we_o god_n be_v great_a than_o our_o heart_n but_o here_o begin_v our_o confidence_n towards_o god_n if_o our_o heart_n condemn_v we_o not_o if_o we_o love_v not_o in_o word_n or_o tongue_n but_o in_o deed_n and_o in_o truth_n hereby_o we_o do_v in_o part_n know_v that_o we_o be_v of_o the_o truth_n and_o shall_v assure_v or_o as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o margin_n persuade_v our_o heart_n before_o he_o 1_o joh._n 3.18_o 21._o and_o the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o rom._n 8.16_o that_o the_o spirit_n â—ears_v witness_n with_o our_o spirit_n as_o also_o it_o follow_v 1_o joh._n 3.24_o we_o may_v have_v we_o without_o that_o but_o not_o that_o without_o our_o own_o and_o therefore_o to_o make_v up_o the_o full_a and_o complete_a testimony_n both_o witness_n both_o spirit_n must_v concur_v and_o agree_v without_o contradict_v or_o thwart_v one_o another_o the_o three_o that_o bear_v witness_n on_o earth_n agree_v in_o one_o 1_o joh._n 5.8_o and_o now_o to_o the_o rule_n for_o discern_v the_o difference_n between_o the_o true_a and_o the_o pretend_a or_o presume_v witness_v the_o spirit_n the_o rule_n be_v these_o three_o 1._o the_o witness_n be_v know_v from_o the_o rule_n by_o which_o it_o speak_v 2._o by_o the_o ground_n on_o which_o it_o speak_v 3._o by_o the_o end_n to_o and_o for_o which_o it_o speak_v i_o say_v it_o be_v know_v 1._o by_o the_o rule_n according_a to_o which_o it_o speak_v to_o the_o law_n and_o to_o the_o testimony_n for_o if_o they_o speak_v not_o according_a to_o this_o word_n there_o be_v no_o light_n in_o they_o hebr._n no_o morning_n in_o they_o no_o not_o so_o much_o as_o the_o dawn_n of_o the_o day_n or_o the_o eyelid_n of_o the_o morning_n isa_n 8.20_o 1_o joh._n 4.1_o 6._o and_o epistle_n 2.7_o 10._o gal._n 1.6_o 9_o 2_o cor._n 11.1_o 4._o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n act_n and_o walk_v by_o the_o same_o rule_n that_o we_o be_v to_o act_v and_o walk_v by_o and_o that_o be_v the_o word_n if_o the_o word_n and_o spirit_n do_v not_o agree_v we_o must_v question_v either_o whether_o the_o word_n be_v of_o god_n or_o whether_o the_o spirit_n be_v of_o god_n and_o we_o be_v at_o a_o rueful_a loss_n if_o they_o do_v not_o both_o agree_v for_o if_o the_o word_n say_v one_o thing_n and_o the_o spirit_n another_o how_o shall_v we_o reconcile_v it_o but_o god_n word_n and_o god_n spirit_n do_v always_o agree_v and_o be_v of_o one_o and_o the_o same_o mind_n the_o spirit_n of_o god_n do_v indite_v and_o dictate_v the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o therefore_o it_o can_v say_v one_o thing_n there_o and_o another_o in_o thy_o heart_n that_o be_v to_o bear_v witness_n against_o itself_o and_o if_o its_o kingdom_n be_v divide_v how_o can_v it_o stand_v this_o conclusion_n therefore_o be_v infallible_o true_a that_o when_o and_o wherever_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n do_v bear_v and_o give_v its_o testimony_n it_o be_v always_o according_a to_o the_o write_a word_n contain_v in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n this_o be_v the_o foundation_n upon_o which_o iâ—_n build_v both_o we_o and_o its_o testimony_n epb._n 2.18_o 22._o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n as_o be_v hint_v do_v indite_v and_o dictate_v the_o