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christ_n that_o strengthen_v i_o so_o then_o i_o say_v we_o must_v not_o delay_v our_o believe_a that_o be_v apply_v of_o the_o promise_n to_o ourselves_o till_o we_o find_v these_o thing_n redress_v but_o on_o the_o contrary_a we_o must_v believe_v that_o we_o may_v have_v these_o thing_n help_v thou_o will_v not_o believe_v and_o apply_v the_o promise_n until_o thou_o find_v these_o thing_n but_o thou_o shall_v never_o find_v these_o thing_n until_o thou_o first_o believe_v and_o apply_v we_o will_v rather_o have_v some_o worthiness_n in_o ourselves_o then_o come_v by_o faith_n to_o christ_n but_o we_o can_v have_v none_o further_o observe_v that_o these_o thing_n do_v not_o only_o flow_v from_o faith_n but_o from_o faith_n somewhat_o strengthen_v a_o tree_n can_v bring_v forth_o fruit_n at_o the_o first_o until_o the_o time_n it_o be_v well_o fasten_v and_o take_v some_o root_n now_o these_o thing_n you_o speak_v of_o be_v the_o fruit_n of_o faith_n how_o think_v you_o shall_v 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heb._n 11.8_o and_o these_o shall_v be_v the_o prop_n of_o our_o faith_n but_o we_o will_v have_v a_o way_n of_o believe_v of_o our_o own_o and_o such_o be_v our_o mischievous_a infidelity_n that_o we_o can_v rest_v upon_o god_n alone_o his_o promise_n his_o power_n and_o his_o truth_n unless_o we_o find_v something_o in_o ourselves_o it_o be_v both_o remarkable_a and_o comfortable_a heb._n 6._o that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n there_o allow_v we_o not_o only_a confidence_n simple_o and_o consolation_n but_o even_o a_o strong_a consolation_n and_o that_o from_o no_o ground_n in_o ourselves_o but_o only_o from_o god_n his_o great_a truth_n in_o his_o oath_n and_o promise_n further_o let_v this_o be_v add_v to_o the_o advice_n to_o wit_n that_o those_o who_o find_v their_o faith_n weak_a
this_o be_v well_o see_v by_o their_o conversation_n they_o use_v not_o the_o mean_n in_o private_a as_o read_v meditation_n conference_n etc._n etc._n unless_o it_o be_v a_o formal_a post_v prattle_a piece_n of_o prayer_n which_o a_o superstitious_a pagan_n possible_o dare_v not_o omit_v not_o unlike_o the_o papist_n tell_v over_o their_o bead_n and_o for_o public_a duty_n as_o little_a of_o they_o as_o possible_o they_o can_v with_o their_o honesty_n and_o be_v it_o not_o for_o regard_v to_o man_n will_v be_v as_o little_a about_o they_o as_o they_o be_v about_o the_o private_a they_o be_v scorner_n of_o those_o who_o take_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n by_o violence_n no_o violence_n use_v they_o themselves_o whereas_o the_o quicken_v be_v not_o so_o they_o not_o only_o wish_v but_o work_n seek_v not_o only_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n but_o also_o the_o righteousness_n thereof_o they_o use_v mean_n in_o public_a and_o private_a take_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n by_o violence_n 3._o their_o desire_n and_o care_n be_v not_o settle_v but_o unconstant_a desire_n if_o they_o work_v they_o work_v not_o out_o their_o goodness_n be_v like_o the_o morning_n dew_n what_o they_o do_v be_v by_o fit_n and_o start_v as_o in_o the_o time_n of_o a_o