changed into his Image 2 Cor. 3.18 Beholding the glory of the Lord therein I have begotten you saith Paul through the Gospel 1 Cor. 4.15 This is God's work-house where he shapes and forms this New Creature of how many an Ordinance may it be said this and that man was born there Psal 87.5 Oh therefore be constantly waiting at the Posts of VVisdom hear the most warm lively Preachers prepare for hearing set your selves as in the presence of God Say thus with thy self I am going to hear the VVord of the Living God which is the ministration of the Spirit 2 Cor. 3.8 apt and able to give life to dead Souls 1 Thes 2.15 It is not so much the word of Men but of God Oh that it may work effectually in my Soul It is not Man but God that is now treating with me God himself is now beseeching me the Minister praying me in Christ's stead to be reconciled to God 2 Cor. 5.20 I perceive it sticks at me God hath declared he is Friends with me if my naughty Heart were at last prevail'd with to be reconciled to him O that this may be the Day this the Sermon wherein and whereby thou wilt mould and melt my Soul for thy self now Lord let thy words be as Spirit and Life to my Soul Oh for renewing Grace 5. Own Convictions by the VVord strike while the Iron is hot let not Impressions dye or wear off this lost both Felix and Agrippa their Souls Acts 24.25 26 27. stifled Convictions leave the Heart harder heated water cooled again is sooner frozen who knows how long the Spirit may strive when God is working work then put not off warnings when God convinceth thee of the evil of a Sin presently discard it when of a Duty fall close to the practice of it when a wound is made take heed left the Wind get in and it begin to fester and at last grow incurable Our Lord is standing at thy Door and knocking Rev. 3.20 He will not always wait thy leisure the Spirit will not always strive with thee Gen. 6.3 You must sail when the VVind blows There are candida tempora proper Seasons for every thing It s a dangerous thing for a Man not to know his time Eccles 9.12 If you miss the nick of opportunity it may never return the Market lasts not all the Year If the Tide have brought you thus far go with it it may never return to fetch you off Now is the accepted Time now is the Day of Salvation 2 Cor. 6.2 Not to morrow O quench not the Spirit 1 Thes 5.19 that would set you on a Fire for God Think you thus I have sitten out many a day of Grace lost many a golden Season 't is infinite mercy God is still calling if I lose this I may never have more yea I may be in Hell before another Sermon yea before Morning O that I could know the Day of my Visitation Luk. 19.4 O that now at last my Soul were effectually changed 6. Get thy Heart affected with thy Sin and Misery by nature and practice look on thy self as dead in Trespasses and Sins and so uncapable of quickening thy self Alas my Praying Reading hearing Reforming will never do the cure or effect the End I am sunk far below the possibility of humane or angelical help Means must be used but Means must not be rested in they cannot effect the End nay alas I am without strength Rom. 5.6 and can do nothing In me that is in my flesh dwells no good thing Rom. 7.18 I am a miserable Leper full of wounds bruises putrified sores Isa 1.5 Wo is me I am defiled in Adam and actually polluted I am a Sink a Sty a Dunghill of Sin a lump of Sin averse to all good propense to all Evil I am in the gall of bitterness and bonds of Iniquity Act. 8.23 Satan is leading me Hell-wards I must be chang'd or damn'd for ought I know I stand tottering over the brink of Eternal Misery I hang by the small Thread of my natural Life over everlasting Burnings my case is worse then the Beasts that are not capable of moral Evil or pain Acts 3.18 I am already condemned and waiting for the execution of the righteous Sentence in a certain fearful looking for of Judgment and fiery Indignation Heb. 10.27 Another Step may set me past hope for any thing that I know This night Luk. 12.20 may Devils require my Soul and hurry it into the Infernal Lake O what will become of me whither am I going Lord awake my sleepy Conscience to see my danger that I may haste out of the Sodom of Fire and Brimstone to the Mountain God forbid I should stay another day in my unregenerate State 7. Learn to know and improve Jesus Christ The Life of Holiness as well as Righteousness is in him I am crucified with Christ nevertheless I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me Gal. 2.20 There 's no Spiritual Life but what is derived from Christ who