scripture_n 2_o pet._n 1.20_o 21._o 2_o tim._n 3.14_o 17._o 1_o joh._n 2.20_o 27._o which_o unction_n refer_v to_o and_o be_v according_a to_o what_o they_o have_v hear_v from_o the_o beginning_n verse_n 24._o so_o that_o they_o be_v teach_v the_o same_o thing_n by_o the_o unction_n within_o as_o they_o be_v by_o the_o word_n call_v unction_n also_o without_o in_o all_o time_n the_o word_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o trial_n our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n himself_o oppose_v and_o conquer_v the_o devil_n by_o this_o sword_n of_o the_o spirit_n the_o word_n of_o god_n he_o prove_v himself_o to_o be_v the_o messiah_n more_o by_o the_o scripture_n than_o by_o miracle_n and_o tell_v they_o that_o if_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o testify_v of_o he_o they_o shall_v not_o believe_v he_o and_o therefore_o bid_v they_o search_v the_o scripture_n joh._n 5.39_o our_o saviour_n confute_v the_o error_n of_o the_o pharisee_n and_o the_o sadducee_n by_o scripture_n he_o tell_v we_o that_o his_o spirit_n shall_v not_o bring_v we_o a_o new_a doctrine_n but_o make_v application_n of_o what_o he_o have_v teach_v joh._n 14.26_o the_o apostle_n commend_v they_o of_o beroea_n that_o they_o search_v the_o scripture_n to_o see_v if_o the_o apostle_n speak_v true_a act._n 17.10_o 11._o and_o peter_n prefer_v it_o to_o the_o bath_n câ—l_v filia_fw-la vocis_fw-la the_o voice_n which_o he_o hear_v call_v it_o in_o relation_n to_o the_o jew_n a_o more_o sure_a word_n of_o prophecy_n 2_o pet._n 1.16_o 19_o so_o then_o upon_o the_o whole_a it_o be_v clear_a that_o what_o be_v not_o according_a to_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n can_v be_v the_o witness_n of_o god_n spirit_n sect_n 5._o a_o continuation_n 2._o the_o witness_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v know_v from_o any_o other_o by_o the_o ground_n on_o which_o it_o witness_v of_o which_o i_o shall_v name_v but_o two_o 1._o the_o spirit_n find_v this_o groundwork_n lay_v that_o thou_o be_v newborn_a though_o but_o a_o babe_n or_o infant_n of_o day_n and_o experience_n this_o always_o precede_v the_o witness_n the_o spirit_n do_v not_o nor_o can_v bear_v witness_n to_o they_o that_o be_v dead_a i._n e._n that_o live_v in_o sin_n ephes_n 1.1_o 2_o 3._o nor_o to_o they_o that_o have_v but_o a_o form_n of_o godliness_n or_o be_v pharisees-hypocrite_n that_o they_o be_v the_o child_n of_o god_n it_o can_v witness_v that_o to_o be_v which_o be_v not_o it_o be_v when_o and_o because_o you_o be_v son_n that_o god_n send_v forth_o the_o spirit_n of_o his_o son_n into_o your_o heart_n cry_v abba_n father_n and_o so_o thereupon_o or_o therewith_o bear_v witness_n to_o and_o with_o our_o spirit_n that_o we_o be_v the_o child_n of_o god_n gal._n 4.6_o with_o rom._n 8.15_o 16._o the_o work_n be_v always_o begin_v before_o the_o witness_n come_v that_o which_o be_v not_o wrought_v can_v be_v witness_v to_o if_o thou_o therefore_o be_v not_o newborn_a thy_o believe_a thyself_o to_o be_v a_o child_n of_o god_n be_v a_o delusion_n not_o the_o witness_n of_o the_o spirit_n 2._o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n bear_v witness_n that_o a_o man_n be_v the_o child_n of_o god_n not_o upon_o the_o ground_n or_o account_v of_o work_n and_o self-righteousness_n