_v lively_a but_o he_o must_v discern_v his_o faith_n live_v in_o it_o he_o must_v see_v his_o faith_n derive_v strength_n and_o grace_n and_o life_n from_o christ_n or_o else_o he_o can_v approve_v his_o sanctification_n to_o be_v the_o sanctification_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o as_o there_o can_v be_v no_o true_a sanctification_n unless_o there_o be_v faith_n whereby_o the_o person_n be_v accept_v and_o whereby_o life_n be_v receive_v to_o act_v in_o all_o sanctification_n so_o there_o can_v be_v no_o knowledge_n of_o sanctification_n but_o there_o must_v be_v knowledge_n of_o faith_n whereby_o a_o man_n person_n be_v accept_v &_o whereby_o strength_n be_v convey_v to_o sanctification_n for_o if_o a_o poor_a soul_n be_v doubtful_a of_o his_o acceptance_n with_o the_o lord_n he_o be_v where_o he_o be_v notwithstanding_o his_o sanctification_n and_o want_v comfort_n for_o this_o doubt_n remain_v whether_o he_o be_v accept_v or_o no_o which_o until_o the_o lord_n do_v manifest_v a_o man_n faith_n unto_o he_o by_o the_o revelation_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n he_o be_v still_o at_o a_o loss_n in_o it_o for_o though_o true_a sanctification_n be_v a_o evidence_n of_o a_o man_n justification_n yet_o itself_o must_v be_v first_o evident_a thus_o we_o see_v by_o this_o three_o exposition_n that_o a_o further_a light_n be_v require_v to_o the_o light_n of_o sanctification_n prop._n 4._o notwithstanding_o this_o near_a resemblance_n between_o legal_a and_o evangelical_a holiness_n yet_o there_o be_v a_o real_a difference_n between_o they_o and_o such_o a_o difference_n as_o be_v discernible_a to_o christian_n who_o wite_v be_v exercise_v in_o the_o way_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o be_v discern_v by_o the_o revelation_n or_o manifestation_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n both_o of_o the_o state_n and_o work_n of_o good_a christian_n and_o that_o ordinary_o also_o for_o i_o will_v not_o count_v it_o extraordinary_a be_v that_o which_o the_o lord_n by_o his_o spirit_n do_v usual_o reveal_v unto_o his_o people_n a_o real_a difference_n there_o be_v both_o in_o the_o root_n and_o in_o the_o rule_n and_o in_o the_o scope_n which_o they_o aim_v at_o and_o so_o it_o will_v appear_v to_o be_v at_o the_o last_o day_n math._n 25.23_o depart_v from_o i_o say_v christ_n you_o worker_n of_o iniquity_n i_o never_o know_v you_o though_o they_o come_v and_o tell_v he_o that_o they_o wrought_v by_o faith_n in_o he_o indeed_o they_o stand_v in_o some_o relation_n to_o he_o but_o not_o as_o member_n to_o the_o head_n only_o as_o branch_n to_o the_o vine_n which_o may_v be_v cut_v off_o and_o yet_o the_o vine_n not_o maim_v but_o if_o the_o member_n shall_v be_v cut_v off_o any_o one_o from_o another_o then_o be_v the_o body_n maim_v but_o christ_n will_v not_o suffer_v his_o body_n to_o be_v maim_v but_o take_v you_o never_o so_o many_o branch_n from_o the_o vine_n and_o it_o be_v not_o maim_v but_o will_v bring_v forth_o more_o if_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o more_o fellowship_n between_o christ_n &_o a_o christian_a than_o between_o the_o branch_n and_o the_o vine_n you_o may_v take_v they_o away_o and_o yet_o not_o hurt_v the_o vine_n but_o wherein_o shall_v this_o relation_n stand_v it_o be_v very_o hard_a to_o conceive_v insomuch_o that_o those_o who_o have_v be_v most_o exact_a and_o diligent_a to_o inquire_v into_o it_o have_v profess_v that_o it_o be_v angel_n work_n very_o hard_o it_o be_v so_o to_o distinguish_v they_o from_o god_n own_o child_n so_o as_o not_o to_o discomfort_v poor_a christian_n nor_o to_o embolden_v hypocrite_n we_o must_v be_v tender_a therefore_o that_o the_o least_o of_o god_n child_n may_v not_o want_v their_o bread_n better_a