several_a particular_a deduction_n to_o lay_v every_o man_n state_n as_o plain_o open_a to_o his_o view_n as_o i_o can_v one_a then_o from_o the_o notion_n i_o have_v give_v of_o perfection_n it_o appear_v that_o if_o a_o man_n life_n be_v very_o vneven_a unconstant_a and_o contradictory_n to_o itself_o if_o he_o be_v to_o day_n a_o saint_n and_o to_o morrow_n a_o sinner_n if_o he_o yield_v to_o day_n to_o the_o motive_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o impulse_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o to_o morrow_n to_o the_o solicitation_n of_o the_o flesh_n and_o temptation_n of_o the_o world_n he_o be_v far_o from_o be_v perfect_a so_o far_o that_o there_o be_v not_o ground_n enough_o to_o conclude_v he_o sincere_a or_o real_a though_o imperfect_a convert_n the_o only_a certain_a proof_n of_o regeneration_n be_v victory_n he_o that_o be_v bear_v of_o god_n over-cometh_a the_o world_n 1_o joh._n 5.4_o i'faith_o though_o it_o be_v true_a be_v not_o present_o save_v and_o justify_v till_o it_o have_v subdue_v the_o will_n and_o captivate_v the_o heart_n i._n e._n till_o we_o begin_v to_o live_v by_o faith_n which_o be_v evident_a from_o that_o corn_n in_o the_o parable_n which_o though_o it_o shoot_v up_o yet_o have_v it_o not_o depth_n of_o earth_n nor_o root_n enough_o and_o therefore_o be_v wither_v up_o and_o bring_v forth_o no_o fruit_n regret_n and_o sorrow_n for_o sin_n be_v a_o excellent_a passion_n but_o till_o it_o have_v subdue_v our_o corruption_n change_v our_o affection_n and_o purify_v our_o heart_n it_o be_v not_o that_o save_v repentance_n in_o the_o apostle_n 2_o cor._n 7.10_o godly_a sorrow_n work_v repentance_n not_o to_o be_v repent_v of_o we_o may_v have_v some_o sudden_a heat_n and_o passion_n for_o virtue_n but_o if_o they_o be_v too_o short_a live_v to_o implant_v it_o in_o we_o this_o be_v not_o that_o charity_n or_o love_n which_o animate_v and_o impregnate_v the_o new_a creature_n mention_v gal._n 5.6_o faith_n work_v by_o love_n last_o we_o may_v have_v good_a purpose_n intention_n nay_o resolution_n but_o if_o these_o prove_v too_o weak_a to_o obtain_v a_o conquest_n over_o our_o corruption_n if_o they_o prove_v too_o weak_a to_o resist_v the_o temptation_n we_o be_v wont_a to_o fall_v by_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o they_o be_v not_o such_o as_o can_v demonstrate_v we_o righteous_a or_o entitle_v we_o to_o a_o crown_n which_o be_v promise_v to_o he_o that_o overcome_v and_o here_o i_o can_v but_o remark_n to_o how_o little_a purpose_n controversy_n have_v be_v multiply_v about_o the_o justification_n of_o man._n it_o be_v one_o thing_n for_o god_n to_o justify_v we_o i_o e._n to_o pardon_v our_o sin_n and_o account_v we_o righteous_a and_o his_o child_n and_o another_o for_o we_o to_o know_v or_o be_v assure_v that_o he_o do_v so_o if_o we_o inquire_v after_o the_o former_a it_o be_v plain_a to_o i_o that_o no_o man_n can_v be_v account_v righteous_a by_o god_n till_o he_o real_o be_v so_o and_o when_o the_o man_n be_v sanctify_v throughout_o in_o spirit_n soul_n and_o body_n then_o be_v he_o certain_o justify_v and_o not_o till_o then_o and_o this_o i_o think_v be_v confess_v by_o all_o except_o antinomian_o and_o whatever_o difference_n there_o be_v among_o christian_n in_o this_o matter_n it_o lie_v in_o the_o form_n