be_v more_o serious_o affect_v with_o your_o case_n then_o i_o be_o with_o i_o who_o have_v more_o cause_n o_o if_o ever_o poor_a creature_n have_v need_v to_o make_v such_o complaint_n it_o be_v i_o well_o but_o do_v we_o not_o hear_v person_n most_o eminent_o pious_a make_v such_o complaint_n very_o frequent_o we_o shall_v not_o be_v quite_o discourage_v as_o though_o our_o case_n be_v singular_a how_o often_o do_v warm_a heart_a david_n pray_v for_o quicken_a which_o argue_v a_o sense_n of_o his_o want_n sensible_a we_o shall_v be_v but_o not_o discourage_v o_o that_o we_o can_v confess_v and_o bewail_v our_o deadness_n more_o sensible_o more_o lively_a but_o all_o our_o work_n lie_v not_o in_o complain_v but_o we_o must_v use_v the_o mean_n god_n have_v appoint_v for_o our_o quicken_n i_o very_o believe_v our_o great_a work_n lie_v in_o prevail_v with_o our_o own_o heart_n to_o the_o diligent_a constant_a and_o believe_a use_n of_o the_o mean_n certain_o quicken_a enliven_a grace_n be_v purchase_v for_o we_o by_o the_o lord_n jesus_n and_o now_o he_o have_v go_v through_o the_o most_o painful_a part_n of_o his_o work_n be_v he_o not_o willing_a to_o apply_v to_o our_o soul_n what_o he_o have_v purchase_v o_o let_v we_o not_o once_o question_v this_o o_o let_v we_o not_o wrong_v a_o dear_a redeemer_n so_o much_o as_o to_o think_v otherwise_o of_o he_o o_o methinks_v be_v i_o but_o once_o make_v a_o meet_a recipient_a of_o these_o influence_n of_o his_o spirit_n i_o shall_v not_o doubt_v but_o i_o shall_v have_v they_o well_o it_o be_v grace_n that_o must_v make_v we_o so_o and_o we_o have_v a_o gracious_a god_n to_o deal_v with_o who_o delight_v in_o communicate_v of_o his_o grace_n and_o goodness_n to_o his_o creature_n let_v we_o call_v to_o mind_n what_o we_o hear_v of_o this_o subject_a when_o we_o be_v last_o together_o let_v we_o ply_v our_o heart_n with_o the_o serious_a consideration_n of_o the_o sin_n and_o evil_n of_o such_o a_o frame_n together_o with_o the_o necessity_n reasonableness_n excellency_n and_o usefulness_n of_o the_o contrary_a let_v we_o pray_v hard_o for_o it_o and_o use_v other_o mean_n but_o pray_v s._n take_v heed_n of_o that_o ungrateful_a partiality_n as_o to_o judge_v and_o conclude_v from_o the_o remainder_n of_o sin_n in_o you_o that_o you_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o sin_n and_o death_n the_o best_a on_o earth_n complain_v of_o deadness_n and_o they_o do_v not_o compliment_n but_o have_v real_a cause_n for_o it_o a_o perfect_a freedom_n from_o all_o sin_n and_o its_o effect_n remember_v that_o be_v reserve_v for_o heaven_n have_v you_o not_o a_o principle_n of_o spiritual_a life_n else_o whence_o come_v the_o sense_n you_o have_v of_o your_o deadness_n methinks_v if_o i_o be_v with_o you_o and_o you_o will_v be_v faithful_a to_o yourself_o i_o shall_v not_o doubt_v but_o i_o can_v convince_v you_o think_v as_o ill_o of_o sin_n as_o you_o will_v as_o you_o can_v but_o acknowledge_v and_o honour_v grace_n joyful_o and_o thankful_o entertain_v any_o quicken_a motion_n you_o have_v as_o you_o will_v have_v more_o what_o i_o say_v to_o you_o i_o will_v speak_v home_o to_o my_o own_o soul_n the_o lord_n help_v i_o that_o i_o may_v the_o lord_n