the_o trial_n of_o assurance_n set_v forth_o in_o a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o boston_n upon_o a_o lecture_n day_n july_n seven_o 1698._o by_o solomon_n stoddard_n pastor_n of_o the_o church_n in_o northampton_n 2_o pet._n 1.10_o brethren_n give_v diligence_n to_o make_v your_o call_v and_o election_n sure_a boston_n in_o new-england_a print_v by_o b._n green_n and_o j._n allen._n sell_v 〈…〉_o the_o trial_n of_o assurance_n john_n 21.17_o simon_n son_n of_o ionas_n love_v thou_o i_o the_o fall_v of_o the_o people_n of_o god_n 〈◊〉_d darken_v their_o sincerity_n they_o be_v as_o 〈◊〉_d cloud_n cover_v their_o uprightness_n thâ—â—_n do_v make_v their_o sincerity_n questionabâ—â—_n unto_o other_o some_o that_o take_v notice_n of_o their_o faâ—â—_n be_v ready_a to_o suspect_v and_o other_o be_v ready_a to_o deâ—â—_n their_o sincerity_n stander_n by_o be_v apt_a to_o impuâ—â—_n their_o fall_n to_o their_o hypocrisy_n and_o the_o reign_a power_n of_o sin_n as_o if_o they_o have_v now_o proveâ—_n themselves_o to_o be_v hypocrite_n they_o be_v readâ—_n to_o say_v of_o they_o as_o david_n say_v of_o doeg_n lo_o thâ—_n be_v the_o man_n that_o make_v not_o god_n his_o trust_n and_o thâ—â—_n â—â—â—s_v make_v their_o sincerity_n questionable_a to_o themselves_o if_o they_o have_v see_v something_o of_o uprightness_n in_o themselves_o before_o now_o they_o fear_v they_o â—â—re_v mistake_v they_o think_v if_o there_o have_v be_v â—â—y_a grace_n that_o will_v have_v preserve_v they_o â—â—â—m_n fall_v their_o fall_n wound_v their_o conscience_n use_v disturb_v their_o peace_n they_o think_v if_o god_n use_v love_v they_o he_o will_v not_o have_v suffer_v â—â—â—m_n to_o fall_v into_o such_o sin_n it_o seem_v to_o they_o 〈◊〉_d be_v the_o fruit_n of_o god_n hatred_n they_o be_v apt_a 〈◊〉_d think_v that_o their_o sin_n have_v turn_v away_o the_o â—â—â—rt_n of_o god_n from_o they_o and_o that_o he_o can_v â—ight_n in_o they_o they_o think_v moreover_o that_o if_o â—â—â—y_v have_v love_v god_n they_o can_v not_o have_v be_v â—â—â—wn_v to_o sin_n so_o against_o he_o satan_n be_v wont_v to_o 〈◊〉_d prove_v their_o fall_n unto_o their_o discouragement_n use_v raise_v such_o mist_n that_o day_n be_v turn_v into_o night_n 〈◊〉_d to_o they_o upon_o this_o occasion_n christ_n put_v this_o â—â—estion_n to_o peter_n the_o disciple_n may_v be_v unsaâ—â—fyed_v with_o he_o because_o of_o his_o fall_n and_o he_o â—â—ight_v be_v dissatisfy_v with_o himself_o but_o hereby_o â—hrist_n be_v lead_v of_o he_o into_o the_o examination_n 〈◊〉_d his_o own_o sincerity_n you_o may_v conceive_v christ_n â—â—eaning_n thus_o peter_n you_o have_v make_v a_o profession_n many_o year_n but_o in_o the_o time_n of_o my_o affliction_n â—â—ou_o shameful_o deny_v i_o you_o former_o profess_v â—â—at_v you_o will_v die_v with_o i_o before_o you_o will_v â—â—ny_v i_o but_o as_o soon_o as_o the_o temptation_n come_v â—â—u_o present_o deny_v i_o and_o as_o if_o it_o be_v â—â—t_n enough_o to_o do_v it_o once_o you_o do_v it_o a_o second_o and_o a_o three_o time_n and_o as_o if_o plain_a deny_v 〈◊〉_d not_o be_v enough_o you_o do_v it_o with_o curse_v 〈◊〉_d swear_v be_v there_o any_o