and_o variety_n of_o expression_n they_o that_o contend_v earnest_o for_o the_o necessity_n of_o good_a work_n do_v not_o i_o suppose_v imagine_v that_o the_o work_n be_v holy_a before_o the_o heart_n be_v so_o for_o as_o be_v the_o fountain_n such_o will_v be_v its_o stream_n as_o be_v the_o tree_n such_o will_v be_v its_o fruit_n what_o absurdity_n then_o be_v there_o in_o admit_v that_o man_n be_v justify_v before_o they_o bring_v forth_o good_a work_n if_o they_o can_v bring_v forth_o good_a work_n till_o they_o be_v sanctify_v and_o change_v on_o the_o other_o hand_n they_o who_o contend_v so_o earnest_o for_o justification_n by_o faith_n without_o work_n do_v not_o only_o suppose_v that_o the_o man_n be_v thorough_o change_v by_o the_o infusion_n of_o habitual_a grace_n but_o also_o that_o this_o grace_n as_o soon_o as_o it_o have_v opportunity_n will_v exert_v and_o express_v itself_o in_o good_a work_n and_o they_o do_v ready_o acknowledge_v that_o the_o faith_n which_o do_v not_o work_v by_o love_n be_v a_o historical_a unanimate_v faith_n and_o if_o so_o how_o natural_a be_v it_o to_o comprise_v in_o that_o holiness_n which_o justify_v not_o only_o the_o change_n of_o the_o heart_n but_o of_o the_o action_n but_o here_o i_o think_v it_o be_v well_o worth_a the_o consider_v whether_o that_o thorough_a change_n in_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o sinner_n which_o be_v call_v holiness_n be_v now_o effect_v at_o once_o and_o in_o a_o moment_n and_o not_o rather_o gradual_o and_o in_o time_n for_o this_o may_v give_v some_o light_n to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o justification_n and_o draw_v off_o from_o speculation_n and_o theory_n to_o more_o useful_a and_o practical_a thought_n and_o discourse_n about_o it_o it_o be_v true_a in_o the_o primitive_a time_n when_o the_o conviction_n of_o a_o sinner_n be_v wrought_v by_o a_o dazzle_a light_n by_o surprise_v miracle_n by_o exuberant_a influx_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o the_o concurrence_n of_o many_o extraordinary_a thing_n sanctification_n as_o in_o the_o gaoler_n and_o his_o family_n act._n 16._o may_v be_v begin_v and_o finish_v in_o the_o same_o hour_n but_o i_o doubt_v it_o be_v rare_o so_o with_o we_o at_o this_o day_n our_o vice_n be_v not_o so_o sudden_o subdue_v nor_o our_o virtue_n so_o sudden_o implant_v our_o conviction_n in_o the_o beginning_n of_o conversion_n be_v seldom_o so_o full_a and_o clear_a as_o they_o and_o if_o we_o may_v judge_v by_o the_o effect_n it_o be_v but_o seldom_o that_o the_o principle_n of_o a_o new_a life_n be_v infuse_v in_o the_o same_o plenty_n and_o power_n it_o appear_v to_o have_v be_v in_o them_o and_o if_o so_o than_o these_o thing_n will_v follow_v 1._o though_o in_o the_o first_o plantation_n of_o the_o gospel_n man_n be_v convert_v as_o it_o be_v in_o a_o moment_n ingraft_v by_o baptism_n into_o christ_n and_o receive_v the_o holy_a ghost_n the_o earnest_a of_o their_o justification_n or_o acceptance_n with_o god_n and_o their_o future_a glory_n we_o may_v very_o well_o say_v of_o they_o that_o they_o be_v not_o only_o justify_v but_o also_o know_v themselves_o to_o be_v so_o before_o they_o have_v bring_v forth_o any_o other_o fruit_n of_o righteousness_n than_o what_o be_v imply_v in_o the_o dedication_n of_o themselves_o to_o christ_n