who_o be_v all_o perfect_a spirit_n and_o life_n make_v we_o more_o like_a unto_o himself_o i_o be_o your_o true_o affectionate_a love_v brother_n i._n b._n letter_n viii_o to_o s._n e._n december_n 15._o 1684._o dear_a s._n i_o receive_v both_o you_o and_o owe_v you_o more_o than_o thanks_o for_o they_o i_o will_v bless_v the_o lord_n that_o have_v direct_v we_o to_o this_o way_n of_o correspondence_n by_o write_v and_o that_o about_o the_o great_a concernment_n of_o our_o soul_n which_o i_o hope_v may_v prove_v profitable_a to_o each_o of_o we_o and_o very_o comfortable_a in_o the_o review_n i_o be_o sorry_a to_o hear_v of_o the_o bodily_a grievance_n you_o be_v under_o but_o stormy_a and_o pationate_a at_o the_o providential_a dispensation_n of_o our_o wise_a and_o good_a god_n i_o dare_v not_o i_o will_v not_o be_v certain_o if_o there_o be_v any_o true_a rest_n and_o satisfaction_n for_o the_o creature_n it_o be_v in_o the_o will_n of_o its_o creator_n who_o be_v goodness_n itself_o and_o i_o be_o glad_a to_o hear_v of_o the_o calmness_n of_o your_o spirit_n my_o daily_a prayer_n to_o god_n be_v for_o your_o spiritual_a and_o eternal_a welfare_n and_o that_o you_o may_v not_o want_v any_o good_a thing_n here_o that_o the_o lord_n will_v rebuke_v distemper_n and_o lengthen_v out_o your_o life_n but_o in_o that_o you_o be_v mindful_a of_o death_n i_o rejoice_v for_o to_o tell_v you_o true_a i_o love_v in_o my_o heart_n to_o read_v and_o hear_v and_o think_v of_o death_n myself_o indeed_o i_o have_v now_o outlive_v myself_o my_o own_o expectation_n some_o year_n but_o o_o the_o unaccountable_a folly_n that_o i_o be_o guilty_a of_o in_o that_o i_o be_o yet_o no_o more_o fit_a to_o die_v o_o strange_a almost_o incredible_a i_o profess_v to_o believe_v a_o future_a judgement_n that_o there_o be_v a_o day_n wherein_o the_o great_a god_n by_o jesus_n christ_n will_v judge_v i_o with_o all_o the_o world_n for_o all_o my_o thought_n and_o word_n and_o action_n whether_o they_o have_v be_v good_a or_o bad_a and_o so_o sentence_v i_o to_o my_o final_a state_n but_o o_o how_o unaffecting_a be_v my_o apprehension_n of_o this_o certain_a great_a and_o dreadful_a truth_n and_o how_o inconsistent_a be_v my_o practice_n to_o the_o belief_n hereof_o i_o be_o daily_o run_v on_o in_o my_o error_n heap_v one_o sin_n upon_o the_o back_n of_o another_o so_o lay_v myself_o under_o a_o unavoidable_a necessity_n either_o of_o bitter_a repentance_n here_o or_o else_o expose_v myself_o to_o the_o condemn_a sentence_n of_o a_o most_o just_a and_o righteous_a judge_n hereafter_o to_o a_o state_n of_o inconceivable_a and_o endless_a misery_n which_o be_v enough_o to_o make_v any_o heart_n except_o such_o a_o flint_n as_o i_o to_o tremble_v if_o serious_o think_v of_o well_o shall_v i_o go_v on_o in_o this_o careless_a frame_n and_o course_n i_o fear_v i_o fear_v i_o shall_v but_o god_n forbid_v well_o there_o be_v two_o thing_n i_o will_v commend_v to_o myself_o and_o you_o in_o order_n to_o our_o preparation_n for_o death_n and_o judgement_n one_a let_v we_o make_v sure_a of_o a_o true_a and_o thorough_a work_n of_o sanctification_n upon_o our_o heart_n o_o how_o shall_v we_o dare_v to_o look_v death_n in_o the_o face_n