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A91363 A little cabinet richly stored with all sorts of heavenly varieties, and soul-reviving influences. Wherein there is a remedy for every malady, viz. milk for babes, and meat for strong men, and the ready way for both to obtain and retain assurance of salvation: being an abridgement of the sum and substance of the true Christian religion; wherein the cause of our salvation, the way, the guide, the rule, the evidence, the seals, &c. and the connection of these points together, and dependancy of them one upon another: this I have endeavoured to do orderly, exactly, methodically, with much plainness and clearness. / By Robert Purnell. Purnell, Robert, d. 1666. 1657 (1657) Wing P4237; Thomason E1575_1; ESTC R209217 254,040 517

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heaven of heavens could not contain should be cradled in a Manger and from his cradle to his Cross his whole life was a life of sorrows Oh that the Judge of all flesh should be condemned the Lord of Life put to death that he that was crowned with honour and glory should be crowned with thorns That that face that was white and ruddy should be spit upon by the beastly Jews and that tongue that spake as never man spake should be accused of blasphemy That those hands that swayed the Scepter and feet that were as fine brass should be nailed to the Cross He was tempted by the Devil reviled by the High Priests branded for a Babler Wine-bibber and Sabbath-breaker and Blasphemer all this he suffered for us out of love to us shall we not love him his true love to us will be satisfied with nothing but love again This is another Spring of love Of the Tryals of Love how it may be known WE read 2 Cor. 2. 8. And to prove the sincerity of your love if the Lord will this shall be my work in few words to lay down those spiritual experimental signs of this sincere unfeigned fervent love 1. The first character of this grace of love is this true love will be satisfied with nothing but love again what doth all avail as long as we may not see the Kings face 2. Those whom we love we often think upon our thoughts fasten on them Psalm 139. 17 18. How precious are the thoughts of thee unto me O God how great is the sum of them when I awake I am still with thee So that sleeping or waking his mind runs upon him try thy love of God by this if thou think not often of God thou lovest him not but if thou canst not satisfie thy self with profits pleasures friends and other worldly objects but thou must turn other businesses aside that thou mayest daily think of God then thou lovest him 3. Those whom we love we will not willingly offend no bars are so strong as love Sooner will the servant offend his master the son his father the wife her husband the subject his Protector then him whom he spiritually loves Friendship binds faster then any authority Jonathan will offend his natural Father rather then his spiritual brother David Joseph will offend his mistress rather then his God c. 4. Those whom we love we acquaint with our grievances and lay open our miseries to their bosoms their counsel we ask and from them we look for help 2 Chron. 20. 12. Jehoshaphat being opposed by his enemies to whom comes he to complain to none but to God whom he loved to whom comes Hezekiah 2 Kings 19. 14 15. to complain against Rabshakeh and Sennacherib to none but to God to whom went David to complain of the bitter words of Cush the Benjamite to none but unto God whom he loves Psalm 7. 1. O Lord my God in thee do I put my trust save me from all them that persecute me c. 5. Those we love we take any small token kindly from them a pin from a friend is more esteemed then a pound from an enemy 6. Those whom we love we are willing to suffer or endure any thing for Iacob Gen. 29. 20. endured a tedious service for Rachel and it seemed but a few daies to him because he loved her so Pauls love to Christ made him not care for the passionate speeches nor affectionate tears of his friends he loved Christ more then either of them Acts 21. 13. compared with Iohn 21. 15. 7. Those whom we love we can bear any thing that comes from them we can endure their reproofs and their corrections the child can be contented to be struck by the Father that would not not take a blow of another Psalm 39. 9. I was dumb I opened not my mouth because thou didst it 8. That love that we bear to the people of God is a sure token of our love to God the image of God is graven in them and they that love God love those images of him that himself hath stamped and the more like they are to God the more they love them But not to love them is delivered as a note of the children of the Devil 1 John 3. 