breed_v contempt_n condescension_n from_o superior_n oft_o make_v inferior_n forget_v their_o place_n the_o lord_n deal_v so_o gracious_o with_o his_o people_n hear_v their_o prayer_n ready_o stoop_v low_a to_o they_o in_o his_o love_n and_o pity_n that_o unless_o they_o watch_v and_o keep_v a_o guard_n on_o their_o spirit_n they_o may_v soon_o fall_v into_o the_o sin_n of_o be_v too_o saucy_a and_o peremptory_a with_o god_n the_o first_o prayer_n in_o the_o bible_n make_v by_o the_o great_a believer_n in_o the_o world_n abraham_n be_v upon_o a_o most_o condescend_v appearance_n of_o god_n to_o he_o the_o son_n of_o god_n in_o humane_a shape_n become_v abraham_n guest_n at_o meat_n gen._n 18._o some_o think_v that_o christ_n respect_v this_o appearance_n in_o john_n 8.56_o your_o father_n abraham_n rejoice_v to_o see_v my_o day_n and_o he_o see_v it_o and_o be_v glad_a he_o give_v he_o the_o last_o promise_n of_o a_o son_n with_o a_o determination_n of_o the_o precise_a time_n of_o its_o accomplishment_n ver_fw-la 10._o he_o deal_v with_o he_o as_o a_o friend_n and_o so_o abraham_n be_v call_v 2_o chron._n 20.7_o isa_n 41.8_o and_o jam._n 2.23_o but_o all_o believer_n be_v call_v friend_n by_o christ_n john_n 15.14,15_o and_o after_o a_o great_a commendation_n of_o abraham_n the_o lord_n tell_v he_o his_o purpose_n of_o wrath_n against_o sodom_n ver_fw-la 17._o to_o ver_fw-la 22._o the_o angel_n be_v send_v to_o execute_v the_o vengeance_n and_o abraham_n stand_v before_o the_o lord_n to_o plead_v for_o mercy_n with_o what_o boldness_n and_o reverence_n do_v he_o plead_v the_o more_o the_o lord_n stoop_v in_o condescend_v to_o his_o petition_n the_o more_o low_a do_v abraham_n lie_v before_o he_o he_o neither_o forget_v the_o lord_n majesty_n nor_o his_o own_o meanness_n and_o express_v again_o and_o again_o a_o holy_a fear_n of_o offend_v by_o his_o renew_a suit_n ver_fw-la 27_o 30_o 31_o 32._o i_o will_v have_v you_o consider_v this_o instance_n of_o prayer_n because_o it_o be_v the_o first_o record_v in_o the_o word_n and_o because_o it_o be_v excellent_o manage_v by_o the_o father_n of_o the_o faithful_a so_o gideon_n pray_v in_o judg._n 6.39_o and_o gideon_n say_v unto_o god_n let_v not_o thy_o anger_n be_v hot_a against_o i_o and_o will_v speak_v but_o this_o once_o i_o be_o afraid_a that_o many_o sincere_a christian_n be_v guilty_a of_o this_o peremptoriness_n the_o lord_n have_v be_v so_o condescend_v to_o they_o that_o they_o become_v too_o peremptory_a about_o some_o particular_n beware_v of_o it_o and_o see_v how_o the_o lord_n have_v deal_v with_o his_o people_n and_o the_o best_a of_o they_o psal_n 99.6,7,8_o see_v moses_n lot_n in_o this_o matter_n he_o have_v often_o seek_v of_o god_n and_o prevail_v psal_n 106.23_o therefore_o the_o lord_n say_v that_o he_o will_v destroy_v they_o have_v not_o moses_n his_o choose_a stand_v before_o he_o in_o the_o breach_n to_o turn_v away_o his_o wrath_n lest_o he_o shall_v destroy_v they_o a_o man_n to_o who_o god_n speak_v face_n to_o face_n a_o man_n to_o who_o god_n speak_v so_o amaze_a word_n let_v i_o alone_o that_o my_o wrath_n may_v wax_v hot_a against_o they_o exod._n 32.10_o and_o numb_a 14.20_o i_o have_v pardon_v according_a to_o thy_o word_n yet_o even_o this_o moses_n in_o a_o small_a matter_n for_o life_n to_o cross_v jordan_n and_o to_o see_v the_o promise_a land_n have_v this_o answer_n deut._n 3.26_o let_v it_o suffice_v thou_o speak_v no_o more_o unto_o i_o of_o this_o matter_n samuel_n be_v check_v also_o in_o a_o small_a matter_n