but_o upon_o the_o score_n of_o mercy_n and_o grace_n through_o the_o redemption_n which_o be_v by_o christ_n jesus_n it_o witness_v upon_o the_o account_n of_o mercy_n not_o of_o merit_n though_o there_o be_v a_o work_n wrought_v and_o work_v too_o yet_o the_o witness_n attribute_n this_o to_o and_o so_o witness_v to_o it_o as_o of_o grace_n the_o son_n of_o god_n be_v and_o their_o salvation_n be_v not_o of_o work_n but_o of_o grace_n joh._n 1.12_o 13._o rom._n 4.1_o 16._o and_o 9.15_o 16._o and_o 11.5_o 6._o jam._n 1.17_o 18._o tit._n 3.4_o 5._o 2_o tim._n 1.9_o by_o all_o which_o it_o do_v appear_v that_o all_o be_v of_o grace_n and_o on_o this_o bottom_n and_o fondation_n be_v the_o witness_n lay_v and_o bear_v to_o it_o it_o be_v call_v sonlship_n by_o adoption_n which_o be_v mere_o of_o grace_n all_o adoption_n be_v so_o and_o it_o be_v to_o this_o as_o such_o that_o the_o spirit_n witness_v as_o rom._n 8.15_o 16._o gal._n 4.6_o it_o bear_v witness_n that_o we_o be_v the_o child_n of_o god_n but_o still_o that_o we_o be_v so_o by_o adoption_n and_o not_o by_o nature_n for_o so_o we_o be_v child_n of_o wrath_n ephes_n 2.3_o and_o as_o to_o work_n we_o be_v child_n of_o disobedience_n and_o enemy_n in_o our_o mind_n by_o wicked_a work_n col._n 1.21_o and_o as_o to_o work_n wrought_v by_o we_o after_o the_o new_a birth_n we_o be_v not_o the_o child_n of_o god_n by_o they_o for_o they_o be_v from_o our_o be_v first_o the_o child_n of_o god_n and_o that_o not_o from_o our_o worth_n or_o will_n but_o his_o grace_n and_o good_a will_n to_o this_o and_o to_o nothing_o but_o this_o and_o on_o this_o account_n do_v the_o spirit_n bear_v witness_n and_o this_o much_o of_o the_o second_o rule_n viz._n the_o ground_n on_o which_o it_o witness_v 3._o the_o witness_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v know_v by_o the_o end_v it_o aim_v at_o and_o attain_v by_o affect_v they_o when_o it_o bear_v witness_v what_o they_o be_v i_o have_v declare_v in_o part_n before_o and_o shall_v show_v more_o hereafter_o and_o therefore_o content_v myself_o with_o but_o hint_v a_o few_o thing_n here_o the_o design_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v the_o abase_v of_o we_o and_o the_o exalt_v of_o the_o father_n and_o the_o son_n love_v the_o father_n grace_n
of_o this_o subject_a have_v show_v 1._o that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o form_n or_o state_n of_o saint_n as_o babe_n be_v inferior_a to_o they_o call_v by_o st._n john_n little_a child_n 2._o what_o their_o attainment_n and_o character_n be_v and_o 3._o wherein_o they_o be_v delective_a and_o short_a of_o all_o other_o saint_n and_o as_o carnal_a but_o a_o degree_n above_o carnal_a man_n be_v newborn_a it_o be_v true_a but_o as_o yet_o not_o wash_v clean_o from_o their_o blood_n no_o not_o comparative_o as_o other_o saint_n be_v i_o now_o proceed_v to_o the_o last_o thing_n iv_o the_o use_n of_o the_o whole_a 1._o by_o way_n of_o examination_n and_o self-catechizing_a whether_o we_o be_v 1._o babe_n or_o not_o we_o be_v 2._o but_o babe_n 2._o by_o way_n of_o exhortation_n to_o all_o sort_n as_o 1._o to_o they_o without_o as_o 2._o to_o they_o within_o 1._o by_o way_n of_o examination_n that_o we_o may_v catechise_v ourselves_o and_o learn_v to_o know_v 1._o whether_o we_o be_v babe_n