have_v any_o grace_n or_o holy_a habit_n or_o quality_n inherent_a in_o he_o but_o the_o first_o sight_n of_o the_o gift_n of_o the_o lord_n christ_n to_o the_o soul_n former_o dark_a about_o his_o union_n must_v have_v respect_n and_o relation_n to_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o soul_n to_o who_o the_o gift_n be_v manifest_v else_o the_o gift_n can_v be_v close_v with_o as_o suitable_a thence_o it_o must_v be_v manifest_v as_o a_o gift_n of_o a_o mediator_n to_o a_o poor_a despicable_a and_o desperate_a rebellious_a wretch_n against_o the_o high_a majesty_n of_o heaven_n to_o mediate_v with_o the_o great_a commander_n of_o heaven_n for_o pardon_v to_o such_o a_o poor_a despicable_a rebel_n it_o must_v be_v receive_v as_o a_o gift_n of_o a_o day_n man_n that_o may_v lay_v his_o hand_n upon_o both_o partay_v upon_o god_n and_o the_o soul_n as_o at_o difference_n to_o make_v up_o a_o union_n whence_o it_o be_v that_o the_o apostle_n in_o open_v the_o work_n of_o receive_v the_o lord_n christ_n by_o faith_n consider_v the_o soul_n under_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o ungodly_a one_o in_o the_o receive_n of_o it_o rom._n 4_o 5._o ii_o it_o can_v be_v that_o the_o discovery_n of_o grace_n shall_v be_v first_o in_o order_n to_o such_o a_o soul_n in_o regard_n the_o first_o manifestation_n of_o the_o gift_n of_o god_n to_o the_o soul_n that_o have_v hitherto_o set_v in_o darkness_n must_v be_v a_o manifestation_n unto_o his_o faith_n of_o the_o gift_n of_o those_o very_a grace_n and_o the_o grace_n themselves_o consider_v as_o give_v be_v no_o proper_a object_n of_o faith_n and_o therefore_o can_v give_v no_o assurance_n unto_o faith_n but_o it_o be_v only_o the_o promise_n wherein_o the_o lord_n hold_v forth_o his_o free_a will_n both_o to_o christ_n and_o those_o grace_n that_o must_v be_v the_o only_a ground_n from_o whence_o the_o soul_n can_v receive_v the_o evidence_n unto_o his_o faith_n of_o his_o union_n with_o christ_n thus_o you_o have_v the_o first_o question_n open_v the_o ground_n from_o whence_o soul_n receive_v the_o evidence_n of_o their_o union_n the_o second_o thing_n to_o be_v open_v be_v the_o mean_n by_o which_o what_o mean_v the_o lord_n use_v to_o make_v the_o promise_n efficacious_a for_o this_o end_n to_o give_v the_o soul_n assurance_n of_o his_o union_n with_o christ_n but_o before_o we_o come_v to_o answer_v this_o question_n there_o be_v another_o question_n to_o be_v open_v that_o arise_v from_o the_o former_a quest_n but_o say_v the_o soul_n can_v the_o lord_n absolute_a promise_n be_v the_o ground_n from_o whence_o the_o soul_n can_v have_v the_o first_o infallible_a evidence_n of_o his_o union_n see_v there_o be_v no_o absolute_a promise_n of_o god_n wherein_o he_o discover_v his_o own_o will_n to_o accept_v any_o one_o particular_a soul_n into_o union_n with_o the_o lord_n christ_n all_o the_o absolute_a promise_n say_v the_o soul_n be_v make_v to_o the_o church_n and_o people_n of_o god_n but_o the_o lord_n in_o those_o absolute_a promise_n do_v not_o reveal_v the_o particular_a soul_n that_o be_v his_o own_o therefore_o how_o can_v i_o or_o any_o other_o know_v that_o i_o be_o the_o particular_a soul_n in_o the_o promise_n there_o be_v no_o particularise_v of_o any_o soul_n answ_n for_o answer_v to_o this_o question_n i_o shall_v first_o open_v what_o be_v