love_n in_o your_o heart_n uâ—â—_n i_o you_o show_v some_o affection_n but_o now_o 〈◊〉_d throw_v yourself_o into_o the_o sea_n but_o be_v it_o 〈◊〉_d love_n have_v i_o your_o heart_n be_o i_o the_o object_n 〈◊〉_d your_o love_n you_o profess_v more_o love_n than_o other_o disciple_n but_o do_v you_o indeed_o love_v i_o doctrine_n if_o a_o man_n do_v not_o certain_o know_v that_o he_o perform_v one_o act_n of_o save_v grace_n he_o can_v be_v certain_a of_o his_o sincerity_n from_o his_o walk_n the_o trial_n of_o sincerity_n be_v a_o great_a and_o weight_n work_v minister_n have_v need_n be_v careful_a in_o giust_n rule_v of_o trial_n and_o people_n have_v need_n be_v careâ—â—_n in_o apply_v rule_n of_o trial_n the_o doctrine_n 〈◊〉_d propound_v to_o prevent_v mistake_n in_o this_o matâ—â—_n godly_a man_n be_v describe_v in_o the_o scripture_n to_o 〈◊〉_d man_n that_o walk_v in_o the_o law_n of_o the_o lord_n man_n 〈◊〉_d walk_v not_o after_o the_o flesh_n but_o after_o the_o spirit_n but_o 〈◊〉_d be_v impossible_a for_o any_o man_n to_o evidence_n his_o sinceâ—â—_n from_o hence_o unless_o he_o certain_o know_v that_o 〈◊〉_d have_v perform_v some_o act_n or_o act_n of_o save_v graâ—â—_n a_o man_n may_v have_v a_o probable_a knowledge_n of_o 〈◊〉_d sincerity_n though_o he_o do_v not_o certain_o know_v 〈◊〉_d he_o have_v perform_v any_o act_n of_o save_a grace_n 〈◊〉_d this_o be_v all_o that_o he_o can_v attain_v to_o by_o his_o walk_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d do_v not_o know_v that_o he_o have_v perform_v any_o one_o 〈◊〉_d of_o save_a grace_n there_o be_v many_o act_n of_o â—â—ing_n grace_n as_o to_o believe_v in_o christ_n to_o love_n use_v and_o christ_n to_o hate_v sin_n to_o make_v the_o glory_n 〈◊〉_d god_n one_o end_n and_o if_o a_o man_n do_v it_o certain_o â—â—ow_o any_o such_o thing_n by_o himself_o he_o will_v never_o â—â—â—able_a from_o his_o walk_n to_o prove_v himself_o to_o be_v â—â—aint_n if_o a_o thing_n shine_v like_o fire_n in_o the_o night_n 〈◊〉_d you_o can_v know_v it_o to_o be_v fire_n from_o thence_o â—â—ess_v you_o see_v in_o it_o some_o property_n of_o fire_n if_o a_o â—â—â—ng_a act_n as_o if_o it_o have_v life_n yet_o you_o can_v know_v 〈◊〉_d thence_o that_o it_o have_v life_n unless_o you_o know_v â—â—â—e_a action_n to_o be_v a_o vital_a action_n you_o can_v â—â—ow_o that_o a_o man_n do_v miracle_n unless_o you_o know_v â—â—â—e_a one_o action_n to_o be_v miraculous_a so_o here_o in_o order_n to_o the_o clear_n of_o this_o i_o shall_v first_o â—â—â—mise_v three_o thing_n 1._o they_o that_o walk_v in_o a_o way_n of_o holiness_n be_v cecere_a all_o that_o walk_v in_o a_o way_n of_o obedience_n be_v 〈◊〉_d right_a walk_v in_o god_n way_n be_v the_o character_n 〈◊〉_d a_o saint_n psal_n 119.1_o bless_a be_v the_o undefiled_a in_o 〈◊〉_d way_n who_o walk_v in_o the_o law_n of_o the_o lord_n a_o holy_a 〈◊〉_d be_v a_o certain_a sign_n of_o a_o holy_a heart_n a_o life_n of_o obedience_n show_v a_o principal_a of_o grace_n they_o that_o live_v â—â—ife_n of_o humility_n love_n and_o faith_n be_v real_a saint_n â—â—y_o be_v such_o indeed_o as_o they_o do_v profess_v themselves_o 〈◊〉_d be_v though_o they_o have_v