cross_n or_o affliction_n as_o the_o israelite_n be_v wont_a to_o do_v or_o by_o other_o example_n and_o instigation_n or_o education_n as_o joash_n king_n of_o israel_n do_v or_o some_o such_o outward_a motive_n the_o godly_a be_v right_o waken_v be_v not_o so_o for_o their_o care_n desire_n and_o endeavour_n be_v from_o a_o inward_a motive_n and_o principle_n some_o incorruptible_a seed_n be_v constant_a and_o settle_a i_o will_v put_v my_o fear_n in_o their_o heart_n never_o to_o depart_v from_o i_o herein_o be_o i_o exercise_v always_o i_o have_v set_v the_o lord_n always_o before_o my_o face_n not_o by_o fit_n and_o start_v their_o way_n be_v establish_v before_o the_o lord_n they_o work_v and_o work_v out_o their_o salvation_n even_o when_o the_o affliction_n be_v over_o they_o return_v not_o to_o sin_v with_o pharaoh_n but_o afterward_o bring_v forth_o the_o quiet_a fruit_n of_o righteousness_n not_o by_o other_o instruction_n but_o with_o joshua_n if_o all_o shall_v forsake_v the_o lord_n yet_o i_o and_o my_o hâ—use_n will_v serve_v the_o lord_n 4._o which_o be_v the_o cause_n that_o their_o care_n and_o desire_n be_v sluggish_a and_o not_o settle_v they_o be_v not_o serious_a enough_o but_o you_o may_v say_v how_o shall_v i_o know_v this_o 1._o because_o if_o they_o be_v serious_a they_o will_v not_o be_v put_v off_o without_o satisfaction_n in_o the_o point_n for_o such_o be_v the_o desire_n of_o the_o godly_a whereas_o the_o desire_n and_o care_n of_o the_o ungodly_a be_v not_o so_o but_o be_v choke_v with_o the_o thorny_a care_n or_o pleasure_n of_o this_o present_a life_n even_o like_o a_o child_n if_o it_o be_v but_o some_o little_a small_a desire_n that_o trouble_v it_o it_o be_v easy_o put_v off_o and_o still_v but_o if_o it_o be_v a_o serious_a desire_n a_o pinch_a necessity_n it_o will_v not_o be_v so_o soon_o quiet_v hence_o say_v the_o apostle_n as_o newborn_a babe_n desire_v the_o sincere_a milk_n of_o the_o word_n the_o desire_n of_o the_o godly_a be_v like_o the_o desire_n of_o a_o child_n new_o bear_v or_o in_o necessity_n not_o to_o be_v still_v without_o satisfaction_n in_o the_o point_n whereas_o the_o desire_n of_o the_o ungodly_a be_v like_o the_o desire_n of_o a_o child_n who_o not_o be_v under_o such_o pinch_a necessity_n be_v quiet_v with_o some_o one_o toy_n or_o other_o choke_v with_o some_o worldly_a pleasure_n 2._o if_o they_o be_v serious_a care_n or_o desire_n they_o will_v make_v one_o to_o do_v any_o thing_n for_o attain_v of_o salvation_n to_o abstain_v from_o all_o sort_n of_o sin_n to_o decline_v no_o sort_n of_o know_a duty_n man_n and_o brethren_n what_o shall_v we_o do_v to_o be_v save_v what_o shall_v i_o do_v say_v the_o jailer_n lord_n what_o will_v thou_o have_v i_o to_o do_v say_v paul_n what_o shall_v they_o do_v what_o will_v they_o not_o do_v to_o be_v save_v no_o sin_n will_v they_o entertain_v nor_o allow_v some_o sin_n may_v well_o give_v they_o their_o handful_n may_v lead_v they_o captive_a to_o the_o law_n of_o sin_n may_v hang_v on_o they_o iniquity_n may_v prevail_v against_o they_o psal_n 65._o but_o they_o allow_v no_o sin_n the_o evil_n they_o will_v not_o that_o they_o do_v they_o regard_v no_o iniquity_n so_o also_o they_o decline_v no_o