by_o that_o solemn_a rite_n of_o baptism_n but_o at_o this_o day_n when_o conversion_n be_v not_o effect_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n when_o faith_n and_o good_a work_n do_v mutual_o cherish_v one_o another_o when_o righteousness_n be_v not_o bring_v forth_o into_o victory_n but_o by_o long_a labour_n and_o travel_v i_o see_v not_o why_o faith_n and_o good_a work_n may_v not_o be_v pronounce_v joint_o and_o antecedent_o necessary_a to_o our_o justification_n 2._o the_o doctrine_n of_o infuse_v habit_n have_v be_v much_o ridicule_v and_o expose_v as_o absurd_a by_o some_o man_n and_o i_o must_v confess_v if_o it_o be_v essential_a to_o a_o habit_n to_o be_v acquire_v by_o length_n of_o time_n and_o repetition_n of_o the_o same_o act_n than_o a_o infuse_v habit_n be_v a_o very_a odd_a expression_n but_o why_o god_n can_v produce_v in_o we_o those_o strong_a disposition_n to_o virtue_n in_o a_o moment_n which_o be_v natural_o produce_v by_o time_n or_o why_o we_o may_v not_o ascribe_v as_o much_o efficacy_n to_o infuse_v grace_n as_o philosopher_n be_v wont_a to_o do_v to_o repeat_v act_n i_o can_v see_v nor_o can_v i_o see_v why_o such_o disposition_n when_o infuse_v may_v not_o be_v call_v habit_n if_o they_o have_v all_o the_o property_n and_o effect_n of_o a_o habit._n and_o that_o such_o excellent_a disposition_n be_v on_o a_o sudden_a wrought_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o christian_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o christianity_n be_v too_o plain_a from_o the_o history_n of_o those_o time_n to_o need_v a_o proof_n but_o whether_o such_o change_n be_v ordinary_o effect_v so_o sudden_o at_o this_o day_n we_o have_v much_o reason_n to_o doubt_v nay_o i_o think_v it_o appear_v from_o what_o i_o have_v say_v there_o be_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o deny_v it_o and_o if_o so_o the_o infusion_n of_o habit_n can_v be_v so_o proper_o insist_v on_o now_o as_o then_o and_o we_o may_v be_v more_o subject_a to_o make_v unwarrantable_a inference_n from_o the_o doctrine_n of_o infuse_v habit_n than_o they_o be_v in_o those_o bright_a and_o miraculous_a day_n 3._o as_o our_o progress_n to_o sanctification_n must_v be_v slow_a than_o former_o as_o it_o must_v be_v long_o before_o
the_o grace_n that_o be_v infuse_v so_o far_o master_v our_o corruption_n and_o dilate_v and_o diffuse_v itself_o through_o our_o whole_a nature_n as_o that_o we_o may_v just_o be_v denominate_v holy_a and_o righteous_a from_o the_o prevalence_n of_o this_o holy_a principle_n so_o by_o a_o necessary_a consequence_n our_o justification_n must_v commence_v late_a but_o after_o all_o i_o know_v not_o why_o we_o shall_v be_v so_o inquisitive_a after_o the_o time_n of_o our_o justification_n by_o god_n the_o comfort_n of_o a_o christian_a do_v not_o result_v immediate_o from_o god_n justify_v he_o but_o from_o his_o know_v that_o he_o do_v so_o and_o if_o this_o be_v the_o thing_n we_o be_v now_o search_v after_o namely_o what_o rational_a assurance_n we_o can_v have_v of_o our_o justification_n and_o when_o as_o indeed_o it_o be_v then_o though_o i_o do_v not_o pretend_v to_o determine_v that_o man_n be_v not_o or_o may_v not_o be_v justify_v or_o account_v righteous_a by_o god_n upon_o a_o thorough_a change_n of_o mind_n or_o soul_n before_o this_o change_n