many_o infirmity_n and_o corruption_n yet_o they_o be_v sincere_a saint_n a_o holy_a life_n â—â—â—ore_o than_o any_o hypocrite_n can_v attain_v unto_o he_o may_v counterfeit_v holiness_n and_o have_v the_o image_n 〈◊〉_d it_o but_o fall_v utter_o short_a of_o a_o holy_a life_n a_o hoâ—â—_n life_n be_v a_o life_n of_o sincerity_n and_o flow_v from_o a_o principle_n of_o sincerity_n other_o principle_n may_v make_v a_o maâ—â—_n live_v a_o moral_n and_o religious_a life_n prudence_n priâ—â—â—_n and_o slavish_a fear_n may_v produce_v much_o out_o ward_n coâ—â—â—_n formity_n and_o many_o inward_a affection_n but_o onâ—â—_n a_o principle_n of_o grace_n can_v enable_v a_o man_n to_o live_v 〈◊〉_d holy_a life_n all_o that_o live_v holy_o be_v regenerate_v meâ—â—_n eph._n 2.10_o create_v in_o christ_n jesus_n unto_o good_a worâ—â—_n 2._o they_o that_o walk_v in_o a_o way_n of_o unholiness_n aâ—â—_n not_o sincere_a they_o that_o lead_v a_o unholy_a life_n aâ—â—_n not_o upright_o a_o principle_n of_o grace_n will_v keep_v 〈◊〉_d man_n from_o way_n of_o sin_n 1_o joh._n 3.9_o he_o that_o 〈◊〉_d bear_v of_o god_n do_v not_o commit_v sin_n for_o his_o seed_n remainâ—â—_n in_o he_o and_o he_o can_v sin_v because_o he_o be_v bear_v of_o goâ—â—â—_n he_o have_v so_o much_o fear_n that_o he_o can_v live_v a_o life_n 〈◊〉_d sin_n he_o hate_v sin_n so_o that_o he_o can_v live_v a_o life_n 〈◊〉_d sin_n some_o that_o be_v sincere_a have_v a_o less_o degree_n of_o sincerity_n than_o other_o but_o the_o least_o degree_n 〈◊〉_d sincerity_n will_v preserve_v a_o man_n from_o a_o unholy_a liâ—â—_n psal_n 18.23_o i_o be_v also_o upright_o before_o he_o and_o i_o kâ—â—â—_n myself_o from_o my_o iniquity_n a_o unholy_a life_n she_o 〈◊〉_d the_o reign_a power_n of_o sin_n joh._n 8.34_o he_o that_o coâ—â—â—_n mit_v sin_n be_v the_o servant_n of_o sin_n they_o that_o be_v seâ—â—ing_v any_o lust_n be_v not_o serve_v of_o the_o lord_n if_o mâ—â—â—_n make_v great_a pretension_n of_o sincerity_n yet_o lead_v unhâ—â—â—_n life_n there_o be_v no_o sincerity_n in_o they_o if_o they_o haâ—â—â—_n great_a affection_n and_o hope_n yet_o they_o have_v no_o â—â—â—cerity_n they_o profess_v one_o thing_n and_o practice_v another_o if_o man_n serve_v their_o pride_n or_o their_o covetousness_n or_o their_o voluptuousness_n they_o be_v not_o sincere_a â—â—ey_n be_v utter_o destitute_a of_o a_o principle_n of_o grace_n 〈◊〉_d they_o have_v show_v of_o grace_n yet_o they_o be_v but_o hypocrite_n and_o will_v be_v damn_v
the_o reason_n why_o many_o professor_n be_v unsatisfied_a about_o their_o sincerity_n though_o they_o have_v a_o pretty_a good_a conversation_n be_v conscientious_a affectionate_a zealous_a yet_o they_o be_v full_a of_o fear_n they_o be_v often_o perplex_v and_o do_v it_o know_v what_o to_o make_v of_o themselves_o it_o seem_v to_o they_o that_o their_o walk_n be_v pretty_a much_o according_a to_o rule_v but_o they_o do_v not_o know_v that_o ever_o they_o do_v perform_v any_o act_n of_o save_a grace_n they_o can_v answer_v to_o such_o question_n love_v thou_o i_o joh._n 21.17_o or_o do_v thâ—â—_n believe_v on_o the_o son_n of_o god_n joh._n 9.35_o this_o do_v create_v a_o deal_n of_o