know_a duty_n not_o certain_o know_v duty_n this_o be_v a_o sure_a mark_n then_o shall_v i_o not_o he_o ashamed_a when_o i_o have_v respect_n to_o all_o thy_o commandment_n whereas_o the_o ungodly_a may_v with_o herod_n leave_v many_o sin_n but_o some_o there_o be_v they_o will_v not_o leave_v they_o may_v well_o pretend_v they_o will_v decline_v no_o duty_n with_o the_o young_a man_n and_o say_v what_o shall_v i_o do_v to_o inherit_v eternal_a life_n yet_o with_o he_o when_o it_o come_v to_o the_o point_n they_o stick_v on_o something_o and_o in_o some_o duty_n 3._o if_o the_o desire_n and_o care_n of_o their_o salvation_n be_v serious_a it_o will_v be_v that_o which_o take_v up_o the_o chief_a room_n in_o the_o thought_n heart_n affection_n of_o a_o man_n or_o a_o woman_n that_o wherewith_o one_o be_v chief_o take_v up_o with_o all_o the_o day_n long_o to_o wit_n with_o care_n to_o please_v and_o fear_n for_o displease_v and_o that_o partly_o and_o indeed_o main_o shall_v be_v in_o relation_n to_o god_n partly_o in_o a_o relation_n to_o themselves_o to_o make_v their_o call_n and_o election_n sure_a by_o well_o do_v this_o be_v the_o chief_a of_o their_o care_n all_o the_o day_n long_o this_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o their_o contentment_n or_o discontentment_n at_o night_n herein_o be_o i_o exercise_v always_o to_o keep_v faith_n and_o a_o good_a conscience_n i_o set_v the_o lord_n always_o before_o i_o so_o as_o they_o seek_v first_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n 2._o and_o the_o righteousness_n thereof_o with_o the_o ungodly_a and_o natural_a man_n it_o be_v not_o so_o their_o care_n be_v otherways_o take_v up_o all_o the_o day_n the_o lord_n be_v not_o before_o they_o their_o contentment_n and_o discontentment_n arise_v from_o other_o ground_n at_o night_n either_o they_o seek_v not_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n at_o all_o or_o not_o it_o with_o the_o righteousness_n there_o of_o or_o not_o it_o first_o with_o the_o righteousness_n thereof_o there_o go_v ever_o something_o near_o their_o heart_n &_o it_o fare_v with_o they_o as_o with_o the_o young_a man_n in_o the_o gospel_n though_o he_o seem_v to_o have_v great_a care_n for_o and_o desire_v after_o it_o even_o after_o salvation_n the_o application_n follow_v and_o first_o for_o comfort_n see_v first_o whereupon_o thy_o care_n and_o desire_n and_o endeavour_n do_v run_v and_o with_o what_o they_o be_v take_v up_o whether_o or_o no_o upon_o the_o salvation_n of_o thy_o own_o soul_n and_o the_o serve_v of_o god_n the_o two_o main_a end_n for_o which_o we_o be_v come_v into_o the_o world_n or_o upon_o other_o inferior_a transitory_a trifle_n whether_o upon_o the_o many_o thing_n or_o the_o one_o thing_n that_o be_v necessary_a whether_o thou_o seek_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n or_o other_o thing_n whether_o or_o no_o thou_o have_v embrace_v this_o present_a world_n or_o in_o effect_n use_v it_o as_o though_o thou_o use_v it_o not_o as_o know_v that_o the_o fashion_n thereof_o perish_v use_v thou_o this_o world_n as_o if_o thou_o use_v it_o not_o car'_v not_o great_o for_o it_o it_o be_v well_o it_o be_v like_a thou_o do_v believe_v that_o there_o