10. He that loveth not his brother is not of God 1 Iohn 4. 7. He that loveth not his Brother abideth in death See 1 Iohn 4. 20. 9. Those that we love we shall be often speaking of and praising them Psalm 47. 6. As he abounded in love to God so he abounded in praising him Sing praises to God sing praises sing praises to our King and see ver 7. What shall I say more doth thy heart stir after Christ art thou sick of love grieved if he be absent glad if present art thou very diligent to obtain the thing beloved love cannot abide delaies but would presently enjoy the thing loved love desires no wages but love again true love will constrain you to please him and put such necessity upon you to obey him that you cannot chuse but do it in some good measure 2 Cor. 5. 14. 10. And lastly with the love of God is alwaies joyned the hatred of sin Revelat. 2. 6. Thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans which I also hate The love of God and the love of sin cannot dwell intensively at the same time in the same heart for the love of the one will prove the hatred of the other Mat. 6. 24. Jam. 4. 4. So love to God casts out servile fear 1 Iohn 4. 18 19. there is no fear in love but perfect love casteth out fear because fear hath torment he that feareth is not ●●de perfect in love love casteth out a sinful servile slavish fear whereby we slavishly fear either God or the creature Rom. 8. 15. Mat. 10. 28. this is the fear that true love casts out 1. Is this love of God shed abroad in thine heart by the Holy Ghost hast thou an experimental taste of Gods love Rom. 5. 5. 2. Hath this love of God effectually regenerated and renewed thee by the Spirit Titus 3. 4 5 6. 3. Hath this love of God adopted thee that thou art numbered amongst the sons of God 1 Iohn 3. 1 2. 4. Hath this love of Christ satisfied thee and made thee holy Col. 3. 12. 5. Hath this love of Christ brought thee to live the life of Faith Gal. 2. 20. 6. Doth this love of God and Christ sweetly constrain and even compell thee to be chea●●ully serviceable to him in thy place and calling 2 Cor. 5. 13 14 15 16. Of the Properties of this true Love 1. WHere there is love to God and faith in Christ it makes the soul long for and earnestly desire the appearing of Christ 2 Tim. 4. 8. There is a Crown of righteousness laid up for all them that love his appearing as when we love any we love their presence It is true sometimes good men are afraid to die
multitude of mountains truly in the Lord our God only is the salvation of Israel Now that I my self and others that read these lines may be grounded rooted and established upon the true and only foundation is the desire and endeavour of my heart and soul In the ensuing Treatise and for the accomplishment of this great work which is of highest concernment let us first endeavour to unravell unmask and unbowel the Covenant of Grace and for our more orderly proceeding therein let us enquire into these particulars 1. What is the sum and substance of this new Covenant 2. With whom this Covenant was first made 3. When this Covenant was made 4. Whether there be any conditions of this Covenant and if so what they are 5. Whether it be one and the same Covenant of grace that was in force before the Law and under the Law and under the Gospel 6. Whether this Covenant may not be broken as was the Covenant of works 7. What means one should use to get into this Covenant 8. When may a man or woman be said to be in this Covenant 9. Wherein the Covenant of Grace and the Covenant of works do differ Question 1. What is the sum and substance of this Covenant of Grace or New Covenant Answ The Covenant of Grace is called a testament or will indeed the will of the Father revealed to the Son and by the Son revealed to the world to manifest the Fathers love unto the sons and daughters of men and testified to the world that what he declared was the mind of God and so sealed it with his blood Heb. 10. 29. So that his blood that he shed is called the blood of the Covenant yea of the everlasting Covenant Heb. 13. 20. Or The Covenant of grace is full of sure mercies and sweet promises that God will give a new heart a heart to know him and that he will write his Law within us put his fear into us cause us to walk in his statutes forgive our iniquities cleanse us from our filthiness be our God and make us his people Ezek. 36. and Jer. 31. This Covenant doth fall into these six parts viz. 1. It is a free Covenant 2. It is a full and compleat Covenant 3. It is a well ordered Covenant 4. It is a sure and firm Covenant 5. It is a peaceable Covenant 6. It is an everlasting Covenant 1. First it is a free Covenant 1. Because the foundation of it is free 2. Because it is freely given to those that do partake of it Isa 42. 