we_o shall_v come_v to_o that_o general_a assembly_n and_o the_o church_n of_o the_o first-born_a which_o be_v write_v in_o heaven_n now_o then_o when_o we_o here_o converse_v and_o confer_v with_o they_o it_o can_v but_o be_v a_o great_a delight_n and_o refresh_n to_o our_o soul_n and_o the_o more_o because_o in_o all_o occurrent_n and_o occasion_n they_o will_v furnish_v we_o in_o any_o duty_n in_o receive_v of_o any_o blessing_n how_o shall_v we_o see_v their_o heart_n swell_v and_o their_o lip_n overflow_v with_o all_o thankfulness_n how_o do_v they_o melt_v in_o humiliation_n and_o swim_v in_o tear_n how_o do_v they_o sharpen_v their_o voice_n in_o fervent_a petition_n in_o any_o desertion_n what_o expression_n of_o longueing_n what_o sigh_v pine_a mourn_a how_o do_v they_o fill_v their_o mouth_n with_o insinuate_a argument_n to_o woo_v the_o lord_n return_v and_o regain_v the_o sense_n of_o his_o favour_n â—2_n give_v he_o no_o rest_n till_o they_o feel_v the_o joy_n of_o their_o salvation_n restore_v chap._n x._o the_o application_n of_o this_o comfort_n by_o meditation_n hence_o also_o may_v a_o afflict_a spirit_n take_v word_n unto_o itself_o and_o say_v why_o do_v i_o thus_o vex_v my_o own_o heart_n and_o disquiet_v myself_o in_o vain_a do_v i_o not_o still_o enjoy_v the_o holy_a &_o bless_a word_n of_o my_o god_n be_v there_o any_o loss_n which_o it_o do_v not_o rich_o supply_v can_v i_o be_v poor_a who_o possess_v those_o precious_a promise_n 8.34_o can_v i_o be_v miserable_a who_o attend_v on_o the_o post_n of_o his_o door_n and_o hear_v he_o if_o i_o lose_v father_n mother_n house_n land_n have_v not_o i_o a_o promise_n of_o a_o hundred-fold_n for_o the_o present_a beside_o that_o eternal_a life_n to_o come_v mar._n 10.30_o if_o i_o be_o in_o any_o distress_n have_v i_o not_o a_o promise_n that_o when_o father_n and_o mother_n forsake_v i_o he_o well_o take_v i_o up_o psal._n 27.10_o have_v i_o not_o his_o command_n to_o cast_v my_o care_n upon_o he_o psal._n 55._o 22._o and_o his_o promise_n that_o he_o will_v care_v for_o i_o 1_o pet._n 5.7_o have_v i_o not_o his_o word_n that_o he_o will_v never_o turn_v away_o from_o i_o to_o do_v i_o good_a 41._o that_o he_o will_v rejoice_v in_o i_o to_o do_v i_o good_a his_o promise_n be_v that_o i_o shall_v want_v nothing_o that_o be_v good_a 10â—_o and_o his_o word_n be_v good_a as_o good_a as_o his_o deed_n how_o then_o shall_v i_o be_v destitute_a of_o any_o good_a blessing_n 4.8_o who_o have_v the_o promise_n of_o this_o life_n and_o the_o life_n to_o come_v why_o then_o oh_o my_o soul_n be_v thou_o cast_v down_o and_o trouble_v within_o i_o be_v not_o that_o immortal_a seed_n of_o the_o word_n cast_v into_o thy_o heart_n do_v it_o not_o still_o abide_v and_o remain_v in_o thou_o yea_o 23.4_o though_o i_o walk_v in_o the_o valley_n of_o the_o shadow_n of_o death_n i_o will_v fear_v no_o evil_a for_o thy_o rod_n and_o staff_n comfort_v i_o be_v not_o thy_o word_n my_o way_n a_o way_n lead_v i_o to_o life_n a_o lamp_n in_o the_o way_n enlighten_v i_o and_o a_o guide_n with_o a_o light_n direct_v i_o a_o burn_a light_n quicken_a my_o freeze_a heart_n when_o it_o be_v dull_a a_o sweet_a companion_n refresh_v i_o when_o i_o be_o weary_a be_v it_o not_o a_o plain_a way_n a_o even_a way_n a_o clean_a way_n a_o strait_a delightful_a and_o pleasant_a way_n do_v thou_o ever_o oh_o my_o soul_n tread_v one_o step_n in_o it_o but_o that_o thou_o find_v some_o precious_a gem_n