discover_v itself_o in_o a_o series_n of_o victory_n over_o those_o temptation_n by_o which_o he_o be_v lead_v captive_a before_o yet_o i_o assert_v first_o that_o the_o true_a and_o solid_a proof_n of_o the_o sanctification_n of_o the_o heart_n be_v sanctity_n of_o life_n next_o when_o i_o talk_v of_o victory_n i_o suppose_v man_n engage_v i_o suppose_v he_o encounter_v by_o temptation_n and_o enemy_n and_o then_o i_o affirm_v that_o the_o faith_n which_o be_v not_o strong_a enough_o to_o conquer_v be_v not_o strong_a enough_o to_o justify_v if_o any_o man_n demand_n may_v not_o that_o faith_n which_o be_v foil_v to_o day_n conquer_v to_o morrow_n i_o answer_v i_o must_v leave_v this_o to_o god_n i_o can_v pronounce_v nothing_o of_o the_o sincerity_n of_o the_o heart_n but_o by_o the_o outward_a deportment_n and_o success_n and_o if_o this_o be_v the_o proper_a way_n of_o judge_v of_o a_o man_n sincerity_n i_o be_o sure_a i_o may_v with_o much_o more_o confidence_n affirm_v that_o nothing_o less_o than_o victory_n can_v be_v a_o clear_a argument_n of_o perfection_n my_o business_n therefore_o shall_v ever_o be_v to_o be_v holy_a and_o then_o i_o be_o sure_a i_o shall_v be_v justify_v if_o i_o be_v holy_a god_n who_o can_v err_v will_n certain_o account_v i_o so_o and_o if_o i_o cease_v to_o be_v so_o god_n must_v cease_v to_o account_v i_o so_o and_o this_o be_v all_o which_o i_o design_v by_o this_o long_a paragraph_n that_o be_v to_o render_v man_n more_o careful_a and_o diligent_a in_o make_v their_o call_v and_o election_n sure_a and_o to_o prevent_v presumption_n and_o groundless_a confidence_n and_o that_o nothing_o that_o i_o have_v here_o say_v may_v be_v pervert_v to_o a_o contrary_a purpose_n that_o no_o man_n from_o some_o passionate_a resolution_n or_o sudden_a change_n of_o his_o own_o mind_n may_v be_v tempt_v to_o conclude_v too_o hasty_o of_o his_o be_v justify_v as_o if_o the_o change_n wrought_v in_o he_o be_v equal_a to_o that_o common_o effect_v in_o the_o first_o convert_v of_o christianity_n i_o think_v it_o not_o amiss_o to_o put_v such_o a_o one_o in_o mind_n that_o even_o these_o be_v not_o justify_v unless_o they_o do_v profess_v christ_n with_o the_o mouth_n as_o well_o as_o believe_v in_o he_o with_o the_o heart_n and_o that_o this_o public_a profession_n of_o christianity_n in_o those_o day_n be_v equivalent_a to_o many_o good_a work_n in_o these_o two_o he_o that_o feel_v in_o himself_o little_a or_o no_o fervency_n of_o spirit_n little_a or_o no_o hunger_n and_o thirst_n after_o righteousness_n have_v reason_n to_o suspect_v that_o his_o regularity_n be_v little_o more_o than_o common_a decency_n and_o civility_n and_o to_o doubt_v lest_o his_o religion_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o custom_n or_o common_a prudence_n i_o see_v not_o how_o so_o much_o indifference_n and_o sluggishness_n can_v consist_v with_o a_o firm_a belief_n and_o expectation_n of_o a_o crown_n with_o a_o sincere_a love_n of_o god_n and_o righteousness_n but_o if_o we_o may_v suppose_v such_o a_o one_o restrain_v from_o evil_a and_o preserve_v in_o the_o way_n of_o duty_n after_o a_o sort_n by_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n and_o a_o desire_n of_o heaven_n yet_o certain_o this_o can_v be_v but_o the_o infancy_n of_o the_o new_a creature_n at_o most_o and_o the_o