6 Isa 49. 8. 3. Because there is no active condition required on our part Jer. 31. 33 34. 4. It is free in respect of his entring into Covenant with us Isa 65. 1. 5. It is free in respect of his performances of it Mich. 7. 20. 2. It is a full and compleat Covenant richly and plentifully stored with all sutable promises both for this life and that which is to come for soul and body being and well being there is some remedy in it for every malady 3. It is a well ordered Covenant 1. In respect of the Persons with whom it is made and that is first with Christ then with his seed 2. In respect of the promises and parts of the Covenant First God becomes our God then we become his people Jer. 32. 38. 3. In respect of manifestations he first reveals it and then seals it by his Spirit Ezek. 16. 8 9. 2 Tim. 1. 10. 4. In respect of the ends of it which is God the Father and the Sons glory in the riches and freeness of his Grace which should caution us not to darken the Glory of free Grace 4. It is a sure and firm Covenant founded upon that Rock Jesus Christ Isa 26. 4. Rom. 4. 16. Our salvation is by Grace to the end that the promises might be sure to all the seed Isa 55. 3. I will make an everlasting Covenant with you even the sure mercies of David Now it is sure and firm 1. Because it is made by an Immutable God 2. He hath confirmed this Covenant with an oath Heb. 6. 17 18. 3. He hath sealed it with the blood of his Son Heb. 13. 20. 5. Fifthly It is a peaceable Covenant in this Covenant he doth freely give peace to the soul and so keeps the soul in peace the heart being stayed on him Isa 26. 3. In this Covenant there is a three-fold peace conveyed to the soul Eph. 2. 14. he is our peace who hath made both one 1. He is our peace with the Father 2. He gives peace of Conscience he stills and quiets that 3. He is the Author and cause of our peace with men 6. Sixthly It is an everlasting Covenant Jer. 3. 40. And I will make an everlasting Covenant with them that I will not turn away from them to do them good but I will put my fear into their hearts that they shall not depart from me The motives that did move God to make this Covenant was his everlasting love the Righteousness upon which it is grounded is everlasting Righteousness In this Covenant is presented to us everlasting pardon everlasting kindness everlasting mercy everlasting joy and consolation and everlasting life and salvation all these are fully proved by these and the like Scriptures Psal 105. 8. Isa 40. 18. Heb. 8. 12. Isa 54. 8. 35. 10. 2 Thes 2. 16. What shall I say more to the nature of this Covenant it is sometimes called a New Covenant sometimes it is called a better Covenant as appears by Heb. 12. 24. compared with Heb. 8. 6. Sometimes it is called a Covenant of grace now by a New Covenant a better Covenant a Covenant of grace All serious Christians do understand the engagements which God hath laid upon himself to bestow on them for whom Christ died all good temporall spirituall and eternall blessings so that by this God doth make himself debtor to his people in Covenant with him and is bound in justice to perform his word and promise Now this Covenant is sometimes called a New Covenant because it succeeds in the place of the other Covenant of works and it is called a Covenant of grace because all the effects thereof do flow down to us meerly of free Grace and favour of God and the merits of Christ Zach. 9. 11. In the Covenant of Grace we may find the mouth of the Law stopped and all the accusations of Satan answered and the justice of God ●ully satisfied God will have all blessings and happiness to flow to us through and by the Covenant of Grace 1. That the worst of sinners may have strong ground of hope 2. For the praise of his own glory 3. That vain man may not boast 4. That our mercies and blessings may be sure to us our salvation is by grace saith Paul Rom. 4. 16. that the promises might be sure to us for if it in any sense depended upon works we could not be sure thereof Reader