and_o jewel_n what_o treasure_n of_o knowledge_n and_o wisdom_n of_o faith_n hope_n love_n and_o every_o rich_a grace_n have_v there_o offer_v and_o even_o thrust_v themselves_o into_o thy_o hand_n oh_o what_o lovely_a fellowship_n what_o heavenly_a company_n what_o sweet_a and_o ravish_a conference_n have_v and_o do_v i_o there_o enjoy_v no_o soon_o step_v i_o into_o that_o path_n of_o faith_n butâ—_n instant_o that_o father_n of_o the_o faithful_a go_v before_o i_o and_o with_o a_o hundred_o sweet_a comfort_n draw_v i_o on_o to_o those_o his_o step_n that_o walk_v in_o the_o same_o faith_n i_o may_v obtain_v the_o same_o blessing_n 3.9_o when_o i_o enter_v into_o the_o tract_n of_o godly_a sorrow_n and_o true_a repentance_n how_o cheerful_o do_v that_o weep_a marie_n lead_v and_o conduct_v i_o when_o i_o set_v my_o foot_n into_o the_o way_n of_o heavenly_a love_n how_o fervent_o do_v that_o most_o zealous_a apostle_n draw_v i_o after_o he_o see_v see_v how_o many_o glorious_a saint_n see_v oh_o see_v the_o king_n of_o saint_n and_o glory_n thy_o gracious_a saviour_n in_o every_o good_a way_n direct_v sustain_v cheer_v and_o even_o carry_v thou_o along_o to_o that_o heavenly_a paradise_n what_o my_o soul_n shall_v those_o three_o eastern_a sage_n when_o one_o star_n alone_o lead_v they_o to_o christ_n than_o a_o poor_a despise_a infant_n go_v before_o they_o 2.9,10_o shall_v they_o rejoice_v rejoice_v with_o exceed_v great_a joy_n and_o will_v thou_o or_o for_o very_a shame_n can_v thou_o hang_v down_o the_o head_n when_o so_o many_o heavenly_a light_n when_o the_o sun_n of_o righteousness_n himself_o comfort_v thou_o with_o his_o own_o and_o such_o his_o star_n presence_n and_o cheerful_a beam_n lead_v and_o conduct_v thou_o to_o that_o inheritance_n of_o light_n and_o infinite_a glory_n oh_o than_o thou_o eternal_a word_n way_n and_o light_n who_o have_v bring_v my_o foot_n and_o enter_v they_o into_o thy_o word_n a_o lightsome_a way_n settle_v i_o yet_o more_o deep_o in_o it_o that_o my_o heart_n may_v stand_v fast_o in_o thou_o my_o way_n put_v thy_o word_n into_o my_o mouth_n that_o my_o mouth_n ever_o talk_v of_o it_o may_v grow_v fruitful_a in_o edification_n oh_o clear_a my_o eye_n with_o this_o true_a heavenly_a light_n that_o i_o may_v behold_v with_o joy_n the_o light_n of_o thy_o countenance_n chap._n xi_o comfort_n seal_v up_o in_o the_o sacrament_n it_o have_v also_o please_v our_o gracious_a god_n to_o add_v seal_n to_o his_o word_n that_o by_o two_o immutable_a thing_n wherein_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o god_n shall_v lie_v we_o may_v have_v strong_a consolation_n 6.18_o certain_o every_o word_n of_o god_n be_v infallible_a heaven_n and_o earth_n shall_v pass_v but_o not_o a_o word_n that_o he_o have_v speak_v god_n have_v not_o therefore_o annex_v seal_n to_o his_o covenant_n that_o it_o or_o his_o purpose_n but_o that_o our_o weak_a heart_n may_v be_v strengthen_v and_o confirm_v how_o unspeakable_a be_v this_o comfort_n that_o the_o lord_n shall_v be_v so_o far_o from_o despise_v our_o weak_a faith_n and_o disdain_v our_o poor_a soul_n struggle_v under_o unbelief_n that_o he_o shall_v yield_v to_o our_o weakness_n and_o underprop_v it_o with_o these_o powerful_a abetter_n of_o his_o truth_n he_o may_v shake_v the_o head_n at_o we_o when_o he_o see_v so_o little_a credit_n give_v to_o his_o word_n but_o he_o rather_o strengthen_v we_o with_o these_o sacred_a mystery_n which_o be_v