leave_v 99_o sheep_n than_o that_o one_o poor_a stray_n sheep_n shall_v not_o be_v seek_v after_o and_o better_o a_o 100_o hypocrite_n perish_v than_o that_o one_o poor_a christian_n shall_v want_v his_o portion_n and_o yet_o it_o be_v not_o meet_v that_o hypocrite_n shall_v allow_v themselves_o in_o the_o estate_n and_o fellowship_n of_o the_o saint_n and_o yet_o always_o bless_v themselves_o in_o their_o carnal_a condition_n if_o you_o shall_v ask_v a_o difference_n in_o the_o root_n both_o of_o they_o be_v partaker_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n hypocrite_n may_v have_v a_o taste_n and_o a_o poor_a christian_a will_v fear_v that_o his_o best_a fellowship_n with_o christ_n be_v but_o a_o taste_n and_o that_o manifold_a experience_n make_v good_a wherein_o then_o lie_v the_o difference_n do_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n leave_v the_o heart_n of_o a_o hypocrite_n stony_a and_o unmelted_a it_o be_v so_o indeed_o with_o the_o stony_a but_o not_o with_o the_o thorny_a soil_n for_o the_o heart_n of_o some_o hypocrite_n be_v melt_v as_o iron_n stone_n they_o may_v come_v to_o melt_v about_o their_o own_o estate_n through_o fear_n and_o so_o all_o those_o melt_v that_o want_n not_o depth_n of_o earth_n as_o the_o thorny_a soil_n do_v not_o but_o mind_v you_o they_o will_v grow_v hard_o again_o as_o iron_n or_o lead_n will_v do_v after_o it_o be_v melt_v now_o look_v at_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n when_o he_o come_v to_o work_v effectual_o and_o he_o do_v not_o only_o melt_v the_o heart_n but_o take_v away_o the_o heart_n of_o stone_n and_o give_v a_o heart_n of_o flesh_n for_o it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o break_v a_o stone_n it_o will_v be_v a_o stone_n though_o it_o be_v break_v but_o when_o the_o lord_n change_v it_o into_o flesh_n than_o it_o will_v be_v hard_a no_o more_o but_o though_o a_o man_n may_v have_v many_o temptation_n yet_o the_o lord_n will_v keep_v his_o heart_n soft_a for_o ever_o and_o this_o be_v that_o which_o i_o do_v believe_v touch_v the_o witness_n of_o sanctification_n unto_o justification_n you_o see_v what_o work_v of_o god_n be_v find_v in_o hypocrite_n and_o therefore_o what_o dangerous_a deceit_n we_o be_v subject_a unto_o if_o god_n be_v not_o more_o merciful_a again_o you_o see_v what_o state_n christian_n be_v bring_v unto_o when_o their_o conversion_n and_o faith_n be_v wrought_v in_o they_o and_o how_o it_o be_v not_o ground_v upon_o the_o sight_n of_o their_o
joy_n and_o comfort_v also_o which_o the_o lord_n do_v minister_v to_o we_o in_o a_o sanctify_a course_n by_o his_o holy_a spirit_n so_o we_o grow_v up_o and_o perfect_v our_o holiness_n which_o we_o have_v receive_v in_o his_o name_n there_o be_v growth_n in_o grace_n this_o sanctification_n be_v not_o bedrid_a christian_n be_v not_o as_o weak_a now_o as_o they_o be_v seven_o year_n ago_o nor_o do_v they_o stand_v at_o a_o stay_n but_o go_v forward_o in_o christianity_n and_o hereupon_o the_o apostle_n exhort_v the_o ephesian_n chap._n 4.16_o to_o speak_v the_o truth_n in_o love_n that_o they_o may_v grow_v up_o into_o he_o in_o all_o thing_n which_o be_v the_o head_n even_o christ_n imply_v that_o man_n that_o enter_v into_o the_o way_n of_o holiness_n aught_o to_o grow_v on_o unto_o perfection_n in_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n job_n 17.9_o and_o many_o sweet_a mean_n the_o lord_n have_v appoint_v for_o this_o end_n the_o communion_n of_o god_n people_n tend_v hereto_o prov._n 13.20_o he_o that_o walk_v with_o the_o wise_a shall_v learn_v wisdom_n all_o the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n be_v appoint_v for_o this_o end_n also_o to_o beget_v and_o increase_v faith_n and_o holiness_n therefore_o a_o christian_a in_o the_o