be_v another_o even_o a_o more_o durable_a substance_n have_v thou_o choose_v the_o better_a part_n and_o be_v still_o seek_v fear_v not_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v take_v from_o thou_o 2._o be_v thy_o care_n and_o desire_n after_o this_o kingdom_n not_o sluggish_a but_o diligent_a desire_n so_o that_o thou_o not_o only_o wish_v but_o work_v thy_o salvation_n thou_o not_o only_o seek_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n but_o also_o the_o righteousness_n thereof_o and_o do_v take_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n by_o violence_n give_v all_o diligence_n to_o make_v thy_o call_n and_o election_n sure_a use_v the_o mean_n in_o secret_a and_o in_o public_a etc._n etc._n then_o be_v of_o good_a comfort_n thou_o keep_v the_o precept_n and_o so_o shall_v not_o miss_v the_o promise_n which_o be_v the_o vio_n '_o ent_v take_v it_o by_o force_n thou_o use_v the_o recommend_v mean_a and_o so_o shall_v not_o miss_v the_o end_n if_o you_o do_v so_o entrance_n shall_v be_v minister_v to_o you_o abundant_o into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o our_o lord_n
and_o hide_v his_o sin_n his_o great_a sin_n yet_o the_o lord_n give_v he_o pardon_n intimate_v mercy_n to_o he_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n shall_v tread_v down_o the_o head_n of_o the_o serpent_n last_o whatsoever_o thou_o do_v want_v in_o this_o point_n the_o lord_n have_v promise_v it_o even_o to_o take_v away_o the_o stony_a heart_n and_o to_o give_v the_o spirit_n of_o mourning_n zach._n 12.10_o obj._n o_o but_o i_o continual_o slide_v back_o to_o the_o same_o sin_n daily_o a._n it_o may_v be_v so_o through_o the_o power_n of_o sin_n lead_v thou_o captive_a and_o sin_n that_o hang_v fast_o on_o yet_o this_o be_v not_o thou_o but_o sin_n that_o dwell_v in_o thou_o 2._o he_o have_v say_v that_o he_o will_v heal_v our_o backslide_n psal_n 65._o iniquity_n prevail_v against_o we_o but_o thou_o will_v be_v merciful_a to_o our_o transgression_n do_v thou_o sin_v daily_o he_o give_v thou_o liberty_n yea_o he_o command_v thou_o daily_o to_o crave_v the_o remission_n of_o thy_o sin_n yea_o as_o oft_o as_o thou_o crave_v daily_a bread_n but_o you_o will_v say_v how_o can_v this_o be_v what_o man_n will_v deal_v thus_o o_o but_o my_o way_n be_v not_o like_o your_o way_n noâ—_n my_o thought_n like_o your_o thought_n isa_n 55._o but_o to_o apply_v the_o point_n and_o to_o draw_v to_o a_o end_n a_o due_a dwell_n upon_o the_o meditation_n of_o god_n mercy_n thus_o lay_v down_o in_o scripture_n be_v a_o notable_a prop_n and_o mean_v of_o faith_n for_o a_o christian_a soul_n may_v reason_v thus_o do_v the_o lord_n set_v down_o his_o rich_a mercy_n so_o rich_o and_o ample_o in_o his_o word_n and_o will_v he_o not_o be_v as_o good_a as_o his_o word_n will_v he_o fail_v when_o it_o come_v to_o the_o point_n and_o proof_n as_o man_n sometime_o use_v to_o do_v who_o will_v speak_v fair_a and_o fail_v when_o it_o come_v to_o the_o deed_n and_o performance_n will_v he_o not_o be_v as_o good_a as_o his_o word_n he_o give_v himself_o out_o for_o yes_o certain_o have_v he_o not_o set_v out_o his_o mercy_n in_o this_o kind_n that_o our_o mistrust_v doubt_v and_o withdraw_a