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to_o you_o to_o think_v that_o you_o have_v yet_o any_o hope_n and_o be_v not_o quite_o past_a all_o remedy_n it_o may_v be_v your_o sorrow_n may_v so_o cloud_v it_o that_o you_o take_v no_o notice_n of_o it_o but_o i_o know_v you_o can_v have_v the_o least_o hope_n without_o some_o answerable_a comfort_n and_o may_v not_o that_o comfort_n â—e_v true_o the_o joy_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n 5._o and_o for_o communion_n with_o god_n let_v i_o ask_v you_o have_v you_o no_o recourse_n to_o he_o by_o prayer_n in_o your_o strait_n do_v you_o not_o wait_v at_o his_o mouth_n for_o the_o law_n and_o direction_n of_o your_o life_n have_v you_o receive_v no_o holy_a desire_n or_o other_o grace_n from_o he_o nay_o be_v you_o sure_a that_o you_o be_v not_o a_o member_n of_o christ_n who_o be_v one_o with_o he_o how_o can_v you_o then_o say_v that_o you_o have_v no_o communion_n with_o he_o can_v there_o be_v communication_n of_o prayer_n and_o obedience_n from_o you_o yea_o your_o own_o self_n 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your_o want_n and_o bid_v you_o ask_v that_o you_o may_v receive_v do_v you_o utter_o despair_v of_o help_n and_o to_o seek_v to_o none_o or_o do_v you_o make_v your_o address_n by_o prayer_n to_o any_o but_o god_n but_o perhaps_o you_o look_v at_o word_n and_o matter_n to_o dilate_v upon_o that_o you_o may_v be_v able_a to_o hold_v out_o in_o a_o long_a speech_n to_o god_n and_o you_o think_v that_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o prayer_n but_o where_o do_v you_o find_v that_o in_o god_n word_n i_o confess_v that_o in_o many_o and_o most_o the_o spirit_n which_o help_v to_o desire_n do_v also_o help_v to_o some_o kind_n of_o
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christ_n be_v not_o you_o because_o you_o have_v no_o true_a grace_n suppose_v it_o be_v true_a yet_o still_o know_v that_o christ_n may_v be_v you_o if_o you_o will_v and_o when_o you_o will_n this_o comfort_n you_o may_v have_v when_o you_o can_v find_v no_o evidence_n of_o true_a grace_n in_o yourself_o so_o much_o for_o that_o direction_n direction_n viii_o 8._o the_o next_o thing_n that_o you_o have_v to_o do_v for_o build_v up_o a_o stable_a comfort_n and_o settle_v your_o conscience_n in_o a_o solid_a peace_n be_v this_o be_v sure_a to_o get_v and_o keep_v a_o right_a understanding_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o save_v faith_n as_o you_o must_v have_v right_a thought_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n of_o which_o before_o the_o want_n whereof_o do_v puzzle_v and_o confound_v very_o many_o christian_n so_o you_o must_v be_v sure_a to_o have_v right_a thought_n of_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o covenant_n for_o indeed_o that_o grace_n which_o cause_v you_o to_o perform_v this_o 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this_o faith_n which_o that_o you_o may_v have_v let_v i_o tell_v you_o brief_o what_o it_o be_v man_n soul_n have_v two_o faculty_n understanding_n and_o will_n according_o the_o object_n of_o man_n soul_n all_o being_n which_o it_o be_v to_o receive_v have_v two_o modification_n truth_n and_o goodness_n as_o those_o to_o be_v avoid_v be_v evil._n according_o god_n be_v word_n or_o gospel_n have_v two_o part_n the_o revelation_n of_o truth_n and_o the_o offer_n and_o promise_v of_o some_o good_n this_o offer_v good_a be_v principal_o and_o immediate_o christ_n himself_o to_o be_v join_v to_o we_o by_o covenant_n as_o our_o head_n and_o husband_n the_o secondary_a consequential_a good_a be_v pardon_n justification_n reconciliation_n adoption_n further_a sanctification_n and_o glorification_n which_o be_v all_o offer_v with_o christ_n by_o this_o you_o may_v see_v what_o save_v faith_n be_v it_o be_v first_o a_o believe_v that_o the_o gospel_n be_v true_a and_o then_o a_o accept_n of_o christ_n therein_o offer_v to_o we_o with_o his_o benefit_n or_o a_o consent_n that_o he_o be_v we_o and_o we_o be_v his_o which_o be_v nothing_o but_o a_o true_a willingness_n to_o have_v a_o offer_v christ_n remember_v this_o well_o that_o you_o may_v make_v use_n of_o it_o when_o you_o be_v in_o doubt_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o your_o faith_n thousand_o of_o poor_a soul_n have_v be_v in_o the_o dark_a and_o unable_a to_o see_v themselves_o to_o be_v believer_n mere_o for_o want_v of_o know_v what_o save_a faith_n be_v and_o it_o be_v a_o truth_n that_o can_v be_v hide_v that_o divine_n who_o shall_v have_v teach_v they_o better_o have_v be_v the_o great_a cause_n of_o their_o error_n not_o well_o and_o clear_o understand_v