or_o no_o whether_o newborn_a or_o not_o and_o this_o we_o have_v great_a reason_n to_o do_v because_o not_o only_o our_o heart_n be_v deceitful_a and_o may_v abuse_v we_o by_o make_v we_o think_v otherwise_o of_o ourselves_o than_o we_o be_v and_o therefore_o it_o be_v foolish_a to_o trust_v our_o heart_n prov._n 28.26_o but_o because_o many_o have_v be_v actual_o cozen_v as_o the_o foolish_a virgin_n etc._n etc._n many_o have_v think_v themselves_o rich_a who_o have_v be_v poor_a and_o other_o have_v think_v themselves_o poor_a who_o have_v be_v rich_a prov._n 13.7_o of_o which_o former_a the_o angel_n of_o laodicea_n be_v a_o instance_n rev._n 3.17_o and_o of_o the_o latter_a the_o angel_n of_o smyrna_n rev._n 2.9_o that_o therefore_o we_o may_v pass_v a_o right_a judgement_n on_o let_v we_o examine_v ourselves_o in_o relation_n hereunto_o it_o be_v but_o necessary_a that_o i_o premise_v some_o thing_n about_o conversion_n for_o the_o prevent_n of_o objection_n the_o remove_n of_o offence_n and_o so_o for_o the_o clear_n of_o the_o way_n which_o lead_v we_o to_o know_v whether_o we_o be_v newborn_a convert_v or_o not_o as_o 1._o that_o the_o new-birth_n be_v a_o mystery_n conversion_n be_v a_o secret_a thing_n a_o work_n that_o begin_v within_o out_o of_o sight_n it_o puzzle_v nicodemus_n a_o master_n a_o rabbi_n in_o israel_n to_o think_v what_o kind_n of_o thing_n regeneration_n shall_v be_v joh._n 3.3_o 13._o though_o there_o be_v motion_n and_o visible_a turn_n as_o in_o the_o wheel_n of_o a_o watch_n yet_o the_o spring_n be_v within_o and_o hide_a how_o the_o child_n be_v fashion_v in_o the_o womb_n be_v a_o great_a mystery_n but_o the_o forming_n of_o the_o new-birth_n be_v a_o great_a for_o it_o be_v a_o work_n whole_o and_o altogether_o of_o god_n make_v and_o it_o be_v curious_o wrought_v in_o the_o secâ—â—t_a place_n of_o the_o heart_n it_o be_v a_o being_n renew_v in_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o mind_n which_o be_v the_o prime_n and_o proper_a seat_n of_o it_o ephes_n 4.23_o now_o the_o work_n be_v so_o inward_a secret_a and_o hide_a it_o be_v hard_a to_o trace_v god_n footstep_n and_o to_o search_v man_n heart_n all_o the_o way_n of_o god_n be_v unsearchable_a enough_o but_o especial_o these_o in_o the_o great_a deep_a as_o man_n heart_n be_v call_v the_o way_n of_o a_o serpent_n on_o a_o rock_n the_o way_n of_o a_o ship_n in_o the_o sea_n and_o of_o a_o bird_n in_o the_o air_n can_v be_v find_v out_o much_o less_o can_v this_o way_n of_o god_n unless_o he_o reveal_v it_o by_o his_o spirit_n which_o work_v it_o 1_o cor._n 2.10_o 12._o though_o the_o outside_n of_o the_o newman_n which_o be_v create_v in_o righteousness_n and_o true_a holiness_n may_v be_v discern_v yet_o the_o inward_o of_o it_o be_v like_o the_o white_a name_n which_o none_o know_v but_o he_o ay_o and_o perhaps_o not_o every_o he_o that_o have_v it_o there_o be_v but_o few_o can_v give_v a_o 〈◊〉_d and_o full_a relation_n and_o story_n of_o this_o thing_n it_o be_v so_o secret_a that_o many_o thing_n pass_v by_o undiscerned_a as_o who_o know_v the_o error_n so_o who_o know_v the_o true_a working_n of_o his_o heart_n it_o be_v the_o hide_a man_n of_o the_o heart_n and_o the_o heart_n be_v hide_v from_o the_o man_n if_o man_n understand_v but_o little_a of_o earthly_a thing_n