general_o grant_v by_o every_o soul_n by_o way_n of_o premise_v for_o the_o right_a understanding_n of_o thing_n and_o then_o lie_v down_o two_o conclusion_n for_o the_o full_a answer_n of_o the_o question_n pre._n 1._o first_o it_o be_v general_o grant_v by_o all_o that_o it_o be_v by_o virtue_n of_o the_o lord_n absolute_a promise_n of_o accept_v soul_n into_o union_n with_o christ_n that_o soul_n be_v unite_v unto_o christ_n the_o absolute_a promise_n alone_o be_v like_o jacob_n ladder_n it_o be_v the_o heavenly_a ladder_n upon_o which_o the_o lord_n christ_n alone_o come_v down_o into_o any_o soul_n it_o be_v the_o absolute_a promise_n that_o be_v the_o precious_a golden_a chain_n that_o bind_v the_o lord_n christ_n to_o the_o soul_n and_o the_o soul_n to_o christ_n that_o the_o precious_a marriage_n knot_n of_o union_n be_v only_o knit_v by_o that_o chain_n of_o the_o absolute_a promise_n this_o will_v appear_v in_o three_o thing_n 1._o if_o it_o be_v not_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o absolute_a promise_n that_o the_o soul_n be_v unite_v to_o jesus_n christ_n than_o the_o absolute_a good_a will_n unto_o soul_n be_v not_o the_o primary_n or_o first_o ground_n of_o union_n between_o jesus_n christ_n and_o soul_n for_o the_o promise_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o revelation_n or_o discovery_n of_o the_o lord_n good_a will_n concern_v soul_n now_o thence_o it_o be_v if_o it_o be_v not_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o lord_n absolute_a promise_n that_o soul_n be_v unite_v than_o it_o be_v not_o primary_o and_o in_o the_o first_o place_n by_o virtue_n of_o the_o determination_n of_o the_o lord_n will_v from_o eternity_n and_o so_o union_n with_o christ_n shall_v not_o be_v a_o mercy_n flow_v down_o from_o the_o fountain_n of_o the_o lord_n elective_a love_n but_o rather_o the_o first_o and_o primary_n cause_n of_o the_o soul_n union_n shall_v be_v from_o something_o in_o the_o soul_n itself_o and_o so_o quite_o contrary_a to_o the_o stream_n of_o scripture_n truth_n it_o shall_v be_v of_o he_o that_o will_v and_o run_v and_o not_o of_o he_o that_o show_v mercy_n 2._o if_o it_o be_v not_o so_o then_o there_o must_v be_v some_o grace_n acceptable_a to_o god_n presuppose_v to_o be_v in_o the_o soul_n before_o union_n with_o christ_n unto_o which_o the_o lord_n have_v make_v some_o promise_n of_o union_n with_o he_o it_o must_v be_v either_o by_o virtue_n of_o a_o conditional_a promise_n or_o a_o absolute_a promise_n that_o the_o soul_n be_v unite_v now_o if_o by_o virtue_n of_o any_o condition_n or_o holy_a quality_n in_o the_o soul_n than_o such_o a_o holy_a quality_n must_v be_v conceive_v to_o be_v in_o the_o soul_n as_o be_v acceptable_a unto_o god_n now_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a there_o can_v be_v any_o holy_a quality_n conceive_v to_o be_v in_o the_o soul_n acceptable_a to_o god_n before_o union_n then_o either_o the_o soul_n must_v receive_v some_o holy_a quality_n that_o flow_v not_o from_o jesus_n christ_n and_o so_o deny_v the_o fullness_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v contrary_a to_o that_o in_o col._n 1.9_o and_o john_n 1.16_o or_o else_o we_o shall_v conclude_v that_o some_o grace_n some_o holy_a quality_n shall_v be_v convey_v into_o the_o soul_n that_o shall_v not_o be_v convey_v by_o virtue_n of_o