best_a advice_n that_o can_v be_v give_v such_o a_o one_o be_v sure_o that_o of_o st._n peter_n that_o by_o add_v one_o degree_n of_o virtue_n to_o another_o he_o will_v use_v all_o diligence_n to_o make_v his_o call_v and_o election_n sure_a 2_o pet._n 1.10_o three_o if_o a_o man_n religion_n produce_v very_o few_o good_a work_n or_o such_o only_a as_o put_v he_o to_o little_a travel_n or_o expense_n we_o may_v conclude_v that_o this_o man_n be_v not_o perfect_a his_o charity_n be_v too_o weak_a too_o narrow_a to_o be_v that_o of_o a_o exalt_a christian_n the_o best_a that_o we_o can_v think_v of_o such_o a_o one_o be_v that_o he_o be_v yet_o take_v up_o in_o the_o discipline_n of_o mortification_n that_o he_o be_v contend_v with_o his_o lust_n and_o passion_n which_o be_v not_o yet_o so_o far_o reduce_v so_o far_o subdue_v and_o bring_v under_o as_o to_o leave_v he_o in_o a_o state_n of_o liberty_n and_o peace_n and_o in_o a_o capacity_n of_o extend_v and_o enlarge_n his_o charity_n this_o remark_n that_o the_o inconsiderableness_n of_o our_o good_a work_n be_v reason_n enough_o to_o question_v not_o only_o one_o be_v perfection_n but_o sincerity_n hold_v good_a in_o such_o case_n only_o where_o neither_o the_o opportunity_n nor_o capacity_n of_o high_a and_o noble_a performance_n be_v want_v i_o dare_v not_o pronounce_v that_o no_o man_n can_v be_v a_o christian_n unless_o he_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v a_o martyr_n it_o be_v true_a the_o low_a degree_n of_o sincerity_n must_v imply_v a_o purpose_n and_o resolution_n of_o universal_a obedience_n in_o defiance_n of_o all_o temptation_n but_o yet_o that_o grace_n for_o aught_o i_o can_v prove_v to_o the_o contrary_a may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o save_o a_o man_n that_o be_v sufficient_a to_o master_v the_o difficulty_n he_o be_v to_o encounter_v with_o although_o he_o shall_v not_o be_v to_o grapple_v with_o the_o distemper_n and_o trial_n to_o which_o the_o body_n and_o the_o state_n of_o another_o man_n may_v be_v subject_a sure_o the_o wisdom_n and_o the_o faithfulness_n of_o god_n can_v be_v no_o further_o concern_v then_o to_o qualify_v any_o one_o for_o the_o discharge_n of_o those_o duty_n which_o he_o think_v fit_a to_o call_v he_o to_o and_o if_o the_o discharge_n of_o such_o duty_n be_v not_o a_o sufficient_a proof_n of_o our_o sincerity_n we_o can_v never_o have_v any_o but_o must_v be_v always_o hold_v in_o suspense_n and_o torture_n about_o our_o future_a state_n i_o see_v no_o reason_n to_o question_n but_o that_o the_o disciple_n of_o our_o lord_n be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o grace_n before_o the_o resurrection_n and_o the_o follow_a pentecost_n and_o yet_o i_o think_v i_o have_v plain_a reason_n to_o believe_v that_o they_o be_v not_o fit_a to_o be_v martyr_n and_o confessor_n till_o then_o the_o grace_n they_o have_v before_o might_n i_o doubt_v it_o not_o have_v enable_v they_o to_o live_v virtuous_o amid_o common_a and_o ordinary_a temptation_n but_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o they_o shall_v be_v endow_v with_o power_n from_o on_o high_a before_o they_o can_v be_v fit_a to_o encounter_v those_o fiery_a trial_n to_o which_o the_o preach_a of_o the_o gospel_n be_v to_o expose_v they_o to_o this_o sure_o our_o master_n refer_v when_o he_o