perplexity_n to_o they_o and_o they_o be_v afraid_a what_o will_v become_v of_o themselves_o after_o alâ—_n their_o profession_n and_o there_o be_v three_o sort_n oâ—_n they_o 1._o some_o professor_n never_o do_v see_v any_o act_n oâ—_n grace_n in_o themselves_o they_o never_o have_v any_o and_o therefore_o can_v not_o see_v any_o they_o have_v have_v affection_n but_o no_o love_n sorrow_n but_o not_o godly_a sorrow_n encouragement_n but_o no_o faith_n there_o be_v many_o professor_n that_o be_v utter_o destitute_a of_o gracious_a carriage_n they_o have_v the_o resemblance_n of_o they_o buâ—_n they_o never_o have_v any_o exercise_n of_o grace_n they_o be_v spiritual_o dead_a and_o never_o do_v perform_v any_o act_n oâ—_n spiritual_a life_n thus_o it_o be_v with_o saul_n doeg_n achitophel_n judas_n and_o demas_n they_o be_v only_o the_o pictureâ—_n of_o saint_n and_o imitate_v the_o action_n of_o spiritual_a life_n but_o do_v not_o perform_v they_o a_o evil_a tree_n can_v bring_v forth_o good_a fruit_n man_n can_v gather_v grape_n of_o thorn_n or_o fig_n of_o thistle_n mat._n 7.16_o 18_o they_o can_v see_v act_n of_o grace_n man_n can_v see_v that_o which_o be_v not_o 2._o some_o professor_n never_o do_v certain_o know_v that_o they_o have_v perform_v any_o act_n of_o save_a grace_n they_o have_v discover_v the_o working_n of_o grace_n some_o time_n in_o themselves_o but_o not_o so_o plain_o as_o to_o be_v able_a to_o speak_v roundly_o up_o to_o it_o as_o peter_n do_v lord_n thou_o know_v all_o thing_n thou_o know_v that_o i_o love_v thou_o joh._n 21.17_o they_o understand_v that_o there_o be_v a_o great_a deal_n that_o do_v resemble_v grace_n that_o be_v not_o grace_n and_o so_o they_o doubt_v whether_o it_o be_v of_o the_o right_a kind_n they_o know_v that_o there_o be_v a_o temporary_a faith_n luk._n 8.13_o some_o believe_v for_o a_o time_n and_o then_o fall_v away_o and_o there_o may_v be_v strong_a desire_n and_o delight_n where_o there_o be_v no_o sincere_a love_n here_o may_v be_v great_a pang_n of_o affection_n without_o any_o uprightness_n and_o the_o act_n of_o grace_n be_v not_o so_o clear_a as_o some_o other_o do_v speak_v of_o hence_o they_o be_v not_o full_o satisfy_v as_o when_o one_o see_v a_o man_n at_o a_o great_a distance_n he_o be_v at_o some_o loss_n whether_o it_o be_v a_o man_n 3._o some_o have_v certain_o see_v the_o working_n of_o grace_n but_o through_o temptation_n since_o they_o have_v lose_v the_o certainty_n of_o that_o knowledge_n at_o the_o time_n they_o know_v they_o do_v believe_v in_o christ_n and_o that_o they_o love_v god_n and_o can_v say_v as_o david_n psalm_n 116.1_o i_o love_v the_o lord_n and_o as_o psal_n 46.1_o the_o lord_n be_v my_o strength_n and_o refuge_n but_o afterward_o they_o have_v not_o so_o full_a and_o clear_a a_o remembrance_n of_o it_o and_o god_n bring_v they_o into_o affliction_n and_o unbelief_n prevail_v and_o now_o they_o be_v suspicious_a that_o they_o be_v mistake_v beside_o god_n dont_fw-fr hear_v their_o prayer_n they_o have_v seek_v he_o many_o a_o time_n for_o such_o &_o such_o a_o mercy_n and_o he_o have_v deny_v they_o at_o last_o beside_o they_o find_v a_o dead_a heart_n