saith Because I live you shall live also John 14.19 Sinners are dead the nearer they come to Christ the more hope of Life as the nearer to the Sun the more light we only come to have the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 4.6 Nothing doth so transform a Sinner as looking on God through Christ the VVoman had vertue from him that did but touch the Hem of Christ's Garment none are Branches of this Vine but they have Life and Fruitfulness John 5.5 All that are grafted in this Olive partake of the root and fatness of that Olive-tree Rom. 11.17 Labour after Faith and Love Faith unites the Soul to Christ for he dwells in our hearts by faith Eph. 3.17 Love doth assimilate the Soul to God and the more we are like to God the more of his Image we have Faith is the radical ligament of a Soul to Christ Love is a voluntary mover of the Soul to Christ Faith is the receiver Love the worker Faith worketh by love Gal. 5.6 and both are absolutely necessary to the New Creature Christ is the Image of God and the New Creature is the Image of Christ and so of God Love sees all good in God-enjoyment as its End and in conformity to him as its means to attain that End Faith unites the Soul to God mystically Love morally there can be no New Creature without both these therefore to believe in God and to love God are both the only means to be like God and therein consists the New Creature â—erefore study these or you 'l never be New Creatures 8. Get divorced from Sin and Sinners you may and must amend your ways Jer. 1.3 if you cannot mend your Hearts Cease to do evil learn to do well Isal 1.16 Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts and return to the Lord Isal 55.7 Be no more slaves to your Lusts which are as
Nature of this New Creature take this Description of it The New Creature is a supernaturl Work of Gospel-Grace wrought in the Soul of a Sinner by the Word and Spirit of God changing the whole Man from an old state and course into a new thereby transforming it into the Divine Likeness and turning the Heart and Life to the rule of the Word in order to the glory of God and the Souls present and everlasting communion with him This is the New Creature I confess this Description is long but I cannot leave out any of the parts thereof I shall very briefly open the Branches of this description 1. For the general Nature of it I call it a Supernatural Work for it is above the power of nature to produce it it comes from above so he that 's born again John 3.3 Is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from above This perfect Gift comes down from the Father of Lights James 1.17 That Jerusalem that 's above is the Mother of us all Gal. 4.26 This New Creature is no Herb that grows in Nature's Garden it s a Plant of Paradise Flesh and Blood cannot so much as reveal this to the sons of men Matth. 16.17 Therefore it s no wonder if learned Doctors such as Nicodemus laugh at such Doctrine as Fantastical Fancies and say How can these things be John 3.4 Or like Ezekiel's hearers who saith Ah Lord God they say of me Doth he not speak Parables Ezek. 20.49 For such wisdom is too high for a Fool. Psal 56.9 In God's light only must we see light Experience is the best Mistriss in these Cases We speak wisdom saith the Apostle among them that are perfect But the natural man receives not the things of the spirit of God 1 Cor. 2 6 14. This New Crerture is of a Coelestial Original and must have an heavenly Interpreter 2. In this Description we have the particular Nature of this New Creature I call it a Gospel-Grace it is no branch or fruit of the Old Covenant of Works for the Law maketh nothing perfect There was no Law which could give Life Gal. 3.2 21 28. But the New-Testament Dispensation called the Promise this only produceth the New Creation Objection You 'l say Had not Old-Testament Saints this New Creature Doth not David say Create in me a clean heart Psal 51.10 I Answer Old-Testament-Saints had a New-Testament-Spirit for they without us could not be made perfect Heb. 11.40 The same Gospel belonged to them and us and was preached to both Heb. 4.2 Abraham saw Christ's Day they all partaked of Gospel Grace John 8.56 both in Justification and Sanctification they were but different Editions of the same Gospel-Covenant they were as Children in Minority under Tutors and Governours Gal. 4.1 2 25. Gospel-Saints as Children at Age their state was under the Bond woman in Mount Sinai Ours is of Jerusalem which is free However that Gospel-Promise made known in the Old Testament belongs both to them