of peace ariseth from a souls resting satisfied in Christs righteousness adding nothing to it Psal 71. 15 16 19 24. and Psal 119. 142. I will make mention of thy righteousness even of thine only for thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness See Jer. 33. 16. the perfection of Christs righteousness is held forth unto us and alwayes lieth before us that we may be thankfull for it and peaceable with it and rejoyce in the bestower of it the Lord Jesus having spoken peace to the soul and acquainted the soul that he hath paid all his debts for it and that his sins which were so many shall be remembred no more then the soul begins to be filled with joy and peace in beleiving beholding and enjoying Christs righieousness which begets in the soul a perfect peace a precious peace a full and compleat peace and an everlasting peace 4. The next vein through which peace is conveyed to the soul is by our acquainting our selves with him Job 22. 21. Acquaint now thy self with him and be at peace thereby so good shall come unto thee now by thy acquainting thy self with him these things will fall in First thou wilt see that thou wast cast out to the loathing of thy soul and no eye pittying thee much less to relieve thee that then even then when man was ready to perish should be the time of love with God whereby he cast his skirt of compassion over him and said unto him again live Oh ye Heavens stand amazed and oh thou earth flesh and blood rejoyce and triumph for when there was no eye to pitty thee the arm of the Lord hath brought salvation by raising up a mighty one out of the house of his servant David even Christ the Lord the wondefull Counsellor the mighty God mighty to save the everlasting Father the Prince of peace who became man under the Law and obligation to obedience and not only so but also became our Surety for us to do suffer and fulfill that for us which we were no waies able to do for our selves The Covenant of works rested in and trusted unto can never work settled comfort and peace and quietness of heart let a man walk as exactly as ever flesh and blood can attain unto let him as confidently build on this foundation as he possibly may yet the heart will be still in suspition in doubt in fear uncertain what to trust unto but the Doctrine of grace rested in and trusted unto doth settle a soul in peace this is a sure Anchor for the soul to rest upon let waves swell and winds blow he retains a firm peace stand here and we are safe for ever Rom. 5. 1 2. 3. Thirdly This Doctrine is the Root and Spring of all Gospel obedience whatsoever men call obedience if it ariseth not from hence it is but forced and legal we must get up Gospel principles if we would keep up Gospel practises Wheresoever this Doctrine of grace is received and retained in the love and power of it it works these five things in the soul viz. Faith Love Fear Willingness and Chearfulness and from these five things as from five Springs doth all Gospel obedience arise 1. True obedience doth flow from Faith hence it is called the obedience of Faith Rom. 16.26 in the latter part of this Chapter we read of a mysterie revealed and what that mysterie was it was the Doctrine of Gods grace and the end why it was revealed was for the Obedience of Faith see Rom. 1. 5. 2. As Faith in Christ doth put the soul upon heavenly and spiritual actings so also love constrains them in whom it is to keep the Lords commandments John 14. 21 23. compared with Psalm 26. 3 4. If ye love me keep my commandments For thy loving kindness is before mine eyes saith David and I have walked in thy truth 3. As true obedience doth spring from Faith and Love so it is attended with an holy fear Psalm 119. 161. My heart saith David doth stand in awe of thy word Heb. 11. 7. Noah being warned of God touching things not seen was moved with fear and so prepared an Ark. 4. As Gospel obedience doth spring from Faith Love and Fear so it ariseth from a willing mind Psalm 27. 8. when thou saidst seek ye my face my heart answered Lord thy face will I seek as David had said O Lord it is thy great command seek ye my face my heart saith unto thee it is the desire of my soul thy command is become my request thy face Lord will I seek 5. As Gospel-obedience springs from Faith Love and fear and a willing mind so it is performed chearfully and delightfully Psal 40. 8. I delight to do thy will O God thy Law is in my heart as well as in thy Book What shall I say more a soul receiving believing retaining and standing in the true grace of God shall be every way furnished and supplyed with strength to perform any duty to exercise any grace to subdue any lust to resist any temptation to bear any affliction c. Sure if the bowels of mercy do not melt win and draw us Justice will be a swift witness against us And as the Branch cannot bear fruit except it abide in the vine John 15. 4. no more can ye except ye abide in me Gods free love manifested to us and by his Spirit shed abroad in us is the cause of our love to him 1 John 4. 