this_o themselves_o it_o be_v a_o shameful_a confession_n but_o the_o world_n know_v it_o already_o the_o papist_n place_n almost_o all_o in_o the_o mere_a assent_n of_o the_o understanding_n our_o great_a reformer_n make_v it_o to_o be_v either_o a_o assurance_n 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proposition_n write_v in_o the_o scriture_n a_o foul_a error_n which_o i_o have_v confute_v in_o my_o book_n of_o rest_n part._n 3._o chap._n 7._o most_o of_o late_o have_v come_v near_o the_o truth_n and_o affirm_v justify_v faith_n to_o consist_v in_o affiance_n or_o recumbency_n or_o rest_a on_o christ_n for_o salvation_n no_o doubt_v this_o be_v one_o act_n of_o justify_v faith_n but_o not_o that_o which_o a_o poor_a trouble_a soul_n shall_v first_o search_v after_o and_o try_v itself_o by_o except_o by_o affiance_n any_o shall_v mean_v as_o amesius_n do_v election_n of_o christ_n and_o then_o it_o be_v the_o same_o act_n which_o i_o be_o assert_v but_o very_o unfit_o express_v for_o 1._o affiance_n be_v not_o the_o principal_a act_n nor_o that_o wherein_o the_o very_a life_n of_o justify_v faith_n do_v consist_v but_o only_o a_o imperate_a follow_a act_n and_o a_o effect_n of_o the_o vital_a act_n which_o be_v consent_n or_o will_v or_o accept_n christ_n offer_v for_o it_o lie_v main_o in_o that_o which_o we_o call_v the_o sensitive_a part_n or_o the_o passion_n of_o the_o soul_n 2._o it_o be_v therefore_o less_o constant_a and_o so_o unfit_a to_o try_v by_o for_o many_o a_o poor_a soul_n that_o know_v itself_o unfeigned_o willing_a to_o have_v christ_n yet_o feel_v not_o a_o rest_a on_o he_o or_o trust_v in_o he_o and_o therefore_o cry_v out_o o_o i_o can_v believe_v and_o think_v they_o have_v no_o faith_n for_o recumbency_n affiance_n or_o rest_a on_o christ_n imply_v that_o ease_n of_o themselves_o or_o cast_v off_o their_o fear_n or_o doubt_n or_o care_n which_o true_a believer_n do_v not_o always_o find_v many_o a_o poor_a soul_n complain_v o_o i_o can_v rest_v on_o christ_n i_o can_v trust_v he_o who_o yet_o will_v have_v he_o to_o be_v their_o lord_n and_o
child_n of_o god_n and_o thy_o sin_n be_v pardon_v this_o that_o i_o describe_v to_o you_o be_v the_o true_a witness_n of_o the_o spirit_n this_o mistake_n be_v so_o dangerous_a that_o i_o have_v think_v to_o have_v make_v it_o a_o peculiar_a direction_n by_o itself_o to_o warn_v you_o of_o it_o but_o now_o i_o have_v go_v so_o far_o i_o will_v dispatch_v it_o here_o two_o dangerous_a consequent_n i_o find_v do_v follow_v this_o unwarrantable_a expectation_n of_o the_o first_o immediate_a efficient_a revelation_n that_o we_o be_v adopt_a 1._o some_o poor_a soul_n have_v languish_v in_o doubt_n and_o trouble_n of_o mind_n almost_o all_o their_o day_n in_o expectation_n of_o such_o a_o kind_n of_o witness_n as_o the_o spirit_n use_v not_o to_o give_v when_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n they_o have_v other_o sufficient_a mean_n of_o comfort_n and_o know_v not_o how_o to_o improve_v they_o yea_o they_o have_v the_o true_a witness_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o his_o inhabitation_n and_o holy_a work_n and_o do_v not_o know_v it_o but_o run_v as_o samuel_n do_v to_o eli_n not_o know_v the_o voice_n of_o god_n and_o look_v for_o the_o spirit_n testimony_n when_o they_o have_v it_o as_o the_o jew_n for_o elias_n and_o the_o messiah_n 2._o other_o do_v more_o dangerous_o err_v by_o take_v the_o strong_a conceit_n of_o their_o own_o fantasy_n for_o the_o witness_n of_o the_o spirit_n as_o soon_o as_o they_o do_v but_o entertain_v the_o opinion_n that_o it_o must_v be_v such_o a_o witness_n of_o the_o spirit_n without_o the_o use_n of_o mark_n that_o must_v assure_v man_n of_o their_o adoption_n present_o they_o be_v confident_a that_o they_o have_v that_o witness_n themselves_o it_o be_v scarce_o likely_a to_o be_v god_n spirit_n that_o be_v so_o ready_a upon_o the_o mere_a change_n of_o a_o opinion_n the_o devil_n use_v to_o do_v as_o much_o to_o cherish_v presumption_n as_o to_o destroy_v true_a faith_n and_o assurance_n it_o be_v a_o shrewd_a sign_n that_o our_o persuasion_n of_o our_o truth_n of_o grace_n be_v a_o delusion_n when_o we_o find_v the_o devil_n a_o friend_n to_o it_o and_o help_v it_o on_o and_o it_o be_v a_o probable_a sign_n it_o be_v a_o good_a persuasion_n when_o we_o find_v the_o devil_n a_o enemy_n to_o it_o and_o still_o trouble_v we_o and_o endeavour_v our_o disquiet_n and_o here_o i_o remember_v the_o scruple_n that_o trouble_v some_o about_o the_o spirit_n of_o bondage_n and_o the_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n but_o you_o must_v understand_v that_o by_o the_o spirit_n