which_o be_v their_o element_n and_o whereof_o they_o profess_v themselves_o master_n how_o much_o less_o do_v they_o know_v such_o a_o spiritual_a and_o heavenly_a thing_n as_o this_o as_o our_o saviour_n tell_v nicodemus_n joh._n 3.7_o 12._o experience_n be_v the_o best_a school-mistriss_n in_o this_o case_n of_o which_o i_o shall_v speak_v anon_o 2._o i_o premise_v this_o that_o god_n take_v various_a occasion_n to_o convert_v man_n and_o use_v various_a mean_n to_o bring_v about_o this_o work_n which_o i_o mention_v because_o some_o be_v apt_a to_o think_v they_o be_v not_o convert_v if_o it_o be_v not_o do_v in_o the_o same_o way_n as_o it_o have_v with_o other_o the_o first_o and_o most_o usual_a be_v the_o preach_v of_o the_o gospel_n for_o faith_n come_v by_o hear_v one_o way_n or_o other_o rom._n 10.14_o 17._o sometime_o god_n take_v occasion_n from_o read_v to_o send_v a_o preacher_n as_o to_o the_o eunuch_n act_v 8.27_o etc._n etc._n and_o which_o way_n soever_o the_o word_n attend_v upon_o we_o to_o save_v we_o let_v we_o attend_v upon_o the_o save_a word_n give_v thyself_o to_o read_v and_o to_o hear_v and_o who_o know_v but_o god_n may_v give_v thou_o faith_n whilst_o thou_o be_v read_v or_o hear_v if_o he_o have_v not_o do_v it_o for_o thou_o that_o way_n already_o sometime_o god_n take_v occasion_n to_o do_v it_o at_o a_o conference_n or_o a_o discourse_n as_o it_o be_v at_o that_o between_o christ_n and_o the_o woman_n of_o samaria_n joh._n 4._o sometime_o god_n do_v make_v use_n of_o a_o affliction_n and_o a_o low-brought_a condition_n as_o he_o do_v to_o convert_v the_o prodigal_n and_o david_n find_v this_o of_o use_n for_o a_o reconversion_n psal_n 119.67_o and_o 71._o sometime_o he_o take_v a_o occasion_n from_o some_o mercy_n he_o have_v show_v and_o deliverance_n which_o he_o have_v wrought_v for_o a_o person_n and_o so_o oblige_v and_o lead_v he_o to_o repentance_n by_o his_o goodness_n such_o a_o thing_n be_v the_o occasion_n of_o the_o blind_a man_n conversion_n joh._n 9_o and_o of_o one_o of_o the_o leper_n and_o perhaps_o of_o the_o jailor_n sometime_o god_n take_v occasion_n by_o a_o dream_n to_o do_v it_o job_n 33.14_o 30._o sometime_o from_o a_o man_n curiosity_n as_o he_o do_v zacheus_n luk._n 19_o and_o many_o that_o have_v go_v to_o see_v and_o be_v see_v or_o to_o hear_v word_n as_o a_o lovely_a song_n as_o austin_n do_v ambrose_n have_v be_v meet_v with_o and_o have_v feel_v a_o work_n when_o they_o go_v to_o hear_v paul_n for_o novelty_n act_v 17.19_o yet_o than_o some_o believe_v verse_n 34._o yea_o sometime_o he_o stay_v till_o man_n be_v in_o a_o full_a career_n of_o sin_v and_o then_o meet_v with_o they_o as_o he_o do_v with_o saul_n act_v 9_o but_o such_o case_n be_v not_o ordinary_a sometime_o god_n make_v use_v of_o the_o good_a conversation_n of_o other_o when_o man_n will_v not_o hear_v the_o good_a word_n of_o god_n yet_o the_o good_a work_n though_o of_o woman_n may_v tend_v to_o and_o be_v make_v use_n of_o for_o their_o conversion_n 1_o pet._n 3.1_o 2._o oh_o that_o there_o be_v more_o such_o preacher_n and_o preach_a for_o then_o perhaps_o there_o will_v be_v more_o conversion_n sometime_o god_n make_v use_v of_o the_o patient_a suffering_n of_o his_o saint_n as_o he_o do_v that_o of_o christ_n to_o convince_v one_o and_o another_o at_o