corruption_n strong_a and_o have_v have_v no_o such_o plain_a work_n of_o grace_n a_o pretty_a while_n according_o they_o be_v full_a of_o fear_n whether_o they_o be_v not_o mistake_v they_o say_v if_o there_o be_v no_o deceit_n in_o it_o how_o come_v it_o to_o be_v so_o and_o so_o with_o i_o use_v ii_o other_o can_v be_v certain_a of_o a_o man_n sincerity_n from_o his_o conversation_n if_o other_o see_v man_n carry_v well_o they_o present_o say_v they_o be_v good_a man_n 〈◊〉_d but_o they_o do_v know_v it_o from_o thence_o there_o iâ—_n indeed_o ground_n enough_o for_o charity_n but_o not_o for_o assurance_n for_o whatever_o man_n conversation_n be_v if_o they_o do_v see_v the_o act_n of_o grace_n they_o can_v not_o be_v assure_v that_o the_o man_n be_v a_o godly_a man_n it_o be_v not_o good_a to_o depend_v upon_o the_o judgement_n oâ—_n other_o for_o they_o do_v not_o know_v whether_o a_o man_n be_v sincere_a or_o not_o all_o the_o external_a act_n of_o charity_n piety_n justice_n and_o sobriety_n may_v be_v perform_v by_o a_o man_n that_o have_v no_o grace_n prudence_n and_o conscience_n may_v produce_v they_o all_o and_o one_o that_o have_v no_o grace_n may_v carry_v as_o well_o in_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o world_n as_o he_o that_o have_v it_o peter_n do_v but_o suppose_v silvanus_n to_o be_v faithful_a 1_o pet._n 5.12_o consider_v 1_o the_o inward_a act_n of_o grace_n be_v invisible_a to_o other_o a_o man_n may_v look_v into_o his_o own_o heart_n and_o see_v the_o act_n and_o working_n that_o be_v there_o but_o he_o can_v look_v into_o the_o heart_n of_o other_o man_n can_v tell_v what_o act_n there_o be_v â—n_v their_o understanding_n and_o will_n man_n can_v â—ee_z when_o they_o act_v nor_o what_o they_o act_n nor_o what_o they_o act_n upon_o nor_o how_o they_o act_v man_n can_v â—ell_v whether_o they_o choose_v or_o refuse_v jer._n 17.9_o the_o heart_n be_v deceitful_a above_o all_o thing_n who_o can_v know_v it_o 2._o man_n can_v by_o word_n or_o action_n make_v the_o act_n of_o grace_n so_o visible_a to_o other_o that_o they_o can_v distinguish_v they_o if_o a_o man_n talk_v gracious_o and_o walk_v gracious_o he_o can_v make_v another_o certain_a that_o he_o do_v so_o another_o that_o see_v the_o external_a action_n can_v certain_o distinguish_v it_o from_o a_o formal_a action_n if_o he_o satisfy_v another_o yet_o he_o can_v assure_v another_o that_o it_o be_v 〈◊〉_d gracious_a action_n a_o man_n may_v speak_v like_o a_o angel_n yet_o not_o have_v charity_n he_o may_v give_v all_o his_o good_n to_o feed_v the_o poor_a and_o his_o body_n to_o be_v bury_v and_o yet_o not_o have_v charity_n 1_o cor._n 3.1_o 2_o 13._o use_v iii_o of_o warn_v that_o you_o be_v not_o confident_a of_o your_o sincerity_n from_o your_o walk_n without_o the_o certain_a knowledge_n that_o you_o have_v perform_v any_o act_n of_o save_a grace_n some_o man_n will_v be_v confident_a that_o they_o be_v in_o a_o good_a estate_n though_o they_o do_v not_o know_v that_o ever_o they_o believe_v in_o christ_n or_o have_v exercise_v any_o true_a love_n to_o god_n all_o that_o they_o have_v to_o say_v for_o themselves_o be_v that_o they_o