that_o have_v prevail_v for_o far_o great_a 1_o sam._n 16.1_o how_o long_o will_v thou_o mourn_v for_o saul_n see_v i_o have_v reject_v he_o a_o case_n may_v be_v such_o that_o though_o moses_n and_o samuel_n stand_v before_o the_o lord_n they_o shall_v not_o prevail_v jer._n 15.1_o it_o be_v the_o only_a privilege_n of_o jesus_n christ_n to_o be_v always_o hear_v john_n 11.42_o yet_o he_o in_o his_o agony_n pray_v so_o as_o to_o teach_v we_o to_o beware_v of_o this_o sinful_a boldness_n matth._n 26.39_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a let_v this_o cup_n pass_v from_o i_o nevertheless_o not_o as_o i_o will_v but_o as_o thou_o will_v believer_n must_v remember_v that_o in_o all_o case_n they_o must_v deal_v humble_o and_o in_o some_o case_n they_o must_v take_v denial_n patient_o 3._o there_o be_v the_o boldness_n of_o presumption_n presumption_n be_v like_a faith_n in_o appearance_n but_o in_o reality_n it_o be_v very_o unlike_o it_o presumption_n work_v this_o way_n the_o presumer_n may_v have_v the_o mercy_n in_o his_o eye_n but_o he_o have_v no_o promise_n in_o his_o eye_n take_v heed_n to_o this_o if_o there_o be_v strong_a desire_n after_o a_o mercy_n and_o that_o mercy_n not_o plead_v for_o as_o in_o the_o promise_n there_o be_v a_o spice_n of_o presumption_n in_o that_o plead_n the_o reason_n why_o believer_n ask_v so_o great_a thing_n of_o god_n be_v because_o god_n have_v promise_v so_o great_a thing_n to_o they_o 2_o sam._n 7.27_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o presumption_n act_v ordinary_o in_o plead_v with_o god_n not_o for_o the_o main_a spiritual_a blessing_n but_o for_o some_o outward_a mercy_n that_o their_o heart_n may_v be_v too_o much_o set_v upon_o it_o be_v about_o such_o that_o believer_n shall_v watch_v against_o this_o presumptuous_a boldness_n but_o if_o the_o plead_n at_o the_o throne_n of_o grace_n be_v about_o salvation_n and_o spiritual_a blessing_n the_o difference_n betwixt_o faith_n and_o presumption_n appear_v in_o this_o presumption_n can_v never_o plead_v with_o god_n neither_o in_o deep_a distress_n nor_o in_o the_o view_n of_o sin_n but_o it_o be_v the_o excellent_a property_n of_o faith_n that_o it_o can_v plead_v with_o god_n in_o both_o case_n psal_n 65.3_o iniquity_n prevail_v against_o i_o but_o as_o for_o our_o transgression_n thou_o shall_v purge_v they_o away_o speak_v like_o a_o believer_n and_o psal_n 130.3,4_o if_o thou_o lord_n shall_v mark_v iniquity_n o_o lord_n who_o shall_v stand_v but_o can_v david_n stand_v yes_o and_o he_o stand_v on_o this_o ground_n but_o there_o be_v forgiveness_n with_o thou_o that_o thou_o may_v be_v fear_v there_o be_v just_a cause_n to_o suspect_v that_o there_o be_v presumption_n in_o that_o man_n heart_n when_o his_o boldness_n be_v only_o keep_v up_o when_o sin_n be_v out_o of_o sight_n and_o disappear_v a_o believer_n believe_v most_o humble_o and_o often_o most_o strong_o when_o his_o sinfulness_n and_o unworthiness_n be_v best_a see_v for_o true_a boldness_n of_o faith_n be_v not_o support_v by_o any_o good_a and_o worth_a in_o we_o but_o by_o what_o be_v in_o christ_n the_o boldness_n of_o faith_n can_v be_v entertain_v with_o regard_v of_o iniquity_n in_o the_o heart_n psal_n 66.18_o 1_o john_n 3.20_o yet_o it_o can_v with_o the_o be_v and_o see_v of_o iniquity_n in_o both_o heart_n and_o life_n rom._n 7.24,25_o 1_o tim._n 1.15_o but_o of_o this_o further_a from_o the_o next_o head_n of_o the_o boldness_n of_o faith_n i_o now_o touch_v it_o only_o as_o it_o differ_v from_o