of_o bondage_n be_v mean_v that_o spirit_n and_o those_o operation_n on_o the_o soul_n which_o the_o law_n of_o work_n do_v natural_o beget_v in_o those_o that_o be_v under_o it_o which_o be_v to_o be_v partly_o in_o bondage_n to_o a_o task_n of_o ceremonious_a duty_n and_o partly_o to_o the_o curse_n and_o obligation_n to_o punishment_n for_o disobedience_n without_o any_o power_n to_o justify_v they_o be_v say_v therefore_o to_o be_v in_o bondage_n to_o the_o law_n and_o the_o law_n be_v say_v to_o be_v a_o yoke_n which_o neither_o they_o nor_o their_o father_n be_v able_a to_o bear_v act_v 15._o and_o by_o the_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n be_v mean_v 1._o that_o spirit_n or_o those_o qualification_n and_o work_n in_o their_o soul_n which_o by_o the_o gospel_n god_n give_v only_o to_o his_o son_n 2._o and_o which_o raise_v in_o we_o some_o childlike_a affection_n to_o god_n incline_v we_o in_o all_o our_o want_n to_o run_v to_o he_o in_o prayer_n as_o to_o a_o father_n and_o to_o make_v our_o moan_n to_o he_o and_o open_v our_o grief_n and_o cry_v for_o redress_n and_o look_v to_o he_o and_o depend_v on_o he_o as_o a_o child_n on_o the_o father_n this_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n you_o may_v have_v and_o yet_o not_o be_v certain_a of_o god_n special_a love_n to_o you_o the_o knowledge_n only_o of_o his_o general_a goodness_n and_o mercy_n may_v be_v a_o mean_n to_o raise_v in_o you_o true_a childlike_a affection_n you_o may_v know_v god_n to_o have_v fatherly_a inclination_n to_o you_o and_o yet_o doubt_v whether_o he_o will_v use_v you_o as_o a_o child_n for_o want_v of_o assurance_n of_o your_o own_o sincerity_n and_o you_o may_v hope_n god_n be_v your_o father_n when_o yet_o you_o may_v apprehend_v he_o to_o be_v a_o displease_a angry_a father_n and_o so_o he_o may_v be_v more_o your_o terror_n then_o your_o comfort_n be_v not_o you_o ready_a in_o most_o of_o your_o fear_n and_o doubt_n and_o trouble_n to_o go_v to_o god_n before_o all_o other_o for_o relief_n and_o do_v not_o your_o heart_n sigh_v and_o groan_v to_o he_o when_o you_o can_v scarce_o speak_v do_v not_o your_o trouble_a spirit_n there_o find_v its_o first_o vent_n and_o say_v lord_n kill_v i_o not_o forsake_v i_o not_o my_o life_n be_v in_o thy_o hand_n o_o soften_v this_o hard_a heart_n make_v this_o carnal_a mind_n more_o spiritual_a o_o be_v not_o such_o a_o stranger_n to_o my_o soul_n woe_n to_o i_o that_o i_o be_o so_o ignorant_a of_o thou_o so_o disaffect_v to_o thou_o so_o backward_o and_o disincline_v to_o holy_a communion_n with_o thou_o woe_n to_o i_o that_o i_o can_v take_v no_o more_o pleasure_n in_o thou_o and_o be_o sâ—_n mindless_a and_o disregardfull_a of_o thou_o o_o that_o thou_o will_v stir_v up_o in_o i_o more_o lively_a desire_n and_o work_n of_o my_o soul_n towards_o thou_o and_o suffer_v i_o not_o to_o lie_v at_o such_o a_o distance_n from_o thou_o be_v not_o such_o as_o these_o the_o breathe_n of_o your_o spirit_n why_o these_o be_v childlike_a breathe_n after_o god_n this_o be_v cry_v abba_n father_n this_o be_v the_o work_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n even_o when_o you_o fear_v god_n will_v cast_v you_o off_o you_o much_o mistake_v and_o those_o that_o tell_v you_o so_o if_o you_o think_v that_o the_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n lie_v only_o in_o a_o persuasion_n that_o you_o be_v god_n child_n or_o that_o you_o may_v not_o have_v the_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n without_o such_o a_o persuasion_n of_o god_n adopt_v you_o for_o god_n may_v adopt_v you_o and_o give_v you_o that_o spirit_n which_o he_o give_v only_o to_o his_o child_n and_o possess_v you_o with_o true_a filial_a affection_n towards_o he_o before_o ever_o you_o know_v yourself_o to_o be_v adopt_a much_o more_o though_o you_o may_v have_v frequent_a return_v doubt_n of_o your_o adoption_n have_v thus_o show_v you_o how_o far_o you_o may_v expect_v the_o witness_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o how_o far_o you_o may_v and_o must_v make_v use_n of_o mark_n and_o qualification_n or_o action_n of_o your_o own_o for_o the_o obtain_n of_o assurance_n and_o settle_a peace_n i_o shall_v add_v a_o answer_n to_o the_o principal_a objection_n of_o the_o antinomian_o against_o this_o object_n they_o say_v this_o be_v to_o draw_v man_n from_o christ_n to_o themselves_o and_o from_o the_o gospel_n to_o the_o law_n to_o lay_v their_o comfort_n and_o build_v their_o peace_n upon_o any_o thing_n in_o themselves_o be_v to_o forsake_v christ_n and_o make_v themselves_o their_o own_o saviour_n and_o those_o teacher_n that_o persuade_v they_o