to_o we_o as_o the_o hand_n of_o christ_n reach_v out_o to_o peter_n to_o save_v our_o waver_a soul_n ready_a to_o sink_v through_o unbelief_n the_o covenant_n of_o god_n be_v 40,41_o i_o will_v be_v their_o god_n and_o i_o will_v not_o turn_v away_o from_o they_o to_o do_v they_o good_a but_o will_v put_v my_o fear_n into_o their_o heart_n that_o they_o shall_v never_o depart_v from_o i_o yea_o i_o will_v rejoice_v over_o they_o to_o do_v they_o good_a the_o consolationsâ—_n flow_v from_o this_o covenant_n thus_o seal_v how_o strong_a how_o full_a for_o first_o throw_v down_o a_o man_n thus_o seal_v up_o in_o this_o covenant_n of_o grace_n from_o all_o the_o joy_n of_o this_o world_n into_o a_o very_a hell_n upon_o earth_n have_v he_o lose_v all_o his_o substance_n child_n health_n of_o body_n nay_o peace_n of_o soul_n also_o in_o some_o measure_n as_o job_n yet_o may_v he_o thence_o with_o strong_a comfort_n infallible_o conclude_v that_o this_o estate_n be_v good_a for_o he_o nay_o best_a for_o he_o for_o god_n be_v faithful_a and_o his_o covenant_n sure_a beyond_o all_o possibility_n of_o deceive_v or_o be_v deceive_v who_o have_v promise_v and_o seal_v his_o promise_n to_o do_v he_o good_a to_o rejoice_v over_o he_o in_o do_v he_o good_a hence_o the_o faithful_a soul_n will_v build_v this_o conclusion_n and_o rest_n upon_o it_o 119,71_o it_o be_v good_a for_o i_o to_o be_v thus_o afflict_v 3.27_o it_o be_v good_a for_o i_o to_o bear_v the_o yoke_n in_o my_o youth_n oh_o if_o my_o faith_n be_v as_o strong_a as_o my_o sense_n i_o shall_v taste_v much_o more_o sweetness_n in_o god_n goodness_n than_o bitterness_n in_o his_o affliction_n again_o especial_o when_o we_o consider_v the_o matter_n of_o
loss_n of_o life_n and_o therefore_o will_v not_o fail_v to_o strive_v &_o wrestle_v for_o the_o truth_n of_o god_n the_o faith_n give_v to_o the_o saint_n but_o spend_v all_o his_o strength_n in_o such_o contention_n live_v and_o die_v in_o defence_n of_o it_o in_o other_o thing_n he_o must_v not_o strive_v 2.23_o for_o god_n church_n have_v no_o such_o custom_n 1_o cor._n 11.16_o 8,9_o in_o the_o last_o place_n as_o in_o zeal_n so_o in_o earnest_n desire_v a_o hypocrite_n will_v seem_v to_o run_v as_o fast_o to_o christ_n to_o thirst_n &_o long_o for_o he_o as_o the_o most_o faithful_a for_o when_o the_o hard_a skin_n of_o his_o sear_a conscience_n be_v flay_v off_o by_o those_o knife_n of_o circumcision_n the_o sharp_a law_n of_o god_n and_o the_o terror_n of_o hell_n gate_n upon_o his_o gall_a soul_n in_o the_o sense_n of_o these_o agony_n he_o will_v value_v christ_n as_o high_o desire_v he_o as_o hearty_o as_o well_o to_o the_o sight_n of_o other_o as_o to_o his_o own_o sense_n as_o any_o true_a member_n of_o christ_n what_o in_o the_o world_n will_v he_o not_o give_v nay_o a_o whole_a world_n to_o purchase_v one_o drop_n of_o that_o precious_a blood_n this_o go_v very_o far_o will_n some_o say_v can_v any_o christian_a go_v further_o yes_o very_o for_o the_o faithful_a soul_n in_o the_o day_n peace_n continue_v still_o as_o high_o and_o dear_o to_o esteem_v the_o lord_n jesus_n even_o after_o reconciliation_n when_o he_o hear_v the_o bless_a spirit_n speak_v peace_n to_o he_o 3.8_o than_o he_o esteem_v all_o thing_n dung_n and_o loss_n in_o comparison_n of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christ._n here_o the_o hypocrite_n leave_v he_o in_o the_o storm_n he_o will_v run_v as_o fast_o to_o christ_n the_o