have_v a_o conscientious_a caâ—_n to_o do_v their_o duty_n and_o be_v many_o time_n affect_v iâ—_n a_o religious_a way_n and_o hope_v they_o do_v trust_v in_o chriâ—â—_n and_o make_v the_o glory_n of_o god_n their_o end_n and_o the_o find_v affection_n to_o the_o people_n of_o god_n but_o this_o yoâ—_n may_v be_v sure_a of_o you_o can_v conclude_v your_o sincerity_n from_o your_o walk_n unless_o you_o know_v that_o you_o hauâ—_n perform_v some_o act_n or_o act_n of_o save_a grace_n 〈◊〉_d you_o do_v know_v that_o than_o you_o have_v reason_n to_o conclude_v your_o walk_n to_o be_v holy_a where_o there_o be_v on_o act_n of_o save_a grace_n there_o will_v be_v more_o there_o 〈◊〉_d the_o principle_n but_o without_o this_o you_o can_v conclude_v it_o consider_v 1_o if_o you_o be_v sincere_a this_o confidence_n 〈◊〉_d mere_a flattery_n good_a man_n sometime_o think_v the_o be_v good_a upon_o such_o foundation_n as_o will_v not_o hold_v as_o because_o god_n do_v the_o thing_n that_o they_o hauâ—_n pray_v for_o because_o he_o smile_v upon_o then_o in_o his_o providence_n because_o other_o think_v they_o arâ—_n saint_n so_o this_o be_v one_o way_n of_o flattery_n if_o you_o be_v upâ—â—_n right_a yet_o you_o can_v tell_v it_o from_o your_o walk_n if_o you_o do_v not_o know_v that_o you_o exercise_v grace_n for_o ought_v any_o thing_n that_o you_o know_v your_o life_n be_v a_o life_n oâ—_n hypocrisy_n man_n may_v do_v all_o that_o you_o know_v you_o do_v and_o yet_o be_v hypocrite_n your_o walk_n can_v be_v evidential_a to_o you_o if_o you_o do_v not_o see_v the_o act_n oâ—_n grace_n your_o confidence_n be_v presumption_n man_n must_v go_v upon_o a_o
sure_a bottom_n 2_o cor._n 13.5_o examinâ—â—_n yourselves_o prove_v your_o own_o self_n &_o this_o flatter_a &_o â—eep_v that_o you_o be_v fall_v into_o do_v you_o much_o hurt_v his_o make_v you_o neglect_v a_o good_a confidence_n and_o â—xposes_v you_o to_o live_v a_o careless_a life_n without_o any_o â—â—eat_a matter_n of_o the_o life_n of_o religion_n 2._o if_o you_o be_v not_o sincere_a it_o may_v prove_v your_o â—hine_n some_o man_n that_o take_v notice_n of_o their_o conscientiousness_n do_v conclude_v themselves_o godly_a â—hen_o they_o be_v ungodly_a and_o fall_v short_a of_o a_o principle_n of_o grace_n they_o be_v destitute_a of_o faith_n and_o â—â—ve_v joh._n 5.42_o i_o know_v you_o that_o you_o have_v not_o the_o â—â—ve_n of_o god_n in_o you_o but_o because_o they_o imagine_v that_o â—hey_n be_v sincere_a they_o rest_v in_o their_o present_a attainment_n joh._n 9.41_o because_o you_o say_v we_o see_v therefore_o â—our_n sin_n remain_v when_o they_o be_v stir_v up_o to_o â—et_a sincerity_n they_o hope_v they_o have_v it_o already_o they_o â—ope_v other_o will_v take_v the_o warning_n and_o that_o their_o child_n will_v hearken_v but_o they_o think_v themselves_o â—re_n out_o of_o danger_n counsel_n and_o warning_n be_v â—ost_o upon_o they_o they_o bless_v themselves_o in_o their_o present_a estate_n they_o think_v their_o disease_n be_v cure_v and_o so_o give_v over_o the_o use_n of_o mean_n they_o think_v â—hey_n be_v provide_v for_o eternity_n and_o so_o they_o be_v â—t_a rest_n they_o be_v