to_o this_o be_v teacher_n of_o the_o law_n and_o false_a prophet_n who_o draw_v man_n from_o christ_n to_o themselves_o all_o our_o own_o righteousness_n be_v as_o a_o menstruous_a cloth_n and_o our_o best_a work_n be_v sin_n and_o therefore_o we_o may_v not_o take_v up_o our_o assurance_n or_o comfort_n from_o they_o we_o shall_v be_v always_o at_o uncertainty_n and_o at_o a_o loss_n or_o unconstant_a up_o and_o down_o in_o our_o comfort_n as_o long_o as_o we_o take_v they_o from_o any_o sign_n in_o ourselves_o also_o our_o own_o grace_n be_v imperfect_a and_o therefore_o unfit_a to_o be_v the_o evidence_n for_o our_o assurance_n answ_n because_o i_o be_o not_o now_o purposely_o confute_v the_o antinomian_o but_o only_o fore-arming_a you_o against_o their_o assault_n i_o shall_v noâ—_n therefore_o give_v you_o half_a that_o i_o shall_v otherwise_o say_v for_o the_o explication_n of_o this_o point_n and_o the_o confutation_n of_o their_o error_n but_o only_o so_o much_o as_o be_v necessary_a to_o your_o preservation_n which_o i_o do_v because_o they_o pretend_v to_o be_v thâ—_n only_a preacher_n of_o free_a grace_n and_o the_o only_a right_a comforter_n of_o trouble_a conscience_n &_o because_o they_o have_v write_v so_o many_o book_n to_o that_o end_n which_o if_o they_o fall_v into_o your_o hand_n may_v seem_v so_o specious_a as_o that_o you_o may_v neeâ—_n some_o preservative_n i_o suppose_v you_o remember_v what_o i_o have_v teach_v you_o so_o oft_o concern_v the_o difference_n of_o the_o law_n of_o work_n and_o the_o law_n or_o covenant_n of_o grace_n with_o their_o different_a condition_n upon_o which_o
certain_a to_o perform_v answ_n 1._o i_o suppose_v you_o have_v read_v the_o many_o scripture_n and_o argument_n which_o our_o divine_n ordinary_o use_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o true_a believer_n shall_v not_o fall_v quite_o away_o and_o i_o know_v not_o how_o the_o opposer_n can_v answer_v that_o text_n which_o themselves_o use_v to_o allege_v for_o the_o contrary_a mat._n 13.6_o 21._o those_o that_o believe_v for_o a_o time_n and_o in_o the_o time_n of_o persecution_n fall_v away_o it_o be_v because_o the_o seed_n have_v not_o depth_n of_o earth_n the_o word_n never_o take_v root_a in_o their_o heart_n whence_o it_o seem_v that_o it_o may_v be_v well_o infer_v that_o those_o shall_v not_o fall_v away_o in_o time_n of_o temptation_n in_o who_o the_o word_n of_o god_n have_v take_v deep_a root_n and_o that_o be_v in_o they_o in_o who_o heart_n or_o will_n christ_n have_v a_o strong_a interest_n than_o the_o creature_n or_o those_o that_o have_v a_o well-grounded_n unreserved_a habituate_v or_o settle_v resolution_n to_o be_v for_o christ_n 2._o however_o your_o present_a resolution_n and_o your_o covenant_v with_o christ_n be_v no_o more_o but_o this_o to_o say_v i_o do_v consent_n or_o this_o i_o be_o resolve_v to_o do_v by_o the_o help_n of_o god_n grace_n 3._o else_o no_o man_n shall_v be_v baptise_a or_o become_v a_o christian_n because_o he_o be_v uncertain_a to_o keep_v his_o covenant_n for_o all_o that_o be_v baptise_a do_v covenant_n and_o vow_n to_o forsake_v the_o world_n flesh_n and_o devil_n and_o fight_v under_o christ_n banner_n to_o their_o life_n end_v understand_v i_o therefore_o that_o you_o be_v not_o to_o promise_v to_o do_v this_o by_o your_o own_o strength_n but_o by_o the_o strength_n of_o christ_n as_o know_v that_o he_o have_v promise_v his_o spirit_n and_o grace_n for_o the_o aid_n of_o every_o true_a believer_n 14._o if_o your_o resolution_n at_o present_a be_v hearty_a you_o ought_v not_o to_o vex_v and_o disquiet_v your_o mind_n with_o doubtful_a torment_a fear_n what_o you_o shall_v do_v if_o you_o be_v put_v to_o it_o to_o forsake_v all_o and_o suffer_v death_n for_o christ_n for_o he_o have_v promise_v to_o lay_v no_o more_o on_o we_o than_o we_o can_v bear_v but_o with_o the_o temptation_n will_v make_v we_o a_o way_n to_o come_v forth_o 1_o cor._n 10_o 13._o either_o he_o will_v not_o bring_v we_o into_o trial_n beyond_o our_o strength_n or_o else_o he_o will_v increase_v our_o strength_n according_a to_o our_o trial_n he_o have_v bid_v we_o pray_v lead_v we_o not_o into_o temptation_n but_o deliver_v we_o from_o evil_a and_o he_o have_v promise_v that_o whatsoever_o we_o ask_v in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n according_a to_o his_o will_n he_o will_v give_v we_o so_o that_o if_o once_o you_o can_v but_o true_o say_v that_o it_o be_v your_o full_a resolution_n to_o forsake_v all_o for_o christ_n if_o he_o call_v you_o to_o it_o and_o that_o on_o the_o forementioned_a ground_n you_o ought_v not_o then_o to_o vex_v your_o soul_n with_o fear_n