10 19. And our love to him is the cause of our obeying him 1 John 5. 3. John 14. 15 21 23. we read in Jer. 31. 19. After that I was turned I repented and after that I was instructed I smote upon my thigh That is as if he had said after that thou hast wrought a gracious change upon my soul by thine afflicting hand out of thy love to me Heb. 12. 6. Or after I came to my self again Luke 15. 17 and considered seriously with my self how it was with me I was touched with repentance with sorrow and with shame for my former miscariages 4. Fourthly this Doctrine received and the heart therein established will be a stop and bar to keep out all floods of errour The floods of all errour flow in at the pipe of ignorance and especially ignorance of this very thing viz. The Doctrine of grace the errour of the Papists of building and resting upon works springs from their ignorance of this blessed Docrtine the errour of the Quaker springs purely from hence the errour of the Arminian springs in at the same pipe partly by works and partly by grace they not seeking salvation by grace but as it were by the works of the Law they stumbled and fell Rom. 9. 32. And all the unstability formality legality that there is at this day appearing amongst the Presbyterian Independant and Baptist or any other people professing godliness doth arise from their ignorance or their little knowledge in this great mysterie nay farther did you
but it is because they would be better fitted for their Bridegrooms coming besides the best have flesh as well as Spirit c. 2. Another property of love is this Love delighteth to speak well of the party beloved David abounded in love to God and therefore could never satisfie himself in speaking of and praising him Psalm 105. 3. Love is bountiful and seeks not its own as doth abundantly appear in this blessed portion of Scripture 1 Cor. 13. 4 5. 4. Another property of love is this it will put the whole man to work for the party beloved Memory Will Affections Tongue and Hand and all will fall to work when others stand frozen and benummed surely the heart that loves Christ is still drawing nearer and nearer to him aspiring towards heaven and thriving in the work of grace 5. And lastly love commandeth the affections of anger and fear it moderates the one and regulates the other What shall I say more of the properties of this love he that hath this love of God shed abroad in his heart doth look upon Christ as the chiefest among ten thousand and so speaks good of his name Psal 34. 8. O taste and see that the Lord is good c. In a word a soul comes to love him for himself because he is the object of love And so this man grieves when he is either dishonoured or slighted Of the motives or inducements to perswade us to get into and grow up in this Love THE motives to perswade us to make out after this love may be drawn from either the benefits that we shall get by it or from the hurt or danger in neglecting it To begin then with the last first 2 Cor. 16. 22. If any man love not the Lord Iesus Christ let him be cursed with a double curse c. 1 Iohn 4. 8. He that loveth not knoweth not God for God is love and if we know him not 2 Thes 1. 8. he will come in flaming fire taking vongeance on them that know him not Iohn 5. 42. These people have not the love of God in them Ioh. 8. 42. Iesus said to them if God were your father ye would love me c. 1 Iohn 3. 10. In this the children of God are manifest and the children of the Devil whosoever doth not righteousness is not of God neither he that loveth not his Brorher in a word there is nothing that we say or do that will be accepted of the Lord without this love 1 Cor. 13. 1 2 3. Though I speak with the tongue of men and Angels and though I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor and give my body to be burned and have not this love I am nothing c. In the next place let us consider the excellency of it and the benefits we shall get thereby First it is most like to God 1 John 4. 16. God is love and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God Again it is called by David a joyful blessed and pleasant thing Again it is recorded in Scripture as one of our evidences for heaven 1 John 3. 14. By this we know we have passed from death to life because we love the brethren and our love to our brethren is a sign of our love to God 1 John 4. 20. Lastly love will stand when all other graces will fail 1 Cor. 13. 