if_o find_v in_o a_o unsanctified_a estate_n sin_n be_v the_o sting_n of_o death_n but_o then_o how_o may_v we_o with_o undaunted_a courage_n look_v it_o in_o the_o face_n and_o as_o it_o be_v play_v with_o it_o when_o the_o sting_n be_v take_v out_o when_o we_o be_v pass_v from_o death_n to_o life_n if_o sin_n be_v dead_a to_o be_v sure_a it_o be_v pardon_v so_o otherwise_o how_o shall_v we_o think_v of_o judgement_n to_o which_o death_n immediate_o carry_v our_o soul_n will_v god_n clear_v the_o guilty_a the_o turn_a point_n at_o that_o day_n will_v be_v whether_o we_o be_v such_o as_o have_v come_v up_o to_o the_o term_n require_v of_o we_o in_o the_o remedying_a law_n of_o grace_n all_o be_v sinner_n that_o be_v certain_a but_o all_o be_v not_o impenitent_a unbelieving_a sinner_n o_o sister_n penitent_a believe_v holy_a soul_n and_o they_o alone_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o stand_v in_o judgement_n shall_v obtain_v mercy_n from_o the_o lord_n in_o that_o day_n and_o none_o but_o such_o have_v real_a ground_n of_o comfort_n in_o the_o forethought_n of_o it_o 2_o let_v we_o labour_n after_o clear_a and_o certain_a evidence_n of_o our_o sincerity_n o_o how_o sweet_a a_o thing_n be_v assurance_n of_o god_n love_n peace_n of_o conscience_n and_o joy_n in_o the_o holy_a ghost_n how_o will_v these_o cheer_n and_o revive_v our_o soul_n in_o a_o die_a hour_n sure_o i_o be_o a_o well_o ground_a assurance_n will_v then_o pay_v we_o our_o own_o with_o interest_n though_o we_o shall_v be_v at_o never_o so_o much_o pain_n to_o attain_v it_o but_o how_o sad_a to_o be_v send_v to_o bed_n in_o the_o dark_a it_o must_v needs_o be_v very_o uncomfortable_a to_o a_o gracious_a soul_n to_o leave_v this_o world_n uncertain_a how_o it_o shall_v go_v with_o it_o in_o the_o next_o therefore_o let_v we_o study_v the_o word_n more_o which_o be_v the_o rule_n by_o which_o we_o must_v be_v judge_v and_o impartial_o compare_v our_o heart_n and_o life_n therewith_o by_o which_o mean_v through_o god_n help_n we_o may_v come_v to_o know_v how_o it_o will_v go_v with_o we_o then_o bless_a be_v god_n for_o that_o revelation_n of_o his_o will_n well_o that_o our_o mortality_n and_o immortality_n may_v
to_o be_v lead_v by_o the_o spirit_n by_o nature_n we_o be_v all_o man_n and_o woman_n of_o another_o spirit_n lead_v and_o act_v by_o that_o contrary_a spirit_n which_o work_v in_o the_o child_n of_o disobedience_n eph._n 2.2_o rom._n 8.14_o for_o as_o many_o as_o be_v lead_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n they_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n gal._n 5.25_o if_o we_o live_v in_o the_o spirit_n let_v we_o also_o walk_v in_o the_o spirit_n there_o must_v be_v spiritual_a life_n before_o there_o can_v be_v any_o spiritual_a motion_n 2._o that_o they_o regenerate_v themselves_o though_o they_o be_v renew_v in_o every_o part_n yet_o they_o be_v renew_v but_o in_o part_n they_o have_v in_o they_o while_o they_o be_v in_o this_o life_n flesh_n as_o well_o as_o spirit_n and_o while_o we_o have_v sin_n in_o we_o it_o will_v be_v act_v its_o part_n the_o flesh_n will_v be_v lust_a against_o the_o spirit_n rom._n 7.21_o i_o find_v then_o a_o law_n that_o when_o i_o will_v