in_o three_o particular_n one_a the_o grace_n of_o faith_n be_v as_o well_o fit_v for_o the_o soul_n receive_v of_o christ_n and_o union_n with_o he_o as_o any_o instrument_n of_o the_o body_n be_v for_o receive_v and_o close_v with_o thing_n needful_a for_o it_o by_o the_o very_a act_n of_o hearty_a trust_n or_o believe_v on_o christ_n for_o all_o salvation_n and_o happiness_n the_o soul_n heave_v and_o put_v away_o from_o itself_o every_o thing_n that_o keep_v it_o at_o a_o distance_n from_o christ_n as_o all_o confidence_n in_o our_o own_o strength_n endeavour_n work_n privilege_n or_o in_o any_o worldly_a pleasure_n profit_n honour_n or_o in_o any_o humane_a help_n and_o succour_n for_o our_o happiness_n and_o salvation_n because_o such_o confidence_n be_v inconsistent_a with_o our_o confidence_n in_o christ_n for_o all_o salvation_n paul_n by_o his_o confidence_n in_o christ_n be_v take_v off_o from_o all_o confidence_n in_o the_o flesh_n he_o suffer_v the_o loss_n of_o glory_v in_o his_o privilege_n legal_a righteousness_n and_o count_v all_o other_o enjoyment_n in_o matter_n of_o the_o world_n or_o of_o religion_n to_o be_v but_o dung_n that_o he_o may_v win_v christ_n and_o be_v find_v in_o he_o phil._n 3.3_o 6_o 7_o 8_o 9_o the_o voice_n of_o faith_n be_v ashur_n shall_v not_o save_v we_o neither_o will_v we_o ride_v upon_o horse_n neither_o will_v we_o say_v any_o more_o to_o the_o work_n of_o our_o hand_n you_o be_v our_o god_n for_o in_o thou_o the_o fatherless_a find_v mercy_n hos_fw-la 14.3_o we_o have_v no_o might_n against_o this_o great_a company_n of_o our_o spiritual_a enemy_n neither_o know_v we_o what_o to_o do_v but_o our_o eye_n be_v upon_o thou_o 2_o chron._n 20.12_o i_o may_v multiply_v place_n of_o scripture_n to_o show_v what_o a_o self_n empty_v grace_n faith_n be_v and_o how_o it_o cast_v other_o considence_n out_o of_o the_o soul_n by_o get_v above_o they_o to_o christ_n as_o the_o only_a happiness_n and_o salvation_n the_o same_o act_n of_o trust_v or_o believe_v on_o christ_n or_o on_o god_n be_v the_o very_a manner_n of_o our_o soul_n come_v to_o christ_n joh._n 6.35_o draw_v near_o to_o the_o lord_n psal_n 73.28_o flee_v unto_o the_o lord_n to_o hide_v we_o psal_n 143.9_o make_v our_o resuge_n in_o the_o shadow_n of_o his_o wing_n psal_n 57.1_o stay_v ourselves_o and_o our_o mind_n upon_o the_o lord_n isa_n 50.10_o &_o 26.3_o lay_v hold_n of_o eternal_a life_n 1_o tim._n 6.12_o lift_v up_o ourselves_o to_o the_o lord_n psal_n 51.1_o 2._o roll_v our_o way_n and_o cast_v our_o burden_n upon_o the_o lord_n psal_n 37.5_o &_o 55.22_o and_o of_o our_o eat_n and_o drink_v christ_n as_o have_v already_o appear_v let_v we_o consider_v that_o christ_n and_o his_o salvation_n can_v be_v see_v or_o handle_v or_o attain_v to_o by_o any_o bodily_a motion_n but_o be_v reveal_v and_o promise_v to_o we_o in_o the_o word_n now_o let_v any_o invent_v if_o they_o can_v any_o way_n for_o the_o soul_n to_o exercise_v any_o motion_n or_o activeness_n in_o receive_v of_o this_o unseen_a promise_a salvation_n beside_o believe_v the_o word_n and_o trust_v on_o christ_n for_o the_o benefit_n promise_v if_o christ_n be_v to_o be_v earn_v by_o work_n or_o any_o other_o kind_n of_o conditional_a faith_n than_o this_o yet_o a_o faith_n must_v be_v instrumental_a to_o receive_v he_o some_o think_v love_n as_o sit_v to_o be_v the_o unite_n grace_n but_o i_o have_v show_v that_o love_n to_o christ_n salvation_n be_v a_o ingredient_n into_o faith_n and_o though_o love_v be_v a_o appetite_n unto_o union_n yet_o we_o have_v no_o other_o likely_a way_n to_o fill_v this_o appetite_n while_o we_o be_v in_o this_o world_n beside_o trust_n on_o christ_n for_o all_o his_o benefit_n as_o he_o be_v promise_v in_o the_o gospel_n two_o there_o be_v in_o this_o saving-faith_n a_o natural_a tendency_n to_o furnish_v the_o soul_n with_o a_o holy_a frame_n and_o nature_n and_o all_o endowment_n necessary_a thereunto_o out_o of_o the_o fullness_n of_o christ_n a_o hearty_a affectionate_a truss_v on_o christ_n for_o all_o his_o salvation_n as_o free_o promise_v to_o we_o have_v natural_o enough_o to_o work_v in_o our_o soul_n a_o rational_a bent_n and_o inclination_n to_o and_o ability_n for_o the_o practice_n of_o all_o holiness_n because_o it_o comprehend_v in_o it_o a_o trust_v that_o through_o christ_n we_o be_v dead_a to_o sin_n and_o alive_a to_o god_n and_o that_o our_o old_a man_n be_v crucify_v rom._n 6.2_o 6_o 4._o and_o that_o we_o live_v by_o the_o spirit_n gal._n 5.25_o and_o that_o we_o have_v forgiveness_n of_o sin_n and_o that_o god_n be_v our_o god_n psal_n 31.14_o and_o that_o we_o have_v in_o the_o lord_n righteousness_n and_o strength_n whereby_o we_o be_v able_a to_o do_v all_o thing_n isa_n 45.24_o phil._n 4.13_o and_o that_o we_o shall_v be_v glortens_o happy_a in_o the_o anjoyment_n of_o christ_n to_o all_o eternity_n phil._n 3.20_o 21._o when_o the_o saint_n in_o scripture_n speak_v so_o high_o of_o such_o glorious_a spiritual_a privilege_n as_o i_o have_v here_o name_v they_o acquaint_v we_o with_o the_o familiar_a fence_n and_o language_n of_o their_o faith_n trust_v on_o god_n and_o christ_n and_o they_o give_v we_o but_o a_o explication_n of_o the_o nature_n and_o content_n of_o it_o and_o they_o speak_v of_o nothing_o more_o than_o what_o they_o receive_v out_o of_o the_o fullness_n of_o christ_n and_o how_o can_v we_o otherwise_o judge_v but_o that_o those_o that_o have_v a_o hearty_a love_n to_o christ_n and_o can_v upon_o a_o good_a ground_n think_v and_o speak_v such_o high_a thing_n concern_v themselves_o must_v needs_o be_v hearty_o dispose_v and_o mighty_o strengthen_v for_o the_o practice_n of_o holiness_n three_o because_o faith_n have_v such_o a_o natural_a tendency_n to_o dispose_v and_o strengthen_v the_o soul_n for_o the_o practice_n of_o holiness_n we_o have_v cause_n to_o judge_v it_o a_o meet_a instrument_n to_o accomplish_v every_o part_n of_o that_o practice_n in_o a_o acceptable_a manner_n those_o that_o with_o a_o due_a affection_n believe_v steadfast_o on_o christ_n for_o the_o free_a gift_n of_o all_o his_o salvation_n may_v find_v by_o experience_n that_o they_o be_v carry_v forth_o by_o that_o faith_n according_a to_o the_o measure_n of_o its_o strength_n or_o weakness_n to_o love_n god_n hearty_o because_o god_n have_v love_v they_o first_o 1_o joh._n 4.19_o to_o praise_v he_o to_o pray_v unto_o he_o in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n ephes_n 5.26_o john_n 16.26_o 27._o to_o be_v patient_a with_o cheerfulness_n under_o all_o affliction_n give_v thanks_o to_o the_o father_n that_o have_v call_v they_o to_o his_o heavenly_a inheritance_n col._n 1.11_o 12._o to_o love_n all_o the_o child_n of_o god_n out_o of_o love_n to_o their_o heavenly_a father_n 1_o john_n 5.1_o to_o walk_v as_o christ_n walk_v 1_o john_n 2.6_o and_o to_o give_v themselves_o up_o to_o live_v to_o christ_n in_o all_o thing_n as_o constrain_v by_o his_o love_n in_o die_v for_o they_o 2_o cor._n 5.14_o we_o have_v a_o cloud_n of_o witness_n concern_v the_o excellent_a work_n that_o be_v produce_v by_o faith_n heb._n 11._o and_o though_o trust_v on_o christ_n be_v account_v such_o a_o slight_a and_o contemptible_a thing_n yet_o i_o know_v no_o work_n of_o obedience_n which_o it_o be_v not_o able_a to_o produce_v and_o note_v the_o excellent_a manner_n of_o work_v by_o faith_n by_o it_o we_o live_v and_o act_v in_o all_o good_a work_n as_o people_n in_o christ_n as_o raise_v above_o ourselves_o and_o our_o natural_a state_n by_o partake_v of_o he_o and_o his_o salvation_n and_o we_o do_v all_o in_o his_o name_n and_o on_o his_o account_n this_o be_v the_o practice_n of_o that_o mysterious_a manner_n of_o live_v to_o god_n in_o holiness_n which_o be_v peculiar_a to_o the_o christian_a religion_n wherein_o we_o live_v and_o yet_o not_o we_o but_o christ_n live_v in_o we_o gal._n 2.20_o and_o who_o can_v imagine_v any_o other_o way_n but_o this_o for_o such_o a_o practice_n while_o christ_n and_o his_o salvation_n be_v know_v to_o we_o only_o by_o the_o gospel_n the_o explanation_n that_o i_o have_v make_v of_o the_o nature_n and_o office_n of_o true_a faith_n and_o of_o its_o aptitude_n for_o its_o office_n be_v sufficient_a to_o evidence_n that_o it_o be_v a_o most_o holy_a faith_n as_o it_o be_v call_v judas_n 20._o and_o that_o such_o a_o trust_n on_o christ_n as_o i_o have_v describe_v in_o its_o own_o nature_n can_v have_v any_o tendency_n to_o licentiousness_n but_o only_o to_o holiness_n and_o that_o it_o root_v and_o ground_v we_o in_o holiness_n more_o than_o the_o mere_a accept_n of_o any_o term_n of_o salvation_n and_o consent_v to_o have_v christ_n for_o our_o lord_n can_v do_v
long_o accustom_v to_o seek_v salvation_n by_o the_o procurement_n of_o our_o own_o work_n and_o to_o account_v the_o way_n of_o salvation_n by_o free_a grace_n foolish_a and_o pernicious_a when_o our_o lust_n incline_v we_o strong_o to_o the_o thing_n of_o the_o flesh_n and_o the_o world_n when_o satan_n do_v his_o utmost_a by_o his_o own_o suggestion_n and_o by_o false_a teacher_n and_o by_o worldly_a allurement_n and_o terror_n to_o hinder_v the_o sincere_a performance_n of_o this_o duty_n many_o work_n that_o be_v easy_a in_o their_o own_o nature_n prove_v difficult_a for_o we_o to_o perform_v in_o our_o circumstance_n to_o forgive_v our_o enemy_n and_o to_o love_v they_o as_o ourselves_o be_v but_o a_o motion_n of_o the_o mind_n easy_a to_o be_v perform_v in_o its_o own_o nature_n and_o yet_o many_o that_o be_v convince_v of_o their_o duty_n find_v it_o a_o hard_a matter_n to_o bring_v their_o heart_n to_o the_o performance_n of_o it_o it_o be_v but_o a_o motion_n of_o the_o mind_n to_o cast_v our_o care_n upon_o god_n for_o worldly_a thing_n and_o rich_a man_n may_v think_v that_o they_o can_v do_v it_o easy_o but_o poor_a man_n that_o have_v great_a family_n find_v it_o a_o hard_a matter_n that_o easy_a comfortable_a duty_n which_o moses_n exhort_v the_o israelite_n to_o when_o pharaoh_n with_o his_o chariot_n and_o horseman_n overtake_v they_o at_o the_o red_a sea_n be_v you_o not_o afraid_a stand_v still_o and_o see_v the_o salvation_n of_o the_o lord_n which_o he_o will_v show_v you_o this_o day_n exod._n 14.13_o be_v not_o easy_o perform_v the_o very_a easiness_n of_o some_o duty_n make_v their_o performance_n difficult_a as_o naaman_n the_o assyrian_a be_v hardly_o bring_v to_o wash_v and_o be_v clean_a because_o he_o think_v it_o to_o be_v too_o slight_a and_o easy_a a_o remedy_n for_o the_o cure_n of_o his_o leprosy_n 2_o king_n 5.12_o 13._o even_o in_o this_o very_a case_n people_n be_v offend_v at_o the_o duty_n of_o believe_v on_o christ_n as_o too_o slight_a and_o easy_a a_o remedy_n to_o cure_v the_o leprosy_n of_o the_o soul_n they_o will_v have_v some_o hard_a thing_n enjoin_v they_o to_o the_o attainment_n of_o so_o great_a a_o end_n as_o this_o everlasting_a salvation_n the_o performance_n of_o all_o the_o moral_a law_n be_v not_o account_v work_n enough_o for_o this_o end_n mat._n 19.17_o 20._o however_o easy_a the_o work_n of_o believe_v seem_v to_o many_o yet_o common_a experience_n have_v show_v that_o man_n be_v more_o easy_o bring_v to_o the_o most_o burdensome_a unreasonable_a and_o inhuman_a observation_n as_o the_o jow_n and_o christian_a galatian_n be_v more_o easy_o bring_v to_o take_v upon_o their_o neck_n the_o yoke_n of_o moses's_fw-fr la_fw-fr w_n which_o none_o be_v able_a to_o bear_v act_v 15.10_o the_o heathen_n be_v more_o easy_o bring_v to_o burn_v their_o son_n and_o their_o daughter_n in_o the_o fire_n to_o their_o god_n deut._n 12.31_o the_o papist_n be_v bring_v more_o easy_o to_o the_o vow_n of_o chastity_n and_o poverty_n and_o obedience_n to_o the_o most_o rigorous_a rule_n of_o monastic_a discipline_n to_o macerate_v and_o torture_v their_o body_n with_o fast_n scourge_n and_o pilgrimage_n and_o to_o bear_v all_o the_o excessive_a tyranny_n of_o the_o papal_a hierarchy_n in_o a_o multitude_n of_o burdensome_a superstitious_a and_o ridiculous_a devotion_n they_o that_o slight_a the_o work_n of_o faith_n for_o its_o easiness_n show_v that_o they_o be_v never_o yet_o make_v sensible_a of_o innumerable_a sin_n and_o terrible_a curse_n of_o the_o law_n and_o wrath_n of_o god_n that_o they_o lie_v under_o and_o of_o the_o darkness_n and_o vanity_n of_o their_o mind_n the_o corruption_n and_o hardness_n of_o their_o heart_n and_o their_o bondage_n under_o the_o power_n of_o sin_n and_o satan_n and_o have_v not_o be_v true_o humble_v without_o which_o they_o can_v believe_v in_o a_o right_a manner_n many_o sound_a believer_n have_v find_v by_o experience_n that_o it_o have_v be_v a_o very_a hard_a matter_n to_o bring_v their_o heart_n to_o the_o duty_n of_o believe_v it_o have_v cost_v they_o vigorous_a struggle_v and_o sharp_a conflict_n with_o their_o own_o corruption_n and_o satan_n temptation_n it_o be_v so_o difficult_a a_o work_n that_o we_o can_v perform_v it_o without_o the_o mighty_a work_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n in_o our_o heart_n who_o only_o can_v make_v it_o to_o be_v absolute_o easy_a to_o we_o and_o do_v make_v it_o easy_a or_o suffer_v it_o to_o be_v difficult_a according_a as_o he_o be_v please_v to_o communicate_v his_o grace_n in_o various_a degree_n unto_o our_o soul_n 3._o though_o we_o can_v possible_o perform_v this_o great_a work_n in_o a_o right_a manner_n until_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n work_n faith_n in_o our_o heart_n by_o his_o mighty_a power_n yet_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o we_o shall_v endeavour_v and_o that_o before_o we_o can_v find_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n work_v faith_n effectual_o in_o we_o or_o give_v strength_n to_o believe_v we_o can_v perform_v no_o holy_a duty_n acceptable_o except_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n work_v it_o in_o we_o and_o yet_o we_o be_v not_o hereby_o excuse_v from_o work_v ourselves_o but_o we_o be_v the_o rather_o stir_v up_o to_o the_o great_a diligence_n work_v out_o your_o salvation_n with_o fear_n and_o tremble_a for_o it_o be_v god_n that_o work_v in_o you_o both_o to_o will_v and_o to_o do_v of_o his_o good_a pleasure_n phil._n 2.12_o 13._o the_o way_n whereby_o the_o spirit_n work_v faith_n in_o the_o elect_n be_v by_o stir_v they_o up_o to_o endeavour_v to_o believe_v and_o this_o be_v a_o way_n suitable_a to_o the_o mean_n that_o the_o spirit_n use_v i._n e._n the_o exhortation_n command_n and_o invitation_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o will_v be_v of_o no_o force_n if_o we_o be_v not_o to_o obey_v they_o until_o we_o find_v faith_n already_o wrought_v in_o we_o neither_o can_v we_o possible_o find_v that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n do_v effectual_o work_v faith_n or_o give_v strength_n to_o believe_v until_o we_o act_n it_o for_o all_o inward_a grace_n as_o well_o as_o all_o other_o inward_a habit_n be_v discern_v by_o their_o act_n as_o seed_n in_o the_o ground_n by_o its_o spring_a we_o can_v see_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o love_n to_o god_n or_o man_n in_o our_o heart_n before_o we_o act_n it_o child_n know_v not_o their_o ability_n to_o stand_v upon_o their_o foot_n until_o they_o have_v make_v trial_n by_o endeavour_v so_o to_o do_v so_o we_o know_v not_o our_o spiritual_a strength_n until_o we_o have_v learn_v by_o experience_n from_o the_o use_n and_o exercise_v of_o it_o neither_o can_v we_o know_v or_o assure_v our_o seive_v absolute_o that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n will_v give_v we_o strength_n to_o believe_v before_o we_o act_n faith_n for_o such_o a_o knowledge_n and_o assurance_n if_o it_o be_v right_a be_v save_v faith_n itself_o in_o part_n and_o whosoever_o trust_v on_o christ_n assure_o for_o strength_n to_o believe_v by_o his_o spirit_n do_v in_o effect_n trust_v on_o christ_n for_o his_o own_o salvation_n which_o be_v inseparable_o join_v with_o the_o grace_n of_o save_v faith_n though_o the_o spirit_n work_v other_o duty_n in_o we_o by_o faith_n yet_o he_o work_v faith_n in_o we_o immediate_o by_o hear_v know_v and_o understand_v the_o word_n faith_n come_v by_o hear_v and_o hear_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n rom._n 10.13_o and_o in_o the_o word_n he_o make_v no_o absolute_a promise_n or_o declaration_n that_o he_o will_v work_v faith_n in_o this_o or_o that_o unbelieving_a heart_n or_o that_o he_o will_v give_v strength_n to_o believe_v to_o any_o one_o in_o particular_a or_o begin_v the_o work_n of_o believe_v in_o christ_n for_o faith_n itself_o be_v the_o first_o grace_n whereby_o we_o have_v a_o particular_a interest_n in_o any_o save_a promise_n it_o be_v a_o thing_n hide_v in_o the_o secret_a counsel_n and_o purpose_n of_o god_n concern_v we_o whether_o he_o will_v give_v we_o his_o spirit_n and_o save_a faith_n until_o our_o election_n be_v discover_v by_o our_o believe_v actual_o therefore_o as_o soon_o as_o we_o know_v the_o duty_n of_o believe_v we_o be_v to_o apply_v ourselves_o immediate_o to_o the_o vigorous_a performance_n of_o the_o duty_n and_o in_o so_o do_v we_o shall_v find_v that_o the_o spirit_n of_o christ_n have_v strengthen_v we_o to_o believe_v though_o we_o know_v not_o certain_o that_o it_o will_v do_v it_o beforehand_o the_o spirit_n come_v undiscernable_o upon_o the_o elect_n to_o work_v faith_n within_o they_o like_o the_o wind_n that_o blow_v where_o it_o list_v and_o none_o know_v whence_o it_o come_v and_o whither_o it_o go_v but_o only_o we_o hear_v the_o sound_n of_o it_o and_o thereby_o know_v it_o when_o it_o be_v
past_a and_o go_v joh._n 3.8_o we_o must_v therefore_o begin_v the_o work_n before_o we_o know_v that_o the_o spirit_n do_v or_o will_v work_v in_o we_o save_o and_o we_o shall_v be_v willing_a to_o set_v upon_o the_o work_n if_o we_o believe_v for_o thy_o people_n shall_v be_v willing_a in_o the_o day_n of_o thy_o power_n psal_n 110.3_o it_o be_v enough_o that_o god_n discover_v to_o we_o beforehand_o in_o the_o gospel_n what_o faith_n be_v and_o the_o ground_n we_o have_v to_o believe_v on_o christ_n for_o our_o own_o salvation_n and_o that_o god_n require_v this_o duty_n of_o we_o and_o will_v help_v we_o in_o the_o performance_n of_o it_o if_o we_o apply_v ourselves_o hearty_o thereunto_o fear_v not_o i_o command_v thou_o to_o be_v strong_a and_o of_o good_a courage_n josh_n 1._o arise_v and_o be_v do_v and_o the_o lord_n will_v be_v with_o thou_o 1_o chron._n 22.16_o therefore_o whoso_o receive_v this_o gospel-discovery_n as_o the_o word_n of_o god_n in_o hearty_a love_n be_v teach_v by_o the_o spirit_n and_o will_v certain_o come_v to_o christ_n by_o believe_v joh._n 6.45_o every_o one_o that_o receive_v it_o not_o despise_v god_n make_v he_o a_o liar_n and_o deserve_v just_o to_o perish_v for_o his_o unbelief_n 4._o though_o the_o spirit_n work_v save_v faith_n only_o in_o the_o elect_n and_o other_o believe_v not_o because_o they_o be_v not_o of_o christ_n sheep_n joh._n 10.26_o and_o on_o that_o account_n be_v call_v the_o faith_n of_o god_n elect_n tit._n 1.1_o yet_o all_o that_o hear_v the_o gospel_n be_v oblige_v to_o the_o duty_n of_o believe_v as_o well_o as_o to_o all_o the_o duty_n of_o the_o moral_a law_n and_o that_o before_o they_o know_v their_o own_o particular_a election_n and_o they_o be_v liable_a to_o condemnation_n for_o unbelief_n as_o well_o as_o for_o any_o other_o sin_n he_o that_o believe_v not_o be_v condemn_v already_o because_o he_o have_v not_o believe_v on_o the_o navy_n of_o the_o only_o beget_v son_n of_o god_n joh._n 3.18_o the_o apostle_n paul_n show_v that_o the_o elect_a israelite_n obtain_v salvation_n and_o the_o rest_n that_o be_v not_o elect_v be_v blind_v and_o yet_o even_o these_o be_v break_v off_o from_o the_o good_a olive-tree_n because_o of_o their_o unbelief_n rom._n 11.7_o 20._o we_o can_v have_v a_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o our_o election_n to_o eternal_a life_n before_o we_o do_v believe_v it_o be_v a_o thing_n hide_v in_o the_o unsearchable_a counsel_n of_o god_n until_o it_o be_v manifest_a by_o our_o effectual_a call_v and_o believe_v on_o christ_n the_o apostle_n know_v the_o election_n of_o the_o thessalonian_o by_o find_v the_o evidence_n of_o their_o faith_n that_o the_o gospel_n come_v to_o they_o not_o in_o word_n only_o but_o also_o in_o power_n and_o in_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o in_o much_o assurance_n and_o that_o they_o have_v receive_v the_o word_n in_o much_o affliction_n with_o joy_n in_o the_o holy_a ghost_n 1_o thes_n 1.4_o 5_o 6._o we_o be_v to_o see_v our_o call_v if_o we_o will_v find_v out_o that_o god_n have_v choose_v we_o 1_o cor._n 1.26_o 27._o therefore_o we_o must_v believe_v on_o christ_n before_o we_o know_v our_o election_n or_o else_o we_o shall_v never_o know_v it_o and_o shall_v never_o believe_v and_o it_o be_v no_o presumption_n for_o we_o to_o trust_v confident_o on_o christ_n for_o everlasting_a life_n before_o we_o have_v any_o good_a evidence_n of_o our_o election_n because_o god_n that_o can_v lie_v have_v make_v a_o general_a promise_n that_o whosoever_o believe_v on_o he_o shall_v not_o be_v ashamed_a without_o make_v the_o least_o difference_n among_o they_o that_o perform_v this_o duty_n rom._n 10.11_o 12._o the_o promise_n be_v as_o firm_a and_o sure_a to_o be_v fulfil_v as_o any_o of_o god_n decree_n and_o purpose_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o good_a and_o sufficient_a ground_n for_o our_o confidence_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o all_o that_o the_o father_n have_v give_v to_o christ_n by_o the_o decree_n of_o eternal_a election_n shall_v come_v to_o christ_n and_o it_o be_v as_o real_o certain_a that_o christ_n will_v in_o no_o wise_a cast_v out_o any_o that_o come_v to_o he_o whosoever_o he_o be_v joh._n 6.37_o and_o we_o need_v not_o fear_v that_o we_o shall_v infringe_v god_n decree_n of_o election_n by_o believe_v on_o christ_n confident_o for_o our_o salvation_n before_o we_o know_v what_o god_n have_v decree_v concern_v we_o for_o if_o we_o believe_v we_o shall_v at_o last_o be_v find_v among_o the_o number_n of_o the_o elect._n and_o if_o we_o refuse_v to_o believe_v we_o shall_v thereby_o wilful_o sort_v ourselves_o among_o the_o reprobate_n that_o stumble_v at_o the_o word_n be_v disobedient_a whereunto_o also_o they_o be_v appoint_v 1_o pet._n 2.8_o i_o shall_v add_v further_o that_o though_o we_o have_v no_o evidence_n of_o our_o particular_a election_n before_o we_o believe_v yet_o we_o be_v to_o trust_v on_o christ_n assure_o to_o make_v it_o evident_a to_o we_o by_o give_v we_o that_o salvation_n which_o be_v the_o peculiar_a portion_n of_o the_o elect_a only_o all_o spiritual_a save_a blessing_n wherewith_o god_n bless_v his_o people_n in_o christ_n be_v