and us Ezek. 36.26 A new Heart also will I give you and a new Spirit will I put within you This is the proper Gospel-Work in both Dispensations and sincere Believers of Old had experience of it tho' the Veil was upon the Face of Moses 2 Cor. 3.14 15. and the Hearts of Carnal Jews as it is on all Unbelievers to this day but Gospel-Grace renews Souls 3. Here 's the subject in which this New Creature is and that is in the Soul or Heart of a sinner There 's the Seat and Centre of this New Creation it s not meerly external in the Eye or Foot or Hand or Tongue but it s an internal work in the Soul the Christian is renewed in the Spirit of his Mind Ephes 4.23 Behold saith David thou desirest Truth in the inward parts in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know Wisdom Psal 51.6 It s called the hidden man of the heart 1 Pet. 3.4 Not but that it breaks out in Lip and Life but the Root and Spring lies under Ground out of the view of the world as the best Treasures are lock'd up the best Goods are under Deck or as Merchants Wares lie in a back Shop not exposed to the open view of the World A Christians Life is hid with Christ in God Col. 3.3 Hence they are called God's hidden Ones Psal 83.3 And the King's Daughter is all glorious within Psal 45.13 These gracious Souls are like Kings in disguise and it doth not yet appear what they shall be 1 John 3.2 But when the Shell is broken the Pearl will appear all external Changes in men are but the change of the Clothes this the change of the Man and his Manners For he is not a Jew that is one outwardly but inwardly Right Circumcision is that of the Heart in the Spirit not in the Letter whose praise is not of men but of God Rom. 2.20 30. It is wrought by God and known to God who alone searcheth and sees the Heart 4. The Instrumental or Organical Cause of this New Man which is the Word of God Rom. 1.16 This is the power of God to Salvation James 1.18 Of his own Will begat he us by the Word of Truth 1 Pet. 1.23 Being born again not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible by the Word of God which liveth for ever The Word is the Seed which being ingrafted in the Heart springeth up in obedience which is the Flower and visible product of the New Creature yea 't is properly the Gospel-Word Moses or the Law may bring us to the Borders but Joshua leads us into Canaan the terrors of the Law prepare the way as John Baptist but the Word of the Gospel is the door of Faith that takes Souls by the hand and leads them into the Chamber of Presence this is God's method to work this New Man by a powerful Gospel-Sermon so saith blessed Paul 1 Cor. 4.15 I have begotten you in Jesus Christ through the gospel there 's the Instrument Paul I have begotten you the means by the gospel the author in Jesus Christ faith comes by hearing Rom. 10.14 Prov. 8.34 Therefore let all lie at the Gates of Wisdom Expect not this New Creation if you turn your backs on God's Institutions 5. The Efficient Cause is the Holy Ghost The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us Rom. 5.5 Oh what a gracious Tincture doth the Spirit leave upon Hearts what a sweet Breath doth it breath into them which breaths out Love to God and Men How is this New Creature diffused into all the Faculties of the Soul by the Spirit This is both a Seal and an Earnest who hath also sealed us Eph. 6.13 14. and given us the earnest of the Spirit in our Hearts 2 Cor. 1.22 All good is conveyed to us by the Holy Spirit from the Father and the Son especially this Saving Good of Conversion we are born again of Water and of the Spirit John 3.3 8.
so as to fall down and confess that God is there of a truth 1 Cor. 14.25 This is that which makes such a difference of Hearers in the same Auditory Some hear what the Spirit saith Rev. 2. Others profit not from Day to Day because the Word is not mixed with Faith Heb. 4.2 The Chymist can do nothing without Fire the Sinner will neither do nor receive Good by any thing without the Spirit and this blessed New Creation 6. Without the New Creature you will not be secured from the worst of Sins for as you want a Principle of Obedience so you have no reason to expect assistance from Heaven its only God's fear in your hearts that keeps you from departing from him Jer. 32.40 Indeed the Text saith 1 John 3.9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin for his Seed remaineth in him But alas you want this Seed there is in you the Fomes Spawn Spring Root of all Abominations there want nothing but a Tap to give it vent Satan will be ready enough to fill your hearts to lye to the Holy Ghost Acts 5.3 To betray Jesus to run into all Excess of Riot if Satan find his House empty of Saving Grace though it be swept Matth. 