of_o the_o issue_n for_o that_o be_v but_o to_o distrust_n god_n your_o father_n and_o your_o strength_n only_o you_o must_v be_v careful_a to_o do_v your_o duty_n to_o the_o keep_n up_o of_o your_o present_a resolution_n and_o to_o wait_v obedient_o on_o god_n for_o the_o help_n of_o his_o spirit_n and_o to_o beg_v it_o earnest_o at_o his_o hand_n 15._o much_o less_o be_v it_o lawful_a for_o man_n to_o feign_v and_o suppose_v such_o calamity_n to_o themselves_o as_o god_n do_v never_o try_v man_n by_o and_o then_o to_o ask_v themselves_o can_v i_o bear_v these_o for_o christ_n and_o so_o to_o try_v themselves_o on_o false_a and_o dangerous_a ground_n some_o use_n to_o be_v trouble_v lest_o if_o they_o be_v put_v to_o long_o and_o exquisite_a torment_n for_o christ_n they_o shall_v renounce_v he_o one_o say_v i_o can_v endure_v the_o torment_n of_o hell_n for_o christ_n another_o say_v can_v i_o endure_v to_o be_v roast_v or_o tear_v in_o piece_n so_o many_o week_n or_o day_n together_o or_o can_v i_o endure_v to_o die_v so_o many_o time_n over_o these_o be_v foolish_a sinful_a question_n which_o christ_n never_o desire_v you_o to_o put_v to_o yourselves_o he_o never_o try_v man_n faith_n on_o this_o manner_n tormentor_n can_v go_v beyond_o his_o will._n nay_o it_o be_v but_o very_o few_o that_o he_o try_v by_o death_n and_o few_o by_o a_o extreme_a torment_a death_n all_o this_o therefore_o proceed_v from_o error_n 16._o observe_v from_o the_o five_o mark_n that_o the_o present_a prevalency_n of_o your_o resolution_n now_o against_o those_o temptation_n which_o you_o encounter_v with_o may_v well_o encourage_v you_o to_o expect_v that_o they_o shall_v prevail_v hereafter_o if_o god_n bring_v you_o into_o great_a trial_n can_v you_o now_o follow_v christ_n in_o a_o holy_a life_n though_o your_o flesh_n repine_v and_o will_v have_v its_o liberty_n and_o pleasure_n and_o though_o the_o world_n deride_v or_o threaten_v you_o or_o great_a one_o turn_v against_o you_o and_o threaten_v your_o undo_n can_v you_o part_v with_o your_o money_n to_o the_o poor_a or_o to_o the_o promote_a of_o any_o work_n of_o christ_n according_a to_o the_o measure_n of_o estate_n that_o god_n have_v allot_v you_o notwithstanding_o all_o temptation_n to_o the_o contrary_a some_o trial_n you_o have_v now_o if_o you_o can_v go_v well_o through_o these_o you_o have_v no_o cause_n to_o disquiet_v your_o mind_n with_o fear_n of_o fall_v in_o great_a trial_n but_o he_o that_o can_v now_o deny_v his_o greedy_a appetite_n in_o meat_n and_o drink_v so_o far_o as_o to_o forbear_v excess_n nor_o can_v deny_v his_o credit_n with_o man_n nor_o bear_v the_o scorn_n or_o frown_n of_o the_o world_n but_o be_v on_o the_o strong_a side_n and_o decline_v his_o duty_n to_o avoid_v danger_n whatever_o become_v of_o conscience_n or_o god_n favour_n this_o man_n be_v not_o like_a to_o forsake_v and_o lay_v down_o his_o life_n for_o christ_n and_o his_o 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the_o fire_n of_o hell_n to_o catch_v in_o but_o that_o truth_n of_o god_n which_o be_v mix_v with_o their_o error_n if_o it_o be_v practical_a they_o fight_v against_o it_o and_o abhor_v it_o while_o they_o hold_v it_o because_o it_o cross_v their_o lust_n insomuch_o that_o it_o be_v usual_o but_o some_o few_o of_o the_o more_o convince_v and_o civil_a that_o god_n in_o providence_n make_v the_o main_a instrument_n of_o continue_v those_o truth_n of_o he_o in_o that_o part_n of_o the_o wicked_a world_n for_o we_o find_v that_o even_o among_o pagan_n the_o profaner_n and_o more_o sensual_a sort_n do_v deride_v the_o better_a sort_n as_o our_o profane_a christian_n do_v the_o godly_a who_o they_o call_v puritan_n 2._o note_v that_o the_o truth_n of_o god_n which_o in_o these_o false_a religion_n be_v still_o acknowledge_v be_v so_o small_a a_o part_n and_o so_o oppress_v by_o error_n that_o it_o be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o their_o salvation_n that_o be_v to_o give_v they_o any_o sound_a hope_n nor_o be_v it_o sufficient_a to_o make_v such_o clear_a and_o deep_a and_o powerful_a impression_n in_o their_o mind_n as_o may_v make_v they_o holy_a or_o true_o heavenly_a or_o may_v overcome_v in_o they_o the_o interest_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o flesh_n this_o be_v so_o you_o may_v see_v great_a reason_n why_o a_o turk_n or_o a_o heathen_a may_v be_v zealous_a for_o his_o religion_n without_o god_n spirit_n or_o any_o true_a sanctification_n when_o yet_o you_o can_v be_v so_o true_o zealous_a for_o you_o without_o it_o indeed_o the_o speculative_a part_n of_o our_o religion_n separate_v from_o the_o practical_a or_o from_o the_o hard_a