do_v good_a evil_a be_v present_a with_o i_o gal._n 5.17_o for_o the_o flesh_n lu_v against_o the_o spirit_n and_o the_o spirit_n against_o the_o stesh_n and_o these_o be_v contrary_a the_o one_o unto_o the_o other_o so_o that_o you_o can_v do_v the_o thing_n that_o you_o will_v 3._o that_o as_o man_n easy_o may_v so_o they_o be_v very_o prone_a to_o mistake_v in_o this_o point_n 1._o bad_a man_n saul_n when_o in_o his_o persecute_v course_n before_o his_o conversion_n he_o very_o think_v that_o he_o be_v in_o the_o way_n of_o his_o duty_n and_o so_o follow_v the_o motion_n of_o god_n spirit_n act._n 26.9_o but_o we_o see_v how_o his_o mind_n be_v change_v afterward_o that_o which_o before_o he_o take_v for_o holy_a zeal_n a_o fruit_n of_o the_o spirit_n he_o then_o see_v to_o be_v no_o better_o than_o exceed_a madness_n 2._o good_a man_n when_o they_o serious_o consider_v what_o depend_v upon_o this_o point_n rom._n 8.9_o now_o if_o any_o man_n have_v not_o the_o spirit_n of_o christ_n he_o be_v none_o of_o he_o v._o 13._o for_o if_o you_o live_v after_o the_o flesh_n you_o shall_v die_v and_o when_o they_o think_v of_o the_o deceitfulness_n of_o their_o own_o heart_n jer._n 17.9_o the_o heart_n be_v deceitful_a above_o all_o thing_n and_o desperate_o wicked_a who_o can_v know_v it_o and_o when_o they_o further_o consider_v how_o prevalent_a the_o remain_v fleshly_a interest_n be_v in_o their_o heart_n and_o life_n this_o make_v many_o a_o gracious_a soul_n tremble_v when_o it_o come_v to_o decide_v the_o point_n and_o sometime_o to_o bring_v in_o a_o false_a judgement_n against_o itself_o unless_o that_o bless_a spirit_n shine_v upon_o it_o 4._o that_o mistake_v here_o be_v very_o dangerous_a and_o mischievous_a that_o man_n who_o think_v he_o have_v and_o be_v lead_v by_o the_o spirit_n and_o be_v not_o woe_n to_o he_o for_o he_o be_v a_o lose_a man_n if_o he_o find_v not_o out_o his_o mistake_n before_o death_n and_o judgement_n undeceive_v he_o and_o then_o a_o mistake_n on_o the_o other_o hand_n will_v cause_v the_o poor_a soul_n to_o drive_v on_o but_o heavy_o and_o uncomfortable_o in_o the_o way_n of_o its_o duty_n though_o its_o estate_n in_o the_o main_n may_v be_v safe_a have_v none_o of_o we_o cause_n to_o know_v the_o heart_n of_o such_o in_o this_o matter_n now_o to_o the_o case_n propound_v i_o will_v answer_v in_o general_a thus_o i_o think_v that_o man_n and_o he_o alone_o be_v lead_v by_o the_o spirit_n the_o habitual_a and_o prevail_a bent_n of_o who_o heart_n the_o main_a scope_n and_o drift_n of_o who_o life_n be_v spiritual_a as_o for_o particular_a mark_n i_o shall_v content_v myself_o with_o a_o very_a few_o which_o i_o take_v to_o be_v safe_a and_o scriptural_a so_o 1._o such_o as_o be_v lead_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n they_o be_v by_o he_o free_a from_o the_o roll_a power_n of_o the_o flesh_n rom._n 8.1_o 2._o there_o be_v therefore_o now_o no_o condemnation_n to_o they_o who_o be_v in_o christ_n jesus_n who_o walk_v not_o after_o the_o flesh_n but_o after_o the_o spirit_n for_o the_o law_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o life_n in_o christ_n jesus_n have_v make_v i_o free_a from_o the_o law_n of_o sin_n and_o death_n gal._n 