12.43 44 45. from some gross Sins by Morality garnished with Gifts and common Graces he will take to himself seven other Spirits more wicked and take faster possession as those that escaped some gross Pollutions yet are again intangled their latter end is worse then their beginning 2 Pet. 2.20 21 22. These may and likely will wallow in worse mire then ever before Besides God may in Justice give you up to your own hearts Lusts Psal 81. or to strong delusions to believe a Lye 2 Thes 2.10 11. If God leave you who knows whither you may be hurried you will fall downwards into Sin and grow worse and worse till you be diabolized as demure as you seem to be you may commence Persecutors and Blasphemers Atheists and to that height of Impiety that now you shrug and tremble at yea you may commit that unpardonable Sin against the Holy Ghost You say now God forbid is thy Servant a Dog so said Hazael but how canst thou be secured thou hast no hold of God by Faith and God hath no hold of thee in a Covenant-relation for thou wantest the Graces of the Covenant look to they self for God will not look to thee till thou be his and thou canst not look so to thy self but thou mayst prove a prophane Esau a scoffing Ishmael a betraying Judas who knows where thou wilt stop whither thou wilt run 7. If you be not New Creatures you will meet with a woful disappointment Oh remember the case of the Foolish Virgins that too late found they had no Oyl in their Lamps or Grace in their Hearts when the Door was shut and they shut out and cryed Lord open to us Mat. 25 8-12 Oh what an astonishing Word was that I know you not It will not be loud Cries or Heart-renting Lamentations that will pierce the Ears of a Righteous God Oh think how dreadful it will be to go off the Stage with a lye in your right hand Isa 44 20.-50.11 To walk all your days by Sparks of your own kindling and lie down in Sorrow It would vex any Man to be cheated with Pebbles for Pearls Flint for Diamond Men say when they are cheated they would rather have given three times as much then to be thus abused but thus it is with you the Devil imposeth on you and lest you should see your Mistake the Devil holds his black hand before your Eyes the God of this World blindeth you and carries you to Hell in a Golden Dream in a Fools Paradise It s a dreadful case if your Eyes be never opened till the Flames of Hell flash in your scorched Faces If there be no discovery till there be no remedy as some Diseases are past Cure when they are known A graceless Life brings despair of Death O consider poor Sinner what Relief wilt thou have in thy dying-groans When this King of Terrors Job 18.14 this grim Serjeant lays his cold Hand of Arrest upon thee Oh what horror will seize upon thee when thy fine spun Hope must be as the Spiders Web Job 8 14-11.20 swept away with God's Besom or give up the Ghost when thou breathest thy last what a dreadful case will thy Soul be in Alas what hast thou gained though thou shouldst gain the World when God taketh away thy Soul Mat. 16.26 John 27.8 9. Thou hadst better dye a Dog a Toad a Serpent or vilest Creature than a Man if thou be not a New Creature for the upshot of their Misery is but an in-let to thine it s a sad case for a poor Sinner to leave the World and knows not whither he is going he must not stay and he dares not dye if his Eyes be opened and he sees Hell flames flashing in his Eyes oh with what a shriek must his poor confounded Soul descend into that Infernal Lake of Fire and Brimstone this will be a Day of desperate Sorrow Isa 8.22 When Men shall look to the earth and behold trouble and darkness dimness of anguish and they shall be driven to darkness Who can conceive duly of the astonishing Horrors of a desparing Soul 8. Who can tell how quickly this Anguish may seize upon you You now live at ease and fear not because you feel no danger like Laish of Old and Rome at this day but when you say Peace and Safety then sudden destruction cometh upon you as travail upon a woman with-child and you shall not escape It s a dreadful Evil to be surprized 1 Thes 5.3 The poor graceless Sinner is not sure to be another Night out of Hell such a Voice may come to thee as to that senseless secure Wretch that reckoned upon Years This night shall thy Soul be required of thee Luk. 12 19 20. Poor Sinner thou art in continual danger God is angry with thee every day Psal 7.11 