the_o soul_n union_n and_o so_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o communication_n of_o the_o grace_n of_o christ_n unto_o the_o soul_n when_o the_o soul_n still_o remain_v a_o stranger_n to_o god_n 3._o if_o there_o be_v the_o least_o quality_n acceptable_a unto_o god_n before_o union_n than_o the_o soul_n shall_v be_v a_o belove_a one_o of_o god_n out_o of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v by_o his_o dear_o belove_a son_n alone_o in_o who_o the_o lord_n be_v well_o please_v pre._n 2._o that_o the_o first_o proper_a act_n of_o faith_n in_o union_n be_v ever_o by_o or_o in_o the_o way_n of_o the_o application_n of_o those_o absolute_a promise_n unto_o their_o particular_a soul_n that_o will_v appear_v in_o two_o thing_n 1._o if_o the_o first_o act_n of_o faith_n in_o union_n be_v not_o by_o particular_a application_n of_o those_o absolute_a promise_n then_o the_o devil_n faith_n shall_v hold_v equal_a proportion_n to_o the_o faith_n of_o soul_n unite_v to_o jesus_n christ_n the_o devil_n themselves_o do_v as_o full_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o all_o those_o precious_a absolute_a promise_n as_o any_o unite_a soul_n and_o do_v as_o full_o expect_v the_o certain_a accomplishment_n of_o they_o unto_o the_o church_n of_o god_n 2._o then_o shall_v the_o soul_n dependence_n upon_o jesus_n christ_n be_v without_o the_o sight_n of_o the_o suitable_a ground_n for_o the_o dependence_n the_o first_o act_n of_o faith_n can_v have_v no_o ground_n but_o the_o absolute_a promise_n of_o god_n in_o regard_n all_o those_o grace_n that_o be_v describe_v in_o any_o word_n of_o god_n that_o shall_v seem_v to_o be_v conditional_a promise_n those_o be_v not_o discover_v at_o the_o first_o act_n of_o faith_n and_o therefore_o unless_o the_o absolute_a promise_n prove_v a_o particular_a ground_n to_o the_o soul_n apprehension_n that_o the_o soul_n in_o that_o absolute_a promise_n see_v the_o lord_n particular_o tender_v himself_o to_o accept_v it_o into_o union_n with_o jesus_n christ_n there_o shall_v be_v no_o ground_n for_o that_o dependence_n prem_n 3._o it_o be_v also_o grant_v that_o this_o particular_a application_n of_o the_o absolute_a promise_n unto_o soul_n
do_v go_v before_o the_o act_n of_o any_o other_o holy_a quality_n in_o those_o soul_n faith_n be_v the_o first_o habit_n in_o order_n of_o nature_n though_o not_o in_o time_n that_o be_v infuse_v into_o any_o soul_n it_o do_v also_o in_o order_n of_o nature_n work_n and_o manifest_v itself_o in_o act_v before_o any_o other_o habit_n whatsoever_o and_o therefore_o the_o act_n of_o faith_n in_o that_o particular_a application_n of_o the_o absolute_a promise_n must_v be_v before_o there_o be_v a_o manifestation_n of_o any_o other_o holy_a quality_n to_o be_v in_o the_o soul_n and_o thence_o in_o regard_n this_o particular_a way_n in_o apply_v these_o absolute_a promise_n be_v without_o any_o holy_a quality_n in_o soul_n there_o can_v be_v no_o other_o word_n but_o only_o the_o lord_n absolute_a promise_n to_o be_v the_o ground_n from_o whence_o this_o faith_n can_v arise_v this_o be_v general_o grant_v of_o all_o and_o from_o thence_o take_v notice_n of_o these_o two_o thing_n 1._o that_o the_o absolute_a general_a promise_n of_o god_n that_o be_v hold_v forth_o as_o make_v unto_o the_o people_n and_o church_n of_o god_n alone_o