heart_n may_v be_v make_v to_o rest_v upon_o the_o same_o according_a to_o that_o in_o psal_n 26._o o_o how_o excellent_a be_v thy_o mercy_n o_o lord_n therefore_o under_o the_o shadow_n of_o thy_o wing_n shall_v the_o child_n of_o man_n put_v their_o trust_n a_o second_o notable_a mean_a of_o faith_n be_v to_o consider_v due_o the_o mercifulnes_n and_o faithfulness_n of_o our_o high_a priest_n our_o mediator_n especial_o his_o readiness_n to_o receive_v sinner_n as_o we_o have_v a_o merciful_a and_o gracious_a party_n so_o also_o a_o merciful_a advocate_n hebr._n 2._o a_o merciful_a high_a priest_n and_o faithful_a in_o thing_n pertain_v to_o god_n to_o make_v reconcilement_n for_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o people_n this_o the_o scripture_n make_v also_o a_o notable_a prop_n and_o mean_v of_o faith_n and_o confidence_n as_o be_v clear_a from_o hebr._n 4._o see_v we_o have_v such_o a_o high_a priest_n let_v we_o come_v bold_o to_o the_o throne_n of_o grace_n to_o obtain_v mercy_n now_o for_o his_o readiness_n to_o receive_v poor_a sinner_n certain_o it_o be_v exceed_o great_a it_o be_v well_o observe_v by_o one_o that_o he_o never_o refuse_v any_o who_o come_v to_o he_o here_o on_o earth_n for_o the_o cure_n of_o their_o body_n although_o this_o be_v not_o his_o main_a errand_n yea_o he_o prevent_v some_o as_o the_o man_n at_o the_o pool_n he_o encourage_v other_o to_o come_v forward_o when_o other_o will_v have_v discourage_v they_o as_o the_o blind_a man_n much_o less_o will_v he_o refuse_v any_o who_o come_v to_o he_o for_o the_o salvation_n and_o cure_n of_o their_o soul_n this_o be_v his_o main_a errand_n and_o principal_a office_n even_o to_o save_v his_o people_n from_o their_o sin_n 2_o behold_v how_o sweet_o he_o invite_v come_v unto_o i_o all_o you_o that_o be_v weary_a and_o lade_v i_o counsel_v you_o to_o come_v unto_o i_o he_o that_o come_v to_o i_o i_o will_v in_o no_o wise_a cast_v out_o ho_o every_o one_o that_o thirst_v how_o often_o will_v i_o have_v gather_v you_o behold_v i_o stand_v at_o the_o door_n and_o knock_n rev_n 3_o he_o beseech_v we_o to_o be_v reconcile_v by_o his_o ambassador_n 2_o cor._n 5._o now_o may_v not_o a_o sensible_a soul_n reason_n he_o that_o invite_v we_o so_o kind_o to_o come_v will_v he_o not_o welcome_v we_o as_o kind_o when_o we_o come_v he_o that_o beseech_v we_o to_o be_v reconcile_v unto_o he_o will_v he_o not_o when_o we_o entreat_v he_o be_v reconcile_v to_o we_o stand_v he_o at_o the_o door_n and_o knock_n and_o will_v he_o not_o open_v unto_o such_o as_o not_o only_o be_v willing_a to_o let_v he_o in_o but_o stand_v at_o his_o door_n and_o knock_v he_o that_o so_o often_o will_v have_v gather_v these_o who_o come_v not_o will_v he_o refuse_v to_o any_o chase_a soul_n a_o shelter_n under_o his_o wing_n fly_v for_o refuge_n and_o to_o the_o horn_n of_o salvation_n q._n o_o but_o i_o be_o not_o worthy_a to_o come_v there_o be_v gnoâ—race_n in_o i_o a._n there_o be_v worth_a enough_o in_o he_o for_o you_o and_o he_o both_o 2._o he_o invite_v thou_o to_o come_v and_o that_o free_o and_o he_o will_v accept_v of_o thy_o small_a measure_n he_o quench_v not_o the_o smoke_a flax_n obj._n if_o i_o can_v come_v unto_o he_o but_o i_o