the_o presumptuous_a boldness_n that_o be_v allow_v to_o none_o again_o faith_n can_v stand_v under_o that_o distress_n that_o break_v the_o back_n of_o presumption_n job_n 13.15,16_o though_o he_o slay_v i_o yet_o will_v i_o trust_v in_o he_o but_o i_o will_v maintain_v my_o own_o way_n before_o he_o he_o also_o shall_v be_v my_o salvation_n for_o a_o hypocrite_n shall_v not_o come_v before_o he_o he_o have_v take_v away_o my_o child_n all_o at_o once_o my_o estate_n in_o one_o day_n have_v take_v away_o my_o health_n and_o make_v i_o miserable_a to_o a_o proverb_n in_o all_o age_n although_o he_o shall_v proceed_v and_o slay_v i_o with_o his_o own_o hand_n my_o slayer_n be_v my_o saviour_n my_o death_n shall_v be_v my_o salvation_n great_a word_n and_o hard_a to_o be_v speak_v in_o the_o day_n of_o heavy_a trial_n god_n slay_v job_n be_v job_n salvation_n god_n slay_v job_n trust_v and_o maintain_v his_o confidence_n under_o the_o stroke_n no_o hypocrite_n can_v do_v this_o and_o many_o believer_n do_v but_o bungle_v at_o the_o do_v of_o it_o there_o be_v a_o extremity_n a_o come_n on_o every_o man_n that_o will_v try_v and_o discover_v what_o mettle_n there_o be_v in_o his_o faith_n prepare_v for_o it_o what_o then_o be_v the_o boldness_n allow_v in_o come_v to_o the_o throne_n of_o grace_n it_o must_v not_o be_v a_o ignorant_a peremptory_a or_o presumptuous_a boldness_n what_o must_v it_o then_o be_v answ_n it_o be_v only_o the_o boldness_n of_o faith_n eph._n 3.12_o heb._n 10.19_o the_o boldness_n of_o faith_n have_v this_o in_o general_a in_o it_o that_o it_o be_v ground_v and_o bottom_v on_o somewhat_o without_o a_o man_n and_o on_o nothing_o
need_n and_o none_o can_v stand_v with_o peace_n before_o that_o throne_n but_o they_o that_o have_v be_v acquaint_v with_o this_o throne_n of_o grace_n in_o my_o text._n christ_n on_o the_o throne_n of_o grace_n and_o christ_n on_o the_o judgment-seat_n be_v the_o same_o christ_n christ_n in_o the_o gospel_n and_o christ_n on_o the_o cloud_n be_v the_o same_o christ_n yet_o we_o must_v distinguish_v christ_n on_o the_o throne_n of_o grace_n be_v no_o judge_n and_o christ_n on_o the_o judgment-seat_n have_v no_o grace_n to_o dispense_v now_o be_v his_o time_n of_o dispense_n grace_n then_o will_v be_v the_o day_n of_o his_o punish_v the_o despiser_n of_o grace_n and_o of_o give_v the_o crown_n of_o glory_n to_o the_o receiver_n of_o his_o grace_n in_o the_o last_o place_n i_o will_v give_v a_o few_o direction_n unto_o real_a christian_n in_o order_n to_o your_o provide_v of_o grace_n to_o help_v in_o time_n of_o need_n 1._o lay_v the_o foundation_n sure_a a_o time_n of_o need_n will_v try_v it_o 1_o cor._n 3.11_o other_o foundation_n can_v no_o man_n lay_v than_o that_o be_v lay_v which_o be_v jesus_n christ_n the_o father_n have_v lay_v christ_n for_o a_o foundation_n isa_n 28.16_o therefore_o thus_o say_v the_o lord_n god_n behold_v i_o lie_v in_o zion_n for_o a_o foundation_n a_o stone_n a_o try_a stone_n a_o precious_a cornerstone_n a_o sure_a foundation_n he_o that_o believe_v shall_v not_o make_v haste_n apply_v to_o christ_n 1_o pet._n 2.6_o the_o faithful_a minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n lay_v christ_n for_o a_o foundation_n 1_o cor._n 3.10_o according_a to_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n which_o be_v give_v unto_o i_o as_o a_o wise_a master-builder_n i_o have_v lay_v the_o foundation_n but_o how_o can_v a_o poor_a sinner_n lie_v christ_n for_o a_o foundation_n to_o himself_o turn_v but_o the_o