12. and stands with his Sword whet and Bow bent and his Arrows stringed and directed to thy Heart yea it will come as a Showre suddenly violently inevitably upon the wicked He shall rain Fire and Brimstone yea Snares and an horrible Tempest Psal 11.6 God thine Enemy stands over thee as an Enemy with a Sword of Vengeance in his Hand ready to cut thee in pieces and though thou sleepest yet thy judgment of a long time sleeps not nor thy damnation slumber 2 Pet. 2.3 Oh who would continue one Hour in such a case when thy Life hangs in doubt nay thy immortal Soul is hanging over Hell by the small twittered Thread of thy natural Life Surely if thou wert condemned and to be executed to morrow thou wouldst be much concerned to prevent or prepare for Death Oh Sinner bethink thy self the Jâ—dge standeth before the Door James 5.9 Heaven or Hell may attend the next
Step thou takest the next Breath thou breathest for any thing thou knowest the Word of Coumission may be gone out Cut it down why cumbereth it the Ground Luk. 13.7 9. At least it may be the last Year Week Day or Hour of Indulgence mad Man that thou art to stand in the place where all God's Arrows fly thou art the Center where all the â—urses of Law and Gospel meet The Roman Emperor wondered that Knight slept so securely that was in abundance of Debt and sent for his Pillow Surely thy Pillow is very soft or thy Heart very hard that can sleep in such Debts to Justice and not fear an Arrest to carry thee to the Prison of Hell the Plague is running on thee and a Lord have mercy on thee is upon thy Door and will not this alarum thee to look about thee 9. The possibility of obtaining this New Creature will aggravate thy Misery hadst thou been in Turkey or India and never heard of the first Creation or the Fall or means of recovery or a possibility of being made New by the Second Adam thy case had been excusable at least more tolerable so saith our Saviour If I had not come and spoken unto them they had not had Sin but now they have no cloak for their Sin John 15.22 The old Sinner must go into Old Tophet Isa 30.33 And the damned Caitiff will have nothing to ease his Torments not a drop of Honey in his bitter Gall there was to be no Oyl nor Frankincense in the Offering of Jealousie Numb 5.15 Why so because it was a Memorial bringing Iniquity to remembrance Just so this dreadful Memorial in Hell will bring the Sinners slighting of Grace hardening his Heart against the Reproofs of the Word Motions of the Spirit Checks of Conscience Counsels of Ministers and all these will be as Scorpions to sting thee as Oyl to the Flame to burn hotter Oh woe is me Ministers warned me told me of my danger I heeded them not I did not believe that things would ever come to this pass Oh that I had regarded the things that belong to my Peace but now it s too late my Day is over my Sun is set the Door is shut the Gulf is fixed and my Soul shut up in everlasting Darkness these will be your despairing Groans another Day Oh take warning while it is called to day for there will be nothing to mitigate but much to aggravate your Miseries and thus those two Scriptures are reconciled Rev. 14.10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his Indignation i. e. without the least Ingredient of Comfort no Sugar in that bitter Cup of Wormwood but Psal 75.8 In the Hand of the Lord there is a Cup and the Wine is red it is full of mixture i. e. of dreadful Ingredients to aggravate the Sorrows of damned Miscreants yea these wicked Souls shall drink the Dregs thereof and wring them out i.e. their Hearts shall meditate Terror and their Consciences shall squeeze out the astonishing Circumstances of their by-past Lives and that Worm shall never dye but be gnawing at their Heart-strings for evermore 10. Lastly You must undoubtedly be shut out of Heaven if you live and dye without this New Creature I told you that this New Creature fits for Heaven in the Reasons of the Point I will now tell you some Reasons why its impossible any Soul that wants it should go to Heaven nay it s as possible for a Devil to be saved as a poor unregenerate Sinner For 1. A Soul without this New Creature hath no Interest in Christ For if any man be in Christ he is a New Creature 2 Cor. 5.17 This is clear and 't is as clear that there is no Salvation in any other then in Christ Acts 4.12 You must mount to Heaven alone if you think to ascend any other way then upon the Ladder of Jacob as Constantin told Acesius long ago it s a vain attempt and its a meer Phrensie to divide assunder what God hath joyned so inviolably together Holiness and Happiness a new Nature and a new State if you rend them God will rend you 2. It s impossible you should walk in the way to Heaven without being New Creatures for the End can never be attained without the Use of the means Reason tells us that he that would arrive at London must go by Land or Water in Ships or on Horseback Coach or on Foot or by some means or other or he can never come thither So it is here God hath prescribed Means and Methods for attaining Eternal Happiness and bids us enter in at the strait gate Matth. 