the_o peculiar_a portion_n of_o they_o who_o god_n have_v choose_v in_o christ_n before_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o world_n eph._n 1.3_o 4._o yet_o we_o must_v necessary_o trust_v on_o christ_n for_o those_o save_a blessing_n or_o have_v none_o at_o all_o we_o be_v to_o pray_v in_o faith_n nothing_o doubt_v that_o god_n will_v remember_v we_o with_o the_o favour_n that_o he_o bear_v to_o his_o people_n that_o we_o may_v see_v the_o good_a of_o his_o choose_a and_o glory_n with_o his_o inheritance_n psal_n 106.4_o 5._o therefore_o we_o be_v to_o trust_v assure_o on_o god_n that_o he_o will_v deal_v with_o we_o as_o his_o choose_a people_n thus_o it_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v not_o presumption_n but_o your_o bind_a duty_n to_o apply_v yourselves_o to_o the_o great_a work_n of_o believe_v on_o christ_n for_o salvation_n without_o question_v at_o all_o beforehand_o whether_o you_o be_v elect_v or_o no_o secret_a thing_n belong_v to_o god_n but_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v reveal_v belong_v unto_o we_o that_o we_o may_v do_v they_o deut._n 29.29_o the_o second_o thing_n direct_v to_o be_v that_o you_o shall_v endeavour_v for_o a_o right_a manner_n of_o perform_v this_o duty_n this_o be_v a_o point_n of_o great_a concernment_n because_o the_o want_n of_o it_o will_v render_v your_o faith_n ineffectual_a to_o sanctification_n and_o salvation_n the_o great_a duty_n of_o love_n which_o be_v the_o end_n of_o the_o law_n and_o the_o principal_a fruit_n of_o sanctification_n must_v flow_v from_o faith_n unfeigned_a 1_o tim._n 1.5_o there_o be_v a_o feign_a faith_n that_o do_v not_o real_o receive_v christ_n into_o the_o heart_n and_o will_v not_o produce_v love_n or_o any_o true_a obedience_n such_o as_o simon_n magus_n have_v act_n 8.13.23_o for_o notwithstanding_o his_o faith_n he_o be_v in_o the_o gall_n of_o bitterness_n and_o in_o the_o bond_n of_o iniquity_n and_o such_o as_o those_o jew_n have_v to_o who_o christ_n will_v not_o commit_v himself_o who_o do_v not_o confess_v he_o lest_o they_o shall_v be_v put_v out_o of_o the_o synagogue_n joh._n 2.23_o and_o 12.42_o and_o such_o as_o the_o apostle_n james_n speak_v of_o what_o do_v it_o profit_v you_o my_o brethren_n if_o a_o man_n say_v he_o have_v faith_n and_o have_v not_o work_n can_v that_o faith_n save_v he_o the_o devil_n also_o believe_v and_o tremble_v jam._n 2.14_o 19_o take_v heed_n therefore_o lest_o you_o deceive_v your_o soul_n with_o a_o counterfeit_a faith_n instead_o of_o the_o precious_a faith_n of_o god_n elect._n the_o way_n to_o distinguish_v the_o one_o from_o the_o other_o be_v by_o consider_v well_o what_o be_v the_o right_a manner_n of_o that_o believe_v which_o be_v effectaal_a to_o salvation_n hypocrite_n may_v perform_v the_o same_o work_n for_o the_o matter_n with_o true_a saint_n but_o they_o be_v defective_a in_o the_o manner_n of_o performance_n wherein_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o work_n do_v chief_o consist_v one_o great_a reason_n why_o many_o strive_v to_o enter_v in_o at_o the_o strait_a gate_n and_o be_v not_o able_a be_v because_o they_o be_v ignorant_a and_o defective_a in_o the_o right_a manner_n of_o act_v this_o faith_n whereby_o they_o be_v to_o enter_v now_o i_o confess_v that_o god_n only_o be_v able_a to_o guide_v we_o effectual_o in_o the_o right_a way_n of_o believe_v and_o we_o have_v this_o great_a consolation_n when_o we_o see_v our_o own_o folly_n and_o proneness_n to_o mistake_v our_o way_n that_o if_o we_o hearty_o desire_v and_o endeavour_v to_o believe_v on_o christ_n aright_o we_o may_v confident_o trust_v on_o christ_n to_o guide_v
promise_v to_o we_o in_o the_o gospel_n for_o all_o his_o salvation_n the_o spirit_n of_o god_n do_v habitual_o dispose_v and_o incline_v our_o heart_n to_o a_o right_a performance_n of_o this_o act_n by_o enable_v we_o to_o perform_v the_o first_o act_n according_a to_o the_o former_a instruction_n by_o believe_v assure_o those_o great_a thing_n of_o the_o gospel_n whereby_o we_o be_v deliver_v into_o a_o form_n of_o doctrine_n rom._n 6.17_o which_o we_o be_v to_o obey_v from_o our_o heart_n and_o to_o follow_v as_o our_o pattern_n in_o the_o manner_n of_o our_o act_v faith_n in_o christ_n for_o salvation_n therefore_o i_o need_v only_o to_o exhort_v you_o brief_o to_o act_n your_o faith_n in_o christ_n according_a to_o that_o form_n and_o pattern_n in_o which_o you_o have_v be_v already_o so_o large_o instruct_v you_o be_v to_o believe_v in_o christ_n as_o alone_o sufficient_a and_o all-sufficient_a for_o your_o happiness_n and_o salvation_n despair_v altogether_o of_o any_o attainment_n of_o happiness_n by_o your_o own_o wisdom_n strength_n work_v of_o righteousness_n or_o any_o fleshly_a worldly_a confidence_n whatsoever_o we_o must_v be_v as_o dead_a people_n to_o all_o other_o confidence_n and_o account_v they_o to_o be_v loss_n for_o christ_n according_a to_o the_o example_n of_o the_o bless_a apostle_n phil._n 3.3_o 7_o 8._o we_o must_v not_o be_v grieve_v that_o we_o have_v nothing_o to_o trust_v upon_o beside_o christ_n for_o our_o salvation_n but_o rather_o we_o be_v to_o rejoice_v that_o we_o need_v nothing_o else_o and_o that_o we_o have_v a_o sure_a foundation_n to_o rely_v upon_o incomparable_o better_o than_o any_o other_o that_o can_v be_v imagine_v and_o we_o must_v resolve_v to_o cast_v the_o burden_n of_o our_o soul_n whole_o on_o christ_n and_o to_o seek_v salvation_n no_o other_o way_n whatsoever_o become_v of_o we_o if_o the_o cripple_n lie_v not_o the_o whole_a weight_n of_o his_o body_n upon_o a_o strong_a staff_n but_o part_n of_o it_o on_o a_o rot_a one_o he_o be_v like_a to_o receive_v a_o fall_n if_o the_o swimmer_n will_v not_o commit_v his_o body_n whole_o to_o the_o water_n to_o bear_v he_o up_o but_o catch_v at_o weed_n or_o struggle_v to_o feel_v out_o ground_n he_o may_v sink_v to_o the_o bottom_n christ_n will_v be_v all_o our_o salvation_n or_o nothing_o if_o we_o seek_v to_o be_v save_v by_o any_o other_o way_n as_o the_o galatian_n do_v by_o circumcision_n christ_n will_v profit_v we_o nothing_o gal._n 5.2_o you_o be_v also_o to_o receive_v christ_n mere_o as_o a_o free-gift_n give_v to_o the_o chief_a of_o sinner_n resolve_v that_o you_o will_v not_o perform_v any_o condition_n to_o procure_v yourselves_o a_o right_n and_o title_n to_o he_o but_o that_o you_o will_v come_v to_o he_o as_o a_o lose_a sinner_n a_o ungodly_a creature_n trust_v on_o he_o that_o justifi_v the_o ungodly_a and_o that_o you_o will_v buy_v he_o without_o money_n and_o without_o any_o price_n whatsoever_o rom._n 4.5_o isa_n 55.2_o look_v not_o on_o your_o own_o faith_n or_o love_n or_o any_o good_a qualification_n in_o yourselves_o as_o the_o ground_n of_o your_o trust_n in_o christ_n but_o only_o to_o the_o free_a grace_n and_o lovingkindness_n of_o god_n in_o christ_n how_o excellent_a be_v thy_o lovingkindness_n o_o god_n therefore_o the_o child_n of_o man_n put_v their_o trust_n under_o the_o shadow_n of_o thy_o wing_n psal_n 30.7_o for_o if_o you_o make_v your_o faith_n love_n or_o good_a qualification_n to_o be_v your_o first_o and_o principal_a foundation_n and_o you_o build_v christ_n upon_o they_o instead_o of_o building_n all_o upon_o christ_n you_o invert_v the_o order_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o christ_n will_v profit_v you_o nothing_o another_o thing_n to_o be_v observe_v diligent_o be_v that_o you_o must_v come_v to_o christ_n for_o a_o new_a holy_a heart_n and_o life_n and_o all_o thing_n necessary_a thereunto_o as_o well_o as_o for_o deliverance_n from_o the_o wrath_n of_o god_n and_o the_o torment_n of_o hell_n you_o must_v also_o come_v to_o he_o with_o a_o ardent_a love_n and_o affection_n to_o he_o and_o esteem_v he_o better_o than_o a_o thousand_o world_n and_o the_o only_a excellent_a portion_n loathe_v and_o abhor_v yourself_o as_o a_o vile_a sinful_a and_o miserable_a creature_n and_o account_v all_o thing_n dung_n in_o comparison_n of_o his_o excellency_n that_o you_o may_v be_v able_a to_o say_v from_o the_o bottom_n of_o your_o heart_n who_o have_v i_o in_o heaven_n but_o thou_o etc._n etc._n psal_n 73.23_o last_o you_o must_v endeavour_v to_o draw_v near_o with_o full_a assurance_n of_o faith_n heb._n 10.22_o trust_v on_o christ_n confident_o for_o your_o own_o particular_a salvation_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o that_o general_a promise_n that_o whosoever_o believe_v on_o christ_n shall_v not_o be_v ashamed_a rom._n 9.33_o you_o must_v check_v yourselves_o for_o all_o doubt_n fear_n staggering_n concern_v your_o own_o salvation_n by_o christ_n say_v with_o the_o psalmist_n why_o be_v thou_o cast_v down_o o_o my_o soul_n etc._n etc._n psal_n 42.11_o the_o three_o thing_n contain_v in_o the_o direction_n be_v the_o avoid_n of_o all_o delay_n in_o the_o performance_n of_o this_o great_a work_n of_o believe_v in_o christ_n until_o we_o have_v perform_v it_o we_o continue_v under_o the_o power_n of_o sin_n and_o satan_n and_o under_o the_o wrath_n of_o god_n and_o there_o be_v nothing_o betwixt_o hell_n and_o we_o beside_o the_o breath_n of_o our_o nostril_n it_o be_v dangerous_a for_o lot_n to_o linger_v in_o sodom_n lest_o fire_n and_o brimstone_n come_v down_o from_o heaven_n upon_o he_o the_o manslayer_n must_v flee_v with_o all_o haste_n to_o the_o city_n of_o refuge_n lest_o the_o avenger_n of_o blood_n pursue_v he_o while_o his_o heart_n be_v hot_a and_o slay_v he_o deut._n 19.5_o 6._o we_o shall_v make_v haste_n and_o not_o delay_n to_o keep_v god_n commandment_n psal_n 119.60_o and_o flee_v for_o refuge_n to_o the_o hope_v set_v before_o we_o heb._n 6.18_o and_o god_n command_v we_o to_o flee_v thus_o by_o faith_n without_o which_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o please_v god_n in_o other_o duty_n the_o work_n be_v of_o such_o a_o nature_n that_o it_o may_v be_v perform_v as_o soon_o as_o you_o hear_v the_o gospel_n as_o soon_o as_o they_o hear_v of_o i_o they_o shall_v obey_v i_o psal_n 18.44_o as_o soon_o as_o zion_n travailde_v she_o bring_v forth_o her_o child_n isa_n 66.8_o we_o have_v many_o example_n of_o those_o that_o receive_v the_o word_n by_o faith_n at_o the_o first_o hear_v of_o it_o three_o thousand_o be_v add_v to_o the_o church_n on_o the_o very_a same_o day_n wherein_o peter_n first_o publish_v the_o gospel_n in_o jerusalem_n act_v 2.41_o so_o many_o jew_n and_o gentile_n be_v convert_v at_o the_o first_o hear_v of_o the_o apostle_n paul_n at_o antioch_n act_v 13.43_o the_o jailor_n with_o all_o his_o house_n believe_v and_o be_v baptize_v the_o same_o night_n wherein_o paul_n first_o preach_v to_o they_o act_v 16.33_o 34._o the_o gospel_n come_v at_o first_o to_o the_o thessalonian_o not_o in_o word_n only_o but_o in_o power_n and_o in_o the_o holy_a ghost_n 1_o thes_n 1.5_o 6._o if_o god_n open_v the_o heart_n of_o his_o people_n to_o attend_v diligent_o they_o may_v be_v instruct_v in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o gospel_n by_o one_o brief_a sermon_n sufficient_o to_o begin_v the_o practice_n of_o save_a faith_n and_o when_o they_o know_v their_o duty_n god_n require_v immediate_a performance_n without_o allow_v we_o the_o least_o respite_n in_o the_o state_n of_o unbelief_n when_o satan_n can_v prevail_v with_o people_n to_o reject_v whole_o the_o duty_n of_o believe_v his_o next_o attempt_n for_o the_o ruin_n of_o their_o soul_n be_v to_o prevail_v with_o they_o at_o least_o to_o delay_v and_o shift_v off_o the_o performance_n of_o it_o from_o time_n to_o time_n by_o several_a false_a reason_n and_o imagination_n which_o he_o put_v into_o their_o mind_n the_o most_o ignorant_a and_o sensual_a be_v easy_o prevail_v with_o to_o defer_v this_o duty_n until_o they_o have_v take_v their_o fill_n of_o the_o pleasure_n profit_n and_o honour_n of_o this_o world_n and_o be_v summon_v to_o prepare_v for_o another_o world_n by_o infirmity_n age_n sickness_n pray_v and_o hope_v that_o a_o large_a time_n of_o repentance_n will_v be_v grant_v unto_o they_o before_o they_o die_v but_o such_o delay_n show_v that_o they_o be_v real_o unwilling_a to_o repent_v and_o believe_v until_o they_o be_v force_v by_o necessity_n and_o that_o they_o prefer_v the_o pleasure_n prosit_o and_o honour_n of_o the_o world_n above_o god_n and_o christ_n and_o their_o own_o soul_n thus_o they_o unfit_a themselves_o more_o and_o more_o for_o this_o great_a duty_n by_o their_o customary_a walk_n in_o sin_n and_o by_o
misspend_v the_o precious_a time_n of_o their_o health_n and_o strength_n which_o be_v most_o meet_a for_o the_o performance_n of_o this_o great_a work_n they_o high_o provoke_v god_n never_o to_o give_v they_o time_n or_o grace_n to_o repent_v hereafter_o other_o imagine_v that_o after_o they_o have_v hear_v the_o gospel_n of_o salvation_n by_o christ_n they_o may_v lawful_o defer_v the_o believe_v of_o it_o until_o they_o have_v sufficient_o examine_v the_o truth_n of_o some_o other_o different_a doctrine_n or_o until_o god_n be_v please_v to_o afford_v they_o some_o other_o mean_n to_o assure_v they_o full_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n thus_o they_o that_o be_v call_v seeker_n misspend_v the_o day_n of_o grace_n ever_o learning_n but_o never_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n 2_o tim._n 3.7_o but_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n do_v so_o clear_o evidence_n its_o self_n by_o its_o own_o light_n that_o if_o people_n do_v not_o wilful_o shut_v their_o eye_n or_o blind_v themselves_o by_o their_o own_o pride_n and_o love_n of_o their_o lust_n they_o will_v easy_o perceive_v that_o it_o be_v the_o truth_n of_o god_n because_o the_o image_n of_o his_o grace_n mercy_n power_n justice_n and_o holiness_n appear_v manifest_o engrave_v upon_o it_o it_o be_v a_o sign_n people_n be_v proud_a when_o they_o consent_v not_o to_o the_o word_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n and_o to_o the_o doctrine_n which_o be_v according_a to_o godliness_n 1_o tim._n 6.3_o if_o they_o be_v humble_a and_o sincere_o incline_v to_o do_v the_o will_n of_o god_n they_o will_v know_v whether_o the_o doctrine_n be_v of_o god_n or_o no_o joh._n 7.17_o they_o will_v quick_o be_v persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n by_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n christ_n and_o the_o apostle_n speak_v to_o they_o in_o the_o scripture_n and_o if_o they_o will_v not_o hear_v they_o neither_o will_v they_o not_o be_v persuade_v though_o one_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a or_o whatever_o other_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v to_o confirm_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o gospel_n luke_n 16.31_o another_o sort_n of_o people_n there_o be_v that_o delay_v the_o great_a work_n of_o believe_v to_o the_o ruin_n of_o their_o soul_n upon_o the_o outward_a mean_n of_o grace_n and_o salvation_n instead_o of_o any_o endeavour_n to_o receive_v christ_n by_o faith_n though_o they_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n this_o they_o call_v wait_v upon_o god_n at_o the_o door_n of_o his_o grace_n and_o salvation_n in_o the_o use_n of_o mean_n appoint_v by_o he_o and_o sit_v under_o the_o dropping_n of_o the_o sanctuary_n but_o let_v they_o know_v that_o this_o be_v not_o the_o right_n wait_v on_o god_n require_v in_o scripture_n it_o be_v rather_o disobedience_n to_o god_n and_o to_o the_o name_n of_o his_o appointment_n which_o require_v that_o we_o shall_v be_v doer_n of_o the_o word_n and_o not_o hearer_n only_o deceive_v ourselves_o jam._n 1.22_o and_o that_o we_o shall_v come_v in_o to_o the_o spiritual_a feast_n luke_n 14.23_o and_o not_o only_o stand_v at_o the_o door_n or_o sit_v under_o the_o dropping_n of_o the_o house_n of_o god_n lest_o christ_n repute_v we_o no_o better_o than_o eve-dropper_n that_o holy_a wait_v on_o the_o lord_n commend_v to_o we_o in_o scripture_n be_v ever_o accompany_v with_o believe_v and_o hope_v in_o the_o lord_n and_o depend_v thereon_o i_o have_v faint_v unless_o i_o have_v believe_v to_o see_v the_o goodness_n of_o the_o lord_n in_o the_o land_n of_o the_o live_n psal_n 23.13_o 14._o it_o be_v good_a that_o a_o man_n shall_v both_o hope_n and_o quiet_o wait_v for_o the_o salvation_n of_o the_o lord_n lam._n 3.26_o what_o be_v it_o that_o these_o delude_a one_o wait_n for_o before_o they_o perform_v the_o duty_n of_o believe_v be_v it_o for_o more_o knowledge_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o way_n to_o increase_v thy_o knowledge_n as_o well_o as_o any_o other_o talon_n be_v to_o make_v use_n of_o what_o thou_o have_v receive_v already_o believe_v hearty_o on_o christ_n for_o all_o thy_o salvation_n according_a to_o that_o little_a knowledge_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o thou_o have_v and_o thou_o will_v have_v a_o interest_n in_o the_o promise_n of_o knowledge_n contain_v in_o the_o new_a covenant_n they_o shall_v all_o know_v i_o from_o the_o least_o to_o the_o great_a of_o they_o say_v the_o lord_n jer._n 31.34_o be_v it_o for_o the_o appoint_a time_n of_o thy_o conversion_n that_o thou_o wait_v then_o thou_o wait_v as_o those_o impotent_a folk_n lie_v at_o the_o pool_n of_o bethesda_n wait_v for_o the_o season_n when_o the_o angel_n will_v come_v down_o and_o move_v the_o water_n know_v then_o that_o if_o thou_o enter_v into_o christ_n now_o by_o faith_n thou_o shall_v find_v in_o he_o water_n of_o life_n and_o the_o spirit_n move_v they_o for_o the_o heal_n and_o quicken_a of_o thy_o soul_n god_n have_v appoint_v by_o his_o word_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v thy_o duty_n to_o endeavour_v that_o the_o present_a time_n shall_v be_v the_o time_n of_o thy_o conversion_n as_o the_o holy_a ghost_n say_v to_o day_n if_o thou_o will_v hear_v his_o voice_n harden_v not_o thy_o heart_n heb._n 3.7_o 8._o and_o thou_o shall_v never_o know_v at_o what_o time_n god_n have_v purpose_v in_o his_o secret_a counsel_n to_o give_v faith_n to_o thou_o until_o thou_o do_v actual_o believe_v do_v thou_o wait_v for_o any_o manifestation_n or_o flow_n in_o of_o god_n save_v love_n to_o thy_o soul_n then_o the_o way_n to_o obtain_v it_o be_v to_o believe_v that_o the_o god_n of_o peace_n may_v sill_z thou_o with_o all_o joy_n and_o peace_n in_o believe_v rom._n 15.13_o thou_o have_v sufficient_a manifestation_n of_o god_n love_n to_o thy_o soul_n by_o the_o free_a promise_n of_o life_n and_o salvation_n by_o christ_n do_v but_o trust_v on_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o stay_v upon_o thy_o god_n when_o thou_o walk_v in_o darkness_n and_o see_v no_o light_n of_o sensible_a comfort_n any_o other_o way_n otherwise_o thou_o wait_v for_o comfort_n in_o vain_a and_o this_o thou_o shall_v have_v at_o the_o lord_n hand_n thou_o shall_v lie_v down_o in_o sorrow_n isa_n 50.10_o 11._o do_v thou_o wait_v for_o any_o qualification_n to_o prepare_v thou_o for_o the_o work_n of_o believe_v if_o they_o be_v good_a and_o holy_a qualification_n thou_o can_v not_o have_v they_o before_o faith_n but_o they_o be_v either_o include_v in_o the_o nature_n of_o faith_n or_o they_o be_v fruit_n of_o it_o as_o have_v be_v large_o prove_v if_o they_o be_v bad_a and_o sinful_a it_o be_v strange_a that_o any_o shall_v wait_v for_o they_o and_o yet_o no_o more_o strange_a than_o true_a some_o foolish_o wait_v to_o be_v terrify_v with_o the_o sense_n of_o god_n wrath_n and_o despair_a thought_n and_o these_o they_o call_v the_o pang_n of_o the_o new_a birth_n though_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n they_o be_v rather_o the_o pang_n of_o the_o spiritual_a death_n and_o bring_v forth_o hatred_n to_o god_n rather_o than_o holiness_n and_o therefore_o we_o shall_v strive_v to_o prevent_v they_o by_o believe_v god_n love_n in_o christ_n rather_o than_o to_o wait_v for_o they_o it_o be_v true_a that_o god_n make_v these_o despair_a thought_n as_o well_o as_o other_o sin_n work_n for_o good_a to_o they_o that_o be_v deliver_v from_o they_o by_o faith_n in_o christ_n they_o be_v move_v thereby_o to_o hate_v sin_n and_o to_o prize_n christ_n the_o more_o and_o the_o comfort_n of_o his_o gospel_n and_o to_o loath_a and_o abhor_v themselves_o yet_o many_o be_v bring_v to_o christ_n without_o they_o by_o god_n give_v they_o the_o knowledge_n of_o their_o own_o sin_n and_o of_o christ_n salvation_n together_o several_a example_n of_o these_o be_v above_o mention_v who_o receive_v the_o word_n with_o joy_n at_o the_o first_o hear_v of_o it_o and_o we_o must_v not_o desire_v or_o wait_v for_o any_o evil_n of_o sin_n such_o as_o these_o despair_a thought_n be_v that_o good_a may_v come_v of_o it_o neither_o shall_v we_o expect_v to_o be_v worse_a before_o we_o be_v better_o when_o we_o may_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v better_a present_o by_o believe_v on_o christ_n 4._o in_o the_o direction_n it_o be_v that_o we_o shall_v continue_v and_o increase_v in_o the_o most_o holy_a faith_n and_o that_o we_o may_v we_o must_v not_o think_v that_o when_o we_o have_v once_o attain_v to_o the_o grace_n of_o save_a faith_n and_o thereby_o be_v beget_v anew_o in_o christ_n our_o name_n be_v up_o in_o heaven_n and_o perfect_a we_o may_v lie_v in_o bed_n till_o noon_n but_o as_o long_o as_o we_o continue_v in_o this_o life_n we_o must_v endeavour_v to_o continue_v in_o the_o faith_n ground_v and_o settle_v not_o move_v away_o from_o the_o