8. Love never faileth ver 13. now abideth Faith Hope Charity these three but the greatest of these is Charity Of our love to the children of God the nature of it the tryals of it the means of attaining it and impediments that hinder it 1. OF the nature of it Christ is nothing else but love and there should not any thing be beloved by us but as it either conveys love from him or else draws up our affections unto him and our loving of his body the Church will effect both these The nature then of this love may be comprehended under these ensuing heads When we love them as such in whom we see the Image of Christ for their spiritual brother-hood 1 Pet. 2. 17. The godly for godliness sake for God in them Christians for Christianity for Christ in them the Saints for their Saint-ship for their Sanctity of person and conversation The spiritual children begotten for their Heavenly Fathers sake when grace is the principal load-stone of our affection when for this we love them more then for beauty sweetness of disposition birth breeding learning wi● gifts wealth honour c. And so love all such as we apprehend to be the children of God for he that truly loves one child of God as a child of God loves every child of God whether noble or ignoble rich or poor bond or free male or female for the same God the same Christ the same grace is as truly amiable in one as in another See Col. 1. 4. Hence we also come to love them most that are most gracious for where grace allures the affection the more grace there is in any person there is the stronger motive and allurement to love more Jesus loved all his Disciples John 13. 1. But John he loved eminently above all the rest John 21. 20. And so as grace grows in the same person true love towards him will grow proportionably Of the Tryals of our love to the brethren THere is a two-fold tryal or evidence of our love to the Lords people the one more internal the other ext●rnal ●●●st of the first of the inward evidences We ●●ad ● J●hn 3. 14. By this we know we have passed from death to life because we love the Brethr●n Now ●●r unfeigned love to them will appear by these ensuing things 1. If I would know whether I love the Brethren Let me exam●●● what my thoughts are of them love thinketh no evil 1 Cor. 13. 4 5. Now I can certainly tell what I do think of another although I cannot tell what he doth think of me So though I cannot certainly and infallibly tell whether another loves me yet I can certainly tell whether I love him or no his love to me is in his heart which I know not my love to him is in my heart which I know and no creature else 2. If I would indeed know if I love the brethren let me examine how I do stand affected to them in sympathizing with them when they be in misery Heb. 13. 3. Remember them that are in bonds as bound with them and them which suffer adversity as being your selves also in the body 3. When we are at distance from them what desires have we after them Phil. 1. 8. God is my record how greatly I long after y●● all in the bowels of Jesus Christ Now why doth Paul call God to record to prove the truth of his love to these Saints but because this love in his heart was known to none but to God and himself 4. What delight do we
prayers and resolutions This doth add perjury to our Iniquity Quest Who are those that are nearest related one to another in this life amongst the sons of men Answ The members of Christ whether strong or weak high or low Religion puts men into the nearest Union and the most endeared Relations they who are united together in the blood of Christ are knit together in the strongest bands Quest Whether sin may be dying when in our own apprehnesion and in the apprehension of others it is rather increasing Answ Corruption may be then most enfeebled when in our own apprehension it is most enraged viz. A coal of fire glows most a little before it goes out and a candle burning into the socket gives a blaze even as it is going out a long dark night sometimes is most darkest a little before break of day the devil rageth most when he is nearest chaining up many a Fowl fluttereth most when his neck is broken or his head cut off Quest Seeing all men under heaven are either in the state of Nature or in the state of Grace how may we know who is in the state of Nature and who is in the state of Grace or what are the distinguishing Characters of the one and also of the other 1. A man in the state of Nature is one that doth live and walk in an open or secret course of sin contrary to the Scriptures and the light of Nature 2. He is one that doth live quietly and securely and contentedly in a secret state of ignorance 3. He is one that doth rest upon and glory in a form without a power 4. He doth in his judgement prefer and in his will deliberately chuse the things of this world before the things of Christ 5. He is one that doth contemptuously turn his back upon the Ordinances of God and tenders of Jesus Christ 6. He is one that is apt to persecute with his hand and revile with his tongue the people of God Phil. 1. 