7.13 14. Yea strive to enter in at the strait Gate And adds That many shall seek to enter in and shall not be able Luk. 13.24 How shall they then enter that neither strive nor seek nor make any Essay to enter And how can they seek or strive that have to strength nay that have no life as a graceless Soul is who is is dead in Trespasses and Sins and till the Grace of God infuse new Life into him with this New Creature he can neither stir Hand nor Foot in a Spiritual Sense Heaven-ward and is not likely to come thither 3. Nay he that wants the New Creature hath no Heart Mind or Will to be saved and God saves no Man against his Will but his Grace makes them truly willing and this change of the Will is a considerable part of the New Creature and 't is a Sovereign Act of free Grace thy people shall be willing in the day of thy Power Psal 110.3 None follow the Captain of our Salvation to Heaven but Volunteers and there 's great need of a vigorous Will for Heaven must be taken by Storm The Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence and the violent take it by force Matth. 11.12 No man will be obedient except he be willing there must be the Imprimis of a willing Mind before there be an active Hand 2 Cor. 8.12 a worshipping Knee or a walking Foot they whose Spirits do not make them willing will not remove from Sin or move one step Heaven-wards and hence it is that our blessed Saviour chargeth mens disowning him upon their Wills You will not come to me that you may have life John 5.40 And why will ye dye O house of Israel Ezek. 18.3 This is the true reason of Sinners undoing they will not chuse Salvation and so consequentially and interpretatively they damn and destroy themselves Hoâ— 13 9 If a man will not eat he will not live if a man drink Poâ—son he will dye and he that will not use means of Salvation cannot be saved how shall we escape if we neglect much more wilfully reject so great Salvation Heb 2.3 And how should it be otherwise if Men be not converted and become New Creatures 4. What should the old Creature do in Heaven Heaven would be
low but aim high conclude you have not attained to Perfection Phil. 3.13 15. Rom. 12. but still be designing it be not high-minded yet mind highest things aspire to be better then others yet esteem others better than you Phil. 2.3 4. 9. Do all you must not all you may Eph. 5.15.1 Cor. 10.23 walk to the height of a Command not to the utmost of lawful liberty go not near the Pit's brink stand fast in your Christian liberty Gal. 5.1 13. but do not always use it 10. Be best when others are worst be as Noah in the Old World Gen. 6.9 19. Lot in Sodom Timothy in Ephesus Joshua among the Israelites be hottest in coldest Weather brightest in the darkest Night Savour of Heaven in Hell Neh. 5 20-5.15 Phil. 2.15 11. Be Rational when most Spiritual do nothing at hap-hazard or with a blind Zeal let all Services be reasonable Rom. 12.1 Ezek. 18. God's Will is our Rule and his ways are equal the highest Reason in Man is to comply with God's pleasure 12. Naturalize Religion and Spiritualize the World let Godliness be as second nature 2 Pet. 1.4 Phil. 2.20 Let common Objects Occurrences be well improved to good Ends and Purposes Mercies Afflictions Spiritual Chymists turn all to Gold Rom. 8.28 13. Be dead living and lively in thoughts of Death Col. 3.3 Gal. 6.14 A Child of God is a Paradox dead to the World crucified yet the most active and vigorous Person in the World you must have the best Death and best Life then fear not Death 14. Suit Grace to every case in confessing Sin mourn in begging Mercy working Desires in Thanksgiving Joyfulness yet rejoyce with trembling 1 Cor. 15.30 55. Heb. 2.14 Psal 38.18 Matth. 