the_o time_n of_o his_o passion_n mat._n 27.54_o luk._n 23.39_o 43._o and_o in_o after_o age_n god_n blessed_v it_o so_o much_o that_o it_o become_v a_o proverbial_a speech_n sanguis_fw-la martyrum_fw-la semen_fw-mi ecclesiae_fw-la the_o blood_n of_o innocent_a and_o patient_a martyr_n become_v the_o seed_n of_o the_o church_n we_o must_v not_o limit_v the_o holy_a one_o of_o israel_n for_o though_o he_o tie_v we_o to_o mean_n he_o have_v not_o tie_v himself_o but_o haply_o work_v on_o many_o so_o indiscernable_o that_o they_o scarce_o know_v what_o be_v the_o occasion_n take_v or_o mean_v use_v to_o do_v it_o he_o wait_v to_o be_v gracious_a for_o he_o be_v a_o god_n of_o judgement_n he_o act_v judicious_o and_o take_v what_o occasion_n and_o mean_n he_o please_v he_o best_a know_v what_o will_v best_o take_v if_o the_o work_n be_v do_v it_o shall_v not_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o doubt_n to_o we_o which_o way_n it_o be_v do_v or_o by_o what_o mean_v yet_o see_v the_o
and_o the_o son_n righteousness_n in_o our_o eye_n that_o we_o may_v be_v nothing_o that_o god_n and_o christ_n may_v be_v all_o in_o all_o that_o we_o may_v admire_v the_o god_n of_o all_o grace_n &_o glorify_v his_o son_n jesus_n for_o ever_o and_o for_o ever_o the_o best_a admiration_n be_v those_o which_o spring_n from_o knowledge_n and_o assurance_n ignorance_n be_v the_o mother_n of_o but_o saint_n languid_a &_o piteous_a devotion_n but_o that_o which_o flow_v from_o knowledge_n be_v strong_a and_o vigorous_a and_o therefore_o do_v the_o spirit_n bear_v witness_n that_o our_o admiration_n devotion_n and_o adoration_n may_v be_v such_o it_o be_v to_o endear_v god_n to_o we_o that_o we_o may_v love_v he_o the_o more_o and_o serve_v he_o the_o better_a that_o he_o may_v be_v not_o only_o the_o dear_a for_o his_o mercy_n but_o dear_a than_o it_o and_o we_o may_v live_v to_o the_o praise_n and_o glory_n of_o god_n in_o righteousness_n and_o true_a holiness_n in_o this_o present_a world_n that_o be_v all_o the_o day_n of_o our_o life_n yea_o and_o that_o to_o come_v too_o in_o eternity_n i_o may_v add_v that_o this_o witness_n design_n to_o wean_v we_o from_o this_o world_n that_o we_o may_v put_v the_o scorn_n upon_o the_o lust_n of_o the_o eye_n and_o flesh_n and_o pride_n of_o life_n and_o live_v above_o above_o the_o grandeur_n and_o gallantry_n pride_n and_o pomp_n pleasure_n and_o prettiness_n of_o this_o world_n i_o say_v that_o we_o may_v live_v above_o where_o the_o way_n of_o life_n be_v to_o they_o that_o be_v wise_a so_o wise_a as_o to_o have_v their_o affection_n and_o conversation_n in_o heaven_n thus_o it_o follow_v upon_o our_o text_n 1_o joh._n 2.15_o where_o he_o bespeak_v the_o father_n young_a man_n and_o little_a child_n not_o to_o love_v the_o world_n neither_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v in_o the_o world_n upon_o this_o very_a account_n that_o if_o any_o man_n love_v the_o world_n the_o love_n include_v in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o father_n be_v not_o in_o he_o he_o do_v not_o know_v the_o father_n so_o that_o if_o any_o conceit_n themselves_o to_o be_v child_n of_o god_n and_o yet_o admire_v themselves_o grow_v proud_a wanton_a and_o worldly_a mind_v they_o deceive_v themselves_o for_o they_o have_v not_o the_o witness_n