use_n of_o all_o these_o ordinance_n do_v not_o stand_v at_o a_o stay_n but_o be_v still_o thrive_a and_o grow_v and_o that_o not_o in_o his_o own_o strength_n but_o in_o the_o strength_n of_o jesus_n christ_n seek_v for_o his_o acceptance_n and_o help_n in_o every_o duty_n he_o go_v about_o and_o this_o be_v that_o the_o apostle_n do_v exhort_v the_o colossian_n unto_o chap._n 2.6,7_o this_o ought_v christian_n main_o to_o attend_v unto_o that_o as_o you_o see_v the_o branch_n the_o more_o juice_n it_o suck_v the_o more_o fruitful_a it_o be_v so_o also_o it_o become_v the_o people_n of_o god_n to_o know_v that_o the_o more_o need_n we_o stand_v in_o to_o be_v fruitful_a the_o more_o need_n we_o have_v to_o derive_v a_o continual_a fresh_a supply_n from_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n that_o by_o his_o spirit_n renew_v grace_n in_o we_o we_o may_v be_v enlarge_v and_o carry_v a_o end_n in_o the_o way_n of_o god_n whereas_o otherwise_o the_o heart_n of_o christian_n will_v soon_o fail_v to_o go_v on_o in_o those_o thing_n wherein_o they_o desire_v to_o be_v grow_v up_o unto_o perfection_n what_o be_v the_o reason_n that_o so_o many_o servant_n of_o god_n be_v not_o so_o lively_a in_o their_o profession_n as_o they_o be_v wont_a to_o be_v many_o year_n ago_o true_o we_o attend_v upon_o ordinance_n but_o it_o be_v only_o upon_o the_o outward_a act_n of_o they_o and_o not_o upon_o jesus_n christ_n in_o they_o this_o be_v many_o time_n want_v in_o the_o heart_n of_o god_n people_n but_o true_o if_o this_o be_v our_o constant_a frame_n and_o we_o do_v not_o recover_v ourselves_o then_o be_v not_o our_o sanctification_n such_o as_o flow_v from_o fellowship_n with_o jesus_n christ_n for_o you_o shall_v find_v this_o to_o be_v true_a that_o there_o be_v no_o gift_n of_o christ_n nor_o no_o sanctification_n accompany_v salvation_n but_o it_o do_v knit_v we_o near_o and_o near_o unto_o christ_n and_o the_o more_o we_o be_v fill_v with_o true_a spiritual_a gift_n the_o more_o empty_a we_o be_v of_o our_o own_o strength_n and_o self_n conceit_n and_o so_o we_o ought_v to_o be_v otherwise_o we_o shall_v constant_o find_v this_o that_o if_o the_o lord_n do_v not_o preserve_v this_o empty_a frame_n in_o we_o the_o more_o full_a we_o be_v of_o any_o gift_n the_o more_o full_a shall_v we_o be_v of_o our_o own_o strength_n and_o consequent_o the_o less_o need_n shall_v we_o feel_v of_o christ_n and_o if_o this_o be_v our_o constant_a frame_n it_o will_v be_v a_o sad_a argument_n that_o our_o best_a sanctification_n will_v not_o endure_v but_o fall_v away_o unless_o we_o be_v knit_v unto_o christ_n by_o the_o spirit_n of_o his_o grace_n for_o by_o all_o true_a sanctification_n we_o be_v the_o more_o knit_v unto_o he_o so_o that_o if_o any_o man_n will_v know_v whether_o the_o superscription_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o image_n be_v stamp_v upon_o his_o sanctification_n this_o you_o shall_v ever_o find_v to_o be_v the_o stamp_n of_o the_o grace_n of_o christ_n that_o the_o more_o you_o receive_v from_o he_o the_o more_o you_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o he_o in_o so_o much_o that_o notwithstanding_o all_o the_o gift_n of_o the_o spirit_n there_o be_v not_o the_o able_a minister_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n but_o if_o his_o gift_n flow_v from_o the_o spirit_n of_o christ_n and_o knit_v you_o unto_o christ_n you_o will_v find_v as_o great_a need_n to_o cleave_v unto_o christ_n as_o ever_o you_o do_v the_o first_o day_n when_o you_o come_v tremble_v into_o the_o pulpit_n if_o therefore_o we_o feel_v ourselves_o full_a so_o that_o the_o more_o we_o have_v receive_v the_o more_o sufficient_a we_o be_v and_o go_v not_o about_o the_o duty_n we_o have_v in_o hand_n in_o fear_n &_o tremble_a