bring_v we_o at_o last_o to_o perfection_n of_o holiness_n through_o jesus_n christ_n our_o lord_n and_o we_o shall_v careful_o observe_v in_o all_o thing_n that_o good_a lesson_n of_o the_o apostle_n not_o to_o think_v of_o ourselves_o more_o high_o than_o we_o ought_v to_o think_v but_o to_o think_v sober_o according_a as_o god_n have_v deal_v to_o every_o man_n the_o measure_n of_o faith_n rom._n 12.3_o direct_v xiii_o endeavour_v diligent_o to_o make_v the_o right_a use_n of_o all_o meansappoint_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n for_o the_o obtain_n and_o practise_v of_o holiness_n only_o in_o this_o way_n of_o believe_v in_o christ_n and_o walk_v in_o he_o according_a to_o your_o new_a state_n by_o faith_n explication_n this_o may_v have_v be_v add_v to_o the_o instruction_n in_o the_o explication_n of_o the_o former_a direction_n because_o its_o use_n be_v the_o same_o to_o guide_v we_o in_o the_o mysterious_a manner_n of_o practise_v holiness_n in_o christ_n by_o the_o life_n of_o faith_n but_o the_o weight_n and_o comprehensiveness_n of_o it_o make_v it_o worthy_a to_o be_v treat_v of_o by_o itself_o as_o a_o distinct_a direction_n two_o thing_n be_v observable_a in_o it_o first_o that_o though_o all_o holiness_n be_v effectual_o attain_v unto_o by_o the_o life_n of_o faith_n in_o christ_n yet_o the_o use_n of_o any_o mean_n appoint_v in_o the_o word_n for_o attain_v and_o promote_a holiness_n be_v not_o hereby_o make_v void_a but_o rather_o establish_v this_o be_v needful_a to_o be_v observe_v against_o the_o pride_n and_o ignorance_n of_o some_o carnal_a gospeler_n that_o be_v puff_v up_o with_o a_o conceit_n of_o their_o feign_a faith_n imagine_v themselves_o to_o be_v in_o such_o a_o state_n of_o perfection_n that_o they_o be_v above_o all_o ordinance_n except_o sing_v halelujah_n and_o also_o against_o the_o papist_n that_o run_v into_o the_o contrary_a extreme_a by_o heap_v together_o a_o multitude_n of_o mean_n of_o holiness_n which_o god_n never_o command_v neither_o ever_o come_v they_o into_o his_o heart_n and_o that_o slander_v the_o protestant_a doctrine_n of_o faith_n and_o free_a grace_n as_o if_o it_o tend_v to_o destroy_v all_o diligent_a use_n of_o the_o mean_n of_o holiness_n and_o salvation_n and_o to_o breed_v up_o a_o company_n of_o lazy_a solifidian_o we_o do_v indeed_o assert_v and_o profess_v that_o a_o true_a and_o lively_a faith_n in_o christ_n be_v alone_o sufficient_a and_o effectual_a through_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n to_o receive_v christ_n and_o all_o his_o fullness_n so_o far_o as_o be_v necessary_a in_o this_o life_n for_o our_o justification_n sanctification_n and_o eternal_a salvation_n but_o yet_o we_o also_o assert_v and_o profess_v that_o several_a mean_n be_v appoint_v of_o god_n for_o the_o beget_v maintain_v and_o increase_v of_o this_o faith_n and_o the_o act_n and_o exercise_v of_o it_o in_o order_n to_o the_o attainment_n of_o its_o end_n and_o that_o these_o mean_n be_v to_o be_v use_v diligent_o which_o be_v mention_v in_o the_o sequel_n true_a believer_n find_v by_o experience_n that_o their_o faith_n need_v such_o help_n and_o they_o that_o think_v themselves_o above_o any_o need_n of_o they_o do_v reject_v the_o counsel_n of_o god_n against_o themselves_o like_v to_o those_o prond_n pharisees_n and_o lawyer_n that_o think_v it_o a_o thing_n beneath_o they_o and_o refuse_v to_o be_v baptize_v of_o john_n luk._n 7.30_o yet_o we_o account_v no_o mean_n necessary_a or_o lawful_a to_o be_v use_v for_o the_o attainment_n of_o holiness_n beside_o they_o that_o be_v appoint_v by_o god_n in_o his_o word_n we_o know_v that_o holiness_n be_v a_o part_n of_o our_o salvation_n and_o therefore_o they_o that_o think_v that_o man_n may_v or_o can_v invent_v any_o mean_n effectual_a for_o the_o attainment_n of_o it_o do_v ascribe_v their_o salvation_n partly_o to_o man_n and_o rob_v god_n of_o his_o glory_n in_o be_v our_o only_a saviour_n and_o they_o do_v thereby_o plain_o show_v that_o though_o they_o draw_v nigh_o unto_o god_n with_o their_o mouth_n and_o honour_v he_o with_o their_o lip_n yet_o their_o heart_n be_v far_o from_o he_o and_o in_o vain_a do_v they_o worship_v he_o teach_v for_o doctrine_n the_o commandment_n of_o man_n mat._n 15.7_o 8_o 9_o the_o second_o thing_n observable_a and_o principal_o design_v in_o this_o direction_n be_v the_o right_a manner_n of_o use_v all_o the_o mean_n of_o holiness_n for_o the_o obtain_n and_o practise_v of_o it_o in_o no_o other_o way_n beside_o that_o of_o believe_v in_o christ_n and_o walk_v in_o he_o according_a to_o our_o new_a state_n by_o faith_n which_o have_v be_v already_o demonstrate_v to_o be_v the_o only_a way_n whereby_o we_o may_v effectual_o attain_v to_o this_o great_a end_n we_o must_v use_v they_o as_o help_v to_o the_o life_n of_o faith_n in_o its_o beginning_n continuance_n and_o growth_n and_o as_o instrument_n subservient_fw-fr to_o faith_n the_o principal_a instrument_n in_o all_o its_o act_n and_o exercise_n whereby_o the_o soul_n receive_v christ_n and_o walk_v in_o all_o holiness_n by_o he_o we_o must_v beware_v lest_o we_o use_v they_o rather_o in_o opposition_n than_o in_o subordination_n to_o the_o way_n of_o sanctification_n and_o salvation_n by_o free_a grace_n in_o christ_n through_o faith_n and_o lest_o by_o our_o abuse_n of_o they_o they_o be_v make_v rather_o hindrance_n than_o help_v to_o our_o faith_n we_o must_v not_o idolise_v any_o of_o the_o mean_n and_o put_v they_o into_o the_o place_n of_o christ_n as_o the_o papist_n do_v by_o trust_v in_o they_o as_o if_o they_o be_v effectual_a to_o confer_v grace_n to_o the_o soul_n by_o the_o work_n that_o be_v do_v in_o the_o use_n of_o they_o neither_o may_v we_o use_v they_o as_o work_v of_o righteousness_n to_o be_v perform_v as_o condition_n for_o the_o procure_n of_o the_o favour_n of_o god_n and_o the_o salvation_n of_o christ_n neither_o must_v they_o be_v account_v so_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n as_o if_o a_o true_a faith_n be_v void_a and_o of_o none_o effect_n when_o we_o be_v debar_v from_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o several_a of_o they_o the_o holy_a scripture_n with_o all_o the_o mean_n of_o grace_n appoint_v therein_o be_v able_a to_o make_v we_o wise_a unto_o salvation_n no_o other_o way_n than_o by_o faith_n in_o jesus_n christ_n 2_o tim._n 3.18_o and_o therefore_o our_o wise_a endeavour_n must_v be_v not_o to_o use_v â—hem_fw-mi in_o any_o opposition_n to_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n in_o christ_n for_o god_n ordinance_n be_v like_o the_o cherubim_v of_o glory_n make_v with_o their_o face_n look_v towards_o the_o mercy-seat_n they_o be_v make_v to_o guide_v we_o to_o christ_n for_o salvation_n by_o faith_n alone_o if_o any_o turn_v they_o to_o another_o use_n it_o be_v a_o great_a violation_n of_o divine_a institution_n as_o if_o any_o sacrilegious_a person_n have_v presume_v to_o turn_v the_o face_n of_o the_o cherubim_n from_o the_o mercy-seat_n some_o other_o way_n this_o right_a use_n of_o the_o mean_n of_o grace_n be_v a_o point_n wherein_o many_o be_v ignorant_a that_o use_v they_o with_o great_a zeal_n and_o diligence_n and_o thereby_o they_o do_v not_o only_o lose_v their_o labour_n and_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o mean_n but_o also_o they_o wrest_v and_o pervert_v they_o to_o their_o own_o destruction_n the_o jew_n under_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n enjoy_v many_o more_o ordinance_n of_o divine_a worship_n than_o we_o do_v under_o the_o gospel_n but_o their_o table_n become_v their_o snare_n and_o they_o fall_v miserable_o from_o god_n and_o christ_n because_o the_o veil_n of_o ignorance_n be_v upon_o their_o heart_n that_o they_o can_v not_o look_v to_o the_o end_n of_o those_o ordinance_n even_o to_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n and_o they_o seek_v not_o salvation_n by_o faith_n but_o by_o the_o ordinance_n as_o work_n of_o righteousness_n and_o by_o other_o work_n of_o the_o law_n for_o they_o stumble_v at_o the_o stumble_a 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and_o be_v your_o friend_n if_o i_o can_v find_v that_o you_o believe_v it_o and_o that_o you_o take_v i_o for_o a_o friend_n but_o their_o fallible_a word_n be_v not_o sufficient_a ground_n to_o make_v we_o persuade_v ourselves_o absolute_o that_o we_o shall_v have_v their_o promise_a favour_n the_o faith_n of_o miracle_n give_v we_o some_o light_n in_o this_o matter_n christ_n assure_v they_o on_o who_o they_o be_v wrought_v and_o who_o have_v power_n give_v they_o of_o work_v they_o that_o the_o miracle_n shall_v be_v wrought_v if_o they_o believe_v without_o doubt_v of_o the_o event_n mark_v 11._o and_o there_o be_v a_o reason_n for_o this_o resemblance_n because_o the_o end_n of_o work_a miracle_n be_v to_o confirm_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n of_o salvation_n by_o faith_n in_o christ_n name_n as_o the_o scripture_n clear_o show_v and_o indeed_o the_o salvation_n of_o a_o sinner_n be_v a_o very_a great_a miracle_n it_o be_v report_v that_o wizard_n do_v often_o require_v those_o that_o come_v to_o they_o that_o they_o shall_v believe_v that_o they_o shall_v obtain_v what_o they_o desire_v of_o they_o or_o at_o least_o that_o they_o be_v able_a to_o fulfil_v their_o desire_n whereby_o the_o devil_n the_o master_n of_o those_o wizard_n show_v himself_o to_o be_v god_n ape_n and_o that_o he_o will_v fain_o have_v that_o honour_n and_o glory_n ascribe_v to_o himself_o that_o be_v due_a to_o god_n alone_o have_v thus_o explain_v the_o nature_n of_o that_o assurance_n which_o i_o have_v direct_v unto_o i_o shall_v now_o produce_v several_a argument_n to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v and_o must_v necessary_o be_v such_o a_o assurance_n or_o persuasion_n of_o our_o salvation_n in_o saving-faith_n itself_o first_o this_o assurance_n of_o salvation_n be_v employ_v in_o the_o description_n before_o give_v of_o that_o faith_n whereby_o we_o receive_v christ_n and_o his_o salvation_n into_o our_o heart_n i_o describe_v faith_n to_o be_v a_o grace_n of_o the_o spirit_n whereby_o we_o hearty_o believe_v the_o gospel_n and_o also_o believe_v on_o christ_n as_o he_o be_v reveal_v and_o free_o promise_v to_o we_o therein_o for_o all_o his_o salvation_n and_o i_o show_v in_o the_o explanation_n that_o believe_v on_o christ_n be_v the_o same_o with_o rest_v rely_v lean_v stay_v ourselves_o on_o christ_n or_o god_n through_o christ_n for_o our_o salvation_n it_o may_v be_v some_o will_n like_o that_o description_n the_o better_a because_o faith_n be_v there_o describe_v by_o term_n that_o be_v ordinary_o use_v even_o by_o those_o that_o deny_v the_o necessity_n of_o assurance_n but_o those_o ordinary_a term_n do_v sufficient_o include_v assurance_n in_o the_o nature_n of_o faith_n and_o they_o can_v stand_v without_o it_o and_o this_o show_v that_o many_o hold_v the_o doctrine_n of_o assurance_n implicit_o and_o profess_v it_o though_o they_o think_v the_o contrary_n believe_v on_o christ_n for_o salvation_n as_o free_o promise_v to_o we_o must_v needs_o include_v a_o dependence_n on_o christ_n with_o a_o persuasion_n that_o salvation_n shall_v be_v free_o give_v as_o it_o be_v free_o promise_v to_o we_o believe_v with_o a_o divine_a faith_n ground_v on_o the_o infallible_a truth_n of_o the_o free-promise_n if_o it_o do_v not_o in_o some_o measure_n exclude_v a_o mere_a suspense_n and_o waver_a opinion_n or_o conjecture_n be_v not_o worthy_a to_o be_v so_o call_v some_o may_v be_v so_o absurd_a as_o to_o say_v that_o faith_n be_v only_o a_o believe_v that_o we_o shall_v be_v save_v by_o christ_n if_o we_o perform_v such_o condition_n as_o he_o require_v and_o then_o indeed_o it_o will_v leave_v we_o where_o it_o find_v we_o as_o to_o any_o certainty_n of_o salvation_n until_o those_o condition_n be_v perform_v but_o i_o have_v already_o prevent_v such_o a_o absurdity_n by_o show_v that_o this_o believe_v on_o christ_n be_v itself_o not_o only_o the_o condition_n of_o our_o salvation_n but_o also_o the_o instrument_n whereby_o we_o actual_o receive_v it_o believe_v being_n the_o proper_a act_n of_o faith_n must_v needs_o have_v the_o same_o contrary_n to_o it_o as_o stagger_v rom._n 4.20_o waver_a heb._n 10.29_o doubt_v matth._n 14.31_o fear_v mark_v 5.36_o these_o contrary_n do_v much_o illustrate_v the_o nature_n of_o faith_n and_o do_v show_v that_o believe_a must_v have_v some_o confidence_n in_o it_o else_o it_o will_v have_v doubt_v in_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o it_o for_o what_o man_n that_o understand_v the_o preciousness_n of_o his_o immortal_a soul_n and_o his_o danger_n of_o lose_v it_o can_v ever_o avoid_v fear_n doubt_v and_o trouble_v of_o heart_n by_o any_o believe_v whereby_o he_o do_v not_o at_o all_o assure_v himself_o of_o his_o salvation_n the_o other_o term_n of_o trust_v and_o rest_v on_o jesus_n christ_n etc._n etc._n whereby_o faith_n be_v often_o describe_v by_o orthodox_n teacher_n must_v include_v assurance_n of_o salvation_n because_o they_o signify_v the_o same_o thing_n with_o believe_v on_o christ_n the_o soul_n must_v have_v its_o sufficient_a support_n to_o beat_v it_o up_o against_o oppress_v fear_n trouble_n care_n despair_n that_o it_o may_v thus_o trust_v and_o rest_n the_o right_a manner_n of_o trust_v and_o hope_v in_o the_o lord_n be_v by_o assure_v ourselves_o against_o all_o fear_n and_o doubt_n that_o the_o lord_n be_v our_o god_n and_o he_o be_v become_v our_o salvation_n i_o trust_v on_o thou_o o_o lord_n i_o say_v thou_o be_v my_o god_n psal_n 31.14_o the_o lord_n be_v my_o rock_n and_o my_o fortress_n and_o my_o deliverer_n my_o strength_n in_o who_o i_o will_v trust_v psal_n 18.2_o behold_v god_n be_v my_o salvation_n i_o will_v trust_v and_o not_o be_v afraid_a isa_n 12.2_o o_o my_o soul_n hope_v thou_o in_o god_n who_o be_v the_o health_n of_o my_o countenance_n and_o my_o god_n psal_n 42.16_o true_a hope_n be_v ground_v on_o god_n only_o that_o he_o will_v bless_v we_o that_o it_o may_v be_v a_o anchor_n for_o the_o soul_n sure_a and_o steadfast_a heb._n 6.17.18_o 19_o if_o you_o trust_v rely_v and_o stay_v yourselves_o on_o christ_n or_o hope_v in_o he_o without_o assure_v yourselves_o at_o all_o of_o salvation_n by_o he_o you_o make_v no_o better_o use_v of_o he_o than_o if_o he_o be_v a_o break_a reed_n and_o if_o you_o will_v stay_v yourselves_o on_o the_o lord_n you_o must_v look_v on_o he_o as_o your_o god_n as_o the_o prophet_n teach_v let_v he_o trust_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o stay_v upon_o his_o god_n isai_n 50._o 10._o if_o you_o will_v rest_v in_o the_o lord_n you_o must_v believe_v that_o he_o deal_v bountiful_o with_o you_o psal_n 116.7_o or_o else_o for_o aught_o you_o know_v you_o make_v your_o bed_n in_o hell_n and_o you_o will_v show_v little_a regard_n of_o christ_n and_o of_o your_o own_o soul_n if_o you_o dare_v to_o rest_v under_o the_o wrath_n of_o god_n without_o any_o persuasion_n of_o a_o sure_a interest_n in_o christ_n people_n may_v please_v themselves_o with_o such_o a_o trust_n or_o rest_v etc._n etc._n when_o they_o be_v at_o ease_n but_o in_o time_n of_o temptation_n it_o vanish_v away_o and_o appear_v to_o be_v no_o true_a faith_n but_o be_v turn_v into_o shame_n the_o soul_n that_o live_v in_o such_o waver_a and_o doubt_v concern_v salvation_n do_v not_o stay_v itself_o nor_o rest_n at_o all_o but_o be_v like_o a_o wave_n of_o the_o sea_n drive_v with_o the_o wind_n and_o toss_v he_o be_v a_o double_a mind_a man_n unstable_a in_o all_o his_o way_n jam._n 1.6_o if_o you_o continue_v in_o mere_a suspense_n and_o doubtfulness_n of_o salvation_n by_o christ_n your_o desire_n to_o trust_v be_v but_o a_o lazy_a would_n without_o any_o fix_a resolution_n and_o you_o dare_v not_o yet_o venture_v to_o trust_v on_o he_o steadfast_o if_o you_o call_v it_o only_o your_o desire_n to_o trust_v and_o rely_v on_o jesus_n christ_n i_o may_v answer_v that_o you_o can_v do_v thus_o much_o in_o a_o right_a manner_n except_o you_o desire_v and_o venture_v to_o persuade_v and_o assure_v yourselves_o of_o your_o salvation_n by_o christ_n notwithstanding_o all_o the_o cause_n that_o you_o have_v to_o doubt_v and_o fear_v the_o contrary_n if_o it_o be_v object_v that_o we_o may_v trust_v on_o christ_n only_o as_o a_o sufficient_a mean_n of_o salvation_n without_o any_o assurance_n of_o the_o effect_n i_o shall_v acknowledge_v that_o the_o sufficiency_n of_o god_n and_o christ_n be_v a_o good_a ground_n for_o we_o to_o rest_v on_o but_o we_o must_v understand_v by_o it_o not_o only_o a_o sufficiency_n of_o power_n but_o also_o of_o goodwill_n and_o mercy_n towards_o we_o for_o what_o have_v we_o to_o do_v more_o with_o the_o sufficiency_n of_o god_n and_o christ_n power_n than_o fall_v angel_n without_o his_o goodwill_n towards_o we_o and_o if_o
without_o any_o further_a ado_n and_o with_o assurance_n that_o it_o be_v i_o free_o if_o i_o do_v it_o doubt_o i_o disparage_v the_o honesty_n and_o credit_n of_o the_o donor_n as_o if_o he_o be_v not_o a_o man_n of_o his_o word_n in_o like_a manner_n if_o fear_v to_o be_v too_o confident_a lest_o we_o shall_v believe_v a_o lie_n we_o shall_v come_v to_o christ_n doubt_o and_o in_o mere_a suspense_n whether_o we_o shall_v be_v free_o entertain_v after_o all_o god_n free_a invitation_n and_o promise_n shall_v we_o not_o disparage_v the_o faithfulness_n of_o god_n and_o shall_v we_o not_o be_v guilty_a of_o make_v god_n a_o liar_n as_o the_o apostle_n john_n teach_v because_o of_o our_o not_o believe_v the_o record_n which_o god_n give_v of_o his_o son_n and_o this_o be_v the_o record_n that_o god_n have_v give_v to_o we_o eternal_a life_n and_o this_o life_n be_v in_o his_o son_n 1_o john_n 5.10_o 11._o and_o what_o if_o the_o salvation_n promise_v be_v not_o absolute_o intend_v for_o all_o to_o who_o the_o gospel_n come_v it_o be_v enough_o that_o god_n give_v we_o his_o faithful_a word_n that_o they_o that_o believe_v shall_v have_v it_o and_o none_o else_o and_o have_v absolute_o intend_v to_o fulfil_v his_o word_n that_o none_o shall_v find_v it_o to_o be_v a_o lie_n to_o they_o and_o have_v join_v believe_v and_o salvation_n together_o inseparable_o on_o this_o ground_n god_n may_v just_o cause_v the_o promise_n of_o this_o salvation_n to_o be_v publish_v to_o all_o and_o may_v just_o require_v all_o to_o believe_v on_o he_o assure_o for_o their_o own_o salvation_n that_o so_o it_o may_v appear_v whether_o they_o will_v give_v he_o the_o glory_n of_o his_o truth_n and_o if_o they_o will_v not_o he_o may_v just_o reject_v they_o and_o punish_v they_o severe_o for_o dishonour_v he_o by_o their_o unbelief_n in_o this_o case_n we_o must_v not_o look_v to_o the_o secret_a decree_n of_o god_n but_o to_o his_o reveal_v promise_n and_o command_n thus_o god_n promise_v to_o the_o israelite_n in_o the_o wilderness_n that_o he_o will_v give_v they_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o will_v fight_v for_o they_o against_o their_o enemy_n and_o require_v they_o not_o to_o fear_v or_o be_v discourage_v that_o so_o the_o promise_n may_v be_v fulfil_v to_o they_o yet_o god_n never_o absolute_o decree_v or_o intend_v that_o those_o israelite_n shall_v enter_v in_o as_o the_o event_n do_v quick_o manifest_a deut._n 1.20_o 21_o 29.30_o yet_o be_v they_o not_o bind_v in_o this_o case_n to_o trust_v confident_o in_o god_n to_o give_v they_o victory_n over_o their_o enemy_n and_o to_o give_v they_o the_o possession_n of_o the_o land_n have_v they_o not_o sufficient_a ground_n for_o such_o a_o faith_n be_v it_o not_o just_a with_o god_n to_o consume_v they_o in_o the_o wilderness_n for_o their_o unbelief_n let_v we_o therefore_o fear_n lest_o a_o promise_n be_v make_v of_o enter_v into_o this_o everlasting_a rest_n through_o christ_n we_o shall_v come_v short_a of_o it_o and_o fall_v after_o the_o same_o example_n of_o unbelief_n heb._n 4.1_o 11._o four_o the_o professor_n of_o true_a godliness_n that_o we_o read_v of_o through_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n do_v common_o profess_v their_o assurance_n and_o persuasion_n of_o their_o interest_n in_o god_n and_o his_o salvation_n and_o be_v direct_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n so_o to_o do_v and_o true_a saint_n have_v still_o some_o true_a assurance_n of_o it_o and_o we_o have_v no_o cause_n to_o judge_v that_o this_o assurance_n be_v ground_v on_o the_o certainty_n of_o their_o own_o good_a qualification_n but_o rather_o on_o the_o promise_v of_o god_n by_o the_o direct_a act_n of_o faith_n we_o may_v judge_v of_o the_o ordinary_a profession_n of_o the_o frame_n of_o spirit_n that_o be_v in_o saint_n by_o some_o instance_n i_o shall_v begin_v with_o the_o profession_n that_o the_o church_n make_v when_o it_o be_v very_o corrupt_a at_o its_o first_o come_v out_o of_o egypt_n when_o few_o of_o they_o can_v assure_v themselves_o by_o their_o own_o good_a qualification_n that_o they_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o grace_n already_o which_o many_o now_o imagine_v to_o be_v the_o only_a way_n of_o assurance_n even_o in_o that_o corrupt_a time_n the_o child_n of_o israel_n sing_v that_o triuphant_a song_n of_o moses_n the_o lord_n be_v my_o strength_n and_o my_o song_n and_o he_o be_v become_v my_o salvation_n he_o be_v my_o god_n etc._n etc._n exod._n 15.2_o moses_n teach_v they_o in_o this_o song_n to_o assure_v themselves_o of_o their_o own_o personal_a interest_n in_o the_o salvation_n and_o he_o guide_v they_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o their_o duty_n and_o they_o do_v not_o find_v fault_n with_o moses_n as_o some_o do_v with_o minister_n in_o these_o day_n for_o put_v they_o to_o express_v more_o confidence_n in_o their_o song_n than_o they_o can_v find_v ground_n for_o in_o their_o qualification_n but_o they_o apply_v themselves_o to_o the_o exercise_n of_o their_o faith_n agreeable_o to_o the_o song_n and_o doubtless_o this_o faith_n be_v unfeigned_a in_o some_o sew_v of_o they_o though_o but_o feign_v in_o other_o for_o it_o be_v testify_v of_o they_o that_o then_o they_o believe_v his_o word_n they_o sing_v his_o praise_n psal_n 106.12_o several_a other_o psalm_n and_o song_n that_o be_v by_o divine_a appointment_n in_o common_a use_n under_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v as_o clear_v a_o evidence_n as_o we_o can_v desire_v of_o that_o assurance_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v common_o profess_v and_o that_o people_n be_v general_o bind_v to_o under_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o psal_n 23._o &_o 27._o &_o 46._o many_o other_o psalm_n or_o expression_n in_o psalm_n may_v be_v allege_v the_o spirit_n of_o few_o in_o comparison_n can_v have_v thorough_o comply_v with_o such_o psalm_n though_o they_o be_v true_a believer_n if_o all_o the_o assurance_n of_o the_o love_n of_o god_n must_v altogether_o depend_v upon_o the_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o the_o sincerity_n of_o their_o own_o heart_n we_o have_v a_o great_a cloud_n of_o witness_n gather_v out_o of_o the_o whole_a history_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n heb._n 11._o who_o do_v and_o suffer_v and_o obtain_v great_a thing_n by_o faith_n who_o example_n be_v produce_v on_o purpose_n that_o we_o may_v follow_v they_o in_o believe_v to_o the_o save_n of_o our_o soul_n heb._n 10.39_o and_o if_o we_o consider_v these_o example_n particular_o we_o shall_v find_v that_o many_o of_o they_o do_v evident_o guide_v we_o to_o such_o a_o save_a faith_n as_o have_v a_o assurance_n of_o the_o effect_v contain_v in_o the_o nature_n of_o it_o i_o confess_v we_o read_v several_a time_n of_o the_o fear_n and_o doubt_n of_o the_o saint_n under_o the_o old_a testament_n but_o we_o read_v also_o how_o their_o faith_n oppose_v such_o fear_n and_o doubt_n and_o how_o they_o themselves_o condemn_v they_o as_o contrary_a to_o faith_n as_o in_o the_o psalm_n psal_n 42.11_o psal_n 31.22_o &_o 77.7_o 10._o the_o most_o mournful_a psalm_n in_o scripture_n begin_v with_o a_o expression_n of_o some_o assurance_n psal_n 88.1_o and_o we_o may_v note_v that_o the_o doubt_n that_o we_o meet_v with_o of_o the_o saint_n of_o old_a be_v common_o occasion_v by_o some_o extraordinary_a affliction_n or_o some_o heinous_a transgression_n not_o by_o common_a fail_n or_o the_o common_a original_a depravation_n of_o nature_n or_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o their_o election_n or_o any_o thought_n that_o it_o be_v humility_n to_o doubt_v and_o that_o they_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o be_v confident_a of_o god_n salvation_n because_o then_o many_o may_v be_v bind_v to_o believe_v a_o lie_n it_o be_v hard_o to_o find_v any_o of_o these_o occasion_n of_o doubt_v under_o the_o old_a testament_n though_o they_o be_v grow_v so_o rise_v among_o we_o now_o under_o the_o new_a testament_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n we_o may_v well_o expect_v that_o the_o assurance_n of_o faith_n grow_v high_a because_o the_o salvation_n of_o christ_n be_v reveal_v and_o the_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n pour_v forth_o plentiful_o and_o the_o church_n make_v free_a from_o its_o former_a bondage_n under_o the_o terrify_a legal_a covenant_n paul_n can_v prove_v to_o primitive_a christian_n by_o appeal_n to_o their_o own_o experience_n that_o they_o be_v the_o child_n and_o heir_n of_o god_n because_o they_o have_v not_o receive_v the_o spirit_n of_o bondage_n again_o to_o fear_v but_o the_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n whereby_o they_o cry_v abba_n father_n the_o spirit_n itself_o bear_v witness_n with_o our_o spirit_n or_o bear_v our_o spirit_n witness_v as_o the_o syriaok_n and_o vulgar_a latin_a render_v it_o and_o as_o the_o like_a greek_a phrase_n be_v render_v rom._n 9.1_o that_o