word_n and_o the_o question_n be_v answer_v thy_o lay_v of_o christ_n for_o a_o foundation_n be_v thy_o lay_v thyself_o upon_o christ_n as_o a_o foundation_n and_o it_o be_v neither_o more_o nor_o less_o nor_o any_o thing_n else_o cast_v yourselves_o and_o all_o your_o concern_v about_o salvation_n on_o christ_n alone_o let_v he_o bear_v all_o he_o only_o can_v and_o call_v for_o this_o from_o you_o one_o of_o the_o first_o question_n that_o rise_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o a_o christian_a in_o a_o time_n of_o need_n be_v this_o be_v the_o foundation_n right_o lay_v be_o i_o found_v on_o christ_n the_o storm_n will_v try_v the_o foundation_n it_o be_v great_a wisdom_n to_o secure_v that_o before_o the_o storm_n come_v 2._o clear_v up_o your_o evidence_n against_o a_o time_n of_o need_n the_o evidence_n of_o a_o christian_a be_v not_o his_o charter_n for_o heaven_n the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n contain_v they_o but_o they_o be_v as_o light_v by_o which_o a_o christian_a read_v his_o charter_n evidence_n be_v of_o great_a use_n in_o a_o time_n of_o need_n they_o stand_v in_o god_n work_n in_o we_o our_o faith_n stand_v on_o god_n word_n of_o promise_n to_o we_o and_o on_o christ_n work_n for_o we_o the_o evidence_n of_o believer_n stand_v in_o god_n gracious_a work_n in_o and_o on_o and_o by_o they_o these_o four_o word_n i_o will_v give_v about_o your_o evidence_n 1._o when_o you_o can_v perceive_v they_o search_v for_o they_o 2_o cor._n 13.5_o examine_v yourselves_o whether_o you_o be_v in_o the_o faith_n prove_v your_o own_o self_n know_v you_o not_o your_o own_o self_n how_o that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v in_o you_o except_o you_o be_v reprobate_n or_o disapproved_a the_o exhortation_n be_v so_o deliver_v as_o to_o persuade_v we_o that_o very_o narrow_a and_o exact_a search_n be_v call_v for_o in_o this_o work_n may_v not_o that_o christian_n heart_n condemn_v he_o who_o be_v daily_o complain_v of_o his_o ignorance_n of_o his_o state_n when_o he_o know_v that_o serious_a self-examination_n be_v neglect_v by_o he_o 2._o if_o upon_o search_v you_o can_v yet_o find_v beg_v the_o help_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n to_o discover_v his_o own_o work_n in_o you_o 1_o cor._n 2.12_o now_o we_o have_v receive_v not_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o world_n but_o the_o spirit_n which_o be_v of_o god_n that_o we_o may_v know_v the_o thing_n that_o be_v free_o give_v to_o we_o of_o god_n the_o illumination_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v not_o only_o simple_o needful_a to_o give_v we_o a_o save_a knowledge_n of_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o be_v so_o also_o to_o give_v we_o a_o right_a knowledge_n of_o the_o my_o story_n of_o his_o grace_n in_o we_o eph._n 1.17,18,19_o where_o the_o apostle_n pray_v for_o the_o spirit_n for_o both_o these_o end_n david_n pray_v for_o the_o lord_n help_n in_o his_o examine_n of_o himself_o psal_n 139,23,24_o a_o heart_n lay_v open_a to_o god_n search_n a_o heart_n willing_a to_o have_v all_o in_o it_o view_v and_o discover_v by_o the_o lord_n be_v a_o upright_a sincere_a heart_n whoever_o be_v willing_a to_o know_v his_o worst_a be_v not_o stark_o naught_o yet_o he_o that_o see_v but_o the_o least_o half_a of_o his_o badness_n will_v judge_v himself_o to_o be_v very_o bad_a 3._o if_o you_o can_v yet_o find_v your_o evidence_n make_v they_o present_o many_o christian_n need_v this_o advice_n they_o former_o have_v