that_o be_v a_o particular_a ground_n of_o the_o soul_n first_o confidence_n or_o adherence_n unto_o jesus_n christ_n 2._o that_o the_o general_a absolute_a promise_n of_o god_n do_v speak_v particular_o to_o every_o soul_n who_o attain_v any_o right_a or_o interest_n in_o it_o second_o i_o shall_v answer_v affirmative_o that_o it_o be_v a_o particular_a ground_n of_o faith_n of_o assurance_n or_o a_o particular_a evidence_n to_o assure_v a_o soul_n faith_n that_o he_o be_v unite_v unto_o jesus_n christ_n and_o that_o i_o shall_v open_v in_o two_o conclusion_n conclu_n 1._o the_o absolute_a promise_n be_v sufficient_a to_o reveal_v to_o a_o soul_n faith_n a_o certainty_n of_o his_o union_n in_o regard_n there_o be_v a_o equivalency_n in_o the_o absolute_a promise_n of_o god_n that_o run_v to_o all_o soul_n to_o any_o particular_a promise_n that_o can_v be_v make_v paul_n manifest_v as_o full_a a_o certainty_n of_o his_o acceptance_n into_o union_n with_o christ_n to_o be_v hold_v forth_o to_o he_o in_o the_o absolute_a promise_n as_o if_o he_o have_v have_v a_o particular_a word_n from_o heaven_n say_v thou_o paul_n shall_v be_v accept_v into_o union_n with_o christ_n in_o 1_o tim._n 1.15_o this_o be_v a_o faithful_a say_n and_o worthy_a of_o all_o acceptation_n what_o be_v that_o that_o jesus_n christ_n come_v into_o the_o world_n to_o save_v sinner_n here_o be_v as_o far_o off_o a_o remote_a promise_n as_o can_v be_v that_o jesus_n christ_n come_v into_o the_o world_n to_o save_v sinner_n what_o then_o of_o who_o i_o be_o chief_a as_o if_o he_o shall_v have_v say_v the_o lord_n christ_n come_v to_o save_v i_o where_o he_o make_v christ_n send_v into_o the_o world_n particular_o to_o save_v his_o soul_n and_o certain_o the_o same_o promise_n be_v able_a to_o give_v the_o soul_n that_o particular_a certainty_n that_o paul_n do_v receive_v do_v the_o same_o light_n appear_v from_o the_o promise_n as_o do_v to_o paul_n but_o that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o equivalency_n in_o what_o the_o absolute_a promise_n can_v give_v to_o testify_v union_n to_o what_o a_o particular_a promise_n give_v appear_v in_o two_o thing_n 1._o in_o the_o latitude_n or_o largeness_n and_o extensiveness_n of_o the_o promise_n itself_o the_o promise_n that_o be_v of_o absolute_a mercy_n and_o be_v declare_v to_o be_v the_o absolute_a will_n of_o god_n concern_v his_o people_n soul_n they_o be_v all_o propound_v as_o indefinite_a proposition_n that_o be_v without_o any_o certain_a bound_n in_o that_o promise_n christ_n come_v into_o the_o world_n to_o save_v sinner_n there_o be_v no_o bound_n set_v to_o it_o neither_o this_o kind_n of_o sinner_n or_o that_o kind_a of_o sinner_n such_o as_o be_v thus_o and_o thus_o rebellious_a but_o sinner_n so_o mark_v 16.15_o go_v preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o every_o creature_n preach_v the_o gospel_n what_o be_v that_o preach_v the_o glad_a tiding_n of_o salvation_n it_o be_v as_o much_o as_o if_o jesus_n christ_n shall_v have_v say_v go_v and_o tell_v every_o soul_n my_o father_n be_v willing_a to_o accept_v their_o rebellious_a soul_n into_o union_n with_o myself_o and_o unless_o this_o be_v receive_v tender_v the_o gospel_n be_v not_o preach_v exclude_v the_o declare_v of_o god_n will_v to_o every_o particular_a soul_n to_o receive_v he_o into_o union_n with_o the_o