but_o in_o selfe-confidence_n if_o this_o be_v our_o usual_a and_o constant_a practice_n it_o be_v but_o counterfeit_a christianity_n i_o do_v not_o say_v that_o the_o gift_n be_v counterfeit_a for_o they_o be_v from_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o man_n may_v by_o they_o be_v very_o serviceable_a to_o church_n and_o commonweal_n but_o this_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o strong_a and_o the_o more_o your_o gift_n be_v if_o you_o sit_v loose_a from_o christ_n the_o empty_a your_o heart_n be_v of_o he_o but_o you_o will_v say_v may_v not_o a_o christian_a be_v full_a of_o himself_o and_o depend_v upon_o the_o strength_n of_o his_o own_o gift_n yes_o god_n forbid_v i_o shall_v deny_v that_o for_o the_o best_a christian_n have_v go_v astray_o in_o the_o exercise_n of_o their_o best_a gift_n and_o hereupon_o abraham_n have_v be_v want_v in_o faith_n moses_n in_o meekness_n peter_n in_o courage_n and_o sarah_n in_o her_o modesty_n they_o have_v be_v so_o apt_a to_o trust_v upon_o those_o grace_n of_o god_n wherein_o they_o have_v most_o abound_v that_o they_o have_v principal_o fail_v therein_o but_o this_o you_o shall_v find_v that_o if_o they_o have_v be_v overtake_v once_o or_o twice_o as_o the_o burn_a child_n dread_v the_o fire_n so_o they_o grow_v to_o be_v more_o sensible_a of_o their_o need_n of_o christ_n more_o fearful_a of_o depart_v from_o he_o more_o careful_a to_o cleave_v unto_o he_o that_o they_o may_v grow_v up_o in_o his_o name_n unto_o all_o well_o please_v in_o his_o sight_n if_o therefore_o there_o be_v a_o sanctification_n that_o stand_v at_o a_o stay_n in_o any_o man_n it_o be_v a_o great_a suspicion_n whether_o the_o gift_n thereof_o flow_v from_o fellowship_n with_o christ_n or_o no_o if_o gift_n be_v true_o spiritual_a a_o man_n shall_v usual_o grow_v up_o in_o they_o habenti_fw-la dabitur_fw-la employ_v they_o and_o multiply_v they_o but_o if_o you_o employ_v the_o gift_n you_o have_v receive_v in_o your_o own_o strength_n and_o you_o be_v now_o full_a of_o your_o own_o sanctification_n true_o this_o be_v but_o frothy_a work_n and_o do_v not_o convey_v true_a nor_o lively_a nourishment_n and_o comfort_n but_o the_o comfort_n and_o life_n be_v to_o he_o that_o in_o his_o most_o spiritual_a gift_n &_o best_a performance_n be_v empty_a of_o himself_o and_o only_o full_a of_o jesus_n christ_n to_o live_v or_o die_v be_v his_o advantage_n this_o be_v the_o use_n which_o i_o will_v commend_v unto_o you_o touch_v your_o christian_a sanctification_n thus_o we_o see_v sundry_a thing_n have_v be_v clear_v from_o this_o doctrine_n concern_v the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n there_o remain_v another_o thing_n to_o be_v resolve_v and_o clear_v from_o the_o doctrine_n for_o if_o god_n in_o the_o covenant_n of_o his_o grace_n do_v give_v himself_o to_o be_v a_o god_n to_o abraham_n and_o to_o his_o seed_n it_o be_v then_o to_o be_v inquire_v how_o god_n the_o father_n give_v himself_o and_o how_o the_o son_n and_o how_o the_o holy_a ghost_n give_v himself_o for_o these_o be_v the_o fundamental_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n and_o necessary_a to_o be_v open_v for_o clear_n the_o doctrine_n of_o it_o quest_n how_o god_n the_o father_n do_v give_v himself_o to_o be_v a_o god_n in_o covenant_n to_o abraham_n and_o to_o his_o seed_n that_o be_v to_o the_o faithful_a seed_n of_o abraham_n answ_n all_o the_o person_n in_o trinity_n concur_v in_o work_n ad_fw-la extra_fw-la in_o work_n upon_o the_o creature_n they_o give_v themselves_o by_o a_o threefold_a work_n or_o act._n 1._o the_o first_o act_n of_o god_n be_v have_v choose_v we_o in_o his_o son_n he_o give_v forth_o his_o own_o son_n out_o of_o his_o bosom_n for_o the_o redemption_n of_o abraham_n &_o his_o seed_n