can_v do_v that_o a._n o_o he_o will_v help_v thou_o i_o will_v draw_v all_o man_n unto_o i_o joh._n 11._o he_o be_v the_o author_n and_o finisher_n of_o our_o faith_n a_o three_o notable_a mean_n of_o faith_n be_v to_o meditate_v upon_o and_o confider_v of_o the_o manifold_a motive_n persuasion_n and_o inducement_n the_o lord_n god_n use_v to_o draw_v we_o to_o believe_v o_o it_o be_v not_o a_o easy_a matter_n to_o believe_v for_o the_o first_o command_n be_v to_o believe_v 1_o joh._n 5._o this_o be_v his_o commandment_n and_o he_o threaten_v we_o if_o we_o believe_v not_o and_o that_o most_o fearful_o joh._n 1._o and_o 3._o chapter_n to_o drive_v and_o scar_v we_o from_o infidelity_n whosoever_o believe_v not_o he_o be_v condemn_v already_o he_o have_v make_v god_n a_o liar_n 3._o he_o do_v request_v we_o to_o believe_v we_o as_o the_o ambassador_n of_o god_n beseech_v you_o to_o be_v reconcile_v bid_v we_o trust_v and_o trust_v perfect_o to_o the_o grace_n that_o shall_v be_v reveal_v unto_o we_o 1_o pet._n 1.4_o he_o sometime_o cheer_v we_o to_o believe_v and_o encourage_v we_o come_v and_o câ—mâ—_n bold_o to_o the_o throne_n of_o grace_n to_o obtain_v mercy_n hebr._n 4.5_o sometime_o the_o scripture_n chid_n we_o to_o believe_v so_o that_o as_o he_o say_v of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n so_o may_v i_o say_v of_o this_o point_n o_o judah_n what_o shall_v i_o do_v unto_o thou_o o_o ephraim_n how_o shall_v i_o entreat_v thou_o now_o may_v not_o a_o christian_a soul_n gather_v great_a ground_n to_o believe_v from_o these_o inducement_n reason_v thus_o with_o himself_o do_v the_o lord_n command_v i_o to_o believe_v and_o shall_v i_o doubt_v whether_o i_o ought_v to_o do_v it_o or_o not_o carry_v i_o myself_o or_o will_v i_o do_v so_o in_o regard_n of_o his_o other_o commandment_n question_n i_o whether_o i_o shall_v do_v this_o or_o no_o and_o shall_v i_o draw_v back_o from_o this_o his_o most_o acceptable_a commandment_n 1_o joh._n 5._o do_v the_o lord_n threaten_v i_o so_o to_o believe_v so_o to_o chase_v i_o and_o scare_v my_o heart_n from_o infidelity_n and_o shall_v i_o think_v that_o it_o will_v displease_v he_o to_o believe_v no_o i_o can_v see_v nothing_o can_v be_v either_o more_o dangerous_a to_o i_o or_o more_o displease_v to_o he_o than_o not_o to_o believe_v as_o be_v to_o be_v see_v joh._n 7._o and_o 3._o chapter_n 3._o do_v he_o beseech_v i_o to_o be_v reconcile_v yea_o many_o never_a do_v regard_v his_o entreaty_n and_o will_v he_o refuse_v they_o who_o beseech_v he_o have_v beseech_v he_o and_o by_o his_o grace_n will_v beseech_v he_o to_o be_v reconcile_v be_v he_o not_o find_v of_o those_o who_o seek_v he_o not_o and_o will_v he_o not_o be_v find_v of_o i_o who_o seek_v he_o though_o weak_o 4._o do_v he_o bid_v i_o come_v bold_o to_o the_o throne_n of_o his_o grace_n and_o will_v he_o then_o count_v it_o over_o great_a boldness_n in_o i_o to_o do_v so_o 5._o bid_v he_o i_o trust_v and_o that_o perfect_o and_o complain_v he_o of_o the_o slowness_n of_o the_o smallness_n of_o my_o faith_n and_o shall_v i_o be_v of_o little_a faith_n slow_a to_o believe_v further_o as_o these_o motive_n and_o inducement_n be_v notable_a to_o work_v we_o to_o believe_v and_o to_o