28. 7. He is one that will cloud and colour wicked practices with specious pretences devour widdows houses and for a pretence make long prayers 8. He is apt to be a great exactor of holiness upon others but he will do but little himself bind heavy burdens and lay them upon others c. 9. He is apt to be carefull in small matters and negligent in great things 10. And lastly a man may seem to make a great progress in Religion and yet be but in a state of condemnation viz. It is said of Simon Magus that he believed Act. 8. 13. It is said of Judas that he repented others did hear the word with joy and some partake of the heavenly gift and powers of the world to come and were sanctified Numb 24. 2 Balaam is said to have the Spirit of God and to have his eyes opened and to have heard the word of God and to have seen the visions of the Almighty so that he prophesied of the Kingdom of Christ ver 19. So Jam. 1. 26. If a man amongst you seem to be religious and bridleth not his tongue this mans religion is vain Quest What are the Characters of a true Christian by which I may be able to discern between him and a man in the state of nature Answ There are many external discernable Characters of a true Christian and there be also many internal evidences First there are many external Characters 1. He that doth see his interest in the promises he will let us know it by cleansing himself from all filthiness of flesh and spirit 2 Cor. 7. 1. 2. He that is a servant unto God will let us know it by his obedience to him Rom. 6. 16. 3. If you say that you are Christs sheep let it appear by your hearing his voice Joh. 10. 27. 4. If you say that you do abide in him let us know it by your endeavouring to walk as he walked 1 Joh. 2. 6. 5. If Christ hath dyed for you let us see it by your living unto him 2 Cor. 5. 15. 6. If you do know him so as to have an interest in him let it appear by keeping his commandments 1 Joh. 2. 4. 7. If you have received a Kingdom that cannot be moved let us see it by your serving him with reverence and godly fear Heb. 12. 28. 8. If you be the spouse of Christ let us know it by your enquiring after him Cant. 5. 6. 9. 9. If you be his Disciples let us know it by your love one to another Joh. 13. 35. 10. If you say you live in the spirit let us know it by your walking in the spirit Gal. 5. 25. 11. If you do abide in the true Vine let us know it by your fruitfulness Joh. 15. 5. 12. If you say that you are indeed Christs let us know it by your crucifying the flesh with the affections and lusts Gal. 5. 24. 13. If you are indeed planted in his house let us know it by your flourishing in his Courts Psal 92. 13. 14. If Christ hath chosen you to salvation let us know it by your sanctification of the spirit and the belief of the truth Ephes 1. 4. 15. If you say that you do live in his will let us know it by your doing his will 16. If you say that you have faith in Christ let us see it so appear by its works Jam. 2. 18. 17. Who is a wise man amongst you all and endued with knowledge let him shew out of his good conversation his works with meekness and wisdom Jam. 3. 13. Quest But are there not some things in a Christian that cannot be in an hypocrite if so pray let me know what they are Answ There are some flowers that grow not in natures garden and some pearls that are not to be found in the worlds field and some precious things in a true Christian that were never found in a cast-away viz. 1. A true Christian indeed will mourn in secret confess to God and judge himself for those sins that no man can spot him for his greatest and hottest conflicts are against inward pollution obvious only to the eye of God and our selves 2. A true Christian indeed doth as earnestly desire to have his sin purged as pardoned and himself fitted to do or suffer for the name of Christ 3. He doth loath hate and abhor and refrain sin from a right principle to a right end and so in his heart saith with Joseph how shall I do this evil and sin against God 4. He is willing to be searched be any Christian in any thing and many times he entreats the Lord to search him Psal 139 23 24. 5. He labours in all duties and services to approve his heart to God 6. In respect of the general bent and srame of his heart subjects to Christ 1. Freely and sweetly 2. Universally in one thing as well as another without any exception or reservation 3. This he doth constantly and unwearyedly at least in desire