tell_v the_o pharisee_n that_o the_o child_n of_o the_o bride-chamber_n be_v not_o to_o fast_v while_o the_o bridegroom_n be_v with_o they_o when_o he_o tell_v his_o disciple_n i_o have_v many_o thing_n to_o say_v but_o you_o can_v bear_v they_o yet_o when_o he_o ask_v the_o son_n of_o zebedee_n be_v you_o able_a to_o drink_v of_o the_o cup_n that_o i_o shall_v drink_v of_o and_o to_o be_v baptize_v with_o the_o baptism_n that_o i_o be_o baptize_v with_o matth._n 20.21_o if_o this_o be_v true_a divinity_n as_o i_o be_o i_o have_v almost_o say_v confident_a it_o be_v than_o i_o be_o confident_a that_o which_o require_v very_o unaccountable_a test_n of_o a_o man_n sincerity_n be_v very_o extravagant_a for_o example_n when_o man_n talk_v at_o this_o rate_n that_o a_o sincere_a christian_n shall_v have_v such_o a_o abhorrence_n for_o sin_n as_o to_o fear_v gild_n more_o than_o its_o punishment_n such_o a_o love_n of_o god_n as_o rather_o than_o offend_v he_o to_o be_v content_a to_o precipitate_v and_o plunge_v himself_o into_o the_o jaw_n not_o of_o death_n like_o the_o martyr_n but_o of_o hell_n itself_o
sin_n through_o his_o name_n among_o all_o nation_n and_o this_o be_v one_o bless_a advantage_n which_o reveal_v religion_n have_v above_o natural_a that_o it_o contain_v a_o express_a declaration_n of_o the_o divine_a will_n concern_v the_o pardon_n of_o all_o sin_n whatsoever_o upon_o these_o term_n natural_a religion_n indeed_o teach_v we_o that_o god_n be_v merciful_a but_o it_o teach_v we_o that_o he_o be_v just_o too_o and_o it_o can_v never_o assure_v we_o what_o bound_n god_n will_v set_v to_o the_o exercise_n of_o the_o one_o or_o the_o other_o and_o when_o justice_n and_o when_o mercy_n shall_v take_v place_n what_o sin_n be_v and_o what_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o the_o benefit_n of_o sacrifice_n and_o repentance_n and_o this_o uncertainty_n consider_v the_o sin_n of_o the_o best_a life_n be_v ever_o natural_o apt_a to_o beget_v despondency_n melancholy_a and_o sometime_o a_o superstitious_a dread_n of_o god_n the_o second_o ground_n of_o assurance_n as_o it_o relate_v to_o our_o present_a state_n be_v a_o application_n of_o the_o condition_n of_o life_n lay_v down_o in_o the_o gospel_n to_o a_o man_n be_v own_o particular_a case_n thus_o they_o that_o believe_v and_o repent_v shall_v be_v save_v i_o believe_v and_o repent_v therefore_o i_o shall_v be_v save_v now_o that_o a_o man_n upon_o a_o examination_n of_o himself_o may_v be_v thorough_o assure_v that_o he_o do_v believe_v and_o repent_v be_v evident_a from_o scripture_n which_o do_v not_o only_o exhort_v we_o to_o enter_v upon_o this_o examination_n but_o also_o assert_v that_o assurance_n joy_n and_o peace_n be_v the_o natural_a fruit_n of_o it_o but_o let_v a_o man_n examine_v himself_o and_o so_o let_v he_o eat_v of_o that_o bread_n and_o drink_n of_o that_o cup_n 1_o cor._n 11.28_o examine_v yourselves_o whether_o you_o be_v in_o the_o faith_n prove_v your_o own_o self_n know_v you_o not_o your_o own_o self_n how_o that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v in_o you_o except_o you_o be_v reprobate_n 2_o cor._n 13.5_o but_o sanctify_v the_o lord_n god_n in_o your_o heart_n and_o be_v ready_a always_o to_o give_v a_o answer_n to_o every_o man_n that_o ask_v you_o a_o reason_n of_o the_o hope_n that_o