under_o some_o endeavour_n to_o get_v â—nore_v knowledge_n and_o more_o grace_n but_o not_o to_o be_v convert_v hence_o this_o work_n be_v neglect_v when_o once_o they_o have_v take_v up_o such_o a_o conceit_n that_o they_o â—re_n godly_a they_o have_v get_v their_o death_n wound_n if_o â—nercy_n do_v not_o prevent_v they_o live_v careless_o and_o when_o they_o come_v to_o die_v they_o will_v be_v shut_v out_o of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n there_o will_v be_v no_o rooâ—â—_n for_o they_o in_o heaven_n mat._n 25.12_o depart_v from_o inâ—â—_n i_o know_v you_o not_o isa_n 50.11_o all_o you_o that_o kindle_v a_o fiâ—â—_n and_o compass_n yourselves_o about_o with_o spark_n walk_v 〈◊〉_d the_o light_n of_o your_o fire_n and_o in_o the_o spark_n which_o you_o haâ—â—_n kindle_v this_o shall_v you_o have_v of_o my_o hand_n you_o shall_v down_o in_o sorrow_n use_v iu._n of_o direction_n to_o saint_n how_o to_o get_v the_o knowledge_n of_o your_o sincerity_n by_o get_v such_o visibâ—â—_n act_n of_o grace_n that_o you_o may_v know_v they_o ceâ—â—tainly_o to_o be_v the_o act_n of_o save_a grace_n it_o be_v a_o greâ—â—_n exercise_v to_o some_o saint_n whether_o they_o be_v sinceâ—â—_n saint_n they_o labour_v in_o it_o for_o many_o year_n and_o oâ—â—_n minister_n give_v sign_n and_o they_o try_v themselves_o 〈◊〉_d they_o and_z another_z gives_z sign_n and_o they_o try_v themselves_o by_o they_o and_o sometime_o they_o think_v thâ—_n see_v the_o sign_n of_o saint_n and_o sometime_o the_o sign_n of_o hypocrite_n and_o they_o do_v know_v what_o 〈◊〉_d make_v of_o themselves_o the_o best_a way_n be_v to_o get_v suâ—_n exercise_v of_o grace_n that_o you_o may_v know_v it_o to_o 〈◊〉_d grace_n do_v let_v grace_n lie_v in_o a_o wither_a condiâ—â—_n on_o let_v it_o flourish_v that_o it_o may_v act_v visible_o thâ—_n you_o may_v certain_o know_v it_o your_o walk_n without_o this_o will_v never_o clear_v up_o your_o good_a condition_n consider_v 1._o there_o be_v good_a use_n of_o sign_n provide_v they_o be_v true_a sign_n warrant_v by_o â—â—ght_n interpretation_n of_o the_o scripture_n though_o â—â—any_n sign_n that_o man_n give_v be_v very_o fallible_a it_o if_o the_o sign_n be_v good_a there_o be_v very_o good_a â—e_n to_o be_v make_v of_o they_o though_o a_o man_n may_v â—k_v sign_n of_o sign_n endless_o yet_o they_o be_v of_o â—â—od_a advantage_n to_o beget_v a_o probable_a knowledge_n 〈◊〉_d a_o man_n good_a estate_n many_o person_n be_v inâ—uraged_v and_o support_v by_o they_o 1_o joh._n 3.14_o â—â—ereby_o we_o know_v that_o we_o be_v pass_v from_o death_n 〈◊〉_d life_n because_o we_o love_v the_o brethren_n and_o they_o â—e_v a_o further_a confirmation_n to_o those_o that_o have_v use_v assurance_n of_o their_o sincerity_n when_o they_o use_v scripture_n sign_n fall_v in_o with_o those_o evidence_n which_o they_o have_v former_o receive_v they_o â—â—e_v further_o establish_v thereby_o 2._o but_o the_o visible_a act_n of_o grace_n will_v â—â—isfy_v all_o sort_n of_o christian_n we_o may_v distinguish_v christian_n into_o two_o sort_n some_o be_v person_n 〈◊〉_d great_a understanding_n and_o knowledge_n they_o â—â—ve_v a_o deep_a insight_n