of_o nor_o this_o witness_n from_o the_o spirit_n god_n child_n be_v of_o another_o world_n while_o in_o this_o and_o they_o that_o know_v he_o to_o be_v their_o father_n live_v like_o man_n of_o another_o world_n in_o this_o psal_n 73.25_o phil._n 3.20_o heb._n 11.13_o 16._o and_o hence_o there_o be_v fair_a way_n make_v for_o i_o to_o pass_v on_o to_o the_o three_o part_n of_o this_o discourse_n viz._n to_o show_v more_o at_o large_a the_o result_n of_o this_o know_v the_o father_n or_o that_o by_o the_o witness_n of_o the_o spirit_n they_o be_v the_o child_n of_o god_n as_o to_o the_o privilege_n and_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o this_o attainment_n of_o the_o little_a child_n chap._n iii_o show_v the_o privilege_n and_o enjoyment_n of_o the_o little_a child_n in_o know_v the_o father_n in_o four_o section_n sect_n 1._o how_o upon_o have_v receive_v the_o witness_n of_o the_o spirit_n they_o do_v triumph_n over_o the_o law_n sin_n the_o world_n and_o present_a enjoyment_n i_o have_v declare_v long_o since_o in_o a_o little_a short_a discourse_n in_o print_n call_v the_o triumph_n of_o assurance_n be_v a_o appendix_n to_o the_o first_o part_n of_o my_o orthodox_n paradox_n to_o which_o i_o refer_v the_o reader_n and_o proceed_v to_o discover_v other_o the_o privilege_n and_o enjoyment_n of_o these_o assure_a one_o which_o privilege_n must_v be_v more_o than_o ordinary_a or_o common_a because_o to_o know_v the_o father_n be_v more_o than_o common_a knowledge_n and_o the_o more_o excellent_a the_o knowledge_n the_o more_o excellent_a the_o enjoyment_n be_v whether_o it_o be_v in_o kind_n or_o but_o only_o in_o degree_n that_o which_o i_o shall_v chief_o instance_n in_o be_v the_o great_a privilege_n dignity_n and_o honour_n of_o be_v able_a to_o cry_v abba_n father_n by_o the_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n receive_v into_o and_o witness_v in_o ourselves_o not_o bare_o adoption_n nor_o only_o the_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n but_o by_o it_o to_o cry_v abba_n father_n be_v the_o great_a thing_n i_o shall_v instance_n in_o according_a to_o rom._n 8.14.15_o 16._o compare_v with_o gal._n 4.1_o 7._o now_o whether_o the_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n whereby_o we_o cry_v abba_n father_n be_v the_o same_o thing_n with_o the_o witness_n of_o the_o spirit_n whereby_o we_o know_v the_o father_n i._n e._n that_o we_o be_v his_o child_n or_o something_o precedaneous_a to_o it_o or_o something_o succeed_v it_o and_o follow_v thereupon_o be_v a_o great_a question_n in_o so_o critical_a and_o nice_a a_o thing_n we_o need_v be_v wary_a and_o cautious_a yet_o with_o all_o humble_a submission_n i_o shall_v speak_v what_o i_o think_v to_o be_v most_o clear_a and_o evident_a in_o this_o case_n which_o i_o suppose_v to_o be_v this_o viz._n that_o the_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n may_v in_o part_n and_o a_o little_a precede_v the_o witness_n of_o the_o spirit_n as_o the_o dawn_n of_o the_o day_n do_v the_o sun_n rise_v to_o our_o view_n withal_o that_o more_o of_o it_o may_v come_v and_o appear_v together_o with_o the_o witness_n but_o especial_o and_o chief_o that_o most_o of_o all_o as_o to_o exercise_n use_v and_o comfort_n do_v flow_v from_o the_o witness_n after_o the_o receipt_n