lord_n christ_n and_o you_o exclude_v the_o preach_a of_o the_o gospel_n and_o that_o be_v the_o reason_n the_o angel_n luke_n 2.10_o when_o he_o bring_v the_o glad_a tiding_n of_o jesus_n christ_n say_v i_o bring_v glad_a tiding_n to_o who_o to_o such_o a_o nation_n or_o people_n no_o i_o bring_v glad_a tiding_n to_o all_o people_n there_o be_v no_o other_o bound_n set_v but_o the_o world_n itself_o if_o a_o man_n come_v under_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o creature_n he_o come_v under_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o promise_n he_o can_v say_v but_o it_o be_v the_o will_n of_o god_n to_o receive_v his_o soul_n into_o union_n if_o he_o will_v embrace_v the_o lord_n christ_n 2._o it_o appear_v in_o regard_n of_o the_o expresness_n of_o the_o command_n to_o every_o soul_n particular_o to_o apply_v the_o promise_n 1_o john_n 3.23_o this_o be_v the_o command_n of_o god_n that_o you_o believe_v in_o the_o name_n of_o his_o son_n jesus_n christ_n and_o again_o this_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n that_o you_o believe_v in_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n christ_n now_o believe_v can_v contain_v but_o two_o thing_n either_o a_o give_a credit_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o the_o promise_n hold_v forth_o and_o sure_o this_o can_v be_v mean_v for_o the_o devil_n themselves_o believe_v as_o much_o or_o else_o a_o receive_n unto_o their_o particular_a soul_n what_o the_o lord_n there_o tender_v in_o christ_n jesus_n and_o if_o you_o observe_v it_o the_o scripture_n phrase_n general_o hold_v forth_o believe_v in_o this_o sense_n thence_o it_o be_v that_o believe_a and_o receive_v in_o scripture_n be_v put_v both_o for_o one_o 1_o john_n 1.12_o now_o that_o the_o extent_n of_o this_o command_n of_o believe_a reach_n thus_o far_o to_o a_o particular_a application_n of_o those_o absolute_a promise_n to_o themselves_o will_v be_v clear_v by_o two_o particular_n 1._o in_o regard_v all_o unbelief_n and_o the_o fruit_n of_o it_o be_v virtual_o and_o eminent_o forbid_v in_o this_o command_n of_o believe_v when_o any_o positive_a duty_n be_v enjoin_v by_o god_n the_o contrary_n must_v needs_o be_v forbid_v by_o the_o same_o law_n virtual_o and_o all_o the_o evil_a consequence_n of_o whatever_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o duty_n enjoin_v now_o believe_v be_v enjoin_v virtual_o unbelief_n and_o all_o the_o fruit_n of_o unbelief_n be_v forbid_v the_o fruit_n of_o unbelief_n be_v doubt_v and_o so_o all_o doubt_v of_o the_o lord_n will_v to_o fulfil_v his_o promise_n of_o accept_v the_o soul_n into_o union_n with_o the_o lord_n jesus_n that_o be_v content_a and_o willing_a to_o receive_v christ_n into_o union_n with_o he_o all_o this_o doubt_v of_o the_o will_n of_o god_n be_v there_o forbid_a virtual_o in_o regard_n it_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o duty_n command_v because_o it_o proceed_v from_o the_o root_n unbelief_n which_o be_v direct_o contrary_a unto_o faith_n 2._o in_o regard_v the_o strength_n of_o faith_n must_v needs_o be_v the_o extent_n of_o the_o command_n the_o soul_n be_v to_o give_v credit_n to_o the_o lord_n as_o a_o thing_n unquestionable_o certain_a that_o the_o lord_n be_v willing_a to_o receive_v his_o poor_a loveless_a soul_n into_o union_n with_o the_o lord_n christ_n so_o