rock_n and_o refuge_n from_o the_o tempest_n of_o god_n wrath_n as_o any_o 32.2_o in_o fair_a weather_n he_o make_v no_o haste_n he_o go_v back_o or_o stand_v still_o the_o one_o esteem_v christ_n as_o medicine_n only_o and_o therefore_o in_o extremity_n of_o pain_n when_o he_o be_v sick_a at_o heart_n whither_o will_v he_o not_o send_v for_o he_o and_o though_o the_o potion_n and_o prescription_n be_v grievous_a yet_o than_o it_o be_v force_v down_o though_o he_o send_v it_o up_o again_o but_o as_o soon_o as_o he_o be_v a_o little_a cheer_v he_o loathe_v his_o physic_n the_o other_o know_v he_o to_o be_v as_o well_o his_o meat_n as_o medicine_n and_o therefore_o in_o health_n when_o he_o find_v his_o heart_n assure_v of_o salvation_n lung_n and_o hunger_n for_o he_o and_o his_o righteousness_n the_o one_o desire_n he_o for_o justification_n in_o the_o day_n of_o wrath_n to_o wipe_v off_o his_o reckon_n and_o enter_v he_o into_o glory_n the_o other_o also_o for_o sanctification_n to_o cleanse_v he_o from_o sin_n and_o beautify_v his_o soul_n in_o the_o glorious_a image_n of_o god_n if_o the_o lord_n will_v give_v the_o hypocrite_n free_a leave_n to_o take_v his_o pleasure_n in_o sin_n without_o fear_n of_o judgement_n how_o will_v he_o rejoice_v as_o in_o a_o great_a and_o special_a privilege_n he_o will_v account_v himself_o as_o happy_a in_o his_o liberty_n to_o sin_n as_o in_o his_o exemption_n from_o the_o reward_n of_o sin_n but_o oh_o how_o woeful_a a_o captivity_n how_o loathsome_a a_o grave_n how_o base_a a_o drudgery_n &_o miserable_a thraldom_n will_v a_o faithful_a soul_n account_n of_o such_o a_o licence_n as_o much_o haâ—ing_v the_o filthiness_n of_o sin_n as_o the_o punishment_n the_o spiritual_a death_n as_o the_o eternal_a chap._n xxxi_o apply_v these_o thing_n for_o remove_v tentation_n rise_v from_o conceit_n of_o hypocrisy_n now_o then_o see_v we_o know_v how_o far_o a_o hypocrite_n may_v seem_v to_o go_v in_o the_o good_a way_n let_v we_o proceed_v to_o remove_v that_o waver_v which_o bear_v down_o many_o a_o weak_a christian_n in_o a_o very_a painful_a &_o uncomfortable_a estate_n i_o find_v two_o especial_a temptation_n apply_v by_o satan_n to_o shake_v the_o faith_n of_o a_o weak_a soul_n and_o to_o hold_v it_o in_o suspense_n that_o it_o can_v rise_v up_o to_o any_o strong_a consolation_n in_o the_o sense_n and_o feel_n of_o god_n grace_n &_o favour_n the_o first_o and_o chief_a be_v that_o whatsoever_o â—hey_n do_v be_v do_v in_o hypocrisy_n true_a it_o be_v they_o can_v hear_v the_o word_n they_o can_v frequent_v the_o assembly_n reverence_v the_o sincere_a teacher_n of_o it_o invite_v other_o to_o the_o fellowship_n of_o the_o same_o grace_n rejoice_v in_o the_o word_n but_o all_o this_o say_v the_o tempter_n and_o true_o may_v be_v in_o a_o hypocrite_n and_o in_o themselves_o they_o think_v it_o be_v all_o no_o better_o than_o dissemble_v they_o have_v some_o zeal_n they_o confess_v to_o the_o truth_n but_o a_o hypocritical_a zeal_n some_o desire_n and_o longing_n after_o christ_n but_o hypocritical_a all_o be_v mere_a hypocrisy_n thus_o they_o say_v thus_o they_o think_v now_o let_v such_o a_o christian_a 1._o serious_o consider_v that_o the_o subtle_a serpent_n do_v not_o only_o tempt_v man_n to_o presumption_n but_o also_o to_o distrust_v as_o be_v apparent_a in_o those_o assault_n by_o which_o he_o set_v upon_o our_o bless_a saviour_n as_o he_o allure_v he_o to_o a_o presumptuous_a cast_v himself_o