5.16_o this_o i_o say_v then_o walk_v in_o the_o spirit_n and_o you_o shall_v not_o fulfil_v the_o lust_n of_o the_o flesh_n walk_v after_o the_o spirit_n and_o walk_v after_o the_o flesh_n be_v direct_o oppose_v in_o scripture_n such_o they_o sin_v still_o alas_o that_o be_v a_o sad_a truth_n which_o can_v be_v deny_v for_o there_o be_v not_o a_o just_a man_n upon_o earth_n that_o do_v good_a and_o sin_v not_o ecl._n 7.20_o yet_o he_o that_o be_v bear_v of_o god_n he_o do_v not_o he_o can_v commit_v sin_n joh._n 1.3_o 9_o he_o live_v not_o in_o the_o roll_a love_n and_o practice_n of_o sin_n he_o can_v in_o some_o measure_n say_v what_o the_o apostle_n for_o that_o which_o i_o do_v i_o allow_v not_o for_o that_o which_o i_o will_v that_o do_v i_o not_o but_o what_o i_o hate_v that_o do_v i_o rom._n 7.15_o 2._o they_o be_v such_o as_o have_v solemn_o take_v the_o holy_a spirit_n for_o their_o guide_n and_o give_v up_o themselves_o to_o his_o conduct_n they_o be_v baptize_v into_o his_o name_n mat._n 28.19_o and_o every_o time_n they_o do_v renew_v the_o covenant_n they_o do_v sincere_o and_o afresh_o renew_v their_o obligation_n to_o obey_v and_o follow_v he_o before_o conversion_n they_o reject_v he_o his_o counsel_n and_o way_n and_o be_v only_o for_o follow_v the_o inclination_n of_o their_o own_o evil_a heart_n and_o the_o course_n of_o this_o world_n but_o now_o they_o have_v make_v a_o better_a choice_n they_o desire_v he_o will_v teach_v lead_v and_o guide_v they_o such_o expression_n be_v very_o frequent_a and_o they_o have_v a_o ear_n to_o hear_v and_o a_o heart_n to_o follow_v he_o joh._n 10.3_o 4._o and_o the_o sheep_n hear_v his_o voice_n and_o he_o call_v his_o own_o sheep_n by_o name_n and_o he_o lead_v they_o out_o and_o when_o he_o put_v forth_o his_o own_o sheep_n he_o go_v before_o they_o and_o the_o sheep_n follow_v he_o for_o they_o know_v his_o voice_n by_o the_o spirit_n it_o be_v that_o great_a shepherd_a teach_v his_o sheep_n to_o know_v his_o voice_n by_o he_o he_o call_v they_o both_o to_o and_o after_o he_o 3._o they_o be_v such_o as_o have_v choose_v the_o word_n of_o god_n for_o their_o rule_n in_o the_o word_n it_o be_v that_o the_o spirit_n speak_v to_o the_o church_n rev._n 2.7_o in_o the_o word_n he_o have_v chalk_v out_o the_o path_n of_o holiness_n wherein_o he_o lead_v such_o as_o he_o have_v make_v willing_a to_o follow_v he_o and_o they_o pray_v with_o david_n lord_n teach_v i_o thy_o statute_n psal_n 119.12_o let_v i_o not_o wander_v from_o thy_o commandment_n indeed_o the_o flesh_n will_v be_v resist_v and_o rebel_a endeavour_v to_o stop_v they_o in_o or_o to_o turn_v they_o out_o of_o the_o way_n which_o will_v cause_v they_o to_o take_v many_o a_o false_a step_n but_o yet_o as_o rom._n 7.22_o they_o delight_v in_o the_o law_n of_o god_n after_o the_o inward_a man_n in_o the_o bent_n of_o their_o renew_a mind_n and_o will_v they_o delight_v in_o it_o and_o desire_v to_o obey_v it_o perfect_o and_o allow_v not_o themselves_o in_o the_o breach_n of_o any_o part_n thereof_o 4._o such_o as_o be_v lead_v by_o the_o spirit_n their_o motion_n be_v free_a and_o voluntary_a not_o by_o force_n and_o constraint_n they_o be_v lead_v not_o hale_v or_o drive_v joh._n 