that_o in_o effect_n the_o lord_n do_v in_o that_o command_n to_o the_o soul_n to_o believe_v enjoin_v the_o soul_n to_o receive_v fullness_n of_o assurance_n from_o the_o very_a promise_n that_o the_o lord_n be_v willing_a to_o receive_v his_o soul_n into_o union_n with_o the_o lord_n christ_n yet_o do_v not_o mistake_v i_o i_o do_v not_o say_v the_o command_n be_v of_o such_o a_o extent_n that_o it_o do_v express_o command_v every_o one_o to_o believe_v that_o he_o be_v one_o in_o christ_n for_o then_o the_o promise_n shall_v command_v he_o to_o believe_v a_o lie_n in_o regard_n the_o great_a number_n be_v at_o enmity_n but_o the_o extent_n of_o the_o command_n be_v to_o assure_v the_o soul_n of_o the_o lord_n willingness_n to_o receive_v he_o into_o union_n with_o jesus_n christ_n if_o he_o be_v willing_a to_o receive_v he_o and_o this_o the_o lord_n enjoin_v the_o most_o rebellious_a wretch_n wherever_o the_o gospel_n come_v the_o first_o command_n to_o such_o rebellious_a soul_n be_v to_o believe_v that_o god_n be_v willing_a to_o receive_v their_o rebellious_a soul_n into_o union_n
through_o a_o clear_a evidence_n have_v beget_v such_o a_o precious_a confidence_n in_o the_o soul_n the_o believe_a soul_n ought_v to_o say_v concern_v that_o his_o confidence_n as_o job_n say_v concern_v he_o job_n 27.5_o i_o will_v not_o remove_v my_o integrity_n from_o i_o i_o will_v not_o let_v go_v this_o my_o confidence_n till_o i_o have_v prove_v and_o examine_v the_o evidence_n of_o my_o union_n with_o the_o lord_n jesus_n from_o whence_o this_o confidence_n do_v arise_v this_o also_o may_v appear_v in_o two_o thing_n 1._o in_o regard_v the_o diminish_n of_o this_o confidence_n in_o the_o believe_a soul_n before_o the_o trial_n of_o the_o evidence_n of_o his_o union_n with_o christ_n receive_v be_v a_o infinite_a injury_n to_o the_o sweet_a comforter_n the_o bless_a spirit_n who_o through_o the_o manifestation_n unto_o the_o soul_n that_o he_o be_v unite_v to_o the_o lord_n jesus_n establish_v the_o soul_n in_o that_o precious_a confidence_n the_o reject_v of_o that_o confidence_n so_o wrought_v by_o the_o bless_a spirit_n be_v a_o slight_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o his_o most_o precious_a office_n and_o a_o disparagement_n of_o the_o very_a witness_n of_o that_o bless_a spirit_n 2._o it_o be_v a_o most_o sinful_a unconstancy_n and_o fickleness_n to_o reject_v any_o thing_n receive_v before_o clear_a demonstration_n of_o the_o error_n of_o the_o soul_n in_o receive_v it_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o order_n rhat_o the_o lord_n require_v shall_v be_v in_o all_o the_o motion_n of_o the_o soul_n which_o be_v that_o they_o shall_v be_v subject_a to_o the_o power_n of_o holy_a sanctify_a reason_n so_o that_o this_o confidence_n before_o trial_n ought_v to_o be_v maintain_v in_o its_o full_a strength_n in_o case_n such_o a_o confidence_n be_v beget_v by_o a_o evidence_n former_o receive_v that_o he_o be_v actual_o unite_v to_o the_o lord_n jesus_n quest_n but_o here_o be_v a_o question_n then_o by_o the_o way_n will_v be_v open_v but_o will_v the_o soul_n say_v wherefore_o then_o be_v the_o command_v give_v by_o god_n to_o prove_v and_o examine_v ourselves_o whether_o we_o be_v in_o the_o say_v and_o so_o consequent_o to_o examine_v the_o evidence_n of_o our_o union_n with_o christ_n if_o we_o