person_n can_v receive_v inward_a comfort_n from_o outward_a thing_n as_o from_o worldly_a estate_n wife_n husband_n friend_n etc._n etc._n except_o it_o choose_v they_o as_o good_a and_o count_v they_o his_o own_o by_o a_o right_n and_o title_n this_o be_v the_o only_a rational_a way_n whereby_o the_o soul_n can_v active_o lay_v hold_n on_o christ_n and_o take_v actual_a possession_n of_o he_o and_o his_o salvation_n as_o he_o be_v free_o offer_v and_o promise_v to_o we_o in_o the_o gospel_n by_o the_o grace_n of_o faith_n which_o god_n have_v appoint_v to_o be_v our_o great_a instrument_n for_o the_o receive_n of_o he_o and_o close_v with_o he_o if_o we_o do_v not_o make_v choice_n of_o christ_n as_o our_o only_a salvation_n and_o happiness_n or_o if_o we_o be_v altogether_o in_o a_o slate_n of_o suspense_n and_o doubt_v whether_o god_n will_v be_v please_v to_o give_v christ_n to_o we_o or_o no_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o our_o soul_n be_v quite_o loose_a from_o christ_n and_o have_v no_o holdfast_n or_o enjoyment_n of_o he_o they_o do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o pretend_v to_o any_o actual_a receive_n or_o lay_v hold_n or_o choose_v of_o he_o neither_o be_v they_o full_o satisfy_v that_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o they_o so_o to_o do_v but_o rather_o they_o be_v yet_o to_o seek_v whether_o they_o have_v any_o good_a ground_n and_o right_o to_o lay_v hold_n on_o he_o or_o no._n let_v any_o rational_a man_n judge_n whether_o the_o soul_n do_v or_o can_v put_v forth_o any_o sufficient_a act_n for_o the_o reception_n and_o enjoyment_n of_o christ_n as_o our_o saviour_n head_n or_o husband_n while_o it_o be_v yet_o in_o doubt_n whether_o it_o be_v the_o will_n of_o christ_n to_o be_v join_v with_o we_o in_o such_o a_o near_a relation_n can_v a_o woman_n honest_o receive_v any_o one_o as_o her_o husband_n without_o be_v assure_v that_o he_o be_v full_o willing_a to_o be_v her_o husband_n the_o same_o may_v be_v say_v concern_v the_o several_a part_n of_o christ_n salvation_n which_o be_v to_o be_v receive_v by_o faith_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o we_o do_v not_o aright_o receive_v the_o benefit_n of_o remission_n of_o sin_n for_o the_o purge_n of_o our_o conscience_n from_o that_o gild_n that_o lie_v upon_o they_o unless_o we_o have_v a_o assure_a persuasion_n of_o god_n forgive_a they_o we_o do_v not_o actual_o receive_v into_o our_o heart_n our_o reconciliation_n with_o god_n and_o adoption_n of_o child_n and_o the_o title_n to_o a_o everlasting_a inheritance_n until_o we_o can_v assure_v ourselves_o that_o god_n be_v gracious_o please_v to_o be_v our_o god_n and_o father_n and_o take_v we_o to_o be_v his_o child_n and_o heir_n we_o do_v not_o actual_o receive_v any_o sufficient_a strength_n to_o encourage_v our_o heart_n to_o holiness_n in_o all_o difficulty_n until_o we_o can_v steadfast_o believe_v that_o god_n be_v with_o we_o and_o will_v not_o fail_v nor_o forsake_v we_o hence_o than_o we_o may_v firm_o conclude_v that_o whoso_o seek_v to_o be_v save_v by_o faith_n and_o do_v not_o seek_v to_o have_v assurance_n or_o confidence_n of_o his_o own_o salvation_n do_v but_o deceive_v himself_o and_o delude_v his_o soul_n with_o a_o mere_a fancy_n instead_o of_o save_v faith_n and_o do_v in_o effect_n seek_v to_o be_v save_v in_o his_o corrupt_a natural_a state_n without_o receive_v and_o lay_v actual_a hold_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o salvation_n six_o it_o be_v also_o a_o great_a and_o necessary_a office_n of_o save_v faith_n to_o purify_v the_o heart_n and_o to_o enable_v we_o to_o live_v and_o walk_v in_o the_o practice_n of_o all_o holy_a duty_n by_o the_o grace_n of_o christ_n and_o by_o christ_n himself_o live_v in_o we_o as_o have_v be_v show_v before_o which_o office_n faith_n be_v not_o able_a to_o perform_v except_o some_o assurance_n of_o our_o own_o interest_n in_o christ_n and_o his_o salvation_n be_v comprehend_v in_o the_o nature_n of_o it_o if_o we_o will_v live_v to_o god_n not_o ourselves_o but_o by_o christ_n live_v in_o we_o according_a to_o paul_n s_o example_n we_o must_v be_v able_a to_o assure_v ourselves_o as_o he_o do_v christ_n love_v i_o and_o give_v himself_o for_o i_o gal._n 2.20_o we_o be_v teach_v that_o if_o we_o live_v in_o the_o spirit_n we_o shall_v walk_v in_o the_o spirit_n gal._n 5.25_o it_o will_v be_v high_a presumption_n if_o we_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o walk_v above_o our_o natural_a strength_n and_o power_n by_o the_o spirit_n before_o we_o have_v make_v sure_a of_o our_o live_n by_o the_o spirit_n i_o have_v show_v that_o we_o can_v make_v use_n of_o the_o comfortable_a benefit_n of_o the_o save_v grace_n of_o christ_n whereby_o the_o gospel_n do_v engage_v and_o encourage_v we_o to_o a_o holy_a practice_n except_o we_o have_v some_o confidence_n of_o our_o own_o interest_n in_o those_o save_a benefit_n if_o we_o do_v not_o assure_o believe_v that_o we_o be_v dead_a to_o sin_n and_o alive_a to_o god_n through_o christ_n and_o rise_v with_o christ_n and_o not_o under_o the_o law_n but_o under_o grace_n and_o member_n of_o christ_n body_n the_o temple_n of_o his_o spirit_n the_o dear_a child_n of_o god_n it_o will_v be_v hypocrisy_n to_o serve_v god_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o such_o privilege_n as_o if_o we_o reckon_v ourselves_o to_o be_v partaker_n of_o they_o he_o that_o think_v he_o shall_v doubt_v of_o his_o salvation_n be_v not_o a_o fit_a disciple_n for_o this_o manner_n of_o doctrine_n and_o he_o may_v reply_v to_o the_o preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n if_o you_o will_v bring_v i_o to_o holiness_n you_o must_v make_v use_v of_o other_o more_o essectual_a argument_n for_o i_o can_v practise_v upon_o these_o principle_n because_o i_o have_v not_o faith_n enough_o to_o believe_v that_o i_o have_v any_o interest_n in_o they_o some_o argument_n take_v from_o the_o justice_n and_o wrath_n of_o god_n against_o sinner_n and_o his_o mercy_n towards_o those_o that_o perform_v the_o condition_n of_o sincere_a obedience_n will_v work_v more_o powerful_o upon_o i_o o_o what_o a_o miserable_a worthless_a kind_n of_o save_a faith_n be_v this_o that_o can_v fit_v a_o believer_n to_o practice_n in_o a_o gospel_n manner_n upon_o the_o most_o pure_a and_o powerful_a principle_n of_o grace_n but_o rather_o leave_v he_o to_o work_v upon_o legal_a principle_n which_o can_v never_o bring_v he_o to_o serve_v god_n acceptable_o out_o of_o love_n and_o as_o such_o a_o faith_n fail_v whole_o in_o the_o right_a manner_n of_o obey_v upon_o gospel_n principles_n so_o it_o fail_v also_o in_o the_o very_a matter_n of_o some_o great_a duty_n which_o be_v of_o such_o a_o nature_n that_o they_o include_v assurance_n of_o god_n love_n in_o the_o right_a performance_n of_o they_o such_o be_v those_o great_a duty_n of_o peace_n with_o god_n rejoice_v in_o the_o lord_n always_o hope_v that_o make_v not_o ashamed_a own_v the_o lord_n as_o our_o god_n and_o our_o saviour_n pray_v to_o he_o as_o our_o father_n in_o heaven_n offer_v up_o body_n and_o soul_n as_o a_o acceptable_a sacrifice_n to_o he_o cast_v all_o our_o care_n of_o body_n and_o soul_n upon_o he_o contentment_n and_o hearty_a thanksgiving_n in_o every_o condition_n make_v our_o boast_n in_o the_o lord_n triumph_v in_o his_o praise_n rejoice_v in_o tribulation_n put_v on_o christ_n in_o our_o baptism_n receive_v christ_n body_n as_o break_v for_o we_o and_o his_o blood_n as_o shed_v for_o we_o in_o the_o lord_n supper_n commit_v our_o soul_n willing_o to_o god_n as_o our_o redeemer_n when_o ever_o he_o shall_v be_v please_v to_o call_v for_o we_o love_v christ_n second_a appearance_n and_o look_v for_o it_o as_o that_o bless_a hope_n when_o we_o fall_v into_o any_o sudden_a doubt_v whether_o we_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o grace_n already_o when_o we_o be_v call_v to_o any_o present_a undertake_n as_o to_o partake_v of_o the_o lord_n supper_n or_o any_o duty_n that_o require_v assurance_n to_o the_o right_a performance_n of_o they_o we_o must_v relieve_v ourselves_o by_o trust_v confident_o in_o christ_n for_o the_o present_a gift_n of_o his_o salvation_n or_o else_o we_o shall_v be_v drive_v to_o omit_v the_o duty_n or_o not_o to_o perform_v it_o right_o or_o sincere_o can_v we_o judge_v ourselves_o already_o in_o a_o state_n of_o grace_n by_o the_o reflect_v act_n of_o faith_n if_o we_o do_v not_o find_v that_o we_o perform_v these_o duty_n at_o least_o several_a of_o they_o sincere_o or_o if_o we_o do_v not_o find_v that_o we_o have_v such_o a_o holy_a faith_n as_o do_v enable_v or_o incline_v we_o to_o the_o performance_n of_o they_o and_o can_v we_o be_v thus_o enable_v and_o incline_v by_o any_o faith_n that_o be_v without_o some_o true_a assurance_n of_o
we_o god_n have_v promise_v that_o the_o wayfaring_a man_n though_o fool_n shall_v not_o err_v in_o the_o way_n of_o holiness_n and_o that_o he_o will_v teach_v sinner_n in_o the_o way_n the_o meek_n will_v he_o guide_v in_o judgement_n and_o the_o meek_n will_v he_o teach_v his_o way_n psal_n 25.8_o 9_o and_o he_o command_v they_o that_o lack_v wisdom_n to_o ask_v it_o of_o god_n in_o faith_n nothing_o doubt_v jam._n 1.5_o 6._o but_o however_o we_o be_v to_o know_v that_o god_n guide_v we_o only_o according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o his_o word_n and_o we_o must_v endeavour_v to_o learn_v the_o right_a way_n of_o believe_v out_o of_o the_o word_n or_o else_o we_o be_v not_o able_a so_o much_o as_o to_o trust_v right_o on_o god_n for_o guidance_n and_o direction_n in_o this_o great_a work_n to_o help_v you_o herein_o i_o have_v give_v you_o before_o in_o this_o treatise_n a_o description_n of_o save_a faith_n and_o have_v show_v that_o it_o contain_v two_o act_n in_o it_o the_o one_o be_v believe_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o other_o be_v believe_v on_o christ_n as_o reveal_v and_o free_o promise_v to_o we_o in_o the_o gospel_n for_o all_o his_o salvation_n now_o your_o great_a endeavour_n must_v be_v to_o perform_v both_o these_o act_n in_o a_o right_a manner_n as_o i_o shall_v show_v concern_v each_o of_o they_o in_o particular_a in_o the_o first_o place_n you_o be_v high_o concern_v to_o endeavour_v for_o a_o right_a belief_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n that_o so_o you_o may_v be_v well_o furnish_v dispose_v and_o encourage_v to_o believe_v on_o christ_n as_o reveal_v and_o promise_v in_o the_o gospel_n hereby_o you_o be_v to_o remove_v all_o uncomfortable_a thought_n and_o objection_n of_o satan_n and_o your_o own_o conscience_n and_o to_o overcome_v all_o corrupt_a inclination_n that_o hinder_v a_o cheerful_a embrace_v of_o christ_n and_o his_o salvation_n it_o be_v find_v by_o experience_n that_o when_o any_o fail_n in_o the_o second_o act_n of_o faith_n the_o reason_n of_o the_o fail_n be_v common_o some_o defect_n in_o this_o first_o act._n there_o be_v some_o false_a imagination_n or_o other_o in_o they_o contrary_a to_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o be_v a_o strong_a hold_n of_o sin_n and_o satan_n that_o must_v be_v pull_v down_o before_o they_o can_v receive_v christ_n into_o their_o heart_n by_o believe_v on_o he_o if_o they_o know_v the_o name_n of_o christ_n as_o he_o be_v discover_v in_o the_o gospel_n and_o judge_v aright_o of_o the_o truth_n and_o excellency_n of_o it_o they_o will_v not_o fail_v to_o put_v their_o trust_n in_o he_o and_o we_o be_v in_o great_a danger_n of_o entertain_v such_o false_a imagination_n and_o to_o account_v many_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n strange_a paradox_n yea_o foolish_a and_o pernicious_a because_o of_o our_o ignorance_n self-conceitedness_a guilty_a conscience_n corrupt_a affection_n and_o manifold_a error_n wherewith_o our_o judgement_n be_v prepossess_v in_o matter_n of_o salvation_n and_o because_o satan_n labour_v to_o beguile_v we_o as_o he_o do_v eve_n through_o his_o subtlety_n to_o corrupt_v our_o mind_n from_o the_o simplicity_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o be_v in_o christ_n 2_o cor._n 11.3_o i_o shall_v therefore_o give_v you_o some_o particular_a instruction_n that_o be_v of_o great_a moment_n to_o prevent_v such_o defect_n as_o we_o be_v most_o liable_a to_o in_o the_o first_o act_n of_o our_o faith_n 1._o you_o must_v believe_v with_o a_o full_a persuasion_n that_o you_o be_v a_o child_n of_o wrath_n by_o nature_n as_o well_o as_o other_o fall_v from_o god_n by_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o first_o adam_n dead_a in_o trespass_n and_o sin_n subject_n to_o the_o curse_n of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o to_o the_o power_n of_o satan_n and_o to_o insupportable_a misery_n to_o all_o eternity_n and_o that_o you_o can_v possible_o procure_v your_o reconciliation_n with_o god_n or_o any_o spiritual_a life_n and_o strength_n to_o do_v any_o good_a work_n by_o any_o endeavour_v to_o get_v salvation_n according_a to_o the_o term_n of_o the_o legal_a covenant_n and_o that_o you_o can_v find_v any_o way_n to_o escape_v out_o of_o this_o sinful_a and_o miserable_a condition_n by_o your_o own_o reason_n and_o understanding_n without_o supernatural_a revelation_n nor_o be_v free_v from_o it_o except_o by_o that_o infinite_a power_n that_o raise_v the_o dead_a we_o must_v not_o be_v afraid_a as_o some_o be_v to_o know_v our_o own_o vileness_n and_o sinfulness_n neither_o must_v we_o be_v willing_a to_o think_v ourselves_o better_a than_o we_o be_v but_o must_v be_v hearty_o desirous_a and_o glad_a to_o know_v the_o worst_a of_o our_o own_o condition_n yea_o when_o we_o have_v find_v out_o the_o worst_a that_o we_o can_v of_o ourselves_o yea_o we_o must_v be_v willing_a to_o believe_v that_o our_o heart_n be_v deceitful_a and_o desperate_o wicked_a beyond_o all_o that_o we_o can_v know_v and_o find_v out_o jer._n 17.9_o this_o be_v all_o necessary_a to_o work_v in_o we_o true_a humiliation_n self-despair_n and_o self-loathing_a that_o we_o may_v high_o esteem_v and_o earnest_o seek_v the_o salvation_n of_o christ_n as_o the_o one_o thing_n necessary_a it_o make_v we_o sick_a of_o sin_n and_o sensible_a of_o our_o need_n of_o the_o great_a physician_n and_o willing_a to_o be_v order_v according_a to_o any_o of_o his_o prescription_n whatsoever_o we_o suffer_v rather_o than_o to_o follow_v our_o own_o wisdom_n mat._n 9.12_o it_o be_v for_o want_v of_o this_o humiliation_n that_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n be_v not_o so_o forward_o to_o enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n as_o the_o publican_n and_o harlot_n mat._n 21.31_o 2._o you_o be_v to_o believe_v assure_o that_o there_o be_v no_o way_n to_o be_v save_v without_o receive_v all_o the_o save_a benesit_n of_o christ_n his_o spirit_n as_o well_o as_o his_o merit_n sanctification_n as_o well_o as_o remission_n of_o sin_n by_o faith_n it_o be_v the_o ruin_n of_o many_o soul_n that_o they_o trust_v on_o christ_n for_o remission_n of_o sin_n without_o any_o regard_n to_o holiness_n whenas_o these_o two_o benefit_n be_v inseparable_o join_v in_o christ_n so_o that_o none_o be_v free_v from_o condemnation_n by_o christ_n but_o those_o that_o be_v enable_v to_o walk_v holy_o i._n e._n not_o after_o the_o flesh_n but_o after_o the_o spirit_n rom._n 8.1_o it_o be_v also_o the_o ruin_n of_o soul_n to_o seek_v only_a remission_n of_o sin_n by_o faith_n in_o christ_n and_o holiness_n by_o our_o endeavour_n according_a to_o the_o term_n of_o the_o law_n whereas_o we_o can_v never_o live_v to_o god_n in_o holiness_n except_o we_o be_v dead_a to_o the_o law_n and_o live_v only_o by_o christ_n live_v in_o we_o by_o faith_n that_o faith_n that_o receive_v not_o holiness_n as_o well_o as_o remission_n of_o sin_n from_o christ_n will_v never_o sanctify_v we_o and_o therefore_o it_o will_v never_o bring_v we_o to_o heavenly_a glory_n heb._n 12.14_o 3._o you_o be_v to_o be_v full_o persuade_v of_o the_o all-sufficiency_n of_o christ_n for_o the_o salvation_n of_o yourself_o and_o of_o all_o that_o believe_v on_o he_o that_o his_o blood_n cleanse_v from_o all_o sin_n 1_o joh._n 1.7_o though_o our_o sin_n be_v never_o so_o great_a and_o horrible_a and_o continue_v in_o never_o so_o long_o yet_o he_o be_v able_a to_o deliver_v we_o from_o the_o body_n of_o death_n and_o mortify_v our_o corruption_n be_v they_o never_o so_o strong_a we_o find_v in_o scripture_n that_o abominable_a wicked_a person_n have_v be_v save_v by_o he_o idolater_n adulterer_n effeminate_a covetous_a drunkard_n extortioner_n etc._n etc._n 1_o cor._n 6.9_o 10._o such_o as_o have_v sin_v against_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n as_o the_o heathen_a and_o the_o light_n of_o scripture_n as_o the_o jew_n such_o as_o have_v deny_v christ_n as_o peter_n and_o persecute_v and_o blasphame_v he_o as_o paul_n many_o that_o have_v fall_v into_o great_a sin_n be_v ruin_v for_o ever_o because_o they_o do_v not_o account_v the_o grace_n of_o christ_n sufficient_a for_o their_o pardon_n and_o sanctification_n when_o they_o think_v they_o be_v go_v and_o pass_v all_o hope_n of_o recovery_n that_o their_o sin_n be_v upon_o they_o and_o they_o pine_v away_o in_o they_o and_o how_o shall_v they_o live_v ezek._n 33.10_o this_o despair_n work_v secret_o in_o many_o soul_n without_o much_o trouble_n and_o horror_n and_o make_v they_o careless_a of_o their_o soul_n and_o true_a religion_n the_o devil_n sill_n some_o with_o horrid_a filthy_a blasphemous_a thought_n on_o purpose_n that_o they_o may_v think_v their_o sin_n too_o great_a to_o be_v forgive_v though_o common_o such_o thought_n be_v the_o least_o of_o the_o sin_n of_o those_o that_o be_v pester_v