thereof_o that_o be_v the_o child_n of_o god_n who_o be_v lead_v by_o the_o spirit_n do_v act_n most_o in_o and_o by_o the_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n cry_v abba_n father_n after_o they_o have_v receive_v the_o witness_n of_o the_o spirit_n whereby_o they_o know_v the_o father_n and_o that_o they_o be_v his_o child_n for_o the_o better_a clear_n hereof_o i_o shall_v from_o compare_v rom._n 8._o with_o gal._n 4._o lay_v down_o several_a gradual_a position_n all_o which_o well_o consider_v will_v not_o a_o little_a contribute_v to_o the_o decide_n of_o the_o question_n according_a to_o what_o i_o have_v already_o hint_v position_n 1._o these_o text_n with_o several_a other_o do_v discover_v the_o great_a advantage_n and_o dignity_n of_o the_o gospel_n state_n beyond_o that_o of_o the_o law_n under_o the_o law_n they_o be_v son_n and_o heir_n but_o under_o age_n i._n e._n babe_n gal._n 4.1_o the_o heir_n as_o long_o as_o he_o be_v a_o babe_n so_o the_o word_n be_v and_o verse_n 3._o so_o we_o while_o we_o be_v babe_n so_o the_o word_n be_v there_o also_o which_o we_o render_v child_n yea_o they_o be_v son_n by_o adoption_n or_o by_o grace_n act_v 15.11_o for_o none_o have_v be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n any_o other_o way_n since_o the_o fall_n of_o adam_n but_o under_o the_o law_n they_o be_v under_o a_o spirit_n of_o bondage_n more_o than_o of_o adoption_n and_o differ_v not_o from_o servant_n gal._n 4.1_o be_v under_o bondage_n verse_n 3._o and_o receive_v not_o the_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n till_o the_o redemption_n by_o christ_n be_v over_o verse_n 4_o 5._o and_o till_o they_o receive_v the_o filiation_n or_o son_n ship_n by_o adoption_n thus_o manifest_v they_o have_v not_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o son_n crying_z abba_n father_n verse_n 6._o and_o after_o this_o they_o cease_v to_o be_v servant_n verse_n 7._o that_o be_v they_o cease_v to_o be_v son_n and_o heir_n as_o babe_n only_o which_o differ_v nothing_o from_o a_o servant_n verse_n 1._o and_o become_v son_n and_o heir_n of_o god_n through_o christ_n chap._n 3._o from_o 23._o to_o the_o end_n the_o state_n under_o the_o law_n be_v a_o law_n of_o bondage_n the_o law_n be_v call_v a_o yoke_n of_o bondage_n gal._n 5.1_o and_o they_o under_o it_o be_v under_o a_o spirit_n of_o bondage_n which_o in_o the_o genuine_a and_o proper_a sense_n of_o it_o be_v a_o weak_a slavish_a and_o cowardly_a spirit_n of_o fear_n oppose_v to_o that_o of_o power_n love_n and_o a_o sound_a mind_n 2_o tim._n 1.7_o this_o spirit_n of_o bondage_n be_v usual_o interpret_v to_o signify_v a_o slavish_a frame_n of_o heart_n whereby_o the_o jew_n like_o slave_n and_o superstitious_a person_n do_v serve_v god_n out_o of_o fear_n and_o this_o i_o shall_v not_o deny_v their_o religion_n at_o the_o best_a be_v call_v the_o fear_n of_o the_o lord_n yet_o i_o shall_v add_v this_o unto_o it_o that_o they_o do_v serve_v god_n not_o only_o from_o fear_n or_o out_o of_o fear_n but_o that_o they_o be_v afraid_a and_o under_o bondage_n though_o they_o do_v serve_v god_n their_o service_n do_v not_o free_v they_o from_o fear_n they_o be_v afraid_a of_o suffer_a death_n and_o hell_n notwithstanding_o their_o service_n and_o sacrifice_n for_o jesus_n christ_n take_v