must_v not_o be_v dubious_a and_o anxious_a whether_o the_o evidence_n of_o our_o union_n with_o christ_n receive_v be_v true_a or_o no_o before_o we_o proceed_v ro_o the_o trial_n and_o examination_n of_o they_o answ_n 1._o for_o answer_v to_o this_o question_n by_o the_o way_n brief_o i_o answer_v first_o that_o these_o command_n of_o soul_n examine_v themselves_o whether_o they_o be_v in_o the_o faith_n be_v give_v universal_o to_o all_o soul_n on_o purpose_n that_o delude_a soul_n by_o the_o try_v and_o prove_v themselves_o may_v discover_v their_o own_o delusion_n and_o discern_v their_o lie_a confidence_n of_o their_o acceptance_n into_o union_n with_o the_o lord_n jesus_n 2._o these_o command_n be_v give_v on_o purpose_n to_o believe_a soul_n to_o maintain_v the_o life_n of_o the_o confidence_n of_o the_o lord_n will_v to_o admit_v they_o into_o union_n with_o christ_n and_o the_o confidence_n that_o they_o be_v admit_v into_o union_n with_o the_o lord_n jesus_n these_o command_n be_v occasion_n to_o soul_n true_o unite_v to_o the_o lord_n jesus_n to_o review_v over_o the_o ground_n of_o their_o confidence_n of_o the_o lord_n will_v to_o admit_v they_o into_o union_n with_o christ_n and_o of_o the_o lord_n actual_a admission_n of_o they_o into_o union_n now_o the_o more_o the_o soul_n view_v the_o ground_n of_o his_o confidence_n the_o more_o it_o view_v that_o bless_a word_n of_o god_n that_o reveal_v the_o lord_n will_v to_o admit_v even_o his_o soul_n into_o union_n with_o the_o lord_n jesus_n in_o case_n he_o accept_v it_o and_o by_o the_o soul_n gaze_v upon_o that_o bless_a word_n it_o discern_v more_o of_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n infallibility_n and_o unchangeableness_n of_o that_o word_n and_o the_o more_o frequent_o and_o full_o the_o soul_n discern_v that_o the_o strong_a be_v its_o confidence_n in_o the_o will_n of_o the_o lord_n that_o he_o will_v admit_v even_o that_o his_o soul_n into_o union_n with_o the_o lord_n jesus_n and_o thence_o there_o be_v more_o occasion_n for_o the_o bless_a spirit_n to_o irradiate_a rhe_n soul_n believe_v act_n to_o enable_v the_o soul_n to_o see_v and_o feel_v itself_o to_o believe_v aright_o by_o which_o mean_v the_o actual_a confidence_n of_o the_o soul_n admission_n with_o christ_n live_v and_o be_v maintain_v in_o its_o strength_n 3._o these_o command_n be_v give_v that_o there_o may_v be_v more_o preparedness_n against_o all_o assault_n that_o be_v make_v from_o hell_n against_o those_o soul_n through_o this_o examination_n believe_v soul_n have_v their_o confidence_n maintain_v in_o its_o life_n and_o strength_n and_o so_o be_v fortify_v against_o temptation_n because_o it_o discern_v clear_o the_o foundation_n upon_o which_o his_o own_o confidence_n stand_v 4._o the_o lord_n give_v these_o command_n on_o purpose_n to_o draw_v forth_o into_o exercise_n all_o manner_n of_o holy_a disposition_n in_o the_o believe_a soul_n this_o be_v do_v by_o the_o renew_a view_n of_o that_o light_n that_o do_v evidence_n unto_o the_o soul_n faith_n or_o unto_o the_o soul_n sense_n its_o union_n with_o the_o lord_n jesus_n thenâ—…_n be_v the_o precious_a subjection_n of_o the_o heart_n to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n in_o all_o thing_n act_v then_o be_v the_o correspondent_a love_n of_o the_o soul_n answerable_a to_o the_o lord_n love_v to_o