the_o testimony_n of_o a_o good_a conscience_n 1_o joh._n 3.19_o 21._o that_o so_o our_o heart_n may_v be_v more_o strong_o comfort_v by_o faith_n and_o establish_v in_o every_o good_a work_n and_o that_o if_o our_o way_n be_v evil_a we_o may_v turn_v from_o they_o to_o the_o lord_n our_o god_n through_o christ_n without_o who_o none_o come_v to_o the_o father_n lam._n 3.40_o joh._n 14.6_o but_o your_o great_a care_n in_o this_o work_n of_o self-examination_n must_v be_v to_o perform_v it_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n that_o it_o may_v not_o hinder_v and_o destroy_v the_o life_n of_o faith_n as_o it_o do_v in_o many_o instead_o of_o promote_a it_o therefore_o beware_v lest_o you_o trust_v upon_o your_o self-examination_n rather_o than_o upon_o christ_n as_o some_o do_v that_o think_v they_o have_v make_v their_o peace_n with_o god_n mere_o because_o they_o have_v examine_v themselves_o upon_o their_o sickbed_n or_o before_o the_o receive_v of_o the_o lord_n supper_n though_o they_o have_v find_v themselves_o stark_o nought_o and_o do_v not_o depend_v on_o christ_n to_o make_v they_o better_o but_o on_o their_o own_o deceitful_a purpose_n and_o resolution_n think_v not_o that_o you_o must_v begin_v this_o work_n with_o doubt_v whether_o god_n will_v extend_v mercy_n to_o you_o and_o save_v you_o and_o that_o you_o must_v leave_v this_o a_o question_n whole_o under_o debate_n until_o you_o have_v find_v out_o how_o to_o resolve_v it_o by_o self-examination_n this_o be_v a_o common_a and_o very_a pernicious_a error_n in_o the_o very_a foundation_n of_o this_o work_n which_o be_v hereby_o lay_v in_o the_o great_a sin_n of_o unbelief_n which_o as_o soon_o as_o it_o prevail_v do_v by_o its_o great_a influence_n dash_v and_o obscure_v all_o inward_a gracious_a qualification_n of_o peace_n hope_n joy_n love_n to_o god_n and_o his_o people_n before_o they_o be_v at_o all_o try_v whether_o they_o can_v give_v any_o good_a evidence_n for_o their_o salvation_n and_o it_o make_v people_n willing_a to_o think_v their_o own_o qualification_n better_a than_o they_o be_v lest_o they_o shall_v fall_v into_o a_o utter_a despair_n of_o their_o salvation_n and_o thus_o it_o whole_o mar_v the_o good_a work_n of_o self-examination_n and_o make_v it_o destructive_a to_o our_o soul_n for_o to_o they_o that_o be_v defile_v and_o unbelieving_a there_o be_v nothing_o pure_a tit._n 1.15_o you_o shall_v rather_o begin_v the_o work_n with_o much_o assurance_n of_o faith_n that_o though_o you_o find_v your_o heart_n never_o so_o wicked_a and_o reprobate_a at_o present_a as_o many_o of_o god_n choice_a servant_n do_v often_o find_v yet_o the_o door_n of_o mercy_n be_v open_a for_o you_o and_o that_o god_n will_v certain_o save_v you_o for_o ever_o if_o you_o put_v your_o trust_n in_o his_o grace_n through_o christ_n i_o have_v former_o show_v that_o this_o confident_a persuasion_n be_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o save_a faith_n and_o that_o we_o have_v sufficient_a ground_n for_o it_o in_o the_o free_a promise_n of_o the_o gospel_n when_o we_o walk_v in_o darkness_n and_o can_v see_v no_o light_n shine_v forth_o in_o our_o gracious_a qualification_n if_o we_o begin_v the_o work_n with_o this_o confidence_n it_o will_v make_v we_o impartial_a and_o not_o afraid_a to_o find_v out_o the_o worst_a by_o ourselves_o and_o willing_a to_o judge_v that_o our_o heart_n be_v deceitful_a above_o all_o thing_n and_o desperate_o wicked_a beyond_o what_o we_o can_v find_v out_o jer._n 17.9_o and_o if_o we_o have_v any_o holy_a qualification_n this_o confidence_n will_v preserve_v they_o in_o their_o vigour_n and_o brightness_n that_o they_o may_v be_v able_a to_o give_v clear_a evidence_n that_o we_o be_v at_o present_a in_o a_o state_n of_o grace_n mark_v well_o the_o difference_n betwixt_o these_o two_o question_n whether_o god_n will_v gracious_o accept_v and_o save_v i_o though_o a_o vile_a sinner_n through_o christ_n as_o before_o be_v say_v and_o whether_o i_o be_o already_o bring_v into_o a_o state_n of_o salvation_n the_o former_a of_o these_o i_o say_v be_v to_o be_v resolve_v affirmative_o by_o a_o confident_a faith_n in_o christ_n the_o latter_a only_o be_v to_o be_v inquire_v into_o by_o self-examination_n misspend_a not_o your_o time_n as_o many_o do_v in_o pore_v upon_o your_o heart_n to_o find_v whether_o you_o be_v good_a enough_o to_o trust_v on_o christ_n for_o your_o salvation_n nor_o to_o find_v whether_o you_o have_v any_o faith_n before_o you_o dare_v be_v so_o bold_a as_o to_o act_v faith_n in_o christ_n but_o know_v that_o though_o you_o can_v find_v that_o you_o have_v any_o faith_n or_o holiness_n yet_o if_o you_o will_v now_o believe-on_a he_o that_o justify_v the_o ungodly_a it_o shall_v be_v account_v to_o you_o for_o righteousness_n rom._n 4.5_o and_o if_o you_o love_v christ_n and_o your_o own_o soul_n misspend_v not_o your_o time_n in_o examine_v whether_o you_o have_v commit_v the_o unpardonable_a sin_n against_o the_o holy_a ghost_n except_o it_o be_v with_o a_o full_a purpose_n to_o assure_v yourself_o more_o and_o more_o that_o you_o be_v not_o guilty_a thereof_o for_o any_o doubtfulness_n in_o this_o point_n will_v but_o harden_v you_o in_o unbelief_n remember_v well_o that_o the_o question_n to_o be_v resolve_v be_v whether_o you_o be_v at_o present_a in_o a_o state_n of_o grace_n and_o to_o resolve_v it_o you_o must_v be_v willing_a to_o know_v the_o best_a by_o yourself_o as_o well_o as_o the_o worst_a and_o you_o must_v not_o think_v that_o humility_n bind_v you_o to_o overlook_v your_o good_a qualification_n and_o to_o take_v notice_n only_o of_o your_o corruption_n but_o your_o great_a work_n must_v be_v to_o find_v whether_o there_o be_v not_o some_o drop_n of_o save_a grace_n in_o the_o ocean_n of_o your_o corruption_n and_o it_o will_v consist_v well_o with_o humility_n to_o take_v notice_n of_o and_o own_o any_o spark_n of_o true_a holiness_n that_o be_v in_o you_o because_o the_o praise_n and_o glory_n of_o it_o belong_v not_o to_o you_o but_o to_o god_n phil._n 1.11_o and_o you_o must_v try_v inherent_a grace_n by_o the_o touchstone_n not_o by_o the_o measure_n by_o its_o nature_n not_o its_o degree_n not_o deny_v any_o lusting_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o you_o because_o of_o the_o strong_a lusting_n of_o the_o flesh_n against_o the_o spirit_n nor_o deny_v that_o you_o be_v spiritual_a in_o some_o degree_n and_o babe_n in_o christ_n because_o you_o find_v yourselves_o carnal_a in_o a_o more_o prevail_a degree_n and_o the_o old_a man_n big_a than_o the_o new_a gal._n 5.17_o 1_o cor._n 3.1_o especial_o you_o be_v to_o examine_v and_o prove_v whether_o you_o be_v in_o the_o faith_n for_o if_o you_o make_v sure_a of_o this_o you_o make_v sure_a of_o all_o the_o thing_n that_o pertain_v to_o life_n and_o godliness_n and_o if_o you_o doubt_v of_o this_o you_o will_v certain_o doubt_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o other_o qualification_n and_o will_v suspect_v they_o to_o be_v mere_o carnal_a and_o counterfeit_n because_o it_o be_v a_o know_a truth_n that_o to_o the_o vnbelieve_v there_o be_v nothing_o pure_a and_o that_o all_o that_o have_v not_o true_o receive_v christ_n by_o faith_n be_v at_o present_a in_o a_o unregenerate_a state_n though_o they_o seem_v never_o so_o pure_a and_o godly_a 2_o cor._n 13.5_o tit._n 1.15_o and_o let_v not_o the_o issue_n of_o this_o trial_n depend_v at_o all_o upon_o your_o knowledge_n of_o the_o time_n when_o or_o of_o the_o sermon_n conference_n or_o place_n of_o scripture_n by_o which_o you_o be_v first_o convert_v to_o the_o faith_n though_o that_o be_v good_a to_o know_v too_o if_o it_o may_v be_v and_o some_o who_o have_v former_o live_v in_o gross_a ignorance_n or_o in_o a_o manifest_a opposition_n to_o true_a faith_n and_o holiness_n may_v know_v such_o circumstance_n of_o their_o conversion_n and_o may_v reflect_v upon_o they_o comfortable_o as_o the_o apostle_n paul_n do_v who_o be_v turn_v of_o a_o sudden_a from_o his_o persecute_v rage_n to_o be_v a_o disciple_n and_o a_o apostle_n of_o christ_n yet_o other_o sincere_a believer_n may_v be_v whole_o ignorant_a of_o they_o as_o john_n the_o baptist_n who_o be_v fill_v with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n from_o his_o mother_n womb_n luk._n 1.15_o and_o they_o that_o have_v be_v train_v up_o religious_o and_o know_v the_o holy_a scripture_n from_o their_o childhood_n as_o timothy_n 2._o tim._n 3.15_o yea_o and_o many_o that_o be_v first_o turn_v from_o gross_a ignorance_n and_o profaneness_n to_o some_o external_a reformation_n and_o then_o in_o process_n of_o time_n bring_v near_o to_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n by_o insensible_a degree_n before_o they_o be_v real_o new_a beget_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o faith_n there_o be_v also_o some_o that_o deceive_v their_o soul_n by_o imagine_v that_o
they_o know_v at_o what_o time_n and_o by_o what_o text_n of_o scripture_n they_o be_v convert_v and_o can_v make_v large_a discourse_n of_o the_o working_n of_o god_n upon_o their_o heart_n and_o be_v prone_a to_o talk_v unreasonable_o with_o vain-glorying_a of_o their_o own_o experience_n when_o at_o last_o all_o their_o experience_n be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o evidence_n that_o they_o ever_o attain_v to_o the_o least_o measure_n of_o true_a save_a faith_n therefore_o that_o we_o may_v not_o unjust_o condemn_v or_o justify_v our_o faith_n by_o proceed_v on_o in-sufficient_a evidence_n in_o its_o trial_n our_o best_a way_n be_v to_o examine_v it_o by_o the_o inseparable_a property_n of_o a_o true_a save_a faith_n by_o put_v to_o ourselves_o such_o question_n as_o these_o be_v we_o make_v thorough_o sensible_a of_o our_o sinfulness_n and_o of_o the_o deadness_n and_o misery_n of_o our_o natural_a state_n so_o as_o to_o despair_v absolute_o of_o ever_o attain_v to_o any_o 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though_o as_o small_a as_o a_o grain_n of_o mustardseed_n and_o oppose_v with_o much_o unbelief_n and_o manifold_a corruption_n in_o your_o soul_n you_o may_v conclude_v that_o you_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o salvation_n at_o present_a and_o that_o your_o remain_a work_n be_v to_o continue_v and_o grow_v in_o it_o more_o and_o more_o and_o to_o walk_v worthy_a of_o it_o you_o shall_v also_o examine_v the_o fruit_n of_o your_o faith_n and_o try_v whether_o you_o can_v show_v your_o faith_n by_o your_o work_n as_o you_o be_v teach_v jam._n 2.18_o that_o you_o may_v be_v sure_a not_o to_o be_v deceive_v in_o your_o judgement_n concern_v it_o and_o though_o it_o be_v true_a as_o i_o have_v note_v that_o doubt_n concern_v your_o faith_n will_v breed_v doubt_v concern_v the_o sincerity_n of_o other_o qualification_n that_o be_v fruit_n thereof_o yet_o possible_o you_o may_v get_v such_o clear_a evidence_n of_o your_o sincerity_n as_o may_v overcome_v and_o expel_v all_o your_o doubt_n and_o here_o you_o be_v not_o only_o to_o inquire_v whether_o your_o inclination_n purpose_n affection_n and_o action_n be_v material_o good_a and_o holy_a but_o also_o by_o what_o principle_n they_o be_v breed_v and_o influence_v whether_o it_o be_v by_o slavish_a fear_n of_o hell_n and_o mercenary_a hope_n of_o get_v heaven_n by_o your_o work_n which_o be_v legal_a and_o carnal_a principle_n that_o can_v never_o breed_v true_a holiness_n or_o by_o gospel_n principle_n as_o by_o love_n to_o god_n because_o god_n have_v love_v you_o first_o and_o to_o christ_n because_o he_o have_v dye_v and_o by_o the_o hope_n of_o eternal_a life_n as_o the_o free_a gift_n of_o god_n through_o christ_n and_o dependence_n on_o god_n to_o sanctify_v you_o by_o his_o spirit_n according_a to_o his_o promise_n remember_v that_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v the_o ministration_n of_o the_o spirit_n 2_o cor._n 3.6_o and_o the_o spirit_n will_v sanctify_v we_o not_o by_o legal_a but_o by_o gospel_n principles_n take_v notice_n further_o that_o you_o need_v not_o trouble_v yourself_o to_o find_v out_o a_o multitude_n of_o mark_n and_o sign_n of_o true_a grace_n if_o you_o can_v find_v a_o few_o good_a one_o particular_o you_o may_v know_v that_o you_o be_v pass_v from_o death_n to_o life_n if_o you_o love_v the_o brethren_n 1_o joh._n 3.14_o i_o e._n if_o you_o love_v all_o who_o you_o can_v in_o charity_n judge_v to_o be_v true_a believer_n and_o that_o because_o they_o be_v true_a believer_n and_o for_o the_o truth_n sake_n that_o dwell_v in_o they_o as_o solomon_n discern_v the_o true_a mother_n of_o the_o child_n by_o her_o affection_n towards_o her_o child_n so_o the_o mother_n grace_n of_o faith_n may_v be_v discern_v by_o the_o love_n that_o it_o breed_v in_o we_o towards_o all_o true_a believer_n to_o conclude_v this_o point_n happy_a be_v you_o if_o you_o can_v find_v so_o much_o evidence_n of_o the_o fruit_n of_o your_o faith_n as_o may_v enable_v you_o to_o express_v your_o sincerity_n in_o these_o moderate_a term_n pray_v for_o we_o for_o we_o trust_v we_o have_v a_o good_a conscience_n in_o all_o thing_n willing_a to_o live_v honest_o heb._n 13.18_o 3._o meditation_n on_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v of_o very_o great_a use_n and_o advantage_n for_o the_o attainment_n and_o practice_n of_o holiness_n through_o faith_n in_o christ_n it_o be_v a_o duty_n whereby_o the_o soul_n do_v feed_v and_o ruminate_v upon_o the_o word_n as_o its_o spiritual_a food_n and_o dige_v it_o and_o turn_v it_o into_o nourishment_n whereby_o we_o be_v strengthen_v for_o every_o good_a work_n our_o soul_n be_v satisfy_v therewith_o as_o with_o marrow_n and_o fatness_n when_o we_o remember_v god_n upon_o our_o bed_n and_o meditate_v on_o he_o in_o the_o night-watche_n psal_n 68.5_o 6._o the_o new_a nature_n may_v well_o be_v call_v the_o mind_n rom._n 7.25_o because_o it_o live_v and_o act_v by_o mind_v of_o and_o meditate_v on_o spiritual_a thing_n therefore_o it_o be_v a_o duty_n to_o be_v practise_v not_o only_o at_o some_o limit_a time_n but_o all_o the_o day_n psal_n 119.97_o yea_o day_n and_o night_n psal_n 1.2_o even_o in_o our_o ordinary_a employment_n at_o home_n and_o abroad_o a_o habitual_a knowledge_n of_o the_o word_n will_v not_o profit_v we_o without_o a_o active_a mind_v it_o by_o frequent_a meditation_n some_o think_v that_o much_o preach_v of_o the_o word_n be_v not_o needful_a where_o a_o people_n be_v already_o bring_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n but_o they_o that_o be_v regenerate_v by_o the_o word_n find_v by_o experience_n that_o their_o spiritual_a life_n be_v maintain_v and_o increase_v by_o often_o mind_v the_o same_o word_n and_o therefore_o as_o new_o bear_v babe_n they_o desire_v the_o sincere_a milk_n of_o the_o word_n that_o they_o may_v grow_v thereby_o 1_o pet._n 2.2_o and_o will_v by_o the_o preacher_n be_v put_v often_o in_o remembrance_n of_o the_o same_o thing_n that_o they_o may_v feed_v upon_o they_o by_o meditation_n though_o they_o know_v they_o already_o and_o be_v establish_v in_o the_o present_a truth_n 2_o pet._n 1.12_o but_o here_o our_o great_a skill_n and_o chief_a concernment_n lie_v in_o practise_v this_o duty_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o that_o it_o may_v be_v subservient_fw-fr and_o not_o at_o all_o opposite_a to_o the_o life_n of_o faith_n we_o must_v not_o rely_v upon_o the_o performance_n of_o a_o daily_a task_n of_o meditation_n as_o a_o work_n of_o righteousness_n for_o the_o procurement_n of_o the_o favour_n of_o god_n instead_o of_o rely_v on_o the_o righteousness_n of_o christ_n as_o indeed_o we_o be_v prone_a to_o do_v to_o catch_v at_o any_o straw_n rather_o than_o to_o trust_v only_o on_o the_o free_a grace_n of_o god_n in_o christ_n for_o our_o salvation_n and_o the_o end_n of_o our_o meditation_n must_v not_o be_v mere_a speculation_n and_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n but_o rather_o the_o vigorous_a press_v it_o upon_o our_o conscience_n and_o the_o stir_v up_o our_o heart_n and_o affection_n to_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o and_o in_o stir_v up_o ourselves_o to_o holy_a practice_n we_o must_v wary_o observe_v how_o far_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o god_n be_v powerful_a and_o effectual_a for_o the_o attainment_n of_o this_o end_n that_o we_o may_v make_v use_n of_o they_o according_o we_o must_v not_o imagine_v as_o too_o many_o do_v yea_o and_o some_o great_a master_n in_o the_o art_n of_o meditation_n that_o we_o can_v bring_v our_o heart_n effectual_o to_o the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o holiness_n and_o can_v work_v strange_a metamorphosis_n and_o work_v or_o frame_v in_o our_o heart_n any_o holy_a qualification_n or_o virtue_n mere_o by_o work_v in_o ourselves_o strong_a apprehension_n of_o god_n eternal_a power_n and_o godhead_n his_o
slavish_a fear_n in_o the_o full_a assurance_n of_o faith_n in_o this_o as_o well_o as_o in_o other_o holy_a ordinance_n and_o we_o be_v to_o rejoice_v in_o the_o lord_n in_o this_o spiritual_a feast_n as_o the_o jew_n be_v bind_v to_o do_v in_o their_o solemn_a feast_n deut._n 16.14_o 15._o there_o be_v other_o abuse_n of_o this_o ordinance_n like_a to_o those_o of_o baptism_n foremention_v whereby_o it_o be_v render_v opposite_a rather_o than_o subservient_fw-fr to_o the_o life_n of_o faith_n some_o put_v it_o in_o the_o place_n of_o christ_n by_o trust_v on_o it_o as_o a_o work_n of_o righteousness_n for_o the_o procure_n of_o god_n favour_n or_o a_o ordinance_n sufficient_a to_o confer_v grace_n to_o the_o soul_n by_o the_o very_a work_n wrought_v other_o make_v it_o so_o necessary_a that_o they_o account_v that_o faith_n be_v not_o sufficient_a without_o it_o and_o therefore_o they_o will_v partake_v of_o it_o if_o they_o can_v possible_o though_o it_o be_v in_o a_o disorderly_a manner_n upon_o their_o sick-bed_n when_o they_o be_v in_o fear_n of_o death_n as_o their_o viaticum_fw-la the_o papist_n do_v horrible_o idolise_v it_o by_o their_o figment_n of_o transubstantiation_n and_o the_o adoration_n of_o their_o breaden_a god_n and_o their_o sacrifice_n of_o the_o mass_n for_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o quick_a and_o the_o dead_a we_o ought_v wary_o to_o conceive_v that_o the_o true_a body_n and_o blood_n of_o christ_n be_v give_v to_o we_o with_o the_o bread_n and_o wine_n in_o a_o spiritual_a mysterious_a manner_n by_o the_o unsearchable_a operation_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n unite_n christ_n and_o we_o together_o by_o faith_n without_o any_o transubstantiation_n in_o the_o outward_a element_n 6._o prayer_n be_v to_o be_v make_v use_n of_o as_o a_o mean_n of_o live_v by_o faith_n in_o christ_n according_a to_o the_o new_a man._n and_o it_o be_v the_o make_v our_o request_n with_o supplication_n and_o thankfgiving_n that_o it_o be_v to_o be_v use_v so_o as_o a_o eminent_a mean_n appear_v because_o god_n require_v it_o 1_o thess_n 5.17_o rom._n 12.12_o it_o be_v our_o priestly_a work_n 1_o pet._n 2.5_o compare_v with_o psal_n 141.2_o and_o the_o property_n of_o saint_n 1_o cor._n 1.2_o and_o god_n be_v a_o god_n hear_v prayer_n psal_n 65.2_o god_n will_v be_v pray_v to_o by_o his_o people_n for_o the_o benefit_n that_o he_o be_v mind_v to_o bestow_v upon_o they_o when_o once_o he_o have_v enable_v they_o to_o pray_v though_o at_o first_o he_o be_v find_v of_o they_o that_o seek_v he_o not_o ezek._n 36.27_o 37._o phil._n 1.19_o 20._o that_o he_o may_v prepare_v they_o for_o thanksgiving_n and_o make_v benefit_n double_a benefit_n to_o they_o psal_n 66.16_o 18_o 19_o and_o 50.15_o 2_o cor._n 1.10_o 11._o though_o his_o will_v be_v not_o change_v by_o this_o mean_n yet_o it_o be_v accomplish_v ordinary_o and_o his_o purpose_n be_v to_o accomplish_v it_o this_o way_n and_o therefore_o trust_v assure_o shall_v not_o make_v we_o neglect_v but_o rather_o perform_v this_o duty_n 2_o sam._n 7.27_o christ_n the_o mediator_n of_o the_o new_a covenant_n by_o which_o justification_n and_o sanctification_n be_v promise_v be_v also_o the_o mediator_n for_o acceptance_n of_o our_o prayer_n heb._n 4.15_o 16._o the_o spirit_n that_o sanctifi_v we_o begetteâ—h_v we_o in_o chest_n show_v the_o thing_n of_o christ_n to_o we_o be_v a_o spirit_n of_o prayer_n zech._n 12.10_o gal._n 4.6_o he_o be_v as_o fire_n inslame_v the_o soul_n and_o make_v it_o to_o mount_v upward_o in_o prayer_n to_o god_n prayerless_a people_n be_v dead_a to_o god_n if_o they_o be_v child_n of_o zion_n yet_o they_o be_v but_o still-born_a dead_a child_n that_o cry_v not_o act_n 9.11_o not_o write_v among_o the_o live_n in_o jerusalem_n heathen_n in_o nature_n though_o christian_n in_o name_n jer._n 10.25_o it_o be_v a_o duty_n so_o great_a that_o it_o be_v put_v for_o all_o the_o service_n of_o god_n as_o a_o fundamental_a duty_n which_o if_o it_o be_v do_v the_o rest_n will_v be_v do_v well_o and_o not_o without_o it_o and_o other_o ordinance_n of_o worship_n be_v help_n to_o it_o isa_n 56.7_o it_o be_v the_o great_a mean_n whereby_o faith_n do_v expert_a itself_o to_o perform_v its_o whole_a work_n and_o pour_v itself_o forth_o in_o all_o holy_a desire_n and_o affection_n psal_n 62_o 8._o and_o so_o yield_v a_o sweet_a savour_n as_o mary_n box_n of_o precious_a spicknard_n mark_v 14.3_o john_n 12.3_o and_o so_o the_o same_o promise_n be_v make_v to_o faith_n and_o prayer_n rom._n 10.11_o 12_o 13._o it_o be_v our_o continual_a incense_n and_o sacrifice_n whereby_o we_o offer_v ourselves_o heart_n assection_n and_o life_n to_o god_n psal_n 141.2_o we_o act_v all_o grace_n in_o it_o and_o must_v act_v it_o this_o way_n or_o else_o we_o be_v not_o likely_a to_o act_v it_o any_o other_o way_n and_o as_o we_o act_n grace_n so_o we_o obtain_v grace_n by_o it_o and_o all_o holiness_n psal_n 138.3_o luk._n 11.13_o heb._n 4.16_o psal_n 81.10_o our_o riches_n come_v in_o by_o it_o israel_n prevail_v while_o moses_n hold_v up_o his_o hand_n exod._n 17._o by_o prayer_n hannah_n be_v strengthen_v against_o her_o sorrow_n 1_o sam._n 1.15_o 18._o peace_n be_v continue_v phil._n 4.6_o 7._o the_o disorder_a soul_n set_v in_o order_n by_o it_o as_o hannah_n 1_o sam._n 1._o psal_n 32.1_o 5._o incense_n be_v still_o burn_v while_o the_o lamp_n be_v dress_v exod._n 30.7_o 8._o it_o be_v add_v to_o the_o spiritual_a armoury_n not_o as_o a_o particular_a piece_n of_o it_o but_o as_o a_o mean_n of_o put_v on_o all_o and_o make_v use_n of_o all_o aright_o that_o we_o may_v stand_v in_o the_o evil_a day_n eph._n 6.18_o it_o be_v a_o mean_n of_o transfigure_v we_o into_o the_o likeness_n of_o christ_n in_o holiness_n and_o make_v our_o spiritual_a face_n to_o shine_v as_o christ_n be_v transfigure_v bodily_a whilst_o he_o pray_v luk._n 9.29_o and_o moses_n his_o face_n shine_v whilst_o he_o talk_v with_o god_n exod._n 34.29_o hence_o the_o frequent_a use_n of_o this_o duty_n be_v commend_v to_o we_o eph._n 6.18_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d on_o all_o season_n and_o opportunity_n and_o by_o the_o example_n of_o the_o saint_n in_o public_a with_o the_o congregation_n act_v 2.42_o &_o 10.30_o 31._o solemn_a continue_a act_n of_o prayer_n shall_v be_v mat._n 6.1_o yea_o several_a time_n as_o morning_n and_o evening_n sacrifice_n dan._n 6.10_o psal_n 92.2_o or_o thrice_o psal_n 55.17_o beside_o special_a occasion_n jam._n 5.13_o and_o brief_a ejaculation_n that_o hinder_v not_o other_o business_n psal_n 129.8_o 2_o sam._n 15.31_o nch._n 2.4_o prayer_n shall_v be_v solemn_a in_o our_o closet_n mat._n 6.6_o in_o family_n act_n 10.30_o 31._o and_o as_o sacrifice_n be_v multiply_v on_o the_o sabbath-day_n and_o day_n of_o atonement_n and_o at_o other_o appoint_a season_n numb_a 〈…〉_o the_o continual_a burnt-offering_a so_o ought_v 〈…〉_o in_o a_o word_n a_o christian_n ought_v to_o give_v up_o himself_o eminent_o to_o this_o duty_n psal_n 109.4_o without_o limit_n psal_n 119.164_o but_o the_o great_a work_n be_v to_o practice_v this_o duty_n right_o for_o holiness_n only_o by_o faith_n in_o christ_n here_o we_o have_v need_n say_v lord_n teach_v we_o to_o pray_v luke_n 11.1_o and_o that_o not_o only_o as_o to_o the_o matter_n but_o as_o to_o the_o manner_n both_o which_o be_v teach_v by_o christ_n in_o some_o measure_n in_o that_o brief_a pattern_n of_o prayer_n which_o he_o teach_v his_o disciple_n but_o for_o the_o understanding_n of_o it_o we_o must_v consult_v the_o whole_a word_n 2_o tim._n 3.16_o 17._o and_o we_o have_v need_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o christ_n to_o guide_v we_o in_o the_o duty_n and_o therefore_o we_o be_v teach_v to_o pray_v by_o the_o spirit_n i._n e._n the_o holy_a ghost_n judas_n 20._o eph._n 2.18_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n only_o guide_v and_o enable_v our_o soul_n to_o pray_v aright_o and_o that_o you_o may_v do_v so_o take_v these_o rule_n 1._o you_o must_v pray_v with_o your_o heart_n and_o spirit_n isa_n 26.9_o joh._n 4.24_o where_o the_o spirit_n of_o christ_n and_o of_o prayer_n principal_o reside_v gal._n 4.6_o eph._n 1.17_o with_o understanding_n 1_o cor._n 14.15_o 16._o for_o we_o be_v renew_v in_o knowledge_n col._n 3.10_o 2_o pet._n 1.3_o so_o that_o pray_v in_o ignorance_n can_v sanctify_v and_o it_o must_v be_v with_o sincere_a hearty_a desire_n of_o the_o good_a thing_n we_o ask_v in_o prayer_n for_o god_n see_v the_o heart_n psal_n 62.8_o prayer_n be_v chief_o a_o heart-work_n psal_n 27.8_o god_n hear_v the_o heart_n without_o the_o mouth_n but_o never_o hear_v the_o mouth_n acceptable_o without_o the_o heart_n 1_o sam._n 1.13_o your_o prayer_n be_v odious_a hypocrisy_n mock_v of_o god_n and_o take_v his_o name_n