evidence_n of_o their_o interest_n in_o christ_n they_o have_v a_o clear_a fight_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o fruit_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o love_n and_o repentance_n this_o refresh_a sight_n be_v go_v and_o they_o mourn_v as_o without_o the_o sun_n as_o job_n speak_v chap_n 30.28_o let_v such_o take_v this_o course_n act_n afresh_o that_o grace_n when_o you_o be_v doubtful_a whether_o you_o ever_o act_v it_o before_o see_v you_o at_o present_v no_o clear_a evidence_n of_o your_o former_a believe_v act_n faith_n present_o there_o be_v few_o thing_n more_o evident_a than_o strong_a believe_v be_v in_o the_o very_a act_n of_o it_o and_o if_o the_o act_n of_o faith_n on_o jesus_n christ_n as_o speak_v in_o righteousness_n and_o mighty_a to_o save_v isa_n 63.1_o be_v evident_a to_o thou_o thou_o have_v the_o best_a evidence_n for_o eternal_a life_n that_o be_v in_o all_o the_o bible_n most_o of_o the_o promise_v run_v this_o way_n whoever_o believe_v on_o the_o son_n of_o god_n have_v everlasting_a life_n john_n 3.15,16,17_o it_o be_v the_o gracious_a and_o wise_a constitution_n of_o the_o lord_n that_o no_o grace_n can_v be_v ordinary_o evident_a to_o a_o man_n in_o who_o it_o be_v so_o as_o in_o and_o by_o the_o exercise_n and_o act_n of_o it_o 4._o when_o you_o find_v evidence_n of_o god_n work_n in_o you_o bless_v the_o worker_n and_o discoverer_n of_o they_o and_o believe_v more_o and_o more_o say_v with_o david_n psal_n 71.14_o i_o will_v hope_v continual_o and_o will_v yet_o praise_v thou_o more_o and_o more_o it_o be_v just_a with_o god_n and_o merciful_a too_o that_o darkness_n shall_v come_v upon_o that_o man_n evidence_n who_o sit_v down_o upon_o they_o and_o bless_v himself_o in_o they_o more_o than_o he_o do_v god_n for_o they_o and_o please_v himself_o in_o a_o life_n of_o sense_n with_o neglect_v the_o life_n of_o faith_n 3._o make_v good_a use_n of_o your_o former_a experience_n of_o the_o mercy_n and_o grace_n of_o god_n help_v you_o in_o former_a time_n of_o need_n the_o lord_n kindness_n be_v not_o show_v to_o we_o for_o the_o present_a time_n only_o but_o for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v it_o be_v not_o give_v to_o we_o to_o play_v or_o please_v ourselves_o with_o at_o present_a but_o for_o good_a and_o needful_a use_n for_o strengthen_v of_o our_o faith_n exciting_a of_o praise_n and_o direct_v and_o encourage_v we_o to_o come_v to_o the_o same_o door_n we_o be_v former_o relieve_v at_o it_o be_v a_o part_n of_o the_o work_n of_o faith_n to_o look_v back_o on_o formerly-bestowed_n mercy_n and_o grace_n as_o well_o as_o to_o look_v forward_o to_o the_o great_a and_o better_a thing_n to_o come_v it_o be_v a_o great_a sin_n but_o very_o common_a that_o a_o believer_n who_o have_v many_o year_n experience_v of_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n if_o there_o be_v a_o stop_v put_v to_o the_o stream_n of_o mercy_n he_o be_v often_o as_o much_o shake_v in_o his_o faith_n as_o if_o he_o have_v never_o taste_v that_o the_o lord_n be_v gracious_a 4._o in_o prepare_v for_o a_o time_n of_o need_n be_v careful_a to_o keep_v your_o conscience_n clean_a there_o be_v no_o worse_a company_n in_o a_o evil_a day_n than_o a_o evil_a conscience_n it_o be_v worse_a company_n than_o the_o devil_n be_v his_o company_n be_v that_o of_o a_o tempter_n and_o accuser_n but_o a_o evil_a conscience_n be_v a_o judge_n condemn_v and_o a_o executioner_n torment_v a_o man._n therefore_o herein_o exercise_v yourselves_o