the_o soul_n draw_v out_o in_o its_o strength_n then_o be_v all_o the_o thirsting_n after_o near_a communion_n with_o god_n in_o christ_n act_v pre._n 3._o three_o a_o three_o thing_n to_o be_v premise_v be_v this_o that_o there_o be_v many_o sinful_a distemper_n incident_a to_o believe_v soul_n in_o the_o time_n when_o they_o be_v doubtful_a of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o evidence_n of_o their_o union_n with_o christ_n which_o whenever_o they_o do_v prevail_v in_o any_o soul_n during_o their_o prevalency_n they_o do_v incapacitate_v those_o soul_n for_o a_o just_a trial_n and_o true_a examination_n of_o the_o evidence_n of_o their_o union_n there_o be_v especial_o four_o of_o those_o sinful_a distemper_n incident_a unto_o believe_v soul_n at_o such_o a_o time_n 1._o there_o be_v a_o impatiency_n and_o frowardness_n of_o spirit_n under_o the_o obscurity_n of_o that_o truth_n of_o their_o evidence_n of_o union_n with_o the_o lord_n jesus_n incident_a to_o every_o believe_a soul_n indeed_o our_o spirit_n be_v natural_o impatient_a under_o every_o burden_n but_o when_o any_o arrow_n from_o the_o almighty_a be_v shoot_v into_o the_o conscience_n or_o any_o arrow_n from_o hell_n stick_v fast_o there_o i_o mean_v any_o doubtfulness_n any_o terror_n and_o fear_n of_o the_o fullness_n of_o their_o conceive_a evidence_n of_o their_o union_n with_o the_o lord_n jesus_n then_o be_v their_o spirit_n in_o a_o superlative_a manner_n prone_a to_o fret_v and_o vex_v and_o fume_n by_o the_o prevail_a of_o unruly_a passion_n thus_o david_n under_o the_o doubtfulness_n of_o the_o lord_n fulfil_v a_o promise_n make_v to_o he_o break_v out_o into_o most_o dreadful_a impatience_n in_o 1_o sam._n 27.1_o i_o shall_v one_o day_n perish_v by_o the_o hand_n of_o saul_n so_o in_o psal_n 116.11_o i_o say_v in_o my_o haste_n all_o man_n be_v liar_n so_o psal_n 31.22_o i_o say_v in_o my_o haste_n i_o be_o cut_v off_o from_o before_o thy_o eye_n so_o the_o holy_a man_n job_n chap._n 3.3_o and_o chap._n 6.8_o 9_o now_o during_o the_o prevalency_n of_o this_o distemper_n of_o impatiency_n and_o frowardness_n of_o spirit_n under_o doubt_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o evidence_n their_o spirit_n be_v make_v uncable_a of_o a_o just_a trial_n and_o examination_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o evidence_n of_o their_o union_n with_o the_o lord_n jesus_n there_o be_v two_o way_n how_o this_o sinful_a distemper_n do_v incapacitate_v soul_n for_o the_o just_a examination_n of_o the_o evidence_n of_o their_o union_n 1._o it_o do_v prevent_v a_o serious_a deliberate_a view_n of_o the_o evidence_n of_o their_o union_n with_o christ_n that_o they_o have_v receive_v by_o draw_v out_o the_o intention_n of_o their_o spirit_n to_o look_v upon_o the_o ground_n of_o their_o fear_n of_o the_o falseness_n of_o the_o evidence_n of_o their_o union_n when_o any_o passion_n prevail_v in_o any_o spirit_n it_o draw_v out_o the_o whole_a strength_n of_o the_o soul_n that_o way_n now_o the_o intention_n of_o the_o soul_n be_v draw_v out_o to_o look_v upon_o the_o object_n of_o his_o fear_n the_o ground_n of_o his_o doubt_n and_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o suspicion_n of_o the_o falseness_n of_o his_o union_n by_o this_o the_o soul_n be_v make_v unsuitable_a to_o take_v any_o right_n deliberate_a