the_o gospel-mystery_n of_o sanctification_n open_v in_o sundry_a practical_a direction_n suit_v especial_o to_o the_o case_n of_o those_o who_o labour_n under_o the_o guilt_n and_o power_n of_o indwelling_a sin_n to_o which_o be_v add_v a_o sermon_n of_o justification_n 1_o cor._n 1.27_o 28_o 29_o 30_o 31._o god_n have_v choose_v the_o foolish_a thing_n of_o the_o world_n to_o confound_v the_o wise_a and_o god_n have_v choose_v the_o weak_a thing_n of_o the_o world_n to_o confound_v the_o thing_n which_o be_v mighty_a and_o base_a thing_n of_o the_o world_n and_o thing_n which_o be_v despise_v have_v god_n choose_v yea_o and_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o to_o bring_v to_o nought_o thing_n that_o be_v that_o no_o flesh_n shall_v glory_v in_o his_o presence_n but_o of_o he_o be_v you_o in_o christ_n jesus_n who_o of_o god_n be_v make_v unto_o we_o wisdom_n righteousness_n sanctification_n and_o redemption_n that_o according_a as_o it_o be_v write_v he_o that_o glori_v let_v he_o glory_n in_o the_o lord_n by_o mr._n walter_n marshal_z late_a preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n london_n print_v for_o t._n parkhurst_n at_o the_o bible_n and_o three_o crown_n in_o cheapside_n near_o mercer_n chapel_n 1692._o the_o preface_n reader_n mr._n walter_n marshal_n composer_n of_o these_o direction_n how_o to_o attain_v to_o that_o practice_n and_o manner_n of_o life_n which_o we_o call_v holiness_n righteousness_n or_o godliness_n be_v educate_v in_o new_a college_n in_o oxford_n and_o be_v a_o fellow_n of_o the_o say_a college_n and_o afterward_o he_o be_v choose_v a_o fellow_n of_o the_o college_n at_o winchester_n but_o be_v put_v under_o the_o bartholomew_n bushel_n with_o nigh_o two_o thousand_o more_o light_n a_o sin_n not_o yet_o repent_v of_o who_o illumination_n make_v the_o land_n a_o goshen_n he_o be_v esteem_v a_o presbyterian_a and_o be_v call_v to_o be_v pastor_n to_o a_o people_n at_o gospert_a in_o hampshire_n where_o he_o shine_v though_o he_o have_v not_o the_o public_a oil_n the_o substance_n of_o these_o meditation_n be_v there_o spin_v out_o of_o his_o own_o experience_n he_o have_v be_v much_o exercise_v with_o trouble_a thought_n and_o that_o for_o many_o year_n and_o have_v by_o many_o mortify_a method_n seek_v peace_n of_o conscience_n but_o notwithstanding_o all_o his_o trouble_n still_o increase_v whereupon_o he_o consult_v other_o particular_o mr._n baxter_n who_o write_n he_o have_v be_v much_o conversant_a with_o who_o thereupon_o tell_v mr._n marshal_n he_o take_v they_o too_o legal_o he_o afterward_o consult_v a_o eminent_a divine_a give_v he_o a_o account_n of_o the_o state_n of_o his_o soul_n and_o particularise_v his_o sin_n that_o lay_v heavy_a on_o his_o conscience_n who_o in_o his_o reply_n tell_v he_o he_o have_v forget_v to_o mention_v the_o great_a sin_n of_o all_o the_o sin_n of_o unbelief_n in_o not_o believe_v on_o the_o lord_n jesus_n for_o the_o remission_n of_o his_o sin_n and_o sanctify_v his_o nature_n 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holiness_n and_o consolation_n n._n n._n the_o author_n of_o these_o direction_n be_v well_o know_v to_o i_o and_o be_v with_o i_o in_o my_o house_n a_o month_n together_o above_o twenty_o year_n past_a and_o i_o esteem_v he_o a_o person_n deserve_v the_o character_n which_o this_o preface_n give_v he_o t._n woodcock_n the_o gospel_n mystery_n of_o sanctification_n direction_n i._n that_o we_o may_v acceptable_o perform_v the_o duty_n of_o holiness_n and_o righteonsness_n require_v in_o the_o law_n our_o first_o work_n be_v to_o learn_v the_o powerful_a and_o effectual_a mean_n whereby_o we_o may_v attain_v to_o so_o great_a a_o end_n explication_n this_o direction_n may_v serve_v instead_o of_o a_o preface_n to_o prepare_v the_o understanding_n and_o attention_n of_o the_o reader_n for_o those_o that_o follow_v and_o first_o it_o acquaint_v you_o with_o the_o great_a end_n for_o which_o all_o those_o mean_n be_v design_v that_o be_v the_o principal_a subject_n to_o be_v here_o treat_v of_o the_o scope_n of_o all_o be_v to_o teach_v you_o how_o you_o may_v attain_v to_o that_o practice_n and_o manner_n of_o life_n which_o we_o call_v holiness_n righteousness_n or_o godliness_n obedience_n true_a religion_n and_o which_o god_n require_v of_o we_o in_o the_o law_n particular_o in_o the_o moral_a law_n 20._o exod._n 20._o sum_v up_o in_o the_o ten_o commandment_n and_o more_o brief_o in_o those_o two_o great_a commandment_n of_o love_n to_o god_n and_o our_o neighbour_n mat._n 22.37_o 39_o and_o more_o large_o explain_v throughout_o the_o holy_a scripture_n my_o work_n be_v to_o show_v how_o the_o duty_n of_o this_o law_n may_v be_v do_v when_o they_o be_v know_v therefore_o expect_v not_o that_o i_o shall_v delay_v my_o intent_n to_o help_v you_o to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o they_o by_o any_o large_a exposition_n of_o they_o which_o be_v a_o work_n already_o perform_v in_o several_a catechism_n and_o commentary_n yet_o that_o you_o may_v not_o miss_v the_o mark_n for_o 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it_o with_o a_o performance_n of_o equal_a breadth_n or_o else_o you_o can_v hit_v it_o all_o isai_n 2.10_o the_o lord_n be_v not_o at_o all_o love_a with_o that_o love_n that_o be_v due_a to_o he_o as_o lord_n of_o all_o if_o he_o be_v not_o love_v with_o all_o our_o heart_n spirit_n and_o may_v we_o be_v to_o love_v every_o thing_n in_o he_o his_o justice_n holiness_n sovereign_a authority_n all-seeing_a eye_n and_o all_o his_o decree_n command_n judgement_n and_o all_o his_o do_n we_o be_v to_o love_v he_o not_o only_o better_a than_o other_o thing_n but_o single_o as_o only_o good_a the_o fountain_n of_o all_o goodness_n and_o to_o reject_v all_o fleshly_a and_o worldly_a enjoyment_n even_o our_o own_o life_n as_o if_o we_o hate_v they_o when_o they_o stand_v in_o competition_n with_o our_o enjoyment_n of_o he_o
and_o to_o many_o other_o assertion_n in_o this_o whole_a discourse_n if_o we_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v true_a we_o can_v rational_o encourage_v ourselves_o to_o attempt_v a_o holy_a practice_n until_o we_o be_v acquaint_v with_o some_o powerful_a and_o effectual_a mean_n to_o enable_v we_o for_o it_o while_o man_n continue_v upright_o in_o the_o image_n of_o god_n as_o he_o be_v at_o first_o create_v eccles_n 7.29_o gen._n 1.27_o he_o can_v do_v the_o will_n of_o god_n sincere_o as_o soon_o as_o he_o know_v it_o but_o when_o he_o be_v fall_v he_o be_v quick_o afraid_a because_o of_o his_o nakedness_n but_o can_v not_o help_v it_o at_o all_o until_o god_n discover_v to_o he_o the_o mean_n of_o restoration_n gen._n 3.10_o say_v to_o a_o strong_a healthy_a servant_n go_v and_o he_o go_v come_v and_o he_o come_v do_v this_o and_o he_o do_v it_o but_o a_o bedridden_a servant_n must_v know_v first_o how_o he_o may_v be_v enable_v no_o doubt_v the_o fall_v angel_n know_v the_o necessity_n of_o holiness_n and_o tremble_v at_o the_o guilt_n of_o their_o sin_n but_o they_o know_v of_o no_o mean_n for_o they_o to_o attain_v to_o holiness_n effectual_o and_o so_o continue_v still_o in_o their_o wickedness_n it_o be_v in_o vain_a for_o samson_n to_o say_v i_o will_v go_v out_o as_o at_o other_o time_n before_o and_o shake_v myself_o when_o he_o have_v sin_v away_o his_o strength_n judge_n 16.20_o man_n show_v themselves_o strange_o forgetful_a or_o hypocritical_a in_o profess_v original_a sin_n in_o their_o prayer_n catechism_n and_o confession_n of_o faith_n and_o not_o urge_v upon_o themselves_o and_o other_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o law_n without_o the_o consideration_n of_o any_o strengthen_n enliven_a mean_n as_o if_o there_o be_v no_o want_n of_o ability_n but_o only_o of_o activity_n 2_o those_o that_o doubt_v of_o or_o deny_v the_o doctrine_n of_o original_a sin_n may_v all_o of_o they_o know_v concern_v themselves_o if_o their_o conscience_n be_v not_o blind_a that_o the_o exact_a justice_n of_o god_n be_v against_o they_o and_o they_o be_v under_o the_o curse_n of_o god_n and_o sentence_n of_o death_n for_o their_o actual_a sin_n if_o god_n shall_v enter_v into_o judgement_n with_o they_o rom._n 1.32_o &_o 2.2_o &_o 3.9_o gal._n 3.10_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o a_o man_n that_o know_v this_o to_o be_v his_o case_n and_o have_v not_o learn_v any_o mean_n of_o get_v out_o of_o it_o to_o practice_v the_o law_n immediate_o to_o love_n god_n and_o every_o thing_n in_o he_o his_o justice_n holiness_n power_n as_o well_o as_o his_o mercy_n and_o to_o yield_v himself_o willing_o to_o the_o disposal_n of_o god_n though_o god_n shall_v inflict_v sudden_a death_n upon_o he_o be_v there_o no_o skill_n or_o artifice_v at_o all_o require_v in_o this_o case_n to_o encourage_v the_o faint_a soul_n to_o the_o practice_n of_o universal_a obedience_n 3_o though_o heathen_n may_v know_v much_o of_o the_o work_n of_o the_o law_n by_o the_o common_a light_n of_o natural_a reason_n and_o understanding_n rom._n 2.14_o yet_o the_o effectual_a mean_n of_o performance_n can_v be_v discover_v by_o that_o light_n and_o therefore_o be_v whole_o to_o be_v learn_v by_o the_o teach_n of_o supernatural_a revelalation_n for_o what_o be_v our_o natural_a light_n but_o some_o spark_n and_o glimmering_n of_o that_o which_o be_v in_o adam_n before_o the_o fall_n and_o even_o then_o in_o its_o bright_a meridian_n it_o be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o direct_v adam_n how_o to_o recover_v ability_n to_o walk_v holy_o if_o once_o he_o shall_v lose_v it_o by_o sin_n nor_o to_o assure_v he_o beforehand_o that_o god_n will_v vouchsafe_v to_o he_o any_o mean_n of_o recovery_n god_n have_v set_v nothing_o but_o death_n before_o his_o eye_n in_o case_n of_o transgression_n gen._n 2.17_o and_o therefore_o he_o hide_v himself_o from_o god_n when_o the_o shame_n of_o his_o nakedness_n appear_v as_o expect_v no_o favour_n from_o he_o we_o be_v like_o sheep_n go_v astray_o and_o know_v not_o which_o way_n to_o return_v until_o we_o hear_v the_o shepherd_n voice_n can_v these_o dry_a bone_n live_v to_o god_n in_o holiness_n o_o lord_n thou_o know_v and_o we_o can_v know_v it_o except_o we_o learn_v it_o of_o thou_o 4_o sanctification_n whereby_o our_o heart_n and_o life_n be_v conform_v to_o the_o law_n be_v a_o grace_n of_o god_n communicate_v to_o we_o by_o mean_n as_o well_o as_o justification_n and_o by_o mean_n of_o teach_v and_o learn_v something_o that_o we_o can_v see_v without_o the_o word_n act_v 26.17_o 18._o there_o be_v several_a thing_n pertain_v to_o life_n and_o godliness_n that_o be_v give_v through_o knowledge_n 2_o pet._n 1.3_o there_o be_v a_o form_n of_o doctrine_n make_v use_v of_o by_o god_n to_o make_v people_n free_a from_o sin_n and_o servant_n of_o righteousness_n rom._n 6._o v._n 17_o 18._o and_o there_o be_v several_a piece_n of_o the_o whole_a armour_n of_o god_n necessary_a to_o be_v know_v and_o put_v on_o that_o we_o may_v stand_v against_o sin_n and_o satan_n in_o the_o evil_a day_n eph._n 6.13_o shall_v we_o slight_v and_o overlook_v the_o way_n of_o sanctification_n when_o the_o learning_n the_o way_n of_o justification_n have_v be_v count_v worth_a so_o many_o elaborate_a treatise_n 5_o god_n have_v give_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n by_o his_o inspiration_n plentiful_a instruction_n in_o righteousness_n that_o we_o may_v be_v thorough_o furnish_v for_o every_o good_a work_n 2_o tim._n 3.16_o 17._o especial_o since_o the_o day_n spring_n from_o a_o high_a have_v visit_v we_o by_o the_o appearance_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n to_o guide_v our_o foot_n in_o the_o way_n of_o peace_n luke_n 1.78_o 79._o if_o god_n condescend_v to_o we_o very_o low_a to_o teach_v we_o this_o way_n in_o the_o scripture_n and_o by_o christ_n himself_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v great_o necessary_a for_o we_o to_o sit_v down_o at_o his_o foot_n and_o learn_v it_o 6_o the_o way_n of_o attain_v to_o godliness_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v know_v without_o learning_n out_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n that_o when_o it_o be_v here_o plain_o reveal_v we_o can_v learn_v it_o so_o easy_o as_o the_o duty_n of_o the_o law_n which_o be_v know_v in_o part_n by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n and_o therefore_o more_o easy_o assent_v unto_o it_o be_v the_o way_n whereby_o the_o dead_a be_v bring_v to_o live_v unto_o god_n and_o therefore_o doubtless_o it_o be_v far_o above_o all_o the_o thought_n and_o conjecture_n of_o human_a wisdom_n it_o be_v the_o way_n of_o salvation_n wherein_o god_n will_v destroy_v the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o wise_a and_o bring_v to_o nothing_o the_o understanding_n of_o the_o prudent_a by_o discover_v thing_n by_o his_o spirit_n that_o the_o natural_a man_n receive_v not_o for_o they_o be_v foolishness_n to_o he_o neither_o can_v he_o know_v they_o because_o they_o be_v spiritual_o discern_v 1_o cor._n 1.19.21_o &_o 2.14_o without_o controversy_n great_a be_v the_o mystery_n of_o godliness_n 1_o tim._n 3.16_o the_o learning_n of_o it_o require_v double_a work_n because_o we_o must_v unlearn_v many_o of_o our_o former_a deep_o root_v notion_n and_o become_v fool_n that_o we_o may_v be_v wise_a we_o must_v pray_v earnest_o to_o the_o lord_n to_o teach_v we_o as_o well_o as_o search_v the_o scripture_n that_o we_o may_v get_v this_o knowledge_n o_o that_o my_o way_n be_v direct_v to_o keep_v thy_o statute_n teach_v i_o o_o lord_n the_o way_n of_o thy_o statute_n and_o i_o shall_v keep_v it_o to_o the_o end_n psal_n 119.5.33_o teach_v i_o to_o do_v thy_o will_n psal_n 14.3_o 10._o the_o lord_n direct_v your_o heart_n unto_o the_o love_n of_o god_n 2_o thess_n 3.5_o sure_o these_o saint_n do_v not_o so_o much_o want_v teach_v and_o direction_n concern_v the_o duty_n of_o the_o law_n to_o be_v do_v as_o concern_v the_o way_n and_o means_n whereby_o they_o may_v do_v they_o 7_o the_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o these_o powerful_a and_o effectual_a mean_n be_v of_o great_a importance_n and_o necessity_n for_o our_o establishment_n in_o the_o true_a faith_n and_o avoid_v error_n contrary_a thereunto_o for_o we_o can_v rational_o doubt_v that_o the_o moral_a duty_n of_o love_n to_o god_n and_o our_o neighbour_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o true_a religion_n so_o that_o it_o can_v subsist_v without_o they_o and_o from_o this_o principle_n we_o may_v firm_o conclude_v that_o nothing_o repugnant_a to_o the_o practice_n of_o these_o holy_a duty_n ought_v to_o be_v receive_v as_o a_o point_n of_o faith_n deliver_v to_o we_o by_o the_o most_o holy_a god_n and_o that_o whatsoever_o be_v true_o necessary_a powerful_a and_o effectual_a to_o bring_v we_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o they_o aught_o to_o be_v believe_v as_o
judge_v that_o from_o the_o same_o cause_n proceed_v the_o continual_a malice_n rancour_n rage_n blasphemy_n of_o the_o devil_n and_o many_o notorious_a wicked_a man_n against_o god_n and_o godliness_n some_o may_v think_v job_n uncharitable_a in_o suspect_v not_o mere_o that_o his_o son_n have_v sin_v but_o that_o they_o have_v be_v so_o abominable_o wicked_a as_o to_o curse_v god_n in_o their_o heart_n job_n 1.5_o but_o job_n well_o understand_v that_o if_o the_o guilt_n of_o any_o ordinary_a sin_n lie_v upon_o the_o conscience_n it_o will_v make_v the_o soul_n to_o wish_v secret_o that_o god_n be_v not_o or_o that_o he_o be_v not_o so_o just_a a_o judge_n which_o be_v a_o secret_a curse_v of_o god_n that_o can_v be_v avoid_v until_o our_o conscience_n be_v purge_v from_o the_o guilt_n of_o sin_n by_o the_o offering_n of_o christ_n for_o we_o which_o be_v then_o figure_v out_o by_o the_o burnt-offering_n of_o job_n for_o his_o son_n five_o god_n have_v abundant_o discover_v to_o we_o 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or_o christ_n for_o salvation_n to_o be_v account_v the_o principal_a saving-act_n of_o it_o because_o as_o it_o seem_v to_o they_o many_o loose_a wicked_a people_n trust_v on_o god_n and_o christ_n for_o their_o salvation_n as_o much_o as_o other_o and_o be_v by_o their_o confidence_n harden_v the_o more_o in_o their_o wickedness_n but_o they_o have_v rather_o it_o shall_v be_v obedience_n to_o all_o christ_n law_n at_o least_o in_o their_o resolution_n or_o a_o consent_n that_o christ_n shall_v be_v their_o lord_n accept_v of_o his_o term_n of_o salvation_n and_o a_o resignation_n of_o themselves_o to_o his_o government_n in_o all_o thing_n it_o be_v a_o sign_n that_o the_o scripture-form_n of_o teach_v be_v grow_v into_o disesteem_a with_o our_o great_a master_n of_o reason_n when_o trust_v in_o the_o lord_n so_o much_o commend_v in_o scripture_n be_v account_v a_o mean_a and_o ordinary_a thing_n they_o endeavour_v to_o affright_v we_o from_o own_v faith_n to_o be_v a_o instrument_n of_o justification_n by_o tell_v we_o that_o thereby_o we_o that_o use_v the_o instrument_n be_v make_v our_o own_o principal_a justifier_n to_o the_o dishonour_n of_o god_n though_o it_o may_v be_v easy_o answer_v that_o we_o be_v make_v thereby_o only_o the_o principal_a receiver_n of_o our_o own_o justification_n from_o god_n the_o giver_n of_o it_o to_o who_o all_o the_o glory_n do_v belong_v all_o these_o error_n will_v fall_v if_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v that_o such_o a_o faith_n as_o i_o have_v describe_v be_v a_o instrument_n whereby_o we_o actual_o receive_v christ_n himself_o into_o our_o heart_n and_o holiness_n of_o heart_n and_o life_n as_o well_o as_o justification_n by_o union_n and_o fellowship_n with_o he_o for_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o i_o shall_v offer_v the_o follow_a argument_n first_o by_o faith_n we_o have_v the_o actual_a enjoyment_n and_o possession_n of_o christ_n himself_o and_o not_o only_o of_o remission_n of_o sin_n but_o of_o life_n and_o so_o of_o holiness_n christ_n dwell_v in_o our_o heart_n by_o faith_n ephes_n 3.17_o we_o live_v to_o god_n and_o yet_o not_o we_o but_o christ_n live_v in_o we_o by_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n gal._n 2.19_o 20._o he_o that_o believe_v on_o the_o son_n of_o god_n have_v the_o son_n and_o everlasting_a life_n that_o be_v in_o he_o 1_o john_n 5.12_o 13._o john_n 3.36_o he_o that_o hear_v christ_n word_n and_o believe_v on_o he_o that_o send_v christ_n have_v everlasting_a life_n and_o be_v pass_v from_o death_n unto_o life_n these_o text_n express_v clear_o such_o a_o faith_n as_o i_o have_v describe_v therefore_o the_o efficiency_n or_o operation_n of_o faith_n in_o order_n to_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o fullness_n can_v be_v the_o procurement_n of_o a_o bare_a right_n or_o title_n to_o this_o enjoyment_n but_o rather_o it_o must_v be_v a_o entrance_n into_o it_o and_o take_v possession_n of_o it_o we_o have_v our_o access_n and_o entrance_n by_o faith_n into_o that_o grace_n of_o christ_n wherein_o we_o stand_v rom._n 5.2_o second_o the_o scripture_n plain_o ascribe_v this_o effect_n to_o faith_n that_o by_o it_o we_o receive_v christ_n put_v he_o on_o be_v root_v and_o ground_v in_o he_o and_o also_o that_o we_o receive_v the_o spirit_n remission_n of_o sin_n and_o a_o inheritance_n among_o they_o which_o be_v sanctify_v john_n 1.2_o gal._n 3.26_o 27._o col._n 2.6_o 7._o gal._n 3.14_o act_n 26.18_o and_o the_o scripture_n illustrate_v this_o receive_v by_o the_o similitude_n of_o eat_v and_o drink_v he_o that_o believe_v on_o christ_n drink_v the_o live_a water_n of_o his_o spirit_n john_n 7.37_o 38_o 39_o christ_n be_v the_o bread_n of_o life_n his_o flesh_n be_v meat_n indeed_o and_o his_o blood_n drink_v indeed_o and_o the_o way_n to_o eat_v and_o drink_v it_o be_v to_o believe_v in_o christ_n and_o by_o so_o do_v we_o dwell_v in_o christ_n and_o christ_n in_o we_o and_o have_v everlasting_a life_n john_n 6.35_o 47_o 48_o 54_o 55_o 56._o how_o can_v it_o be_v teach_v more_o clear_o that_o we_o receive_v christ_n himself_o proper_o into_o our_o soul_n by_o faith_n as_o we_o do_v receive_v food_n into_o our_o body_n by_o eat_v and_o drink_v and_o that_o christ_n be_v as_o true_o unite_v to_o we_o thereby_o as_o our_o food_n when_o we_o eat_v or_o drink_v it_o so_o that_o faith_n can_v be_v a_o condition_n to_o procure_v a_o mere_a right_n or_o title_n to_o christ_n no_o more_o than_o eat_v or_o drink_v procure_v a_o mere_a right_n or_o title_n to_o our_o food_n but_o it_o be_v rather_o a_o instrument_n to_o receive_v it_o as_o the_o mouth_n that_o eat_v and_o drink_v the_o food_n three_o christ_n with_o all_o his_o salvation_n be_v free_o give_v by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n to_o all_o that_o believe_v on_o he_o for_o we_o be_v save_v by_o grace_n through_o faith_n and_o that_o not_o of_o ourselves_o it_o be_v the_o gist_n of_o god_n eph._n 2.8_o 9_o we_o be_v justify_v free_o by_o his_o grace_n through_o faith_n in_o his_o blood_n rom._n 8.24_o the_o holy_a ghost_n who_o be_v the_o bond_n of_o union_n betwixt_o christ_n and_o we_o be_v a_o gift_n act_v 2.38_o now_o that_o which_o be_v a_o gift_n of_o grace_n must_v not_o be_v at_o all_o earn_v purchase_v or_o procure_v by_o any_o work_n or_o work_v perform_v as_o a_o condition_n to_o get_v a_o right_a title_n to_o it_o and_o therefore_o faith_n itself_o must_v not_o be_v account_v such_o a_o condition_n if_o it_o be_v by_o grace_n it_o be_v no_o more_o of_o work_n otherwise_o grace_n be_v no_o more_o grace_n rom._n 11.1_o the_o condition_n of_o a_o free_a gift_n be_v only_o take_v and_o have_v and_o in_o this_o sense_n we_o will_v ready_o acknowledge_v faith_n to_o be_v a_o condition_n allow_v a_o liberty_n in_o term_n where_o we_o agree_v in_o the_o thing_n but_o if_o you_o give_v a_o pepper-corn_n to_o purchase_v a_o title_n to_o it_o than_o you_o spoil_v the_o freeness_n of_o the_o gift_n the_o free_a offer_n of_o christ_n to_o you_o be_v sufficient_a to_o confer_v upon_o you_o a_o right_n yea_o to_o make_v it_o your_o duty_n to_o receive_v christ_n and_o his_o salvation_n as_o you_o and_o because_o we_o receive_v christ_n by_o faith_n as_o a_o free_a gift_n therefore_o we_o may_v account_v faith_n to_o be_v the_o instrument_n and_o as_o it_o be_v the_o hand_n whereby_o we_o receive_v he_o four_o it_o have_v be_v already_o prove_v that_o all_o spiritual_a life_n and_o holiness_n be_v treasure_v up_o in_o the_o fullness_n of_o christ_n and_o communicate_v to_o we_o by_o union_n with_o he_o therefore_o the_o accomplish_n of_o union_n with_o christ_n be_v the_o first_o work_n of_o save_v grace_n in_o our_o heart_n and_o faith_n itself_o be_v a_o holy_a grace_n and_o part_n of_o spiritual_a life_n can_v be_v in_o we_o before_o the_o begin_n of_o it_o but_o rather_o it_o be_v give_v to_o we_o and_o wrought_v in_o the_o very_a work_n of_o the_o union_n and_o the_o way_n wherein_o it_o conduce_v to_o the_o union_n can_v be_v by_o procure_v a_o mere_a title_n to_o christ_n as_o a_o condition_n because_o than_o it_o shall_v be_v perform_v before_o the_o unite_n work_n begin_v but_o rather_o by_o be_v a_o instrument_n whereby_o we_o may_v active_o receive_v and_o embrace_v christ_n who_o be_v already_o come_v into_o the_o soul_n to_o take_v possession_n of_o it_o his_o own_o habitation_n true_a saving-faith_n such_o as_o i_o have_v describe_v have_v in_o its_o nature_n and_o manner_n of_o operation_n a_o peculiar_a aptitude_n or_o fitness_n to_o receive_v christ_n and_o his_o salvation_n and_o to_o unite_v our_o soul_n unto_o he_o and_o to_o furnish_v the_o soul_n with_o a_o new_a holy_a nature_n and_o to_o bring_v forth_o a_o holy_a practice_n by_o union_n and_o fellowship_n with_o he_o god_n have_v fit_v natural_a instrument_n for_o their_o office_n as_o the_o hand_n foot_n etc._n etc._n so_o that_o we_o may_v know_v by_o their_o nature_n and_o natural_a manner_n of_o operation_n for_o what_o use_n they_o be_v design_v in_o like_a manner_n we_o may_v know_v that_o faith_n be_v a_o instrument_n form_v on_o purpose_n for_o our_o union_n with_o christ_n and_o sanctification_n if_o we_o consider_v what_o a_o peculiar_a fitness_n it_o have_v for_o the_o work_n the_o discovery_n of_o this_o be_v of_o great_a use_n for_o the_o understanding_n of_o the_o mysterious_a manner_n of_o our_o receive_n and_o practise_v all_o holiness_n by_o union_n and_o fellowship_n with_o christ_n by_o this_o pretions_a grace_n of_o faith_n and_o to_o make_v you_o as_o it_o be_v to_o see_v with_o your_o eye_n that_o it_o be_v such_o a_o instrument_n as_o i_o have_v assert_v it_o to_o be_v i_o shall_v present_v it_o to_o your_o view_n