be_v in_o you_o with_o meekness_n and_o fear_n 1_o pet._n 3.15_o and_o hereby_o we_o do_v know_v that_o we_o know_v he_o if_o we_o keep_v his_o commandment_n 1_o joh._n 2.3_o belove_a if_o our_o heart_n condemn_v we_o not_o then_o have_v we_o confidence_n towards_o god_n 1_o joh._n 3.2_o it_o be_v true_a man_n do_v often_o deceive_v themselves_o and_o entertain_v a_o more_o favourable_a opinion_n of_o their_o state_n then_o they_o ought_v but_o whence_o proceed_v this_o even_o from_o too_o partial_a or_o superficial_a reflection_n on_o themselves_o or_o none_o at_o all_o and_o therefore_o the_o apostle_n teach_v we_o plain_o that_o the_o only_a way_n to_o correct_v this_o error_n be_v a_o sincere_a and_o diligent_a search_n into_o ourselves_o for_o if_o a_o man_n think_v himself_o to_o be_v something_o when_o he_o be_v nothing_o he_o deceive_v himself_o but_o let_v every_o man_n prove_v his_o own_o work_n and_o then_o shall_v he_o have_v rejoice_v in_o himself_o alone_o and_o not_o in_o another_o gal._n 6.3_o 4._o but_o it_o be_v object_v against_o all_o this_o that_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n be_v so_o deceitful_a that_o it_o be_v a_o very_a difficult_a matter_n to_o make_v a_o thorough_a discovery_n of_o it_o we_o often_o think_v ourselves_o sincere_a when_o the_o success_n of_o the_o next_o temptation_n give_v we_o just_a reason_n to_o call_v this_o sincerity_n into_o question_n such_o be_v the_o contradiction_n composition_n of_o our_o nature_n that_o we_o often_o act_v contrary_a to_o our_o inward_a conviction_n and_o frequent_o fail_v in_o the_o execution_n of_o those_o design_n in_o the_o performance_n of_o those_o resolution_n which_o we_o have_v think_v very_o well_o ground_v and_o this_o be_v not_o to_o be_v charge_v upon_o the_o insufficiency_n of_o god_n grace_n but_o the_o levity_n or_o insincerity_n of_o our_o own_o heart_n how_o can_v we_o safe_o frame_v any_o right_a opinion_n of_o our_o self_n from_o those_o affection_n and_o purpose_n which_o be_v so_o little_a to_o be_v rely_v upon_o to_o this_o i_o answer_v first_o we_o be_v not_o to_o conclude_v any_o thing_n concern_v our_o progress_n or_o perfection_n too_o hasty_o we_o be_v not_o to_o determine_v of_o the_o final_a issue_n of_o a_o war_n by_o the_o success_n of_o one_o or_o two_o engagement_n but_o our_o hope_n and_o assurance_n be_v to_o advance_v slow_o and_o gradual_o in_o proportion_n to_o the_o abatement_n of_o the_o enemy_n force_n and_o the_o increase_n of_o our_o own_o so_o that_o we_o may_v have_v time_n enough_o to_o examine_v and_o prove_v our_o own_o heart_n second_o a_o sincere_a christian_a but_o especial_o one_o of_o a_o mature_a virtue_n may_v easy_o discern_v his_o spiritual_a state_n by_o the_o inward_a moving_n and_o act_n of_o the_o soul_n if_o he_o attend_v to_o they_o for_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o such_o a_o one_o shall_v be_v ignorant_a what_o impression_n divine_a truth_n make_v upon_o he_o be_v it_o possible_a he_o shall_v be_v ignorant_a whether_o his_o faith_n stand_v firm_a against_o the_o shock_n of_o all_o carnal_a objection_n whether_o he_o earnest_o desire_v to_o please_v god_n as_o love_v he_o above_o all_o thing_n whether_o he_o thirst_v after_o the_o consolation_n and_o joy_n of_o the_o spirit_n more_o than_o after_o that_o of_o sensible_a thing_n