10.3_o 4._o he_o call_v they_o by_o name_n and_o lead_v they_o out_o and_o go_v before_o they_o and_o they_o follow_v he_o they_o be_v a_o willing_a people_n psal_n 110.3_o 1_o cor._n 4._o draw_v i_o and_o we_o will_v run_v after_o thou_o indeed_o a_o partical_a unwillingness_n will_v be_v find_v in_o the_o best_a while_o here_o while_o we_o have_v flesh_n in_o we_o it_o will_v be_v draw_v another_o way_n but_o yet_o holiness_n be_v this_o man_n choice_n and_o when_o he_o be_v in_o a_o holy_a frame_n and_o course_n he_o be_v as_o in_o his_o element_n the_o habitual_a prevail_a bent_n of_o his_o heart_n be_v for_o a_o course_n of_o holiness_n and_o this_o appear_v in_o the_o main_a scope_n and_o drift_n of_o his_o life_n and_o this_o i_o think_v do_v denominate_v we_o what_o we_o be_v and_o that_o therefore_o by_o it_o we_o may_v safe_o judge_v of_o ourselves_o question_n ii_o how_o may_v we_o come_v to_o find_v out_o and_o know_v what_o be_v our_o special_a sin_n and_o what_o mean_n be_v to_o be_v use_v for_o the_o mortification_n of_o they_o the_o question_n before_o we_o consist_v of_o two_o part_n 1._o how_o may_v we_o
so_o q._n 8._o can_v it_o be_v any_o good_a sign_n if_o you_o can_v recreate_v yourselves_o with_o that_o which_o be_v so_o great_a a_o grief_n and_o burden_n to_o your_o minister_n and_o many_o of_o your_o fellow_n christian_n because_o they_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o sinful_a o_o how_o tender_a shall_v we_o be_v in_o this_o point_n how_o fearful_a shall_v we_o be_v of_o grieve_v or_o offend_v any_o of_o our_o brethren_n for_o who_o christ_n die_v he_o be_v very_o tender_a of_o they_o and_o so_o much_o the_o more_o as_o he_o see_v they_o tender_a of_o his_o honour_n and_o grieve_v and_o offend_v at_o sin_n whether_o in_o themselves_o or_o other_o q._n 9_o tell_v i_o true_o how_o do_v your_o card_n relish_n with_o you_o when_o you_o be_v in_o the_o most_o serious_a frame_n when_o you_o find_v the_o great_a thing_n of_o another_o world_n impress_v upon_o your_o spirit_n in_o the_o most_o fresh_a and_o lively_a manner_n i_o very_o think_v if_o i_o shall_v fall_v to_o card_n one_o 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seem_v light_n i_o will_v endeavour_v to_o pray_v for_o you_o as_o hard_o as_o i_o can_v do_v you_o endeavour_v to_o pray_v down_o more_o of_o the_o spirit_n of_o prayer_n into_o my_o heart_n and_o then_o my_o poor_a prayer_n may_v stand_v you_o in_o more_o stead_n i_o desire_v a_o plain_a account_n of_o your_o circumstance_n as_o soon_o as_o you_o can_v who_o be_o your_o love_a brother_n i._n b._n letter_n xiii_o to_o s._n e._n may_n 6._o 1685._o dear_a s._n i_o receive_v you_o and_o can_v but_o sympathize_v with_o you_o in_o your_o trouble_n i_o have_v be_v under_o those_o inward_a trouble_n late_o that_o have_v take_v off_o my_o thought_n from_o other_o thing_n otherwise_o i_o have_v be_v and_o be_o under_o circumstance_n much_o like_o your_o own_o i_o have_v more_o and_o more_o experience_n of_o the_o vanity_n and_o deceitfulness_n of_o the_o creature_n o_o how_o vain_a a_o thing_n be_v man_n but_o i_o must_v tell_v you_o sister_n as_o i_o tell_v my_o own_o heart_n i_o be_o 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