and_o self_n deny_v part_n of_o the_o practical_a many_o a_o wicked_a man_n may_v be_v zealous_a for_o as_o to_o maintain_v the_o godhead_n or_o that_o god_n be_v merciful_a etc._n etc._n or_o to_o maintain_v against_o the_o jew_n that_o jesus_n be_v the_o christ_n or_o against_o the_o turk_n that_o he_o be_v the_o only_a redeemer_n and_o teacher_n of_o the_o church_n or_o against_o the_o papist_n that_o all_o the_o christian_n in_o the_o world_n be_v christ_n church_n as_o well_o as_o the_o roman_n and_o against_o the_o socinian_o and_o arrian_n that_o christ_n be_v god_n etc._n etc._n but_o this_o be_v but_o a_o small_a part_n of_o our_o religion_n nor_o do_v this_o or_o any_o heathenish_a zeal_n sanctify_v the_o heart_n or_o true_o mortify_v the_o flesh_n or_o overcome_v the_o world_n they_o may_v contemn_v life_n and_o cast_v it_o away_o for_o their_o pride_n and_o vainglory_n but_o not_o for_o the_o hope_n of_o a_o holy_a and_o bless_a life_n with_o god_n this_o be_v but_o the_o prevalency_n of_o one_o corruption_n against_o another_o or_o
thing_n before_o i_o confess_v it_o have_v be_v a_o strengthen_n to_o my_o own_o faith_n to_o see_v the_o devil_n such_o a_o enemy_n to_o the_o christian_a faith_n yea_o to_o the_o godhead_n itself_o but_o perhaps_o you_o will_v say_v it_o be_v not_o mere_a temptation_n from_o satan_n that_o i_o complain_v of_o but_o it_o take_v too_o much_o with_o my_o sinful_a heart_n i_o be_o ready_a to_o doubt_v ofttimes_o whether_o there_o be_v a_o god_n or_o whether_o his_o providence_n determine_v of_o the_o thing_n here_o below_o or_o whether_o scripture_n be_v true_a or_o the_o soul_n immortal_a etc._n etc._n answ_n this_o be_v a_o very_a great_a sin_n and_o you_o ought_v to_o bewail_v and_o abhor_v it_o and_o in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n make_v not_o light_a of_o it_o but_o look_v to_o it_o betimes_o but_o yet_o let_v i_o tell_v you_o that_o some_o degree_n of_o this_o blasphemy_n and_o infidelity_n may_v remain_v with_o the_o true_a save_v faith_n the_o best_a may_v say_v lord_n i_o believe_v help_v thou_o my_o unbelief_n but_o i_o will_v tell_v you_o my_o judgement_n when_o your_o unbelief_n be_v such_o as_o to_o be_v a_o sign_n of_o a_o graceless_a soul_n in_o the_o state_n of_o damnation_n if_o your_o doubt_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o scripture_n and_o the_o life_n to_o come_v be_v so_o great_a that_o you_o will_v not_o let_v go_v the_o pleasure_n and_o profit_n of_o sin_n and_o part_n with_o all_o if_o god_n call_v you_o to_o it_o in_o hope_n of_o that_o glory_n promise_v and_o to_o escape_v the_o judgement_n threaten_v because_o you_o look_v upon_o the_o thing_n of_o the_o life_n to_o come_v but_o as_o uncertain_a thing_n then_o be_v your_o belief_n no_o save_a belief_n but_o your_o unbelief_n be_v prevalent_a but_o if_o for_o all_o your_o staggering_n you_o see_v so_o much_o probability_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o scripture_n and_o the_o life_n to_o come_v that_o you_o be_v resolve_v to_o venture_v and_o part_n with_o if_o call_v to_o it_o all_o worldly_a hope_n and_o happiness_n for_o the_o hope_n of_o that_o promise_a glory_n and_o to_o make_v it_o the_o chief_a business_n of_o your_o life_n to_o attain_v it_o and_o do_v deny_v yourself_o the_o pleasure_n of_o sin_n for_o that_o end_n this_o be_v a_o true_a save_a faith_n as_o be_v evident_a by_o its_o victory_n notwithstanding_o all_o the_o infidelity_n atheism_n and_o blasphemy_n that_o be_v mix_v with_o it_o but_o again_o let_v i_o advise_v you_o to_o take_v heed_n of_o this_o heinous_a sin_n and_o bewail_v and_o detest_v the_o very_a lest_o degree_n of_o it_o it_o be_v dangerous_a when_o the_o devil_n strike_v at_o the_o very_a root_n and_o heart_n &_o foundation_n of_o all_o your_o religion_n there_o be_v more_o sinfulness_n and_o danger_n in_o this_o then_o in_o many_o other_o sin_n and_o therefore_o let_v it_o never_o be_v motion_v to_o your_o soul_n without_o abhorrence_n two_o way_n the_o devil_n have_v to_o move_v it_o the_o one_o be_v by_o his_o immediate_a inward_a suggestion_n 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themselves_o to_o the_o present_a pleasure_n of_o sin_n because_o they_o believe_v not_o thy_o promise_a glory_n righteous_a and_o merciful_a god_n that_o have_v preserve_v the_o humble_a from_o this_o condemnation_n and_o have_v permit_v only_o the_o proud_a and_o sensual_a professor_n to_o fall_v into_o it_o and_o have_v give_v they_o over_o to_o hellish_a conversation_n according_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o their_o hellish_a opinion_n that_o they_o may_v be_v rather_o a_o terror_n to_o other_o