be_v it_o possible_a the_o soul_n shall_v bewail_v its_o heaviness_n and_o dryness_n which_o the_o best_a be_v liable_a to_o at_o some_o season_n or_o other_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o the_o soul_n shall_v be_v carry_v upward_o frequent_o on_o the_o wing_n of_o faith_n and_o love_n that_o it_o shall_v maintain_v a_o familiar_a and_o constant_a conversation_n with_o heaven_n that_o it_o shall_v long_o to_o be_v deliver_v from_o this_o world_n of_o trouble_n and_o this_o body_n of_o death_n and_o to_o enter_v into_o the_o region_n of_o peace_n of_o life_n and_o righteousness_n be_v it_o possible_a i_o say_v that_o these_o shall_v be_v the_o affection_n the_o long_n and_o earning_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o yet_o that_o the_o good_a man_n the_o perfect_a man_n who_o often_o enter_v into_o his_o closet_n and_o commune_v with_o his_o own_o heart_n shall_v be_v ignorant_a of_o they_o it_o can_v be_v in_o a_o word_n can_v the_o reluctance_n of_o the_o body_n and_o the_o allurement_n of_o the_o world_n be_v disarm_v weaken_a and_o reduce_v can_v the_o hunger_n and_o thirst_n after_o righteousness_n be_v very_o eager_a the_o relish_n of_o spiritual_a pleasure_n brisk_a and_o delightful_a and_o the_o contempt_n of_o worldly_a thing_n be_v real_a and_o thorough_o settle_v and_o yet_o the_o man_n be_v insensible_a of_o all_o this_o it_o can_v be_v but_o if_o we_o fall_v these_o affection_n in_o we_o we_o may_v safe_o conclude_v that_o we_o be_v partaker_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n that_o we_o have_v escape_v the_o corruption_n that_o be_v in_o the_o world_n through_o lust_n and_o that_o the_o new_a creature_n be_v at_o least_o grow_v up_o into_o a_o perfect_a man_n to_o the_o measure_n of_o the_o stature_n of_o the_o fullness_n of_o christ_n three_o the_o sure_a test_n of_o a_o state_n of_o grace_n be_v our_o abound_v in_o good_a work_n you_o shall_v know_v the_o tree_n by_o its_o fruit_n be_v our_o master_n own_o rule_n and_o it_o can_v never_o deceive_v we_o he_o that_o do_v righteousness_n be_v bear_v of_o god_n if_o then_o we_o be_v frequent_a and_o fervent_a in_o our_o devotion_n towards_o god_n if_o we_o be_v modest_a and_o grateful_a in_o the_o success_n patient_n and_o resigned_n calm_a and_o serene_a under_o the_o cross_n and_o trouble_v of_o life_n if_o we_o be_v not_o only_o punctual_a but_o honourable_a in_o our_o deal_n if_o we_o be_v vigorous_a and_o generous_a in_o the_o exercise_n of_o charity_n if_o we_o be_v not_o only_o just_a and_o true_a but_o meek_a gentle_a and_o oblige_v in_o our_o word_n if_o we_o retrench_v not_o only_o the_o sinful_a but_o something_o from_o the_o innocent_a liberty_n and_o gratification_n of_o sense_n to_o give_v ourselves_o more_o entire_o up_o to_o the_o duty_n and_o pleasure_n of_o faith_n if_o final_o we_o never_o be_v ashamed_a of_o virtue_n nor_o flatter_v compliment_n nor_o wink_v at_o vice_n if_o we_o be_v ready_a to_o meet_v with_o death_n with_o comfort_n and_o retain_v life_n with_o some_o degree_n of_o indifference_n if_o these_o thing_n i_o say_v be_v in_o we_o we_o have_v little_a reason_n to_o doubt_v of_o the_o goodness_n of_o our_o state_n for_o good_a work_n be_v the_o natural_a fruit_n of_o grace_n it_o be_v impossible_a we_o shall_v abound_v in_o the_o one_o without_o be_v possess_v