term_n you_o be_v first_o to_o do_v the_o holy_a duty_n command_v before_o you_o have_v any_o interest_n in_o the_o life_n promise_v or_o any_o right_a to_o lay_v hold_n of_o it_o as_o you_o by_o faith_n and_o you_o must_v practise_v holiness_n without_o the_o forementioned_a mean_n or_o else_o you_o can_v never_o attain_v to_o they_o thus_o the_o true_a mean_n be_v turn_v out_o of_o their_o office_n and_o instead_o of_o be_v cause_n they_o be_v make_v to_o be_v effect_n and_o fruit_n of_o a_o holy_a practice_n and_o it_o will_v be_v in_o vain_a ever_o to_o expect_v such_o effect_n and_o fruit_n for_o holiness_n itself_o with_o all_o its_o effect_n must_v needs_o be_v destroy_v when_o its_o necessary_a cause_n be_v take_v away_o therefore_o the_o apostle_n paul_n testify_v that_o the_o way_n of_o salvation_n by_o the_o work_n of_o the_o law_n make_v faith_n void_a and_o promise_n of_o none_o effect_n and_o frustrate_v the_o grace_n of_o god_n as_o if_o christ_n die_v in_o vain_a and_o make_v christ_n to_o be_v of_o no_o profit_n and_o of_o none_o effect_v to_o we_o as_o those_o that_o be_v fall_v from_o grace_n rom._n 4.14_o gal._n 2.21_o &_o 5.2_o 4._o let_v we_o now_o examine_v the_o modern_a doctrine_n of_o salvation_n by_o the_o condition_n of_o sincere_a obedience_n to_o all_o the_o command_v of_o christ_n and_o we_o shall_v quick_o find_v it_o to_o be_v a_o chip_n of_o the_o same_o block_n with_o the_o former_a legal_a way_n of_o salvation_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n destructive_a to_o the_o mean_n of_o holiness_n and_o to_o holiness_n itself_o it_o require_v of_o we_o the_o performance_n of_o sincere_a obedience_n before_o we_o have_v the_o mean_v necessary_a to_o produce_v it_o by_o make_v it_o antecedent_n to_o our_o justification_n and_o persuasion_n of_o eternal_a happiness_n and_o our_o actual_a enjoyment_n of_o union_n and_o fellowship_n with_o christ_n and_o of_o that_o new_a nature_n which_o be_v to_o be_v have_v only_o in_o he_o by_o faith_n it_o destroy_v the_o nature_n of_o that_o save_a faith_n whereby_o we_o actual_o receive_v and_o enjoy_v christ_n and_o all_o his_o benefit_n and_o knock_v off_o our_o hand_n from_o lay_v hold_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o salvation_n by_o tell_v we_o still_o as_o christ_n tell_v the_o legalworker_n after_o all_o his_o labour_n that_o yet_o we_o lack_v something_o mat._n 10.21_o that_o it_o be_v presumption_n to_o take_v he_o as_o our_o own_o until_o we_o have_v perform_v the_o condition_n for_o our_o right_n and_o title_n to_o he_o which_o be_v another_o kind_n of_o save_a faith_n otherwise_o call_v sincere_a obedience_n by_o this_o devise_v conditional_a faith_n satan_n keep_v many_o poor_a soul_n at_o a_o bay_n pore_v upon_o their_o own_o heart_n for_o many_o year_n together_o to_o find_v whether_o they_o have_v perform_v the_o condition_n and_o whether_o they_o have_v as_o yet_o any_o right_n to_o christ_n for_o their_o salvation_n not_o dare_v to_o venture_v to_o take_v he_o as_o their_o own_o it_o be_v a_o strong_a partition-wall_n that_o will_v certain_o hinder_v the_o soul_n from_o come_v to_o christ_n until_o it_o be_v throw_v down_o by_o the_o knowledge_n of_o salvation_n by_o grace_n without_o any_o procure_a condition_n of_o work_n and_o though_o it_o be_v account_v but_o as_o the_o payment_n of_o a_o pepper-corn_n for_o a_o great_a estate_n yet_o it_o be_v enough_o to_o break_v the_o able_a man_n in_o the_o world_n because_o it_o debar_v he_o from_o lay_v hold_n of_o the_o only_a effectual_a mean_n of_o holiness_n whereby_o that_o pepper-corn_n may_v be_v obtain_v two_o those_o that_o seek_v salvation_n by_o the_o work_v of_o the_o law_n do_v therein_o act_v according_a to_o their_o natural_a state_n they_o live_v and_o walk_v according_a to_o the_o flesh_n or_o old-man_n not_o according_a to_o the_o new-state_n by_o christ_n live_v in_o they_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o several_a of_o they_o that_o live_v under_o the_o light_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v partaker_n of_o a_o new_a state_n in_o christ_n and_o do_v walk_v holy_o in_o it_o but_o the_o best_a in_o this_o world_n have_v in_o they_o flesh_n as_o well_o as_o spirit_n and_o may_v act_v according_a to_o either_o state_n in_o some_o measure_n and_o in_o this_o matter_n they_o do_v act_v only_o according_a to_o their_o carnal_a natural_a state_n when_o the_o believe_a galatian_n be_v seduce_v to_o a_o legal_a way_n of_o salvation_n the_o apostle_n paul_n charge_v it_o upon_o they_o as_o their_o folly_n that_o have_v begin_v in_o the_o spirit_n they_o will_v now_o be_v make_v perfect_a in_o the_o flesh_n gal._n 3.3_o and_o he_o resemble_v those_o that_o desire_v to_o be_v under_o the_o law_n to_o abraham_n son_n bear_v of_o hagar_n the_o bondwoman_n to_o show_v that_o such_o do_v walk_v as_o those_o that_o be_v bear_v after_o the_o flesh_n not_o after_o the_o spirit_n gal._n 4.19_o 23_o 29._o the_o law_n be_v first_o give_v to_o adam_n in_o his_o pure_a natural_a state_n to_o prescribe_v term_n for_o his_o continuance_n in_o happiness_n which_o he_o then_o enjoy_v and_o ever_o since_o that_o time_n the_o flesh_n or_o naturalman_n be_v marry_v to_o the_o law_n and_o the_o law_n have_v dominion_n over_o a_o man_n as_o long_o as_o he_o live_v i._n e._n until_o he_o be_v dead_a to_o his_o fleshly_a state_n by_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n and_o marry_v to_o he_o that_o be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a rom._n 7.1_o 4._o we_o be_v not_o at_o all_o under_o the_o law_n as_o a_o covenant_n of_o work_n according_a to_o our_o new_a state_n in_o christ_n as_o the_o apostle_n testify_v rom._n 6.14_o you_o be_v not_o under_o the_o law_n but_o under_o grace_n and_o gal._n 3.18_o if_o you_o be_v lead_v by_o the_o spirit_n you_o be_v not_o under_o the_o law_n from_o hence_o we_o may_v firm_o conclude_v that_o none_o can_v possible_o attain_v to_o true_a godliness_n by_o act_v according_a to_o legal-term_n because_o i_o have_v full_o prove_v already_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v godly_a while_o we_o be_v in_o the_o flesh_n or_o in_o a_o natural_a state_n and_o that_o as_o far_o as_o we_o act_v according_a to_o it_o we_o can_v do_v nothing_o but_o sin_n the_o law_n be_v weak_a through_o the_o flesh_n that_o it_o can_v bring_v we_o to_o fulfil_v its_o own_o righteousness_n rom._n 8.3_o 4._o it_o be_v marry_v to_o a_o cross_a piece_n of_o flesh_n that_o be_v enmity_n to_o it_o and_o can_v never_o be_v subject_a to_o it_o rom._n 8.8_o it_o sue_v the_o naturalman_n for_o a_o old_a debt_n of_o obedience_n that_o he_o be_v utter_o unable_a to_o pay_v since_o the_o fall_n and_o the_o success_n be_v according_a to_o the_o proverb_n sue_v a_o beggar_n and_o catch_v a_o louse_n neither_o do_v those_o take_v a_o better_a course_n that_o will_v bring_v themselves_o to_o holiness_n by_o make_v sincere_a obedience_n to_o christ_n command_n the_o condition_n of_o their_o salvation_n their_o way_n be_v the_o same_o for_o substance_n with_o that_o of_o the_o calatians_n before_o mention_v who_o will_v be_v make_v perfect_a in_o the_o flesh_n not_o by_o perfect_a obedience_n but_o sincere_a as_o have_v be_v show_v before_o their_o eudeavour_n to_o procure_v a_o interest_n in_o christ_n by_o their_o sincere_a obedience_n do_v testify_v against_o themselves_o that_o they_o do_v not_o act_v as_o people_n that_o be_v in_o christ_n but_o rather_o as_o people_n that_o judge_n themselves_o to_o be_v without_o a_o interest_n in_o christ_n and_o to_o be_v yet_o to_o seek_v for_o it_o and_o sincere_a obedience_n be_v as_o impossible_a to_o be_v attain_v unto_o as_o perfect_a obedience_n if_o we_o act_v according_a to_o our_o dead_a natural_a state_n three_o as_o the_o law_n bereave_v of_o all_o strengthen_n mean_n that_o be_v to_o be_v have_v by_o faith_n in_o christ_n and_o find_v we_o without_o strength_n in_o our_o natural_a state_n so_o of_o itself_o it_o afford_v we_o no_o strength_n to_o fulfil_v its_o own_o commandment_n if_o there_o have_v be_v a_o law_n give_v that_o can_v have_v give_v life_n very_o righteousness_n shall_v have_v be_v by_o the_o law_n gal._n 3.21_o it_o do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o promise_v we_o life_n until_o we_o have_v perform_v the_o obedience_n require_v by_o it_o the_o man_n that_o do_v these_o thing_n shall_v live_v by_o they_o rom._n 6.5_o it_o be_v well_o call_v a_o voice_n of_o word_n heb._n 12.19_o because_o its_o high_a and_o big_a word_n be_v not_o acompany_v with_o any_o enliven_a power_n and_o the_o doctrine_n of_o life_n and_o salvation_n by_o sincere_a obedience_n be_v not_o better_a nature_a or_o more_o bountiful_a to_o we_o for_o it_o exact_v of_o we_o the_o performance_n of_o the_o condition_n before_o it_o allow_v we_o any_o life_n or_o salvation_n by_o christ_n
the_o spirit_n whereby_o we_o be_v make_v good_a tree_n that_o we_o may_v bring_v forth_o good_a fruit._n though_o they_o be_v give_v before_o the_o sincere_a practice_n of_o the_o law_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o give_v to_o we_o in_o our_o corrupt_a sinful_a nature_n but_o in_o and_o with_o the_o new_a holy_a nature_n which_o immediate_o produce_v a_o holy_a practice_n though_o it_o must_v necessary_o go_v before_o as_o the_o cause_n before_o the_o effect_n and_o they_o be_v no_o other_o than_o comfort_n of_o those_o spiritual_a benefit_n by_o which_o our_o new_a estate_n and_o nature_n be_v produce_v and_o of_o which_o it_o be_v constitute_v and_o make_v up_o as_o the_o comfort_n of_o redemption_n justification_n adoption_n the_o gift_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o the_o like_a neither_o do_v i_o intend_v here_o any_o transport_v or_o ravishment_n of_o joy_n and_o delight_n but_o only_o such_o manner_n of_o comfort_n as_o rational_o strengthen_v in_o some_o measure_n against_o the_o oppression_n of_o fear_n grief_n and_o despair_n which_o we_o be_v liable_a unto_o by_o reason_n of_o our_o natural_a sinfulness_n and_o misery_n this_o explanation_n of_o the_o sense_n of_o my_o assertion_n be_v sufficient_a to_o answer_v some_o common_a objection_n against_o it_o and_o i_o hope_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o will_v be_v full_o evidence_v by_o the_o follow_a argument_n first_o this_o truth_n be_v a_o clear_a consectary_n from_o those_o principle_n of_o holiness_n that_o have_v be_v already_o confirm_v i_o have_v show_v that_o we_o must_v have_v a_o good_a persuasion_n of_o our_o reconciliation_n with_o god_n and_o of_o our_o happiness_n in_o heaven_n and_o of_o our_o sufficient_a strength_n both_o to_o will_v and_o to_o do_v that_o which_o be_v acceptable_a to_o god_n through_o jesus_n christ_n that_o we_o may_v be_v rational_o incline_v and_o bend_v to_o the_o practice_n of_o holiness_n and_o that_o these_o endowment_n must_v be_v have_v by_o receive_v of_o christ_n himself_o with_o his_o spirit_n and_o all_o his_o fullness_n by_o trust_v on_o he_o for_o all_o his_o salvation_n as_o he_o be_v free_o promise_v to_o we_o in_o the_o gospel_n and_o that_o by_o this_o faith_n we_o do_v as_o real_o receive_v christ_n as_o our_o food_n by_o eat_v and_o drink_v now_o let_v right_a reason_n judge_n can_v we_o be_v persuade_v of_o the_o love_n of_o god_n of_o our_o everlasting_a happiness_n and_o our_o strength_n to_o serve_v god_n and_o yet_o be_v without_o any_o comfort_n can_v the_o glad_a tiding_n of_o the_o gospel_n of_o peace_n be_v believe_v and_o christ_n and_o his_o spirit_n actual_o believe_v into_o the_o heart_n without_o any_o relief_n to_o the_o soul_n from_o oppress_a fear_n grief_n despair_n can_v the_o salvation_n of_o christ_n be_v comfortless_a or_o the_o bread_n and_o water_n of_o life_n without_o any_o sweet_a relish_n to_o those_o that_o feed_v on_o he_o with_o hunger_a and_o thirst_a appetite_n god_n will_v not_o give_v such_o benefit_n as_o these_o to_o those_o that_o do_v not_o desire_v and_o esteem_v they_o above_o the_o world_n and_o certain_o the_o very_a receive_n of_o they_o will_v be_v comfortable_a to_o such_o except_o they_o receive_v they_o blindfold_a which_o they_o can_v do_v when_o the_o very_a give_v and_o bestow_v of_o they_o open_v the_o eye_n of_o a_o sinner_n and_o turn_v he_o from_o darkness_n to_o light_n whereby_o he_o do_v at_o least_o in_o some_o measure_n see_v and_o perceive_v spiritual_o the_o thing_n that_o concern_v his_o present_a and_o future_a peace_n and_o reap_v some_o encourage_n and_o strengthen_v comfort_n thereby_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o holiness_n second_o peace_n joy_n hope_v be_v recommend_v to_o we_o in_o scripture_n as_o the_o spring_n of_o other_o holy_a duty_n and_o fear_v and_o oppress_a grief_n forbid_v as_o hindrance_n to_o true_a religion_n the_o peace_n of_o god_n keep_v our_o heart_n and_o mind_n through_o christ_n jesus_n phil._n 4.7_o be_v you_o not_o sorry_a for_o the_o joy_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v your_o strength_n nehem._n 8.10_o every_o man_n that_o have_v this_o hope_n in_o he_o purify_v himself_o even_o as_o he_o be_v pure_a 1_o john_n 3.3_o fear_n have_v torment_n he_o that_o fear_v be_v not_o make_v perfect_a in_o love_n 1_o john_n 4.18_o this_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o the_o apostle_n double_v his_o exhortation_n to_o rejoice_v in_o the_o lord_n always_o as_o a_o duty_n of_o exceed_a weight_n and_o necessity_n phil._n 4.4_o what_o be_v such_o duty_n but_o comfort_n itself_o and_o can_v we_o think_v that_o these_o duty_n be_v necessary_a to_o our_o continuance_n in_o a_o holy_a practice_n and_o yet_o not_o to_o the_o begin_n of_o it_o where_o the_o work_n be_v most_o difficult_a and_o encouragement_n most_o needful_a therefore_o we_o must_v make_v haste_n in_o the_o first_o place_n to_o get_v a_o comfortable_a frame_n of_o spirit_n if_o we_o will_v make_v hastâ—_n and_o not_o delay_v to_o keep_v god_n holy_a commandment_n three_o the_o usual_a method_n of_o gospel-doctrine_n as_o it_o be_v deliver_v to_o we_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v first_o to_o comfort_v our_o heart_n and_o thereby_o to_o establish_v we_o in_o every_o good_a word_n and_o work_n 2_o thess_n 2.17_o and_o it_o appear_v how_o clear_o this_o method_n be_v adjust_v in_o several_a epistle_n write_v by_o the_o apostle_n wherein_o they_o first_o acquaint_v the_o church_n with_o the_o rich_a grace_n of_o god_n towards_o they_o in_o christ_n and_o the_o spiritual_a blessing_n which_o they_o be_v make_v partaker_n of_o for_o their_o strong_a consolation_n and_o then_o they_o exhort_v they_o to_o a_o holy_a conversation_n answerable_a to_o such_o privilege_n and_o it_o be_v not_o only_o the_o method_n of_o whole_a epistle_n but_o of_o many_o particular_a exhortation_n to_o duty_n wherein_o the_o comfortable_a benefit_n of_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n in_o christ_n be_v make_v use_n of_o as_o argument_n and_o motive_n to_o stir_v up_o the_o saint_n to_o a_o holy_a practice_n which_o comfortable_a benefit_n must_v be_v first_o believe_v and_o the_o comfort_n of_o they_o apply_v to_o our_o own_o soul_n or_o else_o they_o will_v not_o be_v forcible_a to_o engage_v we_o to_o the_o practice_n for_o which_o they_o be_v intend_v to_o give_v you_o a_o few_o instance_n out_o of_o a_o multitude_n that_o may_v be_v allege_v we_o be_v exhort_v to_o practise_v holy_a duty_n because_o we_o be_v dead_a to_o sin_n and_o alive_a to_o god_n through_o jesus_n christ_n our_o lord_n rom._n 6.11_o and_o because_o sin_n shall_v not_o have_v dominion_n over_o we_o for_o we_o be_v not_o under_o the_o law_n but_o under_o grace_n rom._n 6.14_o because_o we_o be_v not_o in_o the_o flesh_n but_o in_o the_o spirit_n and_o god_n will_v quicken_v our_o mortal_a body_n by_o his_o spirit_n dwell_v in_o we_o rom._n 8.9.11_o 12._o because_o our_o body_n be_v the_o member_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o temple_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n 1_o cor._n 6.15_o 19_o because_o god_n have_v make_v he_o sin_n for_o we_o who_o know_v no_o sin_n that_o we_o may_v be_v the_o righteousness_n of_o god_n in_o he_o 2_o cor._n 5.20_o 21._o and_o have_v promise_v that_o he_o will_v dwell_v in_o we_o and_o walk_v in_o we_o and_o be_v to_o we_o a_o father_n and_o we_o shall_v be_v to_o he_o son_n and_o daughter_n 2_o cor._n 7.1_o because_o god_n have_v forgive_v we_o for_o ghrist_n sake_n and_o account_v we_o his_o dear_a child_n and_o christ_n have_v love_v we_o and_o give_v himself_o for_o we_o and_o we_o that_o be_v sometime_o darken_v be_v now_o lighten_v in_o the_o lord_n ephes_n 4.32_o &_o 5.1_o 2_o 8._o because_o we_o be_v rise_v with_o christ_n and_o when_o christ_n who_o be_v our_o life_n shall_v appear_v than_o we_o shall_v also_o appear_v with_o he_o in_o glory_n col._n 3.1.4_o because_o god_n have_v say_v i_o will_v never_o leave_v thou_o nor_o forsake_v thou_o heb._n 13.5_o because_o of_o the_o many_o promise_n make_v to_o we_o 2_o cor._n 7.1_o search_v the_o scripture_n and_o you_o may_v with_o delight_n see_v that_o be_v this_o the_o vein_n that_o run_v through_o gospel_n exhortation_n and_o you_o may_v find_v the_o like_a vein_n of_o comfort_n run_v through_o the_o prophetical_a exhortation_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n some_o may_v object_v that_o the_o apostle_n use_v this_o method_n in_o their_o write_n to_o saint_n that_o have_v practise_v holiness_n already_o that_o so_o they_o may_v continue_v and_o increase_v therein_o but_o to_o that_o i_o may_v easy_o reply_v if_o it_o be_v a_o method_n needful_a for_o grow_v saint_n much_o more_o than_o for_o beginner_n that_o find_v the_o work_n of_o obedience_n most_o difficult_a and_o have_v most_o need_v of_o strong_a consolation_n and_o i_o hope_v to_o show_v how_o we_o may_v be_v able_a to_o lay_v hold_n
be_v not_o in_o vain_a in_o the_o lord_n 1_o cor._n 15.5_o they_o that_o be_v persuade_v of_o the_o freegrace_n of_o god_n towards_o they_o in_o christ_n be_v not_o indeed_o solicitous_a about_o earn_v their_o salvation_n by_o their_o own_o legal_a work_n and_o satan_n be_v ready_a to_o suggest_v to_o they_o that_o this_o be_v a_o sinful_a carelessness_n and_o tend_v to_o licentiousness_n but_o they_o that_o will_v believe_v this_o false_a suggestion_n of_o satan_n show_v plain_o that_o they_o do_v not_o yet_o know_v what_o it_o be_v to_o serve_v god_n in_o love_n and_o that_o they_o be_v hold_v in_o to_o all_o their_o obedience_n by_o the_o bit_n and_o bridle_n of_o slavish_a fear_n as_o the_o horse_n and_o mule_n that_o have_v no_o understanding_n psal_n 32.9_o three_o beware_v of_o think_v so_o high_o of_o this_o assurance_n as_o if_o it_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o any_o doubt_n in_o the_o same_o soul_n a_o great_a reason_n why_o many_o protestant_n have_v recede_v from_o the_o doctrine_n of_o their_o ancestor_n in_o this_o point_n be_v because_o they_o think_v there_o can_v be_v no_o true_a assurance_n of_o salvation_n in_o any_o that_o be_v trouble_v with_o doubt_n as_o they_o find_v many_o be_v who_o they_o can_v but_o own_o as_o true_a believer_n and_o precious_a saint_n of_o god_n true_a indeed_o this_o assurance_n must_v be_v contrary_a to_o doubt_n in_o the_o nature_n of_o it_o and_o so_o if_o it_o be_v perfect_a in_o the_o high_a degree_n it_o will_v exclude_v all_o doubt_v out_o of_o the_o soul_n and_o it_o do_v now_o exclude_v in_o some_o degree_n but_o be_v there_o not_o flesh_n as_o well_o as_o spirit_n in_o the_o best_a saint_n on_o earth_n gal._n 5.17_o be_v there_o not_o a_o law_n in_o their_o member_n war_a against_o the_o law_n of_o their_o mind_n rom._n 7.23_o may_v not_o one_o that_o true_o believe_v say_v lord_n help_v my_o unbelief_n mark_v 9.24_o can_v any_o on_o earth_n say_v they_o have_v receive_v any_o grace_n in_o the_o high_a degree_n and_o that_o they_o be_v whole_o free_a from_o the_o contrary_a corruption_n why_o then_o shall_v we_o think_v that_o assurance_n can_v be_v true_a except_o it_o be_v perfect_a and_o free_a the_o soul_n from_o all_o doubt_n the_o apostle_n account_v it_o a_o great_a blessing_n to_o the_o thessalonian_o that_o they_o have_v much_o assurance_n intimate_v that_o some_o true_a assurance_n may_v be_v in_o a_o less_o degree_n 1_o thess_n 1.5_o peter_n have_v some_o good_a assurance_n of_o christ_n help_n when_o he_o walk_v on_o the_o water_n at_o christ_n command_n and_o yet_o he_o have_v some_o doubtfulness_n in_o he_o as_o his_o fear_n show_v when_o he_o see_v the_o wind_n boisterous_a he_o have_v some_o faith_n contrary_a to_o doubt_v though_o it_o be_v but_o little_a as_o christ_n word_n to_o he_o show_v o_o thou_o of_o little_a faith_n wherefore_o do_v thou_o doubt_v matth._n 14.29_o 30_o 31._o it_o be_v strange_a if_o the_o flesh_n and_o the_o devil_n shall_v never_o oppose_v a_o true_a assurance_n and_o assault_v it_o with_o doubting_n a_o believer_n may_v be_v sometime_o so_o overwhelm_v with_o doubt_n that_o he_o may_v not_o be_v able_a to_o perceive_v a_o assurance_n in_o himself_o he_o be_v so_o far_o from_o know_v his_o place_n in_o heaven_n already_o as_o some_o scoff_o object_n that_o he_o will_v say_v that_o he_o know_v not_o any_o assurance_n that_o he_o have_v of_o be_v there_o and_o need_v diligent_a self-examination_n to_o find_v it_o out_o yet_o if_o at_o that_o time_n he_o can_v blame_v his_o soul_n for_o doubt_v why_o be_v