than_o a_o snare_n i_o call_v their_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n hellish_a from_o its_o original_a because_o it_o come_v from_o the_o father_n of_o lie_n but_o not_o that_o there_o be_v any_o such_o opinion_n or_o practice_n in_o hell_n he_o that_o tempt_v other_o to_o deny_v the_o godhead_n the_o christian_a faith_n the_o scripture_n the_o life_n to_o come_v do_v no_o whit_n doubt_v of_o any_o one_o of_o they_o himself_o but_o believe_v and_o tremble_v o_o fearful_a blindness_n of_o the_o professor_n of_o religion_n that_o will_v hear_v if_o not_o receive_v these_o blasphemy_n from_o the_o mouth_n of_o a_o apostate_n professor_n which_o they_o will_v abhor_v if_o it_o come_v immediate_o from_o the_o devil_n himself_o with_o what_o sad_a complaint_n and_o tremble_a do_v poor_a sinner_n cry_v out_o and_o not_o without_o cause_n o_o i_o be_o haunt_v with_o such_o blaspemous_a temptation_n that_o i_o be_o afraid_a lest_o god_n shall_v sudden_o destroy_v i_o that_o ever_o such_o thought_n shall_v come_v into_o my_o heart_n but_o if_o a_o instrument_n of_o the_o devil_n come_v and_o plead_v against_o the_o scripture_n or_o the_o life_n to_o come_v or_o christ_n himself_o they_o will_v hear_v he_o with_o less_o detestation_n the_o devil_n know_v that_o familiarity_n will_v cause_v we_o to_o take_v that_o from_o a_o man_n which_o we_o will_v abhor_v from_o the_o devil_n himself_o immediate_o i_o intend_v not_o to_o give_v you_o now_o a_o particular_a preservative_n against_o each_o of_o these_o temptation_n only_o let_v i_o tell_v you_o that_o this_o be_v the_o direct_a way_n to_o infidelity_n apostasy_n and_o the_o sin_n against_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o if_o by_o any_o seducer_n the_o devil_n do_v overcome_v you_o herein_o you_o be_v lose_v for_o ever_o and_o there_o will_v be_v no_o more_o sacrifice_n for_o your_o sin_n but_o a_o fearful_a expectation_n of_o judgement_n and_o that_o fire_n which_o shall_v devour_v the_o adversary_n of_o christ_n doubt_v xviii_o i_o have_v so_o great_a fear_n of_o death_n and_o unwillingness_n to_o be_v with_o god_n that_o i_o be_o afraid_a i_o have_v no_o grace_n for_o if_o i_o have_v paul_n spirit_n i_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o say_v with_o he_o i_o desire_v to_o depart_v and_o to_o be_v with_o christ_n whereas_o now_o no_o news_n will_v be_v to_o i_o more_o unwelcome_a answer_n there_o be_v a_o loathness_n to_o die_v that_o come_v from_o a_o desire_n to_o do_v god_n more_o service_n and_o another_o that_o come_v from_o a_o apprehension_n of_o unreadiness_n when_o we_o will_v fain_o have_v more_o assurance_n of_o salvation_n first_o or_o will_v be_v fit_a to_o meet_v our_o lord_n blame_v not_o a_o man_n to_o be_v somewhat_o backward_o that_o know_v it_o must_v go_v with_o he_o for_o ever_o in_o heaven_n or_o hell_n according_a as_o he_o be_v find_v at_o death_n but_o these_o two_o be_v not_o so_o much_o a_o loathness_n to_o die_v as_o a_o loathness_n to_o die_v now_o at_o this_o time_n 3._o there_o be_v also_o in_o all_o man_n live_v good_a and_o bad_a a_o natural_a abhorrence_n and_o fear_n of_o death_n god_n have_v put_v this_o into_o man_n nature_n even_o in_o innocency_n to_o be_v his_o great_a mean_n of_o govern_v the_o world_n no_o man_n will_v live_v in_o ordâ—â—_n or_o be_v keep_v in_o obedience_n but_o for_o this_o he_o that_o care_v not_o for_o his_o own_o life_n be_v master_n of_o another_o grace_n do_v not_o root_v out_o this_o abhorrency_n of_o death_n no_o more_o than_o it_o unman_v we_o only_o it_o restrain_v it_o from_o excess_n and_o so_o far_o overcome_v the_o violence_n of_o the_o passion_n by_o the_o apprehension_n of_o a_o better_a life_n beyond_o death_n that_o a_o believer_n may_v the_o more_o quiet_o and_o willing_o submit_v to_o it_o paul_n himself_o desire_v not_o death_n but_o the_o life_n which_o follow_v it_o he_o desire_v to_o depart_v and_o to_o be_v with_o christ_n that_o be_v he_o have_v rather_o be_v in_o heaven_n then_o on_o earth_n and_o therefore_o he_o be_v content_v to_o submit_v to_o the_o penal_a sharp_a passage_n god_n do_v not_o command_v you_o to_o desire_v death_n itself_o nor_o forbid_v you_o fear_v it_o as_o a_o evil_n to_o nature_n and_o a_o punishment_n of_o sin_n only_o he_o