down_o from_o the_o pinnacle_n of_o the_o temple_n because_o the_o angel_n wait_v on_o he_o to_o lift_v and_o bear_v he_o up_o so_o also_o he_o labour_v to_o draw_v he_o to_o a_o distrust_n of_o god_n providence_n and_o therefore_o as_o the_o son_n of_o god_n to_o command_v the_o stone_n to_o be_v make_v bread_n see_v matth._n 4._o 3._o 6._o and_o as_o the_o ignorant_a and_o careless_a worldling_n be_v the_o most_o ordinary_a object_n upon_o who_o he_o work_v gross_a presumptuous_a dream_n of_o salvation_n those_o he_o persuade_v god_n be_v merciful_a christ_n come_v to_o save_v all_o man_n and_o therefore_o when_o he_o hear_v the_o word_n of_o the_o curse_n he_o cause_v he_o from_o these_o ground_n to_o bless_v himself_o in_o his_o heart_n say_v i_o shall_v have_v peace_n though_o i_o walk_v after_o the_o stubbornness_n of_o my_o own_o heart_n add_v drunkenness_n to_o thirst_n thus_o he_o rock_n he_o in_o a_o dead_a sleep_n of_o sin_n as_o thus_o he_o work_v gross_a presumption_n upon_o the_o careless_a and_o blind_a professor_n so_o he_o never_o pursue_v any_o with_o those_o weapon_n of_o distrustful_a and_o unbelieved_a fear_n but_o those_o who_o be_v either_o quite_o go_v or_o now_o go_v or_o at_o least_o set_v their_o face_n to_o go_v out_o of_o his_o egypt_n in_o travel_n towards_o the_o heavenly_a canaan_n so_o then_o when_o he_o assault_v thou_o with_o this_o weapon_n know_v assure_o that_o satan_n plain_o discern_v that_o god_n have_v waken_v and_o raise_v thy_o soul_n from_o that_o drowsy_a cradle_n of_o sin_n in_o which_o he_o so_o long_o have_v lull_v thou_o in_o deep_a security_n again_o remember_v thy_o corrupt_a heart_n be_v very_o deceitful_a not_o only_o to_o hide_v up_o sin_n in_o it_o and_o to_o flatter_v thou_o with_o fair_a but_o false_a hope_n and_o so_o to_o breed_v pride_n and_o presumption_n but_o as_o cunning_a also_o to_o conceal_v any_o grace_n which_o be_v in_o it_o and_o so_o to_o affright_v thou_o with_o likely_a but_o false_a fear_n it_o will_v be_v then_o a_o necessary_a point_n of_o wisdom_n not_o to_o give_v full_a and_o rash_a credit_n to_o either_o hope_n or_o fear_v but_o diligent_o to_o weigh_v thy_o estate_n in_o that_o balance_n of_o the_o word_n which_o be_v the_o truth_n and_o can_v deceive_v thou_o first_o then_o humble_v thy_o soul_n by_o prayerâ—_n and_o entreat_v the_o assistance_n of_o that_o holy_a spirit_n 2.12_o who_o be_v purposely_o send_v that_o thou_o may_v know_v these_o thing_n which_o be_v give_v thou_o of_o god_n take_v a_o perfect_a examination_n and_o trial_n of_o thy_o estate_n thou_o hear_v and_o frequent_a the_o word_n so_o do_v dissembler_n but_o do_v a_o hypocrite_n or_o can_v he_o follow_v it_o with_o a_o heart_n hunger_a after_o perfect_a obedience_n do_v he_o desire_v to_o find_v every_o thought_n subdue_v to_o the_o yoke_n of_o christ_n nay_o even_o then_o in_o his_o hear_n his_o hart_n not_o steal_v away_o but_o with_o good_a leave_n and_o full_a permission_n go_v after_o his_o covetousness_n 31,32_o or_o some_o other_o corrupt_a lust_n and_o resolve_v to_o keep_v himself_o reserve_v in_o some_o thing_n make_v and_o set_v up_o in_o his_o heart_n a_o law_n against_o the_o law_n of_o god_n namely_o that_o he_o will_v not_o so_o be_v tie_v to_o it_o but_o that_o in_o some_o thing_n he_o will_v use_v his_o own_o liberty_n again_o both_o a_o sound_n and_o rot_a heart_n rejoice_v in_o the_o word_n but_o thou_o find_v love_n to_o the_o word_n not_o in_o thy_o