thou_o cast_v down_o o_o my_o soul_n why_o be_v thou_o disquiet_v within_o i_o hope_v thou_o in_o god_n for_o i_o shall_v yet_o praise_v he_o psal_n 42.11_o if_o he_o can_v condemn_v his_o doubt_n as_o sinful_a and_o say_v with_o himself_o this_o be_v my_o infirmity_n psal_n 77.10_o these_o doubt_n be_v of_o the_o flesh_n and_o of_o the_o devil_n if_o he_o still_o endeavour_v to_o call_v god_n father_n and_o complain_v to_o he_o that_o he_o doubt_v whether_o he_o be_v his_o father_n and_o pray_v that_o god_n will_v give_v he_o the_o assurance_n of_o his_o fatherly_a love_n which_o he_o be_v not_o sensible_a of_o and_o dispel_v those_o fear_n and_o doubt_n i_o say_v that_o such_o a_o one_o have_v some_o true_a assurance_n though_o he_o must_v strive_v to_o grow_v to_o a_o high_a degree_n for_o if_o he_o be_v not_o persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o love_n of_o god_n towards_o he_o he_o can_v not_o rational_o condemn_v his_o fear_n and_o doubt_n concern_v it_o as_o sinful_a neither_o can_v he_o rational_o pray_v to_o god_n as_o his_o father_n or_o that_o god_n will_v assure_v he_o of_o that_o love_n that_o he_o do_v not_o think_v to_o be_v true_a do_v but_o grant_v that_o it_o be_v the_o nature_n of_o save_a faith_n thus_o to_o resist_v and_o struggle_v with_o slavish_a fear_n of_o wrath_n and_o doubt_v of_o our_o own_o salvation_n and_o you_o grant_v in_o effect_n that_o there_o be_v and_o must_v be_v something_o of_o assurance_n of_o our_o salvation_n in_o save_v faith_n whereby_o it_o resist_v doubt_n and_o you_o be_v in_o effect_n of_o the_o same_o judgement_n with_o i_o in_o the_o assertion_n however_o strange_a my_o expression_n seem_v to_o you_o if_o this_o that_o i_o have_v say_v concern_v our_o imperfection_n in_o assurance_n as_o well_o as_o in_o other_o grace_n be_v well_o consider_v this_o ancient_a protestant_a doctrine_n will_v be_v free_v much_o from_o prejudice_n and_o gain_v more_o esteem_n among_o we_o four_o in_o the_o last_o place_n let_v it_o be_v well_o observe_v that_o the_o reason_n why_o we_o be_v to_o assure_v ourselves_o in_o our_o faith_n that_o god_n free_o give_v christ_n and_o his_o salvation_n to_o we_o particular_o be_v not_o because_o it_o be_v a_o truth_n before_o we_o believe_v it_o but_o because_o it_o become_v a_o certain_a truth_n when_o we_o believe_v it_o and_o because_o it_o will_v never_o be_v true_a except_o we_o do_v in_o some_o measure_n persuade_v and_o assure_v ourselves_o that_o it_o be_v so_o we_o have_v no_o absolute_a promise_n or_o declaration_n in_o scripture_n that_o god_n certain_o will_n or_o do_v give_v christ_n and_o his_o salvation_n to_o any_o one_o of_o we_o in_o particular_a neither_o do_v we_o know_v it_o to_o be_v true_a already_o by_o scripture_n or_o sense_n or_o reason_n before_o we_o assure_v ourselves_o absolute_o of_o it_o yea_o we_o be_v without_o christ_n salvation_n at_o present_a in_o a_o state_n of_o sin_n and_o misery_n under_o the_o curse_n and_o wrath_n of_o god_n only_o i_o shall_v prove_v that_o we_o be_v bind_v by_o the_o command_n of_o god_n thus_o to_o assure_v ourselves_o and_o the_o scripture_n do_v sufficient_o warrant_v we_o that_o we_o shall_v not_o deceive_v ourselves_o in_o believe_v a_o lie_n but_o according_a to_o our_o faith_n so_o it_o shall_v be_v to_o we_o matth._n 9.29_o this_o be_v a_o strange_a kind_n of_o assurance_n far_o different_a from_o other_o ordinary_a kind_n and_o therefore_o no_o wonder_n if_o it_o be_v find_v weak_a and_o imperfect_a and_o difficult_a to_o be_v obtain_v and_o it_o be_v assault_v with_o many_o doubt_n we_o be_v constrain_v to_o believe_v other_o thing_n on_o the_o clear_a evidence_n we_o have_v that_o they_o be_v true_a and_o will_v remain_v true_a whether_o we_o believe_v they_o or_o no_o so_o that_o we_o can_v deny_v our_o assent_n without_o rebel_n against_o the_o light_n of_o our_o sense_n reason_n or_o conscience_n but_o here_o our_o assurance_n be_v not_o impress_v on_o our_o thought_n by_o any_o evidence_n of_o the_o thing_n but_o we_o must_v work_v it_o out_o in_o ourselves_o by_o the_o assistance_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o thereby_o we_o bring_v our_o own_o thought_n into_o captivity_n to_o the_o obedience_n of_o christ_n none_o but_o god_n can_v just_o require_v of_o we_o this_o kind_n of_o assurance_n because_o he_o only_o call_v those_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o as_o though_o they_o be_v rom._n 4.17_o he_o only_o can_v give_v existence_n to_o thing_n that_o yet_o be_v not_o and_o make_v a_o thing_n to_o be_v true_a upon_o our_o believe_v it_o that_o be_v not_o true_a before_o he_o only_o can_v make_v good_a that_o promise_n what_o thing_n soever_o you_o desire_v when_o you_o pray_v believe_v that_o you_o receive_v they_o and_o you_o shall_v have_v they_o mark_v 11.24_o who_o be_v he_o that_o say_v and_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v when_o the_o lord_n command_v it_o not_o lament_v 3.37_o therefore_o this_o faith_n be_v due_a to_o god_n only_o and_o great_o redownd_v to_o his_o glory_n man_n will_v often_o require_v a_o believe_a something_o like_o it_o as_o when_o one_o say_v i_o will_v forgive_v your_o offence_n
any_o present_a interest_n in_o christ_n and_o shall_v never_o attain_v unto_o holiness_n or_o happiness_n until_o they_o learn_v a_o better_a way_n of_o religion_n 4._o think_v not_o that_o you_o can_v effectual_o incline_v your_o heart_n to_o the_o immediate_a practice_n of_o holiness_n by_o any_o such_o practical_a principle_n as_o do_v only_o serve_v to_o bind_v press_v and_o urge_v you_o to_o the_o performance_n of_o holy_a duty_n but_o rather_o let_v such_o principle_n stir_v you_o up_o to_o go_v to_o christ_n first_o by_o faith_n that_o you_o may_v be_v effectual_o incline_v to_o the_o immediate_a practice_n of_o holiness_n in_o he_o by_o gospel_n principles_n that_o strengthen_v and_o enable_v you_o as_o well_o as_o oblige_v you_o thereunto_o there_o be_v some_o practical_a principle_n that_o do_v only_o bind_v press_v and_o urge_v we_o to_o holy_a duty_n by_o show_v the_o reasonableness_n equity_n and_o necessity_n of_o our_o obedience_n without_o show_v at_o all_o how_o we_o that_o be_v by_o nature_n dead_a in_o sin_n under_o the_o wrath_n of_o god_n may_v have_v any_o strength_n and_o ability_n for_o the_o performance_n of_o they_o as_o for_o instance_n the_o authority_n of_o god_n the_o lawgiver_n our_o absolute_a dependence_n on_o he_o as_o our_o creator_n preserver_n governor_n in_o who_o hand_n be_v our_o life_n breath_n and_o all_o our_o happiness_n here_o and_o for_o ever_o his_o all-feeing_a eye_n that_o search_v our_o heart_n discern_v our_o very_a thought_n and_o secret_a purpose_n his_o exact_a justice_n in_o render_v to_o all_o according_a to_o their_o work_n his_o almighty_a and_o eternal_a power_n to_o reward_v those_o that_o obey_v he_o and_o to_o punish_v transgressor_n for_o ever_o the_o unspeakable_a joy_n of_o heaven_n and_o terrible_a damnation_n of_o hell_n such_o principle_n as_o these_o do_v bind_v our_o conscience_n very_o strict_o and_o do_v work_v very_o strong_o upon_o the_o prevalent_a affection_n of_o hope_n and_o fear_v to_o pross_v and_o urge_v our_o heart_n to_o the_o performance_n of_o holy_a duty_n if_o we_o believe_v they_o assure_o and_o work_v they_o earnest_o upon_o our_o heart_n by_o frequent_a serious_a lively_a meditation_n and_o therefore_o some_o account_v they_o most_o forcible_a and_o effectual_a mean_n to_o form_v any_o virtue_n in_o the_o soul_n and_o to_o bring_v it_o to_o immediate_a performance_n of_o any_o duty_n though_o never_o so_o difficult_a and_o that_o the_o life_n of_o faith_n consist_v principal_o in_o our_o live_n to_o god_n in_o holiness_n by_o a_o constant_a belief_n and_o meditation_n on_o they_o and_o they_o account_v those_o thing_n that_o serve_v to_o mind_v they_o of_o such_o principle_n very_o effectual_a for_o holiness_n as_o look_v on_o the_o picture_n of_o death_n or_o on_o a_o deaths-head_n keep_v a_o coffin_n by_o they_o ready_o make_v walk_v about_o among_o the_o grave_n etc._n etc._n but_o this_o be_v not_o that_o manner_n of_o live_v to_o god_n whereof_o the_o apostle_n speak_v when_o he_o say_v i_o live_v yet_o not_o i_o but_o christ_n that_o live_v in_o i_o and_o the_o life_n that_o i_o live_v in_o the_o flesh_n i_o live_v by_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n who_o love_v i_o and_o give_v himself_o for_o i_o if_o a_o man_n make_v use_n of_o these_o oblige_a principle_n to_o stir_v he_o to_o go_v to_o christ_n for_o strength_n to_o act_n holy_o he_o walk_v like_o one_o that_o have_v receive_v christ_n as_o his_o only_a life_n by_o faith_n otherwise_o he_o walk_v like_o other_o natural_a men._n for_o the_o natural_a man_n may_v be_v bring_v to_o act_n by_o these_o principle_n partly_o by_o natural_a light_n and_o more_o full_o by_o scripture-light_n without_o any_o true_a knowledge_n of_o the_o way_n of_o salvation_n by_o christ_n and_o as_o if_o christ_n have_v never_o come_v into_o the_o world_n and_o he_o may_v be_v strict_o bind_v by_o they_o and_o vehement_o urge_v and_o press_v to_o holy_a duty_n and_o yet_o all_o this_o while_n be_v leave_v to_o his_o own_o natural_a strength_n or_o weakness_n be_v not_o assure_v by_o any_o of_o these_o principle_n that_o god_n will_v give_v he_o strength_n to_o help_v he_o in_o the_o performance_n of_o these_o duty_n and_o can_v do_v nothing_o aright_o until_o he_o get_v new_a life_n and_o strength_n in_o christ_n by_o a_o more_o precious_a save_a faith_n there_o will_v be_v no_o need_n of_o a_o new_a life_n and_o strength_n by_o christ_n if_o these_o principle_n be_v sufficient_a to_o bring_v we_o to_o a_o holy_a conversation_n therefore_o this_o manner_n of_o practice_n be_v no_o better_a than_o walk_v after_o the_o flesh_n according_a to_o our_o corrupt_a state_n and_o a_o seek_v to_o be_v make_v perfect_a in_o the_o flesh_n no_o question_n but_o paul_n be_v very_o diligent_a in_o it_o while_o he_o be_v a_o blind_a pharisee_n yea_o the_o heathen_a philosopher_n may_v attain_v to_o it_o in_o some_o measure_n by_o the_o light_n of_o common_a reason_n the_o devil_n have_v such_o principle_n as_o they_o do_v believe_v assure_o yet_o they_o be_v never_o the_o better_a for_o they_o it_o be_v a_o part_n of_o that_o natural_a wisdom_n whereby_o the_o world_n know_v not_o god_n not_o that_o wisdom_n of_o god_n in_o a_o mystery_n discover_v in_o the_o gospel_n which_o be_v the_o only_a sanctify_a wisdom_n and_o power_n of_o god_n unto_o salvation_n what_o can_v you_o produce_v but_o corruption_n by_o press_v with_o motive_n to_o holiness_n one_o that_o have_v no_o soundness_n in_o he_o from_o the_o sole_a of_o the_o foot_n even_o to_o the_o head_n only_a wound_n and_o bruise_n and_o putrify_a sore_n he_o that_o be_v make_v true_o sensible_a of_o his_o own_o vileness_n and_o deadness_n by_o nature_n will_v despair_v of_o ever_o bring_v himself_o to_o holiness_n by_o principle_n that_o afford_v he_o no_o life_n and_o strength_n but_o only_o lay_v a_o obligation_n upon_o he_o and_o urge_v and_o press_v he_o to_o duty_n what_o be_v mere_a obligation_n to_o one_o that_o be_v dead_a in_o sin_n while_o the_o soul_n be_v without_o spiritual_a life_n sin_n be_v the_o more_o move_v and_o enrage_v by_o press_v and_o urge_v upon_o the_o soul_n the_o obligation_n of_o the_o law_n and_o its_o command_n the_o motion_n of_o sin_n be_v by_o the_o law_n and_o sin_n take_v occasion_n by_o the_o commandment_n work_v in_o we_o all_o manner_n of_o concupiscence_n rom._n 7.5_o 7_o 8._o and_o yet_o these_o oblige_a principle_n be_v very_o good_a and_o excellent_a in_o this_o right_a gospel_n use_v of_o they_o as_o the_o apostle_n say_v of_o the_o law_n that_o it_o be_v good_a if_o it_o be_v use_v lawful_o 1_o tim._n 1.7_o the_o humble_a sinner_n know_v well_o his_o obligation_n but_o it_o be_v life_n and_o strength_n that_o he_o want_v and_o despair_v of_o walk_v according_a to_o such_o obligation_n until_o he_o get_v this_o life_n and_o strength_n by_o faith_n in_o christ_n therefore_o these_o oblige_a principle_n do_v move_v he_o to_o go_v in_o the_o first_o place_n to_o christ_n that_o so_o he_o may_v be_v enable_v to_o answer_v their_o end_n by_o the_o strengthen_n and_o enliven_a principle_n of_o god_n grace_n in_o christ_n some_o there_o be_v that_o make_v use_v of_o gospel-principle_n only_o to_o oblige_v and_o urge_v to_o duty_n without_o afford_v any_o life_n and_o strength_n for_o the_o performance_n as_o they_o that_o think_v that_o christ_n die_v and_o rise_v again_o to_o establish_v a_o new_a covenant_n of_o work_n for_o our_o salvation_n and_o to_o give_v we_o a_o pattern_n of_o good_a work_n by_o his_o own_o obedience_n rather_o than_o to_o purchase_v life_n obedience_n and_o good_a work_n for_o we_o such_o as_o these_o do_v not_o understand_v and_o receive_v the_o principle_n of_o the_o gospel_n right_o but_o they_o pervert_v and_o abuse_v they_o contrary_a to_o their_o true_a nature_n and_o design_n and_o thereby_o they_o render_v they_o as_o ineffectual_a for_o their_o sanctification_n as_o any_o other_o natural_a or_o legal_a principle_n 5._o stir_v up_o and_o strengthen_v yourself_o to_o perform_v the_o duty_n of_o holiness_n by_o a_o firm_a persuasion_n of_o your_o enjoyment_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o all_o spiritual_a and_o everlasting_a benefit_n through_o he_o set_a not_o yourselves_o upon_o the_o performance_n of_o the_o law_n with_o any_o prevail_a thought_n or_o apprehension_n that_o you_o be_v yet_o without_o a_o interest_n in_o christ_n and_o the_o love_n of_o god_n through_o he_o under_o the_o curse_n of_o the_o law_n the_o power_n of_o sin_n and_o satan_n have_v no_o better_a portion_n than_o this_o present_a world_n no_o better_a strength_n than_o that_o which_o be_v in_o the_o purpose_n and_o resolution_n of_o your_o own_o freewill_n while_o such_o thought_n as_o these_o prevail_v and_o influence_n your_o act_n its_o evident_a that_o you_o
of_o god_n by_o faith_n i._n e._n the_o redeem_n and_o propitiation-righteousness_n of_o christ_n whereby_o he_o desire_v only_o to_o be_v justify_v and_o which_o he_o believe_v in_o for_o that_o end_n oppose_v it_o to_o any_o thing_n inherent_a in_o himself_o which_o therefore_o he_o call_v his_o own_o righteousness_n phil._n 3.6_o 8_o 9_o rom._n 4.5_o 3._o do_v thou_o trust_v with_o any_o confidence_n in_o christ_n not_o continue_v in_o a_o mere_a suspense_n in_o a_o way_n of_o mere_a doubt_v we_o can_v receive_v no_o good_a thing_n from_o god_n james_n 1_o 6_o 7._o mere_a doubt_v will_v not_o loose_v the_o conscience_n from_o the_o guilt_n of_o sin_n heb._n 10.22_o but_o leave_v the_o soul_n under_o terror_n abraham_n confidence_n be_v the_o example_n and_o pattern_n of_o our_o justify_n say_v that_o we_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o come_v up_o unto_o believe_v with_o a_o fullness_n of_o persuasion_n in_o hope_n against_o hope_n rom._n 4.20_o 24._o though_o a_o believe_a soul_n may_v be_v assault_v with_o many_o doubt_n but_o it_o fight_v against_o they_o and_o do_v not_o give_v up_o itself_o to_o the_o dominion_n of_o they_o psal_n 42.11_o marâ—_n 9.24_o it_o have_v always_o some_o thing_n contrary_a to_o they_o and_o strive_v with_o they_o 4._o do_v thou_o come_v to_o christ_n for_o remission_n of_o sin_n for_o the_o right_a end_n namely_o that_o thou_o may_v be_v free_v from_o the_o dominion_n of_o sin_n before_o the_o live_a god_n heb._n 9.14_o psal_n 130._o tit._n 2.14_o 1_o pet._n 2.24_o otherwise_o thou_o do_v not_o receive_v it_o for_o the_o right_a end_n and_o desire_v not_o real_o the_o favour_n and_o enjoyment_n of_o god_n and_o to_o be_v in_o friendship_n with_o he_o 5._o do_v thou_o walk_v in_o holiness_n and_o strive_v to_o evidence_n this_o justification_n by_o the_o fruit_n of_o faith_n in_o good_a work_n otherwise_o thy_o faith_n be_v but_o a_o dead_a faith_n for_o a_o true_a faith_n purify_v the_o heart_n act._n 15.9_o if_o christ_n be_v thou_o he_o will_v be_v sanctification_n as_o well_o as_o righteousness_n 1_o cor._n 1.30_o rom._n 8.1.9_o joh._n 13.8_o if_o god_n have_v take_v thou_o into_o his_o favour_n he_o will_v doubtless_o cleanse_v thou_o though_o faith_n alone_o justify_v without_o the_o concurrence_n of_o work_n to_o the_o act_n of_o justification_n yet_o that_o faith_n be_v not_o so_o alone_o as_o not_o to_o be_v accompany_v with_o good_a work_n as_o the_o eye_n alone_o see_v yet_o it_o be_v not_o alone_o without_o other_o member_n so_o the_o apostle_n james_n declare_v faith_n that_o be_v alone_o to_o be_v dead_a and_o bid_v we_o show_v our_o faith_n by_o our_o work_n which_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v not_o as_o if_o work_n be_v the_o condition_n of_o attain_v justification_n but_o sure_a evidence_n of_o justification_n attain_v by_o faith_n and_o very_o necessary_a jam._n 2.14_o 15._o the_o gospel_n be_v no_o covenant_n of_o work_n require_v another_o righteousness_n for_o justification_n by_o do_v for_o life_n work_v justify_v we_o from_o such_o accusation_n of_o man_n as_o will_v deny_v we_o to_o have_v justification_n by_o faith_n or_o that_o we_o have_v a_o true_a and_o lively_a faith_n or_o be_v good_a tree_n mat._n 12.33_o 37._o not_o as_o be_v our_o righteousness_n themselves_o or_o condition_n of_o our_o have_v christ_n righteousness_n or_o qualify_a we_o for_o it_o use_v iii_o it_o serve_v for_o exhortation_n to_o several_a duty_n 1._o to_o the_o wicked_a its_o dehortation_n unto_o they_o from_o continuance_n in_o sin_n under_o god_n wrath_n run_v headlong_o to_o damnation_n for_o here_o be_v a_o door_n of_o mercy_n open_v to_o they_o a_o righteousness_n prepare_v that_o they_o may_v be_v free_o accept_v of_o god_n some_o man_n be_v desperado_n over_o shoe_n over_o boot_n they_o be_v resolve_v to_o run_v the_o risk_a of_o it_o and_o please_v themselves_o they_o shall_v speed_v as_o well_o as_o other_o and_o some_o man_n will_v be_v justify_v but_o seek_v for_o it_o in_o some_o wrong_a way_n some_o will_v go_v to_o the_o pope_n to_o quiet_v their_o conscience_n by_o his_o deceit_n some_o to_o their_o own_o work_n and_o performance_n but_o you_o be_v exhort_v to_o look_v out_o for_o the_o true_a righteousness_n christ_n say_v in_o the_o gospel_n behold_v i_o behold_v i_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n be_v open_a mercy_n and_o righteousness_n be_v free_o offer_v isa_n 55.6_o 7._o jer._n 3.12_o repentance_n be_v preach_v with_o remission_n of_o sin_n luk._n 24.47_o act._n 2.38_o beware_v you_o do_v not_o neglect_v this_o acceptable_a time_n this_o day_n of_o salvation_n heb._n 2.1_o for_o 1._o if_o you_o do_v you_o remain_v under_o the_o wrath_n of_o god_n joh._n 3.36_o under_o the_o curse_n of_o the_o law_n which_o like_o a_o flood_n sweep_v away_o all_o that_o be_v find_v out_o of_o this_o ark_n the_o lord_n christ_n psal_n 11.5_o 6._o 2._o your_o condemnation_n will_v be_v aggravate_v by_o refuse_v so_o great_a salvation_n heb._n 2.3_o you_o will_v have_v no_o cloak_n for_o your_o sin_n when_o you_o refuse_v mercy_n joh._n 15.22_o you_o can_v say_v you_o be_v undo_v by_o your_o past_a sin_n beyond_o recovery_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o strive_v for_o behold_v remission_n of_o sin_n be_v proclaim_v unto_o you_o ezek._n 33.10_o 11._o and_o what_o a_o horrid_a sin_n be_v it_o to_o despise_v the_o blood_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n joh._n 3.11_o obj._n i._n if_o god_n justify_v the_o ungodly_a what_o need_v i_o forsake_v ungodliness_n at_o all_o rom._n 6.1_o a._n thou_o can_v not_o seek_v justification_n true_o except_o thou_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o live_v to_o god_n in_o friendship_n with_o he_o for_o justification_n be_v god_n way_n of_o take_v we_o into_o friendship_n with_o he_o rom._n 5.1_o 2._o and_o of_o reconcile_a we_o 2_o cor._n 5.19_o the_o use_n that_o thou_o be_v to_o make_v of_o it_o it_o be_v to_o seek_v god_n friendship_n by_o it_o and_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o he_o why_o do_v a_o man_n seek_v a_o pardon_n if_o he_o intend_v to_o go_v on_o in_o rebellion_n and_o stand_v out_o in_o desiance_n to_o his_o prince_n 1_o pet._n 2.24_o they_o seek_v pardon_n in_o a_o mock_a way_n that_o intend_v not_o to_o return_v to_o obedience_n gal._n 6.7_o 8._o obj._n ii_o my_o sin_n be_v so_o great_a that_o i_o have_v no_o encouragement_n to_o hope_v a._n christ_n righteousness_n be_v for_o all_o sort_n of_o sinner_n that_o believe_v whether_o jew_n or_o gentile_n and_o now_o great_a sinner_n be_v of_o both_o sort_n rom._n 1.2_o &_o 3._o and_o even_o for_o those_o that_o kill_v and_o murder_v the_o lord_n of_o glory_n act._n 2._o for_o the_o chief_a of_o sinner_n 1_o tim._n 1.15_o act._n 16._o where_o sin_n abound_v grace_n superabound_v rom._n 5.20_o your_o sin_n be_v but_o the_o sin_n of_o a_o creature_n but_o his_o righteousness_n be_v the_o righteousness_n of_o god_n joh._n 6.37_o rom._n 10.11_o 13._o exhort_v ii_o it_o exhort_v those_o that_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o turn_v to_o god_n to_o turn_v the_o right_a way_n by_o faith_n in_o christ_n for_o justification_n let_v they_o not_o seek_v by_o work_n as_o most_o in_o the_o world_n do_v and_o all_o be_v prone_a to_o do_v rom._n 9.31_o 32._o but_o this_o doctrine_n seem_v very_o foolish_a yea_o pernicious_a to_o a_o natural_a man_n become_v a_o fool_n that_o thou_o may_v be_v wise_a 1_o cor._n 3.18_o otherwise_o you_o will_v labour_v in_o the_o sire_n and_o weary_a yourselves_o for_o very_a vanity_n and_o be_v under_o continual_a discomfort_n and_o discouragement_n for_o you_o can_v do_v no_o good_a work_n while_o you_o be_v in_o the_o flesh_n under_o the_o law_n and_o its_o curse_n before_o god_n have_v receive_v you_o into_o favour_n for_o justification_n be_v in_o order_n of_o nature_n before_o true_a holiness_n of_o heart_n and_o life_n 1_o tim._n 1.5_o heb._n 9.14_o faith_n be_v the_o great_a work_n and_o mother_n duty_n joh._n 6.29_o gal._n 5.6_o isa_n 55.2_o therefore_o while_o you_o believe_v not_o you_o dishonour_v christ_n and_o his_o death_n gal._n 2.21_o ch_n 5.2_o 3_o 4._o therefore_o come_v bold_o though_o a_o great_a sinner_n act._n 10.43_o and_o seek_v righteousness_n in_o christ_n with_o holiness_n rom._n 8.1_o q._n but_o how_o shall_v i_o get_v faith_n a._n faith_n be_v the_o gift_n of_o god_n eph._n 2.8_o and_o by_o the_o gospel_n rom._n 1.15_o &_o 10_o 17._o faith_n come_v by_o hear_v the_o gospel_n preach_v and_o that_o come_v in_o work_v of_o faith_n not_o in_o word_n only_o but_o in_o power_n 1_o thes_n 1.5_o beyond_o what_o can_v be_v do_v by_o natural_a or_o humane_a attainment_n joh._n 6.63_o therefore_o if_o thou_o have_v no_o beginning_n in_o thou_o of_o it_o thy_o only_a way_n be_v to_o attend_v to_o the_o gospel_n and_o to_o meditate_v