we_o doubt_n we_o shall_v do_v nothing_o but_o doubt_n i_o know_v you_o may_v easy_o tell_v a_o long_a and_o a_o sad_a story_n of_o your_o sin_n how_o you_o be_v trouble_v with_o this_o and_o that_o and_o many_o a_o distemper_n and_o weak_a and_o want_v in_o every_o grace_n and_o duty_n and_o have_v commit_v many_o sin_n but_o do_v it_o follow_v that_o therefore_o you_o have_v no_o true_a grace_n learn_v therefore_o to_o be_v humble_v for_o every_o sin_n but_o not_o to_o doubt_v of_o your_o sincerity_n and_o salvation_n for_o every_o sin_n direction_n xxx_o 30._o whatsoever_o new_a doubt_n do_v arise_v in_o your_o soul_n see_v that_o you_o careful_o discern_v whether_o they_o be_v such_o as_o must_v be_v resolve_v from_o the_o consideration_n of_o general_n grace_n or_o of_o special_a grace_n and_o especial_o be_v sure_a of_o this_o that_o when_o you_o want_v or_o lose_v your_o certainty_n of_o sincerity_n and_o salvation_n you_o have_v present_o recourse_n to_o the_o probability_n of_o it_o and_o lose_v not_o the_o comfort_n of_o that_o or_o if_o you_o shall_v lose_v the_o sight_n of_o a_o probability_n of_o special_a grace_n yet_o see_v that_o you_o have_v recourse_n at_o the_o utmost_a to_o general_n grace_n and_o never_o let_v go_v the_o comfort_n of_o that_o at_o the_o worst_a this_o rule_n be_v of_o unspeakable_a necessity_n and_o use_n for_o your_o peace_n and_o comfort_n here_o be_v three_o several_a degree_n of_o the_o ground_n of_o comfort_n it_o be_v exceed_a weakness_n for_o a_o man_n that_o be_v beat_v from_o one_o of_o these_o hold_v therefore_o to_o let_v go_v the_o other_o too_o and_o because_o he_o can_v have_v the_o high_a degree_n therefore_o to_o conclude_v that_o he_o have_v none_o at_o all_o i_o beseech_v you_o in_o all_o your_o doubt_n and_o complain_n still_o remember_v the_o two_o rule_n here_o lay_v down_o 1._o all_o doubt_n arise_v not_o from_o the_o same_o cause_n and_o therefore_o must_v not_o have_v the_o same_o cure_n let_v the_o first_o thing_n which_o you_o do_v upon_o every_o doubt_n be_v this_o to_o consider_v whether_o it_o come_v from_o the_o vnbelieving_a or_o low_a apprehension_n of_o the_o general_a ground_n of_o comfort_n or_o from_o the_o want_n of_o evidence_n of_o special_a grace_n for_o that_o which_o be_v a_o fit_a remedy_n for_o one_o of_o these_o will_v do_v little_a for_o the_o cure_n of_o the_o other_o 2._o if_o your_o doubt_v be_v only_o whether_o you_o be_v sincere_a in_o believe_v love_a hope_v repent_v and_o obey_v then_o it_o will_v not_o answer_v this_o doubt_n though_o you_o discern_v never_o so_o much_o of_o god_n merciful_a nature_n or_o christ_n gracious_a office_n or_o the_o universal_a sufficiency_n of_o his_o death_n and_o satisfaction_n or_o the_o freeness_n and_o extent_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o pardon_n for_o i_o profess_v considerate_o that_o i_o do_v not_o know_v in_o all_o the_o body_n of_o popery_n concern_v merit_n justification_n humane_a satisfaction_n assurance_n or_o any_o other_o point_n about_o grace_n for_o which_o we_o unchurch_n they_o that_o they_o err_v half_a so_o dangerous_o as_o saltmarsh_n and_o such_o antinomian_o do_v in_o this_o one_o point_n when_o they_o say_v that_o christ_n have_v repent_v and_o believe_v for_o we_o meaning_n it_o of_o that_o faith_n and_o repentance_n which_o he_o have_v make_v the_o condition_n of_o our_o salvation_n and_o that_o we_o must_v no_o more_o question_v our_o own_o faith_n than_o we_o must_v question_v christ_n the_o object_n of_o it_o it_o will_v be_v no_o save_a plea_n at_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n to_o say_v though_o i_o repent_v not_o and_o believe_v not_o yet_o christ_n die_v for_o i_o or_o god_n be_v merciful_a or_o christ_n repent_v and_o believe_v for_o i_o or_o god_n make_v i_o a_o free_a promise_n and_o gift_n of_o salvation_n if_o i_o will_v repent_v and_o believe_v what_o comfort_n will_v such_o a_o answer_n give_v they_o and_o therefore_o doubtless_o it_o will_v not_o serve_v now_o to_o quiet_a any_o know_a christian_a against_o those_o doubt_n that_o arise_v from_o the_o want_n of_o particular_a evidence_n of_o special_a grace_n though_o in_o their_o own_o place_n the_o general_a ground_n of_o comfort_n be_v of_o absolute_a necessity_n thereto_o 2._o on_o the_o other_o side_n if_o your_o doubt_n arise_v from_o any_o defect_n in_o your_o apprehension_n of_o general_a grace_n it_o be_v not_o your_o look_v after_o mark_v in_o yourself_o that_o be_v the_o way_n to_o resolve_v they_o i_o tell_v you_o in_o the_o beginning_n that_o the_o general_a ground_n of_o comfort_n lie_v in_o four_o particular_n that_o square_a foundation_n which_o will_v bear_v up_o all_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o saint_n first_o god_n merciful_a and_o unconceivable_o good_a and_o gracious_a nature_n and_o his_o love_n to_o mankind_n second_o the_o gracious_a nature_n of_o the_o mediator_n god_n and_o man_n with_o his_o most_o gracious_a undertake_v office_n of_o save_v and_o reconcile_n 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