5.4 Psal 2.11 Phil. 1.2 Psal 26.12 in Prosperity have Humility in Adversity Contentment your Foot must still stand in an even place 15. Let your life be a Comment on your Faith let your believing and living be harmonious let Doctrine of Faith Grace of Faith Life of Faith sweetly correspond Doctrine according to Godliness Godliness according to Truth James 2.18 1 Tim. 1.5 Tit. 1.1 Rom. 2.18 23 24. Jer. 32.19 Let not Head and Hands be contradictory 16. Eye God that eyes you in all you do think the King of Heaven sees thee the Omnipresent God is in the room with thee the Omniscient God knows thy Heart approve thy Heart to God let thine Eyes be ever on him towards him Psal 35.15.26 3. 17. Eccho to divine Calls when God hath a Mouth to speak have an Ear Tongue say Here I am Word or Rod a call to Duty from Sin what 's the meaning of this Oh that I could attain God's end and not resist or quench the holy Spirit 1 Sam. 3. Psal 27.8 Mich. 6.9 1 Thes 5.19 18. Observe and make up daily decays keep up your Watch that you sin not Matth. 26.41.1 John 2.2 But if you sin lie not in it but rise mourn act Faith on Christ your great Advocate let not an ill matter go on quickly recover your first Love Rev. 2.4 5. 19. Give no Offence carelesly and take no Offence causlesly let there be no occasion of stumbling in you 1 John 2.10 Matth. 7.1 Judge not uncharitably take all that 's said and done by the right handle make no sinister Constructions 1 Cor. 10.32 20. When you have done all Luke 17.10 Phil. 3.7 8. Say all this is as nothing at all to appease God's Wrath or satisfie Justice in an absolute Sense and to do what 's required in a comparative sense without Christ I can do nothing John 15.5 Thus I have briefly touch'd the Rules of this New Creature which I leave to the Reader 's further Consideration and Practice Chap. XIV An ANSWER to some Cases of Conscience 4. THe last Head which I propounded in this Use of Instruction is Answering some Cases of Conscience that Godly Souls are apt to make in this case wherein I must be very brief 1st Case Whether is it possible that a Man can be a New Creature and not know it since it is so remarkable a change Answ I have hinted at this before but observe it you must distinguish betwixt a reflexive sense of a change in Heart and Life and a due apprehension of this change morally considered as Saving many a Soul can truly say something hath been done but I know not whether the thing which may be entituled A New Creature I am much in the dark about it I cannot but say I have had Convictions and something like Conversion though not Consolation I am kept still in innitency upon a Promise though I cannot say I have assurance of my Interest in the Covenant Precious Mr. Paul Bains could say Sustentation I have but Suavities Spiritual I do not experience So you may have the Root though not the Flower VVater of Sanctification though not the Oyl of Gladness wait on God and in due time you may have this cleared up to you If you follow on to know the Lord his going forth is prepared as the Morning Hos 6.3 Grace and Peace shall not be long parted Light is sown for the Righteous and Joy for the upright in Heart Psal 97.11 It 's not lost but laid up and hid in the Furrows of the Believer's Bosom 2d Case Whether is it possible that he that 's a New Creature should have a self-accusing self-condemning Conscience Answ You must distinguish of Consciences condemning a man's self 1. Passively when our Hearts censure us and we stifle them such a one indeed is self-condemned 2. If we be Active in condemning our selves it 's a good Sign and a great Duty as we shewed before but the meaning of this Query refers to the State of the Man whether the Conscience of a New Creature may censure the real Christian and tell him he is an Hypocrite To which I Answer If Conscience act according to the Rule of the VVord it must be regarded as God's Officer speaking by his authority but if it speak not in God's Name and by his order we may appeal to the Higher Court of the Holy Scriptures and it 's certain that Conscience may be corrupted and it is often used by Satan to deceive good Men as well as bad and they shall at last have their action against Satan for false Imprisonment and disturbing their Peace Your best course therefore is to have recourse to the VVord for Conscience is but an under Officer and must be accountable for its Verdict Remember it 's one thing to have Hypocrisie in thy Heart another thing to be an Hypocrite the best will find much Guilt within them which Conscience rebukes them for and they bewail it but they are not therefore Hypocrites 3d. Case Whether may God carry it strangely as if he were an Enemy to a New Creature that should seem to be his darling Answ Thou art a Stranger to Scripture and the Experiences of all God's Children if thou think God must always be dandling this