into_o those_o way_n of_o deceit_n use_v hypocrisy_n that_o the_o heart_n be_v subject_a to_o use_v they_o be_v apt_a to_o be_v puzzle_v with_o question_n use_v doubt_n that_o fly_v over_o the_o head_n of_o other_o â—â—ey_o be_v afraid_a of_o such_o deceit_n as_o other_o man_n â—â—ned_v suspect_v but_o when_o they_o have_v plain_a visible_a â—â—â—rkings_n of_o grace_n that_o they_o know_v to_o be_v grace_n â—â—is_o full_o satisfye_v they_o thou_o know_v that_o i_o â—â—e_v thou_o joh._n 21.17_o other_o be_v weak_a and_o ignorant_a and_o can_v give_v many_o sign_n of_o true_a grace_n nor_o distinct_o take_v they_o up_o when_o they_o be_v lay_v down_o yet_o when_o they_o plain_o see_v the_o visible_a act_n of_o save_a grace_n the_o thing_n be_v puâ—_n beyond_o question_n a_o weak_a woman_n be_v as_o weâ—_n satisfy_v that_o she_o love_v her_o child_n as_o the_o wisefâ—_n man_n in_o the_o land_n though_o she_o can_v make_v a_o largâ—_n discourse_n upon_o it_o nor_o prove_v it_o by_o infallible_a signâ—_n because_o she_o seel_v her_o love_n so_o it_o be_v in_o this_o case_n 3._o though_o the_o visible_a act_n of_o grace_n may_v be_v counterfeit_v yet_o they_o that_o have_v they_o may_v know_v that_o they_o have_v they_o there_o be_v nothing_o but_o may_v be_v counterfeit_v man_n may_v counterfeit_v themselves_o to_o be_v great_a man_n and_o holy_a man_n golâ—_n and_o silver_n and_o jewel_n may_v be_v counterfeit_v so_o these_o visible_a act_n of_o grace_n man_n may_v have_v very_o strong_a affection_n where_o there_o be_v no_o love_n or_o godly_a sorrow_n matt._n 8.19_o master_n i_o will_v follow_v thou_o whither_o soever_o thou_o go_v 1_o sam._n 24._o 16._o saul_n lift_v up_o his_o voice_n and_o weep_v man_n may_v say_v hosanna_n to_o day_n and_o crucify_v to_o morrow_n yet_o those_o that_o have_v the_o visible_a act_n of_o grace_n know_v it_o he_o that_o dream_v think_v he_o be_v awake_a but_o he_o that_o be_v awake_a know_v he_o be_v awake_a though_o there_o be_v counterfeit_n yet_o the_o â—â—ible_a act_n may_v be_v know_v at_o the_o time_n 4._o if_o man_n have_v such_o visible_a act_n of_o grace_n but_o now_o and_o then_o they_o will_v be_v of_o great_a use_n to_o they_o as_o long_o as_o they_o live_v though_o they_o may_v be_v after_o that_o expose_v to_o great_a temptation_n yet_o these_o act_n of_o grace_n that_o they_o have_v â—een_n will_v be_v stay_n to_o they_o they_o will_v worâ—_n a_o abide_a hope_n in_o the_o heart_n they_o will_v often_o have_v occasion_n to_o call_v to_o mind_v the_o year_n of_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o the_o most_o high_a and_o their_o song_n in_o the_o night_n if_o a_o man_n shall_v live_v many_o year_n after_o he_o will_v not_o forget_v this_o psal_n 63.2_o that_o i_o may_v see_v thy_o power_n and_o glory_n so_o as_o i_o have_v see_v thou_o in_o the_o sanctuary_n if_o he_o have_v great_a temptation_n from_o deadness_n and_o from_o god_n with_o drawing_n this_o will_v come_v to_o mind_n and_o so_o he_o will_v have_v hope_n and_o the_o more_o such_o act_n be_v repeat_v the_o more_o advantage_n he_o be_v under_o to_o have_v a_o settle_a assurance_n of_o his_o sincerity_n finis_fw-la